The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Matt Stafford trade and former Bear Adewale Ogunleye | Countdown to Kickoff

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 former Bear Adewale Ogunleye to discuss the Bears' last appearance in the Super Bowl, and his thoughts on Mitch Trubisky and the direction the Bears are going.(1:40) - Matthew Stafford gets traded to the LA Rams for Jared Goff(5:32) - How much is too much for the Bears to get Deshaun Watson(9:25) - Do the Bears do whatever it takes to get Watson?(14:00) - Adewale Ogunleye on the Bears 2007 trip to the Super Bowl(16:20) - Lovie Smith is back in the NFL(19:45) - Ogunleye doesn't believe you should trade everyone for a QB(24:20) - Life after football, Ogunleye gets his masters degreeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mailbag Thursday: What happens if the Bears start next season 0-4?

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 should switch defensive schemes, if Khalil Mack should be on the trade market, and if Cam and JJ got into a lightsaber fight, who would win? (Click for the football conversations, stay for Cam’s fight story.) (1:45) - What happens if the Bears start the season 0-4? (10:45) - Which Bears player would be the best, or worst, at being Press Secretary? (16:55) - Should the Bears switch to a 4-3 defensive scheme for Mack and Quinn? (25:38) - Should the Bears think about trading Khalil Mack? (35:55) - Who wins in a lightsaber fight? (plus Cam’s real-life fight story) (37:30) - Will Cordarrelle Patterson return to the Bears?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What will Bears do with Mitch Trubisky & Allen Robinson, with Brad Spielberger of PFF

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 dive into the two biggest questions of the offseason and the uncertain futures of Mitch Trubisky and Allen Robinson. (1:49) - Brad shares his thoughts on the Bears season-ending press conference (6:20) - Bears are in a dangerous spot if Ryan Pace decides to trade all future assets to try and win the Super Bowl next year (11:50) - Will the Bears have to trade a big contract off of the defense, i.e. Mack? (16:13) - What does the immediate future look like for Allen Robinson? (19:50) - Will Mitch Trubisky be back as a Bear next season? (24:20) - Ryan Pace's issues with understanding draft valueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bears season ending press conference recap: Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy & George McCaskey fail the fan

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 conference, but they take calls from the fans the Bears leadership disrespected in a new voicemail segment. Put the kids to bed for this one. (1:10) - Was this the worst press conference in Chicago sports history? (4:30) - Clips of Ted Phillips and Ryan Pace from the press conference (11:22) - The Bears brass told on themselves (19:22) - Bears fans speak their frustrations in the voicemail segment (25:40) - Why can't the Bears disclose the contracts for Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy? (34:05) - Bears fans should be apologized to (40:25) - How did Pace and Nagy convince McCaskey and Phillips that they will improve next year? (46:20) - Is there a path where the Bears do improve?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EMERGENCY POD: Pace & Nagy stay, Chuck Pagano retires

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, and wonder how the McCaskeys will address the media. Cheers to another year of mediocre football. (1:39) - Was this move expected? (7:05) - Bears fans deserve better than what they are given (12:26) - The Bears should matter more than they do (18:20) - How will Ryan Pace build a contender in 1 season? (24:50) - Is it fine that Matt Nagy gets to stay? (32:50) - Chuck Pagano leaves the NFL by retiringSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mailbag Tuesdays: What will the McCaskey’s do?

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 impending free agency, Doug Pederson's firing impacting Matt Nagy, will the Bears trade for Deshaun Watson, and many more.(1:20) - Bears players clean out their lockers and Allen Robinson speaks about his contract(11:45) - If Pace and Nagy are staying, why do they need to do the season-ending press conference?(18:00) - Did the Bears set themselves back in GM searches by not firing Pace in season?(22:11) - Is Mitch a scapegoat for Matt Nagy?(26:21) - Will Doug Pederson's firing impact Matt Nagy?(31:04) - Why has Eddie Jackson been bad all year?(37:09) - If Mitch turns his career around somewhere else, is it on Nagy or Pace that he wasn't successful in Chicago?(42:52) - Best head coach, GM, starting QB combination the Bears can get next year(47:58) - Should the Bears trade for Deshaun Watson?(53:25) - Why should fans be hopeful about the Bears?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bears vs Saints playoff recap: Where do the Bears go from here?

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 play of Mitch Trubisky, the coaching of Matt Nagy, and oh look another neutral zone infraction. Enjoy the venting Bears fans.(1:52) - What was Anthony Miller doing!?(9:20) - Good game by the defense but they needed to be great for the Bears to have a chance(18:35) - Did Matt Nagy escape the firings that may happen to the Bears?(25:40) - The city of Chicago has not embraced Ryan Pace(33:10) - What till the Bears do with Ted Phillips?(43:20) - What will the McCaskey's do with Pace and Nagy?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bears vs Saints SUPER playoff preview: IT’S PLAYOFF TIME!

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 Saints, and what this playoff berth means for the Bears. Later in the pod, JJ and Cam are joined by veteran football writer Luke Johnson from the New Orleans Advocate to get a rundown on the Saints, and whether Drew Brees and them boys can handle the Bears. (1:25) - Alex describes his relationship with his son Antonio Brown from the Headstrong series episode (8:05) - The difference between regular season football and playoff football (13:05) - Akiem Hicks is the most important player for the Bears on Sunday (17:00) - Alex Brown does not trust Matt Nagy to consistently run the ball (24:30) - Luke Johson of the New Orleans Advocate joins the podcast (26:20) - Will Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara play vs the Bears? (30:30) - Are the Saints a legit championship contender this year? (32:45) - The Bears are one of the teams the Saints didn't want to see (37:00) - Has the downfall of Drew Brees been overblown? (40:10) - JJ and Cam wrap up the Bears vs Saints SUPER previewSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Headstrong Men’s Health Month: Antonio Brown on being the son of a pro athlete

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 and his father Alex. Headstrong is brought to you in part by Zenni Optical, Zenni has changed the game in eyewear, finally making prescription glasses affordable for everyone. Headstrong is also brought to you in part by Advocate Aurora Health. No matter what life throws your way, your health is primary. Schedule a wellness exam today.(1:10) - The moment when Antonio Brown figured he can become a division 1 athlete(4:02) - Characterizing Alex's impact on Antonio's baseball career(7:25) - Is there pressure to live up to his dad's career?(11:05) - Qualities that he has gained from his dad(14:30) - Surprises about his dad that he's found out(17:40) - Antonio describes what his dad means to himSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mailbag Tuesdays: Why is Matt Nagy’s job safe?

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 make to turn the Bears into an elite team, and debate who’s really been calling plays for the Bears. PLAYOFFS! (1:54) - Is Matt Nagy calling plays again? (8:14) - Can the Bears be the 2011 Giants? (14:40) - What the hell is going on with the Bears defense? (22:57) - Will Mitch go rouge with the offense in the Saints game? (26:12) - How is Matt Nagy's job safe? (37:00) - Why isn't Mitch Trubisky throwing downfield? (42:28) - What 3 offseason moves should the Bears make to change their team?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.