Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Episode: Chicago Bears Season Ends in Disappointment | Indiana Will Win the National Championship
Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Dan Bernstein
Producer/Co-host: Mattie (Matt Abbatacola)
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered (312 Sports)

Overview

In the wake of the Chicago Bears’ playoff exit, Dan and Mattie deliver their trademark candid reflection on an unforgettable Bears season. They deconstruct what made 2025 so unique, why fans feel fulfilled or unsatisfied, and why optimism for the future is complicated by NFL realities. The hosts also embrace deep sports analogies (including some gourmet food talk), discuss coaching and organizational culture changes, and break down the electrifying presence of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. In the closing segments, they pivot to quirky baseball nostalgia and bold college football championship predictions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Processing the End of the Bears’ Season

• Fan Emotions: Satisfying vs. Disappointing

  • Mattie notes the influx of fan feedback describing the season as “fulfilling” and “satisfying”—despite the painful loss.

    “There are some who say...the game itself and the end of the season—losing is no fun...and yet there can also be a simultaneous understanding of—even falling short of the ultimate goals—what this whole ride has been.” (Mattie, 00:34)

  • Bernstein counters that, for him, it’s memorable but ultimately unsatisfying because of how much was invested emotionally.

    “It was memorable. It was special. It was a season I’ll absolutely never forget...For me, the overall ending of this is just disappointment...” (Bernstein, 07:21)

• Food Analogy for the Season

  • Both use the metaphor of an extravagant meal (Alinea’s black truffle raviollo) to express the season’s highs and the sense of being overwhelmed by “rich flavors.”

    “This Bears season gave us so many unique individual tastes...It’s like having dessert for the main course almost.” (Mattie, 05:39) “There was one bite that I had that will never leave me...nothing lived up to that one bite...So I don’t know if that’s in line with your analogy, but yeah, no.” (Bernstein, 04:21)

2. What Made the Bears 2025 Season Special

• Rise of Cool Factor

  • Historically, the Bears have leaned on tradition more than trendiness. Mattie contends this year, “they made themselves cool.”

    “If nothing else this season they made themselves cool.” (Mattie, 10:27)

  • Bernstein and Mattie debate what constitutes a “cool” NFL team—concluding that sustained excellence and flair are key, with the Bears now rising in that regard, largely due to coach Ben Johnson and star QB Caleb Williams.

    “The thing that makes the Bears cool and desirable is Caleb Williams. It’s just that simple.” (Bernstein, 16:07)

• Caleb Williams’ Impact

  • Both rave about Williams’ playmaking:

    “There is not another quarterback outside of maybe Pat Mahomes that would have made that throw last night.” (Bernstein, 16:07)

  • They recount miraculous throws (including a 14-yard TD to Cole Kmet) and describe how Williams changed fan and national perception.

• Aggressive Coaching

  • Ben Johnson’s fourth-down decision-making and risk-taking draw praise (and questioning). Mattie highlights how this is the “new normal” for the Bears.

    “The new normal is going for it, keeping alive the opportunity for six instead of three. The new normal is taking those shots down the field.” (Mattie, 19:27)

3. Context: NFL Realities and Future Outlook

• No Guarantees for Next Year

  • Bernstein emphasizes that, despite hope, each NFL season stands alone—there are no true “building blocks” or guarantees of continued success.

    “...Each season is exclusive in and of itself. And this isn’t a building block for next year...It does not pick up and continue next year.” (Bernstein, 07:28)

• Roster and Coaching Moves

  • They touch on the fluidity of NFL rosters and the way small, shrewd personnel decisions (e.g., trusting little-known players, picking up CJ Gardner-Johnson midseason) have made a tangible, positive impact.

    “When tiny things that happen on the roster end up making material differences in seasons. Because the coaching staff is good...it shows you that something is going right.” (Mattie, 23:58)

  • Quote from Cole Kmet – Locker Room Perspective: (35:05)

    “The locker room’s going to look a lot different next year. That’s just how the NFL works…We put in the work for this year, not for next year…to just think that it’s just going to happen again, that’s very wishful thinking…”

4. Savoring the Rivalries & Emotional Highs

• Beating the Packers

  • Bernstein and Mattie agree: beating Green Bay—especially eliminating them—was one of the season’s most “delicious” moments.

    “If you’re that Bears fan...the ending is the ending. But we beat the Packers twice...That’s what you’re going to hang your hat on, then you got that too...” (Bernstein, 27:23) “That game, that outcome, that night was like your raviollo.” (Mattie, 27:48)

• Winning Over the Doubters

  • The consensus is that Williams and the Bears won over even non-fans and skeptics with repeated late-game heroics.

    “His performances, though, won so many of the doubters over...all right, you just can’t stop this guy.” (Bernstein, 32:21)

5. Organization Culture Shift

• Coaching and Locker Room Stability
  • They marvel at the absence of locker room drama, contrasting it with the past, and credit the coaching staff and players for unity and trust.

    “For a team to have this much success with such little controversy or issues at all...is really, really remarkable.” (Bernstein, 38:22)

6. Quick Hitters and Tangents

• Broadcast/Coverage Talk (20:28–22:22)
  • Both critique Tony Dungy’s dated, sanctimonious studio analysis—offer praise instead for modern football broadcasters.
• Speed Bumps in Chicago (38:48)
  • A lighthearted tangent about “widowmaker” speed bumps on Grace street.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 00:34 | Mattie: “There are some who say...the game itself and the end of the season—losing is no fun...yet there can also be a simultaneous understanding of even falling short of the ultimate goals...”
• 04:21 | Dan Bernstein: "...nothing lived up to that raviollo. And nothing after that lived up to that raviolo."
• 07:21 | Dan Bernstein: "...for me, the overall ending of this is just disappointment because I loved it the season so much."
• 16:07 | Dan Bernstein: “The thing that makes the Bears cool and desirable is Caleb Williams. It’s just that simple.”
• 19:27 | Mattie: “The new normal is going for it, keeping alive the opportunity for six instead of three. The new normal is taking those shots down the field...”
• 23:58 | Mattie: "When tiny things that happen on the roster end up making material differences...shows you that something is going right..."
• 35:05 | Cole Kmet (audio): “The locker room’s going to look a lot different next year. That’s just how the NFL works...”
• 38:22 | Dan Bernstein: “For a team to have this much success with such little controversy or issues at all is really, really remarkable...”
• 27:48 | Mattie: “That game, that outcome, that night was like your raviollo.”
• 32:21 | Dan Bernstein: “His performances, though, won so many of the doubters over...you just can’t stop this guy.”

Important Timestamps & Segment Highlights

| Timestamp | Segment Highlight | |-----------|-------------------------------| | 00:09 | Opening reflections on emotions after Bears’ exit | | 03:54 | Alinea dining / food as an analogy for the season | | 07:21 | Bernstein’s disappointment vs. Mattie’s fulfillment | | 10:27 | The “coolness” of the Bears & what makes a team cool | | 16:06 | Caleb Williams’ franchise-changing impact | | 19:27 | The new “normal” of aggressive Bears football | | 23:58 | Coaching and front office trust-building | | 27:23 | The emotional “deliciousness” of beating the Packers | | 35:05 | Cole Kmet on NFL change & team specialness | | 38:22 | Lack of drama: a stable, united roster and staff | | 49:00 | Baseball segment: Wilbur Wood tribute | | 58:34 | College football championship predictions |

College Football: National Championship Picks (Indiana vs. Miami)

• Bold Predictions: Both pick Indiana to win handily.
  • “Indiana is going to embarrass Miami. I think they are going to stomp them...culmination...one of the greatest coaching jobs in the history of sports.” (Mattie, 58:34)
  • “I’m also taking the over 47.5...because Indiana may do that on their own.” (Bernstein, 59:46)

Nostalgic and Fun Segments

• Wilbur Wood, White Sox Legend (49:00–54:00)

  • A spirited, stats-filled tribute to the late knuckleballer, his innings-eating, and era differences.

• Trivia: The Royals Drafted Marino & Elway (54:26)

  • The hosts revel in baseball/football crossover trivia:

    “1979 Kansas City Royals selected Dan Marino and John Elway.” (Bernstein, 56:06)

• Random Ephemera

  • Off-the-cuff memories, including bad beer in college and Chicago’s worst speed bumps.

Final Notes

• Forward Progress will continue as the Bears podcast no matter the season.
  • “...forward progress every day, all off season, Bears, NFL, whatever else the hell we want to do.” (Mattie, 61:23)

In Closing

This episode captures the spirit of Chicago sports fandom—intense, self-reflective, a little bit weird, and always ready for another ride. The hosts deftly blend sharp analysis, colorful metaphors, and irreverent humor, ensuring whether listeners are Bears diehards, casual fans won over by Williams, or just here for college football and baseball trivia, there’s something for everyone.