Poles’ Big Week, Kyler’s In-Season Turnaround, Braxton’s Climb, Open Roof in Arlington, and Other Bears Bullets

Oct 30, 2022

Happy game day!

Here is an empty stadium pic to celebrate the occasion:

Cowboys-Bears in Week 8. Roof is open at AT&T Stadium for first time this season. pic.twitter.com/pUr1cHrjy7
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 30, 2022

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was arguably the biggest winner of the Monday Night Football triumph against the New England Patriots. Beating Belichick in the house that he and Brady built to start the week was grand. So … how about taking Jerry Jones’ Cowboys down at his own crib to put a cherry on top of the month of October?

Justin Fields was the star of MNF. But, as as often is the case with the Bears, the road to victory began with the defense. And for the Bears to be successful today, it might all start with second-round picks Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker making all sorts of splash plays. Each came up with their first NFL interception last week, which leads Courtney Cronin (ESPN) to frame Gordon and Brisker as the ignitors of a resurgent Bears defensive backfield. You’ll get no argument here. After all, this is what it was supposed to be. If the plan was to take best player available — even at the expense of drafting players at a bigger position of need — then Gordon and Brisker were needing to be immediate starters and impact players. So far, so good.

Brisker has been a baller from the get-go. So much so, ESPN’s Field Yates refers to him as a “foundational piece” for this defense. This is high praise:

Bears rookie S Jaquan Brisker through 7 games this season: 42 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovered, 447-of-448 total defensive snaps played.

He continues to look like a tone-setting, foundational piece for the Chicago defense. Total stud. pic.twitter.com/dIjjhUr6LN— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 25, 2022

And after a slow start, Gordon seems to have it in gear. Check out this in-season turnaround:

#Bears Kyler Gordon has shown massive improvement. 📈

Weeks 1-3: 317 yards allowed and passer rating of 155.8 when targeted.

Weeks 4-6: 84 yards allowed and a passer rating of 88 when targeted. pic.twitter.com/68aDeJysWh— Will DeWitt (@Wi11DeWitt) October 22, 2022

Gordon and Brisker aren’t the only rookies showing out of late. Braxton Jones — Poles’ rookie fifth-round offensive lineman selection — continues to play the role of serviceable left tackle option. And I’d argue he is making a case to be The Guy going into next year. As it stands right now, the Bears have three rookie starters who are making positive strides. And none of them were first-round picks. Just wait until Poles gets his hands on a pick that could land him a high-impact, high-upside first-round talent.

I’m really digging Braxton Jones as a developmental tackle. It hasn’t alwasys been pretty, but there are signs of life:

#Bears LT Braxton Jones was the most efficient left tackle in the NFL in Week 7:

• 0.058 points earned/snap (1st)
• 0.031 points above average/snap (1st)
• 2.4 points above replacement (1st)
• 0 blown blocks

Fantastic performance from the rookie. @braxtonjones742— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 27, 2022

The Jones pick was giving off Charles Leno Jr. vibes from the get-go. And to this point, the comp feels on the nose. Before we get too ahead of our skis, Jones still has 10 games to play this season. There will be ups and downs. But there’s been so much to like from a player who went from fifth-round pick to starting left tackle by playing his way into that role. It’s not as if it was handed to him. Let the kids play and see how things go from there.

This would be something if Jones became an elite left tackle. Heck, I’m openly rooting for it now:

Is Braxton Jones the Future at Left Tackle for the Chicago #Bears?

That would be a resounding yes according to our guy @ggabefootball.

“Not only is Braxton a player the Bears can win with, but he will become one of the elite left tackles in the League.” https://t.co/InISZ8oVbc— Windy City Gridiron (@WCGridiron) October 29, 2022

It sure would be nice to get rookie receiver/returner Velus Jones Jr. going in the right direction. Jones played a season-high 13 offensive snaps on MNF, but was most known for being a decoy (h/t Adam Hoge). There is still room for Jones to grow, but he’ll need to earn some touches after a pair of muffed punts in recent weeks have altered his developmental plan for the time being. Jones has been taken off punt returns for now, but a player with his skill and speed needs to get the ball in space. It’ll be up to Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy

Dominique Robinson could be the next rookie to make a splash. Robinson, another Day 3 pick by Poles, could be in line to start in place of Robert Quinn (who was traded earlier in the week). The rookie sure sounds ready to take on his next challenge:

With the #Bears having traded Robert Quinn to Philadelphia, rookie edge rusher Dominique Robinson is looking at things pragmatically:

"Hey, I've been told since I got here, when your opportunity arises you gotta take control of it."— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) October 30, 2022

Hmmm. I hadn’t really thought of the Matt Eberflus Revenge Game factor as he returns to Dallas, where he first made a name for himself as a defensive assistant at the NFL level. But Gabby Hajduk (Chicago Bears) sets the scene for the coach’s return to Big D.

