LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Here are 10 things you need to know as the Bears’ voluntary minicamp got underway Tuesday at Halas Hall:
1. “No shows” are not helping themselves or the Bears. Three key players — running back Matt Forte, tight end Martellus Bennett and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff — were absent at Tuesday’s practice and aren’t expected to be around the rest of the week.
You can read more about Forte’s situation here, but the exact reasoning for Bennett’s and Ratliff’s absences is unknown. Bennett tweeted a picture of himself training at a Northbrook gym Tuesday, while Forte posted an Instagram video of himself going through speed training in Florida.
Meanwhile, new head coach John Fox made it clear he wants all three players practicing with the team. When asked specifically about Forte, Fox said: “I’d prefer that he be here but it’s the same with everybody.”
The head coach sent an even clearer message when asked about what they are missing.
“They miss the installation, they miss the mental time, they miss the on-the-field work, so we have a next-man-up approach here, so guys will get opportunities,” Fox said. “When one door closes, another door opens for somebody else.”
This portion of the offseason program is voluntary, but only in the sense that teams cannot fine players for not showing up. It’s still expected that players attend workouts, especially minicamp and OTA practices. Two years ago, former Bears general manager Phil Emery traded offensive tackle Gabe Carimi after the former first-round draft pick decided to train in Arizona instead of with his team.
Forte, Bennett and Ratliff obviously carry more leverage and importance than Carimi ever did, but they are only hurting themselves and their team by missing valuable practice reps with a new coaching staff.
2. Cutler admitted he had some concern about not returning to the Bears this season. That shouldn’t come as much shock as it wasn’t until March before the new regime committed to him as the starting quarterback, and even then, Fox indicated there would be some competition.
“Every year you’re going to get at least 6-7 new guys,” Cutler said. “It’s just a matter of time before someone’s going to replace you. Each year’s an audition.”
Cutler had a lighthearted moment when a reporter mentioned that this is his fifth offensive staff in just seven seasons with the Bears, as the quarterback responded: “Is it five? That can’t be good.”
Of course, like the other four, Cutler is optimistic that the offense will click with this staff, although he seems well aware that eyes will roll with such repetitive claims.
“I feel like I’ve felt that with a lot of them,” he said with a chuckle.
And while rumors of a possible draft day trade that would send Cutler to Tennessee seem far fetched, the quarterback said he is well aware of them.
“We’re in Nashville quite a bit so you hear a lot about it,” Cutler said. “I think now, from January to April, there is so much time and there are so many rumors, you can’t keep them straight from week to another. You’ve just got to avoid it and ignore it and if it happens, it happens.”
3. Kyle Long is not moving to tackle for now. The draft could potentially change things, but Long is still the Chicago Bears’ right guard. In fact, other than newcomer Will Montgomery at center, the offensive line looked exactly the same Tuesday with left tackle Jermon Bushrod, left guard Matt Slauson and right tackle Jordan Mills.
And after suffering a torn pectoral muscle last season, it was important to see Slauson back full-go for the team’s first minicamp practice.
4. While Slauson returned from last year’s season-ending injury, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and Jon Bostic sat out practice. Houston is still recovering from a torn ACL, while Young has a ways to go after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 15.
As for Bostic, Fox said the linebacker has “a little twinge in his back that they’re dealing with.” Bostic missed three games in the middle of last season with a back injury, but at this point it’s unclear if that injury is related.
5. The only defensive end from last year’s team still listed as a defensive end is Cornelius Washington, and even he did individual work with the outside linebackers Tuesday. With the Bears switching to a 3-4 defense, Jared Allen, Willie Young, Lamarr Houston, David Bass, Austen Lance and Jamil Merrell are all now listed as outside linebackers. They join newcomers Pernell McPhee and Sam Acho at the position, which is loaded with bodies right now.
As for the defensive line, Ray McDonald and Jarvis Jenkins figure to be the top two defensive ends for now, while Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton are likely interior tackles along with Ratliff. Brandon Dunn is an intriguing player who could work inside or outside on the defensive line.
6. Ray McDonald said he is “extremely confident” he will not face charges in the December sexual assault case that is still being investigated by authorities. The NFL announced over the weekend that McDonald will not be disciplined for his role in a domestic violence dispute from last August, but depending on what happens in the second case, the league could still take action.
7. Marquess Wilson seems to be a forgotten player. He flashed with a couple of really nice catches Tuesday and still could emerge as a reliable receiver in the Bears’ offense. Don’t forget that he was having a very impressive training camp last season before breaking his collarbone.
8. Marc Mariani is the only player with a “kick returner” designation on the official roster. Eddie Royal has a decent amount of return experience in his career, but he was only used on punt returns his last three years in San Diego. This is a situation worth watching closely later this summer in training camp as it will likely impact the final roster numbers at wide receiver and other positions. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bears add a return threat in the draft either.
9. Speaking of the draft, John Fox said he would’ve preferred not to hold minicamp the same week as the NFL Draft (reporters agree), but factoring in NFL rules, it was really the only time they could fit it in.
10. Six tryout players participated in Tuesday’s practice at Halas Hall: QB Tyler Wilson, TE Gator Hoskins, G/C Ron Patrick, NT Derrick Hopkins, OLB Rakim Cox and S Malcolm Bronson.
Adam Hoge covers the Chicago Bears for WGN Radio and WGNRadio.com. He also co-hosts The Beat, weekends on 720 WGN. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamHoge.
