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They were never going to bring a guy back from injury for him to play 2 games in 5 days coming off said injury. Bring him and Gordon back vs Philly, you get them a game before a huge GB game, and you also give them 2 extra days of rest for that game with the Friday game this week.

Just FYI, the 2024 Chiefs went 11-0 in 1 score games last year. Game 1- Ravens had the game-tying TD called overturned on the last play of regulation. Game 2- Chiefs win on walkoff FG vs Bengals Game 3- Chiefs stop Falcons on 4th & 1 from the 13, win by 5 Game 4- scored GW TD vs Chargers w/ 6:04 left Game 7- Raiders w/ a late score to make it a 1 score game Game 8- Bucs score w/ 30 seconds left to send to OT. Never get the ball in OT. Game 9- Chiefs blocked Broncos GW FG at the buzzer Game 11- GW FG vs Carolina at buzzer Game 12- Raiders fumbled on 3rd & 3 on KC 32 Game 13- GW FG vs Chargers at buzzer Game 14- 8 point win over Texans, no late scores or threats. The talk all year was about how they were struggling and weren't the same juggernaut, but they still went 15-2 and went to the SB. Not saying the Bears are the Chiefs, but the record is the record.

Not to come off as a Caleb apologist, but I honestly do not care about the deep ball issues. I don't think the ones to Rome the last couple weeks were bad balls. I thought Rome slowed a little on Sunday. The one to DJ there was a guy in his face and he had to throw it like a split second before he wanted to. Deep passes have a TON of factors. You have to have protection, you have to anticipate a guy coming open deep when it's not a clear blown coverage, and you have to gauge the WR's speed...which sometimes include breaks out of double moves or a stop and go. Plus, it's obviously more difficult to complete a pass the further the ball is thrown down the field. If Caleb doesn't hit many 40-50 yarders, does it really matter if he's as good as he is in the 20-30 yard range?

9 drops the last 2 weeks. He also had 4 throwaways Sunday due to the insane number of blitzes against him. I don't believe those drops include a couple off of Rome's fingertips (he should have had a TD Sunday, and I think he needs to get to the deep pass early as well). His completion percentage is always going to be lower as a big play hunter. Ben is scheming big plays up as well. To me, the footwork is coming along much better than it was early this year. I don't see him ever getting to 70% of whatever Ben wanted, but Caleb at 64-65% completion probably will have an argument for best QB in the league. That's about where Mahomes is, and this scheme combined with Caleb's propensity to make big plays, plays into the ability to throw for 4500+ when it all clicks.

He made the 54 and the game-winner. That's all I can ask. Ben was very conservative of NOT going for makeable 4th downs, after going for everything the week before due to the wind.

I don't think the Steelers are super blitz heavy. Vikings blitzed 78% of the snaps yesterday. Nobody has ever blitzed that much in league history. I also feel like Ben has adjusted to Caleb. I don't think he's even calling much short stuff, unless it's a designed screen, at this point. He knows Caleb isn't going to throw it quick and short and is playing to Caleb's strength of pushing the ball down the field in that 15-25 yard window.

Yeah, but my point is none of those games you can say the Bears SHOULD have lost based on how the games went for most of the 60 minutes, except maybe the Giants game, and even then the Bears did knock out their QB to give themselves a chance.

I wonder how much different the narratives would be if things out of the Bears' control had gone differently all year. The Bears are "lucky", eking games out, avoiding losses instead of winning. Week 1- phantom holding call on Darnell Wright. Took away a 1st & 10 from the 12 and made it 1st & 20 from the 34. Missed a 50 yard FG. If they score a TD there, it's 24-6 if they get into the endzone there. vs Commanders- had the phantom PI call on Loveland, went from 1st & 10 at the 21 to 1st & 20 at the 42. Got a 48-yard FG instead of a potential TD. 6-0 game went to 13-0 six plays later, could have been 17-0 vs a team that doesn't have the passing game to come back down 3 scores vs Cincy- had the Edmunds pick 6 that was called back. And granted, he was touched, but he was touched before he actually made the catch. That would have been a 21 point lead and a potential laugher. vs Ravens- non-PI call on Hopkins grabbing Wright's facemask while pushing off. Ravens would have punted the ball away up 1 score with plenty of time on the clock for Caleb who has shown the propensity to come thru in those situations obviously. Instead, Ravens go down, score a TD and put that game out of reach. Yesterday- the non-facemask call on Homer (which why are you giving Homer the ball anyway?). That would have made it 1st & 10, again from the 21. A TD makes that a 17-3 game instead of 13-3. You could even include the end of half sequence vs Detroit where the half ended, only for them to call the teams back and allow Detroit to score. Would have been a 1 score game w/ the Bears getting the ball to start the 2nd. Probably still lose, but maybe a closer game. And that's not including the stupid fumbled snaps, the bad drops, the legit penalties the Bears have self-inflicted to take away scores or turn potential 7s into 3s. This team isn't great, but I don't think we all give them credit for how close they are to being such. Maybe they need another full offseason of Ben/Caleb and reinforcements at certain roster spots, but there's a possibility that they fix the discipline, physical and mental errors; the officiating evens out a bit (already has for the most part); and Johnson, Edwards and Gordon coming back is enough to make this a team that can make a 24 Commanders level run in the playoffs.

