Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Episode: Ben Johnson leads the Chicago Bears to the playoffs as a first-year head coach
Date: January 5, 2026
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein (with Matt Abbatacola, Executive Producer/Co-host)

Overview:

This episode of “Dan Bernstein Unfiltered” dives into the Chicago Bears’ playoff berth under rookie head coach Ben Johnson. The hosts take listeners on an unfiltered ride—full of sharp analysis and classic Chicago sports cynicism—as they break down the Bears’ season, their playoff prospects, and Coach Johnson’s impact. Beyond football, the wider NFL coaching carousel, thoughts on other local teams (especially the Cubs and Bulls), and even a sidebar into Venezuelan politics, provide a colorful, comprehensive sports discussion that’s signature Bernstein.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL “Whacking Day” and the Bears’ Stability

• [00:08] Co-host: Opens by noting it’s “Whacking Day” in the NFL—Black Monday for coaches and GMs. The Bears, for once, are not part of the chaos, which is cause for gratitude among fans.
  • “Let’s just sit here for a moment and be thankful… the Bears aren’t doing that today.” [00:15]
• Other teams like the Falcons and Browns are making big changes; Bears’ staff appears secure and sought-after.

2. Bears’ Playoff Position: A 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Season

• [04:05] Co-host: Draws an analogy to “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. Bears fans can believe anything right now—from Super Bowl dreams to first-round exits, and any perspective is justified.
• Dan Bernstein: “I’m not worried about the offense…They can’t rush the passer well enough to win a Super Bowl in my estimation. How do you make up for that? …You got to generate a ridiculous number of turnovers. You have to get a little lucky, and you have to take control offensively and probably score 35 points a game.” [06:03]

3. The Bears’ Offensive Renaissance, Defensive Weakness, and Playoff Expectations

• Bears set franchise records for offensive output and touchdowns, but a weak pass rush remains a concern.
• Co-host: “The Bears are zero like the other…teams in the NFC. They are one of 14 teams that has a chance to win the Super Bowl…It is a brand new season…Until they show me they’re going to be the same shitty team that can’t get pressure on the quarterback…why would I not believe that they can’t do it?” [09:34]

4. Caleb Williams and the Importance of Fast Starts

• [12:18] Dan Bernstein: Highlights rookie QB Caleb Williams’ recurring slow starts, warning this can’t happen in a playoff setting vs. the Packers.
  • “It’s got to be on whatever mindset shift he [Caleb] needs to make…There is no opportunity in a wild card round against your oldest rival to not start playing until the fourth quarter.” [13:38]

5. Ben Johnson’s First Playoff Week – Unknowns & Preparation

• [14:43] [18:18] Both hosts note the novelty of this situation: Johnson has never been a head coach, and everything about his playoff prep is untested.
  • “We can’t say, ‘Well, a Ben Johnson-coached team does this…’ We don’t know. And that’s the fun of it.” [15:26]
• Discussion about how Johnson will handle playoff prep and whether he’ll “turn the page quickly” or keep routines unchanged.

6. Debating In-Game Decisions & Running Game Issues

• The Bears’ approach in the regular season finale—whether to punt or go for it on fourth down, not running DeAndre Swift enough, and the impact of injuries on the offensive line—are all debated.
  • Co-host: “You punt when you trust your defense, and I didn’t trust the defense yesterday.” [20:21]
  • Dan Bernstein: “It was also a two-score game. You can’t abandon what you do and have done as best in football.” [22:28]

7. Game Planning: Simplicity vs. Complexity and Playoff Wrinkles

• [24:46] Bern stein and Co-host speculate whether Ben Johnson’s “simpler game plan” in Week 18 was by design—either to hold back for the playoffs or evaluate his squad’s fundamentals.
• “Maybe he’s waiting to unleash things this week…This is what we’re going to learn about Ben Johnson. This is what I’m excited about.” [25:06, Co-host]

8. Weather Watch and Playoff Vibes

• [27:54] Chicago playoff weather could be a factor, with snow/wind possible. Excitement and nerves are palpable.

