Let’s not sugarcoat it — this year’s Chicago Bears OTAs weren’t your average helmet-and-shorts snooze fest. These sessions were loud, intense, and damn revealing. From rookies punching above their draft weight to Ben Johnson barking like he’s already in midseason form, the 2025 OTAs offered a glimpse of what might be the most competitive and culture-shifting training camp the Bears have had in years. Here's who balled out, who stood tall, and who made damn sure their names won’t be forgotten come August.
Ozzy Trapilo: The Rookie Who Ain't Playing Like One
If you’d told me back in April that a rookie tackle from Boston College would be locking down first-team reps and stealing headlines at OTAs, I’d have laughed my ass off. But here we are. Ozzy Trapilo showed up, took every first-team rep at left tackle, and didn’t just survive — he thrived.
While Braxton Jones nurses an ankle, Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie are battling for that starting LT job, and Trapilo’s putting together a legit case. CHSN reporter Clay Harbor even said he “held his own” against top competition. That’s not nothing.
What’s wild is how polished Trapilo looks. Technique? On point. IQ? Through the roof. Composure? Cool as hell. Working next to Joe Thuney and not looking like a lost puppy is no easy feat. But Trapilo’s treating every rep like it’s his damn Super Bowl, and it shows.
Call it now: if Jones isn’t 100% by camp, Trapilo could enter the season as the blindside anchor for Caleb Williams.
Tremaine Edmunds: The Ballhawk Reboot
Tremaine Edmunds must’ve heard all the offseason whispers because he showed up to Week 2 of OTAs like a man on a mission. In one session, he picked off Caleb Williams on a throw to Duvernay, fully extending and diving like a prime Ed Reed.
Not done, he batted another Williams pass, tipping it right into Jaquan Brisker’s mitts. That’s two turnover plays in one day. This isn’t just "middle linebacker being active" — this is Edmunds morphing into the chaos agent Dennis Allen needs in the middle.
He’s been rotating with TJ Edwards, showing off the versatility Allen wants in his attacking 4-2-5. If Edmunds keeps flying around like this, the Bears may finally be getting the impact linebacker they thought they signed.
Caleb Williams: Growth, Grit, and Getting Coached Hard
Let’s talk QB1. Caleb Williams showed up for rookie-only voluntary sessions. Let that sink in — he volunteered for extra reps most top picks would skip. That’s leadership.
Ben Johnson hasn’t gone easy on him either. He lit Williams up during a rough moment in practice, and instead of folding, the rookie QB locked in. Johnson loved it, saying Williams wants every full-speed rep he can get. That’s the kind of grit that turns potential into production.
He’s thrown picks, yeah. But he’s processing faster, commanding the huddle, and buying into the grind. You can see the chemistry building with Rome Odunze too. This duo could cook.
Jaquan Brisker: The Return of the Enforcer
Brisker coming back healthy was a quiet but crucial development. His pick off the Edmunds deflection wasn’t a fluke — he read the play, attacked, and sealed it. You could feel the secondary’s juice rise with him on the field.
In Dennis Allen’s system, safeties don’t just play deep — they roam, blitz, and disrupt. Brisker’s a perfect fit if he stays upright. His return gives the Bears’ defense a nastier edge.
Rome Odunze: Sophomore Year Heat Check
Odunze’s OTA story isn’t about stats — it’s about actions. He joined Caleb for those voluntary rookie practices, grinding like a rookie despite being a high-pedigree WR2.
His rapport with Williams is growing. You can see them vibing, testing timing routes, and building trust. After a meh rookie year, Odunze looks ready to pop in Year 2. Don’t sleep on the breakout potential.
DJ Moore: WR1 and Teacher Extraordinaire
While Odunze and Luther Burden chase growth, DJ Moore is steady as hell. He’s mentoring, setting the tone, and staying sharp. Ranked as WR20 by PFF, he’s not slowing down — he’s evolving.
Moore called it like it is: the rookies keep him young, and he’s feeding off that energy. In Ben Johnson’s offense, Moore’s versatility and IQ will be huge.
Ben Johnson: The Mad Scientist Is Cooking
You want fire? Johnson brought it. The new head coach went full scorched-earth on Cole Kmet for lining up wrong. And he didn’t baby Caleb Williams either.
But here’s the thing — players love it. Joe Thuney, a guy who played under Belichick and Reid, said Johnson’s clarity and directness are top-tier. No guessing games. No fluff.
Johnson’s also shifting the team culture. He shut down early narratives around Williams being “difficult,” doubling down on Caleb’s work ethic. This dude isn’t just calling plays — he’s setting a tone.
Dennis Allen: Dialing Up the Heat on Defense
On the other side of the ball, Dennis Allen is already tinkering with exotic looks. Three-safety formations? Check. Blitz disguises? You bet. The vibe is aggressive, creative, and designed to keep QBs guessing.
Grady Jarrett is loving it. And when a vet DT like that buys in, you know it’s clicking. Allen’s plan to weaponize speed and confusion is tailor-made for a young, fast defense like Chicago’s.
Final Verdict
It’s OTAs, not the Super Bowl. But don’t dismiss the energy, execution, and edge this team is showing. Trapilo’s pushing for a starting job. Edmunds is making splash plays. Williams is earning his stripes. And Johnson? He’s flipping the damn culture.
This isn’t your old-school, slog-through-the-motions Chicago Bears team. There’s urgency. There’s accountability. And there’s real reason to believe this squad could punch above its weight in 2025.
Let’s see if they can carry this juice into camp — and beyond.
Stay tuned. This is about to get fun.
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