Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast - podcast cover

Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote host Take The North, which covers the latest Chicago Bears news and storylines every week. The duo promises to bring you informed, compelling, honest and responsible analysis of all the latest topics surrounding Da Bears.
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Episodes

[FULL EPISODE] Should the Bears trade for T.J. Watt?

It has been a fairly quiet stretch for the Bears as the NFL is in its dead period of the summer, but another team hasn't been resting. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss how the various moves the Steelers have made could affect the Bears. Should the Bears make a move to trade for star Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt? He's unhappy with his contract. Also in this episode, how do we feel about the Bears secondary entering 2025? Plus, Wiederer tells us about his trip to Cooperstown with his son! To ...

Jul 02, 202547 min

Rex Grossman shared thoughts on Caleb Williams

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski share pieces of an interview that former Bears quarterback Rex Grossman did with CardPlayer.com. Grossman offered analysis on current Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 202512 min

Why we need to stop trying to make the Bears fit the Lions mold

Producer Adam Studzinski explains to Mark Grote why he doesn't think we need to be looking at what Bears players will fit roles that Lions players had when first-year Chicago head coach Ben Johnson was the offensive coordinator in Detroit. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 202510 min

How might the left tackle competition go if Braxton Jones isn't healthy to start camp?

Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski examine what they'll be looking at when Bears training camp begins. This includes who will be playing left tackle. If three-year starter Braxton Jones isn't healthy enough to practice fully when camp opens, could rookie tackle Ozzy Trapilo get the inside lane to the job? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jun 28, 202513 min

[FULL EPISODE] What are we watching for the most at Bears training camp?

Dan Wiederer is on vacation, so producer Adam Studzinski fills in for this one alongside Mark Grote. We have Bears training camp dates! With that in mind, the guys discuss what they're going to be watching most closely once camp starts. Plus, Studzinski has a reminder for everyone about the offense that head coach Ben Johnson is building in Chicago. And, a former Bears quarterback offered his thoughts on current quarterback Caleb Williams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practi...

Jun 27, 202548 min

How do we know if this time will be different for the Bears?

During their most recent mailbag episode, Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer were asked about the newest wave of Bears optimism. How do we know if it will really be different this time? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 202510 min

Do we believe Caleb Williams is the answer to the Bears' quarterback woes?

During their most recent mailbag episode, Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer were asked whether they believe Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is the one who will end the organization's quarterback woes. Is it too soon to tell? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 20259 min

[FULL EPISODE] Another mailbag episode!

Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer are back with another mailbag episode as they answer Bears questions from our listeners! Will head coach Ben Johnson's approach work if the wins don't come soon? Who will be the backup center? Who could be a cap casualty if cuts are needed before the season? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 24, 202530 min

Allen Robinson reflects on his time with the Bears

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote take a trip down memory lane with former Bears receiver Allen Robinson, who looks back on the team's magical 2018 season and how it fell apart in the years after. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 202513 min

How does Allen Robinson think Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams will match?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear what former Bears receiver Allen Robinson thinks of current Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. How does Robinson think Williams will mix with new coach Ben Johnson? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 202511 min

Allen Robinson discusses Ben Johnson's competitiveness

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote ask former Bears receiver Allen Robinson about his experience with new Chicago head coach Ben Johnson in Detroit. What makes him stand out as a coach? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 202513 min

[FULL EPISODE] Former Bear Allen Robinson talks Ben Johnson, 2018 Bears

We've got a special treat in this one! Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer are joined by former Bears receiver Allen Robinson, who offers perspective on new Chicago head coach Ben Johnson. Robinson was coached by Johnson during the 2024 season in Detroit. Robinson also looks back on his time with the Bears, particularly the 2018 season, when Chicago won the NFC North. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choi...

Jun 20, 202559 min

Should we expect more out of Rome Odunze this season?

As part of their mailbag episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss the standard we should be holding Bears receiver Rome Odunze to in his second NFL season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 19, 202513 min

How confident are the Bears in D'Andre Swift as the primary RB?

As part of their mailbag episode, Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote answer whether they believe the Bears are confident in the current makeup of their running back room. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 19, 202511 min

[FULL EPISODE] Mailbag episode!

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote open up the mailbag and answer questions from our loyal listeners! Do the Bears have enough weapons to compete this season? How comfortable are we with the running back room? They respond to those questions and more in this special episode. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 202531 min

Who will end up as the Bears left tackle?

