Jerry MarkarianSep 2, 2026
Markarian argues the Bears' stacked roster is set to win back-to-back NFC North titles for the first time since 2006, while suggesting Braxton Jones is only a placeholder in their final Chicago season before Ozzy Trapilo takes over at tackle.
Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original
What Jerry Markarian said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromThe NFL's top regression candidates boast a stacked roster that looks primed to win their first consecutive NFC North title since 2006.
- Where it was published
- Sports Illustrated
- The piece
- 6 Roster Decisions That Could Define the Chicago Bears' Season
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- 1Chicago Bears to win the division“The NFL's top regression candidates boast a stacked roster that looks primed to win their first consecutive NFC North title since 2006.”
- 2Braxton Jones to move to Chicago Bears“Yes, it'll eventually be his job, and Jones is certainly playing out his final year in the Windy City (although we admittedly said that last year).”
- 3Ozzy Trapilo to be 1st on the depth chart“Yes, it'll eventually be his job... Ideally, Jones plays well enough to be a quality placeholder until midseason.”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears to win the division1 | Division Winners | — | — | — | — | |
| Braxton Jones to move to Chicago Bears2 | Trade and Signing Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Ozzy Trapilo to be 1st on the depth chart3 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 3 calls · 3 waiting | — | — | ||||
How each call scored
3 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call, 1 division winner and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
1Division WinnersChicago Bears
Chicago Bears to win the division
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
2Trade and Signing CallsBraxton JonesChicago Bears
Braxton Jones to move to Chicago Bears
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Depth Chart CallsOzzy TrapiloChicago Bears
Ozzy Trapilo to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
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More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.