NEWSLETTER
I won’t front: I’m nervous about getting my second shot of the COVID vaccine today. Friends in my age bracket have experienced those pesky side effects, and that’s just not my cup of tea. However, it’s important that we have these conversations for the sake of perspective and to prepare ourselves for what’s to come. And in the end, the long-term benefits for the a potential short-term hit is worth it. I can’t (and won’t) tell anyone what to do. But if getting a little poke in the arm gets me closer to doing the things that were putting me on the path to living my best life, then so be it.
• Alex Smith, who was a rumored Bears QB target in each of the last two offseasons, has called it a career:
One of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
Thanks for being an inspiration, Alex Smith. (via @lizbsmith11/IG) pic.twitter.com/HOqggvmJf7
— NFL (@NFL) April 19, 2021
• The No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft didn’t quite live up to the lofty expectations that come with the selection. But because he showed perseverance, the ability to adapt, and an uncanny processor under center, he was able to flash his talents to the best of his ability over the course of a 14-year NFL career. Smith’s career featured three Pro Bowl appearances (2013, 2016, 2017), 35,650 passing yards, 199 touchdowns, 109 interceptions, five postseason appearances, and one of the most epic comeback stories I can ever remember. Smith can do whatever he wants in retirement. But selfishly, I hope Matt Nagy reaches out to the quarterback he coached from 2013-17 and allows him to speak to this Bears team (and possibly, whichever quarterback they ultimately land on after the dust settles on Draft weekend).
• Speaking of which … who ya got?
PFF's Final NFL Draft QB Rankings pic.twitter.com/0EaoFcqAcy
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 19, 2021
• Also … it turns out it was the Jaguars (and not the Bears) Smith was considering joining before going the retirement route:
Alex Smith details how he considered signing with the Jaguars before ultimately deciding to hang it up after 16 years in the NFL pic.twitter.com/t2v2w4AdSd
— Outside The Lines (@OTLonESPN) April 19, 2021
• Smith teaming up with Urban Meyer — who was his coach at Utah — would have made sense. I don’t think I can come up with a better possible mentor for Trevor Lawrence. Then again … maybe I can.
• Look who’s on his way back:
From Tashaun Gipson’s Instagram. Bears set to return last year’s starting safety duo pic.twitter.com/fApawBer6t
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) April 20, 2021
• It’s good to see Tashaun Gipson Sr. return to the Bears on an unfinished business tour. Gipson’s return marks the first time since the 2017-18 seasons in which Eddie Jackson had the same tag team partner in the secondary. And in an offseason in which the Bears have lost two starting cornerbacks, retaining Gipson on a one-year deal maintains some continuity. With that being said, I wouldn’t mind if Chicago plucked a safety at some point in the later rounds. Based on their history in drafting Amos and Jackson, I’m willing to bet on this front office and scouting staff to unearth another starting-caliber player in the later rounds.
• While keeping the band together is on our mind while discussing Gipson’s return, this raised some eyebrows:
Random quote from a top decision maker on the 2021 NFL Draft: “This is the worst defensive tackle draft I’ve ever seen.” There could still be one or even two in the first round. But the overall depth clearly isn’t there.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2021
• I’m not advocating trading Akiem Hicks. There are few players who strike the right balance of being popular among fans, excellent on the field, a leader in the locker room, and the heartbeat of a unit. And Hicks is one of those guys. But because the Bears reportedly allowed him to seek a trade earlier in the offseason, I wonder if the lack of defensive tackle talent in this draft might have some teams circling back to the Bears. Again … I’m not trying to push Hicks out the door. Not by a long shot. I’d rather let this year play out and deal with the repercussions later. But the Bears might think differently than I do.
• While taking breaks from installing a new water heater, I found myself thinking about how well the Bears did in drafting Jaylon Johnson, who was celebrating a birthday on Monday:
Bears defense adds a lockdown corner 🐻
Chicago drafts Utah CB Jaylon Johnson with the No. 50 pick in the #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/1AGQCw4X3x
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2020
Daaaa #Bears defense just got even nastier with CB Jaylon Johnson!
Instincts + Range + Ball skills. Good luck receivers!What makes him special- #AchoAnswers @kfishbain @olin_kreutz @BradBiggs pic.twitter.com/ejBwBYLLxA
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 25, 2020
Rookie Jaylon Johnson rocks Allen Lazard to jar the ball loose 💥pic.twitter.com/xeO5SXd8Yz
— PFF (@PFF) November 30, 2020
• Drafting Johnson was the equivalent to unexpectedly finding gold. Let’s be real. First-round caliber cornerbacks don’t often fall into Round 2. The Bears were fortunate to get Johnson when they did. Expecting lightning to strike twice is a foolish game. HOWEVER … I’d be a happy camper if the Bears were able to draft another Jaylon Johnson type and put him on the other side of the field. You can’t ever have too many corners.
• Welcome to Halas Hall, new guy:
.@marquisegoodwin knows how to make an entrance. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9heIHzkOVh
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 19, 2021
• Umm … OK?
“Justin Fields is not going to go #3.”@mlombardiNFL asks you to put your sources up against his because he is here to confirm to you, @TheWrapRadio, and everyone else that Justin Fields is NOT going to be the 3rd overall pick. #LombardiLine pic.twitter.com/hYNcKJt1P1
— VSiN (@VSiNLive) April 17, 2021
• Jameis Winston shares some words I think we can all stand to listen to:
Jameis Winston: “I went from being the No. 1 draft pick to everybody laughing at me. But guess what? I’m about that business. I’m out working everyone at my position… I know @dak is right here.” 😂 #Noles pic.twitter.com/UAOXLRFZwk
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) April 19, 2021
• This is a bummer: NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Washington’s football team is waiving running back Bryce Love. One of the most dynamic college running backs of his class, Love was unable to reach his potential and fully recover from a gruesome ACL injury he suffered while at Stanford. Perhaps there is a major comeback story on the way in Love’s future. But significant setbacks during his time as a pro have slowed him down.
