Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast
Episode: Caleb's Game
Date: September 22, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Produced by: 312 Sports
Brief Overview
In "Caleb's Game," Dan and Matt break down the Bears’ first win of the season—a cathartic victory over the Cowboys—through the lens of rookie QB Caleb Williams’ breakout performance. The episode pairs an analytical look at game plans, execution, and player development with the impassioned scrutiny distinctive of lifelong Chicago Bears fans. The hosts discuss not just the details of the Bears’ win, but what the performance might mean for the franchise's infamous first-round QB history, coaching methods, and the building of a winning culture.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ben Johnson’s Postgame Reflection & Locker Room Impact
[01:43–03:27]
-
Ben Johnson (Bears Head Coach) emphasized situational dominance (third down, red zone, two-minute drill):
"Our points of emphasis going into the week were playing great situational football...I thought we were statistically better than [the Cowboys] in all three of those areas and that was the formula for us to come out on top."
[01:43] -
Gave game balls to QB Caleb Williams and LB Tremaine Edmunds:
- Williams: 142.6 passer rating, 4 TDs, improved huddle control and play-calling speed.
- Edmunds: 14 tackles, 2 INTs, "all over the field."
-
Johnson credits the week's “championship standard” preparation for translating directly into inspired play.
“The first two weeks have not gone the way we wanted...but we got to get the issues fixed...I thought the guys were committed to that here this week, and they played inspired football today.”
[03:01]
2. Coaching Philosophy: Holding Players Accountable
[03:35–04:59]
-
Dan and Matt discuss Johnson calling out the team’s poor preparation previously, observing this cannot become routine or the message will lose impact.
“You don't get to do that every week...because it starts to fall on deaf ears...But I think it worked...”
Dan, [04:20] -
Emphasize the importance of this effort setting a new weekly standard:
“That is now the standard that's what it's got to be every week, if not higher. But you can't keep calling guys out.”
Dan, [04:51]
3. Leadership and Motivation in the Locker Room
[05:45–07:37]
-
Grady Jarrett’s pre-game locker-room speech was described as a “talk amongst brothers.”
-
Both hosts express that motivational speeches are empty if the player doesn’t impact games:
"If you paid him to be an assistant coach and give speeches, you're overpaying him because we need to see him show up in the stat sheet."
Dan, [06:29] -
The challenge of playing hurt—Jarrett is lauded for passion but urged to get healthy:
"If you're not impactful in the game, it kind of loses the whole point."
Matt, [07:13]
4. Caleb Williams’ Progress and Expectations
[07:38–18:29]
-
Ben Johnson notes pride in Williams getting comfortable calling plays and managing the huddle—hosts question why this is still a headline after 20 games:
“It shouldn't be something you're publicly excited about...Not 20 games in for the first round pick.”
Matt, [07:48] -
Discussion of high expectations for Williams; being critical is not out of malice but because he is the presumed “savior” for the Bears.
The "Bears First-Round QB Breakout Game" Pattern
[11:25–16:47]
- Dan lists prior first-round Bears QBs’ similar “arrival games:” Cade McNown, Rex Grossman, Mitchell Trubisky, Justin Fields.
- The cautionary tale: Singular breakout games haven't translated to long-term success.
“I hope that he is able to break this mold and define himself as moving as this being the actual tone setter everybody wants it to be.”
Dan, [14:57]
Nitpicking Williams is a Sign of High Standards
-
Matt asserts being tough on Williams is what he wants as an elite competitor:
“That’s the standard that I’m holding him to, and that’s the standard he wants to be held to."
Matt, [18:11] -
Both agree Williams looks to Rome Odunze as his security blanket on scramble drills but needs better chemistry with all his receivers.
5. Assessing Defensive Performance and Tyrique Stevenson’s Redemption
[20:26–24:47]
-
Big bounce-back game for CB Tyrique Stevenson after last season’s disasters.
-
Critical forced turnover early swung momentum.
“...it really was one hell of a play. I mean, running, you know, chasing, getting the ball, ripping it right out of his arms, keeping, you know, staying in bounds...a really great play."
Dan, [24:37] -
Emphasis on the coming challenge against the Raiders and particularly the importance of another good week leading into the Commanders (“not the Redskins!”) game. The hosts joke about their running tally of the "Redskins" slip-up “swear jar.”
6. NFL Week in Review – Rapid Reactions
[25:19–32:17]
- Around-the-league talk: Packers’ bad loss to Cleveland, Titans’ coach Brian Callahan on the hot seat, Colts & Daniel Jones’ surprising start, the Falcons’ shock loss to Carolina, and concerns about CJ Stroud.
- Lookahead to Lions-Ravens prime-time matchup and how it might impact the NFC North standings.
7. Listener Community and Inside Podcast Moments
[00:20, interspersed]
- Hosts enjoy and encourage the growing YouTube/live stream community, referencing lively comment sections and listener engagement.
- Dan and Matt riff on “murder cake” (discount, slightly squished Mariano’s coffee cake), joking about old-school grocery hacks and plastic bag reuse for shake-and-bake pork chops.
8. Mundane Epiphany: Gronkowski as the Trix Rabbit
[37:01–40:39]
- Dan's epiphany: The recurring Gronkowski USAA insurance commercials mirror the old “Trix are for Kids” cereal commercials.
“The mascot who wants this product or service...at the end of every commercial is told it’s not for you. What does that remind you of?...Trix. Trix are for kids.”
Dan, [39:10] - Matt is delighted by the connection, and both agree it’s a signature “Forward Progress” flavor to tie football, commercials, and pop culture together.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Ben Johnson’s Gambit:
“You don't get to do that every week...because it starts to fall on deaf ears...But I think it worked.”
Dan, [04:20] -
On Leadership:
"If you paid him to be an assistant coach and give speeches, you're overpaying him because we need to see him show up in the stat sheet."
Dan, [06:29] -
On Caleb Williams’ Huddle Progress:
“It shouldn't be something you're publicly excited about...Not 20 games in for the first round pick.”
Matt, [07:48] -
On Franchise QB Hope Cycles:
“These games happen for Bears first round picks...I hope that he is able to break this mold...and define himself as moving as this being the actual tone setter everybody wants it to be.”
Dan, [14:56] -
On Standards for Williams:
“That’s the standard that I’m holding him to, and that’s the standard he wants to be held to.”
Matt, [18:11] -
On the “Trix Rabbit” Ad Epiphany:
“Silly Gronk. Life’s Insurance is for veterans and members of the military...He’s the Trix Rabbit.”
Dan, [40:06]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Ben Johnson’s Postgame Press Conference: [01:43–03:27]
- Coaching Accountability & Practice Standards: [03:27–04:59]
- Grady Jarrett’s Leadership & Health: [05:45–07:37]
- Caleb Williams’ Progress and Expectation Management: [07:38–18:29]
- Bears’ First-Round QBs Pattern: [11:25–16:47]
- Defensive Redemption (Tyrique Stevenson): [20:26–24:47]
- NFL Rapid Reaction Segment: [25:19–32:17]
- Bears Fandom Riffs (Community & Food): [32:17–36:56]
- Gronk as Trix Rabbit Epiphany: [37:01–40:39]
Conclusion
“Caleb’s Game” is classic Forward Progress: equal parts tactical breakdown, historical context, and fan therapy. While celebrating a much-needed win and a glimpse of a brighter future with Caleb Williams, Dan and Matt refuse to sugarcoat lingering issues—setting a high standard for both their team and themselves as analysts and Bears fans. With humor and authenticity, they remind listeners that one win, or one breakout QB game, isn’t enough to escape The Bears’ QB Curse just yet—but it sure makes for a lively Monday show.