Chicago Bears: 5 Players with the most to prove in training camp 2018

Every player has a lot to prove in training camp, but some on the Chicago Bears have more to prove than others for 2018.

Thanks to being a participant in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game, the Chicago Bears (and Baltimore Ravens) get a one-week head start on training camp. That’s great news considering the Bears have a new head coach, offensive playbook, and a bunch of other new faces. For a team like the Bears (or any other NFL team for that matter), extra practice time is extremely valuable.

All 90 players on the current roster want to have a great training camp, and in an ideal world, all would. However, there are some players who are facing a little extra pressure than others.

Here are five who have a lot to prove in Bourbonnais:

Kevin White, WR

For White, a successful training camp would start with him staying healthy. After that, White needs to show the coaching staff that be belongs on the field and can be a steady contributor. White’s 6-3 frame would be a welcomed target for Mitchell Trubisky, especially in the red zone.

White is in the last year of his contract, and his NFL future is in some doubt. He’ll do wonders for his career, however, if he puts together a strong 2018 season. If that’s to happen, though, he needs to be a standout in camp because If he’s not, he might not see the field much.

Adrian Amos, S

Amos, like White, is entering the last year of his rookie deal. If he puts on a show at Bourbonnais, Ryan Pace might decide to extend him before the season starts. Amos was terrific in 2017 and formed a solid (and up-and-coming) safety duo with Eddie Jackson. Amos needs to show that 2017 wasn’t a fluke, particularly with the Bears lacking quality depth at the safety position.

Aaron Lynch, OLB

The Bears failed to add a big-time pass rusher in the offseason, instead deciding to take a flyer on Lynch. When healthy, Lynch has shown glimpses of dominance, but those moments have been too few and far between. Lynch already turned-up on the injury report during offseason programs, and he needs to make it through training camp unscathed.

After Leonard Floyd and Lynch, the pass rushing options are rather thin. The Bears are counting on Lynch to provide a strong punch off the the edge, and a good camp may help Vic Fangio and Co. sleep a little better at night. Lynch may be one of the most important defenders on the Bears roster.

Nick Kwiatkowski, LB

At the conclusion of the 2017 season, it appeared that Nick Kwiatkowski would be one of the starting inside linebackers in 2018. However, that quickly changed when the Bears took Roquan Smith in the first-round. Now, Kwiatkowski finds himself competing for snaps with Smith, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, and even John Timu. Kwiatkowski’s roster spot appears safe, but he needs to have a strong training camp to show coaches that he should still be in their plans for 2018 and beyond.

Next: NFL 2018: Rookie class bold predictions

Pat O’Donnell, P

The Bears re-signed O’Donnell to just a one-year deal this offseason, which is hardly a ringing endorsement. Ryan Winslow, an undrafted free agent from Pitt, is the only other punter on the roster but he’s not just a “camp leg.” New special teams coordinator Chris Tabor hinted in OTAs that there would be a competition at punter. O’Donnell likely has the early edge, but he’ll need a strong camp to keep his job.

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