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The Adrian Houser Trade Has Aged Badly For The White Sox

By
ChiSoxFanMike
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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.

Ryan Poles Just Upended The Bears’ Draft Projections With Alabama Pro Day Visit

By
Erik Lambert
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ryan poles
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.

Ryan Poles might not be done at left tackle.

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.

PlayerDraft YearWeight (lbs)40-Yard Dash
Mekhi Becton20203645.10s
Kadyn Proctor20263525.21s
Trent Brown20153555.29s
Mike Williams20023755.30s
Aaron Gibson19993865.35s
Daniel Faalele20223845.60s
Herman Johnson20093645.63s

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.

More Than Just Chatter — Donovan, UNC Links Are Starting to Add Up

By
Ryan Dauterive
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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.

Making The Case That This One Is Real

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.

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.

Justin Steele’s Return Date Becomes Clearer After Roster Update

By
Aldo Soto
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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
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ryan poles
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
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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
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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
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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
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keldric faulk
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?

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