Sunday, November 15, 2026
EDGE is live. Chicago fans can now access and explore the beta.
Home Blog Page 447

5 Brutal Questions That Will Make or Break the 2025 Chicago Bears

caleb williams
Jun 3, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to pass the ball during minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Time to drop the corporate buzz: the Chicago Bears spent the offseason like gamblers throwing chips at a blackjack table — Ben Johnson as coach, elite O-line pieces, aggressive D-line additions. But talk is cheap. Let’s rip apart the five biggest questions that will make or break 2025. 


1. Can Caleb & Johnson Actually Create QB Magic?

Caleb Williams casually threw for 3,541 yards, 20 TDs, and 6 INTs as a rookie, despite being hoodie-level sacked 68 times — the most in the league. His raw talent is undeniable. But he took sacks because the line sucked — but also because he held the ball too long, averaging 3.12 seconds per dropback according to Next Gen Stats.

Ben Johnson isn’t just another OC — he built Jared Goff into a respectable QB. He’s promised to “rip it down to the studs” and build around Williams.

Upside if it works: Jeffri Chadiha from NFL.com believes Caleb could throw for 4,500 yards and 35 TDs — making history for the Bears.

Downside if it fails: He gets pummeled again, takes another step backward, and becomes trade bait in 2026.

TL;DR: One good season from Caleb could flip the Bears’ future. One bad one, and the rebuild stalls.


2. Will This O‑Line Actually Give Caleb Time?

After letting Williams get sacked 68 times, Chicago dropped big money and picks to fix the trenches:

  • Joe Thuney, All‑Pro guard with 4 Super Bowls
  • Jonah Jackson, familiar with Johnson’s style
  • Drew Dalman, signed for three years at $42 M (Spotrac) — solid run blocker

They didn’t mess around — it’s being called their “Monsters of the Midway” moment.

But aging (Thuney enters season at 32), injury concerns (Jackson missed most of ’24), and depth behind them are legitimate questions. Backup guards like Ryan Bates and Bill Murray haven’t even started a full season.

Upside if it works: Williams finally gets a clean pocket and can make full use of his weapons. The offense becomes explosive and efficient.

Downside if it fails: We replay 2024: sacks, fumbles, turnovers, and a second wasted year of Caleb’s rookie contract.

TL;DR: They bought the bricks — now they better build the wall.

Projected 2025 Chicago Bears Starting Offensive Line: PFF Grades from the 2024-25 Season.

3. Can Dennis Allen’s D Flip the Script Fast Enough?

DC Dennis Allen is bringing a textbook blitz-happy, man-coverage, exotic-defense scheme — think Ravens-level aggression. Pass rusher Montez Sweat says it’s “tenser” and more complicated than anything he’s had before.

But complexity brings slow starts. Mix in a rash of injuries (Brisker, others), and that’s recipe for first-half collapse.

On the flip side, Allen’s defenses hit top 10 in scoring allowed in 7 of 11 seasons when he’s been the DC (Pro Football Reference).

Upside if it works: The defense becomes nasty, unpredictable, and gives the Bears a fighting chance in every game.

Downside if it fails: Confusion reigns, guys miss assignments, and opposing QBs eat them alive.

TL;DR: Allen’s system better click fast — or it’s gonna be a long, loud mess.


4. Are the Bears Ready to Fight in the NFC North?

NFC North in 2025 = boxing ring full of prime Mike Tysons:

  • Lions (15–2)
  • Vikings (14–3)
  • Packers (11–6)

Bears were 1–5 in division last year — not exactly surprise contenders. They landed the seventh-toughest schedule (NFL.com): rematch with division foes plus NFC East champs and AFC North’s best. Vegas says they’re underdogs in 11/17 games.

Yes, rivals praise their offseason. But performance > hype.

Upside if it works: They steal some divisional games, claw to 10–7, and maybe sneak into the playoffs.

Downside if it fails: Another round of beatdowns from the North and a quick ticket to irrelevance.

