Today marks a year since my loving girlfriend died and I can’t pretend like it’s not on my mind. We had so much planned in our future (the least of which was going to that Bears-Bills game in the United Club) and we never got a chance to see it play out. I miss her. Not just as a partner. But also as a positive influence who introduced me to new things, kept my mind sharp, and whose quips regarding the Bears’ problematic offensive line play made me feel like I picked a good one.
You were bigger than the whole sky, Dosta Mae.
Hey, let’s start with some good news at the top. Bears tight end Cole Kmet is expected to suit up for this afternoon’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Kmet, the Bears’ second-leading pass-catcher, entered today questionable with a quad injury but is good enough to give it a go. This means quarterback Justin Fields will have both of his top passing targets. What a gift!
Unfortunately, in the same tweet, Rapoport reports that D’Onta Foreman is expected to be out. Foreman missed a practice earlier in the week due to personal matters and was limited after that, which made him questionable for Sunday’s game. I hope whatever Foreman is dealing with gets resolved quickly and in a stress free manner.
ICYMI: Cairo Santos is Getting an Extension From the Bears
Perhaps today is a Roschon Johnson game. The rookie out of Texas was the Bears’ leading ball-carrier last week with 36 yards on just five carries. It would be neat if OC Luke Getsy found some more touches for Johnson. Maybe it would be a wise idea to use these next few weeks to close the season to give someone who could be your lead back an extended look. Just an idea.
The headline accompanying this Jason Lieser piece at the Sun-Times is a perfect summary of the offensive situation in Chicago: Bears have been at it too long under OC Luke Getsy to still be searching for consistency. We’re 31 games into this thing and the Bears struggle with consistency and don’t have an offensive identity. It probably should’ve been seen as an ominous sign when it took all of two weeks for the Bears to lose their offensive identity.
Kori Rumore (Tribune) unearths some deep cuts about the Bears-Cardinals showdown — which happens to be the NFL’s oldest rivalry. Want to win some bar trivia? Then keep in mind that Bears-Cardinals pre-dates Bears-Packers by a year.
A fun anecdote on Tyson Bagent comes in Chris Emma’s Tailgater at Marquee (bold emphasis mine): “While Bagent plans to spend much of this offseason back home in West Virginia, he also is forming a plan for improvement that will take him elsewhere in the United States. Bagent plans to seek out proven trainers and coaches who could help him improve as a quarterback – and specifically with his arm strength.” I still maintain that Bagent could be a solid backup QB in this league, but won’t do so if he maintains the status quo. It is encouraging to read that he’ll be looking to work on his arm strength this offseason.
Mina Kimes (ESPN) remains one of my favorites despite putting the Bears on upset alert this weekend.
GAME PREVIEW: Bears vs. Cardinals, December 24, 2023
Here’s a look at how the Bears have done on Christmas since 1989. (Tribune)
Add the Washington Commanders to the list of teams who could have an interest in hiring Bears Assistant GM Ian Cunningham and put him in the big chair. A nugget from CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones, who notes that Cunningham’s Philly ties could help him: “Bears AGM Ian Cunningham, who last year turned down the Cardinals GM job, worked under (Eagles GM Howie) Roseman for five years, most recently in 2021 as the director of player personnel.”
MORE: ESPN Mentions Ian Cunningham as a Possible GM Fit For Chargers
A one-liner from Rap Sheet on Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh: “When asked this season about his future, he has always pledged loyalty to his current job. But it’s likely at least one NFL team is interested.” Harbaugh might not be the Bears’ knight in shining armor, but the Chargers and Raiders are teams who have been connected as possible fits. (NFL Network)
Take a peek at Matt Rooney’s latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft and who the Bears project to take.
This is one of the sickest goals I’ve ever seen:
Here we go again. Re-visiting a Dylan Cease Cubs-Sox trade. (BN Cubs)
The Bulls did not have the vibes against the Cavs last night.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25126344/merlin_3008779.jpg){kind=small}
