Alaskan Grizzly

Chase participated in a presser today post camp. (He was on just after Mooney). He was asked about the PUP designation and mentioned that he had 'nearly blew out his knee in the Packers game' (~week 14). He said he wanted to go back in with a knee brace but was told to sit out the remainder of that game. He was asked again about the reason for PUP designation at the very end of his interview and said 'it wasn't the reason for him being on it'. 'Mysterious PUP' designation aside, he appears poised and ready to contribute wholeheartedly to the team. I look forward to him exceeding our expectations.

It actually surprised me to see him placed on PUP, given that he was in Florida working with Fields. From the Twitter-verse, Fields confirms he was working with Claypool in the off-season and that he was ‘dealing with a knee issue’. Perhaps some clarity to the PUP designation.

Interesting ‘goings on’ in the WR room right now for sure. During the time Claypool was put on the PUP and back off of it the Bears signed Isaiah Ford (formerly of Miami). Besides Moore and Mooney, the Bears still have Velus Jones (who had a bit of a resurgence late in the season), drafted Tyler Scott in the 4th round and re-signed ESB and Dante Pettis (among a few other ‘also-rans’). Did Poles get duped by Claypool going on the PUP or did he have a ‘come to Jesus meeting’ with him similar to how they (maybe) did with Jenkins last year and convince Chase it would behoove him to show for training camp on day one?

Could it be the Bears are thinking of using him as a trade piece just as camp opens? https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2023/07/23/edmunds-days-lb-shuffle-whats-up-with-chris-jones-and-other-bears-bullets/

Not a lot of thought put into this other than to say the floor for the Packers is 6 losses and 12 wins as a ceiling. Then while proclaiming the Bears suck without really explaining why, says Fields is a horrible passer while showing him throw a TD to Jesper Horstead . ?

In an extra piece of ironic trivia, current Bears Prez Kevin Warren (who was the Big 10 commish at the time) are well acquainted. And Warren has mad respect for Fields because of it. In fact Warren showed up for Fields’ graduation from Ohio State this last summer.

Yeah all three QBs it says (a very good thing). Also good to see Claypool there. Also this Twitter thread mentions more than once that Moore and his wife are about to have a baby, so good to see his commitment. Of note, no Tonyan on the list. ??‍♂️ Hard to think when we’ve last had players purposefully meet off-season like this as many times as they have. Justin sure is pushing that commitment to success and I’m here for it.

I read about that yesterday and it sounded like he’s confident he’s ready to go. Hard to say without knowing the extent of his injury. Sprain, break dislocation? With Sewell being added it sounds like he will indeed have some competition.

Right and that’s why Houston and Ngokue are being mentioned. He was willing to experiment with former first round talented players last year to see if they could potentially fill a hole. Of those he signed last year (Harry, Reiff, Taco Charlton and Leatherwood) only Leatherwood remains. I like the concept especially if they are on those ‘cheap’ one year deals. Similar to what I think a player like Houston or Ngokue would be should they be picked up.

The calls may have been more related to inquires on players like Hunter and Young and this is a backup plan. Swifty’s take was around this time last year Poles recognized they still had needs at the oline position and went and got Reiff and Schofield late last July. Using that same line of reason it would be safe to assume that the highest need right now is at the edge and the simplest solution would be to sign someone like Houston or Ngokue…in late July.

Swifty has posted another video on this and speculates that Poles is posturing to get a veteran edge rusher in prior to the start of TC. Of those available he things Houston and Ngokue are at the top of the list. I'm guessing the Bears may be passing on higher ticket players like Chase Young or Danielle Hunter at this point(?) I'm thinking he may be onto something with getting Houston who has some familiarity with Eberflus and is coming off of a 9.5 sack season. The one drawback being his age.

I would agree. It’s not for a lack of him trying for sure. Picture below is of he and some of his receiving corps working out together a few days ago. Two things of note; no Claypool and is it me or does Mooney look like he’s prepping to do work as a slot receiver?

"Man about town" Justin Fields was the Grand Marshal for this last weekend's NASCAR race in Chicago: Also heard about the torrential downpour those of you Chicago are facing. Here's to hoping it subsides soon. Stay dry my friends.

Word (on Ngokoue). Still hoping that Hunter (currently Vikings) is still a target.

Of the two ‘top tier’ options I give the edge (no pun intended) to Hunter. I didn’t realize he’s been in the league since ‘15 but as far as durability goes he’s more reliable (so far) than Young has been. I’d only shy away if they (Minnesota) insisted on getting a 1st round pick in compensation. Otherwise I don’t think money is much an issue as it is for Minny (??).

Would also like to see him work more on checking off his professions. Hard to see where his eyes are with the visor on but his posture suggests he was locked onto Moore from the start. You could see another receiver flash by in the foreground.

Who knows? When they open camp it would be an opportunity for Leatherwood and Jenkins to prove themselves. If both are up to the task it'll be who's best to help the team at the end of the day, whether it be as a starter or backup. I wouldn't say that Jones is a guarantee until he proves otherwise. Who knows, Leatherwood could come in and impress the hell out of everyone and change things all around. I would agree that to some level the only one who really is a 'sure thing' on the line is Wright.

I couldn't help but notice that Leatherwood is still on the roster. I'm hoping to see him turn into the 1st round player he was projected to be.

Curious to see how these picks meld with the team. I was a bit skeptical last year with their picking a lot of defensive players early on but they were able to contribute (especially Gordon) as the season wore on. Really pleased with how Brisker worked out. I have a hard time getting excited about any lineman picks so I'm most intrigued to see how Roschon Johnson comes along. Speaking of linemen...only change I would've like to have seen would have been C Luke Wypler picked up. I'm guessing the team thinks they have the solution with Whitehair, Patrick or Kramer.

You have Foreman as RB1 before Herbert? And I am eager to see where Roschon ends up due to him being a diamond in the rough...it would appear. Interesting that both he and Foreman played at Texas.

Haven’t been watching the draft too closely but curious if Wypler is still in play? Could he be got tomorrow?

Hmm…indeed.

Because I'm curious, why not Skronski? He ended up being the next picked.

And they took Jalen Carter with it.