The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Voluntary workouts have begun and the Matt Eberflus has the team in good spirits. Eberflus, Justin Fields, and Roquan Smith speak on the state of the new era Bears the new regime. Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro break down the sights and sounds from minicamp, including how the O-line looks, what is the plan for Justin Fields, and what will be Matt Eberflus' impact on the defense. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The draft is only a week away now and the talk about what's going on around Justin Fields is heating up. Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro discuss an article by Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated suggesting that Justin Fields should demand a trade for how the Bears have treated him, and they discuss what head coach Mat Eberflus said to NFL analyst Chris Collinsworth how the plan for Fields. The guys also react to another 1yr deal Ryan Poles made by signing tight end James O’Shaughnessy. (1:39) - Is Justin Fields being built around correctly? (8:38) - Changing a GM means patience from fans (15:00) -Rumors are swirling that the Bears are not going to draft a WR with early picks in the draft (20:00) - Bears sign TE James O'Shaughnessy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Even though Ryan Poles and the Bears are having a conservative offseason transaction wise, they are trying to build something solid and consistent for the future but there are things we absolutely need to know by the time the season ends. Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro select their top 5 things that we must know about the Bears at the end of the upcoming season for it to be a success. What is on your list? (3:48) - Bears updates: Voluntary workouts begin April 19th (6:40) - Will the Bears build a new stadium? (13:20) - What does offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's offense look like? (15:00) - What kind of players does GM Ryan Poles like? (20:45) - Will Roquan Smith be a Bear long-term? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ryan Poles addresses another need in signing cornerback Tavon Young to a one-year deal. With another player signed for only one year, what is Ryan Poles thinking and what is his strategy this offseason? Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro break down the signing and if Ryan Poles playing the long game and being patient for the draft or next offseason. The guys also discuss the tragic passing of quarterback Dwayne Haskins. (1:15) - Bears sign Tavon Young but has an injury history (5:00) - Are Bears fans bored of this Bears offseason so far? (12:00) - What is Ryan Poles' plan? (14:10) - NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins' passing over the weekend See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fan Controlled Football is a new league that is going to take the game in a direction never seen before. Directly to the fans! Ken Davis is joined by the commissioner of the FCF, former Bear Ray Austin as they discuss what is fans controlled football and how fans can be in charge of their own in-game experience and coverage of the sport they love. They also discuss growing a new football league and Ray's time as a Bear. Check out the start of the season on April 16th on Peacock and NBCLX. (1:47) - How did the FCF get started? (11:30) - How much control do fans have over real-life games? (26:00) - Breaking down the FCF season (40:00) - How FCF is helping its athletes to expand their careers See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Ryan Poles rebuilds the Bears, the WR position hasn't been fully addressed and with the NFL Draft coming up on April 28th, he can certainly find players in such a deep class of pass-catchers but who will be available in the second round and how should they rank on a draft board? Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro discuss which players you should be looking out for as the Bears make their first selection in the second round of this year's draft. (3:47) - Jameson Williams (Alabama) (10:52) - Treylon Burks (Arkansas) (15:50) - Christian Watson (North Dakota State) (22:00) - David Bell (Purdue) (27:00) - John Metchie III (Alabama) (36:10) - George Pickens (Georgia) (45:52) - Does Ryan Poles deem the WR position important for this season? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Changes are being made around the NFL at the annual NFL owners meetings. Along with other rules, the biggest change is the new overtime rule. Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro discuss the impact of the overtime rule and if they agree with the change. Also, the Bear's decision-makers speak to the media and discuss the offseason so far and their plans for the rest of the offseason. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So much to discuss and so much to catch up on over the weekend. Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro break down the Matt Eberflus interview in which he discussed what he wants from the run game and the different personnel he would like to see. Eberflus also discusses reaching out to former Bears to get their ideas and expertise to improve the team. Ken and Alex also discuss the loss of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and the slap seen around the world at the Oscars. (2:43) - Eberflus discusses helping Justin Fields in year two is improving the run game (10:00) - Eberflus wants Charles "Peanut" Tillman to teach the Peanut Punch to Bears' defense (17:00) - Akiem Hicks is being connected to the Dallas Cowboys (29:00) - Reactions to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins's passing (36:30) - Will Smith smacks Chris Rock at the Oscars See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The wild NFL off-season continues as another blockbuster trade goes down as Tyreek Hill of the Kansas City Chiefs is traded to the Miami Dolphins. This has to be the craziest NFL off-season of all time. Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, Alex Shapiro, and Tony Gill discuss the trade and if the Bears were looking into a deal for the wide receiver and break down the strategy Bears GM Ryan Poles is implementing to bring the Bears back. (9:00) - Breaking down the Chiefs trade of Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins (30:00) - How important is off the field issues to an NFL team? (43:00) - Will the Bears look to add more next off-season? (56:00) - Matt Ryan to the Colts, will this QB work for them? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bears introduced officially the first wave of new Bears this offseason and the first set of free agents in the tenure of new GM Ryan Poles. Center Lucas Patrick, defensive tackle Justin Jones, defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, linebacker Nicholas Morrow and receivers Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown are ready to make an impact this year. Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro breakdown Ryan Poles' press conference on the new players and what they expect from each. Also, the guys discuss the Deshaun Watson trade to the Browns and the QB carousel around the NFL. (2:00) - Ryan Poles pivot from Larry Ogunjobi (10:00) - What roll will Nicholas Morrow play on the defense (20:00) - Lucas Patrick announces he will be playing center (36:52) - What can Byron Pringle bring to the offense? (41:00) - Deshaun Watson trade scrambles the QBs around the AFC See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.