Aug 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Tarik Skubal made his first start with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs, and it also turned out to be his very first start at Wrigley Field. The two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher has become the latest villain, and his first experience on the road did not disappoint.
After a 10-5 pounding in the series opener, Skubal pitched the middle game of the series, and Cubs fans let him hear it every time he stepped on the field. The left-hander only lasted six innings, and while Skubal gave up just a pair of runs, Javier Assad was better for the Cubs, giving them 5.2 innings of one-run ball. The Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the sixth and added on against the Dodgers’ bullpen to pull away and win 5-1, spoiling Skubal’s debut with a loss.
Following the game, Skubal was very complimentary to the Cubs fans at Wrigley Field in his very first start at the federal landmark.
Via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
“It’s a ton of fun to play in front of crowds like that … I actually haven’t made a home start in the postseason. They’ve all been on the road. I’ve pitched in pretty good environments, and I’d say that’s up there with any of those postseason starts.”-Tarik Skubal
You know, just something to keep in mind for the future, considering that Skubal will be a free agent after the 2026 season. The Dodgers are rumored to be his preferred destination in free agency, and at the end of the day, if they make him a priority, then they’ll do anything possible to sign him.
Money will almost always win out in free agency, but it doesn’t hurt to get a glimpse of that Wrigley Field atmosphere that could potentially stick in Skubal’s head when he makes his next life-changing decision to sign the biggest contract of his career.
The Cubs and Dodgers could end up meeting in the postseason, as both teams are currently penciled into the Wild Card round. The Dodgers, as the No. 3 seed, would face the third Wild Card team, while the Cubs would host the second Wild Card team. If both teams advance in this scenario, they could match up in the NLCS.
Skubal’s already gotten a taste of a great Wrigley Field crowd, but it won’t compare to October baseball. Hopefully, Cubs fans get another chance to impress the left-handed starter in the playoffs and leave a lasting impression before he becomes a free agent.
Aug 8, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Clay Holmes (25) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Although his debut with the Chicago Cubs wasn’t all that great, the team obviously has high hopes for right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes. The veteran was acquired at the trade deadline along with outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets in a rare deal that included a top-100 prospect from the Cubs. It was an aggressive move by Jed Hoyer, and it turns out that they had some luck on their side.
Holmes was one of the most popular rental starting pitchers available at the trade deadline because, despite missing a couple of months recovering from a broken leg, he had a 2.39 ERA through his first nine starts of the 2026 season. The Mets were in discussions with multiple teams, and it turns out that the only reason the Cubs even had a chance to complete a deal for Holmes came after a trade fell apart with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Talks between the Mets and Diamondbacks were in their late stages, with Holmes set to go to Arizona, as both clubs had already agreed to a trade package. However, the Mets backed out because they had concerns over one player’s medicals.
Via the Arizona Republic.
The Mets called off the trade due to concerns they had after reviewing medical records of a Diamondbacks prospect.The teams tried to rework the deal with different players involved but were unable to reach an agreement, sources said.As with all deals, the sides agreed on names but needed to review medicals before finalizing the trade. During the time the Diamondbacks were waiting on an answer from the Mets — this was roughly three hours before the trade deadline — other potential starting pitching targets came off the board in other trades, a source said. The Diamondbacks were left without the starting pitching upgrade they had hoped to land.
The Cubs, who had already made a deal earlier this season with the Mets, trading for David Peterson, took advantage, swooped in, and got Holmes, sending infielder prospect Jefferson Rojas to New York.
This could end up playing a major factor in October, as both the Cubs and Diamondbacks are well-positioned in the playoff picture. The Cubs are 5.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks for the top Wild Card spot, and at this point, if the standings remained the same, both clubs would play each other in the Wild Card round, with the Cubs hosting the best-of-three series at Wrigley Field.
Holmes would most likely pitch in the Wild Card round for the Cubs, which gives them an edge, not only because he’s been a good starting pitcher since 2025, but also because of the nixed deal, it means the Cubs wouldn’t have to face Holmes in the playoffs.
On trade deadline day, Holmes’ name was also being heavily linked to the Milwaukee Brewers. That could have just been a savvy play by the Mets to make the Cubs more likely to pay more for Holmes in order to keep him away from their division rivals. Although the odds aren’t in their favor at the moment, the Cubs do have seven head-to-head games remaining against the Brewers, making a five-game deficit in the division somewhat still in play.
The Cubs are not only hoping for Holmes to be a playoff starter, but also to make a difference in the regular season as the team tries to catch the Brewers, which would pretty much guarantee a top-two seed and a bye in the National League. After throwing four innings against the Kansas City Royals this past weekend, Holmes is scheduled to make his second start with the Cubs on Friday at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Aug 7, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Soriano (40) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
It’s always intriguing to see the stories that spill out after the trade deadline, and fans already had a hint of how wild it could have been last week. The Toronto Blue Jays shocked the league by trading for Jose Soriano, taking him away from other clear playoff contenders who were interested in acquiring him. It turns out that after the Los Angeles Angels had already traded him away, there were other teams that were calling the Blue Jays to see if they would immediately trade him again.
Now, we know that one of those teams calling the Blue Jays to talk about a second Soriano trade was the Chicago Cubs, who had an extremely active trade deadline day.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that the Cubs and Minnesota Twins contacted the Blue Jays after they traded for Soriano, and the Blue Jays did listen. It does sound like the Twins made the most progress in those talks with the Blue Jays, but ultimately Soriano stayed put.
According to the report, the Twins were prepared to send a package headlined by Kaelen Culpepper, Minnesota’s third-ranked prospect.
Via The Athletic.
“After the Jays finalized their deal for Soriano, sending a three-prospect package to the Angels built around shortstop Arjun Nimmala, the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs were among the teams that then also reached out to Toronto to see if the Jays would be interested in moving Soriano again, league sources granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak about deadline dealings publicly said. The Jays listened.”
Although that deal between the Twins and Blue Jays never materialized for Soriano, the two clubs did complete a trade that sent reliever Jeff Hoffman to the Twins.
As for the Cubs, they were obviously talking with the Blue Jays leading up to the trade deadline, making two separate deals. Jameson Taillon, who was designated for assignment after his start on July 26, was moved to the Blue Jays, who then traded Kevin Gausman in a different deal to the Cubs for a pair of prospects.
The Cubs were also one of the teams that showed interest in both Soriano and Reid Detmers, hoping to trade for a controllable starting pitcher. They must have really been in love with Soriano to take the next step and talk to the Blue Jays about him after the Angels had already traded the right-handed pitcher.
And of course, there was the Detmers talk, which didn’t amount to a trade, but the Cubs and Angels were obviously talking as well. The Cubs did make a trade with the Angels, sending Moises Ballesteros as the headliner, along with right-handed pitching prospect Mason McGwire, for reliever Ryan Zeferjahn.
So, eventually one of these executives will give more names, but it makes you wonder if at any point the Cubs, Angels, and Blue Jays would have agreed to a three-team trade. We don’t see those as much anymore, so it would have been a stunner at the trade deadline.
Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles with offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (75) during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears braced themselves for a rough situation going into 2026. They thought they had left tackle nailed down last season as 2nd round pick Ozzy Trapilo rounded into form. Then he tore his patellar tendon in the wild card win over Green Bay. That meant he could miss up to a year recovering from such an injury. Team brass admitted there was a possibility he might not play this season at all. That is why they invested in bringing back Braxton Jones and adding former 1st round pick Jedrick Wills. Both have starting experience and are at least credible when healthy. People were prepared not to hear Trapilo’s name for a while. Then general manager Ryan Poles upended everything.
There were indications over the past couple of weeks that the big left tackle’s recovery was going well. A video surfaced of him working out at Halas Hall. He wasn’t wearing any kind of brace on his knee. Did this mean the rehab was working? Poles fanned those flames during an interview with Hoge & Jahns. He stated that the team has discussed the possibility that Trapilo could return towards the end of training camp, putting him far ahead of schedule for even the most optimistic prognosis.
BIG INJURY UPDATE: #Bears LT Ozzy Trapilo isn’t just ahead of schedule, he could “potentially” return before the end of training camp.
Ryan Poles understands the risks involved with such a decision.
While it may look like Trapilo is recovering ahead of schedule, the team still has a responsibility to protect the players from themselves. Do not let them return until you’re as certain as possible that they won’t re-injure themselves. They took such precautions last year with Jaylon Johnson and Austin Booker. The issue with Trapilo is timing. Once a season begins, the Bears won’t have many padded practices because they will be trying to keep the wear and tear on players to a minimum between games. Yet without padded practices, Trapilo won’t be able to get up to speed quickly enough to play anytime soon.
That is why Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson are considering a return at the end of camp. It would at least give the left tackle some padded practices to start preparing his body for the season and knocking off the rust from all the missed time. This doesn’t mean he would start the opener against the Carolina Panthers. It is more about ensuring he is as well-prepared for a return as humanly possible. Everything depends on how the knee looks and feels over the next two weeks. If the doctors don’t see any red flags and Trapilo isn’t feeling pain, the Bears may decide to risk it.
Week
Opponent
Date
Pressures Allowed
Offensive Snaps
Week 1
@ Minnesota Vikings
Sep 7, 2025
—
6
Week 2
@ Detroit Lions
Sep 14, 2025
—
6
Week 3
Dallas Cowboys
Sep 21, 2025
—
4
Week 4
@ Las Vegas Raiders
Sep 28, 2025
2
40
Week 6
@ Washington Commanders
Oct 12, 2025
—
6
Week 7
New Orleans Saints
Oct 19, 2025
—
6
Week 8
@ Baltimore Ravens
Oct 26, 2025
—
8
Week 9
@ Cincinnati Bengals
Nov 2, 2025
—
1
Week 10
New York Giants
Nov 9, 2025
—
1
Week 11
@ Minnesota Vikings
Nov 16, 2025
—
5
Week 12
Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov 23, 2025
1
65
Week 13
@ Philadelphia Eagles
Nov 27, 2025
4
87
Week 14
Green Bay Packers
Dec 8, 2025
0
70
Week 15
Cleveland Browns
Dec 14, 2025
3
67
Week 16
@ Green Bay Packers
Dec 21, 2025
3
64
Week 17
@ San Francisco 49ers
Dec 28, 2025
2
66
Week 18
Detroit Lions
Jan 4, 2026
—
—
Expectations on offense are starting to rise.
Granted, they were already high with the continued ascents of Caleb Williams, Colston Loveland, and Luther Burden. The big key was whether they could get the left tackle situation figured out. When Trapilo was healthy down the stretch last season, the Bears had some of their best performances. They hung 31 on Pittsburgh, ran for over 280 yards in Philadelphia, put up 31 on a good Browns defense, and 38 in San Francisco. Then they erased a 21-point lead in the playoffs to beat Green Bay. Trapilo’s play was a major part of that success. If he can regain that form upon returning, this team should be even better.
Aug 5, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) runs during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
People always insist that the first depth chart released by a team is unofficial. It isn’t indicative of how the final roster will look come opening day. This is technically true. However, history has shown that this depth chart does still offer some hints about which way the coaching staff is leaning in terms of roster battles. The 2026 version is no different. With the Chicago Bears four days away from the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Ben Johnson has released the first depth chart.
It isn’t short on interesting notes. Just start with the left tackle spot. Braxton Jones remains listed as the starter despite his recent leg injury. Jedrick Willis seems to be his primary competition, with Kiran Amegadjie and Theo Benedet bringing up the rear. Jahdae Walker is the fourth wide receiver ahead of 3rd round pick Zavion Thomas.
Defensively, Dayo Odeyingbo is still listed as a starter opposite Montez Sweat despite how well Austin Booker played to finish last season. Curiously, Jack Sanborn is listed behind Noah Sewell at linebacker. Rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad is already in the top four at his position as well.
A lot could be riding on the Chicago Bears’ opener.
You never want to say one game could be a pivot point for so many jobs. Still, there are only three games in the preseason. There isn’t much time to deliberate. Johnson and his staff must make their evaluations and establish a starting lineup soon so everybody can get on the same page before heading to Carolina for week one. That means a great performance against Cleveland might be enough to secure jobs for some of these guys. On the other hand, if Jones or anybody else struggles, it could open the door for someone else to seize momentum.
One position that has already been decided is long snapper. Undrafted rookie Beau Gardner beat out Luke Elkin, who was recently waived by the team. Probably one of the more interesting spots to watch is returner. Kalif Raymond is listed as the starter at the moment, but there is a strong possibility the Chicago Bears end up handing that to Thomas. He has extensive college experience in that job, and it would serve as the perfect way to get him some touches without feeding him targets on offense.
Plenty of names have a chance to build on their momentum from practice.
The first that comes to mind is Jordan Van Den Berg. Though he’s a 6th round pick, the rookie defensive tackle hasn’t wasted time making a big impression. It has been enough to earn legitimate reps with the starting defense. Coaches love his mix of power and explosiveness. Then you have wide receiver Kaden Davis, a late addition before training camp, who came over from the UFL and has been making several big catches over the past week. He could end up challenging Scotty Miller for that sixth and final slot.
Last but not least, Ruben Hyppolite has surged in recent days after he suffered a season-ending injury last year. The Bears put a ton of pressure on him when they added several linebackers to the mix, including Sanborn and special teams standouts like Jon Rhattigan and Tony Fields II. The former 4th round pick senses the pressure and seems to be responding well. Saturday should be educational.
Jul 31, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears players practice during Training Camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Head coach Ben Johnson never hid from his vision for the Chicago Bears. He wanted to build an intense, violent, and physical football team. To him, that was how you found consistent success in the NFL. The mentally and physically toughest lasted the longest. To do that, you had to start with practice. Johnson reinstated a style of practice the Bears hadn’t seen in years. Every session demanded constant effort, energy, and full contact. There would be no holding back. Players were expected to get after it.
Some have grown concerned about this approach lately, though. The Bears have suffered several injury setbacks in training camp this year, headlined by big names like safety Coby Bryant and wide receiver Luther Burden. Is the heavy contact in these practices really worth it if so many key players struggle to stay on the field in camp? Johnson was asked about this in an interview with Hoge & Jahns. He remained undaunted. In his mind, the NFC North division is often dictated by the team that is the most physical.
The only way to get the Bears ready is by callousing them on the practice field.
Ben Johnson is hardly the only coach who thinks this way.
There is no getting around reality. Football is a violent sport. It requires a specific brand of toughness to play at a high level. As brilliant as he can be as a coach, there comes a time when great play calls and game plans go out the window. Sometimes you just have to impose your will on the opponent. The Bears haven’t really done that for most of the past decade. Somewhere along the way, they lost their identity. Johnson is the first to really push for a return to what Chicago football was known for throughout the 20th century.
It’s not like Ben Johnson is alone in this thought process. Six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick was a major proponent of physical practices during his Hall of Fame career.
“My personal coaching philosophy, my mentality, has always been to make things as difficult as possible for players in practice, however bad we can make them, I make them.”
The endgame was obvious. If you can make practices as tough as possible, the games will be easy by comparison. Johnson already has proof of concept. You can’t say the physical camp last year didn’t benefit the Bears in 2025. They overcame a 0-2 start to the season and engineered seven 4th quarter comebacks en route to their first division title in seven years. Then they won their first playoff game in 15 years.
Johnson will not relent.
Players get hurt in football. That is the nature of the game. Yes, physical practices run the risk of creating added injuries. However, Johnson believes the higher risk breeds higher rewards. This approach builds a much tougher football team. One that is better prepared to handle the rigors of a long, grinding season. For years, it felt like the Bears always seemed to fall apart late in seasons. At one point there were routinely chided for always falling apart in December. That was partly because their bodies and minds couldn’t handle the strain anymore.
Johnson is determined on one thing. If the Bears do fail to win a championship, it won’t be because they weren’t prepared to pay the price. There hasn’t been any complaining from the players. They’ve been told from the start that practices would be grueling. It’s not like Johnson ambushed them. They are fully aware of what is being asked of them going in. That clarity makes the toll easier to pay.
The identity is set. Johnson will not deviate from it out of fear. He believes down to his bones that these practices will give the Bears the best chance to win a Super Bowl. The best thing to do is trust his process.
Aug 3, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up during practice at Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears are trying to navigate training camp and preseason without any massive setbacks. They already suffered one with the loss of safety Coby Bryant to a knee injury. Other players are dealing with minor ailments as well. It has been a physical camp per usual under Ben Johnson, who is working hard to mentally and physically prepare his players for the grind ahead. However, the Bears aren’t the only team in the NFC North dealing with bad news over the past week. Similar situations are unfolding in Minnesota and Detroit.
The Lions watched star center Frank Ragnow retire for the second time after returning last season to help the team. That means they had to find a replacement. Their solution was free agent Cade Mays, fresh off a strong season with the Carolina Panthers. He signed a three-year, $25 million deal to join Detroit. It was hoped he could anchor the middle like Ragnow had for so many years. You can imagine the groans when it came out that Mays had broken his wrist in training camp. The injury will sideline him for at least the next two months.
#Lions center Cade Mays fractured a small bone in his wrist, an injury that will keep him out roughly 8-10 weeks, source said.
Coach Dan Campbell called the injury “significant.” But Mays should be back by midseason, at least. pic.twitter.com/BGhztyidRw
The Chicago Bears will find more misery even further north.
While the Minnesota Vikings haven’t endured any significant injury news to this point, fans aren’t exactly overcome with positivity. After watching Sam Darnold leave last year and go win a Super Bowl in Seattle, you can imagine how people felt when J.J. McCarthy, his replacement, struggled. Suddenly, a team that won 14 games in 2024 dropped to nine in 2025. A precious year of Super Bowl contention had been wasted. That is why Minnesota opted to go after quarterback Kyler Murray in free agency.
While the team has framed this training camp as a competition, most felt Murray was the obvious favorite to claim the job. Yet based on reports coming out of Minneapolis, things haven’t progressed as hoped. Neither quarterback has looked good of late, which is causing alarm among fans. If Murray can’t separate himself from a disappointment like McCarthy, that doesn’t bode well for the upcoming season. The comments on Twitter aren’t what you would call optimistic at this stage.
Lmfao how fucking bad has Kyler been that he cant outplay JJ Mccarthy? https://t.co/LFO4pHvyqJ
— dan campbell owns the bears (@extramicrowave) August 10, 2026
Let’s make one thing clear about the Vikings’ night practice: Kyler was bad — especially early — and McCarthy was good early. But McCarthy’s play slipped. Neither of these two have shown any consistency or lived up to what you want to see from an NFL quarterback.
Considering how vital center has been for Detroit, having to field a backup there for at least six games is a serious blow. Their offense is still the engine that drives the ship. As good as their pass rush can be, the defense isn’t equipped to carry the load. Any blow to the offense hurts their chances of winning. Conversely, Minnesota’s track record under head coach Kevin O’Connell has been directly tied to the quarterback position. When he gets good play from that position, they win. When he doesn’t, they lose.
Everybody was quick to declare Murray was the solution they needed. Yes, he was a two-time Pro Bowler at one point in his career. That was years ago. The truth is, he hasn’t been anywhere close to that level since 2022. The Vikings are banking that O’Connell can work the same magic as he did with Darnold two years ago. So far, the returns aren’t what they want. That suits the Chicago Bears just fine. The weaker the division is, the better their odds of keeping their crown.
Wow, this is pretty cool. Veteran pitcher Shelby Miller had Tommy John surgery last October, and although the Chicago Cubs signed him to a two-year contract in the offseason, the expectation was for Miller to continue his rehab in 2026 before making his comeback in 2027. Well, Miller has shattered those expectations because not only has he been pitching down in Arizona, but on Sunday the right-hander made a rehab appearance at Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs.
Miller threw 14 pitches, 11 for strikes, in his one inning of work, which was his first official game action since Sept. 1, 2025.
Shelby Miller just made his first rehab outing in Triple-A, allowing a run on two hits.
He sat 95.7 mph on his four-seam fastball (95.2 mph in 2025) and struck out two in his inning of work.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell spoke glowingly about Miller, who has become a potential option to be called up in September if he continues his recovery without setbacks. Now, to be clear, Counsell made it a point to say that Miller’s rehab stint in the minors will be longer than usual, as the team is taking it very slow for the returning pitcher.
It was his second major elbow surgery in his career, so the Cubs don’t want to rush it and suddenly lose Miller again for next season.
Craig Counsell provides an update on Shelby Miller, who joined Triple-A Iowa today to begin his rehab assignment ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/MpQqyDVkVC
In 2025, Miller posted a 2.47 ERA with a 29.0 K% in 46 innings. There’s no guarantee he can get back to that level in his first year back from elbow surgery, but it’s still incredible that Miller is already pitching competitively and may ultimately earn a shot to become a late-season weapon in the Cubs bullpen.
(Previous Update)
At first, it seemed like right-handed reliever Shelby Miller was going to miss the entire 2026 season and the main reason he signed a multi-year deal with the Chicago Cubs was so he could return from rehabbing the following season. However, Miller sounds a lot more optimistic about his chances to give the Cubs a boost if needed late this year.
Miller, 35, underwent Tommy John surgery last fall, but speaking to the Chicago Tribune the veteran pitcher is eyeing a return back to the mound in 2026 with the Cubs.
“My goal is hopefully be back even a little bit sooner than that (September), depending on how I feel, but I’m really optimistic about getting back this year and contributing. “I feel like I’ve taken a pretty big step forward in the gym, and the way my elbow’s recovering and not getting sore from all the lifts and stuff I’m doing, I feel like I’m ready to go …. “It’s more about just the way I recover,” Miller said. “How am I feeling after I start throwing, is there any soreness, how’s my stuff, how is my sweeper and fastball and my sliders and then you just go from there.”
That would be an incredible comeback for Miller, who is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. The right-handed pitcher first had the elbow surgery in 2017, when he was still a starting pitcher with the Atlanta Braves.
Of course, the Cubs certainly will not rush Miller back and at this point who knows if the team will even need an extra arm in the bullpen down the stretch. However, it can’t be a bad thing to have Miller as a potential arm if there was a scenario when the Cubs were desperate for relief help.
In 2025, Miller began the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and he was one of the top bullpen arms in baseball before his first stint on the injured list. In his first 37 appearances Miller recorded a 1.98 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 36.1 innings. He was so good that despite being on the injured list at the trade deadline the Milwaukee Brewers struck a deal to acquire Miller from the Diamondbacks.
After being sidelined for a month Miller returned to the mound on Aug. 9, for the Brewers. The veteran made 11 relief outings for Milwaukee, but his there was obviously something off with his arm and he was shut down in early September after he failed to get an out against the Philadelphia Phillies. In October, Miller went through with Tommy John surgery, which at the time seemed to guarantee that he would miss the entire 2026 season.
At one point of his career Miller seemed destined to become a star pitcher after a few solid years with the St. Louis Cardinals and then an All-Star Game nomination in 2015 with the Braves. The righty was a full-time starting pitcher from 2013-18, but it took him a while to get back on track after his first Tommy John surgery.
Miller was actually with the Cubs for a brief time during the 2021 season, but he only made three appearances and was then placed on the injured list with a back strain. He was sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A and his time in the organization came to an end when he was released by the Cubs on May 31.
He had minimal MLB time after his Cubs tenure, but then Miller resurfaced in a major way in 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miller posted a 1.71 ERA in 42 innings. That led to an up and down 2024 campaign with the Detroit Tigers and then his bounce back season between the Diamondbacks and Brewers in 2025.
