What happened: Kevin Byard, recently signed by the Patriots, praised former team Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson for running the hardest training camp of his NFL career. 'When you look back at it, it was so worth it. We needed that tough training camp,' Byard told @Schultz_Report. Players noted increased intensity during 2025 summer practices compared to prior years.

Why it matters: The demanding camp correlated with the Bears' improved performance and playoff appearance, validating Johnson's approach. Historically, such rigorous preparation has led to sustained success in competitive NFC North.

What to watch: Monitor Bears' free agency moves to replace Byard on defense and Johnson's 2026 training camp intensity.