Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Carmen Vitali (FOX Sports Radio / Marquee Network)

Air Date: November 6, 2025

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Carmen Vitali (Fox Sports Radio / Marquee Network)

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep mid-season check-in on the Chicago Bears, focusing on their recent moves at the trade deadline, the emergence of defensive talent, organizational culture shifts, and NFC North power rankings. Carmen Vitali, with her inside perspective from Halas Hall and background in NFL reporting, joins to offer candid, well-informed opinions and analysis. The discussion balances analytical breakdowns with fan emotion, providing both tactical insights and the “vibe check” from inside the organization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Acquisition & Defensive Dynamics

[02:25-05:39]

• Vitali’s Tampa Insight:

  • Tryon-Shoyinka has “all the physical attributes” you could want: “He’s the quintessential build of a defensive end. Right. He’s 6'5 or 6'6 and…260 something pounds. And he’s just a physical specimen.” (Carmen Vitali, 03:08)
  • His career never fully took off due to entering an already-crowded DE rotation in Tampa and suffering some injuries.
  • “What I really appreciate about Joe…is how kind of self aware he is…he knows that he hasn't put it all together…he has these bursts and you kind of see the flashes of what his potential is and then he's just not able to keep it up and he knows that.” (03:39)
  • Still young at 26, he “could potentially still be ascending.”
  • Even if he doesn’t fill out the stat sheet, his presence forces offenses to account for him, potentially freeing up other Bears linemen.

• Run Defense Ability:

  • Vitali: “He can play against the run. It’s a testament to his length and…the fact that he is very agile and athletic and can kind of go sideline to sideline.” (05:01)

2. Montez Sweat’s Resurgence & Defensive Scheme Evolution

[05:39-08:05]

• Sweat has posted a sack in each of his last three games—hosts debate whether this is a “nice run” or true stardom returning.
• Vitali credits the defensive scheme under new coordinator Dennis Allen more than just individual resurgence:
  • Allen’s willingness to bring “exotic looks up front” and blitz defensive backs “makes offenses have to read and not just react,” leading to better matchups for Sweat. (06:27)
  • “Multiple levels involved in this pass rush now thanks to Dennis Allen…that’s why you’re kind of seeing Montez Sweat show up a little bit more.” (07:03)
• GM Ryan Poles is “very pleased with how this pass rush has improved and specifically how many more opportunities Montez Sweat is getting.” (07:48)

3. Bears’ Midseason Organizational Health & Ben Johnson’s Influence

[08:05-11:05]

• Easing Tension & Instilling Trust:
  • Bernstein: “It used to be this huge deal when Ryan Poles became available to the media… Now we don’t really trust the coach…this year didn’t feel that way…It is evidence…of an increasing level of trust.” (08:05)
  • Vitali: “There’s a functionality that Ben Johnson has brought to this organization…that it quite frankly hasn’t seen in the last few years.” (09:02)
• Unified Messaging:
  • “Every single player gets up to the podium and says the exact same thing and that…is a testament to Ben Johnson, his communication style, his communication skills.” (09:38)
• Draft Philosophy Shift:
  • Poles now trusts his staff: “He finally has trust in his staff to develop the guys that they do draft.” (10:09)
  • This year, he was less interested in trading premium picks for stars, wanting to develop his own.

4. Running Back Room: Kyle Monungai’s Opportunity

[11:05-12:54]

• Host asks about the “Kyle Menungai game” and whether he’s earned increased touches.
• Vitali: Both DeAndre Swift and Kyle Menungai can thrive—comparable (but not identical) to Detroit’s Gibbs/Montgomery dynamic.
  • “Kyle Menungai…that north south guy…the guy that can bowling ball between the tackles…DeAndre Swift, who’s best when you can get him in space.” (12:10)
  • Johnson’s offensive blueprint can accommodate both—“there’s room for both in that.” (12:41)

5. NFC North: Handicapping the Division

[12:54-15:35]

• Favorites & X-Factors:
  • “It’s Detroit’s division…but I did say, I don’t think it’s going to take 15 wins…12 wins, any of these teams have the capability to get there.” (13:14)
  • Detroit’s greatest enemy: injuries.
  • Packers are “Jekyll and Hyde…They have the roster, they have all of the talent...but puzzling losses throw trust out the window.” (13:46)
  • Bears “are still very much ascending. Ben Johnson said…we’re not going to be playing our best football until December. If that’s true…they can make some real noise. Do I trust them to do that? Not yet.” (14:22)
  • Vikings’ offensive line injuries and QB issues “hard to overcome…Even for a coach as good as Kevin O’Connell.” (15:06)

6. Why the Bears Should Beat the Giants

[15:35-17:40]

• Vitali’s take: “The Bears should win. And we know that this isn’t any given Sunday league…But the Bears have such an incredible variety when it comes to offense. They are capable now of scoring so many points…This defense should be able to get after Jackson Dart and they should be able to get after the quarterback.” (16:09)

  • She cautions fans not to be overly reactionary: “If they don’t [win], it’s not the end of the world…My pendulum does not swing that far back and forth because if it did, I think I drive myself crazy.” (17:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s Self-Awareness

“What I really appreciate about Joe…is how kind of self aware he is…he knows that he hasn't put it all together…he has these bursts and…then he's just not able to keep it up and he knows that. So I think that's half the battle.”
—Carmen Vitali, 03:39

On New Organizational Culture

“There’s a functionality that Ben Johnson has brought to this organization that it quite frankly hasn’t seen in the last few years…I have trust issues with the Chicago Bears and…I’m sure. And, and so to see…the casual…[Poles] was very intentional…even though the cameras weren’t rolling…” —Carmen Vitali, 09:02

On Bears Draft Strategy

“This was the first trade deadline that…Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson went through together…Poles didn’t want to part with the higher draft picks because he finally has trust in his staff to develop the guys that they do draft.”
—Carmen Vitali, 10:00

On Offensive Variance and the “Cartwright”

Fun exchange about Darnell Wright’s cartwheel celebration, with Ben Johnson calling him “the unicorn” and teasing plays where he gets the ball:

“He does some things that are pretty extraordinary. We have to continue to highlight what he can do with or without the ball himself.”
—Ben Johnson (quoted by host), 30:07

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:25] — Introduction of Carmen Vitali & trade deadline/defensive line talk
• [03:08] — Tryon-Shoyinka’s scouting report and career questions
• [05:01] — Run defense contributions
• [05:39] — Montez Sweat’s recent resurgence and defensive scheme evolution
• [08:05] — Ryan Poles/Ben Johnson organizational power structure and trust
• [11:05] — Running back rotation and offensive strategy
• [12:54] — NFC North race breakdown
• [15:35] — Preview: Bears vs Giants, what needs to happen for a win
• [29:12] — Bears’ improved pass-block win rate; Joe Thuney and Darnell Wright
• [29:30] — The “Cartwright” celebration: Darnell Wright’s athleticism and future trick plays
• [33:47] — Fun Bears meme: Johnson’s intensity vs. Matt Nagy’s “Be You”
• [39:25] — Lightning Round: upcoming NFL Week 10 slate

Tone & Flow

• The conversation is a blend of analytic rigor and Bears-fan candor—hosts and guest comfortable being skeptical, slightly playful, but genuinely optimistic about the organization’s direction.
• Carmen Vitali brings a “reporter on the inside” gravitas but matches the hosts’ casual, storytelling style. They don’t shy from humor, especially around “Bears memes,” celebrations, and famous NFL inside jokes.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is essential for understanding how the Bears’ recent moves (Tryon-Shoyinka trade), defensive evolution, organizational transformation under Ben Johnson, and internal player development plots fit into both the team's future and current NFC North dynamics. It’s packed with insights from inside Halas Hall, perspective on personnel decisions, and fun asides on memes, celebrations, and Chicago sports culture.

If you haven’t listened, let Carmen’s grounded confidence be your guide: the Bears are on the rise, but there are miles left in the journey.