Pixote

I agree. However, the NFL can do something to prevent/discourage a player who enters the draft, is drafted, and returns to play another year in college instead of playing for the team that drafts him.

Some players will still opt to enter the NFL Draft early with college eligibility remaining. Then, if they do so and find they are not happy (with the team that drafted them or maybe they thought by coming out early they'd be the top player in their position drafted only to find out they slide down the charts) then they could always return to their college team. So, as long as there are players leaving college for the NFL "early," the problem could remain.

I worry that the NILs will create another problem. Some college players are making millions of dollars from NILs. Let's say they are eligible to play another year in college but enter the draft. They are drafted by a team they don't want to play for, for any number of reasons. (This happens quite often but until now they had no options) Now, with the NILs being an issue, some of those disgruntled players may return to the college teams, continue to rake in the money from endorsements, and reenter the draft the following year. I think the NFL needs to eliminate this before it becomes a major issue. I would say if a player commits to the NFL and is drafted, then decides to stick it to the team that drafted him by returning to his college team, he should be prohibited from reentering the draft the following year. If the NFL team that drafted him pays a penalty because of his callous decision, then he should also pay a price!

I read the complete interview. It's an outstanding article. I have to agree 100%. Poles is the best GM the Bears have had since Jim Finks.

I was giving you grief over the expectations you now seem to have. (yes, using caps and such to make a point and not because I am mad. Believe me, if you ever really piss me off, you will not have to interpret my post, you will know.) I can remember you saying you didn't know which QB you preferred. You'd have to check the tapes. The very next day you said you had it figured out. Caleb was the guy. You watched the tapes. If we disagree, all we have to do is watch the tapes. Watch the tapes, Watch the tapes. Over and over, trying to pound it into our empty skulls that you know he is the guy because you watched the tapes. You made it sound like he could walk on water. You kept reminding us how he was generational, once in a lifetime. Worth umpteen #1s. So I couldn't resist pushing you a bit because now you are saying he will need time. Not to expect the finished product the first year. That I actually agree with. I was giving you shit because until recently, now that we are pretty sure Poles will draft him, you seemed to have much higher expectations. I posted the stats about Peyton & Andrew to show that two of the highest-rated QB prospects over the past 2 decades struggled in their rookie seasons. Hell, Peyton, one of the best QBs of all time, threw 26 TDs and 28 INTs! Both Luck & Manning's completion %s sucked. They had a lot of yards gained, but because they threw a ton of passes. If I was serious when I threw an elbow into your ribs, saying I expected a GOAT performance from Caleb the first year, I sure as hell wouldn't have posted Manning and Luck's stats from their rookie seasons proving just the opposite.

Gee, Thanks!

First off, I've told you, but you do not listen. I am not MAD about Fields leaving the Bears. I think it was a big mistake, but I trust Poles to do what is best for the team. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Fields as a starter for Pittsburgh. At Wilson's age, there will be an opportunity for Fields to start during the season. When he does get a chance, I think they will be hard-pressed to sit him. Best QB prospect in two decades! Can't miss prospect. Generational. Worth more than any package of a half dozen #1 draft picks. Poles should be fired if he doesn't select Caleb. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Now you are trying to lessen my expectations for this UNBELIEVABLY GIFTED GENERATIONAL PROSPECT? Sorry. With the vast improvements made this off-season to help him in the transition, I expect more than what you are suggesting.

With all of the hype Caleb has gotten, with everyone saying we'd be idiots to draft anyone else, and forget about a historically loaded trade of draft capitol, because Caleb is so Damn special, GENERATIONAL, I expect a hell-a-va lot more than flashes of greatness. (I might add, if all we can expect is "flashes of greatness" why did we just give Fields away to Pittsburgh? He provided us with "flashes of greatness." We let him go because we needed more than "flashes" and expect more from Caleb.) If Fields had been given the improvements that Caleb is being given, would he have had greater success? IMO, YES. Pittsburgh will be very happy they got Fields.

I think it is safe to make several assumptions. Caleb will be a Bear. Unless he holds out, gets injured, or plays like crap in the preseason, he will be our starting QB in game one of 2024. The question is, what can we expect from a "generational" quarterback in his rookie year? The only two quarterbacks I can remember having this much hype and high expectations before throwing their first NFL pass were, ironically, both with the Colts. I'm referring to, of course, Payton Manning and Andrew Luck. I checked how they and the Colts performed in the rookie years of both quarterbacks. The 1997 Colts had a record of 3-13. With Peyton Manning as the starting quarterback in 1998, they were, um, 3-13. They did turn it around in 1999 and were 13-3. In his rookie year, Peyton only completed 56.7% of his passes for 3739 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. In 2011 (after 9 straight years of double-digit wins), the Colts slumped to 2-14. In 2012, Andrew's rookie year, they improved to 11-5. Luck again, like Peyton, had a poor completion %, 54.1, but threw for 4374 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. The bottom line is that I wasted my time. ? From all of this, I have no idea what to expect from Caleb.

Sign me up! ?

It's going to be a great year to be a true football fan, in addition to being a fanatic supporting the best team of all time, THE BEARS! I am anxious to see the NEW Bears dominate! I am also anxious to see which of the six top quarterbacks are legitimate franchise quarterbacks and which ones are fool's gold. Fortunately, I have every pay-for-view option the NFL is using to rape the fans of every penny they can collect because of our addiction.

I like the players you selected for the Bears. You managed to grab our top 5 needs in the four rounds.

Agree. Teams are desperate for QBs, so I think there is a chance they reach for one who would otherwise be drafted late rd 1 or rd 2. My dream draft, although I doubt it happens, Bears draft Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze

01- Chicago - QB Caleb Williams 02- Washington - QB Jayden Daniels 03- New England - QB J.J. McCarty 04- Arizona - WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. 05- LA Chargers - WR Rome Odunze 06- NY Giants - QB Drake Maye 07- Tennessee - OL Joe Alt 08- Atlanta - EDGE Dallas Turner 09- Chicago - WR Malik Nabers 10- NY Jets - TE Brock Bowers 11- Minnesota - QB Bo Nix 12- Denver - QB Michael Penix, Jr. 13- LV Raiders - OL Taliese Fuaga 14- New Orleans - EDGE Jared Verse 15- Indianapolis - CB Terrion Arnold I'm sure there will be multiple trades in the top 15, but I'm not savvy enough to predict them, so I left it as is.

Yes, Owners do attend the winter meetings. I'm not worried about George interfering. I think by hiring Warren, they have shown they plan to allow Warren/Poles to manage the team.

I actually like chicagobears.com's article on the new kickoff rules better. It shows a graphic of the field, breaking down the various areas and possible alignments of players. It was much easier for me to visualize what we could expect. New rules passed for 2024 NFL season https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1772612546467369005?s=20

WOW, Adam Schein, I love you! ? If you want a feel-good article about the Bears, this is ace! Check out the link below and shout a BEAR DOWN! With Caleb Williams making magic, Chicago Bears will be NFL's Cinderella team of 2024

There was no mention of the Bears, but I did read elsewhere that Flus was one of the many HCs present. I'm not sure who else from the Bears attended. Still, the Bears are not listed among the scheduled visits. Interesting.

This is an excellent article on which Bear players might benefit from the new rule changes. I was surprised there was no speculation on Dante Pettis. I know he was a punt returner, but with the new rules, would he be a possible kick returner? I don't recall him taking any reps as a KO returner but he might be a sleeper? Bears Winners and Losers from Kickoff Return Rule Changes

PUNTER! We cannot forget our conversation at the end of last season when we all realized we needed a better punter. Our punter sucked! LOL I am crossing my fingers (and toes ?) that Poles brings in a new Punter for 2024. 2024 NFL Draft – Punter Rankings

I was just reading the new kickoff rules for the 2024 season. At first glance, it is quite a change. However, I think it will accomplish the goal of making kickoffs once again a vital part of special teams instead of an afterthought. Here is a link to the story (and new rules) on NFL.com. (What do you guys think about the new rules?) NFL owners pass new hybrid kickoff rule at Annual League Meeting In summary, if the kickoff lands between the goal line and the twenty-yard line, it must be returned. However, the alignment of the players and the point of release are totally different. Special teams will have to spend a lot of time getting ready to take advantage of this new set of rules. I'm anxious to see it in place. Kickoffs were once exciting. Then they made them totally blahh! (Thank God we enjoyed Hester's exciting returns before they screwed around with the kidkoff rules.) This might actually force me to watch kickoffs again instead of using it as a bathroom break. LOL

I am expecting an announcement that we will be on Hard Knocks. I see where it will not be a single team but an entire division this year. So, will the NFC North be the featured division? As much as fans enjoy seeing their team behind the scenes, it must be a distraction as they prepare for the season. The Bears were on this year's short list of teams before they decided to include all teams from 1 of 8 divisions.

Yeah, I have to agree, but hey, it the return of football. LOL Generally, we only learn who we "think" will make the team as backups or practice squad. Starters rarely play much, for a good reason. I'm always praying we can make it opening day w/o major injuries.

Thursday, August 1 @ 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central. YES! Football returns! They announced the Bears and Texans will open the 2024 preseason on a Thursday Night Prime Time Game. YES! YES! YES! Bears, Texans to kick off 2024 NFL preseason in Hall of Fame Game

This is one thing we can finally agree on. ?