The NFL regular season kicks off one week from TONIGHT. It is jarring to think about how quickly summer has come and gone. In 10 days, we’ll see the Bears kick off their regular season. Are you ready for it?
There is some good stuff happening over at BN’s NFL wing. And if you’re a Bears fan, Patrick’s video breakdown of Justin Fields’ preseason Week 3 efforts against the Bills is must-see stuff:
Justin Fields wasn’t great in the preseason finale. In case you missed it, this was his stat line from the day: 2/6 (33%), 51 yards (8.5 y/a), 0 TD, 0 INT, 65.3 rating; 3 rushes, 16 yards (5.3 y/a), 0 TD. Fields was late and low on a throw to Cole Kmet in one instance. There was also a misfire intended for D.J. Moore with a throw that would’ve ideally gone outside (but instead went inside). That type of clunky performance has me wondering if the Bears should’ve played Fields a little bit during the team’s preseason game against the Colts. I understand why Head Coach Matt Eberflus opted against doing so, but I hope it doesn’t come back to bite him (or the Bears).
There is a small voice inside of my head saying: “Trying to evaluate Fields from 2.5 series in a preseason finale is beyond pointless, so don’t overthink it.” It might be wise to listen to the voice in my head for a change.
It should go without saying, but here is a reminder: There are 52 other players on the Bears who aren’t Justin Fields. Yes, the Bears will go only as far as QB1 takes them. If he is good, then the team will probably be good. But if he isn’t, well, then they probably won’t be good, competitive, or fun. I use this as an opportunity to pivot and refresh folks’ memory that the Bears are trying to round out their roster with waiver claims and build out a practice squad. The team-building process never ends.
I love that Daurice Fountain is getting another shot in the NFL. But I hate that it is with the Detroit Lions:
The bad news is that Teven Jenkins is starting the year on IR. Chicago’s starting left guard is beginning the season on injured reserve for the second time in three years, which is unsettling. Jenkins has been great when he has been out there and available. It’s just that he hasn’t been out there or available enough. I’ve seen some Kevin White comps floating around. And while I don’t want to go there just yet, I understand why there is a segment of Bears fans going down that path.
Luis, the way you said there was bad news insinuates there could be some good news. I can’t read minds, but I’ve got a feeling that is what you’re thinking. And you’re right, dear reader. The good news is that the Bears are pretty well-equipped to battle the loss of Jenkins with useful depth:
I don't think it's a coincidence that #DaBears roster construction includes five offensive linemen who have experience at multiple positions.
🏈 – Cody Whitehair (C, G) 🏈 – Larry Borom (LT, RT, G) 🏈 – Lucas Patrick (C, G) 🏈 – Dan Feeney (G, C)— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 30, 2023
FWIW: Teven Jenkins also has multi-positional flexibility going for him whenever he returns off IR. I’d also be willing to throw Braxton Jones into that mix of versatile Bears linemen. Do you remember when the Bears were flirting with the idea of acquiring an offensive lineman who might cause Braxton to slide over to right tackle? I’m just saying that our issues with what the Bears are lacking upfront can be massaged a bit by their depth. Although, I wouldn’t mind more depth upgrades.
I got a hearty chuckle reading reports that Bill Murray is joining the Bears’ practice squad. No, no. Not that one. The football one! Imagine what it would be like to share a namesake with a comedy legend. All I’ve got going for me is an Oakland Athletics pitcher. At least they’ll be in Vegas soon (even though I feel it’s a travesty to take the A’s out of Oakland).
There is a part of me that wants to go to every Kyle Hendricks home start between now and the rest of the season because he is just my favorite. And he has been far better than anyone could’ve expected. (BN Cubs)
Brett tackles the Chicago White Sox officially announcing the internal promotion of Chris Getz as the team’s new lead baseball executive. I’m not a White Sox fan. But as a Bulls fan, I know what it is like when Jerry Reinsdorf makes an uninspiring hire. It’s a feeling I imagine those of you who are Bears fans reading this who happen to like the Bulls *AND* White Sox know all too well.
The Sox were never going to hire David Stearns away from the New York Mets Milwaukee Brewers. Nor were they ever going to coax Theo Epstein out of his MLB gig. Those were Twitter-fueled pipe dreams. From the moment White Sox canned Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams, I thought their best path to a baseball rebirth was to follow the Bears’ plan of hiring a young executive from a winning organization and re-shape it in their likeness. We don’t know if the Ryan Poles regime will be successful. But what we do know is that he is taking a very different path from his predecessors. Maybe Chris Getz will do the same for the White Sox. But the hire, in isolation, looks like more of the same for the South Siders.
– LaVine has to prove he can promote winning – Pat has to prove he's worth big $$$ – Vooch has to prove he's worth his new $$$ – Caruso has to prove … well … that he's still awesome
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