For the second consecutive spring, Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus brought Charles Tillman to Halas Hall to offer an orientation address in advance of rookie minicamp. Tillman, whose 13-season NFL career began 20 years ago as a wide-eyed, unproven rookie defensive back, made a point to emphasize the survival skills needed in this cutthroat world.
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, whom the Bears traded up to select in Round 2 last week, grabbed a nugget from Tillman that packed a punch.
“Run to criticism,” Stevenson said. “I definitely was enlightened by that because it gave me an opportunity to realize that criticism is there to help. Not everybody is going to love you. You’re not put in the world for that. But I’m going to be the best me that I can and take the criticism and grow as a person and as a man.”
Bears rookie Zacch Pickens, a third-round pick out of South Carolina, also kept his ears open and appreciated some of the insight Tillman imparted.
“Do not be afraid to take chances,” Pickens said. “When there’s an opportunity, take it. And don’t take it for granted. Always show up, show out and do what you’re supposed to do in that moment.”
And off they went.
The first official practice for all 10 members of the Bears’ 2023 draft class began at 12:20 Friday afternoon in Lake Forest. It was a 2-hour, 62-player session that tested the rookies’ mentally in terms of their ability to absorb and apply information.
There also were physical demands to meet. This is, after all, the current home of Eberflus’ effort-based HITS principle. “I didn’t expect to be so winded from the first drills,” Stevenson said after practice. “But as practice went, I started to understand how things work here.”
Offensive tackle Darnell Wright, the headliner of the rookie class, couldn’t wait to get going Friday. After the whirlwind of being drafted and then introduced at Halas Hall last week, Wright was eager to get his helmet on and start acclimating to NFL life on the field.
“I’ve just been waiting, trying to get into my routine,” Wright said. “Today has been a better day mentally. Because I can just play football.”
The Bears have grand visions for what Wright can become as an offensive tackle. But every player has a starting point and checkpoints they need to clear. For Wright, Eberflus stressed that the next six weeks will be a runway that helps the promising rookie get ready for training camp, specifically as it relates to the playing style the Bears will demand.
“He’s close to where we want him to be in terms of the style,” Eberflus said. “We just have to get him up to here. And then (he has to) be able to retain the information and execute on the field. I think he’s in a good spot. He retains information very well.
“Obviously his movement skills and athleticism are going to be on point. But we’re going to have to really harness him in there with how he uses his body while understanding it’s going to be a little different every week. Because you’re going to be blocking different types of pass rushers. He has to learn the scheme and learn what works for him. And that’s a process.”
That process takes time. And the Bears have plenty of it. Rookie minicamp runs through the weekend. The Bears will then get their full team together for the start of practices at organized team activities on May 16.
The stair-step climb to becoming the team the Bears want to be will happen one day at a time.
For Eberflus, Tillman’s words Friday to motivate the rookies proved profound, particularly Tillman’s push for players to seek constructive criticism as well as the need to embrace competition and work with an urgent edge at all times.
“You’ve got to be a fiery competitor to be able to stay in this league and to get in one of these seats,” Eberflus said.
Friday was just the beginning.
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