The Kansas City Chiefs will take the field against an opponent for the first time since losing the Super Bowl in February, and the game didn't arrive a moment too soon.
The Chicago Bears have forever been plagued by injury issues at tackle and a Chicago Tribune report says Teven Jenkins had a bad back at the end of his college career, a situation the team's fans have seen before with draft picks.
Jun 27, 2021
One certainty about every training camp is the way some lightly regarded players step up and compete.
They can prove surprising and make it uncomfortable for reserves or even starters who may have taken their role with the team for granted.
It could be a young player figuring it out suddenly or a veteran trying to make a last stab at playing in the league, but the Bears can count on a few of these players stepping up at camp.
Here are players who could surprise as real X-factors when Bears training camp begins, and all are on defense.
2020 Stats: 11 games played, two starts, nine pressures allowed, three penalties
Looking back on his 2020 season, Jones saw his role reduced due in part to a groin injury. However, he still managed to appear in 11 games, making starts in two of them - one at right tackle and one at right guard. Originally selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Jones has been acclimated fairly well as a reserve under coach Pete Carroll. With the arrival of Gabe Jackson, the former Buckeye's already slim chances of competing for a starting role in 2021 were dashed. Now, entering the final year of his rookie contract, he faces a possible exit from Seattle altogether given the team's reinforced depth at both the tackle and guard positions.
Jun 24, 2021
The thought the Bears might trade Nick Foles to the New York Jets came supported by sound logic.
Quarterbacks Zach Wilson, James Morgan and Mike White went through the offseason work with the Jets and between them haven't started a single NFL game. Finding a veteran backup behind Wilson only makes sense, but the Jets have resisted so far.
According to Max Goodman of FanNation's Jets Country, it's possible the Jets could still trade for one or sign someone.
Saleh wants a veteran quarterback who knows the Kyle Shanahan style of offense used by new offensive coordinator
"There's a match that has to happen," Saleh told reporters. "There's a scheme familiarity that has to happen. If you just bring in a veteran who doesn't know anything about your scheme, he's learning just like the rookie is. I don't know if there's much value aside from being comfortable that if the crap hits the fan you have a veteran who has played football."
One of the most surprising inclusions on Seattle's roster a year ago, Hart turned in a sensational offseason program and has plenty of momentum heading into camp. But with new competition entering the mix at receiver, will he be able to hold onto his roster spot?
After a busy offseason, the Seahawks have added significant depth at both tackle positions. But following a year on the practice squad, Champion hopes he will be a leg up on the team's incoming rookies and give himself a fighting chance at a backup job.