Kicker Clarity, Benson Tributes, Duck Watch, Division Rivals Up to Old Tricks, and Other Bullets

It’s not a guy’s trip out of town until you’re packing things into cars in the rain for your return trip.

  • The outpouring of love in the tributes that followed Cedric Benson’s passing were touching:
  • View this post on Instagram

    Our condolences to the friends and family of former Bears running back Cedric Benson, our 4th overall Draft pick in 2005 and member of the 2006 NFC Champions team.

    A post shared by Chicago Bears (@chicagobears) on

    https://twitter.com/thomasqjones/status/1163112122881998848

    View this post on Instagram

    To my man Cedric B. I remember hearing all of these football stories about you when the bears drafted you 4th overall. You and I always got along..even with pads on, if I hit you or you hit me a little harder than usual..it was always followed by an apology..which was followed by a "you good". You ran all over us when you played for the Bengals. As mad as I was at the way we played that day. I gave you the biggest hug after the game..because I was so damn proud of you. R.I.P. #32

    A post shared by Lance Briggs (@lancebriggs) on

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B1U507oJret/?utm_source=ig_embed

  • What a runner:
  • Benson had a complicated legacy in Chicago because he never reached the heights fans thought he would when the team drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. But outside the lines, Benson was a popular teammate and respected friend and will be missed by those who cared about him. May he rest in peace and may his family find strength in what is understandably a tough time.
  • Kevin Kaduk (Yahoo Sports) had a unique perspective in having covered Benson on the Bears beat during his playing days, which made this excerpt from the Yahoo Sports Newsletter a great read.
  • Moving onto the present-day Bears, their kicking competition, and a comparison that simply blew my mind:
  • Even after the Bears waived Elliott Fry on Sunday morning, there is still a lot for Eddy Piñeiro to do in order to win this kicking job for good.
  • At first blush, I thought the timing was odd … but it makes sense after stepping away and sleeping on it. In a way, this decision was the Bears telling us that (at minimum) they weren’t sure if Piñeiro was the guy for them, but were certain Fry wasn’t going to be their guy. Parting ways with Fry now allows the Bears’ coaches and talent evaluators to give Piñeiro their full and undivided attention. If Piñeiro impresses, then he’ll be on the roster on September 5. But if he doesn’t do the thing or a better option presents itself, Piñeiro will be gone. So if anyone asks you to weigh in on the Bears’ kicking competition, just know that it’s far from over in Chicago.
  • (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

  • I, too, am expecting a big year from Mitch Trubisky:
  • Elsewhere in Bears camp, Larry Mayer (ChicagoBears.com) offers up cornerback Clifton Duck as the player who helped himself the most with a strong showing against the Giants in preseason Week 2. The undrafted free agent rookie from Appalachian State stood out during training camp practices throughout the summer, then made a remarkable interception when his number was called in a game situation. Duck showed off his playmaking skills in college, but doing so last Friday should grant him more opportunities over the final two preseason games. The Bears’ secondary is crowded, which is why Duck’s standout performance could ultimately bode well for him in the long run. I’m curious to see how he follows it up on Saturday against the Colts.
  • I see the Lions are in midseason form:
  • Oh boy, so are the Vikings:
  • The Raiders have gone from giving Antonio Brown new cash to issuing “all-in or all-out” ultimatums in the matter of months:
  • Do you think Khalil Mack takes a private moment to laugh about what’s happening in the wacky world of Raider Nation?
  • Good deals today at Amazon, including air fryers and NERF toys.
  • It’s wild to think about Richard Dent as an 8th-round pick:
  • I missed the annual Air and Water Show in Chicago because while I was out of town, but this view is nothing short of breathtaking:
  • 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 Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Tough or Easy Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2024 NFL season with a revamped roster and a favorable schedule. The Chicago Bears schedule has a mix of unique opponents this year. With the addition of Caleb Williams as the...

    Northwestern Returns to Wrigley Field TWICE This Fall

    Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...

    LOL: The Chargers Turned Justin Fields into a Sims Character

    With all due respect to the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles Chargers always have the best schedule-release videos. Every year, the Chargers thread the needle between hilarious and unhinged with their NFL schedule drop vids. Of course, this year was...

