Aug 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles on the sidelines during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
After weeks of speculation, the Dallas Cowboys traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons. But the real shock isn’t that Parsons was dealt — it’s who he was traded to: the Green Bay Packers.
The deal sent Parsons to Chicago’s biggest rival in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Green Bay wasted no time locking him up, giving Parsons a four-year, $188 million extension. At $47 million per year, he now becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it — the Packers just got better. Their pass rush now becomes a nightmare for Chicago, with Parsons lining up against the Bears twice every season. The Packers are the first team in NFL history to commit over $100 million annually to just two players — Jordan Love and Parsons. That leaves them with no first-round picks until 2028 and major cap concerns down the road. But for now, their window is wide open.
For the Bears, the timing couldn’t be worse. Last season, 18 players recorded nine or more sacks, and Chicago is scheduled to face half of them this year, including Trey Hendrickson (17.5), Kyle Van Noy (12.5), Jonathan Greenard (12), Parsons (12), T.J. Watt (11.5), Dante Fowler (10.5), Odafe Oweh (10), Nick Bosa (9), and Dexter Lawrence (9).
The kicker? They’ll face Greenard and Parsons twice.
What makes it sting even more is how similar this feels to the Bears own blockbuster trade for Khalil Mack back in 2018. Except this time, Green Bay may have paid less to land Parsons than Chicago did for Mack. And with the Bears pass rush still not where it needs to be, the deal feels like salt in the wound.
If Parsons had gone to an AFC team, this wouldn’t be nearly as painful. But instead, he’s landed right in Chicago’s backyard.
Ben Johnson Confirms Bears Going With Rare Roster Move
Jan 5, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates after a sack during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The tricky thing to remember for the Chicago Bears is that they sit in a tough division. It has been that way for decades. Even as they work hard to improve across the board, other teams in the NFC North have a lead on them. Now, the status quo has changed once again. In a blockbuster move, the Green Bay Packers traded for superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons. They sent the Dallas Cowboys two 1st round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons received a new four-year contract worth $188 million. The Bears will see him twice a year moving forward, and GM Ryan Poles just saw his 2026 offseason plans crystalize.
For months, Chicago has faced an uncomfortable question: Who is their left tackle? Ben Johnson and the coaching staff spent the past month trying to answer that question. Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo, Kiran Amegadjie, and Theo Benedet all took turns trying to seize the job. While it appears Jones will hold it for now, there is no indication it will stay that way. Johnson hasn’t been shy about saying what he’s seen isn’t good enough. Now that Parsons is entering an already stacked division of pass rushers, there is no longer a doubt that left tackle will be the top priority next spring.
ESPN Sources: Cowboys are trading three-time All-Pro LB Micah Packers to the Green Bay Packers.
Ryan Poles at least hired a coach who can work around such problems.
Johnson is no stranger to game planning against great players. He did it all the time for Detroit, often successfully. This offense will be about running the football, and that is often the best way to neutralize a great pass rush. Green Bay has struggled to stop the run in recent years, and losing Kenny Clark won’t help. Even so, Ryan Poles must get to work scouting every conceivable tackle in next year’s offseason. Maybe he will go after a prominent veteran or decide to draft one. The bottom line is the Bears can’t let this move go unanswered. Caleb Williams is their priority. That means protecting him at all costs. If that means sacrificing other possible positions to ensure they get a proper left tackle, so be it.
Sep 29, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington (88) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Fans expressed concerns about the Chicago Bears‘ edge rusher situation throughout the offseason. They felt the team didn’t have enough answers at the position outside of Montez Sweat, who is coming off the worst season of his career. Signing Dayo Odenyingbo was a modest step in the right direction, but not nearly enough. The NFL has a way of exposing a weakness if you’re not careful. Sure enough, the Bears have learned that lesson the hard way once again.
News came down that Austin Booker, their promising young pass rusher who was having a terrific preseason, was placed on Injured Reserve. He will miss at least the first four weeks of the season with a knee injury. Suddenly, the depth behind Sweat and Odeyingbo doesn’t just look back, but is downright terrifying. The Bears are currently looking at Daniel Hardy and Dominique Robinson as their primary rotational options. Robinson has 1.5 sacks in his career. Hardy has zero.
We have made a series of roster moves including signing Scott Daly and Devin Duvernay and placing Austin Booker on IR.
Either they add somebody from the free agent market who can give them some help, or they plan to do a lot more blitzing early this season. Tanoh Kpassagnon, who signed with the practice squad this week, is the only other option they have on hand. He’s not exactly a sack specialist. As for veteran help, there are a few interesting names available. Za’Darius Smith is the most notable, coming off another strong season in Detroit. There is also former #1 pick Jadeveon Clowney and former Packers standout Preston Smith.
