Podcast Summary: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – "Can Kyler Gordon help a struggling defense?"
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein with Executive Producer Matt Abbatacola
Date: January 6, 2026
Overview
In this episode, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola focus on the mindset and leadership of Bears head coach Ben Johnson as the team enters the playoffs, including Johnson’s handling of media attention and player expectations. The returning health of defensive back Kyler Gordon is weighed as a possible boost to a beleaguered secondary, though skepticism abounds. The hosts also veer into spirited discussions about coaching philosophies, NFL playoff home advantage, Chicago sports nostalgia, and a medley of personal anecdotes, all delivered in a candid, humorous tone.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ben Johnson’s Approach: Spotlight, Pressure, & Responsibility
- Leadership Style:
Bernstein points out that head coach Ben Johnson is intentionally taking on the pressure, drawing comparisons to past leaders in Chicago sports.- “Ben Johnson is making a conscious decision...to make this game and this run and this moment about himself...taking on the pressure of this game in a way that may take it a bit off of his quarterback.” (00:16)
- Contrast with Past Coaches:
Strong parallels are drawn with Ozzie Guillen (former White Sox manager), noting differences in intent and method.- “With Ben Johnson, it’s more direct...with Ozzie there was a little bit of look over here and I’ll cause a little distraction over here...With Ben Johnson, he’s...not picking fights outside of football.” (05:14 / 06:23)
- Media Narrative:
Johnson has become the focus in media coverage, “Wise on Ben Johnson’s part because...since he took over, he’s been the story.” (01:48) - Honesty and Accountability:
Johnson refuses to sugarcoat struggles, repeatedly stating the offense “wasn’t good enough” and he must “make this better.” (03:00 / 06:23) - Coaching the Coaches:
Johnson echoed postgame, “We’ve got to coach it better.” (07:08) - Notable Quote:
“His job as a head coach isn’t to be a cheerleader. He’s there to call things out and...say things when they need to be said.” — Matt Abbatacola (10:27)
2. Playoff Stakes & Packers Rivalry
- Matt Eberflus Firing:
The show opens with Eberflus’ firing as Cowboys DC, poking fun at his attempts to reinvent himself. - Packers Matchup & LaFleur Tension:
There’s speculation on Johnson’s public poking at Matt LaFleur, with no real history between them—suggesting gamesmanship and a willingness to stir up the rivalry. (10:39) - Packers Playoff Hot Seat:
The panel debates if repeated losing streaks entering the playoffs could jeopardize LaFleur’s job. “You can’t continue to go into postseasons on a losing streaks and lose ... that’s not going to fly.” (12:23) - Home Field Advantage Data:
The hosts stress statistical importance—playoff home teams win 67% of the time (compared to 53% in the regular season). “Massive, massive, huge, huge, meaningful statistical difference.” (13:51)
3. Defense Woes & Kyler Gordon’s Return
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Skepticism Over Gordon’s Impact:
Bernstein is highly doubtful about Kyler Gordon’s ability to shift the defense’s fortunes: - “The one thing that I will not be expecting is for Kyler Gordon, if he returns, to make a material difference.” (16:59) - “...asking him to be ready to play this game this time is asking an awful lot. It would be an amazing story. But even then, as the nickel corner, he’s just a piece in this.” (17:12)- Notable Quote:
“Please don’t think that he’s some magic panacea that is just going to be like, well, once he’s back, everything’s going to be fine. You still can’t rush the passer.” — Dan Bernstein (28:03)
- Notable Quote:
-
Readiness Concerns:
- Opening his practice window does not guarantee game-day activation:
- “You’re generally not opening a window and coming back that week.” (18:06)
- “I need to see action and not just a couple of days and not just walkthroughs.” (18:26)
- Opening his practice window does not guarantee game-day activation:
-
Roster Juggling:
With Gardner-Johnson in concussion protocol and cornerback depth thin, the defensive pieces are in flux (18:42).
4. Coaching Philosophy & Sports Psychology
- Baseball vs Football Mentality:
The show contrasts how coaches address adversity across sports.- “You can’t play baseball harder...the best thing you can have in baseball is a lack of anxiety...in football there has to be [a fight or flight response].” (08:22)
- Expectations, Pressure, Practice:
Both hosts admire Johnson’s habit of taking more blame as the team declines—a mark of maturity and self-assurance (07:08).
5. Bears Offensive Record & Statistical Debates
- Franchise Touchdown Record:
Note that the Bears set a new franchise scoring record with 47 touchdowns, topping the previous 45—but the relevance is debated due to the 17-game schedule.- “They hold a new record now for 17 games.” — Dan Bernstein (21:44)
- “If you add a game, then the team previously set the record has a reasonable claim.” (21:54)
- Efficiency vs Raw Numbers:
The conversation touches on the importance of offensive efficiency rather than sheer counting stats (22:09).
6. Defense: "Protect Your Team from Your Own Defense"
- Game Strategy Going Forward:
The focus should be minimizing the defense’s time on the field:- “The story of this game, I think, is the less the Bears defense plays, the better.” (22:31)
- “You’ve got to protect your team from your own defense.” (22:48)
- Humorous moment about Packers scoring four TDs in six minutes of possession:
- “That’s not good...off the field, Dan, that’s what you wanted!” (22:55)
7. Chicago Sports, Nostalgia & Light-Hearted Tangents
- Personal & Side Discussions:
The episode features nostalgic recollections about taco cravings, eating ice cream, and impersonating classic Chicago Blackhawks figures, wrapped in the hosts’ trademark self-deprecating humor.- On tacos: “You don’t crave tacos and go to Taco Bell. You crave Taco Bell.” (27:21)
- On Haagen Dazs pints not being a full pint:
“Don’t feel bad if you eat a pint...it’s not a pint. You didn’t eat a pint. You just had a serving.” (46:19)
- Sports Miscellanea:
- Discussion on Bulls/Pistons, NFL playoff trends, and the absurdity of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel, with Chubby Checker discourse.
- Reminiscence about White Sox ad campaigns and old-school Chicago sports media personalities (54:34).
Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
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On Ben Johnson Shouldering Pressure:
“He is taking on the pressure of this game in a way that may take it a bit off of his quarterback...I think it speaks to his confidence and to his assumption of responsibility in this moment.” — Dan Bernstein (00:15) -
“With Ben Johnson, it’s more direct...not picking fights outside of football. But he is the one saying this has got to be better. I’ve got to make this better. This is unacceptable.” — Dan Bernstein (06:23)
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On Leadership Evolution:
“As his team is doing worse, he’s taking more of the blame and not less.” — Dan Bernstein (07:08) -
On the Home Playoff Advantage:
“Massive, massive, huge, huge, meaningful statistical difference there.” — Dan Bernstein (13:51) -
On Returning Players and Defensive Optimism:
“Please don’t think that he’s some magic panacea that is just going to be like, well, once he’s back, everything’s going to be fine. You still can’t rush the passer.” — Dan Bernstein (28:03) -
On Bear’s Defensive Strategy:
“You’ve got to protect your team from your own defense.” — Dan Bernstein (22:48) -
On Tacos & Taco Bell:
“You don’t crave tacos and go to Taco Bell. You crave Taco Bell.” — Dan Bernstein (27:21)
Important Timestamps
- 00:15 — Dan sets stage: Ben Johnson taking on pressure, comparison to Guillen.
- 05:14/06:23 — Further comparison, analysis of media strategy.
- 07:08 — Johnson’s accountability and growth as a coach.
- 10:27 — Johnson on not being the “cheerleader” type.
- 12:23 — Discussion about Packers’ playoff struggles and LaFleur’s job security.
- 13:51 — Explanation of home-field playoff advantage.
- 16:59 — Pivot to Kyler Gordon’s injury return.
- 18:06 — Probabilities and risks of rushing Gordon back.
- 21:44–22:09 — Bears’ touchdown record debate and its significance.
- 22:48 — On protecting Bears from their own defense.
- 27:21 — The Taco Bell/taco craving distinction.
- 28:03 — Kyler Gordon “magic fix” warning.
- 46:19 — Haagen Dazs pint revelation.
- 54:34 — White Sox ad campaigns and the intersection with Chubby Checker.
Final Takeaways
- Kyler Gordon’s Return:
Both hosts caution against expecting Gordon to make an instant or major difference to the struggling Bears’ defense this week, noting practice structure and his lengthy layoff. - Ben Johnson’s Tactics:
Johnson’s command of the narrative and willingness to own blame demonstrates a maturity not always seen from rookie head coaches. There’s optimism about his approach, if not the team’s prospects. - Defensive Focus:
The priority for the Bears is to reduce the exposure of their defense and maximize offensive control.
Tone & Style
The episode, true to the "Unfiltered" label, features a blend of sharp sports commentary, Chicago sports inside jokes, and irreverent asides—all delivered in the candid, sometimes biting vernacular that Bernstein fans have come to expect.
For listeners who missed the show:
This episode delivers a grounded assessment of the Bears' coaching evolution, realistic reflection on defensive reinforcements, and a whirlwind of Chicago sports banter—with the recurring reminder: “Don’t expect miracles from Kyler Gordon... but plenty of unfiltered takes from Dan and Matt.”