Flashing Through the Struggles, Family Fest Nuggets, Catching Up With Old Friends, and Other Bears Bullets

Aug 10, 2022

Sunscreen is at the top of my shopping list later today because I can’t afford to turn any redder after sitting in the sun without protection on Tuesday at Soldier Field.

Of all the things I love about Bears Family Fest at Soldier Field — the Devin Hester bobblehead, that first hot dog, a refreshingly cold bottle of water that makes you forget that you forgot to apply sunscreen — there isn’t anything I love more than seeing the return of Braggs Cam:

WHAT A CATCH BY @Darnell_M1! 🔥

Letting Bojack know about it too. 🗣#BearDown | #Mossed pic.twitter.com/r30bXbjdg8
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) August 9, 2022

Good coverage by Jaylon. Dazz came down with it. pic.twitter.com/bd58pybVOv
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) August 9, 2022

Darnell Mooney making a highlight-reel snag of a Justin Fields throw? Better get used to that this year.

Here is something I do NOT want to get used to:

I know there's WR's out and all. But this is a woooooof day by the first team offense in the pass game. Just nothing doing besides a nice catch by Darnell Mooney. #Bears— Bear Report (@BearReport) August 9, 2022

There have been far too many moments where the offense felt like it was riding on a struggle bus. In fairness, this isn’t unexpected given a new scheme, first-year play-caller, second-year quarterback, a line that was cobbled together, and injured receivers (in a group that was already looking undermanned to start the year). But it would be nice to see some more steady play in practice. Then again, that is why we have training camp and the preseason in the first place — to work through kinks, iron out rough edges, and improve ahead of the regular season. Get all the bad stuff out now at a time where we can spin it as a teachable moment and not another soul-crushing display.

At least the ground game looks nice:

Montgomery with the cut up the field. pic.twitter.com/RvMwd0gYIB
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) August 9, 2022

A few good blocks by RG Michael Schofield today. Opening some run lanes. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 9, 2022

Fields with the red zone TD. pic.twitter.com/9Vd0NNcNvV
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) August 9, 2022

I expect to see Justin Fields on the move more in 2022. But I hope it is out of design and not out of necessity.

To be honest, it was awkward seeing Roquan Smith on the sidelines hours after requesting trade because extension negotiations were stalling. Especially since Smith wasn’t announced with the rest of the linebackers during Family Fest introductions. But Smith’s presence suggests to me that he isn’t trying to force his way out of Chicago. Instead, the trade request is being used as a negotiation tactic. It is a bold one, to be sure. But it has proven to be effective for other players this offseason. And while Smith isn’t a stud receiver trying to catch the wave of other receivers netting huge paydays this offseason, Smith is in that class of top-tier (borderline?) transcendent active players at his position who could merit such a deal. Hence, we are where we are with his situation.

On the other side of the coin, I thought GM Ryan Poles handled it publicly as best as you could. That he addressed it publicly at all is impressive on its own. Maybe that’s a low bar to clear on my end. But after former GM Ryan Pace was off the radar whenever anything like this came up in Bears camp, it was refreshing to see a Bears general manager stepping to the mic and addressing an important thing. Again, fans aren’t asking for much more beyond base-level transparency and honesty. Poles gave that much yesterday when responding to Smith’s trade request.

Now … how about an extension? Or a trade that nets multiple first-round picks? To be clear, I’m not trying to run Roquan Smith out of town. But if the best thing for the future of the Bears is to continue its teardown in order to build a foundation via future draft picks that come as a result of the Smith trade, then so be it. Maybe the Bears are in a similar place to where the Raiders were when they made the Khalil Mack trade. Ultimately, that one was a wash. Because while both teams got what they were looking for (Raiders wanting picks, Bears desiring a pass-rusher) in the deal, neither can say they made the most of it. Both teams would be singing different tunes had they done so. How would we look at that trade if the Bears won a playoff game or two? Or if the Raiders were better at using those first-round picks? Deals are what you make of them. Full stop.

If I didn’t get to your question in yesterday’s Roquan-centric AMA, ping me on Twitter (or at my personal account). I’ll be glad to answer any and all questions/comments/concerns I didn’t get to.

I’m glad I wasn’t alone in thinking Rysen John put on a good showing as a pass-catching tight end on Tuesday:

Guy further down the roster who had a nice day of practice: Rysen John.

He caught a deep ball from Nathan Peterman early in the day. Then John and Jusin Fields connected several times during a 2-minute drill.— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroNBCS) August 9, 2022

It sure looks like the Bears can use all the pass-catching help they can get as injuries continue to pile up:

Another wide receiver down: David Moore appears to be in a lot pain after coming down awkwardly in a 1-on-1 rep.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 9, 2022

Get used to seeing Peter Skoronski’s name on lists of top offensive lineman. The Northwestern standout is draft-eligible next year and projects to be a first-round pick. A strong year for the Wildcats can further boost his profile (which is in pretty high standing as of now):

🚨 FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/8Xad1PVStX
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 10, 2022

The Back to School hub at Amazon is loaded up. #ad

Lions first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson is too good at this:

Aidan Hutchinson doing a Billie Jean cover was not something I knew I needed.
(via: @NFL and @HBO) #OnePride pic.twitter.com/dshB0dGyYj
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) August 10, 2022

Old friend alert:

Trade: The #Dolphins have acquired a 2023 6th round pick from the #Texans in exchange for TE Adam Shaheen and a 2023 7th round pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022

Just 46 days until Adam Shaheen makes a(nother) return to Soldier Field for a potential revenge game.

Despite his stint in Chicago being a brief one, it’s still a bummer to see news that Jakeem Grant Sr. suffered a torn Achilles that will cause him to miss this season:

Confirmed: The Achilles is torn. Jakeem Grant is out for the season. https://t.co/7AB2etwOUE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 10, 2022

Speaking of former Bears, things aren’t looking too hot for Mitchell Trubisky. He’ll start the year as Pittsburgh’s QB1. But there have been a bunch of tweets from beat reporters with boots on the ground at Steelers camp like this one that make me think the leash could be short:

Mitch Trubisky almost picked on back to back seven shot drills other two reps were incomplete. 0-4. Awful reps
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) August 10, 2022

After losing starting center Ryan Jensen to an injury, his replacement went down with one at the end of Wednesday’s practice:

Tough situation here in Tampa as Robert Hainsey, the second-year player who recently replaced center Ryan Jensen, was carted off the field. Todd Bowles said he doesn’t have an update and will find out soon what happened.— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 10, 2022

The Bears offensive line has issues of its own. But in the future, you’d like to see the Bears build up their depth to a point where we could suggest sending a reserve lineman who is a fringe starter out for some draft capital.

Welcome to the party, pal:

Blackhawks Sign Top Pick Kevin Korchinskihttps://t.co/lAnK0wKu1D pic.twitter.com/Al2mVpk9MI
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 10, 2022

This was a different look from the perspective of Bulls rookie Dalen Terry:

Dalen Terry Gave Us an Awesome Behind the Scenes Look at his Draft Dayhttps://t.co/kpRCHbsDAJ pic.twitter.com/NLFQLsfOhd
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 9, 2022

Ope!

Cubs Prospect Owen Caissie Goes Bo Jackson on His Bathttps://t.co/dd7VPSN5gC pic.twitter.com/OmH0Ej48H0
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 10, 2022

written by

Luis C. Medina

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.

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