Carmen and Jurko

Jack McGrath and Peggy Kusinski are in for Carmen and Jurko as Jason McKie joins to discuss Bears practice in the heat, defensive injuries and the ongoing uncertainty around Kyler Gordon. McKie explains why the communication around Gordon’s return feels confusing and why the Bears need clarity from the player, trainers, coaches and representation. He also breaks down how Xavion Thomas could fit into Ben Johnson’s offense and why young defensive linemen like Jordan Vandenberg, Jamree Kromah, Daniel Hardy, Contavious Street and Neville Gallimore could surprise people. Peggy’s Keys celebrates Labor Day weekend by looking at how to survive some of the worst jobs imaginable. The hour wraps with Jack and Peggy discussing the excitement around Chicago’s young sports stars, PCA’s MVP season, Caleb Williams embracing the city and how much better the local sports scene feels than it did two years ago.

Jack McGrath and Peggy Kusinski are in for Carmen and Jurko as the hour opens with NFL executives showing major respect for Ben Johnson and the Bears. The guys discuss why Johnson was voted one of the NFL’s top offensive play callers, why executives may be higher on the Bears than national media, and what concerns still exist on defense. The List of Lists lands on Detectives, leading to picks like Sherlock Holmes, Benoit Blanc, Olivia Benson, Nancy Drew, Axel Foley, Scooby-Doo and Jake Peralta. Callers add Dirty Harry, Inspector Clouseau, Ace Ventura, Columbo, Magnum P.I., Dick Tracy and more. The Brunch Rush hits Kyle Teel returning to the White Sox, Caleb Williams praising Chicago on Hot Ones, and Pro Football Hall of Fame voting changes. Mike North’s latest baseball pick closes the hour.

Jack McGrath and Peggy Kusinski are in for Carmen and Jurko as the show opens with Peggy explaining how she nearly missed the show because of a scheduling mix-up. Jack brings in his mustard-stained Kyle Hendricks jersey from Wrigley Field, sparking a debate over whether his friend should pay to replace it and what Chicago sports jersey is the best buy right now. Callers join in with stories about ruined items, including a broken high-end toilet seat and a lost Babe Ruth autograph. The guys also discuss whether adults should wear jerseys out in public, especially when the jersey is not even for their favorite team. The hour wraps with Bears injury notes on DeAndre Swift and Rome Odunze before shifting to the White Sox, Luis Castillo’s rough stretch and whether Chris Getz did enough at the trade deadline.

Jesse Rogers fills in for Carmen alongside Jurko as Brewers manager Pat Murphy joins after Milwaukee’s latest win over the Cubs. Murphy explains how the Brewers keep winning despite ranking last in home runs, why getting on base and playing clean baseball matter so much, and how he manages young players through a long season. Jesse and Jurko react to Murphy’s philosophy and discuss why Brewers culture continues to frustrate Cubs fans in the NL Central. The Brunch Rush covers Caleb Williams on Hot Ones, NFC executive rankings, the Bears’ tougher schedule and whether Chicago should be viewed as the top team in the division. The show wraps with Cubs-Brewers and White Sox-Astros talk, Kevin Gausman, Nico Hoerner joining Jesse’s podcast and Bears prep before Week 1.

Jesse Rogers fills in for Carmen alongside Jurko as Jeff Joniak joins to discuss the Bears’ final roster, Kyler Gordon’s uncertain status and the biggest questions in the secondary. Joniak also weighs in on the linebacker room, Colston Loveland’s potential, the NFC North race and whether the Bears or Lions enter the season with fewer question marks. The List of Lists lands on Comic Book Heroes, leading to picks like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Wonder Woman, Thor and Captain America. Callers add G.I. Joe, Flash Gordon, Iron Man, Green Hornet, Dick Tracy and more as the crew debates what actually counts as a comic book hero. The hour wraps with Jesse and Jurko reacting to Kyler Gordon’s workout video and wondering why he still is not practicing if he is moving that well.

Jesse Rogers fills in for Carmen alongside Jurko as the guys react to a rough night for both Chicago baseball teams. The Cubs lose another frustrating game to the Brewers, and Jesse says the NL Central race is officially over as the focus shifts to holding off Philadelphia for the top wild-card spot. The guys break down the Cubs’ bullpen issues, defensive mistakes, Milwaukee’s edge and whether Craig Counsell deserves blame when none of his relievers can be trusted. They also dissect the White Sox wasting a strong Davis Martin start in Houston after an eighth-inning scoring chance fell apart. The hour includes calls on the Cubs’ September problems, Javier Assad being in Iowa, Will Venable’s decisions and what both teams need to fix before October.

Shea Norling sits in for Carmen alongside Jurko as the guys get ready for their Bub City Hot Wings Challenge in honor of Caleb Williams appearing on Hot Ones. Before the wings arrive, they help plan Jack’s friend’s first trip to Wrigley Field and react to the Cubs’ new social media rom-com, Nine Innings to Love. The Bears conversation centers on Ben Johnson’s comments about Caleb Williams’ maturity, leadership and more serious approach as he enters the season. Shea and Jurko also discuss how last year’s Bears built belief by stacking wins and finding ways to pull games back from the brink. The hour wraps with the Bub City Hot Wings Challenge as the guys eat hot wings and Nashville hot tenders while answering questions about fear, the Bears’ Super Bowl ceiling, sports memories and their best meals.

Shea Norling sits in for Carmen alongside Jurko as the guys react to Caleb Williams’ comments about his future contract and whether winning, not money, is his biggest motivation. Jurko breaks down how quarterback deals work against the salary cap and why the Bears will have to pay Caleb if he becomes the franchise quarterback everyone expects. The List of Lists lands on Matt Damon Things, leading to picks from Good Will Hunting, The Bourne movies and Ocean’s Eleven to Matt Damon’s friendship with Ben Affleck and his feud with Jimmy Kimmel. Callers add Rounders, Air, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and more while the guys also spiral into a search for cold Dr. Pepper before the Hot Wings Challenge. The Brunch Rush hits the White Sox magic number, the possibility of a Bears edge-rusher trade and Jack’s review of Vision Quest.

Shea Norling sits in for Carmen alongside Jurko as the guys open the show by previewing their Hot Wings Challenge in honor of Caleb Williams appearing on Hot Ones. They revisit Ryan Poles’ comments on Kyler Gordon and debate whether the Bears can count on him at all this season. Jesse Rogers joins to discuss the Cubs’ bullpen meltdown, why holding off Philadelphia for the top wild-card spot matters more than chasing Milwaukee, and how the White Sox continue to hold serve in the AL Central. Jesse also weighs in on Tommy Pham returning to the White Sox and previews his upcoming conversation with Nico Hoerner. The hour wraps with Bears-Panthers Week 1 talk, the surprisingly high point total and a name-pronunciation detour around Travis Etienne.

Shea Norling sits in for Carmen alongside Jurko as Tom Thayer joins to react to Ryan Poles’ unusually honest comments about Kyler Gordon’s rehab. Thayer explains why the Bears’ locker room will know whether a player is giving everything to get back, and he also breaks down the revamped defensive line, Gervon Dexter trade and nickel corner options. Shea and Jurko continue the Kyler Gordon conversation by asking if he is on “Derrick Rose Protocol” and whether the Bears can count on him at all this season. The Brunch Rush hits the Red Sox radio team ripping Jazz Chisholm, ESPN’s top 100 NFL players, Tommy Pham returning to the White Sox, Lori Loughlin returning to Instagram and Kyle Tucker’s fall-off with the Dodgers. The show wraps with Shea’s 10 p.m. softball complaint.