Just when Chicago Bears fans thought the schedule release was the biggest news of the week, another topic jumped in to take precedence.
Amid the momentum the NFL schedule release has created comes another storyline that will impact all 32 teams, the Bears included.
A new report from insider Tom Pelissero alluded to the discussions going on in regards to the league's plan surrounding flag football in the 2028 Olympics. This is an important topic for all fans, whether or not you're a fan of the Olympics.
Why is it so important?
The decision is in regards to NFL players being allowed to participate in Olympic flag football, and that could spell impending disaster for many star players.
Caleb Williams is the perfect example of a player who should avoid the Olympics at all costs
If the league ends up deciding to allow NFL players to participate, that opens the door for someone like Caleb Williams to be involved as a first-time Olympian as early as 2028. While on one hand, that's pretty cool, it's also a disaster waiting to happen.
Among many of the issues at hand when it comes to this decision are, of course, the injury risks that come along with it.
CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones expounded on this notion a few months back:
"NFL player contracts are notoriously stringent when it comes to high-risk activities away from NFL-related events. A high-risk event like the Olympics could put a player's earnings — especially their guaranteed money — in jeopardy," he wrote.
Jones also noted how athletes are hardly paid for the Olympics as well. Whether it's financial implications or health and safety concerns, there is a lot to be sorted out.
"The NFL Players Association wishes to have a significant say in the health-and-safety aspects of international competition for any NFL players," Jones wrote. "Training schedules and equipment would be near the top of the list, while the NFLPA would also certainly key in on field surfaces for the Olympics, just like they do for all NFL-related activities."
The last thing Bears fans want to see is a player like Williams in the thick of his prime, three years from now, only to end up suffering a silly, perfectly-preventable injury while participating in flag football at the Olympics.
If the decision comes through as one which allows NFL players to get the green light, that's great. But, for the love of God, Caleb, don't take the bait.