Patrick Finley
@patfinley.bsky.social
Covering #Bears & NFL for the Chicago Sun-Times. Halas Intrigue podcast: http://apple.co/2ksw8. #Depaul adjunct, #Mizzou grad, dad, husband, identical twin. X: patrickfinley
Ben Johnson has hung 30 points on #Vikings DC Brian Flores every time he's faced him. But he'll be the first to say these #Bears aren't those #Lions:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears coach Ben Johnson has dominated the Vikings but can't 'copy and paste' the gameplan
Johnson has scored 30 or more points against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores every time he’s called plays against him.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Ben Johnson has hung 30 points on #Vikings DC Brian Flores every time he's faced him. But he'll be the first to say these #Bears aren't those #Lions:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Caleb Williams made the same mistakes again Friday night: pre-snap issues, taking an unnecessary sack, etc. That's what made the QB so frustrated. His coach, too.
The #Bears can live with growing pains — not with making the same mistake twice:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears can live with growing pains — not with making the same mistake twice:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears QB Caleb Williams is making the same mistake twice
By duplicating the mistakes he’s made on the backfields of Halas Hall under the lights of Arrowhead Stadium on Friday night, Williams violated one of the core tenets of his new coaching staff.
chicago.suntimes.com
August 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Caleb Williams made the same mistakes again Friday night: pre-snap issues, taking an unnecessary sack, etc. That's what made the QB so frustrated. His coach, too.
The #Bears can live with growing pains — not with making the same mistake twice:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears can live with growing pains — not with making the same mistake twice:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Caleb Williams looks comfortable under center, and he's always been at home in the shotgun.
That's a good development for the #Bears as training camp winds toward the end:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
That's a good development for the #Bears as training camp winds toward the end:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears coach Ben Johnson: QB Caleb Williams 'just as natural' under center as in the shotgun
Ask Johnson about putting Williams center on Sunday and he’ll point to a play that decidedly didn’t work.
chicago.suntimes.com
August 20, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Caleb Williams looks comfortable under center, and he's always been at home in the shotgun.
That's a good development for the #Bears as training camp winds toward the end:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
That's a good development for the #Bears as training camp winds toward the end:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears will play Caleb Williams and the rest of their starters against the #Bills on Sunday: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears will play QB Caleb Williams, starters Sunday vs. Bills
The Bears host the Bills on Sunday night.
chicago.suntimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The #Bears will play Caleb Williams and the rest of their starters against the #Bills on Sunday: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
#Bears CB Jaylon Johnson remains weeks away, with Ben Johnson saying there's a scenario where he's ready by Week 1.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears morning report: CB Jaylon Johnson still weeks away
Johnson is on the non-football injury list.
chicago.suntimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#Bears CB Jaylon Johnson remains weeks away, with Ben Johnson saying there's a scenario where he's ready by Week 1.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears will honor matriarch Virginia McCaskey 2 ways, chairman George McCaskey tells me:
• With a uniform patch similar to the '83 GSH tribute
• By NOT wearing throwbacks/orange uniforms this season.
Details:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
• With a uniform patch similar to the '83 GSH tribute
• By NOT wearing throwbacks/orange uniforms this season.
Details:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears to honor matriarch Virginia McCaskey with tribute patch
In addition, the Bears will not wear a throwback or alternate jersey in 2025, chairman George McCaskey told the Sun-Times.
chicago.suntimes.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
The #Bears will honor matriarch Virginia McCaskey 2 ways, chairman George McCaskey tells me:
• With a uniform patch similar to the '83 GSH tribute
• By NOT wearing throwbacks/orange uniforms this season.
Details:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
• With a uniform patch similar to the '83 GSH tribute
• By NOT wearing throwbacks/orange uniforms this season.
Details:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears bounced back from a brutal red zone performance Friday with a nifty TD pass from Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze today: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears' practice gets jolt from Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze connection
Williams had been burned during the first three days of practice before faring better Saturday.
chicago.suntimes.com
July 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The #Bears bounced back from a brutal red zone performance Friday with a nifty TD pass from Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze today: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Caleb Williams struggled badly in the red zone today.
Permission to freak out?
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Permission to freak out?
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Red alert? QB Caleb Williams struggles inside the 20, Bears vow to not 'waste any failure'
Williams continued to struggle on the Bears’ third training camp practice, particularly during red zone drills.
chicago.suntimes.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Caleb Williams struggled badly in the red zone today.
Permission to freak out?
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Permission to freak out?
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears' Ben Johnson isn't a run-first coach. Or a pass-first coach. He's a do-whatever-it-takes coach, something he learned from watching Bill Belichick: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears coach Ben Johnson wants offensive unpredictability — just like Bill Belichick's teams
The Bears’ new head coach is a whatever-it-takes play-caller.
chicago.suntimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The #Bears' Ben Johnson isn't a run-first coach. Or a pass-first coach. He's a do-whatever-it-takes coach, something he learned from watching Bill Belichick: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Caleb Williams wants to win — and to set #Bears records: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Caleb Williams wants to set Bears records — and 'you've got to go win'
It’s a heady goal, at least said out loud.
chicago.suntimes.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Caleb Williams wants to win — and to set #Bears records: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
#Bears coach Ben Johnson wants things done his way.
“It’s every day,” Kmet said. “And it’s relentless.”
Inside the tonal change this offseason — and whether it can mean something tangible once the season begins:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
“It’s every day,” Kmet said. “And it’s relentless.”
Inside the tonal change this offseason — and whether it can mean something tangible once the season begins:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears learning coach Ben Johnson's 'relentless' attention to detail
Johnson sits at a steady simmer during practice, ready to boil at the slightest agitation.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
#Bears coach Ben Johnson wants things done his way.
“It’s every day,” Kmet said. “And it’s relentless.”
Inside the tonal change this offseason — and whether it can mean something tangible once the season begins:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
“It’s every day,” Kmet said. “And it’s relentless.”
Inside the tonal change this offseason — and whether it can mean something tangible once the season begins:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears’ top two picks did very little on the field this offseason. Is that a problem? chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The Bears' top 2 draft picks were able to do very little on the field this offseason
At the least, Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III will have to play catch up during their first NFL training camp.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The #Bears’ top two picks did very little on the field this offseason. Is that a problem? chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
When the #Bears hired Ben Johnson, he vowed to make quarterback Caleb Williams uncomfortable. On the eve of the Bears’ last OTA practice — the team breaks for summer after Wednesday’s session — Johnson sounded like he’d accomplished just that.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Ben Johnson: Bears 'loaded up' Caleb Williams in their first offseason together
When the Bears hired Ben Johnson, he vowed to make quarterback Caleb Williams uncomfortable. On the eve of the Bears’ last OTA practice — the team breaks for summer after Wednesday’s session — Johnson...
chicago.suntimes.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
When the #Bears hired Ben Johnson, he vowed to make quarterback Caleb Williams uncomfortable. On the eve of the Bears’ last OTA practice — the team breaks for summer after Wednesday’s session — Johnson sounded like he’d accomplished just that.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
#Bears WR Rome Odunze sees something special brewing in Year 2:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Entering Year 2, Bears WR Rome Odunze sees something special brewing
If Odunze is going to become the star receiver the Bears believe he can be, now is the year to show it. He’s not a rookie anymore, and neither is his quarterback.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 6, 2025 at 3:56 PM
#Bears WR Rome Odunze sees something special brewing in Year 2:
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Aaron Rodgers was talking about his one-sided affection for downtown Chicago 4 years ago when he wondered whether "there’ll be a little more love when my time comes to an end playing here,” he said.
We're not there yet.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
We're not there yet.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Aaron Rodgers set to join Steelers, who travel to Soldier Field in November
Rodgers will play his 21st NFL season.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Aaron Rodgers was talking about his one-sided affection for downtown Chicago 4 years ago when he wondered whether "there’ll be a little more love when my time comes to an end playing here,” he said.
We're not there yet.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
We're not there yet.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Mark your calendars: Nov. 23 at Soldier Field.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Aaron Rodgers expected to join Steelers, who travel to Soldier Field in November
Rodgers will play his 21st NFL season.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Mark your calendars: Nov. 23 at Soldier Field.
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
The #Bears are giving Tyrique Stevenson a clean slate — and a defensive scheme that suits him well — after last year's Fail Mary: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears giving Tyrique Stevenson a 'clean slate' — and a scheme that suits him — after Fail Mary gaffe
Stevenson’s new coaches didn’t live through that circus. They’re not asking him to re-live it, either.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The #Bears are giving Tyrique Stevenson a clean slate — and a defensive scheme that suits him well — after last year's Fail Mary: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
D'Andre Swift is eager for Year 2 with the #Bears after 2024 didn't go the way he wanted: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears' D'Andre Swift has unfinished business after uneven 2024
The Bears didn't draft a running back high or sign a veteran to challenge him.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 4, 2025 at 1:23 PM
D'Andre Swift is eager for Year 2 with the #Bears after 2024 didn't go the way he wanted: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Yeah, Cole Kmet was taken aback when the #Bears drafted a TE. Then he talked to Ben Johnson and became convinced he and Colston Loveland can coexist: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Once 'taken aback,' Bears TE Cole Kmet believes he and Colston Loveland can coexist
Kmet wasn’t necessarily thrilled when the Bears drafted another tight end with the No. 10 overall pick in April.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Yeah, Cole Kmet was taken aback when the #Bears drafted a TE. Then he talked to Ben Johnson and became convinced he and Colston Loveland can coexist: chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Ben Johnson's message to DJ Moore about his (at times) bad body language: 'Just don't do it.'
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears coach Ben Johnson to WR DJ Moore about bad body language: 'Just don't do it'
Johnson’s message to Moore about his bad body language has been simple.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 3, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Ben Johnson's message to DJ Moore about his (at times) bad body language: 'Just don't do it.'
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Secret Weapon Case Keenum? Why the 37-year-old backup QB can help solve what the #Bears were missing last year; chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Why backup QB Case Keenum could become the Bears' secret weapon
Keenum will help Caleb Williams' education, which continues at mandatory minicamp this week.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Secret Weapon Case Keenum? Why the 37-year-old backup QB can help solve what the #Bears were missing last year; chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears QB Caleb Williams' confidence can carry him through a tumultuous offseason
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Bears QB Caleb Williams' confidence can carry him through a tumultuous offseason
It will take more than a 5-12 season, two midseason firings and an offseason tempest to kill Caleb Williams’ confidence.
chicago.suntimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Bears QB Caleb Williams' confidence can carry him through a tumultuous offseason
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Caleb Williams was intrigued by the #Vikings but said he wanted to come to Chicago and 'be the guy':
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
Caleb Williams was intrigued by Vikings but says he 'wanted to come here and be the guy'
Williams is expected to speak to the media after Wednesday’s practice for the first time since a bombshell report that he wanted to be drafted by the Vikings 13 months ago and even debated, along with...
chicago.suntimes.com
May 28, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Caleb Williams was intrigued by the #Vikings but said he wanted to come to Chicago and 'be the guy':
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/0...