The Chicago Cubs got another stellar outing from Javier Assad on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Ben Brown’s success carries a big, ugly caveat with it

On the evening, he delivered six full shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five. This comes on the heels of another shutout performance against the Giants at Wrigley Field last Sunday, where he tossed 6.1 innings in emergency relief of the injured Jameson Taillon—right after being recalled from Triple-A Iowa.

On the season, the 28-year-old from Tijuana, Mexico has a modest 3.99 ERA with the big league Cubs. But it needs to be noted that 15 of his 17 earned runs on the year have come in just two disastrous outings back in April—and one of them involved him taking it on the chin to eat innings for the team. Filtering out those two poor outings, his ERA is a stellar 0.57 over eight appearances and 31.2 innings.

Assad as one of the few positives

More News: Chicago Cubs: Well, at least Alex Bregman isn’t Kyle Tucker

A mature, steady, and highly efficient Assad has been a godsend to a Cubs rotation battered and beleaguered to the point of breaking. Paired with the surprising Ben Brown, Assad’s recent run of success has been among the only positive developments when it come to Chicago’s starting pitching.

“Javy keeps telling you, ‘I’ll be ready when I get my opportunity,’” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters after Friday’s game. “That’s what it takes.”

“He pitched great,” Counsell added. “In the strike zone. Controlled counts. Ball on the ground. A real boost. We’ve talked about guys getting opportunities, and certainly Javy in a time that we really need it has delivered a couple big starts. Big, big performances.”

And the young pitcher has to be extra diligent in seizing opportunities because the Cubs, for whatever reason, have not been so keen to consistently trust him with those opportunities.

Not getting a fair shake with the Cubs?

It’s been a puzzling prejudice against a young, team-controlled pitcher working on a budget salary below $2 million. But the Cubs can’t seem to help themselves when it comes to underestimating and/or flat-out disregarding the righty.

Through his five seasons with the big league Cubs, Assad has a 3.56 ERA over 58 starts and 293.2 innings. Overall, he’s posted a 3.48 ERA through 88 games and 369.1 innings.

All he’s done is deliver consistent quality performances in every role assigned to him, yet he didn’t even start the season with the big league team and has been sent down to Triple-A twice already.

While his back-and-forth runs to Iowa can be traced to his status as one of the few Cubs pitchers remaining with minor league options, the demotions are also a potential kick to the shin for self-esteem as well as for his career.

To his credit, though, he’s been taking all of this in stride and just focusing on what’s in his control—his performances on the mound.

“I try to take advantage of every opportunity,” Assad said via interpreter after Friday’s stellar start. “Obviously, I like to start games. That’s what I’ve done. But whatever opportunity it is…I’m always going to be ready.”

Hopefully for the Cubs, Assad gets to stick around this time and actually prove what he can do.

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The Chicago Cubs have managed to pull themselves up to third place in the NL Central Division after back-to-back wins on the road, although they remain 7.5 games behind the first place Milwaukee Brewers.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Well, at least Alex Bregman isn’t Kyle Tucker

It’s actually a minor miracle that they’re still so deeply in the mix after an absolutely brutal stretch that saw them go 7-22 over 29 games. The offense has been wildly inconsistent. The bullpen has also gone through patches of inconsistency. Meanwhile, the starting rotation has been an absolute disaster.

While many pointed out that the Cubs rotation lacked a true lights-out ace, most acknowledged its depth and thought it could be the backbone of the team’s run towards the postseason. As the offseason ended, they had nine reasonable candidates for the five-man rotation and maybe a couple of viable contenders for a major league gig in Triple-A Iowa.

Then, the season began.

Cubs rotation calamity

More News: Chicago Cubs’ options for rebuilding a broken starting rotation

Cade Horton was lost for this season and beyond following an elbow injury in just his second start of the year. Matthew Boyd has had two separate stints on the IL and just suffered a setback in his recently slated return. Returning ace Justin Steele suffered a setback in his own recovery from elbow surgery and is now on the shelf indefinitely. Edward Cabrera missed more than two weeks with a blister issue. Jameson Taillon had been rocked all season before going on the IL with a hamstring injury. Shota Imanaga, meanwhile, started the season well, but has been getting touched up in recent starts.

The only pleasant surprise coming from the Cubs rotation this season is Ben Brown.

The 26-year-old right-hander stepped into the starter role out of necessity and has become the staff’s de facto ace. In six starts so far this season he’s posted a 1.44 ERA and has looked untouchable at times. It’s been a much-needed development from a previously inconsistent prospect right at the time the team needs him the most.

But there’s considerable dark cloud to go along with Brown’s silver lining.

Ben Brown’s health is a concern

Like many of the young pitchers the Cubs have decided to target via trade or in drafts, Brown has major injury issues in his past. In 2019, as a prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, he underwent Tommy John surgery. He also missed much of 2024 with a neck issue caused by a benign bone tumor.

And, although he looks strong and healthy, Brown’s history and his level of workload this season, are causing the Cubs to put a cap on just how much they load on him.

“We’re going to be cautious because we need him out there,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told The Athletic. “We have to take care of him.”

“But if we want to get him there,” Counsell added, “we have to have some recognition that this is really a guy who’s never made it through a full season as a starter. He started out in the bullpen this year. He’s getting to a pitch-count area (where) the guys that have done it for their whole career (are). Do you want 15 more pitches? Or do you want to prioritize ‘we’re going to walk out of this feeling really good and recover well for the next one’?”

If Brown keeps pitching nearly as well as he has been so far, Chicago desperately needs him to go out to the mound every fifth day. That means rationing him for the remainder of the season.

As things stand right now, that’s about as positive of a development as we can reasonably expect from this Cubs rotation.

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The Chicago White Sox have been playing well and have some roster decisions to make. They have some players on the bench who could be on the chopping block when their injured players return. Chicago seemingly got ahead of things as they have traded away one of their players to the opposing league. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what they were able to get back in return.

The Chicago White Sox traded Derek Hill to the Philadelphia Phillies for prospects

ESPN’s Jeff Passan is reporting that a trade between the White Sox and the Phillies took place on Thursday afternoon. The trade sees the White Sox send center fielder Derek Hill and international bonus money to the Phillies. In return, the White Sox receive outfield prospect Dylan Campbell and infield prospect Jose Colmenares. Neither prospect was ranked within the top 30 in Philadelphia’s organization. However, Chicago has been calling up prospects throughout the season. This move was a chance to recoup some prospect capital for their farm system.

Campbell is 23 years old and is currently in Double-A. The 5-foot-8 outfielder is posting a .693 OPS with seven homers, 31 RBI, 27 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. Colmenares is a 24-year-old shortstop in High-A who is hitting well. He is posting a .816 OPS with three home runs, 19 RBI, 22 runs scored, and five stolen bases.

In terms of trading away Hill, the team has a bevy of outfielders who can replace him on the field. Hill has been used as a fourth outfielder, but with Tristan Peters taking over as the everyday center fielder, Hill’s playing time has been zapped from what it was earlier this season for Chicago. There are a few options that the franchise needs to decide upon regarding that bench spot being filled on the 26-man roster.

Depending on what Chicago is looking for, these are potentially two players they can throw into a trade closer to the deadline. Neither Campbell nor Colmenares is a highly-touted prospect, but both have some chances of developing into good major leaguers. It will be intriguing to see what general manager Chris Getz has up his sleeve to better the franchise following this trade.

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The Chicago Bulls have one of the more impactful offseasons they are getting into right now. With a pair of lottery picks, they can really change the projection of the franchise with some strong additions. It will be intriguing to see how the front office attacks the NBA Draft. Let’s take a deeper dive into one mock draft and see who they believe the Bulls will add.

The Chicago Bulls land the seemingly consensus fourth pick

CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish curated a 2026 NBA mock draft for the first round. Chicago fans would be excited if the board fell this way. With the fourth pick, Parrish has the Bulls taking North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson.

“Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson have been described by some as the clear top-four in this draft with most ranking Wilson fourth among the group. In truth, his ceiling is maybe higher than at least one of the three players expected to go before him – but his floor is probably the lowest of the group because, right now, Wilson is a non-shooter headed to a league that values it. That’s not ideal for a top-five pick. But the athleticism is off the charts, his motor runs great and competitiveness doesn’t appear to be an issue. So, barring a surprise, Wilson won’t go lower than fourth.”

This would not be a surprise as Wilson seems like the consensus fourth pick Wilson looked like a star in the making while playing at North Carolina his freshman season. He finished with 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals in 31.3 minutes per game. Wilson shot the basketball well, connecting on 57.8% frmo the floor. However, his 25.9% from beyond the arc leaves room to be improved upon. He  has the ability to continue being a star in the NBA as a centerpiece for Chicago and the 6-foot-10 forward can be a difference-maker right away.

The Chicago Bulls also select a guard to close out the lottery

The Bulls have been looking to add some more talent and hold the 15th pick via the Portland Trail Blazers. After adding a wing, this mock draft has Chicago taking Baylor Bears guard Cameron Carr. Below is the snippet CBS Sports has for Carr:

 “Carr emerged as a real top-20 option after transferring from Tennessee to Baylor and having one of the biggest breakout years in the sport while averaging 14.1 more points per game than he averaged previously with the Vols. The 21-year-old has long arms and a solid-enough jump shot. In this mock, he lands beside Wilson in Chicago as a major part of the Bulls’ rebuild.”

Carr finished last season averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 33.7 minutes per game. He had a great shooting stroke, recording a 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting split in 34 games. Having a 6-foot-5 guard who is not afraid to crash the glass is a great building block to pair alongside Josh Giddey.

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The Indiana Fever defeated the Washington Mystics 78-76 on Monday. Sophie Cunningham delivered a perfect cross-court pass to Caitlin Clark for the game-winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left.

The play drew speculations after the game that it wasn’t what head coach Stephanie White designed. However, she and her players claimed that it went according to plan. Cunningham added to the fire by posting a photo on Instagram implying that she and Clark did not follow White’s instructions.

Monday’s victory was the first of back-to-back wins for the Fever. The team beat the Chicago Sky 114-106 on Thursday to improve its record to 7-5 for the season. Clark and Aliyah Boston made WNBA history with 30-point double-doubles each. Cunningham, on the other hand, missed the matchup due to an elbow injury.

Indiana Fever: Sophie Cunningham clarifies reason for missing Sky game

Cunningham released the latest episode of her “Show Me Something” podcast on Friday. She talked about the game-winning play, saying that they “perfectly executed” the exact play White drew up. She also denied that Indiana had suspended her for her post, which she thought was just a “hilarious” meme.

“Everybody thinks that I’m suspended because of this, and I’m like, ‘No,'” Cunningham said. “And so, but I know people are gonna go crazy, and it’s like… (shakes head).”

 

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The initial injury report listed the veteran guard as questionable before the team ruled her out closer to tip-off. The good news is the elbow issue doesn’t appear to be serious, as the team listed her as probable to play on Saturday versus the Connecticut Sun.

White moved Cunningham to the bench after the team’s third game of the season. The move aimed to provide more scoring firepower to the reserves. The Missouri product has had an up-and-down season with her production. Her contribution to the Fever as the season progresses will be key in their championship quest.

Cunningham averages 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists through 11 games. She still plays 22.9 minutes per game despite not being part of the starting unit.

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The Chicago Bears have drafted two tight ends in the last two years, and it’s fair to wonder how much more time Cole Kmet has with the team.

Colston Loveland, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, led the Bears in receiving last season. Kmet finished with his worst receiving production since 2020 when he was a rookie, recording 30 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns.

In April, the Bears selected Sam Roush out of Stanford in the third round. But the move came amid Kmet’s contract restructure, meaning Chicago is expected to keep the veteran tight end for at least the upcoming season.

Kmet told the Chicago Sun-Times he’s had “honest” conversations with general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson about where he stands with the team. He noted the Bears have been blunt about the “good and bad things” of Kmet’s playing style.

The Notre Dame product’s best season came in 2023 when he recorded 73 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns. He’s never been the top target for Chicago, but Kmet’s learned to adapt to multiple different offensive coordinators, and has done enough to make it hard for Poles to get rid of him.

‘‘It’s actually really easy: You do what you’re told and do it at a high level,’’ Kmet said. ‘‘At times, you may not like what you’re being told to do. But if you do it right and do it consistently, it makes it really, really hard for them to get rid of you. It’s better just to go with it and buy in, and usually it works out better for you in the long run.’’

More News: Bears QB Caleb Williams is ‘OK’ leaving Chicago

Cole Kmet finding a new role with the Chicago Bears

More News: Chicago Bears have surprise rookie turning heads at minicamp

Kmet used to worry about his stats as a receiver, but now he’s more focused on playing the role Johnson asks of him. He contributes as a blocker at a high level, and can still pop in the passing game, as evidenced by his touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.

The Bears aren’t as worried about what Kmet does on the stat sheet. Frankly, Chicago made that clear when they spent precious draft capital on Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Loveland.

Kmet will still be a key part of the Bears’ offense, but his role is changing as he enters Year 7.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bears have been one of the teams looking to make a big splash ahead of Week 1. They had a clear weakness following the 2025 season, and that was getting to the quarterback defensively. Chicago did not necessarily address this situation much during free agency or the NFL Draft as fans expected. Let’s take a closer look at what trade they can make to improve defensively.

The Chicago Bears can trade for Josh Sweat before the season

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report wrote an article discussing some shocking trades that can happen before the NFL season. One of the trades included the Bears getting a deal done with the Arizona Cardinals. The trade sees the Bears get Josh Sweat in exchange for a conditional 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick. Below is the rationale for the trade to take place:

“Edge-rusher Josh Sweat is another example of a player who has generated all sorts of trade buzz-and a team in the Arizona Cardinals who has said they have no plans to deal him. Much of that buzz ramped up when the ninth-year veteran was a no-show for voluntary OTAs… Pairing Josh Sweat and Montez Sweat would accomplish that goal-and almost guarantee that multiple broadcasters mistakenly call them brothers or cousins, even though they are not related.”

Sweat certainly has showcased the ability to dominate during his first year with the Cardinals. He recorded 30 total tackles (20 solo, 10 assists) with 12.0 sacks and 17 quarterback hits. Sweat also added two pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery as an outside linebacker. He is entering the second year of a four-year, $76.4 million contract, so the Bears would be eating a large contract in this trade.

With the Bears struggling to apply pressure last season, this could be something on their radar. It will be intriguing to see if Chicago is ready to make this type of move to improve the defensive line.

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Caleb Williams has had an eventful 2026 so far. He led the Chicago Bears to a Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18. Although they lost 20-17 in overtime, he earned respect across the NFL and proved his doubters wrong.

The quarterback completed 330-of-568 passes for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven turnovers. His strong 2025 season earned him selection as the cover athlete for Madden 27. It also put the Bears in the spotlight with seven primetime games next season.

Williams impressed during OTAs and minicamp. He showed he is already in season form and ready to take the franchise to even greater heights. The 24-year-old has also received praise for his maturity and leadership.

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams joins Lucki on stage at Summer Smash Festival

Williams attended the Summer Smash Festival on Friday. He joined rapper Lucki on stage at one point int eh show and received a huge ovation from the crowd. 

 

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Fans reacted to his unexpected appearance in the comments section.

“bro about to throw for 8000 thousand yards,” one fan said.

“Goatssss,” a comment read.

“Caleb hitting 4k yards O/U in the next 5 years,” one user wrote.

“Shi was so turnt,” posted another.

“Crazy linkup 😭🔥🔥,” a reaction read.

“😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭why Caleb dancing like that foe,” another fan commented.

The music festival organizers will run the event from Friday to Sunday at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. They will feature 75 artists and three stages across the venue.

Williams will have the next few weeks free and could make a few more public appearances. He and the Bears will reconvene in late July for the start of training camp. They will open the 2026 regular season on the road against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 13. The team’s home opener will be in Week 2 versus the Minnesota Vikings.

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The Chicago White Sox have been one of the youngest teams in baseball in the early stages of the season. They have not been afraid of calling up their minor league prospects to help the MLB team out. With the pitching for Chicago being a bit of a question mark, they are internally discussing a debut for one prospect. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and why they may make this move.

The Chicago White Sox may call up Hagen Smith this weekend

White Sox manager Will Venable made it known that the team is still undecided about who will start on Saturday. The team is considering Hagen Smith. Smith is the fourth-ranked prospect in the organization and the 47th-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline.

Smith has been pitching at a respectable level with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. In 13 starts, he is 0-4 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in 47.2 innings. He has been pitching at an elite level, recording 72 strikeouts thus far. The southpaw pitcher has quickly climbed up the organization’s ranks as he was selected fifth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.

He throws three pitches (fastball, slider, splitter), and his heater and slider are dominating hitters. This would be a massive test as Saturday’s game is against the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the top offensive teams in the sport. Venable would also note that there is another option that the team uses on Saturday as a bullpen game while keeping Smith in the minors.

With the rainout on Thursday, there is a chance this conversation does not amount to anything. Now, the projected starting trio of Anthony Kay, Sean Burke, and Erick Fedde can line up for this series while using Monday’s off day to re-establish the rotation. It will be intriguing to see if Chicago continues to make more minor leaguers get their MLB debut this early into the season.

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The Chicago Bulls are getting ready for the 2026 NBA Draft as they hold the fourth and 15th picks in the first round. They have holes in their roster heading into the offseason that they need to plug up. Getting a player who is a perfect fit would be a significant step in the right direction for the franchise. Let’s take a deeper dive into who one outlet believes is the best fit for the Bulls in this year’s draft.

The Chicago Bulls are a perfect fit for Caleb Wilson

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report wrote an article discussing the best and worst fits for each projected lottery player in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Bulls were listed here as the best fit for one prospect, Caleb Wilson. Below is what Buckley wrote about why the fit is perfect for the two sides.

“Whenever the Bulls talk about their new SLAP philosophy-stressing size, length, athleticism and physicality-it feels like they’re describing Wilson. Beyond the stylistic fit, he would benefit from a pass-first point guard like Josh Giddey since creation is one of Wilson’s biggest question marks. That said, if Wilson ever added that to his arsenal, there’s really no one blocking his path for exploration and growth.”

If Wilson is selected with the fourth pick by the Bulls, he would be an excellent star for the Chicago frontcourt. The freshman forward recorded 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 31.3 minutes per game with North Carolina. His shooting needs to improve as he gets further from the basket. Wilson finished with a 57.8 shooting percentage, 25.9 3-point percentage, and 71.3 free-throw percentage.  He’s also made it known he’s ready to bring Chicago back if Wilson gets selected there.

Chicago has Patrick Williams, Jalen Smith, Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue as forwards under contract for next season. Muohamadou Gueye and Leonard Miller are also on club options, so there are options already on the roster at forward. Playing with Giddey would significantly improve his ability to be a star, not needing to bring the ball up. It will be intriguing to see if Wilson winds up being the star for Chicago going forward.

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Few athletes today command attention quite like Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. She has emerged as one of the biggest names in sports, and fans eagerly await her first signature shoe release.

Nike signed the Fever guard to a historic eight-year, $28 million deal for her signature shoe collection. The agreement is considered the most lucrative sponsorship contract ever signed by a women’s basketball player.

As part of the deal, the sportswear company will release her first basketball sneaker, called the “Caitlin 1.” Clark herself recently stated that while there is no firm release date just yet, they’re getting close.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark shares details on first Nike signature sneaker

In an interview after Indiana’s 78-76 win over the Washington Mystics on Monday, Clark talked about her latest PE or Player Edition, the Nike Kobe 5 “Midwest Lakes.”

“Honestly, I think they’re like ‘Midwest Lakes’ or something,” the star guard said. “I didn’t design these ones. Nike did these ones mostly. I just agreed and said yes, because I think they look amazing.”

For the color scheme, she said “baby blue,” is her favorite color before showing reporters the PEs she was wearing.

 “I like all blues, but they’re solid,” Clark continued.

The WNBA star also gave the sneaker a glowing review, rating them a “10 out of 10.”

She then proceeded to tease fans about the highly anticipated announcement of her signature shoe launch.

 “Okay, well, very, very, very, very, very soon, okay?” she said.

“Very very very very very soon.”

Caitlin Clark teases when we can expect to see her Nike Caitlin 1 signature shoe 👀 https://t.co/cnY9e9caKy pic.twitter.com/jt1JXBQ5zd

— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) June 9, 2026

On Tuesday, fans received a major update about Clark’s debut signature basketball shoe. Sneaker news X account Just Fresh Kicks reported that Nike has scheduled the release of the Caitlin 1 for Sept. 29.

Brands usually reserve signature basketball shoes for elite players with influence beyond the court. Clark has taken the basketball world by storm with record-breaking performances and elite skills that first emerged during her college years.

Since then, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star has helped drive increased attention to women’s basketball and the WNBA. 

The “Caitlin Clark effect” was on full displaye in her 2024 WNBA rookie season. Clark’s long-range shooting and creative passing boosted television audiences and game attendance. As a result, the 24-year-old guard has become one of the most marketable athletes in sports.

Given her popularity, demand is expected to be extremely high when the shoe officially hits shelves. If it delivers on expectations, the Caitlin 1 could become one of the top-selling basketball shoes of the year. 

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The Chicago Fire are currently on international break due to the World Cup taking place in North America over the next month. However, they are in pursuit of one of the top international soccer players.

After rumors swirled that the Fire were interested in Robert Lewandowski, the striker is currently on a visit with the Fire per multiple reports. Lewandowski and his agent Pini Zahavi are on the visit per a report as they mull a move to the MLS.

The Fire make the most sense and have shown interest in Lewandowski. Now, getting him here for a visit would be a huge first step into agreeing to a deal to land him.

Will Chicago Fire land Robert Lewandowski?

Men in Red first reported the news on Friday, with The Athletic’s Tom Bogert confirming. This initial report states that no deal is signed just yet. But there are billboards in Chicago dedicated to the visit:

According to sources familiar with the travel plans, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, one of the game’s most prolific scorers over the past two decades, is currently en route to Chicago amidst continued links to the Chicago Fire.

Although sources familiar with the situation stress that no deal has been signed between the MLS club and player, reports are that billboards along the highway from O’Hare to downtown Chicago are displaying ads from the Fire welcoming the Polish international to the city. According to emails shown to MIR97 Media, Fire supporters have also been asked to gather for an unspecified “special fan moment” this Sunday at Recess, the West Loop site of the Fire’s World Cup watch parties.

With the Fire in pursuit, they have a legit chance to land the talented Polish striker. Chicago’s Polish population could also help in the pursuit, hoping to improve the roster moving forward.

Lewandowski has scored over 500 goals for clubs and his country, splitting time between Poland and Germany. The Fire are in third place in the MLS Eastern Conference, playing well this season.

They are also in talks with other international players as well.

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Caleb Williams entered the NFL as the No. 1 pick in 2024. He has since embraced playing for the Chicago Bears and the rivalry the franchise has with the Green Bay Packers.

However, Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons praised the quarterback on Tuesday. He expressed admiration for his game before saying that he is the fire to his ice. It surprised many as Chicago and Green Bay have a long history and clash in highly competitive matchups.

Williams enjoyed a strong 2025 season. He completed 330-of-568 passes for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Parsons, on the other hand, registered 41 combined tackles, including 19 solo efforts and 12 tackles for loss, along with 12.5 sacks. The Dallas Cowboys traded him to the Packers ahead of the 2025 season.

Caleb Williams reacts to Micah Parsons’ comments

The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner responded to Parsons’ warning on Thursday. He made it clear that he looks forward to seeing which of their teams will dominate in 2026.

“It’s just funny, you know, obviously, it’s good jokes. Obviously, we’re football players on opposite teams, so it’s a little rivalry, but nothing taken to heart and things like that,” Williams said. “He said he’s fire and I’m ice, so let’s see which one holds over.”

Reporters also asked Williams if he would ever vote for a Green Bay player as the best in the league. He said that he would “probably not.”

 

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The Bears and Packers will face each other twice, first in Week 5 at Lambeau Field and in Week 16 at Soldier Field.

Chicago will play seven primetime games in total and has the toughest schedule in the league. The team reached the Divisional Round last year but lost 20-17 in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams. Williams aims to lead the Bears to a deeper run and potentially compete for a Super Bowl.

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Stephanie White and the Indiana Fever have won back-to-back games. The victories pushed the team’s record to 7-5 for the season, and they are looking to string more wins together.

They achieved their latest triumph on Thursday against the Chicago Sky. Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston led the charge with 30-point double-doubles each. Kelsey Mitchell contributed 19 points, while Lexie Hull delivered 11 in the 114-106 overtime win.

Indiana struggled with consistency in its first 10 games, splitting the results. However, the Fever’s last two outings showed what they are capable of. They are living up to expectations of being preseason title favorites and are starting to turn their fortunes around. The upcoming schedule is favorable, and it won’t be surprising to see Clark and Co. extend their winning streak.

Stephanie White discusses decision not to foul late in the game

During her postgame availability, reporters asked White about her decision not to tell her players to foul Skylar Diggins. The Fever were up three points, and fouling would have limited the Sky to a maximum of two points via free throws. Instead, Diggins forced overtime by knocking down a long 3-pointer.   

White acknowledged that she and her staff will discuss it as an area of opportunity.

“Yeah, I mean, I think we had time to take a foul,” White said. “You know, that’s probably something we worked on a lot in training camp and with game planning recently, but we haven’t worked on probably as much of that situation as we needed to. We talked about it as a staff. And then you’ve got to trust that you can go out and execute it in those moments too and we just decided to stay the match that time.

“We still talk about it after the game. I mean, that’s an area where we have opportunity. And I know as a coach and as a broadcaster, I love-hate the taking a foul thing. But we’ve got to have options both ways.”

#Fever HC Stephanie White on Skylar Diggins’ game-tying 3 that forced OT:

“I think we had time to take a foul. That’s probably something we worked on a lot in training camp, and with game-planning recently we haven’t worked on probably as much of that situation as we needed to.” pic.twitter.com/qbw1AxevnP

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 12, 2026

The good news for White is that the Fever were able to finally close out the game in overtime.

The Fever will return to action on Saturday versus the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. They will play five of their next six games at home, giving White a chance to execute more practiced plays in front of their home fans.

The post Stephanie White addresses questionable decision in Fever-Sky game appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With the Chicago Bulls holding the No. 4 and No. 15 overall picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, they have the chance to speed up their rebuild. That would require them to land two starters right away with the picks, but they would at least be off to a good start.

At No. 4, the Bulls are likely going to get one of the three of Caleb Wilson, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer barring any big surprises. However, what they do at No. 15 is the biggest question mark moving forward. With Chicago’s roster as it stands now, the Bulls have room to address any position they want in the draft.

This draft is considered a strong one in terms of talent from 1-10 which could lead the Bulls to potentially look at moving up.  But could they actually get into the top 10? That’s their target according to a new report.

Chicago Bulls targeting trade up into top 10?

The Bulls are still in search of a new head coach but with Bryson Graham running the show, they could get aggressive in the weeks leading up to the draft. And that’s exactly what a new report suggests they are doing.

Per Brett Siegel, the Bulls are targeting three players in a potential move up into the top 10. Siegel mentions Mikel Brown, Kingston Flemings and Keaton Wagler as players Chicago is interested in.

There has been a lot of chatter recently about the Bulls seeing what the cost would be to move up from No. 15 into the top 10 of this year's draft to grab one of the top guard prospects.

Mikel Brown, Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler are all of interest to Chicago. https://t.co/T992MdHNLc

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) June 8, 2026

If the Bulls do come away with Wilson or Boozer, adding any of those three would be a bonus. Chicago has the ammo to move up as they can give up No. 15 overall and a future pick if needed.

As the rumors continue to swirl, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Bulls in terms of a trade. They could also stay put and try to land an impact player at 15 as well. The good news is that they should have options to do what they want.

The post REPORT: Chicago Bulls looking to move into top 10 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs made the calculated decision this past offseason to take a hard pass on re-signing right fielder Kyle Tucker in favor of signing third baseman Alex Bregman.

More News: Chicago Cubs’ options for rebuilding a broken starting rotation

Financially, the move was a no-brainer as Chicago spent $175 million over 5 years on Bregman as opposed to the $240 million over 4 years for Tucker.

In terms of what each could contribute to the team, however, there was room for debate.

Bregman vs. Tucker

More News: Chicago Cubs: Consistent Ian Happ making his case for an extension amid 2026 disaster

Tucker had the greater offensive ceiling, but Bregman had, arguably, the higher floor. Defensively, Tucker had clearly slipped. With the Cubs, he was a slightly below league-average right fielder. Bregman, meanwhile, is still elite with the glove at third. Bregman’s huge advantage over Tucker, however, was in the area of intangibles.

Bregman is highly regarded as clubhouse leader and as a positive team influence. Tucker is more of a loner and a brooder who doesn’t add drama to a clubhouse, but also doesn’t add much of anything else.

Tucker, who was acquired by the Cubs in the 2025 offseason via trade with the Houston Astros, had also fallen out of favor in Chicago for a perceived lack of fire and an inability to turn things around during a career-worst slump that actually extended through the end of postseason play.

Cubs fans have recently been voicing their displeasure with Bregman’s offensive output this season—and that’s reasonable, as Bregman, himself, has acknowledged his frustrating lack of production.

The fans, though, are absolutely not making the case that Tucker should’ve been re-signed. And given the stats he’s posted to this point, there’s pretty much no difference in the offensive disappointment between him and Bregman.

Disappointment

As of this writing, Tucker is slashing .237/.332/.382 with 5 home runs and 34 RBIs. Bregman, meanwhile, is at .246/.332/.353 with 6 home runs and 22 RBIs.

Tucker’s lack of production, though, is especially noteworthy given his contract and the Dodgers’ status as World Series favorites.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has moved Tucker around the lineup to jump start his bat, but nothing has produced consistent results. It’s been enough to start questioning whether having him aboard has been a disappointment.

“I wouldn’t say disappointed,” Roberts recently told reporters. “I would say I’m probably just hoping that there’s some traction for him and for our sake. He’s working hard. There’s a day where it looks like he’s back and feeling comfortable. Then a couple days where you look at him and it looks like he’s searching again.

“For me, you just hope he can find something that sticks.”

Given the recent histories of both men, it seems more likely that Bregman will have the wherewithal to pull himself from his funk than Tucker.

On the other hand, the Dodgers are firmly in first place and cruising to a playoff berth, while the Cubs are struggling. So, Bregman is probably of greater importance to the Cubs than Tucker is to the Dodgers.

The post Chicago Cubs: Well, at least Alex Bregman isn’t Kyle Tucker appeared first on ChiCitySports.

It is June 12, 2026, and the Chicago White Sox are in first place in the American League Central Division. At 36-31, they hold a half-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians, and recently won both games they played against the Atlanta Braves (the third game was postponed due to weather), who have the best record in Major League Baseball.

Astonishingly, the White Sox have been able to continue winning baseball games over the last couple of weeks without Munetaka Murakami. The Japanese slugger is currently on the injured list with a hamstring strain. But while he may be on the shelf, there is an argument to be made that, out of all of their breakout players this season, he is the most important one in Chicago.

Munetaka Murakami is the biggest breakout star on the Chicago White Sox

Indeed, there is no shortage of players who have been pleasant surprises on the White Sox roster this year. Notably, Davis Martin has come out of nowhere to be the ace of Chicago’s pitching staff. Miguel Vargas has finally realized the slugging potential the White Sox saw him in. What is more, several rookie players, aside from Murakami, have made significant impacts on the team so far in 2026.

But Bleacher Report believes the rookie slugger from Japan is their biggest breakout star:

“Munetaka Murakami is currently on the injured list with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, with the prognosis at the time of injury in late May being that he would miss four to six weeks.

“It was an unfortunate speed bump during what had been an excellent rookie season. Across his first 200 MLB at-bats, he has clubbed 20 home runs and posted a .938 OPS, while also driving in 41 runs.

“There were some concerns about how Murakami would handle velocity in the majors. He’s been just fine, making the two-year, $34 million contract he signed this past offseason look like highway robbery for the White Sox. They would be wise to try to extend that deal sooner rather than later.”

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Top White Sox outfielder from 2026 international class off to a torrid start
• White Sox named top trade destination for elite slugger
• White Sox finally get well-deserved recognition in latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Chicago White Sox: why Munetaka Murakami is still team’s biggest breakout player of 2026 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs are in a self-created limbo right now.

They are close enough to contention—7.5 games behind the NL Central Division-topping Milwaukee Brewers and one game away from a Wild Card spot—to still consider big moves by this season’s August 3 trade deadline. However, losing twenty-two of their last thirty games kind of tells the tale that this team just may not be built for postseason glory this year.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Consistent Ian Happ making his case for an extension amid 2026 disaster

Do they go “all in” for a desperately-needed starting pitching pickup, trading away some precious prospect capital for a longshot chance of doing big things in the playoffs? Or do they hold back and cross their fingers for a team surge “as is” while keeping their eye on making a real run next season?

The wise choice, given the realities of the team we’re seeing, is to work towards the latter. Although a best of both worlds option may be to take a stab at both by acquiring a pitcher with years of team control at the deadline.

Realistically, though, the Cubs are facing the choice of trading for rentals or not.

So, then, what options will there be for a 2027 soft rebuild?

Headed towards a soft rebuild in 2027?

More News: Chicago Cubs: That uncomfortable Craig Counsell conversation is coming soon

In terms of position players, we know that five of eight slots are already filled: Michael Busch at first, Nico Hoerner at second, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, Alex Bregman at third, and Pete Crow-Armstrong at center field.

The fates of corner outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, along with catcher Carson Kelly—who are all free agency-eligible at the end of the 2026 season—will very much be up in the air.

The bullpen will also be up in the air, except for Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, and maybe one or two others pieces. But the Cubs have routinely succeeded with pieced-together bullpens on the fly.

The real concern will be starting pitching.

Cubs need to spend on starting pitching

As of right now, the only Cubs starting pitchers guaranteed to be on the team next year—and healthy enough to start the season—are Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, and Javier Assad.

Cade Horton is expected back from elbow surgery sometime around mid-season. Meanwhile, Justin Steele’s return date is still up in the air as he’s experienced a setback in his own recovery from elbow surgery.

In terms of outgoing free agents, Jameson Taillon is a goner, for sure, and Shota Imanaga will most likely be gone as well. Matthew Boyd’s injury-plagued year may actually work in favor of him and the team coming together on their mutual $15 million option for 2027, although the Cubs may be wise to move on if they’re depending on him as anything other than a fourth or fifth starter at that point. The Cubs have a $7.5 million team option for next season on sturdy, steady swingman Colin Rea and would be crazy not to exercise it.

All of this means that the Cubs will head into the 2027 season with at least three rotations spots to fill and $40 million in Taillon and Imanaga savings to spend ($55 million if they don’t hold on to Boyd). Plus, add another $20 million+ from losing either Happ or Suzuki to free agency.

That should be enough to pick up at least two studs for the front of the starting rotation.

One can probably rule out Tarik Skubal right off the bat. The Cubs are just not the type of team that will ever spend THAT kind of money on anyone, especially a pitcher.

But there are other options. Freddy Peralta, Robbie Ray, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Woodruff will for sure be out there, barring some unforeseen extension. Corbin Burnes, Michael King, and Sonny Gray will also probably opt to test the free agent market. The 2027 pitching market will actually be pretty deep. And given the Cubs’ conservative nature when it comes to paying for pitching, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see Imanaga return to the club at a significantly discounted price.

There WILL be options for the Cubs to build a true playoff-caliber starting rotation for 2027 and beyond. The question is whether Cubs president Jed Hoyer and the front office will finally invest in doing that.

The post Chicago Cubs’ options for rebuilding a broken starting rotation appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Back in January, the Chicago White Sox handed out more $1.6 and $1.5 million dollars to catcher Fernando Graterol and outfielder Sebastián Romero, the headlining Venezuelan prospects from their 2026 International class. As expected, both are starting their professional careers in the Dominican Summer League (DSL), which kicked off earlier this month on June 2.

Since that season has started, Romero, who signed for slightly less, has been the prospect making all the noise. Through just eight games, the 17 year old left-handed batter has belted five home runs and hit one double. With nine total hits on the young season, this gives him an absurd on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.435.

Sebastian Romero’s power surge offers hope of breaking the Chicago White Sox string of misses on recent International signees

The post White Sox top outfielder from 2026 International Signing class off to torrid start appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Indiana Fever picked up their third 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup win on Thursday. They are now 3-1 for third in the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Sky is now mathematically eliminated from the Commissioner’s Cup after their loss against the Fever.

Indiana hosted Chicago at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and had a tough match. Skylar Diggins drilled the game-tying three in regulation, forcing overtime. However, the visitors couldn’t pull off the win, losing 106-114.

The Fever were without their enforcer, Sophie Cunningham, because of an injury. Despite that, they had plenty of support as almost the whole team contributed to scoring.

Indiana Fever: Sophie Cunningham reacts to Myisha Hines-Allen’s chasedown block

Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston led the way for the Fever. The third-year sharpshooter had a near triple-double with 32 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. Boston, on the other hand, scored 34 points, had 12 rebounds, and swatted two shots.

Despite being injured, Cunningham cheered for her squad from the sidelines. She even shared her reaction to Myisha Hines-Allen’s defensive play.

Cunningham shared the Fever’s post on X, highlighting Hines-Allen’s chasedown block on Sky guard Jacy Sheldon.

“Oh my baby Jesus. Just nasty 😮‍💨” wrote the 6-foot-1 guard.

Oh my baby Jesus. Just nasty 😮‍💨 https://t.co/t5YO3nlAIv

— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) June 12, 2026

Hines-Allen finished the game with five points, nine rebounds, three assists, and the highlight block.

The eight-year veteran has had an up-and-down season for the Fever. She has been pulled from the starting lineup to provide bench scoring. In 11 games this season, Cunningham is averaging 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.

It is still unclear whether Cunningham will be available for Indiana’s next game against the Connecticut Sun on Saturday. 

The post Sophie Cunningham reacts to ‘nasty’ moment in Indiana Fever game appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Caleb Williams’ 2025 NFL season was nothing short of spectacular. He led the Chicago Bears to their best record since 2018. They finished with an 11-6 record en route to winning the NFC North title. 

Chicago qualified for the postseason for the first time since the 2020 season. The Bears defeated their longtime rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in the Wild Card Round. Unfortunately, their Super Bowl hopes were cut short as they fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the next round.

As for the Bears’ quarterback, he broke the franchise record for most passing yards in a single season with 3,942. Williams also scored 27 passing touchdowns with only 24 sacks, down from 68 in his rookie year.

Caleb Williams shares his thoughts on Chicago Bears training camp 

Individually, Williams had a good first year, breaking franchise records, including the most passing yards in a single season by a rookie. However, it wasn’t enough as a team as they only finished with a 5-12 record.

Which is why the training camp heading into his second year must’ve put a lot of pressure on the young quarterback.

Williams then spoke about the big difference between this year’s training camp and last year’s.

“Hell of a lot more fun for me than it was last year.” Williams said. 

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner also shared what he felt during last year’s training camp.

“I felt like I was drowning,” he said. “Trying to breathe or stay alive and wait for a boat to come around.”

Williams discussed the difference this year and how they are approaching the training camp.

“This year, it’s being able to start where we finished last year,” said the Bears QB. “Play calls and words and verbiage, and speak the same language.

“And now it’s being able to grow more from an earlier stage than maybe doing it a little bit earlier in the season or halfway through the season.”

Training camp for the Bears is expected to start in late July. Chicago will have a target on its back this year, but Williams and Co. won’t come unprepared. 

The post Caleb Williams gets honest on Bears training camp after ‘drowning’ last year appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Last year, the Chicago Bears boasted an incredibly deep and talented receiving corps that helped allow Caleb Williams to enjoy a tremendous sophomore campaign.

But is the Bears’ wide receiver room as strong heading into 2026?

Chicago traded away D.J. Moore and lost Olamide Zacchaeus to free agency this offseason, and it didn’t really come up with much of an answer, signing Kalif Raymond and selecting Zavion Thomas in the third round of the NFL Draft.

However, the Bears did make another move that has flown under the radar: they signed Scotty Miller.

Miller has bounced around a bit since entering the league in 2019, but he enjoyed a decent stretch with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping them win a Super Bowl during the 2020-21 campaign. Could he surprisingly make Chicago’s roster this year? Apparently, he is already making a strong case.

Scotty Miller is turning heads for the Chicago Bears

The Bears just completed their three-day mandatory minicamp, and Miller made quite the impact.

Clay Harbor of Chicago Sports Network noted that Miller had a “solid camp” and that he basically did everything well, putting himself in the conversation to qualify for a roster spot.

Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Raymond and Thomas are all locks to make the 53-man roster, but after that, things get a bit dicey. Jahdae Walker probably has the inside track to making the team, but even he isn’t guaranteed anything. Beyond him, it’s completely wide open, so Miller should have a great opportunity.

Miller was originally selected by the Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. His best year came in 2020, when he hauled in 33 receptions for 501 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a robust 15.2 yards per catch. Of course, it helped that he was catching passes from Tom Brady, but he still produced, nonetheless.

Since then, the 28-year-old has not been quite as productive, failing to even reach 200 yards receiving in a single season over the last five years. He also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers following a four-year stint in Tampa Bay.

Perhaps Miller will put himself back on the map with the Bears in 2026.

The post Chicago Bears’ surprising WR is already turning heads in camp appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox keep winning against all odds, and they are shockingly in first place in the AL Central as we are inching closer and closer to the halfway point of the season.

Perhaps it’s time to take the White Sox seriously, even with top slugger Munetaka Murakami sidelined with a hamstring injury. They just took two games from the Atlanta Braves before the final matchup of their three-game set was rained out, and since and 11-17 start, Chicago has gone 25-14.

But while the White Sox are a tremendous story and certainly appear to be legitimate playoff contenders, they still have some holes that need to be addressed.

We know that Chicago’s starting rotation is a problem once you get past Davis Martin and Sean Burke, and it could also stand to add some lineup depth. Even with Murakami healthy, the South Siders’ lineup is very top-heavy, so they could use some reinforcements.

On the latter note, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer has dubbed the White Sox a top landing spot for Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers.

Chicago White Sox named top trade destination for Ryan Jeffers

Chicago desperately needs more offense from the catcher position. Starting backstop Edgar Quero owns a .498 OPS on the season, and while backup Drew Romo has hit five home runs over 89 plate appearances, he is batting just .158.

The White Sox have been waiting on Kyle Teel to return from a hamstring issue that has kept him on the shelf since the World Baseball Classic, but he isn’t expected back until sometime next month. So could Chicago try and swing a trade for Jeffers in the meantime?

Rymer has tabbed the Sox among a few ballclubs that represent logical destinations for Jeffers, who is currently on the injured list himself while recovering from a hamate bone fracture. But prior to his IL stint, the 28-year-old had been slashing .295/.408/.541 with seven homers and 26 RBI across 148 trips to the dish.

It has certainly been a career year for Jeffers, although he has always been a very productive offensive catcher, owning a lifetime .755 OPS.

The caveat is that Jeffers is slated to hit free agency after the season, so the White Sox could be paying a substantial price for a rental. And the Twins would almost surely ask for more from Chicago considering the two teams are AL Central rivals.

What would be interesting is if the White Sox acquired Jeffers and put him at DH. That would give them one heck of a lineup with a healthy Teel behind the plate.

The post Chicago White Sox named top trade destination for elite slugger appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs finally managed to get a win on Thursday, defeating the Colorado Rockies after dropping the first two games of their three-game set.

Nevertheless, the Cubs are just 35-34 and have gone a dreadful 8-22 since their 27-12 start, and there does not appear to be any end in sight to their woes. They have prominent issues up and down their roster, and their health situation isn’t getting any better.

Chicago has gone from looking like a World Series contender to a potential seller by the MLB trade deadline, which is not something anyone would have expected just over a month ago.

But here we are, with the deadline now less than two months away, and the Cubs may be left with no choice but to move some pieces. Seiya Suzuki is one of the names that has been floated as a potential trade candidate before Aug. 3, which makes sense because he is slated to hit free agency at year’s end.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer has listed Suzuki among his top trade chips between now and the deadline, and he has identified one particular landing spot for the slugger.

Chicago Cubs linked to Seiya Suzuki trade with Seattle Mariners

Rymer feels that the Seattle Mariners, who have surged into first place in the AL West, would be a fine landing spot for Suzuki, and he thinks a one-for-one swap for pitcher Luis Castillo would be a nice deal for the pitching-starved Cubs.

“Castillo is owed $24.15 million this year and next, while Suzuki is making $19 million in the last year of his contract. So albeit with some other trimmings, there’s a swap to be made here,” Rymer wrote. “Otherwise, the Mariners could use another right-handed bat, and there’s a reasonably clean fit for him as either a platoon or full-time player in right field and DH.”

Suzuki bashed a grand slam during Chicago’s win over the Rockies on Thursday, but he hasn’t been up to par on the 2026 campaign as a whole.

The outfielder is slashing .248/.332/.421 with 10 homers and 26 RBI over 229 plate appearances, good the worst OPS of his career. He posted OPSes north of .800 each of the three preceding seasons, and last year, he finished with 32 long balls and 103 RBI.

Suzuki also isn’t the strongest defender in the world, so if he isn’t hitting, he doesn’t really have a ton of value.

Perhaps a change of scenery would be best for the 31-year-old, who boasts a lifetime .267/.345/.467 slash line. Given that the Mariners are headed in a very different direction from the Cubs, they could be a good fit for the Japanese star.

The post Chicago Cubs’ most likely MLB trade deadline partner revealed appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Indiana Fever moved Sophie Cunningham out of the starting unit earlier this season to provide more bench scoring. While she has had an up-and-down campaign so far, her impact goes beyond what stat sheets show.

The veteran guard joined the team last year following a trade from the Phoenix Mercury. She quickly adjusted to Indiana’s system and embraced the enforcer role. Her grit on the court gave the Fever toughness and a reliable backcourt contributor. Cunningham will continue to play a key role this season.

Her strong relationships with her teammates will also be a major factor in meeting Indiana’s goal of a deep playoff run and a potential championship.

Indiana Fever release Sophie Cunningham’s status for Sky game

Fever fans received some concerning news on Wednesday. The team released its injury report for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Sky, with Cunningham listed as questionable due to a right elbow issue.

However, the good news is that she still has 24 hours to receive treatment. Caitlin Clark is probable to play.

Status Report for tomorrow’s game vs. Chicago:

Caitlin Clark – Probable (back)
Sophie Cunningham – Questionable (right elbow) pic.twitter.com/xkT9DyIjNX

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 10, 2026

This is the first mention of Cunningham’s elbow injury. The team have yet to release the full details of the issue

Head coach Stephanie White is still giving Cunningham 22.9 minutes per game despite not starting. Cunningham is averaging 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. The team is expected to announce her final status for Thursday closer to tip-off, which they will closely monitor.

Meanwhile, Indiana is coming off a 78-76 win over the Washington Mystics on Monday. Cunningham delivered the perfect cross-court inbounds pass to Clark for the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left. The victory pushed the team’s record to 6-5 for the season.

The Fever will play six of their next eight games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, giving them a stronger chance to string wins together. They will then embark on a four-game road trip that includes two matchups versus A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces.

The post There could be cause for concern for Sophie Cunningham appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Momentum is building for the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois’ lawmakers failed to pass legislation that would aid the team in building at the site at Arlington Heights.

Illinois could call a special session this summer to pass a package to keep the Bears, but the team is moving forward with Indiana after the spring session failed to deliver for the NFL team.

On Thursday, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was asked about the potential move to Indiana. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft said he didn’t care about the location as long as the fans showed up.

“I’m going to play wherever there’s 120 by 53 and ⅓ and it’s marked up with white lines and two end zones,” Williams said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“I’m OK with whatever. Whatever decision they make is whatever decision they make. I just want some green and my teammates and coaches and another team out there and fans.”

More News: Chicago Bears have concerning injury update on key pass-rusher

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams ok moving to Indiana

More News: Chicago Bears have surprise rookie turning heads at minicamp

The site at Hammond would be closer to Chicago than Arlington Heights. Moving to Indiana would also save Williams money on taxes, something that should be important to the quarterback when he signs his next deal.

NFL players pay a “jock tax“, meaning they pay taxes for every game they play home and away. Indiana has an income tax of 2.95 percent. Illinois has an income tax of 4.95 percent.

Williams is planning to make important progress in the passing game in training camp so he has more leverage at the negotiating table next season. He wants to increase his completion percentage and help the Bears become the highest-scoring offense in the league.

“It’s just get the completion percentage up, keep the offense on the field more, score as many points as possible, be the highest-scoring offense, because that’s my part in the team, going out there and orchestrating it and being able to go out there and score whether it’s handoffs or passes, whatever, that doesn’t matter,” he said.

“It’s just being able to put up as many points as possible to help our team win as many games as possible and then keeping the turnovers very low.”

If he does that, Williams should become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. Moving to Indiana could save him a significant portion of that cash.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream defeated the Chicago Sky 82-75 on Tuesday. The game marked her first regular-season return to Wintrust Arena since Chicago traded her in April.

The 24-year-old forward dominated her former team with 17 points and 17 rebounds. Reese secured her eighth double-double of the season and the 57th of her career during the third quarter.

The performance set a WNBA record for the most double-doubles by a player through 75 career games. Reese also became the first player in the league’s history to collect 957 rebounds over that span.

Chicago selected Reese seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft after she helped the LSU Tigers capture the 2023 NCAA title. She earned an All-Star nod as a rookie and became one of the league’s top rebounders. The 6-foot-3 forward moved on following a dispute over the franchise’s direction. 

Angel Reese reflects on Chicago return after Dream victory

After the game, Reese downplayed the emotional weight of facing the franchise that drafted her. Chicago was her home during her first two seasons in the WNBA.

 “It’s just another basketball game,” the WNBA star told reporters. “I have a lot of love for Chicago because I did have a great time here.”

“The fans have still embraced me and so many people still have Chicago jerseys of mine and they show a lot of support so I do appreciate the city too and I had two great years here,” she continued. “I did a lot of great things here and I’m still appreciative.”

“It’s just another basketball game.”

―Angel Reese speaks about returning to play in Chicago with the Atlanta Dream, sharing her appreciation for the fans and the city.

The Dream beat the Sky 82-75 tonight. pic.twitter.com/5af3kRoXqE

— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 10, 2026

Her postgame comments turned heads and sparked a range of reactions on X.

“Angel Reese is always bringing that fire, and it’s awesome to see her back in Chicago,” a fan commented.

“Reese was trying to keep the occasion in perspective — showing respect for Chicago while emphasizing that her priority was helping Atlanta win, which they did,” another wrote.

“That’s a real pro mindset … just another game and focus on winning,” a supporter said.

“Credit to her for staying grounded. Rivalry games can get loud, but she’s focusing on competing and moving on,” another posted.

However, some fans felt a lingering competitive tension and countered Reese’s downplayed stance.

“She says ‘just another game,’ but Chicago remembers the last one,” a user wrote.

“Just another game? Nah, that’s sweet revenge,” another added.

Reese’s performance in Chicago as an opponent was another reminder of her impact on both ends of the floor. 

With the win, the Dream improved to an 8-3 record and kept their hopes alive of reaching the Commissioner’s Cup final. The team now turns its attention to Thursday’s home game against the New York Liberty. 

The post Angel Reese’s comments on Chicago turns heads appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Some of the biggest story lines surrounding the Chicago Bears here in mandatory minicamp is the injury situation. The Bears are dealing with some tough injuries including starting nickel Kyler Gordon. However, one injury that is still getting attention is that of Rome Odunze.

The wide receiver suffered a foot injury last offseason and after a hot start it looked like he was primed for a big season. But that was derailed after that injury and instead, Odunze missed several games and wasn’t himself to end the season.

Going into 2026, Odunze revealed that there is a ‘new normal’ for him in terms of this injury. It’s a comment that drew a lot of attention and rightfully so.

So far in minicamp, the injury hasn’t appeared to hamper Odunze yet. Instead, he looks healthy and is making plays in practices.And Ben Johnson doesn’t see any difference in Odunze just yet.

Ben Johnson sees ‘same old’ Rome Odunze

Odunze’s comments were last week but this is the first time Johnson has been able to speak on it. He broke his silence on what he’s seen from Odunze so far in OTA’s and minicamp.

“No, that’s nothing new to me,” Johnson said. “He’s out there, he says he feels great. He looks good to me. We go back and forth with the coaching staff and he looks like the same old Rome. So I think we’re in good shape.”

That’s certainly good news.

As DJ Moore is no longer on the roster, Odunze is a guy who will need to step up this season. So far in practices he’s stayed healthy and hasn’t looked much different, which is an encouraging sign.

Last season, Odunze finished with 44 receptions, 661 yards and six touchdowns. But five of the six touchdowns came in his first four games and after that, he had just one more which came late in the season.

Let’s hope Odunze can stay healthy this season and play a big role in the Bears’ offense.

The post Despite injury, Ben Johnson says he sees ‘same old’ Rome Odunze appeared first on ChiCitySports.

If you were a Cubs fan, you could see it coming last night from miles away.

The Chicago Cubs didn’t just lose 3–2 to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night. They have completely lost whatever remained of the optimism after a 27-12 start. A walk-off defeat to a rebuilding Rockies team dropped the Cubs to .500, and with it came the unmistakable sense that this season is slipping into something far darker.

Their offense continues to struggle, barely holding on to a 1-0 lead through 8 innings before blowing their fragile lead. They managed to tie it in the 9th with a solo shot by Ian Happ, but that was all the offense they could muster up. When the Rockies walked off in the bottom of the 9th, as closer Daniel Palencia could not record a single out, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The Cubs are 7-22 since May 8th after they won their second 10-game winning streak. This is no longer a slump. This is a franchise unraveling in real time.

After reaching a high mark of 27-12 on May 8, the Cubs wake up a .500 team — having gone 7-22 since then. On that day they were 1st in OBP, 4th in home runs, and 7th in starter's ERA. SINCE then: 26th in OBP, 24th in home runs and 29th in ERA. A shocking reversal to their season

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 11, 2026

The main reasons for their struggles are simple: Jed Hoyer’s offseason additions have turned into a mitigating disaster.

• Phil Maton has been unreliable and unusable.
• Hunter Harvey suffered an injury and is on a 60-day IL.
• Alex Bregman, the supposed centerpiece, looks like a player whose bat suddenly aged five years.

Even the old investments are crumbling. The players Hoyer signed to big contracts are now dragging the offense.

• Dansby Swanson looks lost at the plate and is veering towards Jason Heyward territory.
• Seiya Suzuki is a shell of the hitter the Cubs believed they were getting.

When your past investments and your new investments fail simultaneously, that’s not bad luck. That’s bad roster construction.

As for the Cubs’ pitching situation, it’s a full-blown crisis mode right now.

• Cade Horton is out until at least 2028.
• Justin Steele’s return remains up in the air.
• Matthew Boyd suffers a setback in his return.

And what about pitchers who are healthy?

• Jamison Taillon is giving up home runs at an alarming rate and is now on the IL.
• Shota Imanaga, once the season’s brightest revelation, is suddenly getting tagged hard and often.
• Daniel Palencia has struggled as a closer and has been hit hard every time he takes the mound.

This is the direct result of their flawed philosophy when it comes to developing pitching. And there is no help available in their minor league system either.

Hoyer’s nightmare scenario: He may have to sell — with nothing to sell

As the Cubs continue to stumble, Hoyer faces a nightmare scenario: needing to pivot toward the future while holding a roster full of depreciating pieces. But what exactly is Hoyer supposed to sell?

Most of his assets have cratered in value. No team is going to trade for Bregman and Swanson’s massive contracts. And Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki both have no-trade clauses. And you can forget about getting anything in value from their pitchers.

Unless something changes — dramatically and soon — they’re on the fast track to becoming the most dangerous thing a big‑market franchise can be:

Irrelevant.

The post Jed Hoyer is living a nightmare scenario entirely of his own making appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs are now 34-34 on the season after dropping the first two games of their series against the Colorado Rockies. A little over a month ago, Chicago had one of the best records in baseball after winning ten games in a row for the second time this season. Since that time, though, they have not won a single series.

What is more, they also endured a ten-game losing streak. Now, they sit in fourth place in the National League Central Division and are seeing their rivals create space between them in the standings.

Many players have been struggling during this tough stretch, but Alex Bregman has arguably been the biggest disappointment.

Alex Bregman gets called out as Chicago Cubs remain outside top-10 in MLB power rankings

Despite how poorly theyhave been playing lately, many national media outlets have been reluctant to completely count the Cubs out yet. This trend continued on ESPN’s latest MLB power rankings:

“As the losses piled up, the Cubs slid in our rankings: from fourth in Week 7 to seventh to 10th to 12th, and now back up to 11th. It has been ugly losing, too, including an 18-3 loss to the Giants on Friday. In a 2-1 loss in 10 innings on Sunday night, the Cubs had Pete Crow-Armstrong on third base with one out, but the final two batters popped out, continuing Chicago’s seasonlong issues with runners in scoring position.

“Alex Bregman was the final out. ‘I need to be better with runners on base, plain and simple,’ Bregman said after the game, adding he has been “terrible. ‘They brought me here to play good baseball, and I haven’t played good baseball. I need to figure it out.'”

Overall, Bregman is hitting .246/.331/.343 with five home runs and 20 RBI. Playing in the first season of a five-year $175 million contract, he is also hitting just .171/.244/.184 with no home runs and 15 RBI with runners in scoring position.

Needless to say, he has to be better. To be fair, many other players on the Cubs roster do too; but he is the $175 million two-time World Series winner. The team is looking to him to lead by example and production. It is admirable that he is willing to take responsibility for his poor play. However, that means nothing if he cannot turn it around.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki situation is worse than fans thought
• Craig Counsell makes disappointing Matthew Boyd announcement
• Cubs face one prickly road block in All-Star trade proposal

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bears are wrapping up mandatory mini camp. After this OTA session breaks, the team will be off until the start of training camp, which will be at the end of July. As is the case every year, training camp will see players released at various points as the Bears finalize their 53-man roster.

As is also the case every year, fans and analysts are already trying to determine what players will be released and which ones could make a case for the roster. That being said, there are already some who are clearly not destined to remain with Chicago in 2026.

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson named likely cut candidate

Interestingly, one of the players that Bleacher Report thinks could be released by Chicago during training camp is Roschon Johnson, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract:

“Roschon Johnson has been a major letdown for the Chicago Bears ever since landing with the club as a fourth-rounder in the 2023 draft. His disappointing trajectory could lead to his release this offseason.

“While Johnson showed some glimpses of talent during his rookie campaign—finishing with 352 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries—he’s gone on to regress in back-to-back seasons. Johnson managed to score a career-high six touchdowns on the ground in 2024, but still averaged an abysmal 2.7 yards per carry on his 55 totes.

“With Johnson rarely seeing the field and getting relegated mostly to special teams work in the seven games he was active for last year, it would be hard to fault the Bears for moving on from the running back. Johnson logged a mere two carries and didn’t see a single target in 2025.”

More Chicago Bears news from ChiCity Sports

• Bears connected to “out of nowhere trade” for intriguing weapon
• Jaylon Johnson has big day as Bears mini camp begins
• Caleb Williams has message for haters after significant career move

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs are in a deep and ugly funk. With a 7-22 record over their last 29 games, the team is now a .500 club that would be firmly out of postseason consideration if the season were to end today.

More News: Chicago Cubs: That uncomfortable Craig Counsell conversation is coming soon

A lot of fingers could be pointed when it comes to blame. Nobody on this team has been fully pulling their own weight—including the coaching—and some have just been a liability from day one. And while bad luck plays a role in their downward team trajectory, much of that misfortune—especially related to injury—can be credited to poor decisions made in the offseason by the front office.

But it’s in the middle of this mess that left fielder Ian Happ, who is eligible for free agency at the end of this season, may be making his case for an extension.

Happ’s consistency making a case for his return

More News: Chicago Cubs should explore this veteran Atlanta Braves castoff

It’s not necessarily because Happ is killing it this year, although he is leading the team with 15 home runs and playing his usual stellar defense. It’s that the Cubs, on this wildly inconsistent squad, need some boring reliability.

You can basically pencil Happ in for a .240-something batting average, .340-something on base percentage, and 20-something home runs every year, while competing for a Gold Glove. And in a mess like this one, Happ’s dependable plug-and-play presence can be invaluable.

He certainly says all the right things expected from a calming and dependable clubhouse influence.

“Offense is contagious in both ways,” Happ recently told reporters. “You guys have seen this offense rolling, scoring eight to 10 runs a game for a week or two weeks at a time. And when that’s going, everybody feels like they’re going to get a hit with runners in scoring position, and it just keeps compounding. When it’s not, the hardest part is getting out of your own way and just letting things happen, trusting your process.

When you’re struggling and going through it, it’s challenging mentally, it’s a challenge on everybody individually. The hardest part is that everybody wants to help, everybody wants to help this group and everybody wants to win ballgames. Everybody looking within and trying to find out how they can do that, that’s the part, the pressure part of it, the thing that makes it so mentally grinding.”

The realities facing the Cubs

On a team brimming with superstars playing at their self-actualized best, Happ might be expendable. A case could be made for trying someone else out in his spot, perhaps a young stud with more explosive game-changing capabilities.

On a team like the Cubs, though, Happ is like a sturdy cement foundation underneath an otherwise rickety house.

Right fielder Seiya Suzuki, who is also eligible for free agency at the end of this season, has a greater offensive upside than Happ, but is also much less reliably consistent. If only one of the two corner outfielders can be re-signed, Chicago would be better served dealing with Happ.

Retaining the veteran won’t fix the struggling Cubs for this year and beyond, but it definitely might keep the team from falling further.

The post Chicago Cubs: Consistent Ian Happ making his case for an extension amid 2026 disaster appeared first on ChiCitySports.

It is June 11, the none other than the Chicago White Sox sit alone atop the American League Central Division. At 36-31, they have a half-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians, who now have last four games in a row. Meanwhile, Chicago has taken the first two games of their series against the Atlanta Braves, who own the best record in Major League Baseball.

For the past several weeks, though, national writers and analysts have been hesitant to give the White Sox their flowers, sure that they would come back down to earth at some point.

But they haven’t.

The Chicago White Sox come in 13th in latest MLB power rankings

Last week, ESPN had Chicago ranked 13th in the power rankings. They are in that same slot again this week, but with an immensely positive description:

“It’s starting to feel like a special season in the South side of Chicago, and the clearest evidence occurred Tuesday night. Braden Montgomery, another promising prospect acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade, hit a walk-off home run in his major league debut, in a win that pushed the White Sox a half-game out of first place in the AL Central.

“Before Montgomery, the White Sox had already received inspiring performances from other young players like Miguel Vargas, Davis Martin, Colson Montgomery, Tristan Peters and, of course, Munetaka Murakami. The future looks bright, but the present does too.”

Before the season started, very few, if anyone, saw the White Sox being as good as they are. After three straight seasons with 100+ losses, fans just wanted to see a semblance of improvement.

Needless to say, they got all of that and more. This year, Chicago should have multiple players named to the All-Star team, and they are mostly all players that are tied to the team for years to come.

The future, indeed, is very bright on the South Side.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox linked to trade for star player from AL Central rival
• White Sox linked to trade with unlikely starting pitcher
• White Sox Braden Montgomery makes history in MLB debut

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs, once sporting the second best record in baseball, fifteen games over .500, are now at the .500 mark just about a month later after losing twenty-two of their last twenty-nine games.

More News: Chicago Cubs should explore this veteran Atlanta Braves castoff

They’ve also fallen from first place in the NL Central Division to fourth place.

It’s been ugly and, really, it’s been a team-wide thing where pretty much nobody has been consistently pulling their weight. When the pitching is locked in, the offense stalls. When the hitters begin to hit, the pitching fails. Then, there are the injuries and also—and maybe most frustratingly—the absolute inability to execute on a consistent basis.

So, who gets the blame when everyone’s messing up?

Historically, the manager becomes the fall guy in situations like this—and it may be getting to the point in Chicago where Cubs manager Craig Counsell might be offered up as a sacrifice.

Craig Counsell getting the blame?

More News: Chicago Cubs: Two oddball trade proposals spotlight the team’s awful standing

Recently, in an appearance on ESPN Radio Chicago, MLB insider Jesse Rogers talked about the realities of Counsell’s job. Although Rogers would turn things around and lay the blame for this 2026 disaster at the feet of Cubs president Jed Hoyer, he also acknowledged that Counsell will likely be held to a greater degree of accountability.

“The manager is ultimately the guy, right? It’s a result oriented business,” Rogers said. “If the results aren’t there, it is on Craig Counsell. He knows that.”

Counsell is currently in the third year of a lucrative five-year contract with the Cubs, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee that he’ll be kept around as fans call for heads to roll.

The veteran manager has frustrated with his even-keel demeanor and his unbendable reliance on analytics data. Critics have pointed to a perceived lack of fire and a stubborn unwillingness to move on from a course of action, even when it’s failing spectacularly.

Counsell’s not saying the right things

In the midst of an extended losing streak like this one, Counsell’s deadpan public persona can be exasperating for those focused on a quick turnaround to the team’s fortunes.

“The work is positive,” Counsell told reporters after Tuesday’s series opener loss to the Colorado Rockies. “I don’t think I’m seeing the results in the game, but you have to stick to the right work. That’s important, and you have to stick to a plan and a process. I still believe in that, and I think we’re doing the right things. It’s frustrating when you don’t get results, for sure. But you’ve got to stick to something. We’re not seeing the results of it, but I think we’re doing the right things with some guys that are struggling, and hopefully we can get them going here.”

A ‘We’re gonna stay the course’ message is definitely not what anyone wants to hear when ‘the course’ is so clearly downward-bound.

“Look, you start over tomorrow with it, with a new game and a new chance to play well,” Counsell added. “There’s a lot of season in front of us, and a lot of good things can be in front of us, and that’s still how you have to show up every day, and that’s still what I believe.”

The problem is that there’s less and less season in front of the Cubs and, also, more and more that seems to be broken. Counsell riding with messages like this comes off a little like the captain of the Titanic telling everyone, ‘All is well, go back to your rooms,’ as the ship begins to take water.

At some point, maybe soon, there will be some serious internal talk—whether right or wrong—about scapegoating Counsell for this big mess of a season.

The post Chicago Cubs: That uncomfortable Craig Counsell conversation is coming soon appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When Kalif Raymond signed with the Chicago Bears, it came as no surprise to many. He became one of Ben Johnson’s most trusted utility pieces in Detroit. He knows the terminology, the spacing rules, and the leverage reads. Additionally, he knows all the little details that make Johnson’s offense hum.

Though Raymond didn’t arrive with the fanfare of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden, he could end up being one of the Bears’ most important additions this offseason.

He is fluent in Ben Johnson’s system and could serve as both the teacher and translator for young receivers, who are still trying to nail down the terminologies and intricacies of Johnson’s offense.

He could have a positive impact for rookie Zavion Thomas.

Raymond is embracing being a mentor for Thomas

What elevates Raymond’s value is what happens after practice ends.

He spoke to the media about how he has been staying 30–40 minutes with rookie Zavion Thomas. During that time, he walks through releases, timing, and the nuances of Johnson’s system. That’s not a veteran protecting his snaps. On the contrary, that’s a veteran investing in the future.

Bears veteran WR Kalif Raymond has been staying 30-40 minutes after practice with rookie WR Zavion Thomas:

"Colston getting 100 jugs before practice.. Jaylon (Johnson) catching jugs after practice. Me and Zavion (Thomas) staying 30-40 minutes after practice." pic.twitter.com/oPFJ5u288g

— Dave (@davebftv) June 10, 2026

When Thomas was drafted, it was met with great skepticism. Playing in the SEC, he has shown the burst, the twitch, and the return ability. However, many felt his production at LSU did not match his draft status.

However, Thomas is already turning heads in the OTAs when he caught a 50-yard deep ball from Caleb Williams during the 7-on-7 drill, highlighting his speed the other day.

But for Thomas, how quickly he can pick up Johnson’s playbook determines his rookie season. He is competing with both Raymond and Jahdae Walker for the WR 3 and 4 spots.

Many veterans bristle at the notion of mentoring rookies. But Raymond has embraced his role as a mentor to a rookie competing for playing time, which shows his tremendous leadership skills.

Raymond has beaten the odds of surviving in the NFL after being undrafted and cut by multiple teams. If Thomas absorbs even a fraction of his advice, not only can Thomas make an impact as a rookie, he could also become another long-term weapon for Ben Johnson.

Sometimes the most important offseason moves don’t involve big names. The signing of Kalif Raymond could be such a move. As a result, it could pay huge dividends both on and off the field.

The post Why Kalif Raymond could become the most underrated addition appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever won against the Washington Mystics 78-76 on Monday. She connected with Caitlin Clark for the game-winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left. The veteran guard threw a perfect cross-court pass to set up the two-time All-Star for an uncontested look.

The win pushed the team’s record back above .500. More importantly, it gave the Fever momentum ahead of a favorable stretch of six of their next eight games at home.

Cunningham will continue to be relied upon for her leadership. She entered the season eager to bounce back after being limited to 30 games last year due to a torn right MCL. The 29-year-old re-signed with Indiana on April 12.

Sophie Cunningham addresses Stephanie White rumor on X

Cunningham cleared the air on rumors that she and the Fever did not follow Stephanie White’s designed play. The guard reposted a fan account’s X post and explained that the head coach actually drew up the game-winning play.

“you guys read too much into things. that’s THE EXACT play our coach drew up and we executed it perfectly!” Cunningham wrote, referring to a photo that she posted on Instagram earlier.

you guys read too much into things. that’s THE EXACT play our coach drew up and we executed it perfectly! https://t.co/8C0iouJ5LK

— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) June 10, 2026

However, some fans dropped their reactions in the comments section, expressing disbelief.

“So Caitlin the coach now?” one fan wrote.

“You need to go off script more often. The most exciting play in the game,” a reaction read.

“Lexi said the opposite on air…” one user said.

“’Trick’ question: – which coach drew up THAT play?” posted another.

“Of course it was.  Who wouldn’t draw up a 31 foot 3 pointer for a game you’re only down 1. And did they also plan for Cotie and Sonia to get their signals crossed and miss the switch?  And now they say your elbow is hurt and you’re questionable for tomorrow. We LOVE you Sophie!!!” a fan commented.

“Sophie blink twice if Stephanie White is in the room and holding you hostage until you post this,” one comment read.

While the game-winning play sparked debates, Cunningham, White and Co. likely are not affected by them. A win is a win, and Monday’s victory pushed the Fever’s record to 6-5 with a good chance of piling up more.

The post Sophie Cunningham clears the air after sparking Stephanie White rumor appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears possessed one of the deepest receiving corps in the NFL last season, which was a big reason why Caleb Williams took such a major step forward during the second half of his sophomore campaign.

Things have since changed, though.

The Bears traded away D.J. Moore and lost Olamide Zacchaeus to free agency, and they didn’t adequately replace them. Yes, they signed Kalif Raymond, but he is nothing more than a low-end ancillary option. They also selected Zavion Thomas in the third round of the NFL Draft, but most viewed him as a significant reach on Day 2.

Chicago has not made any concerted efforts to add any more bodies to its wide receiver room, so perhaps Ben Johnson is content with the group. This even though Rome Odunze recently said he might never be the same due to the foot issues he dealt with last year.

All things considered, a rather enticing name is available on the trade market that could make the Bears’ receiving situation significantly better: San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk. But should Chicago go in that direction?

Chicago Bears should avoid Brandon Aiyuk at this point

There was a time where I would have advocated for the Bears to pursue Aiyuk. After all, he hauled in 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, helping lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance.

Aiyuk then tore his ACL midway through 2024 and hasn’t played since, even after inking a four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco prior to the 2024 campaign. He is clearly done with the Niners, and a breakup between the two sides is inevitable.

The problem is that the 28-year-old is destroying any value he may have had.

Not only has he not played in almost two years, but his social media antics are a huge turnoff to any team who may have had interest in him. He called the 49ers “little boys” for shirking financial responsibility to him and then said they were “mad” and “dumb” for signing him to a long-term deal to begin with.

Couple that with the fact that Aiyuk quit on a Super Bowl-contending squad, and it makes him rather radioactive to any ballclub across the NFL — including the Bears.

Aiyuk is very talented, and if healthy and locked in, he could absolutely improve Chicago’s offense. But is he worth the risk at this stage? Probably not.

The post Bears just got the answer they needed on potential star WR trade appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs were, at one point in the season, the cream of the crop in the National League. They had won ten games in a row on two separate occasions and appeared to be poised to win the NL Central Division for the first time in, well, a very long while.

Now, though, Chicago is playing like one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. Once NL Central Division leaders, they are now 34-34 and sitting in fourth place, eight games out of first place.

There have, of course, been many factors that have led to their nose-dive from the top of the standings, but Jed Hoyer does not seem to believe any of it is his fault.

Jed Hoyer thinks the Chicago Cubs blessings are also their curses

In a recent article published by The Athletic, Hoyer was quoted as saying the the way in which the players prepare is both a blessing and a curse:

“It’s like your blessings and your curses are very close. Yeah, it’s something you talk about. We are so unbelievably diligent and serious. Our preparation is excellent. When you’re going well, you’re like, ‘Oh my God, these guys are like a metronome every day.’ And then when we’re going badly, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, there’s not enough levity in this room.’

“That is hard. It’s hard to get that perfect balance. But it’s something fair to ask. I’ve asked that question. It’s natural to ask.”

Hoyer loves how serious his players are, but also believes they are too wound up right now amid their skid. The problem, though, is that he is the one who put this roster together in the first place.

Every team needs a player or two who, even though they may not be the best hitter or fielder, is able to keep the clubhouse vibes loose. Hoyer did not see that as something that was necessary this off-season, and now it is a piece that the Cubs are desperately missing.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki situation is worse than fans thought
• Craig Counsell makes disappointing Matthew Boyd announcement
• Cubs face one prickly road block in All-Star trade proposal

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Chicago Cubs: Jed Hoyer recent comments deflect responsibility for current mess appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears have been one of the most talked-about teams in the NFL this off-season. There have been, of course, several reasons for this. From the sudden retirement of their Pro Bowl center to Caleb Williams being on the cover of Madden, there have plenty of stories regarding the players currently on their roster.

But perhaps the most controversial of the headlines that have been written about the Bears this off-season is in regard to their franchise’s decision to leave the city of Chicago.

Chicago Bears legend Brian Urlacher sounds off on the potential of playing in a dome

Earlier this week, Bears legendary linebacker Brian Urlacher joined Kevin Clark of ESPN and gave his two cents on the organization’s decision to move to Indiana:

Brian Urlacher on This Is Football had the best Chicago Bears stadium take I’ve seen.

“I do not like the Bears playing anywhere but Soldier Field.”

Why? The Bears belong OUTDOORS.

“I don’t like them playing in a dome anywhere…”

An ELECTRIC episode drops this week. pic.twitter.com/TMxbviz9B3

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) June 10, 2026

“I do not like the Bears playing anywhere but Soldier Field. Even when they were going to Arlington Heights, which is in Illinois, they were going to be in a dome. And if they go to Indiana, they’ll be in a dome. I don’t like the idea of them playing in a dome anywhere.

I understand, financially, it makes a ton of sense. They don’t own Soldier Field, so Sunday’s are not very profitable for them. If these were the Cowboys, Jerry Jones owns that stadium. He’s doing pretty well on Sunday’s.

“The Bears don’t own their stadium, and the state of Illinois is not giving them as good of a deal as maybe they should. Indiana is willing to offer them more. I don’t like it, but I get it. It’s only 25 minutes from downtown, so what’s the big deal? Besides playing in a dome, which I don’t like.”

As one can see, Urlacher does not see the Bears leaving the city of Chicago as that big of a deal because the new stadium site (presumably) is just 25 minutes away. However, he bemoans the fact that the team will likely now be playing in a dome, which he sees as an affront to traditional Bears football (which it is).

More Chicago Bears news from ChiCity Sports

• Bears connected to “out of nowhere trade” for intriguing weapon
• Jaylon Johnson has big day as Bears mini camp begins
• Caleb Williams has message for haters after significant career move

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bulls should be one of the more compelling NBA teams to watch this summer, as they are teeming with cap space and possess two top-15 picks in the draft. That includes the No. 4 overall selection thanks to some luck in the lottery.

The Bulls have a new top executive in Bryson Graham, who will surely want to mold the roster to his own style and standards. While that will certainly include perusing the free-agent market for answers, Graham may also want to look inward.

Chicago’s roster isn’t great, but it definitely has some pieces. We already know about Matas Buzelis, who appears to be a budding star in the Windy City. Josh Giddey is a trade candidate and could fetch something rather nice given his team-friendly contract.

Then, there is big man Leonard Miller, whom the Bulls acquired in the trade deadline deal that sent Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chicago has a $2.4 million club option on Miller for next season, but Morris Bankston of Pippen Ain’t Easy thinks a more long-term scenario is in play.

Chicago Bulls could extend Leonard Miller

Miller played very well during his time with the Bulls this past season, averaging 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds over 23.1 minutes per game on 55.5/35.6/76.2 shooting splits.

The 22-year-old didn’t really get an opportunity to shine with the Timberwolves, but considerable playing time opened up for him during his 23 games with Chicago. He took advantage of it, and now, he may have established himself as a core piece for the Bulls moving forward.

“The Bulls could decline Miller’s team option and extend him on a contract upwards of $52.4 million for three years, per Keith Smith of Spotrac, which averages out to approximately $17.5 million per year,” Bankston wrote. “At a still relatively young age of 22 with only three NBA seasons logged, Miller’s contract extension at its maximum projected amount would be a manageable cap hit for the Bulls.”

A former second-round pick who opted to jump directly to the G-League rather than playing college basketball, Miller has clear potential as a floor spacer with the ability to defend multiple positions on the other end. He is still very raw and is an obvious work in progress, but he flashed considerable ability in 2025-26.

Graham loves long, wiry defenders, so the 6-foot-10 Miller — who possesses a 7-foot-2 wingspan — could be right up his alley.

At the very least, the Bulls will almost certainly exercise Miller’s option, but there is also significant value in extending him now to lock him in at an affordable price while also turning him into a very viable trade candidate.

The post Bulls could make $52 million move no one has on their radar appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears boasted one of the top offenses in the NFL last season, as they were loaded with weapons all over the roster, and Caleb Williams was able to spread the ball around judiciously.

The Bears definitely have some questions in that department heading into 2026, as they traded away wide receiver D.J. Moore and lost fellow receiver Olamide Zacchaeus to free agency. But while Chicago’s receiving corps may be in a state of flux, its backfield seems pretty set.

D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai comprise one of the best running back duos in football, and Roschon Johnson could end up on the chopping block as a result. Swift is heading into his third season as the Bears’ featured back, and Monangai — a 2025 seventh-round pick — is looking to build on his impressive rookie campaign.

But with Swift entering the final year of his contract, there is some uncertainty in Chicago’s running back room beyond 2026.

Will Monangai ultimately assume the lead role if Swift departs? Or will the Bears look elsewhere?

Well, Ryan Heckman of Bear Goggles On has identified another potential option, naming Arizona Cardinals halfback Trey Benson a possible trade target.

Chicago Bears linked to intriguing trade for Trey Benson

The Cardinals definitely have a crowded backfield right now. They already had James Conner as their No. 1 back (when he’s healthy, anyway), and they added Tyler Allegier to a group that also included Benson.

Then, Arizona selected Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick of the NFL Draft, further clogging the position and making it abundantly clear that it will probably be making a trade at some point.

Could Benson be the odd man out? Heckman thinks so.

“Let’s say the Cardinals get to roster cut time and have to decide between keeping four running backs or cutting one of Conner or Benson. That is an extremely difficult position to be in, and I am sure Arizona would much rather get something in return for one of them,” Heckman wrote. “If [Ryan] Poles were able to land Benson for something along the lines of a Day 3 pick, that would give Chicago a starting running back for a much lower price than the Bears having to spend in Rounds 1-3 next year.”

The Cardinals originally selected Benson in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He hasn’t gotten much of an opportunity to show much just yet, as he was behind Conner during his rookie campaign and was limited by injuries last season.

Overall, the 23-year-old has carried the ball 92 times for 451 yards and a touchdown in 17 games, and Arizona’s decision to select Love means it could be ready to move on from him.

Could the Bears make a move to try and acquire Benson before the start of the regular season? Keep your eyes peeled.

The post Bears connected to out of nowhere trade for intriguing weapon appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox will be one of the most interesting teams to monitor heading into the MLB trade deadline. The White Sox were expected to be cellar dwellers once again this season, but instead, they are now in first place in the AL Central.

Given Chicago’s shocking success, general manager Chris Getz could decide to buy before Aug. 3. The White Sox are a solid team for sure, but they clearly have some holes that need to be filled. They could use another bat or two in their lineup, and their pitching staff could definitely use some assistance.

But will Chicago actually decide to pull the trigger on some moves in the coming weeks?

MLB insider Robert Murray thinks that the White Sox need to be careful and should be taking “the long-term view” when it comes to the trade deadline, which makes sense. They aren’t ready to win a World Series just yet, and while they are undoubtedly a fun ballclub, their success may also partially be due to playing in such a weak division.

That being said, Murray does think Chicago may look to make some patchwork trades to fill some gaps, and he has identified a very intriguing solution: Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha.

Chicago White Sox connected to trade for Michael Wacha

Would the Royals really trade Wacha — or any of their top movable pieces — to an AL Central foe? If they can get the best deal, perhaps, and Murray listed Wacha among numerous starters who could pique the White Sox’s interest.

“Perhaps they can snag a pitcher from the Red Sox or, say, a Reid Detmers from the Angels or a Michael Wacha from the Royals. Maybe an outfielder with one of those teams. Who knows. Surely Getz will explore anything,” Murray wrote.

Wacha has logged a 3.44 ERA through 13 starts this season, allowing 66 hits and while registering 67 strikeouts over 81 innings of work. His ERA has been in the 3s ever since 2022, so he has consistently been a solid pitcher for years running now.

The 34-year-old began his big-league career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 and looked like an emerging superstar, making the All-Star team in his third season. However, injuries derailed the right-hander for an extended period of time, and it was looking like he would never regain his footing.

But Wacha has been able to remain moderately healthy for the past five seasons and has rediscovered his mojo, utilizing terrific command of the strike zone to become a consistent and steady presence in his team’s starting rotation.

Given that the White Sox have no reliable options past Davis Martin and Sean Burke, acquiring Wacha would be great … if Kansas City would be alright with that.

The post White Sox linked to surprising star player trade with AL Central rival appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs keep losing, and with every loss they add to their record, the greater the chances they actually sell off some pieces at the MLB trade deadline. That could include Seiya Suzuki, who is mired in what has easily been the worst season of his career.

Suzuki’s struggles have been a microcosm of the Cubs’ collapse as a whole in 2026. He is slashing .247/.333/.409 with nine home runs and 22 RBI over 225 plate appearances, one year after bashing 32 homers and driving in 103 runs. He posted an OPS north .800 each of the three preceding campaigns, but his production his year has fallen off a cliff.

It’s worse than you probably even thought, too.

Suzuki is batting a paltry .133 with runners in scoring position, and while he is hitting .321 in low-leverage situations, his average dips to .185 in high-leverage spots. It’s rather uncharacteristic of the 31-year-old, who batted .309 with men in scoring position last season and owns a lifetime .803 OPS in those spots.

What’s more, Suzuki is slated to hit free agency next winter, so Chicago might lose him for nothing if it doesn’t act now.

Chicago Cubs could trade Seiya Suzuki

As the Cubs continue to fade, it’s becoming more and more likely that Jed Hoyer will be forced to blow it up before Aug. 3, a scenario that seemed unthinkable a little over a month ago.

If it does reach a point where Chicago has to sell, Suzuki will be a prime trade candidate. But how much value will he actually have at this point?

Most of Suzuki’s value is baked into his bat. While he does own a surprising plus-5 DRS in the outfield this season, he has historically been a rather subpar defender, which is why he has spent so much time at designated hitter over the years.

So with the Japanese star owning a .747 OPS in the final year of his contract, teams are not exactly going to be falling over themselves to trade for him.

Sure, a ballclub in need of a bat would be interested in acquiring Suzuki with the hope that a change of scenery would do him some good. But he also might just be a two-month rental, which means the Cubs might really have to search long and hard to find a legitimate suitor.

Suzuki has had a fine tenure in Chicago, but it could be coming to an end, and it’s getting uglier by the second.

The post Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki situation is even worse than you thought appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears began mandatory minicamp on Tuesday afternoon in what was a muggy day at Halas Hall. The next three days will be the final practices for Ben Johnson’s team as they will break until training camp in late July.

These practices are also another opportunity for Johnson and the coaching staff to continue to build the foundation they have started. Fresh off a NFC North title, the Bears goal is to be a Super Bowl contender. They made some offseason moves in hopes of getting to that level, revamping the defense.

But one player who wasn’t an addition but instead is back from injury is defensive back Jaylon Johnson. On Tuesday, Johnson looked like the best player on that defense, showing what he can do when healthy.

Jaylon Johnson gets two interceptions on day one of Chicago Bears minicamp

The defensive back had his struggles last year, mainly due to an injury he suffered ahead of training camp. Johnson sat out the entire summer and preseason before making his debut in Week 2. However, it was short lived.

Johnson got hurt in the Bears’ loss to the Lions and missed several weeks. Although he returned later in the season, he clearly wasn’t himself in terms of trying to recover and get out there. This offseason though, Johnson looks healthy and Tuesday proved that.

Johnson picked off quarterback Caleb Williams twice on Tuesday. On one, there was some miscommunication with wide receiver Kalif Raymond and Johnson took advantage. The second one Johnson went up and got, as the pass was intended for Rome Odunze.

#Bears CB Jaylon Johnson with 2 picks in minicamp today – one to end a 1st team offense drive in 2-minute drill.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) June 9, 2026

That’s an encouraging sign as Chicago’s best defensive back is looking healthy again. But with that, there’s also some bad news…. Kyler Gordon missed Tuesday’s practice as he continues to deal with a soft tissue injury.

This is something that Gordon has been dealing with this offseason and while he was at OTA’s, he did not participate. It’s early but Gordon’s injury is certainly something to monitor moving forward.

The post Jaylon Johnson has big day as Chicago Bears’ minicamp begins appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White summed up Caitlin Clark’s heroics against the Washington Mystics Monday night perfectly.

Down one point with 4.3 seconds on the clock, White drew up a brilliant play. Clark got wide open on the baseline after a screen from Aliyah Boston. She caught a long cross-court inbounds pass from Sophie Cunningham. The 24-year-old kept her poise and buried a wide-open 31-footer with 1.4 seconds remaining. 

The dagger lifted the Fever to a 78-76 win at CareFirst Arena. Indiana improved to 6-5 on the season.

White had nothing but praise for her star player in the postgame press conference. The Fever reacted to the moment, sharing the interview across their social media accounts.

“Stephanie White said it best: ‘This is what Caitlin does,'” the Fever wrote.

Stephanie White said it best: “This is what Caitlin does.” pic.twitter.com/OMkcpRbMge

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 9, 2026

Stephanie White’s full statement on Caitlin Clark’s incredible game-winner

Clark finished with a game-high 19 points. She went 4-of-10 from three-point range and added five assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block in 31 minutes. White made sure to give credit where it was due.

“This is what Caitlin does. She makes big shots, and she has big moments,” White said. “I think when you have a player like her, it’s very easy for people to just take it for granted and to think that everything that she does is always going to be easy and flawless and she’s just going to step up and she’s going to do it every time.”

White pointed out that Clark’s first career WNBA game-winner is a product of relentless hard work. The two-time All-Star overcame a multitude of injuries last season that limited her to just 13 games.

“It’s been a rough go over the last 18 to 24 months for her, and so she’s finding her way,” White added. “And every opportunity that she gets to hit a shot like that or to get a stop. I mean, she got a big defensive stop for us. It’s an opportunity to continue to feel more and more like herself and grow that confidence back.”

White made clear she expects more moments like this from Clark.

“Sometimes we take great players and certainly generational talent for granted,” the coach concluded. “And, you know what she did was incredible for us. She’s going to have many more moments like that. I know she is. And we needed this one tonight.”

The post Indiana Fever react to what Stephanie White said about Caitlin Clark appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a horrid stretch of baseball. They have not won a series against any team since early May, a four-game split with the Pittsburgh Pirates as their only non-losing series during that time. Currently, they are in danger of losing a series to the lowly Colorado Rockies, who were just coming off of being swept at home by the Milwaukee Brewers.

One of the issues the Cubs have had all season long, even when they were winning 10 games in a row, was how many injuries their pitching staff sustained. Indeed, Chicago has yet to field their preferred starting rotation for 2026, and due to season-ending injuries, they never will be able to.

Matthew Boyd will not start for the Chicago Cubs this weekend

One of the many Cubs pitchers that has spent a majority of this season on the injured list is All-Star Matthew Boyd. He missed some time early in the year with a shoulder injury, but recent surgery for a torn meniscus is what has kept him out for weeks at this point.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Boyd was close to coming back and would pitch for the Cubs over the weekend. Unfortunately, that will no longer be happening.

“It’s his shoulder … We think this is minor, that’s the hope, and we can get back on the mound pretty quickly and not lose a lot of time here.”

Matthew Boyd has been dealing with shoulder soreness and will not start this weekend, per Craig Counsell. pic.twitter.com/jWblckisZR

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 10, 2026

As seen in the post above, manager Craig Counsell said on Wednesday, “It’s his shoulder … We think this is minor, that’s the hope, and we can get back on the mound pretty quickly and not lose a lot of time here.”

Boyd is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in five starts this season.

Right now, it does not sound like Chicago has a good idea of exactly what is wrong with Boyd’s shoulder. Hopefully it is not serious so he can provide some much-needed depth to their depleted rotation.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Cubs should explore veteran Atlanta Braves cast-off
• Jed Hoyer is to blame for Cubs mess, per MLB insider
• Cubs receive serious trade deadline warning about one particular player

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Caleb Williams made Chicago Bears franchise history as the first player to appear on the cover of Madden 27. While many celebrated his achievement, others questioned whether he deserved the honor.

The quarterback is coming off a season where he led the team to an 11-6 record and captured the NFC North Crown. Williams also guided the team to the Divisional Round before losing 20-17 in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams. He completed 330-of-568 passes for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Williams entered the NFL in 2024 as the No. 1 pick. He won the Heisman Trophy and was named a unanimous All-American in 2022. The 24-year-old silenced his critics last year after failing to bring the Bears to the playoffs in his rookie campaign.

Caleb Williams opens up on why he deserves to be Madden 27’s cover athlete

Williams was asked to state his case on why he is the rightful cover athlete of Madden 27. He cited the team’s success in 2025 and highlighted its exciting playing style.

“I went No. 1 in the draft,” Williams said on Saturday, via The Journey Media. “I had a solid year last year, we were one of the most watched teams in the NFL. I have other accolades, you know, that you can go look up or anything like that. But the Bears haven’t had a year like this in a little bit, and so, being able to be in this moment, being able to have this moment with my teammates, friends and things like that, that’s all that matters. 

“But to accolades and things like that, you know, we’re on the right trend and path, and we got a bunch of marketable guys on our team. And it’s an entertaining business, and so, we were pretty entertaining last year.”

 

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Chicago will play seven primetime games next season. Williams and Co. aim to surpass their performance last year. However, they’ll face the league’s toughest schedule.

The post Caleb Williams has a message for his haters after big career move appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Indiana Fever got the clutch win against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on Monday. Caitlin Clark hit the go-ahead three to seal the game, 78-76, against the home team.

The Fever led the game by as much as 17 points. However, the Mystics took the lead with less than a minute left. Despite that, Clark’s heroics led her squad to victory.

The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year had 19 points, three rebounds, five assists and one steal. 

Indiana is now sixth in the WNBA standings with a 6-5 record. They are coming off an 83-75 loss against the New York Liberty. This is a much-needed win for Coach Stephanie White and her team. 

Caitlin Clark celebrates in front of NCAA rival Cotie McMahon

Clark is the second leading scorer this season for Indiana behind Kelsey Mitchell. The guard duo is the Fever’s focal point on offense this year. Unfortunately, the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champions are yet to fully find their footing. 

Despite that, they will take any win that they can at this point in the season. The victory against Washington definitely serves as a momentum swing for Indiana. 

The icing on top of the cake is Clark celebrating her game-winner in the face of Washington rookie Cotie McMahon.

After the game-sealing trey, Clark looked straight at McMahon and busted out the three-point gesture with both hands. The two players have a history together, dating back to their collegiate basketball days as Big Ten Rivals.

Caitlin Clark flexing on Cotie McMahon after burying the game-winner.

Big Ten rivalries never die.pic.twitter.com/n2zLc6FO5H

— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 9, 2026

Clark played for the Iowa Hawkeyes while McMahon suited up for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In a 2024 matchup, the Hawkeyes defeated Ohio State. Clark got a Buckeyes t-shirt giveaway and posted it online.

A year later, Ohio State defeated Iowa. At that point, McMahon said, “Not gonna get into all of it, but let’s just say [Iowa is] a little disrespectful as far as how they view us. So we take that personal, I take that personal.”

Clark was already with the Fever at that time, but it was clear that McMahon never forgot about it. Which is why Clark’s celebration over McMahon runs deep. 

Indiana and Washington will face each other one more time this year, giving the Mystics rookie a chance to get back at the Fever superstar.

The post Caitlin Clark taunted opponent after game-winning 3-pointer appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Micah Parsons is widely regarded as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and became a five-time Pro Bowler. The Penn State product also knows who the top quarterbacks today are, including Caleb Williams.

Parsons entered the league as the No. 12 pick in 2021 and quickly made his presence felt. He spent the first four seasons of his pro career with the Dallas Cowboys. The Green Bay Packers traded for the 27-year-old in August, exchanging defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks. 

The veteran defensive end appeared in 14 games in 2025 and recorded 12.5 sacks. Parsons also amassed 41 combined tackles, including 19 solo efforts and 12 tackles for loss.

Meanwhile, Williams shone last year after a disappointing rookie campaign, leading the Chicago Bears to the Divisional Round.

Micah Parsons praises Caleb Williams before issuing a warning

The NFL posted an excerpt from an interview with Parsons on Instagram on Tuesday. The three-time first-team All-Pro selection cited how Williams has sped up his development in the NFL. However, he also issued a warning to the Bears QB ahead of the start of the 2026 season. 

“I always want to see people succeed, regardless of who they play for,” Parsons said. “Just don’t want to see you succeed against me. Like I said, I got some for Iceman, for sure. Where there’s ice, there’s also fire. And I’m the fire.”

 

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Chicago and Green Bay have a storied rivalry and have battled in countless highly competitive matchups. They will meet twice in 2026, first in Week 5 at Lambeau Field and then in Week 16 at Soldier Field.

It remains to be seen which team will prevail, but it will be Parsons’ chance to back his warning. Williams, on the other hand, can show him firsthand why he is called “The Iceman.”

The post Micah Parsons sends warning to Caleb Williams ahead of NFL season appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has cleared the air about the heated moment between Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White.

On the latest episode of the “Show Me Something” podcast, Cunningham was able to thoroughly discuss the Clark-White incident.

When questioned by his co-host, West Wilson, the former Missouri star explained that it’s a product of their willingness to win.

“Steph and CC are two very competitive people who just wanna win, and sometimes you bump heads,” Cunningham said. “But it was all out of good intent of wanting the same thing, and at the end of the day, we were not playing good.”

This intense exchange was captured during the Fever’s game against the Portland Fire on May 30, where they lost 100-84.

During the game, Clark was held to just six points, her first single-digit output since June 2025. The superstar point guard was hampered by foul trouble throughout the contest, which added to her frustration.

Sophie Cunningham said Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White have settled their differences

Cunningham also talked about how the two put this disagreement behind them after the game. Clark and Cunningham settled it by hugging each other and quickly moved forward from the mishap.

But Cunningham admits this is something the team should improve as a group this season.

“I’m not condoning her actions. I think there is room to grow in how you respond to things, but she would say the same thing,” Cunningham said. “And her and Steph are fine, and that’s their relationship. 

“Later that night or the next morning, they hugged it out, and they talked about it.” 

Lastly, Cunningham doesn’t want to dwell on what others might think, because their main goal as a group is to win.

“When you are in high competitive situations, pretty much four days out of the week, stuff is gonna happen,” Cunningham said. “If you don’t know that, if you don’t know them, was it a bad look? Maybe. But at the end of the day it’s two people who wanna win.”

The post Sophie Cunningham reveals aftermath of Caitlin Clark-Stephanie White incident appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox have been surprising a lot of people throughout the first half of the season. With the 2026 All-Star Game voting going on, people are discussing who deserves a spot on the All-Star team. The White Sox have been clicking and could see a few players be recognized for their outstanding first half of the year. Let’s take a closer look at who one outlet believes will represent the South Side in Philadelphia for the 2026 All-Star Game.

The Chicago White Sox have a superstar in Munetaka Murakami

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, a former MLB general manager, wrote an article discussing his All-Star picks thus far. One of the more obvious selections he had was at first base with White Sox’s star Munetaka Murakami. Below is what he wrote about the rookie slugger:

“Murakami was leading the league with 20 homers when he suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain. There is a chance he could be back in time for the All-Star Game and he’s a deserving participant if he’s healthy enough to play.”

Murakami had a hot start to his MLB career. He is posting a .938 OPS with 20 homers, 41 RBI, 43 runs scored, and a stolen base during his rookie season. Murakami has not played since May 29 when he suffered a hamstring strain, but there is a chance he returns before the Midsummer Classic. He certainly deserves it as one of the best first basemen in the American League, with Nick Kurtz and Ben Rice.

Miguel Vargas is surprising a lot of people this season

One of the more surprising names to appear on this list comes from the White Sox as well. This would be a surprise if you asked at the beginning of the season, but third baseman Miguel Vargas is currently in the mix for an All-Star spot. Below is Bowden’s explanation as to why:

“Originally on my just-missed list, Vargas gets a deserving nod now that [Aaron] Judge will likely have to miss the Midsummer Classic… Vargas is finally reaching the potential he showed as a prospect in the Dodgers’ chain, hitting for power, taking his walks and making things happen on the bases. He has a 142 OPS+ and ranks in the 97th percentile in chase rate and 88th percentile in Barrel rate.”

This would make White Sox history, as Jimmy Dykes (1933) is the only player for the franchise to start an All-Star Game at third base. It will be an uphill battle, going against Jose Ramirez and Junior Caminero, but he has a shot with how he’s played thus far. Vargas has an .859 OPS with 15 homers, 41 RBI, and nine stolen bases. That’s not considering he only committed three errors defensively as well. Vargas expects to be an All-Star nonetheless for the first time in his career.

Davis Martin is looking like a legitimate ace

Bowden is succinct in his evaluation of the only pitcher that the White Sox have on his list. Right-handed starter Davis Martin is one of the starting pitchers he selected, and he wrote the following about it:

“Martin has been a real bright spot for the surprising White Sox, with a 2.61 ERA over 12 starts.”

Martin has been looking sharp and a major reason is his ability to keep the ball in the park. After allowing 20 in 142.2 innings in 2025, he has only given up three through 72.1 innings. Keeping the ball in the park obviously is a massive strength and keeps him in games longer. Martin could be a starting pitcher in the All-Star Game, but it will be intriguing to see if the American League coaching staff decides he has done enough to be named.

The post Former MLB GM believes Chicago White Sox have 3 All-Stars appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bulls are coming off of a disappointing 31-51 season that sees them searching for a positive path forward. At the end of the 2025-26 campaign, head coach Billy Donovan stepped down from his position. He had no desire to move forward with Chicago’s new front office leadership.

Donovan did not exactly have the most successful run as the Bulls head coach. Chicago only made the NBA Playoffs once in his six seasons at the helm. That year, the 2021-22 season, was also the only time in his tenure that the team finished with a winning record.

Now that Donovan will no longer be on the bench, the Bulls are hopeful that their next hire will be more successful than their more recent coaches.

The Chicago Bulls have narrowed their head coach candidate list down to 4 names

Over the course of the last several months, the Bulls have been interviewing multiple candidates with a wide variety of different backgrounds. According to KC Johnson, they have narrowed their search down to four names:

Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt, Trail Blazers acting coach Tiago Splitter and assistant Wes Unseld Jr. (@TheSteinLine 1st). We also discussed likelihood of Unseld Jr. and potentially other assistants staying on staff if Unseld Jr. isn’t the hire

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 10, 2026

Micah Nori has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2009 and is also a finalist for the Portland Trailblazers head coaching vacancy. He has been with the Minnesota Timberwolves as their lead assistant since 2021.

Ryan Schmidt, currently with the Atlanta Hawks, was the head coach of College Park Skyhawks from 2023-2024. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach with the G-League’s Raptors 905 from 2017-2021.

Tiago Splitter, a former professional basketball player in Brazil, Europe, and the NBA, was the interim head coach of the Trailblazers this past season. He led them to a 42-40 record and their first appearance in the NBA Playoffs since 2021.

Wes Unseld Jr. was the head coach of the Washington Wizards from 2021-2024. When he was let go from that position, he joined Donovan’s staff in Chicago.

More Chicago Bulls news from ChiCity Sports

• Bulls linked in compelling trade rumor for player compared to Knicks star
• Bulls’ “perfect pick” in 2026 NBA Draft revealed
• Bulls connected to shocking Matas Buzelis trade that could ruin their future

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs will almost certainly do something significant before the MLB trade deadline. Either they’ll make some moves to bolster their chances of making the playoffs, or they’ll decide they are out of it and will sell off some pieces.

The latter seemed unthinkable a little over a month ago, but with the Cubs going just 7-21 after a 27-12 start and falling further and further in the National League standings, it could become a surprising reality for Chicago.

In the event that the Cubs do decide to blow it up, there are some obvious names that could become available.

Shota Imanaga seems like a prime candidate to be moved. He is slated to hit free agency after the season, and he has not exactly pitched up to par in 2026. He wasn’t great in 2025, either. Seiya Suzuki is another piece who could be on the trade block given his impending free-agent status.

Then, there is Ian Happ, whose contract expires at the end of the year and whose departure would clear the way for Kevin Alcantara to nab a starting job in the outfield. But there is one potential wrinkle in a Happ trade: his no-trade clause.

Chicago Cubs could face an issue with a potential Ian Happ trade

Happ signed a three-year, $61 million contract extension with the Cubs in April 2023, a pact that featured a full no-trade clause. That means Happ can block any potential deal, so Chicago would need to run trades by him before actually attempting to complete one.

The 31-year-old did leave the door open for an exit before the season when speaking about the final year of his deal, so perhaps Happ would be just fine leaving the Windy City, especially if it meant he could play for a contender the remainder of 2026. But the destination would still have to be right for him.

Happ has spent his entire career in Chicago, so he might not be so quick to want out. He has made an All-Star appearance while also capturing four Gold Glove awards throughout his tenure with the Cubbies, which began back in 2017. Clearly, he has experienced a great deal of success with the only franchise he has ever known.

But if the Cubs continue to slide, you do have to wonder just how much he will want to remain with the ballclub, especially if they make it clear that they want to move him.

If Chicago fades out of playoff contention entirely by Aug. 3, it absolutely should look to trade Happ. He is getting older, and even though he owns an .830 OPS his season (his best mark since 2020), it makes sense to ship him out to forge a path to regular playing time for Alcantara.

Whether or not Happ agrees to that is another story.

The post Chicago Cubs facing one prickly roadblock in potential All-Star trade appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs are just one game over .500 after dropping the first game of their series against the lowly Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. Now just 34-33, the Cubs are in fourth place in the National League Central Division and are in danger of continuing their horrid series losing streak.

The last time Chicago won a series was when they completed a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds back on May 7.

Despite their month-long slide, many media outlets have not given up on the Cubs, still ranking them among the top 10-15 teams in Major League Baseball.

Michael Busch declared the Chicago Cubs most exciting potential All-Star

Earlier this week, The Athletic released their MLB weekly power rankings along with the player on each them they believe is the most exciting potential All-Star.

Despite how poorly Chicago has played, they came in ninth and first baseman Michael Busch was declared their most exciting potential All-Star:

“I wanted to say Ian Happ here, but it’s really difficult to get two outfielders from the same team onto one All-Star roster, and Pete Crow-Armstrong is by far the more likely selection. So I decided to see which Cubs have been the most productive since May 1. Who’s been killing it while the vibes are bad? Who’s going to be the guy who helps pull them out of the malaise?

“And that’s how I landed on Busch. After a dismal start (.576 OPS in March/April), his .924 OPS since May 1 is second best among NL first basemen, behind only Jake Bauers in Milwaukee.

“The slow start might be enough to doom his All-Star chances. And, yeah, the obvious Cubs pick is PCA. But Busch is worth a second look, if injuries open up a roster spot or two (and for that matter, so is Happ).”

As noted above, Pete Crow-Armstrong is the most obvious choice to represent the Cubs in the All-Star Game. Unfortunately, with the way they have been playing over the last month, he might be the only one, too.

Busch, overall, is hitting .247/.371/.402 with seven home runs and 37 RBI. Those are not exactly All-Star numbers at this point in the season, but he could put himself into the conversation with a June that resembles the May he had.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Cubs should explore veteran Atlanta Braves cast-off
• Jed Hoyer is to blame for Cubs mess, per MLB insider
• Cubs receive serious trade deadline warning about one particular player

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs are as close to rock-bottom as possible at this point of the season. They’ve lost 21 of their last 28 games and have fallen all the way to fourth place in the NL Central Division.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Jed Hoyer is to blame for this mess, per MLB insider

There are many focuses for blame, ranging from the front office to the manager to individual players on the team. The reality, though, is that everybody owns this mess and getting at the solution will take some time, effort, and serious team reflection.

But if one were forced to blame one key element for things going sideways in 2026, it would have to be the starting pitching.

The Cubs started the season boasting of their depth and their reserve of at least nine qualified arms to fill the five rotation spots—Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Colin Rea, Ben Brown, and Javier Assad.

Little by little, however, that depth has been whittled away.

The besieged Cubs rotation

More News: Chicago Cubs: Two oddball trade proposals spotlight the team’s awful standing

Horton went down to a season-ending elbow injury in just his second start of the year. Steele’s comeback from elbow surgery last year has suffered a setback. Boyd is coming back from his second stint on the IL. Cabrera just came back from the IL as well. And now Taillon has been placed on the shelf, not expected back until after the All-Star break.

Add to that the fact that nobody from the Cubs’ list of starters—other then Brown—has executed consistently well and, well, you get what we have right now on the North Side.

With about two months still to go before the trade deadline and a rotation still suffering stress and strain—with nobody really available for a call-up from the minors—the team has to come up with some instant, on-the-spot backup starting pitching options. And the only way to do that is via the waiver wire.

A solution cast off by the Braves?

The Atlanta Braves recently DFA’d someone who the Cubs might be wise to look into, given their situation.

Carlos Carrasco was cut loose by the first place Braves on Wednesday after limited use this season. The 39-year-old 17-year MLB veteran has posted a 3.00 ERA in just 9 innings over 5 appearances for Atlanta after notching a 3.30 ERA in 30 inning over 6 starts at the Triple-A Braves affiliate.

Carrasco, who’s widely regarded as a valuable clubhouse presence, has a 4.22 career ERA over his time with the Braves, Yankees, Guardians, and Mets. He hasn’t been a consistent and quality starting rotation presence since his 15-7, 3.97 ERA season with the Mets in 2022, but he’s looked solid enough overall this season to warrant a look—especially for a Cubs team bordering on desperation.

Chicago has indeed been watching the waiver wire as their pitching has begun to crumble. As the season rolls on, they’ve already picked up Christian Roa, Luis Peralta, Liam Hendricks, Ty Blach, Doug Nikhazy, Andrew Wantz and Eduarniel Nuñez as stockpile arms, along with several others acquired during the offseason.

Carrasco might be closer to a sure thing asset as anyone else the team has added of late.

The Cubs may also want to look at former Cub Keegan Thompson, who was recently DFA’d by the Rockies, as well as the Blue Jays’ Yariel Rodriguez.

At this point, a roll of the dice on a reclamation project is about as close as the Cubs are going to get to the cavalry riding in to save the year.

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With mandatory minicamp beginning Tuesday for the Chicago Bears, one of the biggest goals for the team is taking Ben Johnson’s offense to the next level,

More news: Chicago Bears star is the center of this bold take by ESPN analyst

The Bears were able to field a top 10 offense last year thanks to Johnson’s dynamic playcalling, the improvement of quarterback Caleb Williams, and the emergence of many weapons such as Colston Loveland.

During Tuesday’s opening presser, the Bears’ head coach had high praise and excitement for the second-year tight end.

Ben Johnson gave some incredible praise to the emerging Chicago Bears star

Johnson told the media that Loveland has been “one of the most consistent players he’s been around.” And that he brings a lot to the table”.

“ I love what he brings to the table. He’s one of the most consistent players I’ve been around, and that’s saying a lot for a young guy, because I think it takes a while before guys can truly understand what it means to be a professional. But he’s in early, he’s always in his playbook, he’s always taking notes. I think he really thrives with being available in the pressure moments. That’s the type of guy that he wants to be. A lot of trust with the coaching staff, with the quarterbacks. So I’m really happy with where he’s at right now.”

Coach Johnson on Colston Loveland: pic.twitter.com/CPTdPwYnQw

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 9, 2026

Once Loveland settled in during the 2025 season, he instantly became one of Caleb Williams’ most reliable pass catchers.

An interesting thing to note is that Johnson revealed that they will be expanding Loveland’s route tree for the 2026 season. This will give the tight end more opportunities downfield this upcoming season.

Colston Loveland has a chance to be Caleb Williams’ primary target in 2026

Loveland’s chemistry with Williams became a major factor into the Bears’ success in 2025. It seems that Johnson wants to make that chemistry a priority for the 2026 season, by expanding the routes he will run.

“We’ve been able to take the route tree to the next level, and it’s something we’re going to continue to develop in training camp as well.”

Loveland clearly has the potential to give Williams a Rob Gronkowski/Travis Kelce type of player where the tight end is the primary pass catcher in the offense.

Hopefully, the emerging tight end can take that next step in 2026.

The post Ben Johnson has high expectations for Chicago Bears’ second year tight end appeared first on ChiCitySports.

After failing to seriously address the defensive line during free agency and the draft, the Chicago Bears were planning on using a few techniques to help the unit rush the passer this fall.

The Bears want the secondary to help the unit via coverage. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and his staff plan to coach up the roster better. Chicago was looking to switch Shemar Turner from defensive tackle to defensive end.

On Wednesday, the Bears had a not-so-good update on Turner, who suffered a torn ACL against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8 of last season. As of the second day of mandatory minicamp, Chicago isn’t sure when he’ll return to the practice field.

“We’ll see with Shemar,” head coach Ben Johnson told reporters. “This summer is going to be a big part for him. We’ll have a good six weeks off and see where he’s at when we come back for camp.”

More News: Chicago Bears have surprise rookie turning heads at minicamp

Shemar Turner has missed a lot of Chicago Bears practices

More News: Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams humbled with multiple INTs at minicamp

The Bears selected Turner with the No. 62 pick in the 2025 draft out of Texas A&M. He played in five games last season, recording six total tackles and two tackles for loss.

Turner has had a rough injury history since his final season at Texas A&M. He suffered a stress fracture in his shin in 2024, which curbed his production. He was expected to be a first-round pick before the injury.

Turner had a rod inserted into his shin but it never fully healed before the draft. He showed up to OTAs out of shape, and suffered an ankle injury early during training camp last summer, prompting him to miss pivotal practices for his development.

The Bears list Turner at six-foot-three, 293 pounds which is not ideal if the team decides to move him to the edge. He’ll have a lot of work to do to catch up in training camp if the Bears plan to use him as a defensive end for the regular season.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Caitlin Clark continues to be one of the most well-known female basketball players today. Since being drafted as the first overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark has helped lead the Indiana Fever to new heights.

The third-year guard is currently averaging 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 63 career WNBA games. On top of that, she has also won the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award and is a two-time All-Star.

The 6-foot sharpshooter already made waves in the basketball scene even before turning pro. As a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark became the NCAA Division 1 all-time leading scorer among men’s or women’s players.

Caitlin Clark becomes one of Time’s  most influential people in sports

The Fever star has also made contributions to the USA national team. Clark has three gold medals, two from the FIBA Under-19 World Cup and one from FIBA Americas Under-16.

Most recently, she led Team USA to an undefeated stint at the FIBA World Cup Qualification tournament in Puerto Rico. She was the tournament leader in assists and named MVP. 

After drilling the game-winning three to lift the Fever over the Washington Mystics on Monday, Clark added another achievement to her list.

Clark was named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026. She joins the likes of LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani and Saquon Barkley.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Indiana Fever (@indianafever)

The Fever shared the news on social media via their official Instagram account. The WNBA was quick to congratulate their star, leaving a comment. 

“Yess CC 👏🔥” the league reacted.

The WNBA’s viewership has jumped since Clark arrived, and the league just had to give the 24-year-old her flowers after this major honor. 

Clark and the Fever won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title last year. This year, they are looking to win the WNBA Championship, having last won it in 2012.

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The Chicago Cubs have all but tanked this season. And while it’s still too early to definitively say that, with still over three-and-a-half months left of baseball to play, things are looking bleaker and bleaker by the day.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Two oddball trade proposals spotlight the team’s awful standing

Last night in Colorado against the Rockies, the Cubs were manhandled by the worst team in baseball in a 7-3 beating at Coors Field. The loss gives them a 7-21 record in their last 28 games and puts their record at just one game over .500—after being 15 games over that mark just about a month ago.

They’ve also fallen to fourth place in the NL Central Division.

This is most definitely not the team most had envisioned at the start of spring training, when expectations were boldly high and even some World Series chatter began to swirl.

Everybody following the team knows why the Cubs have fallen—lackluster and wildly inconsistent hitting and the physical collapse, en masse, of the starting pitching. The question, though, is who’s to blame for this ugly turn of events.

Blame Jed Hoyer

More News: Chicago Cubs reacquire former prospect in pitching desperation move

MLB insider Jesse Rogers, in an appearance on ESPN Chicago, points the finger squarely at Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.

“For once, I think we can all kind of agree…this isn’t on ownership,” Rogers asserted. “Tom Ricketts approved enough payroll this year to win in the NL Central…There’s enough blame to go around…But if you are really forcing me to choose…Jed chose Alex Bregman…with a Gold Glove candidate at third base, who was one of their better hitters in the second half. He chose to spend the money on Alex Bregman. Now, the Bregman story is not written yet, but you can’t take back the first two months and, in his words, how much he’s contributed to their struggles…

He chose Alex Bregman. He sat Matt Shaw. He chose the pitchers in the draft who have gotten hurt again in Cade Horton and Justin Steele, both of whom had injuries before they came to the Cubs. He chose a more undersized team. The decisions Jed Hoyer made, to me, have led them to this point more than anything else.”

Rogers’ assertions are all true, as is his statement that there’s enough blame to go around.

Ultimately, players have to execute and coaches have to lead. But at the root of it all, only so much can be done with the team placed on the field. And, obviously, this particular Cubs team has shown enough cracks and misfires to indicate that they weren’t destined for great things.

What if?

There are a lot of “what ifs” now as this team freefalls. What if Hoyer had spent the Bregman money on an ace-level starting pitcher? What if he had not offered Shota Imanaga a $22 million qualifying offer? What if the Bregman and Imanaga money had been, instead, allocated for use on Dylan Cease and Nick Martinez, for example, who have been ace-level workhorses for their respective teams, with sub-3.00 ERAs?

The Cubs would’ve still lost Cade Horton to injury and would still be waiting on a Justin Steele recovery, but their rotation core would be healthy and sturdy not frail and failing.

And, really, it’s pretty likely at this point that the Cubs would’ve been just fine without Bregman and would be getting the same, or better, offensive and defensive production from Shaw at third.

Hoyer has been criticized before for an unwillingness to spend on premium pitching, but this year’s collapse shines a bright spotlight on that apparent fatal flaw.

At this point, though, all the Cubs can do is hope for a mass team turnaround and that a lot of the roster holes begin to fill themselves, while falling back on the Cubs perpetual mantra of “Wait ‘til next year.”

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The Chicago Blackhawks are heading into a critical summer in which they will have a golden opportunity to make their already intriguing team legitimately better.

The Blackhawks are armed with cap space and a bevy of draft capital this offseason which they can utilize to sign free agents, accumulate more young talent and potentially swing some significant trades to bolster their roster.

Chicago may have totaled just 72 points this season and has missed the playoffs six years in a row, but there is no question that the Blackhawks are an ascending squad that could be in the mix for a postseason berth sooner than you think.

Of course, Chicago will need to ensure it makes all of the right moves to take that next step, which is what makes these coming weeks so pivotal for the franchise.

But amidst all of the noise about the Blackhawks’ rumored trade targets and what they’re going to do on the open market, what actually is the central theme of Kyle Davidson’s plan going into the offseason? Bleacher Report’s Lyle Fitzsimmons knows the answer.

Chicago Blackhawks are prioritizing Connor Bedard’s future

Connor Bedard is slated to hit restricted free agency on July 1, and while that doesn’t really put the Hawks in danger of losing the young star, it does mean they need to get moving when it comes to putting a contender around him and making sure he sticks around for the long haul.

Fitzsimmons feels that extending Bedard will actually be Chicago’s primary order of business this summer.

“GM Kyle Davidson is saying all the right things about wanting to improve on the back end after the Blackhawks surrendered the second-most shots and the sixth-most goals per game last season,” Fitzsimmons wrote. “But let’s face it, the whispers in the background are about getting pending RFA Connor Bedard signed long term.”

There are multiple reasons why signing Bedard to a long-term pact now would be enormous for the Blackhawks.

First and foremost, Chicago wouldn’t have to worry about him receiving a gargantuan offer elsewhere that it would have to match. Bedard is under team control for the foreseeable future, so if the Blackhawks really wanted to, they could play the RFA game for quite some time. But why do that when you can just save some money over the long haul by getting him locked up now?

Second, inking Bedard to an extension would allow Chicago to know how much money it can allot to other areas. It’s not just about keeping Bedard in the Windy City; it’s about contending for championships while he is aboard, so knowing exactly what you can spend elsewhere for years to come would help tremendously.

We’ll see if the Blackhawks can get something done with Bedard.

The post Blackhawks’ actual offseason strategy revealed amid rampant rumors appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bulls should be looking to do a lot of wheeling and dealing this summer. They possess expansive cap room and own pick Nos. 4 and 15 in the NBA Draft, so they should have plenty of opportunities to improve their roster.

While the Bulls are expected to be major players in free agency, they could also be very active on the trade market, especially with new top executive Bryson Graham aiming to build the team his way.

Chicago won’t be swinging any blockbuster deals for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it could absolutely make significant trades elsewhere, especially for players that fit Graham’s mold. Graham specifically wants to improve the Bulls’ defense, so three-and-D guys could be on his radar.

There are no shortage of intriguing wings who fill that role in today’s game, so Chicago should be able to find a solution in the coming weeks.

On that note, Andrew Hanlon of Pippen Ain’t Easy has pitched one intriguing name in particular, tabbing Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Aaron Wiggins as a possible candidate.

Chicago Bulls linked to trade for Aaron Wiggins

Wiggins just completed his fifth NBA season in a supplemental role for the Thunder, playing in 65 games with 21 starts in 2025-26. During his time on the floor this season, he averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds over 21.8 minutes a night on 43.1/35.6/73.6 shooting splits.

It was actually a bit of a down year for Wiggins, especially after he registered 12 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range the season prior. So perhaps a change of scenery would do him some good.

“His averages jump to 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per 36 minutes from 2024-26. Those numbers, including his 2.6 3-pointers made per night, would be more indicative of his potential production in Chicago, where he’d go from an end-of-bench option to a core rotation piece,” Hanlon wrote. “Wiggins is also a versatile point-of-attack defender. His length and athleticism allow him to switch and pester ball handlers across all three backcourt positions.”

Hanlon went as far to liken Wiggins to New York Knicks wing Mikal Bridges, a player who broke out once he was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Brooklyn Nets midway through the 2022-23 campaign. It’s also easy to see similarities based on their size and style of play.

Given that Thunder general manager Sam Presti surely wants to shed some money this summer, a Wiggins trade wouldn’t be out of the question, and if he does become available, the Bulls would be wise to inquire.

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The Chicago Bears had some very key needs heading into the offseason, and one of the most glaring was their pass rush.

Montez Sweat is really the only reliable pass rusher on the team right now. Dayo Odeyingbo had just one sack in eight games before tearing his Achilles last season, and Austin Booker posted 4.5 sacks in 10 contests.

Odeyingbo could bounce back, and Booker surely has potential, but the Bears have very limited depth on the edge, and after managing just 35 sacks in 2025, you would have thought they would have been more aggressive in finding help this spring.

Instead, Chicago has not added a single edge rusher in spite of having ample opportunities to do so, and the Bears once again find themselves with a major question mark at the position heading into 2026.

Surely, Chicago will bring in a pass rusher at some point, and Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski feels it could happen in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft. In his newest 2027 mock, Sobleski has the Bears selecting Arkansas Razorback star Quincy Rhodes Jr. with the 15th overall pick.

Chicago Bears predicted to land Quincy Rhodes Jr.

Rhodes is an athletic freak with tremendous size and is more of a defensive end than a true edge, but he would absolutely be a great fit for Chicago.

“Arkansas’ Quincy Rhodes Jr. emerged as a second-team All-SEC performer last season after posting 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. The 6’6″, 277-pound prospect already displays NFL-caliber power to set the edge and threaten offensive tackles with a bull-rush. He’s not the type of pass-rusher to fly off the edge, bend the corner and flatten toward the quarterback. However, his pass-rush plan showed some promise last season and should continue to expand this fall,” Sobleski wrote.

Rhodes actually probably would have been a Day 2 pick had he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, but he elected to return to school for another year to further bolster his status, which was probably the correct move.

The 21-year-old arrived at Arkansas in 2023 and barely received any playing time his first couple of seasons before breaking out this past year, establishing himself as one of the most underrated defensive players in the SEC.

Rhodes is great both against the run and as a pass rusher, and a double-digit sack campaign is well within reach for him next fall.

Unless Booker has a monster season for the Bears (which is a possibility), Chicago may very well pursue an edge rusher on Day 1 of the draft next April, and Rhodes could be on its board.

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With the 2026 NBA Draft just a few weeks away, things should become more and more clear for teams in that top four. For the Chicago Bulls, they hold pick No. 4 and are likely going to land either Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson.

That’s barring a big surprise of AJ Dybantsa not going No. 1 overall.

As Chicago moves forward with a new regime, hitting big on pick No. 4 could be a difference in a fast rebuild or a slow rebuild. They also have pick No. 15 in the first round, giving them the chance to land two contributors right away. But which player at No. 4 is the best fit?  One NBA analyst revealed it for the Bulls.

Caleb Wilson named the perfect fit for Chicago Bulls

Here is what Christopher Kline of FanSided had to say about Wilson and the fit for the Bulls:

Caleb Wilson was sidelined with a wrist injury late in the season, but he did more than enough to cement himself as a top-four pick. The conversations around Wilson leapfrogging Boozer or Peterson are understandable, but ultimately it feels like a stretch. Wilson is the perfect culture-builder and two-way engine for this Bulls team, and those above Chicago needn’t overthink it.

Wilson is a preposterous athlete, with unbelievable range and competitive fervor on the defensive end. He skies for weak-side blocks and smoothly handles switches on the perimeter. He’s a bit prone to mental lapses on that side of the ball, which are a smidge underdiscussed, but the physical tools and mentality point to future All-Defense upside. On the other end, Wilson dunks everything. He’s equal parts nimble and explosive, although he needs to expand his shooting range and add more strength to better handle crowds.

If Wilson is the pick at No. 4, it would line up with what most mock drafts have. He may not be superstar ready just yet but he has the potential and skill set to develop. He could have the highest ceiling as well.

His confidence is also something that stands out as he’s said numerous times he can change a culture. It feels like a natural fit for the Bulls and Wilson.

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Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston was in awe of Caitlin Clark’s game-winner against the Washington Mystics.

On Monday, Indiana ended their two-game road trip with a 78-76 win over Washington behind Clark’s game-winner.

Boston made sure to shine the spotlight on her superstar teammate and acknowledge the incredible shot from way downtown.

“I mean, are we surprised? Caitlin Clark is Caitlin Clark, and she does that,” Boston said during her post-game interview. “It’s a great shot, I mean she’s a shooter, and you can’t leave her that open.”

Boston had the perfect reaction to Clark’s heroics. It was an incredible shot, but as the Fever forward-center said, this is simply what Clark does.

“I mean are we surprised? Caitlin Clark is Caitlin Clark, and she does that.” – Aliyah Boston 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/kaG3oOhy48

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 9, 2026

The Fever were down 76-75 with 4.3 seconds remaining when Clark salvaged the game with a three-pointer. Michaela Onyenwere’s jumper came up short with 1.2 seconds left in the game for the Mystics, which could have forced overtime.

The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year winner led Indiana’s offense with 19 points, to go along with three rebounds and five assists.

Boston, on the other hand, added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, with three assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Indiana Fever returns home with the momentum to continue Commissioner’s Cup campaign

With this latest win, the Fever have improved their record to 6-5 and currently tie the Toronto Tempo as the third seed in the East.

Following this two-game road trip, Indiana will head back home on Thursday in front of the home fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They will welcome the Chicago Sky and look to extend their win streak and keep their Commissioner’s Cup title hopes alive.

Boston and Co. are the reigning in-season tournament champions, and they aim to go back-to-back. Should they achieve this feat, they will be the first team in WNBA history to repeat as Commissioner’s Cup champions.

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The Chicago White Sox are shockingly smack dab in the middle of the American League playoff race, and even with Munetaka Murakami on the shelf, they are staying afloat.

However, it’s pretty clear that if the White Sox want to make a serious run during the second half of the season, they’ll need to make some adjustments. And while adding another bat would be nice, Chicago’s pitching staff has been the bigger issue.

The White Sox have very limited depth in their starting rotation. Once you get past Davis Martin and Sean Burke, there really isn’t much there, and it’s not like they have any exciting internal options on deck.

Whether or not Chicago decides to buy at the MLB trade deadline remains to be seen, but if the White Sox are serious about contending here in 2026, there is no question they must add at least one arm to bolster their staff.

On that subject, Noah Phalen of Southside Showdown has pitched a surprising potential trade target that no one would have anticipated: Colorado Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.

Chicago White Sox linked to trade for Tomoyuki Sugano

Phalen mentioned several names as possibilities for the White Sox, but he specifically singled out Sugano due to the fact that he has posted respectable numbers in spite of being in the worst pitching confines in all of baseball.

Sugano has logged a 4.08 ERA and 1.288 WHIP this season, allowing 68 hits while registering 39 strikeouts over 68.1 innings of work. Not surprisingly, the 36-year-old has been much better away from Coors Field, where he has posted a 3.62 ERA and 1.179 WHIP.

There are some concerns with his profile, however.

Sugano’s ground-ball rate is only at 37.6 percent this season, which isn’t great for a pitcher who doesn’t strike hitters out. He is also allowing a barrel rate of 15 percent, and only 9.3 percent of the contact he has surrendered has been soft contact.

It should also be noted that Sugano was not exactly impressive during his debut big-league campaign with the Baltimore Orioles in 2025, pitching to the tune of a 4.64 ERA while giving up 33 home runs. And that was only in 157 frames.

If Sugano comes incredibly cheap, perhaps a trade would be worth a shot for the Chicago, but I’m not so sure that he is the target the White Sox should be seeking.

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The Chicago Cubs absolutely need to do some roster tweaking between now and the MLB trade deadline if they want to re-establish themselves as genuine World Series contenders. They have gone just 7-21 since a 27-12 start, and pretty much everything has gone wrong for them.

While the Cubs need help basically everywhere, their No. 1 area of concern is their starting rotation, which has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster this season.

Chicago acquired Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Miami Marlins over the winter, but he has flopped thus far in the Windy City. Justin Steele remains out and no one knows for sure when — or if — he will return, and Matthew Boyd has been sidelined since early May due to a freak knee injury.

The Cubs are expected to be heavy in the market for starting pitching in the coming weeks, and there should be a handful of very intriguing arms available.

Chicago could return to the well in Miami to try and pry Sandy Alcantara away from the Marlins, but Paul Niemiec of North Side Baseball doesn’t seem to think it’s a a good idea.

Chicago Cubs receive warning on Sandy Alcantara

Alcantara has logged a 4.33 ERA over his first 14 starts of 2026, with that number largely being inflated because of a few really bad outings. He has been either great or terrible this season, which is why Niemiec wants the Cubs to stay away from him.

“Alcantara has made 14 starts this season and has allowed two or less earned runs in eight of them. He also has four starts where he has given up six or more runs. His xERA on the season is 4.05 and he has been worth 1.3 fWAR, but the Marlins have been reluctant to trade him to this point, and it might not make sense for the Cubs to meet a high asking price for a guy who blows up this frequently,” Niemiec wrote.

Alcantara was once one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. After all, he was a unanimous NL Cy Young award winner back in 2022 when he posted a 2.28 ERA and 0.980 WHIP. He then battled through elbow issues in 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery the following year.

The 30-year-old hasn’t been close to the same since, and while he has certainly shown flashes, he hasn’t been consistent enough in that regard. It’s also clear that Alcantara’s stuff is down considerably, as evidenced by his dip in strikeout rate.

The command is still there, and there are times when he is nearly unhittable. But acquiring Alcantara would certainly be a major risk for Chicago given the asking price.

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Chicago White Sox rookie Braden Montgomery had a Major League debut that he will remember forever.

The White Sox’s No.2 prospect (21st-best prospect in Major League Baseball) collected two hits in his five trips to the plate. Montgomery’s first hit came off Atlanta Braves right-hander Grant Holmes.

Montgomery also collected his first home run, a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning (6-5). The 23-year-old clobbered a 0-1 changeup (90 miles per hour) that Braves closer Raisel Iglesias left over the middle of the plate, which he deposited into left field.

According to Elias Sports and Sarah Langs, Montgomery is the fifth player in Major League Baseball history to hit his first home run as a walk-off home run in his MLB debut. The four others include: Carlos Perez (2015) with the Los Angeles Angels, Miguel Cabrera (2003) with the Florida (Miami) Marlins, Josh Bard (2002) with the Cleveland Indians (Guardians) and Billy Parker (1971) with the California (Los Angeles) Angels.

Walk-off home run in MLB debut, MLB history:

6/9/26 Braden Montgomery
5/5/2015 Carlos Perez
6/20/2003 Miguel Cabrera
8/23/2002 Josh Bard
9/9/1971 Billy Parker                   
                     
FIFTH EVER!!!

h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/uIYByqx4TQ

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 10, 2026

Braden Montgomery was in disbelief that he had such a debut with the Chicago White Sox

Mobbed by his teammates at the plate after walking it off, the Des Moines, Iowa native was in disbelief at what he had done, calling the experience “unreal” at his locker.

More White Sox News: White Sox Munetaka Murakami is in line to bring home some valuable hardware

“That was … I still don’t know what to say,” said Montgomery to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, standing in front of his locker after emerging unscathed from the postgame frenzy. “That was unreal.”

Montgomery’s teammate, closer Grant Taylor, echoed his teammate, also calling the experience “unreal.”

“It was unreal,” echoed reliever Grant Taylor, who earned the victory by allowing one unearned run over two innings of relief. “That’s probably the coolest debut of all-time.”

Montgomery had been impressive at both Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, which got him the call-up to the big leagues. Between the two levels, Montgomery batted .313 with a 1.035 OPS in Double-A, while hitting .315 and had an OPS of .912 at Triple-A.

Playing right field in his debut, Montgomery can expect to play there and center field (when Tristin Peters needs a day off) for the foreseeable future. Especially with Austin Hays out for longer than expected, as he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday.

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There were plenty of critics when the Chicago Bears used a third-round pick on LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas.

Thomas recorded 41 receptions for 488 yards and four touchdowns during his final season with the Tigers. He was used as a return man on special teams, which could give the Bears flexibility with Thomas on the 53-man roster.

Still, most draft experts didn’t have Thomas going until the draft until late on Day 3.

Thomas showed off his blazing 4.28 40-yard speed during the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. He took a short pass from backup quarterback Tyson Bagent for a long touchdown.

Ka-chow ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/SF9OODUTP4

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 9, 2026

Chicago Bears rookie WR Zavion Thomas is turning heads

More News: Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams humbled with multiple INTs at minicamp

Thomas made positive plays during OTAs in May. He could look to earn more opportunities for training camp and fight for the WR3 position. As previously noted, Kalif Raymond is off to a rough start learning the Bears offense at minicamp.

In May, new Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor boasted about the speed Thomas can bring to the offense. He can be used out of the backfield, giving Chicago another threat.

But the Bears want Thomas to show he’s worthy of playing time for the regular season.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams put the NFL on notice late last season and in January when he helped engineer exciting comebacks against the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams.

In Year 3, the “Iceman” could be poised for even greater things during his second season under head coach Ben Johnson.

But the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft has some stuff to polish up before training camp starts in July. He had a rough Day 1 of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

Per Zack Pearson of Bear Report, Williams was intercepted twice by cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Pearson noted that one of the interceptions came on a play where Williams and newcomer Kalif Raymond had a miscommunication issue. Williams told reporters that he believes the Bears can clean up those issues during OTAs and training camp, noting that he needs more reps with Raymond.

More News: Chicago Bears suffer 2 defensive injuries at Tuesday’s practice

Chicago Bears offense needs to get on the same page

More News: Chicago Bears: Indiana Gov says stadium deal isn’t secure yet

For now, Raymond is just trying to keep up.

“I’m just trying to feed off them,” Raymond said. “There (are) some guys here that can play some football. So, I’m just trying to feed off their juice, their work ethic. We’re watching the way Rome (Odunze) works at practice, watching the way Luther (Burden III) runs his routes in practice, Colston (Loveland) the way he’s toe-tapping, dragging, Kyle (Monangai), his run after catch even in seven on seven, this dude’s putting on moves.

“So, I’m just trying to feed off those guys, learn how those guys play and be wherever they need me to be when it’s time for me to do that.”

While Williams earned the nickname “Iceman” for his gutsy second-half performances last season, he struggled in the two-minute drill on Tuesday. The Bears first-team offense failed to convert during the two-minute drill.

Historically, it’s typical for the Bears offense to lag behind the defense during OTAs and even early in training camp. One would hope the offense can earn a win on Wednesday, as the unit should have better talent than the defense.

The Kansas City Chiefs  offense typically dominates OTAs, and head coach Andy Reid doesn’t think defenses should be consistently winning 7-on-7 drills, which are designed for the offense.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bears‘ wide receiver room was an area of strength last season, and it played a major role in Caleb Williams having a very impressive sophomore campaign.

Things have since changed.

The Bears traded away D.J. Moore and lost Olamide Zacchaeus — who developed a great rapport with Williams last year — to free agency. Their answer? Signing Kalif Raymond and selecting Zavion Thomas in the third round of the NFL Draft.

Neither of those two receivers immediately inspire much confidence, leaving Chicago with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III as its only truly dependable players at the position. The problem? Odunze recently stated that he will never be the same following the foot issues he experienced last season, and Burden was also banged up in 2025.

If healthy, both receivers should be terrific in 2026, but durability is a concern for each of them, as is the depth behind them.

The Bears should absolutely be in the market for another wide out, and a potential option could be New England Patriots youngster DeMario Douglas.

Chicago Bears should sign DeMario Douglas if he gets cut

The Patriots just acquired A.J. Brown in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, and they also signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. That gives them a rather crowded receiving corps that also features Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism II and Douglas, which could result in Douglas being the odd man out.

In fact, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay listed Douglas among his five most likely cap casualties with training camp approaching.

“With five wideouts accounted for, it’s likely the Patriots will choose between Efton Chism III and DeMario Douglas for what should be the final spot in the receiving corps. Chism was a solid depth option and special teamer for the club, which could give him an edge over Douglas on cut day,” Kay wrote.

Douglas saw his role reduced considerably in 2025, as he caught a career-low 31 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns. The season prior, he snared 66 balls for 621 yards and three scores.

No one will confuse Douglas for a No. 1 receiver. He has primarily worked out of the slot in New England, but he is sure-handed and absolutely has potential as a vertical threat, as evidenced by the fact that he averaged 14.4 yards per reception last season.

Because Burden is expected to play more on the outside in 2026 following the departure of Moore, Douglas could slide into that slot role seamlessly in Chicago and provide Williams with a very reliable weapon.

Should the Pats release Douglas, the Bears should immediately look to sign him.

The post Bears should instantly jump on this WR who is predicted to get cut appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Caleb Williams continues to become a major part of the Chicago Bears culture. In just two seasons, he has helped the franchise bounce back. 

The 24-year-old quarterback led the Bears to their best NFL record since 2018. They finished with an 11-6 record en route to winning the NFC North title. In the Wild Card playoffs, Chicago defeated their longtime rivals, the Green Bay Packers, 31-27. 

Unfortunately, they failed to overcome the challenge of the Los Angeles Rams in the next round, losing 17-20 in overtime.

As for Williams, he had a great second season in Chicago. He finished the year with a franchise record of 3,942 passing yards, resulting in 27 touchdowns. 

Fans are excited to see their Bears next season, especially with them having one of the toughest schedules in 2026.

Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams sends best wishes to fellow Terrell Burgess

It has been a busy offseason for Williams. The first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft was recently announced as the cover athlete of Madden NFL 27. Many NFL fans are now wondering if the infamous “Madden Curse” will affect Williams and the Bears this season. 

On top of that, the Chicago quarterback also celebrated a fellow NFL athlete’s milestone. New Orleans Saints Safety Terrell Burgess recently proposed to his girlfriend, Stine.

 

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A post shared by Stine (@stinecard)

In a joint Instagram post with his now-future wife, Burgess is shown wearing an off-white shirt, white pants, and brown shoes. His girlfriend was wearing a white dress while the Saints’ safety was kneeling on one knee.

Williams was among those who congratulated Burgess on this special moment in his life. The 6-foot-1 quarterback left a simple comment 

“Congrats,” wrote the Bears QB. 

After an impressive year for Chicago, expectations are high for Williams and the Bears next season. The Madden 27 cover athlete and his squad might have a target on their back as the reigning NFC North champions.

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The Indiana Fever arrived at CareFirst Arena on Monday with their sights set on winning their sixth game of the season. They knew it wouldn’t be easy, as the Washington Mystics play well at home. The Fever, however, have Caitlin Clark.

The superstar guard has proven throughout her WNBA career that she delivers for her team when it needs her the most. Her ability to knock down clutch shots has attracted defenses, but she can also set teammates up for easy baskets.

Indiana has struggled to begin the season despite the huge expectations on its shoulders. The franchise had only a 5-5 record heading into Monday’s game.

Phantom Cam footage of Caitlin Clark’s game-winner goes viral

Clark took matters into her own hands when the Fever trailed by one point with 4.3 seconds remaining. She caught Sophie Cunningham’s cross-court inbounds pass and set herself for a wide-open three-pointer. The ball hit nothing but net, giving Indiana a 78-76 lead with only 1.2 seconds left.

The play was captured on Phantom Cam. The Fever posted the clip on their X account, and, as of writing, has been viewed over 400,000 times. 

Caitlin Clark game-winner as seen on phantom 👻🎻🎼 pic.twitter.com/EBXEpHL7pE

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 9, 2026

Clark scored 19 points on 7-for-16 shooting, along with three rebounds and five assists. Aliyah Boston tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell added 15 points and four assists. On the flip side, four Mystics players scored in double digits, led by Michaela Onyenwere’s 17.

Indiana will aim for back-to-back victories on Thursday when it faces the Chicago Sky at home. Winning the matchup will be crucial as it will push the team’s record to 7-5.

It will also give the Fever momentum ahead of a road game against the Connecticut Sun on Saturday. They will then host their next two games at home, facing the Toronto Tempo on June 16 and the Atlanta Dream two days later.

The post Slo-mo video of Caitlin Clark’s game-winner is a must-see appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs desperately need to make some moves if they want to make a push for World Series contention this season. Actually, at this point, they probably need to swing some trades if they even want to make the playoffs.

While the Cubs have holes everywhere, their most prominent area of need is their starting rotation, which has been among the worst in baseball.

Chicago acquired Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins over the winter, but that deal has not gone according to plan. Justin Steele remains sidelined, and Matthew Boyd is still making his way back from a freak knee injury.

Times are tough for the Cubs’ pitching staff, so they will almost certainly need to add at least one pitcher if they want to be taken seriously in the NL Central the rest of the way.

A commonly mentioned potential target is New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta, with whom Chicago is very familiar from his days with the Milwaukee Brewers. But while Peralta may seem like a good fit, the hurdles to land him may prove too challenging to overcome for the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs receive bad news on Freddy Peralta

The catch with Peralta is that he is slated to hit free agency next offseason, so it’s entirely possible that Chicago would only be getting him for two months.

Based on the recent report by Bob Nightengale of USA Today that Peralta is seeking a contract similar to the eight-year, $218 million deal Max Fried received from the New York Yankees in December 2024, that may very well take the Cubs out of the running for his services.

Jed Hoyer spends, but he probably wouldn’t be willing to go that far on Peralta. Especially not after just handing Alex Bregman $35 million annually over five years. It’s also important to note that he has a bunch of free agents of his own he must attend to next winter, such as Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ.

Would Chicago really be able to fit Peralta’s contract into the mix?

It’s also worth questioning if Peralta is even worth that much. While he posted a 2.70 ERA during his final season with the Brewers last year, he has recorded a 3.63 ERA, 4.01 FIP and 1.319 WHIP with the Mets thus far in 2026. He owns a lifetime 3.59 ERA, so he really isn’t an ace. And that’s ace money.

Perhaps the Cubs should look elsewhere for a starting pitcher, but the market might start drying up quicker than they thought.

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 The Chicago Bears had two players suffer injuries during the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

The Bears defense dealt with injuries all of last season, with Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner, Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson missing numerous games.

Gordon, dealing with a soft tissue injury, missed time during voluntary OTAs earlier this spring. Chicago head coach Ben Johnson wanted to see Gordon back on the field for practice this spring after being unavailable for most of last season.

Per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Gordon did not return to practice on Tuesday, but Odeyingbo made his first appearance to practice this spring. The Bears had two defensive players suffer injuries during practice.

Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson appeared to have an ankle injury, and linebacker D’Marco Jackson appeared to suffer a shoulder injury.

“Bears mandatory minicamp practice is over,” Finley posted on X. “CB Tyrique Stevenson and LB D’Marco Jackson were banged up with what looked like ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively. CB Kyler Gordon remains out with an injury. DE Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) was in team drills for the first time.”

More News: Chicago Bears: Indiana Gov says stadium deal isn’t secure yet

Chicago Bears suffer a couple injuries on Tuesday

More News: Former Chicago Bears WR has troubling outlook on Rome Odunze’s foot

Jackson signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Bears after a successful first season with the team in 2025.

This is a big offseason for Stevenson, who is set to play on the final year of his rookie contract. The 2023 second-round pick has much to show the coaching staff during the regular season if Chicago is to extend his contract during the 2027 offseason.

While Stevenson suffered an injury and Gordon remains off the practice field, the Bears did have some good news for the secondary. Johnson recorded two interceptions during a team drill and one during the two-minute drill, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs started this 2026 season with big expectations and even some World Series chatter. They’re now at the point where many are considering them sellers at the August 3 trade deadline.

More News: Chicago Cubs: PCA named Player of the Week, shares Counsell motivational advice

There’s no sugarcoating it. Things are bad. After an early part of the season which saw them put together two separate 10-game winning streaks, they are now 7-20 in their last 27 games and have fallen from first place in the NL Central Division to fourth place. If the season were to end right now, the Cubs would not qualify for postseason play.

Because of this ugly turn of events, the whole season dynamic has started to change. Once considered likely to be aggressive buyers at the deadline, they are being increasingly pegged as sellers as their season seemingly slips away.

As a result, Cubs trade proposals involving the team’s established veteran core have started to pop up all over the place. Two such trades particularly exemplify the Cubs’ dilemma in relation to their clear needs.

Swanson back to the Braves?

More News: Chicago Cubs reacquire former prospect in pitching desperation move

The most interesting proposal comes from the Atlanta Braves blog ATL All Day.

In it, Nick Halden sees the first place Braves reacquiring struggling former Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson —and the remainder of his 7-year, $177 million dollar contract—from a Cubs team eager to move on from the struggling veteran.

In return for Swanson, the Cubs would get pitcher Reynaldo Lopez, catcher Sean Murphy, and free agency-bound infielder Ha-Seong Kim.

Oddly enough, though, the trade would have the Cubs adding more than $20 million dollars extra to their budget this season while remaining on the line for at least $38 million more between Murphy and Lopez contract obligations.

This Cubs-Braves deal doesn’t make sense for many reasons. The money is just one of them.

There’s also the addition of a catcher who would be a downgrade from current starting catcher Carson Kelly. While Kelly could end up leaving free agency at the end of this season, Chicago would be much better off—roster-wise as well as budget-wise—swinging a deal to re-sign Kelly.

The swapping of Swanson for three months of Kim in the middle infield would also be pretty pointless and, actually, a downgrade for the Cubs.

The only name that makes any sense for Chicago is Lopez, who reemerged in 2024 as a quality starter before shoulder surgery in 2025 stalled his career. So far this season, he’s been solid with a 4.06 ERA through 15 games (5 starts). He’s also under team control through next season.

Nothing else in this trade proposal touches logic for Chicago.

A ‘what if’ Happ trade proposal

And speaking of not touching logic, there’s the Cubs-Astros trade proposal from Climbing Tal’s Hill for Cubs left fielder Ian Happ.

Writer David Lesky doesn’t offer any names the Astros would give in return for the free agency-eligible Cubs veteran. And, actually, he hinges everything on a threesome of big “ifs” regarding the Astros continuing to improve, the Cubs continuing to slide, and Happ ditching his no trade clause to allow a deal to happen.

But the clear message from this particular proposal, as well as the one with the Braves, is that the Cubs are moving from contention into a place were a sell-off might be considered wise.

The month of June will probably determine Chicago’s mindset heading into the deadline.

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It’s been a rough go for Alex Bregman in Chicago so far. While only a few months into his five-year tenure with the Cubs, he and fans alike are frustrated with the lack of production. He’s hit for little power and has not come up in key situations. The boos at Wrigley Field are starting to be heard.

Alex Bregman completely wore it after going 0 for 5 and making the last out tonight: “I haven’t executed all year. Runners in scoring position, I’ve been god awful.”

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 8, 2026

This horrific 7-21 stretch magnifies Bregman’s lack of production, and his struggles have been a big contributor to this spiral. Fans are getting some uneasy feelings.

Cubs fans remember times like these for other key players

Bregman was brought in to be the “Alpha” of the team. Even if the likes of Michael Busch or Seiya Suzuki put up better numbers, Bregman needs to be the driving force. Like when Kris Bryant was the MVP in 2016, he was the best producer and talent, but Anthony Rizzo was the cornerstone.

The lack of production, the jeers, and the scratching of heads, it can remind one of post-June Kyle Tucker last year. He was brought in to be “the guy” last year, and for a while he was, before the finger injury after which it all fell apart. When Tucker struggled, the rest of the team did too. While the circumstances between Bregman and Tucker are not all apples-to-apples, similar dejected and frustrated feelings are present.

Other comparisons are floating around out there. Obviously with the money, one can connect Bregman to the Jason Heyward deal. Though Heyward was not signed to be the primary catalyst. Somewhat similar to Dansby Swanson, though Heyward had a higher offensive ceiling. Another, to a lesser extent, was 2024 Cody Bellinger. He put up okay numbers in a vacuum, but not quite to expectations.

The jury on Bregman has not concluded

There is no sugarcoating how awful it’s been for Bregman, but it is a small sample size. He’s working his tail off to try to fix things.

Fears are real about Bregman’s hitting profile not fitting the best at Wrigley, and being on the wrong side of 30, and coming off a season where an injury derailed what was looking like an MVP caliber season in Boston. With that said, it does not mean this is the best we will get from him going forward. Sometimes, the right tweaks, physically and mentally, can bust downward trends.

There is still bullishness on Bregman turning it around from people in baseball. Hopefully for his and the Cubs’ sake, that happens. He’s a very good talent with a professional approach at the plate, but the production simply has to come. Time will tell if that’s reality or if things are indeed on the downswing for the veteran infielder.

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Caitlin Clark’s clutch gene showed up when the Indiana Fever needed it most Monday night against the Washington Mystics.

It looked like Indiana had the game well in hand. The Fever led by as many as 17 in the third quarter at CareFirst Arena. But Washington had other ideas. The Mystics clawed all the way back and held a one-point lead with 4.3 seconds left in regulation.

Out of a timeout, Clark freed herself off an Aliyah Boston screen and gathered a long cross-court inbounds pass from Sophie Cunningham. With zero hesitation, she rose and buried a 31-footer to seal a 78-76 victory and improve Indiana to 6-5.

Clark finished with 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field and 4-of-10 from 3-point range. The two-time All-Star added five assists, three rebounds two steals in 31 minutes.

Caitlin Clark explains why she’d rather not be in a position to take a game-winning shot 

Clark was on cloud nine after leading the Fever to victory. Still, she made an unexpected admission postgame. Cardiac moments like that one are not exactly her preference.

Being forced into a late heroic shot meant the Fever let a commanding lead slip. Clark did not shy away from saying so.

“If we would have started the third quarter a little bit better, especially on the defensive end, it would have put us in a position to not have to make a late game shot,” she said.

“Even though it was exciting for everybody in the arena, for you guys, and for everybody at home. I don’t always want to have to do that.”

 

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A post shared by WNBA on NBC and Peacock (@wnbaonnbc)

Clark made two clutch plays in the final seconds. Before the game-winning triple, she found Kelsey Mitchell with a well-timed assist on a fastbreak layup to retake the lead with 11 seconds left.

It was also a bounce-back performance for Clark. She entered the game shooting just 37.7% from the field and 32.4% from three-point territory. 

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Despite the Chicago Bears announcing that they will move forward with Hammond as the site for their new stadium, the state of Illinois is attempting a Hail Mary to keep the Bears in the state.

More news: Chicago Bears: Indiana Gov says stadium deal isn’t secure yet

In a new report from WGN’s Winnie Dortch, an Illinois law maker is expected to reveal new legislation Tuesday, in an attempt to keep the Bears from moving to northwest Indiana.

Could this be Illinois’ last chance at keeping the Chicago Bears?

According to Dortch, Republican state representative Dan Ugaste is expected to outline the new legislation.

State lawmaker to outline legislation to help keep #Bears in Illinois after team’s vote last week to advance stadium project in Hammond, Indiana. @WinnieMarieNEWS reports.

READ MORE: https://t.co/K1w7T1asre

— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) June 9, 2026

Ugaste stated that the goal is to “keep the Bears in Illinois and also lower property taxes across the state”.

The state of Illinois were unable to pass the previous bill through the senate. That would have cleared the way to allow the Bears to move to their proposed location in Arlington Heights.

Despite the Bears’ board of directors agreeing to move forward with Indiana, no deal is set in stone yet.

It seems we will be waiting once again even longer for an official decision on the team’s new stadium.

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The Chicago Cubs may be going through an extended rough patch that has seen them fall from first place in the NL Central Division to fourth place, but there are still some silver linings. Pete Crow-Armstrong has become one of them.

More News: Chicago Cubs reacquire former prospect in pitching desperation move

The Cubs’ 24-year-old center fielder was just named NL Player of the Week after his recent MVP-level stretch of games.

Over the course of the last week, “PCA” is 11-for-25 with 4 home runs, 6 RBIs, plus a walk-off. Actually, over the last month or so, the young talent has become one of the team’s most impactful bats, although the stats on paper didn’t initially reflect how well his at-bats have been going. He is currently on a 12-game hitting streak.

PCA’s stellar run at the plate

More News: Chicago Cubs’ unwillingness to pay for pitching brought them to this disaster

Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation recently crunched the numbers, showing just how good Crow-Armstrong has been:

“During that 12-game stretch, he’s slashing a ridiculous .392/.456/.745 (236 wRC+), with three doubles, five homers, two stolen bases, and just a 24.6% strikeout rate.

He’s also tearing the COVER off the ball with a 94.4 MPH average exit velocity, a 24.3% barrel rate, and a 59.5% hard-hit rate.

But you should know by now that this isn’t merely some tiny sample spark. He may have won the award for this week, but you can go back OVER 200 PAs now to April 14 and find a bona-fide superstar.

.278/.373/.506 (149 wRC+, 20th in MLB)
10 HRs, 10 SBs
9.6 BB%, 23.4 K%
91.9 MPH EV (25th in MLB)
14.4 Barrel% (24th in MLB)
52.3 Hard% (17th in MLB)”

As Cerami also pointed out, he’s currently second in fWAR among pure position players with 2.9, behind only Bobby Witt Jr.’s 3.1.

PCA will now bring his red-hot bat into the light air of the Colorado Rockies’ Coors Field for a three-game series, which has become a must-win set of games for a Cubs team that hasn’t actually won a series in quite a while.

Counsell’s words of wisdom

Crow-Armstrong, who signed a six-year, $115 million contract extension with the Cubs at the start of the season, recently brought up a bit of motivational wisdom shared with him by manager Craig Counsell, amid the team’s ugly, extended slump.

“(Counsell) made an interesting point to me the other day,” he told reporters. “He said, ‘It kind of feels like it’s a bunch of have to, and we have to get the job done, and we have to pick it up, turn it around, win these games — it’s like, you can’t forget that we get to do this.’”

The words highlighted the fact that Crow-Armstrong, and everyone else at the major league level, is privileged to be in a spot where such pressure is heaped on his shoulders. It served as a reminder that the joy of playing the game shouldn’t ever be eclipsed by the work necessary to succeed.

Right now, PCA is putting everything together to wring maximum joy and success from his efforts.

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The Chicago White Sox have had a black hole in right field due to injuries and inconsistent play. Outfielders Austin Hays (left calf strain) and Everson Pereira (right pectoral strain) have been on the injured list since late April and early May.

With Hays and Pereira not likely to return anytime soon, the White Sox are opting to call up one of their top prospects to replace the void created by them.

The Chicago White Sox are calling up top prospect Braden Montgomery from Triple-A Charlotte

The White Sox open a three-game series versus the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night and will have one new face joining the team, outfielder Braden Montgomery. According to Sox Machine’s James Fegan, the White Sox are calling up their No. 2 prospect and the 21st-best prospect in MLB, Braden Montgomery, to the big leagues after a solid season in the minor leagues.

More White Sox News: White Sox Munetaka Murakami is in line to bring home some valuable hardware

CBS Sports Matt Snyder first reported there were “whispers” that Montgomery would receive a call-up early Tuesday afternoon.

Montgomery, a former first-round draft pick (12th overall) of the Boston Red Sox in 2024, was one of the prospects in the deal that sent left-hander Garret Crochet back to the Red Sox. Since joining the White Sox farm system, the 23-year-old has done nothing but hit, posting a .284 batting average and .858 OPS in his two seasons in the minor leagues.

This season proved to be no different, and the Des Moines, Iowa native has been impressive at both Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. Between the two levels, Montgomery is batting .314 with a .970 OPS and 10 home runs.

The White Sox have deployed Montgomery in right field (16 games, 14 starts) and center field (31 games and starts) this season, but he will likely be playing in right field with the big league club. The emergence of outfielder Tristin Peters (.307 batting average and a .813 OPS) will prevent him from playing in center field.

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The Chicago Cubs sit eight games out of the lead of the National League Central, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the race.

Even though the Cubs are not playing well, they still will be buyers at the trade deadline. The Cubs finished May with a 13-16 record and are 2-4 to begin June. The biggest hole on the roster is the starting rotation. The Cubs have the prospect capital to acquire an elite arm.

Despite the prospect capital, the Cubs may need to dip into the major league roster to get a deal done.

Chicago Cubs Matt Shaw could be used in a trade to acquire a top-tier starting pitcher

Cubs’ infielder Matt Shaw has been on the injured list since May 22 with mid-back tightness. However, after a four-game rehab assignment, Shaw will be activated on Tuesday.

More Cubs News: Chicago Cubs hope Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to heat up in June

Shaw should go back to playing all over the diamond. But he could play a few games at third base to help give Alex Bregman a break. Shaw’s return could help him increase his trade value, as he could be used to acquire an elite arm like Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline (Aug. 3).

“The Cubs figure to be in the market for a starting pitcher this summer, and given that their farm system has fallen from MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 ranking two years ago to No. 23 prior to this season, Chicago may have to deal from its big league roster to acquire an impact arm,” wrote MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. “Switch-hitting infielder Pedro Ramírez — Chicago’s No. 2 prospect — has filled in during Shaw’s stint on the injured list, giving the Cubs a built-in replacement if Shaw was to be dealt.”

Shaw would add value to any team acquiring him, given his versatility. Shaw’s played one game in center and left field, two games at first base, five games at third base and 14 games in right field. A change of scenery would also help Shaw, who could benefit from seeing consistent at-bats.

If Shaw is traded, keeping Pedro Ramirez on the roster to fill his place would be the natural move. The Cubs had Ramirez move around the Diamond at Triple-A Iowa to help increase his versatility.

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The Chicago White Sox haven’t been the team since first baseman Munetaka Murakami was placed on the injured list. After going 18-10 in May, the White Sox are 2-4 to begin June.

Murakami has proven to be the White Sox’s best hitter and one of the best hitters in baseball. Despite being on the injured list, the 26-year-old is third in Major League Baseball in home runs (20) and is fifth in walks (44).

Chicago White Sox Munetaka Murakami is a favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award

Given the star power permeating the American and National Leagues, the Rookie of the Year race will be tight. So many rookies are deserving, but only one can win the award, and Murakami has one of the best chances.

More White Sox News: Chicago White Sox hope Edgar Quero can reverse his poor season

In a poll conducted by MLB.com of 32 experts, Murakami finished in second place to Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle. Murakami received 119 total vote points with 11 first-place votes, while McGonigle received 120 total vote points and 14 first-place votes.

“Murakami has been on the injured list since May 30 with a right hamstring strain and is expected to be out at least until the end of June,” wrote MLB.com’s Jason Foster. “But he did plenty before the injury to become a front-runner for the AL ROY award. The lefty slugger still leads all MLB rookies with 20 homers and a .938 OPS, and led the group with 41 RBIs entering play Monday.”

McGonigle is Murakami’s main competition. But he also has someone like Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick nipping on his heels. Messick is leading American League rookies in wins (six), innings (75) and strikeouts (78), and was second in ERA (2.40) and WHIP (1.07).

Murakami won’t return until the end of June. But this will still give him a couple of months to add on to his numbers.

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The Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in a pretty solid position heading into the NHL offseason, as they possess a decent amount of cap space and own expansive draft capital that they could use toward potentially building a contender going forward.

The Blackhawks have missed the playoffs six years in a row, equaling their longest drought since 1952. However, they have shown clear improvement over the last couple of seasons, so they may not be as far off as you may think.

Could that mean established stars may start viewing Chicago as an appealing destination this summer?

It’s what the Blackhawks are hoping for, as they are aiming to make at least one notable free-agent signing, and it would be nice if they could cash in some of their assets in a significant trade, as well (players do have some pull there).

For example, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin was recently floated as a potential target for Chicago, but is it realistic? Larkin just answered that question.

Dylan Larkin update is bad news for the Chicago Blackhawks

Larkin has asked the Red Wings for a trade, and he has now provided a list of three preferred destinations: the Vegas Golden Knights, the Minnesota Wild and the Florida Panthers.

What do all three of those teams have in common? They are all contenders. Yes, the Panthers missed the playoffs this year, but they just won two straight Stanley Cups and made it to three in a row. The Blackhawks do not exactly possess that resume in their current form.

So, what does this mean for Chicago?

Well, Larkin does not speak for veterans everywhere, but it could be an indication that some of the top players available this offseason do not exactly view the Blackhawks as a marquee landing spot. Considering the Hawks managed just 72 points this season, it’s not hard to see why.

The hope is that big names see the potential in a young Chicago squad led by Connor Bedard, but perhaps it’s still a bit too soon for the Blackhawks, who have yet to actually prove they are going to be contending anytime soon.

Chicago will surely land someone of significance this offseason, but it might be more difficult than people initially anticipated.

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The Chicago Bulls are entering a crucial offseason in which they will have a brilliant opportunity to build a legitimate contender going forward, but they have to be extra careful to make the right moves.

The Bulls are loaded with cap room and own pick Nos. 4 and 15 in the NBA Draft, so they definitely have the ammunition they need to add some significant pieces this summer. But could Chicago do something wild and try to consolidate some of its assets for one player?

There has been some speculation that the Bulls could try to swing a trade with the Washington Wizards to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, which they would then almost surely use to select BYU star AJ Dybantsa. But how much would Chicago be willing to surrender in such a deal?

Well, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley apparently thinks the Bulls would be open to giving up a gargantuan haul to snatch Dybantsa, even going as far to say that Chicago would include Matas Buzelis in the package.

Chicago Bulls linked to shocking Matas Buzelis trade

Buckley’s proposal features the Bulls sending Buzelis and both of their first-round picks to the Wizards in exchange for the top overall selection. A hefty price to pay, indeed.

“Do the Bulls see cornerstone potential in Buzelis? What about Caleb Wilson? How about whichever prospect they realistically think could make it to pick No. 15? If they can’t find a resounding ‘Yes!’ to any of those inquiries, then this trade kind of sells itself,” Buckley wrote.

The general consensus is that Wilson will be available if Chicago stays put at No. 4. The question is whether or not the Bulls really think Dybantsa is that much better of a prospect than Wilson, because a legitimate argument can be made that the latter is actually the best two-way talent in the draft.

Plus, Buzelis flashed star potential during his second NBA season, averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds over 29.2 minutes per game on 46.3/34.9/78.6 shooting splits. It should also be mentioned that this is a pretty deep draft class, so Chicago could also land a pretty good player at No. 15.

Is all of that really worth it for Dybantsa? It’s something the Bulls really need to ask themselves, because if they offered that trade package, I actually have a hard time believing the Wizards would say “no” unless they are completely in love with Dybantsa, which is always a possibility.

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Heading into the NFL offseason, just about everyone expected the Chicago Bears to address their pass rush in some shape or form. They had opportunities to do so via free agency and the draft, and some trades were on the table, as well.

Instead, the Bears have chosen to ignore the need. They didn’t sign anyone, nor did they draft any edge rushers.

It was certainly a peculiar decision by Chicago, which totaled just 35 sacks in 2025. Apparently, the Bears are very confident in Austin Booker having a breakout year, and they must also feel good about Dayo Odeyingbo’s recovery from a torn Achilles.

But the fact that Chicago didn’t even add any insurance at the position is concerning.

Of course, there is still time for the Bears to make a move, and after the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Nick Herbig to a $100 million contract extension, momentum is building toward Chicago making a move for another Steelers edge rusher: Alex Highsmith.

Chicago Bears could trade for Alex Highsmith

If Pittsburgh does decide to trade Highsmith, the Bears should be front and center in discussions, and Chicago fans everywhere are clamoring for their team to add the 28-year-old.

Christopher Carter of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently revealed that the Steelers trading Highsmith would be a certainty next year, but that they might be convinced to part ways with him now if a team offers an enticing enough package.

Highsmith registered 50 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 13 games last season and has accumulated 45 sacks since entering the league in 2020. Injuries have been a problem for the former third-round pick over the last couple of years, but prior to 2024, he had always been pretty healthy.

The question is whether or not the Bears would pay the price required to acquire Highsmith, whose best season came in 2022 when he racked up 63 tackles, 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Remember: it appeared Chicago wanted nothing to do with the Las Vegas Raiders’ asking price for Maxx Crosby, so you would also imagine the Bears would balk at a similar price for Highsmith, who is the inferior player to Crosby.

Pairing Highsmith alongside of Montez Sweat would absolutely make Chicago’s pass rush scary, but would the Bears be better off saving their draft picks and just signing someone like Jadeveon Clowney instead? Perhaps, but Chicago doesn’t seem entirely interested in that avenue, either.

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The Chicago White Sox have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, as they are 34-31 and firmly in playoff contention with the trade deadline approaching. This even though the White Sox had been one of the MLB’s worst teams for the preceding three years.

It has been a stark change in Chicago, and it’s thanks much in part to the terrific job the front office has done accumulating impressive young talent.

We already know about Munetaka Murakami, who is looking more and more like the steal of the offseason (although he is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury). But the White Sox have also put some very intriguing young pieces around him, such as shortstop Colson Montgomery and third baseman Miguel Vargas.

Montgomery and Vargas will both be with Chicago for the foreseeable future, but Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wonders if the White Sox should start trying to extend them now, which would certainly be a jarring move from an organization that hasn’t exactly spent significant money in recent years.

Chicago White Sox urged to make big moves with Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas

Miller feels that Chicago should follow the Athletics’ model and start extending their young players now.

“The White Sox should take a page out of the Athletics book and start locking up young core pieces like Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas and perhaps even top prospect Caleb Bonemer,” Miller wrote.

The Athletics signed youngsters Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom to surprising contract extensions and also offered Nick Kurtz a lucrative deal before the start of 2026. Clearly, the A’s are trying to make some headway before moving to Las Vegas, but that doesn’t mean Chicago can’t do something similar.

Both Montgomery and Vargas appear to be legitimate long-term pieces for the South Siders.

Montgomery owns an .801 OPS and has already homered 16 times this season — his second big-league campaign — while also playing tremendous defense at short. Meanwhile, Vargas is slashing .242/.370/.489 with 15 home runs. His defense is certainly less stellar than Montgomery’s but at least the White Sox know his bat is solid.

Chicago definitely appears to be building something very positive moving forward, but it’s important that it maintains its momentum. That means spending some dollars, and part of that could be in the form of inking its young, budding stars to long-term contracts. The Sox could then even save money over the long haul by avoiding arbitration.

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The Chicago Cubs have been one of the worst teams in baseball for the last month, as they have gone just 7-20 since their 27-17 start. Talk about a polarizing ballclub.

A litany of problems have plagued the Cubs throughout that span, but the most notable of all has been their starting pitching. Chicago’s rotation is one of the MLB’s least productive, so if the Cubs want to make any sort of playoff push, they’ll have to add some arms.

On the bright side, there should be plenty of pitchers available between now and the trade deadline, so Chicago will have its pick of the litter. And while the Cubs’ farm system may not be as loaded as it once was, they still have some pieces that would intrigue other squads.

But just how much would Chicago be willing to surrender in a trade?

Well, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller has proposed a trade in which the Cubs would receive Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha from the Kansas City Royals while giving up a king’s ransom in return.

Chicago Cubs linked to massive trade with Kansas City Royals

Miller has Chicago sending Kevin Alcantara, Jefferson Rojas and Jaxon Wiggins to the Royals in exchange for the two veteran pitchers, which is an absolutely massive price to pay for two aging hurlers with serious question marks.

Lugo has logged a 3.91 ERA and 1.355 WHIP over his first 13 starts of 2026. He posted a 4.15 ERA last season, and while he was an All-Star in 2024, it’s important to remember that the 36-year-old had been a reliever for a significant chunk of his career.

Wacha owns a 3.44 ERA and 1.136 WHIP this year, so he has been a bit better than Lugo. But he turns 35 next month and has a very checkered injury history. When healthy, he has been a very solid pitcher, but he would represent a pretty big risk.

And would the Cubs really give up three of their top youngsters for two pitchers who aren’t even aces? It seems like an incredibly steep price, and it’s more something Chicago would give up for Tarik Skubal rather than Lugo and Wacha.

The Cubbies definitely need pitching assistance, but I’m not too sure they would even consider this deal. Maybe trading for just one of them so the asking price would not be nearly as exorbitant would be more ideal.

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There’s a different feeling around the Chicago Bears entering the 2026 preseason. Not manufactured optimism. Not the hollow kind that tends to arrive every spring before reality settles in by October. This feels more grounded than that, even if uncertainty still hangs over parts of the roster.

Key Storylines Fueling the Chicago Bears Ahead of the 2026 PreseasonCaleb Williams showed enough last season to change the emotional temperature of the franchise, and the front office responded with urgency during the offseason. The result is a team stepping into training camp with expectations that suddenly feel real, maybe for the first time in a while.

Caleb Williams Leading Chicago’s Offensive Revolution

Caleb Williams walks into this preseason carrying the kind of attention that follows quarterbacks who are expected to change everything.

Fair or not, that’s where Chicago is now. Williams’ rookie season wasn’t flawless, and nobody inside the building pretended otherwise, but there were stretches where the offense finally looked alive. Faster. Less hesitant. You could feel the difference watching it.

Over the offseason, much of the focus centered on the details. Footwork. Timing. Pocket movement. Coaches have emphasized a calmer, more efficient approach from Williams when plays break down. That matters because NFL defenses rarely allow young quarterbacks comfort for long. The flashes last year were exciting. Consistency is the next hurdle.

There’s also a quieter shift happening behind the scenes. Veteran teammates have mentioned his confidence more often lately, not just his arm talent. Leadership in a locker room doesn’t usually arrive overnight, especially for young quarterbacks drafted into difficult situations, but Williams seems more settled now. More certain of himself. It changes the dynamic of the offense when the quarterback starts owning the room instead of just learning it.

At the same time, the spotlight isn’t fading anytime soon. Fans have already started circling difficult stretches on the upcoming Chicago Bears schedule, trying to measure how quickly this team can close the gap against stronger NFC opponents.

Building a Competitive Offensive Line for Success

The Bears knew they couldn’t move forward without fixing the offensive line. There wasn’t much ambiguity there. Too often last season, protection broke down before plays even had a chance to develop, leaving Williams improvising under pressure that arrived almost immediately. Some quarterbacks can survive that for stretches. Few can thrive on it.

So Chicago went searching for answers. Free agency brought experience. The draft added younger talent with more upside than polish, which is usually how these rebuilds work anyway. What matters now is whether the pieces actually fit together once preseason games begin. Offensive lines are strange that way. Talent helps, but cohesion matters as much, sometimes more.

During spring workouts, coaches emphasized communication almost obsessively. Identifying blitzes faster and cleaning up assignments before the snap. The kind of work fans rarely notice until it’s missing on Sundays. There’s still uncertainty around starting roles at a couple of spots, and that competition may continue deep into camp.

Still, NFL narratives show that the overall structure feels sturdier than it did a year ago. If Chicago finally establishes reliable protection up front, everything else changes with it. The passing game opens. The run game becomes less predictable. The offense stops feeling rushed all the time. That’s the hope, anyway.

Defensive Rebuilding Under a New Coaching Philosophy

Chicago’s defense enters this preseason looking and sounding different. More aggressive in theory. Faster across the middle. Coaches have pushed for a style built around disruption rather than reaction, which feels overdue considering how passive the unit looked at times last season.

The personnel decisions reflected that shift almost immediately. Younger linebackers. More athletic defensive backs. Players who can move in space without sacrificing physicality. The Bears clearly wanted range and speed, particularly against modern offenses that stretch defenses horizontally before attacking vertically.

What makes this transition interesting is that it probably won’t look polished right away.

Aggressive defenses tend to live close to the edge. They create pressure and takeaways when everything works correctly, but they can also give up explosive plays when assignments break down. That tension will likely surface during the preseason, especially as younger players fight for meaningful snaps.

Several recent draft picks are expected to see extended action during camp and exhibition games. Coaches need to know which combinations can actually hold together against varied offensive looks. Not just during controlled practices but under game speed, where communication changes and instincts take over.

Veteran leadership still matters here. Probably more than people realize. A defense trying to reinvent itself can unravel quickly without experienced players stabilizing things between series and inside the huddle. Chicago doesn’t need perfection yet. It needs identity. Right now, that identity is still forming.

Key Free Agency Additions Reshaping the Roster

The Bears approached free agency with noticeably more urgency this offseason. Not recklessness. Urgency. There’s a difference between spending aggressively and spending with purpose, and Chicago seemed determined to address weaknesses without completely sacrificing long-term flexibility.

Some additions were obvious fits from the beginning. Additional pass-catching help gives Caleb Williams more room to operate and reduces the pressure on younger targets still growing into larger roles. Depth along the line of scrimmage also mattered after the physical inconsistencies that surfaced repeatedly last season.

A few moves felt more subtle than headline-grabbing, though those often become the most important by November.

The secondary, for example, needed stability as much as talent. The Bears added players who can fit multiple coverages, which should give the coaching staff more flexibility week to week. That adaptability becomes important once injuries inevitably start testing depth charts around the league.

What happens next is harder to predict because chemistry can’t really be manufactured during offseason workouts. New players have to settle into the locker room, absorb terminology, understand expectations, and earn trust naturally. Some transitions happen quickly. Others drag into the regular season longer than teams expect.

Chicago doesn’t need every signing to become a star. It just needs enough of them to raise the floor of the roster.

Expectations, Fan Buzz, and Super Bowl Aspirations

For once, the excitement around the Bears feels rooted in something more substantial than nostalgia. There’s visible momentum around the team, from offseason buzz to growing attention across the league.

Much of that optimism centers on Caleb Williams, improved roster depth, and a defense built with greater speed and purpose. Expectations are naturally rising, and the preseason will shape how realistic they become. Still, Chicago enters 2026 looking sharper, more confident, and far less stuck in the cycle of endless rebuilding.

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Chicago basketball does not need a franchise logo to explain itself. The city’s real basketball accent was built on outdoor courts, winter gyms, cracked pavement, chain nets, and players who learned to create space where there was none. That language now travels farther than the bus routes that shaped it. A crossover filmed on the South Side can become a drill in Manila, a reaction clip in Lagos, or a footwork argument in Paris before the next pickup run starts.

This is not a Bulls story. It is a geography story. The court matters first.

The Map Comes Before the Myth

Chicago’s basketball identity has always been neighborhood-specific. Washington Park does not feel like a lakefront court. Austin does not play with the same social rhythm as Chatham. A gym run after school does not carry the same pressure as an outdoor game with older players watching from the fence.

The Chicago Park District lists outdoor basketball courts across the city, with many made from concrete or asphalt and used by youth and adults in their neighborhoods. That municipal fact sounds plain. It is not. It means basketball in Chicago is distributed, local, walkable, and deeply tied to where a player grew up.

When a player says where he learned to play, he is usually describing more than court location. He is describing noise level, defensive tolerance, argument style, and how much talking a young player had to survive.

Washington Park Still Carries the Weight

Washington Park’s basketball court sits at 5531 S. King Drive, inside George Washington Park. That address matters because the South Side game has never been abstract there. It has been physical, loud, and watched.

ABC7’s 2019 feature on South Side blacktop basketball described Washington Park’s courts as “The Blacktop” and noted how the area once drew large crowds. The same report connected Chicago’s outdoor courts to names and stories that still echo through local basketball culture. Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose are the famous references, but the more useful detail is the ecosystem around them: older players, younger challengers, watchers, arguments, and games that did not need a scoreboard to feel official.

The exportable part of that culture is not nostalgia. It is the way Chicago players sell contact, absorb pressure, and turn a one-on-one possession into a public test.

West Side Runs Have Their Own Grammar

On the West Side, basketball often feels more compressed. La Follette Park in Austin covers 18.70 acres and offers basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and other recreation spaces. That mix matters because players do not grow up inside a basketball-only laboratory. They grow up crossing sports, seasons, age groups, and neighborhood routines.

West Side basketball clips tend to travel because they have edge. A jab step looks different when the defender knows the move is coming and still refuses to give ground. A drive looks different when the lane is narrow, the help defender is early, and nobody is calling soft fouls.

That is the Chicago thing outsiders copy: not one move, but resistance. The move only matters because someone is trying to take it away.

Why TikTok and YouTube Changed the Export Route

Old streetball reputation moved by word of mouth. A player was nice because someone said he cooked a respected defender at the park. Now the proof travels as a 12-second vertical clip, often stripped of context but loaded with attitude.

That format suits Chicago. Short clips reward body control, handle pressure, midrange balance, and crowd reaction. They also make the city’s court geography visible: fences, park backdrops, old blacktop surfaces, lake wind, low winter light, and the tight semicircle of people waiting for next.

The Philippines, Nigeria, and France do not receive Chicago basketball as a formal lesson. They receive fragments: a hesi, a stare, a bump, a caption, a drill breakdown, a debate in the comments. Then local players translate it into their own courts.

Betting Screens Follow the Same Global Game

Global basketball culture no longer moves only through full games. It moves through highlights, box scores, injury updates, market shifts, creator clips, and live reactions. A fan watching Chicago-style pickup videos in the afternoon might be tracking professional basketball lines by evening, and an NBA betting site becomes part of that second-screen routine when it gives clean access to spreads, totals, player props, and live markets. The useful bettor is not guessing from a mixtape. He is separating style from measurable game conditions: pace, rotation depth, back-to-back fatigue, and shot profile.

Casino habits sit beside sports habits on the same phone, especially during short breaks between clips, games, and messages. The serious user looks for visible rules, known game providers, clear account flow, and a cashier process that does not feel improvised. Inside that wider entertainment schedule, a legit online casino makes sense only when the casino section feels structured rather than noisy. Players respond better to libraries they can scan quickly, demo options they can test, and interfaces that do not bury basic information. The best mobile sessions are short because the user stays in control of the clock.

Slot demos work well for basketball audiences because they match the clip economy: fast rhythm, immediate feedback, and no long setup. A player who has just watched ten handle clips may want something equally quick before returning to a group chat or live game. The Super Ace demo gives that kind of low-commitment look at symbols, bonus rhythm, and volatility feel without asking the user to treat curiosity as a deposit decision. That matters because good digital entertainment keeps the barrier low. It lets the user understand the game before deciding whether the full version deserves time.

Why the NBA’s Global Boom Makes Chicago Easier to Understand

The NBA announced that 2025–26 opening-night rosters featured 135 international players from 43 countries across six continents. France had a record 19 players, while the league also highlighted more than 55 players born in Africa or with at least one parent from Africa. That global player map changes how people read local basketball cultures.

Chicago no longer looks isolated. It looks like one dialect inside a global basketball language. The city contributes toughness, pace control, defensive pride, and a blacktop sense of accountability. Other places add spacing, passing angles, footwork traditions, and different ideas about training.

That exchange is no longer theoretical. It is visible every day in drills, captions, edits, and arguments under clips.

The Court Is Still the Source Code

A Chicago move loses something when it becomes only a tutorial. The same crossover means less without the defender leaning into the chest, the old head calling travel, and the next five waiting with no patience. The court gives the move its stakes.

That is why South Side and West Side basketball still matter in a global feed. The internet spreads the image, but the neighborhood made the image worth spreading. A phone can export the handle. It cannot fake the pressure that shaped it.

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The Cubs were back on Sunday Night Baseball, and once again, the Cubs came up short, losing 2–1 in 10 innings.

Starter Jamison Taillon left the game in the 2nd inning when he suffered a left hamstring strain. He was placed on the IL following the game. Reliever Javier Assad, who was called up from AAA Iowa on Saturday, pitched brilliantly in emergency relief, throwing 6.1 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit.

But the Cubs offense was only 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, a recurring theme that has become so predictable. They had chances, but they are unable to find ways to cash them in. That’s been the story every night.

But this night belonged to Kevin Alcántara, who may have played his last game with the Chicago Cubs because of his base-running gaffes.

With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning, the Cubs managed to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Rookie Kevin Alcántara was at third when Alex Bregman came to the plate. He hit a liner that was caught by the Giants’ first baseman Rafael Devers, who threw it to third, doubling Alcántara, who was caught too far off. That mistake changed the entire game.

Alex Bregman comes up man on 1st and 3rd, 1-1 game with NO OUTS in the bottom of the 8th.

And he’s swinging first pitch on a ball way outside the zone for a weak line drive that doubles up Alcantara. 68 exit velocity on his hit. That is absolutely horrible #cubs pic.twitter.com/zckoY0MMhI

— Sam Holtz (@ceowildcard) June 8, 2026

Alcántara’s mistakes are too difficult to ignore

Alcántara also had another base-running gaffe against the Athletics last Tuesday. The Cubs in the 2nd inning had Ian Happ at third and Alcántara at first. He tried to intentionally draw himself into a rundown to buy enough time for Happ to score from third before a tag could be applied.

Instead, Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers’ throw took the second baseman right into the running lane. Alcántara failed to stop early enough in his tracks to prolong the rundown. He tagged out easily before Happ could cross home plate. The Cubs ended up losing 2-1.

It turns out the base-running gaffes by Alcántara are nothing new. According to reports during Spring Training, manager Craig Counsell went off during baserunning drills in the presence of media members. It was later revealed that Counsell was angry towards Alcántara.

Counsell has to be deeply disappointed that Alcántara has not made much progress as a player. Alcántara earned a call-up from AAA Iowa based on the power number he put up despite a high strikeout rate. But since his promotion, Counsell has heavily restricted his playing time, and primarily utilizes him as a late-game substitute.

But after tonight, he may have played his final game as a Cub. He looks like a player who is unprepared, unaware, and out of his depth. Fair or not, Alcántara can no longer be trusted in any capacity.

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Sophie Cunningham stunned everyone with her pre-game outfit.

On Saturday, Cunningham and the Indiana Fever visited the New York Liberty for their second Commissioner’s Cup game.

They absorbed a tough 83-75 setback, their sixth loss of the season. Cunningham played 17 minutes and racked up two points, one rebound and two assists.

But even before she stepped on the court, the eighth-year player from Missouri already turned heads with her pre-game outfit.

Cunningham arrived at the game wearing a bright orange-red mini dress that featured an asymmetrical halter neckline and a body-skimming silhouette. 

The overall look of Cunningham’s ensemble gave off a playful and summery vibe.

pic.twitter.com/gAg2p9UvYS

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 6, 2026

Indiana Fever fans react to Sophie Cunningham’s pregame outfit

This immediately caught the attention of fans and showered her with positive comments on the Fever’s social media post.

“She is about the only thing that is beautiful & genuine in the WNBA,” wrote a user.

“Always amazing how gorgeous she looks and that Beautiful Smile 😁🤩,” said another.

“Glamorous,” a user commented.

“Slayed 🥹,” someone wrote.

“Someone needs to sign Cunningham to a long term contract! #boxoffice,” a user claimed.

“Looking good,” a user admired.

Cunningham’s outfit against Atlanta on Thursday also stole headlines, where she wore a black fitted bodysuit. In that victory over the Dream, Cunningham posted eight points and two rebounds in 19 minutes of play.

Saturday’s defeat to the Liberty halted Indiana’s momentum, which erased the momentum of their bounce-back win over the Dream.

Cunningham and the team should quickly brush off this loss, as they now head to Washington for a clash with the Washington Mystics on Monday.

This will conclude their two-game road trip before going back home on Thursday to face the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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The Chicago Bears are looking to take the next step as a team this season. After finishing second in the NFC and winning a playoff game, they have their eyes set on even bigger goals this year. It all depends on the play of their stars, and one outlet threw out a bold prediction about the key to the franchise. Let’s take a closer look at who they said should take a major leap next season.

ESPN analyst predicts Caleb Williams will win the NFL MVP

Matt Bowen, an NFL analyst for ESPN, gave his 2026 bold prediction in the NFL. He predicted that Caleb Williams would win the 2026 NFL MVP Award. Below is the snippet of what he said regarding his prediction:

“Williams threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2025, his first season nuder coach Ben Johnson. With another offseason to develop in Johnson’s system, the Bears QB is primed to play at a high level in 2026. Plus, he has a versatile and explosive group of pass catchers. The arrow is pointing up on Williams — and Johnson’s playcalling.”

This would be a massive leap for Williams, as he has not received any votes for MVP in his young career. However, he is becoming a popular dark horse MVP candidate. Chicago continues to improve its offense by drafting tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas in the first few rounds. The Bears improved drastically on the defensive side as well, so if they can win a lot of games, Williams can get votes for the team’s success.

A big thing that has hampered Williams in his young career has been the completion percentage. His completion percentage dropped in 2025 to 58.1% and fell even more in the postseason. In his two playoff games, he completed just 52.2% of his passes. However, Williams has showcased the ability to make difficult throws when the Bears needed them most. If he is able to start games with more consistency and get the completion percentage closer to 63%, it will be difficult to keep him out of the MVP discussion.

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The Chicago White Sox are having an unbelievable first few months of the 2026 season. They are in contention for a playoff spot, as they hold the second AL Wild Card spot at this moment. Chicago has a lot of young talent, but could look to add some experience ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. What can the White Sox trade away? Let’s take a closer look at the team’s best trade chip right now.

The Chicago White Sox can trade some prospects for a solid boost to the MLB roster

MLB had each of its team insiders explain the team’s biggest trade chip ahead of the trade deadline. Scott Merkin explained how, for the White Sox, it is their prospect depth.

“The White Sox look to be legitimate American League postseason contenders. Thus, any veterans viewed in February as possible trade chips for an ongoing rebuild will be needed for the push forward to October. But as far as the young core goes, general manager Chris Getz won’t tear apart what they have meticulously built just to jump up for one season. They would move players from their system in return for players who won’t just help in 2026 but also in ’27 and beyond.”

Chicago has a lot of young talent, but it can be aggressive in the trade market. Getz has done a great job in acquiring minor league talent that is getting close to being MLB-ready. Not all of the prospects are going to be staying with the South Side, so some could be used to get players on the trade block this year.

The White Sox could use a starting pitcher with experience, so could they be in the Sandy Alcantara or Tarik Skubal trade sweepstakes? They could also get some more bats with players like Rafael Devers or a trade in the city for Matt Shaw. It will be intriguing to see which prospects they are interested in moving and which players the front office believes would help the roster continue to win games.

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Sunday was a very sad day for many Chicago Bulls fans. The Bulls analyst Stacey King tragically passed away at the age of 59.

King starred for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 1980s. He helped lead Oklahoma to the national championship game in 1987-1988. The Chicago Bulls made King the No. 6 overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, and he went on to win three NBA championships with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during their first three-peat.

While his playing career didn’t match his draft position, that never defined him. He later became a successful broadcaster who is connected to the glory of the past, while having the tough task of watching the present Bulls basketball.

Chicago didn’t remember him for what he wasn’t. Instead, they will remember him for who he became later.

After the dynasty ended, the Bulls didn’t just decline — they collapsed. The post‑Jordan years were brutal. The rebuilds were endless. The basketball was often unwatchable. Instead, they have become irrelevant. Even worse, the franchise did not seem to care at all under owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

And yet, night after night, King gave us famous phrases that made you smile. This was true even if the season was going nowhere:

“Give me the hot sauce!” — Often yelled when a Bulls player knocks down a clutch three-pointer or makes a big shot
“Let me step back and kiss myself!” — Exclaimed after a player creates space with a step-back jumper and hits the shot
“Too big, too strong, too fast, too good! — A staple during the Derrick Rose era to describe his unstoppable drives

Whether it was with Neil Funk or Adam Amin, King’s humor and flair meshed beautifully with both of them and carried Bulls fans through some of the franchise’s darkest years.

For a generation of fans who did not grow up watching him play and were born long after the dynasty, King was Bulls basketball.

King’s commentary wasn’t for everyone. He was loud, animated, full of catchphrases, and unapologetically himself. Fans from other teams and media often made fun of him. But that was exactly why he mattered to the Bulls fan.

In an era where sports have often become too corporate and disconnected from the average fan more than ever, his voice, his energy, his humor — they became part of the fabric of Bulls basketball. King will be remembered for making the Bulls basketball matter, even when the standings said it didn’t.

His voice will echo in this city forever.

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Thursday’s big win took its toll on Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. The two-time WNBA All-Star herself revealed after the game that she had played through a stomach virus. It got so bad that she ended up throwing up at halftime after trying and failing to keep down some applesauce.

Clark was understandably lethargic after the game, but she assured fans that she was fine. The fact that she went off for 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists is a testament to this fact. Clark led the Fever to an 83-71 victory over the Atlanta Dream, snapping a two-game losing streak.

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White downplays Caitlin Clark’s virus

Reporters had a lot of questions for Fever head coach Stephanie White after the win. The media wanted to know about the adjustments White made in this game in order to snap out of their recent skid.

White also fielded questions about Clark’s health issue. The Fever bench boss was quick to play down any concern about her superstar.

“I have no idea what that was,” White said of Clark’s halftime incident. “But yeah, she was gassed. She was playing both ends, and she was doing a great job. She was running the team. When you lay it on the line, you get gassed.

“I don’t know as far as what the issue was with the vomiting and whatnot, but we’ll see.”

Clark will need to fight off her virus quickly. The Fever play twice in three nights, starting on Saturday.

Indiana is set to face the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Saturday. This will be followed by another road game against the Washington Mystics on Monday.

This will be a crucial stretch for Clark and the Fever, who have improved to 5-4 after the win against Atlanta.

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For years, the Chicago Bears have been inching through advancements to decide on a site to build their new stadium project.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun reacted to a milestone achievement on Friday.

Earlier this spring, the Bears told the public they were choosing between the only two viable sites, Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, while at the same time flirting with Chicago behind closed doors. Amid the uncertainty, Illinois failed to pass megaprojects legislation that would aid the Bears in Arlington Heights or Chicago.

On Friday, the Bears announced their Board of Directors voted to advance the stadium development project in Hammond, though the team has yet to decide on a final site for the project in Northwest Indiana.

During an interview last week with NewsNation, Braun explained what the announcement on Friday meant for Indiana. He believes the state has less “uncertainty” about the project and believes they’re sitting inside the opponents’ 20-yard line looking to score.

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“I think we’re in the red zone,” said Braun, via a transcription by Fox 59. “In real estate, like I told you before, you don’t count it as a done deal until you ink. This is probably the most important place we’ve been to date, and it takes a lot of the uncertainty out of it. It doesn’t mean there isn’t some left, but hey, we got to this point.”

The Bears are taking the Hammond project about as seriously as they can take it, but that certainly doesn’t mean Arlington Heights is out of it. The team has yet to decide on a location, and there is much to wonder about the potential places the Bears can build in Hammond.

As for Illinois, the state is losing the race and must decide how to proceed if they want to keep the Bears. That means bringing lawmakers back for a special session and giving the Bears what they want.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs once again suffered a pitching gut punch on Sunday when righty Jameson Taillon went down with a left hamstring injury in the second inning of his start against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. A likely drawn-out stint on the IL awaits.

More News: Chicago Cubs’ unwillingness to pay for pitching brought them to this disaster

At this point, something like this barely registers with Cubs fans who have suffered through a seemingly unending run of pitching injuries that has hobbled the team and is starting to make lofty offseason expectations look like pure folly.

In the ongoing effort to keep adding arms as pitchers fall to injury, the Cubs have claimed right-handed pitcher Eduarniel Nuñez off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

Cubs bring one-time prospect back home

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The hard-throwing 27-year-old came up through the Cubs’ farm system, but left via free agency in 2024 after mixed results through all tiers of the organization.

He was then picked up by the San Diego Padres organization where he was subsequently dealt to the Athletics as part of the Mason Miller trade in 2025. This year, he was traded from the A’s to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations before being DFA’d by the Orioles and reacquired by the Cubs.

In his limited major league play, he was a combined 1-0 with a 7.11 ERA with the Padres and A’s in 2025 over just ten appearances.

Nuñez is regarded as having high-velocity, electric stuff and has always produced a high strikeout rate. However, control has always been an issue. With an ugly 6.16 BB/9 rate throughout all levels of professional ball, the reliever from the Dominican Republic is a true wild card in every sense of the word. The Cubs are hoping they can be the ones to guide the young arm into reaching his full potential.

Grabbing at arms anywhere and everywhere

Chicago, at this point, is seemingly grasping at any possible arm they can grab to offset some of the pitching losses they have suffered this season.

The Cubs lost emerging ace Cade Horton for this season and beyond with an elbow injury in just his second start of 2026. Matthew Boyd is coming off his second stint on the IL. Edward Cabrera is also coming off the IL with a blister issue. Returning ace Justin Steele suffered a setback in his recovery from elbow surgery. Reliever Hunter Harvey remains on the IL, while other bullpen arms Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, and Caleb Thielbar have also spent time on the shelf. Even top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins is out of commission. And now, of course, Taillon joins the list of the injured.

So far this season, amid the team’s injury struggles, the Cubs have continuously manned the waiver wires in search of depth arms. They’ve brought in Christian Roa, Luis Peralta, Liam Hendricks, Ty Blach, Doug Nikhazy, Andrew Wantz and now Nuñez. They also recently pulled off a minor trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers for lefty Antoine Kelly.

This is in addition to the mass stockpiling of arms via minor league contracts in the offseason, a prescient move that brought in names such as Collin Snider, Kyle Wright, Vince Velasquez, Trent Thornton, Yacksel Rios, Charlie Barnes, Ryan Rolison, Tyler Beede, John Brigham, Tyler Ras, Gabe Klobosits, and Corbin Martin to the organization. Many of those pitchers have already appeared for the major league Cubs.

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The Chicago Bears have drafted some impactful rookies in last month’s NFL Draft. They are hoping that these first-year players can live up to the hype and help the team get to the Super Bowl. There is pressure for them to succeed right away, but one has some of the most pressure out of any rookie. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and why they are facing this pressure.

Dillon Thieneman has pressure to be successful early

NFL’s Gennaro Filice wrote an article highlighting rookies who need to be successful in their first year. One of the names on here was Bears’ safety Dillon Thieneman. Below is the snippet regarding the 25th pick in the draft:

“The Bears just led the NFL with 23 interceptions, but 19 of them came via players who departed Chicago this offseason. A big part of that attrition came at safety, where the team lost its top three guys: Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Ryan Poles signed Super Bowl champ Coby Bryant to plug one safety hole, and then the general manager spent his first-round pick on a running mate. Like Bryant, Thieneman offers the kind of versatility Bears DC Dennis Allen loves to exploit at the position. During his true freshman campaign at Purdue, Thieneman shined as a ballhawking center fielder, snagging six interceptions in 12 games. But this past year at Oregon, he flourished in a role closer to the line of scrimmage, capably filling the box and manning the slot. Questions remain on Chicago’s defensive front, but the back end now features a pair of interchangeable playmakers. That’s a notable change from last season, when Byard (free safety) and Brisker (strong safety) had more defined roles. Allen’s undoubtedly in the lab, cooking up wicked designs for his new safety duo.”

Pairing Thieneman up with a Super Bowl champion definitely helps the team take that next step defensively. With Thieneman recording 14 pass deflections and eight interceptions in college football, he can impact the game immediately.

Dillon Thieneman gets praise from a veteran

Thieneman has a lot of expectations heading into the season. With the team having a new running mate with him in Bryant, the new Bears safety shared some thoughts on Thieneman.

“Just watching the film on him, obviously, him coming out, he’s a great player. But you know, right now he’s a rookie, so he’s not really saying too much, which is a good and a bad thing too. But I’m excited to be ableto play with him. I know he’s going to help this team tremendously, and we look forward to playing together, for sure.”

The defensive backfield is going to be intriguing with these two new Bears players. Communication is going to be key, but it will be interesting to see how they mesh together.

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The Chicago Cubs have hit a big wall here in June. Just a month ago, they had the best record in baseball before going on a 10-game losing streak. Now? They are in fourth place in the NL Central and just lost another series, this time at home to the lowly San Francisco Giants.

Chicago’s woes stretch from poor pitching to really bad hitting and base running. Injuries haven’t helped the cause either as they have missed some key pieces the past month. But the Cubs could potentially get some help back sooner than later.

Matt Shaw to come off IL for Chicago Cubs

On Monday, after a tough loss on Sunday Night Baseball, Jesse Rogers is reporting that infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw is coming back from the injured list on Tuesday. Shaw has been on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues as he was recovering from a back injury.

Cubs roster news: The team is activating INF/OF Matt Shaw (back) from the IL tomorrow after he spent a few days on a rehab assignment in the minors, sources tell ESPN. Not a surprise considering the Major League team’s offensive and baserunning woes lately.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 8, 2026

Shaw has been out for a few weeks with that back injury. Now, his return doesn’t guarantee a jump start in the offense but at this point, nothing they try can hurt. Shaw also gives Counsell the ability to use him in the infield to maybe give a struggling Alex Bregman some days off. Or even in the outfield as well.

With Kevin Alcantara struggling since his call up, including on the bases, it will be interesting to see if he is the corresponding move back down to Iowa.

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The Chicago Cubs suffered another pitching setback in Sunday’s 2-1 extra innings loss to the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.

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In the second inning of his start, Jameson Taillon felt some discomfort on the mound and signaled for the trainer to come out. He would then be removed from the game after just 35 pitches. Later, it was revealed that he had suffered a left hamstring injury that would require a stint on the IL.

Honestly, though, the Cubs aren’t losing a whole lot with Taillon gone. The veteran has posted a 5.19 ERA through thirteen starts and was well on his way to getting batted around by the Giants (two hits, two walks, one earned run in one full inning) before his injury.

But, at the very least, he was a live body. And the Cubs don’t have that many live starting pitching bodies left.

The recently recalled Javier Assad came in and gave Chicago 6.1 one-hit shutout innings—which was a silver lining deep inside a dark cloud—but that doesn’t change the fact that the battered and strained starting rotation is now operating fully without a net.

The Cubs refused to pay for top pitching

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This would not have been an issue if the Cubs weren’t so internally stuck on not paying a premium—or even a partial premium—for pitching.

During the offseason, the Cubs made a partial pass at Dylan Cease before demurring. Cease has been a lights-out stud for the Blue Jays. Rumored targets Michael King and Nathan Eovaldi are also doing well with their respective teams. Nick Martinez—who was snatched up by the Rays on a budget $13 million contract—has been a killer. Even Foster Griffin—up for grabs at a cheap price after returning from Japan—is posting better numbers than anybody but Ben Brown in Chicago’s rotation.

The Cubs didn’t even make a serious play at free agent holdout Lucas Giolito after injuries started piling up and they knew they’d need the reinforcement. Giolito hasn’t been great for the Padres, but he’s been doing better than Taillon and Shota Imanaga.

The pitching was there to be had. The Cubs just decided not to have it. Their unusually bold trade with the Miami Marlins for Edward Cabrera was going to have to suffice.

Cubs 2026 rotation was a house of cards

Coming into this 2026 season, the Cubs were actually patting themselves on the back for the starting pitching depth they had built. They may not have had a true, proven superstar, but they had a lot of solid cogs to a machine they believed capable of making a deep playoff run.

The front five consisted of Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, the newly acquired Cabrera, Imanaga, and Taillon, with the returning Justin Steele as an ace in the hole, due back from 2025 elbow surgery in May or June. After that, they had Colin Rea, Javier Assad, and Ben Brown as backup options.

But Boyd, Horton, Cabrera, and Steele all had significant injury concerns (which became realities). Imanaga was coming off a troubling 2025. Taillon’s velocity was way down in spring training and he was getting swatted.

Now, after waves of injury, the front five consists of a returning Boyd and Cabrera, Brown (a positive revelation), Rea, and Assad, with no backup behind them and no hope of a rotation boost until the trade deadline.

The writing was on the wall that bad things were possible for this season. But instead of making the bold move for a big ticket starting pitcher, the Cubs opted for “safe” acquisition Alex Bregman—a move which hasn’t paid dividends at all so far.

Until Cubs president Jed Hoyer and the front office starts rolling the dice on arms, this team will always be crossing fingers and hoping for the best when it comes to pitching. And, as a result, they’ll always be on the outside of a championship picture looking in.

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