Hooray! The Bears Report to Training Camp THIS Month and Other Bullets

Twenty days until training camp starts for the Chicago Bears. Are you ready for it?

  • Akiem Hicks isn’t pleased with his Madden NFL ’19 rating:
  • Hicks has been the best and most reliable Bears player the last two seasons, but he isn’t even the team’s highest-ranked player in Madden. If you’ll recall, that distinction belongs to Adrian Amos.
  • I think Hicks might be onto something here. After all, Pro Football Focus had him as the eighth-highest-graded interior defender against the run last season. It’s remarkable how effective he was as a defender last year, especially when you consider his 900 saps were the fourth most among players at his position. Productive, reliable, and durable? Yeah … give that man a boost on the Madden grading scale!
  • Andrew Link of Windy City Gridiron dives into the ever-changing fronts thrown out by Vic Fangio, the Bears’ popular and creative defensive coordinator. Fangio has had to use a variety of different looks because of the different types of players the Bears have employed as they turned over the roster. The 2018 team has more continuity than any of Fangio’s previous Bears defenses, so we might see him tighten things up starting this season. Frankly, I’m curious to see how he and the defense attack some of the better offensive attacks on the schedule this season.
  • On the other side of the ball, Allen Robinson figures to be a key cog in the Bears’ offense. So much so, Carlos Nazario of Fansided’s NFL Spin Zone believes the team’s offensive success will depend on how well Robinson performs. Robinson is the clear-cut WR1 the Bears didn’t have last season and he projects to carry a bulk of the load when it comes to the pass-catchers on offense. Despite the focus on changes at wide receiver and tight end, I’m a believer that the Bears’ success when they have the ball will come from a balanced attack that begins with Jordan Howard going in the backfield.
  • In that vein, Jake Perper of Chicago Now’s Bears Backer sees 2018 as another breakout year for Howard. And why wouldn’t it be? Sure, things are set up for the passing offense to have a big year. But if the Bears are putting up points, you have to assume Howard will get his fair share of scores. Howard scored nine rushing touchdowns last season, which is impressive considering the Bears didn’t get into the red zone nearly as much as they needed to in order to show the appearance of having a competent offense.
  • Jordan Howard highlights? You know you want them:
  • Fell down a YouTube rabbit hole and found a clip of every Bears offensive touchdown last season … including the preseason:
  • The 2017 preseason feels like it happened ages ago. It’s remarkable to think about how much has changed in less than a year’s time. Remember how Victor Cruz hauled in Mitch Trubisky’s first touchdown toss? Or Deonte Thompson’s ridiculous touchdown on a missed field goal? Or Mike Glennon torching the Titans’ first-team defense? I can’t wait to see what storylines this preseason has in store for us!
  • written by

    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 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...

    There is a Growing Consensus on How Bears Will Use the No. 9 Pick

    As part of his latest NFL Draft notebook, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones shares what he has heard about the Chicago Bears plan on doing with the No. 9 pick. "Sources around the league seem to believe the Chicago...

    Things You Love to See: Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams are Already Getting Along

    Caleb Williams will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears next season. We've known that for some time, and it will become official on Thursday. The only question that remains is who's joining him? There's a strong chance that...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

    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....

    What Happened to Bears’ Arlington Move? Watch Out For Cards, New and Texans Unis, and Other Bears Bullets

    This afternoon's forecast in Chicago calls for afternoon rainstorms, which means I need to tweak my schedule to get my regularly scheduled walk in without getting soaked. Wish me luck! The Chicago Bears are reportedly set to announce lakefront stadium...

    Latest News

    Indianapolis Colts 3-Round Mock Draft: More Elite Athletes for GM Chris Ballard’s Roster

    Indianapolis Colts 3-Round Mock Draft - With the 15th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, General Manager Chris Ballard has a chance to address this critical need and propel the Colts back into the AFC playoff picture. Last year's draft class appears promising, and...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8) hope to avoid an upset as -116 favorites when they take on Andrew McCutchen (with homers in two straight contests) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11). First pitch is at 6:40 PM ET Wednesday, live from PNC...

    Rays vs. Tigers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays (12-13) and Detroit Tigers (14-10) meet Wednesday at Tropicana Field, starting at 6:50 PM ET on BSSUN. The Rays are -121 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Tigers are favored against the spread of 1.5...

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    Led by Shohei Ohtani (two-game homer streak), the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11) are favorites versus the Washington Nationals (10-12) Wednesday at 6:45 PM ET. Bookmakers have named the Dodgers as -186 favorites for the game, which airs on SportsNet LA.Los...

    Braves vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Miami Marlins (6-19 look to avoid the sweep when they visit the Atlanta Braves (16-6) in the final game of a three-game set. Bookmakers have listed the Braves as -240 favorites, while the Marlins are +198 underdogs to pick...

    Reds vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds (13-10) and Philadelphia Phillies (15-9) meet Wednesday at Great American Ball Park, starting at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH. The Reds are -114 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Phillies are favored against the spread of...

    Yankees vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The New York Yankees (16-8) are set to take on the Oakland Athletics (9-15) Wednesday at 7:05 PM ET, airing on Amazon Prime Video. The Yankees are listed as -228 favorites by oddsmakers, while the underdog Athletics have +187 odds...

    Cubs vs. Astros Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Houston Astros (7-17) square off against the Chicago Cubs (14-9) on Wednesday at Wrigley Field after a three-game losing streak. The contest starts at 7:40 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Jameson Taillon (1-0) for the Cubs and Spencer Arrighetti...

    Blue Jays vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) visit Kansas City to face the Kansas City Royals (14-10) at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.The Blue Jays will give the nod to Yariel Rodriguez and the Royals will counter with Alec Marsh (3-0, 3.22...

    Twins vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Chicago White Sox (3-20) bring a five-game losing streak into a road contest against the Minnesota Twins (9-13) at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.The probable pitchers are Joe Ryan (0-1) for the Twins and Garrett Crochet (1-3) for the...

    more bears news