The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Bears make Arlington Heights bid and Justin Fields gets help from Andy Dalton

Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, and Alex Shapiro break down the possibility of the Bears moving to Arlington Heights as the rumors change to reality. Is it just a negotiation ploy or are the Bears prepared to leave Chicago? Later in the podcast, the crew discusses the comments made by Justin Fields as he spoke to the media about how he's adjusting to the NFL and the help he's receiving from his coaches, AND his fellow QBs in Andy Dalton and Nick Foles.(4:10) - Bears start the process of changing venues. It's REAL now!(13:40) - How will the Bears finance a new "Bears Town"?(21:10) - Bears add more depth in recent signings(24:20) - Breaking down Justin Fields comments on how things are going and his relationship with Andy Dalton(38:45) - Matt Nagy responds to a question about the 17th game. How will the added game impact the NFL?(51:30) - PODCAST REVIEW OF THE DAY!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Nagy defines his QB depth chart and a no-show for Eddie Goldman at camp

The Under Center crew of Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, Alex Shapiro, and Tony Gill discuss the sights and sounds from camp, who performed well, Allen Robinsons showing up on the Franchise Tag, Matt Nagy's comments on Chris Collinsworth's podcast on the chance that Justin Fields starts week one, Eddie Goldman missing the start of camp and what could be going on, and another edition of the Podcast Review of the Day.Make sure to subscribe to the NBC Sports Chicago YouTube page by clicking HERE for more Under Center content and more!(7:30) - Eddie Goldman is out at the start of camp, how concerning is it?(17:10) - Matt Nagy publicly sets his QB depth chart by stating that Andy Dalton is the starter and Justin Fields is the number 2(34:50) - Should the Bears be working on an extension right now for Allen Robinson?(47:00) - Will Danny Trevathan be ready to play at the beginning of the season and can Sean Desi return the Bears to 2018 dominance?(58:24) - Podcast Review of the DaySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mailbag: Is Cole Kmet on his way to being THE tight end for the Bears?

The Under Center mailbag returns and it's time to discuss the pieces around the quarterback. Ken Davis and Eric Strobel answer questions about the status and future of Cole Kmet, what Darnell Mooney's stats might look like with a full season of Justin Fields, which new wide receiver will be the most productive, whether Danny Trevathan is the only option at middle linebacker, and also reveal the Podcast Review of the Day.(1:37) - Do the Bears need to add to the tight end room?(12:10) - Will Aaron Rodgers really retire if he's not traded?(21:30) - Why couldn't Justin Fields beat out Jake Fromm while he was at Georgia?(38:42) - Even if Justin Fields is ready, should the Bears still wait to start him?(51:44) - The Podcast Review of the Day!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nagy, Kmet, and Mooney impressed by Justin Fields

Week 2 of OTAs has wrapped up and more players discuss the team and most importantly what they think about new QB Justin Fields. Matt Nagy, new running back Damian Williams, tight end Cole Kmet, and wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and more discuss the new roster and Justin Fields. Ken Davis and Eric Strobel breakdown the sights and sounds of OTAs and a new segment to Under Center, "Podcast review of the day!"(4:30) - Nick Foles no show and are the Bears going the Patrick Mahomes route with bringing up Justin Fields?(12:10) - What can Fields learn from Andy Dalton?(16:40) - Darnell Mooney raves about Justin Fields(23:25) - Running back Damian Williams discuss skipping the season last year(30:30) - New Segment Alert! "Podcast review of the day"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bears benefit from Julio Jones trade and mailbag questions

Ken Davis and Eric Strobel break down how Julio Jones asking for a trade helped the Bears end up getting star rookie quarterback Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft. The crew also has a fun discussion about tipping before answering your questions, including weighing the benefits and risk of starting Justin Fields right away, what the Bears could do with Nick Foles, and more.(1:00) - The art of "tipping"(9:00) - Did the Bears benefit from Julio Jones asking for a trade from Atlanta?(27:50) - Mailbag questions segment(31:50) - How many reps will Justin Fields get in preseason and will he have a shot to be the week 1 starter?(45:30) - How should we analyze Teven Jenkins at left tackle when he's a natural right tackle?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where’s the Bears defense at OTAs?

Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, and Alex Shapiro discuss the news and details of the Bears voluntary OTAs. The crew reacts to Matt Nagy, Andy Dalton, and other players discussing the upcoming season, how the roster is shaping up, and the expectations for themselves this season.(1:25) - Biggest takeaways from the OTA press conferences(9:20) - Will Matt Nagy be comfortable to start 2 rookie offensive tackles?(18:00) - Are Bears players getting vaccinated?(24:00) - Andy Dalton says he knew the Bears could draft a rookie quarterback, should he be worried?(33:00) - David Montgomery is sounding like he wants to dominate the NFL, will Matt Nagy run the ball?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Debating the Bears’ long-term home stadium & ownership future

It has been in the news for years and recently resurfaced that the Bears are possibly looking for a new stadium, and it could be in Arlington Heights. What is going on right now? Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, and Tony Gill debate the pros and cons for leaving their current home -- historic Soldier Field -- and what the chances are that the team actually would make this move at some point. Later in the pod, the crew discusses the rumors that the McCaskey family is considering selling the team. Crazy week for the Bears.(1:30) - Pros and cons of the Bears moving to Arlington Heights(10:20) - Will Chicago taxpayers be willing to help pay for a new stadium in the city?(21:30) - Other NFL teams that play outside of the city they represent (Cowboys, 49ers, etc.)(32:40) - Could the narrative about the "Bears only play defense" change in a new stadium?(41:20) - Are the McCaskey's actually looking to sell the Bears?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Justin Fields is Chris Simms’ 39th-best NFL QB

NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms wasn't the highest on Justin Fields coming into the draft and he's kept the same energy after the Bears moved up to take their franchise QB by ranking Fields as the 39th-best QB in the NFL heading into the 2021 season. Simms joins the Under Center crew of Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, and Alex Shapiro to discuss why he's lower than most on Fields, what he wants to see the Ohio State product improve mechanically, and how he expects the Bears to handle their new quarterback this season.(3:00) - Why is Justin Fields the 39th-best quarterback in the NFL?(10:00) - Fields has said he's patterning his game after Russell Wilson; does he have the potential to be that good?(15:45) - What are the differences between college and the NFL that Fields will have to get used to?(25:00) - Does Ryan Pace have more time to fix the Bears after drafting Fields?(30:20) - Will Aaron Rodgers be a Green Bay Packer this year?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking down the 2021 Bears defense under new DC Sean Desai

There has been so much hype about the Bears’ offense that the defense is going a little overlooked, but the Under Center crew has you covered. Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, and Alex Shapiro go position-by-position and give a thorough breakdown and discussion centered on the 2021 Bears defense. The crew debates whether Robert Quinn will finally produce in a Bears uniform, which position group is the strongest, what Ryan Pace will do at cornerback, whether new defensive coordinator Sean Desai can unlock Eddie Jackson, and a lot more.(6:30) - Defensive line: Are the Bears better off keeping Akiem Hicks over Kyle Fuller and what will Eddie Goldman look like when he returns?(17:00) - Linebackers/edge rushers: Is Roquan Smith ready to be the quarterback of the defense and will Robert Quinn literally do ANYTHING as a Bear?(37:36) - Cornerbacks: Is this the weakest position group on the defense and, if it is, how can Ryan Pace address it in the offseason?(44:40) - Will Eddie Jackson's former position coach and new defensive coordinator Sean Desai unlock him this year and help get him back in a position to be an All-Pro?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the Bears’ 2021 schedule might work against them

The NFL released the 2021 season schedule last week and while we’ve gone over the potential wins and losses, there are some hidden potholes in the Bears’ slate that might put them at a disadvantage. Ken Davis, Alex Shapiro, and Eric Strobel discuss some of those scheduling snags based on the research of NBC Sports Edge’s Warren Sharp before diving into the back-and-forth between the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey and Bears fans with just under four months to go until the Bears open their season in Los Angeles as a 7-point underdog. (2:55) - Why the previous year’s opponent winning percentages aren’t a good way to look at the upcoming season’s strength of schedule (4:25) - How the Bears are at a massive rest & preparation disadvantage against their 2021 opponents(12:25) - What can the coaching staff do to overcome those scheduling disadvantages?(19:25) - Great teams overcome attrition, and some NFL teams that have very early & late bye weeks will have to do just that(24:55) - Jalen Ramsey and Bears fans are already beefing with months to go before the season opener in Los Angeles (30:10) - The Bears are 7-point underdogs in Week 1 against the Rams - is that a fair line?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.