Odds of a Late Free Agent Splash, Whitehair’s Faith in Davis, No Floyd Reunion, and Other Bears Bullets

Soldier Field still stands after Taylor Swift came, conquered, and left.

Just 97 days until the next mega-event at the lake — Bears-Packers Week 1.

  • There are 68 days until the Bears’ first preseason game. So it’s not as if there is a rush to put together a final roster. However, another notable pass-rush option is coming off the boards with Leonard Floyd signing on to join the Buffalo Bills:
  • I’m still curious to know the free agents Head Coach Matt Eberflus said he is interested in for the Bears. If Floyd was on the list, you can cross him off.
  • Floyd was on my short-list of defensive line free agents who were worth kicking the tires on while they were available. But if Floyd is choosing Buffalo because he is in ring-chaser mode, then Chicago was never going to be an option. This isn’t to say I don’t think the Bears can be competitive this year. They should be. Moreover, I expect them to be competitive this year. But there is a difference between being competitive and angling for a wild-card spot and being where the Bills are as a top contender for a Super Bowl title.
  • Ideally, the Bears will be in that position soon enough. And with it, their ability to make a late free agency splash to round out the roster. However, we’ll need to exercise some patience before we get to that point. We have an ounce of patience … right? I mean, we’ve waited long enough to get here. So what’s another step in the building process?
  • I still think the Bears will add someone to that mix of defensive ends. But our options are dwindling. If it doesn’t happen ahead of training camp, then maybe the front office will turn its head to trade options. And if that doesn’t present itself, we’ll wait it out until camp cuts come a-callin’. Ultimately, I don’t believe this roster is the one we’ll see when camp opens. Or when Week 1 opens.
  • Another round of OTAs kick off this week. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is expected to be around for it after missing previous sessions. Again, I’ll reiterate my “no harm, no foul” stance when it comes to missing voluntary workouts. However, I reserve the right to change my mind if it looks like players who missed OTAs look a few steps slow to start the summer. So, for now, I’m not all too overly concerned about players skipping out.
  • Bears center Cody Whitehair (I guess I should get used to writing that again) will be playing to Nate Davis’ left. And even though Davis hasn’t been with the team during the voluntary minicamp sessions, Whitehair isn’t worrying about how his new right guard will far when he arrives.
  • “I think he’ll be fine,” Whitehair said, via The Athletic. “He’s a veteran guy. He’s played in this system for a long time, coming from Tennessee. A lot of the stuff is the same. Just seeing where he is in combinations and where I am, I don’t think it’ll be a very hard transition. It’ll be pretty smooth.”

  • Whew. Even though I’m not worrying, I did have a small bit of concern regarding how the other line mates might feel as they try to get a feel for playing alongside one another. We need to think about the O-line more as a group and less like five individuals that play as part of a collective. To borrow a phrase from the movie Drumline: “One band, one sound.”
  • Dan Wiederer (Tribune) offers up some minicamp storylines to keep our eyes on as we keep chugging along. My favorite nuggets of the piece come from a section highlighting the opportunity Trevis Gipson has in front of him. Gipson is in line to be one of the Bears’ two starting defensive ends. Last year was a bit of a struggle with Gipson. Transitioning from a stand-up pass-rushing outside linebacker into becoming a hand-in-the-ground more traditional defensive end wasn’t easy. Maybe a full year in the system will have him turning QB pressures and hits into sacks. If he can, a contract extension might await.
  • Over at the Sun-Times, Jason Lieser explores the other standout Bears players who need to have breakthrough seasons. Let’s be real with each other. Quarterback Justin Fields can’t be the only guy we focus on in terms of players who need to be strong in order to lead this team out of the gutter.
  • But let it be known that this team will go only as far as Fields takes it. There’s no denying that much because the QB position is that important to everything in an NFL organization.
  • The NFL lost someone special over the weekend with the passing of Norma Hunt, the wife of the late Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt. The Bears released a statement following the news of her passing:
  • You always remember your first:
  • Yes, I realize the Cubs made an offseason commitment to defense and game-calling with the Tucker Barnhart signing. But if Miguel Amaya can prove worthy of being a big-league catcher, it’s Barnhart’s reps that should take a tumble. And not Yan Gomes’ playing time.
  • Stop me if you’ve heard me (or any Bulls fan in your life) discuss the team’s need for a point guard. OK … so here’s a look at who is available. And, I’ll admit, it isn’t all that great but I don’t think the Bulls can stand pat:
  • 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

    Giants vs. Mets: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Blake Snell will take the mound for the San Francisco Giants (11-13) when they host starting pitcher Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (12-10) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 3:45 PM ET.See how to watch the San Francisco-New...

    Orioles vs. Angels: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Jordan Westburg and the Baltimore Orioles (15-7) visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (9-14) at 4:07 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Baltimore-Los Angeles matchup.When...

    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...

    Cubs vs. Astros: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Wednesday, Jameson Taillon will take the mound for the Chicago Cubs (13-9) versus Spencer Arrighetti and the Houston Astros (7-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Wrigley Field.Keep scrolling to find out...

    more bears news