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The penultimate episode of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears aired on Tuesday, and it showcased the upstart team as it prepared for (and eventually won) its final preseason game, a 34-21 victory over the host Kansas City Chiefs.
The vibes are great in Chicago right now after a 4-0 preseason and rising expectations for a team now led by rookie quarterback and reigning No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, who’s flanked by a much-improved roster.
This episode showed Williams’ continued preparation, including watching gametape and practicing a proper spike.
It included other moments such as Rome Odunze and John Jackson shopping at a Woodman’s Food Market, quarterbacks Tyson Bagent, Austin Reed and Brett Rypien traveling to Skydeck Chicago and offensive lineman Ryan Bates playfully ribbing rookie offensive lineman Theo Benedet after he got him Clorox wipes instead of requested Dude Wipes.
But there were ultimately two storylines here that hit hardest.
The first was via safety Adrian Colbert, who shared a story of a tragic near-death experience. At the age of nine, Colbert nearly died after being struck by a bicycle. He survived but was in a coma for two weeks and underwent an incredible ordeal.
Many fans recognized Colbert’s perseverance and were stunned by what he told.
Colbert has played six NFL seasons and is trying to break into the league for his seventh. Unfortunately, he did not make the final 53-man roster, but it’s certainly possible he finds a home around the league post cut day.
The other heartwrenching moment occurred later in the week, as rookie running back Ian Wheeler, who had fared in training camp, suffered a torn ACL during the Chiefs game.
Wheeler had notably dominated recently against the Buffalo Bills two weeks with a pair of touchdowns. He is now on season-ending injured reserve.
Afterward, Wheeler and his mother, Beaura, who traveled to Kansas City, shared a moment postgame.
It was obviously an incredibly difficult moment for both, and fans were emotional afterward.
Wheeler was seen speaking afterward in Chicago with general manager Ryan Poles, who essentially called 2024 a “redshirt” year for him at this point, and he appeared hopeful for his future. Hopefully he is able to come back 100 percent next year.
The last episode of the series will air on HBO and be available to stream on Max on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. As for the Bears, their regular season begins Sunday, Sept. 8 at home against the Tennessee Titans.