(670 The Score) In early May 2019, the back field of Halas Hall featured 84 players wearing the Bears' wishbone C on a helmet while they vied for a chance to make the team.
That scene is missing this May as rookie minicamps and other on-field work have been called off around the NFL amid the coronavirus pandemic. It's a small matter in the grand scheme, but as the league plans to play its 2020 season, the impact of rookies won't be felt as much as usual.
Without rookie minicamps, hundreds of prospects won't be given the chance to make an NFL roster this fall. Late-round draft picks won't get ample opportunity to fight for a role, and undrafted free agents might be skipped over altogether. Even if the league implements a rookie minicamp later in the summer, there will be reduced opportunity for valuable practice reps before kickoff of the regular season.
NFL rookies are at a disadvantage now as offseason programs are held only in a virtual setting. Assuming training camps start on time in July, they will have just six weeks of competing against established veterans for roles and roster spots. With less time and opportunity for it to all play out, teams have to prioritize preparing their rosters for the regular season over evaluating rookies.
The Bears have had a number of success stories stem from their offseason program in recent years. Veteran defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris joined the Bears as an undrafted free-agent outside linebacker in 2016 and showed enough promise as a rookie that he was given a chance to develop into a role on the defensive line. In the past three seasons, he has a combined 7.5 sacks playing a more prominent role.
In 2019, the Bears worked rookie running back David Montgomery into their offense and developed him into their starter. The foundation set in May and June allowed Montgomery to be ready for training camp in July.
Without this offseason program, rookies like tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson -- who are expected to be starters for the Bears -- will have limited opportunities to earn their respective roles. There's a slim margin for error for Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons, a pair of offensive linemen whom the Bears selected in the seventh round in late April.
What the NFL could do to work around this issue is to allow expanded rosters in training camp beyond the usual 90-man limit. Teams could hold separate practices within training camp to allow rookies a greater opportunity.
Any and every chance provided for rookies makes the NFL and its teams better.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
