Patrick Mannelly was a model of consistency for the Chicago Bears, holding a franchise record for most games and seasons played in Chicago with 245 games and 16 seasons.
In an era of Bears football with so much excitement around this team, head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, it's hard not to wonder if and when a record like Mannelly's will ever be broken.
But, first, what's most important to Mannelly these days: his heart. I had the privilege to sit down and chat with Mannelly for a bit, and there was nothing more atop his mind than heart health.
For those who may not know, Mannelly's mom passed away a week after the Bears' appearance back in Super Bowl XLI, s this is a topic near and dear to his heart.
His family has a history of heart disease, with a lot of the men passing away in their 60's. So, nowadays, Mannelly is partnering with a company like Heartflow.
Heartflow's cutting-edge technology uses AI to provide 3D images of your heart and allows for even more detailed analysis, while GAMEFILM provides the actual study. This unique study is free to former NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB players with a goal in mind to try and help pave the way "for earlier detection, better care and stronger standards — for athletes today and for generations to come."
Speaking of paving the way, how about that Caleb Williams guy?
Caleb Williams breaking Patrick Mannelly's franchise records would mean Super Bowl wins all but guaranteed
Back to Mannelly's franchise records of games and seasons played.
Bears fans aren't even used to a quarterback sticking around long enough to warrant a second contract, let alone talking about a whopping 245 games played.
But, the former Bears long snapper tells me that if there's anybody he'd like to see break the record, it's Williams.
"There is one player I want to break it, and it's Caleb Williams," he said. "If he does, that means the Bears are great. That means they're winning Super Bowls ... if you talk about consistency, please [Caleb] go break my record."
This answer came after I simply asked if there were any current Bears player he saw the same trait he once displayed for so many years: consistency.
I'd say if Williams is out there breaking franchise records that include over 200 games and a decade and a half of play, then it's safe to say the Bears are winning some Super Bowls in the process.
As we speak, Williams is 40 games and almost three seasons in.
205 to go in order to tie, 206 to break it. Plus, 13 more seasons.
Patrick Mannelly puts Jeffery Simmons right up there with Aaron Donald
Also in our time together, we got a chance to discuss a big move that just went down, with the Bears acquiring 4-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Jeffery Simmons.
Bears fans have already seen what Simmons can do in his first two games, in which has been downright dominant, but Mannelly highlighted what makes him so special while highlighting a specific play he saw against the Seahawks in Week 8.
"He's a multiple-position player. He played nose guard, D-tackle, D-end ... then he can also recognize the play from the nose guard position," Mannelly said. "To have the physical ability to run the running back down [against Seattle] and stop the play for a loss, Jeffery Simmons is just a complete player."
I had to mention the fact that Bears fans once wanted Aaron Donald badly. And, of course, the Bears came up just short of being able to draft the future Hall of Famer.
But, years later, Simmons is a nice consolation prize.
"Aaron Donald is a nightmare for defensive coordinators and I think Jeffery Simmons is a nightmare as well," Mannelly noted.
Mannelly also explained that he would put Simmons just a tier below Donald, which is saying something, because there's only one Aaron Donald.
Between the force that is Simmons, and the franchise quarterback that is Williams, it's safe to say the Bears now have a team that very well could rival Mannelly's old 2006 Super Bowl squad.
Hopefully, they're able to get there and bring it all home.
Thanks again to Patrick for his time, and once more, for appearing on behalf of Heartflow.
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