Hard Knocks Sneak Peek: Chicago Bears’ Top Picks Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze on HBO | CHGO Bears Pod

On today’s episode of the CHGO Bears Podcast, we react to a sneak peek from HBO’s Hard Knocks showing Caleb Williams being put on the spot in a pre-draft meeting from the New York Giants. How well did he perform in their interview process? Plus, Rome Odunze finds some camera time and impresses the Giants’ brass with his response to a question.

Later, we analyze the Chicago Bears’ range of outcomes in the 2024 season. Is a Super Bowl in the realm of possibilities? We debate.

We close it out with an NFC North team preview. Today we bring on Luke Braun from Locked on Vikings to preview the Minnesota Vikings. Are they no longer a threat in the division? Are they destined to finish last in the NFC North? Braun answers those questions with Mark Carman, Nicholas Moreano and Greg Braggs Jr. on the CHGO Bears Live Podcast.

An ALLCITY Network Production

BECOME A DIEHARD! https://www.allchgo.com/diehard

BUY OUR NEW CHICAGO COLLECTION! https://chgolocker.com/collections/the-chicago-collection

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/CHGOSports

ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports

WEBSITE:
http://allCHGO.com/

BUY MERCH:
http://CHGOLocker.com

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL:
Twitter: @CHGO_Sports
Instagram: @CHGO_Sports

GET OUR FREE NEWSLETTER:
http://www.allchgo.com/newsletter

WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo

CHGO Bears Trips: We’re taking this show to London and Arizona! Reserve your tickets at https://truefantravel.com/chicago/

CIRCA SPORTSBOOK:

Download the Circa Sports Illinois at circa sports dot com slash Illinois dash app (https://www.circasports.com/illinois-app) to sign up today! If you or someone you know may have a problem with gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), text GAMB to 833234, or visit https://www.AreYouReallyWinning.com

Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/CHGO and get on your way to being your best self.

Mint Mobile New Customer Offer: To get your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to https://mintmobile.com/chgo. Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/chgo. $45 upfront payment required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customers on first 3 month plan only. Speeds slower above 40GB on Unlimited plan. Additional taxes, fees, & restrictions apply. See MINT MOBILE for details.

Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary: Head to https://sunnyside.shop and use code ‘HICHGO’ at checkout for 35% off favorite brands like Cresco, Good News, & more to elevate your first purchase! Sunnyside* Cannabis Dispensary -Bright buys, every day. Only for 21+ or IL medical card holders

Miller Lite: No matter how your team changes, you can always enjoy the great taste of Miller Lite. Tastes Like Miller Time. To get Miller Lite delivered right to your door, visit https://millerlite.com/CHGOFootball, Or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Celebrate Responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, WI. 96 calories per 12 ounces.

Shady Rays is giving out their best deal of the season. Head to https://shadyrays.com and use code: CHGO for 35% off polarized sunglasses. Try for yourself the shades rated 5 stars by over 300,000 people.

Let’s level up your nicotine routine with Lucy. Go to https://Lucy.co/CHGOBears and use promo code (CHGOBears) to get 20% off your first order. Lucy offers FREE SHIPPING and has a 30-day refund policy if you change your mind. Lucy products are ONLY for adults of legal age, and every order is age-verified. WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

Head to https://factormeals.com/chgobears50 and use code chgobears50 to get 50% off.

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase.

Check out FOCO for merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/CHGO and use promo code “CHGO10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items.

When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions.

Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

#Bears #ChicagoBears #BearDown #DaBears

[Music] welcome in to the chgo Bears podcast as we are now under 10 days to training camp and yes we are indeed talking Super Bowl on the show today preview of The Vikings coming up Hard Knocks looked Caleb in the conversation my good friend Nicholas moriano my good friend Greg P Allen brags couple of crutches a knee brace made it into the studio today gentlemen good to see you you don’t see me with the car actually coming into the studio that’s that’s that’s messed up dude you know you would think he would be a gentleman after everything that he’s gone through both you on the escalator no not at all I was watching the Roman dun clip on Harden KNX just walking crossing the street when I should and then yep laid on the horn waited till he was crossing and then accelerated towards I’m like look at the sign you jackass and then he realized it was me it it was great he did get he did get kind of puffy chested when he didn’t know it was me for he was ready to scrap in the middle of the road that was good you two are very similar that way just always ready to fight I mean I’m open a C4 right now that’s right I’m a lover and not a fighter and the only time I’ve ever been in a fight I was halfway running out the door so congrats to me uh shout out to my guy you guys said this morning I had a gentleman on a bike across the street stare at me this morning and then I was as I was walking up the steps he he like went under the viaduct and then he looks at me and he he yells across the way I watch your podcast every day D you made my day appreciate you my friend thank you for saying hello uh across the way that’s awesome Mark I have to give a quick shout out too because this past weekend I ran to Sean and Chris both supporters Watchers of the COO Bears podcast we talk to some bears along the way so just want to give a shout out to those guys Sean and Chris anytime you say hello to us you have no idea what it means the only reason why I do this every day is for one random person to say hello to me once a week that’s that’s really I I have so much trouble validating myself that any validation like that is it’s really it’s really what I live for so thank you D you got your fix today so yeah all good all right so let let’s jump into the Hard Knock situation Brian dable you know my biggest takea away from the whole thing is that I want Brian dable to be my head coach the guy’s just like there’s a straightness and a easiness to him that I really appreciate but uh Caleb’s got his favorite play Rome comes across well Jaden Daniels not so much we’re uh what was your number one takeaway if people haven’t seen these clips unfortunately we can’t play them for you but uh you know there’s there’s there’s a lot to take out of it but I’m curious where you guys you came in very excited today Gregory on this you two Nick where do you want to go with your favorite sort of takeaway from what we’ve learned on look at the giant with Caleb and Rome or all the clips that we got from the Giants interviewing open cavis baby go ahead yeah I I mean I think the thing that was most impressive cuz like all of it’s just kind of whiteboard stuff that you may or may not understand but the thing I respected the most was Marvin Harrison Jr not throwing his quarterback under the bus and it certainly seemed like they were trying to bait him into that and he wouldn’t take that bait you know he T they set him up like hey you played with CJ strad now you gotta play with this young freshman loser that can’t get you the football that’s a [ __ ] throw wasn’t it man ha and then he doesn’t take it and he says no man I I never say anything to the quarterback when I come to that huddle and then he doubles down and goes I could have made a play on that ball you know and he puts it and that that to me is the kind of leadership you want to see so I’m excited for some of the stuff I mean Roma dun was really impressive Caleb Williams obviously you know impressive on the Whiteboard but I did have a lot of respect for the way Marvin Harrison Jr carried himself there zero% chance I would have said that yeah no it’s a [ __ ] throw the guy’s actually a piece of [ __ ] I don’t like him at all that’s probably would have my stats would be way better if I had a actual quarterback right I I I that was good good good teammate ship right there yeah I really I enjoyed the Caleb clip with him on the Whiteboard where they draw up this play you know if there are 70 plays in a game and 45 passing you have to run this play 45 times do you know what play you want what’s the one play that you’re you’re going to want to draw up and he runs this trips to the right where the inside slot runs a fade the slot then the slot receiver runs a stick route and the outside guy runs a 10 yard uh stop route and then how Caleb is describing what happens when there’s two safeties there obviously he knows the details of the play but then D’s like okay so what what happens against like cover two like what are you going to do and if this this safety has the range did you do you have any hard time like throwing to the receiver that’s running the inside fade Caleb no no trouble whatsoever and then dble goes to describe like how that was a play that Brett Favre and him used to run when they were on the yet so the confidence that we know that Caleb Williams has was just also expressed in that one you know board on on the Whiteboard and during the combine there’s so much that goes on in football that is over my head I gotta be honest and and most fans and that’s okay that’s most fans head you know like um you know so I I I think we do have to stop the pr here I know we’re in the middle of I know we’re in the middle of a a segment here but anytime we get a $500 super Super Chat uh we do stop the Pres here Wy City sports cards with a $500 Super Chat can’t wait for the Bears season to start and see what this team can do on the field but historically teams on Hard Knock have Hard Knocks have had mixed results some Thrive under the spotlight While others struggle with the added pressure the Bears will need to stay focused and use this as an opportunity to bond and build momentum for the season bear down man Windy City Sports Cards $500 super had that is amazing we appreciate that and we might have a little more about Windy City Sports Cards here in a little bit so stay tuned for that so really yes sir it’s a surprise so um Karm yeah buddy the the other aspect when he talks about wi City sports cars like hey historically teams that are on Hard Knock Stone too as well the Lions you know I think were you know the exception here last year so that makes you feel a little better but I I will say watching these clips and seeing being them showing Caleb Williams mindset you know in the Huddle and showing romad dun the the Caleb thing for me got me squirmish I’m like hey the Giants shouldn’t be allowed to put this out that’s our guy now you you got do mind your own business you shouldn’t be allowed to use footage of now a competitor’s player and what he’s thinking on the football field that should be up to us what we want to put up it’s totally I started getting defensive yeah know I I think that the chance for Caleb to have success in the NFL now that everybody knows his favorite play majorly compromised I I really think that we need to like it we need to readjust the Bears win total this year because that’s out there I think you’re on to something Gregory well do you think the Bears I mean you know how like they like to keep things under wraps and control what’s being put out there I I can’t imagine that e flu and PS loved that footage of their players is out there without really they have I mean did they have a say in it do do you think that that play was completely unique to football no of course not it’s not Reinventing the Wheel by any means I mean the play’s unmatted I look it’s it’s a trips right there’s so many formations and Route combinations that can come out of like a trips right and then a single receiver to the left so knowing a defense I don’t think a defense would ever know oh man they’re running that play from hard knock but I mean it is a play that Caleb does like he identified as one that he’s familiar with knows where to go on every specific uh progression but it would be I I man again it would be really difficult for any defense to identif oh it’s coming and then be able to defend it yeah of course my reaction to the whole Caleb thing is how long he paused when when the question was asked and like I was wondering what was going on in his head and he all right let’s do it you know and I’m like did did is this confusing to you or is dble being too straight do you know this as well as you are you are you not wanting to give him this information like there was he was definitely the the the the mind was rolling that was what I was taking away like I was trying to figure out exactly like what he thought of the question and what he and whether he felt like he was being manipulated into giving something that he didn’t run again well and here’s another question across the board for all these players were they informed that hardnox was filming this while they’re being interviewed I mean I think it is their right to to know that right and if they did know that then I do think it does change the way they answer questions because not only are they you know trying to make a good impression to the people in that room with the Giants staff but now you know that you’re going to be on HBO as well so I’m curious to know if they actually knew that they were being filmed in those moments for a production like this so those are my questions cuz like the Jaden Daniels one was certainly interesting he wasn’t able to call back I mean I’ll be it if you were you were doing calls to me and Stephen uh you didn’t test mark But to do a call back on a play thank you for not tting me I would never I I ex Super califragilistic X docious like I can’t do it and so X9 Z4 what did I just say X9 Z4 so that’s like three letter do one Nick because when jadeen Daniels couldn’t call it back obviously that was a a mark against him but I I couldn’t do it okay this is ridicul I just put up NFL play call example hop to gun blue King trips right tear 52 sway all go special X shallow cross H wide and I don’t I don’t know I mean that I literally just Googled this that part of it was the most impressive thing to me was Drake may like he seemed like he was completely in control like that dude is working he understood it he not just could recite it but he understood what everything meant it for lack of a better phrase for mat naggie the why you know he could say it but also understand the why of it well and that gets into the range of how much success you know these guys can have as rookies and I think everyone myself included is staring at CJ St last year throw for over 4100 yards as a rookie getting into the playoffs as a rookie on a bad team coming off a team that was a four- win team winning a playoff game all of it and hoping that that could be the case for or Caleb and I’m sure you know whatever the Patriots are hoping the same thing for Drake and commanders of Jaden all all that type of stuff but it also and we’re gonna we have an interview coming up here as we’re with Luke Brun lock on Vikings who’s looking around the division and Minnesota where you know he not to spoil some of it but you know we get into the fact that JJ McCarthy is the three up there and he’s not going to be under any pressure to do literally anything anytime soon whereas here Bears fans are going to be like you better win week one oh yeah like come on let’s go balance no balance whatever let’s go Caleb let’s do it and it’s there’s layers of expectations for Caleb one you got to live up to Breaking this quarterback curse two you got to live up to a team that has expectations because they finished the season strong with montz sweat three you got to justify to a segment of the fan base that thought they shouldn’t get rid of Justin fields and bring in Caleb Williams So you you’re justifying that decision for Ryan poles there there’s so many different layers of pressure and expectations for Caleb to overcome in a rookie season where he has so much to learn and chemistry to build it’s it’s going to be interesting you know I I I think the other aspect when you talked about like you know um Karm where you were saying you know I didn’t understand like when they’re doing the cadences I’ll never understand that and what I was going to say earlier is like that’s okay like I feel like with football we have kind of evolved to a different level of everyone has to try to be the smartest football fan of all time you know especially on social media it is interesting to watch that kind of thing and try to understand the the true X’s and O’s of the game and the more you understand that the more I think you can appreciate the game but you that’s not a requirement either you know and and so Jaden daniels’s failing at that that is his job but it isn’t every Fan’s job to understand what Jaden Daniels is trying to understand if you want to be the type of fan that just sees ball watches ball in the air receiver catches the touchdown so be it but if you want to be a guy that breaks down the tape breaks down the film understands it all the way to its tense degree that’s cool too Bo chanton your boy Boogie Bo chanton for sure those guys yeah the Smart Ones that level but yeah Jaden he couldn’t do the call back didn’t understand where the correct read go on a specific then when Brian D goes okay and what do I want from you on this he was like well to throw a touchdown and it was a slick answer but was also a a tell that he didn’t know what the answer was and and dble kind of threw him bone was like hey I like that answer because it showed his confidence but it did show that his you know lack of understanding of what dble was trying to do and to your point Drake May nailed it and I think too like going back to what you were saying Greg did these players know about whether or not hard KN was filming I would think regardless if you knew or didn’t know being more specific on those types of responses puts you in a better light that you know exactly what the question is how to best answer it so if Jaden Daniels had responded with you know not the touchdown answer what do you do against cover one but oh since the safety is going over to the right to the strong side I throw back whatever it may be like I think that would make him look better as a quarterback but again it doesn’t mean that he won’t be successful in the NFL because he didn’t answer that type of question right then and there well Fair uh one one of thing that just underlined that was interesting was the the Giants very much wanted to move up to get Drake May um which we can talk about later because there’s a little bit of that conversation with Luke Braun and the Vikings as well so we can we can come back Circle back to that for sure we absolutely can Gregory and uh Again Luke from lock on Vikings coming up at 12:30 Super Bowl talk coming up in 2 minutes which I am very excited about and also extremely excited about going to London and if you don’t come with us I’m gonna hunt you down at this point that’s what I’m thinking lond voice while you do this read what’s that London voice while you do this read oh uh well yes thank you Gregory it’s an excellent point as uh it is hard for me to let go of my trip to London because it was just so lovely and I made so many friends over there batana and Rico and and and and Timmy at the at the phell pub we really had a lovely musroom it’s funny I love all your impersonating voices I just don’t love your actual voice yeah that’s unfortunate for you because uh you’re going to get a lots of that but come with us to to London true fan travel your passport to the World of Sports The Trusted travel partner for professional sporting events around the world come with us do this book by the end of the month flight to London four to five star hotel accommodation you’re not used to that I’m not used to that that’s going to be sweet welcome event brags will be drunk favorite London pup it’s going to be sweet private boat cruise River Tams that’s going to be sweet I say it right TS TS whatever all inclus Great River don’t drink the water all inclusive tailgate party before the game close to the stadium that’s going to be sweet upper level brilliant beautiful ticket to the Bears game you’re going to meet some amazing Bears fans as well Transportation on-site trip coordinators breakfast is going to be available each and every morning come on down for a cup of tea uh it’s going to be a delicious and a meet and greet of course with the chgo team oh we’re going to you know we’ll come to your room we’ll meet you in the lobby we’ll do whatever you want to do let’s we want to hang out and have a ton of fun with you this is what you do go to Trant travel.com Trufant travel.com make your deposit secure your spot I hope that wasn’t creepy thank you very much Steve and I are just laughing over here go to your room and SL Stephen D I’m I’m most looking forward to getting hammered with brags in London love it good it’s good to have goals that’s that’s that’s an excellent choice DVD and uh how about this maybe we’ll come to the uh to the B market and have some strawberries and chocolate and then have a paa somebody in our comments on YouTube yesterday said as a guy who spent his formative years in Dublin K’s accent is so offensive to the Brits and it brings great joy to my heart knowing the entirety of the UK is cringing as he speaks please use that accent the entire time in London that was a great comment here from Quin thank you thank you very much and you can have your opinion but I again I made many friends while I was over there for six days they wanted to stab you for sure yes no doubt yes so want to give a shout out here to comed it’s getting is easier for businesses to switch to electric vehicles that’s something we can all get behind for the health of the planet and the well-being of all of us who share it that’s right Greg the electric grid is evolving to meet your cleaner energy needs as we all move with confidence towards an electric tomorrow whether you have one delivery van or a whole Fleet of shipping trucks comat can help guide you to make the changes that make sense so what should business owners do do they should go to comed.com clean to learn more about the resources Fleet rebates and infrastructure incentives available to help businesses go electric if you own a business don’t wait start making your plan today to switch to electric vehicles good for business good for the planet and good for all of us go to comed.com clean did you say comed.com clean I sure did so go now and see how going electric connects us to a better way of doing business and a better future for generations to come good work everybody appreciate it uh show your boy Boogie kind want you to get the fade I told you that you got to get the fade I get the fade huh I I’ll I’ll take you to where I get my haircut you’ll get you a fade everyone’s gonna be a fade I got Sheena in Midtown she’s doing phenomenal work getting me to this point she can go to the next level all right love to see you in Midtown getting it done thank you to my friends in Midtown all right so Conor or covers the NFL Sports Illustrated senior writer and uh I was scroll catching up on the old all the action that I missed while I was dominating in London and his piece was written about 12 teams that could if everything goes right win the Super Bowl this season and so I’m going through it and I’m wondering is he going to include the Bears I wasn’t expecting him to include the bears but I was thinking there was an outside shot that perhaps he would because he said at the start of the piece that he was stretching you know getting 212 and looking for things if everything went right could this team win the Super Bowl and as your new director of optimism I would like to put out there that if everything did go right this year the Bears do have the talent to win the Super Bowl this season I’m not you shut your face I’m I’m not predicting it I’m not expecting it I wouldn’t bet on it all of that but if you told if you’re telling me that the exercise is do are which of the teams in the NFL if things went right have the talent to do it the Bears do now the biggest bet of course is on Caleb he has to be the guy that CJ strad was last year the 4100 yard thrower that wow everybody offensive Rookie of the Year and all that if you ask Bears fans right now who would you rather have Caleb Williams or CJ strout I most of them would probably take Caleb I actually would say you know you known commodity in CJ you’d be nuts not to take him if you could have one of the two but there’s a but I think a lot of Bears fans feel like Caleb’s going to be the better quarterback all right well let’s put that in there I’m sure Ryan PES is hoping that uh so now let’s let’s let’s talk about the obvious here DJ Moore last year six in the NFL in yards 1364 of them Keenan Allen 11th in the NFL in yards 1243 that is that combination is second in the NFL only behind Jaylen Wad and Tyreek Hill in Miami that’s impressive that’s a pretty damn ass good Duo now let’s add in a rookie wide receiver well who was the top rookie wide receiver last year that would be puka nakua he he caught 1486 yards all right I don’t think Roman dun is GNA do that but let’s say that Roman dun had a great rookie season and got a thousand yards now you’ve got an insane three lot that your rookie quarterback who you’re hoping can get up to speed super fast gets up to that that offense right there we’re not even talking about the running back room we’re not talking about the tight ends that would Stack Up up with an offense that is good enough to win a Super Bowl you know you look around I mean go to the Texans playoff team last year they had they had Nico Collins with 1297 yards who was next on their team like if you look at their team last year to now their next would be Stefan Diggs coming in this year so and and still adding in a premier Wide Receiver right there you only get to 2480 when you add up Collins and Diggs from last year so okay let let let’s go defensive side of the ball where do where do the Bears rank Montes SWAT was 10th in the NFL last year in sacks with 12 and a half he was 16th in tackles for loss with 14 TJ Edwards was seventh in the NFL and tackles 155 that’s too many you’d like to see more up front but it’s still a damass productive linebacker you got to get takeaways right Bears had three players tied for the seventh most interceptions four a piece Jaylen Johnson Tyreek Stevenson taine Edmonds again hard to predict turnovers but you know these are keys to the defense TJ by way was tied for 25th with three so you had four guys with three or more uh interceptions pass deflections was an interesting category that I was looking at who was fifth in the NFL tied for 16 pass deflections last year you want to Gander a guess on that I wouldn’t have gotten this it’s Tyreek Stevenson bang it’s Tyreek Stevenson with 16 of them all right that’s a hell of a year for a rookie right there yep who the they were targeting a ton because you have other quality Corners in jayen who got paid who I’m not taking any chips off the table there same thing with Kyler that’s that is impressive so but what year go ahead what I’m not saying is what go ahead so what we’re missing is another pass rusher yeah the trenches yeah the trenches trust in the trenches cor like if you’re saying everything’s gonna go right that that means that to me includes either Austin Booker having a Renaissance rookie year or they’re bringing in another pass rusher to add to the talent [Music] while take to you got thear and the last time the Bears played Green Bay Packers they could not get to Jordan love to save their life right but exactly but I’m saying that look C my my point is this can you make an argument if everything goes well that the Bears have enough high-end talent and you know why phone is going off on the show what is probably but the reason that you can make this argument that I think where if everything goes right and they have enough Talent not every team’s perf like we I say okay they need another pass rusher who knows if they can stay healthy on the offensive line well that’s every team not there isn’t a team in the league that has a perfect roster across the board you’re going to have holes here and there and because you have great players those cover up other deficiencies on your roster that’s the idea of having great players on your team let’s hope that Caleb Williams is that great player for the Bears I mean did I do you think that I that uh that this is way too optimistic to look like if everything went right this is what I was going to say the re the number one reason I feel like if everything goes right where the Bears have a shot is they’re not in the AFC they’re in the NFC and if you look at this list of the TP 12 teams that Conor War thinks have a chance Chiefs bills Jets Ravens Bengals Browns Texans are the first seven teams he list all in the AFC none of you have a chance the Chiefs are the only team that has a chance in the AFC so wipe all those teams out then it’s Niners Rams Lions Packers Eagles you know then you move to the a the NFC teams that have a chance so to me the fact that the Bears are in the NFC and a lot of things can change as the year goes on in terms of all the different variables from injury to momentum and otherwise that that’s where the Bears can find their way to making a playoff push and who knows maybe even making a playoff run so not there I’m not there with the Bears they can win a Super Bowl in 2024 well screw you I know screw me right now but it’s to me like yes if everything goes right I think they can be a playoff team I don’t see this team right now as it is with a rookie quarterback and still the first year in this offense you don’t have you have star players defensively but I think the big thing is the trenches here because you look at a team like the Chiefs The Trenches with Chris Jones you have you have a solid offensive line and then you have Patrick Mahomes that can make up for the lack of for the holes that may be on that roster I mean we think Caleb Williams can get to that level but I don’t Envision that being the guy in year one for this team they just need to get out of the NFC North because the NFC North’s going to be a battle itself so to think that they can be one of are they okay let me are they better than any of the 12 teams that were mentioned in Conor or’s article right now like would you have him slotted in front of any of the teams again Chiefs bills Jets Ravens Bengals Browns Texans 49ers Rams Lions Packers Eagles I’m no I’m not making the argument that that he got the order wrong I’m not making the argument that uh like this is some completely like Conor’s just completely sleeping on the bears but I do think he is sleeping on the highend potential bears like Nick to what you just said you don’t think that the Bears could be a 9-8 10- seven play play off team with a mediocre 3300 yard Caleb Williams and a defense that’s just freaking good and you’re you’re eeking out wins like I think the season very well could yeah they could be that but do you think think the question is win a Super Bowl well do you think I don’t think that’s the case but that’s where Caleb’s got to be great well nobody’s beating the Chiefs at the end of if you’re going to put whatever NFC like’s taking you down so well let’s say you know Mahomes you know gets banged up you know not not wishing injury upon anyone but like in in the world that we take them out of the equation now everybody has a chance but the Chiefs you know so to me then the question is last year do you think that the Bears can be the Lions of last year so let’s talk about the Lions yeah it’s a good question because to me they very well should have made the Super Bowl they slipped on the banana peel against the 49ers and so to me if the Bears can do what the Lions did last year and be that you know resurgent team you know and and get hot Jordan love too yeah you know Jordan love got hot in the second half of the season they very well could have made the Super Bowl last year the way they were playing at the end of the year I’ll say the biggest difference between like Bears lines comparison real quickly is that the offensive line for the Detroit Lions is probably arguably the best unit in the top five best unit in the NFL Fair the Bears are not I I think they could be a top 15 unit but nowhere near being a top five unit you look from left tackle to right tackle that’s why jar is able to have a season he did in 2023 yeah and to wrap this up I’m not saying it’s likely I’m not betting on it I wouldn’t bet money on it either yeah and if you asked me like not to end the segment with a dud but if you add to if you were gonna ask me what’s more likely the Bears missing the Playoffs or winning the Super Bowl i’ take missing the Playoffs but but again if you want to if you want to talk about what could go right this year like I I would bet I would have more confidence on this team because there’s a huge unknown in Caleb in this team winning the Super Bowl than I did in the 2018 and I think meeting in the middle is most fair so being the Packers of last year and winning a playoff game the Seahawks and Russell Wilson’s rookie year winning a playoff game I think that’s the trajectory that is the most reasonable and realistic for high highest POS possibility do agree with that though that because Mitch trubisky was the quarterback even though you had a dominant defense that you would bet on this team over that team to win it uh that’s where that’s what I’m talking about when in terms of momentum that that team had so much momentum and if they had beating the Eagles you know every team every player on that team to a man was saying hey they were gonna run over the Rams that next week so te was so inconsistent they sucked I hated them um it was annoying thank you bears bears Caleb 2024 all right hey get ready for the season ahead with quality Shades built to last our friends at Shady rays are here for you and they got you covered with the premium polar Shades that won’t break the bank Shady Rays the independent sunglasses company offering a worldclass product rated five stars by over 300,000 amazing people including Greg Braggs their shades of durable frames Crystal Clear Optics making them the perfect choice for all Outdoor Adventures they’ve got your style they’ve got your favorite team colors Nick just bought a new pair yesterday for training camp which are incredibly sweet the Rival the Rival Shadow Mirage polarized sunglasses I’m going to be that guy at training camp you’ll see me you are going bold and I love it if you don’t love your shades by the way you can exchange them through a new pair or return them worry free within 30 days no risk when you shop team always has your back with the personal and fast support plus if you lose them they go missing you somehow put them in a napkin at the old people’s home and they and they get stolen like my dad’s teeth uh you you that was a rough one for Freddy um they’ll get you a new pair they have the most insane protection in all of Iowa every pair is back by the lost or broken Replacements exclusively for our listeners Shady Rays giving out their best deal of the Season at is shadyrays.com use the code chgo 35% off polarized sunglasses try for yourself the shades rated five stars by over 300,000 people everyone go check out Shady rays but also got to check out C4 you can elevate your performance with energy that hits C4 performance energy powers explosive energy with 200 migs of caffeine and provides enhanced endurance with carnis beta alanine made with clinically studied ingredients Z grams of sugar or artificial colors and carrying the NSF certified for sport label C4 performance energy is the athletes choice for elevating performance and C4 performance energy you guys fights muscular fatigue and Powers enhanced muscular endurance with energy you can absolutely feel and again C4 performance energy it’s available in a wide variety of amazing sugar-free flavors including delicious collaborations like grape popsicle strawberry Starburst and orange creamsicle um I literally have a C4 probably every single day so you don’t have to do with that level but you definitely have to check them out C4 performance energy all right we talk to you about the Vikings as we continue to make our way around the division and I gotta tell you Luke Brawn knows his stuff he he has a great football mind in depth if I had to bet what Luke Braun is doing right now he’s watching film of someone somewhere and looking at their footwork and figuring out whether they’re he’s they’ve got the flexibility and the shoulder uh capacities to be dominant um so this is an in we’re going to have a interesting followup to this too because he brings up a lot of points on the Bears that I think might perhaps make you a little angry slash nous slash dem’s fighting words but uh but it’s a really good conversation yeah so he does a great job whether you agree with him or not and I think makes a lot of good points so uh yeah and without further Ado we bring in our friend Luke Brawn locked on Vikings a borderline regular this time of year on the chgo Bears podcast Luke we appreciate you taking time so Luke who’s the better quarterback Caleb Williams or JJ McCarthy I mean Caleb Williams is a better Prospect for sure right but who’s to say that’s we we all we all thought that RG3 would have a better career than Russell Wilson right let me ask you this I mean yeah right into the firing line with this and we’re excited for this you know see these two quarterbacks Ascend together and see where they go but let me ask you this when there was talks of maybe the Vikings moving up to three for JJ McCarthy were you a proponent of that or was that something that made you nervous without blowing up anybody’s spot I knew that that wasn’t real um I knew that if they were going up to three that it would Drake May the the idea that it would be for JJ McCarthy was people who had heard that the Vikings liked JJ McCarthy a lot they fell in love with him especially after they talked to him about the combine but they were in love with him for a while uh as like a lot of people have been in love with JJ McCarthy like at the pro circuit since he was like 16 years old um so I knew that the Vikings were really in on him and then the the the rumors that they were trying to move the Patriots off of pick number three people just kind of connected those two dots and said oh they love this quarterback they’re even going to trade up for him but they loved May more uh they like that I mean that Josh Macau coached him at in high school back in the day they like they Drake May was the dream ofd dream scenarios and they moved As Much Heaven and Earth as they possibly could to try to get the Patriots off that pick but you know hey if you’re looking at your franchise quarterback you’re just going to take them so Patriots said no Vikings said okay we’re going to call New York’s Bluff because if New York takes JJ McCarthy like we would rather risk that than pay What It Takes not to and so they chose to call New York’s Bluff they were right and then he ends up falling all the way they they had heard some other Rumblings of the Rams and somebody else trading up with the Jets so they said we’ll just take that we’ll throw a fourth fourth and a fifth ad him and now we’ve got our quarterback no big deal keep our first that was huge they were very they really were ready to lose that other first round pick so they were very pleased that it fell in such a way where they could still do that and then turn that guy into the third Defender off the board in Dallas Turner so Luke it’s July 9th as we’re kind of recording this podcast but when it comes to who you envision the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings to be in week one is it JJ mccarthur or is it Sam darnold gonna be no almost certainly darnold uh right now what they’re doing with JJ McCarthy so I I did a whole patreon video on this if you want to go to patreon.com luk Brun NFL if you all want Caleb Williams content as well I did him back way back in February before it was even sure that he was going to be a bear before the fields trade and all that uh so I did an eval on him that’s like an hour long if Bears fans want to see that and that’s free to watch uh but for patrons I did one on JJ McCarthy and what they appear to be working on based on what I can see in OTAs and like the the nuances of footwork that they’re having him go to essentially one of the things about J McCarthy that made his deep ball in particular struggle was that he would over rotate and if you imagine like a pitcher throwing a pitch their hips come all the way through their leg comes flying all the way around you don’t want that in a football throw and JJ McCarthy had it which on longer throws that require a little bit more touch um you’re going to have like that’s going to really show up so you would see a lot of deep misses especially across your body to the left and all that and you you see that reflected inaccuracy stat so they’re working on that they’re trying to get them to rotate things a little bit less I don’t know if any of you golf but if you’ve ever tried to change your golf swing you suck in the meantime that’s where we’re at right now so absolutely no expectation for JJ McCarthy to start week one that’s not the plan for him if he finishes you know if he gets his mechanics right in time and and he can and he’s better than darnold and he beats but but like they don’t want him to be in a camp battle so he’s qb3 right now um because being in a camp battle makes you makes it harder for you to work on those things because there’s a little extra pressure on every throw what if I lose my job because I throw this interception because I’m in the middle of changing my mechanics um so the there he’s not even fighting qb1 right now it’s it’s going to be darnold until it isn’t that’s interesting that they bumped him all the way to qb3 because the Bears went through this with Justin fields and they couldn’t decide where they’d put him from a rep standpoint whether it be qb3 or qb2 they didn’t want to have him as a starter and then they hemmed and ha to try to decide qb3 or qb2 who was two back then well they had should have been Nick fos right they had and Nick fos and so then they they moved him up to qb2 and then Andy Dalton gets hurt in the second week of the season and now all of a sudden Justin Fields gets catapulted into starting and maybe you had that Browns game that was such a that was kind of broken so it’s interesting that Tak that route so I I think a big reason it’s just practical because you’re if you’re going to stop practice to to like work on your QB’s mechanics which is probably worth it when he’s the guy that’s like your franchise QB now right like he’s your first round he’s your guy he’s your career is tied to this guy probably worth stopping practice to like fix a hitch in his gidy up if you want uh you’d rather do that and take time away from the threes like that’s a big reason to do that and then then there’s just no pressure like there’s absolutely no pressure on him right now there is no expect there’s no deadline on it it’s here’s what we want you to be better at we want you to get through this when we feel you are comfortable then we will start to think do we want to put you in over Sam darnold are you better than Sam Dar but they haven’t even started asking the question yet and that’s very much on purpose well for the record Mark Carman can attest am a impeccable golfer tremendous Talent he’s he’s really good Luke nobody can shoot 96 on the worst course in America better than Greg bricks uh well hold Luke hold on a second here because when you talk about mechanic changes that’s like it might work it might not work you never know if that’s going to click and but I’ve also heard like the Intel that we has the Bears loved Caleb but the person they loved the second most in the draft was JJ so this mechanic change did they I’m assuming they knew when they drafted him that they were going to go through this or is this something that popped up like oh this is ok connell’s Vision I think this this is Kevin oconnell QB Guru former QB himself saying I know what you need to do to maximize and the idea that it’ll maybe take a couple months to come to fruition and he won’t play right away in his rookie year is a pretty small cost I don’t think they care that much but it for example that might be something that they maybe would have liked Drake mayore now I actually think Drake May needs to wait for longer and if he starts right away for the Patriots I think that that’s a mistake um but the the the kind of gold at the end of the rainbow is more worth it so yeah it and and these changes are pretty subtle this is not what I think like with Fields you had to teach him how to think a little bit and how to you know like you had to change his habits and this is was kind of it’s very similar to what I had to say about Caleb Williams as well which is like you need to you you need to teach him how to play ball when everybody’s as fast as him um and how to kind of navigate a much different world with much different angles that’s going to be a learning curve for Caleb Williams as well and whether you want him to do that you know on the third team where there’s no pressure and there’s no Stakes or whether you want him to do that in live action I think that’s very debatable and you could ask 10 different coaches and get 10 different answers about why um but the yeah but but to answer your question yes I think that it was always going to be a um it was always going to be a learning curve and Kevin oconnell always had okay if we draft him we’re going to do this with you and we’re not going to care if that means you miss week one that’s not that issue Luke to kind of further this conversation to move on just from JJ McCarthy and the quarterback when you look at this Vikings roster as it stands today what are the biggest weaknesses but also strengths that you see on this 2024 team I mean so the pass catchers are going to be the strengths everybody’s Corners are going to be really stressed out um Justin Jefferson Jordan Addison uh people are talking about Jordan Addison like he’s taken a step forward as well and he I think he almost had a thousand yards last year he got hurt a couple of time or he he missed like half a game and then um obviously sharing a field with Justin Jefferson for half of the season is going to make it hard to be a thousand yard receiver and T.J Hockinson for most of the season um TJ hackinson hurt but I it sounds like they’re expecting him to come back uh maybe halfway through the season would be I guess my my guess it doesn’t sound like it’s he’s going to miss the whole year which we were actually kind of worried about uh so you get him back at some point obviously JJ there’s a lot of threats in the secondary and the o line especially the bookend tackles have been really strong uh they’re coming off a really strong year They’re bringing back the same group of people they might change the starting order a little bit that’s kind of a thing over here we we’re maybe making a change at left guard that nobody agrees with but uh either way like it’s it’s they’re they’re basically running back a really good offensive core um on the other side of the ball the corners are a disaster I I there’s no real way to sugarcoat it uh I like Byron Murphy a lot they want him to play inside he’s a nickel Corner um they have sha Griffin or whatever’s left of him on like a cheap deal basically deao starting and a bunch of young guys that aren’t working out uh so that that is a really really tough group I think the run defense as well looks really suspicious you have uh Harrison Phillips I love Harrison Phillips but he can only cover maximum two gaps uh you know then you have basically you have Jonathan Bullard who played fine as a role player but you don’t really want him to be more than that and then like six Dean Lowry’s they left Dean Lowry and they replaced him with like Jerry tiller and a whole bunch of people about that level like a whole bunch of guys that like hey maybe they’re dep but if they’re starting every play every play you got something going wrong they they did replace denil Hunter with kind of this aggregate of a bunch of edge rushers Jonathan grenard they’re very excited about him Dallas Turner everybody’s super excited about him after OTAs by the way but not even in pads big grain of salt uh hopefully they get something out of that edge room but it’s like man it just kind of feels like you can just like run right through this defense uh or if you want to throw on them on the on the uh exterior there’s a really good chance that if you have the Vikings in in Three Corner personnel um that you’ve got somebody on the outside that the Vikings don’t really trust whether it’s a Caleb Evans or Andrew Booth or somebody else coming out coming out of nowhere somebody is going to be on the outside that you can Target all the time and it’s just going to be a matter of can you get past the Brian whatever Blitz Brian Flores is dialed up this time I mean so in terms of expectations for the season whether it’s the fan base the media or or the team itself is this kind of looked at more as a transition year and accepting of lower expectations the coaches aren’t necessarily on the hot seat because like when Justin Fields first came in you know Matt naggie was clearly on the hot seat so that played into a lot of the decisions and and some of the mistakes they made in that development process so you’re saying and shaking your head a little bit here that this that the Vikings are kind of accepting that this is a transition year I I would say that their seat is about as cold as a seat gets um for a team that didn’t make the playoffs last year like I think Andy Reid probably has the coolest seat in the league but uh it’s it it is it is uh about as cold as you can get for this situation everybody in the world understands that we have that that rushing this is the best way to make it fail um so I think there is a patience now in terms of the fan base I don’t know what kind of insane person you’re going to end up talking to so I can’t speak for that personally yeah I mean talk to me around Halloween we’ll see how I’m feeling if they’re one and seven and JJ McCarthy is already in the game because Sam darnold threw four interceptions and then JJ McCarthy threw four interceptions we might be clicking some Panic buttons uh but like that’s pretty worst case scenario you know I think in reality you’re going to have like a three and six start with Sam darnold eventually JJ McCarthy shows up takes over a season that’s already gone and you just kind of hope that he looks comfortable and you don’t really care about the record this year that’s the way I am and that’s that’s to be expected honestly I think that’s the way the every rookie QB team should be except the Falcons who don’t really count like I think the Bears should look at this and say if Caleb is good I don’t care yeah I I think you know obviously all roads you know all lead to Caleb in terms of our our worry or hope that it works out for him but yeah careful with that phrase well all Road lead to Rome means something different now yeah well and then we also have radun now exactly so like you know but I was curious if you had any kind of expectation with but you said it maybe a you know could be a three and six start but like with Sam darnold Resurgence with Kevin The Brainiac that is Kevin OK there are some homers that are like what if he’s actually good now it’s yeah we’ll see okay I don’t think we’re seeing the Gino Smith because like Gino took like eight years to do what he did to have the turnaround that he did I think if darnold’s going to be on that trajectory like let’s check back in 2028 what what’s your explanation Luke as to why the players love Kevin so much Kevin konell obviously the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings like we you know we see these polls that uh he’s got huge approval rating like what’s your what’s your understanding of of why he’s resonated in that locker room so much yeah so I think you’re talking about the nflpa thing which has a lot to do with the organization as well the wols have put in a lot of money to making the facilties state-of-the-art food state-ofthe-art like everything having the right staff so everybody can get as much attention as possible nobody feels like stretched too thin right uh which is very different compared to like Arizona or Washington where everybody’s trying to Pinch A Penny and then you know you can’t get into the trainer’s office cuz there’s only one person and there’s six people who are supposed to see him today uh so like that’s I think a big part of it but with oconnell in particular he’s a very laid-back guy and that’s what they were looking for coming off of Mike Zimmer you know this red-faced crabby old man uh that would kind of I mean he he’d lay IND you if you did something wrong and while a lot of players respect that a lot of players need that they say like I want somebody who isn’t going to sugarcoat things for me who isn’t trying to coddle me who you know I do the wrong footwork tell me I did the wrong footwork I can handle being yelled at I’m a big boy uh a lot of Zimmer players said that but at the end toward the end it it stopped being productive and so the contrast between that and OK Connell really set up this culture of um really like calm collected problem solving if there is an issue and there there always is it’s football whatever we’ve got in front of us let’s work together let’s not put too much stress on ourselves if you mess up you’re not in trouble here’s just just do it different next time and and it’s teaching um and it’s like I call it it’s like Surfer Beach Vibes it’s very Surfer bro uh everything is very like relaxed which I sometimes you need a sense of urgency and and like late in games last year a lack of urgency really got them so they’re drawbacks to this but yeah I think everybody likes working likes working with him I think he makes an effort to make a connection with all of his players too uh like on the defense and everybody like to really have a relationship um that’s kind of what you get with like a younger guy too who can like really relate to he’s in his 30s and players are in their 20s like you’re not that different it’s just like I yeah I I could tell you this I always love going to US Bank Stadium to cover games there it’s the best Stadium I think in the league but uh one more question for you Luke um you know you got Vikings add Aaron Jones a guy that traditionally like destroyed the Bears defense what are your expectations for what he can do to that Vikings rushing attack yeah people are really stoked on him he does not look like he is old and slow in OTAs at least he’s like the the speed is there it looks like he’s fresh you always have to temper it but because you know who knows how fatigue is going to affect him um and especially because of that injury history how much of him are you going to get when he’s on the field I feel great about it but you kind of have to just pencil in two games where he’s not going to be there but uh yeah I mean he’s going to be the the Bonafide bcow you’re probably have two drives a game where Tai Chandler the backup will come in and spell him uh but otherwise it’s if he’s healthy he’s in so we’re excited about him if he stays healthy that’s I guess the way you have to put it who’s who’s winning the north Luke probably Lions again honestly I think the the Packers could take it uh there are some questions I need them to answer before I really like fall in and then I think with you guys and us I I think we’re we’re our eye is more on the future than the present that’s okay yeah and that’s yeah definitely where I wanted to go with you on this because last year at this time you know three in a row I had you and and Matt Derry from lock down Vikings and Peter Bukowski from lock down Packers and be right you guys made the rounds yeah we made the rounds here and you guys just do it you do you guys do a great job and at the time last year Bears fans as we always do every offseason getting very puffy chested right in checks that the team was going to have to cash and yeah it started against the Packers last year right there’s like all this trash talk leading up and then it was a blowout and we all just most Bears fans across the board except for one Mark Carman were just adamant that the Bears were going to have a great year and Justin Fields I remember that he was gonna finally the potential they’re still saying it and Pittsburgh he’s gonna take over Russ surely this year and you were critical when you came on and you were had your questions about Justin Fields people can go back to the comments on the video I had with Luke last year where people were like hey what is this guy I know and you know what at the end of the day you Pro to be right so credit to you so now I want to ask you again like coming into