👋 Good morning!
What a year.
You really couldn’t ask for much more than what the Bears gave.
Is last night’s loss disappointing? Absolutely.
But we’ve got the combine next month, free agency in March, the draft in April, rookie minicamp in May, OTAs in June, training camp in July and the preseason in August.
Week 1 will be here before you know it.
And if it’s any consolation, pitchers and catchers report in 22 days.
Smile Because It Happened
We’ll always have Caleb Williams’ ridiculous heave to Cole Kmet on fourth-and-season, right?
If you went to bed upset with how the season ended, nobody can possibly blame you. But the sun is up, the wind is howling and the future is bright in Chicago.
It Won’t Be The Same, Dear: The postgame vibe in the locker room was understandably dreary. Players knew this one had gotten away from them.
To make the atmosphere more glum, everybody understood this was the last time this exact group that’d battled together, won the NFC North together and won a playoff game together would be, well, together.
In fact, the Bears have 20 unrestricted free agents, including Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Nahshon Wright and D’Marco Jackson.
Ben Johnson said after the loss: “Our guys are feeling it right now. They all believed, man. They all believed all year long that we could find a way to win each and every week. So it's disappointing like that. But I am proud of the group. It's a special group. I said that a few weeks ago. I believe that to my core, when you're with a group of men for the last time in the locker room and you know it's just not going to be the same going forward.”
Kevin Byard III said in the locker room: “Who knows what the future holds for this team? We know this team isn’t going to be the same next year. Just appreciating the last few moments in the locker room with the guys. We had a hell of a year. Nobody (in the) beginning of the season picked us to be where we was at. To be in this position, to almost win the game at the end, it just didn’t work out for us this year. But super proud of the group.”
Jaquan Brisker on his future: “We will see. Hopefully I am (back), but if not, the grass is greener, God has my back.”
The Throw: Caleb Williams wasn’t great. His three interceptions, including the crusher in overtime, might even leave a sour taste right now after a special sophomore season.
But despite being unable to complete the comeback, Williams gave us one more “Iceman” moment to remember this season by — a miraculous 14-yard touchdown on fourth down to Cole Kmet, in which Williams, under pressure, backed up to the 40-yard line before launching his season-extending prayer.
According to NFL NextGenStats, the ball traveled 51.2 yards in the air, making it the longest completed pass by air distance in the red zone since NextGenStats began tracking that in 2016.
Yep, just a casual 50-yard bomb for a 14-yard score.
Ben Johnson on Williams’ miracle effort: “Ridiculous. That's ridiculous. You talk about that fourth-and-8 from last week and how outstanding that was, and I think this one was probably even another level ahead of that. There's some things that you just can't coach. He's got a knack, he's clutch. He does so many good things. He's an eraser. I have plenty of bad calls each and every week, and he helps make it right for me.”
Rams QB Matthew Stafford on the touchdown: “To be honest with you, that's what football is all about. Whether you have a great play the play before or a bad play, or shoot, I thought that was a great play by our defense. Just a better play by Caleb and Kmet. Yeah, just a better play by those two guys. That happens in football.
Kevin Byard III called it the greatest throw he’d ever seen.
I got about 15 text messages as soon as it happened, all in agreement.
The outcome is a bummer for several reasons. Most of all, it’s not easy to win in the NFL and playoff berths aren’t guaranteed.
But there’s also a real sense that this is just the beginning. The season ended in heartbreak, but not in the same manner as the double doink, which seemingly factory reset Matt Nagy’s head.
The play caller isn’t going anywhere. Most of the staff should return. And Caleb Williams should look even better in his third year.
Everybody talks about the sophomore slump. Just look at Texans QB C.J. Stroud. Williams’ sophomore season produced one of the best by a quarterback in the history of the Chicago Bears.
That’ll do.
And now, an incredibly important offseason begins.
Bulls 124, Nets 102: Yes, the Bulls played last night, too. And they got their revenge on a bad Nets team that worked ‘em on Friday night.
Coby White scored a game-high 24 points, hitting seven of his eight makes from beyond the arc. Three Bulls finished with double-doubles: Tre Jones (10 points, 10 assists), Jalen Smith (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Nikola Vucevic (17 points, 11 rebounds).
Matas Buzelis added 17 points while Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter combined for 30 points and 11 assists off the bench.
Just a complete team-oriented win in which the Bulls grabbed the lead three minutes into the game and never looked back.
Standing In The Hall of Fame: The Cubs announced they will induct Jon Lester, Jody Davis and former broadcaster Vince Lloyd into the team’s Hall of Fame later this year.
Lester pitched for the Cubs from 2015 until 2020, playing a massive role in the club’s 2016 World Series championship.
Davis caught 961 games for the Cubs from 1981 until he was traded at the tail end of the 1988 season. He also holds the league record for most baserunners caught stealing (89).
Lloyd, known best for his “holy mackerel” catchphrase, called Cubs games on the radio and television for more than 30 years, including more than 20 seasons with former MVP shortstop Lou Boudreau. Lloyd died in 2003.
Wilbur Wood Dead at 84: Former White Sox knuckleballer Wilbur Wood died Sunday.
Wood joined the White Sox as a relief pitcher via trade ahead of the 1967 season, already five seasons into his career. He pitched the next 12 seasons for the Sox, transitioning into a starter after 1970.
A three-time All-Star, Wood started 49 games in 1972, throwing 376.2 innings with a 2.51 ERA and finishing second in Cy Young award voting behind only Cleveland’s Gaylord Perry.
As I slipped and slid on the sidewalk six times on the way to my car last night, I couldn’t help but think: “Oh, now the Bear Weather shows up.”
🐻 Hoge & Jahns
9:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bears
1:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Cubs
2:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO White Sox
4:30 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bulls
4:30 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bears After Dark
5:00 on YouTube
🏒 Blackhawks vs. Jets
7:30 on CHSN
📺 CHGO Blackhawks
*Delayed Due To Event*
Postgame on YouTube
Something on your mind? Rate this issue and leave a comment, question or topic to discuss!
Talk to you tomorrow!
– P.N.
