BEARRRSSSS
– Bear Digest is a Sports Illustrated channel featuring Gene Chamberlain to bring you the latest News, Highlights, Analysis, Draft, Free Agency surrounding the Chicago Bears.
– Eric Bieniemy has reached a deal with the Bears to become their new running backs coach, according to multiple reports Saturday. He worked as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator from 2018-’22.
– Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower believes he’s on the same page with new head coach Ben Johnson, who elected to retain him on his new staff.
– The Bears have elected to not retain defensive line coach Travis Smith, assistant running backs coach Jennifer King, offensive assistant Ryan Griffin and assistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling.
– George asked the Bears up front whether this was simply to fulfill the Rooney Rule requirement of having two minority candidates come for in-person interviews — the Bears had interviewed only one in person at that point — and was told no.
– Draft preparation is well underway with the Senior Bowl this week and the NFL Scouting Combine coming up, but free agency comes first in March.
-Steelers president Art Rooney II called it “a short conversation” because his organization had no interest in moving on from Tomlin.
– Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has added Eric Bieniemy as the running backs coach for his staff and retained tight ends coach Jim Dray.
– Bieniemy overlapped with Bears GM Ryan Poles while with the Chiefs and with president/CEO Kevin Warren during his time coaching in Minnesota
– The Bears introduced Johnson’s three coordinators Thursday: Dennis Allen, Declan Doyle and holdover Richard Hightower.
– Salary cap cuts come before free agency and one website’s list of potential available players could find fits in Chicago because of Bears coaches.
– The Chicago Bears made a stunning move by hiring Eric Bienemy as the team’s running backs coach. Here’s our grade for the decision.
– A Bears mock draft using a new set of rules for trades and also with a talent pool altered to reflect what occurred during Senior Bowl week.
– Would the Bears consider a Mavericks/Lakers-level mind-blowing trade? How about the Bengals?
– The Bears also will keep tight ends coach Jim Dray.
POLISH SAUSAGE
– Other than special-teams coordinator Richard Hightower, the coordinators and head coaches from this season have all made lateral moves with their new teams.
– Wilson is set for free agency in March.
– The NFL’s international takeover reportedly will continue with a visit next year to the land down under.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON
– We check out PFN’s latest mock draft, which was done by our very own Jacob Infante.
– Here’s how much cap space the Bears have, a list of all their free agents, plus an explainer of what each type of free agent is.
– On Saturday, the Bears landed a seasoned veteran to run their backfield while keeping a familiar face at tight ends.
– Your SB Nation Reacts results are positive this week.
– When he posted a picture on his social media from Halas Hall, it seemed evident that former Detroit Lions practice squadder Maurice Alexander Jr. was set to sign a reserve/futures contract with the…
