This year put into perspective how much I love my favorite neighborhood haunts. So I spent a good chunk of my Friday night putting together a list of local places I want to eat, drink, and shop at between now and whenever I complete the list. After all, Small Business Saturday should be just a jumping-off point to support your favorite local joints. I imagine the list will grow from the 27 places that came to mind last night. In fact, I hope it does. Let’s get to it.
• The worst-kept secret in Chicago football history is out. Mitchell Trubisky is back as the Bears’ QB1. The Athletic, Tribune, Sun-Times, and NBC Sports Chicago have accounts and perspective on Chicago’s change at the most important position in the game. There’s so much Mitch stuff to get through. Thankfully, we have until 7:20 p.m. on Sunday to get through all of it.
• For your listening pleasure:
🚨BONUS Under Center🚨@JJStankevitz and @KingsleyEllis react to the news that Mitch Trubisky will be QB1 in Green Bay: https://t.co/AAjHX4k1ch pic.twitter.com/7VY845YXwE
— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) November 27, 2020
Mitch Trubisky is back!
Could he stay the starter even if Nick Foles is healthy?
🎙️@AdamHoge & @adamjahns discuss the possibilities, welcome @mattschneidman to preview #DaBears-Packers, bring 3 Big Questions, picks & more!
Stream/Subscribe ⬇️🆓https://t.co/TK4VyEQblN
📸Getty pic.twitter.com/mvK5s8PaYr
— The Athletic Chicago (@TheAthleticCHI) November 27, 2020
Mitch Trubisky is back in a starting role. What's it mean for him – with free agency looming – and the #Bears?
I chop it up with @danwiederer in the Bear Download podcast. Give us a listen.https://t.co/tA4Dij2tho
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 27, 2020
It's official. Mitch Trubisky is again starting for the Bears. @patrickfinley @JasonLieser and @MarkPotash look at what it means in a breaking edition of the Halas Intrigue podcast. https://t.co/vr4JpvcSVs
— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) November 27, 2020
• Remember this guy?
I wanna see this Mitch tomorrow night pic.twitter.com/jnvjbETSJT
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) November 28, 2020
• Re-visiting that Cowboys game provides a reminder of what the Bears offense should look like. Plenty of tempo. Trubisky attempted a quick pass (one thrown in 2.5 seconds or less) on a season-high 65 percent of attempts, per NFL’s NextGenStats. Quick releases and accurate, well-placed balls on short and intermediate routes. First-down passes that went for first downs or put the Bears in 2nd-and-manageable. Personnel deployment that spread defenses with four receivers. Two TE formations that created mismatches. An offensive game plan with plays that worked hand-in-hand with each other.
• And if Matt Nagy and his coaches can’t figure it out, we’re already taking notes as to which assistants figure to be hot candidates this offseason:
Some NFL assistants I imagine will generate 2021 head coaching buzz:#Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy#Panthers OC Joe Brady#Bills OC Brian Daboll#Colts DC Matt Eberflus#Titans OC Arthur Smith#Rams DC Brandon Staley#WFT OC Scott Turner#Giants DC Patrick Graham#Browns DC Joe Woods
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) November 27, 2020
• The NFC North’s two best receivers go at it tomorrow:
Only players with 60+ catches and zero drops
◾ Davante Adams
◾ Allen Robinson pic.twitter.com/DwrpOIUJbH— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 27, 2020
• A reminder that Cordarrelle Patterson can do it all:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1332459185313812480
Cordarrelle Patterson going all out to prevent a touchback last year was pure hustle ⚡️ @ceeflashpee84
(h/t @ChicagoBears) pic.twitter.com/vadUX7PK0P
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 28, 2020
• Amazon is rolling right into its Deals of the Day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which today includes Star Wars gear and toys, Echo devices, Cuisinart stuff, and much more. #ad
• Retired receiver Brandon Marshall, who played for the Bears from 2012-14, continues his work toward ending the stigma surrounding mental illness:
"It's OK to not be OK. And the best way to come out on the other side is talk to people, ask questions, ask for help." Former six-time Pro Bowl WR @bmarshall talks to @robmaaddi in the latest AP Pro Football Podcast.
Listen/subscribe: https://t.co/pigqhtHNJ8 pic.twitter.com/csbqwtU9ZO
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) November 27, 2020
• This is probably a good idea:
The NFL informed clubs all in-person team activities will be prohibited this coming Monday and Tuesday — a mitigation measure in light of rising COVID-19 positivity rates across the country and many players and staff having guests for Thanksgiving. The ban doesn’t include games. pic.twitter.com/ObytXZz5Sg
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 28, 2020
• As is this, which keeps Bears-Packers in Sunday’s primetime slot:
The #Ravens–#Steelers game on Sunday has officially been moved to Tuesday, while the Baltimore game against the #Cowboys is part of a MNF double header. More: pic.twitter.com/nW8WOJMkAa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2020
• In case you’re curious, the Texans released receiver Kenny Stills. The Bears were among the teams reportedly interested in Stills when he was a free agent in 2017.
• The NBA season starts in 29 days:
Where Do the Bulls Stand in an Improved Eastern Conference?https://t.co/5JkzFzj1nJ
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 28, 2020
The Chicago Bulls Preseason Schedule Has Been Announced!https://t.co/AXJYW5tbpw
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 27, 2020
• And because the NBA is returning soon, we’ll be podcasting more often at Talkin’ Toros: