👋 Good morning!
Hip, hip, hooray, it's Opening Day!
If you're reading this early enough, you might be able to catch the last couple of innings on Marquee.
If not... well, just be happy you got some sleep.
Fun Fact: Luke Stuckmeyer pulled an all-nighter last night! I'm not entirely sure why, but he did. That's the Stucky difference.
What’s up in the WR room?
(USA Today Images)
The Bears officially signed wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to a one-year deal on Monday. Yesterday afternoon, he met with the Chicago media via Zoom.
Zaccheaus, 27, has largely played a complementary role throughout his career, which began with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2019. With the Commanders last season, Zaccheaus posted a career-high in receptions (45), and caught three touchdowns.
Why Chicago? Zaccheaus said, "I feel like it's a great time to be in Chicago. I just want to do my part and try to just win some games and make a run for the whole thing."
Zaccheaus also seemed lured by the chance to play for Ben Johnson: "You see what his offenses have done in the past, the creativity, the play calls, how great the offenses have been and how productive they've been. I think that's what excites me.
"Then you also watch the film and the tape and how hard they play for each other. That's something that's up my alley. I'm excited to get to work and build on that."
Zaccheaus figures to slot in as WR3 and can line up from a variety of positions, but his 5-foot-8, 193 lb. frame makes him a prototypical slot option.
He's a nice value addition to Ben Johnson's receivers room, but the Bears' separate actions muddy the waters a bit. According to Tom Pelissero, Chicago hosted receivers Rondale Moore and Mecole Hardman on Monday.
Moore, 24, was traded from the Cardinals to the Falcons last offseason but never played a snap for Atlanta after suffering a gruesome knee injury in training camp. In three seasons with Arizona, Moore caught just three touchdowns but had 40+ receptions each season.
Hardman, 27, spent most of his career with the Chiefs after being drafted as a potential speedy replacement for Tyreek Hill. Although he never reached those heights, he carved out a decent role as a gadget.
He left for the Jets in free agency in 2023, only to find himself traded back to Kansas City during the year. As a show of gratitude for bringing him back, Hardman caught the overtime Super Bowl-clinching touchdown from Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LVIII.
Moore's the better receiver, especially as a younger option, but there are still concerns about his knee. If Moore's medicals check out, he'd be another excellent depth option for Ben Johnson's offense.
While his work on the special teams unit has dwindled in recent years, Hardman was a second-team All-Pro return specialist his rookie season. DeAndre Carter, Chicago's primary returner last season, is currently a free agent.
Chicago has yet to add Moore or Hardman, but even after signing Zaccheaus, Johnson is still looking to add to the room, which makes me believe this could be the end of the line for Tyler Scott with the Bears.
Undersized speedsters aren't exactly tough to find in today's NFL, and receiving just 20 offensive snaps hurt the receiver's ability to showcase his talent last season. Now, despite being just 23 years old, Scott could find himself the odd man out should Ben Johnson opt for more experience and better pass catchers in the room.
Quick Hits
Coby White was named the Eastern Conference's player of the week for last week ahead of Monday night’s Bulls victory over the Utah Jazz. White kept his recent heater on a roll with 26 points in the Bulls' fifth win in their last six games. Chicago now holds the No. 9 seed in the East. Woohoo! A chance to host the first play-in!
Congratulations to the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, the state's lone representatives in the NCAA Tournament. No. 16 seed SIUE tips off against No. 1 Houston in the Midwest region on Thursday at 1 p.m. on TBS. Also, in the Midwest, No. 6 Illinois will take on the winner of the Texas vs. Xavier play-in game on CBS on Friday night at 8:45 p.m.
Today’s Schedule!
Cubs vs. Dodgers @ 5 a.m. on Marquee
CHGO Cubs POSTGAME on YouTube
CHGO Bears @ 12 p.m. on YouTube
CHGO Sky @ 2 on YouTube
CHGO White Sox @ 4 on YouTube
CHGO Bulls @ 5:30 on YouTube
Blackhawks vs. Kraken @ 7:30 on CHSN
CHGO Blackhawks POSTGAME on YouTube
Talk to you tomorrow!
