In this episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer and ESPN Chicago's John "Jurko" Jurkovic dive into the latest developments from Halas Hall. Brought to you by Mitch Lyons Wealth, The Advantage Dealer Group, and The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, the duo discusses the Bears' upcoming joint practices, the challenges of the 2025 schedule, and the impact of Head Coach Ben Johnson's leadership.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Bears Announce Joint Practices with Bills and Dolphins: The Bears are set to host joint practices with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills ahead of their preseason matchups on August 10 and August 17, respectively. These sessions aim to provide valuable experience against unfamiliar opponents.

00:08:00 – Jurko Analyzes the Brutal 2025 Schedule: Jurko breaks down the Bears' challenging 2025 schedule, noting that it is tied for the second hardest in the league based on opponents' 2024 winning percentage (.571). He highlights a particularly tough stretch from Weeks 11 to 14, which includes three away games against formidable opponents: the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers, with a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in between.

00:14:30 – Ben Johnson's Productive Practices Impress Jurko: Jurko shares his observations on the Bears' Organized Team Activities (OTAs) under new Head Coach Ben Johnson. He notes the increased intensity and accountability in practices, with Johnson's hands-on approach and attention to detail setting a new tone for the team.

Join Pat and Jurko as they provide in-depth analysis and firsthand insights into the Bears' preparations for the 2025 season.

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