Chicago Bears News: Gerald Everett to miss start of camp, TJ Edwards, and more

Saturday will feature the first practice of Chicago Bears' Training Camp but one of the team's offseason additions will not be on the field.

The Bears inked a two-year deal with Gerald Everett this offseason. The idea is to give offensive coordinator Shane Waldron a second tight end to utilize in two-tight-end sets along with Cole Kmet.

With the Los Angeles Chargers last season, Everett totaled 411 yards on 51 receptions. Everett was not among the players that Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus mentioned while speaking with reporters on Friday but the hope is that Eberflus will provide an update on his status after practice on Saturday.

TJ Edwards on the Chicago Bears' linebackers

Among the goals for Chicago Bears' linebacking duo TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds is to start the season hot.

One of the biggest reasons the Bears' defense struggled at the start of the 2023 season is the inconsistent play from Edwards and Edmunds. As the season progressed, each linebacker returned to form, with Edwards emerging as the better of the two veteran linebackers last season. With the added expectations of the Bears entering the 2024 season, the team needs their prized free-agent signings from the 2023 offseason to be the reason why they thrive from the start.

Chicago Bears not ruling out adding a defensive end

While Ryan Poles did say that he was comfortable with the team's depth at defensive end, he also did not rule out a potential signing before the start of the season.

All eyes remain on free-agent Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue was with the Bears in 2023 before an ankle injury ended his season in December. While Poles referred to Ngakoue in the past tense when talking about his efforts with the team last season, it seems that the two sides will eventually reach an agreement on a new deal. Ngakoue is believed to be ready for the start of the season.