Dan Bernstein Unfiltered — Episode Summary
Episode: Bears – after losing the season opener, what’s next for Ben Johnson?
Host: Dan Bernstein with Matt Abbatacola
Date: September 10, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into the aftermath of the Chicago Bears’ disappointing season opener under new head coach Ben Johnson. Bernstein and Abbatacola discuss how Johnson should handle the early turbulence, what it reveals about the broader state of Bears leadership, and where the franchise goes from here. The hosts also hit major recent developments for Chicago teams: the Bulls’ Josh Giddey contract extension, Cubs news, Anthony Rizzo’s retirement and ambassador role, and some offbeat diversions including a viral purported UFO video.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Bears’ Season-Opening Loss: Reading Into Ben Johnson’s Next Moves

(05:55–16:00)

• Coaching Psychology & Tone
  • Dan and Matt analyze the unique pressure on Ben Johnson as a 39-year-old, first-time NFL head coach confronting adversity right away.
  • “Early in his coaching tenure...I think Ben Johnson has to be very mindful and deliberate about what he projects to his team at this point.” (01:32, Bernstein)
  • They debate how transparent a head coach should be after a bad loss. Should the coach show concern? Reassure? Overreact or hold steady?
  • “How he expresses the middle ground—how he's able to let his team know this is unacceptable...while also sending the message that we're okay, it's one game, there's 17 of them.” (06:30, Bernstein)
• Bears Dysfunction as the Backdrop
  • The hosts revisit the notion of “endemic dysfunction” in the Bears organization, wondering if such deep-rooted problems can be traced to the performance on the field.
  • Matt introduces the concept of “gestalt”—the unknowable combination that always seems to make Bears football persistently underwhelming. (09:00)
• Learning From Last Year's Mistakes
  • Bears fans are haunted by reports after last year’s failed season that key issues in coaching and preparation only emerged too late. The hope is Ben Johnson is aware enough to correct on the fly.
  • "I want to trust that Ben Johnson knows." (12:16, Abbatacola)

2. Press Conference “Coach Speak” and What It Means

(13:38–17:00)

• Dan and Matt dissect the difference between coaches genuinely taking responsibility and simply paying lip service.
  • “You know it when you hear it, right? You gotta be better at... You know it when it's genuine and when the guy's really holding himself accountable.” (13:54, Bernstein)
• The hosts will go deeper into Ben Johnson’s postgame comments later on their Bears-specific Forward Progress podcast.

3. Organizational Questions: Do the Bears Have the Right People?

(10:12–11:27)

• They question whether GM Ryan Poles and others at the highest organizational levels are the right leaders for sustained success, noting the McCaskey family isn’t going anywhere soon.
  • “You may not have all the right people that you need to make that leap.” (10:32, Bernstein)

4. Bulls: Josh Giddey’s $100 Million Contract Extension

(21:56–26:58)

• Bulls commit to Josh Giddey, who signs a four-year, $100 million extension ($25M/year).
• Dan and Matt are skeptical about whether Giddey is a “franchise cornerstone,” questioning if his late-season surge is sustainable and whether the Bulls are settling for “good but not great” players.
  • “I don't know if they believe that Josh Giddey is eventually going to be the kind of star that elevates a team... Even his good numbers can be empty because of the lack of defense, because of his ball dominance.” (25:44, Bernstein)
• The Bulls’ apparent unwillingness to use the word “rebuild” is a recurring theme.
• They debate NBA team-building philosophy: spending “non-superstar money” on too many non-stars leaves you stuck in mediocrity.

5. Cubs Update: Kyle Tucker, Ballesteros, and Rizzo’s Retirement

(34:44–46:58)

• Kyle Tucker Injury: Cubs call up Moises Ballesteros after Tucker hits the IL, raising questions about Tucker’s free-agent value.
• Anthony Rizzo Retires as a Cub
  • Rizzo immediately becomes the youngest Cubs ambassador and is the subject of an on-air “Rizzo Quizzo” as Dan guesses Rizzo’s top-10 all-time Cubs offensive categories.
  • “He’s the all-time Cubs leader in times being hit by a pitch.” (43:01, Abbatacola)

6. White Sox & Playoff Picture Check-In

(38:08–39:20)

• The White Sox reach 90 losses but there’s hope in watching emerging young players (“sprouts of green”).
• Quick updates on Cubs, Reds, Mets, Dodgers playoff race.

7. UFO Viral Video & Congressional Hearing

(49:06–56:36)

• Matt recounts a video shown at a congressional UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) hearing, allegedly showing a US military Hellfire missile bouncing off a mysterious flying object over Yemen.
• The hosts provide healthy skepticism but are fascinated by the lack of explanation from official sources.
  • “Nothing should be able to absorb a direct hit from a Hellfire missile unfazed.” (55:20, Abbatacola)
• Dan is dismissive: “Yeah, I don't buy it.” (55:36, Bernstein)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ben Johnson’s Predicament:
  • “This is not the way you come out of camp, it's not the way you respond after three quarters...this’ll be our finest hour. And we are gonna write the story.” (06:30, Bernstein)
  • “Just because he’s smart and good looking and young, it doesn’t mean he’s Sean McVay.” (08:57, Abbatacola)
• On Press Conferences:
  • “Coaches take blame all the time. But you know it when you hear it, right? ...when the guy’s really holding himself accountable.” (13:54, Bernstein)
• On Rizzo’s Legacy:
  • “He’s the all-time Cubs leader in times being hit by a pitch...at 165, it’s by a mile.” (43:01, Abbatacola)
• On the UFO Video:
  • “A five foot long, hundred pound laser guided Hellfire missile loaded with explosives...hits this thing and it spins a little but immediately gets back on its trajectory and continues on the same line undisturbed.” (51:03, Abbatacola)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bears and Ben Johnson Reaction: 01:32–17:00
• Press Conference Analysis: 13:38–17:00
• Organizational Leadership Talk: 10:12–11:27
• Bulls & Giddey Extension: 21:56–26:58
• Cubs Updates & Rizzo Quiz: 34:44–46:58
• White Sox Rebuild, Playoffs: 38:08–39:20
• Viral UFO Congressional Video: 49:06–56:36

Tone & Atmosphere

• The episode features a mix of sharp, sometimes sardonic, Chicago sports commentary with loose, often humorous side banter between two longtime radio partners.
• Both hosts display a fondness for mixing serious sports analysis with some comic diversion (Wizzo vs. Rizzo, salami-for-dogs stories, cult film chat).

Useful For…

• Fans curious about the immediate and long-term implications of the Bears’ poor season start and the Ben Johnson era.
• Chicago sports followers tracking the broader state of the city’s teams (Bulls, Cubs, White Sox) and how front office decisions are interpreted by veteran observers.
• Anyone seeking sharp, honest critique along with inside-baseball (and basketball) trivia delivered with dry wit and local flavor.

For more granular Bears breakdown and Ben Johnson’s postgame remarks, listeners are advised to check out the “Forward Progress” podcast later that day.