Before we get way ahead of ourselves, Miller still has to be cleared to officially begin his comeback. The pitcher will undergo an MRI later in March, and if he gets the green light, we can start tracking his progress.
Miller and the Cubs agreed to a two-year contract that guarantees the righty $2.5 million. According to Jon Becker, the deal also includes an option for the 2028 season, plus a bunch of incentives that if maxed out Miller could earn as much as $7.25 million over three years.
Shelby Miller Contract Details 2026: $1 million 2027: $1.25 million 2028: $2.5 million club option or $250K buyout 2028 option increases by $125K each for 50, 55, 60, and 65 games pitched in 2027
2027 and 2028 incentives: $125K each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 G; 20, 25, 30, 35 GF $250K each for 60, 65 G
Despite all those incentives the most likely scenario is that Miller is 100% healthy for the 2027 season. Anything else is a bonus for the Cubs.
Aug 5, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) stands on the field during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
If you follow the buzz around Halas Hall as Chicago Bears training camp unfolds, the coaches have been directing it at several players. Luther Burden, Colston Loveland, Garrett Bradbury, Devin Bush, and Jordan Van Den Berg are some of the standouts. That isn’t a bad thing. It is a good sign that they feel those players could become serious contributors this coming season. However, by contrast, there hasn’t been much hype around Caleb Williams. This isn’t to say he has been bad. Media members watching practice have all indicated he’s looked great. It is just puzzling that head coach Ben Johnson and his staff have been rather quiet about it.
Are they seeing something others aren’t? Or are they intentionally downplaying how Williams looks in an effort to keep other teams guessing about his progress? People already know how the quarterback played last season. It wasn’t always perfect, but Williams was money in the clutch and made the big plays when they mattered most. The trick this season was mastering more of the small stuff. According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, that has been happening in camp, and people are struggling to contain their excitement.
“Caleb Williams, by all accounts, has been a different guy this offseason—more grown up, and taking full ownership of the offense. Last summer, Ben Johnson had him drinking from a firehose and it didn’t necessarily look pretty in camp. A year later, Williams has real proof of concept, plus command over what the Bears are trying to do. There’s joy and focus to the way he’s approaching how Johnson and the staff keep challenging him, which is a good sign that he’s really figured out how to meld his personality into the program the staff was able to establish last year.”
"What I saw yesterday was a lot of speed, a lot of energy. Caleb is thinner, faster, much more accurate. That offense was pretty damn crisp!"@colincowherd shares his observations after attending Bears Training Camp pic.twitter.com/YhGACnWnS9
Caleb Williams isn’t the instrument player anymore.
He’s the conductor. There have been multiple instances in camp already where teammates lined up wrong before the snap. Every time, Williams stopped the play and forced them to run it again. Last year, it would’ve been Ben Johnson and the coaches doing that. Not anymore. This might be Johnson’s system, but it’s Williams’ show. The head coach has no problems with that. In fact, he has been working hard to foster it. When the quarterback and other players take ownership of the offense, everything gets better.
There are many examples of this throughout NFL history. Peyton Manning proved it for years in Indianapolis. Ken Stabler called his own players in Oakland during the glory years of the Raiders in the 1970s. Even Jim McMahon rebelled against Mike Ditka in the 1980s, often going off script with his own calls. It worked. Johnson is smart enough to know that he can’t always make perfect play calls. In those situations, you need a quarterback willing (and able) to make quick adjustments. Caleb Williams is reaching that point before our very eyes.
The Bears seem intent on keeping him focused.
One of the pitfalls of knowing your player is approaching elite status is the possibility that it could go to their head. Johnson and his coaches must walk a careful line between keeping Williams motivated and also humble. Singing his praises to the media every chance they get could do more harm than good. Better to keep the comments complimentary while also leaving that window open for improvement. It certainly seems to be working. Williams has been dialed in since camp began and hasn’t let up.
This isn’t a big surprise. The quarterback still has a sour taste in his mouth after how last season ended. Losing in the divisional round hurt. Yet being mere yards away from what would’ve been a game-winning field goal makes it sting even more. Williams is more determined than ever to correct the problems that led to that defeat. It starts with being more efficient. No more freebies for the opponents. Once that happens, stopping him will be a nightmare.
Rookie defensive tackle Jordan Van Den Berg goes through drills in a tough full contact practice at Bears training camp.
Jordan Van Den Berg started right where you’d expect a 6th round pick to: at the bottom. He arrived to Halas Hall with limited expectations from Chicago Bears fans. All they knew was he’d played defensive tackle at Georgia Tech. Aside from that, his story was a mystery. Over the following days and weeks, it became clear that Van Den Berg was a South African native and former rugby player who moved to the United States to pursue his dream of football. While a great story, it wasn’t enough to convince people he was anything more than a depth piece. That has changed since training camp began.
Day by day, Van Den Berg began moving up the depth chart. After starting with the third-string group, he moved up to the second, and has most recently started getting looks with the first-team defense. It isn’t an accident, either. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made it clear that it isn’t some casual experimenting. The rookie earned those promotions through his performance in practice. Allen explained in surprisingly extensive detail why the young defensive tackle is gaining so much steam.
Jordan Van Den Berg plays smart and hard.
“He’s another guy that’s really taken to the coaching,” Allen said. “He plays with great pad level. He can get in a good stance and come off and strike the line of scrimmage and he’s got some pretty good football instincts and plays extremely hard. A lot of the things that we saw on the tape at Georgia Tech, we’re seeing a lot of those same athletic qualities show up and I think that’s what training camp is all about. You have to go out and there and you have to let the guys go out there and compete and you have to let your eyes tell you. You’ve got to trust what you’re seeing, I guess is the right word.
“When you start off with the 3’s and then all of a sudden you show up and you catch our attention, then we’ve got to find ways to get you some reps with the 2’s and if you continue to catch our attention, then we’ve got to find some ways to get you some reps with the 1’s because that’s really how you evaluate what you have in the player. It’s one thing to say you can play really good against the third group, but can you take that same level with the 2’s and with the 1’s? I think any time a guy does well, catches our attention, he earns the opportunity to get more opportunities.”
Coaches don’t usually talk that way about a 6th round pick.
Allen could’ve just shrugged it off with a couple of sentences about Van Den Berg earning the reps and let it pass by. Instead, he explained why the rookie is earning those reps. He’s making it impossible to ignore him. That is the long and short of it. By all accounts, Van Den Berg has been bullying offensive linemen in 1-on-1 drills, showcasing a significant amount of power to go along with his explosiveness. It’s becoming easier to see why the Bears felt comfortable trading up for him.
This leads to an almost forbidden question. Is it possible Jordan Van Den Berg can play his way into the starting job? That sounds absurd at first. He’s a rookie, and the Bears have two established veterans entrenched as starters in Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett. Dexter had six sacks last season. Jarrett is a reliable presence and leader. Replacing them seems out of the question. That is, until you see what Adam Jahns of CHGO reported after last weekend’s practice.
“The first full team period on Sunday included one interesting wrinkle for the Bears’ defensive line. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. — who spent most of the practice with the starters — played with the third-team defense.”
You would think the Bears defensive coordinator would be happy after the defensive tackle had 43 pressures last season. Then again, Dexter has struggled with consistency at times, particularly with his lack of get-off. He was tied for 20th last season among all defensive tackles in total pressures. There were seven games last season where Dexter had just one pressure or fewer. Allen would prefer somebody who can generate an interior rush every week. Jordan Van Den Berg has the right mix of power and quickness.
He has things nobody else on the roster has. That could be why the coaches are eager to get him on the field more often. What they need to know is whether he can handle the mental workload that comes with being a core part of the rotation. So far, so good. A decision is likely to come after the first two preseason games. If Van Den Berg carries his strong practices into actual game action, they may feel the risk is worth it.
