Bears shouldn't have let Lovie Smith go

The Chicago Bears shouldn't have let Lovie Smith go. He and the Bears had nine great seasons! They could have had many more.

AL HAMNIK: Today's sports headlines much to do about nothing

The Philadelphia Eagles want Brian Kelly as their new coach. Alas, Notre Dame football is doomed.

Bears fire coach Lovie Smith after 9 seasons

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | The Bears reached the Super Bowl under coach Lovie Smith and consistently boasted a formidable defense.

AL HAMNIK: Bears fans have reason to party even harder now

Happy New Year. We got our wish.

Briggs joins Marshall in unloading on Packers

LAKE FOREST | The NFL's oldest rivals are spicing up their Sunday showdown with some serious trash talk.

Bears' Marshall spreads holiday jeer toward Green Bay Packers

LAKE FOREST | Suddenly, without warning, the Charlie Brown Christmas Theme filled the media room at Halas Hall on Wednesday.

AL HAMNIK: Lovie Smith's coaching future with Bears is on hold

Once upon a time the Bears were 7-1, with all their takeaways and return touchdowns, and Jay Cutler saying he had so many offensive weapons, "it was crazy."

AL HAMNIK: Bears' defense hasn't reached 'monster' status yet

CHICAGO | Bears' wins are comical when their defense is at the wheel and running over anyone in the way.

AL HAMNIK: Cutler's MNF toughness should send a message to all

CHICAGO | Goodbye Super Bowl. Farewell New Orleans. The season is over. When do the Bulls open?

Bears GM defends Cutler as franchise quarterback

LAKE FOREST | Bears general manager Phil Emery defended Jay Cutler as a franchise quarterback Wednesday and shrugged off recent sideline incidents with left tackle J'Marcus Webb and offensive coordinator Mike Tice.

Cutler back to normal with Bears?

CHICAGO | The Bears offense appears to be back in sync, even if the same might not be true of quarterback Jay Cutler and his offensive coordinator.

Bears' defense saves the day -- again

CHICAGO | Stop us if you've heard this before.

Giants find running game in loss to Bears

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | The Bears are still looking for a little more from their offense with a game left in the preseason.

JOHN DOHERTY: Urlacher's status on 'kneed' to know basis

Perhaps you don't recall the play. It was late in the January season finale against the Vikings when Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and safety Major Wright arrived at the same spot in the end zone at the same time.

Free agency helps, draft the key

NEW YORK | The haul in free agency and through trades has strengthened the Broncos, Bills and Bears. Now comes the lifeblood of any NFL team: the draft.

Bears fire Angelo, Martz resigns, Smith stays

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | The Bears won four division titles and reached the Super Bowl while Jerry Angelo was general manager. They also crumbled in a big way this season.

Bears play for pride with postseason out of reach

LAKE FOREST, Ill. | The Bears thought they were headed to the playoffs not too long ago. Now, they can forget about that.

AL HAMNIK: Smith sees sunny skies in Bears' gloomy outlook

There could be a torrential downpour and Lovie Smith would see only the sun.

Bears sign Smith to 2-year extension

CHICAGO | Out of patience after three straight playoff misses, many Bears fans were calling for coach Lovie Smith to be fired a year ago.

Bears' Angelo, Smith run interference for QB Cutler

LAKE FOREST | Bears' General Manager Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith circled the wagons Monday afternoon. They pulled their fallen leader out from under the social media stampede and fired back in self defense.