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Expert Claims Ben Johnson Is Sean McVay’s Only Rival And Why That Is A Huge Deal

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Rams head coach Sean McVay share much in common.

The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams met in the playoffs last season, battling into overtime in one of the best games of the entire postseason. It was old gun Matthew Stafford vs. young gun Caleb Williams. However, the bigger battle felt like it was between head coaches Sean McVay and Ben Johnson. McVay, long renowned as one of the great offensive minds of this generation, would take on the rapidly ascending Johnson, who has had a top 10 offense every year he has called plays. While the game’s conditions didn’t allow for lots of points, it did showcase moments when the two men demonstrated their exceptional skills.

In fact, author Bobby Peters went so far as to say that McVay and Johnson are the two best pure play callers and play designers in the NFL right now.

This is no small thing. Being a great play caller and play designer has a long track record of creating team success in the NFL. You can go back through each decade and find the names who were considered the best play callers in the game at that time. Don’t be shocked if you find them also winning a lot of games.

DecadePlay-CallerPrimary Team(s)Decade Coaching RecordChampionship/Super Bowl Appearances (In Decade)
1960sSid GillmanChargers87–51–6 (.625)5 AFL Title Games (Won 1963)
1970sDon CoryellCardinals / Chargers54–44–1 (.551)0 appearances (Reached 1979 AFC Title Game)
1980sBill WalshSan Francisco 49ers102–63–1 (.617)3 Super Bowl appearances (Won XVI, XIX, XXIII)
1990sMike HolmgrenPackers / Seahawks92–51–0 (.643)2 Super Bowl appearances (Won XXXI, Lost XXXII)
2000sSean PaytonSaints43–27–0 (.614)1 Super Bowl appearance (Won XLIV)
2010sAndy ReidEagles / Chiefs108–65–0 (.624)1 Super Bowl appearance (Won LIV)
2020sSean McVayRams67–46–0 (.593)1 Super Bowl appearance (Won LVI)

The Ben Johnson hire followed a proven trend.

There is a reason NFL teams have long been chasing the top offensive minds in the sport. That is because they know if you somehow land one of the best, and he also happens to be a good head coach, you’re going to chase championships. You can see that from the table above. Every single one of those coaches made at least one deep playoff run in the decade. Six of them won a championship. The overarching point is that if you score a lot of points, you’re probably going to win a lot of football games.

Johnson already proved that last season. In years past, if the Bears had a defense as bad as the one they did in 2025, they would have been likely to pick in the top five again. Instead, they won 11 games, stole the NFC North crown, and won a playoff game. That is because they consistently found ways to stay in games by scoring when they had to. Much of that came from Johnson’s ability to craft a diverse rushing attack while developing Caleb Williams into a more well-rounded quarterback.

The Bears are finally equipped to be competitive every year.

We already knew Ben Johnson was a great offensive mind before he even arrived in Chicago. His ability to craft diverse attacks and put his players in position to succeed was the biggest selling point. However, now we know he is also a tremendous leader. When you combine those two traits together, you get winners. McVay has proven that for almost a decade now. He’s reached two Super Bowls and won one. Many believe he is on the cusp of claiming a second this season, which would likely cement his Hall of Fame case.

Johnson has already said he plans to make Canton one day. He said as much when he was an assistant in Miami. The sheer focus and relentless competitive streak have gotten him this far. This is not a man content with the status quo. He is constantly looking for new ways to beat defenses. Hell, one of the reasons he hired new running backs coach Eric Studesville was to get some insight into former head coach Mike McDaniel’s run schemes. The dude is a maniac and also a genius.

If he truly is on McVay’s level, things should stay fun for a long time.

