Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Episode: Bears – Who Wants to Practice Hard?
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Dan Bernstein (A), with Matt Abbatacola (B)

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode blends sharp, off-the-cuff Chicago sports commentary with the unfiltered banter long-time fans expect from Dan Bernstein and producer Matt Abbatacola. The focal point is the Chicago Bears’ disappointing start to the season, scrutinizing questions of team effort, accountability, and injuries, along with the ongoing cult of the 1985 Bears. The hosts also riff on the shifting Chicago sports media landscape, baseball home run trends, and the late Robert Redford. Expect equal parts insight and irreverence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Swag, Nostalgia, and Setting the Table (00:08–05:26)

• Swag talk: Matt models new 312 Sports merch. The two joke about potential oddball store items (hats, undies, “assless pants”) and riff on vintage Pac-Man and pinball games.
• Nostalgia trip: Dan and Matt reflect on late '80s college arcade experiences, finding comfort in digressions from the Bears talk ahead.

Chicago Bears Injury News & Team Accountability (05:26–14:06)

Bears’ Injuries and Statements

• Jaylon Johnson’s groin/adductor injury:
  • Confusion reigns over “different injury” claims from coach Ben Johnson, casting doubt on team transparency.
  • Dan questions the narrative:

    “It strains credulity to presume that this is completely unrelated. I just, I don't know that a reasonable person would think that.” (11:12, Dan)

  • Matt suggests the team might be trying to guard the medical staff’s reputation by emphasizing it’s a new injury.
• Other key injuries: TJ Edwards and Kyler Gordon also out week-to-week, likely missing next game.

Accountability & Practice Hard

• Bears’ head coach Ben Johnson’s comments are at the center of the episode:
  • Quote pulled by Dan (13:21):

    “We're going to find out this week at practice who wants to practice hard and who wants to be a little bit more involved with the game plan going into Sunday.” (13:24, Ben Johnson, via Brad Biggs/Chicago Tribune)

  • The hosts question why emphasis on hard practice is suddenly publicized. Dan:

    “Why were they not [practicing hard]?” (13:50, Dan)

  • Matt contextualizes the quote—it was in response to rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland not showing expected effort.
  • Dan points out contradictory public messaging and accountability:

    “We're, everybody's talking out of both sides of their mouth... Ben Johnson was, you know, attention to detail, attention to detail, accountability... now two games in, well, we're going to see if we practice hard…” (17:17, Dan)

Body Language Critique

• Ben Johnson’s message to DJ Moore about not being a “palms up team” is contrasted with Johnson’s own sideline behavior.
  • Matt:

    “Your body language...we coach kids on… the fact that it's happening at the professional level is just… it's... it's funny. That's humorous to me.” (19:54, Matt)

Light Interlude & Domestic Comedy (21:27–26:01)

• The hosts detour into stories about malfunctioning kitchen appliances (dishwashers and freezers, “radioactive shrimp”), creating everyday relatability through gentle ribbing and confessions about neglecting repairs.

Return to Bears: More on Hard Practice (26:01–27:14)

• Matt clarifies that the hard-practice message targeted rookies—coaches “didn’t like what they saw on tape when the ball was not in their hands.”

The 1985 Bears and Perennial Nostalgia (30:07–36:42)

• The Sun-Times quotes angry 1985 Bears (“The only thing they’re impacting is sandwiches on the plane home.” – Dan Hampton, 31:33).

• Dan and Matt lampoon the routine overemphasis on the 1985 team, noting it’s heightened by the 40th anniversary.

  "If it wasn't the 40th anniversary, you wouldn't have these quotes. And we've already discussed this. Just give it 10 more years when it's the 50th anniversary and we're still celebrating…” (32:46, Matt)

• They feign annoyance at the inevitability of 1985 Bears soundbites whenever the current team falters.

Chicago Sports TV Networks: Leadership Change & Programming Quality (36:42–42:24)

• Jason Coyle out, Mike McCarthy in at Chicago Sports Network:
  • Dan wants bold moves:

    “Just get weird. Go ahead and get weird. I. What they did with Marquee was very much try to recreate like a Yes Network... but their sets look like crap. At least on my TV.” (38:09, Dan)

  • They discuss the need for interesting and innovative content, rather than bland, poorly-produced filler.
  • Matt: “It looks credible… I want it to look and feel like Market 3… The stuff around the games, I'm not as interested in, only because it just. It doesn't look right.” (40:17, Matt)
  • Both reminisce about “gas money / beer money” as the last truly fun local sports show.

Cubs, White Sox, and Home Run Trends (48:17–56:22)

Cubs Wild Card Watch (48:17)

• Cubs beat Pirates 4-0; Jameson Taillon pitches six strong innings.
• Discussion of tonight’s Cubs-Pirates pitching matchup: Horton vs. Skenes.

Power Stats & Baseball Trivia (50:29)

• Cubs have six players with 20+ HRs. Yankees lead MLB with seven; Twins own the modern record (eight in 2019).
• Fun team home run quiz segment ensues, with banter over who leads and who’s lagging.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bears’ accountability messaging:

  “Why were they not [practicing hard]? ...Everybody's talking out of both sides of their mouth…” (13:50/17:17, Dan)

• On the perpetuity of 1985 Bears coverage:

  “Is there some sort of magical incantation we can say to make the 85 Bears go back away?” (34:47, Dan)

• Lampooning the 1985 Bears’ anger:

  “The only thing they’re impacting is the sandwiches on the plane home. Are they sitting on them?” (31:33, quoting Dan Hampton)

• On fixing local sports TV:

  “Just get weird. Go ahead and get weird... There are all kinds of creative, interesting people that you might be able to put to work…” (38:45, Dan)

• On practicing hard messaging to the media:

  “Raise your hands. Who wants – I want to be involved.” (26:12, Dan, mocking coach-speak)

Film Tribute: Robert Redford (58:16–end)

• News of Robert Redford’s death prompts a rapid-fire, irreverent run through both hosts’ favorite/inexplicable Redford films.
  • Dan’s top: “The Sting,” “All the President’s Men.”
  • Matt admits to loving cheesy rom-com “Up Close and Personal.”
• The two riff on movie plot absurdities in their signature, arch bantering style.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Swag/Jokes: 00:08–05:26
• Bears Injury/Practice Discussion: 05:26–14:06
• Hard Practice Quote Analysis: 13:24–17:10
• Body Language Double Standard: 18:10–20:47
• Appliance Tangent/Comic Relief: 21:27–26:01
• Back to Bears Effort & Rookies: 26:01–27:14
• 85 Bears Nostalgia Satire: 30:07–36:42
• Chicago Sports Network shake-up: 36:42–42:24
• Baseball Home Run Stats and Cubs Chat: 48:17–56:22
• Robert Redford Tribute & Film Banter: 58:16–69:49

Tone & Style Notes

• Tone is irreverent, self-deprecating, with deep Chicago sports and culture references.
• Dan Bernstein’s dry wit and penchant for calling out double standards are matched by Matt’s affable, conversational, “every fan” perspective.
• Frequent asides into pop culture, memories, and playful bickering.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a classic example of Dan Bernstein’s ability to combine serious sports dissection with conversational, sometimes absurd, humor. Whether you care deeply about Bears practice habits, Chicago’s obsession with 1985, or just want some friendly banter and sports trivia, this episode delivers a multi-layered listening experience.

Catch new episodes every weekday morning on 312 Sports.