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From Bullets in West LA to Freedom in the NFL: Rashied Davis’ Untold Journey of Loss, Hope, and That Life-Changing Bank Account

By
Sports Mockery
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Former Chicago Bear Rashied Davis recently sat down on the Untold Chicago Stories show and delivered one of the most raw, emotional, and real accounts of his life that Bears fans—and anyone who’s ever faced real adversity—have ever heard. Growing up in the tough streets of West Los Angeles (often tied to the broader South Central area in stories of his era), Rashied’s childhood was defined by constant danger, violence, and loss. His father was tragically murdered when he was just eight years old, shot at a fast-food restaurant in a senseless act of gang-related violence. Raised as one of nine children by his mother and aunt, Rashied navigated a world filled with gang activity—Crypts vs. Bloods rivalries, drugs everywhere, and the kind of negativity that swallowed up so many around him.

He recalls dodging bullets in his own home, idolizing gang members early on because they seemed to have the power and possessions he thought represented success. “Boys in the Hood” wasn’t just a movie to him; it mirrored the gang-ridden, drug-infested reality he lived. School wasn’t easy either—he was bused over an hour each way to Kennedy High in the San Fernando Valley because his mom insisted on a better education and environment, away from the neighborhood’s pull. At first, he resisted, but that decision became a lifeline.

Football didn’t come until later. Too small in high school (around 5 feet and 90 pounds early on), he didn’t play much until college at San Jose State. There, he found his escape and purpose. Football became the outlet that channeled his energy and talent, while education opened doors he never imagined. After college, he grinded through the Arena Football League for years before breaking into the NFL with the Chicago Bears in 2005—first as a cornerback, then converting to wide receiver. He earned his spot through sheer determination, becoming a reliable weapon (especially on third downs) and even playing in the Super Bowl XLIII run.

But the emotional depth Rashied brought went beyond the gridiron highlights. He shared the untold turning point that symbolized his shift to true independence: opening his first bank account. Coming from a background where money was scarce and survival was day-to-day, that simple act—learning to manage finances, deposit checks, and build security—was life-changing. It marked financial independence, a stark contrast to the instability of his youth. He reflected on how many athletes struggle post-career without that foundation, but for him, it was the foundation of freedom after escaping the streets.

Rashied’s story isn’t just about making it to the NFL; it’s about resilience, faith, and hope breaking through darkness. He credits God for giving him that spark of hope when gang life seemed like the only path. Today, he gives back to communities by drawing on his experiences to mentor and inspire. His Untold Chicago Stories appearance captures the grind, the sacrifices, and the emotional insight fans rarely see—proving that adversity doesn’t define you; how you rise above it does.

Rashied’s commitment to giving back didn’t stop with his NFL career. In 2010, he and his wife, Dianna, founded Saturday Place, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides free Saturday tutoring, literacy, character education, and field trips for 3rd and 4th-graders struggling academically in under-resourced public schools. Born from his own West LA struggles and the hope that pulled him out, Saturday Place embodies his mission: helping kids overcome obstacles through inspiration, preparation, and discipline—just as he did to reach Soldier Field and beyond.

“Our mission statement is to teach children how to overcome obstacles to success through inspiration, preparation and discipline.” — Rashied Davis

This is the kind of powerful, heartfelt tale that reminds us why sports stories matter: they show real people overcoming impossible odds. Rashied Davis didn’t just play for the Bears—he lived a journey that inspires everyone still fighting their own battles.

Watch the full Untold Chicago episode to hear Shied’s raw, honest stories about earning respect inside the locker room, the pressure of performing at Soldier Field, and what it truly means to wear the Bears uniform.

