Alex Shapiro is the Bears beat writer for NBC Sports Chicago and co-host of the Under Center Podcast. He also pitches in covering the White Sox, Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks. A Northbrook, IL, native, Shapiro started his career at KVAL-TV in Eugene, OR, producing the local news. He continued his West Coast tour in Los Angeles with Fox Sports 1. Shapiro moved back home in 2015 to join NBC Sports Chicago.
The Latest
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Why do Bears want to build fixed-roof dome? President shares new details explaining decision
For as long as the Bears have talked about new stadium plans, they’ve talked about their future stadium having a fixed roof. From former president Ted Phillips to current president Kevin Warren, from Arlington Heights to Chicago, building a domed stadium has been a constant. On Wednesday, Warren shared some more details on why the team will opt for...
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Why Illinois politicians are ‘skeptical' about Bears stadium plan in Chicago
The Bears revealed new details on their plan to build a new stadium on Wednesday. Shortly afterwards, Illinois Senate president Don Harmon responded. “At first glance, more than $2 billion in private funding is better than zero and a more credible opening offer,” Harmon said in a statement. “But there’s an obvious, substantial gap remaining, and I echo the...
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How Bears plan to fund Chicago stadium project, and how much it will cost taxpayers
The Bears announced how they plan to fund a potential new stadium project in Chicago, and how much they believe it will cost. Bears COO and executive vice president of stadium development Karen Murphy said in a presentation on Wednesday that the team expects the entire stadium project to cost $4.7 billion: $3.2 for the stadium itself and just over…
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Chicago mayor: No new taxes for city residents with new stadium plan
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson said on Wednesday that the Bears’ new plan to build a stadium in Chicago will not raise taxes on city residents. “I’m going to repeat that one more time to make sure that everybody gets it,” Johnson during a press conference announcing the plans. “This project will result in no new taxes on the residents...
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Report: Steelers decline Justin Fields fifth-year option
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not expected to pick up Justin Fields’ fifth-year option, according to Adam Schefter. That means Fields is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season. The news isn’t surprising, since Fields was due to make just over $25 million on the tag. That’s a lot of money for a quarterback projected to be a…
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Darnell Wright, T.J. Edwards named Bears 2023 Brian Piccolo Award winners
The Bears announced on Tuesday that right tackle Darnell Wright and weakside linebacker T.J. Edwards are last season’s recipients of the team’s Brian Piccolo Award. Since 1970, the team has recognized two players each year– one rookie and one veteran– who best exemplify Piccolo’s courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor. Piccolo was a running back for the...
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How Bears identify ‘Grizzlies' in the 2024 NFL draft, and why it's important to their evaluations
The Bears have developed a system, and a special symbol, to help them identify their can’t-miss prospects in the draft. If a player exhibits all the traits they want, regardless of whether that player has a first-round grade or a seventh-round grade, the team puts a little Bears head icon on their tag. “We call them the Grizzly,” GM...
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Bears applaud Caleb Williams' lofty goals, expectations as 2024 NFL draft approaches
The Bears love that Caleb Williams is thinking big about his NFL career, before he’s even drafted. A picture of Williams’ phone circulated earlier this week, which showed his goals clearly listed on his lock screen. Included was “Superbowls x8,” a nod to surpassing Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl championships. Some have balked at Williams’ lofty goals considering he’s...
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Bears GM Ryan Poles shares thought process behind how team will make No. 9 overall pick decision
Bears’ GM Ryan Poles already knows what he’s going to do with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Even though he won’t say it outright, he’s going to select Caleb Williams to take over as the team’s next quarterback. Shortly after that enormous decision becomes official, however, Poles will be faced with another big choice: what to...
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Bears 2024 NFL draft party at Soldier Field: What to know for the event
Fans still hoping to snag a ticket to the Bears draft party at Soldier Field on Thursday night might be out of luck. Tickets to celebrate the all-but-certain start of the Caleb Williams era at the Bears’ home stadium are sold out. Those who did snag tickets will not only get the chance to watch the first round unfold at…