Happy NFL Schedule Release Day! And Other Bullets

Apr 19, 2018

One-hundred percent can relate:

Waiting for this time tomorrow like…#ScheduleRelease2018 pic.twitter.com/ic5Ooz52C0

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 19, 2018

As a reminder, Bears preseason and regular-season single-game tickets will go on sale one hour after the schedule is announced. So I’d suggest you have your plastic ready to make purchases at 8 p.m. central time via Ticketmaster online or by phone.

Who’s on the home slate? Glad you asked. The Bears will play home games against the Packers, Lions, and Vikings in NFC North showdowns, as well as the Rams, Patriots, Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Jets. That’s a group with three playoff teams and two teams who just missed at 9-7. The Bears will also play road games against their NFC North foes, while other road opponents include the 49ers, Bills, Cardinals, Dolphins, and Giants.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got my fingers crossed for Miami in December.

Worth noting via this from the Chicago Bears’ website, the team is replacing the print-at-home ticket option with mobile tickets. Which means printed PDF tickets are no longer accepted for valid entry. Again, something to keep in mind for the season ahead. It’s something we’ll probably need to bring up again when the season draws near.

Are you ready for some prime-time changes? If not, at least you have some time to adjust your internal clocks to prepare for some new start times:

Oh yeah, baby. It’s NFL Schedule Release day/night, 8p ET. Among the fan-friendly wrinkles: Earlier start times for primetime – MNF will start at 8:15p ET (was 8:30 last season); SNF at 8:20p ET (8:30); TNF at 8:20pm ET (8:25p). Remember when MNF started after 9:05p ET?
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) April 19, 2018

For those of us in the central time zone, this means Monday Night Football will start at 7:15, Sunday Night Football at 7:20, and Thursday Night Football at 7:20. They’re small, but significant changes that could help us avoid the dreaded late finish. Here’s hoping the Bears play their way into some prime-time action on Sunday night.

As for the first Monday Night Football game, rumor has it that it could feature a team from the NFC North. Brian Costello of the New York Post reports the Lions will host the Jets in the first Monday-nighter of the season. Because nothing says “Welcome back, football!” like a pair of teams that missed the playoffs last year.

Sticking around the New York Post and MNF, Andrew Marchand reports Brett Favre flunked his audition for the color analyst gig. That’s unfortunate, but it spares us the awkwardness of having to re-visit Favre’s past with former ESPN personality Jenn Sterger. No need to go down that road. We try to keep this a family-friendly site as often as possible.

Moving our focus on the field, it sounds like Matt Nagy has some big plans for second-year running back Tarik Cohen. A jack of many trades in 2017, Cohen is expected to be a mismatch machine in Nagy’s offense, writes Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. “He’s a run threat and then he can catch the ball in space in broken formations,” Nagy said. For us, that’s an advantage for the play callers and the play designers to be able to do some different things, move him around and try to get an advantage.”

Cohen still has much to learn, but after conquering the many challenges of having so much thrown on his plate as a rookie, I won’t bet against him.

Another position loaded with youth and upside is the tight end position. So far so good, from Nagy’s perspective. “The tight end group right now to me has been a really pleasant surprise as a whole,” Nagy said, via The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain. “They’re making some good catches out there.”

“He’ll be fiiiiiiiiiiiiine,” he said, before his breathing into a paper bag intensified:

Aaron Lynch, one of the #Bears' rare edge rushers, hurt his left ankle today and was helped off. "He'll be OK," Matt Nagy said.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) April 18, 2018

The Bears still have needs when it comes to defending the edge, but one of the team’s free agents is getting looks elsewhere. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweets the Raiders have worked out outside linebacker Lamarr Houston, whose career started in Oakland. Houston signed with Chicago in 2014, but suffered a pair of ACL tears and never developed into the impact pass rusher the team signed him to be. Still, Houston was effective and helpful – especially in his second stint when he picked up four sacks in five starts when the position group was handcuffed by injuries.

Aaron Rodgers is having one heck of an offseason. The latest from the Packers quarterback comes from the team’s official website, where he shares his desire to get a contract extension done with Green Bay. “Obviously, we’d like to lock something in at some point,” Rodgers said. “The team has made that public knowledge, they’d love to do that. I’ve said it many times I’d love to finish my career here. There’s more than mutual interest on both sides.”

I guess that’s a step in the right direction considering the other headlines he made this offseason.

written by

Luis C. Medina

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.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks To Surround Caleb Williams

The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Draft Day is Coming, NFC North QB Prospect Watch, Crews, Warren, and Other Bears Bullets

The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How Will Quarterback Chaos Unfold In First Round?

Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to...

Matt Rooney

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears Mock Draft Trade Proposals Seem to Target One Particular Position

I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

Sounds Like the Bears Will Consider Taking Brock Bowers If They Stay at No. 9

For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Hire Ted Crews as Special Advisor to President Kevin Warren

The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

I Don’t Hate Trading Up, Cairo Reaches Out, Jed Chimes In, and Other Bears Bullets

Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Johnny newton Illinois Illini bears draft target

Chicago Bears

The Bears Had Eyes on Illini DT Johnny Newton Today

Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Bears

Watch Out For the Cardinals and Chargers as Possible Bears Trade Partners

'Tis the season for dot-connecting. And if you are a Chicago Bears fan, you might want to keep tabs on what is happening between your favorite team's current first and ninth picks. ESPN's Adam Schefter names the Arizona Cardinals and...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 16, 2024

Washington Commanders 7-Round Mock Draft

Chicago Bears

The Washington Commanders Are Hosting a Pre-Draft QB Group Date

The MMQB's Albert Breer shares an anecdote about the Washington Commanders pre-draft process. Washington, which holds the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is hosting a bunch of quarterbacks for top-30 visits this week. Together. In the same place....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1st Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks at 26th Overall

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2024 NFL Draft in a familiar position – contenders with a need to retool. Baker Mayfield solidified the quarterback position sans Tom Bracy, and while the Bucs boast a talented roster, key departures and...

Brian Twining

Apr 18, 2024

NFL

New England Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks After Selecting Jayden Daniels in Round 1

New England Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft - The curtain has closed on the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era in New England. The Patriots, once a dynasty of consistency, now find themselves at a crossroads. With the number three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft,...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) will look to Joc Pederson, with homers in two straight games, to pull off an upset win over the San Francisco Giants (8-11) Thursday at Oracle Park. The Giants are -149 moneyline favorites for the game,...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

NFL

New York Jets 1st Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks at 10th Overall

The pressure is on for the New York Jets. With the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team faces a crucial decision that could define their future. Years of rebuilding have yielded progress, but the playoffs remain...

Brian Twining

Apr 18, 2024

NFL

Las Vegas Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks For The Silver and Black

Las Vegas Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft - It's a new era in Las Vegas, and while they still have questions surrounding the most important position on the team, there's a lot of discussion about what the Raiders will do with their first-round selection....

Ryan Noonan

Apr 18, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The San Francisco Giants (8-11) host the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Thursday to kick off a four-game series at Oracle Park. The matchup starts at 9:45 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Giants will send Logan Webb...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

You Can Buy IceHogs Playoff Tickets Starting Friday!

Hey Blackhawks fans! Wanna see playoff hockey with some players who might be part of the future in Chicago? The IceHogs are heading to the Calder Cup Playoffs, and some tickets go on sale Friday morning! The final schedule for...

Tab Bamford

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024: Caissie, Alcántara Go Yard, South Bend and Myrtle Beach Smoked, More

Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 18, 2024

Las Vegas Raiders first round mock draft for 2024.

NFL

Las Vegas Raiders 2024 First-Round Mock Draft: Raiders Wait on QB, Instead Bolster Offensive Line

With just one week until the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, it's crunch time leading into one of their biggest drafts in a while. The Raiders brought in veteran general manager Tom Telesco this offseason to lead the...

Jennifer Eakins

Apr 18, 2024

Happy NFL Schedule Release Day! And Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular