Chicago Bears first-round draft pick Roquan Smith said most of the items stolen from his car during a weekend break-in were recovered and that a suspect has been identified. Hooray!
Smith shared his thanks via Twitter to the Athens-Clarke County police department and everyone who helped spread the news over social media that helped in the process:
Unfortunately, the Chicago Tribune reports that the team-issued iPad that contained the Bears’ playbook has yet to be recovered. At least the Bears were technologically savvy enough to delete the valued information remotely. Here’s hoping the team did it in a timely manner.
After the 2017 NFL Draft, there weren’t too many great expectations thrown at the feet of first-round pick Mitch Trubisky. After all, Mike Glennon was entrenched as the starter and Mark Sanchez was listed as the early favorite to enter the season with QB2 responsibilities. That’s not going to be the case for Roquan Smith, who showed up on Chris Trapasso’s list of rookies expected to make an instant impact for their respective teams. Smith was a top-5 prospect on Trapasso’s big board, and the CBS Sports analyst has the Georgia product down for 125 tackles as a rookie. To get a top-5 prospect who can make that kind of impact upon arrival shows the kind of value the Bears received by getting him with the No. 8 pick. Shoutout to those teams who were so quarterback thirsty that were drafting ahead of the Bears!
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
I found it interesting that a handful of our favorite receiver prospects who were drafted by other teams landed on this list. Michael Gallup (Cowboys), D.J. Chark (Jaguars), Tre’Quan Smith (Saints), and James Washington (Steelers) pop up as potential instant impact players for their respective teams and there was a case for each of these players to be on the Bears’ radar. Chicago could have drafted any of these players when they moved up to pick No. 51 and drafted Anthony Miller. It makes you wonder if Miller would have made the list had the Bears not drafted Smith or if he was selected by any of these teams who ended up with a different wideout. My gut feeling says “yes” and “yes.”
Over at NBC Sports Chicago, JJ Stankevitz offers up one reason why Miller could provide an instant spark to the offense. Miller’s polished route-running skills are a plus, and Stankevitz introduces the idea of receivers “setting the angle” with sharp route cuts that allow quarterbacks to throw the pass a hair quicker. This puts defensive backs at a disadvantage and receivers in a spot to make catches and move the chains. Route-running was not a strength of the Bears’ wide receivers corps as a whole, and the team’s best route-runner from last season (Kendall Wright) is with the Vikings now. Wright and Trubisky built a connection last year, in part because of his route-running ability. It will soon be up to Miller to do his part in creating a bond with his quarterback. Surely, his ability to set the angle will help.
Yesterday, we discussed how Kylie Fitts was the kind of player who could help restore the reputation of the Bears’ defense as the Monsters of the Midway. Fitts has the necessary measurables, a relentless motor, and all the motivation in the world after being a sixth-round pick despite having the talent of a second- or third-round player. Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune spoke with Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham, who discussed Fitts’ upside at the next level, the challenges that lie ahead, and the elephant in the room – his durability issues.
We also spent some time discussing how one set of football analysts believe the Bears have some kinks to work out in the secondary. Add Will Brinson of CBS Sports to the list of insiders who aren’t completely sold on the Bears’ defensive backfield. In fact, Brinson calls the Bears’ secondary its fatal flaw. Scary stuff. While Brinson says “that’s a fine group if they’re playing to their potential” he also notes that things could go south quickly if Fuller or Amukamara goes down with an injury. Well, duh. I can’t think of too many teams that could lose their top coverage corners and not have their defensive backs be viewed as a weakness.
To be fair, the Ryan Pace regime hasn’t prioritized the cornerback position in the draft and instead has decided to piece together a group mostly through free agency and UDFA additions. In fact, the only cornerback drafted by Pace (Deiondre’ Hall in 2016) has already been converted to safety. Chicago had ample opportunity to draft a cornerback a few weeks ago, but prioritized needs along the offensive line (James Daniels) and at wide receiver (Anthony Miller) before making it a priority when signing undrafted free agents.
