Alaskan Grizzly

Sorta FA related but definitely Bears related-ish.

Agreed and I think this is the key here. Todd McShay appeared on a podcast some months ago (I have yet to listen to it) and sometime before the accident where he said he thought Carter had a lot of red flag character issues. This despite many of Carters friends and teammates flaming McShay to the contrary. Also before the accident, Carter was stopped last September for doing 80+ in a 35 zone so we know he’s prone to youthful (and maybe careless) indiscretion. The question is, do the Bears want to deal with that question mark of a risk? Can they afford to? With Poles signing some pretty strong players on the defensive side so far I think the need is more along the offensive oline than it is dline. Focus should be there for the 1st round (if Jason could see me now).

This may have contributed. And he has had an Urlacher jersey displayed in his man-cave since before playing for the Packers (allegedly).

Saw some good “leadership” PR. Some pics off of the Bears website where Fields and Kmet are at the gym meeting some of the new guy Free Agents as they passed through. Then this Tweet:

Yep. With how they’re re-building this team, a lot of young players and others from other teams, having a guy like this is key to success. I’m blown away with how mature and low key (personality wise) he is. Great character kid. Will really be a stabilizing force. In another interview he was asked about how he feels coming to Chicago with a consistent figure at QB rather than the “mess” he experienced in Carolina. He snickered and said he ‘wouldn’t call it a mess’ and said he’s looking forward to what will happen in Chicago. Perfect answer. He’s not necessarily the big bodied WR I prefer but “more better”. (Phrase a friend of mine always uses).

Agreed. And I don’t think Forman is the solution as the “other back”. Maybe more a third down back(?). Since the RBs are a “dime a dozen”, and with longevity in mind, they focus on drafting another RB (not 1st or 2nd but closer to 3rd round). That way when Herbert nears the end of his rookie deal they can have another set of fresher legs ready to go. I’m only half joking. That sort of idea worked for the Shanahan years in Denver (and with his kid to some extent). Plug and play RBs. Just about anyone they put in the backfield then could get 1,000 a season. Key to that though is a good oline. Speaking of and specifically Center, still don’t think Patrick, Evans/Kramer, Eieslen or even Whitehair is the solution there.

Strike that, meant Davis. Ah, understand now.

You listed Evans as an addition (and assuming upgrade) but what was the other? The fact Musty left? I'd argue there's still a need at OL. With the uncertainty of Whitehair (whether he'll play Center or at all) I'd feel better with another proven vet or higher quality drafted one. Eislen had one maybe two tries at Center before the end of last season? Kramer still hasn't done much (even though he was out on IR for most of last year).

The fact he had as many QBs as he's had, can you imagine what he'll be like with the same QB for more than one season?

I had to ask “who”? Then looked him up. He’s a big dude. Perfect for clogging up the middle.

Look no further than Ekeler and Zeke Elliott still waiting for calls from teams a few days into FA. Of course Zeke’s audition as a Center probably didn’t help solidify any teams confidence in his ability to play anything but RB.

Admittedly I have been skeptical of some of the choices made. But then again, that's probably why I continue to sit and watch the Bears play each season from the comfort of my living room. However if for nothing else Poles has shown that he's frugal and so far been able to do reasonably well with regards to the draft. Last year he went in with 5-7(?) picks and ended up with 11. I'm throwing random #s but I do know he started out with less than he ended up. Anyhow, of those picks 4 ended up as starters (Brisker, Gordon, Braxton Jones and Gill) and 3 had significant playing time (V. Jones, Robinson and Ebner). Most all those guys, save Gill, were from the top end to middle of the draft. Along the way he shed some money heavy vets; Mack, Hicks, R. Smith and Quinn among them. I should add he found a diamond in the rough with Sanborn then tried to bring in a few former 1st rounders on bargain contracts (Leatherwood, Rieff and Harry). Not to mention with that trade of the overall 1st round pick not only did he snag "our #1 WR" with Moore but also kept us in the top 10 for this year's first round AND got us another 1st for next year. Now will all these players work out in the long run? Still remains to be seen. But that's true with any pick regardless of their order (Fields prime example). One other critique I've had since Poles started last year was all the players on defense they seem to be stockpiling (draft last year and so far FAs this year) but then again our HC comes to us as a former DC so that makes some sense. However he's been doing pretty well at keeping the skill players on offense intact. One thing we led last year was rushing yards and I don't see that dropping off a lot next season. Really the focus for Poles going into the draft should be along both lines and he's got plenty of draft picks to address them with either as trade bait of just by making smart draft picks.

The gang hanging out at a Bulls game.

Null

Reunited with DJ Moore after he made this play last season. Smart signing by the way.

PJ Walker signed as backup to Fields.

The four games a year against Miami and Buffalo should be entertaining.

Never say never. Jason’s all time favorite O-lineman J’Marcus Webb managed to string together a patchwork 8 year career after leaving the Bears in 2013. In that time he signed with seven teams (one of them twice - Indy).

It appears the deal for Rodgers to Jets is all but done. He claims it was “done” last Friday when he said to (whomever?) that he “wanted to play and wanted to play for the NY Jets”. Whatever… good riddance. Meanwhile he scorched Adam Schefter in the process ??:

I may have missed this already but with his pending charges Jalen Carter is also putting on a bad performance for the Georgia pro day. One of many Tweets about it:

Whomever this cat is he’s been putting out some comical clickbait. This one even has the garden variety jersey alteration (more garden than professional).

On the one hand, in regards to losing a piece for offense I agree with you but, comparing Herbert's production last season to Monty's (with the same oline blocking) its clear that Monty isn't the feature back anymore. Monty: 201 rushes for 801 yards (4.0 avg) 5 TDs Herbert: 129 rushes for 731 yards (5.7 avg) 4 TDs Another thing to factor in is that Monty's overall production (total yards) peaked back in 2020 with 1,070 yards and since then has gotten 849 (2021) and 801 last season. As Mike Greenberg pointed out this morning, contributing RBs have become "a dime a dozen" in today's market. Austin Ekeler (probably the lead FA RB right now) has improved over the last three years; 530 yards / 1 TD (2020), 911 yards / 12 TDS (2021) and 915 yards / 13 TDs (2022) and is still looking for a place to call his new home. Meanwhile Dallas just released Elliot with Pollard taking more of the carries and production. Chicago with Monty was in the similar position as Dallas was with Elliot. I'm never a fan of losing a player like Monty but in this case it makes sense when the bigger picture is considered.

Didn’t take long.

So that probably means Jamaal Williams isn't returning to Detroit? Before this occurred it was reported he and the Lions were 'far apart' in their talks of a new contract. https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jamaal-williams-lions-far-apart-in-contract-negotiations

Bears coaching staff (and management) sighted at (and allegedly running) Northwestern Pro Day. Coach Fitz heard saying the Bears need to get Skronksi. I’m thinking this is a likelihood with the recent shuffle of the draft order.