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Chicago Bears Quietly Made Unexpected Addition To Coaching Staff

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears

Ben Johnson knew that if he was going to get the Chicago Bears into a winning mindset, he’d have to train them both physically and mentally. It is difficult for an organization to overcome years of losing. Since it happens so often, players have a tendency just to accept it after a while. That is why many head coaches struggle to snap them out of it. Once the mentality sinks in, it’s hard to break. Thankfully, it appears the Bears realized he and the coaching staff would need help.

So they made a rather unique addition to Halas Hall. According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Bears have hired Andy Riise as their new Mental Performance and Leadership Coordinator. Riise served as a field artillery officer in the United States Army. He won two Bronze Stars for his service in Afghanistan and Iraq and also served in Special Forces. His work led him to psychology, where he helped prevent soldier suicides. This led him to earn positions at various prestigious companies as a mental performance coach and psychological expert.

Chicago Bears has brought some serious gravitas to the organization.

Riise may not be a football player, but he certainly knows what it’s like to operate under high-pressure conditions and what that can do to a person’s psyche. Professional athletes deal with this more than most. Their livelihoods are at stake if they don’t perform at a high level and win games. Dealing with that is something Riise knows well. He faced high-stakes situations for 20 years in the army. He served with people who took their own lives and those of others in their hands every day. It takes a certain type of mental fortitude to handle that. His job was to help teach others how to cope with the challenges they face. The Bears have spent years stuck in a persistent fog, beaten down by so many brutal setbacks:

  • The NFC championship loss to Green Bay
  • Cutler breaking his thumb
  • Rodgers to Cobb
  • The Double Doink
  • The Hail Mary

One gut punch after another. Only resilient people can overcome such hurdles to reach their ultimate goal of becoming champions. That is what the Chicago Bears seek. Riise will be an excellent asset in helping make that happen.

There’s Been An Important Update On Ryan Poles’ Contract Situation

By
Erik Lambert
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ryan poles
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears new head coach Ben Johnson (right) with general manager Ryan Poles pose for photos after a press conference introducing him at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

One of the bigger concerns for Chicago Bears fans going into this month was the uncertainty around GM Ryan Poles. His first head coach had failed spectacularly, and word came out a few weeks ago that he’d signed a four-year contract, meaning he was going into 2025 on the last year of his deal. The fear became that no top head coach candidate would want to work with him because they knew there was a chance he could immediately be out next year, leaving them in the lurch.

However, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune gave an update that changed things. He explained on 670 The Score that Poles is believed to be under contract through 2026. That means he has two years left on his deal, not one. While he isn’t in direct alignment with new head coach Ben Johnson, it offers more of a cushion for the two to forge a partnership without fear of an immediate change if things don’t go well immediately.

Ryan Poles will be able to prove he has learned from his mistakes.

Sometimes, young general managers must suffer some early failure before getting on track. That was true of Jerry Angelo. His first three 1st round picks were all flops. Marc Colombo couldn’t stay healthy. Michael Haynes was a bust. Rex Grossman never reached his potential. There were also the ill-advised signings of Chris Chandler and Kordell Stewart in free agency. Still, he eventually got better at finding good players, eventually getting the Bears to a Super Bowl in 2006.

The good news is Ryan Poles seems to have done better than Angelo in the 1st round. Darnell Wright, Caleb Williams, and Rome Odunze all look like good players. The trick is improving his hit rate with fewer outright whiffs. There is a belief he’s planning an adjustment in scouting strategy, wanting to focus more on established players and less on upside projects. No doubt Johnson will play a prominent role in this. If things go well, Poles can expect an extension in the near future.

Blackhawks Recall Top Defenseman In Big Youth Movement Update

By
Isaac Nielsen
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Apr 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Ethan Del Mastro (38) skates against the Nashville Predators at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

While it hasn’t been as bad as last season, the Blackhawks have been hit with the injury bug as of late. With Laurent Brossoit and Connor Murphy already on IR, Chicago added Craig Smith to the list, placing the veteran forward on injured reserve with a back injury retroactive to January 8.

Smith may not have needed to go on IR, but he did so to make room for defenseman Ethan Del Mastro, who was recalled on Thursday morning for the first time this season and second time in his career. That raised some eyebrows, as it meant Chicago had eight blueliners on its active roster. Could a trade be brewing? Is a veteran on his way out the door?

