Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Bears' latest injury updates as the team awaits its first official injury report of the regular season. 0:00 Chicago Bears current injury situation 5:00 Bears depth chart going into week 1 14:00 Who is the Bears Future Star? 18:30 Dennis Allen on Jordan van den Berg 24:00 NFL news and notes They also examine several key positions on the depth chart ahead of Chicago's Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. They discuss which player could emerge as the Bears' next breakout star on the 2026 roster according to the Athletic. The guys react to Dennis Allen's comments about defensive lineman Jordan Van Den Berg, then wrap up the show with a look around the NFL, covering the biggest news, notes, and storylines from across 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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola provide the latest updates on Rome Odunze and D'Andre Swift after both exited practice early with injuries. 0:00 Rome Odunze and D'Andre Swift injury update 4:00 Why did the Bears restructure contracts? 6:00 Press Taylor on Caleb Williams' growth and development 15:00 What's going on at UNC? 27:30 NFL news and notes: Russini, Skattebo and Sanchez The guys also break down the Bears' latest contract restructures as the organization continues shaping its roster and salary cap outlook for the 2026 season. Plus, offensive coordinator Press Taylor offers a glowing assessment of Caleb Williams as the third-year quarterback continues to develop under Ben Johnson's leadership. Outside of Chicago, Dan and Matt examine the growing turmoil surrounding Bill Belichick's program at North Carolina, where questions continue to mount and the situation appears to be deteriorating. They wrap up with NFL news and notes, including Dianna Russini's next career move, growing concerns about Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo, and Mark Sanchez's effort to move beyond his recent legal troubles. #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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dedicate much of today's episode to reviewing and completing the Chicago Bears' newly released survey as the organization continues its due diligence and information-gathering efforts regarding a potential stadium site in Hammond, Indiana. From questions about development plans to the challenges of building on a former toxic waste dump, Dan and Matt work through the survey so you don't have to. Consider it a public service. You're welcome. #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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dive into the growing uncertainty surrounding Kyler Gordon and his future with the Chicago Bears. Dan argues the organization owes fans more clarity about Gordon's situation, while Matt believes the talented defensive back may never play football again. 0:00 The Kyler Gordon situation - is he done? 7:00 Ryan Poles on players having their own people 20:45 Ben Johnson's comments on coaching harder 25:00 The most watchable team in the NFL 35:00 Are the Bears looking for an edge rusher? 38:30 Kirk Cousins will start for the Las Vegas Raiders The discussion takes an intriguing turn after Ryan Poles comments on injured players relying on their own outside support systems during rehabilitation, a remark Dan views as a potential red flag. The guys also revisit Ben Johnson's recent comments about coaching players harder as a necessary part of development and improvement. Plus, are the Bears really the most watchable team in the NFL? ESPN seems to think so. Dan Graziano continues to connect Chicago to a potential edge rusher trade, and the Raiders officially name their starting quarterback as the NFL season draws closer. #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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the latest Bears roster moves as the battle to replace Kyler Gordon at nickelback takes center stage. 0:00 Bears roster moves and who should start at Nickelback 7:45 Brad Biggs 10 Thoughts on the Bears 19:00 Which rookie QB2 could see significant playing time? 29:00 NFL milestones to watch around the league in 2026 With defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and head coach Ben Johnson searching for answers in the secondary, the guys examine the leading candidates and what the decision could mean for the defense moving forward. They also dive into Brad Biggs' latest 10 Thoughts column, highlighting key takeaways as the Bears prepare for the season. Plus, Matt identifies a rookie QB2 who could potentially see meaningful snaps this year. To wrap things up, Dan and Matt look around the NFL at several notable milestones and records that could be reached during the 2026 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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Bears' initial 53-man roster heading into the 2026 season, examining each position group to identify the biggest surprises, toughest cuts and most notable roster decisions. 0:00 Chicago Bears 53-Man Roster - position groups 23:00 NFL News & Notes - Roster News 31:45 Why old guys like flipping channels on the TV The guys discuss what Ryan Poles' final roster reveals about the team's priorities and where key battles could continue as the season approaches. Plus, they take a trip around the NFL during News & Notes to highlight the roster moves, transactions and cutdown-day decisions making headlines across the league. #chicagobears #bears #chicago #chicagosports #calebwilliams #sportstalk Make sue 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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola bring you the latest from the Bears' joint practice with the Titans as Chicago prepares for its final preseason game Saturday and Sunday's roster cutdown to 53 players. 0:00 Bears / Titans joint practice session and injury updates 9:00 Did Ben Johnson take a shot at Kyler Gordon? 11:50 Declan Doyle LOVES Ben Johnson 15:00 Rookie report cards are out for the preseason 25:00 NFL News and Notes 34:30 Mike Silver thinks Dianna Russini will be back in the NFL soon The guys revisit Ben Johnson's recent comments about injured players and ask: was there a subtle message directed at Kyler Gordon? They also discuss former Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's glowing praise for Johnson and break down ESPN's rookie report card as the preseason wraps up. Which Bears draft picks impressed most, and who still has work to do? Plus, the fellas go Around the NFL with updates on Josh Jacobs, the Steelers' quarterback situation, and Mike Silver's comments regarding Dianna Russini. #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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola bring you the latest from Bears training camp, including key injury updates and what they could mean for the team's outlook. 0:00 The latest on Bears injured players 14:15 The NFL Pro Bowl is DONE 19:00 The NFL's new safety rules - fines and suspensions 25:30 Roger Goodell on Jed York 31:15 Why Cam Skattebo might need a helmet at all times Around the NFL, the Pro Bowl is officially a thing of the past, Roger Goodell weighs in on the Bears' ongoing stadium situation, and 49ers owner Jed York finds himself making headlines off the field. The guys also discuss the league's new player safety rules that could result in significant fines and suspensions for certain hits, and explain why Ravens coach John Harbaugh might want rookie running back Cam Skattebo to keep his helmet on at all times. #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 .

Darnell Wright after he left practice with an apparent right arm injury. With major question marks at starting left tackle, backup left tackle and backup right tackle, losing Wright for any significant time could be a devastating blow to Chicago's offensive line and put even more pressure on an already shaky unit. 0:00 Darnell Wright injury update / Bears OT position 8:45 Are the Bears trading Gervon Dexter? 18:00 Jed York arrest - the trailer park community speaks out 21:00 Is Christian Gonzalez getting a new deal? The guys also examine rumors of a potential Gervon Dexter trade and what moving the young defensive lineman could mean for the Bears' defensive front. Plus, they revisit the ongoing Jed York arrest story and break down the latest contract extension buzz surrounding Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. #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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola believe the Chicago Bears' defense is headed for a significant regression in turnover differential in 2026. 0:00 Chicago Bears rivalries uniforms 3:00 Can the Bears trade Amegadjie or Wills? 8:00 The Bears defense is due for regression 19:20 Allen Robinson is retiring / NFL receiving leaders Using a recent piece from Bill Barnwell, they dive into the numbers that support their concerns and explain why repeating last year's turnover success will never happen. Plus, the guys discuss whether there's a trade market for Bears offensive linemen Kiran Amegadjie or Jedrick Wills. And following Allen Robinson's retirement announcement, Dan and Matt take a trip through NFL history by examining the receiving leaders for every franchise. #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 .

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola discuss why they believe the Bears did not do enough to address the position and are instead relying on head coach Ben Johnson's offensive creativity to scheme around the roster's deficiencies. 0:00 The Chicago Bears Left Tackle position 25:17 Jed York of the 49ers was arrested in Ohio 29:00 Cleveland Browns name Deshaun Watson their QB1 31:00 Courtney Cronin's Bears 53-man roster The guys also recap the Bears' week of practices and preseason action against the Cincinnati Bengals, including key takeaways from camp and the game itself. Plus, they react to Kevin Warren's halftime appearance and what his comments could mean for the organization moving forward. Elsewhere around the NFL, the fellas discuss the latest twist in the San Francisco 49ers' turbulent offseason after owner Jed York's arrest in Ohio, and they break down the Cleveland Browns naming Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback. To wrap things up, Dan and Matt review ESPN's Courtney Cronin's projected 53-man roster for the Bears, highlighting the biggest surprises, toughest decisions, and what it says about the team's direction heading into the 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 .