All Activity

I think a big difference is in college these teams with byes have had multiple weeks off vs just a one week bye. Big difference between fresh and prepared and prepared but rusty.

Yeah, I think if hes ready to go, Odunze should get some snaps this week. In the past, we have put recovering players on a limited snap count, and that makes sense here too. Football is in large part about momentum, so resting your starters isnt always the advantage it seems to be. My only point here is that there is a middle ground. You can play a guy some, but not all of the snaps. And if we get up more than 2 scores in the 4th qtr, then sure, Bagent can come in.

Go Hoosiers!

Happy New Year, gang! A little additional food for thought. I’ll admit I haven’t kept up with college football as closely this year as I have in the past, and I honestly forgot just how much the season has changed with the expanded playoffs. While watching the final ticks of the Texas Tech–Oregon game, a graphic popped up noting that all but one of the teams with a first-round bye ended up losing their first playoff game (Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech). Makes you wonder if having the bye is really the advantage it’s supposed to be. And I’ll add—how strange is it to see teams like Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama not in the national championship picture… while Indiana is sitting at #1? Absolutely mind-boggling.

I agree entirely.

I think Poles and Johnson want this too - they are aiming at sustainable roster turnover. Eventually that will mostly come from the draft. But with Caleb on his rookie deal, now is the time to make a run, and acquiring a free agent pass rusher is a good idea. In fact, its a necessity. We've seen what it takes to win without a pass rush - last minute heroics that have been exciting to watch, but we need to be able to pressure opposing QBs. This offense is gonna cook with or without DJ Moore, but the defense is awful without a pass rush.

BJ said all that matters is winning. He's not taking his foot off the gas.

100%. Momentum going into the playoffs is important.

Something interesting I discovered the other day: If the Packers lose their final game to MIN, they'll be going into the playoffs on a 4 game losing streak. The last team to win a playoff game on a 4 or more game losing streak to end the regular season was the 1986 NY Jets. Just some food for thought.

The Commanders are on their 3rd string QB and probably resting guys, too. It's totally conceivable Philly will win that game even if most of their starters don't play. The only way he should pull the starters is if the Bears are winning by 3 or more scores in the 4th quarter and have the game in hand. Ben mentioned in the other day, you want to go into the playoffs on a high note, not on a 2 game losing streak.

The question I have is, has the plan changed for this week's game? When BJ insisted we had plenty to play for (#2 seed and home field advantage), it was assumed we would need to win our game against Detroit this weekend to secure it. The news is that Philadelphia will rest its starters against Washington. If BJ sees Philly losing, will he start pulling his starters as the game progresses? If he does, we may not win, but a Philly loss will still secure the #2 seed for the Bears. Personally, I'm greedy. I want the 12th win. To go from 5-12 to 12-5 would be awesome. Plus, revenge against Detroit would sweeten the deal.

The window is just opening. I'd rather it stay open for a decade.

To me, the 4k number is meaningless if he doesn't do it in 16 games. Same with the Kramer record. The extra game negates the achievement, in my opinion. Regardless, I don't really care about it anymore, because he'll do it at some point with Ben Johnson. Right now, the focus should just be on winning the game and securing the 2 seed.

I don't care as much about stats as some fans do but I would like Caleb to get 4000, DJ, Loveland and Burden to get over 700. Then that conversation can leave our fandom.

You could be right we have a bevy of ideas on here. Trade any D player, it's not good anyways. SF is successful and are worst in the league in sacks. I just want us to get a run in the playoffs with a powerful offense, the modern day NFL. Houston have 2, 14 and 13 sacks. Denver has one at 12.5, Rams have 2, 12.5 and 11 sacks. Denver leads the league in sacks with only 1 over 8 sacks. Only Houston and Denver are in the playoffs of the top 5 sacking teams in the league. Only 4 of the top ten sack leaders are in the playoffs. 7 of the top 20 which includes Sweat. I think top coaches and top QBs are the most important aspects of teams that makes SB runs . A good roster helps also.

That is why I feel a major trade is comimg as much as some hate it. The window is now and might shut for 50 more years. I dont care about DJs 50-60 receptions if he can relieve cap and have trade value to bring in a guy up front. They cannot stop the opponent and every game is a shootout. Once you have a QB and line, the rest rise.

if we get a stud 3T, then maybe they will be the sack leader. But i cant imagine them not doing something in free agency first. And that doesnt mean they wont draft the very same position, but we arent gonna take a championship ready offense and make them wait for rookies to develop pass rush moves for 3 years. i think theyll make some moves.

I think Montez will be that guy in 2026 unless they do something crazy and trade for one. If they don't trade for one, I see them beefing up the middle. Billings is gone, move Dexter over and draft two studs early. I only say this is because I dont see a stud DE being there pick 24-32 but good DTs.

The Bears 2026 sack leader is not currently on this roster.

We have limited cap space, probably be around 5 to 6 mil, so the only way to get more is redo contracts or dump big salaries thru trade or cuts. Offensively DJ,Kmet, Swift are the contractors that may be dealt. IMO they keep this offense together one more year since we are so close to being a high octane scoring team. I think Swift has played his way into the lead role and won't leave on the last year of his contract. Maybe they extend him another yr to get the 26 Cap hit down. I think more likely to redo both DJ and Kmet for more money instead of dealing them. Depth has been important this year as every WR and Loveland has missed games or not 100 % been healthy. I think both are here one more year. Defense has been terrible and I don't care who stays or who goes. Edmunds was an all star before injury and clearly affected him coming back. I think for sure he won't be here. If any player that are most entitled it's JJ. I don't think he's been 100% and hasn't played well since back . He signs a contract then before he comes back there was rumor he wanted more money. Those are the two contracts I would like to see gone for Cap space. Dayo and Jarrett haven't been worth it but contracts won't allow them to leave until 27. I think a priority should be bringing back Byard besides his play is the defense leader. Him and Edwards fill those roles. Terrell Smith will be back so I think we could afford to lose JJ. Sweat is a 2nd tier edge but until we replace him, he won't be leaving. I think Booker is getting better every week and will have a breakout season next year. Don't really care about who else stays or goes. Would like to see them bring back Wright, Gad-Johnson, and D Jackson but trust BJ and Poles to figure that out.

Nice video

Aren't those the same games that Rome has missed? He took Romes targets? I remember when a lot of fans ( not speaking to this group) complained about our first two picks instead of filling other needs. Both of these are home runs and leds me to be patient when viewing roster construction.

Every time I try to post this video my computer locks up. After switching to a new VPN service which has unlocked YouTube for me here is one more effort via phone it is interesting with DG bears WR coaching experience to hear the differences in the film breakdown versus our usual QB views. He thinks Burden will be our WR1 next year over Rome.

Yessss!

i think this is another example of how stats don't always capture the full picture, and aren't (or shouldn't be) a goal in and of themselves. Good stats come with winning, and sometimes how you win makes the stats look lesser. Winning is the only stat that really matters.