The Bears are planning to recognize and celebrate Black History Month with everything from player-led interviews, stories on players who went to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, honoring community leaders, and more. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Bears do this, as well as learning something I didn’t know before.
• Some well-deserved good news for Bears season-ticket holders:
Bears CEO and President Ted Phillips sent a letter to season ticket holders that prices for season tickets will not increase in 2021.
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) February 1, 2021
• After consecutive 8-8 seasons and just one playoff appearance to show for their efforts, the Bears raising prices for season-ticket holders would’ve been a bad look. Kevin Fishbain (The Athletic) adds this, via the letter: “Season ticket prices will not be increased for the upcoming season. The decision will not change even if we were to host a ninth regular season game and only one preseason contest in 2021.”
• Alright, so even if the NFL adds a 17th regular-season game and trims the preseason to the point where teams get just one home game, season-ticket prices are standing pat. Good decision.
• Congrats to the Bears for not sticking it to the fan after what transpired on the field in 2019 and 2020. This is to say nothing of what happened in 2020, which ultimately kept fans out of Soldier Field. As for single-game tickets, those prices could change in the spring or summer. Come see me after they make a decision on who’s quarterbacking the thing moving forward. But for the time being, I expect ticket prices to remain on the level.
• Speaking of quarterbacks:
The Rams "made a run" at Aaron Rodgers, but the Packers were "adamant" they weren't trading him, per @LATimesfarmer pic.twitter.com/SnAn8nphYI
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) January 31, 2021
• Before trading for Matthew Stafford, the Rams “made a run” at Aaron Rodgers. And why not? The dude is going to win another MVP award and sounded disgruntled after his team’s season ended in a loss in the NFC Championship Game. But since being given time to re-evaluate, Rodgers seems to have re-committed to running it back in Green Bay. Moreover, he sounds like a guy who regrets sounding like someone who was saying goodbye after that loss. Ultimately, the peg here is that the Packers rebuffed the Rams and were “adamant” in that they weren’t trading him. Green Bay saying it won’t trade Rodgers puts the nail in the coffin of that particular dream.
• Don’t wanna take my word for it? Fine:
Matt LaFleur reiterates Aaron Rodgers will be here "for a long time" as #Packers QB: "Is that a trick question? Absolutely. There's no doubt about it. You're talking about the guy who's going to win the MVP of the league. We're not in this position without him."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) February 1, 2021
• In other words, the Bears have to beat that guy if they want to go anywhere in 2021 (and beyond).
• The other worthwhile nugget from Sam Farmer was this, regarding a potential Rams pursuit of Deshaun Watson: “I think Deshaun Watson was out of their price range.” Rams GM Les Snead treats the salary cap as if it were a myth, so I don’t think the “price range” farmer he refers to has to do with dollar costs. Instead, it’s more likely to be a reference to draft capital. Remember that the Rams sent first-rounders in 2022 and 2023, as well as a third-rounder to the Lions for Stafford. So if you want to dream on a Watson trade, just know it’ll be noticeably bigger than what L.A. sent to Detroit.
• ICYMI: If the Texans’ reported asking price is accurate, then it’s something the Bears should be able to meet. And if that’s the case, maybe Michael Vick can nudge Watson toward Chicago’s direction.
• Chicago’s football team was “in” on the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes. Here’s a thread:
An interesting nugget from @RapSheet on this current edition of NFL Now on @nflnetwork: #DaBears were among the teams that offered more than a first-round pick for Matthew Stafford.
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) January 31, 2021
And here’s the clip. https://t.co/dta4upSLUY
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) January 31, 2021
• I want to dive in on this more later. But for now, it’s good to keep the Bears’ interest and willingness to part with a substantial package in mind.
• The folks at NBC Sports Chicago are bringing Super Bowl’s media row to their podcasts:
All week we got a great team of people talking Bears, NFL and Super Bowl, including interviews! All on the MyTeams App.
WATCH: https://t.co/cA0xQQByGa pic.twitter.com/k9fiQqp8Pu— Michael AllarDOGE (@mikedyce) February 1, 2021
• What needs to happen in order for Philip Rivers’ high school team to play Jason Witten’s squad?
Liberty Christian School is excited to announce our new Head Football Coach Jason Witten. Jason, former Dallas Cowboy tight end and long-time Liberty parent will be joining the Liberty Christian coaching staff as Head Football Coach. It’s a great day to be a Warrior! pic.twitter.com/SPtdSqvxID
— Liberty Christian (@LibertyArgyle) February 1, 2021
• Bears Chairman George McCaskey takes time to remember a legacy member of an iconic franchise:
Statement from George H. McCaskey on the passing of Patricia Rooney: pic.twitter.com/Db49HOyYov
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 31, 2021
• The NFL has done a bang-up job in getting through a full season and subsequent postseason despite having to play through a global pandemic. However, one hurdle remains:
NEW: Will the Super Bowl be a super spreader? The NFL has worked with authorities at all levels to keep its big weekend safe. But experts worry about what the NFL can’t control. https://t.co/UkZqMXO8Yn
— PolitiFact (@PolitiFact) February 1, 2021
• If you are truly looking for a 50/50 shot, you can bet the coin toss in the Super Bowl.