TL;DR: Compete in the division, or collapse with no excuses.

NFC North Season Records from the 2024-25 NFL Season

5. Can the Bears Stay Healthy? Depth = Survival

Here’s the health X factor:

  • Jaquan Brisker, safety, missed 12 games in ’24 with concussion problems
  • Braxton Jones, LT, missed 11 of 34 career games
  • Jonah Jackson barely played in ’24 due to injury
  • Joe Thuney is 32 with wear and tear beginning

Their depth sucks. Safety, linebacker, defensive line replacements are unproven youth. They’ve already spent big and only have ~$14.75 M cap left (Overthecap.com). No cash cushion to address injuries mid-season.

Upside if it works: Starters stay healthy, cohesion builds, and the team finally shows its full potential.

Downside if it fails: One injury domino topples the whole house and we’re right back to excuses.

TL;DR: No margin for error — pray for ice baths and bubble wrap.


Final Verdict

Chicago bet the bank on this: a future QB, coach with a plan, a rebuilt trench crew, an aggressive D, but they still have a brutal schedule and a horrible injury history.

They could surprise. But it’ll take elite QB/coach synergy, a healthy o-line, fast defensive assimilation, and staying upright.
If just one major link breaks — injury, poor communication, underperformance — we’re back to square one.

Prep Star Billy Carlson Adds Glove-First Impact to White Sox System

Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of MLB Draft signage on the stage at The Coca-Cola Roxy. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The White Sox took three shortstops with their first three picks on Sunday, including their tenth overall pick, Billy Carlson. 

Carlson slipped past the first nine picks despite being ranked as the fourth-best infielder and seventh overall prospect in this year’s draft, according to MLB Pipeline. The 18-year-old is widely regarded as one of the top defensive shortstops in the class, boasting a strong arm, smooth glove, and some power potential.

Carlson prepped at Corona High School in California, where three players were taken in the first 50 picks. During his senior year, he slashed .365/.517/.647 with four doubles, six home runs, and 33 RBIs across 31 games for the Panthers. 

Scouting grades for Carlson paint him as a elite defender, with Baseball America giving him a 70 grade in fielding and arm strength. Carlson can throw over 90 mph from shortstop and even pitched in high school, posting a career high school ERA of 0.94 in 22 appearances. 

The pick reflects Chris Getz’s focus on strengthening the club’s defense up the middle. While Carlson isn’t best known for his bat — earning a 50 grade for hitting and 45 for power from Baseball America — that doesn’t mean he can’t hit. It’s a point he made clear when speaking with reporters.

“I feel like this spring I showed I can bang with the best of them and really have some thump for my size,” Carlson said. 

He marks just the third high school shortstop to be drafted by the White Sox in the first round, joining the White Sox 2021 first round selection, Colson Montgomery, and Steve Bueschele in 1979. 

While it’s unclear what position the White Sox envision for Carlson long-term — especially with Colson Montgomery starting at third base on Sunday — it’s clear that Chris Getz is targeting athletic players who offer defensive versatility.

Carlson was committed to play for Tennessee but will instead begin developing as a pro in the White Sox farm system. While the White Sox will need to work to get his hit tool caught up to his defense, Carlson still does boast a solid swing with a line drive approach at the plate. 

“Just super stoked and ready to get to work. We are barely scratching the surface as far as the hitting side,” Carlson said. “I feel like there are a lot of good years coming with the stick. I don’t think it needs to be a worry for anyone. It’s going to be a fun road.”

White Sox Honor Franchise Greats, Look to Learn from First-Half Struggles

Jul 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Austin Slater (15) is greeted after hitting a home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the fourth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Mistakes proved costly for the White Sox on Sunday, as they dropped another close game, falling 33 games under .500 for the first time this season.

Sunday marked the final day of a weekend-long celebration honoring the 2005 White Sox, a team that won 99 games before going on an 11-1 run in the postseason en route to a World Series title. 