Dan Wiederer and guest Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune look at the Bears' position battle at left tackle. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 14, 202512 min

How did Caleb Williams progress in the offseason program?

Dan Wiederer and guest Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune turn their attention to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. How's the relationship between Williams and coach Ben Johnson coming along? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 14, 202510 min

Ben Johnson is absolutely obsessed with the details

Dan Wiederer and guest Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune discuss how Bears head coach Ben Johnson is obsessed about every detail of the offense. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 14, 20259 min

[FULL EPISODE] Sean Hammond recaps Bears' offseason program

Dan Wiederer is joined in this episode by fellow Chicago Tribune reporter Sean Hammond! Together, the pair walks through the highlights of the Bears' recently concluded offseason program. What progress has quarterback Caleb Williams made? What have the early impressions of head coach Ben Johnson been? Does rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo have a real shot at earning the starting left tackle job? They discuss that and much more in this rapid-fire conversation! To learn more about listener dat...

Jun 13, 202538 min

How much should we be worried about Luther Burden III?

Dan Wiederer, Mark Grote and producer Adam Studzinski have a lively discussion about how worried we should be that rookie receiver Luther Burden III missed the majority of the Bears' offseason program with a "soft tissue" injury. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 12, 202513 min

What has Ben Johnson learned about working with Caleb Williams?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss Bears head coach Ben Johnson's comments regarding what he has learned about quarterback Caleb Williams in their first few months together. We know Williams thrives off-script, but can Johnson hone in his abilities to play on time? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 12, 20259 min

How much progress does Ben Johnson think the Bears made during the offseason?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Bears head coach Ben Johnson on what he thinks his team accomplished during the offseason program. And what does Johnson intend to do during the dead period to prep for training camp? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 12, 202513 min

[FULL EPISODE] What did the Bears accomplish during their offseason program?

The official end of the Bears offseason program saw just a couple key veterans in attendance — quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze. Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss why it matters that Williams, especially, felt the need to be at the voluntary workout. Also in this episode, head coach Ben Johnson discusses what he feels the Bears have accomplished during the offseason. What has he learned about working with Williams? Later, the gang gets into a lively back-and-forth with produ...

Jun 11, 202543 min

BONUS: Grote & Wiederer talk Bears on 670 The Score

Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer took over 670 The Score's afternoon show! So of course, the guys held an impromptu live episode of the podcast, where they looked around the NFC North a bit. The Bears aren't the only team in the division with big questions entering the 2025 season. Plus, the guys tracked down old friend/former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mark Potash to hear what he thinks of the latest news coming out of Halas Hall. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: ht...

Jun 10, 202534 min

Tyson Bagent continues to be an engaging personality

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. What has he thought of head coach Ben Johnson so far? Plus, it sounds like Bagent has a fun birthday party planned! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 07, 202514 min

Who has stood out to Ben Johnson during offseason workouts?

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear from Bears coach Ben Johnson, who offered under-the-radar players who have stood out to him during the team's offseason workouts. Plus, why were Bears linemen running routes during practice? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 07, 202514 min

Bears offense still has work to do

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote discuss what they've seen from Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the team's offense this offseason. Progress is being made, but there's clearly still work to do. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 07, 202513 min

[FULL EPISODE] Bears still have work to do after finishing mandatory minicamp

The Bears had a bit of fun to conclude their mandatory minicamp. We got to see offensive linemen running routes during practice! Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear head coach Ben Johnson explain the intention behind that ... and it isn't just to have fun. Also in this episode, Johnson offers surprising standouts from the offseason program. And what has backup quarterback Tyson Bagent thought of the new coaching staff so far? Plus, while the vibes around the Bears remain positive, it's clear they s...

Jun 06, 202545 min

Cole Kmet shared thoughts about the Bears drafting a tight end

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear what Bears tight end Cole Kmet had to say about the team selecting tight end Colston Loveland in the first round of the NFL Draft. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 05, 202512 min

Bears players are welcoming Ben Johnson's attention to detail

Dan Wiederer and Mark Grote hear Bears tight end Cole Kmet and running back D'Andre Swift discuss first-year head coach Ben Johnson's nearly obsessive attention to detail. It's something the team seems to be welcoming. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 05, 202516 min
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