The final horn has sounded on the Chicago Bears’ mandatory minicamp, sending players off for a crucial summer break.
As of June 6, 2025, the buzz from Halas Hall is overwhelmingly positive, fueled by a particularly “electrifying” performance from quarterback Caleb Williams on the penultimate day. Beyond the QB, players like Tyrique Stevenson are expressing a fresh determination to excel under the new coaching staff, eager to leave past struggles behind.
With a glimpse into Ben Johnson’s creative offensive mind and an emphasis on players maintaining their conditioning, let’s break down the key takeaways from minicamp’s conclusion and look ahead to what promises to be a pivotal training camp.
Minicamp Concludes with Positive Vibes: The Bears wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Thursday, June 5th, with a general sense of optimism and progress. Coach Ben Johnson expressed satisfaction with what the team accomplished, emphasizing that the “onus is on our players now to take advantage of the next six weeks” before training camp.
Caleb Williams’ Rising Stock: Following an “electrifying” performance on Wednesday, quarterback Caleb Williams is garnering significant attention in fantasy football circles, with his draft stock reportedly “flying up.” This comes after a minicamp where he showed flashes of brilliance and continued to adapt to Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme. The improved offensive line and new weapons are seen as major factors in his potential success.
Tyrique Stevenson’s Path to Potential: Third-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is a key defensive player looking to make a big impact in 2025. After an “up and down” second season, including a notable moment of frustration, Stevenson is reportedly ready to “turn the page” with the new coaching staff and defense. He’s embracing the new system under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, which he believes will help cornerbacks by taking “a lot of guessing out of the game.” Stevenson stated the defense’s goal is to be “the best defense this year,” aiming for a “fresh start” with added talent.
Rome Odunze’s Growth: Wide receiver Rome Odunze is also showing significant personal growth throughout the offseason program, ahead of his second NFL season.
Ben Johnson’s Early Standouts: While not providing a full list, Ben Johnson did highlight two rookies, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite and running back Kyle Monangai, as standouts from minicamp. This suggests they’ve made a strong early impression.
Offensive Line Versatility and Trick Plays: In a notable development from minicamp, offensive linemen were observed running wide receiver drills, and quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams, even lined up at receiver. This hints at Ben Johnson’s creative and innovative approach, potentially incorporating trick plays and versatile packages into the offensive scheme.
Staying in Shape is Key: With the formal offseason program largely over, Ben Johnson emphasized the importance of players staying mentally and physically ready during the summer break. He noted that players have “built a lot of goodwill with their bodies, conditioning-wise” during OTAs and minicamp.
Optional OTAs Next Week: While mandatory minicamp is done, the Bears still have one more week of optional Organized Team Activities (OTAs) scheduled for June 9-11. Coach Johnson indicated the emphasis for these sessions will be on young players and special teams. Some veterans, like Rome Odunze, have stated they plan to be at Halas Hall next week.
Training Camp in Late July: The next mandatory team activity will be training camp, beginning in late July. This is when full-contact practices will begin, and true evaluations for position battles will intensify.
NFC North Projections: Early projections from various league sources on the NFC North standings vary, but many believe the Bears will be a “pretty good” team in 2025, with some placing them as high as second in the division, contending for a wildcard spot. There’s a consensus that the NFC North will be a highly competitive division this year.
