The Chicago Bears entered the offseason facing a significant setback after losing wide receiver DJ Moore. The 28-year-old’s departure leaves a major gap in the offense and raises questions about the team’s direction. Head coach Ben Johnson addressed the situation and revealed how the team will adjust moving forward.

The Bears traded the star receiver to the Buffalo Bills in March in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick. The move cleared significant salary cap space but removed the primary target for quarterback Caleb Williams.

Moore was a key part of Chicago’s passing offense and among its most dependable players. He excelled in creating separation and gaining extra yards after catching the ball. With him gone, the Bears lose both his on-field performance and his experience as a veteran leader.

Chicago Bears’ coach Ben Johnson on next steps following DJ Moore’s departure

Johnson, in his second season as Bears’ head coach, recently addressed the unfortunate development of losing a cornerstone player. He indicated that the team will not designate a direct successor to Moore’s WR1 role immediately. Instead, the coaching staff plans to replace the wideout’s production using players beyond just the receiving group.

“It’s a competition between the receiver room, the tight end room and the running back room,” Johnson said, via Mark Carman of the “CHGO Bears” podcast.

The wide receiver group is now shifting its focus to developing younger talent like Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. These high-draft picks from the past two seasons must now handle increased defensive scrutiny. To assist in the transition, the Bears signed former Detroit Lions veteran receiver Kalif Raymond to a one-year deal in mid-March.

There will also be pressure on the team’s tight ends to be dependable targets for the quarterback. Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland have long arms and can make important catches to keep drives going. The Bears could potentially utilize two-tight-end formations more often in the upcoming season.

As the 2026 campaign approaches, Johnson is focusing on improving the offense that helped Chicago win last year’s NFC North title.

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The Chicago Bears recently traded wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. The move sparked reactions not only from his teammates but also from head coach Ben Johnson.

Moore had become an integral part of the Bears’ offense, so the move caught many by surprise. Chicago agreed to trade him, along with a late-round draft pick, to Buffalo in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection.

The decision was largely driven by the need to address Chicago’s salary cap issues. Trading Moore will free up approximately $16.5 million in salary cap space, giving the Bears increased financial flexibility.

Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson admits difficulty in letting go of DJ Moore

Johnson recently expressed how Moore’s departure was a particularly difficult moment for him. The Bears’ coach, who holds deep respect for the star receiver, admitted the transition was emotional.

“I love DJ,” Johnson said, via Mark Carman of the CHGO Bears podcast. “I got a little emotional when the trade happened and he came in and he made his rounds saying goodbye to the coaches and [general manager Ryan Poles] and his crew.

“It hurts because I viewed him as one of the leaders. Yet the business is the business.”

Though he felt the sting of losing a veteran player, Johnson expressed happiness for Moore. The 28-year-old reunites with former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who is now the Bills’ head coach.

“I think the best thing for him is, he’s going to a great situation,” Johnson said. “He’s got a history with Joe Brady. I think he’s very excited to play with another talented quarterback in Josh Allen. I think we’re putting him in a great spot.”

However, Johnson maintained that the trade was a necessary move for the team’s future. 

“I’ve been a part of some of those trades in my past where you move on from a guy and he’s not necessarily going to a great situation. I’m happy for him. Yet I feel like it was probably the move we needed to make,” he added.

 Moore joined the Bears in 2023 after being traded from the Carolina Panthers. He quickly emerged as the team’s top offensive weapon. The veteran wideout set a career high with 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in his debut season.

In 2024, Moore increased his reception total to 98 but finished with 966 yards and six touchdowns. His production further declined in 2025 as the Bears focused on younger offensive talent. Moore finished the season with 50 catches for 682 yards.

Despite the drop in numbers, Moore became a key leader, mentoring rookies like wide receiver Rome Odunze. His leadership on and off the field was vital for the Bears’ success in 2025. His guidance helped the team finish 11-6 and win the NFC North title for the first time since 2018. 

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One of the difficult decisions the Chicago Bears made this offseason was to trade DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. The wide receiver was a key part of the Bears’ passing attack, having formed a triumvirate with tight end Colston Loveland and quarterback Caleb Williams.

In exchange, the Bears got a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2026 fifth-round selection. The Bills also guaranteed $15.5 million of Moore’s $23.5 million base salary in 2028. 

Many were dismayed with the Bears decision to let go of Moore, including his teammates. Loveland, anmong others, was saddened by the news. Many of the fans also expressed their disappointment by commenting on the Bears’ announcement. 

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles gets flak from his son after DJ Moore decision

Another supporter who got upset with the trade was the son of Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ son is .

“I knew that it was going to be tough for the organization,” Poles told reporters. “I mentioned this before, my son is a passionate fan of the Chicago Bears. He was not very happy with me at all.”

Poles revealed that Moore was kind enough to send his son, Mason, a video.

“I thank DJ, who sent him a video, told him not to be mad at dad because it was part of the business,” Poles said.  

#Bears GM Ryan Poles says his son was upset that DJ Moore was traded to the Bills, so Moore was kind enough to send him a video telling him not to be upset with his dad and that it’s just part of the business. pic.twitter.com/bP7rysdcq0

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 13, 2026

While Poles did explain that the trade was a business move, he mentioned Luther Burden III as a key factor. Drafting Burden III made it easier for the Bears to move on from Moore, explained Poles. 

Moore departs Chicago after having one of the lowest-performing campaigns in his career. He managed only 50 receptions and 682 yards in 2025, though he scored six touchdowns.

The Bills are Moore’s third team in his eight years in the NFL. He spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers before his stint in Chicago. 

The post Chicago Bears reveal DJ Moore’s actions after trade to Buffalo Bills appeared first on ChiCitySports.

New Buffalo Bills and former Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore is excited to start his new journey with quarterback Josh Allen. Moore referred to the 2024 Associated Press MVP as a “field general.”

“It’s a warm welcome, I’m just glad to be here,” Moore said to Michael Baca of NFL.com. “[Allen] is ready for me to get there and get going.”

“He’s a field general,” Moore said of Allen. “You see him out there trying to conduct things and the way he does it, is successful, and I just want to be a part of that.”

More News: Chicago Bears’ Garrett Bradbury doesn’t want to reinvent the wheel

Moore had a down year with the Bears, having 682 yards receiving, but had six touchdowns. Moore is three seasons removed from a 1,000+ yard season (2023, 1,364 yards).

DJ Moore got a taste of winning while with the Bears, but expects to “further” with the Buffalo Bills

“Last year was my first winning season, so I got a taste of what everybody has been getting a taste of here in Buffalo,” Moore said. “It was good. It was fun. The atmosphere was amazing. … I look forward to getting back there with the Bills and going further.”

“[Go] out there every day and just getting better [by] one percent,” Moore said of Brady’s coaching style. “The little things or the most needed things that we needed to focus on, he always harped on them; and he never took his foot off the gas.”

Under head coach Joe Brady — Brady previously served as the Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2024-25 and was Allen’s quarterbacks coach starting in 2022 — the Bills had the fourth-best offense in the NFL (376.3 yards). Brady helped Allen become a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and finish in the top five for MVP five times.

DJ Moore won’t be around when the Chicago Bears start winning

2025 was Moore’s first winning season with the Bears (11-6) — the Bears went 12-22 from 2023 to 2024. Quarterback Caleb Williams and Moore played together only in 2024 and 2025, when Moore saw a drop in production.

After winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018, the Bears are only scratching the surface of their potential. Under head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears ranked sixth-best offense (369.5 yards).

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The Buffalo Bills added depth to their defense on Thursday, signing former Chicago Bears safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal. According to NFL.com Insider Tom Pelissero, Gardner-Johnson and his agents, Kevin Conner and Robert Brown, signed a $6 million contract.

More News: Chicago Bears see Maxx Crosby kill trade hopes with 1st social media post since Ravens saga

The former Super Bowl champion — 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles — Gardner-Johnson had three sacks, 35 solo tackles and four pass defenses in 10 games with the Bears.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson joins a quality Buffalo Bills defense and defensive back room

Gardner-Johnson will join the seventh-best defense in 2025 (293.1 yards) and add some veteran leadership on defense.

The Bills have a handful of safeties on their roster, with Sam Franklin and Cole Bishop as the main options. Safeties Wande Owens and Damar Hamlin also offer depth. 

Gardner-Johnson won’t just help the Bills on defense, but being a former Super Bowl champion could help inspire the locker room. The Bills failed to reach the big game last season after losing to the Denver Broncos in overtime in the AFC Divisional Round (33-30).

The Bills had their best chance to win the Super Bowl in 2025, with the Kansas City Chiefs taking a step back after dominating for over a decade.

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Former Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore made sure to look back with gratitude as he turns the page to a new chapter. 

The Bears traded Moore to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. Chicago also sent a fifth-round pick to complete the deal. 

Moore spent three seasons in the Windy City, averaging 81 catches, 1,004 yards and 6.7 touchdowns per year. 

He was a key piece of the Bears’ breakthrough 2025 campaign. Chicago finished 11-6, captured the NFC North title and earned the franchise’s first postseason win since 2010. 

Through it all, Moore made clear he will always cherish his time as a Chicago Bear.

NFL: DJ Moore reposts Chicago Bears’ tribute after trade to the Buffalo Bills

The Bears honored their hardworking former wide receiver with a touching video tribute celebrating his time in a Chicago uniform. 

The Instagram post featured a graphic and a heartfelt message.

“For your hard work, your dedication to the community and of course, THAT catch. Thank you, DJ,” posted the Bears. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chicago Bears (@chicagobears)

The tribute nodded to Moore’s iconic 46-yard game-winning touchdown catch in overtime against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 20. That epic play sealed a 22-16 Bears victory at Soldier Field.

Moore appreciated the kind gesture. He reposted the tribute via Instagram stories, adding a folded hands emoji, a shooting star and a peace sign. 

It was a fitting final exchange between a player and a franchise that gave each other plenty to remember.

Moore’s time in Chicago was brief but left a lasting mark. Over three seasons, he appeared in all 51 regular-season games and remained a dependable weapon.

When quarterback Caleb Williams took the keys to Ben Johnson’s offense, Moore shone even more. He notched 50 receptions, 682 yards and six touchdowns in his final year in a Bears uniform. 

Both sides now move forward with purpose. Moore heads to Buffalo with familiar faces and a fresh opportunity. The Bears charge ahead with a rising core and championship ambitions. 

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The Chicago Bears continue to be active this NFL offseason. They have sent the prolific wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a fifth-round pick. Moore has been with the Bears since 2023 and has started all 17 games in each of his three seasons with Chicago.

The 28-year-old wide receiver was great for the Bears. In his three years in the Windy City, he had 244 receptions for a total of 3,012 yards. He also had 20 touchdowns on top of that. However, his role diminished slightly in 2025. Moore was targeted 140 times in 2024, but that number fell to 85 in the past season.

Moore is expected to be more of a threat with the Bills in 2026.

Former Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore expresses excitement for Buffalo Bills move

Moore will have the opportunity to elevate his game with the Bills. The Philadelphia native will now join 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen in Buffalo. This means the incoming wide receiver will have a lot of opportunities to showcase his skills with the Bills.

