"Craig Counsell’s Job on the Line? Cubs' Shocking 2025 Collapse Could Seal His Fate!"

“I’m not here to make excuses. The blame is on us as a team, but I’m not giving up on this group.” – Craig Counsell

The Chicago Cubs' 2025 season was supposed to be their year. With a new, highly paid manager at the helm and a roster brimming with talent, expectations were sky-high. Craig Counsell, fresh off his near-decade-long success with the Milwaukee Brewers, was brought in to transform the Cubs into serious contenders once again. The team’s $140 million investment in him screamed ambition, but after their devastating collapse in the 2025 playoffs, the burning question remains:

The Heartbreaking Collapse: Was it Counsell’s Fault?

The Cubs’ postseason dreams were shattered in a heart-stopping Game 5 against the Brewers, a team Counsell once led to four consecutive playoff appearances. After an impressive 92-70 regular season, which saw the Cubs clinch a Wild Card spot and defeat the San Diego Padres, they faltered under the bright lights of October once again. The team’s lack of execution, especially at the plate, left many fans scratching their heads, wondering if the right man was in charge.

But was it really Counsell’s fault? After all, his tactical decisions didn’t seem to be the problem. In fact, his decision to start Matthew Boyd in the Wild Card opener, despite Boyd’s struggles on the road, turned out to be a brilliant move. It was the Cubs’ batters who crumbled under pressure, failing to capitalize on key moments in the crucial series against Milwaukee.

Injuries and Bad Luck: Did Counsell Get a Fair Shot?

Let’s not forget the injury woes that plagued the Cubs throughout the 2025 season. Key players like Justin Steele and Kyle Tucker spent extended time on the injured list, leaving gaps that were difficult to fill in the heat of a playoff race. Despite these setbacks, Counsell worked miracles with a defense that became one of the best in the league. His Cubs committed only 61 errors – the third fewest in MLB – and saw their ERA drop to under 3.80 for two consecutive seasons.

However, the Cubs' inability to close out games, especially against the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, raises a troubling question: Could Counsell have done more with the pieces he had?

What’s Next for Counsell? Will He Be Fired?

If the Cubs have learned anything from their heart-wrenching playoff exit, it’s that they’re not far from greatness. But greatness comes at a price. The 2025 season wasn’t a failure – it was a step forward. With Counsell’s leadership, the Cubs improved in nearly every area, including hitting, pitching, and defense. The question now is whether the front office will give him the time he needs to fully shape this team into a championship contender.

Counsell has earned a reputation as a steady, calculated leader. But after failing to deliver in the most critical moments, will the Cubs decide it’s time for a change? The next few months will be critical. Can Counsell rally the team and deliver a deep playoff run in 2026? Or will his tenure with the Cubs be remembered as another missed opportunity in a long line of near-success?

“The best chapters are still ahead of us,” Counsell promises, but the future of this Cubs team, and his place in it, is uncertain. As the pressure mounts and the offseason looms, all eyes will be on the Windy City to see if Counsell can prove that this year’s collapse was just a bump in the road – or the beginning of the end.

"Kerby Joseph Could Face NFL Fine After Criticizing Officials on Social Media"

“I get it, the rule is in place, but it’s hard to stay quiet when you see calls like that affecting the game. We work hard, and when we feel the game isn’t being called fairly, it’s frustrating. But we know we have to keep our heads down and focus on the next game.”

– Kerby Joseph, Safety, Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are facing not just the fallout from an emotionally charged game, but also the possibility of penalties for their players, including

Kerby Joseph. Following their intense matchup on Sunday, where tensions boiled over into a post-game brawl, all eyes have been on Brian Branch for potential disciplinary action. However, it’s

Joseph who may be next on the NFL’s radar, and his potential fine has nothing to do with the fight.

Instead, Kerby Joseph is at risk of punishment for his

public criticism of the game’s officiating. Following the controversial contest, Joseph took to social media to voice his frustration with what many believed were poor calls that favored the opposing team. However, the NFL has a strict policy in place that prohibits players from publicly criticizing officials, whether through interviews, social media, or other public forums.

In response to the situation, Joseph shared his frustrations, acknowledging the difficulty in staying silent when he felt the game was being influenced by questionable calls. “I get it, the rule is in place, but it’s hard to stay quiet when you see calls like that affecting the game. We work hard, and when we feel the game isn’t being called fairly, it’s frustrating,”

Joseph stated. “But we know we have to keep our heads down and focus on the next game.”

The NFL's stance on this issue is clear. According to Article 12, Section 3

of the playing rules, players are prohibited from making public comments that undermine the integrity or competency of officials. Joseph’s comments on Twitter, which followed a game with several controversial decisions—including a

no-call on a JuJu Smith-Schuster block and Chris Jones’ near offside violations—seem to fall directly in violation of this policy.

While Joseph’s comments reflect the frustration many players feel after games marked by controversial officiating, the NFL’s enforcement of this rule leaves little room for players to publicly vent their concerns. This silence, enforced through fines and potential suspensions, often only serves to build resentment among players and fans who feel that their voices should be heard, especially when the officiating impacts the outcome of the game.

As the Detroit Lions await the consequences for Brian Branch’s actions and Kerby Joseph’s social media outburst, one thing is certain—the league’s efforts to keep players quiet about officiating issues may only escalate the tension, leaving players with little recourse to voice their frustrations.

Continue reading