Passing along our sincerest well-wishes to all the dads out there on Father’s Day. Thank you for sharing your time, wisdom, and everything else that you do. Crack a cold one, pops! You deserve it.
- I will never get enough of Bears rookies taking in Chicago for the first time:
- OK, but don’t get *TOO* used to it. After all, a move out to suburban Arlington Heights feels inevitable โ even if abandoning Soldier Field won’t likely happen until after 2026 (because, you know, money reasons).
- PFT’s Mike Florio notes that “more than half” of the second-round picks from the 2022 NFL Draft class have yet to sign their rookie deals. Among them are both of the Bears’ second-round selections. There isn’t any concern about Kyler Gordon or Jaquan Brisker not showing up to training camp when the doors swing open in July. Brisker has been a full participant in offseason training activities since being drafted. And while Gordon hasn’t, Head Coach Matt Eberflus has yet to show any concern about the corner’s status. Gordon has been around Halas Hall and there haven’t been reports about injuries since cramping issues during some May OTAs. In other words, I won’t be worried until the Bears give us something to worry about.
- Eric Eager (PFF) put together a list of the NFL’s top offensive play-callers heading into the 2022 season. No, Luke Getsy doesn’t make the cut. But there are some names that Bears fans are familiar with who happen to be in Eager’s top tier. The inclusion of Byron Leftwich (who interviewed for the Bears gig) and Kellen Moore (who was a hot candidate in some circles and will see the Bears during the regular season) caught my eye. Matt Lafleur and Kyle Shanahan join Moore as top play-callers who are also on Chicago’s list of opponents during the regular season. Andy Reid, who’s the top dog here, visits Soldier Field for the preseason opener. And then there is Sean McVay, whose offense won’t be taking it to Chicago’s defense this year. After last year’s Week 1 showing, I find myself thankful that the Rams aren’t on the Bears’ schedule this year.
- Alan Williams doesn’t make the top defensive play-callers list. But like his offensive counterpart in Chicago, Williams is calling plays for the first time (in a long time). Eager’s list of the best defensive play-callers also features names we’re familiar with in these parts. Among them are Bears offseason coaching candidates Leslie Frazier, Dan Quinn, and Dennis Allen. It is mildly annoying to see the Packers represented with a top-6 offensive and defensive play-caller. Especially since the Berry hire was one that was much-maligned in some Packers circles. I’m gettin really tired of those guys catching all the breaks.
- Maybe Williams makes the cut next year after Jaquan Brisker delivers a season worthy of Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The Penn State product has high expectations for what he can do because of what is already in his DNA.
“That’s the standard around here, so creating turnovers is what we do,” Brisker said, via BearsWire. “And that was also in my DNA. I feel like I attack the ball. I attack the ball whether that’s forcing a fumble or whether that’s going for an interception. So I love being around the football and obviously getting it back for the offense.”
- Last year’s Bears defense had just 16 turnovers. The Eberflus-led Colts had 33, which was the second most in football last year. No, I won’t expect Chicago to double its turnover numbers simply because it brought in Indy’s coaches. But a clean slate, change in scheme, and addition of talent should provide a boost. And maybe all of that helps set up Justin Fields for success.
- On the other side of the ball, it’s another rookie who could be lifting his unit to another level:
- Let the kids play is a mantra we’re going to be beating like a drum all summer long. Better get used to it.
- A Happy Father’s Day message from the Bears:
- And a conversation about Juneteenth eating HBCU products Ja’Tyre Carter and Lachavious Simmons:
- Outdoor speakers are among your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad
- The Blackhawks are looking to hire nerds. That (and more) in Tab’s Blackhawks Bullets.
- In a maneuver that gives off Bill Belichick saying “thanks, but no thanks” to taking the Jets’ head-coaching position years ago, Kenny Atkinson walked away from the Hornets head coaching job he was set to accept. Dude essentially said “no” to Michael Jordan to stay with Steve Kerr as the Warriors coach’s top assistant. Then again, Kerr has 9 rings to Jordan’s 6. How do you walk away from that?
- One of my favorite things about baseball is that there is a good chance you’ll see something you’ve never seen before. And sometimes, it happens to be something you’ll never see again. And I’ve definitely never seen anything like these two plays: