The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

The Bears look to end their three game losing streak on Monday night with the Vikings in town. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis break down the matchup in this week’s preview pod. The crew discusses the Vikings being the favorite despite having a worse record than the Bears, if the Bears defense can stop MVP candidate Dalvin Cook, and, for the love of all, can the offense finally do something? (1:05) - Why are the Bears an underdog to the Vikings? (7:10) - Will the Bears stop Dalvin Cook like they did Derrick Henry? (13:00) - This game is a pivot point for the Bears (18:20) - Where is the bar for the Bears (Not Alex Bars)? (25:20) - Matt Nagy was asked again on if he will give up play calling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Things are looking bleak for the Bears after the third straight loss. Has the struggling offense and consecutive losses put a wedge between Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy? JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis try and answer this question — among many — in the weekly mailbag episode of the Under Center podcast. The crew also wonders which Bears beat writer would win in a foot race, whether the Bears would tag Allen Robinson only to trade him, and how much blame should Matt Nagy get for not being able to develop Mitch Trubisky? (1:14) - Matt Nagy speaks about his in game play-calling and the chances he gives it up (9:08) - Should Pace fire Nagy to protect himself? (14:10) - Are Nagy and Pace on the same page? (19:05) - Who would win in a foot race? (25:25) - If Nagy is fired, what other job would he be able to get? (29:37) - How much responsibility should fall on Nagy for not developing Trubisky? (35:06) - Should Pace draft a QB or an offensive lineman with the Bears 1st round pick? (43:50) - Would the Bears franchise tag Allen Robinson and trade him? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by David Kaplan to sift through the wreckage of the Bears' 24-17 loss to the Titans that was not as close as the final score indicated. The guys discuss what went wrong on offense before debating whether Matt Nagy has any answers whatsoever, and later praise Chuck Pagano's defense for letting loose and amping up the pressure against Ryan Tannehill and company. (1:30) - Bears deserved the embarrassing result they got against Tennessee; what's the path forward? (6:00) - Why are the Bears so bad at situational football? (13:00) - The Bears have to stop making excuses about their offense, but is the real problem on the personnel side? (17:45) - How should the Bears prioritize their needs at QB & OL in the next draft? (20:00) - Should Bears ownership continue to have patience with Matt Nagy? (26:30) - The Bears' defense performed well against Derrick Henry & Ryan Tannehill Sunday (31:00) - Chuck Pagano dialed up a much more aggressive defensive gameplan in Nashville See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis dive deep into an eventful few days for the Bears organization after the entire team and staff were sent home before practice Thursday due to a second positive COVID-19 test. Later, the guys discuss the awful luck of the injured Mitchell Trubisky and what kind of chances the team has against the Titans on Sunday. (1:30) - The entire Bears organization is in a fluid state after another positive COVID-19 test Thursday (6:00) - What would have to happen for Sunday's game to not be played as scheduled? (15:30) - If Tyler Bray can't be on the sidelines Sunday backing up Nick Foles, who would you like to see be the emergency backup: Matt Nagy, Dave Ragone, or Henry Burris?? (19:00) - Mitchell Trubisky potentially has structural problems in his throwing shoulder after getting injured on his only play last Sunday (25:00) - How can the Bears win in Tennessee despite being 6.5-point underdogs according to PointsBet Sportsbook? (36:15) - Breaking News live while recording! Cam & JJ react to the Bears being cleared to return to Halas Hall and practice Friday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by former Bears defensive end and current NBC Sports Chicago Football Aftershow analyst Alex Brown to discuss whether the Bears’ defense has another level to hit, as well as the Javon Wims suspension fallout and whether Matt Nagy needs to tailor his offense a bit differently (1:36). Then, JJ and Cam explain the implications of Jason Spriggs’ positive COVID-19 test (25:25) before reaching into their listener mailbag to answer questions about the offensive line, Halloween candy, Dak Prescott, their top “new” Bear of the season, and whether there’s any hope against the Titans this weekend (31:00). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bears lost their second game in a row on Sunday, falling 26-23 to New Orleans in OT. As the offense struggled once again, Matt Nagy's play calling is again the subject of discussion — as is the fight and subsequent ejection of wide receiver Javon Wims. JJ Stankevitz, Cam Ellis, and David Kaplan breakdown the loss. Cam Nick Foles be the starter going forward? Can anything be done with the offense? And what in the world was Javon Wims doing!? (1:15) - What in the hell is Javon Wims doing? (7:20) - Wims was just another example of a lot of Bears mistakes (14:52) - Should Bears fans still have faith in Matt Nagy? (26:15) - Is Nick Foles still the answer? (35:15) - Who is to blame for the Bears struggling offense? (40:48) - Which Bear players get Under Center Game Balls See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bears look to turn it around vs the New Orleans Saints after an ugly loss to the Rams on Monday Night Football. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis preview the matchup and discuss can the offense play good enough to keep up with Drew Brees and the Saints, and will the defense be able to slow them down. Later in the podcast, former Bears returner Devin Hester joins the podcast brought to you by our partners at PointsBet to help breakdown the matchup. (4:16) - Injury updates on players the Bears might not have vs the Saints (9:30) - Matt Nagy discusses play calling (16:00) - How the defense can change the game vs the Saints (22:00) - Can the defense set the tone for the Bears (29:08) - Devin Hester joins the podcast (34:45) - Why can't the Bears return punts? (38:50) - Does this game have a chance to be higher scoring? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After suffering an ugly loss to the LA Rams, the weekly mailbag questions from Under Center listeners had one central theme: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE OFFENSE AND MATT NAGY? JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by NBCS Chicago teammate Adam Hoge, of the Hoge and Jahns podcast, as they answer concerns about whether Matt Nagy should give up play calling, if the Bears should go back to Mitch Trubisky, should Ryan Pace go after Saints WR Michael Thomas, and more. Make sure to follow @NBCSBears on Twitter to get your question aired on the podcast. (1:30) - The Bears need to address the offense NOW! (8:00) - Should Matt Nagy give up play calling? (17:00) - Why aren't the Bears good at running zone schemes? (22:38) - Why is there no consistent production from the TE position? (27:54) - Should Pace go after Michael Thomas? (34:15) - Will Nick Foles be benched for Mitch Trubisky? (41:27) - Is Akiem Hicks being hit with ticky-tack penalties? (44:45) - If the Bears don't make the playoffs, will Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy be fired? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After pulling out close wins in recent weeks, the Bears struggle on Monday Night Football losing to the Rams 24-10 dropping to 5-2. JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis discuss the ugly loss, the struggling offense, should Matt Nagy continue to call plays for the Bears, and are the Bears going to waste the defense again. (1:20) - Brian Griese quote's Nick Foles about Matt Nagy (8:57) - Does Nick Foles have a point if he did say that to Brian Griese? (16:40) - Why doesn't Matt Nagy's offense does not work? (23:15) - Opponent defenses know Bears will make mistakes (30:20) - Bears punt returns were awful vs the Rams (37:25) - If Mitch Trubisky played like Nick Foles vs the Rams he would be crushed See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis are joined by J.B. Long, the voice of the Rams, to preview a Monday Night matchup with potential playoff implications. The crew discusses each team's schedule so far, the individual matchups to look for, and what this game could mean for playoff seeding. Later in the pod, JJ and Cam dive into what fans should expect from the Bears on Monday Night and if they can keep "winning ugly". (2:00) - How are fans feeling about the Rams heading into the Bears game? (9:21) - Is the Rams pass defense imposing? (16:50) - How good are the Rams/Bears based on their schedules so far? (22:40) - Where will the Rams try and attack the Bears defense? (28:40) - JJ and Cam discuss the Bears being the underdog headed into the Rams game. (34:50) - Will the Bears get literally anything from the run game? (40:00) -How will Bears wide receivers attack Jalen Ramsey? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.