(670 The Score) Monday morning at Halas Hall brought the Bears a pair of new beginnings.
The Bears began the first phase of their offseason program at Halas Hall with voluntary team work while new president and CEO Kevin Warren officially began in his role.
Teams are only permitted to hold meetings and conduct strength and conditioning work and rehabilitation work during the first phase of the offseason program, which lasts two weeks. The Bears will hold their first on-field work on May 5-6 with rookie minicamp. The team will conduct OTAs for three weeks starting May 20, and mandatory veteran minicamp is scheduled for June 13-15.
Hired on Jan. 12, Warren replaced the retiring Ted Phillips as the Bears' new president and CEO. Phillips' final day on the job was last Friday.
Warren previously served as the Big Ten's commissioner for three years.
"I’m looking forward to building an incredible culture here with the Chicago Bears," Warren said in January as he was introduced.
While there's change underway at Halas Hall, the Bears also boast continuity as general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus enter their second seasons.
The Bears are seeking great improvement in 2023 after going an NFL-worst 3-14 in 2022. Poles and his brass began a pivotal offseason by trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers in exchange for the No. 9 overall selection, a 2024 first-round pick, a pair of second-round picks and receiver DJ Moore. Chicago also was aggressive in free agency with the addition of linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, among others.
What will be most important for the Bears is the continued development of third-year quarterback Justin Fields, who will have the same coaching staff and structure around him -- as well as a bolstered group of playmakers.
“He’s got to take the next step in his game, and I’m excited to see that," Poles said. "Because I think he’s going to.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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