The Bear’s Den, April 20, 2024

The ‘Flus brought company to Wrigley yesterday. Next week is the draft. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

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THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Former Bears Personnel Boss Bill Tobin Dies at 83 – Sports Ilustrated Chicago Bears – Personnel director and VP had an influence in building of the 1985 Super Bowl team before going on to serve as Colts GM.

Bill Tobin, longtime NFL executive, dies at age 83 – NFL.com – Tobin spent 27 years as an executive with the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions. He rounded out his successful career as an area scout for the Cincinnati Bengals the past two decades, working alongside his son, Duke Tobin, the team’s director of player personnel since 1999.

Mayer: Former Chicago Bears executive Bill Tobin passes away – ChicagoBears.com – Tobin joined the Bears in 1975 as director of pro scouting and held that position until being promoted to director of player personnel in 1984. He was later elevated to vice president of personnel in 1986 and remained in that role through 1992.

Caleb Williams reveals reaction to ‘unexpected’ Justin Fields trade – NBC Sports Chicago – Williams said on the latest episode of The Pivot. “I’m in West Hollywood driving to a business meeting and all I see is my phone explodes.”

Bears helping Caleb Williams’ lofty goal to surpass Tom Brady: report – NBC Sports Chicago – Williams aims to start his journey of surpassing Tom Brady with the Bears.

Xavier Legette knows he’d make Caleb Williams-led Bears’ offense dangerous – NBC Sports Chicago – Xavier Legette knows what playing with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Caleb Williams could do for his NFL career.

Sensible Move Up for Bears Has Too Many Obstacles – Sports Illustrated Chicago Bears – Analysis: A proposed move up suggested by one NFL writer for the Bears in Round 1 wouldn’t bring a receiver but would help Caleb Williams.

Bears could be suitor for potential 2024 NFL Draft ‘surprise’ top-10 pick – NBC Sports Chicago – But there’s always a surprise pick in the top 10, and NFL Media draft guru Daniel Jeremiah believes he has a good idea of who this year’s year’s might be. “If you asked me who the surprise top ten pick is or somebody we just didn’t see coming, to me, that’s Byron Murphy,” Jeremiah said Wednesday on a conference call.

Podcast: Previewing the 2024 NFL draft and Bears draft bingo – Bears Wire USA Today – In our latest episode, we preview the 2024 NFL draft and discuss our latest Bears Draft Bingo card.

2024 NFL mock draft: QBs go 1-2-3, WRs go 4-5-6 in 1st-round forecast – Bears Wire USA Today – In our latest NFL Wires mock draft, QBs and WRs dominate the top six while the Raiders, 49ers and Chiefs make big trades.

The Chicago Bears are checking all the boxes for QB Caleb Williams – Bears Wire USA Today – It sounds like the Bears have impressed Caleb Williams with how the team has been constructed.

Biggs: Bill Tobin, former personnel chief, dies at 83 – Chicago Tribune – Bill Tobin, who had a storied 18-year run in personnel with the Chicago Bears and played a major hand in the construction of the Super Bowl XX team, died Thursday. He was 83.

Finley: Former Bears executive Bill Tobin dies at age 83 – Chicago Sun-Times – Tobin was a longtime Bears executive who served as the team’s de facto general manager in 1986-92.

Polling Place: Should Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks be pulled from the rotation? – Chicago Sun-Times – Other poll questions: Do you wish Tim Anderson were still with the White Sox? And how sure are you that Caleb Williams is the best QB in next week’s NFL draft?

Finley: Once the Bears land Caleb Williams, the real work — and pressure — begins – Chicago Sun-Times – Matt Eberflus is under more pressure to win than your average coach with the No. 1 overall pick. That’s saying something.

Lieser: USC quarterback Caleb Williams aims to exceed Texans star C.J. Stroud’s rookie season for Bears – Chicago Sun-Times – Williams also said he hopes to play for the team for 20 seasons and eclipse Tom Brady’s seven championships.

Moreano: Top 5 edge rushers targets for the Chicago Bears – CHGO Bears – Here are five defensive linemen that Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles should consider in the 2024 NFL Draft.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Making Monsters: Texas prospects Bears could draft at 9 and beyond – Windy City Gridiron – Taylor Doll talks with CJ Vogel, College Football Insider who covers the Texas Longhorns for On Texas Football about some players the Bears could draft.

Wiltfong: WCG Member 2024 Chicago Bears Mock Draft contest! – Windy City Gridiron – Do you like doing mocks? Do you think your mock drafts are the best? Then join in our contest to find out if you are the greatest mock GM around!

Infante’s 2024 NFL Draft interview: Clemson DL Tyler Davis – Windy City Gridiron – WCG’s lead draft analyst spoke with one of the top defensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Wiltfong: Caleb Williams on leadership, his family, goal setting, grudges and more – Windy City Gridiron – This is a must-see video for Bears fans to get to know your future quarterback.

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