Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How does Ben Johnson 'weaponize' his offensive line? Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear former NFL lineman Terron Armstead explain for FOX-32 the way in which Bears head coach Ben Johnson "weaponizes" his offensive line. Also, what does Armstead think of left tackle Braxton Jones?

State representative believes the Bears can still build a stadium in Illinois Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear State Rep. Kam Buckner explain on WGN-TV just how much the state of Illinois is still talking with the Bears about their stadium project.

[FULL EPISODE] State representative Kam Buckner doesn't think the Bears are done with Illinois Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

It's become more and more clear in the time since the Bears announced they're "moving forward" with pursuing a new stadium in Indiana that the team is far from making an actual decision. In this episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Illinois state representative Kam Buckner, who spoke with WGN-TV. Where does Buckner think Illinois currently stands with the Bears? Also, the guys hear excellent insight from former NFL offensive lineman Terron Armstead, who spoke with Cassie Carlson on Fox-32, about the way that head coach Ben Johnson "weaponizes" the offensive line. And what does Armstead think of Bears left tackle Braxton Jones?

Bears players continue to vibe with Ben Johnson's competitive nature Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

We continue to hear how Bears players are embracing head coach Ben Johnson's fierce competitiveness. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from quarterback Caleb Williams on this topic.

Why is Caleb Williams grateful for his tumultuous rookie season? Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear Bears quarterback Caleb Williams explain for Chris Simms why he doesn't regret the rookie season he had.

Wiederer's game show: Bears player or Chicago alderman? Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Dan Wiedere has Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski face off in his much-anticipated game show: Bears player or Chicago alderman?

[FULL EPISODE] Caleb Williams is grateful for his rookie year Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams told Chris Simms on his podcast, Chris Simms Unbuttoned, that he's grateful for his chaotic rookie season. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote remark on how Williams handled what happened that season and how he has responded under head coach Ben Johnson. Also in this episode, we keep hearing about how Johnson is a psycho. It's something players, including Williams, are embracing. And finally, Grote and producer Adam Studzinski get to play the game show that Wiederer has been teasing for weeks!

Ben Johnson doesn't plan to get away from football much during the NFL's 'dark' period Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

While the rest of the NFL largely takes this time of the year off, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear Bears head coach Ben Johnson explain what he plans to be doing ... and it isn't resting.

Caleb Williams is still evolving as a leader Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear Bears quarterback Caleb Williams explain the ways in which he's still growing as a leader for the team.

Observations from the final day of Bears minicamp Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Dan Wiederer shares for Mark Grote the top notes he had from the final day of Bears mandatory minicamp.