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Chicago Politician All But Confirms City Is Sabotaging The Bears Arlington Heights Efforts

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Aug 19, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Mercifully, the droning headache of a stadium pursuit the Chicago Bears have been on for five years has gone quiet lately. As things stand, it appears to be a standoff between Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana. One side already has the property picked out and ready, but no legislation to get the property taxes resolved. The other side has the legislation wrapped up, but lots of issues regarding the preferred property in mind. It feels like whichever one can cross the finish line first will win the prize. For some time, it has felt like politicians inside Chicago have quietly hoped it would be Hammond.

For all their talk about wanting to keep the Bears in the city, it feels like Mayor Brandon Johnson and his supporters are working hard to sabotage every attempt by the Bears to get things going in Arlington Heights. They’ll say it’s because they hope to get a city site back on the table. In reality, it’s a money issue. Chicago knows it stands to lose a lot of revenue from commuter traffic if the Bears build in Arlington. That wouldn’t necessarily be the case in Hammond, which is just over the border from the south side.

Peter Chico, Alderman of the 10th Ward, pretty much confirmed this in recent comments to Paris Schutz.

The Chicago Bears made the right call.

Some people couldn’t understand why the team chose to make the move to a new stadium when they did. This organization has called Chicago home for over 100 years. Breaking up that relationship felt sacrilege. The problem is that the relationship was never really harmonious. There were several periods over the years where it grew contentious. By the end of the 2010s, things had grown frosty. The Park District refused to return their calls, and the city itself dismissed their concerns as not worth the time.

That is what compelled the Bears to purchase the Arlington Heights property in the first place. Every attempt by the city to seek a compromise since then has felt poorly planned and ham-fisted. Lori Lightfoot proposed putting a dome on Soldier Field, which never would’ve solved the original problem. Johnson tried pushing for a new downtown stadium on the museum campus. That had no prayer because of activist groups blocking it and the unwillingness of the state government to offer any financial support.

Now the city is resorting to dirty tactics.

They know they screwed the pooch, and instead of accepting their failure, they only focus on is trying to stop the cash flow from leaving. That means using their voting bloc to intercept any legislation intended to help the Chicago Bears get situated in Arlington. If it means the team leaves Illinois for the first time in its history, so be it. At least some of the money will stay behind, right? This is another reminder why politicians are the worst. For all their bluster about doing what’s best for the people, what most of them mean is they’ll do whatever fills their pockets.

Maybe now people understand why the Bears got tired of dealing with the political landscape in Chicago. You don’t need to be a detective to know it’s fractured and oftentimes corrupt. Everybody wants their palms greased before any decisions are made. No one should be surprised that Chicago has devoted its efforts to preserve the coin purse rather than putting real energy into a solution to keep the team.

Michael Jordan Comparisons Are Rare. Caleb Wilson Just Earned One For The Right Reason

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb wilson
Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson interviews after the team's Summer League win over Washington.

Caleb Wilson should not have played Tuesday night. It was the second straight game of the Summer League. He was the #4 pick in the draft. He’d played well in the first two games. There was nothing left for him to prove. Washington and Utah had already sat A.J. Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. It was what teams do. However, it wasn’t what Wilson did. He went directly to Chicago Bulls VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham, begging him to allow the rookie to play in the third game. His request was granted.

Wilson responded with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block in 24 minutes of action. Chicago won the game 99-87. After the final whistle, he was asked why he pushed so hard to play. Part of it was getting a win after two disappointing losses to Memphis and Utah. However, there was another element to it. His description left many there surprised. He just loved to play, and he felt a personal sense of duty to be out there because people paid a lot of money to see him.

Bulls insider K.C. Johnson couldn’t help but feel it was a moment that brought back vivid memories of the G.O.A.T himself.

Caleb Wilson has an old school mentality.

You’ll often find that most NBA players today are more than happy with load management and not having to play every night. They still get paid and don’t deal with the wear and tear on their bodies. Jordan felt a particular disdain for that type of thinking. He wanted to play because he was a competitor and aimed to win every game. However, part of it was also because he understood how important the fans were to his success.

“You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove (myself). It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his ass off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket.”

Jordan played in at least 80 games in 11 of his professional seasons between Chicago and Washington. LeBron James, who he’s so often compared to, has done it three times despite playing eight more seasons. There is one other person who shares Wilson’s way of thinking. That was Kobe Bryant.

“People paid their money. I have to play…

…I always feel terrible when I can’t get out there and play. I feel disappointment for the fans when I can’t. If I feel like I can try and give it a go, I think the fans deserve that effort from me.”

This helps reflect how much the game of basketball meant to those men. How seriously they took things. It wasn’t just a job to them. It was their platform to show the world that they were the best at what they did. Wilson is wired the same way. That alone bodes well for his future in Chicago.

Wilson is already showing signs of stardom.

His athleticism and rim-attacking style have already been on display. The biggest shock is how smooth his shooting motion has become, reflected in his solid 3-point percentage. There are still areas he must work on. His free throw shooting has been a consistent sore spot. Still, his offensive potential and defensive mentality have both lived up to the hype. The scariest part of all this is that Wilson has more potential than either Jordan or Bryant did when they got to the NBA.

Both of them were 6’6″ guards. Caleb Wilson is a 6’9″ forward. He could be either of them in a bigger body with the same athleticism. Terrifying to think about. Does that mean he’s destined for greatness? Of course not. Nothing is guaranteed in this league. The trick will be maintaining that relentless drive to succeed. As long as he maintains the right perspective, things should work out. If Wilson becomes even 75% of the player Jordan was, the Bulls are in for a ride.

One Towering Homer, One Sleepless Night, and One Breakout Star: White Sox All-Star Takeaways

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) and Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) warms up before the game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Miguel Vargas stole the show Tuesday night in an otherwise uneventful All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

The Chicago White Sox third baseman recorded the game’s only extra-base hit of the night, crushing  a towering solo home run off of Dodger left-hander Justin Wrobleski. Vargas knew it was gone right off the bat, and for good reason. By the time it landed in the second deck, the blast had traveled 433 feet with an exit velocity of 107.3 mph.

Yet despite logging one of the only real highlights of the night that turned into a strikeout fest, Vargas fell victim to the White Sox tax. Instead of rewarding the game’s lone extra-base hit, the All-Star Game MVP award was handed to New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger. 

If Bellinger had been wearing almost any uniform other than the Yankees’, it’s hard to imagine a 1-for-3 performance with a two-run single being enough to earn All-Star Game MVP. 

Regardless, it was hard to view the night as anything other than a win for Vargas and the White Sox. He made the South Side proud and, in the process, reinforced the growing belief that he’s only beginning to tap into his immense potential.

Tristan Peters’ Wife May Be Tougher Than Half The White Sox 2022 Roster

Tristan Peters has fully embraced the nickname “Banana Bonds” after a breakout season turned him into one of the unlikeliest All-Stars in baseball.

The 26-year-old leaned into the moniker all week in Philadelphia, swinging a custom yellow bat during the All-Star Game and revealing a Savannah Bananas logo stitched inside his suit jacket on the All-Star red carpet. But that red carpet appearance didn’t happen.

Hours before first pitch, Peters was at the hospital with his wife, Erin. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Erin was unable to get out of bed after lying down with the couple’s infant daughter. After rushing back to his hotel, Peters was also unable to help Erin get up, prompting a visit to the hospital. 

After a sleepless night filled with scans, testing, and shifts watching the baby, Peters and his family finally left the hospital at 6 am, with Erin hardly able to walk. However, she was able to muster up enough strength to walk the red carpet with Peters. 

According to Nightingale, Erin declined Peters’ offer to stay with her at the hotel, unwilling to let their difficult night keep him from celebrating the biggest moment of his career.

It’s the type of selflessness and toughness that could have been used during the White Sox last failed rebuild attempt, and it helps explain why Peters has remained so resilient throughout his career. Judging by everything she endured, Peters’ wife may have shown more grit in one night than half the 2022 White Sox did all season.

Peters struck out in his lone at-bat, but manager John Schneider didn’t do him any favors, calling on Peters to face left-hander Justin Wrobleski. The only problem is Peters has had just 31 plate appearances against southpaws this season and is just .111 compared to a .324 average against right handers. But at that point, just playing in the game was icing on the cake, for a player who was drafted in the seventh round. 

Murakami’s star keeps rising

Munetaka Murakami also went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in his lone plate appearance. He left Philadelphia as a media darling. 

Murakami looked every bit the part of a rising superstar, sporting a fresh pair of Air Jordans after signing with Jordan Brand, going viral for singing “Strokin'” alongside Pat McAfee, and appearing in a series of MLB social media videos with some of the game’s biggest stars. By the time All-Star Week wrapped up, Murakami had become one of its breakout personalities.

It was also refreshing to see a White Sox player featured during Home Run Derby after three consecutive 100-loss seasons, further raising the club’s national profile and signaling that the days of being an afterthought may finally be coming to an end.

2026 Chicago Cubs First Half Recap: The Wildest Ride Fans Have Ever Taken

By
Aldo Soto
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Jun 29, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki (27) celebrates his walk-off single with teammates after defeating the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The 2026 Chicago Cubs have been one of the wildest rides fans have ever seen. From a mediocre start to an unbelievable stretch that was immediately buried by a cruel month, it ultimately ended with another excellent stretch heading into the All-Star break. Pitching injuries seemingly popped up multiple times per week, while the offense was erratic almost every other month. And yet, the Cubs remain one of the top teams in the league, well-positioned to make moves at the trade deadline because, despite the severe adversity, this team has persevered through what’s been a rollercoaster of a first half.

Let’s first look back at the team’s wild swings in the standings.

March 26 – April 11: Cubs went 7-9, last in the NL Central
April 12 – May 8: Cubs went 20-3, improved to 27-12 overall, 1st place in NL Central, best record in MLB
May 9 – June 10: Cubs went 7-22, fell to 34-34 overall, 4th place in NL Central
June 11 – July 12: Cubs went 20-8, improved to 54-42, 2nd in NL Central, fifth-best record in MLB

The 20-3 run included two 10-game winning streaks that were sandwiched between a three-game losing streak. Then they went 2-4 in their next six games before losing 10 straight. The Cubs swept a four-game series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on May 7 and did not win another series until June 13, winning the first two games against the San Francisco Giants on the road.

And after all that, they went on to go 20-8, the best record in MLB during that stretch, entering the All-Star break. The Cubs only lost one series in the past month, as the St. Louis Cardinals won two of three at Wrigley Field on 4th of July weekend.

The highs have been exhilarating, while the lows have been excruciating so far in 2026. The Cubs literally had the No. 1 offense in baseball as of May 8, scoring 215 runs in 39 games, an average of 5.5 runs per game. Then, in their next 29 games, the Cubs only averaged 3.2 runs per game. Of those 29 games, the Cubs scored two or fewer runs in 15. However, things swung back the other direction, because in their last 28 games, the Cubs are once again at the top of the league in offense, scoring 176 runs, an average of 6.3 runs per game.

It wouldn’t be a chaotic season without the walk-off wins, and not only have the Cubs been involved in them, but they also lead MLB with 10 walk-off victories. The latest came on June 29 against the San Diego Padres.

Moving on to the pitchers.

This shouldn’t be a surprise simply because of all the injuries, but the Cubs have used 33 different pitchers so far this season, which is the most among all 30 MLB teams. That’s three more pitchers than the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays, who are tied for the second most.

Because of all the missed time due to injury, guys moving around between the bullpen and rotation, minor trades and waiver pickups throughout the season with a mix of more arms from Triple-A, the Cubs only have one qualified starting pitcher in Shōta Imanaga and four qualified relievers: Jacob Webb, Ryan Rolison, Trent Thornton, and Hoby Milner.

