Bears-Lions likely again for Thanksgiving

The Bears “likely” will play the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) next season, according to a report from Sports Business Journal.

If the game is scheduled, it will be the fourth time since the 2014 season that the Bears will play on Thanksgiving.

The Bears beat the Lions 23-16 at Ford Field last year on Thanksgiving. Backup quarterback Chase Daniel played in place of injured starter Mitch Trubisky, and safety Eddie Jackson made a pick-six in the fourth quarter.

The Bears still appear set to open next season against the Packers at Soldier Field on the first Thursday night of the season.

Following earlier reports and widespread speculation, the Sports Business Journal reported that the NFL is “leaning toward” that matchup to open its 100th season. It’s also the Bears’ 100th season.

Murray chooses NFL over MLB, A’s

Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray said he will pursue a career in the NFL over playing baseball for the Athletics.

Murray, who was the ninth pick in the MLB Draft last June, will return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million signing bonus the A’s gave him last year. He forfeits the remaining $3.16 million, due March 1. The A’s will put Murray on the restricted list and retain his rights, but they won’t get a compensatory draft pick.

Tweeted Murray: “Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback.”

Reid: New deal more proof owners colluded

Eric Reid signed a three-year contract worth more than $22 million with the Panthers, a deal the safety believes is additional proof that NFL owners conspired to keep him out of the league last season. Reid said he believes he got “fair market value” after making just $1.69 million last season from the Panthers.

This and that

Commissioner Roger Goodell told Louisiana’s governor there was an error in the officiating that helped the Rams go to the Super Bowl instead of the Saints, but there’s nothing he can do about it.

♦ Former NFL referee Red Cashion, known for his vociferous calls of “First down,” died at 87.