The Bears announced Tuesday that training camp will return to Halas Hall in 2020 and for the foreseeable future, a move that was expected after the recent renovations and massive investment made in the facility. It's a logical decision by the team, but it also marks the end of an 18-year run of training camp practices in Bourbonnais. 

Training camp can be a special experience for football fans. In some cases, it's the first exposure to live football for children. In other cases, it's the closest a fan will get to their favorite player. It's an even more personal experience when training camp takes place in an intimate setting like Bourbonnais.

And it's because of these emotions and now broken traditions that some Bears fans weren't thrilled with the team's announcement. Take a look:

Bears Training Camp will no longer be held at Olivet Nazarene University. I’m sad to see the organization break an incredible tradition. Made countless memories in Bourbonnais, IL. pic.twitter.com/zjKd7d00tL

— Noah Osen (@NoahOsen) January 14, 2020

I went to training camp at Halas back in the early 80’s. It was before the new facility, was ok for fans. Bourbonnais was a lot more fun. I get that the new facilities might be better suited to training though.

— Vicki S (@VHSch) January 14, 2020

Disappointing. The fans access still matters for training camps. Whatever the Bears come up with it won’t have a Platteville or Bourbonnais feel. https://t.co/SUCceHRE9A

— Jonathan Hood (@tweetjhood) January 14, 2020

Hopefully fans will still get the interaction with players like they had in Bourbonnais----like my son meeting the man the myth the legend!!!!! pic.twitter.com/y8ZiWA9kBr

— Cerut20 (@Cerut20) January 14, 2020

Right when you think the Bears can’t find any more ways to anger fans, they move training camp from Bourbonnais to Lake Forest.

I’m not surprised by this but I made a lot of memories with family and friends at Bourbonnais over the years so it’s bittersweet to see the news🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1DoZEGYYIN

— Ian Blum (@TheBluminator) January 14, 2020

For families that couldn’t afford to go to an actual game, Bourbonnais was a great opportunity for parents to take their kids see their favorite team. That part is sad to me but it does make financial sense for the Bears.

— Jim Gottberg (@JimGottberg) January 14, 2020

This is disappointing. Took Michael to Bourbonnais two summers ago, he LOVED everything about it. Was hoping to make it a regular thing for us. Seems like an opportunity lost to give fans an much closer look at the team, especially the kids. https://t.co/FkMVpLVqbf

— Nick Moser (@NJMoser1229) January 14, 2020

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The first phase of the 2020 NFL offseason will kick off on March 18 when the signing period for free agency officially begins. Teams can negotiate with free agents beginning on March 16, and the Bears are expected to be among the cluster of clubs searching for upgrades at several key positions.

GM Ryan Pace is likely to focus his free-agent budget on a veteran quarterback, help along the offensive line, and the secondary where players like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Prince Amukamara face uncertain futures. There's also the tight end problem, which Pace can use free agency to land a quick fix.

This year's free-agent class his headlined by high-upside yet risky players. Many of the top names are coming off of breakout seasons but have resumes of underwhelming production.

Here's a look at the top 30 free agents scheduled to hit the open market.

Top 30 free agents of the 2020 NFL offseason

Former Bears offensive linemen Kyle Long appeared on The Rap Sheet and Friends podcast hosted by NFL insider Ian Rapoport and he didn't shy away from questions about Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Long, while stating that he understood the questioning and criticism that Trubisky faces, still believes in him.

"The Bears have won with Mitchell Trubisky."

Indeed Mitch was the starter for 14 games of the Bears 12-4 season before this year's 8-8 disappointment. The issue was Trubisky's play was of course, as he didn't show any noticeable improvement in 2019 after tossing 24 touchdowns in 2018. "We all regressed this year, but unfortunately heavy lies the head that wears the crown, and Mitch is the captain," Long said. 

"Mitch is the quarterback. He’s also suited to take the stuff that he’s gotta deal with, and that’s what I love about Mitch. He can deal with the noise, and he’s young. He’s so young."

Long seems excited by the idea of Chicago's hires, saying that new faces could have quite the positive effect on Trubisky’s game "I’m looking forward to seeing what another set of eyes from a coaching perspective can give Mitch. It’ll be cool to see.”

This offseason the Bears have brought in a new offensive coordinator (Bill Lazor), quarterbacks coach (John DeFilippo), and promoted former quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone to passing game coordinator. Bears head coach Matt Nagy, similar to Long, has faith in Trubisky developing, especially in regard to Ragone. In December Nagy said, “I think I know Mitch better than anybody in this building, except maybe Dave Ragone.”

Long certainly seems to miss his teammates though he clearly has no regrets about his decision. He and Trubisky definitely share a bond that will last long beyond their playing days. “I love the kid, he’s a great friend obviously, a teammate, but I’m looking forward to seeing him develop.”

Similar to the message delivered by the Bears’ front office, Long was in full support of Trubisky throughout the entire interview.

"Mitch is the quarterback. He’s also suited to take the stuff that he’s gotta deal with, and that’s what I love about Mitch. He can deal with the noise...”

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