The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

It's been a while since we've done a mailbag episode after a win, but here we are. On this week's edition, JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss what the big win vs the Texans means in the grand scheme of things for the Bears. Did the win help Mitch Trubisky, Matt Nagy, or Ryan Pace? Should the Bears look at Lovie Smith if they fire Matt Nagy? The crew answers all of these questions and why producer...

They did it! The Bears ended the losing streak with a dominating 36-7 win over the Texans. Are the Bears still "In the hunt"? Did Matt Nagy finally figure it out? JJ Stankevitz, David Kaplan, and Cam Ellis discuss the win and what it means for Nagy and Mitch Trubisky. The crew then dives into the defensive performance, wonders if the offense will continue running the ball well, and highlights some...

The Bears are looking to stop their longest losing streak since 2002 with a win vs Houston. Playing against Deshaun Watson brings back nightmares from the 2017 draft as Mitch Trubisky gets another opportunity to face a fellow member of that class. To help preview the matchup, veteran NFL writer for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain joins JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis to discuss the issues the Texa...

With the new Under Center schedule starting this week, Mailbag Wednesdays are now on Tuesdays and you guys didn't disappoint. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss Monday's press conference from Matt Nagy and how he has a great relationship with Ted Phillips and the McCaskeys. Later in the podcast, the guys answer questions regarding a possible Ted Phillips retirement, whether Pace and Nagy can save...

After being in control for most of the game, your Chicago Bears found a way to lose to the Detroit Lions, 34-30 in heartbreaking fashion. Will this get the attention of the McCaskeys? Is actual change coming to the Bears now? JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan try and make something out of what the Bears did on Sunday. I mean..(throws hands in the air) (1:00) - Will the Bears finally fire...

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis preview a matchup of bad teams: the Bears, who are attempting to end a losing five-game losing streak, and the Detroit Lions, who’ve seemingly waived the white flag on their season. From the numbers the Bears are the favorites, but does beating the Lions help Ryan Pace? Matt Nagy? Mitch Trubisky? The fans? JJ and Cam discuss that question, then debate whether the Bears...

In this week's installment of Mailbag Wednesday, JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by special guest Jason Goff of the Bulls Talk podcast. The three of them answer fan questions about the struggling Bears, what it may take to fix the organization, and if there need to be changes made above Ryan Pace. They also debate whether 2018 was a fluke and when the organization will stop accepting medioc...

There is nothing to say about that game but sheesh. The Bears took a huge loss against the rival Packers on Sunday Night Football and it was not pretty. JJ Stankevitz, David Kaplan, and Cam Ellis discuss the possibility that the Bears start their rebuild after this season, and the chances the McCaskey's step in to replace Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy. Oh, and they talk about that farce of a game too. (...

In a breaking news edition of the Under Center podcast, JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis react to the announcement that Mitch Trubisky will make his return to the starting lineup vs the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night. (1:10) -The Bears make it official: Mitch Trubisky will start on Sunday (4:14) - What if Mitch Trubisky plays well on Sunday? (6:56) - Mitch Trubisky says he was caught off guard by hi...

After coming off the bye, the Bears look to keep their playoff hopes alive by taking on the Packers on Sunday Night Football and avoid going below .500 for the first time this season. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by NBC Sports teammates Mike Tirico, who will be broadcasting the game and Chris Simms to discuss and breakdown the NFC North matchup and get you prepared for one of the biggest...

The Bears are preparing to play their unquestioned rival, the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday Night Football with a lot riding on the game. In the weekly mailbag segment, JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss if there would be implications for Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy if the Bears would lose to the Packers, what their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes are, and whether Colin Kaepernick could fix the Bear...

The Bears’ bye week gave them some time to figure out the ongoing saga of who will play quarterback in Green Bay. With Nick Foles dealing with an injury, is there a chance Mitch Trubisky returns? JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss the comments made by Matt Nagy on the QB situation and where they think the Bears are leaning in terms of naming a starter. Later in the podcast, the guys explain how t...

In the weekly mailbag episode, JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis answer Under Center listener questions about the culture of the Bears and the history of mediocrity that has plagued the organization. The guys also answer whether Allen Robinson will sign a contract with the Bears, how can they arrange their offensive line to get literally anything, and which alternate uniforms the Bears should try out. (...

The Bears lost a clunker at home to the division rival Minnesota Vikings 19-13, making it four losses in a row. Nothing on offense seemed to change after offensive coordinator Bill Lazor took over play calling duties resulting in zero touchdowns. JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan recap the loss and breakdown all the various issues not only the Bears offense has but the organization as wel...

The Bears look to end their three game losing streak on Monday night with the Vikings in town. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis break down the matchup in this week’s preview pod. The crew discusses the Vikings being the favorite despite having a worse record than the Bears, if the Bears defense can stop MVP candidate Dalvin Cook, and, for the love of all, can the offense finally do something? (1:05) -...

Things are looking bleak for the Bears after the third straight loss. Has the struggling offense and consecutive losses put a wedge between Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy? JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis try and answer this question — among many — in the weekly mailbag episode of the Under Center podcast. The crew also wonders which Bears beat writer would win in a foot race, whether the Bears would tag Alle...

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by David Kaplan to sift through the wreckage of the Bears' 24-17 loss to the Titans that was not as close as the final score indicated. The guys discuss what went wrong on offense before debating whether Matt Nagy has any answers whatsoever, and later praise Chuck Pagano's defense for letting loose and amping up the pressure against Ryan Tannehill and company...

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis dive deep into an eventful few days for the Bears organization after the entire team and staff were sent home before practice Thursday due to a second positive COVID-19 test. Later, the guys discuss the awful luck of the injured Mitchell Trubisky and what kind of chances the team has against the Titans on Sunday. (1:30) - The entire Bears organization is in a fluid stat...

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by former Bears defensive end and current NBC Sports Chicago Football Aftershow analyst Alex Brown to discuss whether the Bears’ defense has another level to hit, as well as the Javon Wims suspension fallout and whether Matt Nagy needs to tailor his offense a bit differently (1:36). Then, JJ and Cam explain the implications of Jason Spriggs’ positive COVID-19...

The Bears lost their second game in a row on Sunday, falling 26-23 to New Orleans in OT. As the offense struggled once again, Matt Nagy's play calling is again the subject of discussion — as is the fight and subsequent ejection of wide receiver Javon Wims. JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan breakdown the loss. Cam Nick Foles be the starter going forward? Can anything be done with the offen...

The Bears look to turn it around vs the New Orleans Saints after an ugly loss to the Rams on Monday Night Football. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis preview the matchup and discuss can the offense play good enough to keep up with Drew Brees and the Saints, and will the defense be able to slow them down. Later in the podcast, former Bears returner Devin Hester joins the podcast brought to you by our par...

After suffering an ugly loss to the LA Rams, the weekly mailbag questions from Under Center listeners had one central theme: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE OFFENSE AND MATT NAGY? JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by NBCS Chicago teammate Adam Hoge, of the Hoge and Jahns podcast, as they answer concerns about whether Matt Nagy should give up play calling, if the Bears should go back to Mitch...

After pulling out close wins in recent weeks, the Bears struggle on Monday Night Football losing to the Rams 24-10 dropping to 5-2. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss the ugly loss, the struggling offense, should Matt Nagy continue to call plays for the Bears, and are the Bears going to waste the defense again. (1:20) - Brian Griese quote's Nick Foles about Matt Nagy (8:57) - Does Nick Foles have...

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by J.B. Long, the voice of the Rams, to preview a Monday Night matchup with potential playoff implications. The crew discusses each team's schedule so far, the individual matchups to look for, and what this game could mean for playoff seeding. Later in the pod, JJ and Cam dive into what fans should expect from the Bears on Monday Night and if they can keep "w...

It's mailbag time once again on the Under Center podcast, and listeners came with another great round of questions. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis debate if you’d rather have a shotgun or Akiem Hicks with you in the wilderness, whether the Bears should trade for a wide receiver or offensive linemen ASAP, and Whether Matt Nagy would ever give up play calling? And Make sure to follow @NBCSBears on Twit...