Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary
Episode: Ben Johnson / Matt LaFleur - a new rivalry, but for how long?
Host: Dan Bernstein, with Matt Abbatacola
Date: January 8, 2026
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered (312 Sports)
Overview
In this no-holds-barred edition of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered, Dan and Matt dive deep into rising drama around the Chicago Bears’ wildcard showdown against the Green Bay Packers. The episode explores how the match’s outcome could impact Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s future, examines the economics and psychology of NFL coach contracts, and draws parallels to broader sports management scenarios. The conversation then shifts to Bears’ secondary controversies, major Cubs roster moves, and the intermingling of Chicago-Milwaukee sports rivalries. The back half lightens up with fast food legal debate (the McRib lawsuit!) and ends with signature banter on Chicago’s dining scene—plus a dose of NBA and college hoops talk.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Matt LaFleur Contract/Rivalry Drama
- Packers’ Head Coaching Uncertainty ([00:00]–[11:56])
- LaFleur is entering the final year of his contract, notably underpaid versus peers (Ben Johnson making $13–15M/year vs. LaFleur's third of that).
- Packers’ new team president, Ed Policy, declined to pick up the extension—generally a sign of impending change.
- Dan: “No coach wants to go into the next season and have every single outcome…feel like it's Armageddon, that they're coaching for their lives at that point.” ([02:15])
- Matt notes the Packers’ pattern of playoff underachievement is becoming unacceptable given their division-win expectations and storied history.
- Possibility: LaFleur is let go if Packers lose, extension if they win, but Dan calls the notion “somewhat preposterous”—the fate of a coach should not hinge on a single game.
- Matt: “It may sound meatballish, but this game, win or lose, could determine his fate.” ([08:05])
- Analogy to the market: Who'd you rather hire, LaFleur or ex-Bears coach Matt Nagy? Both agree LaFleur is more attractive on the open market.
- Brief side-rumor: Dolphins HC opening and wild-card coaching carousel, with talk of John Harbaugh as a “back-channel” candidate for Miami.
Notable Quotes
- Dan ([03:10]): “If you’re Policy…you’ve got to know whether or not regardless of what happens in this game…that you would actually base your decision…on the bounce of a ball in a game. That’s crazy to me.”
- Matt ([05:16]): “If they don’t advance in the playoffs…he will no longer be the head coach of the Packers…They have higher expectations than the McCaskeys and Bears.”
Bears Secondary Controversies
- The Tyrique Stevenson “Mystery” ([11:56]–[19:38])
- Frustration over CB Tyrique Stevenson’s healthy scratch in the last game—replaced by corners who underperformed.
- Dan and Matt suspect deeper locker room or “mindset” issues, referencing comments about Stevenson’s “preparation” and “mindset” from coaches.
- Dan criticizes defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s vague answers: “That's not good enough. Why do you feel better about them? Why didn't you even want to see him? I want to know these things.” ([14:56])
- Matt is adamant: “There has to be more to it, because…they were trailing guys with the ball the entire game…He was your best defensive backfield player outside of Kevin Byard for the first half of the season. What happened?” ([15:10])
MLB Hot Stove: Cubs Trade
- Cubs Acquire Edward Cabrera ([19:39]–[25:07])
- Dan and Matt are bullish on the Cubs trading for pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Marlins (giving up #1 system prospect Owen Caissie and minor leaguers).
- Both support “playing for now”—prospects are assets to use to win in the present.
- Dan: “This gives you another quality arm…of which you cannot ever have enough. Ever.” ([21:51])
- Debate between Bregman or Bichette as trade/free agent targets to reinforce the infield and lineup.
Sports Economics & Roster Construction
- Spending, Market Value, and WAR ([25:08]–[27:44])
- Dan walks through fangraphs’ “dollars” column as a way to measure a player’s value in WAR x market value.
- Argues Cubs should ignore luxury tax concerns, prioritize winning: “No fan should care whether or not you’re paying a luxury tax.” ([27:07])
- Matt sums up: “The fan should care about putting out the best possible team to win a World Series this year.” ([27:44])
Chicago–Milwaukee Rivalry Psychology
- Rivalry Bleed (Cubs/Bears/Packers/Brewers/Blackhawks) ([27:44]–[35:42])
- Anecdote about a Blackhawks fan yelling “Fuck Green Bay” during a solemn moment—a humorous snapshot of Chicago fandom.
- Dan on the fan logic: “Your threshold for deciding to do that is…to make your statement about Green Bay…and the response is, ‘Yeah, he’s right.’” ([30:42])
- Digression into hockey history (Glenn Hall, Bob Pulford) and the evolution of goalie techniques.
Fast Food, Lawsuits & the McRib
- McRib Class Action Lawsuit ([53:42]–[67:00])
- Dan presents Matt as Chicago’s “expert” on the McRib to analyze a lawsuit claiming McDonald's misleads customers—the “rib” is made of pork shoulder, tripe, and stomach.
- Matt’s rant: “It’s a McDonald’s sandwich, folks. It’s called the McRib…You know what you’re getting when you go get it. Don’t be assholes. Lawsuit against McDonald’s. That’s ridiculous.” ([57:08])
- Discussion of food nostalgia, pork cuts, “butt steak”/top sirloin, and McRib hacks (getting your burger on a McRib bun).
- Both agree: Suspension of disbelief is part of the fast-food experience.
Memorable Matt Moment
- “When the McRib is out, if you ask nicely…they’ll put your double cheeseburger on the McRib bun…It’s pretty good. I mean, I have a friend of mine who’s done that before.” ([65:49])
Quick Hits: Hoops and More
- Bulls, NBA Trades, and Local Eats ([39:29]–[53:08])
- Recap of Bulls’ gritty, undermanned night vs Detroit; modest optimism about young talent (Modestas Buzelis, Ayo Dosunmu).
- Quirky digression on DePaul–Georgetown’s nightmarish shooting, reflecting the sorry state of local college basketball.
- Rise of Yuki Kawamura—a 5’8” point guard signed to a Bulls two-way contract—as the answer to “can anyone my height play in today’s NBA?”
Notable Quote
- Dan ([49:02]): “Yuki Kawamura answers…the thought experiment: ‘If somebody were to exist, could a 5’8”, 159-pound person play in today’s NBA?’ The answer is barely, and only if they do all the things he does.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Packers/Bears Stakes: “This game, win or lose, could determine [LaFleur’s] fate.” – Matt, [08:05]
- Bears Secondary Issues: “That was the most disappointing thing. It’s not like they played well…Everyone sees it, from the most casual fan to the guy who breaks down game film.” – Matt, [15:10]
- Chicago Fandom: “The threshold…is to make your statement about Green Bay…during a moment of silence—and the response is, ‘Yeah, he’s right.’” – Dan, [30:42]
- McRib Lawsuit: “It’s a McDonald’s sandwich, folks. It’s called the McRib…Don’t be assholes.” – Matt, [57:08]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:00] Packers contract/coaching drama
- [11:56] Bears secondary/Stevenson controversy
- [19:39] Cubs trade analysis and roster construction
- [27:44] Luxury tax, sports economics, and Chicago-Milwaukee rivalry culture
- [35:42] Goalie history, Blackhawks discussion
- [39:29] Bulls, NBA, and Yuki Kawamura
- [53:42] McRib lawsuit and fast food discussion
Tone & Style
Unfiltered, self-aware, and at times, self-deprecating. Dan and Matt riff in a conversational, irreverent style laced with “big city” sports media energy. They blend smart sports insights with classic Chicago barstool humor (and the occasional food rant).
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This installment delivers everything Chicago fans expect from Bernstein: real talk, wry takes, deep dives, and sharp banter about the real stakes behind the Packers-Bears rivalry (and why it’s just business). If you want football insight beyond "coach hot seat" platitudes, a taste of Cubs optimism, some comic relief about the McRib, and a window into the psyche of Chicago sports, this episode is essential listening.