WE WANT YOU!
Would you like to show yourChicago Bears spirit to the world? I’m starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that’s how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo!
THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL
DENMASTER KEN’S VIDEO GRAB BAG
BEARRRSSSS
The key to getting Caleb Williams working like a Ben Johnson QB - BN - The Bears are starting over in many respects with Caleb Williams this year and if they can get him thinking and working at one particular style of play they’ll find the progress comes faster.
The problem and beauty of Ben Johnson’s new key football statistic - SI - Analysis: Ben Johnson has said he no longer considers turnovers the key statistic in football and he explained Tuesday what is, but there are problems with this.
Bears coach Ben Johnson praises left tackle Braxton Jones - 670 - Bears left tackle Braxton Jones’ third NFL season ended after a dozen games in 2024 due to a left ankle fracture, which necessitated surgery.
Bieniemy will ‘coach the piss out of these running backs’ - 670 - New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has never previously worked alongside new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, but he has a good idea of what to expect from him.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson ready to push Caleb Williams 'out of his comfort zone' - Chicago Sun-Times - “There’s a degree of Caleb being challenged a little bit more, I think,” Johnson told the Sun-Times on Monday at the NFL’s annual meeting.
Bears takeaways: How Ben Johnson plans to change Caleb Williams’ game and more - The Athletic - Johnson offered insight on several players, including Braxton Jones, Tyrique Stevenson and Cole Kmet, at the league meetings in Florida.
How Ben Johnson’s play calling helped shape his path to Chicago Bears head coach - The Athletic - Johnson discussed how he evolved as the play caller that led the NFL's top-scoring offense and then became Bears head coach.
What Ben Johnson's build-a-Bears offense requires to get rolling - SI - Bears coach sees possibilities for his veteran players and the need for other types of players within the attack he's constructing.
Braxton Jones injury update highlights Chicago Bears' NFL Draft need at left tackle - SI - Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson offered an update on left tackle Braxton Jones' recovery from ankle surgery, and it could be the key to the team's 2025 NFL Draft.
Bears keep the focus on offensive line depth with player visit - SI - Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson are in place as starters but the Bears haven't forgotten the guard position for the draft as their latest 30 visit announcement shows.
Chicago Bears Stadium Update: They're Down to 2 Locations - BN - Bears President Kevin Warren shared an update on the team's stadium situation while talking with Mike Florio.
Kyler Gordon Extension Update: Bears GM Says It's a "Priority" - BN - Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles shared the latest on extension talks with cornerback Kyler Gordon.
Ben Johnson Shares What He Looks For When Evaluating Offensive Linemen - BN - New Bears coach Ben Johnson dished on what he values when breaking down offensive linemen ahead of the NFL Draft.
Bears to work on Caleb Williams’s “comfort level” under center during offseason program - NBC Sports - The Bears start their offseason program on Monday and one of the biggest tasks in the coming weeks will be fostering a strong connection between quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell: No deadline for Bears to make stadium decision - Chicago Sun-Times - More than two years after purchasing 326 acres in Arlington Heights, the Bears have still not decided whether to put their proposed new stadium there.
Bears GM Ryan Poles weighing draft options, even those that might create a surplus - Chicago Sun-Times - Poles might not draft a Week 1 starter with the No. 10 overall pick — and he’d be OK with that.
Bears had great timing to hold No. 1 pick in 2024, but now it’s time to cash in on good fortune - Chicago Sun-Times - With various pitfalls in the 2023 class and boundless questions about the current one, the Bears were well positioned to be looking for a quarterback in 2024 when they took Caleb Williams first overall.
KNOW THINE ENEMY
Rich McKay: There was a long, good discussion about Lions' playoff seeding proposal - NBC Sports - It was a moderate surprise on Tuesday when word came down that the league had tabled — instead of rejected — Detroit's proposal to change the postseason seeding format.
First week of Packers offseason program will be virtual due to NFL Draft - NBC Sports - Green Bay will be playing host to the NFL Draft this year and the event will cause a change in the home team's schedule.
Packers coach: Bears' Ben Johnson was 'playing to the fans' when he took a shot at me - Chicago Sun-Times - The day he was introduced as the Bears’ head coach, Johnson said that, "to be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year."
POLISH SAUSAGE
NFL owners approve rule change allowing both teams to possess ball in regular-season OT - The Athletic - Among the additional rule changes are the expanded use of replay assist and touchbacks resulting in the ball placed at the 35-yard line.
NFL will double down on sportsmanship in 2025 - NBC Sports - The NFL will double down on sportsmanship next season, executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said Tuesday.
Roger Goodell: Banning pushing and pulling players beyond the tush push makes sense - NBC Sports - The NFL did not ban the tush push at the league meeting today, but it might soon ban all plays in which players get pushed and pulled by other players.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON
The latest on the Bears’ new stadium project - Windy City Gridiron - There was some new Bears stadium talk today.
TFC: 2025 NFL Draft Q&A - Ask Jacob Infante Anything - Windy City Gridiron - Get your questions in for Jacob right here or tune in live tonight to ask him anything about the Chicago Bears and the NFL Draft!
My Top 10 Running Backs in the ‘25 NFL Draft: #6 RJ Harvey - Windy City Gridiron - The RB class is elite this year. Here are Bryan’s takes on the top ten, who he would compare their running styles to, and if he thinks they’re a fit for Chicago.
2025 NFL Draft: Final Top-100 player big board - Windy City Gridiron - Our Lead Draft Analyst drops his Final Top 100 Players!
Chicago Bears Building Block or Not: Wide Receivers - Windy City Gridiron - What receivers should the Bears count on moving forward?
Caleb Williams on 4th Down - Windy City Gridiron - Caleb Williams firing off a pass with pressure in his face, a common sight in 2024.
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