Chicago Cubs, Caleb Williams, and the Week in Sports: The Shawn Mackey Show Season 2, Episode 9

 

In this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show, Shawn dives deep into a jam-packed week in sports, starting with the Chicago Cubs’ recent struggles. After losing five straight games, the Cubs’ lead in the wild card race began to dwindle. Despite a 10–3 win against the Mets, their inconsistent bullpen and cold bats continue to raise concerns. With key players like Kyle Tucker still on the injured list and new acquisitions such as Michael Soroka struggling to find rhythm, the Cubs must get hot fast if they hope to make a strong postseason run. The offense needs consistency, and the bullpen must stabilize before October baseball begins.

Switching gears to college football, Shawn voiced frustration over the AP Top 25 rankings. With Ohio State holding firm at number one, Miami rising to number two, and Texas slipping despite a solid record, the unpredictability of sports writers’ votes leaves fans scratching their heads. The shake-up following Indiana’s decisive win over Illinois—knocking Illinois from ninth to 23rd—highlights how momentum and perception drive rankings as much as performance.

Turning to the NFL, Shawn broke down an encouraging week for Chicago Bears fans. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams showed major progress in the Bears’ impressive win over Dallas. Williams’ 62.1-yard bomb to LB3—his longest throw yet—earned him Offensive Player of the Week honors. Supported by standout performances from Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, the Bears displayed the kind of offensive chemistry fans have long been waiting for. Under new head coach Ben Johnson, the team finally seems to be developing its young talent and executing a more balanced game plan. The defense also shined, forcing turnovers and holding Dallas to just 21 points in a game that showcased grit, focus, and discipline.

Shawn also reflected on what separates great teams and coaches from average ones: in-game adjustments. For years, Bears coaches struggled to adapt mid-game—a weakness now being corrected under Johnson’s leadership. The key, Shawn says, is improvement. Williams has increased his completion rate each week, and if that trajectory continues, the Bears might just surprise the NFC this season.

Outside of Chicago, the NFL delivered thrilling finishes across multiple games. Baker Mayfield once again led a late-game drive to secure victory for Tampa Bay, reminding everyone why he’s one of the league’s toughest competitors. Shawn also discussed his disdain for online “stat junkies” who dismiss football intuition and the “eye test.” He emphasized the importance of experience, instinct, and understanding player mentality—qualities often lost in today’s analytics-heavy era.

Wrapping up the show, Shawn revisited one of his long-held opinions: Ohio State quarterbacks have yet to find sustained NFL success. From Troy Smith and Dwayne Haskins to Justin Fields and CJ Stroud, the track record remains thin. While Stroud showed promise early in his career, his recent dip in performance reinforces Shawn’s belief that Ohio State’s system doesn’t translate easily to the NFL. The jury’s still out, but as of now, the search continues for the first truly great Buckeye quarterback in the pros.

From baseball woes to college rankings and NFL drama, this episode captures the pulse of American sports through Shawn’s passionate and unfiltered lens. His mix of experience, authenticity, and humor reminds fans why The Shawn Mackey Show continues to be one of the most entertaining and insightful podcasts in the sports world.