The Magnificent 7 — Seven people who had the biggest impact on the Bears' 2025 resurgence ... www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, #Bears' progression should trump regression in 2026. 1st-and-10 ... www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...

WTF? Ben Johnson is meeting his biggest challenge as the #Bears' head coach — changing Halas Hall before it changes him. 1st-and-10, now only at markpotash.net ...
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Ben Johnson already has succeeded where other #Bears coaches have failed. But Bears-Packers in the playoffs is the ultimate test of The Ben Johnson Effect. 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...

The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field:
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The best "statement loss" since the Ditka era ("We will be back") is the latest indicator that Ben Johnson's #Bears have staying power. ... Caleb Williams and the "it" factor. ... Should Tyson Bagent get meaningful snaps against the Lions? 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...

The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday night at Levi's Stadium:

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Despite a season fueled by fortuitous plays that beat the odds and will be tough to repeat, the 2025 #Bears aren't just "special," they're sustainable. 1st-and-10:
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Ben Johnson's fourth-and-1 gamble failed, but at least he lost being Ben Johnson. That's the only way the #Bears are going to break the cycle of losing at Halas Hall. 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...

The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 28-21 loss to the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...

Before Ben Johnson was hired, Ryan Poles traded a second-round pick (No. 32) for WR Chase Claypool. After Ben Johnson was hired, he traded a fourth-round pick (currently No. 131) for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. How Johnson is making Poles a better GM. 1st-and-10:
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Ben Johnson vs. Vic Fangio will be a playoff-caliber matchup in the #Bears' showdown vs. the Eagles on Friday — the kind of battle Johnson ultimately will have to win to get the Bears over the top. 1st-and-10:
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The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 31-28 victory over the Steelers on Sunday at Soldier Field ...

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The #Bears' 2025 season is trending like 2012, when Lovie Smith's team started 7-1 against a soft schedule, predictably fell flat against better opponents and missed the playoffs. But there's one big difference. Well, two. Maybe three. 1st-and-10:
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The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...

The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 24-20 victory over the Giants on Sunday at Soldier Field: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...

Dawn of a New Era: There's always been an an excitement about Ben Johnson's offense. Now there's a confidence it can put the same hurt on vulnerable defenses like the Giants' that good teams have done: www.markpotash.net/post/weather...

It remains to be seen if Caleb Williams is the right guy. But he's at the right place at the right time, which is a big advantage over previous #Bears QBs, like Jay Cutler — 1st-and-10:
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The #Bears have a chance to exorcise a demon that led to their ruin last season — and show the heart, leadership and verve they didn't have last year — in return trip to Northwest Stadium to face the Commanders on MNF. This isn't just another game:

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With a tip of the cap to my former Sun-Times colleague Jim O'Donnell, who did this better than anyone ... The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 25-24 victory over the Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...

Ben Johnson's offense vs. Matt Eberflus' defense Sunday is a poetic litmus test for Johnson in an early key moment of his #Bears coaching tenure. The last time they met, it was Eberflus who had the edge, until the fateful final minute at Ford Field ... 1st-and-10
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A checklist for Ben Johnson's debut season — is going 3-3 in the NFC North too much to ask for? ... Why D'Andre Swift is the pick to click in Week 1 ... Jaylon Johnson should not play in the #Bears opener vs. the Vikes ... all that and more in 1st-and-10:
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1st-and-10: Can Ben Johnson make a GM out of Ryan Poles? Asked about the Bears' curiously vacant left tackle position 13 days before the season opener, Bears general manager Ryan Poles deferred to coach Ben Johnson to figure it all out. At least that's what...

It's up to Ben Johnson to make a QB out of Caleb Williams and a GM out of Ryan Poles. ... Did the Bears use the 56th pick of the draft on a backup RT? ... A legitimate bar for success in Wk 1 ... An optimistic Bear-ometer. All that and more in 1st-and-10:

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The Bears' upset of the Packers in Week 18 was a big morale boost at Halas Hall, but also cost them 3 spots in the draft, and the chance to take Texas OT Kelvin Banks — the dedicated LT the Bears appear to need. Will Ryan Poles' regret not trading up to get him? www.markpotash.net/post/the-ris...

History shows you don't have to win the training camp battle to win the war — see Olin Kreutz vs. Casey Wiegmann, 1998. But if Ozzy Trapilo is close, shouldn't he be the Bears' starter at LT in Week 1? www.markpotash.net/post/experie...

Ryne Sandberg, 1959-2025 There have been two ex-Cubs I wanted to be named manager of the Cubs — Randy Hundley and Ryne Sandberg. Hundley because he fit the profile. He was a catcher with a passion for the game and a work ethi...

Ryne Sandberg was beloved as player with the Cubs, but beloved as a person in retirement — a transformation that endeared him to multiple generations of Cub fans who will miss him, but never forget him. RIP.
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Why NFL fans don't care about collusion The blockbuster Dolphins-Steelers trade that sent Miami cornerback Jaylen Ramsey to the Steelers for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on Monday was a blow to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio's crusade to get ...

"Collusion" used to be like yelling "shark," but not when mid-tier quarterbacks are making $55M a year, with $150M+ guaranteed. Fans want to see players get what they earn, but they also want to see players earn what they get.
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The Bulls are preaching patience — which is a tough sell after the Thunder and Pacers played for the NBA title two years after being at or below the Bulls' level. What are the Bulls doing wrong?
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Oh, to be 16 again — 1975 was the summer of not only "Jaws," but "Love Will Keep Us Together," a smash hit by Captain & Tennille that came out of nowhere, and brings back a lot of great Summer of '75 memories 50 years later: www.markpotash.net/post/50-year...

In MLB's first ever draft in 1965, the Cubs took pitcher Richard James sixth overall, but also U of I left-handed pitcher Ken Holtzman, who became the first draftee to make it to the big leagues and later was traded for No. 1 overall pick Rick Monday. Story:

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