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Kyle Wright’s Comeback Ends Before It Ever Started with the Chicago Cubs

By
Aldo Soto
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Aug 19, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright (30) throws against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe it was always a pipe dream that Kyle Wright would be able to make a comeback in 2026 with the Chicago Cubs, but the possibility is officially over now. The right-handed pitcher was released by the Cubs right before the All-Star break, after Wright wasn’t able to recover from a setback earlier in the season or potentially an opt-out in his minor league deal with the club.

Wright is MLB’s last 21-game winner, accomplishing the feat in 2022, which also happened to be the last time the right-handed pitcher was healthy for a complete season. He pitched in nine games in 2023, but then the arm injuries came. A shoulder surgery followed after the 2023 season, and Wright hasn’t been able to return to the big leagues since.

There was some glimmer of hope that he could make a comeback in 2026 with the Cubs, signing a minor league deal in the offseason. He was reportedly back to throwing 96mph while continuing his rehab in the Cubs’ spring training complex in Arizona, but just as it looked like Wright was going to go up to Triple-A, he suffered a setback in May. There hasn’t been a word about Wright since then, and on July 12, Wright was officially released by the Cubs.

A year after making eight starts in the Kansas City Royals’ minor league system, Wright ended his tenure with the Cubs without ever pitching in an official game in the minor leagues.

Kyle Wright’s Injury History

Wright’s last stint in the big leagues was rough in 2023, when the right-hander had a 6.97 ERA in 31 innings of work. Funny enough, his last MLB game actually came against the Cubs on Sept. 28, 2023, when Wright picked up the win after pitching 2.1 innings of relief out of the bullpen. Wright had already dealt with a shoulder issue that season that forced him to miss four months of action. Then, after the season ended, he underwent surgery to repair damage in his shoulder that cost him the rest of the 2024 season.

Fast forward to 2025, and Wright still wasn’t all the way back. By then, he was in his second year in the Royals organization after he was traded to them by the Atlanta Braves on Nov. 17, 2023. So, after missing all of 2024, Wright made his 2025 debut in the minors in early May, but he suffered a setback after two starts. The pitcher returned again a few weeks later and made six more starts, but was then sidelined again after June 21 because of an oblique injury.

And that was it for Wright in 2025. A total of eight starts between Double-A and Triple-A, 23 innings, and apparently enough to grab the attention of the Cubs, who signed him in February.

Fans Were Never the Problem: White Sox Attendance Surge Could Finally Force Reinsdorf To Pay Extra Fee

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jul 11, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder Randal Grichuk (34), center fielder Tristan Peters (29) and right fielder Braden Montgomery (24) celebrate, as mascot Southpaw waves the flag, after defeating the Athletics at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The Chicago White Sox may be considered the second team in the Second City, but one thing has always been true on the South Side. If you build a winning team on the field, fans will come.

For years, Rate Field was mocked by their North Side counterparts for its sea of empty seats. This season, that narrative is dead.

At the All-Star break, Major League Baseball attendance was up 1.1% year over year, and few teams have contributed more to that increase than the White Sox, who rank second in the majors in attendance growth behind only the Tampa Bay Rays. According to Sports Business Journal, the White Sox have seen a 36.5% increase in first-half attendance.

The jump has become even more noticeable over the past six weeks. Over the White Sox’s last 21 home games, the club has averaged more than 21,000 fans, including six sellouts. That stretch has raised the team’s season average to 23,137 after drawing just 17,605 fans per game over its first 21 home dates.

For perspective, the White Sox averaged just 17,848 fans per game over the entire 2025 season. In less than a year, they’ve gone from struggling to attract crowds to becoming one of baseball’s biggest attendance success stories.

That isn’t a coincidence.

Winning has always been the biggest draw on the South Side. During last season’s third consecutive 100-loss campaign, the White Sox didn’t surpass 1 million tickets sold until their 57th home game. This season, while battling for the American League Central crown, they surpassed 1 million in just their 44th home game.

A True Home Field Advantage

The increase in attendance has done more than improve the optics around Rate Field. It has helped create one of the best home-field advantages in baseball.

The White Sox are 31-17 at home this season after winning just 33 games at Rate Field all of last year. While an improved lineup and player development deserve much of the credit, the players have repeatedly pointed to the atmosphere as another reason for their success.

Following an 8-2 victory over the Dodgers on June 13, second baseman Chase Meidroth credited the fans for the energy they have brought back to the ballpark.

“It’s all about the fans. Their support every single day is incredible. Coming back to this atmosphere is thrilling. We truly enjoy playing at home; the energy here is unmatched,” Meidroth told reporters.

Manager Will Venable echoed those comments.

“It was an extraordinary experience. The atmosphere was electric, starting with the fans. It was clearly a fantastic environment to play in,” Venable said. “They showed their support, and our players responded wonderfully.”

While the Dodgers naturally brought larger crowds to Rate Field, Davis Martin said earlier in the month that the White Sox thrive whenever the ballpark is full.

“When [Rate] Field has 38,000 people, it’s a hard place to play,” Martin said. “On the road, it’s a different experience. At home, the energy from the crowd is something we thrive on.”

There is something to be said for that. Young teams often feed off emotion, and the White Sox have looked like a different club at home than they did a year ago. Sellout crowds have given meaningful games in July the type of atmosphere the franchise hasn’t consistently experienced in years.

An Unexpected Catch

But the attendance surge may also have financial implications for White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

When the White Sox secured public financing for their new stadium in 1991 after Reinsdorf threatened to move the franchise to St. Petersburg, Florida, he landed one of the most team-friendly stadium leases in professional sports.

Under the current agreement with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns Rate Field, the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois contribute $5 million annually toward the stadium. The White Sox pay just $1.5 million in annual rent while controlling revenue from tickets, concessions, parking and merchandise.

The lease also contains an attendance clause. According to a previous Chicago Tribune report, the White Sox are required to pay an additional fee on every ticket sold beyond 1.93 million in paid attendance, a threshold they have reached just once over the past decade, in 2022. During the first 10 years of the lease, the club didn’t have to pay any rent at all if annual attendance fell below 1.5 million.

For years, that provision largely benefited the White Sox as attendance dwindled. Now, ironically, one of baseball’s biggest attendance rebounds could end up costing ownership a little more money.

That money will likely be a drop in the bucket for Reinsdorf, considering that the White Sox are also emerging as one of the best local television success stories this season. At the All-Star break, the White Sox saw the largest regional viewership gains after adding over 18,000 TV homes.

The added fee is a good problem to have. After years of empty seats, apathy and losing baseball, the White Sox have reminded everyone of something that has long been true on the South Side. Fans were never the problem. Give them a competitive team, meaningful games and a reason to believe, and they’ll fill the ballpark.

Phil Maton’s Sad 2026 Season with the Chicago Cubs Could Already Be Over

By
Aldo Soto
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Mar 31, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell talks with pitcher Phil Maton (88) and his team during a mound visit against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

There’s really no other way to describe it, because as much anger as fans have felt, it does appear as though Phil Maton’s 2026 season has been a disaster thanks to a nagging knee injury. The veteran relief pitcher has been placed on the injured list for the third time this year, and this time the Chicago Cubs are talking about it potentially being a season-ending issue.

Maton signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Cubs last offseason, which came as a surprise given the organization’s trend of avoiding multi-year deals for relievers. And well, after this experience, we might not see another one for many more years. Maton has been a dud all season long, but if you want to see the glass half full, then you can say that the struggles are directly caused by the pitcher’s knee injury.

On Sunday. Maton came into pitch out of the bullpen with the Cubs leading 10-0 in the eighth inning, and he once again looked awful. The right-hander gave up a run, surrendering two hits and a walk. It was his third straight relief appearance giving up at least one run, and in 31 games this year Maton has recorded a 6.18 ERA.

You can’t point to any positive signs, as Maton has an expected ERA of 6.79, 5.49 FIP, and 4.37 xFIP, while sporting an average strikeout rate of 22.8%, a walk rate of 11.8%, and five home runs allowed in 27.2 innings.

The Cubs first placed Maton on the injured list in April, then again in June. Now, his third trip to the IL might just end the pitcher’s season.

The troubling aspect of the knee issue is that Maton was already dealing with the problem in the second half of the 2025 season after he was traded to the Texas Rangers. So, it isn’t really something that came out of the blue, and now the Cubs are paying the price. Maton was supposed to be their top set-up man, and if needed, he could come in to close out games. Instead, he’s been bad, injured, and hurting the bullpen all season long.

Now, Maton may be completely out of the picture with no chance to turn it around in 2026 if it’s determined that he needs knee surgery.

NFL Analyst Floats Historic Chicago Bears Receiving Scenario And Why It’s Not Crazy

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Bears tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden celebrate a touchdown score.

The Chicago Bears’ offense accomplished big things last season. Despite it being the first year under new head coach Ben Johnson, the team put together their first top ten offense in 12 years, finishing 6th in yards and 9th in points. Most people look to the running game that finished 3rd in the NFL behind the efforts of running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Not enough noticed how quietly productive the passing game was as well, finishing 10th in the league in yards with Caleb Williams throwing for 3,941.

It has many wondering what could happen going into 2026. Don’t forget that much of that success last season came from the arrival of two rookies, tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden. Both will be more experienced this year, which usually means they’ll also be more dangerous. Rome Odunze is healthy after a foot injury derailed much of last season for him. How high should expectations be for this group? Robert Mays of The Athletic Football Show took things to a level no one has seen in 18 years, with three players cracking 1,000 yards at the same time.

“I think there’s a world where both of them (Odunze and Burden) do, but it’s like, both of them have like 1,200 yards and Colston Loveland has 1,000 and we’re cooking with gas … every single member of the Bears offense is going to break out this year.”

The Chicago Bears would join the rarest of company.

To date, there have been only five teams in all of NFL history that have produced three players crossing the 1,000-yard boundary together in the same season. Unsurprisingly, each of them involved at least one Hall of Fame player and a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. They all also featured offensive play callers known for their aggressiveness.

YearTeamPlayerReceptionsReceiving YardsTouchdowns
1980San Diego ChargersJohn Jefferson
Kellen Winslow
Charlie Joiner		82
89
71		1,340
1,290
1,132		13
9
4
1989Washington RedskinsGary Clark
Art Monk
Ricky Sanders		79
86
80		1,229
1,196
1,138		9
8
4
1995Atlanta FalconsEric Metcalf
Terance Mathis
Bert Emanuel		104
78
74		1,189
1,039
1,039		8
9
5
2004Indianapolis ColtsReggie Wayne
Marvin Harrison
Brandon Stokley		77
86
68		1,210
1,113
1,077		12
15
10
2008Arizona CardinalsLarry Fitzgerald
Anquan Boldin
Steve Breaston		96
89
77		1,431
1,038
1,006		12
11
3

Lucky for the Bears, they have at least two of those ingredients. Williams is definitely a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, and Coach Johnson has even coined the phrase “hunting explosives.” We know he’s aggressive in every way. That leaves the receiving options. Loveland, Odunze, and Burden all have talent. Two were 1st round picks in their respective drafts, and the other probably should’ve been one.

Besides, the Bears have come close to this feat before. In 2013, both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery passed the 1,000-yard mark. Unfortunately, tight end Martellus Bennett finished around 241 yards short of joining them.

The key challenge for the Bears will be distribution.

To accomplish this feat, the team would have to channel a large portion of targets to those three players. That didn’t really happen last season. No player in the receiving corps had more than 90 targets. Chicago had seven players with at least 48 for the season. Spreading the ball around was a central focus for Williams and Johnson. They would have to allocate a larger portion to that trio to have any hope of reaching that milestone. We’re talking at least 100 targets each.

Last season, Burden would’ve had 1,086 yards with 100 targets. Loveland would’ve had 869. Odunze is the toughest one. He would’ve had 734. Part of that is his ongoing struggles with consistently catching the ball. He hasn’t produced a catch percentage above 54% yet in his career. If the Bears want a realistic shot at this record, he will have to get that over 60% at least to have any realistic shot. It’s doable. Remember, D.J. Moore isn’t in the picture anymore. His targets will be allocated to others, including those three.

If everybody stays healthy, this idea for the Chicago Bears is far from crazy.

