Tonight is the last night of the Bears being on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” and I’m looking forward to locking in live with the rest of you fine folks.
- I hope you had a good time during your extended weekend. And while I know you’re bummed to be back in a work cubicle, it is worth sharing here that meaningful football begins again on Thursday. That means getting through this day makes you that much closer to celebrating our first Bears Sunday of the year. Hope it helps.
- DJ Moore explaining why rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was named one of the team’s eight (!) captains is everything I needed to hear:
- From the moment that it was clear the Bears were moving on from Justin Fields and angling to take Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, all Bears fans wanted was for the new QB to prove themselves with their play and actions. And it sure seems as if Caleb has taken the first step in that process by proving himself to his teammates. This might be a small step, but it sure as heck isn’t inconsequential.
- The Chicago Bears weren’t the only NFL team naming captains on Monday. Out in Pittsburgh, the Steelers shared their captain’s list. And as you might expect, one name stands out from the bunch:
- … but on the other hand, I distinctly remember the Chicago Bears naming Mike Glennon a captain in 2017 and watching him get benched after four of the worst weeks we’ve seen from a quarterback. All that to say this: There is a non-zero chance that Russell Wilson’s play will be sub-par enough to allow Justin Fields to play enough snaps for that 2025 sixth-round pick to become a fourth-rounder. Sure, the odds are infinitesimally low — but they’re not zero.
- If you were looking forward to seeing the Bears get the ManningCast treatment in 2024, then I am sorry to inform you that it is not happening. At least, it isn’t happening during the regular season. The 33rd Team reporter Ari Meirov shares the ESPN ManningCast schedule, which features legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick — but doesn’t include the Bears:
- On the one hand, the Bears *COULD* still find their way onto an ESPN ManningCast game if they make the playoffs as a wild-card team. But on the other hand, I hope this team has higher aspirations than making it via that path.
- A transaction of note: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports former Washington Commanders center Ricky Stromberg underwent a knee scope that will keep him out for 7-8 weeks. Stromberg, the Commanders’ third-round pick in 2023, hopes to be able to sign with a team later in the year. Stromberg’s surprise cut is now less of a surprise now that we have some more information on the situation. It is worth noting that the Bears had eyes on Stromberg ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Suddenly, I’m wondering if this team could see the former University of Arkansas standout as a buy-low candidate.
- Wait … why didn’t Northwestern just build its new stadium along the lakefront? This looks dope:
- A transaction to keep tabs on: San Francisco 49ers left tackle Tent Williams is reportedly set to end his holdout with the team reportedly on the brink of finalizing a new contract. Nick Wagoner (ESPN) has some details on the 36-year-old, whose holdout was just one of a handful of offseason contract squabbles the Niners had to deal with this offseason. As someone who knows that Bears left tackle Braxton Jones is one more quality year away from leading us to a discussion regarding his future contract status, I want to keep an eye on the left tackle market.
- To be clear, comparing Trent Williams (11-time Pro Bowler, likely Hall of Famer) and Braxton Jones (solid offensive lineman who has turned out to be a tremendous value pick for Bears GM Ryan Poles) is like pitting an apple against an orange. It’s just that I’m fascinated by how every NFL contract impacts the next. We’ve seen what has happened at quarterback and wide receiver this offseason. I think we’ll soon see what the offensive line market shapes up.
- The framing of this tweet is weird, but Leonard Floyd Week 1 sack watch is on as Floyd and the 49ers are less than a week away from taking on Aaron Rodgers and the Jets:
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- WELP. Chicago Cubs ace Justin Steele has been scratched from his scheduled start tonight against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (BN Cubs)
- Ick. Our friends at BN Bulls found one of the worst G.O.A.T. arguments you’ll ever come across.
- Keeping up with Chicago Blackhawks prospects over at the BN hockey wing: