Caleb Williams finds creative ways to stay motivated. One of the most prevalent was using the background of his smartphone to list his career goals. He famously told the story of how he had “Win the Heisman Trophy” and “Eight Super Bowls” listed on it. The objective is clear: He wants to be the greatest of all time. There is nothing wrong with that. Seeking perfection is often how players achieve greatness. Williams should not apologize for wanting big things for himself, and it appears that mentality hasn’t changed.
A new photograph surfaced online recently. It shows Williams’ phone, but the background is new. However, there is no mystery to it. The message couldn’t be clearer.
Nobody can ever say Williams doesn’t dream big. The Bears haven’t had a winning record in eight years. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2010 and sit in the NFL’s toughest division. Does any of that matter to their quarterback? Nope. His expectations and those of fans and media are not aligned. He sees this team competing for a Super Bowl right now. Forget the “process.” It’s time to win.
Caleb Williams seems to be channelling his new head coach.
Since Ben Johnson arrived in January, persistent rumors have been that he is not interested in preparing for the future. He wants to win and win now. This team has the talent to do so, and it’s his job to get them ready. It starts with Caleb Williams. Everybody knows he has franchise quarterback ability. That is why he went #1 in the draft. If he and Johnson can mesh, the Bears will start winning games at a regular clip. They proved last year they could hang with some of the best teams in the league. It was always about making too many mistakes late in games. If Johnson cleans that up, a playoff run isn’t out of the question.
Feb 25, 2023; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcantara (88) looks on on from the dugout in the second inning during a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Cubs are currently atop the NL Central standings, but we’ve known for weeks that they’re seeking additional help for the bullpen and starting rotation. Depending on the type of trade target that the front office decides to focus on fans should be prepared to see at least one of their favorite Cubs prospects get traded soon if the team follows through on making a big splash before the trade deadline.
At this point the only young players who appear to be safe from getting dealt are already beginning to establish themselves on the big-league roster. Cade Horton has filled in nicely, joining the rotation for the injured Shōta Imanaga, while Matt Shaw has taken the reins over at third base following his call up in mid-May.
What about all the other top prospects that you’ve either read about or seen highlights of during the past few years? Are any of them safe, even the top-100 prospects?
Not according to Cubs beat reporter Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. In a recent mailbag episode of North Side Territory, the Cubs podcast for The Athletic, Sharma discussed how there are no untouchables in the Cubs minor league system. Sharma’s co-host and fellow Cubs reporter Patrick Mooney agreed.
When responding to a question regarding what prospects could be traded before the end of July to address the Cubs’ needs, Sharma didn’t name anyone specifically, but he made one point very clear: there are no untouchables.
“I’ll say this, there are no untouchable prospects. If you’re on the major league roster, they’re likely not going to move you unless it’s some insane deal that we can’t wrap our heads around right now. So, I’d say there are no untouchable prospects is how I’d do that.”
Sharma added that the Cubs should be most aggressive in starting pitching department, aiming at high-end talent, a pitcher who can be an ace for the team down the stretch. He mentioned Sandy Alcántara and Zac Gallen as potential targets.
Mooney followed suit and was blunt on his assertion of what could get a big trade done for the Cubs this summer if they do go big-game hunting on the trade market.
“Which prospects go? I mean, it’s almost to me like a who cares at this point. You have Kyle Tucker for one year. You have, if not the best team in the National League, one of the best. You gotta respect the Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are really good teams. Other teams are going to take a step forward that we’re not even thinking of at this moment, but these opportunities are rare. You have a front office in a lame-duck situation and it’s not like the Cubs have a 2014 Kris Bryant waiting in their farm system. There are lots of nice players. There’s depth, there’s pieces, there could be some every-day guys there, but I don’t know how many of those guys are going to knock out the group that you currently have playing at Wrigley Field. The pitching prospects, they’re gonna get injured. If I was the Cubs I would just cash those in and get help right now and worry about the rest later.”
Again, out of those 10 players it’s safe to assume that Shaw and Horton aren’t going anywhere this summer. The other guys, though? Depending on who your favorite or favorites have become during the course of the past two or three years, you might a bit heartbroken in July.
We’ve seen Jed Hoyer not afraid to trade away rising prospects in the past to upgrade the team. He traded two young minor leaguers heading into the 2024 season for Michael Busch and so far I’d say both the Cubs and Dodgers are happy with that deal as Los Angeles added Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris to its farm system. Busch is currently playing at an All-Star level, manning first base with the Cubs.
Sometimes the trades haven’t worked. In 2023, the Cubs needed a corner infielder to provide a boost on offense and the Cubs traded a talented young lefty in DJ Herz to the Nationals for Jeimer Candelario. Herz was a strikeout machine in 19 starts during his rookie season in 2024, but had to undergo Tommy John surgery back in April. As for Candelario, he was fine, but fizzled out in September as the Cubs fell short of a Wild Card spot.
Hoyer traded a popular player in Christopher Morel last summer to the Rays for Isaac Paredes and then five months later flipped Paredes along with another rising prospect Cam Smith and Hayden Wesneski for Kyle Tucker.
You’re kind of just counting down the days before you get that notification from Jeff Passan that involves the Cubs. They need to make a big move and potentially a few more to take the 2025 Cubs to the next level. We know it. Jed Hoyer knows it and I’m sure those prospect at Triple-A have it in the back of their mind, too.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) gets away from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense on a long run in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025
It wasn’t a secret the Chicago Bears were hunting for running back help in the 2025 NFL draft. New head coach Ben Johnson liked to build around a strong ground attack, opening up his lethal play action game. To do that, you need a back who can keep ahead of the chains and force defenses to respect him. There was no shortage of options in the incoming draft class. One of the names expected to be high on the list for GM Ryan Poles was Quinshon Judkins. The Ohio State standout was the enforcer for the eventual national champions. He felt like the perfect David Montgomery-type that Johnson would love.
Unfortunately, the Cleveland Browns selected Judkins 36th overall in the 1st round, which hurts, considering the Bears picked 39th. As it turns out, fate may have been on their side. A few months later, news broke that Judkins was involved in a serious incident involving domestic violence and battery. It happened in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Judkins was arrested on misdemeanor charges. It is an ugly outcome, no matter how you spin it, and a reminder that sometimes missing out on players can be a blessing in disguise.
Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police department and Broward County arrest records.
One thing about Ryan Poles is that he avoids the head cases.
To date, the Bears’ GM has managed to avoid drafting anybody who ended up being a serious off-the-field problem. The closest he came was Tyrique Stevenson, who is more of a knucklehead on the field than anything else. Given this development, it is fair to wonder if the Bears would’ve taken Judkins had he been available. While there were no controversies that surfaced about him leading up to the draft, it would’ve been interesting if Ryan Poles might’ve sensed something off during interviews. Thankfully, we’ll never know. He is Cleveland’s problem now. Worse for him is the fact that Judkins still hasn’t signed his rookie contract. Any hope of securing that fully guaranteed deal other 2nd rounders want is all but out the window now.
At a recent Fanatics event, NFL legend Peyton Manning shared strong praise for the Chicago Bears new quarterback/head coach pairing: Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. Manning pointed out the major advantage of Johnson taking on both the head coach and offensive coordinator roles, saying this kind of continuity is key to a young quarterback’s development.
“I was fortunate to have the same coordinator for 14 years,” Manning said, referencing his experience with coaches like Tom Moore. He believes Johnson’s dual responsibilities will provide Williams—who’s already on offensive coordinator number three—with a stable and consistent offensive system, which can accelerate his growth in year two.
Manning also praised Johnson for choosing the Bears job over other offers, noting that the NFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in football. “Ben could’ve gone anywhere, but he chose Chicago,” Manning said. “That says a lot about how he views Caleb.”
The combination of Williams dynamic playmaking ability and Johnson’s innovative offensive mind has already generated excitement among fans. Manning’s endorsement reinforces the belief that, if they establish strong chemistry, this duo could lead the Bears into a promising new era.
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson (R) speaks during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
People have long wondered how the Chicago Bears managed to land Ben Johnson. He was widely believed to be the honest candidate on the market. Either that wasn’t actually the case, or the organization must’ve pulled some type of wizardry to get him. Maybe they guaranteed a huge contract or a significant say in personnel—or both. It was just difficult to wrap your head around it. The Bears have never landed the biggest name on the coaching market. Even Mike Ditka and Lovie Smith weren’t considered the premium names of their respective cycles.
How then? How did the Bears do it? Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog settled this confusion once and for all. The explanation is simple, if still profound. Johnson wanted to come to Chicago. There is no deeper meaning to it. He loved the city and was further swayed by the Bears’ pitch to him, along with the exciting opportunity to work with Caleb Williams. Sure, money was involved, and his influence in personnel decisions is strong. Still, the primary motivation was wanting the challenge of coaching the Bears.
I still think folks have somewhat missed the Ben Johnson story. He CHOSE the Chicago Bears. He CHOSE Caleb Williams, and Ryan Poles, and crummy ownership. Ben had options. He CHOSE this organization.
It doesn’t take long to recognize how fiery of a competitor he is. Other organizations have plenty of appeal, but there’s something unique about Chicago. They have a more storied history, along with two other factors that would’ve appealed to Ben Johnson. The team hasn’t won a championship in 40 years and may have the absolute worst offensive legacy in the modern NFL. Imagine how people would view Johnson as a coach if he not only turns the Bears offense into a powerhouse but also ends the Super Bowl drought. He’d immediately be elevated to the status of the NFL’s best coaches. That is something great coaches shoot for. They want to build a legacy that will stand the test of time. Johnson saw that potential path by coming to Chicago.
Noa Essengue is a project. That is a fact. The Chicago Bulls knew this when they drafted him. Everybody understood the 18-year-old from France had little professional polish. His shooting was highly inefficient, and his body is rail-thin. He’d need time to prepare himself for the rigors of the NBA. The first two games of the Summer League have confirmed this. Essengue has gone 6-of-17 from field goal range and 1-of-7 from behind the arc. Those shooting issues were no joke. He has a lot of work to do. However, one element is already flashing positively in a big way.
His defense.
Through two games, Essengue already has four steals and two blocks. One of the constant mentions in his scouting reports was a natural affinity for defense, given his height, length, athleticism, and aggressive mentality. This is precisely what the Bulls were hoping for. Perimeter defense has been a constant issue for them going back years. Having a player with that array of skills pushes them in the right direction. At the very least, it looks like Essengue will become a quality defender the Bulls can utilize to guard top guards and wings.
Noa Essengue controls his fate.
Nobody believes the rookie will have any impact on the Bulls this season. He’s way too raw. Most expect he’ll spend his time on the Windy City Bulls in the G League. Maybe so. It will depend on how quickly he can improve his offensive game in the coming months. Right now, it’s not where it needs to be. This is far from a death sentence. Plenty of future stars built themselves up in the G League. Paul Siakam, whom Noa Essengue is often compared to, spent a year there early in his career. If it’s good enough for the three-time All-Star, it’s good enough for the 12th overall pick.
Oct. 24, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) takes a snap from center Olin Kreutz (57) during a game against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears have the most Hall of Famers in NFL history. Devin Hester was the latest to earn that honor, becoming the one and only return specialist to receive a gold jacket. This led to an inevitable dialogue about who else should get in. Steve McMichael got his long-overdue nod after an exemplary career in the 1980s. Many feel Charles Tillman is the most deserving, having revolutionized the cornerback position with his patented “Peanut Punch.” Lance Briggs was also a seven-time Pro Bowler at linebacker. However, there is another name that remains criminally under-discussed.
Olin Kreutz.
Many people should know the name Duke Manyweather. He is widely considered one of the best offensive line experts in the sport. He’s also the best trainer out there who doesn’t directly work for the NFL. His OL Masterminds Summit attracts some of the top blockers in the league. He made it clear in recent comments that Kreutz will not only be in the Hall of Fame one day, but he should already be. It is the first validation from somebody outside Chicago in a long time.
Kreutz anchored the Chicago Bears for over a decade.
He and former Jets and Titans center Kevin Mawae were on the 2000s All-Decade team. Mawae is already in the Hall of Fame. Kreutz has only two fewer Pro Bowls and one fewer All-Pro nod. He also reached the Super Bowl, which is something Mawae can’t say. It isn’t clear why Kreutz doesn’t get more recognition. He only missed one game between 2001 and 2010. During that span, the Chicago Bears made the playoffs four times, reached two NFC championships, and a Super Bowl. The hard truth is the offense was rarely good during his career despite his herculean efforts. If he’d had Peyton Manning as his quarterback, he would already be in Canton. It wouldn’t even be a discussion. Where Jay Hilgenberg suffered from being surrounded by more popular teammates, Kreutz was masked by a lot of bad.
Jul 11, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (28) high fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
It didn’t take long for Andrew Vaughn to make the White Sox look bad. He is already making history five games into his stint with the Milwaukee Brewers and is not dispelling the narrative that hitters improve after leaving the White Sox.
Vaughn’s Historic Start In Milwaukee
Vaughn has been on fire ever since putting on a Brewers uniform. He collected two more hits this afternoon, including a game-tying two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning. He drove in four runs on the afternoon and became the first player in Brewers franchise history to drive in a run in each of his first five games with the team. The former White Sox first baseman already has 10 RBI in just five games with Milwaukee. The Brewers have also won every game he has played. And the craziest part is that he would have never gotten called up had Rhys Hoskins, the Brewers’ starting first baseman up to this point, not landed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left thumb.
Aaron Civale’s Struggles
The White Sox traded Vaughn for right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale almost a month ago in a classic change-of-scenery swap. Civale requested a trade out of Milwaukee after getting demoted to the bullpen. He wanted the opportunity to continue starting games, which the White Sox provided.
Unfortunately, the beginning of Civale’s tenure on the South Side has not gone as hoped. In five starts, he has recorded an elevated 5.40 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, and has struck out just 14 hitters in 25 innings. Control has been his biggest problem, as he has issued 13 walks as well. The White Sox hoped he would be able to eat innings to help a young pitching staff. That has not happened either, as he has averaged just five innings per start.
Parting of Ways
The White Sox have undoubtedly gotten the short end of the stick on this trade thus far. However, it is not the type of situation where they didn’t know what they had. Vaughn spent parts of five years with the White Sox, playing in over 600 games and collecting almost 2,500 plate appearances. The team gave him ample opportunities to prove himself, but he failed to improve over time. In fact, he regressed to the point where his 2025 stats were the worst numbers of his entire MLB career.
White Sox Hitting Development Questions Loom
Five games is a tiny sample, but Andrew Vaughn is off to a scorching hot start in Milwaukee. And he is not the first White Sox position player to improve elsewhere this season. Gavin Sheets and Romy Gonzalez have also improved significantly after leaving Chicago, and Luis Robert Jr. could be the next if he gets traded. We will have to wait and see if this is a fluke or if Vaughn has figured it out. Either way, it raises questions about what the White Sox are doing wrong with their hitting development at the MLB level.
It is now common knowledge that the Chicago Blackhawks plan to use this upcoming 2025-2026 season as a platform for their young players to gain experience. Nick Lardis, Artyom Levshunov, Jack Pridham, and others are gearing up for a major competition in training camp. What people don’t know is whether #3 overall pick Anton Frondell will be part of those plans. There is no question that the Blackhawks see a bright future for him. What they haven’t clarified is whether that future starts immediately this season.
New information may have cleared that issue up. According to Gunnar Nordström of Expressen, Frondell will attend camp with the Blackhawks and return to Sweden for another season with Djurgården.
According to what Expressen learns, Anton Frondell, 18, is close to signing a rookie contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
But Djurgården fans can rest assured.
Frondell will remain in Stockholm and Sweden to play with Djurgården in the SHL season 2025-26.
This isn’t a big surprise. Frondell said he would likely return home for another year if he weren’t guaranteed a roster spot. After all, the SHL is considered one of the three best hockey leagues in the world. He will get plenty of meaningful experience against good competition. It also gives him another chance to chase the league championship after Djurgården lost in the Finals.
Anton Frondell can get experience there that he may not get this season.
Right now, the Blackhawks are working to sort out what they have. Several young guys appear ready for their opportunities after spending a couple of years in the minors. They’ve earned their shot. Anton Frondell will get his. That is a given. He’s a top-three pick. Chicago has big plans for him. The beauty of the situation is that they don’t need him right away. He can be free to stay home and keep honing his craft, building confidence as he matures. Next year, he should be ready to join the ranks of what will hopefully be a more seasoned and quality hockey team. If things progress as hoped, Frondell will make them significantly better upon arrival next summer.
Jun 3, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney (62) looks on during minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Allowing 68 sacks in a season is a number few teams ever reach. Watching Caleb Williams endure that must’ve made Ryan Poles sick. The Chicago Bears GM, a former offensive lineman himself, had tried piecing together a capable unit with the resources available. Unfortunately, some injury setbacks (Teven Jenkins), bad personnel decisions (Nate Davis), and subpar coaching led to the disaster. That is why Poles made it his mission in the 2025 offseason to fix the problem once and for all.
After careful evaluation, it didn’t take long to realize free agency alone wouldn’t help. The Bears had to get creative if they wanted immediate solutions. So they swung two trades, bringing in Jonah Jackson from Los Angeles and Joe Thuney from Kansas City. Both have proven backgrounds as former Pro Bowlers. Then things came together with the arrival of Drew Dalman, widely considered the best center in free agency. If you’re wondering if Poles got it right, multiple execs stated on ESPN that two of those acquisitions are among the best interior offensive linemen in the league.
One of most impressive football feats of the 2024 NFL season was Thuney, at 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds, successfully transitioning from guard to left tackle late in the season. The Chiefs were in a bind, and the offensive line needed help, and Thuney stabilized it. Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded the move, saying Thuney never complained — and he held his own incredibly well…
…Also receiving votes: Steve Avila (Los Angeles Rams), Ryan Kelly (Minnesota Vikings), Kevin Dotson (Los Angeles Rams), Kevin Zeitler (Tennessee Titans), Cody Mauch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Alijah Vera-Tucker (New York Jets), John Simpson (New York Jets), Dominick Puni (San Francisco 49ers), Zach Frazier (Pittsburgh Steelers), Sam Cosmi (Washington Commanders), Drew Dalman (Chicago Bears)
The Chicago Bears deserve credit for not getting sidetracked.
Too many times throughout recent team history, the GM has gotten too enamored with specific players at positions of lesser need. Drafting Cedric Benson in 2005 was a perfect example. The Chicago Bears already had a good running back in Thomas Jones. Meanwhile, they could’ve added help in the secondary with Antrel Rolle or another pass rusher like DeMarcus Ware. Former GM Jerry Angelo admitted he didn’t do a good enough job preparing for that draft. Poles deserves credit for staying on task. He knew the offense had to be the focal point this offseason, especially up front. It appears he did the job with top marks.
