Is it lastly the Chicago Bears’ time to be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks”? Is there any likelihood the Bears don’t ultimately transfer to Arlington Heights? And what’s the succession plan for offensive coordinator Luke Getsy? The Tribune’s Brad Biggs solutions these questions and extra in his weekly Bears mailbag.
When do you anticipate the featured group for “Hard Knocks” to be introduced? Is it a foregone conclusion it is going to be the Jets now that they formally have Aaron Rodgers? — @mobhg54
If that was a slam dunk, you’d determine the Jets already would have been introduced. Last yr the announcement of the Detroit Lions got here on March 28, so we’re significantly behind that timetable.
Only 4 groups might be pressured to look on the present by the league — and the Bears are certainly one of them. A group can decline if it meets one of many following three standards:
- It has a first-year head coach.
- It has certified for the playoffs up to now two years.
- It has appeared on the present up to now 10 years.
The Bears, Jets, Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints are the one groups that don’t examine any of these bins. The Bears have lengthy been towards showing on the present, and Chairman George McCaskey reiterated that stance this spring on the house owners assembly.
“We feel there are several teams that have compelling stories to tell on ‘Hard Knocks,’” McCaskey stated. “Thirty-one others.”
Of course, the NFL might inform the Bears, “Too bad,” and pressure them to permit NFL Films behind the scenes at Halas Hall this summer time. Or possibly the Jets, who haven’t publicly appeared desirous to have their coaching camp chronicled, shall be picked. It’s additionally attainable one of many 28 different groups volunteers for the highlight. I’d be shocked if the Bears wind up on HBO.
With all we’re listening to currently in regards to the Bears being sad with the tax break state of affairs, is there any likelihood they gained’t find yourself constructing in Arlington Heights? — @jacklyons1952
You’re asking me to wade into politics right here, and as any common reader is aware of, that is just about a football-only zone with the occasional reference to a barbecue restaurant — particularly if it’s owned or really useful by common reader Ray Lampe, aka @DrBBQ.
No mission of this scope shall be accomplished simply with out quite a lot of negotiating and behind-the-scenes bartering. I stay extremely assured the Bears ultimately will play in a brand new stadium in Arlington Heights. My guess is they’re extremely assured as properly. I don’t suppose they might have bought the land for $197 million in the event that they weren’t. But it should take quite a lot of wheeling and dealing on the native and state stage for this mission to achieve the tip zone.
I learn your article about choices for the Bears at defensive finish. I’ve heard it stated that veteran free brokers who don’t signal earlier than the draft would moderately wait till after obligatory minicamp. Is that true and are we going to have to attend till after June 15? — @ashafter
All of the veteran edge rushers I lined in that article can be found as a result of they haven’t obtained the type of supply they’re searching for. If the Bears or one other group have been to satisfy their asking worth (or come near it), I’m certain most, if not all, would fortunately signal at present and take part within the the rest of the voluntary offseason program and obligatory coaching camp.
It’s a ready recreation for gamers making an attempt to maximise their worth and for groups making an attempt to get a participant at their quantity. I don’t see it as an issue if the Bears don’t add an edge rusher till after the offseason program. It’s not like there are various complexities to the job. See the quarterback. Hit the quarterback. In an ideal world, the Bears would have most popular to signal one at their worth in March. Maybe they’ll get one thing carried out within the subsequent couple weeks.
I ought to point out that of the ten edge rushers I referenced, 9 of them stay accessible. Za’Darius Smith is now not an choice after the Minnesota Vikings traded him to the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings obtained fifth-round picks in 2024 and 2025, and the Browns additionally will get sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2025.
With the Bears’ No. 1 place within the draft, what does that imply by way of the approaching waiver claims? Can we anticipate a excessive variety of claims on some fairly good gamers from different groups? — @drholingue
There have been a handful of questions on this matter this week. The Bears shall be No. 1 within the waiver order by Tuesday, Sept. 26, the day after Week 3 ends. After that, the waiver order shall be based mostly on the present standings. This offers the Bears first selection on each participant that comes throughout the wire.
After cuts to the unique 53-man roster final yr, the Bears claimed six gamers on waivers: offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, defensive linemen Armon Watts and Kingsley Jonathan, tight finish Trevon Wesco, defensive again Josh Blackwell and linebacker Sterling Weatherford. All however Jonathan completed the season with the Bears.
