Bear Download — A Chicago Bears podcast

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Reading between the lines on how the Bears viewed their disappointing 2019 season Jan 03, 2020

Show notes

After the Bears' disappointing 2019 season — a “regression,” as GM Ryan Pace called it — Chairman George McCaskey, President Ted Phillips, coach Matt Nagy and Pace offered their evaluations. Some were more forthcoming with details than others. Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer dive into where the Bears go from here. (Get ready for LOTS of talk about the offense’s struggles.) After Dan’s lightning-fast recap of the Week 17 win over the Vikings and some cracking 3-word reviews, they examine five questions at the heart of the Bears’ plight: How close are they to winning a Super Bowl? How does Pace’s assessment of quarterback Mitch Trubisky account for his 2020 job security? What’s next for Trubisky as he remains the starter? What should we make of Pace’s public evaluation of Nagy? And how meaningful might changes to Nagy’s staff be? Rich and Dan also mix in their New Year’s resolutions, dissect Dan’s gross metaphor about hair in risotto and make predictions for the first weekend of playoff games.

Previewing what the Bears' game vs. the Vikings means for 2020 Dec 27, 2019

Show notes

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer are in the Halas Hall coat closet to preview the meaningless finale against the Vikings. They marvel at the anticlimactic Week 17 matchup before turning their attention to the crucial conversations awaiting general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy next week. They look ahead to what Pace and Nagy must consider in their postseason evaluation of the offense and, specifically, quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Rich self-reports a bratty, particular approach about Christmas gifts in "That's Just Stupid." They break down Dan's three keys to a Bears victory in Minneapolis, spotlighting the takeaways disparity between the two teams. They offer their final score predictions and crown the 2019 Bears Media Good Guy.

Breaking down the Bears' embarrassing loss to the Chiefs Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

The morning after the Bears were whipped 26-3 by the Chiefs, Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer sift through the wreckage. They recap one of the more depressing nights at Soldier Field in recent memory, including how the Bears' sloppiness and Chiefs' offensive prowess helped mark the gap between the Bears and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They take stock of the lopsided Mitch Trubisky-Patrick Mahomes matchup and question folks who insist on lowering the bar for the Bears quarterback. They also sympathize with Trubisky and coach Matt Nagy on the heels of a performance that encapsulates their interconnected struggles, and quickly spotlight a defense that failed to take the ball away again. The finish by sharing Rich’s favorite 3-word reviews, remembering Dan’s birthday and dropping a Christmas earworm.

The Bears host the Chiefs — and all those Mitch Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes comparisons Dec 20, 2019

Show notes

The eliminated Bears have vowed to sprint through the finish line, and that's exactly what Rich and Dan are doing as well. From the Halas Hall coat closet, they preview Sunday night's game against the Chiefs. They examine how the Chiefs' partnership of coach Andy Reid and MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes contextualizes the Bears' offensive struggles — from unproven coach Matt Nagy to inconsistent quarterback Mitch Trubisky and an inferior supporting cast. They spotlight the Bears' lack of long touchdowns ahead of the Chiefs' visit, knowing the Chiefs lead the NFL in touchdowns from their side of midfield since 2018 began. They look at Saints quarterback Drew Brees' all-time touchdown pass record and match that with the Bears best quarterbacks of all-time. They analyze Dan's three keys to a Bears victory, including a fast start and the matchup problem Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce presents. They offer their final score predictions, wonder about Akiem Hicks' iffy status and look at the three Bears Pro Bowlers.

Recapping the Bears' 21-13 loss to the Packers, featuring another sluggish offensive performance Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

The Bears are officially out of the playoff hunt after losing to the Packers 21-13 on Sunday. Rich and Dan are at Lambeau Field to break down the offense’s return to reality. They discuss another one-touchdown performance and the offense’s inconsistency as a whole. They analyze Mitch Trubisky’s latest uneven performance as Dan worries that he could be leading the Bears to QB purgatory. They put a stamp on a deeply disappointing decade for the Bears — especially compared with the Packers’ success. Switching to the defense, they identify how it came up short despite a respectable showing against Aaron Rodgers. They share their Rich’s favorite three-word reviews from the audience and, finally, make fun of Dan’s lack of toughness in the cold Wisconsin air.

Previewing Bears-Packers and sizing up the NFC playoff race Dec 13, 2019

Show notes

The Bears are riding a three-game winning streak headed into Sunday’s game against the Packers. Is a playoff miracle possible? Rich and Dan take a quick jaunt down memory lane. Specifically, they compare the 2019 Bears to the 2012 Redskins and Vikings, two teams that staged improbable runs to reach the postseason. Next, they examine how the Bears have managed to stay afloat and what they can take from their recent surge even if they miss the playoffs. In That’s Just Stupid, they plead for perspective — the season’s still a marathon, after all. They break down Dan’s three keys for a Bears victory over the Packers, including red-zone offense and tapping into the Bears’ star power. They close by sharing their score predictions (they’re on the same page, FYI) and by crowning a young player who has won over a certain skeptic (cough, Rich, cough).

The Bears have a winning record! A closer look at the 31-24 win over the Cowboys. Dec 06, 2019

Show notes

The Bears beat the Cowboys 31-24 on Thursday night and now have a winning record for the first time in 8 weeks. Rich and Dan slept a few hours before rallying for their review Friday morning. They examine a team that didn't crumble after a 4-game losing streak, a team that seems to thrive playing from behind, or at least out from under the weight of expectations. They dissect quarterback Mitch Trubisky's latest exceptional game, specifically how his legs brought his play to life in a way previously unseen this season. They marvel at the Power of Now and what the Bears can accomplish with it. They tip their caps to a defense that continues to be playoff-caliber as top contributors fall out due to injuries. And they end with a peek at the uphill road ahead, give out their game balls and read their favorite 3-word reviews from the audience.

Previewing the Bears' game against the Cowboys Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

The Bears enter December "in the hunt," and Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer try to figure out what that means. They preview Thursday night's game against the Cowboys by setting the stage for a daunting four-game run that features matchups against three first-place teams and another occupying a wild-card spot. They identify Bears players they'll closely watch over the final four weeks, including Roquan Smith, Anthony Miller and Mitch Trubisky. They look ahead to Akiem Hicks' potential return in Week 15 before zeroing in on the Cowboys. They explore the circus around Cowboys coach Jason Garrett's status and break down Dan's three keys to victory. They end by making their score predictions and award this week's crown.

Digging into the Bears' win over the Lions (their 2nd straight!) on the Bear Download podcast Nov 29, 2019

Show notes

The Bears beat the Lions 24-20 on Thursday, and Rich and Dan dig in from Ford Field. First up: Mitch Trubisky’s first late-fourth-quarter, winning touchdown drive and the seeds it plants for his future. Of course, that drive goes hand in hand with the continued evolution of Anthony “Mr. Clutch” Miller. Sure, the strong performances came against David Blough (er, Jeff Bluhhh?) and the lowly Lions, but it’s all an upgrade from the mopey wins against the Lions and Giants earlier in November. Turning to the defense, Rich and Dan spotlight the unit’s refusal to mail it in despite the offense underperforming earlier this season. Finally, they look ahead to a daunting December schedule before handing out game balls (two on offense!) and reading their favorite three-word reviews from the audience. Happy Thanksgiving, folks!

Previewing the Bears' Thanksgiving Day matchup against a depleted Lions team Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

The Bears visit the Lions on Thanksgiving, and Rich and Dan are on a fast turnaround of their own to preview the game. From amid the hangers in the Halas Hall coat closet (look out, Rich!), they examine Mitch Trubisky's partnership with Matt Nagy, specifically whether the Bears can call plays — uptempo or otherwise — that cater to the QB’s strengths. In That’s Just Stupid, they revisit the comedy of errors that resulted in the missed 48-yard extra point (would a 7-yard 2-point conversion attempt have been better?) against the Giants. They go through Dan's three keys to a win, including receiver Anthony Miller's upward momentum and kicker Eddy Pineiro's stumbles. They finish by handing out multiple crowns: toasting Thanksgiving shenanigans, identifying their least favorite items on the annual smorgasbord and giving props to a Bears newcomer who has played well this season.

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