Hub Arkush

When evaluating Justin Fields’ 2022 season a large chunk of the conversation has centered around the assumption he had very little help, but it’s going to be very hard to blame the pass catchers if Fields' breakout season doesn't happen this year, Hub Arkush writes.

What this portion of the offseason resembles the most, as the Bears wrap up their second of three weeks of OTAs, is going to school. Don't read too much into the absence of Jaylon Johnson and Nate Davis yet, Hub Arkush writes.

While much of the 2022 season was a tough watch, there were signs the Bears possessed more talent than their record indicated. Hub Arkush looks at some key names to watch in 2023.

If Fields is to become the player the Bears are dreaming about, he needs to run the ball less. A lot less. But, if they are going to notably improve the league’s worst passing game, they can’t afford a step back in the running game, Hub Arkush writes.

The Bears hit a home run by finding linebacker Jack Sanborn as an undrafted rookie last season. That doesn't happen every year, but Hub Arkush looks at this year's crop of undrafted rookies to see which ones have the best chance to stick in Chicago.

The Bears appear to have a solid rebuilding plan that GM Ryan Poles has remained steadfastly committed to. There is still a long way to go, but I like what I've seen so far, Hub Arkush writes.

The Bears addressed their defense with three picks Friday night, but while all have some promising skills and talents, none are finished products and all will be developmental prospects, Hub Arkush writes.

Darnell Wright is a very interesting pick at 10th and there are more than a handful of things to like about him. The Bears could now be set at tackle on both sides for many years to come, Hub Arkush writes.

Take the best player available? Greatest area of need? Maybe a trade down? Bears GM Ryan Poles is going to have some intriguing options at No. 9, Hub Arkush writes.

With little time left before the lights go on in Kansas City, this is the most unsettled first round at this point I’ve ever seen in my 45 years scouting NFL drafts, Hub Arkush writes.

I’m still watching more tape and making more phone calls, but based on what I’ve learned to date, here is my second crack at a mock draft, Hub Arkush writes.

With a little more than a week to go before the draft, Bears GM Ryan Poles is in good position. There are likely to be multiple top prospects still available at No. 9, giving Poles the opportunity to grab a blue-chip player or trade down for even more picks, Hub Arkush writes.

The Bears have enough holes to fill that GM Ryan Poles is likely focused on finding his highest rated player at a position of need, but let's set that aside for now and look at the top 10 prospects available in the NFL draft regardless of position.

The Bears have bigger needs than cornerback, but if the top edge rushers are off the board, GM Ryan Poles will have to consider bolstering his secondary if Illinois' Devon Witherspoon or Oregon's Christian Gonzalez remain on the board at No. 9, Hub Arkush writes.

Successful drafting is about landing your highest-rated prospects available who also fit areas of need. That is what I’ve tried to do with each of these picks in my first mock draft, Hub Arkush writes.

A perennial playoff team can approach the draft by choosing the small handful of pieces they need the most to get better and be annual contenders. As for the others like the Chicago Bears, they have to draft the best player available regardless of position with every pick.

Obviously, the front five on offense is a critical need for all 32 NFL teams, but it's possible the Bears already have more developing talent than we realize. And, a first-round pick could be much better used elsewhere, Hub Arkush writes.

The Bears need edge rushers again, several actually, and fortunately for them it is the best – or at least deepest – position in the first two or three rounds of this year’s draft, Hub Arkush writes.

Changing NFL strategies have devalued the running back position, but a special prospect such as Texas' Bijan Robinson potentially falling to No. 9 is a scenario Bears GM Ryan Poles at least has to consider, Hub Arkush writes.

Ryan Poles has done an excellent job so far of adding interesting young talent while staying patient. He has an opportunity to continue that plan and fix his lack of pass-rush talent at the same time, Hub Arkush writes.

Justin Fields' NFL career is off to a promising start, but he hasn't yet shown he'll become a franchise QB. It's clear the Bears set out this offseason to provide Fields with the weapons he needs to take the next step, Hub Arkush writes.

While there is plenty more work still to be done, Bears GM Ryan Poles is giving Bears fans reason to feel good about the approach he's taking this offseason, Hub Arkush writes.

With Friday’s blockbuster trade, Bears GM Ryan Poles is now a serious player at the NFL’s highest level, Hub Arkush writes, and anyone who believes there aren’t more deals coming probably isn’t paying attention.

Free agency begins next week and the Chicago Bears have a lot of money to spend. We're about to learn a lot about second-year general manager Ryan Poles, writes Hub Arkush.

The Bears aren’t going to the Super Bowl in 2023 and it’s highly unlikely they’ll be in the playoffs. But with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and roughly $100 million to spend in free agency, GM Ryan Poles does have the assets to vastly improve his team.

After the defensive line, wide receiver is a top priority for the Bears this offseason. Hub Arkush explores some draft options to help solidify the position.

So how fitting is it that the “experts” agree the strongest and deepest position in this year’s college draft is defensive line, and no team has more draft capital to work with than the Bears?

For Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, coming to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine has a feel of coming home. Eberflus spent four seasons as the Colts defensive coordinator and turned one of the NFL’s worst defenses into a top-10 group earning him his current job.

Sunday's conference championship games feature the four best teams in the NFL. We should be in for a treat, writes NFL analyst Hub Arkush.

Quarterback Justin Fields isn't a finished product and it's unclear if he can reach his ceiling, Hub Arkush writes. Regardless, the Bears would be wise to trade the No. 1 overall pick.

"It was four months ago Thursday that I suffered a near-death experience," Hub Arkush writes. "... I don’t know that I could have made it without the kindness and generosity of each and every one of you."

An update on our friend and colleague Hub Arkush, who suffered a medical emergency last month while leaving Halas Hall following his coverage of Chicago Bears training camp.

Saturday's preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs was a mixed bag for the Chicago Bears, with some big plays from youngsters helping to balance the lackluster results for the first and second strings, Hub Arkush writes.

The first of three exhibition games couldn’t come at a better time for the Chicago Bears. Hub Arkush previews the top position battles to watch Saturday when the Bears host the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field.

The Bears removed Roquan Smith from the PUP list Wednesday, opening the door to potential fines if Smith continues to hold out for a new contract. Smith is now in a high-stakes gamble, particularly for a player without an agent, Hub Arkush writes.

Roquan Smith has done a nice job getting the upper hand publicly in these high-stakes negotiations with the Chicago Bears, but you have to wonder if he has bitten off more than he can chew this time, Hub Arkush writes.

Hub Arkush poses the question: who do you think are the Bears three offensive and three defensive players most likely to have breakout campaigns this year?

Bears tackle Teven Jenkins made his return to practice and several key wide receivers are now sidelined by injuries. Following Saturday's developments, the depth chart is more muddled than ever at those positions, writes Hub Arkush.

Linebacker should be one of the strongest positions on the Bears' roster, but the longer Roquan Smith's contract issues drag on, the more the position becomes a concern, writes Hub Arkush.

Deshaun Watson’s disgusting behavior has been laid bare for all to see, but the question remains: Can the NFL get the punishment right?

The National Football League has been rocked this week by punishments levied in two of the most embarrassing off the field scandals in its history, Hub Arkush writes

Quarterback, receiver and offensive line have to get better for the Chicago Bears. But tight end could make the biggest leap, led by Cole Kmet, Hub Arkush writes

For all the focus on Braxton Jones, it could be fellow rookie offensive lineman Ja'Tyre Carter that breaks out first for the Bears this season, Hub Arkush writes.

If the Bears have one position group you can get excited about, it's definitely the secondary, Hub Arkush writes.

Robert Quinn will likely be among the names most often mentioned ahead of this year's trade deadline, Hub Arkush writes, but for now the Bears can at least count on solid production on the field and a quality leader in their locker room, Hub Arkush writes.

There's no question the Bears offensive line improved with additions of Reilly Reiff and Michael Schofield, Hub Arkush writes, but where exactly does that leave youngsters like Teven Jenkins?

With Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith both likely to sit out the opening of Bears training camp, the pressure is quickly on Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles, Hub Arkush writes.

The placekicking should be in good hands with Cairo Santos back, but there will be a lot of new faces on special teams for the Bears this season, Hub Arkush writes.

If Jaquan Brisker is ready by Week 1, he and Eddie Jackson have the potential to be a top 10 safety duo. Dane Cruikshank and DeAndre Houston-Carson should also provide solid depth, Hub Arkush writes.

There are numerous question marks to be sure but the Bears cornerbacks may possess as much raw talent as any position on the roster, Hub Arkush writes.