Summary of Episode 4 of the Chicago Bears training camp
The fourth episode of “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears” aired Tuesday night as the preseason was winding down and many difficult decisions were being made. This episode, more than the other three before it, featured many emotional moments that showed the reality of life in the NFL. An episode like this highlights the heartbreaking, but also touching, part of the NFL that fans don’t usually get to see.
This week marked the final preseason game, which meant it was also time to assemble the 53-man roster. With several notable players like quarterback Austin Reed, running back Ian Wheeler, running back Velus Jones and others on the roster, this episode highlighted the aforementioned players and their battle for a spot on the Bears 2024 roster.
Not only was it about the roster battles, but there was also a funny moment between the backup quarterbacks visiting the Skydeck in downtown Chicago, two coaches stepping into the spotlight and Ryan Poles showing the human side of his job as general manager.
Summary
This week’s episode looked at several players on the roster and some of the battles that have been going on throughout training camp and the preseason. From the backup quarterback position behind Caleb Williams to the defensive secondary to the position that gets the most focus, running backs. With D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert all locked in as running backs, a battle has emerged between Travis Homer, converted wide receiver Velus Jones and rookie Ian Wheeler.
Not only were the roster battles the focus, but running backs coach Chad Morton and assistant running backs coach Jennifer King, both of whom are in their first year with the Bears, were also featured in depth. Both coaches were featured primarily during their work with Wheeler, from the practice field to the team meeting room, and then during the game against the Chiefs in the final preseason game, both coaches seemed to care deeply about Wheeler and the future of his career.
Safety Adrian Colbert was another key player in this episode, fighting to make the roster after playing for 10 teams in his eight-year career. Colbert, who was in a serious accident as a 9-year-old when he was hit by a car while riding his bike, detailed his heartbreaking tragedy that landed him in intensive care as a child, where doctors said he would never have the chance to play football again.
Between Colbert, the running backs, their respective coaches and the Poles, many real-life moments were highlighted in this week’s episode. The episode is usually the most poignant due to the roster cuts and the personal stories that come with them.
3 stars of the episode
Ian Wheeler: The biggest focus of this week’s episode is heartbreak and also optimism for Wheeler’s future. Throughout the preseason, Wheeler was on the verge of making an impact among the running backs, and on just 12 carries, he managed over 50 yards and scored two touchdowns, making him difficult to stop. Wheeler suffered a torn ACL in the final preseason game against the Chiefs, which is documented in this week’s episode, which also captures a post-game moment between Wheeler and his mother as they hug after the news of his injury. The final touching moment for Wheeler was a meeting with Poles where he was told he would be placed on the injured list (but would still remain on the team). However, Poles told him that his phone was always on and that the rookie running back could call him if Wheeler ever struggled with the injury.
Chad Morton and Jennifer King: It’s not often that assistant coaches or position coaches are featured on Hard Knocks, at least not like King and Morton did. Most of their time working with Wheeler was on the practice field, at the team facility and on the field during games. One of the most heartwarming moments was the conversation between King and Morton after Wheeler’s injury and the dejected feelings they had for the player they had spent so much time with. As first-year coaches in Chicago, Morton and King proved to be a dynamic duo, with Morton playing the bad cop and King the good cop, but both coaches brought out the best in the players in their respective groups.
Adrian Colbert: The tragic story that led to Colbert defying all odds in real life was brought to light. The veteran safety faced an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. Colbert shared how he was hit by a driver as a child, which ultimately put his life and career in great danger. Due to the tragedy, Colbert seemed to develop a great relationship with the earth around him, giving cameras a unique look at his focus on energy, crystals, and being himself with the world. Part of Colbert’s meditation was the use of singing bowls, where he used the tactic as a means to stay balanced, calm, and focused on what was happening in his life, which ultimately helped him maintain balance in his football career. Although Colbert has been passed around the league since joining in 2017, he had an inspirational story that not only relates to football, but to everyday people.
Best moment
There were many highlights in this week’s episode that would have fit well for the best moment, but it’s the one that sticks with the current theme of humanity and Wheeler. There were fun moments like the quarterbacks visiting the Skydeck Chicago, rookies Rome Odunze and John Jackson III shopping, and Travis Kelce’s praise of Matt Eberflus. But nothing tops the moment Poles spoke with Wheeler, where the GM informed him that the physical side will be fine, but the mental battle Wheeler would face would be tough and that Poles would remain available for the rookie whenever he was needed.
Typically, the episode of Hard Knocks where players are cut from the roster is a tough one for fans who get attached to players on the rocks. Lately, the production team has been focusing on positive moments, but this episode felt different. Too often, a player like Wheeler is photographed on the show and then either cut or injured and the story ends there. The way Poles kept the channels of communication open with Wheeler is something that doesn’t typically come to light in the NFL. Poles and the team had to focus on finalizing their 53-man roster, but Poles still made a point to dedicate time to a young player who had worked extremely hard during the preseason and unfortunately sustained an injury.
This season of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears was different, showing a team making its first appearance on the series with plenty of optimism. Caleb Williams has gotten plenty of well-deserved attention as the new leader of the historic team desperately searching for a franchise quarterback. As important as Williams is to the team’s success in 2024 and beyond, Poles has been in the spotlight several times throughout the series, offering a glimpse into everything he’s set out to do to turn the Bears around. By showing the human side of his job, Poles continues to build a positive image in the public spotlight.
Memorable quote:
“We talk about legendary teams, we talk about the Patriots, we talk about the Legion of Boom (Seahawks), we talk about the 1985 Bears, and they’ll talk about the 1924 preseason Bears for the rest of our lives!” – Austin Reed
Although he didn’t make the 53-man roster, Reed may have captured the excitement surrounding the current Bears team with this simple yet hilarious quote. Of course, preseason success doesn’t always translate to success when it matters most, but the Bears going undefeated in the preseason for the first time since 1994 certainly added even more excitement to this team. Reed may not have a spot on the roster right now (keep an eye out for a potential practice squad addition), but he added even more excitement to the hype surrounding the 2024 Bears.
Reactions on social media
This is how social media reacted to the fourth episode of “Hard Knocks”:
