Forward Progress - Episode: "13 Million Expectations for Ben Johnson"

Host: 312 Sports
Date: September 11, 2025
Featuring: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

This episode of Forward Progress centers on dissecting the mounting pressure on new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams after an “ugly loss” in the NFL opener. Dan and Matt provide a balanced mix of fan emotion and analytical breakdown, focusing on the recurring issues of indecisiveness and accuracy for Williams, high expectations for Johnson, and the overall team performance—especially in light of offseason changes. They pull no punches in questioning excuses and set tougher standards for the Bears’ supposed turning point season, while also taking an extended look at NFL award frontrunners and season predictions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Williams' Performance & Indecisiveness

[01:36-15:02]

• Disappointment with Williams’ Accuracy:

  • Williams was notably frustrated by his own missed throws, particularly when receivers were wide open.
  • He attributed the issues to footwork and hesitancy, emphasizing that decisiveness “always wins” for quarterbacks.
  • Quote (Caleb Williams, 02:02):

    "It's frustrating because... you did everything up to that point, right? And then you missed the pass and it's frustrating... It's passes that I feel that I typically don't miss in those, you know, moments and situations and especially with... how wide open [they were]... but you miss and you move on and… you find ways to get better."

• Skepticism from Hosts about 'Footwork' Excuse:

  • Dan and Matt push back against the idea that poor footwork alone could explain Williams’s indecision, especially for a QB with elite arm talent.
  • Quote (Dan Bernstein, 04:18):

    "Arm talent. The reason why we scout arm talent is so footwork doesn’t have to be perfect."

• Comparison to Successful QBs:

  • They note top QBs (e.g., Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers) routinely make plays without perfect footwork.
  • Frustration builds as they question why Williams—in his 18th NFL start—is still refusing to “let it rip” downfield.

• Lack of Decisiveness a Major Concern:

  • The hosts repeatedly ask why Williams hesitates, especially when the game plans are supposedly simplified and designed for what he’s “nailing in practice.”
  • Quote (Matt Abbatacola, 08:31):

    "Why are you not throwing the ball downfield? What's the problem? And it's not footwork, Dan. It's not. What's the issue?"

2. Ben Johnson’s Responsibility & the “Trust” Issue

[09:22-15:02]

• Building Trust—But How Long Should it Take?

  • Williams and Johnson both cited a “need for trust” between coach, QB, and team members.
  • Hosts are unimpressed this is still an issue months into collaborations, especially with repeated “trust the process” answers.
  • Quote (Dan Bernstein, 10:30):

    "The entire goal was building trust... And then the game starts and they don't have trust?"

• Questioning Soft Expectations & Delay in Accountability:

  • Dan and Matt reject the “wait 4-6 games before judging” mentality, asserting that high professional standards should apply from Game 1 onward—especially for a No. 1 overall pick and “the most desired offensive mind.”
  • Quote (Dan Bernstein, 13:08):

    "There shouldn't be any reflexive excuse making at this point."

  • They recall last year’s false optimism (the “facade” of starting 4-2) to reinforce skepticism over early-season excuses.

3. Expectations: From Reasonable to Let Down

[15:19-16:41]

• What Were Reasonable Expectations for Week 1?
  • Williams: Improved timing and accuracy throwing over coverage layers, operating comfortably in the pocket.
  • Offense as a whole: Avoiding negative scripted plays, especially those starting behind the line of scrimmage.
  • Offensive line: Effective pass protection.
  • Defense: Making impact plays with new additions like Montez Sweat.
  • Coaching: Demonstrate sideline control, avoid wasted challenges and timeouts.
  • Quote (Matt Abbatacola, 16:19):

    "I'm sorry that I had really low expectations and they failed to meet even those low expectations."

4. Special Teams Blunders—No Excuse

[16:41-18:38]

• Quote (Dan Bernstein, 16:43):

  "There are excuses for bad special teams play in college and high school... There are no excuses for bad special teams at the NFL level."

• The opening game’s multiple failures—blocked punt, poor coverage, missed field goal, questionable last-minute coaching decisions—are denounced as unacceptable and entirely fixable.

