Trevathan Gets Mic’d Up, the TE Battle, Floyd Growing, Cohen Hiding, and Other Bullets

Nothing like a mic’d up Danny Trevathan returning to his old stomping grounds to get your Friday started:

  • It was nice to see the Bears play well in a practice fake game against the Broncos. Tomorrow, it’ll be just a regular fake game!
  • Larry Mayer checks in with some positive reviews about the team’s tight ends, as Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen, Daniel Brown, and Ben Braunecker have all shown strong hands with impressive catches. Burton and Shaheen are locked in at their respective positions, but Brown and Braunecker (as well as Colin Thompson) are battling it out for what could be one of the last spots to be decided on the 53-man roster. One of the early takeaways from my visits to Bourbonnais was how important the tight end was to the Bears’ offense. There are so many mismatches that can be exploited by the players at the position, it’s possible tight end play could dictate how well the offense runs once games that matter get under way.
  • I’m still not 100 percent sure what to make of Dion Sims. There is no doubt that Sims has a certain skill set that could be helpful in this offense, it’s just that we’ve yet to see it all come together at the same time. Sims was listed as the No. 2 tight end on the team’s first depth chart, but he missed last week’s preseason game against the Bengals with a concussion. The Bears could save approximately $1.67 million against the cap if they part ways with Sims before the season starts, but could have saved $5.67 million had they done so before a March 17 3 p.m. deadline.
  • It’s worth pointing out that Trubisky posted a 93.8 passer rating when throwing to Sims, Shaheen, and Brown last season. Trubisky threw just one interception last season in the 57 attempts he threw at one of those three tight ends. Judging by the construction of the new-look receiving corps, it’s probably not a coincidence that the Bears went all-in on big-bodied targets for Trubisky to throw to moving forward.
  • The joint practices in Colorado produced some highlights:
  • Highlights aside, the Bears’ centers really need to get it together when it comes to getting snaps down:
  • I’m just glad there wasn’t a Jets-Redskins kind of brawl out there. Nobody wanted/needed that:
  • One player who has been lurking in the background during the Bears’ first two preseason games has been Tarik Cohen. Chicago has its versatile back hiding in plain sight after playing just one snap against the Bengals last week. Cohen tells Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times he believes the Bears are saving him. Maybe it’s protection from injury or scheming, but there is some gamesmanship going on either way. And yet, we’re not necessarily concerned about Cohen’s lack of preseason reps. Cohen rushed just 19 times last preseason and didn’t even get one target in the passing game. Things worked out pretty well for Cohen during his rookie season and you figure the best is still yet to come now that he is in an offense that will better utilize his skills.
  • On the other side of the ball, Leonard Floyd figures to be a driving force in what the Bears hope is a season that garners similar results to last year when the defense finished in the top 10 in scoring and yards allowed. JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago explores why Floyd is the guy who can make everything go this season. Floyd already made his presence felt against the Bengals with a strong push that forced Andy Dalton into a bad throw that turned into a Kyle Fuller pick-six.
  • While we’re dreaming of Floyd growing into a stud pass-rusher in his third year as a pro, check this out from ESPN’s Matt Bowen:
  • There’s money to be made if the Bears make an unlikely Super Bowl appearance:
  • Speaking of Super Bowls, I feel as if this image explains a lot:
  • This tweet from ex-Bears wideout Cameron Meredith was a bit cryptic…
  • https://twitter.com/Cam_I_Am81/status/1029400185850552321

  • … but NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweets that it’s not related to his surgically-repaired ACL injury, so that’s good. Here’s hoping Meredith gets medical clearance to perform at his peak levels.
  • 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

    MVC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

    There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Tuesday that feature MVC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores.How to Bet on MVC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

    Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

    There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Tuesday postseason college basketball schedule, the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

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

    In their season opener on Friday, Andrew Jacob Puk will take the mound for the Miami Marlins against Martin Perez and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at LoanDepot park.See how to watch the Miami-Pittsburgh...

    Warriors vs. Hornets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Golden State Warriors (38-34) hit the court against the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 218 points.Dig into the best bets...

    Pacers vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) are 2.5-point underdogs as they look to extend a five-game win streak when they visit the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game airs at 7:00 PM ET on...

    Clippers vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) are slightly favored (by 1 point) to continue a three-game road win streak when they visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The point total in the matchup...

    Wizards vs. Pistons Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are slight underdogs (by 2.5 points) to stop a five-game road losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The over/under is 229 in the matchup.Check...

    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...

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

    Spencer Strider will take the mound for the Atlanta Braves when they square off against starter Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you...

    more bears news