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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is congratulated by Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after the Commanders won 18-15 on Sunday in Landover, Maryland. Assistant Sports Editor Edison Miller revisits his draft grades for the Bears' 2024 draft class. (Stephanie Scarbrough | AP Photo)

Miller: Revisiting the Chicago Bears 2024 draft class

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | October 29, 2024

Halfway through the 2024 NFL season, the Chicago Bears sit at the bottom of the NFC North with a record of 4-3. Despite being one tipped Hail Mary away from a 5-2 record, the Bears have still been successful and have a shot at a playoff appearance in...

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams gets ready to throw a football before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sports Reporter James Bennett believes that Williams still has potential to be successful in the NFL after a slow start in 2024. (Michael Conroy | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Caleb Williams still has hope

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | September 26, 2024

We are three games into the 2024 NFL season. Sam Darnold looks like an MVP candidate, Andy Dalton has given the Carolina Panthers life and Derek Carr and Baker Mayfield are tied for 3rd in passing touchdowns.  Needless to say, it’s been a weird...

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze and quarterback Caleb Williams hold their jerseys at a press conference in Lake Forest, Illinois on Friday. Odunze and Williams were both selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

COLUMN: Grading the Bears’ 2024 draft class

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | May 2, 2024

Although the Chicago Bears only made five draft selections in the 2024 NFL draft, general manager Ryan Poles surely made a splash. After taking a look at Chicago’s newest players, I give the Bears’ draft an overall grade of A-. CALEB WILLIAMS:...

Newly acquired Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen speaks at a press conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois on Saturday. Allen was acquired via trade with the Los Angeles Chargers on March 14. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

COLUMN: Grading the Chicago Bears’ offseason moves

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 21, 2024

In the NFL offseason, anything can happen. Good teams get worse and bad teams get better, and so far, the 2024 offseason has been no exception. General manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears have made a handful of moves, but have they been beneficial?  I...

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass in an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 7. The Bears' fanbase is torn between keeping Fields or trading him and selecting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. (AP File Photo)

Look Both Ways: the Justin Fields debate

By Zachary Bertram and Zack Rodriguez | February 27, 2024

KEEP JUSTIN By: Zach Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter For the second consecutive year, the Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft. Despite having the power to draft any college quarterback they’d like, the Bears should stick with current...

Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus poses for a picture in 1970. Sports Reporter Zack Rodriguez pays tribute to the late Bears legend and his impact on the game of football. (AP Photo, file)

Remembering ‘The Maestro of Mayhem:’ A Dick Butkus tribute

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | October 17, 2023

DeKALB – In the world of football, there are players, there are stars, there are legends and then there’s Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus.  As we mourn the death of this gridiron giant, we also celebrate the incredible impact he had on the...

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs the football while Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) attempts to tackle him on Sep. 24 in Kansas City. Sports Reporter Eddie Miller details what the Bears should do with their first round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. (Charlie Riedel | Associated Press)

COLUMN: Bears in need of answers amid horrid start

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | September 29, 2023

Starting the year 0-3, the Chicago Bears have fallen to be one of the worst – if not, the worst – teams in the NFL. Given the circumstances, it is nearly impossible for the organization to turn this season around, but there are some viable options.  Coming...

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

COLUMN: Unleashing dark-horse potential of 2023 Chicago Bears

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 10, 2023

DeKALB – As the 2023 NFL season dawns, a story of resilience, determination and potential unfolds on the gridiron. From underdogs to dark horses, I believe the Chicago Bears are poised to defy expectations and stampede their way into the playoffs....

Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) plays against Ball State during an NCAA football game Sept. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. The Chicago Bears selected Wright with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

Grading Bears’ top 2023 draft pick

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 27, 2023

DeKALB – With day one of the 2023 NFL draft wrapping up, the Bears made a safe selection in University of Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright. The Bears took Wright with the 10th pick after trading back one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles.  The...

COLUMN: Bears should draft Johnson Jr. or Carter at ninth

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 5, 2023

DeKALB – With the 2023 NFL Draft a few weeks away, general manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears currently hold the ninth overall pick. At the start of the NFL offseason, Chicago held the first overall pick before trading it to the Carolina Panthers. The...

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields walks off the field after the Miami Dolphins beat the Bears 35-32 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

COLUMN: Justin Fields is the best quarterback from the 2021 draft class

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | November 10, 2022

This is an opinion piece by Carlos Finney Jr., a sports reporter at the Northern Star, and does not reflect the Northern Star’s or the sports staff’s opinion as a whole. Justin Fields put on another highlight reel performance this past Sunday against...

Top 5 Super Bowl commercials

By Jemea Green | February 3, 2020

Number 5 – Hulu: “Tom Brady’s Big Announcement”With Tom Brady getting older, there has been a lot of speculation as to whether or not he would retire. He also posted a picture on Twitter making it seem like he might be done with football, or maybe...