Tag: Chicago Bears

Highlights of new Bears OT Kiran Amegadjie

The Bears added depth to the offensive line with the selection of Kiran Amegadjie in the third round. See him in action:

The Chicago Bears continued to build their offense on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft. After selecting quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round, they added more depth to their offensive line with the addition of Yale tackle Kiran Amengadjie in the third round.

Chicago didn’t have a second-round pick (which was traded to the Washington Commanders for Montez Sweat), so they had to wait until No. 75 to make a selection. Going offensive line was an interesting decision made by Chicago, but general manager Ryan Poles must believe that he will be better off adding more to that group.

Watching the former Yale star play in Chicago after showing a ton of promise in college will be good for Bears fans. Amengadjie will certainly get a chance to impact the team, but he’s a developmental prospect that needs time.

Building the offensive line is very important with the addition of Williams, so this could prove to be a brilliant selection for the Bears. Here are some highlights that will show fans what they are getting with Amengadjie:

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Kiran Amegadjie’s old tweets show he understands the pain of Chicago Bears fans

Perhaps no Chicago Bears draft pick understands the emotions of the team’s fans like Kiran Amegadjie.

The 2020 season was – like a lot of years – a rough one for fans of the Chicago Bears. The Matt Nagy-coached team went to the playoffs where they lost 21-9 to the New Orleans Saints, but along the way the Bears endured a five-game losing streak and had to watch the likes of Nick Foles, Mitchell Trubisky and Tyler Bray play quarterback.

Before he was picked by the Bears on Friday night in the third round with the 75th overall pick, Kiran Amegadjie was one of those fans of Chicago’s NFL team and spent a lot of his time complaining about the team on social media. Amegadjie – a 6-foot-5 offensive tackle – grew up just west of the Windy City in Hinsdale, Illinois.

And, as fans discovered with a deep dive into his account, he tweeted about the Bears a whole lot before his falls were consumed with playing college football and studying at Yale.

Amegadjie became one of the best players in the Ivy League, earning an All-Ivy nod in 2022, and FCS All-American recognition in 2023. He’ll soon be blocking for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams for his boyhood team, and hopefully help the Bears give fans something to cheer about.

When the Bears be picking on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft

The Bears have just one pick on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft. Here’s when they’ll be picking on Saturday.

The 2024 NFL draft has been an entertaining ride so far, and there’s still one day of action with Rounds 4 through 7.

The Bears overhauled their offense with the additions of quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze on Day 1 and offensive tackle Kiran Amegadije on Day 2, adding to what’s already a loaded offensive group.

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Now, Chicago has just one draft pick remaining heading into the final four rounds. With some big names still on the board — including receiver Troy Franklin, edge rusher Austin Booker and defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus — could we see the Bears perhaps trade up? Or back to accumulate more picks?

If not, here’s where Chicago will be picking on Day 3:

  • Round 4, Pick 122 (from PHI)

Assuming the Bears stay put at No. 122, they should be on the clock around 12 p.m. CT.

Chicago entered the draft with just four total selections after making moves for some veteran players — most notably edge rusher Montez Sweat (second round) and wide receiver Keenan Allen (fourth round). They also traded away their own fifth rounder (for Ryan Bates), sixth rounder (for Dan Feeney) and seventh rounder (for N’Keal Harry).

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General manager Ryan Poles still has some work to do with addressing the defensive line. But there’s always the prospect of a trade back scenario, something we’ve seen from Poles in the past. But he’s also made it clear that he’s comfortable with just four picks this year given how the roster has shaken out.

The 2024 NFL draft concludes today at 11 a.m. CT.

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2024 NFL draft: How to watch, listen and stream Rounds 4-7

The 2024 NFL concludes Saturday with Rounds 4-7. Here’s how to watch the action on Day 3:

The 2024 NFL draft is drawing to a close, where teams have bolstered their rosters with some of the nation’s best talent in college football.

