Mahomes-Watson I, Post-Bye Changes Coming, Week 6 Letdowns, and Other Bears Bullets

I had to cut dinner with a friend short last night because I felt a cold coming on and knew I needed to get home to take my medicine. But I’m going to pound through the day as best as I can, because we have a football game to look forward to and I reckon it will be far more intriguing than re-litigating what happened in Week 5. Onward!

  • This is some fair perspective that is worth sharing from the top:
  • Mahomes-Watson I was entertaining, but it’s not like we saw either player at their best – Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson combined for four turnovers (including a pair of red-zone picks thrown by Watson). But while it was tough not to think about what could have been for the Bears, dwelling on it for too long is unhealthy.
  • Though, I suppose I’d take issue with what happened in the 2017 draft having “no bearing on anything anymore” because I’m not sure that’s totally true. The quarterback evaluation process is the most important thing for a GM to conquer. So much so, that failure to do so properly is often grounds for dismissal in the NFL. And while it’s way too early to put Bears GM Ryan Pace on the hot seat, it is fair to question the QB evaluation methods of him and his front office. Having Mahomes or Watson would have changed all sorts of different landscapes in the league, but as we discussed in yesterday’s Bullets, you can’t re-do just one part of a draft without changing everything else (draft, free agency, trades, hirings, firings, etc.). It’s a fool’s errand and not really worth anyone’s time beyond the initial chatter.
  • (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

  • Changes are coming to the Bears this week. Taylor Gabriel is eyeing a return, Mitch Trubisky could be back under center, and a new right guard replacing Kyle Long (who is headed to injured reserve) could be part of a post-bye-week shuffle.
  • Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune writes about the internal conflict residing within Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy. Because on one hand, Nagy’s Bears are 3-2 and having a winning record going into the bye can be parlayed into optimism moving forward. And after losing to the Raiders in London, everyone associated with the Bears will take all of the positive vibes they can take. But on the other hand, there are enough messes to clean up that would make anyone want to proceed cautiously. This is where an even-keeled head coach is more valuable than ever. Balancing knowing that you were good and have the potential to be better, concerns regarding why you might not be as good as you thought you were, and the fact that you have more wins than losses right now isn’t easy. This is where your coach earns his big bucks.
  • For what it’s worth, Week 6’s Sunday action featured a bunch of teams that have their own levels of disappointment. The Steelers, Jets, Texans, and 49ers were all underdogs who won on Sunday, beating the Chargers, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Rams, respectively. Or in other words four teams that combined for 0 playoff wins last year knocked off four teams that entered the season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. You can’t predict football, my friends.
  • One favorite who had a standout win was the Vikings, who thrashed the Eagles behind Kirk Cousins (22/29, 333 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 138.4 passer rating, 93.9 QBR). For what it’s worth, the Bears get to face that Eagles secondary in 20 days. Here’s to Philly not landing Jalen Ramsey between now and the trade deadline.
  • Big Halloween candy bags are among the Deals of the Day at Amazon today.
  • The Rams’ only touchdown on Sunday looked like fun:
  • Not a list you want to be on if you are Sean McVay:
  • This is not what the second-year leap is supposed to look like:
  • The Cody Parkey Redemption Tour didn’t get off the ground on Sunday, as the Titans were shut out and did not even get into range for him to try a kick.
  • Thanks for nothing, Eagles:
  • Because you can’t really go low on a guy as a tackler these days, the hurdle should be obsolete at this point. If not, then this will likely seal its fate:
  • This is what being a good teammate looks like:
  • https://twitter.com/SGAndre1/status/1183098447567544320

    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

    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...

    Don’t Freak Out, But Bears Rookie Kiran Amegadjie Will Miss Offseason Practices

    I am going to preface this by saying there isn't a reason to freak out over news that Kiran Amegadjie will miss the Chicago Bears upcoming rookie minicamp practices. And there is definitely no reason to be alarmed about a...

    Latest News

    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...

    Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

    No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

    Braves vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves (24-12) visit the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET Sunday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Marcell Ozuna has racked up 12 homers this season (No. 1 in...

    What are the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery Odds?

    The NBA Draft Lottery has arrived. Despite the lackluster nature of this year's prospect pool, this remains a highly-anticipated day for teams around the league. The truth of the matter is that the opportunity to snag a high pick is...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Loading Up on Righties

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

    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...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

    Player props are listed for Pascal Siakam and Jalen Brunson, among others, when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.How to Watch Pacers vs. KnicksDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 3:30...

    Braves vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 12

    After winning their past four games, the Atlanta Braves (24-12) visit the New York Mets (18-20) at Citi Field on Sunday at 7:10 PM ET.The Braves will call on Bryce Elder (1-1) against the Mets and Luis Severino (2-2).Braves vs....

    Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Colorado Avalanche are -135 favorites over the Dallas Stars (+114) playing on home ice on Monday at Ball Arena in Denver.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-135)Underdog: Stars (+114)Total: 6.5Best Avalanche vs. Stars Promo...

    Release the Ping Pong Balls, Second Round Picks, MJ’s 3-Point Shooting, and Other Bulls Bullets

    If there was an Equipment Manager of the Year award, I think my aunt might deserve it. Having to leave at about 5 a.m. to drive to my sibling's college graduation on Saturday, I may have kinda sorta broken my...

    more bears news