Podcast Summary: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

Episode: “Chicago Bears WIN! Ben Johnson’s Team Surpasses Expectations at 8-3”
Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Dan Bernstein
Co-host: Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

This episode of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered dives deep into the remarkable 8-3 start by the Chicago Bears under new head coach Ben Johnson. The hosts focus on the rapid transformation of the Bears, possible reasons behind their record, the growth of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and the critical role Ben Johnson has played. The conversation extends to other Chicago sports (Bulls, Cubs) and includes memorable reflections on coaching, team culture, and the importance of championship standards.

Main Discussion Points

1. Bears’ 8-3 Start and Ben Johnson’s Impact

• Bears at 8-3: The team’s current record is termed as “the story of this season,” particularly under a first-year head coach and following an 0-2 start.
• Ben Johnson’s Genius: Johnson’s adaptability and offensive mind are credited for the turnaround despite a roster not fully of his choosing.
• “Rebuild of a Rebuild”: Dan reiterates that earlier in the season, the Bears were viewed as undergoing a “rebuild of a rebuild,” emphasizing how much further ahead the team is now than expected.
  • "This is Ben Johnson walking in the door saying, 'What do I have? What's here? All right, we got a long way to go to teach this. We are just more than halfway through season one, and the fact that they're eight and three and they still don't quite get the whole thing yet…’” (05:00)

Timestamps:

• [01:18] – Dan and Matt open with Bears’ record and the looming Philly matchup.
• [05:38] – Reflection on preseason expectations and Johnson’s early obstacles.

2. Quality of the Bears’ 8-3 Record

• Point Differential Paradox: Despite their winning record, the Bears have a negative point differential, which Dan points out is “astonishing” and evidence of good coaching rather than dominant play.

  • “To be 8 and 3, I think is… with a negative point differential is a pretty good coaching job that's being done here.” (06:24)

• Strength of Schedule: The recent “run of quarterbacks” the Bears have faced is noted; many have limited NFL experience, hinting that the Bears’ schedule may have inflated their record.

  • “Five of the last six quarterbacks the Bears have gone against don’t have 20 career starts...” (03:22)

• Upcoming “Real Test” vs. Eagles: The hosts discuss whether the Eagles game is the team’s “first real test," disagreeing, as they point to other key division matchups.

Timestamps:

• [06:24] – Negative point differential and coaching.
• [11:18] – On whether the Eagles game is the first big test.

3. Evolution of the Offense and Key Players

• Offensive Personnel: While Johnson inherited most offensive personnel, the hosts discuss which current players may be in the long-term plan.

  • “What we saw yesterday… on the offensive side of the football, it's not too far off from what his roster is going to be.” (07:42)

• Attacking Mindset: The Bears’ shift to a more aggressive and vertical passing offense is detailed as a clear departure from the “dink and dunk” approaches of the past.

  • “These don’t look like Bears games… this is an offense that takes shots, that is looking for big plays down the field and isn’t going to dink and dunk.” (12:50)

• Caleb Williams’ Resilience: Rookie QB Williams is credited for his resilience and mental fortitude.

  • “One thing that I want to say about Caleb Williams that I absolutely love about this kid is he is completely unfazed by failure and mistakes. And that is something you cannot teach.” (15:53)

Timestamps:

• [07:41] – Johnson’s imprint on offensive roster.
• [13:34] – Shift to attacking offense.
• [15:44] – Caleb Williams’ demeanor and leadership.

4. Overachievement and Perspective

• Embracing Overachievement: Dan and Matt discuss the challenge of keeping short-term success in perspective, and how to turn an “inflated record” into long-term gains.

  • “I’m trying to keep the overachievement of this team in perspective… how does this opportunistic overachievement… help them actually win a Super Bowl?” (18:45)

• Importance of Game Reps: Despite success, the reps and experience being gained matter more for future growth than the 8-3 record itself.

  • “It’s the game reps that matter. That’s what’s valuable right now.” (21:32)

Timestamps:

• [18:45] – On overachievement.
• [21:32] – On importance of current season for the future.

5. Standout Individual Performances

• Nishan Wright’s Emergence: The Bears’ defensive back gets highlighted for his recent playmaking, particularly his athletic interceptions and contributions in the run game.
  • “The guy’s tied for the NFL lead… Never in your life gonna see an interception like that.” (24:35)
  • “Dude is playing like a Pro Bowler.” (28:17)

Timestamps:

• [24:01] – Discussion about Nishan Wright’s game ball-worthy play.

6. Around Chicago Sports

Bulls: Championship Standards and Leadership

• Vucevic Calls Out Soft Play: Nikola Vucevic’s critical postgame comments after an unconvincing Bulls win serve as a lesson in championship mindset.
  • “We finally started playing, you know, for three quarters… we were very soft. No resistance. Oh, man, we gave no resistance… It was really bad.” (46:10)
• Value of Veteran Leadership: The hosts praise Vucevic for holding his teammates accountable in public, noting this is essential for a team’s growth.

Timestamps:

• [46:07] – Vucevic interview and aftermath.

Cubs: Offseason Moves

• Assessment of the signing of reliever Phil Maton, skepticism around outlier pitching numbers, and historical caution with picking up ex-Astros bullpen arms.
  • “I’m a little worried about some outlier numbers from last year, especially in the lack of hard contact…” (54:09)

Timestamps:

• [54:03] – Cubs bullpen moves discussed.

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Dan Bernstein on Ben Johnson’s Impact

• “I think the Bears hired the right guy… Ben Johnson can really coach.” (06:58)
• “Overachieving is not an insult. It's a compliment.” (18:45)
• “Don't get mad at math. Don't get… It's not even math. It's just addition.” (06:05)

On Caleb Williams’ Mental Toughness

• Matt: “He is able, like wearing a raincoat, to let raindrops just roll right off his back, be able to take mistakes and failure… and put them away and move on. And that is, that is a great skill to have.” (15:53)

On Team Building and Perspective

• Dan: “How can it be… How can the record and the early overachievement be important rather than just saying hooray?” (18:45)

On Bulls’ Culture

• Vucevic (on Bulls' effort): “We finally started playing, you know… But, you know, obviously we're happy we won but… we can't keep doing this. It's not sustainable. We have to be better.” (46:10)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------|---------------| | Bears’ 8-3 start, schedule talk | [01:18]–[06:24]| | Point differential, Ben Johnson | [06:24]–[07:41]| | Personnel & offense development | [07:41]–[13:34]| | Overachievement & perspective | [18:45]–[21:32]| | Nishan Wright’s defensive highlights | [24:01]–[28:42]| | Bulls—Vucevic interview | [46:07]–[47:13]| | Cubs moves—Phil Maton | [54:03]–[56:38]|

Conclusion and Takeaways

• The Bears’ unexpectedly strong start is a product of Ben Johnson’s coaching acumen, despite a not-yet-complete roster and “rebuild of a rebuild” context.
• The coaching staff and QB Caleb Williams are showing maturity and mental toughness seldom seen in a rookie-led team.
• There’s sober awareness that this success could be transient given the schedule, injuries, and underlying metrics.
• Standout individual performances (e.g., Nishan Wright) and veteran leadership (Nikola Vucevic with the Bulls) are shaping the identity of Chicago teams.
• The conversation always returns to long-term growth: What can the Bears do to convert early overachievement into lasting contender status?

Listen to this episode for:

• A balanced mixture of big-picture thinking and day-to-day analysis
• Brutally honest takes on players, coaches, team-building, and what true progress means in Chicago sports
• Entertaining stories from Bernstein and Abbatacola’s decades around Chicago athletics

For more Chicago Bears analysis and the authentic sports talk Chicago fans crave, “Dan Bernstein Unfiltered” drops new episodes every weekday.