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
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Rome Odunze shares how he saw his insane first catch unfold
CHICAGO – There are welcome to the NFL moments, and then there are welcome to the NFL moments. Rome Odunze‘s moment was one of the crazier moments you’ll see, and his first catch as a Chicago Bear will be something he’ll never forget. “I make a great play and instantly get blasted and lose the football,” Odunze said. “That’s...
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Bears' stellar D gives offense some runway to improve, but they feel pressure to play well now
CHICAGO – In the early stages of the offseason, when rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was still simply learning how to call an NFL play in an NFL huddle, the talk was that the talented Bears defense might have to carry the revamped Bears offense for a few weeks. Turns out that was an understatement. From start to finish in the…
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Bears make surprising decision with WR lineup before Week 1 game vs. Titans
The Bears made a surprising move with their first gameday roster of the year. Second-year wide receiver Tyler Scott was rendered inactive on Sunday, meaning Velus Jones Jr. and DeAndre Carter will be the only wide receivers available behind Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Scott was presumed to be the No. 4 wide receiver on the team coming…
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Report: Justin Fields to start for Steelers in Week 1
Justin Fields is reportedly in line to start for the Steelers when they take on the Falcons in Week 1. According to Mike Garafolo, Fields will lead Pittsburgh’s offense on Sunday. Fields entered training camp as the backup behind Russell Wilson, but impressed folks in Pittsburgh with his high-upside playmaking ability. Regardless, the plan was for Wilson to start the…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Who are the Chicago Bears quarterbacks? Info on Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent and Austin Reed
The start of the Bears season is almost here, and for the sixth time in the last 10 years the team will have a new quarterback in Week 1. When the team selected Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 there was no doubt that he’d take over as the team’s new starter. If he goes…
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Where should you draft Caleb Williams for your fantasy team? Expert shares strategy
We’re two days away from the start of the NFL’s regular season, but some folks are still crashing together fantasy football draft strategies before the Thursday Night Football Kickoff. If you’re among those people and you want to have Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams on your fantasy squad, we’ve got you covered. On a recent episode of NBC Sports...