    The Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule is HERE (Dates, Times, More)

    Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze, Kyler Gordon, and Teven Jenkins are among the Chicago Bears players who took starring roles in the team's 2024 schedule release video drop. Here it is in all of its glory: The...

    The 2024 Chicago Bears Schedule Has Leaked — Here’s What You Need to Know

    In a series of tweets, the Tribune's Brad Biggs shared the upcoming Chicago Bears schedule for the 2024 season. Nothing is officially official just yet. And it won't be until the league drops its official announcement at 7 p.m. CT....

    It Looks Like the Bears and Lions Will Square Off on Thanksgiving Again

    Chicago Bears fans should prepare to spend Thanksgiving with Caleb Williams and friends. That is because the Chicago Bears are expected to hit the road for a Thanksgiving showdown against the Detroit Lions. Reporter Ari Meirov, who covers the NFL...

    Here’s When Caleb Williams Will Reportedly Make His Soldier Field Debut

    It's not official yet, but we do have a report of when Caleb Williams might be making his first Soldier Field start as a Chicago Bear. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported on X today that the Bears will be opening...

    The Latest “Hard Knocks” Announcement Does Not Mean the Bears Are Off the Hook for 2024

    I don't know about you, but when I first read news that the Giants had been selected for Hard Knocks, I let out a sigh of relief. I'd like to see the Bears do Hard Knocks eventually, but I didn't...

    NFL Schedule Release Day! And Other Bears Bullets

    Happy NFL schedule release day to those who observe. We already know the time, date, place, and opponent for *ONE* of the Chicago Bears' 17 games: https://twitter.com/BN_Bears/status/1790709262013886544 It'll be an 8:30 a.m. CT start in Chicago for Bears fans watching...

    London’s Calling: Bears and Jaguars Are Going International in 2024

    The wait is over. We now know who the Chicago Bears will be playing in London. As fate would have it, it is a team that is no stranger to international travel. The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to be the...

    Latest News

    Philadelphia Eagles Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Eagles were bounced in a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 and are moving to 2024 with hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl. Their full NFL schedule is out for this fall. Let's take...

    Panthers vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 6 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, May 17, 2024

    The sportsbooks like the visiting Florida Panthers (-148) over the Boston Bruins (+124) when they play on Friday, May 17 at 7:00 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Panthers vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Panthers (-148)Underdog: Bruins (+124)Total: 5.5Best Panthers vs....

    Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 6 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, May 17, 2024

    The Colorado Avalanche meet the Dallas Stars on May 17 at 10:00 PM ET, and have been made -120 on the moneyline, with the latter at +100.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-120)Underdog: Stars (+100)Total:...

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Thursday, May 16, 2024

    In a Thursday NBA playoff slate that includes just one matchup, the Denver Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves is the only way to catch the NBA today.There are usually lots of NBA player prop bets offered for each and every...

    Northwestern Returns to Wrigley Field TWICE This Fall

    Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...

    Brennen Davis Homered Again, Back-to-Back with B.J. Murray Jr. (Whom We Should Discuss)

    Just about as soon as I could talk about how Brennen Davis had homered for the third time in four games, he homered AGAIN, making it four times in five games. And this time, just for fun, B.J. Murray Jr....

    Impressive Fill-In Guys, Bullpen Health, Roberts, Javy, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Cubs come back home from the Pittsburgh-Atlanta road trip having split it 3-3, and I gotta say, that's a pretty solid outcome when (1) you're facing Jones and Skenes, (2) you're playing three in Atlanta where they'd lost just...

    Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Beat the Braves to Salvage the Series

    The Chicago Cubs' bats finally came alive last night in Atlanta, albeit with a little bit of help from Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton. On the other side, Javier Assad was brilliant once again. Good win. Needed win. Enjoy the...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, May 16, 2024

    Today's MLB slate has lots in store. Among those six contests is the New York Yankees playing the Minnesota Twins.There are usually lots of MLB player prop bets offered for each and every game. Look below to see what options...

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – May 14, 2024

    The NBA playoff lineup today, which includes the Minnesota Timberwolves squaring off against the Denver Nuggets as one of two games, is sure to please.There are usually plenty of NBA player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Keep...

    more bears news