The Shawn Mackey Show

  The Bears beat the Jets, and while it wasn't the kind of game that had me jumping out of my chair, there was plenty to like about what I saw. This is Season 3, Episode 20 of The Shawn Mackey Show , and once again, the Bears have found a way to win with a different quarterback. That's three victories this season with three different quarterbacks, and I think that says something about the direction of this football team. Tyson Bagent got the start against the Jets, and I thought he did a pretty good job. He finished 25-of-34 for 268 yards and had one interception. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But he ran the offense, took what the defense gave him and continued moving the football. And that's what I want from a quarterback. Everybody loves talking about arm strength, but I don't necessarily need a quarterback who can throw the football 60 yards downfield. I need somebody who can run the offense, make the right decisions and keep the chains moving. Bagent did enough to...

  Three weeks into the season, I honestly don't know what to say about the Chicago Bears. For three straight weeks, this team has given me something completely different to talk about. Week one featured an offense that put up 59 points. Week two was a completely different story, with Caleb Williams getting injured and the Bears struggling against Minnesota. Then came Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. And somehow, the Bears walked away with a 27–7 victory. I'm still speechless. The biggest story coming out of the game has to be Case Keenum. The Bears' third-string quarterback stepped into a situation that nobody expected him to be in and played an outstanding game. Keenum finished 24-of-34 for 247 yards, threw two touchdown passes, and even ran for a touchdown, becoming the oldest quarterback in Bears history to run for a score. That's the kind of performance that changes the conversation. Before the game, I was questioning why Tyson Bagent wasn'...

  After a little hiatus, I’m back with Season 3, Episode 16 of The Shawn Mackey Show — and I’m coming back with a new studio, a slightly less chaotic background, the old whiteboard, and plenty of opinions. The studio may look a little different, but the show is still me. That’s what I want people to understand about this podcast. I’m not trying to be somebody else. I’m bringing the same sports opinions, stories, rants and nonsense that got this whole thing started. I grew up in Chicago, and sports have always been a huge part of my life. I grew up listening to Chicago sports radio and guys like Mike North, and I always loved the idea that somebody could take their personality, their opinions and their life experiences and turn them into a show. That’s part of why I started this podcast in the first place. It originally had the name Chronicles of a Dumbass , because I wanted to tell stories about the dumb things I did growing up. Eventually, my family got tired of hearing me compla...

  Training camp is officially underway, and after waiting months for football to return, it finally feels like Bears season again. In this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show , I wrapped up my breakdown of the Chicago Bears' 2026 draft class, talked about everything happening at training camp, and even celebrated another strong week for the Chicago Cubs. Before diving into football, I couldn't ignore what the Cubs have been doing. They put together an impressive road trip by winning series against both the Pirates and Cardinals before returning home to take down the Yankees. I even made the trip to St. Louis, where I caught the extra-inning win and visited one of the city's incredible science museums. It turned into a great family experience filled with STEM exhibits, interactive displays, and plenty of baseball memories. Then it was time to finish evaluating the Bears' rookie class. I broke down cornerback Malik Muhammad , whose speed, length, and versatility could all...

  There are moments as a sports fan when you can feel something changing, and that's exactly where I'm at with the Chicago Bears. On this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show , I kicked things off with a quick Cubs update before diving headfirst into what has me genuinely excited—the Bears are finally beginning to look like a team with a long-term plan. Training camp is almost here, and for me, football season has officially started. I spent this episode breaking down several of the Bears' draft selections and explaining why I think Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson may finally be building something special. At first, some of these draft picks left me scratching my head, but the more I studied them, the more everything started fitting together. One player I'm especially excited about is Dillon Thieneman. His football instincts remind me why I fell in love with the game in the first place. I even shared a few stories from my own playing days and how instincts—not necessarily sp...

  There are some topics that keep me up at night as a sports fan, and right now nothing is bigger than the possibility of a Major League Baseball lockout after this season. The more I've researched what both the owners and the players are asking for, the more convinced I am that this battle is far from over. In my last episode, I broke down what the owners want. This time, I wanted to look at things from the players' perspective because understanding both sides is the only way to see where this could eventually end up. The players are pushing for higher minimum salaries, earlier access to free agency, increased luxury tax thresholds, and penalties for ownership groups that refuse to invest in their teams. From where I sit, I actually understand many of their arguments. Professional athletes have a limited window to maximize their careers, and I don't blame them for wanting to earn as much as they possibly can while they have the opportunity. At the same time, I can't he...

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...

Introduction: In the latest episode of The Shawn Mackey Show, I dive deep into the emotional highs and lows of the Chicago Bears' recent performances. With a mix of analysis, frustration, and hope, this episode captures the essence of being a Bears fan in a tumultuous season.  The Commitment to Consistency In the episode, I emphasizes the importance of consistency as the season progresses. With a goal of producing 25 episodes in season two, the team is committed to delivering valuable content, even if it means combining discussions on multiple games. This dedication to consistency resonates with fans who crave reliable commentary amidst the chaos of the NFL season.  Heartbreak and Hope in the Packers Game A significant portion of the episode reflects on the Bears' heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers. Shawn paints a vivid picture of the game, highlighting the stark contrast between the team’s dismal first half and their spirited second half where they almost turned the...

  The Chicago Bears delivered one of their most complete performances of the season with a statement win over the Philadelphia Eagles. While the passing game continues to raise concerns, the Bears’ dominant rushing attack, ferocious defense, and clutch playmaking pushed them to a stunning 9–3 start—something few fans could have predicted in year one of the Ben Johnson era. Chicago racked up 281 rushing yards behind the powerhouse duo of DeAndre Swift and Kyle Monongai, who both topped 100 yards. But the real unsung heroes continue to be the offensive line, which controlled the trenches from start to finish. The Bears won time of possession, first downs, and nearly every physical category that defines championship-caliber football. Caleb Williams remains the biggest question mark. While he flashes elite traits, he’s also showing bouts of panic, missing easy throws, and forcing dangerous passes—including one intercepted by a defensive lineman. Yet, despite inconsistencies, Williams ...

  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, ...