Focusing on the Tight Ends, Re-Visiting Trubisky’s Best, Fantasy Value, Long, and Other Bullets

Spending a weekend in the Eastern time zone really threw my body clock for a loop and had me thinking about tonight’s Bears-Bengals game being a 7 pm kickoff all week. I guess it’s preseason for us, too.

  • My gut tells me we’ll get a chance to focus on the tight ends in tonight’s preseason tilt against the Bengals. Robert Zeglinski of The Rock River Times explains how tight ends should be a main piece of the Bears’ new-look offense this season, and with Dion Sims not even making the trip, this should allow guys behind him on the depth chart to impress (I’m looking at you Adam Shaheen, Daniel Brown, and Colin Thompson). Thompson and Shaheen combined to receive just six of the 50 targets thrown by Bears quarterbacks last week, so there’s really nowhere to go but up.
  • Not that much of anything from last year can be applied to a preseason game being played tonight, but Cincinnati is where Shaheen played his best game as a rookie. Shaheen caught four of five passes thrown his way, gained a season-high 44 receiving yards, and even scored a touchdown. It was the kind of game (and game plan) we had hoped to see more often, rather than watching the team use its tight ends as glorified decoys who were non-factors in the passing game. If you’d like, you can re-live the aftermath of that masterpiece here.
  • It’s quite possible that we look back on that Bengals game as the moment when things started rolling in the right direction for Mitch Trubisky. In what was his best start of the season, Trubisky completed 25 of 32 passes (78.1% completion rate) for 271 yards, a passing touchdown, rushing score, and 112.4 passer rating. Trubisky’s teammates gave him major props for the performance and earned Pro Football Focus’ best grade for quarterbacks who played in Week 14. Not bad. And actually good, if you take into consideration that Bengals team was playing for one of the AFC’s last remaining playoff spots.
  • JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago sets some parameters and expectations for the Trubisky-led offense as they set forth on their first preseason action of the summer. You can figure Trubisky will get one or two series of work in his preseason debut, so you’ll want to tune in early if you want to ensure an opportunity to catch a glimpse of QB1 in action. Because after that, it’s another round of Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray reps.
  • Daniel gave a behind-the-scenes look at his recent viral video. He might not have All-Pro quarterback skills, but you’re fooling yourself if you didn’t get a kick out of his recent stunt.
  • Any one else curious about how Kyle Long will look tonight? The Bears’ starting right guard figures to be in the starting lineup and getting his first game action since his 2017 season ended due to a variety of injuries that had piled up over the year. Offensive Line Coach Harry Hiestand says he feels good about Long’s direction things are headed. “He’s working hard,” Hiestand said of Long, via the Bears’ official website. “When he’s out there, he’s rolling and there’s no backing off. We’re going to be smart in how we progress him through camp, but Kyle’s working extremely hard and he’s on a great path now.” The Bears certainly missed Long’s presence at right guard, a position that saw a ton of turnover last season in his absence. Some stability at that position on the line could truly stabilize things on the unit and within the offense.
  • We know one player who won’t be getting any snaps tonight is linebacker Roquan Smith, whose holdout continues. While Smith’s absence might splinter some in the Bears’ fan base, Patrick Finley of the Sun-Times shares that Georgia teammate (and fellow rookie) Javon Wims is showing a sign of solidarity for a fellow Bulldog. I’m on pins-and-needles awaiting Smith’s arrival and the angst is certainly palpable among some, but I feel like I can appreciate teammates having each other’s backs. They’ll need that band of brothers mentality if they are going to survive this season.
  • Ummm, what?
  • Alec Brzezinski of the Sporting News provides a Bears-slanted fantasy perspective, diving into players worth drafting and circling those who should probably be avoided. Chicago’s football team hasn’t had too many fantasy-relevant players in recent years, but that might change moving forward after an aggressive offseason that came with sweeping change. Brzezinski suggests drafting running back Tarik Cohen on a hunch, suggesting that Cohen looks more like the kind of running back who can be successful in Matt Nagy’s offense than Jordan Howard. That doesn’t feel accurate, but I can’t blame you if you think there is some Darren Sproles-like value in a jack-of-several-trades kind of back.
  • Avoiding Allen Robinson seems like a short-sighted mistake, though. We have previously discussed Robinson’s potential fantasy value, which is rooted in being a volume target as Mitch Trubisky’s top wide receiver.
  • I’m not one who puts a ton of stock in TV ratings, but Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune points out that last week’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game averaged 6.77 million viewers nationally – which is more than the decisive Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final in which the Washington Capitals clinched their first ever title. That’s wild.
  • 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 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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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....

    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...

    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....

    Latest News

    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,...

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

    Joc Pederson leads the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) into Thursday's matchup with the San Francisco Giants (8-11) on a two-game homer streak. His Diamondbacks are underdogs for the contest, however, with bookmakers naming the Giants as -148 moneyline favorites. The game...

    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...

    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....

    Giants vs. Diamondbacks Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

    The San Francisco Giants (8-11) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) square off at Oracle Park on Thursday at 9:45 PM ET, beginning a four-game series.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Giants will send Logan Webb (1-1) to the...

    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...

    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...

    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...

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

    The Chicago Cubs (11-7) are set to take on the Miami Marlins (4-15) Thursday at 7:40 PM ET, airing on MARQ. The Cubs are listed as -163 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Marlins have +138 odds for the contest.Chicago's...

    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...

    more bears news