Chicago Bears players are starting to get checked in and ready to roll for the start of the 2026 training camp.
That means Bears fans will finally get to see their team on the practice field for real, working out for the new year. There are so many position battles and questions surrounding a team that had higher expectations than it faced in 2025.
Looking at each position, there is at least one question that each of them needs to answer upon entering camp. Which ones are being asked and are hoped to be answered in the next month?
A burning question at every position entering Bears training camp
QB - Can Caleb Williams take the leap the Bears expect him to?
Williams was just ranked as the 51st-best player in the NFL by his peers, so the pressure is even more on for him to step up in 2026. He showed last year the arm talent, athleticism, and clutch gene that made him so good. With accuracy questions, he must make the leap in 2026 to prove he's an elite talent.
RB - Will Roschon Johnson keep his RB3 spot in 2026?
There are no questions about the starters with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, but what about Roschon Johnson? After barely getting any carries in 2025, Johnson is on the hot seat to play well with a loaded backfield. If he doesn't have a great camp, he might be out of a job.
WR - Are Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III ready for the top two spots?
DJ Moore got traded away, so the top receivers are not Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. Odunze is coming off a foot injury last year, and Burden is only in his second season. While there might be questions about WR3, the Bears want to see Burden live up to the offseason hype and Odunze finally take his leap in 2026.
TE - Will Cole Kmet be on the roster in 2026?
There have been a lot of trade rumors around Cole Kmet after the Bears selected Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bears could be looking to keep Kmet to run more three-tight end sets, but Roush could play well enough to convince the team to trade their veteran away.
OL - Is Braxton Jones really ready for starting left tackle position?
Sure, the center position battle is big, but the left tackle position battle is way more important. Jones had the starting job to begin 2025, but lost it, so it's a second and final chance for him to earn it and potentially keep it with Ozzy Trapilo out. There are a lot of eyes on what happens at left tackle.
DL - Will Grady Jarrett improve upon his play in 2026?
Gervon Dexter was great in 2025, but that was it at the defensive tackle position. Despite paying Grady Jarrett nearly $50 million on his contract last offseason, he did not live up to expectations. The Bears need Jarrett to become the guy who was great when he played for the Atlanta Falcons.
EDGE - Who will step up between Dayo Odeyingbo and Austin Booker?
Montez Sweat can't do all of this by himself, so either Dayo Odeyingbo or Austin Booker will have to step up. Both guys missed significant time with injuries last year, but Booker by far outperformed Odeyingbo. The Bears believe in Booker for the future, but Odeyingbo, after getting a $48 million contract last offseason, has to step up and play well.
LB - Can the linebackers stay healthy all season?
The Bears were confident in their decision to move on from Tremaine Edmunds in the offseason, giving the top spots to T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, and D'Marco Jackson. Edwards and Bush look poised to have solid seasons, and Jackson was one of the biggest surprises of 2025, but Edwards' minor injury still has some concerned since he's missing the start of camp. The Bears need their linebackers to stay healthy all season.
CB - Will Tyrique Stevenson get it done in a prove-it season?
Nahshon Wright is gone, so Tyrique Stevenson is looking to solidify his CB2 job, but rookie fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad might have something to say about that. Stevenson is still trying to erase the memories of the 2024 Hail Mary against the Washington Commanders, but his recent performances have not helped. This is the most important training camp of his career if he wants to be a starter in the NFL.
S - How well will Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman work together?
Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are gone, leaving the safety jobs to newcomers Coby Bryant and rookie Dillon Thieneman. Bryant just won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, so there are no concerns with him. If Thieneman plays as he did in college, this Bears secondary will become a dangerous group.
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Special Teams - Who will start at long snapper?
The long snapper position battle between Luke Elkin and Beau Gardner is a massive one for the Bears on special teams. Two young players are trying to fight for a job, leaving some to wonder who will win the fight. While it may seem like a simple decision, it could make the difference when the kicking and punting game matters the most.
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