Later in the afternoon, the Blackhawks temporarily put those questions to bed by announcing that Wyatt Kaiser had been sent back down to the IceHogs. While the move temporarily solved the overcrowded room of defensemen, it opened up more questions. Why Kaiser? Why now?

While it’s still the Blackhawks’ hope that Kaiser can be an effective NHL defenseman someday, he hasn’t done much to earn that title just yet. He hasn’t been necessarily bad, but certainly hasn’t stood out. However, I still wonder if this move is temporary and a trade could be brewing. Seth Jones has been one of the biggest names mentioned on the trade block so far, and the Blackhawks getting rid of any veteran to make room for some youngsters would be a big move for the youth movement. Kaiser’s time in Chicago is far from over. For now, I’d expect TJ Brodie to be a healthy scratch in Friday’s game against the Lightning.

As for the timing of the move, it was to reward Del Mastro for his recent play with the IceHogs. The defensive defenseman has only contributed eight assists in his 38 games, but his +4 plus-minus is a better indicator of his overall game, especially on a team with a -9 goal differential on the season. He and Nolan Allan were excellent together in the AHL, and they’ll likely form a defensive pairing once again with the Blackhawks.

This move could be an important one because it’s the first of Chicago’s youth movement this season. With the Blackhawks nowhere near playoff contention, we’ll likely see a few more youngsters matriculate to the NHL before the season is over, like Landon Slaggert, Cole Guttman or Kevin Korchinski. The move seems like a basic one on the surface, but could be the start of a much bigger shift.

Jimmy Butler Returning To The Bulls Just Became A Real Possibility

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Apr 14, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) drives to the basket ahead of Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Each passing day brings new updates to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat’s downward spiraling relationship. Today’s reports surrounding the situation claim that Butler’s camp has reiterated once again that he is actively demanding a trade over the next 14 days and has opened his destination list. A few seasons back, Butler hinted at potentially finishing his career with the team that drafted him 30th overall in 2011. Since entering the NBA, he’s played for four franchises, not leaving on particularly great terms at any of his stops. He’s now considered one of the most outspoken and theatrical players leaguewide, with his recent activities only adding to the growing case that he’s more to handle off the court than he’s worth on it. In a star-studded league, however, a postseason threat at his level would catapult any roster to immediate contention. What’s the most realistic route to bringing Butler back to where it all began, and would Arturas Karnisovas take that level of risk?

LaVine For Butler Swap

The only way Karnisovas would be able to pull off a deal for a player who was once the franchise’s blossoming star in Butler is to part ways with the current face of the organization. LaVine’s eight years with the club have been nothing short of a disappointment. During that span, he’s earned two All-Star nods to Butler’s six, one playoff appearance to Butler’s six, five postseason games played to Butler’s 83, and zero All-NBA or All-NBA Defense nominations to Butler’s 10. Although Miami’s star guard comes with plenty of baggage and attitude concerns, the resume speaks for itself and is something Chicago has sorely lacked since his departure.

The trade would be reasonably simple if both sides were eager to execute. With both salaries being fairly close in value and each side having reason to push for a deal, it’s not entirely asinine to believe it could come to fruition.

Full Circle Butler Back In Chicago

The unique storyline here is that LaVine and Butler were traded for one another once before in 2017; at that time, Chicago’s young shooting guard was establishing himself as one of the top two-way players in the NBA, while LaVine had elite athleticism but was still a raw talent. At this moment, Chicago would likely need to add more capital to match Butler’s value, but both are former All-Stars who can help their new homes accomplish different goals. Bringing Butler back would establish a level of competition that Chicago has failed to reach since 2017. Miami can absorb an elite-level scoring machine in LaVine who can contribute to a playoff run.

At the start of last season, LaVine and Miami had a mutual interest in joining forces should he depart from the Bulls. Does the Heat still see value in the two-time All-Star perimeter threat? There may come a day in the next two weeks when they’re forced to take the best available offer, and Chicago’s might be just that.

Is this a trade you would support Chicago making if the opportunity arises? With the franchise seemingly having no direction, no promising future, and headed for a third consecutive NBA Play-In Tournament, is it worth mixing things up and, at the very minimum, bringing a passionate superstar back to where it all began?

Cubs Finalizing Trade for New Closer?

By
Aldo Soto
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Aug 2, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after getting an out during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it looks like the Chicago Cubs are nearing a deal to acquire their new closer. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs and Houston Astros are getting close to working out a trade that will send veteran reliever Ryan Pressly to Chicago.

Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Pressly was among one of several high-leverage bullpen arms the Cubs were targeting after losing out on Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.

Details of this trade might be tricky and the biggest hurdle is that Pressly has a no-trade clause. The 36-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Astros and has a full no-trade clause.

According to an Astros’ beat reporter, Pressly has not waived that no-trade clause yet.

Pressly, a two-time All-Star and World Series champion with the Astros is owed $14 million for the 2025 season.

The right-handed reliever has 112 career saves with most of his closing experience coming from 2021-23, when he recorded 90 saves with the Astros. Pressly has a career 3.27 ERA in 650 MLB innings and has pitched well in the postseason, recording a 2.78 ERA in 47 playoff games.

In 2024, Pressly pitched in 59 games and had a 3.49 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 56.2 innings pitched as the set-up man for Josh Hader in Houston.

So, we’ll see what comes from these conflicting reports. My guess is that Nightengale probably jumped the gun here, but a trade will eventually be finalized between the Cubs and Astros.

(Previous Update)

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly trying to trade for former All-Star closer Ryan Pressly. The veteran reliever is in the final year of his three-year deal with the Houston Astros and is set to earn $14 million in 2025. His contract also includes a no-trade clause, so finalizing a trade between the Cubs and Astros won’t be so cut-and-dried.

After losing out on Tanner Scott and then Kirby Yates to the Los Angeles Dodgers the Cubs continue to have ongoing discussions with several free agent closers in addition to having interest in Pressly. According to The Athletic, the Cubs have seriously considered signing more than 10 relievers this offseason.

Via The Athletic.

The group under consideration this winter, according to league sources briefed on the team’s discussions, has included Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, Ryan Pressly, Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek and Brooks Raley. For context, though, the list of relievers the Cubs have seriously evaluated easily reaches double digits.

Pressly has been a steady performer throughout his career, recording a 3.27 ERA in 650 MLB innings. The righty had 90 saves from 2021-23 with the Astros before he was moved back to a set-up role after Houston signed Josh Hader last offseason.

In 2024, Pressly’s numbers dipped a bit, as he posted a 3.49 ERA in 56.2 innings. While he does have plenty of closing experience, 112 career saves, and postseason success, a 2.78 ERA in 47 playoff games, there were definite red flags that popped up for the two-time All-Star last season.

Pressly’s fastball velocity has slowly been decreasing since 2021, going from 95.5mph down to 93.9mph in 2024. Coupled with that was the fact that Pressly’s strikeout rate, which had been at or above the 30% range for six straight years, finished at 23.8% last year.

Ben Johnson Just Telegraphed The Bears’ Off-season Plans

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Any new head coach knows the first order of business after getting hired is assembling a staff as quickly as possible. However, there isn’t much time to waste because preparations for the off-season begin soon. The East-West Shrine Bowl takes place on January 30th. Then, the Senior Bowl follows on February 1st. New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is working against the clock. That is why it is almost certain he already has a good idea of what the roster he’s taking over needs. Any self-respecting coach will have done the research before taking the job.

It sure sounds like Johnson has. During his run of media appearances following his hiring, it became clear he knows which direction the Bears likely focus their efforts. It started on ESPN 1000 with Carmen & Jurko, where he admitted the offensive and defensive lines need work. The next day, he went on The Herd with Colin Cowherd and said he hoped to augment the running back position to make it a team strength.

Ben Johnson focusing in those areas is not surprising.

All three were core strengths for the Detroit Lions over the past two seasons. The combination of Jamyr Gibbs and David Montgomery gave them a dominant ground attack, made even more devastating by an offensive line stacked with high draft picks. On defense, they were led by Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. Chicago has some good pieces in place, like Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, and Darnell Wright. They need more, though. Thankfully, they have the resources to make it happen. That includes $66 million in projected cap space and three picks in the first two rounds.

It is widely believed this is a great year to need a running back in the draft. The class is talented from top to bottom. D’Andre Swift is a good player, but he’s not a workhorse type. Don’t be surprised if Ben Johnson nudged the team towards somebody who can handle the rock 15-20 times per game. They will also target help along the interior of the offensive line. Don’t be surprised if they throw tons of money at pending free agent Trey Smith. Either, the plan of attack for the Bears is clear.

Zach LaVine’s New Trade Market Value Revealed

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Nov 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) drives to the basket as Chicago Bulls forward Zach LaVine (8) defends in the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The countdown to the NBA trade deadline has officially begun. In 15 short days, all the trade talk will screech to a halt as rosters become set for the postseason push. In Chicago, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Patrick Williams have been reportedly added to the trade block, with bites recently hitting Vucevic and LaVine. Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler’s antics continue to stir up potential landing spots, including the Phoenix Suns, who recently added three first-round draft selections in exchange for one. Bradley Beal’s name has been the most popularly floated asset in a potential Butler deal, but his no-trade clause creates a problematic hurdle to surpass. While the noise surrounding Butler and other stars around the NBA has only gotten louder over the past week, LaVine’s price tag is quietly becoming the most attainable and appealing one.

LaVine A Better Asset Than Beal

Phoenix has prioritized finding three-time All-Star Bradley Beal a new home since learning about Butler’s availability in the trade market. However, the destination would need to absorb Beal’s contract of over $50 million annually over the subsequent three campaigns, be willing to add his no-trade clause and be a spot Beal is willing to waive that clause to join. While Chicago might not want Jimmy Butler in a potential trade, using Zach LaVine as leverage could be a genius maneuver in a three-team scenario.

LaVine is two years younger, paid $7 million less annually, does not have a no-trade clause, and has had the most promising response to being added to the trade block. Since hearing the news that the Bulls were shopping him, the two-time All-Star’s play has only improved, and his attitude has stayed steady. As evidenced by Butler and Beal’s opposite reactions, these are not typical responses from All-Star talents when they are dangled in trade talks. Any team in the market for Beal would be much wiser to phone the Bulls.

Perfect Time For LaVine To Be On A Tear

In January, LaVine is second in the NBA in points and third overall in points per game, shooting nearly 55% from the field and 46% from three-point range. This would mark his highest-scoring month of the season by over six points per game and the most efficient stretch from the field by over three percentage points. With the trade deadline two weeks out, now is the most opportune time for the Bulls to sell high on his scorching performances of late.

Despite LaVine’s incredible play this month, Chicago still sits 10th in the Eastern Conference standings at 19-25. They’ve dropped six of their last ten, and are four games behind the top-six seeds, otherwise known as safely in the playoffs instead of the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Can the front office finally bring themselves to trade away the face of the franchise and strike while the iron is hot, or will LaVine again be dangled in trade talks over this summer?

White Sox Join Historic Company With Left-Handed Pitching Duo

By
Craig Rowland
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Jun 22, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks starting pitcher Hagen Smith (33) throws against the Ole Miss Rebels in the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

With the White Sox breaking the wrong kind of records in 2024, it has been hard for fans to get excited about anything White Sox related. However, there is good news on the horizon, as the White Sox have some promising prospects getting close to making their major league debuts.

I would expect a few of the White Sox top-100 prospects make it to Chicago in 2025, as Kyle Teel, Colson Montgomery, and Edgar Quero are the likely candidates to get playing time in the major leagues. But, there has been some historic news on the pitching side of their prospect list, as the White Sox have accomplished something done just one other time in the last 15 years.

According to MLB Pipleline’s updated prospect list, they have ranked Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith as the top two left handed pitching prospects in all of baseball.

This is historic, as MLB Pipeline points out that this is just the second time in the last 15 years this has happened, which has included over 120 different left handed pitching prospects lists.

This bodes well for the White Sox, as having two of the top left handed pitching prospects in baseball can help them form the best rotation in all of baseball, as left handed starting pitching is arguably one of the most valuable assets a team can have.

Noah Schultz likely has the higher ceiling of the two pitchers, as he Schultz made his way to AA Birmingham after 27.1 very solid innings at Winston Salem in 2024. Once he got to Birmingham, he threw 61 innings, pitching to a 1.48 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He struck out 73 batters while walking just 17. Hitters didn’t fare too well against him, as they only hit .202 off him.

On the other hand, Smith likely has the higher floor, as the White Sox selected Smith with the 5th overall pick. He would make his minor league debut at High-A Winston-Salem. He pitched in just 7.2 innings, striking out 7 batters. He had a very solid 3.52 ERA and a 1.174 WHIP. These are solid numbers but he showed the potential in an extremely small sample size.

Having two left handed starters that many prospect lists think will become top of the rotation arms is something that White Sox fans can look forward to, as it is something that clearly doesn’t happen that often. On top of Schultz and Smith, the White Sox have plenty of other starting pitching prospects that can form one of the best rotations in all of baseball.

White Sox Have Noticeable Ommission In MLB Pipeline’s Top Prospect Rankings

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Feb 19, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox Colson Montgomery takes fielding practice during spring training camp at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The White Sox have embarked on another rebuild and much like their previous attempt the organization has a farm system loaded with talent. However, one of their top prospects was recently excluded from MLB Pipeline’s position player rankings.

Noah Shultz and Hagen Smith were featured at the top of MLB Pipeline’s list of top 10 left-handed pitching prospects. It marks just the second time in 15 years, which has included 120 lists, that the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects at a position belong to the same organization.  This of course does not guarantee anything since Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, and Dylan Cease were all ranked inside MLB Pipeline’s top-100 prospects back in 2017 and are now no longer on the team. 

A major reason why the last rebuild failed was the lack of offensive depth in the farm system. Because of this a lot of resources were invested into Colson Montgomery, who was selected with the 22nd pick of the 2021 draft. Montgomery is now considered the No. 37th-ranked prospect in baseball. 

However, after a down year that saw him slash .214/.329/.381 in 130 games in Triple-A Charlotte, MLB Pipeline left Montgomery off their list of top-10 shortstops. A 29 percent strikeout rate certainly didn’t help matters. However, it’s worth noting that Montgomery was four years younger than the average Triple-A player last season. For comparison the Tampa Bay Rays’ 21-year-old prospect, Carson Williams, who was at the top of the list, batted .256 with a .821 OPS last season, Williams also had 20 home runs and 69 RBIs to Montgomery’s 18 and 63. 

Things weren’t all bad for Montgomery, who has already drawn comparisons to Corey Seager. Teammates say he was unphased by his struggles with Sean Burke telling MLB.com that he is “the same guy every day, whether he’s hitting .400 or hitting .100.” 

That level of maturity will pay dividends at the MLB level. The 22-year-old recently spoke with MLB Network he has been working to add more strength and muscle during the offseason, while still being athletic enough to stick at shortstop. 

His training has occurred at the Bledsoe Agency in Nashville which serves as Jake Burger, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Brandon Lowe’s training facility. Montgomery told MLB Network that he feels like training under the same roof as established big leaguers is a good way to pick up good habits. 

The upcoming season is going to be critical for Montgomery. He is projected to reach the big leagues at some point in 2025. But before doing so he is going to have to prove that he can cut down on his strikeouts. The organization is confident that he can do so. “Hitting’s hard,” White Sox director of player development Paul Janish told MLB.com. “I continue to embrace the thought that this is part of [Montgomery’s] development.

Ben Johnson Mercilessly Trolls Matt Eberflus During Interview

By
Erik Lambert
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ben johnson

Matt Eberflus needed to do a lot of things to get fired midseason. It had never happened in Chicago Bears history. Yet he managed to pull it off. It came from a variety of factors. There was the ongoing offensive ineptitude sparked mostly by his horrible staff choices. Players hinted at his inability to communicate properly or hold guys accountable. However, his ultimate downfall came from horrific game management, especially in the 4th quarter. Never was that clearer than against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving when he refused to call a timeout with 30 seconds left, allowing the clock to run out despite being just outside field goal range. People were flabbergasted by the gaffe, including those on the opposite sideline, Ben Johnson among them.

The Bears’ new head coach appeared on Breakfast Ball for FS1, where co-host Danny Parkins, a former Chicago radio host for 670 The Score, couldn’t resist asking him about a hypothetical game situation. Then he immediately referenced the Lions game moment for moment. As he did so, Johnson did some that was an unmistakable dig at Eberflus for his awful blunder.

Ben Johnson didn’t need to say anything.

He refused to denounce Eberflus by name, but that single gesture said it all. If he’d just called timeout, it would’ve likely given the Bears a reasonable chance to at least get a field goal opportunity to force overtime. Instead he expected his rookie quarterback, who’d just been sacked on the previous play, to have complete awareness for what he needed to do. That was a cardinal sin for any head coach. It was his job to recognize when his quarterback wasn’t on top of things. The fact he sat there paralyzed on the sideline doing nothing said it all. Even Bill Cowher said after the game that Eberflus “froze.” Ben Johnson will face a situation like that at some point in the future. He’s already aware that he must have far better situational awareness if he wants to avoid becoming the butt of jokes like his predecessor.

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