Bears Draft Takes, NFL Power Rankings & UFL Changes

Summary

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Bears Draft Takes, NFL Power Rankings & UFL Changes

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: March 17, 2026

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Overview

This episode dives deep into Chicago Bears draft speculation, with particular focus on Brad Biggs’ latest mock and historic team drafting patterns. Dan and Matt also break down new NFL power rankings post-free agency and discuss recent organizational controversies. In the back half, they pivot to the evolving UFL, exploring the league's latest rules and team lineups with their trademark blend of dry wit and fan banter.

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Chicago Bears Draft Debate

Mock Draft Reaction: Safety vs. D-Line

(03:23 - 10:12)

• Brad Biggs’ Mock:

  • Biggs has the Bears selecting safety Dylan Thieneman at #25.
  • Pronunciation confusion around “Thieneman” sparks running gag.
  • Matt questions the logic:

    "I'm not taking him at 25... you don't take a safety with a first-round pick now." (03:23 - 03:33, Matt)

  • Both agree edge rusher/defensive line is a far more pressing need.

• Historical Concerns:

  • Dan launches into obscure Bears trivia:
    • Bears’ history with first-round safeties is almost non-existent.
    • “They've never selected a safety, period, in the first round.” (05:49, Dan)
    • Bears have never drafted a “white safety” in the first round, referencing Gary Fencik and Doug Plank but noting the team “has never used a first round pick on a white safety.” (05:23 - 05:36, Dan)
    • The list of drafted white safeties includes Chris Conte, Craig Steltz, Todd Johnson, John Mangum, and Doug Plank, generating some playful grumbling and bad memories.
      • “I still got these Chris Conte memories that are just not good for me.” (06:59, Dan)

• Draft Strategy Preferences:

  • They dissect Bears’ recent picks (Brisker, Eddie Jackson, Amos) and express strong opposition to a first-round safety in 2026.

    “If they can stand in front of me and tell me that Thieneman is an immediate difference-maker... he would have to be somebody that affects the way an offense thinks about the game.” (10:25 - 10:44, Dan)

  • Both pivot back to prioritizing the defensive line.

    “You've got to address the defensive line.” (10:12, Matt)

• Potential Draft Moves:

  • Discuss Poles’ likely draft maneuvers.
    • Bears have picks at 57, 60, and 89.
    • “I don’t think they’re selecting 57 and 60. I think he’ll move.” (08:56, Matt)

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Bears’ Comp Pick Controversy with Falcons

(10:52 - 13:23)

• The Dispute:
  • Dan vents frustration over the Bears missing out on compensatory draft picks after Ian Cunningham left for Atlanta.
  • “Every single person I’ve read or heard... has said the Bears have been screwed by not getting these picks.” (12:12, Matt)
  • Dan vows to stop letting it make him mad:

    “I am in charge of how I feel about certain things... I’m not going to get angry.” (12:48 - 13:03, Dan)

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NFL Power Rankings Roundup

(16:03 - 22:46)

At-a-Glance: Post-Free Agency Movements

• Seahawks #1; Rams #2; Broncos move up to #3; Bills up to #4.
• Bears drop two spots but reside at #9 — highest in NFC North.
• Ravens make a massive jump after coaching changes.
• Chiefs rise after Justin Fields’ signing.

Bear-related Commentary:

• “That’s about as high as I’ve seen the Bears.” (19:30, Dan)
• “He’s got the most recognition for the Bears so far.” (19:33, Matt)

Justin Fields’ New Landscape

• Now with the Chiefs; Mahomes expected to start.
• Dan: “I think [Fields is] settling into a career as a backup. However, with every year that goes by for Mahomes, there could be a two game period…” (20:19, Dan)
• They speculate about Fields’ long-term trajectory and role evolution.

Notable Quotes

• On Vikings’ offseason:
  • “The Vikings have had an odd and uncomfortable march so far, getting noticeably weaker up the middle.” (22:04, Matt, quoting Eric at home’s power rankings)
  • Despite signing Kyler Murray, Vikings drop four spots, leading to questions about roster coherence and leadership.

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Trades & Salary Cap Maneuvers

(23:48 - 26:26)

• Broncos-Dolphins Blockbuster:
  • Jalen Waddle to Denver for three picks, including a first rounder.
• Bills’ Salary Restructuring with DJ Moore:
  • “They’ve gone to the Bank of DJ and kicked the can down the road… this is what going for it looks like.” (25:43, Dan)

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2026 NFL Draft Order: Key Players

(26:11 - 27:30)

• Jets have 3 picks in the top 33, Dolphins have three in first 43, Browns at 6, 24, 39 — “You could do a lot…” (26:37, Matt)
• Both hosts express skepticism in these franchises’ ability to capitalize:

  “It’s too bad they’re gonna fuck it up.” (27:31, Matt)

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UFL Rule Changes & League Overview

(27:41 - 32:38)

League Expansion & New Teams

• Matt jokes about being a lifelong St. Louis Battlehawks and Louisville Kings fan ( new teams for 2026).
• Head coaches include Ricky Proehl (Battlehawks), Chris Redman (Kings), Ted Ginn Jr. (Columbus), A.J. McCarron (Birmingham), and more.
  • “A.J. McCarron is coaching the Birmingham Stallions… I thought [he] quit football to run for lieutenant governor.” (35:14 - 35:16, Dan)

Major UFL 2026 Rule Changes

• Four-Point Field Goals:
  • Any FG 60+ yards = 4 pts.
  • “Well, I think I like the four point field goal.” (30:10, Dan)
  • “If you’re gonna make guys kick these long field goals… I think it’s…” (30:13 - 30:21, Matt)
• One Foot In-Bounds:
  • Aligns with college catch rules (easier completions).
• No Tush Push:
  • QB sneaks via “tush push” formation outlawed.
• No Punts Inside 50 Before 2-min Warning:
  • Must go for it on anything at or past opponent’s 49.
  • “If you’re at the 49 yard line… gotta go for it.” (29:41, Matt)

Rule Experimentation: Purpose & Philosophy

• Dan champions the minor leagues as innovation labs:

  “That is exactly where we should try all kinds of wild stuff in the UFL.” (31:22, Dan)

Potential Tactical Implications

• How late-game strategy shifts with four-point FGs.
• Matt: “You go up three, but what if their kicker can hit a 65-yarder?”
• Dan reflects on possible unintended consequences and future “gaming” of new rules.

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UFL Fandom & Banter

(32:38 - End)

• Matt parodies super-fandom about minor league teams, teases Dan about buying St. Louis Battlehawks merch.
  • “This is my favorite shirt… just doesn’t have a hood.” (37:07, Matt)
  • “What is a Battle Hawk?” (36:55, Dan)
    “It’s like a bird with a sword.” (36:57, Matt)
• Discussion of merchandise, inside jokes about license plate laws, and Matt gifting Dan a Battlehawks license plate cover.
• Concludes on an anxious/funny note about UFL season kickoff countdown — “Not good for my anxiety… my anticipation is through the [roof].” (36:38, Dan)

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Notable One-Liners & Memorable Moments

• On Draft Logic:

  “No first round white safeties. Is that the conclusion?” (39:14, Matt)
  “I’m going to leave it at that.” (39:15, Dan)

• On Minor League Rules:

  “Experiment, experiment, experiment. That’s what these crappy leagues are for.” (31:32, Dan)

• On Bears Pick Trade Controversy:

  “Every single person… has said the Bears have been screwed by not getting these picks.” (12:12, Matt)

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Key Timestamps

• 03:23 – Dylan Thieneman mock draft debate and positional philosophy
• 05:08 – Deep Bears safety draft history
• 10:52 – Bears’ lost comp picks to Falcons, and emotional management
• 16:03 – NFL power rankings discussion
• 19:30 – Bears get rare power ranking respect
• 23:48 – Jalen Waddle trade and DJ Moore’s cap shuffle
• 27:41 – UFL rule changes explained
• 30:10 – Philosophizing on four-point field goal tactic
• 35:14 – Surprising (and humorous) UFL coaching rosters
• 36:38 – Battlehawks fandom and swag banter

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Conclusion

This episode is a classic blend of razor-sharp draft analysis (with heavy Bears bias), NFL trend-watching, and irreverent fun about the beautify and absurdity of both major and minor league football. Dan and Matt’s rapport keeps the pace brisk and peppered with insight, sarcasm, and deep-fan references—even as they admit, “No first round white safeties. I’m going to leave it at that.” The episode is especially valuable for listeners tracking the Bears’ offseason moves, early 2026 NFL developments, and the evolving experiment of the UFL.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

I mean, if you're a Bears fan,

[C]

you're thinking forward Progress. Come on. 10. 219.

[B]

219. Forward progress. A Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 sports.

[C]

We give you forward progress on 312 sports. And we've decided to put our Guardian Caps Football show. It's Football show. We have to make sure that we are reasonably protected from traumatic brain injury from all of our awful sports takes.

[B]

Well, when we leave here, too, we have a. There's a tackle football contest in the hallway with the Drive.

[C]

Oh, what about the mix?

[B]

Oh, no, they don't want to play us.

[C]

They don't want to play us.

[B]

Only.

[C]

Only the Drive. Well, right now we're okay because it's. It's like Bob Stroud, who's, you know, he doesn't want any piece of us and Janda.

[B]

Oh, no. The other guys are waiting for.

[C]

The morning guys will be there.

[B]

Yeah, you call them the moron guys.

[C]

They're in good shape, actually.

[B]

What do you call them?

[C]

The morning guys?

[B]

Oh, they said moron guys.

[C]

Sherman and Tingle. No, because Sherman played.

[B]

So he's in the NFL.

[C]

No, but he played football.

[B]

College.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Oh, in high school.

[C]

I think he played high school.

[B]

Oh, okay. So that concerns you.

[C]

Either one would kick my ass. You know, they're like. They're like rock and roll radio tough guys. They got like that rock power. They've got the magic power of the music in them. To quote Triumph.

[B]

Why does mine look like a Guardian cap and you look like Beavis or Butthead? Which one is it?

[C]

Cornholio.

[B]

Is Beavis okay?

[C]

Yeah, because it's different. Yours isn't a hoodie. What is? Oh, yours is the fishing hoodie.

[B]

The fishing shirt. Yeah.

[C]

Yours is a. It's ribbed for her pleasure.

[B]

Yes. Well, if this fits.

[C]

Well, good luck to you, man.

[B]

No problem for all of us. Yeah.

[C]

I don't know. Roll wave. Yeah, I can't do this anymore. My ears are getting hot.

[B]

Okay, we'll take the Guardian Castle. They're already covered.

[C]

By this.

[B]

All right, no hot takes then?

[C]

Well, no, just we can confront the danger of the power of our hot takes bouncing off the soundproofed walls of the 312 sports studios. We have a Brad Biggs mock draft and we have a new name affiliated with your Chicago Bears.

[B]

You said his name, right? Good job.

[C]

Thank you. But that's not what I meant when I said how do you pronounce his name? I didn't mean Biggs. I know how to pronounce Biggs. It was the. It was the pick.

[B]

Alright, that. All right. That makes sense. I'm sorry.

[C]

No, it was the pick that Biggs mocked to the Bears.

[B]

You were like, how do you say his name? And I said biggs.

[C]

I didn't mean him.

[B]

I didn't know what you meant.

[C]

I know how to say Biggs. I didn't know how to. Whether it was Dylan Thynman. Thienman.

[B]

You remember how it is now.

[C]

I do. I'm like, it's Thienaman.

[B]

Are you sure?

[C]

Dylan Thieneman.

[B]

Is that what we just heard?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. I thought he said it differently.

[C]

Well, somebody said Tieneman. It's Theneman. Okay. Dylan Thenaman. And I'm looking at him and I'm not taking him at 25.

[B]

But that's who Brad Biggs has the bears taking a 25? Yes, yes. I'm asking you.

[C]

Yes, that's who Brad Biggs has the bears taking a 25.

[B]

So is it just that player? Is it the position? What's the issue?

[C]

There's only one short graph here. Edge rusher looms as the greatest need and Zion young would be a really interesting fit for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen if he's available. If not, thienaman is very intriguing if available as the bears would have a dynamic young player to pair with Kobe Bryant. Nah, nah, nah. You don't take a safety with a first round pick now.

[B]

So do you move like from. Let's say, let's say that this safety is available. Thienaman is available.

[C]

I don't think you have to take him at 25 either. Do you.

[B]

Do you move down to your second defensive lineman at that point? Is it your third defensive lineman? I mean, are you picking defensive line at 25?

[C]

I just think safety's an easier find elsewhere either later in the draft or some other way. I also, I'm.

[B]

I. Mel Kuiper had his second mock draft come out and he has the Bears taking Zion Young fine. Where he's the only one that I've seen with Zion Young still available at 25.

[C]

I just. The concept of a. Of Bears and white safeties, the fact that you got to go back to Gary Fencik and Doug Plank.

[B]

1977 draft.

[C]

Plank was. Plank was drafted in 75.

[B]

Okay. And what was.

[C]

So I was in kindergarten and fencing, I think was the next year.

[B]

So he was 76.

[C]

Fencik was drafted by the Dolphins, though, so he doesn't count.

[B]

Not by the Bears.

[C]

He was drafted by the Dolphins. And when you start looking at the Bears, they have never used a first round pick on a white safety. But this list here of Bears draft picks.

[B]

But they have drafted a safety.

[C]

Yeah, well, I know they drafted one where like Major Wright was a second round pick, but it was their first pick.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And then there were Daniel Manning. There's some second round picks in there. Mike Brown.

[B]

Well, they've never selected a safety, period. At win the first round.

[C]

I don't think in the first round. I could be. The problem is in the draft annals, they only started listing safeties relatively recently before everybody was designated as a db. So you have to go and see where they played because they didn't designate a safety in the draft, at least on Pro Football Reference. So this is the. Tinaman Thieneman would join this list.

[B]

Well, I have your. I have your answer. Safety's drafted in the first round by the Chicago Bears. Not drafted a safety.

[C]

Even Richie Pettibone. That's what it says they've never drafted.

[B]

This is non racist Google.

[C]

All right, well, try racist Google, because this is the list that Dylan Thieneman would be joining in Bears history. Chris Conti, Craig Stoltz, Todd Johnson.

[B]

Bad, bad, bad.

[C]

John Mangum. Pretty good.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And Doug Plank.

[B]

Good.

[C]

Pretty good. And a little crazy because Fencik wasn't a draft pick. But that. That's your Bears white safety list. Boy. And I still got these Chris Conti memories that are just not good for me. Craig Stelts. I just remember he was like one of the like, sort of like long blonde hair, crazy looking guys. Right?

[B]

All right. Richie Pettibone was drafted 21st overall in 1959. What round was that, Dan?

[C]

Second.

[B]

Yes, it was. Okay. There were 12 teams.

[C]

Okay. That's a long time ago. What year did you say that was?

[B]

50, 59. And the Bears selected in the first round, seventh overall. Don Clark, running back, Ohio State. Sounds white. Don.

[C]

Don Clark. It was the golden age of tackling. Yes. So, no, thanks. I'm good, I'm good. You can. Don't take a safety in the first round, please.

[B]

Well, I'm. Obviously they're going to have a plan and I hope the plan is for a good safety because you need one.

[C]

I know, but don't, don't use a first round pick out of safety.

[B]

Yeah, I guess I would have to look at the, at the, at the, all, all the draft bodies out there because you, you need a safety. But I, I would want defensive line. Well, you know where my priority is, but it's not going to happen.

[C]

They're not taking a left tackle.

[B]

No, they're not. And so it's. I, I would hope they select defensive line in at 25 unless Ryan Poles does move down out of the first round for a high second round pick. I mean, I think he's in a move at some point because what is it that they have 57 and 60. Right. Isn't it close to those two areas and then 89? Yeah, I don't think they're selecting 57 and 60. I think he'll move.

[C]

You've said that.

[B]

Whether it's up or down or you

[C]

keep those and you move the 25, move down to 25 and just get a haul right in the sweet spot.

[B]

Unless you move up four or five spots. Who's that? 20. Dallas is at 20. If you move up to Dallas because there's that lineman that you want and then you take this safety for Dallas.

[C]

Yeah, then you're talking like, you know, Kaden Proctor might be.

[B]

Yeah, he'll be close. I think he'll, I think he'll be gone to the Lions right before that. Maybe.

[C]

Well, you're also, you know, you would be taking a safety Instead of Kaden McDonald, the defensive tackle from Ohio State's who's going to be on the board then.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Tough time doing that.

[B]

Yeah, I agree with that too.

[C]

That's going to be tough. So the recent history of drafting safeties is of course, Jaquan Brisker in 22. Eddie Jackson was a fourth round pick primarily due to injury in 17, Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston. Carson in 16. Adrian Amos was a fifth round pick in 15 who overachieved, ended up being a starter for them. Yeah, I'm, I not. Not with that pick. Not that guy. Not this pick. No, thanks. So I just want to be on the record there.

[B]

Yeah, no, I agree with you. You know where I want to go. I think they'll, they'll end up drafting somewhere in the defensive line. If they stay at 25 like you, you've got to address the defensive line.

[C]

This guy. If, if they can Stand in front of me and tell me that Thienaman is an immediate difference maker. If this guy isn't just a guy. If you tell. He would have to step in and be. You would have to game plan for him. He would have to be somebody that affects the way an offense thinks about the game.

[B]

That's what I've read about him though. But if that's the case, he's not there at 25.

[C]

That's the conundrum of all this draft speculation.

[B]

Right, Right. And speaking of draft conundrum, have we gotten our draft picks yet or.

[C]

No.

[B]

From Atlanta?

[C]

It's not happening. And let me. I'm gonna pledge something here.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And this is what bothered me.

[B]

$1,000,000.

[C]

What bothered me is that I see the Falcons in the news and who is doing all the interviews? Who is the essential spokesperson for the front office?

[B]

It's Ian Cunningham.

[C]

It's Ian Cunningham.

[B]

Cause he's running football operations.

[C]

This is the team's own website and they're quoting Ian Cunningham for the fans. I'm excited. We're all excited. We feel like we got better this week. We've elevated our floor. So he's the guy.

[B]

He.

[C]

So I got a pledge that I'm not going to get newly angry or embittered every time I see Ian Cunningham quoted as the head of Falcons football. Which he is.

[B]

Right. It's, it's, it's really bizarre because you have something like this in sports where you can debate a topic for every single person to be on one side of it and then the NFL to be on the other side. It's really amazing. Every single person, whether you love the Bears or not, whether you work in the NFL or not. Every single person I've read or heard Dan online.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

Has said the Bears have been screwed by not getting these picks.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

Every single person. And that's not an exaggeration. Literally every single person I've heard.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Unless they.

[C]

Well, the letter of the rule says it must be this. But the spirit of the rule is such that the, the head of football, the actual day to day head of football of the Atlanta Falcons came from the Chicago Bears.

[B]

Right. And you have people not affiliated at all with Chicago Bears. NFL people that are, that are. They're angry about it, Dan.

[C]

I know, but, but I mean you

[B]

have people that have nothing to do with the Bears are angry about it. They're not even fans and they're angry about it.

[C]

But remember when, when I was talking about. For the same reason I didn't watch John Smoltz last night. I am in charge of how I feel about certain things.

[B]

Okay. So you're not going to let this get you angry.

[C]

I'm going to do my best. Every time I see it's obvious that Ian Cunningham is running the Falcons by everything other than actual title on the masthead, I'm not going to get angry

[B]

like when he's named general manager of the year.

[C]

Executive of the year.

[B]

Yeah, executive of the year. You're not going to get angry about it?

[C]

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[B]

Eric at home on NFL.com released his new power rankings. I know you love power rankings. I love lists.

[C]

Rank power.

[B]

So this works for both of us.

[C]

Ranking power, power.

[B]

You love power rankings. I love lists. So this speaks to both of us. Power rankings.

[C]

Do you remember in Bourbon A when we would drive, like, I think north, and it was Larry Power Road?

[B]

And every time, every time we were on it, it wasn't once in a while, it was every time, every time

[C]

I had to say Larry Power. Every time I had to invoke Larry Power. Give me the power of all the Larrys.

[B]

Who's the voiceover guy for snl?

[C]

Don Pardo.

[B]

I'm trying to. That's exactly.

[C]

Yes. Larry Power. Yes.

[B]

Yep, every time. And he's not exaggerating, looking right at the camera. It's not once in a while, it's every single time. Yep, every single time. He would sometimes ask for directions just so people would have to say, larry Power Road.

[C]

You got to want to turn over there on Larry Power Road.

