Category: Bears Wire Podcast

Podcast: Bears draft reactions and a Nick Foles farewell

In the latest episode of our Bears Wire podcast, we’re breaking down Chicago’s top draft selections and bidding farewell to Nick Foles.

The Chicago Bears have welcomed 11 new rookies with their 2022 NFL draft class, including top selections cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker.

While we didn’t know much about general manager Ryan Poles’ tendencies, we learned a little about his approach in the NFL draft — to stockpile draft picks and attack areas of weakness.

In this case, that included the secondary and the offensive line. Chicago used their top two draft selections to address holes at cornerback and safety, as well as drafted four offensive linemen on Day 3.

But it all comes back to quarterback Justin Fields. Many criticized the Bears for failing to address offense until the third round when they selected wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. And with questions remaining on the offensive line and in the receiving corps, it’s fair to wonder if Fields is being put in a position to succeed in Year 2.

Following the 2022 NFL draft, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are breaking down Chicago’s top selections, discussing the Bears’ offensive approach and bidding farewell to the man, the myth, the legend, Nick Foles.

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=507035]

Podcast: Previewing the 2022 NFL draft and Bears draft bingo

In our latest episode, we’re previewing the 2022 NFL draft and the return of our Bears Draft Bingo Card.

The wait is almost over for the 2022 NFL draft, where Chicago Bears fans will be watching to see what new general manager Ryan Poles does in his first draft.

For the third time in four years, Chicago doesn’t have a first-round pick. But considering that first-round pick was used to trade up for quarterback Justin Fields, it eases the pain. Still, the Bears have two second-round picks and three selections in the top-3.

Chicago has a slew of pressing needs to address, including wide receiver, offensive line, cornerback and linebacker. Unfortunately, there are more needs than draft picks (6), which could make for an interesting first draft for Poles.

As the Bears prepare for the 2022 NFL draft, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) previewed Chicago’s biggest needs and brought back our Bears Draft Bingo Card, which you can find below and play along with us.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=505471]

Bears Wire Podcast: Is Chicago setting Justin Fields up for failure in Year 2?

Has Ryan Poles done enough to build around Justin Fields so far this offseason? We discuss in the latest episode of our Bears Wire podcast.

When new Bears general manager Ryan Poles met the media for the first time back in January, he talked about the importance of building around hopeful franchise quarterback Justin Fields.

It was music to Bears fans’ ears — what a novel concept to build around the most important player on the roster.

Now that we’re a couple of months into the new regime, it’s hard to look at this current roster and believe that it’s in better shape than how we left it at the end of the 2021 season.

While we’re just starting April, it’s hard to feel confident about how Poles has approached building around Fields. Sure, Poles noted that surrounding Fields with great coaches and a scheme that caters to his strengths will do wonders for him in Year 2. But what good will that do if he doesn’t have the protection up front or the weapons to throw to?

Poles took a rather conservative approach in free agency in regards to adding pieces around Fields. The Bears signed wide receivers Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown — both depth pieces with their former respective teams — and added Lucas Patrick and Dakota Dozier on the offensive line. Poles also missed out on Ryan Bates, whose offer sheet was matched by the Bills.

Again, it’s important to note that we’re only entering April, and there’s a lot of offseason yet to go and there will be plenty of new faces on the roster. Chicago will likely use some of their six draft selections to add to Fields’ supporting cast.

But where things currently stand, it’s fair to worry if Fields is being put in a position to succeed in 2022.

With the Bears’ offseason in full swing, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are discussing whether Fields is being set up for failure in Year 2 and previewing the upcoming NFL draft.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Bears Wire Podcast: Why we’re already impressed with Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus

In our latest episode of our Bears Wire podcast, we discuss our first impressions of GM Ryan Poles and HC Matt Eberflus.

The Chicago Bears have found their new general manager in Ryan Poles and head coach in Matt Eberflus, which garnered plenty of jokes among fans as, yes, there is indeed another Ryan and Matt in charge.

But aside from the fact that they share names with their predecessors, Poles and Eberflus are nothing like Pace and Nagy. And it took one press conference for that belief to settle in.

Whether it was Poles directly addressing a question or Eberflus focusing on the importance of serving as a head coach rather than a play caller, their introductory press conference was a breath of fresh air.

Poles and Eberflus both shared their united vision for the Bears moving forward, which included building a roster, establishing a winning culture, an emphasis on fixing the weaknesses and the development of franchise players.

Granted, winning a press conference isn’t going to determine the outcome of this franchise moving forward. But it does set the tone for what we can expect from the new regime moving forward. And, at least for right now, it’s optimism abound.

With the Bears’ offseason in full swing, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are discussing the introduction of Poles and Eberflus and our first impressions from their press conference.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=497951]

Bears Wire Podcast: Ownership continues to be Chicago’s biggest problem

We discuss Pace and Nagy’s firings, the problem with ownership and the start of the Bears’ head coach and GM search.

It was a big week for the Chicago Bears after firing both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace. The organization, frustrated with the lack of production, began their head coach and GM searches this week.

While the Bears have cast a pretty wide net of candidates on the head coach and GM side of things, fans are having a difficult time having hope that Chairman George McCaskey will get it right this time. Even with the help of Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian.

You have to give credit to McCaskey for making the decision to part ways with both Nagy and Pace, as many believed Pace could stick around for his third head coach hire. But that’s where the positivity ends.

McCaskey spent an entire hour on Monday telling fans he’s not a football evaluator and asking them to have hope that he’ll get it right. McCaskey will be joined by Polian, President Ted Phillips (why?), VP of Player Engagement Lamar ‘Soup’ Campbell and Senior VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tanesha Wade in his search.

