Mike Sansone
@mikesansone.bsky.social
Senior editor, NFL (Bears, Chiefs) at The Athletic. Longtime Chicago Tribune sports guy. Living the Northwest Indiana life.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
Happy Mock Draft Season to those who celebrate. I like these to be more about laying out different scenarios and getting to know prospects who could fit as opposed to anything close to being predictive.
Now that that's out of the way, Bears Mock 1.0 (with @danwiederer.bsky.social)
Now that that's out of the way, Bears Mock 1.0 (with @danwiederer.bsky.social)
Chicago Bears NFL mock draft: Defense is clear priority, starting with front 7
In our first look at some options for the Bears in the 2026 draft, the focus is on the defensive line with the first two rounds.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Happy Mock Draft Season to those who celebrate. I like these to be more about laying out different scenarios and getting to know prospects who could fit as opposed to anything close to being predictive.
Now that that's out of the way, Bears Mock 1.0 (with @danwiederer.bsky.social)
Now that that's out of the way, Bears Mock 1.0 (with @danwiederer.bsky.social)
Reposted by Mike Sansone
Washington #Nationals president of baseball operations opened a video call with media bemoaning the loss of the Post sports department and ball writers Andrew Golden, Spencer Nusbaum, Chelsea Janes and Barry Svrluga, while noting the San Francisco Chronicle's role in shaping him as a youth.
February 10, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Washington #Nationals president of baseball operations opened a video call with media bemoaning the loss of the Post sports department and ball writers Andrew Golden, Spencer Nusbaum, Chelsea Janes and Barry Svrluga, while noting the San Francisco Chronicle's role in shaping him as a youth.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
5 offseason questions for the Chiefs ... and a priority they should have on Day 1 of free agency: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
February 9, 2026 at 4:51 PM
5 offseason questions for the Chiefs ... and a priority they should have on Day 1 of free agency: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Mike Sansone
The day after the Super Bowl means one thing: Bears salary-cap analysis.
Let the offseason begin
Let the offseason begin
Chicago Bears salary-cap analysis: Tough decisions for Ryan Poles ahead of free agency
Now that the Bears have a competitive roster, it's also an expensive one, which means tough decisions ahead for the general manager.
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:08 PM
The day after the Super Bowl means one thing: Bears salary-cap analysis.
Let the offseason begin
Let the offseason begin
Reposted by Mike Sansone
Bad Bunny Halftime Show doing an easter egg to the 49ers substation electromagnetic field conspiracy theory.
February 9, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Bad Bunny Halftime Show doing an easter egg to the 49ers substation electromagnetic field conspiracy theory.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
Yes PLEASE more Patriots super bowls, so entertaining
February 9, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Yes PLEASE more Patriots super bowls, so entertaining
Lots of Seahawks logos in our graphic of The Athletic staff's Super Bowl picks. I went the other way because underdogs are 4-1 straight up in the last five Super Bowls.
Either way, a coach named Mike will hoist the Lombardi Trophy tonight. Gotta love that.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Either way, a coach named Mike will hoist the Lombardi Trophy tonight. Gotta love that.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
February 8, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Lots of Seahawks logos in our graphic of The Athletic staff's Super Bowl picks. I went the other way because underdogs are 4-1 straight up in the last five Super Bowls.
Either way, a coach named Mike will hoist the Lombardi Trophy tonight. Gotta love that.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Either way, a coach named Mike will hoist the Lombardi Trophy tonight. Gotta love that.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
The Athletic NFL staff's Super Bowl picks. A lot of love for the Seahawks.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Super Bowl 60 predictions: Why our staff leans toward a Seahawks victory
Can Drake Maye and the Patriots do enough against a formidable Seahawks defense to pull off the upset at Levi's Stadium?
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:54 PM
The Athletic NFL staff's Super Bowl picks. A lot of love for the Seahawks.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Mike Sansone
The Bears are promoting Press Taylor to offensive coordinator. Story by @danwiederer.bsky.social
Ben Johnson promoting Press Taylor to Bears offensive coordinator: Sources
The Bears' offense made huge leaps this season under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Taylor steps into the important OC role.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:44 PM
The Bears are promoting Press Taylor to offensive coordinator. Story by @danwiederer.bsky.social
We did this last night. So much fun to see it with a big, enthusiastic crowd.
You only have 3 more days to see KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR presented in 70mm!
Get Tickets Now: musicboxtheatre.com/films-and-ev...
Get Tickets Now: musicboxtheatre.com/films-and-ev...
February 7, 2026 at 7:10 PM
We did this last night. So much fun to see it with a big, enthusiastic crowd.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
A deep dive into the Chiefs' special teams — and a big-picture question for 2026: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Why Chiefs special teams struggled in 2025 — and a big-picture question ahead
The Chiefs have to feel good about two areas of their special teams — while also facing a big-picture decision ahead.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
A deep dive into the Chiefs' special teams — and a big-picture question for 2026: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Reposted by Mike Sansone
More on the Giants hiring former Chiefs OC Matt Nagy to be their next offensive coordinator:
Giants to hire Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator: Source
A former Bears head coach, Nagy also did two stints as Andy Reid's OC in Kansas City.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:07 PM
More on the Giants hiring former Chiefs OC Matt Nagy to be their next offensive coordinator:
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One note before the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday: Jets QB Justin Fields was asked to participate, I’m told. He declined, focusing on his offseason training.
February 3, 2026 at 1:19 AM
One note before the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday: Jets QB Justin Fields was asked to participate, I’m told. He declined, focusing on his offseason training.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
A man who has a bust in Canton has had a bigger influence on Super Bowl LX than anyone outside of the participants. My story on a special connection. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Patriots’ and Seahawks’ architects are connected by the influence of one man: Ron Wolf
Seahawks GM John Schneider got a football education from Wolf in Green Bay, just like Wolf's son Eliot, the Patriots' de facto GM.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:33 PM
A man who has a bust in Canton has had a bigger influence on Super Bowl LX than anyone outside of the participants. My story on a special connection. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Reposted by Mike Sansone
More on the Ravens hiring Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle:
Ravens to hire Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator: Source
Jesse Minter will call the defensive plays for Baltimore, while Doyle will lead an offense that features two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:30 PM
More on the Ravens hiring Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle:
The Bears need a new OC to work under Ben Johnson.
NEWS: The Ravens are hiring Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to be their offensive coordinator, per source.
Doyle will call plays in Baltimore on Jesse Minter’s staff.
Doyle will call plays in Baltimore on Jesse Minter’s staff.
January 30, 2026 at 9:28 PM
The Bears need a new OC to work under Ben Johnson.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
NEWS: The Ravens are hiring Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to be their offensive coordinator, per source.
Doyle will call plays in Baltimore on Jesse Minter’s staff.
Doyle will call plays in Baltimore on Jesse Minter’s staff.
January 30, 2026 at 9:19 PM
NEWS: The Ravens are hiring Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to be their offensive coordinator, per source.
Doyle will call plays in Baltimore on Jesse Minter’s staff.
Doyle will call plays in Baltimore on Jesse Minter’s staff.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
The Vikings are firing GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, a source tells The Athletic.
January 30, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The Vikings are firing GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, a source tells The Athletic.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
A deep dive into the Chiefs defense offers 3 areas that need improvement ... but also lots of reasons for hope.
More on what held the Chiefs back in 2025 — and also the 35-point swing that shouldn't happen again in '26: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
More on what held the Chiefs back in 2025 — and also the 35-point swing that shouldn't happen again in '26: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 PM
A deep dive into the Chiefs defense offers 3 areas that need improvement ... but also lots of reasons for hope.
More on what held the Chiefs back in 2025 — and also the 35-point swing that shouldn't happen again in '26: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
More on what held the Chiefs back in 2025 — and also the 35-point swing that shouldn't happen again in '26: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Reposted by Mike Sansone
Great opportunity for Cunningham, the first ever Bears assistant GM. Trey Koziol and Jeff King are the obvious candidates for promotions to be Ryan Poles’ new No. 2.
NEWS: The Atlanta Falcons are hiring Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham as their next GM, per source.
Cunningham has spent the past four seasons working with Bears GM Ryan Poles, a key voice for new Falcons president of football Matt Ryan.
Cunningham has spent the past four seasons working with Bears GM Ryan Poles, a key voice for new Falcons president of football Matt Ryan.
January 30, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Great opportunity for Cunningham, the first ever Bears assistant GM. Trey Koziol and Jeff King are the obvious candidates for promotions to be Ryan Poles’ new No. 2.
Reposted by Mike Sansone
The Bears have their starting LG, C, RG and RT from 2025 all under contract and set for 2026.
That's rare O-line continuity in this city. Story
That's rare O-line continuity in this city. Story
What the Bears’ continuity on the offensive line means for Caleb Williams in 2026
Thanks to big splurges last March that worked out, the Bears feel good about their offensive line and bring everyone back for 2026.
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:21 PM
The Bears have their starting LG, C, RG and RT from 2025 all under contract and set for 2026.
That's rare O-line continuity in this city. Story
That's rare O-line continuity in this city. Story
Reposted by Mike Sansone
Being an FBI agent wasn’t a job to former Bear Charles Tillman as much as it was a vocation. He loved the people he worked with and found honor, integrity and nobility in their service. Then came that day last January. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
January 29, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Being an FBI agent wasn’t a job to former Bear Charles Tillman as much as it was a vocation. He loved the people he worked with and found honor, integrity and nobility in their service. Then came that day last January. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Reposted by Mike Sansone
The Bills told us they needed a new voice to get them over the playoff wall.
Their next head coach is Joe Brady, the man Josh Allen has listened to for four years and whose masonry has added to that playoff wall.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Their next head coach is Joe Brady, the man Josh Allen has listened to for four years and whose masonry has added to that playoff wall.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Josh Allen, Bills turn to Joe Brady as head coach, but the questions only grow
The Bills promoted their offensive coordinator to head coach after firing Sean McDermott.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:55 PM
The Bills told us they needed a new voice to get them over the playoff wall.
Their next head coach is Joe Brady, the man Josh Allen has listened to for four years and whose masonry has added to that playoff wall.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Their next head coach is Joe Brady, the man Josh Allen has listened to for four years and whose masonry has added to that playoff wall.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Reposted by Mike Sansone
It's a five-year deal for Joe Brady in Buffalo.
BREAKING: The Buffalo Bills are promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to be the franchise’s next head coach, a source tells The Athletic.
Brady, who has received head coaching interest in recent cycles, stays in Buffalo, where he will continue to work with Josh Allen.
Brady, who has received head coaching interest in recent cycles, stays in Buffalo, where he will continue to work with Josh Allen.
January 27, 2026 at 4:39 PM
It's a five-year deal for Joe Brady in Buffalo.