A Late Round Rookie to Follow, New Paths to the NFL, and Other Bears Bullets

A challenge I’m finding in reintroducing myself to society is figuring out how much allergy medicine I need to properly enjoy being outside for extended periods of time. It’s a small price to pay, but I’ll be sure to make the most of it.

•   I like that Brent Robleski (Bleacher Report) goes off the board when it comes to the Bears’ one rookie to watch at OTAs. Sure, Justin Fields is the obvious choice here. But all eyes will be on him anyway. And when it comes to the non-quarterbacks, the happenings at cornerback should be the most interesting camp battle going at in Bourbonnais Lake Forest. Graham has the potential to be the latest late-round find for this front office. If Graham can adapt to being a rookie in the NFL in the same way he did as a true freshman working his way into a sizable role at Oregon, then I like his chances.

•   Graham’s style was fun to watch in college. You can see why the Bears were digging him as a possible late-round steal:

https://youtu.be/s9UVGgcS5b8

•   It’s a crowded secondary, to be sure. Graham joins Artie Burns, Kindle Vildor, Duke Shelley, Teez Tabor, Tre Roberson, and Xavier Crawford vying for a niche role. And if things breaks well, it won’t take much to imagine someone besting Desmond Trufant for a starting spot. Yeah, I’m still a bit bummed to see Bashaud Breeland head to the Vikings on a small dal. But there’s enough competition to grab my attention.

•   Can’t wait to see Allen Robinson II get an opportunity to work with the best quarterback he’s had in his career:

•   And I can’t wait to see Robinson get the love he deserves. Cynthia Frelund (NFL Network) maintains Robinson remains one of the league’s most under appreciated players. Frelund cites Next Gen Stats, noting how Robinson is one of just five players who have a catch rate over expected of least +5.0 in each of the last two seasons. I don’t need advanced analytics to tell me Robinson is good at catching footballs, but I feel good knowing the metrics pass the eye test. Seriously … get this man a quarterback who can throw and a line who can protect said quarterback, then watch Robinson shine.

•   Julio Jones is taking his talents to Tennessee. There were reports a team was willing to send a future first-round pick in a Jones deal, but the general consensus was that it would be the Titans getting it done with just a second-round pick. At that price, part of me wishes the Bears could’ve gotten in on the action. But to be fair, Atlanta settling for a second-round pick suggests to me the first-round pick offer was from an NFC team (and possibly one on the Falcons’ schedule). In other words, it sure seems as if the Falcons were set on sending Jones to a non-NFC team. Which … fine by me.

•   I love when teams think outside of the box when adding to their roster this time of year. But the Titans went totally off the board with their latest offensive line addition, signing All-American heavyweight wrestler Adam Coon. The Michigan product hasn’t played football since high school. But he put together an all-time great wrestling career in the Big Ten. That’s not inconsequential. At least, not in the eyes of Titans talent evaluators. Here’s to seeing Coon play when the Bears and Titans play in the preseason this summer. If it works, I imagine Coon won’t be the last wrestler to try and make the jump.

•   Speaking of future Bears opponents, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says his team’s new offense requires extra studying, but is a fun challenge. At age 39, I didn’t think Roethlisberger would have time for being a bookworm. But he doesn’t have much of a choice at this stage of his Pittsburgh career. The Bears and Steelers are on the Monday Night Football schedule in Week 9 on November 8.

•   In case you’re curious about the rest of the schedule, this post is for you.

•   Someone (read: me) had fun on their weekend trip to Wisconsin:

•   Projectors, underwear, lanterns, air purifiers, and supplements are among the Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Keenan Allen Gave Caleb Williams a Big Vote Of Confidence

Keenan Allen's Bears tenure didn't get off to the greatest start. It wasn't really any doing of his own doing, but he's a 32-year-old wide receiver who's in Year 12 in the NFL and his body was catching up to...

Fake McCaskey, Kmet Exhales, Beatty’s New Role, and Other Bears Bullets

My friend Ryne (a fellow Bears fan) is tired of his Spotify Wrapped looking the same every December, so he wants your suggestions to can make a massive playlist. Let's help him out. I didn't think this needed to be...

Don’t Screw It Up: Ben Johnson Is the Offensive Innovator That’s Always Eluded Chicago

The Chicago Bears will have a new head coach in 2025. And like the team that fired Matt Eberflus on Black Friday, we're getting an early start on the search with this series that will profile potential head coaches for...

WATCH: Kyle Shanahan Gushes About Bears Rookie QB Caleb Williams

There is a lot to like about Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. So much so that even San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan is raving about him. It is so wonderful to hear the head coach of this...

The Bears Run Defense HAS To Improve This Week … Right?

If you had told me at the beginning of this season that not only was this Sunday a very winnable game for the Bears but that they might even have an advantage in stopping the run I'd have never believed...

Is TRADING for a New Head Coach Actually the Best Path for the Bears?

Some of the best additions the Chicago Bears have made in recent years have come via trade. Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat? Acquired in a trade in October 2023. Where would this team be if not for the DJ...

Keenan Allen and Darnell Wright Have Been Upgraded on the Injury Report

There are few things as sobering as a Chicago Bears injury report that features the names of a handful of starters. Let's dive into it and start with some good news: Right tackle Darnell Wright was upgraded on Thursday and...

Tracking Caleb Williams: Bears Rookie History, Interception-less Streak, Impressive Stretch

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has put together three of his best performances of the season in recent weeks, and they've come against three of the best defenses this season. However, outside of Chicago, Williams gets very little love...

Chicago Bears Keys to Victory Against the San Francisco 49ers

The Chicago Bears will visit the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, which will be an excellent opportunity to ride the momentum of Thomas Brown taking over for Matt Eberflus and San Francisco's injuries to their first victory in quite some...

Bears Offense vs 49ers Defense: How Do They Stack Up?

The Chicago Bears are on the road this weekend, taking on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Week 14. How does their offense stack up against the Vikings' defense? Let's discuss. Chicago Bears Offense QB: Caleb Williams RB:...

Latest News

Matt Shaw Gets the Mini Documentary Treatment

Although his immediate future with the organization is perhaps up to matters beyond his control, I don't think anyone doubts that Matt Shaw will be a big part of the Chicago Cubs in time. Probably for stretches of the 2025...

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson Speaks: What Went Wrong? What’s the Path Forward? More

On Friday morning, Blackhawks general manager spoke with the media for the first time since making the decision to part ways with head coach Luke Richardson. This clearly wasn't an easy decision for Davidson. He closed his media session emotionally...

Keenan Allen Gave Caleb Williams a Big Vote Of Confidence

Keenan Allen's Bears tenure didn't get off to the greatest start. It wasn't really any doing of his own doing, but he's a 32-year-old wide receiver who's in Year 12 in the NFL and his body was catching up to...

An Incredible Offensive Stretch, Triple-Double History, Bloody Buzelis, VOOCH(!!), and Other Bulls Bullets

If you had the Chicago Bulls having one of the best offenses in basketball on your bingo card, head to the counter to collect your prize! https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2024/12/05/bulls-spurs-box-dec-5 Maybe it's just me, but I wasn't prepared for the Bulls' offense to...

Tulane at Army Odds, Matchup, and More for American Athletic Title Game

Friday night features some college football as Tulane takes on Amry in the American Athletic Championship Game. Check out the odds and more for this matchup. Rebet Social Sportsbook Now Legal in 48 States, Learn More Tulane at Army Odds...

Boise State vs UNLV Odds, What to Watch, and More for Tonight

The Mountain West Conference will crown its champion tonight when #16 Boise State and #20 UNLV go at it on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The winner of tonight's matchup will not only be crowned Mountain...

Devils vs. Kraken Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Friday, December 6, 2024

The bookmakers really like the New Jersey Devils to beat the Seattle Kraken in their meeting on Friday, December 6, with the Devils given moneyline odds of -258 on home ice, and the Kraken at +210.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Devils...

Maple Leafs vs. Capitals Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, December 6, 2024

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Washington Capitals on Friday, and are -142 favorites on the moneyline, with the road team at +120.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Maple Leafs vs. Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple Leafs (-142)Underdog: Capitals (+120)Total: 6Best Maple...

Rangers vs. Penguins Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, December 6, 2024

The New York Rangers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, and are -192 favorites on the moneyline, with the away team at +160.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Rangers vs. Penguins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Rangers (-192)Underdog: Penguins (+160)Total: 6.5Best Rangers vs. Penguins...

Kent State vs. Portland: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Kent State Golden Flashes (6-2) battle the Portland Pilots (3-5) on December 6, 2024. The matchup airs on ESPN+.In its previous game, Kent State topped Kennesaw State on Saturday, 67-60. Its high scorer was VonCameron Davis with 16 points....

more bears news