I might anticipate the Bears to be energetic once more this yr, particularly throughout roster cuts. I don’t know if we’ll see a quantity that huge once more. As the roster improves, there shall be fewer open spots. Having the highest choose within the waiver course of is unquestionably useful, but it surely’s additionally a reminder the group has an extended option to go.
I do know I’m getting forward of myself right here, however let’s assume the offense has a profitable season. That means Justin Fields made significant strides ahead. Do the Bears have any type of succession plan for the offensive coordinator place if Luke Getsy departs for a head teaching job elsewhere? Do the Bears have any coaches at the moment who’re extremely regarded with the potential for a easy transition to be a profitable offensive coordinator? We know Getsy has interviewed for a head teaching opening beforehand, so now we have to imagine there’s a first rate likelihood he will get poached. — David Okay., Chicago
As I’ve written on this area beforehand, the Bears would have downside if Getsy is a sizzling teaching candidate on the finish of the season and one other group hires him away. That would imply Fields doubtless had an incredible season that generated quite a lot of curiosity in Getsy. It would imply enhancements on the offensive line and at extensive receiver labored. It would imply the Bears may need a reliable offense for the primary time in nearly a decade.
Replacing Getsy is a job that will belong to go coach Matt Eberflus; the coach is at all times accountable for his workers. One would think about quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko could be a pure option to turn out to be the subsequent coordinator, and it could be smart if Fields elevated his recreation in 2023. Otherwise, Eberflus would doubtless look exterior the group. I doubt it’s one thing Eberflus has spent an excessive amount of time serious about proper now. The focus is on making the enhancements essential to facilitate a successful season.
How is Darnell Mooney’s well being? Are they fully assuming he shall be wholesome with screws in his ankle? — @windyzona13
Good query. I don’t know that Mooney had screws positioned in his ankle, however I do know he required surgical procedure after struggling a left ankle damage within the loss to the New York Jets in late November. A Jets defender fell on the again of Mooney’s leg as he was making an attempt to dam. NFL Media reported he suffered torn ligaments.
From what I hear, Mooney is doing properly and there’s a likelihood he shall be totally cleared earlier than the conclusion of the offseason program, which ends with obligatory minicamp in mid-June. If not, it’s anticipated he shall be at full velocity for the beginning of coaching camp. I don’t suppose the Bears are “completely assuming” something, however they’ve a lot better depth with the addition of DJ Moore and Tyler Scott. With Mooney wholesome, the offense needs to be in a lot better form for Justin Fields.
Is drafting Tyrique Stevenson an indication the Bears are low on Kyler Gordon? Or Jaylon Johnson even? — @brandoncheng127
The Bears lean closely on sub packages on protection, which means they’re utilizing three cornerbacks on roughly 75% of snaps. That means they want three high quality cornerbacks, ideally 4 or extra. So drafting Stevenson and Terell Smith was a transfer to provide defensive coordinator Alan Williams and new secondary coach Jon Hoke extra expertise and choices. I feel we are able to all agree that even when Johnson continues to ascend and Gordon takes a giant soar ahead in Year 2, the Bears nonetheless wanted extra cornerback expertise.
With all of the hype about Roschon Johnson, is it a foregone conclusion Trestan Ebner gained’t make the group this yr? — Dennis G., Colorado
I wouldn’t say that. Ebner has worth on particular groups and is a talented receiver out of the backfield, a component of the passing recreation that was underutilized final season. Certainly there shall be competitors and strain for Ebner to compete for a roster spot. The identical might be stated for Khalil Herbert and the newcomers. I might think about the Bears drafted Johnson within the fourth spherical with the thought he can have a major position within the offense sooner or later.
With Quinnen Williams having a contract dispute with the Jets, do you suppose the Bears might be an choice in a commerce? — @thegeorgesiu
Let’s see right here: The Jets simply traded for 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers, a four-time league MVP with a brief window remaining in his taking part in profession. That’s the type of transfer that indicators common supervisor Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh are in win-now mode. So buying and selling their greatest defensive participant — the 25-year-old Williams was an All-Pro sort out final season — would make no sense by any means.
Williams created a stir Monday when he eliminated the Jets from his social media profile, however I’d think about they’ll ultimately signal him to an enormous contract — and he may command about $25 million yearly. The Bears drafted three defensive tackles. They’re available in the market for an edge rusher.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