If none of them feel like guys you can (or want to) get, then Dennis Allen better have his creativity set to maximum. He didn’t mind blitzing a lot during his years in New Orleans. The Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator can do it. Unfortunately, it almost always comes with a price. It would be wiser if the team added somebody who can limit the need for that.
Aug 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) points to first base coach/outfield coach Jason Bourgeois (38) after he hits a grand slam against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
It’s easy to see why Buxton wanted a signed card from Montgomery. The White Sox shortstop homered in all three games against the Twins, joining Ron Kittle as the only White Sox rookie to have multiple three-game home run streaks.
Montgomery agreed to sign a card for Buxton, but only if he could get a signed bat in return. Buxton obliged, singing a bat with the message “Fun to watch! Best wishes. Keep balling!”
It’s a sentiment many White Sox fans have echoed since Montgomery was promoted. After struggling in Triple-A this year and being forced to spend a week in Arizona to work on his swing, the rookie has been on a tear since joining the MLB ranks.
Colson Montgomery homered in every game vs. the Twins and caught Byron Buxton’s attention. Buxton asked him for a signed card. Colson said only if he got a bat in return. Sure enough, Buxton delivered: “Fun to watch! Best wishes. Keep balling!” #WhiteSoxpic.twitter.com/6bzldECMyj
In his first 43 games, he has posted a .840 OPS with 14 homers and 37 RBIs. At that pace, he would be on track for a whopping 53 homers and 139 RBIs over a full 162-game season. While that rate of production is likely unsustainable, there is plenty of reason to believe that Montgomery can be a force in the White Sox lineup for years to come.
His average bat speed of 76.8 mph is one of the fastest in the MLB. He also also shown the ability to consistently barrel the ball with an expected slugging percentage of .554.
After raising his batting average to .256 following a multi-hit effort in Anaheim at the beginning of August, pitchers began to adjust. Montgomery proceeded to go 7-for-49 over his next 14 games but quickly broke out of the slum with a power surge against the Twins.
It’s reinforced a batten of Montgomery having to battle through adversity this season, despite being a former first-round pick. He’s ability to stay level-headed through it all is a promising sign for a player the White Sox hope can be a cornerstone of the franchise.
But while his offense has drawn much of the attention, his defense has been just as impressive.
Montgomery was drafted as a shortstop, but has still looked like a natural at third base in the 12 games he’s played at the hot corner. He already has four Outs Above Average, with a Fielding Run Value that would rank near the top of the majors if he had played enough games to qualify.
Aug 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback BJ Adams (45) defends Chicago Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker (20)during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Every training camp has a cool story each year for the Chicago Bears. Easily the best of 2025 belongs to Jahdae Walker. Most people weren’t familiar with the wide receiver out of Texas A&M. He’d had a decent college career but never stood out as anything special. Still, the Bears liked his mix of size and speed enough to sign him as an undrafted free agent. He worked his way into the spotlight with strong practices, followed by a nice touchdown catch in the preseason opener against Miami.
However, his crowning moment came two weeks later. Trailing 27-22 with under two minutes left, the Bears needed an 87-yard drive to win. Walker provided the first spark with a beautiful toe-tap catch along the sideline. Then, a few plays later, he caught the go-ahead touchdown in tight coverage. Last but not least, he made the tackle on the ensuing kickoff to preserve the win. It was an incredible performance, preseason or not. Most believe that is what cemented his spot on the roster.
However, Adam Jahns of CHGO provided some interesting details. It seems the Bears were given little choice on the matter. There is a strong possibility Walker would’ve been claimed on waivers if he’d been released.
The Bears wouldn’t let Jahdae Walker go after all he’d done.
Over the past few years, this organization has really gone out of its way to reward undrafted rookies who have made strong impressions. Tyson Bagent was one such example. Theo Benedet and Carl Jones Jr. are two other recent ones. If you put in the work and show it on the field, there is a place for you on this team. It probably won’t lead to big things down the line, but it could. Smart organizations always leave that door open. Where would Philadelphia be right now without the major contributions of Reed Blankenship, an undrafted safety in 2022 who had four interceptions last year? The Bears believe Jahdae Walker has something to offer. His talent is there. As is often the case with undrafted players, it is about whether he can master the details of his position.
Aug 25, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee (26) after the game against the Kansas City Royals at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Before Wednesday night, only two players in White Sox history had ever both caught and pitched in the same game. It was a quirky footnote the organization likely hoped would stay at two. But when you’re trailing by 11 runs, desperate times call for desperate measures.
The White Sox were officially eliminated from playoff contention after starter Aaron Civale was tagged for five runs over 4.2 innings. Things only got worse when Tyler Gilbert entered, allowing six more runs while recording just one out.
Reliever Mike Vasil cleaned up the mess out of the bullpen with two scoreless frames, but needed 32 pitches to get through them. With the game well out of reach at 11–1, manager Will Venable opted to save his bullpen arms for another day.
That’s when catcher Korey Lee, who wasn’t even in the starting lineup, got the call. Inserted in the seventh inning as a defensive replacement for Kyle Teel, Lee’s first plate appearance ended with a flyout to center. Moments later, he found himself 60 feet 6 inches away from his normal spot behind home plate, making his major-league pitching debut.
In doing so, Lee became the first White Sox player in more than a century to both catch and pitch in the same game. The only others to accomplish the rare feat were Frank Isbell and Sam Mertes, who each did it on September 28, 1902, in the second game of a doubleheader.
However, Lee, who has only ever appeared as a catcher in the majors, had no choice but to borrow a glove before making his unexpected pitching debut. In the eighth inning, he was sporting Colson Montgomery’s glove, who was out of action with left side soreness. By the ninth, he had switched to All-Star Shane Smith’s glove, and the change seemed to pay off. Lee tossed a scoreless frame to close out his night on the mound.
It was a respectable performance for Lee, who threw 17 of his 31 pitches for strikes. In two innings, he allowed one run on four hits, with a pair of walks.
After the game, Lee told reporters that catching keeps his arm in shape, but given the circumstances, he focused on keeping his delivery light and easy.“I grew up as a kid just playing baseball. That’s what it felt like,” Lee told MLB.com. “At the end of the day, it’s still really hard. Kudos to all the pitchers. Like I said, it’s just unfortunate I had to go in there because of the situation.”
Aug 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback BJ Adams (45) defends Chicago Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker (20)during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Let’s get this straight: Jahdae Walker already beat the odds. Most undrafted free agents don’t even sniff the practice squad, let alone carve out a spot on a team’s 53-man roster. Walker, a 6’4” receiver out of Texas A&M, did just that — and not by accident. His preseason wasn’t just “good for a UDFA,” it was flat-out clutch. Now, does this mean he’s about to light up the stat sheet like DJ Moore? Hell no. But Walker doesn’t have to. His path is the same one other undrafted success stories took — scratch, claw, and hustle his way into meaningful contributions, especially on special teams, while waiting for his shot to expand his role.
This isn’t a fairy tale. It’s football. And if history tells us anything, it’s that Walker has a real chance to turn this underdog arc into a sustainable career — but only if he nails the little things.
Walker’s Path to the Roster
Walker’s climb from UDFA camp body to roster lock is straight out of a grind-it-out highlight reel. The dude went 8 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason, and these weren’t garbage-time empty calories. He delivered two clutch fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a walk-off dagger against the Chiefs with two ticks left on the clock. You can’t coach ice in the veins, and Walker has it.
The real kicker? He beat out Tyler Scott, a fourth-round pick from 2023. That’s not just making the roster — that’s body-bagging draft politics. GM Ryan Poles didn’t blink cutting bait on his own investment because Walker proved flat-out better. That’s how you know this wasn’t just a charity roster spot — it was earned.
The UDFA Wide Receiver Reality Check
Before anyone starts printing Walker’s Canton bust, let’s ground this in reality. History shows undrafted wideouts face a brutal climb. From 2019 to 2023, only 11 undrafted rookie receivers cracked starting lineups league-wide. That’s the same number as sixth-round picks. But here’s the sneaky truth — over 12% of all NFL starters between 2014 and 2023 were undrafted. That’s more than rounds 4–7 combined. Translation? Being undrafted isn’t a death sentence — it just means you need to grind harder.
NFL Roster Distribution by Draft Round in 2023.
The Blueprint: UDFA Receivers Who Made It
Wes Welker: Barely touched the ball early, later stacked a 1,569-yard season.
Adam Thielen: Took years to cook, then dropped WR8 and WR10 seasons on the league.
Victor Cruz: Injuries gave him a shot, he responded with a WR3 breakout year.
Doug Baldwin: Underrated grinder who turned into a consistent WR10 level baller.
Notice the pattern? None of these guys dominated as rookies. Year 2 or 3 was the sweet spot once they earned trust and reps. That’s Walker’s likely trajectory.
