March 28, 2024


News

Bears release offseason schedule with rookie minicamp beginning May 14

Rookie quarterback Justin Fields could be donning his Bears practice jersey as early as May 14.

The Bears on Wednesday released their offseason schedule. It looks as follows:

  • Rookie minicamp: May 14-16.
  • OTAs Week 1: May 25-27.
  • OTAs Week 2: June 1-3.
  • OTAs Week 3: June 7-10.
  • Veteran minicamp: June 15-17.

All practices are at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. COVID-19 protocols will remain in place, similar to last season.

What remains to be seen is what participation will look like at OTAs (organized team activities), which are not mandatory. The NFLPA has been pushing for players to skip voluntary workouts, which includes OTAs. The NFLPA put out a statement last month on behalf of Bears players that stated “the majority of our locker room” will not participate due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace, however, is still expecting a good turnout. Asked last month if he expected 90-100% participation, as the team would have in a normal year, Pace said, “That’s what our hope is. We’ll see. It’s such a unique time, but we’re optimistic.”

Players are currently allowed to use the team’s weight room and other facilities.

“As we approach that May 17 date, I expect [participation] to be good,” Pace said. “I think with just the feeling I have with our guys and the excitement of this offseason and the upcoming season, I feel it. I feel it from our leadership. I feel it throughout our team. I can already tell from the guys who are coming in now and the energy and the momentum that I feel from that group.”


Sean Hammond

Sean Hammond

Sean is the Chicago Bears beat reporter for the Shaw Local News Network. He has covered the Bears since 2020. Prior to writing about the Bears, he covered high school sports for the Northwest Herald and contributed to Friday Night Drive. Sean joined Shaw Media in 2016.