The NFL Trade Deadline is coming THIS TUESDAY. Unfortunately, that means Roquan Smith trade rumors aren’t going away any time soon:

“There is Some Interest” From Teams Wanting to Trade For Roquan Smithhttps://t.co/6TGmm7xVIb pic.twitter.com/joICWtwIFU
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 30, 2022

Poles and this front office are in a tricky predicament when it comes to Roquan. On the one hand, it doesn’t take much to envision Smith as a defensive centerpiece and leader for the next great Bears team. But on the other hand, does anyone really want to deal with another offseason of drama? The Franchise or Transition Tag could be a useful tool, but that doesn’t guarantee anything other than a path to contentious contract conversations. It doesn’t need to be this way. But if last year’s happenings were any indication, any type of tag will be met with pure silliness.

I’m unsure if Zeke not playing is good or bad for the Bears. It’s not as if he has been the same player he was before securing his long-term mega-extension with the Cowboys. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Ezekiel Elliott isn’t expected to play. In his place, Tony Pollard — who is averaging 5.6 yards per attempt over 22 games since the start of the 2021 season — gets the nod. Maybe Roquan can force a few fumbles and drop a hard hit (or two) and really nudge the Bears toward making a strong extension offer.

There is some intersting back-and-forth between The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and a fan regarding some upcoming WR prospects. The give-and-take begins with this tweet:

Marvin Harrison Jr. today: 9/173/0

Weekly reminder, Harrison Jr. would be the EASY WR1 in this year's draft if he were eligible. Don't overthink it.— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 29, 2022

Later in the thread, Brugler chimes in to say that there are some NFL scouts who don’t believe Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba isn’t a first-round lock. In other words, JSN could fall out of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft altogether. We’ve been following Smith-Njigba’s prospect stock since the end of the the 2022 NFL Draft because of Bears needs at the postion and a variety of ridiculously early mock drafts sending him to Chicago. And while we know better than to put too much stock into late-October prospect buzz, this is notable enough for us to share and briefly discuss right now. At minimum, we’ll use this opportunity to put a pin in it and re-visit when the time is right.

Making a creamy chicken noodle soup sounds like a good idea as temperatures settle into a true autumnal feeling. You can check out my friend Jim’s recipe here.

This is as suspect as the time MLB looked the other way when Yadier Molina’s chest protector was extra sticky for no good reason:

MLB Let Albert Pujols Use an Illegal Bat for the Last 13 Years? What?https://t.co/zv8bDKTefP pic.twitter.com/n8CknAwBvs
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) October 30, 2022

I’m bookmarking this for later consumption:

Derrick Rose Gets Brutally Honest About His Final Months in Chicago (Video)https://t.co/565Qn854bM pic.twitter.com/JYiepNFD4n
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) October 29, 2022

The Blackhawks took an “L” last night, but one of their prospects put the biscuit in the basket in a beautiful way:

Beautiful 🚨 from #Blackhawks prospect Wyatt Kaiser tonight for @UMDMensHockey

pic.twitter.com/ut3QGwNtVp
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 30, 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.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

There is a Growing Consensus on How Bears Will Use the No. 9 Pick

As part of his latest NFL Draft notebook, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones shares what he has heard about the Chicago Bears plan on doing with the No. 9 pick. "Sources around the league seem to believe the Chicago...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Bears 2024 NFL Draft Rome Odunze Bears 7-Round Mock Draft

Chicago Bears

Things You Love to See: Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams are Already Getting Along

Caleb Williams will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears next season. We've known that for some time, and it will become official on Thursday. The only question that remains is who's joining him? There's a strong chance that...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 23, 2024

marvin harrison jr bears 2024 NFL draft target

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team's four picks (Nos....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

What Happened to Bears’ Arlington Move? Watch Out For Cards, New and Texans Unis, and Other Bears Bullets

This afternoon's forecast in Chicago calls for afternoon rainstorms, which means I need to tweak my schedule to get my regularly scheduled walk in without getting soaked. Wish me luck! The Chicago Bears are reportedly set to announce lakefront stadium...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

You’re Gonna Want to Watch This Caleb Williams Hype Video

Who needs coffee when this Caleb Williams hype video exists? The NFL Draft is in 2 days. Soon, the Chicago Bears will be on the clock with the first pick. At this point, Chicago choosing USC quarterback Caleb Williams with...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

REPORT: Bears to Announce Lakefront Stadium Plans on Wednesday

The Chicago Bears stadium saga has as many plot twists as my abuela's favorite telenovelas. And the latest suggests that a move to Arlington Heights that once felt inevitable isn't in the cards as WGN reports that plans for the...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Bears

The NFL Penalizing the Falcons For Tampering With Kirk Cousins Would Do the Bears a Favor

At first, the NFL tampering case involving the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings got a "ha ha" out of me because former Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace and wide receiver Darnell Mooney were secondary characters in the story. But little...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Bears

There He Goes: The Jets Are Trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos

And then there was one. There were five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and only Trevor Lawrence remains with the team that selected him. That will be the case once the Zach Wilson trade...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Quarterbacks

Luis C. Medina

Apr 22, 2024

NFL draft bears 4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Chicago Bears

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Get Bold & Go All In On Offense

It's Draft Week! After months of anticipation, the NFL's premier offseason event is finally here. We know how the first overall pick will go, but beyond that, we have a ton of unpredictability. Who will Washington take second? Will Arizona...

Matt Rooney

Apr 22, 2024

Betting

2024 Zurich Classic Sleeper Picks: Target These Two Longshot Teams

Zurich Classic Sleeper Picks - The Zurich Classic, a thrilling and unique team event on the PGA Tour, is set to take place at the picturesque TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. This Pete Dye design, renowned for its water hazards...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs with a Flurry of Roster Moves Involving SIX Players

We've been trying to piece this series of Cubs roster moves together all day, but we didn't have the full picture until now. There are a lot of moving parts - and we already have a dedicated article on the...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

NFL

2024 Los Angeles Chargers Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Wide Receiver & Tackle

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and the Los Angeles Chargers hold the coveted fifth overall pick. With a young, dynamic quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers are poised to make a serious playoff run. But to take that...

Brian Twining

Apr 23, 2024

Betting

FanDuel Promo Code: $5 Bet on NBA Wins You $150 Including Bucks vs Pacers

In the dynamic world of sports betting, the FanDuel promo code stands out as a great way to start on a premier platform for enthusiasts looking to elevate their NBA betting experience. With the NBA season in full swing, the...

Andy Molitor

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Paul George Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

At 10:00 PM ET on Tuesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Los Angeles Clippers versus the Dallas Mavericks, with Paul George needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Paul George's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

On Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, the Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and James Harden's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires three trifectas.James Harden's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Kyrie Irving Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Clippers – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

At 10:00 PM ET on Tuesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Clippers, with Kyrie Irving needing four treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Kyrie Irving's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Luka Doncic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Clippers – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Luka Doncic needs to make five 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Dallas Mavericks play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Luka Doncic's Three-Pointer Prop...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

2024 NBA Draft: Which Big Names Have Already Declared?

The 2024 NBA Draft is fast approaching! We're just about two months away from the NBA's premier offseason event. While we don't quite know the order of the teams selecting yet, we're starting to get commitments on who will be...

Matt Rooney

Apr 23, 2024

NFL

When is the 2024 NFL Draft? Dates, Location, Mock Drafts, Pick Order

It's finally here, folks! The event every football franchise and fan alike circles on their calendar. The 2024 NFL Draft! The air crackles with anticipation as franchises across the league gear up to reshape their destinies. Quarterback-hungry teams sit on...

Brian Twining

Apr 23, 2024

Poles’ Big Week, Kyler’s In-Season Turnaround, Braxton’s Climb, Open Roof in Arlington, and Other Bears Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular