OTAs Miscellany, QB Countdown, Notable Quotables, Meeting Greatness, and Other Bears Bullets

I need to keep reminding myself that today happens only once. And that morsel of information should be kept in mind whenever decisions need to be made regarding how time should be spent. Just saying. Might as well squeeze what you can out of the 24 hours you get while you can get them.

  • Tweets like these are the first sign of spring turning into summer:
  • I’m glad it wasn’t Justin Fields who threw the pick to Tremaine Edmunds. But I’d like to see backup QB P.J. Walker not throw interceptions. Then again, if anyone was going to do it, I guess you’d rather it not be the starting quarterback. So many mixed feelings.
  • These are the types of things you like reading in conjunction with QB1 and the Bears offense:
  • New weapons. Execution. Consistency. Being on the same page. Hitting all the important buzz words.
  • Yes, I realize the running back position takes a back seat in the minds oof many because of how thought-leaders have turned players at that position into interchangeable cogs in a machine. But that isn’t going to stop me from wanting more out of the Bears’ backs. With that in mind, I love this:
  • Think about the state of Chicago’s RBs room. Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and Trestan Ebner are on rookie deals. D’Onta Foreman is on a one-year deal in which he’ll be trying to prove he is worthy of more. Everyone in that room has a different motivating factor. Who better to rally the troops than one of the NFL’s best rushers ever?
  • And I bet that is an added bonus for George, too. He’ll get to take that experience back to Tennessee State, where he serves as the head football coach. This is a great learning opportunity for him as he continues growing as a coach. Teach ’em all the good stuff, Coach Flus!
  • One thing good coaches do (which I’ve picked up on while monitoring things around the league) is turn negative situations into positive ones. This isn’t to be confused with blowing sunshine where the sun doesn’t shine. Instead, think of it as more of a thing where you allow yourself to acknowledge that a cloud has a silver lining. With that in mind, I’m digging that Eberflus is leaning into the pros of the mini-byes after playing two Thursday Night Games:
  • The Bears offense did its best work immediately after the post-TNF mini-bye. That gives me reason to think they could do it again. At a minimum, I’m giving them the runway to prove they can do it again. And why shouldn’t I? We saw what Fields did after getting extra rest last year. Plus, the offense is better armed with more useful and capable pieces. Now is the time to hold out hope for the future.
  • Nicholas Moreano (CHGO), Kevin Fishbain (The Athletic), Josh Schrock (NBCS Chicago), and Alyssa Barbieri (BearsWire) are among those who bring home OTA takeaways. Feels like a good morning to cram your eyeballs with Bears content from around the web.
  • These pics are swagtastic:
  • Should we worry about certain Bears not being around for Tuesday’s OTAs? From where I sit? Nah. And Eberflus explains why with a very simple quote. “This is a voluntary time for all the players,” Eberflus said, via the Trib’s Dan Wiederer. “Some players have certain things going on. It’s their right to be in here or not.”
  • If guys like Nate Davis, Eddie Jackson, and Jaylon Johnson are getting their rest and putting in the work, then this isn’t going to be an issue when mandatory minicamp opens up in June. But if they aren’t, then it’ll show up in practices and I imagine depth charts at the start of training camp will reflect where each player stands.
  • I love the message Laurence Holmes is sending about celebrating the efforts of athletes who finish the job and graduate even after turning pro. (Sun-Times)
  • It might be fun to follow this list to see (1) where Justin Fields lands and (2) how the opposing QBs on the Bears schedule stack up:
  • Poor Desmond Ridder has a way to climb. But the Bears won’t see the Falcons until December. Who knows where he’ll rank by the time that game rolls around.
  • On the one hand, he makes owners a ton of money. But on the other hand, can you name a reason why Roger Goodell is deserving of an extension?
  • Last night’s Cubs win was refreshing, relieving, and satisfying. (BN Cubs)
  • Finally! Some reasons for optimism:
  • Draft SZN is more enjoyable when your favorite team has the top pick:
  • Although, ideally, we won’t see the Bears or Blackhawks picking first for a long time.
  • 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

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

    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....

    And Now Penei Sewell Has Signed a MASSIVE Extension With The Lions

    Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...

    Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

    The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

    Amon-Ra St. Brown Signs MASSIVE Extention With Lions

    We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Offensive Linemen

    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....

    Stadium Stuff, Rome and Caleb, New Bears Hires, and Other Bears Bullets

    The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...

    Ian Cunningham is Getting an Extension From the Bears

    Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...

    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,...

    Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 4.0

    We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...

    Latest News

    Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Kansas City Royals (15-10) are favored on the moneyline (-121) in Thursday's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12). Game time is at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays, with +168 odds, are favored against the spread...

    Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Houston Astros (7-18) visit the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Jose Altuve has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

    Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The San Diego Padres (14-13) visit Denver to square off against the Colorado Rockies (6-19) at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.The probable pitchers are Randy Vasquez (0-1) for the Padres and Dakota Hudson (0-4) for the Rockies.Padres vs. Rockies Pitcher...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers will take the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) on Thursday. The game begins at 12:35 PM ET on BSWI, with the Brewers listed as -126 favorites on the moneyline.Freddy Peralta will get the ball for Milwaukee...

    Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Chicago White Sox (3-21) will try to end their six-game losing streak when they visit the Minnesota Twins (10-13) on Thursday at 1:10 PM ET on BSN. Oddsmakers consider the Twins to be -252 favorites for the contest, while...

    Phillies vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Philadelphia Phillies (15-10) visit the Cincinnati Reds (14-10) at 1:10 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Kyle Schwarber has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Guardians vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    Following a big two-homer game last time out, Connor Wong leads the Boston Red Sox (14-11) into action as +134 underdogs against the Cleveland Guardians (17-7). First pitch from Progressive Field at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday, live on NESN.Triston...

    Twins vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The Minnesota Twins (10-13) look to add to a three-game winning streak as they host the Chicago White Sox (3-21) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Twins will send Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0)...

    Mariners vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12). The matchup at Globe Life Field begins at 2:35 PM ET on Thursday.The Mariners will look to Luis Castillo (1-4) against the Rangers and Andrew Heaney (0-2).Mariners vs. Rangers Pitcher Matchup...

    more bears news