Episodes
Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy sits down — virtually, of course — for a conversation with Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs. They cover a number of topics in this exclusive interview, starting with how Nagy plans to set up his offense without a starting quarterback in place. From there they move on to receiver Allen Robinson’s contract situation, why Nagy is so high on receiver Darnell Mooney and what new defensive coordinator Sean Desai brings to the table. By the way, Nagy is well-aware of the...
Published 03/08/21
The NFL’s new league year begins March 17. Where do the Chicago Bears find themselves with free agency and the draft looming? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs discuss the team’s most pressing needs — starting with quarterback. Mitch Trubisky won’t be back. Nick Foles likely will be, but the Bears probably prefer to use him as a backup. Ryan Pace says the team has a number of options, but are any worthwhile? Trading for Deshaun Watson on Russell Wilson would be no-brainers if their current teams...
Published 03/03/21
Welcome to a rare playoff edition of the Bear Download podcast! Fans probably feel much different about these 8-8 Chicago Bears than the 12-4 team from two seasons ago. Nevertheless, the Bears will look to make the most of their gift from the football gods. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs take a look at what went wrong (a lot) as well as what went right (a few things) in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. The good news for the Bears is they might match up better against the Saints than they...
Published 01/05/21
Bears-Packers. Week 17. Soldier Field. A shot at the playoffs on the line. It doesn't get any better than that, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to preview all the action. They start with the player who often stands in the Bears' way — Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers — before discussing what Davante Adams brings to Green Bay's offense. They look at keys to success in what could be Mitch Trubisky's final game in Chicago as Bears quarterback.
Published 12/31/20
The Chicago Bears enter Week 17 of the NFL season with everything to play for, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are back to look at what's at stake after a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They break down how the Bears look heading into a big showdown with the Green Bay Packers and discuss — and rank — Mitch Trubisky’s 50 games a starter heading into Sunday’s game.
Published 12/29/20
The Bears are on a winning streak! And still in the playoff hunt! Dan and Brad break down the Week 15 win over the Vikings, in which the offense with Mitch Trubisky, David Montgomery & Co. were clicking on all cylinders and the defense … needs to do more. Up next: A trip to sunny Florida against the Jaguars — and with a win, a potentially meaningful Week 17 home date vs. the Packers.
Published 12/22/20
The Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings with — somehow — a possible playoff spot on the line, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to preview the game. They start with Mitch Trubisky's performances the last few weeks and look at changes made to the offense during that span. They then go into a discussion of Trubisky's future and whether he will be with the team next season before looking at what awaits the Bears in Minneapolis.
Published 12/18/20
Dan and Brad talk about the Chicago Bears’ dominant Week 14 win over the Houston Texans that snapped a 6-game losing streak. And now there’s … playoff chances? General hope for the offense? What’s next for Mitch Trubisky and the offense — and will the win that got them to 6-7 change endings that seemed inevitable?
Published 12/15/20
The Chicago Bears season has gone from bad to worse after an embarrassing loss to the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break down everything that went wrong in Week 13. They look at the struggles of the defense — long this team's strength — and question if the unit is shot or just in need of a break. They transition to discuss this weekend's opponent in the Houston Texans and, yes, revisit that fateful 2017 draft that resulted in taking Mitch Trubisky instead of...
Published 12/10/20
The Chicago Bears welcome the Detroit Lions to Soldier Field with a chance to snap their five-game skid, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to preview Sunday’s matchup. They look at Mitch Trubisky’s past success against the Lions and assess how the Bears’ upcoming schedule can serve as an evaluation period for an offensive unit that has struggled all season. Finally, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press joins the show to discuss the changes in the Lion organization, including the...
Published 12/04/20
The Chicago Bears' loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night was about as ugly as it gets, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break it all down. They discuss the poor effort by the defense — and Matt Nagy's criticism of the unit — before moving on to Mitch Trubisky's struggles in his first game since being benched during Week 3. The two look at the upcoming schedule and discuss if Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are on the hot seat.
Published 12/01/20
The move is officially official: Mitch Trubisky will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to break it down on the Bear Download podcast. The two look at the events that led to the decision, what are reasonable expectations for Trubisky and a struggling offense and what the future holds for the QB and Nick Foles.
Published 11/27/20
The Chicago Bears need answers — and fast. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs do their best to offer some on this episode of the Bear Download podcast. Unfortunately for the Bears, their offensive woes are less of a slump and more of an identity. And coach Matt Nagy is struggling for explanations; just listen to his recent press conferences. So how can the Bears awaken their dormant running game? Brad is convinced that if quarterback Mitch Trubisky is healthy, it’s him and not Nick Foles who gives...
Published 11/24/20
Once 5-1, the Chicago Bears are now 5-4 and a home underdog against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. How did they get here, and how can they right the ship? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs start by breaking down the offense, specifically the offensive line. Also, putting themselves in playoff contention might require the Bears to use their offense to set up the defense and for coach Matt Nagy to dial back his aggressiveness. Turning to the defense, yes, the news is better. However, the unit isn’t...
Published 11/12/20
After a miserable showing on offense by the Chicago Bears against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs try to make sense of it all before the Week 8 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. They compare this season's offensive woes to last year's struggles, discuss Matt Nagy's play calling and even explore the big question: Will Mitch Trubisky play again this season?
Published 10/29/20
The Chicago Bears are 5-1 — but are they legit? And what are we to make of their start to the season? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break down the victory against the Carolina Panthers and look ahead to the challenge that awaits Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams on the latest episode of the Bear Download podcast.
Published 10/21/20
Can the Chicago Bears fix their offensive woes heading into Week 6 on the road against the Carolina Panthers? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break it all down.
Published 10/12/20
It’s a short week for the Chicago Bears coming off a frustrating loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and next up are Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Thursday night matchup puts the Bears in the national spotlight, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs dive into how Matt Nagy’s team can make that a good thing (besides Nick Foles’ success against Brady in a certain Super Bowl). For starters, the Bears must ignite their offense — starting with the running game — in some way, shape or form. As...
Published 10/07/20
The Bears have a new starting quarterback, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs waste no time breaking down what the change means to the offense. If the second half of the win over Atlanta is any indication, Foles should be able to run the offense more smoothly, get the ball out more quickly and allow the Bears to run a more complex scheme. As for the defense, figure extra time will be spent in meetings this week to address mistakes made against the Falcons (cough, shoddy tackling, cough). Good...
Published 09/29/20
The Bears are 2-0, which is a good kind of strange for the franchise — unlike having to play without fans. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs explore how the Bears got here without being all that outstanding overall. It’s not just about quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s inconsistency, either — the defense hasn’t been as stout as the team would like. So what’s different? Dan and Brad explain why they’re impressed with the running game before previewing Sunday’s matchup at Atlanta. Finally, in Crown ‘Em,...
Published 09/22/20
Instead of focusing on the Chicago Bears' 27-23 comeback victory over the Detroit Lions, Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs give context to wide receiver Allen Robinson's surprise inquiry about a possible trade as contract talks appear to stall. They break down the situation and what it means for Robinson and the team going forward. They then transition to talking about the Bears' Week 1 performance as they prepare for the New York Giants in Week 2.
Published 09/16/20
Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs preview the Chicago Bears' Week 1 game against the Lions in Detroit, starting with Matt Nagy's decision to go with Mitch Trubisky over Nick Foles at quarterback. They also discuss how good the defense can be this season, look at the overall concerns the team faces and finish by crowning X-factor players.
Published 09/08/20
The Bears are back at practice and things are, well, confusing at Halas Hall. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs try to make sense of it all. Much of the strangeness resulted from nine false positive COVID-19 tests, which started in the wee hours Sunday and carried through the day’s rescheduled practice. The good news is the Bears did not have a coronavirus outbreak. The bad news is this won’t be the end of the detours on that front. On the field, the quarterback competition is in full swing between...
Published 08/24/20
Dan and Brad set the scene for the Bears’ first padded practices of training camp in 2020 by asking — and answering — 5 key questions, including Allen Robinson’s contract status and reasons for optimism. Not answered: Will Dan wear his face shield to Halas Hall daily?
Published 08/15/20