Forward Progress: Caleb Williams Leads the Bears to 9-3 and the #1 Spot in the NFC

Podcast: Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 1, 2025
Episode Theme: How rookie QB Caleb Williams, head coach Ben Johnson, and a revitalized Chicago Bears franchise are defying expectations by racing to the top of the NFC, and why optimism (with a dose of realism) is finally justified in Chicago.

Overview

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Bears’ stunning rise to a 9-3 start and the #1 seed in the NFC after their dominant Black Friday win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The episode explores the context behind this success, the transformation in coaching culture under Ben Johnson, and the ascendant mindset led by Caleb Williams. The conversation also compares the Bears to their NFC competition, examines the schematic and QB development nuances, and provides commentary on notable NFL events and personalities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Savoring the Moment: From Chaos to Contenders

• The hosts open by reflecting on the surreal turnaround: from midseason dismissals and losing streaks to sitting atop the NFC (00:52–01:29).
• Dan highlights organizational changes and the surprising rise:

  "Whatever it took, however, the winds of fate, so often, cruel as they are to the Bears, were not at this point ... This is a time to savor it. Savor every bit of it." — Dan Bernstein (01:29)

• Both hosts stress balancing enjoyment with not losing focus on bigger goals.
• Matt:

  "Let's not be satisfied with surpassing expectations... there's still something more to win here." (05:40)

2. The Ben Johnson Effect: The Cool Coach Era

• Significant praise is given to new coach Ben Johnson for bringing both competence and charisma.
• A playful retrospective compares him to past coaches:

  "I love the fact the Bears... not only have a good coach right now, they've got the cool coach ... when's the last time the Bears had the cool coach?" — Dan (02:57)

• "Cool" is contrasted with Ditka's persona and Lovey Smith's understated approach.

3. Revisiting the 2024 Nadir and the 2025 Ascent

• The ignoble end of the Matt Eberflus era and a turnaround under Johnson is recapped (03:59–05:40).
• Bears’ playoff odds jump to 76% (05:40), remaining schedule analyzed:
  • Packers (twice), Browns, 49ers, Lions (tight NFC tests ahead)

4. NFC & AFC Landscape: Are the Bears Truly Elite?

• Dan and Matt debate the Bears’ standing in the "Blob"—their metaphor for the NFL’s competitive middle class.
• Who are the Bears’ biggest threats?
  • NFC: Packers, Lions, 49ers, Seahawks—no "unbeatable" teams (06:23–07:17)
  • AFC: Matt names Buffalo, Denver, Baltimore as tough foes, but "no one" who feels insurmountable right now (08:47–09:35)
• Blob analogy:

  "The Bears are one of those teams that are pushing the edges." — Matt (10:07)

5. Scheme & Execution: The Bears' Offensive Identity

• Extensive analysis of Bears’ ability to block elite defensive fronts (Eagles' Jalen Carter, Vic Fangio’s schemes) (10:32–11:52).

• Dan:

  "When you can't stop what you know is coming, it means the other team's really, really good at it." (11:52)

• Matt highlights a favorite play action concept, the potential to evolve with future pass options—a point of anticipation for fans (11:53–14:23).

6. Caleb Williams’ Progression—and Margin for Growth

• Praise for Williams’ poise, specifically his ability to make throws on the move in adverse conditions (14:24–15:18).
• Dan wants more:

  "I still want Caleb Williams’ accuracy to improve significantly and expect that to win a Super Bowl it will have to improve..." (15:02)

• They note that the Bears' offense isn’t "maxed out"—still looking for a complete performance in all three phases (15:43, 15:57).

Highlighted Audio Clips & Notable Quotes

Ben Johnson Press Conference

• On team focus and leadership:

  "Just trying to keep the main thing the main thing ... got guys like Grady Jarrett and Byard on defense, and I know Joe Tooney ... these guys know what good football looks like ..." — Ben Johnson (16:47)

• On Caleb’s performance vs Eagles:

  "...the wind got the better of us on a couple throws. He made some huge ones ... That throw to Cole was enormous ... struggle there. You’re trying to not become just solely run-oriented..." (18:00)

• On the go-ahead TD:

  "Swifty’s actually the number one read on that ... Caleb’s pulling out, you can feel the safeties dipping down low ... he delivered a good ball and made them pay." (21:33; 25:10)

Caleb Williams Postgame

• On making the critical pass to Cole Kmet:

  "That’s the fun part about playing QB ... dealing with conditions ... Cole ran a great route and they ended up dropping him and just kind of saw him flash ... wanted to lay it out there, let the wind kind of push it back to him. Cole made a great catch." (23:09)

• On not having played the Bears' best yet:

  "That’s why I get frustrated ... I have such a talented group ... you want to maximize. You don’t want to waste time ... we haven’t hit our pinnacle yet ... and we’re still winning these games." (30:16)

• On enjoying his brothers’ success:

  "When I see a crease, I start getting really excited, I start jumping around like a little kid ... it’s supremely fun to see smiles in those guys faces after games ... O-line is doing a hell of a job ... wide receivers blocking ... running backs having big explosives." (32:22)

Analytical Highlights

“Seeing vs. Feeling” as QB Growth

• Dan parses Ben Johnson’s language:

  "He felt that, he saw it. Those are different things ... if you can get Caleb from he ‘saw it’ to he ‘felt that’ ... That’s next level." (25:24–26:45)

  • Developing QB intuition within the pro offense is a recurring theme.

Play Design & Execution Nuances

• Matt and Dan obsess over the Bears’ evolving run/pass options and how “setting up” defensive keys will lead to big plays down the stretch—a glimpse at Chicago’s strategic depth (13:19–14:23).

Around the NFL: Contrasts, Quips, and Hot Takes

The “Cool Coach” vs. the QB Diva

• Extended contrast between Caleb Williams’ team-oriented humility and Aaron Rodgers’ ongoing perceived narcissism in Pittsburgh.

  Dan: "The polar opposite of that was a guy who thankfully was bleeding out of his head. That being one Aaron Rodgers." (35:21)

  • The hosts mock Rodgers' “secret offense” and criticisms of teammates, presenting Williams as the leadership antithesis (36:05–41:38).

Miles Garrett Sack Record Prediction

• Matt predicts Miles Garrett will break the NFL single-season sack record (currently 19, held by Strahan and Watt) in the Titans game (42:07–44:15).

National Takes: Caleb as “John Elway”?

• Discussion of Fox’s Howie Long likening Williams to John Elway.
  • Dan is skeptical, highlighting Elway’s inefficient passing historically and hoping Williams far exceeds him as a modern QB (47:19–52:49).
  • Matt on Elway:

    “Great leader ... whatever it took to win a game ... but as a quarterback I hope Caleb Williams far exceeds what John Elway did.” (52:04)

The “In Memoriam” Segment

• NFL teams officially eliminated from contention: Titans, Raiders, Giants, Saints, Cardinals (53:36–55:32).
  • Bittersweet funeral march backdrop and video game nostalgia ensues.

Timestamps For Important Segments

• Bears’ Top of NFC/Coach Ben Johnson: 00:52–05:40
• NFC Landscape & The Blob: 06:23–10:07
• Analyzing Play Design/Eagles Game Breakdown: 10:32–15:18
• Ben Johnson on Team Culture/Caleb Interview: 16:38–24:35
• Critical Play, QB Growth (“Seeing vs. Feeling” concept): 25:00–26:45
• Rodgers Critique/Leadership Comparison: 35:21–41:38
• Miles Garrett Sack Record Predictions: 42:07–44:15
• Howie Long’s “John Elway” Take: 45:37–52:49
• In Memoriam/Funeral March for Eliminated Teams: 53:36–55:32

Memorable Quotes

• Dan Bernstein (on Bears’ transformation):

  “This is a time to savor it. Savor every bit of it.” (01:29)

• Matt Abbatacola (on not settling):

  “Let’s not lose focus that there’s still something more to win here.” (05:40)

• Ben Johnson (on leadership):

  “There are no shortcuts. We gotta go out next week and put in the same amount of work that we’ve been doing, and we gotta continue to get better.” (16:47)

• Caleb Williams (on playing for his team):

  “I get up every single day ... so these guys can succeed ... it’s supremely fun to ... see smiles on those guys’ faces after games...” (32:22)

• On Play Design:

  “When you can block people like they block people ... you can win any game you play, anyone.” — Dan (10:32)

• On QB development:

  “If you can get Caleb ... from ‘he saw it’ to ‘he felt it’ ... that’s next level.” — Dan (25:24)

Final Thoughts

• The Bears’ rise is the result of not just star power but a reinvigorated coaching approach, capable play-calling, and a new leadership culture.
• While optimism is warranted, both the hosts and the team itself—especially in Johnson and Williams’ comments—stress that Chicago’s best football is yet to come.
• The Bears are shedding their “Blob” label and pushing the threshold of NFC supremacy—but with challenging opponents ahead, all eyes are on whether they will sustain (and maximize) this new, thrilling standard.

For Diehards and New Fans Alike:

This episode delivers both deep-dive analysis and the passionate, unvarnished voice that characterizes Chicago fandom—equal parts celebration, skepticism, and relentless pursuit of what could at last be a new era for the Bears.