[B]

Have you seen this new thing on like Instagram reels or TikTok where people are in like parking lots of like Walmart or whatever, and they're in the car and they pull up to someone getting into their car and they ask, do you know where something's at? Like, it would be like me driving. You're getting in your car and you're putting groceries away. And I say, hey, excuse me, do you know where you know John's Pizza is?

[C]

No, I haven't seen this. And what's the purpose?

[B]

And then I give you directions how to get there.

[C]

Do you know? Well, I happen to know, so I might as well tell you.

[B]

So I tell you, do you know where John's Pizza is? No, I don't. Yeah, so if you just go out here, make a left, you get to first street. It's really funny.

[C]

That's funny.

[B]

I, I thought it'd be funny if

[C]

you ask where the Walmart is.

[B]

No, I really want to do it. You'd be perfect. I really want to do it. Do you know where something is? No, I don't. Okay, well, here. You just.

[C]

Yeah, it's a good thing because I do.

[B]

Yeah. I think it's really funny.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

There are some things that are funny.

[C]

That's funny.

[B]

Some things are. All right, here's the power rankings.

[C]

Power rankings.

[B]

And this is after NFL free agency frenzy.

[C]

Free agency frenzy. All right.

[B]

Seahawks remain number one. The Rams remain number two. Denver Broncos move up a slot to three. Buffalo Bills move up one slot to four.

[C]

Well, the Broncos just consummated a deal with the Dolphins. They swapped first round picks and they. They threw. Yeah, they threw in a third and a fourth. They got Jalen Waddle.

[B]

Jalen Waddle to go with DJ Moore.

[C]

Who? No, he's a Bill.

[B]

A Bill.

[C]

This is the Broncos.

[B]

Oh, Broncos.

[C]

Yes. Yes.

[B]

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

[C]

Well, there is a DJ Moore star.

[B]

So Buffalo's four. They've moved up a slot. San Francisco has moved up three slots to five. So it means people have dropped. Baltimore Ravens up six or up to six. They've actually jumped up nine slots.

[C]

Can that be? They got rid of the great John Harbaugh, but they got the great Trey Hendrickson and the great Jesse Minter.

[B]

Minter is the head coach.

[C]

That their head coach? Correct. Okay.

[B]

After getting Max Crosby, then. Not getting Max Crosby, Jesse Minter.

[C]

I got to get used to all these new coaches.

[B]

So they get Trey Hendrickson, they fail to get Max Crosby, they lose Tyler Linderbaum and they move up nine slots.

[C]

Talk to your guy.

[B]

It's the Declan Doyle factor. New England is now number seven after dropping four positions. Houston is eight after dropping two. The Bears at nine, dropping two slots.

[C]

That's about as high as I've seen the Bears.

[B]

It is. This is the highest I've seen the Bears. He's got the most recognition for the Bears so far. Philadelphia is up one at 10. Chargers 11. Jaguars 12, Steelers 13. With no known quarterback surprising the Chiefs up five to 14. That's because the signing of Justin Fields. You know, I'm curious to see how the Justin Fields I heard. What did I see? Albert Breer says that Patrick Mahomes will be ready for week one, that Justin Fields will not be the starting quarterback week one. I'm curious to see how this impacts Justin Fields career as his sixth season.

[C]

Yeah, I think he's settling into a career as a backup. However, with every year that goes by for Mahomes, I do think it's more likely that there could be a two game period, a three game period. Yeah where he's hurt.

[B]

So I'm really curious to see not the 2026 season, but I'm curious to see Justin Field in 2028. Curious to see if he sits and gets mop up duty or gets doesn't see much playing time at all.

[C]

If Andy Reid can teach him to recognize coverages and make passes against zone defense and read defenses. It's I'm saying recognize coverages and understand where the soft spots are in a zone and the timing of zone offense.

[B]

Yep. What we saw Caleb Williams learn in the releasing the ball, the timing of getting there. If you can learn that so they're at number 1415 of the green Bay Packers. So the Bears, if you notice, were the highest in the NFC north at 9.

[C]

I noticed 15.

[B]

The Packers 16, the Lions Panthers at 17, the Colts at 18, Tampa Bay 19. The Cowboys remain the same at 20. The Bengals move up to 21. Falcons remain even at 22, the Saints 23. The Commanders have moved up two slots to 24. Minnesota drops 4 to 25. Tennessee moves up in their new uniforms and logo.

[C]

So Minnesota went down despite the Kyler Murray signing.

[B]

It went down four slots.

[C]

That's interesting because I actually felt a little a little more a little worse about the Bears that when imagining them with a resuscitated Kyler Murray, but they didn't declare him the starter.

[B]

The Vikings have had an odd and uncomfortable march so far, getting noticeably weaker up the middle on both sides of the ball. Losing linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrove hurts the defensive front, while Ryan Kelly's retirement leaves a hole at center. Receiver Jalen Naylor's exit was quietly a big one for the team that needs all the non Justin Jefferson targets it can hold. Fullback C.J. ham retired longtime stalwart Harrison Smith could do the same, potentially creating a major void at safety. Even signing Kyler Murray to a league minimum deal cheap as it was, delivered a certain awkwardness thanks to the presence of former first round pick J.J. mcCarthy. Murray's no tag clause tells me he's more likely to start than not.

[C]

Of course. Why would he sign there?

[B]

Right? Correct. I agree.

[C]

It's not a competition. Why would he sign there?

[B]

So they move down to 25. Tennessee moves up one to 26, the Giants at 27, Cleveland at 28. The Raiders move up one with all they've done and still keeping max Crosby move up one slot, getting Linderbaum the selection of a quarterback 30 is the Dolphins. They've dropped quite a bit even with the great Malik Willis as their quarterback. So Dan, there is a new worst team. According to Eric, at home in the NFL there are two teams left.

[C]

Do you say the Cardinals?

[B]

It is. The Cardinals are 32nd.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

The jets have moved up one slot. Geno Smith effect and Nishan Wright and the Sean Wright they're going to get

[C]

the one interception, the Sean Wright interception of infinitely more interceptions in their team.

[B]

And they'll have a statue built for him out in.

[C]

I have some of the specifics on the Jalen Waddle deal.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

By that way. So they have sent three draft picks. This is what I the Broncos. According to the ap, the Broncos get Jalen Waddle in a blockbuster deal that sends three draft picks to the Miami Dolphins, including a first rounder. The Dolphins. The Dolphins will receive the 30th pick in the draft along with picks in the third and fourth rounds. Denver will get Miami's fourth rounder back along with Waddle. Okay. All right. That makes sense. And while we're looking at wide receivers, you know I mentioned that DJ Moore had been in the news here. This is, this was expected. But you talk about more evidence that the Bills know that they've got a couple years of Josh Allen prime here to go for it. That's different from Amazon Prime. DJ Moore's contract has been restructured by the Bills. So they've gone to the bank of DJ and they've kicked the can down the road. Moore had a $22.185 million chunk of his salary converted into a signing bonus. That's for this year's money. So that money clears away more than 17.7 million for this this season. The remainder of the cap hit now is shifted into the next three years of DJ Moore's contract as well as the void year after the end. Who we you talk about about this is this is what going for it looks like Moore his cap numbers in 2027, 2028 and 29, it's 29.837 million.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

So his salaries in those seasons are 23.4 and 15.5 million of 2027 standing is the only remaining guaranteed money in that pact. So this they've, they pushed it down the road a little bit, but this is an unsurprising move that they could do easily to carve out more flexibility for this year. Bears could have done that too.

[B]

Yeah, and looking at the at the draft order too, Dan. So look at the jets. They have the second pick. They have the 16th pick, and they have the 33rd pick.

[C]

And Brick and Stick Johnson are going to be in charge.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, it's just. It's. It's too bad they're going to fucking just drive it into the ground. I mean, three picks in the first 33. You could do a lot.

[C]

Yeah, but they're good.

[B]

You could do a lot of good.

[C]

Woody Johnson's grand.

[B]

I know, I know. I'm not saying they're going to. I'm just saying you could do a lot of good. The Dolphins are now at 11, 30 and 43. That's really good, too. I mean, if Malik Willis can come through as an actual NFL starter. And who's that down there? That's. That's Halfley, right?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

In Miami.

[C]

Yeah. This is. I'm going to have to work on some of this stuff.

[B]

I mean, they could do a lot. And then, you know who else can do a lot?

[C]

Jeff Halfley is down there.

[B]

The Cleveland Browns. Yeah.

[C]

Because if they get that offense going, dude.

[B]

Yeah. They're at 6, 24, and 39.

[C]

I just don't think they have a quarterback they like.

[B]

No, no, they don't. They don't. But, man, you could do. You could do a lot. Those three teams could really do a lot.

[C]

That's how this is designed.

[B]

I know. It's too bad they're gonna fuck it up. I mean, I guess not too bad. One. One other thing I wanted to. You know how I'm a big UFL guy. Right. I love the ufo.

[C]

I did not know that.

[B]

Oh, we talk about it all the time. This is why you don't pay attention to me. I'm a big fan. I love the.

[C]

The ufl.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

The United Football League.

[B]

Yeah. I'm a big fan of the St. Louis Battle Hawks. You know how I talk about them all the time?

[C]

Oh, yes. Constantly. And you're always dressed in St. Louis battle hawks garb.

[B]

I also love the Louisville Kings. You know, took me. I talk about those two teams.

[C]

Are they all the time. Are they new this year?

[B]

They are.

[C]

Okay. Because I've never heard of the Louisville Kings.

[B]

Yeah. That's why I'm. I'm. Yeah, I'm a big fan. I'm gonna. The Louisville Kings and the St. Louis Battle Hawks.

[C]

All right.

[B]

Big fan. I bring it up only because the. I sell this on a commercial because they're running the UFL commercials during WBC. The UFL has new rules in place for the 2026 season, which starts in

[C]

a couple of weeks, and don't ignore these.

[B]

No, no. That's why I bring them up first. Any field goal over 60 yards is going to be worth four points. A four point field goal.

[C]

Cool.

[B]

Yes. They are adopting the wide receiver or, you know, whatever receiver.

[C]

Period.

[B]

One foot in bounds. Rules like college. All right.

[C]

They see they need that though. Yeah. Have you ever watched one of those games?

[B]

True.

[C]

Completing a pass in that league is like pulling teeth.

[B]

So one foot. They also are adding a red zone penalty is going to be half the distance to the goal. They are outlawing the tush push. Oh, no. Tush push in the ufl and they are banning. No, not allowed. Dan. No punts inside the 50 before the 2 minute warning. So if you're on your opponent's 49,

[C]

I don't think that's unreasonable.

