The Bears' three second-round draft picks flew to Chicago Saturday morning to meet with the front office and coaching staff, just over 12 hours after Day 2 of the draft concluded.
Receiver Luther Burden III (No. 39), offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo (No. 56) and defensive lineman Shemar Turner (No. 62) met with the media at Halas for their introductory press conferences. Here are six things we learned during those sessions.
(1) Burden was "super happy" to be drafted by the Bears Friday night.
While Burden told reporters both Friday night and Saturday afternoon that he felt he had the talent to be a first-round selection, he felt joining the Bears in the second round was "a great situation."
"I feel like this organization has a great group of guys in this facility that is going to do everything they can to win games," Burden said. "That's why they brought me here, to help them win games. That's what I am going to do."
Spending Saturday at Halas Hall allowed Burden to start the learning and growing process with his new coaches.
"I'm definitely excited to have this opportunity," Burden said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm just ready to compete, get to work, get around the guys and just learn, be a sponge … and just learn as much as possible. I feel like what I do on the field is going to take care of itself."
(2) Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El was a major part of Burden's pre-draft process, which allowed the pair to build an early connection rooted in common goals.
"I feel like the relationship is going to grow over time," Burden said. "We've gotta find a way to trust each other and build each and every day. We've got the same goal — we're trying to win games here, win [in the] playoffs, win Super Bowls. We're locked in."
(3) Known for his reliability and disciplined play — he started all 34 games he played at Boston College the past three seasons — Trapilo takes pride in being referred to as a "technician."
"The word technician gets thrown around," Trapilo said, "I'm proud of that. I think the lack of penalties sort of speaks to that. That's my play style, so I'm content with the way it's played out over the years."
While his availability contributes to that description, Trapilo also noted the importance of finding the balance of "playing nasty" and being smart.
"Playing with a violent play style but under control, poised, not letting my emotions take over and put me in a bad spot where someone would be able to take advantage of it," Trapilo said. "Throwing your hands too hard and fall forward, things of that nature. I think I really try to dial in on that, play under control with good technique as close to 100% of the game as I can."
(4) With his ability to play both right and left tackle, Trapilo is eager to learn from all the Bears' veteran offensive linemen and is impressed with the team's recent additions such as All-Pro Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson.
"I mean, incredible," Trapilo said. "I think it will be great being a tackle if I were to have a chance. Even practice, [to] practice next to guys like that is going to make me a better player. Everyone is competitive. They've proven themselves. So having the opportunity to work alongside them I think will just be beneficial for me and the whole team."
(5) Turner's grateful that the Bears appreciate his "violent" style of play at multiple positions along the defensive line.
"Man, it feels great," Turner said. "Going somewhere where they won't try to change you, they really love the way I play, they really love the way I go. Just ready to go."
Turner said he's "been going since [he] was a little kid," thanks to his uncle intensely coaching him up until middle school. Turner believes his high motor and willingness to be physical will align with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's mindset.
"Teaming up with Dennis, Coach DA, it's gonna be great," Turner said. "Especially because what they coach, what they speak on, physicality and playing hard, playing long, it's going to be good … We're gonna go, we're going to be physical, and we're going to dominate guys on the line of scrimmage."
(6) Turner told reporters Friday night that he wants to leave a legacy in the NFL for both him and his family name. On Saturday, he explained what that looks like in his eyes.
"All the accolades that's possible," Turner said. "Super Bowls. Everything. Winning. Winning is a big part of legacy for me. And hopefully getting a few rings under my belt. Gold jacket. Pro Bowler. All that, bro. 10, 15 years. Literally everything a successful NFL player has to do to be successful and be on that pedestal, I want to achieve it."
