Now that the Chicago Bears are officially done with their 2019 training camp, let’s take a look at which players performed the best while in Bourbonnais by going round-table style and having several of our writers chime in on their Training Camp MVP.
I made it down to Olivet Nazarene University a couple times this year, as did a bunch of our other writers, so our camp coverage has been as good as ever. We had live Twitter updates flying at every open practice, and plenty of practice recaps both written up and also on our Windy City Gridiron Podcast channel. Even our guys that didn’t make it down for camp had a great snapshot of what transpired each practice.
Bottom line; this has been our most extensive camp coverage in the history of WCG and you can find all our coverage right here.
Since I have the luxury of knowing who my colleagues all picked as their MVP, I’m going to go in a different direction for my pick and select with Kyle Long.
Gauging an offensive lineman’s play during training camp practices is tough, but I’m picking Long more for the intangibles. After spending the last few offseasons rehabbing, Long was finally surgery free following the 2018 season and he didn’t miss a day of camp. Even when head coach Matt Nagy was handing out veteran days off to some of his older players, Long came to camp every day to prove he was back.
“For me in the two years now, and I’ve heard from other people in previous years, this is the best shape, condition, strength, mental,” that Kyle Long has been in. Nagy said via the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. “Where he’s at is in a good place. He’s worked hard for that. He’s all-in. He’s committed.”
Now let’s see who the other WCG staffers picked as their Bears’ camp MVP.
Robert Zeglinski went with Allen Robinson II.
The 25-year-old looked like a bona fide No. 1 receiver day in and day out. More importantly, he looked healthy, showing no ill effects of ever suffering any knee injury. If training camp is an indicator of one’s season to come, Robinson should be in for a treat over the coming months.
Jacob Infante went with rookie David Montgomery.
Anyone who watched his college tape already knew how talented Montgomery is, but he looked fantastic in camp this year. He could play an even bigger Day 1 role than most expect.
Ken Mitchell picked Khalil Mack.
From the time he walked onto the field until his last autograph was signed, Training Camp 2019 was the Khalil Mack show. Not only did he consistently rip apart drills and scrimmages, but his energy was infectious throughout the team.
Patti Curl chose Mitchell Trubisky.
Biscuit faced the top defense in the NFL day in and day out without ever getting discouraged and from most accounts steadily improving over the course of camp. That attitude and that improvement will be more valuable to the Bears season than anything else that comes out of camp. Side note for those worried about his camp INTs, in a recent post-camp presser, Nagy confirmed his instructed Mitch to try throwing into double and triple coverage to see what he can get away with.
Erik Duerrwaechter is going with second year wide out Javon Wims.
He impressed everybody who attended practice at Bourbonnais. Even the coaching staff deemed him worthy of so many reps with the 1st team. He’s poised for a big role if he continues his development this quickly.
Jeff Berckes went with an outside the box choice.
George McCaskey. No, seriously. The Chairman walked the line on the first day of camp, meeting thousands of fans excited for the 100th season of Bears football. He’s got a confident GM, a creative Head Coach, and marketable superstars poised to make the 100 anniversary a special season.
Now it’s your turn. Who is your pick for Chicago Bears’ 2019 Training Camp MVP?