Opening Day is here, so let’s do the most annoying fan thing in baseball, which is to argue about the starting lineup. Honestly, the Chicago Cubs have a deep lineup, and most of the time it won’t actually matter who bats where, but for Thursday’s game against the Washington Nationals the Cubs won’t have Seiya Suzuki in right field, which will change a few things.
Suzuki sprained his right knee, sliding into second base during Japan’s quarterfinals game against Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic earlier in March. The Cubs officially placed Suzuki on the 10-day injured list this week, so he won’t be around until at least April 1.
One of the big questions left unanswered on the eve of Opening Day for the Cubs is who will start in place of Suzuki in right field? It could be Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, or Matt Shaw.
Looking at the team’s final game of the 2025 postseason against the Milwaukee Brewers, and really throughout the team’s playoff run, Craig Counsell’s starting lineup featured a lefty-righty back-and-forth setup 1-8, with Matt Shaw batting ninth and Michael Busch leading off.
It’s not that simple for Thursday because, for one, Suzuki is out, and, for two, instead of Kyle Tucker in the middle of the lineup, rookie Moises Ballesteros will be the starting DH. Although Ballesteros flashed some great bat-to-ball skills during his brief stint with the Cubs in 2025, the left-handed hitter isn’t expected to be in the middle of this year’s lineup, at least not out of the gate.
However, I do want to make a few changes for what I think Counsell will end up doing on Opening Day without Suzuki.
Michael Busch
Alex Bregman
Ian Happ
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Nico Hoerner
Moises Ballesteros
Carson Kelly
Dansby Swanson
Michael Conforto
I still don’t love it, but it kind of keeps the lefty-righty order for the most part. Plus, Conforto can be easily pinch-hit for if there’s a need for it against a tough lefty, and fans won’t have to worry about Busch ever coming out because Counsell has already said the first baseman has earned the playing time against left-handed pitching.
I like Busch at leadoff because he was a monster against right-handed pitching in 2025. He posted a 151 wRC+ and hit 30 home runs off righties. Set the tone early and make the opposing starter uncomfortable against a very good hitter that provides a huge power threat.
But let’s hear it from the rest of you. How would you write out the Cubs Opening Day lineup?
Feb 22, 2026; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Dylan Carlson (5) hits against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Chicago Cubs have released their Opening Day roster for the 2026 season, and although fans pretty much knew who was making the team after a few injuries, it’s no less remarkable who ended up on it. Usually, and in the Cubs’ case in recent years, there will be pitchers who were claimed off waivers or came into camp on minor league deals who ultimately win a spot in the bullpen, but this time around, three non-roster invitees on the position side grabbed spots on the 26-man roster.
The Cubs are relatively healthy heading into the regular season, but they won’t have right fielder Seiya Suzuki until at least April 1. Suzuki sprained his right knee while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, which opened up an unexpected spot on the roster. Tyler Austin’s knee surgery that was announced mid-spring training also created more competition for the bench, and that’s how the Cubs got to Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, and Scott Kingery all making the Opening Day roster.
That leads to the first question as we look at the Cubs’ Opening Day roster.
Who Gets Released When Seiya Suzuki Returns from IL?
The Cubs placed Suzuki on the 10-day injured list, which is retroactive to March 22. That means, if his recovery goes smoothly, then Suzuki can return to the active roster on April 1.
At first thought, it seems obvious that Kingery would be immediately designated for assignment once Suzuki comes back from the injured list. However, the main reason Kingery made the roster is that the Cubs were intent on carrying an extra infielder to begin the year. Yet, that could be tied to Matt Shaw being one of the main options to fill in for Suzuki in right field during the first week of the regular season, which would leave the Cubs without another infielder on the bench.
Carlson is the only other player on the active roster with meaningful experience playing center field, so he does seem like the safe choice to keep, as he would slot into the backup role to Pete Crow-Armstrong. Conforto was awful in 2025, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, so who knows if his decline will continue or if he bounces back, but he’d be the other left-handed bat who could be called upon to step up if rookie Moises Ballesteros struggles.
Kingery is the obvious answer here, but we’ve seen wilder things. That being said, if Kingery does stick around for longer than Suzuki’s absence, then something went wrong.
Who Should Start in Right Field?
