Captains, QB Challenges, College Football’s Catch of the Year, and Other Bears Bullets

Luis C. Medina Luis C. Medina
Sep 02, 2024
Sep 02, 2024

I’m serving up a rare Monday brunch edition of Bears Bullets.

  • In case you missed it: The Chicago Bears named eight (!!!) captains today. Yes, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was among them. My initial reaction to this news was ‘Wow, earning captain’s status as a rookie is a pretty big deal‘ and it turns out my gut was correct. Williams is the first Bears rookie to earn the big C on their chest in the Matt Eberflus Era. Meanwhile, that Williams is believed to be the only rookie in franchise history to earn such an honor. They’ve been naming captains since 2007. This feels like a big deal because it is a big deal.

  • Last year, the Bears had four season-long captains and a rotating honorary captain. Does doubling the number of captains count as a sign of growth in terms of team building? Where is as Magic 8-Ball that answers all of my pressing life questions when I need it? Probably in a box that I have yet to unpack.

  • For what it’s worth, that Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Anthony Richardson were rookie quarterbacks who were named captains as rookies. I imagine it was a big deal for those franchises, too, so I’m not going to use that anecdote as a reason to dismiss the news of Caleb Williams becoming a team captain as a rookie QB.

    • bears de montez sweat vs NFL Draft No. 1 pick Bryce young
    (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

  • There is a part of me that is surprised that there is no representation among the linemen when it comes to who gets to wear the “C” on their chest. I thought defensive end Montez Sweat and/or left guard Teven Jenkins would get that opportunity. Maybe they’ll get a weekly captain’s badge at some point during the year. But I felt as if both players were worthy of being named captain.

  • A fun little factoid from the Mully and Haugh Show: The Bears are set to face the second-worst collection of starting quarterbacks in their head-to-head matchups this year. It’s nice that this team catches a break for once. ()

  • OPE! ESPN and ABC are gone from DirecTV — just in time for football season to kick into gear. ()

    • I almost forgot this storyline existed:

  • Not only did last night’s USC-LSU game produce some tremendous Brian Kelly memes, it also might’ve given us the Catch of the Year — in Week 1:

  • On the one hand, it is a shame that Caleb Williams didn’t get that type of backing from USC’s defense last season. But on the other hand, we’re only six days away from seeing what he can do with a defense that can play ball. We’re just six days away from Chicago Bears football.

  • With hype and hope seemingly at all-time highs for the Bears and their fans, for Sun-Times columnist Rick Morrissey.

  • Speaking of tremendous meme content:

  • San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital on Sunday after being shot on Saturday. ()

  • that Brazil’s Supreme Court is upholding a judge’s ruling to block the social media platform formerly known as Twitter (currently called X, but we all still call it Twitter … right?) on a nationwide basis. I’m curious to see how this impacts coverage of Friday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.

  • Oh, hey! This is new:

    • //twitter.com/FantasyLifeApp/status/1830289998559543680

  • Over at BN Bulls, Eli writes about Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese setting the WNBA’s single-season rebounding record.

  • Tab takes a look at Seth Jarvis’ interesting new contract — and how it might help the Chicago Blackhawks. (BN Blackhawks)

  • The Chicago Cubs are hot entering the first Monday of September. But they’ll need to stay that way if they want to make a serious run at a postseason berth:

    • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bear🌜s 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.

    more bears news

    Bill Belichick Doesn’t Love the 2024 Chicago Bears Roster Construction

    The hits keep coming for the Chicago Bears after their Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football. First, it is Hall of Fame-bound quarterback Tom Brady's video criꦐtiquing the quarterback developmenꦇt plans in place at the...

    Luis C. Medina Luis C. Medina
    Sep 17, 2024

    In The Trenches: The Bears Bad Was BAD, But I Think It’s Correctable

    For just about every film session I've been a part of, usually, you end up leaving with the ꦕopposite feeling of how you came ༺in. When you come into a film session feeling high and mighty thinking you played great,...

    Matt Rooney Matt Rooney
    Sep 17, 2024

    Nate Davis Went Viral in Week 2 … For All the Wrong Reasons

    Nate Davis signed a three-year contract worth $30 million in March 2023 and it has yet to look like that was money well spent by Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. And on S🎃unday, Davis went 🦂viral — for all the...

    Matt Rooney Matt Rooney
    Sep 17, 2024

    The Bears Appear to Be Catching a Brea𒁃k With Thi🉐s DeForest Buckner News

    A much-malignedꦅ Chicago Bears offensive line can breathe a little bit easier now that this DeForest Buckner news is officially official. The Indianapolis Colts have put the All-pro defensive tackle on injured reserve. Buckner suffered the injury against the Green...

