Around the League: Rodgers’ Throne Thoughts, Draft to Cleveland, Vikings Moves, OJ’s Number Re-Issued, More

It’s been a while since we have caught up with what’s happening around the NFL, so let’s get reacquainted with our friends elsewhere.

  • I strongly dislike that the Packers have nice things:
  • https://twitter.com/waynelarrivee/status/1131189095831625734

  • Hope they’re enjoying the good vibes while they can, because awkwardness is coming to Green Bay. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports that 2017 second-round pick Josh Jones is holding out and staying away from Packers OTAs because he wants to be traded. Jones, who owned a pedestrian 61.7 grade from Pro Football Focus last season, was passed up on the depth chart by former undrafted rookie free agent Kentrell Brice and long-time Packers cornerback Tramon Williams. And with Green Bay adding another wave of defensive backs this offseason, the writing appears to be on the wall.
  • Elsewhere in Packerland, Aaron Rodgers doesn’t seem all that pleased with how “Game of Thrones” ended:
  • The other quarterback in the NFC North who has successfully led his team to a postseason appearance is getting rave reviews from his boss:
  • Chicago isn’t the only team in the NFC North shuffling its offensive line. TwinCities.com reports that Pat Elflein is working out at left guard, while rookie Garrett Bradbury is playing center. Versatility along the offensive line can be a wonderful thing, but that alone won’t help a group that gave up six sacks and 13 quarterback hits in two games against the Bears last year.
  • I’m glad the Bears won’t face long-time nemesis Ndamukong Suh this year:
  • Moving on from one long-time troublemaker to another, Clay Matthews is feeling good at Rams camp. “Obviously, I’ve only played for one team, but there’s something different – an energy around here – and I think that stems from being successful, but that ultimately comes from the right people on this team,” Matthews said, via the Rams’ official website. “The thing is that when you have a young team, you have to make sure you have that right core of players and veteran leadership.” Matthews hopes to become that veteran leadership while he plays for a quarterback (and head coach) who are far younger than him.
  • We have pegged this year’s Bears-Raiders game as a Khalil Mack revenge game, but let’s not forget about Mike Glennon, who will serve as a backup to David Carr. Glennon’s future became a bit clearer when the Raiders parted ways with quarterback Landry Jones. This leaves Glennon and Nathan Peterman as backups behind Derek Carr.
  • No, the Bears aren’t expected to be in the Gerald McCoy sweepstakes after being released by Tampa Bay. Mark Chichester of PFF takes a look at which teams would make the best fit, which unfortunately includes a pair of NFC playoff contenders.
  • A Jimmy G. health update:
  • This is nice to see:
  • Among the folks lending a helping hand is Pep Hamilton, the GM/Head Coach of the Washington D.C. XFL team who served as the Bears’ QBs Coach from 2007-09.
  • Summer must be around the corner because the Patriots are signing extensions:
  • I guess everything can’t go the Patriots’ way. ESPN’s Mike Reiss tweets Jared Veldheer is retiring. Veldheer, who turns 32 in June, was expected to be offensive line depth and could have made a push to start at tackle for New England. After starting 113 games over nine seasons with the Raiders, Cardinals, and Broncos, Veldheer is calling it a career.
  • Wowzers:
  • Senorise Perry, who has 30 career rushing yards in 48 career games, is wearing O.J. Simpson’s number in Buffalo. Perry hasn’t been given a rushing attempt or picked up a yard since 2017. Simpson’s number hasn’t been re-issued in 42 years. What an odd set of circumstances.
  • It’s never too early to start thinking about the NFL Draft:
  • If it’s not too early to think about the draft, then it’s definitely not too early to allow our thoughts to explore the future of the NFL Scouting Combine. The league announced it will move some of the on-field training drills into primetime and leave some of its mid-morning and afternoon slots in the past. Nothing like the Combine jumping the shark, but since guys like me watch it, the league was eventually going to do something to attract more eyes who otherwise wouldn’t be keeping tabs. Who’s up for a Combine watch party?
  • And if it’s never too early to talk about the draft or think about the Combine, then it’s absolutely, positively not too early to get a head start on the wagering public when it comes to college football:
  • 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 Cost of Being a Football Fan (And Other Bears Bullets)

    In yet another reminder that nothing in life is free, the folks at Awful Announcing put the total cost to access NFL games this season projects to be $855.86. With 272 games on the NFL schedule, that comes out to...

    Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

    I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

    A New Tight End, Day 2 Camp Pics and Vids, Edge Market Developing, and Other Bears Bullets

    It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...

    Caleb to Rome, First Day Notes, Big LSU Bet Is Off, and Other Bears Bullets

    I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...

    Tory Taylor is the First Bears Draft Pick to Sign Their Rookie Deal

    There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...

    REPORT: Bo Nix Will Be the First of the 2024 NFL Draft First-Round QBs to Sign

    Caleb Williams might've gone first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it looks like Bo Nix will be the the first of the first-round quarterbacks to sign their NFL contract. Nix, who the Denver Broncos selected with the 12th...

    WATCH: Bears Rookie Camp Highlights With Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Tory Taylor

    It's never too early to share Chicago Bears highlights. And while I realize it is probably a stretch to call these "highlights" but I'm not going to turn down an opportunity to share Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze clips when...

    Around the NFL: Jared Goff Extension High Priority for the Lions, Rookie Camps, WRs on the Move, More

    The Lions are making an extension for quarterback Jared Goff a "high priority." The Cardinals, Texans, and Giants added wide receivers this week. More in today's NFL Notes. Lions Making Jared Goff Extension a "High Priority" Two weeks after securing...

    I Love This Caleb Williams Quote About Leadership

    The first Caleb Williams minicamp press conference is in the books, and without a glitch. Whew! Limiting the drama this season is atop of my Chicago Bears 2024 wishlist. Caleb Williams had some interesting things to say in his first...

    EA Sports College Football 25 Cover Leaked

    I've written about this a few times since EA Sports first announced the return of the long-awaited College Football Video game. And while part of me is keeping my hopes tempered until that game is actually downloaded onto my XBOX...

    Latest News

    Nationals vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Washington Nationals (19-20), led by the red-hot Eddie Rosario and his two-game homer streak, are -135 favorites to pick up a win over the Chicago White Sox (12-29) Monday at 7:40 PM ET, live from Guaranteed Rate Field and...

    Rangers vs. Guardians Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Texas Rangers (22-20) and Cleveland Guardians (25-16) meet Monday at Globe Life Field, with first pitch at 8:05 PM ET on BSSW. The Rangers are -117 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Guardians are favored against the spread...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Pittsburgh Pirates (18-23) will look to Connor Joe, with homers in two straight games, to pull off an upset win over the Milwaukee Brewers (24-16) Monday at American Family Field. The Brewers are -145 moneyline favorites for the game,...

    Astros vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    Two of the league's top power hitters meet Monday when the Houston Astros (15-25) and Oakland Athletics (19-23) take the field at 8:10 PM ET, live on SCHN. Kyle Tucker has 13 home runs for the Astros (-183 favorites on...

    Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Boston Celtics meet the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday at 7:00 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Celtics' Jayson Tatum connects on three 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer...

    Derrick White Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Boston Celtics meet the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 PM ET on Monday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires three triples from Derrick White.Derrick...

    Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Boston Celtics on Monday at 7:00 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell makes four 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    Jaylen Brown needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Boston Celtics meet the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday at 7:00 PM ET, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

    Orioles vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Toronto Blue Jays (18-22) enter Monday's matchup with the Baltimore Orioles (26-13) following their 1-2 series defeat to the Twins. The Orioles, coming off of a series win against the Diamondbacks, are listed as -176 favorites for Game 1....

    Tigers vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Detroit Tigers will take the field against the Miami Marlins (11-31) on Monday. The game begins at 6:40 PM ET on BSDET, with the Tigers listed as -173 favorites on the moneyline.Matt Manning takes the mound for Detroit while...

    more bears news

    Latest News