Urlacher Throwback, Helfrich’s Influence, Mock Draft Fever, Toub (Not That One) to the Bears, and Other Bullets

Any time I get a chance to share some highlights of future Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, I’m going to do it.

Today was no exception:

  • Larry Mayer of the Chicago Bears’ official website writes Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy is thrilled to land the three coordinators leading the offense, defense, and special teams. I’d be worried if he felt any other way, but it’s safe to say Nagy has good reason to be excited about the group he has assembled to assist him in his first head-coaching job. In Vic Fangio and Chris Tabor, Nagy has hired coaches who are experienced and have had success at the NFL. With Mark Helfrich, Nagy gets an offensive coordinator whose playbook and concepts are different, but has a lengthy background in coaching/developing quarterbacks. There is some risk in this being Helfrich’s first NFL job, but it could be worth it over the long haul.
  • And yet, Helfrich is the most intriguing addition to the Bears’ coaching staff. Dan Durkin of The Athletic takes a deep dive into how Helfrich will strengthen the Bears’ offense, bring it up to speed, and blend his spread concepts with the West Coast base Nagy is working with. The big takeaway here is that quarterback Mitch Trubisky and running back Jordan Howard will be the major beneficiaries to the new looks Helfrich will bring to the table.
  • Last season, the Bears ran more plays out of the shotgun (490) than under center (443) according to Pro Football Reference’s metrics. Howard has 128 carries and 831 yards (6.5 yards/attempt) when running out of the shotgun in the last two years. Trubisky averaged 5.8 yards per carry out of the gun, but threw more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (2) out of that particular formation. That will have to improve if this Bears offense is to reach another level.
  • A Toub is returning to Chicago, though it’s not the one many wanted. While Dave Toub remains the Kansas City Chiefs Special Teams Coach, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports Shane Toub, Dave’s son, will be hired as an offensive quality control assistant. Shane spent 2017 as a graduate assistant under Lovie Smith at the University of Illinois. So while there are some who are disappointed Dave has yet to find a head coaching job despite paying his dues, it’s neat that his son will get a shot to start his own NFL coaching career in Chicago.
  • Having a productive coaching staff is the first step toward making the Bears’ future successful. However, the Bears won’t reach the mountaintop until they get some players these coaches can mold into greatness. DraftWire’s most recent four-round mock draft by Luke Easterling has the Bears tackling a handful of needs. Things would be looking good for the Bears if they can use the draft to fill holes at wide receiver (Calvin Ridley in the first, Oklahoma State’s Marcell Ateman in the fourth), cornerback (Auburn’s Carlton Davis in the second), and offensive line (Humboldt State’s Alex Cappa in the fourth).
  • Bryan Perez of BearsWire makes a case for the Bears going in a different direction in Round 1. Rather than going with a high-end skill position player, Perez views Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson as a sure-fire top-10 pick. While the Bears don’t have a need at the position, we can’t ignore the time both have missed due to injuries. Guards don’t necessarily get picked high, but the Bears could do worse than using the eighth pick on an offensive line anchor.
  • In case you missed it, Mel Kiper Jr. sent the Bears college football’s best wide receiver prospect in his first mock draft. Here’s how the rest shakes out:
  • The Bears will have to have some hits in free agency, too. More Akiem Hicks kind of signings and fewer Mike Glennons would do the trick. Buried in this deep profile of Vikings quarterback Case Keenum by Dan Pompei is a reference of the Bears and Bills being among the teams who had an interest in the journeyman quarterback during the offseason, but it was Minnesota’s push to get him on board that led him to sign with that team. I don’t imagine Keenum becomes an overnight sensation under Dowell Loggains while throwing to the Bears’ set of receivers, but I won’t stop you from thinking otherwise. Offseasons are for dreamers.
  • Speaking of dreamers, I have visions of not having as many players to cycle through on Bears injury reports in 2018. I love the Injury Bear more than I should care to admit, but it would be nice to have more healthy bodies in 2018. Perhaps a new strength coach will change the thinking here. So if you like photo galleries and Bears players who didn’t miss a game in 2017, then this is the link for you.
  • The Chicago Tribune reports Tyna Karageorge, the mother of Brian Urlacher’s 12-year-old son, has filed a $125 million defamation lawsuit against the former Bears linebacker. Karageorge claims Urlacher, his legal team, and a Tribune reporter conspired to paint her as a murderer after a 2016 incident in which her husband was fatally shot. It’s a very sensitive situation in which Urlacher was awarded temporary custody of their child after Ryan Karageorge’s death. An Urlacher attorney called the accusations “essentially a reiteration of the same false statements, twisting of facts and quotes out of context that she has claimed and filed in Court proceedings all during this case. None were found to have merit.”
  • 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

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

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

    On Friday, the San Diego Padres (2-1) take on Jorge Soler and the San Francisco Giants (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to find out how to watch the San Diego-San Francisco matchup...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) host Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-St. Louis matchup below.When is Dodgers vs. Cardinals and...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The New York Yankees (1-0), led by Juan Soto, visit Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1) at 8:10 PM ET on Friday.Find out how to watch the Houston-New York matchup below.When is Astros vs. Yankees and when does it...

    How to Watch Rays vs. Blue Jays: Live Stream or on TV

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) visit Yandy Diaz and the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:50 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Tampa Bay-Toronto matchup below.When is Rays vs. Blue Jays and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    more bears news