Chicago Bears 2015 offseason scheduled announced, including OTAs and minicamp

Here are the dates for the off season workout program of the Chicago Bears.

First Day: April 13
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 27-29, June 1-3, June 8-11
Voluntary Minicamp: April 28-30
Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18

April 13th kicks off phase one of the Bears workout program and here are the specifics of that according to the NFL's CBA.

Phase One. Phase One shall consist of the first two weeks of the Club's offseason workout program. Subject to the additional rules set forth in Section 5 of this Article, Phase One activities shall be limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only. During Phase One, only full-time or part-time strength and conditioning coaches, who have no other coaching responsibilities with the Club, shall be allowed on the field; no other coaches shall be allowed on the field or to otherwise participate in or observe activities. No footballs shall be permitted to be used (only "dead ball" activities), except that quarterbacks may elect to throw to receivers provided they are not covered by any other player. Players cannot wear helmets during Phase One. Kickers and punters may elect to use footballs on the field during Phase One for kicking or punting without the involvement of any other players.

Phase one isn't the most exciting from an actual football standpoint, but it does give the players a chance to get to know the numerous new faces that were added via free agency. This is some beneficial bonding time for the players.

After phase one is finished, teams can get started with actual football stuff at the OTAs.

Phase Two. Phase Two shall consist of the next three weeks of the Club's offseason workout program. Subject to the additional rules set forth in Section 5 of this Article, during Phase Two all coaches shall be allowed on the field. On field workouts may include individual player instruction and drills, as well as "perfect play" drills (e.g., offense or defense only, but not offense vs. defense), or special teams drills on a "separates" basis (e.g.., kicking team or return team only, but not kicking team vs. return team). No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted. No offense vs. defense drills are permitted (e.g.., no one-on-one offensive linemen vs. defensive linemen pass rush or pass protection drills, no wide receivers vs. defensive backs bump-and-run drills, and no one-on-one special teams drills involving both offense and defense are permitted.) Players cannot wear helmets during Phase Two.

Since the Bears have a new coaching staff in place, they are allowed to hold an additional voluntary veteran minicamp. Chicago head coach John Fox and staff will get theirs on April 28, 29 and 30.

Also after the NFL Draft (April 30 - May 2) concludes, the Bears can hold a rookie minicamp. This will consist of their draft class, any undrafted rookie free agents and some 1st year players. Here's the info on what the rookies can do.

Rookie Football Development Programs and Minicamps: Each Club may hold a Rookie football development program for a period of seven weeks, commencing on or about May 16. During this period, no mandatory or voluntary activities can be held on weekends, with the exception of the Club's one post-Draft Rookie Minicamp, which at the Club's election may be conducted on either the first or second weekend following the College Draft. Players may only participate in Club activities for a maximum of ten hours per day. "First-year players" (as defined in Article 23, Section 1) who signed a Player Contract with any Club for a prior League Year may also be invited to participate in a Club's one, three-day post-Draft Rookie Minicamp. Any such participating first-year player shall receive the compensation and meal, travel, and housing allowances provided for in Section 4(b) above for each day of the post-Draft Rookie Minicamp such player attends.

The final four weeks of the off season workout program is called, you guessed it, phase three.

Phase Three. Phase Three shall consist of the next four weeks of the Club's offseason workout program. Subject to the additional rules set forth in Subsections 5(a) and 5(c) of this Article and Appendix G to this Agreement, during Phase Three each Club may conduct a total of ten days of organized team practice activity ("OTAs" or "OTA days"). The restrictions set forth in Subsection 5(b) of this Article shall not apply to OTA days. The Club may conduct a maximum of three days of OTAs during each of the first two weeks of Phase Three. A maximum of four days of OTAs may be conducted during either the third week or the fourth week of Phase Three, with the Mandatory Veteran Minicamp (Article 22, Section 2) to be held during the other week. During weeks in which the Club conducts only three days of OTAs, the Club may also conduct a fourth day of non-OTA workouts, but such activities shall be subject to the rules governing Phase Two workouts, as set forth in Subsection 2(b)(ii) of this Article. During Phase Three, all coaches shall be allowed on the field. No live contact is permitted. No one-on-one offense vs. defense drills are permitted (i.e., no offensive linemen vs. defensive linemen pass rush or pass protection drills, no wide receivers vs. defensive backs bump-and-run drills, and no one-on-one special teams drills involving both offense and defense are permitted). Special teams drills (e.g., kicking team vs. return team) are permitted, provided no live contact occurs. Team offense vs. team defense drills, including all drills listed in Appendix G to this Agreement, are permitted, provided no live contact occurs. Clubs may require players to wear helmets; no shells are permitted during Phase Three of the Club's offseason workout program or any minicamp.

Where would you place your excitement level for these off season activities?