👋 Good morning!

The Crosstown Classic doesn’t get enough love for its classic battles.

We’ve seen Michael Barrett sucker-punch AJ Pierzynski, Jose Abreu sucker-punch Cubs pitchers with six homers in a single series in 2020, and Hawk Harrelson’s world end any time the Cubs won.

Even when the stakes felt borderline non-existent, the series always provided some form of high-level entertainment.

Heck, Dioner Navarro played just 89 games with the Cubs, but he hit three homers in a win against the Sox and still gets his due on the videoboard at Wrigley because of it.

It doesn’t take a star to become a legend in this town when these teams get together; it takes walk-offs, dingers, or the occasional punch.

But no fighting in the bleachers with the Friday 1:20 Club today, understood?

– Patrick Norton

Caleb Williams was right.

A preview posted by ESPN of Seth Wickersham’s upcoming book, “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” reported pre-draft turmoil from Caleb Williams’ camp, and a strong hesitation to commit to the Bears ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

• Caleb’s father, Carl Williams, told Wickersham ahead of the draft: “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die.”
   

• Per Wickersham, Caleb Williams pondered to people close to him: “Do I want to go there? I don't think I can do it with [ex-Bears OC Shane] Waldron.”
   

• Following a visit with Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell at last year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Williams reportedly told his dad: “I need to go to the Vikings.”
   

• But after meeting with the Bears ahead of the draft, Caleb told his dad: “I can do it for this team. I'm going to go to the Bears.”

So much for talking about the schedule all weekend, eh?

Wickersham also detailed the Bears’ coaching malpractice last season, particularly their handling of Williams’ film habits.

The QB told his dad at one point last season: "No one tells me what to watch. I just turn it on."

It’s hardly excusable behavior for a coaching staff with any quarterback, let alone with the No. 1 pick in the draft.

And the Bears’ performance in 2024 only validated Williams’ concerns, despite the quarterback setting multiple franchise rookie records.

Players frequently and publicly called upon the coaching staff for stronger accountability, but that never came, ultimately leading to Waldron and Matt Eberflus’ dismissal last November.

So, why was the reaction on social media to this story relatively tame? Ben Johnson.

Appearing as a guest on Colin Cowherd’s show, “The Herd,” on Thursday afternoon, the Bears’ head coach said:

“I don’t know about what’s gone on before I joined the organization, but [Williams is] very proud to be a Chicago Bear. That’s what our conversations have included. He’s really excited to get to work right now and be the best version of himself for 2025.”

GO DEEPER: Adam Hoge & Mark Carman spoke to Seth Wickersham about Caleb Williams after Thursday’s CHGO Bears show.

Quick Hits

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: Yesterday, the Blackhawks began rolling out plans to celebrate their 100th year of existence, exactly 99 years to the date of when Chicago was awarded the franchise.

As part of the festivities, the club announced plans to open a team hall of fame inside the Fifth Third Arena, the team’s practice facility near the United Center.

A voting process that includes input from fans, media, and select staff will elect two candidates each year: one from the “Modern Era” and one from the “Heritage Era.” Players with their numbers retired will be automatically inducted.

COACHING UPDATE: Former Detroit Red Wings head coach and current Tampa Bay Lightning assistant Jeff Blashill has reportedly spoken with Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson about the team’s head coaching vacancy, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

In Detroit, Blashill took over after the Red Wings fired Mike Babcock in 2015, but it came just as the Wings entered a rebuild. Blashill was fired after seven seasons with a 204-261-72 record, making the playoffs in his first year only.

BROADCAST NEWS: 670 The Score announced Thursday that the station will carry seven Sky games throughout the year, beginning with next Thursday’s matchup against the New York Liberty.

The Sky tip off their season tomorrow against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

MAILBAG: I’ll be putting together my CHGO Bears mailbag later today, so consider this last call for any questions! All you have to do is respond to this email!

30% OFF OUR GEAR
🚨THROUGH SUNDAY🚨

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda.

Today!

📺 CHGO Bears
12:00 on YouTube

⚾️ Cubs vs. White Sox
1:20 on CHSN & Marquee

📺 CHGO Blackhawks
2:00 on YouTube

📺 CHGO Bulls
4:00 on YouTube

Talk to you tomorrow!