Chicago Bears 2026 Offseason Commences at Halas Hall Under Coach Ben Johnson

POLICY WIRE — Chicago, USA — Following a brief interlude, the Chicago Bears have reconvened at Halas Hall, marking the official start of their preparations for the upcoming 2026 NFL season.

Monday, April 20, served as the inaugural day of team meetings for Head Coach Ben Johnson’s revamped roster, which integrates both returning veterans and fresh acquisitions. While initial phases of the offseason program preclude on-field drills, the schedule emphasizes comprehensive meetings, rigorous strength and conditioning sessions, and crucial rehabilitation work.

A New Era at Halas Hall

This period represents the first collective gathering for Johnson and his coaching staff with the significantly altered squad, reshaped by a series of pivotal transactions during the offseason. The Chicago organization has undergone substantial changes, parting ways with several key contributors.

Notable departures include center Drew Dalman, who announced his retirement, and star wide receiver DJ Moore, who was traded in exchange for a valuable second-round draft pick. Additionally, safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker secured new contracts elsewhere in free agency, while linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was released.

Read More: Mel Kiper Jr. 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Chiefs Target DB Replacement for Trent McDuffie

Coach Johnson’s ‘Clean Slate’ Mandate

Despite an impressive 2025 season where the Bears achieved an 11-6 record, clinched the NFC North title, and narrowly missed the NFC Championship Game by a single interception, Coach Johnson has underscored the importance of moving forward with a fresh perspective for 2026. This mandate is crucial, especially considering the evolving talent landscape often highlighted in analyses like the recent endorsement of Josiah Trotter as a key 2026 draft target for other NFL teams.

“It’s been a long offseason in terms of you go downtown or you go somewhere, and everyone’s patting you on the back and telling you what a great, great job you did,” Johnson remarked at the NFL Owners Meetings, as reported by Adam Jahns. “You don’t want to hear it. You don’t want to hear it anymore, alright. It was great for the first week, but now our sights are turned. And we got a monumental task at hand, because this division only got better so far this offseason, and we still have the draft to come.”

“So our guys, we got to go back to work just like we did a year ago. It doesn’t get any easier. It’s going to continue to get harder. They’re going to feel that pressure from the coaching staff so that when we get to these games in the fall that we’re going to be ready for it.”

This forward-looking philosophy emphasizes that past accomplishments will not dictate the path ahead. The focus remains on rigorous preparation and elevated performance.

Players are expected to continue reporting to Halas Hall throughout the day as the comprehensive offseason program gets fully underway. The coaching staff aims to instill a renewed sense of urgency to tackle what promises to be an even more competitive divisional landscape.