The Bear’s Den, January 6, 2025

The Bear’s Den, January 6, 2025
Windy City Gridiron Windy City Gridiron

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARSSSSSS

Bears coach Ben Johnson won’t use short playoff prep week as an excuse

The Packers didn’t play their starters Sunday but the Bears did. While coach Ben Johnson defended his decision after the game — “Some teams, they rest their starters [but] we don’t, we play football,” he said — the playoff schedule might have conspired against him.

Bears coach Ben Johnson looks to wake team up ahead of playoff showdown with Packers

Johnson has picked his spots to get fiery with the team about poor play, and this seems like a good time to do it.

Why NFL chose Packers-Bears wild-card game for Prime Video

The NFL chose to lean into its burgeoning relationship with Prime Video’s owner, Amazon, granting the league’s longest-running rivalry to its newest weekly partner.

Bears’ late-game sorcery started with season-turning victory against NFL’s worst team

In retrospect, the victory against the Raiders was better than a blowout. It provided a template for an identity that would carry the Bears to their first NFC North title since 2018.

Bears hope to bring CB Kyler Gordon back to practice in advance of playoff game

The slot cornerback has been on injured reserve with a groin injury.

Are the Chicago Bears playoff-ready? ‘We’re not far away’

“It can all be addressed,” Johnson said via Zoom on Monday. “We’re not far away. You never are in this league.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Mike McDaniel not closing door on Tua Tagovailoa’s return, foresees 2026 QB competition

Tua Tagovailoa said Monday that a fresh start elsewhere would be “dope.” The Dolphins, though, have not decided on the quarterback’s future.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Minnesota Vikings: Another Offseason QB Debate

Well, it looks like this offseason will be another fantastic debate about the QB position. It has already started with folks settling into their respective camps and very very few willing to change their position (er., mind).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Bear & Balanced: A disappointing end to a remarkable regular season

We recap the Bears vs Lions game with our day-after, cooled-down review from @gridironborn and @wiltfongjr.

Bears vs. Lions Game Balls: Uninspired Effort Falls Short

After a loss to the Detroit Lions, @ryandroste hands out his Chicago Bears game balls.

Bring on the Packers

It’s time to see what these new-look Chicago Bears are really made of, so bring on the Packers says @kdthompson5

Bears vs Lions: Inside the Snap Counts, Stats, and an unsatisfying record

Here are all the Bears’ snap counts, a spotlight on some individual statistics, and a few team stats from the Week 18 loss to the Lions from @wiltfongjr.

Chicago Bears Week 18 Notes: What The L?!

Ouch. Not the effort you would like to see for #DaBears fans. Here are @BryanOrenchuk’s notes from the disappointing L.

Windy City Honors: Chicago Bears Week 18 Superlatives

Our @thechicagosares hands out her last Windy City Honors for the regular season after a Bears loss to the Lions.

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