Chicago Bears training camp is in full swing ahead of the 2025 regular season. Under new head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears are preparing a return to relevancy with important practices and meetings at Halas Hall.
The starters, such as quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, and defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Montez Sweat, will hone their skills as they adjust to a new system. Rookies such as tight end Colston Loveland, receiver Luther Burden III, tackle Ozzy Trapilo, and defensive tackle Shemar Turner will look to hit the ground running ahead of their first season. And depth players like offensive lineman Doug Kramer, defensive end Dominique Robinson, and safety Jonathan Owens will try and hang on to a roster spot with competition nipping at their heels.
Following every Bears‘ training camp practice, we at Bears Wire will highlight a select number of players who stood out during the day. On Wednesday, the Bears had a much lighter practice and took the pads off, but we still saw a few players make big-time plays:
1. WR Luther Burden
Rookie Luther Burden got off to a slow start due to injuries and missing play details, but he showed why he was such a highly regarded receiver coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft. Burden had his best day of camp yet, catching a pass in between two defenders from Williams on a crossing route, and made a spectacular catch in the end zone, though his feet didn’t land in bounds, according to 670 The Score’s Chris Emma. Still, those are the types of plays fans envisioned when Burden was selected in the second round. There was plenty of concern about his status, but it’s safe to say he’s on the right track now that he’s back on the field.
2. QB Case Keenum
It wasn’t a stellar day for the quarterbacks overall, but veteran Case Keenum found some opportunities to make plays with the second-string offense. Keenum had two touchdowns during 11-on-11s, finding tight ends Stephen Carlson and Durham Smythe for touchdowns, according toDan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. Both players were wide open, as Zack Pearson of Bear Report notes. The quarterback has to make the throws, though, and Keenum delivered in both instances.
3. CB Kyler Gordon
It’s the summer of Kyler Gordon, and we’re all living in it. The young cornerback has been praised by his new coaches from the start this offseason; he signed a contract extension that will make him one of the highest-paid slot defenders in the league, and he should be a valuable chess piece in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system. The best part? Gordon has been healthy throughout training camp up to this point. And when he does that, he makes plays like the one he had with receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on Wednesday. Gordon flew in to break up an on-target pass intended for Zaccheaus, diving at the last possible second, showing off that skill set that has Bears coaches excited.
