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Bears Destination for Former No. 2 Pick as Caleb Williams' Backup QB
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears are a potential candidate to ink a veteran backup quarterback for the second offseason in a row.

Chicago chose not to pursue that option ahead of starter Caleb Williams' rookie campaign, sticking with undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent as the No. 2 option. But there's a new coaching staff this season led by head coach Ben Johnson, and the backup QB question has returned with NFL free agency. 

Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron on Friday, March 14, named 32-year-old Carson Wentz among Chicago's strongest options, as he heads into his 10th professional campaign. 

"Wentz is available [and] spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs," Zimmerman wrote. "The Chiefs have signed Gardner Minshew and are going in another direction, so Wentz could be an option."

Wentz was the No. 2 pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL draft and earned Pro Bowl honors and Second-Team All-Pro honors in his second season. He sufferent an injury late in that campaign, but still finished third in MVP voting. Philadelphia went on to win the Super Bowl that year with Nick Foles under center. 

That was the pinnacle of Wentz's career, though he remained the Eagles' starter for the next three seasons. He then started one year for the Indianapolis Colts and half of a campaign for the Washington Commanders before transitioning into a backup role with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. 

Wentz remained a backup QB for the Chiefs last season. Zimmerman noted that he may still be seeking an opportunity that gives him a better chance to start at some point. However, if that kind of situation doesn't materialize, Wentz would make considerable sense in Chicago behind Williams. 

Wentz owns a career regular-season record of 47-46-1 as a starter, and has thrown for more than 22,400 yards, 153 touchdowns and 57 interceptions

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns
NFL

Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns

The Green Bay Packers are reeling after they blew a 10-0 lead at the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Packers allowed the Cleveland Browns to score 13 unanswered points to win 13-10 in front of 65,470 fans at Huntington Bank Field. Following the game, defensive end Micah Parsons had a crude response to the comeback. "Sometimes, just like today, you s--- the bed," Parsons said via ESPN. "That's just the reality of it. It happens to the best teams. Even the best Super Bowl champs make mistakes, and they pay for it early. You go back to the history of the champions and who've they've played and games they should've won. It's just that competitive. "It's that hard to win. It's hard as hell to win football games. When you win football games, it's a celebration. But when you lose, it sucks." What went wrong for the Packers in loss to Browns Parsons and the Packers had a couple of major blunders in the final minute that they want back. Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus had a blocked field goal attempt that allowed the Browns a chance to get in range for a game-winning field goal. Parsons was called for a neutral zone infraction on the first play of the Browns' drive, allowing Cleveland to start the series from the Green Bay 48-yard line with 21 seconds remaining. Parsons apologized for the penalty, calling it "unacceptable." The All-Pro finished with two tackles. Parsons has extra motivation for avenging the loss against the Browns. The Packers are set to travel to play his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4.

Rangers forward in a fight for his future amid new competition
NHL

Rangers forward in a fight for his future amid new competition

The New York Rangers are preparing to start a transitional season, following the arrival of new head coach Mike Sullivan and some important adjustments to the squad. Among the players facing a decisive season is Brennan Othmann, a left winger who was selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL draft. Othmann, 22, is entering his third and final year of his contract with the Rangers, but his expiring deal is not the only reason why he will have to prove himself this season. The Canadian has had difficulties meeting the high expectations around him and although he may no longer have time to establish himself as a top-six forward, this is the best time to establish himself in a lower role. Othmann's clock is ticking as competition for roster spot grows Last season, he only recorded two assists in 22 games with the Rangers, but tallied 12 goals and eight assists in 27 games with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. In any case, now Othmann is facing heavier competition within the squad. Both Gabe Perreault and Carey Terrance have left good impressions during preseason camps, and with both having multiple years left on their contracts, the possibility that Othmann's days on the team are numbered increases. That said, the New York team needs depth, especially in the bottom-six, and Othmann must react and respond. He has the necessary grit and physicality, and if he manages to establish himself there, he could become a solid player within the bottom lineups.

Bills' Josh Allen could be in some hot water with the NFL for what he was caught doing during the Week 3 win vs. Dolphins
NFL

Bills' Josh Allen could be in some hot water with the NFL for what he was caught doing during the Week 3 win vs. Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins on 'Thursday Night Football' to remain undefeated on the season. With losses by the New England Patriots and New York Jets on Sunday, the Bills sit atop the division with a showdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. While quarterback Josh Allen didn't put on his Superman cape with more than 400 yards of total offense, he was methodical and surgical, cutting through the Dolphins' defense en route to yet another victory over the divisional rivals. Allen made history in the contest, becoming the fastest player to reach 300 career touchdowns, including the postseason, but it wasn't all good news coming out of One Bills Drive in the victory. After taking a hit from Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks that resulted in a penalty and gave Buffalo a first down, Allen appeared to make a finger-gun gesture immediately after. While it may seem harmless, it's one of the biggest points of emphasis from the NFL heading into the season. Allen wasn't even flagged on the play, but that doesn't mean that the league won't come down on him for the celebration. Fast facts about Josh Allen's previous NFL fines 2019 - fined $7,017 for throwing the ball into the stands against the Miami Dolphins. 2021 - fined $15,000 after flicking the ball at a Kansas City Chiefs defender after a sack 2023 - fined $10,927 for pointing at a Cincinnati Bengals defender during a touchdown run The NFL is taking a hard stance on gun-related celebrations The NFL has expressed its intention to limit unsportsmanlike gestures during the game, specifically those that include shooting or brandishing a gun. NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson opened up on the new initiative in August. "Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis." - Walt Anderson According to CBS Sports, Falcons wide receiver Drake London was fined $14,069 for appearing to shoot a large gun, New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard was fined the same amount after getting a first down in Week 4 of the 2024 season, and Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase was fined $19,697 for appearing to unholster a gun in a touchdown celebration last season as well. If Allen is fined, the NFL would need to make the official announcement along with its reasoning by Saturday, Sept. 27.

Denny Hamlin fires back at fans calling him out for wrecking Ty Gibbs on purpose: ‘Wish I was that good’
NASCAR

Denny Hamlin fires back at fans calling him out for wrecking Ty Gibbs on purpose: ‘Wish I was that good’

Denny Hamlin had a message for the fans who believe that he wrecked Ty Gibbs on purpose when the two were racing at New Hampshire. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin said he wished he had the talent to intentionally wreck a driver. “You can see that we were making contact when he pulled down to the middle lane right in front of me,” Denny Hamlin said. “We were already together, like it took nothing. And no, I wish I was that good. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t have wrecked Chase Elliott when I tried to move him up the racetrack back in 2017. It all depends on what point of the racetrack you’re at.” Hamlin then said there are different variables when it comes to hitting someone at a point where they’re “on edge or not.” Before Hamlin’s message to the fans, he explained what happened with the incident with Ty Gibbs. Denny Hamlin reveals he did not intentionally spin out Ty Gibbs “I was pretty much there into Turn 1, and then he moved down to the middle lane to cut the nose off,” Hamlin said. “If you cut across someone’s nose, especially if they’re running really close to you, it will make their car kind of lift up and take off. I think he was just trying to cut across my nose to make me lose air, just to aero block me. I was so close to him, I’m like, ‘Hell no. You’re not going to do that.’I tried to shove him up to the net lane to get my position. Unfortunately, it spun him out.” Hamlin and Gibbs were battling for 11th during Lap 110 of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at New Hampshire before the wreck. And since it was the Round of 12 opener, it was important for Hamlin, who is in the playoffs, to have a strong finish to make sure he stays above the cut line. After the incident, Hamlin and Gibbs aired out their frustrations to their team members via radio. What makes this interesting is that the two drivers are teammates, as they race for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Ultimately, Hamlin didn’t understand why Gibbs was racing hard since he is not in the playoffs. Hamlin believed that since Gibbs is not competing for a title, he would help his teammate have a strong finish so a JGR member would have a chance to win a championship.

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