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Multiple Bears Players Reveal Why Ben Johnson Is Perfect For Caleb

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Jul 23, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Some experts weren’t sure about the Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson. It wasn’t that the young offensive coordinator didn’t deserve the job. Quite the opposite. He was the best head coaching candidate of the entire cycle. The issue they took was the fit. Johnson made his name in Detroit, coaching a traditional quarterback in Jared Goff. He was a heady player who operated mostly from the pocket. Caleb Williams was completely different. He is that new type of player, like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, who seems to operate best off-script.

It was wondered if Johnson’s offense could account for that. Also, there were questions about whether Williams was prepared for the coach. Johnson had a reputation for being demanding. He is intense and harps on details constantly. Some players don’t like that. It is particularly hard on quarterbacks because of all their responsibilities. However, according to Adam Jahns of CHGO, the locker room has a deep appreciation for what Johnson is doing.

“Everybody’s going to get coached up,” said receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, who previously played for the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. “It doesn’t matter who you are. That’s a big thing. (He’s) holding everybody accountable, not just certain players or certain people, and overlooking certain things. Like (shoot), even I got yelled at. Everybody’s going to get yelled at. Not even yelled at, but it’s more so it’s like, held accountable. But you know he will yell at you. You need that.”

The feeling is that this approach is perfect for Williams.

Jonah Jackson watched Johnson operate in Detroit for two years. He saw Jared Goff, a former Pro Bowler, get the same treatment. The coach doesn’t care what you did before. It’s about what you will do and whether it’s done the right way.

“He’s a veteran player, and if you’re not being coached, you got to be worried,” guard Jonah Jackson, who spent three seasons with Goff and Johnson in Detroit, told CHGO. “He coached him tough, but he coached him in a manner that brought him along and developed him into the guy he is now. I feel like the same is for Caleb.”

“Nobody got away with anything,” Jackson said. “There was no shortcuts, whether you were an eight-year, nine-year vet or a first-year guy. Everybody was coached the same way. He takes pride in keeping everybody accountable and people taking accountability in themselves and their work. And it’s great for us.”

Ben Johnson won’t be beholden to his quarterback.

That was the mistake Matt Eberflus made. You can’t be afraid to coach all of your players. Yes, quarterbacks are the most important, but they’re still just one player. Head coaches must be the ones who set the vision for an organization and lay down the law. There is never an example in history where a team run exclusively by players did anything. Ben Johnson knows he must be the commanding voice in everything. He’s the big dog. The buck stops with him. He’s making sure the players understand that. This isn’t about being popular or becoming liked. It is about respect. The Bears don’t have to like Johnson. They must respect his word and do what he asks of them. It is no different with Williams.

History is full of examples of quarterbacks and head coaches who had less-than-harmonious personal relationships. Yet their mutual respect still led to success.

  • Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Noll
  • Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon
  • Bill Walsh and Joe Montana
  • Tom Brady and Bill Belichick
  • Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy

There is no reason to think it can’t be the same for Johnson and Williams.

Undrafted Rookie Chicago Bears Were Excited About Starting To Shine

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Tysheem Johnson (33) looks on during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Sometimes a team needs good luck if they’re going to turn the corner from bottom dweller to contender. That means doing more than just hitting on their high draft picks. It means scoring some late-round picks, or even better, some undrafted free agents. Fans weren’t overly enthusiastic about the crop of names the Chicago Bears brought in this offseason. It was a smaller group than usual and didn’t seem to have any standouts. However, one player appeared to generate a little buzz inside Halas Hall.

That was Oregon safety Tysheem Johnson.

At first glance, you’d understand why he didn’t get drafted. Johnson is only 5’9. The NFL tends to be wary of smaller safeties because of their tendency to get hurt more often. Still, Johnson showcased playmaking skills with five interceptions, 75 tackles, a sack, and eight passes defended in two seasons with the Ducks. There was evidence he could play. By the sounds of things from Bears training camp, it appears Johnson is making his presence known. Not takeaways, but through intimidation.

Depth at safety is a major issue for the Chicago Bears.

They have two starters with questions around them. Kevin Byard is in the last year of his contract. He’s also in his mid-30s. Jaquan Brisker missed most of last season with a concussion and also will be a free agent next spring. The Chicago Bears have Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens as their primary backups. Neither really stands out as a potential long-term starter option. It would be great if somebody offered hope on that front. Johnson has wasted no time staking his claim. The first step is cracking the main roster, which is never easy. Chicago likely won’t carry more than four safeties, which means he’ll have to beat out Hicks or Owens. If he does, it will be a sign of big possibilities.

Prospect Rankings Updates Will Shock Cubs Fans

By
Aldo Soto
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Mar 2, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

I haven’t really paid too much attention to prospect rankings during the month of July as the Chicago Cubs have been fighting for first place in the division, but there’s something very noticeable in a few of these lists. A lot of times these rankings are arbitrary and when we see trades that involve prospects the number next to their name can often be deceiving.

But I guess they do give fans some idea of how teams may view these minor leaguers and well a few of these updated lists may shock Cubs fans.

MLB Pipeline is probably the go-to site for fans to check on prospects and the list there has been fairly consistent for the Cubs. Owen Caissie has been the top-rated minor league player on the farm system ever since Matt Shaw and Cade Horton graduated from prospect status, while catcher/DH Moises Ballesteros has been close behind.

MLB Pipeline: top Cubs prospects

  1. Owen Caissie (No. 36)
  2. Moises Ballesteros (No. 47)
  3. Jefferson Rojas (No. 57)
  4. Kevin Alcántara (No. 76)
  5. Jaxon Wiggins (No. 91)

Just Baseball also released an updated list on Tuesday and the rankings among the young Cubs are similar with Caissie at the top.

Caissie has been on fire for the past month, posting a 1.117 OPS with 12 home runs during his last 30 games. The 23-year-old is in his second season at Triple-A and has been the subject to trade rumors since last offseason. At one point it appeared as though the left-handed slugger was going to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Jesus Luzardo.

Now, as the trade deadline nears for the Cubs, fans might automatically put Caissie as the most desired prospect in the farm system, but maybe that’s not actually the perception around the league?

Following the MLB Draft in mid-July, Kiley McDaniel updated his prospect rankings on ESPN. He released the top-10 players in each minor league system and Caissie wasn’t No. 1 for the Cubs according to McDaniel.

Cubs Top-10 Prospects (ESPN)

  1. Moises Ballesteros
  2. Kevin Alcántara
  3. Jefferson Rojas
  4. Owen Caissie
  5. Ethan Conrad
  6. Jaxon Wiggins
  7. Jonathon Long
  8. Brandon Birdsell
  9. Cristian Hernandez
  10. Josiah Hartshorn

Caissie didn’t even crack the top-three on ESPN, while Alcántara made it up second and Wiggins slid down to six. However, that’s not even the most drastic update we’ve seen in July.

FanGraphs updated its top-100 prospects list and Eric Longenhagen doesn’t even have Caissie or Ballesteros in the rankings. The lead prospect analyst at FanGraphs ranks three Cubs among the best 100 prospects, but you’d never guess who the highest-rated one is.

But that’s not even the best ranking for Kevin Alcántara this summer because The Athletic’s Keith Law updated his rankings last week and he had Alcántara at No. 27 in his top-60 list. By the way, Law ranked Ballesteros No. 34, and Caissie was not among the group of 60 on Law’s list.

Oh, but then you look at Baseball America and Alcántara isn’t even in their top-100 list.

Maybe this is actually a great thing for the Cubs. They might have just enough diversity in their farm system that attracts a wide variety of interest across the league that could also have wildly different perceptions of the prospects similar to these distinct rankings.

Colson Montgomery Reveals Secret Behind His Recent Success

By
ChiSoxFanMike
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Jul 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Colson Montgomery (12) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Torpedo bats were all the rage earlier in the season, and one of the White Sox most promising rookies has now joined the movement. Colson Montgomery told reporters before tonight’s game that he has adopted that bat style. And the results speak for themselves.

Torpedo Bat Adoption

Per Montgomery, he started using the torpedo bat during last week’s series against the Tampa Bay Rays after talking to White Sox coaches about his contact point. He elaborated and said that the torpedo bat allows him to barrel up the ball better, given that he has long arms and frequently gets pitched inside by opposing pitchers. After hitting a home run the second time he used the torpedo style of bat, Montgomery has stuck with it. He reportedly even has more of these bats coming.

Power Explosion

Montgomery’s power has exploded since adopting the torpedo bats. He has hit four home runs and a double in just six games since transitioning to this bat, collecting 20 total bases and striking out just four times over that span. He has also accumulated a full 1.0 bWAR and 0.8 fWAR in just 20 MLB games. It has been an absolute transformation for the 23-year-old rookie, who performed so poorly in Triple-A earlier this season that he was sent back to the White Sox facility in Arizona to rework his swing and mental approach. It is safe to say that his work with Ryan Fuller, the White Sox Director of Hitting, has paid off big time.

Defensive Versatility

Power isn’t the only aspect of Montgomery’s game he has shown off recently. He has also displayed defensive versatility, holding his own at third base despite being a lifetime shortstop. His 20 MLB games have been split evenly between short and third base. He has made a couple of miscues in the field at the hot corner, but his ability to quickly adapt to a new defensive position at the MLB level without seeing his offensive production fall has been impressive to say the least. 

Future Is Now For Colson Montgomery

Colson Montgomery is quickly proving why the White Sox believed in him. After battling inconsistency in the minors, his recent surge validates the organization’s long-term faith in him. It is hard to envision a scenario in which his MLB career could have begun any better. He will inevitably hit bumps as pitchers figure him out, but he has firmly put himself on the radar again. He is producing like a key piece of the White Sox future. Whether at shortstop or third base, his bat looks ready to anchor the lineup for years to come.

Cubs Dump Pitcher Ahead of Trade Deadline

By
Aldo Soto
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May 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Chris Flexen (77) reacts after ending the top of the tenth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs have dumped veteran pitcher Chris Flexen ahead of the trade deadline, designating the right-hander prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Flexen signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in the offseason and was called up from Triple-A in early May. He was unbelievable through his first 12 appearances with the Cubs, but has fallen off a cliff ever since.

The Cubs have called up 27-year-old reliever Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa to replace Flexen in the bullpen.

Flexen made his season debut on May 2, and recorded a three-inning save against the Brewers. That began a stretch of 21.1 consecutive scoreless innings that was snapped until June 22, against the Seattle Mariners.

During his scoreless streak, Flexen wasn’t necessarily dominating hitters as he only recorded 13 strikeouts, but the outs kept coming. However, once Flexen went downhill there was no stopping his slide. In his final nine games with the Cubs, Flexen posted a 6.04 ERA in 22.1 innings, which included the righty allowing seven home runs and a K/BB ratio of 9/6.

He last pitched Monday night in relief, coming in to a 6-4 game in the seventh inning. Flexen was greeted by a leadoff single and then gave up a two-run homer to Christian Yelich, doubling Milwaukee’s lead.

Overall with the Cubs, Flexen recorded a 3.09 ERA in 43.2 innings.

The Cubs will certainly be adding another starting pitcher and possibly two before the trade deadline passes. Flexen’s presence in the bullpen won’t be needed as Colin Rea will most likely return to his swingman role as a reliever following his start Tuesday night.

As for Hollowell, the right-hander has looked great in his limited time in the majors with the Cubs. He has a 1.17 ERA in six big-league appearances since he was acquired by the team in 2024. The right-hander has given up one run in 7.2 innings, striking out six batters to only two walks. His overall numbers haven’t been good at Triple-A this year as Hollowell has a 5.24 ERA in 22.1 innings, but he does have a 32.7 K%.

Hollowell’s ERA in Iowa is inflated by one bad appearance, when he gave up five earned runs in 0.2 innings. Aside from that blow up, Hollowell has a solid 3.32 ERA in his other 21.2 innings of work. He has a minor league option left, so he might only be up for the next couple days before the Cubs make a few trades.

Cubs Will Honor Ryne Sandberg with Jersey Patch

By
Aldo Soto
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Jun 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs will honor Ryne Sandberg with a jersey patch for the remainder of the 2025 season after the Hall of Fame baseball player passed away at the age of 65. Sandberg, who began his MLB career with the Philadelphia Phillies, was traded to the Cubs prior to the 1982 season. The second baseman played the rest of his career with Chicago, where he became a beloved figure beyond Wrigley Field.

In 2024, Sandberg announced that he began treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. He was declared cancer-free in August 2024, but on December 10, 2024, Sandberg announced that the cancer had returned and spread to other organs.

On July 28, 2025, the Cubs announced that Sandberg passed away at the age of 65.

The following were Sandberg’s final public words to the fans.

The Cubs shared a video on Tuesday, previewing the jersey patch that the team will wear for the rest of the season to honor the memory of Sandberg.

Ryno forever.

Caleb Williams Was Reportedly Firing Lasers During Latest Bears Practice

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb williams
Jul 23, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) plays with the ball during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Everything the Chicago Bears hope can happen for them rests on the shoulders of Caleb Williams. GM Ryan Poles schemed to draft the former USC star for over a year. Many feel he has generational talent. Unfortunately, he couldn’t show it last season due to rough circumstances, including poor pass protection and worse coaching. Both problems were addressed in the offseason, most notably by hiring Ben Johnson as head coach. His widely respected expertise was what Williams needed to take the next step.

Things didn’t start well when training camp opened. There were lots of miscues and miscommunications, and Williams looked somewhat overwhelmed. Nobody panicked, though. Johnson had expected it since his head coach was throwing a lot of information and curveballs at his young quarterback. Tuesday the 29th felt like the first real shift in a positive direction. While it wasn’t a perfect afternoon for the offense, there is abundant evidence that Williams was throwing excellent passes all morning.

Caleb Williams isn’t there yet, but he’s picking up steam.

Coach Johnson said before practice that his quarterback is drastically improved from where he was in the spring, particularly regarding comfort in the system. There are still issues to work through. The install isn’t over yet, and it will take a long time before Caleb Williams masters it. That said, he’s looking more decisive with each passing day. The accuracy is showing up more often. Better still, it seems like his protection is starting to hold up better. If he shows this kind of progress less than a week into camp, it bodes well for what the Bears seek this season. Plenty of people have low expectations for Williams after seeing his struggles last year. He is undoubtedly motivated to show them that his demise was greatly exaggerated. It could be a fun next few months for the organization.

ESPN’s Risky Trade Idea Brings Cy Young Pitcher to Cubs

By
Aldo Soto
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Apr 22, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) reacts after giving up a home run in the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

There’s always risk a team has weigh in any decision, but this would certainly put a lot of trust in a pitcher being able to contribute after missing most of the season. Yet, the payoff could be great for the Chicago Cubs who need another impact arm or two in the rotation and unfortunately there aren’t that many ace-type starters available. In ESPN’s latest trade deadline article that features MLB experts suggesting outside-the-box deals the Cubs land a former Cy Young award winning pitcher.

Shane Bieber to the Cubs?

The Cleveland Guardians are in damage control after their star closer was put on paid-leave, resulting from an ongoing sports-betting investigation that has Emmanuel Clase out of action until at least September. The Guardians could shake up the league at that trade deadline with outfielder Steven Kwan suddenly appearing in rumors, but a forgotten trade chip is right-handed starting pitcher Shane Bieber.

The 30-year-old is returning from Tommy John surgery and scouts from all pitcher-needy teams will have eyes on Bieber Tuesday, when he makes a rehab start at Double-A.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan wants to see the Cubs take on the risk and trade for the 2020 AL Cy Young.

Chicago needs to land at least one starting pitcher at this deadline, and the former AL Cy Young winner is very available. He still hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this season, but his stuff has looked crisp during his three minor league outings, according to scouts who have seen him, and the acquisition cost won’t be nearly as prohibitive as that of getting other pitchers. The ceiling, meanwhile, could be every bit as high, and while there’s inherent risk involved with a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery — particularly one with a $16 million player option — it’s a risk a team like the Cubs should feel plenty comfortable taking. 

Bieber made 21 starts during the 2023 season and showed some signs of regression. He posted a 3.80 ERA in 128 innings and then missed a little more than two months with an elbow issue. Bieber made two starts in 2024, and looked fantastic, throwing 12 scoreless innings with 20 strikeouts and only one walk before his elbow gave out, leading to Tommy John surgery.

The Guardians re-signed Bieber heading into 2025, agreeing to a two-year, $26 million. That was broken down to a $10 million salary for this season and a $16 million player option for 2026 that also includes a $4 million buyout.

Bieber has been fantastic throughout his career, but he has missed big chunks of the season a few times. He had a shoulder injury in 2021, limiting him to 16 starts in addition to the recent elbow issue that began in 2023. Yet, when he’s on the mound Bieber has been elite, recording a career 3.22 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 843 innings. Even when his velocity dipped Bieber found ways to be effective, posting a 3.12 ERA since 2022.

Latest Shane Bieber Rehab Start

The right-handed pitcher returned to action on May 31, but was then shut down by the Guardians earlier this season. Bieber then began his second rehab assignment on July 15, in the Arizona Complex League before making another appearance a week later at A+ Ball.

On Tuesday, Bieber made his third rehab appearance in July. Pitching at Double-A, Bieber looked good again as he struck out seven in four innings of work, surrendering an earned run on four hits. Bieber threw 57 pitches and was sitting at 91-93mph.

Would you want the Cubs to roll the dice on Bieber at the trade deadline?

Ben Johnson Reveals When He Will Make His Decision At Left Tackle

By
Erik Lambert
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dan roushar
Jun 3, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (75) runs on the field during minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears have plenty of roster battles going on as training camp unfolds. Yet nobody can argue the most important is left tackle. All four of the other spots on the offensive line are set. Head coach Ben Johnson must find the best option to guard Caleb Williams’ blindside. It is a three-man race between veteran Braxton Jones, former 3rd round pick Kiran Amegadjie, and rookie 2nd round pick Ozzy Trapilo. Johnson has said the one who stands out the most in pass protection will likely earn that job.

No decision has been made yet, which isn’t surprising. Johnson and offensive line coach Dan Roushar want to give the players a solid stretch of time with the first-team offense. However, both also know they can’t string this out for too long. At some point, they need to get their starting five guys in place so they can start building chemistry for the coming season. Johnson was asked about it on Tuesday. He indicated a decision could be made before the Bears’ first preseason game on August 10th. That means 12 days.

Ben Johnson isn’t tipping his hand on anything.

All three players have gotten legitimate reps with the starting offense. If he has a favorite, there hasn’t been any sign. Based on reports from various people who have watched practices to this point, it feels like Trapilo is the current favorite. Whether Ben Johnson and the coaches feel that way as well is unknown. They’ve praised the rookie for his surprising maturity and polish. They love his size and mobility. However, they’ve also had great things to say about Jones. Unless Amegadjie really stands out in the next two weeks, it feels like a two-man race between Jones and Trapilo. This may come down to how the rookie looks in pass protection. It was considered the strong part of his game in college. That could prove decisive here.

Chris Getz Has An Unenviable Decision To Make

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jul 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) bats against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

With the trade deadline less than a week away, one of the biggest questions surrounding the White Sox is whether Luis Robert Jr. will remain with the team. 

He is on several teams’ radar, with ESPN’s Buster Olney reporting that the Padres, Phillies, and Mets are all interested in acquiring Robert. A pair of division rivals vying for Robert’s services could prove beneficial for the White Sox. Robert has helped his trade value with six home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .853 OPS in his last 28 games. He has also provided Gold Glove caliber defense in center field and ranks fifth in the American League with 26 stolen bases. 

But given Robert’s struggles at the plate in each of the past two seasons and his history of being injury-prone, there are questions over how much the White Sox can realistically get in return. 

Both Onley and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic have stated that the White Sox will hang onto Robert, who has a $20 million team option for next season, if they don’t get a trade return that is equivalent to what they feel Robert’s potential is. This includes landing at least one top 10 prospect from any potential trade partner in return.  

There is a strong case for the White Sox to hang onto Robert. White Sox general manager Chris Getz has plenty of payroll flexibility for next season. Worst-case scenario, the White Sox pick up his option and have a good defensive centerfielder to hold down the fort until Braden Montgomery, or another one of the White Sox prospects, is ready to be called up.  They could also try to trade Robert during the offseason if he continues to drive his value up during the second half of the year. 

But as Rosenthal points out, Robert has only appeared in more than 100 games once in his first four seasons in the big leagues. He added that the Padres, Phillies, and Mets believe the White Sox are bluffing. If the White Sox pick up his option, there is always the risk that he misses significant time once again. If the White Sox trade him for a mid-tier prospect, they could wind up shortchanged. However, if they keep him and then decline his option, they lose him for nothing. 

It’s an unenviable position for Getz. Getz has proven in the past that he is willing to hold out until his asking price for a player is met. He dragged Dylan Cease trade talks through the 2024 offseason before finally reaching a deal with the Padres during Spring Training. He also held onto Garrett Corchet during the 2024 trade deadline until he got a four-prospect haul from the Red Sox in the offseason. 

Is it really worth gambling on a team’s mid-tier prospect in exchange for Luis Robert Jr., a player with an All-Star appearance, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger already on his résumé?

These are the questions that Getz will have to answer in the coming days.

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