For the first time in three months, Halas Hall and the Walter Payton Center were teeming with players Tuesday as the Bears kicked off their voluntary offseason program.
"There's no feeling like it," said defensive end Akiem Hicks. "You don't realize how much you miss it until you get back. You're anticipating seeing all your friends and guys you've been playing with and just excited to get back and start working."
With the offense and defense split into two groups Tuesday, Bears players worked on strength and conditioning in the weight room, met with coaches in classrooms and did conditioning drills inside the Walter Payton Center.