Tag: 1920 Football Drive

Bears hint that Rome Odunze was No. 2 on their draft board

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham may have revealed that Rome Odunze was the second-highest player on their draft board.

It’s been almost a month since the Chicago Bears made their five selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, but we are finally seeing how the sausage was made when it came to the process. On Thursday evening, the Bears released the latest installment of 1920 Football Drive, their video series that goes behind the scenes of the team throughout the year.

This latest episode focused on the draft and what led to them selecting quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. Williams was always a certainty given the Bears had the No. 1 overall pick and had already done extensive work prior to the draft to get him up to speed, but Odunze was much more of a wild card. General manager Ryan Poles had to sweat it out while watching teams like the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans pick ahead of them, hoping they would pass on the receiver.

They lucked into a surprise when the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the pick in front of them, leaving Odunze ripe for the taking. After making the selection, the front office celebrated, and assistant general manager Ian Cunningham made an interesting remark as he and Poles embraced in a hug. “Number one and number two player, though.”

Did Cunningham reveal that Odunze was No. 2 on the Bears’ draft board? It certainly seems that way. The Washington standout was a top-10 player according to most draft analysts, and a few, such as NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, had him as high as No. 3. Odunze was in the same class as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, but his skillset and character fit what the Bears were looking for. Odunze led the FBS in receiving yards during the 2023 season with 1,640 yards and added 13 touchdowns for the Huskies during their run to the National Championship game.

It’s also possible the Bears omitted a player like Harrison, who was a near lock to go within the top-five picks and was selected at No. 4 overall. Still, Cunningham makes it sound like Odunze was always their top target going into the draft. His comment was made in the moment too, so there isn’t any sort of revisionist history after the fact. Based on the entire front office’s reaction when he fell into their lap, it’s quite believable. “We didn’t have to give up anything!” Poles remarked after the selection. “I can’t believe it,” head coach Matt Eberflus exclaimed.

The Bears seemingly found a way to land their two top players going into the draft with picks No. 1 and No. 9 and without needing to trade up. It’s a day that could be remembered for a long time if both Williams and Odunze reach their potential.

New episode of ‘1920 Football Drive’ wraps up Bears’ offseason program

Go inside the Bears QB room, the team’s trip to Wrigley Field and wrap up the offseason in the latest episode of “1920 Football Drive.”

The Chicago Bears released the latest episode of 1920 Football Drive, a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Bears organization.

The series premiered two years ago, where it documented a unique training camp during the span of three episodes. It returned the following year for three more episodes, which included an inside look at the draft process and training camp.

Now, 1920 Football Drive is back for its eighth installment, which focuses on wrapping up Chicago’s offseason program. The latest episode takes fans behind-the-scenes with GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, including a look inside the quarterback meeting room, the team trip to Wrigley Field, guest speeches from Charles Tillman and Rod Marinelli, as well as a look at mandatory minicamp.

It was certainly on offseason of change for the Bears, who are bringing in an overhauled roster to training camp this summer. But before practice kicks off, catch up on the rest of Chicago’s offseason.

Check out the next episode of 1920 Football Drive below:

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New episode of ‘1920 Football Drive’ ushers in new era of Bears football

From the hirings of Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus to inside draft meetings, here’s a new episode of the Bears’ series ‘1920 Football Drive.’

The Chicago Bears released the latest episode of 1920 Football Drive, a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Bears organization.

The series premiered two years ago, where it documented a unique training camp during the span of three episodes. It returned the following year for three more episodes, which included an inside look at the draft process and training camp.

Now, 1920 Football Drive is back for its seventh installment, which focuses on a new era of Bears football with general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. The latest episode takes fans behind-the-scenes with Poles and Eberflus, including their hirings, as well as inside pre-draft meetings with Poles and his staff.

The offseason is just beginning for Poles and Eberflus, starting at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, where they’ll meet the media for the first time since their introductory press conference. Then, it’s free agency and the NFL draft, where they’ll be building their roster for the 2022 season.

Check out the next episode of 1920 Football Drive below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Watch the moment Jesper Horsted and Caleb Johnson learn they’ve made Bears’ 53-man roster

We dare you not to smile watching Jesper Horsted and Caleb Johnson learn they’ve made the Bears’ 53-man roster.

The NFL’s final roster cut day can be a grueling process for players, when teams trim their roster from 80 to 53 players. Usually, when players are called into a meeting with the general manager and head coach, it’s to tell them they’re being let go.

But in the latest episode of 1920 Football Drive, the Bears’ behind-the-scenes series that’s taken fans inside training camp, general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy wanted to highlight the good that comes with building the 53-man roster.

There were a couple of roster-bubble players who made the cut in tight end Jesper Horsted and linebacker Caleb Johnson — both of whom impressed during preseason — and Pace and Nagy wanted to deliver the news personally. And it was amazing.

Watch both Horsted and Johnson learn they’ve achieved their goal of making the 53-man roster and we dare you not to smile.

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WATCH: New episode of ‘1920 Football Drive’ takes Bears fans inside final roster cuts

From inside player evaluation meetings to final cuts, here’s the latest episode of the Bears’ series ‘1920 Football Drive.’

The Chicago Bears released the latest episode of 1920 Football Drive, a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Bears organization.

Last summer, the series premiered where it documented a unique training camp during the span of three episodes. The fifth episode took fans behind the scenes of the first few weeks of Bears training camp leading into their first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

Now, 1920 Football Drive is back for its sixth installment, which focuses on the conclusion of training camp, the final two preseason games and final cuts. From inside player evaluation meetings to an off day of bowling with David Montgoemry and Darnell Mooney to the moment tight end Jesper Horsted and linebacker Caleb Johnson learn they’ve made the 53-man roster, take a look at the conclusion of training camp and how it leads into Sunday’s opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

While we don’t get the Bears on Hard Knocks, this feels like a nice consolation prize, which gives fans an exclusive look at what happens at Halas Hall during training camp.

Check out the next episode of 1920 Football Drive below:

It’s fantasy football season! Dominate with The Huddle. For 25 years, they’ve helped players WIN. Sleepers, custom rankings & much more. TAKE 20% OFF* with code sleeper21. *New customer offer, cannot combine offers. Expires 9/8/21.

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WATCH: New episode of ‘1920 Football Drive’ takes fans inside Bears training camp

While we don’t get the Bears on Hard Knocks, this feels like a nice consolation prize. Check out a new episode that takes fans inside camp.

The Chicago Bears released the latest episode of 1920 Football Drive, a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Bears organization.

Last summer, the series premiered where it documented a unique training camp during the span of three episodes. The fourth episode took fans behind the scenes of the 2021 NFL draft process.

Now, 1920 Football Drive is back for its fifth installment, which focuses on the first few of weeks of training camp and the first preseason game. From Matt Nagy’s first meeting with players to breaking down film with the tight ends to joint practices with the Miami Dolphins, fans get an in-depth look at the first few weeks of training camp up through last Saturday’s preseason win over the Dolphins.

While we don’t get the Bears on Hard Knocks, this feels like a nice consolation prize, which gives fans an exclusive look at what happens at Halas Hall during training camp.

Check out the next episode of 1920 Football Drive below:

The good news is it sounds like more episodes are on the way.

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WATCH: The final episode of ‘1920 Football Drive’ wraps Bears camp

The Bears protested the Jacob Blake shooting, named Mitchell Trubisky starting QB and TE Cole Kmet was mic’d up in ‘1920 Football Drive.’

For years, Chicago Bears fans have had to deal with limitations when it comes to media access at training camp. But in a year where we’re craving football more than ever, the Bears have brought training camp to the fans.

The series, 1920 Football Drive, has brought fans behind-the-scenes of  Bears training camp, which has included an inside look at team meetings and exclusive access from the practice field.

In the third and final episode, the Bears canceled practice to protest the Jacob Blake shooting, the Bears came to a decision at starting quarterback and rookie tight end Cole Kmet was mic’d up during the team’s final scrimmage.

You can catch past episodes of 1920 Football Drive on the Bears’ YouTube channel.

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4 takeaways from second episode of Bears’ training camp series

In the second episode of ‘1920 Football Drive,’ we went inside the QB and DL meeting rooms and got a peek at the Bears’ first scrimmage.

For years, the Chicago Bears have kept things under wraps when it comes to training camp practices. Whether it’s limitations with the media live-tweeting during practice or prohibiting fans from recording plays to share with other fans, it’s felt like Fort Knox at times.

The Bears are making a peace offering with their new behind-the-scenes series, 1920 Football Drive, which will give fans exclusive access to the things they’ve wanted a deeper look into in the past. Inside meeting rooms, exclusive access from practice and mic’d up coaches and players to bring it all together.

Here are four takeaways from the second episode of 1920 Football Drive.

1. Every rep counts in Bears’ QB competition

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Given the circumstances of this offseason, the Bears’ quarterback competition will be decided with training camp practices, which means that every rep is going to be judged in determining the starter between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. In this second episode, we got a glimpse of quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo breaking down practice film with the quarterbacks, and it’s clear that they’re looking for the guy that can be the most consistent.

Unfortunately for the Bears, neither Trubisky or Foles has been consistent at this point in the competition. While Foles has had the best practice of a Chicago quarterback in camp, he hasn’t impressed outside of that. Trubisky has had his moments, including the best throw of camp to Jesper Horsted, but he hasn’t impressed either. But we haven’t seen or heard about every rep either in practice highlights or through media observation. The Bears have been watching every rep in determining who will be under center come Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.

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WATCH: The second episode of Chicago Bears’ training camp series is here!

The second episode of “1920 Football Drive” takes fans inside the QBs room with John DeFilippo and QBs Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles.

For years, Chicago Bears fans have had to deal with limitations when it comes to media access at training camp. But in a year where we’re craving football more than ever, the Bears are going to bring training camp to the fans.

The series, 1920 Football Drive, will bring fans behind-the-scenes of  Bears training camp, which will include an inside look at team meetings and exclusive access from the practice field.

In the second episode, go inside the quarterbacks room with quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Also, safety Eddie Jackson and running back Tarik Cohen are mic’d up.

Stay tuned for more episodes of 1920 Football Drive, which will continue to take fans behind-the-scenes of Bears training camp, airing on the Bears’ YouTube channel.

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WATCH: The first episode of Chicago Bears’ training camp series is here!

The Bears debuted their new behind-the-scenes series “1920 Football Drive,” and episode 1 features a look at the team’s first camp meeting.

For years, Chicago Bears fans have had to deal with limitations when it comes to media access at training camp. But in a year where we’re craving football more than ever, the Bears are going to bring training camp to the fans.

The series, 1920 Football Drive, will bring fans behind-the-scenes of  Bears training camp, which will include an inside look at team meetings and exclusive access from the practice field.

In the first episode, we get a look at receiver Allen Robinson arriving at camp, a look at Matt Nagy leading the first team meeting, safety protocols at Halas Hall amid COVID-19 and hit the field with new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.

Stay tuned for more episodes of 1920 Football Drive, which will continue to take fans behind-the-scenes of Bears training camp, airing on the Bears’ YouTube channel.

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