The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor kick off the episode with the Super Bowl matchup officially set, breaking down New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks and the major storylines already taking shape ahead of the championship. The conversation then shifts into “What’s Trending” around the league, reacting to a busy NFL coaching carousel that includes Mike McCarthy landing in Pittsburgh, Brian Daboll heading to Tennessee, and Joe Brady taking over in Buffalo. From there, the duo zeros in on Bears-related news, including Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham interviewing with the Atlanta Falcons for their general manager opening. They also touch on the Denver Broncos moving on from offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, highlight Austin Booker being named an "Unsung Hero" by NFL Network, and wrap up with Pro Bowl additions, including the Bears’ Nahshon Wright.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor have you covered on the roller-coaster finish between the Bears and Rams, starting with Caleb Williams delivering a clutch strike to Cole Kmet to force overtime. In the extra session, however, a costly miscue swings the outcome and sets up the Rams’ victory. They then zoom out to the bigger picture, including a “Wired In” look at Williams’ performance, Ben Johnson’s bold offensive line shuffle that held up under pressure, and a Bears defense that stood tall against a potent Rams attack. The episode wraps with a wide-ranging “What’s Trending” segment, touching on coaching carousel buzz and a quick spin around the league as conference championship storylines come into focus.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor get you ready for the Divisional Round as the Bears prepare to host the Rams, starting with a look at how Chicago’s winter weather could shape the game plan and impact both teams on Sunday. From there, Ruthie and Clay dig into what Chicago must do to put itself in position to advance, highlighting the critical factors that could swing the game and where the Bears can create an edge. As kickoff nears, the episode closes with final thoughts and predictions, with Ruthie and Clay locking in their picks for a playoff clash that feels primed for drama.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor react to a statement-making Wild Card win as the Bears take down the Packers, adding another dramatic chapter to the rivalry. They walk through how the night unfolded, hand out game balls to the biggest contributors, and begin shifting the focus toward a Divisional Round matchup against the LA Rams. The episode also features a "Wired In" look at Caleb Williams and his seventh comeback of the season, spotlighting the poise and resilience that continue to define his year. Plus, Ruthie and Clay hit the latest trending storylines, including Bears injury updates, Kyle Gordon’s return, and the postgame moment shared between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur as the Bears' playoff run moves forward.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor set the stage for a high-stakes Wild Card showdown as the Bears get ready to face the Packers, breaking down how this rivalry has intensified heading into the postseason. They react to pointed comments from Green Bay’s locker room, while also discussing defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s confidence. With the stage set, Ruthie and Clay zero in on the Bears’ keys to victory, breaking down exactly what needs to go right on both sides of the ball for Chicago to keep its playoff run alive. The episode wraps up with final predictions and game picks as kickoff approaches and postseason tension continues to build.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor recap the Bears’ regular-season finale loss to the Lions, unpacking the biggest moments and evaluating how the performance sets the tone heading into the playoffs. They spotlight Colson Loveland’s impact in the loss, assess the main lessons from the game, and identify encouraging signs to take away despite the disappointing result in Ruthie's "Silver Linings" segment. Later, the focus turns to a Bears-Packers Wild Card preview, breaking down the key storylines in a postseason meeting between longtime rivals. The guys then get “Wired In” with a closer look at Caleb Williams’ season, including his near-4,000-yard campaign and a new Bears single-season passing mark, before wrapping up with what’s trending across the NFL as the coaching turnover begins.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears’ back-and-forth loss to the 49ers, starting with a pick-six that set the tone and a scoring frenzy that saw the game tied five different times. They dive into the biggest takeaways from the performance, including defensive struggles, an offense that found its rhythm in San Francisco, and why the Bears ultimately couldn’t complete the comeback. The duo also hands out game balls and highlights the impact of rookies stepping up despite the loss. From there, the focus shifts to what still lies ahead. Ruthie and Clay take a closer look at the NFC playoff picture, how the Bears can secure the No. 2 seed, and what a potential first-round matchup with the Packers could mean. They also preview the season finale against the Lions, discuss how Ben Johnson may approach the final week, and wrap up with a “Wired In” segment and thoughts on what this performance signals going forward.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears’ overtime thriller against the Packers, highlighting a wild comeback that reshapes the NFC playoff picture. They dive into the biggest takeaways from the win, what it says about the team’s resilience, and hand out game balls after one of the most dramatic performances of the season. The conversation then widens to the full NFC playoff landscape before getting “Wired In” with a deep dive on Caleb Williams’ performance and his growing path toward a 4,000-yard season. Clay also makes the case for Ben Johnson as Coach of the Year, and the show wraps up by looking ahead to a primetime Sunday night matchup against the 49ers and what it could mean moving forward.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears’ win over the Browns, focusing on what it means to take care of business with the playoff picture coming into sharper focus. They discuss the key takeaways from the performance, hand out game balls and examine how this win fits into the Bears’ path down the stretch. With the Bears in strong playoff position, they also outline potential clinch scenarios and break down what still needs to fall into place across the NFC North. The conversation then zooms out to the broader NFC playoff landscape before getting “Wired In” with a deep dive on Caleb Williams’ performance against Cleveland. From his two-touchdown day and signature throw to DJ to the milestones stacking up in his rookie season, Ruthie and Clay analyze what his growth says about the Bears’ ceiling. Plus, the latest trending storylines around the league — including injury news and Philip Rivers' near comeback against Seattle.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor dive into the Bears’ 28-21 loss to the Packers. They break down how a resilient second-half surge shows the team’s true identity. They examine what the second-half dominance on both sides of the ball says about the Bears’ playoff push, and what controlling their own destiny really looks like with three of the final four at home. They also take a wide-angle look at the NFC picture — including the Bears playoff odds — before getting “Wired In” with a deep breakdown of Caleb Williams’ boot-heavy game plan, his big-time throws, and whether he made the right decision on the final play. Plus: the latest trending storylines across the Bears offense, from DJ Moore’s usage to emerging playmakers, and why certain late-game decisions were more sound than they may have looked in real time.