Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer hear from USC coach Lincoln Riley, who explained how his team's rocky 2023 season will help make new Bears and former Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams better in the long run. 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 what USC coach Lincoln Riley had to say when asked about new Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' drive to get better as a player. Williams "craves" feedback on ways he can improve, Riley said. 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): In this clip, Matt Harmon and James Koh break down the Bears adding receiver Rome Odunze to an already loaded offense. 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, as well. 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

The NFL Draft is over, and it's time for the Bears to dial in on making a smooth transition to new quarterback Caleb Williams. In this episode, David Haugh and Dan Wiederer hear from an important voice who can help everyone know more about Williams: USC coach Lincoln Riley, who guided Williams in college. Riley recently spoke with the Chicago media about Williams' experience at Oklahoma before his transfer to USC. Riley also discussed how Williams handled his final season at USC, which didn't go the way Williams wanted. The guys also hear from NFL Draft analyst Joe Klatt, who broke down Williams as a prospect. 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 on 670 The Score to break down the Bears' five-man draft class. Are the Bears ready the attention and pressure that's about to come their way with quarterback Caleb Williams under center? 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 completed their 2024 NFL Draft and phew, does it have the potential to be a good one. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer reflect on the Bears drafting quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. Williams brings with him an easy confidence and didn't flinch when asked about the high expectations and pressure he's facing. Meanwhile, it took some luck for the Bears to get Odunze. It's something this franchise hasn't had a lot of in recent years. The guys also offer their thoughts on the final three picks the Bears made in the draft: offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, punter Tory Taylor and pass rusher Austin Booker. 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 Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' first press conference at Halas Hall with his new organization. Williams didn't balk when asked about the high expectations and pressure he has as he's set to begin his 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 discuss how the Bears landed Washington receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft. It took some luck — something the Bears have had little of in recent years — for Odunze to be available there. 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' additions on the second and third days of the NFL Draft: Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, Iowa punter Tory Taylor and Kansas pass rusher Austin Booker. Taylor was described by Bears general manager Ryan Poles as one of the best punters he has ever seen! 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

What a night! As expected, the Bears took USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Less than an hour later, they landed one of the best receivers in the draft — Washington's Rome Odunze — with the No. 9 pick. David Haugh and producer Adam Studzinski react to a night that could be the start of something special for 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

With just a day to go before the NFL Draft, presumptive No. 1 pick Caleb Williams spoke to media members in Detroit. That includes our own Dan Wiederer, who shares the audio with David Haugh. The wide-ranging press conference reveals a lot about who the Bears are getting in their new quarterback. Also in this episode, Wiederer and Haugh react to the press conference the Bears held Wednesday to announce their plans for a new stadium on Chicago's lakefront. 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 the first part of USC quarterback Caleb Williams' media session with reporters at the NFL Draft on Wednesday. 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 press conference that top Bears officials held Wednesday to announce their plans for a new stadium on the lakefront 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer hear the second part of USC quarterback Caleb Williams' media session with reporters at the NFL Draft on Wednesday. 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 still aren't sure what direction the Bears will head in with the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft, but general manager Ryan Poles doesn't seem to be in a hurry to make a move up or down the draft board. What we do know is we certainly wouldn't say "no" to the team drafting Washington receiver Rome Odunze. 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 confidence they heard from Bears executives Ryan Poles and Ian Cunningham in their pre-draft press conference Tuesday. That comes with a reminder this team isn't fully "finished." 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 general manager Ryan Poles had to say about the goals that quarterback Caleb Williams has for his NFL career. Also, are we OK with the Bears not having more than one quarterback in for a top-30 visit? 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 Tuesday episode of our daily draft episodes this week) Ryan Poles and his right-hand man Ian Cunningham appeared confident and optimistic as the Bears held a press conference Tuesday before the 2024 NFL Draft. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer react to what we heard. Confidence is great, but we hope the front office doesn't think the Bears' rebuild is over yet. There's definitely still work to do. Also, while Poles didn't tell us the Bears' plan is to draft quarterback Caleb Williams, he certainly didn't say anything to make us think otherwise. What does Poles think of Williams' lofty goals for his NFL career? Finally, does it sound like the team has any preference for the position it's looking at with the No. 9 overall pick? 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 heard the long interview that quarterback Caleb Williams did with the Pivot Podcast. The guys believe we'll be getting a lot more depth with Williams when he speaks compared to the last couple quarterbacks the Bears had. 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

While recording their podcast, David Haugh and Dan Wiederer learn that the Bears are going to announce their plans for a new stadium on Chicago's lakefront this Wednesday, one day before the start of the NFL Draft, where they're set to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Umm, why the weird timing on that? 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 in the Chicago Tribune in which he went on a deep dive with general manager Ryan Poles into the process the Bears have gone through as they now prepare to draft quarterback Caleb Williams. The team seems to understand what they're getting into. 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 Monday episode of our daily draft episodes this week) The week we've been waiting for is finally here! It's NFL Draft week! David Haugh and Dan Wiederer still have a ton to discuss leading up to the draft, where the Bears are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. We're getting to know more about Williams, who recently spoke in a lengthy interview with the Pivot Podcast. It seems like Williams is going to have more to offer us when he speaks than the previous Bears quarterbacks. Also this episode, we get word the Bears are planning to make an announcement about their proposed new stadium along the lakefront THE DAY BEFORE THE DRAFT?!? WHAT?!? 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 speaks with Audacy NFL insider Mark Schlereth about USC quarterback Caleb Williams, whom the Bears are set to select with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. That conversation leads Schlereth to a thorough breakdown of how different college football is from 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

David Haugh and Audacy NFL insider Mark Schlereth discuss the type of player that Schlereth believes the Bears should target with the No. 9 overall pick in NFL Draft. 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 new episode, David Haugh is joined by Audacy NFL insider Mark Schlereth! He goes in depth on the vast differences between college and pro football and explains how teams should scout for traits in quarterbacks. A former NFL offensive lineman, Schlereth also breaks down the type of player he'd like to see the Bears draft at No. 9 overall before sharing what he observed about the team while calling a few of its games late in the season in 2023. Does he think the Bears could be a playoff team in 2024? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer attempt to project who might be available for the Bears at No. 9 overall in the NFL Draft. It's possible the Bears end up selecting both the top offensive and defensive player in this draft with their pair of top-10 picks. 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 nice it is to have little drama surrounding the Bears as they enter the NFL Draft this year. It's also become clear that the gifts quarterback Caleb Williams has are surpassing any non-football "concerns" that might surround 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 hear from a pair of NFL experts who compared soon-to-be Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to both Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Also, there's no quarterback competition once Williams is selected, 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

The Bears are just days away from (likely) selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top pick in the NFL Draft. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss how little drama there is around the Bears, especially since the Justin Fields trade was completed. The only real question for the Bears in this draft is which prospect they'll select at No. 9 overall, if they don't choose to trade back. If the board falls the right way, it's possible the Bears end up with both the top offensive player (Williams) and the top defensive player in the draft. Either way, the guys believe the Bears are in a great spot to get a pair of impact players in the first round. Also this episode, Haugh is still questioning whether having Tyson Bagent be the backup quarterback entering the 2024 season is the right choice. Plus, the city of Chicago is about to be flooded with young stars across several of its sports teams! 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 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer take a close look at the NFC North as it's currently constructed. How might the Bears stack up against the division once the draft is done? 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 rants to Dan Wiederer about an NFL mock draft he saw from Bleacher Report, which projected the Bears to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye at No. 1 overall ... for some reason? 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 seriously the Bears need to consider moving on from Braxton Jones as their starting left tackle if a top-tier tackle is available when they select at No. 9 overall. 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 something most don't seem to be considering enough as we approach the NFL Draft — should the Bears move on from Braxton Jones if there's a blue-chip left tackle available at No. 9 overall? David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss that and whether the Bears could move Darnell Wright to the left side if they draft a new right tackle. Also this episode, the guys examine the NFC North. How will the Bears look compared to their counterparts once this draft is done? Finally, Haugh is heated about a mock draft he saw from Bleacher Report! 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 shares audio with David Haugh that he got from the NFL owners meetings of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discussing the Bears' pursuit of a new stadium. 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 get closer to the NFL Draft, we're pretty sure what the Bears will do with the No. 1 overall pick. But what about when the Bears are on the board at No. 9? Dan Wiederer has a series of draft questions for David Haugh, mostly centered around that ninth pick. 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 discussion about how both quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears will need to be prepared for the impact that Williams' words could have, assuming the team drafts him at No. 1 overall. Is Williams ready for the adversity that could come his way if he struggles early in his NFL career? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NFL Draft gets closer, Dan Wiederer has a series of questions for David Haugh centered around the Bears' pair of first-round picks. We seem to know the Bears are taking USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall, but how should the team use the No. 9 overall selection to best position itself moving forward? Also in this episode, Williams hasn't shied away from speaking his mind at times. What happens if he says something that sparks a major response from all over? Is he and/or the Bears ready for that? Finally, Wiederer had a chance to speak with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at the NFL owners meetings about the current vision for the Bears' stadium project. 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 David Haugh and Dan Wiederer listen to pieces of Wiederer's one-on-one interview with Bears general manager Ryan Poles, the guys wonder if the franchise is truly prepared for everything that's going to come with the drafting of USC 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer listen to part of Wiederer's recent one-on-one interview with Bears general manager Ryan Poles in which they discussed the team's evaluation of USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Poles revealed he doesn't just need to learn if Williams can handle the pressure of being just any team's quarterback. Instead, what he needs to learn is if Williams can handle being the quarterback 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

David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss what they've heard about USC quarterback Caleb Williams' recent top-30 visit with the Bears. It's the only official team visit that Williams is making before the NFL Draft. That seems to tell us where everything is heading, 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

Another box has been checked in the Bears' evaluation of USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the likely No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Williams had his official top-30 visit with the team earlier this week, and the reports coming from the visit seem positive. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer discuss what they've heard about the visit and the fact it's becoming more and more certain the Bears will be selecting Williams when they're on the clock at No. 1 overall. Also in this episode, the guys hear portions of Wiederer's one-on-one interview with Bears general manager Ryan Poles while in Orlando for the owners meetings. Does Poles have the same fear we do about this team repeating history by turning to a rookie quarterback with a head coach who might be on the hot seat? 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 Audacy NFL insider/The Best Football Show host Brian Baldinger discuss which player the Bears could select when they're on the clock at No. 9 overall in the NFL Draft. 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 Audacy NFL insider and The Best Football Show host Brian Baldinger what he thought of the Bears moving on from quarterback Justin Fields. Baldy also explains his past experiences with USC 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

In a special episode, Dan Wiederer is joined by Audacy NFL insider and The Best Football Show host Brian Baldinger! Baldy offers his perspective on the Bears' trade of quarterback Justin Fields before diving into his experiences around USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the presumptive No. 1 overall draft pick. The guys also discuss the options the Bears could have when they're on the clock at No. 9 overall in the first round. 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 producer Adam Studzinski have another mailbag episode for you! This time, most of the conversation centers around how the Bears should use their No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Is Washington receiver Rome Odunze a prospect they can't pass on if he's there? Before the guys get to your questions, they have have some words to share about the response that a few bad eggs had to the color of USC quarterback Caleb Williams' phone as he watched a Trojans women's basketball 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

It's one of the less important questions this offseason, but David Haugh and Dan Wiederer are wondering if Tyson Bagent is the Bears' current plan for the backup quarterback position. That seems to be the case based on how the team is talking about 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 continue looking at how the Bears are reacting to their visits with USC quarterback Caleb Williams. You can count head coach Matt Eberflus among the people who has liked what he has seen and heard. 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 Bears president Kevin Warren's continued talk about the team's focus for a new stadium location currently being on Chicago's lakefront. We have to admit, he's being pretty convincing. 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 continue to be the talk of the NFL world at the owners meetings in Orlando. General manager Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, president Kevin Warren and chairman George McCaskey have all spoken on every offseason topic. David Haugh and Dan Wiederer react to arguably the biggest piece of news, which is the continued insistence of Warren that the team is now focused on the Chicago lakefront for the location to build a new stadium. We've also got more details on the meetings the Bears had with USC quarterback Caleb Williams prior to his pro day. Poles and Eberflus seem impressed by what they've seen and heard. Plus, in maybe the least shocking news coming from the meetings, McCaskey still doesn't like the idea of the Bears being on "Hard Knocks." 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