Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower taking accountability for the fateful blocked field goal in his team's loss to the Packers this past Sunday. 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 what's becoming a weekly tradition, we're still cleaning up what happened at the end of the previous Bears game before we can preview the next one. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote start this episode by hearing from Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who's taking all the arrows he can for the blocked field goal against the Packers. As we do finally turn our attention to the Vikings, the primary question is how will rookie quarterback Caleb Williams do against a defense that blitzes more than any team in the league? And can the Bears' secondary slow down Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson? Finally, the gang predicts the game's winner and hears from frustrated Bears defensive end Montez Sweat. 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

From Sleeper King (subscribe here), James identifies which Bears wide receiver you must start this week as Chicago faces the Minnesota Vikings. 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 dive into what seems to have been a bounce-back game for Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in his first matchup against the rival Green Bay Packers. 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 are still trying to figure out what's going on with Bears safety Jaquan Brisker, who has been out since early October with a concussion and who was recently place on injured reserve. 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 coach Matt Eberflus doubling down on how the team handled the end of the game in a 20-19 loss to the Packers. Should the Bears have tried to pick up more yards before attempting a 46-yard field goal? 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

Once again, we've been forced to ask Bears coach Matt Eberflus about his end-of-game decisions. In this episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear Eberflus explain why he chose not to run one more play before the fateful blocked field goal in the Bears' 20-19 loss to the Packers. Do we think he should have tried to get more yards? The bright spot of the loss was the fact that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams seemed to get back on track. That included him leading the offense downfield for what could've been the winning field goal. Can Williams continue making progress while his team seemingly drops out of playoff contention? 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 lost to the Packers ... again. This time, their 20-19 loss was sealed on a blocked field goal on the game's final play. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote talk through another devastating loss for Chicago, which dropped to 4-6. 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 have another edition of 'Listen to This,' where we bring you the best audio of the week from Halas Hall. In this episode, the guys hear from Bears left tackle Braxton Jones, tight end Cole Kmet, receiver Keenan Allen, and tight end Marcedes Lewis. 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 to watch for when the Bears take on the Packers. The gang also predicts the game's winner. 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 unfortunate news that Bears safety Jaquan Brisker has been placed on injured reserve. Brisker has been dealing with a concussion since the Bears beat the Panthers in early October. 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 from Bears quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph, who helps us understand how much more aggressive quarterback Caleb Williams needs to be with his passing decisions — if he does at all. 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

After another long week at Halas Hall, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote finally get to turn their attention to the Bears' upcoming opponent: the hated Packers. The guys hear from quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph about how the Bears could alter their scheme under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown's direction. Joseph also helps us understand if rookie quarterback Caleb Williams isn't being aggressive enough. We've also got some smack talk this week! Packers safety Xavier McKinney had words for Bears receiver DJ Moore. How did Moore respond? Finally, the gang picks the winner of the game and offers an unfortunate injury update for a key Bears defensive player. 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

After rumors surfaced that some Bears veterans wanted the team to turn to Tyson Bagent as the starting quarterback for at least a short time, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from tight end Cole Kmet, who expressed his continued support for rookie 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 the impact of Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams having to already make a massive adjustment in his NFL career as he gets used to a new offensive coordinator. 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 from Bears veteran receiver Keenan Allen, who takes us inside why recently fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron wasn't effective enough in his Chicago tenure. Apparently, Waldron was "too nice." 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

From Reception Perception (subscribe here), the guys discuss the Bears' underwhelming offense, which has really struggles in recent weeks. Whether it's the biggest stars in the league or new rookies bursting on the scene, you won't get better wideout information anywhere else. Along the way, they'll break down the biggest stories in the NFL and offer up a few big-picture fantasy football thoughts. Follow the guys on Twitter @JamesDKoh and @MattHarmon_BYB. Follow Reception Perception @RecepPerception. Download and subscribe to the Reception Perception show anywhere you get your podcasts. Watch segments of the show on YouTube at Matt Harmon. 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

Key Bears coaches and players are shedding light on why Shane Waldron didn't make it through his first season as the offensive coordinator in Chicago. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from some of them in this episode, including receiver Keenan Allen, who gave us perhaps the most direct reasoning. Also, what did quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver DJ Moore have to say about Waldron's firing and how the offense can operate differently? And what's with these rumors that there were players who suggested turning to Tyson Bagent as the starting quarterback? Tight end Cole Kmet chimes in to tell us if that was even remotely true. 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 the news that the Bears have fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. 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 discuss new Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown's background and what he could fix about the team's struggling 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

Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer lament the Bears' clearly flawed hiring process. How do they keep getting so many hires wrong? 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 made a change at offensive coordinator. Shane Waldron has been fired, and passing game coordinator Thomas Brown has been appointed to take over play-calling duties. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to the news and the all-to-familiar feeling we have about this Bears season. Why can't this team get its hiring process right? 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 day after the Bears' disgusting loss to the Patriots at home, the state of affairs wasn't getting much better Monday. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss head coach Matt Eberflus' comments after he took time to process the loss. Eberflus refused to confirm if the team will make a change with its offensive play-caller, but he did make it clear that something is going to be done. Why can't he just tell us now? Eberflus did state that rookie Caleb Williams is still the team's starting quarterback. Finally, how many more times are players going to point to bad practice habits before something is done about it? 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 got completely embarrassed by the Patriots in a 19-3 loss Sunday. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Chicago's rock-bottom loss to a bad 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 joined the 6 Rings & Football Things podcast with Nick "Fitzy" Stevens to preview the Bears-Patriots matchup Sunday at Soldier Field. 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 offer their top storylines to watch for in the Bears-Patriots matchup. The gang also predicts the winner of the 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 Mark Grote heard more from Bears players this week about important meetings the team has had. How much longer are we going to hear about these meetings before the discussions translate to success on the field? 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 why Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and star receiver DJ Moore just can't seem to get on the same page. It's something that has to get ironed out if this team is going to reach its potential. 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 face a must-win game against the Patriots on Sunday if they're going to do anything this season. But in the bigger picture, two players who are going to be here long term, quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver DJ Moore, still aren't on the same page. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what has been going on between the two and take a look at why Moore left the field before the play was over on a scramble by Williams against the Cardinals. Also in this episode, why do we keep hearing about these important meetings the Bears are having?!? When will those conversations translate to production on the field? 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 Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score to reflect more on the Bears' loss to the Cardinals and to begin looking forward. What's the Bears' biggest issue at the moment? 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 conduct their weekly review of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' performance. Williams didn't have a good game in the Bears' loss to the Cardinals, but were there any bright spots? 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 seems to be slipping support for Bears coach Matt Eberflus. The noise is getting louder after the Bears' ugly loss to the Cardinals. 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 another special episode that aired live on Chicago's 670 The Score, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote continue breaking down the Bears' 29-9 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday. How much longer can this team continue with the status quo? Do changes need to be made to the coaching staff? The guys also recap rookie quarterback Caleb Williams' performance as he struggled for the second game in a row. 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 went into the desert and got blown out by the Cardinals, 29-9. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote walk through a loss in which the Bears got beat in nearly every facet of the 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

From Cash The Ticket (subscribe here), we discuss if Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was able to keep it together during Call of Duty release week, is there any reason to not believe in him against the Bears on Sunday? Download and subscribe to Cash the Ticket today. 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 conduct our weekly Listen to This segment, where we bring you the best Bears-related sound we heard during the week. In this episode, the guys hear from receiver Keenan Allen, tight end Marcedes Lewis, passing game coordinator Thomas Brown 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, Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski predict the winner of the Bears-Cardinals matchup Sunday. 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 examine the criticism that Bears coach Matt Eberflus took from his own players this past week. Plus, will cornerback Tyrique Stevenson face any punishment for his lack of focus on the game-deciding Hail Mary last Sunday? 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

There's no doubt in the minds of Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote that the Bears need to start faster on offense. Quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph finally tells us out loud why rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in particular has struggled to get going early in 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

Well, it's been another one of those weeks for the Bears at Halas Hall. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote unpack a week of criticism for coach Matt Eberflus. But first, do we think there will be punishment for cornerback Tyrique Stevenson? Even if it's just that he doesn't start the game against the Cardinals? As for the head coach, one of the team's best players had a not-so-resounding message of support for Eberflus. Turning to the Cardinals, what are the keys to watch for as the Bears head to Arizona? Can the Bears pull this one off and silence the critics for at least a week? 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 step into an alternate reality in which the Commanders' last-second Hail Mary was unsuccessful. What would we be discussing the most about the Bears had that fateful play not happened? 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 close Bears coach Matt Eberflus is to losing support inside Halas Hall, especially after multiple captains recently questioned his in-game decisions. Plus, why did the Bears suddenly change their practice schedule this week? 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 examine Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams' performance against the Commanders. While the first three quarters were largely forgettable, it was notable that Williams strung together a series of good-to-great plays in the fourth quarter to give his team a chance to win. 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 still dealing with the fallout from the Bears' loss to the Commanders and the comments that have been made in the aftermath of it. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote examine how close coach Matt Eberflus is to a lot of us questioning if he'll retain his job after this 2024 season ends. It feels like he's another disastrous loss or two away from losing all support. Meanwhile, we've hardly mentioned rookie quarterback Caleb Williams' play against the Commanders. His statistics don't show much progress, but we believe there are important (and positive) takeaways from his performance. Finally, what (besides Williams) would we be discussing the most had the Bears not allowed that Hail Mary touchdown? 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 listen to Bears tight end Cole Kmet's comments on cornerback Tyrique Stevenson's lack of focus on the final play of a loss to the Commanders. Kmet indicated the Bears' practice habits are lacking. 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 coach Matt Eberflus' decision to play his coverage nearly 35 yards off the line of scrimmage on the penultimate play of a loss against the Commanders on Sunday. Receiver Terry McLaurin easily hauled in a 13-yard reception on the play, which was crucial in setting up the Commanders' game-winning Hail Mary touchdown. 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

Adding to the fallout from the Bears' disastrous loss to the Commanders is the fact that team captains have openly questioned coaching decisions in the game. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote talk through what we've been hearing from cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safety Kevin Byard and others. 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 getting all the information we can on how the Bears gave up a last-second Hail Mary touchdown in a heartbreaking loss to the Commanders on Sunday. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote dive into the details, which starts with multiple players not doing their job properly on the play. That includes cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who apologized to the team Monday for his lack of focus on the final play. Also, why is head coach Matt Eberflus seemingly downplaying how soul-crushing this loss was? Could he be taking more accountability? Is he the right person to lead this Bears team 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

The Bears lost 18-15 to the Commanders on Sunday on one of the most unbelievable plays you'll ever see. Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski talk through what was an ugly game, which looked like it'd be a win for the Bears but somehow became a loss. 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

From Cash the Ticket (subscribe here), we originally thought we had a monster matchup with the top two selections in the 2024 NFL Draft set to square off. But you might want to wait for the final injury report to come out before placing a bet. Download and subscribe to Cash the Ticket today. 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