LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- The Bears believe they'll be at the 85% vaccination threshold for the start of training camp, general manager Ryan Pace said.
The Bears were still confirming vaccination statuses late Tuesday morning as part of the team's reporting process to Halas Hall. By reaching the NFL's 85% vaccination mark, the Bears would be allowed to relax protocols within their facility.
"We feel pretty good about that," Pace said.
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Protocols that were previously in place across the NFL amid the pandemic prevented players from gathering in their facilities such as in the cafeteria and didn't allow players to leave team hotels on the road. Last season, the Bears held team meetings inside the Walter Payton Center, with players and personnel spaced at a social distance.
Bears coach Matt Nagy explained that his role in educating players about the vaccine included not just the personal health benefits but the competitive advantage the team would gain by surpassing the 85% threshold.
On Tuesday morning, 85% of the league's players had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 14 teams had surpassed the 90% vaccination threshold.
Unlike in 2020, the NFL won't reschedule games in 2021 in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. If a game has to be called off, the team dealing with an outbreak among the unvaccinated will be handed a forfeit loss. The league didn't specify what would qualify as an outbreak.
The Bears will hold their first practice of training camp Wednesday afternoon at Halas Hall.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
