Chicago

Bears

Earlier today, the team announced that they have voted to advance stadium development plans in Hammond, Indiana, though a site has not yet been chosen. Per Pelissero, the team also still has to get “the financing together [and] the legal documents together,” meaning the move has not yet been finalized. Pelissero notes that the Vikings nearly made a similarly significant location switch in the past and went so far as to make a similar public announcement about its intentions to move. Within a few months, the Minnesota legislature was making the necessary moves to keep the team in its same location. Rich Eisen asked Pelissero if today’s team statement could have been made to an “audience of one,” Governor J.B. Pritzker. Pelissero responded indirectly, noting only that “Illinois really has not presented anything yet,” so a counterproposal could be on the way.

While an exact site is still to be determined, the Bears have officially planned to move from their home state of Illinois. In a statement announced by the team on Friday, chairman George McCaskey and president and CEO Kevin Warren said “we believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region.” We’ll likely know the exact location in the near future, but the team is one step closer to a state of the art indoor stadium.

The Bears took Thieneman 25th overall in this year’s draft in hopes of bolstering a secondary that allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns and fifth-highest NY/A last season. The former Oregon Duck tallied eight interceptions in 39 games during his college career and was one of the most athletic players at his position (9.71 RAS) in the draft. He should slot in as an immediate starter for the Bears this season.

Odunze had 661 yards and six touchdowns last season over 12 regular season games before sustaining a foot injury that would linger into the postseason, when Odunze had four grabs over two playoff games. “This is my new normal,” Odunze said of the nagging foot injury. “And it’s not from a standpoint that I’m always in pain but the way my foot broke there’s callouses in there that, like, creates a different type of foot structure with those bones — different types of things that kind of shift things around.” Odunze added that the foot issue was not “going to prohibit me from making plays but I feel like with the break it’s just like when you tear your AC (shoulder joint) it’s never really back to normal.” The Bears, after trading DJ Moore to the Bills in the offseason, are hoping Odunze’s injury doesn’t flare up in 2026. He’ll likely be the team’s No. 2 wideout behind Luther Burden.

Johnson’s endorsement is going to push Burden’s ADP up, and it’s not necessarily unreasonable to chase it. In early April, Johnson said he needs to get the ball in Burden’s hands “as often as we possibly can.” Continued praise from the head coach is always a good thing. Hopes are high for the second-year receiver, who posted an 8/138/1 receiving line in Week 17 fantasy championships. Burden is set to compete with TE Colston Loveland and WR Rome Odunze for targets, though, and it is unclear exactly where Burden sits in the target pecking order right now. Johnson adds that Burden has had an “electric” offseason, is consistently finishing his practice reps and has “been extremely coachable,” while refining his speed cuts, sharp breaks and releases. Hopefully, the positive reports continue to roll in for the talented, young playmaker.

A report from last week indicated that Johnson had not been present at the Bears’ facility. Veterans sometimes stay home early in the spring, so it wasn’t a huge issue, but it is nice to know that the Bears’ star cornerback is back in the building, working out with his teammates. Johnson was sidelined by a significant offseason injury last year, variously reported as groin, hamstring and calf issues. He played in Weeks 1 and 2 before ultimately undergoing core muscle surgery and returning in Week 13. Hopefully, Johnson enjoys good health this season.

This was an emphasis of head coach Ben Johnson when he arrived in Chicago after the 2024 season. “Late in some of those games, we were making some heroic plays . . . but it wasn’t necessary if we execute in the first quarter and second quarter,” Barrett said in an interview with the Chicago Sun Times. “We might be up two touchdowns by the time we get to the fourth quarter. We can be efficient and take what the defense is giving. You don’t necessarily have to put the cape on and make those crazy plays because you already were killing them in the first three quarters.” Williams over his two pro seasons has been among the worst out-of-pocket passers. Last season his adjusted yards per attempt on throws outside the pocket (4.8) ranked 29th out of 35 qualifying QBs. His accuracy on such throws ranked 30th. Barrett and the Bears will continue encouraging Williams to take the easy throws in 2026.

Veterans sometimes skip voluntary activities, even when the team prefers that they attend. The Bears would undoubtedly prefer to have Johnson, their star cornerback, at the facility for spring practices following an injury-ruined 2025 season. We would too. It would be nice to know what kind of shape he is in. Johnson is an elite perimeter coverage defender, capable of dissuading quarterbacks from testing his coverage. Johnson played in Week 2, underwent core muscle surgery in September 2025 and resumed playing in Week 13. Bears DB coach and pass game coordinator Al Harris has “no doubt” that Johnson, fully healthy, will return to form. He needs to show up first, though.

Ahmed suffered a gruesome ankle injury on a hip-drop tackle in training camp prior to the start of last season. He missed all of 2025 and has not seen an NFL field since 2023. Starting his career with the Dolphins, Ahmed hopped around the Broncos and Colts rosters the last two seasons and will now look to make the Bears roster coming off a major ankle injury.

Ben Johnson has been quoted as saying ‘We’re not getting a rookie’ when talking about Jones, which feels like a bit of a giveaway that it could be even sooner than Week 11. Jones will have to beat out veteran Garrett Bradbury to win the role, but the drumbeat is that it will happen sooner rather than later.