The Shawn Mackey Show

  Season three of The Shawn Mackey Show is officially underway, and I’ve got to be honest with you—I dropped the ball a little bit on the premiere episode. I had created new graphics, updated visuals, and planned some cool features for the show. But when it came time to edit the episode, the image file wasn’t sized correctly, and everything got cut off. That meant I had to rebuild the graphic from scratch. When you run a podcast solo like I do, with a full-time job on top of it, stuff like that happens. I don’t have a production crew or a fancy studio. It’s just me doing the editing, producing, recording, and promoting. But the truth is, I love doing it. I love sitting down each week, sharing my opinions, and talking sports with you. And eventually, I hope more of you jump into the conversation. Spring Training: Hope or Cause for Concern? Spring training in Major League Baseball is always tricky to evaluate. The games don’t count, lineups are constantly rotating, and you see ...

This season two bonus episode of The Shawn Mackey Show was personal. Before we kick off season three, I wanted to put a bow on something that’s been rattling around in my brain for years—my all-time greatest Chicago Bears list based on the players and personalities I’ve actually witnessed in my lifetime. And yeah… I cheated a little. But when you’re talking about legends, history, and one of the most iconic franchises in the NFL, sometimes you’ve got to bend your own rules. #10 – Devin Hester Let’s start with electricity. The opening kickoff return in Super Bowl XLI. I still get chills thinking about it. One of the most explosive players I’ve ever seen. Special teams? Offense? Defense? It didn’t matter. Hester changed games. Period. And when he finally earned his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2024, it felt right. Some guys are exciting. Some guys are clutch. Hester was both. #9 – Charles Tillman The Peanut Punch. Nobody did it better. Timing, awareness, physicality — that was...

The Chicago Bears’ season officially came to an end against the Los Angeles Rams, and while the loss stings, Season 2 Episode 24 of The Shawn Mackey Show dives into why this game felt like both a success and a warning sign. The Bears went toe-to-toe with the number one scoring offense in the NFC and held the Rams to just 20 points . That alone says something about the growth of this defense. For the first time all season, it felt like Dennis Allen had his unit fully locked in, disciplined, and prepared for the moment. The Bears didn’t get blown out. They didn’t fold. They had multiple chances to win. And that’s exactly why this loss hurts. The turning point wasn’t effort — it was decision-making . Repeated fourth-down gambles by first-year head coach Ben Johnson left points on the field, and in a playoff-level game, that’s a risk Chicago fans don’t forgive easily. Three different drives ended without points when field goals were available. One successful conversion likely changes ...

Introduction: In the latest episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the exhilarating highs and frustrating lows of the Chicago Bears' current season. As the team nears the end of the regular season, fans are left with a mix of hope and anxiety about the future. Join us as we explore the crucial moments that defined their journey and what they need to focus on moving forward. **The Bears vs. Packers Rivalry**   This season, the Bears faced off against their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers, not once but three times. With two victories under their belt, the Bears have shown resilience, particularly in their recent match where they outscored the Packers 25-6 in the fourth quarter. Shawn Mackey emphasized the significance of this win, particularly after the Bears' struggling start. "Thank goodness, because Ben Johnson's words could have come back to bite him in the ass," he noted, highlighting the intensity of the rivalry. **Ben Johnson's Bold Statements**   A...

 The Chicago Bears faced a challenging season finale against the Detroit Lions, leaving fans with mixed emotions and plenty to discuss. In this blog post, we will analyze the game and draw valuable lessons that can impact the Bears' future performance.  1. The Game Overview   The Bears’ season finale against the Lions was nothing short of a roller coaster. The game was marked by a series of ups and downs, culminating in a heartbreaking loss. Shawn Mackey, the podcast host, reflected on the game’s events, highlighting the Bears’ offensive struggles and defensive lapses that ultimately led to their defeat.  2. Offensive Struggles   One of the key takeaways from the game was the Bears' inability to capitalize on opportunities. In the fourth quarter, despite a valiant effort to tie the game, the Bears could not secure a field goal range, managing only three plays and five yards before punting. Mackey questioned the decision-making in that crucial moment, s...

  I’ll be honest—this Bears vs. 49ers game was one of the most emotionally draining games I’ve watched all season. Not because the Bears were terrible, but because for the first time in a long time, they actually looked like they belonged on the field with an elite NFL team. Offensively, this was the most complete performance I’ve seen from the Bears all year. Caleb Williams looked confident, composed, and dangerous. The passing game was aggressive, the receivers were making plays, and the offense kept pace with San Francisco score for score. That alone tells me this team has taken a major step forward. But defense? That’s where everything unraveled. The Bears’ inability to stop the run and generate pressure continues to be their Achilles’ heel. Giving up 200 rushing yards and nearly 500 total yards simply isn’t sustainable. Zone defense without pressure is a recipe for disaster, and Brock Purdy exposed it all afternoon. When you let quarterbacks sit comfortably in the pocket, you’...

  If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, you already know this game wasn’t just a win—it was an emotional endurance test. Bears vs Packers is never just another game, and this one somehow managed to raise the stress level even higher than usual. For nearly three and a half quarters, it looked like the Bears were determined to hand Green Bay another frustrating chapter in this rivalry. Then, when it mattered most, everything flipped. This was the night Caleb Williams officially arrived. A Brutal Start That Felt All Too Familiar The game opened with early momentum for Green Bay, but the Bears defense forced a turnover on downs deep in their own territory. That should have been the spark. Instead, the Bears offense immediately stalled after getting too clever with trick plays—something we’ve seen backfire multiple times this season. A high snap killed the drive, and Green Bay capitalized with field goals while the Bears offense struggled to find rhythm. For most of the first three quarters, ...

 Welcome to Season Two, Episode 13 of The Shawn Mackey Show , coming to you live—well, live as I record it, but not when you’re hearing it—from a beautiful resort here in Cabo San Lucas. For those of you watching the video version, enjoy the view. I can now officially say I’ve not only listened to The Shawn Mackey Show in Cabo, but also recorded an episode here. This week, we’re talking about the Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints , where the Bears beat the Saints 26–14 on Sunday. At one point, the Bears led 20–0, and it looked like it would be a complete blowout. But by the time the final whistle blew, it was only a 26–14 win. Yes, the defense played solid, but this game should’ve had a much different outcome. Now, about Caleb Williams —I’m still not ready to jump on the bandwagon. He looked like he regressed again last week. I don’t know what’s going on with this kid. He acts like his talent is so superior that he doesn’t need to work as hard. His body language, that noncha...

  The Chicago Bears’ Struggles and Cubs’ Playoff Push: A Fan’s Honest Take The Chicago sports scene is heating up this fall, with plenty to talk about on both the gridiron and the diamond. The Chicago Cubs have clinched a playoff berth and are holding strong in the Wild Card race, while the Chicago Bears continue to struggle with coaching questions, injuries, and fan frustration. It’s the perfect storm of excitement and exasperation for fans across the Windy City. The Chicago Bears’ Accountability Problem The Bears’ early-season woes have many questioning whether Head Coach Ben Johnson and General Manager Ryan Poles are truly equipped to turn this franchise around. Johnson recently called out his team’s “non-championship caliber” practices—an odd statement coming from the man responsible for setting the tone. If the practices are lazy, the accountability falls on coaching. When players are allowed to “lollygag” and still start on Sundays, the culture breaks down. The Bears’ injury ...