NEWSLETTER
The Cubs losing to the Pirates yesterday was secondary for me, as I felt no reason to complain about my first trip to a Major League Ballpark in 599 days. The day was better even than what I expected going into it. There will be a day when limited capacity crowds aren’t a thing any more. But until then, I’ll gladly enjoy the additional leg room, walking space on the concourse, and short wait lines. Can’t wait to have that experience again at Soldier Field.
• Get your popcorn and notepad ready. The Bears’ 2021 schedule comes out on Wednesday. Two days later rookie minicamp begins. It’s literally the earliest we can see Justin Fields in Bears garb. That’ll get the blood moving.
• Imagine how differently things would be had things gone another route this offseason. Brad Biggs (Chicago Tribune) explores an alternative timeline, one in which the Bears land Russell Wilson in the offseason. While I don’t have much interest in playing the what-if? game right now, it’s a fun mental exercise to think about the differences between the paths could’ve been for Chicago and the one it is on now. For instance, adding Wilson and his salary would’ve necessitated further cap casualties and a re-tooling of the roster now (and in the immediate future). in order to max out the Wilson era. Sure, the Bears’ roster still needs work. But building around a quarterback on a rookie-scale deal allows for more wiggle-room elsewhere.
• Seth Galina (PFF) offers up the five best quarterbacks to keep tabs on in the 2022 NFL Draft. Maybe the Giants will be among the teams looking at one of these players. And with two first-round picks (thanks to the Bears), they could make a move if Daniel Jones doesn’t pan out in a desirable fashion. But as much as I like watching Sam Howell sling it, I’m beyond comfortable rolling with Fields. Where do you think Fields would land in next year’s class? There is a strong argument he would be seen as QB1 ahead of Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma), Kedon Slovis (USC), Malik Willis (Liberty), and D’Eriq King (Miami, Fla.). It’s an intriguing class, to be sure. And one that will add more draft-worthy prospects once the games start playing out. But I think the Bears are OK with where they stand now.
• There are still ample intriguing free agents who remain without a team. Among them is receiver Dede Westrbook:
Over the weekend some #Chiefs players reached out to free agent WR Dede Westbrook to engage his interest in coming to Kansas City. Meanwhile, both the #Vikings & the #Bengals have had preliminary conversations with Westbrook as well. Westbrook was a 2016 Biletnikoff award winner.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 10, 2021
• The Chiefs and Bengals seem like ideal landing spots for a receiver looking for a fresh start. Patrick Mahomes awaits in Kansas City. While joining Joe Burrow looks to have some upside. Considering the Bears’ receiver situation, I’d be into reaching out to Westbrook. And not just to block the Vikings, either. Westbrook could provide real competition for the receivers room while adding someone with a legitimate prospect pedigree. Maybe the Bears doesn’t see a fit right now. But perhaps, in the future, free agent receivers will see Justin Fields and want to choose Chicago as their next destination.
• In that vein, Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report) highlights a handful of potential free agent fits for Chicago. There are two interesting possibilities who stick out to me. The first is De’Anthony Thomas, a former Chiefs receiver/running back/return specialist who brings an element of speed. On the other side of the ball, cornerback Gareon Conley is out on the market without a team. And because the Bears could use more secondary help, I see the potential in a high-risk, high-reward signing.
• Elsewhere in the land of receivers:
https://twitter.com/EmmanuelAcho/status/1391478564617216007
• I see the Seahawks are on the Bears’ schedule this year. We’ll know the time and date on Wednesday. But I don’t have to wait that long to start devising a plan for Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson to bracket DK Metcalf when the time comes.
• Are we agreeing with a Vikings player here because he’s right…
https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1391521909456650243
• … or are we agreeing with a Vikings player here because we have no love for the Packers?
• Mr. Leno visits Washington:
Reminder: The Washington Football Team visits with former #Bears OT and FA Charles Leno today, a potential way to fill a big hole on the left side of the line. WFT drafted Samuel Cosmi in the second round, but Leno signing would allow him to sit and learn.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2021
• The Bears passed along their condolences to Tarik Cohen in the wake of the news of the death of his twin brother, Tyrell:
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 10, 2021
• Our thoughts and prayers are with Cohen, his family, and friends.
