Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Listen to This: Best sound from the week Ben Johnson was hired! Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote bring you the latest edition of Listen to This. In this episode, the guys share the best sound from the week in which the Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach. You'll hear from Johnson, general manager Ryan Poles, team president Kevin Warren and quarterback Caleb Williams.

Ben Johnson impresses in his first press conference in Chicago Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they heard from new Bears head coach Ben Johnson in his introductory press conference. Johnson impressed in ways that few Bears coaches have in their introductions.

Caleb Williams is clearly excited about Ben Johnson being his coach Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how critical new Bears head coach Ben Johnson's hiring is for quarterback Caleb Williams' development. Williams made it clear that he's excited by this move.

What was Kevin Warren's role in the Bears landing Ben Johnson? Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears president Kevin Warren's impact in the team's hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson. What type of role did Warren play in making sure general manager Ryan Poles had all the resources he needed to recruit and hire Johnson?

[FULL EPISODE] Ben Johnson officially introduced as Bears head coach Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

The Bears have officially introduced Ben Johnson as the team's new head coach! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote were at Halas Hall to take everything in. How did we think he carried himself? What was it that Johnson saw in the Bears that made him want to be here? It's also becoming more clear that president Kevin Warren's presence with this organization helped clear the path for this hire. Plus, how excited is quarterback Caleb Williams to work with Johnson?

How might Ben Johnson influence the construction of the offensive line? Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote look at how different the Bears offensive line is compared to what Ben Johnson had in Detroit. The hope is Johnson will have a huge impact on how the team builds its line from here on.

Who will Ben Johnson hire as his coordinators? Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss whom new Bears coach Ben Johnson could bring in to be his offensive and defensive coordinators.

Bears took a massive swing by hiring Ben Johnson Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the Bears hiring Ben Johnson as their new head coach. It's easily the biggest swing that a team in search of a coach will be taking this offseason.

[FULL EPISODE] Bears to hire Ben Johnson as head coach! Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

In a shocking move (to some), the Bears are hiring Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be their new head coach! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to this massive move by the Bears. What lured Johnson to Chicago? Who will be his offensive and defensive coordinators? What type of leader will he be? We've got so many questions to sift through!

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[FULL EPISODE] How did these names shape your NFL playoff watching? Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

The NFL playoffs are shaping how the Bears' coaching search is going. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to the fact that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now available to be hired after his team's loss to the Commanders in the divisional round. What other candidates might end up being finalists for the Bears' job? Also in this episode, Wiederer has a list of names that were big topics during the playoffs this past weekend. How did those names shape your thoughts over the weekend?

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