Chicago

Bears

The Bears have now signed two of their three second-round picks, having kicked things off by signing DT Shemar Turner earlier today. Only WR Luther Burden remains as the Bears’ lone, unsigned second-round pick. Trapilo will compete with incumbent OT Braxton Jones for the starting left tackle job. Jones has been recovering from ankle surgery and is expected to participate in the Bears’ training camp.

The second-round rookies have largely been holding out as a group this year in search of fully guaranteed contracts. It’s unclear if Turner’s deal is fully guaranteed, but his signing, along with a few other contracts getting ironed out, should pave the way for more dominoes to fall. Chicago drafted Turner to be a versatile interior defender for their ascending defense. Turner totaled 10 sacks and three forced fumbles in four seasons at Texas A&M.

Loveland did decline to say definitively that he’ll be out on the field when training camp begins, but there’s no real reason to be worried about his shoulder as we enter August. Loveland will likely face snap challenges in his rookie year with Cole Kmet retaining a real role in Chicago’s offense. Still, it’s undeniable that the rookie has major upside at a tough position for fantasy production.

The steady drumbeat for Odunze — a former top-10 pick — continues as the Bears ready for training camp. Head coach Ben Johson said in May that he was “extremely impressed” with Odunze following a disappointing rookie campaign that saw him catch 54 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns. Thanks to erratic play from Caleb Williams, Odunze was among the least efficient wideouts in the game last season. He was 13th in air yards — leading all Chicago pass catchers — but 42nd in receiving yards. “If Odunze didn’t meet outside expectations, it’s not because he was dropping passes or running poor routes,” Fishbain writes. “With a better scheme and improved quarterback play, he should take off in Year 2.” Odunze will have to compete for targets with DJ Moore and incoming rookie Luther Burden.

Both Poles and head coach Ben Johnson are now under contract through the 2029 NFL season. Ownership was evidently pleased by the duo’s first offseason together and decided to keep the partnership intact for the foreseeable future. Poles still had two years left on his past deal, at the time of today’s signing.

Burden has been sidelined for most of the offseason while dealing with an undisclosed injury. The rookie second-rounder also remains unsigned. While it’s been a slow start to Burden’s pro career, a return by training camp should give him plenty of time to get up to speed before the start of the season. Even when Burden acclimates himself to the offense, he’ll likely slot in as the team’s No. 3 receiver with Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore expected to serve as the primary options in two receiver sets. Burden makes for an intriguing late-round pick in deeper leagues, but is unlikely to enter the season with much fantasy upside.

Bair was responding to a reader who asked whether the Bears are “in trouble” with Burden having missed so much of the offseason after landing on a football awkwardly. In short, Bair does not think so. Bair referred to Burden as “an X factor,” saying he “is still a dangerous weapon, one that can be impactful outside or in the slot.” While the slot role will provide Burden with opportunities to run routes against linebackers and safeties, mastering the perimeter role is key for fantasy purposes. He must be able to play in two-wide receiver sets in order for us to rely on him. Bair does note that “Johnson doesn’t reward those who don’t give effort during the week, so Burden must prove himself” as a consistent and hardworking practice participant.

Loveland recently told reporters that “the plan” is for him to be ready for the start of training camp, citing “strength and mobility” as the two key factors that will determine his readiness to participate fully as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Regarding the “mental side of things,” Loveland “has received rave reviews.” He also told reporters that he plans to host his own walkthroughs in order to further learn the playbook installations, in addition to (seemingly) participating in the live walkthroughs with the team. Bair thinks No. 2 TE “Cole Kmet will be heavily involved in this offense,” but clearly states that Loveland is the top receiving threat in this position group, and that he should contribute meaningfully to the Bears’ passing game productivity.

Dealing with a shoulder issue, Loveland was seen in a red non-contact jersey during Bears minicamp. The rookie has reportedly run routes and lifted weights, but hasn’t been given the green light to participate fully in Bears practices. “I think he’s going to fit in really well once we start getting him to go full speed,” Johnson said when asked about Loveland’s availability, adding that the rookie has taken mental reps in offseason practice sessions. Johnson is expected to use Loveland — the tenth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — along with Cole Kmet as key red zone targets for Caleb Williams. It remains to be seen if Loveland will have a full-time route-running role in 2025.

Bears rookies will return for one last organized team activities (OTAs) stretch next week, before the team’s month-plus break begins. Ideally, Burden returns and is able to re-establish himself as a must-start weapon in head coach Ben Johnson’s eyes. With Johnson’s reported intent to feature TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet in 12 personnel groupings, Burden has given the once-dog-housed DJ Moore and second-year WR Rome Odunze a chance to box out the rookie. While Burden is likely at least lock up No. 3/slot receiver duties, gaining access to two-receiver sets is critical for immediate, impactful fantasy football successes. Burden has also not yet signed his rookie contract, and one wonders what else he could be prioritizing while sidelined. Stay tuned for Burden’s hopeful participation on Monday. Final rookie OTAs run from June 9-11.