American Football

The Bear’s Den, March 8, 2024

March 8, 2024

“Here’s Sylvie, my 18 month old granddaughter, sporting her new Bears tutu. (With her mother in the background) Lifelong, diehard, orange-and-blue-bleeding Bears fan, Tom Sivak”

Jaylon Johnson is signed, now the Bears prepare for the wild days of free agency

WE WANT YOU!

Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I’m starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that’s how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo!

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

READ JACK’S NEW BOOK!!!!

Silverstein: Jack has a new book – ReadJack.com – NEW from Keylog Books and Gatekeeper Press: “Why We Root (Vol. 1): Mad Obsessions of a Chicago Sports Fan” — a tribute to the past 30 years of Chicago sports. This collection of Jack M Silverstein’s sportswriting celebrates perhaps the greatest 30-year run in Chicago sports history: 12 championships, Lovie Smith’s Super Bowl Bears, much more!

BEARRRSSSS

2024 Mock Draft: Bears take Caleb Williams, nab pass rusher after trading down – NBC Sports Chicago – Bears general manager Ryan Poles picks his guy, Caleb Williams, with the No. 1 pick while trading back from No. 9 and adding a pass rusher

Bears QB Justin Fields new favorite to start for Vikings in 2024 – NBC Sports Chicago – Most draft experts and NFL insiders expect Bears GM Ryan Poles to trade Justin Fields and pick Caleb Williams

Roster Move: Bears agree to contract extension with Jaylon Johnson – ChicagoBears.com – The Bears on Thursday agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Bears promote Karen B. Murphy to EVP of stadium development, COO – ChicagoBears.com – Longtime Bears executive Karen B. Murphy has been promoted to executive vice president of stadium development and chief operating officer. Murphy’s passion for Chicago, drive to innovate and eagerness to break barriers will continue to fuel her commitment

Meka White Morris joins Bears as EVP of revenue, chief business officer – ChicagoBears.com – The Bears on Thursday hired Meka White Morris to serve as the club’s executive vice president of revenue and chief business officer. Morris, who comes from the Minnesota Twins, will utilize her deep passion for sports and extensive sports business experience.

New lakefront Bears stadium would require public funding – 670 – The Bears’ proposal for a domed stadium on the lakefront has private and public funds as well as public improvements to the Museum Campus, according to a new report.

Jaylon Johnson agrees to four-year deal with Bears – NBC Sports – Chicago had placed the franchise tag on Johnson earlier this week.

Bears, CB Jaylon Johnson agree to contract extension – Chicago Sun-Times – They agreed to a four-year contract worth $76 million, sources confirmed Thursday. He’ll get $54.4 million guaranteed.

Bears free agency primer: Breaking down team needs, potential fits – Chicago Sun-Times – Here’s a primer on where the Bears stand entering the start of the free agent tampering period Monday, when teams and agents can agree to contracts before the league year begins Wednesday.

Jaylon Johnson: Chicago Bears reach 4-extension with Pro Bowl CB – Chicago Tribune – Two days after applying the franchise tag to Jaylon Johnson, the Chicago Bears finalized terms of a four-year, $76 million extension with a reported $43 million in guaranteed money.

Jaylon Johnson lands long-term deal with Bears after receiving franchise tag: Source – The Athletic – Johnson, 24, is coming off the best season of his four-year career in Chicago. He picked off four passes, returning one for a touchdown.

Bears roster tiers: DJ Moore, Montez Sweat give team strongest foundation since ’18 – The Athletic – Our annual exercise of organizing the Bears’ roster into tiers shows that GM Ryan Poles has accumulated depth and more foundational players.

Bears to sign Jaylon Johnson to contract extension, per source – NBC Sports Chicago – Bears GM Ryan Poles will sign his star cornerback to a new, long-term deal

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Lions poised to let special teams stalwart Chase Lucas test free agency – NBC Sports – One of the Lions’ top special teams players is set to test free agency.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Andy Reid “hoping” Chiefs can get deal done with Chris Jones – NBC Sports – Defensive tackle Chris Jones posted a photo on social media Thursday of Andy Reid celebrating the Super Bowl victory with him.

Mitch Trubisky: Signing with Bills was a no-brainer, felt like coming home – NBC Sports – Mitchell Trubisky believes backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo is the perfect fit for him at this stage in his career.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Householder: Chicago Bears stadium update – Domed lakefront stadium now planned – Windy City Gridiron – The latest reports have the team staying put in Chicago

Zimmerman: Chicago Bears sign Jaylon Johnson to 4-year, $76 million extension – Windy City Gridiron – Ryan Poles locks up Jaylon Johnson on a multiyear extension prior to free agency.

Wiltfong: Matt Eberflus and Matt LaFleur – Photo-Caption Extravangaza! – Windy City Gridiron – Bears and Packers coaches hanging out? What’s next? Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!

NFL free agency rankings 2024: Top 10 players at every position – SBNation.com – Let’s rank the best 2024 NFL free agents at every position.

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THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines – SBNation.com – We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following are not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender-based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, Making Monsters with Taylor Doll, Bear Bones from Dr. Mason West and Danny Meehan, Bear & Balanced from Jeff and Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., and T Formation Conversation from Lester; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert is another fun one.