Friday, April 3, 2026
✶ Untold Chicago Stories ✶ Amazon Music
Home Blog Page 12

Justin Steele’s Return Date Becomes Clearer After Roster Update

By
Aldo Soto
-
Apr 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele (35) delivers against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs needed to open up a few spots on their 40-man roster on Wednesday, when the team finalized its Opening Day roster. A trio of non-roster invitees to spring training made the active squad, as Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, and Scott Kingery cracked the Opening Day roster. Fans were already aware that Justin Steele wouldn’t make his season debut until at least May, and now his return date is much clearer following Wednesday’s roster updates.

Steele was officially placed on the 60-day injured list, which means the left-handed starting pitcher won’t be able to come back until the final week of May at the earliest. Again, not much of a surprise as Steele and the Cubs had indicated earlier in March that the pitcher was targeting a late-May to early June return.

Meanwhile, right-handed relief pitcher Jack Neely was designated for assignment. This move is somewhat disappointing as Neely was one of the two prospects that the Cubs acquired from the New York Yankees in 2024, in a trade that sent Mark Leiter Jr. to New York. Neely briefly pitched for the Cubs at the end of the 2024 season, but he was stuck in Triple-A last year as the righty put up big strikeout numbers, but also had command issues.

We’ll see if Neely passes through waivers and returns to the Cubs, who would then outright him to Triple-A.

The Cubs also officially placed infielder/outfielder Tyler Austin on the 60-day injured list prior to Opening Day. Austin signed a one-year deal with the Cubs this past offseason after a handful of years in Japan. Unfortunately, Austin had a knee issue, and he underwent surgery that will sideline him for several months.

Seiya Suzuki is on the 10-day injured list, which is retroactive to March 22. So, if Suzuki recovers soon and only misses the minimum time, he’ll be eligible to return to the lineup on April 1, meaning the right fielder would have only missed five games.

Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks are also starting the season on the 15-day injured list.

(Previous Update)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele missed most of the 2025 season after undergoing left-elbow surgery, but the 30-year-old just shared a game-changing update heading into March. Steele said on Saturday that he has been cleared by his surgeon and is back to 100%. Essentially, Steele can now resume a normal ramp-up in spring training, meaning his return to the Cubs’ rotation could come sooner than some experts first theorized.

Steele underwent UCL revision last April and while some fans might have seen that UCL injury and assumed Tommy John surgery, but the time frame to return is shorter for the procedure Steele went through. The Cubs’ lefty shared the update on Twitter and passed along a video of his latest throwing session in Arizona.

We kind of forget how good Steele was in the rotation because of his absence, but from 2022-24, the left-hander was a steady force in the rotation.

Justin Steele 2022-24
2022: 24 starts, 3.18 ERA, 119 IP, 24.6 K%
2023: 30 starts, 3.06 ERA, 173.1 IP, 24.6 K%
2024: 24 starts, 3.07 ERA, 134.2 IP, 24.3 K%

There is no question that the Cubs have a better rotation with Steele in it, and his return also gives the team a much more formidable one for the postseason. Fingers crossed that Steele doesn’t experience any setbacks as he continues his comeback, but today’s update was a giant step forward for him and the Cubs.

Intel: Chicago Bears Aren’t Excited About Their Options At #25 — And What It Means

By
Erik Lambert
-
ben johnson
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (L), general manager Ryan Poles (C) and head coach Ben Johnson (R) observe during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

It is now T-minus less than a month before the 2026 NFL draft. The Chicago Bears have been remarkably quiet following their initial surge in free agency. There have been precious few updates on the scouting trail regarding meetings and pro days. Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson might be trying to keep things as close to the vest as possible. However, there could be another explanation. One that figures to shake things up when the action begins on opening night.

SM has been informed by people close to the situation inside Halas Hall that there isn’t much excitement among coaches and scouts about the potential options at the 25th pick. After running several simulations, optimism isn’t high that any of the players they like will fall to the Bears. This has led to discussions about the splash scenario: trading out.

