Bears sending a clear message with 2025 captain selections about the leadership they expect and how it differs from a year ago

Thuney wasn't the only new addition who already established a leadership role in the locker room. Veteran defensive lineman Grady Jarrett has brought a newfound energy into the building and another player who's been around the league for a while and understands what the expectations should look like day-to-day.

“I think Grady is the ultimate professional,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen explained. “With any young player, having somebody that you can watch — not necessarily how they play — but how they conduct themselves on a daily basis and what it takes to be a pro in our league.”

Byard is another second-year team captain for this Bears team. The veteran safety, like Thuney and Jarrett, has spent years in the league and really stepped into a leadership role for the young players.

"He's an accomplished football player. He's really smart and he's played a lot of years in this league at a high level," Allen said of Byard. "He's probably the leader of the defensive back room and one of the leaders of our team. It's been good to see him step up in that role and take on that leadership responsibility."

As for Santos, the coaching staff really challenged the 12-year pro to elevate his game going into 2025 and be someone the team can count on in critical moments.

Bears are sending a different message compared to 2024

This time last season, the Bears locker room named eight different players as a team captain, recognizing the best four players on offense and defense.

Even before the season, that seemed like a lot of voices to turn to as team leaders, and sure enough it presented some problems when the hard times started stacking up for the team.

When it came down to team accountability during the season, there was some clear dysfunction and frustration between the coaching staff and the players, a bridge the captains are supposed to maintain. It got to the point where players were "furious" with the staff and captains lost complete control of what they were tasked to do.

Which is why, months ago, Johnson made sure to mention his team will have fewer team captains and go with players that understand what winning football should look like in the locker room.

It's a much needed adjustment that sends a much stronger message to the rest of the roster.