Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Dan Wiederer and Adam Studzinski hear from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams about making connections all over the Bears organization. Why is he so deliberate about getting to know the people around 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

Dan Wiederer and Adam Studzinski hear Bears quarterback Caleb Williams describe how he has studied what helped make legendary athletes such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant successful. 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 listen to Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams explain how he has sought advice from legendary quarterback Tom Brady and others regarding the concept of "competitive stamina." 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 special episode, Dan Wiederer and Adam Studzinski hear pieces of an exclusive one-on-one interview that Wiederer had with Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams for an article in the Chicago Tribune. Williams gives us a glimpse of his competitive drive and why he's so intentional about making connections. Read the full interview with Williams on the Chicago Tribune website here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/25/chicago-bears-caleb-williams-interview/ 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 Dan Wiederer joined Take The North co-host David Haugh on the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score to break down the Bears' 34-21 win against the Chiefs in their preseason finale Thursday. What might the Bears' 53-man roster look like after cutdowns? 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

David Haugh and Adam Studzinski react to what they saw in the Bears' 34-21 win against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Thursday evening in their preseason finale. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss how hard Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent continues to work to go as far as he can in his young 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer debate whether the Bears resting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in the preseason finale is the right decision. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer share their thoughts on the most recent episode of "Hard Knocks" as HBO continues to chronicle Bears 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

It's official: Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams won't play in the Bears' final preseason game Thursday evening. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer react to the news. Do we think it's the smart move? Also, the way that coaches and players talk about Williams continues to make us think the Bears might have actually gotten the quarterback position right for once — but Williams' toughest tests are still ahead. Later, the guys discuss their favorite parts from the latest episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks," which took us behind the scenes of an almost-trade between the Bears and the Patriots. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss the current state of the Bears offensive line. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer share what they've liked in the small bits of play-calling that we've seen from Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in the preseason. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss what they saw from Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in the team's third preseason 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

We can't get enough of the highlight plays that Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams made in the latest preseason game. However, David Haugh and Dan Wiederer want to make sure we don't make this a runaway hype train. The guys discuss how we contain the mania a bit as we approach the Bears' regular-season opener against the Titans on Sept. 8. Also in this episode, what do we like so far about the Shane Waldron offense? And is the right guard spot still up for grabs or is it a lock for Nate Davis? 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 spoke with the Bernstein & Holmes Show on 670 The Score about the flashes of brilliance we saw from Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in preseason action Saturday. They also discussed how mature Williams sounds as a player when he speaks about the game of football. 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 Upper Hand Fantasy (subscribe here), Faraz and 670 The Score reporter Chris Emma discuss the ceiling of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in his rookie season, the chemistry he has been developing with receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, what kind of offensive formations we may see from the team this year and more. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upperhandfantasy Check out our 2024 redraft and dynasty rankings: https://www.upperhandfantasy.com Mock draft against Faraz and get his instant draft grade using Fantasy Life's Draft Champion quick draft tool: https://www.fantasylife.com/nfl/draft-champion/lobby?=upperhandfantasy Join our free newsletter: https://upperhandfantasy.beehiiv.com/ Win money doing a 2024 best ball draft on Underdog today: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-upper-hand-fantasy 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 quarterback Caleb Williams had an up-and-down day in the team's preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday, but the ups were electric. Dan Wiederer and Adam Studzinski recap what we saw from Williams, who started rather slow and finished by showcasing fantastic playmaking ability. Meanwhile, the Bears defense continues to be rock solid and appears ready for the season. And how did the offensive line hold up? 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss the second episode of "Hard Knocks" as HBO continues to chronicle Bears 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss the Bears' rumored interest in trading for edge rusher Matthew Judon, who was recently dealt from the Patriots to the Falcons. Should the Bears continue to search for another edge rusher? How much should they be willing to pay for 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer continue to monitor the progress of Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. As he continues to show us his skills, is the quarterback position suddenly not the biggest issue for Chicago's 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

Everything in Chicago still rotates around Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and that's where David Haugh and Dan Wiederer begin this episode. Are we continuing to see progress from Williams? Meanwhile, Nate Davis has made a reappearance at right guard. Can he stay healthy? The guys also break down what they thought of the second episode of "Hard Knocks." Finally, how hard was the Bears' push for a trade for edge rusher Matthew Judon? 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

David Haugh and Adam Studzinski discuss how Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams looked in his first NFL preseason game. Williams seemed comfortable and showed his ability to make plays all over 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

David Haugh and Adam Studzinski look at the current health of the Bears offensive line, as right guard Nate Davis continues to be a question mark for 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

David Haugh and Adam Studzinski debate whether the Bears should try to trade for edge rusher Haason Reddick, who has requested a trade from the Jets. 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 quarterback Caleb Williams' first NFL preseason action went nearly as well as it could have. David Haugh and Adam Studzinski (who fills for Dan Wiederer in this episode) discuss what we saw from Williams in the Bears' win against the Bills on Saturday. Next up for the team is the Bengals, which will involve joint practices. In 2023, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus put a lot of weight into the joint practices. Should the Bears play Williams against the Bengals in the preseason game no matter what? Meanwhile, the Bears offensive line continues to have issues at the right guard spot. Nate Davis was back at practice as of the recording of this episode, but can the team rely on him? Finally, should the Bears kick the tires on trading for Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick? He has requested a trade out of New York after not yet landing 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer set the bar for the Bears' second preseason game, which will take place Saturday against the Bills. The game will mark rookie quarterback Caleb Williams' first appearance in a Bears uniform! 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss what they thought of the first episode of "Hard Knocks" and how well it captured the essence of the early part of this vital Bears 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer ponder how ready Chicago is for (another) rookie quarterback. At the same time, how ready is Caleb Williams for the expectations that Chicago has 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer know that Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has established himself as one of the best at his position in the NFL. But is he on the verge of being one of the league's best overall defenders? 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer have a series of questions to answer in this one. To begin, the guys discuss the expectations for Caleb Williams and the Bears. Is Chicago ready for a the rookie quarterback experience? Is Williams ready to deal with all the noise? Plus, how good of a job has "Hard Knocks" done capturing the essence of this Bears season through one episode? Finally, is cornerback Jaylon Johnson quietly becoming one of the best defenders in the NFL? 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 famously avoided being on "Hard Knocks" for a long time. Show director Shannon Furman explains to David Haugh and Dan Wiederer what the team has been like to work with since they learned the HBO staple is headed for 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer listen to "Hard Knocks" director Shannon Furman explain how the show decides what stories to tell on a week-to-week basis. This Bears team certainly doesn't lack for characters or stories. 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

"Hard Knocks" director Shannon Furman tells David Haugh and Dan Wiederer how the feedback has been for the first episode of the new season that features 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

The eyes of the NFL world are fully on the Bears with the team being featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks." That has brought us a special chance to interview the show's director, Shannon Furman! David Haugh and Dan Wiederer ask her about the process of making the show each week. What was behind the genius of the introduction they did for Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams during the first episode? How much do they have to adjust the story on a week-to-week basis? And of course, how have the Bears been to work with after resisting being on "Hard Knocks" for so long? 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 Bernstein & Holmes Show to discuss the time he spent in Canton, Ohio during Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend. Plus, should we be worried about the injured Bears offensive linemen? 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 discuss what, if anything, we learned from the Bears' rain-shortened preseason win over the Texans on Thursday. 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 discuss the career of Bears great Steve "Mongo" McMichael, who finally got his recognition by being enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. 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 discuss how magical it was to witness Bears legend Devin Hester's 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

It's an incredible day for Bears fans and for a pair of franchise legends. Devin Hester and Steve "Mongo" McMichael will officially enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Dan Wiederer and Adam Studzinski discuss the legacy of each player and their place among the NFL's greatest. The guys also touch on the Bears' first preseason game, a 21-17 win against the Texans on Thursday that saw a pair of players stand out for 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer hear Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams explain what aspect of his game he believes needs the most work. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss Wiederer's article for the Chicago Tribune about the Bears' plan to develop rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Inside the piece is a finding of just how much Williams desires criticism while he develops. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer zero in on the Bears' starting right guard position. Nate Davis came out of practice with some sort of injury during the first day of work in full pads and hasn't practiced since. Is he in danger of losing his starting spot? 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' first preseason game is fast approaching, and we now know that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the rest of the starters won't play in it. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer react to that news, which isn't exactly surprising. In recent years, most teams haven't played their starters in the Hall of Fame Game. However, the development of Williams continues. Wiederer wrote a deep dive story for the Chicago Tribune about the Bears' plan for developing Williams. He and Haugh discuss what they've learned about the Bears' process. Later, backup quarterback Tyson Bagent explains how he was "grinding my absolute face off" during the 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

Guest Jarrett Payton goes deep with Dan Wiederer on what Bears icon Steve "Mongo" McMichael has meant to him — especially since his father, the legendary Walter Payton, died in 1999. Payton will be McMichael's presenter as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony later 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 guest Jarrett Payton turn the page back to 1993, when Payton served as the presenter for his legendary father Walter's induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The younger Payton was just 12 years old at the 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

Guest Jarrett Payton explains to Dan Wiederer what it was like the first time he saw teammate Devin Hester as a player while at Miami. 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 treat for this episode. Dan Wiederer had a chance to sit down with Jarrett Payton, the son of Bears legend Walton Payton, to discuss NFL Hall of Fame induction week. Payton presented his father at his induction in 1993 and will also be presenting Bears legend Steve "Mongo" McMichael at his induction later this week. Beyond that, Payton has strong ties to a pair of other inductees this year: Bears great Devin Hester and Texans great Andre 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer answer Bears questions from listeners! 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss whether they believe Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will play in the Hall of Fame Game next Thursday. The starting quarterbacks for teams haven't played in this game in recent years. 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss the way that Bears veterans such as defensive lineman Andrew Billings have been talking about 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