Steal? Why The Dailyn Swain Pick Is Quietly Getting Some Overlooked Love

By
Erik Lambert
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dailyn swain
Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) commits an offensive foul against Purdue Boilermakers guard Jack Benter (14) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

To the surprise of nobody, the Chicago Bulls selecting Caleb Wilson #4 overall in the 2026 NBA draft was met with universal praise. He was considered one of the best prospects in the class. An elite athlete with a staggering amount of room to grow after what was a really good season for North Carolina. The vital thing a team must do during a rebuild is shoot for that player you can potentially build a franchise around. Wilson has that level of talent. Then came the “other” 1st round pick, Texas forward Dailyn Swain.

This selection was met with more mixed reactions. Some were surprised he went that high, believing he’d likely go somewhere in the 20s range. That usually indicates a reach. While Swain earned widespread praise for his athleticism, intensity, and excellent rim-attacking prowess, most couldn’t look past his iffy shooting stroke. However, don’t be fooled. The pick had plenty of supporters, too. More than you might think. Several experts believe the Bulls quietly got a really good one.

Kevin O’Connor (Yahoo Sports)

Grade: A+

After taking Wilson with the No. 4 pick, the Bulls get a potential steal here. Swain is relentless getting to the rim, creative as a finisher, and active enough defensively to project as a switchable wing.

Steph Noa (Sporting News)

Grade: A

Swain was a rim pressure machine at Texas, showing special skill and handle as a driver. He’s not a proven shooter, hitting 34 percent of his 3’s last season, and the Bulls do have some spacing issues in their lineup. But this was the best pick that Chicago could make, picking up a player with a high floor and decent upside.

Ricky O’Donnell (SB Nation)

Joel Lorenzi (The Athletic)

Rich Stayman (No Ceilings NBA)

Dailyn Swain has traits that you can’t really teach.

The first thing that immediately stands out with the young wing is his ability to create his own offense. Even with an inconsistent jump shot, he routinely showed the ability to get past defenders by himself and score. Think about this. At any given time, there are only around 15-25 players in the NBA who can legitimately create their own offense without help from set plays. The rest are good shooters who need someone else to manufacture an opening for them or are defense-only.

One person that Dailyn Swain is often compared to is OG Anunoby. He, too, came into the NBA with great size, length, athleticism, and defensive prowess. Attacking the rim was a great strength. However, his early career was dogged by shooting inconsistency. That is why he went 23rd overall in 2017. A few years later, things began to click, and he became one of the most versatile forwards in the NBA. Now he’s an NBA champion and an all-time hero for the New York Knicks.

The Bulls don’t need this pick to be a home run.

This draft will be remembered by how Wilson develops. He is the focal point. What Swain becomes will be either icing on the cake or a minor disappointment. What we know at this point is that he has probably a higher floor than other prospects taken in the middle of the 1st round. He showed throughout his college tenure that he can play strong, active defense. His offensive output also got consistently better year over year in college, which is usually a good sign. He finished last season with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.

At worst, they’re getting an athletic defender who gives them a multitude of ways to attack the rim both in transition and in the half-court. If he does end up improving his jumpers, the Bulls may have landed themselves a potential All-Star. Much depends on how committed he is to improving and how good new head coach Tiago Splitter is at developing his game. Yes, it’s a big swing, but a calculated one with a higher percentage to work than others might.

From Bad to Worse: Chicago Cubs Cannot Escape Misery with Pitching Injuries

By
Aldo Soto
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That looked bad. Chicago Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera is headed to the injured list after suffering a strain in either his left hamstring or adductor after covering first base in Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets. Cabrera was carted off the field, and you can just tell by Craig Counsell’s postgame reaction that the Cubs are exasperated over all the pitching injuries so far in 2026.

Counsell said Cabrera will hopefully have an MRI on Wednesday. After the imaging is done, the Cubs will know how long Cabrera will miss, but right now, you can expect the team to be without him for at least a month.

At this point, you’re just hoping that Cabrera doesn’t need surgery because that would ultimately end his 2026 season. So far this year, Cabrera has posted a 5.10 ERA in 14 starts.

