Caleb Williams teams up with DJ Moore for pair of impact plays

After tying for the NFL lead with 22 interceptions last season, the Bears defense is determined to pick up where it left off. In practice, there’s a friendly competition among players to generate takeaways.

“We definitely compete to see who is going to have the most turnovers, who is going to have the most PBUs (pass breakups),” Gordon said. “It is always a constant competition who is going to make the next play. As you see, our defense has a lot of energy, so it would be from the left corner to the right corner to the ‘Mike’ (middle linebacker) to the D-linemen. It just bounces all over.”

In Monday’s practice, reserve defensive back Greg Stroman Jr. recorded an interception.

The Bears boast a strong secondary that features four key returnees in Johnson, Gordon, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and safety Jaquan Brisker. The only new starter is veteran safety Kevin Byard III.

In terms of communication, Gordon indicated that the transition to Byard has been smooth and seamless.

“I don’t feel like there’s been any drop-off at all,” Gordon said. “I’ve had no problems with him at all. He’s a very good communicator, and our whole secondary talks a lot as well.”

Byard has appeared in 130 NFL games with 121 starts over eight seasons with the Titans (2016-23) and Eagles (2023). He has recorded 749 tackles, 28 interceptions, 66 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, 15 tackles-for-loss, 4.0 sacks and two touchdowns.

Byard’s 28 interceptions are tied for the fifth most among active NFL players. He was chosen first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl in 2017 when he led the NFL with a career-high eight interceptions and again in 2021 when he picked off five passes.

The Bears are excusing safety Jonathan Owens from training camp July 29-Aug. 3 so he can travel to Paris to watch his wife, legendary USA gymnast Simone Biles, compete in the Olympics.

Eberflus said the team is giving Owens permission “because we respect the Olympics. That is a big deal. He’s just supporting the one he loves the most, and I think that’s so cool that he gets to do that. We welcome that and it’s going to be awesome. Go USA!”