this year you said you did a breakdown of Caleb Williams but just in totality you say the Bears are looking towards the future but what Ryan poles is doing now completely rebuilt this roster changed the whole look bringing in all these different weapons you know Keenan Allen obviously and Gerald Everett DeAndre Swift Caleb Williams of course and and everything that’s coming together Montes sweats here now since the last time we spoke are you buying what Ryan poles is doing with the Chicago Bears and and seeing the vision that Bears fans think that this could turn into something special here very soon I think it’s been too slow I think that’s my critique of Ryan pulse uh is that he did a lot of amassing assets but without the crazy like leap up push toward excellence and greatness and contention that you’re supposed to see with that you know all I heard this time a year ago was how much cap space the the Chicago Bears had but I don’t even think they had the most active free agency maybe not even the second most free active active free agency in the NFC North so what gives right um it’s not like the the old Ryan Pace draft classes gave you a whole bunch of guys to extend right that was my thing with Ryan poles is like if you’re kind of tearing everything down so you can liquidate everything and get a pocketbook full of money that you can go and draft pi so you can go spend on stuff okay where is it where where is this like spending spree and you bring in like uh what’s his name Edmonds the the linebacker yep uh and so I I it’s like it’s been too conservative I want to see him get more aggressive with this because right now they are the third best team in the division probably after all that rebuilding you’ve rebuilt to be the third best team in the division and like maybe you sneak into a seven seat is that where we’re topping out and if if not if the build still isn’t done well it’s year three why isn’t it done yet so it’s a timeline for me with Ryan poles but in terms of like what you’re I think you’re actually asking is is expectations for this year I guess I have questions too about the Bears this the offense is I think built the way it wants to be built the defense still feels like it’s a ways away but the offense feels like this is what Ryan like it is clear what Ryan P’s Vision was QB we believe in couple of weapons we can be really excited about DJ Moore Roma dun uh so that’s going to be the and if Ryan Po’s Chicago Bears are going to win a Lombardi we’re going to see what that looks like now at least we’re going to see the seeds of it we’re going to see okay at least that Trio is really this powerful thing and they’re going to you know put up dueling thousand yard seasons and we’re going to have you know this crazy thing we’re going to see that now or when Caleb Williams is ready because the first few weeks there will be growing pains I fully expect that that and that’s fine that’s we’re we’re we can all be really patient with that I I I will hope um so from the Bears it’s very similar to the Vikings cuz the Bears and the Vikings are in similar spots right now I don’t really care if I’m a Bears fan if they’re seven and 10 or if they’re 10 and seven uh or if they’re you know five and 12 I don’t care if Caleb Williams looks good if Rome and Caleb are are the duo that everybody wants them to be you know if DJ Moore now that he isn’t the only pass catcher worth a damn on the team pops off um if all of that works out then I don’t care fair enough Luke you do not speak for Bears fans and I this is actually a very interesting conversation for us to have about exactly what you just said I great stuff and I mean this in the fullest compliment but Luke I think at least a couple days a week you perhaps sleep with a football you love the sport so much is that true do you ever C you ever cuddle with I mean I know that Nick does and and Braggs is got like three balls in his bed uh you know because he’s so versatile but what you know do you ever you ever you know just just just just cuddle a duke or something like that you know if I were ever going to get intimate with football paraphernalia it’d be a blocking sled there there we go so rough and tumble NFC North baby there you go Nick like BL division baby Mark Mark sleeps in a bed of tennis balls he just got back from Wimbledon and skirt too he didn’t he didn’t bring his British accent to the interview no I did not hey look really thorough awesome to have you on man continued success to you we we greatly appreciate it and uh Hey should be a fun year anytime don’t you agree do you sleep with with a football Did you ever no I don’t I don’t believe you Nick I be in high school I’m not gonna lie you would be up in in my bed just kind of throwing a spiral and you know you probably just sleep with the football right right yeah I mean I think any football basketball baseball tennis ball that’s the way you should live your life I mean yeah like I D knows his stuff is the whole point [ __ ] it was good you know insight into the Vikings interesting to hear that you know no way that JJ McCarthy’s gonna start the year because like for us going through that with Justin Fields like that was I think their initial decision but you always felt like that that decision was in flux with the Vikings it doesn’t feel like that at all and that it could go well into the season so yeah his perspective on what the Bears are you know do I agree necessarily with his assessment of like oh it’s this rebuild has taken too long I I don’t that that doesn’t bother me because I’ve enjoyed watching polls be patient and calculated in the way this has lined up okay could could they have been better last year I’m sure everybody wished they were we all wanted them to be better but like at the end of the day they are where they are now so I you know polls is doing a great job regardless of if you think it’s taken too long to get to this point it’s it’s lined up perfectly with Caleb Williams romad dun and the rest of this team nucleus getting here and his assessment of the defense you know I I think is a little off I think he’s underestimating just how good this defense could be and just the the idea that and I think we’ll probably talk about this maybe a little bit next week too but Bears fans expectations shouldn’t be high they should just be accepting of a transition that’s not happening here in Chicago we are we are not in the exact same spot of where the Vikings are from a mindset standpoint or I even believe from a roster standpoint I think the Bears are a little more ahead where it’s fair for the team to have higher expectations than where the Vikings are it starts with the court I mean look I JJ McCarthy is not projected to start for them Caleb Williams is starting he is the number one overall pick so that’s why there are these expectations because of what he is as a prospect and what he can be in the NFL so I I think that’s where there’s a huge difference and to kind of go back to the roster building real real quick I mean again Ryan P inherited this Bears roster in 2022 and your past catchers were Darnell Mooney veis Jones Jr Dante Pettis and Chase Claypool like see where they’re at now they are I I think the rebuild like this is where you need to start seeing the progression of this roster and everything that has been put to make it to what it is at this point start to equate to wins and you know potentially playoff birds so it it needs it does need to start now I just I think it’s interesting like wrapping it up and appreciate everybody being being with us today um Big Time guests coming up sometime soon tomorrow what are you off tomorrow yes sir we’re gonna miss you are you asking me who’s on tomorrow yeah Matt Derry from locked on Vikings so we got locked on VI Vikings today locked on lions tomorrow with Matt der uh Carman Matt have a little bit of a history because we had Matt on last year for Bears after dark and that’s the thing like I said you can agree with with the Luke can agree with uh Matt Derry or not but at the end of the day last year we were talking a lot of crap and and those guys ended up being right about their assessment of what they thought the Bears would be this last year right agree disagree but like if you including you Pisa great J subc Love You Pisa copy and paste with that tweet no we need a shirt that says that I I literally if you did a percentage poll on the NFC North Bears fans included Die Hard whatever Vikings Lions Packers the whole thing it seems to be a near consensus that the lions are first the Packers are second the Bears are third and Minnesota is fourth would you agree with that right I mean if you were to bet you’d pick the bears third in the division right now right I mean yeah that’s the most Fair Way of it shaking out right I mean that just seems to be as wide open as the the NFC kind of feels and talking Super Bowl potential if the if everything clicks right and all that stuff it just but it’s misleading to be like you know and Luke said it too oh you did all that to only be the third best team in the division well it’s the best division in the NFC what if that third that third team in the division wins nine or 10 games right like you know it’s all per you know there’s context there are they if they’re the third team in the division but they’re also in the playoffs you have three teams from the NFC North in the playoffs that’s going to be a really competitive Division and uh and a battle tested three teams entering the NFC playoffs right but you do need to win your division at least in theory to win the Super Bowl I get that anything can happen in the playoffs and anything can happen I mean the Packers and Lions last year it could have easily been the Packers to take down the line sure but you would like to be the best team you would like to be we’re we’re the top team but that’s what I’m saying so first through third just like every football game is decided by three points or less this division is the is going to be thin margins you know for who’s going to be the team that’s number one number two and number three the margins aren’t gonna be that wide in my opinion hopefully not hopefully not well I mean unless it’s no more bears CB just that good there’s a huge margin starting to go no yeah just as long as there’s no more last year where the Bears played the Chiefs and got destroyed so no more none of that none of that happened yeah that would not be good uh that was horrible that was and that’s when I thought we were never going football game you got a new guy Ian in the chat saying he’s a Chiefs fan he’s a Chiefs fan he says imagine being salty that you’re single he’s must be yelling at somebody in the chat because the three of us good sir are not single we are all taken Ian okay and I think he was referring to somebody in the chat yeah he’s probably he’s been going at it with people in the chat all day he’s got this profile picture it’s super hot I mean it is look at that Karm could you ever pull that off dude’s working out congratulations Ian you think you’re hot we got Nick Morano here way hotter than you fact yeah that’s right that’s right cat calls coming from all over the I’m gonna make my profile picture with my shirt off Ian oh yeah you want to see some tits it’s somewhere at the end of these shows that Braggs loses his mind and we’re GNA end on a very professional note no we’re not we’re not done yet K because we got to give our guy Wendy City sports cars and we have super chats we might even have diets for you to shout out we got plenty to do we’re not going anywhere okay I’m gonna be here later producing show so we can do this show for another two hours but I wanted to give a shout out to Wendy City Sports Cards I was me I was messaging him earlier because he sent us a gift Mark Carmen and um so when I was messaging him then he’s nice enough to throw in the Super Chat too it’s just unbelievable kindness coming from our guys over at Wendy City Sports Cards and so I have a gift for you for me one Mark Carman yes pass this over pass this over I I actually got a couple you know this was for me well it’s called we opened the box and we looked at what was in there but this doesn’t have my name on it I don’t I appreciate all of this but how did you know that this is this one’s for me what are you talking about just open it look open the damn box you adult thank you Wendy City Sports CS look at look at that we’ve got a bigger picture we we don’t worry this is what this is what Wendy City Sports Cards gifted us he had tweeted these at us these images at us the other like a couple weeks ago awesome they’re actually sweet and I knew you’d love yours I I do because he because he gave me Jordan stats yes I knew you’d like that through through 1990 including my three years at North Carolina and college which clearly I did not get into the University of North Carolina I didn’t think about applying in the University of North Carolina but according to this I played there pull up his picture again Stephen pretty sweet look at the Jordan stats what years were those that you played for the Bulls Mark uh well of course 84 to 98 with a slight turn down to baseball but uh you know he’s got the stats right here 37135 a rookie card too I mean that’s valuable yeah this is this is big someone’s goingon to want that Mark I’m I’m I got to hold I’m going to I’m going to hold it dear to your heart Pace this to my forehead and walk around Wy City sports cards can you get um limited edition Ian card with his shirt off please that one will sell like hot cakes that’s cool you got them on your head and I actually got a couple too he sent me a couple as well very gracious of you it’s pretty cool man I don’t know if we got pictures of those as well they’re pretty they’re you know here’s the the presentation of the cards too and the hard casing like that is you got the one where I look like Hank Sher that’s the Hank shraer special right there uh pretty good pretty good and then we got you got the Walter pton right yeah oh that’s the Walter stats yeah I’m an old guy and then this one you know looking I always got a cigar in hand it’s one thing you’re gonna know about me and Ryan Samberg yeah is that is that what it is Rh Rhino on it yeah rhino yes sir well we appreciate that Windy City Sports Cards very generous of you K’s going to wear this on his head literally for the rest of his life I I I am like a nut job you look like an absolute nut job Hi how are you do you see this I have my own card it’s from Windy City Sports Cards I’m really really really happy to be honored in this way thank you yes and W City Sports Cards will make us the Ian card he said just send me the picture Crossing Lines we’re have to block Ian I think maybe a Nick card is in play here follow them on Instagram at 312 sportscards and then on Twitter at 312 sports cards one so we appreciate you guys that was very nice to you very funny um so yeah uh I I need an eing card though no no we we really don’t okay uh hey let’s get to our the other super chats he’s out of his mind um is that rs’s Mom Barbara Graham that’s my mom at Sean Cassell if I end up being Greg’s Uber driver to training camp how much should I charge should Greg tip me absolutely we’ll see no no question asked listen you you deserve so much for everything you’ve done Barb that uh I I think what do you mean everything she’s done look at what she’s done that’s a good that’s a good point you know what I’m saying yeah like oh everything she’s been through well she also created this monster isn’t she to blame a little bit it’s a fair point it’s I’m conflicted now okay thank you Barb I hope that I hope that the drive goes lovely ah Crystal 9.99 putting some money on this bold take Bears to the Super Bowl they lose and this starts our Dynasty Bear Down stamp it love you guys wow Crystal well and we got to get Crystal to training camp Sunday August 4th I’m doing everything I can I’m putting lines in the water I think I saw someone in our chat say they had tickets for that need to get Crystal Bear’s Den Bear’s Den said I have two extra training camp tickets for the fourth if anyone needs Bear’s Den we are getting Crystal to training camp August 4th asked me the other day you you guys bubble wrap I’m going to the training camp tickets you want one no are you jealous I’m not um and she’s one of our most loyal viewers and supporters here we are going to get Crystal to trading Camp August 4th Bears Den if you’re still watching get in touch with me whether it’s on Instagram or Twitter and let me line you up with Crystal so we can get her to training camp I’m also doing my best K’s going to do his best Nick’s going to do his best we are going to get Crystal to training camp because this whole training camp thing is a complete Fiasco you’ve got somehow StubHub and other secondary ticket accounts I know our guys over at game time would never do this but they’re like allowing people to sell their training camp tickets on and I don’t even know how that’s legal because like to me when tickets are given away for free I thought there’s like a rule that they can’t be sold on a resale you know uh you know um website like that for for that kind of money so this is really ridiculous you know we all miss bourbon they’re not going back to Bourbon the one thing I will say though in regards to this that is a big Miss by the Bears okay it’s limited capacity at hous Hall you’re only going to have nine open practices and that’s fine but and logistically I understand you got you know um the Hall of Fame game and everything going on this year joint practice with the Bengals at home but getting rid of Family Fest at Soldier Field is a missed opportunity for a couple different reasons for all the people the thousands of Bears fans that missed out on training camp tickets yesterday would be able to then at least go to family fest for a practice and and the people that are able to take their families last year I took my mom my wife and my daughter we all went to family fest we got to go to Soldier Field Addie got to meet George mcy she had a broken arm if you remember um and George gave her a thing you know you meet daily you walk around the field you have all this interactive stuff so like beyond the people that weren’t able to go to Hal hall for a practice you give them an opportunity to go to Soldier Field also families that can’t afford to take their you know kids and everybody to a game where it gets much more expensive during the season uh to not have family fest they used to do family fests on Saturdays where they’d play a night practice and then fireworks afterwards then they started moving it to Tuesday and Wednesdays at 11:00 in the afternoon where most people couldn’t call off work so it’s like every year we keep scaling back you know what’s going to help the families that support the Chicago Bears and it doesn’t make any sense to me I understand the team comes first I understand getting to the playoffs comes first and all that but it just would be nice if there’d be a little more consideration towards the families and the that can’t afford to go to games during the regular season and the fans that aren’t able to go to training camp at house hall because of the limit capacity and Bre let me just add on to this real quickly about training camp for a lot of the people that didn’t you know obviously get tickets that’s why it’s going to be super important for you to one subscribe to this podcast like us hit that Bell notification because we’re going to be going live after these training camp practices giving you all the details of what actually happened so when you can’t make it we’ll be there to recap things I’ll have articles out there to give you the coverage that maybe you’re not able to actually see in person so it’s a good opportunity to just one if you haven’t subscribed already do that because we’re going to be the ones covering training camp like no other for The Spar be yes sir after every training camp day shows will be coming towards you all right any other supers that we get out of here yes back in point 499 read it Karm what is that growing on K’s upper lip whatever it is shave it shave it before it spreads joke love you all but seriously shave it off just kidding JK yeah not Joe you know back in point you will respect this beard that I am well you said you were gonna shave it off anyway yeah I hate it too but but I’m in I’m in for a little bit more 499 from Crystal correct brags because I take my daughter she doesn’t go to the games Bears need to do better we have stuck beside them all right so there’s your fan speaking and we appreciate you all speaking loud speaking proud speaking with bubble wrap what how can one hold bubble wrap he’s like motioning me just stop it how can one hold bubble wrap and not pop the bubbles you know the mic picks all the s of course the mic does I have Bubble Wrap in my hand what do you expect from me okay somebody somebody get this guy out of here um you cannot hold it and accountability is important in life it’s you know you’re an adult he’s a child in theory I just yeah all right goodbye popping this we’ll see you tomorrow Matt der here we look at the Lions thanks for watching thank you to super hot Ian see the show see you guys tomorrow now we can’t yeah on screen go we’re just gonna have to finish we’re never gonna finish this show we’re just gonna be here until I produce the Bulls