👋 Good morning!
It’s cut week (follow our roster tracker!!).
A tough week for many is also the ultimate dream realization for some.
Just ask Tyson Bagent, who came to the Bears in 2023 as an undrafted unknown behind P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman before winning the backup QB role in camp.
Two years later, Bagent is one of the city’s — and Carm’s — favorite success stories.
Maybe our next favorite is Jahdae Walker, the undrafted receiver Bagent hit for the game-winning walk-off TD on Friday.
Wouldn’t that be something…
Tailgate With Us!
What: CHGO Bears Official Tailgate
Where: Wabash & Cermak
When: Before every Bears home game
Perks: Beers, barbecue, vibes and a shuttle to the stadium
Getting Things Right
No more dress rehearsals. The next time we see Caleb Williams and the Bears in a game, it’ll count.
Friday’s preseason finale left a bit to be desired from Williams and the first-team offense and defense.
So, how can the Bears and coach Ben Johnson go about cleaning things up before Monday Night Football in two weeks?
Williams’ preseason game log:
vs. Bills: 6-for-10 passing, 107 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
@ Chiefs: 11-for-15 passing, 113 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Johnson on the starters’ rough outing vs. Chiefs: “It was a little bit disappointing to see how slow we started. … Offensively, the first two possessions were really sloppy football that has plagued us in and out of camp so far, and unfortunately, that is what we got here tonight. There were a number of things we could have done a better job of.”
Johnson later said: “It is disappointing to me offensively for sure because I thought we kind of worked our way out of that. I am still learning this group as well. This is our first time on the road, and we were going to find out what kind of road team we were going to be. If the first quarter was any indication, it was not good enough. We have to get better in a hurry.
“The good news is we are going to be able to look at this tape and coach it up with our guys. It is out of our system, hopefully, for us going into the regular season. We have to make sure we start faster on offense and on defense.”
Williams on Friday’s performance: “Having those issues is frustrating. Definitely need to fix that. That’s a big point of why we practice, why we have preseason – to get more reps, have those moments, be able to have a moment like that and be able to learn from that and correct it.”
Williams added: “We all see what we can be. We all see the flashes – there is often some pretty good moments in practice and in games we’ve had so far.”
The good news for the Bears? Two weeks is a long time in the NFL. Sure, there’s plenty of work to be done, but there’s enough time to get the wheels back on the track.
After all, you play the preseason for a reason. And that’s a lesson I’m glad Johnson didn’t have to learn the hard way.
Not only did the first-time head coach play his starters for several drives in the preseason, he even extended their playtime when things weren’t going according to plan.
Real head coach behavior.
HE’S ON FIRE: Colson Montgomery put on a show on the South Side over the weekend, homering in all three games against the visiting Minnesota Twins. On Saturday, Montgomery hammered his first career grand slam to cap a six-run second inning en route to a 7-3 win.
Sunday’s effort from the Sox was like death by a million cuts from their young core. Kyle Teel went 3-for-4 at the plate with three singles, driving in two runs. Edgar Quero tacked on two run-scoring singles. Of their 12 hits, Montgomery’s two-run home run was the White Sox’s lone extra-base hit.
Yoendrys Gomez added 4.2 IP of scoreless two-hit baseball. In 14.2 IP since returning to the big leagues as a starter, Gomez has allowed just four earned runs. Most impressively, the Sox have won all three of his starts.
White Sox 8, Twins 0
BACK IN IT: Thanks to Kyle Tucker’s big weekend in Anaheim, the Cubs picked up their first sweep on the road since sweeping the Athletics from March 31-April 2.
Tucker finally found his form again, hitting a home run on Friday before exploding for two home runs and a double on Saturday — his first multi-home run game with the Cubs. Tucker wrapped up the weekend with an RBI single on Sunday.
Cade Horton lowered his rookie-season ERA to 2.88 with another six scoreless innings on Saturday. Since the All-Star break, Horton has a 4-1 record in seven starts with a 0.49 ERA in 36.2 IP.
Craig Counsell on Horton: “I didn’t expect this when we decided to do this. He’s been incredible with it. It’s helped us out a ton and helped our bullpen out a ton.”
On Sunday, the Cubs tagged ex-Cub Kyle Hendricks for four runs, and Jameson Taillon provided five innings of one-run ball before being pulled due to groin tightness. Counsell said after the game that removing Taillon was more of a precaution.
Cubs 4, Angels 3
Our newest listener.
@CHGO_Sports @adamjahns @AdamHoge Came home from the hospital with our firstborn and newest Bears fan and boy is he impressed with the new Hoge & Jahns gear!
— #Coach (#@RyanIsland773)
2:44 PM • Aug 24, 2025
You know — a Diehard membership makes a great gift for a newborn. Never too early to start the Bears indoctrination.
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