Chicago Sun-Times sportswriter, 1987-2025. 2022 Rick Telander Lifetime Achievement Award. 2024 Illinois Sportswriter of the Year. Founder, markpotash.net
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Mark Potash
Mike Ditka, who coached the Bears to their only Super Bowl championship, has died
Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end who played on the Bears’ 1963 NFL championship team and coached the team to its only Super Bowl championship after the 1985 season, has died. He was 86. He died about 9 a.m. Friday surrounded by family and friends, a family spokesperson said.
Mike Ditka, who coached the Bears to their only Super Bowl championship, has died
Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end who played on the Bears’ 1963 NFL championship team and coached the team to its only Super Bowl championship after the 1985 season, has died. He was 86. He died about 9 a.m. Friday surrounded by family and friends, a family spokesperson said.
The Federal Circuit’s Recent Ruling On The Patent-Marking Requirement And Its Implications For Licenses And Settlements
Foley Hoag LLP are most popular: within Tax, Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment and Accounting and Audit topic(s) On August 19, 2026, the Federal Circuit issued its decision in VDPP, LLC v.
Bears' late rally stuns Packers, raises questions about Matt LaFleur's future in Green Bay
Like many of his teammates, Packers safety Evan Williams was shaken after the Bears rallied with 25 fourth-quarter points for a 31-27 victory in their wild-card playoff game Saturday night at Soldier Field. Shaken but not necessarily surprised. Even the Packers know by now, this is what the Bears do. Ben Johnson’s Bears, anyway. “We came in at halftime, we know they’ve made a season out of comeback victories,” Williams said.
Good news is Bears can score; not-so-good news is their defense is vulnerable Original
Like Jay Cutler before him, former Bears cornerback Jerry Azumah provided a public-service announcement for Bears fans this week on Twitter before their team’s wild-card playoff game against the Packers on Saturday at Soldier Field: “When the Bears Offense is on the field, please be quiet so they can work!” That any Bears fans have to be reminded of this is an indictment of the Bears’ woeful history of offensive football, of course. But it’s also a positive sign.
Bears predictions: Round 1 playoff game vs. rival Packers
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their picks for the wild-card round rivalry game against the Packers on Saturday night at Soldier Field (7 p.m., Fox 32/Amazon Prime Video): Packers, 27-24: The Bears have yet to lead the Packers in regulation this season. To pick the Bears would be to count on their end-of-game magic once again — and on a defense that has allowed 929 yards the past two games. Season: 10-7.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Mark Potash, Scoop Jackson, Steve Greenberg Verified, Jason Lieser Verified
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
Bears predictions: Round 1 playoff game vs. rival Packers
Now Barbara Butler has spent nearly four decades building tree houses all across the country. But when the Hayward-based timber expert spoke to SFGATE on Tuesday, she started the call with bewilderment. “What the heck is a sports editor wanting to call me for?” Butler asked. The answer to that question …
Ben Johnson can flip narrative after previous Bears coaches' losses in big games vs. Packers
Ben Johnson opened his tenure as the Bears’ coach with a shot at Matt LaFleur and now has to back it up with the Bears’ playoff lives on the line. The football gods hear everything. Beating the Packers in the playoffs is the ultimate test of The Ben Johnson Effect. Johnson’s rejuvenating impact in his first season has been undeniable. The Bears were 11-6 in 2025 after going 3-14, 7-10 and 5-12 in three seasons under Matt Eberflus and interim coach Thomas Brown.
Ben Johnson can flip narrative after previous Bears coaches' losses in big games vs. Packers
3 hours ago With a short week and a Saturday night playoff game ahead, the Green Bay Packers released the team’s first injury report of the NFC Wild Card Round on Tuesday. The team will release two more injury reports, including a final injury report on Thursday with official playing status designations, …
Dennis Allen’s sidestepping aside, defense took drubbing vs. 49ers, has potential to be Bears’ undoing Original
Coordinator Dennis Allen had no specific answers for why the 49ers were able to torch his Bears defense for six touchdowns last week. In fact, as is his custom, he wasn’t even taking questions about it. “We’re moving on to Detroit,” Allen said Thursday. “I’ll say this — I don’t think I coached well enough last week. I don’t think we played well enough last week. So you learn your lessons. You make corrections that you need to make. Now we move forward, and we’re getting ready for Detroit.
Bears predictions: Week 18 vs. Lions Original
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their picks for the regular season finale Sunday against the Lions at Soldier Field (3:25 p.m., Fox 32): Bears, 28-24: Since the start of the Matt Eberflus era, the Bears have beaten the Lions just once. That changes Sunday, but it’ll be close enough to make everyone nervous. Season: 10-6. Bears, 37-27: The Lions are done, and it’s on to the playoffs for the Bears.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Jason Lieser Verified, Steve Greenberg Verified, Scoop Jackson, Mark Potash
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
Bears predictions: Week 18 vs. Lions
Why is it called Half Day Road? Learn about that and other surprises at the Lake County History Symposium Contrary to popular lore, a portion of Route 22 near Lincolnshire isn’t known as Half Day Road because it took that long by horse and carriage to get …
Bears’ stumble in San Francisco offset by the sweet realization they’re the real deal Original
When Mike Ditka’s 1984 Bears played the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, their 23-0 loss at Candlestick Park might not have seemed like a prelude to greatness. They put up a fight in the first half but never really threatened with Steve Fuller at quarterback. But to Ditka, it was a statement game. And he literally made one. “We will be back,” he said confidently afterward.
Game vs. 49ers provides a test before final exam Original
The football gods have been good to the Bears this season. Against the Cowboys, when the Bears were 0-2, CeeDee Lamb played just seven snaps because of an injury. The Bears played the Ravens without Lamar Jackson. The Bengals without Joe Burrow. The Steelers without Aaron Rodgers. The Packers without Micah Parsons. They could face the 49ers and their red-hot offense without five-time All-Pro tight end George Kittle on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Bears at 49ers: What to watch for Original
When the Bears have the ball The focus is again on a faster start after the Bears struggled for 58 minutes last Saturday against the Packers before catching fire in the last seven. The Bears’ 10th-ranked scoring offense also has an opportunity against a 49ers defense that’s much improved after Robert Saleh’s return as coordinator but still has vulnerabilities.
Bears predictions: Week 17 at 49ers Original
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their picks for the prime-time game Sunday in San Francisco (7:20 p.m., NBC 5): Bears, 31-30: The Bears have more than a 48-hour rest advantage over the 49ers after the latter played Monday night and had to fly home from Indianapolis. Season: 10-5. 49ers, 30-27: The fact these teams are on equal footing about a year after the 49ers embarrassed the Bears is impressive work by Ben Johnson. Going on the road in prime time will be a tough one to pull off, though.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Jason Lieser Verified, Steve Greenberg Verified, Scoop Jackson, Mark Potash
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
First-and-10: Bears have found winning formula Original
This week’s version of the Ben Johnson Effect: A year after the Bears were burned by the fickle finger of football fate with a Hail Mary loss to the Commanders that sent their season careening into unprecedented ignominy, they are just about even with the football gods. The Bears earned their 22-16 overtime victory Saturday against the Packers by making plays, but the one play that set it up was a mathematical fluke.
Bears coach Ben Johnson demonstrating knack for finding answers, which will be tested by Packers Original
The Ben Johnson Effect is real, but it still lacks the validation that matters most in these parts — beating the Packers. Johnson’s Bears are facing a team that has had their number for most of the last 20 years — and most of the post-Ditka era, for that matter. The Packers always seem to have an answer against the Bears, especially in big games. If it’s not Aaron Rodgers -tormenting them, it’s some unsung hero — Erik Walden, Jarrett Boykin, James Starks or Ty Montgomery.
Bears picks: Week 16 vs. Packers Original
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their picks for Saturday night’s primetime game against the rival Packers at Soldier Field (7:20 p.m., Fox 32): Bears, 27-21: Since Sept. 28, 2010, the Bears have beaten the Packers at Soldier Field exactly once — in 2018, when they clinched the NFC North. I should know better, right? Season: 9-5. Packers, 24-22: In a real rivalry, most of the games come down to the end, and this one should, too.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Jason Lieser Verified, Mark Potash, Steve Greenberg Verified, Scoop Jackson
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
Bears picks: Week 16 vs. Packers
Now The appointment of Bishop Ronald A. Hicks is expected to bring a markedly different leadership style to New York’s archdiocese. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday named an Illinois bishop to replace the powerful conservative Cardinal Timothy Dolan as leader of New York’s Roman Catholic archdiocese, a …
Bears GM Ryan Poles' acquisition of veteran guard Joe Thuney is his biggest move to accelerate rebuild
The roots of the Bears’ rebuild that has them in position to “take the North” — possibly this weekend — after a disastrous 2024 season of discombobulation are pretty easy to trace: • Lovie Smith’s Texans beating the Colts in Week 18 in 2022 to give the Bears’ the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.
Bears GM Ryan Poles' acquisition of veteran guard Joe Thuney is his biggest move to accelerate rebuild
The Miami Heat are in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo at this season’s trade deadline. If they miss out on him, they could go after another star …
Shedeur Sanders went from No. 4 on Browns’ depth chart to starter, and he’s been making steady progress since
As Shedeur Sanders was free-falling in the 2025 NFL Draft, he had a friend in Tom Brady. “I texted Shedeur because I know him very well,” Brady told Logan Paul of the “Impaulsive” podcast after the draft. “And I said, ‘Dude, whatever happens, wherever you go — that’s your first day. Day 2 matters more than the draft. “I was [No.] 199 — so who can speak on it better than me, like what that really means. Use that as motivation.
Bears predictions: Week 15 vs. Browns
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their picks for Sunday’s game against the Browns at Soldier Field (noon, Fox 32): Bears, 26-17: The last time the Bears beat the Browns was Christmas Eve 2017, the last win of head coach John Fox’s career. Season: 8-5. Bears, 30-17: The Browns’ pass rush will be difficult for the Bears, but overall, this is a challenge they can handle. There should be plenty of chances for them to extend their league lead in takeaways. Season: 7-6.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Jason Lieser Verified, Steve Greenberg Verified, Scoop Jackson, Mark Potash
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
Ben Johnson’s refusal to be timid makes him a different animal than some Bears coaches before him Original
After a 17-16 loss to the Chargers at Soldier Field in 2019, then-Bears coach Matt Nagy appeared mystified and a little miffed at being questioned about his decision to have quarterback Mitch Trubisky kneel to set up Eddy Pineiro for a 41-yard field-goal attempt, which failed on the final play. Why not run another play to make it a little easier for the first-year kicker, who hit the upright on a 33-yarder earlier in the game? “I’m not even going to get into that,” Nagy huffed.
How Bears follow up victory over Eagles could speak volumes about their viability in playoffs
When the 1985 Bears established themselves as Super Bowl favorites with a stunning 44-0 rout of the Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Week 11 — the Cowboys were two-point favorites, believe it or not — the eyes of the NFL were on them like never before. The 11-0 Bears were 16-point favorites against the Falcons the following week at Soldier Field and had that spread covered by halftime in a 36-0 rout.
Bears predictions: Week 14 at Packers
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their picks for Sunday afternoon’s rivalry game against the Packers at Lambeau Field (3:25 p.m., Fox 32) Packers, 24-21 (OT): Sunday marks the third time in the Super Bowl era a 9-3 team is at least a six-point underdog in its 13th game. The Jaguars didn’t cover against the Colts in 2005 and the Giants covered and won the game against Washington in 2000. Season: 7-5.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Jason Lieser Verified, Steve Greenberg Verified, Mark Potash, Scoop Jackson
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
Bears predictions: Week 14 at Packers
11 hours ago TOKYO (AP) — Toyota is increasing its presence in Formula 1 after taking over the title sponsorship of the Haas team on Thursday. It’s another high-profile commitment to F1 by a major automaker as the General Motors-backed Cadillac team prepares to make its debut next year. The team’s new name in …
First-and-10: Along with making Caleb Williams better, Ben Johnson has helped make Ryan Poles better Original
Ben Johnson was hired to make a quarterback out of Caleb Williams. But he’s also making a general manager out of Ryan Poles. Before Johnson was hired, Poles had more misses than hits.
Numbers make Bears look like paper tiger, but eye test tells different story
Bears fans are tired of hearing about how the Bears haven’t beaten anyone this season. But the flaw in their counter-argument — that the Bears don’t control their schedule — is that the one time the team played a legitimate Super Bowl contender, they were waxed by the Lions 52-21 in Week 2. The Bears objectively have had a primrose path to their 8-3 record. Their last five victories have come against quarterbacks Mason Rudolph, J.J. McCarthy, Jaxson Dart, Joe Flacco and Spencer Rattler.
First-and-10: NFL lifer Vic Fangio, up-and-comer Ben Johnson are two rare Bears success stories
Since Lovie Smith and Dave Toub left the Bears after Smith was fired following the 2012 season, two high-level coaches in particular have been able to rise above the dysfunctional muck at Halas Hall to be the best version of themselves. Vic Fangio is one. Ben Johnson is the other. Fangio, hired by John Fox as the Bears’ defensive coordinator in 2015, came to town with a stellar reputation as an old-school, no-nonsense, stickler-for-details coach who was as good as advertised.
Bears predictions: Week 13 at Eagles
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their pick for their “Black Friday” game against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field (2 p.m., Fox 32 and Amazon Prime): Eagles, 30-21: The Bears have played on a Friday three other times in their history, and not since 1966, when they lost to the Rams. Gale Sayers ran 18 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns — something Saquon Barkley will surpass on Friday. Season: 7-4.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Jason Lieser Verified, Steve Greenberg Verified, Mark Potash, Scoop Jackson
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
Bears might be able to overcome loss of starting linebackers if QB Caleb Williams, offensive line stay intact
The last time the Bears beat Aaron Rodgers — way back in 2018 in Week 15 at Soldier Field — they won the battle but lost the war of attrition. Safety Eddie Jackson’s interception of Rodgers in the end zone was a clinching blow, but Jackson suffered an ankle injury on his 13-yard return and never played again that season.
Bears predictions: Week 12 vs. Steelers
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their pick for Sunday’s game against the Steelers at Soldier Field (noon, CBS 2): Bears, 23-20 (OT): No NFL team allows more passing yards per game than the Steelers’ 261.7. After leaning on Caleb Williams’ legs two weeks ago, it’s time for the Bears to win because of what their quarterback does through the air. Season: 6-4.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Jason Lieser Verified, Steve Greenberg Verified, Mark Potash, Scoop Jackson
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
Bears predictions: Week 12 vs. Steelers
Chicago Cubs fans always seem to be looking for a "gotcha" moment when it comes to the decisions made by Jed Hoyer. It's why many are already …
1st and 10: Now things get difficult for the Bears Original
After yet another exhilarating victory, the Bears’ 7-3 start under rookie head coach Ben Johnson keeps evoking memories of previous glory in the post-Mike Ditka era. To wit: • The uncanny, fantastic finishes in victories against the Raiders, Commanders, Bengals, Giants and Vikings have been reminiscent of the miraculous 2001 season, which was highlighted by Mike Brown’s back-to-back game-ending pick-sixes.
Ben Johnson gets first rematch as Bears coach, against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
The juiciest Ben Johnson matchup with an NFC North rival coach won’t happen until Dec. 7, when the Bears’ head coach faces the guy he loved to beat as the Lions’ offensive coordinator — Packers coach Matt LaFleur. But until then, Johnson vs. Brian Flores will do. Johnson actually had even better success against Flores’ Vikings defense as the Lions’ offensive coordinator than he did against LaFleur.
Bears predictions: Week 11 at Vikings Original
|
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their pick for Sunday’s game against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium (noon, Fox 32): Vikings, 31-30: The Bears have won one out of their last nine games against the Vikings, the third-worst active stretch against one opponent in the NFL over the past five seasons Season: 6-3. Bears, 31-28: The Vikings are a step up from the teams the Bears have played lately, so they must step up to the challenge. Caleb Williams, in particular, needs to prove something.
By Patrick Finley Verified, Scoop Jackson, Mark Potash, Steve Greenberg Verified, Jason Lieser Verified
|
Chicago Sun-Times
Verified
1st and 10: Bears and Caleb Williams are holding everything together — so far Original
Three plays after Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart needed a little time to get up and walk off the field after fumbling and losing possession with a 17-7 lead late in the third quarter Sunday, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams came up limping noticeably after being sacked by Abdul Carter — a play that was nullified by a penalty. As it turned out, Dart played just two more snaps before leaving the game with a concussion.
Head coach Ben Johnson has Bears' offense playing with confidence Original
You are what your record says you are, but the Bears know they can’t be deceived by the 2-7 Giants on Sunday. The Giants have lost their last three games to the Broncos (8-2), Eagles (6-2) and 49ers (6-3), three teams with a combined 20-7 record. In fact, the Giants have more victories against winning teams this season — the Chargers (6-3) and Eagles (6-2) — than the Bears, who have zero. ‘‘This is a good team coming in here,’’ head coach Ben Johnson said.
Bears predictions: Week 10 vs. Giants
As Disney's YouTube TV Outage Drags On, Viewers Have Few Options for Football The contract dispute threatens another week of college football and the first big weekend of NCAA basketball. An ongoing contract dispute between YouTube TV and Disney has led to the removal of ESPN, ABC and other top broadcasting channels from the live streaming service, with no indication when …
1st and 10: Bears QB Caleb Williams has all the luck Original
Some guys have “it.” And some guys don’t. Jay Cutler had tremendous talent but couldn’t buy a break. Even when he was in the right place, it seemed like the wrong time. In 2011, Cutler was leading the Bears (7-3) to their fifth straight victory that would stamp them as a legitimate threat to the 10-0 Packers, when fate intervened.
Bears at Bengals: What to watch for Original
When the Bears have the ball A week after the Bears scored a season-low 16 points against the 32nd-ranked Ravens defense, they should fare better against a Bengals defense that is not only ranked 32nd in points allowed, but 32nd in yards allowed and rushing yards allowed; 30th in passing yards allowed; 29th in sacks and 31st in third-down conversions. The Ravens’ low ranking was deceptive. They were improving and regained star linebacker Roquan Smith.
Bears hope to bounce back like they did once before this season
The last time the Bears were coming off a loss, rookie coach Ben Johnson challenged his team to be on point in practice during the week and on Sunday against the Cowboys after losing to the Lions 52-21 at Ford Field in Week 2. “We’re going to have a lot more competition,” Johnson said the Monday after that game.
Bears predictions: Week 9 at Bengals
The Sun-Times’ Bears experts make their pick for Sunday’s game against the Bengals in Cincinnati (noon, CBS 2): Bengals, 31-28: A team that needed last-second plays to beat the Raiders and Commanders, who are both 2-5, will lose at the gun to the 3-5 Bengals. Winning on the road is hard — particularly when the Bears defense is banged up and their quarterback is inconsistent. Season: 5-2.
1st and 10: Leadership issues continue to plague Bears
Bears coach Ben Johnson learns a little bit more about the roster he inherited every day. He’s about to learn a lot more. After the Bears had penalty issues yet again in a 30-16 loss to the Ravens on Sunday — 11 penalties for 79 yards, including two more false starts — Johnson all but threw his hands up and put the onus on his players and presumably team leaders to solve the problem.
Bears' flags are a red flag, especially on offense
The Marc Trestman era of Bears history is regrettable because we know how it ended. When it started, however, the excitement and anticipation was as strong, if not stronger, than it is today under Ben Johnson. Through six games in 2013, in fact, Trestman was still a breath of fresh air. The Bears were 4-2 and averaging 28.7 points, the third-most in the NFL and their highest scoring average after six games since the 2006 Super Bowl season. At that point, Trestman had his players’ attention.
Bears predictions: Week 8 at Ravens
The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ game Sunday at the Ravens (noon, CBS-2): Ravens, 34-23: This is a bad spot for the Bears — provided that Lamar Jackson plays. The 1-5 Ravens are coming off a bye and can’t afford to lose without sinking further into obscurity. Even if Jackson is hampered, they’ll be desperate. The Bears won’t be. This year: 4-2 Ravens, 36-27: At 1-5, the Ravens still have better odds of winning the Super Bowl than the Patriots or Seahawks, both who are 5-2.
First-and-10: Kyle Monangai aside, Bears’ rookies have been quiet - is that a good thing?
Running back Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round draft pick, is the Bears’ rookie of the year through six games. Is that a good thing? Probably not, when their top three picks in Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach were offensive players — tight end Colston Loveland (first round, 10th overall), wide receiver Luther Burden (second round, 39th) and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (second round, 56th).
Chicago Bears news, scores, rumors and updates
Why late-game rallies could signal something different in Bears Fifteen minutes after the Bears had stolen their second straight road win, tight end Cole Kmet stood at his locker, shook his head and smiled. He knew this feeling, but usually from the other side.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Mark
Contact Mark, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack