Saturday, November 14, 2026
EDGE is live. Chicago fans can now access and explore the beta.
Home Blog Page 318

We Finally Got A Jaylon Johnson Update And It’s A Big One

By
Erik Lambert
-
jaylon johnson
Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) after an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears defense hasn’t been healthy all season. There hasn’t been a single game where they’ve fielded all 11 of their projected starters. By far the biggest loss has been Jaylon Johnson. Their star cornerback suffered a nasty groin injury while training in the summer. He missed training camp and the first game of the season. A return was attempted in Detroit the next week, but Johnson suffered a worse setback to his core muscle. That necessitated surgery, landing him on Injured Reserve. Nobody was sure if the cornerback would return this season.

Since then, it’s been radio silence. Johnson hasn’t been mentioned at Halas Hall for almost two months. That finally changed on Wednesday. Head coach Ben Johnson revealed that the cornerback was back working out at the facility. He and the training staff are confident Johnson should return to action at some point in the coming weeks. The same is true for Kyler Gordon. He’s been on IR with groin and calf issues. The Bears believe his stint was always going to be shorter. If things play out as hoped, the defense could get both of them back just in time for the most pivotal stretch of the season.

Jaylon Johnson has been missed so much.

Chicago’s defense has struggled against the pass this season, ranking 26th in the NFL. Joe Flacco put up 470 yards on them two weeks ago. People have wanted to blame the pass rush, but when you’re down three of your top four cornerbacks (Terell Smith is out for the year), it’s difficult to get stops. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen deserves credit for making do with what he has. Nahshon Wright has three interceptions. New addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson already has three sacks. They’re making it work.

Still, people are anxious to see what this defense looks like at full strength. Getting Jaylon Johnson back is the key. It sounds like he’s getting himself back into shape. The next step will be reaching the practice window. From there, he’ll have three weeks to show he is ready to play. Knowing Johnson, he is eager to return. This is his first chance to be part of a winning team in his career. There is no way he’d want to miss that.

Caleb Williams’ First Words To Ben Johnson After Giants Win Were Special

By
Erik Lambert
-
ben johnson
Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams embrace after a massive win over the Packers in the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears haven’t had it easy this season. It was no different last Sunday. The New York Giants jumped out to a 17-7 lead and were up 20-10 late in the 4th quarter. If Caleb Williams couldn’t pull off another comeback, the Bears would fall to 5-4 right as they’re hitting the toughest part of their schedule. True to form, Williams responded with back-to-back touchdown drives. The last saw him delivering the killing blow with his legs. Chicago escaped with a 24-20 win, pushing its record to 6-3 and moving near the top of the NFC North.

Williams celebrated in his usual way, showcasing his passion for the game by jumping around and hyping up fans. It continued into the locker room, where he hugged teammates, GM Ryan Poles, and team president Kevin Warren. Then came head coach Ben Johnson. When the two came together for a hug, Williams whispered something into his ear. Cameras from Inside The NFL caught the exchange.

Johnson: “I’m proud of you.”

Williams: “We gotta get better.”

People have criticized Williams for not being a leader, dating back to his days at USC. This simple exchange completely invalidates those assessments. In the midst of one of his best performances, all the quarterback could think about was how the offense wasn’t good enough.

Caleb Williams isn’t naive.

He understood what he saw on Sunday like everybody else. Bears skill players were credited with six dropped passes against the Giants, and it was probably more. Those miscues likely cost the team an additional 14 points, which would’ve made this game far less heart-stopping. Chicago got away with it because New York isn’t a very good team. Caleb Williams knows they can’t expect similar good fortune to follow them against the array of playoff contenders they’re about to face over the next two months.

He is correct. They do need to be better. If they want to contend with the best of the NFC, they must play more efficient football. No doubt Johnson agrees with him. The coaching staff is working tirelessly to get the Bears to that point. It hasn’t happened yet. Still, this process usually takes time. The fact that Chicago is still finding ways to win is a great sign for what is to come.

Duncan Keith Gets Emotional In Hall Of Fame Speech, Honors Son And Teammates

By
Isaac Nielsen
-
Jun 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) greets fans during the 2015 Stanley Cup championship rally at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

For the past few years, the Blackhawks, like any other team, have been working toward a Stanley Cup. But in Chicago, there may be expectations to achieve even more. That’s thanks to the Blackhawks dynasty of the early 2010s, winning three championships in six seasons and cementing their legacy as one of the best groups to ever do it. 

Those teams were full of superstars of the game, and one of the brightest was defenseman Duncan Keith. Once a second-round pick in the 2002 NHL Draft, Keith appeared in 1,192 games for the Blackhawks, becoming one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Chicago defensemen of all time. Among Blackhawks blueliners, he ranks first in games played, third in goals (105), second in assists (520), second in points (625), first in even-strength points (421), and second in short-handed points (20). He officially announced his retirement in the summer of 2022 after playing his final season with the Oilers. 

As if the three Stanley Cups weren’t enough, on Monday, those efforts finally paid off. Keith was among eight members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025, joining alongside superstars like Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton. 

During his induction speech, Keith reflected on the people who helped shape his career. He opened by talking about his mother, who would take him to practice as a young boy before heading to her 12-hour shifts at a nursing home. He grew emotional while thanking Trent Yawney, his first coach with the Blackhawks, and shared the joy of being part of such a successful Chicago team. 

He didn’t forget anyone, extending gratitude to coaches, teammates, and executives in Chicago and Edmonton. But the most heartfelt moment came at the end, when Keith turned his attention to his son, Colton, as part of a real tear-jerker.

“These days, my favorite hockey moments are with my son, Colton, and his teammates back home in Penticton (British Columbia). The road trips, the tournaments, the early mornings. Seeing the game through his eyes has reminded me what this sport is really about: joy, connection and being a part of a team that’s bigger than yourself.”

– Duncan Keith

He closed by thanking his family, fans, and everyone who lifted him along the way. 

“You can’t chase a dream alone. You don’t lift a Cup or wear a gold medal on your own. You lift it with everybody that ever lifted you.”

– Duncan Keith

Chicago Bears Reportedly Tried To Pull Off All-Time Heist

By
Erik Lambert
-
myles garrett
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) pats Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) after sacking him during the second half of an NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

The Chicago Bears kept things quiet for the most part at the trade deadline. Their only addition was Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former 1st round pick who hadn’t been doing much with the Cleveland Browns this season. It was felt he would get more opportunities in Chicago and give their pass rush some much-needed juice. Outside of that, nothing happened. It wasn’t for lack of trying, though. GM Ryan Poles almost had a deal in place for cornerback Alontae Taylor from New Orleans before the Saints jacked up the price. The same was true of Jermaine Johnson in New York, but the Jets refused to come down from their demand for a 2nd round pick.

The Bears weren’t willing to give up high picks for players like them, so they settled for Shoyinka. As it turns out, they were thinking bigger than many people realized. Adam Schefter of ESPN appeared on WGN TV to discuss diabetes awareness before providing updates on the Bears. He revealed that people around the NFL weren’t surprised Poles got extended, believing it was the right decision. However, he saved the biggest bombshell for the trade deadline. Apparently, when they began the process of acquiring Shoyinka, they asked about another name on the Browns’ roster.

Myles Garrett.

The Chicago Bears had every reason to ask about Garrett.

He is arguably the best defensive player in football. His presence on that Chicago Bears front would’ve been franchise-altering. A combination of him, Montez Sweat, and Gervon Dexter would’ve given offenses nightmares. He already has 11 sacks this season. Alas, Cleveland maintained the same stance they’ve had since these rumors began last year. He’s not available. That isn’t surprising. Browns ownership demonstrated their determination to keep Garrett when they handed him the biggest non-QB contract in NFL history. Despite the team’s struggles this year, nothing has changed.

While it would’ve been incredible for the Bears to pull off a heist of that magnitude, the odds were always low. Still, it was smart of them to at least ask. There is always the chance the Browns might’ve said yes. Still, it is interesting to think the Bears were looking to make a splash—something to keep in mind moving forward.

Apparently NFL Execs Are Starting To Admit Caleb Williams Is For Real

By
Erik Lambert
-
caleb williams
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

NFL executives were polled towards the end of last season. Most of them had similar assessments of Caleb Williams. They weren’t convinced he had what it took to play at the NFL level. While he was a good athlete with tremendous arm talent, his tendency to hold the ball and not play within the structure of the offense was getting him into trouble way too often. That is why he took 68 sacks. It was hard for them to believe he could turn things around, even with a new coaching staff in 2025.

Fast forward to now and things have shifted considerably. Jeff Howe of The Athletic found that several executives can see meaningful progress from Williams. He’s learning how to play like a professional, picking his moments to take shots rather than constantly hunting for them. The influence of Ben Johnson is obvious and growing stronger each week. If things progress as they have, the Bears may finally have a legitimate quarterback for the first time in decades.

