Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Former quarterback and current NFL announcer Tom Brady looks on before the game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears are 9-4. They have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs for the first time in five years. Many are thinking about how good this team’s odds are of making a run at the Super Bowl, should that happen. They seem to have a proven recipe. They are one of the best rushing teams in the NFL and lead the league in takeaways. History says you can win with that approach, provided your quarterback isn’t a complete liability. Caleb Williams has proven he is certainly not that. In such cases, it might be wise to get the opinion of the greatest winner in NFL history: Tom Brady.
The future Hall of Famer won seven Super Bowls in his NFL career and could’ve won ten. He understands the reality of winning in the playoffs better than everybody. Based on what he knows and what he’s seen from the Bears, their chances of making a run aren’t great. At least not yet. That is because Williams, for all of his athletic brilliance and maturation as a leader, isn’t accurate enough as a passer.
Defenses in the playoffs have a long history of exposing this weakness in every quarterback.
“I always care about accuracy from a quarterback standpoint because when you get to bigger games in the playoffs, and the defenses are better and the margin (for) error is less, you have to be an incredibly accurate passer.
I think there’s a lot of ways to get the job done at quarterback. You see a lot of guys in the NFL, different skill sets. I do believe it’s a passing league. It always has been. It always will be. You can benefit from a great running game, but when the rubber meets the road and you’re in big time moments and you’re in games where it’s very contested, you’re going against a team that’s at the similar pedigree, you better be an elite passer, and elite processor, you better have great intangibles and resilience built up in you to be the leader of that team and when I watch different guys play, I see Patrick Mahomes has that, Josh Allen has that, Jared Goff has that, Matthew Stafford has that, Lamar Jackson has that. There’s a lot of guys that I love their style of play, the inaccurate guys they have to work really hard at their craft to be better.”
Hard data backs up Tom Brady.
Right now, Williams’ completion percentage is 57.7%. Not all of that is from inaccurate passes, but it is clear he isn’t connecting nearly enough. The league average is around 64%. History says that won’t cut it in the playoffs. Here is the completion percentage of the last ten Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
Jalen Hurts – 71.4%
Patrick Mahomes – 66.3%
Patrick Mahomes – 69.8%
Matthew Stafford – 70.0%
Tom Brady – 58.7%
Patrick Mahomes – 64.3%
Tom Brady – 68.0%
Nick Foles – 72.6%
Tom Brady – 65.5%
Peyton Manning – 55.4%
There were only two instances where the quarterback who won the title had a completion percentage below 64%. Both times, they were largely carried by elite defenses. Brady in 2018 and Manning in 2015. What the legendary quarterback said holds true. You need to be accurate in the playoffs.
If you’re wondering why head coach Ben Johnson set 70% as a goal for Williams’ completion percentage, now you know. It is often the bar you must reach to ensure a legitimate chance to win a championship. As things stand, Williams isn’t there. It doesn’t look like he’ll get there this year. While the Bears may reach the postseason, their hopes of going anywhere will likely have to wait until that changes.
Dec 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) hands off the ball in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Let’s Be Real for a Second
Look, I’m still pissed about last week. You’re pissed about last week. We’re all walking around Chicago with that familiar, bitter taste of “almost” in our mouths after watching the Packers snatch our NFC North crown right off our heads. Going from the #1 seed to the #7 seed in one afternoon is the kind of emotional whiplash that usually requires a neck brace and a stiff drink. But here’s the reality check we all need: the NFL doesn’t give a damn about your feelings. You either lick your wounds and get back in the fight, or you let one loss turn into a spiral.
And frankly, the Football Gods have served us up the perfect “get-right” meal on a silver platter.
The Cleveland Browns are rolling into Week 15 looking less like an NFL team and more like the casting call for a Walking Dead spinoff. They’re 3-10. They’re broken. They’re starting a rookie quarterback behind an offensive line held together by duct tape and prayers. If the Bears can’t take care of business at a frozen Soldier Field and absolutely stomp this squad, then we don’t deserve to be talking about playoffs anyway.
This isn’t just a game; it’s a litmus test. Are the Bears contenders who had a bad day at the office against Green Bay? Or are they pretenders about to get exposed by a 3-win team? Let’s break it down, no chaser.
The “Hospital Ward” Browns vs. The Angry Bears
Let’s talk about the Cleveland Browns for a second. This team is a disaster. I almost feel bad for them. Almost.
They’re sitting at 3-10, riding a three-game losing streak that’s been about as inspiring as a wet sock. Their offense ranks 29th in scoring (17.2 PPG) and 30th in total yards. Basically, unless Shedeur Sanders pulls a rabbit out of his helmet, they don’t move the ball. They exist to punt.
And the injury report? My god. It reads like a CVS receipt.
Let’s look at who’s possibly NOT playing for them:
Jack Conklin (RT): Concussion.
Joel Bitonio (LG): Knee/Back.
David Njoku (TE): Knee.
Denzel Ward (CB): Calf.
Mason Graham (DT): Rib.
Cedrick Tillman (WR): Rib/Concussion.
Wyatt Teller (RG): Calf.
Dylan Sampson (RB): Calf/Hand.
That’s not “missing a few guys.” That’s missing the foundational pillars of your franchise. Bitonio, Teller, and Conklin being out is catastrophic for a rookie quarterback. It’s like sending a kid into a knife fight and taking away his shield. And without Denzel Ward? Their #1 pass defense — which, to their credit, has been the only thing keeping them from being the Titans — is suddenly wide open for business.
Meanwhile, the Bears are banged up but breathing. Rome Odunze is limited, which sucks because we saw what this offense looked like without his vertical stretch against Green Bay (spoiler: it looked constipated). Kyler Gordon is STILL dealing with groin issues, which is concerning for a secondary that relies on their sticky coverage. But compared to Cleveland? We’re the picture of health.
The Mental Edge
The Bears are coming off a loss that stung. The 28-21 defeat to the Packers wasn’t a blowout; it was a choke. That creates a specific kind of hunger. You saw Caleb Williams fighting at the end of that game. You saw the defense get embarrassed by Jordan Love on third downs. This is a team with a point to prove.
Cleveland? They’re playing out the string. They’re making vacation plans. Sure, rookies like Sanders are playing for pride and tape, but the veterans? When it’s 10 degrees at Soldier Field and you’re down by two scores in the third quarter, business decisions get made. The Bears have everything to play for. The Browns have draft positioning. Advantage: Chicago.
Offense: Run the Damn Ball, Ben
I don’t want to see Caleb Williams drop back 40 times in this game. I don’t. It’s going to be arctic cold. The wind off the lake is going to be cutting through bone. And we are facing a defense that, despite its injuries, still ranks 1st in passing yards allowed (165.2 YPG) and 2nd in sacks (44). Myles Garrett is still a terrifying human being who can wreck a game plan by himself.
So, what’s the solution? Ground and Pound.
The Bears rank 2nd in the NFL in rushing offense (152.6 YPG). We have a three-headed monster in the backfield that has been chewing up clocks and spitting out defenses all season. Cleveland’s run defense is… okay. They’re 13th, allowing 107.7 yards per game. But that was with Mason Graham and Adin Huntington healthy. Without those interior bodies? It’s feeding time.
The Strategy:
Run directly at the backups: Force their depth defensive tackles to anchor against our interior line. They can’t do it for 60 minutes.
Play-Action off the run: Once they creep those safeties up to stop the bleeding, that’s when Caleb hits them over the top. Even without Odunze at 100%, DJ Moore and the rookies (Luther Burden, Colston Loveland) should be able to separate from Cleveland’s backup corners.
Screen Game: Myles Garrett is going to be hunting. Screen him to death. Let Swift and Monangai work in space.
If Ben Johnson gets cute and tries to make this a shootout, we’re asking for trouble. If he leans on the identity this team has built—brutal, efficient rushing—we win by double digits.
Stat Check:
Bears Rushing: 152.6 YPG (2nd)
Browns Rushing Defense: 107.7 YPG (13th)
Gap: Massive, especially with injuries.
2025 NFL Season Offensive Statistics Comparison: Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns
Defense: Welcome to the NFL, Shedeur
I actually like Shedeur Sanders. The kid has moxie. He threw for 364 yards and 3 TDs last week against Tennessee and looked like the only reason to watch that game. He’s accounted for 8 of their 10 explosive plays this year. He’s got “it.”
But he’s walking into a buzzsaw.
Rookie quarterbacks on the road. In December. In Chicago. That is historically a recipe for disaster. Rookies complete about 58% of their passes with a 0.6 TD/INT ratio in these spots. The game moves faster, the cold makes the ball feel like a brick, and the windows close instantly.
The Mismatch: Our defensive line vs. their offensive line. The Browns have allowed 35 sacks (22nd). Now they are missing their All-Pro guard (Bitonio) and starting right tackle (Conklin). Montez Sweat should have a field day. I expect the Bears to generate pressure with just four rushers, which allows us to drop seven into coverage and confuse the hell out of the rookie.
And let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Turnovers. The Bears are +17. That is an absurd, video-game number. It’s 1st in the NFL. The Browns are -1. In a game where the temperature is freezing and the ball is hard, ball security is everything. Shedeur has been loose with the football at times, trying to make hero plays because his team is usually trailing. The Bears’ secondary, led by the opportunistic Kevin Byard III and Nahson Wrigth, feasts on “hero ball.”
The Key Matchup:Myles Garrett vs. Bears O-Line Yes, I’m listing a defensive matchup in the offensive section, but frankly, Garrett is the only person on their team who scares me. He leads the league’s #2 pass rush. Our O-line has been surprisingly solid, allowing only 20 sacks (5th best). If Darnell Wright and Ozzy Trapilo can just neutralize him — not even erase him, just keep him from breaking the sack record against us — Caleb will have time to pick apart their depleted secondary.
2025 NFL Season Defensive Statistics Comparison: Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns
The “Trap Game” Narrative
“It’s a trap game!” I can hear the radio callers now. And yeah, on paper, this has the smell. Coming off an emotional loss to a rival? Check. Playing a 3-win team you’re “supposed” to beat? Check. Looking ahead to a rematch? Maybe.
But I don’t buy it. Not with this team. Why? Because 9-4 teams fighting for seeding don’t overlook opponents. The difference between the #1 seed and the #7 seed is the difference between a bye week and a road trip to Philly or Detroit. The Bears know they blew it last week. They know they let the North slip. The urgency in that locker room is going to be palpable.
Plus, let’s be honest: Cleveland doesn’t have the firepower to exploit a “sleepwalking” team. Even if the Bears come out flat, the Browns offense is so inept (30th in EPA/play) that they likely can’t capitalize fast enough to bury us. Unless Chicago turns the ball over 4 times, I just don’t see a path for Cleveland to score 20 points.
Advanced Analytics Breakdown (For the Nerds)
If you’re into the numbers, they scream “Bears Blowout.”
EPA (Expected Points Added):
Bears Offense: The Bears generate positive EPA consistently through the run. We stay ahead of the chains. Our success rate is high because we don’t take many negative plays (sacks/TFLs).
Browns Offense: They are 30th in EPA/play. That means, on average, every time they snap the ball, they are statistically hurting their chances of scoring. They rely entirely on explosive plays (30+ yards) to score because they can’t sustain drives.
The mismatch: The Bears defense (19th DVOA) bends but doesn’t break. We force teams to drive the length of the field. Cleveland cannot drive the length of the field. They need big plays. If we take away the deep ball (keep everything in front), they will stall out.
DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average):
Browns Defense: 14th overall, but that’s heavily weighted by their pass defense (1st). Their rush defense is 13th.
Bears Offense: We are a bad matchup for them. We don’t rely on the drop-back passing game that feeds their strength. We rely on the power run game that attacks their “meh” run defense.
Turnover Luck or Skill? Per ESPN Stats & Info, teams with a +15 or better turnover margin through 13 games win their next game 82% of the time. Why? because they value the ball. The Browns, with a negative margin, are fundamentally undisciplined. That doesn’t change in a week.
Final Prediction
I’m not going to overthink this. The Bears are the better team. The Bears are the healthier team (relative to key positions). The Bears are the angrier team. The Browns are starting a rookie QB in freezing Chicago without his best offensive linemen or his best tight end.
This game might start slow. The cold will do that. We might see a 10-3 halftime score that has everyone on Twitter panicking. But in the second half, the body blows from the run game will take their toll. The Browns’ defensive front, missing its rotators, will wear down. The holes will get bigger. Monangai will pop a long one.
And then, Shedeur will be forced to throw. And that’s when the turnovers come. I’m predicting two picks for the Bears defense, setting up short fields that Caleb Williams converts into easy touchdowns.
The Bears cover the 7.5-point spread comfortably. We move to 10-4. We keep the pressure on the Packers. And we remind everyone that one loss to Green Bay didn’t end our season — it just made us mad.
Nov 21, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) warms up before an NBA game against the Miami Heat at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Since the inaugural Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame class in 1959, 450 total inductees have been cemented in basketball history. The Chicago Bulls franchise has featured 13 players, most recently Dwyane Wade in 2017, and as many as five on one team in the 1996-97 campaign. Derrick Rose will soon join that list; he is currently the only NBA MVP award winner to be left out of the Hall who is not still playing in the NBA. His eligibility opens in 2028, and he’s expected to join the legendary club. At just 23 years old and having no All-Star nominations on his resume, one player on Chicago’s current roster is already being penciled in to join the immortal group in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Josh Giddey On Hall Of Fame Pace
Naming any player under the age of 25 to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame is bold, but even more controversial when that player has yet to be named an NBA All-Star, did not have a college basketball resume or any other notable basketball accolades, and hasn’t made it beyond the first round in the NBA playoffs. Josh Giddey, whose most impressive stat is his rapidly increasing triple-double count, is already being talked about in the highest regard.
OH. MY. JOSH.
Yeah it’s early days, but Josh Giddey is already in some ELITE Hall of Fame company when it comes to stuffing the stat sheet 👀 pic.twitter.com/vJVtZCqXkZ
Giddey is currently tied for 23rd all-time in triple-doubles and is in the middle of his fifth NBA season. The only players above him who are not in the Hall of Fame are Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, James Harden, Domantas Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Draymond Green, and Ben Simmons. Seven of those nine players are surefire future inductees. Still, Simmons and Sabonis are in a similar boat as Giddey; the triple-double numbers are impressive, but without other accolades or team success in the NBA, they’ll likely be left out.
The Odds Are In His Favor
As it currently stands, 21 out of the 23 names ahead of Giddey in the standings are either already in, or surely headed to, the Hall. It would take another decade of sustained stat-stuffing to pump his numbers up to legendary status, but his pace is undeniably on track to meet the criteria. Not only will he have to juice the totals over a long career, but his teams will need to add some deep playoff runs or NBA titles to qualify. In Chicago, it might be a while.
Josh Giddey has his 22nd career triple-double!
He passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Kyle Lowry, Michael Ray Richardson, and Chris Webber on the NBA's all-time list. pic.twitter.com/HmAvoCjDLP
Can Giddey’s historic numbers help revive the mangled Chicago Bulls franchise’s relevance and contention, or will his efforts contribute to a series of losing years and fade into basketball history?
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) and linebacker Arvell Reese (8) celebrate during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.
Even as the Chicago Bears fight to reach the playoffs for the first time in half a decade, people are getting a firm grasp on what must happen next offseason to help them reach true contention. This year marked the first of the Ben Johnson era. He and GM Ryan Poles put together an impressive offseason, headlined by their 2025 draft class. Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Ozzy Trapilo, and Kyle Monangai have all become legitimate contributors on offense. However, the same can’t be said for the other side of the ball.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has been hampered by terrible luck from the start of the year. Pricey free agent Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles. Grady Jarrett has been hampered by a knee injury as well. Shemar Turner, their 2nd round pick, tore his ACL. Fourth rounder Ruben Hyppolite hasn’t been much of a factor beyond special teams. Fifth round pick Zah Frazier was deactivated for the season due to personal issues. So yeah, this year didn’t help much at all.
Fortunately, top analyst Brett Kollmann of Bootleg Football believes help is on the way. Teams needing defensive help couldn’t ask for a better setup in the upcoming 2026 draft.
There is a realistic possibility that the number of offensive players taken in the first round this year is in the high single digits.
The whole defensive side of the ball is just that loaded. Not even just the Edges, it's every position.
The Chicago Bears are perfectly positioned to take advantage.
Their excellent 2025 draft on offense has largely situated them well moving forward. There won’t be much need to address that side of the ball outside of some depth moves. That means Poles, Johnson, and Allen will be free to devote most of their attention to finding as many quality defensive players as possible. Kollmann isn’t the only one who sees the potential. Pro Football Focus’s big board of top draft prospects features 29 defenders in the top 50 and 19 as 1st round possibilities. The best part? Sixteen of them are defensive linemen.
If the Chicago Bears play their cards right, they could give the weakest part of their defense a massive jolt in one fell swoop. They sorely need pass rush help both inside and outside. However, there is also the fact that both of their starting safeties will become free agents in March. There is a strong possibility the team will have to draft somebody to replace one of them. It is a delicate balance they will have to strike. Much depends on what Allen’s priorities will be.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs through a tackle by Chicago Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson (48) and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 28-21.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Dennis Allen has been a tremendous addition for the Chicago Bears this year. His coaching is probably the only reason the defense hasn’t completely collapsed yet. Injuries have swarmed that side of the roster for months, with multiple starters missing a month or more of action. Despite that, Allen has managed to keep them effective by leading the league in takeaways. It would be so much worse if somebody less competent were in charge. However, even Allen isn’t immune to questionable decisions.
He saved a few of them for the game against the Packers in Green Bay on Sunday. Most of them were of the typical variety. He called the wrong coverages and blitzed when he shouldn’t have. This led to some explosive plays for Green Bay, including a crushing touchdown by Christian Watson. Yet Allen’s most unexpected move might’ve been before the game even began. According to Adam Jahns of CHGO, the Bears’ defensive coordinator had linebacker D’Marco Jackson calling the plays.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards played in his first game since Nov. 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He made four tackles in 33 snaps in Green Bay. Amen Ogbongbemiga spelled Edwards and played 12 snaps against the Packers.
D’Marco Jackson, though, played all 53 snaps and kept that green dot on his helmet as the signal caller of Dennis Allen’s defense.
“Wearing that green dot and communication, you just get more comfortable and comfortable the more you do something like that,” Jackson said.
Dennis Allen may have trusted Jackson too much.
One can understand the basic logic. The linebacker had spent two years in the coordinator’s defense in New Orleans. He knew the scheme pretty well. However, there was one problem. He didn’t actually play much during that time. Jackson was a reserve player who only got occasional snaps—going from that to running the entire thing for a full game feels more than a little ambitious. Meanwhile, Dennis Allen had T.J. Edwards, a much more proven veteran, back on the field. Or he could’ve shifted to Kevin Byard, another veteran who would’ve had a firmer grasp of what the Packers were doing offensively.
Entrusting Jackson with the calls and adjustments against a quality offensive operation like Green Bay was reckless. Sadly, the Bears paid the price. There isn’t anything they can do about it now, but Allen may want to think about a chance when the rematch takes place next week at Soldier Field. By then, Edwards will hopefully have his legs back under him and can assume the role. One can only hope Jackson can handle the job for another week against Cleveland on Sunday.
Sep 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox third base Lenyn Sosa (50) hits a two-run double against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Lenyn Sosa quietly emerged as one of the White Sox’s most productive hitters last season, but with questions about where to place him in the field, the front office could look to move him this offseason.
Sosa led the White Sox in hits (137), batting average (.264), home runs (22), RBIs (75), slugging percentage (.435), and OPS (.727). The 25-year-old Venezuelan infielder also ranked in the top third of MLB hitters in expected batting average and expected slugging, suggesting his breakout was anything but a fluke.
The 2025 season also marked a continuation from what Sosa was building on in 2024, when he posted a .278 expected batting average and slugged .566 with four homers in the final month of the season.
Sosa’s breakout came from consistently hitting the ball in the sweet spot. His 39.2% rate within the ideal 8–32 degree launch angle ranked in the league’s 90th percentile, fueling his power and offensive production.
Defensive logjam clouds Sosa’s future with White Sox
However, questions remain about where Sosa fits defensively. At just 25, the White Sox likely want to avoid slotting him in at designated hitter—especially with Andrew Benintendi’s defense deteriorating. While Sosa has experience across the infield, he hasn’t been particularly effective at most spots. Third base was the only position last season where he did not post a negative Outs Above Average.
Chase Meidroth and Colson Montgomery appear to have the inside track on the club’s primary middle-infield roles, leaving Sosa and Miguel Vargas as the early favorites to handle the corner infield positions. Sosa is also better suited for the hot corner; he posted a negative Run Value at first base last year and committed two errors at the position. But if he earns the starting job at third base, his time there could be limited.
