Justin Fields and Co. have won back-to-back games, defeating the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to improve to 5-8 on the season and keep their playoff hopes alive. Fields had a passing touchdown and rushing touchdown in Week 13, while the Bears’ defense stifled Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense.

Week 15 offers the Bears a chance to get their first three-game winning streak since 2020. Standing in their way are the Cleveland Browns and a resurgent Joe Flacco.

The Browns are 8-5 and squarely in a crowded AFC playoff picture despite starting four different quarterbacks this season. The 38-year-old Flacco turned back the clock in Week 14, throwing three touchdown passes in a home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Will the Bears keep up their winning ways, or will the Browns send them back to the loss column? Here is how you can watch the Week 15 Bears-Browns contest.

When is the Bears vs. Browns Week 15 game?

The Bears will visit the Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland on Sunday, Dec. 17.

What time is the Bears vs. Browns Week 15 game?

Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.

How to watch Bears vs. Browns Week 15

Bears-Lions will air on FOX.

NBC Sports Chicago’s Football Aftershow will begin immediately following the game. Ruthie Polinsky will be joined by Lance Briggs, Alex Brown and Dave Wannstedt to break down how the Bears fared against the Browns.

How to stream the Bears vs. Browns live online

Free streaming option: FuboTV (free trial)

Live stream: FoxSports.com, NFL+

Mobile app: Fox Sports app, NFL mobile app

How to listen to Bears vs. Browns on the radio

Station: ESPN 1000

Editor’s note: FUBO TV is a sponsored partner and we may receive compensation if you click on our links or sign up.

Ngakoue came up with some key plays against the Lions on Sunday, including a sack on a neat play. The Bears drew up an exotic pressure, with Tremaine Edmunds rushing from the second level and DeMarcus Walker dropping into coverage from the defensive tackle position. In the end, Ngakoue was able to win a one-on-one battle to bring down Lions QB Jared Goff.

Ngakoue added a TFL in addition to the sack.

The Bears signed Ngakoue to a one-year deal this year in an effort to boost their lowly pass rush. He has four sacks, seven QB hits and six TFLs on the season.

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First, the Houston Texans and New York Jets were stuck in a 0-0 battle amid rainy conditions in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday. The Jets finally broke the scoreless deadlock when Zach Wilson hit Randall Cobb for a 15-yard touchdown just under four minutes into the third quarter.

Scoring wasn’t a problem after that, particularly for the New York, as the Jets rolled to a 30-6 win.

Then, the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders went nearly all four quarters without a single score. But after quarterback Josh Dobbs was benched, backup Nick Mullens engineered a 13-play, 56-yard drive to set up a 36-yard field goal for Greg Joseph, who would give the Vikings a 3-0 lead with 1:57 remaining in regulation.

Those proved to be the only points of the contest, as Minnesota escaped Las Vegas with a 3-0 victory.

The Texans-Jets and Vikings-Raiders games marked the first time two NFL games were scoreless at the half on the same day since October of 1988.

But has there ever been a game that actually ended in a 0-0 tie?

What’s the lowest-scoring game in NFL history?

There have been 73 games in pro football history that ended in a 0-0 tie, according to Pro Football Reference. But it’s been 80 years since the last one, meaning there’s yet to be a scoreless tie in the Super Bowl era.

When was the last 0-0 tie in the NFL?

The most recent 0-0 tie came on Nov. 7, 1943, in a game played between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions. The two teams combined for nine first downs and 214 yards at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. The game featured 77 running plays and 16 pass attempts. There was no overtime played, as the NFL wouldn’t add the extra period for another three decades.

The last 3-0 game, meanwhile, came in 2007 when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins.

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But while the Bears celebrated the win in their locker room after the game, they were sure not to put the performance on a pedestal.

“We ain’t do nothing yet,” said Jaquan Brisker. “It’s a great divisional win, but we ain’t do nothing yet. Defense has to get better. We’re 5-8 right now, so we gotta keep stacking ‘em one day at a time, one game at a time. We still ain’t do nothing yet.”

“We’re just keeping a little bit of momentum,” said Justin Jones.

To a man, the Bears said this was not a statement win even though everything else pointed to the contrary. They’re not satisfied with one win in December over a playoff-caliber team. They believe they have more work to do before they make a real statement.

“We’re just trying to get to the playoffs,” said Jaylon Johnson. “We know what we need to do to get to the playoffs. We’re just trying to do what we can and keep fighting, like we’ve been doing all season.”

Brisker, Jones and Johnson were key figures in the team’s second-half defensive surge. Brisker led the way with an incredible 17 tackles over the game. Jones notched one and a half sacks late in the fourth quarter to help the team seal the win. Johnson continued his campaign for his first All-Pro honors by snatching his fourth interception of the year.

Of course, Justin Fields’ dynamic game both through the air and on the ground played a huge role in the win. If the Bears have any hope of making a bigger statement later in the season, they’ll need him to be at his best for the rest of the year. But Fields also kept a level head after the win.

“Keep everything the same,” Fields said. “Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. There’s still a lot of spots to improve upon. We probably could’ve put up 40 if we executed better.”

Head coach Matt Eberflus has been steadfast in his 30 games leading the team, so it’s no surprise that he too cautioned against making too much of the win. Eberflus did say that the two-game win streak was proof positive that the team was on the right track, but emphasized that they need to stick on course.

“It’s not all rose-colored glasses just because you won the game,” Eberflus said. “That’s not it. You’ve got to learn from this game and get better.”

It’s hard to believe that the Bears have put themselves in a position to talk playoffs at all after last year’s league-worst 3-14 season and this year’s disastrous 0-4 start, but the Bears have played better. If the Packers lose on Monday night, then the Bears would be just one game back of five teams in line for the seven seed in the NFC with 6-7 records. A playoff berth is still unrealistic for the team, but they’ve legitimately played themselves onto the “In The Hunt” graphic that we see so often.

Whether or not a bigger statement comes this season, the Bears have already sent a memo to the football world that they’re far from being the worst team in the league again.

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The team announced Jefferson was ruled out for the rest of the game with a chest injury after the hit in the second quarter.

Jefferson, the 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, was originally listed as questionable after taking a shot from safety Marcus Epps while going high to catch a 15-yard pass. There was no flag for hitting a defenseless receiver.

This was Jefferson’s first game back after missing the previous seven games because of a hamstring injury.

Jefferson made some team history before going out. He caught a 12-yard pass that moved him past Randy Moss for the most receiving yards by a Vikings player in his first four seasons. Moss had 5,396 yards from 1998-2001, and Jefferson is at 5,423.

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On a play in the first quarter of the contest, Justin Fields split out wide, leaving Moore lined up in the shotgun. After receiving the snap, he faked a handoff to Fields, and he turned the edge and scored on a 16-yard run to give the Bears the lead:

Both Lucas Patrick and Braxton Jones were downfield on the play blocking for Moore, whose touchdown was the first rushing score of his career on his 41^st attempt out of the backfield.

The play capped off a 69-yard drive that gave the Bears a 7-0 lead as they try for their second divisional win in a row.

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Here’s the full list of Bears inactives for their Week 14 game:

It’s worth noting that both Tyler Scott (hamstring) and Velus Jones Jr. (illness) are active, since each man was considered questionable to play. That means the Bears will have both of their top-two kick returners ready to roll, and will have their typical depth at the back end of the wide receivers group. Equanimeous St. Brown is inactive and was ruled out on Friday with a pectoral injury. He’s considered week-to-week. The team called up Collin Johnson from the practice squad in case Scott or Jones Jr. couldn’t play, but since they’re each good to go, the team made Johnson inactive.

Other inactives include guard Ja’Tyre Carter, defensive back Quindell Johnson, defensive end Dominique Robinson and quarterback Nathan Peterman. All of them are depth players buried at the back of their respective position groups.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ last two games against the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots had major implications for the Bears, who are competing for the 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick by way of the Carolina Panthers.

With Mitch Trubisky in for an injured Kenny Pickett the last two weeks, the Steelers’ dropped back-to-back games against two of the worst teams in the league, putting both the Cardinals and Patriots two games above the 1-11 Panthers in the standings. That two-game cushion will be crucial in helping the Bears’ secure the No. 1 pick.

In those two games, Trubisky completed 63.5% of his passes for 307 total yards and two touchdowns.

Of course, fans in Chicago have taken the opportunity to thank Trubisky for his services.

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That number is key, as it determines how much the Bears will have to pay annually for taxes on the land.

On Friday, “in an effort to address the ongoing property value concerns,” school districts in the northwest Chicago suburb announced they secured two independent appraisals by MaRous & Company that valued the property at $160 million, according to a press release.

Along with their new assessment, they also announced the Bears promised to submit an appraisal value of their own by the end of the year.

Previously, the property was valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area, which are funded by property taxes, countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

Whether or not the school districts agree to the value the Bears return with remains to be seen. The school districts are holding their ground for the community, but they said they remain open-minded about coming to an agreement on the property value.

“The school districts, like our neighboring school districts, routinely become involved in property tax matters to defend against unwarranted reductions in the assessments of significant commercial and industrial properties,” the school districts said in the release. “We do so because the reductions being sought on these significant properties increase the tax burden on homeowners and can reduce the amount of money available to fund education.

“The assessment cases in which the Districts become involved are normally settled through a compromise somewhere between the values in the appraisals submitted into evidence by the taxpayer and the Districts. This is precisely how we settled the 2022 assessment with Churchill Downs, Inc.”

As aforementioned, the Bears re-opened their stadium location options, despite purchasing the Arlington Park land in February 2023. Since reopening their interests, several municipalities have shown interest including Naperville, Aurora, Waukegan and the city of Chicago.

Speaking of the city, recent reports revealed the Bears are doing their “due diligence on the viability” of the South Lot of Soldier Field as a possible stadium location. They plan to use the same firm, Compass Land Surveying Aurora, that they used for Arlington Heights to survey the land.

Check back to this story for more updates.

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If Scott and Jones Jr. each can’t play that would shine a light on Darnell Mooney and Trent Taylor to pick up the slack behind DJ Moore. The team could also consider elevating Nsimba Webster or Collin Johnson from the practice squad. It would also leave the team without its top two kick returners. Khalil Herbert has returned kicks for the Bears in the past and he could slide into that role again. Travis Homer is another option for kick return.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is questionable to play with a knee injury that popped up on Thursday’s report. Ngakoue was able to practice in full on Friday, however, so he’s trending in the right direction. The expectation is that Ngakoue will be able to play against the Lions.

The offense got some good news as D’Onta Foreman and Larry Borom each enter Week 14 without a game designation. Foreman has battled through an ankle injury for weeks and emerged as one of the most effective players in the rushing game. Borom plays an important role as the team’s swing tackle in case Braxton Jones or Darnell Wright get hurt.

Finally, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and linebacker Noah Sewell are each healthy enough to play on Sunday. Stevenson missed the Bears’ game against the Vikings with an ankle injury. Now he’s set to re-enter the lineup, although coaches have said he’ll rotate in and out of the defense along with fellow rookie Terell Smith. Sewell has largely played on special teams this year, but will also act as the backup strongside linebacker if needed.

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Where will the Bears build their new stadium?

On October 3, The Dailey Herald reported that a demolition at Arlington Park ordered by the Bears had been completed.

This, however, doesn’t necessarily indicate the Bears will reside there in the future. They’re currently at an impasse with Arlington Heights over property valuation, as it affects future tax bills for the Bears.

After deliberating with Arlington Heights — the 326-acre land the Chicago Bears bought for $197.2 million — about developing a stadium at Arlington Park, the Bears seemingly pivoted off the location when Bears’ CEO Kevin Warren stated publicly back in August that “everything is on the table.”

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Warren told Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

How did the Bears get here? What does the future look like?

