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Dan Wiederer

@danwiederer.bsky.social

6.2K followers 10 following 320 posts

Bears reporter, Senior Writer for The Athletic. On-air contributor for 670 The Score. Host of the “Take the North” podcast.

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 4d

“He was vulnerable. Hurt. Devastated. Alone. But that’s how he should have felt. That all comes with it. You let down 52 other guys. You let down 20-some coaches. You let down one of the most passionate football fan bases in the world. That’s heavy s—.”

Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson is on a journey of self-improvement after Fail Mary

Stevenson and the Bears are headed back to Washington, where they were embarrassed last October. He's learned a lot since then.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 5d

Tyrique Stevenson’s passion remains his fuel. His background made him stronger. Fatherhood has provided added purpose.

Now, as his painful Hail Mary scars heal, Stevenson is trying like hell to raise his focus and become his best self.

DEEP DIVE:

Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson is on a journey of self-improvement after Hail Mary debacle

Stevenson and the Bears are headed back to Washington, where they were embarrassed last October. He's learned a lot since then.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 11d

— A well-timed offensive reset at the bye.
— Questions remain at offensive tackle.
— Kyler Gordon itching to return plus other injuries worth keeping an eye on.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Bears' bye week to-do list: Self-assessment, defining O-line roles, getting healthy

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 13d

“In the city where your fortune is decided by the turn of a card, the roll of the dice, the spin of a wheel, the Chicago Bears showed even the hardest-luck folks can leave Vegas with a smile.”

✍️⁦‪ By: @jongreenberg.bsky.social

Bears leave Las Vegas with uplifting victory, feeling of good fortune

The Bears knew they didn’t play their best game, but they made their luck and got help from an ace when it counted.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 13d

Even with all his obvious competitive aggravation, Ben Johnson gave his team a sense of calm.

Even at the end of an afternoon of offensive struggle, Caleb Williams instilled belief.

By ⁦‪@kfishbain‬⁩

What a way to exit Las Vegas.

Why Ben Johnson believed in Caleb Williams and the Bears in the final moments

Williams made plays in the clutch, and the Bears followed their head coach's belief as they pulled off a wild 25-24 victory.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 13d

You need to know more about Sunday’s game-winning blocked kick. You need to know more about Josh Blackwell.

Diving deeper on the Bears’ special team ace and the Vegas magic trick that would make Criss Angel jealous.

Bears magic trick: How Josh Blackwell’s blocked field goal saved the day in Vegas

What an ending for the Bears in Sunday's thrilling win, with some Vegas magic right at the end that might make Criss Angel jealous.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 17d

Caleb Williams was impressive Sunday, delivering an award-worthy, four-TD, hot dog-winning effort in a blowout win.

That performance …

WAS: Explosive, clean, a needed tension breaker

WASN’T: An arrival, perfect, the final exam

A comprehensive look:

What Caleb Williams’ explosive game was — and wasn’t — for the Bears

Bears fans know all too well that a quarterback performance can feel significant in the moment but ultimately mean little.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 12

All that pre-snap chaos from the Bears? QB1’s role in the cleanup?

“We can’t go to the next level until we’ve taken care of those basics. Ben has talked from the very beginning that the secret sauce in Detroit was not the trick plays and all that fun stuff; it was mastery of the fundamentals."

Red flags: Caleb Williams, Bears offense must work to get back on the same page

Growing pains may be inevitable for Williams and the offense, but Bears coaches won't institute a "full tolerance" on sloppiness.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 10

WEEK 1 REVIEW

Unofficial Caleb Williams report card of his 47 called passing plays vs. Vikings

🌟— 3 plays (star power)

👍— 12 plays (very nice)

⭕️ — 18 plays

👎— 9 plays (substandard)

🤢— 5 plays (gross)

(Includes 6 scrambles and 4 penalty “no plays”)

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 10

You need a rant on the Darnell Wright holding penalty and what it meant?

You want a Ben Johnson confession?

You want Caleb Williams’ review and patience timelines?

The Take The North pod has it all and MORE …

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKKr...

Bears need to make a lot of improvements after opening loss to Vikings | Take The North, Ep. 377

YouTube video by 670 The Score

www.youtube.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 10

“Here we go again” — or — “This is different”?

That fierce tug-of-war is back in Chicago for Week 2.

For the Bears, @kfishbain.bsky.social and I play a game of what exactly was that and what’s next?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 9

A fast and encouraging start. And then a frustrating fizzle.

@kfishbain.bsky.social goes deep on Caleb Williams' first night of 2025 ...

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams’ accuracy goes awry after perfect start

Williams had pinpoint precision to begin the 2025 season, then things fell apart and he missed receivers by a lot.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 9

Ahead by 11 points with a legitimate chance to land a knockout punch, the Bears instead stumbled, swung wildly and somehow knocked themselves out. Then the Vikings dropped an anvil on them.

About last night ..

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 8

2025 season. Official arrival.

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 8

Amid all the clamor about Caleb Williams, the key leaders at Halas Hall have some very specific criteria for their 2025 evaluation of the Bears’ QB1.

Let’s take a walk through a five-point checklist that will guide the assessment.

🏈✔️

Caleb Williams’ growth is critical to the Bears. Here are 5 ways to evaluate him in 2025

As the NFL world micro-analyzes Williams' every move, team leaders will be monitoring his progress in a several categories.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 7

Ben Johnson vs. Brian Flores.

A fascinating chess match awaits Monday night at Soldier Field.

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis dives into the back-and-forth of two established play-callers trying to outwit one another.

Brian Flores vs. Ben Johnson: Why the Vikings-Bears MNF matchup is so fascinating

How will the Minnesota defense, led by Flores, fare against "mastermind" Johnson and the Bears' new-look offense Monday night?

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 5

For a coach so often lauded for showcasing the intelligence and problem-solving skills of Sherlock Holmes, Ben Johnson also has a *much* more savage side to him. Think Anton Chigurh from “No Country for Old Men.”

Inside the mind and m.o. of the Bears new coach.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Bears coach Ben Johnson is driven by his quest to entertain — and embarrass

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 4

New from @kfishbain.bsky.social and I at The Athletic …

Week 1 observations on:

— Ben Johnson’s leadership
— Caleb Williams’ growth
— Uncertainty at left tackle
— Montez Sweat’s momentum
— A surprise revelation at WR

What we’re seeing from the Bears: Ben Johnson’s impact, Caleb Williams’ improvement

What have we seen from the Bears in training camp and the preseason? On the new head coach, the returning QB, the left tackle spot and more.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 4

The Fourth Annual “Take The North” PREDICTIONS episode is here.

-- Bears record
-- Team MVP
-- Breakout player
-- Most disappointing
-- Signature win
-- Caleb stats
-- "Take the North" division champ
-- Super Bowl LX

🗣️🎙️👂👀📺

The 2025 Bears season predictions extravaganza! | Take The North Ep. 374

YouTube video by 670 The Score

www.youtube.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 3

It’s Wednesday morning.

Let’s talk. Bears. Now.

With @mullyhaugh on @670TheScore

670theScore.com/listen

Chicago Sports Station - WSCR-AM | 670 The Score Chicago

670 The Score is the Chicago voice of the fan, celebrating more than 30 years of sports talk in this great city. Fans can interact through the Score's platforms on-air, online or for free from any dev...

670theScore.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 3

Jaylon Johnson’s availability for Monday night remains in question. If he can’t play or is limited, Nahshon Wright is eager for his chance — with unique experience covering Vikings WR Justin Jefferson.

If Bears CB Jaylon Johnson isn’t ready, can Nahshon Wright meet the moment?

Will Johnson be active when Chicago takes the stage Monday night against Minnesota? If not, how can Wright fill that big secondary void?

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 2

“We decide in this league very quickly whether a guy can or can’t play quarterback like it’s a simple yes or no. Let’s either have a parade or move on.”

GREAT read here from ⁦Zak Keefer‬⁩ on the minefield of QB development in the NFL.

The bust files: How NFL teams break young quarterbacks

Finding a franchise quarterback remains job No. 1 for anyone in charge of an NFL roster, so why do they keep screwing it up?

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Aug 28

The Bears’ final play of last season was a deep FG to beat the rival Packers.

Why that moment — and all that led up to it — is something Cairo Santos can never forget.

Why Cairo Santos’ season-ending kick for the Bears meant so much to him

After seven weeks of pent-up anger, Santos found redemption in a season-ending, game-winning kick at Lambeau Field that held deeper meaning.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Aug 27

The Bears initial 53-man roster is in. So …

— A Jaylon Johnson update
— An underdog story
— Exiting draft picks
— A depleted RBs room
— Some late-night homework for the front office

From me & ⁦‪@kfishbain

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

Chicago Bears roster cuts: Who’s gone, who’s hurt and what’s next

The Bears had to deal with injuries as they put together their 53-man roster, while also parting ways with a pair of 2023 draft picks.

www.nytimes.com

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Aug 26

Kevin Fishbain checks in on one of the Bears’ most important and most accomplished newcomers.

Joe Thuney means business.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

How Bears guard Joe Thuney is making his teammates better: 'He's the same guy every day'

www.nytimes.com