👋 Good morning!
Is Chicago where quarterbacks go to die? Considering the Bears' history, it’s a tough narrative to argue against.
But Ben Johnson is undaunted by the task of saving Caleb Williams from franchise fate.
Johnson said on Wednesday: "I love it. I love the opportunity to come in and change that narrative. That's where great stories are written. We're looking to write a new chapter here, the 2025 Chicago Bears, and looking forward to the future."
Tush Push Survives
The “tush push,” made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles, survived a vote by NFL owners at the Spring League Meeting in Minnesota on Wednesday. The proposal needed 24 votes to ban the play, but only received 22.
The vote was initially scheduled to take place at the league’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., but was tabled to rework aspects of the potential rule change.
At the meeting in April, Bears chairman George McCaskey revealed that the Bears supported the banishment, calling it an “inherently unsafe play.”
On Wednesday, Ben Johnson said: “I'll tell you, does it become an explosive play, ever? Have you ever seen a tush push become an explosive play? I like big plays. I like big plays, so I'm not a big tush push guy myself.”
Grady Jarrett on the tush push: “You’ve got to stop it. It's been stopped before, not at a high rate, but don't let them get third-and-one, don't let them get fourth-and-one. You know what's coming. … At the end of the day, the rules are the rules, and you've got to find a way to stop it.”
Jarrett’s right.
As much as the tush push is more rugby than football, the injury data also doesn’t back up the idea that banishment of the play is specifically due to player safety.
There are also a couple of reasons why the Eagles have been able to perfect the play while other teams struggle or refuse to catch up: a mauling offensive line and a quarterback capable of keeping his legs moving.
But strength isn’t the only key to the play, either. Positioning is crucial, and a willingness to get as low as possible is a necessity, which is also why the Buffalo Bills failed on several attempts in the AFC Championship Game last season.
I also can’t help but think it would’ve been a far superior call than a toss left on 4th & 1 from the Indianapolis Colts’ goal line that ex-Bears OC Shane Waldron cooked up last season. If my memory serves me correctly, that play went for a loss of 12.
Regardless, Jarrett and the rest of the Bears’ defense have until Black Friday to figure out a way to stop it.
Quick Hits
HEAD HIRE: The Blackhawks are expected to officially name Jeff Blashill the 38th head coach in franchise history at some point today.
Blashill, 51, has served as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2022, joining Jon Cooper’s staff less than three months after he was fired as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings following a seven-year stint.
THE KYLE TUCKER GAME: Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker knocked in the Cubs’ only two runs (only one RBI) in a close 2-1 victory to snag a series win against the Marlins down in Miami. Tucker’s first inning home run was his second in as many days.
Following Ian Happ’s recovery from an oblique strain and subsequent activation from the 10-day IL, Tucker has slotted into Craig Counsell’s lineup as the designated hitter for the past two games.
Why? No exact reason has been given, but I can’t help but wonder if Tucker’s awkward slide into second base against the Brewers 2.5 weeks ago left a nagging soreness or injury that he’s playing through. Regardless, Tucker’s still slashing .278/.387/.552 with 12 homers, despite a slower May after a sizzling April.
Maybe slightly upset…
Not unexpected: #Bears pre-snap was a little sloppy today.
Notable: Ben Johnson wasn't having it.
I asked him after practice if that level of agitation was normal for him. He smiled and said: "You saw agitation today?"
“Yeah, I thought that was normal. I'll work to get my
— #Adam Hoge (#@AdamHoge)
8:00 PM • May 21, 2025
Today!
📺 CHGO Sky
10:15 a.m. on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bears
12:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Blackhawks
2:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bulls
4:00 on YouTube
🏀 Sky vs. Liberty
7:00 on WCIU
📺 CHGO Cubs Related
8:00 on CHGO Cubs YT
