Dan Bernstein Unfiltered: "Chicago Bears - Will Rodgers Play Sunday?"

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host(s): Dan Bernstein, Matt "Maddie" Abbatacola
Date: November 18, 2025
Episode Theme: Can the Bears finally "close the book" on Aaron Rodgers at Soldier Field? Plus: Bulls’ surprising win, property tax angst, stadium politics, and some surprising culinary and candy tangents.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan and Maddie tackle whether Aaron Rodgers will play against the Bears this Sunday and explore fan fatigue with the legendary QB. The hosts also dive into the legacy of Rodgers vs. the Bears, debate quarterback preferences, discuss the Bulls’ unlikely win at altitude, vent about property taxes (and the Bears’ stadium drama), and share plenty of Chicago sports culture and life banter. The show is rich with witty asides and the classic Dan Bernstein no-nonsense, slightly irreverent tone.

Key Sections & Highlights

The Bears' Next Opponent: The Aaron Rodgers Conundrum

[01:20 - 10:25]

• Initial Debate: Rodgers or a Backup?

  • Maddie initially wants to see Mason Rudolph or another backup but changes his mind after sleeping on it, agreeing with Dan that it’s time for the Bears to finally put an end to the “Aaron Rodgers era” with a signature defeat.
  • Dan (01:42): “It’s not just about the Bears winning. It’s about closing the book on Aaron Rodgers... I really don’t like Aaron Rodgers and have come to just be so tired of all of it and so tired of everything that he sort of thinks that he stands for and thinks has deep meaning that actually doesn’t.”
  • Maddie vividly recalls Corey Wooten ending Brett Favre’s career and fantasizes about something similar happening with Rodgers.

• The Rodgers Injury Saga

  • Dan walks through the play where Rodgers fractured his wrist and analyzes the implications if Rodgers does play.
  • Dan (04:06): “He takes a shot, couple defenders landing on top of him, immediately grabs his wrist and brings it to his chest. And this is something we’re going to have to monitor moving forward.”

• Shifting Philosophy: Wanting the Signature Win

  • The hosts admit their preferences are shifting, preferring a meaningful victory against Rodgers rather than just a win against another backup.
  • Maddie (07:26): “That unsnapping of the chin strap, like, that’s it… I want him walking off the field dejected down.”

• On Learning from Rodgers

  • The duo pokes fun at the idea that rookie QBs are “banking Rodgers wisdom” in Word files, dismissing the notion of Rodgers as a great mentor.
  • Dan (07:01): “If they think Aaron Rodgers is mentoring this kid, great. He’s not.”

Rodgers’ Decline and Legacy

[07:51 - 10:25]

• Dan isn’t Afraid Anymore

  • Dan points out Rodgers is no longer the force he was, especially since switching teams.
  • Dan (09:28): “I’m not afraid of Aaron Rodgers right now. I want the book shut [by] Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen.”

• Maddie on Growth & Quarterback Comparison

  • Maddie reflects on changing his mind and relates to how evaluating young QBs involves measuring them against Rodgers’ attributes.
  • Maddie (08:20): “When I scout a college quarterback, I compare the arm swing, the release, the way the ball leaves the hand to Aaron Rodgers…”

Bulls’ Surprising Victory: Bench Power and Heart

[18:58 - 32:11]

• Bulls Beat Nuggets at Altitude

  • The hosts are almost shocked as they break down the Bulls’ 130-127 win, especially after predicting a loss (“the Bulls winning by three in altitude against Jokic and the Bulls won”—Maddie, 12:19).
  • Bench Stars: IO Dosunmu (+25) and, especially, Javon Carter become the focus.
  • Dan (20:42): “Javon Carter gets folk hero status…15 points in 18 minutes…He shot 10 threes in 18 and hit half of them. Plus 20 for the game.”

• The “End of the Bench” Folk Hero

  • Maddie sings Carter’s praises as the archetype of a “pro’s pro” who can always step in and perform.

• Basketball Trivia & All-Time Stats

  • Dan quizzes Maddie on Bulls all-time double-doubles, leading to fun basketball history banter.
  • Dan (22:28): “Vuch is number one for Bulls all time with double doubles at 209.”
  • The hosts run through Bulls legends and connect it to NBA history, with Tim Duncan getting a surprising mention as Dan’s favorite college jersey.

Property Taxes & Bears’ Stadium Drama

[37:10 - 45:40]

• Cook County Tax Bill Frustrations

  • Maddie shares practical tips about not double-paying taxes and highlights local stories of gentrification pain.

• Bears Lacking at the Capitol

  • The pair express frustration and incredulity that Bears president Kevin Warren didn’t show up in Springfield to advocate for the team’s stadium tax break.
  • Maddie (41:21): “His words–‘We must have this to move forward’–and you couldn’t even get it on the agenda…You didn’t even go.”
  • Dan (45:01): “[Warren needs to realize] the Bears getting a new stadium is not as important to the people making decisions as it is to him…If you don’t actively have that role…it’s going to be really hard to accomplish.”

• Contrast with Jerry Reinsdorf

  • Maddie notes that Reinsdorf, for all his flaws, still gets personally involved in important negotiations.

Sports, Aging, and Family Rituals

[48:45 - 51:19]

• Caleb Williams' Birthday and Perspective

  • Hosts note that Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams turned 24, and reflect on the strangeness of NFL players now being born after 9/11.
  • Dan (48:56): “It’s really unsettling to see that, because it just is.”

• Getting Old in Sports

  • They joke about how aging hits home—when your doctor is younger, or when the sons of athletes you watched are now finishing their careers.

Food, Family, and Deals

[51:19 - end]

• Candy Bar Review: Snickers Pecan

  • Maddie details his recent hunt for Snickers Pecan bars—a rare, “good but not great” find—and deconstructs the candy’s identity versus classic Snickers and Milky Way.
  • Maddie (53:44): “It’s not a pecan Snickers. It’s a Milky Way with pecans added.”

• Dad Behavior & Coupon Wins

  • Hilarious asides about irritating their kids with dated memes, and winning at grocery store couponing (“the Kroger Corporation paid me 20 cents to do that”—Maddie, 56:51).
  • Maddie’s family pasta tip: finish with arugula or baby kale—never “murder spinach.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dan (01:42): “I really don’t like Aaron Rodgers and I’ve come to just be so tired of all of it… If the Bears can be the team that sort of puts an end to that…that would be really nice.”
• Maddie (07:26): “That unsnapping of the chin strap, like, that’s it…I want him walking off the field dejected.”
• Dan (20:42): “Javon Carter gets folk hero status for his performance in this game…Relentless chucker… He’s going to be a 60-year-old rec league destroyer.”
• Maddie (41:21): “You didn’t go. The president of the Bears who’s got one job didn’t go make his case. I don’t get that…I would love to ask why he wasn’t too busy to be in the locker room after every win.”
• Dan (45:01): “The Bears getting a new stadium built anywhere is not as important to…the people that make the decisions…as it is to him.”
• Maddie (53:44): “It’s not a pecan Snickers. It’s a Milky Way with pecans added.”
• Maddie (56:51): “The Kroger Corporation paid me 20 cents to do that.”

Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|---------| | 01:20 – 10:25 | Rodgers or backup? Closing the book on Rodgers | | 10:25 – 12:18 | Betting misfires, Bulls prediction mishaps | | 18:58 – 32:11 | Bulls’ win, bench stories, Carter folk hero, team trivia | | 37:10 – 45:40 | Cook County taxes and Bears stadium politics | | 48:45 – 51:19 | Sports, aging, perspective on athletes today | | 51:19 – 57:33 | Food adventures and candy bar critique, family nuggets | | 57:33 – end | Couponing win, healthy pasta tips, wrap up |

Takeaways for Listeners

• Expect the Bears to seek emotional closure more than just a win this Sunday—a Rodgers defeat would be cathartic for the city.
• The Bulls’ unlikely win offers hope for bench depth (“next man up” is a reality here).
• Local property tax issues intersect directly with Bears stadium drama—don't expect fan sympathy for billionaire owners sidestepping taxes.
• Grizzled dad banter, sports history, and food digressions are all part of a classic South Side sports culture experience.
• If you’re a Chicago sports fan, this is a blend of venting, knowledge, and good-humored grumbling you won’t want to miss.

For Further Listening:

• “Forward Progress” (Bears-specific show dropping later the same day)
• “Organizations Win Championships” (Bulls content with a special guest)

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered: Where sports angst, Chicago wisdom, and a stubborn refusal to tolerate nonsense all meet—especially if Aaron Rodgers is involved.