Narrator: PREVIOUSLY ON
"HARD KNOCKS"...
WHAT A PLAY.
LIKE SUPERMAN, TAPPED IT AWAY
WITH ONE HAND.
HE IS SOMEONE I'M ALWAYS
ROOTING FOR.
VELUS JONES, THIS IS WHAT YOU
WERE HOPING TO SEE.
WHEELER LIMPING A LITTLE BIT.
DOES HAVE AN ACL TEAR.
YOUR JOURNEY IS GOING TO
CONTINUE ON.
ALL RIGHT, BOYS.
YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.
IT'S VICTORY.
AUSTIN REED.
IS HE GOING TO FIND A ROSTER
SPOT?
CONTINUES TO DO EVERYTHING
RIGHT.
ARE WE MAKING THE RIGHT
DECISION OR ARE WE MAKING THE
EASY DECISION?
Narrator: WHEN THE NFL
WAS CREATED, GEORGE HALAS'
CHICAGO BEARS ROCKETED
PRO FOOTBALL INTO THE NATION'S
SPOTLIGHT.
THE BEARS, THE WORLD
CHAMPIONS.
DA BEARS!
GIVE ME 18 INCHES
OF DAYLIGHT.
THAT'S ALL I NEED.
NICKNAMED THE MONSTERS
OF THE MIDWAY...
THE REFRIGERATOR.
THE BEARS TRANSFORMED
THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
THE CHICAGO BEARS SELECT
CALEB WILLIAMS.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DID
THIS PROCESS THE RIGHT WAY WITH
AN OPEN MIND.
I THOUGHT BETWEEN HIM, KRAMER,
STEWARD, VELUS, THEY DESERVED
ANOTHER CONVERSATION JUST
BECAUSE THEY PLAYED WELL.
THE HIGHER CEILING.
IT COULD LOOK DIFFERENT VERSUS
HIGHER LEVELS OF COMPETITION.
ALL RIGHT.
LET'S PLAY THROUGH THE NUMBER
GAME.
RUNNING BACKS AND TIGHT ENDS.
THE D-LINE MEN.
THEN YOU STILL HAVE TEN DEEP.
WHERE ARE WE LONG?
WHERE ARE WE HEAVY?
YEAH.
WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR
TEAM TODAY.
OUR SYSTEM IS WORKING.
SO YES, WE WANT TO KEEP
EVERYBODY BUT WE ARE NOT IN THAT
SPACE ANYMORE.
IT'S TIME TO WIN.
OKAY, GOOD MORNING.
HOW IS EVERYBODY DOING?
ALL RIGHT.
THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THAT IS
NOT VERY FUN, RIGHT?
FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, RIGHT,
COACHES, PLAYERS.
WE'VE SPENT TIME IN THE
SPRINGTIME BUILDING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH EVERYBODY,
RIGHT?
THE NEXT TWO DAYS, FELLOWS, THE
TEAM IS GOING TO CHANGE RIGHT
NOW, WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT.
I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
EFFORT, YOUR FOCUS AND
INTENSITY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
THE PASSION.
THE PASSION YOU GUYS HAVE FOR
EACH OTHER AND THE PASSION YOU
HAVE FOR THE TEAM AND THE
PASSION YOU PLAY WITH.
AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS,
ALWAYS BE ENCOURAGING.
LOVE THE BROTHER NEXT YEAR.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO DO.
IF HE'S IN A HARD SPOT, PICK HIM
UP.
WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
THAT'S REAL.
THIS TIME OF YEAR IS DIFFERENT,
IT'S JUST DIFFERENT.
I WANTED TO THANK YOU GUYS AHEAD
OF IT, OKAY?
Narrator: THE HARD DECISIONS
MADE OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS WILL
HANG IN THE AIR A LONG TIME.
BECAUSE EVERY BEARS TEAM IS
MEMORIALIZED IN THE CHANDELIER
ADORNING HALAS HALL.
IT HAS MORE THAN A HUNDRED GLASS
RODS, EACH REPRESENTING
A BEARS SEASON.
WHITE FOR A WINNING YEAR,
BLUE FOR A PLAYOFF TEAM,
ORANGE FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP.
A CENTURY'S WORTH OF TRADITION
IS A LOT TO LIVE UP TO.
BUT THE 2024 BEARS HAVE FAITH,
STARTING AT THE TOP,
WHERE PRESIDENT KEVIN WARREN IS
GUIDED BY ONE SIMPLE QUESTION:
WHAT WOULD PAPA BEAR DO?
OVER 2,000 PLAYERS AND
COACHES HAVE PLAYED FOR THE
BEARS.
BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS
FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE WHO
GEORGE HALAS IS CARRIED THE
FIRST PERSON TO HAVE FULL TIME
ASSISTANT COACHES, TO HAVE
PEOPLE UP IN THE PRESS BOX.
REVENUE SHARING THAT TODAY STILL
MAKES THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL
LEAGUE INCREDIBLY SPECIAL FROM A
FINANCIAL STANDPOINT.
HE TRULY WAS AN INNOVATOR.
TO ME IT MEANS THAT EVERY
DECISION THAT I MAKE IN THIS
OFFICE, TO LOOK AT IT THROUGH
THE PRISM OF THE IMPACT THAT
WILL HAVE ON THE PAST, THE
PRESENT, BUT ALSO THE FUTURE.
Narrator: THE FUTURE IS NOW.
IF ANY COACH HAS SOMETHING TO
SAY ABOUT A PLAYER BEFORE FINAL
CUTS, THIS IS THEIR LAST CHANCE.
POSITION BY POSITION.
LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE,
TAKE EVERYONE'S THOUGHTS AND
OPINIONS.
TO MAKE THE DECISIONS WE'VE GOT
TO MAKE TO GET TO THE 53.
THERE'S FACTORS INVOLVED,
SPECIAL TEAMS.
SCARCITY, DEMAND.
WHAT WE NEED TODAY, WHAT WE NEED
TOMORROW, WHAT WE NEED DOWN THE
LINE.
SAFETIES?
I THINK THE PLAY LAST NIGHT,
THE LENGTH AND THE SPEED TO MAKE
THAT PLAY IS SOMETHING I THINK
ABOUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
QUARTERBACKS?
VETERAN LEADERSHIP, IT'S BEEN
GOOD FOR THE ROOM.
DID A GREAT JOB THIS PRESEASON.
IF YOU HAD TO PROJECT
AUSTEN'S CEILING?
HOW DO YOU SEE THAT GOING?
I THINK FOR HIM, JUST A
COUPLE YEARS.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUNDAMENTALS.
HE KNOWS.
THE NUMBER OF REPS HE GETS.
WHERE HE WAS TO WHERE HE'S AT
RIGHT NOW, TO MY MIND, NIGHT AND
DAY.
I REALLY LIKE HIS DISPOSITION
DISPOSITION.
A GREAT DISPOSITION FOR THAT
POSITION.
DOESN'T CONCERN ME TO HAVE TWO
ROOKIES AND AND A SECOND YEAR GUY?
HIS MATURITY.
VELUS IS RIGHT THERE.
HE'S JUST TOO EXPLOSIVE.
I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR HIM MORE
THAN ANYBODY.
THE STRIDES VELUS MADE WEEK
TO WEEK, THAT WAS A PRETTY BIG
STRIDE I THOUGHT, OUTSIDE OF
JUST THE BIG RUNS.
IT WAS THE INSIDE RUNS, HIS
WILLINGNESS.
THAT'S A TOUGH SKILL SET TO
BYPASS.
RIGHT.
APPRECIATE IT.
I NEED THE COORDINATORS TO
STAY IN HERE.
Narrator: TO SURVIVE CUTS,
PLAYERS ON THE FRINGE OF THE
ROSTER NEED SOME KIND OF EDGE,
LIKE VERSATILITY.
IN TERMS OF VELUS WITH YOU,
WHAT WOULD HE DO FOR US?
KICK RETURN, PUNT RETURN ON
THE INTERIOR.
THE OUTSIDE.
HE CAN PLAY EITHER ONE.
KICKOFF, HE WILL PLAY ANYWHERE
ON KICKOFF.
DEPENDING ON THE CORNER, HE BE
OF THE FIRST GUNNER IN.
WE MIGHT ROLL THOSE GUNNERS AND
AGAIN.
THIS SPEED, HE LOOKED WAY BETTER
AT GUNNER THIS YEAR THAN HE DID
LAST YEAR RIGHT NOW.
HE'S HAD A GREAT CAMP.
HE CHANGED POSITIONS.
HE COMES OUT.
HE RUNS HARD.
THE POWER FORWARD.
HE CAN ALSO TAKE IT TO THE
HOUSE.
A POTENTIAL GAME CHANGER, FOR
REAL.
IN CERTAIN SPOTS.
[LINE RINGING]
HELLO.
HI, MOM.
HOW ARE YOU?
PACKING.
JUST TRYING TO GET MY LIFE
TOGETHER.
I'VE GOT A LOT OF DIRTY CLOTHES.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING MENTALLY
ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING?
I THINK RIGHT NOW, IT'S A
LOT.
I'M BEING OPTIMISTIC AND
POSITIVE.
ONCE IT GETS TO IT, I'M PROBABLY
GOING TO FEEL SOME TYPE OF WAY.
I DON'T KNOW.
ARE YOU HAPPY YOU ARE ABLE TO
WORK IT OUT?
YEAH.
I DIDN'T REALLY WANT YOU TO
TRAVEL POST-OP.
Narrator: THERE'LL BE
NO FOOTBALL FOR IAN WHEELER THIS
YEAR.
THE ROOKIE RUNNER TORE HIS ACL
IN THE FINAL PRESEASON GAME.
OH, NO!
MY MOM IS MY ROCK.
HAVING HER THERE MEANT A LOT.
UNFORTUNATE THAT HAPPENED BUT
SHE GOT TO SEE ME PLAY IN AN NFL
UNIFORM.
Narrator: HE'S HEADED HOME TO
HOUSTON WHERE HE'LL HAVE SURGERY
THIS WEEK.
YOUR GRANDMOTHER IS COOKING
FIVE DIFFERENT MEALS.
IS SHE MAKING JAMBALAYA?
I DON'T KNOW PAT I'LL ASK.
SHE IS MAKING A GUMBO.
MADE SOME BEINGS.
IT'S TOO HOT FOR GUMBO.
SHE WAS LIKE, I WANT HIM TO
HAVE WHATEVER HE WANTS.
I'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.
OKAY.
WELL, LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S
ANYTHING I NEED TO DO TO ASSIST
YOU.
ALL RIGHT.
I LOVE YOU, MOM.
I LOVE YOU TOO.
STAY IN GOOD THOUGHTS.
I GOT YOU.
ALL RIGHT, TALK TO YOU LATER.
YES, MOM.
JUST BECAUSE I HAD A PLAN FOR
MYSELF DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN
THAT THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
I HAD A PLAN TO START IN
HIGH SCHOOL FROM THE MOMENT I
STEPPED ON CAMPUS, THAT DIDN'T
HAPPEN.
I HAD A PLAN TO GET A
SCHOLARSHIP TO A D1 SCHOOL.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
I HAD A PLAN TO GET DRAFTED.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP ME.