Trade potential rises amid White Sox prospect pipeline
After winning the draft lottery, the White Sox are early favorites to select UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky. While nothing is set with an entire college season still ahead, Cholowsky is widely viewed as one of the best college shortstops in recent years, and a prospect with a potentially fast track to the majors.
If he is ready to play by 2027, then that would likely slide Colson Montgomery to third base. Even if the White Sox don’t draft Cholowsky, they still have 2025 first-round pick Billy Carlson, who figures into their long-term plans, along with infielder prospect Sam Antonocci, coming off an impressive minor league season.
All these factors make Sosa a prime trade candidate this offseason. The fact that he is a right-handed pull hitter could make him a perfect fit for the Boston Red Sox. Sosa is set to earn less than a million next season, and the Red Sox are big game hunting in free agency. They also could use some more pop in the lineup. Pairing Sosa in a platoon role with Masataka Yoshida could give Boston some more home runs out of their designated hitter spot while also saving them money to spend elsewhere.
The Red Sox have also shown they are willing trade partners. They executeda four-player swap for Garret Crochet and later sent Chris Murphy to the White Sox in exchange for minor leaguer Ronny Hernandez. The White Sox appear to have a thing for their farm system, too, as they also poached right-hander Jedixson Paez in the Rule 5 Draft.
Oct 13, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears don’t reach this point with a shot at the playoffs without several of their players having great seasons. Kevin Byard is rejuvenated and producing one of his best years at safety. Cornerback Nahshon Wright is the surprise of the season by far. Montez Sweat has regained the form he showed two years ago. Caleb Williams has progressed. The 2025 rookie class, led by Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Kyle Monangai, is flourishing. However, the biggest story is unquestionably the offensive line. Former All-Pro tackle Terron Armstead can see it like everybody else.
Most of the talk hovers around their new interior trio. Joe Thuney remains a stud at left guard after the Bears got him from Kansas City. Right guard Jonah Jackson has rediscovered the formidable form he had in Detroit. Lastly, center Drew Dalman is having the best season of his career after signing as a free agent. However, Armstead believes the focal point of this entire ascent up front starts with Darnell Wright. The Bears’ right tackle has transformed into something special this year, and it may only be the beginning.
Terron Armstead has seen Darnell Wright make big strides in his performance this season.
"The work that he's put in throughout this season has been incredible," Armstead says. "It's been fun to watch his progression and development, and it's only going to get better." pic.twitter.com/PRYWxEeegF
For one, he was one of the best left tackles in football for a significant stretch of the 2010s. At his best, he was impossible to beat as a member of the New Orleans Saints. For another, he knows offensive line coach Dan Roushar. He was the one who developed Terron Armstead into a star. The 65-year-old is one of the best in the business. If Wright does what Roushar says, he will become a great player. We’re already seeing the signs of it happening. He has only allowed 17 pressures this season, including more than two in a game once. That was against Micah Parsons.
If that weren’t enough, Wright is almost among the highest-graded run blockers in the NFL. He is a complete football player. Easily the most capable the Bears have had since Kyle Long. It isn’t a surprise that head coach Ben Johnson has crafted the offense around him. He runs it behind him often and doesn’t feel the need to give much help in protection, save for the toughest matchups. Armstead knows what he sees. If this is what Wright looks like now, it will hit a new level once he masters the offense.
Sep 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The White Sox and Red Sox connected on a franchise-altering trade exactly one year ago today when Chicago sent Garrett Crochet to Boston in exchange for four prospects. It was a polarizing trade at the time, and now that a year has passed, we can reassess the trade with a fresh perspective.
Garrett Crochet
The crown jewel of the trade, Crochet quickly proved that his 2024 breakout season with the White Sox was no fluke. He took another step forward in his first season with Boston, pitching to an impressive 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 2.89 FIP, and 11.2 K/9, while earning his second consecutive All-Star appearance. He also won 18 games and led the American League in both strikeouts and innings pitched, with his season culminating in a second-place finish in the AL Cy Young race behind only Tarik Skubal of the Tigers. His dominant playoff start was the cherry on top of an incredible season. He struck out 11 and allowed just one in a 7.2 inning gem against the Yankees.
Boston wasted little time locking him up long-term, signing Crochet to a six-year/$170 million contract extension in late March. That contract has already proven to be very team-friendly for the production he has provided, and he will likely remain as one of the best pitchers in baseball for years to come. It’s safe to assume that the Red Sox are happy with their end of the deal.
Kyle Teel
As one of the centerpieces in the trade from the White Sox perspective, Teel quickly proved why Chicago thought so highly of him in the first place. After putting up impressive numbers in Triple-A to start the season, the White Sox called him up in early June. He never looked back.
Across 297 MLB plate appearances as a rookie, he slashed .273/.375/.411 with 11 doubles and eight home runs, good enough for a 121 OPS+. It didn’t take long for him to prove that he can hit big league pitching, and while his defense could use refinements, it was overall a quality initial showing for the 23-year-old. He is now in the conversation as one of the best young catchers in baseball.
Given his rookie season and potential, other teams have unsurprisingly inquired on his availability this offseason, including the Red Sox. There is no indication that the White Sox will trade him though, and he figures to be one of the centerpieces of the team for the foreseeable future.
Chase Meidroth
It took a grand total of nine Triple-A games for Meidroth to prove that he was too good for that level. The White Sox called him up in early April, and he remained in the big leagues for the rest of the season.
Meidroth’s rookie season was a mixed bag. He immediately excelled at making contact, ranking in the 96th percentile in whiff % and 88th in K%. He also showed promise with the glove, ranking in the 80th percentile in outs above average.
Lack of power was the main criticism of Meidroth as a rookie. He hit just five home runs in 505 MLB plate appearances and slugged only .320, which was lower than his .329 on-base percentage. It’s an area of his game that he will need to improve over time.
Meidroth should have a fairly strong hold on a starting spot throughout next season, but prospects Sam Antonacci, Caleb Bonemer, and others are quickly coming for his spot. 2026 will be a crucial season for Meidroth, as his performance will likely determine his future place on the roster. The team will have a lot of infielders in the wings waiting for their chance, especially if they draft Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick next year.
Wikelman González
González spent the 2025 season shuttling between the Triple-A and MLB levels, but showed promise in his big league stints. He struck out 25 in 20.1 MLB innings, along with a 2.66 ERA and 3.09 FIP.
Walks have historically been his kryptonite, and those issues persisted in his first season with the White Sox organization. He walked 41 in 49.1 innings overall, including 12 free passes in 20.1 innings at the MLB level. He figures to have a chance at an Opening Day roster spot with a good spring, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he earned his way into high leverage relief innings in 2026. Limiting walks is the next step of his development.
Braden Montgomery
Montgomery is the only player in the return to not reach the major leagues in 2025, but the best of the bunch might be saved for last. The 22 year old switch hitting outfielder flew through the minors in 2025, collectively slashing .270/.360/.444 in 517 plate appearances between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A. He finished the season on a high note as well, hitting .366 with an 1.161 OPS in 12 Arizona Fall League games.
Now arguably the top prospect in the White Sox organization, Montgomery figures to get his first crack at the big leagues sometime in 2026. Chris Getz recently downplayed the possibility of him making the Opening Day roster, but a good spring training could change that. In any case, he will likely be another centerpiece in the lineup moving forward in the outfield.
Potential Win/Win Trade
True win/win trades aren’t all that common, but the Garrett Crochet trade is shaping up to be an example of one. The Red Sox traded a whole lot of the future for right now, and Crochet has instantly helped make them one of the best teams in the American League. The White Sox traded a lot of the present for the future, and it appears that all four players they received could play significant roles on the team moving forward. Given the circumstances, both teams have gotten exactly what they hoped for up to this point in this trade.
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs against Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears haven’t been strangers to the injury report this year. It’s been one of the most brutal seasons for losses in a long time. Several of their starters on defense have missed at least a month of games. Some are out for the year. It’s played a big role in the unit’s continued struggles in getting stops. Thankfully, it appears the injury bug has at least quieted somewhat this week. Only two players, Kyler Gordon and Travis Homer, haven’t practiced. The same can’t be said for the Cleveland Browns.
