Bears DC Dennis Allen said\u00a0sixth-round DT\u00a0Jordan van den Berg is quickly getting first-team\u00a0reps after an impressive training camp showing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you start off with the threes and then all of a sudden you show up and you catch our attention, then we\u2019ve got to find ways to get you some reps with the twos,\u201d Allen said, via Bears Wire<\/a>. \u201cAnd if you continue to catch our attention, then we\u2019ve got to find some ways to get you some reps with the ones because that\u2019s how you really evaluate what you have in the player.\u00a0 And so it\u2019s one thing to say you can play really good against the third group, but can you take that same level with the twos and with the ones?\u00a0 And so, I think any time a guy does well, catches our attention, he earns the opportunity to get more opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n Justin Jefferson<\/a> enters the season after recording career-lows of 1,048 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2025. When asked about his frustrations, Jefferson said he needs to continue uplifting teammates like QB J.J. McCarthy<\/a> as a captain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a part of the game,\u201d Jefferson said, via Alec Lewis of The Athletic.<\/a> \u201cNot everything is gonna be flowers and rainbows, you know? Not every season is going to be the best season ever, and that\u2019s something that you just kind of got to deal with \u2014 something that as a leader, as a captain of this team, everybody is looking at me, everybody has eyes on me. That one comment that I (might) make about one of my teammates might make headlines and be the trending topic, and that might be a bad look on the team and for me as well. So just keeping it in house, communicating with my teammates personally and letting them know what\u2019s going on \u2026 even talking with J.J. (McCarthy) last season and making sure his head is on right, with all of the negativity. Never will I downplay anybody in the media, no matter how bad it is.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a three-game stretch last season where Jefferson logged just six receptions for 37 yards and no touchdowns. Vikings WRs coach Keenan McCardell<\/a> said the receiver never sulked or complained during that time.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t pout,\u201d McCardell said. \u201cI know at times it probably ate at him a little bit, but instead of complaining about it and going to the media, he just decided to immerse himself in his craft. When the best player on the team is running routes like it\u2019s game time on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, it makes it easier for J.J., and it sends a message to everybody. I think he understood that.\u201d<\/p>\n As for QB Kyler Murray<\/a> joining the team, Jefferson said he\u2019s excited by the veteran\u2019s athleticism and ability to extend plays.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat excites me is his ability to just be an athlete,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cEverybody knows what he does when the ball is in his hands, running the ball and being able to create time back there in the pocket. When a play might be dead, he\u2019s able to kind of move with his feet and make something happen. So, you\u2019re always alive, and you\u2019re always just expecting that the ball is going to come your way.\u201d<\/p>\n The Vikings signed S Jacob Thomas as an undrafted free agent out of James Madison this offseason. Minnesota WR Tai Felton<\/a> said he was impressed by Thomas during his college days, and thinks the organization landed \u201ca baller.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n