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER MOMENT
WHERE I'M BEING TESTED.
IT'S GOING TO BE NICE BEING
HOME.
BUT AS SOON AS I AM GOOD ENOUGH
TO COME BACK UP HERE WITH THE
TEAM, DO REHAB, DO WHATEVER THEY
TELL ME TO DO JUST SO I CAN
LEARN.
THIS MIGHT END UP BEING ONE OF
MY ESSAYS FOR REAPPLYING TO MED
SCHOOL.
THESE WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
PRACTICES, HOW IMPORTANT OUR
TIME IS ON THE GRASS, THOSE DAYS
ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR
PREPARATION.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET 41 REPS AT
THAT PARTICULAR PRACTICE ON THE
RIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO GET 41
REPS, TEAM REPS, SEVEN ON SEVEN.
AND THEN AGAINST THE DEFENSE,
YOU'RE GOING TO GET ANOTHER 15
REPS RIGHT THERE.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, OVER 100
PLUS REPS.
IT'S GREAT BECAUSE IT'S FOCUSED.
IT'S BALL ALL DAY, WHICH IS COOL
COOL.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE
ABLE TO DEVELOP OUR TEAM AND
START FAST.
Narrator: SNAP, DROP,
AND THROW.
REPEAT.
AND REPEAT.
THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO DO TO
GET READY FOR THE SEASON OPENER.
BEING A PRO MEANS REPETITION
TILL IT'S ROTE.
THERE IT IS.
THAT'S A FIRST DOWN.
CALEB.
NO HESITATION!
GOOD DECISION.
NICE JOB, NICE JOB.
GOT TO GO.
SEVEN ON SEVEN, LET'S GO.
LET'S GET AFTER THEM, FELLAS.
GET THE BALL OUT QUICK.
NICE BALL.
FOR YOU.
A LITTLE TOO LONG ON THE SLANT.
BOOM, READY FOR THE HARD RESET.
OH!
THERE WE GO.
NICE SHOT.
NICE SHOT, GOOD ACTION.
RIGHT HERE.
THAT WAS DISGUSTING FOOTWORK
RIGHT THERE.
I LOVE IT.
SAFETIES COMING FROM DEPTH
AND HE'S RUNNING DOWN.
UNGUARDABLE.
GOOD SHOT, GOOD SHOT.
HEY, ROME.
HOW ARE YOUR LEGS.
I'M 22, SO I'M SOLID.
I'VE GOT SOME JUICE AND ME.
THE OPTION ROUTE.
I KIND OF WANT TO WORK SOME OF
THAT.
FIVE EACH SIDE.
Narrator: THE TEAM IS
GROWING.
VETS CAN NOW RELY ON FIRST YEAR
PLAYERS TO PRACTICE IN A WAY
THAT MAKES THEM BOTH BETTER.
♪ ♪
I FEEL LIKE I'M ALWAYS HOME.
THE WHOLE INSIDE.
Narrator: NOT THAT ROOKIES
LIKE EDGE RUSHER AUSTIN BOOKER
AREN'T STILL LEARNING.
THROW THEM AGAIN.
IT'S COOL.
DID YOU DO THAT MOVE IN COLLEGE?
LONG ARM TO EVERYTHING.
YOUR LONG.
Narrator: THEY'RE ALL GETTING
A GRASP ON THINGS, INCLUDING
PUNTER AND HOLDER TORY TAYLOR.
WHEN I'M COMING OFF THE BALL
AND I SEE YOU BACKING UP.
THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.
I FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME I'M IN
THAT SITUATION.
UNCOMFORTABLE.
I DON'T LIKE THAT.
IS THE GAME A LOT MORE
FAST-PACED?
YEAH.
CANADA WAS PLAYING FOOTBALL
FOR AMERICA.
LOOK IT UP.
RUGBY WAS TRANSITIONING.
NORTH AMERICA, THE FIRST EVER
RECOGNIZED FOOTBALL GAME WAS
McGILL VERSUS HARVARD,
McGILL IN MONTREAL.
THEY CAME DOWN WITH THEIR RULES,
FOOTBALL RULES.
HUG-- HARVARD.
THE RULES OF FOOTBALL WERE
WRITTEN HERE.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OTHER
STUFF, STILL RELATED.
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
YOU CAN LOOK IT UP.
AFTER HARVARD.
WE GAVE YOU THE RULES.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
LOOK IT UP.
THE RULES OF FOOTBALL AS WE KNOW
TODAY WERE WRITTEN AT YALE.
Narrator: ROOKIE OFFENSIVE
TACKLE KIRAN AMAGADJIE KNOWS
THE RULES AND HIS HISTORY.
EVEN BETTER, HE KNOWS HE HAS
PLACE ON THE ROSTER DESPITE
BEING INJURED MUCH OF CAMP.
THIRD ROUND PICKS DON'T OFTEN
GET CUT IN THEIR FIRST SUMMER.
BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS THAT SENSE
OF SECURITY.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S GREAT?
LAST YEAR I WAS PUTTING MYSELF
IN THE HEAD SPACE, IF I GET CUT,
I'LL GO HOME.
IF I DON'T GET CAUGHT, I'LL BE
HERE HAVING A TIME AND A HALF.
LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO
DO?
WE ARE GOING TO BE KICKING
IT.
WE ARE GOING TO GO AND I'M
GOING TO START WORKING AT A
CHILI'S OR SOMETHING.
WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT COME
JANUARY.
YOU WILL BE THEIR QUARTERBACK
COACHING.
YOU WILL BE QUARTERBACK COACHING
FOR WEST FLORIDA.
Narrator: TODAY, THE BEARS
WILL TRIM THE ROSTER DOWN
TO 53 PLAYERS.
