Mel Tucker’s Fate Remains Uncertain and Other Bulles

Trestman2The Divisional playoff round is here, and I’ll have a preview post up early this afternoon to cover both of today’s games. I went 3-1 picking winners last week, even if my process was fundamentally flawed. (My prediction of a low-scoring Chiefs-Colts game being the main offender.) Will I continue my hot streak? More importantly, does anyone care? (Guessing not.) Here are a few quick Saturday morning Bears bullets to tide you over:

  • According to Dan Wiederer, Marc Trestman and the rest of the Bears decision-makers are still in the evaluation process for Mel Tucker (and other members of the staff, although I don’t think Aaron Kromer’s job is really in jeopardy, for example.) I don’t have a strong sense of which way they’re leaning, but as Dan notes in the piece, the Bears probably won’t want to string him along for too much longer. The Bears need to make a decision at some point so that if that decision is to move on, they have the widest possible pool of candidates from which to choose Tucker’s replacement.
  • ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright thinks firing Tucker would be a mistake. His point is that there was a perfect storm of sorts that prevented Tucker from doing any of the things he’d do in a more normal season. I can certainly understand that reasoning. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that he was doing everything possible to put the defense in the best position to succeed. (And the fact that a lot of the players like him isn’t really enough for me either.) He shouldn’t get a pass, and from the looks of things he’s not getting one. If the Bears braintrust goes through the process and decides that Tucker deserves another chance, I’ll take their word for it. They want to win, and if they were just going to blindly rubber stamp Tucker into a second season, we’d know that by now. If he survives, I tend to believe it will be for a good reason.
  • Also from ESPN Chicago, Bears writer Jeff Dickerson and columnist Jon Greenberg go back and forth across a Fact or Fiction 4 Downs column. They cover a potential Marshall extension, the Cutler deal, McCown’s future, and whether the Bears will have two new starting safeties. (A strongly unanimous “Fact” on that last one, from both writers. Can’t say I disagree.)
  • Before Lane Kiffin was announced as Alabama’s new offensive coordinator (and man, what does that guy have to do to not be offered a great football job?) Bears receivers coach Mike Groh had been mentioned as a candidate. Groh has experience as a college coach, and if he was mentioned for this job, you have to think he’ll continue to come up as a candidate. Brad Biggs wrote this piece on the Groh speculation before the Kiffin news broke, and it provides some interesting context on Groh’s background. Considering the obvious development from Alshon Jeffery this season, it’d be a shame to lose Groh back to the college ranks; hopefully he stays on for at least another season or two.
  • Mike Ditka answered some questions in his weekly column for the Sun-Times, if that interests you.
  • Finally, this is a really nice story. Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman stars in a touching new commercial for Duracell. If you’re wondering what could possibly be touching about a battery commercial, it’s this: since the age of three, Coleman has been almost completely deaf. He requires the constant use of hearing aids to decipher sound, according to this Fox Sports profile from Ross Jones. He’s played in 12 games for Seattle this year, scoring a touchdown against the Saints, catching a pass that had deflected off of a hapless Kellen Davis. (As if there’s any other kind of Kellen Davis.) I’m a sucker for “overcoming obstacles” stories, and this is a great one.
  • 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

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    And Now Penei Sewell Has Signed a MASSIVE Extension With The Lions

    Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...

    Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

    The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

    Amon-Ra St. Brown Signs MASSIVE Extention With Lions

    We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Offensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    Stadium Stuff, Rome and Caleb, New Bears Hires, and Other Bears Bullets

    The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...

    Ian Cunningham is Getting an Extension From the Bears

    Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...

    The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

    If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

    Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

    Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

    Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 4.0

    We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...

    Latest News

    Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Saturday, April 27, 2024

    The bookmakers are expecting a close contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins on Saturday in Toronto, with the Maple Leafs given moneyline odds of -110 and the Bruins at -110.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple...

    Mariners vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Thursday, looking for a series sweep, Caleb Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners (12-11) face Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (12-12), with first pitch scheduled for 2:35 PM ET at Globe Life Field.If you're planning on watching this game,...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Diego Padres (13-13), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, visit the Colorado Rockies (6-18) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming...

    2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

    The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (9-13), led by Ryan Jeffers, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-20) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Minnesota-Chicago matchup.When...

    Astros vs. Cubs: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Justin Verlander takes the ball for the Houston Astros (7-17) when they visit starter Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs (14-9) at 2:20 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Houston-Chicago matchup below.When is Astros vs....

    Royals vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Cole Ragans will take the mound for the Kansas City Royals (14-10) when they host starter Jose Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) in a rubber match on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.If you're trying to...

    Yankees vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (16-8) host Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-15) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET.Find out how to watch the New York-Oakland matchup below.When is Yankees...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Phillies vs. Reds: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Alec Bohm and the Philadelphia Phillies (15-9) visit Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 1:10 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...

    more bears news