How did Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles’ first draft turn out? Grading the 2022 class Four years after Poles' first draft as an NFL GM, there's plenty to unpack on the full evaluation of that class.

Ahead of Ryan Poles’ fifth draft as Bears GM, @danwiederer.bsky.social and I begin what will be an annual project: grading draft classes after four seasons.

Here’s our analysis of the 2022 draft

For anyone in the Chicago area today, several of us (and a guy by the name of Matt Forte) will be at the Lincoln Park Conservatory from 4-5p. First 100 fans get a hard copy of "The Beast," and Dane Brugler himself will be there! (And @robertmays.bsky.social)

Who did a better job with our final Bears mock draft? @danwiederer.bsky.social or @kfishbain.bsky.social?

Story free to read.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Garret Anderson, Angels star and hometown World Series hero, is dead at 53 Garret Anderson, a member of the Angels' Hall of Fame, was a Southern California native who spent most of his career playing in LA.

From @theathletic.com: Garret Anderson, who led the Los Angeles Angels to their only World Series, is dead at 53. nyti.ms/48VMXJ8

What will the Chiefs do in the NFL Draft? 5 hints from GM Brett Veach (Gift Article) Where does Veach see the most position depth in the NFL Draft? Here's what he told reporters in his pre-draft news conference.

Here are 5 hints Chiefs GM Brett Veach dropped about his team's potential draft plans (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

Mike Trout is the first visiting player to homer on four straight days at the Yankees

The only other player to homer in 4 straight games within a series at NYY is 1972 John Mayberry, over 3 days due to doubleheaders

Bears NFL Draft big board: Options for GM Ryan Poles on all 3 days (Gift Article) The Bears have four of the first 90 picks. To sustain success, they have to hit. Here are players to consider for draft weekend.

Bears Big Board 3.0…
• 15 players to consider at No. 25
• 19 options for 57 and 60
• 3 centers (and 6 others) for No. 89
• And 25 prospects to keep in mind for Day 3
Have at it (free to read)

🏆

Yikes

Bears GM Ryan Poles seeks NFL Draft exclamation point after eventful March (Gift Article) A surprise retirement. A headline-grabbing trade. High-profile exits. Poles' challenging spring will continue with next week's NFL Draft.

Bears GM Ryan Poles had a challenging March as he dealt with a surprise retirement, two trades, the signings of nine newcomers and the exits of 12 players who started at least once last year.

Now: the draft.

By @danwiederer.bsky.social Free to read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Chiefs NFL Draft scenarios: 5 paths, including trades, that could make sense (Gift Article) Will the Chiefs do the expected, or throw caution to the wind with a trade? A look at five scenarios that could play out in Round 1.

Trade up? Trade down? 'Don't overthink it'? YOLO?

Let's go through five potential draft scenarios for the Chiefs and what each would look like (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Look at this Saturday (May 2) at the Chicago Critics Film Festival @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social
11:30 AM - Shorts Program #1
2:00 PM - Tuner
4:30 PM - Carolina Caroline
7:15 PM - Power Ballad
9:45 PM - I Want Your Sex
11:59 PM - Leviticus
Tickets Available: www.musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...

Bears new numbers, for those of you keeping score at home...
Coby Bryant 2
Jahdae Walker 9
Devin Bush 12
Kalif Raymond 14
Cam Lewis 21
Nephi Sewell 45
Jack Sanborn 57
Garrett Bradbury 67
Jedrick Wills Jr. 71
Neville Gallimore 90
Kentavius Street 93
James Lynch 97

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis dies at 74 (Gift Article) A longtime NFL assistant coach, McGinnis nearly became the Bears' head coach in 1999, but the team botched the hiring and he walked away.

Dave McGinnis wanted nothing more than to be the head coach of the Bears. But the team botched his hiring in 1999.

He went on to become head coach of the Cardinals and later worked on Titans radio.

@danpompei.bsky.social with the obit, free to read:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

😂

Speaking of imaginary, whenever you mention Clive, it gives me Remington Steele vibes. Ha.

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis dies at 74 (Gift Article) A longtime NFL assistant coach, McGinnis nearly became the Bears' head coach in 1999, but the team botched the hiring and he walked away.

Dave McGinnis wanted nothing more than to be the head coach of the Bears. But the team botched his hiring in 1999.

He went on to become head coach of the Cardinals and later worked on Titans radio.

@danpompei.bsky.social with the obit, free to read:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

A guy asking ChatGPT to review a series of fart sound effects and getting a serious kiss ass response that calls it atmospheric

I can't stop laughing at this post. It's perfect.

Chicago Bears and ‘The Beast’: What we can learn about potential draft targets Knowing the Bears' positional needs and what they prefer from players, what can Dane Brugler's scouting reports tell us?

Been flipping through “The Beast” by @danebrugler.bsky.social with a Bears lens. Here are a few takeaways on players who might fit

The Braves are the best of this bunch by a wide margin. The Brewers' ones look good, but "Wisco" ruined it. The rest range from blah to terrible.

With help from "The Beast" ... let's find the Chiefs a WR in the upcoming NFL Draft (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Chiefs depth chart analysis: Here are the positions KC must address in the upcoming NFL Draft (free link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

NFL Draft 2026 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s definitive scouting reports and player rankings Dane Brugler’s in-depth scouting reports and rankings for more than 2,700 prospects. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, edge rushers, the top 100 overall and more — all in one place.

The Beast is here!

And it's bigger and better than ever. I don't know how @danebrugler.bsky.social does it. He's a machine. Enjoy!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...

jerry from tom and jerry is sitting in a popcorn box . ALT: jerry from tom and jerry is sitting in a popcorn box .

It's the final week to pick up early bird festival passes at a discounted rate!

Line-up reveal coming soon 👀

🍿 musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...

😐

😡

Ozzie Guillén's lucky No. 13 is getting retired by the White Sox, and it's about time

Ozzie Guillén’s lucky No. 13 is getting retired by the White Sox, and it’s about time. From Jon Greenberg

www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

This got a cheer that might end up being the loudest of the season at Target Field.

Congratulations to Ozzie! And I already had tickets to this game, so bonus!

Sorry, Bears fans. No compensatory picks are coming for Ian Cunningham's departure as the NFL rejected the Bears' appeal. @danwiederer.bsky.social with more:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...