Chicago Bears add depth at D-Line | WR3 | Maxx Crosby is "livid"

Summary

Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode Title: Chicago Bears Add Depth at D-Line | WR3 | Maxx Crosby is "Livid"
Release Date: March 18, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola

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Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dive deep into the latest moves from the Chicago Bears, focusing on the signing of defensive lineman James Lynch, front office cap space challenges, and implications for the depth chart. The conversation also covers the ongoing competition for the WR3 role, how roster tweaks might unfold, and a dramatic story about Maxx Crosby’s failed trade to the Baltimore Ravens. Along the way, expect their trademark humor, some memorable personal asides, and sharp observations about both the Bears and wider NFL news.

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Key Discussion Points

1. James Lynch Signs with the Bears

Timestamp: 01:00 – 04:20

• The Bears signed James Lynch, a veteran defensive lineman, to a one-year deal.
  • Lynch played the last two years with the Titans, appeared in 34 games, and previously was a fourth-round draft pick by the Vikings (2020).
  • Career stats: 45 tackles, 1.5 sacks (Titans); 53 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FR (Vikings).
  • quote: “He plays, he shows up. Sounds to me like core, special teamer, potential game day, rotational veteran lineman. … This is not, you know, Cam Jordan … but these are the kind of places in free agency where you tend to have better value.” (Dan, 02:10)
• Discussion on cap implications and need to clear additional space before rookie signings.
  • Possible cap moves: restructuring contracts for Kyler Gordon or Jalen Johnson.

2. Cap Space & Free Agency Implications

Timestamp: 02:52 – 04:27

• The Bears are likely at the edge of their cap, and this move suggests little is left for further major signings.
  • There’s speculation about how much is left for the rookie class and the possibility of restructuring deals.

3. Wide Receiver 3 (WR3) Battle

Timestamp: 14:05 – 19:44

• Mailbag segment: Who will emerge as WR3 for the Bears—Khalif Raymond or Jade Walker?

  • The Bears didn’t have a clear WR3 last year. The expectation is a shared role between Walker and Raymond, but further competition could be added via a veteran signing or the draft.
  • quote: “I could see Walker and Raymond both getting opportunities in the offense, so it’s a non-answer answer.” (Dan, 17:34)
  • Hosts express hope for Walker, but uncertainty remains about his role.

• Role of special teams: Raymond may not be able to double as both primary returner and WR3.

• Potential for a "Swiss army knife" player: A dynamic, versatile, fast threat (like Deebo Samuel) could still be targeted.

4. Tight End Depth and Offense Construction

Timestamp: 19:44 – 21:22

• With Durham Smythe gone, the Bears need a legitimate third tight end.
  • Steven Carlson and Nicola Kalanich are on the roster, but a day three draft pick or a veteran signing is likely.
  • The third tight end role is significant in Ben Johnson’s offense, given usage patterns last season.

5. Draft Speculation: Bears’ Top Pick

Timestamp: 21:22 – 22:00

• Matt’s prediction: the Bears’ first draft pick in 2026 will be an edge rusher.
  • quote: “I’ve come to that conclusion—their first pick will be an edge rusher.” (Matt, 21:22)
• Dan agrees and notes that the team has focused on interior defensive line depth with budget signings.

6. Names, Nicknames, and Sidelights

Timestamp: 22:00 – 24:00 / 39:47 – 41:45

• Fun digression about the Dickensian nature of names like Neville Gallimore; discussion about the backgrounds of Bears’ new additions.
• Discovery: James Lynch's middle name is "Husker"—his father, Tim Lynch, played linebacker for Nebraska (41:08).
  • quote: “That’s a choice. ... He literally gave his kid the middle name Husker.” (Dan, 40:51)

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Noteworthy Moments & Quotes

• “There’s something about car chicken.” (Dan, 05:40)
  A humorous and relatable aside about buying and eating fried chicken alone in one’s car, complete with self-aware guilt and imagery.

• Safety talk, Bears history:

  • Clarification on Mark Carrier's background, with a tongue-in-cheek discussion of White Sox owner Ishbia and diversity checkpoints at new ballparks.
    quote: “At no point...I thought it was first round or just drafted white safeties.” (Matt, 12:37)

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7. Maxx Crosby and the Ravens Trade Fallout

Timestamp: 23:43 – 30:36

• Breaks down the failed Maxx Crosby trade to Baltimore.
  • Crosby describes being “livid” and confused after the Ravens backed out due to red flags in his physical—particularly concerns with his knee (ligament and bone issues).
  • quote: “No one will ever admit what the real truth is. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I am where I am supposed to be.” (Crosby, relayed by Matt, 24:09)
  • Dan and Matt argue the Ravens were straightforward and that Crosby should recognize possible long-term health issues.
  • Memorable analysis: "You got a free second opinion … on someone else’s dime." (Dan, 28:21)
• Hosts advise the Bears should keep a watchful eye on Crosby’s situation in case he becomes available at a major discount.

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8. NFL Cross-Sport Experiment: Carson Tout

Timestamp: 31:46 – 38:13

• The Colts have signed Notre Dame basketball player Carson Tout as a tight end—he’s never played football at any level.
• Dan is fascinated by cross-sport athletes, drawing comparisons to Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers.
  • quote: “I’m an absolute sucker for these cross-sport stories… I can’t get enough of them.” (Dan, 32:41)
• Discussion about teaching basics to athletes new to football, amusing notes on football gear, and the steep learning curve for those coming from basketball.

