Tag: Andrew Billings

Trade Fodder? DK Metcalf among 5 coach-connected candidates Cowboys could call about

With so many holes in the Dallas roster, Cowboys will need to find multiple ways to improve. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys have many holes to fill before they kick off the 2025 season, and while most fans worry about how the team will approach free agency, they could instead look to trade for upgrades.

The last few significant trades that Jerry Jones have only recently been eclipsed in Dallas-area fandom ire by Nico Harrison jettisoning Luka Doncic, but there are some moves the Cowboys could make that would please the base in 2025.

CeeDee Lamb needs a running mate. Jalen Tolbert hasn’t shown signs of being that guy, and Jonathan Mingo is a long shot to develop into one. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has a history with a couple of players for whom the Cowboys could try to acquire.

DK Metcalf had some of his best seasons with Schottenheimer as his offensive coordinator, including his second-highest receptions total (83), most ever receiving yards (1,303), and both of his top two touchdown receptions in a single season totals.

Tyler Lockett also had his best Seattle seasons with Schottenheimer. His only 1000-catch campaign, as well as his highest receiving yards mark (1,175) tooks place with Schotty calling the shots. In addition, his top-four touchdown totals all came in that stretch.

On the defensive end, new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton are familiar with a few options that the Cowboys could look to trade for.

Andrew Billings is a 6-foot-1, 311-pound one-technique who signed with the Chicago Bears in 2023. Under Eberflus, Billings had his most tackles in a season, 39, and his lowest missed tackle percentage, at 4.9%. He also had the most pressures since his rookie season.

The Cowboys could be losing Osa Odighizuwa to an enormous payday elsewhere.

Sheldon Rankins is a defensive tackle who played one season under Whitecotton while on the New York Jets. He had his highest total tackles and lowest missed tackle percentage in that season. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers might have had his most productive season in 2024 with the Denver Broncos, but he developed under Whitecotton. He started all 50 games he played under him, averaging 35 tackles, five tackles for a loss, 24 pressures, 16 QB hits, and five sacks in three seasons.

Dallas could sign cheap free agents with connections to their new coaching staff, like Leki Fotu, Javon Kinlaw, or Carl Lawson, but impactful trades could be the better way for the Cowboys to build a contending team.

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.

Saints vs. Bears: 3 biggest matchups in Week 9 game

Montez Sweat will likely be used sparingly but he could still impact the game. Sweat vs. Saints OT’s is the lead matchup in Saints vs. Bears

These aren’t exactly the Chicago Bears the New Orleans Saints thought they’d face just a couple of weeks ago. Justin Fields has already been ruled out for this game with a thumb injury. That leaves Tyson Bagent to start his third game of the season.

The Bears also made a splash at the trade deadline, trading for Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders. It’ll be interesting to see how the pass rusher impacts those around him as well as his own production. These changes to the Bears has made this game much more focused on the trenches.

These are the 3 matchups to watch in Bears vs. Saints:

5 biggest storylines ahead of Bears vs. Vikings in Week 6

The Bears are aiming to build a winning streak against the Vikings. Here’s a look at the biggest storylines for Week 6.

Week 6 is upon us, and it’s shaping up to be a good one. The Chicago Bears will host the Minnesotqa Vikings for Sunday afternoon action.

The two teams are surprisingly evenly matched, as Minnesota has fallen well short of the expectation they set following their 13-4 season that included a postseason berth. It’ll be a game of two explosive offenses, with two fittingly bad defenses that will allow the opposing offense to do their work.

Chicago has the chance to create a winning streak, and the Vikings have the opportunity to begin to right a disastrous start to the season. With so much at stake, there are bound to be interesting narratives to keep track of.

Let’s discuss the five biggest storylines ahead of Bears vs. Vikings in Week 6.

5 keys to a Bears victory over the Vikings in Week 6

The Bears take on the Vikings looking for their second straight win. Here are five keys to a Chicago victory.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up to host the rival Minnesota Vikings in Week 6, and it’s a tale of two 1-4 teams who have drastically different outlooks on their seasons.

Chicago is coming off a statement win against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football, which saw quarterback Justin Fields throw four touchdown passes, and the team is nearly at full strength as key players return from injury.

Minnesota, on the other hand, is falling well short of expectations following a 13-4 2022 campaign. And their most recent loss to the Chiefs was only made things worse when perennial All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson was placed on injured reserve this week. The Vikings are wounded, and they’re looking at the Bears as a real Viking would look at his prey after starving for days.

Despte the loss of Jefferson, the purple and gold will not give up the win easily. Chicago needs to succeed in five key categories in order to take down their divisional foe from the snow-capped north of Minnesota.

Let’s break down the five keys to a Bears victory against the Vikings in Week 6.

Chicago Bears Stock Exchange: Who’s up and who’s down entering Week 3?

Here are the Bears players who raised and lowered their stock this week.

The collective stock of the Chicago Bears is in the toilet this week after another frustrating loss leaves them at 0-2 to start the year. The Bears couldn’t stop Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, losing 27-17 with very few answers on either side of the ball.

Despite playing a closer game on the road, the Bears are still looking for those standout performers to make themselves known on a consistent basis. Some players did exceed expectations last Sunday, while others were put through the ringer.

Here is our Chicago Bears Stock Exchange heading into Week 3 of the season.

Bears notebook: What we learned from Day 11 of training camp

Our Brendan Sugrue took in Bears training camp practice on Tuesday. Here is what he observed at Halas Hall.

It’s officially game week for the Chicago Bears! The team is gearing up for their first preseason contest of the year on Saturday and returned to the practice field at Halas Hall following an off day.

The Bears ditched the pads for this practice, only running drills in shells, but it was still a competitive session that provided valuable information leading into the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. It was also the debut for new edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue, who sported his No. 91 jersey.

I was able to take in practice on Tuesday and here is what I observed during the nearly two hour practice.

Bears stock watch: Who’s up, who’s down after two weeks of training camp

Training camp performances ebb and flow but here are a few Bears players whose stock is rising as well falling after two weeks.

It’s been an eventful training camp for the Chicago Bears since the players returned to Halas Hall nearly two weeks ago. But things have kicked up a notch over the last few days. Whether it’s been the increased physicality with pads coming on, players jawing with each other following a big play, or even a scuffle or two that’s broken out, something exciting has occurred during every practice.

That includes the performances of the individual players and their progress throughout camp, good and bad. Some have built on their strong starts while others may have dropped off a bit. Here are a few players whose stock has risen in recent days and some who have seen theirs dip.

Where Bears’ Justin Jones, Gervon Dexter rank among defensive tackles in Madden 24

See the ratings that Bears defensive tackles Justin Jones, Gervon Dexter and others notched in Madden 24.

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The Chicago Bears had arguably the league’s worst defensive line last season, where there’s been some overhauling specifically along the interior.

EA Sports has started releasing Madden 24 ratings, continuing with defensive tackles. Veterans Justin Jones and Andrew Billings led the way for the Bears. Jones earned a 74 rating (31st) and Bills notched a 72 rating (41st).

Jones was easily the best defensive lineman this season, and he provided consistency to Chicago’s weakest position group. Poles praised Jones as one of the most consistent playmakers along the defensive front this season, where he led the team in tackles for loss and was second in QB hits.

Billings was signed in free agency to shore up the defensive line. He’s a dominant run stuffer who should immediately upgrade what was one of the NFL’s worst run defenses last season.

Elsewhere, Chicago’s rookie defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens received their ratings. Dexter landed a 68 with Pickens earning a 67. Dexter and Pickens will serve as important rotational pieces along the defensive line, even thought they might not start immediately, as rookies.

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30 Most Important Bears of 2023: No. 9 Justin Jones

At No. 9 on our Most Important Bears series is Justin Jones, the clear leader in an overhauled interior defensive line group.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2023 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2023 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season, look ahead to 2023 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

At No. 9 is defensive tackle Justin Jones, who will still be counted on as a leader of the defense despite having added competition.