It's draft week for the NFL as the Chicago Bears prepare to figure out who they will select, but that's not the only thing happening this week for the franchise.
The Bears are officially kicking off their offseason program. They will not be able to hit the field for on-field activities, but plenty more will happen. Players will be able to come in for meetings, participate in strength and conditioning, and rehab their bodies.
This portion of the offseason program is not mandatory, as the Bears don't kick off OTAs until May 27. Players are not required to be at Halas Hall until June 9 for three days of mandatory workouts.
Bears get their 2026 offseason program underway
There is a different feel to this offseason workout, as there might be fewer players coming since head coach Ben Johnson is back for his second season with the team. Bears players who were in Chicago last year are more familiar with Johnson and the coaching staff's schemes, so it is less likely that veterans will jump on board and return to the team right away.
This will be the first time the Bears can see their new additions from free agency. They added some top talent like Devin Bush and Coby Bryant to the defense, as the hope is that they will be there to get their first looks at the coaching staff and get to work.
Bears fans will be interested in seeing whether their star quarterback, Caleb Williams, will be there working with the team as he enters his third season with the franchise. Williams was active last offseason with Johnson to learn the offense and get a feel for his new head coach, so it should be more of the same as he evolves in the offense.
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2026 has the feel of a Bears team that could make a run for the Super Bowl, but it all starts with the work they put in with the offseason program.