THERE SIMPLY ISN'T ROOM
FOR EVERYONE.
FOR SOME,
IT'S THE END OF THE ROAD.
FOR OTHERS, THERE'S HOPE THAT AS
ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER, IN THE
FORM OF A SPOT ON THE PRACTICE
SQUAD, WILL OPEN UP.
WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THE
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM FOR THEY
RELEASED A COUPLE GUYS TODAY.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY IN HERE
BECAUSE Y'ALL PUT SO MUCH WORK
IN.
IT'S TOUGH.
I'M JUST GOING TO BE REAL.
THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING
PARTS.
A BILLION DIFFERENT SCENARIOS
THAT PLAY OUT, ALL THOSE THINGS.
I AM NOT I AM DEAF NOT TO THE
ANXIETY.
THE ROOM IS GOING TO CHANGE.
IT'S CHANGED A LITTLE BIT SINCE
WE WERE LAST IN HERE.
UNFORTUNATE PART OF THE
BUSINESS.
REACH OUT.
DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE GONE
FOREVER.
YOU NEVER KNOW HOW IT WORKS.
BUT THIS SUCKS.
C-EURO-SIGN
TO ME IT'S ONE OF THE WORST
DAYS OF THIS JOB.
IT'S HARD TO TELL THAT MANY
PEOPLE THEIR DREAM IS ENDING.
THE IRONIC THING FOR ME IS, I'VE
BEEN CUT IN THIS BUILDING BEFORE
BEFORE.
Narrator: THAT WAS IN 2008
WHEN AS AN UNDRAFTED ROOKIE OUT
OF BOSTON COLLEGE, RYAN POLES
TRIED TO MAKE THE BEARS.
HE WAS CUT.
HE NEVER PLAYED ANOTHER DOWN.
I'VE BEEN THERE.
IT'S A PLACE WHERE I TRY TO HAVE
A LOT OF EMPATHY AND THE WAY WE
COMMUNICATE IT BECAUSE THESE
GUYS HAVE PUT A LOT OF TIME AND
EFFORT INTO MAKING THE FOOTBALL
TEAM.
WHEN I TRY TO DO IS DO A
GOOD JOB GIVING FEEDBACK SO THEY
AT LEAST KNOW THE WHY BEHIND IT
AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON THEIR
CRAFT AND HOPEFULLY HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A FOOTBALL
TEAM.
WE ARE GOING TO RELEASE YOU
TODAY.
WHAT WAS THE DECIDING FACTOR?
GOING HAVE-- GOING HEAVIER
AT THE DEFENSIVE POSITION.
THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING GOING TO
GO FIVE RECEIVERS, WHICH MADE IT
TOUGH.
I KNOW HOW FRUSTRATING THIS
OFF-SEASON WAS.
HOW BADLY HE WANTS TO FINISH.
100% YOU WERE IN THE
CONVERSATION TO MAKE THE 53.
IT GOT GRAY AND MURKY DOWN THE
STRETCH.
I KNOW COACH AND EVERYONE WAS
PROUD OF HOW YOU PERFORMED.
OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOTTEN TOUGHER TO
PUT THAT GROUP TOGETHER.
YOU ARE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING
IN.
[INDISTINCT]
Narrator: THERE WERE
HIGH HOPES FOR THEO BENEDET,
THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FROM NORTH
OF THE BORDER, BUT AN INJURY
SUFFERED IN THE FIRST PRESEASON
GAME KEPT THE CANADIAN EAGLE
FROM TRULY TAKING FLIGHT.
HIS ONLY HOPE IS THAT THE BEARS
SAW ENOUGH TO KEEP HIM
IN THE NEST.
HOW IS IT BEEN GOING?
ALL RIGHT.
WE'VE GOT TO RELEASE YOU
TODAY.
YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB FITTING
INTO THE ROOM, BEING A GOOD
TEAMMATE, WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR
THAT POSITION.
REALLY ANY POSITION BUT THAT ONE
FOR SURE.
WE THINK THERE'S A LOT OF UPSIDE
FOR YOU TO DEVELOP AND BECOME A
CONTRIBUTOR FOR THE TEAM.
SO THE PLAN FOR US REALLY IS TO
PUT YOU ON THE PRACTICE SQUAD.
I THINK ABOUT THIS PRESEASON.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY.
DOING EVERYTHING TO REPAY YOU
FOR IT.
LOVE IT.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.
I FELT LIKE BEFORE I GOT
HURT, I WAS GETTING ADJUSTED TO
THE SPEED AND EVERYTHING DOWN
HERE.
PUT SOME GOOD STUFF ON TAPE AND
PRACTICE.
KEEP BUILDING FROM THERE.
I AGREE 100%.
THE FUTURE.
WE SEE THAT.
JUST KEEP WORKING.
APPRECIATE IT.
APPRECIATE YOU.
Narrator: IF NO OTHER TEAM
SIGNS BENEDET IN THE NEXT
24 HOURS, HE CAN RETURN TO THE
BEARS ON THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.
BUT TODAY IS CUT DAY DAY FOR THE
ENTIRE NFL.
EVERYONE'S ROSTER IS IN FLUX.
THERE ARE EVEN TRADE TALKS.
ANOTHER TEAM HAS ASKED ABOUT
VELUS JONES.
JUST TRYING TO COME UP
WITH--
DRAW THE LINE.
SEE WHAT WILL WORK.
I WOULD NEVER GO BELOW FOUR.
THE VALUE.
DOESN'T MAKE MAKE SENSE ON PAPER
PAPER?
THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE VALUE.
DOES IT MAKE SENSE RIGHT NOW?
