Roster Shuffling, Comp Pick Projecting, Stafford’s Streak Ending, and Other Bears Bullets

I had a wonderful time in Missouri at Friendsgiving. My home-made margarita slush and chocolate chip cheesecake brownies were a hit. But more importantly, it was nice to spend some time with friends I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with these days.

  • The news of the day is that Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to be out for today’s game against the Bears. Stafford’s absence will end an impressive streak of 136 consecutive starts. Jeff Driskel gets the nod, and I hope the Bears can take advantage and win a game against a short-handed opponent for a change. If it doesn’t happen, there are going to be some difficult questions to answer after the game.
  • A message from Mrs. Stafford puts it all in perspective:
  • Stafford’s status has swung the betting lines in Vegas. What was once a spread of 2.5 points now has the Bears as being favored by 6.5 points. The Lions are huge underdogs here, where a $100 bet would pay out $340.
  • Another ICYMI: The Bears cut running back Mike Davis, which puts them in a far better position to snag a compensatory pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. But before we get into the long-term impact of the move, a word from Davis:
  • https://twitter.com/MikeDavisRB/status/1193159063128985601?s=20

  • It is a shame things didn’t work out in Chicago. Davis has a skill set that could have been useful to the Bears, but simply wasn’t used often enough to showcase his game. There is a good chance Davis helps a team down the stretch. For his sake, I hope it is on a contender.
  • Some roster moves:
  • Good to see Ryan Nall get a shot. The second-year undrafted free agent running back has been a fan favorite who has been biding his time on the practice squad. He has some experience as a fullback, so I’ll be curious to see if the Bears line him up in the “I” formation on Sunday.
  • An updated look at the Bears’ draft situation:
  • OOF! The Bears are going to have to make some hay in the later rounds.
  • My gut tells me that using the second of the team’s two second-round picks to move around in the draft, pick up some picks along the way, and build in bulk feels like a mindful strategy. But it’s probably a bit too early to think about how the 2020 NFL Draft long game will play out.
  • Let’s note that it isn’t 100 percent certain that the Bears will get this pick, but the compensation formula strongly hints that they will. If it happens, the pick will be welcomed with open arms. A team like the Bears that doesn’t have picks in the first or third rounds could use all the capital it can get its hands on.
  • Sorry, I don’t think LSU’s Joe Burrow (31/39, 393 yards, 3 TD in a win at Alabama) will be available in the second round of the draft. But here are some highlights:
  • https://twitter.com/LSUfootball/status/1193280751372034048

  • One day after being put onto Wake Forest QB Jamie Newman as a “best-kept secret” among prospects, his team lost 36-17 against Virginia Tech. Newman didn’t look great, going 16/35 for 238 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT and an ESPN QBR of 29.0 (that’s not great). At least there are other prospects who are intriguing.
  • This is a look:
  • This is the quarterback the Bears will be facing on Sunday:
  • This isn’t a must-win. This is a “if you don’t win this game, so help me…”
  • Here is an interesting concept for alternative viewing:
  • Khalil Mack thinks the Bears’ hard work is going to yield some positive results soon:
  • This year’s Antonio Brown saga appears to have come to an end:
  • 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

    Chase Young to Sign 1-year Deal with Saints as Another DE Goes Off the Board

    If you were looking for the Chicago Bears to reunite Montez Sweat and Chase Young, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Young, a free-agent pass rusher who would've made sense as a Bears offseason target, is reportedly...

    The Bears Turned Down a Better Trade Offer to “Do Right” By Justin Fields

    Even with the Justin Fields situation resolved by way of Saturday’s trade between the Bears and Steelers, I still found myself coming back to this Ryan Poles quote from Combine Week. The bold emphasis is mine (and you’ll see why...

    More D-Line Help: Bears Add Byron Cowart to Defensive Mix

    More defensive line help is on the way for the Chicago Bears. On Saturday, the Bears added to their mix of defensive linemen by signing defensive end Jake Martin. And because the job of building out a 90-player offseason roster...

    Poles Plan, Sorting Through Fields Mess, What are the Steelers doing? And Other Bears Bullets

    The first Monday of the post-Justin Fields era is here and Bears fans are still coming to grips with it. I get it. Lost in the weekend haze was the Bears burying a trade of their former starting quarterback in...

    Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 3.0

    In the wake of the Justin Fields trade and week one of free agency, things are starting to take shape, so let’s fire up the PFF Draft Simulator and try to sort out the rest of the 2024 roster with...

    Ryan Pace, Darnell Mooney, and Kirk Cousins are Central Figures in NFL Tampering Investigation

    In news that has nothing to do with the Chicago Bears trading Justin Fields, a pair of former Bears (and someone the Bears are quite familiar with) find themselves in the middle of an NFL tampering investigation. Ryan Pace, Darnell...

    Justin Fields Trade Fallout (And Other Bears Bullets)

    Usually, I reserve Sunday's Bears Bullets to be a dumping ground for things I didn't get to in a given week. But today is different (and for obvious reasons). Here is what you missed in case you spent all day...

    Here’s What Ryan Poles Had to Say About the Justin Fields Trade

    The Justin Fields trade is still oh, so very fresh. Here is what Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles had to say about the trade in a statement issued by the team: We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in...

    It’s Over: Justin Fields Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers

    So long, old friend. May the Force be with you. The Justin Fields trade is happening. So says NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, who is reporting it and sharing the news on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1769131145688461483 UPDATE (7:45 PM CT): It's officially...

    Justin Fields Says Goodbye and Thank You

    That Justin Fields trade sure is something. ICYMI: The Bears and Steelers have reportedly agreed on a deal to send Fields from Chicago to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. And while it could become a fourth-rounder based...

    Latest News

    Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

    Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Vancouver Canucks are fancied by oddsmakers to defeat the Buffalo Sabres when they match up on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, with the Canucks at -205 on the moneyline, and the visiting Sabres at +170.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline,...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

    more bears news