3 notes coming from Chicago Bears 2023 rookie camp

The Chicago Bears had their first time getting the rookies adjusted to the NFL with their minicamp. They will reassemble for some OTAs, then it will be the long gap of the actual offseason before training camp.

While this is not even training camp, and it is much more of an introduction than anything, there were a small notes that could be taken away from the team getting together, as well as what the rookies are doing early on. What ate the biggest takeaways?

3. Chicago Bears feel better at center than others

One of the bigger questions from the Chicago Bears draft was something they did not do. They did not draft a center, and even when they traded up, they took Tyrique Stevenson, even though the Giants used the very next pick on a center.

Fans see Cody Whitehair penciled in, and are looking at his age and injury history and thinking that this was a need. However, the front office is looking much more at the depth of the unit.

First, they are still excited about Lucas Patrick. They were more excited than the fans were to sign him, and they remain higher on him than the fans are. Patrick struggled at guard, but so much of his season was impacted by injuries. The reality is that he is also about five years younger than Cody Whitheair.

Entering training camp, the team could have a competition or even start the season with Whitehair, then finish the season feeling better about Patrick after being eased in.

However, the more interesting note was Doug Kramer and Deiter Eiselen being included. Sure, Kramer is in line to be a third-string center, but it does seem that the faith in him entering year two is what has the team avoiding it on day three of the draft. Kramer is another player who is easy to write off because he is a seventh-rounder, but the Chicago Bears are saying if he did not get injured, the fans would not have been clamoring for a center.

Beyond that is Eisielen, who has flirted with guard and center, but the lack of depth finally pushed this coaching staff towards making him a center. So, again, fans see a UDFA from the Ryan Pace days who has not made it far, but this staff sees someone who will be in his first full offseason competing to get center work. If he can take a step he could be in the mix.

So, fans see four guys with plenty of questions, the Chicago Bears see four guys with enough upside that one of them is likely going to stick.