Nagy on Tough Schedule, Re-Visiting Roots, What’s Up with PUP, Secret Weapon, and Other Bullets

The Cubs start a brief west-coast layover tonight in San Francisco. I refuse to call it a west-coast trip because I’m old enough to remember when west-coast trips consisted of a week’s worth of games during visits to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego … and eventually Colorado and Arizona.

Nothing like an 8:45 p.m. CT start to make you thankful NFL’s primetime games don’t require a nighttime coffee to make it through the entirety of the game.

  • Summer is over for Bears rookies, who report to camp today. Draft picks David Montgomery, Riley Ridley, Duke Shelley, Kerrith Whyte Jr., and Stephen Denmark join a slew of undrafted free agents as part of the first wave of players who are showing up for training camp. Veterans will follow shortly thereafter, then we’ll see them in action start on Saturday. Let’s go!
  • The Bears are 45 days away from opening the season on primetime and I can just hear it now:
  • While talking about the “A**-Kickin’ Chicken” in a recent interview on NFL Network, Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy offered up his thoughts on the team’s schedule being loaded with primetime games. “You don’t want to be a team that has a bunch of 12 or 1 o’clock games. You want to have as many primetime games as possible,” Nagy explained. “We’re excited to be in that position and we have tons of respect for the teams we’re playing. We have a tough schedule, but our guys know that. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
  • I, too, wouldn’t have it any other way. When your favorite team is in primetime, it means that expectations are high. And when expectations are high, that means good things can happen — even when faced with challenging situations. The Bears figured to have a tough schedule last year, too. But they went toe-to-toe with every challenge and emerged with a 12-win season. This year’s slate of games has even more tough challenges. But once you’ve battled your way from worst-to-first, conquering tough times isn’t as difficult as it once was when the team was a down-on-its-luck also-ran.
  • But seriously, look at all this potential primetime action the Bears will be a part of in 2019.
  • Before jumping into primetime, they 2019 Bears started their journey in Decatur, Ill., where the franchise was born:
  • It’s gonna be a party, y’all:
  • I guess Chance the Snapper was unavailable. SMH. Where were you when an alligator went from Humboldt Park to Hollywood in the blink of an eye?
  • It’s #PositiveVibesOnly for Chairman George McCaskey:
  • Can you imagine Akiem Hicks, but a better version? Ryan Pace can envision it:
  • View this post on Instagram

    #96 getting even better?! That’s a scary thought.

    A post shared by Chicago Bears (@chicagobears) on

  • HEY NOW! Let’s not forget about nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox circles as the Bears’ secret weapon. Goldman signed a multi-year extension before the start of the 2018 season, then rewarded the Bears with his best year yet. Nose tackles don’t get a ton of glory or rack up a bunch of stats, but he chews up space and makes a mess of things for opponents by pushing through into their backfield. So long as Goldman is doing work in the middle, the rest of the Bears can attack freely from the outside.
  • You know summer is over when names you know are landing on the PUP list:
  • In case you missed it, there is a good chance safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix opens his Bears career on the preseason PUP list. Jarrett Payton and Josh Frydman from CLTV’s Sports Feed chime in on what that means for Clinton-Dix and the Bears:
  • At least there is SOME good news from the injury front:
  • 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 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....

    The Bears Are Back, Caleb, Verse, Goff, Biles, and Other Bears Bullets

    Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" played in a loop in my head on Monday as I thought about the Chicago Bears strolling into Halas Hall to start the offseason training program. This is what it looked like...

    Chop Robinson is Reportedly Visiting the Bears

    Chop Robinson is more than a cool name. He was also a productive edge defender for the Penn State Nittany Lions. And, today, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Chop Robinson is visiting with the Chicago Bears — today. That's...

    Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is Taking a Top 30 Visit with the Bears

    We're adding Dadrion Taylor-Demerson to the list of players who are coming down to Halas Hall for a top-30 visit with the Chicago Bears. Chris Emma has the scoop on the Texas Tech defensive back's upcoming trip to the greater...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Red Sox vs. Guardians: Live Stream or on TV

    The Boston Red Sox (10-9), led by Tyler O'Neill, host Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) at 1:35 PM ET on Thursday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Boston play Cleveland.When is Red Sox...

    You Have to See Coby White’s Epic Sequence Against the Hawks

    Whether or not he gets the hardware, Coby White is the NBA's Most Improved Player. The Chicago Bulls guard has fully embraced his bigger workload this season, showing improvements in almost every aspect of his game. This was on full...

    Oh, Uh: Jimmy Butler “Feared” to Have MCL Injury, Will Undergo MRI

    The Miami Heat have some serious concerns after their Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Jimmy Butler is "feared" to have suffered an MCL injury in his knee. An MRI...

    How to Watch Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Francisco Giants (8-11), with Logan Webb on the hill, host the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) who will counter with Ryne Nelson, at 9:45 PM ET on Thursday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the San...

    San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Series April 18-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    In the opener of a four-game series, on Thursday, April 18 at 9:45 PM ET, the San Francisco Giants will host the Arizona Diamondbacks.Giants vs. Diamondbacks Series Info Diamondbacks @ Giants Time: Thursday, April 18 at 9:45 PM ET Giants...

    Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins Series April 18-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    In the opener of a four-game series, on Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET, the Chicago Cubs are hosting the Miami Marlins.Cubs vs. Marlins Series Info Marlins @ Cubs Time: Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs Starting...

    WATCH: DeMar DeRozan WOWS with Huge Slam Against the Hawks

    DeMar DeRozan is almost 35 years old and led the NBA in minutes this season. I want you to remember that as you watch what you're about to see. The Chicago Bulls' veteran forward was tearing apart the Atlanta Hawks...

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

    The Chicago Cubs (11-7), led by Michael Busch, host Luis Arraez and the Miami Marlins (4-15) at 7:40 PM ET on Thursday in a series opener.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Chicago...

    Kings vs. Pelicans Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The New Orleans Pelicans are slight 1-point underdogs heading into Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Center on Friday, starting at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The matchup has...

    Still Thinking About That Incredible Christopher Morel Play

    I don't want to overreact to a relatively brief stretch of success, and I certainly don't want to jinx anything. But Christopher Morel has looked pretty darn solid at third base the last couple weeks, hasn't he? Maybe some of...

    more bears news