Friday, November 13, 2026
EDGE is live. Chicago fans can now access and explore the beta.
Home Blog Page 151

The Chicago Bears Ended Their Draft With Back-To-Back Bangs — Here’s How

By
Erik Lambert
-
jordan van den berg
Oct 11, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) runs past Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg (99) in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

It wasn’t a fun day on day two of the draft for Chicago Bears fans. Going in expecting more investments in defense, they were instead treated to three straight offensive picks. It started with Iowa center Logan Jones, then moved to Stanford tight end Sam Roush, and finally LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas. What were they thinking? This defense ranked among the worst in the NFL last season. It badly needed help, especially up front. Had head coach Ben Johnson hijacked the process to just take whoever he wanted?

No. There wasn’t any conspiracy behind it. General manager Ryan Poles explained that the draft board just didn’t break their way. Many of the defensive options they liked were gone by the time they were on the clock again, so the Bears went with the best names available. Still, the team wasn’t ready to give up. They felt they could find some help on defense during the final day of action.

It started well with the selection of Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the 4th round. However, Poles’ best work may have come with the final two picks. First was taking Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott in the 5th round. A notorious football junkie, he boasts intelligence, leadership, instincts, and enough athleticism and stopping power to man the middle of most defenses.

Lastly, the Bears swung an unexpected trade, packaging their two 7th round picks to jump into the 6th round for Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan Van Den Berg. While it took him a while to get going in college, he broke out for three sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in 2025, showcasing rare explosiveness.

The Chicago Bears stuck to their plan.

From the beginning, Johnson said his only goal was to draft good football players. Focus on doing that, and they would figure out the rest later. There is no question that the Bears did that in this draft. Almost all of their picks were highly productive in one form or another. Dillon Thieneman was a terror at safety for Oregon. Jones started several games for the Hawkeyes. Roush was probably the best blocking tight end in college football. Thomas had three return touchdowns. Elliott had 98 tackles, seven sacks, and 14 tackles for a loss last season alone.

Yet it isn’t just that. Every single one of the Bears’ picks is a standout athlete. Poles and Johnson said a major goal this year was improving team speed. They’ve definitely done that. Thieneman ran a 4.35. Thomas ran a 4.28. Jones and Van Den Berg both ran sub-5.00 at 300+ lbs. These kids can run. Few things stress opponents more than having a full roster that can fly. The Chicago Bears took a massive step in that direction, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that every single one of these picks is known for being football lifers.

The competition is everywhere.

Elliott and Van Den Berg aren’t just coming in to serve as backups. Both are more than capable of competing for a starting job. The Bears have left several spots on the defensive side unaccounted for, particularly at linebacker. The upcoming training camp figures to be a slugfest between guys fighting for playing time. Johnson wouldn’t have it any other way. If this team wants to be champions, they need to start operating as if every day might be their last. By making it clear that no one is safe, the sense of urgency increases.

None of these guys will be coming in and accepting the role of a backup. They aim to play football. July and August will be all-out war, and the Bears will be better for it. Having seen the entire picture, it feels like they did a great job with this draft class. None of these guys were added purely for special teams reasons. They can play. Now they just have to go earn it.

Bears Redeem Themselves With Strong 4th Round Move To Get Malik Muhammad

By
Erik Lambert
-
malik muhammad
Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) celebrates after he intercepts a pass thrown by Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (not pictured) during the first half at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

After failing to help the defense at all on day two, it’s clear the Chicago Bears felt a sense of urgency to change that on the final day of the 2026 draft. General manager Ryan Poles did something he doesn’t do very often. He traded up from the 129th overall pick to #124 in a deal with the Carolina Panthers. There, the Bears grabbed Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad. Make no mistake. This was a strong move for Chicago. Muhammad is a long, athletic player with plenty of physicality you wouldn’t expect from somebody who is 182 lbs.

This move isn’t a surprise. The Bears have serious question marks at cornerback. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon were haunted by injuries last year. Tyrique Stevenson is in the last year of his rookie contract. Terell Smith is coming off a torn ACL. Zah Frazier didn’t practice or play all year. They needed some insurance at that position. Muhammad provides that. He should be an immediate contributor as a rotational backup who has more than enough talent to compete for a starting job.

Malik Muhammad is a classic Al Harris guy.

We know the Bears’ defensive backs coach has a certain prototype he looks for in his corners. He likes them tall, long, and athletic. We saw that during his time in Dallas and again last year when they drafted Frazier and signed Nahshon Wright. Muhammad is built the same way but has a nastier disposition. He isn’t afraid to stick his nose in on tackles and looks to deliver hits. Yet what sets him apart is his vision. Muhammad has a great feel for where the ball is going and makes quick breaks on the ball. Couple that with the fluidity and speed to match receivers on their routes, and you start to understand the appeal.

He had his best season in 2025 with two interceptions, a sack, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and 30 tackles. His ability to attack the backfield is something defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will love taking advantage of. The trick for the Bears will be seeing if they can put some weight on his frame. Slender players like him are more susceptible to injuries in the NFL. That is likely part of why he slipped to the 4th round. That won’t bother Harris. He’s dealt with such a challenge before.

The Bears remain unafraid of competition.

Some teams would’ve looked at their depth chart and said, “Let’s see if it is better this year with some good health.” The Bears looked at it and said, “Not good enough.” Adding competition has been the theme of this draft. It started with Logan Jones in the 2nd round, and continued with Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas in the 3rd. None of those position groups were top needs going into this draft. Poles and head coach Ben Johnson didn’t care. They saw good football players. That is all that mattered.

It is the same Malik Muhammad. He is a good football player and a great fit for this defense. The Bears will throw him into the mix this summer in training camp and see how others respond. The best players will climb their way to the top. If this kid is as competitive as he seems, it won’t take long for him to get on the field. In a division loaded with receiving talent, there is no such thing as too many good cornerbacks.

Were the Chicago Cubs Too Cheap with Lucas Giolito?

By
Aldo Soto
-
Aug 22, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (24) reacts after pitching the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Right-handed starting pitcher Lucas Giolito signed with the San Diego Padres earlier this week, and we learned that the Chicago Cubs did indeed make a bid for the free agent. However, according to Jon Heyman, the Cubs weren’t necessarily eager to pay Giolito, and although he was the top starter available, he didn’t cost the Padres much.

Giolito and the Padres agreed to a one-year deal that also includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. The 31-year-old pitcher is guaranteed to earn $3 million from the Padres. That figure is broken down into a base salary of $1.5 million in 2026 and a $1.5 million buyout on the 2027 option that is worth $8 million.

The Cubs will be without Cade Horton for the rest of the 2026 season, and the team has faced several injuries to the bullpen already in April, which brought them into the Giolito sweepstakes. Matthew Boyd also spent a couple of weeks on the injured list, but he returned to the rotation this past week. Meanwhile, Colin Rea has been incredible since he joined the rotation, replacing Horton in early April.

Who knows? Maybe the Cubs feel much better about their pitching depth in the rotation with the resurgence of Shōta Imanaga because they reportedly offered Giolito less than the $3 million that he got from the Padres.

Hopefully, we don’t look back in a few months and view this as a giant mistake. We have already seen how injuries can change the dynamic in the bullpen. Every team has to prepare for more injuries, and if you’re the Cubs, you certainly don’t want to be in a desperate spot in the summer for another starting pitcher, especially because they could have gotten a decent option in Giolito for a few million.

Looking ahead, the Cubs are expecting Justin Steele to return in late May or early June. Plus, Javier Assad is also around as additional depth. Fingers crossed that losing out on Giolito won’t become an issue later in the year.

(Previous Update)

It turns out that the San Diego Padres do, in fact, have some money left to spend and aren’t broke because they have signed free agent pitcher Lucas Giolito. The right-hander went unsigned after a pretty solid 2025 season and then he became a target for the Chicago Cubs in April, when Cade Horton and Matthew Boyd went down with an injury. Horton is out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but Boyd is returning from the injured list against the Philadelphia Phillies this week.

Colin Rea has been nails, filling in as a starter, while Javier Assad has also been decent in his spot starts. So, maybe the Cubs weren’t all too desperate to sign Giolito because the Padres didn’t necessarily break the bank to sign him. According to Robert Murray, the Padres and Giolito agreed to a one-year deal that also includes a mutual option for the 2027 season.

