Brady vs. Dak vs. the Referees, Nagy’s Play Calling, Montgomery’s Best Value, and Other Bears Bullets

I’m off to Myrtle Beach for a bachelor party with a group of friends I haven’t seen in person since January 2020. If anyone has food/drink suggestions, they can ping me on Twitter. My lone caveat is that I don’t eat seafood. It’s a long story that I don’t want to talk about. But if you know, you know.

•   Nothing says “welcome back, football” like Tom Brady’s team and the Cowboys playing a game, but an officiating call is all the buzz:

•   That sure looked like offensive pass interference to me. But I’m so conditioned to think that Brady’s bunch will get the benefit of the doubt, so part of me is numb to whatever controversy is brewing.

•   Did I do this right?

•   Do you think those mother-effers who stuck with their QB instead of completing their pursuit of Tom Brady were watching last night or nah?

•   Tom Brady remains good at football:

•   PFF’s Brad Spielberger points out there were 108 pass attempts and 13 carries total for the Dallas and Tampa Bay backfields. Or, let’s look at it differently. In a game featuring 108 pass attempts, there was just one sack and only nine total QB Hits. Tell me building an offensive line is important, but without saying the words building the offensive line is important.

•   Now I’m imagining Matt Nagy ripping up what was going to be a balanced play-calling game for a script that mimics last night’s Cowboys-Bucs showdown. ICYMI: Nagy is resuming play-calling duties this year. It’s a move that has come with some groveling among Bears fans, leaving me left to understand both sides of the debate. Yes, the Bears were statistically better with Bill Lazor calling the shots. The facts are the facts. But we should consider the defensive competency of Chicago’s opponents during that heater. Moreover, we should also take into consideration how much Lazor had to trim in order to get that unit looking as good as it did.

•   In that vein, the folks at 670 The Score highlighted Nagy providing insight as to why the decision to hand over play-calling duties was made…

“After three years of where we were, you get into last year and you get to a point where we were struggling.Again, it was a gut decision for me. And I thought it was what was best for the team at that time.”

… and the vibe heading into this year:

“You learn in those situations — was it the right thing to do or not to do? And there’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer other than I think that I know going into this year I feel really good with where I’m at as a play-caller.”

•   To be fair, if it was *MY* job on the line, I’d want to take full responsibility for play-calling duties. Let me go down with the ship. Or at least give me a shot before I decide to switch lanes.

•   Bears fans won’t have to deal with this until Week 2, but it is still worth sharing here:

•   I love how much Bears defenders love Sean Desai:

•   No, I’m not saying that a new defensive coordinator will magically make everything better. But new eyes on old problems is never a bad thing to have. Also, the vibe check seems to be good for now. That isn’t inconsequential.

•   Eddie Goldman sat out another practice on Thursday. This means today’s practice might be the most telling of all. Then again … it’s just a walk-through. So, maybe not. Nevertheless, Brad Biggs (Tribune) describes Goldman’s status for Sunday’s game as “murky” and I think that is a fitting adjective.

•   It turns out both players went down with significant knee injuries. Rough times for the Ravens:

•   I saw Jeff getting the business for this tweet, but I think it’s worth the discussion point:

•   Maybe my feel for price is off, but say the Ravens sent a future 2nd and 5th for Montgomery, you’d consider it. Right?

•   Let me be clear. I do not want to trade David Montgomery. Moving one of your best and most productive offensive players when the unit is an overall question-mark seems counter-productive. But I feel as if you have to at least discuss it. Baltimore has obvious needs at RB, but let’s not overlook Chicago’s potential desire to add draft capital. And with the depth this backfield has with Damien Williams, Khalil Herbert, and Tarik Cohen (eventually), maybe a Monty trade is the place to take a risk? To be clear, I’m not trying to trade David Montgomery. But if he isn’t part of your team’s long-term future, a trade should be something a forward-thinking organization discusses. Whether it happens or not is irrelevant. No stones left unturned, right?

•   There are reunions across the board in Chicago this weekend. Former White Sox ace Chris Sale returns as a member of the Red Sox. Kyle Schwarber, a 2016 World Series champion, joins Sale as returning to city limits while playing for the Carmines. And this guy with a mural returns, too:

•   Meet the new Bulls:

•   Kirby!

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

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

NFL Rules Shakeup, Tomlin on Fields, Trubisky’s Linsanity Run, and Other Bears Bullets

The Bachelor's season-finale had a couple of jaw-dropping moments. Once the group chat catches up, it is going to be lit. What better way to start Bears Bullets than with breakfast anecdotes? I think I'm going to enjoy D'Andre Swift's...

Around the NFL: New Kickoff Rules Explained, NFL Trade Deadline Extended, More

NFL owners ratified a sweeping overhaul of the kickoff play on Tuesday, embracing a format inspired by the XFL following three days of deliberations at the league’s yearly gathering. Essentially, the new format relocates the bulk of both kicking and return teams...

Latest News

Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...

Mariners vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners, led by Julio Rodriguez, square off against Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox in their opening game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Thursday, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians face Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics, with first pitch scheduled for 10:07 PM ET at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.The article below will give you everything you need to...

Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The bookmakers give the edge to the Ottawa Senators on home ice (-198) over the Chicago Blackhawks (+164) when they face off on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 PM ET.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

more bears news