This will be the last Bair Mail before Chicago Bears training camp. True story.

We’ve weathered a truly eventful offseason with a new head coach, massive free-agency spending and a solid NFL draft class — a period punctuated with an extension that keeps general manager Ryan Poles under contract through 2029.

That was so much stuff that it created a run-on sentence. My editors will let that one slide for effect. I think. I guess we’ll see.

There’s still plenty to discuss, but I believe it’s safe to say we’re all happy to have access points to work off and progress to identify with Ben Johnson’s first season as Bears head coach officially underway. Let’s discuss a few more theoreticals before camp officially opens.

Before we jump into the mailbag, I’d like to formally mention that we’ll launch camp with unprecedented coverage. “The Chicago Football Show” will air from Bears camp for five consecutive days on Marquee Sports Network and the Marquee Sports Network app, which you can also find on YouTube and wherever you consume your podcasts. Get amped about that.

Now on to your questions …

Nick L from Leander, Texas

I don’t think the Bears need to sign a veteran RB now that the 2 top ones are gone. We have an outstanding talent at backup with Roschon Johnson and he should be allowed to showcase what he has. Signing a veteran RB would just bury Roschon’s chances to show whether he belongs or not, as well as even minimizing Monangai’s opportunities. Lets not forget about Ian Wheeler as well.

Bair: That’s a solid take, Nick. I’m curious what Roschon Johnson can do with increased carries. He was a fourth-round pick not too long ago, bringing optimism that he could be a valued contributor to the Bears’ offense.

That still should be the case, even with a new coaching staff. Ben Johnson’s offense could help him perform better, though he now must compete with seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai for carries. Roschon Johnson has 136 career carries for 502 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. That number lessened last season because of his almost-exclusive work in short-yardage situations.

Looking at his rookie season alone, Johnson averaged 4.3 yards per carry. If he could do that in the Bears’ new offense, he’ll find regular opportunities. He didn’t say much about his usage last season, but it was suboptimal.

He’s someone Ben Johnson should be asked about in camp, and at 6 feet and 225 pounds, he could provide some physicality to the rushing attack. The Bears need that with D’Andre Swift as a featured back.

I still believe veteran free agent Gus Edwards is worth a look, especially if the Bears are dissatisfied with their options in camp.

Eric Trenary from Chicago

The Ryan Poles extension wasn’t a surprise, but the length of the deal was a bit of on. Through 2029? Why so long?

Bair: The Bears did that to match the length of Ben Johnson’s contract, which also runs through 2029. Yep, that’s a long time. Five years of guaranteed money for the Bears’ decision-makers.

That’s within the going rate for head coaches, especially the preferred names on the market. Poles’ contract was set to expire, and Johnson certainly had some say in whether the Bears would extend their GM or go into wait-and-see mode. That would’ve been a fair choice for Johnson and the Bears, considering the team’s record under Poles, but the head coach-GM pairing has been strong to this point, and it’s clear they like each other.

This extension suggests Johnson has enjoyed the experience of working with Poles through free agency and the draft, and believes the GM can be a good partner.

Despite the team’s record over the last three seasons, Johnson’s instinct isn’t wrong. Poles has nailed several high draft picks, and the team is in good position with the salary cap. Extending Poles through 2029 seems like a long time, but it should be viewed as two things: a Johnson endorsement and a willingness from Bears ownership to pay the people they believe can usher the team into a period of sustained success.

Susan Hay from Plainfield, Ill.

It was good to see two second-round picks get signed. What about Luther Burden? Why didn’t they sign him?

Bair: The Luther Burden case is an interesting one, and is a layer on top of the reason why second-round picks have delayed signing contracts. We saw a bunch of them agree on terms Thursday, including Bears selections Shemar Turner and Ozzy Trapilo.

Burden hasn’t agreed yet, but that’s not a sign of a malcontent. He was selected No. 39 overall, one slot ahead of quarterback Tyler Shough. He well could be the New Orleans Saints’ starting QB this season and demand the fully guaranteed deals the Houston Texans gave Jayden Higgins and the Cleveland Browns awarded Carson Schwesinger.

Shough could push for full guarantees, which would lead to Burden’s reps demanding the same. Or this whole thing could get done quickly. But that’s a possible complication to watch. It doesn’t mean Burden is being difficult, only that he’s trying to get what others around his draft slot are.

Bears rookies report Saturday. Deadlines spark deals. We’ll see what happens in this case, but please remember it’s the business and not the player causing the delay.