Saturday, April 11, 2026
✶ Untold Chicago Stories ✶ Amazon Music
Home Blog Page 28

The Bears Seem Obsessed With Keylan Rutledge — Here’s Why

By
Erik Lambert
-
keylan rutledge
Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (77) of Georgia Tech blocks during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears don’t seem content with their offensive line as is. That isn’t a surprise after they lost two key players over the last few months. Ozzy Trapilo tore his patellar tendon in the playoff win over Green Bay, likely forcing him to miss all of next season. Then, center Drew Dalman abruptly retired at the age of 27. This forced the team to pivot. They traded for veteran center Garrett Bradbury from New England while signing Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills to compete at left tackle. Yet based on mounting evidence, they have every intention of drafting more help. Enter Keylan Rutledge.

Georgia Tech isn’t always a hotbed of NFL talent, but it has moments. One name that is building a strong groundswell of support is Rutledge, their starting guard. Not only is he a great athlete for his position, but he’s built a reputation for power and nastiness. That falls right in line with what head coach Ben Johnson wants. It would explain why all of the Bears’ offensive line experts were present at the Georgia Tech pro day, working almost exclusively with Rutledge throughout the action, according to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports.

The Denver Broncos had Zach Strief and Cam Williams on hand, and the Chicago Bears had offensive line coaches Dan Roushar and Kyle DeVan in attendance, as well as Director of Player Personnel Trey Koziol. The Dallas Cowboys sent a three-person contingent to the workout, including quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko…

…Fast-rising lineman Keylan Rutledge had a terrific day. He was smooth and fluid and moved incredibly well in drills. Rutledge displayed terrific footwork in bag and pass-protection drills. Several teams requested Rutledge, who played guard for Georgia Tech, to work at center. When he did, his snaps were accurate and looked natural.

I can confirm the Chicago Bears were one of the teams that asked Rutledge to work at center. If you remember my report earlier this week from Kansas State pro day, I mentioned the Bears were on hand specifically for center Sam Hecht, as Dan Roushar, Kyle DeVan, and Trey Koziol were also at that workout.

Keylan Rutledge would give the Bears loads of options.

His work at guard provides much-needed depth behind Jonah Jackson, who has an iffy injury history, and Joe Thuney, who turns 34 in November. Yet it sounds like they view him as a real option at center, which makes sense given that Bradbury is under contract for only one more year. Such uncertainty on the interior makes drafting some depth that can eventually start an easy sell. The interesting part is who was sent to evaluate him. Offensive line coach Dan Roushar was an obvious presence. The bigger surprise was the co-director of player personnel, Trey Koziol.

It seems as if he’s been designated as the Bears’ offensive line specialist based on recent visits. He was credited as the primary voice in drafting Trapilo last year. Koziol was promoted to become a Kansas City Chiefs scouting director the same year they drafted Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith. Then, after coming to Chicago, the Bears found Braxton Jones in 2022 and nailed Darnell Wright in 2023. If he had a primary voice in those selections, it makes sense they’d send him to get a close look at Kaylan Rutledge.

The interest becomes even clearer when seeing pro comparisons.

One name that has come up frequently in evaluations of Keylan Rutledge is Christian Mahogany. He was a 6th round pick for the Detroit Lions in 2024 and became their starting left guard last season. His reputation was one of power, mobility, and violence. The Lions’ offensive coordinator that year was, of course, Ben Johnson. He would’ve had a strong voice in that draft, meaning he liked Mahogany a lot. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Bears are paying close attention to Rutledge.

The only unanswered question is where he’ll be drafted and what position the team wants him to play. Most experts have him going somewhere in the 3rd round range. The Bears hold the 89th overall pick. That might be the spot to watch. Based on the current makeup of their line, it feels like the team might look to groom him as their center of the future. Let Bradbury play the 2026 season as a stable starter while Rutledge takes a year to learn the position. Then in 2027, he gets the job.

From Banned in Pop Warner to Bears Legend: Tommie Harris’ Untold Chicago Stories Interview

By
Matt Eastman
-

In fifth grade, Tommie Harris was already too dominant for Pop Warner football in Killeen, Texas. At just 150 pounds, he was hip-tossing kids and wrecking plays with the same swim move that would later terrorize NFL quarterbacks. Parents complained it was unfair. The league limited him to two carries per game, then suspended him entirely. “Told I’d never make it,” Harris says in the latest Untold Chicago Stories episode (released March 2026). That early rejection didn’t break him—it lit the fuse for one of the most improbable Chicago Bears careers.

Recruiting Chaos That Turned Him into Texas’ No. 1 Prospect

By sophomore year, the recruiting circus hit hard. A 10th-grade combine blew minds: 4.72 forty-yard dash, 37-inch vertical jump, heavy bench reps at 270 pounds. Coaches swarmed his house, school, church—even the car wash. He committed early to Texas under Mack Brown, but flipped to Oklahoma on signing day. The locker room vibe, fresh national title energy, and need for distance from home comforts sealed it. That choice exploded: Lombardi Award winner as the nation’s top lineman in 2003, unanimous All-American, three-time First-Team All-Big 12, Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Texas’ top high school prospect became the Oklahoma Sooners interior nightmare.

Day One at Halas Hall: Olin Kreutz’s Ice-Cold Welcome

Selected 14th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears on his 21st birthday, Harris rolled in cocky. His ESPN line: “Watch out for 97.” First practice? Olin Kreutz repeats it back: “Watch out for 97.” Instant humility. Veterans watched every snap—especially blockers he’d face. The NFL jump was brutal: unmatched talent level, chess-match schemes (Colts game hit him quick), insane practice intensity. He earned stripes in one of football’s toughest locker rooms—brotherhood with Spice Adams, Tank Johnson, and Alex Brown. Classic prank? He and Spice taped raw shrimp under Adewale Ogunleye’s locker, creating a season-long mystery stink.

Absurd Production: 31.5 Career Sacks from Defensive Tackle

From the interior DT spot, 31.5 career sacks (per Pro Football Reference) is straight-up elite. Most defensive tackles never approach that while eating constant double-teams and clogging lanes. Harris peaked with eight sacks in 2007, earned three Pro Bowls (2005–2007), Second-Team All-Pro in 2005, PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2004, and became the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history at one point. Named one of the 100 Greatest Bears of All-Time, his stats backed the hype.

Tommie Harris Career Highlights (2004–2011)

  • Games Played: 117 (mostly Bears)
  • Sacks: 31.5 (elite for DT)
  • Pro Bowls: 3 (2005–2007)
  • All-Pro: Second-Team (2005)
  • Tackles: 231 total
  • Highest-Paid DT (mid-2000s extension)

Life’s Hardest Hits: Grief, Faith, and Walking Away

Football fades against real tragedy. Forty-one days after marrying Ashley, his soulmate, a routine procedure led to a brain aneurysm—she stopped breathing. Harris learned via an online news article, not a direct call. Years later, an infant daughter died from SIDS. Losses piled on: mom, dad, sisters, family dog, nanny. Grief nearly shattered him; bitterness surfaced in his Chargers stint. Faith pulled him through: “Clouds don’t sit over your house forever. Shut your mouth and keep living.” He retired to become the man Ashley never saw, authoring Endure: Playing Through Life’s Hardest Hits to share victory-living lessons.

Chicago Made Him a Man

Killeen raised the boy; Chicago made the man. Drafted young into the fast, no-nonsense Windy City, elders and mentors grounded him. At the Bears Care Gala, he dropped real talk on draftees like Caleb Williams: save smart, build trusted relationships, lock in—the window’s short. Football’s a job; life’s the real game.

This episode, co-hosted by Bears Pro Bowl defensive standout Jerry Azumah, along with Colin, isn’t just sports talk. It’s endurance, gratitude, raw redemption. Bears fans, this one hits different.

Intel: Ben Johnson Has One Surprise Priority For The Bears In The Draft

By
Erik Lambert
-
ben johnson
Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks with tight end Colston Loveland after the Bears draft him 10th overall

Debates have solidified around what the Chicago Bears are likely to do early in the 2026 draft. Most agree that defensive line, safety, linebacker, and maybe left tackle will be the priorities in those first two days. Each has vacancies that need plugging or could use a significant upgrade if possible. It all depends on how general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson want to attack it. However, some new information has arrived that may shake things up next month.

People close to the Bears informed SM that there is a strong internal debate going on in Halas Hall. It centers around the wide receiver class. Many in the building feel this is the strongest position in the entire draft, and it would be a mistake not to go after someone early. We’re talking the 2nd round. Chicago has two picks in that range and they’re almost certain to have some talented options still on the board. Remember, the team just traded D.J. Moore to Buffalo. They don’t have anybody ready to fill that void. It was merely expected that Rome Odunze and Luther Burden would get more targets.

It now appears the Bears want to keep Caleb Williams as heavily-armed as possible.

Ben Johnson seems to have his eye on a specific name.

The sources indicated that Germie Bernard was the one to watch. He steadily improved throughout his college career, playing his best season for Alabama in 2025. It isn’t hard to recognize why Johnson likes him. Bernard is one of the best route-runners in the entire class. He’s smooth in his operation, getting in and out of his breaks without losing speed, and has the strong hands to make even the tougher catches look routine. Add some underrated YAC ability, and it’s little wonder the Bears head coach likes him.

Bernard has a style similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown. What he lacks in overall speed, he more than makes up for in technique, hands, and versatility. Ben Johnson tends to run his offense through the slot receiver position. While Odunze and Burden can play from that spot, it isn’t really their strength. Bernard has the exact toolkit to become a demon inside. Either way, it is evident the Bears aren’t letting positional need dictate their draft plans. They still aim to take good football players, and wide receiver remains on the list.

This Bears regime isn’t focused on need.

We already saw that in the draft last year. Going into that April, nobody had tight end or wide receiver as the top two positions they’d focus on. They went with Colston Loveland and Burden anyway. Both became almost instant hits. It sounds like Ben Johnson is keeping that same mindset going into next month. Yes, the Bears want to address the defensive line and secondary. They’re not ignorant of how much help the defense still needs. However, they have no intention of letting an opportunity pass them by to get another playmaker for their quarterback.

Bernard isn’t the only name they like. Omar Cooper Jr. and Chris Brazell were also mentioned as possibilities. Unsurprisingly, both also fit the mold of good route-runners who are strong after the catch. It is clear the team isn’t taking Moore’s loss lightly. Poles called it a business decision, and he wasn’t lying. If the contract hadn’t been an issue, he’d probably still be on the team. Johnson has no intention of increasing the burden on his young quarterback if it can be avoided. So watch the wide receivers on day two.

Mark DeRosa Still Managed to Screw Up in USA Win Over Canada

By
Aldo Soto
-
Mar 13, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; United States center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) runs after hitting a single during the third inning against Canada during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The United States advanced to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic after beating Canada 5-3 Friday night in the quarterfinals of the international tournament and despite the victory manager Mark DeRosa continued to expose how incompetent he is.

There was a debate early on in the World Baseball Classic in Team USA as some fans were pounding the table to see Pete Crow-Armstrong as the starting center fielder over the veteran Byron Buxton. Both players are deserving, but after Buxton was hit by a pitch early on in pool play DeRosa has stuck with Crow-Armstrong in center.

The Cubs center fielder is the best defender at his position and one of the top players on defense period in MLB, so it was quite perplexing to see DeRosa move Crow-Armstrong from center field over to left field late in Friday night’s game against Canada.

The United States was leading 5-3, heading into the bottom of the eighth inning and for some reason DeRosa thought the best defensive setup in the outfield would be Crow-Armstrong in left field, Buxton in center and Aaron Judge in right. There is no reason, no justification whatsoever that DeRosa can spew out to make this move make any sense. He moved his best defensive outfielder to left field and put Buxton in the most important position in the outfield, giving the United States a disadvantage.

It was pure stupidity by DeRosa, who at this point is more known by not knowing the WBC rules and then failing to take any accountability rather than by his managing skills on Team USA. Luckily, moving Crow-Armstrong to left field didn’t end up mattering as Canada struck out four times in the final two innings of play.

As for the rest of the game Crow-Armstrong once again was in the middle of the action as he delivered an RBI-single in the sixth inning that gave the United States a comfortable 5-0 lead. Crow-Armstrong finished the game 2-for-4, with an RBI and has been the offensive leader for Team USA since becoming the starter in center field.

