Chicago Bears final 53-man roster, the 60,000 passing yard club and the Bears Franchise valuation

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Forward Progress – Chicago Bears Final 53-Man Roster, the 60,000 Passing Yard Club, and Franchise Valuation

Podcast: Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: August 28, 2025
Episode Theme:
A deep-dive into the Chicago Bears’ final 53-man roster moves, concerns about key injuries, the exclusive “60,000 passing yards” club in the NFL, and where the Bears stand in recent NFL franchise valuations. The episode balances passionate fan perspective with sharp analysis, delivering the signature tone of Dan and Matt—part football intellect, part Bears die-hard.

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Roster Moves and Injury Watch

Key Discussion Points:

• The Bears are finishing up roster tweaks, including some procedural cuts and mysterious injury-driven moves.
• Practice squad described as “relatively unremarkable.”
• Unusual waiver moves seem to reflect internal injury worries, with both Jaquan Brisker and TJ Edwards having left the practice field with trainers.

Notable Insight:

• Two waiver pickups: Cornerback Jalen Jones (former Bear, “can never have too many Jalens”) and linebacker/special teamer DeMarco Jackson.
• Releases of long snapper Scott Daly and returner Devin DuVernay were administrative—both expected back soon.

Quotes:

• “The Chicago Bears are finagling the bottom of their 53-man roster at this point... This is finagling season.” — Dan (01:53)
• “Everything we understand is procedural... Both Daly and DuVernay will be back.” — Matt (04:34)
• “I am very, very, very concerned about Jaquan Brisker. He makes me confront my cognitive dissonance.” — Dan (06:01)

Injury Concerns: Brisker & Beyond

• Jaquan Brisker’s health, particularly regarding his concussion history, spurs existential conversation about loving football despite its toll on athletes (07:40).
• Matt, as a coach and father, echoes the discomfort when watching young players get hit but feels teaching proper technique can mitigate some risk (08:02).

Quotes:

• “I know how horrible this game is on human bodies, but I can’t get enough... I’m a complete football hypocrite.” — Dan (06:01)
• “I wanted to coach to teach the kids... Not leading with your helmet.” — Matt (08:02)

Secondary Depth: From Strength to Concern

• Potential absences at corner and safety (“what we thought was a massive strength... isn’t, to start the year”)—worries about Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and Jalen Johnson cloud the outlook (09:38).

Quote:

• “However you want to slice it, it’s not a massive strength—it may be a major concern.” — Dan (10:09)

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Offense: Positions, Philosophy, and Caleb Williams

Wide Receiver Numbers & Rutgers

• Banter on traditional jersey numbers vs. the “woke” trend of single digits (04:51).
• Light-hearted jokes about heritage and nostalgia for 80s-numbered wideouts (05:20).

Offensive Line and Offensive Philosophy

• Debate over the delayed decision to publicly name Braxton Jones as left tackle—hosts both believe it’s a given (10:30).
• Excitement about the two-tight-end sets, especially with Colston Loveland’s addition, but cautious about keeping tight ends healthy (“as long as Caleb Williams doesn’t get him killed” — Dan, 12:09).

Ben Johnson’s High Bar for Caleb Williams

• Discussion of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s stated goal for Caleb Williams: 70% completion rate, a number achieved by only a handful of QBs (13:43).
• Warning signs that media and staffers are lowering expectations after a rocky rookie year, which both hosts push against.
• Detailed comparison of rookie QBs and the factors inside/outside Williams’ control.

Quotes:

• “You didn’t come out and have that as your marker. That was something that the head coach gave us.” — Matt (14:43)
• “There’s no expectation unfair for Caleb Williams. Because we didn’t set it.” — Dan (18:09)
• “Those numbers 30 years ago would have been ridiculous. But the standard for quarterbacking... it’s just a higher standard.” — Dan (22:54)

Running Back Room Worries

• Lingering, mild concern about the running back group, which Dan regards as easily replaced, praising the interior offensive line upgrades to help the run game (15:04).

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Historical Context: The 60,000 Passing Yards Club

Segment Starts: 25:12

The Exclusive Club

• Matthew Stafford (with 59,809 yards) is on the verge of joining the “60,000 passing yards” club—becoming the 10th NFL QB to do so (25:32).
• Hosts play trivia, ranking the all-time leaders: Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Dan Marino, and (soon) Stafford.

