Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: 312 Sports (Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola)
Episode: Chicago Bears - Dayo Out | NFL Trade Deadline | Cubs OPT Out on Shota
Date: November 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers direct, candid takes on Chicago sports with Dan Bernstein and his longtime producer, Matt Abbatacola. The duo tackle a cross-section of local and national sports headlines: the injury crisis facing the Bears (with Dayo Odeyingbo out), NFL trade deadline maneuvers, the Cubs' decision not to exercise their option on Shota Imanaga, and the recent flurry of opt-outs in MLB. The hosts detour into “Good Dick, Bad Dick”—a new segment contrasting notable “Dicks” in sports/politics, and close with quick-fire headlines and some light-hearted nostalgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicago Bears Injury Crisis and NFL Trade Deadline

[02:18] - [08:11]

• Dayo Odeyingbo’s season-ending injury:
  “He’s got, I think, one sack and four pressures. 21 tackles.” – Dan ([03:51])
• The Bears now lack a stout, every-down defensive end, with backup options seen as inadequate for setting the edge.
• Potential trades for edge help:
  • Kevon Thibodeaux from the Giants discussed as a fit—young, talented, and a good locker-room presence ([04:57]).
  • “I just want to know the price. I want to know what you’re giving up for it.” – Dan ([05:07])
  • Recent NFL trades (Draymond Jones, Jalen Phillips, Logan Wilson) are examined for context ([05:34]-[06:21]).
• Trade philosophy:
  • Should the Bears deal first-round picks for talent like Maxx Crosby? “If I felt like this team would compete for a Super Bowl this year, I would make that move.” – Dan ([06:42])
  • The conversation slides into Bears GM Ryan Poles’ drafting and player acquisition strategies—Matt criticizes the lack of offensive line moves in the draft ([07:03]).
  • Influence of new coach Ben Johnson on team-building and roster moves ([07:31]-[07:50]).

2. Cubs & Shota Imanaga: Contract Options and Rotation Implications

[16:32] - [24:28]

• Cubs opt not to exercise Imanaga's 3-year/$57M option; Imanaga declines his player option.
  “He was great as a rookie, fifth in Cy Young award voting... but he really struggled... 5.42 ERA, 24 home runs.” – Matt ([17:34])
• Dan: "Even with Imanaga, the Cubs need to make a move for something in their rotation, something significant." ([21:46])
• Internal depth (Kate Horton, Justin Steele returning, Jameson Taillon in his last year, etc.) is discussed, but both agree the Cubs must add impact arms for 2026 and beyond.
• Jokes about "Guy Phil Holes" and the perennial search for “the good team” with enough payroll ([21:37], [19:33])—ribbing management’s perennial reassurances about money.
• White Sox pick up Luis Robert’s option despite a poor two-season performance—deep dive into his declining stats and injury woes ([24:49]-[26:29]).

3. MLB Free Agency, Opt-Outs, and (Potential) Labor Strife

[33:14] - [34:43]

• Rundown of notable MLB opt-outs and free agents: Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, Pete Alonso, etc.
• Matt: “I don’t know who’s doing what with the probability of no baseball after this year... we’re obviously going to have non-collusion collusion going on.” ([34:36])

4. College Football Coaching Carousel and Its Ripple Effects

[38:22] - [44:06]

• Extensive listing and riffing on major college head coach firings/openings: Auburn, Penn State, Florida, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, etc.
• Steve Sarkisian quote—“Everybody wants to fire their coach. Who are you going to hire?” ([39:36])
• Discussion of job-leading coaches (like Troy’s John Sumrall), how widespread instability trickles all the way down to high school jobs:
  “The downstream effects of this—your whole staffs, you’re talking massive major conference staffs. It’s not just the head coach. Hundreds, hundreds of coaches in this industry.” – Matt ([42:09])
• Who lands a new job first—Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern, hazing scandal) or Art Briles (Baylor, sexual assault cover-up)? Both agree: “Neither one should ever work again.” ([45:03])

5. "Good Dick, Bad Dick": New Segment Launch

[49:38] - [61:16]

• Humorous, lightly irreverent game where famous “Dicks” are praised or roasted.
• Good Dick: Dick Vitale, for his resilience in battling cancer and influence as a college basketball broadcaster.
  "I'm not a huge fan of his work. I'm a huge fan of him. He's a really, really, really good guy." – Matt ([51:19])
  • Memorable Dickie V stories—Dan’s impression contest, the cultural impact of his annual basketball magazine, and Ray Romano-like nostalgia for his college years ([52:32]-[54:54]).
• Bad Dick: Dick Cheney, eulogized with caustic honesty.
  "Rest in piss to Dick Cheney. ...If that's not a war crime, there are no war crimes." – Matt ([58:13]-[59:33])
• Segment closes with wardrobe hijinks and a nod to the Riptide (college) brand ([61:01]-[61:16]).

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan, tongue-in-cheek on Bears trade urgency:
  “I have a hard time giving up first-round picks.” ([06:51])
• On Cubs’ supposed lack of spending:
  "I'm always concerned about the Cubs having enough money to field a good team. And they will. Jed Hoyer told us so." – Dan ([19:33])
• Matt on White Sox slugger's fall:
  "He's been the same player for the last 210 games. And it's a bad player." ([25:59])
• On the surreality of certain cartoons and childhood foods:
  "Mom, this is very racist." – Dan, kidding about old TV ([29:21])
• Matt on Dick Cheney’s legacy:
  “He was probably the most...certainly the most consequential vice president of my lifetime—and not in a good way.” ([58:17])

7. Fun Detours: Food, Childhood, and Chickens

• From the 50: Dan announces a new podcast project focusing on self-improvement in later life ([11:00]-[12:04]).
• A rabbit hole into omelette-making, family recipes, and Thomas Keller’s masterclass ([13:03]-[14:28]).
• Nostalgic riffing on sick days, ginger ale preferences, and 1980s/90s Chicago food culture ([30:05]-[31:42]).

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:18]-[08:11]: Bears defensive issues & trade deadline targets
• [16:32]-[24:28]: Cubs opt out on Shota Imanaga; pitching needs
• [24:49]-[26:29]: White Sox/Luis Robert analysis
• [33:14]-[34:43]: MLB free agency/opt-out round-up
• [38:22]-[44:06]: College football coaching carousel
• [49:38]-[61:16]: Good Dick, Bad Dick segment: Dick Vitale and Dick Cheney

Conclusion

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered continues its reputation for raw, insightful sports talk, blending sharp football analysis, trademark Chicago sports skepticism, and digressions into food and nostalgia. This episode’s highlights are the honest breakdown of the Bears’ roster crisis and MLB’s evolving free agent market, an unvarnished “Good Dick, Bad Dick” segment, and humor-laden asides that keep the tone lively and authentic for longtime listeners and newcomers alike.