Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Latest Episodes:

[FULL EPISODE] Grady Jarrett steals the show as Bears introduce new players Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

The Bears have unveiled a few of their new players! General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson took the podium Wednesday to discuss the recent additions of guard Joe Thuney, guard Jonah Jackson and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. As Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote remark, it was Jarrett who truly stole the show and could quickly become a fan favorite. Plus, how do Thuney and Jackson feel about being traded to the Bears? Meanwhile, cornerback Kyler Gordon spoke to the media after receiving the Ed Block Courage Award. Gordon is entering the last year of his rookie contract. Does he want an extension in Chicago?

Reminder: Nothing is guaranteed in NFL free agency Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote feel the need to toss out a friendly reminder amid the hype for some of the new Bears players: There are all kinds of landmines in NFL free agency, and nothing is a guarantee.

Dayo Odeyingbo is being described as an 'ascending' player Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what the Bears are getting in new defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, who will join the team on a three-year deal. Why were the Colts OK letting him go? And what kind of upside does he have?

How will Drew Dalman impact the Bears' offensive line? Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the Bears' addition of center Drew Dalman, who will walk in the door as a starter. How does he help level everything out on the offensive line?

[FULL EPISODE] Bears make some big splashes in free agency Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

On the first day that teams could negotiate contracts with free agents, the Bears took a few big swings. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Chicago's additions of center Drew Dalman, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. While there are never guarantees in free agency, we're pretty confident the Bears have gotten better since the offseason started!

How can Ben Johnson maximize Caleb Williams? Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Robert Mays of The Athletic Football Show about how new Bears head coach Ben Johnson can maximize what quarterback Caleb Williams can be in the NFL.

Robert Mays never liked the Bears' plan for Caleb Williams' rookie year Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and Robert Mays of The Athletic Football Show discuss the failure that was quarterback Caleb Williams' rookie season. Mays didn't like the Bears' plan from the start.

Why didn't Jonah Jackson work out with the Rams? Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

Robert Mays of The Athletic Football Show explains his theory on why guard Jonah Jackson was traded after just one year with the Rams.

[FULL EPISODE] Robert Mays talks Bears' offensive line additions, maximizing Caleb Williams Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote are joined in this episode by Robert Mays, the host of The Athletic Football Show. They walk through a wide-ranging Bears conversation, beginning with what Mays thinks of the Bears acquiring guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson in recent trades. Mays also takes us into a deep conversation about quarterback Caleb Williams. How did the Bears' plan for his rookie season fail so thoroughly and what more can they do to maximize his talents?

Bears made a big splash trading for Joe Thuney Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the Bears trading a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. How does that change their offseason plans?