The Cubs were hoping to get a bit stronger in the rotation with the return of Matthew Boyd this weekend against the Milwaukee Brewers, which would have also given the bullpen a boost by pushing Colin Rea back into a reliever role. Now, the Cubs will bring in another reliever to replace Cabrera in Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Mets, and then Boyd will replace a bullpen arm once he is activated off the injured list.

At 41-37, the Cubs are currently the third Wild Card team in the National League. They’ve been able to somewhat right the ship in recent weeks after a 10-game losing streak, but the starting rotation remains a huge issue, which only becomes more concerning with Cabrera’s injury. The Cubs currently rank 25th in MLB with a 4.61 ERA from their starting pitchers.

That does not seem sustainable, so either guys like Javier Assad or the return of Boyd, really have to be good, a significant trade must occur, or the Cubs might be doomed.

(Previous Update)

You have to be fucking kidding me. Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera was carted off the field during Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets and it immediately looked bad for the right-hander.

Cabrera injured his lower body when making an incredible stretch, covering first base to record the final out of the fifth inning on a ground ball hit to Nico Hoerner at second base. The Cubs’ pitcher stayed down and was eventually carted off.

Cabrera has had a long list of injuries throughout his career, dating back to the minor leagues in the Miami Marlins system, and the Cubs knew his health was a reason he was made available in a trade last offseason, despite his talent. Getting injured on that play, though? I mean, at this point what else do you expect out of the worst luck a team can have because it is almost expected for the Cubs in 2026.

This definitely looks like at least a 15-day trip to the injured list for Cabrera, who missed a couple of weeks earlier this season because of a blister. He also exited early from his previous start because of a cramp in his hand.

So far in 2026, the Cubs have lost Cade Horton for the rest of the season, Matthew Boyd has been on the injured list twice, the second time after a freak accident playing with his kids, Jameson Taillon is currently on the injured list, while the outlook on Justin Steele got worse today, when Jed Hoyer said the lefty wasn’t expected to make starts this year if he returned at all.

The Cubs are hanging around in the playoff picture in the National League thanks to the Wild Card, and it’s almost a miracle at this point when you take into account how many pitching injuries they’ve dealt with before the midway point of the season.

New Chicago Bears Stadium Momentum? Pritzker Reveals Key Development Behind The Scenes

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during the 2024 Midwest Aerospace Conference Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Embassy Suites in downtown Rockford.

The Politico recently reported that the Chicago Bears and Illinois have re-engaged in talks over new stadium legislation in the past week or so. This represents the first real sign of hope since their push during the spring session in Springfield failed before the May 31st deadline. The Bears announced the intention to shift focus to Hammond, Indiana, after that news broke. Many felt this was a decisive shift in momentum. Illinois would need a miracle to rescue the situation.

However, Governor J.B. Pritzker made sure to leave the door open. He stated on camera that if the Bears were to put together a proposal that is clear in what they want from the state, then he would call a special session this summer to hopefully get the bill passed. It appears that the message was received. House representative Kam Buckner, who has worked closely with the Bears throughout the process, confirmed as much. He stated the team is doing a much better job of providing details and being hands-on with things.

The Chicago Bears appear to sense a finish line.

As disappointing as last month was, the evidence suggests the two sides were close to an agreement. The Illinois Senate introduced a bill that was narrowed down to just focus on the Bears. It would give municipalities with 70,000 residents or more the opportunity to make overtures to the team about building a stadium there. The Bears would fund the construction, while the municipality would officially “own” the stadium. This would mean the team wouldn’t have to pay property taxes, bypassing the biggest roadblock they’ve faced.

Though the bill passed the Senate, the House didn’t have enough time to look through it before the deadline hit. Given a little more time, it’s reasonable to assume the bill might have passed. The Chicago Bears would be wise to draw up legislation along those same lines, making sure to detail precisely what they’re looking for. Once done, Governor Pritzker should call a special session to allow the legislature to review it. If things go as hoped, the bill would pass sometime in July, clearing the final hurdle to begin construction.

