Chicago Bears add Devin Bush - the PERFECT FIT and take a swing on Jedrick Wills Jr. at LT

Summary

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Chicago Bears add Devin Bush - the PERFECT FIT and take a swing on Jedrick Wills Jr. at LT
Host: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola
Date: March 12, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this packed episode, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola breakdown a pivotal free agency period for the Chicago Bears, zeroing in on two headline moves: the signing of LB Devin Bush and former top-10 tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. The hosts bring their characteristic mix of deep Bears knowledge and classic Chicago sports humor as they analyze roster moves, discuss league trends, and speculate on possible future directions. The duo also take a tour around the NFC North, chat through the Max Crosby non-trade, and suggest a small but potentially savvy move at tight end for the Bears.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Max Crosby Trade That Wasn’t

(02:53 – 14:00)

• The hosts open by reacting to the failed trade involving Raiders pass rusher Max Crosby following his physical, discussing his now-public recommitment to Vegas.
• Matt pokes fun at Crosby’s dramatic “Undertaker” comeback tweet—
  “Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see. I’m back. Run that shit.” (03:07, Max Crosby, relayed by Matt)
• They highlight the ambiguity of NFL trade medicals, with Dan proposing—half-jokingly—a “league medical council” and a “traffic light” system to help avoid such late-stage breakdowns in future trades (08:36, Dan).
• Both agree that, despite the drama, Crosby remains a feared, motivated player who’ll continue to present problems for opponents.

Quote:
Dan: “He’s the last guy I would worry about a motivation or motor issue. Whatever uniform he’s wearing, if that guy smells a football game starting, he'll just run over there and start hitting people.” (07:34)

---

2. League-wide Medical Practices and Ethics

(08:36 – 14:00)

• Dan lays out his idea for a more standardized, impartial physical process to reduce trade complications.
• Matt likes the theory but doubts the NFL’s appetite for such logic, noting the drama is a feature, not a bug, for league marketing.

Quote:
Matt: “I just don’t see [the NFL adopting it]. Because it’s too logical. It makes too much sense.” (12:33)

• Dan goes off on the ethical conflict team doctors face between patching up players vs. truly healing them.

---

3. NFC North Quarterback Carousel & Vikings Rumors

(16:50 – 19:46)

• The conversation pivots to the possibility of Kyler Murray joining the Vikings, likening Minnesota to a QB “rehab” stop, just as Alabama was for coaches.
• The hosts run through the current Vikings QB depth chart, noting that if Murray signs, he’d need a clear path as the starter.

Quote:
Dan: “He’s going there to play. He’s going there to reestablish his value, and then he’s going to go make a ton of money.” (19:30)

---

4. Bears Free Agency Retentions & Roster Tweaks

(20:02 – 24:29)

• Matt jokes about the Bears hyping the “return” of little-known LG Jordan McFadden, poking at how no one outside Halas Hall knew him before his playoff start.
• Elijah Hicks is highlighted as a valuable special teams piece and rotation safety—Matt runs through his surprising 61 games played (22:15).
• They note departures (Durham Smythe to the Ravens) and the need for another “H-back” or versatile tight end, suggesting a possible look at undervalued fullback/tight end hybrids.

Quote:
Dan: “I trust the ability... There’s never been anything better [in this defense] than Brian Urlacher’s ability to go from backpedal to explosive forward movement and just fire yourself like a cannonball.” (26:45)

---

5. In-Depth: Devin Bush - The Perfect Fit

(24:30 – 27:08)

• Matt reads from a Next Gen NFL.com analysis ranking Bush as one of free agency’s “eight perfect pairings.”
• Bush’s strengths are highlighted:
  • Coverage skills, with only 0.49 yards per coverage snap allowed last season (2nd among LBs)
  • Ability to play man coverage; athleticism for the demands of Dennis Allen’s system
  • 75 tackles last season—would be second-best for Bears defenders of the last decade
• Dan and Matt agree: Bush is an ideal cover linebacker for Allen’s system and could unlock the defense.

---

6. In-Depth: Jedrick Wills Jr. - The Big Swing at LT

(27:08 – 29:51)

• Matt recaps Wills’ pedigree: former No. 10 pick, elite college prospect out of Alabama, but hampered recently by injuries and inconsistent play.
  • Combine numbers: 6.85 grade (floor solid starter, ceiling All-Pro), 5.05 40, 34.5" vert, 9’5” broad jump.
  • Attributes: excellent feet, “nasty disposition,” moves like a tight end (per scouting reports).
• The Bears’ LT mix now includes Wills, Braxton Jones, and Kiran Amegadjie.
• The position is a worry—Dan sees the move as high-risk/high-reward.

Quote:
Matt: “You want a guy that plays a little nasty, a little mean. Some of his weaknesses were maybe height... but if he’s got the footwork and ability to engage blockers at all different levels, he does.” (28:21)

---

7. Sleeper Names & Final Bears Depth Comments

(29:51 – 31:50)

• Dan nominates Andrew Beck (tight end/fullback, ex-Jet) as a cost-effective fit for the Bears’ need at H-back.
• Matt: “Just keep that name out there... they used three tight ends so often last season.” (31:25)
• Both agree the rest of free agency will likely be quiet for the Bears, with the next inflection point being the NFL draft.

---

Most Memorable Moments

• Max Crosby “Run that shit” greeting cards imagination: (14:12 – 15:03)
  Dan & Matt riff on customizing Hallmark cards with Crosby’s “run that” catchphrase, riffing from birthdays to divorce cards.

---

Key Timestamps

• Max Crosby trade/physical saga: 02:53 – 14:00
• NFL medical council/ethics discussion: 08:36 – 14:00
• Kyler Murray to Vikings prospects: 16:50 – 19:46
• Bears roster/depth chart moves: 20:02 – 24:29
• Devin Bush signing breakdown: 24:30 – 27:08
• Jedrick Wills Jr. deep dive: 27:08 – 29:51
• Andrew Beck H-back suggestion: 29:51 – 31:50

---

Notable Quotes

• “He’s the last guy I would worry about a motivation or motor issue.” – Dan, on Max Crosby (07:34)
• “I just don’t see [the NFL adopting it]. Because it’s too logical. It makes too much sense.” — Matt, on Dan’s medical council proposal (12:33)
• “He’s going there to play. He’s going there to reestablish his value, and then he’s going to go make a ton of money.” — Dan, on Kyler Murray’s likely move to the Vikings (19:30)
• “You want a guy that plays a little nasty, a little mean... if he’s got the footwork and ability to engage blockers at all different levels, he does.” — Matt, on Jedrick Wills Jr. (28:21)

---

Tone & Style

Chicago sports radio warmth and quick wit. Bernstein brings sharp analytics and wry skepticism; Abbatacola adds humor and the fan’s pulse. Their language is plain, direct, sometimes self-deprecating—never talking down to the listener, instead inviting them into the debate.

---

Summary Takeaway

This episode makes the case that the Bears have hit on two high-upside fits in free agency: the “perfect” linebacker for their reshaped defense and an all-or-nothing gamble at a chronic position of need. The team’s depth continues to evolve—mostly around the margins—which is a sign of a maturing roster. Though the big-ticket Max Crosby dream is dead, there’s plenty to look forward to as the Bears, and the NFC North, reshape for 2026.

---

For new listeners or those who missed this episode:
You’ll get a full rundown on the Bears’ off-season moves, smart context on their significance, and lots of laughs along the way.

Transcript

[Grainger Announcer]

When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters. But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for shipping delays. That's why Grainger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery so you can keep your facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Ranger for the ones who get it done.

[Dan Bernstein]

I mean, if you're a Bears fan, you're thinking Forward Progress.

[Matt Bicola]

Come on. Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Bicola on 312Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Welcome to Forward Progress. We give it to and we talk bears and NFL here on 312 sports. On a big day for 312 sports because it being March 12 or 3 12, 312 day here in Chicago. And we could not let something like this go by without commemorating the fact. And all day today you have a chance to win one of our prizes for our 312 day sports packages. We're gonna have three winners selected at random after we collect everything today. Three winners, two will receive pieces of exclusive 312 sports swag. And it is exclusive right now, by the way. It's awesome. It is awesome. Well, there's going to be more, don't worry. And one lucky winner will get a pair of tickets to Cubs opening weekend against the Nationals at Wrigley on Saturday or Sunday. So you say, how do I grab those tickets? Well, you can enter the 31 open the 312 sports app, go to the 312Sports.com either one and enter the promo code. I'm going to give it to you a little bit later. Matt's going to remind me to make sure I give it to you a little bit later on. Maybe you got it from dbu. Maybe you're already there. Maybe you already got it and maybe you already got it from dbu. See, so the DBU listeners have an advantage today for your chance to win. If you don't have the app, get the app in the Apple App Store or at Google Play. Register your account, start winning great prizes for from 312 sports. Well, we're finally getting to the end of the free agent market where the final deals are starting to trickle in and the other early deals are being made official and the biggest deal of all now has ceased to be. It did not happen that the failed physical for whatever reason, whoever they found, Max Crosby is going to go back and apparently will be ready to begin the Season as a Las Vegas Raider.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah. Whenever that timeframe is that he's able to start participating in football activity, we'll find out. He posted a video on his Twitter account. It was the. The Undertaker, the wrestler coming out of a coffin. Oh.

[Dan Bernstein]

Doing the Nosferatu sit up.

[Matt Bicola]

The big Undertaker video. And. And he says that, I'm back. I'm a Raider. He says, this is. This was odd. I thought he put in his. In his tweet. Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see. I'm back. Run that shit. So what. What part of it does he want us to not believe? Was it the part where he said, I can't wait to get to Baltimore and meet all the people. I can't wait to. I can't wait to bring a championship to Baltimore? What, like, what part of it?

[Dan Bernstein]

I never meant any of that.

[Matt Bicola]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'll tell you what I think he means. What does he mean that his injury is as bad as is being said? I think what he's saying is it's. It's his way of saying, I'm going to be fine. I'm going to be ready for the season. Because what we're hearing is, what, end of July into August now with this recovery.

[Matt Bicola]

Oh, I saw June, July. So it's July, August.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I'm. I've seen a range of the guesses and saying, like, worst case scenario, if there is a setback, you could be talking about possibly the seat. But June, July is still. Okay, Fine.

[Matt Bicola]

It's totally fine. And, like, no one's. No one said that he wasn't coming back. So, you know, if the Ravens knew what his injuries were, and then they go and get the Cowboys doctor to look at it as well, too. I just don't. With this cowboy hat on. Oh, did you see the email that came through with the hat and work chart that someone put time into?

[Dan Bernstein]

I did. And I didn't even know what some of those hats were.

[Matt Bicola]

I had to Google. I had to Google.

[Dan Bernstein]

I had to look them up.

[Matt Bicola]

Yes, I did.

[Dan Bernstein]

I thought I went fairly deep on hat names, and I was disabused of that confidence.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah, I didn't think my hat knowledge was as deep as yours. I had to look several of those up.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I, believe me, I did, too, because, anyway, antiquated names there, but thank you for doing that.

[Matt Bicola]

Yes, thank you. It was really funny to see that. So no one was saying he wasn't coming back. And it's just the Ravens obviously got cold feet about the timeframe and when he was going to be able to get back in the football activities. They decided to back out of it. It's just the whole. The whole thing is weird. And now he's a Raider and he's excited to be a Raider, even though not that long ago he didn't want to be a Raider, wasn't going to play for them anymore. And, you know, and we talked about it yesterday, I didn't like the timeline. Dude, he had surgery January 7th for something that happened in October, and he's out there jumping on a trampoline and shooting hoops. Like, bro, what are you doing, man? Like, that's. That's not cool. Like, they shut you down, and they probably should have shut you down. And I don't know, you're being a tough guy, putting a video out there. And I love Max Crosby. I would love to talk to Max Crosby. I saw yesterday on Twitter he had his six year anniversary of being sober. The guy quit drinking. I mean, I love. I love that aspect of it, Right? Like, what are you doing, though, man? Like, you got a serious injury to your knee that is keeping you out of off season stuff and derailed a trade that you were super excited about, and you're out there on a trampoline and shooting hoops. I'm good, I'm fine, I'm good, I'm fine. You're clearly not good. You're not fine. So, yeah, don't believe half of what you hear and half of what you see and nothing you hear. And I'm back. Let's run that shit. You know, good luck to Max Crosby. I'm glad he's in the afc. Don't want to see him.

[Dan Bernstein]

I have a memory of former Seahawks running back Sean Alexander. Mm. Walking into the office of Mike Holmgren. And this was before a playoff game or maybe a Super Bowl. And remember the famous story went he was trying to convince the coach he was okay, and he started jumping up and down in Holmgren's office. Do you remember this? I don't.

[Matt Bicola]

I don't remember this at all.

[Dan Bernstein]

God.

[Matt Bicola]

I just.

[Dan Bernstein]

I've got a vague flash of a memory of him jumping up and down, and basically Holmgren is like, stop doing that. Which is usually my line. But he's saying, like, he's trying to convince him. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. Look. Boing, boing, boing, boing. And it was like, ah, what are you doing? You're not fine. Yeah, I don't question Crosby's motor, man. I don't no, not at all. That's the thing. He doesn't need to show me. He doesn't need to show me how gung ho he is.

[Matt Bicola]

He's got nothing to prove in that category of that of all people.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's the, he's the last guy I would worry about a motivation or motor issue. Whatever uniform he's wearing, whenever if that guy like smells a football game starting like he'll, he'll just run over there and start hitting people.

[Matt Bicola]

Right. And I wonder if a trade still happens down the road. I wonder if they still get something

[Dan Bernstein]

done or if there's even right now they're saying no. I and I and I saw this as the latest that I've seen is the Raiders have at least per PFT said per a league source the Raiders are telling teams that Crosby won't be traded. So the Raiders never wanted to trade him. He wanted out. Now that he's back and is publicly recommitting, he's staying put. Also there's the question of whether he'd pass a physical with another team.

[Matt Bicola]

Right. Right. And as we've learned each team has their own grading scale or what they feel comfortable with and maybe another team would well, would pass him and say yeah, we see where this is headed and we're going to do that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can I propose an idea? And this is something that's been. Been kind of rattling around in my head before we get on to some other things here. My proposal is there is a league created medical council and you can have a rotating group of team physicians that that can review. And this is just. So this is and this is a half baked idea. So allow me a little bit of latitude here. Rather than have we. We have consummated the deal. Now we're going to check to see if everybody's healthy like we were talking about with with cowboy doctor who gets to look at what and when. Why not have essentially a medical committee that works for the league that can say either this person is. Is tradable or not tradable. Either this person is damaged or they have a flagging system of some kind where you, you would be able to say this is a yellow flag trade asset. This is a red flag trade asset. And you have all the teams agree that the following doctors of repute. It could be all the guys you're mentioning. It could be Cooper and El Attrache and James Andrews or Bowen or any of these famous people or and put their names together and just have the work done in a way that all the teams can trust it. Okay.

[Matt Bicola]

I like the idea because I was talking through this with myself yesterday about some kind of a universal program for the NFL and I like where you're going with it. At first I was kind of questioning where you were going, but then I like the idea of having a grading system or a flagging system because the team still has to ultimately make that decision.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. You say won't be ready here.

[Matt Bicola]

Right. We can say it's a green flag, it's a yellow flag, it's a red flag, but you can still do whatever you want. Now, when do team doctors get an opportunity to look? Or are they part of that process as well?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's that you'd have a council of team doctors and it wouldn't always be the same people, perhaps, or any. Maybe it must be the players names would probably have to be taken off of. Like all personal information would be redacted. And then you would send the medicals, the actual imaging and the history to, to a council that does not include any of the doctors involved. Like, maybe all team doctors can be on standby for this and say, hey, would you. Because you are a disinterested party, will you give an objective evaluation of the players for these, for this trade that may occur or this player, unnamed player X? Is this a ready to go trade asset? I just think there would be a way to do this, to filter this through some sort of medical body that would take out a lot of these undoings of trades and after the fact concerns, or are we dealing with something that there's never going to be settled science or objective truth?

[Matt Bicola]

All right, so I was going to ask you. What, what, what's your point of it? The point of this is to avoid these undoing of trades. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Or. Right. Especially for a team to be like, you know, we didn't know that the price on this guy was going to come down. And we've already made these moves because people could game the system. People could say, yeah, I know that we've added such and such, but no, we failed our physical.

[Matt Bicola]

Right. While I like where your head's at, I like the idea of putting something in place that's universal. I don't see it ever happening. I think the NFL is fine with the way this process plays out. They, dude, remember they, they, they sold a segment on NFL Network called NFL Free Agency Frenzy where it's a sold product. They're into what this hype is and they love that they get to own the market in early March.

[Dan Bernstein]

So let me Just put it out

[Matt Bicola]

there that I like it. I like the idea. I like the idea of having something universal. I just. I just don't see. Because it's too logical. It makes too much sense.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's also a lot of work for doctors.

[Matt Bicola]

Sure. And I don't.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know if they'd be compensated by the league or not or how all that works. And I, and I generally struggle with the, the ethics behind being a football doctor. It's like watching an episode of MASH and hearing, and hearing the doctors say, well, we, we patch them up here and all we do is send them out there to die again and they're healthy enough to kill other people. And all of the, the moral and ethical conflicts that doctors have to send people out to hurt themselves and hurt others. And, and because you're pressured by the teams to say, oh, he's fine, he's fine, he's fine. Is he going to take years off his life? Maybe, but he's fine. And if you've taken an oath to do no harm, you might question where you are in the old Hippocratic oath there.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah. But I also, I also think this is kind of, of an anomaly because this happens all the time where teams back out of. Out of trades after they get medicals and get eyes on a guy. It just, it seems bigger and more significant because of the guy involved. Because this, this is a guy that I think all 32 teams would love to have on their roster understood. And it was the biggest name of this off season that was moving places, or so we thought. And I think that's why it makes it seem bigger than it really is.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right, so we'll keep an eye on that. It looks like the Max Crosby saga would appear to be over.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah, he's. He's a raider for life and he's back and he wants to run that shit.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Have fun. Enjoy running your. I'll send him a card.

[Matt Bicola]

Hallmark needs a run that card.

[Dan Bernstein]

A whole section. It's like Mother's Day.

[Matt Bicola]

Run that shit.

[Dan Bernstein]

Feliz kumpleanos. Run that.

[Matt Bicola]

Run that cards.

[Dan Bernstein]

H5. The little balloons. Like a little chipmunk on there. Run that. Kiddo. Your elderly grandma like religious versions.

[Matt Bicola]

Happy Hanukkah. Run that. Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Congratulations on your first communion. Run that.

[Matt Bicola]

Yep,

[Dan Bernstein]

Good. I like it.

[Matt Bicola]

Getting divorced. Sorry to hear that. Run that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Easy to prepare comfort food full of protein. And right now with Omaha Steaks, you can get 50% off. During their semi annual sale, Omaha Steaks has their exclusive lineup USDA Certified tender steaks, gourmet burgers, all the versatile chicken, pork and seafood. Everything's delivered right to your door. And the going through that box and deciding what goes in the downstairs freezer and what is the upstairs freezer. Because I know I'm going to make it soon. Omaha Steaks is the choice of steakhouses and professional chefs around the world. This is a grass fed grain finished beef with more marbling for exceptional flavor. And the burgers that I use, they have some that are made from like brisket and short rib. It's a family owned company, over 100 years of expertise in the meat industry. America's original butcher since 1917. Right now you can get 50% off the world's best everyday protein. Go to omahasteaks.com for 50% off site wide during this semi annual sale. And for an extra $35 off, use the promo code Bernstein at checkout. That's just my last name. B E R N S T E I N. If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because

[Grainger Announcer]

your playbook ensures your arena is always

[Dan Bernstein]

ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner offering the products you need all in one place, from H vac and plumbing supplies to lighting and more.

[Grainger Announcer]

And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock.

[Dan Bernstein]

So your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-granger. Visit granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. Do we have a new quarterback in the division or not?

[Matt Bicola]

Well, he's meeting today with the Vikings, so we'll see.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think we do.

[Matt Bicola]

You do.

[Dan Bernstein]

If I were betting this is, this is. It's become now the equivalent of what the Nick Saban Alabama program was for wayward coaches. A similar kind of like decontamination facility where whatever it's been, you go there, you do your internship or your penance or your. And then you're all of a sudden cleansed and cleaned of the parasites that are stuck to your body or whatever it is. And then off you go. I think you go to the Vikings

[Matt Bicola]

and we're talking about Kyler Murray, obviously.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, you go to the Vikings and it kind of cures what ails you with your quarterback value and it reinvigorates your quarterback value. And then you move on.

[Matt Bicola]

And then you move on and you win a Super bowl the next year.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know about that, but.

[Matt Bicola]

Or you get $100 million if you're,

[Dan Bernstein]

if you're the man they're all calling Indiana Jones. Now. If Daniel Jones gets generational wealth. Boy, the Kevin o' Connell Quarterback Resuscitation facility is a thing.

[Matt Bicola]

I love it. That's a great name. Yeah. So Kyler Murray meeting today with the Vikings. We'll see if he ends up there. Do you happen to have our lads open right in front of you, or. No?

[Dan Bernstein]

You know what?

[Matt Bicola]

Because I'd like to see the Vikings, what they have for the Vikings.

[Dan Bernstein]

I actually do have it open in front of me, but now I.

[Matt Bicola]

So J.J. mcCarthy, obviously, if they were to add Kyler Murray and then they have. Who's your guy that was there?

[Dan Bernstein]

Brosmer or Max Brosmer?

