The 5-9 Chicago Bears will play the 3-11 Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field in a Week 16 matchup. Here’s what you’ll want to know earlier than kickoff (3:25 p.m., Fox-Ch. 32).
Ranking QB Justin Fields’ Bears begins
Here we’re once more, Chicago, within the residence stretch of one other dropping Bears season with quarterback uncertainty swirling. Justin Fields has three video games remaining in his third season and, fairly presumably, in his time with the group.
Here is our rating of each NFL begin Fields has made — 1 to 35.
Jaylon Johnson guess on himself — and it paid off
Credit Jaylon Johnson for acknowledging the elephant within the room — and discovering a method to make use of it as motivation from the start.
Johnson is the uncommon NFL participant who will emerge an enormous winner for betting on himself and taking part in out his contract. He’s not alone, however in an period when groups are motivated to offer early extensions with the thought of saving a bit cash and gamers like to money in as quickly as potential, Johnson is three video games from finishing the four-year, $6.46 million contract he signed after being drafted within the second spherical in 2020.
What’s subsequent for Johnson? Read extra right here.
Drive for brand spanking new stadium stalled — however choices stay open
Another Bears season is drawing to a detailed with no breakthroughs in sight for a brand new stadium — however these concerned on all sides say they’re engaged on it. And a brand new draft doc among the many workforce and Arlington Heights officers suggests potential progress.
Last month, the village held a web-based assembly with the Bears to debate a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, in response to paperwork the Tribune obtained by means of a Freedom of Information request.
The on-line gathering included invites to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and normal counsel Cliff Stein, together with Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes and different village officers. Read extra right here.
Ho ho ho
Playing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day has been a chance for the Chicago Bears solely for the reason that Nineteen Eighties.
Why? From the league’s begin in 1920, the NFL season consisted of fewer regular-season video games and its championship normally concluded earlier than or prevented altogether the December holidays.
That modified in April 1971, when it was introduced 4 playoff video games would happen on Dec. 25-26. This association — with two video games every day — meant all 4 video games could possibly be broadcast nationally. As the vacations drew nearer, nonetheless, followers grew to become vocal.
“I enjoy football, but is it really necessary to play on Christmas Day?” an indignant caller advised Joe McGuff, then the sports activities editor for the Kansas City Star. “This is a religious day, a family day. But apparently it makes no difference to the people who run professional football.”
The Bears performed on Christmas Eve for the primary time in 1989 and Christmas Day in 2005. Read extra right here.
Catch up on the information earlier than kickoff
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Source: www.bostonherald.com