Take The North

The Bears are going to be without safety Coby Bryant, a key free-agent addition, for roughly two months after he suffered a leg injury during practice Monday. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the news to begin this episode. How will the Bears fill Bryant's spot while he's away? Meanwhile, cornerback Jaylon Johnson spoke to the media for the first time at training camp. He views 2026 as a "contract year." Will he be able to regain his form after an injury-riddled 2025 season? The guys also bring their latest news and notes from training camp.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote continue to hear ways Bears head coach Ben Johnson's staff and players believe he gives them an edge.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear Bears receiver Rome Odunze explain what he meant earlier in the offseason when he said he has a "new normal" after last year's foot injury.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how the Bears offense has looked to begin training camp.

The Bears offense has putting on a strong showing during the first week of training camp. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote aren't used to seeing that from any Bears teams they've covered, so it's certainly refreshing to see! In other news from camp, receiver Rome Odunze clarified a comment he made earlier in the offseason about his "new normal" after recovering from last season's foot injury. And head coach Ben Johnson got a ton of praise from his new offensive coordinator. Plus, Johnson gave us insight on one point of emphasis for the Bears this season.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the way Bears quarterback Caleb Williams described the growing relationship between himself and head coach Ben Johnson.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's appreciation for new safety Coby Bryant, and his play style.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss their observations from the Bears early training camp practice. Who is playing the nickel corner spot while Kyler Gordon is hurt?

The first practice of Bears training camp is in the books. Was there anything surprising from what Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote were able to see on the field? Also, we got to hear from defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for the first time at camp. How is he evaluating the defense while they don't have pads on? We heard from quarterback Caleb Williams for the first time at camp as well. How much better does he understand head coach Ben Johnson now compared to last training camp?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear the way Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson discussed nickel corner Kyler Gordon's latest injury. Is Gordon on thin ice with this staff?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear some of what Bears head coach Ben Johnson had to say about quarterback Caleb Williams as the team opened training camp.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss where the Bears left tackle competition stands as the team opens training camp.

Bears training camp has arrived! That means Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote are back at Halas Hall, where the head coach and general manager expressed their frustration over the latest injury for nickel corner Kyler Gordon, who is starting camp on the PUP list. Do they know when he will be back? Meanwhile, what progress does Ben Johnson hope to see from quarterback Caleb Williams? And how is the left tackle competition looking right now?

Bears training camp is about to get fully underway! That means it's time for Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote to go back and revisit the questions we wanted the answers to before this camp got started. Did we get clarity on who will be playing left tackle? Do we see a clear vision for the rebuilt secondary? How will the pass rush be better? Do we now know the next frontier for quarterback Caleb Williams? One thing we know for sure...there will not be shovels in the ground for a new stadium before camp opens.

Guest Robert Cascarano asks Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote a question about the Bears runningback room, which leads to a discussion about D'Andre Swift's exit from Detroit.

Guest Robert Cascarano asks Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote about how highly they might rank Bears head coach Ben Johnson among the rest of the coaches in the NFL?

Guest Robert Cascarano asks Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote who they believe will be the Bears top receiver in the 2026 season?

It's an extra special episode, as Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote welcome a superfan to the podcast! Robert Cascarano made a donation to 104.3 The Score's Cubs For A Cure radiothon, with the incentive to join for an episode. Cascarano canvased some of his fellow Take The North listeners to gather some Bears questions they want answered.

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain discuss the results of The Athletic's Bears fans survey. Fans are clearly really excited about the coach and the quarterback of the team.

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain discuss The Athletic's survey of Bears fans. Fans made it obvious they are frustrated by team president Kevin Warren.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote ask The Athletic's Kevin Fishabin what stories he is most looking forward to following when Bears training camp arrives.

The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain joins Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote in this episode to go over the results of his annual Bears fans survey. One thing is extremely clear: fans are confident in the direction of the team, especially when it comes to the coach and the quarterback. Also, how do fans feel about the ongoing stadium situation? Later, Fishbain has a question for Wiederer and Grote. Which incredible play from the 2025 season should be the final play on the video montage before games at Soldier Field?!

Dan Wiederer and guest host Ruthie Polinsky of CHSN discuss if there is anything they believe Bears head coach Ben Johnson can do better in his second season leading the team.

Dan Wiederer and guest host Ruthie Polinsky of CHSN discuss what aspects of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' development they are most intrigued by heading into the 2026 season.

Dan Wiederer and Ruthie Polinsky answer who they believe will be the Bears top receiving threat in the upcoming season.

Ruthie Polinsky of CHSN sits in for a vacationing Mark Grote for this one! Her and Dan Wiederer give each other a Bears pop quiz...three questions the other person has not prepared for. What areas would you like to see Ben Johnson improve in 2026? Which rookie are you most interested in watching? Who will be the Bears top receiver this season? That and a lot more in this episode!

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to Bears coach Ben Johnson not making PFF's list of Top 10 NFL head coaches.

The second five of Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote's Top 10 NFL quarterbacks.

The first five of Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote's list of Top 10 NFL quarterbacks.

It's a special occasion as this marks our 500th episode! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote begin by looking back a bit on the history of the podcast and thanking all of YOU for continuing to make this possible. also in this episode, the guys list off their own list of Top 10 NFL quarterbacks. Did Bears QB Caleb Williams make our lists? In other list news, Pro Football Focus produced a list of Top 10 NFL coaches...and Ben Johnson wasn't on it?!

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear Tom Brady's high praise for his former teammate, current Bears guard Joe Thuney.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss which team they believe is the biggest threat to the Bears in the NFC North.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to NFL analyst Mark Schlereth's recent criticism of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Is it fair to call him a great playmaker, but not a good QB?

Dan Wiederer is back! He returns from his vacation alongside Mark Grote and the guys dive right into something that caught the attention of Bears fans. NFL analyst Mark Schereth said on The Stinkin' Truth podcast that he doesn't believe quarterback Caleb Williams is a good QB. The guys breakdown what they think Schlereth was right in his analysis - and also where they feel he missed the mark. Later, Wiederer and Grote take a look around the NFC North as training camp draws near. And Tom Brady had some high praise for Bears guard Joe Thuney.

Dan McNeil believes Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher is the Bears best defensive player of all time. He explains why for Mark Grote.

Dan McNeil tells Mark Grote why he believes the Packers have been so much better than the Bears since the 1990s - and it's not just because of the quarterbacks they've had.

Dan McNeil explains for Mark Grote why he has historically been harsh on Bears pass rushers, and why he believes defensive end Montez Sweat has not live up to his contract.

We have a special treat in this one, as longtime Chicago sports radio host Dan McNeil joins Mark Grote for some Bears conversation! Mac discusses his new book, "I Bear Witness," which takes the guys down Bears memory lane. Grote and Mac also get into some present day Bears conversation, including the hope that this team can finally consistently win. And what does Mac think of the Bears threatening to build their new stadium in Indiana?

Mark Grote and guest host Mark Potash discuss the Bears slightly restructured offensive line. Will a new center and new left tackle be enough to keep the line in good shape?

Mark Grote and guest host Mark Potash discuss the Bears rebuilt defensive back room, along with the rest of the defense.

Mark Grote and guest host Mark Potash discuss some of their own critiques of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Is it possible we have been too critical at times?

Dan Wiederer is on vacation, so our friend Mark Potash sits in with Mark Grote for this one! The guys dive into a deep conversation on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Have we been too critical of him at times? What's fair criticism of Williams? Also, the guys play a game called "Is It Enough?" – specifically looking at the additions the Bears made this offseason. Did they do enough to improve their roster?