The Chicago Bears' rookie minicamp delivered a perfect snapshot of the NFL learning curve, and for undrafted tryout player DJ Harris, it came in the form of a crafty veteran with a Super Bowl pedigree.
On the final play of Friday morning's session inside the Walter Payton Center, eight-year veteran Scotty Miller—who caught passes from Tom Brady during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' championship run—ran a go route down the right sideline. Harris, a tryout player who spent his final two college seasons at Youngstown State after starting at Division II Tiffin, grabbed hold of Miller and fought to keep up as quarterback Maverick McIvor lofted the ball deep.
Harris was in tight coverage, the kind that would have drawn a yellow flag in a game setting. But Miller, savvy and experienced, hauled in the pass anyway, sparking cheers from the offensive side of the field.
It's no knock on Harris, who competed hard throughout the play. He'll get more chances on Saturday. But moments like these are exactly why rookie minicamp exists—to give newcomers a crash course in what it takes to survive and thrive at the NFL level.
Miller, a local product who could add valuable depth to the Bears' 90-man roster, knows the ins and outs of the league. His presence at minicamp offered a live tutorial for young players still adjusting to the speed and savvy of professional football.
The two-day minicamp serves as an intensive introduction for the Bears' seven-man draft class and other newcomers. It covers everything from on-field schemes to weight room routines. Beginning Monday, these rookies will join veterans for Phase 2 of the voluntary offseason program.
"It's more about just introducing them to our way of life," head coach Ben Johnson said before practice. "That's really the objective here. Good start already (Thursday) night. I know a lot of information was digested and we'll see it come to life here."
First-round pick Dillon Thieneman also got his first taste of NFL action. The Bears ran circuit drills for the first 20 minutes, then Thieneman took reps at strong safety during 7-on-7 drills. The ball never came his way, so there won't be any highlight-reel pass breakups just yet. But the learning process has officially begun. Thieneman will be tasked with mastering both safety positions, and during simulated punt drills, he even lined up as the personal protector on special teams—a role that highlights his versatility as a potential starter on defense.