Remembering Walter, Signs of Trubisky’s Growth, Defensive Excellence, and Other Bullets

Now that Halloween is over, I’m looking forward to putting my energy toward my favorite holiday of the year – Thanksgiving.

That the Bears have a game on that day against their division rivals in Detroit only adds to the intrigue. We’ve got a ways to go before we get there, but I’m already starting to get jacked about it.

  • Bears legend Walter Payton passed away on Nov. 1, 1999 due to complications from a rare liver disease. I remember Payton spending his final months advocating for organ transplants and encouraging others to donate. It was a sign of selflessness that wasn’t lost on me growing up. I woke up this morning wanting to share some classic Payton highlights, but found myself moved by this:
  • If you loved the mic’d up Matt Nagy video we shared in yesterday’s Bullets, just know you’re not alone. Bears Radio play-by-play man Jeff Joniak caught up with Nagy, who seemed to genuinely enjoy his moment in the spotlight. “You love seeing that kind of stuff, and you can appreciate that kind of stuff,” Nagy said. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with it.” Any time you can get even a small sliver of something that resembles transparency from an NFL coach, it’s a cherished moment. That was undoubtedly fun.
  • Quarterback Mitch Trubisky hadn’t watched the video by the time he met the assembled media at Halas Hall on Wednesday, even though his being on the receiving end of a Nagy motivational pep talk before the start of the second half was a major moment in the four-minute clip. That didn’t keep Trubisky from exploring what that particular moment meant for him in that game. “Every week, you’re really striving for greatness,” Trubisky said, via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. “But when he pulled me aside, it really just homed me in, made me focus a lot more and just made me that motivated to focus in and do what I had to do to help the offense and really get us going.” There isn’t a more important relationship in the game than the one between the quarterback and his head coach, so to see what Trubisky and Nagy have going in the early stages is encouraging.
  • These are some neat names and numbers:
  • I feel as if the takeaway from the tweet shown above is that Trubisky is doing exactly what he is supposed to do in this offense. And that Trubisky is doing it in his second year in the league and the first year in the system is impressive.
  • Keep the good times rollin’ for the fantasy squad:
  • Trubisky has a little bit of a sense of humor:
  • Whatever you tell us to do, Mitch! #ThatsMyQuarterback

    Posted by Bleacher Nation Bears on Wednesday, October 31, 2018

  • We’re still waiting on Adam Shaheen’s return, Bears Radio sideline reporter Mark Grote notes the second-year tight end won’t practice this week. Shaheen might be close to returning, but it’s just not happening so soon. The Bears could still use his presence in the red zone for Trubisky to throw to in tight spaces.
  • On the other side of the quarterbacking ledger this week is Nathan Peterman, who will face a Bears defense that’s actually intercepting passes these days. I haven’t played in an individual defensive player league in a long time, but stats like this make me wish I was in one now:
  • Roquan Smith has done a little bit of everything as a rookie linebacker in this Bears defense. He runs down ball carries from sideline to sideline, blitzes on occasion to pressure the quarterback, drops into coverage at moments, and is strong against the run. No wonder Kristopher Knox says Smith has earned a B-plus grade at this point of the season. You won’t get an argument from us. Maybe if he was to get his first career interception this week against Peterman would bump his grade up a bit.
  • Even after allowing 30+ points in back-to-back losses to Miami and New England, the Bears’ defense is still pretty darn good:
  • I’m sooooo glad Halloween is officially in our rear-view mirror:
  • This has nothing to do with football, but this story hit me in the feels. Lance Irvin was an assistant coach when I was a reporter cutting my teeth in the industry as a student journalist and shortly after I graduated. It’s good to see a basketball lifer who has battled through his share of health issues get a head-coaching gig and thriving health wise. My college basketball loyalties are what they are, but I can make room for another worth pulling for.
  •  

    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

    The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

    If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

    Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

    Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

    There is a Growing Consensus on How Bears Will Use the No. 9 Pick

    As part of his latest NFL Draft notebook, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones shares what he has heard about the Chicago Bears plan on doing with the No. 9 pick. "Sources around the league seem to believe the Chicago...

    Things You Love to See: Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams are Already Getting Along

    Caleb Williams will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears next season. We've known that for some time, and it will become official on Thursday. The only question that remains is who's joining him? There's a strong chance that...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team's four picks (Nos....

    What Happened to Bears’ Arlington Move? Watch Out For Cards, New and Texans Unis, and Other Bears Bullets

    This afternoon's forecast in Chicago calls for afternoon rainstorms, which means I need to tweak my schedule to get my regularly scheduled walk in without getting soaked. Wish me luck! The Chicago Bears are reportedly set to announce lakefront stadium...

    You’re Gonna Want to Watch This Caleb Williams Hype Video

    Who needs coffee when this Caleb Williams hype video exists? The NFL Draft is in 2 days. Soon, the Chicago Bears will be on the clock with the first pick. At this point, Chicago choosing USC quarterback Caleb Williams with...

    REPORT: Bears to Announce Lakefront Stadium Plans on Wednesday

    The Chicago Bears stadium saga has as many plot twists as my abuela's favorite telenovelas. And the latest suggests that a move to Arlington Heights that once felt inevitable isn't in the cards as WGN reports that plans for the...

    The NFL Penalizing the Falcons For Tampering With Kirk Cousins Would Do the Bears a Favor

    At first, the NFL tampering case involving the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings got a "ha ha" out of me because former Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace and wide receiver Darnell Mooney were secondary characters in the story. But little...

    There He Goes: The Jets Are Trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos

    And then there was one. There were five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and only Trevor Lawrence remains with the team that selected him. That will be the case once the Zach Wilson trade...

    Latest News

    Guardians vs. Red Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Wednesday, Carlos Carrasco will start for the Cleveland Guardians (17-6) against Cooper Criswell and the Boston Red Sox (13-11), with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 PM ET at Progressive Field.Find out how to watch the Cleveland-Boston matchup below.When is...

    Lightning vs. Panthers NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The bookmakers are predicting a close game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers when they meet on Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, with the Lightning at -110 on the moneyline, and the Panthers at -110.Lightning vs. Panthers Favorite,...

    Rangers vs. Capitals NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

    The New York Rangers are pegged by bookmakers to top the Washington Capitals when they meet up on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, with the visiting Rangers at -180 on the moneyline, and the Capitals big underdogs at +150.Rangers vs....

    Giants vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The San Francisco Giants (11-13), with Blake Snell on the hill, host the New York Mets (12-10) who will start Sean Manaea, at 3:45 PM ET on Wednesday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to...

    Orioles vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Wednesday, Dean Kremer will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (15-7) versus Tyler Anderson and the Los Angeles Angels (9-14), with first pitch scheduled for 4:07 PM ET at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.The article below will give you...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

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

    The Texas Rangers (12-11), with Jon Gray on the mound, host the Seattle Mariners (11-11) who will counter with Bryce Miller, at 8:05 PM ET on Wednesday.Find out how to watch the Texas-Seattle matchup below.When is Rangers vs. Mariners and...

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

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

    On Wednesday at 1:15 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13) play Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) at Busch Stadium.Find out how to watch the Arizona-St. Louis matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals and when...

    more bears news