Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

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?

During their mailbag episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote take a look at the Bears linebacker room. Is there enough there for the Bears defense to be effective?

During their mailbag episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote ponder how important this season is for Bears receiver Rome Odunze.

During their mailbag episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss whether rookie center Logan Jones can earn the starting job this year.

We got so many questions for our previous mailbag episode that we had to do a second one! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote tackle a wide range of Bears inquires. Will rookie center Logan Jones earn the starting job this season? Is it a make-or-break year for receiver Rome Odunze? How do we feel about the team's linebacker room? And, have we ever been kayaking on the Chicago River?

Things go completely off the rails when Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote are asked if they think Nickelback is a good band.

During their mailbag episode, Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer discuss the Bears defensive line. Is there a way to spin this group as more than just OK at best?

During their mailbag episode, Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer answer a listener question regarding the depth the Bears have in their secondary.

It's been awhile since we took questions from the audience, so that's exactly what Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote do in this one! Our listeners asked. Our guys answered. What are the chances Jedrick Wills wins the left tackle job? Do the Bears need better/more defensive back depth? Do we still feel good about the running back room? How do we feel about the band Nickelback?! That and more in this mailbag episode!

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the latest developments in the ongoing Bears stadium project saga. It sounds like the team is beginning to work with Illinois on getting legislation together to stay in the state.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote like the fact that the Bears will take part in joint practices with two different teams during training camp.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the latest municipality to come out with a proposal for a Bears stadium site. Can anyone make these proposals?!?

The ongoing Bears stadium saga is making headlines yet again! Various reports indicate the team is working with Illinois lawmakers on crafting legislation which would help keep them in the state. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to the latest pieces of news. The guys also hear from State Rep. Kam Buckner, who spoke with 104.3 The Score about the reports. In non-stadium news, we officially know the dates for Bears training camp, which will include two joint practices! Finally, Wiederer's son had quite the weekend with his Little League baseball team.

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.

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?

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?