Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer dig into the recent Bleacher Report expose about Aaron Rodgers and the dynamics that precipitated the Packers' two-year fall from Super Bowl contention to firing coach Mike McCarthy (5:12 mark). They share their overall impressions of the article (6:36) before Dan provides context by recounting his personal experience with Greg Jennings criticizing Rodgers (12:23). They distinguish between facts and opinions in the article (17:26) and examine if Rodgers' persona has been detrimental to the Packers despite their run of success, especially against the Bears (18:46). They explain journalistic processes required for a story such as this (34:32) and discuss how McCarthy and former general manager Ted Thompson were portrayed in the article (46:46). They discuss what the future holds for Rodgers and new coach Matt LaFleur (52:22) and crown the Bears' 2018 Ed Block Courage Award winner (1:06:51).

Rich and Dan are at Tribune headquarters to analyze the Bears offseason as the calendar flips to April. They break down the Jordan Howard trade from all angles, including why the Bears were willing to part with him for such low-level compensation and what Matt Nagy must prove with his makeover over the Bears running backs group (3.20 mark). Next, they share a giant eye roll at April Fools silliness (23:28), spotlight what GM Ryan Pace said at the owners’ meetings about Ha Ha Clinton-Dix's 2018 stumbles and 2019 upside (30:40) and finally, make their NCAA Tournament predictions (39:00).

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer wrap up the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix: Assessing the unmistakable confidence and energy Matt Nagy is exuding (3:00 mark), moving the magnifying glass over to Nagy's confidence in quarterback Mitch Trubisky and how, in 2019, they will clean up some of the missed throws (15:40), debating the use of Bitmojis in the wake of Nagy's revelation that he and Andy Reid communicate using the text-message cartoons (23:30), zeroing in on the kicker situation after Ryan Pace and Nagy's latest update (31:39) and finally, George McCaskey tells the story about how he once lost his Super Bowl XX championship ring (50:28).

On a special edition of the Bear Download podcast, Virginia McCaskey shares her perspective on the team’s rich history as the Bears and the NFL begin their 100th anniversary celebrations. She shares what specifically inspires her to celebrate this year (4:23 mark), talks about her father — the legendary George Halas — as a coach, leader and innovator from the early days of the NFL through the championship team of 1963 (6:06), remembers the 1985 Super Bowl team (15:56), reflects on an exciting resurgence following Khalil Mack's arrival (20:28) and expresses hope for another prosperous 100 years for the league and for her family's stewardship of the Bears (24:10). Enjoy! 

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer break down the Bears' start to free agency, starting with the Bears-Packers swap of safeties Adrian Amos and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (2:31 mark). They discuss the role of sports media in the wake of Bradley University's restrictions on the Peoria Journal Star's longtime basketball beat writer (21:44) and use that incident to discuss the dynamics of Bears media coverage (28:09). They examine the free-agent additions to the offense, specifically Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson (37:51), and what they mean for Jordan Howard and Mitch Trubisky (48:14). They crown a coach who helped develop two unheralded secondary prospects and, by extension, improved the Bears' chances of earning a compensatory draft pick in 2020 (55:26).

With the NFL's new league year upon us, Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer preview free agency with a detailed examination of the Bears' needs and options (3:25 mark), look at how the Bears might upgrade the offense despite having all 11 starters under contract (5:23) and discuss adding a wide receiver (6:05). They dissect the situations of safety Adrian Amos (15:34) and slot cornerback Bryce Callahan (26:25), and take familiar target practice at the latest inanity of the pre-draft process (31:10). They examine running back Jordan Howard's future (39:50) and what trading him would do for the offense and the team's running backs, specifically Tarik Cohen. They finish with a spirited crowning of two friends (55:13).

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer are at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and are joined by a special guest: Bears coach Matt Nagy (3:05 mark). Nagy weighs in on a range of topics, including his first season, how he develops his leadership methods and how he'll lay out the team's path to the Super Bowl. Nagy discusses the Bears' "average" offense (13:05) and how they'll improve in 2019. He discusses his offseason, including attending the Duke-North Carolina basketball game (20:20). Rich and Dan explain the weirdness of this combine when the Bears don't draft until No. 87 and have less salary cap space than in past years (27:00). They recap what general manager Ryan Pace said about the kicker competition (30:58) and crown a veteran player for finding a solution to remain with the team (41:49).

Rich and Dan are at Tribune headquarters to catch up on a busy Bears offseason. Dan reports back from the Pro Bowl, where he covered a much more relaxed Mitch Trubisky and his six teammates (3:10), including a self-deprecating Tarik Cohen. Rich shares his impressions of Chuck Pagano (15:05), and he and Dan discuss the new defensive coordinator’s task as well as his one-liners. In "That’s Just Stupid” (29:24), the guys tear down ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio’s bloated analysis of introductory press conferences. In other words, would you rather have Matt Nagy or Jon Gruden right now? The reporters also dissect recent news, including whether Kareem Hunt will be a Bear (36:20), why re-signing right tackle Bobby Massie is important (39:31) and why Bears fans should know who Redford Jones is (43:13). Hint: Cody Parkey’s baggage. They finish the show by crowning their Super Bowl picks while possibly oversharing (51:17).

Rich and Dan break down the news conference held by Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy by discussing what was said about running back Kareem Hunt and what those comments indicate about a potential union (3:11 mark). They detail Nagy and Pace's adverse reaction to Cody Parkey's "Today" show appearance (32:49), discuss the possibility of Robbie Gould's return (44:48), spotlight Dan's misguided curiosity about Bears fans' escalated feud with Alshon Jeffery (53:44), look at Chuck Pagano's hire (1:02:17) and give the NFL injury gods their due credit for the Bears' 2018 success (1:11:36).

Rich and Dan host the first 2019 offseason episode, bystanders in the postseason after the Bears' wild-card loss to the Eagles. They bid farewell to Vic Fangio and wonder how the 60-year-old longtime coordinator will fair in the head coaching job he coveted (3:28 mark), wonder who will replace him and examine the important characteristic of the new coordinator (14:40), highlight a disputed play in the Bears’ one-point loss to the Eagles and the extreme takes it prompted (22:53), discuss maligned kicker Cody Parkey’s appearance on NBC’s “Today,” wondering exactly what he trying to accomplish by seeking the national spotlight after his season-ending field goal miss (29:45) and finish up with their picks for the divisional round of the playoffs (44:54).