The Bears on Monday released a list of important offseason dates, highlighted by two minicamps and 10 OTA practices.
The NFL Scouting Combine will be held Feb. 24-March 1 in Indianapolis. Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy are scheduled to speak to the media on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
NFL free agency and the new league year begin on Wednesday, March 18.
The Ed Block Courage Award will be presented during a luncheon on Tuesday, April 7 at Manzo's Banquets in Des Plaines. The prestigious awards are given to one player on all 32 NFL teams who best exemplifies a commitment to sportsmanship and courage and serves as an inspiration in the locker room.
The Bears will present Brian Piccolo Awards to a rookie and veteran recipient on Tuesday, April 21 at Halas Hall. The honor has been given to a Bears rookie since 1970 and was expanded in 1992 to include a veteran. Bears players vote for teammates who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of Brian Piccolo, a Bears running back who died from embryonal cell carcinoma on June 16, 1970 at the age of 26.
Also on April 21, Pace is slated to speak to the media in advance of the NFL Draft, which will be conducted Thursday through Saturday, April 23-25 in Las Vegas.
The Bears will hold their rookie minicamp two weeks after the draft, May 8-10 at Halas Hall.
The Bears Care Gala will take place on Saturday, May 16 in the United Club at Soldier Field.
The Bears will conduct 10 OTA practices May 27-29, June 2-4 and June 8-11. The offseason program will then conclude with a mandatory full-squad minicamp June 16-18.
