If the second week of Chicago Bears training camp has belonged to any one single player, it might be sixth-round rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg.
Van den Berg made waves earlier this week as a participant in what ESPN’s Courtney Cronin described as the “first scuffle” of camp after he slammed fellow rookie and offensive lineman Caden Barnett to the turf following a play run between the third-team offense and defense.
The more important news, though, is that van den Berg started taking snaps with the first team on Thursday, August 6, which is potentially a strong sign of things to come.
“Rookie development: the Bears are in the middle of an inside run drill right now and rookie DT Jordan van den Berg was part of the rotation with the starters,” Adam Jahns of CHGO Sports reported via social media.
And not only did van den Berg get run with the likes of Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett as part of the first team, he also showed up both 2025 sixth-round pick and second-string guard Luke Newman as well as 2026 second-round pick and second-string center Logan Jones while working against reserves.
“Jordan absolutely blew up OL on a rep with the third team,” Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported on X Thursday. [He] has had two plus reps in 1-on-1 pass rush. Overpowered Logan Jones and shoved Luke Newman aside.”
Bears Traded Up to Draft Jordan van den Berg in Round 6
GettyChicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
Van den Berg, formerly of Georgia Tech, was among the more athletic prospects in his position group heading into the NFL draft, with Lance Zierlein of NFL.com describing the DT as possessing a “rare blend of quickness, explosiveness and power.”
Bears general manager Ryan Poles traded pick Nos. 239 and 241 in the seventh round to jump into Round 6 and select van den Berg No. 213 overall.
“Van den Berg was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2025 after recording 10 tackles for loss,” Cronin wrote in April.
Bears Can Pivot Away From Either Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett Next Year if Jordan van den Berg Proves Draft Hit
GettyDefensive tackle Grady Jarrett of the Chicago Bears.
Poles also traded a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills during the 2024 draft to move back into Round 5 of those proceedings and secure defensive end Austin Booker as a multi-year project based on his athletic traits.
Booker came on at the end of last season following an injury that kept him out for much of the first half of the campaign, and if Poles’ late-round instincts are right again, van den Berg could prove a major steal in the months and years to come.
As such, van den Berg’s ascension during training camp isn’t just a big deal for this season, but potentially for next offseason with regards to flexibility for Chicago moving forward. Dexter is already extension-eligible and will be an unrestricted free agent in Mach 2027 if he doesn’t re-up with the Bears before then.
Meanwhile, Jarrett is entering the second season of a three-year deal worth approximately $43 million, the level of which he failed to play up to in 2025.
Dexter could command a significant salary if he produces a second consecutive quality season, and Chicago might decide to go a different route if van den Berg proves himself worthy of a starting spot at some point over the coming year.
The Bears could also consider releasing Jarrett and saving $13.5 million against the cap in 2027, replacing him with van den Berg and using the balance of that deal to help pay for Dexter’s return.
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