Day 10 of the Chicago Bears offseason. For the first time in about a decade, I have a television in my bedroom. I became a “the bedroom is for sleeping” person years ago when I thought I wasn’t getting a good night’s sleep because I was watching TV. In hindsight, it might’ve been my non-traditional working hours. Anyway, one night into the experience … and it felt good. Now, I can stop falling asleep on the couch.
- Maz Kanata is one of my favorite characters in the sequel Star Wars trilogy because she is well-traveled and speaks so eloquently — like Yoda, but without speaking in oddly sequenced riddles. One of the pearls of wisdom that sticks with me is when she says something along the lines of “if you live long enough, you see the same eyes in different people.” This Bears coaching search is giving off those vibes. I suppose that tracks when you consider this is our third head coach search since this site’s arrival in 2017.
- One thing I wish I’d stop seeing is the overreaction to the wave of candidate interviews. Don’t get me wrong. We have reached the point of overkill as the candidates list reaches 20. However, a lot of the same people complaining about casting a wide net are also the same ones who groveled about not doing so in 2022. Why are we doing this? Isn’t there a better use of our time and energy?
- There will come a time to come through with the too-wide-net as a fair criticism of the process. However, being pre-mad about something seems unhealthy. And, at a minimum, it has created some pretty toxic conversations among people in this fan base. But so long as the Bears’ top candidate is still coaching, I struggle to figure out what the team should be doing in the meantime — should the decision-makers at Halas Hall be twiddling their thumbs while they await a candidate who still might not pick them at the end of the day?
- Imagine how you’d feel on an alternate timeline in which the Bears sat on the sideline waiting for Ben Johnson, only for him not to choose Chicago. If this team is using its time wisely, it will use the pile of interviews to line up Plans, B, C, D, etc. so we can all move on with our lives. And if the decision-makers at Halas Hall aren’t lining up their contingency plans because they’re putting all their eggs in one basket, that plan has the potential to backfire in a huge way.
- The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports (via Twitter/X) that Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will meet with the Bears and Jets this week. I would have canceled the interview after seeing what the Steelers offense looked like in a playoff game. But maybe the Bears think they can get something worthwhile out of the interview. Maybe Smith can tell them if Mike Tomlin would welcome a trade to Chicago.
- The deeper we get into this search, the more I grow convinced that the Bears are lining up a laundry list of interviews because (1) they are in cover-your-behind mode, (2) are overly sensitive about not clearing the decks for Jim Harbaugh last year and are overcorrecting by inviting everyone and their pet for an interview, (3) are in overcorrection mode as a response to their last search for a head coach, or (4) the franchise is so insulated that it is using these interviews to gather intel it would otherwise not be privy to getting.
- Jason Lieser (Sun-Times) shares five candidates to watch in the Bears’ search for a new coach.
- Ope. The Bears announced they completed an interview with former Stanford football coach David Shaw, who would have been a far more intriguing candidate when we did this song and dance in 2018.
- Troy Aikman did not hold back criticisms of his former team after the Cowboys parted ways with Mike McCarthy. Aikman even goes as far as to question if the job is as coveted as league insiders make it out to be. Damn, Troy. Tell ’em how you *REALLY* feel. (Awful Announcing)
- The Packers sound frustrated after their wild-card loss to the Eagles. “As a team, we need to wake up,” said tight end Tucker Kraft (h/t NFL Media). “Everyone talks about how we’re not OK with just making the playoffs, but we have to walk the walk.” That’s a real shame. You really hate to see the folks in Green Bay flustered and flummoxed over the shortcomings of their football team. If you can’t tell by now, I am being sarcastic.
- As a reminder, this is how the Packers rounded out their season:
- Tough break. Oh, well. See ya next year. ✌️
- During this football calendar year, Diontae Johnson has made stops with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans. After being waived by the Texans on Tuesday, another town could be on the horizon. But, no, I don’t see a Bears fit.
- This is what it sounded like when Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked five times in the first two quarters (h/t @wrhiv_72)
“HE’S HOLDING IT TOO LONG! THROW IT MAN!” -Paul Allen
Sam Darnold is sacked for the 5th time in 2 quarters
Called by Paul Allen and Pete Bercich for KFXN in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/YxtjXFcQ7e— will: Riley Greene Truther (@wrhiv_72) January 14, 2025
- Even though he broadcasts for a rival team, I hope Bears fans find a way to enjoy a voice like Paul Allen’s because they don’t make ’em like him anymore.
- Speaking of broadcasters, congrats to the legendary Jim Nantz on his 500th NFL game. That guy has been a part of many of our great sports memories over the years:
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- The Chicago Cubs have reportedly talked to Scott Boras about free agent infielder Alex Bregman, whose addition could provide a tremendous boost the lineup.
- That basketball game wasn’t very fun. Matt has the box score and player grades from the Chicago Bulls’ loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Over at the BN hockey department, Tab has rounded up the Chicago Blackhawks players and prospects highlighted in the new under-23 rankings.