The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Ep. 238: Last-place Bears? No shot.

On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, JJ Stankevitz, John "Moon" Mullin and Cam Ellis react to some of the crazier predictions various outlets have for the Bears this season. First, the guys respond to Phil Simms calling Chase "Daniels" one of the worst backup QBs in the NFL (0:44). If Trubisky goes down, Moon says there are several players who can step up and take over a game so that Daniel won't have to lead the Bears to wins himself (4:23). JJ even thinks Daniel is better than several QBs that have started for the Bears (06:45).What positions have the best/worst depth heading into this season (07:50)? And who are some Bears depth players that would be starting if they played on other teams (12:45)?Then, the crew reacts to a Sports Illustrated prediction that has the Bears going 7-9 and finishing last in the NFC North (14:08). Plus, the fact that they had the Bears DBs ranked 17th in the league is simply preposterous (16:25). Moving on to Trubisky talk, JJ isn't buying the idea that Trubisky will make more mistakes in Year 2 of Nagy's offense (19:50). Finally, the guys share their thoughts on Andrew Luck's surprise retirement (23:33), and Moon compares the news to when former Bears linebacker Bryan Cox opted to have thumb surgery mid-season in 1996 to avoid long-term damage to his hand (28:06). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 237: Is Matt Nagy right to rest his starters in preseason games?

J.J. Stankevitz is joined by John "Moon" Mullin and Cam Ellis to debate whether or not Mitchell Trubisky, and the rest of the Bears starters, need preseason reps to fully prepare for Week 1. Plus, the guys share their latest thoughts on Eddy Pineiro and the kicking situation.00:40 - Moon doesn't think everything adds up with Matt Nagy holding Trubisky out of preseason games03:20 - Highlights from Matt Nagy's Wednesday press conference on the growing trend of coaches sitting starters in the preseason05:45 - Cam understands why coaches don't want to risk injury in the preseason, but also thinks something else may be afoot with Nagy sitting Trubisky08:10 - Is joint practice the future of preseason football?14:00 - Can teams really get the same quality of work done in practice as they can in a preseason game?19:50 - Talking about Kalyn Kahler's Sports Illustrated article that gave an inside look to the Bears' kicking competition from rookie minicamp21:20 - Moon says that the Bears are actually in a worse position now, than they were last year with Cody Parkey23:15 - Did the Bears do future kickers a disservice by fixating on 43-yard kicks?24:50 - All the guys are excited for Olin Kreutz to join Football Aftershow this seasonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 236: Saying bye to Fry

On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, J.J. Stankevitz is joined by John "Moon" Mullin. To start, Moon takes a moment to remember Cedric Benson, who died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday night (00:30). Then, the guys discuss the Bears' surprise announcement that they released Elliott Fry, leaving Eddy Pineiro as the only kicker on the roster (05:40). The guys toss to highlights from Matt Nagy's press conference on Sunday morning where he explains why the Bears decided to cut Fry now, how they think the move will help Pineiro and whether the competition is officially closed (07:55).Finally, J.J. explains why the end of the kicking competition was just like the end of the Bachelorette (12:10), and which kickers on other teams the Bears may still have their eyes on in the upcoming preseason games (16:40).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 235: Fights & fighting about Mitch Trubisky

JJ Stankevitz, John "Moon" Mullin, and Cam Ellis convene after the Bears' first practice of the month at Halas Hall. The trio cover Tuesday's fight between Prince Amukamara and Javon Wims (1:15), Mitch Trubisky's role in controlling practices and the team's leadership structure (7:00), and the recent online criticism of Trubisky before debating whether it was warranted (11:30). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 234: Training Camp Daily: Final impressions from Bourbonnais

JJ Stankevitz and John "Moon" Mullin chat after the last training camp practice of 2019 about if Ian Bunting is forcing his way onto the roster (1:40), how cornerback depth was a positive development in Bourbonnais (5:40), the latest in the kicking competition (11:10) and their overall impressions of the offense and defense as the team heads back to Halas Hall (16:25). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 233: Training Camp Daily: Shout-out to Bears fans, again

JJ Stankevitz and John "Moon" Mullin break down the final open practice of training camp and how Bears fans showed up in numbers this year (0:22). JJ then goes over his 'jersey of the day' as he spotted a Bernard Berrian jersey and others he spotted at camp (4:56). The guys go over practice notes on Anthony Miller, David Montgomery and rookie wide receiver Riley Ridley (6:29). JJ gives an update on Trey Burton who was back at practice today participating in individual drills and Nagy's comments on his progress (9:22). JJ previews his article on tight end Ian Bunting and his potential with the team (10:31). The guys then give a kicking update on Pineiro, Fry and rumors of top kickers across the league that could be an option (13:05).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 232: Training Camp Daily: 1st Preseason Game vs Panthers

JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis and John "Moon" Mullin break down the Bears' 23-13 preseason-opening loss to the Panthers. The guys talk about the latest update in the ongoing kicker competition (1:00), David Montgomery's impressive preseason debut (3:30), the biggest negative of the night (11:30), and how the starters looked in their very short appearances (14:15).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 231: Bears100: 1-on-1 with Virginia McCaskey

JJ Stankevitz sits down with Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey for a chat about her memories of growing up with the NFL, what her favorite moments from 100 years of Bears football are and how she views the re-birth of the team under Matt Nagy heading into its centennial season.0:55 - McCaskey on her experience of the Bears 100 Weekend Celebration in early June.2:08 - McCaskey on what young fans should know about her father, George Halas.3:28 - McCaskey reflects on the first ever playoff game at Chicago Stadium.5:00 - McCaskey on memories of George Halas on the barnstorming tour.6:33 - McCaskey's thoughts on the present-day Bears and the fan base.7:08 - McCaskey on Matt Nagy and his sense of the history of the franchise.8:27 - McCaskey on opening night vs Green Bay and the rivalry between the Packers and the Bears.10:17 - McCaskey on the 2018 season and hopes for the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 230: Training Camp Daily: The preseason is here!

J.J. Stankevitz and Cam Ellis share their thoughts on the Bears' final practice before the preseason opener, this Thursday against the Panthers. To start, it was a better day for the offense (1:35). Cam thought Mitchell Trubisky looked more decisive, even though he threw two picks (2:20). On the defensive side, Roquan Smith has been great in coverage (04:30). The guys list what they'll be watching for on Thursday (06:20), and why the tight end position battle feels different than the others (09:50). Plus, will there start to be some separation in the tight WR depth competition after the game (11:25)? And how important it will be for the Bears to evaluate their draft picks and UDFAs in game action for the first time (14:20). Finally, the jersey of the day is revealed (16:40), and the Curse of Khalil Mack is proposed (18:15).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 229: Training Camp Daily: Up-and-down days continue for Mitch Trubisky

On Monday's training camp daily recap, J.J. Stankevitz is joined by Cam Ellis. The guys start by going over injury updates for Trey Burton and Riley Ridley (0:25), and a brief kicker recap (0:45). Then they dig into Mitch Trubisky's inconsistent camp, so far (2:10). Plus, why QB coach Dave Ragone says "bad" reps or interceptions in training camp can be productive (03:40).Cam thinks the expectations fans and media may have for Trubisky to produce now are a bit unreasonable (05:15) and J.J. doesn't think there are any indications Trubisky will take a step back-- it will be more a question of how much he improves (06:15).On the defensive side of the ball, Buster Skrine had a heckuva day (08:45). Plus, are the Bears getting ready to stash Emanuel Hall on the IR (11:10)?The guys reveal the jersey of the day, but it was tough because there were so many great options (11:50).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.