The United States will now play against the Dominican Republic in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.

If The Chicago Bears Trade Down From #25, Here Is How It Will Happen

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears
General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson oversee the 1st round of the 2025 draft.

Right now, the debate happening among Chicago Bears fans is what general manager Ryan Poles will do when the team goes on the clock at 25th overall. After watching how free agency played out over the past few days, the general agreement is that the team is likely to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Edge rusher, defensive tackle, and safety seem the most likely directions for them to go, since the team has notable question marks at each position. However, another scenario is in play.

They could look to trade down.

We already know Poles isn’t averse to moving down in the draft. He’s done it several times over the past four years. That includes twice in the 1st round in 2023, going from #1 to #9 and #9 to #10. Right now, the Bears have seven picks. They have 26 roster slots unfilled as of writing this. That means the team may look to add more picks during the draft. Moving down from #25 feels like their best chance to do that. If it’s going to happen, though, here is how things must unfold.

The Chicago Bears trade-down scenario will involve a quarterback.

You’ll find that the most coveted prize for teams moving from the top of the 2nd round into the bottom of the 1st are hunting for quarterbacks. Since 2000, it has happened six times, far more than any other position. Often, the reason for this is that they weren’t able to get one in the top 15 because the value wasn’t there. At the same time, the longer they wait, the more paranoid they get about somebody taking a QB they want in the bottom of the 1st. See what Green Bay did with Aaron Rodgers in 2005. That is why there have been plenty of trades involving quarterbacks since 2000.

YearNFL TeamQuarterbackFinal SlotTrade Compensation Given
2025New York GiantsJaxon DartNo. 25No. 34 (2nd), No. 99 (3rd), 2026 3rd-round pick
2018Baltimore RavensLamar JacksonNo. 32No. 52 (2nd), No. 125 (4th), and 2019 2nd-round pick
2014Minnesota VikingsTeddy BridgewaterNo. 32No. 40 (2nd) and No. 108 (4th)
2010Denver BroncosTim TebowNo. 25No. 43 (2nd), No. 70 (3rd), and No. 114 (4th)
2007Cleveland BrownsBrady QuinnNo. 22No. 36 (2nd) and 2008 1st-round pick
2004Buffalo BillsJ.P. LosmanNo. 22No. 43 (2nd), No. 144 (5th), and 2005 1st-round pick
2003Baltimore RavensKyle BollerNo. 19No. 41 (2nd) and 2004 1st-round pick

Teams to watch: New York Jets (#33), Arizona Cardinals (#34), and Cleveland Browns (#39). Everybody knows the Las Vegas Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza #1 overall next month. After that, a quarterback isn’t expected to go anywhere in the top 15 or 20. That means unless the Jets, Cardinals, and Browns are willing to overdraft a quarterback they like, they will be hunting for one when they’re next on the board. With all three teams clustered at the top of the 2nd round, it’s not crazy to think one of them will decide to just go up and get their guy.

Ty Simpson is the name Chicago wants on the board

While Mendoza is the obvious top quarterback in this class, the general consensus is that Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the #2 guy. Most believe he has the processing speed and accuracy of a future NFL starter, and he sharpened his teeth in college football’s toughest conference. For a trade down to happen, the Chicago Bears will need good bait. Simpson is likely the only one who will entice one of those teams to come up from the 2nd round to get him. For that to happen, Poles needs the QB to get past a few tricky spots in the top 24.

The ones to watch are probably the following:

  • New York at #16
  • Pittsburgh at #21
  • Cleveland at #24

The Browns are by far the biggest threat in this scenario. They are perfectly positioned to grab Simpson if they wish. Everything depends on how serious they are about Shedeur Sanders as their possible future quarterback. Recent indications suggest new head coach Todd Monken is a big fan. That offers some hope. Pittsburgh is hoping Aaron Rodgers returns for another year. Even if he does, they must start looking to the future. New York has two 1st rounders. They could grab the best non-QB at #2 overall and save #16 to grab the QB. If any of those events occur, the Bears will find it difficult to trade at all.