That group was known for winning with grit: capitalizing on mistakes, playing sharp defense, and coming through with good pitching and timely hitting. The current version of the White Sox still has a long way to go. They head into the All-Star break at 32-65 following a 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Cleveland Guardians.

The game was a fitting snapshot of the White Sox’s first half — a team that fights hard but is ultimately undone by costly mistakes, falling short in yet another close loss. 

The White Sox offense built a 3-0 lead behind an Austin Slater home run in the fourth, a Michael A. Taylor sacrifice fly, and an RBI single from Slater in the fifth. Meanwhile, starter Aaron Civale was in the midst of his best outing of the season.

Civale cruised through five scoreless innings, allowing just two baserunners—one on a base hit and another on a dropped fly ball by Luis Robert Jr.—while striking out three. It looked like more of the same for Civale to start the sixth, as he got Jonathan Rodriguez to ground out to third. But things quickly unraveled.

Civale gave up a double to Brayan Rocchio, then issued back-to-back walks to load the bases for José Ramírez. Ramírez hit a slow chopper to first that Miguel Vargas fielded cleanly and tossed to Chase Meidroth to start what should’ve been an inning-ending double play.

But Civale never broke toward first base, and no one was there to cover the bag. Meidroth was forced to redirect the throw to third, keeping the inning alive.

The Guardians made the White Sox pay on the very next pitch. Civale left a cutter over the heart of the plate, and Kyle Manzardo crushed it 418 feet to right-center for a three-run homer, putting Cleveland ahead 4-3.

But much like they have all season, the White Sox battled back. In the bottom of the sixth, Andrew Benintendi tied the game at four with a solo shot to right field for his 11th homer of the season. 

The seesaw battle continued into the late innings, with the Guardiand pushing across a run against Grant Taylor in the top of the eighth. The White Sox responded in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI double from Luis Robert Jr. That would be the final run the White Sox would score before the All-Star break, as Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase proved to be too much to handle. 

Clase tossed two scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth, striking out two along the way. That effort was enough to earn him the win after Steven Kwan drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th.

“One thing to take away is we’re in every game, it seems like,” Benintendi told reporters after logging three hits on the day. “We’re right there. There’s things that we can work on, obviously. I’m sure we’ll think about it over the break and come back ready to play.” 

While the record may not reflect it, the White Sox have made strides this season with a promising young core that includes rookies Shane Smith, Edgar Quero, Colson Montgomery, and Chase Meidroth. Having one of the franchise’s greatest teams — and one of the most overlooked champions in MLB history — in town for the weekend gave this group something to aspire to.

The 20th anniversary celebration of the 2005 champs culminated with Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia, and Jose Contreras tossing ceremonial first pitches to their children, while fans received bobbleheads honoring the four pitchers who famously threw four straight complete games in the ALCS.

Overlooked Dennis Allen Fact Raises Serious Concerns About Bears Defense

dennis allen
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (L), general manager Ryan Poles (C) and head coach Ben Johnson (R) observe during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Dennis Allen is a quality defensive coordinator. Nobody can argue that. He had quick success in Denver, which led to his first head coaching stint. Then, he revived the worst defense in NFL history with the New Orleans Saints, transforming it into a top-10 unit that kept the team contenders for close to half a decade. Part of what has made him so successful is his intelligence. Allen couldn’t be more different than Matt Eberflus. Where the latter ran a simplified system built around discipline and effort, Allen focuses on complex schemes meant to confuse opponents, giving his defense advantageous matchups.

However, just like any other coach, Allen still has tendencies that make up the identity of his defense. Courtney Cronin of ESPN revealed one that, while understandable, could prove seriously problematic for his new Bears unit.

Three characteristics most closely define Allen’s defenses in New Orleans. Since 2016, the Saints deployed the second-most four-man fronts in the NFL, were in man coverage on 55% of dropbacks (fifth-highest rate) and showed two-high safeties on 45% of snaps (third highest)…

…In Allen’s first six seasons, the Saints blitzed on 32% of opponent dropbacks (fifth highest); that pressure rate dropped to 20% from 2022 to 2024 (second lowest).