Pritzker provided details on how things are going.

This isn’t something the team is drawing up from scratch. According to the governor, the organization has reached out for advice on how to approach the matter. It appears they are looking to blend certain portions of both the megaprojects bill and the revised Senate version since both passed in each governing body. This should give it the best chance of getting through.

“They’ve asked for advice, and so our staff, as well as legislators, have offered them that,” Pritzker said, speaking to reporters Tuesday in Chicago. “They’re looking at both of the bills that passed, the one in the House and the one in the Senate, hoping to put the provisions of each of those together in a form that they think will pass.”

Reports suggest clarity is expected by Wednesday, meaning something should break in the next 24 hours. That suggests the Bears might be close to completing their proposal. If Pritzker reviews it and is satisfied, he’ll call the special session. That would be the biggest breakthrough in talks by far throughout this entire saga. Special sessions almost never end without a resolution to the problem. Of course, something could still go wrong. These things are so delicate.

That said, there is genuine hope.

Luisangel Acuña’s Recent Surge Could Be Huge For The White Sox

By
Craig Rowland
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Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Luisangel Acuna (0) runs affter hitting a single against the Cleveland Guardians during the third inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The White Sox made waves in the offseason when they traded Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets in exchange for Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley. At the time of the trade, fans were underwhelmed with the return for Robert Jr. However, the White Sox were able to clear up 20 million dollars in cap space, which allowed them to make other moves.

Most people were split on the main piece in the trade, Luisangel Acuña, as he hadn’t had much major league success at the time of the trade. However, Acuña had an amazing Spring Training, as he hit .409 over 16 games. This was exactly what the White Sox wanted to see out of him, as he looked like he would make a contribution for the White Sox in the 2026 season.

However, Acuña did not get off to a great start to the season, as he was hitting .165 at the end of May. He lost his starting position to Tristan Peters and was relegated to a bench role. However, over the last month, he has been significantly better.

Over his last 30 games, Acuña is hitting .250 with one homerun, seven RBIs, and eight stolen bases. This is much more in line with what the White Sox wanted to see out of Acuña, as he has shown he could be a solid piece on a major league team.

Acuña has been even better over his last 15 games, as he is hitting .324 over those games. This is an encouraging development, as once he gets on base, he is a threat to steal. Currently, Acuña has 14 stolen bases, which is 18th best in the major leagues. Without consistent playing time, this is a very impressive feat.

With the White Sox having a crowded infield and getting solid production out of Tristan Peters, Braden Montgomery, and Sam Antonacci, there is not a path to a starting role for Acuña. However, with the Munetaka Murakami injury, he has received more playing time and has certainly earned more when Murakami returns.

When Acuña gets on base, he is an extremely valuable player. When you pair that with his solid defense, he has value as a utility/bench player. Over the last few weeks, he has shown that he can get on base and wreak havoc, and, in turn, he has been productive. If he can keep this up, the White Sox may have won the Luis Robert Jr. trade, as Robert Jr. has hardly played this season and is currently on the 60 day IL.

While the overall stats for Acuna this season aren’t great, he has been much better as of late. If he can continue this type of production, he could really help the White Sox, especially if he can start to hit for some power. While the jury is still out, this past month has been very promising for Acuña and he could be a valuable piece in a playoff run for the White Sox.

Kyle Davidson Just Made His First Blockbuster Trade, And It’s A Strange One

By
Isaac Nielsen
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Apr 6, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) during a stoppage in play against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

After the news broke earlier this week that Brady Tkachuk was being traded to Florida to join his brother, Chicago Blackhawks fans everywhere seemed itchy for a move. It was always a possibility that Chicago would trade the No. 4 overall pick, so this trade was a long time coming. But this move may not have been what Blackhawks fans had in mind.

On Tuesday night, the Blackhawks acquired defenseman Bowen Byram from the Sabres as well as forward Jordan Greenway in exchange for the No. 4 pick, defenseman Louis Crevier, and the No. 45 pick. It’s GM Kyle Davidson’s first blockbuster trade since taking over in 2022, and a move of this caliber seemed to always be in the works; fans have been waiting on a big move to get a real star for years. 

Now, they have one. Byram is a 25-year-old offensive defenseman in the final season of a two-year, $12.5 million contract. He set a career high with 42 points in 82 games last season, posting a plus-15 mark and playing a vital role on both ends of the ice. 

Greenway seems like mostly a cap dump with one year remaining on a two-year, $8 million contract. He had six points in 40 regular-season games but did play all 13 playoff games. He’s 29 years old and doesn’t fit into Chicago’s long-term plans, but could be a decent enforcer this season at 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds. 

Byram and even Greenway are nice additions to the roster, but the price is certainly steep. The No. 4 pick could have turned into anything, and Crevier has really come into his own as a potential solid blueliner. He had 25 points in 78 games last season and has certainly outperformed his expected value as a 2020 seventh-round pick. 

It did seem like the writing was on the wall for the Blackhawks to be looking to trade the No. 4 pick. The Sharks traded William Eklund to Ottawa for the No. 9 pick on Tuesday afternoon, which all but guaranteed that they were looking to grab Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 and wait on a much-needed defenseman at No. 9. That would give Chicago pretty much their pick of any blueliner in the class. With this move, it looks like they saw Byram (or the value of Byram over Crevier) as more valuable than anyone they could get at No. 4. 

Blackhawks fans online don’t seem too thrilled about the trade, and it’s fair to question whether Davidson overpaid on this one. But the reality is that Byram is a great player who would be able to slide into a top-pairing defenseman for Chicago and give them a great boost at both ends of the ice. It accelerates the Blackhawks’ rebuild time and gives them a serious shot at the playoffs next spring, which they wouldn’t have had if they had made the No. 4 pick later this week.

The Blackhawks now won’t make a pick in this week’s draft until Saturday’s second round. They own the Nos. 34 and 37 overall picks, as well as picks in the third and fourth rounds and two selections in the seventh. Saturday’s draft will kick off at 10 a.m. CT.

Why An NBA Scout’s Comparison For Caleb Wilson Should Have Bulls Fans Jacked

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb wilson
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; The fourth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson after he was selected by the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Well, it happened. Despite attempts to fuel the rumor mill, the top four picks of the 2026 NBA draft unfolded exactly as most predicted. A.J. Dybantsa, Darryl Peterson, and Cameron Boozer went 1, 2, 3. That left the Chicago Bulls in a position to select North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the 4th overall pick. While considered more raw than the other three prospects, the general feeling is that Wilson is the most dynamic athlete in the entire class. Some say he’s the most explosive to come out of college in years.

The flashes from his lone season with the Tarheels were many. It is staggering how high his upside is. Wilson certainly isn’t afraid of the pressure. He immediately acknowledged Michael Jordan as the G.O.A.T, but made it clear his intention is to be the greatest ever. Like Jordan, he excels at attacking the rim and playing intense defense. Developing a consistent shooting stroke is the goal. So who are the Bulls getting if everything comes together? One NBA scout raised the bar sky-high, according to ESPN.

Caleb Wilson has Kevin Garnett 2.0 written all over him.

Scout’s take: Wilson jumps off the screen with his athleticism, and he had plenty of eye-catching plays during his lone season at North Carolina. That, coupled with a magnetic personality, led one scout to compare him to Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett as a potential high-end outcome. Though they immediately added, “That’s also not fair to him, or anyone, to make that kind of comparison.”

Siakam was also mentioned as a potential comp. Siakam can also get in the open floor with the ball, has a very high motor and has turned into an outstanding pro. Wilson, though, is coming into the NBA as a younger player with higher upside.

