Forward Progress – Chicago Bears Beat Saints at Soldier Field

Podcast: Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: October 20, 2025
Episode Theme:
A detailed, passionate breakdown of the Bears’ gritty 26-14 win over the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field. The episode features a nuanced look at the Bears’ “ugly win,” the performance of rookie QB Caleb Williams, the Ben Johnson coaching effect, and the trajectory of this evolving Chicago team. The hosts blend analytical precision with authentic fan emotion, critiquing, praising, and questioning the franchise’s journey under new leadership.

1. Episode Overview

• Main Purpose:
  Dissect the Bears' victory over the Saints—how it happened, what it means, and what it tells us about the team’s development under head coach Ben Johnson and rookie QB Caleb Williams.
• Tone & Approach:
  Blunt, honest, data-driven, with humor and personal asides. The hosts balance optimism about the team’s progress with skepticism about lingering issues, especially on offense.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. The Nature of the Win: Smashmouth, Ugly, but a Win

• Dan Bernstein (00:19):
  “It didn’t have to be pretty. It doesn’t have to be pretty. ... The Bears can win a game without having their quarterback have to be great or even good.”

• The Bears dominated the line of scrimmage, forced turnovers, won via the run game—winning "ugly" is still winning.

• Matt Abbatacola (01:24):
  “I don't think we needed that game yesterday to tell us...The Bears don't need Caleb Williams to be efficient, consistent, to win football games. Now, that can't continue... Caleb Williams is going to have to perform to win games.”

B. The Ben Johnson Effect

• Coaching Adaptability:
  Johnson planned a “humble, smashmouth football game,” prioritizing victory over style—a contrast from past regimes (e.g., Matt Nagy).

• Dan Bernstein (02:27):
  “This is going to sound weird. What I learned yesterday was how a coach... can call a humble smashmouth football game... to do what works, get out of there with the win, and pick a better time for showing off...”

• Low Ego, High Standards:
  Johnson cares about “getting the Chicago Bears a victory”, not personal acclaim or an offensive identity.

• Matt Abbatacola (04:29):
  “He doesn't have this huge, massive ego... It's about getting the Chicago Bears a victory... Ugly wins are still wins.”

• Winning While Developing:
  Johnson is “never satisfied”—using wins as teaching moments. The “luxury” is winning while still having “lots to clean up.”

• Dan Bernstein (09:09):
  “The ability to build off of flawed victories is such a luxury. It is such a sweet spot for Ben Johnson right now…”

C. Penalties and Team Discipline

• The team is still "sloppy" (05:16), with too many penalties—a lingering concern even amid progress.
• Ben Johnson (06:31):
  “I was hopeful that Game six we would play cleaner football than that.”
• Johnson is attentive to these issues and willing to bench undisciplined players; expectations are “high.”

D. Defensive Development and Standout Players

• Defensive Dominance:
  Defense set the tone: 44 yards allowed rushing, 4 sacks, 4 turnovers.

• Ben Johnson (15:00):
  “This game really started and finished there with our defense. They just did a phenomenal job throughout.”

• TJ Edwards:
  Highlighted as the “heart and soul” of the defense upon his return.

• DeMarco Jackson:
  Notable despite limited snaps, made a key play negating Kamara—demonstrated depth.

E. Offensive Line and Running Game

• O-Line Chemistry:
  The line is coming together; both ball carriers (DeAndre Swift, Kyle Monangai) were “physical, violent.”

• Ben Johnson (17:33):
  “...It was just going to take a little bit of time to get our O line on the same page...”

• Kyle Monangai's Emergence:
  Comparing him to David Montgomery: “between the tackles banger,” trusted in big roles.

• Roschon Johnson relegated to special teams—discussion on RB depth and roles.

F. Caleb Williams' Evolution and Challenges

• Passing Game Concerns:
  Williams is not developing as quickly as hoped: regression, slow processing, struggles in the “secondary” (scramble) playbook.

• Ben Johnson (20:30):
  “We haven’t hit our stride yet offensively... The passing game wasn’t nearly efficient enough for us here today.”

• Dan Bernstein (21:56):
  Raises the big question: "Some guys have it, some guys don’t... I don’t know yet. I don’t know if he’s got the it.”

• Both hosts wrestle with patience vs. expectations for Williams' progress; trust in Johnson's vision, but uncertainty remains.

• Caleb Williams (35:07):
  On struggles: “Days like today, I would say, are needed just in the sense of... it gives you a little bit more to be able to look back on something and figure out what.”

