The Charter: A Chicago Bears Podcast

The Chicago Bears have traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. It's the first big move under new general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears landed two NFL Draft picks in exchange for Mack and the Chargers will take on all of Mack's salary. On an emergency Under Center podcast, host Ken Davis, former player Alex Brown and writer Alex Shapiro react to the Bears trading away their defensive face of the franchise. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big moves are happening in the NFL and some impact the Bears. Ken Davis, Eric Strobel, and Alex Shapiro discuss all the latest news around the NFL including, Aaron Rodgers returning to the Green Bay Packers and the NFC North to be the highest-paid player in NFL history, Russell Wilson being traded to the Denver Broncos, and how gambling is impacting the NFL with Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley gets suspended for betting on NFL games. (3:50) - Did anyone in Chicago believe Aaron Rodgers was leaving the division? (10:00) - Who can challenge the Packers in the NFC? (24:00) - Russell Wilson is traded to the Denver Broncos (33:34) - Calvin Ridley gets suspended for gambling on NFL games See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mitch Trubisky enters the news cycle again as he enters free agency with multiple teams reported to be interested. Can Mitch change his career narrative? Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro discuss Trubisky and where they think he might land and where they think his career will end up. Later in the pod, the guys discuss the NFL Combine and if the Bears should think about moving up in the draft to take Justin Fields' former teammate Chris Olave. (10:20) - Where will Mitch Trubisky land? (15:00) - Player comparison, is Mitch Trubisky Marcus Mariota? (21:10) - Should the Bears try and pair Chris Olave and Justin Fields? (28:00) - What should we expect from Ryan Poles in his first draft? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a surprising but not so surprising move, the Dallas Cowboys released wide receiver, Amari Cooper, making him available via free agency. With the uncertainty about Allen Robinson and the Bears' obvious need for playmakers along side Justin Fields, should he be a must-have for the Bears this offseason? Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro discuss Cooper and if he can be the next number 1 target for Justin Fields and what they think GM Ryan Poles should do. (7:00) - Should Amari Cooper be the Bears' first target in free agency? (12:00) - What makes Cooper so good? (15:50) - Is Cooper better than Allen Robinson? (19:40) - Will Ryan Poles address the WR position in free agency or the draft? (26:20) - Who will be available in the draft in the second round for the Bears? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NFL Combine is in full effect as teams get prepared for this year's NFL Draft including new Bears GM and head coach Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus. They speak to the media about what they are looking for and how they are looking to build. Ken Davis, Adam Hoge, and Alex Shapiro react to the comments made by the GM and coach on how they are attacking the combine, what they like about the current roster, and philosophy going forward. (2:20) - Ryan Poles speaks about the current roster (11:00) - Poles is looking to find a quicker and lighter offensive lineman (22:30) - Should the Bears trade Khalil Mack for more draft picks (30:00) - How will Ryan Poles handle Bears free agents like Allen Robinson? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In part two of this series, Ken Davis continues the interview with former Bears quarterback Erik Kramer as they discuss the lowest point of his life, his attempted suicide in a hotel room that should have cost his life. Later in the pod, Kramer also discusses how his ex-wife defrauded him and had him arrested. The Erik Kramer story is certainly an interesting tale, but in the end, he still continues to work in his community and is getting better every day. (1:00) - Erik Kramer on being in a hotel room with a gun ready to take his own life (15:10) - Kramer discusses how he was defrauded for thousands of dollars (26:00) - Kramer on being falsely arrested (45:30) - Kramer describes what it's like to prevent himself from going into another dark place in his head See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The story of Erik Kramer is one of triumph but also of pain. The former Bears quarterback and holder of one of the greatest individual seasons in Bears history joins Ken Davis in a two-part series to discuss his career in the NFL, the death of his parents, the tragic death of his son, his battle with depression, and how he's fighting every day to improve. (2:30) - Kramer discusses his Bears career and the magical 1995 season (11:30) - Breaking down Justin Fields as a quarterback (17:15) - Kramer on recognizing he needed help mentally in 1994 (25:00) - Kramer discusses his relationship with his parents (30:00) - Losing a son (39:00) - Kramer on the strides he's making and how he's helping others See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the course of Super Bowl week, we had some interviews that were just too good to keep out. Adam Hoge sits and talks with Hall of Famer Jimbo Covert on Devin Hester not making it this year, then he has a conversation with Bears running back Khalil Herbert on his rookie season and his new GM and coach, and to wrap up, Hoge is joined by former NFL running back Shaun Alexander about Justin Fields adjusting to a new coach and being a franchise player. (1:10) - Jim Covert discusses the Hall of Fame and Devin Hester missing the cut this year (9:35) - Khalil Herbert discusses his rookie season and his new coach and GM (19:00) - Shaun Alexander discuss his new program Café Momentum and how Justin Fields can adjust to a new coach and situation See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The LA Rams won the Super Bowl in a great game and we discuss it all. Ken Davis and Alex Shapiro discuss the Rams coming out on top at the end of the season, they break down their thoughts on the game, and discuss if the Halftime show lived up to the hype. (1:00) - End game officiating of the Super Bowl (5:30) - Odell Beckham Jr.'s knee injury in the first half (9:50) - What if scenario, what if Aaron Donald was a Bear vs Khalil Mack? (15:00) - Where do you rank the halftime show? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a jam-packed episode of Under Center, the full strength of the NBCS Chicago Bears team was used. First up, Ken Davis and Eric Strobel discuss Devin Hester missing the Hall of Fame this year, then Ken and Adam Hoge are joined by legendary Bear Dick Butkus as he gives STRONG takes on the state of the Bears. After that, Adam is joined by FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer, and to wrap it up, Matt Ryan makes an appearance to discuss Ryan Poles. I ran out of breath just typing this. (2:00) - Did Devin Hester deserve to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer? (12:16) - Dick Butkus with Ken Davis and Adam Hoge (34:35) - Jay Glazer sits with Adam Hoge (45:07) - Matt Ryan joins Adam Hoge See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.