    Luis C. Medina Luis C. Medina
    Sep 17, 2024

    Caleb Williams Film Study: A Tale of Two Halves

    On the surface, losing by one score and having a chance 🎉to put together a game-winning driv🥃e against the Houston Texans on Sunday night gives me some optimism. Houston is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They have one of the...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    Sep 17, 2024

    Tom Brady Makes Some Good Points About QB ꦐDevelopme෴nt

    Bryce Young's benching in Carolina made this viral clip of Tom Brady discussing quarterback development pop up again. I didn't get a chance to dig into it whꦐen it first surfaced in Augus♚t. But between Carolina sending the No. 1...

    Luis C. Medina Luis C. Medina
    Sep 17, 2024

    Bears Player Grades: ܫPost All-22 Week 2 Player Re-Grades

    We’re a few days removed from the Bears’ fr𒉰ustrating loss to the Houston Texans. In the last 48-plus hours, I’ve had time to digest the All-22 and watch a couple of rewatches of the game, so I wante🅷d to revisit...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    Sep 17, 2024

    DJ’s Frustrations, Philly’s Collapse, Caleb’s Week-to-Week Improvement, and Other Bears Bullets

    I woke up and did a beginner's yoga session fo🀅r the first time in years and hope to make it a regular occurrence moving forward after remembering how good it made me feel. If Sunday was Caleb Williams' "Welcome to...

    Luis C. Medina Luis C. Medina
    Sep 17, 2024

    Monday N💧ight Football: Eagles vs. Falcons – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread, More

    Week 2 continues this evening with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. How to Watch Monday Nighꦑt Football: Eagles vs. Falcons TV: ABC, ESPN Streaming: NFL+ Radio: Westwood Oꦏne Kickoff Time: 7:20 pm CT...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    Sep 16, 2024

    Around ಌthe NFL: Chiefs Lose Pacheco, Harrison and Nabers Break Out, More

    The Kansas City Chiefs eeked out a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but they lo꧟st Isiah Pacheco for the foreseeable future in the process—that and mo🙈re in today's NFL Notes. Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco Fractures Fibula The Kansas...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    Sep 16, 2024

    Latest News

    The Chicago Blackhawks Have a New Captain!

    The Blackhawks have a new captain! For the first time since Jonathan Toews stepped away from the game, Chicago's hockey team will have someone wearing the "♎C" on their chest. That someone will be Nick Foligno! While some might have...

    Matt Rooney Matt Rooney
    Sep 18, 2024

    Orioles vs. Giants Probable Starting Pitchers – Sept. 18

    The San Francisco Giants (73-78) play on the road against the Baltimore Orioles (84-67) 🧸at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The matchup is set to start at 6:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Orioles...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 18, 2024

    Jose Altuve Took Out His Foot, Got Ejected

    There are so many joking angles to take on this one, but I'm not sure which of them would get me into trouble. So I'll just stick t♊o the facts on something I've certainly never seen happen before. H⛄ouston Astros...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    2024 Hangzhou Open Betting Odds for Men’s Singles

    Holger𝓀 Vitus Nodskov Rune is the favorite to win the tournament (+300) entering the Hangzhou Open's Round of 32 at in , .Watch live matches from Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and more tennis events on ESPN+.Favorites to Win the Hangzhou...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 18, 2024

    Angels vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, September 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Angels (61-90) and the Chicago White Sox (36-116) meet in the rubber match of a three-game series on Wednesday at 4:07 p.m. ET. The Angels are -149 favorites 🍷on the moneyline to win the series over the...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 18, 2024

    Hoerner’s Success, Hard Contact, Palencia Dominates, Caissie’s Catch, and Other Cubs Bullets

    I have reached the age where, if you notice something weird or concerning on or in your body, you prett♓y much leap to get it checked out by a doctor. I would say here that I ꦑhave some weird thing...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, September 18, 2024

    The Colorado Rockies (59-93) ho🌼pe to⛄ complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks (83-68) when the teams meet at 3:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The Diamondbacks are -138 favorites to prevent the Rockies from completing the sweep.Arizona's Eduardo Rodriguez...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 18, 2024

    Angels vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – Sept. 18

    The Los Angeles Angels (61-90) meet the Chicago White Sox (36-116) in Anaheim at 4:07 p.m. ET on W🧸ednesday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Angels will send Jack Kochanowicz (2-5) to the mound, while Jared Shuster (1-4) will...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 18, 2024

    Padres vs. Astros: Injury Report, Updates & Probable Starters – Sept. 18

    On Wednesday, the Hous𝕴ton Astros (82-69) are visiting the San Di🌱ego Padres (86-66), at 6:40 p.m. ET, in the final game of a three-game series.Want to see who's playing for the Padres and the Astros? Read on for complete injury...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 18, 2024

    Angels vs. White Sox: Injury Report, Updates & Probable Starters – Sept. 18

    At Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels (61-90) take on the Chicago White Sox (36-116), with first pitch at 4:07 p.m. ET.Looking to see who's playing for the An♎gels and the White Sox? Continue scrolling to.ꦐ..

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 18, 2024

    more bears news