Since May, my neighbors and I have put together a socially distanced back-yard event that brings us together and celebrates our friendships. We have had BBQs, birthday parties, and Thanksgiving in July. Next up? Movie night. And now that everything is in order to host such an event in the back yard, the only thing left is to pick a movie. Suggestions? (Michael: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, Blues Brothers).
• Leading off with a wave of positive news from the league, which gets set to play during a pandemic:
Now official: The side-letter agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA has been finalized, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2020
Here are the links for the two side letters agreed to between the NFLPA and NFL with operational adjustments, economics and player contract issues during the Covid-19 pandemic:
— Economics https://t.co/jay7YXYXnF
— Operations https://t.co/OAhZBLVolh— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2020
Several roster changes we’ve discussed are now official for 2020:
– 16-man practice squad (up to 6 with no limit on accrued seasons)
– Protect up to 4 P-squad members each Tuesday
– Starting 4 p.m. ET Sept. 6, unlimited players can return from injured reserve, after 3 weeks
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 4, 2020
The NFL and NFLPA agreed to extend the deadline for players living with high-risk individual(s) to request alternate housing for the entire season to Week 1, or seven days after a later diagnosis, per source.
Clubs must provide housing, which counts as a player benefit cost.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 4, 2020
• This was never going to be easy. But I appreciate that the NFL and NFLPA were able to knock out things early in the process, come to a verbal agreement, then smooth things out at the end. As expected, the two sides were able to iron things out as players reported to camp. Now teams are ready to roll with the league having signed off on protocols aimed to make this season a full-go. For the full scope of the officially official changes, you’ll want to take some time and read this.
• Now that we’ve got that settled, who wants to play quarterback? Jon Greenberg of The Athletic gives us a lay of the land:
Who's ready for a classic Bears QB competition? https://t.co/reBL2DPKCk
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) August 3, 2020
• “Only the Bears … would purposefully schedule a quarterback competition during the one offseason where you can’t have one.” Ahhh, that’s so Bears. But also … raise your hand if you’re surprised by any of this (OK, put your hands down because you’re lying to yourselves). Chicago sets off on a QB search, but sets course during a pandemic. Matt Nagy has a change of heart regarding playing regulars in the preseason, only to see preseason canceled. As Kurtis Blow once eloquently put it, “these are the breaks.”
• Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog paints an optimistic picture for Nick Foles as he enters the fray. And by doing so, reminds me of why I was gearing up to enjoy this competition in the first place. Because when you put everything aside and look at it from its purest standpoint, the QB derby between Foles and Mitchell Trubisky is as football-y as it gets. This showdown pits someone with Trubisky’s prospect pedigree and athleticism against a player with Foles’ intangibles and know-how. These two quarterbacks couldn’t get any more different, which makes it all the more fascinating. Is it a perfect quarterback competition? No. It’s not even ideal. However, if you’re about competition, this is your kind of party.
• It would’ve been nice to add a surefire starter to the offensive line in order to further aid the competition. Nevertheless, one possible option is headed to the Jets:
After his surprise release yesterday, former #Jets G Brian Winters has landed. He agreed to terms with the #Bills, source said. A starter right as camp begins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 3, 2020
• For the record … everyone looks good in navy blue and orange:
🔵&🟠 looks good on these vets. 😏 pic.twitter.com/I7LbZOP5x0
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 3, 2020
• All things considered, I’m not sure there’s a better way to rank the Bears’ roster than by Madden rating:
The Bears have their 80-man roster at Halas Hall, so let’s meet them!
Analysis on every player, ranked by their Madden rating from Khalil Mack to Patrick Scales https://t.co/5nBBSmfjgm
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 4, 2020
• And I’ve stumbled across a tie-breaker in case the QB competition is close:
This is how the Bears should pick their Week 1 QB — Madden mini-camp drills! https://t.co/11rx3fqTZS
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 4, 2020
• For your listening pleasure:
"You don't see the WOW plays…"
What does the league as a whole think of Trubisky & Foles?
🎙️@SandoNFL joins @AdamHoge, @adamjahns & @kfishbain for insight on the Bears in the 2020 QB Tiers + we hear from Mitch & Nick themselves.
FREE Full Episode ⬇️https://t.co/RuQ6aqHGfN pic.twitter.com/oGLEjlSYJn
— The Athletic Chicago (@TheAthleticCHI) August 4, 2020
ICYMI
The latest Bear Download podcast
— COVID-19: Can the NFL possibly navigate this season's minefield?
— New perspective on the QB competition
— Eddie Goldman & Adam ShaheenGive us a listen.https://t.co/UPSNi2Z5kP
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 4, 2020
• Way to go:
Our players asked, we listened and for the first time ever with the help of @LakeCountyClerk, included voter registration as part of our training camp arrival process.
We encourage fans everywhere to register to vote: https://t.co/RaYZC44eEL #NFLVotes pic.twitter.com/MDJ7s3TYqz
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 3, 2020
• It’s also nice to read news that Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy and his wife are funding scholarships to high-achieving student-athletes at their alma mater, Manheim Central High School (PA). There’s never a bad time to give back to the community. But in these times, I can imagine recipients being extra thankful.
• There was a brief moment in which it looked like Odell Beckham Jr. had serious concerns about playing football this season, but those were quickly squashed:
Odell Beckham Jr. doesn’t think the NFL should come back this season. Just before attending training camp, Beckham told the Wall Street Journal, “We’re not ready for football season. So why are we trying to push forward?”https://t.co/F6JwCIgONE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 3, 2020
ICYMI: #Browns Odell Beckham Jr. has no plans to opt out for 2020 despite comments to the @WSJ about not wanting an #NFL season amid covid. Interview was 2 weeks ago before stringent safety measures were agreed upon https://t.co/XOQpnCt8GP
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 4, 2020
Another day of work 💪#BrownsCamp | @obj pic.twitter.com/ls60pRfri0
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 4, 2020
• I have questions concerning why the Wall Street Journal waited weeks to publish Beckham’s thoughts on the matter. Now the interview looks stale. And frankly, the site looks foolish for publishing it.
• After nine years and 125 games in Carolina, this just doesn’t look right:
Cam Newton’s first official photo in his Patriots jersey. pic.twitter.com/tn5SVJIl1M
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 4, 2020
• Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll told reporters the team is monitoring the respective situations of Antonio Brown (suspended for the first 8 games of the 2020 NFL season) and Josh Gordon (who hasn’t played a full 16-game season since 2012). Because that’s what happens when you have a franchise QB in a competitive window.
• Hey, the Vikings made a trade:
Vikings are trading a conditional 7th-round pick to the Raiders for DT PJ Hall; Raiders will receive the pick if Hall is on 53-man roster for 6 games, per source. https://t.co/Q4x5IpNOWg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 3, 2020
• Not ideal:
On the college football front:
Northwestern pauses workouts after a player tests positive for COVID-19, via @TeddyGreenstein.https://t.co/5dsIRF8xSL
At least 18 Illinois players tested positive since returning to campus in June, via @sryantribune.https://t.co/9HQlIC0xsq
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) August 4, 2020