The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The 2021 Bears rookie class momentum continues as the rooks report to minicamp and start getting their first reps in the NFL and they did not disappoint. Ken Davis, Adam Hoge, and Eric Strobel break down the first week of minicamp and go through how each rookie looks. Justin MF'n Fields already looks good in the too early reviews to the Under Center team and more importantly, to Matt Nagy opening the discussion on could Fields really be the week one starter? The crew discusses how new offensive linemen look in Teven Jenkins and they get into should veteran players show up to OTAs despite given the chance to opt-out. (3:30) - Seeing Justin Fields and Teven Jenkins for the first time in Bears gear (14:00) - How will the dynamic between the presumed starter Andy Dalton and the rookie star Justin Fields go in camp? (20:15) - What are the odds the Justin Fields will be the week one starter? (26:50) - How will veterans react to OTAs and how will Eddie Goldman be embraced if he chooses not to participate? (37:00) - What should the Bears do with wide receiver Anthony Miller? (45:30) - What Chicago food spots should the rookies make sure to go to? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The hype train for the Bears is still moving as the NFL releases the 2021-2022 NFL schedule. The Bears may have the third-hardest slate in the NFL, but do not be weary my friends, the Under Center crew is here to talk you through it. Ken Davis, Alex Shapiro, and Tony Gill break down the schedule, discuss whether the Bears will have a winning record if playoffs are on the table, and the biggest question of them all, when will new rookie quarterback Justin Fields get his first start in the NFL. All that and plenty more on the Under Center podcast. (1:40) - Is the Bears schedule as tough as originally thought? (10:30) - Can the Bears get to above .500 with this schedule? (21:30) - When will Justin Fields start? (28:40) - If Andy Dalton gets hurt early on will the next QB be Justin Fields or Nick Foles? (31:50) - The top 5 most interesting games on the Bears schedule See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You saw the headline and immediately made a face. I saw it through the screen. But it isn't out of the question that Ryan Pace could have just drafted multiple Hall of Famers. Ken Davis and Eric Strobel are joined by NBCS Bears draft enthusiast Glynn Morgan as they dive deep into the 2021 draft class and the potential that this could very well be one of the franchise's best drafts ever if things go well. Ryan Pace also joins the podcast at the end and you don't want to miss it. (2:50) - Instant reactions to the moment Justin Fields was drafted and what it meant for Bears fans (13:00) - Did anybody envision the Bears drafting this well going into the draft? (23:50) - Could this be the Bears' greatest modern-era draft class ever? (37:20) - Did Ryan Pace change his career arc with this draft? (40:15) - Justin Fields or Russell Wilson: in hindsight, who do you want as a Bear right now? (54:08) - Fake Ryan Pace joins the podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.