9. Sidebar: Ozzie Guillen, Venezuela, and Political Candor

• [34:43] Bernstein takes a brief detour, expressing curiosity about Chicago baseball icon Ozzie Guillen’s take on recent Venezuelan events.
  • “Ozzy Guillen tells it straight. He’s…one of the least full of shit people you’re going to have around.” [36:21]

10. NFL Coaching Carousel News

• [39:47] Live update: Pete Carroll fired by the Las Vegas Raiders. Discussion of the head coach market and roster implications (Maxx Crosby as a potential target!).

11. Chicago Cubs—Frustrations with Free Agency Philosophy

• [43:34] Bernstein rants about the Cubs’ reluctance to “overpay” free agents, criticizing Tom Ricketts’ profit-first approach.
  • “Sometimes, depending on where you are in your competitive cycle, sometimes it’s okay to overpay…You get what you need when you need it and you pay whatever it costs…Sometimes it’s okay.” [44:44]
  • Co-host: “I’m tired of it, Dan, because…I know you are so tired with the financial stuff. It’s like, oh, we break even. Like, how can you actually say that with a straight face?” [50:28]

12. Bulls Update and Lighthearted Banter

• [51:26] Recap of recent Bulls games, injury issues, and broadcast team chaos; plenty of self-deprecating humor and bits (e.g., checkout machine voices).
  • “Feels like they’re down seven nothing every game and expending so much energy to keep climbing back…” [52:32]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If the Packers knock the Bears out of the playoffs this year, at least it won’t be Aaron Rodgers doing it.” — Dan Bernstein, [07:57]
• “This is a brand new season. Like Ben Johnson said…The Bears have not had a pass rush all season long and they still won their division.” — Co-host, [09:34]
• “You can’t abandon what you have done as best in football, top three running teams in football. You just can’t abandon that in a close game at home.” — Dan Bernstein, [22:29]
• “Ozzy Guillen tells it straight. He’s…one of the least full of shit people you’re going to have around.” — Dan Bernstein, [36:21]
• “Sometimes it’s okay to overpay for something you really need…Sometimes you get to a hotel and you forgot underpants. It happened to me in Paris.” — Dan Bernstein, [44:44]

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

• 00:08 – NFL Whacking Day intro, Bears’ coaching stability
• 04:01 – “Choose Your Own Adventure” analogy for Bears season outcomes
• 06:00 – Offense vs. Defense: Bernstein’s Super Bowl skepticism
• 09:21 – Regular season recap, seedings, and playoff “clean slate”
• 12:18 – Caleb Williams and the need for fast playoff starts
• 14:43 – First-year coach Ben Johnson: Playoff prep unknowns
• 18:18 – Processing the Lions game, Johnson’s self-critique
• 22:41 – Evaluating offensive line injuries, run game struggles
• 24:46 – Simple vs. complex game plans and holding back for the playoffs
• 27:54 – Weather forecast and playoff atmosphere at Soldier Field
• 34:43 – Ozzie Guillen and Venezuela tangent
• 39:47 – Breaking: Raiders fire Pete Carroll, Head Coach musings
• 43:34 – Cubs’ free-agent approach, “overpay” vs. “value” debate
• 51:26 – Bulls misery and broadcast banter
• 59:14 – DBU Picks segment: Bears/Packers, college basketball, Bulls

Picks Segment

[59:14]

• Dan Bernstein:
  • Illinois State +10.5 vs. Montana State (FCS championship), because his daughter went there
  • Bulls +11.5 at Boston
• Co-host (Matt):
  • Bears-related prop: DJ Moore +320 (touchdown bet Saturday night vs. Packers)

Overall Tone and Style

The episode is classic Dan Bernstein—irreverent, quick-witted, opinionated, and always ready to take a detour for a relevant (or semi-relevant) sidebar. There’s a wry humor and world-weariness to the sports analysis, mixed with genuine excitement about the Bears’ playoff run under Ben Johnson. The unpredictable blend—serious football breakdowns, organizational rants, thoughtful asides, and goofy mockery—makes the show widely appealing for hardcore and casual fans alike.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a detailed, grounded, but never dull analysis of the Bears’ playoff readiness, the legacy and challenges of their new head coach, and a distinctly Chicago take on the broader sports landscape. The blend of sharp honesty, lived-in fandom, and playful tangents makes it essential Chicago sports listening—especially entering the playoffs.