The Bear’s Den, January 4, 2025

Can the Bears start out 1-0 in CY 2025?

WE WANT YOU!

Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I’m starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that’s how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo!

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Bears rule out left guard Teven Jenkins for season finale – 670 The Score – Bears left guard Teven Jenkins has been ruled out of Chicago’s season finale against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon due to a calf injury.

Bears Friday Injury Report: Ill Players All Ready to Face Packers – Sports Illustrated Bears – A trio of Bears, including wide receiver Rome Odunze, returned to practice Friday from illness and only two starters are out for the game at Lambeau Field.

Hajduk’s Injury Update: Three players to miss Week 18 game in Green Bay – ChicagoBears.com – The Bears have ruled three players out of Sunday afternoon’s road game against the Packers: left guard Teven Jenkins (calf), running back Travis Homer (hamstring) and safety Elijah Hicks (ankle/foot).

Bears Will Head into Off-Season with Jaquan Brisker’s Future Unclear – Sports Illustrated Bears – Injured with a concussion in early October, the starting Bears safety remains sidelined and on injured reserve going into the final game.

Kyler Gordon addresses potential contract extension with Bears – Bears Wire USA Today – Speaking to the media this week ahead of the regular season finale against the Green Bay Packers, Gordon was asked about his long-term future in Chicago and expressed his love for the city and their passionate fanbase.

Chris Beatty praises veteran Keenan Allen’s professionalism – ChicagoBears.com – “It’s amazing because I was in college and we would watch Keenan Allen cutups,” said the Bears interim offensive coordinator. “And then the next thing, I’m in front of him coaching him and I’m like, ‘OK, how am I going to tell this guy how to run these routes when I’ve been teaching our guys off of his stuff?’”

Finley: Bears WR Keenan Allen: If I play next year, it will be in Chicago or L.A. – Chicago Sun-Times – He said Friday he’d be open to playing for either the Chargers or Rams next year; if he decides to sign a new deal with the Bears, Allen said he’d at least consider moving his family to the Chicago area.

Chamberlain: The Bears Draft Need That Just Doesn’t Seem to Go Away – Sports Illustrated Bears – With a drastic need for offensive line help the Bears are still going to need to look at the defensive line again in the offseason after failures in key areas.

Robbie Gould expects big game from Bears QB Caleb Williams vs. Packers – Bears Wire USA Today – Making his weekly appearance on Marquee Sports Network, former Bears kicker Robbie Gould believes Williams, who has four games of two or more passing touchdowns this season, will have a good game against the Packers on Sunday.

‘Keep going’: Caleb Williams reflects on rookie season as change approaches the Bears in 2025 – WGN-TV – Sitting at 4-12 in the basement of the NFC North for the third straight year, Williams offered his thoughts on what kind of coach he wants leading Chicago next season, his offseason plan of improvement, and three lessons learned from his first year in the NFL.

Finley: Caleb Williams has 1 game left to show potential Bears coaches what he can do – Chicago Sun-Times – The last time the Bears went to Lambeau Field, quarterback Justin Fields was auditioning for 31 other NFL teams. Sunday, Williams will audition for head coaching candidates.

Emma: Ben Johnson should be Bears’ top choice as next coach – 670 The Score – The biggest tasks at hand for the Bears’ next head coach are clear. That individual will need to provide the leadership to guide a broken team past a disappointing 2024 season and create structure and stability for quarterback Caleb Williams.

Bears RB D’Andre Swift: Lions assistants Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are a ‘helluva bunch of coaches’ – Chicago Sun-Times – The Bears could target either of the two in their head coaching search.

Lunch with Larry: James ‘Big Cat’ Williams – ChicagoBears.com – Senior writer Larry Mayer chats with former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams about switching from defense to offense, the magical 2001 season and much more.

Why Chris Canty says Mike McCarthy would be a smart hire for Chicago – ESPN Video – Chris Canty lays out the reasons Mike McCarthy makes more sense for the Bears than Ben Johnson.

Bears Weekly Podcast: Catching up with Jonathan Ford – ChicagoBears.com – Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer go in-depth with Bears defensive lineman Jonathan Ford about his NFL journey and preview storylines to watch in the Bears vs. Packers game.

Hammond: Chicago Bears rule out Teven Jenkins; has Jenkins played his last game with Chicago? – Shaw Local – The Bears ruled out offensive lineman Teven Jenkins ahead of Sunday’s game against Green Bay. Jenkins is in the final year of his contract. Has he played his last game as a member of the Bears?

Wiederer: What players want to see in team’s next coach – Chicago Tribune – The next Chicago Bears coach should have an immediate understanding of how to establish standards and expectations. No wiggle room allowed.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Injury Report: WR Christian Watson is listed questionable – Acme Packing Company – The Packers have ruled out five players going into Sunday’s action

POLISH SAUSAGE

Jack Bech reflects on last moments with Tiger after Bourbon Street attack – WGNO-TV – As many in the Lafayette community took the time to remember Tiger as well show thier love and support to his family, Tiger’s brother Jack Bech reflects on his final moments with his older brother.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Berckes: The HALAS Model Predicts the Best Bears Head Coach Hire – Windy City Gridiron – We developed a sophisticated AI model to help with the Chicago Bears coaching hire

Zimmerman: Jaylon Johnson made the Pro Bowl; who was the Bears’ 2nd best player? – Windy City Gridiron – Who was the Chicago Bears second best player in 2024?

Durkin’s Ryan Poles Year One: Tear Down, Chicago Bears – Windy City Gridiron – Dan Durkin takes a deep dive into the three-year tenure of Ryan Poles to determine if the franchise truly benefitted from his time on task or if the mistakes are too glaring to gloss over. The three-part series begins here.

Wiltfong’s Bears vs Packers Injury Report: Teven Jenkins ruled out – Windy City Gridiron – Full injury report for Bears-Packers.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers keys to a victory and resolutions – Windy City Gridiron – The Bears close out the season and our experts have some advice.

Zimmerman: A look at head coach candidates the Chicago Bears should interview – Windy City Gridiron – We are a few days away from the Bears officially starting their head coaching search, here are some names to watch.

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