Bear Download — A Chicago Bears podcast

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An interview with Bears coach Matt Nagy Feb 27, 2019

Show notes

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer are at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and are joined by a special guest: Bears coach Matt Nagy (3:05 mark). Nagy weighs in on a range of topics, including his first season, how he develops his leadership methods and how he'll lay out the team's path to the Super Bowl. Nagy discusses the Bears' "average" offense (13:05) and how they'll improve in 2019. He discusses his offseason, including attending the Duke-North Carolina basketball game (20:20). Rich and Dan explain the weirdness of this combine when the Bears don't draft until No. 87 and have less salary cap space than in past years (27:00). They recap what general manager Ryan Pace said about the kicker competition (30:58) and crown a veteran player for finding a solution to remain with the team (41:49).

Catching up on a busy Bears offseason Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

Rich and Dan are at Tribune headquarters to catch up on a busy Bears offseason. Dan reports back from the Pro Bowl, where he covered a much more relaxed Mitch Trubisky and his six teammates (3:10), including a self-deprecating Tarik Cohen. Rich shares his impressions of Chuck Pagano (15:05), and he and Dan discuss the new defensive coordinator’s task as well as his one-liners. In "That’s Just Stupid” (29:24), the guys tear down ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio’s bloated analysis of introductory press conferences. In other words, would you rather have Matt Nagy or Jon Gruden right now? The reporters also dissect recent news, including whether Kareem Hunt will be a Bear (36:20), why re-signing right tackle Bobby Massie is important (39:31) and why Bears fans should know who Redford Jones is (43:13). Hint: Cody Parkey’s baggage. They finish the show by crowning their Super Bowl picks while possibly oversharing (51:17).

The Kareem Hunt debate and what Cody Parkey's future looks like Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

Rich and Dan break down the news conference held by Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy by discussing what was said about running back Kareem Hunt and what those comments indicate about a potential union (3:11 mark). They detail Nagy and Pace's adverse reaction to Cody Parkey's "Today" show appearance (32:49), discuss the possibility of Robbie Gould's return (44:48), spotlight Dan's misguided curiosity about Bears fans' escalated feud with Alshon Jeffery (53:44), look at Chuck Pagano's hire (1:02:17) and give the NFL injury gods their due credit for the Bears' 2018 success (1:11:36).

The Bears' offseason so far: Vic Fangio leaves and Cody Parkey talks Jan 11, 2019

Show notes

Rich and Dan host the first 2019 offseason episode, bystanders in the postseason after the Bears' wild-card loss to the Eagles. They bid farewell to Vic Fangio and wonder how the 60-year-old longtime coordinator will fair in the head coaching job he coveted (3:28 mark), wonder who will replace him and examine the important characteristic of the new coordinator (14:40), highlight a disputed play in the Bears’ one-point loss to the Eagles and the extreme takes it prompted (22:53), discuss maligned kicker Cody Parkey’s appearance on NBC’s “Today,” wondering exactly what he trying to accomplish by seeking the national spotlight after his season-ending field goal miss (29:45) and finish up with their picks for the divisional round of the playoffs (44:54).

Heartbreaking 16-15 playoff loss ends the Bears' season Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

Rich and Dan are in a dark suite on the Soldier Field press level to recap the Bears' heartbreaking 16-15 playoff loss to the Eagles. They begin by discussing Cody Parkey’s season-ending missed 43-yard field goal and the team's disastrous kicking situation (2:40 mark), identify some of the little things that swung the outcome — including Trey Burton,s shocking and mysterious injury absence (12:28), examine quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s performance and ask how his playoff debut should be remembered (17:10), spotlight a respectable defensive performance that included conceding the game-winning touchdown in the final minute (26:18) and discuss Eddie Jackson’s absence despite him being in uniform (31:07). They finish by reading your 3-word reviews (34:53) and thanking the listeners for a fun season.

