Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Bill Huber – SI.com Green Bay Packers Beat Reporter
Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Bill Huber (Sports Illustrated, Green Bay Packers Beat Reporter)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a deep-dive scouting report on the Chicago Bears’ next opponent—the Green Bay Packers—through the eyes of veteran Packers beat writer Bill Huber. Dan and Matt frame the matchup as a resurgent rivalry, exploring the evolution on both sidelines, recent drama, key injuries, and the mindset of each team heading into a critical game. There’s a special focus on quarterback development, coaching personalities, and how both teams stack up statistically and emotionally.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Bears-Packers Rivalry: Changing of the Guard

• Historical Shift: Bill Huber underscores that for decades, the Packers have "bullied" the Bears, but recent developments signal a return to genuine rivalry.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 03:13): “It's been three decades of Packers dominance, and it looks like it's finally a rivalry, guys. Which is fun, right?”
• Both teams now have promising young quarterbacks (Jordan Love and Caleb Williams) who could define the division for years.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 03:46): “Looks like Caleb Williams is going to be really good. These guys are going to be at the top of the division...for a decade longer. I mean, what more could you want?”

Coaching Dynamics and Rivalry Narrative

• Coaching personalities and media barbs are part wrestling act, part genuine competitive tension, especially after incidents and jabs between Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 04:30): “If I was [LaFleur], I'd be like, what the hell are you doing?... If LaFleur is annoyed, I don't blame him.”

Jordan Love’s Growth and Confidence

• Huber details his skepticism regarding Jordan Love based on early career struggles, but notes major improvement this season—higher completion percentage, fewer interceptions, and better late-game performance.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 05:18): “He was bottom half of the league in completion percentage… Now he's top 10...he's cut way back on the interceptions...He's completing passes to the right guys rather than the wrong guys…he’d been the decisive factor in a few of them.”

Packers’ Defense Without Micah Parsons

• Transitioning without their superstar pass rusher, but the Packers believe their defense remains highly capable.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 07:15): “Statistically…they're really not a whole lot different from last year when they didn't have Parsons...they believe their defense is plenty good enough to get them maybe where they want to go.”

Injury Updates and Their Impact

• Jordan Love’s Non-throwing Shoulder: Still on the report, not a factor.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 09:29): “He scrambled and got hit against the Giants...but, yeah, he's fine. He's been full participation, and he'll scramble, he'll take some hits.”
• Christian Watson’s Status: Hospitalized but practiced—expected to play.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 09:50): “He says he is...he's tougher than me. He'll play through this one.”

Packers’ Discipline Issues

• Packers have struggled with discipline—multiple personal fouls and unforced errors, prompting public rebukes from their coach.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 11:01): “It has been endemic...Keyshawn Nixon has been kind of a ringleader of that...It's just, frankly, it's stupid football. They better get it fixed.”

How Green Bay Views Caleb Williams and Bears’ Offense

• Packers’ main strategy is to stuff the run, force third-and-long, and limit Williams’ ability to make plays out of structure.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 12:51): “If you stop the run, you can kind of take away some of that bootleg stuff where [Williams] is really lethal...Then you just got to get the guy to the turf. Which is easy for me to say, you know, on this podcast...It's like vintage Aaron Rodgers.”

The Impact of Losing Tucker Kraft

• Kraft is highlighted as a YAC monster and important run blocker. His absence limits Green Bay’s offensive ceiling.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 13:39): “He was a legit three down guy...He was a stud and that was a massive blow to them.”

Packers’ Sentiment Toward Aaron Rodgers

• The fanbase’s feelings are complex; some fatigue, some reverence, but respect remains. Any lingering acrimony will subside upon his Hall of Fame induction.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 17:38): “There's a considerable number of fans...who got tired of him...I think when it's time for him to retire and he goes to the hall of Fame, I think that'll all be gone.”

Nostalgia and Generational Rivalry

• The hosts and Huber reminisce about the rivalry’s storied past, from childhood memories of Bears dominance to the Favre/Rodgers era of Packers supremacy.
  • Quote (Bill Huber, 19:34): “[Back then] it was a rivalry, but one team was the bully and sure as hell wasn't the Packers...Then it just became how tables turned with Favre.”

Bears’ Depth and Game Plan Adjustments

• Discussion on using heavy personnel (three tight ends) and creative play-action to compensate for wide receiver injuries.
• Praise for Ben Johnson’s creativity and flexibility in scheming offense with limited resources.

Running Games and Tackling Stats

• Both teams rank similarly in missed tackles, with Green Bay slightly ahead versus running backs—highlighting the physicality expected in this encounter.
• Stresses the effectiveness of Chicago’s commitment to the run even if chunk plays are absent.

Broadcast Talk: Game Coverage and Media Personalities

• Commentary on the game’s national profile (Fox #1 booth with Brady) and improvements in media coverage and panel analysis, especially via Amazon Prime.

Caleb Williams’ Missed Media Meetings

• Williams missed two official meetings with Troy Aikman, raising questions on professionalism—hosts stress importance of keeping commitments.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the rivalry’s renewal:
  “It's finally a rivalry, guys. Which is fun, right? I mean, who wants to see...one team beat the other every single game out.” — Bill Huber (03:13)

• On Love’s growth:
  “He's paid a bunch of money to win football games that he won. He'd been the decisive factor in a few of them. And to me, that's what it takes.” — Bill Huber (05:18)

• On Packers defense post-Parsons:
  “Their defense is plenty good enough to get them maybe where they want to go.” — Bill Huber (07:15)

• On silly penalties:
  "It's just, frankly, it's stupid football. And so they better get it fixed...there's not enough barges for error in these games." — Bill Huber (11:01)

• On stuff-the-run plan for Caleb Williams:
  “If you stop the run, you can kind of take away some of that bootleg stuff where he's really lethal..." — Bill Huber (12:51)

• On nostalgia:
  “There'll be a lot of Packer fans melting down over it because...they've never seen it. So, yeah, it's great. This sport is so much better when these guys are involved in football games rather than just playing football games.” — Bill Huber (19:34)

• On Caleb Williams missing TV meetings:
  “If it, if Caleb were my kid, I'd have a big issue with it...So it does, it bugs me a little bit to hear that.” — Dan Bernstein (28:38)

Important Timestamps

• 02:54: Bill Huber joins, reflects on rivalry evolution
• 05:18: Huber details Jordan Love’s improvement
• 07:15: Packers defense without Parsons, handling adversity
• 09:29: Injury report breakdown: Jordan Love & Christian Watson
• 11:01: Packers' discipline issues, unnecessary roughness
• 12:51: Packers’ strategy for defending Caleb Williams
• 13:39: The loss of TE Tucker Kraft and offensive consequences
• 17:38: Packers fan sentiment about Aaron Rodgers
• 19:34: Nostalgia: hosts’ and guest’s childhood rivalry memories
• 21:20+: Bears offensive adjustments amid WR injuries; discussion of tight end usage
• 25:25+: Missed tackle rates; rushing stats from last matchup
• 27:38+: Caleb Williams skipping meetings with broadcast crews; professionalism debate

Summary

This episode offers a rich, authentic preview of the Bears-Packers matchup, framed by sharp historical context and the inside knowledge of Packers reporter Bill Huber. Key takeaways include the genuine renewal of the rivalry, the rise of both franchises’ new quarterbacks, and the mental and tactical edges each side is chasing. Injury dynamics and discipline issues on the Packers’ end will be crucial, as will creativity in the Bears' game plan to compensate for missing skill players. Off the field, the hosts spotlight the importance of professionalism and evolving media coverage, making this episode valuable listening for any fan invested in the “heart” of Midwestern football.

Next Up:
Live postgame show after Bears-Packers, with comments and live listener interaction—details at 312 Sports App.