Chicago Bears training camp report: The Justin Fields-DJ Moore connection continues to grab attention

The Chicago Bears held their first open practice of training camp Thursday morning, pushing through hot and humid conditions at Halas Hall.

The Bears have a little more than two weeks before their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 12 and will hold their first padded practice in the middle of next week. But there was plenty to see and talk about during practice and with the interviews that followed.

Here’s our camp rundown.

News of the day

Technically it was Wednesday’s news that tight end Cole Kmet signed a four-year, $50 million extension with $32.8 million guaranteed. But general manager Ryan Poles met with reporters Thursday to discuss his excitement in keeping Kmet as part of the team’s nucleus for the foreseeable future.

Poles lauded Kmet’s work ethic, professionalism and energy inside the locker room: “He embodies everything we look for in a Bear.”

Poles believes Kmet is continuing to ascend and expressed satisfaction in extending a player whom the Bears drafted and developed. This was the first multiyear extension Poles finalized since becoming GM in 2022.

“I do think it energizes the locker room,” he said. “Especially with this being my first extension, it sends a good message. I think everyone knows me, what I stand for and what I believe in in terms of taking care of your players. But there is always action that needs to come behind words.”

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Justin Fields watch

By now the expectation is quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver DJ Moore will have at least one attention-grabbing completion per practice. Thursday’s came on a deep ball up the right sideline during seven-on-seven work.

Moore created separation against cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, and Fields dropped a pretty ball between Stevenson and converging safety Jaquan Brisker. Moore made the grab and got both feet in bounds.

The chemistry between Fields and Moore is real, but camp figures to be a roller coaster for the offense. There were bumpy moments Thursday with the football on the ground too often during seven-on-seven action.

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy noted after practice what he is zeroing in on as he assesses Fields during those periods: “It’s the timing, the rhythm, the footwork, the progression, your eye placement. And then it’s making sure our feet are leading us to our progression in our timing of that progression.”

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Player in the spotlight

Khalil Herbert understands the angst percolating within the NFL’s running back fraternity as several of the league’s best backs fight to increase the value teams place on top-end rushers.

The movement started this month when the Los Angeles Chargers’ Austin Ekeler organized a Zoom call with a handful of fellow running backs to discuss possible action plans after the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley and Las Vegas Raiders’ Josh Jacobs were not rewarded with long-term extensions before the July 17 franchise-tag deadline.

“You want to see guys get paid what they’re worth,” Herbert said Thursday. “That’s really what it is.”

In the second-to-last season of his rookie deal, Herbert will have plenty to gain if the league’s running backs achieve a breakthrough in their efforts to change the financial landscape for the position.

“I’m all for it,” he said with a smile.

But Herbert also understands the supply-and-demand dynamics that make it easy for teams to find younger, cheaper options without needing to make huge financial investments. Herbert was a sixth-round pick in 2021 (No. 216 overall) and by the end of his second season led NFL running backs in yards per carry (5.7) while making former Bears running back David Montgomery expendable.

So, yes, Herbert understands he’s a case study for why teams choose not to pay running backs at exorbitant levels. “It’s a tricky slope,” he said.

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Quote of the day

“It’s like you’re building a house, right? You build the foundation first, and then as you keep building the house, you get the fancy things that go with it. We’re in that process. We’re still in the early phases of it. But we’re building toward that.” — Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy on adding talent and expanding the offense in his second season

Seen and heard

The first “ooh” play of camp came during one-on-ones in the passing game as rookie receiver Tyler Scott burned past cornerback Michael Ojemudia to haul in a deep ball from Fields. Scott has been impressive since the spring, particularly with his top-end speed. The Bears are working hard to find him a proper niche in their passing attack.

Getsy labeled Scott “a tough dude who works really hard” and expressed optimism about where his career can head. But Getsy also understands the Bears system is far more complex than what Scott operated in at Cincinnati, so he’s seeking to use Scott in ways that won’t overwhelm him.

“Like today,” Getsy said, “he probably had three or four alignments that were really off. But in his mind he was perfect because of the spacing on the field. But when you motion or you shift, you’re going to the boundary or you’re going to the field and there are specific landmarks we want to get to. So we’re trying not to do too much of that with him so he can play fast.”

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Injury watch

The Bears remain very healthy overall in the early stages of camp. Veteran receiver Dante Pettis, who was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list Tuesday, was the only player on the 90-man roster not participating Thursday. Coach Matt Eberflus said Pettis is expected back soon.

Linebacker Jack Sanborn continues to make his way back from a season-ending ankle injury while adjusting to new responsibilities playing strong-side linebacker.

“I feel confident I know what I’m doing out there,” Sanborn said. “I know the assignments and everything. It’s just actually going out there and taking reps and doing it on the field.”