Week 1: Bears vs Vikings on MNF

[bjam12]

On 9/6/2025 at 9:08 AM, WrigleyField 22 said:

I think it would be homerific to completely deny the reports but also, who cares.  It's not definitive of anything. The person who comes off worse is Poles and if Ben is the right coach that will scarcely matter - he'll either fall in line as 3rd most important guy or hell be replaced in a few years. 

And if Caleb busts and Ben is still the right coach, also, we'll have the right coach. 

 

And if Ben busts well then /Bears

I just don't see any scenario where Ben is bad at this. I'm that confident in him. Time will tell on Caleb. 

I think Bears win by 10 tonight. 

[Brian707]

1 hour ago, bjam12 said:

I just don't see any scenario where Ben is bad at this. I'm that confident in him. Time will tell on Caleb. 

I think Bears win by 10 tonight. 

[minnesotacubsfan]

On 9/5/2025 at 1:55 PM, UMFan83 said:

No idea how reputable this guy is and I don't have paid access but it sounds like a long form piece breaking down and criticizing Poles' process for drafting Caleb.  Obviously take everything with a huge grain of salt as it sounds like a hit piece but figured I'd share anyways

https://www.golongtd.com/p/house-of-dysfunction-part-i-the-curious

https://www.golongtd.com/p/house-of-dysfunction-part-ii-inside

This is how Grok summarized it:

Part 1:

  Reveal hidden contents

• Williams' Rookie Struggles: The piece highlights a defining moment from the 2024 season where, during a timeout with commercials rolling, interim head coach Thomas Brown attempted to coach Williams, but the quarterback was unresponsive. This incident is framed as emblematic of the Bears' 5-12 season, marked by two firings and a disappointing finish.
• Lack of Preparation: Coaches from 2024 are quoted criticizing Williams' work ethic. One states, “If you can’t sacrifice? There’s no substitute for the work. That’s something he needs to learn.” The article suggests that Williams struggled with basic play-calling, often misreading his wristband instructions, leading to incorrect huddle calls and misaligned players on the field. A coach notes it was "like it was in another language."
• Hype vs. Reality: Despite the pre-draft hype and record ticket sales following his selection, the article argues that warning signs were evident early. It contrasts the external excitement with internal dysfunction, suggesting the Bears overlooked critical flaws in Williams' game.
• Signature Move: Ironically, Williams' most notable "signature move" as a rookie was not a highlight-reel play but his apparent disengagement or resistance to coaching, a moment unnoticed by fans at home but telling to those inside the organization.

Context of the Draft

• The article ties back to the Bears' acquisition of the No. 1 pick through a trade with the Panthers in 2023, which netted them receiver DJ Moore and draft capital, including the 2024 first-round pick used on Williams. This sets the stage for the draft decision scrutinized in Part II.

Tone and Implications

• The tone is critical, painting Williams' rookie year as a microcosm of broader organizational issues. It implies that the Bears' infatuation with his college highlight reels—where "cameras weren’t flashing and sycophants weren’t hyperventilating"—failed to prepare them for his professional shortcomings. The piece sets up a narrative of regret and foreshadows deeper analysis of the draft process in subsequent parts.

Supporting Details

• The excerpt mentions specific struggles, such as Williams' prolonged stares at his wristband and frequent errors in relaying plays, indicating a lack of readiness or adaptability. The 5-12 record and coaching changes (e.g., Thomas Brown as interim head coach) underscore the season's chaos.
• The article hints at a disconnect between Williams' pre-draft persona and his on-field performance, suggesting the Bears may have been swayed by superficial appeal rather than substantive evaluation.

Part 2:

  Reveal hidden contents

• The article "House of Dysfunction, Part II: Inside the Chicago Bears' 'rigged trial' at No. 1 overall" details alleged biases in the Bears' 2024 NFL Draft process for selecting quarterback Caleb Williams.
• It claims General Manager Ryan Poles manipulated draft meetings by showcasing Drake Maye's worst college footage to discredit him, including incomplete passes and awkward throws against Clemson and Miami.
• A Bears scout, Chris White, challenged Poles by requesting fairer footage, leading to a brief display of Maye's stronger NFL-level throws, but Poles dismissed these with sarcastic remarks.
• The article alleges Poles and his team laughed at Maye's struggles, effectively ruling him out as a first-round pick.
• Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner, was also overlooked, with sources saying Poles never seriously compared him to Williams despite Daniels' superior performance.
• When Williams' film was reviewed, the tone shifted to positive, with his flaws—like a poor Notre Dame game—downplayed or ignored.
• The piece suggests Poles was infatuated with Williams since 2022, turning the draft into a predetermined choice rather than a fair evaluation.
• It highlights internal dissent, with scouts feeling pressured to align with Poles or risk their jobs, creating a "pack of hyenas" dynamic.
• The article previews future discussions on other 2024 draft quarterbacks, odd Williams interactions with NFL execs, and his current dynamic with new head coach Ben Johnson.
• It notes the Bears' decision could become a historic "what if?" if Daniels outperforms Williams, given their contrasting work ethics so far.

 

welp, using Maye as a measuring stick sure marks the credibility of the idea that Caleb was the wrong pick way down imo

Daniels, tho, very well might be a miss

 

 

[UMFan83]

1 hour ago, bjam12 said:

I just don't see any scenario where Ben is bad at this. I'm that confident in him. Time will tell on Caleb. 

I think Bears win by 10 tonight. 

I have to agree.  Don't get me wrong the nagging part of my brain that continually reminds me of what a horsefeathers show the Bears have been and how things never work out is there, but confidence in Ben Johnson has been able to override that.

[mul21]

26 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

I have to agree.  Don't get me wrong the nagging part of my brain that continually reminds me of what a horsefeathers show the Bears have been and how things never work out is there, but confidence in Ben Johnson has been able to override that.

Watching the Lions yesterday certainly made me feel better about Ben being the guy (overreaction I'm sure). The Lions are still likely to be very good but it's probably going to take a few weeks for them to figure out what works and what doesn't with the new coordinators.

[Wilson A2000]

1 hour ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

welp, using Maye as a measuring stick sure marks the credibility of the idea that Caleb was the wrong pick way down imo

Daniels, tho, very well might be a miss

 

 

Maye was a Pro Bowler though 😂

[BigSlick]

I have complete confidence the Bears will make big strides this year, but I’m not confident it’ll *look* like it in the standings because their schedule is so damn imposing and unrelenting. 
 

I have a bad feeling about tonight specifically but what can you do. We shall see. 

[Soul]

32 minutes ago, BigSlick said:

I have complete confidence the Bears will make big strides this year, but I’m not confident it’ll *look* like it in the standings because their schedule is so damn imposing and unrelenting. 
 

I have a bad feeling about tonight specifically but what can you do. We shall see. 

I’m worried about the lines.  And that’s the worst area of the team to be worried about.

[UMFan83]

number of people on social media are torching the current conditions of Soldier Field's grass saying its worse than normal due to all the recent concerts.

[minnesotacubsfan]

ever since Sep 9, 2018, I've been pretty down on the Bears season opener. Please prove me wrong Caleb.

 

 

[Soul]

20 minutes ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

ever since Sep 9, 2018, I've been pretty down on the Bears season opener. Please prove me wrong Caleb.

 

 

Probably because they’re in a perpetual renovation and nobody knows how ready they will be day one. No lasting continuity.

[bukie]

This has all the feelings of a 35-24 Vikings win where you come away feeling better about the offense than the defense. 

[minnesotacubsfan]

25 minutes ago, Soul said:

Probably because they’re in a perpetual renovation and nobody knows how ready they will be day one. No lasting continuity.

no, its because we were up on GB 20-3 at the end of the 3rd and still lost

[minnesotacubsfan]

2 minutes ago, bukie said:

This has all the feelings of a 35-24 Vikings win where you come away feeling better about the offense than the defense. 

whats the worst story line to come out of this? "McCarthy makes his Childhood Fav Team Pay, Caleb is a Bust". thats likely what will happen

 

 

[Derwood]

Haven't they recently had 2 games on MNF Week 1? Did they bag that because this game in CDT?

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Derwood said:

Haven't they recently had 2 games on MNF Week 1? Did they bag that because this game in CDT?

Can't remember why exactly...possibly because there was a game on Friday?  But there are 2 MNF games next week.

[UMFan83]

Yikes

[Soul]

6 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Yikes

😳 

[minnesotacubsfan]

yea, but its McCarthy....

[UMFan83]

3 minutes ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

yea, but its McCarthy....

horsefeathers I want you to look stupid and be right at the same time. This is tough

[Tryptamine]

Frankly if McCarthy doesn't torch this defense with 3 of its better players missing, that's not a good sign.

[Wilson A2000]

4 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

number of people on social media are torching the current conditions of Soldier Field's grass saying its worse than normal due to all the recent concerts.

 

[UMFan83]

Holy horsefeathers that field looks awful. 

thats ok Oasis was worth it

[Soul]

That was the most METAL anthem 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[Hot Sauce]

Hearing Jim Cornelison again gets me pumped for Blackhawks season.