Tyler Huntley Made Some Noise at the East-West Shrine Game and Other Bears Bullets

I needed a hard reset after Cubs Convention shenanigans, but I’m back and ready to roll for NFL Championship Sunday.

But first, Bullets …

  • While four teams get ready for playoff games later today, fans of the other 28 teams in the league are shifting their focus toward an offseason that will come with change. The Bears are among them. And while they have needs at so many other spots, I will still keep tabs on what is happening at running back. And with that being said, I got a good kick out of this:
  • David Montgomery is a fine runner, and the tackle-breaking skills he showed in college appeared to translate to the next level. But beyond him, the position room needs work. Tarik Cohen is more of a gadget player and less of a certified second back in a rotation. Ryan Nall did nothing to stand out during his brief period of playing time. All things considered, Chicago could use another back to round out the room. Ideally, it would be someone on a rookie-scale deal that would allow them to use their limited salary cap space elsewhere.
  • Adding another true running back thread could allow Tarik Cohen more opportunities to cash in on the mismatches he can create out of the slot:
  • Shifting back to the Shrine Game, it took some real cojones to make this throw …
  • … and some real skill to haul in the catch.
  • The way I see it, the Bears could conceivably bring in as many as three new quarterbacks into the fold this offseason. They have two open spots with the pending departures of Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray to free agency, so it isn’t a stretch to see a situation where the Bears bring in a backup who could push Mitch Trubisky, and possibly two guys to battle for what could be a QB3 spot for the practice squad gig (or even a spot on the 53-man roster). With that in mind, let’s keep an eye on guys like Utah’s Tyler Huntley, whose fourth-quarter touchdown throw in the East-West Shrine Game was equal parts ballsy and impressive.
  • (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

  • The NFL Network crew covering the game sounded impressed with Huntley’s efforts, per Brandon Judd of the Deseret News.”What I saw today was a very accurate passer and a guy who can move really well,” Carr said after the game. “Lamar Jackson has done a lot for some of these guys that can move and create. I think it might have helped his draft position, and then he went out and played well in an all-star game.” Meanwhile, NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah pegged Huntley as a possible late-round pick or priority free agent, adding the athleticism he brings to the position and ability to execute in zone-read plays gives him a puncher’s chance to make a roster. Huntley was a three-year starter who completed 73 percent of his passes, threw for 3,092 yards, and was intercepted just four times last season. He doesn’t project to be a game-changer, but that’s the type of profile the Bears should be looking to bring in to compete for one of the spots behind Trubisky on the depth chart.
  • Some poor DB got Moss’d:
  • The East-West Shrine Game annually produces professional talent, and the Bears should be quite familiar with what players in this game can bring to the table. Charles Leno Jr. was a Shrine Game standout before getting drafted in the seventh round in 2014, then playing his way into becoming a starting-caliber left tackle. Jesper Horsted played in the Shrine Game last year, played his way onto the practice squad, and even made his NFL debut last year.
  • In addition to Huntley, here is a collection of names I was intrigued by who were at the East-West Shrine Game: Calvin Throckmorton (G, Oregon), Shyheim Carter (DB, Alabama), James Robinson (RB, Illinois State), Shaquille Quarterbman (LB, Miami), James Morgan (QB, Florida International).
  • Few people keep tabs on which prospects the Bears are meeting with like Zack Pearson of Bear Report:
  • Chuck Pagano is a beloved dude:
  • Sigh. This is well done:
  • https://twitter.com/packers/status/1218701481345335296?s=20

  • Getting fined for something Stone Cold Steve Austin did every Monday night for years during my childhood feels wrong:
  • https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1218650635245182976?s=20

  • Chiefs fans will be eating good during today’s AFC Championship Game:
  • Yes, I understand it was just the Cavaliers. And they’re bad. But Zach LaVine scored 42 points on 61.3 percent shooting from the floor on a night in which he looked like the kind of player you can win with in this league. Dude gets buckets:
  • 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 Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    Braves vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves start their season as road favorites (-125) in a matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSSO from Citizens Bank Park.Spencer Strider will get the ball for Atlanta while Philadelphia will...

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers open their season as -110 favorites in a road matchup with the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta gets the starting nod for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New York's...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will call on Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

    Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

    Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) and the New York Mets (0-0) face off on Friday at Citi Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will look to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose Quintana.Brewers vs....

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    more bears news