Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

Episode: Chicago Bears Backfield Dream?
Date: October 21, 2025
Podcast Host: Dan Bernstein
Co-Host: Matt Abbatacola
Producer Credits: (Occasional guest/producer interjections)

Episode Overview

This episode covers a wide range of Chicago sports hot topics with Dan and Matt’s trademark blend of humor, sharp sports insight, and unfiltered conversation. Core themes include what the Bears can (and shouldn’t) learn from the Detroit Lions’ backfield, the MVP of the ALCS (spoiler: it's not a player), why the Bulls’ injuries might doom their season, college football chaos and coaching firings, Michael Jordan's odd new NBC role, and the comedic disaster that is new ICE fitness testing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. (Bears) Backfield Lessons: Don’t Misread the Lions

(04:43–11:16)

• Lions’ Backfield Dynamics:

  • Lions went all-in with Jameer Gibbs and David Montgomery, branding them “Sonic and Knuckles”—Gibbs the speedster (Sonic), Montgomery the power back (Knuckles). But perhaps Detroit doesn’t even need to emphasize the “one-two punch” at all:
    • “That is not a one, two punch. Sorry. That. That is, that is. Jameer Gibbs is a premier running back who should touch the ball as much as he possibly physically can reasonably. And you allow David Montgomery to be a complimentary piece…” (Matt, 05:44)
  • Montgomery as backup, not a ‘co-featured’ back.
  • Statistical breakdown of attempts and yards for both backs.

• What Chicago Should—and Shouldn’t—Emulate:

  • “If you have a guy like Gibbs, you don’t need a David Montgomery. You don’t need that. Bears don’t have that. The Bears can use all the help they can get at running back. However you get those.. whoever’s best for the play, run the play.”
    (Matt, 07:24)
  • Emphasize “whoever is best gets the ball”—not rigid roles or mimicry.

• Notable Quote:

  • “My hope is that the Bears don’t learn the wrong lesson in this. The lesson isn’t have fire and ice, Sonic and knuckles and have two... If one’s better than the other, use the one that’s better more often.” (Matt, 09:57)

2. ALCS MVP—It’s Not Who You Think

(15:01–19:14)

• Fox’s Megalodon Camera Operator Outshines the Players:

  • Matt gives his “MVP” to Jared Legrani, the Fox Sports tech director wielding the Megalodon camera—citing cinematic, live-action shots that turned even average moments into movie magic.
  • “He is a star... What Jared Legrani is doing is magnificent. Seeing George Springer walk the dugout... Legrani is walking backwards, focusing on him, turning the camera, turning his shoulders...” (Matt, 17:01)
  • Live TV “that movie directors take three days to pull off.”
  • Makes John Smoltz’s commentary bearable by sheer visual quality.

• Quick ALCS Notes:

  • Vlad Guerrero Jr. was the actual stat MVP, but the camera work stole Dan and Matt’s thunder.

3. Baseball Nostalgia & Strategy Debates

(19:28–30:59)

• Classic Baseball Antics:

  • Revisit the famous 1978 “Reggie Jackson hip check” play via live commentary—drawing a parallel to recent league incidents and “playing the game.”
  • “Reggie’s like, ‘Oh, gee, it hit me in the hip.’” (Matt, 27:00)
  • Lamenting current strategic mistakes: “Stop with the sacrifice bunting, everybody, please. It’s bad. Do not give away outs. It’s Game 7.” (Matt, 23:18)

• World Series Preview / Ohtani vs. Ruth:

  • Dodgers vs. Blue Jays is “a lot of blue” but intriguing if the Jays can force the Dodgers’ bullpen.
  • Ohtani’s historic postseason home run feats and near-statistical parity with Babe Ruth (in the early-career sample size):
    • “Through their first 674 games... Ohtani 160 [HR], Ruth 159... through 455 innings pitched they’re nearly identical.” (Dan, 30:28, 30:51)

4. College Football: Chaos and Coaching Carnage

(34:02–44:55)

• Topsy-Turvy Rankings & Coaching Turmoil:

  • Powerhouse programs are falling, donors are terrified, and openings exceed viable candidates.
  • “I love that these emperors have built their castles on sand... Nothing better than millionaire boosters realizing they can’t just throw money around…” (Dan, 34:54)
  • NIL and transfer portal reshuffled the deck—“actual coaching” matters again, not just recruitment.