Jon Heyman reported that Giolito’s base salary for this year will be at $3 million.

In 2025, Giolito returned from elbow surgery and made 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox. The right-hander eventually settled in after a rough stretch early in the season. He posted a 3.41 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 145 innings. Giolito had a great end to his year, as he had a 2.70 ERA in his final 11 starts. However, the strikeout rate was below average, and he was walking 11% of the batters he faced, so the league has obviously been skeptical of how good he can actually be based on some good fortune in 2025.

So, the Cubs didn’t think it was worth it, and you have to wonder if it’s because they have newfound confidence in the starting rotation. Mainly, Rea stepping up, and possibly more importantly, Shōta Imanaga’s return to dominance. The left-handed starting pitcher pitched his third consecutive quality start Tuesday night, when he gave up just one run on three hits over seven innings.

After allowing four earned runs in his first start of 2026, Imanaga has recorded a 1.13 ERA in his last four games, surrendering three runs in 24 innings.

When players sign, fans are quick to assume that it was the team’s decision, and well, it’s ultimately the player’s choice. In this case, maybe Giolito was given much more of a clear pathway to join the rotation in San Diego or potentially he simply liked the destination more than the Cubs.

It does sting a little because whether Gioito’s 2025 results were a fluke or not, he has shown the ability to pitch quality innings, and right now, all he would have cost the Cubs was money. If the team were to face any more pitching injuries down the line, then they would be forced to trade prospects at the deadline for pitching depth.

However, it’s not a back-breaker either. Pitchers become available throughout the season, and the front office has been able to find hidden gems in the past.

According to Bob Nightengale, Giolito will begin his ramp-up in A-Ball, and if all goes well, the Padres hope he can make his season debut by the middle of May.

White Sox 2026 Top Prospects: No. 11 Is A High-Upside Lefty

By
Craig Rowland
-
Dowling Catholic's Blake Larson delivers a pitch during a Class 4A high school semifinal state baseball game against Iowa City High, Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa. 220721 Dowling City Bb 021 Jpg

After the last White Sox failed rebuild, they took a hit in terms of talent throughout the minor leagues. For a few years in a row, the White Sox ranked in the middle of the pack or towards the bottom in farm system rankings. However, to start Chris Getz’s tenure, the focus has been to build that talent pool back up.

Now, the White Sox farm system sits in the top half of the league and most outlets give them five to six top prospects, with a few more on the fringe of making the list. This doesn’t include players like Jacob Gonzalez or Colby Shelton off to insane starts to the season. However, what differentiates this from the last rebuild is the fact that the farm system is significantly deeper, as they have some very intriguing players outside of the top “consensus” prospects.

This comes after many of their main guys on the roster have graduated off top prospect lists. Guys like Kyle Teel and Colson Montgomery are no longer considered prospects, but are already making a contribution at the major league level. Despite this, the White Sox still have many top prospects, making this vastly different from the early 2020s, as once all the main players made their debut, the farm system was depleted.

As we sit about a month into the season, we continue our White Sox top prospect list, getting to know some of the depth in the system. We started with number twenty, making our way to the best prospect in the White Sox system. We unveiled our 12th ranked prospect, Jeral Perez, in our last article. Here, we cover our 11th ranked prospect, Blake Larson.

In the 2024 draft, with the 68th pick, which acquired from the Seattle Mariners in the Gregory Santos trade, the White Sox selected Blake Larson, a LHP out of IMG Academy.

Larson was A TCU commit and the White Sox loved his upside, as he has a mid 90s fastball that can play right away. Luckily, the White Sox have done a good job of developing left handed pitching, so Larson is in good hands. MLB Pipeline had him ranked as the 101st ranked draft prospect.

Unfortunately for Larson and the White Sox, Larson needed Tommy John surgery shortly after getting drafted and he missed the entire 2025 season. This wasn’t ideal, but he looks to get back on track to make his first professional appearance at some point this season.

While there aren’t many stats to share with Larson, he has a ton of potential, which is why he is ranked as our 11th best prospect in the system. He should get some solid playing time with the Cannon Ballers shortly and he will be able to show off why he was a top pick in the draft.

