Returning From Hiatus

BearWaveHello, and welcome back to Bleacher Nation’s Bears coverage.

Before things get started up again, I think it’s important to go over a few of the reasons behind the hiatus. It’s not something that was planned, and it’s certainly not something that I want to have happen again. The connection with readers is what drives Bleacher Nation, and I take that very seriously.

So it makes sense for me to pull back the curtain a bit; it’d be ridiculous for me to pop up on a Monday morning and act like it’s business as usual.

The site went on hiatus in mid-February; at that point, I’d been doing it since the beginning of December. I’d covered a pseudo-quarterback controversy, a wild playoff chase, and a crushingly disappointing end to the season. The site was growing, I was proud of the content, and I really enjoyed getting to know readers.

Sounds great, right? And it was. Except for that BN Bears is just a portion of my life, and I didn’t do a very good job of incorporating it into the rest of my life in a healthy way. I was trying to do too much, too soon.

It wasn’t sustainable, and something had to change. Sadly, when I evaluated where I was with my work-life balance (and even with my work-work balance), I felt the only thing to do was to step back from the site.

Having taken time away from it, and having discussed all of this with Brett, we think there are some ways that I can make it fit more realistically into my life. Out of necessity, it means less time committed to writing, and I certainly won’t be able to emulate what Brett does, which was my (foolish in retrospect) goal at the start.

But looking at it as a long-term venture, this is the only way that I can eventually make that happen.

Thanks to those of you who have asked about the site, and thanks for reading today. I’m looking forward to getting started again.

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

WATCH: Caleb Williams is Already Making Connections with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at Halas Hall

Caleb Williams clips, however brief, will always grab my attention. Because while I can tell myself over and over again that I will not get googly eyes over spring practice videos, the reality is that I can't wait to see...

Kiran Amegadjie Reportedly Signed His Rookie Deal (UPDATE: It’s Officially Official)

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie is reportedly signing his rookie deal. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson has details on the contract, which includes: A $1.121 million signing bonus Annual workout bonus of $50,000 per year from 2025-27 Total deal worth...

This Is What the Chicago Bears 2024 Strength of Schedule Looks Like

Let's get this out of the way from the top. Looking at an NFL team's strength of schedule for the upcoming season based on the previous year's opponent winning percentage means almost nothing. So much change (roster moves, philosophy shifts,...

Around the NFL: Schedule Release Teasers, Amazon’s Upcoming NFL Documentaries, More

The NFL's schedule release is just over 24 hours away, but we're already getting some juicy teasers this week. Here's a roundup and some upcoming NFL-related productions coming to Amazon in today's NFL Notes. Chiefs Will Host the Ravens in...

NFL Schedule Notes, When Should Bears Debut? Goff, Winfield, Parks, and Other Bears Bullets

Coming home to a wonky wifi wasn't on my to-do list. But at least I'm home in one piece. Anyway, apologies if this set of BN Bears Bullets is brief because I can't spend all day on mobile hotspot. The...

Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

I've said it, and I'll continue to say it: this chapter of Chicago Bears football feels different. Perhaps it's because the last time we did this, we were in a pandemic, and when the Bears jumped up to No. 11...

Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

Bears Sign 6 Players After Rookie Minicamp Weekend Tryouts

The Chicago Bears offseason roster churn continues. In addition to their five-player draft class headlined by Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze (plus nine more players who were signed as undrafted free agents), the Bears have signed six free agents who...

They’re No. 1: Bears Wide Receivers Room Ranks as NFL’s Best

One of my biggest frustrations with the Ryan Pace regime was how the former Chicago Bears general manager didn't invest in wide receiver upgrades the way you'd expect a team building around a young quarterback should. Meanwhile, his replacement, Ryan...

Latest News

Pablo Aliendo Goes Way Deep, Alexander Canario Goes Way Grand

Pablo Aliendo gave the Tennessee Smokies an early lead on Tuesday night. Matching up with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Aliendo sent a ball deep into left field during the 2nd inning. The homer gave the Smokies an early 1-0...

Nico Hoerner Was Scratched Just Before Tonight’s Game Started

You know that expression, when it rains, it pours? This is like that, except instead of raining, it is pouring deluxe turds. Just an absolute monsoon of shit. Another Cubs injury issue to another key Cubs player: https://twitter.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1790522697002455532 So, Nico...

WATCH: Caleb Williams is Already Making Connections with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at Halas Hall

Caleb Williams clips, however brief, will always grab my attention. Because while I can tell myself over and over again that I will not get googly eyes over spring practice videos, the reality is that I can't wait to see...

How to Watch Phillies Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

If you are a Philadelphia Phillies fan and looking to catch their games, you can watch most of them on TV with a cable subscription or via streaming with one of the many different apps. Let’s break down the cable...

Connor Bedard Scored Again for Canada

Oh hey! Blackhawks' star Connor Bedard scored his fifth goal of the World Championships for Canada on Tuesday afternoon. https://twitter.com/BN_Blackhawks/status/1790468565675483262 Bedard helped Canada sprint to a 6-1 lead... which evaporated as Austria scored five unanswered goals in the third period...

How to Watch Yankees Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

The Bronx is booming! Yankee Stadium crackles with energy as the New York Yankees chase another World Series title. Whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan bleeding pinstripes or a baseball enthusiast captivated by the American League East race, their remaining...

Adbert Alzolay Update: Imaging Results, Timeline, and a Sprinkle of (Unexpected) Optimism

I had the weirdest reaction to what is objectively bad injury news on Adbert Alzolay just now. According to Meghan Montemurro, medical imaging confirmed that Adbert Alzolay has a right flexor strain. While I should have been upset to learn...

Kiran Amegadjie Reportedly Signed His Rookie Deal (UPDATE: It’s Officially Official)

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie is reportedly signing his rookie deal. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson has details on the contract, which includes: A $1.121 million signing bonus Annual workout bonus of $50,000 per year from 2025-27 Total deal worth...

2024 PGA Championship Prize Purse and Payout Breakdown: How Much Money Does the Winner Make?

The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated PGA Championship. As the second major of the 2024 calendar, this prestigious event will grace the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. This year marks the 106th edition of the championship,...

Lonzo Ball Shares a Very Optimistic (Nearly Unbelievable) Update on His Rehab

Lonzo Ball's new podcast "What an Experience" didn't avoid the elephant in the room. Within the first few seconds of the inaugural episode, Ball addressed his current health status and provided an update on his return to play. To be...

more bears news