From now until April 24, draft content will populate the headlines in the football community. There will, unfortunately, also be a heavy interest in whatever decision Aaron Rodgers makes as he searches for a new team.
For most Bears fans, the latter is not as important, and at this point in the calendar, draft topics could also become repetitive. That’s normal, though, for a sport that really never takes a break throughout the year outside of one month in June.
This past weekend, here are some Bears topics – one Draft related – that Bears fans should know about as everyone waits for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears News: Michigan Pro Day includes Ben Johnson cameo
The Michigan Wolverines held their annual Pro Day last Friday. The Wolverines will have plenty of players drafted, including defensive tackle Mason Graham, cornerback Will Johnson, and tight end Colston Loveland, who will likely be selected on Day 1.
With so many talented players on the roster, it makes sense that coaches throughout the NFL were in attendance in Ann Arbor. Among those attendees, were Bears head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who were seen in a video Michigan posted on their social media.
If Graham somehow made it to the Bears at No. 10, that would be the pick for general manager Ryan Poles – you would think. Adding Graham to the interior of the defensive line would make Allen’s job a lot easier knowing he would have one of the best players in college football last season added to a line that already has Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. But even a player like Loveland would be a nice asset to Johnson’s offense, especially since he favored using two-tight end sets while he was in Detroit.
Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant is also an interesting option on the D-line. If he was available with either of the Bears’ second-round picks (39 and 41), that would provide Allen with another run-stuffing, pass-rushing threat.
Chicago Bears News: Defensive line already bonding
Whenever a fanbase sees players from their team working out and working out as a group in the offseason, there is usually a consensus positive reaction to it. That was definitely how most Bears fans reacted after seeing Montez Sweat, Graddy Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr. and Austin Booker working together with pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan.
Jordan founded Trench Performance in 2018 – which “offers coaching and training opportunities to elite defensive linemen at the high school, college and NFL levels.” According to the Trench Performance website, Jordan has worked with over 200 NFL players and has been coaching since 2012.
The 18-second clip on social media on Saturday gained plenty of attention from Bears fans as they watched Chicago’s D-linemen work on their pass-rush techniques. Fans have a right to be excited seeing core members of the defensive line working together. It will take time for the players to get acquainted with a newcomer in Jarrett and also Dayo Odeyingbo – who signed a three-year, $48 million deal this offseason.
Chicago Bears News: One stat proves just how bad the 2024 season was
If one were to go back through the Chicago Bears’ 2024 season, there would be plenty of moments that would trigger some type of reaction – mostly negative. You know them. Caleb Williams’ rookie season was filled with memorable moments.
One of those stats that is hard to forget is Williams’ 68 sacks – which led the NFL last season. There’s a reason why Ryan Poles aggressively added three new starters on the offensive line.
Next Gen Stats posted on their Instagram three days ago detailing just how bad things were for Williams during his rookie season.
“In the 2024 season, Caleb Williams faced the most unblocked pressures (105) and unblocked sacks (13) in the NFL.”
A lot went wrong last season, but to have 105 unblocked pressures is an enormous amount. That involves everything from the offensive scheme, blocking assignments, communication, quarterback play, etc.
The hope is that Ben Johnson’s offense along with offensive line coach Dan Roushar can drastically reduce those unblocked pressures. Doing so will allow Williams to play more comfortably as he enters Year 2.