This is not a small thing.

Younger fans may not remember how incredibly dominant Garnett was in the 2000s. We’re talking about a 15-time All-Star, 12-time All-Defense, 9-time All-NBA, league MVP, and NBA champion. He has a case for being the greatest power forward in league history and made the Minnesota Timberwolves a relevant franchise for the first time in their history. At his peak, he averaged 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks while being one of the best defenders in the sport.

That is who experts believe the Bulls may have with Caleb Wilson. Now you can understand why there is genuine excitement. This isn’t just an elite athlete. Wilson comes in with a quality work ethic and magnetic charisma. He has all the traits of a franchise cornerstone that you can build around. Putting him in the hands of new head coach Tiago Splitter is also great. The man played forward himself for many years and served as teammates for some of the best ever to play, including Tim Duncan.

Nobody stands to benefit more from Wilson than Josh Giddey.

While Garnett elevated plenty of teammates during his time in the NBA, it always seemed to be the point guards who benefited the most. Sam Cassel made his only All-Star game while playing with him in Minnesota. Rajon Rondo made all four of his All-Star appearances as his teammate in Boston. Having such a big, physical specimen drawing attention from the defense makes life so much easier for the point guard. If Wilson develops along that same path as Garnett, then Giddey could soon see his own star rise.

That might explain why the Bulls haven’t traded him despite the rumors. They want somebody who can feed Wilson and Matas Buzelis on offense. The vision of what Bulls VP of Basketball Ops Bryson Graham wants is coming into focus. We have no real idea what Wilson will become. All we know is he has some of the highest potential seen in a prospect in years. If he can learn the game at a more complete level, the results will terrify the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Chicago’s Franchise-Altering Draft Night Continues By Selecting Dailyn Swain 15th Overall

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Draft prospect Dailyn Swain poses for photos on the red carpet before the 2026 NBA draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Bulls fans can take a massive sigh of relief. After nearly a decade of watching Arturas Karnisovas either trade away first-round selections or grab head-scratching prospects with others, a new age has finally arrived. With their fourth overall draft choice, they went with a surefire NBA star in Caleb Wilson. A combination of some lottery luck and an injury to Wilson in February that may have impacted his draft standing, new head coach Tiago Splitter found himself with one of the youngest and most talented players in the incoming class. With Matas Buzelis, recently acquired Nic Claxton, and Caleb Wilson, the frontcourt is fully loaded. The next ten picks were all about seeing what scoring wings would fall to 15, and in the end, it was Dailyn Swain.

A Fresh Start

Chicago fans have a reason to turn on the television and tune in again for the first time in several years. With the entire front office gutted, Billy Donovan splitting ways, and nearly an entirely different roster than previous campaigns, this is a young, unpredictable group oozing with potential. With one of the youngest trios in the league headed into the 2026-27 season, the Bulls once again have hope for a brighter future. Dailyn Swain is an all-around talent, and at only 20 years old, Chicago has built their core. This decision also likely means that, despite rumors that Josh Giddey might be on the move, he’s likely staying put and leading the charge for the new-look roster.

Swain was one of only two SEC players to lead their club in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Chicago was clearly aiming for an asset that would help glue the group together, and has now added two players aged 20 or younger. Next season will surely feature a high-flying, explosive, and energetic unit.

Outside Shooting Is An Immediate Red Flag

The only moment of pause following this selection was the lack of three-point shooting. Swain is a gifted athlete who scores at the rim with the best of them, but lacks the sniping ability that is already an issue in Chicago. Should they have grabbed a better perimeter threat, or is it too early to write off the new front office staff and their first two draft selections?

While it may be hard to have faith in the leadership team due to the scars of the last one, tonight was a successful night for the Chicago Bulls, and fans should once again have wishful thoughts about what the next generation has in store. Tune in this fall for one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, featuring Giddey, Swain, Buzelis, Wilson, and Claxton. Time to see how the front office attacks their first free agency period and determine the next direction of one of the most historic franchises in basketball.

