Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a “Coach Nagy” to lead its basketball team. And what the Bears will do with the No. 9 pick is still up in the air. So, yeah, there’s a lot on my mind today. Thanks for asking.
Randomly remembering the time the Bears had a home run derby at Wrigley Field.
Because there can’t be a “normal” day on Bears Twitter, we’ve got Kyle Brandt dropping 5+ minutes of hot fire on the takes following Caleb Williams doing normal Gen Z things:
Shout out to Brenda for nailing this point: Chicago had Dennis Rodman changing his hair different colors every month and marrying himself in a wedding dress and no one batted an eyes. But a pink phone case and shiny nails is a bridge too far? C’mon, man. Don’t get me wrong. I know it’s different strokes for different folks. But I can’t believe so many of the same people who will call others for being “triggered” by someones words, actions, or choices are also perturbed by Caleb Williams’ eccentricities.
I say all that to say this: Just win, baby. If Caleb Williams can lead the Bears to the type of success this fan base hasn’t seen, then folks will be buying pink phone cases like they’re in a Dipset era Cam’ron video and lining up visits with nail techs before you know it.
Seth “Freakin'” Rollins knows ball:
There is a widely held belief that the 2024 NFL Draft truly starts after the top 3 quarterbacks off the board. But as NBC Sports Chicago’s Alex Shapiro points out, the No. 9 pick (currently held by the Bears) is a potential turning point on draft night. Not just for the Bears, but for teams picking behind them in Round 1.
ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum has Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. falling all the way to No. 9 in his latest mock draft. And if that is how it plays out, Bears GM Ryan Poles better run to turn in that card so quickly that it alters the space-time continuum.
MORE: The Chicago Bears Dream Scenario for the NFL Draft
Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Panthers has me thinking the Bears are done with free agency splashes. If that is the case, then this is what your starting defensive line will look like to begin the 2024 NFL season (as of now):
I don’t hate it. Montez Sweat is a game-wrecker whose arrival and presence lifted the profiles (and play) of Gervon Dexter Sr., Justin Jones (who’s off to Arizona), and DeMarcus Walker. Andrew Billings was steady as they came last year and earned an in-season contract extension from the Bears. It would be neat to add a butt-kicking pass-rusher via the upcoming NFL Draft. But if they can’t do that, then finding another rotational piece so this team can hit opponents with waves of depth.
Also, I’m not opposed to running it back with Yannick Ngakoue. He’ll need to get medical clearance after having season-ending ankle surgery. But Ngakoue played his best ball when he was lining up on the other side of the formation from Sweat. That probably isn’t a coincidence. And you can do worse for a one-year stop gap than a player with Ngakoue’s credentials.
Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy was one of three “no” votes against the NFL’s new kickoff proposal. For what it’s worth, I get his reasoning. Murphy insisted that the league have a trial run before putting this to vote. That is sound, logical thinking. Now I’m thinking the NFL probably should’ve considered that as an option. But perhaps the league saw the XFL’s version as a being a different type of trial run. (PFT)
The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen breaks down the NFL’s new kickoff rule in what I’d deem to be a must-read piece for you football nerds. If anyone needs me, I’ll be wondering how many kick return touchdowns Devin Hester would’ve had if this was in play during his heyday.
IT’S HERE: The Bleacher Nation Newsletter
A baseball thread from our friends at Bleacher Nation:
Over at BN Blackhawks, Tab highlights three veterans having terrific seasons for a team that isn’t going anywhere in the standings.
Javonte Green is back with the Chicago Bulls and is immediately doing awesome stuff. (BN Bulls)