Why Caleb Williams And Darnell Wright Are Causing Bears’ Quiet Free Agency

By
Erik Lambert
-
caleb williams
Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) celebrates the game-tying extra point by placekicker Cairo Santos (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Rams with eighteen seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of an NFC Divisional Round game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Chicago Bears fans are having a hard time understanding why the team has been rather quiet in free agency this year. They’ve only made two additions that are clearly intended to be starters on the team. The other additions or re-signings are mostly backups or competition for vacant jobs. Meanwhile, other teams haven’t had any issues spending big money trying to upgrade. Los Angeles just traded for Trent McDuffie and handed him a massive contract. Carolina threw the bag at Jaelan Phillips. Even Baltimore took a giant swing at Trey Hendrickson. So why have the Bears, who have cap flexibility, been so careful? Some theorize quarterback Caleb Williams and right tackle Darnell Wright are to blame.

No, it isn’t them using some kind of political maneuvering to prevent the Bears from throwing money around. Williams has been sending subtle signals that he’d love for the team to keep adding. This is more about the extensions both players have coming, and the cash-strapped owners who will have to give it to them. Bill Zimmerman provided compelling evidence for why those two players are forcing the McCaskeys to budget their money.

Now, think about this aspect. The Bears are about to give Darnell Wright a large contract. It’s probably going to be a 4-year deal worth around $120 million. The Bears are probably going to give him a sizeable signing bonus and guarantee at least half of that contract. When dollars are guaranteed to a player, that money goes in escrow. The cash needs to be available when the contract is signed, even if it doesn’t all go to the player. Not only is George going to have to have a significant amount of cash available for Wright’s extension this summer, but he is going to have to have even more money available to Caleb Williams for his extension in the summer of 2027.

I am not saying there aren’t any concerns that the Bears can’t afford Caleb Williams, but you best believe that signing two contracts like that in back-to-back seasons is going to impact how the Bears are operating this year.

Caleb Williams’ success does have a downside.

The McCaskey family is not poor in the strictest sense of the word. They are billionaires. However, all of that wealth is tied up in the organization. They don’t have additional revenue streams like many other NFL owners do. Based on the latest data available, the McCaskeys are the third-poorest ownership group in the league behind only Art Rooney II in Pittsburgh and the stockholders group in Green Bay. They are worth around $1.3 billion. While that doesn’t mean they’re unable to budget for big swings in free agency, the unfortunate truth is they face stricter limits than other owners.

RankOwner(s)TeamNet Worth
1Rob Walton & FamilyDenver Broncos$146.0 Billion
2Hunt FamilyKansas City Chiefs$24.8 Billion
3David TepperCarolina Panthers$23.7 Billion
4Stan KroenkeLos Angeles Rams$21.3 Billion
5Jerry Jones & FamilyDallas Cowboys$21.3 Billion
6Jody AllenSeattle Seahawks$20.3 Billion
7Stephen RossMiami Dolphins$17.0 Billion
8Woody Johnson & FamilyNew York Jets$16.0 Billion
9Shahid KhanJacksonville Jaguars$15.4 Billion
10Robert KraftNew England Patriots$13.8 Billion
11Arthur BlankAtlanta Falcons$11.1 Billion
12Josh HarrisWashington Commanders$10.9 Billion
13Glazer FamilyTampa Bay Buccaneers$10.2 Billion
14Terry & Kim PegulaBuffalo Bills$9.3 Billion
15Jimmy & Dee HaslamCleveland Browns$8.7 Billion
16Steve BisciottiBaltimore Ravens$8.5 Billion
17Jed York & DeBartolo YorkSan Francisco 49ers$8.4 Billion
18Gayle BensonNew Orleans Saints$7.9 Billion
19Jeffrey Lurie & FamilyPhiladelphia Eagles$7.6 Billion
20Cal McNair & FamilyHouston Texans$7.3 Billion
21Mike Brown & FamilyCincinnati Bengals$5.0 Billion
22Irsay FamilyIndianapolis Colts$4.8 Billion
23Amy Adams StrunkTennessee Titans$2.8 Billion
24Mark DavisLas Vegas Raiders$2.5 Billion
25Dean Spanos & FamilyL.A. Chargers$2.4 Billion
26John Mara / Steve TischNew York Giants$2.1 Billion
27Sheila Ford HampDetroit Lions$2.0 Billion
28Michael BidwillArizona Cardinals$1.4 Billion
29Zygi WilfMinnesota Vikings$1.3 Billion
30McCaskey FamilyChicago Bears$1.3 Billion
31Art Rooney IIPittsburgh Steelers$1.2 Billion
32Public StockholdersGreen Bay PackersN/A

