(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Jeff Joniak was at Halas Hall on Sunday and filed this journal, recapping the latest on the Chicago Bears:
--One year ago today, the Bears made arguably the biggest trade in franchise history with the acquisition of pass rusher Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders.
“It happened fast, but I’m blessed, thankful, and glad to be here,” Mack said in his introductory news conference. His first practice was a loud and clear reminder that he was here to work. His first game at Green Bay last season was filled with evidence of his impact. His first game Thursday – at Soldier Field, against the Packers -- hopefully is a mission statement for 2019.
--Cody Whitehair is a foundation piece. He has as much to do with the culture in the locker room as anyone. Dedicated in every way, he is an old-school offensive lineman. A grinder in the weight room and the classroom, few spend as much time at Halas Hall as he does. A Pro Bowl alternate at center in 2018, he is the starting left guard in 2019 and begins the week with a new contract reportedly worth $52.5 million ($27.5 million guaranteed). He earned it. It also happens to be the second-largest guarantee for an extended contract for a guard in NFL history. In 2018, the Cowboys signed right guard Zach Martin to a $40 million guarantee as part of a 6-year, $84.0 million extension. “It speaks a lot about this organization and paying players that are drafted here to, extending them and rewarding them for what they’ve done,” Whitehair said.
-- A word on General Manager Ryan Pace. Forty-eight of the 53 players on the roster are his. All have been acquired since 2015. It took five years. He likes the character of these men. They love football. They love playing for the Bears. They are smart. They are tough. They are selfless. These are the main intangibles he seeks in players. His core talent is under contract for at least the next two to three years, with more investments needed sooner rather than later. More growth and incremental improvement team-wide is the plan. If that happens, the hope is this team will realize its potential.
--Investing in the offensive line is the biggest key to developing and protecting quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Pace extended right tackle Bobby Massie in the offseason, keeping him off the free-agent market. Both right guard Kyle Long and left tackle Charles Leno Jr. agreed to restructured deals, opening up cap space that helped extend Whitehair. Last year, Pace invested a high draft pick in center James Daniels, who at 21 has a bright future and makes his first NFL start at the position against the Packers.
--In looking back to the season-opening loss to the Packers last season, it still stings. Up 20 points in the second half, the Bears could not stop quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The defense did not sack him in the second half. It proved to be an important lesson for a young team still learning how to win. Now this team knows how to win. The expectation is that will bear fruit.
--A nugget worth noting: If Eddy Pineiro kicks in five games this year, the Bears owe the Oakland Raiders a 2021 seventh-round pick. The Bears are rolling with the 23-year-old Floridian, despite his never kicking in an NFL regular season game. “We feel like he’s certainly earned it,” Nagy said. “He made it through a lot of mental challenges, physical challenges, working through the highs and lows.” Pineiro kicked at Soldier Field Sunday morning to gain more insight and perspective into what it takes to be successful when the winds kick up. It is a tricky place.
--Here is Nagy’s best-case scenario for Pineiro: “He’s got a really good confidence going about him right now. We as a staff have a really good confidence going about us. We feel good about it, so hopefully it’s the arrow-up deal where he hits a few early, he gets his confidence going and before you know it, he’s on a nice streak.”
--Former Bears third-round defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard is an Arizona Cardinals waiver claim. Ditto cornerback John Franklin by the New York Jets.
--It changes throughout the season, but the Bears initial practice squad is set. It includes Hinsdale Central product Thomas Ives, who is thrilled with the opportunity at receiver. Running back Ryan Nall is back for a second year, and ditto Oswego’s Michael Joseph at cornerback. Quarterback Tyler Bray may be the league’s oldest practice squad player at 27, even though he is a six-year veteran. Notre Dame rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars and Sam Mustipher return, as does defensive lineman Jonathan Harris. Veteran back-turned-receiver Taquan Mizzell and seventh-round rookie cornerback Stephen Denmark round out the squad.
--Knowledge is power, and Trubisky is more knowledgeable about Matt Nagy’s offense entering Thursday’s opener. It gives the third year quarterback more power at the line of scrimmage. “We’re just on the same page,” Trubisky said. “We’re very similar as far as wanting to throw the ball down the field, aggressive mindset and mentality, taking care of the football and speaking his terminology. I do see myself seeing the game through his eyes.”