“Caleb just needed time actually playing QB in a real system,” said an executive who was granted anonymity by The Athletic so he could speak openly. “Expecting him to come out the gates on fire just wasn’t realistic.”

“It’s the combination of him learning to get rid of the ball, learning that playing quarterback isn’t about big-game hunting and chucking the ball downfield,” a second executive said. “It’s about hitting the open, easy completion and letting your playmakers make plays.”

“Ben Johnson seems really good for him,” a third executive said. “He’s demanded a certain standard, and Caleb is meeting it, which is paying dividends.”

Caleb Williams has the stage set for him.

He has proven he can consistently beat struggling teams. That is always the first step for a young quarterback. The next step is just ahead. Chicago’s next eight games are almost exclusively made up of playoff-contending teams. First is a trip to Minnesota against a Vikings team that already beat him earlier in the year. Taking them down in their own building would be a massive signal of his ongoing ascent. Then would come a matchup he’s probably dreamed about for years when Aaron Rodgers, his idol, returns to Soldier Field with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Detroit, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Green Bay also make up the schedule. Caleb Williams won’t get much of a respite during that stretch. If he is a franchise quarterback, he should be able to win at least 3 or 4 of those games to get his team to its first winning record in seven years. Much depends on whether the defense can hold up its end of the bargain. If he maintains his current pace, he should end up with one of the best seasons in Bears history.

Noa Essengue Turned Heads In His First G-League Action

By
Ryan Dauterive
-
Oct 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) warms up before an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

With the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft this summer, the Chicago Bulls selected 18-year-old Noa Essengue. Unlike many of the selections on draft day, Essengue was not plucked from the traditional college route. Over the last several years, he has spent his time developing in professional basketball leagues in Europe, beginning in France and concluding with a stint in Germany. With a few years of professional basketball under his belt at only 18 years of age, Essengue has a head start on several members of his draft class in both youthfulness and organized basketball experience. Chicago has not deemed him ready to perform at the NBA level just yet, and has rotated between having him join the team as a bench player who does not receive any minutes and spending time with their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. Tonight, he debuted for the Windy City club, and his talent won’t be a secret for much longer after the performance he had.

Lit Up The G-League Stage

When Essengue was drafted, his most coveted assets included his passing ability, his tight handles, and his standout defensive instincts. Standing at 6’10” with a 6’11” wingspan, he’s an intimidating defender the minute he steps onto the floor. From his draft profile and Summer League action, he faces many of the same issues that Matas Buzelis did before his rookie campaign. His frame lacks size and strength; his outside shooting is inconsistent, which is a notable weakness, and the overall need for aggression on the NBA stage isn’t yet evident. This season may feature more G-League action than NBA minutes for the underdeveloped rookie. Tonight, he may have raised questions about whether or not he should be awarded some playing time with the Chicago Bulls.

Athleticism and high basketball IQ most often prevail at the G-League stage, a much less polished product than the NBA. Essengue entered the year with plenty of professional basketball experience and is one of the youngest players in the Association. Both were on display tonight.

Earning Minutes In Chicago

It’s easy to get overstimulated by one electric performance by an unknown commodity, but it’s important to remember that it was still at the developmental league level. Playing for Chicago would mean his consistency needs to skyrocket, given that he will not be attempting 21 shots as he did tonight. His defense would be the most important trait, since his offensive role would diminish drastically. Defending at a high level would earn his place on the floor. Head coach Billy Donovan has not been known to play rookies at a high rate immediately, as was seen with Buzelis’s limited minutes for the first half of last season. He’s noted explicitly that Essengue will have a “month-to-month” status, so hopefully by the tail end of the year, he’s earning NBA minutes.

If Essengue can quickly demonstrate that he’s capable of performing all the necessary tasks at the professional level, the Bulls could utilize his size and defensive reinforcements. So far this season, one of their most immense voids is their ability to defend the paint and contain star-caliber big men.

Can the 18-year-old rookie push his way into the rotation, or will his entire rookie campaign be developmental and sharpening his weaknesses?

Green Bay Fans Are Reportedly Jealous The Bears Have Ben Johnson

By
Erik Lambert
-
ben johnson
Green Bay Packers fans cheer from the stands as they play the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 19, 2025.

