The Chicago Bears enter training camp after having an interesting offseason. The Bears saw QB Jay Cutler retire after spending eight seasons in Chicago. How do they replace him? By signing Mike Glennon to a 3yr/$45 million dollar deal. QB of the future? Not exactly. The Bears used their #2 pick in the draft on QB Mitchell Trubisky, making Glennon feel he was “cheated on” by the Bears. Who starts more in 2017?
This is just one juicy story worth monitoring during training camp. Here’s what else you should watch for.
3 Position Battles To Watch
1. Wide Receiver
Cameron Meredith vs. Kevin White vs. Markus Wheaton vs. Kendall Wright vs. Victor Cruz vs. a lot of other bodies
Alshon Jeffery caught 26 touchdowns while racking up 4,549 receiving yards during the last five seasons with the Bears. He’s now an Eagle. Who wants to start for the Bears?
Meredith is a sure lock after a breakout season in ’16. Other than that, nothing is really set in stone. Wheaton knows he’s in a much more unique situation compared to playing for the Steelers.
“Everybody’s new, so we don’t know what it’s going to be. In Pittsburgh, you kind of have a clue because they’ve done it for so long. But everybody’s new [here]. Everybody’s trying to find their niche. We’ll see how it goes.”
With the combination of the new additions and returning players, this battle should be B A N A N A S.
2. Tight End
Zach Miller vs. Dion Sims vs. Adam Shaheen
The second battle will be interesting to watch, but the talent level really doesn’t compare to the one listed above.
Zach Miller went from being the Bears starting TE to fighting for a roster spot during camp. The Bears gave Sims $15 million for two years and grabbed Shaheen in the second round of this summer’s draft, showing the Bears aren’t all in on Miller.
Another report saying #Bears TE Zach Miller could be getting cut.
That would open up playing time for Dion Sims and the rookie Adam Shaheen pic.twitter.com/RR45lmhZD7
— PirateLife Football (@PirateLifeFF) July 18, 2017
If Shaheen proves he’s ready to play with the big boys, Miller might find himself without a job. Look for things to heat up during camp.
3. Quarterback
Mike Glennon vs. Mitchell Trubisky
OF COURSE I had to include this one. I did go all offense and for a quick side note, there are intriguing competitions at the CB and safety positions but with a team rebuilding everywhere, it’s hard to include everyone.
We can’t really think this bright-looking man is the Bears QB for the next three years, right?
#31. Mike Glennon
Career statistics: 4,100 yards ?30 TD’s?15 INT’s.
Fun Fact: Signed a 3 year $45 million contract with the Bears pic.twitter.com/Z3zjveWgeo— DormSports224 (@DormSports224) July 20, 2017
With the money they paid him, they have to start him Week 1. But when the Bears gave up the 3rd, 67th, 111th and a 2018 3rd-round pick just to grab Trubisky in the draft, there’s reason to believe Glennon won’t start all 16 games.
Don’t judge me but I’m pretty excited for Bears training camp. Don’t @ me.
Ready To Breakout: Kevin White
Mr. White was my breakout candidate for the Bears back in late June and I’ll back him here too. Here’s why I chose him.
White has only seen the playing field four times in his two years in the league. The Bears once believed in him when they took him with the seventh overall pick in the ’15 draft along with a 4yr/$15 million dollar contract. Read what Bears GM Ryan Pace said about White after drafting him.
“He’s a playmaker. I love the fire and energy that he plays with. And you see it on tape, and then you meet him in person. He’s one of the guys we brought in here and he’s highly intelligent, he’s confident. We’re really jacked about this.”
Finally healthy, White can prove a lot of doubters wrong with a solid season. He can also rewrite history.
Over past 2 decades, no 1st round WR who had fewer than 20 receptions in his 1st 2 NFL seasons has become a success https://t.co/RDuQLL0ZOv
— Chris Whitman (@ChrisWhitman11) June 17, 2017
I just got goosebumps from my own writing.
Fantasy Sleeper: Markus Wheaton
The Bears guaranteed Wheaton $6 million in year one of a fresh two-year contract. That’s a lot for a guy that only appeared in three games last year with four receptions for 51 yards and one TD. Why so much money? Because they hope he can bring his ’15 year self to the Bears where he hauled in 44 receptions for 749 yards and 5 TDs. Pro Football Weekly thinks people are sleeping on Wheaton and I do too. Expect a big year from Wheaton in his first year with the Bears.
Rookie To Watch: Mitchell Trubisky
The only guy keeping a closer eye on Trubisky than me during training camp will be Glennon. Let the games begin.
While there is a lot of excitement floating around the Bears this offseason, it won’t translate to a lot of regular season wins. A team led by Mike Glennon isn’t exactly screaming contender. I just hope they win more than two games this year.
If Trubisky grows as a rookie and shows promise as a future starting QB, that’ll be the most important win the Bears get this season.
