Take The North

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?

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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

The Bears have concluded their mandatory minicamp and now enter the "dark" period of the NFL calendar. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote recap what we learned. What was meaningful from the final day of practice of the camp? Also, quarterback Caleb Williams spoke about how much more comfortable he is with getting teammates in the right place compared to last year. And is he more ready for the type of training camp that head coach Ben Johnson will be running? Finally, will Johnson take any break over the next few weeks?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they've seen from Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in minicamp. Meanwhile, head coach Ben Johnson continues to be clear about what the Bears need from Williams.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears left tackle Braxton Jones, who appears more confident in his play now compared to this time last year.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears defensive end Montez Sweat's performance in 2025. Head coach Ben Johnson thought it was the best year of Sweat's career. Meanwhile, Sweat gave Johnson credit for the Bears' success in 2025.

The second day of Bears minicamp brought high praise from head coach Ben Johnson for defensive end Montez Sweat. Johnson believes Sweat had the best year of his career in 2025. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote respond and also hear from Sweat himself on what Johnson did to get the best out of the team last season. Also in this episode, left tackle Braxton Jones spoke about his view on the position battle he finds himself in (again). Does he feel more himself this year? And how is Johnson seeing quarterback Caleb Williams grow in the offense?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they observed at the first day of Bears mandatory minicamp. Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon remained sidelined by injury, but cornerback Jaylon Johnson shined on the field.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the latest on the Bears' stadium project, which is an exhausting story to follow.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote express their excitement for the potential rise of Bears tight end Colston Loveland, who seems to continue checking all the right boxes.

We've reached the mandatory minicamp time of the Bears offseason! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote bring you what they learned at Halas Hall on the first day of the camp. Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon remains sidelined with some sort of soft-tissue injury. What's the level of concern for him? Also, head coach Ben Johnson had a plenty to say about second-year tight end Colston Loveland. And how is quarterback Caleb Williams doing with improving his ball placement this offseason? Later, we offer the latest on what's happening with the Bears' mess of a stadium project.

While discussing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Audacy NFL insider Brian Baldinger tells Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote that head coach Ben Johnson is a "revelation." He explains why.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote focus on the offensive line with Audacy NFL insider Brian Baldinger. Who will win the Bears' left tackle competition?

Dan Wiederer hopped on with Mark Grote, Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris on 104.3 The Score in Chicago to discuss the latest development in the Bears' stadium saga. The organization released a statement announcing that it's advancing its stadium development project in Hammond, Ind. Is this for real or is this yet another leverage ploy?

There's been way too much stadium talk recently. It's time for us to talk some actual football! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote bring in Audacy NFL analyst Brian "Baldy" Baldinger to cover a ton of Bears topics. How long does he think it will take rookie center Logan Jones to take over the starting job? Who could end up winning the left tackle competition? And how exciting is the bond between quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams being on the cover of Madden!

Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is continuing to push the Bears to build a new stadium on the lakefront. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote just don't think it's realistic at this point.

Bears receiver Rome Odunze admitted he has a "new normal" after his foot injury last season. Does that raise a red flag for Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote?

We have clarification about what stadium conversations the city of Chicago was apparently having with the Bears. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to what Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson had to say on the matter. What about this is real and what's just postering? Meanwhile, the actual football team was at work for more practices during OTAs. Receiver Rome Odunze spoke for the first time this offseason. Is his foot 100%? Plus, quarterback Caleb Williams is the cover athlete for the new Madden! And we've got more media penalties during press conferences!

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the state of Illinois essentially calling the Bears' bluff about moving to Indiana.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to the revelation that the Bears at some point apparently re-engaged in talks with the city of Chicago about a lakefront stadium. This apparently took place despite the Bears publicly saying for months that their only options for a stadium location were in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Ind.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the Bears' ongoing stadium project mess. We've lost trust in everyone during this process.

Illinois didn't pass legislation before the end of May to entice the Bears to stay in the state. However, we still aren't sure where the Bears intend to build their new stadium. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote do their best to sift through all the latest. Is there anyone we can trust on this issue?!?

On Chicago's 104.3 The Score, Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris and Mark Grote were joined by WBBM political reporter Geoff Buchholz to discuss the Bears' mixed messaging in their pursuit of a new stadium.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to Bears head coach Ben Johnson's extreme praise for second-year receiver Luther Burden III.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what Bears head coach Ben Johnson wants quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense to improve on in 2026. Plus, Williams made a few remarkable throws in OTAs.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is now at OTAs after he missed the first several weeks of the voluntary offseason program.

We got our first look at the Bears on the field during the OTA period of the offseason — and got to hear from head coach Ben Johnson. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what we learned. A definite positive is that Johnson made it sound like quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense are in a better spot than they were last offseason. What still needs to be worked on? Also, Johnson had a ton of praise for receiver Luther Burden III. Is he in for a big 2026 season? And cornerback Jaylon Johnson has made his way to Halas Hall after being absent for the first phases of the Bears' optional workouts.

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski hear from Bears defensive backs coach Al Harris, who offers thoughts on cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Why is he optimistic about Stevenson in 2026?

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski discuss the latest news about Bears nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon.

Producer Adam Studzinski explains for Mark Grote why he isn't worried about cornerback Jaylon Johnson not being at the Bears' optional team activities recently.

The common theme from Bears coaches this offseason is that they need to coach better. In this episode, Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski hear from some of the Bears' defensive assistant coaches on that topic — especially when it comes to specific players like cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Defensive backs coach Al Harris is optimistic about Stevenson this year. Why? Also, nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon has an obvious impact on the defense when he's on the field. The trick now is keeping him healthy.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Bears receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, who has thoughts on rookie receiver Zavion Thomas.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar. What does he think of the players who are competing for the starting left tackle job?