Following a chaotic first round on Thursday, the second day of the NFL draft proved to be just as entertaining with trades galore and plenty of surprises. And the action concludes as we head into the final day of the draft, which includes Rounds 4-7 and undrafted free agency.

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Here’s how you can tune into the final day of the draft:

What:

2024 NFL draft, Rounds 4-7

Where:

Detroit, Mich.

When:

Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. CT

Television:

ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Stream:

FuboTV (try it for free)

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Grading the Bears’ selection of OT Kiran Amegadjie in third round

The Bears shored up their offensive line with the addition of Kiran Amegadjie. Here’s how we graded the pick.

The Chicago Bears shored up their offensive line with the selection of Yale tackle Kiran Amegadjie with the 75th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Amegadjie has a nice blend of size, athleticism and length, but he’s a project that will need time to develop. Luckily, he’ll get to work with one of the best offensive line coaches in Chris Morgan, who helped get the most out of two-going-on-three-year starting left tackle Braxton Jones.

Amegadjie has the versatility to play multiple positions, having played both tackle and guard during his collegiate career. He started his first 10 games at left guard before switching to left tackle for his final 14.

While Jones figures to the starter for a third straight year, perhaps Amegadjie can help push Jones, who has plenty to prove heading into 2024.

Chicago has used all three draft picks, so far, on offense. After landing their quarterback in Caleb Williams at first overall, they added a new weapon in receiver Rome Odunze (No. 9) and now an offensive lineman in Amegadjie (No. 75).

When all is said and done, the Bears added a potential future starter in Amegadjie, who’s a versatile lineman with the physical traits to develop into a significant contributor down the line. The Hinsdale native also grew up a Bears fan, which general manager Ryan Poles loves. Plus, it’s never a bad thing to add more protection for your shiny new franchise quarterback.

Grade: B+

Bears select OT Kiran Amegadjie with 75th overall pick in 2024 NFL draft

The Bears shored up their offensive line with the selection of OT Kiran Amegadjie with the No. 75 pick.

The Chicago Bears have selected Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie with the 75th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Amegadjie started all 24 games he played in during three seasons at Yale. But he missed the final six games of the 2023 season with a quad injury that required surgery.

Amegadjie has the versatility to play guard, having played multiple positions along the offensive line during his collegiate career. He started his first 10 games at left guard before switching to left tackle for his final 14 games.

Amegadjie has a nice blend of size, athleticism and length, but he needs time to develop. Perhaps Amegadjie can push starting left tackle Braxton Jones, who has plenty to prove heading into his third season.

We know general manager Ryan Poles loves his local guys, and Amegadjie hails from Hinsdale. He was brought in to Halas Hall for a Top 30 visit during the pre-draft process.

Chicago has gone all offense with their first three draft picks. After selecting quarterback Caleb Williams at first overall, the Bears have been building around him with the additions of wide receiver Rome Odunze (No. 9) and now Amegadjie.

Follow along with our live blog with live updates and picks during Rounds 2 and 3.

Panthers trade out of 39th overall selection in deal with Rams

The Panthers have recouped a second-round pick for the 2025 draft.

After moving up to finish up the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, general manager Dan Morgan and company moved back towards the top of the second.

The Carolina Panthers struck a deal with the Los Angeles Rams for the 39th overall selection—the pick acquired in the team’s trade of two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns. In return, they’ve received this year’s 52nd and 155th selections as well as a second-round selection in 2025.

Last year’s move up to the No. 1 overall pick cost the Panthers quite a bit, including their 2025 second-rounder. That jump for the rights to Bryce Young also included wide receiver DJ Moore, 2023’s ninth overall selection and this year’s first overall selection—which resulted in the choice of quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

Here is an updated look at what the Panthers are now working with for the remainder of the weekend:

  • Second round: No. 52 (via Los Angeles Rams)
  • Third round: No. 65
  • Fourth round: No. 101
  • Fifth round: No. 142 (via Tennessee Titans)
  • Fifth round: No. 155 (via Los Angeles Rams)
  • Sixth round: No. 200 (via Buffalo Bills)
  • Seventh round: No. 240 (via Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Bears front office got the groceries, now Matt Eberflus has to cook

Analysts love the Bears’ NFL draft picks. Now the coaches have to use their resources well.

