Alex Shapiro is the Bears beat writer for NBC Sports Chicago and co-host of the Under Center Podcast. He also pitches in covering the White Sox, Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks. A Northbrook, IL, native, Shapiro started his career at KVAL-TV in Eugene, OR, producing the local news. He continued his West Coast tour in Los Angeles with Fox Sports 1. Shapiro moved back home in 2015 to join NBC Sports Chicago.
The Latest
-
Kevin Byard shares emotions leading up to playing Titans, his former team in Week 1
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – New Bears safety Kevin Byard has a lot of hands to shake this Sunday. He’ll need a few extra jerseys ready to swap with friends, too. That’s because he’ll lineup against his friends and former teammates when the Titans visit Soldier Field to kickoff the regular season. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say this...
-
Bears announce who will be their punt returner and kick returner to start 2024 regular season
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears answered the final question about their Week 1 starting lineup on Thursday. According to special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, it will be Velus Jones Jr. who begins the year as the team’s kick returner while DeAndre Carter handles punt return duties. At the time of publication, each player was listed as a first-teamer at…
-
Bears once again embark on regular season with a new plan, but this year things feel different
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Things are different around Halas Hall, which in a way is more of the same. The story surrounding the Bears in Week 1 is usually a story of change. New quarterback or new coach. New system or new scheme. It’s like that for many NFL teams who are chasing the perennial playoff contenders– those teams who…
-
Why starting fast has become major focus for Bears as Week 1 approaches
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Expectations for the Bears this season are the highest they’ve been since 2019 when the team was coming off a 12-4 season, a division title and a playoff appearance. There’s talk that the defense could be one of the best in the NFL. There are more talented playmakers on offense since, ever? And potentially, hopefully, maybe,…
-
Bears players, coaches share why they love what Velus Jones Jr. brings as flexible offensive playmaker
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Velus Jones Jr. stuck with the Bears as they formed their initial 53-man roster this year. For now, it appears he’s going to get an opportunity to impact the game however he can, whether that’s special teams, at wide receiver or running back. When going through roster projections, Jones Jr.’s status was one of the...
-
Bears solve long snapper mystery at Thursday's practice
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears found their long snapper. On Thursday the team signed Scott Daly to the practice squad. Daly will be elevated to the active roster once it’s time to play the Titans in Week 1. “We like him a lot,” said special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. “Played against him a ton. Veteran. Snaps a really good…
-
Velus Jones Jr. makes initial Bears 53-man roster. Why team made decision to keep him
Velus Jones Jr. will have another shot with the Bears this season. The team made a big wave of cuts on Tuesday as it formed its first 53-man roster, and Jones Jr. earned a spot on the team. Jones Jr. represented the biggest question mark when it came to roster projections this season. On one hand, he’s an intriguing...
-
Bears set initial 53-man roster. Here's everyone who made the team out of training camp
The Bears have their first 53-man roster of the year. After making a large wave of cuts ahead of Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline, here’s how the Bears look– for at least one day. I say “first” 53-man roster and not “final” 53-man roster like you often see, because the Bears are far from done making changes. They will continue...
-
List of Bears draft picks following Chris Williams, Darrell Taylor trades
The Bears made a pair of trades on Friday and Saturday to reshape their defensive line room. In the process they’ve also reshaped their draft board. GM Ryan Poles sent the team’s own sixth-round pick to the Seahawk on Friday in exchange for defensive end Darrell Taylor. One day later, he sent the sixth-round pick he received from Miami...
-
Bears trade for defensive lineman from Cleveland Browns
The Bears traded for a defensive lineman for the second day in a row, on Saturday. The team sent a sixth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for defensive tackle Chris Williams and a seventh-round pick. Williams gives the team extra depth in the middle of the line, with Zacch Pickens’ status still unclear. Pickens left practice early…