[Matt Bicola]

Max.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is that how pronounced. Okay, quarterbacks, Vikings. J.J. mcCarthy is still listed as the number one.

[Matt Bicola]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

Carson Wentz.

[Matt Bicola]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is the outgoing free agent, but he's still there. But he's. He is a free agent. Max Brosmer.

[Matt Bicola]

Brosmer. Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

John Wolford is a free agent, is their fourth quarterback. And the former Bear, Brett Rippon is listed as their fifth quarterback, who. He is also a free agent and on their reserve list, which is the equivalent of the practice squad at the moment. They do not have another quarterback there. I think five listed at this point is plenty.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah. So Kyler, JJ McCarthy and then Brosmer are the three that they'll probably go to the season with.

[Dan Bernstein]

Probably. And. But there's no way Kyler Murray goes there any. With anything short of a promise that he's the guy.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's not. He's not going to.

[Matt Bicola]

He's not competing with J.J. mcCarthy. No, no.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's going there to play. He's going there to reestablish his value, and then he's going to go make a ton of money.

[Matt Bicola]

Right. And maybe it's with Minnesota in 2027, you never know.

[Dan Bernstein]

But you sign that one year deal, you. You let this guy get in your head, rewire you, and then you're rich. Yeah.

[Matt Bicola]

So we'll see how that plays out. Again, he was having those meetings today with Minnesota. And then speaking of the NFC north, let's take a look at the most recent Bears sightings as well, too, as they brought some of their. Some of their former players back for the 2026 season.

[Dan Bernstein]

Where do you want to start? They've been very excited about letting us know that Jordan McFadden, who no one had ever met until the playoffs, and all of a sudden, he ends up starting for you at left guard with a. Joe Tuney, slides out to left tackle. And here is. Who's that? Oh, he's the Bears Starting left guard in a playoff game.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah, it's funny, I saw on their. Their Twitter, and I get it. It's that, you know, teams hyping their own guys. And it was like a picture of Jordan McFadden and, like, he's back. And I was like, ooh, who is this? Who's back?

[Dan Bernstein]

Who's back?

[Matt Bicola]

And I was like, oh, Jordan McFadden. Like, oh, yeah, the guy I didn't know until week. Until, you know, the 19th game of the season. Oh, there. There's that guy. He's back.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. I wouldn't know him if he walked in the room.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah, I really would.

[Dan Bernstein]

I mean, I'd probably presume if a. If a giant black man walked in the room that it was somebody I should know who's like, football player. What is he, 6, 5 and £320 like that?

[Matt Bicola]

I guess it'd be like, so Jordan McFadden's back. Who else did they bring back? They signed Travis Homer.

[Dan Bernstein]

I. Did they.

[Matt Bicola]

Did I make that up or did I see that? I hope you got the thing right in front of you, don't you?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Damn it.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah. You got the papers there? Damn it.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't. I. Travis Homer.

[Matt Bicola]

Did I make that up or who didn't you say?

[Dan Bernstein]

Elijah Hicks? I said, oh, Elijah Hicks.

[Matt Bicola]

Maybe. Yeah, maybe that's who it was.

[Dan Bernstein]

Elijah Hicks is back, and they love him.

[Matt Bicola]

Okay?

[Dan Bernstein]

They love Elijah Hicks. And when you talk about depth and special teams, this is a guy at the. At the high end of the bottom third of your roster who has played a lot of football. He has. And this might be a special teams move and another one of these trustworthy pieces that you can put in, and he can play, like, you know, deeper than deep, perhaps. Don't let anybody get behind you. But Hicks is. He was a 20, 22, 7th rounder. Guess how many games he's played in in the last four seasons.

[Matt Bicola]

Four seasons. Heating and cooling,

[Dan Bernstein]

plumbing, electric and sewer.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah, he's played. Let's just say he's played conservatively. Let's go 60 games.

[Dan Bernstein]

61. Very good. And he's had 15 starts.

[Matt Bicola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

13 of them coming in 23 and 24. He played only 62 snaps on defense last season, and that's because the. These safeties, who I don't think are going to be the safeties this year. And Bayard and brisker were. Were 17 game starters.

[Matt Bicola]

Well, we know Bayard's not. Bayard's at the Patriots.

[Dan Bernstein]

Correct.

[Matt Bicola]

And Jaquan Brisker still available.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nine million for buyer yeah.

