The Chicago Bears were off on Thursday, but it was a busy day for them and around the NFC North. The biggest news was the Green Bay Packers, who put the rest of the division, the NFC, and, possibly, even the league with a blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons.
That move certainly got several Bears players’ attention, but it was hardly the only action of the day, including some getback from Caleb Williams.
Bears Players React to Micah Parsons Trade to Lead News Roundup
Bears’ Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard React to Packers’ Trade for Micah Parsons
The Packers agreed to send veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks to the Dallas Cowboys for Parsons, making the league’s youngest roster in 2024 that much younger.
“Ayo, lemme refresh my [poop emoji],” Bears safety Jaquan Brisker said in a post on X on August 28. “Ain’t no way he went where ?!?!?”
Brisker also shared a facepalm emoji on Parsons’ post celebrating the surprising blockbuster.
Brisker eventually shared a devilish emoji, presumably signaling he is eager for the new challenge. Teammate Kevin Byard shared a GIF of Hassan Johnson’s character, “Wee Bey,” from the cult classic HBO series, “The Wire,” to express his disbelief at the monumental move.
The Bears will now face Parsons, who had a career-low 12.5 sacks in 2024, twice a year with the Packers for the foreseeable future after he agreed to a monster contract extension.
With Parsons and Jordan Love accounting for $100-plus million, the pressure is on Green Bay.
However, with Parsons in the mix and an offensive whiz in head coach Matt LeFleur, the Packers are ready to put the pressure on the Bears and anyone else that gets in their way, so long as they stay healthy.
The Bears will need to be up to the test, which will come in Weeks 14 (at Green Bay) and 16 (at home.
The Bears won the last season’s Week 18 tilt in which Love and other Packers starters left early.
Caleb Williams Claps Back at Hot-Take Host
Williams has been a polarizing player since before he entered the league, and his drama-filled rookie season only bolstered stances on both sides. However, Williams has also pushed back on many of the tropes that have come his way.
He shared J.J. Watt’s questions about reporting on players’ stats in training camp. And Williams expressed gratitude for the support offered by former NFL defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
On Thursday, Williams shared a post deriding Fox Sports 1’s Jason McIntyre before undoing it.
In a recent segment from “The Herd,” McIntyre suggested Bears head coach Ben Johnson was displeased with Williams’ progress. The outspoken host doubled down on his claims, suggesting Bears fans not “shoot the messenger” and listen to Johnson’s comments.
Williams and the Bears have had growing pains throughout the early going of Johnson’s tenure, but the head coach has spread the blame around.
Moreover, Johnson has praised Williams for his progress pre-snap, which was an issue early.
Lately, false starts and delay of game penalties have been more of the culprit. But again, the sources of the dysfunction vary from play to play. Even still, if there is a gripe to be had, it is that progress has not been linear.
However, Johnson himself indicated in his introductory press conference that Williams and the team’s ascension from what they were and have been would not be linear.
So far, in that regard, Johnson is getting exactly what he expected from the Bears’ QB.
Vikings Introduce 2 Noteworthy Figures
The Bears made a slew of roster moves on Thursday, adding long snapper Scott Daly and kick returner Devin Duvernay back to the 53-man roster after cutting them at the deadline. But none were as noteworthy as what the Minnesota Vikings did.
Minnesota added two players on Wednesday, signing quarterback Carson Wentz in free agency and re-acquiring wide receiver Adam Thielen in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.
Wentz should back up quarterback J.J. McCarthy, while Thielen is an asset to him.
The Vikings have wide receiver questions with Jordan Addison heading for a three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor undergoing surgery on his hand. Justin Jefferson is set to return from his hamstring issue for the opener, though, and has his old running mate back in Thielen.
The Bears will host the Vikings on Monday Night Football to open the 2025 regular season, and that will just be the beginning of what will surely be another stirring season.