Podcast Summary: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – "Chicago Bears Defense Needs to get after the Quarterback"

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein with Matt Abbatacola
Date: November 19, 2025
Episode Length: ~66 minutes
Main Theme:
A candid breakdown of the Chicago Bears’ defensive struggles – specifically, their anemic pass rush and what needs to change to finally “close the book” on Aaron Rodgers' dominance. The hosts analyze the numbers, the challenge posed by Rodgers even late in his career, debate coaching philosophies, and branch out into Chicago Cubs off-season pitching moves, NBA injury trends, and college hoops.

Bears v. Steelers: Setting the Stage (01:27 – 05:00)

• Dan and Matt open with anticipation for the upcoming Bears game, focusing on the hope to end Aaron Rodgers' long reign of dominance.
• The significance of facing Rodgers as opposed to a backup QB ("You know, we were talking... about what we want in this upcoming Bears game and why we want it. I think wanting to vanquish the Terminator that has been Aaron Rodgers... at some point it’s got to be over." – Dan, 01:34)
• Discussion about new tasks facing the Bears and being tested for playoff readiness.

The Bears' Defensive Weakness: Pass Rush Under the Microscope (03:20 – 11:40)

Troubling Stats

• Dan highlights Bears' poor rankings in all relevant pass rush stats:
  • 27th in pressure percentage
  • 23rd in sacks (21 total)
  • 24th in hurry percentage
  • 29th in QB knockdown percentage
• "These numbers are a little bit alarming. If you want to talk about the distance the Bears have to go..." – Dan, 07:50

Impact on Opposing QBs

• Rodgers, even at 41, can thrive if pocket is clean; pressure is key to disrupting older “surgeons” like him.
• Discussion of the psychological and physical toll a consistent pass rush can have, with references to Tom Brady as another example.

Scheme and Personnel

• Bears’ blitz rate is league-average, and Allen (defensive coordinator) prefers not to rely heavily on blitzing.
• Utilization of wildcards like Kyler Gordon and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the nickel spot mentioned as a plus.

Want More without Penalties

• "I want that [knockdown] number to come up and I want it to come up without stupidity because stop making me cringe on every quarterback hit..." – Dan, 08:40
• Frustration with having to worry about roughing-the-passer penalties on every big hit.

Key Players

• Montez Sweat and Austin Booker are key – time for them to take advantage and step up. "I want Montez Sweat to beat that double team. That’s what I want. I want Austin Booker to take advantage of this opportunity." – Dan, 10:08

Xs and Os: Game Plan to “Finish” Rodgers (11:40 – 20:00)

Exploiting Steelers’ Weak Ground Game

• Steelers average only 3.8 yards per carry – setup for Bears to focus on disrupting the passing game.

How to Attack Rodgers

• Rodgers' veteran ability to step up/climb the pocket – Bears pass rushers can’t ride too deep or allow lanes.
  • "What I don't want to see is the Bears edge rushers... don't go past the pocket, don't get pushed all the way back, disengage, come back up. Because Rodgers prefers to move forward every single time." – Dan, 14:07
• Importance of interior linemen (e.g., Dexter) getting their hands up if they can’t collapse the pocket.
• Strip-sack opportunity: "What this is is a strip sack. These are the game-changing opportunities on a third and seven." – Dan, 17:50

Delayed Blitzes and Defensive Discipline

• Not about exotic blitzes – more about aggressive but disciplined rushing.
• "An aggressive discipline rush... your point’s good, too, about the Reed blitzes... If your responsibility is not getting out in a pattern, go ahead." – Matt, 19:12

Bears/Rodgers Rivalry: A Chance at Closure (20:00 – 23:30)

• Banter about what it means to “take ownership back” from Rodgers, who has “owned” the Bears for years. "He could say it has been a long and successful run of ownership... If he is offloading the Bears as an asset, as a property, he's certainly ridden the increase in equity." – Matt, 21:48
• Acknowledgment that one win doesn’t erase years of struggle – but it would be “a cheap thrill” and a symbolic turning point.

Quick Chicago Sports Roundup: Cubs’ Rotation Uncertainty (27:04 – 35:01)

• Shota Imanaga accepted the Cubs’ one-year qualifying offer, surprising both hosts.
• Discussion of Cubs’ rotation:
  • Need to add at least two more veteran arms, not just rely on patchwork or hope.
  • Jed Hoyer (GM) said spending would be on pitching – this can’t be all they're doing.
• Speculation about “soft collusion” leading to a suppressed market as teams brace for a possible MLB lockout. "This starts softly and quietly with soft collusion..." – Matt, 33:25

NBA: Load Management, Injuries, and Overload (45:13 – 53:28)

Steve Kerr’s Comments

• Kerr on increasing wear-and-tear injuries: "The physical demands on guys now are different."
• The NBA is playing at its fastest pace since 1989; players run more and at higher speeds than ever measured.
• Kerr’s solution: fewer regular season games, but recognizes revenue barriers.
  • "All the constituents would have to agree to take less revenue... Good luck. In any industry... that's not happening." – Matt, 48:28

The Broadcast Baritone

• Entertaining sidebar about the prevalence of the “Syracuse baritone” voice among basketball broadcasters.

Bernstein’s Fan Perspective

• Dan admits not watching regular season NBA much, only playoffs, so player rest/load management doesn’t bother him: "When it matters, the stars are there and I get it."

Miscellaneous & Chicago Sports Banter

Fun Studio Stories, Turntable Mishaps (37:05 – 42:43)

• Light-hearted back-and-forth about expensive vintage turntables being used to prop up drinks, awkward encounters with local radio personalities, and studio culture.

Food Talk: Ice Cream, Tacos, and Family (54:00 – 58:01)

• Detailed debate about the best type of vanilla ice cream, meticulous breakdown of family taco night and picky kids, adding warmth and personality.

Notable Quotes

• On Defensive Identity:
  "I like to think it’s their identity and we don’t have to hide from it. We don’t have to play fanboy. Don’t say anything bad about my team. You suck. Okay, great, whatever. But we know it."
  – Dan Bernstein (09:20)

• On Taking Ownership from Rodgers:
  "Well, I think taking ownership back would be valuable to this organization. They could say we own us again."
  – Dan Bernstein (22:35)

• On Current State of MLB Labor:
  "This starts softly and quietly with soft collusion, with de facto collusion..."
  – Matt Abbatacola (33:25)

• On NBA Load Management:
  "All the constituents would have to agree to take less revenue... Good luck. In any industry... that's not happening."
  – Matt Abbatacola (48:28)

Timestamps for Key Sections

• [01:27] Opening Bears/Steelers talk: Why it’s time to beat Rodgers
• [03:20] Break down of Bears defensive pass rush stats
• [10:08] Montez Sweat and Austin Booker’s opportunity to step up
• [14:07] Technical breakdown: pass rush discipline vs. Rodgers
• [17:50] Strip-sack scenario, Bears’ chance for defensive impact play
• [20:00] Ownership metaphor: ending Rodgers’ “ownership” of Bears
• [27:04] Cubs’ pitching discussion: Shota Imanaga’s return, roster needs
• [45:13] NBA: Steve Kerr’s concerns and season-length debate
• [54:00] Ice cream/taco night/family banter

Overall Tone

Unvarnished, passionate, and playful Chicago sports talk with a dose of sarcasm and local flavor. Dan is especially frank about the Bears' flaws, not shying away from hard truths, while Matt mixes technical insight and humor.

Summary for New Listeners

• If you want an honest, stats-driven—but still lively—breakdown of where the Bears stand heading into a huge test, this episode delivers.
• Expect sharp NFL analysis, some news on the Cubs and MLB labor off-season, fresh NBA perspectives (especially on injuries and the state of play), plus bits of off-topic banter that keep the pace light and friendly.
• The hosts’ chemistry, willingness to call out both players and management, and deadpan humor make for an engaging listen, especially if you crave depth and personality in your Chicago sports coverage.