Good morning, Bears fans!
And welcome to all the new readers! Day 1 of the Darth Burden giveaway resulted in the second biggest signup day since launch. I’m glad you’re all here.
Ahead is another fork in the road that went the right way for the Bears. I can’t get enough of these stories … and I’m assuming neither can you.
— Kevin Kaduk
01 Stadium News
Brandon Johnson hits Springfield
The Chicago mayor has a wider agenda in the capital than just the Bears move and his comments focused more on JB Pritzker’s dissatisfaction with the bill than his own. NBC’s Paris Schutz reports Chicago could benefit from “billions” of tax exemptions in the megaprojects bill.
02 Money
Caleb listed as second-best rookie QB contract
Drake Maye is first on the NFL.com list, Caleb is second and Jayden Daniels is third, just ahead of Bo Nix. The 2024 quarterback class stays on top, but it’ll be nice to see No. 18 routinely leading these rankings.
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The Ben Johnson Butterfly Effect
Move over Davis Mills.
You’ve got company.
Now, Mills’ TD throw on the final day of the 2022 season to beat the Colts will always be one of the most pivotal moments in franchise history.
But we just learned about another domino that had to fall just right to get to the Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson era.
ESPN’s Jake Trotter dropped a piece on new Penn State coach Matt Campbell on Wednesday and buried inside it was something of particular interest to Bears fans.
The Detroit Lions didn’t hire Dan Campbell first in 2021.
Nope, they instead offered the job to Matt Campbell, who was in the middle of building a nice program at Iowa State.
Matt Campbell accepted the offer … then changed his mind to stay in Ames.
The other Campbell (no relation) was hired instead.
At the time, Dan Campbell made a joke at his press conference about telling his agent to introduce him to the Lions as “Matt Campbell.”
But was it really a joke?
Either way, Matt Campbell’s do-si-do with the Lions had real ripple effects for the Bears.
While Ben Johnson was already in the Lions building as the tight ends coach, he was quickly promoted to passing game coordinator by Dan Campbell in 2021 and then offensive coordinator in 2022.
Does any of that happen under Matt Campbell?
Does Johnson still revolutionize the Lions offense and become one of the hottest coaching candidates in football?
Does he get to a spot where he’s the only choice to help save Caleb in Chicago?
Maybe. Talent always rises to the top and Matt Campbell seems like a smart guy, too.
There’s also a chance he brings in his own guy and they both wash out, taking Ben Johnson down with them.
But like a Davis Mills incompletion or Tyrique Stevenson actually covering that Hail Mary (setting into motion the Fall of Eberflus), it’s an alternate history I’m glad we’ll never have to experience.
Win this ‘Darth Burden’ cutout!
Day 1 of the Darth Burden giveaway is in the books.
But there's still time to get in.
Talley Brand is giving away this 36-inch custom Luther Burden cutout to one lucky Bears By 7 reader. Refer one friend before Wednesday, May 13 and you're automatically entered. Already referred someone? You're already in … and so are they.
Use your personal link below 👇 (I’m finding that directly emailing other Bears fans works better than social media)
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Also: Use code BEARSBY7 at checkout for 10 percent off and free shipping on everything at TalleyBrand.com. Winner announced May 18. No purchase necessary.
Aaron Leming’s post-draft projection of the Bears’ 53-man roster (Windy City Gridiron)
Dan Wiederer’s mock Bears schedule has the team opening up the Bills stadium on Sunday Night Football in Week 1. (The Athletic)
Did Caleb Williams just get the bulletin board material he needed for 2026? (Da Windy City)
Not Bears, but still cool: Friend of BB7 Cory Sechrest made a cool digital version of the Wrigley Field scoreboard. (Github)
Support Bears By 7 and make your issues ad-free! (Bears By 7)
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