The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Minicamp Wrap-Up: Trick Plays, Odunze's Growth, & Battles Taking Shape

The Bears have officially wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp, and Ruthie Polinsky and Alex Shapiro were there to see it all. They break down how the team progressed over the week, what stood out from Ben Johnson’s leadership style, and how the new coaching staff is already putting its stamp on the roster. From trick plays to intense competition, the energy at Halas Hall felt different. The crew also discusses position battles, offseason priorities, and what to watch as the team heads into its final OTA before summer break.

Minicamp Recap Day 2: Brisker Speaks on Last Season's Concussion and New Leaders Emerging

Alex Shapiro is joined by ABC7 and ESPN 1000’s Dionne Miller to break down Day 2 of Bears mandatory minicamp. The duo discusses Jaquan Brisker’s emotional return and maturity after battling a vestibular concussion, how the offense is starting to find its rhythm with Caleb Williams, and the standout performances of Olamide Zaccheaus and Kiran Amegadjie. They also dive into the growth of Tyrique Stevenson and Gervon Dexter, and the early impact of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. 

Minicamp Recap: Offensive Updates, Key Absences & Press Conference Notes

The Bears are back at Halas Hall for Day 1 of mandatory minicamp, and The Charter is on site to break it all down. Alex Shapiro welcomes new Chicago Tribune Bears beat reporter Sean Hammond to discuss the top takeaways from a windy first day — including notable player absences, offensive line shuffling, and Ben Johnson’s early impressions as head coach. Plus, insights from Cole Kmet on adapting to the addition of Colston Loveland, DJ Moore’s evolving role in the new offense, and D'Andre Swift’s take on reuniting with his former coordinator.

Bears Report for Minicamp as Lions Lose Another Key Piece

On this episode of The Charter, Ruthie Polinsky, Clay Harbor, and Alex Shapiro gear up for a pivotal week at Bears mandatory minicamp. But first, they break down the Chicago Fire’s newly announced stadium project at The 78. Then it’s all football: Lions Center Frank Ragnow’s sudden retirement and its ripple effects across the NFC North, position battles to watch at Halas Hall, leadership development in the Bears locker room, and the continued evolution of Caleb Williams under center. Plus, the crew shares early impressions of Rome Odunze, DJ Moore’s usage, and which players could step into cornerstone roles as this new Bears era unfolds.

Caleb Speaks, O-Line Taking Shape, and Dennis Allen's Defense

Caleb Williams speaks—and silences the noise. On this episode of The Charter, Ruthie Polinsky, Clay Harbor, and Alex Shapiro break down the Bears rookie QB’s headline-grabbing press conference and how he showed maturity, self-awareness, and leadership. The crew also dives into Ben Johnson’s emphasis on body language and pre-snap discipline, Case Keenum’s role as mentor and potential QB2, and the early impressions from OTAs. From Ozzy Trapilo flashing at left tackle to Dennis Allen’s complex defense keeping everyone on edge, it’s a loaded episode with plenty of insight and takeaways on the new-look Bears.

100 Days to NFL Kickoff | Caleb Williams Stat Projections & Bears Playoff Chances

The countdown is on — we’re officially 100 days away from NFL kickoff! Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor mark the occasion by playing a game of “On a Scale of 1 to 100” covering everything from Caleb Williams’ rookie projections to playoff odds, Pro Bowl candidates on both sides of the ball, and sack totals. Will Ben Johnson win Coach of the Year? Can Cairo Santos stay automatic? And how soon will the Bears break ground on a new stadium? Plus, the crew recaps their Memorial Day weekend fun and previews the next round of OTAs.

Ben Johnson Sets Tone at OTAs | Early Takeaways from New-Look Offense

The Bears’ preseason schedule is set—and so are joint practices with the Dolphins and Bills. Ruthie Polinsky, Clay Harbor, and Alex Shapiro break down what that means for fans, young players, and position battles. The crew also shares their biggest takeaways from the first open OTA session, including Caleb Williams’ progress, Ben Johnson’s intense coaching style, and the leadership presence of veterans like Joe Thuney and Grady Jarrett. Plus, a closer look at Jaquan Brisker, Gervon Dexter’s potential breakout, and why Dennis Allen is flying under the radar—for now.

Bears Secure Joe Thuney Extension as OTAs Prepare to Kick Off

The Bears kick off OTAs by locking in All-Pro guard Joe Thuney through 2027. Ruthie, Alex, and Clay break down the impact of the deal, preview position battles, and dive into what they want to hear from Caleb Williams when he addresses the media.

Breaking Down the Road Ahead: Bears' 2025 Schedule Reaction

The Bears' 2025 schedule is finally here—and the Charter crew is ready to break it all down. Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor react to team social media rollout videos, including the Ravens’ Severance homage. Then it’s time to dive into the schedule itself: what the brutal road stretch means for the team, which matchups look most winnable (and which feel like gauntlets), and how an early bye week could actually help Ben Johnson’s new regime. Plus, the crew gives their way-too-early record predictions, debates the value of primetime slots, and hypes up what could be a wild finish to the season.

Rookie Minicamp Standouts and First Impressions

What did we learn from Bears rookie minicamp? Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor recap the biggest takeaways from the weekend, including standout showings from second-round picks Ozzy Trapilo and Luther Burden III, the tone set by Eric Bieniemy and the coaching staff, and how Ben Johnson is already changing the culture. They also dive into early impressions of Zah Frazier, Kyle Monangai, Ruben Hyppolite, and what to expect as OTAs begin.