Bears quarterback Justin Fields runs in a 55-yard touchdown during the first quarter at Soldier Field on Dec. 4, 2022. As seen in: Brad Biggs' 10 Thoughts Newsletter, Chicago Tribune, MSN, Yahoo News, New York Daily News, Sydney Morning Herald, Yahoo, Barrington Courier-Review, Stuff.co.nz, The (Toronto) Star, Yahoo Sports, Baltimore Sun and more. By Brad Biggs. Chase . The Rams host the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, and the Broncos host the Chiefs on Sunday. The Jaguars have a winner-take-all game for the AFC title with the Titans in Week 18, so they could make it five playoff teams in 23 seasons. Two years remain on the four-year contract extension he signed in January 2020. I asked special teams coordinator Richard Hightower if they considered giving Velus Jones Jr. a chance to return punts at Ford Field with the game indoors so wind wouldnt be a factor in fielding the ball. Everybody is different. We just didnt have it. Sudfeld was intercepted to end his first possession and lost a fumble on the second play of his second possession. Hes disruptive. [Dont miss] Will the Chicago Bears leave Soldier Field for Arlington Heights? Of course the Vikings have caught some breaks along the way, but the Bears have a lot of work to do before they can think about winning the division or becoming a consistent contender. The upshot of the whole thing? Entering Week 17, the Bears were 32nd and the Steelers 24th. DETROIT A week earlier, the Chicago Bears kept it close for a half against the Buffalo Bills. You try and keep that perspective (of a rebuilding effort) maybe a little bit keep your spirits up and guys spirits around you, but its tough, man. The rationale for not having a healthy Alex Leatherwood on the game-day roster is the coaches dont want to see him play again this season. Bears quarterback Justin Fields heads to the locker room after a loss to the Packers at Soldier Field on Dec. 4, 2022. Nothing really stops. On fourth down, the Packers ran a divide concept, pairing a corner route with Randall Cobb running a post. He was targeted once and didnt catch a ball but cameras caught him throwing his helmet on the sideline and then jawing with wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert. Just like the Packers did Sunday, the 49ers scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to win that game. The Houston Texans (2-13-1) will get the top pick if they lose to the Colts in Indianapolis or if the Bears (3-13) win at Soldier Field against the Minnesota Vikings. Chicago Tribune. While on the topic of the offensive line, Cody Whitehair looked like he was gutting it out at times in coming back from a knee injury. You can talk about the strengths of a handful of players and point to a few statistics here and there. The fourth award dinner will feature Mannelly, Bears long snapper Patrick Scales and former Bears Pro Bowl center Jay Hilgenberg. Well see if hes in line to slide into the starting lineup after the bye. If it isnt too windy against the Vikings, perhaps Gill can become No. The Cardinals have used four starting quarterbacks in the last four weeks. Stroud and Will Levis) is good enough that we would see that kind of movement. Ive enjoyed playing here. If Eddie finds someone good and he attacks it, hell be back to 100%., Bears offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood stands on the field during a break in the action against the Packers at Soldier Field on Dec. 4, 2022. Heres what to know. [Dont miss] The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have played 206 times in the past 100 years. There wasnt a hint of pressure on Rodgers, and when he gets all day and more to throw against a secondary missing both starting safeties and two of the top three cornerbacks, its going to turn against you eventually. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune). Its hard to find guys that can rush the passer from the interior of the defensive line. 10a. But its a big-picture problem when week after week, the passing game cannot generate consistent highlights. For instance, before the final Bears preseason game I contacted a former member of the team's front office . The Bears will travel to face an AFC North opponent the Steelers (8-8) or Browns (7-9), who meet in Week 18. (Fans) have their expectations but at the end of the day, we have our expectations here in the locker room. They definitely deserve credit for that., [[Dont miss] Week 13 recap: Justin Fields returns, but Chicago Bears lose their 6th straight game and 8th straight to Green Bay Packers]. I dont know when the answers will come, but there should be indicators next season if the Bears can improve the personnel around him. Running back Khalil Herbert has had a nice season, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Not a huge deal. The Bears also should consider Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, who many thought in August would be the first non-quarterback drafted. Thats what stinks about this game. Weve got to just cover longer. The Associated Press reported that the league office could not determine the Eagles were intentionally trying to lose. Those are exciting plays, and it was cool to see how offensive coordinator Luke Getsy built off Kmets quarterback sneak in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins and added a new wrinkle. Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts on the Bears' 24-17 win over the Seahawks By Brad Biggs Chicago Tribune Sep 18, 2018 at 8:15 am 10 thoughts following the Bears' impressive defensive. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune). Defensive end Kingsley Enagbare crashed hard, and Fields made the proper read to keep the ball. 10 thoughts on Bears from NFL combine. Hes shown ability to make a ton of plays with his legs. Weve had a tremendous amount of success during my time against them. 10c. Well have to wait and see. I dont know how Poles could consider a new contract for Claypool in the offseason. The Bears have tied the franchise record for most losses in a season. He was frustrated, Fields said. First, the big plays. Ryan Poles traded the 2023 sixth-round pick he received from the Chargers in the Khalil Mack trade back to Los Angeles for two seventh-round picks: 254th and 255th. Jackson set the NFL record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback in 2019, when he ran for 1,206 yards. The Bears pass rush has been inadequate all season, and theyre last in the league with 16 sacks. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune). Theres always consideration for him every week to go back there, but as of now, Dante is the starter.. Gill and ODonnell (2014) are the only punters the Bears have drafted since Todd Sauerbrun was, gulp, a second-round pick in 1995. Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. stays inbound on a long kickoff return at the end the second quarter at Ford Field on Jan. 1, 2023. It is important, Eberflus said. Thats the risk with a move like this. Say what you want about a bye in Week 14, but I think most coaches would gladly take that over time off in Week 4 at least without knowing any specific situations their team would be facing. Just the way he played in college, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said. A lot of great memories here over the years. Ive just got to keep improving and keep getting better.. What else is there in the way of building blocks, guys who can be difference makers on offense? I realize many want to look ahead to the draft, but this kind of stretch the team is in takes a real toll on those involved. There was probably a lot of people that felt good at 19-10. Hes being more detailed and hes learning. I wouldnt want it early. Got to give them credit. They need more help at wide receiver. He was 33 at the time and in the final year of his contract, and when the lockout ended the following summer, he signed with the New Orleans Saints. 2 in April and are 8-8. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune). Obviously that could flip-flop in the weeks and seasons to come. Thats fine. The Vikings are running away with the North and have clinched at least a tie at 10-2. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers points to Packers fans in the stands as he exits Soldier Field after a victory over the Bears on Dec. 4, 2022. He also didnt seem panicked with his team trailing by nine entering the fourth quarter. Here is the current draft order at Tankathon.com. The point is Jackson was the star of the free-agent class, and its hard to say the Jaguars got the return they sought on the investment. Thats huge, especially for a young team., Bears coach Matt Eberflus on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Packers at Soldier Field on Dec. 4, 2022. Bears running back David Montgomery makes a move in the third quarter against the Packers at Soldier Field on Dec. 4, 2022. Hes a passionate player. Rehab is so much better than it was before. Lions fans make some noise on a third down attempt by the Bears in the second quarter at Ford Field on Jan. 1, 2023. The group of 14 teams includes five led by first-year head coaches with that team: Lovie Smith (Texans), Matt Eberflus (Bears), Nathaniel Hackett (Denver Broncos), Josh McDaniels (Las Vegas Raiders) and Doug Pederson (Jacksonville Jaguars). 2 in the 2017 NFL draft. 1 pick averaged 6.5 wins the following season since 2000. Eddie Jackson has a long road to recovery ahead, [Dont miss] Eddie Jacksons resurgent season has a harsh ending: Chicago Bears place the safety on injured reserve. 10 thoughts after Bears' win over Falcons. Mixed some coverage up, held the shell to the very end most of the time. He was excited about it.. Watson was the boundary X receiver, and Jones did a nice job not giving Rodgers a throwing surface. Thats it. Ideas and actions freely flow into each other throughout the film and create a unified portrait tackling numerous topics in a short runtime. 1 in April and are 8-8 with one week remaining. St. Brown didnt gain any separation. Thats not helping anybody. 1 pick had a winning record the following season, and seven had four wins or fewer. Fields could have taken the check-down in that situation and the Bears could have kicked a field goal to pull within six before attempting an onside kick. A 40-yard field-goal attempt was deflected at the line of scrimmage by Dean Lowry. Bears general manager Ryan Poles walks on the field during warmups at Ford Field on Jan. 1, 2023. Alexander was sitting on it. Weve flipped the all-time wins. If the order were generated from the current standings, they would own the No. That leaves Fields 64 yards from eclipsing the former league MVP. Of those 23 teams, four reached the playoffs, the last instance the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs, who chose left tackle Eric Fisher. He had two sacks in a tie with the New York Giants on Sunday, giving him a career-high 8 for the season. The Bears have gone 0-8 since the trade while the Steelers got on a roll, winning six of eight games after Sunday nights 16-13 win over the Ravens in Baltimore. I thought it was important to add another impact player to go along with the guys we currently have. 10d. Drop Payne into a defensive line like the Bears currently have and he would be good and would make it better, but hes not bringing Allen or any other teammates with him. What made Gill a target after ODonnell signed with the Packers in free agency? Coach (Matt Eberflus) has done a great job of taking care of us, making sure we are fresh for Sundays. 49-yard pass to Harry: This was a really nice second-reaction play by Fields. Also in play are the Arizona Cardinals (4-12), who close the season on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, and the Denver Broncos (4-12), who host the Los Angeles Chargers. Sixteen quarterbacks have been taken with the first pick since 2000. There are numerous other examples like that from the season. None. 1.. Not many could have predicted the fairytale first season for coach Matt Nagy in 2018. But it was unfortunate at that time., Said Fields: Once you throw that ball, you anticipate the throw and then, boom, (Alexander) jumped it, and really at that point you just like to see the receiver come back to the ball., Said Alexander: As soon as he broke, I knew it was a comeback route. Chicago Tribune. His technique has developed. Oct 03, 2016 at 8:02 am. Fields cannot do it by himself, and he has shown incredible flashes this season that warrant giving him more support to see if he can break through. Blowouts happen and the Bears have played in an abnormally high number of close games while putting together a 3-13 record. Jaylon (Johnson) is a premier player, but the other young guys played pretty well. Dont really care what (others) are thinking about the situation, Kmet said. Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts on the Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Bears could move to third or fourth. When Fields has to simply drop back and let the ball go, its a struggle all the way around. Awful.. Thats just spreading everybody apart. 1. He jumped it. 1 draft pick is . Payne is a monster body in the interior of the defensive line. You pay them to hit the quarterback, and thats what hes shown he can do. Hes got heavy hands. ]. Fields also has a chance to be the first Bear to rush for 1,200 yards since Jordan Howard had 1,313 in 2016. 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