NEWSLETTER
Over at BN Blackhawks, Tab asks how attractive the Chicago hockey job is — which we’re just about ready to ponder regarding the Chicago Bears. But that conversation deserves to be had on a larger scale. Let’s get through Bullets first and we can sort through the pros and cons of the Bears job later.
- I look forward to hearing what Bears Interim Head Coach Thomas Brown has to say during his weekly Wednesday press conference at Halas Hall. It was easy for the vibes to be good last week. But how a coach turns their attention to what is coming ahead is the kind of thing that could help the Bears (or any other team) evaluate Brown down the stretch. And, yes, I believe the evaluation process is still ongoing. Why wouldn’t it be? Just as it was premature to crown Thomas Brown as the team’s head coaching savior before he coached a single game, it is premature (and short-sighted) to eliminate him from your coaching search based on one game.
- For what it’s worth, I liked this quote from his postgame press conference (h/t The Athletic) that has been stuck in my head for a few days:
“There’s no other way to say it. We’ll always be straightforward, honest and open about things that transpired. But we got to do a better job of putting together a better game plan on both sides of the ball so we can execute better and obviously challenge our guys to be at their best and also encourage those guys and also demand that we still stay unified. This is a grown man’s business.”
- That was the complete opposite of something you’d hear from Matt Eberflus when he was around. Coach Brown spent a chunk of his time in the buildup to Week 14 discussing the importance of bringing the team together. Hopefully, actions at Halas Hall are matching those words and leading to a team that looks like it is working together.
- If the Bears have another game like they did in San Francisco, then it might be time to question the team’s veteran leadership.
- Linebacker T.J. Edwards shares the Captain Obvious quote of the week: “The only thing that’s going to make us feel better is to win a game, truly.” (670 The Score)
- Patrick Finley (Sun-Times) ranks the four rookie first-round quarterbacks after 14 weeks of football. Are you happy with where Bears signal caller Caleb Williams ranks?
- If you are ready to dive into NFL Draft stuff, Windy City Gridiron’s Jacob Infante has a list of the best small-school prospects who are draft-eligible. Get a leg up on some friends and learn about players from North Dakota State, Bowling Green, East Carolina, and Marshall.
- Netflix’s Christmas Gameday coverage features a who’s who of my favorite NFL analysts and personalities:
Announcing our on-air talent for the NFL Christmas Gameday Live on Netflix! #NFLonNetflix pic.twitter.com/i1TA5pwuNA
— Netflix (@netflix) December 11, 2024
- In addition to the Eagles (Ian and Noah) calling the action, we’re getting appearances from former Good Morning Football hosts Kay Adams and Nate Burleson, the McCourty brothers, Greg Olsen, ESPN’s Mina <times and Laura Rutledge, and league insider Ian Rapoport. I wonder what Robert Griffin III will sound like in his first major gig since leaving ESPN. How will Drew Brees fare in this situation? The reviews for his stuff on NBC covering Notre Dame weren’t all too kind. After not being interested in the NFL taking over Christmas, I’m rooting for this presentation to succeed.
- Oh, my! New York Giants legend Mark Gastineau still holds a grudge over Brett Favre for his role in giving Michael Strahan the single-season sack record. Get in line, pal. The line of people who have grievances to air out against the former Packers quarterback begins in Chicago. But because I like the cut of your jib, I’ll let you cut me. No problem. Happy to help a fellow Favre hater. (ESPN)
- What an anecdote from Pro Football Talk‘s Michael David Smith, who points out that the Week 15 Bills-Lions and Steelers-Eagles matchups give the NFL its best Week 15 slate pairing since 1985. The Bills-Lions battle features a pair of teams that are a combined 22-4 this season. Meanwhile, the Steelers-Eagles showdown features two squads who are a combined 21-5. I hate that both of those games are kicking off at 3:25 p.m. CT because I’d like to tune in for both.
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- One NBA insider has Elias Schuster concerned about the Chicago Bulls’ trade plans. (BN Bulls)
- This is an unexpected plot twist:
A Marquee-Chicago Sports Network Merger is Reportedly Possible
— Bleacher Nation (@bleachernation.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 7:56 AM
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