The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor come to you live from Mobile, Alabama where they are covering the 2025 Senior Bowl. They bring you their reactions to the first practice of the week including notable standouts, what the Senior Bowl means to smaller school attendees, and what the guys are looking forward to seeing at these practices. They're also on the search for Ryan Poles or Ben Johnson as well as bringing you their reactions to the latest coordinator hired by the Chicago Bears.

Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor discuss Ben Johnson's introductory press conference at Halas Hall. They analyze his leadership style, his plans for building a custom offense around Caleb Williams, and his vision for establishing a culture of accountability. Plus, they discuss the Bears' defensive needs and the impact of a new defensive coordinator.

The Chicago Bears made a HUGE move, hiring Ben Johnson as their new head coach! Alex Shapiro breaks down Johnson's impressive offensive success with the Lions, the importance of quarterback Caleb Williams, and the challenges ahead. Clay Harbor joins us to discuss the potential and pitfalls of this exciting hire, and whether the Bears can capitalize on their division rivals' early playoff exits. We also preview the upcoming free agency period and Senior Bowl. The Chicago Bears enter a new era and it’s Good Vibes Only 2025!

Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor discuss Caleb Williams' appearance on the St. Brown Podcast. We react to Caleb's thoughts on feeling pressure and his incident with a prankster. We also discuss more from the teams connection with Mike McCarthy and can a Ben Johnson hire come with a shakeup in the front office if he calls for it? We finally dive into our latest Resume Review with Ravens OC Todd Monken!

Ruthie Polinsky, Clay Harbor, and Alex Shapiro break down the latest in the NFL coaching search! We analyze the Chicago Bears' missed opportunity with Mike Vrabel, the qualities Mike McCarthy can bring to the team, and the intense competition for top candidates. Plus, they discuss Ben Johnson, Thomas Brown, and Ron Rivera, exploring the complexities of NFL coaching searches and the strategic decisions teams must make.

Join Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor for a deep dive into the Chicago Bears' coaching search. Following a highly anticipated (and somewhat controversial) press conference at Halas Hall, the crew dissect the team's direction, break down the leadership dynamics, and the growing list of coaching candidates. Alex Shapiro also brings us his Resume Review on former Super Bowl winning coach Pete Carroll.

Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor react to a victorious season finale against the Green Bay Packers. Caleb Williams leads the Bears down the field with :48 seconds left and Cairo Santos puts the exclamation point on the drive by nailing a 51-yard field goal to beat the Packers for the first time since 2018. The guys put a bow on the season and look forward to the Bears expected draft position. They also pick their positive takeaways from the season.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by Herb Howard from The Bigs to preview the final game of the 2024 season against the Packers. They discuss the importance for the players to end the season on a good note even if the result isn't a victory. How far are the Bears from competing in the NFC? They debate if the Bears would have been better off trading away the pick that landed them Caleb Williams. Also, the best direction to go in hiring the next head coach. And much more!

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor return to talk about the latest in the Bears' search for a head coach. They discuss the recent report connecting Super Bowl winning head coach Pete Carroll to the Bears, the strength of the division for years to come, and how attractive will the Bears' head coach position be in the offseason. Also, they give their New Year resolution for the team.

Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor react to to 10th loss in a row for the Chicago Bears. They discuss the offensive struggles, the end of game clock management, and the need for a revamped offensive line. They also highlight the Bears defense which held the Seahawks to 6 points despite their own struggles recently. Clay and Alex also give the Bears some holiday gifts!

Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor are joined by Bob Condotta for a northwest coast look at the Seahawks visiting the Chicago Bears for Thursday Night Football. They talk about the importance of this game for the Seahawks' playoff chances. They also look back at the hiring process of Shane Waldron, who was the OC in Seattle prior to his brief time in Chicago. Bob talks about the process that got new head coach Mike MacDonald to Seattle and the down year for Geno Smith as well as the breakout year for second year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Alex Shapiro is joined by Clay Harbor and Kevin Lapka to break down the Bears loss to the Detroit Lions. Caleb Williams and the passing game shined, unfortunately it wasn't enough. They discuss Keenan Allen's future with the team as his connection with Caleb Williams has been on display recently. More injuries on the offensive line and a quiet day from the defensive line raise more concerns about roster depth. They also talk about Ben Johnson and how attractive the Bears head coaching job will look this offseason.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by long time Bears beat reporter Mark Potash. They get Mark's insight on how this disappointing season stacks up against other painful seasons. They also talk about the state of the locker room and the coaching style that would best fit with the current roster. Mark also details his level of concern with Caleb Williams in his rookie season along with the challenges Ben Johnson would face as the next head coach.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by Clay Harbor for a mid-week Vibe Check. We discuss the tough position Kiran Amegadjie was put in for his first career start and would a second look show better results? The crew discuss the need for the young players to get a chance to show what they can bring to the team. There is also an argument for the veteran players needing to prove they have the motivation to fight. We also bring you a look at head coach candidate Joe Brady.

Alex Shapiro, Clay Harbor, and Kevin Lapka react to another uninspiring Bears performance. They give their concerns with Caleb Williams’ play. The guys go over the struggles by the O-line and Kiran Amegadjie’s first start at left tackle. Key players are underperforming but does the tape still show the effort? Those answers will determine Ryan Poles’ future. The defense has been bitten by the injury bug recently but there might have been a couple bright spots. Roster construction and Caleb’s confidence.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro catch up with Vikings beat reporter, Ben Goessling to talk about their big Monday night matchup versus the Bears. They cover the impressive play of the Vikings compared to the league’s expectation to start the season. Ben also covers the plan for Sam Darnold should he continue to lead the Vikings offense and what happens to JJ McCarthy. Aaron Jones and Jordan Addison are playing major roles in the offense, Ben explains how they are taking advantage of their opponent’s defensive game plan. All that and much more!

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by Clay Harbor on today’s episode. They get a Vibe Check on Thomas Brown’s debut at HC, how Eric Washington handled the defense, and Caleb William’s play. Clay Harbor also identifies someone that may be flying under the radar during all the drama at Halas Hall. Also, Alex Shapiro lays out the resume of Mike Vrabel and his case for being the next head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Alex Shapiro and Kevin Lapka react to the newly led Bears and their loss to the 49ers 38-13. They attempt to explain the woeful first half on offense and the lone bright spot. They also get into the defensive struggles now that Matt Eberflus isn’t calling the plays. Is Ryan Poles’ job security under a microscope? And the chances we see another Bears W this season.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by Bay Area News Group reporter Cam Inman for an inside look at the 49ers ahead of this Sunday's matchup vs the Bears. He helps explain Kyle Shanahan's standing with the team and the job security rumors. Cam goes into how the turnover at defensive coordinator has effected the team and the pass rush issues. Also, Christian McCaffrey's injury riddled season and Deebo Samuel's drop-off, and much more!

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro will be looking into potential head coaching candidates for the Chicago Bears. Up first: Lions OC Ben Johnson. But first, they talk about their takeaways from the Ryan Poles/Kevin Warren press conference and the pressure mounting for Ryan Poles. A lot of key Bears have landed on the injury report. Will this lead to a bounce back game for the injury plagued 49ers? Also, we get a Vibe Check on Thomas Brown, Kevin Warren, and the importance of the remaining schedule.

Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor react to another stunning end to a Bears game. We break down the clock management on the final drive, the offensive struggles in the first half, and the Bears recent efforts to stop the run. We also prepare ourselves to begin Mock Draft Season and much more!

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by Lions team reporter Dannie Rogers. She helps paint the picture of where the Lions season expectations stand. Dannie expands on the tenacity that Dan Campbell has brought to the Lions since his arrival and rebounding after last year’s loss in the NFC Championship game. Also, the relationship between the Lion’s 1-2 punch at running back and the keys to Jared Goff’s success in Detroit. As well as the potential departure of both sought after coordinators.

Alex Shapiro, Clay Harbor, and Kevin Lapka react to the Bears overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings. They get into the impressive performance by Caleb Williams against a tough Brian Flores defense and the strides he is making with Thomas Brown calling plays. The crew talk about an uncharacteristic showing on the defensive side of the ball and continued struggles on special teams.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by Matthew Coller who covers the Minnesota Vikings. He shines a light on how the Vikings have played to a 8-2 record when the preseason expectations were so low. Sam Darnold's performance after taking over for the season after JJ McCarthy was hurt in preseason action. And what Brian Flores has brought to the Vikings defense to have them playing at such a high level. Also, Kevin O'Connell and his case for Coach of the Year.

Alex Shapiro and Ruthie Polinsky talk about the criticism that has followed Matt Eberflus following his decision making at the end of the Packers game. Alex breaks down the differences he saw in the offense after reviewing the All-22. Ruthie points out the things the Bears can do against the Vikings offense. Also the debut of Vibe Check!

Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor react to the Bears losing to the Packers after having a game-winning field goal attempt blocked. What is the feeling in the locker room after the game? They evaluate how Caleb Williams and the offense looked in their first game with Thomas Brown as play-caller. How do the Bears approach the rest of the season with the playoffs seemingly out of reach?

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are joined by Carmen Vitali who covers the NFL for FOX Sports. She brings us the national perspective on how the week has shaken out for the Bears. They talk about what new OC Thomas Brown needs to bring to get Caleb Williams and the offense back on track. Also Jordan Love's keys to success and the impact of Xavier McKinney on the Packers defense. And much more!

Alex Shapiro returns to the podcast with Ruthie Polinsky. Alex gives his perspective on the Bears' recent struggles. They talk about Thomas Brown bringing a different approach and focus to the offense. They look back at the hiring process that landed Shane Waldron in Chicago. Matt Eberflus acknowledging his struggles to identify a play-caller. Injury updates and more!

The Chicago Bears lose 19-3 to the New England Patriots. Michael Bolling, Kevin Lapka, and Clay Harbor are back to react to the stunning performance. In a game looked at as a bounce back spot, the Bears were held to only 3 points and Matt Eberflus' seat is hotter than ever.

Ruthie Polinsky is joined by Phil Perry from NBCS Boston for an insider perspective on the New England Patriots. They talk about how the Patriots look in the post-Belichick era, the development of Drake Maye, and how Jerod Mayo is handling his first year as a head coach.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor react to the news of Andrew Billings' pec surgery and what this mean for the Bears defense. They touch on the recent play of DJ Moore. Caleb Williams missing open receivers and much more!

The Chicago Bears fall flat against the Arizona Cardinals. Michael Bolling, Kevin Lapka, and Clay Harbor react to another troubling loss. They talk about the poor offensive performance and question Matt Eberflus' handle on the team. Also their reaction to the pregame report on how Tyrique Stevenson handled his demotion.

We welcome in Bo Brack from PHNX to break down Sunday matchup between the Bears and Cardinals. We discuss the impact that Tray McBride has made since coming into the league. Did Arizona spot a soft spot in the Bears defense? Jonathan Gannon coaching under Matt Eberflus. Also, the Cardinals defense not overlooking up and down start to Caleb Williams career.

The Chicago Bears try to right the ship as we continue to digest what transpired from the Hail Mary loss to the Commanders. Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor react to the questions of accountability surrounding the team. They also dive into their level of concern with the growing list of names being added to the injury report. Finally, what the Bears' record on the road says about Matt Eberflus.

After battling back to take the lead, the Washington Commanders hand the Bears a crushing loss by completing a Hail Mary on the final play of the game. Alex Shapiro, Clay Harbor, and Kevin Lapka lead the show and give their reaction. They discuss the shocking end to the game, the role Tyrique Stevenson may have played in the final play, and D'Andre Swift's consistent play as of late.

Get ready for the Bears-Commanders game with Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro as they welcome in Washington reporter Ben Standig. Ben shares the latest information on Jayden Daniels’ status for the game and shares what the Bears can expect from Kliff Kingsbury’s offense if it’s Daniels or Marcus Mariota leading the way. Plus, how Dan Quinn has made his mark on the franchise as the new head coach and how the Bears might be able to exploit the Commanders defense. Finally, Ruthie and Alex share their analysis on the Bears parting ways with Velus Jones Jr and Khari Blasingame.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro are here to bring you the latest from Halas Hall. We get a sense of how the Bears are preparing to face either Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota. Caleb Williams' return to DC and bye week adjustments for the team. Also, how does Kliff Kingsbury's offense differ from one quarterback to another.

Alex Shapiro and Edgar Perez keep an eye on the division during the Bears bye week. With two thrilling games, they react to the Green Bay Packers getting past the Texans and the Lions handing the Vikings their first loss. If you had to face one division foe in the playoffs, which are you choosing?

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro bring you into the weekend with their reaction to the Bears vs Commanders start time being flexed. Does this mean the Bears are ready for primetime? They also preview the weekend for the rest of the NFC North. How much will Aiden Hutchinson's injury impact the Lions? And an early look at the playoff picture.

Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor get together as the Bears begin their bye week. The crew reacts to the trade that sent Raiders star WR Davante Adams to the Jets for a reunion with Aaron Rodgers. Does the deal make New York a contender in the AFC? Then everyone shares their picks for Bears bye week awards. Who has been the most improved player, the biggest surprise, the defensive MVP, offensive MVP, and more!

The Chicago Bears travel across the pond and handle business in a 35-16 domination over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England. Caleb Williams had another efficient performance. Big performances from Cole Kmet, Keenan Allen, and D'Andre Swift are the highlights on offensive side of the ball. The defense also held their ground after coming into this game with key injuries. We discuss what the plans should be for the Bears during their bye week.

Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro dive into this Sunday's matchup with former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Clay Harbor. They discuss the impact of traveling overseas for NFL players and the change in routine. Will Trevor Laurence take advantage of a banged up Bears secondary? They go over the plan of attack for the Bears in order to come away with a victory. Also, the Jaguars key to success.

Alex Shapiro, Mike Bolling, and Edgar Perez discuss the latest injury update for the Chicago Bears as they prepare to face the Jaguars in London. We talk about the growing depth of the defensive line with the practice window now open for Jacob Martin. Also, Caleb Williams seemingly starting to take control of the offense and his growth as a vocal leader.

Alex Shapiro, Mike Bolling, and Edgar Perez bring you the first episode of Da Bearcast. They are recapping a complete Bears victory over the Panthers. A performance that Bears fans were waiting to see. We saw the connection between Caleb Williams and DJ Moore finally take form. The defense dominated the other side of the ball. Only giving up 10 points and forcing 3 turnovers. We also bring you a brief look ahead to next weeks early kickoff. Join us and we're glad you're along for the ride! Bear Down!

As you may know, NBC Sports Chicago’s 20-year run serving Chicago’s passionate fans, its partners, and community is coming to a close on Monday, Sept. 30. This is our final episode of Under Center Podcast. Kenneth Davis and Josh Schrock break down the Bears' thrilling win over the Rams. Caleb Williams had his best performance as a pro. However, lingering miscues with his receivers show there’s still room for growth (1:00). The guys celebrate the Bears' improved run blocking, which paved the way for a breakout day from Roschon Johnson and D'Andre Swift (7:00). They reflect on the return of Keenan Allen (13:45) and continue to address the team's ongoing offensive line struggles (15:30). The defense stepped up against Matthew Stafford. At the same time, penalties remain a thorn in the Bears’ side (18:00). Ken and Josh share heartfelt goodbyes as they sign off for the final time (26:36). We thank our viewers, readers, listeners, and followers for their incredible support over the last two decades. If you are a subscriber of the Under Center Podcast, you will automatically receive podcast episodes from the new Chicago Sports Network. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kenneth Davis and Josh Schrock are joined by The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue to break down the Bears’ Week 4 clash against the Rams. They kick things off by discussing Bears fans' growing frustration with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and whether it's time for concern (1:57). The crew also dives into Chicago’s struggles with their running game (8:40) and why the offense hasn't been able to adapt (7:18). They explore what Sean McVay or Matt LaFleur would do to better acclimate Caleb Williams to the NFL (12:06) and how the Rams managed to beat the 49ers despite several major injuries (16:42). They then look at Matthew Stafford’s impressive play (19:16), key areas the Bears could exploit (23:12), and weaknesses in the Rams’ secondary (25:57). Finally, they predict whether the Bears can capitalize or if the banged-up Rams will pull off another win (29:17). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Kenneth Davis, Josh Schrock, and Glynn Morgan break down the Bears' 21-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3. The trio dissect quarterback Caleb Williams' performance and criticize the Bears' poor offensive plan that had the rookie throw 52 passes. They discuss the option call on fourth-and-goal that cost the Bears points and analyze why offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's plan of attack. Then, they talk about the Bears' inability to run the ball. Next, they look at head coach Matt Eberflus' poor clock management that cost the Bears a critical timeout in the loss. The guys then flip over to the defensive side of the ball to break down a good performance against Anthony Richardson. They finish by wondering if the Bears' decision to keep Eberflus is already harming Caleb Williams. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Colts PA announcer, writer for Colts.com and podcast host JJ Stankevitz joins Kenneth Davis and Josh Schrock to preview the Bears' crucial Week 3 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. JJ shares his thoughts on the Bears' 1-1 start and their struggling offense (3:10). While evaluating Caleb Williams' performance so far, he discusses why he thinks the rookie QB will get better as the season goes on (4:40). They also discuss what JJ learned about Matt Eberflus when the Bears coach was Indy’s defense (6:23), the battle between the Bears' run game and the Colts' defense (9:42), and whether the Colts can exploit Chicago's weak offensive line (12:16). They break down how the Bears can contain Anthony Richardson (16:03), how Colts offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is developing Richardson (18:00), and how Eberflus might make life tough for the second year QB (20:43). Don't miss the predictions for Sunday's game (25:00)! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kenneth Davis and Josh Schrock dive into the Bears' 19-13 loss to the Houston Texans that saw quarterback Caleb Williams face constant pressure. They discuss where the blame lies for the Bears' slow start (0:36), including major issues on the offensive line (2:00) and Ryan Poles’ struggles to select the right personnel (7:15). The guys break down Caleb Williams’ shaky performance under pressure (14:46) and dissect how the lack of a running game is hurting the rookie QB (10:00). While the offense needs serious improvement (19:00), the Bears' defense delivered a statement. The duo analyzes how the Bears' defense stifled C.J. Stroud, highlighting Tyrique Stevenson’s play and their success in containing a strong Texans offense (24:36). How can the Bears bounce back against the Colts in Week 3? Tune in for the full breakdown! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a new Under Center Podcast, Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle joins Kenneth Davis and Josh Schrock to dive into the Bears' upcoming clash against the Texans on Sunday Night Football. They explore whether Caleb Williams can follow in the footsteps of CJ Stroud (2:00), and Jonathan reflects on when he first realized Stroud and the Texans had something special. Alexander also details how Stroud’s teammates came to believe in him. They discuss how the Texans’ vital QB-offensive coordinator relationship developed (8:09). Then, they dissect the Texans' improved run game (10:51), and look at how Stefon Diggs is fitting in after his departure from the Bills (13:50). Later, they look at how the Texans aim to prevent big plays (15:40), if they can exploit the Bears' interior offensive line weakness (17:22), and the rise of Will Anderson as a leader (18:50). They wrap up with predictions and a look at how the Bears' defense can stop Stroud and the Texans' offense in this highly anticipated matchup (22:30). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.