The Thanksgiving vacation is formally right here, and for higher or for worse, the Chicago Bears shouldn’t have a sport scheduled for the second yr in a row. They really have an prolonged Thanksgiving break as they’re subsequent sport isn’t till Monday night time in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. They’ll look to get again on observe after a traditionally dangerous loss in opposition to the Detroit Lions final Sunday.

However that evaluation can wait a day. It’s a vacation, in any case, and why not have some enjoyable within the midst of one other brutal season? With that, we determined to match up present Bears gamers with standard Thanksgiving dishes. See who made the minimize and why.

Nov 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) throws passes throughout pregame warmups earlier than their sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Ford Discipline. Necessary Credit score: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports activities

The turkey is the anchor of the Thanksgiving feast, very similar to a quarterback is for an NFL workforce. However turkey can be extraordinarily versatile. You possibly can bake it, smoke it, roast it, fry it, and use it for sandwiches afterward. That’s like how Justin Fields can throw the ball, scramble with it, run it, and make performs any approach he can.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 01: DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears celebrates his landing in opposition to the Denver Broncos in the course of the second quarter at Soldier Discipline on October 01, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures) ORG XMIT: 775992302 ORIG FILE ID: 1711812061

Stuffing goes with turkey like a large receiver goes with a quarterback. By itself, stuffing is fairly good. Nevertheless it’s enhanced by the turkey. Identical to DJ Moore has benefited from Fields as his quarterback.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: D’Onta Foreman #21 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball within the first quarter in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Picture by Ronald Martinez/Getty Pictures)

There’s a motive why operating the soccer is taken into account the “meat and potatoes” of an offense. The Bears have been identified traditionally for his or her skill to run the ball, and D’Onta Foreman is a basic in-between-the-tackles kind of runner. It correlates effectively with mashed potatoes at a Thanksgiving dinner.

Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy speaks at a information convention in the course of the NFL soccer workforce’s rookie minicamp at Halas Corridor in Lake Forest, Unwell., Saturday, Could 6, 2023. (AP Picture/Nam Y. Huh) ORG XMIT: ILNH101

When you’ve the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes all collectively, the right complement for all three is gravy. It will possibly deliver out the very best of the meal, as offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has carried out at instances with the offense. However an excessive amount of can spoil the meal. No one needs all of the gravy drowning the turkey, similar to no person needs Getsy doing an excessive amount of with Fields.

Oct 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears offensive sort out Darnell Wright (58) within the first half in opposition to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Discipline. Necessary Credit score: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports activities ORG XMIT: IMAGN-710597 ORIG FILE ID: 20231022_mcd_ad4_54.JPG

A inexperienced bean casserole is simple to place collectively, however it additionally wants the correct amount of beans in comparison with the bottom to get the fitting mixture. Identical to an offensive sort out. And very similar to a superbly balanced inexperienced bean casserole, Darnell Wright is the superbly balanced offensive lineman. He has the correct amount of energy and athleticism.

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive lineman Andrew Billings (97) in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Discipline. Necessary Credit score: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports activities

Is mac and cheese a Thanksgiving dish? For a lot of, it’s, and it belongs on this checklist. It’s very heavy, however it’s efficient in the course of dinner. Identical to defensive sort out Andrew Billings in the course of the Bears protection.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: Jaquan Brisker #9 and Eddie Jackson #4 of the Chicago Bears have fun after defeating the Houston Texans 23-20 at Soldier Discipline on September 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)

Cranberry sauce is basically the accent of a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s helpful however isn’t as important as different dishes, form of like the protection place. It can be made freely (like free security Eddie Jackson) or extra contained and straight from the can (like robust security Jaquan Brisker).

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 05: Trenton Gill #16 of the Chicago Bears punts the ball in opposition to the New Orleans Saints in the course of the second half at Caesars Superdome on November 05, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Picture by Wesley Hitt/Getty Pictures) ORG XMIT: 775992386 ORIG FILE ID: 1776918878

Rolls are a essential facet dish for Thanksgiving. However they need to be consumed sparsely, like punts from Trenton Gill. In case you have too lots of them, it should spoil the remainder of the feast. Or, in Gill’s case, the soccer sport.

Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears tight finish Cole Kmet (85) celebrates after catching a landing move in opposition to the Washington Commanders in the course of the second quarter at FedExField. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports activities

Cornbread could be candy or savory, relying on the way you make it. Identical to how tight finish Cole Kmet can keep in and block or exit for a move. It’s good, regardless of the way you determine to make it.

Nov 5, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) throughout warmups earlier than the sport in opposition to the New Orleans Saints on the Caesars Superdome. Necessary Credit score: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports activities

Pumpkin, apple, pecan — it doesn’t matter the kind of pie. No matter you select, it’s a satisfying conclusion to the Thanksgiving feast. Type of like an additional level after a landing. And similar to Cairo Santos, you’ll be able to all the time rely on a chunk of pie to get the job carried out.