👋 Good morning!

The Chicago Bears and the entire NFL community lost a football giant yesterday evening.

Hours after being moved into hospice care, Steve “Mongo” McMichael succumbed to his years-long battle with ALS. No. 76 was 67.

After his diagnosis in 2021, McMichael said:

“I’m glad in my life, I never held back anything. I went at it full-bore and did a lot of things in my life. I'm glad I didn't wait to get geriatric and start filling out a bucket list. Because I knew, even if I was healthy, I wasn't going to enjoy that.”

You can find my full story on Mongo’s life, legacy, and passing here.

– Patrick Norton

Draft Day

We’ve made it. The NFL Draft is finally here. On Tuesday, Bears GM Ryan Poles and asst. GM Ian Cunningham made it clear that Thursday night could get “wild” due to every team still owning their first-round selection.

How wild? Will the Bears be involved? Let’s come up with a couple scenarios and talk them through:

• TRADE UP » Bears trade 1.10 & 2.41 to Jaguars for 1.5 & 3.88.
   
  Bears select: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
   

• STAY PUT » Everything’s been a smokescreen!
   
  Bears select: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
   

• MOVE BACK » Bears trade 1.10 & 3.72 to Dolphins for 1.13, 2.48
   
  Bears select: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Don’t get too lost in the value. I’m the furthest thing from a football executive, but for what it’s worth, PFF’s mock draft simulator (totally accurate, I know) had no issue approving these deals.

Ultimately, what matters is the players and how this unfolds.

Here’s why we’re still on “anything can happen” watch less than 12 hours from the start of the draft:

On this year’s talent pool, Cunningham told us: “The amount of top-tier talent, while it's good, the volume isn't necessarily there.”

Could that mean picking a running back or another “non-premium” position with a premium top 10 pick? “If he's a playmaker and a really good player, you take a really good player,” Cunningham said. “Our philosophy is best player available.”

To me, that’s Jeanty. However, I understand the hesitation about drafting a running back early, as well as the concern about moving up to do so.

Drafting another skill player when the fanbase is sold on fixing the trenches sounds a lot like Chicago’s draft strategy last season. But the Bears didn’t have Jonah Jackson, Drew Dalman, and Joe Thuney anchoring the middle of the line last year, either.

Chicago’s drafting a running back this weekend—you can take that to the bank. Why not make a play for the best one on the board?

Well, because Chicago still has one big question on the line: left tackle. Braxton Jones is capable of playing above-average ball, but will he be healthy enough to do so when the season begins? My gut tells me yes.

Again, what do I know?

My gut means nothing if the Bears aren’t similarly confident in Jones’ rehab from ankle surgery at the end of the last season. He’s a free agent after next season, too. Whether it’s his eventual replacement or a project and insurance, Chicago’s taking an offensive tackle either Thursday or Friday.

Maybe it’s Kelvin Banks Jr., who’s been on the pre-draft pendulum. When the process began, Banks was a popular pick to the Bears at No. 10. Then came worries about his athleticism and size. All of a sudden, Banks has found himself back in the top-10 conversation. He makes sense if the Bears stand pat.

And then there’s the third option: trading back. I get why this scares some fans. We’ve researched the heck out of the top candidates, fallen in love with some, and if the Bears move a few slots back, whether it’s three or 11, you run the risk of your draft favorite coming off the board.

If Tyler Warren’s available at No. 10, I’m not sure the Bears don’t just call it in right away. But in an ideal scenario for Chicago, maybe there’s a way to stay within reach while picking up an extra second-rounder.

After all, Poles had this to say on the depth of this year’s class:

“This is a large pool of very good football players. And then I think you can do some different things to get more players who are going to be able to come in and help your team more quickly.”

And for those who think I’m insane (fair)…

GO DEEPER: Adam Hoge’s Bears Mock Draft 3.0: Tyler Warren gives Ben Johnson a special weapon

Quick Hits

Sox Hate The Long Ball: So much for a short-lived lead. Trevor Lanarch’s solo blast put the Twins on top in the 6th, and Byron Buxton’s two-run shot gave Minnesota all the insurance they’d need to put away the White Sox on Wednesday night.

Coming into the three-game series, Chicago led Minnesota in home runs this season. After last night, the Twins have a two-homer lead. The White Sox rank 27th in baseball with 17.

They’ll call on rookie Shane Smith and his 2.82 ERA today to keep the Twins at bay and hopefully avoid being swept for a fourth time this month.

They’ve Got The Power, They’ve Got The Speed: Have a night, Pete Crow-Armstrong! Three hits, a three-run homer, and two stolen bases: what more could you want from the 23-year-old?

Last night’s stellar performance not only propelled the Cubs to a season series win over the Dodgers but also left PCA third in all of baseball in fWAR (1.7).

The Cubs also lead the league in stolen bases with 40.

Roster Shuffle: Ahead of Wednesday’s 7-6 win against Los Angeles, the Cubs made the following moves:

• Optioned RHP Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A

• Selected LHP Drew Pomeranz

• Transferred LHP Justin Steele to 60-day IL

• Signed INF Nicky Lopez to a one-year deal

• Designated INF Gage Workman for assignment

Me Mongo

Today!

⚾️ White Sox vs. Twins
12:10 on CHSN

📺 CHGO Blackhawks
2:00 on YouTube

📺 CHGO White Sox
POSTGAME on YouTube

📺 CHGO Bulls
4:00 on YouTube

📺 CHGO Bears
DRAFT DAY SPECIAL!
6:30 on YouTube

📺 CHGO Cubs Related
8:00 on CHGO Cubs YT

Talk to you tomorrow!