LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Veteran linebacker T.J. Edwards last season was part of a run to the Super Bowl for the Eagles, a key figure on a vaunted defense that produced problems for each opponent.
Edwards is now a leading player on defense for the Bears, who are hoping for a breakthrough season in 2023 and their own lasting success. But he knows there's a lot of work that must be done to become one of the NFL's best.
"We're still in that process of just kind of building this thing and building that chemistry with each other," Edwards said. "And just making sure we're all on the same page.
"But as long as we're on the same page as far as what the expectation are, that's where a good defense is formed, and we're doing that right now for sure."
As head coach Matt Eberflus prepares for his second season, the Bears boast a defense that better suits his identity.
The Bears have a strong rotation on the defensive line, a dynamic group of linebackers and a promising young secondary. The signing of veteran Yannick Ngakoue on Friday brought in the missing piece – a proven pass rusher who can get home and disrupt the pocket.
Throughout the course of training camp, the Bears have showcased their sharpened edge.
"Just seeing our guys compete, I think that's the No. 1 thing," Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. "We talk about it each and every day. To actually see it, to actually feel it, I think if you were just a fan out there watching, you felt that. Defensively, that's what you want. You got a lot of dogs over there, a lot of guys are stepping up and growing up fast. It's not the old guys, it's the younger guys.
"That's what we want on defense. We want to be an attack defense, and you feel that and you feel that energy. Guys are making each other better."
Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy sees the team's defense challenging third-year quarterback Justin Fields every day in practice.
Then the players on the defense aren't afraid to talk their trash and let him know when a play is made.
"As you get into kind of these dog days of camp, it's easy to kind of go through the motions and get complacent a little bit," Edwards said. "There's none of that going on. Our expectations are high.
"Every day you come in here eager and you're ready to get back out and get back on the field with these guys."
New Marcedes
The Bears' addition of 19-year veteran Marcedes Lewis is about much more than just adding another tight end to the depth chart.
"With such a young team, I thought it was critical to get a pro's pro," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said. "A leader, someone the guys can lean on to understand how to be the ultimate pros and win a lot of games in this league, how to stay healthy and take care of their body, all those little things. He's going to bring that as well as help us in the run game and help us stay balanced. It's incredible at his age. His tape is still good."
Lewis, 39, is the second-oldest active player in the NFL behind only Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He is the last remaining player from the 2006 NFL Draft, which included Jay Cutler, Devin Hester, Brandon Marshall and Andrew Whitworth among players selected.
The Bears recognize what Lewis' experience can mean to them. Tight end Robert Tonyan leaned on Lewis when he was a rookie in Green Bay back in 2018.
"Everything. Seriously, everything," Tonyan said. "Like, I was new to the position, I didn't know how to play tight end. I was a quarterback and receiver in college. That was the person that took me under his wing. Seriously, everything. Everything I know about tight end."
As a rookie in 2020, Bears tight end Cole Kmet leaned on veteran teammate Jimmy Graham – an accomplished player he looked up to as a kid.
Kmet sees Graham's impact as a key part of his upbringing in the game. Now, he looks to Lewis as the same type of figure.
"It's always fun having those vets who have played as long as he has and just kind of gaining knowledge from those guys," Kmet said. "Really just lucky and fortunate to have a guy like that in our room and looking to gain all the knowledge I can from him."
Dexter's debut
Ever since he first arrived to the Bears as a second-round pick, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. has made a strong impression.
Eberflus even took note of how Dexter can win a rep when his technique isn't clean off the snap – he's that physically strong and gifted.
"But if he wants to be elite, he's going to have to learn how to get off consistently and keep his pads down as he does that," Eberflus said.
Dexter is accepting that challenge from Eberflus and the Bears, understanding his opportunity to step in for a key role as a rookie.
As the Bears released their first (unofficial) depth chart on Tuesday, Dexter was listed with the second string on the defensive line rotation. He'll have the opportunity to prove himself for a more prominent role, including Saturday during the preseason opener at Soldier Field.
"I'm eager to play," Dexter said. "I'm eager to play the game of football. I'm eager to fly around. I'm ready to fly around and showcase myself and showcase my talent."
This offseason, the Bears explored the open market for anchors on their defensive line. They signed veteran Andrew Billings on a one-year deal in free agency, but the most notable additions were Dexter and third-round pick Zacch Pickens.
Dexter is a raw prospect who's still honing his craft, now at the NFL level. But he has asserted himself well to the Bears.
"You can get a little feel right now," Bears guard Cody Whitehair said when asked about the play of Dexter. "I think the biggest thing that impresses me for a young guy is how he uses his hands and uses the offensive lineman's weight and leverage against them.
"As a young guy, that's pretty impressive. Usually, it takes a couple, two-to-three years to get to that point -- for guys to really figure out how to push-pull guys and kind of shed blocks. But he's gotten really good with his hands and knowing how to use his leverage."
Injury updates
The Bears are missing a major presence in the middle of their defense. Edmunds remains sidelined with an apparent injury.
Edmunds has been present with the Bears for practice but not participating.
"I'd love him to be out there (but) zero concern," Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams said.
"You still get the leadership when he's not out there."
The Bears also practiced without safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker, cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Terrell Smith, linebacker Dylan Cole and rookie running back Roschon Johnson.
Bears right guard Nate Davis returned to practice on Tuesday after missing more than a week with an undisclosed injury.
Eberflus has indicated that none of these injuries are expected to be long-term issues. The Bears practice again on Wednesday and Thursday.
Roster moves
The Bears have signed tight end Lachlan Pitts and linebacker Barrington Wade. Kicker Andre Szmyt and tight end Jake Tonges were waived.
With Szmyt waived from the roster, veteran Cairo Santos is the Bears' lone kicker on the roster. The team has its special-teams battery in place with Santos, punter Trenton Gill and long snapper Patrick Scales.
Exhibition opener
The Bears will host the Titans on Saturday at noon CT for their preseason opener at Soldier Field. It's the first of three games on the exhibition slate.
"I love anytime we get to put the jerseys on and get to see these guys that we see every day working their butts off go get opportunities," Edwards said. "It's big time, for sure."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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