May 11, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Shea McClellin during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears will get a jump start on their NFC North rivals thanks to new head coach Marc Trestman. Since the Bears have a new head coach, they get an extra veteran minicamp and can start their official offseason program the first week in April while other teams have to wait until the third week in April to start their camps.
Here are some key dates to look forward to as the Bears prepare their offseason programs:
April 2: Offseaon workouts begin
April 16-18: Veteran minicamp
May 10-12: Rookie minicamp
May 13 – June 6: 10 OTA workouts conducted over this span
June 11 – 13: Full squad minicamp
Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the offseason activities are divided up into three phases. Here’s what the Bears website had on the definition of those phases:
"During the first phase, which will be conducted during the first two weeks, activities will be limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehab, with only strength and conditioning coaches allowed on the field with players. Helmets are prohibited, and footballs are permitted on the field only for quarterbacks throwing to receivers provided they are not covered by other players.In the second phase, which will take place over the next three weeks, all coaches will be allowed on the field. Workouts may include individual player instruction and drills, but helmets and drills pitting the offense against the defense are prohibited.The third phase, which will be conducted over the next four weeks, may include up to 10 days of organized team activity (OTA) workouts. All coaches are permitted on the field and players may wear helmets, but one-on-one drills involving the offense and defense are not allowed."
Between all of that you’ve got the NFL draft from April 25-27, other key NFL dates and of course Jay Cutler’s wedding on July 13th all before training camp opens in late July. What offseason?