Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Caleb Williams vs Steelers Defense – Great Test for Young QB
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: November 20, 2025

Overview

This episode zeroes in on the Chicago Bears’ upcoming matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with special focus on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams facing the daunting Steelers pass rush. Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dissect personnel developments, injury updates, coaching philosophy, and statistical trends—balancing sharp analysis with trademark Bears-fan emotion and humor. The backdrop: a critical test for Williams’ poise, processing, and for the Bears offense to prove its progress against one of the league’s most aggressive defenses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Game Preview & Quarterback Scenarios

• Setting the Stage (02:17)
  Soldier Field prepped for a classic matchup. Both hosts hope for Aaron Rodgers to play, even if it raises the stakes:

  “I'm excited to watch. I hope Aaron Rodgers plays, even though that’s on the backside of the possibility of him tearing the Bears to shreds...I'm willing to risk that happening for the Bears to get after Aaron Rodgers and get a win at Soldier Field.” — Matt (02:50)

• Steelers QB Depth
  Mason Rudolph is discussed as a competent backup with humorous banter:

  “He's probably a guy who is a year away from being on one of those progressive ads.” — Dan (03:18)

2. Bears Personnel & Coaching Decisions

• Luther Burden’s Emergence (04:40)
  Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson praises rookie Luther Burden earning more snaps:

  “You get what you earn, and I think he's earned the increased snapshot…It’s the route, running detail…making sure his alignments are right...he's progressing nicely.” — Ben Johnson (04:40)

• Accountability & Competence
  The hosts celebrate basic, competent coaching decisions—a welcome change for Bears fans:

  “It shouldn't be that hard that the guy that can’t hang onto the ball gets benched, but…it has been for so long.” — Matt (06:17)

• Drop Issues & Caleb Williams’ Challenges
  Persistent receiver drops are highlighted, frustrating both Williams and fans:

  “In the last three games…the Bears have been dropping one of every six [passes]. That’s too many.” — Dan (07:13)

  “It’s frustrating watching these games with Caleb...he makes some really bad throws and then...unbelievable throws that maybe a handful of guys in the league can make. And then there’s the drops, too…” — Matt (07:27)

• Tone – Humor through Pain
  The hosts slip into comic relief to cope with Bears trauma, referencing The Princess Bride and Bears game rituals (08:07–09:19).

3. Facing the Steelers’ Pass Rush

• Ben Johnson’s Werewolves Analogy (09:29) Johnson describes the Steelers’ edge rushers (esp. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith) as “werewolves”:

  “Yeah, I mean, they got some werewolves on the outside…some of the best first steps I think you'll see in this league...you gotta be pretty creative as a play designer so that they don’t affect the game in a negative fashion.” — Ben Johnson (09:29)

• Keys for Caleb Williams Play design and pocket discipline are critical. Johnson emphasizes creative protection schemes and the need for Williams to maintain correct pocket depth.

• Hosts React with Puns & Pop Culture “Werewolves of Pittsburgh” riff (10:28–10:56):

  “Werewolf. Werewolf. Their wolf.” — Dan
  “Werewolves of Pittsburgh—that’s what I was waiting for.” — Matt

4. Secondary Depth and Player Packages

• Kyler Gordon & CJ Gardner-Johnson Discussion about returning defensive backs and how to get both on the field:

  “If you, you could play Gardner Johnson at a safety. You could put Gordon at boundary corner.” — Dan (13:11)

  “I think you leave Gordon at the nickel. Then you get creative...” — Matt (13:14)

• Injury Updates Emphasis on Bears’ cautious medical approach:

  “Last thing we want to do is put a player in a spot where he could potentially hurt himself again…” — Ben Johnson (14:55)

  Both agree that despite any optimism, returns from serious procedures (like groin surgery) won’t be rushed (15:39).

5. Bears’ Offensive Development under Ben Johnson

• Caleb Williams on Ben Johnson (16:43) Williams praises his coach's consistency and vision:

  “He’s been everything that he told me he was going to be...he’s provided that belief, that confidence, but also the discipline for us. When you have all those...you start being able to win some games and even win some maybe unfavorable games.” — Caleb Williams (16:50)

• Legitimate Offensive Progress The hosts stress this is no “gimmick offense”:

  “It isn't like the rushing offense when all the numbers were padded with Justin Fields doing college stuff...It is a legitimate NFL offense…” — Dan (18:36)

• Room for Growth Williams’ recognition and timing are highlighted as development areas, especially reading pre-snap and knowing when to extend plays vs. staying in the pocket (19:48–21:41).

6. Advanced Statistical Deep-Dive

• Steelers Defensive Metrics (26:53)

  • Blitz Rate: Steelers are third in blitzes (136), fourth on blitzes per dropback (31%).
  • QB Knockdowns: Steelers second (42).
  • Total QB Pressures: Fifth (103).
  • Missed Tackles: Surprisingly, Steelers are second in the NFL (93).

