Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Stop lowering the expectations for Caleb Williams
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: September 17, 2025
Overview
Dan and Matt dive into the growing trend within Chicago Bears fandom (and broader sports discourse) of lowering the bar for rookie QB Caleb Williams. They call out what they see as a troubling habit of making excuses for a player widely regarded as a “generational talent.” The episode alternates between sharp, honest analysis and playful banter, also touching on baseball (notably the Cubs’ Cade Horton), playoff races, and a cultural advertising phenomenon Dan dubs “Iraqpo’ing.”
Main Discussion: Caleb Williams and Expectations
Challenging the Narrative
- Bernstein is alarmed at how quickly Bears fans and media have settled for mediocrity regarding Caleb Williams, despite his “generational” label and #1 overall draft status.
- He describes a creeping normalization of subpar play: “We are doing this wheel of excuses again for this guy. Stop it.” (Dan, 05:15)
The Context and the “Generational” Myth
- Bernstein reminds listeners what it felt like when the Bears secured the #1 pick, and how sky-high expectations were.
- He prompts: if you were told then that after 19 starts, Williams would look merely average, would you have accepted it?
- “This guy was supposed to be wallpaper over all the other problems.” (Dan, 04:30)
Making Excuses — What Are We Doing?
- Dan and Matt argue that legitimate problems with coaching, O-line, etc. shouldn’t change expectations for a “one of one” prospect.
- Matt: “It should look different than the way it looks now. 19 games in for a guy of his pedigree. It's just that simple.” (Matt, 06:46)
- Dan: “Rather than saying oh well, he's just sort of this empty vessel into which this new brilliant coaching staff is going to pour all this knowledge … This guy swaggered into the NFL.” (Dan, 07:27)
The Perils of Bears Fan PTSD
- They describe how years of poor QB play have warped the standards for what Bears fans expect.
- “He doesn't want us to hold him to some Bears quarterbacking standard, which is the worst quarterbacking standard of any franchise in the history of the league.” (Dan, 12:44)
A Frustrating Offense
- They break down specific issues versus Detroit, making clear that the blame isn’t solely on Williams but offense as a unit has not delivered.
- “The defense got gashed … no, it's not his fault that we're the ones lowering expectations for him.” (Dan, 10:10)
Broader NFL Comparisons
- They reference other QBs (Herbert, Mahomes, Josh Allen) whose teams trust them to run the offense unconditionally.
- “That's what a quarterback should do in the NFL. … The Mahomes and the Josh Allens … they've got to grow beyond the coach.” (Dan, 13:28)
Fixing the Culture
- Dan: “We should just all agree that lowering the standards doesn't help anybody. And maybe that's part of the problem.” (Dan, 11:18)
- Final word: Great quarterbacks “obviate all these other headwinds.” Keep your standards for Caleb Williams high.
- “If greatness is no longer here, forget it.” (Dan, 18:24)
Notable Quotes
- “He shouldn't even be the best quarterback in the league … but it should look different than the way it looks now.” (Matt, 06:45)
- “This is not to say at all that he can't still be great. … I'm waiting. Don't just start being great.” (Dan, 06:39)
- “The immense, immense amount of talent should be producing more football success at this point, after nearly 20 NFL starts.” (Dan, 11:41)
Key Segment:
00:56 – 18:29
This block offers the full Bears/Caleb Williams segment, with the tightest arguments and examples appearing from 03:00 to 08:00 and again 10:00–12:45.
Baseball Break: Cubs Clinching, Cade Horton, Playoff Races
Cade Horton and Pitching Analysis
- Quick shoutout to Cubs’ Cade Horton: “He attacks … it's so critical for a young pitcher. He doesn't waste any pitches … I love the fact that a modern star pitching prospect can look at him and look at efficiency.” (Dan, 28:09)
- Horton’s growth and comparison to Paul Skenes.
Playoff Picture Rundown
- Matt gives current playoff races and standings for both the NL & AL, detailing clutch performances and key injuries.
- Focus on Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, his home run surge, and MVP case, as well as comparisons to Judge (33:34).
- Also discusses NL Rookie of the Year race: Matt touts Cade Horton’s second-half dominance and stats, wishing ROY voting separated pitchers and position players.
- “He is easily the best rookie pitcher in the National League. Should get Rookie of the Year even above all the position players.” (Matt, 36:21)
- Dan stumps Matt with a stat-trivia question about pitching streaks, leading to a Bob Gibson reference. (38:05–40:09)
Cultural Segment: “Iraqpo’ing” in Modern Advertising
What is Iraqpo’ing?
- Origin: A 2011 Geico ad had to ID NFL player Brian Orakpo by name; the hosts coined “Iraqpo’ing” for ads that must identify the celebrity spokesperson because they aren’t recognizable enough.
Why It Matters
- “When the longtime star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys needs to be Iraqpo’d. It tells us something about where we are as a people and a culture.” (Dan, 46:13)
- Examples:
- Dak Prescott, Patrick Mahomes, Megan Trainor (“Not this kind of trainer. And then she says, Meghan Trainor. And I needed it. I didn’t know who that was.” Dan, 47:26), Aidan Hutchinson, Mallory Swanson callouts.
- Broader point: Fame has become niche-y; even major pro athletes now often require identification. Dan: “Everything is so siloed culturally that it’s really hard to tell who’s famous and what constitutes fame.”
Notable Rant
- Dan’s favorite ad campaign is Danny DeVito for Jersey Mike’s, until they “Iraqpo” Eli Manning: “You had it perfect. We don’t need a Manning selling everything.” (Dan, 52:55)
- Both hosts riff: if you have to ID your celebrity in the spot, “that’s just bad money.” (Matt, 54:24)
Key Segment:
41:53 – 55:41
The cultural ‘Iraqpo’ing’ breakdown starts at 41:53 and peaks with the Eli Manning Jersey Mike’s section (52:55–54:24).
Playful Banter & Personal Touches
- The hosts repeatedly trade old stories (memories of baseball parties, Good & Plenty candies, and black licorice tastes).
- Matt jokes: “I discovered Good and Plenty's in my late 40s. It was like, what have I been missing my whole life?” (Matt, 22:48)
- Dan tells Matt he’s regressing in movie trivia to the level of a first grader.
Notable Quotes
- “If someone had told me the day we were celebrating the Bears getting that pick … I'm gonna take you into the future … after 19 starts … still taking steps forward and steps back … We're not supposed to be here and we shouldn't keep making up reasons why it's okay to be here. It's not.” (Dan, 07:43)
- “We should just all agree that lowering the standards doesn’t help anybody.” (Dan, 11:18)
- “When the longtime star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys needs to be Iraqpo’d … it tells us something about where we are as a people and a culture.” (Dan, 46:13)
- “If you pay someone money, you shouldn’t have to Iraqpo them, then that’s bad money spent.” (Matt, 54:24)
Timestamps of Most Important Segments
- 03:00 – Dan & Matt begin full-throated discussion of Caleb Williams expectations and excuses.
- 06:45 – Matt on how it should “look different, period.”
- 10:10 – Discussion of the offense’s failure not being solely on Williams.
- 13:28 – Dan on the mindset and responsibilities of franchise QBs.
- 18:00–18:29 – “If greatness is no longer here, forget it.” Dramatic capstone to the main topic.
- 28:09 – Bernstein’s pitching praise for Cade Horton.
- 33:34 – Cal Raleigh, Yankees/MVP, and playoff races discussion.
- 36:21 – Matt on NL ROY: “He is easily the best rookie pitcher in the National League.”
- 41:53 – “Iraqpo’ing” segment begins.
- 46:13 – “When the longtime star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys needs to be Iraqpo’d …”
- 52:55–54:24 – Jersey Mike’s, Eli Manning, and the issue with IDing celebrities in ads.
Final Thoughts
The episode drives home two central lessons:
- For Bears fans: Don’t cave to institutional malaise—demand more from a supposed superstar, just as you’d want for any elite player on another franchise.
- For pop culture: Acknowledge the fragmentation of mass culture, and laugh at the strange new markers of modern “fame” (and ad agency mistakes) along the way.
Tomorrow’s Guest: Courtney Cronin (Bears coverage)
Friday: Cowboys guest (opponent insider)
For Further Engagement
- Bernstein asks listeners to keep emailing examples of “Iraqpo’ing” in ads.
- Closing banter rounds out the episode with trademark wit and sarcastic warmth.