We’re in the midst of Bears OTAs, with a mandatory minicamp coming up next week. That’s about as exciting as the offseason program gets, with the chance to see the roster come together while learning what’s expected under Ben Johnson.

There’s a high standard for everything, with accommodation for anything less. That’s not a bad thing following a regime that too often let things slide. Johnson said this offseason program would be hard and wasn’t kidding, but the experience should make for a relatively easier summer thanks to the base of knowledge established here.

Dennis Allen’s teaching some new defensive concepts that will come with a non-linear progression and that’s okay, too, as a talented group works to grasp what’s required. That’s the stage we’re in, so there aren’t many answers on depth chart positioning or things like that.

We do have some answers about what’s going on with the Bears at this stage of the offseason, plus their take on some other NFL news. Let’s get right to it in this Wednesday morning Bair Mail:

Eric Trenary from Elgin, Ill.

Any concern with Luther Burden missing time right now? And, how do you think he’ll fit into this offense?

Bair: There’s a funny exchange between Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson in the Bears draft room after they took receiver Luther Burden at No. 39 overall that the team posted on Instagram. Poles’ wife texted him with a simple message signaling she liked the pick: “Love it. After the catch yards, yes please.”

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That’s the type of dynamic playmaking the Bears expect out of someone with first-round skill. Maximizing it will take some work, but Burden could be a guy who moves around the field in an effort to get him the ball in space and let him work. He averaged 7.0 yard after the catch per reception in college. It might be hard to match that sum in the NFL, but it shows and ability to evade and create. While he has played a ton from the slot, the Bears have versatile receivers and can move them around.

I wouldn’t sweat a soft tissue injury in May, either. Each practice is valuable for rookies, but having him ready for training camp should be considered most important. If he’s not available then, feel free to raise an eyebrow.

Kyle Laudner from Joliet, Ill.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but we should have some extra cap space from the Joe Thuney deal. Are they going to use it right away?

Bair: The Bears did gain some 2025 salary-cap space after giving star guard Joe Thuney a contract extension through the 2027 season. They have $14.7 million in total cap space and $8.17 million if you take out what’s owed to unsigned draft picks Shemar Turner, Burden and Ozzy Trapilo.

The Bears need space to get through the season, with IR placements and new signings. Each team allocates a different amount to that, but there should be some room to add a running back or another street free agent should an injury arise. We’ve talked a ton about J.K. Dobbins in this space, and he’d be a good addition. We don’t know what he’s asking for, though the Bears surely do. That’s the one spot where the Bears have a roster need right now. Outside that, it might be wise to see how camp shakes out before adding a veteran.

Marcos Gomez from Virginia Beach, Virginia (via Chicago)

After listening to Ben Johnson last week, it seems like the Bears don’t like the Tush Push. Why is that?

Bair: Johnson addressed the effective short yardage play popularized by the Eagles in a press conference last week. He, in essence, said he prefers explosive plays. That’s not necessarily an explosive play. And he left it at that.

Bears chairman George McCaskey explained why the team was ready to vote against it at the NFL owners meetings in March/April, saying it was a safety issue.

“I know they say that we don’t have sufficient injury data on it, but, to us, it appears to be an inherently unsafe play,” McCaskey said at the time. “I had the opportunity during committee meetings here earlier in (March) to sit in the back of the room for the health and safety meeting with Allen Sills and Dr. John York, and they expressed concerns about the safety of everybody involved in that play.”

That’s where the Bears are on the polarizing issue. The Eagles are a rare team that runs it, but it’s virtually unstoppable when they do. Just like all other plays like this that pop up – the wildcat comes to mind – defenses must adjust and find ways to stop it. In time, they will. Such is life in the NFL, where the game is constantly evolving.

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