There is nothing wrong with wanting to rush primarily with four. It can be lethal when it works, but that is the problem. If you’re going to do that, you need to have rushers capable of getting to the quarterback without help from blitzes. The Bears may or may not have that.

Dennis Allen doesn’t have the horses he did in New Orleans.

One reason he got away with rushing four so much with the Saints was that he had a strong array of players who could get to the quarterback. Cameron Jordan was a Pro Bowler. Marcus Davenport was a former 1st round pick, as was Bryan Bresee. They had horses. Chicago is in a somewhat uncertain situation. Their top three rushers going into 2025 are Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, and Dayo Odeyingbo. Those three combined for just 13.5 sacks last season. That is far from the total you want to hear if you’re planning to lean on four-man rushes.

That means one of two things. Either they must play considerably better than last season, or Dennis Allen must embrace the idea of being more aggressive. Mind you, this is not something he’s scared of. Cronin noted he blitzed a ton in his first few years with the Saints. It is a matter of how stubborn he’ll be about it if the front four get off to a slow start.

Draft Advantage Could Let White Sox Land Star Talent On Day Two 

Oregon outfielder Mason Neville (26) prepares to bat during the game against Oregon State on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Goss Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

Despite picking 10th overall, the White Sox had a great first day of the draft, as they selected two prep hitters and one college bat, all of which have a ton of upside. 

Now, the draft continues with the reverse order of standings, so the White Sox will have the first pick in each round, just like they did in rounds two and three. However on day two there is just one compensatory pick left, so there will be less picks in-between rounds.

Because the White Sox have the first pick today when the draft picks resumes, they have a huge advantage. This allows GM Chris Getz to figure out how much money it may take to convince a player to sign with the team instead of having them return or start their college careers.

This is an advantage for the White Sox as there are few players left on the board that could have easily gone in the first round, but with potential signability concerns or other factors, they are still on the board. 

One of the biggest names still on the board is Jack Bauer. Bauer is a lefty pitcher from Lincoln Way East High School and is committed to play at Mississippi State this fall. MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the 44th best player in the draft, so the White Sox selecting him at 106th overall would be a steal. 

Perhaps Getz had conversations with Bauer’s camp last night and into this morning, seeing what it would take to pry him away from his college commitment. Since he’s a local kid, this would make a ton of sense, as the White Sox went significantly overslot for local product George Wolkow in the 7th round two drafts ago.

If Getz does draft Bauer, he would leave the first four rounds one of the biggest winners in the draft. However if they do go another route, there are a few other players still on the board that could significantly boost the farm system.

Oregon outfielder Mason Neville is ranked 35th on MLB Pipeline and he could be exactly what the White Sox could use in their farm system, as they desperately need outfield bats.

There are also four prep players all ranked within the top-60 on MLB Pipeline, including another Illinois high school pitcher, Cameron Appenzeller, from Glenwood. 

No matter which route Chris Getz takes with the first pick after the draft resumes today, he had an advantage to likely make calls with the camps of players still on the board to figure out what kind of bonus it would take for them to sign, subsequently taking them with the first pick today.

Since there is only a specific allotted amount of money for the draft, Getz needs to balance getting high-end talent with being able to fill out the rest of his draft class, and having the first pack in today’s round gave him an advantage to do that, as nobody can take the player he wants.

Pre-Camp Haiku Week! The Poles Extension

Starting next week, DBB will be dialing in the Bears coverage and bringing you some inside information from Lake Forest as training camp begins for this pivotal 2025 season. This week, not so much. Let’s have some haiku fun before things get serious!

Poles gets extension,

the rebuild now behind him.

The losing must stop.

Matas Buzelis’ Advice Reportedly Sparked Noa Essengue’s Rapid Progress

matas buzelis

As things unfold, one thing is becoming clear about the Chicago Bulls. This is fast becoming Matas Buzelis’ team. DeRozan, LaVine, and Ball are already gone. Most expect Nikola Vucevic to join them at some point. Even outside experts can see the future of this team centers around Buzelis, who had a strong rookie season last year. The signs are growing that the young forward recognizes this reality. He arrived to offseason workouts significantly bulked up. Beyond that, his maturity also stands out.

