All of a sudden, the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons game in Week 6 will be very different for the Windy City team.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. will be suspended for the first eight games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. This stems from Pearce being arrested back in February for being involved in a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
In his rookie season with the Falcons, Pearce racked up 10.5 sacks. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team last year.
Bears now won't have to face James Pearce Jr. in Week 6 matchup
Chicago is going to be facing a Falcons team that won't have their top two pass rushers on the team for the game. Pearce is suspended, and Jalon Walker is out for the 2026 season with a torn ACL.
This will certainly make it a lot easier for the Bears to navigate the game with the offensive tackles. Uncertainty about who will start at those positions will make it much easier to game plan.
The hope is that Ozzy Trapilo will be healthy enough to return before the Week 6 Falcons game and play as the starting left tackle. Right now, Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, and Jedrick Wills Jr. are battling for the job until Trapilo comes back from his tendon injury.
At right tackle, that is firmly with Darnell Wright after getting his massive contract extension in training camp. Wright was a second-team All-Pro selection last year for the first time after having a career season for the Bears.
A lot can change during that time, but it appears as though the Bears should be in prime position to take down the Falcons. Atlanta has so many concerns to address at starting quarterback, and now, without their top two pass rushers, they will struggle to get to the quarterback.
Chicago has a top-five offensive line in the NFL, so this won't be a problem for them. No matter who the starting left tackle is, they should be able to hold their own and keep the edge rushers away from Caleb Williams.
Read more: Will Caleb Williams be playing in Bears-Browns preseason opener?
No win is ever guaranteed in the NFL, but there are games to be feeling good about. This is one where the Bears fan base should feel certain that they can come out with a win.
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