Some random thoughts about the Chicago Bears and other things, mostly football-related as we count down the hours until we get to watch this team play football again:
The summer of 2026 was mostly a hot and humid mess in the Midwest. It rained a lot, the temps got uncomfortable early, and we were offered few reprieves. Then football started, and cooler weather arrived. We’re close to hoodie season. You can almost taste the apple cider. I love autumn, mainly for the football, but give me all the other
good stuff that comes with it too.
I’ve never correctly advocated for a Chicago Bears head coach candidate before Chicago landed Ben Johnson – and I was extremely early. It was early in the 2023 season I started pushing it and when I dropped the idea on a Lions podcast, the hosts about kicked me off the show. I knew I had something at that moment. It’s given me an added layer of enjoyment to this new era of Bears football. I was extremely confident the Bears would be getting an offensive mastermind. I had no idea he’d be such a badass.
The new Nike Bears logo is incredible. I love this thing so freaking much. I might need to get another writing gig to help pay off all the gear I’m going to buy. Don’t tell my wife.
I was wrong about D’Andre Swift. I said he was a supercharged RB2 or a decent lead in a committee but he wasn’t a guy who could dominate in the run game. While that was the book on Swift before he landed in Chicago – and a fair representation of his work in 2024 – he’s been a much improved back under the Ben Johnson regime. It’s not often you see this type of growth this deep into a player’s career. Kudos to him for making it work.
I liked the Panthers jerseys – the black and Carolina Blue (or whatever they’re calling it) is a fun look. I just can’t understand choosing to wear dark colors on a hot day in September while letting your opponent where the traditional away whites. The temps were brutal. I wonder if they regret their uniform choice.
Speaking of the hot Carolina temps – did you catch Caleb Williams wiping his hand off mid-play to get a better grip on the football? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.
PFF put out a grade on Caleb Williams that sure looked like they didn’t watch the same game the rest of the world saw on Sunday. Really good reminder that the grades are an invention for engagement, as explained by their founder years ago. Engage in those grades at your own risk, positive or negative.
I said on Bear & Balanced this week that I thought that might’ve been one of Caleb’s best games as a pro. He looked completely in charge and had a steady, high-level performance. There are a couple of throws and runs that will make his end of season highlight reel, yes, but there were so many smart decisions on when to run, when to throw away, and when to check the ball down that were a work in progress last season. This is big trouble for the rest of the league and for those Caleb haters in your group chats.
If you’re just coming back to the site and missed my story on the history of the Chicago Bears mascots, I promise you it’s worth your time. These niche history dives are fun but always take more time than I think they will.
I thought the TD pass to Jahdae Walker was beautiful. The pass itself was a nice little schematic win, but the fact that Ben Johnson schemed up Walker after he did all the dirty work all game was one of those football moments where you know that guys are buying in and Johnson understands how to reward hard work. Football euphoria.
Did you notice that Carolina wanted nothing to do with Zavion Thomas on their kickoffs? I’m curious if that’s a trend we’ll see and, if so, whether there’s a way to call a better return play knowing they’ll be targeting the non-Zavion returner.
Plenty of hand-wringing over the defense, and I get it; we’ve come to expect a certain standard of living on the defensive side of the ball over the years. Let’s see where it goes over the next few weeks, but I want those of you who can’t help but lead with the negative to do me a favor and look up at the scoreboard once in a while. This is fun if you’re willing to join the rest of us.
I’m eager to get to the Vikings game. I have a lot of Vikings fans in my general orbit, and while we can all be happy for them reveling in their big win against Green Bay last week, it’s time to start making a statement with a divisional victory. I don’t really care who is playing quarterback; jump on this team early and dare them to play in the track meet with you. Pushing teams to get out of their comfort zone puts the ball in harm’s way and will allow the Bears to continue their dominance in the turnover differential.
Only 548 more points to break the 2013 Broncos mark…
