If you’re seeing this, I’m thankful for your readership.
- Another day, another depth signing by the Bears. And, yes, another linebacker. Dylan Cole joins the Bears after a solid season in Tennessee which he started eight games and played on a career-high of defensive snaps (both in terms of volume of plays and percentage of snaps). Cole might have linebacker next to his name on the program, but his special teams prowess is notable:
- Sure, the Bears have work to do elsewhere throughout the roster. However, we shouldn’t overlook depth adds. Bolstering the middle of the defense and special teams group was clearly on this front office’s to-do list this offseason. Between signing Cole and running back Travis Homer, they’ve done a good job accomplishing that goal.
- Now … how about some more offensive line additions?
- While you’re thinking up names, you can help the new guy out with some Chicago hospitality.
- If Dylan Cole reads this, then my hope is that he’ll get a chance to check out Harold’s Chicken (pick the ones with a # on it, so you know it’s real), Pequod’s pizza (you can do the pan or the thin crust — both are excellent), and there’s a taco joint I love in the city that’s on the corner of California and Nelson. It’s a family owned joint that you’ll miss if you blink and keep driving. Thank me later.
- Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) reports ex-Bears OL Germain Ifedi is re-signing with the Falcons. This is the type of signing I’d like to see GM Ryan Poles make in the next few weeks ahead of the draft. Ideally, it is a lineman who is better than Ifedi was in Chicago. But I’m looking for a lineman who can check similar boxes. Can you play multiple positions? Start in a pinch? What about being a bridge player for a team that needs long-term solutions but won’t fill them all in one offseason? Is that in your DNA? If so, then I think you’re what the Bears should be looking for between now and the start of training camp.
- Also: These types of players so often play with a chip on their shoulder. Playing with a little edge (particularly in the trenches) never hurt anyone. And there isn’t an offensive line in football that wouldn’t mind adding a bit of nasty to their position room.
- Speaking of offensive linemen, Bears starting right guard (for now) Teven Jenkins is celebrating National Puppy Day:
- Sigh. I miss having a pup around who gave me those eyes. They’re good dogs, Tev. Treat ’em well. Give ’em extra snacks today!
- Part of me wants to see the Bears take the best offensive lineman available when they go on the clock with the ninth pick. But what if the best overall player available is Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba? He showed out at Ohio State’s pro day, leaving Dan Orlovsky to remind us that JSN can play at a high level:
- It was less than a year ago when mock drafts were sending Smith-Njigba to the Bears with a top-5 pick. Getting him at No. 9 would look like a tremendous value. To be clear, this isn’t me dismissing offensive line as a need. But snagging a receiver who makes that position group that much more dynamic would be dreamy. And it would make Justin Fields happy. As we know from watching things around the league, taking care of your quarterback has its perks. And not taking care of your quarterback can lead to a Jets-Packers standoff that looks like something we experienced once before with an aging Green Bay quarterback.
- Old friend Duke Shelley is leaving the Vikings to sign with the Raiders, per reporter Ari Meirov. That familiarity with Champ Kelly (Raiders Assistant GM who was a long-time Bears front office staffer) might’ve been helpful.
- I can’t wait to see the JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Mike Gesicki vs. Mac Jones who can griddy the worst? contest play out on TikTok:
- Brett shares a special announcement in today’s Cubs Bullets.
- Something to look forward to in April:
- I can’t speak for Patrick, but yours truly is looking forward to your Bears questions. But also, I’m looking forward to any and all questions you might have. If it turns into a real-life, in-person AMA, then so be it. Bring it on!
- The New Orleans Saints medical team’s physical for Foster Moreau might’ve been a life-saver, as it discovered he has Hogkin lymphoma. Patrick has more on that (and other NFL happenings) in today’s Bullets.
- Tab has a progress report on some top Blackhawks prospects:
- “You’re dadgum right we’re playing this game under protest,” -Hawk Harrelson” -Mark Cuban