The Green Bay Packers have held dominance over their rivalry with the Chicago Bears for over 30 years. Most believe this is because they’ve enjoyed a massive advantage at quarterback with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. This is true. However, it wasn’t just that. The organization also developed a strong tendency to hire capable head coaches. It began with Mike Holmgren in the 1990s, followed by Mike McCarthy in the 2010s, and continued with Matt LaFleur in the 2020s. Things seemed great from the outside. After a brutal 10-7 loss on Monday night to the Philadelphia Eagles, that narrative has shifted. Packer fans are turning on Lafleur. It’s gotten so bad that many of them have turned their eyes toward Chicago, jealous new head coach Ben Johnson.

Spiegel and Holmes of 670 The Score listened in on Wisconsin sports radio after the loss. The vitriol toward LaFleur is very real, and they can’t help but envy what Johnson has done for the Bears’ offense.

How did this happen? There will be a debate, but it feels like the pot started simmering in the playoffs last season when Green Bay lost to Philadelphia 22-10. Those were the first warning signs that something was wrong with the offense. Things hit a crisis point this month with the managing just 13 and seven points in their past two games, both losses, which cost them the division lead.

Meanwhile, Ben Johnson has the Bears clicking.

Chicago ranks 3rd in total yards and 7th in points scored through nine games. They have the #2 rushing attack in the league, and Caleb Williams already boasts four 4th quarter comebacks. Most agree the offense isn’t even playing with great rhythm yet, which is alarming for future opponents. The Packers struggle to run the ball with consistency, and LaFleur has yet to find a solution. Many feel he’s coaching scared, unwilling to put the ball in the hands of quarterback Jordan Love.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier. After playing the Giants this weekend, they face the Vikings, Lions, Bears, Broncos, Bears again, Ravens, and Vikings again. That is an array of really good defenses they must face. Chicago may join them if they get Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and T.J. Edwards back.

Firing LaFleur seems crazy. The man has made the playoffs in five of the previous six seasons and reached two NFC championships. Yet that seems to be the way things are trending. One thing is certain. Ben Johnson won’t be there waiting to rescue them if it happens.

Opponents Are Not Happy About Cole Kmet’s Recent Demotion

By
Erik Lambert
-
cole kmet
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) takes the field before the game against the New York Giants at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Cole Kmet admitted he wasn’t happy when the Chicago Bears drafted Colston Loveland. He knew what it meant. There was a good chance the 10th overall pick would eat into his opportunities to catch footballs. However, head coach Ben Johnson felt it would make the entire offense better. Ever the pro, Kmet bought into the plan. As the season went on, what many expected happened. Loveland asserted him as the primary receiving tight end in the passing game, and with good reason. His explosiveness is causing serious problems for opponents.

It may have also done something else. Something other teams are learning is a very bad thing. It has allowed Kmet to focus more on blocking, and he’s morphing into a legitimate force. The New York Giants found that out on Sunday. Kmet was responsible for not one but two devastating blocks that led directly to Bears touchdowns. The first was from the fullback spot, blowing a hole open for Kyle Monangai to reach the end zone. The second was on the defining play of the game when he picked off a defensive back, allowing Caleb Williams to scramble for the go-ahead score.

Cole Kmet continues to show he is a professional.

Many players would’ve taken the demotion hard. They would’ve lost the will to work hard and waited out their chance to find another team. Cole Kmet didn’t do that. He took the opportunity to redefine his role in the offense. If Loveland was going to get the primary looks as a receiver, then he would become indispensable as a blocker. The offensive line gets plenty of credit for the renewed success in the running game. Kmet is every bit as important to that, especially since the Bears have shifted to a more outside zone attack.

This is why the coaching staff wanted to keep him. Just because he might not be a primary pass target doesn’t mean they didn’t have a vision for what he could do. The results are becoming increasingly apparent each week.

Cade Horton Robbed? Late-Season Favorite Doesn’t Win Rookie of the Year

By
Aldo Soto
-
Aug 23, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Despite being the favorite to win 2025 National League Rookie of the Year, Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton finished second in the voting behind Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin.

Horton, who finished the regular season on the injured list because of a rib fracture, never got his chance to shine in the postseason and fell short in the ROY voting despite his historic second half. Baldwin received 21 first place votes, while Horton was given nine first-place votes.

The Cubs’ starting pitcher had a 2.67 ERA in 118 innings of work. Maybe the innings total for Horton made voters shy away from him, but there’s no doubt that the right-hander earned consideration for the award.

I mean, these numbers following the All-Star break were ridiculous.

Was he robbed?

As for Baldwin, the Braves catcher was gracious in his victory.

Horton didn’t win the award, but by finishing second in the voting he did earn a full year of service time after making his MLB debut on May 10, 2025.

Cade Horton’s historic stretch

It has been an absolute delight to see Cade Horton’s development this year and now he’s become the clear favorite to win 2025 NL Rookie of the Year. The first-year starting pitcher hasn’t only been the best among rookies since the All-Star break, Horton has been the best rotation arm in all of baseball for the past two months.

Horton once again stepped up on Tuesday night and led the Cubs to a 6-1 win, throwing 6.1 innings against the Atlanta Braves. He held Atlanta to one run on four hits and although he only struck out a pair of batters the rookie did not give up a walk. The 24-year-old now has a 2.70 ERA in 110 innings pitched this season.

The Cubs have watched Horton go from a decent rookie season to an all-timer. He has a 0.84 ERA in his last 10 starts.

He’s been unbelievable.

Over on the sportsbooks Horton is the clear favorite with Braves’ catcher Drake Baldwin trailing in second.

2025 NL Rookie of the Year Favorite (as of 9/11)
FanDuel: Cade Horton, -125
DraftKings: Cade Horton, -130
BetMGM: Cade Horton, -125
Caesars: Cade Horton, -125

Crazy how things can change so drastically during a baseball season. Fans were curious how Horton would respond after missing most of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury and now Horton is viewed as a top-3 if not top-2 starter for the Cubs heading into the postseason.

(Previous Update)

Quick question, do you know who the best starting pitcher in MLB has been since the All-Star break? And well, you can actually go back to the beginning of July because following the worst game of his young career Chicago Cubs right-hander Cade Horton has been dominant. Thanks to his near flawless performance during the past two months Horton has quietly become the favorite to win 2025 NL Rookie of the Year.

Cade Horton Betting Favorite to win ROY

Horton was unfortunately unable to go long in his start against the Milwaukee Brewers last week, exiting in the third inning because of a blister issue. Luckily, Horton has previous experience with blisters and the Cubs dodged a major problem by taking the cautious route with him. Horton returned to the mound against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday and he was once again excellent.

The Cubs cruised to a 12-1 win and Horton pitched six shutout innings as he allowed a total of three hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters. As fans have been accustomed to seeing in recent Horton starts, the right-handed pitcher was a strike-throwing machine. His first 21 pitches against the Angels were all strikes, either called, swung and missed, fouled off or hit into play.

The aggressive mindset allowed Horton to mow down the Angels lineup with only 34 pitches through four innings. Another impressive showing from the rookie as Horton has now allowed a total of six earned runs in his last nine starts.

Dating back to his start on July 3, Horton has an MLB-best 1.11 ERA in 48.2 innings. In seven starts since the All-Star break, Horton has a ridiculous 0.49 ERA in 37 innings of work.

Overall in 2025, Horton is up to 18 games and 93.2 innings pitched with a 2.88 ERA. This incredible stretch has vaulted Horton as the current betting favorite to win 2025 NL Rookie of the Year, according to odds on both DraftKings and FanDuel.

2025 NL Rookie of the Year Odds DraftKings, FanDuel (as of 8/25)
Cade Horton: +140, +130
Isaac Collins: +180, +200
Drake Baldwin: +240, +220

The last Cubs pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year award came in 1998, when Kerry Wood earned the honor after he recorded a 3.40 ERA with 233 strikeouts in 166.2 innings.

The Cubs have 31 games remaining in the regular season, so if Horton continues on his regular schedule he’ll have at least five more starts to keep impressing the voters. The strikeouts have been ticking up in August, but because Horton hasn’t had the huge strikeout numbers since his debut back in May, his dominance could be overlooked.

Well, it’s a good time to remind everyone that Horton is in the midst of a special season. I mean, who would think that you could compare anyone to Jake Arrieta’s insane second-half run in 2015.

Keep it going, Cade!

Cubs Can Pull Offseason Heist by Signing This Japanese Free Agent

By
Aldo Soto
-
Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan first baseman Kazuma Okamoto (25) celebrates his home run against the USA in the fourth inning at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports

Last offseason the Chicago Cubs desperately needed to add an impact bat to their lineup and they did by trading for Kyle Tucker. Now, Tucker is a free agent and most likely headed elsewhere after a sputtering second-half to his 2025 season with the Cubs. So, Jed Hoyer is back to square one, needing to find a difference-maker to add to a deep, but not necessarily threatening lineup of hitters.