POSITION.
LOOKS REALLY GOOD.
BECAUSE HE SPECIAL TEAMS, IT
KICKS OFF THIS EXTRA RUNWAY.
BUT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ACTIVE
AND HELP US WIN GAMES ON SPECIAL
TEAMS.
YOU'RE WILLING TO ADD THE EXTRA
RUNWAY TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP.
THE TRANSITION OVER TO
RUNNING BACK.
HAD A GREAT ATTITUDE ABOUT IT.
YOU'VE DONE EVERYTHING WE'VE
ASKED OF YOU.
YOU MADE IT.
YOU'RE IN THE RUNNING BACK ROOM.
WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT, YOU KNOW
WHAT I MEAN?
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW HOW
APPRECIATIVE WE ARE OF YOU
MAKING THAT SWITCH.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT WITH IT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN TAKE IT AS A
NEGATIVE.
THEY DON'T THINK I'M GOOD ENOUGH
AT RECEIVERS SO THEY WILL TRY TO
FIT ME SOMEWHERE ELSE VERSUS IT
WASN'T LIKE THAT.
WE SAW SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL
YOU CAN DO.
WE ALREADY KNOW YOU CAN PLAY
RECEIVER BUT DURING THE
RUNNING BACK STUFF.
HOW EXPLOSIVE, HOW FAST, HOW
PHYSICAL YOU ARE.
GUYS WHO HAVE PLAYED
RUNNING BACK THEIR WHOLE LIFE
CAN'T EVEN DO THAT.
THAT'S WHAT WE SAW.
I'M EXCITED.
I'VE STILL GOT A LOT TO LEARN.
I'M GOING TO GIVE IT MY ALL.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO TALK
ABOUT YOUR ROLE.
I WANT TO PUT YOU EVERYWHERE.
I THINK YOU COULD DO EVERYTHING.
PASSING, EVERYTHING.
TRYING TO BE THE BEST
RUNNING BACK IN THE ENTIRE
LEAGUE BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO
WORK YOU LIKE THAT.
WE ARE GOING TO TRAIN YOU LIKE
THAT.
WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU,
BROTHER.
YOU'RE GOING TO DO SOME GREAT
STUFF IN THIS LEAGUE.
YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT
JOB.
ALL OF THE GUYS.
THEY ALL FIT.
THEY ARE OUR STAFF, OUR
DISPOSITION.
YOU ARE INVESTING WHEN YOU CARE
ABOUT THEM.
Narrator: CHICAGO'S
QUARTERBACK ROOM IS TALENTED
AND TIGHT KNIT.
NUMBER ONE OVERALL PICK,
CALEB WILLIAMS,
IS THE STARTER.
TYSON BAGENT'S IMPRESSIVE CAMP
HAS EARNED HIM THE NUMBER TWO
SPOT.
TWO QUESTIONS REMAIN.
WILL THE BEARS KEEP THREE
QUARTERBACKS OR ONLY TWO?
AND IF IT IS THREE, WILL IT BE
ROOKIE AUSTIN REED OR FIFTH YEAR
PRO BRETT RYPIEN?
HOW ARE YOU DOING, BROTHER?
WHAT'S GOING ON?
TALKED TO KYLE.
WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE
DONE SINCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE.
YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING SOME
EXPERIENCE TO A YOUNG GROUP.
HUGE.
ABSOLUTELY.
APPRECIATE IT.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
WE ARE GOING TO RELEASE YOU
TODAY.
THIS IS THE TOUGHEST PART ABOUT
IT.
YOU BATTLES.
IF WE KEPT THREE, YEAR OF THE
THIRD GUY.
HOPING THAT YOU'LL CONSIDER
COMING BACK FOR PRACTICE SQUAD
THERE'S NOT A SECOND OPTION OUT
THERE.
A LOT OF RESPECT FOR YOU, HOW
YOU CONDUCTED YOURSELF, HOW YOU
HANDLED YOURSELF.
EVERY DAY YOU COME IN HERE AND
YOU ARE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS FOR
YOU ARE A JOY TO BE AROUND.
GUYS LIKE YOU.
GUYS GRAVITATE TOWARD YOU.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE
ROOM?
THE ROOM IS GREAT.
I THINK FOR BEING A SECOND YEAR
GUY, HE'S AS EXPERIENCED AS
YOU'RE GOING TO GET.
CALEB IS DOING GREAT.
I THINK YOU HAVE A TON OF
VALUE IN THERE.
YOU KNOW THE SYSTEM.
FOR SURE.
HEARING FROM THOSE GUYS IN THEM
BEING APPRECIATIVE, SAYING HOW
MUCH.
OBVIOUSLY KNOW HOW THE
BUSINESS GOES IN THE NUMBERS
WORK.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT
YOU GUYS GAVE ME.
A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES DIDN'T
GET AS MUCH REPS OR PLAYTIME FOR
THE FACT THAT I GOT THAT
OPPORTUNITY MEANS A LOT.
TRIED TO HOPEFULLY SHOW YOU I
CAN PLAY IN THIS LEAGUE AND
BELONG IN THIS LEAGUE.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
WE SAW IN KANSAS CITY BUT ONCE
YOU GOT YOUR CHANCE, YOU SHOWED
UP.
A LOT OF RESPECT FOR YOU, BRO.
BE A GOOD.
YOU TOO.
APPRECIATE YOU.
APPRECIATE YOU GUYS ABOUT
BEING UP FRONT.
WE WILL KEEP GOING.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU
BACK.
WHAT IS THE DOUBLE-EDGED
THING FOR?
IT'S A DANISH TERM FOR
"CHERISHED THE LITTLE THINGS."
Narrator: AT 28, RYPIEN IS
HOLDING OUT HOPE FOR A SPOT
ON A 53-MAN ROSTER.
IT WON'T BE WITH THE BEARS,
BUT THERE'S A CHANCE ANOTHER
TEAM WILL COME CALLING.
IF RYPIEN DOES WIND UP ON THE
BEARS' PRACTICE SQUAD, IT MIGHT
SPELL THE END OF THE LINE FOR
UNDRAFTED ROOKIE AUSTIN REED.
I'M AT PEACE WITH WHAT
HAPPENED.
I FEEL LIKE I DID EVERYTHING I
POSSIBLY COULD HAVE WITHIN MY
CONTROL.
IT'S TOUGH BUT IT'S PART OF THE
BUSINESS.
I THINK I PROVED I CAN LEAD NFL
PLAYERS IN A HUDDLE.
I CAN RUN AN NFL OFFENSE FOR THE
WAY IT HAPPENED IN PRESEASON
GAMES, I CAN SUCCEED IN THE NFL
LEVEL.
TO MYSELF, IN MY MIND, I KNOW I
BELONG TO THIS LEAGUE.
I LOVE THE BEARS ORGANIZATION
LOVE TO COME BACK HERE BUT GOD
HAS GOT A PLAN AND I'M GOING TO
END UP EXACTLY WHERE I'M
SUPPOSED TO.
Narrator: SERENITY IS NOT
THE SAME AS SURRENDER.
ADRIAN COLBERT UNDERSTANDS THAT
DOWN TO HIS SOUL.
HE'S PREPARED TO MEET HIS FATE,
WHATEVER IT IS.
ADRIAN COLBERT IS HERE.
THIS KILLS ME.
Narrator: SOME CUTS ARE
DEEPER THAN OTHERS.
THAT'S GOOD.
I APPRECIATE YOU, MAN.
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU
THAT'S DIFFERENT.
THERE ARE SOME GUYS THAT YOU
JUST RUDE FOR.
SOME GUYS YOU JUST ROOT FOR.
IT'S PART OF THE JOB I HATE.
THANKFUL FOR OUR TIME TOGETHER I
HOPE OPPORTUNITIES POP UP.
YOU NEVER KNOW.
YOU KNOW HOW CRAZY THIS LEAGUE
IS BUT YOU'VE WORKED YOUR TAIL
OFF, DID EVERYTHING YOU'RE
SUPPOSED TO.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW, FOR SOME
REASON, THIS IS DIFFERENT FOR
YOU.
BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, THERE'S
CERTAIN PEOPLE, SOMETHING ABOUT
THEM IS SPECIAL.
YOU DO.
WHEREVER YOUR CAREER TAKES YOU
FROM HERE, I HOPE YOU DO BIG
THINGS.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
IT'S BEEN A BLAST JUST TO
OBVIOUSLY BE HERE.
IT'S A HISTORIC ORGANIZATION.
NOT EVEN JUST THAT, IT'S BEING
AROUND YOU GUYS.
BEING AROUND THE FRONT OFFICE,
BEING AROUND THE COACHES AND THE
PLAYERS WHO HAVE EMBRACED ME FOR
BEING ME.
YOU NORMALLY FIND MANY PLACES
LIKE THAT.
EVERYBODY WANTS YOU TO BE THE
SAME.
EVERYBODY WANTS YOU TO BE
EXACTLY LIKE THE NEXT PERSON.
IT ALLOWED ME TO REALLY BE ME.
I THINK IT'S ALLOWED ME TO
THRIVE ON THE FIELD AND OFF THE
FIELD.
I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU I
APPRECIATE YOU FOR THAT.
THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME.
NOW WHEREVER THIS TAKES ME,
WHETHER IT'S THE NEXT TEAM.
I KNOW I HAVE THAT AND IT WILL
CARRY ON TO ME BEING A PARENT AS
WELL.
KNOWING I CAN INSTILL GREAT
VALUES AND MY SON.
BELIEVING IN HIMSELF, NOT BEING
CONTINGENT ON WHAT WOULD PEOPLE
THINK.
THE MORE RESPECT I HAVE FOR
YOU.
SOME PEOPLE I MEET ALONG THE
WAY.
THEY ARE DIFFERENT IN THE WAY
THEY CARRY THEMSELVES.
IT'S A SPIRIT THING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
IT HITS ME.
OH, MAN.
I APPRECIATE YOU.
♪ ♪
RYAN HAS BEEN REALLY AWESOME,
SUCH A GREAT GUY, SUCH A GREAT
LEADER.
VERY PRESENT WITH HIS PLAYERS
AND CREATING THIS ENVIRONMENT
WHERE PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED TO BE
THEMSELVES FULLY.
THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE HAS
BECOME THE FAVORITE OF ALL THE
PLACES THAT I'VE BEEN, THAT
ENABLED ME TO FIND THAT LOVE FOR
THE GAME.
IT FELT SO GOOD.
I FELT SO FREE.
I FELT SO AT PEACE.
I FELT NO STRESS.
I FEEL LIKE I WAS ABLE TO GO UP
TO A PLACE AS FAR AS JUST THE
LEVEL OF BELIEF IN MYSELF.
IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR
ME.
COLBERT GOT ME ALL EMOTIONAL.
THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THE
DUDE.
IT'S REAL.
THE THING THAT MAKES YOU
PROUD.
WE ARE DOING A REALLY GREAT JOB
ON THE PEOPLE.
AUSTIN REED.
HE'S A GOOD DUDE, SPECIAL DUDE.
THAT ONE WAS TOUGH.
HE WANTS TO BE BACK.
CAN'T GUARANTEE IT.
I HOPE.
BUT I UNDERSTAND HER AND HE WAS
APPRECIATIVE OF THE OPPORTUNITY.
EVERYONE WANTS TO BE ON THE
PRACTICE SQUAD.
IT NEVER GETS EASIER.
IT'S TOUGH.
WE BUILD THESE FREAKING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE GUYS.
YOU CARE.
YOU CARE ABOUT THE PERSON.
LET'S INVEST IN PEOPLE.
MIND, BODY, SPIRIT.
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Narrator: IT'S BEEN A FULL
24 HOURS SINCE THE BEARS MADE
THEIR FINAL CUT.
THAT MEANS THEY'RE FREE
TO RE-SIGN ANY OF THOSE PLAYERS
TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.
UNLESS OF COURSE THAT PLAYER
HAS SIGNED WITH SOMEONE ELSE
IN THE INTERIM.
WENT IN YESTERDAY MORNING AND
HAVE A GOOD TALK WITH POLES.
WENT HOME, TALKED TO MY AGENT,
HE WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, COULD
HAVE A POSSIBILITY WITH
MINNESOTA.
WASN'T REALLY SURE WHAT IT
LOOKED LIKE.
OBVIOUSLY I WASN'T GOING TO MOVE
PRACTICE SQUAD TO PRACTICE
SQUAD.
MY BIGGEST THING WAS IF THEY
BRING ME BACK TO THE ROSTER I'D
BE WILLING TO DO IT.
THEY GOT THE CONTRACT DONE
AROUND 6:00 P.M. LAST NIGHT.
FLYING OUT THIS MORNING AT
AROUND 9:00.
HAPPENS FAST.
THE GOOD REALITY OF THIS LEAGUE
IS THAT WHEN YOU PUT OUT GOOD
TAPE, YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE A JOB SOMEWHERE.
THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I TOLD ALL
THESE GUYS.
ESPECIALLY AUSTIN.
I SEE A LOT OF MYSELF IN HIM
BEING IN A SIMILAR SCENARIO WHEN
I CAME OUT OF COLLEGE.
BITTERSWEET OBVIOUSLY.
GETTING A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN
MINNESOTA.
THIS TEAM I THINK IS GOING TO DO
SPECIAL THINGS THIS YEAR.
THERE'S A LOT OF SPECIAL PEOPLE
IN THE BUILDING.
IT'S TOUGH.
THEY ARE GOING TO BE GREAT.
I'M EXCITED FOR THEM.
Narrator: RYPIEN'S MOVE
TO THE VIKINGS MEANS THE BEARS
CAN MAKE A MOVE OF THEIR OWN.
AND THEY'VE GOT SOMEONE IN MIND
FOR THE PRACTICE SQUAD.
OBVIOUSLY, PRACTICE SQUAD
CONTRACT.
YOUR WEEKLY PAY.
STANDARD ELEVATION.
YOU CAN GET ELEVATED THREE TIMES
WITHOUT BREAKING YOUR CONTRACT
DURING THE YEAR.
AWESOME.
LAST PAGE, SIGN YOUR NAME,
DATE, INITIAL WHERE IT SAYS
PLAYER.
AND YOU'RE BACK.
LET'S GO.
CONGRATS.
KEEP THE PEN FOR GOOD LUCK.
HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, AUSTIN.
APPRECIATE IT.
ALL RIGHT.
AWESOME, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Narrator: CAMP IS OVER.
THE DEALS ARE DONE.
AT LEAST FOR NOW.
IT'S BEEN A HARD COUPLE OF DAYS.
TIME TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN
AND RELAX.
I'VE REALLY BEEN HAVING MY
HAIR BRAIDED, 2020.
PROBABLY 2020.
EVER SINCE.
SO TRAINING CAMP IS
OFFICIALLY DONE?
HOW ARE WE FEELING?
DEFINITELY EXCITED.
GOING INTO MY SEVENTH YEAR.
UNDRAFTED, MADE THE 53.
YOU NEVER CAN TAKE THAT FOR
GRANTED NO MATTER WHAT.
IT BE CRAZY.
WALKING TO THE BUILDING
SOMETIMES FOR YOU SEE GUYS.
AT THE INDIANA FEVER GAME.
HOW WAS THE GAME, BABY?
IT WAS GOOD.
IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.
IT WAS CRAZY.
IT WAS LOUD.
THAT'S COOL.
IT WAS REALLY NICE.
EVERYBODY'S TALKING.
MIGHT BE THE SHORTEST ONE.
I WILL LET YOU GO.
CALL ME.
I WILL.
HELLO, EVERYBODY!
Narrator: RECEIVER DJ MOORE'S
NEW CONTRACT MEANS CHICAGO
IS HOME.
HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE FOUND THE
PREFECT NEW PLACE TO SETTLE IN.
THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
[LAUGHS]
HEARS THE LIVING ROOM.
BECAUSE IT'S SO BIG.
I THINK WE COULD PUT A POOL
RIGHT HERE.
ARE EXTREMELY.
LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKING
CHICAGO HOME.
THIS IS MY ROOM.
MAKING IT THE BEST SIX YEARS
WE POSSIBLY COULD HAVE.
AND RETIRE A BEAR MAY BE.
COULD MAKE THAT A THING.
WHAT'S THE BIG EXCITING NEWS?
[WHISPERING]
MOMMY'S PREGNANT.
SHE'S PREGNANT.
SHE'S HAVING ANOTHER BABY ON HER
WAY.
HE THINKS IT'S A BOY.
WHATEVER WE HAVE IS WHAT GOD
BLESSES US WITH AND I'LL BE
HAPPY.
Narrator: BLESSINGS COME
IN MANY FORMS.
