Bears kick off 2026 offseason program at Halas Hall

Following a few months break, the Chicago Bears are back at Halas Hall for the start of the 2026 season. April 20 marks the first day of meetings for head coach Ben Johnson's squad, which features both returning and new addition. With the first phase of their offseason program, there is no on-field activity permitted.

But there will be meetings, strength and conditioning work plus rehabilitation. It will also be the first time that Johnson and his staff meet with the new-look team after this offseason's transactions. It's been a busy offseason for Chicago, who lost some key contributors in center Drew Dalman (who retired), wide receiver DJ Moore (who was traded for a second-round pick), safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker (signed elsewhere in free agency) and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (released).

While the Bears are fresh off an impressive 2025 season, where they went 11-6, won the NFC North and were one interception away from the NFC Championship Game, Johnson made it clear that there's no building on last year. It's a clean slate heading into 2026. "It's been a long offseason in terms of you go downtown or you go somewhere, and everyone's patting you on the back and telling you what a great, great job you did," Johnson said at the NFL Owners Meetings, via Adam Jahns .

"You don't want to hear it. You don't want to hear it anymore, alright. It was great for the first week, but now our sights are turned.