Category: Around the NFL

Former Bears DT Justin Jones to sign 3-year deal with Arizona Cardinals

According to NFL Network’s Peter Schrager, Justin Jones is leaving the Bears to sign a three-year deal with the Cardinals.

One of the Chicago Bears best free agents has found a new home. According to NFL Network’s Peter Schrager, defensive tackle Justin Jones is signing a three-year deal worth $30.1 million and $19.75 million guaranteed.

It’s a hefty raise for Jones, who joined the Bears in 2022 on a two-year deal worth $12 million after coming into the league with the Los Angeles Chargers. He outperformed his contract and was the most consistent defensive lineman during that stretch. Jones tallied 7.5 sacks, 101 total tackles (22 for a loss), 24 QB hits, and four pass breakups in 34 starts. He was named a captain for half of the 2022 season following the trade of Roquan Smith.

The loss of Jones only adds to the Bears’ needs on the defensive line. They’re in the market for an edge rusher and now need an additional defensive tackle to go along with Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter, and Zacch Pickens. There are still quality options available, and they could also look at the draft to find someone. Regardless, Jones was productive in Chicago during his two years, and his departure creates a vacancy. Fans will see him again soon enough, though. The Bears and Cardinals are scheduled to meet in 2024.

What Bears QB Justin Fields would make on his 5th-year option

Here’s what Justin Fields will make if his fifth-year option is picked up by the Bears — or someone else.

The clock is ticking on a decision regarding Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, both when it comes to a possible trade as well as what to do with his fifth-year option. While we’re still a few weeks away from clarifying the former, the fifth-year option cost has been revealed.

On Friday, the NFL released the fifth-year option amounts for first-round picks from the 2021 NFL draft. They are broken out by position in four different tiers based on Pro Bowl accolades and playing time. Players who made multiple Pro Bowls will make the highest amount, followed by those who made one, then those who met the playing time requirement, and finally those who met none of the criteria.

Fields, the Bears’ 2021 first-round pick, is set to earn $25.664 million on the option in 2025. Fields fits in the third tier of players as he has yet to make a Pro Bowl but meets the criteria for snaps played during his three years in the league. The decision to pick up the option must be made by May 2, and it is fully guaranteed.

The financial commitment to Fields is just one of the factors that will determine his fate in Chicago. The Bears currently hold the No. 1 overall pick and could decide to select a quarterback to build around. It’s important to note that a quarterback picked first overall will have a cap hit of around $7.1 million in 2024, $8.9 million in 2025 and $10.6 million in 2026, for a total of approximately $26.5 million. These totals are slightly higher than the cap hits for Bryce Young, the 2023 first overall pick. The Bears can save quite a bit of money and spend their resources elsewhere to improve the team around a rookie QB.

The fifth-year option won’t impact the Bears or any team in 2024. Cap space isn’t a problem for them either, as they have approximately $80 million to spend. But it’s one of many factors that will help decide what Chicago plans to do at the quarterback position. With the NFL combine taking place next week, we’re getting closer and closer to knowing the answer.

Report: Bears received trade inquiries on Justin Fields at Senior Bowl

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated says the Bears received trade inquiries about Justin Fields from other teams earlier this month.

The Chicago Bears are still turning over every stone when it comes to their quarterback situation, but it looks like other teams are doing the same. According Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Bears received trade inquiries surrounding quarterback Justin Fields while attending this year’s Senior Bowl a couple weeks ago. Breer writes that Bears staffers got a sense of what the quarterback’s value might be on the trade market:

Chicago staffers got inquiries from other teams on Fields in Mobile. And while the Bears haven’t shopped Fields, those conversations did allow the team to start to gauge the 2021 first-rounder’s worth out there on the market.

The Bears are meeting over the next couple weeks to finalize plans at quarterback, with the expectation that they’ll have the plan in place in Indianapolis next week.

Breer makes it clear the Bears were not shopping Fields but rather listening to what teams might be willing to offer in a potential deal. They also still need to get to the NFL Combine next week to begin finalizing any plans once they meet with prospects. Still, it’s another step in the process of determining what Chicago will do at the quarterback position.

Fields took steps in his third professional season, throwing for 2,562 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 61.4% of his passes with a quarterback rating of 86.3 in 13 games. But with the Bears having the No. 1 overall pick by way of the Carolina Panthers in a quarterback-rich draft class, the chances of them moving on from Fields in favor of a rookie like Caleb Williams are increasing by the day.

Whatever winds up happening, the Bears are getting closer to making a decision that will have massive ramifications for the future of their franchise.

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Report: Raiders expected to hire former Bears OC Luke Getsy

According to Albert Breer, the Raiders are expected to hire Luke Getsy as their new offensive coordinator.

Former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has found a new home. According to Sports Illustrated NFL reporter Albert Breer, the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to hire Getsy as their newest offensive coordinator. This comes less than a day after talks with Kliff Kingsbury broke down.

Getsy was fired as Bears offensive coordinator after two seasons when he was unable to get the offense clicking with quarterback Justin Fields. Though the Bears rushing offense led the league in yards per game in 2022 (177.3) and finished second in 2023 (141.1), their passing attack remained stagnant, and the lack of development at the quarterback position was ultimately his undoing.

Now, Getsy gets a fresh start with the Raiders and reunites with wide receiver Davante Adams, whom Getsy coached when he was a member of the Green Bay Packers coaching staff. Prior to his time with the Bears, Getsy spent seven years in Green Bay, coaching a number of positions, including quarterbacks and wide receivers.

The Bears replaced Getsy with former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron nearly two weeks ago.

Bears one of three teams eligible for ‘Hard Knocks’ in 2024

For the second year in a row, the Bears can be forced to appear on Hard Knocks. Will this finally be the year it happens?

The Chicago Bears narrowly avoided Hard Knocks in 2023. Will that be the case in 2024? For the second year in a row, the Bears are one of a few teams in the NFL that can be forced to be the focus of the long-running HBO series Hard Knocks during training camp.

Hard Knocks follows one NFL team throughout their training camp, providing fans with glimpses into players and coaches journeys as they prepare for the upcoming season. Any team can volunteer to be featured, but certain teams can be forced to do it if there are no takers.

If a team has made the playoffs within the last two seasons, has hired a new coach, or has appeared on the show within the last 10 years, they are exempt from that year’s Hard Knocks. The New York Jets were featured last year after the NFL forced them to do it, having been one of four teams eligible. The Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Denver Broncos are the only teams that do not fit that criteria this year.

Halas Hall would make for an intriguing setting for next season’s series, given the possibility of having a rookie quarterback like Caleb Williams in the fold as well as boasting an ascending team, particularly on defense. But chairman George McCaskey has been adamant about not having the cameras around in past seasons, and his stance likely hasn’t changed. “We feel there are a number of teams that have compelling stories to tell on Hard Knocks,” McCaskey said during last year’s owners meetings. “31 others,” he clarified.

Time will tell if the league will respect his wishes, but the Bears may not be able to avoid the series this year.

Bears LBs coach Dave Borgonzi named defensive coordinator for East-West Shrine Bowl

Dave Borgonzi joins Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower’s staff at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl.

Another Chicago Bears coach is joining the staff for the East-West Shrine Bowl. Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi will be the defensive coordinator for the East team. Borgonzi joins Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower’s staff for the game, who will serve as the East’s head coach. Arizona Cardinals passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Drew Terrell will serve as Hightower’s offensive coordinator.

Borgonzi joined the Bears in 2022, coming over from the Indianapolis Colts with head coach Matt Eberflus, where he held the same role. Borgonzi has played a role in developing young linebackers such as Shaq Leonard and Bobby Okereke with the Colts and Jack Sanborn with the Bears. Under his tutelage this past season, linebackers TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds excelled in their first season with the Bears.

The East-West Shrine Bowl is one of college football’s postseason all-star games that dates back to 1925. Since 2017, the game has pulled assistant coaches from the NFL to serve as coaches for each side. This year’s game takes place Thursday, February 4th, at 7 p.m. CT at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX.

Report: Bears to interview Panthers’ Thomas Brown for vacant OC position

The Bears are interviewing Panthers OC Thomas Brown for the same position on Matt Eberflus’ staff.

Another name is in the mix for the Chicago Bears vacant offensive coordinator position. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Bears are meeting with Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown on Wednesday for the same position on Matt Eberflus’ staff.

Brown spent one season with the Panthers, joining Frank Reich’s staff last year. He was tasked with working alongside Reich to develop an offense around No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, but things went south in a hurry. The Panthers struggled out of the gate and turmoil began to engulf the coaching staff.

Initially, Reich called plays for the Panthers but gave up those duties to Brown before taking them back again. When Reich was fired, Brown took over as play caller permanently but had minimal success during their 2-15 season. Carolina ranked last in yards per game (265.3), passing yards per game (161.2), second-to-last in points per game (13.9), but did finish 20th in rushing yards per game (104.1).

That makes sense considering Brown worked as the running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams prior to his stint in Carolina. Brown was the assistant head coach and running backs coach from 2020–2021, helping them win Super Bowl LVI. He also coached the tight ends in 2022.

The 37-year-old coach has been considered an up-and-comer in the league, and last year’s debacle with the Panthers hasn’t deterred teams from inquiring about his services. Brown also has an interview scheduled with the Tennessee Titans for their head coaching vacancy.

Brown is now the sixth candidate for the Bears’ open offensive coordinator position, joining Shane Waldron, Liam Coen, Klint Kubiak, Greg Olson, and Greg Roman. Brown’s interview will also satisfy the league’s Rooney Rule, which was put in place for teams to interview minority candidates for coaching, coordinator, and front office positions.

Former Bears Devin Hester, Julius Peppers named finalists for Hall of Fame 2024

Former Bears Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Jared Allen were named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Three former Chicago Bears are one step closer to football immortality. Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Jared Allen were named three of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 on Wednesday evening.

Hester has been named a finalist for the third time in as many years since he became eligible for the Hall of Fame. The legendary Bears return specialist changed the game when he was drafted in 2006, setting various records for both kickoff and punt returns throughout his career. The former All-Pro holds records for most career return touchdowns (20), most career punt return touchdowns (14), and most return touchdowns in a single season (6). He also made both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams. Hester played for the Bears from 2006 to 2013.

Peppers, meanwhile, spent the majority of his career with the Carolina Panthers but was a Bear for four seasons from 2010 to 2013. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2010 and made three Pro Bowls while with the Bears, helping lead them to the 2010 NFC Championship game. Peppers has the fifth-most sacks in NFL history with 159.5, 37.5 of which came with the Bears. He is in his first year of eligibility.

Finally, Allen spent a year and a half in Chicago from 2014–2015, at the end of his career. He was a perennial Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings for the majority of his career, totaling 136 sacks, and is in his fifth year of eligibility.

The rest of the finalists include Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Erin Allen, and Willie Anderson. Former Bears great Steve “Mongo” McMichael was also named a senior committee finalist earlier this year and is all-but guaranteed to get enshrined in Canton as well.

The 2024 Hall of Fame class will be announced in February, prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

Finally, Allen spent a year and a half in Chicago from 2014-2015 at the end of his career. He was a perennial Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings for the majority of his career, totaling 136 sacks, and is in his fifth year of eligibility.

The rest of the finalists include Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Erin Allen, and Willie Anderson. Former Bears great Steve “Mongo” McMichael was also named a senior committee finalist earlier this year, and is all-but guaranteed to get enshrined in Canton as well.

The 2024 Hall of Fame class will be announced in February prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

Raiders copied Bears trick play during win vs. Chargers

Bears fans may have noticed one of the Raiders touchdowns against the Chargers on Thursday Night Football looking awfully familiar.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if that’s the case, the Las Vegas Raiders must think highly of Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

The Raiders trounced the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, winning 63-21 in one of the most lopsided games in recent memory. There were plenty of touchdowns scored by the Raiders in all sorts of ways, one of which appeared to have come straight from the Bears playbook from just last week.

Las Vegas scored their fifth touchdown of the evening on a direct snap to running back Brandon Bolden, who faked the pitch to quarterback Aidan O’Connell and ran up the left sideline for the 26-yard score. But as former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chase Daniel notes, we’ve seen that play before.

That’s right, the play came straight from the Bears, who ran it a week earlier in their win against the Detroit Lions. On their opening possession, the Bears had wide receiver DJ Moore take the direct snap, fake a pitch to quarterback Justin Fields, and run up the sideline for the 16-yard touchdown. The Raiders implemented a carbon copy of the play just four days later, from the fake pitch to Fields to the left tackle pulling and leading the way downfield.

NFL teams borrow from each other all the time. It’s already happened a few times this season and in big moments in years past as well. For example, the “Philly Special” in Super Bowl LII was taken from the Bears, who had run it at the end of the 2017 regular season. However, it’s interesting to see a team take a play and successfully implement it less than a week later.

Getsy may not be the most popular offensive coordinator in the league right now, but give him credit for ingenuity that has other teams copying his plays.