FOR GM RYAN POLES, IT'S THIS:
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS,
HE DOESN'T HAVE TO SCOUT
A QUARTERBACK.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE
RUNNING BACK YET?
I HAVEN'T.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A
DEFENSIVE END CATCH KICKS IN
PREGAME?
[LAUGHTER]
THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD TALENT.
SHOOT.
I'M JUST GETTING STARTED HERE.
LOOKING AT THE...
QUARTERBACKS, YES.
HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY FOR
A LONG TIME.
I THINK WE SHOULD GO CHECK.
WE TALK ABOUT THE SEASON AS A
ROLLER COASTER.
TRAINING CAMP IS WHEN YOU ARE
GOING UP THE FIRST HILL AND THE
FIRST GAME KICKOFF, YOU GO DOWN
THE HILL.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.
IT'S THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.
IT STARTED WITH US TAKING
THESE WALKS AROUND OUR PROPERTY
WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT A COUPLE
YEARS AGO.
JUST TO RELAX, TUNE EVERYTHING
OUT, CHECK OUT THE BEES.
THEY HAVE THE APIARY ALREADY
HERE AND THEY ASKED US, WOULD
YOU LIKE TO KEEP THE AVIARY AND
WE SAID SURE.
IT'S BEEN GREAT WATCHING THEM,
OBSERVING THEM, AND GETTING THE
HONEY.
WE HARVEST HONEY.
HE DOESN'T DO IT.
IT WOULD BE COOL IF I COULD
DO THAT BUT I'M A LITTLE BUSY.
LOOK AT THEM ALL.
THAT'S SO COOL.
WAY TOO MUCH--
I HAD ONE BUZZING THE TOWER.
MY DAD HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON MY
LIFE IN TERMS OF WORK ETHIC.
HE HAS BEEN GONE SINCE 2015.
I MISS HIM EVERY DAY BUT I KNOW
HE'S WATCHING.
HE KNOWS THE HARD WORK AND THE
ADVERSITY WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THE
FIRST COUPLE YEARS AND HE'S
EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR FOR SURE.
Narrator: THE OPENING DAY
ROSTER HAS BEEN SETTLED.
BUT HEAD COACH MATT EBERFLUS
KNOWS THAT THE 2024 BEARS WERE,
AT LEAST IN PART, SHAPED BY MEN
NO LONGER AT HALAS HALL.
OKAY.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
GOOD.
JUST WANTED TO GO BACK AND
REALLY THANK THE GUYS FOR A
REALLY GOOD TRAINING CAMP AND
ALL THE PLAYERS THAT
PARTICIPATED IN IT AND OF COURSE
YOU SAW WE HAD TO LET MANY OF
THOSE GUYS GO.
THAT'S ALWAYS A DIFFICULT TIME.
GOT A CHANCE TO SEE THOSE GUYS
AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR HARD
WORK AND THEIR EFFORTS.
SO THE NEXT TWO DAYS, WE GET A
CHANCE TO HAVE OUR TEAM TOGETHER
HERE AND REALLY GO THROUGH THE
RHYTHM AND FLOW OF THE IN SEASON
WEDNESDAY AND IN SEASON
THURSDAY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO DO
THAT WITH A YOUNG QUARTERBACK,
WITH AN OFFENSE GOING THROUGH IT
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I CAN FEEL THE CLOSENESS AND THE
BOND THEY ARE FORMING EARLIER
THAN EVER BEFORE.
I THINK OUR TEAM HAS DONE A
REALLY GOOD JOB OF COMING
TOGETHER AND I THINK IT'S GOING
TO BE A BIG PART OF IT.
HERE WE GO.
READY.
♪ ♪
Narrator: YOU CAN FEEL IT
IN THE AIR.
SUMMER'S GONE.
THE BEARS HAVE TEN DAYS BEFORE
THE BEARS SEASON OPENER IS JUST
DAYS AWAY.
TIME TO FOCUS ON THEIR WEEK ONE
OPPONENT.
KEEP GOING.
THERE WE GO.
18, YES, YES, CALEB.
YES!
THAT WAS CRAZY.
THAT WAS THE BEST HE HAS THROWN
IT.
100%.
♪ ♪
GOOD!
HEY, VELUS.
PERFECT.
I'M PROUD OF THE PROCESS WE HAVE
SET UP.
IT'S SPECIAL.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ACQUIRING
THE BEST TALENT.
IT'S ABOUT ACQUIRING THE RIGHT
TALENT.
WHERE OUR ROSTER WAS, FOR HOW
FAR WE KNEW IT HAD TO GO.
CAN WE TAKE THAT BIG JUMP FROM
WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR TO THIS
YEAR?
I THINK WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING
THAT.
♪ BACK IN CHICAGO I FEEL IT ♪
VERTICAL.
Narrator: CHICAGO HAS REASON
TO BELIEVE.
WHETHER FOR ROOKIES
READY FOR A STAR TURN...
HERE WE GO.
Narrator: OR THE BEAUTY OF
SYNCHRONIZED SUCCESS.
WELCOME.
Narrator: THEY'RE JUST
GETTING STARTED,
AND DISCOVERING HOW GOOD
THEY CAN BE.
I'VE GOT THREE RULES.
BEYOND TIME, WORK HARD, RESPECT.
THREE RULES.
NOT REAL HARD.
ALL RIGHT.
♪ AND WHEN I'M BACK IN CHICAGO,
I FEEL IT ♪
♪ ANOTHER VERSION OF ME, I WAS
IN IT ♪
♪ I WAVED GOODBYE TO THE END OF
BEGINNING ♪
♪
HERE WE GO!
THERE WE GO.
GET AFTER IT.
[EXHALES]
♪ ♪