WATCH: Cole Kmet, TJ Edwards discuss first training camp practice |
Tony Crumpton
· · 1 day ago
Tight end Cole Kmet and linebacker T.J. Edwards met with the media on Wednesday at Halas Hall.
"It was great," Kmet said about practicing with rookie tight end Colston Loveland. "I know he's got a little bit more to go, but excited to see where he goes and see where he can fit into the offense and those type of things. [He's] a great athlete. Got great size. Really fluid in his routes. Got great speed, too. Looking forward to seeing him develop this training camp and how he's going to help us this season." Check out their press conference below: Video summary/cliff notes: Curiosity About New Offense (00:01–00:35) Cole Kmet is eager to see how the new offense develops under the new staff. The team feels ahead of where they were in the spring and is now focused on refining details. Ben Johnson’s Coaching Style (00:59–01:41) Kmet praises OC Ben Johnson for his attention to detail. Even successful plays are critiqued if fundamentals (alignment, steps) aren’t perfect. Emphasis is on being detail-driven, not just result-driven. Ben Holding Players Accountable (02:23–03:19) Ben Johnson benched the first-team offense during practice for sloppy execution. It reinforced the importance of every rep, especially in camp where reps are limited and valuable. Leadership & Accountability (04:27–04:45) Kmet highlights the importance of player-led accountability in addition to coaching standards. Urgency must be there from Day 1 of training camp. Young Coordinator, Big Respect (05:02–05:32) Though OC Ben Johnson is close in age to players, he commands respect and clearly knows the game. His football knowledge outweighs any concerns about his age. Tight End Competition (05:49–06:39) Kmet welcomes the competition with rookie tight end Colston Loveland. Believes they can complement each other and both bring unique skills to the offense. Offensive Creativity (07:15–07:51) Ben Johnson’s creativity and adjustments from spring to camp are noticeable. Players appreciate tweaks that help optimize route running and play design. NFLPA/Union Talk (08:11–09:49) Kmet comments on guaranteed contracts, noting players must set the precedent like MLB and NBA. He shares a cautious stance on an 18-game season—supportive only with added rest (extra bye) and higher revenue share for players. Dennis Allen’s Defensive Philosophy (10:17–12:08) T.J. Edwards speaks highly of new DC Dennis Allen's aggressive, tone-setting mentality. Players appreciate the clear expectations and competitive atmosphere Allen is fostering. Culture-Setting & Veteran Leadership (12:41–16:07) Edwards sees Allen’s tactics like up-downs as valuable for team culture. Praises the leadership of new veteran DL Grady Jarrett for bringing a strong voice and energy to the defense. Stopping the Run & Scheme Adjustments (18:22–19:02) Stopping the run is a major emphasis after last season's struggles. Edwards believes personnel and mindset shifts can correct past issues.
