raw

Ojemudia is inactive. Lewis will play though. Sounds like Justin Jones may get some reps in the base D as a DE. Also, Chase Claypool is active!

I feel like have a bunch of good pass rushers is a reasonable solution and this team has so many holes that adding an extra first/early second round pick this year and next would be a much greater benefit than one great DE, even if that is a nice thing to have. If there weren't so many holes and a shortage of FAs to sign at some of the key spots I might feel differently, but it really is starting to feel like a lot of the impact is going to have to come through the draft. Yeah. How much better is Anderson than Myles Murphy and the draft picks accumulated from trading down a small handful of spots? Not a huge Murphy fan, especially in the top 5. But a 275lb freak athlete in the 4-3 defense may be a better fit than a 243lb freak. There's also quite a few other DEs I really like in this draft and as many as 7-8 may go in the top 50 picks. But I tend to lean toward having a 3rd pick in top 60 this year + potentially an extra 1st next year > Anderson and pick 56 or whatever from Baltimore.

Yeah, not talking 3 year rebuild. The tear down was this year. The build up will be 2023. 2024 should be geared toward being a serious championship contender (all assuming Fields continues to take steps forward) I know they have a ton of money and almost the highest possible draft picks, but they are starting from almost nothing. They should be competitive and dare I say, potentially a playoff team as they could win a division that may not be that great (Packers descending, Vikings lot of luck this year, Lions being the Lions). But IDK how much they could do that would make me think they are going to be capable of winning multiple playoff games on paper in September. Basically, the Bears are the 2021 Jaguars right now. They have the QB but not much else. Whereas the Jags were lacking in coaching last year, the Bears are lacking overall talent. But the Jags also had a bunch of money (I think) and top draft picks. They overpaid like the Bears will likely have to do, and they are on the verge of winning a bad division and peaking at the right time. That's my expectations for the Bears next year, moreso than a Bengals type leap, but I guess that is in the realm of possibilities as well.

I don't want Adams. I know he's still really good. But how many more years does he have at an elite level? Maybe 2-3? I'd much rather have a younger WR who can ascend to that level (Higgins, Jeudy). I know this is blasphemous to say, but the Bears don't HAVE to make a fast difference for Fields. Get some guys that can block long enough to get the ball to guys he does have. We've been seen Claypool and we've barely seen him and Mooney together. We all agree both are decent players, while not #1s, they could always upgrade on the other guys getting a ton of reps (St. Brown, Pettis, Pringle) with cheaper FAs and/or a couple draft picks. If they still need a #1 WR next year, they can still draft a guy 2024. It would suck to wait that long, but that's kind of the bed they made with the Claypool trade. Obviously, you can jump start things if you have the ability, but this isn't a team that's making a Bengals or Eagles type leap next year. I think everyone sees what they did and think "why not us?" but they both had a history of successful draft picks leading up to their breakout years. And in the Eagles case, they were already a pretty decent team before this year.

If the only bar is improving Mustipher that's still a wide and left for "bad OL" Mid round rookies are never that safe of propositions. Fields getting his pocket collapsed because Poles tried to get cute when he had all the money he could possibly need is something I want zero to do with. nearly all C's are mid-round rookies, and again, the talent you are trying to upgrade from is Sam Mustipher. hell, Schmitz may even go late 1st, early 2nd and if that's the case the Bears would need to have a trade out of their first to get him (getting him w/a top 2nd round instead), but if he did fall to the late 2nd, I'd draft him. what other FA center is available this offseason? Yeah, Schmitz seems like he'll go anywhere from mid 2nd to mid 3rd. He's interesting because he doesn't seem very athletic. Not a guy that's going to wow at the combine, but he plays way more athletically than he looks. Has a lot of plays where he makes fantastic reach blocks, which are key for this offense. Not sure how good he would handle elite interior pass rushers or DEs on stunts, but run blocking looks like a clear fit. But overall, I'm not in love with the guy as a prospect. Definitely not big on handing him the job as a rookie, and where he will get drafted you basically would have to hand him the job to make the pick worth it. But if the Bears do sign a really good LG and a starting RT, then he becomes a much more viable option.

Only 2 more times to see Justin Fields this season. With the #1 pick looming, do the Bears value a chance at that vs. knocking a division rival out of the playoff hunt? I know the players on the field would love to celebrate their 1st division win of the season. But I wonder how much the coaching staff really wants that. Either way, I expect the Bears to be in this for a long while....just like they have been most games. Whether the Bears try or not, Lions probably win this game by a score or two.

I think this would be my approach to the offseason. Spend big (12-15M AAV+) at DT and 1 OL spot (LG or RT) Spend moderately (8-12M AAV) at 1 LB spot, 2nd DT spot, 1 DE spot, 1 wildcard spot*** Draft early (top 75 picks) at 1 OL spot (LG, RT), WR, 2nd DE spot Bargain shop depth at LB, CB, another OL, TE, WR, RB *** for that wildcard spot, I'd look for the most dynamic offensive weapon I can find. I'm thinking Mecole Hardman or Parris Campbell, guys who can flat out fly but need some development in route running if can be had for a cheap 1-year/8M deal or so. I'm thinking if not at WR, then get a dynamic RB. Saquan and Jacobs would be pipe dreams. Tony Pollard probably a pipe dream as well, but he'd be fun. But I'm looking to get the fastest player I can to play in the backfield with Fields. Even if you put Velus back there at times like Deebo, that would work, but still need an actual RB. I don't really like the thought of a 2nd TE, because the Shanahan offense doesn't really throw to 2 TEs much, but if you have to add a Gesicki or Evan Engram as essentially a slot WR, that would work too.

QB- starter and backup back RB- Herbert can move to starter, but could use another guy here WR- Mooney, Claypool, could use a 3rd here FB- Blasingame is a FA, but position is mostly pointless TE- Kmet, but need backups LT- Jones LG- Whitehair, I think he'll be cut so need a starter here C- Patrick under contract, could cut and get a starter here RG- Jenkins, should be starter, need backup RT- need a starter, may have a backup between Leatherwood/Borom DE- have depth, need at least 1 very good starter, 2 possible DT- Jones is under contract, but need 1 very good starter, 2 possible, plus depth LB- Sanborn a starter, everyone else that has played is a FA, could use 2 guys here CB- could get away with Vildor/Jaylon Jones opposite Johnson and Gordon, could use an upgrade S- If Jackson isn't cut, just need depth here. So, for sure need starters at: DE, DT, LB, RT, LG, WR Could use starters or upgrades at: CB, C, RB Need depth at: literally all the positions, even QB needs a practice squad guy that's not proven terrible like Peterman. To reach competency levels, you need a legit 6 starters that are above replacement level. To actually be good, you probably need more, plus great improvements from Fields, Braxton, Jenkins, Gordon, Brisker, Claypool, depth pieces.

It’s hilarious that this is a real possibility for a not quite yet 37 year old. Madden was about 40 when he retired, if I remember correctly. 42. And similarly, McVay will have a lucrative broadcasting career if he wants to walk away from the game right now. I really hope he does coach again at some point, even if he does take a few years in the booth. Seems like he would hold out for a HC/GM/Pres of Football operations role like Belichick. And he's definitely not getting that with the Rams.

One decision to make for my championship week. Josh Jacobs or Rhamondre Stevenson? Jacobs had been RB2 all season but got passed by McCaffery this week. He put up a dud last week, but now faces the #1 D in the league in the 49ers. Stevenson is RB8 this year, has a better matchup vs Miami, but also put up a dud last week. I also have Aaron Jones, who I figured I would start vs the Vikings. But I guess if anyone thinks Stevenson/Jacobs is the play, I could do that as well. ***And I just realized that I have had 3 top 10 RBs all year and can only start 2 of them in my league (has a RB/WR flex and a WR/TE flex, and 2 WR spots). IDK if I've started Stevenson more than 2-3x this year, as I also had Cordarrelle Patterson before trading him. I also had Rashaad Penny to start the season and just picked up Tyler Allgeier a couple weeks ago. So, I've been loaded at RB all year and can only play 2 of them.

Ah, I missed the Saints. I thought they made the playoffs last year, but they finished a game out. Commanders are only slightly more likely to make it in than the Seahawks, and the Packers actually have the best odds, so potentially neither make it in.

Apparently, per his Instagram, JJ Watt is retiring after this season. Tweeted about the birth of his daughter and how her first game Sunday was his "last ever home game". If so, he freaking dominated on Sunday. He can still bring it, but happy for him if he goes out on his terms like this. 1st ballot HOF player who we don't talk about as such anymore because he's not the MVP level player he was several years ago, but he was every bit of Aaron Donald before Aaron Donald. And by all accounts, an amazing human being.

He does need the reps, but he isn't getting valuable reps right now. Only player he will complete passes to next year that he completed passes to last week is Kmet, and maybe 10-15 for Velus. Braxton Jones was the only OL he needs to even bother keeping their phone number of the guys that blocked for him last week.

Goff, Montgomery, Jeudy is a good strategy for this week. I may go Swift against the Bears also to save Montgomery for a potential Vikings team that doesn't care Week 18. Week 18, you have to figure out who has most incentive to perform well, while also not using anyone that you can likely use in the playoffs. Mainly guys who are likely coming back to the same team in 2023 and are young and if possible, playing a team with nothing to play for. I'd save Lawrence for playoff round 1. Purdy for Playoff round 2. If it goes beyond that, not sure what you're going to do. LOL.

Seems like they'd be pretty good. 1 of 16 teams that haven't been on. Playoff teams from this or last year don't have to be on. Nor do any teams with a new HC. Leaving only the Bears and possibly whoever misses the playoffs between Jags, Giants and Seahawks as the teams yet to be on. Of course, teams can be on more than once if they choose. Also, I believe Bears get 1st crack at coaching the Senior Bowl this year if they end up with the worst record in the NFC. So that could be a huge draft prep tool to use for 2023. It's kind of what I was thinking. Their situation this year makes them a good candidate. Young QB and a huge roster turnover. High draft pick possible. Hutchinson made for good tv this past year. I think defensive minded head coaches make for better TV too. Not a bunch of nerd speak the offensive guys have. Eberflus' HITS principle would make good TV, I think. And then yeah, Fields and potentially a guy like Will Anderson at the top of the draft would be darlings. There will be a lot of battles at the end of the roster and the Bears are probably bringing in as many as 30-40 new faces between FAs, draft picks and UDFAs.

Seems like they'd be pretty good. 1 of 16 teams that haven't been on. Playoff teams from this or last year don't have to be on. Nor do any teams with a new HC. Leaving only the Bears and possibly whoever misses the playoffs between Jags, Giants and Seahawks as the teams yet to be on. Of course, teams can be on more than once if they choose. Also, I believe Bears get 1st crack at coaching the Senior Bowl this year if they end up with the worst record in the NFC. So that could be a huge draft prep tool to use for 2023.

So coaching openings? Denver Carolina Indianapolis All have interims. Other potential openings? Houston- Lovie Smith (1st year) New Orleans- Dennis Allen (1st year) Tampa Bay- Todd Bowles (1st year) LA Rams- Sean McVay (retirement?) Arizona- Kliff Kingsbury LA Chargers- Brandon Staley (if collapse and miss playoffs) Interesting how many 1st year coaches may be on the hot seat, with 1 already gone. It sounds like Josh McDaniels, another 1st year coach, is safe because of his big contract. And I guess guys like Belichick, Carroll, Reid and/or Rivera could retire, but I'm going to leave them out for now.

LOL. I was under the impression he was good since other teams wanted him.

I've always been team "let him get reps" but if they are going to gameplan and playcall and have the personnel that they did Saturday, there's no reason to play him in that mess. If Claypool is a go, I do see the value in getting reps with him and Velus (they should get a ton of targets each). But if no Claypool, there's not much to gain by him playing.

Elway doesn't do anything any more. He's in a consulting role now.

Whelp there goes that

I wouldn't mind it. I'm just not sure if the Bears will do it or not. I didn't really expect Poles to sell off MLB-style early in the season either. He pretty much broadcast that he's tanking, so sitting Fields seems to be is in line with that. Wouldn't they have sit Fields Saturday though? The put him out there yet obviously protected him. It's 50/50 for me. I wouldn't be surprised either way. If it was me I'd shut him down, but it's not me. I think you can justify sitting him the final 2 games over the final 3 games. He sat out the final drive, you can say it was because of the nagging injuries (shoulder, foot, ankle or whatever) and that it's just become too much. Plus, they just had the bye so you wouldn't have brought him back for 1 week post bye.

What do you guys think are the odds that the Bears shut down Justin for the last 2 games? I know they aren't "tanking" but there are some clear "not trying to win" things going on. The play calling, the play design, and general conservativeness (short field punts, playing for FGs, playing vanilla on D and not boosting the pass rush). I do think the organization sees things like us fans. Yeah, we want to win. Yeah, we want Justin to play well, but it wouldn't be terrible if they lost. But there's no Fields development happening right now. Outside of LT, every other lineman was not the intended starter this season. Hell 3 of 5 weren't intended to be playing out of the bye 2 weeks ago. Missing their top 3 WRs on the depth chart. Missing 3 starting DBs and the only LB on a future Bears roster. For God's sake there was a play where Fields rolled out left and there were 0 receivers on that side of the field (looked like setting up a throwback screen which was snuffed). Fields needs the reps, but he also needs to go into this offseason completely healthy. Playing with this OL makes that tough. And if you are handing off on every true pass down, that's not doing anything for him. And he won't be throwing to any of these guys going forward, except maybe Velus, who should be 5th on a good depth chart. With the shoulder thing still lingering, I wonder if the Bears don't just say "we've seen enough" and tank the last 2 games, with reasonable cause.

This crazy, unpredictable fantasy season continues. Like I said, I was down 10 with two guys that average 20+ each going Saturday night. Jacobs and Adams combined for 9.5. Sunday early, Aaron Jones got me 5.9 points. He averages 17-18 per game. So out of a projected 55 or 60 points, I got 15. So, I needed either Tyler Higbee to have a career game or Mike Evans and Zach Moss to each completely crap the bed. Somehow, I got both! Higbee put up 30+! Evans had 1 catch, 5 yards until overtime last night, where he picked up 4 more points. So now I have a 29 point lead, but with the way this week has gone, I'm not conceding anything. The Chargers like to horsefeathers the bed when it matters (doesn't matter as much to them, as it matters to me, but still). And if Higbee can get 30, the Colts starting RB certainly can pull it off. Haven't won the championship in about 10 years in this league (been in about 13-14) but have had about 6 top 3 finishes including 3 runner ups (also two 4th, two last place).

NGL, there's a lot of pride involved in NOT wanting the #1 pick for me. The Bears haven't finished with the #1 pick since 1947. The only time(s?) they've had the worst record in the league, it's been tied for the worst. Most famously, they lost a coin flip to the Steelers where they took Terry Bradshaw.