Mind you, it isn’t a discussion about just trading down to collect picks. Conversations are ongoing about the possibility of moving up for somebody they want, or even flipping the pick to another team for a proven player.

The Chicago Bears know they are in an awkward spot.

Most experts agree this draft class is light on blue-chip talent. Matt Miller of ESPN listed only 11 names he considered legitimate 1st rounder. That means the odds of one of them slipping to #25 are remote. This puts Poles in a bind. Does he try moving up to see if he can snag one? Or does he wait to see if one drops? If not, he would then engage other teams in moving down to a spot he’s more comfortable taking one of the remaining names on the board, collecting some extra picks along the way.

The obvious question is who the Bears would move up for. If we go by Miller’s list from last month, there are four plausible names that could fall far enough to encourage the team to move up.

  • Wide receiver Makai Lemon
  • Running back Jeremiyah Love
  • Edge rusher Rueben Bain
  • Safety Caleb Downs

Lemon isn’t an elite athlete but has the specific skill set that Coach Johnson would covet. Love is a running back, and teams are often reluctant to spend high 1st rounders on them. Bain is surrounded by concerns about his length and physical ceiling. Downs plays a non-premium position without any elite measurables. Yet all four can be called really good football players who would make the Bears better.

The odds favor Chicago trying to move down.

It makes logistical sense. Remember, the Chicago Bears are in the midst of a roster transition. Salary cap issues forced them to unload several starters from last season. D.J. Moore, Tremaine Edmunds, Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Nahshon Wright, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are all gone. This is without mentioning their established needs at left tackle, center, defensive tackle, and edge rusher. They didn’t have enough salary cap space to address everything. That means they need the draft to pick up the slack.

As things stand, the Bears have seven picks, including four in the first three rounds. That is a good spot to be in, but they may need more. Depth remains a concern at several positions, and they have no picks in the 5th or 6th rounds. Moving down from #25 would help add more, giving them flexibility. As always, it all depends on finding a team willing to come out. There are a few picking at the top of the 2nd round who might be hoping to land a quarterback or a wide receiver. No doubt Poles will be getting phone calls. We’ll see if he gets an offer he can live with.

The Best Player In G League History Can’t Get NBA Minutes, Is Chicago Missing Something?

By
Ryan Dauterive
-
Feb 5, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls guard Mac Mcclung (5) drives against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls have seen a massive shift over the last six weeks. After several years of what felt like cruise control in the middle-bottom of the standings with the usual suspects repping the uniform, Arturas Karnisovas decided to tear it all down. While many were expecting to net at least a few first-round draft picks or stellar young assets to jumpstart the impending rebuild, the front office was only able to obtain a slew of second-round selections and a handful of expiring contracts. The product at the professional level has been a completely different scene each night, and featured more inconsistency up and down the roster than the previous five seasons combined. Down the stretch, the only thing Chicago can do is improve their draft positioning for the 2026 NBA Draft, and many assumed it would be the perfect opportunity to experiment with the youngest assets, give more freedoms to the untapped potential on the roster, and try any possible combination of players to provide clarity for the future. The most curious case of the bunch remains Mac McClung, famously known for his dunk contest performances and freakish athleticism. He has set the G League on absolute fire, yet still has not been granted an opportunity on the big stage. This reopens one of the longest-standing debates in basketball, and makes many start to wonder what the harm would be in giving him a chance against top-level competition.

G League Still Has Little to No Translation To The NBA

In today’s NBA, over 50% of the active players on current rosters appeared in the G League at some point in their careers. Does the game translate from one level to another? According to Chicago’s front office, no. McClung has been lighting the developmental league on fire, averaging a league-leading 30.9 points per night, adding 7.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals plus blocks. In his NBA career, he’s appeared in only 10 games over four seasons, most recently on February 5th, when he was 2-for-7 with 4 points. Obviously, his role plays a huge part in the staggering numbers. At the developmental level, he’s the highest-usage guard in the league, controlling the ball and the pace on a nightly basis. When he’s appeared in the NBA, he’s played an off-ball offensive role with minimal exposure to being given the reins to an offense. Still, his 54-point explosion a few weeks ago for the Windy City Bulls, followed by nearly dropping 60 last night, has basketball fans wondering whether he could contribute against the best competition.

