There was a point in 2018 when I came to the realization that I wasn’t getting the sleep I needed because I was receiving push notifications on my phone late at night. Eventually, I muted all notifications after a certain hour and my life was immediately better for it. Only recently have I eased up on it, and while I rarely get good notifications after midnight, I finally received one that was worth my time. And because of it, I’ll be able to knock Target Field off the baseball stadium bucket list in August.
No, the Cubs won’t be involved. But I’ll (hopefully) get to see two of my favorite players (Francisco Lindor, Jose Berríos) in action. All things considered, that’s a win!
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix looks (and sounds) better than he ever did while wearing the mustard and relish colored jerseys worn by That Team in Wisconsin:
Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) rounds up the most underpaid veteran on each of the NFL’s 32 teams, and Clinton-Dix pops up as the Bears’ representative. The deal includes $500,000 in total guarantees at signing that is is tied for 93rd among safeties and a 2019 salary + bonuses number that checks in at 34th among players at his position. It’s absurd that a player with Clinton-Dix’s prospect pedigree and success at the pro level was available for a bargain basement price.
Clinton-Dix’s one-year “prove it” deal worth $3 million came after the likes of Earl Thomas, Landon Collins, Tyrann Mathieu, and Adrian Amos signed big-money multi-year deals. I can only imagine what it would feel like to watch my peers secure the bag while I was left holding an empty one. But if Clinton-Dix can rebuild his value playing next to Eddie Jackson, it’s possible he’ll soon join the 2019 class of free agents in getting paid.
At this time next week, I’ll be in Bourbonnais watching the Bears’ first open training camp practice. Let’s get it!
Last year, I was invested in seeing how Matt Nagy’s offense operated. We weren’t going to get the whole meal during summertime practices, but I figured we would be treated to a cookie or two. And we did. Nagy’s offense (even in its most basic practice form) was a treat. Fresh concepts provided a breath of fresh air that was greatly appreciated. But as we move into this year, I find myself more intrigued about the pieces within the offense. The blend of returning players and new additions has me geeked up about what Nagy’s offense will look like in Year 2.
Ted Nguyen (The Athletic) offers up new Bears receiver Cordarrelle Patteson as one of the 10 most valuable and versatile players in the NFL. Because even though Patterson never grew into the ace receiver he had the potential to be in Minnesota, he carved a niche as a winning player in New England, which helped make him someone the Bears felt they needed to sign in free agency. Patterson is listed as a receiver on the depth chart, but that’s because listing a player as APT (All-Purpose Threat) hasn’t caught on yet. In addition to his return prowess, the Bears figure to use Patterson as someone who can get handoffs on jet sweeps, reverses, and even out of the backfield. Good luck accounting for the most dangerous threat on the field when he and Tarik Cohen are lined up together.
The Bears have waves of playmakers who can break one off and take it to the house at a given moment. But to do so in practice, they’ll need to breakthrough one of football’s best defenses. I strongly believe practicing against the best can only make you better, so I’m imagining how some tough love from the defense could spark some things.
On the other hand, I can’t imagine it’s too much fun practicing against this beast:
Check out Vic Fangio helping to bring folks together:
For the first time since Denver fired him in 2008, Mike Shanahan will attend a Broncos’ practice at team’s training facility today. Broncos GM John Elway, HC Vic Fangio and OC Rich Scangarello were instrumental in bringing back Shanahan, who led Denver to two Super Bowl titles.
So many of you asked why Fangio would leave the comforts of running the league’s best defense for the challenges of being a head coach for a team that is building up after a rough season. Among the many answers I could give you, let’s not overlook the obviousness of getting to run your own ship the way you see fit all the way down to the smallest detail:
“There’s no music in games. And when it comes to the point where we need to simulate crowd noise in practice, which we will do, it will be noise. It won’t be music … Noise by definition is sounds annoying. Music sounds nice.”- Vic Fangio on why he’s not playing music in camp
Those of us at BN Bears can attest to the value of adding a superstar, so we’re hoping our friends at BN Bulls can get theirs soon. Bonus points if it’s a Chicago kid:
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
In yet another reminder that nothing in life is free, the folks at Awful Announcing put the total cost to access NFL games this season projects to be $855.86. With 272 games on the NFL schedule, that comes out to...
I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...
It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...
I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...
There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...
The bookmakers prefer the Dallas Stars at home (-142) over the Colorado Avalanche (+120) when they play on Wednesday, May 15 at 8:00 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Stars vs. Avalanche Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Stars (-142)Underdog: Avalanche (+120)Total: 6.5Best Stars...
The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Thairo Estrada and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) on Tuesday at 9:45 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch Los Angeles take on...
The St. Louis Cardinals (16-24), led by Brendan Donovan, visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) at 9:38 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the St. Louis-Los Angeles matchup below.When...
The Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22), led by Ketel Marte, host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona play Cincinnati live.When is...
On Tuesday, Logan Gilbert will take the mound for the Seattle Mariners (22-19) against Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals (25-17), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep...
In a series opener on Tuesday, Dylan Cease will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (22-21) versus Cal Quantrill and the Colorado Rockies (12-28), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to see...
In the opener of a three-game series, on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET, the Minnesota Twins will host the New York Yankees.Twins vs. Yankees Series Info Yankees @ Twins Time: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET Twins...
The Texas Rangers (22-21), led by Marcus Semien, host Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians (26-16) at 8:05 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Texas-Cleveland matchup in the article below.When is Rangers vs. Guardians...
On Tuesday, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (16-25) face Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (19-24), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and...
Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...
NEWSLETTER
