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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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: Shades of 2012? We'll see about that
With yet another exhilarating victory, the Bears 7-3 start under rookie head coach Ben Johnson keeps evoking memories of previous glorious seasons in the post-Ditka era. To wit: • The uncanny, fantas...
www.markpotash.net
November 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
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' 19-17 victory over the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium:1. Devin DuvernayThe veteran kick returner had not made a big impact this season o...
www.markpotash.net
November 16, 2025 at 11:34 PM
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...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players (actually six players and one coach) who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 24-20 victory over the Giants on Sunday at Soldier Field: 1. Caleb Williams It remains to be seen if Willia...
www.markpotash.net
November 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
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...
Weather or not ... Bears have an offense you can count on vs. Giants
You are what your record says you are, but the Bears know they can’t be deceived by the 2-7 Giants on Sunday. The Giants have lost their last three games, but against the Broncos (8-2), Eagles (6-2) a...
www.markpotash.net
November 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: Caleb Williams at the right place at the right time
Some guys have “it.” And some guys don’t. Jay Cutler had tremendous talent but couldn’t buy a break. Even when he was in the right place, it seemed like the wrong time. In 2011, Cutler was leading the...
www.markpotash.net
November 5, 2025 at 2:46 AM
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: Bears return to the scene of the crime
The Bears are 2-2 under Ben Johnson, which is the same record they had after four games last year under Matt Eberflus. And their victories aren’t that impressive — over the Cowboys (2-2-1), who have b...
www.markpotash.net
October 8, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
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...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest difference in the Bears' 25-24 victory over the Raiders on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas: 1. Josh BlackwellThe fourth-year undrafted free agent from Duke ...
www.markpotash.net
September 29, 2025 at 1:36 AM
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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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: A litmus test for Ben Johnson vs. Matt Eberflus
The last time Ben Johnson faced Matt Eberflus, when the Lions played the Bears on Thanksgiving Day last season at Ford Field, Johnson's offense came in averaging 35.5 points in the Lions' previous eig...
www.markpotash.net
September 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
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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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: Setting the bar for Ben Johnson's debut season
Three consecutive winning seasons. That seems like a reasonable — and modest — bar for success for Ben Johnson as the Bears' head coach. The Bears haven't done that since 1984-88 under Mike Ditka. And...
www.markpotash.net
September 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
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...
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August 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
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...
The rising cost of the Bears upset of the Packers in Week 18
A perusal of 70 mock drafts in April revealed three main candidates for the Bears' first-round pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (18), Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (15) and Texas offen...
www.markpotash.net
August 16, 2025 at 2:56 AM
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...
August 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
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 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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www.markpotash.net/post/ryne-sa...
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...
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July 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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.
www.markpotash.net/post/ryne-sa...
www.markpotash.net/post/ryne-sa...
"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.
www.markpotash.net/post/why-nfl...
www.markpotash.net/post/why-nfl...
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 ...
www.markpotash.net
June 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
"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.
www.markpotash.net/post/why-nfl...
www.markpotash.net/post/why-nfl...
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?
www.markpotash.net/post/with-pa...
www.markpotash.net/post/with-pa...
June 26, 2025 at 10:38 PM
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?
www.markpotash.net/post/with-pa...
www.markpotash.net/post/with-pa...
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...
June 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/the-196...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-196...
June 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
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:
www.markpotash.net/post/the-196...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-196...
Ben Johnson's attention to detail is another new-coach cliche, but can't be dismissed as the same-old, same-old with the #Bears. Sometimes the coach who thinks he's the smartest guy in the room actually is the smartest guy in the room. markpotash.net
www.markpotash.net/post/ben-joh...
www.markpotash.net/post/ben-joh...
Ben Johnson's attention to detail becoming an attention-getter
There aren't many people still around who have consistently bet on the new Bears coach being different from the guy before him, because most of them went broke doing that. But Ben Johnson's first impr...
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June 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Ben Johnson's attention to detail is another new-coach cliche, but can't be dismissed as the same-old, same-old with the #Bears. Sometimes the coach who thinks he's the smartest guy in the room actually is the smartest guy in the room. markpotash.net
www.markpotash.net/post/ben-joh...
www.markpotash.net/post/ben-joh...
The #Bears offseason Bingo card is filling up, with good reason this time ... markpotash.net
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www.markpotash.net/post/bears-o...
Bears offseason Bingo card filling up
Bears offseason optimism figures to kick into high gear this week with three days of media access at mini-camp Tuesday through Thursday at Halas Hall. The Bears get mocked for winning the offseason fo...
www.markpotash.net
June 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The #Bears offseason Bingo card is filling up, with good reason this time ... markpotash.net
www.markpotash.net/post/bears-o...
www.markpotash.net/post/bears-o...
When Ben Johnson became the Lions' OC in 2022, the running back (D'Andre Swift) and tight end (T.J. Hockenson) were among the proven veterans who didn't make it to Year 2. That puts a the spotlight on Swift and Cole Kmet in 2025. markpotash.net
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www.markpotash.net/post/d-andre...
June 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
When Ben Johnson became the Lions' OC in 2022, the running back (D'Andre Swift) and tight end (T.J. Hockenson) were among the proven veterans who didn't make it to Year 2. That puts a the spotlight on Swift and Cole Kmet in 2025. markpotash.net
www.markpotash.net/post/d-andre...
www.markpotash.net/post/d-andre...
The pursuit of a new stadium was typical of Bears dysfunction — but unlike drafting Mitch Trubisky or hiring Matt Eberflus, it will still end well. "No harm, no foul" seems to be the way the Bears are rolling these days. That's progress at Halas Hall.
www.markpotash.net/post/the-new...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-new...
The new Halas Hall m.o.: 'No harm, no foul'
The Bears' quest for a new stadium has had all the earmarks of a Halas Hall production. After outgoing team president Ted Phillips initially spearheaded the Bears' stadium pursuit — purchasing the 326...
www.markpotash.net
May 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The pursuit of a new stadium was typical of Bears dysfunction — but unlike drafting Mitch Trubisky or hiring Matt Eberflus, it will still end well. "No harm, no foul" seems to be the way the Bears are rolling these days. That's progress at Halas Hall.
www.markpotash.net/post/the-new...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-new...
The Carl/Caleb Williams story — a moot issue with a new coach in place? Or a red flag that Halas Hall dysfunction might make Ben Johnson's job tougher than he thought? 🤔
www.markpotash.net/post/the-cal...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-cal...
May 16, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The Carl/Caleb Williams story — a moot issue with a new coach in place? Or a red flag that Halas Hall dysfunction might make Ben Johnson's job tougher than he thought? 🤔
www.markpotash.net/post/the-cal...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-cal...
On this day in 1970 — Ernie Banks hit his 500th career home run — ninth on the all-time list at the time.
Did you know ... Hank Aaron hit No. 568 at Wrigley Field the day before ... and Banks broke up a no-hitter in the eighth inning the day after?
www.markpotash.net/post/may-12-...
Did you know ... Hank Aaron hit No. 568 at Wrigley Field the day before ... and Banks broke up a no-hitter in the eighth inning the day after?
www.markpotash.net/post/may-12-...
May 12, 1970 — Ernie Banks hits his 500th home run
Ernie Banks still had it when the 1970 season opened, but he was losing it. Banks hit 23 home runs and had 106 RBIs (fifth in the National League) and made the All-Star team in 1969. But he hit .253 a...
www.markpotash.net
May 12, 2025 at 10:50 PM
On this day in 1970 — Ernie Banks hit his 500th career home run — ninth on the all-time list at the time.
Did you know ... Hank Aaron hit No. 568 at Wrigley Field the day before ... and Banks broke up a no-hitter in the eighth inning the day after?
www.markpotash.net/post/may-12-...
Did you know ... Hank Aaron hit No. 568 at Wrigley Field the day before ... and Banks broke up a no-hitter in the eighth inning the day after?
www.markpotash.net/post/may-12-...
Happy Birthday to former Westinghouse star Eddie Johnson. Two of my favorite EJ anecdotes:
— Went to Westinghouse because it didn't have a pool and he could not swim.
— Went to Illinois to "blaze my own trail" after college coaches opened a door for Magic but let is shut on him.
— Went to Westinghouse because it didn't have a pool and he could not swim.
— Went to Illinois to "blaze my own trail" after college coaches opened a door for Magic but let is shut on him.
May 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Happy Birthday to former Westinghouse star Eddie Johnson. Two of my favorite EJ anecdotes:
— Went to Westinghouse because it didn't have a pool and he could not swim.
— Went to Illinois to "blaze my own trail" after college coaches opened a door for Magic but let is shut on him.
— Went to Westinghouse because it didn't have a pool and he could not swim.
— Went to Illinois to "blaze my own trail" after college coaches opened a door for Magic but let is shut on him.
Did Ryan Poles' draft discipline cost him a running back? ... Why Coleston Loveland was the right TE ... the concern about keeping everyone on a #Bears offense happy will never not be amusing ... a tribute to Mongo. All that and more in 1st-and-10 ... www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
April 30, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Did Ryan Poles' draft discipline cost him a running back? ... Why Coleston Loveland was the right TE ... the concern about keeping everyone on a #Bears offense happy will never not be amusing ... a tribute to Mongo. All that and more in 1st-and-10 ... www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...