With Chicago’s season solely focused on draft positioning and player development, is McClung worth an experimental promotion to see what he’s capable of? His numbers in the G League would be third in the NBA in points, top-six in assists, and top-eight in field goal percentage for players averaging 20 or more points. Given his rate of three-point attempts, he’d also be in the top portion of the ranks for efficiency from deep as well.

A Whole New World

McClung is quickly becoming the poster child for the fact that there are levels to this game. He was a menace at the college level, is setting the developmental league on fire, yet cannot earn a nod to the ultimate stage. The reality is that he’s a 6’2″, 185-pound undersized guard who would get relentlessly picked on defensively. While there have been elite guards of his stature or smaller, those players also contribute offensively at an all-world level, like Jalen Brunson or Chris Paul. Still, the question remains whether McClung would post his insane G League statistics at the next level, a question that’ll likely never be answered. It’s still hard to believe that no NBA franchise is willing to give him a shot at running the show. At 27 years old, he’s probably too deep into his prime playing years to grant the opportunity.

Last night, to stamp his case as the most deserving talent to get a legitimate look on the NBA stage, McClung had a performance for the ages with 59 points, the third-highest total ever at that level, and became the league’s all-time leading scorer in the process.

Does Chicago need to give this kid a look, or are all of his mind-blowing accomplishments at that level entirely meaningless when it comes to the professional stage?

Why Makai Lemon Is The One Who Could Force Ben Johnson To Hijack The Draft

By
Erik Lambert
-
makai lemon
Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) scores a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Last season, nobody expected the Chicago Bears to take a tight end in the 1st round of the draft. However, as rumors began circulating, it was apparent that barring an unexpected development, that position was their primary target. Sure enough, they took Colston Loveland from Michigan. It’s hard to argue with the choice. After a slow start to his rookie year, Loveland became one of the team’s best playmakers during a playoff run. It was later revealed that head coach Ben Johnson was the primary reason for this, seeing shades of Sam LaPorta in the rookie’s game. That is where Makai Lemon comes in.

What made Johnson’s offenses in Detroit so lethal in 2023 and 2024 wasn’t just LaPorta’s presence. It was also wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. His mixture of sharp route-running and excellent hands makes him a lethal option in the slot. Johnson runs his passing game through that position, which is why St. Brown was a perfect fit. So it feels rather noteworthy that Lemon is drawing comparisons to the Lions star.

“NFL Comparison: Amon-Ra St. Brown

High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels…He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.”

Makai Lemon does everything well.

It’s hard to find plug-and-play starters in a draft every year. The USC receiver is one of them. His refined technique and competitive natures means he won’t be overwhelmed by NFL defensive backs. We already know Johnson is a stickler for detail-oriented players. They must also be willing participants in the running game. Lemon offers plenty of evidence of both on tape. The fact that he caught a couple of passes as a freshman from Caleb Williams in 2023 doesn’t hurt either. Chicago’s quarterback was recently at the USC pro day.

We already know the Bears aren’t afraid to take players at a position that might be deemed a need. Tight end wasn’t last season. They still took Loveland. Johnson is more about acquiring good football players. Lemon checks that box. It doesn’t hurt that he has all the tools the Bears’ head coach covets. What it comes down to is availability. Current projections have Lemon going somewhere in the mid-teens to early 20s next month. That means there is at least an outside chance he could fall to #25.

Don’t discount the loss of D.J. Moore.

Trading the veteran wide receiver wasn’t something the Bears wanted to do. It was a business decision. The team was in a difficult salary cap situation and knew they couldn’t afford to keep paying Moore his extensive contract. Having Rome Odunze and Luther Burden still on the roster made it easier to swallow. Yet that doesn’t change the fact that this receiving room is weaker than before. The depth behind those two is highly questionable, even with the arrival of veteran Khalif Raymond from Detroit.

