Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the way Bears head coach Ben Johnson fielded questions regarding quarterback Caleb Williams after a story came out recently about Williams initially not wanting to be drafted by Chicago in 2024.

OTA practices are underway for the Bears, but it's an off-field story that's still being addressed by the team. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear how head coach Ben Johnson responded to the story from author Seth Wickersham about quarterback Caleb Williams initially wanting to avoid being drafted by the Bears in 2024. But before that, why didn't Williams himself take the podium to address the story...

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to the news that Arlington Heights is now officially the primary focus for where the Bears want to build their new stadium.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote look into how messy the Bears' operation was in quarterback Caleb Williams' rookie season. While the team has taken steps to try and make it better, it's still far from perfect.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote continue the discussion coming from ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham's story regarding quarterback Caleb Williams wanting to avoid coming to the Bears early in the pre-draft process in 2024. While the Bears obviously didn't handle Williams' rookie season properly, Williams himself must take responsibility for some of the struggles.

It seems the Bears were lucky to draft quarterback Caleb Williams in 2024. That's because Williams and his father, Carl, initially didn't want Williams to be drafted by the Bears, according to a story written by author and ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss this revelation. It's clear the Bears still have cleaning up to do after botching Williams' rookie year....

While hosting on 670 The Score, Mark Grote reacted to a story from author and ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham about Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' initial reluctance to be drafted by Chicago in 2024.

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski look into the Bears' five standalone games in the 2025 season. How many of those will the Bears win?

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski explain what they like and dislike about the Bears schedule for the 2025 season.

We officially have the full Bears schedule for 2025! Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski break it down in this episode. What do they like the most and dislike the most about the schedule? How will the Bears do in their five standalone games? Plus, will the Bears play the dreaded Aaron Rodgers this season?

From Reception Perception ( subscribe here ), Matt Harmon and James Koh dissected Bears receiver Rome Odunze's rookie season amid a crowded Chicago receiving corps. Whether it's the biggest stars in the league or new rookies bursting on the scene, you won't get better wideout information anywhere else. Along the way, they'll break down the biggest stories in the NFL and offer up a few big-picture...

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote look into the Bears' left tackle position. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo is getting a look at the spot to begin his spring, but we still aren't sure what the Bears' plan is for this key position.

While discussing what they learned at Bears rookie minicamp, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote remark on how refreshing the new Bears coaching staff is.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what we've already learned about the Bears' schedule ahead of the NFL's full 2025 schedule release.

With rookie minicamp in the rearview mirror, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote reflect on what, if anything, we learned from the Bears during their limited time with their new players. It seems clear that head coach Ben Johnson is still figuring out how everything is going to look for his team. Meanwhile, we still aren't sure who's going to play left tackle for the Bears in 2025. Rookie lineman Ozzy Tra...

Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris and our own Mark Grote welcomed on The Athletic Football Show host Robert Mays on 670 The Score in Chicago to discuss the Bears' aggressiveness in making moves this offseason, second-year quarterback Caleb Williams' potential and more.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote predict the final six weeks of the Bears' schedule in 2025.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote predict the first 12 weeks of the Bears' schedule in 2025.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote celebrate the fact that newly elected Pope Leo XIV is from Chicago!

Huge news! A Chicago native has been elected pope! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote react to the incredible news to begin this episode. Do we know anyone who has connections to Pope Leo XIV? Later, Wiederer shares his second annual Bears schedule prediction. Grote follows along and predicts which games the Bears will win and which they will lose.

While hosting on 670 The Score, our own Mark Grote welcomed on Fox Sports reporter Carmen Vitali, who explained why the Bears' offense may not be flashy to start. Vitali preached the need to have patience as new head coach Ben Johnson gets his scheme implemented.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss where they expect offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo to play when the Bears conduct their rookie minicamp.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the conversation surrounding Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round pick. The track record of running backs taken that late in the NFL Draft isn't great.

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote analyze Packers coach Matt LaFleur's comments on a recent podcast when asked about a remark that Bears coach Ben Johnson made in his introductory press conference. Is the oldest rivalry in the NFL getting a much-needed spark?

As we make our way through the NFL calendar, the next stop is rookie minicamp! In this episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote talk through what they expect out of the Bears and their rookies this upcoming weekend. We'll all have our eyes on receiver Luther Burden III's explosiveness. And where will offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo line up for this camp? Plus, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was asked o...