Bears open postseason with showdown against defending champion Eagles Jan 04, 2019

Show notes

In the long-awaited inaugural playoff edition of Bear Download, Rich and Dan preview the Bears’ wild-card game against the Eagles. They unpack Dan’s story on Khalil Mack’s incredible first four months with the team (2:20) — including his evasiveness off the field, which contrasts with his poise while being interviewed. They examine Dan’s three keys to a Bears win against the Eagles: Mitch Trubisky’s composure (8:10), stopping Chicago-insulter and former Bears receiver and Alshon Jeffery (16:12) and blocking Pro Bowl lineman Fletcher Cox (20:15). In That’s Just Stupid, they roll their eyes at pre-packaged TV narratives (with audio!) (26:30). They break down the X-factors that will determine whether the Bears make a deep run in the playoffs (33:50), including kicker Cody Parkey and the resurgent running game. Finally, their Crown ‘Em segment touches on the head-scratching business of hiring and firing head coaches, as well as the two friends coaching against each other Sunday (45:30).

The 12-4 Bears (12-4!) end the Vikings' season with a Week 17 win Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

Rich and Dan are in the U.S. Bank Stadium press box after the 12-4 Bears ended the Vikings' season with a 24-10 win: They examine the Bears' urgency and killer instinct (3:06 mark) in a game they didn’t have to win, as well as players’ ability to focus on the present (3:51), spotlight Mitch Trubisky’s success on third down (5:15), discuss Kyle Long’s return and the re-ignited running game (8:01), break down another dominant defensive performance (9:00) and the Bears’ 5-1 record against NFC North opponents (12:01). Then, they look ahead to the wild-card round matchup against the Eagles (12:41) and update the Bears’ injury situation leaving Minneapolis (15:00). They discuss kick Cody Parkey’s latest miss (16:50) and finish by reading your 3-word reviews of Sunday’s beatdown (20:15).

Bears head to Minnesota with playoffs on their minds Dec 28, 2018

Show notes

Rich and Dan are still spreading holiday cheer as they preview the Bears’ regular-season finale against the Vikings. They assess the NFC playoff landscape (3:36), then Rich wonders why more people aren’t talking about Vikings safety Harrison Smith’s illegal hit on quarterback Mitch Trubisky (8:23), especially considering the Bears might have to play them twice in six days. The guys discuss how Bears coach Matt Nagy make adjustments Sunday, knowing the strong likelihood of a playoff rematch against the Vikings (20:01). Segueing to That’s Just Stupid, they lambaste first-year Lions coach Matt Patricia’s Grinch-like persona while Dan forgives Rich’s occasional tardiness (27:48). Finally, they detail Dan’s three keys to beating Minnesota (38:19), try to plan Dan’s shirtless outdoor appearance and crown a Prince as the 2018 Bears Media Good Guy (47:43).

The Bears' playoff picture after the Week 16 win Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

Rich and birthday boy Dan are in the Levi's Stadium press box to recap the Bears' 14-9 victory over the 49ers. They assess the playoff picture following most of the Week 16 results (2:10 mark), examine quarterback Mitch Trubisky's effective, accurate dink-and-dunk approach following his discouraging interception that was negated by a penalty (3:58) and look at Allen Robinson’s fumble in the final 3 minutes (14:01). Then, they spotlight another good defensive performance, this time against the depleted 49ers (15:25) — Danny Trevathan was the hero with his interception in red zone in the final 8 minutes (15:56) Lastly, they read your 3-word reviews (21:07) and answer your questions (22:52) about the skirmish, another missed field goal by Cody Parkey and more.

Bears head west to face 49ers with playoff seeding in mind Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

Rich and Dan examine the Bears’ worst-to-first turnaround in the afterglow of their NFC North championship and preview Sunday’s game against the 49ers. They discuss GM Ryan Pace’s role in the division title (3:25), including how his best traits have aided the rebuild and the organization’s faith in him. They ponder the Bears’ potential vulnerabilities in the postseason(their health springs to mind) (29:25) and scoff at how many alternates usually end up making the Pro Bowl (35:50). They also shower Dan with the premature birthday wishes he craves — ruining Rich’s plan to surprise him (44:10), analyze Dan’s three keys to beating the 49ers (44:47) and lay out the Week 16 playoff picture (55:36). Finally, they crown the division champs, with a shout-out to Club Dub (57:50).

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