:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63447278/120630465.jpg.0.jpg)
BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!
BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFT
Biggs: 5 positions to watch as the Bears approach the draft with limited resources - but few positions to fill - Chicago Tribune - The Bears own only five draft picks, none in the first two rounds, but they don’t have a lot of pressing needs. Running back is an obvious position to keep an eye on, and kicker is a wild card. Keep an eye on tight end, cornerback and guard as well.
Campbell: The Bears are back. The 2019 season starts today with workouts at Halas Hall. - Chicago Tribune - The Bears’ 2019 season effectively begins Monday with the start of the voluntary offseason program. They will report to the expanded Halas Hall, which includes a new weight room.
Under Center Podcast: The view from Green Bay with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski | NBC Sports Chicago - JJ Stankevitz is joined by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Packers beat reporter Jim Owczarski to discuss everything Green Bay Packers.
Medina: Robbie Gould Didn’t Show Up for 49ers OTAs and Doesn’t Seem Eager to Do So - Bleacher Nation - Robbie Gould was a no-show as the 49ers started Phase 1 of the offseason ... and it could be part of a larger rift between the two sides.
Medina: A Cody Whitehair Extension Could Make Him the NFL’s Highest-Paid Center (Or One of the Highest Paid Guards) - Bleacher Nation - Cody Whitehair has played well enough to position himself to get a big, fat contract extension.
Medina: Don’t Talk Smack About the Bears, Because Akiem Hicks Will Shut You Down - Bleacher Nation - Akiem Hicks knows your team doesn’t really want a piece of the Bears in 2019.
Medina: Bears Re-Sign Exclusive Rights Free Agents Roy Robertson-Harris and Isaiah Irving - Bleacher Nation - Familiar faces are officially back in the fold on the defensive side of the ball.
Brooks sees Bears as Super Bowl contender - ChicagoBears.com - NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has identified the Bears as one of five NFL teams that are in position to win the Super Bowl this season. The other four clubs are the Patriots, Rams, Cowboys and Browns.
Wood: Don’t Freak Out About Chicago’s Perceived “Difficult Schedule” - Da Bears Blog - The first reason I’ve seen repeated over and over is that the Bears are in trouble because they go from a “4th place schedule” to a “1st place schedule.” That is, they had an easier schedule in 2018 because of their last place NFC North finish in 2017, but winning the NFC North in 2018 sets them up to face a much more difficult slate in 2019.
Finley: Bears return to Halas Hall to start offseason program - Sun Times - Per CBA rules, the Bears are limited to mostly strength-and-conditioning work and classroom activities the first two weeks of the offseason program.
Draft analysis: Bears love Khalil Mack, must develop depth behind him - Sun Times - “He transformed the team on both sides of the ball,” chairman George McCaskey said last month.
POLISH SAUSAGE
2019 NFL Draft: Ideal top two picks for all 32 teams - NFL.com - What would a perfect start to the 2019 NFL Draft look like for all 32 teams? Chad Reuter and Lance Zierlein have the answers, as they reveal the ideal top two selections for each club.
KNOW THY ENEMY
Anthony Harris, Rashod Hill sign restricted free agent tenders - Daily Norseman - They’re both back on one-year deals
The Vikings and lower-tier free agents - Daily Norseman - Why the way the Vikings have handled the offseason makes sense
Packers claim kicker Sam Ficken off waivers - Acme Packing Company - The Packers have brought in a challenger for Mason Crosby’s job.
Packers hosted pre-draft visit for Washington State OT Andre Dillard - Acme Packing Company - One of the best pass protectors in the draft had a meeting with the Packers sometime recently.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON
Wiltfong: Bears announce ERFAs Isaiah Irving and Roy Robertson-Harris have re-signed - Windy City Gridiron - It’s official now, but the announcement comes on the same day the Bears start their offseason work out program.
WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS
2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert Zeglinski - The Blitz Network
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 is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.
The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.
Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:
WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.