

The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast
Chicago Sports Network
The Charter Podcast is where you can find everything you need to know about the Chicago Bears. Our team of Ruthie Polinsky, Alex Shapiro, Clay Harbor, and Kevin Lapka bring you postgame reaction, interviews, and game previews. We’ll provide you with latest and have some fun along the way. New episodes available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the season.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 1, 2024 • 53min
Justin Fields dazzles vs. Falcons on day Bears secure No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Kenneth Davis, Josh Schrock, and Alex Shapiro recap the Bears 37-17 victory over the Falcons. They break down what they saw from quarterback Justin Fields in his potential Soldier Field finale (1:14). Has Fields done enough for Ryan Poles to keep him after this season (7:20)? They also discuss Luke Getsy’s play calling and how he opened things up for DJ Moore (14:24). Should the Bears bring Getsy back? To finish out the offense, they discuss Khalil Herbert’s strong game (23:42). Later, they break down the defense’s performance (28:18), including Tyrique Stevenson and Gervon Dexter's rookie growth (30:46). Then, the guys look at how the Bears should use their second pick in the first round (33:33)? Finally, they discuss what the future holds for Matt Eberflus (40:50) and the Bears having the chance to knock the Packers out of the playoffs in Week 18 (47:07).
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Dec 29, 2023 • 25min
Bears-Falcons Week 17 Preview: Will Justin Fields keep it rolling vs. Atlanta?
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution joins Kenneth Davis and Alex Shapiro to preview the Bears’ Week 17 matchup against the Falcons. They discuss the Falcons’ quarterback controversy (1:55) and if Falcons head coach Arthur Smith will return next year (3:57). D. Orlando breaks down what he has seen from Bijan Robinson this season (4:57) and why Kyle Pitts has been MIA (6:45). Later, the trio discuss how the Bears have developed Justin Fields (10:15) and if they should keep him after this season (11:57). Finally, they discuss which parts of the Falcons’ defense the Bears can exploit (14:42). D. Orlando also shares his thoughts on what the Bears should do with their second first-round pick in the 2024 draft (15:48). He also shares his prediction for the game on Sunday (23:33).
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Dec 27, 2023 • 25min
Montez Sweat’s impact, Justin Fields-Bears pending break up with Shawne Merriman
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Shawne Merriman joins Kenneth Davis and Alex Shapiro to discuss his upcoming Lights Out fight on January 6. But first, they discuss the effect the Montez Sweat trade has had on the Bears' defense (0:38). Merriman also talks about why he thinks it might be best for Justin Fields and the Bears to part ways this offseason (2:43). Later, he talks about the impact Khalil Mack has had on the Chargers' defense (7:35) and what the Bears should do at left tackle going forward (8:56). Finally, Merriman talks about his experience with a quarterback competition (16:42) and if it’s time for teams to step away from having defensive-minded head coaches (20:00). Merriman also give his predictions for the Bears' Week 17 against the Falcons (23:34).
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Dec 25, 2023 • 31min
Bears’ defense shines, Justin Fields helps get run game back on track in 27-16 win over Cardinals
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Kenneth Davis and Alex Shapiro recap the Bears' 27-16 victory over the Cardinals. They discuss what they saw from Justin Fields on Sunday and why the Bears couldn’t get the passing game going (1:10). They also look at the success of the Bears' run game and Khalil Herbert’s impressive game (6:30). Later, they talk about Lucas Patrick’s impact on the offense (7:37) and Luke Getsy’s play calling (12:25). When they switch over to defense, they start by breaking down the play of the Bears' secondary (13:39) and Tremaine Edmunds' growth during the season (15:51). Finally, they talk about the Panthers almost beating the Packers on Sunday and look at the two games left on Carolina's schedule (26:26).
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Dec 22, 2023 • 21min
Bears-Cardinals Week 16 preview: Can Justin Fields, Matt Eberflus bounce back again?
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Darren Urban from AzCardinals.com joins Kenneth Davis, Josh Schrock, and Alex Shapiro to preview the Bears' Week 16 matchup against the Cardinals. They talk about how things have run in Jonathan Gannon's first season as head coach (1:46). They also discuss Kyler Murray’s development (5:10) and how he fits general manager Monti Ossenfort’s vision for the Cardinals' rebuild (6:57). Does the front office still think he is a special player (11:24)? Finally, they discuss how first-round pick tackle Paris Johnson Jr. has performed (13:13) and break down how Sunday's game at Soldier Field will be decided (14:55).
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Dec 20, 2023 • 30min
Matt Eberflus and Justin Fields’ uncertain Bears future with Spice Adams and Pat Finley
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Anthony “Spice” Adams joins Kenneth Davis and Alex Shapiro to discuss the latest news with the Bears and his appearance at the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl in Texas. They start by discussing what he has seen from the Bears this season (1:00). Spice also shares his thoughts on what the team should do with quarterback Justin Fields (8:20). Later in the show, Bears insider Josh Schrock and Pat Finely from The Chicago Sun-Times join to discuss the Bears' collapse against the Browns (15:51) and what it means for Matt Eberflus' future (21:12). They also discuss whether or not Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson will be in Chicago long term (24:47). Finally, they talk about what positions the Bears need to prioritize this offseason (26:05) and what fans can expect from the Bears' Christmas Eve matchup against the Cardinals (28:03).
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Dec 18, 2023 • 36min
Bears blow double-digit lead in fourth quarter for third time in meltdown loss vs. Browns
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Kenneth Davis, Josh Schrock, and Alex Shapiro recap the Bears' fourth-quarter meltdown in their 20-17 loss to the Browns. They discuss what they saw from the Bears’ defense (1:08). They also talk about Montez Sweat’s early impact on the defense (6:57). Was this level of production that was expected from Sweat? Later, they discuss Justin Fields' performance against the Browns (18:08) and break down what went wrong with the offense in Cleveland. How much blame does Fields deserve? What about Luke Getsy (23:55)? Then, the guys finish the podcast by discussing what the final three games of the season mean for Matt Eberflus and Fields (31:23).
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Dec 15, 2023 • 31min
Bears-Browns Week 15 preview: Justin Fields vs. NFL’s best defense
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Chris Easterling, Browns beat writer for the Akron-Beacon Journal, joins Kenneth Davis, Josh Schrock and Alex Shapiro to preview the Bears-Browns Week 15 matchup. They discuss Joe Flacco's impact on the Browns' offense (1:00) and the announcement that he will be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season (3:00). Chris also discusses how Browns fans feel about Deshaun Watson almost two season after the trade (7:20). Later, Chris shares his thoughts on the Bears’ season so far and why he has been impressed with the improvements they have made (19:20). He also talks about why he thinks the Bears should move on from Justin Fields if they secure the No. 1 pick in the draft (22:20). Finally, Chris gives his prediction for the game on Sunday (29:00).
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Dec 13, 2023 • 25min
Bears on rise in NFC North as questions surround division rivals
On this episode of this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Kenneth Davis and Alex Shapiro discuss the state of the NFC North and where the Bears rank among the four teams. They start by discussing the Packers and how they have looked with Jordan Love under center (1:30). Later, they look at the Vikings and how the loss of Kirk Cousin has impacted their offense. Did they give up on Dalvin Cook too early? Who has the best quarterback situation in the division? Finally, they talk about the Lions' late-season collapse and what to make of Detroit's division rise.
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Dec 11, 2023 • 38min
Justin Fields, defense carry Bears to impressive win over Lions
On this episode of the Under Center Podcast, Kenneth Davis, Josh Schrock, and Alex Shapiro recap the Bears' 28-13 victory over the Lions. They discuss how the defense bounced back from the Week 12 breakdown to suffocate a potent Lions attack (1:20). They also review Justin Fields' game and dissect the high-level quarterbacking that took place on the game's critical play (8:45). Can Fields cement himself as a franchise quarterback with four more games like this to end the season? Then, the trio examines how the offensive line performed before looking at how realistic the Bears' playoff chances are with four games remaining.
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