Legitimate https://legitimate.net/ Legitimate: Recent articles en-us 20 Bears o-line update: Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins looking good, for starters Jones, a fifth-round pick from Southern Utah, is expected to start the regular-season opener against the 49ers. Jenkins has established himself at right guard after moving there on Aug. 15 — though trade rumors persist. 29 Aug 2022 23:38 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/29/23328077/bears-o-line-update-braxton-jones-teven-jenkins-looking-good-for-starters https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/29/23328077/bears-o-line-update-braxton-jones-teven-jenkins-looking-good-for-starters Mark Potash Suntimes Next step could be a giant leap for Justin Fields Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy isn’t going to fuel anticipation of a Fields breakthrough. But WR Darnell Mooney said Fields is ready to blossom, starting with Week 1 vs. the 49ers. “That team passed on him. So they’re gonna have to pay a little bit for that.” 29 Aug 2022 22:31 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/29/23327952/next-step-could-be-a-giant-leap-for-justin-fields https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/29/23327952/next-step-could-be-a-giant-leap-for-justin-fields Mark Potash Suntimes Kindle Vildor embracing his second chance The third-year cornerback is back in the mix in Matt Eberflus’ defense after getting benched last season. “A little bit ups and downs,” he said. “I learned from it and I’m here now, stronger than ever.” 28 Aug 2022 19:20 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/28/23325900/kindle-vildor-embracing-his-second-chance https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/28/23325900/kindle-vildor-embracing-his-second-chance Mark Potash Suntimes Makeshift Bears defense holds up vs. Browns Roquan Smith was a surprise scratch and Robert Quinn, Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson also did not play. But Justin Jones, Kindle Vildor, Kyler Gordon and Greg Stroman made plays as the defense shut down Jacoby Brissett & Co. 28 Aug 2022 01:33 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/27/23325167/makeshift-bears-defense-holds-up-vs-browns https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/27/23325167/makeshift-bears-defense-holds-up-vs-browns Mark Potash Suntimes Opportunity knocks for Justin Fields in preseason finale Clearly in a work-in-progress stage, Fields and Luke Getsy’s offense are more about work than progress at this point. They need all the snaps they can get. 26 Aug 2022 16:19 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/26/23323482/opportunity-knocks-for-justin-fields-in-preseason-finale https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/26/23323482/opportunity-knocks-for-justin-fields-in-preseason-finale Mark Potash Suntimes Bears notebook: Teven Jenkins ready for his final audition at right guard The 2021 second-round draft pick, demoted to backup right tackle earlier in training camp, is on the verge of finding a new home just nine days after he switched positions. “[I’m] a lot more comfortable than when I started,” he said. 25 Aug 2022 22:26 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/25/23322452/bears-notebook-teven-jenkins-ready-for-his-final-audition-at-right-guard https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/25/23322452/bears-notebook-teven-jenkins-ready-for-his-final-audition-at-right-guard Mark Potash Suntimes Nick Morrow in the right place at the right time The Bears’ linebacker said the opportunity to play in Matt Eberflus’ defense was a key factor when he signed with the Bears in free agency. But playing next to Roquan Smith also figures to give him a chance to flourish. 25 Aug 2022 20:59 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/25/23322331/nick-morrow-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/25/23322331/nick-morrow-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time Mark Potash Suntimes Matt Eberflus’ H.I.T.S principle an ‘eye-opener’ for Bears It might have come across as hokey when Eberflus introduced it — what football coach doesn’t want his team to hustle and play with intensity? But as Bears fans saw with Lovie Smith nearly two decades ago, it’s the obsession with it that can make a difference. 24 Aug 2022 18:30 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/24/23320327/matt-eberflus-h-i-t-s-principle-an-eye-opener-for-bears https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/24/23320327/matt-eberflus-h-i-t-s-principle-an-eye-opener-for-bears Mark Potash Suntimes ‘He’s back’: Roquan Smith a big hit already The Bears linebacker dropped running back David Montgomery for a loss on his first play of team drills since returning from a 24-day hold-in — an early sign he’s not only back, but all-in despite being unhappy with his contract. 23 Aug 2022 23:01 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/23/23319127/hes-back-roquan-smith-a-big-hit-already https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/23/23319127/hes-back-roquan-smith-a-big-hit-already Mark Potash Suntimes Bears notebook: David Montgomery focused on football The Bears running back could be in a similar situation next year as Roquan Smith is this year — looking for a long-term contract after establishing himself as a consistently productive player. But he was unfazed by Smith not getting the deal he was looking for. 21 Aug 2022 21:15 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/21/23315595/bears-notebook-david-montgomery-focused-on-football https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/21/23315595/bears-notebook-david-montgomery-focused-on-football Mark Potash Suntimes Lesson learned? Bears still need preseason work Matt Eberflus is debating whether to play his starters in the preseason finale against the Browns on Saturday. But as Matt Nagy discovered in 2019, with a developing offense, the more work at game-speed, the better. 21 Aug 2022 20:06 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/21/23315527/lesson-learned-bears-still-need-preseason-work https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/21/23315527/lesson-learned-bears-still-need-preseason-work Mark Potash Suntimes Roquan showdown is a big win for Bears’ GM Ryan Poles The rookie general manager didn’t flinch when his best player held out and stood his ground after Roquan accused him of negotiating in bad faith. Now Poles has to earn the respect of a player he feels has disrespected him. “My loyalty lies with the City of Chicago,” Roquan said. 21 Aug 2022 01:16 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/20/23314711/roquan-showdown-is-a-big-win-for-bears-gm-ryan-poles https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/20/23314711/roquan-showdown-is-a-big-win-for-bears-gm-ryan-poles Mark Potash Suntimes Roquan Smith stands alone among his teammates The disgruntled linebacker, who was on the sideline for the game against the Seahawks, is the lone “hold-in” remaining in the NFL after safety Derwin James signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with the Chargers. Will that push the Bears to make a deal? Don’t count on it. 19 Aug 2022 00:58 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/18/23312384/roquan-smith-stands-alone-among-his-teammates https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/18/23312384/roquan-smith-stands-alone-among-his-teammates Mark Potash Suntimes Matt Eberflus: Starters will play vs. Seahawks — but not much The Bears’ head coach is being cautious with a short week after Saturday’s preseason opener against the Chiefs. Some starters will play 6-10 snaps, others might hit 20. “We’re not going to put stress on their bodies,” Eberflus said. 16 Aug 2022 22:44 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/16/23308954/matt-eberflus-starters-will-play-vs-seahawks-but-not-much https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/16/23308954/matt-eberflus-starters-will-play-vs-seahawks-but-not-much Mark Potash Suntimes Teven Jenkins promoted to first-team right guard The 2021 second-round draft pick looked like an afterthought when he was demoted to second-team right tackle in the offseason and missed nine days of training camp. But since returning, he has earned an opportunity to fill a big hole in the Bears’ offensive line. 16 Aug 2022 16:51 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/16/23308275/teven-jenkins-promoted-to-first-team-right-guard https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/16/23308275/teven-jenkins-promoted-to-first-team-right-guard Mark Potash Suntimes Pocket rocket: Justin Fields learning to hang in there Though Fields’ legs are “a weapon not any people have,” Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said it’s more important to learn pocket awareness. “It’s the time clock that we’re training the heck out of. I think he’s doing a really good job with it.” 15 Aug 2022 22:24 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/15/23307221/pocket-rocket-justin-fields-learning-to-hang-in-there https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/15/23307221/pocket-rocket-justin-fields-learning-to-hang-in-there Mark Potash Suntimes 1st-and-10: Bears’ defense misses Roquan Smith, but ... Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ easily went through the Bears’ first-team defense (well, most of it) for a touchdown Saturday, but that’s not going to increase the urgency to get Smith back on the field. Still, Bears GM Ryan Poles will be challenged to have this impasse end well. 14 Aug 2022 17:41 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/14/23305409/1st-and-10-bears-defense-misses-roquan-smith-but https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/14/23305409/1st-and-10-bears-defense-misses-roquan-smith-but Mark Potash Suntimes Rookies Jaquan Brisker, Jack Sanborn are big H.I.T.S in Bears debut Brisker looked the part of expected Week 1 starter with impact plays. Sanborn, the Lake Zurich product, had a glorious Bears debut with two takeaways, a tackle-for-loss and two special teams tackles 13 Aug 2022 23:11 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/13/23304618/rookies-jaquan-brisker-jack-sanborn-are-big-h-i-t-s-in-bears-debut https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/13/23304618/rookies-jaquan-brisker-jack-sanborn-are-big-h-i-t-s-in-bears-debut Mark Potash Suntimes Matt Eberflus undaunted by ghosts of Halas Hall past On the eve of his first game as a head coach at any level, Eberflus comes in not as a dynamic savior but an old-school, driven football coach. And maybe that’s the antidote the McCaskey family has been looking for. 13 Aug 2022 10:59 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/13/23302985/matt-eberflus-undaunted-by-ghosts-of-halas-hall-past https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/13/23302985/matt-eberflus-undaunted-by-ghosts-of-halas-hall-past Mark Potash Suntimes Justin Jones feeling at home in Bears’ defense The former Chargers defensive lineman, who signed with the Bears only after Larry Ogunjobi failed a physical, has acclimated quickly as a 3-technique tackle. ”That’s a position I feel like I was born to play,” he said. 10 Aug 2022 19:06 UTC https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/10/23300292/justin-jones-feeling-at-home-in-bears-defense https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/10/23300292/justin-jones-feeling-at-home-in-bears-defense Mark Potash Suntimes