{"id":44346,"date":"2025-05-12T14:28:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/44346\/"},"modified":"2025-05-12T14:28:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:28:10","slug":"chicago-bears-rookies-got-to-work-this-weekend-at-halas-hall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/44346\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears rookies got to work this weekend at Halas Hall"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears completed their rookie camp Sunday in Lake Forest, wrapping up a three-day orientation process for their eight-man draft class. In addition, 10 undrafted free agent signees<\/a> were on the field along with 23 tryout players, plus six other Year 2 participants.<\/p>\n

For first-round draft pick Colston Loveland, the process of transitioning into an NFL offense<\/a> should come easier thanks to his background. Second-round offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo, meanwhile, is pushing to compete for a significant role<\/a> as early as possible.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a snapshot of what else transpired and what we learned over the weekend.<\/p>\n

The hot topic<\/p>\n

While this weekend\u2019s work in Lake Forest was largely centered around the rookies trying to get their feet on the ground, new Bears coach Ben Johnson<\/a> is also in an acclimation period, running practices for the first time as a head coach and beginning to feel out how he hopes to structure and oversee things.<\/p>\n

Johnson\u2019s methods and plans figure to evolve throughout the spring and summer. But as he dived into this weekend\u2019s work, he said he felt encouraged by the synergy within the coaching staff he assembled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fun to watch them get their hands on these players and be able to work with them,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

The early feedback on Johnson\u2019s oversight was largely positive. Tight end Colston Loveland, the headliner of the Bears\u2019 draft class<\/a>, already appreciates Johnson\u2019s high-energy approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a big fan,\u201d Loveland said. \u201cI love his spirit, his energy. He\u2019s super determined. He\u2019s ready to go. He\u2019s ready to take this thing to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photos: What we saw at Chicago Bears rookie minicamp<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Loveland noted the fire Johnson shows, both in excitement for a big play or in agitation for a careless mistake. \u201cHe has a little bit of everything in him,\u201d Loveland said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt varies based on what we\u2019re seeing,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s a little bit of a counterbalance and a pendulum. As things go one direction, I like to try to keep things centered to a degree. I think you\u2019ll see a lot of different personality styles come out \u2014 not just with me but with the rest of the coaching staff as well \u2014 as we work to get to know our players better and learn what they need to be pushed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Player in the spotlight
\n\"RookieRookie wide receiver Luther Burden III runs down the football field during Chicago Bears rookie camp at Halas Hall on May 9, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

Receiver Luther Burden III<\/a>, drafted at No. 39 last month, remains proud of the proverbial chip he carries on his shoulder as motivation. \u201cThat\u2019s staying with me forever,\u201d Burden said Friday. \u201cEverybody who passed up on me has got to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bears felt fortunate to land Burden in the second round and have placed a bet that his undeniable competitive fire can help fuel his NFL entry. The 21-year-old receiver has promised to continue leaning into the passion he has built up over his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cFootball has opened up so many opportunities for me,\u201d Burden noted on draft weekend. \u201cI love football to death. It\u2019s my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next step for Burden will be carving out a niche in a playmaker-stacked offense that also includes fellow receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, tight ends Cole Kmet and Loveland, and running back D\u2019Andre Swift. But Burden has also quickly jelled with his new receivers coach, Antwaan Randle El, whose own competitive passion should stimulate the rookie receiver\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like it\u2019s going to bring the best out of me,\u201d Burden said. \u201cI\u2019ve seen his past history. He\u2019s a guy who\u2019s been in my shoes (as a player). So he knows what to expect and knows different ways to handle me. So I\u2019m grateful to have a great coach like him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burden didn\u2019t finish Saturday\u2019s practice after landing awkwardly while catching a pass at the end of the morning session. But he was back on the field Sunday.<\/p>\n

Pressing question<\/p>\n

What can Loveland do away from the practice field to accelerate his comfort?<\/p>\n

\"BearsBears first-round draft pick Colston Loveland speaks with the media following rookie minicamp at Halas Hall on May 9, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

The rookie tight end is a little more than halfway finished with his recovery from January shoulder surgery. And while he won\u2019t be cleared to fully participate in on-field work until some time in training camp, Loveland has emphasized that he is feeling good and remaining active, even with his current limitations in the weight room and on the grass.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working out. I\u2019m running,\u201d Loveland said. \u201cI\u2019m doing everything \u2014 except the weight is not as heavy, obviously. We\u2019re taking that day by day. Stacking bricks and getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Column: With Colston Loveland focusing on mental reps, it\u2019s easy to dream big about the Chicago Bears rookie TE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Loveland stressed that he continues to be diligent in taking mental reps and studying his playbook. He also said he has communicated with quarterback Caleb Williams to brainstorm ways they will work on their timing and chemistry amid the rookie\u2019s springtime restrictions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever I can do, we\u2019ll do,\u201d Loveland said. \u201cWe\u2019ll play it by ear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018The real world\u2019
\n\"RookieRookie linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II warms up during Chicago Bears rookie camp at Halas Hall on May 9, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had a message for linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II after his first NFL practice Friday was a bit bumpy. \u201cHe told me in the meeting (Friday), \u2018I need a better day from you,’\u201d Hyppolite said. \u201cThat was good for me to hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though he\u2019s quiet, everything is being evaluated. So it\u2019s all about handling my business. It\u2019s work. I\u2019m in the real world now. You gotta love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an early bond forming between Allen and Hyppolite, with the Bears still feeling out how their speed-blessed linebacker will fit into a defense that already features veterans T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Hyppolite first began connecting with Bears coaches \u2014 including Allen and linebackers coach Richard Smith \u2014 during his pre-draft visit to Halas Hall in April. Smith was particularly detailed in assessing Hyppolite\u2019s college film and providing insight into areas where the Bears believe they can bring out his best.<\/p>\n

While the Bears were drawn to Hyppolite\u2019s top-tier speed \u2014 he posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.42 seconds at his Maryland pro day \u2014 the rookie linebacker has been pushing to impress his new coaches with his defensive acumen and ability to talk ball. Allen, meanwhile, has early visions of what Hyppolite can become, particularly in his ability to be a weapon in coverage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe number one thing is he can run,\u201d Allen said Saturday. \u201cWith the things we\u2019re going to ask \u2019backers to do, they have to be able to match up with tight ends, with running backs at times. They\u2019ll have to be able to match up with wide receivers (as well). Sometimes that\u2019s carrying things vertically down the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking for guys who can run. And then we\u2019re looking for guys who have a physical mentality and a physical demeanor. I felt like he exhibited those things on tape.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next?<\/p>\n

The Bears will begin organized team activities on May 20 at Halas Hall with three days of on-field work that week and another four the following week (May 27-30). The team\u2019s mandatory spring minicamp will take place June 3-5 in Lake Forest.<\/p>\n

Originally Published: May 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM CDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Chicago Bears completed their rookie camp Sunday in Lake Forest, wrapping up a three-day orientation process for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44347,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2070],"tags":[15559,374,1035,692,391,2493,590,7,446,6,498,681,3243,6879],"class_list":{"0":"post-44346","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago-bears","8":"tag-antwaan-randle-el","9":"tag-bears","10":"tag-ben-johnson","11":"tag-chicago","12":"tag-chicago-bears","13":"tag-chicagobears","14":"tag-colston-loveland","15":"tag-football","16":"tag-luther-burden-iii","17":"tag-nfl","18":"tag-nfl-football","19":"tag-ozzy-trapilo","20":"tag-rookie-minicamp","21":"tag-ruben-hyppolite"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114495337686483150","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}