The Bear’s Den, January 13, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

RIP Neil Peart, my personal favorite musician and author both. Suddenly you were gone from all the lives you left your mark upon...

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Nick Kwiatkoski offers optimism for 2020, Bears need to re-sign him - Bears Wire - Bears ILB Nick Kwiatkoski is someone that should offer optimism for the playoff-less Bears heading into 2020

Divisional playoffs: 6 pending free agents Bears should watch Sunday - Bears Wire - With all eyes turned to the divisional playoffs, here are 6 pending free agents the Bears should keep an eye on Sunday.

Bears stock watch: Who impressed or disappointed in 2019? - Bears Wire
- Following a disappointing 2019 season, which Bears impressed and which ones underwhelmed?

Chalk Talk: When will HOF reveal inductees? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses when the Hall of Fame will announce whether former Bears greats Jimbo Covert and Ed Sprinkle will be part of the Class of 2020, the Bears player who improved the most in 2019 and the Bears’ longest tenured coach.

Bears Pleased With Floyd’s Play Despite Modest Numbers - 670 The Score - Floyd finished the 2019 season with three sacks over 16 games.

Bears’ 2019 position review: Offensive line - ChicagoBears.com - After sending two players to the Pro Bowl and helping the Bears win the NFC North championship with a 12-4 record in 2018, the offensive line regressed in 2019.

Should the Bears target a game-breaking wide receiver this offseason? - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears have an established WR1 in Allen Robinson, but could the offense use more speed at receiver?

Four Bears Ryan Pace can cut to free up 2020 salary cap space - NBC Sports Chicago - The Chicago Bears are up against the 2020 salary cap, but these four moves can free up nearly $30 million.

Khalil Mack's contract dubbed Bears' worst entering 2020 offseason - NBC Sports Chicago - Bears pass-rusher Khalil Mack is on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory, but will his contract come back to haunt Chicago?

Bears fans split over idea of Tom Brady coming to Chicago - NBC Sports Chicago - Believe it or not, Bears fans aren't all that excited about the prospects of Tom Brady playing quarterback in Chicago.

Watson, Mahomes Play Different Sport Than Trubisky - SI.com - When you go back and think about Mitchell Trubisky and playoff combatants Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, it's almost hard to believe Bears general manager Ryan Pace actually believes what he said at his season-ending press conference.

At Least One Mock Draft Finds QB Bears Could Love - SI.com - Bear Maven is a Sports Illustrated Channel featuring Gene Chamberlain to bring you the latest news, rumors, notes, and quotes surrounding the Chicago Bears

Bears Fan Jeopardy Champ Lands Shot at Packers - SI.com
- Bear Maven is a Sports Illustrated Channel featuring Gene Chamberlain to bring you the latest news, rumors, notes, and quotes surrounding the Chicago Bears

Draft a Better Bears Tight End Fix Than Free Agency - The Bears need a tight end fast and can't afford to wait for development.

Playing a game with Mitch Trubisky on your shoulder - Chicago Sun-Times - Given choices, whom would you choose to replace the Bears quarterback?

Bears’ Tight End Situation Will Test Clancy Barone - Chicago Audible Blog - The Bears have their new tight ends coach in Clancy Barone. Despite his 32 years of coaching experience, his job with Chicago might be his most difficult.

Which safeties could the Bears pursue to replace Ha Ha Clinton-Dix? - NBC Sports Chicago - A look at three veteran safeties Bears GM Ryan Pace should consider signing if Ha Ha Clinton-Dix leaves in free agency.

Bears 2019 Season in Review: Mitch Trubisky - NBC Sports Chicago - Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was the most disappointing player from one of the most disappointing Bears seasons in recent memory.

Pat Shurmur, a Bears offensive coordinator target, expected to join Broncos - NBC Sports Chicago - Pat Shurmur, a Bears offensive coordinator target, is expected to join Vic Fangio’s coaching staff in Denver. Ken’s Note: Jason LaCanfora, is he right for once or wrong as usual?

What the Bears Can Learn from Titans’ Playoff Run - SI.com - There’s an obvious lesson for Matt Nagy and the Bears as everyone continues to steam about Mitchell Trubisky and how they could have had Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes three years ago.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Patrick Mahomes leads Chiefs to 51-31 win over Texans in Ryan Pace Bowl - Chicago Sun-Times - One quarterback the Bears could’ve had built a 24-0 lead. The other quarterback the Bears could’ve had toppled it.

Pats should let Brady walk; the Joe Judge effect; DK Metcalf - NFL.com - Bucky Brooks explains why it’s crucial for Bill Belichick and the Patriots to say goodbye to Tom Brady and turn the page at quarterback. Plus, Joe Judge’s impact and DK Metcalf’s rise.

NFL Draft 2020: Sizing up early declaration decisions of Tua, Fromm, Eason and more key prospects - CBSSports.com - Who made the right call? Who didn’t? We break down all the key names to know

On light day through the air, Jimmy Garoppolo got to be “a football player” – ProFootballTalk - Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t need to use his arm much on Saturday as the 49ers ran for 186 yards in a 27-10 win over the Vikings, but the quarterback found other ways to pitch in.

Derrick Henry stands alone after upset win vs. Ravens - NFL.com - The Tennessee Titans scored another playoff upset the only way they know how: by riding Derrick Henry to victory. This time, though, it came with an opportunity to stamp his name in the history books.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Report: OC Kevin Stefanski to be named Browns Coach - Daily Norseman - He was rumored to be their front runner the last two years

Stock Market Report: 49ers - Daily Norseman - And so it ends, not with a bang, but a sack, more than likely.

49ers Run Over Vikings - Daily Norseman - Vikings lose in the trenches

Browns hire Kevin Stefanski as head coach – ProFootballTalk - The Cleveland Browns have hired their next head coach. Former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski is the Browns' new head coach, according to multiple reports.

Report: Minnesota Vikings will change offensive coordinators for 5th time in 5 years - Pride Of Detroit - The Vikings can’t seem to hold onto an offensive coordinator.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Infante's Bears Film Room: Extending Allen Robinson must be a priority for Bears - Windy City Gridiron - In an Xs-and-Os breakdown, we take a look at Allen Robinson’s comeback season and how he cemented himself as the Bears’ bonafide No. 1 receiver.

Roman F: Why Did Everyone on Offense Regress in 2019? - Windy City Gridiron - This Fanpost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.

Zeglinski: Windy City Gridiron picks the 2020 NFL Divisional Round - Windy City Gridiron - The (subjective) most appealing weekend of professional football has arrived. And they’re off!

Wiltfong: Are the Bears closer to being good or bad in 2020? - Windy City Gridiron - Vote in our WCG Poll of the Day!

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s 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.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz Network

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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; Bill Zimmerman; Like us on Facebook.