Why Do I Like the Chicago Bears This Week?
I.
Always.
Like.
THE.
Chicago.
Bears.
Where is Sam Darnold in 2025?
Darnold’s statistical rankings:
- Yards: 6th.
- Touchdowns: T-3rd.
- Completion percentage: T-6th.
- QB Rating: 3rd.
For the life of me, I do not understand why the Minnesota Vikings are even considering moving on from a quarterback that is not only playing exemplary football, but he will also only be 28 years old next season. Some guys take time. Some guys need the right coach, and the right structure around them. But Darnold has been more impressive in 2024 than anything we’ve seen from Jordan Love or Trevor Lawrence. Why are the Vikings so willing to gamble at the position?
Side note: Josh Allen would be my MVP, and his performance, even in a loss last week, should solidify that. But why isn’t Darnold in the conversation?
Who Will Be the Next Bears Coach?
This has been a very busy time for me academically, but I reached out to folks around the team last night for a list of names and that list is unsurprising (to say the least). Here is what I was told.
- Is Kevin Warren making this hire? No. Is he going to be the one who stamps Ryan Poles’ choice? That seems more likely than not. Is that a good thing? No.
- Ben Johnson’s people have made it clear to the Bears that he’s interested. But the process of communication with Johnson will be complicated by the (expected) deep playoff run for the Lions. Would the Bears be okay waiting for Johnson till after a Super Bowl? “Yes,” I was told, unequivocally, if he’s the guy.
- Everyone seems so down on the notion of a defensive head coach. But citing the coaches “to win the last X Super Bowls” is a very silly metric. The NFL is cyclical. Would you really want Joe Brady or Todd Munken over Mike Vrabel or Brian Flores? I know I wouldn’t, and I don’t think the Bears will either.
- Bill Belichick being the North Carolina coach is wild to me. But you know what? They are now must see television for me in September.
- I’ve been tweeted the name Dan Lanning by multiple folks, but I was told the Bears are not going to take a shot on a college coach with zero professional experience. That also includes Lincoln Riley.
- If there is any coach the Bears should NOT be considering, it is Kliff Kingsbury.
Side note: We’ll be doing the DBB pledge NEXT WEEK, to get that business out of the way before the end of the season, allowing me to concentrate on the coaching search.
Game Prediction
- The Vikings are good and think they’re going to make noise in the tournament. And they’re home, with everything to play for, in front of an inspired crowd.
- The Bears are just a bad football team now, on the road, with nothing to play for.
- I think this game is over by halftime.
Minnesota Vikings 33, Chicago Bears 20