We saw how Tucker, when healthy and effective, took the Cubs offense to a higher level during the first three months of the regular season. He’s expected to leave and although it will be tough to replace his production there might one free agent coming over from Japan who may ultimately be the steal of the offseason.

Munetaka Murakami, the slugging 25-year-old from the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, is getting most of the headlines during the early weeks of free agency. He’s put up monster home run numbers in Japan, including a 56-homer season in 2022, which has led to contract projections upwards of nearly $200 million. But I want nothing to do with a guy who might set the strikeout record year after year facing MLB pitching, while putting up Joey Gallo numbers and I’m talking about Joey Gallo numbers from his last few years in the majors.

No, instead I want the Cubs to be all over Kazuma Okamoto.

Why Cubs Should Sign Kazuma Okamoto

He’s a few years older, which may be a reason that Kazuma Okamoto isn’t perceived as a higher caliber free agent in this year’s class, but the 29-year-old has been a consistent performer with the Yomiuri Giants since becoming an every-day player in 2018. The right-handed hitter doesn’t have the same raw power as Murakami, but Okamoto makes up for the slugging by doing everything else at a good level.

Kazuma Okamoto year-by-year stats (2018-2025)
2018: .309/.394/541, 33 HR, 100 RBI, 19.5 K%, 11.7 BB%
2019: .265/.343/.485, 31 HR, 94 RBI, 21.0 K%, 9.9 BB%
2020: .275/.362/.543, 31 HR, 97 RBI, 17.0 K%, 11.0 BB%
2021: .265/.341/.530, 39 HR, 113 RBI, 18.2 K%, 9.6 BB%
2022: .252/.336/.469, 30 HR, 82 RBI, 16.0 K%, 9.8 BB%
2023: .278/.374/.584, 41 HR, 93 RBI, 18.8 K%, 12.2 BB%
2024: .280/.362/.501, 27 HR, 83 RBI, 15.9 K%, 10.8 BB%
2025: 327/.416/.598, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 11.3 K%, 11.3 BB%

Okamoto was limited in 2025 because of an elbow injury that sidelined him for a big chunk of the season, but he still homered 15 times in 69 games and posted an eye-popping 1.014 OPS in 293 plate appearances.

Prior to 2025, Okamoto played in at least 140 regular season games six of his last seven years.

One of the main questions regarding hitters coming over to MLB from Japan are how well will they be able to hit velocity. It’s a major difference stateside compared to the pitching style in the NPB, but the data shows that Okamoto has been able to handle velocity throughout his career.

We’re talking about another good hitter who would be a great fit with the Cubs. He’s primarily played the corner infield positions, while also having some experience in the corner outfield spots. Okamoto could start at third, giving Craig Counsell the option to move Matt Shaw around some days or Okamoto may fill in at first base against left-handed pitching in case the Cubs continue to minimize Michael Busch‘s plate appearances vs. lefties. And on days when Shaw and Busch start at third and first, Okamoto slots in perfectly as the designated hitter.

But how good is he defensively?

Seems like at the very least Okamoto is playable at third base, while Murakami is seen as a true DH.

Of course, when talking about free agents and the Cubs, fans have to ask how much is it going to cost and is it realistic based on the team’s spending habits? Well, this is also why Okamoto is an ideal target in free agency for the Cubs this offseason. The contract projections for Okamoto are well within the range for the Cubs to pursue.

Kazuma Okamoto contract projections

Kiley McDaniel (ESPN): 3 years, $36 million
MLBTR: 4 years, $64 million
Tim Britton (The Athletic): 4 years, $78.5 million
Ben Clemens (FanGraphs): 4 years, $72 million

If the Cubs can immediately get Okamoto to commit to pulling the ball in the air, then it’s not out of the question that he could put up a 30 HR season like Seiya Suzuki just did in 2025. And no, I’m not just bringing up Suzuki because he’s also Japanese as Okamoto has posted similar batted-ball data as the Cubs’ slugger.

I love the fit. Seems like an ideal target for the Cubs, but we’ll see what the offseason brings us.

1...317318319...3,362Page 318 of 3,362

Subscribe to our Newsletter

✶ An Unfiltered Voice For Chicago Sports Fans ✶

Chicago Sports News

About Us

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2026