We are just 97 days away from the Chicago Bears kicking off their regular-season schedule with a noon CT Sunday kickoff against the Carolina Panthers. The schedule has eight noon CT Sunday starts, plus a noon CT kickoff on Christmas Day against the Packers. More Bears schedule notes here.
Zachary Pereles (CBS Sports) offers up a list of the 100 most important players going into the 2026 NFL season. I thought this list would be littered with Bears players, but there is only one who makes the cut — quarterback Caleb Williams. More from Pereles:Williams cut out the biggest issue in his game — sacks — in 2025, thanks to individual improvement and major improvement around him: Ben Johnson and several offensive linemen certainly helped. The next step is improving his accuracy (58% completion percentage) and continuing to make strides playing in structure. The arrow is pointing upwards.
Between QB1’s late-game heroics in 2025, getting cover boy status on Madden NFL ’27, and the projected leap that could come in Year 2 under Johnson’s tutelage, you can start to understand why some believe that Williams is approaching “face of the league” status. Williams has some boxes to check before we get to that point, but I am enamored with the idea of a Bears quarterback being someone the league wants in the spotlight.FIND THE BN BEARS PODCAST HERE: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
In other Bears quarterback news, Tyson Bagent is celebrating a birthday today. Bagent’s name came up in trade rumors during the offseason, but nothing ever came from them — and I think that is a good thing. We often talk about how much Caleb Williams will benefit from another year in Ben Johnson’s system, but let’s not lose sight of how vital this could be for Bagent. Not only is he gaining a deeper understanding of the scheme, but learning under Johnson could benefit Bagent in the future should he get a chance to start somewhere. To be clear, I’m not running Bagent out of town. I’m just hoping things go well enough here so that he can get a shot to start somewhere else in the future. Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images The Bears’ mandatory minicamp begins on Tuesday and runs through Thursday. I have some things I’m hoping for this week. Firstly, I want everyone to get through the week healthy. That is always my No. 1 priority this time of year. Secondly, I’d like to hear some positive reports about rookies and newcomers. Going into the rest of the offseason feeling good about the newbies will help me sleep better at night. And, finally, I hope that this week of Bears practice activities will spare us from unnecessary stadium-related ridiculousness. What’s next for Caleb Williams is one of The Athletic’s things to watch this week as mandatory minicamp practices get going this week:Williams delivered heroics, but the Bears need him to execute with greater efficiency and consistency throughout games so those late-game fireworks won’t be necessary. They also need more from an offensive line that features a couple of new faces, including left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and center Garrett Bradbury. Johnson’s team also must guard against complacency now that they have tasted some success for the first time in nearly a decade.
Hakeem Butler was one of my favorite prospects who came out in the 2019 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the wide receiver didn’t find his footing in the NFL. However, he has shown playmaking ability during his time in the UFL. The league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 is the all-time leader in spring football receiving yards (2,192) and could be someone who makes a push for an NFL roster spot. In previous years when wide receiver was an obvious need, I’d make a pitch for the Bears and Butler to come together. Maybe I should do it anyway. Ben Johnson’s offense can’t have enough receivers, right?FOLLOW BN BEARS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | BlueSky
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— Betsperts Golf (@BetspertsGolf) June 7, 2026 The Cubs can’t hurt us today. They’re off after losing an extra-inning gut-punch of a game to the Giants on Sunday Night Baseball. I don’t have too many takeaways from that one that don’t involve using four-letter words that my employers wouldn’t appreciate me using on the site. But my biggest takeaway from the series finale is how good the SNB broadcast was with Jason Benetti, Jim Deshaies, Hunter Pence, and Anthony Rizzo. Four voices usually make for a crowded booth, but those four weaved in and out with ease. It’s a shame that Benetti left Chicago for Detroit because teaming him with JD would be the It was a bummer to hear about the death of Bulls broadcaster Stacey King. I will always remember King for his ability to weave X’s and O’s talk with zingers and punchlines that made games entertaining. Over at BN Bulls, Joshua Miranda takes a look at how Chicago and the basketball world are mourning the loss of King. From our friends at BN Blackhawks: Tab Bamford takes a look at Ivar Stenberg’s NHL Draft stock after the combine.More Bears From Bleacher Nation: Go Ad-Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
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