The Bear’s Den, July 28, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Bears’ Ryan Pace believes 85 percent of players are vaccinated - RSN - Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace believes 85 percent of the players are vaccinated.

Bears are signing former Falcons WR Justin Hardy - Bears Wire - The Bears are signing former Falcons WR Justin Hardy, who also has experience returning punts and kickoffs.

Matt Nagy didn’t rule out Justin Fields winning Bears’ starting QB job - Bears Wire - Bears coach Matt Nagy just left the door open for Justin Fields to win the starting quarterback job.

4 things we learned from Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy press conference - ChicagoBears.com - In kicking off training camp Tuesday at Halas Hall, GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy discussed Eddie Goldman’s status, how much starters will play in preseason games and much more.

Matt Nagy wants Chicago Bears to be obsessed with takeaways in 2021 - ChicagoBears.com - Items in Tuesday’s notebook include the need for the Bears to generate more takeaways, an ascending second-year pro who will compete for a starting job on defense and more from Halas Hall.

Training Camp Diary: As Players Report, CB Position Battles Pivotal - Da Bears Blog - With two of the team’s three starting cornerback positions up for grabs, this summer’s positional battles could be crucial for the immediate and long-term future of the team.

Out to prove themselves in 2021, Bears living in present - 670 The Score - Inspired by star Giannis Antetokounmpo and the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, Bears coach Matt Nagy’s goal is for his team to live in the present in 2021.

Halas Intrigue Episode 165: Training camp starts! - Chicago Sun-Times - Here’s what’s on the line for several folks at inside Halas Hall.

Bears sign former Falcons WR Justin Hardy - Chicago Sun-Times - Hardy fills a spot in the room vacated when the team traded Anthony Miller to the Texans.

Bears confident they’re well prepared, vaccinated to battle COVID-19 - Chicago Sun-Times - GM Ryan Pace said more than 85% of the roster is vaccinated, and unvaccinated players face steep fines for violating protocol.

Bears WR Allen Robinson wasn’t surprised by contract stalemate - Chicago Sun-Times - If Robinson is using his lack of a long-term contract to motivate himself this season, the Bears receiver isn’t saying it.

Brad Biggs: Matt Nagy not focused on Chicago Bears future - Chicago Tribune - The direction Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy is headed with his players at the start of training camp is discussing the need to focus on the here and now.

Andy Dalton: Chicago Bears QB not fazed by temporary status - Chicago Tribune - The spotlight at Chicago Bears training camp will follow rookie QB Justin Fields everywhere. But veteran Andy Dalton doesn’t want to be forgotten. “I’m sure I’ll be making big plays, too. And hopefully they’ll be cheering the same way.”

Chicago Bears: Vaccination rates, why they traded Anthony Miller - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy said his staff tried to educate and encourage players to get vaccinated, and then left it up to the individual.

Allen Robinson’s speed, Eddie Goldman’s return: What we learned about the Bears to start camp – The Athletic - Bears GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy provided some insight on the 2021 Bears with training camp set to begin.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Xavien Howard requests trade: I am just here so I don't get fined - ProFootballTalk - Cornerback Xavien Howard reported to training camp with the Dolphins on Tuesday morning. He avoided daily fines of $50,000. That is the only reason Howard is in camp, he said in a social media post Tuesday night.

Ron Rivera "beyond frustrated" that so many Washington players remain unvaccinated - ProFootballTalk - “I’m truly frustrated. I’m beyond frustrated. Part of the reason I walk in with a mask on is I’m immune-deficient,” Rivera said, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “I just hope that our guys can understand that.”

Bruce Arians rants about PFT report that was based on info from his own staff - ProFootballTalk - Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians called out our recent reporting regarding Tampa Bay players wearing red wristbands (if vaccinated) and yellow wristbands (if unvaccinated) at practice. Although he didn’t name PFT or me during his profane rant (I haven’t changed the language because he said what he said), he was talking about our reporting (as Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times accurately surmised).

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Nobody cares

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Infante: Bears sign wide outs Justin Hardy and Jon’Vea Johnson, waive two - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have added some wide receiver depth after trading Anthony Miller.

Sunderbruch: The Ryan Pace Bracket Challenge: Overtime! - Windy City Gridiron - Bears fans love their defensive stars, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that in a showdown between two monsters of the midway that there is a tie.

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears 2021 Position Battles: Defensive line is beefed up and ready - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s our seventh Chicago Bears position breakdown in advance of training camp.

THE RULES

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