Bears may have Hall of Fame Game and ‘Hard Knocks’ this summer

It’s shaping up to potentially be a busy and memorable summer for the Bears.

The Chicago Bears have a lot going on right now. There is an expectation that they will be a big spender in free agency, they have the number one pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and they just had three players named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. 

With some cap space to spend, you can assume that the Bears will use their financial wealth to improve their team. They might not be adding any game breakers or anything like that, but they should be able to fill in the cracks with some good talent.

Their plan with the first overall pick depends on the decision made with Justin Fields. Is he their guy at quarterback going forward or will they draft Caleb Williams out of USC? That is one of the top NFL conversations going on locally and nationally. 

The three players going into the Hall of Fame are Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Steve McMichael. They are the first trio of players to go into the Hall at the same time that played for the same team (for at least four years) since the San Francisco 49ers (3) in 2000. 

With those players being inducted into Canton, and all being Bears, Chicago is a good bet to participate in the annual Hall of Fame Game. That would also likely be the first time that we see Williams in a Bears jersey, if they go that route this spring.

The excitement and anticipation for that type of offseason/training camp will be off the charts compared to other years. The Bears, good or bad, always have a lot of hype, but this year will be different. 

As a result, don’t be surprised if they are chosen to do “Hard Knocks,” the hit documentary that follows an NFL team during training camp and shows the ins and outs of the early season process. 

If an NFL team hasn’t made the playoffs over the previous two seasons, they have a new head coach, or they have been on in the last 10 years, they can’t be forced to do it. A team could be forced to do it if they meet that criteria and no other team has volunteered. A lot of teams — from owners to coaches to players, namely George McCaskey — don’t want to do it. 

The Bears are one of just three teams — along with the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints — who can be forced to do “Hard Knocks” in 2024. Based on how unexciting those two teams are right now, Chicago feels like a lock. There is no escape this year. 

The Bears are just an interesting team right now for all of the reasons mentioned. With the number one pick possibly being a generational talent, along with an extra preseason game, it is going to be a circus. The organization might as well embrace the chaos.  

6 most surprising cuts from Bears’ 53-man roster

The Bears assembled their 53-man roster, cutting many players in the process. Here are the six most surprising cuts.

Week 1 of the regular season is just around the corner, and excitement is hitting a fever pitch. The Chicago Bears will face the loathsome Green Bay Packers to kick off the season, and fans are more than ready to turn the page on the preseason and get ready for a long year of Chicago football.

Before the festivities begin, however, the Bears had to make some tough decisions to whittle down the roster to the NFL’s mandated 53 players. While the vast majority of players Chicago waived didn’t make too many headlines, the team did make a couple of surprise cuts.

From standout rookies to shocking releases that continue to strangle an already weak position, here are the team’s six most surprising cuts.

Trevis Gipson thanks Bears fans for support after being cut

The Bears cut Trevis Gipson, who took to social media to thank the fan base for their support.

The Chicago Bears announced their initial 53-man roster, where defensive end Trevis Gipson was among the surprise cuts.

Shortly after the roster was revealed, Gipson took to Twitter (X) to thank the Bears fanbase in a farewell post.

Bears Nation, I have been released and now looking forward to my next step! I appreciate all the love and support/memories!! Thank you to the fullest! Much love to the city of Chicago and you’ll forever have a spot in my heart!

The Bears’ controversial decision to release Gipson bookends an eventful week revolving around the four-year veteran. During Chicago’s final preseason, a report surfaced that revealed Gipson had requested a trade from the Bears.

Gipson’s production in that game added to the speculation that Gipson was adding to his trade value with a strong preseason, creating the expectation that he would be traded instead of cut.

Gipson pushed back against the report soon after he addressed his release, stating in another post that he “never requested a trade.”

No matter how accurate the report was, the truth of the matter is Gipson is no longer with the Bears, and his departure leaves a major hole in the defensive end position. Chicago’s prospects of getting to the quarterback consistently already looked bleak, and the team deciding to cut Gipson only further cripples the position.

The Bears now have no impact pass-rusher outside of newly signed Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker. The team will now predominantly rely on Ngakoue, Walker, Dominique Robinson, Rasheem Green and Terrell Lewis.

The waiver wire could be the short-term answer for the team, as it can be expected the Bears will attempt to claim several players. Chicago has the number one waiver priority, which essentially means they get first pick of any player they want.

While the Bears may remedy the situation, the defensive line is looking like the weakest position on the team.

[afflinkbutton text=”Bears’ initial 53-man roster” link=”https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/chicago-bears-initial-53-man-roster-2023-season/”]

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Texans trade with Steelers for OL Kendrick Green

The Houston Texans traded with the Pittsburgh Steelers for offensive lineman Kendrick Green.

The Houston Texans are looking to outside talent to help with the attrition along the offensive line.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans are trading with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire former 2021 third-round pick Kendrick Green. The Texans are giving up a 2025 sixth-round pick.

While the injuries affecting left guard Kenyon Green and center Juice Scruggs are considered short-term injuries, and right tackle Tytus Howard is nearing a photo-finish return for Opening Day as he recovers from a broken hand, the Texans still need to solidify their offensive line reserves as they construct a 53-man roster.

Green, 24, started 15 games at center for the Steelers in 2021. Green moved to guard in 2022, but never saw any game day activations throughout the year.

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7 best Bears players who aren’t going to make the 53-man roster

With final roster cuts upon us, here are the best players who probably won’t make the Bears’ initial 53-man roster.

Preseason is in the rearview mirror, and the NFL regular season is less than two weeks away. The small amount of time between is a period of speculation, predictions, and building anticipation for a long 17-game year.

Before we reach that point however, every NFL roster has to be trimmed down to 53 players before the season starts. That means the Chicago Bears have many hard decisions to make in the next 24 hours, as Tuesday is the deadline for roster cuts.

Both the young, talented, but unproven, players and the hardened veterans of the team are not invulnerable to cut day, and players across the spectrum will be bidding Chicago farewell.

With that being said, let’s discuss the seven best Bears players who will be cut on Tuesday.

Note: This list includes players who have already been released.

Grading the Bears’ trade for Dolphins OL Dan Feeney

The Bears made a trade for an offensive lineman, but did it really need to happen? Here is our grade of the move.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles got ahead of roster cuts to make sure his team had adequate depth on the offensive line. On Monday night, the Bears reportedly agreed to a trade with the Miami Dolphins for offensive lineman Dan Feeney in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick, according to multiple outlets. Feeney, a local product from Orland Park, is a versatile lineman who can play guard and center and is entering his seventh season in the league.

Feeney was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Indiana. He became the team’s starting left guard in 2018 and remained their through the 2019 season. He moved to center in 2020 and didn’t miss a start in that three-year period.

After four years with the Chargers, Feeney went to the New York Jets as a reserve, starting seven games between 2021 and 2022. He signed with the Miami Dolphins this offseason but now comes to the Bears as depth and insurance for the interior of the offensive line. Starting left guard Teven Jenkins is dealing with a lower leg injury that will likely keep him out for weeks, and centers and guards Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick have been in and out of practice the last couple of weeks.

The trade for Feeney isn’t a blockbuster or anything like that, but it provides a look at Poles’ plans for the offensive line heading into the regular season. Here is our initial grade of the deal:

8 potential surprise cuts (or trades) for the Bears ahead of Tuesday’s deadline

As the Bears make their final roster cuts, here’s a look at some potential surprise cuts ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

The Chicago Bears are in the midst of trimming their roster to 53 players, which you can track here.

Unfortunately, that means there are going to be some hard decisions on the way. Especially given general manager Ryan Poles will be scouring the waiver wire to upgrade at different positions, including offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver.

As the Bears make their final roster cuts, here’s a look at some potential (or official) surprise cuts ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Report: Bears to acquire OL Dan Feeney from Dolphins

The Bears are trading a sixth-round pick for the veteran offensive lineman.

The Chicago Bears aren’t waiting until roster cutdowns to make moves on their offensive line. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are set to acquire Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Dan Feeney. The trade was first reported by Jason Sarney of Dolphins Wire.

Feeney, a local product out of suburban Orland Park, is a veteran lineman entering his seventh season who can play both guard and center. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and became a regular starter at left guard during his second season. Feeney was a regular starter for the Chargers from 2018-2020 where he allowed a total of 17 sacks while playing left guard and center, according to Pro Football Focus.

Feeney spent the last two years with the New York Jets as a reserve lineman. He started just seven games during his tenure. This past offseason, he signed a one-year, $3.2 million deal with the Dolphins. The Bears will take on that cap hit in the trade, which is in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Feeney comes to the Bears as insurance for the interior of the offensive line. Left guard Teven Jenkins is out for weeks with a lower leg injury, while Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick, and Nate Davis have all missed time with various ailments.

The Bears will make more moves as they continue to trim their roster ahead of Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT cutdown deadline.

3 reasons the Texans had to cut LB Christian Kirksey

The Houston Texans cut linebacker Christian Kirksey, and here are three readily identifiable explanations.

The Houston Texans decided to go in a separate direction and cut linebacker Christian Kirksey Aug. 28 as part of their efforts to finalize their 53-man roster.

Kirksey, 30, played 30 games for the Texans over the past two seasons, starting in 29 of them. The former Cleveland Browns 2014 third-round pick collected 137 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, 3.0 sacks, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries.

The 6-2, 235-pounder was a decent fit for the Texans when they deployed their Tampa 2 the past two seasons. New coach DeMeco Ryans wanted to work with Kirksey despite the scheme change, but here three reasons why Kirksey won’t be in Houston in 2023.

CB Desmond King thanks Texans after being cut

Cornerback Desmond King thanked the Houston Texans for the past two seasons after being cut Aug. 28.

For Desmond King, the adventure won’t continue with the Houston Texans.

The former Pro Bowl cornerback was among the Texans’ cuts Monday. King took to X (formerly Twitter) to express gratitude for the city and fan base.

“THANK YOU HOUSTON,” King tweeted.

According to safety Jimmie Ward, King was one of the defensive backs who caught his eye when he signed with the Texans.

“They really impressed me when I got here,” Ward told reporters July 27. “‘Des’ King in the nickel —like, the dude is so athletic. I think he wears like a three-X glove. I knew he was good.”

King generated 127 combined tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, five interceptions, 14 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries through 33 games for the Texans, 25 of which he started.

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