The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

A week after witnessing Tom Brady win his 7th Super Bowl, the Under Center podcast has something special for you. We gathered a great list of former Bears, to tell stories of their best memories of playing in sports' biggest game. Joining the podcast is Alex Brown, Israel Idonije, Dave Wannstedt, Jason McKie, Dan Hampton, and Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent. Relive the moments in Super Bowl history...

In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, there were rumors that the Bears were intent on pursuing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, but is Wentz the savior Pace hopes he is? David Kaplan and Adam Hoge discuss the Bears' pursuit of Wentz and if it's worth it. Before they breakdown a potential Carson Wentz deal, the guys breakdown the Super Bowl and what they were surprised by as Tom Br...

The Super Bowl is only one sleep away and to end our Countdown to Kickoff coverage, we drop a full preview of the big game with a couple of great analysts. First up, former Bears coach and NFL analyst Dave Wannstedt joins David Kaplan as they discuss what each team needs to prepare for ahead of the game and who will win. Later in the podcast, Geoff Schwartz, a six-year NFL veteran and now NFL anal...

On the final day of Super Bowl week, David Kaplan and Adam Hoge have a great guest lineup to talk Bears and break down the big game. First up is Bears tight end Cole Kmet to discuss the 2020 season and the Bears' quarterback situation. After Kmet, a couple of former Bears, Alex Brown and Lance Briggs join Kap and Hoge to provide insight into the Chiefs-Bucs matchup. And finally, NBC Sports NFL sid...

A great set of guests join David Kaplan and Adam Hoge for Countdown to Kickoff on Thursday. First up is Bryant McKinnie, a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Ravens. McKinnie joins to discuss offensive line play and the craziness that was Miami University. After that, Lions running back D' Andre Swift joins the guys to discuss Detroit's new head coach and the departure of Matthew S...

David Kaplan and Adam Hoge are joined by a great guest lineup to discuss the Bears and the Super Bowl. First up, Northwestern University head football coach Pat Fitzgerald — fresh off of signing a new 10-year extension — joins Kap and Hoge. They discuss the Wildcats, former NU QB and Chiefs coach Mike Kafka and the Tom Brady-Patrick Mahomes matchup. Then, Olin Kreutz joins Kap and Hoge to discuss...

Robbie Gould spent 11 seasons with the Bears, so he knows the organization. Gould joins David Kaplan and Adam Hoge to discuss his time with the Bears and his current team, the San Francisco 49ers. Gould also breaks down the Bears' kicking situation of the last couple of seasons and explains why he is a fan of Mitch Trubisky and why he thinks Trubisky is a good quarterback. Later in the podcast, 67...

Super Bowl week is here and to start our Countdown to Kickoff coverage presented by Miller Light and the Locker Room app, David Kaplan is joined by Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns as they discuss the biggest trade in the NFL, Matt Stafford going to the LA Rams for Jared Goff. The crew discusses how this trade if number 1 overall picks impact the Bears. Later in the pod, Kaplan and Hoge are joined by form...

The weekly mailbag is back! As the offseason gets going for the Bears, one listener asked: what would happen if the Bears don't show any improvement? Would that be the final straw for Pace and Nagy? Will Bears ownership ever fire people in the middle of the season? Hosts JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis go back and forth on what they think would happen. After that, they get into whether the Bears shoul...

After a rough — and I mean ROUGH — press conference, the Bears now turn to figuring out how to improve in the offseason. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus and OvertheCap.com joins hosts JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis to discuss just what the Bears are up against this offseason. The crew dives into the upcoming draft, and what the Bears need to address in order for a quick turnaround. They also d...

Bears fans are as smart and passionate as any fanbase in sports, and the team seems to take advantage of that. In their season-ending press conference, George McCaskey, Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace, and Matt Nagy spoke to the media and fans about the state of the Bears and tried to convince everyone that running it back is the right move. Hosts JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis not only break down the press...

In an emergency edition of the Under Center podcast, JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis react to the news of defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano retiring from coaching and the report that GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy will be kept through the 2021 season - much to the confusion of Bears fans. JJ and Cam look at why this may be happening, predict what this could mean for the future of the Bears, an...

After a first round exit, the Bears' players clean out their lockers and do their final interviews, some passing on the chance to speak to the media and fans, (you can guess who). So before the final season-ending press conference, the weekly mailbag is back to answer the most questions it's ever had to give you the perspective you need. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss Allen Robinson's impendi...

Well, the Bears were in the playoffs then they weren't. In a series of completely predictable events, the Bears didn't take advantage of opportunities and made mistake after mistake, and Javon Whims drops another pass, after mistake, did Anthony Miller just punch him? To recap the loss, JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan discuss and breakdown everything involving the game including the pla...

For the second time in three years, the Bears are in the playoffs! To preview the biggest game of the year, (after last week's biggest game of the year) hosts JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis bring on two heavy hitters. First, a player who has played for both franchises, a man you know and love: Alex Brown from the Football Aftershow! Alex joins the pod to discuss the ways the Bears can upset the Saint...

Headstrong is a series about men's health told through powerful stories involving the athletes we love. In this episode, Bears content producer Eric Strobel sits down with the son of Bears great Alex Brown, Antonio Brown as he discusses growing up with Alex, his personal journey in sports to become a division one athlete, and competing with his pro day. Get a look inside the life of Antonio Brown...

Even after a disappointing loss to the Packers on Sunday, the Bears still made the playoffs - even though it may not feel like it to fans. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis get together for a playoff edition of the weekly mailbag, answering questions and concerns of Bears Nation. The guys dive into the report that Matt Nagy's job is safe, and what it means for Ryan Pace, go over offseason moves they’d m...

They did it. After a wild regular season which featured a 6-game losing streak, the Bears fell backward into the playoffs, thanks to an Arizona Cardinals loss. JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan discuss the Bears’ season, break down the 35-16 loss vs. the Packers, and discuss the upcoming playoff matchup next week with the New Orleans Saints. (1:20) - When did you realize that the Bears ar...

Well Bears fans, it's here. The game to decide the fate of the Bears’ season, and possibly this era comes, down to one final game against their biggest rival. To cover all the aspects of this Sunday’s game, JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis bring on not just one, but two guests to get you prepared for the Week 17 matchup. First, Football Aftershow analyst and former Bear Lance Briggs joins the podcast t...

The weekly mailbag is back with questions from Under Center fans about the resurgent Bears. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss whether Mitch Trubisky is another Alex Smith that can win games as you search for your franchise quarterback, then debate the temperature of Chuck Pagano’s seat before wondering if Mitch Trubisky can beat a good team in the Green Bay Packers. All of that and more on Under...

In a game the Bears needed to have and the Jaguars didn't want, the Bears had a 2nd half for the ages and beat the Jags 41-17. JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan discuss the key victory and the growth of Mitch Trubisky as he leads one of the hottest offenses in recent weeks. The crew also discusses the playoff implications associated with the game and will the Bears stand pat with Mitch Tr...

The Bears are on an uphill climb while trying to make the playoffs, and will need help from others. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis preview the Week 16 matchup, discussing who needs to step up on the Bears. Will Bill Lazor and Matt Nagy continue to run David Montgomery? If the Bears win, which they’re favored to do, will the final game vs Green Bay mean anything? (1:14) - The Bears are favored by a lo...

The weekly mailbag episode is back and the Under Center fans delivered once again. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis answer a full boat of questions, from Ryan Pace's future, to the play of the defense, to other potential QB options for next year (some of them laughable), and which bears are best. Is it the grizzly? Polar? Panda? Let the debating begin! (2:50) -Will Ryan Pace select Mitch Trubisky or Al...

The Bears have fought back and won their last 2 games, and their 33-27 win over the Vikings put them in realistic contention for the playoffs. Will a postseason run force the Bears to stay pat with Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace? JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan discuss and debate if the changes fans were calling for in recent weeks are still coming, and if the McCaskey's stick with their GM an...

The Bears look to use the momentum gained vs the Texans to pick up another win vs division rival Minnesota Vikings to keep their playoff hopes alive. Host JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by NBCS teammate Olin Kreutz to help breakdown the matchup and more specifically what the Bears are doing with the offensive line. Olin breaks down the play of center Sam Mustipher and what he sees in him,...