Bears Bond Over Saturday Morning Lift: Jay Toia Dominates, Coach God Inspires, and the Team Grows Stronger
Saturday morning at Halas Hall was anything but ordinary as the Chicago Bears gathered for an intense team lift. What began as a strength session quickly transformed into a showcase of power, competition, and team bonding, highlighted by the dominant performance of rookie defensive tackle Jay Toia and a surprise appearance by Coach God himself.
The Workout Plan
Led by the Bears’ strength and conditioning staff, the team rotated through three cornerstone lifts designed to build explosive power and overall strength:
1. Bench Press: Players pushed for max reps at 225 pounds.
2. Squats: Focused on one-rep max attempts to test raw leg power.
3. Power Cleans: Heavy sets of three reps to maximize explosiveness.
While the lifts were designed for serious training, the atmosphere quickly turned competitive as players hyped each other up and vied for top performances.
Jay Toia: The Undisputed Champion
Rookie defensive tackle Jay Toia left no doubt about who was the strongest man in the room. Toia’s raw power was on full display as he dominated every lift:
• Bench Press: Toia put up 225 pounds for an awe-inspiring 38 reps, setting the tone early.
• Squats: The rookie crushed a 600-pound squat, the highest of the day, while maintaining perfect form.
• Power Cleans: Toia powered through 355 pounds with ease, showcasing his explosiveness.
“Jay’s strength is unreal,” said defensive end Jack Sawyer. “You look at the numbers he’s putting up, and it’s like, how is this guy a rookie? He’s a beast.”
Toia, ever humble, downplayed his dominance.
“I just want to work hard and help the team,” Toia said. “It’s great to have fun with the guys, but this is all about getting better for Sundays.”
Other Standouts
• Jack Sawyer (DE): Known for his relentless motor on the field, Sawyer proved his power in the gym, hitting 32 reps on the bench press, squatting 500 pounds, and powering through 325 pounds on the cleans.
“Jack is a machine,” said linebacker Troy Andersen. “He’s always pushing himself, and it shows in everything he does.”
• Kaleb Williams (RB): The running back surprised everyone with his impressive strength, benching 225 for 20 reps and squatting 450 pounds. His cleans were just as explosive, hitting 305 pounds.
“People forget how strong Kaleb is because of his speed,” said tight end Gary Kittle. “But man, he’s got that power too. Total package.”
• Troy Andersen (LB): Even while recovering from a shoulder injury, Andersen showed why he’s a leader, posting a 450-pound squat and hitting 315 on power cleans with one arm in a support strap.
“Troy’s just built different,” said rookie cornerback Jaedyn Lukus. “Even banged up, he’s still outworking everybody.”
Coach God’s Surprise Entrance
As the players rotated through their lifts, the energy in the room shifted when Coach God emerged from his office. The players immediately erupted into cheers and chants of “Uh ohhh!” as the revered leader stepped into the weight room.
“Let it be known,” Coach God proclaimed, “that I shall not be outdone by my team.”
First, he took to the bench press, where he easily knocked out 25 reps at 225 pounds. Then, he moved to the squat rack, effortlessly completing a set of 5 reps at 405 pounds. Finally, Coach God capped off his session with a flawless power clean at 315 pounds, drawing a standing ovation from the players.
“Coach God stole the show,” said Caleb Williams. “We all know he’s the GOAT, but watching him lift with us? That was legendary.”
Team Bonding and Brotherhood
While the numbers were impressive, the true strength of the day was the camaraderie and bonding among the team. Players encouraged each other, celebrated every rep, and shared laughs in between sets.
“This is what makes us special,” said wide receiver Brenan Thompson. “We’re not just teammates—we’re family. Days like this bring us closer.”
Tight end Gary Kittle echoed the sentiment.
“You feel that energy in the room, and it’s contagious,” Kittle said. “This is about more than just lifting weights. It’s about building trust and pushing each other to be great.”
Coach God’s Closing Words
After the final lift, Coach God gathered the team for a moment of reflection and inspiration.
“Today, you have shown not just strength of body but strength of spirit,” Coach God said. “You lifted not just weights but each other. This unity, this resolve—it is what will carry us forward. Let no burden be too heavy, no challenge too great, for together, we are unstoppable. Amen.”
Looking Ahead
The energy from Saturday’s lift has the Bears buzzing as they head into Week 5. With Jay Toia emerging as the team’s strongest player, Jack Sawyer and Kaleb Williams showcasing their raw power, and Coach God leading the way, the Bears are not just building strength—they’re building a foundation for greatness.
As Coach God reminded them, this team’s true power lies in its unity, and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
