Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.

I'm wondering how Dazz Newsome is doing and what the expectations are for him. I have heard good things about him.
Dan L.
La Crosse, Wisconsin

I haven't seen or heard much written or said about second-year receiver Dazz Newsome, but I feel like he'll be a key player to watch in training camp and the preseason. He certainly has flashed in OTAs, especially last Tuesday's practice that the media attended. It seems as if he'll be given every opportunity to earn playing time this summer. The Bears selected Newsome in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of North Carolina because they liked his ability to play in the slot, gain yards after the catch and return punts. He suffered a setback last June when he sustained a broken collarbone in practice and spent most of the season on the practice squad before appearing in three games late in the year.

In a recent Chalk Talk you were discussing Bears players drafted after Round 7. If you were to adjust the rounds based on the number of current teams plus comp picks, which rounds would they have fallen in based on the number they were drafted? For example, Richard Dent was picked in the eighth round in 1983 at No. 203. It's the same number where the Bears chose Baylor running back Trestan Ebner in the sixth round this year.
Chris W.
Wauconda, Illinois

Very interesting point, Chris. You are correct about Richard Dent and Trestan Ebner both being drafted with the 203rd overall pick. I think it's also noteworthy that Hall of Fame guard Danny Fortmann was selected by the Bears in the first NFL Draft in the ninth round. But because there were only nine teams at the time, he was chosen at No. 78. The No. 78 pick is currently in the third round. In 1953 when there were 12 teams, the Bears chose Hall of Fame guard Stan Jones in the fifth round at No. 54. That pick is now in the second round.

Have the Bears ever had a 99-yard touchdown pass? If not, what was their longest pass play?
Michael E.
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Almost, but not quite. The longest pass in Bears history remains a 98-yarder from Bill Wade to Bo Farrington in a 31-17 win over the Lions in Detroit Oct. 8, 1961. A couple interesting factoids about that game: It wasn't even the longest play of the day; the Lions' Pat Studstill returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown that gave Detroit a 17-10 lead. And two, the Bears outscored the Lions 21-0 in the fourth quarter to turn that 17-10 deficit into a 31-17 victory. The tying TD came on Wade's 37-yard pass to Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka. Wade passed for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns and added a 1-yard TD run.

Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.