Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – "What is Ben Johnson's Message to his 6-3 Team?"

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein (with executive producer Matt Abbatacola)
Date: November 11, 2025
Episode Theme:
A deep-dive into the current state and mindset of the Chicago Bears under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, who has led the team to a surprising 6-3 record. The episode revolves around what Johnson’s message should be to maintain momentum, foster self-belief, and avoid complacency as they enter the critical stretch of the season.

Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and his co-host break down the high-stakes moment facing Ben Johnson and the Bears, oscillating between celebration of unexpected success and an honest assessment of the team’s lingering flaws. They analyze Johnson’s leadership style, key personnel decisions, and the challenges of maintaining focus and improvement in the midst of success. The episode also touches on NFL happenings, the brilliance of NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama, and closing thoughts on baseball, groceries, and food prices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears' Position in the NFC North and Johnson's Message

[01:18-08:26]

• Bears tied for first in the division: Despite a 6-3 record, questions remain about how good the team truly is. The path to the playoffs seems to require at least 10 wins, meaning the Bears must go 4-4 down the stretch.

• Ben Johnson’s challenge: Balancing excitement and momentum (“those postgame locker rooms have been a blast”) with the need for continued improvement and realism about their ceiling.

• Bernstein:

  “We all should be excited. Now are we all agreed to that? We don’t really know how good they are and they’re going to need 10 wins to be in the playoffs, right?” (02:12)

• The importance of self-belief: Confidence is intangible but crucial for a young, developing team.

• Co-host insight:

  “When you’re coming off a win, it’s a lot easier... You can go in there now and be transparent and be fully honest and it’s easier to be critical.” (08:32)

2. Ben Johnson’s Leadership Style: Honest Optimism with Demanding Standards

[04:41-12:49]

• Public vs. private persona: Johnson’s calm, even-keel demeanor in media contrasts with an “intense, hot streak” behind closed doors (insight from Patrick Finley).

• Reinforcing positives without letting up standards: Johnson’s aim is to keep the team “comfortable being uncomfortable” to foster growth and prevent complacency.

• Notable quote – Bernstein:

  “You don't want to have to get your teeth kicked in in a divisional game to have them sitting there with their heads hanging and then have them say, see, now we really got to go to work.” (07:36)

• Critical football message:

  “This is a great time for the players to be uncomfortable... Oh, you like this? You like being 6 and 3? ...Well, we gotta get a hell of a lot better.” (12:18)

3. Personnel Decisions and Locker Room Dynamics

[13:01-16:15]

• Players know who should play: The issue of “legacy reps,” specifically in relation to rookie Luther Burden and veteran Zacchaeus, and who should get snaps at wide receiver.
  • Bernstein:

    “You know what else they know? The other thing that players always know is who should be playing. They always know if somebody’s getting legacy reps.” (13:22)

• Slow-walking rookies: Multiple reasons (practice habits, assignment trust, downfield blocking, etc.) could explain why certain talents aren't seeing the field as much.
• Division stumbles: Early division losses are “embarrassing stumbles” that could haunt the Bears if not corrected.

4. The Importance of a Consistent Coaching Message

[16:23-17:02]

• Players echoing the coach: Coaches craft mantras (“Get comfortable being uncomfortable;” “Not playing best football till December”), which players repeat in the media.

• Test for a first-year head coach: Keeping the locker room both motivated and hungry.

• Bernstein’s summary of Johnson's challenge:

  “Making sure you strike the proper balance between reinforcing the positive and demanding more. Reinforce the positive, but keep the bar even higher.” (17:02)

5. Brief Bears Personnel Debates: Burden, Zacchaeus, and Menungai

[13:41-18:25]

• Discussion about Zacchaeus’ role versus rookie Luther Burden; speculation on trust, health, and effort.
• The Kyle Menungai/Swift running back situation as example of hot-hand management.

Memorable Quotes & Segments

• On locker room celebrations vs. improvement:

  “It’s a fun place to play... All good. But you don’t want to have to get your teeth kicked in in a divisional game…”
  — Dan Bernstein (07:36)

• On Johnson’s message behind closed doors:

  “He can be Mr. Positive and exciting and reinforce the positive and also say, still not good enough.”
  — Dan Bernstein (09:12)

• On “legacy reps” and player awareness:

  “The other thing that players always know is who should be playing... If somebody’s getting legacy reps, they know.”
  — Dan Bernstein (13:22)

• On rookie QB impact:

  “I mean, I’m not happy about it, but I’m going to accept the Lions beating more than then the collapse at home against the Vikings and a rookie quarterback who... you made him the NFC player of the week…”
  — Co-host (15:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Chicago Bears in first place; assessing playoff potential:
  [01:18-03:07]

• Self-belief and coaching psychology:
  [03:07-05:31]

• Johnson’s dual persona (media vs. practice/locker room):
  [09:32-11:33]

• Player accountability and legacy reps (Burden vs. others):
  [13:01-16:15]

• What to watch from Ben Johnson this week:
  [16:23-17:02]

Additional Sports Segments

NFL: Monday Night Football Madness

[20:01-30:00]

• Recap and critique of a “terrible” MNF game (Eagles-Packers) featuring questionable coaching and hilariously bad last-minute field goal attempts.
• Quote:

  “That was one of the worst kicks I think I've ever seen that wasn't blocked. It is an absolute dead pull about 4ft off the ground.”
  — Dan Bernstein (27:22)

NBA: Victor Wembanyama Hype

[37:25-42:47]

• Bernstein’s awe after seeing Wemby live:

  “He is... an alien. I don’t know what to say. I’ve seen really tall guys before... but not who can move like that ever in my life. Not even close.” (36:43)

• Ridiculous stat comparisons:

  “In his first 120 games, Steph Curry had 242 threes. Wemby has 274.”
  — Co-host (38:30)

• Bernstein’s scouting report:

  “He's very tall... and good. Is he good at basketball? Yeah, my scouting report is tall and good. Does that work?” (42:10)

MLB: Rookie of the Year, Betting Limits, and Cubs Nostalgia

[47:52-55:57]

• Rundown of NL/AL Rookie of the Year.
• Discussion of new betting restrictions due to pitch-fixing scandals.
• Kyle Hendricks’ retirement and legacy:

  “He happens to be a tremendous natural athlete... one of those guys who is good at everything. Never make a bar bet with him because you’ll lose.”
  — Dan Bernstein (54:20)

Food and Pop Culture: Pasta Tariffs and Grocery Prices

[57:32-62:43]

• Fears of Italian pasta disappearing from shelves due to new tariffs.
• Co-host, humorously, on Italian-American men:

  “If this isn’t a direct attack on middle aged Italian American men, I don’t know what is.” (58:09)

• Both hosts lament spiking grocery prices and ponder teaching listeners how to make pasta from scratch.

Summary — Key Takeaways

• Ben Johnson's message for the Bears: Enjoy the success so far but stay uncomfortable, stay improving, and don’t let the record mask real areas for improvement.
• Locker room authenticity: Johnson is more intense internally than his calm exterior implies; he must keep the team hungry and self-critical to avoid late-season collapse.
• Player/coach insight: Players know who should see the field; coaching decisions ripple deeply in locker room chemistry.
• NFL/NBA/MLB roundups: The hosts blend serious analysis with their trademark sarcasm and sports-insider humor, making for an unvarnished, smart, and entertaining recap of all things Chicago and beyond.

For fans who missed the episode:
This podcast delivers the kind of insider perspective and tough-love analysis Bernstein is known for, mixing Chicago-specific passion, league-wide awareness, and just enough levity to keep things lively. Ben Johnson’s message to the Bears—and the balancing act of success and self-improvement—is the heart of the show, making this episode essential for anyone following the Bears’ 2025 journey.