Take The North

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear how Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower praised head coach Ben Johnson. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote turn their attention to the Bears' backup quarterbacks. Tyson Bagent has had a solid camp. Do we expect him to be the primary backup by the time the season starts? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the sloppiness we saw from the Bears offense at the team's Family Fest. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bears offense continues to show some sloppiness at training camp. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they've been seeing from quarterback Caleb Williams in this episode. Williams has shown signs of progress but is still playing with inconsistencies. Later, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower offers high praise for what he's seen from new head coach Ben Johnson. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how rookie receiver Luther Burden III has been impressive since he returned to practice. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the latest health update on Bears star cornerback Jaylon Johnson. There's "a scenario" in which he plays in Week 1, head coach Ben Johnson said. What happened to him being out for just "a few weeks"? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Bears left tackle Braxton Jones, who spoke openly about his recovery from a bad injury at the end of the 2024 season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We got interesting news to conclude the second week of Bears training camp. Head coach Ben Johnson told the media there's "a scenario" in which star cornerback Jaylon Johnson is ready for Week 1 against the Vikings. Uh, what happened to him being out for "a few weeks"? Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react. Also in this episode, how's Johnson balancing the hard coaching of quarterback Caleb Williams with giving him praise for what he's doing right? Plus, rookie receiver Luther Burden III is showing flashy playmaking ability since getting back on the field. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has moved some of his players around the field during training camp. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote heard Bears quarterback Caleb Williams offer high praise for rookie tight end Colston Loveland. Everyone is starting to see why the Bears took him at No. 10 overall in the NFL Draft. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote listen to how Bears quarterback Caleb Williams described his own progress during training camp so far. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's still far from perfect for the Bears offense at training camp, but there's progress being made. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote offer their latest observations on quarterback Caleb Williams, who himself spoke on how he feels he's progressing in camp. Also in this episode, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen continues to move players all over the field on defense. What's the method to his madness? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote have a deeper discussion on quarterback Caleb Williams. We've seen struggles from him early in training camp, but what's the context behind that? How long is head coach Ben Johnson's timeline for getting Williams to his maximum potential? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote ponder how long the Bears will go in training camp without naming their starting left tackle. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss rookie receiver Luther Burden III's return to the practice field. How quickly will Burden be able to catch up? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bears got good news as they put on full pads in training camp for the first time — rookie receiver Luther Burden III has returned to the practice field. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how much Burden participated and how he looked. Meanwhile, the team also received tough injury news on rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner. Also in this episode, what's the latest on quarterback Caleb Williams' performance? And producer Adam Studzinski has returned from his bachelor party in Las Vegas! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears running back D'Andre Swift took the podium on the second day of training camp. Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer discuss what the running game will look like this season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears rookie receiver Luther Burden III hasn't been practicing with the team yet due to a soft-tissue injury. Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer discuss their concern level with him. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It hasn't been a sharp start for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the new Ben Johnson-led offense early in training camp. Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer explain what they've seen during the first couple of days from Williams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer react to what they've seen and heard early in Bears training camp, including quarterback Caleb Williams' struggles, receiver Luther Burden III's injury status and Wiederer's encounter with chairman George McCaskey on the practice field! Follow Take The North on Twitter: https://x.com/TakeTheNorthPod To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they heard from new Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett as veterans reported for training camp Tuesday. Jarrett sounds like he's ready to get to work for his new team! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' personal goals for the 2025 season. Do we think he can reach them? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears star cornerback Jaylon Johnson is going to be out "a few weeks," according to general manager Ryan Poles. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the news and share their current level of concern about Johnson's health. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2025 Bears training camp is officially open! To begin it, general manager Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett all took the podium Tuesday. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote walk through the most important comments we heard. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson will remain on the non-football injury list for "a few weeks" with a leg injury, according to Poles. What level of concern do Wiederer and Grote have about that news? Also, why didn't Poles take any questions after his opening statement? Meanwhile, Williams spoke about specific goals he has for the 2025 season. And Jarrett remains awesome. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote share the biggest storylines they'll be paying attention to as the Bears begin training camp. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guy Mark Grote hadn't had the chance to share how he felt about Bears general manager Ryan Poles getting a contract extension. He explains for Dan Wiederer how he feels about the deal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote try to figure out what's going on with cornerback Jaylon Johnson right now. First, he was on the Rich Eisen Show hinting at possibly looking for a bigger contract soon ... despite having just obtained a new deal in 2024. Then we found out that he's heading to the non-football injury list as camp is set to begin. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears training camp is about to get fully underway! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote have their final preview of camp in this episode. First off, there is interesting news regarding star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who was placed on the non-football injury list. We aren't sure why yet. Johnson also hinted recently on the Rich Eisen Show that he could be pushing for a new contract soon. Didn't we just go through this with him? Also in this episode, Grote has his chance to react to general manager Ryan Poles landing a contract extension. Plus, what will we be watching for during training camp? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network discuss the Bears defense's outlook and which players on that side of the ball they'd like to see more from in 2025. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network discuss how Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams will affect each other. Can Johnson bring the best out in Williams? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer asks guest Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network who will win the Bears' backup quarterback competition. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bears training camp is almost here! Dan Wiederer continues the leadup to camp by bringing in guest host Ruthie Polinsky of the Chicago Sports Network. Polinsky discusses what it's been like to be a part of CHSN's launch in the past year. The pair also dives into the top storylines for the 2025 Bears. How will quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson grow together? Who will win the backup quarterback competition? And how will new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen impact his unit? Finally, why does Polinsky appreciate punter Tory Taylor so much? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our own Dan Wiederer joined Leila Rahimi & Marshall Harris on Chicago's 670 The Score. Wiederer discussed why the Bears second round picks have not signed contracts yet. Plus, went over why the Bears extended general manage Ryan Poles. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have some 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? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Wiederer and guest host Kevin Fishbain reflect on the times they spent covering Bears training camp when the team held it in Bourbonnais. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices