The Chicago Bears returned to the practice field on Tuesday, for their second padded session of training camp—adding in live hitting and a faster tempo. One of the biggest storylines was rookie wide receiver Luther Burden, who found himself in the spotlight for both his upside and early struggles.

Burden, the Bears second-round pick, practiced with the first team for the first time during 11 on 11 drills after recently returning from a lingering hamstring injury. But with this came growing pains. Head coach Ben Johnson pulled Burden from a rep due to a misalignment and wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration. Johnson had also pointed out similar issues during Monday’s walkthrough, saying those mistakes forced the team to “re-huddle and start all over again.”

Johnson reportedly screamed at Burden and sent him to the sideline—a clear message that precision matters in this offense. Still, the rookie responded with poise. He bounced back with sharp route-running and maintained a strong attitude throughout practice.

After missing OTAs, minicamp, and the first week of camp, Burden is still catching up. Johnson admitted the rookie is “a little behind right now” but said the team would gradually increase his reps, similar to how they’ve eased in other players returning from injury. “There’s really no substitute for full-speed reps,” Johnson emphasized.

If Burden can continue to handle tough coaching and master the details, he has the potential to carve out a real role in this offense alongside DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Tuesday’s practice was a clear message: in Ben Johnson’s system, talent isn’t enough—execution is everything.

Bears Training Camp Highlights: Caleb Williams & Offense DOMINATE

Chicago Bears fans have reason for optimism as Caleb Williams begins to find his footing in Ben Johnson’s complex offense. After a naturally slow start—expected with a new system—Williams is making noticeable strides, according to Johnson’s update on Tuesday morning.

“I probably just see growth. He is so much more comfortable right now,” Johnson said, pointing to a recent walk-through where Williams smoothly transitioned between shotgun and under-center formations while managing motion from tight ends and receivers.

Johnson credited Williams behind the scenes work: “His process is really clean right now… He’s doing the work no one else sees, and we’re starting to see the dividends.”

This progress is encouraging for fans eager to see the former No. 1 pick settle into a new offense. Despite the pressure, Williams is showing he can absorb and execute a challenging playbook. Johnson’s praise highlights Williams commitment and maturity that some have unfortunately started to question.

With training camp in full swing, Williams growing command of the offense suggests he’s turning a corner. If the trend continues, Bears fans may soon see the dynamic playmaker they were promised take center stage.

Bears Training Camp Highlights: Caleb Williams & Offense DOMINATE

Talent goes a long way in determining the best defenses in NFL history. So does coaching. However, you’ll find another common thread among them: chemistry. Every great defense operated and felt like a family. Guys knew what each other was thinking. Everybody acted in concert. The 1976 Steelers, 1985 Bears, 2000 Ravens, 2002 Buccaneers, 2013 Seahawks, and 2015 Broncos all featured this. The personalities involved were always different, but the familial atmosphere was consistent. That is what Dennis Allen is trying to build in Chicago.

The new Bears defensive coordinator knows a thing or two about great defenses. He helped build one in New Orleans towards the end of the 2010s. That team probably should’ve won a Super Bowl. Regardless, he took lessons from that success and has begun applying them to his new duties in Chicago. One way to help foster an atmosphere of camaraderie and closeness is through an initiation process. Safety Kevin Byard revealed that every defensive player must do a brutal set of 40 up-downs before being allowed to work.

It’s 40 up-downs they had to do. And any defensive player added to the roster the rest of the year needs to do those first practice, whether it’s Week 1, Week 8 or Week 18.

“But no man that’s just what it is man,” Byard said. “I think that’s just the type of family atmosphere that D.A. (Dennis Allen) is creating for this defense.”

Once they do the 40 up-downs, they’re good to go for the rest of the year.

Dennis Allen is proving he understands psychology.

Yes, the ritual is harsh. It’s meant to be. The up-downs initiate the new arrivals and tell them that a certain level of hard work is expected in this defense. If you’re not prepared to work hard and make sacrifices for the good of the team, then you can find another job. The fact that Byard called this coaching staff far more intense than the one it replaced should give you an idea of how seriously Dennis Allen takes this stuff. He needs all 11 guys to act as one for his defense to work. Talent alone won’t accomplish that. He needs them to feel like a squad in the military, forged in the same fires of basic training. Survival hinges on the guys beside you in the trenches having your back. Allen is fostering that atmosphere, and it appears to have won over many guys already.

Caleb Williams probably thought he had a decent idea of what he was getting into with Ben Johnson. He, like everybody else, saw the incredible success the new Chicago Bears head coach had in Detroit and figured it would do wonders for the young quarterback. It is a safe assumption that Williams got a rude awakening once he saw what Johnson truly had in mind. He’s experienced different playbooks in his career, from Lincoln Riley at USC to Shane Waldron last year. Nothing prepared him for what he got handed earlier this year.

Johnson is a different animal. His playbook is dense, detailed, and difficult. That isn’t by accident. He designed it to be that way. According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, the Bears head coach refuses to cut corners. His intention this offseason was always to swamp his players, especially Williams.

New coach Ben Johnson didn’t tiptoe into Halas Hall. The two years he waited, and passed on other chances to become a head coach, gave the 39-year-old plenty of time to cultivate the plan he’s executing now, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s detailed and designed to be difficult, and the trial by fire the players were going to go through was always going to be hotter on the quarterback.

That started with what Johnson saw on tape from Williams while studying the 2024 season, and even going back to break down everything he did at Oklahoma and USC before that.

Williams isn’t afraid of challenges.

He actively seeks them out, which is why he accepted coming to the Bears in the first place. Even so, the quarterback has gotten some nasty surprises early in training camp. Johnson refuses to hold his hand, throwing all sorts of tests his way. The goal is simple: force Williams to understand the importance of always having his eyes in the right place.

The period that covers the three aforementioned throws is what the Bears call their “Wake Up” period at the start of practice, where the defense sends pressure at the offense to give DC Dennis Allen’s unit the work it needs, and also tests Williams. It stresses Williams after the snap, yes, but more so it’s about what it’s forcing him to do before it, with what the quarterback casually refers to as P.S.P. (presnap procedure).

The Bears want to see the right checks. They want to see the right communication. They want to see Williams’s eyes in the right place. They know it’s not automatic.

Caleb Williams is finally getting the harsh lessons he needs.

Aside from general incompetence, one of the biggest issues with Matt Eberflus and his previous coaching was their unwillingness to be tough on the young quarterback. Too often, they seemed to tiptoe around him. Former offensive coordinator Thomas Brown mentioned that issue after he took over midseason as head coach. He said sometimes guys need to be willing to actually coach players. Don’t be afraid to get in their faces and hold them accountable. Deliver harsh lessons on why things are done a certain way.

Johnson isn’t doing all this to Caleb Williams because he’s a sadist. It is meant to show the Bears quarterback that the NFL is hard. It is one of the hardest professional sports in existence to play. If the head coach doesn’t prepare him for that reality, defenses will punish him until the quarterback’s spirit is broken. Chicago has seen it happen too many times over the years. Johnson intends to find out if Williams can cut it or not.

Plenty of things go into determining whether a player and, by extension, his team have a good season. Nothing is more impactful to that end than injuries. One loss in the wrong spot can sink an entire campaign. The Chicago Bears are familiar with this reality, just like every other team. Staying healthy is the toughest challenge in the NFL—the harsh realities of playing a violent sport. Training camp was always going to feature health setbacks. One could only hope they weren’t too severe when they happened.

Sadly, it appears the Bears couldn’t dodge the inevitable. Word has come out of Halas Hall that 2nd round pick Shemar Turner suffered an ankle injury at some point when training camp began. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune revealed how severe it is.

Second-round pick Shemar Turner will be out for some time. The defensive tackle left near the end of the first practice of camp Wednesday with an ankle sprain. The Bears are believed to be bracing for Turner to be sidelined at least a month, which could challenge the Texas A&M product to be ready for the start of the season and almost certainly precludes him from playing in preseason games.

Turner was durable during four seasons in college, playing in 43 games (35 over the last three seasons), and battled through a troublesome shin injury last summer and fall that wound up requiring surgery. So the Bears have to feel pretty good he will bounce back, but the timing is unfortunate. This could force them to ponder placing Turner on injured reserve with a designation to return.

The timing of this is rough.

Chicago already has considerable questions about the depth of their defensive line. Hopes were high that Turner could give them some juice and versatility. Now they will have to wait until probably October before knowing where his progress is.

The Chicago Bears likely have no choice but to seek help.

Turner isn’t the only one on the defensive line banged up. Tanoh Kpassagnon, their recent free agent addition, left Monday’s practice on a cart. Their depth is getting more precarious by the day. If both men are out for an extended period, there is no question that the Chicago Bears brass will hunt for veteran help. The list of options has some notable names. Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Matthew Judon, and Jadeveon Clowney all remain available. Carl Lawson is an outside possibility as well. Much depends on the kind of money the Bears are willing to spend. Any of those names they sign will come in expecting significant playing time. If head coach Dennis Allen would prefer to give Turner work, then signing a reserve option is more probable. Expect a decision by the end of the week.