The Bears’ Offensive Context
Where Walker Fits in the WR Room
Let’s be real: Walker’s not climbing higher than WR6 this year. Here’s how the Bears’ depth chart looks:
DJ Moore – The alpha. Target hog.
Rome Odunze – Star-in-the-making.
Luther Burden III – Shifty rookie assassin.
Olamide Zaccheaus – Caleb’s security blanket.
Devin Duvernay – Return guy, gadget plays.
Jahdae Walker – Special teams and spot duty.
So yeah, barring injury, Walker’s not eating a ton of offensive snaps. But being the WR6 doesn’t make him irrelevant — it just means he needs to shine where most guys don’t: special teams and situational offense.
The Ben Johnson Effect
New HC Ben Johnson is a mad scientist with offensive schemes. His Detroit offenses leaned heavily on play-action, mixed in plenty of 12 personnel, and consistently squeezed production out of depth receivers and role players like Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond. That’s the same creative energy he’ll use to carve out roles for grinders like Walker.
Sure, 12 personnel limits receiver snaps, but Johnson’s scheme is built on matchups. A 6’4” receiver with Walker’s catch radius screams red-zone weapon. Don’t be shocked if Walker gets schemed up on a couple fade routes in the corner of the end zone this season.
2025 Season Projections
Let’s talk numbers. Walker isn’t sniffing 1,000 yards. But realistic projections based on history and his depth chart spot look like this:
15–25 catches
200–350 yards
1–3 touchdowns
Special teams tackles + coverage plays that don’t show up in fantasy, but keep you employed.
That’s not sexy, but it’s meaningful. The NFL is built on guys like this — players who don’t make headlines but win trust in the locker room.
Role Breakdown
Special Teams Hammer: Walker already showed he’ll throw his body around. He scored a game-winner, then made a kickoff tackle right after. That’s how you stay in the league.
Situational Offense: Two-minute drills, red zone fades, clutch plays. Coaches remember who performs under pressure.
Upside Swing: With his size and age (23), Walker has the tools to expand into a bigger role once the system clicks.
The Risks
Nothing’s guaranteed for a UDFA. Walker’s risks are obvious:
Crowded WR Room: DJ, Odunze, Burden will eat most of the targets.
Learning Curve: Johnson’s system is precise — screw up your route depth, and you’re toast.
Roster Volatility: As WR6, Walker is always one waiver claim away from being the odd man out. His $170K guaranteed helps, but it’s not ironclad security.
Long-Term Trajectory
Year One (2025): The Foundation
Don’t expect fireworks. Success this year = 20ish catches + standout special teams play. That keeps him in the conversation.
Years Two–Three (2026–2027): The Window
If history repeats, this is when Walker makes his leap. Injuries, roster churn, and system mastery could finally hand him a shot. That’s when UDFA grinders usually pop.
UDFA WR Development Timeline Projections: Year 1 to Year 4 in the NFL.
Final Verdict
Jahdae Walker isn’t going to set Soldier Field on fire in 2025. But that’s not the point. He already did the hardest part — making the roster as an undrafted free agent. Now it’s about carving out relevance one special teams tackle, one red-zone catch, one clutch play at a time.
If Walker follows the UDFA path, he won’t be a fantasy darling this year, but by 2026–27, he could be one of those “How the hell did we miss on this guy?” stories fans love to throw in scouts’ faces.
And that’s the beauty of this game — sometimes the underdog just refuses to stay down. Walker’s not a long shot anymore. He’s here, and he’s coming for more.
Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) runs with the ball against Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Training camp has come and gone, the preseason is over, and the Chicago Bears are beginning their preparations for opening night against Minnesota. Looking back, it is always interesting to examine the most popular topics that surrounded the team. Of course, it starts with head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams. Then there was the exciting ascent of receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Luther Burden. There was the left tackle competition and the suddenly aggressive mindset on defense. Amidst all of that, it was surprising how quiet things were around Colston Loveland, especially with him being a top 10 draft pick.
Maybe he got off to a quieter start than others because the learning curve for tight ends is steeper. Not according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. According to what he was told, Loveland has been one of the stars of camp.
Loveland is the guy whose name comes up every time I ask somebody about Bears camp. He’s quarterback-friendly. He’s big and fast. He’s polished in his route running. He was healthy to start training camp, so he advanced quickly once August got going. And his connection with quarterback Caleb Williams is said to already be outstanding. The Bears have a lot of very good pass catchers, with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and Luther Burden III. But as Williams continues his development under new coach Ben Johnson, he could lean on Loveland a lot — especially early.
Hearing that makes you realize the lack of genuine buzz around the rookie was probably by design. While the Bears praised Loveland when asked, they seem to intentionally not mention him otherwise. That suggests they want to keep him a secret until it’s time to pull the curtain on national television.
Colston Loveland has the exact right person guiding him.
Ben Johnson knows a thing or two about tight ends. He coached the position for several years while rising up the NFL ranks. Then, he helped mold Sam LaPorta into a Pro Bowler in Detroit. If anybody is qualified to elevate Colston Loveland to the player he can be, it’s Johnson. This offense is as tight-end-friendly as it gets. The only question is how long it takes for the Bears to turn him loose. Johnson said his biggest challenge would be keeping everybody fed. D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, Zaccheaus, and Burden will also need action. Getting Loveland the ball will require timing and preparation. Still, seeing him make two or three impactful plays on Monday night wouldn’t be shocking.
Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears have pretty much nailed down every position ahead of opening night against Minnesota. There is no confusion about who the starters will be at wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and tight end. Even four of the five offensive line spots are settled. Yet head coach Ben Johnson still hasn’t decided on the left tackle spot. He’s been strangely stubborn about it for weeks. For a time, it looked like Braxton Jones and Ozzy Trapilo were the two favorites to claim. Then Trapilo was shifted back to right tackle and Theo Benedet entered the race.
As things stand, most believe Jones holds the job after getting most of the first-team snaps in practice and the preseason finale. However, Johnson refused to confirm that idea when asked about it.
“We feel good about the guys we have in that room. Somebody is going to take the bull by the horns and take over. But we’re not afraid to make a change if the performance isn’t where it needs to be. We’ll make that decision going into next week. I’m sure you guys will have a good idea of who our starters will be going into Minnesota. Mentally, I’m not there yet.”
While this may frustrate fans, it’s worth noting the kind of message this sends. Johnson has said since arriving in Chicago that he has a certain standard for player performance. If you don’t measure up to it, he feels zero obligation to let you keep playing. What Johnson has seen from the left tackle over the last month hasn’t met that standard, and he won’t reward anybody for something he feels they didn’t truly earn.
Ben Johnson is also sending a message to management.
Left tackle is the second-most important position in football behind the quarterback. It isn’t a coincidence that three of the last four Super Bowl champions had a Pro Bowler at that spot. Ben Johnson knows a big part of his success in Detroit was because he had Taylor Decker anchoring the left side. It was the same in Miami with Laremy Tunsil. You need a good left tackle if you want to score points and win games. The Bears haven’t had one in years. Jones has been decent but inconsistent. Charles Leno Jr. was as close as they’ve had to good in the past two decades. Ben Johnson will make it work with what he has. That said, it sounds like he’s making it clear to GM Ryan Poles and everybody else that nobody should feel comfortable with the status quo.
Jul 23, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) runs during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The final roster is mostly set for the Chicago Bears. Eyes are already turning to Monday night in a couple of weeks, when the Minnesota Vikings will be waiting. Head coach Ben Johnson and his staff have worked tirelessly to get the players ready for action. There have been plenty of positives. The offense already looks better, especially up front. Caleb Williams has looked improved mechanically. Even the defense has shown signs of being more aggressive this season. Unfortunately, there is one downside to the past month.
Injuries.
Plenty of positions have felt it, but few have felt it like the secondary. Jaylon Johnson has been out for weeks with an undisclosed soft tissue problem. Kyler Gordon missed extensive time with a hamstring issue. Terell Smith was lost for the season to a torn patella. This is not something the Bears can afford with that loaded Vikings passing attack looming. Well, the misfortune deepened on Wednesday. Reports out of Halas Hall indicate another starter went down, and it’s one many fans had quietly feared was coming.
Bears LB Ruben Hyppolite II and DB Jaquan Brisker left practice early on Wednesday.
LB Tremaine Edmunds returned to practice and was a limited participant. LB T.J. Edwards and DL Dominique Robinson didn't participate.
The Chicago Bears have a tough decision ahead on Brisker.
He’s been such a good player for them when on the field. The young safety has rare versatility, able to attack the line of scrimmage and roam in coverage with equal success. His problem has always been health. He has missed time every season he’s been in the NFL. Last year was the worst, missing the rest of the season after suffering a nasty concussion in week five. Brisker has reportedly looked fantastic throughout training camp. So, hearing that he left practice and was carted back to the facility is not good for anybody involved. Brisker is seeking a second contract, but knows the Chicago Bears can’t give him one if he keeps missing time. If this injury is serious, it may torpedo his chances. That means the team must start thinking about finding new safeties next year. Don’t forget Kevin Byard is also a free agent.