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9. Sign-off Fun: Mascots & Middle Names

Timestamp: 39:47 – 42:14

• The discovery that James Lynch’s middle name “Husker” comes from his dad, deepening his football roots.
• Amusing recollection about odd mascots (“Moody Archers,” “two dudes in an archway costume”).
• Episode wraps with: “James Husker lynch is the brand new Chicago Bear. … And we’re happy to have him.” (Matt & Dan, 42:14)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|----------------| | James Lynch signs with the Bears | 01:00 – 04:20 | | Cap space chat & positional implications | 02:52 – 04:27 | | WR3 discussion: Walker vs. Raymond | 14:05 – 19:44 | | Tight end depth—third TE question | 19:44 – 21:22 | | Bears’ draft forecast (first pick) | 21:22 – 22:00 | | Name/nickname hijinks + James “Husker” Lynch | 22:00 – 24:00; 39:47 – 41:45 | | Maxx Crosby’s failed trade & reactions | 23:43 – 30:36 | | Colts sign basketball player Carson Tout | 31:46 – 38:13 | | Mascots, sign-off, and episode close | 39:47 – 42:14 |

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Quotes of the Episode

• On James Lynch:
  “He plays, he shows up. Sounds to me like core, special teamer, potential game day, rotational veteran lineman.” (Dan, 02:10)

• On filling WR3:
  "I could see Walker and Raymond both getting opportunities in the offense, so it’s a non-answer answer." (Dan, 17:34)

• On NFL cross-sport moves:
  “I’m an absolute sucker for these cross-sport stories… I can’t get enough of them.” (Dan, 32:41)

• On failed Maxx Crosby trade:
  “No one will ever admit what the real truth is. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I am where I am supposed to be.” (Crosby quote, via Matt, 24:09)

• On chicken confessions:
  “There’s something about car chicken. … All that chicken wants is a forever home.” (Dan, 05:40; 07:00)

• On the harsh truths of football:
  “You put this equipment on because that big angry man over there is going to try to kill you." (Dan, 38:13)

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Tone & Language

True to form, Dan and Matt keep things lively, combining expert Bears/NFL analysis with humor, candor, and occasional digressions into food and personal anecdotes. The banter is brisk, filled with memorable one-liners (“car chicken”) and a blend of optimism and realism about the Bears’ direction.

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Recap in Short

• Bears solidify D-line depth with James Lynch; cap is tight.
• No clear WR3—Walker and Raymond will compete; team could add competition.
• Tight end depth is now a priority after departures.
• Matt predicts first pick in draft will be an edge rusher.
• Maxx Crosby’s failed Ravens trade brings lessons about medical transparency and future trade value.
• Colts’ signing of basketball player Carson Tout highlights NFL’s fascination with cross-sport athletes.
• End with nickname fun, mascot stories, and the ever-important middle name: ‘Husker’.

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For any Bears fan wanting the details, sharp analysis, and some hearty laughs, this episode covers the key offseason moves and drama—and brings some fried chicken wisdom for the car-bound among us.

Transcript

[A]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[B]

I mean, if you're a Bears fan, you're thinking forward progress. Come on. Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports.

[C]

You want forward progress? You got it. Because we give it to you right here on 312 Sports. And the Bears are doing stuff. You turn around and the next thing you know, we've got a brand newly minted Chicago Bear. Who we got, folks? Put your hands together and let's give a big Bears welcome to defensive lineman James Lynch.

[B]

James Brown.

[C]

No, I think name sounds familiar. Maybe I'm thinking of Jane Lynch. James Lynch.

[B]

Oh, yeah, that's because I think that's what happened to me too. As soon as you said James Lynch, I mean, he was like, who is that? And then I think Jane lynch was in my brain.

[C]

James lynch signed.

[B]

We didn't sign Jane Lynch.

[C]

We didn't. Although she's awesome. A one year deal. He spent the last two years with the Titans. He appeared in all 34 games. He had 45 tackles. He had 1.5 sacks. He was a Vikings fourth round pick in 2020. And his totals for Minnesota, 53 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

[B]

So he's been there, he plays, he

[C]

plays, he shows up. Sounds to me like core, special teamer, potential game day, rotational veteran lineman. This is not, you know, Cam Jordan or excuse me, it was AJ Epanessa we were looking at.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

And I'm trying to think some of the other, the Bosas and the various other veterans that were being discussed. I know Jadavian Clowney and some of these others. This is again the kind of places in free agency where you tend to have better value with some of the, the, the signings that'll help the bottom third of your roster. So this would be middle third, bottom third kind of thing. Got no problem with it.

[B]

But that rotational guy.

[C]

Yeah, rotational guy. And it's a one year deal, but we're probably looking at the last or down to the last of the available cap money, which tells me even to sign this rookie class, they are going to have to make new space, right?

[B]

Correct.

[C]

That's inevitable.

[B]

Now they're going, what was this guy's money?

[C]

One year and how much I didn't see. I think that the veteran minimum is 5.5. Right. Or is that on the one year deals? Because they were referring to the 5.5 as the max. We'll get those numbers either way.

[B]

Because I didn't even think they had 5.5 left at this point. I thought they had under 4.5, but I could be wrong about that.

[C]

Well, either way, they're going to have to make room when you're signing the rookie class and are any other moves that have to be made. We don't even know who else might get hurt here. So. Kyler Gordon, is that your ATM somebody who recently did an extension?

[B]

Yeah, he's a guy. Jalen Johnson.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Guy.

[C]

Given his injuries, they could go to jail and. Well, either way, it doesn't change their money. It just changes. It just changes the designation on it and. And where it is relative to the cap. So I think. I think Kyler Gord would probably be that first dude. So I don't know if Joe Tooney already is somebody that they'd be. They'd be trying to figure out. But. Okay, so that, that will probably do it.

[B]

As far as free agent bodies for right now.

[C]

Why does the name James lynch sound like. Is there somebody in history?

[B]

I think you're thinking of John Lynch.

[C]

John Lynch. Jane Lynch.

[B]

James Lynch. James Brown.

[C]

Yeah. Okay. All right.

[B]

Ruben Brown.

[C]

No, I got confused with chicken. That's gotta be it.

[B]

Okay. See, that's the connection. All roads lead back to chicken for you. Oh, can I tell you something too?

[C]

Anytime.

[B]

I don't know if I should or if I should thank you or be angry at you. I'm not sure what I should do.

[C]

You're sound like my children.

[B]

So I ran them sunset the other day for two items I needed two essential households.

[C]

You don't go to Sunset for that. Okay. You don't go.

[B]

No, but I can because I'm. I know I can, but it's because it's closer and it's closer than the Mariano's and they know you. Yeah, I needed paper towels, I needed paper plates and I wasn't going to go to Mariano's for that.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Even though they are more expensive. I also walked out with two like fried chicken drums.

[C]

And you ate them in the car, didn't you?

[B]

Yes, yes.

[C]

And they were awesome.

[B]

And they were fantastic. What have you done?

[C]

I don't know. There's something about car chicken.

[B]

As I'm walking to the checkout, the self checkout, I'm like, I'm buying car chicken. What happened to me?

[C]

There's nothing like car chicken. And feeling sad while you sit in your front seat and. And you open the thing and you've got the little napkins and you know, there's crumbs everywhere.

[B]

Well, I forgot napkins too. Yes.

[C]

Use the steering wheel.

[B]

That's all it was. I just.

[C]

You know, chicken grease is kind of like Armor all. You know, it makes it shiny. You can have it sort of shiny and slippery.

[B]

I'm walking to self checkout. I'm like, I'm just. I'm self loathing.

[C]

You feel guilty.

[B]

And I'm like, why am I buying car chicken? This bastard. I know. And then I'm eating it in the parking lot and there's like, people parked next to me pull in.

[C]

Yes. And you look like a desperado. You look like you've never eaten in your life.

[B]

The guy who was like, you can't go home and eat this in front of his wife. Which I certainly can.

[C]

But people think you stole it or people think you didn't pay for it. You, like, you. You hurried it out or you ran it. Mariana's to eat it in the bathroom.

[B]

I mean, so, yeah, so I'm buying car chicken now. Like, I walk into the store knowing, gotta check the chicken out sometimes, regardless

[C]

of why I'm there. Because sometimes in the chafing dish, there's something it needs to be rescued. It.

[A]

It.

[C]

It wants a better life. You. You're giving a home to that. To that piece of ch. All that chicken wants is a forever home.

[B]

So you know what? I did? And then like the week before, I went to get a couple things for. For dinner, and they had the chicken wings on the hot plate. And so I got. I got like eight chicken wings because my youngest stepson, eight winglets, ate like

[C]

drums or flats or eight whole wings. Okay.

[B]

No, no. Yeah, I got eight of them because he was coming home from school relatively at the same time when I'd be getting back from the store. And he loves wings. And so he walks in and I said, hey, guess what? I got us. Got us some wings. And so we spoiled like hookers.

[C]

We.

[B]

No, he didn't say hookers. 10.

[C]

You got hookers?

[B]

Yeah, you know, Wrong guy. Damn, you're thinking of our old boss. So I was like, I got you Four wings. And he got four wings. What are you. What are you doing? Nothing.

[C]

Okay, so you.

[B]

No, he's told that story on the air before. Okay, yeah, I'm not. I'm not spilling the tea on anything.

[C]

All right. You divided up the wings. Wow. That.

[B]

That's what stops you in your tracks.

[C]

It's all good.

[B]

Interesting.

[C]

All right, I'll edit that out. No, don't edit it out.

[B]

I may.

[C]

I might. Or I might not, though.

[B]

Oh, boy. Listening audience. Do you think something was edited out or not? Yeah. So then we split the wings and we ate them. So, like, he loves fried chicken, too.

[C]

Who doesn't?

[B]

Well, a lot of people don't. A lot of people don't eat meat on bones.

[C]

Fine. More for us.

[B]

Yes, more for us. So now you've got to do a quite well.

[C]

And I learned after the fact. Did I tell you this? That my dad listened to one of the shows when we were talking about fried chicken, okay? And he said to me. He goes. And he told me. So he took. When after college, he and one of his best friends from home took. Who then I think went to law school with. I think so maybe. No, maybe not. They took a car, truck, a hitchhiker, and murdered him. They took it. They got, like, this old crappy used car, okay, and they drove, like, all to see all these national parks, okay. Like, all the way up to California, up to Crater Lake, and they stayed in cabins and they went.

[B]

This is something you didn't know about your dad till later on.

[C]

Well, I knew they took the trip because I remember seeing pictures of these rainbow trout that he caught when he was 21. And he was all excited about it because he and his friend took this trip where they just sort of went around and went to national parks, and they did it after college.

[B]

That's when they killed the hitchhiker.

[C]

But then he said, you know what else we did? He said, anytime a gas station or a roadside place said they had fried chicken, we stopped. Nice. And they apparently.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But they apparently kept it like a journal. That. And these are. These are two brilliant, brilliant people. And I said, well, where is it? Where did you write down your notes at the time on all of this Americana fried chicken.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And alas, it is. It's. It's gone some. It never. It doesn't exist. I just. But think about it, like, going through things from 1965, right around 1965, the American west, and random gas station fried chicken stops.

[B]

That's great. It's a good story with a sad Ending, but thanks for ruining. Yeah, I know.

[C]

I just. I would love to see that. There was, like, a Sunoco in southern Utah that had the best chicken.

[B]

Really good fried chicken or bad fried chicken.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So anyway, now I go to the store with the intention of getting at least one drumstick.

[C]

I mean, sometimes it can't. Let. Let it come to you. It doesn't have to be an intention.

[B]

No, it's. It's intentional.

[C]

Now, it can be the furthest thing from your mind.

[B]

Now I think about. All right, what do we need? What do I need to go to the store for right now?

[C]

Now, see, that. That's a problem.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

That's when you know you have a problem, is if you're going there to get car chicken. Car chicken has to be its own phenomenon. It's just gotta happen. Or sometimes, like, you know, you see that chicken looks lonely.

[B]

I put my hat back on for the show. I forgot I didn't get my hat for DBU today. It was all the way upstairs. Was it thrown all the way upstairs? Well, it was. It threw me off a little bit

[C]

to not have my hat. That's a good fishing shirt you got, though.

[B]

Yeah, this is the same brand. Yeah. It's just all the colors that.

[C]

Yeah, no, that's. I like that. That. That charcoal.

[B]

You like this better than the pea green?

[C]

No, I. I'm into the weird colors, too, because I think it makes me easier to see if something, you know, somebody might run into me. I don't know, because it's crowded where I fish. There's all the, you know, the. The.

[B]

The.

[C]

The ice cream guys and the pedicabs, and you have random blobs of tourists with selfie sticks. I get run into a lot.

[B]

All right, so the bear. Signed James Lynch.

[C]

They did. Welcome to the bears.

[B]

James, you also have a follow up on our safety conversation yesterday.

[C]

Yeah, I'm sorry, When we were talking about safety yesterday, I don't know if something got lost in translation. When we were doing Bears safety history. Either way, yes, Mark Carrier was a top pick for them, and yes, Mark Carrier was a very good safety for them. We were tracking at one point. The last time they drafted a white safety.

[B]

Right. That's. That's what I thought we were doing. Which is why I didn't bring up Mark Carrier at no point. I thought it was first round or just drafted white safeties.

[C]

Yeah, but Mark Carrier wasn't for whatever confusion there was or any mistake that I might have made.

[B]

Well, before you say that, I did check with the White Sox. Okay, good.

[C]

That he, Mark Carrier is still black.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

All right. Okay. Thank you for checking.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

And there is actually, we're told, since Justin Ishbia has just purchased that land west of the river near the 76, that going into the new park, whenever it's built, there will be something that tells you whether you're black or white and whether or not you should be celebrated. They're going to have those near the magnanometers as you walk in. If you do need confirmation on whether or not you're black or white, there's going to be a kiosk there.

[B]

That's really helpful.

[C]

It's going to take a picture, it's going to tell you, and then whether or not you should be celebrated as part of Black History Month.

[B]

So very good. Well, yeah, that's good. Good to know. Good stuff. Good stuff there from the White Sox. Thank you. Jason Ishbia.

[C]

Justin Ishbia.

[B]

And, oh, Justin.

[C]

There is a Jason. Thanks to him, too.

[B]

Oh, is Jason his brother?

[C]

No, Matt is his brother.

[B]

Then who's Jason? Hpa.

[C]

We made him up. There's Justin and there's Matt Ishbia.

[B]

There's no Jason Ishbia.

[A]

No.

[B]

Are you sure?

[C]

Somewhere there is probably. There's. There's other Ishbias, I would imagine. There's probably. I don't. I don't know. If you could look one up and find out, I would be willing to.

[B]

Oh, yeah, I think you're right. I think it's Justin. Yeah, we'll just get a disagree on that.

[C]

All right. Yeah. Here's Brad Biggs. Put out a mailbag. I always say never miss a mailbag because. Because it's always really important to keep tabs on.

[B]

You're a mailbag. Duh.

[C]

And one thing that he was asked about and that I thought was a. Something that came up when we were talking about wide receivers. And where is Jade Walker?

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Right. Where is where? Because. Because he was fun and good.

[B]

Yeah. We just didn't know what they thought of. Of what he could be this coming season. We weren't sure yet where he's at.

[C]

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[D]

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[C]

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[D]

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[E]

Help is always ready before, during and after your stay. We've planned for the plot twists so support is always available because a great trip starts with peace of mind, right?

[C]

Well, one thing that was noted here as we and you always go with the it's clear you can tell by the questions that are asked is what he's hearing a lot of and one of the questions was if you had to make the prediction right now, who is the wide receiver? 3 Khalif Raymond or Jade Walker? And the answer is the Bears didn't have a clear number three last year. D.J. moore 979 snaps Roma Dunes on the field for 733. A figure would have been higher had he not missed time with a foot injury. Then you had Zacchaeus with 580 and Burden with 402. They shared that role in Ben Johnson's final season as Lions OC. There was a clearer number three in Tim Patrick 641 snaps behind St. Brown and Williams. Raymond was a distant fourth with two hundred and eleven. As the roster's currently constructed, I'd envision Some sort of shared number three role between Walker and Raymond. Depending on the game plan, the defense, the play, etc. He then makes it clear. I'd imagine the Bears will add competition to the mix in form of a cheap veteran signing or a draft pick or both. But I could see Walker and Raymond both getting opportunities in the offense, so it's a non answer answer. I don't know how ready they think Walker is. As long as he's still here, I'm going to think that he is in some sort of developmental pipeline with some linear aspect we can picture that's on the upswing. You know, I want to think that. And I think that bodes well for others and say if you make this roster, you got a chance to carve out a bigger role for yourself, even though you might not have been a high draft pick. I think it's a really good example to set and it says a lot about Antoine Randall.

[B]

I also think too, depending on what direction they go for the return game will determine a lot of this as well.

[C]

No question.

[B]

Because obviously Raymond can't be the main return individual and be the third wide receiver.

[C]

Or, and, or do you get a Swiss army knife? Do you get somebody who fits like the way that I. And I don't think they use DJ Moore all that well in some of the running plays, but we always look at Debo Samuel or some of the people that can do a bunch of different things. It's been the watchword of the defense. And if, if in fact. And those guys aren't necessarily cheap, but if somebody who is fast and versatile, who can be a bit of an everyman for you as a. As somebody who, who you just want with the ball in his hands and it might be. As a running back, it might be flexed out. And it's also answered in the next question about the tight end because now that Durham Smythe is gone, he played a lot of snaps.

[B]

Yeah, he did.

[C]

He really did. He was out there a lot.

[B]

They're going to have to add a third tight end. Yes, we talked about this enough that they have to. It's not even a question right now.

[C]

It's Steven Carlson and the other guy. Remember who I tried to identify like the second to last game of the season or maybe it was even the playoff game. Like who's Nicola Kalanich?

[B]

Yeah, I think that was before. I think he got in regular season when that first came up.

[C]

Is that what it was? Nicola?

[B]

I think so, yeah.

[C]

Kalanich who? He says Carlson and Nicola Kalanich who I don't know why he's not a Bull. Could be in the mix to compete for the role. So the Bears could at a day three pick at the tight end position. I wouldn't rule out a veteran signing. Then they can see how things play out over the off season and in training camp. But I look at third tight end on the Bears as more significant perhaps than it's been in the past.

[B]

No, I agree 100%. They use 13 a lot. And he was, he was targeted and he was fullback. I mean he did a lot of different things for Ben Johnson's offense last year. So they're definitely going to. Unless they think one of those two guys can step up and take that role. I mean, again, it's an important role, but it wasn't a very significant role that someone else couldn't do what Derm Smythe did. And he goes now to Baltimore and he reunites with Declan Doyle. I also think Dan for the Bears first round draft pick. I'm not too sure when they're going to make this pick, but when they make their first pick of the draft in 2026, it will be an edge rusher. I've come to that conclusion that they will draft an edge rusher with their first pick whenever that's going to be. And I don't know how Ryan polls is going to play it.

[C]

But you're on record.

[B]

I'm on record with this rusher. Yes. Yep.

[C]

Not. Not just that you want an edge rusher, that they. Regardless of your desires. You're calling it that they're going to take one.

[B]

Yeah. Edge rusher. And I don't know if it'll be a 25 or they move up or they move down, but I think, I think their first pick will be an edge rusher.

[C]

Okay. I will say I want you to be right. Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I, I hope that you're right because that would make the most sense. And the fact that they're loading up on the interior of the line with inexpensive veterans. Right. Because that's. That's Kentavious Street.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

And that is Neville James lynch. And that is also Neville Gallimore. Neville Gallimore. What a gorgeous name.

[B]

That's a great name.

[C]

Neville Gallimore. That's sort of like my.

[B]

Sounds like a singer.

[C]

Well, no, it does. But it also has, it's my theory on all of the Jamaican reggae stars and like dancehall reggae stars that had these names all have Dickensian British names like Peter Tosh is actually, I believe it's Like Peter something. Macintosh. And it was always my rule with. With all of these Jamaican dudes is when you look up the actual name of, like, I don't know, Method man or Beanie man or Yellow man or all of these various guys that they always have gorgeous, like, Victorian English names.

[B]

That's your rule. Nev.

[C]

Yes, Neville. Where's Neville Gallimore from? Oh, boy, I don't know.

[B]

You got a computer there? Look at the damn paper.

[C]

You got the paper there? Yeah. Neville Gallimore. He is Canadian and of. Oh, yes. He's Jamaican. Jamaican. Me crazy. He is. Yeah. Okay, that's cool. So he's Jamaican. Canadian. There it is. My theory. My theory holds true.

[B]

It holds true. Yes. Very good. Another Edge Rusher story here. I don't know if you saw this on ESPN about. Or anywhere, actually. Max Crosby, being very livid about the Ravens trade not going through, said he was very livid and confused by their decision to back out of the trade. He says this quote, no one will ever admit what the real truth is.

[C]

What.

