I’ve been looking forward to this: My friend Ryan released Episode I of his new podcast “Everyone Is Stupid Except Me” with guest Evan Altman of Cubs Insider. I’ve been wanting to get into more podcasts, and I figure the best way to ease into further consumption is to listen to people I know and like.
But also, I’m totally here for the Star Wars and Simpsons references that are on the horizon. If you have podcast recommendations for me, I’m all ears and open for suggestions.
The wagering public is showing the Bears a ton of love:
The Bears are the most popular team to bet on winning Super Bowl LIV at Ceasars Palace, and it totally makes sense. Chicago is coming off a 12-win season, employs the NFL’s reigning Coach of the Year, the GM who was voted as the league’s Executive of the Year by his peers, and 19-of-22 primary starters from last year’s top-ranked defense. Sprinkle in some fresh faces via the draft and free agency, as well as some natural progression from third-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky, and you can see why the Bears are a popular bet.
I also see the Bears’ popularity from a betting perspective as a sign that fans are buying into their team. Bears fans are in every corner of this country, so it’s no surprise that one of the most highly-frequented hotels on The Strip in Las Vegas is getting waves of pro-Bears bets. When fans feel good about their team, odds are they’re going to back it up by putting their money where their mouth is (as the saying goes). Please do not put money in your mouth. You don’t know where it’s been.
It’s also worth noting three of the other four top-5 teams here are on the Bears’ schedule in 2019. That’s neat. Does that mean tough times area ahead for the Bears? Maybe. But tough times don’t last … tough teams do!
Time for a smooth and topical transition. The Illinois Senate voted 46-10 to approve SB 690, which will usher in an era of legalized sports betting in the state. The bill (which was also passed by the House) also allows for sizable gambling expansion in Illinois and includes for construction of new casinos in the Chicagoland area. It’s possible that legalized sports betting in Illinois could be up-and-running by the time football season starts, but I wouldn’t hold my breath because things like this take time. But better late than never I suppose.
From the perspective of an Illinois resident, I hope this wild week for Illinois lawmakers is one that helps make the state better over the long haul. *crosses fingers and toes*
There are 94 days until the Bears’ season kicks off, so let’s enjoy some Leonard Floyd highlights:
Jon Greenberg of The Athletic catches up with Taylor Gabriel, one of the Bears’ best route-runners and a favorite target of Mitch Trubisky:
Trubisky completed 73.1 percent of his passes and posted a 94.1 passer rating when targeting Gabriel last season. Yes, there were a chunk of passes from Trubisky to Gabriel that were short and easy connections that turned into bigger gains because of the receiver’s speed, agility, and tackle-breaking skills. But also, Trubisky threw some bombs to Gabriel. That ability to be a big-play maker on deep passes, while also posing a threat to take a short pass a long way makes Gabriel one of the most fun players to watch in this offense.
Part of me loves that Bears front office executive Champ Kelly is slated to get an interview with the Jets. Kelly’s involvement in this race shows that the league is respecting what Bears GM Ryan Pace and his staff have done in rebuilding the Bears. But the other part of me hopes Joe Douglas (an ex-Bears staffer who worked under Pace before heading to Philly) gets the gig and Pace can keep his band together for another year.
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.
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....
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...
The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...
We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...
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....
The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...
Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...
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...
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,...
We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...
The Monster Mile roars to life this Sunday and the 2024 Wurth 400 odds have been revealed! Dover Motor Speedway welcomes NASCAR for its annual racing weekend and unlike last week’s Geico 500 from Talladega Superspeedway, the race favorites are...
The fleur-de-lis flags are flying, and the beignets are hot! The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans tees off this Thursday, bringing back the PGA Tour's electrifying two-man team format. TPC Louisiana is set to be buzzing with a unique...
The new face of the Chicago Sky franchise officially arrived on Wednesday. Angel Reese met with media members at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield. The former LSU standout and NCAA National Champion is only nine days removed from hearing...
With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...
On Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trifecta.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer...
So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...
When you finish with the worst record in the NHL, it's hard to keep your job. Even when the front office strips your roster to the bare bones, apparently. And on Wednesday, David Quinn found out the San Jose Sharks...
While the NBA offseason will not officially start until June, it still can't hurt to familiarize ourselves with the Chicago Bulls' summer outlook. The organization finds itself at quite the crossroads, and it's not only because they disappointed fans with...
The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...
NEWSLETTER