It’s already been reported that Chicago has a lot of fans of this wide receiver class inside Halas Hall. There is no way Johnson isn’t aware of Makai Lemon. The receiver would fit this offense like a glove, making life so much easier for Williams. Yes, the Bears still need lots of help on defense and should probably focus there in the draft. Yet this is Johnson’s team. If he feels Lemon is there for the taking, he may forego the current plan to get him. Need or luxury is immaterial.

How Ryan Poles Might Be Stealing A Tactic From Tampa Bay For Center Search

By
Erik Lambert
-
ryan poles
Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah (31) against Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Brian Parker II (53) during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles got dealt a tough hand this offseason. Not only did his team lose their starting left tackle, Ozzy Trapilo, to a knee injury, but Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman retired at age 27. The two most critical spots on the offensive line were vacated right when things were coming together. Thankfully, Poles managed to at least avoid a calamity by trading for Garrett Bradbury from New England and bringing back Braxton Jones. That should buy him some time to consider his options.

Based on info coming in from the pre-draft circuit, it is clear the Bears are scouring the country for possible long-term options at center. They met with Sam Hecht of Kansas City, arguably the best in this draft. They also met with Keylan Rutledge, a top guard who might move to center. Now it appears the Bears are exploring a tactic the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently used to great effect: moving an offensive tackle from Duke to the position.

That is what happened with Graham Barton two years ago. Now the same is expected of his replacement, Brian Parker II, whom the Bears hosted for a top-30 visit.

Ryan Poles’ interest in Parker is hardly surprising.

One of the popular comparisons for the young offensive lineman is Ryan Bates. The Bears GM famously tried signing the veteran guard as a restricted free agent before finally trading for him a year later. Bates had a good mix of size and athleticism, making him a top-quality backup. Unfortunately, health setbacks ruined his chances at a starting job. Parker is built the same way. He has tackle height, moves well in space, has polished technique, and isn’t often caught off guard by twists or stunts.

The key issues are his shorter arms and his lack of experience at center. It was the same problem that faced Barton when Tampa Bay drafted him. They bet that his intelligence and their coaching would see the transition through and were rewarded. Chicago has Dan Roushar, one of the best in the business, running the offensive line. Parker would have no trouble settling into the position quickly under his watch. It all depends on whether they feel he is one of their best options.

This method has actually worked for the Bears before.

In 2016, they drafted Kansas State left tackle Cody Whitehair in the 2nd round. Their initial plan was to move him to left guard. Unfortunately, Hroniss Grasu tore his ACL in training camp. That forced the Bears to make a tough decision: move Whitehair to center. He ended up starting four seasons at the position, making the Pro Bowl in 2018. He was never perfect, but he was probably the best center the Bears have drafted since Olin Kreutz. If he hadn’t suffered from constant snapping issues, he probably would’ve held the job a lot longer.

That is the path forward for Parker. He has all the physical tools. Nobody disputes his intelligence. It’s about putting in the work to learn a new position. Ryan Poles has never been afraid to make projection picks if he liked the talent enough. The difference this time is that he has the coaching staff necessary for it to work.

Why Keldric Faulk Is The One Draft Pick Bears Fans Should Dread

By
Erik Lambert
-
zion young
Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) blitzes as Auburn Tigers take on Ball State Cardinals at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Ball State Cardinals 42-3.

Last year, I warned people that the Chicago Bears needed to stay far away from Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart ahead of the 2025 draft. He’d just dominated the scouting combine, showcasing a ridiculous array of size, power, and athleticism. People were drooling at what he could potentially accomplish. My biggest concern was why this obvious ability hadn’t been translated into better production. Stewart had only 4.5 sacks in three seasons, despite playing on a pretty talented defensive line. Sure enough, his rookie season was a disaster with the Cincinnati Bengals. This season, the same concerns surround Keldric Faulk.

On paper, the Auburn defensive end has everything you could want. He’s big, long, and a standout athlete for his size. When you look at the measurable, he checks every box that Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is known to have for that position. However, the same question comes up with him as it did with Stewart. Where is the production to reflect this? While Faulk’s stats aren’t nearly as bad as Stewart’s, they’re still questionable, especially when you compare them to other prominent players with similar measurables.

PlayerHeightWeightArm LengthCollege Career ProductionCollege Starts / Games
Keldric Faulk6’6″276 lbs34 3/8″110 Tackles, 19.5 TFL, 10.0 Sacks24 Starts / 38 Games
Carlos Dunlap6’6″277 lbs34 5/8″84 Tackles, 26.0 TFL, 19.5 Sacks14 Starts / 40 Games
Tyree Wilson6’6″271 lbs35 5/8″121 Tackles, 32.0 TFL, 17.0 Sacks28 Starts / 44 Games
Calais Campbell6’8″282 lbs35 3/4″129 Tackles, 39.0 TFL, 19.5 Sacks25 Starts / 36 Games
Montez Sweat6’6″260 lbs35 3/4″101 Tackles, 29.5 TFL, 22.0 Sacks25 Starts / 30 Games*
Gregory Rousseau6’6″266 lbs34 3/4″59 Tackles, 21.0 TFL, 15.5 Sacks7 Starts / 15 Games
Ezekiel Ansah6’5″271 lbs35 1/8″72 Tackles, 13.0 TFL, 4.5 Sacks9 Starts / 31 Games
Arik Armstead6’7″290 lbs33″87 Tackles, 10.0 TFL, 4.0 Sacks18 Starts / 39 Games

Keldric Faulk passes the eye test, but not the sniff test.

Getting 10 sacks in 38 games isn’t the best look for any supposed 1st round defensive lineman. Rousseau had 5.5 more despite playing 23 fewer games. Sweat had 12 more sacks despite only one more start. Even Wilson, who has been a major bust in Las Vegas, had much better production in a similar number of games. It’s hard not to feel like that is concerning. For all of Faulk’s ability, he lacks key traits that make for top pass rushers. He doesn’t have a great burst off the snap, lacks violent hands, and has inconsistent pad level.

Some say he might benefit by moving inside on passing downs. These are the exact same things that were said about Dayo Odeyingbo. We saw how that worked out. It doesn’t feel like Faulk offers anything the Bears are missing. He feels like a Diet Coke version of Montez Sweat, which doesn’t help them. It keeps the defense in the same spot they are now. Betting on a player to suddenly discover how to rush the passer despite facing much tougher competition doesn’t feel like smart business.

Faulk is a test to see how rigid the Bears are about traits.

We already saw how eager Allen was to find somebody with that body type when they signed Odeyingbo. There is no way they aren’t aware of Keldric Faulk and his dimensions. We’ll see if his lack of testing and inconsistent tape scares them away from taking that leap. Is it possible that the young defender becomes a success? Sure. There are exceptions to every rule. Talent isn’t his problem. It’s maximizing the talent. Some players don’t really do that until they get under NFL coaching.

The problem is that far more of them never figure it out. Has the Odeyingbo experience taught them a lesson? Faulk will be that litmus test, provided he’s on the board at #25. Teams are always willing to bet on traits, and his are enough to justify a top-20 pick. Still, it is worth noting that he hasn’t generated top-10 buzz at any point throughout the process, suggesting teams share similar reservations about him. The Bears are at a critical juncture in their climb to a Super Bowl. This is not a pick they can afford to gamble on just physical tools.

Billy Donovan’s Potential Chicago Exit: Separating Smoke From Facts

By
Ryan Dauterive
-
Mar 18, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reacts during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The number one question for Chicago Bulls fans is how does Arturas Karnisovas still have a job. Between the draft picks consistently underperforming, the stronghold the team has held in the land of mediocrity, and the lack of acquired talent over his tenure, the tone has rapidly turned to his extended stay being proof that ownership does not prioritize winning. The next most pressing question amongst the fanbase is how Billy Donovan has managed to survive as long as he has, having coached the third most games in Bulls history despite being ninth all-time in playoff wins and 10th all-time in total winning percentage. This afternoon, one of those questions was offered a crucial update. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, “Donovan could step away from the mess and take a season to re-evaluate what he wants from the profession.” Time to dive into the credibility and evidence behind this bold claim from the infamous Chicago sports writer.

Source (And Lack Thereof) Is The Most Important Detail

While Cowley delivered this potentially franchise-altering news this afternoon, there is a lot to unpack surrounding the possibility of Donovan stepping away. The first thing to consider is that this is the first news relating to Chicago’s head coach ending his run with the organization, and no other sources have confirmed or denied these allegations. Next, an evaluation of Cowley’s reporting history strongly indicates a pattern of occasionally taking low-buzz news, statements, or observations and stretching them into a strongly worded narrative.

For example, in January of 2024, he reported that there was a “fracture” in the locker room, that the disconnect between the players was growing, and that AK’s group was leaning toward major changes at the trade deadline. In reality, the entire clubhouse responded with the same message: the rough patch of games they were experiencing brought frustration and tension, but no relationships or team chemistry had declined. A few weeks later, the Bulls made zero trades at the deadline, stood pat with the current bunch, and Cowley’s report proved mostly smoke. He’s widely considered one of the most controversial reporters who covers the Bulls.

Regardless, Cowley remains a consistent source of information about the team. Take this report with a grain of salt, given the author’s history of potentially creating narratives from minimal evidence, but without any other sources to accompany his most recent news, skepticism is high in Chicago.

All The Context Checks Out

Whether Cowley’s report should be taken as bulletproof evidence is open to discussion, but one thing that is clear is the clues surrounding Donovan’s potential separation from the organization. When combining the lack of success across his entire stint with the franchise, the projected future of the team remaining in the bottom third of the standings over the next two to four years at a minimum, his outspoken desire to compete for NBA Championships and not participate in a rebuild, and as Cowley mentions, he lost his father and mother-in-law during this season, all the signs point to these final 11 games potentially being his last in the captain’s chair for the Chicago Bulls.

Will this be the last stretch of games for Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls’ marriage? If so, where do they turn for answers, and does Donovan return to the college scene, to a program freshly equipped with NIL money and actively seeking a titan of the all-time college coaching ranks, such as the former two-time NCAA Tournament champion?

Chicago Cubs Sign Pete Crow-Armstrong to Largest Contract Extension in Franchise History

By
Aldo Soto
-
Mar 24, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong against the New York Yankees during spring training at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Almost 24 hours later, we finally learned the details of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s record-setting contract extension with the Chicago Cubs. The soon-to-be 24-year-old and the Cubs have agreed to a six-year, $115 million deal that will begin in 2027.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported that a deal was being finalized on Monday night, and then he revealed the details on Tuesday. The new contract will allow Crow-Armstrong to potentially become a free agent before his age-31 season. Meanwhile, the Cubs are buying out four years of arbitration and by guaranteeing a deal through the 2032 season, the team also bought out two free agent years for Crow-Armstrong.

Not only is this the biggest extension in the Cubs’ franchise history, but, given that Crow-Armstrong still had five more years of team control, it is also the biggest guarantee in MLB history for such players. The caveat is that the new six-year contract between the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong does not include any team or player options that could extend the deal if exercised.

According to Jesse Rogers and Bob Nightengale, escalators in the contract could max out the total to $133 million.

The $115 million guaranteed price tag for Crow-Armstrong carries an average annual value of $19.17 million.

Largest Contract Extensions in Cubs History

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s newly signed deal ranks No. 1 in Cubs history for largest contract extensions.

Here are the top-5 contract extensions in Cubs franchise history.

  1. Pete Crow-Armstrong: 6-Years, $115 Million
  2. Carlos Zambrano: 5-Years, $91.5 Million
  3. Aramis Ramirez: 5-Years, $75 Million
  4. Sammy Sosa: 4-Years, $72 Million
  5. Ian Happ: 3-Years, $61 Million

Cubs fans will now have an eye on a potential Nico Hoerner extension. The two-time Gold Glove winner at second base is in the final year of his previous three-year, $35 million contract extension that he agreed to prior to the 2023 season. Hoerner has been an outstanding player throughout his Cubs career, and whispers have been circulating this offseason that he and the Cubs have been in contact, potentially discussing a new extension.