And we can’t end discussing the first half without Pete Crow-Armstrong. You want to talk about a guy who put the team on his back during a brutal part of the season, and he did it as the youngest starting player on the roster. Oh, and not only did PCA regain his swagger, but he’s also become one of the best players in the entire sport.

It’s been a wild ride, Cubs fans, and it’s probably going to get crazier, but hopefully in a good way that doesn’t raise our blood pressure.

How ESPN Accidentally Just Made Caleb Williams Look Even Better

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb williams
Nov 2, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates with wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) after a Bears touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears made their run last season on the back of quarterback Caleb Williams. Plenty of critics have tried to downplay that, stating he wasn’t as good as it seemed. Bears fans won’t be gaslit. They know what they saw. The majority of their biggest wins last season came because of plays Williams made. Those seven 4th quarter comebacks don’t happen unless the quarterback creates magic. It’s not like his stats were bad either. By every metric, he put up what could be argued was a Pro Bowl season.

He broke the franchise single-season record with 3,941 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. There were also over 300 yards rushing and three touchdowns. That is the best season of production any Bears quarterback has ever had. Yet people miss why it was more impressive than Williams gets credit for. Leave it to ESPN to hammer this home, albeit unintentionally. It came courtesy of their latest wide receiver rankings, voted on by actual people in the NFL. You’ll notice something immediately.

  1. Ja’Marr Chase
  2. Justin Jefferson
  3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
  4. Puka Nacua
  5. Amon-Ra St. Brown
  6. CeeDee Lamb
  7. George Pickens
  8. Nico Collins
  9. A.J. Brown
  10. Davante Adams

Honorable Mentions: Malik Nabers, Brandon Aiyuk, Tyreek Hill (and others receiving votes: Alec Pierce, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson, DeVonta Smith, Ladd McConkey, Brian Thomas Jr., Jaylen Waddle, Chris Olave)

Caleb Williams wasn’t carried by a stacked supporting cast.

This isn’t a case where a loaded wide receiver group lifted the quarterback to big production, as has happened in the past. No Bears player received a single vote in those rankings. Not D.J. Moore, not Rome Odunze, and not Luther Burden. This doesn’t mean the Bears lack talent. All three of those players are quality pass-catchers. None are stars, at least not at the moment. Yet Williams managed to utilize their strengths, along with tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, to produce a better passing season than anybody in modern franchise history.

Maybe this will hammer home that what he accomplished deserves more credit. People talk about the completion percentage and all that. They don’t bother pointing out the 29 dropped passes and the multitude of miscommunications created by poor routes. Good quarterbacks push through such problems and get it done anyway. Williams did that over and over all season. Maybe he will soon have a top 10 wide receiver, but that is not the case right now, and it doesn’t seem to matter.

Don’t expect the Bears to alter their approach.

Make no mistake. They’ve invested heavily in their quarterback over the past two years. They spent their 1st and two 2nd round picks last year on a tight end (Colston Loveland), a wide receiver (Burden), and a left tackle (Ozzy Trapilo). This year, they added center Logan Jones in the 2nd round and a tight end (Sam Roush) and a wide receiver (Zavion Thomas) in the 3rd. While they may not have true star power, they certainly have talent. That should be enough to keep Caleb Williams on track towards the pinnacle of the NFL.

That doesn’t mean they’ll break the bank to go hunting for a star. Head coach Ben Johnson is a firm believer in offensive distribution. He wants everybody involved. The more the better. It keeps defenses guessing, which doesn’t always happen when you condense the field to two or three targets, even if they’re great. Williams embraced that philosophy last season, targeting seven different players at least 48 times. Don’t expect that to change, especially after losing Moore to the Buffalo trade.

Pete Crow-Armstrong Flexed His Bears Fandom At The All-Star Game In Unexpected Ways

By
Erik Lambert
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pete crow-armstrong
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) hits a single during the eighth inning for the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

It isn’t a secret that Chicago Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong has developed a friendship with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. The two have been spotted together frequently out on the town, attending Bulls and Blackhawks games. It brings back memories of Michael Jordan and Walter Payton in the 1980s, striking up a friendship that dominated the Chicago sports scene. Still, there are some who probably think this friendship is more just a liking between two guys. Crow-Armstrong isn’t a legitimate Bears fan, right?

Wrong.

Many people don’t know this. Crow-Armstrong was born in California and built his baseball career out there. His father, Matt John Armstrong, is a Chicago native. He was born in Naperville and grew up a massive fan of both the Cubs and Bears. Crow-Armstrong got into the Bears long before he ever met Williams. One can imagine how his father felt when the Cubs traded for him. The biggest selling point that locked him in as a lifelong fan was the many exploits of Devin Hester.

Crow-Armstrong admitted on the All-Star game broadcast that he still watches highlights of the Hall of Famer.

Pete Crow-Armstrong didn’t stop there.

Before the game itself, he was taking in the event’s festivities. It was here that he was interviewed by Trevor Plouffe, a former MLB third baseman who is now a host of the popular Talkin’ Baseball show on YouTube. It turns out the two share something in common. They’re both great friends with star NFL quarterbacks. Crow-Armstrong has Williams, and Plouffe is tight with reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford. He had to ask the question. In a two-on-two battle, who would win?

Crow-Armstrong, ever confident in himself and Williams, didn’t hesitate. He’s taking them all day, if for no other reason than the advantages of youth.

Plouffe was a decent pro player in his time, collecting 86 home runs between 2012 and 2016 for the Minnesota Twins. However, nobody would ever put him on the same level as PCA, who is currently in contention for the National League MVP. That leaves Stafford vs. Williams. Stafford has the edge after the season he just had, but the gap between the two is closing. Williams almost took him down in the playoffs. With a little more time, they should be on equal footing.

This friendship can lead to great things.

There is no question that Pete Crow-Armstrong and Caleb Williams are Chicago’s version of a Hollywood couple. If it’s like this now, try to imagine if they both deliver glory to their respective teams in the next few years. Winning a World Series with the Cubs would put PCA on a potential Hall of Fame footing despite his obvious youth. Williams winning a Super Bowl? Well, let’s face it. If he doesn’t own this town already, he’d be given permanent control of it. Never mind never having to buy a beer again. He’d be handed whole businesses for free.

Payton and Jordan came together at the wrong time. Payton’s career was winding down while Jordan’s was just beginning. What Crow-Armstrong and Williams have is so much bigger since they’re both 24 years old. Chicago hasn’t seen anything like this before. Two potential superstars are building their careers together along the same timeline. It is a rare treat for the city’s fans. Credit must go to Crow-Armstrong for making sure everybody knows his love of the Bears is very real.

These Chicago Bears Closely Resemble The 2000 Colts And Why That’s Good And Bad

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Oct 1, 2000; Orchard Park, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) at the line of scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK

Up until now, people haven’t quite figured out how to feel about the Chicago Bears going into 2026. They certainly made an impression last season. Thanks to a breakout year from quarterback Caleb Williams, the excellent offensive scheming of new head coach Ben Johnson, and an opportunistic defense, they won 11 games, claimed the NFC North title, and beat Green Bay in the wild card round. Unsurprisingly, Bears fans have high expectations for the team doing it again this season. Others aren’t sure.

They see a team that still hasn’t improved enough on defense, at least on paper. They can’t bank on creating that many turnovers a second time. The offense should still be good, but they did trade D.J. Moore. Replacing proven players like that isn’t always easy. Multiple experts think the Bears are in store for a dip this year, confronting the reality that while improved, they’re still not in contender shape yet. It got me thinking. Is there a team in recent NFL history that seems to parallel this type of trajectory? After doing some research, one came to mind.

The 1999 Indianapolis Colts.

Why the Chicago Bears are remarkably similar to those Colts.

Stop if you’ve heard this before. A #1 overall pick at quarterback struggles in his rookie season, losing several games. Then, in his second season, aided by a hotshot offensive mind, he puts up big numbers while leading several come-from-behind victories. Most will say that was Williams last season. Well, it was also Peyton Manning in 1999. The future Hall of Famer led six 4th quarter comebacks that year. Much of it was thanks to the excellent scheming of offensive coordinator Tom Moore and the surprise emergence of rookie running back Edgerrin James.

It was much the same for Chicago.

Williams led six 4th quarter comebacks as well, getting major help from a rookie playmaker. In this case, it was tight end Colston Loveland. Indianapolis rode that wave to a 13-3 record, winning the division and hosting a playoff game against their division rival, the Tennessee Titans. The only major difference was that Chicago beat Green Bay in their matchup. The Colts fell 19-16. Needless to say, optimism was magnified tenfold in Indianapolis after that season. Expectations were raised. How did the Colts handle it?

Well in some ways, not well in others.

The 2000 Colts team featured another great offensive attack. Manning took another step forward in his development, throwing seven more touchdowns than the previous year. His offensive weapons, like James and Marvin Harrison, were feasting. One would think the team put together a similar record, yes? Not exactly. Indianapolis did make the playoffs again, but they finished 10-6 that year. The problem was pretty much the same as in 1999. Their defense was below-average. It finished 15th in ’99 and 21st the year after that. Once again, they were bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

A big part of the problem was that the Colts hadn’t invested well in their defensive line. In those two seasons, Chad Bratzke, a free agent signing, was the only one to have more than five sacks in a season among all of their pass rushers. What made it worse was the team’s stubborn refusal to address the problem in the draft. None of their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round picks in 2000 or 2001 were edge rushers. Sure enough, the defense bottomed out in ’01, finishing 29th.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because the Bears have been following the same playbook.

YearTeamRoundPickPlayerPositionCollege
1999Colts14Edgerrin JamesRBMiami
1999Colts236Mike PetersonLBFlorida
1999Colts363Brandon BurlsworthGArkansas
2000Colts128Rob MorrisILBBrigham Young
2000Colts259Marcus WashingtonLBAuburn
2000Colts391David MacklinDBPenn State
2025Bears110Colston LovelandTEMichigan
2025Bears239Luther Burden IIIWRMissouri
2025Bears256Ozzy TrapiloOTBoston College
2025Bears262Shemar TurnerDTTexas A&M
2026Bears125Dillon ThienemanSOregon
2026Bears257Logan JonesCIowa
2026Bears369Sam RoushTEStanford
2026Bears389Zavion ThomasWRLSU

The Colts didn’t finally get over the hump until 2003.

They bottomed out in 2001 at 6-10, forcing a coaching change. They rebounded to make the playoffs in 2002, thanks in large part to 1st round edge rusher Dwight Freeney. At last, they reached the AFC Championship in 2003. This could be the timeline the Bears are looking at, unless they somehow find some unexpected good fortune on the pass rusher front. Their offense should remain high quality moving forward, which will keep them in plenty of games and probably help them make the playoffs a couple of times.

Yet until they get their defense up to the same level, they will not compete for a championship. That is what happened to the Colts. Indy fans probably still lament those first few seasons with Manning and how different they might’ve been had the defense been better. They could’ve potentially stolen a Super Bowl before the rise of Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Williams and Johnson have both said the objective is to win and win now. There is no reason to doubt them. However, they can’t do it alone. Manning proved that. The Chicago Bears have to get serious about the defense by next offseason. If they don’t, they could end up plateauing like those Colts teams did.

Why Bulls Staffers See Bryson Graham As A Massive Upgrade Over Arturas Karnisovas

By
Erik Lambert
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bryson graham
Jun 17, 2026; Chicago, Il, USA; Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham introduces Chicago Bulls new head coach Tiago Splitter during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls became what no team in a major market ever should be: an afterthought. They were worse than a really bad team. They were mediocre. Nobody took them seriously from either side. Tank enthusiasts knew they were no threat for the #1 overall pick, while competitive fans understood they never had the firepower to compete in the Eastern Conference. Most of the blame for this fell at the feet of former VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas. Not only did he do a poor job evaluating talent, but he coupled it with a stubborn refusal to rebuild. After six years, enough was enough. He was fired in favor of Bryson Graham.

People weren’t sure what to expect from the new VP. All they understood was he’d spent most of his career in New Orleans, a second-class organization by NBA standards, and had a reputation for strong scouting. More than anything, fans wanted to know if he’d make the same mistakes Karnisovas did. Among them was ignoring his scouts when they warned against taking certain players, as happened with Patrick Williams in 2020. According to Jamal Collier of ESPN, Graham has been a breath of fresh air inside the building.

Bryson Graham has something AK didn’t: a vision.

Still, inside the organization, there was more clarity about the process than there’d been in years, multiple team sources said.

Current Bulls staffers said they saw a clear vision after the draft, when the team rounded out the roster with veterans such as center Nic Claxton, acquired in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, and used its cap space to sign forward Norman Powell to a two-year, $45 million deal and re-sign center Zach Collins for two years, $17 million.

That vision, team sources said, is developing the younger players on the roster while remaining conscious of the team’s record as the league’s new lottery odds punish teams in the bottom three of the standings.

And doing so without sacrificing the future: Powell and Collins have team options in the second year of their deals.

“There’s a very, very, very different vibe,” a basketball operations staffer told ESPN. “Everybody feels it. We’re meeting. A group. Beyond four people. Talking about the draft, free agency, hiring a coach. It’s not under a cloak of secrecy. We’re not finding out from an [ESPN alert].”

Bryson Graham has work to do, but he’s off to a good start.

So often, the worst mistake many top executives make is failing to have a clear understanding of what they want. Many of them get the job and just start making decisions based on what feels right. Acquire talent. Worry about identity later. That is a backward way to build a basketball team. To get where you want to go, you must first start by knowing the kind of roster you feel gives you the best chance to win a championship. Once that is done, then you attack free agency and the draft, looking for those types of players.

For all of the grief Jerry Krause got during his time running the Bulls, he understood that much. That team had a clear identity of great athletes with length who can defend. Bryson Graham is going down that same path. He believes the best teams have size, length, athleticism, and play physical. You saw it work with the New York Knicks this past season. There is no reason it can’t in Chicago again, especially if Wilson morphs into the type of player everybody believes he can be.

There is no telling how well Graham’s tenure will go.

Good talent evaluation is a core part of every executive tenure. However, it is more than that. It must be about maintaining leadership during the down periods, knowing when to make moves and when not to, and always being truthful to oneself about the state of the team. That was a lesson Karnisovas never learned. He remained stubborn that the team was one or two moves away from being a contender. Meanwhile, the best teams in the East kept running circles around them.

It will be a while before the Bulls are back in the mix. Much depends on how quickly Graham can assemble a viable roster. He seems to have a credible head coach in place. Wilson and Matas Buzelis offer a promising young core to build around. He has plenty of cap flexibility and all of his future 1st round picks. If he’s committed to doing this through the draft, then his goal should be to acquire more capital whenever possible. There should be opportunities in the future.

Chicago Cubs Blunder: The Jake Woodford Era

By
Aldo Soto
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Uh, what the hell was that? So, the Chicago Cubs have designated right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford for assignment following his one and only appearance with the team. It came nearly a week after the team signed him to an MLB deal, and it came at the expense of another semi-journeyman pitcher, Bryse Wilson, who was let go on the 4th of July.

The Cubs moved on from Woodford, making room for Phil Maton, who is back from his second stint on the injured list.

This isn’t to say that Wilson was guaranteed to stay in the Cubs’ bullpen long-term in 2026, but given the organization’s current internal options, he had a much better shot at it than Woodford. For one, Wilson has actually been great over a full season more recently than Woodford has, and this move looks even worse because it’s not like the Cubs were anxious to use Woodford once he signed.

Woodford took Wilson’s active roster spot and joined the bullpen in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 4. Wilson had two games with the Cubs, one great outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, and then a blowup against the Cardinals on July 3. So, Woodford in, Wilson out, but Woodford wasn’t used until Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds. He gave up five hits and three runs in two innings. Remember, he was on the roster the entire week, but wasn’t used.

The Cubs could have just held onto Wilson, who was good in 2023-24, instead of letting him go for Woodford, who has an ERA nearing seven in his last 3.5 seasons.

Meanwhile, Wilson was picked up by the Brewers last week, and he’s already had two scoreless appearances with them, tossing four shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

By the way, the Cubs signed Woodford after he was designated for assignment by the Brewers back in June. He had a 6.94 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 23.1 innings in 16 games with Milwaukee. No idea what the hell the Cubs were thinking with that one.

Anyway, Maton is back, and hopefully he’s good down the stretch. If not, he’ll be another huge blunder for the Cubs’ front office, which signed the veteran righty to a two-year deal that guarantees Maton $14 million. He was the first relief pitcher the Cubs have signed a contract longer than one year since Craig Kimbrel in 2019.

Why Caleb Williams Needs A Bears History Lesson In The Worst Way

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Ben Johnson during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Lots of people wondered whether Caleb Williams would ever embrace the idea of becoming quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Everybody knew the team’s reputation. It had an ugly history of developing the position. It’s never been the best place to build a legacy. Initially, Williams had concerns. However, after digging deeper into the organization, the young quarterback realized he had been presented with an opportunity. If he could excel in Chicago, he’d be pioneering territory nobody else has walked in decades. Williams would be the icon who saved the franchise.

Over the next two years, the quarterback fully embraced the city and its fans. He frequented regular Chicago restaurants, interacted with people every chance he could, and immersed himself in the organization’s culture. For the most part, that has been a rousing success. Unfortunately, not everything can be perfect. If there is one topic Williams is sorely lacking, it is his Bears history. During an interview in advance of the new Madden release, he was asked who is on his Bears Mount Rushmore.

Let’s just say his choices left a lot to be desired:

  • Matt Forte
  • Jim McMahon
  • Devin Hester
  • Brian Urlacher or Mike Singletary

Caleb Williams clearly hasn’t done his homework.

His list skews drastically towards the more modern era of Bears football. Now, having Hester and Urlacher included can be justified. One is the greatest return man in NFL history, the only one to ever reach the Hall of Fame. The other was one of the greatest linebackers of his generation. The issue lay with the inclusions of Forte and McMahon. Now this is not to say they’re bad players. Far from it. Forte was eternally underrated as a running back, accumulating over 12,000 total yards in eight seasons with the Bears. McMahon captained the Bears to their only Super Bowl title. Both have undeniable legacies worth celebrating.

But two of the four best ever in franchise history?

That just isn’t defensible. Forte is nowhere close to Walter Payton, who is both the best running back to ever wear a Bears uniform and probably the best player in team history. Then you have George Halas, the founder of the franchise, who won nine championships as a head coach. One can’t forget Dick Butkus, perhaps the most feared player in NFL history and an all-time great linebacker. Last but certainly not least, Mike Ditka has a case as a Hall of Fame tight end and the head coach of that Super Bowl championship team.

Younger people forget how old the Bears really are.

Many don’t understand that this organization has existed longer than grandparents have been alive. Even great-grandparents. The legacy of great players and coaches goes back over a century. If you’re going to build a proper Mount Rushmore, you can’t include names like Hester and Forte without considering Sid Luckman, Gale Sayers, and Doug Atkins. The list of options is truly prodigious. For all his devotion to the franchise, it is pretty apparent Caleb Williams didn’t do his research with that list.

He can be forgiven. The quarterback has only been a resident for two years. It often takes longer to absorb the full breadth of the Bears’ history. One thing is certain. Williams probably aims to be on that list himself one day. He’s certainly off to a good start, already holding multiple franchise records and a playoff win over the hated Green Bay Packers. If he can deliver a Super Bowl or two in the coming years, you can bet fans everywhere will save a slot for him on their lists.

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