Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Host: 312 Sports
Episode: Ben Johnson knows what his team needs to do to WIN NOW
Date: January 6, 2026
Hosted by: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abaticola

Episode Overview

This episode features Dan Bernstein and Matt Abaticola diving deep into the state of the Chicago Bears as they head into the playoffs. The main focus is on head coach Ben Johnson’s tough, no-nonsense assessment of his team’s inconsistent performance, especially following a disappointing loss. The hosts dissect Johnson's candid press conference, discuss personnel issues in the Bears secondary, debate the team's defensive philosophy, and deliberate keys for offensive improvement. The episode closes with lively NFL talk—debating league celebrations, records falling, and memorable moments from the regular season.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Playoff Prep & Ben Johnson’s Mood

• The Bears are in playoff mode, prepping for a Saturday night NFC North showdown against the Packers.
• Dan and Matt note Ben Johnson’s visible frustration, referencing his “grim faced” demeanor and “unacceptable” performance remarks after the Bears’ recent flat showing.
• Locker room energy is tense, with “the most disappointed and most angry... not just Ben Johnson, but locker room that the media has experienced over the 18-week season.” (Dan, 02:18)

2. Was Last Week's Loss Actually Useful?

• Matt suggests a loss can galvanize focus:
  • “This could be one of those times where the coach has realized, oh, okay, oh, you think you can just roll out of bed and play football... now I got your attention for this week and here’s what we’re going to do. Listen up.” (Matt, 02:55)
• Bears finished the regular season on a strong 11-2 middle stretch, and now need another playoff win streak.

3. Broadcast Talk — Bears-Packers in Prime Time

• Both hosts praise Amazon’s NFL streaming broadcasts and pregame coverage, contrasting it to forced “debate shows” on other networks.
• They debate streaming vs. traditional TV coverage and how the local broadcast will work. (04:00–06:18)

4. Ben Johnson Press Conference Analysis

a) Simpler Game Plan: Mistake or Masterstroke?

• Johnson explained he ran fewer motions/shifts to “play fast” against a complicated defense.
• Dan and Matt are both critical:
  • “Stop doing that because I like the shifts and the motions that can catch teams off guard or make them think or... tell you stuff.” (Matt, 07:39)
  • “That was not what I was expecting to hear...” (Dan, 07:54)
  • “They cut down on their penalties, but don’t make the offense dumber. Yeah. Not now.” (Matt, 08:17)

b) Tyrique Stevenson’s Mysterious Benching

• Coach’s response was terse about Stevenson’s absence—“We felt good about where Shawnee and where Jalen were...” (Coach audio, 08:39)
• The hosts suspect something unexplained, possibly disciplinary, is afoot:
  • “That was a brusque response. He couldn’t wait.” (Matt, 09:27)
  • “Something seems fishy about it that’s worth further exploration.” (Matt, 12:36)

c) Defensive Approach Critiqued

• Johnson emphasized “limiting the opponent with their points” despite giving up massive yardage (430 yards vs Lions).
• Matt calls this “making excuses” and is irked at Johnson’s focus on points over yards:
  • “You allowed 430 yards, Danieled 1,300 yards [in last three games]... I think you’re making excuses.” (Matt, 13:58)
• Dan defends Johnson’s perspective:
  • “He knows what his defense is, and that’s how it’s going to be. And they’re going to give up yards... but the main focus is limiting them on points.” (Dan, 16:03)

5. What CAN the Bears Fix?

a) Defensive Adjustments

• The hosts agree: Blitz less, play more coverage, especially if "bend but don’t break" is the reality.
• Matt: “If truly embracing Ben, but don’t break and too high safeties... stop sending extra people.” (Matt, 21:52)

b) Offensive Keys to Winning Now

• Efficiency is paramount. Pre-snap penalties are killing drives.
  • “You need to clean up your pre snap stuff because if you want to talk about being more efficient, you can’t keep hurting yourself.” (Dan, 23:33)
• Short-yardage situations: Matt wants more “3rd and short” to give the offense repeatable, manageable chances.
• Emphasize strong 3rd quarter starts—Bears often wasted “double up” opportunities (last drive of first half, first drive of second half).

c) Turnovers & Home Field Stats

• Much of Bears’ defensive “success” is turnover-dependent; against quality playoff teams, turnovers are harder to come by.
• The Bears don’t have the best home playoff record among NFC teams—Rams do at 7-1.

6. Next Gen Stats: WR Drops and QB Speed

• Caleb Williams led the league in passing yards lost due to drops (404), well ahead of other QBs.
  • “That matches up with the eye test.” (Matt, 31:44)
  • “It explains away some of the completion percentage...” (Dan, 33:00)
• Williams as Speed Threat: Caleb Williams had five 20+ MPH runs, most among QBs.
• Both hosts discuss how Ben Johnson resists using his QB’s legs by design, preferring explosive chunk yardage through passing.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Ben Johnson’s Press Conference

• On simplifying the offense:
  “We wanted to play fast...we had a little bit less shifts and motions going into that game plan than what we've had probably since the bye week.” (Johnson, 07:12)

• On Tyrique Stevenson’s benching:
  “We felt good about where Shawnee and where Jalen were and we wanted those two guys to take the bulk of the snaps.” (Johnson, 08:39)

• On defense giving up yards but limiting points:
  “The number one objective is to limit their points. And so I'm going to keep that the main thing with our defense.” (Johnson, 12:55)

Hosts’ Takes

• “Don’t make the offense dumber. Yeah. Not now.” (Matt, 08:17)
• “All the onus is on the offense, because he knows what the defense is.” (Dan, 22:17)
• “If you want to survive...you’re a four down offense...give yourself so many shots...” (Matt, 24:04)

Fun/Anecdotal Bits

• Matt riffs on the “Ben, don’t break” defense: “I like the way you pronounce that. Ben, don’t break. Ben, comma, don’t break.” (Matt, 20:00)

NFL Talk & Memorable Moments

Stopping Play for Miles Garrett's Sack Record

• Dan and Matt debate if the NFL should have stopped the game when Myles Garrett broke the sack record:
  • “This isn’t baseball where there is no clock. You know where there is, you know, you’re stopping a drive in the middle... Do it during your possession, do it after that drive ended. I don’t agree with it happening right in the middle of your opponent’s drive.” (Dan, 41:26)
• Soundbites from Zach Taylor (“playing for our lives”) and Ja’Marr Chase complaining about the stoppage. Matt notes, “They will stop the game if you top Michael Thomas’s 149 catches. Do you think?” (Matt, 39:43)
• Both agree the celebration should have been better communicated to both teams.

Michael Strahan’s Reaction to Losing His Sack Record

• Strahan initially seemed sour; later issued a gracious (but unconvincing) congratulatory video. Matt jokes, “He was trying to be gracious, kinda. He's pissed.” (Matt, 44:28)
• The hosts reflect on athletes’ attachment to records and suggest honesty in reactions would be respected, even for a high-profile TV personality like Strahan.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Playoff Setup & Ben Johnson Mood: 00:21–02:55
• Importance of Loss, Locker Room Reaction: 02:55–04:00
• Bears-Packers TV Discussion: 04:00–06:18
• Ben Johnson Press Conference Audio & Analysis: 06:56–08:23, 08:34–12:43, 12:43–13:39
• Defensive Philosophy & “Bend But Don’t Break”: 13:39–22:38
• Fixing the Offense (Penalties/3rd Downs): 22:38–25:52
• Second-Half Inefficiency & Turnovers: 25:52–27:46
• Next Gen Stats (Drops, Speed): 30:09–34:37
• QB Usage Debate (Running vs Passing): 34:25–37:02
• Myles Garrett Sack Record Celebration Debate: 37:12–44:28
• Michael Strahan's Reaction: 44:28–49:10

Conclusion

This dynamic episode reflects the intersection of hard-nosed Bears analysis and irreverent football banter. Dan and Matt probe deep into Ben Johnson’s headspace as a coach under pressure, plumb the reasons behind the Bears’ defensive and offensive issues, and critique both coaching decisions and NFL spectacle. For diehards and casuals alike, this installment balances insider knowledge, passionate fandom, and the humor that Chicago football always demands.

For more Bears breakdowns and NFL talk, catch Forward Progress on 312 Sports.