As for Crow-Armstrong, he almost doubled what the Cubs reportedly offered him a year ago. Prior to the 2025 season, the Cubs approached the center fielder with a deal guaranteeing him $66 million, and, according to Bruce Levine, it could have reached the $90 million range based on incentives and options. Now, Crow-Armstrong is guaranteed $115 million, $49 million more than the original guarantee reported by the Cubs last April.

Draft Experts Shocked At Chicago Bears Absence From Prominent Pro Day

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears
Former Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett and Tyler Maro drill during NFL football Pro Day at Bergstrom Football Complex on March 24, 2026, in Ames, Iowa.

The Chicago Bears have been busy the past few weeks as colleges across the country hold their annual pro days to help draft prospects showcase their skills one last time. General manager Ryan Poles has popped up at a few of them, as has director of player personnel Terry Koziol. Yet nobody has been more travelled lately than offensive line coach Dan Roushar. He’s hard at work trying to help the team figure out their center and left tackle positions after multiple disruptions. Ozzy Trapilo tore up his knee, and Drew Dalman retired. They are likely to go into this draft seeking help.

Roushar has made stops at pro days for several notable prospects, including Kansas State’s Sam Hecht and Georgia Tech’s Keyland Rutledge. However, some in the draft community were somewhat shocked that the Bears coach was nowhere to be found at Iowa’s pro day on Monday.

This feels quite prominent considering Iowa has long been one of the bigger factories for good offensive linemen in the NFL. Logan Jones is considered among the better centers in this draft class, drawing comparisons to Garrett Bradbury, whom the Bears literally traded for a few weeks ago.

Why would the Chicago Bears skip this pro day?

Keep in mind, it’s not just Jones they passed up on watching. Hawkeyes guard Gennings Dunker is already generating lots of buzz as a future starter. The Bears didn’t want to see either player up close or speak to them? That means one of two things. Either the team genuinely has little interest in them, or they’re trying to keep their actual interest as lowkey as possible. Jones feels like the type of player Bears general manager Ryan Poles would love: undersized, athletic, intelligent, physical, and nasty.

Perhaps they prefer not to take an older prospect. Jones turns 25 this year. Or it could be his limited anchor in pass protection. Then again, that is the same problem Dalman had when they signed him, and it didn’t seem to bother them that much. The truth is, the Bears have a weird habit of not taking offensive line prospects from schools known for producing them. Nobody from Alabama. Nobody from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Wisconsin, or Iowa. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but seeing things like this makes it feel more deliberate.

Overthinking has been the biggest enemy of this team.

When you look at the Chicago Bears’ biggest offensive line successes over the past 30 years, there is often a correlation with the size of the school they attended. Olin Kreutz came from Washington. Kyle Long went to Oregon. Charles Leno went to Boise State. Cody Whitehair went to Kansas State. Teven Jenkins went to Oklahoma State. Darnell Wright went to Tennessee. By and large, each player came from established programs with good track records for producing offensive linemen.

Then you look at their bigger flops over the years and the correlation mostly holds true. Marc Colombo went to Boston College. Chris Williams went to Vanderbilt. Kiran Amegadjie went to Yale. The only outlier was Gabe Carimi, who went to Wisconsin, but he was derailed by injuries. They say scout the player, not the helmet. While that is true, the fact remains that the large majority of good offensive linemen still come from a select group of schools. Iowa is one of them.

The Obvious Choice for Next Chicago Cubs Contract Extension

By
Aldo Soto
-
May 16, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) is greeted by second base Nico Hoerner (2) after hitting a three run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

As we wait to see the details on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s deal, fans have to be wondering who the Chicago Cubs will try to sign to a contract extension next. It shouldn’t take too long to think about because the answer is obvious. Picked in the 2018 MLB Draft and debuting in 2019, Nico Hoerner is not only one of the longest-tenured players on the team, but you can also argue that he embodies everything the Cubs want from their stars.

