Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Latest Episodes:

[FULL EPISODE] Bears extend Ryan Poles through 2029 Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

We have important summer news! The Bears have given general manager Ryan Poles a contract extension through the 2029 season. The move puts Poles on the same contractual timeline as new head coach Ben Johnson. Dan Wiederer and producer Adam Studzinski discuss the team's decision. Do we like the choice? And why announce this extension now?

Did the Bears add enough on the defensive line? Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and guest host Kevin Fishbain take a close look at the Bears defense. Did the team do enough, especially up front, to improve on what was a less-than-impressive defensive performance in 2024?

Do the Bears need to add another running back? Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and guest host Kevin Fishbain discuss the Bears' running back room. Do they have enough to accomplish what head coach Ben Johnson wants with the run game?

Remembering Bears training camp in Bourbonnais Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and guest host Kevin Fishbain reflect on the times they spent covering Bears training camp when the team held it in Bourbonnais.

[FULL EPISODE] How good will the Bears defense be this year? Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Mark Grote is taking his turn on vacation, so Dan Wiederer brings back Kevin Fishbain, who covers the Bears for The Athletic. They turn their attention to a few topics unrelated to quarterback Caleb Williams. Such as, did the Bears do enough defensively to improve on what was a disappointing season in 2024? And do the Bears need to add another running back? Plus, Wiederer and Fishbain turn back the clock by reflecting on their time time covering the Bears at their old training camp site in Bourbonnais.

Who will be the 2025 Bears training camp 'darlings'? Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and special guest Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic predict who the training camp "darlings" will be for the Bears this summer.

We want to see some urgency from the Bears during training camp Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and special guest Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic discuss what they'd like to see from the Bears during training camp. Will there be a sense of urgency for this team?

Who will have a longer NFL career: Mitchell Trubisky or Justin Fields? Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and guest Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic all attempt to answer this question — will Mitchell Trubisky or Justin Fields have a longer NFL career?

[FULL EPISODE] The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain talks need for urgency at Bears training camp Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

As the start of Bears training camp draws closer, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote are joined by Athletic writer Kevin Fishbain! The guys discuss what they're all looking to see in camp this year. How much urgency will we see from the team, especially when it comes to making corrections after a bad day? And how will quarterback Caleb Williams continue to react to tough coaching from Ben Johnson? The gang also reflects a bit on the Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields eras in Chicago.

Wiederer had an adventurous trip to Cooperstown! Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer tells Mark Grote all about the trip he and his son had to Cooperstown, New York for a travel baseball tournament. It was quite the adventure as it turns out!