The Patrick Kane Smoke Is Getting Thicker Than Ever For Chicago

By
Erik Lambert
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patrick kane
Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates against the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Chicago Blackhawks have mostly accomplished what they wanted to this offseason. They improved their defense, first by trading for Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabers. Then they signed Ilya Mikheyev in free agency, giving a significant boost to their penalty kill. Most agree that the weakest part of the roster has been fortified. However, a not-insignificant number of fans believe the team erred in a big way by not trying harder to find a legitimate winger to pair with Connor Bedard. That is where Patrick Kane enters the conversation.

The Blackhawks legend just concluded a three-season run with the Detroit Red Wings, posting a winning record every year. Unfortunately, at age 37, the organization doesn’t seem interested in bringing him back. Now Kane is searching for a new home. Growing rumors indicate two destinations are on his list: Chicago and Buffalo. Kane is a Buffalo native, so playing for his hometown team is an obvious draw. It doesn’t hurt that they’re pretty good lately. As for Chicago, reuniting with the team he built a Hall of Fame career with isn’t a tough sell.

It appears smoke is growing that the Blackhawks are the favorites to make the deal, if they haven’t already.

Patrick Kane is a perfect temporary solution.

Yes, he is no longer the player he was ten years ago. He hasn’t made an All-Star game since 2020 and has lost his overwhelming offensive firepower with his advancing age. That said, Kane remains a legitimate threat thanks to his unparalleled stick work and veteran savvy. He was good for 20 goals and 30-35 assists every year in Detroit. That is better than everybody not named Tyler Bertuzzi on the Blackhawks’ roster. He would be an immediate asset to Bedard, both on and off the ice.

Much of this hinges on what Kane’s priorities are. If he is determined to go after one more Cup, then Buffalo is probably the wiser choice. They are the more established playoff contender who look ready for a run. Playing for his hometown team would be a welcome bonus. If it’s about legacy? Then, Chicago is the choice. He returns to the organization that helped make him a superstar and a three-time champion. He gets to don the red and black again, and perhaps mentor the franchise’s next star.

Money could also be a factor.

Over the past three years, Patrick Kane has played on one-year contracts worth around $3-4 million. If he’s hoping for something a little more, then the Blackhawks have the advantage. Even after all of their moves this offseason, they still have the sixth-most cap space in the NHL at $14.31 million. Buffalo has $5.21 million. They might not be willing to offer the type of contract he’s hoping to get. No doubt they expect him to take a discount of some kind to join a winning team.

Kane has earned over $125 million in his career. He doesn’t have a reason to prioritize money, but then again, with retirement getting closer, he may wish to squeeze every penny he can before hanging up the skates. The man has a family to think about. Chicago is more than able to top any offer the Sabers can make. It’s whether they want to. From how Bedard sounds, it certainly seems like they’re willing to work something out.

One Uncomfortable Truth Makes 2026 A Critical Season For Rome Odunze

By
Erik Lambert
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rome odunze
Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) celebrates a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Excitement is high around the Chicago Bears going into 2026. Much of this is because so many of their younger players are showing signs of blossoming. Caleb Williams had arguably the best season a Bears quarterback has ever put together last year. Tight end Colston Loveland looked unstoppable down the stretch. Luther Burden was a spark plug. Austin Booker finished the year with 4.5 sacks in his final six games. Ironically, the only one who isn’t generating much positive buzz is Rome Odunze.

That is hard to believe. The former 9th overall pick has flashed tons of promise over his first two seasons in Chicago. He got off to a hot start last season before a foot injury derailed his moment. Now people have cooled on him. Granted, it’s not just the health concerns. Odunze has dealt with drop issues in both of his first two years, and he isn’t showcasing true go-to receiver ability, particularly in contested catch situations. The Athletic labeled him as the player with the most on the line going into 2026.

“Selected eight picks after quarterback Caleb Williams, Odunze has shown so much promise, but his sophomore NFL season was marred in a foot injury and uncharacteristic drops. He has said that his “new normal” is getting used to his foot following the fracture, which sent shudders through the Bears fan base. If Odunze can put it all together and be the team’s No. 1 receiver, he — like his quarterback — would be in line for a massive payday. The Bears haven’t given a multiyear contract extension to a receiver they drafted since Earl Bennett in 2011.”

Rome Odunze is at a pivotal crossroads.

The Bears drafted him with the express intent of being the #1 wide receiver in this offense at some point. He has that level of talent. The problem is he hasn’t quite seized it due to complicating factors. Part of it is health-related. The other part is the inconsistency. As he’s struggled to consistently make plays for his quarterback, others have stepped up. Loveland and Burden were far better at catching the football last season. Odunze didn’t lose his quarterback’s faith, but he clearly has some concentration issues to get past.

What makes it so vexing from the Bears’ perspective is that there weren’t any signs of this in college. Odunze caught the ball with unerring precision, and he never missed snaps. Seeing him deal with both issues is difficult to stomach. The ability is there. Finding the rhythm is the goal. Like it or not, this upcoming season is a massive one for the wide receiver. Not only is he battling for targets in a suddenly crowded receiving corps, but also his second contract.

There is some good news.

For one, the foot is healthy. While the feel of it is different from what he’s used to, Rome Odunze seems to have handled practicing on it just fine. If that remains the case, regaining his old form won’t be a concern. The other is the target share. With D.J. Moore gone, the Bears will redistribute his targets to other offensive players. Odunze figures to be among those who get a healthy chunk. He was targeted 90 times in 12 games last season. If he and Williams still have that same chemistry, he could see a career-high in targets this year.

The goal should be 1,000 yards. Most agree this is the milestone receivers must hit to justify their high draft position. The last 1st round pick the Bears drafted to hit this market was Curtis Conway. That should tell you how tough the sledding has been at the position for the past 30 years. Odunze wants to be the one to break all the franchise receiving records. It must start with staying on the field and executing when called upon.

White Sox Catcher Kyle Teel Leaves Game With Apparent Injury

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jul 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde (47) and catcher Kyle Teel (8) make their way from the bullpen prior to a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Kyle Teel could be seen grimacing behind his facemask as he reached for Texas Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran on a play at the plate. Moments later, the Chicago White Sox catcher needed assistance as he gingerly walked off the field.

Teel was attempting to make the tag after Evan Carter’s second-inning single sent Duran racing home in the second inning. As he received the throw, Teel’s metal cleat appeared to get caught in the dirt while he twisted to apply the tag. 

The injury is particularly concerning given that it appeared to be non-contact and comes after Teel had already missed significant time with leg issues. 

The 24-year-old catcher was reinstated from the 60-day IL in June after missing the first 76 games of the season due to a right hamstring strain suffered in the World Baseball Classic. What was initially expected to be a multi-week absence stretched into a much longer recovery after Teel sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his knee during a rehab assignment. 

Adding insult to injury is the White Sox current catcher situation. Teel’s early exit left Drew Romo as the only active catcher on the roster, with Sam Antonacci next on the depth chart as the emergency backup catcher. 

If Teel is placed on the injured list, Edgar Quero and Korey Lee would likely be the next men up from Triple-A Charlotte. But regardless of who is called up, Teel’s absence from the lineup would put the White Sox at a significant deficit offensively. 

Romo is hitting .130 with a 26 percent strikeout rate and a .527 OPS. Quero was already optioned once this season after slashing .187/.253/.233 with two homers and 15 RBIs to start the season. 

While Lee has connected for 13 homers and is posting a .805 OPS in the minor leagues this season, his previous MLB track record doesn’t inspire much confidence. 

If Teel is set to miss a significant amount of time, it may force the White Sox to trade for additional catcher depth ahead of the trade deadline. For a team with postseason aspirations, failing to find a capable replacement could become a costly setback in their push for the AL Central title.

Drew Pomeranz’s Return Ends with the Chicago Cubs

By
Aldo Soto
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May 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Pomeranz (45) delivers during the ninth inniing against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Well, this one didn’t work out for the Chicago Cubs. Veteran pitcher Drew Pomeranz was brought back into the fold after he was let go by the Los Angeles Angels earlier this season, but unfortunately there was no happy reunion with the Cubs.

Prior to Monday’s series opener against the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field, the Cubs designated Pomeranz for assignment. The 37-year-old pitched in six games for the Cubs, getting activated on July 3 after he made a couple of appearances in Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs. The left-handed reliever made his debut with the Cubs this year against the St. Louis Cardinals, a scoreless inning of work in mop-up duty, but then he got knocked around pretty good.

Pomeranz allowed five runs on two home runs in his next four outings. Overall, the lefty only had one strikeout and four walks in 5.2 innings with the Cubs.

Unfortunately, the Cubs couldn’t catch lightning in a bottle two years in a row with Pomeranz, who was one of the team’s best bullpen arms in 2025.

(Previous Update)

The Chicago Cubs have optioned left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks back to Triple-A after he recorded a three-inning save in Wednesday’s 23-3 whomping of the San Diego Padres. The new fresh arm in the bullpen will be an old friend as veteran left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz has been added to the active roster.

Pomeranz, 37, was a standout arm for the 2025 Cubs’ bullpen, and he was honestly one of the biggest surprises of the year on the team. The lefty was first acquired in a small trade with the Seattle Mariners in April, and although he was used in low-leverage situations at the beginning of his Cubs tenure, Pomeranz eventually became one of Craig Counsell’s most trusted relief pitchers.

In his first MLB season since 2021, Pomeranz recorded a 2.17 ERA in 49.2 innings. He had an excellent 28.1 K% and was third on the team with 14 holds. Then, in the playoffs, Pomeranz pitched in six games and only gave up one hit in six innings, a solo home run in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cubs decided not to bring him back in free agency, as Pomeranz signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $4 million. The 2026 season hasn’t been too kind for him, as Pomeranz was released on June 18 after recording a 5.01 ERA in 23.1 innings. The Cubs brought him back into the organization, signing the veteran pitcher to a minor league deal and officially adding Pomeranz to the Iowa Cubs roster at Triple-A this past weekend.

Pomeranz has made two appearances at Triple-A with Iowa: 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K.

His walks increased, and the strikeouts decreased during his time with the Angels, but Pomeranz’s velocity remained the same as it was in 2025. So, it doesn’t seem to be anything physically wrong with the pitcher, which gives you some optimism that the Cubs can once again find a way to make Pomeranz effective on the mound.

The Cubs bullpen is without Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, and Hoby Milner, all of whom are on the injured list and were on the Opening Day roster. So, after a lot of bad injury luck so far in 2026, the Cubs are crossing their fingers that they can get some good luck with their in-season moves trying to save the pitching staff.

How One Issue With Bears Guard Jonah Jackson Has Ben Johnson Upset

By
Erik Lambert
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jonah jackson
Oct 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears guard Jonah Jackson (73) reacts during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears have struggled to maintain continuity on the offensive line for several years. Some of this comes from bad talent evaluation, and some of it’s just bad luck. The latter reared its ugly head at the start of the year. Left tackle Ozzy Trapilo tore his patella tendon against Green Bay in the playoffs. Then, after the season ended, Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman abruptly retired. Suddenly, the Bears were down two key starters, forcing the team to go hunting for replacements. Thankfully, they still had Joe Thuney and Darnell Wright to anchor the group. Then there’s Jonah Jackson.

Chicago’s right guard seems like the forgotten man of the unit. He arrived via trade from Los Angeles last year. Most people felt he was probably a lost cause. If Sean McVay gives up on you, that’s a death sentence. Bears head coach Ben Johnson didn’t buy that. He knew what kind of player Jackson was from their time in Detroit together. In the right situation, this guy was a really good football player. Last season proved him correct. In fact, Johnson told Chicagobears.com that he’s still annoyed the NFL didn’t give Jackson the recognition he deserved.

“I’ve been with him since he was a rookie and I think he’s a tremendous competitor,” Johnson said. “He brings a physical demeanor up front … He’s played at a high level. As far as I’m concerned, he played at a Pro Bowl level last year as well. [He] certainly didn’t get those accolades, but hopefully, another year fully healthy, he’ll get that recognition.”

Jonah Jackson certainly has a case.

For the season, he allowed 35 pressures on the quarterback. That ranked him 25th in the NFL among guards, which isn’t too bad. It’s worth noting that 10 of those pressures came in two games. That means he allowed just 25 in the other 17 games he played. He was also tied for 12th in the NFL with a 72.3 run-blocking grade. Jackson was a central component of the Bears’ 3rd-ranked rushing attack last season. D’Andre Swift averaged 5.2 yards per carry when running behind him. Kyle Monangai averaged 4.4.

The hard truth is that competition at guard for the Pro Bowl was steep this year. It was made all the more difficult for Jonah Jackson that he shares the position with Joe Thuney, arguably the best guard in football. That can make it difficult to get noticed, at least by the wider public. Give credit to Coach Johnson. He recognized what Jackson accomplished for the team last season. He became their unsung hero. Perhaps he’ll get more respect if the offense duplicates its success again.

Nobody wants to admit they were wrong.

Most people were ready to write Jackson off as finished after his failed tenure in Los Angeles. McVay never makes mistakes, right? So rather than admit he was wrong, people chose to bury Jackson’s resurgence beneath the success of Thuney, Dalman, and Wright. Whatever the case, the Bears knew what they had from the beginning. That is why they made sure to sign Jackson to an extension almost immediately. Presuming he did regain his old form, it would be wise to have him under an affordable contract.

Like it or not, that trade goes down as a big win for Chicago. Jackson may only have a few years left, but it’s a good reminder that sometimes players decline because they land in bad situations, not because they suddenly forgot how to play football. Scheme and culture fit are so important to the success of a player in this league. Jackson was clearly always meant to play for Johnson.

Move Over Martin, Sean Burke Has Established Himself As The White Sox Most Trusted Starter

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jul 19, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke (59) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

A nine-day layoff did little to slow Sean Burke, who entered Sunday’s start against the Toronto Blue Jays as one of the hottest pitchers in baseball.

Burke was masterful once again against the Blue Jays, retiring the first 10 batters he faced and allowing just three baserunners over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He needed only 98 pitches to navigate the outing, throwing 69 for strikes while striking out five and issuing just one walk.

That efficiency was fueled by Burke’s ability to get ahead early. He threw first-pitch strikes to 78% of the batters he faced, allowing him to dictate counts and keep a floundering Blue Jays offense on the defensive. 

Burke’s latest gem wasn’t simply the product of Toronto’s recent offensive struggles either. Since June 18, the White Sox right-hander has surrendered just six earned runs across 38.1  innings while recording four quality starts in his last five appearances.

That stretch includes 7.1 innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen against the Yankees, when he struck out eight, a quality start against the Guardians and a seven-inning, one-run performance with nine strikeouts against the Athletics.

While the White Sox’s rotation has largely unraveled away from Rate Field, Burke has thrived. Four of his last five quality starts have come on the road, where he owns a sparkling 2.50 ERA across 50.1  innings. The next-best road ERA among White Sox starters belongs to Davis Martin at 4.43, with Anthony Kay, Erick Fedde and Noah Schultz all checking in above 5.40.

Davis Martin has been considered the White Sox ace for much of the season, and while that title has been deserved, if the White Sox were playing a must-win game today, especially in the postseason, Burke is who should have the ball. 

At home, on the road, out of the bullpen, it hasn’t mattered, Burke has continued to shove. The most noticeable thing about his recent stretch of dominance has been his confidence on the mound. A hostile environment in the Bronx, a critical divisional matchup in Cleveland, and a trip across the border to face the reigning American League champions have yet to faze him.

Burke is throwing all of his pitches with conviction and trusting his stuff, most notably his fastball. Burke has done an excellent job establishing his fastball early in games, which has allowed him to open up his offspeed pitches. 

As a result, his strikeout rate is up, his walk rate is down, and opponents have struggled to consistently square him up. 

He threw 31 fastballs among his 98 pitches Sunday, the most of any offering in his four-pitch mix, yet four of his five strikeouts came on offspeed pitches. His best weapon has been his 87 mph slider, which has produced a 32 percent whiff rate on the season. 

There is a reason the White Sox gave Burke the Opening Day nod in 2025.  He has the potential to be a frontline starter, and now he is finally showing it. At this point in the season, Burke is establishing himself as the White Sox’s most trusted starter. 

It may have taken a year for the pieces to come together, but the 26-year-old has transformed into the kind of arm the White Sox envisioned when they handed him the ball on Opening Day a year ago, and the scary part is he may still have another level to reach.

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