Their injury report is tantamount to a crime scene. Nine players failed to practice on Thursday, while another nine were limited. Three of those names who didn’t practice were starting offensive linemen. However, the biggest surprise was Mason Graham. Cleveland’s 1st round pick has been a big part of the defense’s success this season (2nd overall). Now it appears a rib injury could keep him out of the game. Keep in mind the Browns already lost another key defensive tackle, Maliek Collins, to a season-ending quad injury.
Their defensive front is getting dangerously thin, particularly along the interior.
Browns guards Zak Zinter (back) and Teven Jenkins (shoulder) were added today’s injury report and limited. Same with DT Shelby Harris (knee). pic.twitter.com/uYBnOcuuMk
The Cleveland Browns cannot afford the loss of Graham.
While his sack numbers aren’t high, he is second on the team with 29 pressures. His interior rush has been a big part of helping Myles Garrett rack up 20 sacks in the past 13 games. With both him and Collins potentially out, it will enable the Bears to find more ways to scheme around the superstar defensive end. That is before you get into the problems the Cleveland Browns face against Chicago’s interior offensive line. The trio of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson has been excellent this year. That is especially true in the run game.
Cleveland allowed over 180 rushing yards last week against the Tennessee Titans. Keep in mind, they were the worst rushing team in the NFL before that game. Now the Browns have to face the second-best. Throw in the frigid conditions expected, and you have a recipe for a rough outing from that defensive front. Maybe Garrett plays well enough to make it irrelevant, as he sometimes does. Recent history says the Bears will be ready and they will be hungry to take their frustrations out on someone after last week.
Dec 10, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; MLB vice president of baseball operations Jeff Pfeifer leads the Rule 5 Draft during the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings at Signia by Hilton Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The White Sox had the second pick in this year’s Rule-5 draft, as they looked to recreate the success from last year’s draft. In the last draft, they got significant contributions out of their pick, Shane Smith, as well as fellow draft pick, Mike Vasil, who the White Sox traded for right before the season.
With the second pick in the draft, the White Sox selected Jedixson Perez, a starting pitcher from the Boston Red Sox organization. Perez now ranks 15th on the White Sox top-30 prospect list according to MLB Pipeline. The White Sox were not done, as they made a selection in the second round, the only team to do so.
With their pick in the second round, they selected another pitcher, Alexander Alberto, from the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Alberto seems to be another high ceiling selection, as he has an electric fastball that can hit triple digits.
Alberto, now 24 years old, spent most of his time with the High-A affiliate of the Rays last season, throwing 35 innings of 2.83 ERA baseball. He struck out 45 batters, walked 17, and held batters to a .224 average. These are solid stats, as he had a very good season. The only concern is the fact that Alberto has not pitched above High-A, as the move from one of the lower levels of minor league baseball all the way to the pros could be a significant jump.
Alexander Alberto, selected in the 2nd Rd of the R5 from Tampa. The 6'8" RHP is 3p pitcher with a FB that tops out at 100MPH, a Cutter at 97, and a low 90's SL. He is pretty tough to square on. Alberto had a 1.17 WHIP in almost 50IP mostly in Adv A in '25. pic.twitter.com/vZopyhHJYM
However, this could be a worthwhile risk. Alberto has a 70 grade fastball according to MLB Pipeline, and now ranks as the 21st best prospect in the White Sox organization. Additionally, he has drawn comparisons to an all-star closer.
As you can see above, J.J. Cooper from Baseball America notes that Alberto’s 100 MPH cutter gives minor glimpses of all-star closer Emmanuel Clase. While it is not a full on comparison, it is always good to be compared to a pitcher with Clase’s stuff.
While most teams tend to pick players in the upper minors in the Rule-5 draft, the White Sox went with some high ceiling picks in the draft yesterday, which could pay off big. They will likely have to live with growing pains if they want to keep the players they selected, as not many players make the jump from High-A straight to the majors. However, if one of the two picks pans out, that would be a significant win.
The White Sox will have plenty of innings to eat in the bullpen, so Alberto will get every chance to show what he can do. Alberto is 24, so he is at least a bit older than your typical High-A player, which could bode well for a transition to the major leagues. He clearly has a major league arsenal, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the major leagues.
The White Sox will lose nothing by trying out Alberto, as worst case scenario, he is returned to the Rays organization. However, if he puts a similar season up to Shane Smith or Mike Vasil, Chris Getz will need a ton of praise for continuing to get valuable players for free.
