Tabor Time, Why Not Pettine? DHC on the Rise, Captain Goodwin, and Other Bears Bullets

One of my longest-standing friends is getting married today, which means I’ll be a little less active around here than I’d usually be. With that in mind, if you see any offensive line, wide receiver, secondary, or other positional prospect worth keeping tabs on during your day of watching college football, be sure to tag us at @BN_Bears.

•   Who needs morning coffee when you awaken to a push notification that Matt Nagy won’t be coaching the Bears this weekend? Nagy remains in COVID protocols after testing positive on Monday. And because Nagy didn’t submit two negative tests at least 24 hours apart this week, it will be Chris Tabor running the show instead. Part of me is surprised Mike Pettine isn’t getting the call here. Pettine is a “Senior Defensive Assistant” and has prior head-coaching experience at the NFL level. It wasn’t any good, but the Browns hadn’t been doing well by their coaches until recent seasons. This would’ve allowed all three of Chicago’s coordinators to stick in their roles. But I guess if anyone is best positioned to do this in a pinch among the coordinators, it’s Tabor — who has his hands in coaching players on offense and defense.

•   Naturally, this leaves me wondering what the Bears will look like under new leadership. To be clear, this isn’t how anyone wanted to see a new leader on Chicago’s sideline. However, there is a non-zero number of fans who would like to see the Bears lay the smackdown on the 49ers so they can present that as Exhibit A as to why bigger changes need to be made next year. So … what are we rooting for tomorrow? Is there anything that can happen that will ultimately serve as a “gotcha!” moment that seals Nagy’s fate among fans? Or is that already decided?

•   Admittedly, I got a chuckle out of thinking about the non-zero percentage of fans who will say Tabor represents an upgrade over Nagy sight unseen. Growing up, we would joke about how most popular player among Bears fans was always the backup QB. Using that line of thinking, the most popular person at Halas Hall is the next coach up who isn’t the head coach. I’m chuckling just thinking about it.

•   Teddy’s got jokes:

•   Jeff Hughes (Da Bears Blog) has the formulas to beat San Francisco:

“They need to block them. They need to tackle them. They need to catch the football. They need to hit Garoppolo. The Bears are underdogs at home to a two-win mess of a team. They need to play like they’re embarrassed by that fact. If they do these things, no matter who their coach is, they’ll be 4-4 Sunday afternoon.”

•   As World Series winning former Cubs Manager Joe Maddon might put it: “Do simple better.”

•   DeAndre Houston-Carson’s career arc has been fascinating to follow. This frames it in an easy to digest way:

•   I’ll be curious to see how the Bears continue to deploy Houston-Carson. The 28-year-old defensive back is coming off a game in which he made 11 tackles, but figures to take a back seat to Tashaun Gipson Sr., who is questionable to play this week after missing the Bucs game. For what it’s worth, Houston-Carson has a knack for being around the ball and making plays. And with that in mind, I expect Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai to continue giving Houston-Carson work in various packages while in search of a spark.

•   Tools, digital frames, wireless gear, and more are your Epic Daily Deals at Amazon. #ad

•   If you took a poll of fans asking if they like having traditional captains or weekly ones, a large contingency of voters would reply: “Who the heck cares?” And I would feel that in my soul. With that being said, here are this week’s Bears captains:

•   Giving Marquise Goodwin — who spent three years with the 49ers from 2017-19 — captain’s status for this week is a nice touch.

•   Save for few exceptions, MLB teams using the opener are unsuccessfully trying to copy the Rays have perfected over the years. It’s like when producers in the mid-2000s were trying to jack Kanye West’s style looping soul beats. For more on things happening in MLB, check out Michael’s latest.

•   A double whammy of Bulls injury updates:

•   Former Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville is out in Florida, while Kevin Cheveldayoff won’t face discipline from the NHL for his involvement in the Bradley Aldrich abuse scandal.

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 Ottawa Senators host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, and are -198 favorites on the moneyline, with the road team at +164.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best Senators vs. Blackhawks Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to...

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