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Chicago Sports Network

The Charter Podcast is where you can find everything you need to know about the Chicago Bears. Our team of Ruthie Polinsky & Clay Harbor bring you postgame reaction, interviews, and game previews. We’ll provide you with latest and have some fun along the way. New episodes available every Thursday throughout the season.

Under Center: Chicago Bears Podcast

Clay and Ruthie kick things off with a lighter moment as they share what it’s been like being in the middle of a fast, before turning their attention to the Chicago Bears’ early offseason rhythm. With rookie minicamp approaching, they break down how the team is laying the groundwork for its newest additions and revisit their initial reactions to the draft now that there’s been time to digest it. Clay offers an updated perspective after diving deeper into film, giving a clearer picture of how each pick could fit moving forward.

Later, the conversation shifts to a bigger-picture evaluation as Clay ranks Ryan Poles’ draft classes now that the GM has reached his fifth year at the helm. The duo highlights standout successes like Darnell Wright, Colston Loveland, and Caleb Williams, while also addressing picks that didn’t pan out as hoped, including Tyler Scott and Zach Pickens. They wrap up by circling back to rookie minicamp, discussing what fans should realistically watch for and why this early stage can quietly shape the trajectory of a player’s first season.

Ranking Ryan Poles' Draft Classes

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears’ full 2026 NFL Draft class, diving into whether this group meaningfully upgrades the roster heading into the season. The conversation starts in the trenches with second-round center Logan Jones and how he fits alongside Garrett Bradbury, before shifting to third-round tight end Sam Roush and what his arrival means for the Bears’ evolving TE room. They also explore how head coach Ben Johnson’s vision shapes these selections and the ways these rookies could be deployed in his system.

The episode continues with a closer look at playmakers and value picks, including wide receiver Zavion Thomas and what he brings to the offense, plus cornerback Malik Muhammad, who is already drawing “steal of the draft” buzz, and fifth round linebacker Keyshaun Elliot. The duo also discuss the Bears trading up for defensive tackle Jordan Van Den Berg and whether he could develop into a future surprise contributor. Ruthie shares what she would have done differently, while Clay wraps things up with his overall takeaways from a draft class that could define the next phase of the roster.

Bears Draft Recap

CHSN host and The Score's David Haugh joins Ruthie and Clay to break down the Chicago Bears' first-round selection of Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 overall, a move Haugh says he predicted. The group dives into why there’s so much excitement around the pick, how Thieneman fits into Ben Johnson’s vision, and the way his speed adds another layer to a defense that’s clearly gotten faster this offseason. They also look at how he could complement newly added safety Coby Bryant and what that pairing might bring to the secondary.

Later they look into some of the biggest surprises across the draft, including quarterback Ty Simpson landing with the Los Angeles Rams. The crew also checks in on division movement, including what the Detroit Lions did, while Clay shares insight on his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and their first-round pick Makai Lemon.

REACTION: Bears select DB Dillon Thieneman in 1st round of 2026 NFL Draft | The Charter

Clay Harbor teams up with CHSN host Gabe Ramirez, stepping in for Ruthie Polinsky, to map out the Chicago Bears’ approach ahead of the draft. The guys react to assistant GM Jeff King’s media availability and use it as a springboard to break down the team’s overall strategy, including how Ben Johnson’s vision could shape their first-round direction and the type of player who best fits his scheme.

As the conversation builds, they revisit Colston Loveland’s outlook following his media session and the scrutiny surrounding his 2025 draft class, while also checking in on Garrett Bradbury’s early efforts to establish himself within the Bears’ culture. From there, the focus shifts to the bigger picture, identifying key positional needs, evaluating potential options at pick No. 25 (and who to avoid), and weighing the value of older prospects. Clay highlights defensive end Austin Booker as a name to watch, and Gabe closes by laying out why he expects the Bears to stay active and potentially make moves when draft night arrives.

Bears Draft Preview: Strategy, Targets & Big Questions

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor take a deep dive into the latest Chicago Bears draft buzz, starting with a notable Halas Hall visit that could hint at defensive priorities. From there, they break down the team’s biggest needs and revisit past draft picks that turned into major wins, setting the stage for how fans should view this year’s decisions.

The episode heats up as Clay unveils his boom-or-bust prospects and shares thoughts on under-the-radar quarterbacks, while Ruthie weighs in on development paths for young arms. Later, “Wired In” returns with fresh Caleb Williams chatter and a hilarious NFL story. Clay concludes the episode by revealing his evolving mock draft strategy.

Draft Needs, Rising Prospects & Caleb Williams Buzz

Ruthie kicks things off by celebrating the Michigan Wolverines' national championship, setting the tone before diving into the looming decisions facing the Chicago Bears in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the draft just weeks away, she and Clay break down the different scenarios of whether the Bears should trade up, move down, or stay put and what each path could mean for the roster.

Clay zeroes in on potential targets at No. 25 overall and highlights a group of second-round fits with Chicago holding two picks, while also exploring whether a tight end could be in play—including a Wolverine name Ruthie can get behind. The conversation wraps with a look at adding wide receiver depth and how the Bears could continue building out their offense.

Should the Chicago Bears Trade Up, Trade Down, or Stay Put?

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor dive into the latest from the Chicago Bears, starting with Ben Johnson’s Monday morning remarks at the owners meetings in Arizona. Johnson reflects on a fresh start in 2026, Caleb Williams’ progress, the left tackle situation, and second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III, while Garrett Bradbury’s role on the roster is also discussed. The hosts break down the coaches’ photo, including Caleb Williams’ playful jab at Johnson on Instagram. 

The conversation then shifts to broader team and league updates, including Kevin Warren’s latest stadium comments, the potential referee lockout as union negotiations stall, and Ryan Poles’ insights on Shemar Turner’s injury-plagued rookie season. Johnson’s frustration with praise for the Bears’ 2025 campaign and his perspective on the defense, particularly Kyler Gordon, round out the episode. Ruthie and Clay provide their takes, offering fans a full snapshot of what’s next for the Bears and the league.

NFL Owners Meetings: Bears Looking FORWARD, Stadium Update & Possible Referee Lockout

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor kick off the episode reacting to the NFL’s announcement that the 2026 season will start midweek, with the Seahawks hosting an opponent on Wednesday and the Rams facing the 49ers in the first-ever regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia. They discuss the possibility of the Chicago Bears being Seattle’s opening-night opponent and what that matchup could mean for both teams.

The conversation then shifts to Clay’s rankings of the Bears’ 2026 opponents, breaking down which matchups could be the toughest and which games fans should circle on the calendar. Ruthie and Clay also share insights on trends around the league and what this schedule shakeup might mean for teams chasing playoff positioning.

RANKING Bears' 2026 Opponents

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor open the episode with some fun, as Ruthie pitches her idea for a new Charter Podcast theme song before the conversation quickly shifts to real Bears news. They break down Jack Sanborn’s return to Chicago, the addition of lineman James Lynch, and what those moves signal about the team’s direction this offseason.

From there, the focus expands to the NFC North, sizing up where each team stands heading into the new season. The duo evaluates the Bears’ trajectory, digs into the Packers’ key departures, examines the Vikings’ headline-grabbing moves, and debates whether the Lions are retooling or taking a step back.

Bears Bring Back Sanborn + NFC North Offseason Breakdown

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor dive into a busy stretch for the Bears, starting with the team trading for former New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury following Drew Dalman’s retirement. They break down how Bradbury fits into Chicago’s offensive line and what the move signals about the Bears’ approach to reshaping the roster.

The conversation then turns to a flurry of free agency news, including additions like safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, and wide receiver Kalif Raymond, along with the team bringing back linebacker D’Marco Jackson. Ruthie and Clay also discuss players departing Chicago, such as cornerback Nahshon Wright signing with the Jets.

Breaking Down the Bears’ Free Agent Frenzy

The NFL and its players have yet to come to an agreement on safety protocols and training camp is scheduled to begin in a week. JJ Stankevitz, Laurence Holmes and Cam Ellis discuss the issues the NFL needs to fix before players report to camp, how will no preseason games impact the Bears QB competition, and how rosters being reduced to only 80 players could impact un-drafted free agents.

(1:30) - How will no preseason games impact the Trubisky vs Foles battle?

(9:05) - How will the NFL be ready to play if there are no preseason games?

(15:00) - Safety concerns the NFL and players need to consider

(22:55) - A lot of players will be cut with smaller rosters

(31:00) - Will the NFL be able to finish the season?

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No safety protocol from the NFL and camp is a week away

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