After confirming his trade, the official Bills account shared a post highlighting their new acquisition.

“It’s lovely to have @idjmoore as a Buffalo Bill. ” the caption read. 

Moore sent a message to Bills fans.

“Bills Mafia. DJ Moore here, I’m checking in,” he said. “It’s lovely. Let’s Go!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills)

It’s no wonder that Moore is excited to have a fresh start with the Bills. He will look to replicate his first season with the Bears. In his first year with Chicago, he had career highs of 1,364 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

With Allen leading the offense for the Bills, Moore should slot in easily and feel at ease in Buffalo.

The post DJ Moore’s first words for Buffalo Bills after Chicago Bears trade appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears completed a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Bills earlier this week, sending wide receiver D.J. Moore and a fifth-round pick to the Bills in exchange for a second-rounder.

It was quite the return for a Bears squad that had been very disappointed with Moore’s production over the last couple of seasons, and now, they’ll have another early-round draft choice to add another piece to a roster that won the NFC North this past season.

But perhaps Chicago isn’t done wheeling and dealing.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon has linked the Bears to yet another major trade with Buffalo, tabbing Chicago as a top landing spot for tackle Dion Dawkins.

Considering the Bears have a need at left tackle, acquiring Dawkins would make sense, but is it too little, too late for Chicago to land the five-time Pro Bowler?

Should the Chicago Bears steer clear of Dion Dawkins?

Dawkins has long been one of the best tackles in football, but Gagnon noted that the 31-year-old has shown some signs of decline.

“Remember how the Bill Belichick-era Patriots famously knew exactly when to cut bait on so-called staples? This might be that time for Buffalo and Dawkins, who gave up a career-high 42 pressures and posted the worst Pro Football Focus pass-blocking efficiency grade of his career in 2025,” Gagnon wrote.

But how bad was Dawkins really?

He still posted an 81.5 pass-blocking grade as a whole this past season, and his 73.9 overall PFF grade was very respectable.

The biggest issue when it comes to Dawkins is his $24.4 million cap hit for 2026. The Bears have a difficult financial situation as it is, so absorbing Dawkins would prove difficult. The veteran has two years remaining on his deal, and his cap hit jumps to $25 million in 2027.

Chicago might be better off just finding a one-year stopgap at left tackle while it waits for Ozzy Trapilo to get healthy. Or maybe the Bears can simply draft someone if they don’t think Trapilo is the long-term answer to protect Caleb Williams’ blind side.

All things considered, trading for Dawkins is probably not the way to go for Chicago.

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The Chicago Bears made some news on Thursday as they have agreed to trade away wide receiver DJ Moore and their 2026 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for their 2026 second-round pick. While it is intriguing for both sides, there are a lot of reasons this trade took place. Let’s take a closer look at what the grades for this trade look like the Bears.

The Chicago Bears received an outstanding grade for trading DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills

NFL Insider Jeff Howe of The Athletic wrote an article discussing the grades the Bears and the Bills received for the Moore trade on Thursday. He would give Chicago the higher grade, receiving an A-, and below is his rationale:

“The Bears got out of Moore’s contract and still have wideouts Rome Odunze and Luther Burden and tight end Colston Loveland on rookie deals, so they’re in a better position to support other ares of the roster. Moore is still a good player, but there’s no sense in trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Moore’s production in [Ben] Johnson’s first season didn’t match his price tag. With younger players at the position, it was wise to split while Moore still had value on the trade market.”

Moore played in all 17 games for the Bears last season and recorded 50 catches on 85 targets for 682 yards (13.6 yards per reception) and six touchdown grabs. Now, he gets a chance to play with quarterback Josh Allen and return to coach Joe Brady’s offense to be the number-one wide receiver on the team.

For the Bears, this saves them $16.5 million on their cap and allows the team to potentially be in the market for another star. Moore originally was part of the trade where the Bears dealt the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. It will be intriguing to see how Moore plays and who will officially win the trade.

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The Chicago Bears are 9-4 and are smack dab in the middle of a playoff run, so the last thing they are worried about at the current point in time is deciding their potential trade partners during the offseason. But it’s never too early to discuss it.

Right now, the Bears have one very notable trade candidate on their roster: wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Moore logged just one catch for minus-4 yards in Chicago’s Week 14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in his latest rough performance of the season. He has managed a grand total of 39 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns on the year, which is unacceptable production for a player of his caliber.

It seems fairly obvious that the 28-year-old doesn’t quite mesh with Caleb Williams. The season before Williams arrived joined the Bears, Moore snared 96 balls for 1,364 yards and eight scores. That also happened to be Moore’s debut campaign in the Windy City after coming over in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers the year prior.

But during Williams’ first season with the Bears in 2024, Moore’s production plummeted. He still caught 98 passes, but only for 966 yards and six touchdowns.

Moore signed a four-year, $110 million extension with Chicago in July 2024, but it may be time for a change.

The Chicago Bears may need to trade D.J. Moore

Moore is under contract with the Bears through 2029, but based on his declining production, it seems very hard to believe that he will finish out his deal with the team.

Speculation is swirling that Chicago could move Moore during the offseason, and while his contract pays him an average annual salary of $27.5 million, there should definitely plenty of interested clubs, and one potential destination really stands out: the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills don’t have a No. 1 receiver and haven’t had one ever since jettisoning Stefon Diggs. This has made life difficult for Josh Allen, and while Moore may not be an upper echelon ace, he is still far better than what Buffalo currently has on its roster.

The Bills have been very up and down in 2025 thanks much in part to their lack of options in the aerial attack, so Moore would make perfect sense for them. It would not be the least bit surprising to see the Bears discuss a Moore trade with Buffalo after the season.

Now, it should be noted that Chicago may not stand to reap a massive return for Moore because of his contract and the fact that his efficiency has fallen off a cliff. But a squad like the Bills could view Moore as a player who simply needs a change of scenery.

With the Bears having Rome Odunze and a potential emerging star in Luther Burden III at the position, expect them to entertain a Moore trade in the spring.

The post Caleb Williams’ struggles with one Bears star signal obvious trade is coming appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears began day two of the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting wide receiver Luther Burden with the No. 39 overall pick. Back on the clock two selections later, the Bears decided to shake things up even further.

Chicago has traded picks No. 41, No. 72 and No. 109 in exchange for picks No. 56, No. 62 and No. 109 from the Buffalo Bills, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The Bills went on to select defensive tackle TJ Sanders. Barring any more wheeling and dealing, there Bears are leaving the 2025 NFL Draft with three second-round picks of their own.

#Bears move out of No. 41 in a trade with Buffalo.

The Bears receive 2-56, 2-62, 4-109

Buffalo gets 2-41, 3-72, 7-240

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 25, 2025

Chicago Bears Day 2 draft plan

Based on how Chicago has used their first two selections, it’s not surprise to see the team add even more draft capital to their war chest. The Bears took tight end Colston Loveland with their No. 10 pick. Now adding Burden at No. 39, Chicago has stocked their offense for new head coach Ben Johnson’s offense. However, there are still clear holes on the roster the team needs to address.

The Bears need help on both their offensive and defensive lines. While they were aggressive in adding to both in free agency, Chicago is looking for young, potent talent to build around. Whether it be a stout blocker or explosive pass rusher, or potentially both, the Bears cannot afford to not address the trenches.

While the offense has been heavily boosted, Chicago is still in need of a running back. It’s important to note that Ohio State rusher TreVeyon Henderson did go one pick before Burden, so perhaps the Bears’ draft plans changed. But still, it would be a shock to see the franchise completely ignore the running back position in the draft.

Now, the Bears have more picks to work with. While they moved back 15 picks from No. 41, Chicago moved up another 10 from 72 back into the second. Furthermore, the franchise picked up an extra fourth-rounder for their troubles. General manager Ryan Poles and company now have the necessary ammunition to continue to Bears’ revival. But after doubling up on skill position players, Chicago must turn to other areas on the roster.

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The Chicago Bears have been living up to their word of conducting a wide-ranging search for their next head coach. With interviewing a list that has at least 14 names on it, the Bears won’t be hard-pressed to find their next coach amongst one of them.

So far, the Bears top two candidates are down to former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy and current Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson.

The Bears recently conducted two more interviews for their head coaching position with Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken and, most recently, the Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady.

Possibly the perfect head coaching candidate in Brady

We have completed an interview with head coach candidate Joe Brady. pic.twitter.com/hYFPPWVNjg

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 18, 2025

To have either Monken or Brady as the Bears next head coach would be a dream. Both are among the best at their position, and both have the top two candidates for the NFL MVP award in Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.

The 35-year-old Brady has been with the Bills for a few seasons after first coming into the organization as a quarterbacks coach in 2022. Brady was known for his talents and ability to work with the Bills franchise quarterback Josh Allen so well that the Bills elevated him to their offensive coordinator officially on Jan. 28, 2024. Brady has the chance to be the next top young coaching candidate to get an NFL head coaching job. With designing and formulating one of the league’s best offenses, it’s not hard to see why teams would be lining up to try and bring Brady in.

According to Fox Sports, the Bills were ranked in the top 10 for all major offensive categories this season. The Bills were tenth in total offense (359.1), ninth in passing (227.9 yds) and rushing (131.2), second in scoring (30.9 points), and second in red zone offense (71.6%). It also helps to have an MVP candidate in Josh Allen, who threw 28 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions and threw for 3,731 yards this season.

Would Brady join the Chicago Bears?

The Bears are a really interesting team from the standpoint of being that they’re not too far off from competing. They have a young and hungry quarterback in Caleb Williams who is looking to further expand on what was a tremendous rookie season and come back next year looking to dominate. With virtually not being far behind Allen stat-wise, with only throwing 3,541 yards to Allen’s 3,731 and having just having eight less touchdowns (20) and the same number of interceptions (6).

Bringing in Joe Brady to do what he did with Allen and have him replicate it with Williams would unlock so much potential for both Williams and the Bears offense, as well as rapidly further Williams development as a quarterback. With already having other offensive weapons in Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and D’Andre Swift, the Bears with Brady could be a force to be reckoned with in both the NFC North and the NCF.

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Former Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky is reportedly in talks to join his former team after he was released by Pittsburgh Steelers in February. Trubisky thought he’d join the Steelers to be their starting quarterback before the team drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 draft.

Mitch Trubisky fell off the Pittsburgh Steelers radar in 2023

Trubisky started as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart to begin the 2023 season. But he quickly fell out of favor with the team after he started in place of an injured Pickett. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph salvaged the Steelers’ offense last year, navigating a late-season run that saw the team make the postseason.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Combine last week that he intends to re-sign Rudolph and have him compete with Pickett for the starting job in the upcoming season.

The Chicago Bears former No. 2 overall pick is set to get another shot

Since Trubisky is already a free agent, he doesn’t have to wait for the legal tampering date to start talking to teams. Per Tim Graham of The Athletic, the Bills are in talks to sign Trubisky once again.

Bills and former backup QB Mitchell Trubisky in talks to reunite, source tells me. Steelers released him, so he's free to sign now.

— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) March 6, 2024

Trubisky is familiar with the Buffalo Bills

Trubisky signed with the Bills for the 2021 season after his stint with the Bears was over. He worked behind Josh Allen for a season before signing with the Steelers. Trubisky is familiar with the Bills offense and did well enough in 2021 that the Bills are interested in bringing him back next season.

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Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!

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Report: 49ers, Bills listed as most interested in Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson

The NFL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, (3 PM CST to be exact), and the Chicago Bears front office is scrambling to move cornerback Jaylon Johnson in time. Last night, Johnson announced his request to be traded from the Bears, as the two sides could not agree on an extension.

Johnson is a middle to top tier cornerback who should warrant a few picks in return, and it seems that is what the Chicago Bears are looking for, as their asking price was revealed earlier this morning. If Ryan Poles can get decent value from the young corner, the fanbase won’t be as upset as they were this morning when they found out the news of Jaylon requesting a trade.

Just moments ago, ESPN’s Ed Werder posted on the social media platform X that two contending teams are looking to trade for Jaylon Johnson ahead of the deadline. He also listed one contender as unlikely to make a move for him.

The #49ers and #Bills are among those discussing potential trades for #Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, per source. The #Cowboys to this point have not been involved. NFL trade deadline is 3 p.m. CT today.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 31, 2023

Hopefully, GM Ryan Poles can make up for his brutal Chase Claypool trade he made last year at this time, by getting some decent picks in return for Johnson. Some reports have mentioned that the Chicago Bears could also be interested in flipping him for an edge rusher, however player for player trades in the NFL are extremely rare.

We’ll have all the updates on the ongoing trade situations for you here, at ChiCitySports.com.

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Week 17 has come and gone and in dramatic fashion, the NFL playoff race is going to come down to the final week to decide who gets to the postseason. I break down the biggest overreactions from the second to last week of the NFL season and explain which might not be overreactions at all.

Not an overreaction: Skip Bayless should not have a job

Love him or hate him the renowned sports columnist and sports television show host crossed the line when speaking about last night’s tragedy on Monday Night Football. Bayless took to Twitter to voice his disproval of the NFL postponing the rest of MNF’s contest between the Bills and Bengals.

The game was suspended due to Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapsing and going into cardiac arrest on the field. Hamlin was given CPR for 8 minutes by personnel on the field and was taken to a nearby Cincinnati hospital where he is in critical condition. 

Football is a dangerous sport and people do die from playing it, but the focus when these unfortunate events occur should not be whether the game will continue or if it will be rescheduled. The focus must be on the man fighting for his life and thoughts and prayers should be with him and his family. Bayless completely dismissed and dehumanized the pain of Hamlin’s family and disregarded the young man’s life.

after immediate backlash and outrage from the entire sports world, Bayless tweeted an apology “Nothing is more important than that young man’s health. That was the point of my last tweet. I’m sorry if that was misunderstood but his health is all that matters,” Bayless has had controversial takes for years on FS1’s Undisputed and even beforehand at ESPN on First Take. Only after scrutiny did Bayless apologize and more than likely was done to save face.

Overreaction: The Eagles will choke away the division

In the absence of MVP-caliber quarterback Jalen Hurts the Eagles have struggled to hold on to their lead for the NFC East. The Eagles have dropped their last two games without Hurts and may need him for the season finale to win the division as Dallas has crept up to their lead and is one win away from taking the division if the Eagles cannot put the Giants away on Sunday.

The Eagles started the season red hot winning their first eight games before losing on MNF to the Washington Commanders. The Eagles sit at 13-3 and the highly competitive NFC will produce three playoff teams, one of which is the Dallas Cowboys which are 12-4 and are fighting Philly for the top spot in the East.

Hurts is said to be ready for next week, but the Eagles will face the New York Giants for the season finale. The Giants are a playoff team but were smacked by the Eagles 48-22 when last they played in week 14. Dallas may have already penciled in their win for their season finale against Washington as the Cowboys had no trouble with the Commanders back in October when they beat them 25-10.  Philly finds itself in another hard position after not taking care of business against a weaker Saints team and will have to give their A-game to sure up the division.

Not an Overreaction Brian Daboll is the NFL Coach of the Year.

Daboll has done the unthinkable and made the Giants a playoff team in his first year as head coach. The Giants are 9-6-1 and are one week away from their first playoff appearance since 2017. A season ago the Giants were 4-13 with no culture and no direction. Daniel Jones was on the verge of being the scapegoat and there was no light at the end of the tunnel for the franchise.

In just a year Daboll has completely changed the attitude of the team, the organization, and the fan base. He has created a culture of winning, grit, and toughness that has been evident the entire season for the G-men, winning or being within one score of winning in every game this season but three. Their three blowout losses were to the Seahawks, Cowboys, and Eagles.

However the future is bright for Daboll, he has figured out how to keep star running back Saquan Barkley healthy and contributing. The defense has transformed in a season and Daniel Jones looks like a real NFL quarterback. Time will tell if Daboll and the Giants will work in the long run, but no one can argue he is this year’s NFL Coach of the Year.

Overreaction: The Viking’s loss means nothing for their post-season goals.

After another astonishingly underwhelming performance, the Minnesota Vikings got manhandled by the Green Bay Packers 41-17 in a game where many questioned if the reign of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the NFC North had finally come to a close. In true Vikings and Kirk Cousins fashion they folded under the pressure of the bright lights of NFL primetime.

Cousins was 18/31 for 205 yards a touchdown and three interceptions. The Vikings could not get anything going on offense and managed only three points through the first 3 quarters of play. While they struggled to score the Packers scored seemingly at will, scoring on special teams, defense, and offense to put the Vikings away early in the third quarter. Green Bay capitalized on all of Minnesota’s mistakes and with a win against Detroit will be back in the postseason.

Where does this put Minnesota? Are they destined to underachieve when the pressure is on? Cousins has had great games and he has had awful games, with the pressure of a Superbowl window closing the Vikings may look at a similar situation to the Chiefs, where they have a team capable of going the distance but because of limitations at the quarterback play they may need to consider an upgrade before the window closes on them

The post NFL Overreaction Tuesday, week 17: Skip Bayless should not have a job, Daboll is coach of the year, Eagles choke the division away, and more appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Welcome back to another Overreaction Tuesday. Playoff races are in their final stretch, rebuilds are starting to take form and teams are rebranding. I break down the biggest overreactions from the NFL’s week 16.

Not an Overreaction: The Dolphins need to shut Tua down for the rest of the year.

Tua Tagovailoa has been placed in concussion protocol for the third time this season. Tua had his horrific concussion in week 4 against the Bengals where he had to be carted off the field and taken to a hospital. This is now his third time in the concussion protocol this season and needs to be considering his physical health going forward in his football career.

Tua finished the game but from 2:40 left in the second quarter, the Dolphins did not score and struggled to move the ball in the second half. Tua is seen hitting his head on the turf and did not play the same from that point on, throwing all three of his interceptions in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins did not score again after the hit. Tua finished the game 16/25 passing for 310 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

Tua has made great strides this year and made the Dolphins look like a real contender, but his health should be the priority for himself and the organization at this point. The Dolphins sit as the current seven-seat in the AFC playoff picture, putting them in Kansas City for the first round of the playoffs. This isn’t the only year that the Dolphins will have this Superbowl window open and need to prioritize Tua’s longevity if he is indeed their franchise QB.

Overreaction: Firing Hackett saves Russell Wilson and the Broncos.

After a disastrous 16-week tenure, the Broncos have moved on from Nathaniel Hackett after going 4-11. Hackett struggled in clock management and getting the Bronco’s offense going this season. The former Packers offensive coordinator did not bring any offense to Denver as the Broncos were dead last in points per game, points per play, 3rd down conversion percentage, and touchdowns per game. The Broncos could not muster more than a 15-point-per-game average.

The Bronco’s defense however was incredible. Holding opposing teams to 20 points per game and keeping the Broncos in close games down to the wire. The offense just couldn’t hack it and was the reason for so many losses this season. Wilson has been sacked more than any other quarterback in the NFL, the atrocious play from the Bronco’s offensive line deserves some of the blame for Wilson’s lack of production in Denver this season.

The Broncos sold their soul for Russell Wilson in the offseason and are going to force this to work even if “Russ is cooked”. Denver is loaded with offensive weapons and would show flashes from time to time, the inconsistency to score and inability to get into the end zone decided their fate more than once this season.  The Broncos were supposed to shake up the hierarchy of the AFC West, but instead, continue to force a reload instead of a rebuild since winning Superbowl 50.

Overreaction this is Brady’s last postseason.

Tom Brady will go down as the greatest football player of all time, but it is clear to see he cannot carry the Bucs to a Superbowl. In his three-year stint in Tampa Bay, Brady has made it to the NFC Championship twice and won the Superbowl. He has added to his legacy and cemented himself as the NFL’s G.O.A.T.

However, the Buc’s current state is much more debilitated than the Superbowl winning team from two years ago. The Bucs lost almost their entire offensive line to season-ending injuries and have had multiple weapons on the injury report throughout the season. Yet Brady continues to be Bready, throwing for over 4,000 yards at 45 years old, with a TD/INT ratio of 21:9 Brady can still play.

Team debilitation aside, Brady and the Bucs are still in the driver’s seat to win the NFC South at 7-8 and need to win out to make the playoffs. This coupled with the instability of the NFC South could mean that Brady could see a few more postseasons, if his line and health hold up the Bucs could become real contenders again. The Bucs’ first postseason with Brady at the helm was a dog fights against Washington and Los Angeles in 2021 and had the offensive line been healthy this year I think their season would have looked quite different.

Not an Overreaction: Chiefs and Eagles is the best Superbowl matchup for 2023

Everyone wants their team to win it all, that is sports, but the best game available from the options in the NFL postseason is Chiefs vs Eagles. The Eagles have been the best team all year and despite a hiccup loss to the Commanders and a loss with their MVP-caliber quarterback the Eagles have been the best team in the NFL. Having the most pro bowlers selected 8 and the Chiefs are right behind them with 7.

Kansas City has the number one offense in the NFL and the Eagles have been top 5 in every major offensive category. In 2021 Ram’s vs Chiefs was at the top of everyone’s list for a Superbowl matchup and this matchup would be no different as both teams have high-powered offenses that would surely cause fireworks.

Not to mention the matchup would feature the two best QB’s from 2022 and most likely the NFL MVP vs the runner-up at Mahomes has the best odds (-550) to win the NFL MVP this year. Hurts is listed at (+1000) currently behind both Joe Burrow (+600) and Josh Allen (+1000). In terms of the best game available to the public Chiefs vs Eagles is number one in my book, followed by Bills vs Eagles, Bengals vs Eagles, Chiefs vs Vikings, and Cowboys vs Bills.

The post NFL Overreaction Tuesday, week 16: Dolphins need to shutdown Tua, Firing Hackett won’t save the Broncos, Brady’s last postseason and more.. appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Welcome the another NFL overreaction Tuesday, week 15 saw the greatest comeback in NFL history, records broken and teams’ playoff hopes eliminated. I break down week 15’s biggest overreactions and decipher which have some truth to them.

Not an Overreaction: Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the NFL.

Justin Jefferson has been electric since entering the NFL but has taken his game to another level in 2022. Jefferson currently leads the NFL in reception (111) and receiving yards (1,623). Jefferson has been a major factor in each of the Viking’s 10 wins and was instrumental in their historic comeback against the Colts, tallying 12 catches for 123 yards and one touchdown, as the Vikings came back from a 33-0 deficit in the first half.

Jefferson has the potential to erupt at any point in the game, having five games with 10+ catches and nine games where he has gone over 100 yards. Jefferson holds the record for most receiving yards by a player in his first three seasons, which was formerly held by Randy Moss. With just nine more receiving yards he will break Moss’s single-season receiving record with the Vikings of 1,632. 

Jefferson has almost a 100-yard lead on Tyreek Hill for the NFL leader in receiving yards and has a 300-yard lead over Stefon Diggs who is in third place currently with 3 games left in the NFL season. The question isn’t whether is Jefferson the greatest receiver in the NFL, but whether will he be one of the greatest, if not the greatest to ever play the position.

Overreaction: Jalen Hurts should win the MVP over Patrick Mahomes.

As the regular season winds down eyes are starting to shift to the season awards and it’s currently a two-horse race for NFL MVP and these are their arguments.

Jalen Hurts has had a transformative season for the Eagles, taking them to first place in the NFC, having an MVP-caliber season, and a potentially deep run in the playoffs. Hurts has thrown for 3,472 yards and has a touchdown/interception ratio of 22:5. He has also rushed for 747 yards and 13 touchdowns through 15 weeks. Hurts has led the Eagles to a 13-1 record with their only loss coming at the hands of the Washington (7-6-1) Commanders 32-21. The addition of NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown has taken the Eagle’s offense and Hurts production to another level in 2022.

Patrick Mahomes lost Tyreek Hill in the offseason and the Chiefs opted for a quantity of weapons over quality. Bringing in Juju Smith-Shuster, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and trading for Kadarius Toney in the middle of the season, the Chiefs asked Mahomes to spread the ball around this season and it has paid dividends.

The Chiefs are 11-3 with a questionable loss to the Indianapolis Colts in week three of 20-17, their loss to the Bills in week four was 24-20 and their most recent 27-24 loss to the Bengals have all been one-score losses. Mahomes has thrown for 4,496 yards, (1,000 more yards than Hurts) thrown 35 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions (13 more touchdowns, but more than twice as many pics). Mahomes leads the NFL in passing yards and is 500 yards ahead of the next closest quarterback, he has also rushed for 313 yards and 3 scores.

Mahomes is on pace for 5,551 yards this season and would break the single-season passing record (5,477 yards) set by Peyton Manning in 2013. Mahomes and the Chiefs just secured their seventh straight division title and are fighting the Bills for the number one seat in the NFL playoffs. Mahomes has 1,000 more passing yards than Hurts and more total TDs, but Hurts has the better record and better TD/INT ratio and the number one seat locked up for his team. The award feels like Mahomes to lose with him having the best odds (-225) to win NFL MVP.

Overreaction: Trevor Lawrence was good all along

Trevor Lawrence has had a rocky start to his NFL career. With the failed Urban Meyer experiment Lawrence, who was graded as “the next Peyton Manning” coming out of Clemson struggled mightily in his first season. Completing just 59.% of his passes and throwing for 3,641 yards 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions Lawrence looked anything like a hall of fame to be QB.

A year later with Doug Peterson at the helm, calling the plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars, they have a real shot to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Lawrence has grown in year two but still has room for improvement before he lives up to the monumental expectations and standards he was compared to. Since Peterson has taken over Lawrence improved tremendously, throwing for 3,520 yards, completing 66% of his passes, and having a positive touchdown/interception ratio of 24:7.

In the NFL it isn’t just all on one player, as talented as they are they need the right system and players around them to succeed. Lawrence has had his struggles, but with the Jags trading for Calvin Ridley, it is clear they are all in on Lawrence and his future growth. If the Jaguars win out with three weeks left in the season, they will make the playoffs, Urban Meyer’s tenure as head coach will look even worse, and his legacy will be that he almost wasted a generational talent.

Not an Overreaction: The Lions could make the Playoffs.

The once 1-5 Detroit Lions are on the cusp of a playoff berth just one year into their rebuild. Dan Campbell and his coaching staff have completely transformed the culture of winning for the Lions this season. The Lions at one point had the number one offense in the NFL and the worst defense in the NFL, but since have found a way to win.

The Lions are 7-7 on a three-game win streak and face the Panthers, (5-9) Bears, (3-11) and the Packers (6-8) to close out their 2022 regular season. The Lions have already beaten the Packers and Bears before and would need to sweep both teams this season to maintain playoff contention. Detroit hasn’t swept the Packers and the Bears in the same season since 2017.

The Lions would need some help to sneak into the Playoff. Needing to finish 3-0 down the stretch and have the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks both lose once The Lions could reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Seahawks play the Chiefs next so they may get the first domino to fall and the Commanders have to play the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. There is a real chance for the Lions to control their destiny and make the playoffs this season.

What did you think of these overreactions? were there any that I missed? Comment below and give your feedback on Week 15.

The post NFL Overreaction Tuesday week 15: Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the NFL, Trevor Lawrence was good all along, Hurts overtakes Mahomes for the MVP, Lions make the playoffs appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Week 12 has come and gone, and I break down the biggest overreactions from another week of NFL football.

Overreaction: The Raiders can let Josh Jacobs walk.

The one-time NFL Pro Bowl running back is in the final year of his contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, who made this a “prove it” year for Jacobs if he wanted an extension with the Silver and Black. Amid a sad season, the Raiders Jacobs has been one of the few bright spots this year for Las Vegas. Jacobs is leading the NFL in rushing with 1159 yards and has the longest run of any running back this season with an 86-yard sprint that sealed the Raiders’ overtime win on Sunday.

Jacobs set a franchise record of 303 total yards and set a Raiders record of 229 rushing yards in Sunday’s OT thriller. Jacob’s record-setting afternoon was the best rushing performance by a Raiders running back in 25 years. The previous record holder was Napoleon Kaufman who has not played since 2,000

Jacobs is sure to have another Pro Bowl bid this year with his stellar performance and will be coveted by several teams in the offseason who are looking for a running back of his caliber. The Bills, Rams, Falcons, Ravens, and others would be in the mix as suiters for Jacobs as well as other teams looking to improve their backfield.

Not an Overreaction: Ravens need to hit the panic button

Before jumping too far off the deep end, the Ravens do not need to hit the panic button on Lamar Jackson, but the rest of the team needs a wake-up call. Trevor Lawrence carved up the Ravens’ defense like Thanksgiving turkey on the Jaguars’ final drive Sunday. Scoring a touchdown and a two-point conversion and forcing the Ravens to take a 67-yard field goal to win that Justin Tucker missed as time expired. Not only was this the best drive of Lawrence’s career but it was another glaring example of the Ravens letting games slip away in the clutch.

Jackson scored a touchdown with 2:02 left on the clock and put Baltimore up 27-20. The Jaguars needed to go 75 yards with no timeouts against a Ravens defense that is number 2 in the NFL in 3rd down defense, allowing a 32.56% conversion percentage. However, Lawrence and the Jags did the improbable and made the Ravens’ defense look like swiss cheese.

This is the 4th game the Ravens have lost this season and the 3rd game where the Ravens have held the lead late and failed to hold onto it in the final minutes. This is where they need to hit the panic button and need to find a fix fast or it can end another sour ending to a promising season in Baltimore.

Not an Overreaction: The Cardinals season is over.

Arizona has been a swirl of headlines all season long and the losses are starting to pile up. Losing Hopkins for the first six games has proved to be a much larger impact on the Cardinals’ season than originally thought. Then losing Hollywood Brown to injured reserve and then losing Zach Ertz to IR as well took away Kyler Murray’s biggest weapons for most of the season.

The Cardinals are 4-8 in a division that is a runaway for the 49ers right now and the Seahawks are two games ahead of the Cardinals for second place and the playoff bubble. Even if they were to finish the season undefeated they would be 8-8, not good enough to sneak in when the entire NFC East could make the playoffs.

So who is to blame for the Cards’ lackluster season? The Cardinals had one of the tougher schedules in the NFL, but missing key offensive pieces have left them limited to focus on Murray’s ability to create with his feet more often than not to finish games. This could have led to the development of Murray’s hamstring injury.

Will Kliff Kingsbury return as head coach of the cardinals? Who will be the scapegoat for this underachieving Arizona squad that had such a promising 11-6 season a year ago where they started a blistering 7-0 to start 2021?

Not an Overreaction: Pickett to Pickens will be a generational duo for Pittsburg.

Though the Steelers are a lowly 4-7 the optimism surrounding Pittsburg’s’ young quarterback and wide receiver is enough to have fans excited for next season already. Kenny Pickett was taken with the 20th pick in the 2022 NFL draft and was the first quarterback taken in the draft and the only one to go in the first round. George Pickens was taken in the second round at pick 52 and was the 11th receiver taken at that time.

Before Pickett was made the starting in Pittsburg, Pickens struggled to produce. Averaging just 1.5 catches per game and 21 yards per game. Pickett took over the starting role from Mitchell Trubisky in week four and Pickens immediately had an impact having his best game of the season with 6 catches for 102 yards. Pickens more than doubled his first three-week averages and showed real promise as an NFL receiver. Pickens already has a highlight reel catch of the year contender and the sky is the limit as far as a ceiling for his talent.

Since his NFL debut, Pickett has had a tough time getting acclimated to the NFL in his first eight games. Pickett has won three games in his first eight starts but is dealing with a Steelers passing attack that is last in the NFL in yards per pass with an average of 5.6. Once Pickett and Pickens put together the deep ball they are going to be exciting to watch.

The post NFL Overreaction Tuesday, Week 12:Raiders can let Josh Jacobs walk, Ravens hit the panic button, Pickett to Pickens is going to be generational, Cardinals season is over appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Welcome to NFL Overreaction Tuesday, for week 10 we witnessed the Eagles take their first loss, the Bills fail to win in overtime again after a wild finish against the Vikings and the Packers pull off a comeback win in OT. I break down if there’s more to these wins and losses than what shows on the scoreboard in this week’s Overreaction Tuesday.

Not an Overreaction: The Buffalo Bills can’t handle the clutch.

While Josh Allen is still looking for his first win in OT for his career, the Bills are by no means incapable of showing up in the biggest moments. Most notably, the Bills loss in overtime against the Chiefs in 2021, where Buffalo scored within less than a minute on an incredible 6-play 75-yard drive that gave the Bills a field goal lead with 13 seconds remaining. The Chiefs would tie the game with a field goal and Allen would never see the field in OT.

However, Sunday’s chaotic finish showed different signs of worry. After an incredible 4th and goal stand by the Bills defense, the offense took over from their 1/2-yard line, where Josh Allen fumbled the snap and the Vikings recovered for a touchdown. The Bills would get a shot in OT, but Allen would throw an awful red-zone interception to veteran corner Patrick Peterson.

Allen has characteristically been money inside the 20, posting just two interceptions in the red zone his entire career. After those 331 dropbacks, Allen has thrown an interception in the red zone in each of the Bills last three games. Allen is now completing 51% of his red-zone throws, which is down from 63.1% in 2020 and Allen also has the fourth-lowest passer rating among all qualified NFL quarterbacks in the red zone with 75.4 only behind the likes of Joe Flacco, Trevor Lawrence, and Russell Wilson.