[Matt Bicola]

One year, nine million.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Bicola]

And then also leaving town, Durham Smythe goes to the Ravens and joins Declan Doyle. So another opportunity to add a tight end somewhere. Somehow the Bears will have to do as they use three quite a bit.

[Dan Bernstein]

My. My guess will be maybe a draft pick possibility there or. I don't know. I liked Smite's contribution as a. As an H back type. He spent a lot of time as

[Matt Bicola]

a fullback blocking and the occasional reception. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

So I'm wondering if that opens up because there is a hybridization of that position as well. Should we be looking not as. Not just the blocking back types, but if there is on a roster an underused like Kyle Jus. Check type. I'm not obviously not that good. He's the best in the game at it. But if you're looking at a more versatile H back type of weapon, somebody who's a little bit more athletic than the typical fullback, who regardless of what they call the position, can handle those responsibilities, who might not be listed as a tight end.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah, no, that's a, that's a great thought because yeah, he doesn't necessarily have to be a tight end. He can be that athletic blocking fullback that can still come out of the backfield and catch, you know, a dozen balls or so. I also saw too on our lads, they had a Raymond listed as the third wide receiver like you had speculated yesterday.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. Yeah. Because essentially making him more Zacchaeus replacement than he is the Devin DuVernay replacement. Yeah, yeah.

[Matt Bicola]

No, so good. Good call on that one. One other area I want to look at too is I saw this article on Devin Bush. This was from NFL.com I thought you might like this.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Bicola]

James Reber, he's a next gen research analyst for NFL.com he wrote an article that had the eight perfect pairings. So it was the perfect pairing of free agent and the team they landed on. And he wrote about Devin Bush and he says Devin or Dennis Allen's defense is based out of COVID 2, which relies on highly athletic linebackers to account for significant space in the middle of the field. After releasing Tremaine Edmonds, the Bears were left with just two off ball linebackers on the roster who played 50 plus snaps last season. And neither is a natural cover to anchor. Enter Bush, who allowed 0.49 yards per coverage snap last season, the second fewest of any linebacker who logged at least 250 coverage snaps. He also recorded three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns while allowing just one touchdown. He and Edmonds were two of the 14 linebackers who were trusted to play man to man over 20% of the time, suggesting Allen will continue to cater to Bush's strengths. Bush was a linchpin of the Browns run defense in 2025 as well, recording 75 tackles, more than any Bears defender not named Roquan Smith in a single season over the last decade.

[Dan Bernstein]

Wow.

[Matt Bicola]

Okay, perfect pairing. So one of the eight perfect pairings. James Rebar, next gen research analyst on NFL.com

[Dan Bernstein]

sounds good to me.

[Matt Bicola]

Oh, it sounds real good.

[Dan Bernstein]

I can't say that inside linebacker is something that I that you see played really well all the time. You notice some games you turn on of Bobby Wagner's doing his thing and it stands out to you. Edmunds Roquan is one of those guys, certainly. But I trust the ability. And it's not Tampa 2. It is cover 2, but it isn't pure Tampa 2. But. But a lot of the responsibility is what I always say. There's never been anything better. The Brian Urlacher ability to go from backpedal to explosive forward movement and just fire yourself like a cannonball. That's the ability. You get to your landmark and when you diagnose what's going on, just explode yourself into the ball carrier or into the receiver. That's the ability that you want.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah. And another new acquisition I wanted to touch on. We talked about him on dbu. Want to get into him here. On forward progress is a Jedrick Wills Jr. The offensive tackle that the Bears come to terms with. He was a former top 10 pick, so he was pick number 10 in the 2020 draft from Alabama and just wanted to share a few things about about Wills Jr. Missed all of last season trying to rehab and get healthy. Missed a lot of 2023 and 2024. Only played 13 games due to injuries and bad play. He was graded out of the Combine Dan in 2020 at a 6.85, which means you know which the ceiling is a solid starter to all pro.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, the floor is solid starter then.

[Matt Bicola]

Yes. Yeah. Floor. I'm sorry.

[Dan Bernstein]

The floor is solid starter. The ceiling is all pro.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah. Yes. Floor is solid starter. His production score on Next gen stats was a 97 which was tied for first overall athleticism score of 82 and a total score of 89. He ran the 40 and 5.05. His vertical was 34.5 and his broad jump was 9.

[Dan Bernstein]

5.

[Matt Bicola]

So very athletic guy. Great feet. We read his the strength and weaknesses from the NFL combine in 2020. A lot of references to him moving like a tight end, which I Love being able to open his hips very fluid and the nasty disposition. I love that conversation about him. That's what you need at that tackle spot. You want a guy that plays a little nasty, a little mean. Some of his weaknesses were maybe height, which wasn't super concerned about if he's got the footwork and the weight and the ability to engage blockers at all different levels, which he does. So we'll see how it all turns out. I mean, this was a guy coming out of Alabama going into the league, projected as a solid starter, possible all pro left tackle or all pro tackle. And yeah, clearly you have significant knee injuries. That's going to derail your time a little bit. So we'll see what happened. What happened with him all of last year where he took some time off to get healthy. So he's not the only guy in that room that needed some time to get healthy. And Karen Amogadji as well as Braxton Jones. So we'll see what they do with the left tackle position. It was a concern on this show for us going into the off season and then became a second priority after the Drew Dahlman retirement. But you know, you got a handful of guys now in Darnell Wright, who's your starting right tackle. On the other side you have Theo Benedict, you add Kedrick Wills Jr. You have Karen Amogaji in the mix and also Braxton Jones.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can I give you a name? Just I've been kind of looking around at some scouting profiles and some available veterans. Can I give you a name of a possible Durham Smythe replacement? Just to put out there. I know you, you had gave us Kenneth Gainwell as a running back. Just, just a guy to keep an eye on who might be a fit. And it's Andrew Beck. I don't know if you know that name. Andrew Beck is 63255. He is a free agent most recently with the jets and he played in all 17 games last year. He started two. And he has been listed since he came into the league in 2019 with D. Denver. He's been listed as both tight end and fullback. He has played with Denver, Houston, went to Green Bay, then back to Houston, and then all of last year with the Jets. And he is, he's known as a special teams ace, but is also experienced as both a tight end and a fullback and is known as a really reliable run blocker who, who also can catch the ball. So I just thought that might be your inexpensive, solid NFL guy if you're talking about a healthy 29 year old that just. I just want to put the name out. Andrew Beck.

[Matt Bicola]

Andrew Beck.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Bicola]

Okay. Just keep an eye on that because again, it's an area they're going to have to address. We saw how often they used three tight ends, so.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Yep. So just, just keep that name out there and see if they sign him. Just say, oh, okay. Not saying a game changer, not a guy who's going to change the trajectory of your season, but somebody who, like you say, could be an inexpensive, solid fit for the Bears, where they are right now.

[Matt Bicola]

Yeah. So as we kind of recap things, the whole idea of Max Crosby coming to Chicago seems like a, a dead deal as he is locked in with the Raiders. Raiders saying that they won't trade him, but hey, that could, that could all change. Maybe they're just trying to smooth things over with him right now until he gets healthy. Who knows how that plays out. And I would think with all the, the, the money they spent and bringing free agents in, getting the first pick in the draft, why he wouldn't want to stay there and try to compete and win in, in Vegas once he does get healthy. You know, as we're coming down to the, the finale of the frenzy of NFL free agency, anything that happens that's there, I don't see anything significant or major happening, but we'll be on top of it for our audience as we continue forward here and get closer to the draft, which is the next big step of what we do in the NFL off season. So the end of April.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can't wait. By the way, I have. I wanted to mention a code.

[Matt Bicola]

Yes, sir.

[Dan Bernstein]

And that code is for your 312 day opportunity to win because we're doing this here at Three1two Sports three winners will be selected at random when you open the 312 sports app or go to 312Sports.com just for today. This ends later tonight. And I know that it's possible that you are listening later. So if you're just hearing this out going, wait, what? There's a thing. Try to get it in. 3:12 is the code. So when you open the app or you go to 312Sports.com in today's 312 day reward, enter 312 and you might win one of our two packages of 312Sports swag. Or the big prize today, a pair of tickets to Cubs opening weekend against the Nationals at Wrigley on that opening Saturday or Sunday. So happy March 12th. Happy 3:12 day to you.

[Matt Bicola]

And that'll do it for forward progress today as again, as news continues to break and come through, anything significant for the Bears, we will be here for you. But we'll keep an eye on all the things happening around the NFL. And we're back with you tomorrow. Tomorrow's Friday for dbu. We have our Friday feedback. Friday.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, we do.

[Matt Bicola]

As well as our top 10 list, we'll have another Forward Progress for you as well heading into the weekend. For Dan Bernstein, I'm Matt Batticola. This is forward progress, a 31 2, sports production.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ford progress has stopped.

[Matt Bicola]

Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports.