Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer hear what Bears head coach Matt Eberflus had to say about how chirpy the defense has been throughout the offseason practices. 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 much information the Bears seem to be giving quarterback Caleb Williams as he builds up to his rookie season. The team seems to trust his ability to quickly process and understand what coaches are teaching. 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 was Caleb Williams' turn at the podium as the Bears closed mandatory minicamp Thursday. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer hear what the rookie quarterback had to say about his progress and the ways the Bears have tried to make him comfortable in his first season. Also, the guys discuss the Bears offensive line's makeup. A couple of veterans didn't participate much in this camp, although they were in attendance. It's imperative the team doesn't have a makeshift line for Williams this early in his career. Finally, Matt Eberflus appreciates how "noisy" his defense was in this camp, but he wants to make sure that unit backs up the talk. 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 part of what general manager Ryan Poles told ESPN insider Adam Schefter about the offseason the Bears had. Apparently, Poles got plenty of advice from former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan, his old Boston College teammate. 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 react to Bears head coach Matt Eberflus explaining that one of the top qualities he has seen in rookie quarterback Caleb Williams so far is his desire to learn. 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 rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has looked as the Bears have begun minicamp. The guys also react to what veteran receiver Keenan Allen had to say as he spoke to the media for just the second time since being acquired from the Chargers in March. 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 mandatory minicamp portion of the Bears' offseason calendar has arrived. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss what we gathered from the first day of work Tuesday, which included some good and some bad moments for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Veteran receiver Keenan Allen spoke for the first time since the week he was traded from Los Angeles to Chicago, and the Bears defense remains chirpy. Also in this episode, general manager Ryan Poles spoke at length on the Adam Schefter Podcast about the offseason that he and the Bears have had. We picked up on a few nuggets we hadn't heard 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

It's another mail delivery! David Haugh and Dan Wiederer answer Bears questions from the Take The North audience. 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 being selected as the featured team on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer. How does the team seem to be reacting to the news? 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 rookie quarterback Caleb Williams looked at the end of the Bears' practices of OTAs. It appears he had a better day Friday than the last time the media got to witness practice. 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 got big news as the Bears concluded OTAs at Halas Hall this week — the team will be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks" for the first time! David Haugh and Dan Wiederer react. How do we think the players and coaches will handle the spotlight? Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams looked much better in the practice that media members got to witness 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

Our own Dan Wiederer joined the Mully & Haugh Show to break down the latest in the Bears' pursuit of a new stadium. The crew also discussed how Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is likely going to have to grow gradually into the player we think he 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss new Bears safety Kevin Byard expressing the belief that he and the defense need to make it hard on rookie Caleb Williams as he learns to be a pro quarterback. 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 what head coach Matt Eberflus had to say about the idea that the Bears defense will likely need to be the driving force of the team while rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense get going early in 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer reflect a bit more on Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams having a bad practice late in the first week of OTAs. We don't think it's making excuses to say a rookie quarterback struggling in May isn't a big 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

Before we get more access to Bears practices at OTAs, David Haugh and Dan Wiederer have some leftovers to discuss from the first week. First, Haugh sounded off in explaining that a bad practice for a rookie quarterback means little at OTAs. Later, Bears coaches referred to the defense as being "salty." What exactly does that mean and how prepared is the defense to perhaps have to carry the load while Caleb Williams goes through rookie woes? 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 look at who will likely be the starting center for the Bears as they work through the rest of 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

Dan Wiederer and Adam Studzinski discuss Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams struggling during the last practice of the first week of OTAs. Does that mean anything at this point? 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 a few of the players who were absent from Bears practice Thursday. Is there any concern 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 first week of OTAs for the Bears is in the books, and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams looked, well, like a rookie in the final practice of the week. Adam Studzinski and Dan Wiederer discuss Williams' growing pains, which are to be expected at this point. After all, Williams is facing a Bears defense that's returning nine starters from 2023. Meanwhile, rookie receiver Rome Odunze didn't participate in much of practice as he continues to nurse a hamstring ailment. We aren't panicking about that ... yet. There were also a few notable players missing from this (optional) practice Thursday. Wiederer explains why he's keeping a close eye on some of those absences. 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 an NFL.com story that ranked the top 10 players who were traded this offseason, with a basis on how they'll impact their new team. Where did the Bears' acquisition of receiver Keenan Allen rank? 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 what Steelers quarterback Justin Fields told the media in Pittsburgh, where he spoke publicly for the first time since the Bears traded him in March. 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 Tom Brady and Jay-Z had to say to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and other NFL rookies when they met with them recently. 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

OTAs are upon us! To kick off this episode, David Haugh and Dan Wiederer focus on what we're looking to see/hear out of OTAs besides how the new quarterback is fitting in. The conversation does eventually turn to Caleb Williams, of course. Williams and other NFL rookies got to have lunch with Tom Brady recently. What knowledge could Williams and the others take away from the NFL legend? Plus, Justin Fields spoke publicly in Pittsburgh for the first time since the Bears traded him. What did he have to say about his time in Chicago and his new opportunity with the Steelers? 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 from Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph, the two who are most in charge of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams' development, about how eager Williams is to learn. 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 look into Bears rookie edge rusher Austin Booker's makeup as a prospect. During rookie minicamp, defensive coordinator Eric Washington shared what Booker's best traits are. 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 impressions of receiver Rome Odunze from Bears rookie minicamp. Odunze is adding to an already remarkably unselfish receiver 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer finally have time to tie up loose ends from Bears rookie minicamp! We continued to hear praise for quarterback Caleb Williams' work ethic as the rookies gathered at Halas Hall for their first practices. It looks like offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph will be the main two voices in Williams' ears as he learns how to be a professional quarterback. Plus, what did we learn about the other players the Bears drafted? 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 2024 Bears schedule has arrived! David Haugh and Dan Wiederer comb through the highlights of what's currently graded as the third-weakest schedule in the NFL. Do we like the Caleb Williams era beginning at home against the Titans? What about the fact that the Bears won't play a divisional game until November? 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 Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com reflect on the Justin Fields era in Chicago, which Dunne wrote about in a recent deep dive on the Bears' troubled quarterback history. 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 Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com discuss the Bears' drafting of Caleb Williams, which the team hopes will break the trend of failed quarterbacks 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 and guest Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com reflect on the Mitchell Trubisky era in Chicago, which Dunne wrote about in a recent deep dive on the Bears' troubled quarterback history. 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 this special episode, Dan Wiederer talks with Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com. Dunne recently wrote a two-part deep-dive article regarding the history of Bears quarterbacks. Part one focused on the failures of Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields. Part two looked to the future and the hope that it will be different with Caleb Williams. The guys walk through what Dunne uncovered while reporting and writing the article. 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 share his observations from Bears rookie minicamp over the weekend. The Bears seem to be doing a lot right to get rookie quarterback Caleb Williams ready for the NFL. Have they learned from past mistakes? 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 head coach Matt Eberflus officially naming Caleb Williams the Bears' starting quarterback. It may have already been obvious to everyone, but in the past, the Bears might have played games with such a 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 hear what Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had to say in his press conference prior to his first practice at Halas Hall. Time will tell how Williams will perform on the field, but it's clear he isn't fazed by anything being thrown at him so far. 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 from Bears receiver Rome Odunze, who loves the fact that he and quarterback Caleb Williams will be learning how to navigate the NFL together as rookies. 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

Rookie minicamp has arrived, which means we got our first look at quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze on the practice field in Bears colors! The pair also spoke to the media before practice, as did head coach Matt Eberflus, who officially named Williams the team's starting quarterback. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer are happy to hear the Bears aren't playing games with who the starting quarterback is. Also in this episode, the guys hear more of the infectious energy that Williams provides when he speaks. It has his teammates and head coach speaking highly of him. But none of that matters if Williams can't deliver on the field in the fall. Regardless, it's clear Williams isn't fazed by the moment right 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

Bears left guard Teven Jenkins joined Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote on 670 The Score, where he reiterated his desire to remain in Chicago on a long-term contract. Jenkins also shared his reaction to the Bears trading quarterback Justin Fields in March and what his experience with new quarterback Caleb Williams has been to this point. 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 to preview Bears rookie minicamp, where quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze will be speaking for the first time since draft week. Also, how much pressure is on Bears head coach Matt Eberflus in the 2024 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 guest host Rich Campbell, who covered quarterback Robert Griffin III's tenure in Washington, discuss how the sparkling beginning to Griffin's professional career didn't keep going for long. Are there any lessons for the Bears as they restart at quarterback with 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 guest host Rich Campbell remember the 2019 Bears season, which they both covered for the Chicago Tribune. It's a reminder how quickly it can all fall apart if a team isn't ready for the spotlight. 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 Rich Campbell discuss the weapons the Bears have provided for new quarterback Caleb Williams and the fact that Matt Eberflus might still end up not being the right head coach 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 is joined by a special fill-in host for this episode! Former Chicago Tribune reporter Rich Campbell tags in for David Haugh to discuss the latest Bears storylines. Campbell reflects on his experience covering the Bears through the Mitchell Trubisky era and when Robert Griffin III was in Washington to relate just how hard it is to both draft and develop a quarterback. The failures of Trubisky and RGIII are what the Bears are hoping to avoid by putting Caleb Williams onto a roster that appears close to being competitive. The guys also recall their time covering the Bears together during what turned out to be a disappointing 2019 season as an example of how wrong it can go if the team isn't prepared for the spotlight. 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 react to the backlash coming in from Springfield after the Bears proposed a new lakefront stadium, which would involve public funding. 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 Steelers running back Jaylen Warren indicating on a recent podcast that the Steelers are considering putting quarterback Justin Fields back to return kicks. That would be stupid, 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer zero in on receiver Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick of the Bears in the NFL Draft. We've been asking around, and almost nobody can pinpoint a glaring weakness in Odunze's 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

The player the Bears drafted at No. 9 overall deserves more attention! David Haugh and Dan Wiederer spend time in this episode figuring out just how good of a weapon the Bears might have gotten when they picked Washington receiver Rome Odunze. It's been hard for us to find anyone who will say a negative word about him! Also in this one, a Steelers player indicated on a podcast recently that the team's special teams coach has pondered using quarterback Justin Fields as a kick returner. Uh, what? Finally, the latest news coming out about the reception of the Bears' lakefront stadium plan hasn't been positive. 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 2024 NFL schedule is likely to be released during the second week of May. The Audacy Original podcast It's Always Gameday In Buffalo chatted with one of the men who's at the center of planning the NFL's broadcast schedule in a wide-ranging conversation that all football fans will enjoy. This episode was recorded before the NFL Draft. It's one of our favorite episodes of the year! Sal Capaccio and Matt Bove are joined by NFL vice president of broadcasting Mike North for a discussion on the process behind making the NFL schedule, primetime game scheduling, how networks protect certain games, the Week 1 game in Brazil, the Thanksgiving/Christmas Day matchups and more. 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 believe the Bears can make a smooth transition to new starting quarterback Caleb Williams based on what they've heard from a few of Williams' new teammates. 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