Well he better not take 4 weeks to get ready because they have a 3 week window to activate him or lose him to IR for the season. Granted, they could activate him on Day 21 and still sit him, but I imagine he may be ready to go as soon as next week and worst case would be Green Bay. But I'm guessing we'll get him back for AJ Brown and Philly on Black Friday. Also, he's been posting workout stills (pictures) on his Instagram. So he may not be in bad of shape as you'd think. They could also mitigate that by limiting his snap count. I imagine that's what they'll do with Kyler now that they have CJGJ.

So there's a couple interesting positions for the Bears going forward. LB and safety. Safety will be a huge need simply for the fact they have 4 + Gardner-Johnson on the roster, and all of them are FAs at the end of the year. Do you re-sign Byard at his age? Won't be cheap, but will be short-term. Do you sign Brisker? May have to overpay because of age + 4 year starter, but he's a concussion away from maybe his career being over. I'd probably bring back Byard on a 2-year deal and bring back 1 of the reserves (Hicks or Owens). Sign a FA safety to potentially start/compete with the reserve you bring back. And then draft safety probably by the 4th round. LB is interesting because we thought this would be this offseason would be the one where they cut Edmunds, who had been a disappointment up til this year. He's young enough to re-sign but I wouldn't unless you can clear a bunch of cap by doing it, but you can convert some salary to signing bonus and still do that. Edwards was signed to an extension this past offseason, so he doesn't have a good "out" in his deal until after 2026. But you probably have to keep both around because Sewell, Hyppollite, and others haven't really taken that step to show they can handle the position full time. That being said, I will contend that DT is just as big a need as Edge. What are you getting from DT right now? Dexter is OK, he'll get sacks, but he's not getting quick pressure. Billings is a run defender, who's a FA. Jarrett has been a non-factor all year. Chris Williams is a 48th player on the 53 man roster. They could really use a dynamic guy that can get in the backfield and wreak havoc on an offense. They at least have capable bodies at DE with Sweat, Booker, Dayo and Turner (who was moved to DE) under contract for next year. Ideally, I'd like to use the 1st on an Edge and spend decent FA money on an interior DT, but there's just no young DTs that are going to be on the market. So I won't complain if they do the opposite.

Of course it's possible, but I don't think it's likely. McCarthy has exactly 1 game over 158 yards passing in his short career and it was last week and over 1/2 of that came on the opening drive or in garbage time. Was also easily the worst game of his life (I think he's lost like 4 games since middle school so safe assumption).

I think you should feel bad if you go 0-5 vs the Lions, Eagles and Packers. I didn't say anything about pissed off and angry, I said disappointed. Doesn't mean you swear off football forever or even get upset, but the hopes are up, as they should be.

While 9-8 would ultimately be a nice outcome......how can you not be disappointed when you are 6-3 right now and playing 2 struggling teams. There's no way around a 3-5 end of the season being a bit of a letdown, especially when you consider 2 of the best chances for the 3 are coming up. Less than 3 point dogs on the road (toss up), early favorite at home next week. If you win these next 2, then that's a 1-5 end of season....including likely Packers and Lions sweeps. This game is really big IMO. You can't make the playoffs, even with 10 wins, if you don't get at least 2 in the division and probably the SF game. If you lose this game, you are very possibly looking at 1-5 or 0-6 in the division....again. 10-7 with 1-5 in the division isn't going to be good enough and would turn a promising season dark.

That would be the ideal spot for him, IMO. Trapilo (or draft pick) at starting LT, and Benedet can be a supersub. Backup either guard spot inside and obviously has the LT experience to fall back on if needed for injury. He was a UDFA, so there's no pressure to get him playing time or developing him at 1 spot. But yeah, his game and build (short arms) are best suited for the interior OL.

