The Bears accomplished their primary goal, which was the keep their key players healthy. more ›

"Not in the plans" did not mean the running back was among those being cut on Monday to trim the team's roster to the league-mandated 80. more ›

This week's crisp morning air is a gentle reminder that football season is once more upon us. With the Bears opener just days away, just how will our team do in 2010? This is a make or break year for many in the organization -- most notably head coach Lovie Smith. While many on his coaching staff lost their jobs after last season's 7-9 campaign, Smith was retained. Another year without making the playoffs and he'll be looking for work. So, too, will GM Jerry Angelo after bringing the likes of Julius Peppers and Jay Cutler to the Bears in recent off-seasons. Despite a miserly reputation, the Bears have spent lavishly on players yet have not made the postseason since their Super Bowl XLI appearance. more ›

The NFL's free agency period began on Thursday, and the Bears are stalking a number of top defensive players available. Will the historically stingy McCaskey clan open the purse strings and let GM Jerry Angelo sign the players needed to help his club? Perhaps they will, as Coach Lovie Smith headed to Charlotte Thursday night to chaperon Julius Peppers back to Chicago on Friday. The most coveted free agent this off-season, defensive end Peppers has recorded 81 sacks during his first eight seasons, all with the Carolina Panthers. He's previously expressed interest in joining the likes of Urlacher, Briggs and Harris on the Bears defense, and while a number of teams are expected to pursue him, the Bears were the first to get him on a plane. When he departs town, will it be with a new contract in hand? Some, including the NFL Network's Mike Lombardi, think so. more ›