Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

The NFL Combine is here! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote are on location in Indianapolis to bring you reaction to what Bears head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles had to say to begin the festivities. Johnson offered us more about why he's really looking forward to working with quarterback Caleb Williams. And how aggressive is Poles willing to be when free agency kicks off? Also in this episode, Johnson's former colleague in Detroit — new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn — brought us thoughts on what he likes most about Johnson 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 guest Rich Campbell reflect on the Bears' failures in the 2019 season. That led the two of them to write a story after the season dissecting the Bears' evaluation of the quarterbacks in the 2017 draft class. Wiederer explains an idea for a different story he'd hoped to write but couldn't because of how it all played 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 guest Rich Campbell dive into the challenges that come with covering an NFL team, specifically the Bears. How do you make sure you're not selling too much optimism? 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 Rich Campbell discuss what a head coach and a team need to succeed in the NFL. Can new head coach Ben Johnson find all the right ingredients with the Bears? 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 brings in a former Tribune colleague for a bit of a history lesson in this episode. Former Bears reporter Rich Campbell saw a lot in his time covering the team, including what turned out to be tons of false hope. Wiederer and Campbell reflect on that in what has become an exciting Bears offseason. What can we learn from those past experiences? Also in this episode, the pair exchange memories of the Virginia McCaskey, the late Bears matriarch whom they had a chance to interview prior to the 2019 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 discuss what we learned in the latest episode of the Bears' YouTube series "1920 Football Drive." Quarterback Caleb Williams has definitely pinpointed something he really likes about head 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

As Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the possibility of Chiefs guard Trey Smith reaching free agency, they remind listeners how volatile NFL free agency can be. 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 whom draft expert Daniel Jeremiah thinks the Bears will select when they're on the clock at No. 10 overall in the NFL Draft. Does he have the Bears selecting an offensive lineman? Do we agree with his choice? 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're officially at the mock draft portion of the NFL offseason! In this episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote examine whom NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the Bears taking with the No. 10 overall pick. Spoiler alert: It's an offensive lineman. It's a tell that we're going to be talking about a lot of offensive linemen as we head toward the draft. Later, how possible is it that the Chiefs let guard Trey Smith get to free agency? If he does get there, should the Bears sign him? And what other free-agent linemen could the Bears chase? 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 filled in on 670 The Score in Chicago and turned the opportunity into a pseudo Take The North live episode! We've got the best segments for you. The guys spoke with Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic about the Bears' biggest needs this offseason. The group also did a draft of quarterback Caleb Williams' biggest throws from his rookie 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 Adam Studzinski hear from former Bears interim coach Thomas Brown and former quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph, who both had advice for the future of 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

Dan Wiederer and Adam Studzinski hear new Bears head coach Ben Johnson explain why he believes he's ready to be a head coach. Johnson seems to have a lot of confidence in himself. 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 producer Adam Studzinski play a little catchup in this edition of Listen to This! They've got leftover audio from new head coach Ben Johnson, former interim head coach Thomas Brown and former quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph. Of course, much of the audio centers around quarterback Caleb Williams. What advice did his former coaches offer to help push Williams to the next level? 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 look at the way the Eagles blew out the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Former Bears defensive coordinator and current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's unit truly stole the show. 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 know about the succession plan for Bears ownership after longtime owner Virginia McCaskey died at 102. Is there any chance the McCaskey family could sell the 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

A national NFL insider has predicted the Bears will play the Eagles in the NFL season opener in 2025. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the lure of the 2025 Bears for that Thursday night opening 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

As we continue to look back on Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey's legacy, there are questions about what will happen with the team's ownership going forward. In this episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they know about the McCaskey family plan. Meanwhile, ESPN insider Adam Schefter predicted the Bears will play the Eagles in Philadelphia in the NFL's 2025 season opener. How do we feel about that possibility? Wiederer and Grote also provide their final thoughts on the blowout that was Super Bowl LIX. 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 Dan Bernstein & Marshall Harris on 670 The Score to discuss the Eagles' lopsided win over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. What does Wiederer think of the way the Eagles have built their roster? And how about former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio finally winning the big one! 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 Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times discuss the Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and Eagles. 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 Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times reflect on the life of Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, who died this week at the age of 102. 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

Guest host Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times explains for Dan Wiederer how he views the process that landed the Bears the hot coaching candidate in 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 is joined by Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times for this one. They begin the episode by remembering Bears principal owner Virginia McCaskey, who has died at the age of 102. The longtime Bears owner and the daughter of team founder George Halas, Virginia lived a life truly unlike any other. Later, Wiederer and Potash discuss the Bears once again winning the NFL offseason. What has Potash thought of the way the team has operated since the 2024 season ended? And of course, the guys take a look at the Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and Eagles! 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 David Haugh what Haugh has thought of everything the Bears have done since their 2024 season ended. How significant does he view the team's hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson to be? 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 David Haugh react to Eagles running back Saquon Barkley acknowledging at his Super Bowl press conference that he almost signed with the Bears in free agency last offseason. That would've been fun. 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, David Haugh and producer Adam Studzinski look back on the predictions they made for the 2024 Bears. We all got this much wrong: the team's record. Yikes! 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 a special reunion for this episode! David Haugh returns to the podcast to help Dan Wiederer and producer Adam Studzinski reflect on their Bears predictions for the 2024 season. We got some predictions right but swung and missed hard on a bunch of others as well. Haugh also shares a few thoughts on the Bears' hire of head coach Ben Johnson and ponders what could have been if the team had signed running back Saquon Barkley last offseason. Barkley was "close" to signing with Chicago last March, he said during a Super Bowl press conference. 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 answer your Bears questions! 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 new Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. As a non-play-calling offensive coordinator, what exactly will he be doing here? 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

The Bears have retained special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss whether they like the move. 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 coordinator Dennis Allen in his first media session in Chicago. What does he think of the Bears' current talent on that side of the ball? 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

The Bears introduced new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle on Thursday. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote offer their thoughts on what each one had to say in their first media sessions in Chicago. Allen brings a ton of defensive play-calling experience along with some head coaching experience. Doyle, meanwhile, is just 28 years old and is new to a coordinator role. Considering we know Bears head coach Ben Johnson will be calling the plays on offense, what exactly will Doyle's role be? Also in this episode, Wiederer and Grote hear from special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who has been retained on staff. How do we feel about him returning? 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 new Bears head coach Ben Johnson's agent, Rick Smith, had to say on a recent podcast about the organization's process leading up to its hiring of 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 react to the Bears' additions to their coaching staff. New head coach Ben Johnson's defensive coordinator is extremely experienced, while his offensive coordinator isn't even 30 years old yet! 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 the AFC and NFC Championship games. Each year, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes keeps showcasing why he's an all-time great. 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 new Bears head coach Ben Johnson fills out his staff, his agent is taking us inside the team's interview process. In this episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Rick Smith, who started representing Johnson last season. Smith spoke on a recent podcast about how impressed he was with the Bears as they went through their coaching search. Meanwhile, the Bears are planning to hire former Saints head coach Dennis Allen as their defensive coordinator. What do we think about that move and the other reported coaching hires? Also, Wiederer and Grote offer their thoughts on the NFC Championship and AFC Championship games. 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 the relationship between new Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams. How much have the pair already spoken about what needs to be done to get the most out of 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 and Mark Grote discuss how important Bears team president Kevin Warren was in providing the proper environment for the team to get its top coaching candidate. 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 how confident new Bears head coach Ben Johnson is that he can be a successful head coach. What gives Johnson that confidence? 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 bring you the latest edition of Listen to This. In this episode, the guys share the best sound from the week in which the Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach. You'll hear from Johnson, general manager Ryan Poles, team president Kevin Warren and 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

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they heard from new Bears head coach Ben Johnson in his introductory press conference. Johnson impressed in ways that few Bears coaches have in their introductions. 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 president Kevin Warren's impact in the team's hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson. What type of role did Warren play in making sure general manager Ryan Poles had all the resources he needed to recruit and hire 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 discuss how critical new Bears head coach Ben Johnson's hiring is for quarterback Caleb Williams' development. Williams made it clear that he's excited by this move. 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

The Bears have officially introduced Ben Johnson as the team's new head coach! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote were at Halas Hall to take everything in. How did we think he carried himself? What was it that Johnson saw in the Bears that made him want to be here? It's also becoming more clear that president Kevin Warren's presence with this organization helped clear the path for this hire. Plus, how excited is quarterback Caleb Williams to work with 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 look at how different the Bears offensive line is compared to what Ben Johnson had in Detroit. The hope is Johnson will have a huge impact on how the team builds its line from here on. 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 whom new Bears coach Ben Johnson could bring in to be his offensive and defensive coordinators. 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 the Bears hiring Ben Johnson as their new head coach. It's easily the biggest swing that a team in search of a coach will be taking this offseason. 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

In a shocking move (to some), the Bears are hiring Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be their new head coach! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to this massive move by the Bears. What lured Johnson to Chicago? Who will be his offensive and defensive coordinators? What type of leader will he be? We've got so many questions to sift through! We want your feedback! Follow this link to take a survey to help us improve the podcast: http://tinyurl.com/ttnpod Also, check out our podcast merch here! 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

The NFL playoffs are shaping how the Bears' coaching search is going. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to the fact that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now available to be hired after his team's loss to the Commanders in the divisional round. What other candidates might end up being finalists for the Bears' job? Also in this episode, Wiederer has a list of names that were big topics during the playoffs this past weekend. How did those names shape your thoughts over the weekend? We want your feedback! Follow this link to take a survey to help us improve the pod: http://tinyurl.com/ttnpod 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 quarterback Caleb Williams had to say recently on a podcast with the St. Brown brothers. Williams explained the qualities he wants in the Bears' next head 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 discuss a few of the (many) names we've heard during this Bears coaching search. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the hottest name. Does he view the Bears' job as the best one available for 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