(670 The Score) Bears coach Matt Nagy was like so many of us during our national shutdown this spring.
"There's a lot more eating than there is working out over that quarantine," Nagy joked.
With that in mind, Nagy was wondering how the Bears would look when they reported to Halas Hall for training camp last week. He was pleasantly surprised.
"They've come into camp in exceptional shape," Nagy said Wednesday. "We weren't sure how that was going to happen, just not knowing where they were and what they had to be able to work out in during the quarantine. But I'm just really proud of the players for the way that they came into shape."
Nagy credited Bears strength coach Jason Loscalzo and his staff for providing players with structure and information while they conducted the offseason virtually from across the country.
Two players in particular caught Nagy's attention.
"The ones that I happened to walk by was Akiem Hicks, who I've seen three years now of showing up at training camp and where's he's at, and all three have been very good," Nagy said. "But I think this is the best one. I mean, he showed up in great shape and I'm really proud of him. I know it's not easy. And then Cordarrelle Patterson, you know? He's the one that I walked by as well and he was ready for me to ask him how he's doing, because he looks good too. There's more guys.
"These guys, they really locked in now. They're in shape. They look really good."
The Bears are scheduled to begin their on-field ramp-up phase of training camp next Wednesday. The team will be permitted to begin full-contact practices Aug. 17.
Chicago opens its season at Detroit on Sept. 13.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