As a lefty with some devastating stuff, hopefully the White Sox can get him on the same path as Noah Schultz, Carlos Rodon, and Chris Sale. If he can command the zone, there’s no reason to believe he can’t be a valuable asset for the White Sox in the next few years.

Kyle Teel Experiences Another Setback In White Sox Return

By
Mitchell Kaminski
-
Mar 10, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; Italy catcher Kyle Teel (3) leaves the game after he injured himself after sliding into second base against the United States in the sixth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Catching depth was supposed to be one of the Chicago White Sox strengths entering the 2026 season. But that depth was dealt an early blow when Kyle Teel suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain during the World Baseball Classic, an injury expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks. 

Teel has now entered the sixth week of his rehab and has yet to suit up for the White Sox this season. While Teel had begun ramping up baseball activities, according to Bruce Levine, he experienced a setback last week, with running remaining the primary issue. White Sox general manager Chris Getz also confirmed that there is currently no set date for rehab games yet. 

“He’s been out for a while now. He missed a chunk of Spring Training and all the regular season so far. So, you want some at-bats, you want him to experience the different nuances in every game. Behind the plate, baserunning, and certainly the at-bats as well,” Getz told reporters during his media availability on Friday.

Teel has resumed catching and initially hoped to return during the White Sox’s first homestand against the Blue Jays. However, lingering soreness while hitting has delayed that timeline. While the ultra-competitive Teel has pushed to get back on the field, the White Sox are opting to err on the side of caution.

While the White Sox bats have begun to heat up, having Teel out of the lineup has been a major blow. Edgar Quero, who was expected to split time behind the plate with Teel this season, has failed to capitalize on his opportunity for extended playing time.

Quero has struggled mightily in ABS challenges behind the plate this season while floundering on offense. In 72 plate appearances, he is slashing .153/.271/.169 with just a 30% hard hit rate. Of his nine hits this season, only one has gone for extra bases. Quero appears to be pressing at the plate, which is why Teel’s return could provide a much-needed reset, allowing him to face fewer left-handers, an area he has struggled with early in his career.

While there is still time for Quero to turn things around, getting Teel back in the lineup figures to provide the White Sox with an offensive boost. Teel is coming off an impressive rookie campaign in which he slashed .275/.375/.411 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs across 78 games, while also emerging as one of the clubhouse’s spark plugs.

For the time being, the White Sox will have to hope Quero finds his stride at the plate sooner rather than later, given Teel’s uncertain status.

Why Jon Gruden’s Pre-Draft Take On Zavion Thomas Changes The Bears’ Pick

By
Erik Lambert
-
zavion thomas
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) catches a pass over Mississippi Rebels safety Widest Williams Jr. (16) during the first quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears came under fire for their approach to day two of the 2026 draft. While most understood the selection of center Logan Jones in the 2nd round, that changed in the 3rd. Taking tight end Sam Roush at #69 was bad enough, but the real bombshell came at #89 when they grabbed Zavion Thomas. Draft experts had ranked the LSU wide receiver as a late-round prospect. You could probably get him in the 7th round. So taking him in the 3rd was an egregious reach. What possessed the Bears to do this when they could’ve just waited? Jon Gruden provided the answer.

The former Super Bowl-winning head coach spent a lot of time evaluating players before the draft. Like any offensive coach, he paid special attention to the quarterbacks. One he seemed to hone in on was Garrett Nussmeier of LSU. While this was happening, he became drawn to Thomas’s playmaking ability. When told he’s supposed to be a 7th round prospect, Gruden laughed. The return ability alone would’ve moved him up the board for several teams. Throw in the toughness and great character, and somebody was going to be happy they took him.

Jon Gruden should be a trusted authority on receivers.

He’s coached many good ones over the course of his career. It started with Sterling Sharpe and Robert Brooks in Green Bay as a wide receivers coach. Then it was Irving Fryar in Philadelphia as an offensive coordinator. During his first stint as head coach in Oakland, he had Tim Brown and Jerry Rice. After being traded to Tampa Bay, he worked with Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell, Joey Galloway, and Antonio Bryant. Then, upon returning to Las Vegas, he nabbed the underrated Hunter Renfrow.

It makes sense that he would gravitate to Zavion Thomas. He comes across as a discount version of Galloway. The two are similar in size, have blazing speed, and made a name for themselves as returners in college. People forget that Galloway wasn’t overly productive in college either. He had just 1,641 yards and 17 touchdowns in four seasons at Ohio State. He just benefited from playing on great teams, which elevated his profile to the point where he became a 1st-round pick. Thomas had no such luck.

This is a pick where we must trust Ben Johnson.

We already know the Bears head coach has a sharp eye for wide receivers. He had a voice in Detroit when they drafted Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Last year, he led the charge to take Luther Burden. If he feels Thomas is a good fit for what the Bears do on offense, it’s best not to question him. It isn’t like the receiver lacks talent. You can’t teach the kind of speed he has. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands. People keep talking about his lack of production, but circumstances can play a role in that.

Thomas was a backup his first year at LSU in 2024. Then, when he got the starting job last year, Nussmeier missed a month due to injuries. That is before mentioning the fact that head coach Brian Kelly was fired midseason. Stability was never much of a thing for Thomas in college, but he still made plays. Jon Gruden is correct. The kid can play. It’s about getting him in the right situation and giving him an opportunity. The Bears were willing to take that risk.

Ryan Poles Reveals Why Day 2 Had No Defensive Picks — And The Brutal Truth Behind It

By
Erik Lambert
-
ryan poles
Bears general manager Ryan Poles calls Iowa center Logan Jones to tell him he's been drafted.

Day one of the 2026 NFL draft unfolded pretty well for the Chicago Bears. They were able to land one of the two best safeties in the class by selecting Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon. That gave them a plug-and-play starter next to Coby Bryant on the back end of the defense. Most fans believe the defensive blitz would continue on day two. The Bears had three picks in that range, and still needed help along the defensive line and at linebacker. Yet something went wrong. It started with center Logan Jones at #57 overall. Then, after a trade down, the Bears took Stanford tight end Sam Roush. Finally, they completed the baffling run with LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas at #89 overall. People couldn’t understand what general manager Ryan Poles was thinking.

He got the chance to answer after the 3rd round concluded. His response was pretty clear. The Bears were following their board.

“Yeah, the board…the class…a little life at the back of the round. It’s different. But it’s really how the board shook out. When we made that turn in the two (2nd round), we had a good sense through our research that there was going to kind of be a hot spot at the very top of two. It wasn’t really possible to get up that high without giving up a ton. At the end of the day, we just followed the board.”

This may sound like an excuse, but the harsh truth is that Poles was correct. From pick #35 at the top of the 2nd round to pick #55, no fewer than nine defensive linemen came off the board. By that point, all the guys with high grades were gone, leading them to pivot to Jones. Two more went at the top of the 3rd round, likely pushing their selection of Roush, and then four more went before the final pick at #89.

Ryan Poles experienced this same issue last year.

For those who may not remember, the Bears were caught in the same situation regarding running backs in 2025. Three top guys came off the board between their 10th overall pick and their first 2nd round pick on day two. The Bears chose to pivot to wide receiver Luther Burden rather than force the issue. It happened again in the 4th round with Bhayshul Tuten and Cam Skattebo going in the first three picks. Poles decided to trade down from #109 as a result, picking up some extra capital.

This is exactly what is happening with the defensive line this year for the Bears. It isn’t that they don’t want to invest in that area of the roster. The nature of this draft has just made it impossible. Yes, they could’ve chased somebody anyway. No one would’ve batted an eye. However, that isn’t a smart way to build a roster in Ryan Poles’ mind. You have to accept that sometimes the board doesn’t break your way. Grab the best players you can and figure the rest out later. It’s not like the Bears completely fumbled it.

They added some strong talent.

Jones is a highly experienced and athletic center who is a perfect fit for this offense. He could play immediately, but likely won’t have to because of Garrett Bradbury’s presence. Roush is the best blocking tight end in this class. He’s big, tough, physical, and violent through the whistle. He’s also more athletic than he gets credit for, giving him some upside as a pass-catcher. The one pick you can question is Thomas. Most experts believed he was a late-round option at best, given his smaller size and lack of production in college.

