Takeaways from the Bears' Preseason Opener: Standouts, Struggles, and Signs of Promise.
The first preseason game rarely offers a full picture of what a team will become in Week 1. It's a time for players to get their legs under them, shake off the rust, and start playing competitive football again—albeit in a very "vanilla" version of the playbook. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to learn, especially from young players trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Wheels Up in 2025
After earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2023 during his first year with the Bears, Montez Sweat looks primed to elevate his game even further in 2025. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen brings a unique and aggressive approach to the front seven, often using a singular 9-technique EDGE to create pressure. That’s a perfect fit for Sweat’s combination of speed and power, allowing him to take wide angles and attack off the edge with more freedom.
Commanding Attention: Luke McCaffrey’s Year 2 Leap Incoming
Now entering Year 2 with the Washington Commanders, the 6’2", 198-pound McCaffrey is an intriguing deep sleeper in all fantasy formats. Despite the learning curve, he’s shown flashes that hint at a much bigger leap in Year 2. There’s competition on the depth chart, sure — the Commanders drafted Jaylin Lane in the 4th round, and Michael Gallup is in the mix — but Noah Brown could be out for the year, and let’s be honest: this isn’t an overwhelmingly crowded WR room.
Can the Cubs Hold the Line? 26 Games in 26 Days Will Tell the Story
As the first 60 days of the 2025 MLB season wrap up, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in an enviable position: 37–22, sitting atop the National League Central with a four-game lead. It’s been a torrid start, but as we turn the page to June, the real test begins.
The Curious Case of Roschon Johnson
While many say we need to add a running back, Roschon Johnson may already be the running back the Chicago Bears need.
Arian Smith – Deep Sleeper of the Year
Looking for a deep sleeper with league-winning upside? Keep your eyes on Arian Smith. The 4th-round rookie out of Georgia quietly turned heads all offseason and might be the fastest player in his draft class. He’s already quietly drawing comps to Jameson Williamsin NFL circles. Clocking rumored 4.2 speed, Smith brings Olympic-level explosiveness to the field
Shawn’s Fantasy Files- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is definitely a name to watch as a late-round sleeper with real upside. The Commanders grabbing him in the 7th round looks like a strategic move with high reward potential, especially given the current running back landscape in Washington:
Shawn’s Top 10 Rookie RBs
That’s not just elite, it’s historic. For perspective, that means even if defenders got to him instantly, he still turned runs into chunk plays almost every time. And the fact that the entire Raiders rushing unit couldn’t even match that total with 380 attempts? Brutal for Vegas, but a huge endorsement for Jeanty.
🐻⬇️ Chicago Bears Draft CB Zah Frazier (Round 5, Pick 169)
The 2025 NFL Draft saw its fair share of surprises, but few stories are as inspiring as that of Zah Frazier, the cornerback from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), who was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round. Frazier’s journey to the NFL is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of perseverance—qualities that will serve him well as he transitions to the next level.
Who is Kyle Monangai?
At Rutgers, he was a workhorse with solid production between the tackles—showing good vision, balance, and toughness. However, his limited contribution in the passing game (both as a receiver and in pass protection) likely hurt his draft stock. NFL teams generally want third-down backs to be versatile, and Monangai’s lack of dynamic receiving skills makes him more of a two-down option initially.