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Still looking for straight answers on Ozzy Trapilo
The Ben Johnson honeymoon is going strong. But as much he's been a breath of fresh air as the Bears' head coach, you still have to call...
Mark Potash
Oct 7, 20253 min read
1st-and-10: Bears return to the scene of the crime
The Bears are 2-2 under Ben Johnson, which is the same record they had after four games last year under Matt Eberflus. And their...
Mark Potash
Oct 6, 20257 min read
'He really shot that one out of the cannon' — Dave Kingman's 3-HR game vs. the Dodgers
The anticipation among Cubs fans was palpable after the Cubs signed Dave Kingman to a five-year, $1.4 million contract as a free agent in...
Mark Potash
Oct 3, 20252 min read
1st-and-10: Could Bears go Wright to left to solve the Ozzy Trapilo conundrum?
When Ben Johnson was the tight ends coach with the Lions in 2021, first-year head coach Dan Campbell made a lineup change over the bye...
Mark Potash
Oct 1, 20257 min read
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest difference in the Bears' 25-24 victory over the Raiders on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas: 1. Josh Blackwell The fourth-year undrafted free agent from Duke made just one impact play, but without it, the Bears likely would be lamenting the disappointing loss of a winnable game. Shades of Bryan Robinson against the Packers in 1999 the week that Walter Payton died, Blackwell blocked Daniel Carlson's 54-yard field goal attempt with 33
Mark Potash
Sep 28, 20254 min read
Opportunity knocking for Bears in Vegas — will they answer?
The Bears' collapse last season was so complete and so tumultuous — with 10 consecutive losses following the bye week leading to a 5-12...
Mark Potash
Sep 27, 20253 min read


Bears Scrapbook — Fantastic Finishes
The Bears' rally from a 10-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation to beat the Packers 22-16 in overtime last Sunday turned what looked like another dreadful loss to the Packers into one of the best Bears regular-season victories ever. It was a walk-off win. It had memorable, highlight-reel plays — Caleb Williams' fourth-down touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Jahdae Walker; Josh Blackwell's recovery of an onside kick; and Williams' 46-yard touchdown pass to
Mark Potash
Sep 26, 20251 min read


Happy 100th birthday, Bobby Shantz
As a history buff, I love longevity links. Harrison Ruffin Tyler, a grandson of President John Tyler — who was born in 1790 and served as president from 1841-45 — just passed away on May 25 of 2025 at 96. Al Benton, a two-time all-star pitcher for the Tigers, pitched to Hall of Fame sluggers Babe Ruth, who began his big-league career in 1915, and Mickey Mantle, who played his last big-league game in 1968. Former White Sox starter Jim Kaat, who played in the big leagues in 198
Mark Potash
Sep 26, 20254 min read
1st-and-10: The Ben Johnson Effect is real ... for now
Oh, the irony: The Bears responded for coach Ben Johnson the way they never did for Matt Eberflus on Sunday — in part, by torching...
Mark Potash
Sep 23, 20258 min read
A test of Ben Johnson's message
Just three weeks into his head coaching career, Ben Johnson faces a Matt Eberflus moment — a test of his ability to get his players to...
Mark Potash
Sep 21, 20252 min read


Sept. 21, 1975: Walter Payton's NFL debut
It was nearly as difficult to sell patience to Bears fans in 1975, when Walter Payton made his NFL debut against the Colts, as it is...
Mark Potash
Sep 21, 20253 min read


Bears Scrapbook — Ex-Bears who got revenge; Will Matt Eberflus be next?
Former Bears coach Matt Eberflus said, "I haven't thought about it." when asked by Cowboys beat reporters about the reaction he expects...
Mark Potash
Sep 20, 20254 min read
Bears' bad practice habits reflect poorly on the players — and GM Ryan Poles
Bears coach Ben Johnson spent much of his ramp-up to the regular season trying to instill good work habits in his team. His next-level...
Mark Potash
Sep 18, 20254 min read
1st-and-10: A litmus test for Ben Johnson vs. Matt Eberflus
The last time Ben Johnson faced Matt Eberflus, when the Lions played the Bears on Thanksgiving Day last season at Ford Field, Johnson's...
Mark Potash
Sep 16, 20258 min read
It's time to grade the fundamentals and not the flashes with Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams-to-Rome Odunze seems like one of those classic connections just waiting to happen. They seem to bring out the best in each other. When Williams looks for Odunze, it's like Jay Cutler throwing to Brandon Marshall. When he's looking for anybody else, it's like Cutler throwing to Devin Hester. The Bears' 2024 first-round draft picks came through again with a titillating throw-and-catch in an early key moment against the Vikings on Monday night. On third-and-five f
Mark Potash
Sep 13, 20253 min read


The Bears Scrapbook — Week 2
Week 2 of the Bears scrapbook featured memorable special-teams oddities — like Dick Butkus' catch on a PAT that beat the Redskins 16-15...
Mark Potash
Sep 13, 20251 min read
Caleb Williams just needs time? With Ben Johnson, that could be
The aftermath of Caleb Williams' hot-and-cold performance in a 27-24 loss to the Vikings on Monday night — like the performance itself —...
Mark Potash
Sep 11, 20254 min read


1st-and-10: Meet the new boss ...
It was only one game, and the season opener at that. But for long-suffering Bears fans — even for short-suffering Bears fans — it was...
Mark Potash
Sep 9, 20259 min read


The Ben Johnson Effect? So far, so good
The story last week by NFL insider Tyler Dunne that blamed quarterback Caleb Williams for a key role in the Bears' disastrous 2024...
Mark Potash
Sep 8, 20254 min read


Mark Potash
Sep 6, 20250 min read
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