Fields and the Value of a QB on a Rookie Deal, Nagy’s Vote of Confidence, Watch the Raiders, and Other Bears Bullets

My hope for the Star Wars sequel trilogy is that it becomes a treasure trove of meme content.

And for what it’s worth, I’m willing to do my part:

This isn’t to say the prequels were good. Or that you should even like them. But I’m here for creating memes for the sake of chuckles. We all need more laughter in our lives.

  • The Saints are $60,354,996 *OVER* the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com’s calculations. And yet, they’re still on the hunt for a big fish. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is set to meet with the Saints today. The Pro Bowl QB is done with the Raiders and has been given permission to link up with the Saints to see what they’re about. No trade was imminent as of this morning, but Carr can control his destiny and reconnect with some old Oakland friends who currently coach in New Orleans. The fit makes sense. Even if the cap gymnastics would make McKayla Maroney blush. You can read more on that situation at BN’s NFL coverage here.
  • We should be keeping tabs on what is happening in Vegas. And not just because I have summer vacation plans for Sin City. What the Raiders do at quarterback will be of great interest to the Bears. If they opt for a veteran, it would likely put them out of trading up for a quarterback. If I were running the Bears, I’d be in the business of creating as many trade partners as possible. In other words, losing one would sting a bit. With that being said, I’m rooting for the Raiders to fall short of veteran pursuits and instead land an Andy Dalton bridge type. Someone whose presence declares “Yeah, I’m an NFL starter … but not for much longer.”
  • Speaking of quarterbacks, here is a Patrick Mahomes update/flashback you didn’t ask for:
  • On the one hand, part of me chuckles knowing that somewhere — in a group chat text thread of NFL GMs — Ryan Pace is getting dragged for his ineptitude when it comes to that 2017 first-round pick. But on the other hand, every Mahomes look-back post is a jab to the gut. Justin Fields’ presence softens the blow. Even still … it is exhausting to do this over and over and over and over and over. Can it be over yet?
  • This isn’t to say there isn’t a teachable lesson to be taken from this experience. If anything, I hope the big takeaway is that the simple tricks, mind games, unnecessary elusiveness, and treatment of every morsel of information like it is the biggest nuclear secret in the world are pointless. Pace went through all these shenanigans and still got the pick painfully wrong. In hindsight, it is embarrassing. Maybe other general managers will take notice that all of it was for nothing. They probably won’t. But it is fun to dream.
  • Some more quarterback chatter for our consumption:
  • The most simple way to read the graphic above is that Chicago’s QB1 is the fifth most valuable quarterback who is still on their rookie deal. And the most hilarious way to read the graphic is that Zach Wilson — chosen with the second pick in that same draft class — is pushing out NEGATIVE VALUE. Should I know better to laugh at someone else’s follies? Probably. Is it going to stop me? Not in this case.
  • This Matt Nagy quote answering if Fields will ever play in a Super Bowl via NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock is going to make folks feel some type of way. But I’m here for it:
  • “Without a doubt,” Nagy said Monday night at Super Bowl Opening Night when asked if Fields will play in a Super Bowl. “You all saw it this year, what he can do. He’s going to continue to keep growing. However, you want to say it, whatever part of his game. To do what he did from his rookie year to this past year, it’s only going to get better from here. He’s wired the right way. I got to see him firsthand – how he studies, how he practices, his passion for the game. He hates to lose. He’s always been that way.”

  • Nagy’s belief in Fields makes sense. His head coaching issues notwithstanding, I can’t deny Nagy knows how to identify quarterback talent. And he knows when a guy isn’t it. But by the end of his coaching tenure in Chicago, it was evident that he wasn’t ready to properly nurture and develop that talent as a head coach. Maybe that’ll change down the road. Perhaps he’ll get another chance. A part of me hopes he gets it. After all, I’d be a hypocrite if I said otherwise given how much I believe in giving folks second chances.
  • Maybe Roger Goodell needs better script writers?
  • Or better editors? Perhaps both?
  • Always love seeing old friends link up:
  • The Bears are mourning the loss of Andrew McKenna, who was part of the team’s brass in an executive role and had a share of ownership:
  • Not gonna lie — I like Michael’s picks:

  • I’m curious to know how Bears fans on both sides of the aisle would feel about this:
  • This is where the fun begins in terms of trade rumors, but it also marks being one step closer to the end of an era:
  • How do you give props to someone who has shattered your basketball fandom dreams? You just gotta tip your cap:
  • 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

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    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...

    Latest News

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

    The Atlanta Braves, with Spencer Strider on the mound, take on the Philadelphia Phillies (who will counter with Zack Wheeler) in their opening game of the season, at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to find out all the details...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    What Would be the Best Draw for the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In Tournament?

    Nine games stand between the Chicago Bulls and the Play-In Tournament. I know ... yippie! Practically locked into the No. 9 seed, this puts them in line to host the No. 10 seed at the United Center in Round 1....

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their season as -226 favorites in a home tilt against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners start their season as home favorites (-155) in a matchup with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN from T-Mobile Park.Seattle's Luis Castillo and Boston's Brayan Bello have been named the...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-145) in a season-opening matchup with the Oakland Athletics. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET on NBCS-CA, live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane...

    more bears news