Bears start training camp earlier than most

The Bears start their 2024 training camp today, among the earliest in the league.

The big picture: Players and coaches report to Halas Hall in Lake Forest early, because the team will play in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1.

Context: The Bears may need the extra time to get the new arrivals acclimated to the playbook. Several new players, including rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, will sport the blue and orange in 2024, giving the Bears offensive firepower they haven't had in years.

Who's new: Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze, running back D'Andre Swift, wide receiver Keenan Allen, safeties Kevin Byard and Jonathan Owens, offensive linemen Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates and more.

• The coordinators , too.

Who's gone: Justin Fields. The Bears traded the sometimes-spectacular quarterback to Pittsburgh in the offseason. Also gone are other Matt Nagy holdovers like safety Eddie Jackson, guard Cody Whitehair and wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

The vibe: Coming off a 7-10 season, many analysts believe the Bears are much improved and could push for a playoff appearance.

What they're saying: "Genuinely … the defense is really good, and the infrastructure around Caleb Williams is better than anything Mitch Trubisky or Justin Fields or even Jay Cutler ever got near," Score radio host Matt Spiegel tells Axios.

• "If Caleb is special on top of that? That would be greatness that could carry the whole town."

Yes, but: The optimism is tempered somewhat by the level of competition in the NFC North. The Lions and Packers are considered better than the Bears heading into 2024.

• Also, the Bears didn't improve the defensive line, but reports suggest the team will bring in a veteran pass rusher during camp, as they did in 2023.

What's next: The Bears first public practice at Halas Hall will be July 26, while the first preseason game will be the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1.

• The Bears are also on this year's season of HBO's "Hard Knocks", which debuts Aug. 6.