If I Get to 2,000 Followers, I’ll Bench Foles for Cutler in My Fantasy Championship

JayHat

I play fantasy football. I’m sure a lot of you do the same. I’m in the ninth year of my league (I’m not a multiple-league guy; I have the Bears, and then my fantasy team. Anything more just causes too much conflict for me. But I don’t begrudge those who participate in more than one.) It’s made up entirely of friends, and now my younger brother. I’ve never won. Ever. I’ve finished second or third for the past three years. This year we switched to an auction draft, and I hit some home runs; I also took advantage of the new FAAB waiver bid system and made some of the shrewdest managerial moves of my fantasy career. (Nick Foles being the prime example; I’d opened the year with Eli, then hopped on a QB carousel until I landed Foles.) I rode my team to the #2 seed and the highest point total in the league.

The #1 seed? My brother.

In the semifinals last week, I almost broke the 200 point barrier. My brother also won handily, setting up a showdown that combines the chance to win the league I’ve always wanted to win by beating the person I’d probably most like to defeat. My starting QB (Foles) is running one of the best offenses in football, and he’s facing one of the (sad but true) worst defenses in the Bears. I had absolutely no reason to shake things up.

So I decided to give myself one.

The official Bleacher Nation Bears Twitter account (@BearsBN) just passed 1,500 followers. (Which is obviously amazing, and I can’t thank those of you who already follow me enough. I’m thrilled.) I run a Bears blog, for goodness sake. I should be willing to put my own, deep-rooted, vested, and intense fantasy football interests aside in favor of the Bears if my readers are willing to go along with me. So here’s the announcement:

If I get to 2,000 followers by 1 P.M. Sunday, I’ll bench Nick Foles in favor of Jay Cutler. This isn’t as radical of a move as I’d like it to be, of course. It’s not my fault that Cutler is a legitimate fantasy option. (It’s a good thing this isn’t a Giants, Jets, or Rams blog.) But Foles is a consensus top-3 QB heading into this weekend, and if not for this contest, I’d be sticking with him. But I’m willing to Bear Down and go with Jay Cutler in the most important game of my fantasy life, just to show my complete and total solidarity with my fellow Bears fans.

(I’ll also be starting Forte and Marshall. I bet heavily on the new offense, and I had Alshon to start the year as well. But injuries hit and I needed a running back and a tight end; I tried to sneak him through waivers to free up a roster spot for one weekend but my brother spent big and outbid me for him on the waiver wire, foiling my master plan. He then reaped the benefits. I want to win, and badly. But I will absolutely not be upset by a great game from Jeffery.)

So, to clarify, if I get to 2,000 followers by 1 P.M. Sunday, I’ll start Cutler. I’d originally said 3,000, but that was because I was shooting from the hip; the odds of me doubling my total seemed slim upon reflection. But I think 2,000 is reasonable. (If there’s a swell of support but I come up shy of my goal, there’s still a chance that I cave and start Jay anyway. But I think it’s possible to get there.) So follow me @BearsBN, share this, tell your friends, etc. (Or don’t, I guess; I certainly can’t force you.) I thought it would be a fun thing to try, and we’ll see what happens.

Thank you all so much for your support so far. It’s been a wonderful experience.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers are moneyline favorites (-110) to begin their season with a road win over the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New...

Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a road matchup against the New York Mets (0-0) on Friday, with first pitch at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will give the nod to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

more bears news