• Scramble/Secondary Playbook Issues:
  Williams and Johnson want big plays out of broken plays (scrambles), but execution and decision-making under pressure have “gotten worse.” Williams expresses frustration, commits to improvement, but admits to missed opportunities.

• Caleb Williams (41:43):
  “If we complete the passes that, you know, I missed. I missed about five or six, I think, on the run, which is extremely frustrating for me…”

G. Injuries & Roster Implications

• Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) and Cole Kmet (back) suffered injuries. Kmet’s run-blocking lauded; passing-game from TEs “non-existent.”
• Defensive back depth is a concern, especially with Jalen Johnson already out.

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ben Johnson’s Growth and Philosophy:

  • “What we're learning...it's not about the Ben Johnson offense. It's about the Chicago Bears getting a W.” — Matt Abbatacola, 04:29
  • “The ability to build off of flawed victories is such a luxury. It is such a sweet spot for Ben Johnson right now.” — Dan Bernstein, 09:09
  • “I was hopeful that Game six we would play cleaner football than that.” — Ben Johnson, 06:31

• On Caleb Williams’ Struggles:

  • “Some guys just can never be taught to see certain things...I don’t know if he’s got the it.” — Dan Bernstein, 21:56
  • “I missed about five or six, I think, on the run, which is extremely frustrating for me...” — Caleb Williams, 41:43

• On Defensive Physicality:

  • “44 yards rushing. I saw four sacks and four turnovers...credit to Dennis Allen and his crew one more time. They are, they're doing a great job getting us the ball on offense with great field position.” — Ben Johnson, 15:00

• On Penalties and Discipline:

  • “It's usually well-coached teams aren't penalized often... Right now, I'm very excited about Ben Johnson, but it doesn't help his resume that his team keeps getting penalized...” — Dan Bernstein, 05:18

• Humor & Chicago Flavor:

  • “Stop being negative. Yes. Ben Johnson. Stop it now. Damn it.” — (sarcastic back-and-forth on coaching standards), 07:00
  • On media fixating on deep-dish pizza: “Every time we come here, we have to show it. No, you don’t.” — Matt Abbatacola, 38:35

4. Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Mood Setting: 00:19 — “Life is good right now for your Chicago Bears…”
• Coaching Adaptation & Ben Johnson’s Philosophy: 02:27
• Penalties & Discipline Discussion: 05:13
• Defensive Standouts & Game Play Breakdown: 12:19–15:00
• Ben Johnson’s Postgame Comments: 15:00–15:53; 17:33 (run game); 20:30 (offensive execution)
• Discussion of Caleb Williams’ Development: 21:56–24:00, 35:07–37:09, 41:43–42:34
• Scramble Play/Secondary Playbook: 24:36–27:40
• Injuries: 45:43–47:31
• NFL Trivia & Fun Facts: 50:21–54:58

5. Miscellaneous Highlights

• Run Game Progress: Bears now have 21 passing plays of 20+ yards through six games (vs. 20 all last season).
• Montez Sweat’s Impact: Sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery—“Do that every game.”
• Trivia Segment: Only one NFL player (Terrell Owens) has scored a touchdown against every team; four QBs have beaten every team (Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, Drew Brees).
• Fun with Scores: Bears scored 25, 25, and 26 points in consecutive weeks—a statistical anomaly.
• Chicago Food Asides: Strong opinions on deep dish pizza and local food traditions amid football talk.

6. Conclusions & Takeaway Themes

• Grit Over Flash:
  The Bears are finding success with an unflashy formula—defense, run game, and adaptability—under Ben Johnson’s evolving leadership.
• Coaching Maturity and Security:
  Johnson’s willingness to win ugly, bench undisciplined players, and call out mistakes without spin marks a new chapter.
• Quarterback Future Uncertain:
  Caleb Williams’ growth is slower than hoped. The staff remains cautiously optimistic, but “it factor” questions linger.
• Room to Improve, But Reason to Believe:
  Chicago fans, and the hosts themselves, aren’t taking anything for granted, but the trajectory under Johnson is inspiring new hope.

Recommended Listening Segments

• Ben Johnson’s philosophy & coaching growth: 02:27–07:00, 09:09–11:37
• Caleb Williams’ candid reflections: 35:07–37:09, 41:43–42:34
• Defense and O-line discussion: 12:19–18:37
• Game management, in-game decisions: 31:44–34:49

For Bears fans and NFL observers alike, this episode captures a team (and city) at an inflection point: wrestling with progress, setbacks, and—perhaps for the first time in a while—a real reason for forward progress.