The first week of the Chicago Bears’ 2025 training camp has already delivered its fair share of jaw-dropping plays, gut-punch injuries, and unexpected breakout performers. With padded practices kicking off, the battle lines are drawn — some guys are rising to the occasion, others are tripping over their own cleats. Here’s a no-BS breakdown of the biggest winners and losers through five days of camp.
Winners
1. Rome Odunze (WR) – The Dawg’s Dawg
If you needed a reminder that Rome Odunze is this offense’s alpha wideout, Day 1–5 served it up on a silver platter. Odunze has caught everything thrown his way — sideline rockets, 50/50 jump balls, contested grabs down the middle —like a man who’s allergic to dropping passes. The chemistry with rookie QB Caleb Williams is borderline telepathic, capped by a two-minute-drill TD from 35 yards out on Day 4. That throw-and-catch didn’t look like freshman jitters; it looked like two pros dialing up X’s and O’s in a phone booth.
- Route mastery: Odunze has run crisp stems, double-moves, and cross-field in-breakers with precision.
- Hands: Flawless. Not one bobble in live action.
- Effort: After every play, he’s the first back to the huddle, barking adjustments.
He’s not just a camp stat padder — he’s a statement. If Chicago’s going to light up the scoreboard this year, Odunze is the fuse.
2. Ozzy Trapilo (OT) – The Rookie Wall
Rookies are supposed to be raw…but Ozzy Trapilo looks more polished than a veteran who’s been in the league since ’19. Drafted in Round 2, this ex-Boston College monster has dominated edge-rushers like he’s been doing it his whole life. Despite landing on the right side in college, he’s slotted into the left tackle competition and flat-out looks comfortable.
- Anchor strength: He’s been immovable in one-on-ones—no pancake so far, but every defender has bounced off.
- Technique: Hands inside, good kick-slide, balanced base.
- Poise: Never looks robotic; plays with the fluidity of a guy who grew up playing tackle in his backyard.
First-team reps? Check. Praise from coaches? Check. If the Bears want protection for Williams, Trapilo is carving out that role faster than anyone expected.
3. Grady Jarrett (DT) – The Sacking Sage
Add veteran interior pass rush to the list of Bears’ surprises. Grady Jarrett, fresh off free agency, came in as a high-IQ plugger. Instead, he’s been a one-man wrecking crew. In every team drill, Jarrett’s bull-rushed guards, shot gaps in run fits, and chipped edge rushers with detail-oriented discipline.
- Pass rush: Quick hands. Snaps hips. Uses leverage the way a WWE champ throws opponents.
- Run defense: He’s eating double-teams for breakfast.
- Leadership: He’s the voice of the D-line room—pulling guys aside, teaching younger linemen.
Chicago’s defensive line needed an injection of nastiness. Jarrett’s given them that and more, reminding everyone why we pay vets big money.
Losers
1. Shemar Turner (DT) – The Instant IR Candidate
Rookie second-rounder Shemar Turner’s ankle gave out on him…literally. On Day 1, he planted, pitched a tent in the grass, and down he went with a nasty sprain. Four weeks minimum — he’ll miss every preseason game and maybe Week 1. Poof. There goes a critical chunk of his development window.
Turner was hyped to rotate in opposite Jarrett, bring run-stopping juice and pass-rush upside. Instead, he’s in the trainer’s tent, probably watching film of himself doing cardio from a laptop. It’s a massive setback for a guy who needed to carve out a role immediately.
2. Luther Burden III (WR) – The Hamstring Houdini
When a team brings in a rookie WR with Burden’s pedigree, you assume he’ll be stroking his chin, studying coverages, and making splash plays. But no — he’s been rehabbing that hamstring since OTAs, finally jogging on Day 5. That means veteran Olamide Zaccheaus has been the go-to slot guy, and Burden’s playing catch-up on every route tree.
- Chemistry deficit: He’s behind Williams reps by half a camp’s worth.
- Mental reps: Film study only goes so far — timing can’t be coded in.
- Physical risk: Hamstrings re-injure. If he tweaks it again, he can kiss a potential starting role goodbye.
If Burden wants to dodge the bench to start 2025, he needs to show full speed and sticky hands ASAP.
3. Kiran Amegadjie (OT) – The Injury Hot Potato
Kiran Amegadjie was already fighting for his NFL life after a rocky rookie campaign. Then Day 4 rolls around — he leaves practice early with a knee tweak. That’s a dagger to any chance at grabbing left-tackle reps. Ozzy Trapilo has blasted past him. If Amegadjie can’t push through unscathed, he’ll be stuck behind a rookie who’s already looking like a starter.
- Technique issues: He was showing foot-speed inconsistency even on good days.
- Injury flag: Two knocks in five practices.
- Job security: Coaches love availability — and he’s trending in the opposite direction.
If you’re Kiran, you’re swallowing Tylenol like candy and begging the training staff for extra treatment. Because right now, his opportunity to start is now even more at a major risk.
Practice Participation Snapshot
Who’s on the field vs. who’s on crutches? Here’s how many of the first five padded practices each candidate actually attended:
Practice Participation Days
- Rome Odunze: 5
- Ozzy Trapilo: 5
- Grady Jarrett: 5
- Shemar Turner: 0
- Luther Burden III: 1
- Kiran Amegadjie: 3
Final Verdict
After Week 1, it’s clear the Bears have defined leaders on both sides of the ball — and a handful of players scrambling to salvage reps. If Rome Odunze, Ozzy Trapilo, and Grady Jarrett keep this up, they’ll cement their status as indispensable starters. Meanwhile, Turner’s injury, Burden’s soft-tissue gremlin, and Amegadjie’s nagging knocks could morph into season-long suspensions from the lineup if they don’t find answers fast.
This isn’t training camp for the faint of heart. With five padded sessions in the books and more bruising drills ahead, the next two weeks will separate who belongs on Day 1 of the regular season — and who bags the Gatorade cooler. Strap in.
Comments
Join the discussion below. Keep it civil and focused on the content.
Loading comments...