It isn’t a coincidence that you see teams like Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Green Bay rarely get aggressive in free agency every year. They’ll tell you it’s because they prefer the battle-tested approach of drafting and developing their players. In reality, part of it is because they know they don’t have the deep pockets to take aggressive swings in free agency every year. At the same time, the Rams do it all the time. It certainly doesn’t hurt that their owner is the fourth-richest in the league.

The upcoming new stadium also plays a role in this.

Presuming a resolution is found by the end of this month, construction on a new stadium could begin before the year is over. It’s been reported that the McCaskeys and the rest of the Bears’ ownership are prepared to commit $2 billion to its construction. That is a massive investment. There is no way that looming windfall isn’t having an effect on the purse strings as well. This may sound like excuses, but it’s reality. The McCaskeys have to budget their funds carefully given the significant spending on the horizon.

Priorities must be set. Caleb Williams and Darnell Wright are obvious. Both are cornerstones of the offense. Together with the stadium, that left the Bears with little in the way of cash reserves to do anything other than measured spending on the open market. It is why general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson seem committed to a draft-and-develop approach. That is what organizations must do when they don’t have the checkbook open to them.

The White Sox Have A Difficult Decision To Make Soon

By
ChiSoxFanMike
-
Apr 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz speaks before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

With less than two weeks until Opening Day, it is crunch time for those fighting for spots on the White Sox roster to prove that they are worthy of making the team. Right-handed pitchers Jedixson Paez and Alexander Alberto fall into this category. As both are Rule 5 players, the White Sox front office faces a difficult decision: put them on the Opening Day roster or risk losing them entirely.

Shane Smith, the first overall pick in the 2024 Rule 5 draft, proved without a shadow of a doubt that he deserved to make the team out of spring training and ultimately had one of the better rookie seasons by a Rule 5 pick in recent memory. That has not been the case for either Paez or Alberto. Paez, 22, has a 10.13 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP in 5.1 innings this spring, while Alberto, 24, has a 9.53 ERA and a 2.29 WHIP in 5.2 innings. The sample sizes for each are small, but it’s also fair to say neither has made the most of their opportunities to this point.

White Sox Crowded Bullpen

Further complicating matters is the White Sox bullpen picture. Unlike the past several years where there were multiple bullpen spots up for grabs in spring training, that is no longer the case. Seranthony Domínguez, Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure, Mike Vasil, Sean Newcomb, and Jordan Hicks are all locks to make the team.

With six spots already accounted for, that leaves two bullpen spots at most up for grabs, one of which will likely go to Chris Murphy, Ryan Borucki, Tyler Gilbert, or Brandon Eisert as the second lefty behind Newcomb. Paez and Alberto are competing for the last bullpen spot alongside veterans Tyson Miller, Austin Voth, and Lucas Sims. Barring injuries, it feels highly unlikely that the team will be able to carry both Rule 5 pitchers on the roster. They might not even carry one.

Inexperience is a Factor

Roster construction aside, both Paez and Alberto have vastly different circumstances and backgrounds than Shane Smith and Mike Vasil did at this time last year. Paez, a command-oriented starting pitcher without an overpowering fastball, and Alberto, a hard-throwing reliever, each have never pitched above the High-A level. By comparison, Smith and Vasil each had already reached Triple-A before joining the White Sox organization as Rule 5 picks. Paez and Alberto’s inexperience could work against them in this situation considering the team is no longer deep in a rebuild and is at least attempting to win games this season.

