Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Caleb Williams does it again, but Bears lose in OT to the Rams
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This emotional and in-depth episode dissects the Chicago Bears’ overtime playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Dan and Matt navigate the pain of another season ending, analyze moments from Caleb Williams’ standout rookie year, critique coaching and player performances (with a special focus on DJ Moore’s effort), and look forward to key offseason questions. Woven throughout are the duo's trademark mix of football analysis, Bears history, and relatable fan passion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Coaching Carousel & League Context

Timestamps: 00:55 – 05:44

• Hot Topic: League-wide head coaching upheaval; 10 coaching vacancies (now down to 8 with recent hires).
  • "It's like a third of the league right now. Do we have 10 openings?" (Dan, 00:55)
  • John Harbaugh to New York, Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta.
• Buffalo’s Firing of McDermott: Reflects broader impatience with playoff underachievement.
  • “The Bills were 0-6 in overtime…they’re tired of losing in the playoffs.” (Matt, 02:14)
• Quick, wry observations about teams like the Falcons being perennially forgettable.

2. Processing Bears’ Season & Caleb Williams’ Impact

Timestamps: 05:45 – 10:25

• End of Season Reflection:
  • “Now we go back and kind of look at each other and say what was all that?” (Dan, 05:45)
  • The loss was heartbreaking but “a whirlwind of entertainment.”
• Caleb Williams’ Spectacular Throws:
  • Hosts rattle off a list of “all-time Bears passes” made by Williams this year, arguing his throws are unprecedented in franchise history.
  • Memorable Quote: “The stuff that Caleb was doing—there aren’t many people in the history of the game that could have done what he did, if anybody else.” (Matt, 08:22)

3. All-Time Bears Quarterback Discourse

Timestamps: 08:25 – 10:48

• The hosts struggle to name iconic throws from past quarterbacks (McMahon, Cutler, Grossman)—accentuating how rare Williams’ playmaking is.
  • “Even when the Bears were great, there aren’t a lot of Jim McMahon throws you go, ‘Oh my God, what did he do right there?’” (Dan, 08:31)
• Noted contrast: Prior QBs may have had effort or “moment” plays; Williams has talent and wow-factor.

4. Game Aftermath: Coaching Decisions & Player Analysis

Timestamps: 11:03 – 16:19

• Ben Johnson (Offensive Coordinator) Press Conference:
  • Explains why Joe Tunney moved to left tackle—to neutralize Rams pass rusher Jared Verse.
  • “We thought Joe had a great anchor…he was going to be able to help us.” (Ben Johnson, 11:17)
• Jordan McFadden steps up unexpectedly, impresses both hosts.
• Critique of broadcast analysis: Chris Collinsworth called Darnell Wright the Bears’ best lineman—hosts argue it was All-Pro Joe Tunney.

5. The Play That Ended the Bears’ Season: The Caleb-DJ Moore Misfire

Timestamps: 13:21 – 17:39

• Detailed breakdown of Caleb Williams’ overtime interception, focusing on WR DJ Moore’s route and effort.
• Caleb’s explanation: “Just a miscommunication...I tried to flatten him off under the safety, and he kept it vertical…” (Caleb Williams, 14:18)
• Hosts’ Frustration:
  • It’s not just miscommunication; Moore’s lack of effort (“gave up on the route”) cost a chance at a catch or to break up the INT.
  • “There is no assignment that calls for you to stop, right?” (Dan, 15:08)
  • “What you cannot excuse…is his effort.” (Matt, 15:06)
• In-depth discussion on how modern NFL tracking technology quantifies player effort, making loafs and lack of hustle irrefutable.

6. On Athlete Effort and Tiredness Narratives

Timestamps: 18:00 – 22:27

• Hosts blast the media’s tendency to excuse poor effort as “being tired.”
  • “These are professional athletes playing for their lives… Fuck that. They don’t think about being tired.” (Matt, 19:20)
• Lively analogies to other sports (basketball, hockey) and personal experience—ultimately, there’s no excuse for “loafs” in big moments.
• Light-hearted digression about snacks during the game (taquitos, food talk becomes a recurring motif).

7. Locker Room Reactions & Offseason Outlooks

Timestamps: 23:46 – 25:49; 25:49 – 28:33

• More postgame audio from Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams: Johnson stresses there’s “no momentum” carried over year to year, and he’s “not ready to talk next season yet.”
• Notable moment: Johnson credits “the men and women of this team” (support staff)—hosts highlight this inclusive language as rare and appreciated.
  • “I don't know that I've heard a coach say that before…” (Dan, 25:19)
• Caleb on offseason priorities: “Work on accuracy, work on my feet…and get with the receivers…so that we’re on the same page…” (Caleb Williams, 25:49)

8. Most Anticipated Position Groups and Offseason Moves

Timestamps: 26:19 – 29:11

• Which position group are you most excited to see change before training camp?
  • Dan: Defensive line—needs at least two “impactful contributors.”
  • Matt: Wide receiver room—predicts significant turnover; doesn’t expect DJ Moore or Zacchaeus to return.
• Also discuss likely changes and needs at safety. Mixed opinions on keeping veteran Kevin Byard.