Chicago Cubs Facing Major Injury: Edward Cabrera Carted off vs. New York Mets

By
Aldo Soto
-

You have to be fucking kidding me. Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera was carted off the field during Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets and it immediately looked bad for the right-hander.

Cabrera injured his lower body when making an incredible stretch, covering first base to record the final out of the fifth inning on a ground ball hit to Nico Hoerner at second base. The Cubs’ pitcher stayed down and was eventually carted off.

Cabrera has had a long list of injuries throughout his career, dating back to the minor leagues in the Miami Marlins system, and the Cubs knew his health was a reason he was made available in a trade last offseason, despite his talent. Getting injured on that play, though? I mean, at this point what else do you expect out of the worst luck a team can have because it is almost expected for the Cubs in 2026.

This definitely looks like at least a 15-day trip to the injured list for Cabrera, who missed a couple of weeks earlier this season because of a blister. He also exited early from his previous start because of a cramp in his hand.

So far in 2026, the Cubs have lost Cade Horton for the rest of the season, Matthew Boyd has been on the injured list twice, the second time after a freak accident playing with his kids, Jameson Taillon is currently on the injured list, while the outlook on Justin Steele got worse today, when Jed Hoyer said the lefty wasn’t expected to make starts this year if he returned at all.

The Cubs are hanging around in the playoff picture in the National League thanks to the Wild Card, and it’s almost a miracle at this point when you take into account how many pitching injuries they’ve dealt with before the midway point of the season.

The Future Has Arrived, The Chicago Bulls Select Caleb Wilson Fourth Overall In The 2026 NBA Draft

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the fourth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson after he was selected by the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After the top three picks went as expected, Chicago was on the clock. AJ Dybantsa was drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards, Darryn Peterson went second to the Utah Jazz, and Cameron Boozer rounded out the top three, heading to the Memphis Grizzlies. With one name stealing most of the pre-draft buzz regarding the Windy City’s next face of the franchise, the fourth selection followed suit in going as anticipated. The Bulls landed an absolute star in Caleb Wilson. A former five-star high school recruit, Wilson was named to the First-team All-ACC and was on track to make a deep run in the postseason before fracturing his left hand in February, which sidelined him for the remainder of his freshman season and college career. He’s only 19 years old, has the perfect NBA frame at 6’10”, and is primed to be the next big thing in a reborn franchise.

Face Of The Franchise

Matas Buzelis has become the fan-favorite since being drafted in 2024 with his explosive plays on both ends of the floor and his accelerated rise to stardom. With a completely revamped roster and front office, Chicago is searching for a new identity, and Wilson gives the youngster a perfect running mate. After acquiring Nic Claxton in a three-team trade last night, the Bulls will now boast one of the youngest, most athletic, and highest-energy frontcourts in the league.

Coming In Hungry

Unlike the majority of the 2026 NBA Draft class, Caleb Wilson didn’t have the opportunity to play for the ultimate prize in March. After putting together one of the most impressive freshman seasons at one of the most historic blue blood collegiate basketball programs, his chance at NCAA history was cut short due to his hand injury. Having missed out on playing for an NCAA Tournament title, Wilson’s more motivated than any of the incoming freshmen to make his mark, play for a title, and prove that he’s the ultimate competitor on the biggest stage. Part of the reason he fell to four was the fact that this was one of the most stacked draft classes of recent memory, but it should also be noted that he still cracked the top four despite missing his shot at improving his draft positioning with a strong March showing.

Bulls fans should be ecstatic with this selection. Their first chance in over a decade at building a young core into a long-term contending group. How far can Tiago Splitter, Matas Buzelis, and Caleb Wilson take Chicago in what hopes to be an organizational revival?

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