But this entire week has been a reminder that, while Nagy and Pace were part of the problem, ownership remains the biggest issue with this franchise. And with this hiring process mirroring 2015 — substitute Polian for Ernie Accorsi — it’s a reminder that nothing has changed.

As the Bears prepare for an important offseason, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are discussing Pace and Nagy’s firings, the problem with ownership and the start of the Bears’ head coach and GM search.

You can listen to this season’s final episode below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=494445]

Bears Wire Podcast: How can you not love Nick Foles’ triumphant return?

On the latest episode of our Bears Wire podcast, we discuss Nick Foles leading a comeback win and share our New Year’s resolutions.

Last Sunday, quarterback Nick Foles led the Bears to a comeback victory over the Seahawks. With Justin Fields and Andy Dalton sidelined by injuries, Foles got his first start in over a year.

Chicago beat a bad Seattle team — with some Foles magic — to record their fifth win of the season. It didn’t change anything in the grand scheme of things — the Bears are still eliminated from postseason contention and Matt Nagy is gone at season’s end.

But it was nice — heck, it was a Christmas miracle — for Bears fans to experience a win for the first time since Thanksgiving. And Foles played a big role in that as the NFL’s best third-string quarterback.

While Foles isn’t the answer at QB, it’s hard not to feel good for Foles after he led a comeback win, especially after everything he’s been through.

As the Bears prepare to face the New York Giants in Week 17, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are discussing Foles’ triumphant return, our New Year’s resolutions for the Bears and previewing Sunday’s game against the Giants.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=493164]

Bears Wire podcast: Another loss to Packers could seal Matt Nagy’s fate

On the latest episode of Bears Wire podcast, we’re speculating about if Matt Nagy will be fired if Chicago gets blown out by the Packers.

The Chicago Bears will battle the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, where Chicago will look to avoid being swept yet again by Green Bay.

The expectation is that the Packers will dominate early and often and the Bears will be sent to their ninth loss of the season. But if there’s a positive — other than the fact that we get to see rookie quarterback Justin Fields — it’s that another brutal loss to the Packers could mean the end of the Matt Nagy era in Chicago.

At this point, it’s almost certain Nagy is gone after this season. But the Bears have never fired a head coach midseason — although there’s an argument for why they should.

Nagy is 1-6 against the Packers, another glowing review of his tenure in Chicago. And if the Bears get blown out by Green Bay on national television, it would be the perfect time to part ways with Nagy — for his sake and Chicago’s.

As the Bears return to prime time, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are speculating how a blowout loss to the Packers could result in Nagy’s immediate firing and discussing whether or not Chicago actually stands a chance in this game against Green Bay.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Do you think Nagy will be fired if the Bears get blown out by the Packers? Sign up and tell us what you think in our comment section below:

[listicle id=490959]

Bears Wire podcast: Can Chicago record an upset over Ravens off the bye week?

We’re discussing Justin Fields, the surprising and disappointing players at the midway point and previewing Sunday’s game vs. Ravens.

The Chicago Bears didn’t lose a football game last week, thanks to a perfectly-timed bye week that gave the team a reprieve after their fourth straight loss and with some banged up players.

But considering the Bears haven’t won a game off the bye since 2013, there’s little reason to believe they can actually pull it off this time. Even though the Baltimore Ravens are coming off a loss to the Miami Dolphins and Justin Fields and this Bears offense has a chance to continue their upward trajectory.

As the Bears return from a much-needed bye week, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are discussing Fields’ growth, the return of rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins, the most surprising and disappointing players at the midway point and previewing the Bears’ matchup against the Ravens.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

How will the Bears finish out the second half of the 2021 season? Sign up and tell us what you think in our comment section below:

Bears Wire podcast: Matt Nagy vent session and previewing Bears-Lions

Matt Nagy did a disservice to Justin Fields in his first NFL start. We vent on the latest episode of our Bears Wire podcast.

Bears head coach Matt Nagy has been the target of a wave of criticism this week following his questionable game plan for rookie quarterback Justin Fields and the putrid offensive performance in last week’s brutal loss to the Browns.

And the criticism is rightfully deserved.

Nagy did nothing to help the future of the Bears franchise find success in his NFL debut. He took his game plan for Andy Dalton and forced Fields to execute it — and behind a porous offensive line, no less.

The offense had its worst outing not only under Nagy but in 40 years with the Bears. Do you know how hard that is to do with the countless bad offenses that have been through Chicago in the last four decades?

As the Bears prepare for their Week 4 game against the Lions, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are venting about all things Matt Nagy, recapping Chicago’s loss to Cleveland and previewing Bears vs. Lions.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Stay tuned for a new episode of our Bears Wire podcast every week! Make sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts.

[listicle id=482891]

Bears Wire podcast: Would Matt Nagy really go back after starting Justin Fields?

If Justin Fields impresses, would Matt Nagy actually go back to Andy Dalton? We discuss on the latest episode of our Bears Wire podcast.

Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields is gearing up for his first NFL start against the Browns on Sunday, in place of an injured Andy Dalton, and there’s an excitement in the air for the start of the Fields era.

But Matt Nagy said earlier this week that, when Dalton is healthy, he will be Chicago’s starting quarterback, which obviously left many Bears fans frustrated.

If Fields goes out and lights it up against the Browns and the Lions the following week, would Nagy actually be able to go back to Dalton?

Of course not.

Sure, Nagy is putting his faith behind Dalton now, that’s what we should expect. But if Fields goes out there and lights it up and opens up the offense, even Nagy’s allegiance doesn’t run that deep.

As the Bears prepare for their Week 3 game against the Browns, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are talking all things Justin Fields, recapping Chicago’s win over Cincinnati and previewing Bears vs. Browns.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

Stay tuned for a new episode of our Bears Wire podcast every week! Make sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts.

[listicle id=482250]