The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of their offseason program on April 7, where new and returning players will gather at Halas Hall to kick off the 2025 season under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago is in the midst of an impactful offseason, where the Bears hired new head coach Ben Johnson and made some big moves in free agency, including the additions of offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo.
The NFL announced the offseason workout dates for the Bears, which includes the start of their offseason program, voluntary minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
The offseason workouts will allow second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and company a chance to apply what they learn from Johnson and coaches in the classroom on the field. There are plenty of new faces on the roster -- and more to come with the 2025 NFL draft -- who will also get a chance to develop a rapport with their new teammates and learn their new respective schemes.
Here's a look at those offseason dates:
First Day: April 7
The Bears have hired their new head coach in Ben Johnson, which means the offseason program will begin two weeks before the rest of the league with returning coaches. Chicago will return to Halas Hall for their offseason workout program on April 7. Teams with returning coaches can begin April 21.
Voluntary minicamp: April 21-23
New head coaches are allowed to hold an additional voluntary veteran minicamp before the start of the 2025 NFL draft (April 24-26) but not earlier than the third week of the offseason program and after at least one week of Phase One activities. The Bears will hold their voluntary minicamp April 21-23.
Rookie minicamp: May 2-5 or May 9-12
Following the NFL draft, the Bears can hold their three-day, post-draft rookie minicamp wither May 2-5 or May 9-12, where new rookies will hit the practice field at Halas Hall for the first time. There will also be undrafted free agents looking to earn a roster spot.
OTA workouts: May 20-22, May 27-30, June 9-11
The Bears will meet as a team, new rookies included, beginning May 20 for the first of 10 voluntary OTA practices at Halas Hall, which will include veterans and rookies. They'll meet May 20-22, May 27-30 and June 9-11.
Mandatory minicamp: June 3-5
The Bears will hold their mandatory minicamp from June 3-5. This usually marks the final organized set of practices before training camp in late July, but Chicago has a set of OTAs scheduled the following week after mandatory minicamp.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 2025 offseason workout dates: First day, OTAs, minicamp
