The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

The Bears’ preseason schedule is set—and so are joint practices with the Dolphins and Bills. Ruthie Polinsky, Clay Harbor, and Alex Shapiro break down what that means for fans, young players, and position battles. The crew also shares their biggest takeaways from the first open OTA session, including Caleb Williams’ progress, Ben Johnson’s intense coaching style, and the leadership presence of veterans like Joe Thuney and Grady Jarrett. Plus, a closer look at Jaquan Brisker, Gervon Dexter’s potential breakout, and why Dennis Allen is flying under the radar—for now.

The Bears kick off OTAs by locking in All-Pro guard Joe Thuney through 2027. Ruthie, Alex, and Clay break down the impact of the deal, preview position battles, and dive into what they want to hear from Caleb Williams when he addresses the media.

The Bears' 2025 schedule is finally here—and the Charter crew is ready to break it all down. Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor react to team social media rollout videos, including the Ravens’ Severance homage. Then it’s time to dive into the schedule itself: what the brutal road stretch means for the team, which matchups look most winnable (and which feel like gauntlets), and how an early bye week could actually help Ben Johnson’s new regime. Plus, the crew gives their way-too-early record predictions, debates the value of primetime slots, and hypes up what could be a wild finish to the season.

What did we learn from Bears rookie minicamp? Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor recap the biggest takeaways from the weekend, including standout showings from second-round picks Ozzy Trapilo and Luther Burden III, the tone set by Eric Bieniemy and the coaching staff, and how Ben Johnson is already changing the culture. They also dive into early impressions of Zah Frazier, Kyle Monangai, Ruben Hyppolite, and what to expect as OTAs begin.

Rookie Minicamp is here, and The Charter team is ready to hit Halas Hall. Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor preview what to watch for as Bears rookies take the field for the first time. Clay shares what his own rookie minicamp with the Eagles was really like, including learning a brand-new playbook on the fly, catching lasers from Michael Vick, and earning trust through football IQ. Plus: who has the most to prove, which undrafted guys could rise, and why coaching matters just as much as the reps.

With the Bears’ rookie minicamp around the corner, Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor dive into exclusive interviews with the coaches who know the Bears’ top draft picks best. Clay sits down with Mizzou wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler to unpack the real story on Luther Burden III—his character, versatility, and how he’ll thrive in Ben Johnson’s offense. Then, Alex talks with Texas A&M defensive line coach Sean Spencer about Shemar Turner’s relentless motor, positional flexibility, and the “dog” mentality he’s bringing to Chicago. What did their college coaches reveal that fans don’t know yet? Tune in for all the behind-the-scenes insights.

The NFL Draft may be over, but the real action is just getting started. With Ruthie out, Alex Shapiro and Clay Harbor take the reins to break down how the Bears’ newest draft picks fit into the 2025 roster. Is Ozzy Trapilo a real threat to Braxton Jones at left tackle? Will Colston Loveland crack the starting lineup right away? And is running back still a need despite Kyle Monangai’s hype? The guys dive into the biggest roster competitions, rookie projections, and what free agent moves might still be on the horizon—including names like Nick Chubb, J.K. Dobbins, and even a possible Jamaal Williams reunion. Plus, Clay drops his favorite under-the-radar position battle to watch.

The Bears added eight new players in the 2025 NFL Draft—and The Charter crew is here to break it all down. Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, and Clay Harbor dive into every pick, headlined by Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10 overall. Was Loveland the right fit over Tyler Warren? The crew debates his upside and how he pairs with Cole Kmet in Ben Johnson's offense. Then, the conversation shifts to Day 2 with wide receiver Luther Burden III and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo. How will Burden's slot skills and fiery attitude mesh with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze? Can Trapilo compete for the starting left tackle spot? The gang digs into positional fits and long-term upside. The defensive additions—Shemar Turner, Ruben Hyppolite, and Zah Frazier—bring athleticism and edge to Ryan Poles’ roster. But did the Bears do enough at edge rusher? The team discusses that and more, including late-round sleepers like OT Luke Newman and RB Kyle Monangai. A jam-packed episode covering every angle of the Bears' draft strategy, player fits, and what's next for the Bears. 

On this special edition of The Charter, we spoke to a beat writer covering every team that drafts in front of the Chicago. We go team by team to put together a mock draft and then we make the selection for the Bears. Were there any surprises? Who is left for the Bears? We take you inside our war room and play out who the Bears will leave the first round with. Enjoys out 2025 Beat Writer Mock Draft!

On this episode of the Respect Coin podcast, Michael Bolling is joined by the co-host of The Charter, Alex Shapiro! They look at the best bets and markets to explore if you're looking to bet on the 2025 NFL Draft. They explore the best value of where Ashton Jeanty will be drafted, the best bets in the Top 5, and players that can creep into the Top 10. They also look at the variety of landing spots in the Shedeur Sanders market, the positional odds of the Bears 1st selection and some key wide receivers that can push their way up the draft order.