Ryan Poles and the rest of the front office improved the Chicago Bears, at least on paper. Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in the top 10 represented a huge haul for the franchise, which has made only one Super Bowl over the past 38 NFL seasons and has sorely lacked elite playmakers. The Bears appear to have addressed that acute need. Now it’s time for coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to make use of these resources, says USA TODAY Sports NFL analyst Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz:

“GM Ryan Poles pushed back on the narrative about the Bears’ QB history by saying ‘we were hired to break a cycle.’ Too early to say mission accomplished, but it’s hard to argue with the steps that got Chicago here. Yes, much of this good fortune comes back to the Panthers’ helplessness in 2023, which provided a massive payoff to the Bears’ trade the previous offseason. But Poles enacted an impressive plan to get the right setup in place for Williams ahead of this selection. With a solid offensive supporting cast, it’s now on coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to help Williams play on schedule while still harnessing his creativity. But all the hype is warranted for a singular player who has the poise, accuracy and arm strength to become a top NFL signal-caller in short order.”

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Bears GM Ryan Poles barely hid a laugh when asked about the Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons are the joke of the NFL right now.

In the NFL, there is nothing like making a perceived mistake league-wide. Truly, when it comes to going against the grain of the common consensus — if it rains, it pours. The Atlanta Falcons are learning that the hard way after they shockingly drafted former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Beyond the Falcons stunning their own fans, it seems pretty clear their Penix pick also took other NFL general managers off guard.

RELATED: Why the Falcons might have drafted Penix. 

Take Bears general manager Ryan Poles, for example. When explaining his thought process after seeing receiver Rome Odunze drop to Chicago at No. 9 overall, Poles was asked about his thoughts on Atlanta’s quarterback pick just before. He could barely stifle a laugh before composing himself and delivering an appropriately professional answer.

While the charitable (and likely) interpretation is that Poles mainly appreciated Atlanta opening the door to Odunze wearing a Bears uniform, his immediate slip reaction said it all — he apparently found the Falcons’ evaluative draft process leading them to Penix very amusing.

You can find the exchange starting at the 11:05 timestamp in the video below, courtesy of the Bears:

The Falcons can only hope that anyone who reacted to the Penix pick like this comes to regret their laughter in due time. For the time being, though, they are the convenient (and understandable) piñata of the league.

Featured image courtesy of the Chicago Bears. 

Rome Odunze was stunned to learn the Bears’ all-time receiving yard record (and is ready to break it)

The Bears’ offensive records are embarrassingly low.

On paper, Rome Odunze is likely the most talented receiver prospect the Chicago Bears have ever had the pleasure of drafting. Odunze is so good, in fact, that he was previously (blissfully?) unaware of Chicago’s all-time receiving yards record.

Gifted playmakers like him simply don’t understand the offensive futility the Bears have been mired in for years.

RELATED: Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze are an incredible buddy duo already. 

In an interview with Chicago radio station 670 The Score, Odunze was told that the Bears’ all-time leading receiver is Johnny Morris, with an extremely meager 5059 yards. When Odunze heard the figure out loud, he literally had to clarify that it was achieved over the course of an entire Bears career.

Most importantly, the talented rookie vowed that he’s prepared to break it someday:

I don’t know about you, but telling doe-eyed Bears offensive rookies the franchise records for their respective positions would be incredible content. Call it a hunch, but Odunze wouldn’t be the only shocked person. For example, does Caleb Williams know a Bears quarterback has never thrown for at least 4000 yards and/or 30 touchdowns in a single season?

And does he know why? (Tugs collar)

Needless to say, Odunze (and Williams) are joining the Bears with the potential to blaze so many trails.