That said, he has legitimate 4.28 speed and serious versatility, having logged snaps at wide receiver, running back, and returner. If anybody can get something out of him, it’s Ben Johnson. Would it have been great if the Bears had gotten some defensive talent instead? Sure. However, things didn’t break that way. They still have Thieneman and added some quality free agents like Bryant, Devin Bush, and Neville Gallimore. The draft also isn’t over. Don’t forget the Bears still landed that running back last year with Kyle Monangai. Maybe lightning will strike again.

Bears End Day 2 With A Surprise Swerve — Inside The Zavion Thomas Decision

By
Erik Lambert
-
ben johnson
Oct 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Things did not at all go the way anybody expected for the Chicago Bears on day two of the NFL draft. It started great. They added Dillon Thieneman to help their defense in the 1st round. Most expected that trend to continue in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Instead, things took a curious turn when all three of their picks ended up on the offensive side of the ball. Iowa center Logan Jones kicked things off. Then, after a trade down, the Bears grabbed Stanford tight end Sam Roush. That was the first sign something was off. However, the big surprise came with the final pick when they took Zavion Thomas.

The LSU wide receiver was never a standout college producer. His 488 yards and four touchdowns last season were probably his best. How could the Bears justify taking somebody most thought was a late day three pick in the 3rd round? The simplest answer is speed. He ran a 4.28 at the scouting combine, and that juice shows up on tape, particularly as a returner. Thomas had three return touchdowns in his college career, with one on punts and two on kick returns. That kind of ability with the ball in his hands would immediately appeal to somebody like head coach Ben Johnson.

Make no mistake. Zavion Thomas was a Johnson pick.

One thing that was clearly apparent about last season was the Bears’ lack of speed. Outside of Luther Burden, none of their wide receivers could threaten defenses down the field. Thomas can. His speed is not exclusive to the timed dashes in drills. It shows up constantly on tape. The obvious question is, why wasn’t he more productive? Part of the problem could be timing. Thomas transferred to LSU in 2024, where he served primarily as a backup. Then, in 2025, when he became a starter, the Tigers suffered quarterback injuries.

It wasn’t much better at Mississippi State, where the team suffered coaching instability during Thomas’s sophomore season. He never really got an opportunity to play in a stable offense with a decent quarterback. That may explain why Johnson was willing to take the risk despite many people rating the receiver as a late-round flier. Is it a risk? Absolutely. Zavion Thomas isn’t the biggest guy. Can he withstand the physicality? Well, in the hands of a wizard like Johnson, he may not have to worry about that.

This is Johnson’s team.

That is something Bears fans must learn to accept. He is an offensive coach and wants to build the team’s identity through that. It doesn’t mean he plans to ignore the defense, but it does mean that when he sees players he wants, he will take them. That might sound unfair to Dennis Allen and his unit, but it’s nothing that other coaches haven’t done. It’s not like the defense was neglected. Their top three free agent signings were on that side of the ball, and the team spent their 1st round pick there as well. The unit is younger and faster than it was last season.

Thomas was a reach. There is no getting around it. Based on what all the experts say, he went far earlier than he should have. If he doesn’t pan out, that is a black eye Johnson will have to accept. That said, if he becomes the weapon he is capable of being, nobody will remember that he was a reach. All they’ll remember is that the Bears ended up taking a good player. We will soon find out what plans Johnson has for him when training camp arrives in July.

Sam Roush? How The Bears Once Again Got Weird In The 3rd Round

By
Erik Lambert
-
sam roush
Sep 27, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Sam Roush (86) runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears addressed two clear needs with their first two picks of the 2026 draft. However, as we know, this team tends to get a little weird in the middle rounds. It happened again. After trading down from #60 overall to #69, the team pulled a mild shocker when they took tight end Sam Roush from Stanford. Many were perplexed by the move since the Bears already have Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. Tight end wasn’t a big need. That said, the reasoning behind the pick seemed obvious.

Chicago lost Durham Smythe to free agency last month. He was one of their reliable blockers on offense and nobody was brought in to replace him. Roush should do that immediately. He is an excellent blocker both in the run game and pass protection. His gritty, tough, disciplined, and physical on every snap. Giving him to somebody like Ben Johnson, who thrives with tight ends, feels like a major win. That is particularly true when most feel he still hasn’t unlocked his upside as a pass catcher.