Why Would The Bears Trade Gervon Dexter? Inside The Rumors Rocking Chicago

By
Erik Lambert
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gervon dexter
Sep 29, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) and defensive end Darrell Taylor (52) celebrate during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears hinted that a roster shakeup might be coming this offseason. It is possible nobody thought it might be this extensive. Already, there have been strong rumors that Tyson Bagent and D.J. Moore could be traded. Tremaine Edmunds was given permission to seek the same. Now things have reached the realm of shocking as insider Jordan Schultz revealed that teams are calling the Bears about the availability of defensive tackle Gervon Dexter. This certainly isn’t a name anybody expected.

The former 2nd-round pick was the team’s best interior player last season, racking up a career-high 6 sacks. He’s only 24 years old. Some may find it difficult to imagine why the Bears would entertain such calls. There are a few reasons. For one, Dexter is a free agent next year. Given where things stand, it doesn’t feel likely that the team will put up the necessary money to extend him. The reason why goes smoothly into the second part of the trade discussions.

Dexter isn’t really a great fit for Dennis Allen’s defense. The Bears’ defensive coordinator has long preferred lighter, quicker defensive tackles. Dexter, at 326 lbs, is neither of those things.

Gervon Dexter is in an awkward spot.

There is no question that he is a productive player. Most would agree the pick for him was a success. He’s become a solid starter for the Bears’ defense. Unfortunately, he’s been caught in a tough situation. His contract is coming up, and now he plays under a coaching staff that didn’t draft him. Is he good enough for the coaches to look past that detail? The unfortunate answer is no. As decent as his seasons in Chicago have been, he’s never stood out as a top-tier interior pass rusher in that time. He also hasn’t been much of a run defender.

Season Total PressuresDT Pressure RankingNotes
20232945th overallRecorded 29 pressures in a rotational rookie role, with 20 of those coming in the final nine games.
20243924th overallFinished 24th among over 200 players at the position in total pressures forced.
20254418th overallRanked 18th out of 134 qualifying interior defenders in pressures, according to PFF.

When you think about it, the incentive to keep Gervon Dexter just isn’t strong enough. Under normal circumstances, the Bears would probably look to extend him. He’s done enough to warrant it. Sadly, the lack of cap space makes it difficult. Trading him would net them a draft pick and allow them to avoid handing out a big contract when they already have multiple others on the books (Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, and Dayo Odeyingbo). From there, Allen will be free to remake the position as he sees fit.

Expect the Bears to be highly active at defensive tackle.

There were already whispers that the team would likely take one early in the draft. Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he felt the edge rusher position was deeper than the defensive tackle position in this class. That makes you think they might pounce on one early. There are certainly some intriguing options. Peter Woods of Clemson and Christen Miller of Georgia seem to fit Allen’s preferred profile with their sleeker builds and explosiveness. Tyler Onyedim of Texas A&M and Grace Halton of Oklahoma could be possibilities in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

Now it’s important to note the Bears are not guaranteed to trade Dexter. They’re receiving calls at this point. Whether they get an offer they deem acceptable is another story. They already have question marks in the middle with Andrew Billings and Chris Williams becoming free agents. Poles won’t weaken the position even further unless the compensation is worth it. We’re probably talking about a day two pick of some kind. Expect a move, if there is one, sometime before free agency.

This Continues to be the Dumbest Part About Spring Training for the Cubs

By
Aldo Soto
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Feb 25, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw (6) drops the ball against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

You may not care all that much about watching spring training games, but there are plenty of fans who want to soak up every single minute of action as possible and for some reason the Chicago Cubs and MLB continue to make it impossible to watch. You would think that a team like the Cubs, who owns their own TV network, would have the ability broadcast these games, but at the very least turn on a live feed from the ballpark and put it on MLB.tv.

That’s what really stands out because we can all see that they post a few video highlights from these games that aren’t on TV, so why not just keep that feed going live with the stadium PA announcer as the audio. Is that really too much to ask for? Wednesday’s spring training game between the Cubs and Rockies was not broadcasted on TV nor had a radio broadcast.

The only highlights posted looked like this.

The last game available to watch was on Sunday against the Giants and Cubs fans won’t be able to watch on TV again until Saturday, when the Cubs play the Dodgers. That game will be on LA’s TV network.

The Cubs lost 14-7. Here are the things that stood out.

Matt Shaw in Right Field

Matt Shaw made his second spring training start in right field on Wednesday and it continues to be a work in progress for the second-year pro. Shaw couldn’t make a catch in the first inning on a ball hit to right-center field as he raced over, but had the ball clanked off his glove. It was ruled a double.

In the fifth inning, Shaw was charged with a throwing error that allowed Nicky Lopez to reach second base safely after hitting a single. On the bright side, Shaw did record an outfield assist later in the fifth inning, throwing out Bryant Betancourt, who was trying to score from second. Would have been nice to see!

This is why it’s spring training though. Shaw is learning a new position and you want to see the challenges now in order to make him better out there.

Shaw called this play part of the learning process in the outfield. Crow-Armstrong couldn't see the fly ball because of the sun and normally it would be his. Shaw said it was a helpful scenario in understanding to always be super aggressive in pursuing a ball in the gap until PCA calls him off.

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— Meghan Montemurro (@mmontemurro.bsky.social) February 25, 2026 at 4:25 PM

3 Pitchers Struggle

Out of the three familiar pitchers who struggled against the Rockies it was probably most detrimental to 25-year-old Luke Little.

Jameson Taillon gave up three runs on four hits, including a pair of home runs. The veteran starter will make one more spring training start before joining Team Canada next week at the World Baseball Classic. Taillon is slotted in the rotation and has been fairly consistent throughout his career, so fans shouldn’t be freaking about his performance in February.

Same goes for lefty reliever Caleb Thielbar. He made his second appearance in spring training and Thielbar was only able to get one out. He gave up five runs on six hits, which included a home run. Kinda just have to flush that one away.

As for Little, he has plenty of competition from the left side of rubber and right now he needs as many good outings as possible to keep his name in the mix as an option from Triple-A. He’s struggled with his command and the two walks hurt him against the Rockies as he surrendered four earned runs on Wednesday.

Little’s put up good numbers in the majors, posting a 2.80 ERA in 35.1 innings and he was pretty good at Triple-A last year, when the big left-hander had a 2.87 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 59.2 innings. However, he also had a 13.5 BB%. The Cubs quickly sent Little back down to Triple-A last April, following a disaster in San Diego, where Little walked four batters. He only made one other appearance in the majors for the Cubs in 2025, coming in August.

Cade Horton Shines

Is Cade Horton going to be the Opening Day starter? It’s hard not to think that way, considering he was going to be the Game 1 starter in the postseason last year if it wasn’t for a fluke injury at the end of the season. In this year’s spring debut, Horton pitched two shutout innings. The right-hander struck out two batters and walked one, while giving up no hits.

Horton threw 26 total pitches, 14 of them were fastballs that averaged 95.5 mph.

New members of the Cubs bullpen, Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey, both threw a scoreless inning against the Rockies. We know that Maton is going to generate whiffs with his plethora of off-speed pitches, but Harvey was throwing gas. The right-hander pumped it up to 98 mph against the Rockies. The Cubs haven’t featured too many relievers with high velocity in recent years, so it’ll be good to see a big arm like Harvey this year.

Veteran Pitcher Joins White Sox As Under-The-Radar Addition

By
Craig Rowland
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Sep 12, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Austin Voth (30) pitches to the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Over the past few years under Chris Getz, the White Sox added a ton of guys as non-roster invitees to Spring Training. Things have changed a bit this year, as there seems to be less of that, which is likely due to a majority of the White Sox roster already set in stone.

However, last week, the White Sox quietly added another pitcher to that non-roster invitee list. According to James Fegan, the White Sox have added right handed pitcher Austin Voth on a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Voth is a very interesting addition, as he is now the third player Chris Getz has signed that has left Major League Baseball, went overseas, and made a return to Major League Baseball. The other two players that fit in that category are Erick Fedde and Anthony Kay.

Voth has pitched part of seven major league seasons with three different teams. Over his career, he has thrown 360 innings of 4.70 ERA baseball. Voth had a very solid 2019 season with the Washington Nationals, as he had eight starts, throwing 43 innings of 3.30 ERA baseball. This was good for 1.1 WAR according to Baseball Reference.

After that, Voth had an up and down tenure for the next few years in the Nationals organization, but found some life with the Baltimore Orioles during the 2022 season. In 17 starts for the Orioles, Voth had a 3.04 ERA over 83 innings, striking out 72 batters. This was one of his better stretches in his career, as he showed off what he could do as a starter.

However, 2023 didn’t go as planned, as he had a 5.90 ERA with the Orioles over 34 innings. Voth was able to flip the script in 2024, as he found success as a reliever with the Seattle Mariners. In 61 innings, Voth put up a very solid 3.69 ERA and a fantastic 1.049 WHIP. He struck out 61 batters in those innings.

Despite that solid season, Voth made his way to the Nippon Professional Baseball League and had a solid year for the Chiba Lotte Marines. In 130 innings, he had a 3.88 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and struck out 95 batters. He kept the walks down, as he only walked 29 batters.

Now, returning stateside, Voth will look to make an impact in Chicago, as he could push for a roster spot due to his past success in both the MLB and in Japan. While he will have an uphill battle to make the roster, there is a chance he goes out and has a nice Spring to win a spot.

Voth has yet to appear in a Spring Training game for the White Sox, but this could be a high upside move for the White Sox, especially if he made some adjustments to his mechanics or pitch selection while in Japan.

How Ben Johnson Just Gleefully Made The Bears-Packers Hostility Even Worse

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lovie Smith said his first goal upon taking over as the Chicago Bears‘ head coach was to beat Green Bay. It was an acknowledgement that the rivalry meant a lot, not just to the fans but also to his team’s actual fate. The Packers had owned the rivalry for a decade at that point. He needed to turn things around if the Bears wanted to reach the mountaintop. It seems Ben Johnson saw that playbook when he arrived last January and decided to crank everything in it up to 11.

He made his disdain for the Packers and their head coach, Matt LaFleur, plain as day from the opening press conference. In the following months, nothing changed. His handshakes after games against them were brief and icy. The pressers leading up to them were in no way meant to be classy or respectful. Then, to culminate everything, he screamed, “F**k the Packers!” in the post-game locker room after beating them in the wild card round.

Johnson doesn’t like them. In fact, his first words when asked about the rivalry by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk during an interview on Tuesday said it all.

“Who likes the Packers?”

Ben Johnson isn’t in this business to make friends.

He wants to win. It’s a competition and the object of it is to be the best. From his perspective, the Packers have been the biggest obstacle to achieving that goal since he joined the NFC North in 2019. They dominated the rivalry with the Detroit Lions during those first few years, looking to rub it in at every opportunity. One can understand why Johnson developed a deep-rooted hatred for them. Taking over the helm of their greatest rival felt like the perfect opportunity to twist the knife in the most agonizing ways.

Now here he is, 2-1 against them and claiming a playoff victory that featured one of the greatest comebacks in modern NFL history. Ben Johnson does not care if Packer fans hate him. That would have been the case whether he was calm and composed in his comments or not. Better to lean into the rivalry and make his actual feelings clear. By making himself such an obvious lightning rod, he takes the focus off his team, who are free to put all their effort into doing what he actually wants: winning.

Head Coach Record vs. Packers (W-L-T)Notes
George Halas43–30–4The winningest coach in the rivalry’s history.
Mike Ditka15–5Dominated the 1980s era of the rivalry.
Lovie Smith8–11Most wins of any modern-era Bears coach vs. Green Bay.
Jack Pardee5–1Highest winning percentage (.833) for a multi-year Bears coach.
Hunk Anderson / Luke Johnsos4–2–1Co-coaches during WWII while Halas served in the Navy.
Neill Armstrong4–4Finished exactly at .500 against Green Bay.
Paddy Driscoll3–1Succeeded Halas for his middle retirement stint.
Ben Johnson2–1Hired in 2025; led the Bears to a 2025-26 NFC Wild Card win over Green Bay.
Ralph Jones3–5–1Coached during the early 1930s.
Abe Gibron2–4Head coach during the early 1970s.
Jim Dooley2–6Immediate successor to George Halas in 1968.
Dick Jauron2–8Coached during the peak of the Brett Favre era.
Marc Trestman1–3Only win came in the 2013 regular season.
John Fox1–5Only win was on Thanksgiving 2015.
Matt Nagy1–7Only win occurred during his rookie season in 2018.
Dave Wannstedt1–11Holds the lowest winning percentage for a multi-year coach.
Thomas Brown1–0Interim coach who won his lone meeting against Green Bay in 2024.
Matt Eberflus0–5Only multi-year head coach to never beat the Packers.

Johnson doesn’t see them as the big, bad troll under the bridge.

He sees them as an obstacle to bigger goals. When Rex Ryan arrived in New York in 2009, he said he wasn’t there to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings. Ben Johnson is much the same way. His job isn’t to be friendly with Lafleur like Matt Eberflus was. It is to kick the living hell out of him. He didn’t enter this business to make friends. He wants to compete and win football games. No team has done more to harm the Bears’ opportunities for that in the past three decades than the Packers.

It only makes sense that Johnson would see them as the first problem to fix. A great way to unsettle a king is by forcing him to make decisions based on emotion. By getting under the skin of the Packers, he got them to focus more on beating up the Bears than winning games. It is a strategy that has worked wonders in the past. So it was no surprise he kept needling them in that interview. The more riled up he can make Green Bay, the better it is for the Bears.

Luisangel Acuña Is Off To An Encouraging Start In Camp

By
Craig Rowland
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Jul 20, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) reacts after hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The White Sox were active this offseason, as they made a plethora of trades and free agent signings. There is a chance that there are 10 or so new guys on the 26-man roster, creating some significant roster turnover. One of their more interesting moves came about a month ago when they sent Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets in exchange for two players. The major piece in the return was outfielder Luisangel Acuña.

Acuña was a former consensus top-100 prospect just a few years ago and had a very good start to his major league career. In 14 games with the Mets in 2024, he hit .308 with a .325 OBP, adding two doubles, a triple, three homeruns, and six RBIs. For his first 14 major league games, that was a pretty good start.

In 2025, Acuña got more playing time with the big league club, as he appeared in 95 games, getting 175 at-bats. In total, he slashed .234/.293/.274, adding seven doubles, eight RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. He also walked 16 times compared to 37 strikeouts. While this wasn’t as good as his 2024 season, he was just 23 years old.

Outside of his limited MLB playing time, Acuña has been a productive minor league baseball player. In his minor league career, he has slashed .282/.351/.400 over 533 games, adding 41 homeruns, 273 RBIs, and 206 stolen bases.

There is a lot of upside with Acuña, as he has just 214 MLB at-bats under his belt to this point. This bodes well for him to continue to get better, as that is not even a full season’s worth of at-bats. While I may be optimistic, I believe that Acuña is going to have a very good season for the White Sox. With that being said, he’s gotten off to a good start in Spring Training, which can hopefully translate come April.

So far, Acuña is three for seven in his first three games with the White Sox. He had himself a very nice game today against the Reds, as he was two for two with a stolen base.

While Spring Training stats are to be taken with a grain of salt, as many different players can perform well, it’s certainly better than starting off hitless. Acuña has the top prospect pedigree and has shown some success at the MLB level, which can make this an encouraging sign of what is to come. While this is an extremely small sample size, it still showcases what he can bring to the major league roster. Just today, he ripped a single with an exit velocity of 100+ and beat out an infield hit. He also stole when he got on base. This is exactly what you want to see out of him to this point.

I may be higher on Acuña than most, but I think there is a real chance that he can put up a 2-3 WAR season in center for the Sox this year. Even before his solid start in the Spring, I thought he had the potential to be one of the better overall players on the roster.

If Acuña can replicate this when the regular season comes around, most fans would be very happy. I know it’s just Spring Training, but he is certainly off to an encouraging start, which should start to excite White Sox fans.

Roster Watch: Can Tyson Miller Steal A White Sox Bullpen Spot?

By
Craig Rowland
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Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Chicago Cubs pitcher Tyson Miller (49) throws a pitch against the Hanshin Tigers during the fourth inning at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

This Spring Training is a bit different from the last few years, as there is a bit more set in stone on the 26-man roster for the White Sox. However, there are certainly still some key positional battles. For the first time in what seems like a very a long time, there aren’t roster battles at practically every position, as the White Sox likely have their starting lineup locked up. However, there are still a few backup spots in the infield and outfield up for grabs, as well as a few spots in the bullpen.

As we get closer to the season starting, we will look at each fringe roster player and their chances to make the team out of Spring Training. Relief pitcher Tyson Miller is the next player we will take a look at.

Miller was signed as a non-roster invitee back in January after a few successful major league seasons. One of his most successful seasons came for the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs. In 2024 between the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs, Miller posted a stellar 2.32 ERA and a phenomenal .8 WHIP. He also struck out 54 batters in 62 innings, while walking just 11 batters. These are all-star level numbers out of the bullpen.

Unfortunately for Miller, he was hurt for most of the 2025 season. He threw just 37 innings for the Iowa Cubs, where he had a 6 ERA. Miller has just 93 major league innings under his belt and has bounced around a few teams, but he could potentially be one of the better White Sox relievers with another extended look.

According to Baseball Reference’s projections for Miller, they predict he will throw 31 innings of 3.70 ERA baseball with a 1.1 WHIP. This would be a huge addition to the bullpen, as that would have been one of the better performances out of the bullpen in the last few years.

So far Miller has looked good in camp, as he has posted two scoreless appearances. In those two innings, he’s given up one hit and struck out one batter. Overall, he looks healthy and could be a legitimate piece in the White Sox bullpen this season. However, unlike most years, the bullpen doesn’t have a ton of open spots.

The White Sox have arguably 5 to 6 bullpen spots already sent in stone, leaving just 2 to 3 spots up for grabs. Miller can certainly win a spot out of Spring Training, but it may take all the way up until the end of Spring Training to know for sure.

Miller has had good production in the major leagues as recent as 2024, so him having another good season wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. Out of all the non-roster bullpen position players, he may have the best chance to win a spot. I give him about a 60% chance of securing a spot, with that potentially going higher if he continues to put up zeros when he pitches.

If he doesn’t make the team, he could start the season in AAA and make his way up to Chicago if there is an injury. Miller is a very interesting player and I certainly would like to see him break camp with the team.

Two Reasons Chicago’s Latest Outing Displayed The Perfect Blueprint

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Feb 24, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) hugs Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) after a game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Last night, Coby White made his return to Chicago after being traded 21 days ago. He was the longest-tured Bull on the roster prior to their seven-trade, chaos-filled deadline week. As Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times joked, White heading to Charlotte was not too discouraging for the former Tar Heel guard, and could’ve turned out much worse than playing for his hometown Hornets. The Bulls were looking to snap their nine-game losing streak and grab their first win in February. Despite Matas Buzelis dropping a career-best 32 points on 13-of-19, including 6-of-11 from three-point land, the rest of the group was an abysmal 34.9% from the field as they fell to 0-10 this month. Here’s why last night’s story goes beyond the final score, and how it was the best-case scenario for the organization.

Let Matas Buzelis Cook

Last night’s game will be referred back to several times as the game where Buzelis arrived. This was the 21st time that he’s scored 20 or more points, 16 of them coming this season. It marked the second time he’s eclipsed the 30 mark, and both nights featured over 66% from the floor and five or more three-pointers. The top goal for the remainder of the season should be Buzelis’s development, specifically his ability to score. Josh Giddey is a known commodity; his triple-double averages while healthy have proven his value and what he’ll be able to produce as the Bulls progress. Outside of Tre Jones and Zach Collins, who have both also shown flashes of their capabilities as future products, Buzelis is the primary unknown commodity that’ll be a massive determining factor in whether or not the franchise is able to compete for NBA titles in the next several years. With 33 minutes played, 19 shots attempted, and the freedom to operate without expectation of winning the game made for a perfect display of what Buzelis’s remainder of the 2025-26 campaign should be.

Sliding Closer To Lottery Luck

Chicago fans truly did receive precisely what they have asked for over the last decade. This month, Arturas Karnisovas jumped headfirst into a full rebuild. While the return might’ve been embarrassing compared to what they would have netted if the same players were traded at their peak value over the last handful of years, the Bulls still hit the reset button. Karnisovas admitted that they were stuck in the middle, embraced taking a step back to take a larger one forward in the future, and committed to chasing better draft odds than a fourth-consecutive NBA Play-In tournament bid. Having gone 1-13 over their last 14 outings, including 0-10 this month, they’re making significant strides. How far down the ranks can Chicago continue to slide over the next 23 games?

Down the final stretch, the best results for the franchise’s future will be seeing Buzelis continue to be given the freedom to experiment and showcase his developing offensive skill, and the Bulls continue to slide down the standings and toward a better draft slot. Priming for an offseason with an abundance of cap space and draft capital, can Chicago add a top-ten pick to the mix?

Word Has Leaked On Arizona’s Possible Offer For Tyson Bagent — Why It’s Not Enough

By
Erik Lambert
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tyson bagent
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) gestures against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2026 field of quarterback options looks bleak this year. Malik Willis is considered the cream of the free agent crop after some strong starts in Green Bay. However, it’ll probably cost $30 million per year to land him. Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco are long past their primes. Daniel Jones is recovering from a season-ending injury. Worse still, the upcoming NFL draft isn’t much better. Outside of Fernando Mendoza, no other QB is considered worth a 1st round pick at this point. In years like this, you often see some swings on unexpected names. Enter Tyson Bagent.

Chicago’s backup quarterback became the subject of trade rumors last week when it was reported that the Arizona Cardinals expressed interest. Bears general manager Ryan Poles confirmed he’d been getting calls about the former undrafted free agent. It seems his progress over the past couple of seasons has caught the eyes of coaches around the league. Some are willing to see if he has what it takes to start. According to Bo Brack and Johnny Venerable of PHNX Cardinals, an offer has leaked.

It would likely be a 4th or 5th rounder in 2027 that would turn into a 3rd, depending on how many games Bagent started.

That won’t be enough to pry Tyson Bagent from Chicago.

Some people might be shocked by this. Remember, the Bears signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Trading him for an actual draft pick would be an enormous business victory for the organization. After all, Bagent won’t be overtaking Caleb Williams, who cemented his hold on the starting job last season with his single-season passing record and playoff run. Besides, one must remember the Ben Johnson factor. Chicago’s head coach hasn’t been subtle about his admiration for Bagent. He openly stated at the combine that he views the 25-year-old as one of the top 32 quarterbacks in the league. In other words, he’s a starter who happens to be the backup.

Why would Johnson willingly give that up for a minor pick?

One must keep in mind that the Bears are under no pressure here. Bagent is under contract for two more seasons at a reasonable rate. It’s other teams that need to take advantage of that. Do you pay Willis $30 million or take a gamble on Bagent for $4.75 million? It is an interesting discussion to have. With one, you lock into a potentially dangerous contract. With the other, you have massive financial flexibility, but give up a high draft choice.

The Bears can sit on Bagent until a team is desperate.

That isn’t likely to happen until at least after the primary wave of free agency. When the dust settles, several teams will realize their best course of action will be either to take a flier in the draft or try the trade market. The Bears could even wait it out until after the draft. If there are still a team or two out there who haven’t found a desirable solution, they may circle back to Tyson Bagent and, this time, be willing to give up compensation that might satisfy Johnson.

We’re likely talking about a 2nd round pick.

The Bears hold all the cards in this situation. They are under zero pressure to trade Bagent. He’s on a modest contract for two more years and in no hurry to leave the organization. The coaches love him, as do teammates. If you think he’s starter material, then be prepared to pony up the resources required to get him. A future Day 3 pick with incentives attached won’t cut it.

Cubs Opening Day Roster Battle Just Got A Lot More Interesting

By
Aldo Soto
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Feb 22, 2026; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Dylan Carlson (5) hits against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Craig Counsell dropped a mini bombshell on Wednesday, when he announced that veteran right-handed hitter Tyler Austin underwent knee surgery earlier this week and will be out of action for months. Austin, who signed a one-year, free agent deal with the Cubs this past offseason, had a solid chance to make the Opening Day roster, but that spring training competition just got a lot more interesting.

Austin put up good power numbers during his six seasons playing in the NPB in Japan after he spent the first four years of his pro career in MLB with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers. The right-handed slugger was projected to be the back up at first base, getting some plate appearances against left-handed pitchers and potentially some time filling in for Ian Happ in left field.

Although Austin didn’t have one of the bench spots locked down, Counsell did say on Wednesday that Austin did have the inside track to be on the Opening Day roster compared to the other players that were also brought into spring training to compete for a bench role. Austin will now be recovering from patellar tendon debridement, which certainly opens the path for another veteran to win a job out of spring training.

Counsell spoke to reporters and addressed what the absence of Austin meant for the remainder of spring training. Via Marquee Sports Network.

“The ripple effect, it’s an opportunity for others essentially, yeah. [Austin] I would say had an inside track, so it’s an option that’s off the table right now, so it opens up opportunity for others.”

The Cubs will carry 13 position players on their 26-man roster. Here’s a quick projection of their starting nine, which will leave us with the players left competing for those final couple bench spots.

Projected Starting Lineup
Michael Busch
Nico Hoerner
Alex Bregman
Seiya Suzuki
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Ian Happ
Carson Kelly
Moises Ballesteros
Dansby Swanson

Opening Day Roster Battle

That leaves two open bench spots because Miguel Amaya and Matt Shaw are slotted into the other two. Now that Austin is out of the picture the Opening Day roster battle comes down to the following players.

Michael Conforto
Dylan Carlson
Chas McCormick
Kevin Alcantara
Justin Dean
Owen Miller
Scott Kingery

The biggest winner following the knee surgery to Austin might just be the newly signed veteran Michael Conforto. He has a much better opportunity to earn a roster spot as Conforto can provide a solid left-handed bat option off the bench, which the Cubs currently do not have. Meanwhile, Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick may end up going head-to-head to be the team’s fourth outfielder as both guys have experience in center field.

The Cubs probably still want Kevin Alcantara to develop more in Triple-A, so he’ll most likely begin the year getting every-day at-bats in Iowa, while Justin Dean is also a depth option in the minors. I don’t really see Scott Kingery fitting in, but Owen Miller could have a decent shot because of his defensive versatility. Miller has played all over the infield and has even logged some games in the outfield throughout his MLB career. He also has a connection with Counsell in Milwaukee.

Who do you have taking the final two bench spots on the Opening Day roster? Right now I’m leaning toward Conforto and Carlson.

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