Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Caleb Williams and the Bears were frustrated after LOSS in Green Bay despite the second half showing
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola (312 Sports)
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Forward Progress" dives deep into the Chicago Bears’ tough 28–21 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field — a game marked by a disappointing first half, an inspired second-half rally, and the emotional aftermath for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the team. Bernstein and Abbatacola deliver their trademark blend of analysis and raw fandom, examining where the Bears stand in the NFC playoff picture, the performance of key players, and what the game told them about the franchise’s trajectory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Emotional Landscape After the Loss (00:52–02:42)

• Dan Bernstein reflects on the conflicting mix of "buzzing" excitement over the quality of the game and frustration with the loss. He highlights the intensity of the rivalry, “You got two young, dynamic coaches, you got a couple of young, dynamic quarterbacks... every time they meet now there’s going to be some crackle to it.”
• Matt Abbatacola shares his own rollercoaster: “Despite the loss, 28–21, that second half of that game was really, really fun to watch” (01:54).

Tone: Frustration, but also optimism about the team’s direction.

2. The Second-Half Turnaround and What It Means (07:24–08:49)

• Matt feels “the most amount of confidence in this season” despite the loss.
• He credits the coaching staff and team resiliency: “Every week that goes by, I just get more confident. This... cemented the fact that this is a good football team that can win a playoff game.” (08:29)
• Both agree the Bears belong in the playoff discussion, with real progress shown even against tough opponents.

3. The Quarterback Comparison: Caleb Williams vs. Jordan Love (09:07–10:12)

• Bernstein: “If they meet 100 times, the Bears win 45 of them.”
• Abbatacola points out Jordan Love’s greater polish, accuracy, and responsiveness: “That’s the main difference right now.”
• Williams’ special skill set is acknowledged: “If he can continue to close the gap between his potential and the deficiencies…he is going to be the top quarterback in this league.” (09:33, Matt)

4. Kyler Gordon’s Injury Woes (06:58–11:30)

• Ongoing issues: multiple soft-tissue injuries have made Gordon “unreliable.”
• Recap of various hamstring, groin, and calf injuries and frustration over him getting hurt in warmups.
• “For someone this important to be this unreliable... it sucks.” (11:38, Dan)

5. Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams Pressers – Breaking Down the Game

Ben Johnson on Adjustments, Second-Half Surge, and Play-calling

(12:12–14:49, 14:55–15:39, 16:51–17:18, 19:20–20:12, 23:11–23:47):

• Praises Bears’ second-half “reset” and Caleb’s “Superman cape” moments:

  “Caleb was doing everything he could. He put his superman cape on a few times to, to not go down, extend the play...” (12:15)

• Candid about halftime coaching: “Sometimes just coming in and catching your breath for a second allows you to hit that reset button. Our guys responded the right way.”
• On losing Kyler Gordon pregame:

  “We adjust on the fly. That’s no problem...but you know, Kyler’s a really good player and we’re better when he’s out on the field.” (14:57)

• On Rome Odunze’s injury ripple effect:

  “Rome is such a vital part of what we do...for Caleb, it’s his blankie. When a guy like that’s out, other guys gotta step up.” (19:20)

• On 'big guy touchdowns':

  “Was trying to go for big guy touchdown. I was about to say fat guy touchdown, but he...didn’t even get out on his route. Caleb did a nice job popping back to Colston and was able to find him.” (23:24)
  Hosts riff humorously about changing lingo, 'fat guy touchdowns,' and missed opportunities.

Caleb Williams on Locker Room Mood and Critical Plays

(26:21–28:17):

• On the post-game locker room:

  “Yeah, it’s frustration. Just because, you know, we shot ourselves in the foot, I think, more than anything.” (26:21)

• On the second half:

  “We needed a spark...one of the passes, or we came out, ran the ball well and things like that, created good momentum for us.” (27:05)

• On the game-ending interception:

  “Gotta have it moment…didn’t feel that I could go get it myself. So just got to give Cole a better, you know, a better shot at it.” (27:43)

• Bernstein and Abbatacola discuss how Williams’ “big boy ball” mentality on that pass doesn’t always fit Ben Johnson’s play-design philosophy.

6. Secondary Struggles and Communication Breakdown (16:51–18:51)

• Discussion of breakdowns in the secondary: “We were man to man on one of them and their guy beat our guy…another one, they had a good play design based on our coverage...” (Ben Johnson, 16:51; paraphrased)
• Dissection of who was at fault on a long touchdown versus coverage responsibilities (Jalen Johnson vs Kevin Byard), with reference to Tom Brady’s analysis.

