Jake Fischer's Norman Powell update opens the door to a Raptors reunion
Norman Powell could be a deadline target for Bobby Webster and the Toronto Raptors, but only if the Bulls throw in a sweetener.
Latest blog entries from Chicago teams across every league
Norman Powell could be a deadline target for Bobby Webster and the Toronto Raptors, but only if the Bulls throw in a sweetener.
Jeffery Simmons only needed one game to categorically alter the Chicago Bears defense.
The Chicago Bears cement their rise to NFL elite with a 34-17 win over defending champion Seattle Seahawks, improving to 6-2—their best record since 2012. QB Caleb Williams throws for 247 yards and a touchdown in his first Lumen Field start, leading an 80‑yard, 8:32 drive that dominates Seattle’s stout pass defense. New defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons debuts with six tackles, a sack and a pass breakup, helping the Bears record a 1‑of‑11 third‑down conversion rate and force an interception. The Bears have led 158 of a possible 180 minutes during a three‑game winning streak, showing control on both sides of the ball and positioning themselves as legitimate contenders.
The Montreal Canadiens seek a second-line center while the Chicago Blackhawks need a scoring winger with size, but who could be available to help them address their respective needs?
The St. Louis Cardinals will appoint former White Sox assistant hitting coach Joel McKeithan as their new hitting coach, replacing Brant Brown, who was let go after two seasons. McKeithan, 35, brings experience from the White Sox, where hitters ranked fifth in the league with 211 homers and a 9.5% walk rate in 2026, as well as prior roles with the Reds and minor‑league stints in the Phillies and Tigers systems. The Cardinals struggled offensively last season, posting a .239/.313/.378 line and the fifth‑worst wRC+ (93) in MLB, prompting the move. Other staff changes include potential returns for third‑base coach Pop Warner and outfield/baserunning coach Jon Jay in 2027.
Chicago’s defense is plagued by absentee Bowen Byram, who has appeared in just six of the Blackhawks’ first 15 games. The 2019 No. 4 overall pick signed a six‑year, $75 million extension after a trade that brought him and Jordan Greenway from Buffalo, but an undisclosed upper‑body injury keep him sidelined since Oct. 13 against Pittsburgh. Coach Jeff Blashill confirms it isn’t a concussion, and Byram was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 15, while Dillon Boucher is recalled from the AHL. The Blackhawks, sitting at four wins in 15, hope his return will shore up a blue‑line that’s left goalie Spencer Knight exposed and could finally stop their defensive collapse.
After a hamstring setback, quarterback Caleb Williams fuels the Chicago Bears' surge, leading them to a 6-2 record and a spot behind the Vikings in the NFC North. Following Monday's win over Seattle, Williams posted a bold Instagram tribute to Kevin Durant—featuring Durant’s “Shoot til my arms fall off” shirt and the caption “throw til my arms fall off”—to silence critics. He’s logged 1,267 passing yards, six TDs and a 70.9% completion rate, while still facing remarks about his emotions and play style. The fiery post underscores his confidence as the Bears eye another playoff run.
Josh Hart is listed as questionable with right ankle soreness ahead of the Knicks' matchup against Chicago on Wednesday. Coach Mike Brown must decide how to reshape his wing rotation, balancing Hart’s scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and perimeter defense. Options include giving more minutes to sharpshooter Landry Shamet, who dropped 22 points versus Brooklyn, or using Miles McBride for pressure defense. The lineup may shift between larger groups for rebounding or smaller units for offense, depending on Hart’s condition. While Hart’s status remains unconfirmed, his multifaceted role makes the injury report a critical factor for the game plan.
Ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, Bears GM Ryan Poles may revisit cornerback Nahshon Wright, the Pro‑Bowl player who helped Chicago’s secondary in 2025 before slipping to the Jets, where he’s seen only special‑teams snaps. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport flagged Wright as a depth option, noting his frustration with New York and his desire for a defensive role. Wright logged 5 interceptions, 11 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles in 2025, but a return would hinge on a modest price and whether he can bolster a secondary that struggled against the Seahawks. The article weighs the familiar talent against the Bears’ cap and roster needs.
