The Chicago Bears kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) this week, where all eyes are on Ben Johnson’s squad as they look to replicate their 2025 success and make waves in the NFC.
Quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense have connected and started to mesh in Year 2 of Johnson’s offense as Dennis Allen works with some new additions to his defense.
This is also the first time the entire 90-man roster, including veteran free agents and rookies, gets together in Chicago. There are already names to watch for, based on how their seasons ended last year, players looking to make another leap forward. Here are some players to watch with OTAs underway this week and next week.
1. CB Kyler Gordon
Last season, Kyler Gordon missed 14 games for the Bears, as not only the fans but the coaching staff grew frustrated with the talented defensive back. He was able to earn some trust returning for both playoff games last season, but this season is critical in making sure he can stay on the field.
Gordon has been seen at OTAs participating in certain capacities, but he hasn’t been participating in team drills. Brad Biggs reported that Gordon is already nursing another soft tissue injury. Gordon has missed a total of 25 games in his four seasons in the NFL. And last season, it was the soft tissue injuries that have kept Gordon sidelined.
When defensive coordinator Dennis Allen arrived last season, he raved about Gordon’s play style and even envisioned getting him more playing time and expanding his flexibility.
“He’s played more outside corner, so obviously that would be the comfort level,” Allen said of Gordon last season. “Some of the things that I see him do and the way that he fits in the run game tell me that he could be a fit with safety also. We’ve had guys that have had the flexibility to play a lot of different positions.”
2. CB Jaylon Johnson
Jaylon Johnson was banged up from the start last season, as he tore his adductor off his pelvic bone, and he missed all of training camp, preseason, and Week 1. Johnson returned for Week 2 against the Detroit Lions only to re-injure his groin. The injury required surgery for Johnson, and he was placed on IR.
Johnson returned in Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles and played the remaining six regular-season games and the playoffs. Johnson did come out and say he was 100% at all last season, but now, the longest tenured Bear has grown into a leadership role.
With OTAs underway, Johnson has been a full participant in practice, which is already a good sign for Johnson and looking to rebound after last season. When healthy, Johnson is the Bears’ No. 1 cornerback, and with two seasons left in his four-year deal, Johnson has talked about contract extensions.
“I appreciate him being here now, getting to know his teammates,” Ben Johnson said, pointing out the voluntary nature of this portion of the offseason.
3. C Garrett Bradbury
Chicago suffered a big loss when center Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired this offseason. General manager Ryan Poles pivoted, trading for Garrett Bradbury, who started every game for the New England Patriots in their Super Bowl run. Bradbury has just one year left on his current deal and comes to Chicago at 30 years old with plenty of experience from his time with the Minnesota Vikings, where he started from 2019-24, and one season in New England.
The former first-round pick was college teammates with Bears left guard Joe Thuney, and now the two are reunited. Along with the whole Bradbury, Chicago drafted Logan James from Iowa, who is the presumed long-term option for Chicago.
But, one day into OTAs, Bradbury’s experience is coming through, and Johnson and the staff have taken notice.
“A guy like Garrett Bradbury, impressed day one just with the level of communication he brings to the table. He’s loud, he’s demonstrative,” Ben Johnson said. “I know he’s going to be able to get all five guys on the same page.”
4. WR Rome Odunze
Wide receiver Rome Odunze was hot to start the season last year. With five touchdowns in six games, he looked primed to have a breakout season. Instead, a foot injury and a decrease in production led to the end of the season with six touchdown receptions.
The decline in production led to Odzune’s father calling out the Bears for not finding his son in the offense, which gained the attention of the media and got to Odzune. He missed five games last season with a lingering foot and heel injury and also dealt with some drop issues in critical moments last season.
But now that his somewhat of a sophomore slump is past him, and with DJ Moore in Buffalo, the opportunity to be the No. 1 wide receiver is there for Odunze to take.
5. Left tackles
Just like last season, where there was an ongoing battle at left tackle that trickled into the regular season, the Bears will once again have a competition for the starting left tackle job. While Chicago appeared to have found their starter in Ozzy Trapilo, he suffered a torn patellar tendon in the wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers and will miss most of the 2026 season.
The Bears re-signed Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet, while also adding former first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. in free agency, to compete for the starting job to protect Caleb Williams’ blindside. Jones has been getting the early first-team reps at left tackle, which isn’t a surprise given he was a three-year starter when healthy.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 players to watch during Chicago Bears’ OTAs
Reporting by Preston Zbroszczyk , Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
