The Charter kicks off the season as Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down Week 1 for the Chicago Bears. They start with Thursday night’s opener before diving into the Bears-Vikings matchup: how Chicago’s offensive line holds up against a disruptive front, why cadence can be a weapon against disguised looks, and what the defense must do to slow down Minnesota’s run game and a first-time starter at quarterback. They also hit on a few key injury concerns and share why manageable downs will decide the night.

Ruthie Polinsky, Clay Harbor, and David Haugh are joined by ESPN’s Courtney Cronin on The Big Pro Football Show to react to a stunner in the NFC North: the Green Bay Packers have acquired Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for two first-round picks and DT Kenny Clark, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. After breaking down what this blockbuster means for the Bears and the division, we turn to our planned episode with Alex Shapiro, Ruthie, and Clay to tackle the Bears’ biggest questions — health concerns on defense, the uncertainty at left tackle, and which players they expect to emerge as leaders in the 2025 campaign.

The Bears’ preseason clash with the Chiefs gave us plenty to unpack. Ruthie Polinsky, Clay Harbor, and Alex Shapiro break down the sloppiness from the starters, the wake-up call for the defense, and what stood out from Caleb Williams, D'Andre Swift, and the offensive line. Then Ruthie shares her exclusive sit-down with the Bears QB2 after his big weekend that included a contract extension and throwing the first pitch at the White Sox game. Plus, roster cutdowns are looming: which fringe players helped their case, and how will injuries shake up the 53-man roster?