  “I watched that play a few times…there was a receiver that ended up on the far third of the field that Jalen Johnson covered. I thought he was in the right spot.” (17:44–18:25, Matt)

7. Wide Receiver Depths, Route Running, and Play-calling Frustrations (21:26–22:50)

• Hosts puzzled that “wide receivers still not getting to the right depths and running the right routes” after 13 weeks.
• “I’d have to watch the All-22 with Ben Johnson and have him say ‘This is the guy, DJ or Rome, his split was off, his depth is off…’” (22:41, Dan)
• Express skepticism about the significance of the issue, hinting that the comments may serve to take pressure off Williams.

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Post-loss Confidence & Rivalry Dynamic:

• “This, for me, yesterday just cemented the fact that this is a good football team that can win a playoff game.” (08:35, Matt)

On Williams’ Growth:

• “Caleb Williams has a special set of skills within him as an NFL quarterback that no other quarterback has in the league right now... he has the potential to be the top quarterback in this league.” (09:33, Matt)

On Coverage Confusion:

• “I’m not going to argue with Tom Brady’s football knowledge, but I watched that play a few times...there was a receiver that ended up on the far third of the field that Jalen Johnson covered.” (17:44, Matt)

On ‘Big Guy Touchdowns’ Commentary:

• “I wanted to say fat guy touchdown. I didn’t say it. I wanted to.” (24:43, Ben Johnson audio; riffed on by hosts through 25:07)

On Locker Room Frustration:

• “Yeah, it’s frustration. Just because, you know, we shot ourselves in the foot, I think, more than anything.” (26:21, Caleb Williams)

On Missing Rome Odunze:

• “He is a big part of what we’re doing…for Caleb, it’s his blankie.” (19:20, Ben Johnson)

9. NFC Playoff Picture & Final Thoughts (39:03–41:09)

• Run down on the volatile NFC race — Bears’ movement from the one seed down to seven and the unpredictable "fragile, frantic finish."
• Discussion of upcoming critical games and how one result swings the standings, reinforcing how “the Bears have to have this win [over the Browns].”
• Brief league-wide notes, including the apparent end of the Chiefs’ dynasty and injury news.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “If they meet up 100 times, the Bears win 45 of them.”
  – Dan Bernstein on Bears-Packers rivalry status (08:49)
• “Jordan Love is a more polished NFL quarterback than Caleb Williams right now.”
  – Matt Abbatacola (09:09)
• “Caleb Williams has a special set of skills...if he can become a better passing quarterback, he is going to be one of the best.”
  – Matt Abbatacola (09:33)
• “We shot ourselves in the foot...I think that’s where the frustration comes from.”
  – Caleb Williams (26:21)
• "He put his Superman cape on a few times..."
  – Ben Johnson on Caleb Williams' play-extending efforts (12:16)
• “For Caleb, [Rome Odunze] is his blankie…they have a great natural rapport.”
  – Ben Johnson (19:20)
• “I wanted to say fat guy touchdown. I didn't though.”
  – Ben Johnson (23:24; paraphrased and riffed on by the hosts)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:52 – Opening reactions: rivalry vibes, emotions after loss
• 07:24 – Confidence in Bears’ coaching staff and team progress
• 09:07 – Williams vs. Love & QB evaluation
• 12:12, 14:55, 16:51 – Ben Johnson on offense, defense adjustments, and injuries
• 19:20 – Odunze injury analysis
• 23:11–25:07 – “Big Guy Touchdown” story and play analysis
• 26:21, 27:05, 27:35 – Caleb Williams’ postgame comments
• 39:03–40:32 – NFC playoff picture breakdown
• 41:03–43:53 – Around the league news: Chiefs, injuries, point differentials

Memorable Lighter Moments

• Extended bit (34:14–38:50): The hosts roast the old-school style of a Packers radio reporter (Larry McCarren), weaving in Simpsons-like jokes about old men telling rambling stories, before backpedaling upon realizing McCarren is a local legend.
• Recurring inside joke: Bernstein and Abbatacola riff several times on modern marketing language (“Don’t say ‘download’ the app!”) as they promote the 312 Sports app.

Final Takeaways

• Despite the bitter loss, there's a strong sense of forward momentum and positivity about the Bears' future, especially given the coaching staff, young talent, and competitive second-half showing.
• The “fragile” NFC means every week is critical; the Bears are viewed as a legitimate playoff-caliber team, but with urgent issues to clean up.
• The hosts provide catharsis, humor, and sharp analysis — exactly as Chicago fans crave after a heartbreaker in Green Bay.

For Bears fans and NFL aficionados, this episode delivers an authentic, cathartic, and nuanced breakdown of a crucial rivalry game and its broader implications for the franchise and the NFC landscape.