Bears-Bucs notes: Mike Tirico sits out with health issue

Jeff Haynes/AP SHARE COPY LINK Share CLOSE Twitter Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit Flipboard NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, who was slated to call his 300th NFL game Sunday night, was replaced by Noah Eagle. Tirico said in a statement released around noon Sunday that a health issue would prevent him from calling the Buccaneers-Bears game at Soldier Field. He said he’d return next week. Eagle called the Notre Dame game Saturday night in South Bend, Ind. pic.twitter.com/eKyVRb8ZOn — NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) November 8, 2026 Deadline pressure? The Bears made their biggest splash of their trade season — and maybe the biggest splash in the NFL — when they traded for Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons late last month. They have another day-and-a-half to add to it — the NFL’s trade deadline is at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The Bears could use depth at cornerback and defensive end. Cornerbacks Nahshon Wright (Jets) and Riq Woolen (Eagles) have been linked to the Bears, as has edge rusher Khalil Mack. The winless Chargers haven’t indicated they plan to move Mack, who played for the Bears from 2018-21. Notes • When receiver Rome Odunze caught a touchdown in the first quarter, he paid tribute to injured teammate Cole Kmet by doing his baseball swing celebration. Kmet, who is out for the season with a knee injury, played baseball at Notre Dame. • The Bears fans who wanted to support Simmons by wearing orange — to match his sleeves — made a statement. An unscientific glance at the Soldier Field crowd showed more orange than usual. • Quarterback Caleb Williams wore bright orange Caddix cleats. Like he did Monday, Williams wore a version with no discernable logo to avoid fines by the NFL. • Former all-world returner Devin Hester hyped up the crowd on the field before kickoff. • During warmups, the Bears set the play clock to 89 seconds in honor of the late Mike Ditka. SHARE COPY LINK Share CLOSE Twitter Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit Flipboard Patrick Finley Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Bears reporter Next Up In Chicago Bears Bears' grades are in. How did they do against the Buccaneers? Bears survive Caleb Williams' 4 interceptions to beat Buccaneers 27-24 on Cairo Santos' late field goal Bears CB Kyler Gordon leaves game with injury, returns Bears can't win sizzling NFC North unless they do their own dirty work and beat their rivals themselves Dancing Ben Johnson shows Bears players 'he’s just one of us' Bears' next opponent: Saints stop 2-point conversion in OT to beat Browns 23-22