Hub Arkush

Saturday's preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs was a mixed bag for the Chicago Bears, with some big plays from youngsters helping to balance the lackluster results for the first and second strings, Hub Arkush writes.

The first of three exhibition games couldn’t come at a better time for the Chicago Bears. Hub Arkush previews the top position battles to watch Saturday when the Bears host the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field.

The Bears removed Roquan Smith from the PUP list Wednesday, opening the door to potential fines if Smith continues to hold out for a new contract. Smith is now in a high-stakes gamble, particularly for a player without an agent, Hub Arkush writes.

Roquan Smith has done a nice job getting the upper hand publicly in these high-stakes negotiations with the Chicago Bears, but you have to wonder if he has bitten off more than he can chew this time, Hub Arkush writes.

Hub Arkush poses the question: who do you think are the Bears three offensive and three defensive players most likely to have breakout campaigns this year?

Bears tackle Teven Jenkins made his return to practice and several key wide receivers are now sidelined by injuries. Following Saturday's developments, the depth chart is more muddled than ever at those positions, writes Hub Arkush.

Linebacker should be one of the strongest positions on the Bears' roster, but the longer Roquan Smith's contract issues drag on, the more the position becomes a concern, writes Hub Arkush.

Deshaun Watson’s disgusting behavior has been laid bare for all to see, but the question remains: Can the NFL get the punishment right?

The National Football League has been rocked this week by punishments levied in two of the most embarrassing off the field scandals in its history, Hub Arkush writes

Quarterback, receiver and offensive line have to get better for the Chicago Bears. But tight end could make the biggest leap, led by Cole Kmet, Hub Arkush writes

For all the focus on Braxton Jones, it could be fellow rookie offensive lineman Ja'Tyre Carter that breaks out first for the Bears this season, Hub Arkush writes.

If the Bears have one position group you can get excited about, it's definitely the secondary, Hub Arkush writes.

Robert Quinn will likely be among the names most often mentioned ahead of this year's trade deadline, Hub Arkush writes, but for now the Bears can at least count on solid production on the field and a quality leader in their locker room, Hub Arkush writes.

There's no question the Bears offensive line improved with additions of Reilly Reiff and Michael Schofield, Hub Arkush writes, but where exactly does that leave youngsters like Teven Jenkins?

With Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith both likely to sit out the opening of Bears training camp, the pressure is quickly on Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles, Hub Arkush writes.