Chicago Sun-Times

HERE’S WHERE THEY ARE

Experts analyze Bears’ offseason gains, tell you what to expect at training camp

- ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@ suntimes. com @ adamjahns PATRICK FINLEY pfinley@ suntimes. com @ patrickfin­ley MARK POTASH mpotash@ suntimes. com @ MarkPotash

The Bears have started their summer vacation. The SunTimes’ experts — Adam L. Jahns, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash — break down what they learned during the offseason program and what they expect to see at training camp in July:

Coach Matt Nagy has . . .

JAHNS: Reinvigora­ted Halas Hall. With all due respect to John Fox, change has been good. Nagy’s messages have resonated on both sides of the ball. It was particular­ly encouragin­g to hear defensive players repeat them. It helped that coordinato­r Vic Fangio and his entire staff returned for the defense, but players also expressed excitement about Nagy’s scheme and aggressive offensive approach. They finally get to watch a modern offense from the sideline.

FINLEY: Looked like a head coach. The Bears were wise to guarantee stability by hiring a play- caller to run the team. The great unknown was how Nagy would handle the added responsibi­lity that comes with being a head coach, from setting the attitude of the team to earning his players’ respect to dealing with the media. He has yet to face a three- game losing streak or a catastroph­ic injury to one of his players, but Nagy looks comfortabl­e in his own skin.

POTASH: Gotten off to a good start, but let’s not get carried away. Marc Trestman was a similar breath of fresh air when he arrived at Halas Hall in 2013, and that petered out pretty quickly. Nagy’s influence shows signs of having better staying power, but we still have to see it to believe it. Mitch Trubisky will . . .

JAHNS: Thrive at some point in Nagy’s offense. He fits it, and it fits him. But fans heading to Bourbonnai­s for training camp should be prepared to see muffed plays, errant throws and mistakes from Trubisky. Nagy tested him during the offseason program, and that will continue in camp. Nagy’s offense is complex and puts a lot on quarterbac­ks. Time and patience are required. Nagy, though, did express satisfacti­on with Trubisky’s developmen­t during the offseason program.

FINLEY: Be the Bears’ secondlead­ing rusher — as long as he learns to slide. The team can ill-

 ?? AP ?? Since his hiring, coach Matt Nagy has brought some much- needed life to Halas Hall.
AP Since his hiring, coach Matt Nagy has brought some much- needed life to Halas Hall.
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