Big Decision Looms

The Rule 5 Draft rules state that if Paez and Alberto don’t make the Opening Day roster, they must be placed on outright waivers. If neither is claimed, the White Sox would have to offer them back to their original teams for $50,000: the Red Sox for Paez and the Rays for Alberto. The reality is that if they don’t make the team, they likely will no longer be in the organization after spring training. The White Sox clearly saw something they liked in each of these pitchers to select them in the Rule 5 draft, and each is currently on the organization’s top 30 prospect list per MLB.com. Losing them wouldn’t be inconsequential. It will be interesting to see how Chris Getz and the rest of the front office approaches this situation with Opening Day rapidly approaching.

How The Chicago Bears Are Finally Winning Free Agency The Right Way

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears
Bears general manager Ryan Poles takes in a game against Detroit as he studies the team's performance

The Chicago Bears are getting a lot of heat from their fans over what they’ve done in free agency so far. Several key players have left for jobs elsewhere, including Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and Nahshon Wright. Tremaine Edmunds was cut. D.J. Moore was traded. All the while, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has conducted a free agency period that hasn’t been big on splash moves. Only three multi-year contracts were handed out. None of them were top-of-the-market deals.

Safety Coby Bryant took a deal worth $13.33 million per year, which is outside the top 10. Linebacker Devin Bush got $10 million per year, which is barely inside the top 20. Everybody else is receiving modest contracts or outright backup money. Fans believe the organization is being cheap. They finally made the playoffs last season and were one drive away from the NFC Championship. This should be the time to be aggressive. Yet Poles has remained steadfast in his approach.

Is he making a mistake?

The Chicago Bears are finally doing free agency right.

Other general managers have said they only want to use the veteran market as a way to fill needs so they can take the best player available in the draft. Most of them ended up lying because they started taking huge swings in free agency when it became clear their drafting wasn’t good enough. Poles is the first one to mostly stand by that promise, never throwing out market-busting deals. The data says his fiscally responsible approach is correct. Just look at the biggest spenders in free agency from between 2015 and 2022 and how things fared for them in the immediate few seasons afterwards.

Spree Year TeamTotal Spent (Outside Additions)3-Year Total RecordSuper Bowl Win?
2022Jacksonville Jaguars$272.1M21–30No
2021New England Patriots$234.6M22–29No
2020Miami Dolphins$239.1M28–22No
2019New York Jets$204.5M13–36No
2018Chicago Bears$233.5M28–20No
2017Jacksonville Jaguars$148.9M21–27No
2016Jacksonville Jaguars$230.0M18–30No
2015New York Jets$182.8M19–29No

The data makes it pretty clear. Winning free agency doesn’t translate to winning championships. Only two of those teams listed above had a winning record in the three years following their big spending spree. None of them even reached a Super Bowl, let alone won it. We’ve seen the Bears be major spenders in the past. Even before 2018, Phil Emery went crazy in 2013 with several huge additions. His team didn’t even make the playoffs. Facts are facts. Free agency should be about plugging holes, you know, the draft can’t.

The Bears are deploying this strategy to perfection.

If you listen to top draft experts, they’ve all been saying the same thing. This is a class for teams that need edge rushers, wide receivers, cornerbacks, and safeties. Now look at what the Chicago Bears have done. They signed only one starting safety (Coby Bryant). They haven’t signed any edge rushers, and Cam Lewis, a rotational backup in Buffalo, is their only addition at cornerback. Meanwhile, they traded for a center, signed two left tackles, two defensive tackles, and a starting linebacker.

This feels like a team preparing to invest heavily at edge rusher, cornerback, and safety next month. They have four picks in the first three rounds. If the Chicago Bears hit on their evaluations as they did with the 2025 class, this team could be a lot faster and more explosive than last year. All the while, they’ve managed to maintain loads of cap flexibility for the future by avoiding investments that ultimately wouldn’t have moved the bottom line as much as people believe.

Fans Are Pissed Off About Chicago Cubs Alex Bregman

By
Aldo Soto
-
Feb 11, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs Alex Bregman (3) gets ready to hit during spring training camp at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Well, indirectly pissed off at Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman because he is once again in the starting lineup for Team USA in Friday’s night’s quarterfinals game against Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Mark DeRosa has been on the hot seat all tournament long for his lineup choices and his public perception went into the toilet this week after he not only displayed a lack of knowledge of the tournament’s rules, but then lied multiple times afterward about it.

DeRosa hasn’t taken any accountability and now the Team USA manager is getting grilled for going back to Bregman in the starting lineup. Fans have been perplexed over DeRosa’s decision to keep Gunnar Henderson on the bench, while Bregman and Brice Turang have been the main starters in the infield next to Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop.

In the two games that Henderson has played in he’s gone 5-for-10, with a home run, double and three RBI. Meanwhile, Turang has also recorded five hits in 12 at-bats, which includes four doubles in three games. As for Bregman, he started the first three games in pool play and went 1-for-7, with a double. Bregman’s first game against Brazil was quite peculiar as he was walked four times and got hit by a pitch as well in six trips to the plate.

Some see that 1-for-7, and are upset that DeRosa is going with Bregman against Canada Friday night.

Down in the batting order Pete Crow-Armstrong is getting the nod in center fielder over veteran Byron Buxton. The Cubs center fielder homered twice in Team USA’s 8-6 loss against Italy during pool play. Crow-Armstrong also appeared in two other games and is 3-for-10, with two home runs, double, two walks, five RBI and four runs scored. Buxton, who started the first game against Brazil, is 0-for-5, with a walk in the tournament.

So, do fans have a legit beef with DeRosa going with Bregman over Henderson? We’ll see if that decision ends up mattering as the United States will attempt to punch its ticket to the semifinals in the World Baseball Classic.

First pitch will be shortly after 7 p.m. central on Fox.

Recent Draft Visit Indicates Dennis Allen Has His Next Interior Pass Rusher In Mind

By
Erik Lambert
-
dennis allen
Nov 29, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Gracen Halton (56) reacts during the first half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears‘ defense had plenty of problems last season. At the top of the list was their pass rush. Outside of Montez Sweat, nobody managed to sustain continuous pressure on the quarterback. That was especially true along the interior. Although Gervon Dexter had six sacks, he wasn’t consistently disruptive. In truth, the Bears haven’t had a true interior pass rusher since Akiem Hicks left. Finding one has become a vital key for general manager Ryan Poles and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

The problem is that this incoming draft class is light on proven commodities. There are no clear-cut, obvious defensive tackles who fit the bill. It may require a calculated roll of the dice on someone with the tools for it, rather than a ready-made option. Based on a recent update from the scouting trail, the Bears may have one they like.

While Oklahoma has multiple prospects the team should like, the name to watch here is Gracen Halton. Many view him as one of the most natural three-technique defensive tackles in the class, using his quickness and explosion to disrupt plays in the backfield. Many have compared him to Buffalo Bills standout Ed Oliver, while others see a more consistent version of former Sooner Neville Gallimore.

The same player Chicago just signed as a free agent.

Halton fits the Dennis Allen profile.

History says the Bears’ defensive coordinator likes smaller, quicker defensive tackles in the middle. This creates more disruption on the interior, while bigger defensive ends help contain the run. You saw it with guys like Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata, and Bryan Bresee. All of them had explosiveness in their lower body, weighed 300 lbs or less, and ran a sub-1.75 in the 10-yard split. Halton is 293 lbs with a 1.70 time from the combine. He checks the boxes for what Allen wants.

The big sticking point for many is his lack of production. In two years as a starter, he had just 8.5 sacks. Then again, that shouldn’t be discouraging. Oklahoma’s head coach, Brent Venables, has a stellar track record with defensive tackles going back almost 30 years.

PlayerCollegeGamesTotal TacklesTFLSacks
Christian WilkinsClemson5925041.016.0
Grady JarrettClemson4820729.55.5
Dexter LawrenceClemson4016220.011.0
DeShawn WilliamsClemson5316116.55.0
Tommie HarrisOklahoma379734.010.0
Gerald McCoyOklahoma408333.014.5
Albert HugginsClemson468311.57.0

You’ll notice that even the guys who didn’t have great production, like Harris and McCoy, went on to become Pro Bowlers in the NFL. All had almost the exact same skill set as Halton. Allen coached Jarrett last year and Bresee in New Orleans. He knows what Venables’ defensive tackles can do.

1...272829...3,201Page 28 of 3,201

Subscribe to our Newsletter

✶ An Unfiltered Voice For Chicago Sports Fans ✶

Chicago Sports News

About Us

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2026