The most fascinating thing I read over the weekend was this piece from Justin Tinsley, who does tremendous work at ESPN and elsewhere with storytelling that is rooted in culture and sports. His latest — asking ‘Where does Drake go from here?‘— is the best thing you’ll read about his situation with Kendrick Lamar and what the future holds.
Maybe Drake dipping out of the limelight means he won’t be cursing any sports teams anytime soon.
There are just 76 days until the Chicago Bears kick off their regular-season slate of games against the Tennessee Titans. And while left guard Teven Jenkins wears No. 76 well for the current team, there was only one place for me to go today.
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
I am so excited for Mongo to get his day in the sun at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies. Even though McMichael isn’t traveling for the ceremony, Jarrett Payton is giving the induction speech — and I’d bet on it being a doozy.
As for the guy currently wearing No. 76, I’m certainly excited about what the 2024 season has in store for him, too. Teven Jenkins has been the Bears’ best offensive lineman the last two years. Between his willingness to move positions and ability to deliver big blocks, Jenkins has become a fan favorite. Injuries are the only thing keeping the 2021 second-round pick from reaching his full potential. The Bears *SHOULD* be interested in a Teven Jenkins extension, but the injury bug might be what is keeping Chicago’s front office from engaging in extension talks. But if Jenkins can put together a clean season, maybe the two sides can iron out a deal.
Have I been disappointed by Bears offensive coordinator hires that I was excited about in the past? Yes. But new OC Shane Waldron actually has prior play-calling experience. And I think that can be valuable, particularly with a rookie quarterback who is one of five new projected starters on Chicago’s offense.
A team of Sun-Times writers ranks new NFL jerseys we’ll see in 2024, including some from a pair of opponents on the Bears schedule.
It wasn’t all that long ago when Shaquille Leonard was seen as the best off-the-ball linebacker in football. Heck, there was a period of time when Leonard was the highest-paid player at the position. And with good reasons, too. Leonard, a second-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, was the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Pro. But an injury shortened 2022 season threw things off course and was waived by the team in 2023. And while he spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, he remains a free agent as he enters his age 28 season. Leonard says he’ll be ready when an opportunity presents itself. (Indy Star)
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
If you’re thinking it: No, I don’t think he is a fit for the Bears. This team already has Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards locked into starting linebacker gigs. Plus, Jack Sanborn and Noah Sewell are starting-caliber players who happen to be reserves. To be clear, I’m not taking anything away from Leonard — whose résumé is legit. It’s just that signing an off-the-ball linebacker isn’t something that makes sense for the Bears (even if he has ties to Matt Eberflus and this coaching staff).
The Green Bay Packers will soon have a new president:
Ed Policy formally will take over his new role in July 2025, when Mark Murphy officially retires. Policy is entering his 13th year with the Packers and his seventh as their chief operating officer. He was elected this morning by the Packers Board of Directors in a unanimous vote. https://t.co/G6Q7hEQBEZ— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 24, 2024
Ed Policy is taking over for Mark Murphy effective in 2025. A fun fact I learned from a friend of mine who is a Packers fan: The team’s bylaws require its President/CEO to retire when they turn 70 years old. Murphy turns 70 next year. Hence, the Packers are making a change at the top. This seems to be a smart policy. And if it were to be applied to the Bears, George McCaskey would have just two years left in his presidency. Maybe it’s something the franchise should consider. It couldn’t be worse than the times they signed one of their aging ex-players or hired away an offensive coordinator.
The Chicago Cubs officially said farewell to relief pitcher José Cuas. (BN Cubs)
Over at BN Bulls: Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese scored a career-high 25 points and added 16 rebounds in a win against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, then delivered a must-see post-game interview.
There are few sporting events as electric as a Stanley Cup Final Game 7. Who ya got?
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
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We are 74 days from Week 1 kicking off and the trash talk between the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears is underway. Jeffery Simmons, the ultra-talented Titans defensive tackle, delivers the first salvo: https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1805997115425858042 Ooh! A painted nails quip. I'm...
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The Oakland Athletics (30-55) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (40-43) square off at Chase Field on Sunday at 4:10 PM ET.The Diamondbacks will call on Brandon Pfaadt (3-6) versus the Athletics and Luis Medina (1-3).Diamondbacks vs. Athletics Pitcher Matchup and Game...
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