Eli Ong
@thepenofeli.bsky.social
Digital Sports Journalist at WGN TV News | All things Chicago Sports | PFWA Member | GVSU/Medill Alum |
With their 3 starting LB's and top 2 corners out before Sunday's first snap, and two of their replacements sidelined by the end of the first quarter, the mantra for the Chicago Bears on Sunday was "next man up."
How those next men up got the job done, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/next-...
How those next men up got the job done, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/next-...
November 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
With their 3 starting LB's and top 2 corners out before Sunday's first snap, and two of their replacements sidelined by the end of the first quarter, the mantra for the Chicago Bears on Sunday was "next man up."
How those next men up got the job done, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/next-...
How those next men up got the job done, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/next-...
A nugget from @NextGenStats, Week 12 was Caleb Williams' third game with 3+ TD passes and 0 INTs this season, tying Dave Krieg (1996) and Erik Kramer (1995) for the most such games in a single season in Bears history.
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 AM
A nugget from @NextGenStats, Week 12 was Caleb Williams' third game with 3+ TD passes and 0 INTs this season, tying Dave Krieg (1996) and Erik Kramer (1995) for the most such games in a single season in Bears history.
Sunday felt like a “moment of truth” game for the #Bears, and just like in so many ways that led up to this game in previous weeks, they found a way to keep on winning.
Today's gamer, after Chicago improved to 8-3, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/brisk...
Today's gamer, after Chicago improved to 8-3, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/brisk...
November 24, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Sunday felt like a “moment of truth” game for the #Bears, and just like in so many ways that led up to this game in previous weeks, they found a way to keep on winning.
Today's gamer, after Chicago improved to 8-3, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/brisk...
Today's gamer, after Chicago improved to 8-3, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/brisk...
More from #Bears postgame notes, Kyle Monangai logged his 3rd straight home game with a TD run today.
He became the 1st Bears rookie to log three-straight home games with a TD run since Walter Payton in 1975, who did it in four-straight games.
He became the 1st Bears rookie to log three-straight home games with a TD run since Walter Payton in 1975, who did it in four-straight games.
November 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
More from #Bears postgame notes, Kyle Monangai logged his 3rd straight home game with a TD run today.
He became the 1st Bears rookie to log three-straight home games with a TD run since Walter Payton in 1975, who did it in four-straight games.
He became the 1st Bears rookie to log three-straight home games with a TD run since Walter Payton in 1975, who did it in four-straight games.
From the #Bears postgame notes, Head Coach Ben Johnson became just the 4th head coach in the franchise’s 106-year history to win eight of their first 11 games at the helm, joining George Halas (1920), Paddy Driscoll (1956) and Matt Nagy (2018).
November 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
From the #Bears postgame notes, Head Coach Ben Johnson became just the 4th head coach in the franchise’s 106-year history to win eight of their first 11 games at the helm, joining George Halas (1920), Paddy Driscoll (1956) and Matt Nagy (2018).
Ben Johnson on DJ Moore's 25-yd TD catch in Q3.
"It was something where we thought we might be able to get them to jump offsides. [Pittsburgh] is such a good pass-rushing group, we were trying to find ways to slow them down a little bit, and that was an opportunity for us to work our cadence."
1/2
"It was something where we thought we might be able to get them to jump offsides. [Pittsburgh] is such a good pass-rushing group, we were trying to find ways to slow them down a little bit, and that was an opportunity for us to work our cadence."
1/2
November 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Ben Johnson on DJ Moore's 25-yd TD catch in Q3.
"It was something where we thought we might be able to get them to jump offsides. [Pittsburgh] is such a good pass-rushing group, we were trying to find ways to slow them down a little bit, and that was an opportunity for us to work our cadence."
1/2
"It was something where we thought we might be able to get them to jump offsides. [Pittsburgh] is such a good pass-rushing group, we were trying to find ways to slow them down a little bit, and that was an opportunity for us to work our cadence."
1/2
Caleb Williams on coming out with a win on a less-than-perfect day for him.
"It's nice when you get to learn from wins. You find ways—when you have mess-ups or all these different things—to win, but [we] also understand that we have so much left in the tank and we can be so much better."
"It's nice when you get to learn from wins. You find ways—when you have mess-ups or all these different things—to win, but [we] also understand that we have so much left in the tank and we can be so much better."
November 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Caleb Williams on coming out with a win on a less-than-perfect day for him.
"It's nice when you get to learn from wins. You find ways—when you have mess-ups or all these different things—to win, but [we] also understand that we have so much left in the tank and we can be so much better."
"It's nice when you get to learn from wins. You find ways—when you have mess-ups or all these different things—to win, but [we] also understand that we have so much left in the tank and we can be so much better."
Jaquan Brisker on his game-winning tipped pass on fourth-and-6.
"I just saw the lineman slide to the right so, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to the quarterback. So, as soon as he let it go ... I got my hand up, tipped the ball and [it was] game over."
"I just saw the lineman slide to the right so, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to the quarterback. So, as soon as he let it go ... I got my hand up, tipped the ball and [it was] game over."
November 23, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Jaquan Brisker on his game-winning tipped pass on fourth-and-6.
"I just saw the lineman slide to the right so, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to the quarterback. So, as soon as he let it go ... I got my hand up, tipped the ball and [it was] game over."
"I just saw the lineman slide to the right so, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to the quarterback. So, as soon as he let it go ... I got my hand up, tipped the ball and [it was] game over."
HUGE illegal formation penalty on Pittsburgh wipes out a long Mason Rudolph run for the Steelers.
November 23, 2025 at 8:58 PM
HUGE illegal formation penalty on Pittsburgh wipes out a long Mason Rudolph run for the Steelers.
Montez Sweat has been playing his ass off today.
November 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Montez Sweat has been playing his ass off today.
After Caleb Williams picked up a big 4th and 1 on the ground, Jalen Ramsey sent Caleb Williams flying out of bounds, and CJ Gardner-Johnson grabbed Ramsey by the collar and had some choice words for him.
November 23, 2025 at 7:05 PM
After Caleb Williams picked up a big 4th and 1 on the ground, Jalen Ramsey sent Caleb Williams flying out of bounds, and CJ Gardner-Johnson grabbed Ramsey by the collar and had some choice words for him.
Things are going downhill fast for the Bears.
Pittsburgh recovers an apparent D'Andre Swift fumble, and Ruben Hyppolite/Tyrique Stevenson are questionable to return.
Pittsburgh recovers an apparent D'Andre Swift fumble, and Ruben Hyppolite/Tyrique Stevenson are questionable to return.
November 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Things are going downhill fast for the Bears.
Pittsburgh recovers an apparent D'Andre Swift fumble, and Ruben Hyppolite/Tyrique Stevenson are questionable to return.
Pittsburgh recovers an apparent D'Andre Swift fumble, and Ruben Hyppolite/Tyrique Stevenson are questionable to return.
As soon as TJ Watts beats Darnell Wright, Caleb Williams needs to get rid of the ball there. No dance moves to buy time and try to make a throw. That's an NFL Defensive Player of the Year type player. He's not going to get away from him like he has with other defenders.
November 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
As soon as TJ Watts beats Darnell Wright, Caleb Williams needs to get rid of the ball there. No dance moves to buy time and try to make a throw. That's an NFL Defensive Player of the Year type player. He's not going to get away from him like he has with other defenders.
Interception is upheld. Bears ball.
Nahshon Wright with one of the most acrobatic interceptions (if it stands) that you'll see today.
November 23, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Interception is upheld. Bears ball.
Nahshon Wright with one of the most acrobatic interceptions (if it stands) that you'll see today.
November 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Nahshon Wright with one of the most acrobatic interceptions (if it stands) that you'll see today.
Big blow to the Bears defense today.
LB Tremaine Edmunds, amidst a career revival under Dennis Allen, and RB Roschon Johnson were placed on IR today.
Edmunds is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a groin injury with an opportunity to return at the end of the regular season.
LB Tremaine Edmunds, amidst a career revival under Dennis Allen, and RB Roschon Johnson were placed on IR today.
Edmunds is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a groin injury with an opportunity to return at the end of the regular season.
November 22, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Big blow to the Bears defense today.
LB Tremaine Edmunds, amidst a career revival under Dennis Allen, and RB Roschon Johnson were placed on IR today.
Edmunds is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a groin injury with an opportunity to return at the end of the regular season.
LB Tremaine Edmunds, amidst a career revival under Dennis Allen, and RB Roschon Johnson were placed on IR today.
Edmunds is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a groin injury with an opportunity to return at the end of the regular season.
Bears top 3 linebackers—Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell—along with 2 RB’s—Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer—are all OUT for Sunday against the Steelers.
Theo Benedet, Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson are all QUESTIONABLE.
Theo Benedet, Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson are all QUESTIONABLE.
November 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Bears top 3 linebackers—Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell—along with 2 RB’s—Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer—are all OUT for Sunday against the Steelers.
Theo Benedet, Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson are all QUESTIONABLE.
Theo Benedet, Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson are all QUESTIONABLE.
When it comes to the pantheon of NFL quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Aaron Rodgers were never quite destined to cross paths on the field. Still, the stars aligned for the opportunity to present itself.
What the opportunity means, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/a-ris...
What the opportunity means, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/a-ris...
November 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
When it comes to the pantheon of NFL quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Aaron Rodgers were never quite destined to cross paths on the field. Still, the stars aligned for the opportunity to present itself.
What the opportunity means, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/a-ris...
What the opportunity means, for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/a-ris...
Headliner of the #Bears Injury Report today, Jaylon Johnson was a FULL participant at practice, alongside Jaquan Brisker and D'Andre Swift after each were limited/DNP on Wednesday.
3 of the Bears top linebackers—Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell—were all DNP's for the 2nd day in a row.
3 of the Bears top linebackers—Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell—were all DNP's for the 2nd day in a row.
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Headliner of the #Bears Injury Report today, Jaylon Johnson was a FULL participant at practice, alongside Jaquan Brisker and D'Andre Swift after each were limited/DNP on Wednesday.
3 of the Bears top linebackers—Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell—were all DNP's for the 2nd day in a row.
3 of the Bears top linebackers—Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards and Noah Sewell—were all DNP's for the 2nd day in a row.
Ben Johnson on handling pressure from the Steelers defense this weekend.
“They got some werewolves on the outside that show up. They have some of the—between [Alex Highsmith] and [TJ Watt]—some of the best first steps you'll see in this league...”
“They got some werewolves on the outside that show up. They have some of the—between [Alex Highsmith] and [TJ Watt]—some of the best first steps you'll see in this league...”
November 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Ben Johnson on handling pressure from the Steelers defense this weekend.
“They got some werewolves on the outside that show up. They have some of the—between [Alex Highsmith] and [TJ Watt]—some of the best first steps you'll see in this league...”
“They got some werewolves on the outside that show up. They have some of the—between [Alex Highsmith] and [TJ Watt]—some of the best first steps you'll see in this league...”
The Bears have signed LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin to the practice squad. @wgntv.com
Reeves-Maybin spent 7 years in Detroit (2017-21, '23-24), and was named Second Team All-Pro as a special teamer in 2023 while with the Lions.
Reeves-Maybin spent 7 years in Detroit (2017-21, '23-24), and was named Second Team All-Pro as a special teamer in 2023 while with the Lions.
November 18, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The Bears have signed LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin to the practice squad. @wgntv.com
Reeves-Maybin spent 7 years in Detroit (2017-21, '23-24), and was named Second Team All-Pro as a special teamer in 2023 while with the Lions.
Reeves-Maybin spent 7 years in Detroit (2017-21, '23-24), and was named Second Team All-Pro as a special teamer in 2023 while with the Lions.
11 weeks into the season, the Bears sit in the driver’s seat of the NFC North. It’s an improbable turnaround from just one year ago, but how exactly have they gotten to this point?
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
November 18, 2025 at 4:46 AM
11 weeks into the season, the Bears sit in the driver’s seat of the NFC North. It’s an improbable turnaround from just one year ago, but how exactly have they gotten to this point?
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
Another one from Next Gen Stats,
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
November 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Another one from Next Gen Stats,
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
Caleb Williams set a franchise record with his 5th game-winning drive in the 4th quarter or later Sunday against the Vikings.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Caleb Williams set a franchise record with his 5th game-winning drive in the 4th quarter or later Sunday against the Vikings.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.