Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Bears running back D'Andre Swift took the podium on the second day of training camp. Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer discuss what the running game will look like this season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears rookie receiver Luther Burden III hasn't been practicing with the team yet due to a soft-tissue injury. Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer discuss their concern level with him. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It hasn't been a sharp start for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the new Ben Johnson-led offense early in training camp. Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer explain what they've seen during the first couple of days from Williams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer react to what they've seen and heard early in Bears training camp, including quarterback Caleb Williams' struggles, receiver Luther Burden III's injury status and Wiederer's encounter with chairman George McCaskey on the practice field! Follow Take The North on Twitter: https://x.com/TakeTheNorthPod To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they heard from new Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett as veterans reported for training camp Tuesday. Jarrett sounds like he's ready to get to work for his new team! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' personal goals for the 2025 season. Do we think he can reach them? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears star cornerback Jaylon Johnson is going to be out "a few weeks," according to general manager Ryan Poles. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the news and share their current level of concern about Johnson's health. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2025 Bears training camp is officially open! To begin it, general manager Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett all took the podium Tuesday. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote walk through the most important comments we heard. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson will remain on the non-football injury list for "a few weeks" with a leg injury, according to Poles. What level of concern do Wiederer and Grote have about that news? Also, why didn't Poles take any questions after his opening statement? Meanwhile, Williams spoke about specific goals he has for the 2025 season. And Jarrett remains awesome. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote share the biggest storylines they'll be paying attention to as the Bears begin training camp. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guy Mark Grote hadn't had the chance to share how he felt about Bears general manager Ryan Poles getting a contract extension. He explains for Dan Wiederer how he feels about the deal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote try to figure out what's going on with cornerback Jaylon Johnson right now. First, he was on the Rich Eisen Show hinting at possibly looking for a bigger contract soon ... despite having just obtained a new deal in 2024. Then we found out that he's heading to the non-football injury list as camp is set to begin. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears training camp is about to get fully underway! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote have their final preview of camp in this episode. First off, there is interesting news regarding star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who was placed on the non-football injury list. We aren't sure why yet. Johnson also hinted recently on the Rich Eisen Show that he could be pushing for a new contract soon. Didn't we just go through this with him? Also in this episode, Grote has his chance to react to general manager Ryan Poles landing a contract extension. Plus, what will we be watching for during training camp? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network discuss the Bears defense's outlook and which players on that side of the ball they'd like to see more from in 2025. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network discuss how Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams will affect each other. Can Johnson bring the best out in Williams? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer asks guest Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network who will win the Bears' backup quarterback competition. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears training camp is almost here! Dan Wiederer continues the leadup to camp by bringing in guest host Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network. Polinsky discusses what it's been like to be a part of CHSN's launch in the past year. The pair also dives into the top storylines for the 2025 Bears. How will quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson grow together? Who will win the backup quarterback competition? And how will new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen impact his unit? Finally, why does Polinsky appreciate punter Tory Taylor so much? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our own Dan Wiederer joined the Rahimi & Harris Show on 670 The Score to discuss why the Bears' second-round picks haven't signed contracts yet. He also reacted to general manager Ryan Poles receiving a contract extension. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have important summer news! The Bears have given general manager Ryan Poles a contract extension through the 2029 season. The move puts Poles on the same contractual timeline as new head coach Ben Johnson. Dan Wiederer and producer Adam Studzinski discuss the team's decision. Do we like the choice? And why announce this extension now? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest host Kevin Fishbain discuss the Bears' running back room. Do they have enough to accomplish what head coach Ben Johnson wants with the run game? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest host Kevin Fishbain take a close look at the Bears defense. Did the team do enough, especially up front, to improve on what was a less-than-impressive defensive performance in 2024? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest host Kevin Fishbain reflect on the times they spent covering Bears training camp when the team held it in Bourbonnais. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Grote is taking his turn on vacation, so Dan Wiederer brings back Kevin Fishbain, who covers the Bears for The Athletic. They turn their attention to a few topics unrelated to quarterback Caleb Williams. Such as, did the Bears do enough defensively to improve on what was a disappointing season in 2024? And do the Bears need to add another running back? Plus, Wiederer and Fishbain turn back the clock by reflecting on their time time covering the Bears at their old training camp site in Bourbonnais. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and special guest Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic predict who the training camp "darlings" will be for the Bears this summer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and special guest Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic discuss what they'd like to see from the Bears during training camp. Will there be a sense of urgency for this team? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and guest Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic all attempt to answer this question — will Mitchell Trubisky or Justin Fields have a longer NFL career? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the start of Bears training camp draws closer, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote are joined by Athletic writer Kevin Fishbain! The guys discuss what they're all looking to see in camp this year. How much urgency will we see from the team, especially when it comes to making corrections after a bad day? And how will quarterback Caleb Williams continue to react to tough coaching from Ben Johnson? The gang also reflects a bit on the Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields eras in Chicago. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer tells Mark Grote all about the trip he and his son had to Cooperstown, New York for a travel baseball tournament. It was quite the adventure as it turns out! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote take a close look at the Bears secondary. There's no doubt we have confidence in several pieces of this group, but there are still questions to be answered. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt is unhappy with his contract in Pittsburgh. That has Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote thinking ... should the Bears try to make a trade for Watt? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It has been a fairly quiet stretch for the Bears as the NFL is in its dead period of the summer, but another team hasn't been resting. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how the various moves the Steelers have made could affect the Bears. Should the Bears make a move to trade for star Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt? He's unhappy with his contract. Also in this episode, how do we feel about the Bears secondary entering 2025? Plus, Wiederer tells us about his trip to Cooperstown with his son! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski share pieces of an interview that former Bears quarterback Rex Grossman did with CardPlayer.com. Grossman offered analysis on current Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Producer Adam Studzinski explains to Mark Grote why he doesn't think we need to be looking at what Bears players will fit roles that Lions players had when first-year Chicago head coach Ben Johnson was the offensive coordinator in Detroit. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski examine what they'll be looking at when Bears training camp begins. This includes who will be playing left tackle. If three-year starter Braxton Jones isn't healthy enough to practice fully when camp opens, could rookie tackle Ozzy Trapilo get the inside lane to the job? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer is on vacation, so producer Adam Studzinski fills in for this one alongside Mark Grote. We have Bears training camp dates! With that in mind, the guys discuss what they're going to be watching most closely once camp starts. Plus, Studzinski has a reminder for everyone about the offense that head coach Ben Johnson is building in Chicago. And, a former Bears quarterback offered his thoughts on current quarterback Caleb Williams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During their most recent mailbag episode, Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer were asked about the newest wave of Bears optimism. How do we know if it will really be different this time? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During their most recent mailbag episode, Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer were asked whether they believe Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is the one who will end the organization's quarterback woes. Is it too soon to tell? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer are back with another mailbag episode as they answer Bears questions from our listeners! Will head coach Ben Johnson's approach work if the wins don't come soon? Who will be the backup center? Who could be a cap casualty if cuts are needed before the season? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote ask former Bears receiver Allen Robinson about his experience with new Chicago head coach Ben Johnson in Detroit. What makes him stand out as a coach? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear what former Bears receiver Allen Robinson thinks of current Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. How does Robinson think Williams will mix with new coach Ben Johnson? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote take a trip down memory lane with former Bears receiver Allen Robinson, who looks back on the team's magical 2018 season and how it fell apart in the years after. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got a special treat in this one! Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer are joined by former Bears receiver Allen Robinson, who offers perspective on new Chicago head coach Ben Johnson. Robinson was coached by Johnson during the 2024 season in Detroit. Robinson also looks back on his time with the Bears, particularly the 2018 season, when Chicago won the NFC North. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of their mailbag episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the standard we should be holding Bears receiver Rome Odunze to in his second NFL season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of their mailbag episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote answer whether they believe the Bears are confident in the current makeup of their running back room. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote open up the mailbag and answer questions from our loyal listeners! Do the Bears have enough weapons to compete this season? How comfortable are we with the running back room? They respond to those questions and more in this special episode. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune look at the Bears' position battle at left tackle. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune turn their attention to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. How's the relationship between Williams and coach Ben Johnson coming along? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune discuss how Bears head coach Ben Johnson is obsessed about every detail of the offense. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer is joined in this episode by fellow Chicago Tribune reporter Sean Hammond! Together, the pair walks through the highlights of the Bears' recently concluded offseason program. What progress has quarterback Caleb Williams made? What have the early impressions of head coach Ben Johnson been? Does rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo have a real shot at earning the starting left tackle job? They discuss that and much more in this rapid-fire conversation! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski have a lively discussion about how worried we should be that rookie receiver Luther Burden III missed the majority of the Bears' offseason program with a "soft tissue" injury. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears head coach Ben Johnson's comments regarding what he has learned about quarterback Caleb Williams in their first few months together. We know Williams thrives off-script, but can Johnson hone in his abilities to play on time? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices