Herbert Heating Up, More Mocks For Skoronski, Cards Get a New Look, and Other Bears Bullets

Last night’s Cubs game left me feeling like this team could be in the market for a bullpen arm if it is as competitive in May, June, and July as it has been in April. Even if they were to add an arm, Michael Fulmer needs to still figure it out. And soon. But, ideally, not in high-leverage situations.

  • We’ll wake up a week from today ready to dive into which player Bears GM Ryan Poles chose with his first-ever first-round pick. That’s exciting to think about!
  • Chris Emma (670 The Score) has a 10-pack of players the Bears could take with the No. 9 pick. It is mostly a familiar cast of characters who we’ve dug into here and there. But one name I’m ready to dig into more is Christian Gonzalez, the Oregon cornerback who has been popping up lately as a potential Bears target. It’s not as if we haven’t been thinking about the cornerback spot as a position of need. However, our focus has been more on Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon. I want to do some more fact-finding on Gonzalez and expand my thoughts in a post later today. But I wanted to put his name on our radar in Bullets to start our morning.
  • How would you feel if Chicago’s secondary took the field with Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Christian Gonzalez (or Devon Witherspoon) at cornerback with Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson at safety? Because I’d feel great with no reservations about the Bears’ secondary for the first time since 2018.
  • Over at NBC Sports Chicago, Josh Schrock’s crystal ball has Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright as the top player on the Bears’ big board. And I can see why:
  • There has been ample buzz surrounding the Bears’ perceived interest in Wright in recent weeks. Understandably so, too. Not only does Chicago have offensive line needs, but their most glaring need also happens to be the right tackle position Wright excels in playing. It might be a stretch to take Wright at No. 9. However, taking a butt-kicking offensive lineman with a top-10 pick isn’t the worst use of draft assets.
  • Add this mock draft to the pile of ones suddenly sending Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski to the Bears:
  • Choosing Skoronski could send Bears Twitter into a tizzy. But if all things are equal, the Bears drafting an All-American offensive lineman who can start right away isn’t the worst thing that could happen. Is Skoronski a perfect prospect? No. But he is skilled and plays a position of need. Plus, he makes a strong case for being the best lineman prospect in this class. It wouldn’t surprise me if we look back at this draft in four years and Skoronski is the best of this bunch. Then again, I’d say the same about Georgia’s Broderick Jones, Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr., and even the aforementioned Wright.
  • I wonder if mock drafters are sending Skoronski to Chicago because (1) he fits a need or (2) he plays locally and fits a need, so, therefore, is seen as a fit. In other words, would mock drafts connect Skoronski and the Bears if he played at USC or if he grew up in Florida? I don’t have an answer, but I am curious about what goes into mock draft gurus connecting dots.
  • Allow me to co-sign this thought from DBB’s Andrew Dannehy, which also happens to be the title of this post — When it Comes to the Draft, Expect the Unexpected. The nature of the draft has us in that mindset in the first place. But bake in some other factors like this being just Poles’ second draft and the Bears’ many needs, it drives me to the conclusion that it would be silly to expect this team to do X, Y, and Z on draft weekend. If anything, I’m in a place where I’m expecting the team to do Q, J, and Ñ. Let’s get weird, baby!
  • I’m very much here for the K Herbo nickname sticking:
  • Remember that eight-game in-season stretch when Herbert ran it 95 times for 560 yards and scored 4 total touchdowns? Herbert was averaging 5.89 yards per carry during that extended run. And if you were to extrapolate those numbers over a full 17-game season, it comes out to a 202-carry, 1,190-yard, 6-touchdown season. I’d love to see Herbert get more burn as a pass-catcher. Here’s hoping that is something he is working on during the offseason.
  • These new Cardinals uniforms are mostly underwhelming…
  • … but we’ll see them in one of these outfits when they travel to Soldier Field to play the Bears later this year.
  • The latest from BN’s NFL Mock Draft. (BN NFL)
  • Not that you were needing a reminder, but Michael Jordan reigns supreme:
  • This feels wrong on so many levels:
  • It is never too early for a Shohei Ohtani trade watch:
  • 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

    The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

    If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

    Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

    Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

    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...

    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...

    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....

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    Latest News

    Rangers vs. Capitals NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

    The New York Rangers have been made -180 favorites over the Washington Capitals (+150) despite their game on Friday being at Capital One Arena in Washington.Rangers vs. Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Rangers (-180)Underdog: Capitals (+150)Total: 5.5Best Rangers vs. Capitals Promo...

    Giants vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The San Francisco Giants (11-13), with Blake Snell on the hill, host the New York Mets (12-10) who will start Sean Manaea, at 3:45 PM ET on Wednesday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to...

    How to Watch Orioles vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

    Jordan Westburg and the Baltimore Orioles (15-7) visit Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-14) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 4:07 PM ET, and the Orioles going for a series sweep.The article below will provide you with everything...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    Rangers vs. Mariners: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Texas Rangers (12-11), with Jon Gray on the mound, host the Seattle Mariners (11-11) who will counter with Bryce Miller, at 8:05 PM ET on Wednesday.Find out how to watch the Texas-Seattle matchup below.When is Rangers vs. Mariners and...

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Wednesday at 1:15 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13) play Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) at Busch Stadium.Find out how to watch the Arizona-St. Louis matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals and when...

    How to Watch Yankees vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    Clarke Schmidt takes the ball for the New York Yankees (15-8) when they host starting pitcher Joseph Boyle and the Oakland Athletics (9-14) at 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (8-13), led by Ryan Jeffers, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-19) at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Minnesota take on Chicago live.When is...

    more bears news