Let’s take a look at how the Bears and their stadium endeavors have unfolded so far.

What has happened

On Feb. 15, the Bears released a letter saying they closed on the purchase of the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and the Arlington Park property “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

The Bears first put a purchase agreement on the property in September of 2021. One year later, the Bears unveiled early plans to build a fully enclosed dome stadium on the property as well as a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district.

The Bears have said from the start of the process that they will fully fund the construction of the stadium, which is expected to cost between $2 and $3 billion. However, the team has said multiple times it will need help with the development of the other areas.

“We have publicly stated and repeat here again: If we construct a state-of-the-art stadium, we will not seek taxpayer funds locally or otherwise for the structure. If we proceed, however, this project would require assistance to ensure feasibility, including our securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region,” the Bears said in a statement.

“For the development to move forward, and for this effort to be financially feasible, a public-private partnership addressing predictable taxes and necessary infrastructure funding for public uses is essential. Public funds for infrastructure will provide regional improvements such as roads for better traffic flow and water drainage for residents throughout the area.”

The Bears have said numerous times that the purchase and development of the Arlington Heights property was their sole focus as it pertains to a new stadium.

The Bears’ lease with Soldier Field is slated to end in 2033.

Tax issues cause change of course

The Bears have mentioned since the beginning they will need assistance with the infrastructure and property tax certainty. They seemingly lost sight of the latter over the summer.

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area which are funded by property taxes countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

However, that was just a one-year agreement between the two sides. With the Bears now taking over the tax bill, they will have to revisit the issue and try to come to an agreement. That $95 million number is the reason the Bears have started to look elsewhere, according to a team statement released over the summer.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

What Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office said

“Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Assessor’s office said Friday. “The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area. The facts speak for themselves.”

Other municipalities make their pitch

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Warren have had two separate meetings. Here’s their last joint statement.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb tried to throw its hat in the ring. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

Aurora is the latest municipality to try their hand at convincing the Bears to come their way.

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

Soldier Field South Lot

A report from 670 The Score surfaced in early December that the Bears had begun surveying the viability of Soldier Field’s South Lot as a potential new stadium site.

The Bears are using the same surveying company they used for Arlington Heights to investigate the potential of the South Lot land, according to the report. Does that mean the Bears are looking into building a new stadium on the lot? That’s unclear at this point.

Soldier Field lost its historical landmark status in 2006 after making major renovations. That means, in theory, the city could tear down Soldier Field in favor of building a whole new stadium. Seeing the history and value the stadium brings to the city, however, that seems like an impossible hill to climb.

All the report tells us, at this point, is the Bears are continuing to explore their options.

What’s next?

Warren told King he hopes to come to a decision on the location of the stadium within the next year. After that, he’s specific about the timeline of the actual construction.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

The Bears brought in Warren to do exactly that — plan and build a stadium. He’s done it once already. In Minnesota, he helped the Vikings construct U.S. Bank stadium, one of the most prominent stadium designs in recent history.

He’s also not naive to the politics that surround constructing a stadium, especially in Chicago.

“In regard to why I can get it done, one thing I found out, especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why?” Warren said. “And what’s the why for everyone? It can’t just be, what’s the why for the Chicago Bears, or what’s the why for this group or that group? One of the things I’ll really start thinking is, what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why? The more common the why that you have, the more people will understand.

“With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right. I’ll need to study the project and understand and lean on other people, talk with Ted [Phillips] and other folks in the organization to come up with what that why is. But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”

Remember, the Bears paid a hefty price tag to own the land in Arlington Heights. The idea of selling it or developing it into something that isn’t a stadium doesn’t seem feasible.

The Halas/McCaskey family have their money tied up in the Bears, not external interests. Jerry Jones could eat the cost of this land and find a new location at the snap of his fingers. The Bears can’t.

According to Warren on King’s podcast, the Bears and Arlington Heights have a fall meeting to discuss the prospects of their tax bill once more. That meeting will be crucial in determining the real answer to the Bears stadium location.

Right now, it’s in flux. But it isn’t cemented. That’ll come soon enough.

For now, enjoy Soldier Field while you can. Because, either way it unfolds, the Bears are likely moving out.

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Robbie Gould bid the NFL adieu in a thoughtful post to the Players’ Tribune on Thursday, reflecting on an improbable journey that began with a walk-on tryout invitation from Joe Paterno at Penn State University in 2001.

What followed was a distinguished 18-year NFL career.

After 11 seasons in Chicago, which culminated in him becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer, Gould had a one-year stint with the New York Giants before settling down with the San Francisco 49ers for the remainder of his career.

His crowning achievement was his perfect postseason field-goal percentage. At 29-for-29 across 16 games, there are a plethora of big moments Gould could choose to hang his hat on.

In his mind, though, there’s one kick that stands above the rest.

“January of 2022,” he said. “Playoffs. Green Bay vs. San Fran. Lambeau Field. It’s 10–10. Ball on the right hash. Four seconds left on the clock. Jimmy G. had just taken the Niners offense 44 yards in nine plays against the top-seeded Packers. Deebo and Juszczyk had huge plays to give us a shot to win it from 45 and send San Francisco to the NFC Championship. 

“The temperature was below zero, and it felt exactly the way it did when I played in the Windy City. Snow was falling, and the ground was soft. It wasn’t ideal, but none of that mattered; as a kicker, it was one of those moments I lived for every time I stepped on the field. And then….

We nailed it right down the middle.” 

Gould will always have a soft spot for the city of Chicago, where he met his wife and raised his kids. He played against the Green Bay Packer 21 times as a member of the Bears. That type of loathing is hard to unlearn.

Bears’ special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who worked in the same role for the 49ers that season, spoke about the magnitude of that wild night at Lambeau Field Thursday at Halas Hall.

“I mean, that was an awesome experience for our whole football time,” he said. “Big kick for him obviously, big kick for the franchise there. Anytime you beat Green Bay, I’m all for it. It was just a special moment. It was a special moment. It’s one that those guys on that team will cherish and it’s something that I’m hoping as we continue to build something here really special, that we can have a moment like that. And Bears fans and everybody here can experience that as well. That’s why we come to work every day, is for moments like that.”

“I’ve always had a healthy respect for the Packers and that fierce Bears-Packers rivalry,” Gould said. “More than anything, though, I just absolutely love Bears fans. So to hit a huge kick like that, on the big stage, to continue my streak of never missing a kick in the playoffs and to also make all of Chicago happy in the process by taking down its rival? It was the best of both worlds.”

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Justin Fields helped tremendously in his return from a thumb injury that kept him out for five weeks. He threw for 169 yards and one touchdown while running for a whopping 104 yards on the ground in Detroit.

That offensive production, and a consistent defensive thwarting from the Bears, helped pigeon-hole the Lions into a 12-point deficit late in the game. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this movie before. The Lions scored two quick touchdowns to take back the lead they first earned in the second quarter, winning the game.

But their win didn’t discount how the Bears played for the first 56 minutes of a game they should’ve locked up. Lions head coach Dan Campbell understands this and refuses to underestimate the Bears, and especially, Justin Fields.

“He’s [Fields] one of these rare, dangerous players and I’ll tell you what he’s done a really good job of from last year to this year is if it’s a pass and he starts to move, he’s still moving with eyes down the field much more than I felt like he had previously and that’s extremely dangerous,” Campbell said.

“Everything starts with him for us defensively and containing these guys.”

Containing Fields on the ground was something the Lions struggled with mightily in 2022, too.

The first time around, Fields rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns, falling one point short of defeating the Lions. He also threw for an additional two touchdowns through the air.

The second time around, well, was a different story. They figured him out through the air, forcing him into a 75-yard day on 7-of-21 passing. But on the ground, again, the Lions failed to stifle Fields. He rushed for 132 yards on 10 carries.

The Bears, currently 4-8, are desperate for a strong finish from a rather underwhelming season. A win over the Lions to make up for the one they should’ve had earlier this season would be a solid start.

“This is gonna be good. This is gonna be a good battle,” Campbell said.

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“Great competitor,” Hightower said. “Clutch in big moments when we needed him to be. Consistent, you know?

“Everybody knows he’s the all-time Bears leading scorer and means a lot to the city of Chicago. And just want to congratulate him on a hell of a career.”

When asked what made Gould so great, Hightower didn’t mention anything physical about his leg or his technique. He said it was how he approached the game.

“Most of the really, really good ones have the mental toughness and the mental fortitude to persevere through a lot of different things… Robbie was that way.”

Gould emerged as a Bears legend thanks to a tryout with the team in 2005. He ended up playing 11 seasons in Chicago and still ranks as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,207 points.

Gould was named a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2006 when he led the league with 32 made field goals. He hit 88.9% of his kicks that year and went a perfect 47-47 on extra point tries.

His leg was responsible for several Bears wins, including thrillers like his 49-yarder in overtime to beat the Seahawks in the divisional round of the 2006 playoffs.

Hightower wasn’t with the Bears for that walkoff win, but experienced another thanks to Gould in the 2021 playoffs when he hit a field goal as time expired to beat the Packers and send the Niners to the NFC Championship Game.

“Anytime you beat Green Bay, I’m all for it,” Hightower said. “It was just a special moment. It was a special moment. It’s one that those guys on that team will cherish and it’s something that I’m hoping as we continue to build something really special here, that we can have a moment like that. And Bears fans and everybody here can experience that as well. That’s why we come to work every day, is for moments like that.”

Gould’s 85.4% field goal percentage ranks second in Bears history, behind only Cairo Santos’ 90.2% hit rate. His career 86.46% field goal percentage ranks ninth in NFL history.

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The group’s board chair, Bronwyn Nichols, released the following statement Wednesday on behalf of Friends of the Parks:

“The Bears’ viability study about building a new structure on protected lakefront land absolutely should include dealing with a lawsuit. Friends of the Parks most certainly will continue in its historic role of fending off attempts to develop real estate on the people’s lakefront for private interests.”

The Bears are using the same surveying company they used for Arlington Heights to investigate the potential of the South Lot land, according to the report. Does that mean the Bears are looking into building a new stadium on the lot? That’s unclear at this point.

Soldier Field lost its historical landmark status in 2006 after making major renovations. That means, in theory, the city could tear down Soldier Field in favor of building a whole new stadium. Seeing the history and value the stadium brings to the city, however, that seems like an impossible hill to climb.

All the report tells us, at this point, is the Bears are continuing to explore their options. But since the Bears ran into tax assessment issues with Arlington Heights — the land they purchased in February 2023 — they’ve been demonstrating an open mind towards all other options.

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Bears CEO/President Kevin Warren told NBC’s Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

MORE: Chicago Bears stadium: Where things stand with Soldier Field, Arlington Heights

The Bears have met with the city of Chicago twice. Both times, Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have released joint statements surrounding the general positivity surrounding their conversations.

Here’s the latest statement from last June.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

If nothing else, know this: Warren is hoping to move the process along since coming to a crossroads with Arlington Heights. He hopes to have a firm decision on the location of the stadium soon.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said in August. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

Check back to this story for more updates.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

“To have the kind of playing-career experience that I had in the NFL was nothing short of amazing, and my level of gratitude for the journey — the ups, the downs, the in-between — is immeasurable,” Gould said in a post published on The Players’ Tribune.

Gould emerged as a Bears legend thanks to a tryout with the team in 2005. He ended up playing 11 seasons in Chicago and still ranks as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,207 points.

Gould was named a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2006 when he led the league with 32 made field goals. He hit 88.9% of his kicks that year and went a perfect 47-47 on extra point tries.

His leg was responsible for several Bears wins, including thrillers like his 49-yarder in overtime to beat the Seahawks in the divisional round of the 2006 playoffs.

