Chicago Bears

It should be Justin Fields -- NOT Andy Dalton -- under center for the Bears in Week 1 ... so says Willie Gault, who tells TMZ Sports there's no point in delaying the rookie's debut.

Despite taking Fields with the #11 pick in the spring's NFL draft ... Chicago has seemed set on starting Dalton.

But, after two strong performances in Fields' first two preseason games with the team ... Gault is now calling for the former Ohio State star to just start right away.

"The coach is going to make that decision, but for me, let's go!" the former Bears wideout told us at a charity softball game in Los Angeles on Sunday.

"Why not?! Off the bat, absolutely."

Fields has dazzled at times during his limited preseason snaps so far ... piling up 222 passing yards on 23 completions while adding 79 rushing yards on just nine carries.

The dude has even showed some legit toughness ... taking a massive shot in Chicago's game against the Bills on Saturday and getting right back up afterward.

All of it has Gault clamoring for the Bears to make him QB1 ... saying, "Only way to learn is you got to do it!"

Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael -- who later became a pro wrestling star -- has been diagnosed with ALS and is already paralyzed from the shoulders down.

The 63-year-old -- who was a key part of the famous 1985 Bears championship team -- revealed the diagnosis to the Chicago Tribune ... admitting, "This ain't ever how I envisioned [my life] was going to end."

"Mongo" McMichael was a 5-time All-Pro during his 14-year NFL career and was named one of the 100 Greatest Chicago Bears of All Time.

He later became a star pro wrestler with a stint in the WWE in 1995 before moving over to WCW where he took on the likes of Bill Goldberg and Ric Flair.

Steve was diagnosed with ALS -- also known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- back in February ... and unfortunately, it's ravaging his body rather quickly.

ALS is an "always fatal" progressive neurodegenerative disease -- that essentially shuts down the body's ability to function. Average life expectancy is 2 to 5 years from diagnosis, according to ALS.org.

According to Steve's official GoFundMe page, Steve's wife Misty "feeds him and supports him with all hygiene needs."

Steve is losing function in his legs -- and the Chicago Bears actually bought him a special custom wheelchair to help him get around.

Despite his medical situation, McMichael is still cracking jokes about the diagnosis ... telling The Tribute, "I thought I was ready for anything. But man, this will sneak up on you like a cheap-shotting Green Bay Packer."

He's the punky QB known as McMahon ... and good lord, does he HATE the Chicago Bears.

Of course, Jim McMahon is a Chicago legend -- famous for leading his 1985 Bears team over the Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Remember the Super Bowl shuffle?!

But now, the 61-year-old could care less about his former franchise ... ripping the organization during an appearance this week on the "Fat Mike Chicago Sports Show."

First, McMahon pointed out Chicago hasn't had a decent starting QB if forever -- and noted, "I think it’s where quarterbacks go to die."

Ouch.

When asked about how the Bears should approach the 2021 NFL Draft -- McMahon cut even deeper.

"I don’t know, don’t watch them, don’t care. I wouldn’t know what they need or who they’re thinking of drafting."

Ouch again.

And, to add salt to the wound, McMahon PRAISED the Bears' longtime rival Green Bay Packers, where he ended his NFL career.

"It was the best team, or the best organization, that I’ve played for of the 7 teams I’ve played for," McMahon said ... adding, "By far, from top to bottom ... it was great people."

McMahon spent 7 seasons in Chicago including that special 1985 championship run -- but left for San Diego in 1989 and bounced around several teams after that before calling it quits after the 1996 season.

He reunited with several Bears legends at Soldier Field back in 2016 -- but it seems he doesn't have a strong relationship with the franchise anymore.

Jimmy Graham was reportedly involved in a terrifying rollover car crash Thursday morning ... but, thankfully, the NFL star says he walked away from the accident "unscathed."

Details surrounding the specifics of the incident are unclear ... but according to Andy Slater, Graham flipped his car in the Miami area avoiding a vehicle "that was blocking the road."

Graham confirmed the accident on Twitter, writing that he's OK despite the reported scary details.

"Just wanted to get ahead of this and tell everybody I’m fine," the 34-year-old said. "Was in an accident this morning trying to avoid a disabled vehicle in the center lane."

"I walked away from it unscathed. Blessings."

It's amazing news ... everyone knows the dangers of rollover crashes -- especially after Tiger Woods shattered his right leg in one just days ago in Los Angeles.

Mitch Trubisky is already off to a pretty great offseason -- he just got engaged to his smokin' hot girlfriend, Hillary Gallagher ... and take a look at that ring!!!

The Chicago Bears QB popped the question at The Breakers luxury beachfront resort in Palm Beach, Florida ... where he got down on his knee and whipped out a diamond ring the size of a knuckle!

... and she said, "Yes!"

The two have been dating for years -- they were first spotted together in 2019. She's a private pilates instructor. He was the 2nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Hillary posted about the engagement on social media -- writing, "Can’t wait to spend forever with my soulmate."

The other question in Mitch's life ... where's he gonna play next season?

MT will be a free agent in March and it's unclear if the Bears will try to sign him to a near deal or move on.

But, don't feel too bad for the guy, he's already banked $29 million in contract money over his 4 seasons in the NFL and should sign a hefty new deal no matter where he goes next.

More trouble for Mario Edwards Jr. ...

The Chicago Bears defensive lineman has been handed a 2-game ban by NFL commish Roger Goodell on Friday ... but we're told it is NOT related to an alleged domestic violence incident in October.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... a woman claims 26-year-old Edwards got violent with her in a North Carolina hotel room on Oct. 17 (the day before playing against the Panthers) ... after she turned down his sexual advances.

The woman claims she was pregnant at the time of the incident ... and required medical attention for injuries sustained during the alleged attack.

Edwards, though, has STRONGLY denied any wrongdoing ... claiming he was the victim and the woman was the aggressor.

While that incident remains under investigation, we're told Edwards' punishment Friday is due to a violation of the league's performance-enhancing substance policy ... resulting in the 2-game ban.

Edwards showed serious promise in 15 games for the Bears this season ... racking up 4 sacks in 15 games.

Bart Scott is calling Nick Foles out for the QB's reaction to his injury on "Monday Night Football" this week ... the ex-NFL linebacker went IN on the Bears star for "crying" over a bruise.

"You know who Nick Foles is?" Scott asked on ESPN's "Keyshawn JWill & Zubin show" this week. "He's the dude screaming, 'I'm drowning! I'm drowning!'"

"And, somebody says, 'Hey, stand up!' And he says, 'Oh, all I had to do was stand up?'"

Scott was straight-up pissed over it all ... believing Foles overreacted when he needed a cart to leave the field after he hurt his hip in the final moments of the Bears' loss to the Vikings.

Scott's biggest issue? He believes Foles made it seem like he was dealing with a break or a tear as opposed to a bruise.

"Oh, we supposed to have empathy?" said Scott, who played in the NFL for 11 years. "He was crying! There's no crying in football! And, if there's crying, something better be broken! Need to be amputated!"

Scott continued, "He is crying and he got a bone bruise! Drew Brees is talking to [Sean] Payton on the sideline and he got four cracked ribs and a puncture! And, he's talking! And, [Foles] is crying for a hip bruise!? What are we talking about!?"

Scott went even further ... adding, "You hearing everybody, 'Prayers up to Nick Foles.' A bruise?! Man if you don't take some Advil and put some ice and put a girdle on with a hip pad in it, man, get the hell out of here."

For his part, Scott's co-host on the show, ex-NFL star Keyshawn Johnson, tried to defend Nick ... saying the QB was likely just scared given all of the significant injuries that have plagued his career in the past.

But, Scott was having none of it ... calling the injury "a boo-boo" and saying, "He built real different."

Chicago Bears WR Javon Wims uncorked TWO massive haymakers on a Saints player mid-game ... and the whole violent affair appeared to start because of a mouthpiece jacking.

Here's the deal ... early in the 3rd quarter of the Saints-Bears game in Chicago, Wims went to block Chauncey Gardner-Johnson -- and the two got into a bit of a tussle.

The guys trash-talked each other ... and, eventually, Gardner-Johnson ripped Wims' mouthpiece right off his facemask.

Wims was taken out for the remainder of the Bears' drive after the play ... but when his squad got the ball back -- he went to exact revenge on CGJ.

Check out the video of the play -- it's WILD -- Wims tried to grab Gardner-Johnson's mouthpiece, but when he missed ... he decided to throw 2 HUGE punches instead.

Both connected with CGJ's helmet ... and it kicked off a melee between the two teams.

Ultimately, the scrum was broken up and Wims was ejected ... and now, a big-time ban could be coming soon.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday the league is mulling a possible suspension for the wideout, and given his status as a role player on the Bears' roster ... his job might be in jeopardy too.

As for Gardner-Johnson, he definitely came out on top of the fight ... his Saints won, he didn't suffer any injuries in the brawl -- and he fired away at Wims on social media after the contest.

"That man punch like a female," CGJ said, before adding, "Bra cheap shot like a fee."

26-year-old Wims was picked by the Bears in the 7th-round of the 2018 NFL Draft ... and he's played in 28 games since, catching 27 passes and scoring 4 total TDs.

A normally calm Nick Foles was absolutely JACKED UP after the Bears' big win Sunday ... and the quarterback says it's all in part because of Meek Mill!!

Here's the deal ... Foles helped lead Chicago to a 23-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers -- and he says when he got back to the Bears' locker room, the DJ fired up "Dreams and Nightmares."

Of course ... that was Foles' Philadelphia Eagles team's anthem when they won the Super Bowl in 2018 -- so he went CRAZY!!

"It reminded me of Philly a little bit," 31-year-old Foles said. "So that, I'm not going to lie, that got my juices going. So, shout-out to Meek."

Nick continued, "I might've got up and danced a little bit. I'm used to -- I'm more like country, maybe some Christian rap. But, I'll tell you what, if Meek comes on with that song, I get rollin'!"

Nick didn't have his best game ever in the win ... completing just 23 of his 39 passes for 198 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT -- but the dude did ultimately move his squad to 5-1 this season.

Better than 1-4-1 in Philly, right?

By the way, Foles ain't wrong about the Meek track ... it's still FIRE!!

The Chicago Bears want to make it clear ... they do NOT endorse Brian Urlacher's IG post, criticizing NBA players for being outraged over the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Urlacher -- a Hall of Famer who spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Bears -- set social media on fire Thursday ... by taking a shot at the NBA boycott.

"Brett Favre played the MNF game the day his dad died, threw 4 TDs in the first half, and was a legend for playing in the face of adversity,” Urlacher's post said.

"NBA players boycott the playoffs because a dude reaching for a knife, wanted on a felony sexual assault warrant, was shot by police."

Urlacher also appeared to "like" a social media post that said, "Free Kyle Rittenhouse,” the 17-year-old who allegedly shot and killed two people who were protesting the shooting of Jacob Blake.

The backlash was fast and furious ... with several high-profile outlets trashing Urlacher.

Isaiah Thomas wrote, "That’s sad smh. He’s a real life sucka for that."

Quentin Richardson added, "And To think I used to cheer for this dude as he played for my Bears!! F*ck outta here Urlacher!! U trippin!"

Ex-Bears running back Matt Forte -- who played with Urlacher -- said, "The comment [Urlacher] posted is void of empathy, compassion, wisdom and coherence. But full of pride and ignorance!"

"I pray for those who have been blinded by their wealth, privilege and earthly fame that breeds arrogance in their hearts."

"And those who refuse to Acknowledge racism and injustice but instead choose to place their energy into justifying it by quickly judging the victims life as if they themselves are more valuable because their sins are different or weren’t caught by man ... but God sees all."

Enter the Bears organization ... which quickly issued a statement on the matter.

"The social media posts in no way reflect the values or opinions of the Chicago Bears organization."

Someone or someTHING keeps murdering Jay Cutler's beloved chickens ... and the ex-NFL QB is so fed up, he's pulling out the big guns -- AND the night vision goggles -- to stop the culprit.

The retired Chicago Bears star went public with his troubles on Instagram earlier this week ... saying a "chicken serial killer" has been ripping the heads off his birds at his home in Tennessee.

So ... is it a coyote? A raccoon? A monster?!?

Cutler initially thought his own cat, Thelma, had blood on her paws ... but he later determined the pet was not responsible.

After eliminating Thelma as a suspect, Cutler came up with a plan to catch the REAL murderer -- an all-night stakeout!!!

So #6 grabbed his night vision goggles, camo and a nice stogie and assumed his position in his kids' treehouse to look over his rooster, Old Blue after sundown ... updating his 500k followers throughout the night.

"Obviously things have escalated," Jay said on IG. "We're gonna sit here and make sure Old Blue has a good night tonight and whatever happens, happens."

But, the whole stakeout had an anticlimactic ending Friday morning -- Cutler says he was unable to find the killer ... but he's vowed to continue the hunt.

"No culprit last night, which is okay. Stayed up way too late. Super tired this morning. But, Old Blue's gonna be on the case today."

Ted Ginn Jr. tells TMZ Sports if he wasn't so damn good at football ... he'd be an Olympic track athlete with a gold medal already on his resume -- saying he's beaten Usain Bolt before!

The new Chicago Bear spoke with us this week about his track past ... and says he had straight-up OLYMPIC speed in high school and college!!!

In fact, Ginn Jr. says he not only clocked a 4.22 40-yard dash back then ... he claims to have beaten track legends like Bolt, Jason Richardson and Kerron Clement as well!!

"I ran against Usain Bolt -- I got him when we was in the 12th grade," Ginn Jr. says. "All of the top guys that have won the Olympics between 2004 'til now, I basically had a chance to race them guys in high school."

Ginn tells us if he hadn't turned into a monster wideout at Ohio State and stuck with track instead ... he'd "for sure" have a gold medal by now.

As for his football future ... 35-year-old Ginn doesn't seem like a guy slowing down anytime soon there -- he spoke with us about his expectations for the Bears in 2020, and dude's clearly fired up for Chicago!

Prince Amukamara is going to bat for Mitch Trubisky ... telling TMZ Sports he has ZERO doubts about his Bears teammate -- saying the QB is going to be just fine!!!

"You heard it here," Prince says. "In Trubisky we trust!"

Of course, Chicago fans don't share nearly the same level of confidence in Mitch as Prince ... there's talk Bears faithful would rather see a free agent like Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston under center next season.

But, when we got Prince out in Miami recently ... the Chicago cornerback told us the Trubisky doubters need to back off.

"Coming from a guy who sees him work hard, I know what he has in store," Prince says. "I still feel like he played great for us last year and I think he's our guy."

In 15 starts in the 2019 season ... Trubisky threw for 3,138 yards and 17 TDs with 10 INTs -- piling up a not-so-great 83.0 quarterback rating.

But, Amukamara doesn't even want the Bears to sign a veteran to try to push the 25-year-old in 2020 ... telling us, "I've seen the work he's put in. He's the guy."

By the way, we got Prince leaving a sick Super Bowl gifting suite ... and he says he estimates the gear he copped was worth 5 to 10 RACKS!!!

"Thursday Night Football" sucked for the Cowboys ... on the field and in the stands.

While the Chicago Bears players put a beating on Dak Prescott and company, the Bears fans were lumping up a bunch of Cowboys fans in the bowels of Soldier Field.

Check out the footage obtained by Barstool Sports, showing a group of Bears fans going all Mike Tyson on a couple of guys in Cowboys jerseys at some point during the game.

It doesn't appear anyone was seriously injured -- we're working on finding out if anyone was arrested.

Of course, the actual game went terribly for Jerry Jones and his Cowboys ... Dallas lost 31 to 24 ... but the game wasn't as close as the final score makes it seem.

Despite the ass-kicking, Jerry Jones insists he'll stick with Jason Garrett as the Cowboys head coach until the season is over.

Oh, and somehow the 6-7 Cowboys are still in 1st place in the NFC East and have a real shot at the playoffs. The Eagles are 5-7.

Kyle Long ain't shying away from the fact that thousands of people just saw his junk ... in fact, the Bears offensive lineman is actually joking about the whole ordeal!!!

After Chicago beat up the Washington Redskins on Monday night, Long's penis was accidentally exposed while teammate Tarik Cohen live streamed from the locker room on Instagram. Oops!!!

Cohen took down the vid just minutes after realizing he accidentally exposed Long's man junk, but the damage had already been done -- Long was trending on social media.

But, Kyle is taking the whole incident in stride ... he appeared on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" -- and he and the 'PMT' guys slyly and hilariously joked about it.

Some of the highlights from Long ...

"The D was out in numbers."

"You would think with my large stature there'd be more, like, jumbo packages."

"I had heard about a cold front coming in, and I guess I just wasn't prepared for it, man. Because it hit me hard right at the end of the game."

Take me out to the ballgame and buy me some ... penis?!?!?!

That's what it sounds like Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy said during his rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Wrigley Field on Wednesday ... and it's hilarious!!!

The Bears head man took the mic in the 7th inning of the Cubs-Reds game ... and started the song off just fine.

But, when he got to the part about purchasing ballpark snacks ... it sure sounded like he sang, "Buy me some PENIS and Cracker Jacks!!!"

Doesn't appear we're the only ones who heard it ... 'cause a guy in the crowd made a face like Nagy had just sang something completely wrong as soon as the word left his lips!!!

Of course, the actual lyrics go "Buy me some PEANUTS and Cracker Jacks" ... and we're pretty sure Nagy's going to say that's what he actually sang.

As for the rest of the game, Matt at least nailed the first pitch ... throwing a strike on the outside corner of home plate.