Bears come out empty handed after another missed opportunity and with no other options the team faces an uncertain path forward
The Chicago Bears improved to 6-3 on Sunday with a thrilling win over the New York Giants, but the team isn't getting complacent with where they stand after the first ten weeks of the season, and rightfully so.
A lot still needs to be improved before we can start talking about this team like a legitimate playoff contender and the upcoming schedule will really showcase what kind of team this truly is.
Head coach Ben Johnson understands this and acknowledged some of the areas that are still holding this team back from playing a complete game. As such, the Bears have been exploring different ways to improve on both sides of the ball and came out empty handed again with the latest opportunity.
Bears miss out on CB Asante Samuel Jr. after he opted to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers
On Tuesday, the Bears were scheduled to visit with free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to see what kind of playing shape he's in after being cleared from a spinal-fusion surgery he underwent back in April. Chicago was in need of some depth at the position but league-wide interest was high in the former second round pick.
Samuel finally reached his decision after meeting with multiple teams and elected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the team's practice squad, first reported by Jeremy Fowler.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 11, 2025Free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source.
A top-25 free agent in March, Samuel recovered from spinal-fusion surgery in time to sign for the season’s second half. Now, he gets a new start with Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/pK5QfhfEy0
This is now the second time in as many weeks the Bears missed out on adding a starting-caliber player to the cornerback position. Last week, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the Bears inquired about trading for New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor but couldn't get the deal pushed across the finish line ahead of the trade deadline.
Chicago went into Week 10 with Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright starting on the outside at cornerback, the usual starters the team has been deploying since losing Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson earlier in the season.
The team's head coach note Stevenson's played improved from Week 9 to Week 10 despite allowing a team-high 96 yards in coverage on eight targets. Since Johnson's injury, Stevenson has been forced into the #1 cornerback role with Wright starting on the opposite boundary.
Both players have been liabilities in coverage allowing big plays down the field all season. Stevenson's 17.9 yards per reception allowed is the most among all cornerbacks with 250+ coverage snaps this season and Wright's 13.5 yards per reception allowed is the 16th-most among 62 cornerbacks.
The chance of adding Samuel was really the last viable move the Bears could have made to upgrade the position and now the team turns to the waiting game. Standout nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon is expected to miss at least one more week on the injured reserve before he can have his practice window opened and Johnson isn't expected back until December at the earliest.
In the meantime, the Bears will need Stevenson and Wright to step up and improve their play in coverage. A resurgent pass rush should help mask some of their struggles in the back end but it's not something that should be seen as sustainable for long.
Patrick Mahomes: “The MVP Race Isn’t Over Until the Final Week”
Despite a rough stretch in the season and a drop in MVP odds, Patrick Mahomes is far from conceding his spot in the race. In a candid statement following a tough loss, Mahomes made it clear that he has no plans of giving up the MVP chase and is confident he will come back stronger than ever.
“The MVP race isn’t over until the final week. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m coming back stronger than ever. This is just a setback, not a finish.” –
Patrick Mahomes
A Rocky Road to Recovery
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. After an impressive start, the team faced a frustrating Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Mahomes’ performance in that game was one of his more inconsistent efforts, where he completed just 44.1% of his passes for 250 yards, and threw an interception. The loss was particularly costly, causing a noticeable dip in his MVP odds.
Despite the setback, Mahomes has always been a fighter. He understands that the MVP race isn’t decided by a single game, and he remains confident in his ability to finish the season strong. With a bye week ahead, Mahomes will have the time to recalibrate, focus on his strengths, and lead his team back to the top.
Determined to Prove Himself
Mahomes’ determination has been evident throughout his career. His ability to bounce back from adversity is one of the reasons he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. After a challenging loss, Mahomes took a measured approach: it’s not about panicking, it’s about adjusting, learning from the past, and moving forward.
In his statement, Mahomes emphasized that setbacks are a part of the game, but they don’t define the outcome. The MVP award is often given to players who manage to overcome adversity and finish the season with spectacular performances. Mahomes is determined to prove that he is still the frontrunner, and he is ready to show the world what he’s capable of.
Looking Ahead
With the second half of the season ahead, Mahomes has plenty of opportunities to reclaim his MVP status. The Chiefs are still in the playoff hunt, and with Mahomes under center, they remain a dangerous team. He has the weapons around him, including top-tier wide receivers and a solid offensive line, to turn things around and finish the season strong.
For Mahomes, the race is far from over. He’s shown time and again that he’s capable of bouncing back from adversity, and this year will be no different. If anyone can go on a hot streak and reclaim the MVP title, it’s Patrick Mahomes.
