The Chicago Bears made news in multiple ways on Thursday.
That includes headlines involving quarterback Caleb Williams, tight end Colston Loveland, and head coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago is, like the rest of the league, on its summer break before they reconvene for training camp, which opens in late July. Despite that, there were several developments out of and connected to Halas Hall.
Caleb ‘Iceman’ Williams Leads Bears News Roundup
Bears’ Caleb Williams Gets Turned Down By US Patent Offense
Williams earned the nickname “Iceman” last season, and the third-year quarterback looked to capitalize on the moniker this offseason through a series of patents. On Thurday, Williams received his first denial.
“The USPTO saw too much similarity and a ‘likelihood of confusion’ in a trademark filed in 1988 by LaCrosse Footwear for insulated boots,” ESPN’s Michael Rothstein wrote on June 25. “Williams had applied for trademarks in multiple categories, including clothing, and that allowed the USPTO to offer the broad refusal of his application.
“Williams applied for trademarks for athletic bags, water bottles, sporting goods, a website and entertainment services in addition to clothing.”
The Bears QB’s seperate application for an “Iceman” logo remains under review.
Per Rothstein, Gerben IP’s Josh Gerben noted that “USPTO data shows 63.5% of recent initial trademark applications have been turned down.” Gerben also said that it is “not unusual” for first-time applications to be rejected.
That is good news for Williams, who can focus on the other merchandise he aimed to use the moniker on.
LaCrosse’s trademark was solely for the insulated boots.
It also contradicts (and complicates) claims made by others like NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin and former UFC fighter Chuck Liddell. Both had strong reactions to Williams’ move, and have open applications. It appears that only LaCrosse was standing in Williams’ way, though.
Bears Cut Movie Deal
The Bears are seeing their heightened profile coming off a playoff season lead to new opportunities off the field entirely.
“Coach Johnson and @colstonlovelan1 have some exciting news!” the Bears posted on X on June 25. “We are teaming up with @hallmarkchannel and the @NFL to bring you Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story, kicking off Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas [Christmas tree and football emojis].”
The Bears shared a clip of Loveland and Johnson announcing the made-for-tv movie.
“Production will kick off this summer and film entirely at locations in and around Chicago. The cast will be announced at a later date,” NFL.com’s Jeremy Bergman wrote on June 25.
“The Bears will be the third NFL team in as many years to be featured in a Hallmark Christmas movie after the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills earned the spotlight in 2024 and 2025, respectively.”
Bergman noted the Bills and Chiefs both made the postseason during their movie years.
“Both came up short,” Bergman wrote. “Chicago is surely hoping its silver-screen glow-up will turn into Lombardi glory.”
Former Bears Scout Has Major Career Move
In other news involving former Bears, ex-scout Andre Odom made a significant move. Odom joined the Bears in 2013, but he was fired in 2015, when former general manager Ryan Pace took over and became an agent.
Odom has done well for himself since then, and is making another move.
“After 5+ years with @AthletesFirst plus a year working independently, @AndreOdom has joined @WinSportsGroup. A former #NFL scout (#Bears), Odom’s client list includes #Falcons TE Kyle Pitts, #Packers LB Micah Parsons, #Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. & many more,” Inside The League’s Neil Stratton reported on X on June 25.
“WSG clients include #Browns DE Jared Verse, #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, #Bengals QB Joe Burrow & #Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”
Notably, there are no Bears players represented by Win Sports Group, per Spotrac. There are some players who could be of interest to the Bears in the future, though.
