A Case For Ekeler, Brown vs. Braxton, Monty’s Does Detroit, More Frenzy and More Free Agency, and Other Bears Bullets
Tonight’s Puerto Rico-Dominican Republic matchup in the WBC’s Miami pod feels like one of those Sweet 16 games that probably should’ve been a Final Four or title game showdown had things been properly seeded. Ah, well, nevertheless. The show goes on. And this one decides who moves out of Pool D. It’ll be the only non-football thing I take in today.
- The running back market is moving. David Montgomery will soon be an ex-Bear, as he is about to jump ship and join the Lions. And when that move becomes officially official, we’ll close the book on a very disappointing draft class:
- Sometimes, it’s fun to play the “who could’ve gotten drafted instead?” game. And, for a moment, we’ll do it. What if the first two Bears’ picks in that class were Terry McLaurin instead of Montgomery (76th overall) and Tony Pollard instead of Riley Ridley (128th). It would’ve accomplished the same thing in addressing running back and receiver needs. Just another reminder of how the NFL Draft is very much a crapshoot. And that you never forget some of your favorite targets.
- If Ryan Poles wants my favorite prospects list (which Ryan Pace never did despite *gestures at links above*) he can use his burner account to reach me on Twitter.
- It’s not just Monty on the way out. Rashaad Penny is changing his feathers, leaving the Seahawks for the Eagles. And Austin Ekeler wants a trade out from the Chargers, which should have a number of teams kicking the tires. One of those teams should be the Bears, particularly after losing Monty to a division rival.
- FWIW: It’s not just me! The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler sees the fit, too:
Chicago? David Montgomery is a free agent and there hasn’t been much news on where he’s headed. If he’s gone, Ekeler could be a great replacement, adding a pass-catching dynamic that Chicago hasn’t had in the position group.
- Do you want a modern, high-powered offense? Well, then your backfield better be in order. To be clear, this isn’t me trying to take food off Khalil Herbert’s plate. We know he can cook. But we also know he has been at his best while splitting time in the backfield. Plus, he still has strides to make as a blocker and receiver out of the backfield. Adding someone like Ekeler would allow Herbert an opportunity to develop in those areas without being all up in the spotlight. Also: if the Bears can get two ace ball carriers, that would make this offense even more dynamic.
- Seriously, who’s stopping this offense?
- Oh, right … this offensive line.
- What would you think if the starting offensive line in Week 1 looked like this: LT Braxton Jones, LG Cody Whitehair, C Doug Kramer, RG Nate Davis, RT Teven Jenkins?
- I’d feel as if the middle needs work. Whitehair is coming off an injury-shortened season — one that wasn’t looking all that great when compared to his recent production. And Kramer, while being a young player whose development I’d like to see play out, is wholly unproven at a pivotal position along the offensive line.
- OK, so now that we’re establishing (again) that the offensive line is a need, let’s add a new name to the potential target list:
- Shout out to Clay Harbor for putting Cameron Fleming on our radar as a potential fit. Fleming is PFF’s No. 88 available free agent and has experience on both sides of the line. If the Bears are looking for a swing tackle who could start while a rookie develops, then maybe Fleming is an ideal target as a possible bridge guy. Pro Football Focus had Fleming earning a career-best 72.6 grade (while playing a career-high in snaps) last year in Denver, where he made 15 starts.
- Orlando Brown Jr. still remains as the big fish in the free agent pool. And if you’re curious as to why we see a fit, these stats help explain it:
- Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald makes a plea to the Bears:
- How about a lineman for the other side?
- A fun fact about Yannick Ngakoue: He has at least 8 sacks in each of his first seven seasons as a pro. It’s almost as if you can lock in that production. Frankly, I’d sign up with the quickness if you told me that signing Ngakoue meant the Bears were sure to get 10 sacks, 10 tackles-for-loss, and 21 QB Hits. And don’t you dare give me that look. I know the look! Those numbers are Ngakoue’s per-17 game averages for his career.
- Some familiar faces are hanging around:
- The fullback is back, with Khari Blasingame’s extension becoming officially official. So is long snapper Patrick Scales, who remains the longest-tenured member of the Bears. Dieter Eiselen seems to be everyone’s favorite preseason blocker, so I’m happy a fan favorite is sticking around.
- New league year starts at 3 p.m. CT, which means more deals will get pen to paper.
- So. Much. More. NFL. Coverage. (BN NFL)
- Bluetooth speakers, shoes, fire pits, vacuums, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad
- Pat Bev says some wild things. But … maybe?
- The Blackhawks’ tank watch now has a date we need to circle on our calendars:
