Tom Brady’$ Media Takeover and Other Bears Bullets

It’s not officially baseball season until I mack a wacky, half-brained fantasy trade that I immediately regret. Because in the wake of my first loss of the season, I felt the desire to shake up my roster by trading away Kyle Hendricks — who immediately threw 8.2 innings of shutout baseball and put up a 30-point night. Meanwhile, my team, as a whole, scored 25 points. Whoopsiedoodle.

•   Just when you think you’ll be done with seeing Tom Brady on your television sets, FOX Sports drops a bombshell:

•   Brady is joining the NFL on FOX squad as soon as his career ends. This could presumably be as easy as this year or two. Or in the year 2042. Who’s to say with Brady? We were thinking his career was over this past winter, only to see him re-emerge in spring after un-retiring just before the start of the new league year.

•   BRUH:

•   FWIW: FOX has two of the next three Super Bowls, which is neat because it has me looking forward to Tom Brady’s analysis of Justin Fields’ meteoric rise in both of those games.

•   As if Brady wasn’t an already omnipresent force in our lives, it turns out his return to football absolutely wrecked the NFL’s scheduling plans. Because of course it was. PFT’s Mike Florio has the deets:

“When Tom Brady retired, we were concerned about the strength of the NFC package because there were so many terrific Tampa Bay games we were looking at,” NFL broadcasting chief Howard Katz told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, via JoeBucsFan.com. “Then a month later he unretires and we sort of started all over again.”

•   Just another late-in-the-game Brady comeback that changes everything. 🙄🙄🙄

•   The league is trickling out dates here and there, but we’ll get the full-boat release on Thursday. And whaddya know, Bears single-game tickets will be on sale at 8:30 p.m. CT on Thursday — shortly after the schedule release. What great timing!

•   While the football media world is top of mind, let’s welcome a new presence to our online space:

•   Josh Schrock is the newest member of the NBC Sports Chicago family, taking over the Bears beat from Adam Hoge — who recently left for CHGO. It is always fun to have new voices and perspectives on the scene, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Schrock brings to the table.

•   Here’s hoping Schrock (and the rest of us) get to discuss someone who is as electric as Devin Hester:

•   In the meantime, here’s a rookie minicamp hype video to get you through the day:

•   No one, and I mean no one, does rookie minicamp hype videos better than the Bears. Got me wanting to go through a wall for guys who haven’t even taken professional snaps yet.

•   The Giants cut cornerback James Bradberry, who would’ve made a lot of sense for the Bears had they not addressed their cornerback needs by taking Kyler Gordon with their first of two second-round selections. Nevertheless, the Bradberry cut is one that sparks a thought in my brain. The post-draft veteran cuts are coming. In other words, another wave of free agents will soon be hitting the market. I doubt there will be any franchise-changers making their way to free agency at this stage of the game. But it could be a place where the Bears snag some useful depth and perhaps a starter at the right position if the price is right. In any case, let’s keep our eyes on what develops here.

•   Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton comes through with a list of players who could fit the bill as potential future cuts. Among the names Wharton lists is Bears pass-rusher Jeremiah Attaochu, whose presence on the Bears roster surprises me. Attaochu is a pass-rushing outside linebacker by trade and doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of what this defensive scheme wants from its edge defenders (because the 40 front uses traditional defensive ends). Moreover, cutting Attaochu would clear some cap space. Then again, cutting him after June 1 would create $2.45 million in cap room that comes with a $650,000 dead cap hit. That would be financially more sensible than doing so before June 1, which would clear $1.65 million, but come with a $1.45 million deal money hit.

•   As things currently stand, the Bears have $52,848,763 in dead money that they’re paying to players no longer on their roster. Yikes. But if it’s any consolation, that number takes a nose dive to $8,243,750 next year. Conveniently enough, the Bears project to have $111,291,748 in cap space in 2023. That would represent the most in football. Giggity.

•   This is so touching:

•   Last night’s Sox-Guardians game was seven shades of ridonkulous:

•   Ayo!

•   Barry Trotz’s teams had some battles with the Blackhawks over the years. He would make an intriguing hire for this new regime if it came to it:

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

What About Byron Murphy II as a Bears Target With the No. 9 Pick?

I'm starting to wonder if maybe University of Texas star Byron Murphy II fits the bill as a Chicago Bears draft target.. In his latest at NBC Sports Chicago, Bears insider Josh Schrock wonders if Chicago's football team could be...

One Pundit Thinks Trading Up to Draft Joe Alt Makes Sense For the Bears

The idea of the Chicago Bears drafting a butt-kicking offensive tackle is something that continues to pop up. Perhaps Notre Dame's Joe Alt is something on the team's radar. NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah opines Alt could be someone...

Chicago Bears 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks To Surround Caleb Williams

The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...

Draft Day is Coming, NFC North QB Prospect Watch, Crews, Warren, and Other Bears Bullets

The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How Will Quarterback Chaos Unfold In First Round?

Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to...

Chicago Bears Mock Draft Trade Proposals Seem to Target One Particular Position

I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...

Sounds Like the Bears Will Consider Taking Brock Bowers If They Stay at No. 9

For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...

Bears Hire Ted Crews as Special Advisor to President Kevin Warren

The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...

I Don’t Hate Trading Up, Cairo Reaches Out, Jed Chimes In, and Other Bears Bullets

Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...

The Bears Had Eyes on Illini DT Johnny Newton Today

Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....

Latest News

Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

The Miami Marlins (4-15) kick off a four-game series on Friday against the Chicago Cubs (11-7). The contest starts at 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field.The Cubs will look to Jameson Taillon versus the Marlins and Andrew Jacob Puk (0-3).Cubs...

Reds vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Spencer Steer and the Cincinnati Reds (9-9) host Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) on Friday in a series opener, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch...

Kings vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Friday, April 19, 2024

The Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans take the court to start the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Kings are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...

Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Pacers vs Bucks Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...

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

The Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8), led by Bryan Reynolds, host Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) at 6:40 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options...

Padres vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, Matt Waldron will start for the San Diego Padres (11-10) against Yariel Rodriguez and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on...

How to Watch Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Live Stream or on TV

Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-11) host Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-11) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the San Francisco-Arizona matchup below.When is Giants vs. Diamondbacks...

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

The Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9), who will give the start to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, host the New York Mets (10-8) with Sean Manaea on the hill, Friday at 10:10 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

more bears news