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Emma: 5 Storylines During Bears OTAs

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) We're getting closer to football season, as the Bears report to training camp just more than two months from now.

Still, there's more work to do in this offseason, with OTAs beginning Tuesday at Halas Hall as the next step to the slate. The Bears enter 2016 as a potential contender, needing many key variables to turn their way.

Plenty of storylines awaited the Bears as workouts got underway. Let's take a dive into five important stories to follow:

1.) Jeffery will be absent

There's no contract dispute or impending holdout, but the Bears' top receiver, Alshon Jeffery, won't be present at Halas Hall for OTAs. Jeffery is continuing his work with touted personal trainer David Alexander at DBC Fitness in Miami.

Jeffery's agent confirmed that Jeffery's absence isn't a contract concern.

"Alshon is getting in great shape, and he will certainly be with his team for mandatory activities," Jeffery's agent, Tory Dandy, said through text message. "There is no contract dispute. Alshon is under contract. He signed the (franchise) tag, so no dispute."

However, it will certainly be worth noting what Bears coach John Fox says of Jeffery's absence. Fox believes it's crucial to build team cohesiveness, with OTAs serving as a key component. Still, he acknowledged that these are voluntary exercises.

Without Jeffery present at practice, the Bears offense will have a big void. He will be back for training camp.

2.) Langford must carry the load

For the first time in nine years, the Bears enter OTAs without Matt Forte in their backfield. Now, it's Jeremy Langford's time to be the team's feature back.

General manager Ryan Pace made the move to let Forte walk -- he signed with the Jets in March -- believing that his team was set with Langford plus Ka'Deem Carey, Jacquizz Rodgers and fifth-round pick Jordan Howard.

The Bears have worked to solidify depth and versatility in the backfield, though their hope is that Langford is able to run with his role.

"We like where Jeremy's at," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "He needs to continue to develop."

Ultimately, Langford will be judged by production in the season. His work toward that is well underway.

3.) The Floyd question

Veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stated recently that he's not concerned about rookie edge rusher Leonard Floyd's slender frame. Yet, it sounded more like a concession than anything else.

Really, Fangio almost seemed resigned to the fact that Floyd may struggle playing between 230 and 235 pounds.

"I'm sure there's going to be a play or two every game where you're going to say, 'Jeez, he's not heavy enough' or 'he's too light,'" Fangio said. "Hopefully, there will be a few plays every game, too, that we say, 'Well, jeez, we didn't have anybody who could have done that in the past.'

"We wanted the speed. Our team speed up front last year was below average. To add somebody with some speed as part of his tool box was something we were intrigued about."

Floyd will for the first time be facing NFL competition in practices, which will begin to reveal to what extent his tremendous athleticism can compensate for his lack of edge rusher size.

4.) Can Grasu make gains?

Center Hroniss Grasu wasn't supposed to play last season. When Will Montgomery suffered a season-ending injury and the Bears' offensive line depth was compromised, Grasu was forced into action.

Grasu was undersized and overwhelmed during his rookie season. While he held his own on many occasions center, there were too many bad plays to consider the rookie campaign anything more than trial by fire.

Now, Grasu is more than 300 pounds and has filled his frame to a more competitive size. Will that be enough to solidify his place at center this season?

As Grasu is a year removed from what was supposed to be a redshirt season, the Bears are hoping he can get the job done.

5.) Front seven heaven?

Back in January 2015, the Bears' regime of Pace, Fox and more inherited a front seven that wasn't much. Fangio was brought competence to a Bears defense that was out of control before he came in, but the results weren't anything stellar.

Pace went to work this offseason on the defensive line, signing Akiem Hicks and drafting Jonathan Bullard to book end Eddie Goldman. The three are versatile enough to move around the line and play off each other.

Topping that big splash was the upgrade at inside linebacker, where the Bears signed Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman to replace Christian Jones and Shea McClellin. Those two join outside linebackers Pernell McPhee and either Floyd, Lamarr Houston or Willie Young.

Suddenly, the Bears went from one of the league's worst front sevens to a rather impressive group. Chicago's defense will be able to generate pressure and disrupt the backfield.

What's left unanswered is who will play what roles and how Fangio will work his rotations.

These OTAs at Halas Hall will begin to forge the identity of this 2016 Bears team in many ways.

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

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