Bears fans need only wait until Friday to get their first in-game look at the 2014 team, regardless of how meaningless the result against Philadelphia will be.
In the meantime, the players are busy at training camp mastering their technique, studying plays and burning off the lingering calories from summer barbecues.
All of which is important, but not at all what RedEye asked punter Patrick O'Donnell and tight end Zach Miller, two newcomers to Bourbonnais. For the time being, we're more interested in how they survive training camp, what their guilty pleasures are and their thoughts on Marc Trestman's wardrobe.
What's the one thing at training camp you can't live without?
Patrick O'Donnell:Soap, definitely, I had to bring the Old Spice soap.
Zach Miller:Water. I NEED it.
Favorite drill?
PO:Pooch kicking inside the 20.
ZM:[Running] one-on-one routes.
Least favorite drill?
PO: Holding the bags for the special teams and offensive linemen.
ZM: Kickoff coverage.
Best part about training camp?
PO: Just the team bonding that we have. I just really like being around the guys and it's a good group of guys, and I really do believe that.
ZM: The way that Coach Trestman takes care of us. He's very smart in the way that he structures things.
Worst part about training camp?
PO: Probably waking up in the morning, hearing that horn go off. But it's definitely worth it. Coming out here and getting better every day really is a dream come true.
ZM: Being away from my wife and kids, missing the family.
Favorite thing to do after a tough practice?
PO:Probably get in the cold tub, talk to the guys, hang out with them for a bit, watch some film.
ZM:Ice tub.
Favorite go-to pregame meal?
PO:Chicken and pasta.
ZM:Little filet, little bit of pasta and some veggies.
Have you seen Marc Trestman wear anything other than long sleeves and pants?
PO:I think that's his go-to [outfit]. I haven't seen [him wear anything else], but I figure it will change when it gets a little colder.
ZM: Never seen him in shorts, never without a hat.
Favorite city to visit?
PO:Miami. [He played there in college.]
ZM: I love San Diego. I just love the vibe out there. There's a certain energy there when you get off the plane, kind of laid back.
Favorite phone app?
PO:Snapchat.
ZM:Instagram.
Training camp guilty pleasure?
PO:I think the gummy bears in the snack room is probably the guilty pleasure right now.
ZM: I got a whole stack of candy in my room. Starburst, chocolates, Hershey's with almonds, a bag of gummy bears, Skittles-I've got it all.
Best part about being coached by Marc Trestman?
PO:I think he expects a lot of you. I think on a daily basis he wants you to be a consistent guy, and just having a coach like that to coach you every single day is just a blessing.
ZM:I think overall just his no-stress [approach], but [he] knows how to work. That's the best part. He knows when to work, how to do it right and have fun.
WOULD YOU RATHER
play the Packers or Vikings?
PO: Packers.
ZM:Packers.
play the Packers or Lions?
PO:Lions.
ZM:Packers.
lose to the Packers or have the flu for three weeks straight?
PO:Having the flu.
ZM:I'd rather have the flu for eight weeks.
score the winning TD or win the lottery?
PO:Winning touchdown.
ZM:I need that touchdown.
play for the White Sox or Cubs?
PO:I'd say the Cubs.
ZM:Cubbies.
drink Gatorade or Powerade?
PO:Gatorade.
ZM:Gatorade.
eat steak or pork?
PO:Steak.
ZM:Steak.
eat hot dogs or hamburgers?
PO:Hamburgers.
ZM:If the hot dogs are coming from Nebraska, I'm eating the hot dogs.
do bench presses or squats?
PO:Bench press.
ZM:Bench.
use Twitter or Instagram?
PO:Twitter.
ZM:Instagram.
read a book or magazine?
PO:Magazine.
ZM:Magazine