Yeah, Poles has picked QB, WR, OT, TE with his 1st round picks. You almost HAVE to take DL in the 1st. I wouldn't be even remotely upset about taking a LT, but I kinda feel you have to lie in the bed you made the last 7 months. Benedet is below average, and may never be any better than that, but he isn't killing the OL by being the only clear liability. And you spent a 2nd round on Trapilo and a 3rd on Amegadjie the year before. And while depth is necessary, you may have to sink or swim with the guys you handpicked for at least 1 more year. If Ozzy truly can't play LT (which I don't buy), then maybe you move Wright to LT (which I don't prefer). But between the 3, you should be able to get OT play at least above the low bar that the LT position has set this year. Obviously, injuries and attrition w/ older guys on the interior could make things dicey, but I'd probably gamble that 1 of those 3 guys can be serviceable enough at either tackle spot.

I'll buy that. But to be fair, The DEs did pretty decent rushing the passer last week w/ Booker healthy. He had 5 a team-leading 5 pressures. Sweat had 1.5 sacks and has sacks in 4-5 straight. They are getting nothing from the interior, which is definitely self-inflicted (Grady Jarrett/Dayo signings look awful right now), but certainly doesn't qualify as "a lot of holes".

And JJ McCarthy is the one to light up the defense? I guess, if Tyler Huntley did though, anything's possible. Huntley does have much more experience in the league and in his offense than JJ has in his. I also disagree with "lot of holes". The holes have been created by injuries and having their best 2 CBs and starting LB out. Can't really say the offense has holes (except maybe LT). The Bears should beat this team. They should have beaten them before. I think the Bears offense is better than they were Week 1. The Vikings defense isn't as good as they were Week 1 (they have struggled to stop the run, and now the Bears can run).

Only 3 OTs make the probowl for each conference. A guy usually needs an injury to make the roster. The NFC guys are Penei, Lane Johnson, and Wirfs. Brian O'Neill and Taylor Decker were alternates last year and are ahead of Wright in the pecking order (as is a healthy Trent Williams). Even if Wright never makes a pro bowl, he's looking like a damn good pick. And for as maligned as Poles' record, free agent signings, Eberflus loyalty, and 3rd round picks have been.....the Bears look like they are going to have: The franchise's 1st 4000 yard passer A 1000 yard WR A top 5-10 OT in the league out of their top 10 picks Poles has made. And that doesn't include Loveland who just put up 118, 2 TDs, including a GW (edit: and now reigning Offensive Player of the Week) Those are the ones that MUST be hit on and Poles is well on his way to 4 for 4 there.

I mean, it's not too many mouths to feed per se. The issue is you have the 8th highest paid TE, a 27.5M AAV WR, a top 10 pick at WR and TE, and then another top 40 pick at WR along with the RB position. My concern isn't even necessarily guys complaining about lack of targets. But if you have guys getting 30-40 as the 5th/6th option that have that high of an investment made into them.....are you really getting the most bang for your buck? Granted, this probably won't be a super long-term thing as I'd imagine Kmet (at least) isn't long for

My thoughts on Days 2 & 3 of the draft. The Bears arguably got TE1 and WR1 in this draft, depending on who you ask (and what Travis Hunter plays). So I can't complain about the value of Luther Burden III. But my concern with LB3 is the fit. He's a similar player to DJ Moore. And while having 2 DJs isn't a bad thing, I just wonder how they use both. Hopefully, the plan is to use Burden as more of the way they used DJ last year and use DJ like an actual WR, basically taking over Keenan's Allen role from last year......which brings me to my other "fit" issue. I know, new offense and all, and actually a real offensive coach that knows what he's doing. But the Bears kind of had too many mouths to feed last year. They lost Allen, but they added Burden and Loveland. Now TEs usually come along slowly, and a rookie WR can be brought along slowly as well. But the Bears have Burden, Loveland, Kmet, DJ, and Rome for at least 2 years, and that's if they cut/trade Kmet or cut/trade DJ after 2026. The RB will also catch a bunch of passes. Not that weapons are a bad thing, I just wonder about the return on investment with 2 guys getting big pay and 3 more top 40 picks. Not a big fan of Ozzy Trapilo. OL depth was needed, but he's a guy that's strictly a tackle. He played mostly RT, but can play LT. Wright could also play LT going forward. But I feel like when you missed out on all the Day OTs, the value wasn't there at OT. You aren't getting a guy you feel confident about throwing in there in 2026 if Braxton walks. And you already picked a Day 2 OT last year as depth. Trapilo was called the "most pro ready" tackle by OL guru, Brandon Thorn, but IDK if A) you want him playing this year, B) you want to shuffle the OL by moving Wright to LT if he gets hurt. Stewart- solid player, bit of a tweener. Sounds like the Bears are going to play him all over the DL. I wish they'd just play guys at 1 position and let them get reps there. I'd prefer he just play 3T, as he has some quickness. But he's 290-300, if you want him to play edge, he's going to have to slim down, which meh. I do like the CB they got in Frazier. Been wanting the Bears to get in on the big, freak CBs. And he's 6'3 and runs a 4.3. Like him as a project and as depth. Hyppolite and the Mich St guard are guys I don't know. Hyppolite ran a 4.4 at 240 or whatever, so that's good. IDK if he can play football though. Newman adds another "body" to the interior that has Ryan Bates as the only depth you won't dread seeing come on the field....and he hasn't been on the field much in 2 years. Wish they would have gone position flex on the OL and not on the DL. Kyle Monangai is a solid pick. One of the most underrated guys in this draft. Tough-nose, hard to tackle, and I don't believe he ever had a college fumble. I still think you need a RB. Roschon isn't great. Swift still looks to be in line to take 75% of the carries, which IDK that Ben wants.

There's been 2 players in this draft I've never heard of. Bears have picked them both

Loveland kills a few birds with 1 stone. He essentially becomes your long-term #3 slot WR. Zaccheus is only around for 1 year. Not going to assume anything this year because TEs always take a bit to develop, but long-term he's clearly a better receiver than a guy like Zaccheus. But it also doesn't prevent you from adding a WR at some point this weekend because Loveland can obviously do other things as well. Gives you 2 pretty good TEs potentially in 12 personnel. And if you send him in the huddle and the defense counters with base D, you put him in the slot and let him work over a LB or make them change their coverage on either DJ or Rome, and create a mismatch with them or Loveland, not to mention Kmet and the RB are now also getting LBs/safety coverage too. If the team responds to 12 in nickel, you can still split Loveland out and create a light box. Or you can put him/motion him in-line and run at a box that is weaker than it would be with a 3rd LB. This is the heart of what the Lions did. The defense can't be right. Whatever personnel they come out with, make it the wrong choice. Even in 11 personnel you can create mismatches w/ Loveland. The Chiefs like to go 3-by-1 with Kelce alone on the outside on the weak side. Even in nickel, the defense is still 1 CB short to cover the 4 wide. Do you leave Loveland alone vs your LB? Or do you keep the CB to that side and put a LB/S on a WR? And Ben can scheme this too as you can put like Zaccheus outside with DJ and Rome inside and force the defense to either put their outside CB who might not be great inside on DJ/Rome (this is what GB did with Adams to Jaylon) or you force them to put a S/LB on DJ in the slot, which LOL I like this pick. I was figuring either they'd trade up for Jeanty, take Loveland at 10, or trade back for Conerly based on the rumors I've heard. I think the OL ship has sailed. You're not going to get your LT of the future on Day 2. Plus, they took a Day 2 LT project last year. I'd LOVE Henderson who was my RB2 in this class. If no Henderson, I'd prefer to wait until about 72 for RB. I also prefer DT help to Edge, but the Edge board is pretty decent with Scourton, Ezierauka, and if they dare, Mike Green. I also like Princely Umanmielen.

The Bears have quite a few former QBs on the staff. Ben Johnson was a walk-on QB at UNC. Randle El and JT Barrett were Power 5 college QBs. Their Asst QB coach was a college QB. But none of those guys took any NFL QB snaps. It's one thing to have a guy tell you how to do things, who is paid to do that. It's another thing to have a guy tell you how to do things as he's doing those things himself.

Ryan Poles' comments made it sound like the vet backup would be the QB3. I agree, they shouldn't carry 3 QBs on the 53 man, but Bagent should be at 0 risk. He at least has a shot to get you a draft pick in an offseason trade (if re-signed as a RFA) if he is forced on the field and plays similar to how he played when Fields went down. Maybe he shines in preseason and someone gets desperate for a young backup and they trade him then. That being said, they'll probably keep all 3 on the roster.

Love Jeanty, but trading up for a RB would be gross.