For my money, the outside linebacker/edge defender situation is one that still sticks out the most. If the quarterback position is the most important on offense, the players responsible for pressuring him are the most important on the other side of the ball. The Bears don’t have a kick-butt pass-rusher right now, and it’s not like that player was available to them in the draft or free agency. So instead, it looks like the defense will try to bank on a rotation of players who will throw different looks at offenses in order to bring the heat. This is where a player like Fitts can be a solution, especially if he can stay healthy. Of course, health has been an issue for Bears players the last few seasons … but the hope is a new training staff and some upgraded amenities at Halas Hall will be helpful.
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.
My social calendar unexpectedly filling up in May has been a pleasant surprise. As is projected 80-degree weather on a Saturday afternoon. Cheers, friends. Sure, the Chicago Bears 2024 strength of schedule doesn't look all too daunting. And it sure...
A tip of the cap to the Chicago Bears social media team, which is doing a heckuva job keeping fans engaged in what has turned into a fun offseason. Their latest Q&A endeavor asks Bears players who they would choose...
Today EA Sports released the trailer for College Football 25 and it's absolutely perfect. The graphics look amazing, Chris Fowler sets the stage, each team shown has its own unique entrance and tradition, and in just two short months it...
The NFL schedule makers felt they were entitled to a re-do when it comes to cramming Aaron Rodgers down our throats, and they took full advantage of it. Plus, how much will it cost to watch every NFL game in...
Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator Eric Washington will take part in the upcoming NFL Coach Accelerator Program that will take place at the league meetings taking place in Nashville next week. This isn't Washington's first rodeo, as the former Buffalo Bills...
It's a Friday. We finally made it. I can't believe I get to see your face. Making it to a warm-weather Friday in spring has me feeling better than I do on other days of the week. And it's got...
Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze, Kyler Gordon, and Teven Jenkins are among the Chicago Bears players who took starring roles in the team's 2024 schedule release video drop. Here it is in all of its glory: The...
Another one is in the books for the Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft class as the team announced that Austin Booker has signed his rookie deal. This is what it looked like when Booker put pen to paper at Halas...
If Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears get off to a good start this season, someone at Halas Hall should send a gift basket of Italian beef, tavern-style pizza, hot dogs, sport pepper Malört, and other Chicago delicacies to the...
Schedule release day in the NFL is one of my favorite non-game days of the year. NFL social media teams work hard to create entertaining videos revealing their teams' schedules for the upcoming season. Here are my favorite 2024 NFL...
The Philadelphia Phillies (32-14), with Aaron Nola on the mound and trying to sweep the series, host the Washington Nationals (20-23) who will counter with Trevor Williams, at 1:35 PM ET on Sunday.The article below will provide you with everything...
Gunnar Henderson and the Baltimore Orioles (28-14) host Caleb Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners (24-21) on Sunday, with first pitch at 1:35 PM ET, and the Orioles aiming for a series sweep.The article below will give you everything you need...
On Sunday, looking for a series sweep, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians (28-17) face Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (24-20), with first pitch scheduled for 1:40 PM ET at Progressive Field.Keep scrolling to find out all the details...
Christopher Morel and the Chicago Cubs (26-21) host Connor Joe and the Pittsburgh Pirates (21-26) on Sunday, with first pitch at 2:20 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Chicago-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is Cubs vs. Pirates and when does it...
The New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers take the court in a decisive Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Knicks are favored by 2.5 points in the contest, which will be broadcast on ABC...
This guy. What do I even say? I was already kinda buzzy when Brennen Davis homered again - a grand slam - for the fifth time in six games, and sixth time in eight games. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1791967453888598441 Truly...
Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (32-15) host the Chicago White Sox (14-32) on Sunday, with first pitch at 1:35 PM ET, and the Yankees looking for a series sweep.Keep reading to find out how to watch the New...
Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (24-22) visit Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays (19-24) at 1:37 PM ET on Sunday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Tampa...
The Miami Marlins (14-32), led by Bryan De La Cruz and aiming for a series sweep, host Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (20-24) at 1:40 PM ET on Sunday.The article below will provide you with everything you need...
The San Francisco Giants (21-25), with Jordan Hicks on the hill and aiming to sweep the series, host the Colorado Rockies (15-29) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 4:05 PM ET on Sunday.If you're trying to watch this game,...
NEWSLETTER
