The Bear’s Den, June 18, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Bears sign DL Mike Pennel to 1-year deal - 670 The Score - The Bears have signed veteran defensive lineman Mike Pennel to a one-year deal, his agent said. Pennel, 30, offers Chicago veteran depth on the defensive line.

Chicago mayor blasts Bears’ bid on Arlington Park - 670 The Score - Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot blasted the Bears’ bid on Arlington Park, calling it a “negotiating tactic” and saying the team should focus on football.

Justin Fields staying patient as Bears stand by plan - 670 The Score - Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields is committed to staying patient while the team stands by its plan for veteran Andy Dalton to start when the season opens.

Jay Cutler: ‘CTE is coming at some point… without a doubt’ - 670 The Score - Former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler took his fair share of hits in his playing career, estimating he has suffered 15 concussions. Because of that, he expects that he’ll suffer from CTE at some point in his post-playing days.

Column: Justin Fields preparing for 1st Chicago Bears camp - Chicago Tribune - Justin Fields plans to take some time off before Chicago Bears training camp begins next month. But the quarterback won't take time off preparing for his rookie season.

Chicago Bears: What we learned at minicamp - Chicago Tribune - “You can feel the energy. You can feel the juice. You can feel the swag coming back.” With new coordinator Sean Desai at the controls, Chicago Bears defenders are feeling a familiar vibe and expressing a belief that a 2021 ascent could be underway soon.

Arlington Heights Bears? We discuss the team's potential move to the suburbs – The Athletic - From the financial aspects to the fan experience, a pair of Chicago writers hash out the ramifications of a potential move.

Bears minicamp notebook: OT Teven Jenkins gets first-team reps, CB battle picks up ... – The Athletic - Rookie tackle Teven Jenkins and second-year cornerback Kindle Vildor among the Bears players who have stood out in minicamp.

Bears Sign Veteran Nose Tackle Mike Pennel - On Tap Sports Net - The Chicago Bears have signed veteran nose tackle Mike Pennel to a one-year deal, according to his agent Andy Simms.

Bears Place Bid on Arlington International Racecourse - On Tap Sports Net - The Chicago Bears placing a bid on Arlington International Racecourse does not guarantee relocation, but it does confirm rumored interest.

Justin Fields' focus during time off before Chicago Bears training camp will remain on football - ChicagoBears.com - After making great strides in offseason practices, Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields will continue to study the playbook and hone his game in the weeks leading up to training camp.

Free Agent Nose Tackle Mike Pennel is Signing With the Bears - Bleacher Nation - After watching Eddie Goldman sit out mandatory minicamp, the Bears brought in some beef for the defensive line.

Chicago’s Mayor Wants Bears to Focus on Winning, Not Moving - Bleacher Nation - Chicago’s mayor chimes in after the Bears announce they’re bidding to buy the Arlington International Racecourse property.

The Bears Are Bidding to Purchase the Arlington International Racecourse Property - Bleacher Nation - The Bears' lease with Soldier Field runs through 2033. Nevertheless, the city and Chicago Park District are officially on high alert.

Bears agree to terms with Mike Pennel on a one-year deal - ProFootballTalk - The Bears have agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackle Mike Pennel on a one-year deal, his agent, Andy Simms, announced.

Matt Nagy makes clear Justin Fields is behind Andy Dalton but ahead of Nick Foles - ProFootballTalk - Bears coach Matt Nagy has been clear that the plan in Chicago is for Andy Dalton to start at quarterback, and Justin Fields to begin his rookie season on the bench. But what if Dalton were to get hurt in the preseason? In that case, Nagy says, Fields takes over.

Bears to Arlington Heights? Team says it submitted a bid for racecourse property - Chicago Sun-Times - The team’s bid signals it’s legitimately considering leaving Soldier Field, home of the Bears since 1971.

Bears’ threat to move to the suburbs is powerful — and familiar - Chicago Sun-Times - When president/CEO Ted Phillips announced Thursday that Bears put in a bid to buy the Arlington International Racecourse property, it was a reminder that the team has been here before. Literally. On the same piece of land.

Halas Intrigue podcast: Introducing the Arlington Heights Bears? - Chicago Sun-Times - From NFC North to NFC Northwest Suburbs?

Justin Fields: ‘Great things don’t happen all at once’ - Chicago Sun-Times - He’ll bide his time as the backup, even as his competitiveness makes him want more.

Bears rookie LT Teven Jenkins ‘exactly where I need to be’ - Chicago Sun-Times - But the second-round draft pick — pegged to be a rookie starter — knows he has a lot to learn and a lot to prove once the Bears practice in pads. And he can’t wait.

Adam Amin itching to call Bears game that counts - Chicago Sun-Times - The NFL announcer and Bears preseason TV voice didn’t get to call a Bears regular-season game on Fox last season. He already has his eye on one this coming season.

Bears’ defense setting an emotional tone - Chicago Sun-Times - It’s June. It’s early. But the Bears’ defense looks eager to go all out for rookie coordinator Sean Desai. "I think everybody [was] excited ... that Sean was going to get that opportunity, and it’s starting to show," safety Tashaun Gipson said.

Chicago Bears submit bid to buy Arlington Racecourse - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears recently submitted a bid to purchase the property at Arlington International Racecourse, news team president and CEO Ted Phillips publicly announced.

Chicago mayor: Bears aren't moving, should be focused on beating Packers - ProFootballTalk - Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot dismissed the Bears’ move as a mere negotiating ploy, and said she wishes the team would focus on more important things, like beating the Packers.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Vaccinated players will be tested once every 14 days - ProFootballTalk - According to the NFL, fully vaccinated players will be tested only once every 14 days.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Jay Glazer: Aaron Rodgers “Still Wants Out” - Acme Packing Company - Jay Glazer claims that quarterback Aaron Rodgers still wishes to play for another team, while the Green Bay Packers “immediately shut down” trade offers.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: No repeat mistakes for Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears rookie maintains he’s a fast learner. All eyes are on the prodigy quarterback’s development as Chicago closes out mini-camp.

Duerrwaechter: Chicago Bears Sign DT Mike Pennel - Windy City Gridiron - With all the uncertainty revolving around Eddie Goldman, the Bears quickly signed Pennel after a recent tryout at Halas Hall.

Wiltfong: Bears sign try-out player T.J. Wheatley Jr. - Windy City Gridiron - On Thursday the Chicago Bears signed offensive lineman T.J. Wheatley Jr. to their offseason roster, this according to his agent via social media.

Wheatley (6’6", 290) was at minicamp the last three...

Wiltfong: What does Allen Robinson do on his cheat day? - Windy City Gridiron - Even though they aren’t working a traditional 9 to 5, professional athletes are just like most employees out there in that they need time away from their jobs on occasion too.

Infante: Bears submit bid to purchase Arlington International Racecourse property - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears appear to be pursuing options for a new stadium in Arlington Heights and now both the Village of Arlington Heights and the Mayor of Chicago has issued statements on the bid.

Robinson: 30 Day Challenge - What’s Your Favorite Chicago Bears Team of All-Time? - Windy City Gridiron - Every day in the month of June, we’ll ask a different Chicago Bears related question to our readers. Make sure you guys participate the entire month so we can all get to know the WCG Community a little better. Today’s question is a tough one, given the storied history of the franchise, but if you HAD to pick a favorite Bears team, which would it be?

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