Podcast appearances and mentions of darnell wright

Leila Rahimi and Mark Grote reacted to Bears right tackle Darnell Wright exiting practice early Tuesday due to an apparent elbow ailment.

Leila Rahimi and Mark Grote opened their show by breaking down the Cubs' 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. After that, they discussed the White Sox's 11-7 win over the Rangers. Later, they reacted to Bears right tackle Darnell Wright exiting practice early Tuesday due to an apparent elbow ailment.

In the third hour, Ramie Makhlouf and Sam Panayotovich discussed a few concerns with the Bears. After that, Chicago Sports Network analyst Ozzie Guillen joined the show to break down the White Sox's 11-7 win against the Rangers on Tuesday. Later, Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios joined the program to discuss the latest on the Chicago sports scene.

Laurence Holmes and Russ Dorsey were joined by Herb Howard of The Bigs to share a Bears report following the conclusion of practice Tuesday at Halas Hall.

In the final hour, Laurence Holmes and Russ Dorsey were joined by Herb Howard of The Bigs to share a Bears report following the conclusion of practice Tuesday at Halas Hall. After that, Holmes and Dorsey played and discussed the songs that elicit nostalgia among Chicago sports fans.

Laurence & Russ Dorsey discuss the news that Bears right tackle Darnell Wright left today's practice with an elbow injury.

Cam Lewis has a chip on his shoulder as he battles for a starting safety job with the Chicago Bears heading into the final weeks of training camp. Plus plenty of more notes from Tuesday's practice, including an injury scare from Darnell Wright.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

Laurence Holmes and Carmen Vitali reacted to an interesting comment from Bears defensive end Montez Sweat.

Montez Sweat makes interesting remarks about going against Darnell Wright in practice full 963 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:35:52 +0000 U9Yxy2AKqxsUCEZE6LxCSb9kWLqu6k0j nfl,chicago bears,sports Score Mornings nfl,chicago bears,sports Montez Sweat makes interesting remarks about going against Darnell Wright in practice Score Mornings leads you into your work day by discussing the biggest sports storylines in Chicago and beyond. Along with breaking down the latest on the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox, the show features interviews with the top beat writers in the city as well as team executives, coaches and players. Recurring guests include Tribune reporter Brad Biggs, former Bears coach Dave Wannstedt, Pro Football Talk founder Mike Florio, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. Catch the show live Monday through Friday from 5 a.m.-10 a.m. CT on 104.3 The Score or on the Audacy app. © 2026 Audacy, Inc. Sports https://p

The Chicago Bears may finally be getting some encouraging injury news—and several young defenders are beginning to make serious noise at training camp.On today's episode of Chicago Bears Central, Haize reacts to an intriguing update surrounding offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo. After suffering a ruptured patellar tendon during Chicago's Wild Card victory over Green Bay, Trapilo had been expected to miss most of the 2026 season. But Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer offered an encouraging update from Bears camp, saying Trapilo “might be back sooner than expected.”That could become extremely important for a Bears left-tackle room currently dealing with uncertainty. Braxton Jones has missed multiple practices, while Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie have rotated with the first-team offense.Then we get to Caleb Williams.Veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett says Caleb's biggest improvement has been his command of the offense, command of the huddle and growing confidence. After taking a significant step last season and leading the league with six fourth-quarter comebacks, Williams appears to be entering camp with an entirely different level of control.Haize also dives into two young defensive players beginning to force their way into bigger conversations.

The Bears training camp storylines keep coming as Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor are joined by The Bigs Media's Herb Howard to break down the biggest takeaways from camp so far, including Caleb Williams' continued growth, key injury updates, and the left tackle battle. They also discuss under-the-radar standouts, Darnell Wright's record-setting extension, and what to watch as the Bears inch closer to the start of the NFL season.

Laurence Holmes and Anthony Herron listened and reacted to Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright explain how much offensive line coach Dan Roushar has meant to his career.

In the final hour, Laurence Holmes and Anthony Herron were joined by Ozzie Guillen Jr. to discuss his father's legacy as the White Sox are set to retire his No. 13 in a ceremony Saturday. After that, Holmes and Herron listened and reacted to Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright explain how much offensive line coach Dan Roushar has meant to his career. Wright recently signed a four-year, $116-million contract extension with the Bears.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the importance of the massive contract extension the Bears have agreed to with right tackle Darnell Wright.

Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer break down the latest news from Halas Hall after the Bears locked up offensive lineman Darnell Wright with a long-term contract extension earlier this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darnell Wright's massive new NFL contract has sparked a fascinating conversation for Tennessee football fans—and it raises an important question about former Volunteers offensive lineman Lance Heard. On this episode of the Big Orange Podcast, Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan discuss whether Lance Heard made the right decision by transferring from Tennessee to Kentucky after reportedly wanting to remain at left tackle. With Darnell Wright becoming one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in NFL history after embracing a move to right tackle during his Tennessee career, the hosts examine whether Heard may have sacrificed long-term NFL development in pursuit of a different opportunity. Darnell Wright's journey has become one of the best player development stories of the Josh Heupel era. After arriving at Tennessee as a five-star recruit, Wright played both tackle positions before willingly moving back to right tackle, where he developed into a first-round NFL Draft pick. Now, after signing a four-year, $116 million extension with the Chicago Bears, Wright has shown that NFL teams value elite offensive tackles regardless of whether they play on the left or right side. Charlie and Zach compare Wright's career path with Lance Heard's situation. Tennessee appeared set to move Heard to right tackle with freshman standout David Sanders taking over on the left side. Rather than embracing that transition, Heard transferred to Kentucky. The discussion explores whether staying at Tennessee, continuing under offensive line coach Glen Elarbee, and demonstrating positional versatility may have provided a better path toward maximizing his NFL Draft stock. The conversation also dives into one of college football's biggest modern debates: NIL versus long-term player development. While every top player is earning compensation in today's game, the hosts question whether constantly chasing the largest NIL offer can sometimes come at the expense of coaching continuity, scheme familiarity, and ultimately NFL readiness. They argue that players who prioritize development, consistency, and team success often put themselves in better position to earn substantially more money at the professional level. The episode also highlights Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter as an example of a player whose actions may resonate with NFL evaluators. Rather than seeking the highest bidder after briefly entering the transfer portal, Carter returned to Tennessee, embraced a changing role under a new defensive coordinator, and demonstrated the type of leadership and team-first mentality that NFL organizations often value. As Tennessee prepares for another season under Josh Heupel, roster decisions like these continue to shape the future of the Volunteers. Did Lance Heard make the right choice by leaving Knoxville, or will Darnell Wright's remarkable NFL success eventually be viewed as the blueprint Heard should have followed? Join Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan as they break down one of the most interesting Tennessee football discussions of the offseason. Topics Covered - Tennessee Football - Josh Heupel - Lance Heard - Darnell Wright - Tennessee Offensive Line - Tennessee Transfer Portal - NIL - College Football NIL - NFL Draft Development - Kentucky Football - Chicago Bears - SEC Football - Tennessee Football News - Big Orange Podcast - A to Z Sports Tennessee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Farace, Tim, and Anthony are back for Episode 142 of Unsportsmanlike Conduct, and this week is all about the NFL doing what it does best in August: handing out huge contracts, fueling comeback rumors, creating injury timelines that make fans nervous, and giving us ranking graphics specifically designed to make everyone yell at their phone.The money conversation leads the way, because the NFL running back market apparently woke up and chose violence. Bijan Robinson reset the top of the market, Jahmyr Gibbs followed with a new Lions extension worth up to $75.75 million, and Jonathan Taylor landed a two-year Colts extension worth up to $47 million. So much for “running backs don't matter,” huh? Turns out teams still love elite backs when those elite backs are the difference between having an offense and just punting with extra steps.And it's not just the backs getting paid. Zay Flowers, Darnell Wright, Matthew Bergeron, Stefon Diggs, and Henry To'oTo'o are all part of the contract conversation too, giving the guys plenty to argue about when it comes to who got paid properly, who got overpaid, and which team is going to be pretending this was genius when the cap sheet starts looking like a crime scene.Then there's Aaron Donald, because apparently retirement is just a suggestion now. Donald worked out for the Rams this week, creating even more speculation that he could come back and join a Los Angeles defense that already added major firepower. If Donald really returns, the Rams instantly go from interesting to terrifying, and Sean McVay officially loses the right to complain about anything.Micah Parsons also gives the show a big injury-return storyline. He's recovering from ACL surgery, and Week 6 against the Cowboys has been floated as a realistic return window. That would be spicy enough on its own, but doing it against Dallas after everything that went down? That's not just a game. That's an NFL scriptwriter looking directly into the camera and smirking.And then we get to Peter Rosenberg's 2026 QB Tables, which might be the most argument-friendly thing on the entire rundown. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Matthew Stafford at Table 1. Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, Sam Darnold, and Drake Maye at Table 2. C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy sitting at Table 3. Aaron Rodgers and Tua down at Table 4. And Table 5 is just the Browns and Cardinals as entire organizations, which is less of a quarterback ranking and more of a wellness check.So Episode 142 has everything: big NFL money, running backs getting respect again, Aaron Donald possibly unretiring just to ruin offensive coordinators' sleep, Micah Parsons eyeing a dramatic return, and QB rankings built to start fights. Farace, Tim, and Anthony are locked in, the takes will be loud, the patience will be low, and somebody is absolutely going to defend a quarterback ranking they should have abandoned immediately.Business as usual.

Dave talks about Darnell Wright from Huntington, receiving a historic contract from the Chicago Bears in the NFL. 

The Chicago Bears just completed their most physical—and possibly most chaotic—training camp practice yet.On today's episode of Chicago Bears Central, Haize breaks down everything from Day 8 at Halas Hall, where the pads came back on, the intensity reached another level and multiple players left practice with injuries.The biggest concerns involved Braxton Jones and Montez Sweat. Jones exited after battling Austin Booker during one-on-one drills, while Sweat later removed himself after slowing up during an 11-on-11 rep. The encouraging news is that both were able to leave under their own power, and the early indications in these notes suggest neither injury appears significant.But the injuries did not stop there. Dallis Flowers suffered a non-contact right-leg injury, while Gervarrius Owens injured his left leg during special teams, creating even more pressure on an already depleted Bears secondary.

The Bears locked up an elite tackle before the market explodes, creating a move that could look like one of Ryan Poles' smartest decisions in a few years, Marc Silverman writesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

The Chicago Bears signed right tackle Darnell Wright to a record contract extension. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the news and provide more training camp updatesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

The Chicago Bears signed right tackle Darnell Wright to a record contract extension. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the news and provide more training camp updates.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

Herron: Pete Crow-Armstrong fuels Cubs' sweep of Dodgers, Darnell Wright addresses new Bears deal (Hour 1) full 2559 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:00:00 +0000 PSYAumWOWwR67jjaoJlOkBUcKUtENoS9 sports Best of 104.3 The Score sports Herron: Pete Crow-Armstrong fuels Cubs' sweep of Dodgers, Darnell Wright addresses new Bears deal (Hour 1) Best of 104.3 The Score Best of 104.3 The Score is a curated snapshot of the station at its best, delivering the standout moments Chicago sports fans don't want to miss. Featuring top interviews, expert commentary, and memorable segments from across the lineup, the podcast covers everything from Bears Sundays and Cubs summers to Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox headlines. Whether you're catching up or reliving the biggest conversations of the day, Best of 104.3 The Score brings the voices, stories, and debates that power Chicago sports talk into one easy listen. © 2026 Audacy, Inc. Sports

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the importance of the massive contract extension the Bears have agreed to with right tackle Darnell Wright.

Darnell Wright has played above and beyond. The Bears rewarded him with a new deal. He's a perfect fit for where they are and where they're going. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Marshall Harris and Mark Grote discussed the Cubs spoiling ace Tarik Skubal's debut with the Dodgers on Tuesday. They also reacted to right tackle Darnell Wright agreeing to a four-year, $116-million contract extension with the Bears.

In the final hour, Marshall Harris and Mark Grote discussed a variety of sports topics in the 5 On It segment.

Marshall Harris and Mark Grote were joined by Herb Howard of The Bigs to share the latest news and notes from Bears training camp.

Marshall Harris and Mark Grote were joined by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk to discuss the latest NFL headlines.

Marshall Harris and Mark Grote reacted to right tackle Darnell Wright and the Bears reaching a four-year contract extension worth up to $116 million.

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by the Tribune reporter Brad Biggs to discuss the latest Bears storylines from training camp, including right tackle Darnell Wright agreeing to a four-year contract extension worth up to $116 million that includes a record-setting $93 million guaranteed.

In the second hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh discussed how the Cubs will align their starting rotation and who will move to the bullpen after a pair of significant additions by the team at the trade deadline. After that, Tribune reporter Brad Biggs joined the show to discuss the latest Bears storylines from training camp, including right tackle Darnell Wright agreeing to a four-year contract extension worth up to $116 million that includes a record-setting $93 million guaranteed.

Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright was "very grateful" the team trusted him with their four-year, $116 million contract extension and wanted to reward their investment. Plus more notes from Wednesday's training camp practice.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

Right tackle Darnell Wright and the Bears have inked a four-year, $116-million contract extension! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote aren't shocked by the news, but that doesn't mean it isn't a huge deal for a lot of people — including general manager Ryan Poles, who took Wright at 10th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Also in this episode, the guys bring the latest news and notes from training camp. How is the defense adjusting without safety Coby Bryant? And we have the annual quarterback tiers list from The Athletic!

Holy Hump Day, Batman! We are loaded this morning as we head towards the weekend. In the news, the latest on the clean-up of the encampment in Madison, Kelly Osbourne posts & deletes some "cryptic" stuff on social media, a recall on nut butter sold at Walmart, Bryan Kohberger is looking for a new attorney, a Space-X rocket is going to crash into the moon today In sports, the Brewers beat the Pirates last night, Bijan Robinson…Zay Flowers…and Darnell Wright all signed contract extensions yesterday, Brock Lesnar announces his retirement on the Pat McAfee show, the NASCAR Clash is moving back to Daytona in 2027, and the NCAAF pre-season rankings are released. We talked about what's on TV & streaming today/tonight. Plus, Zac Brown killed on Family Feud last night, and a celebrity version of "The Voice" is coming. The Autumn Kings played Rock Fest a couple of weeks ago…but it's what happened AFTER that show that's making news right now. And a woman's pet chihuahua might have been the reason she was able to find out she had breast cancer! On Hump Days, we play "One Gotta Go" Wednesday…and it's a choice between four popular social media sites. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. or Snapchat. Which one are you getting rid of forever???? Elsewhere in sports, the NHL is getting rid of the amateur EBUG next season, Cleveland's WNBA team gets a name, a parrot attacks a soccer team, a longtime Boston College radio team gets fired by the new head coach, and a scandal at the Tour de France Femmes! County Fairs have a long history of amazing food, local & national music acts, various forms of entertainment….and plenty of other weird traditions. Here's a list of some of the more interesting things that happen at county fairs across America. And in today's edition of "Bad News with Happy Music", we had stories about a dad who pretended to be his 11 year-old daughter on TikTok so he could attempt to kill her alleged rapist, a #Florida restaurant that launches a nude dining experience, a couple in Taiwan that were busted having sex in an IKEA, and a Canadian woman who got pulled over and had TWELVE fake IDs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chicago Bears have officially secured one of the biggest building blocks of their offense—and Darnell Wright just made NFL history.On today's episode of Chicago Bears Central, Haize reacts to Wright signing a massive four-year, $116 million contract extension with $93 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history and keeping him under contract through 2030.After signing the deal, Wright delivered a simple message to Bears fans:“Excited to get my extension done. Let's get it. Go Bears!”The former No. 10 overall pick has become one of the NFL's premier young tackles in only three seasons. Wright earned second-team All-Pro honors while helping Chicago produce the league's third-best rushing attack and allow the second-fewest sacks during the regular season.But Wright's extension is only one of today's major Bears stories.

Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes were joined by Herb Howard of The Bigs to share a Bears report, with a focus on All-Pro right tackle Darnell Wright agreeing to a record-setting four-year, $116-million contract extension with the organization.

In the final hour of the show, Laurence Holmes & Matt Spiegel were joined by Herb Howard of "The Bigs" who recapped today's Bears Training Camp practice.

Tennessee football officially opened fall camp, and one question continues to dominate every conversation around the Volunteers: Who will be Josh Heupel's starting quarterback in 2026? On this episode of the Big Orange Podcast, Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down everything they learned from Tennessee's first media availability of fall camp, including extended interviews with Faizon Brandon, George MacIntyre, Josh Heupel, Joey Halzle, Jim Knowles, and several Tennessee players. After hearing both quarterbacks speak, does one player have the edge in the Vols' quarterback competition? Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre are battling to become Tennessee's QB1, and while Josh Heupel isn't tipping his hand, today's media sessions provided some interesting clues about where this competition could be headed. Charlie and Zach discuss Brandon's maturity, confidence, leadership, and football-first mentality, along with MacIntyre's continued development after spending last season in the Tennessee program. The guys also debate whether Tennessee should prioritize immediate success or long-term development when deciding who starts the season opener. Beyond the quarterback competition, the podcast also covers Josh Heupel's passionate defense of Arion Carter following the NCAA's decision regarding his eligibility, Jim Knowles' honest comments about Tennessee's edge rushers entering fall camp, and the latest injury updates involving the Volunteers' secondary. Tennessee officially begins preparing for the 2026 season, and these storylines will shape the Vols throughout August as the coaching staff works toward naming a starting quarterback and finalizing the depth chart. Charlie and Zach also discuss another major Tennessee football storyline: former Vol offensive lineman Lance Heard transferring to Kentucky after reportedly wanting to remain at left tackle. With former Tennessee star Darnell Wright signing one of the richest contracts ever for an NFL offensive lineman, the hosts debate whether Heard made the right decision by leaving Knoxville instead of embracing a move to right tackle. They examine how offensive line development, NIL, the transfer portal, and NFL evaluation all intersect in today's college football landscape. As Tennessee continues fall camp, every practice, scrimmage, and media session will provide new information about the quarterback battle between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre. The first scrimmage could be the biggest turning point of camp and may determine who takes the first snap when the Volunteers open the season. Until then, every comment from Josh Heupel and every observation from practice matters. If you're looking for the latest Tennessee football news, Vols recruiting, Tennessee quarterback updates, fall camp analysis, and daily coverage of the Volunteers, you've come to the right place. Topics Covered: - Tennessee Football - Tennessee Fall Camp - Josh Heupel - Faizon Brandon - George MacIntyre - Tennessee Quarterback Battle - Tennessee Football News - Vols Practice - Jim Knowles - Arion Carter - Lance Heard - Darnell Wright - Tennessee Offensive Line - SEC Football - Big Orange Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Darnell Wright's deal is the biggest ever given to a right tackle in NFL history, and the $93 million guaranteed is the most given to an offensive lineman in league historyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

Makhlouf & Kuhn: reacting to Liam Coen's comments about Caleb Williams-Darnell Wright's contract & Cubs (Hour 2) full 2826 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:45:47 +0000 8PRb8FmxuS76vhTssZ8YBythj1mB2EMV sports Best of 104.3 The Score sports Makhlouf & Kuhn: reacting to Liam Coen's comments about Caleb Williams-Darnell Wright's contract & Cubs (Hour 2) Best of 104.3 The Score Best of 104.3 The Score is a curated snapshot of the station at its best, delivering the standout moments Chicago sports fans don't want to miss. Featuring top interviews, expert commentary, and memorable segments from across the lineup, the podcast covers everything from Bears Sundays and Cubs summers to Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox headlines. Whether you're catching up or reliving the biggest conversations of the day, Best of 104.3 The Score brings the voices, stories, and debates that power Chicago sports talk into one easy listen. © 2026 Audacy, Inc. Sports

Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright isn't worried about not having a contract extension three practices into training camp. For Wright, it's more about when a deal gets done, not if. Plus more notes from the third practice of camp FridayBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

This week the guys realize they haven't done a normal episode for more than 3 months and quickly go rabid! Kyler Gordon's inability to stay healthy starts us off but pretty soon Kyle is whipping out a spray bottle and showing hole. Travis drinks too much coffee and tries to find a spot for Hyppo (Kyle's hole??) but only finds... Ron Coomer? Darnell Wright doesn't have an extension and that of course means it's time to insult Broncos fans. Were the guys responsible for taking out all of these Panthers? Maybe! One thing is certain: you WILL wonder if Travis and Kyle live too close to an electrical substation. Thanks for listening!

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh continue to discuss the top six sports stories of the day in the Pick 6 segment

The Chicago Bears opened training camp with major storylines, and Ryan Poles did not hold back when discussing Kyler Gordon's injury situation. Gordon is starting camp on the PUP list with a calf injury, and Poles made it clear that Gordon will have to earn back trust and dependability once he returns to the field. Ben Johnson's message was simple: “Get healthy.”On today's episode of Chicago Bears Central, Haize breaks down the biggest report day takeaways from Halas Hall, including the encouraging update on T.J. Edwards, who is not expected to miss much time, and the latest on a potential Darnell Wright contract extension after Ryan Poles said Wright is a player the Bears want in Chicago long-term.Haize also dives into Caleb Williams' Year 3 expectations, where Ben Johnson praised his elite arm talent, playmaking, escapability and “Superman cape” ability — while still emphasizing the need for more consistency over a full 60-minute game. Plus, Ben Johnson says the 70% completion goal for Caleb “always will be” the standard.The show also covers the left tackle battle between Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie, plus the growing excitement around Luther Burden III, who Ryan Poles praised for his offseason growth, passion and drive to become the best receiver he can be.Finally, Haize reacts to Montez Sweat being placed on the non-football illness list and Elijah Hicks landing on PUP, while also reviewing the broader Bears injury picture heading into camp.Topics include: Chicago Bears training camp, Kyler Gordon injury, Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright contract extension, Luther Burden III breakout, Montez Sweat NFI list, Elijah Hicks PUP list, T.J. Edwards injury update, Bears left tackle battle, Chicago Bears Central.Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/ChiBearsCentralGet at us:Email: ChicagoBearsCentral@gmail.comTwitter:@ChiBearsCentralPhone: ‪(773) 242-9336‬Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Chicago Bears are entering 2026 with real playoff expectations — and while Caleb Williams is the face of the franchise, the Bears' non-QB MVP might be right tackle Darnell Wright.On today's episode of Chicago Bears Central, Haize breaks down why Wright has become one of the most important players on the roster after earning second-team All-Pro honors and helping power one of the NFL's best rushing attacks. With Darnell Wright entering the final year of his rookie deal, could a massive contract extension be coming soon?Haize also dives into the three things the Bears must get right to get over the playoff hump: eliminating slow starts, stabilizing the left tackle position, and raising the standard from simply making the playoffs to reaching the NFC Championship Game. After winning the NFC North, beating the Packers in the Wild Card Round and falling short against the Rams, the Bears are no longer just trying to be good — they are trying to become championship-caliber.Plus, Joe Thuney lands at No. 49 in the NFL Top 100 after another First-Team All-Pro season, proving the Bears' offensive line is finally getting national respect. Haize breaks down what Thuney's presence means for Caleb Williams, the run game and the overall identity of Ben Johnson's offense.Finally, we look at the Bears' roster bubble heading into training camp, including Miller Moss, Roschon Johnson, Coleman Bennett, Scotty Miller, Kiran Amegadjie, Caden Barnett, Noah Sewell, Keyshaun Elliott, Skyler Thomas and more.Topics include: Chicago Bears, Darnell Wright, Caleb Williams, Joe Thuney, Bears offensive line, Bears playoff expectations, Bears training camp, Bears roster bubble, Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., Ben Johnson offense, NFC North, Chicago Bears Central.Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/ChiBearsCentralGet at us:Email: ChicagoBearsCentral@gmail.comTwitter:@ChiBearsCentralPhone: ‪(773) 242-9336‬Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Detroit Lions have the top-end talent to win a championship. PFSN's Top 100 lists seven Lions, with offensive tackle Penei Sewell at No. 4, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson at 12, running back Jahmyr Gibbs at 18, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown at 20. Health, execution, and timely plays must now match that talent. How many Lions made PFSN's Top 100, and who headlines it? Seven Detroit Lions made the list, led by offensive tackle Penei Sewell at No. 4 as OT1, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson at 12, running back Jahmyr Gibbs at 18, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown at 20. That is four Lions in the top 20. Quarterback Jared Goff is No. 53 and QB10, tight end Sam LaPorta is No. 87, and linebacker Jack Campbell is No. 95 as LB4. As Jeff Risdon noted, PFN's linebacker impact score had Jack Campbell No. 1 among linebackers in 2025. PFSN also notes Sam LaPorta missed eight games in 2025, yet his 54.3 receiving yards per game was his best per-game mark since his Pro Bowl rookie season in 2023. Why is left vs right tackle value overblown? Jeff Risdon emphasized that while Penei Sewell is moving to left tackle, elite edges attack both sides. Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T. J. Watt rarely rushes against left tackles, Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson often works over right tackles, and Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett moves around. Does star power alone win the Super Bowl? No. Team health, execution, and key plays matter more than raw star counts. The defending champion Seattle Seahawks and the Super Bowl runner-up New England Patriots were not among the most represented teams on the Top 100 list. Seattle's core callouts on PFSN included wide receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba, defensive lineman Leonard Williams, and quarterback Sam Darnold at No. 71 as QB12. They won with health and timely defense. Detroit's takeaway is clear, as Risdon said, talent is there, but game-deciding plays must follow. What do the rankings say about quarterback Jared Goff and Detroit's offense? Quarterback Jared Goff at No. 53 and QB10 confirms he is not holding the Detroit Lions back. As Jeff Risdon stated, Goff is very good at what he is asked to do. Detroit does not ask him to run RPOs or fire frequent tight-window throws, and within that structure he wins. Risdon added that if the Seattle Seahawks can win with quarterback Sam Darnold and that supporting cast, the Lions can finish the job with Jared Goff. The ranking validates Detroit's approach, provided the offense sustains health and situational precision. How do the Lions stack up against the NFC North? Detroit leads the division with seven Top 100 players. Green Bay has four, Chicago has three, and Minnesota has two, reinforcing that the Lions possess the division's deepest top-end core. Green Bay's notables include quarterback Jordan Love at No. 34 as QB8, offensive tackle Zach Tom at No. 57 as OT7, and safety Xavier McKinney at No. 67 as S4. Chicago's trio features offensive tackle Darnell Wright as the top Bear, guard Joe Thuney at No. 65 as OG3, and quarterback Caleb Williams at QB15. Minnesota's two are wide receiver Justin Jefferson at No. 16 as WR4 and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel at No. 99 as Edge12. As Risdon concluded, Detroit's talent is real, now the execution must be too. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #peneisewell #aidanhutchinson #jahmyrgibbs #amon-rast.brown #jaredgoff #samlaporta #jackcampbell #samdarnold #leonardwilliams #jacksonsmith-njigba #jordanlove #zachtom #xaviermckinney #darnellwright #justinjefferson #pfsntop100 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright finally reached his potential last season and became one of the NFL's best right tackles during an All-Pro season. Here's why Wright will be the No. 8 most-important Bear for the 2026 season.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

Penei Sewell is an elite NFL offensive tackle, not the 10th-best, as ESPN pundit Mike Clay ranked him. He finished third in pass protection efficiency at 98.2 with only two sacks, six hits, 11 hurries, and 19 total pressures allowed, plus a 95.1 overall and 96.7 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Is ESPN underrating Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell? Yes. Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell ranks among the NFL's best, not 10th. As Jeff Risdon noted, Pro Football Focus graded Sewell at 95.1 overall with a 96.7 run blocking grade, and he allowed just two sacks, six quarterback hits, 11 hurries, and 19 total pressures in 2025. Those results track with a 98.2 pass protection efficiency, which placed him third among qualifying tackles. ESPN's ranking leans on a proprietary pass block win rate and on the note that Sewell is moving sides. Risdon acknowledged that switching from right tackle to left tackle is a fair consideration, but he emphasized Sewell has played left tackle in the NFL and handled it well. Every visible performance marker says he belongs at the top tier. Does pass block win rate measure what matters in protection? No. What matters is not losing, and Sewell rarely loses. As Jeff Risdon said, the ESPN metric is subjective and measures “wins,” while pass protection success is about preventing losses. Sewell's 98.2 efficiency shows he prevents losses as well as almost anyone, backed by only 19 total pressures conceded across a 50 percent of 1,294 snaps qualifier pool. Context also matters. Protection can change based on a tight end's alignment, the guard inside, or compensating for interior issues. Risdon pointed out that Detroit often had to shade inside last year because the center struggled, and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is not mobile under quick pressure. That reality affects how any tackle is scored snap to snap. How should fans view the Detroit Lions offensive line at 19th? As conservative. The unit projects better than 19th even with moving parts. Risdon accepted ESPN's 19th as a defensible output for a formula, noting the Lions have starters at three new positions, but he stated Detroit will outperform that slot. Continuity takes time, but the cornerstone is overwhelming. Sewell's dominance stabilizes the front, and Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley can lean on elite edge play while integrating the new starters. That foundation raises the floor and the ceiling for the group. What do the comps say about other top NFL tackles? They reinforce Sewell's standing. In pass protection efficiency, Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garrett Bolles ranked first and New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas second, with Sewell third at 98.2. Pro Football Focus also showed Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs at 92.7 overall, while Sewell's pass protection grade of 80.3 matched San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams and topped San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Colton McKivitz. Risdon added that Sewell's pressure totals were equivalent with Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright, and he flagged Detroit Lions offensive tackle Larry Borom appearing in the top 10 for pass rush efficiency as an encouraging pickup. The eye test and the data converge on the same conclusion: Sewell is elite, and Detroit's line trends up from a formulaic 19th. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #peneisewell #espntackleranking #profootballfocus #darnellwright #pff #olrankings #lionsoffensiveline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor are back from their summer vacations with their way too early Pro Bowl picks for the Bears. They discuss why Caleb Williams, Jaylon Johnson, Darnell Wright, Montez Sweat, D'Andre Swift, Coby Bryant, and Colston Loveland may all be in line for Pro Bowl seasons.