The Chicago Bears lost the NFL rushing lead to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Sunday night at Soldier Field gives D'Andre Swift and company a direct shot to reclaim it.
The Phillies’ $22 million, two‑year gamble on former Cubs reliever Brad Keller collapsed in 2026. After a promising 2025 breakout, Keller posted a 4.02 ERA over 32 games, with his strikeout rate dipping to 23.7% and WHIP inflating to 1.34. A forearm injury in June led to Tommy John surgery by mid‑July, ending his season and likely 2027. The move, once hailed as Dombrowski’s rare hit, left Philadelphia with a gaping bullpen void and an F‑grade performance. The article assesses why the signing failed and what it means for the Phillies’ offseason pursuit of a new setup arm for closer Jhoan Duran.
South Side Sox’s Munetaka Murakami delivered five unforgettable home runs this season, from his debut blast on March 26 at Milwaukee to a 431‑foot, 111.1 mph two‑run shot at home on April 4. He followed with a 431‑foot, 114.1 mph grand slam on April 17, a career‑first two‑homer game in an 8‑3 win over the Cubs on May 16, and a go‑ahead two‑run homer that helped Chicago sweep Detroit on August 16. The post revisits these highlights for offseason fans, offering quick clips without deep analysis, and invites readers to share their favorite Murakami homer.
The article argues that the Chicago Cubs should pass on signing top free‑agent pitcher Tarik Skubal, despite his projected $350‑$500 million contract (MLBTR: 9 years, $425 M, $47.2 M AAV). With all five 2026 rotation starters — Shōta Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Matthew Boyd — entering free agency and the next‑up arms injury‑plagued, the Cubs face a massive pitching void. The author contends the club’s limited budget would be better spent on several mid‑tier arms rather than a single $40‑$50 M‑per‑year ace, echoing ESPN’s Jeff Passan on the team's dollar‑limit dilemma.
The Chicago Bears limited the Seattle Seahawks to just one sack in their Week 8 showdown at Lumen Field, a stark improvement over the four sacks allowed to Atlanta and three to New England since Caleb Williams returned. The lone sack came when left tackle Theo Benedet was forced back, causing Williams to scramble into the pocket before being taken down by defensive end Mike Morris. The Bears mixed tempos effectively, but the analysis highlights Benedet’s struggle and the overall sack distribution: Williams (4.5), Garrett Bradbury (3), and Benedet (2.5) after eight games. The piece compares this sack rate to the Bears' historical figures dating back to 2010.
Free‑agent wing Dalen Terry (2022 18th‑overall pick) signs a two‑year, likely non‑guaranteed veteran‑minimum deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Terry, who bounced from Golden State’s Exhibit 9 to the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors, spent three‑plus seasons with Chicago, a brief stint in New Orleans, and finished 2025/26 on the Philadelphia 76ers roster. He averages 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 11.2 minutes. The Thunder, dealing with injuries to Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren, add Terry for depth and to fill a 15‑man roster spot, preserving flexibility for two‑way contracts and potential hardship signings.
Bleeding Green Nation releases its Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, led by the Chicago Bears at No. 1 after a dominant win over the defending Super Bowl champs in Seattle. The San Francisco 49ers sit second, while the Buffalo Bills remain the AFC’s sole one‑loss team at third. The Kansas City Chiefs drop to fourth after two straight defeats, and the Detroit Lions hold the top spot in the NFC North at fifth. Highlights include Jacksonville’s league‑best +85 point differential at seventh, Seattle at eighth, and a struggling Ravens squad falling to sixteenth amid injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
ClutchPoints breaks down Week 9 fantasy quarterback starts and benches. Top starters include Brock Purdy (SF vs. LV) with a favorable Raiders defense, Jared Goff (DET @ MIA) against a pass‑friendly Dolphins unit, and Caleb Williams (CHI vs. TB) after his 247‑yard, 1‑TD win over Seattle. Additional QB1 options are Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert (LAC vs. HOU) tops the sit list due to low production and turnovers. The article also highlights streaming prospects and matchup nuances such as injuries and defensive strengths, helping managers fine‑tune their lineups.
The Colorado Avalanche have been up and down so far, but it is hard to complain after three straight wins including victories over the New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks.…
With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 10, the Detroit Lions face a sudden linebacker crisis after rookie Jimmy Rolder’s season‑ending injury and All‑Pro Jack Campbell’s neck injury. While Detroit’s cornerback pursuits stalled, the podcast argues the Lions should target veteran Eagles linebacker Zack Baun—an All‑Pro on a manageable 2026‑28 contract (roughly $1.2‑$1.4 M per year). The Eagles’ $16 M dead cap and draft compensation could make the deal feasible. Additional names mentioned include Buccaneers’ Alex Anzalone and Dolphins’ Jordyn Brooks. The discussion also weighs the Lions’ NFC North rivals, especially the Bears’ Jeffrey Simmons acquisition, and broader strategic questions.
The Chicago Bears are 6-2, but five players could make them even more dangerous in the second half, including Luther Burden.
Baseball America breaks down the 2026 Arizona Fall League's top hitting prospects, spotlighting ten players who stood out despite the league’s offense‑heavy environment and new outfield positioning rules. Highlights include Caleb Bonemer’s raw but athletic outfield work for the White Sox, Charles Davalan’s questionable shift to second base with the Dodgers, Welbyn Francisca’s OPS jump to .879 and improved contact metrics for Cleveland, 17‑year‑old Angeibel Gomez’s solid .306/.390/.444 line for Kansas City, and Vance Honeycutt’s double‑A surge with the Orioles after adding a private hitting coach. The analysis offers concrete stats and developmental notes to gauge each prospect’s 2027 outlook.
Fans spotted Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder cheering alongside WWE stars Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a suite during the Chicago Bears’ 34-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Lynch confirmed the trio posed for a photo, and Vedder, an Illinois native who supports the Bears, was in Seattle to watch the game. Rollins, a Bears fan and NFL analyst, and his wife hyped the matchup on social media before kickoff. The Bears rallied in the third quarter with a 69‑yard drive, and D’Andre Swift’s three touchdowns sealed the win, ending Seattle’s defense of the Super Bowl title.
The Chicago Blackhawks start a three‑game road swing on Nov. 4, facing the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, all while missing top stars. Patrick Kane exits a 5‑2 loss to Colorado with an upper‑body injury and Bowen Byram lands on injured reserve; both are out for the trip. The Hawks recalled Dillon Boucher, but a potential wing call‑up, Nick Lardis, is sidelined by a lower‑body injury. With win‑less streaks mounting, the team may face roster moves after a brief break, while league‑wide hat tricks and a dramatic Jets comeback add extra intrigue.
The Cubs have outrighted first baseman Tyler Austin to Triple‑A Iowa, giving him the choice to stay or test free agency after a knee injury sidelined him all season. Austin, signed to a $1.25 million deal last year after reviving his career in Japan, never contributed as the club leaned on Michael Busch at first base. If he leaves, a return to Japan could be more lucrative.
Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers sit 0‑7 and refuse to trade veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack, despite strong interest from the Chicago Bears, who have just added defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Mack, 35, has three sacks this season and a beloved Chicago history—36 sacks in 53 games—making a return tempting for a Bears defense grappling with Dayo Odeyingbo’s absence. Coach Harbaugh says he’s focused on the present, while Chargers GM Joe Horig says Mack wants to stay, leaving no price or deal on the table. The trade‑deadline drama hinges on whether Chicago can convince Los Angeles to part with its cornerstone.