It doesn't matter where general manager Ryan Poles goes—even a youth baseball tournament in upstate New York—he's often approached by fired up Bears fans.
"We love the excitement that is coming from the fan base," Poles told reporters Friday at the start of training camp. "You can feel that in the city this summer. I felt it all the way to Cooperstown this summer. I took my son to a baseball tournament down there. There were about eight teams from this area and all of the kids found me and I answered probably more questions than I'll answer today, and I love it. It brings energy to our organization as we continue our climb."
Preseason plan: Coach Matt Eberflus revealed Friday that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams likely will play 45-55 snaps in the Bears' four preseason games.
"We've looked at it, we've discussed it," Eberflus said. "Haven't made any decisions, but we certainly want to get him some reps. I know the guys last year got 45-to-55 reps. We're looking right in that range. We'll see. It's always week-to-week because you have to see what the health of your line is and where everybody is. But certainly all those exposures are equally as valuable."
With 10 practices scheduled before the Bears open their preseason against the Texans in the Hall of Fame Game Aug. 1, Williams is focused on the task at hand.
"I think reps are obviously valuable," Williams said. "But we do have the understanding that it's preseason and things are going to be a little different play-wise offensively and defensively. So, it's making sure I'm not looking forward to preseason and those preseason games and I'm focused on playing against the Chicago Bears defense and when those moments come, take those moments as just as valuable as practice."
Tight end Cole Kmet elicited laughter from reporters after being asked whether veterans would be willing to see more preseason action if the Bears were trying to get their rookie quarterback more reps.
"Are we willing? They pay us, so we've got to do whatever they want us to do," Kmet said with a smile. "That's kind of how that works. We want to have a successful season and we trust coach that they have a good plan. They've been thinking about all this for a quite a while now. Whatever plan they've got laid out for us for the preseason, whether it's in practices or games, we're going to be all for. That's just kind of part of this process that we're in. When they say 'jump,' we're going have to say, 'how high?'"
Roster moves: The Bears on Friday placed tight end Gerald Everett on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list and activated defensive lineman Jamree Kromah off the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Rookie offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie, a third-round pick from Yale, will also open training camp on the PUP list.
"Kiran is going to start on NFI," Poles said. "He has done an outstanding job this offseason working and rehabbing. We love his work ethic. That's one of the reasons why he's here. He's progressing. Everything is positive, but I don't have a specific timetable now."
In the trenches: Poles' comfort level with the offensive line is high. The unit returns four starters in left tackle Braxton Jones, left guard Teven Jenkins, right guard Nate Davis and right tackle Darnell Wright. Veteran free agent acquisitions Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton will compete for the starting center position in camp.
"I feel really good about the offensive line," Poles said. "We're excited to see Darnell take the next step. I know he has the opportunity to be pretty special. Braxton's coming along and continuing to get better. And with Bates and Coleman competing inside, I think there's opportunity that we can be really talented and deep.
"One of the tough things we've had to do the first two years is just [having] a lack of depth and not enough versatility to really create the best five from Week 1 all the way to the very end of the season. We're happy with that group, but obviously they've got to continue to work, get better and build that chemistry together."
Always looking: Poles acknowledged that the Bears may still add a pass rusher. But he's also eager to see how young players fare in that role in padded training camp practices, especially while working with defensive coordinator Eric Washington and defensive line coach Travis Smith.
"One topic of the defensive end position has popped up multiple times," Poles said. "In the front office, it's our job to look at every option that's out there to improve our football team. We feel comfortable with the guys we have on our roster and I'm excited to see Travis and Eric really put their hands on those guys and develop them as we go through the beginning of training camp. But we will always have our eyes on the list of players that we could potentially bring in."