All of the Bills losses come from three points or less and in all three losses the Bills had a chance to score and win the game. Allen is 0-4 in OT in his career, he and Buffalo will have to master the clutch if they want to maintain the status of Superbowl favorites.

Overreaction: The Eagles had a first-game exit in the Playoffs is eminent.

The Eagles’ hopes of an immortal 17-0 season were crushed on Monday Night Football with a loss to the somewhat lost Washington Commanders. The 32- 21 loss will leave fans scratching their heads and Eagles fan still upset at the problematic officiating of the MNF upset. A blown missed facemask call on the Eagles drive coupled with an egregious roughing the passer penalty in the final seconds of the game sealed the Eagles fate.

Now just because the perfect season is over, it does not mean the Eagles season is over. They are now tied with the Vikings for the best record in the NFC and if they win out would hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings for the top seat in the NFL playoffs. This slates them against the winner of the 6-7 seed teams, which if the season ended today it would be the winner of Cowboys-49ers.

A formidable matchup that would test the Eagles, but to say that the Eagles would automatically lose that game based on strength of schedule may be a stretch. As I have expressed in previous articles, the Giants and the Eagles have the two easiest schedules in the NFL. As nice as it is to have an easy schedule it also does not test the teams as hard as those who have a baptism by fire throughout the season.

Not an Overreaction: The Packers and Aaron Rodgers are back

It has been a tumultuous and vacillating season for the Packers since their star wide receiver Devonte Adams departure. The Packers sit at 4-6 on the season but got a big win against the Dallas Cowboys in overtime. Aaron Rodgers looked like the back-to-back NFL MVP connecting with rookie wide receiver Christian Watson for 3 scores. Rodgers was 14/20 with 224 yards and 3 touchdowns and was instrumental in the Packers’ 14-point comeback.

In previous articles, I had mentioned that the Packer’s model for success was surrounded by getting the running game going and allowing Rodgers to work off of play action more. Green Bay running back Aaron Jones racked up 138 yards on 24 carries and a score, while backup AJ Dillion managed 13 carries for 65 yards.

The biggest lift was from the defense picking off Dak Prescott twice in the first half, sacking him twice, holding the Cowboys scoreless for the 4th quarter, and turning them over on downs in OT. This made the Packer’s comeback possible and is what ultimately led them to the game-winning field goal in OT. Green Bay is toward the bottom of the NFL with only one takeaway per game, but have one of the best 3rd down defenses in the NFL allowing a 32.74% conversion.

The Packers have struggled to find consistency in the run game this season, but if they figure that out, don’t be surprised to see them as a bubble team come January.

Overreaction: Raiders blow the team up after this season.

Calling the Raiders season tumultuous and vacillating would be a compliment in comparison to how poorly the Raiders have played this year. Getting Devonte Adam was the final piece in their master plan to finally be relevant in the AFC again. Only for the Raiders to beat themselves and ruin their chances for any playoff appearance this year.

Las Vegas is allowing the highest red zone touchdown percentage in the NFL with opponents scoring touchdowns a whopping 74.41%. On top of their horrible red zone defense, the Raiders are a running game one trick on offense. When they cannot run the ball effectively with Jacobs they struggle to move the ball consistently and leave Derek Carr back to pass too many times. Carr is throwing 1.5 interceptions a game which is 5th worst in the NFL. 

With the exception of getting blanked 24-0 in October by the Saints. The Raiders have had a chance to win every game they have played this season. Every loss has been decided by less than 6 points so far this season. A year ago Las Vegas had one of the better offensive lines in the NFL. In the wake of former coach Jon Gruden’s exit 6 first-round picks for the Raiders are no longer on the team, or the team did not pick up their fifth-year option. Leaving the Gruden era as a glaring issue for the Raiders current and future struggles.

What were some of your overreactions from week 10? Do you agree with my overreactions? Let me know in the comment section below.

The post NFL Overreaction Tuesday week 10: Bill’s can’t handle the clutch, Raiders blow it up after this season, Packers and Aaron Rodgers are back on track, Eagles loss in the first round eminent? appeared first on ChiCitySports.

There are only 66 days until the start of the NFL Playoffs and while you may think that we still have a good portion of the season left and things can change; typically that is not the case.

Since 2017, the 64 teams that would be in the playoffs at the beginning of Week 10; only 16 of those teams ended up not qualifying for the playoffs; which means that 75% of the teams that would make the playoffs today will be in the playoffs when they start on January 15, 2023. Here is a look at the current playoff picture in the NFL:

AFC

1st Seed: Buffalo Bills

Probability Rate of Making the NFL Playoffs: 95%
Key Games Remaining: Week 10 vs Vikings, Week 15 vs Dolphins and Week 17 at Bengals

The Bills had won five games in a row before losing to the Jets on Sunday. Despite the loss on Sunday, the team still has the highest point differential of any team in the league and ranked first in both offense and defense in the league. The Bills have won 13 of their last 17 games at home so getting a one seed would be very good for this team.

The Bills do have 1-8 record in one-score games since Week 1 of the 2021 season so that could be an issue in the playoffs. Quarterback Josh Allen is the odds on favorite to win NFL MVP but it appears that Allen appeared to hurt his elbow in the game vs the Jets and that is a situation that should be watched but other than that it looks like the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC will go through Orchard Park.

2nd Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs: 97%
Key Games Remaining: Week 11 at Chargers, Week 12 vs Rams, Week 13 at Bengals and Week 16 vs Seahawks

The Chiefs continue to be defined by the magic that quarterback Patrick Mahomes makes with his arm and how wide-open tight end Travis Kelce always seems to be. The Chiefs lead the league in points per game and have the best probability of making the playoffs in the AFC.
However, after the trade of Tyreek Hill this off season the replacements for Hill have struggled. If you take away the seven touchdown receptions for Kelce this year, the other wide receivers have a total of eight touchdowns. Can the Chiefs develop someone on the outside to take the pressure off Travis Kelce?

3rd Seed: Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs: 94%
Key Games Remaining: Week 15 at Browns and Week 18 at Bengals

The Ravens are poised to possible earn a higher seed because of their upcoming schedule. The Ravens only play two teams who are currently has an above .500 record for the rest of the season. The team needs to get healthy as both leading receiver tight end Mark Andrews has been in and out of the lineup and running back Gus Edwards missed their last game vs the Saints.

One of the areas of concern is the defense. The defense is ranked 28^th in passing yards allowed and has allowed the 6^th most first downs in the league. Will the defense come into form so that they can compete with the best teams in the AFC?

4th Seed: Tennessee Titans (5-3)

Probability Rate of Making the NFL Playoffs: 93%
Key Games Remaining: Week 12 vs Bengals, Week 13 at Eagles, Week 15 at Chargers and Week 17 vs Cowboys

The Titans have won five of the last six games however they have not been very dominant during their win streak. The average margin of victory in that win streak is 5.8 points. The team wins by running the ball with Derrick Henry who leads the league in rushing (again) and playing stingy defense which has been the formula for the Titans during the Mike Vrabel era.

The Titans are currently averaging 18.9 points per game which is 23^rd in the league. In the current playoff field, that would be the lowest point per game for any team in the AFC. Can the Titans get enough offense to make it far in the playoffs?

5^th Seed: New York Jets (6-3)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs: 58%
Key Games Remaining: Week 13 at Vikings, Week 14 at Bills, Week 17 at Seahawks and Week 18 at Dolphins

The Jets are trying to return back to the playoffs from the first time since 2010 which is the longest current playoff drought in the NFL. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has been outstanding this season with 7 sacks which is tied for first among defensive tackles. The Jets are also getting a great season from rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner who is only allowing a 54.2 passer rating.

One of the concerns is quarterback Zach Wilson. Wilson has a QBR of 48 which would be the third lowest among possible quarterbacks in the playoff field. Wilson has only 4 touchdown passes, 5 interceptions and a completion percentage of 57.5%. Can the Jets make the playoffs despite the shaky quarterback play of Zach Wilson?

6^th Seed: Miami Dolphins (6-3)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs: 80%
Key Games Remaining: Week 13 at Niners, Week 14 at Chargers, Week 15 at Bills, and Week 18 vs Jets

Wide receiver Tyreke Hill has been the best the receiver in the league this year; Hill leads the league in receiving yards and is on pace to break Calvin Johnson single-season receiving record of 1,964 receiving yards. Currently, Tua Tagovailoa leads the league in quarterback rating and is currently 6-0 is games that he starts and finishes.

The Dolphins are atrocious in pass defense ranking 25^th in pass defense. The Dolphins have allowed over 300 yards passing in four out of nine games this year. Can this explosive offense cover for this defense that has an inability to get stops?

7^th Seed: Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs: 55%
Key Games Remaining: Week 10 at Niners, Week 11 vs Chiefs, Week 14 vs Dolphins, and Week 15 vs Titans

The Chargers have allowed the least amount of sacks in the league and have the second-fewest turnovers in the league. The Chargers also have the third best offense in the league and average over 350 yards per game. The Chargers offense has been gaining yards versus defenses and can score with the best of them.

The Chargers have some key contributors battling injuries. Wide Receiver Keenan Allen, wide receiver Mike Williams, cornerback J.C. Jackson, offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, kicker Dustin Hopkins and defensive lineman Joey Bosa were all week 1 starters who have missed more than three games this year because of injury. Bosa, Jackson, and Slater are currently all on injured reserve.
Can the Chargers overcome all their injuries and hold their position as the last team to make the playoffs in the AFC?

In the Hunt:

New England Patriots (5-4)
Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)

NFC

1^st Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (8-0)

Probability Rate of Making NFL Playoffs: 99%
Key Games Remaining: Week 13 vs Titans, Week 14 at Giants, Week 16 at Cowboys and Week 18 vs Giants

The Eagles are currently the only undefeated team in the NFL and have the best point differential in the NFC. Much like the Bills, the Eagles are doing it on both offense and defense. The Eagles rank 3^rd in offensive DVOA and 2^nd in defensive DVOA. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is a legitimate NFL MVP candidate and is in the top 5 in total touchdowns, yards per game, yards per attempt and quarterback rating.

The Eagles seemed to be ready for a deep playoff run but of their eight wins only two of those came against teams that are currently above .500. Will the Eagles and their third-year quarterback Jalen Hurts be ready for the bright lights of the playoffs?

2^nd Seed: Minnesota Vikings (7-1)

Probability Rate of Making NFL Playoffs:99%
Key Games Remaining: Week 10 at Bills, Week 11 at Cowboys, Week 12 vs Jets and Week 16 vs Giants

The Vikings have not gotten the publicity for their six-game win streak which is the second longest winning streak in the league behind the Eagles. The Vikings have been excellent in one score games; the Vikings are 5-0 in one score games this season which is a great improvement over their 6-8 record in one score games last season. The offense is in the top five in points scored in the fourth quarter and the defense is only allowing 4.6 points per game in the fourth quarter.

We will learn a lot about the Vikings during the month of November with games vs the Bills, Cowboys and Jets. Can the Vikings keep up the Eagles and maybe get the number one seed in the NFC?

3^rd Seed: Seattle Seahawks (6-3)

Probability of Making the NFL Playoffs: 84%
Key Games Remaining: Week 15 vs Niners, Week 16 at Chiefs and Week 17 vs Jets

The Seahawks were not expected to be in the position after trading away Russell Wilson this offseason and naming Geno Smith the starting quarterback. Coming into the season, Smith had a career record as a starting quarterback of 12-23 and the Seahawks were reportedly looking to trade for Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo to be their starting quarterback. 

Smith has 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions and has a quarterback rating of 107.2. Also, rooking running back Kenneth Walker II leads all rookies in rushing touchdowns and is averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Seattle only has a plus 11-point differential, and the defense has settled lately but has still given up the 5^th most points in the league. Can the Seahawks keep up this Cinderella season and make the playoffs?

4^th Seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

Probability of Making the NFL Playoffs: 65%
Key Games Remaining: Week 10 vs Seahawks, Week 14 at Niners, Week 15 vs Bengals and Week 18 at Falcons

To say the Buccaneers have had a disappointing season would be an understatement. The team has lost games to the Steelers, Packers and Panthers this season who have a combined record of 7-19. One of the causes that has contributed to their 4-5 record is their offense which has not been explosive at all.

This season, they are averaging 18 points per game as compared to last season when they averaged 31 points per game. The team is last in rushing yards and has averaged 47 rushing yards the last three weeks.

However, the Bucs have the fifth easiest schedule going forward and in 2020 when they won the Super Bowl they had 7-5 record after week 12 and they won eight games in a row to win the championship. Can the Bucs find their stride?

5^th Seed: Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs: 98%
Key Games Remaining: Week 11 at Vikings, Week 12 vs Giants, Week 16 vs Eagles and Week 17 at Titans

The Cowboys have done it with their 3^rd ranked defense and their timely offense to get to this record. Linebacker Micah Parsons is the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year and is part of a Cowboys defensive unit that leads the league in sacks. While starting quarterback Dak Prescott was sidelined with his thumb injury, the Cowboys established the running back duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to pace the offense and those two players have totaled 949 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.

The Cowboys are ranked 26^th in passing offense and have only gotten five receiving touchdowns from their wide receivers this season. There has been rumors of them signing free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr who is coming off an torn ACL. Can the Cowboys generate enough in their passing game to make a playoff run?

6^th Seed: New York Giants (6-2)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs:58%
Key Games Remaining: Week 12 at Cowboys, Week 14 vs Eagles, Week 16 at Vikings and Week 18 at Eagles

When you look at the Giants by the numbers, you are not impressed at all. Their point differential is only +6, their offensive DVOA is 14^th, the defensive DVOA is 24^th and their leading receiver has only 242 yards for the season. So how are the Giants 6-2?

First of all, in all of six of their wins they have trailed in the fourth quarter but then have found a way to comeback in those games. The other main reason is the bounce back season from Saquan Barkley. Barkley is currently third in the league is rushing yards, third in the league in rushing yards per game and most importantly has not missed a game this season after two injury plagued seasons.

The Giants have the third worst passing offense in the league and have only scored over 24 points once this season. Will the Giants late-game magic continue for the remainder of the season and the playoffs?

7^th Seed: San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

Probability to Make the NFL Playoffs: 77%
Key Games Remaining: Week 10 vs Chargers, Week 13 vs Dolphins, Week 14 vs Buccaneers, and Week 15 at Seahawks

In their last six games, the Niners are 3-3. In their last 3 wins, they have outscored their opponents 92-38. In their last 3 losses, they have been outscored 83-47 by their opponents. The Niners are a dangerous team because when you look at some of the names on their roster you know that they can play better and were a bad fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game from playing in the Super Bowl last year.

The defense has only given up more than 300 total yards twice this season and the offense should get a boost from the addition of running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers.

Six out of their last nine games this season are against teams who are currently below .500. Last season, the Niners were 4-5 after week 10 and then went 9-2 in their last eleven games before losing in that NFC Championship game. Are the Niners ready to be consistent and make a playoff run?

In the Hunt:

Atlanta Falcons (4-5)
Washington Commanders (4-5)
Los Angeles Rams (3-5)

The post 2022 NFL Playoff Picture: Which team will make a run at the Lombardi Trophy this year? appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Welcome to the week’s NFL overreaction Tuesday, contenders, and pretenders are starting to take shape in the NFL. I break down the biggest overreactions from week 9 and find out which overreactions have some truth to them.

Overreaction: Bengals can’t cure their Superbowl hangover.

After a rough Monday Night Football game Joe Burrow is now 0-4 against the Browns and the Bengals sit at 5-4 on the season. The Bengals are missing reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the year Ja’Marr Chase and will be without him for the coming weeks while he nurses a hip injury. When the Bengals win the headlines are “Bengals are back to Superbowl form” but realistically they can’t seem to take a form at all.

Sitting at .500 Cincinnati’s four losses are to Mitchell Trubisky and the Steelers in OT, Cooper Rush and “Dem Boys” by 3, the Ravens by 2, and then getting trounced on MNF by the Browns 32-13. The wins are blowouts except for only beating the Saint by 6 in week 6, the rest of their wins are by double digits. The Bengals are still good, the problem has been the competition is too. Talent-wise, they blew other teams out and the score reflected it, but when the talent was even the flaws of the Bengals become magnified.

Joe burrow has been sacked the second most in the NFL, 30 times through 9 weeks. Only Justin Fields has been sacked more (33). Their inability to create an effective run game can also be tied to their offensive line issues and what leaves them having to throw so often. The Bengals rank in the bottom five in every major running category but are in the top five for almost every passing category. If the Bengals can find a balance they can find consistency in their play.

Not an Overreaction: The Jets have a legit defense.

Sunday’s win against the Buffalo Bills was a feel-good story for the rebuilding Jets, but it carries more weight than that. Though the offense has looked less than spectacular, putting up just shy of 22 points per game. However, it hasn’t needed to be anything but average with how well the defense has played.  According to Sportsnaut.com, the Jets have a top 5 defense in the NFL. They allow just 4.8 yards per play which is 5th in the NFL. 

This Jets defense tormented NFL MVP candidate Josh Allen and the Superbowl favorite Bills all Sunday. Holding the NFL’s number one offense to just 17 points. They even gave Allen his worst performance of his career, holding him to a sub-50 quarterback rating and holding him to 205 yards through the air with 0 touchdowns. Allen was sacked 5 times on Sunday, a season-high, and could only find success running the ball. Allen rushed 9 times for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Bill’s loss.

The Jets also kept his favorite targets, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, contained. Diggs managed 5 catches for 93 yards and Davis caught a measly 3 catches for 33 yards. Their success has come from the revitalized defensive line, first-round pick Sauce Gardner, new additions D.J. Reed and Jordan Whitehead, and long-time NFL Vet Lamarcus Joyner have all contributed to reshaping this defense and the culture of the New York Jets.

Overreaction: The 2021 quarterback class is filled with busts.

It may be too soon to call it, but the 2021 NFL quarterback class has not exactly lived up to the hype that surrounded them. Picks 1,2 and 3 were quarterbacks and 5 were taken in the first round, (8 in the first 3 rounds) the most in the history of the draft. Since the draft, Only Mac Jones was put in a situation to win once he was drafted to New England at pick 15.

Trevor Lawrence has been the only outright starter since being drafted number 1 by the Jaguars. Lawrence had to battle the Urban Meyer experiment and has shown signs of improvement under Doug Peterson. Zach Wilson and Trey Lance have already battled serious season-ending injuries in their short careers, but both have excellent defenses to help ground the young QBs. Even Justin Fields has shown great growth in the wake of the Bears going full rebuild for the young QB.

It has only been a season and a half, the quarterbacks in every draft can’t be Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, they are generational talents. The teams need to build around their quarterbacks to gain success, and pending injuries most have. The Jags just traded for Calvin Ridley, the 49er’s traded for CMC, the Jets drafted a wide receiver in the first round (Garret Wilson), and traded for Jacksonville’s starting running back James Robinson after their electric rookie Breece Hall went down to injury. The Bears added a weapon in Chase Claypool and the Texans have a star in Dameon Pierce.

I would argue the most unlikely of all the quarterbacks that were taken and have had relative success is Davis Mills who was drafted 67th by the Texans. He became the starter last season beating out Tyrod Taylor and was named the starter for this season. Houston is in a full rebuild after Deshaun Watson’s ugly exit and much like all of the other teams with young QBs hasn’t put a full team around their starter yet.

Not an Overreaction The Vikings are a sleeper to win the Superbowl.

Though they only beat the Washington Commanders by 3 points, the Minnesota Vikings have all the makings of a Superbowl sleeper. Minnesota is loaded with Pro Bowlers on both sides of the ball and just added one of the best Tight ends in football at the trade deadline (T.J, Hockenson). The Vikings have notable wins on the season, but like usual, struggle when the lights are brightest.

This comes from their starting quarterback Kirk Cousins having known to struggle under the weight of Primetime Football. Cousins is 68-63-2 in his career as a starting quarterback in the NFL, he is a woeful 2-10 on Monday night football and he is 10-18 in Primetime. Cousins tend to fold when the pressure is on, since 2015 Cousins’ 18 Primetime losses are the most among active quarterbacks in the NFL according to stathead.

The Vikings have all the pieces to make a run at the Superbowl, especially with how open the NFC is, with the Eagles currently looking like the only contender in the conference. Minnesota could have a deep playoff run if they can find a way to win when the pressure is on.

The post NFL Overreaction Tuesday, Week 9:Bengals can’t cure Superbowl hangover. Is the 2021 QB draft class a bust? Vikings a sleeper to win it all? appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Former Bears wide receiver signs with a new team’s practice squad

It didn’t take long for a former Chicago Bears wide receiver to find a new team’s practice squad. The Bears’ preseason leading wide receiver, Isaiah Coulter, was cut Tuesday after the team traded for Chase Claypool. Coulter appeared in three games for the Bears and had one target in his 15 offensive snaps on the season. He did not haul the catch in.

Other NFL team’s appeared interested in the 2020 fifth round-pick after the Bears cut him. Coulter captured league offices’ attention with his preseason performances. According to the NFL’s transaction wire, Coulter was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad on Thursday.

That’s not a bad transition for the third-year wide receiver. Coulter has spent his career on teams with poor records. He was with the Houston Texans in 2020 before joining the Bears in 2021. Now Coulter will have the chance to play for one of the best teams in the NFL this year. He’ll have the opportunity to work with MVP candidate quarterback Josh Allen on a Super Bowl contender.

The post Bears preseason leading WR signs with Bills practice squad days after Bears cut him appeared first on ChiCitySports.

In a flurry of last minute moves the NFL trade deadline had several big names on the move. I breakdown the headlines that came after these trades and explain how they will impact the teams moving forward.

Overreaction: The Bear believe in Fields Future

The Bears finally added a weapon for Justin Fields by trading a 2023 second round pick for Chase Claypool, but that does not mean Just Fields future with the Bears is secure. Fields has struggled in his time as the Bears starter, having being sacked the most times in the NFL (31) this year. However, all the blame cannot go on the young QB.  Fields has show clear signs of improvement and regression this season. Viral clips of him missing wide open receivers have surfaced and may have Bears fans and the front office second guessing the future of Fields.

Fields has loads of untapped potential, he’s been said to have the arm talent of Patrick Mahomes with the speed of Lamar Jackson. Quarterbacks are given NFL comparisons in college all the time and it’s no surprise to see a quarterback taken in the first round only for a team to take another one the next year (Arizona, 2019).

Potential aside, Fields will need help to grow into his comps and if he does not get the help he needs this season to grow we could see a new QB. The Bear need to give Fields his fair shot, where he has weapons and has an offensive line to protect him. Time will tell of Fields is the go-to-guy in Chicago or another place holder until the Bear find their franchise QB.

Not an Overreaction: The Dolphins are all in

Miami has the best wide receiver duo in the NFL and after a busy trade deadline they may have the best running back duo as well. The former 49er’s assistant now head coach of the Dolphins, Mike McDaniel has traded for another form 49er running back. After having former 49er Raheem Mostert lead the Dolphins backfield, Miami went out and traded for former 49ers starter Jeff Wilson. This gives them a lethal 1-2 punch with the cost being a fifth round draft pick and Chase Edmonds being part of the deal to acquire Bradley Chubb.

Chubb’s deal was steep price but the Dolphins paid it, giving up a 2023 first round draft pick, a 2024 fourth round pick and 3rd down running back Chase Edmonds whom they had just signed in the offseason. For Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth round draft pick. Chubb has been one of the most efficient pass rushers in the league. Ranking third in edge rusher win rate.

Chubb is paired with 2021 first round pick Jaelen Philips on the edge and with 10 year NFL veteran Melvin Ingram in the mix. The Dolphin addressed their number one issue of a consistent pass rush and may have the best pass rush in the NFL after the trade deadline.

Overreaction: Bill’s adding Hines solves their run game woes

In the final minutes of the trade deadline the Buffalo Bills traded Zack Moss and a 2023 conditional fifth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts for their explosive 3rd down back Nyhiem Hines. Hines has long been burred under the depth chart with Jonathan Taylor, and Marlon Mack taking the starting Roles. Hines get a fresh start in Buffalo to help add to the Bills already explosive offense.

The Bill’s have had a glaring issue for the past few seasons; How do they get the run game going without relying on Allen? Hines may not be a, 20 carry, NFL power back of old, but he does add another explosive element with his pass catching ability. Hines catches the ball an astonishing 89% of the time it is thrown to him. The Bills current starter and pass catching back Devin Singletary is only 76% on the year.

Not an Overreaction: The Lions undersold T.J. Hockenson

Hockenson has been a top 10 tight end in the NFL for the last few seasons. Coming from TE-U at the University of Iowa, Hockenson has been a game changer in the passing game for the Lions since day one. The Lions traded him to divisional opponent and the Superbowl hopeful Minnesota Vikings who added another major weapon to their high powered offense for essentially a pick swap.

Along with Hockenson, the Vikings receive the Lions 2023 second round draft pick and a 2024 third-round draft pick. While the Lions get the Vikings 2023 second round pick and a 2024 third-rounder. It is mind blowing that the Lion’s would give up Hockenson for a pick swap, but then again, it is the Lions.

Not an overreaction: The Jags are putting it all together for Lawrence

The Jaguars are rolling the dice on Trevor Lawrence making the leap to franchise quarterback with their last minute trade deadline move. The Jags traded a 2023 conditional fifth-round pick and a 2024 conditional second round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for suspended NFL wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

Ridley is currently serving a ridiculous year ban from the NFL for betting on games while he was away from football to focus on his mental health. Ridley had to forfeit his $11.1 million dollar salary and serve a year ban for betting less than $1,500 during his time away from the team.

Ridley is a proven weapon in the NFL, in 2020 he was voted second team all pro after posting a career high 1,374 yards and 90 receptions. The Jaguars have made moves both last season and this season to make the team as talented as possible for former number one pick Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars have already shown massive improvement from a year ago and will need to find consistency in protecting their young QB if they want to give him the best chance to succeed.

The post NFL Overreaction Wednesday, Week 8, trade deadline edition: Bears believe in Fields future, Jag’s build around Lawrence, the Dolphins are all in and more appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Justin Fields is off to a rocky start in his second year as a pro

It’s no secret that Justin Fields has gotten off to a slow start this season. Whether it’s lack of trust from the coaching staff, ability, or some other factor Fields has not been great. So far through two weeks Fields has only thrown for 191 yards, thrown two touchdowns and two interceptions and has a rather low completion percentage at 53%. Bears fans are starting to become uneasy with how Fields is progressing, to that I say go look at Josh Allen’s progression.

How Josh Allen’s timeline paints a picture for Justin Fields

Josh Allen was once a promising, raw QB prospect just like Justin Fields too. Josh Allen was picked 7th overall in 2018 and three years later, Justin Fields was picked 11th overall after the Bears traded up to get him. Allen’s rookie year was extremely underwhelming in 2018, he threw just 10 TDs compared to 12 INTS and barely cracked the 2000 yard mark in just 10 games. Allen also started out very rocky in his second NFL season as well. Through the first 4 games of the 2019 season, Allen threw for 903 yards, 3 TDs and 6 INTS which all together chalks up a measly 69.6 passer rating.

Sound familiar yet Bears fans? I’m not saying Fields is going to turn into the MVP caliber QB that Josh Allen is today but it is completely ridiculous to be trashing Justin Fields through two weeks of his second NFL season. In fact almost every great QB in the NFL today has went through some sort of trials and tribulations before they took it to the next level. Aaron Rodgers sat on the bench for years behind Brett farve, now he has 4 NFL MVPS. The legendary Tom Brady sat behind Drew Bledsloe for a few seasons. These things don’t just happen overnight

Justin Fields needs more time

Justin Fields has played just 14 NFL games, not even a full season. This is the same guy who came as close as one can get to winning a hesiman and the same guy who accounted for 50+ TDs for Ohio State back in 2019. There’s no question that Justin Fields can ball, he just needs more time. Making the jump from college ball to the NFL is a huge leap.

Josh Allen didn’t get going until the second month of his second NFL season and from there the rest is history. By the end of October Fields will have commanded this new Bears offense for two months, worked with Luke Getsy for months and have gone up against some easier defenses (on paper). If Fields still looks like the same player through the first two weeks of this season by Halloween, then yeah it’s time to panic. Until then however, trust that the Bears have a star in Justin Fields and the fact that not everyone can become a superstar QB in just one week.

The post Could Justin Fields take a Josh Allen sized leap in his second year? appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Sunday the Chicago Bears will make their first visit to Buffalo in over 16 years to take on the Bills. It’s one of the longest spans for a team not visiting another team’s home field. Chicago will have another favorable opportunity as the Bills are set to start their third-string quarterback Nathan Peterman.

Although they are huge favorites, the Bears will still need to play well to avoid what would be the biggest upset of the year. Here are five keys to a Bears victory:

Bundle up the Bills running backs

The focus for the Bears defense will be forcing the Bills quarterback to beat them by taking away Buffalo’s running game. Offensively, the Bills will look to control the clock and limit the number of times Peterman will need to throw.

LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory could be involved heavily in the running game, but also in the passing game with screen passes and short passes. Vic Fangio’s defense could utilize eight-man fronts to limit the rushing yards forcing the Buffalo’s passing game into long down situations. Inside linebackers, Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan will be vital in employing this scheme.

Break Peterman’s spirits early

Sunday’s game could be a chance for Peterman to change the way he is perceived around the league as a quarterback. In his last three starts for the Bills, he has thrown seven interceptions and has yet to throw a touchdown pass.

Peterman could be motivated to prove that he is better than his past performances and look to upset the Bears as evidence. If the Bears defense plays the Bills passing game soft and allows Peterman to build confidence and rhythm it could lead to them trying to make a game of it. With consistent pressure and turnovers early though, the Bears defense could add to Buffalo’s quarterback inept play.

Take the pressure off of Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson Part II

Last week, the Bears two biggest offseason acquisitions were held out of the game against the New York Jets with injuries and could be held out this week too. Wide receiver Allen Robinson’s absence was replaced with the production of Anthony Miller and Josh Bellamy who combined for seven catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Linebacker Khalil Mack’s presence was missed as the Bears only registered one sack, but as a unit performed much better limiting the Jets to just 10 points on offense. Sunday in Buffalo, it will be important for members on both offense and defense to play strong again so Mack and Robinson can be fully ready for a stretch of three straight divisional games following this week’s game.

An offensive showing and clean game overall will silence Bills Mafia

One of the great things of playing the Bills in Buffalo is their passionate fans and their infamous tailgating.

Their fans are truly dedicated to supporting their home team as creating a hostile environment has motivated their team to upsets in years prior. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky can help silence the crowd by extending drives as he has converted several 3rd and long downs with his feet in the last two games.

Allowing an opposing team to convert on third downs is a huge crowd killer along with consistent scoring. The Bills defense is still a respectable unit as they held the New England Patriots to just 12 points into the fourth quarter of their last game. If Buffalo’s defense is holding the Bears offense to field goals than it is imperative for kicker Cody Parkey to convert on all of his attempts. Parkey has missed field goals in two of the last three games, and leaving points on the field would motivate the hostile crowd.

Circle the wagons against the Bills and finally win in Buffalo

Visiting Buffalo is a rarity for the Bears as they have only played five on the road against the Bills since the two teams began playing each other in 1970. The last win Chicago had on the road in Buffalo came back in 1979 as Walter Payton scored the lone touchdown in a 7-0 victory. Since then the Bears have lost three consecutive games dating back to 1991. A total team victory will be needed from all three phases as in their last three losses either the offense or defense struggling led to the losses.

The post Five Keys to Victory: Chicago Bears vs Buffalo Bills appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With the 2018 NFL Draft still over two months away, trade rumors and possibilities will run rapid until draft night on April 26th. Teams will converge on Indianapolis next week for the Scouting Combine where draft trade talks and rumors will only heat up.

Recent rumors now include the Buffalo Bills wanting to trade up into the top 10 to have a shot at drafting one of the five quarterbacks prospects predicted to go early this year opening many trade scenarios.

Of the 10 teams drafting in the top 10 this year, only half are already set at quarterback and will be looking to draft other needs. The Bears are slated to select eighth and enjoy the luxury of having Tampa Bay as the only other team drafting ahead of them without any major issues at the quarterback position. The Bears could be the best trade partner for Buffalo if they really are serious about moving up for a quarterback.

Buffalo currently holds both the 21st and 22nd pick in the draft and could possibly be willing to part with both picks in order to trade up to get a quarterback that they really want. Last season, three trades were made to draft quarterbacks as the Bears, Chiefs, and Texans made trades to get the quarterback of their choice.

The Bills traded the 10th overall pick to the Chiefs in return for Kansas City’s first rounder in 2017 (27th overall) and their first round pick in 2018 Cleveland traded their 12th pick to the Texans for the Texans 2017 first rounder (25th overall) and a 2018 first round pick.

As more teams are in need of a quarterback in a quarterback-heavy draft, it could put the Bears in a position to receive a large return if they trade their eighth pick.

Unlike most of the teams in the top 10, the Bears do not need to target a specific position and could benefit from having multiple first round draft picks. The two positions that they could target in the first round are at wide receiver and offensive line.

With all five quarterbacks and running back Saquan Barkley projected to go early, it pushes other positional players down the board allowing the Bears to trade down risking those players falling to them. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley is projected as the best receiver prospect in the draft but could fall to the Bears even if they are selecting at 21.

Another trade return possibility for general manager Ryan Pace and his team is to trade for quantity over quality of picks. They could ask Buffalo for just one first round pick and multiple later round picks.

When the Bears traded up one spot last year to draft Mitchell Trubisky, they gave up four later round picks, one of which was this year’s third round pick. Pace can increase the team’s draft picks total from six to possibly more depending on how much the Bills offer.

The Bears General Manager has proven that he is able to find quality players in the later rounds of the draft such as Jordan Howard, Eddie Jackson, Adrian Amos, and Cody Whitehair.

It was the Trubisky trade that drew the ire of fans and analysts who believed the Pace gave up way too much to trade up one spot to grab a quarerback that could have possibly fell to them anyway. This year, they could be on the other end depending on what Buffalo or a surprise team decides to do in trading up in the draft.

The great thing is that their current draft position provides so many options in value and it could be the big draft break Pace and his team has been waiting for the last three seasons.

The post A look at what the Chicago Bears could get back in a Draft Day trade appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Finally a week that leads up to a real regular season game for the Chicago Bears.

The Bears will open up the 2014 season at home against the Buffalo Bills, their third straight year opening up the season at home against a AFC opponent.

Before each week we will help you get ready for the Bears upcoming game with a new series titled ‘Know your opponent’. The article will preview the upcoming Bears opponent through another bloggers eyes.

Buffalo Bills

2013 record: 6-10

Key returners: Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller, Mario Williams

Key newcomers: Sammy Watkins, Brandon Spikes

Key losses: Jairus Byrd, Kiko Alonso (Season ending injury)

Guest Blogger: Brian Galliford; BuffaloRumblings.com

2013 Rankings

Pass DEF: 4th (204 YPG)

Rush DEF: 28th (128.9 YPG)

Pass OFF: 28th (194 YPG)

Rush OFF: 2nd (144.2 YPG)

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Three Key Players

C.J. Spiller; RB

Fred Jackson; RB

Stephon Gilmore; CB

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Familiar face on defense

When the Bears line up against the Bills on Sunday, they will see a familiar face on the sideline. The Bills hired former Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator. Schwartz went 29-51 in his five years with the Lions, facing the Bears 10 times.

Schwartz had the talent in Detroit but couldn’t put it together. However, there might be a little bit of an advantage seeing that Schwartz saw this Bears offense twice last season winning both of those games.

The Bills have a solid defense that could make life tough on the Bears offense. They have a solid defensive line and secondary, but the Bears receiving core should be more than enough for them to handle.

From Galliford –

The Bills were bad defending the run and getting off the field on third downs last season. Part of the reason that the team targeted Jim Schwartz to replace Mike Pettine in the defensive coordinator post is because Detroit was quite good in both of those areas in 2013. The Bills have an excellent defensive line and a talented secondary; if they can shore up those two other areas, they’ll be in good enough shape to compete.

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One rookie NOT named Sammy Watkins to watch:

The Bills gave rookie tackle Seantrel Henderson his one chance to make it out of the University of Miami, and now he needs to run with it. Henderson has behaved so far in his short NFL career and now he finds himself in the right tackle spot where he will begin the year.

He’s possibly the steal of this past NFL Draft if he works out for the Bills. His first test comes against Lamarr Houston who has looked very impressive during the preseason.

Henderson has a load of talent as he was once a top recruit out of high school. Now he is looking to be the future of the Bills offensive line and lead the way for running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

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Two-headed monster

Last season the Bears were historically bad at stopping the run giving up 161.4 yards per game. Now with an attempt to fix the defense this offseason, the Bears get their first real test in week one.

The Bills have a running game featuring two solid backs in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson who combined to rush for 1,823 yards and 10 touchdowns. The two got their fair share of carries last season, spelling each other when needed. This attack could be one of the biggest difference makers in the game for both teams, especially if the Bears can’t stop the run. It could also open up the passing game for Manuel and the Bills offense.

Jackson will be the third down back as Spiller gets the start, but both will have their share of carries. Even at age 33, Jackson still produces for the Bills, and will help the running game which their offense is focused on.

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What will it take to slow down the Bears offense?

The Bills have a very talented defensive line that might be the key to the game for them. The line goes up against an improved offensive line the Bears field which was a disaster a few seasons ago.

With a talented defensive line and secondary, the Bills figure they can slow down the Bears offense and get the game in their pace. The Bills won’t be a pushover and the defense can keep them in the game.

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Keep an eye on…

Bills tight end Scott Chandler who will likely have mismatches against linebackers and safeties. With Lee Smith missing practice this week, Chandler will get the majority of snaps.While the Bears focus on Spiller, Jackson and Watkins, Chandler could be one of the difference makers. The Bears struggled covering tight ends last season and facing Chandler in week one won’t be easy.

Tim Jennings, Charles Tillman and Kyle Fuller will be marking the Bills receivers, Chandler will see his fair share of targets as well. It will be interesting so see how the Bears try to cover Chandler.

Last season Chandler finished with 53 receptions for 655 yards and two touchdowns. He established himself as a favorite target early on.

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What does Buffalo need to do to win the game?

From Galliford:

Basic stuff: win the turnover battle, avoid costly penalties (they’re a very young team and commit penalties in spurts), get a consistent effort out of Manuel, and make plays. Buffalo has a lot of individual talent; where they’re set up for a downfall is expecting a lot of young, moving parts to come together as a team quickly. They are physically capable of competing with any team in the league, but they’re a long way off from being a consistent winner.

The post Know your opponent: The Buffalo Bills invade Soldier Field for Week 1 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Some people believe in the sophomore slump while others don’t. A sophomore slump can be defined more than one way, just depends on who your talking to. My version of a sophomore slump isn’t where a second year player does so bad that you wouldn’t even want him on your fantasy football roster.

Mine is where the sophomore gets predicted to do better due to his low performance he had in his rookie year, or the same if not better if he had a great rookie season. Would I draft someone who I’m expecting to have a slump? Sure, if I could get them for the right price in the later rounds of a draft.

For example, last season San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen had 1046 yards and eight touchdowns. Does he have the skill set to put those kind of numbers up again in 2014? Yea, but with quarterback Phillip Rivers being a guy that is known for spreading the ball around it is unlikely he will reach those numbers again. Not saying it won’t happen but just be cautious setting the bar that high for a second year player.

Think of it this way, when a rookie plays their isn’t much tape to go off to slow him down. You can go off college tape but the NFL is so much faster that odds are it will help you very little. Now teams have had a whole off-season to study tape on these players and will be ready to slow them down.

I’ll start with my fifth ranked player which I think has the least chance of going into a major sophomore slump and work my way to number one, the greatest chance for a sophomore slump.

#5 Deandre Hopkins, WR, HOU

Deandre Hopkins is a very talented second year receiver, and has the chance to have a big year depending on two scenarios. One, Pro-Bowl running back Arian Foster stays healthy and opens up the passing game for the Houston Texans. Two, Ryan Fitzpatrick finds out quick that Hopkins can make him look like an above average quarterback if he gets him the ball. If both those scenarios can pull through, I expect Hopkins to have more yards than the 802 he put up last year and more than the two touchdowns he scored. The team doesn’t have backup Ben Tate anymore to keep them going if Foster goes down again, and Fitzpatrick, according to ESPN.com, has thrown an interception on 3.4% of passes since 2008, which is tied for second worse among qualified quarterbacks. That doesn’t bode well for the passing game of the Texans if the opposing defense doesn’t have to worry about a run game. I have him ranked 38 in my 2014 Fantasy Preseason Rankings. I would still draft Hopkins somewhere between rounds 10 and 13, no earlier!

#4 Tavon Austin, WR, STL

Tavon Austin had 418 yards receiving last season and 138 of those yards came in week 14 on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. Meaning Austin only averaged 18.6 yards per game over the other 15 games. He had two games where he scored two touchdowns but those where his only touchdowns of the year, besides one rushing touchdown. I’m not saying that Austin is going to have a worse year than last, just think his production won’t increase that much. I believe his yardage and touchdowns will go up this year but not drastically, maybe 600 yards and 6 touchdowns. Until Austin can prove to me that he is consistent on a week-to-week basis, I’m staying away from him unless he is still there at the end of the draft. Odds are though, someone is going to reach and take him five or six rounds earlier than need be.

#3 Jordan Reed, TE, WAS

I have two big questions with the Washington Redskins Jordan Reed. Can he stay healthy without any lingering concussion issues that kept him out the last seven games of last season? Will he get enough attention with the receiving corp the Redskins will put on the field this season? The Redskins have a new head coach in Jay Gruden and his offenses are knew for passing down field a lot. That is good news for Reed, the only problem is the guys going down field will be Deshawn Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Robert. I have a feeling Reed will mostly get Robert Griffin III dump off passes. Last year in Gruden’s offense in Cincinnati, Tyler Eifert had 445 yards and just two touchdowns and Jermaine Gresham had 458 yards and 4 touchdowns. There is a very good chance Reed comes out and scores eight touchdowns this year with 900 yards, but don’t expect it unless injuries start to plague the Washington wide receivers. If Reed is still sitting in your green room around the thirteenth round of your draft, take him. There is plenty of other tight ends out there this year if you miss on him.

#2 Zac Stacy, RB, STL

With the 75th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select Tre Mason. I don’t know if that was a curve ball for you but it sure was for me. Last year Zac Stacy ran for 973 yards and seven touchdowns, also getting a touchdown and 141 yards through the air. So why draft a running back in the third round? I don’t know but I do know that mason will be on the field this year with the Rams drafting him that high. Stacy should still get the ball most of the time if not all the time. We just don’t know. The Rams have placed Mason fourth on the depth chart to start camp, but is expected to take the back-up job. Be very cautious when drafting Zac Stacy, especially within the first six rounds. If you can steal him after that go for it. Stacy might be the biggest hit or miss this season just due to the Rams 2014 draft. I have Stacy ranked 18 now but as mason moves up the depth chart, Stacy will move down in the rankings.

#1 Robert Woods, WR, BUF

I strongly believe Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods will have the worst 2014 Sophomore slump! The Bills got Mike Williams from Tampa Bay this off-season, and drafted Sammy Watkins in this years draft. I don’t see Woods even coming close to bettering his stats from last year. Now he did only have 587 yards and three touchdowns but he is going to be taking a back seat to Watkins and should still get more catches than Williams. But the quarterback situation in Buffalo needs to gain some stability before I would say Woods goes over 500 yards again. With new additions at wide receiver it is going to take away catches as the Bills will be able to spread the ball out more this year than in years past. I don’t draft Woods at all this season, maybe pick him up along the way if you run into needing a bye week replacement but that’s it.

Featured image via (CBSSports.com)

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