Phil Rogers

Utah

Contributor at Forbes

I write sports for Forbes. Author of NYT bestseller "For the Good of the Game,'' w/Bud Selig (July, 2019). Wrote for https://t.co/3Tl1Hj51YZ, Tribune, DMN, DTH. Go Mean Green.

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Articles

Will Bears Move Up In The Draft To Land A Cornerstone Player?

1 day ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

There’s no way to know what the Bears are going to do with their first-round pick in Thursday night’s draft. If you knew how the first nine were going to fall you could make an educated guess about Ryan Poles’ thinking with No. 10, but even then it would be a guessing game. This much seems certain: Poles’ focus is on improving the offense around second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, who was outplayed by Jayden Daniels as a rookie.
Heavyweight Desmond Watson Could Be A Big Surprise In Draft

2 days ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

William Perry is remembered fondly both for his size and his nickname, “Refrigerator.” It was given to him by a teammate at Clemson, and celebrated across America when Mike Ditka turned to him for a rushing touchdown in Super Bowl XX. The Fridge was listed officially at 6-2, 335 pounds. Those were super-sized dimensions for football in 1985 but dozens of linemen that size will be selected in the NFL draft this weekend.
Bears Have A Plan B For Draft, And It Could Yield A Bounty

3 days ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

Everything is about Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams and the offense for the Bears. General Manager Ryan Poles heads into the draft expected to prioritize the side of the ball where Chicago’s new head coach made his reputation. The goal is to help Johnson recreate the success he had while drawing up plays for the Detroit Lions’ offense, this time behind young quarterback Caleb Williams.
White Sox Land A Bargain With An Elite Pitch In Shane Smith

6 days ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

Major League Baseball is in a period of change with its rules, but the Rule 5 draft has been held every year since 1920. The White Sox used it last winter to make a significant addition, plucking right-hander Shane Smith from Milwaukee. This draft allows teams with thinner major league rosters and farm systems to add talent from teams that can’t fit all of their big-leaguers and advanced prospects on a 40-man roster.
Bears Look Set At Cornerback, With Tyrique Stevenson An X-Factor

1 week ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

Ryan Poles made easy decisions with the Bears’ cornerbacks the last two years. He invested a combined $116 million to extend the contracts of Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon for a total of seven seasons. The next call on a commitment may not be so easy. With Johnson, Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith and Josh Blackwell all under contract through 2026, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is inheriting a strong group of young corners, none older than 26.
Bears Add The Mentor Caleb Williams Could Have Used As A Rookie

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

In a nod to the continued development of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears are signing Case Keenum for what will be his 12th season. The 37-year-old Keenum has started 66 games, including two for the Houston Texans in 2023, but is being added as much to be a mentor as to compete with Tyson Bagent for the role as No. 2 quarterback role.
George Halas’ Heirs Not Selling Chicago Bears Any Time Soon

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

The Bears are remaining in the hands of George Halas’ heirs, with “another 100 years” the goal of George McCaskey, Halas’ grandson. The death of the 102-year-old Virginia McCaskey on Feb. 6 created uncertainty about the team’s ownership but this week NFL owners approved a succession plan that keeps the team in the hands of the McCaskey family. “We consider ourselves uniquely qualified to carry out George Halas’ legacy,” McCaskey told reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, Fla.
Warren Sings Virtues Of Bears’ Land In The Chicago Suburbs

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

While the Bears continue to state their interest in two potential stadium sites near downtown Chicago, it appears they are closing in on a move to suburban Arlington Heights. They agreed to purchase the Arlington Racecourse site from Churchill Downs in 2022 but team president Kevin Warren, who was hired in 2023, shifted their focus back to land adjacent to Soldier Field.
Kyle Tucker Is Showing Why The Cubs Should Want To Keep Him

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

Kyle Tucker won’t play his first game at Wrigley Field as a Cub until Friday. But he has raised the level of angst about his long-term future even before unpacking in his new residence. Despite him being their most productive hitter, the Astros traded Tucker to the Cubs in December.
Zaccheaus Looks Like A Good Fit For Ben Johnson And The Bears

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Phil Rogers

Olamide Zaccheaus seemed like an afterthought when he was signed after the Bears focused on upgrading. But the under-sized wide receiver represents the biggest value in Ryan Poles' free-agent class. Zaccheaus was signed away from the Washington Commanders, who had traded for San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel. He took a one-year, $1.5 million deal for the chance to play behind Caleb Williams in his latest attempt to establish himself as a reliable weapon.