The Bears cut Gould in 2016, but he went on to play seven more seasons in the NFL, one with the Giants and six with the 49ers. Gould’s time in San Francisco included one “revenge game” where he connected on five field goals to put the 49ers over the Bears 15-14. He also hit a game-winning field goal as time expired in the 2021 playoffs to give the Niners a win over the Packers and send San Francisco to the NFC Championship game.

Gould’s 85.4% field goal percentage ranks second in Bears history, behind only Cairo Santos’ 90.2% hit rate. His career 86.46% field goal percentage ranks ninth in NFL history.

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Jones is the Bears nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this year, in large part due to his community outreach. In particular, Jones likes to participate in Youth Guidance’s “Becoming a Man” program, or BAM, where he gets one-on-one time to mentor boys between seven and 12 years old. Per Youth Guidance’s website, the program is designed to help them “learn, internalize and practice social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future and become positive members of their school and community.”

“I love what they provide to the community,” Jones said. “I love what they’re doing. I wish I had that when I was younger.”

The cause is especially important to Jones because he didn’t have a father figure in his life. He was raised by a single mother in Georgia, and he learned a lot about resiliency and providing for family from her. But when it came time to be a father himself, he was scared. Since he didn’t have that father figure, he didn’t know how to act. So when Jones’ wife Kandace gave birth to their daughter Kamiah three years ago, Jones decided to stitch together the aspects he liked best from the role models in his life.

“I’ve built my own little portrait of what it’s supposed to be like.”

The central figure in Jones’ fatherhood canvas is his former strength coach from NC State, Dantonio Burnette, aka Coach Thunder.

“He was a real big family guy and he was one that, at a pivotal time in my life, sat down with me and taught me about these things and showed me the importance of it,” Jones said. “It wasn’t like he was just talking about it, too. He walked it.”

One thing that made an impression upon Jones was when Burnette invited him over for Thanksgiving. Jones saw how Burnette treated his family and how he spoke to his wife. He was taken by Burnette’s nature as a father and filed it away.

“It was a beautiful thing. He taught me in a short period of time what it’s supposed to be like, and I loved it.”

That wasn’t all Jones learned from Burnette. His former coach taught him about bravery and having the courage to face tough situations, even when it’s scary. Burnette taught him how to properly communicate with people and how to properly channel his emotions. Burnette taught him that it’s ok to cry, even though he’s a man.

One of the biggest problems that Jones believes men face today is that they don’t know what to do with their emotions. Call it toxic masculinity. Call it a reluctance to get in touch with oneself. Call it whatever you want. Jones simply believes it’s important for young men to learn how to process their feelings in a healthy way and tries to relay that to his BAM mentees.

Jones also appreciates the opportunity to inspire a young man who might be going through a rough patch and encourage him that things will get better. He draws on his own experience to hopefully help the kids see a bright future even if the present seems bleak.

“We lost our house in 2010, 2008 or something like that. When I was in Georgia it rained for like seven days straight, and our house sat between two rivers. The water overflowed and flooded our house, and the water got to our second floor. We had to swim out of there to get to the front door. Me, my mom, my stepdad and my brother had to swim to get out of our house. My brother had to sit on my stepdad’s back. I remember my momma got sick because she got bit by something in the water.”

Jones and his family had to stay at his aunt’s house for months, and when they returned their house was totaled. His mom didn’t have flood insurance since they didn’t live in a flood zone and their family was already just getting by before the disaster struck.

“She had to build it back from the bottom up, again,” Jones said. “Seeing her go through that tough time with two kids, she’s by herself and she’s the main provider, and having to deal with this– it’s like, man, she did it. She toughed through it. To this day, if things get hard I know there’s a way through.”

It is important for Jones to share these lessons with the kids he mentors in BAM, but now he’s excited to share them with his own son, who is just two days old.

On Monday, Justin and Kandace welcomed their second child into the world, Jru Maurice Jones. Kandace picked the name since Justin picked out Kamiah for their daughter. Maurice is also Justin’s middle name.

“My son sounds like an All-Star. When he was born I was like, ‘Jruuuuu Mauriiiiice Joooooones!’” Jones said in his best PA announcer voice. “They say Maurice Jones-Drew, or Jrue Holiday. No, it’s Jru Jones. Jruuuuuuu Jooooones. I get used to that, man.”

By now, Jones’ nervousness about becoming a dad has given way to excitement. He loves it.

“Honestly, it’s fun,” Jones said. “It has its tough times every now and again, but I feel like when you’ve got a good partner to help you it’s easy. When you’re both on the same page and when you both agree on certain things, and stand on the same morals and stuff like that, it’s good.”

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner will be announced on Feb. 6.

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The Bears are reportedly doing their “due diligence on the viability” of the South Lot of Soldier Field as a possible stadium location, according to a report from 670 The Score.

The Bears are using the same surveying company they used for Arlington Heights to investigate the potential of the South Lot land, according to the report. Does that mean the Bears are looking into building a new stadium on the lot? That’s unclear at this point.

Soldier Field lost its historical landmark status in 2006 after making major renovations. That means, in theory, the city could tear down Soldier Field in favor of building a whole new stadium. Seeing the history and value the stadium brings to the city, however, that seems like an impossible hill to climb.

All the report tells us, at this point, is the Bears are continuing to explore their options. But since the Bears ran into tax assessment issues with Arlington Heights — the land they purchased in February 2023 — they’ve been demonstrating an open mind towards all other options.

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Bears CEO/President Kevin Warren told NBC’s Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

MORE: Chicago Bears stadium: Where things stand with Soldier Field, Arlington Heights

The Bears have met with the city of Chicago twice. Both times, Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have released joint statements surrounding the general positivity surrounding their conversations.

Here’s the latest statement from last June.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

If nothing else, know this: Warren is hoping to move the process along since coming to a crossroads with Arlington Heights. He hopes to have a firm decision on the location of the stadium soon.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said in August. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

Check back to this story for more updates.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (ankle), running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle/shin) and swing tackle Larry Borom all participated in full after their injuries kept them out of the Bears’ Week 12 matchup against the Vikings.

Stevenson and Foreman are the most significant returns for the team. The rookie cornerback has been a starter since Week 1 and has steadily improved as the season has progressed. He’s given up some big plays but has also proven to be a reliable tackler. Stevenson has also displayed some ball-hawking ability that the Bears covet.

Foreman shouldered the load in the backfield while Khalil Herbert was on injured reserve earlier this season. He was so effective that he maintained a significant role in the offense when Herbert returned. On the year Foreman has 92 attempts for 381 yards and four touchdowns.

The only limited participant on Wednesday was rookie linebacker Noah Sewell as he works through a knee injury. Sewell has largely contributed on special teams for the Bears this year.

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“Sudden change comes around for offense when you get a big return into (opponent’s territory), either by takeaway or kicking game,” Eberflus said. “Or you get an explosive play, that can also be a momentum thing, too. It’s not quite sudden change, but it’s also momentum into the scoring zone.”

The Bears offense had several opportunities to take advantage of sudden change against the Vikings in Week 12, but they couldn’t make the most of them. The Bears offense got the ball five times off of a sudden change– four from interceptions and one from a turnover on downs– but they only managed to score six points on those ensuing drives. They had four offensive plays that went for 20+ yards over three drives. They got six points out of those drives. That’s not good enough, and it allowed the Vikings to hang around in a game that the Bears should have dominated.

Eberflus believes the key for more success is as simple as better operation when the team is in scoring range.

“Some of that’s converting on third downs,” Eberflus said. “If we decided to go on fourth down like we did last week with fourth-and-10, it’s converting there. Then it’s maintaining that momentum through execution into the scoring zone, into the end zone.

“That’s what we have to focus on.”

Poor execution both on offense and defense led to an incredible collapse in Week 11 when the team gave up a 12-point lead with just over four minutes to play against the Lions. The Bears have a chance to exorcize the demons when the Lions come to Soldier Field this Sunday. The team knows they can hang with the NFC North leaders, and if they can execute better on offense in the biggest moments they’ll give themselves a chance to tally a signature win.

“I think they’re coming,” Eberflus said. “I really do.”

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This season, the Bears nominated defensive tackle Justin Jones for the award.

“His leadership with this team has been outstanding since he’s been here,” said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. “I think the cool thing in terms of how he’s helped be a mentor for other people in the city of Chicago as well as young players on our team, is he’s tapping into former experiences that he’s gone through.

“If it’s performance anxiety, if it’s just coming up as a young football player trying to reach his goals, going through the ups and downs of a career — it’s never a linear path. So, for him to use some of the knowledge he’s had from his past and spread that not only to the community but to his teammates has really impacted this team and this locker room.”

Jones is an active participant in supporting Chicago’s community.

He selected Youth Guidance to support as part of the My Cause My Cleats initiative from the NFL.

He has personally assisted Nicole Mitchell, a single, deaf mother of three kids. Jones provided the family with essential items and Christmas gifts.

Jones is an avid supporter of CPS Girls’ Flag Football. He also holds an annual football camp in Atlanta, Ga. for high school players.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to be nominated for this award by my coaches and teammates,” said Jones. “I do my best to give back to Chicago communities. Coming from a humble background myself, I want to find ways to help people without expecting anything in return.”

Jones will wear the Walter Payton Man of the Year decal on his helmet for the rest of the season.

This season’s nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. The 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on CBS on Thursday, Feb. 8.

The last person to win the award was Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott last season. The last Chicago Bear to win the award was Mike Singletary in 1990.

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If the Bears move on from head coach Matt Eberflus, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports the Bears are expected to have interest in the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Bieniemy, 54, has been at the top of the prospective NFL head coaches list in recent seasons. His non-hiring as a head coach in recent years has sparked controversy about the NFL’s hiring process and rules for hiring coaches during the playoffs. He’s been a prime candidate in most recent offseasons.

Before taking over the Commanders’ offense under Ron Rivera, Bieniemy earned his stripes as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs between 2018-22. Under Bienimey’s leadership, the Chiefs’ offense has ranked first, fourth, sixth, second and first dating back to his start.

This season, the Commanders have the 22nd-best offense in the NFL. Last season, they finished 24th. The most significant improvement to come out of Washington, however, is quarterback Sam Howell’s improvement under center.

In his true first season (he played one game during his rookie outing), he’s thrown for just under 3,500 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 13 games. He leads the league in passing attempts and completions at this point, completing over 65% of those passes.

If the Bears moved on from Eberflus to bring in Bieniemy, or any new head coach, that person would mark the Bears’ third head coach in the last four years. Eberflus is in his second season succeeding former head coach, now Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

Several names have been attached to the Bears’ potentially vacant head coaching spot.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has rumored interest in the Bears, the team he played quarterback for from 1987-93. Some pundits made the connection with Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots, in case he and the Patriots have a falling out after their, currently, two-win season.

Will the Bears move on from Eberflus? If so, who will they bring in next?

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Matt Eberflus’ team is fresh off its bye and has five more games before the regular season concludes. It has a 4-8 record, just two games behind the No. 7 seed in the NFC but also good for the No. 5 pick in the projected 2024 NFL Draft order.

The Bears’ race to the finish line begins with a home contest against the Detroit Lions in Week 14. It will be the second matchup between the NFC North foes in just four weeks after the Lions rallied to beat the Bears 31-26 in Week 11.

Detroit leads the NFC North with a 9-3 record after fending off the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. A win in Chicago will bring the team even closer to a division title, something it hasn’t earned since 1993.

Will the Lions sweep the season series, or will the Bears play spoiler? Here is how you can watch this week’s Bears-Lions matchup:

When is the Bears vs. Lions Week 14 game?

The Bears will host the Lions at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Dec. 10.

What time is the Bears vs. Lions Week 14 game?

Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.

How to watch Bears vs. Lions Week 14

Bears-Lions will air on FOX.

NBC Sports Chicago’s Football Aftershow will begin immediately following the game. Ruthie Polinsky will be joined by Lance Briggs, Alex Brown and Dave Wannstedt to break down how the Bears fared against the Lions. 

How to stream the Bears vs. Lions live online

Free streaming option: FuboTV (free trial)

Live stream: FoxSports.com, NFL+

Mobile app: Fox Sports app, NFL mobile app

How to listen to Bears vs. Lions on the radio

Station: ESPN 1000

Editor’s note: FUBO TV is a sponsored partner and we may receive compensation if you click on our links or sign up.

“We want to get our young guys more and more playing time,” Eberflus said. “If they’re effective and produce, we certainly will play them. You guys know that.”

The Bears have spoken highly of Smith all year even though Stevenson won the starting outside corner job opposite Jaylon Johnson out of training camp. He impressed enough in practice and in his limited game experience to earn snaps in a rotation with Stevenson in Week 11. Smith was then a standout performer in his spot start for Stevenson in Week 12.

Rotating Stevenson and Smith is an interesting decision for a coach who some believe is on the hot seat. Prioritizing player development with a rookie rotation compared to playing the starters all the time indicates that Eberflus might not feel outside pressure to win right now. It will also give the team valuable tape to evaluate as they engage in negotiations with Johnson. If Smith and Stevenson each continue to improve and play at a high level, it could make the team confident enough to move on without paying Johnson a huge contract.

Over seven games and three starts Smith has surrendered a 63% completion rate and 89.9 QB rating when targeted. He’s also made impressive tackles in the open field to prevent first downs and explosive gains. Stevenson has been put into the line of fire more often as a starter, and he’s noticeably improved as the season has progressed. Stevenson has given up a 67% completion rate and 112.5 QB rating when targeted. Stevenson also has one interception.

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Keep Justin Fields? Or, move off of him and look to the draft or free agency?

One former Bears player was steadfast about the Bears keeping Fields on the Pardon My Take podcast.

“Leave f—— Justin alone. Leave Justin alone,” former Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “Get the coaching system right … Justin can be special. Justin is special. Now, put him in the right situation. Leave him alone. Leave him alone.”

Marshall incredulously said he wasn’t aware of how the coaching operates in the room. He didn’t want to speak for the behind-the-scenes part of Fields and the Bears.

But, he feels Fields has enough talent to be a special quarterback for the Bears. Cam Newton chimed in by saying athletic quarterbacks, like Fields, are left in the shadows by traditional, pocket-passing quarterbacks.

Newton’s contention on how some NFL teams run a traditional offense shows how it hurts a dual-threat quarterback. Simply, NFL teams don’t make it easy enough for their quarterbacks and ask too much of them for a skillset they might not possess yet.

In eight games this season, Fields has thrown for just shy of 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has a 64.4% completion percentage and has added to his stat sheet dutifully on the ground, rushing for 400 yards and another touchdown.

By most metrics of efficiency, this season looks to be a positive year for Fields, improving upon his last two seasons. He holds career highs in passer rating, completion percentage, yards per game, interception percentage and sacks.

On the other hand, the Bears are 4-8 this season and 2-6 under his leadership. Tyson Bagent picked up two wins himself when he subbed in for Fields when he went down with a thumb injury in Week 5. Is Fields the right guy for the job? Or, is questioning his somewhat proven ability a product of today’s NFL.

There are technically five more weeks for Fields to showcase himself to the Bears. Some NFL minds believe the Bears have already made up their decision in that department, however.

“My thought is they probably already know the answer to that,” Troy Aikman said on 670 the Score with Parkins & Spiegel. “I don’t know that what he might show them here at the end of the season is going to affect that decision.”

Has time already run out for Fields? Or, is there a chance he can prove he’s the right guy for the job?

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Are Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles comfortable with keeping Fields as their signal caller? Or, will they be motivated enough by the upcoming draft class or the free agent market to move on?

Whatever they decide, one Hall of Fame quarterback believes the Bears have already made up their minds.

“My thought is they probably already know the answer to that,” Troy Aikman said on 670 the Score with Parkins & Spiegel. “I don’t know that what he might show them here at the end of the season is going to affect that decision.”

In eight games this season, Fields has thrown for just shy of 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has a 64.4% completion percentage and has added to his stat sheet dutifully on the ground, rushing for 400 yards and another touchdown.

By most metrics of efficiency, this season looks to be a positive year for Fields, improving upon his last two seasons. He holds career highs in passer rating, completion percentage, yards per game, interception percentage and sacks.

On the other hand, the Bears are 4-8 this season and 2-6 under his leadership. Tyson Bagent picked up two wins himself when he subbed in for Fields when he went down with a thumb injury in Week 5. Is Fields the right guy for the job? Or, is questioning his somewhat proven ability a product of today’s NFL?

“I think the league is as less patient as it’s ever been,” Aikman said.

Today’s NFL is a quarterback-driven league. No one’s breaking news by saying that. The race to find a franchise quarterback is a race every team competes for at a tooth-and-nail pace.

But not every quarterback comes into their own immediately upon arriving in the NFL. As they mentioned on the show, Terry Bradshaw didn’t take off until his fifth year. Geno Smith just earned his first Pro Bowl nod in his ninth season. Everyone is different.

That begs the question — is it too soon to bail on Fields? Or, do the Bears believe they’ve given him enough time, support and energy to confirm he isn’t their guy. Aikman said it himself, too, the support a young quarterback has around him is essential.

“The quarterbacks in this league, they’re all talented. And Justin Fields is very talented,” Aikman said. “It’s the intangibles. It’s all the other things that ultimately determine whether or not you’re going to have success. Not the mention, the players that you’re going to have around you.”

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The Athletic’s Diana Russini recently reported how the structure of the Bears is built from her knowledge.

“In terms of the power and the control there, Kevin Warren has been brought in there,” Russini said on The Herd. “He really started doing the work in Chicago. He was hired in January but really in April. So he’s really trying to take that time to take a look at all of it — the quarterback position, the coaching staff — and really try to make an unemotional decision into how he sees the Chicago Bears organization.

“From staying on that story and following it all season long, and obviously having those conversations, I do see Chicago not only moving on from their head coach, but I do see them getting back in the quarterback market.”

If you can recall, Warren was hired by the Bears last January and began working in April. Before he arrived, general manager Ryan Poles was to report to chairman George McCaskey, not then CEO/President Phillips.

But, upon getting Warren on the payroll, McCaskey transferred his powers back to the president. Now, Poles reports to Warren, who oversees not only the future stadium endeavors the Bears plan to embark upon but also football operations, according to Russini’s reports.

Obviously, Poles and McCaskey both have a say on the team’s big-ticket issues i.e. whether or not to move off of head coach Matt Eberflus or whether or not to keep Justin Fields or go quarterback hunting.

But, taking from Russini’s report, it appears Warren is in the driver’s seat.

It’s tough to read what Russini meant by Warren trying to make an “unemotional decision” about the direction he plans to take the Bears organization. Is she referring to the past dispute Warren and Fields once had in a debate about the continuation of the Big Ten football season during the COVID-19 pandemic?

That seems unlikely. It’s well-known the two buried the hatchet and moved forward. What’s more, Warren attended Fields’ graduation from Ohio State University back in May. There doesn’t appear to be any bitterness there.

Either way, Warren’s reported power over the Bears organization changes things. Poles has been a steadfast supporter of Eberflus. What does Warren think of him? Poles also stuck with Fields at quarterback this season, opting not to draft a new one. Does Warren want a new quarterback?

Russini believes the Bears will move off both Eberflus and Fields. That would mean the Bears would staff their third new head coach in just four years. It would also end Fields’ three-year tenure in Chicago, likely motivating the Bears to trade him elsewhere. Are those moves the right call for the organization?

That’s for Kevin Warren to answer.

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The highlight of Santos’ phenomenal month was probably the game-winning kick he hit in the waning moments of the Bears’ Monday Night Football win over the Vikings. That was also Santos’ 100th made field goal as a Chicago Bear, placing him fifth all-time on the franchise’s made field goals leaderboard.

This is Santos’ second Player of the Month Award. He previously earned the recognition for his play in December 2020. Santos also won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after Week 7 last season for his 4-4 FG, 3-3 PAT performance against the Patriots.

Santos has hit 23-25 of his field goals over the entire season. He’s 21-22 on extra points. He ranks fifth in the NFL for field goals made. His 90 points scored rank eighth.

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Two Bears made the cut: Darnell Wright and Jack Sanborn.

Here’s what Matt Miller and Matt Bowen wrote about Wright.

“Wright has started 11 games at right tackle for the struggling Bears. The rookie’s tape has been hot and cold — he has allowed nine sacks — but his flashes in the run game are dominant with a win rate of 77%. That’s top-20 among all tackles. Wright has to develop, as this is his second season playing right tackle, but the traits are there for him to become a star.”

And on Sanborn.

“Playing the Sam linebacker position in the Bears’ base 4-3 defense, Sanborn is an instinctual defender who is quick to identify the play. He has the ability to run clean lines to the ball, can rack up run stops and gets to depth in the Bears’ core zone-coverage schemes. His 41.1% run stop win rate ranks second among linebackers this season, and over his two-year career, Sanborn has 113 tackles, three sacks and one interception.”

Wright, 22, has been an anchor for the Bears at right tackle. Outside of some instances, including his allowed strip sack from Aidan Hutchinson, he’s been a solid addition to the offensive line. Most pundits would agree he has Pro Bowls and potentially All-Pro selections in his future.

Sanborn made a strong impression at the beginning of last season, showing unbelievable effort and IQ during the Bears’ preseason matchups. When Roquan Smith was traded to the Ravens at the trade deadline, Sanborn dutifully filled in and provided serviceable play.

This season, he’s started in seven games while participating in every game they’ve played. He has one interception, two passes defended, one sack and 61 total tackles.

Other notable Bears eligible, but left off the list, include Cole Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, Justin Fields, Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon.

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Ex-NFL player Keyshawn Johnson is firmly against the Bears moving on from Fields.

“Here’s a quarterback that has had multiple offensive coordinators and head coaches in a three-year span,” Johnson said. “This is really his second year … Now, all of a sudden he gets a chance to start. First-time head coach, first-time offensive coordinator. In his second year in the situation, he doesn’t have any real wide receivers. DJ Moore is the only guy.

“What has he done so egregious with all the different stuff that’s going on in Chicago that you want to move on from him in Year 2?”

Johnson argues other quarterbacks around the league saw similar question marks because they didn’t have the correct situation. What if Trevor Lawrence never played under Doug Pederson? What if the Bills never signed Stefon Diggs to help Josh Allen?

He faults the Bears’ situation for not being up to standard with a young quarterback’s needs. Johnson isn’t a fan of the Bears’ wide receiver core, or their roster. He argues the lack of continuity in the coaching staff over Fields’ time hinders his ceiling, too.

The point Johnson drives home is the idea that teams must surround their young quarterbacks with solid support systems, or else they will always question their ceiling.

“When you start to think about these young quarterbacks, because I continue to try to educate people to understand, situations and circumstances are important with young quarterbacks. And until you get something and put them around that that will make them successful, you are always gonna scratch your head,” Johnson said.

There is an argument to be made about drafting Caleb Williams, however.

Williams, while showing he is human this season, is considered by some as a “generational talent.” His ability to create off-script and execute off-platform reminds some of Patrick Mahomes-esque football.

But what good is it if Williams lands in the same situation Fields is in?

“Caleb is gonna be in the same situation. He’s going to a bad team in a bad situation,” Johnson said.

What’s more, Williams told the LA Times his decision to enter the NFL draft will be a “game-time decision.” What if Williams is unavailable to draft? Does any other college quarterback possess the prowess and skillset to impress Poles?

If Johnson was in Poles’ shoes, he knows what he would do with the Bears’ two first-round picks this offseason.

“I’m gonna trust Ryan Poles to do the right thing in terms of using these picks smartly. Because the guy that I would go get for him, the No. 1 guy I would go get, whether it’s at the first or the fourth pick, is Marvin Harrison Jr.,” Johnson said.

Would he take him with the No. 1 pick?

“I probably would because I think I got my quarterback. Now I need to surround him with some playmakers.”

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Quarterbacks will dominate most conversations, but unique generational talents at other positions, like a wide receiver (Marvin Harrison Jr.) and tight end (Brock Bowers), will create more buzz than last year’s initial draft night. 

Several marquee prospects with household name appeal and a litany of skill position players will be available on day one of the draft. Speculatively speaking, this may be one of the most impactful first rounds of the last ten years.

Check out this week’s mock and see which future star is headed to your favorite team.

NOTE: For the draft order, we used tankathon.com’s projected draft order.

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): QB – Caleb Williams, USC

Choosing Williams makes sense both fiscally and structurally regarding roster viability, especially at the sport’s most important position (quarterback). Combining his productivity from Oklahoma and USC, Williams completed 67 percent of his passes for 10,000 plus yards, throwing 93 touchdowns to just 14 interceptions. These are hard numbers for the Bears to ignore.

2. Arizona Cardinals: WR – Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

 Harrison Jr. is a phenomenal talent with stratospheric potential and little, if any, downside to his game. A tremendous downfield weapon, Harrison averaged 16.9 yards per catch on 155 career receptions with 31 receiving scores.  Targeting Marvin Harrison, an elite can’t-miss prospect, and pairing him with Murray, could expedite Arizona’s designs to be Super Bowl-worthy.

3. New England Patriots: QB – Drake Maye, North Carolina

Former first-round pick (15th overall, 2021 draft) Mac Jones is in danger of being labeled a quarterbacking bust. Jones has been benched four times this season, creating uncertainty in the main position. It’s possible the Patriots select quarterback Drake Maye in hopes that his above-average passing ratio (61 TDs/14 Ints) can translate into future wins for New England.

4. Chicago Bears: TE – Brock Bowers, Georgia

There’s a strong possibility the Bears will miss out on the Marvin Harrison Jr. sweepstakes. Yet, they may still be in a position to draft Bowers, arguably the most impactful offensive talent in the draft. Bowers possesses an enviable blend of size, power, athleticism, and seam-splitting speed that most defenses struggle game planning against.

5. Washington Commanders: Edge – Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Latu is a no-nonsense pass rusher who attacks the offensive perimeter with determined focus and purposefulness. More quick than fast, Latu creatively sheds blocks and possesses an innate ability to maneuver between offensive linemen efficiently, slipping into opposing backfields and disabling plays. Latu’s 13 sacks lead the Pac-12 and is tied for fourth throughout the entire FBS.

6. New York Giants: OT – Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Alt possesses uncommon athleticism and agility for a man his size (6’8”, 315 lbs). Impressive lateral quickness helps Alt gain leverage at the point of attack, while his balance and grip strength allow him to manipulate pass rushers away from the quarterback. Last season in over 800 plus snaps, he never surrendered a quarterback sack.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR – Rome Ondunze, Washington

Longtime Bucs wideout and all-time leading receiver Mike Evans (11,275 yds / 90 TDs) is an unrestricted free agent. Odunze, who possesses excellent size (6-3, 201 lbs) and speed (4.35 40-time) could be an affordable replacement. His ability to track long passes over either shoulder makes him a deep threat defenses shouldn’t underestimate. 

8. New York Jets: OT – Olu Fashanu, Penn State

An extremely athletic lineman with an impressive six-foot-six, 321-pound frame, Fashanu moves lithely but powerfully when engaging defenders. His rugged grip and long arms decisively maneuver pass rushers away from their intended targets. When attacking downfield, Fashanu’s agility allows him to maintain blocks onto the second level of defense.

9. Los Angeles Chargers: CB – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

McKinstry excels in disrupting a receiver’s route tempo and negatively affecting the rhythm of any team’s passing attack. Like many of his Alabama predecessors at defensive back, McKinstry competes with a consistent physicality buoyed with solid coverage techniques. 

10. Tennessee Titans: DL – Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Recently named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Newton embodies the definition of perseverance and discipline with his consistency and productivity on the gridiron. An indefatigable defender, Newton’s relentlessness on the field should translate well at the NFL level.

11. Las Vegas Raiders: QB – Jayden Daniels, LSU

Daniels may be the most dangerous offensive weapon within this draft class. A true dual threat, he is extremely sudden when running and displays an elastic-like arm that can sling passes downfield with accuracy. Over the course of this season, Daniels generated 3812 passing and 1134 rushing yards with 50 combined touchdowns.

12. New Orleans Saints: WR – Malik Nabers, LSU

Nabers is a tactical route-runner who unfailingly catches passes away from his body with confident hands. His ability to exploit defensive backs, combined with executing precise angled cuts, makes Nabers a reliable option for third-down conversions. 

13. Green Bay Packers: OT – Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

One of the fastest risers on many draft boards is offensive lineman Talises Fuaga. According to PFF metrics, Fuaga is one of the highest-rated overall offensive tackles, combining run and pass blocking with an 88.3 rating. In over 1500 plus snaps, Fuaga has never surrendered a sack and provides immediate impact as a run-blocking mauler.

14. Los Angeles Rams: Edge – Dallas Turner, Alabama

Turner is a quick-twitch athlete with excellent length and bendability off the edge when rushing the passer. He is decidedly more explosive from a two-point stance, but his athleticism allows for some schemed alignment versatility. Turner has already exceeded last season’s totals in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (8) throughout the 12 games he’s played.

15. Cincinnati Bengals: WR – Keon Coleman, Florida State

Coleman’s ability to create separation and leverage his wide catching radius against defenders projects favorably at the next level. Currently, Coleman is catching passes at a rate of 13.9 yards per reception while having caught 11 touchdown passes in 11 games.

16. Buffalo Bills: Edge – Jared Verse, Florida State

A speed-to-power pass rusher, Verse attacks with improving counter moves and purposefulness, making him less predictable and difficult to block. He competes with a tenacity that matches his production over the past 24 games. His 26.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks illustrate how effective and impactful he can be for a defense.

17. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): CB – Nate Wiggins, Clemson

The Cardinals play hard defensively yet are ineffective when forcing interceptions (9 picks in 12 games) and struggle to make impact plays to close out games. Both of Wiggins’ career interceptions resulted in defensive returns for scores. His length, sinewy strength, and football IQ make him a viable target for Arizona’s future defensive designs.

18. Denver Broncos: DB – Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Extremely versatile and skilled, DeJean is an athletic defensive back who could literally play any secondary position and be a difference-maker (7 career interceptions) wherever he’s lined up. Denver’s skill and depth in its secondary, especially the cornerback position, needs immediate improvement to seriously compete against the elite receiving talent in the AFC.  

19. Atlanta Falcons: CB – Josh Newton, TCU

Newton is an extremely experienced defensive back, having appeared in 58 games to date. A transfer from Louisiana-Monroe, over his last 27 games, Newton registered 52 solo tackles while boasting a career 35.4 average in interception return yards. 

20. Minnesota Vikings: QB – Bo Nix, Oregon

Aside from the fact that veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins is a 35-year-old, 35 million-a-year unrestricted free agent, he’s also done for the season due to an Achilles tendon injury. It’s increasingly hard to ignore the consistent production Nix provides on a weekly basis. He leads the nation in pass completion percentage (78.6) and has thrown 37 touchdowns with just two interceptions on the season.

21. Indianapolis Colts: DL – Leonard Taylor III, Miami (FL)

Taylor is a disruptive, thick-bodied interior defender with a good initial burst off the snap of the ball. His ability to shed blocks and penetrate behind the offensive line is evident by his 22.5 tackles for loss over the course of 28 collegiate games.

22. Seattle Seahawks: QB – Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Among the top five leaders in the room for this season’s 2023 Heisman Trophy, Penix is leading his undefeated Huskies for a run at the National Championship. Penix’s injury history prior to arriving at Washington (two torn ACLs in 2018, 2020) could be the main reason he’s not considered a top-five draft prospect.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB – Kalen King, Penn State

One of the Big Ten’s more formidable tacklers, King has registered 43 solo tackles in his last 25 games played. He is adept at zone coverage as well as providing sticky man-to-man defense regardless of the offensive formation and/or personnel. King’s twitchy short-area quickness and astute spatial awareness propelled him last season into leading the Big Ten Conference with 18 passes defended.

24. Houston Texans (via Cleveland): CB – Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Lassiter’s ability to cover deep vertical routes makes him attractive to NFL scouts looking for athletic defensive backs with long speed. A true boundary cover corner, he also displays an elevated awareness that makes him a strong zone defender. 

25. Miami Dolphins: TE – Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

The Dolphins’ passing attack is already lethal by NFL standards, but adding a pass-catching threat like Sanders could make it the deadliest in the league. Sanders is a quality route-runner who is surprisingly elusive after the catch. His size and speed demand attention, especially with his ability to threaten the seams of a defense.

26. Dallas Cowboys: OT – J.C. Latham, Alabama

Latham allowed only one sack and six hurries this season and performed at an above-average rate (79.4), according to PFF. Veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith’s salary (12 million) may have outpriced his production, possibly opening the door for Latham to become an economical solution.

27. Detroit Lions: CB – Denzel Burke, Ohio State

Burke is an ideal press-cover corner with excellent change of direction and field awareness. His ability to anticipate plus click-and-close when breaking in on a pass is NFL caliber. 

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge – J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State

Tuimoloau is a game-wrecking edge rusher who is just grazing the tip of his potential. His ability to diagnose screen-plays is advanced, as is his knack for penetrating behind offensive lines. Impressively, Tuimoloau registered 21 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in just 36 games played. 

29. Kansas City Chiefs: DL – Maason Smith, LSU

When completely healthy, there may be no one currently in the college game equally stout against the run, and troublesome to passing schemes as Smith. On the season, Smith registered 13 hurries and two sacks from the interior.

30. San Francisco 49ers: S – Kamren Kinchens, Miami (FL)

Kinchens is the type of versatile defensive back San Francisco covets. An intelligent surveyor of the field, Kinchens’ instincts and preparation are integral to his success. In his last 22 games played, Kinchens has tabulated 11 interceptions and 11 defended passes.

31. Baltimore Ravens: WR – Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Egbuka is a strong route-runner and pass catcher, and over the past 21 games he’s tallied 14 receiving scores with a career average of 14.7 yards a reception. Ohio State wideouts have excelled in the pros, and Egbuka may have the most untapped potential of them all.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge – Bralen Trice, Washington

Trice is a handful for pass blockers to contend with when attacking the edges of an offensive line. A power pass rusher, Trice attacks with purpose employing counter moves that make him unpredictable and difficult to block. 

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The USC quarterback told the LA Times it’s a “game-time decision” on whether or not he will declare for the 2024 NFL draft. He has until Jan. 15 to decide if he wants to enter the draft.

His hesitancy for the NFL has been widely known since his father, Carl, told GQ in September that Williams had “two shots at the apple” and might return to school “if there’s not a good situation” waiting for him in the NFL.

There’s existing speculation that Williams could exceed the annual amount of a high-drafted rookie with NIL opportunities at USC. Last season, Bryce Young — the draft’s top pick — inked a four-year deal worth around $37 million ($9.4 million per season) with the Carolina Panthers.

That wouldn’t add up, however. Williams’ estimated NIL valuation in September was $2.5 million, according to USA Today. That made him the fifth-highest-paid college athlete. Bronny James, son of LeBron and USC basketball player, is projected the highest-paid college athlete, valued at $6.1 million.

Clearly, a top rookie contract in the NFL would exceed any NIL money Williams could make with one more year at school. The main reason, as his father mentioned, appears to be a fear of landing in a suboptimal spot in the NFL.

Still, seeing as the Bears have the highest odds of landing the No. 1 pick, does that mean Williams isn’t confident in the Bears’ situation? Or, is it the murkiness of whether or not the Bears would be willing to draft him and the following suitors of the Cardinals, Patriots, Commanders, or Giants that scares him?

The Bears face a similar situation as they did last season. To keep Justin Fields, or draft a quarterback? That’s the question. Last season, Poles opted for the former, keeping Fields and building around him. But, at 4-8, that same thinking may not apply during the offseason.

If Williams doesn’t declare, that would certainly skew the Bears’ draft plans immensely.

If Ryan Poles and the Bears intended on drafting him, he obviously wouldn’t be available. But if they intend to trade the pick down, the value of that pick likely decreases, too, in Williams’ absence.

Williams’ declaration, or hold out, is something to monitor. He could drastically shift the draft strategies of several teams if he decides against declaring for the NFL.

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The Jets opened up a 21-day window for Rodgers to return from injured reserve on Wednesday and the team said he’ll start by practicing in a limited capacity. If the Jets use the entire 21 days for Rodgers to return, that puts him on track to be activated before their Week 16 Christmas Eve game against the Commanders.

If Rodgers does make it back onto the field that quickly, it would be nothing short of incredible. For some perspective, Cam Akers returned to the field just over five months after suffering an Achilles injury in 2021, and that was considered an astonishingly fast recovery at the time.

Rodgers has credited an innovative surgery to repair his tendon for his speedy rehab.

“I asked (the doctor) if we could push it, if we could push it beyond the normal protocols,” Rodgers said via the Jets website. “I’ve just wanted to do things quicker, smart, but quicker. It’s just about being smart with the rehab and pushing it as much as I can and then backing off on the days that it doesn’t feel good.”

The Jets traded for Rodgers back in April with the hopes that a quarterback of his caliber could help the offense match their playoff-caliber defense. Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon on the team’s first offensive drive of the season, however. Since then, the Jets have struggled to find reliable play at QB.

If the Jets do not activate Rodgers by the end of his 21-day practice window, then they’ll need to shut him down for the rest of the season.

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Simply put, Devin Hester is the best return man in NFL history. Hester burst onto the scene with three punt return touchdowns, two kick return touchdowns, and one remarkable score returning a missed field goal in his rookie season in 2006. He was an integral part of the team’s Super Bowl run that season. He made NFL history that year, too, when he became the first (and still only) player to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

It didn’t take long for opposing teams to kick around him, but it didn’t matter much. Throughout his career, Hester found ways to score. And if teams kicked it out of bounds to avoid him, the offense got to reap the benefits of working with a shorter field.

Hester turned special teams plays from an opportunity to grab a beer into can’t-miss TV. And he made NFL history several times over. Including the playoffs, and that one missed field goal attempt he returned for a score, Hester’s 21 combined return touchdowns are by far the most in league history. He twice led the league in punt return yards and kick return yards. He led the league in punt return scores three times, and kick return scores twice. He was named to four Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro three times.

Peppers joined the Bears in 2010 after a lengthy and productive career with the Panthers. He started his Bears career with a bang by notching a sack and a forced fumble in his first game with the team, and pretty much never slowed down from there. Peppers played for the Bears for four seasons and never missed a game. In his 64 games with Chicago, he recorded 37.5 sacks– which gave him a 0.59 sack per game average. In addition, he forced 10 fumbles, recovered seven more and intercepted three passes.

The stellar defensive end did more than generate big pressure numbers himself. He also created opportunities for others. Peppers demanded so much attention from opposing offenses that other linemen got free more easily. For example, Israel Idonije had eight sacks in 86 games for the Bears while playing defensive tackle before Peppers’ arrival. But when Idonije moved to DE opposite Peppers, his production exploded to the tune of 20.5 sacks in 48 games.

Peppers made two All-Pro teams, was named a Pro Bowler three times and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting over his four seasons in Chicago.

Allen had the shortest Bears tenure of the three Hall of Fame semifinalists. He joined the Bears in 2014, but was traded away to the Panthers in the first month of the 2015 season. In 18 games with the Bears, Allen had 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Allen retired after he finished the 2015 season with the Panthers.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will now look at the list of 25 semi-finalists and determine which 15 players will move on to the finalist stage. Then, just before the Super Bowl at the Hall of Fame selection meeting, the 50-person committee will take a series of reduction votes to narrow the list from 15 names to 10, then 10 names down to five. The five remaining finalists then go up for an individual “yes,” or “no” vote. A player must receive 80% votes in favor of enshrinement to be elected into the Hall of Fame.

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According to OptaSTATS, the Bears are the first team since the NFL and AFL merged in 1970 to win a game on the road despite losing two fumbles, being penalized for 75+ yards and scoring zero touchdowns. Previously, teams were 0-46 when they put together that trifecta of ineptitude.

The key to the Bears’ win was an incredible defensive effort, a nearly perfect night from Cairo Santos and one particularly clutch throw from Justin Fields.

The defense intercepted Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs four times in the 12-10 win. Although the Bears only managed to score three points off those turnovers, they kept Vikings points off the board and stymied opportunities for Minnesota to take a commanding lead.

Santos missed his first field goal attempt of the day but shook it off to go 4-for-4 for the rest of the night. Santos scored all 12 of the Bears’ points, including a career-high 55-yarder and the game-winner with under 15 seconds to go in the game.

Finally, Fields made a big-time play to set up a comeback win for the first time this season. His 36-yard strike to DJ Moore on the team’s final offensive drive of the game was the longest play of the day by either side and set the Bears up to kneel three times before Santos’ game-winning kick. It was a rare fourth-quarter drive to seal a game for Fields.

Too many times, the Bears have let wins slip away over the past two seasons. For a moment, it looked like Monday was going to be the same. The Bears failed to capitalize on many opportunities to score points and open up a big lead over the Vikings. Then, they gave up the game’s lone touchdown – and the lead – with just under six minutes to play. If any of those things hadn’t happened, the Bears would’ve likely become the 47th team to lose under the circumstances listed above.

Last week the Bears became the first team in NFL history to lose in regulation after possessing the ball for 40 minutes with a plus-three turnover margin, per ESPN 1000.

The Bears weren’t able to score a single touchdown against the Vikings, instead relying on a 4-for-5 performance by kicker Cairo Santos as field goals led them to victory.

According to Pro Football Reference’s Stathead tool, this marks the first time in the 2023 NFL season that a team has won without scoring a touchdown, and marks just the seventh time in the last four seasons that a team has won with only field goals.

It’s been even longer than that since the Bears won a game without finding the endzone. According to Stathead, the Bears had not won a game without scoring a touchdown since Oct. 3, 1993 when they beat the Atlanta Falcons 6-0.

The victory also marks the first time in the entire history of the Bears that they’ve managed to win a game after reaching double digits in points exclusively via field goals.  

The win gives the Bears a 4-8 record heading into their bye week, with their next game coming Dec. 10 against the Lions at Soldier Field.

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Gordon was blocking Minnesota’s Brandon Powell after a second quarter interception by Jaylon Johnson when his facemask was pulled off of his helmet.

Gordon removed his helmet as he was coming off the field and was seen showing it to officials, but a penalty flag was thrown for the defensive back taking the helmet off.

After a quick consultation, officials assessed a penalty for taunting instead.

Video replay showed Powell grabbing Gordon’s facemask as they came off the field, but the only penalty assessed was to Gordon on the play.

The next drive, set back by 15 yards, resulted in a punt by the Bears.

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During an interview on ESPN 1000, Poles revealed that he had a conversation with the coach about Sweat and the team’s other impact players, emphasizing that they needed to be on the field in key situations.

“My big thing is just in critical moments having players on the field that can impact the game. We’ve had conversations about that,” he said.

According to Pro Football Focus, Sweat was on the field for 39 snaps for the Bears against the Lions. That number represents 63% of the team’s total defensive snaps in the game.

Yannick Ngakoue was on the field for 45 snaps in the game, while DeMarcus Walker was on the field for 38 snaps.

Sweat’s usage in third down and red zone situations was also limited, as he was out on the field for nine of the 18 total snaps in those spots. Finally, he was on the field for 12-of-17 snaps on the Lions’ final two drives of the game as they stormed back and beat the Bears with a pair of late touchdowns.

After the game, Eberflus addressed criticism of his deployment of Sweat, and said he hopes to increase the snap count as the season goes on.

“You certainly want to see that rise,” he said. “You always want to see that rise, and it’s been rising.”

By way of comparison, Lions star Aidan Hutchinson played 92% of the team’s defensive snaps in the game, and made the key play in the fourth quarter as he sacked Justin Fields, forcing a fumble and icing the game for Detroit.

The Bears have had a rough time with the NFC North this season, sporting an 0-3 record so far, and they haven’t won a divisional game in more than two years, with 12 losses in a row since then.

That last win came on Thanksgiving in 2021 when the Bears beat the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Bears haven’t beaten the Vikings since Dec. 20, 2020.

Here are the latest headlines from the game.

9:48 p.m.: Justin Fields’ 4th quarter turnovers continue

For the second week in a row, Justin Fields has turned the ball over in a key situation, giving the Vikings back the ball and putting the Bears at risk of losing their 13th straight divisional game

9:44 p.m.: Vikings score first touchdown

The Vikings scored the first touchdown of the game when Josh Dobbs connected with TJ Hockenson. Vikings lead 10-9

9:42 p.m: Ngakoue questionable

NBC Sports Chicago’s Bears Insider Josh Schrock confirms Yannick Ngakoue is questionable to return with cramps.

9:28 p.m.: Bears give it back

Justin Fields is sacked and fumbles the ball. The Vikings recover and get the ball back.

9:25 p.m.: Another INT

The Bears defense picks up their fourth interception as Kyler Gordon makes a slick diving grab. They have taken the ball away four times for the second week in a row.

9:18 p.m.: Santos drills one

Cairo Santos drills a 55-yard field goal to make it 9-3 Bears

9:13 p.m.: End of 3rd

Bears lead the Vikings at the end of the third quarter 6-3.

Justin Fields: 21/28 CP/ATT, 155 YDS, 0 INT, 0 TD

Josh Dobbs: 14/22 CP/ATT, 88 YDS, 3 INT, 0 TD

9:08 p.m.: Another Dobbs Interception

The Bears’ defense is putting in work today. TJ Edwards picks off Josh Dobbs for the third time. This is Josh Dobbs’ first career three-interception game

8:58 p.m.: Santos gives Bears lead

On the Bears’ 3rd-and-2 and Luke Getsy busts out another screen (eye roll) for a gain of 0 yards. Cairo Santos hits a 32-yard field goal. Bears lead 6-3.

8:49 p.m.: Vikings go for it and miss

It was 4th-and-7 from midfield and the Vikings go for it. Kyler Gordon makes an exceptional tackle to keep TJ Hockenson from getting the first down. Turnover on downs. Bears offense takes the field

8:32 p.m.: Halftime – Bears 3, Vikings 3

Just before the half, Vikings kicker Greg Joseph knocks through a 34-yard field goal try.

Justin Fields: 17/22 CP/ATT, 135 YDS, 0 INT, 0 TD

Josh Dobbs: 8/14 CP/ATT, 64 YDS, 2 INT, 1 TD

The Bears are also dominating time of possession, 19:47 to 10:13, and total yards, 158 to 76.

NFL

Kyler Gordon Nov 27

Watch: Kyler Gordon gets penalty after facemask breaks off helmet

Montez Sweat Nov 27

Ryan Poles spoke to Matt Eberflus about Montez Sweat's snap count

8:19 p.m.: Teven Jenkins back in

Teven Jenkins returned to the game on the Bears’ fifth offensive drive. Cody Whitehair briefly took over at left guard when Jenkins left with an apparent injury during Monday night’s game.

8:05 p.m.: Jaquan Brisker Interception

Jaquan Brisker picked up his first interception of the season on this tipped Josh Dobbs pass.

8:00 p.m.: Kyler Gordon called for taunting

Kyler Gordon picked up a penalty in Monday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, but we’d have to say he did so in truly rare fashion.

8:02 p.m.: Cody Whitehair in for Teven Jenkins

After he was benched as the team’s starting center, Cody Whitehair is back in for the Bears after Teven Jenkins appeared to suffer an injury during Monday’s game.

He entered the game at left guard for the Bears’ third offensive drive of the game. Jenkins appeared to injure himself while blocking on a Cairo Santos field goal attempt. Jenkins lay on the ground while trainers attended to him after the play, but Jenkins walked off the field under his own power.

Whitehair started the season as the team’s starting center, but moved to left guard ahead of Week 1 when Jenkins went on injured reserve with a calf injury. When Jenkins got healthy, the Bears moved Whitehair back to center, but the team benched him in favor of Lucas Patrick due to a series of bad snaps.

It’s unclear what injury Jenkins may have sustained.

7:50 p.m.: Jaylon Johnson interception

Jaylon Johnson picks off Josh Dobbs in the second quarter of the game to end the drive.

7:48 p.m.: Teven Jenkins injured on Bears’ field goal

The Bears may have suffered a tough injury in the second quarter of the game, as Teven Jenkins suffered an injury on Cairo Santos’ go-ahead field goal.

7:35 p.m.: Montez Sweat makes immediate impact

It took a whopping three plays for defensive end Montez Sweat to make an impact in Monday’s game, taking down Josh Dobbs on a third down play:

6:54 p.m.: Ryan Poles spoke to Matt Eberflus about Montez Sweat’s snap count

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles says that he spoke to head coach Matt Eberflus about his usage of defensive end Montez Sweat following last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions.

During an interview on ESPN 1000, Poles revealed that he had a conversation with the coach about Sweat and the team’s other impact players, emphasizing that they needed to be on the field in key situations.

“My big thing is just in critical moments having players on the field that can impact the game. We’ve had conversations about that,” he said.

According to Pro Football Focus, Sweat was on the field for 39 snaps for the Bears against the Lions. That number represents 63% of the team’s total defensive snaps in the game.

D’Onta Foreman out, Velus Jones in for Bears vs. Vikings

The Bears’ inactive list is officially out, and while D’Onta Foreman will be out, Bears wide receiver Velus Jones will be back in for the first time in three weeks.

Also inactive for the Bears are defensive backs Quindell Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson. Offensive lineman Larry Borom, defensive lineman Dominique Robinson and linebacker Noah Sewell are also out, as is quarterback Nathan Peterman.

Justin Jefferson out for Vikings vs. Bears

The Bears will not have to deal with wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Monday night, as the Vikings will not have him on the field for the contest.

Jefferson has been out of action since Oct. 8 when he suffered a hamstring injury, and the Vikings ruled him out for Monday’s game just hours before kickoff.

Jefferson is expected to rejoin the team after their by week.

How key Bears rookies can turn Lions meltdown into long-term rebuild positive

The Bears outplayed the NFC North-leading Lions for 54 minutes. They pushed them around and were on the verge of the first signature win of the Matt Eberlfus era. That everything unraveled in six minutes showed the warts of this rebuild and should lead to some difficult conversations about its direction.

The Bears are past the point of moral victories. They need to win games in which they outplay their opponent. There are no more excuses for a lack of execution in critical moments.

But as demoralizing as the Motown Meltdown was, it can be a force for good as the Bears project forward, as Insider Josh Schrock explains.

Luke Getsy’s defense of calls vs. Lions says a lot about Justin Fields, Bears’ offense

For three quarters in Detroit, Justin Fields and the Bears’ offense were clicking.

However, during the fourth quarter, the plan of attack got conservative and kept the door open for the Lions to make a 12-point comeback with under five minutes to play.

Here’s how Josh Schrock saw the change in play-calling, and what the Bears can adjust moving forward.

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The Vikings listed Jefferson as questionable on the final scheduled injury report for the third straight week, but the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year was officially downgraded to out.

Jefferson returned to practice on Nov. 8, but with Minnesota’s bye on the schedule this weekend, the opportunity to give him extra time for his hamstring injury to heal clearly was appealing.

If Jefferson is not activated from injured reserve next week, he’d be ineligible to play the rest of the season. The Vikings next play Dec. 10 at Las Vegas.

The Vikings also elevated linebacker Anthony Barr to the practice squad for the game against the Bears. Starting cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf) was inactive, along with third quarterback Jaren Hall, tight end Nick Muse, linebacker Nick Vigil, guard Chris Reed and tackle Hakeem Adeniji.

The Bears had third quarterback Nathan Peterman, running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle/shin), safety Quindell Johnson, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, linebacker Noah Sewell (knee), tackle Larry Borom (illness) and defensive end Dominique Robinson inactive.

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Here’s a video of the hit.

St. Brown was lined up on the outside during this play. You can see him dash across the field and get under Brisker’s helmet. Brisker’s head flies back after being hit by St. Brown.

It might not seem like much, but — as Pelissero mentioned — the league is cracking down on these kinds of hits. A player who uses their head in any fashion will likely incur a penalty from the league.

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Before players departed the facility for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Bears put them through a walkthrough as preparations begin for Monday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

A total of four players would not have practiced on Thursday had there been a full workout, including running back D’Onta Foreman, who is dealing with an injury to his ankle and shin, according to the Bears.

Foreman was injured during Sunday’s loss to the Lions, and his status for this week’s game against the Vikings remains uncertain.

Center Lucas Patrick, who left Sunday’s game against the Lions with a back injury, also would have been sidelined, as would fellow lineman Larry Borom, who is dealing with an undisclosed illness.

Linebacker Noah Sewell would have been out of action Thursday with a knee issue, the team said. He has appeared in five games so far this season, with four tackles and a forced fumble to his credit.

Fullback Khari Blasingame would have been a full participant with a shoulder injury. He hasn’t played for the Bears since their Oct. 29 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

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Harbaugh, who interviewed for NFL positions before returning to Michigan after last season, is currently serving a three-game suspension as part of an investigation into allegations of sign stealing at the school, and he remains under investigation by the NCAA.

The idea of Harbaugh jumping back to the NFL has been debated for several years, but if he were to make the move now, would the investigation into allegations that Michigan improperly used advanced scouting to decode signals impact his chances of landing a job?

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer says that the thinking in NFL circles has changed recently.

When this whole thing happened with Jim Harbaugh, all the teams I talked to when I asked ‘is this going to impact him if he decides to go and come to the NFL,’ at first, teams said ‘you know, we really want to start hearing more about this investigation,’ but as the last couple of weeks have gone, that has just completely changed. All the teams I’ve talked to have said ‘you know what, regardless of what we hear in that investigation, that is not going to effect the way we look at Jim Harbaugh if he wants to come back and coach in the NFL.’ They’ve kind of moved on from this,” he said.

Harbaugh has had a great run of success at Michigan, with an 85-25 record in nine seasons at his alma mater. He led the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff in each of the last two seasons, losing to Georgia in the 2022 semifinal and to TCU in last year’s semifinal.

The Wolverines are now 11-0 and are one win away from getting back to the Big Ten Championship Game, with a spot in the playoff on the line.

Prior to his coaching stint at Michigan, Harbaugh posted a record of 44-19-1 with the San Francisco 49ers, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2013.

Several teams could be looking for a new head coach after the season, with the Las Vegas Raiders in the market and other teams like the Chicago Bears potentially looking to shake things up after disappointing seasons.

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The action is spread across multiple networks, with NBC playing host to an NFC West showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

Here are the three NFL games on the docket for Thanksgiving Day:

11:30 a.m. Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions Fox

The Lions will kick things off on Thanksgiving in a rare spot, as they are the decided favorites against the rival Packers at Ford Field.

The Lions are 8-2 this season and are one of the NFL’s biggest surprises. Jared Goff has thrown for 2,743 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, while David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have formed one of the NFL’s most exciting running back tandems, combining for 1,089 yards and 13 touchdowns.

As for the Packers, they are still trying to find their footing under quarterback Jordan Love, who has also thrown for 16 touchdowns this season. They have won two of their last three games after a four-game midseason losing streak, and are coming off a comeback win over the Los Angeles Chargers at Lambeau Field.

3:30 p.m. Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys CBS

Another divisional rivalry takes center stage in the afternoon time slot, as the Commanders will hope to bounce back after losing four-of-five games when they take on the Cowboys in Dallas.

Sam Howell has thrown for 3,039 yards for the Commanders so far this season, but he’s also been intercepted 12 times and has been sacked 51 times as the team has limped to a 4-7 record so far on the year.

Dallas meanwhile hopes to keep pace with the surging Philadelphia Eagles as they take care of Thanksgiving hosting duties. Dak Prescott has thrown for 2,604 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, while Tony Pollard has embraced his status as the team’s No. 1 running back, with 590 yards on the ground and 209 receiving yards to his credit.

7:20 p.m. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks NBC

The 49ers ripped off five straight wins to open the season, and they seem to have righted the ship after losing three in a row after scoring back-to-back wins over Jacksonville and Tampa Bay in recent weeks.

Brock Purdy threw for 333 yards in last week’s victory over Tampa, while Christian McCaffrey continues to be arguably the most dynamic player in the league, with 1,189 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns on his resume this season.

Despite losing a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, the Seahawks are just one game behind San Francisco, and will now play them in two of their next three games. Geno Smith has thrown for 2,404 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, and is considered likely to start.

Unfortunately for Seattle, they will likely be without Kenneth Walker III after he suffered an oblique strain against the Rams. Zach Charbonnet will likely get the start at running back.  

There is a college football game on as well for, those interested in an early taste of rivalry week!

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6:30 p.m. Ole Miss at Mississippi State ESPN

Records can generally be thrown out in the annual Egg Bowl, as the Rebels will travel to Starkville to take on the Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Mississippi State won last year’s game in Oxford in a thrilling 24-22 contest, and they’ll need to win this game to become bowl eligible. They have won just one SEC game so far this season, and are hoping that they can get a big game out of Will Rogers, who threw for 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week against Southern Miss.

Ole Miss is hoping to finish their regular season with a bang, with their only two losses coming to College Football Playoff contenders Alabama and Georgia. The Rebels have gotten great quarterback play out of Jaxson Dart, who has 19 touchdowns and has thrown for 2,889 yards, but also look for running back Quinshon Judkins to shine, as he has 933 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.

The mind behind the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium, it became clear the Bears wanted Warren to be the leader for their stadium endeavors. Since then, Warren’s taken the reigns, succeeding Ted Phillips for the project.

But, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Warren wants a more significant role on the football side of the Bears. In Breer’s opinion, Warren might be motivated to put his foot down and make pivotal decisions for the team.

“I think it’s trending toward Matt Eberflus not being back, and that in part is due to Kevin Warren’s influence in the organization. He did not hire Ryan Poles, he did not hire Matt Eberflus, and I think he’s motivated to see what he can do with his own guys in there. I’ve also heard that Kevin Warren wants to be more involved on the football side,” Breer said in his most recent mailbag.

That would be quite the development.

Remember, Warren is technically the leader of football operations. Chairman George McCaskey took that role near Phillips’ retirement. But after the Bears hired Warren, it was clear to McCaskey the title should belong to Warren.

“Ted (Phillips) had told me about his intention to retire and we just felt with all that he was taking on with the stadium and so forth and his impending retirement, that it was best to have the general manager report to me,” McCaskey said in January. “When we assessed Kevin’s strengths as an executive, it just made perfect sense to me to go back to the general manager reporting to the president and CEO.”

Warren is brand new to the organization. As Breer mentioned, he didn’t hire Eberflus and he didn’t hire Poles. Since that duo took over the organization, things haven’t progressed. The duo’s record since taking over is 6-22.

It wouldn’t be an out-of-left-field move to clear house, either. At least, from Eberflus’ perspective, he’s experienced enough to deserve him relief from his duties as head coach. Here’s a quick review of happenings under his leadership from this season.

The Bears have blown some inexcusable leads. Just last game, the Bears blew a 12-point lead with less than five minutes to play against the Detroit Lions. They blew a 21-point lead, also, to the Denver Broncos at home in Week 4. To open the season, they didn’t blow a lead but were blown out by the Packers, 38-20.

Alan Williams, the team’s defensive coordinator to start the season, unexpectedly resigned from the team. Later, the Bears fired running backs coach David Walker because he didn’t meet the organization’s standards. Both were hired by Eberflus.

And, maybe the top bullet point, he hasn’t succeeded in elevating Justin Fields to the next level. Is that all of his fault? No. But he certainly shoulders responsibility on the matter, considering he also hired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who hasn’t helped him significantly from a play-calling perspective.

On Wednesday, Eberflus was asked about the pressure he’s under to prove to Warren and the organization that he’s the right guy for the job.

“Yeah, I could see progress. And I told the player in the meeting that we can show ‘em that,” Eberflus said. “We can show them real, tangible progress. It’s our charge to take that next step.

“In terms of the pressure thing — really that’s the NFL, right? It’s about executing. It’s a week-to-week league. The story of the world’s written every single week. So that’s the way it goes and that’s where you’re at. That’s the life we live and I’ve been living it a long time. That’s the way it goes.”

What about Poles? (Side note: Breer did not explicitly say Poles is trending in a similar downward trajectory as Eberflus. But he insinuated a potential demise for Poles by saying “He didn’t hire Ryan Poles” and adding Warren’s speculated interest in bringing in “his own guys.”)

He’s certainly made significant advances to the roster i.e. trading the No. 1 pick for future picks and DJ Moore. Signing Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Nate Davis, Cole Kmet, etc. He also drafted Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Darnell Wright and others. He also traded for Montez Sweat.

These are clear upgrades.

But, he hasn’t been perfect. He let Roquan Smith walk away in an ugly divorce between one of the league’s best defensive players. The Chase Claypool trade experiment was an absolute disaster. And let’s not forget how poorly Velus Jones Jr. has been since Poles spent a third-round pick on him.

Remember, while Poles has defended Eberflus tooth and nail, he was hired while Eberflus had already completed his second interview for the position. Not sure if it’s fair to say Eberflus is a Poles hire. Though, he stands by him, which can’t be seen as a positive.

Poles has never gotten his shot on a quarterback, however. He did not draft Justin Fields, nor is he responsible for developing the third-year quarterback. He is, however, responsible for figuring out whether or not to keep him while deciding the plan for using their No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the 2024 NFL draft, as it currently stands.

Would it be permissible for Warren to relieve both Eberflus and Poles? Better yet, can he convince the organization that would be the correct move for the direction of the team?

It might be Kevin Warren’s team, through and through. The question is — what happens next if it is his team?

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According to Equanimeous St. Brown on The 33rd Team podcast, there was a fan heckling the Bears behind their bench for the entire game.

“There’s a guy that sits behind our bench that just talks nonstop all game,” Equanimeous said. “Literally, some fat, black dude yelling the whole game. He was there last year, too. The whole game. In the front row, right behind our bench.”

Equnanimeous’ brother, Amon-Ra, defended the fan, excited he was talking “nonsense” to the Bears all game. He juxtaposed that fan with a different, more offensive, fan in Seattle — one Equanimeous wasn’t aware of.

The Bears wide receiver is convinced the Lions planted the fan behind their bench.

“They must give him free seats and say ‘Sit here. Talk the whole game. Talk s— the whole game,'” Equanimeous said.

In response to the fan, DJ Moore signed a football and wrote “Shut up” on the ball. The ball he gave the fan was the one he caught for a 38-yard touchdown against the Lions.

The 33rd Team tracked down a video of the fan, as well as the ball Moore signed for him.

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You can add Sunday’s loss to the Lions as another reason. The Bears gave up a 12-point lead in the final five minutes of the game by playing not to lose. They played conservatively, running the ball, kicking short field goals and taking the ball out of Justin Fields’ hands.

It was inexcusable.

On Wednesday, Eberflus was asked about the pressure he’s under to prove to ownership he’s the right guy for the job.

“Yeah, I could see progress. And I told the player in the meeting that we can show ‘em that,” Eberflus said. “We can show them real, tangible progress. It’s our charge to take that next step.

“In terms of the pressure thing — really that’s the NFL, right? It’s about executing. It’s a week-to-week league. The story of the world’s written every single week. So that’s the way it goes and that’s where you’re at. That’s the life we live and I’ve been living it a long time. That’s the way it goes.”

That is the way it goes. And coaches have been fired quicker for less than Eberflus this season.

In his defense, there is tangible progress. Finishing 23rd in offense last season, they currently slot 19th. The defense, which works directly under Eberflus, moved up from last to third-to-last between last season and this one. They are, however, 10 turnovers away from last season’s mark.

Still, it doesn’t feel as much has gone right for Eberflus this season. Let’s review.

Coming into the season with an insurmountable amount of hype, energy and optimism, the Bears were blown out by the Green Bay Packers at home, 38-20.

The following week, Justin Fields cited the coaching staff for his struggles in the pocket, claiming his head was cluttered with too much information, disallowing him to play freely. He later retracted his comments, along with shouldering any and all future blame.

Alan Williams, the team’s defensive coordinator to begin the season, unexpectedly resigned from the team. Later, the Bears fired another Eberflus disciple — running backs coach David Walker — because he didn’t meet the organization’s standards.

Following Williams’ resignation, the Bears blew a 21-point lead at home to one of the league’s worst teams: the Denver Broncos.

Against the Vikings in Week 6, Justin Fields dislocated his thumb. The Bears opted not to place him on injured reserve, despite him being out for the subsequent four games.

And finally, the Bears blew a two-score lead in the final five minutes of their game against the Lions. The Bears are on a 12-game losing streak against teams in the NFC North.

We haven’t even touched on the team’s inability to develop Fields into their franchise quarterback. Or, how about Luke Getsy’s ineptitude in creating an offense tailored to his skillset?

The list is seemingly endless.

Remember, the Bears have never fired a head coach midseason. With seven weeks left in the season, firing Eberflus is entirely unlikely.

But, are the Bears ready to keep him around for a third season? If they keep Fields, would it move the Bears to keep Eberflus to avoid forcing Fields into a third head coach and another new offense?

Decisions, decisions. The Bears will have a lot of them to make this offseason. Stay tuned.

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The Buckeyes and Wolverines will square off with a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game, and quite possibly a spot in the College Football Playoff, on the line, and Fields is understandably biased for the contest.

“I have to go with my Buckeyes for sure. I think it’s going to be a close one,” he told media on Wednesday at Halas Hall.

Fields only got to play against Michigan once in his collegiate career, as the Buckeyes and Wolverines didn’t play during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In that Nov. 2019 game, Fields threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns, and the Buckeyes picked up a win over Michigan as they propelled themselves to an undefeated regular season.

As for what he thinks will happen this Saturday, Fields is confident his Buckeyes will snap their two-game losing streak to the Wolverines, setting up a showdown with Iowa in Indianapolis next week.

“I think it’s going to be a lower-middle (scoring) game. I’d like us to win 24-14 or 24-17,” he said.

Both the Buckeyes and Wolverines are 11-0. Ohio State is No. 2 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, and Michigan is just behind them at No. 3.

The two teams will square off at 11 a.m. Saturday.

“You certainly want to see that rise,” said head coach Matt Eberflus on Wednesday. “You always want to see that rise, and it’s been rising… It’s gonna continue to rise.”

Sweat is no stranger to playing high snap counts. With the Commanders this year he averaged 47.1 snaps per game.

“Generally, I want to be there every play, but the body and the heart doesn’t really work like that,” Sweat said.

Eberflus cited the team’s fast-paced and high intensity practices as a reason why it’s taken Sweat some time to prepare for a more robust workload with the Bears, but acknowledged the team needs him on the field for critical moments like third downs and two-minute drills. Eberflus said getting players like Sweat onto the field is sometimes easier said than done.

“The drives matter. Is it a 15-play drive? Is it an eight-play drive? It’s always great when we go three-and-out. That’s easy. But yeah, you just look at the drives.”

Eberflus also noted that the flow of the game was different against the Lions. Instead of a typical back and forth affair that leads to a one big defensive drive and one big offensive drive, the Bears had to run their two-minute defense twice in a row.

On one of those drives, Sweat came out to catch his breath for a few plays. But the Lions started playing a hurry-up offense, so the Bears didn’t get a chance to sub Sweat back into the game. Eberflus also isn’t in the business of telling players they need to go back on the field if they check themselves out of the game for a quick rest.

“These are pro athletes and they’ve played a lot of football, so you leave it to him,” Eberflus said. “When he’s exhausted and needs to take a play or two, you let him, then get back in there as fast as you can. When there’s a stoppage in play, get back in there. I think that’s always been best practice. Some guys stay out and they just want to stay out there and you can clearly see they’re tired and their effectiveness goes down. You want to keep your rushers fresh and that’s just the whole mode of doing that.”

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Last Sunday, the Bears collapsed after having a two-score lead late in their game against the Lions. Following the collapse, one former Bears player — Martellus Bennett — took to Twitter (X) to criticize the organization’s antiquated way of operating.

Bennett also scrutinized their lack of verbal protection for players and their coaching staff. He insinuated the coaching staff has an ego about them for not adapting to Justin Fields’ style of play. He also complimented the city of Chicago for being one of the best cities to play in.

The thread includes eight Tweets. They’re well-written and expert in the way Bennett analyzes the organization. He played for the Bears for three seasons between 2013-15. In that span, the Bears went 19-29 between head coaches Marc Trestman and John Fox.

Bennett’s biggest point is this: the Bears are clinging to their mantra of being a defense-first, nitty-gritty team that represents the hard-working people of Chicago. They’ve graduated the likes of some all-time great defensive players, including Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Brian Urlacher, etc.

Year after year, they opt for leaders with a “knack” for finding, developing and practicing defense-first football. Most recently, that’s Matt Eberflus and his defensive cohort from the Indianapolis Colts.

To Bennett’s point, it’s not working. And it contradicts the modern state of the NFL.

It’s a quarterback, offensive-heavy driven league. Sure, you won’t get by in the playoffs without a strong defense to back up the offense. But the guys who put up the points are critical.

It’s Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, etc. who are bound to contend for championships. It’s minds like Andy Reid, Kyle Shanahan and Nick Sirianni who will prevail. If you stack your chips on the defensive, run-heavy side of the ball, you’ll lose.

The Bears use nostalgia to appeal to what Bennett characterizes as their “legacy audience.” It’s the same audience that witnessed the 1985 Bears, or the early 2000s Bears and their coveted defenses. Again, to Bennett’s point, nostalgia is a great marketing tool. The Bears abuse it.

That nostalgia comes back in the form of the Roquan Smiths and soon-to-be Tremaine Edmunds. It’s a recipe the Bears have held a tight grip on since the beginning of their venerable franchise in 1920.

Since George McCaskey took over as the chairman of the team, the Bears are 82-105, if my math is correct. As one of the most storied franchises in one of the league’s biggest cities, that’s embarrassing. To Bennett’s point, the fans deserve better. The city deserves better.

But that won’t happen unless the Bears scrap everything and reshape their way of thinking.

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