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Ben Johnson May Have Found His O-Line Coach And It’s A Huge Upgrade

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints running backs coach Dan Roushar looks on before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Saints at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With Chris Morgan out, new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson would have to fill the all-important offensive line coach position. After this group allowed 67 sacks in 2024, there is no underselling how important of a hire this is. While nothing is set in stone yet, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune recently revealed the name that could secure the job within the next couple of days. His name is Dan Roushar. The 64-year-old has been coaching various offensive positions in college and the NFL dating back to 1986.

Over that time, he has developed a notable list of future studs.

  • Doug Free
  • Andrus Peat
  • Terron Armstead
  • Larry Warford
  • Ryan Ramczyk
  • Erik McCoy
  • Cesar Ruiz

Roushar is undoubtedly one of the best in the business at what he does. He would bring a ton of experience to the staff where it is needed the most. Johnson likely connected with him via Dan Campbell. The two worked together in New Orleans. Sean Payton always has a good eye for line coaches. If the Bears can lure him back to the pros, that is a critical move to shore up their most problematic area.

Ben Johnson is giving his young lineman a chance to grow.

Roushar is a master at getting the most out of his players. During his time in New Orleans, no fewer than five players would make at least one Pro Bowl under his watch. The Bears have high hopes for young guys like Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones. There is no telling what they could become under his guidance. The same is true of 3rd round pick Kiran Amegadjie, who had a rocky season as a rookie. If those guys have something to offer, Roushar will be the one to find it.

He’ll also be able to identify talent in the upcoming draft. Remember, Roushar has worked extensively in college football for decades. He knows how to tell the difference between guys who can play on Sundays and those who will be working as insurance salesmen. Ben Johnson deserves so much credit if he closes this deal. He’s already added two excellent assistants, Antwaan Randle El and Al Harris. Bringing in Roushar would give this staff a level of credibility it hasn’t had in years.

Blackhawks Deal Taylor Hall As Part Of Three-Team Blockbuster

By
Isaac Nielsen
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Dec 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall (71) celebrates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues during the first period in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Just before the puck dropped on Friday’s game against the Lightning, the Blackhawks announced that Seth Jones would be scratched due to illness and that Taylor Hall was scratched for undisclosed reasons. With almost zero warning or explanation, it was clear something was up. It certainly didn’t make matters less suspicious that GM Kyle Davidson was reportedly in Denver for the majority of the past week.

While the Blackhawks didn’t get much in return, they got to be part of what will almost certainly be the biggest NHL trade of the season. In a deal that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina in exchange for Martin Necas, Chicago threw in former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall and used their room under the salary cap to help broker the trade.

At the end of the day, the Blackhawks gave up Hall while retaining 50 percent of Rantanen’s salary ($4.625 million) and grabbing a third-round pick in return. Full details:

Trade call underway now. Full deal:

To Hurricanes: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall

To Avalanche: Martin Necas, Jack Drury, 2025 2nd Round Pick, 2026 4th Round Pick (all from Carolina)

To Blackhawks: 2025 3rd Round Pick (their own returned from Carolina), 50% of Rantanen’s salary

With Rantanen and Hall both set to hit free agency this summer, Chicago essentially paid $1.25 million for their own third-rounder, likely in the 65-70th overall range. It’s tough to see Hall go, but many assumed he would be traded within the next month – he had 24 points in 46 games and didn’t figure into Chicago’s long-term plans. Plus, with the Blackhawks looking to inject some of their young prospects into the lineup over the next few months (like I wrote earlier Friday), Hall was taking up a roster spot that can now be used to help build the future. All in all, it’s not a massive trade for the Blackhawks, but includes nothing but long-term gains for a team that has all but given up on the ongoing season.

Chicago Bears Score Two Outstanding Additions To Coaching Staff

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Aug 24, 2020; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys player Trevon Diggs (right) talks with Al Harris (left) during training camp at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: James D. Smith via USA TODAY Sports

Ben Johnson knew that if he was taking over the Chicago Bears, it would be a Herculean task to draft them out of the mud and back to playoff contention. For that, he would need a quality staff of assistant coaches. However, things went silent for the past few days. Little information came out on their plans aside from the initial belief they were targeting former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen for defensive coordinator. Everything changed on Friday as they made not one but two massive additions to the staff.

It started with a bombshell from Patrik Walker of Dallascowboys.com that assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris would be leaving Dallas to join the Bears as their new passing game coordinator. Harris was a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and has risen up the ranks rapidly over the past few years. Shortly after that, news broke from Adam Schefter that Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El would join the organization as their assistant head coach and receiver coach. He was a productive receiver throughout the 2000s for Pittsburgh and Washington, winning a Super Bowl in 2005.

The Chicago Bears have hit two home runs in quick succession.

Harris has carved out a glittering reputation as a defensive backs coach for years. In Kansas City from 2016 to 2018, he got All-Pro seasons from safety Eric Berry and cornerback Marcus Peters. Then, in Dallas, he turned draft picks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland in All-Pros as well. One can only imagine what he can accomplish with Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker.

Randle El was born in Riverdale, Illinois. This is a homecoming for him. He got his first coaching shot in Tampa Bay, where he helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl in 2020. That earned him the wide receivers coach job in Detroit, where he developed Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams into 1,000-yard targets.

Both men have proven track records as coaches and have also played in the league at a high level, making them such strong additions to the Chicago Bears’ staff. Johnson is off to a terrific start.

Drew Thorpe Has Less Than Ideal Injury Update

By
ChiSoxFanMike
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Jul 5, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe (33) looks on from inside the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Spring Training hasn’t even started, yet the bad news has already begun for the White Sox. Right-hander Drew Thorpe experienced a setback following last year’s season-ending elbow surgery and will be behind schedule at the start of the spring, per Josh Frydman of WGN TV News. Thorpe’s availability at the beginning of the regular season is now in jeopardy.

Thorpe’s Strong Start To 2024

The 24-year-old Thorpe was the headliner in the Dylan Cease trade last March and dominated the AA level in the White Sox farm system before making his MLB debut in early June. His first seven MLB starts were very respectable outside of one blowup outing. He recorded a 3.03 ERA over 38.2 innings while delivering five quality starts. Thorpe looked primed to have a strong rookie campaign and cement his place in the starting rotation.

Subsequent Injury Issues

Unfortunately, Thorpe’s final two starts with the White Sox last season were anything but quality. He allowed eight runs in less than an inning against the Mariners on July 26th and gave up six runs in five innings against the Royals on July 31st. The White Sox subsequently placed him on the 15-day injured list with a season-ending right forearm flexor strain. Thorpe then had offseason surgery to shave down a bone spur in his elbow.

Delayed Timeline Heading Into Spring

The expectation at the time of the procedure was that Thorpe would be fully healthy to begin 2025 spring training. That is no longer the case and his recovery timeline is now cloudy. Thorpe did elaborate on the specifics of his injury to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin earlier today, saying, “I’ll be a little slow to start. Probably start playing catch again next week, but should be a fairly quick ramp up.” 

Merkin further elaborated that Thorpe received a cortisone shot and medication for the injury and that the issue has been termed “residual inflammation.” Thorpe also added that MRIs showed that everything structurally in his arm was clean and that his setback might be part of the recovery process. In any case, his setback will likely derail the start of his 2025 season. 

Potential New Opportunity At Hand

Thorpe would have undoubtedly opened the season in the White Sox starting rotation if healthy. While that could still be the case depending on his recovery timeline, his injury could open up the door for other players. Bryse Wilson, Sean Burke, Mason Adams, Ky Bush, Jairo Iriarte, and Nick Nastrini are some of the many pitchers competing for spots this spring.

Cautious Approach

Drew Thorpe might not have the enormous ceilings of Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith or the pure stuff of Davis Martin and Sean Burke. But he was the centerpiece of the Dylan Cease trade for a reason. He is very talented in his own right and will hopefully be a factor in the White Sox rotation for years to come. While his injury issues are worth monitoring, hopefully the organization is just taking a cautious approach in handling one of the team’s most promising young pitchers.

Shocking Details Revealed About Ben Johnson And The Bears Deal

By
Dave
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ben johnson
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears new head cach Ben Johnson is greeted by general manager Ryan Poles at his introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Bears officially hired Ben Johnson just a few days ago, and since then, the team has enjoyed great PR. That is what happens when you land the number one head coaching target in this cycle. Johnson has also impressed in media interviews and his opening press conference. Recently, Windy City Gridiron had the opportunity to interview Johnson’s agent, Rick Smith, and it’s a fantastic listen—I highly recommend checking it out (linked here).

During the interview, Smith addressed rumors that the Raiders were strong contenders for Johnson, with many around the league believing Las Vegas was the frontrunner for the top head coaching candidate. Smith denied these claims, explaining that the media and internet often create narratives that don’t align with reality. He revealed it wasn’t in his client’s best interest to publicly correct the storyline at the time however. Smith clarified that the Bears were always Johnson’s first choice, and he made that decision the Monday after Detroit’s loss to Washington. Johnson instructed Smith to call Chicago and work out a deal, which the Bears finalized quickly.

The entire process in Chicago was incredible.

Rick Smith praised the Bears organization, stating that while the Bears have faced criticism in the past, this is a new era. He credited Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles for leading the team in the right direction and highlighted how smooth and professional the hiring process was for both him and his client. They were blown away.

If you’re interested in more details about this process, be sure to listen to the interview—Windy City Gridiron did an incredible job with it!

Watch Now: Shocking Details Revealed About Ben Johnson And The Bears Deal

Reportedly NHL-Bound College Prospects Could Force Crowded Contract List For Blackhawks

By
Isaac Nielsen
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Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Oliver Moore shakes hands with general manager Kyle Davidson after being selected with the nineteenth pick in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

With the Blackhawks motoring along at the bottom of the NHL standings and headed for another high pick in this summer’s draft, we’re rapidly approaching the point in the season where Chicago will be switching up its lineup to give other players a crack at the big club. As collegiate seasons wrap up and the Blackhawks shift their focus to next year’s roster, we should see a flurry of changes to the nightly lineup as early as March.

While most of Chicago’s focus is on AHL prospects like Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Landon Slaggert and more, it’s no secret that the Blackhawks boast one of the best collegiate groups in the league. That strength was revealed to the rest of the NHL on Wednesday, when the nominees for the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award were released. The list included four Blackhawks who are lighting things up at their respective schools – Sam Rinzel, Aidan Thompson, Ryan Greene and Sacha Boisvert.

On Friday, Chicago got even better news from the collegiate level. Scott Powers of the Athletic reported that the Blackhawks could be getting more help soon.

“The expectation is for at least Moore, Rinzel and Greene to join the NHL team when their college seasons end.”

– Scott Powers, the Athletic

The Blackhawks’ roster should be getting a lot more fun soon, with multiple collegiate skaters apparently headed to the NHL. Oliver Moore, one of the fastest skaters in the entire sport, should be taking his talents to Chicago before the end of the season. He’ll be joined by Sam Rinzel, who figures to be a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, and Ryan Greene, a point-per-game star and co-captain at Boston University.

While the team should be getting more entertaining in a hurry, the fact that so many prospects are about to be signed could force the hand of the Blackhawks’ front office. Chicago signed standout AJ Spellacy this week, putting their number of contracts at 42, well below the maximum of 50. However, those three college skaters will bump the number to 45, and there’s a good chance that Thompson, Dominic James, Taige Harding and more also put pen to paper.

That won’t necessarily force the Blackhawks to make any specific moves, but it does mean that we’ll see a youth movement happening soon. We’ve been waiting throughout the past few years for Chicago to transition into a younger team, moving on from its current veteran placeholders. With several high-profile prospects “coming of age” at the same time, they could force the Blackhawks’ hand in the best way possible.

More Evidence That The Bulls Are Misusing Matas Buzelis

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Jan 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

One of the most constant and frustrating themes of Billy Donovan and Arturas Karnisovas’s tenure in Chicago is the lack of rookie development. Outside of Patrick Williams, who has been blindly thrown into the starting lineup for 209 of his 248 career outings, rookies don’t see the floor much for the Bulls. Williams is an exception because he was drafted the highest of any rookie in Chicago since Derrick Rose and was Karnisovas’s first draft selection with the franchise. The front office was reluctant enough to admit their faulty draft choice to agree on a five-year extension for the former Seminole, with whom they’re now testing the trade market. Matas Buzelis, the 11th overall pick in the 2024 draft, has shown the most promise of any Bulls rookie in over a decade. Why doesn’t he see more action, and what’s he accomplished despite the struggle for playing time?

One Of The Most Underrated Defenders Leaguewide

At this time last year, Buzelis was being mocked in the top ten of the NBA draft, and some had him as high as first overall. He was tearing up the G-League and showing off elite athleticism, a unique scoring ability, and a high motor. When draft night rolled around, and he fell into the laps of Karnisovas and his team, Chicago had to grab the 19-year-old with massive upside. In classic Donovan fashion, the rookie has seen minimal minutes off the bench this season with little to no consistency on a nightly basis. While it’s understandable that the inconsistency in floor time or rotational minutes is causing his extreme variances in output, the Bulls’ 19-26 record makes fans wonder if they shouldn’t be granting the rookie more opportunities.

Not only is the rookie forcing a tough matchup for the opposition, but he’s also one of the only roster pieces who consistently provides rim protection. Despite being granted some of the fewest minutes on the depth chart, he leads the club in blocks and all rookie forwards in games with two or more blocked shots.

Providing Positive Offensive Output

Buzelis has proven to earn court time with his defensive efforts, but offensively, he’s shown just as much promise with no reward from the coaching staff. Yes, he’s not yet a polished offensive threat, but his explosiveness and speed in transition alone warrant court time. Unlike Williams, who is older, paid more, and provides less versatility defensively, Buzelis has shot similar figures from three-point land and comparable statistics in most offensive categories. The failure to let their rookie play and develop amidst a third consecutive losing season is baffling.

This level of offensive prowess doesn’t disappear overnight. Buzelis has struggled mightily with his role changing on a nightly basis. He hasn’t played 15 or more minutes in back-to-back games in over a month, and he’s seen five minutes or less in a quarter of games this month. The potential and athleticism are obvious. Why are Donovan and Karnisovas not pushing for his development? If Chicago turns into trade deadline sellers, look for Buzelis to see a significant uptick in minutes as the Bulls slide in the standings without some of the top current contributors.

Surprise Team Eyeing Ian Cunningham For Their GM Job

By
Erik Lambert
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ian cunningham

It looked like Ian Cunningham was once again not going to land a GM job in the NFL this year. He’d made it to the list of finalists for the position in Tennessee. Many felt he was a favorite. In the end, it went to Mike Borgonzi from Kansas City. While unfortunate, plenty of people inside Halas Hall were happy. It meant Cunningham would be around to help them with another crucial off-season. However, they may have jumped the gun on that. It appears another team is preparing to make a run at the Chicago Bears assistant GM.

News broke on Thursday that the Jacksonville Jaguars had fired GM Trent Baalke after a tumultuous several years on the job. It is believed this was done to ensure they secured top coaching candidate Liam Coen, which they have since done. Now, they must fill out the GM slot. According to Mia O’Brien, who covers the Jaguars for 1010 XL on 92.5 FM, there is a strong belief that mutual interest exists between Cunningham and Jacksonville.

Ian Cunningham being interested in Jacksonville isn’t a surprise.

Multiple factors suggest it’s a good landing spot. For one, the owner is notorious for keeping his general managers in place even if the team doesn’t do well. David Caldwell served eight seasons there, and Baalke served four. He would inherit a talented quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, meaning he wouldn’t have to focus his roster plans on finding one. They aren’t in a terrible cap situation and sit in a relatively mediocre division. That would present a big opportunity to make an immediate impact.

There is no such thing as a perfect landing spot. Ian Cunningham knows this. Jacksonville is far from that. Still, it offers many perks that other organizations can’t offer. That includes the 5th overall pick in the draft. If ever there was a time to make the jump, this would be it. Presuming it happens, the Bears would be compensated with two 3rd round draft picks per the NFL rule of minority hires. It would be a tough loss for the front office but a great opportunity for him. Co-director of player personnel Jeff King feels like the probable successor in such an event.

Free Agent Closer Talking to Cubs About Reunion

By
Aldo Soto
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Apr 17, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher David Robertson (37) reacts in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs are actively looking to add one or multiple(?) high-leverage relievers and the latest name to publicly surface is 39-year-old David Robertson.

According to Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine, Robertson has been in talks with the Cubs about a reunion. Back in 2022, Robertson signed a one-year deal on the North Side following his first season back from Tommy John surgery. The long-time reliever has had a resurgence in the past three seasons and as he prepares to enter his age-40 season in 2025, Robertson could be returning to the Cubs.

Robertson missed almost all of the 2019 season, did not return in 2020 and was limited to 12 innings with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, when the reliever was fully recovered from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs signed him to a deal worth $3.5 million in guaranteed money and $1.5 million in incentives.

After recording a 2.23 ERA and 14 saves with the Cubs in 36 appearances Robertson was traded to the Phillies for pitching prospect Ben Brown. Robertson finished the year with a 2.40 ERA in 63.2 innings between his time in Chicago and Philadelphia. Since then, the righty has pitched for the New York Mets, Miami Marlins and spent last season with the Texas Rangers.

Despite his age, Robertson has been one of the most consistent relievers in the game during the past three years.

David Robertson 2022-24
2022: 63.2 IP, 2.40 ERA, 30.7 K%, 13.3 BB%, 1.16 WHIP
2023: 65.1 IP, 3.03 ERA, 29.0 K%, 9.3 BB%, 1.19 WHIP
2024: 72 IP, 3.00 ERA, 33.4 K%, 9.1 BB%, 1.11 WHIP

Those 2024 numbers were elite, 99 strikeouts ranked sixth most among all relievers and Robertson’s 33.4 K% was actually well ahead of Tanner Scott’s 28.6 K%.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are also engaged in trade talks with the Houston Astros for veteran reliever Ryan Pressly. The 36-year-old has a no-trade clause and it appears as though the right-hander is mulling over the decision to accept Chicago as his new home for the 2025 season.

The Cubs aren’t the only team interested in the Astros’ relief pitcher, but according to Jon Heyman, they might be the team he ultimately chooses based on his preferences.

So, I guess the question is whether the Cubs are considering acquiring both Pressly and Robertson or one of the two.

As much as I like the idea of adding Robertson because of his recent track record, I also recognize that he may end up being bad in 2025 and those chances only get higher as he enters his 40s. Same goes with Pressly, who despite having a great career, has concerning red flags following an OK 2024 season that saw a decreased strikeout rate and dropped velocity.

We’ll see what direction the Cubs go as the team attempts to solidify the bullpen following an atrocious couple months from high-leverage relievers in 2024 that led to them missing the playoffs.

White Sox Division Rival Reportedly Interested Dylan Cease 

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Feb 19, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) looks on during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

For the second time in as many years, Dylan Cease’s name has popped up in trade rumors. According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, the Minnesota Twins are among the teams interested in acquiring Dylan Cease. 

After falling four games shy of a playoff spot last season, the Twins’ interest in Cease is not surprising. Last season, their starting rotation ranked 12th in the MLB with 62 quality starts. While this was above the MLB average, it still wasn’t good enough to propel them to a division title. Their current rotation includes Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Chris Paddack. Paddack has been plagued with elbow issues, making Cease a significant upgrade for the rotation. 

The former White Sox right-hander was dealt to the Padres last March for right-handed prospects Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte,  outfield prospect Samuel Zavala and 29-year-old reliever Steven Wilson. Cease had a solid season in San Diego, posting a 3.47 ERA with a 29.4 percent strikeout rate and a no-hitter. Those numbers were good enough for him to finish fourth in the Cy Young Voting. 

He is owed $13.75 million this year, making him a great value given the current starting pitching market. Cease has made 32-plus starts in each of the last four seasons with his 716 innings being the seventh most in the MLB during that stretch. His 17.2 wins above replacement is also the sixth-highest in the majors. 

Much of that success came in a White Sox uniform. In five seasons on the South Side Cease owned a career 11.8 WAR and 3.83 ERA. He finished runner-up in the 2022 Cy Young voting after posting a 2.20 ERA and a career-high 227 strikeouts. He also ranked inside the MLB’s top ten in strikeouts during his final three seasons in Chicago.  

Because of this, having him return to 35th and Shields in a Twins uniform would be a tough pill to swallow for White Sox fans.

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