The Chicago Bears didn’t raise too many eyebrows with their final roster selection. Most of the guys expected to make the team did so. There were a couple of intriguing undrafted additions like Jahdae Walker, but it was a straightforward process. However, there was one exception. Many couldn’t understand the decision by the team to retain defensive end Dominique Robinson. The former 5th round pick started his career with a bang, notching 1.5 sacks in his first game. He has half a sack in the 33 games he’s appeared in since then. It is difficult to understand the point of keeping him anymore, especially with serious depth concerns at edge rusher. The simplest answer lay with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
He explained on 1920 Football Drive that it came down to seeing real progress from Robinson in training camp. The young lineman started to look like an actual defensive end in terms of his technique and playing style. For somebody who was a wide receiver during most of his college career, it’s a significant step. Allen seems to feel Robinson is on the cusp of a breakthrough.
Dennis Allen better hope he’s correct.
The Bears already faced depth concerns when training camp started in July. Now they’re teetering on the edge of a crisis after Austin Booker went on IR with a knee injury. They haven’t made any moves since either. That tells you Dennis Allen is willing to roll with Robinson and Daniel Hardy as the primary backups to Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. It isn’t the most inspiring group. Still, Allen feels confident it can work. His success as a defensive coordinator suggests he’s trustworthy on these matters. Then again, his eye for edge rush talent isn’t entirely flawless. This is the same coach who signed off on draft picks like Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, and Isaiah Foskey. Maybe his trust in Robinson is genuine, but it feels misplaced.
Knoxville Smokies pitcher Jaxon Wiggins (41) pitches during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Chattanooga Lookouts at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on June 3, 2025.
It’s been an interesting 2025 season for now top Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins. The long and winding road is ending with the right-handed pitcher jumping up to the Iowa Cubs as Wiggins has reportedly been promoted to Triple-A to finish out the year.
Wiggins, 23, began the 2025 minor league season with the Sound Bend Cubs at High-A Ball and after dominating the opposition he was promoted to Double-A after six games. The 2023 second round pick has been excellent this year, but the organization has been extremely careful with the pitcher’s workload.
The right-hander has pitched in 15 games all year and although Wiggins has not been placed on the injured list at any point in 2025, he’s been intentionally limited to only three short starts since the All-Star break. Wiggins has not allowed a run in those three appearances, combing to strike out nine batters, while giving up a total of two hits and three runs in eight innings of work.
Now, Wiggins will get a look at Triple-A hitters as the Iowa Cubs approach their final 16 games of the regular season.
Some big prospect news. The Cubs are promoting top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins to Triple-A with the @IowaCubs. https://t.co/2bFLYdCKVl
Wiggins is currently ranked No. 5 in the Cubs’ minor league system according to MLB Pipeline and is 81st in their top-100 prospects list. The right-handed starting pitcher was brought up in trade rumors back in July, but the Cubs held firm and obviously believe in Wiggins’ future value with the club.
So far in 2025, Wiggins has recorded a 1.84 ERA in 68.1 innings. His numbers at Double-A have been great as Wiggins has struck out 52 batters in 42 innings, while posting a 1.93 ERA in 10 starts for the Knoxville Smokies.
We’ll see if the Cubs continue to play it easy with Wiggins here in the final weeks of the season at Triple-A. He didn’t pitch in 2023 after he was drafted and has a total of 128 innings under his belt in the minors during the past two years combined.
Aug 6, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Billy Hamilton (6) in the dugout during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Cubs made several minor league signings at the end of August, making sure they added a couple depth pieces for the stretch run and maybe getting lucky with a veteran who gets hot into October. The team also made an underrated signings, getting veteran outfielder Billy Hamitlon.
The 34-year-old last appeared in the majors with the Chicago White Sox back in 2023, in what was his second stint on the south side Hamilton began his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2013, and despite producing below-average results at the plate he’s been able to stick with teams late in the year because of his outstanding speed. Despite a slash line of .239/.292/.325, Hamilton has 326 career stolen bases in 951 MLB games.
Hamilton has recently played pro baseball in Mexico and now he’s back with an MLB organization.
I can confirm the Cubs have signed veteran speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton to a minor league deal. Hamilton has played 11 seasons in the majors with the last coming in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox.
Hamilton played in 14 games for the Cubs during the shortened 2020 season and did make the postseason roster, although he didn’t appear in either game against the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card series.
Looking ahead at potential roster decisions for October, Hamilton could be an option as the 26th man if a guy like Willi Castro continues to struggle in September. Castro is only 9-for-60, with a .397 OPS since he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins.
The Cubs snuck in a fun signing before the September playoff-eligibility deadline. Yes, apparently Billy Hamilton is still playing baseball. pic.twitter.com/cyEpaNps0D
We’ll see what Hamilton has left as he’ll most likely report to Triple-A soon after he gets re-acclimated in Arizona first. The Cubs officially signed Hamilton to a minor league deal on Aug. 31, so the veteran is postseason eligible.
Great quarterbacks are rare. There are typically four or five in the NFL at any given time. The rest are categorized anywhere from very good to terrible. Caleb Williams hopes to join that elite company starting this year. An interesting question that is always asked is this: What makes a great quarterback? There is no shortage of responses people would accept. His arm strength is crucial. They must be pinpoint accurate. Processing speed is the end-all, be-all of the great ones. All of those answers are acceptable to varying degrees. However, Williams was asked that same question in the latest episode of 1920 Football Drive.
His answer was more than a little telling about where his head is at.
That response tells you a few things. Williams is 100% confident in his own ability. Arm strength? Accuracy? Intelligence and processing speed? Most quarterbacks at this level have them all to some degree, including him. What makes or breaks them is the support structure they walk into. Protection, weapons, and coaching are all paramount to a successful quarterback. It’s pretty clear Williams believes that, and is still a little bitter about what happened last season.
Caleb Williams seems to feel like he’s finally positioned to succeed.
That was not the case last year. Every fact of the job was a failure by the Chicago Bears. They put him behind a makeshift and undermanned offensive line. The coaching was even worse, saddling him with a defensive head coach who’d hired a highly disliked offensive coordinator. The only area they handled properly was the weapons with D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet. Caleb Williams endured 68 sacks last season and went 5-12. It was a miserable experience that left him mentally and physically exhausted.
It seems the Bears have corrected the two other problems in the past few months. They invested millions of dollars and two draft picks in the offensive line and hired decorated offensive mind Ben Johnson as the new head coach. Things finally look set up the right way, and Williams approves.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) reacts in the second half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Chicago Bears finally have their quarterback. Caleb Williams is here, and for the first time in what feels like decades, the franchise has a legitimate shot at building something sustainable. But here’s the problem: one golden-armed QB doesn’t fix everything. The roster still has holes you could drive a dump truck through, especially in the trenches.
That’s where the 2026 NFL Draft comes into play. Yeah, I know, we’re barely into the college season and already talking about next year’s draft. But if you think Ryan Poles and his staff aren’t already circling names and making spreadsheets full of tape notes, you’re kidding yourself. And if you’re a Bears fan, you should be doing the same — because the path to relevance isn’t just Caleb slinging it; it’s surrounding him with guys who can take over games.
Based on Week 1 of the college football season and Chicago’s obvious roster needs, here are five dudes you should absolutely keep an eye on this fall.
1. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Why He’s a Bears Fit: Chicago’s pass rush outside of Montez Sweat is basically a participation trophy. If you’re hoping Julius Peppers 2.0 walks through that door, don’t hold your breath. Woods, on the other hand, is the kind of interior menace this defense has been begging for. At 6’3” and 310 pounds, he’s got that low-center-of-gravity explosion that makes offensive linemen look like they’re playing on ice skates. Scouts are already whispering Aaron Donald comps, and while that’s lofty, the tape shows a dude who can wreck pockets from the inside out.
Week 1 Recap: Clemson lost to LSU 17-10, but Woods was the reason that game didn’t turn into a blowout. He lived in LSU’s backfield, consistently blowing up protections and forcing their QB off his spot. He only logged a handful of tackles, but this isn’t a box score player — we’re talking about a guy who tilts the field with pure disruption.
Draft Stock: Right now, Woods is a consensus top-10 pick. The Bears might have to actually win fewer games than we want to land him, but let’s be real: a defensive tackle like this could be the difference between sweating out another 7-10 season or actually looking like a threat.
2. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Why He’s a Bears Fit: The Bears’ division just got nastier. Green Bay went and added Micah Parsons, and Detroit’s O-line is a damn brick wall. Chicago? Still trotting out replacement-level edge rushers opposite Sweat. That’s why Parker is so intriguing. He’s explosive, polished, and productive — 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss last year. He’s not just winning with speed; he’s got an arsenal of rush moves that make tackles second-guess themselves before the ball’s even snapped.
Week 1 Recap: Against LSU, Parker was constantly in the quarterback’s face. He also had a boneheaded late-hit penalty that cost Clemson dearly, but if we’re being honest, I’d rather have an edge guy who plays too mean than one who’s invisible for 60 minutes.
Draft Stock: Top-15 projection right now. If Chicago misses out on Woods, Parker’s the next best ticket to building a pass rush that can finally hang in the NFC North.
3. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Why He’s a Bears Fit: Kevin Byard is basically playing on borrowed time, and the Jaquan Brisker has had too many injury scares, and you just can’t trust him to stay healthy. Enter Caleb Downs, who might be the most instinctive safety prospect since Ed Reed. Yeah, I said it. Downs sees plays before they happen, he closes like a missile, and he’s not afraid to put his shoulder through your chest if that’s what it takes.
Week 1 Recap: Ohio State pulled off a 14-7 stunner against Texas, and Downs was the headliner. Arch Manning looked shook every time Downs floated into his sightline. The guy sealed the win with a fourth-down stop that had NFL scouts scribbling dollar signs in their notebooks. CBS Sports said he was “in Manning’s head all day,” and that about sums it up.
Draft Stock: Top-10 lock at this point. If the Bears land him, we’re talking about a decade-long anchor in the secondary.
4. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Why He’s a Bears Fit: Protecting Caleb Williams isn’t optional — it’s the only thing that matters. And while Braxton Jones has been serviceable, the line still feels like duct tape and bubble gum. Mauigoa is the type of mauler you plug in at tackle and forget about for the next eight years. He gave up just one sack on 500+ snaps last year, which is absurd. He’s versatile enough to play both tackle spots, which is exactly the kind of insurance you need in the NFL.
Week 1 Recap: Miami’s upset over Notre Dame? Mauigoa was a big reason why. He stonewalled Notre Dame’s vaunted pass rush all night, keeping Carson Beck clean long enough to pick apart the defense.
Draft Stock: He’s already drawing Penei Sewell comparisons, which should make every Bears fan drool. This is a first-rounder who could be protecting Caleb’s blind side for years.
5. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Why He’s a Bears Fit: You can’t build a pass rush with one guy, and Bain is the exact type of explosive, versatile piece Chicago needs opposite Sweat. At 6’3” and 276, he’s got the size to kick inside if needed, but his bread-and-butter is coming off the edge with a nasty combination of power and speed.
Week 1 Recap: Bain was flat-out dominant against Notre Dame. Half a sack, six tackles, four pressures, and — oh yeah — an interception. From a defensive lineman. His PFF grade (94.4) was elite, and his win rate numbers (43.8% pass rush win rate) were downright video-game stuff. The interception in particular showed the kind of instincts you just can’t teach.
Draft Stock: Right now, Bain is hovering in the late first/early second round projection. But if he keeps stringing together performances like this, he’s vaulting into the first-round conversation.
Final Verdict
These five guys check every box for Chicago’s needs: pass rush, secondary stability, and protecting Caleb Williams. If the Bears walk away from the 2026 draft with even one of these players, it’s a step toward relevance. Land two? Now we’re talking about building an actual contender.
So Bears fans, buckle up. Saturdays this fall aren’t just about tailgates and watching Michigan beat the hell out of some overmatched MAC school. They’re about scouting the future of this franchise. Because the guys who could change everything for Chicago are already out there, making plays that might one day swing playoff games at Soldier Field.
Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears kick off their season in less than a week, taking on the Minnesota Vikings under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. It will be a big test for the Bears and new head coach Ben Johnson, who has a strong track record against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Back in Detroit, Johnson’s Lions routinely put up 30+ points on Flores defense.
Of course, this is a different Bears team. But there’s one potential change worth noting — and it won’t affect the game itself. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams could be switching jersey numbers. Right now, he’s wearing No. 18, but there’s a chance he moves back to No. 13, the number he wore at USC.
Why? Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III might have opened the door. Last week, Burden switched from No. 87 to No. 13. Then, late Monday evening, he switched again — this time to No. 10. That leaves No. 13 wide open, sparking speculation that Williams could claim it. Was Burden simply being indecisive, or did he make the change with Williams in mind?
Bears rookie WR Luther Burden has switched his jersey number to #10.
Imagine the scene if Williams runs out of the Soldier Field tunnel wearing No. 13. It would be a moment — unless you already bought an 18 jersey. Then again, keeping No. 18 for his rookie year could make those jerseys iconic in their own right.
If Williams does decide to switch, he would likely need to buy out the existing No. 18 stock, which could cost him a pretty penny. For now, it’s just something to watch as Week 1 approaches.
