Chicago Bears News: Post Draft Buzz Builds While Stadium Situation Heats Up
Things aren’t exactly quiet around the Chicago Bears right now. It’s not chaos, but it’s not one of those offseasons you forget about by June either. There’s enough happening to keep people checking in, and just enough uncertainty to make it worth watching. Some of it feels routine. Some of it definitely doesn’t.
Let’s get into some recent Chicago Bears news and noteworthy items.
Update on Bears new potential stadium
The Chicago Bears continue to work towards what could be the biggest transaction in team history, a brand new stadium. The Arlington Heights location has long been at the center of these efforts, and a new modern, and potentially domed, facility that would both replace Soldier Field and offer the team more control over revenue, development and the fan experience. More than just football, though, the long-range plan is to have a complete entertainment district surrounding the facility, which has become par for the course among NFL franchises.
Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker indicated that they need to move as fast possible to get a deal done.
“We have to be competitive here,” Governor Pritzker said. “We want to make sure that the Bears see Illinois as the best alternative for them and that they have something that they can make a decision about that’s in front of them…So as fast as possible is what I’m advocating for. And I realize that the legislative person, I’ve been around the legislative process enough to know that it is sometimes difficult to wrangle there 177 members of the General Assembly.”
Ben Johnson sees a clear identity in Bears draft class
Chicago’s head coach Ben Johnson made it clear that there was thought that were put into these picks and that they were not just random selections. Johnson indicated they were not filling holes and were targeting specific types of players that were available when their picks came up.
Johnson explained that connection in detail when asked what ties this rookie class together:
“I think (Assistant General Manager) Jeff King hit it a couple days ago, and that’s really that we’re looking for high level competitors,” Johnson said. “Guys that if you took football away from, they really don’t know what to do with themselves. It’s a huge part. They eat it, they sleep it, they breathe it. And I think we’re able to identify those types of guys. When you have guys like that, they usually find a way to come out on top.”
Chicago Bears legend blasts head coach Ben Johnson
Chicago Bears legend Dan Hampton did not hold back when evaluating the team’s draft, specifically taking aim at head coach Ben Johnson for what he believes was a major oversight. Hampton’s frustration centered on the lack of attention paid to the pass rush, something he views as an obvious and urgent need for a team trying to take the next step.
“Ben Johnson is the reason for this amazing resurgence of the franchise and being able to come out of nowhere last year … and find a way to win it late in the year by beating the Green Bay Packers. Now, all that being said, this draft to me comes under the heading of one word, O’B: Arrogance. There is an arrogance right now that I’m not happy with and I don’t like.”
Hampton further went on to talk about losing their best player on defense and that it has been a while since they have had a solid pass rusher.
“Our defense gave us a chance last year,” Hampton added. “They (had) an amazing ability to force teams into turning the ball over. We led the league in interceptions and turnovers. We let our best player on defense, Kevin Byard, walk. We let him walk right out at the front door. … We haven’t had a pass rush since Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks were here. And what’s that been, six years? We are desperate for difference makers on the defensive line. And they don’t grow on trees, O’B. You got to draft it.”