  “One stat…Steelers were up at number two with [missed tackles].” — Matt (28:25)

• Bears’ Pass Protection & QB Experience

  • Pocket Time: Bears (Williams) average 2.6 seconds—tied with Eagles for longest; indicative of either holding the ball too long or solid protection (30:13).
  • Times Blitzed: Williams is ninth most-blitzed (103), but is hurried most in the league (47).
  • Scrambles: Williams is eighth in the NFL.

  “He has been hurried 47 times, which is first in the league...that's not a product of him holding the ball.” — Matt (32:03)

  • Discussion about quarterbacks with least scrambles—Stafford, Goff, Geno Smith, and how that correlates to sacks and play design (34:49–37:38).

• Coaching Vision Hosts assert Johnson wants Williams to “give the play design a chance” before bailing.

  “Let the play design work before you go off on your own. Get the ball in the hands of the playmakers...more likely to get an explosive play by you doing your job of throwing the football.” — Matt (36:16)

7. Caleb Williams’ Growth and Mentality

• Room to Improve Williams must fine-tune internal clock—when to wait, when to go, and how to process incoming pressure.

  “So much of this is about…just give some of these plays a chance to develop just a tiny bit longer because…I know you waited, he's going to take some hits…” — Dan (20:22)

• Resilience & Maturity as Assets

  “He doesn't succumb to failure. He doesn't get lost in his own head...an attribute of his character as an athlete.” — Matt (40:55)

• Importance of Admitting Blind Spots

  “Sometimes the hardest thing...for somebody in his position is to say, ‘I don't know’ or ‘I don't get it.’…A proper working relationship allows him to say, ‘I need to see it…I can learn it, just have to learn it a little differently.’” — Dan (41:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You get what you earn, and I think he's earned the increased snapshot.”
  — Ben Johnson on Luther Burden (04:40)

• “They got some werewolves on the outside...some of the best first steps I think you'll see in this league.”
  — Ben Johnson on Steelers edge rushers (09:29)

• “It shouldn't be that hard that the guy that can’t hang onto the ball gets benched, but…it has been for so long.”
  — Matt Abbatacola (06:17)

• “He doesn’t succumb to failure. He doesn’t get lost in his own head...that’s an attribute of his character as an athlete.”
  — Matt Abbatacola on Williams’ resilience (40:55)

• “It's not a gimmick offense. It is a legitimate NFL offense, and they're barely clicking on half their cylinders, and they're still doing these numbers.”
  — Matt Abbatacola (18:48)

Key Timestamps

| Segment / Topic | Timestamp | |----|----| | Episode opens / Bears-Steelers setup | 02:17 | | Luther Burden’s role & coaching philosophy | 04:40 – 06:53 | | WR drops, Caleb’s struggles and reactions | 07:13 – 08:07 | | Ben Johnson on Steelers’ “werewolf” defense & pass rush | 09:29 – 10:56 | | Secondary shuffle: Kyler Gordon, CJ Gardner-Johnson | 11:36 – 14:10 | | Injury update & timeline discussion | 14:55 – 16:05 | | Caleb Williams on working with Ben Johnson | 16:43 – 17:58 | | Offense progress vs “gimmick” narrative | 18:35 – 18:57 | | Pressure metrics: Steelers & Bears | 26:53 – 30:13 | | Pocket time/blitz/scramble stats for Williams | 30:13 – 32:22 | | How play design, decision-making intertwine | 35:57 – 37:08 | | Williams’ resilience & learning style | 40:54 – 41:47 | | Closing banter: werewolf folklore & 80s movie nostalgia | 44:00 – end |

Final Takeaways

• Caleb Williams faces a pivotal test against a Steelers defense that’s aggressive, quick, but vulnerable to missed tackles.
• Ben Johnson’s offense is real, not smoke and mirrors—a marked change from Bears trends of years past.
• Bears coaching staff is now making rational decisions and holding players accountable, a cultural shift fans are celebrating.
• Williams’ rookie ups and downs, mental resilience, and relationship with Johnson are showing promise—with plenty of room to grow, particularly with handling pressure and trusting the offense to develop.
• Statistical deep-dives reinforce the stakes: Chicago’s offense ranks high but faces its toughest challenge yet in Pittsburgh’s pass rush. The interplay of protection, timing, and play design could define the rookie QB’s trajectory.
• Humor and cultural references round out the show, with extensive “werewolf” running jokes, ensuring fans get the usual Forward Progress blend of serious analysis and fandom catharsis.

Missed the episode? This summary delivers the essence—from tactical insights to cultural camaraderie—as the Bears look to keep progressing forward.