Nowhere more so than his leadership.

Bulls rookie Noa Essengue struggled in his Summer League debut, managing just five points with seven turnovers. Some people were nervous about it, including the 12th overall pick himself. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times revealed Buzelis gave him some great advice.

‘‘You’ve got to have a short memory,’’ Buzelis said he told Essengue during their discussion. ‘‘He’s a great defender. He’s got great defensive instincts. Offensively, he’ll be fine. You can see other guys. [Spurs star Victor] Wembanyama, it was tough for him in the first game. I didn’t play well [last year], either. He’ll be fine. I don’t think anyone should be stressing about it.’’

The rookie took those words to heart. In the next matchup against Sacramento, Essengue had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in just 19 minutes of work. He also stood out as a defender.

Matas Buzelis understands the pro transition is a process.

He had his own struggles as a rookie. His first 15 games were rough, as he went 13-of-42 from the field. Still, that was no reason to panic. Matas Buzelis kept working and kept playing. He used each game to learn about how different the NBA is. Within a few months, he was playing with much more efficiency and confidence. That undoubtedly carried into the offseason, where he has trained his body to handle the physical rigors of the league. Essengue will follow the same path. The only thing that will stop him from achieving his potential is if he loses patience and tries cutting corners. By all accounts, the French-native is too smart and mature for that. His progress in the last game proves it.

Tyrique Stevenson Finally Broke His Silence With A Clear Message

dennis allen
Oct 6, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) makes a catch as Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) defends during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Plenty of notable names on the Chicago Bears‘ roster are under pressure to perform this season. A new coaching staff always leads to changes. Guys who might’ve been safe in previous years should no longer expect preferential treatment. The entire reason there were changes was that players did not do their jobs well enough. Braxton Jones is one example. Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift, and Tremaine Edmunds are others. However, nobody is under the microscope more this year than Tyrique Stevenson.

Teh young cornerback had such a promising rookie year in 2023, snagging four interceptions. Last season, it felt like one disaster after another. He gave up way too many big plays and was responsible for one of the dumbest moments in recent NFL history. That play of him jawing at fans while Washington went for the Hail Mary will live in Bears lore forever. Since then, Stevenson has kept a low profile. He hasn’t been heard from all offseason. That finally changed when he offered brief but notable comments about the team’s new-look defense.

Tyrique Stevenson is the only notable Bears corner on the bubble.

Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are both locked up with long-term extensions. They are unquestioned starters. The only spot in the starting lineup that could be up for grabs is the one Tyrique Stevenson holds. Chicago isn’t about to let him keep it without competition. They already had Terell Smith as a viable backup. Now they’ve added Zah Frazier in the 5th round, a highly athletic kid with terrific length who fits Dennis Allen’s system beautifully. If either of them makes noise in training camp, Stevenson doesn’t have the credibility to hold the job. He needs a strong summer of his own. This staff had zero say in drafting him two years ago. That lack of a safety net will either sink him or force him to elevate his game.

White Sox Crush Day One Of The Draft With Three Top Prospects

Jun 1, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Georgia Tech Yellowjackets shortstop Kyle Lodise (2) reacts as he runs the bases after a home run during the first inning against the Mississippi Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The White Sox had the 10th, 44th, and 76th pick in today’s MLB Draft, giving them a chance to select three players that could significantly boost their farm system. The White Sox did just that, as they selected three players with tremendous upside, leaving as one of the biggest winners of the first day of the draft.

With the 10th pick, the White Sox selected prep shortstop Billy Carlson. Carlson was ranked as the 7th best prospect according to MLB Pipeline, giving the White Sox a highly rated player in the 10th slot.

Viewed as one of the best defensive players in the draft, Carlson offers more than just the glove, as he had a solid offensive season for Corona High School.

According to Bleacher Report and Joel Reuter, Carlson hit .365 with an outstanding .517 OBP. He added 6 homeruns, 34 RBI, and 9 stolen bases. This is a very solid season for Carlson, as scouts believe he could add more power as he advances throughout the minor leagues.

While Carlson doesn’t have the most advanced hit tools in the draft, he offers a high floor with his glove and is a very capable hitter. If he can continue to develop his bat, he may end up being one of the best players in the draft class.

The White Sox weren’t done adding prep bats, as they selected local outfielder Jaden Fauske from Nazareth Academy with the 44th pick in the draft. Fauske was ranked as the 57th best player on MLB Pipeline, but other outlets were higher on him.

This is a great pick for the White Sox, as not only do they get a local product, but they get a player who has a ton of upside with the bat and adds to the much needed pipeline of outfielders in the White Sox system. On top of that, Fauske was the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year.

Fauske is a great pick for GM Chris Getz in the second round, as he could find his way onto top-100 prospect lists with a good start to his professional career, whether that be later this season or next year.

With the White Sox final pick today, they selected Georgia Tech shortstop Kyle Lodise, who was ranked as the 79th best prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Lodise hit .329 with a very solid .429 OBP this season for Georgia Tech. He also had a 1.095 OPS, 16 homeruns, 61 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. This is a great offensive season, and the White Sox got a very solid player who could fly through the minor leagues in the third round.

The White Sox clearly had an emphasis on hitting in today’s portion of the draft, which was desperately needed in the organization. The White Sox will likely add another top-100 prospect, as Carlson will be on plenty of lists when they are updated. Fauske and Lodise will likely slot in the White Sox top-15 somewhere, with the potential to find themselves in the top-100 if they get off to a strong start to their professional careers.

Chris Getz clearly wanted to add some high potential bats to the farm system today and he did just that. With 17 more rounds and plenty of money left, Getz has the chance to add more impact players to the farm.

We Finally Know What Former Bears President Ted Phillips Thinks Is His Biggest Mistake

ted phillips

Ted Phillips was team president for the Chicago Bears for over 20 years. In that time, he did some good things. He helped renovate Soldier Field in the early 2000s, overhauled Halas Hall to make it the envy of the NFL, and put the team on a path to their first new stadium in franchise history. Unfortunately, his legacy is marred by a significant dip in overall team success compared to previous eras. Between 1999 and 2022, the Bears made the playoffs five times. Their biggest highlight was losing the Super Bowl in 2006 and the NFC championship in 2010.

It isn’t what Phillips wanted, and he acknowledges that. The former president has said his biggest regret was never getting the quarterback position. There were certainly missed opportunities. Aaron Rodgers slipped by in 2006, and of course, Patrick Mahomes in 2017. However, people have always wondered what he thinks his biggest mistake is. A decision that ended up sending the team in the wrong direction. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog finally revealed what it is. It might not be your first guess, but it should be.

Ted Phillips will never live down the Phil Emery experiment.

The 2011 season was a disappointing one for the Bears. After starting 7-3, an injury to Jay Cutler saw the team finish 8-8. This led Ted Phillips to fire GM Jerry Angelo, which was a surprise to many. Still, maybe a fresh voice might do the team good. There were some promising options available, like Les Snead and Tom Telesco. They interviewed Jason Licht, who eventually got the Buccaneers job in 2014 and built them into Super Bowl champions. Ultimately, Phillips went with Emery, a former Bears scout he knew personally from 1998 to 2004.

Everybody knows what followed. The GM’s first-ever draft pick was Shea McClellin, a major bust. After a 10-6 season, Emery fired head coach Lovie Smith, replacing him with the even older Marc Trestman despite interviewing Coach of the Year Bruce Arians. Brian Urlacher was pushed into retirement, and the team bottomed out at 5-11 by the end of 2014. The locker room was horribly fractured, and the championship window slammed shut. Truth be told, the organization still hasn’t fully recovered from that fiasco.