5. Coaching Critique: Johnson’s Postgame Remarks and Fatalism

[21:28-24:26]

• “When It Rains, It Pours” & Surrendering Agency:

  • Johnson’s quoted response to a game unraveling, “When it rains, it pours,” is deeply criticized as fatalistic and unbecoming of a head coach.
  • Quote (Dan Bernstein, 21:45):

    “[He said] when it rains, it pours... And that’s the wrong answer... That seeding of control, that fatalism, is not okay. That tells me you’re not ready to be in charge and accept the responsibilities of making something happen."

• Demand for Proactivity:

  • Coaches’ job is to halt negative momentum, not just describe it.

6. NFL Season Awards Predictions & Bears Context

[27:51–32:25]

• Matt teases Dan with ESPN’s post–Week 1 NFL awards picks as voted by execs and scouts, comparing guesses and lamenting Bears' coaching decisions.
  • Notable Picks:
    • MVP: Lamar Jackson
    • Offensive Player: Jaden Daniels
    • Defensive Rookie: Abdul Carter (NYG)
    • Offensive Rookie: Omari Hampton (Matt jokes this will “jinx” Dan’s futures bet)
    • Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh (with hosts stinging over Bears not even interviewing him)
  • Quote (Dan Bernstein, 32:06):

    “His NFL record is almost impeccable... Too bad he [Harbaugh] didn’t have any relationship with the Bears organization at all.”

7. Casual Banter and Musical Detours

[32:29–39:21]

• Switches from Bears talk to lighter fare; Dan shares stories about hospital cafeteria trays and Shiva plates, Matt acts as comic foil.
• Digress into musical preferences—Matt reveals he doesn’t know Beck, Dan expounds on introducing classic hip-hop to his kids.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Williams’ Frustration:

  • Caleb Williams [02:02]:

    "It's frustrating because... you did everything up to that point, right? And then you missed the pass and it's frustrating... but you miss and you move on and… you find ways to get better."

• On Expectations for Professionals:

  • Dan Bernstein [13:08]:

    "There shouldn't be any reflexive excuse making at this point."

• On Coaching Fatalism:

  • Dan Bernstein [21:45]:

    "[Johnson said] 'When it rains, it pours.' And that's the wrong answer... That tells me you're not ready to be in charge..."

• On Bears’ Coaching Priorities:

  • Matt Abbatacola [16:19]:

    "I'm sorry that I had really low expectations and they failed to meet even those low expectations."

Important Timestamps

• 00:27 – Bears' opener fallout, themes of indecisiveness and excuses introduced.
• 01:55-03:21 – Williams discusses his accuracy issues in postgame comments.
• 04:18-08:10 – Bernstein and Abbatacola push back on technical excuses; discussion of arm talent vs. footwork.
• 09:22-15:02 – Prolonged focus on accountability, “trust” issues, and expectations for Williams/Johnson.
• 16:43-18:38 – Crucial breakdown of special teams failures.
• 21:28-24:26 – Ben Johnson’s “when it rains, it pours” and leadership questions.
• 27:51–32:25 – NFL award picks, Bears coaching what-ifs, Jim Harbaugh lament.
• 32:29 onward – Musical banter and comic detours.

Memorable Moments

• Top Gun Analogy for Quarterbacking:

  • [05:32–06:46] – The hosts riff on quarterbacks needing to “get tone” like in Top Gun:

    “It should be like in Top Gun terms, when you get tone, when your missile’s locked... Doo, doo, doo, doo, throw.”

• Frustration at Bears' Old Habits:

  • [13:30] –

    "I was expecting and I was excited to watch football games that matter and... don't look like Bears games."

• The Shiva Plates Story:

  • [35:01–37:23] – Dan’s story about bringing Shiva plates to a picnic adds levity while exemplifying the show’s “real life” style.

Final Takeaways

• Expectations for the Bears are high, and excuses—especially around QB development and coaching trust—will not be tolerated by hosts or fans.
• Ben Johnson’s leadership already faces hard scrutiny, and “process” talk is no substitute for results after a full offseason.
• The Bears must fix execution issues—especially on special teams—and show decisiveness at both quarterback and head coach.
• The podcast blends sharp analysis, strong opinions, and the familiar voice of Chicago football, offering catharsis (and a little comic relief) for a frustrated fanbase.

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