The Cubs will begin the regular season with three games at home against the Washington Nationals, who announced their starting rotation. The Nationals will have three right-handed starters going up against the Cubs at Wrigley Field: Cade Cavalli, Miles Mikolas, and Jake Irvin.
Naturally, Conforto seems to be the likeliest starter in right field. He has the best track record among the three options, he’s a left-handed hitter, and besides Carlson, he’s actually played right field in his MLB career. Carlson seems like a defensive sub rather than a starter early on, which leaves Matt Shaw as the main competition for early starts while Suzuki continues his recovery.
Shaw is entering his second year in the majors, but he’ll be in a new role in 2026. After being the starting third baseman throughout his rookie year, Shaw will now be a utility player, which includes some time in the outfield. He looked shaky in right field during spring training, so that could make Craig Counsell a bit apprehensive to use him right out of the gate.
Yet, fans look at Conforto’s 2025 numbers with the Dodgers and want nothing to do with him in the starting lineup. Shaw has much more upside than Conforto at this point in their careers, which is why some Cubs fans want him out in right field over the veteran. We’ll see if Counsell rolls the dice or plays it safe with Conforto this week against the Nationals.
How Will Ben Brown Be Used Out of the Bullpen?
The only question on the pitching staff coming out of spring training was who was going to get the final bullpen spot, and in what ended up being a bit of a shocker, it was Ben Brown.
The hard-throwing righty was being built up as a starter for most of spring training, but then a week before Opening Day, Brown came into a game and pitched an inning of relief. He’s had mixed results out of the bullpen in his first two years in the majors, and while the idea of Ben Brown as a starting pitcher is still possible, the Cubs obviously love his arm talent enough now to use him as a reliever to begin the 2026 season.
However, will the Cubs actually commit to using Brown as a one or two-inning reliever, or will he be used as a bulk guy, coming in out of the bullpen for 3-4 innings at a time in case a starter gets into trouble early in an outing? Colin Rea is already the long man in the bullpen, so is Brown potentially lined up to be a high-leverage bullpen arm?
That’s one to keep an eye on. Brown has developed a new pitch, adding a sinker to his pitching arsenal in 2026, in hopes of sticking around as an option in the starting rotation. For now, that will be on hold, but there’s no doubt that his skillset can end up being a lethal weapon for Counsell to use out of the bullpen.
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Curtis Mead against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It didn’t take long for last year’s Adrian Houser trade to age poorly for the White Sox. Curtis Mead, the centerpiece of the return from the Rays in that trade, was designated for assignment this afternoon as the team unveiled their Opening Day roster. As one of the final cuts, his future with the team is now uncertain.
The hope was that Mead, a former top 100 prospect with the Rays, would blossom with a change of scenery and more consistent playing time in Chicago. It didn’t play out like that. Across 41 games with the White Sox following the trade, he slashed just .240/.280/.304 in 132 plate appearances. He performed slightly better this spring, but it ultimately was not enough to secure his spot. The construction of the White Sox roster also did not work in Mead’s favor. With Lenyn Sosa locked in as a right-handed-hitting infielder, it always felt like a long shot that Mead would make the team given his somewhat redundant skill set. The White Sox really needed only one of them, and Sosa got the job based on the improvements he showed last season.
The team will now either have to find a trade partner for Mead or place him on waivers. It’s possible he could remain with the organization and go to Triple-A if he goes unclaimed, but the White Sox now risk losing him altogether by DFAing him.
Still a Glimmer of Hope
Despite the Mead news, the deal isn’t a complete loss yet. Right-handed pitchers Duncan Davitt and Ben Peoples were also in that trade, and both will likely start the season in Triple-A Charlotte as depth options. Davitt in particular could see time on the South Side later in 2026. While his 5.03 ERA in nine starts with the Knights is nothing special, he recorded a 1.30 WHIP in 48.1 innings, striking out 45. With the White Sox starting rotation full of question marks, Davitt could get his chance if he gets off to a strong start with Charlotte.
Lose/Lose Trade as of Now
As for Houser, he also did not live up to expectations with the Rays. After dominating in 11 starts with the White Sox prior to the trade, he put up a mediocre 4.79 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in ten starts with Tampa Bay. The Rays ended up winning only 77 games and as a rental, his stay in Tampa ultimately ended up being a short one. He departed the team following the 2025 season, signing a two-year/$22 million contract with the Giants this past winter.
The Adrian Houser trade looked to be a win for both teams at the time it was made. The White Sox were able to flip a low-cost acquisition for three young players, while the Rays got a pitcher having a great season to boost their playoff chances. In hindsight, however, it’s safe to say the trade has been a bust for both teams to this point.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles walks onto the practice field for the Alabama pro day on March 25th, 2025
With free agency largely over, it looked like the Chicago Bears‘ plans for the upcoming 2026 draft were clear. Having overhauled the offense last offseason, the time felt right to do the same on defense this year. They need talent at all three levels, especially up front after finishing 29th in the NFL last season. General manager Ryan Poles is leading the charge as always, out on the scouting trail searching for more difference-makers. So far, his visits on the pro day circuit have lined up with those assumptions.
He first popped up at Oklahoma to get a look at prominent defensive line standouts Gracen Halton and R Mason Thomas. Then he went down to Miami to watch stud edge rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor. Nothing out of the ordinary so far. Well, Poles finally threw Bears fans a curveball when he appeared at the Alabama pro day. The Crimson Tide isn’t expected to deliver a strong defensive class this year. Most of the attention is on their offensive linemen, particularly left tackle Kadyn Proctor.
This was further solidified when Bears representatives, including Poles, were paying close attention to offensive line drills.
General Manager Ryan Poles is here at Alabama Pro Day getting a closer look at a couple players including LT Overton, Kadyn Proctor, and more. pic.twitter.com/fvOnBeKxqd
As we start the offensive line drills, other teams along with the Bears getting good look at these drills include the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, and the New York Jets. pic.twitter.com/Cri4MIzWdr
Now, mind you, Proctor isn’t the only name the Bears could be looking at. SM reported the Bears have had significant interest in wide receiver Germie Bernard. Rugged and powerful defensive end LT Overton is another possibility, as is center Parker Brailsford. However, none of those players are going in the 1st round. It wouldn’t make sense for Poles to show up at the pro day unless he planned to look at somebody he may have a chance to draft with that 25th overall pick. The only one in that bracket is Proctor.
Alabama’s left tackle is a massive human being at 6’7″, 352 lbs. He has all the expected traits that go with it, from long arms to overwhelming power, both in the run game and anchoring in pass protection. Yet what has surprised evaluators is how good an athlete he is. Since 1999, there have been six tackles drafted who weighed 350 lbs or more. Only one of them had a faster 40-yard dash time than Proctor’s 5.21 at the scouting combine. While not a ballerina, he moves well for his size.
Player
Draft Year
Weight (lbs)
40-Yard Dash
Mekhi Becton
2020
364
5.10s
Kadyn Proctor
2026
352
5.21s
Trent Brown
2015
355
5.29s
Mike Williams
2002
375
5.30s
Aaron Gibson
1999
386
5.35s
Daniel Faalele
2022
384
5.60s
Herman Johnson
2009
364
5.63s
Don’t forget what we already know.
Head coach Ben Johnson showed last year that he is a proponent of size at the offensive tackle position. The Bears drafted the 6’8″, 316 lbs Ozzy Trapilo in the 2nd round last year. He also coached the 6’5″, 331 lbs Penei Sewell in Detroit. It isn’t a stretch to think Johnson likes big offensive tackles who still move well. They are almost always a major asset in the running game, which we know is this team’s identity. Proctor was fine-to-good in pass protection against SEC competition throughout his time at Alabama.
The obvious question is, will he be there at #25? There is a growing belief he will not. Offensive tackle is a thin position in this year’s draft, but the demand for them remains as high as ever. It is hard to imagine several teams picking ahead of Chicago that need one will pass on Proctor, even if they have reservations about his weight. Still, Ryan Poles is wise to keep that option open, and no doubt spent his time at the Alabama pro day getting a look at far more plausible targets.
Feb 26, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Yesterday’s report by Joe Cowley that Billy Donovan could be showing himself the door at the conclusion of the regular season was quickly followed by more news regarding Chicago’s head coach. While none of it solidified or echoed what Cowley first brought to light, they did present a next step for the 60-year-old. Hubert Davis, successor to the legendary Roy Williams, was fired by the North Carolina Tar Heels yesterday morning. Any time a blue blood college basketball program head coaching vacancy has become available over the last decade, Donovan’s name is one of the most commonly mentioned potential suitors, and this instance has been no different. Using Cowley’s report that Donovan’s patience may be growing thin with Chicago and the professional level as a whole, many have viewed this as a perfect opportunity to return to his most successful level as a coach. At the University of Florida, he won back-to-back NCAA Tournament championships, already cementing him in the top seven all-time in tournament titles. Could he be headed back to the collegiate scene?
Fitting The Trend
In any sport at any level, a widely considered top-ten coach of all time will continue to be linked to open positions for years to follow, whether they’re currently coaching elsewhere or not. Donovan has been no exception to this rule. For example, he was on the short list for Indiana in 2021 when they eventually hired Mike Woodson, he was named a possible replacement for John Calipari in 2019 for Kentucky simply for his SEC ties, many had his name on the log for claiming the University of Louisville job in 2022, and when Bill Self was being investigated in 2020, again Donovan’s name was one of the first to hit the news. These reports have all shared a few common traits: no acknowledgement of interest from Chicago’s head coach, no outspoken desire to leave the NBA, no disgruntled comments about his current role with the Bulls, and no substantial evidence that he was ever interviewed or seriously considered for these positions. All of that to say that, for now, this should be assumed in the same category. As K.C. Johnson says below, this has become a common routine for the Bulls and open college coaching positions lately.
Every time a blue-chip collegiate program has a coaching vacancy, Billy Donovan’s name lands on the list of potential/speculative replacements.
Donovan was quick to dismiss the Kentucky rumors in 2024, and he started his coaching career at that school. https://t.co/Kb9JCrITry
If it weren’t for Cowley’s report yesterday outlining how Donovan’s grown impatient with Chicago, which had some off-the-court factors affecting his passion for the position, and that he’s always preached a winning product, unwilling to sign on for a rebuild, these University of North Carolina ties would be disregarded. But given that Cowley’s report contained a hefty amount of easily traceable details that align with his departure, these links are putting the basketball world in a frenzy. According to widely respected hoops analyst Jeff Goodman, Donovan’s inner circle of friends and family is strongly advising him to step down from his position with the Chicago Bulls. Jeff Borzello, an ESPN College Basketball Insider, says North Carolina is expected to “aggressively pursue” the former two-time National Champion head coach.
"There are a ton of people in Billy Donovan's circle right now that have told Billy Donovan, 'Get the hell out of there.' "
🗣️ Jeff Goodman speculating on Billy Donovan being a candidate to replace Hubert Davis at UNC
A new angle to consider is that the NIL system has entirely changed the college game, much to the dismay of many veteran college coaching titans. Does this pull Donovan back into the scene, or push him further away? Coaches like Tom Izzo and Rick Pitino have been quite frank about the negative impacts it has had on college programs, player development, and team chemistry.
With dozens of moving parts each year moving around for monetary reasons, college basketball teams look entirely new with each passing season. Is that something Donovan wants to learn, invest in, and test the waters with? North Carolina would surely be in the highest bracket of NIL spending, but that doesn’t negate the fact that it would have more player turnover than ever before.
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.
Last bullet from my bullpen yesterday. Got cleared by Dr. Meister today. Good day for some reflection. Just wanna say thank you to everyone who’s helped me along this journey to getting back to 100% . Coaches, trainers, staff, family, and everything in between. You all know who… pic.twitter.com/hK6BKmIvYQ
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.
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.
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.
Caleb Downs (6’0 205) Ohio State
+ Coach on the field/film junkie + 89.6 coverage grade in 2025 + 83.7 run defense grade in 2025 + Has just under 2,500 snaps in only three years in college + Physical in run support + Special teams’ experience including as a punt returner +… pic.twitter.com/mtT1VFKcSl
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.
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.
Mac McClung is OUT OF THIS WORLD! 🔥🔥🔥 Not only did he become the G League All-Time Leading Scorer, he just recorded a career-high 59 points! This marks his second 50+ PT game this season. Mac now holds the third highest scoring game in G League history! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/O7OoIffEi3
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?
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.
Trade! The Bears are sending veteran WR D.J. Moore to the Bills, sources say. pic.twitter.com/1jMPeGQSaH
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.
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.
