Celebrating Fuller, Howard Running to History, NFL Settles in Kaepernick Collusion Case, and Other Notes

Putting together today’s notes while at an auto repair shop has provided quite the experience.

  • A birthday shoutout is order for Pro Bowl/All-Pro cornerback Kyle Fuller:
  • https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt8jKiiDpkY/

  • Ah, yes. The highlights:
  • I wouldn’t waste any time getting Fuller a gift. He’d just return it.
  • (It’s an interception return touchdown joke. Come on, folks. Work with me here.)
  • Here is a fun factoid from Mark Inabinett of Al.com: Jordan Howard’s  935-yard rushing season moved him ahead of Bo Jackson on the all-time list of rushers who played their high school ball in Alabama. We often think about the Crimson Tide’s dominance of the college game when the words “Alabama” and “football” are mentioned in the same sentence, but the preps scene is no slouch. Howard is just 3,311 yards behind all-time leader Antowain Smith, who had a neat nine-year career with the Bills, Patriots, Saints, and Titans from 1997-2005. If Howard gets back into gear and starts racking up 1,000-yard rushing seasons, he could have the mark to himself in three years. Wouldn’t that be something?
  • It’s probably more of a matter of where/when Howard will have the record to himself, and not so much a matter of if. Howard is a proven performer as he enters the final year of his rookie contract with the Bears, but chatter that connected the team to Kareem Hunt (before he signed with the Browns) and the rumors of being on the periphery of the Le’Veon Bell sweepstakes hints at a long-term solution that doesn’t include the University of Indiana product. The future is uncertain for Howard, but it’s not as if he was a problem in the Bears’ backfield. Because while he didn’t rush for as many yards, he rounded out his game as he became a better pass-blocker and more effective (and efficient) as a receiver out of the backfield. Based on how Matt Nagy seems to like to use his running backs interchangeably, perhaps the team’s need is at the back end of the depth chart and not displacing the guy at the top.
  • Nick Petrusevski of The Loop Sports lays out a case for the team to bring back receiver Joshua Bellamy. One of the few holdovers who spans the Marc Trestman, John Fox, and Matt Nagy eras, Bellamy has carved a niche for himself on this Bears team. He is an ace special teams contributor, capable back-of-the-depth-chart receiver, and a glue guy in the locker room. Bellamy’s drops in big moments earlier in his Bears career didn’t make him any fans, but he has improved in that area and elsewhere to become a steady player in Chicago. After making $1.907 million while playing on a restricted free agent tender, Bellamy could look to move on, get a bigger paycheck, and possibly an increased role as a receiver this offseason. If that’s how it plays out, then the Bears will have to shift to find someone who can wear as many hats as Bellamy did with the team.
  • B💥💥M:
  • This is one heck of a find:
  • Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, along with the NFL have reached an agreement on a settlement for their joint collusion grievance. You can read up on the background of the grievance here. I don’t feel comfortable talking about rumored numbers that are part of a possible financial settlement. Unfortunately, we might not know the specifics behind the numbers because of a confidentiality agreement. I feel as if the big takeaway here was that the NFL was willing to settle in this case is a pretty eye-opening develoopment. Save for some rare exceptions, the league doesn’t settle – especially when it believes it’s in the right.
  • Senseless tragedies are happening far too often these days:
  • 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

    NFLPA Rookie Premiere 2024, Caleb and Rome, Early Fantasy Rankings, and Other Bears Bullets

    Wrapping up a weekend of shenanigans with dog-sitting duties. We're going to have walks, belly-rubs, and movie naps today. I'm looking forward to it. But first, I've got to push these BN Bears Bullets across the finish line. Check it...

    Bears Watchability, Identifying “Must Win” Games, One Idea For NFL’s International Plan, and Other Bears Bullets

    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...

    Heads Up! Tyrique Stevenson is Poised For a Breakout

    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...

    It’s Here And It’s Perfect: EA Sports College Football 25 Trailer Released

    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...

    Around the NFL: Get Ready for a Hefty Serving of Aaron Rodgers, How Much Will it Cost to Watch Every NFL Game in 2024? More

    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...

    Bears Defensive Coordinator Eric Washington to Attend NFL’s Coaching Accelerator Program

    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...

    HBD Coach Flus, Andy Dalton’s Side Hustle, College Football’s Big July Date, and Other Bears Bullets

    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...

    The Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule is HERE (Dates, Times, More)

    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...

    Austin Booker is the Third Bears Draft Pick to Sign Their Rookie Deal

    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...

    NFL Schedule-makers Gifted Caleb Williams and the Bears a Soft Landing

    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...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Royals vs. Tigers: Live Stream or on TV

    On Monday, Michael Wacha will take the mound for the Kansas City Royals (29-19) against Reese Olson and the Detroit Tigers (23-23), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Kauffman Stadium.The article below will provide you with everything...

    Panthers vs. Rangers Stanley Cup Semifinals Game 1 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, May 22, 2024

    The oddsmakers are predicting a close contest between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers on Wednesday in New York City, with the Panthers given moneyline odds of -115 and the Rangers at -105.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Panthers vs. Rangers...

    How to Watch Astros vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

    The Houston Astros (21-26), with Framber Valdez on the mound, host the Los Angeles Angels (18-29) who will start Reid Detmers, at 8:10 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Houston-Los Angeles matchup in the...

    How to Watch Braves vs. Padres: Live Stream or on TV

    The Atlanta Braves (26-15), led by Marcell Ozuna, host Jurickson Profar and the San Diego Padres (23-24) on Monday at 12:20 PM ET.See how to watch the Atlanta-San Diego matchup below.When is Braves vs. Padres and when does it start?This...

    Cardinals vs. Orioles: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The St. Louis Cardinals (20-26), with Sonny Gray on the hill, host the Baltimore Orioles (29-15) who will start Dean Kremer, at 7:45 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Find out how to watch the St. Louis-Baltimore matchup below.When...

    Twins vs. Nationals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Pablo Lopez takes the ball for the Minnesota Twins (24-22) when they visit starter Mitchell Parker and the Washington Nationals (20-25) at 6:45 PM ET on Monday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options...

    Brewers vs. Marlins: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Monday, in a series opener at LoanDepot park, Joe Ross takes the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers (27-19) against Ryan Weathers and the Miami Marlins (15-33), with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all...

    Rays vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Taj Bradley will take the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays (25-23) when they host starter Tanner Houck and the Boston Red Sox (23-24) in a series opener on Monday, with first pitch at 6:50 PM ET.Keep reading to find...

    How to Watch Guardians vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

    Ben Lively will take the ball for the Cleveland Guardians (30-17) when they host starter Tylor Megill and the New York Mets (21-25) on Monday, with first pitch at 6:10 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need...

    Yankees vs. Mariners: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Marcus Stroman takes the mound for the New York Yankees (33-15) when they host starter Logan Gilbert and the Seattle Mariners (25-22) at 7:05 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch New...

    more bears news