9. Player Soundbites: Jaquan Brisker on Uncertain Future

Timestamps: 30:05 – 31:13

• Brisker reflects on the end, says: “We could hang our heads up high, but…the losing part is tough…We’ll see [about next year], but if not, you know, the grass is greener. God has my back.” (Brisker, 30:09)
• Hosts joke about “hanging your head up high” vs. “holding your head high.” Subtext: Brisker sounds ready to move on for a better offer.

10. Snap Count & Player Performance Review

Timestamps: 31:37 – 35:03

• They review defensive and offensive snap counts; surprise that Jalen Johnson only played 85% (felt emotionally like less).
• Praise for Tyrique Stevenson and Nishan Wright’s performances against top WRs.
• Discuss Austin Booker’s fines, Colston Loveland’s concussion (“unfortunate timing as he was becoming the second-most important skill guy”), and recognize household player names for their effort.

11. Caleb Williams & Other QBs: 4th Down Crunch-Time Stats

Timestamps: 35:03 – 37:57

• Matt researched 4th down conversion stats for all NFC Championship QBs plus Bo Nix and Drake Maye:
  • Caleb Williams: 9-for-19, 81 yds, 9 1st downs, 2 TD, 1 INT, 72.5 rating.
  • Matthew Stafford: 11-for-15, 156 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT, 118.3 rating.
  • Drake Maye: 12-for-14, 119 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT, 141.7 rating.
  • Hosts’ takeaway: Williams was clutch, but numbers can be compared skeptically; stats alone don’t define situational greatness.

12. Bears Coaching Staff Futures, Matt Nagy, and Honors

Timestamps: 42:15 – 45:11

• Bears assistants (e.g., Eric Bieniemy) getting interview requests—viewed as positive for team’s reputation.
• Matt Nagy’s job search, redemption arc, and candid media moment (regarding his need to delegate more as a head coach).
• News: Joe Tunney (guard) and Kevin Byard (safety) named Pro Football Writers Association All-Pros. Drew Dahlman named to All-NFC Team.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Caleb Williams’ Unique Impact:

  • “You could, you know, there’s some Cutler highlights...but the stuff Caleb was doing—there aren’t many people in the history of the game...”
    • (Matt, 08:21 – 08:22)

• On DJ Moore’s Effort:

  • “There is no assignment that calls for you to stop, right?” (Dan, 15:08)
  • “What you cannot excuse…and you’ll never give me a good explanation for it, is his effort.” (Matt, 15:06)

• On Professional Athlete Effort:

  • “These are professional athletes playing for their lives... Fuck that. They don’t think about being tired.” (Matt, 19:20)

• On Postseason Transition:

  • “Next season’s next season...We’ll have to write a whole brand new story…you can’t take any shortcuts.” (Ben Johnson, 23:46)

• Brisker’s Raw Response on Free Agency:

  • “We will see. No, hopefully I am, but if not, you know, the grass is greener. No, God has my back.” (Jaquan Brisker, 30:26)

Lighthearted Segments

• Food Tangents (22:27 – 25:19; 39:25 – 41:48):
  • Banter about taquitos and the location of air fryers at home.
  • Pizza philosophy: Cheese-only for NY slices, margarita for Neapolitan pies, occasional prosciutto topping; jokes about launching a food podcast.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Coaching Carousel & League Context: 00:55 – 05:44
• Season Reflection & Caleb’s Throws: 05:45 – 10:25
• All-Time Bears QB Debate: 08:25 – 10:48
• Coaching/Player Decisions: 11:03 – 16:19
• Williams-Moore Interception Analysis: 13:21 – 17:39
• Effort/Tiredness Rants: 18:00 – 22:27
• Locker Room & Offseason: 23:46 – 29:11
• Brisker on Free Agency: 30:05 – 31:13
• Snap Count & Player Review: 31:37 – 35:03
• 4th Down QB Stats: 35:03 – 37:57
• Staff Turnover, Nagy, Honors: 42:15 – 45:11
• Food & Pizza Banter: 39:25 – 41:48

Tone & Language

• Candid, passionate, and sometimes profane—reflecting the intensity Bears fans feel after a playoff loss.
• Mix of sharp football insight, deadpan jokes, and relatable frustration.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode captures the agony and reflection that comes with another Bears season ending in heartbreak. Dan and Matt not only work through the most painful moments of the loss—especially the Williams-to-Moore miscue—but also situate it within the broader narrative of Bears history and hope. There’s a critical, sometimes irreverent look at coaching, player accountability, and what comes next, all seasoned with a warm side of food banter and the optimism (or skepticism) that keeps Chicago football fandom alive.