[B]

No, it's not. Do something with it. Yeah.

[C]

Stupid son of a bitch.

[B]

So unless you're under the two minute warning, you can't punt and your opponents from the 50 yard line in.

[C]

That's like the Jim Fossil rule or something.

[B]

So you get your first possession and you get. And you get down. It's fourth down and you're at the 49 yard line of your opponent. Got to go for it. If you're like 4th and 4th and 17. Sorry, you got to go for it. Shouldn't have gotten behind the sticks.

[C]

That's on you. Tell that idiot to not hold next time.

[B]

So the ufo. So. And that's why I bring it up. Just like the point you made. Don't. You know, keep an eye on those.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Why they do that? What's your favorite one of those.

[C]

Well, I think I like the four point field goal.

[B]

I do too.

[C]

Because you could even graduate that upward. You could, you could do a five pointer for 70 or 65.

[B]

Yeah, I like that. I like that. Like if you're gonna. If you're gonna make guys kick these long field goals. Yeah. I think it's.

[C]

Are you allowed to fake it? I think you are.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Because I just wonder if you're selling out like totally to climb up and block something and it's just a play, you don't have to kick it. You could still run a fake off.

[B]

That's a good question.

[C]

You have to declare like an outsider.

[B]

No, I don't think you have to. I don't think you should have to.

[C]

Okay. What I'm always curious about anytime a rule has changed is what don't we know? What are the unintended consequences? What do we eventually learn and say, oh, now they're Gaming it. Now we know what best practices are when this kind of thing happens. But I'm down for that because you know the way kicking is going, you're going to have these four point specialists. You're going to be. It's going to change offenses, going to change some of the decision making. Although that other, that fourth down rule is going to change. If you have to go for it, you can't kick it. So I like. It's just like baseball has a bunch of rules that they're putting into the minor leagues that we're going to go over on DBU at some point that there's all these Experiment, experiment, experiment. That's what these crappy leagues are for.

[B]

Well, you know, if you have that four point field goal in play, it also impacts the other team. Let's say that, that they're. That's a tie game. Are you going to take a 20 yard field goal to go up three if you know that their kicker can easily do a 65 yarder?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Do you go for it on 4th and 2 instead of kicking the field goal?

[C]

These are all things that it's worth thinking about.

[B]

All right, we can jump up three points, but there's 55 seconds left.

[C]

It's worth seeing how it plays out in real time. I just don't think that league is going to have the kicking. They might have some guys who can bomb it, but they don't know where it's going. Like a bunch of Joey Slies. You know there's going to be dudes with the, with the huge leg, but that's okay. That's what, that's what minor league pro sports should be for, is taking all those kinds of risks. I don't think we do it enough. I really don't. I don't think because people who buy a ticket to a minor league game aren't invested in some of these larger picture things. That is exactly where we should try all kinds of wild stuff in the ufl.

[B]

Perfect. Minor league baseball. Yes. Yeah. I loved when I saw a Louisville Bats game and they had the ABs

[C]

basketball in the Elim ending. Oh, you want to start using the Elim ending. Which is great. They were doing it in the tbt, the basketball tournament. If they wanted to do that and try that in the G League, that more, more, more of that.

[B]

Yeah. I just, I wanted to bring that up, the new rule because, you know, I mean, as all of you guys know, huge UFL guy, this St. Louis Battle Hawks. Yeah. And even though it is Their first year. I've been waiting for the Louisville Kings to come to the ufl. So

[C]

who are the. Who's the coach?

[B]

Well, Ricky Proul is the coach for the St. Louis Battlehawks.

[C]

Oh, cool. Former Bear.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Ricky Pro, Wake Forest, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears.

[B]

He's the head coach. His kid is the wide receivers coach. Louisville. I don't know who the Louisville coaches. Let's take a. Let's take a gander.

[C]

I bet there's some names. There's always some people who are like Chris Redmond. Chris Redmond, the former quarterback, was it?

[B]

Yeah, right. He was a quarterback, Right.

[C]

First round pick. Yeah.

[B]

Named first head. Yeah.

[C]

Went to Louisville. Right. I couldn't tell you. I think he did. I think Chris. Because remember Louisville had that run of quarterbacks. They had like Dave Ragone, all these guys Buffone used to get excited about before Lamar.

[B]

Chris McAllister was a player, Right. Sounds like he should have been Raven. Am I making that up? He's their defensive backs coach.

[C]

Yeah. Chris Redmond.

[B]

What did he do?

[C]

Yeah, he played at Louisville, was a third round pick in 2000, and he played for a bunch of teams until 2011.

[B]

So he's the head coach. Yeah. Ricky Prouls, the head coach for my St. Louis Battle Hawks now.

[C]

They're your St. Louis Battlehawks.

[B]

You own. Dan, you know, I have been. I've been talking about them for years now.

[C]

Yeah, there's new Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm. They're aiming to play in smaller, more intimate stadiums.

[B]

How do you say this defensive lineman? His last name? Z, G, O, N, I, N, A. Jeff.

[C]

Jeff Skanina. Yeah, I know that name.

[B]

He's their defensive line coach.

[C]

Okay, I know that name. Sure.

[B]

Todd Washington. Washington Offensive. He'll kick your ass, too. He's their tight ends coach and O line.

[C]

Oh, here's all the head coaches. Oh, my God. A.J. mcCarron is coaching the Birmingham Stallions.

[B]

He had that great college career.

[C]

Didn't he run for office? I thought A.J. mcCarron quit football to run for lieutenant governor. That must have ended badly. The head coach.

[B]

No, he probably won. It was like.

[C]

The head coach of the Columbus Aviators is former bear Ted Ginn Jr. Really? Yes.

[B]

Orlando Storm's head coach is Anthony Becht.

[C]

So get Chris Redmond. Ricky Prohl. Kevin Sumlin is the head coach of the Houston Gamblers.

[B]

Really?

[C]

Shannon Harris, the head coach of the D.C. defenders. And Rick Neuheisel is coaching the Dallas Renegades.

[B]

Is he really?

[C]

Go get it. Complete a pass every once in a while. That's all I ask. Because I would. Some of those games would be on and I would watch because it's a simulacrum of professional football. And I'm there and I'm glazing over and I'm watching. Oh, okay. And it's just like, somebody please just complete a downfield pass.

[B]

Well, all I know is that we are 10 days, 23 hours, 9 minutes, and 50 seconds away. Dan from St. Louis Battle Hawks. First game of the season against the D.C. defenders. Like, I have an actual ticker right here that I've had on this screen this entire off season. Waiting.

[C]

Got tech.

[B]

I do got tech.

[C]

Diamond now. Got tech.

[B]

So now we're at 10 days, 23 hours, 9 minutes, and 30 seconds.

[C]

Dan. I know this is. This is not good for my anxiety because my anticipation is through the.

[B]

You want to know how much time it is now? 10 hours, 20. 10 days, 23 hours, 9 minutes, and 20 seconds.

[C]

Are you going to get yourself some Battle Hawk swag?

[B]

Yeah. Oh, I have it. Yeah, I have all the swag.

[C]

What is a Battle Hawk?

[B]

It's like a bird with a sword.

[C]

Battle Hawk. All that comes up is Battle Hawk Armory, the best gun store in Iowa. Damn it.

[B]

Yeah. See, this is. This is my favorite shirt that I own. It just doesn't have a hood. I need a hoodie on it, though.

[C]

That would work for you.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I don't know where you got the color of the one today, but I don't know how you pulled that out. From the order I put in at Dick's Sporting Goods. That would have fit right in with all the colors I got.

[B]

This is the same brand I have. I have, like, a dozen of these.

[C]

I know. What do they call that color?

[B]

Green.

[C]

No, they don't. The one I have is green. The one I have is Kermit the Frog green.

[B]

Well, on the screen, it looks a little different than what you can see in person. It's similar to what our slammers program is, the baseball colors. Because they're. They're black.

[C]

That's kind of a. Like a pea soup.

[B]

Yeah, a little bit. It's kind of a similar color. So that's why I picked it out. Yeah, I got all. I got.

[C]

Whatever. Whatever colors nobody else wanted, I bought.

[B]

So listen, I mean, I hate to do this to you. I know, because we're. It's not Christmas time yet, but I did. I did get you this. It's the St. Louis Battle Hawks license plate cover for your car, so you can just put it over the Front license plate.

[C]

I don't think you're allowed to.

[B]

You can't. They're not gonna pull you over.

[C]

Wait, a license plate cover?

[B]

Yeah. So it just goes over your. Because a lot of other states, you don't have to have a front license plate.

[C]

Oh, that's right. That's what I. Because I got a ticket for that.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Because when I was in North Carolina, you didn't need a front license plate and mine fell off or something. Or something happened.

[B]

So you came back here. Came back here.

[C]

Right. And I got a ticket for not having the front license plate.

[B]

Because the man is trying to keep you down.

[C]

Well, successfully to this point.

[B]

Yeah. So I got you that license plate.

[C]

Thank you. Thank you.

[B]

So, yeah, I'm excited, man. I am excited.

[C]

Driving around to see Rangy heading down there, take my license plate off, let my hair down a little bit, go enjoy myself.

[B]

Guess what.

[C]

What?

[B]

10 days, 23 hours, 7 minutes, 20 seconds. We're getting there.

[C]

It's not good for me. You're getting me too damn excited.

[B]

UFL football, baby. Feel it?

[C]

I think I do. I think it's not good. I don't know.

[B]

Your tummy hurt?

[C]

Yeah, I think I have to have something looked at. They didn't tell me exactly how to feel it.

[B]

Well, I'll keep you updated all spring long on the ufl.

[C]

Cool. All right. No first round white safeties.

[B]

Is that the conclusion?

[C]

I'm going to leave it at that.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

No, thank you.

[B]

All right.

[C]

I'm good. And that is. Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast here on 312Sports. Forward progress has stopped. 10, 2 19, 2 19.

[B]

Forward progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 3one2 Sports.

[C]

Every Lenovo is built to let them go. Let them work and rework. Let them animate. A dinosaur. No. A toaster. No.

[B]

A hamster and a jetpack.

[C]

Fun. Let them put golden wings on a dog. Good boy. Let them color correct anywhere and everywhere them make. Powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, Lenovo gives creatives everything they need. Lenovo.com let creatives create.