Sam Roush is living proof that the Bears are no longer driven by need.

Coach Johnson said recently that his only focus is on adding good football players. They will figure out the rest later. That is what Roush represents. There is no question that he has the makings of a good football player. He’ll already be a quality blocker for them. If he enhances his capability of catching passes, they might have another versatile weapon in their arsenal. Teams should never apologize for finding ways to help their quarterback. The crux of the issue isn’t Roush himself. It is a fact that the team hasn’t addressed the defense.

Chicago ranked 29th in total defense last year. Adding Dillon Thieneman in the 1st round was a strong move and fortifies their secondary. Yet that isn’t enough. They still have questions in their front seven with serious concerns about their pass rush. Finding good players becomes increasingly difficult the deeper you go in a draft. Dennis Allen is a great coach, but he can’t work miracles. He needs more help. So why haven’t the Bears done more? The truth is simpler than people want to admit.

The board just didn’t fall their way.

Bears Overcome Setbacks to Draft Logan Jones — And Why It’s A Massive Win

By
Erik Lambert
-
logan jones
Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) celebrates a touchdown in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images

Last year, the 2nd round didn’t go well for the Chicago Bears. They’d hoped to land a running back for their offense and had their sights set on TreyVeon Henderson of Ohio State. Unfortunately, the New England Patriots crushed their dreams by taking him one pick earlier. Somehow, history repeated itself on Friday. The Bears appeared poised to land quality edge rusher Gabe Jacas of Illinois with the 57th pick. Once again, the Patriots jumped in front of them and took the player instead, leaving general manager Ryan Poles in a tough spot. Just like before, though, the Bears didn’t panic. They landed Luther Burden last year, which turned out well. This time, they went with Iowa center Logan Jones.

People will talk about the fact he’s already 24 years old and taking a center when they don’t need one at the moment. Forget all of that. Jones is a damn good football player. He is tough, gritty, athletic, and ultra-nasty. Intelligence also stands out. The guy is on top of everything at the line of scrimmage. He could start immediately, but the presence of Garrett Bradbury makes that unnecessary. Make no mistake. He will anchor the middle of that offensive line for a long time and is a great fit in Ben Johnson’s offense.

Logan Jones embodies the shift in how the Bears scout.

It has become less about overall upside and measurable and more about taking good football players. That is what Johnson has said and others have picked up the message. Jones is a good football player. We already know Iowa produces excellent offensive line talent almost every year. They are tough, disciplined, and always NFL-ready. Bradbury might be the projected starter, but mark this down. Don’t be surprised if Jones pushes him for the job once training camp gets going. He has the single-minded determination and work ethic to make it happen.

Yes, it is unfortunate the Bears weren’t able to address the defensive line with either of their first two picks. Sadly, the board just didn’t fall their way. Five edge rushers went in the first 24 selections of the 1st round. Six went in the 2nd before they were on the clock again. Poles would not be tied down by needs if the value wasn’t there. He stuck to the board and, as a result, came away with two very good players in Logan Jones and Dillon Thieneman. Then he swung a trade to add more draft capital. That is fine work.

The Bears certainly seem interested in a specific personality.

Each of their first three picks, including Jones, reflects that. They want tough, physical, and violent players. Johnson is interested in becoming the aggressor. He does not like seeing his teams get pushed around. That happened too often at times last season. Not for much longer. The array of players they keep adding all seem to delight in doling out punishment. Jones shows that throughout his tape. Old school coaches always said you needed at least one prick on each side of the ball. He is absolutely a prick.

Chicago hasn’t drafted players like this for a long time, and you could tell from how they looked on Sunday. Constantly being outphysicaled was never a fun feeling. Johnson has some Halas and Ditka in him. He’s a fighter and expects his players to carry that same energy. Sure, the Bears may not have addressed all their needs the way many wanted, but they’re adding good football players. That is the objective at the end of the day.

1...150151152...3,362Page 151 of 3,362

Subscribe to our Newsletter

✶ An Unfiltered Voice For Chicago Sports Fans ✶

Chicago Sports News

About Us

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2026