I am getting 2013 vibes from this offense. Last year's offense was 9th in pts and 6th in yards. In 2013, they were 2nd in pts and 8th in yards. I think this offense will be the first one to be top 5 in both pts and yards.

That would be a first for the team in the Super Bowl era. You have to go back to 1965 to find a Bears offense that finished top 5 in both yards and points.

That makes it easier on the defense, because if they can play with a lead more often, that puts the other team in more predictable situations. The defense finished 23rd in pts and 29th in yards. I don't expect a huge jump but even if they finish top 20 in both, while the offense ascends, that is the formula for a perennial playoff team.

1 hour ago, adam said:

I am getting 2013 vibes from this offense. Last year's offense was 9th in pts and 6th in yards. In 2013, they were 2nd in pts and 8th in yards. I think this offense will be the first one to be top 5 in both pts and yards.

That would be a first for the team in the Super Bowl era. You have to go back to 1965 to find a Bears offense that finished top 5 in both yards and points.

That makes it easier on the defense, because if they can play with a lead more often, that puts the other team in more predictable situations. The defense finished 23rd in pts and 29th in yards. I don't expect a huge jump but even if they finish top 20 in both, while the offense ascends, that is the formula for a perennial playoff team.

When people are looking at how bad or good the D will be, they also have to consider, as you have stated, how good the offense will be . More points puts teams behind and will have to abandon the run quicker and more rest for the D when a time consuming offense.

9 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I am guessing something personal and he will be back once it is taken care of. If it was injury we would know, if he abandoned team he would get placed on a reserve, if he was granted personal time it would be kept personal and wed be left wondering.

True, it is something personal or the team who have announced some type of injury. Considering how bought in Kyle is in the team, it cant be anything small.

One thing becoming apparent both from a production standpoint and comments in press conferences is that our safety play is definitely improved. The obvious INTs from Bryant lead the way but offensive players like Kmet have talked about how you can feel these guys hanging on your hip as you run your route. Or how quickly they are closing down on running plays. One reporter mentioned seeing Zavion break free on a short route and heading upfield. Normally you’d think that’d go for a TD but Thieneman closed it down from center field. Bryant is taking on a leadership role for the entire secondary, Thieneman is quickly ramping up following his lead.

Over many decades the Bears have had a history of good safeties but it’s usually been one good safety. We have to see it play out but we might be seeing the start of something really good with Bryant and Thieneman for years.

With pads coming on this week there will be lots of things to watch for. One guy I’m curious about is Jayden Loving. He’s a UDFA who could easily wash out and be gone before the season starts. If he shows potential then most likely he makes the practice squad. The top 3 DTs are locks to make the roster: Jarrett, Dexter, Gallimore. Behind them it’s a crap shoot. I’m high on Vandenberg’s potential but he had just as many lowlights as highlights in college. Kentavious Street? DT4 and DT5 (expecting one guy to be on PS) is wide open. I’m hoping there’s a legit 3-man competition for those last two spots. Whoever wins those jobs are they going to be someone we can count on in games?

Google Search is dead, AI scours the internet for you and provides a tidy summary:

The Bears fit Jayden Loving because they’ve been trying to upgrade the interior defensive line with players who can do two things: hold up against the run and add more pass-rush juice from the middle. Loving’s profile lines up with that in a very “Bears defense-building” way.

• He’s a run-stopping DT archetype: Reports on his film/grades out of Wake point to him being especiallyeffective versus the run—exactly the type of interior presence Chicago wants to improve at.Sports Illustrated

• Athletic interior leverage (good “move-for-size” upside): The Bears have emphasized adding rawathleticism up front this offseason, and Loving checks that box—short/stout body, but with real burst andmovement ability for his size. Sports Illustrated1

• He gives them rotational depth that can grow: Chicago also added multiple DT/DT-type pieces (via freeagency and the draft), and Loving fits as an upside option who can compete for early rotation snaps whilelearning the NFL game.

Jedrick Wills took first team reps at LT today. Braxton did the first few days.

2 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

Jedrick Wills took first team reps at LT today. Braxton did the first few days.

They will rotate them since it is an open competition for the job. Id think a week or two after they go full pads they will narrow it down.

16 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

They will rotate them since it is an open competition for the job. Id think a week or two after they go full pads they will narrow it down.

Of course. And to monitor work load.

10 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Of course. And to monitor work load.

The Bears may not have an elite LT, but the guys they have won"t hold them back. 3 guys now fighting to win and Ozzy coming back to possibly take his seat back will keep all of them on their toes knowing they can easily be replaced. The competition should keep the position solid.

43 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

The Bears may not have an elite LT, but the guys they have won"t hold them back. 3 guys now fighting to win and Ozzy coming back to possibly take his seat back will keep all of them on their toes knowing they can easily be replaced. The competition should keep the position solid.

Braxton, Kiran and Jedrick are literally playing for their future careers...

Braxton has bulked up in a good way at least in his upper body. He’s never looked like that. In his press conference he talked openly about his struggles handling power. I’d assume the same effort went into fixing his lower body. We find out this week if it pays off.

There is an expected drop off in takeaways with the top 4 guys (Byard 7, Wright 5, Edmunds 4, and CJGJ 2) all off the roster. With Brisker's 1, that is 19 INTs off the roster. However, in place of that, we get Bryant who had 4, Thieneman good for 2, a healthy Jaylon Johnson good for 3, Bush had 3, and whoever replaces CJGJ's snaps gets 1. That is 13 without being extremely optimistic. Also, the consensus was the 2025 players would not produce those numbers in 2026 anyway. So those 19 could easily be down to 13 or 14. In line with the new player projections.

I just heard Coby Bryant went down with a knee injury. Hopefully its not long term.

2 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I just heard Coby Bryant went down with a knee injury. Hopefully its not long term.

bearswire.usatoday said he was extremely upset, slamming his helmet to the ground, when he was unable to walk off the field and had to be carted off. Odunze and Loveland claimed, when asked, that he'd be okay, but that is what you'd expect.

Adam Schefter said it will be two months, hyperextension knee, bone bruise and bone fracture. probably the pup for the first 6 weeks and then hopefully he's back. Who is his backup? Cam Lewis or Elijah Hicks?

11 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Adam Schefter said it will be two months, hyperextension knee, bone bruise and bone fracture. probably the pup for the first 6 weeks and then hopefully he's back. Who is his backup? Cam Lewis or Elijah Hicks?

Hicks is still out, so it was Lewis today. We need to pick up a FA safety. Need better depth.

51 minutes ago, Pixote said:

Hicks is still out, so it was Lewis today. We need to pick up a FA safety. Need better depth.

I think Lewis will back-up but they got to try and pickup a vet or go to the trade well. Or do we see Stevenson or someone else swing to safety?

1 hour ago, Pixote said:

bearswire.usatoday said he was extremely upset, slamming his helmet to the ground, when he was unable to walk off the field and had to be carted off. Odunze and Loveland claimed, when asked, that he'd be okay, but that is what you'd expect.

I was feeling better about the news since Dr Odunze said he would be okay, but 8 weeks or so is gonna hurt. No wonder why Kyler is watching from the sidelines.