If there is anybody who has been as advertised this preseason for the Chicago Bears, it is Tory Taylor. The team turned many heads in the 2024 draft when they took the Iowa punter in the 4th round. GM Ryan Poles felt Taylor was a unique talent who could become a weapon on special teams. His booming, accurate punts could both flip field position and pin opponents deep in their own territory. The fact that coaches from other teams had called to complain about the move was a good sign. Perhaps the funniest moment for Taylor was when he got a text right after getting picked from the Bears’ new quarterback, Caleb Williams.
“Caleb just texted me before saying, ‘Hey, you’re not going to punt too much here,’ which is great. That was pretty funny.”
It didn’t take long for the two to strike up a friendship after that. However, Taylor wasn’t about to let that comment slide. During the Bears’ preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, the offense got off to a slow start. The first three drives ended in punts. Taylor made sure to let Williams hear about it on the sideline.
Tory Taylor isn’t afraid to troll his quarterback.
Credit to Williams for taking the comment in stride. It is another sign of how healthy the culture is in the Bears locker room. Players clearly enjoy each other’s company. There is no divide by position groups or offense, defense, and special teams. Everybody knows everybody. That is a credit to Williams, who has made it his mission to meet everybody in and around the organization. His leadership qualities remain on full display. Tory Taylor himself also deserves credit for not letting his quarterback forget his comments. One must always keep the stars humble. Besides, the punter has outperformed everybody this preseason, averaging 49.2 yards per kick this preseason. Always attack from a position of strength, right?
It’s becoming obvious that Ryan Poles has improved the Bears team over the last three years and they are beginning to look more like the Kansas City Chiefs. From having strong defensive backs, to having a quarterback who resembles Patrick Mahomes, and a strong punt kicker. Great wide receivers and improved offense and defensive lines will make for an interesting season in Chicago.
I think Tory will end up being huge for the Bears. Being able to flip the field a couple of times in the game with a very good defense will become a major factor just as it did for Iowa. These special teams play remind me of Scorched Earth.
Scooby, I have two Tarkenton RCs in NM shape. I have never been a Vikings fan so they were never handled. But I agree with you about him. I have RCs of Page, Eller, Marshall, and Chuck Foreman too. Those black borders were nasty.
For me personally, Fran Tarkenton is the greatest scrambler/thrower of all time. Steve Young is up there.
Well, I hope those playful games and drones will better prepare the younger ones to fight America’s presumed enemies in the near future. It’s time for millennials to prove themselves anyway.
Myself, I prefer hand to hand combat and consider even most snipers as psychopathic cowards. I think elites on both, or all, sides are mostly prepared to use their tactical, medium, and strategic nuclear weapons. Hold the chemical, biological, and laser weapons for later.
As long as NFL football continues then all will be well with the world. If not, then bring me the videos.