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Is it finally the Chicago Bears’ time to be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks”? Is there any chance the Bears don’t eventually move to Arlington Heights? And what’s the succession plan for offensive coordinator Luke Getsy? The Tribune’s Brad Biggs answers these questions and more in his weekly Bears mailbag.
When do you expect the featured team for “Hard Knocks” to be announced? Is it a foregone conclusion it will be the Jets now that they officially have Aaron Rodgers? — @mobhg54
If that was a slam dunk, you’d figure the Jets already would have been announced. Last year the announcement of the Detroit Lions came on March 28, so we’re considerably behind that timetable.
Only four teams can be forced to appear on the show by the league — and the Bears are one of them. A team can decline if it meets one of the following three criteria:
- It has a first-year head coach.
- It has qualified for the playoffs in the past two years.
- It has appeared on the show in the past 10 years.
The Bears, Jets, Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints are the only teams that don’t check any of those boxes. The Bears have long been against appearing on the show, and Chairman George McCaskey reiterated that stance this spring at the owners meeting.
“We feel there are several teams that have compelling stories to tell on ‘Hard Knocks,’” McCaskey said. “Thirty-one others.”
Of course, the NFL could tell the Bears, “Too bad,” and force them to allow NFL Films behind the scenes at Halas Hall this summer. Or maybe the Jets, who haven’t publicly seemed eager to have their training camp chronicled, will be picked. It’s also possible one of the 28 other teams volunteers for the spotlight. I’d be surprised if the Bears wind up on HBO.
With all we’re hearing lately about the Bears being unhappy with the tax break situation, is there any chance they won’t end up building in Arlington Heights? — @jacklyons1952
You’re asking me to wade into politics here, and as any regular reader knows, this is pretty much a football-only zone with the occasional reference to a barbecue restaurant — especially if it’s owned or recommended by regular reader Ray Lampe, aka @DrBBQ.
No project of this scope will be completed easily without a lot of negotiating and behind-the-scenes bartering. I remain highly confident the Bears eventually will play in a new stadium in Arlington Heights. My bet is they are highly confident as well. I don’t think they would have purchased the land for $197 million if they were not. But it will take a lot of wheeling and dealing at the local and state level for this project to reach the end zone.
I read your article about options for the Bears at defensive end. I have heard it said that veteran free agents who don’t sign before the draft would rather wait until after mandatory minicamp. Is that true and are we going to have to wait until after June 15? — @ashafter
All of the veteran edge rushers I covered in that article are available because they haven’t received the kind of offer they are seeking. If the Bears or another team were to meet their asking price (or come close to it), I am sure most, if not all, would happily sign today and participate in the remainder of the voluntary offseason program and mandatory training camp.
It’s a waiting game for players trying to maximize their value and for teams trying to get a player at their number. I don’t see it as a problem if the Bears don’t add an edge rusher until after the offseason program. It’s not like there are many complexities to the job. See the quarterback. Hit the quarterback. In a perfect world, the Bears would have preferred to sign one at their price in March. Maybe they will get something done in the next couple weeks.
I should mention that of the 10 edge rushers I referenced, nine of them remain available. Za’Darius Smith is no longer an option after the Minnesota Vikings traded him to the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings received fifth-round picks in 2024 and 2025, and the Browns also will get sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2025.
With the Bears’ No. 1 position in the draft, what does that mean in terms of the coming waiver claims? Can we expect a high number of claims on some pretty good players from other teams? — @drholingue
There were a handful of questions on this topic this week. The Bears will be No. 1 in the waiver order through Tuesday, Sept. 26, the day after Week 3 ends. After that, the waiver order will be based on the current standings. This gives the Bears first choice on every player that comes across the wire.
After cuts to the original 53-man roster last year, the Bears claimed six players on waivers: offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, defensive linemen Armon Watts and Kingsley Jonathan, tight end Trevon Wesco, defensive back Josh Blackwell and linebacker Sterling Weatherford. All but Jonathan finished the season with the Bears.
I would expect the Bears to be active again this year, especially during roster cuts. I don’t know if we’ll see a number that big again. As the roster improves, there will be fewer open spots. Having the top pick in the waiver process is definitely helpful, but it’s also a reminder the team has a long way to go.
I know I’m getting ahead of myself here, but let’s assume the offense has a successful season. That means Justin Fields made meaningful strides forward. Do the Bears have any kind of succession plan for the offensive coordinator position if Luke Getsy departs for a head coaching job elsewhere? Do the Bears have any coaches currently who are highly regarded with the potential for a smooth transition to be a successful offensive coordinator? We know Getsy has interviewed for a head coaching opening previously, so we have to assume there is a decent chance he gets poached. — David K., Chicago
As I have written in this space previously, the Bears would have a good problem if Getsy is a hot coaching candidate at the end of the season and another team hires him away. That would mean Fields likely had a tremendous season that generated a lot of interest in Getsy. It would mean improvements on the offensive line and at wide receiver worked. It would mean the Bears might have a legitimate offense for the first time in almost a decade.
Replacing Getsy is a job that would belong to head coach Matt Eberflus; the coach is always in charge of his staff. One would imagine quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko would be a natural choice to become the next coordinator, and it would be sensible if Fields elevated his game in 2023. Otherwise, Eberflus would likely look outside the organization. I doubt it’s something Eberflus has spent too much time thinking about right now. The focus is on making the improvements necessary to facilitate a winning season.
How is Darnell Mooney’s health? Are they completely assuming he will be healthy with screws in his ankle? — @windyzona13
Good question. I don’t know that Mooney had screws placed in his ankle, but I do know he required surgery after suffering a left ankle injury in the loss to the New York Jets in late November. A Jets defender fell on the back of Mooney’s leg as he was attempting to block. NFL Media reported he suffered torn ligaments.
From what I hear, Mooney is doing well and there is a chance he will be fully cleared before the conclusion of the offseason program, which ends with mandatory minicamp in mid-June. If not, it’s expected he will be at full speed for the start of training camp. I don’t think the Bears are “completely assuming” anything, but they have much better depth with the addition of DJ Moore and Tyler Scott. With Mooney healthy, the offense should be in much better shape for Justin Fields.
Is drafting Tyrique Stevenson a sign the Bears are low on Kyler Gordon? Or Jaylon Johnson even? — @brandoncheng127
The Bears lean heavily on sub packages on defense, meaning they’re using three cornerbacks on roughly 75% of snaps. That means they need three quality cornerbacks, preferably four or more. So drafting Stevenson and Terell Smith was a move to give defensive coordinator Alan Williams and new secondary coach Jon Hoke more talent and options. I think we can all agree that even if Johnson continues to ascend and Gordon takes a big jump forward in Year 2, the Bears still needed more cornerback talent.
With all the hype about Roschon Johnson, is it a foregone conclusion Trestan Ebner won’t make the team this year? — Dennis G., Colorado
I wouldn’t say that. Ebner has value on special teams and is a skilled receiver out of the backfield, an element of the passing game that was underutilized last season. Certainly there will be competition and pressure for Ebner to compete for a roster spot. The same can be said for Khalil Herbert and the newcomers. I would imagine the Bears drafted Johnson in the fourth round with the idea he can have a significant role in the offense in the future.
With Quinnen Williams having a contract dispute with the Jets, do you think the Bears could be an option in a trade? — @thegeorgesiu
Let’s see here: The Jets just traded for 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers, a four-time league MVP with a short window remaining in his playing career. That’s the kind of move that signals general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh are in win-now mode. So trading their best defensive player — the 25-year-old Williams was an All-Pro tackle last season — would make no sense whatsoever.
Williams created a stir Monday when he removed the Jets from his social media profile, but I’d imagine they’ll eventually sign him to a massive contract — and he might command about $25 million annually. The Bears drafted three defensive tackles. They’re in the market for an edge rusher.