[B]

Ultimately, it doesn't matter. I am where I am supposed to be. He said this on his most recent podcast, the Rush. He described last weekend as a whirlwind. He was shocked about his time in Vegas appearing to an end after seven seasons, but he was excited for a new opportunity with the Ravens. On Monday, Crosby said the Ravens flew him first class to Washington because of the lack of direct flights to Baltimore. The next day, Crosby had a physical and an MRI, but didn't speak with GM Eric DaCosta throughout the day. I thought I was going to see him when I first got there. I don't know why. I'm not going to speculate. He just made the trade and I didn't see him for five hours. Just before Crosby left the facility, he met with Ravens head coach Jesse Minter and Dacosta saying the energy felt off. I dapped up Minter and he had a blank face. Crosby said he was terrified after DaCosta then informed him that one of the doctors had concerns about his knee and they wanted to get additional opinions. Okay, all right, first of all, he was brought out there for a physical. Like, I don't know, did he. Did he want Eric Da Costa waiting at the Runway at the gate with flowers and open arms, throwing flower petals to him? What did he want? All right, he had to go meet the doctor. Like, of course the GM was going to see you. And he did see him. And, yeah, of course, Jesse Minter's face was kind of blank and not probably excited because their doctor said, hey, this is no good. We can't go through with this. So did he want a warm embrace with a big smile? Hey, you're never going to be here, but great to meet you.

[C]

Hey, we have really important concerns about whether or not it's going to be worth our money to sign you. Yeah.

[B]

So it was really, really strange.

[C]

Don't you want him to be honest about everything? I guess.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Would you rather they shine your apple like, hey, hey. Yeah. Here you go. Here's the keys to everything. Here's your lanyard. Okay. Here's your playbook. And they're like, boy, I'm sure I'll be best at the physical.

[B]

No, they give him everything. Then like, hey, give that all back because our doctors have concerns.

[C]

Yeah, but just like, be honest.

[B]

So then he says. He says he spoke to a member of the Raven staff. Doesn't say who it was. Just says he spoke to a member of the Raven staff and that he said that individual Raven staff member said the team still planned on getting the deal done. Five minutes later, Crosby was told by his agent that Baltimore had called off the deal. I'm like, holy shit. Crosby said, I told him, I'm trying to get out of here. Okay? Then they put him back on a plane and he left. Ravens put him on a private plane and he was gone. Okay, like. And it was. It was more than just the ligament concern. We talked about this yesterday as well, and when the story first came out, there was bone issue, and it's something more significant, not only for the immediate future and the recovery, but for long term. That's what the doctors told the Ravens.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Now you can have all the conspiracy theories you want about how quickly they signed Trey Hendrickson. He wasn't signed anywhere. And stories out of his camp said that he was going to take his time and be patient, to wait for the right deal to come through and not sign just for the money. We don't know of any other teams that offered him a deal. Well, so this falls through for the Ravens with Crosby because he's got bone issue as well as the ligament issue and the recovery time and what could be the long term effect on this. So Hendrickson's still sitting there. So they reach his agent, reach out to his agent, they get a deal done pretty quick.

[C]

Well, maybe. Maybe this is the kind of thing, when you think about it, that he should listen to what he's learning here, and that is maybe talk to his own doctors. And I'm sure outside of the team doctors, he has his own team and just say, hey, if I failed a physical, what do I need to know about?

[B]

And Dan, how about the fact that

[C]

about not just the recovery, about my career, about how I'm gonna be deployed, if in fact the lesson here is maybe you're not as healthy as you think you are.

[B]

Right. Shooting hoops and jumping on a trampoline.

[C]

Right. You got a free second opinion is what you got.

[B]

You.

[C]

You got a free medical look here on someone else's dime to say, all right, what. What now are the best ways I can maximize the remainder of my career as a Raider. Right?

[B]

And let's go back to the story. He. It happens in October, they shut him down in December with two games to go, and he's pissed off about it. And the story makes them look like the bad guys. And here's a guy who had more than ligament injuries and he has the surgery in early January. Other doctors look at it and say, hey, this, this isn't just recovering from some typical knee injury that football players have. This could impact his long term prognosis.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

But yet you were the tough guy that played through this injury after October and then set up the narrative that the Ravens or that the Raiders were some bad guys and not controlling their asset properly because they wanted to shut me down. And I want to be a man and be out there playing these two games.

[C]

Take the hint. This is the second hint. It might just be that you're getting apparently objective doctors assessing imaging and what you might want to do now, you and your doctors take the hint and maybe just see, okay, look, should we send this imaging elsewhere and not say who it is and say, what do you think of this knee?

[B]

Right. And I don't like this whole. No one will ever admit what the real truth is. Ultimately doesn't matter. I'm where I'm supposed to be. No one will ever admit what the real truth is that's feeding the whole conspiracy theory that, oh, they just pulled out of this because they got the Trey Hendrickson deal done.

[C]

Well, maybe he needs. Wasn't right, but maybe that's. Maybe you answered because he needs to think that. He needs to think that rather than him having to see the approaching end of a career or the approaching end of, at the very least, his peak operating efficiency and having to come to grips with that, that he would rather just say, oh, there's other reasons why they did it. And that's. It's human nature and it's hard for every athlete to do, but at some point you might be better off saying, look, this is, this is, this is another team's doctor who thinks this looks really bad.

[B]

But I also don't think that you can, you can get this relationship back to a productive point. I really.

[C]

That's a different issue. Whether or not he, he means what he says about being full bore Raider.

[B]

Do they, I mean, do they want

[C]

him no choice now?

[B]

I guess it depends on how healthy that knee gets back.

[C]

So should, should the Bears keep that, like, look, Ryan Polls has said we made the calls, we made the calls and if it got to the point where the Bears would have a little, you know, medical look and say let us decide on this one. And if the price keeps going down, down, down, down, stay on it.

[B]

And he's there later, stay on it. Maybe right before the season, maybe, maybe he's on it in season trade.

[C]

Something about, look, if you can get a Tommy Harris season out of him and you're not giving up much and the Raiders are desperate to deal, this, this is one where it's not, it's certainly not front burner, but you've got enough people in your office to have just say, look, keep a line. We've got a cordial relationship. Let's keep an open line of communication. You ever want to chat, we're here.

[B]

We're here.

[C]

All right.

[B]

One other story for you that I think you're gonna, you're gonna enjoy and I've never heard of this, of this basketball player, so if I'm saying his last name incorrectly, I apologize. But the Colts signed Notre Dame basketball player Carson Tout towt. I didn't watch any Notre Dame basketball this year, but he is a graduating senior or whatever he might be. But he's done with his basketball career at Notre Dame. The Colts, the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League have signed Carson Tout.

[C]

I love it.

[B]

To be a tight end.

[C]

I love it.

[B]

Tight end prospect Dan. He has never played football at any level.

[C]

That's great.

[B]

His entire young life and now he's a brand new Indianapolis Colts tight end prospect.

[C]

I am an absolute sucker for these cross sport stories. I love these stories. I can't get enough of them because I find the cross sports stuff really cool. When a scout, a scout's eye is good like that. It's like the stories about how Jerry Krause used to be good at both baseball and basketball and he actually had more experience for a time as a baseball scout. Was it Antonio Gates who was the er, tight end?

[B]

Basketball, yes, Antonio Gates.

[C]

I Want to say it was Antonio Gates and that spawned others looking, looking at basketball power forwards. The best example probably that that comes to mind about the collegiate change would be Julius Peppers, who we always watch as this, this incredible screen setting monster of a power forward. And you just saw the athletic ability that translated instantly. Yeah.

[B]

Antonio Gates led Kent state to the 2002 elite eight.

[C]

Yes. Antonio Gates is the name I always remember. The Bears had a guy in camp shortly after the Antonio Gates thing. The Bears had a guy named Adam Shaheen. Marlon Chambers. Do you remember the name Marlon Chambers?

[B]

I do remember Marlon Chambers. Not.

[C]

We made all the Maryland Chambers jokes. Those were, those were easy back at the time we said who they got Marilyn Chambers. Oh my God. Marlon Chambers. Six, eight and a half, about 280 and wasn't. Was a power forward at Louisiana Tech and was in camp with the Bears. And he just. You the moment you saw him you're like oh my God, what is that? And couldn't play dead. But the idea of finding out I'm all for when you look at the. The lacrosse players like that was. It was that a big Belichick thing was finding the guys who played lacrosse. And people talked about Jim Brown being such a good lacrosse player.

[B]

That sounds right.

[C]

And I'm just a sucker for these stories that when you get somebody who can do this in the NBA right now, the Northwestern kid, Spencer who was a lacrosse player, the twins, these little athlete guys, I always just think it's cool. And I like out of the box thinking by insular sports cultures say we're going to bring in a total outside. Does he know football? Is football, football really important to him? It's like don't care. Look at the dude. Or the questions. If LeBron James had decided to play football, what would he have been? What could he have been? Would Allen Iverson have been Steve Smith or would he have been Bryce Young? I don't know. But these to see these questions, to see NFL teams who are unafraid of holding open a spot for somebody like this, it's always interesting to me. And then to imagine how does one teach someone who's never played ever, how do you put your helmet on?

[B]

Anything, Right.

[C]

How do you put your hands on?

[B]

Well, I would hope as a young 20 something he would assimilate to that process a lot quicker than like 9, 10 and 11 year old boys.

[C]

Have you actually taught guys how to get dressed?

[B]

Yes. Oh, you have to. You have to. Especially to use the football belt. I mean there's a lot of Things you have to do, getting the helmet on, taking the helmet off, it's a struggle. It's, it's part of the learning process

[C]

with the younger groups, I would think. But, but it's, it's something you, you know, you have to do. You set aside a pre practice or after the draft or whatever. Yeah.

[B]

And even, even so, in my, my initial parents meeting with my teams, I instruct the, I give some. Some finer points on washing the football pants so that way the belt doesn't come out of the football pants. Because getting a belt back in the football pants is a thing very easy for me, but very difficult for the common person. Really? Yeah. I mean, I've done so many of it.

[C]

Now, I didn't know that like, like, obviously with hockey goalie equipment, I had to learn everything from Scrooge, but before he could dress himself, I didn't even know what goalie skates were. Like, someone said, you know, he should, if he's going to do this, go get goalie skates. Like, what are goalie skates? Oh, here's another $200. You know, then, then you got to get this and a goalie cup, because we're in a regular cup. And then you got to go get the giant big iron man goalie cup thing.

[B]

Yeah. Because with the football helmets too, some of the younger ages, they're not strong enough to like, separate, like pull apart a little bit to slide down.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

So they try to just squeeze it over their head and it's like, no, no, you gotta, you gotta open it up a little bit and they're just not quite strong enough. Younger ages. Yeah. So, yeah, lots of help. And then getting the button snapped isn't always easy on the, on the chin strap.

[C]

So. And then the first time that nobody's. First time somebody's wearing full football equipment and then takes the field and then.

[B]

And, and I would imagine that this is something else they have to learn too at a younger age. And young Carson Tout is going to have to learn this as well too. And his lesson is going to be harder because they're bigger and they hit harder. There's a difference between, between. Right. Between being injured and being like, football hurt. Like, football hurt isn't injured.

[C]

Right.

[B]

Football hurt doesn't feel good, but you can still play through it. Obviously he'll get through that a little quicker than a youth football player, but that's something he's going to have to learn that you put this equipment on because that big angry man over there is going to try to kill you.

[C]

Why am I wearing all this stuff? Because you're in terrible danger.

[B]

Right. Because in basketball that didn't happen.

[C]

Right. That's answer is you are in imminent danger of massive physical harm.

[B]

Like, he's not going to try to screen you. He's going to try to run through your chest.

[C]

You're not allowed to do that. That's an illegal screen.

[B]

No. Yeah, that's called a good hit. Unless he puts his helmet down, which is still going to happen to you. And maybe the ref calls it, maybe the ref doesn't. Likely he doesn't call it, because you're going to be a rookie coming out of basketball.

[C]

Well, I hope if the Colts are really smart and I hope most NFL teams know this, that they can make a great little web series out of it. It's all their own content and we should see all this stuff I, to, to, to do. This is always fun.

[B]

I think if they're gonna, if they're gonna help him the right way, they should like, send him down to Philip Rivers for a camp. He can get him with his high school players and instruct him.

[C]

I still can't believe that happened. I, I, I still can't believe they did that.

[B]

Wait, did I make up in my brain or did it really happen that they interviewed him for head coaching?

[C]

I think they.

[B]

Did he get a job somewhere or interview somewhere?

[C]

Yeah, I think they, they broached the possibility at the very least. Okay, all right. They brought Philip Rivers at 44, big fat old guy, out of retirement to try to get them into the playoffs.

[B]

Right. And they told their backup, you're not good enough. And then even when you're healthy and ready to go, you're still not good enough. We're going to let this guy do it, right?

[C]

Oh, thanks. Okay, great.

[B]

Yeah, they'll call him again in four and a half years when his NFL insurance almost runs out.

[C]

There's a little bit of a breaking information regarding James lynch, the newest Chicago Bear. Yeah, his middle name is Husker. Husker.

[B]

Husker. Husky.

[C]

No, Husker.

[B]

James Husker. Yeah, Lynch.

[C]

Okay. Yeah.

[B]

Because I like it. I like it. I'll see you, Neville Gallimore, and raise you a James Husker. Lynch.

[C]

James. Okay. He played college football at Baylor. He better be from Nebraska. I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be. Well, he. Wait, hold on a second. He was, he was born in Round Rock, Texas, attended Round Rock High School. Why is his middle name Husker here it is. I have the answer.

[B]

Well, there you go. There's your guy right there.

[C]

His father, Tim lynch, was a Nebraska linebacker.

[B]

That's your guy you see in the screen.

[C]

Wait, hold on.

[B]

Your screen.

[C]

Oh, Tim Husker Lynch.

[B]

There's your guy.

[C]

That's his dad. His dad was Tim Husker. Tim lynch, the Husker. So he literally gave his kid the middle name Husker. That's. That's a choice. What was the Moody Bible you told me before? The Dons or the.

[B]

The Archers?

[C]

Archers. But that's not a bad name. If you could have used that. Blue Devil is a bad middle name.

[B]

Well, no, they were. They were the Archers Dam. But it was not like a bow and arrow archer.

[C]

Right. It was because of the arch.

[B]

Yeah, because the arch. Archway.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So it's a terrible mascot.

[C]

Well, that's just like.

[B]

It was two dudes in, like, a big arch costume.

[C]

Well. Oh, no. Really?

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Well, why don't you just. It's like there's different names that result in different things. Like the blue demons of DePaul aren't demons. It was D Men. It was the Blue D Men that became demons.

[B]

Yeah. So this. We were the Moody Archers and the mascot was two dudes that used to put on an Archer archway costume. Yeah. So they're like.

[C]

They should address, like an archway. Oatmeal cookie.

[B]

A cookie.

[C]

Yeah. Those still exist.

[B]

I don't know. But we used to like to push the guy down because then. Because they couldn't. Because their arms were stuck.

[C]

Don't push the mascot down. That's. That's assault.

[B]

You can't do that. Bumped into him on accident.

[C]

Oh, I'm so sorry, Archer, you have fallen again.

[B]

Again.

[C]

So. Oh, all right.

[B]

Well, James Husker lynch is the brand new Chicago Bear.

[C]

He is. And we're happy to have him. And so is Frank. I can hear. I can.

[B]

Yeah. Frank wants me to go. That'll do it for forward progress. Go ahead.

[C]

A Chicago Bears podcast on 312 Sports.

[B]

Nicely done. Good job. Proud of you. Forward progress has stopped. Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 sports.

[F]

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[E]

I'm here on a job site with Tim, who owns his own electrical contracting business.

[B]

Three employees and two work trucks.

[E]

Tim traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance.

[C]

Insurance.

[E]

We're positively here where he needs us most.

[C]

They sure are.

[E]

With step by step help on all his insurance needs. All for shockingly low rates.

[C]

Shockingly low, huh?

[E]

Just a little bit of electrician humor. Do you get it?

[C]

I got it.

[E]

You know, it feels like we have a real connection. All right, I'll stop.

[B]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail] and see how much you could save. It feels good. To Geico.