• Mocking the Coaching Firing Emotional Theater:

  • James Franklin’s interview, played with bemusement:
    • “They gave you $50 million, go fishing.” (Matt, 39:55)
    • “They bring him on like something tragic happened... He lost a limb, right? ... You lost your job and they gave you $50 million.” (Dan & Matt, 40:11)
  • List of open jobs and the cyclic nature of buyouts and coaching searches.
  • Franklin has no hobbies; Matt’s advice is, “Go learn to paint by numbers. Build a ship in a bottle. Go volunteer at the ASPCA” (Matt, 42:50)

5. Bulls’ Injury Woes and Michael Jordan’s NBC Role

(52:20–58:01)

• Pre-season Bulls Injury Problems:
  • Kobe White out with calf tightness, possibly to avoid the Achilles epidemic seen elsewhere. Zach Collins out 4+ weeks with a wrist fracture.
  • “Without the injuries, the Bulls might have ended up in the play-in. Also.” (Matt, 02:28)
• Michael Jordan’s Half-Hearted Broadcasting Debut:
  • NBC promoting “MJ Insights to Excellence”—taped, pre-packaged segments, not live or in-depth commentary.
  • “He just isn’t that interesting... He’ll probably record these remotely. He’d probably be on the boat while he’s recording them.” (Matt, 55:34, 57:21)

6. ICE Recruits vs. the Fitness Test: A Comedy of Frailty

(62:13–69:47)

• ICE’s Recruitment Struggles:
  • One third of new recruits are failing reduced fitness standards: 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups, 1.5 mile run in 14 minutes.
  • “An email... lamented, quote, a considerable amount of athletically allergic candidates, unquote, had been showing up at the academy.” (Matt, 64:18)
  • Dan and Matt riff on the image of “one massive ICE guy per Suburban, coated in Crisco and hoisted out by forklift.”

7. Local Life, Listeners, and Snack Stories

(61:03–72:31)

• Listener Appreciation:
  • Thank you to Dr. Jordan Lauer, author of "The Two Backpacks," who sent personalized copies and reminisced about “batter beers” mixed with Fresca on dates.
• Donuts, Dogs, and Daily Life:
  • Grocery store donut finds, dog rescue stories (“ran into the room, bit me in the face, peed on me”), family memories, and late-night Dairy Queen confessions.
• Bulls & NBA Broadcasting:
  • Shoutouts to friend and broadcaster Ian Eagle (and his son Noah) with a discussion about the generational differences in play-by-play style.

Memorable Quotes

• On Bears-Lions Backfields:
  • “Sonic’s better than Knuckles. Always has been. And you give it to the guy that’s really good more often.” (Matt, 11:16)
• On John Smoltz as Announcer:
  • “He makes things dumber. Everybody who walks by the TV gets dumber.” (Dan, 14:49)
• On Fired Coaches:
  • “They gave you $50 million. Go fishing... You lost your job and they gave you $50 million. Do you know how fast... I was fishing the next day.” (Matt, 39:55–40:15)
• On ICE Recruits:
  • “A considerable amount of athletically allergic candidates.” (Matt, 64:18; quoting ICE memo)
  • “Now it’s one giant ICE guy per Suburban—they took all the seats out, put tarps on the floor, forklift him out at Stan’s Donuts.” (Paraphrase, 68:32–69:23)
• On Michael Jordan’s New Role:
  • “He just isn’t that interesting... He’ll probably record these remotely. He’d probably be on the boat while he’s recording them.” (Matt, 55:34–57:21)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Bears/Lions Backfield Comparison: 04:43–11:16
• ALCS Camera MVP & Fox Cinematic Shots: 15:01–19:14
• Classic Baseball Rules and Save Logic: 23:35–30:59
• Dodgers/Blue Jays World Series, Ohtani-Ruth Comparison: 29:03–31:00
• College Football Chaos & Coaching Firing Satire: 34:02–44:55
• Pit Bull Rescue Story: 44:14–44:55
• Bulls Injury Updates & Michael Jordan’s NBC Segments: 52:20–58:01
• ICE Fitness Test Fails: 62:13–69:47

Tone and Style

• Candid, humorous, and irreverently passionate about Chicago sports and beyond.
• Frequent friendly banter and ribbing between Dan and Matt.
• Willingness to puncture sports and news with sarcasm, running bits, and inside jokes.
• Genuine moments of insight, nostalgia, and the occasional sweet shout-out to listeners.

For New Listeners

Whether you’re a diehard Chicago sports fan, a baseball nostalgist, or just someone who likes your takes spicy and unfiltered, this episode of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered delivers sharp, honest analysis with plenty of laughs and memorable stories. No matter your team, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for just how weird (and wonderful) the world of sports can get.