👋 Good morning!

Quarterbacks running routes? Receivers tossing bombs? Linemen making one-handed grabs?

The Bears’ last day together as a full group before training camp kicks off at the end of next month was a fun one, but an important one, too.

After practice, Ben Johnson said: “I let those guys know, we only do this once a year, and it's an evaluation. We'll circle back in training camp and in the season to see who we can trust to catch the ball or throw the ball.

In Detroit, Johnson used offensive linemen Dan Skipper and Penei Sewell for gadget opportunities. And we’ve already heard Bears teammates comparing Darnell Wright to Sewell this offseason.

Could Wright poach another skill from the Lions’ All-Pro? Well, the tape never lies.

– Patrick Norton

An agreement on a framework

White Sox principal owner Jerry Reinsdorf and limited partner Justin Ishbia have agreed to the framework of a deal that paves the way for Ishbia to eventually purchase a controlling stake in the club.

Details from the team’s statement: “The agreement provides that, from 2029–2033, Reinsdorf will have the option to sell the controlling interest to Ishbia. After the 2034 season, Ishbia will have the option to acquire the controlling interest. In the event of any such future transaction, all limited partners of the Sox would have the opportunity to sell to Ishbia at that time.”
Reinsdorf’s statement: “Having the incredible opportunity to own the Chicago White Sox and be part of Major League Baseball for nearly 50 years has been a life-changing experience. I have always expressed my intent to operate the White Sox as long as I am able and remain committed to returning this franchise to the level of on-field success we all expect and desire.”
Ishbia, 47, along with his brother Mat, who owns a controlling stake in the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, abandoned a bid to purchase the Minnesota Twins earlier this year, planning to increase their stake in the White Sox by offering to buy out other limited partners.

CHGO reported in March that a “vast majority” of the franchise’s limited partners had chosen to sell to Ishbia.

I don’t think the timing of this announcement is a coincidence. What else has happened in White Sox land just this past week? A major development regarding a plot of land the team was considering for their own project, plus the reported deal to bring the club back into households using Comcast’s Xfinity.

As theorized by Mark Carman, this sounds like the club’s start toward eventually agreeing with Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto to split “The 78,” with Ishbia, who made his wealth as a private equity investor, funding the White Sox’s relocation from 35th & Shields.

It seems Ishbia’s involvement in the club moving forward will play a significant role in building the Sox into a desirable destination, not just for the fan experience, but possibly for free agents, too.

GO DEEPER: Sean Anderson’s instant reaction to the big news.

What happens in Vegas…🎰

THE (UNFORTUNATE) RETURN: Aaron Rodgers is officially set to return to Soldier Field this season. The former Packers quarterback is signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of their minicamp next week. The Steelers head to Chicago to play the Bears in Week 12 at 12 p.m. on November 23.

WALK-OFF WINNER: How do you make a good day great? How about a walk-off single from Tim Elko, who was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte earlier in the day?

Sean Burke was flawless for six innings yesterday before the Tigers finally broke through and tied the game, 2-2, in the seventh inning. Meanwhile, Elko was 0-4 with three strikeouts entering the final at-bat of the afternoon. Magical.

Chase Meidroth added two singles and three walks, upping his impressive on-base percentage to .401.

EVERYTHING’S COMING UP SOX: The club is calling up their No. 2 prospect (No. 26 in MLB), catcher Kyle Teel, ahead of tonight’s game against the Royals. In 50 games with Triple-A Charlotte, Teel is slashing .295/.394/.492.

BACK ON TRACK: Pete Crow-Armstrong homered in the first inning in last night’s rubber match against the Nationals, and the Cubs never looked back. Drew Pomeranz tossed a scoreless first inning as the designated opener for Colin Rea.

Pomeranz, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2021 before coming to the Cubs in April, hasn’t allowed a run in 16 outings this season. He also served as the opener for Ben Brown against the Reds last Saturday. Brown will start without the help of an opener against the Tigers today.

The Cubs’ 7-1 victory clinched their seventh consecutive series win.

SO LONG, IT’S BEEN GOOD TO KNOW YA: The Cubs reinstated reliever Tyson Miller from the 60-day injured list and subsequently designated him for assignment.

Miller, who was on his second stint with the club after coming back to Chicago last April, owned a 2.15 ERA in 49 appearances for the Cubs last season but struggled in spring training before landing on the IL with a hip issue ahead of the regular season.