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I agree with all of this, especially the running backs and Pettis. Well if it doesnt become a major source of scoring or massive field position changes, then it will be fine. If it lessens injuries so much the better.I'd almost just assume have everyone start on their own 20, but kick returns are exciting, and as long as big ones dont become excessively more likely, then it's just swapping one procedure for another and that's cool. And if it does change the game, then I hope we all are against it then? Ha! Well that was a HUGE change. I hope football doesn't change fundamentally as a result of this new thing. I think, like you do, that it probably wont, so cool. No of course. Hester did it because he was an incredible returner. There will always be those rare players who can take over a game from positions you dont expect. Like Troy Palamalu, or Deion Sanders or, like you say Devin Hester. And that's why he's in the Hall Of Fame. Having HOF caliber players succeed within the rules is awesome and part of football. My concern would be if a rule change makes a bunch of average returners get easy touchdowns with some random distribution. Like having each team pick a number between 1 and 30, and if they guess right, they get a free 7 points, Id be against something that worked like that, but never against greatness. But most of all, and Im sure you will agree, I want to see the Bears on the good side of succeeding with these new rules, or any rules whatever they are.

Yeah, both are wild cards, unknowns, when it comes to the new KO rules. Who knows, both may find success they have yet to experience. I have also read elsewhere that players like R Johnson and Herbert might actually be ideal for the new system, and on a personal note, I thought Pettis looked good on returns. If nothing else, it will be fun to watch games this year to see what different teams come up with for this new wrinkle. And no, IMO, this does not muddy the waters when it comes to its contribution to game results. No more than when the forward pass rules for the NFL changed in the 1930s, or Ditka revolutionizing the role of the TE, or George changing defenses by becoming the first true MLB. I sure didn't find it cheap to watch Hester win a few games for us with his crazy-good return ability, although some fans from other teams may have complained. So yeah, I'm pumped up to see this in action.

and that doesnt count all the preseason fumbles weve seen from Jones. I also think that Jones makes a lot of dumb mistakes too. But Pixote is right too, that Carter is no world beater. I think they battle it out for WR5 until we can get someone better - maybe next year. But neither one is very good.

If you go off fumbles lost, it is a huge gap. Carter has 5 career fumbles lost on 374 touches (1.3%), Jones has 3 fumbles lost on 71 touches (4.2%). So Jones is 3 times more likely to lose a fumble than Carter.

Well hes surely not competing for WR1, WR2, WR3 or WR4. So youre right hes no pro bowler. But the question is between him and Velus Jones Jr. for WR5. Carter just turned 31, Jones just turned 27 Carter ran a 4.44 40, and Jones ran a 4.31. As a WR, Carter has 108 receptions for 1259 yards and 6 TDs. As a WR, Velus has 11 receptions for 127 yards and 1 TD. Carter's best WR season was 2022 when he had 46 receptions for 538 yards and 3 TD. Jones' best WR season was 2022 also when he had 7 receptions for 107 yards and 1 TD. neither is a WR3 even for sure. As a kick returner: Carter has 118 returns for an average of 22.4 yards and 3 fumbles and 1 TD (2.5% fumble percentage) Jones has 38 returns for an average of 27.4 yards and 0 fumbles and 0 TD (0% fumble percentage) as a punt returner: Carter has 132 returns for an average of 9.8 yards and 11 fumbles and 0 TD (8.3% fumble percentage) Jones has 5 returns for an average of 7 yards and 2 fumbles and 0 TD (40% fumble percentage) And we remember a lot of Velus fumbles in preseason too. Neither one looks that impressive. Carter has the clear edge on punts, and then Velus has a slight statistical edge on kick returns. Maybe they'll put them both back there.

Higgens will for sure be gone next year. If Caleb grows into what we hope, I believe the Bears resources will start going to the trenches, which I assume will be strong on the draft side which helps keep the cap down. I would take a team friendly extension with Keenan over Higgens since he seems like a great fit for this year and next while Odunze grows into a force. Scott/Jones need to take a leap in production and eventually win the #3 spot since I don't see the Bears investing in WR draft wise early for a few years.

Readdressing the WR position. I'm looking at the Bengals and wondering how they are going to manage Burrow, Chase and Higgins. They will account for 120 million a year. Is the cap rating enough to support that? Will it be sustainable if not?

The new kick off rule allows teams use two deep. Poles mentioned in an interview, that once it was announced, he put together a "special" team just to learn what they will need to be ready and excel at it. I am guessing they will have a handful of players to put in those duties.

It's wild that the Falcons can tamper with 3 players and only lose a 5th rounder. It feels like they got off too lightly.

I like Carter, and from what I am hearing, Special Teams coaches are planning to use two guys back deep. I thought that was not allowed, but I guess it is.

and the messed up, they have Miami as the wrong playoff seed on the inside of the ring.

LMAO, so funny Pix. Start saving cause your opportunity is fast approaching.

Unrelated, but I found it interesting. KC just released images of their SB rings from 2023. Sweet. I can't wait to see what our next SB ring looks like. I need to win the lottery so I can buy one off a player. LOL It stated that these rings usually cost 30K to 50K each. I'm guessing this one was high-end. Then I discovered that teams not only give their players (52 roster + PS), coaches, and front office staff but also often include support staff. Strength coaches, Equipment Staff, Cheerleaders, and even janitors are sometimes rewarded with rings. We are probably talking close to 100 rings. You don't even need a calculator. We are talking anywhere from 3 to 5 Million for the rings. WOW!

The dude was with the Bears in 2020, easily forgotten, as he was nothing special. On the Bears in ‘20, he returned four punts for 30 yards and lost a fumble. I looked up his stats. In his career he has a total of exactly 250 PR + KR Out of 250 KO + PRs, he scored 1 TD. Maybe they need extra legs to work out the new KO return schemes in training camp. Beyond that, I am not excited with this signing. I think V Jones shines, and we have several good options to pair up with him. Herbert, Johnson, Pettis. Camp fodder would be his ceiling. 😉

Deandre Carter is also 30 years old. That tells me Poles thinks the window is open now. That tells me he will pick up another DE this year.

its hard to play QBs like they are in the top 3 in the league when they arent. And thats the game. Pretty soon, itll be all rookies, and the very few QBs that really are worth their $ will win all the superbowls. I think we might have one.

Sort of Bears related, Lawrence signs $275M 5-year extension - $55M per year with $200M guaranteed. He already had his 5th Year option (for next year at $25.6M) so they have to shed $30M from their cap after 2025 with Christian Kirk the only player with salary to shed. It is going to be fun to see how these teams handle the QB bump. He is not Mahomes, so it is not like his performance along overcomes the loss of other players. The Bears would be in the same boat with Fields, if they kept him, and maybe not this offseason, but next one for sure.

He's fast too, so this may be competition for Velus' roster spot.

thanks for the update.

I agree that any more major acquisitions would be in the trenches. We are stocked everywhere else. I think it could come in two ways: 1) an excellent player who fits the long term plan on a 4 year deal 2) an aging vet who can fill in until Booker ascends, and/or we draft another DE - kind of like Keenan Allen for the WRs until Odunze is fully ready. For #1, it would have to be a top notch player. Not sure who would be available to fit that, but Poles has surprised us before. This could happen at the trade deadline, if as you say, we are on our way to the playoffs, having won enough games in September and October. For #2, there are lots of options still around. We could well pick one up cheap before the season starts if Poles thinks they are better than Dom Rob.

With only seven teams making the playoffs, that's definitely on the wish list. It's not going to be an easy road, especially when we have two teams ahead of us in our own conference. Are we better than any of the following: Detroit, Green Bay, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas? Then, someone automatically gets in from the NFC South, leaving one spot open. A lot of things have to go right for us. We could possibly have a ten and seven record and not make a wildcard. In the end, I don't believe it would take a SB run for him to make another Sweat type of trade. Heck, I would do it just because it was and will be a no brainer. Taking advantage of the market is what the smart teams do. Poles has put is in position to do so. Until our QB begins elevating the team, the money needs to follow the ones that do. Once the QB is established, those deals are off the table.

Looks like this cost the Falcons a 5th round pick next year. Eagles have been cleared.

WR/KR/PR - another body to compete with Velus Jones and Dante Pettis in return/WR duties. They may use 2 deep in the KR, so having a few bodies that can is going to be necessary. I won't say it means the guys we have are not showing progress but having bodies here when you can will help make the team better.

I think IF he has sights of going to the SB, then he may add to make that run but i think he will let new players fail first before he takes that step. His mind already has this team making the playoffs. i would be disappointed if he didnt think that way.

The Bears just signed DeAndre Carter. A kick returner, who isnt showing preogress on the team?