👋 Good morning!
When can we expect Connor Bedard to sign an extension with the Blackhawks?
As training camp opened Thursday, both GM Kyle Davidson and Bedard reiterated their lack of worry and lack of urgency in getting a deal done.
But I think we can all agree we’d be a little more comfortable having the franchise’s lone superstar locked up long-term sooner rather than later.
Pronto, fellas. Let’s get this one wrapped up by opening day — only 18 days away.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
September is Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Month!
CHGO and ALLCITY are proud to support their mission, and we’re raising money all month long.
You can donate — or even learn more about becoming a Big — at bbbs.org/allcity
Monsters M.I.A.
Dennis Allen’s defense has allowed 73 points over their last five quarters of football. As a result, both Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy and Lions QB Jared Goff won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for their performances against the Bears.
It won’t get easier in Week 3 against Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.
So, how can the Bears prevent another defensive disaster on Sunday? It requires learning from the past while moving on to what’s next.
Allen said Thursday: “I think if you're in this league long enough, you've been in one of those types of games, and so you make the corrections that you need to make, you come back in, and you go to work, and that's what you do. You get right back up on the horse and ‘let's go ride again.’”
Allen added: “I know everybody wants to rehash what happened last week, and really, we've moved on. I'll just say this. When you don't perform well, and you lose a game like that, there's a lot of issues that went on. So, there's a lot of dirty hands in that we all accept responsibility, coaches, players alike. We're focused on trying to make the corrections and get ready for Dallas.”
Injuries Piling Up: Thursday’s practice report was not kind to the Bears, featuring three defensive starters as non-participants, including Jaylon Johnson, who suffered a groin injury against the Lions and is out indefinitely.
T.J. Edwards and Kyler Gordon have not practiced this week due to hamstring injuries. Edwards seemingly reaggravated the injury that sidelined him for Week 1 early in the third quarter last Sunday while chasing Lions WR Jameson Williams.
Grady Jarrett was limited on Thursday due to a knee injury after not participating on Wednesday.
Allen on being without several starters: “When you have significant players that are missing time, it's challenging. And yet, that's why we do what we do, and that's why we're at the highest level of this profession, to figure out solutions and figure out ways to get the job done.
“Ninety percent of the world doesn't give a care about your problems. The other 10 percent are glad you’ve got them. So, we come in every night, we go to work, try to put a good plan together, try to utilize our guys the best we can, put them in good positions to make plays.”
Remember the stat I shared earlier in the week about Tyrique Stevenson? The Bears’ corner is allowing a 158.3 passer rating when targeted this season, per PFF.
Not good!
Stevenson’s in for a challenging Sunday against Cowboys receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but it’s as good a time as any to change the narrative that’s being written about the Bears’ underperforming secondary early in the season.
It’d probably help if the defensive front could pull its weight and pressure Prescott, too.
Vroom Vroom Party Starter: I think it’s fair to chalk the Cubs’ offensive output on Thursday night up to the aftermath of the celebration from the day before.
Reds ace Hunter Greene tossed a one-hit complete game shutout. Seiya Suzuki broke up Greene’s no-hit bid with a two-out single in the top of the seventh.
Colin Rea’s outing wasn’t quite as impressive as Greene’s, but it might’ve been his best in a Cubs uniform. Rea threw seven innings, allowing one run on four hits. He also set a career high with 11 strikeouts. His previous single-game career high was nine.
Reds 1, Cubs 0
Top Three Big Ten Games
Iowa at Rutgers
Fri. 11:00 a.m. on FOXIowa still does not have a passing attack. Truth be told, they haven’t had one since Nate Stanley left after the 2019 season. Still, Iowa’s defense might be good enough for one of those classic gritted-out Kirk Ferentz wins.
No. 21 Michigan at Nebraska
Sat. 2:30 p.m. on CBS
The jury’s still out on Michigan freshman QB Bryce Underwood, but there’s no question that RB Justice Haynes is a bona fide stud.
But Michigan hasn’t faced a QB as solid as Nebraska’s favorite Patrick Mahomes wannabe Dylan Raiola. The Wolverines’ defense made life difficult for Oklahoma QB John Mateer two weeks ago. Can they have the same effect on Raiola in Lincoln? I’m not so sure.
No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana
Sat. 6:30 p.m. on NBCBret Bielema vs. Curt Cignetti. Luke Altmyer vs. Fernando Mendoza. Unfortunately, neither team will be full strength on Saturday night. Illinois CB Xavier Scott will likely miss at least Saturday’s game with an ankle injury, and Indiana will be without RB Lee Beebe Jr, who suffered a season-ending non-contact knee injury last weekend.
The Home Stretch: As the MLS regular season winds down, and as the Fire make a final push to clinch their first playoff berth since 2017, the club and Apple are offering a one-month free trial* of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV to all Fire fans.
To take advantage of the offer, fans can text “FIREUP” to 24258 to sign up through tomorrow — Saturday, September 20.
The Fire have five games left on the regular season schedule (all within the next month) and currently hold the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference standings with 42 points, clinging to the last play-off (wild card) spot.
*valid for anyone who does not have a current MLS Season Pass subscription
Matt Eberflus, who returns to Chicago this Sunday said "I haven't thought about it" when asked what he thinks the reaction will be
— #DLLS Cowboys (#@DLLS_Cowboys)
5:08 PM • Sep 18, 2025
Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure.
🐻 Hoge & Jahns
12:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Blackhawks
2:30 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bulls
4:30 on YouTube
⚾️ Cubs at Reds
5:40 on Marquee
⚾️ White Sox vs. Padres
6:40 on CHSN
