​The Chicago Bears are getting ready to open training camp as they pursue another step forward under second-year head coach Ben Johnson, who is preparing the team for the 2026 season. After a strong 11-6 campaign that secured the NFC North title and their first playoff win since 2010, expectations have surged. When the Bears take the field at Halas Hall later this month, a host of storylines will unfold, with several notable position battles shaping the competition. Two starting spots on the offensive line are up for grabs, along with corners and roles on special teams, plus a wider array of depth and roster questions across the roster.
The offseason program kept the Bears busy, but the real test begins once practice pads come on in August. With that in mind, here are the summer battles to watch most closely. For the second straight year, left tackle is a hotspot. Ozzy Trapilo is expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon in the wild-card game, leaving Chicago to search for a new starter. The club brought back veteran Braxton Jones on a one-year deal to compete with returning veteran Theo Benedet, who briefly replaced Jones last season, and former first-round pick and free-agent addition Jedrick Wills Jr. Jones is the presumed favorite given his three-year stretch as a starter before last season’s injury limited his production. If Jones remains healthy, this could very well be his job to lose, as the line he protects is widely regarded as one of the league’s top units.
At center, the Bears once felt strong with Pro Bowler Drew Dalman in place, but his retirement created an opening. Chicago traded a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for veteran Garrett Bradbury, a seasoned veteran who has spent most of his career in the NFC North, essentially making him a one-year substitution. The Bears also used a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on rookie Logan Jones, who is expected to be the long-term answer. Head coach Ben Johnson has made it clear that Jones will have a real chance to compete for the starting center role as a rookie, but Bradbury currently holds the upper hand due to his experience.
This summer’s battles could prove among the most compelling, because the competition may hinge on more than just who wins the job opposite Jaylon Johnson on the outside. Tyrique Stevenson and rookie Malik Muhammad are also in the mix for the outside corner position, but there are lingering questions about Kyler Gordon’s status and overall availability as July and August approach. The dynamic on the edges could come down to a broader evaluation that includes health, consistency, and the ability to contribute in multiple packages. As these players vie for playing time, the Bears will be weighing not only who starts but how their overall depth behind the top unit could impact defensive schemes and special teams.
In the weeks ahead, fans will be watching how these players adapt to a full training camp schedule, how they handle the pace and physicality of pads in August, and how the coaching staff evaluates each candidate’s readiness for high-leverage games in September. The Bears look to build on last season’s momentum, layering in competition that could elevate the entire roster and push Chicago toward a deeper postseason push in 2026.