In this episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer and Shea Norling tackle the fallout from GM Ryan Poles’ five-year contract extension through 2029. They begin by questioning why the deal was struck now, and whether it signals the front office is prioritizing stability over accountability despite a 15–36 record. Shea points out that tying Poles’ fate to Ben Johnson may make business sense—but still feels premature given Poles’ mixed results. Pat calls it a bold “all-in” move, positioning the Bears to commit fully to Poles’ vision—but he also warns it could mask deeper issues under the guise of stability. Later, they debate whether this extension actually removes pressure to win now or simply hands Poles more time without demanding immediate success .

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Why extend Poles now—strategic move or misstep?

00:08:00 – Pat: This is a win-now, all-in approach

00:16:30 – Is guaranteed stability just a facade?

00:26:00 – Does the extension eliminate accountability?

In this episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer and Shea Norling take a hard look at the Bears' linebacker group under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. They kick things off by discussing Tremaine Edmunds’ four-year, $72 million deal, which has been widely criticized as one of the NFL’s worst contracts. Despite being reliable in tackles, Edmunds hasn’t lived up to his price tag and enters a make-or-break season.

Shea and Pat examine how Dennis Allen’s aggressive, man-coverage scheme could unlock more from the unit—highlighting T.J. Edwards as a physical, veteran presence whose playing style aligns perfectly with Allen’s system, despite a down year in 2024 . They also shine a spotlight on rookie Ruben Hyppolite II, whose blazing 4.39 speed has made him a frontrunner for the strongside linebacker job, and could provide much-needed explosiveness off the edge.

With questions around veteran value, scheme fit, and rookie upside, the guys ask: can this linebacker group—and in particular Edmunds—finally deliver under new leadership, or will it be the weak link in the defense?

#ChicagoBears #Linebackers #TremaineEdmunds #TJEdwards #RubenHyppolite #DennisAllen #NFL2025 #BearsDefense

In this episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer and NFL veteran Jurko dive into their first full breakdown of Dennis Allen as the new defensive coordinator. They open by comparing Allen’s aggressive, man-coverage-heavy scheme to the more conservative coverage style under Matt Eberflus, discussing how this philosophical shift could change Chicago’s identity. They explore how Allen plans to win back disengaged players with fresh accountability, detail which defenders—like Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Grady Jarrett, and Montez Sweat—are poised to thrive in the new system, and answer whether the group has enough personnel to make this upgrade stick. Jurko rounds out the conversation with stories of legendary defensive coordinators and what makes Allen fit into that elite coaching tier.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Is Dennis Allen a real upgrade over Matt Eberflus?

00:07:40 – How Allen will re-engage the defense and repair morale

00:16:10 – Who will flourish—or falter—under Allen

00:23:00 – Jurko’s breakdown of defensive coordinator greatness

Tags:

#ChicagoBears #DennisAllen #BearsDefense #NFL2025 #MattEberflus #JaylonJohnson #TyriqueStevenson #Jurko #BenJohnson #BearsPodcast

Join Pat The Designer in this episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast as they dive into the Bears’ revamped offensive line—which Pro Football Focus ranks 4th best in the NFL.

The conversation kicks off with a breakdown of how interior additions like Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson have transformed the unit from a liability into a strength.

They dig into the foundation of the line, explaining why dominance in the middle makes everything click—pass protection, run game, and overall consistency.

Then they evaluate the depth chart: assessing young talents like Darnell Wright, Braxton Jones & Ozzy Trapilo, and backups questioning if there’s enough insurance and playmakers for the grind through the season.

How this fortified front paves the way for Caleb Williams to develop—giving him more time in the pocket to make reads, improve decision-making, and ramp up accuracy under Ben Johnson’s system.

They wrap up by addressing whether Ryan Poles deserves full credit for this big upgrade—and if you now trust his future roster moves to align with this kind of foundational success.

Timestamps:
00:00:00 – PFF ranks Bears O‑Line 4th in NFL
00:08:30 – Interior dominance: why center and guards matter most
00:12:30 – O‑Line depth assessed: starters & backups
00:23:00 – What this means for Caleb’s growth under Ben Johnson
00:27:00 – Trusting Poles? Is the OL rebuild the turning point?

As both rookie QBs enter Year 2, the pressure is on — but the evidence suggests Caleb Williams is set to outplay his classmate in 2025.

We break down why Caleb is positioned for a breakout sophomore season: from Ben Johnson's offense, to his weapons, and what the Bears are building around him — compared to the situation in Washington with Daniels.

💬 Who will have the better Year 2: Caleb or Jayden? Let us know in the comments!

#CalebWilliams #JaydenDaniels #ChicagoBears #WashingtonCommanders #NFLQBs #NFL2025 #BearsNews #NFLBreakdown

In this exclusive interview, Matt Schneidman dives into why this season could be a make-or-break moment for the Green Bay Packers leadership. With the Chicago Bears on the rise, could their success signal the end for Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst? Tune in as we explore the potential shake-up in Green Bay and what it means for the NFC North rivalry!

Pat the Designer and Jason McKie are back, this time filling in for Carmen & Jurko. The guys discuss the Bears' offseason to this point and how they've received glowing reviews. Plus, JMac shares a story about his time in Baltimore.

In this episode of the Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer, Chris Bleck & Adam Abdalla—presented by The Advantage Dealer Group and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana—bring the heat in a special “Hot or Not: Chicago Bears Edition”.

They run the gauntlet on Chicago’s most talked-about figures and topics:

00:00:00 – Ryan Poles: Did the GM nail the offseason, or is he already cooling off amid roster questions?

00:05:00 – Coaching Staff: Are Ben Johnson and his crew “hot AF” with early buy-in and culture shift? (Spoiler: yes.)

00:16:30 – D.J. Moore: Ready to bounce back after a down season, or still searching for consistency under a new QB?

00:21:00 – Caleb Williams: Under Ben Johnson's guidance, is the sophomore QB trending toward stardom—or stagnation?

00:25:00 – Over 8.5 Wins?: Can this retooled Bears squad shatter expectations and hit the over in a tougher NFC North?

Join a fiery debate with pro-level takes and no fluff—perfect prelude to a season that promises fresh direction under the new regime.

#ChicagoBears #RyanPoles #BenJohnson #DJMoore #CalebWilliams #NFL2025 #HotOrNot #BearsPodcast

In this episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer and ESPN Chicago’s Tom Waddle, presented by The Advantage Dealer Group and The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, welcome Vikings insider Matthew Coller of the Purple Insider Podcast for a deep dive into the latest NFC North shake-ups.

They kick things off by dissecting the Vikings' bold move—trading their 14-win QB Sam Darnold for rookie J.J. McCarthy, debating whether Minnesota is ready to roll with a first-year passer.

Matthew compares Minnesota’s loaded roster to 2024’s Eagles, spotlighting their revamped offensive line, beefed-up defensive front, and what it means to be a top-tier contender in the NFC . They also discuss the mounting pressure on the Vikings to win now, the team most likely to regress in the division.

NFC North QB faces the most heat heading into 2025 .

The episode wraps up with Courtney’s lighthearted travel stories from Japan, bringing a fun cultural twist. Tune in for insider insight, bold predictions, and a clearer picture of where the division stands.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Sam Darnold traded for J.J. McCarthy—Vikings’ bold QB move

00:10:00 – Vikings as Eagles Comparison—Is Minnesota elite?

00:20:00 – Growing Pressure—Will the Vikings deliver in 2025?

00:30:00 – Most Likely NFC North Regression Pick

00:40:00 – Which QB in the division has the most pressure?

00:53:00 – Courtney’s unforgettable trip to Japan

In this episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer and Shea Norling dive into the revamped Bears secondary—evaluating elite corners, breakout candidates, and expectations under Dennis Allen. Brought you by The Advantage Dealer Group and The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

They kick things off poking fun as Shea give Chicago fans a hard time. They explore just how dominant Jaylon Johnson could be with Allen’s aggressive man-coverage system—locking down the opposing team's top receiver and racking up turnovers Then, they discuss Kyler Gordon, now the highest-paid slot corner in football after signing a 3-year, $40 million deal, and how Allen plans to unleash his versatility across slot, perimeter, and safety roles. The spotlight turns to Tyrique Stevenson, who's poised for a make-or-break season with expectations to build on a rookie year featuring 4 TDs and 16 pass breaks—but also the need to sustain consistency. Finally, they unpack the depth chart reviewing veteran targets, developmental cornerbacks, and the overall outlook of the unit heading into camp.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Shea hot with Chicago fans

00:08:30 – Jaylon Johnson’s ceiling under Dennis Allen

00:18:30 – Kyler Gordon’s new deal & evolving role

00:24:00 – Tyrique Stevenson’s breakout opportunity

00:33:00 – Full secondary depth & team outlook