NFL

The Bears’ failed partnership with Fields is no outlier. But the events that led to their parting are definitely unique — and something the Bears can’t afford to repeat when they draft a quarterback first overall next month.
So what’s next for the folks at Halas Hall?
There’s a lot of love for a soon-to-be rookie who’s about three and a half years younger than Justin Fields.
The sixth-round pick the Bears received in the Fields trade was the final verdict on his ability.
Fields fit the profile of a young quarterback with massive potential that a desperate team mired in the muck of NFL mediocrity could fall in love with. But in a bit of a surprising rebuke, there was little interest, as he only netted a conditional sixth-round draft pick.
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They didn’t see enough to sway them from planning their future around consensus No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams.
Shortly after the Bears agreed to trade Fields to the Steelers, the quarterback issued a statement on social media saying goodbye to the city of Chicago.
The Bears are ready to go another direction three years after drafting Fields 11th overall.
Monitoring the Bears’ comings and goings in free agency, which started with the opening of the legal tampering period and extends through the start of the league year Wednesday.
He figures to be a depth piece on a Bears defensive line that is still in search of an end to rush opposite Pro Bowl edge rusher Montez Sweat.
Allen has been consistent and dominant for years, but the next challenge is keeping it going as he turns 32.
Allen smiled Saturday morning when asked about being a friendly target for a young passer.
The Bears traded a fourth-round pick for Allen on Thursday.
The Bears’ new safety is married to the four-time Olympic gold medal gymnast and is happy for all the attention she gets. “I love it,” he said. “You always want your wife on this pedestal. I love here. I support here. It’s no jealousy. We both support each other to the fullest.”
“He’s a laid-back guy, but when the lights come on, he produces,” said Gerald Everett, the Bears’ newly signed tight end who played the last two seasons with Allen with the Chargers. “People feed off that. We fed off that.”
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Even if he’s not here long, Allen allows the Bears to focus on addressing important big-picture issues.
The Bears pulled off a late surprise by acquiring the wide receiver from the Chargers.