Bear Download — A Chicago Bears podcast

Latest Episodes:

What does Allen Robinson's trade inquiry mean for the Bears? Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

Instead of focusing on the Chicago Bears' 27-23 comeback victory over the Detroit Lions, Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs give context to wide receiver Allen Robinson's surprise inquiry about a possible trade as contract talks appear to stall. They break down the situation and what it means for Robinson and the team going forward. They then transition to talking about the Bears' Week 1 performance as they prepare for the New York Giants in Week 2.

Breaking down the decision to start Mitch Trubisky over Nick Foles Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs preview the Chicago Bears' Week 1 game against the Lions in Detroit, starting with Matt Nagy's decision to go with Mitch Trubisky over Nick Foles at quarterback. They also discuss how good the defense can be this season, look at the overall concerns the team faces and finish by crowning X-factor players.

Breaking down the Bears' false positive COVID-19 tests and the QB and kicker competitions Aug 24, 2020

Show notes

The Bears are back at practice and things are, well, confusing at Halas Hall. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs try to make sense of it all. Much of the strangeness resulted from nine false positive COVID-19 tests, which started in the wee hours Sunday and carried through the day’s rescheduled practice. The good news is the Bears did not have a coronavirus outbreak. The bad news is this won’t be the end of the detours on that front. On the field, the quarterback competition is in full swing between Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles — and so far neither is lighting it up. Coach Matt Nagy is among those who seems underwhelmed. Then there’s the rotating group of kickers. Will the Bears need Cairo Santos on the roster simply to back up Eddy Pineiro? Speaking of confusion, Nagy is not doing a great job explaining the situation. Injuries to star players also won’t help, though Nagy insists there’s nothing to worry about as far as two star players are concerned. And those are just some of the issues the Bears face with only a few weeks until their season opener.

What’s at stake for the Bears as they begin padded practices? Aug 15, 2020

Show notes

Dan and Brad set the scene for the Bears’ first padded practices of training camp in 2020 by asking — and answering — 5 key questions, including Allen Robinson’s contract status and reasons for optimism. Not answered: Will Dan wear his face shield to Halas Hall daily?

How does the NFL hold a season amid a pandemic? Who has the edge in the Bears’ QB competition? Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

The NFL finally made it — to training camp. How the league makes it to Week 1, much less the Super Bowl, amid the COVID-19 pandemic is a complicated question. But Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs lay out the most daunting issues facing the voluminous operation. Will larger meeting rooms and getting creative in between actual football practice be enough to avoid the issues that have befallen Major League Baseball? The NFL figures to be on defense until February. Speaking of defense, the Bears will have to replace lineman Eddie Goldman, who has opted out of the season because of coronavirus concerns. The Bears also have holes to fill at tight end, though their depth at that position is more substantial. Next, Dan and Brad dive into Brad’s mailbag, specifically on how best to evaluate general manager Ryan Pace — which might not be all that complicated. The same cannot be said for the Bears’ quarterback competition, though Brad and Dan think they know who will come out on top. Finally, Brad crowns Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and his enormous contract extension — and how Khalil Mack looks more impressive because of it.

What did we learn from Bears coaches? And how can the offense improve rapidly? Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

Although the Bears halted their offseason program weeks ago, there’s still plenty for Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs to discuss. They sift through what they learned from Bears coaches, especially the ones hired fairly recently. You’ll have to excuse the coaches if they’ve been a bit vague — there’s only so much they can learn via Zoom call. Dan and Brad — and Bears fans, no doubt — can’t wait to find out if there really is an open competition at quarterback or if Mitch Trubisky has had his shot. And can modest improvements by each unit on the offense lead to a rapid ascension overall? (Dan says yes). Next they dip into Brad’s mailbag, centering on running backs (with a little kicker talk thrown in). Finally, they touch on the origins of Dan’s desk-slamming bit before crowning … sports! Just for attempting to return to competition, really. That said, safety is still paramount, and it remains to be seen what the NFL does when it is truly challenged by the coronavirus pandemic.

Inside the Bears' emotional team meeting Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are joined by colleague Colleen Kane to discuss and process the emotional and personal talks with Bears players Danny Trevathan, Allen Robinson and Akiem Hicks and coach Matt Nagy this week. And later, after the 1st week of OTAs, breaking down what Nagy had to say about the QB competition — once they are allowed back on the field — and what the Bears still need to improve upon.

Which Bears QB has the edge? And what’s with all the Ryan Pace do-overs? May 20, 2020

Show notes

Dan Wiederer doesn’t have Brad Biggs with him on this edition of Bear Download, so he’s brought reinforcements: Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago and Dionne Miler of ABC-7. First, Dan and Jeff discuss who has the edge in the team’s quarterback battle — if there’s an edge to be had. Next, they get into the difficulties the NFL faces in returning to the field in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, including whether players can breathe through masks suitable for Cobra Commander (“G.I. Joe” reference!). Dionne jumps on with Dan from there, and they tackle Ryan Pace’s string of draft do-overs and whether Matt Nagy — or any coach, for that matter — can be effective through Zoom. Finally, while trying not to wake Dan’s daughter during nap time, they crown none other than Michael Jordan. The joyride of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” has come to an end, and it makes Dan and Dionne wistful for the energy a winner brings to Chicago — especially on the gridiron.

Breaking down the 2020 Bears schedule May 08, 2020

Show notes

Schedule alert! Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs can’t just sit around and NOT discuss how it all lines up for the Bears in 2020 — even if there’s a possibility it gets thrown into upheaval by the coronavirus pandemic. For now, the duo breaks down the schedule from (seemingly soft) start to (brutal-on-paper) finish. Dan and Brad lay out the games they’re most looking forward to, which stretch will test the Bears most, which opponent might throw the team for a loop and which road trips hold the most potential for excitement. Stick around for adventures in Jacksonville — Brad’s recall ability will astound you!

Evaluating the 2020 Bears roster by position group May 04, 2020

Show notes

With Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs’ boat party on hold (they want to get out of the house, too!) and no Bears minicamp in sight, they forge ahead with another shelter-in-place edition of the Bear Download podcast. First up: discussing whether the team got better at each offensive position group — your poll answers included! Dan and Brad then transition to That’s Just Stupid, in which they hopefully put to rest the discussion of whether the Bears should have picked up quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s fifth-year option. Then it’s on to evaluations of the defense and special teams — with very little kicker talk, we promise — before crowning the NFL for moving forward with its schedule release. Speaking of which, will the Rams’ new stadium be ready to host the Bears and other opponents, and will reporters even be allowed to attend road games for the teams they cover? Stay tuned in the weeks ahead.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Bear Download — A Chicago Bears podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected