AZ54

I lived in Texas and watched a lot of Aikmans first season in the NFL. He was nothing close to Caleb in his first season. Both had bad teams around them and bad coaches. Aikman threw 18 INTs. Now that I went and looked it up his career completion % was just 61%.

Hard to say where this fits in with it: "Diggs has dealt with injuries in 2025, limiting him to only eight games. When he’s been on the field, his performance hasn’t resembled his All-Pro showing from earlier in his career. Still, if a team wants some extra CB depth ahead of the postseason, there won’t be higher-upside options than the 27-year-old".

Yes I agree but I’d say that good teams are the ones that already a good replacement on the roster when they make that decision.

Obvious connection to Al Harris and if I don't have to see McCloud on the field in the playoffs I'd consider that a blessing. He'd be a coverage upgrade over Stevenson too. He's not likely going anywhere for a single game so does he want to play with a playoff team? Can he play in the slot because CJGJ can't cover anyone? https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/12/more-on-cowboys-decision-to-cut-trevon-diggs

Thuney had his choice of destinations and requested to play for Ben Johnson. There is no way I can see Poles disrespecting the future HoF player by casting him off after one very successful season. That would send a really bad message to other good veteran FAs around the league, many of whom choose to chase a ring late in their career.

The point isn’t what HoF QBs have done in domed stadiums. People saying 17 games makes it easy for Caleb to hit 4k is just a back handed insult by implying that almost any QB could do that. Yet nobody ever has. Maybe it does take a special QB to hit that mark while playing half the season in windy Soldier Field? It certainly takes someone with a strong arm. I’m confident Caleb will rewrite the Bears record books and exceed 4000 multiple times in his career. Even if Caleb becomes as good as Brees I doubt we’ll see the 5000 yard threshold ever met while playing at Soldier Field.

Hicks was a FA signing and we sure could use another like him.

In another thread you said our WRs are playing well because our Oline is finally good. I agree that is part of it. Talent is still needed at WR but if you give them more time to run deeper routes you naturally pull the defense apart. Add in a play caller who knows how to put defenders in a bind and aQB who can throw to all levels of the field. if this keeps up we’re more likely to help low level WRs get good contracts when they leave in FA versus needing elite FA WR talent.

There is zero chance Dan Campbell goes down without a fight. Tough year but I can see him telling his team let’s close it out against the division leader and let them know we’ll be back.

And that has never helped any other QB. Regardless, never been done means never been done.

Good point

Is Ryan Poles better at drafting when he doesn’t have to put so much effort into the QB position? That goes for his entire staff too.

That right there are next years #2 and #3 receivers. Which puts DJ Moore on the outside looking in. With so many roster needs it’s hard to justify his cap hit in 2026. Being a playoff team on the rise we’re now a destination spot for FAs. Assuming Walker moves up to #3 WR it will be easier to fill out the last couple WR spots with experienced backup FAs. Even if you consider Walker as WR4 next year you can likely find a decent WR3 cheaper than DJ and use your cap savings to help fill out other positions.

Those combined cap hits are insane.

If that game was a glimpse of our future offense in 2026 Caleb it’s going to be lights out good. I’m also convinced more than ever that we really need a good interior pass rusher. Much more than an edge rusher.