Hoerner may be underrated around MLB, but there’s no question how valuable he’s been with the Cubs. The gold-glove winning second baseman is one of several players on this year’s roster who are scheduled to become free agents following the 2026 season. He’ll turn 29-years-old in May, and looking ahead to next offseason’s free agent class, you can definitely see a scenario in which Hoerner wants to get to free agency no matter what kind of an offer the Cubs approach him with in-season.

In 2025, Hoerner was an elite defender and was recognized for his efforts with the second Gold Glove of his career at second base. The right-handed batter also posted a career high 109 wRC+, slashing .297/.345/.394, while stealing 29 bases and recording a 4.8 fWAR, the second most value created on the Cubs behind only Crow-Armstrong.

Dating back to 2022, Hoerner has been remarkably consistent in all aspects of his game. Even when he wasn’t tearing it up at the plate, Hoerner made it up for it with outstanding defense and great base running.

2022: 135 games, 281/.327/.410, 20 stolen bases, 108 wRC+, 13 OAA, 10 DRS, 4.3 fWAR
2023: 150 games, .283/.346/.383, 43 stolen bases, 103 wRC+, 13 OAA, 11 DRS, 4.5 fWAR
2024: 151 games, .273/.335/.373, 31 stolen bases, 102 wRC+, 10 OAA, 4 DRS, 3.9 fWAR
2025: 156 games, .297/.345/.394, 29 stolen bases, 109 wRC+, 14 OAA, 17 DRS, 4.8 fWAR

Below are the top free agent second basemen and shortstops following the 2026 season.

Second Base
Ozzie Albies (30) – $7MM club option
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (29)
Mauricio Dubon (32)
Luis Garcia Jr. (27)
Nico Hoerner (30)
Jonathan India (30)
Brandon Lowe (32)
Gavin Lux (29)
Nick Madrigal (30)
Amed Rosario (31)
Gleyber Torres (30)

Shortstop
J.P. Crawford (32)
Mauricio Dubon (32)
Ha-Seong Kim (31)
Kevin Newman (33)

The weak class of free agent shortstops could lead to Hoerner’s preference to test the market, so if the Cubs want to avoid competing with the rest of the league for him, then they’ll have to step up and make him a sizable offer.

So, here’s my crack at coming up with a contract extension for Hoerner.

Cubs Should Offer Nico Hoerner a 6-Year, $120 Million Extension

Here are some other recent contracts signed by prominent second basemen that leads to me to a six-year, $120 million projection for Hoerner.

Jose Altuve: 5 years, $125 million, $25m AAV (signed at 33)
Marcus Semien: 7 years, $175 million, $25m AAV (signed at 31)
Ketel Marte: 6 years, $116.5 million $19.4m AAV (signed at 31)
Andres Gimenez: 7 years, $106.5 million $15.2m AAV (signed at 24)

Signing Hoerner to a six-year extension would keep him with the Cubs through his age-35 season. Let’s get a little fancy with the structure.

Number one, give Hoerner the assurance that trade rumors will only matter on his terms with a full no-trade clause. The team did it for Ian Happ, and it was a sticking point in negotiations with Bregman this offseason, as the Cubs also provided the no-trade clause in his contract.

Secondly, guarantee the first five years at $95 million; the sixth year becomes a $25 million team option with a $10 million buyout.

The Cubs, even with Bregman’s new deal, don’t have too many other big contracts on the books during the next few years, so front load the money for Hoerner.

Year 1, $25 million
Year 2, $20 million
Year 3, $20 million
Year 4, $15 million
Year 5, $15 million
Year 6, $25 million option, $10 million buyout

Even with the buyout, Hoerner would earn $105 million over five years, averaging $21 million per year.

We’ll see if any talks progress between Hoerner and the Cubs this season. Out of the pending free agent position players, Hoerner seems like the only one with whom the Cubs are willing to negotiate prior to free agency.

1...111213...3,195Page 12 of 3,195

Subscribe to our Newsletter

✶ An Unfiltered Voice For Chicago Sports Fans ✶

Chicago Sports News

About Us

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2026