👋 Good morning!
So, the New York Giants:
Hire a guy – John Harbaugh – who instantly becomes the best head coach in that division
Have a talented first-round quarterback – Jaxson Dart – who showed flashes in his rookie season
…and suddenly believe they’re in line for some miraculous turnaround next year?
Who do they think they are, the Chicago Bears?
Why Matthew Stafford, Rams offense is a challenge for Bears defense – and Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams

No “Big Story” yesterday. We’ll jump into the second part of this week’s mailbag a little further down. But let’s get through the news first.

Bulls 128, Jazz 126: This one shouldn’t have been close against a shorthanded, underwhelming 14-win Jazz team. But close is what the Bulls do best…ish.
The Jazz simply would not go away, though their last lead in this game came with 6:53 left in the third quarter.
Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 35 points, including a go-ahead layup with a couple of seconds on the clock, set up by a sweet dish from Tre Jones. Coby White scored just six points in 30 minutes.
Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh exploded off the bench for a career-high 43 points on 15-of-22 shooting.

Injury Report: The Bears conducted a walk-through on Wednesday, so their injury report was only an estimation.
However, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Amen Ogbongbemiga and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who all missed last Saturday’s wild-card win with concussions, would’ve returned to practice in full. Braxton Jones was also listed as a full participant.
DJ Moore (knee), Rome Odunze (foot) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (back) were listed as limited, while Nick McCloud (groin) was the only estimated non-participant.
Elected: Our teammate and ex-Bears safety and return specialist, Jerry Azumah, is officially headed to the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2026.
Other elected members include ex-Bears center Olin Kreutz and former Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch.

Official: The Cubs officially announced the Alex Bregman signing on Wednesday. Bregman, 31, signed a five-year deal worth $175 million and will wear No. 3 in Chicago.
Bregman, who attended last night’s Bulls game, will be introduced with a press conference today at 10:30 a.m. He is also expected to appear at the team’s fan convention this weekend.
NFC Divisional Tailgate
When: Sunday, Jan. 18 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Southwest corner of Wabash & Cermak
What: The best damn tailgate in Chicago
Playoff Mailbag … Part 2
In case you missed yesterday’s fun, you can check that out here.
Otherwise, let’s dive right in…
Is there a metric that shows D’Marco Jackson’s impact? He seems really fast on TV. – Horacio
Jackson’s speed is certainly remarkable. His 4.55 40-yard time at the 2022 NFL Combine ranked eighth among 23 linebackers who tested, too. It’s part of why Dennis Allen & Co. drafted him in New Orleans.
His lateral speed is a big plus, and without a doubt, played a massive role in the Bears’ defensive transformation in the second half. He’s not the most physical tackler, but he’s one of the strongest depth pieces on this 53-man roster.
Could we see Austin Booker break out this game against the Rams? – Kyle
I think Booker’s looked pretty decent the last few weeks. The pass rush as a whole is still lacking and Booker can look overwhelmed or downright disappear from time to time, but he’s improved as of late. As for breaking out, I wouldn’t expect anything beyond the norm at this point in the year.
Jahdae Walker and Caleb Williams have a good connection. Will we see No. 20 on the field Sunday? – Justin
Walker didn’t dress last week. I doubt he’ll dress this week unless the receiving corps becomes shorthanded between now and Sunday night.
Do you think Tyrique Stevenson's lack of playing time has more to do with his attitude, considering what happened with him in his college career? – John
I don’t know. Stevenson is active in the locker room and ready to go in at any moment. So I’m not reading into his diminished role too much. And it’s OK to take what the coaches say at face value every once in a while, too. They like what Nahshon Wright brings to the table right now, even if it’s costing them yards.
That said, if Puka Nacua or Davante Adams is getting free at will this Sunday, I think Stevenson needs to make an appearance sooner than he did on Saturday against the Packers.
Has the Bears’ takeaway efficiency peaked this season? Can they win the turnover battle against the Rams? – JD
Takeaway rate is one of the most unsustainable numbers in football. It doesn’t help that the Packers and Lions were some of the best in the league at protecting the ball this year. Unfortunately, the Rams are right there, too.
It’ll be tough, but then again, the Packers put the ball on the ground three times on Saturday. The Bears just couldn’t properly jump on it any of the three times.
With Ozzy Trapilo’s injury, will the Bears target a short-term solution at left tackle, draft one or stick with Theo Benedet? – Quack
I think Sunday could play a really big part in that decision. Benedet’s done a really nice job considering he came into the NFL as an interior lineman. He deserves a shot to win that job next year in Trapilo’s absence.
I’d still consider drafting a tackle. It’s probably not a bad idea to take flyers on offensive linemen in the mid-to-late rounds anyway. But I don’t think it needs to be a top priority.
Which brings us to…
Given their deficiencies on defense and the injury to Ozzy Trapilo, where do you think the Bears focus their draft next year, say the first three picks? – Jim
Defense is still the focus. Maybe they like the board for an offensive tackle in that third round, but I’d look for a pass rusher, safety and run-stopping defensive tackle. While pass rush is so vitally important right now, remember Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker are not under contract beyond this season.
Who is the MVP of the Bears this season? – Chris
You are!
In all seriousness, the home crowd advantage is a real thing for the Bears. They’ve lost just twice at home this year. Sunday should be a madhouse, too.
If you’re looking for a player, I think you’re safe to pick any of the three interior linemen or the obvious choice: Caleb Williams. I’ll go with Joe Thuney.
Can they keep it going? – Ferrier
🤷♂️
What are your top five moments in Chicago sports in your lifetime? How high does Saturday’s game rank? – Quack
1) Cubs World Series. Never high-fived more people in my life. 2) Blackhawks’ 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, Game 6. Pure absurdity. 3) Saturday. I’d never felt a structurally secure press box shake like that. 4) Bears-Packers at Soldier Field to clinch the NFC North in 2018. Had to boot Ryan Dempster out of my seat. 5) Bears-Packers at Soldier Field four weeks ago.
I’m a big hockey guy, though. The comeback against the Predators in Game 1 of the 2015 Western Conference Quarterfinals is one of my favorite highlight videos to go back and watch.
And that Toews-led comeback in Game 5 of the 2015 Conference Finals against the Ducks would be in the top five had the Blackhawks won the game.
You’ve traveled to a few road games this year. Which stadium would you hope the Bears replicate wherever they decide to build? – Rogan
Build U.S. Bank Stadium (Vikings) anywhere in Illinois and I’d be one happy fella. Contingent, of course, on the hot chocolate bar at halftime in the press box. That was magical.
After the season ends, what offseason event do you look forward to the most? – Seth
Combine week is a blast. You make great connections, hear great stories and it helps you prepare so much for the months ahead with free agency and the draft around the corner.
What is something surprising you’ve learned covering the team this year? It could be about the Bears, their media process, coaches, players or the way CHGO operates. – Chi
I suppose this doesn’t qualify as “surprising,” but I work alongside some absolute pros.
Getting to know Hoge and Carm over the last year-plus has been a blast and working next to Jahns every day for the last six months has made me a better writer and a better teammate.
They might be eccentric or not for everybody, but they form an incredible bunch that’s put together some of the finest content covering any team in any market.
Last year was my first time working a beat professionally. And I couldn’t ask to learn from a better group of people.
Appreciate your questions and interaction as always. And even if I’m not putting together a full mailbag, I’m always happy to respond to your questions — either leave feedback with a review or email me directly by hitting reply to a newsletter!


📺 CHGO Bears
1:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO White Sox
4:30 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bulls
4:30 on YouTube
🐻 Brick x Brick
6:00 on YouTube
🏒 Blackhawks vs. Flames
7:30 on CHSN
📺 CHGO Cubs Related
8:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Blackhawks
Postgame on YouTube
Something on your mind? Rate this issue and leave a comment, question or topic to discuss!
Talk to you tomorrow!
– P.N.