Seems Chicago Bears May Have Another Pass Rush Option After All
Aug 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
ESPN released an interesting poll earlier this week in which NFL executives and coaches ranked who they believe are the best play-callers currently. To the shock of nobody, Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan topped the list after several stellar years out west, including four Super Bowl appearances between them. However, nestled right behind them in the third spot was Ben Johnson. It was a remarkable nod of approval for the 38-year-old, especially being ranked ahead of more established names like Andy Reid and Kevin O’Connell.
However, that poll was missing one thing: details. The column didn’t provide much clarity on why Johnson was so respected. You can easily look at the numbers. His offense finished in the top five every year in Detroit. He was responsible for three of the four highest-scoring seasons in franchise history, including the highest, at 564 points last year. There had to be reasons for this success. Ted Nguyen of The Athletic provided answers. He spoke to NFL defensive coaches who have gone against Johnson.
They explained why they hated the experience.
“All the things I’ve come to believe analytically, he does, like, marrying the run and pass game together, he throws the most play action in the league, and in-breakers on the run to create YAC opportunities. That’s all he throws,” one AFC defensive coach explained. “He’s built around Jared Goff and the guys all do very specific things … what they do well. For example, Jared Goff is a really good anticipation thrower on in-breakers and hits them on the run, so the whole playbook is made of those concepts. And then there’s the hook-and-lateral stuff, so there are some creative things that are pretty cool. He just doesn’t call the game scared.”
The Lions led the league in YAC per reception last season (6.7).
One constant that coaches talked about with Johnson was that he can go for the jugular at any time with a trick play. Because the Lions went for it so much on fourth down, it made him completely unpredictable on third down. That aggressiveness should continue in Chicago.
Unpredictability and common sense are the Ben Johnson superpowers.
Coaches always talk about putting their players in the best position to succeed, molding the scheme to their strengths. The problem is that it’s much harder to do that than they realize. Matt Nagy talked about it, but never followed through. Luke Getsy mentioned it constantly, but never put it into practice. Ben Johnson did it constantly in Detroit. Whenever the Lions introduced a new element to the formula, like Jahmyr Gibbs or Sam LaPorta, the coach utilized them to maximum effect.
Then you throw in the mystery wrinkles. Johnson always talks about making every play look the same while actually doing things differently. That puts defenses in a difficult position. While they’re busy trying to decipher what’s coming, Johnson already has them flat-footed. Add the trick plays as the cherry on top and it’s easy to see why defensive coaches can lose sleep going against him.
Jul 23, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterbacks Austin Reed (16), Case Keenum (11) and Caleb Williams (18) warm up during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears realized even last year that they made a mistake with the structure of their quarterback room. While they were happy with Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent, they soon understood there wasn’t enough experience in that group. They had nobody with extensive NFL experience who could advise Williams whenever he encountered unfamiliar situations. Head coach Ben Johnson had no intention of making the same mistake. One of his first moves since arriving in Chicago was bringing Case Keenum in from Houston.
It was a clever move. The 37-year-old Keenum has a rare combination of extensive experience as a backup and being an accomplished starter at times in his career. That unique track record gave him a perspective most backups lack. Not to mention he’s already worked with young high draft picks in the past, like Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, and C.J. Stroud. Cameras provided irrefutable evidence if people weren’t sure what he could offer Williams. They caught Keenum giving the Bears starter some crucial information on the true nature of winning football games.
“Every game I’ve ever played, there’s three plays. Two or three plays make the difference. And keeping in perspective, that’s why we go over there and grind swords, ’cause we can’t miss a sword. If it’s there, we gotta hit it. Like that’s what we’re paid to do…is hit the ones that are dialed up and then make Superman plays out of it.”
History is on his side. Williams can attest to the three-play rule. He executed it in the Bears’ win over Green Bay in the 2024 season finale. It started with the 32-yard touchdown to D.J. Moore on a swing pass. Then it was the 15-yard conversion to Rome Odunze to get Chicago to midfield with under a minute left and the 18-yard strike to Moore to get in field goal range. Those three plays put the Bears in position to beat the Packers for the first time in six years. Hit the throws when the opportunity is there. That is the responsibility of every quarterback. Case Keenum hammering that mentality into Williams is exactly what the Bears were missing last season.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson makes an abrupt change to practice plans after things don't start well.
One thing about Ben Johnson is that he understands football at a fundamental level. He sees the little things far clearer than other coaches might. That is especially true at quarterback. Johnson has said the person playing that position must be a master of the details. They must absorb, retain, and process information at high speeds at all times. If things hit a buffer zone and slow down for even a brief time, the entire offensive engine breaks down. This is why so few guys can actually play quarterback in the NFL. Finding them is a challenge.
Johnson knew that if he wanted to get the most out of the Chicago Bears‘ quarterback room, he’d have to challenge them. Talent isn’t the issue for guys like Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, and Case Keenum. It is how fast they can absorb and master the playbook. According to Adam Jahns of CHGO, to help speed up that process, Johnson decided to get creative.
All of that extra work mattered in the Bears’ quarterbacks room for Bagent. In the team’s version of “Stump the Schwab,” Bagent was Howie. He knew everything.
“For the most part, these guys are pretty prepared,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “There’ll be times where it’s just like something slips your mind. But usually one of us has a question, and that guy is sitting there, he’s silent, and he’s been stumped. He needs one of his buddies to bail him out.”
It could be any question the coaches have about the offense.
“‘Hey, what’s your read here? Or where do your eyes need to start?’” Doyle said. “It’s a guy not being quite comfortable enough yet with whatever we’re asking him.”
For those who don’t know, “Stump The Schwab” was a notorious game show in the 2000s.
It featured multiple contestants challenging ESPN’s first statistician, Howie Schwab, to a sports trivia contest. It soon became famous for Schwab’s incredible breadth of knowledge. He was almost impossible to beat. Johnson used the Bears QB room as his personal game show, pitting the three quarterbacks against each other to see who could master the playbook faster. His intent wasn’t hard to read.
The entire environment is designed to challenge the quarterbacks, including all the “fines” on the board. It starts with Williams but everyone else is included. Failure is essential to the process. Williams dealt with plenty throughout training camp…
…The Bears want their QBs to feel some stress in order to learn.
Ben Johnson is intelligent and also a little devious.
Using this method to push his players shows he keenly understands human psychology. You don’t reach the NFL level without being a competitor. Williams is notorious for it. Bagent and Keenum are no slouches either. Having them support each other is fine, but the best way to engage their minds is by putting their pride on the line. Nobody ever wants to think they’re lagging behind others. Bragging rights are a big deal in locker rooms. Imagine Williams having to know Bagent is absorbing the playbook faster than he is. That can’t stand, which forces the second-year quarterback to work harder. Keenum can’t afford to slack since he’s supposed to be the decorated veteran. It’s like pushing a boulder down a hill. Once it starts, there is no stopping it. That is precisely how Ben Johnson wants it.
Aug 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey (55) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears were abnormally quiet on the edge rusher situation despite genuine panic setting in for fans. They already had misgivings about the depth behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. It got even worse when Austin Booker went on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. Suddenly, the Bears were looking at Dominique Robinson and Daniel Hardy as their primary backups. Not ideal. They have to do something to at least shake things up. Well, they finally might.
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Bears plan to work out Isaiah Foskey this week. The defensive end was a 2nd round pick for the New Orleans Saints in 2023, meaning he has direct ties to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Foskey was an excellent junior and senior player for Notre Dame, racking up 22 sacks and 27 tackles for a loss. He also forced seven fumbles. So, one can imagine that Saints fans were perplexed that he had failed to collect a single sack in two seasons with the team before being released.
Former #Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey is expected to work out with the #Bears this week and the #Eagles next week, sources tell @CBSSports.
The former Notre Dame All-American was a second-round draft pick of the Saints in 2023. Posted 16 tackles for New Orleans last season. pic.twitter.com/vuR1ObkFQj
The Chicago Bears might want to see if they can get Foskey back on track.
It is worth noting that the Eagles wish to meet with him, too. They have a sharp eye for pass rushers, which suggests they feel he might not have been utilized properly in New Orleans. Don’t forget Allen was the head coach during both seasons. He didn’t run the defense himself. If he thought Foskey was a lost cause, why bother even working him out? The Chicago Bears must think his talent is worth exploring.
The scuttlebutt about Foskey coming out of college was that he had lots of natural talent but lacked a deep array of pass-rush techniques. That presents a problem when facing NFL offensive tackles.
“He’s a really productive rusher and he’s still learning how to do it, so I think his upside is really high.” — Personnel executive for NFC team
Foskey had 83 total rushes over the past two seasons, managing only three pressures on the quarterback. Either something went seriously wrong in New Orleans, or the scouting reports badly missed the mark. If he signs with the Bears, we will find out.
