Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Caleb Williams INJURED - carted off the field as Chicago Bears LOSE 9-3 to Minnesota Vikings Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Bears' ugly 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and the missed opportunities that ultimately defined the game. Chicago left points on the field with a D'Andre Swift goal-line fumble and a blocked field goal that would have tied the score, turning what could have been a different outcome into another frustrating defeat.

But none of that is the real story. With Caleb Williams leaving the game injured, the focus now shifts entirely to his diagnosis and what it could mean for the Bears' season moving forward. Dan and Matt examine the fallout from the loss, the offense's inability to capitalize on key moments, and why nothing matters more right now than the status of the franchise quarterback.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Charchian: Caleb Williams will lead the NFL in passing yards and TDs Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola are joined by longtime friend and Minnesota football expert Paul Charchian of Fantasy Football World to break down this week's Bears-Vikings matchup. Charchian shares insight from the Minnesota perspective, key storylines to watch, and what could decide a pivotal NFC North showdown. The show wraps with a look at the latest injury report before Dan asks an interesting question: why is Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen still refusing to discuss last week's game during his weekly media appearance?

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thor Nystrom, of Sweating Sundays, breaks down Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings week 2 Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola are joined by Thor Nystrom of the Sweating Sundays podcast to break down the Bears-Vikings matchup and highlight the key battles that could decide the game. The guys dive into the latest injury news for both teams, identify the players to watch on Sunday, and share some of their favorite prop bets from this matchup and across the NFL slate. Plus, Dan uncovers a fascinating trivia nugget about Caleb Williams that Bears fans won't want to miss.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Brian Flores Defense has One Problem: Ben Johnson Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola pick up where they left off, diving deeper into what may be the best coaching matchup of NFL Week 2: Ben Johnson vs. Brian Flores as the Bears welcome the Vikings to Soldier Field.

0:00 Ben Johnson is 5-1 against Brian Flores

16:00 Troy Aikman thinks everything is the best ever

19:00 A new turn in the Josh Jacobs case

22:00 D'Andre Swift gets some recognition from the league

28:45 Could Carson Wentz take the starting job in Minnesota?

The conversation is fueled by ESPN's Ben Solak, who recently detailed the fascinating chess match between the two coaches, a rivalry that dates back to their days as AFC East assistants in Buffalo and Miami.

The guys also discuss, as pointed out by Dan Le Batard, Troy Aikman's tendency to crown every Monday Night Football moment as the greatest ever, examine a new development in the Josh Jacobs situation, and celebrate D'Andre Swift earning special recognition for his outstanding Week 1 performance against Carolina. Plus, the Vikings' quarterback drama is only getting more interesting, and Dan and Matt explain why it could become one of the most entertaining storylines of the entire season.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago Bears Pass Rush: Pressure without Production? Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dig into the numbers at Pro Football Reference to determine whether the Bears' pass rush was more effective than the box score suggests.

0:00 Was the Bears pass rush better than what we saw?

16:00 Just ignore the grades at PFF

21:00 Are the Bears building in Arlington Heights?

29:00 News and Notes are the NFL

The conversation also turns to PFF, where Dan explains why he's not putting much stock in the grades. Plus, if the Bears are truly headed to Indiana, why are Arlington Heights officials still working with Illinois lobbyists? The guys close out the show with the latest news, notes, and storylines from around the NFL.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Caleb Williams: A Quarterback in Complete Control Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Caleb Williams operated the Bears offense with a level of control and confidence Chicago fans haven't seen in years, helping lead the franchise to a record-setting 59 points in a season opener.

0:00 Caleb Williams controlled the offense

6:00 Bears defense was not good

22:00 NFL news and notes

The third-year quarterback threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, delivering a performance that didn't require him to be spectacular every snap but proved he was anything but ordinary in his second season under Ben Johnson.

While the offense looked explosive from start to finish, the defense left plenty of questions unanswered. The pass rush struggled to consistently affect the quarterback, and the secondary had a difficult afternoon, with Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson both turning in performances they'll be eager to forget.

We wrap up today's episode by taking a look around the NFL and breaking down the biggest storylines, surprises, and results from Week 1.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago Bears WIN 59-37 as D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai rush for 224 yards and 4 TDs Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Bears' historic Week 1 offensive explosion in a 59-37 victory over Carolina. Behind a dominant ground attack led by D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who combined for 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns, the Bears piled up points in every phase of the game.

Caleb Williams get off to an impressive start to the season, throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing scores of his own. While the defense surrendered 37 points and still has areas to clean up, there were encouraging signs from the young core, including strong performances from rookies Dillon Thieneman and Malik Muhammad. The guys recap the record-setting win, highlight the biggest takeaways, and discuss what it means moving forward for a Bears team that made a statement in Week 1.

Make tonight a Giordano’s night at https://giordanos.com or visit your local Giordano’s restaurant today.

Driven by the Rohrman Automotive Group, home of the $50 full synthetic oil change. Schedule online at https://rohrman.com/50-full-synthetic-oil-change/

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers: Five Key Matchups to Watch Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Bears' Week 1 matchup against the Panthers by identifying five key battles that could determine whether Chicago opens the 2026 season with a road victory.

0:00 Chicago Bears matchup with Carolina Panthers

23:00 Dan Roushar on Ozzy Trapilo

29:00 TV Broadcast teams for the NFL season on FOX and CBS

The guys also react to some eye-opening comments from offensive line coach Dan Roushar regarding the left tackle position and discuss whether Rome Odunze's calf injury is becoming a legitimate cause for concern. To wrap things up, they take a look around the NFL and rank the television broadcast teams fans will be hearing throughout the upcoming season.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thor Nystrom of SKOR North joins 312 Sports for a weekly NFL conversation Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola welcome SKOR North host and football analytics expert Thor Nystrom for the first of his weekly Thursday appearances on Forward Progress this football season. Each week, Thor will bring his unique blend of scouting, data and statistical insight to break down the games that matter most and help separate what's real from what's noise across the NFL landscape.

The guys also dive into the Bears' first injury report of the season, focusing on the impact of Rome Odunze's calf injury after the rookie wide receiver was limited in Wednesday's practice. They discuss what it could mean for Chicago's offense heading into Week 1 and whether there should be any concern about one of the team's most important young playmakers.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chicago Bears need more from Rome Odunze in 2026 Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the latest on Rome Odunze after Ben Johnson labeled the Bears receiver day-to-day with an injury. While the immediate concern is getting him back on the field, the bigger picture is simple: Odunze needs to get healthy, stay healthy and become a more productive part of the offense in 2026.

0:00 Rome Odunze needs to catch more passes in 2026

11:00 Will Kyler Gordon play again for the Bears?

23:00 Will the Bears make the playoffs in 2026?

40:00 NFL news and notes

The guys also revisit the growing questions surrounding Kyler Gordon's status and future availability, wondering when Bears fans can realistically expect to see him back on the field. Plus, they examine how national analysts and experts view the Bears entering the 2026 season and whether those outside expectations align with reality. The episode wraps up with the latest NFL news, notes and storylines from around the league.

#chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk

Make sure to subscribe to...

✅ Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

✅ Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast 🏈

✅ Organization Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast 🏀

All links to YouTube, Apple, Spotify and more available on 312Sports.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.