Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode Title: Bears Lose Opener in Familiar Fashion
Date: September 9, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dissect the Bears’ frustrating season-opening loss in detail, unpacking why a game that started with hope spiraled into all-too-familiar disappointment for Bears fans. With their trademark blend of analysis, candor, and humor, the duo investigates the struggles on both sides of the ball, critical coaching missteps, Caleb Williams’s up-and-down performance, and what it all means for the much-anticipated (but rocky) Ben Johnson era. Throughout, they question whether anything has genuinely changed for the franchise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Reactions: Familiar Bears Pain

• The hosts describe the postgame mood as a "commiseration session" after yet another Bears collapse (00:20).
• Dan refers to it as “that familiar sensation of our exquisite, torturous, kind of Bears pain” (00:52).
• Quote:
  “It felt so familiar, that it looked so familiar is what's alarming and disappointing.” – Matt (08:25)

Ben Johnson's Postgame Comments and Coaching Critique

• The coaches note Johnson invoked the classic “the guys are playing hard” line—typically a red flag early in a coach’s tenure (02:16).

• Both hosts bristle at Johnson’s passive language:
  “That's got to get cleaned up in a hurry. You're the coach. I don't like the passive voice there.” – Dan (04:57)

• Johnson’s postgame (03:00–04:49):

  • Expresses disappointment, blames mistakes (notably 12 penalties), and says both he and players must improve.
  • Praises the defense (except in the 4th quarter) but notes offensive struggles and penalty woes.
  • “No one's pointing fingers... it's going to be a collective effort.” – Ben Johnson (04:22)

• Dan and Matt see the fan base’s patience—and Johnson’s “internal political capital”— evaporate after one game (07:37).

• Quote:
  “From a fan base perspective... it's totally used up. It's gone. That was your opportunity... and your quarterback didn't show it. Your team didn't show it.” – Matt (07:48)

• They argue the Bears “used up all their capital as a new staff” by looking like the same old Bears (07:48).

In-Game Management Blunders

• Critique of the endgame special teams mishap:

  • Poor decision-making regarding the final kickoff (09:12–12:25).
  • Confusion over who should kick for a touchback; Dan and Matt argue Tori Taylor’s leg should have been used for certainty.
  • Quote:
    “You have to know for sure, my guy can do this... If he was uncertain he could kick it through the back of the end zone, he shouldn't have been the one kicking it.” – Matt (11:19)

• Noted special teams disasters:

  • Missed field goal, blocked punt, coverage issues, and the failed final kickoff (32:33).
  • These “gaffes” cast doubt on why special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was retained (33:12).

Offensive Struggles: O-Line, Tight Ends, and Caleb Williams

• Heavy focus on the interior offensive line’s failures:

  • The new trio (Joe Tuney, Drew Dahlman, Jonah Jackson) gave up at least four pressures each to the Vikings’ interior defenders, despite being heavily invested, both financially and in expectations (15:41–18:02).
  • Next Gen Stats cited: Vikings' Hargrave and Allen generated six pressures each, often through double teams (15:41, 39:10).

• Disappointment in tight end usage:

  • Only three combined receptions for 43 yards from Cole Kmet and Colson Loveland.
  • The game plan deliberately kept tight ends in to block amid O-line struggles.
  • Quote:
    "If you have to go into week one saying, these two guys will not catch passes... then why in God's name did you invest all that money in the offensive line?" – Matt (19:05)

• Caleb Williams’s Performance, Process, and Concerns:

  • Williams started 10-for-10 but finished 11-of-25; his second half riddled with overthrows and mistakes (36:39).
  • Highlighted issues with reading and anticipating NFL defenses — still throwing ‘to what he sees’ rather than with NFL anticipation (23:42–24:04).
  • He was the most inaccurate deep passer in the league in Week 1 (21:54: "league worst 29.4% off target rate").
  • Quote:
    "When did he become inaccurate? There was nothing in the scouting report that suggested this kind of inaccuracy." – Dan (21:35)
  • Williams’s tendency to operate only in “chaos” and “broken plays”—great on the move, but struggles with timing and seeing throws (26:39).
  • “He needs to stop operating in... chaos. This is where I thrive. And that's what he does well. But... [can't] make routine NFL passes.” – Matt (26:39)

Offensive Identity & Play Calling

• Opening drive was impressively scripted, giving fans hope—then everything unraveled as the game wore on (27:22–28:18).
• Vikings defense (Brian Flores) made in-game adjustments, pressuring consistently with four, then switching to blitzes and taking away easy checkdowns, stifling the Bears offense (28:19–29:03).
• Receivers rarely caught balls in stride; the offense looked nothing like other NFL teams (31:01–31:34).
• Quote:
  "It shouldn't have looked like a Bears game. And he came in and he Bears'd us with a Bears game." – Dan (29:56)

Running Game and Playmaker Usage

• Caleb Williams as leading rusher seen as a negative sign (37:48).
• DeAndre Swift largely ineffective; hype around backup running backs like Kyle Monangai falls flat (38:09).
• Noted that DJ Moore had as many rushing attempts as receptions (three each), underscoring a lack of creative deployment or bread-and-butter passing (38:29).

Defensive Performance

• Montez Sweat, the defensive player to watch, was only mentioned for the first time near the start of the fourth quarter—an indictment of his limited impact in new coordinator Dennis Allen’s system (33:38–34:37).
• Absence of defensive starters flagged as a possible caveat, but ultimately no excuse for the collapse, especially since the defensive line and special teams both faltered.

Big Picture: Where Do They Go from Here?

• The loss leaves existential questions about the direction—despite a new coach, new QB, big-spending in free agency, and a clean slate, the product looked the same (31:34–36:39).
• Concern that Ben Johnson may not have realized the challenge he inherited (35:54).
• Hope is not lost for the season, but the “honeymoon” is definitely over (29:36).
• Quote:
  “If this is what it's going to look like... we're in deep shit. And his, the overall lift for Ben Johnson here may be way more than he thought it was.” – Dan (36:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "That familiar sensation of our exquisite, torturous, kind of Bears pain." – Dan (00:52)
• “His first ever postgame as a head coach. He already had to pull the they're playing hard card. That's usually a sign of a guy who's about to get fired.” – Dan (02:16)
• "That's got to get cleaned up in a hurry. You're the coach. I don't like the passive voice there." – Dan (04:57)
• “From a fan base perspective... it's totally used up. It's gone. That was your opportunity... and your quarterback didn't show it. Your team didn't show it.” – Matt (07:48)
• “You have to know for sure, my guy can do this... If he was uncertain he could kick it through the back of the end zone, he shouldn't have been the one kicking it.” – Matt (11:19)
• “When did he become inaccurate? There was nothing in the scouting report that suggested this kind of inaccuracy.” – Dan (21:35)
• "If you have to go into week one saying, these two guys will not catch passes... then why in God's name did you invest all that money in the offensive line?" – Matt (19:05)
• “It shouldn't have looked like a Bears game. And he came in and he Bears'd us with a Bears game.” – Dan (29:56)
• "If this is what it's going to look like... we're in deep shit. And his, the overall lift for Ben Johnson here may be way more than he thought it was." – Dan (36:26)

Important Timestamps

• Ben Johnson’s full postgame press conference (03:00–04:49, 10:42–12:25)
• Discussion of tight ends in the passing game and O-line investments (18:02–19:32)
• In-depth breakdown on Williams’ accuracy and NFL-style passing issues (21:35, 23:42–24:04, 26:13–26:14)
• Special teams issues and coaching decisions (09:12–12:25, 32:33–33:27)
• Interior O-line stat breakdown (Next Gen stats) (15:41–18:02, 39:00–39:29)
• Montez Sweat’s limited visibility (33:38–34:37)
• Team identity crisis and existential pessimism (31:34–36:39)

Closing Thoughts

Bernstein and Abbatacola channel the exasperation of Chicago, balancing sharp analysis with classic Bears fan gallows humor. Their central lament: despite all the changes, it’s deja vu all over again. Key decisions and execution errors—by coaches, quarterback, and high-priced free agents alike—leave the show questioning not just Week 1, but whether hope for change is justified at all. Fixing the Bears, it appears, is no quick turnaround.