Quote:

• “That’s a very, very special club.” — Matt (25:43)

Modern Era Passing Boom

• Reflection on how passing stats have exploded in the modern era, pushing QBs quickly up the all-time list.
• Guesses at which active QBs could potentially join: Mahomes and Herbert are possible; Burrow, Allen, Mayfield, Winston, and others seem unlikely.

Bears' Dire Passing History

• Comparison to the Bears’ all-time passing leaders—Jay Cutler’s 23,443 yards top the franchise.
• Hosts lament the lack of elite Bears QBs and receivers, comparing Bears receivers’ total yardage to current league norms.

Memorable Exchange:

• “That is unbelievable. How bad this Bears list is.” — Dan (33:09)
• “So four [all-time receptions for Bears]? Walter Payton running back.” — Matt (35:07)
• “It’s so lame. It’s so terrible.” — Matt (36:17)

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Franchise Value: Bears in the Billion-Dollar NFL

Segment Starts: 38:36

• New franchise valuations from Forbes: Dallas Cowboys top the list at $13 billion, followed by Rams, Giants, Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, and Bears ($8.2 billion).
• Despite their value, the Bears’ operating income ($80 million) is dwarfed by other top franchises due to not owning their own stadium.
• The low earnings are a major incentive for the Bears to secure a new stadium deal.

Quotes:

• “Every time I hear veto session... I picture Veto Session.” — Dan (39:34)
• “That’s Mickey Mouse stuff... 80 million and they can’t optimize any of this stuff. So get the hell out of there and build this thing already and quit dicking around.” — Dan (40:30)

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Additional Notable Moments & Tone

• The “Flavortown” running joke (Waterloo drink flavors) adds levity and the sense of friendship and long history between Dan and Matt (03:08, 05:30).
• Gentle but persistent poking fun at the Bears’ lackluster history in skill positions, driven by resigned exasperation and hope for the future.
• “The best thing about this organization, this franchise, is middle linebackers and the fans. That’s it.” — Matt (38:08)

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Timestamp Highlights

• 01:53 — Opening discussion of active roster shuffling
• 06:01 — Dan’s “football hypocrisy” monologue about injuries
• 12:09 — Early talk on Colston Loveland and his impact in the offense
• 13:43 — Conversation on Ben Johnson’s high completion % goal
• 25:12 — “60,000 passing yards” club trivia and context
• 33:09 — Deep dive and roast of Bears’ all-time passing stats
• 38:36 — Forbes franchise valuations and the Bears’ stadium woes
• 40:30 — Final thoughts on the urgency for a new stadium

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Conclusion

This episode blends darkly comic frustration about Bears' history with wary optimism for the current team. It’s heavy on perspective—historical, financial, and sentimental—while keeping the current state of the roster and the team’s most important players at the center. Dan and Matt’s chemistry is highlighted by their quick banter, deep knowledge, and willingness to poke fun at the Bears while rooting—unapologetically—for better days ahead.

A must-listen (or read) for Bears fans looking for honest reflection, measured hope, and sharp sports radio camaraderie.

Transcript

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Ted 2:19 2:19.

[A]

Forward progress a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matta Batticola on 312 Sports.

[B]

312 Sports gives you four forward progress. I am Dan Bernstein, that is Matt Abaticola and the Chicago Bears are finagling the bottom of their 53 man roster at this point. This is finagling season is what this is. They have cobbled together a practice squad that is relatively unremarkable at this point. We will go through all of that for you, but here we are. There are a couple of very curious bottom of the roster moves that were subsequently made as corresponding moves to some waiver claims. So I think we should look at those as potentially statements about where this murky injury situation stands for them. We heard that Jaquan Brisker left the field with a Trainer. That's bad. We're gonna do more on that in just a second. We also know that TJ Edwards had something happen where trainers were walking off with him. That's why I wonder what these claims mean. So with the two waiver claims, cornerback Jalen Jones can never have too many Jalens. And he's a former Bear. You know that name. You know that they've liked some of what he's done. He understands what's going on. What are you drinking?

[A]

A Waterloo black cherry.

[B]

Oh, are you going to Flavortown?

[A]

No, that's not a Flavortown flavor.

[B]

His.

[A]

So there's three Flavortown flavors.

[B]

Oh, not all Waterloos are Guy Fear.

[A]

No, there are three special creations. There was a huckleberry cobbler. That was a flavor.

[B]

The lemon one I had was good.

[A]

There was the Italian ice.

[B]

That was really good.

[A]

Yep. Lemon Italian ice. And then there was a. There's a. Like a mango habanero. Spicy.

[B]

I was leaving Matty's house, and he. And he's. Here, take this with you. And he goes, hey, hey, careful. I said, what? He goes, if you're driving while drinking that, you might just end up in Flavortown.

[A]

And you did.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I lost track.

[A]

You called me, like, two days later.

[B]

I did.

[A]

I'm in Flavortown still.

[B]

What did I text you? It was funny.

[A]

It's always funny. It's you.

[B]

It was funny. I texted you something. You'll find it. So DeMarco Jackson from the Cardinals, linebacker, special teams specialist, also signed. And what was weird were the fact that Long snapper Scott Daly and Devin DuVernay, their return guy, were released. So it sounds to me. It seems to me like everything. We understand that this is procedural, administrative stuff, that both. Both Daly and DuVernay will be back. So I'm certain that they're. They're not just getting rid of this guy to make room. It wasn't John I. Walker taking DuVernay spot.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

Okay, good.

[A]

Yeah, those guys will be back. Yeah. It wasn't like Walker taking Tyler Scott spot.

[B]

I'm. Well, no, that was. That was real. Yeah, that was. Gone with that. Because you saw they're shifting around some of the uniform numbers now. You said Luther Burden didn't want 87.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you. Come on, man.

[A]

Do you have an issue with the. With the. With the single digits, the lower numbers for wide receivers?

[B]

Having issue with it. I prefer.

[A]

I'm a weird old guy. I've been watching football for a while now.

[B]

I'm more comfortable with wide receivers wearing numbers in the 80s.

[A]

In the 80s. Yeah.

[B]

It just seems better.

[A]

Yeah. Aesthetically, yeah.

[B]

I don't do. I don't care about numbers much.

[A]

No, no, no.

[B]

I don't really retain them. I don't. I don't.

[A]

I mean, I'm not going to boycott the bear season because of it.

[B]

That's it.

[A]

I'm done, Done watching.

[B]

I'm done with these W numbers.

[A]

Right.

[B]

They go woke numbers.

[A]

They changed the Cracker Barrel logo.

[B]

I want to get back to my heritage of the numbers in the 80s.

[A]

Here's what you said when I asked you if you made it home from Flavortown or if you're still there.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You said you got a nice room at Freddy Cayenne's. Kickin it Futon. Chill out. And I'm finishing these Pouton Cumin Crema.

[B]

Chili Poutine cumin crema chilaquiles.

[A]

Yes. At Loco Barocco Breakfast Road Barn before heading out.

[B]

Loco Baracho Crazy Drunken Man's Breakfast Road Barn.

[A]

I said, yeah, you'll head out after you crap your brains on.

[B]

Well, that's most of my days, but I'm not hugely concerned about what's going on with the roster. I am very, very, very concerned about Jaquan Brisker. And this underscores something and I don't know if I've discussed this yet. He makes me confront my cognitive dissonance. Jaquan Brisker specifically. Every time I hear the name and every time you see him with a potential. Oh, he. Because of his concussion history, because of the way he plays right now, he just. Personally, he is difficult for me to think about because he makes me deal with my hypocrisy. As you know, as I've said before, I know I'm a complete football hypocrite, that I know how horrible this game is on human bodies. I can't get enough of it. I can't get enough of other people's children destroying their brains for my entertainment. I know it's awful, but I know they're adults with informed consent. I'm not trying to take away football. I'm not anti football. I love the game, But I also know the truths of the game and I'm willing to admit my hypocrisy. Something like a Jaquan Brisker situation. We don't know that it is a head injury. We don't know everybody or whatever it may be. I just know when I see him and mentioned with an injury hits right, that that raw nerve, that, that difficulty, that whatever that neuron is that Makes me have to recognize and reconcile my discomfort.

[A]

Yeah. And I hear you. And it's. It's hard to. You know, football is my favorite sport. I love it. I love. I love watching the NFL. I'll watch any NFL game, and it's unlike any other sport for me where I won't sit down and watch any baseball game. I know some people will, you know, I'm not going to sit down and watch any NBA game or any NBA game, but I'll handle all that.

[B]

I'm in charge of the NBA.

[A]

Yeah. NFL. I will. I will. I watch every chance I get. Whatever NFL game is on. And it's hard to have. Now, young guys that are. That are playing in the sport and love playing it and are really good at it. And it's hard as a dad to, you know, to reconcile that, my love for the game and then the concern that every time we take the field, you know, it's always. It's always there for me to be like, you know, should I be allowing this? And, you know, it has gotten better. And you can. And that's part of the reason why I wanted the coach was to help to teach the kids, you know, you know, particular my kids, how to do it correctly. Not leading with your helmet, not. Not. Not increasing the chances of getting that kind of. That kind of injury, and knowing that.

[B]

A lot of it's out of your control.

[A]

100%.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So it's. It's really hard for me. It's. It's hard for me to love it and then still have that in the back of my brain. When I watch my guys get tackled, when I watch them in tackling drills, hit somebody or get hit and go down. It's like. It's really hard for me.

[B]

Yeah. But it's every parent's decision. I'm not judging.

[A]

I know.

[B]

I'm just telling you where I am. Like, I had to deal with it with hockey, and I knew that there were some risks with hockey. A lot of risks with hockey. We dealt with concussions all the time. Not we as a family, but we as a team and all of his teams. And as a sport, you deal with it. But I'm hopeful for brisker. And then strictly from a football standpoint, you got. I think, you know, Kyler Murray's coming. Kyler Murray. Kelly Gordon's coming back. I've done that so many times.

[A]

I know.

[B]

So Gordon will be back. We presume Jalen Johnson's coming back soon.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But what was when we went into this off season and Looked at the incredible strength, the luxury that they had of would Tyreek Stevenson if they welcome him back with open arms or the coaching staff gave him a blank slate. Can he do some of the man cover things that Dennis Allen wants. Terrell Smith could start on some teams and he might be at the back end of this roster. They love the work he was doing. And now what we thought was going to be a massive strength. It just isn't. To start the year.

[A]

Lots of questions. Yeah.

[B]

However you want to slice it, it's not a massive strength and it may be a major concern.

[A]

Yeah. Oh, salute. But I, Yeah, the, the, the brisker thing. Absolutely. I'm still concerned about the left tackle position. You know, the question marks that have gone around Caleb Williams, which we've discussed already and will continue to discuss as we watch.

[B]

What are they waiting for to name Braxton Jones a starter?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

They said that we want to decide this and know who it is.

[A]

I mean it's, it's.

[B]

Do you not know? Of course it's Braxton.

[A]

There's. Yeah, it's. I'm not sure. I'm not sure what's taking him. I don't know if it's. If it was a matter of motivation for other guys to see if someone jumps a level. I don't know. I don't. I don't get it. Because he's been the guy. He's. He was the guy. He was always going to be the guy. So I don't quite get it.

[B]

We know it's not amigaji because he fell out of favor early and now they're working him in it guard just so he can be inside outside, versatile as a bench guy. Great. That's awesome.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

They don't want it to be Theo Benedict. We know now they tried to think about moving Darnell. Right. They're not going to do that.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So just if I call up and my favorite. I don't know which depth chart you use. I still like our lads. I like because of the information that's available on the color coding and everything. And our lads has him as Braxton Jones as the starter. Interestingly though, they list three wide receivers, so they list 11 personnel with one running back and one tight end. I think that they may have two starting tight ends instead of the three wideouts that most teams have.

[A]

I agree. Yeah. I think they will. And you know, I'm okay with that. I'm okay. I mean, Colson Loveland, he's. He's going to be something.

[B]

He's good.

[A]

Yeah, he's really good. And he's, he's going to change the way that this offense plays. They really are. And I mean, that was a, that was a great pick. And what then the, the impact he's going to have under Ben Johnson's offense is going to be exceptional.

[B]

That's the point.

[A]

As long as Caleb Williams doesn't get him killed.

[B]

I'm. I do think that is a, it's a more a timing issue than anything else. It. That when you say that about some of these throws over the middle that have him running into the weak side safety.

[A]

I've seen both tight ends really outstretched.

[B]

I know, I know. It's still about get it out, get it out, get it out. Recognize it.

[A]

Hopefully it's a timing thing.

[B]

Recognize it earlier. It's not an arm strength thing?

[A]

No, no, no. Definitely not. It's not an arm. And I think you're. I think you're right. It's a timing thing. And that fits on who Caleb William is. Caleb Williams is as an NFL quarterback.

[B]

Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm. And they're starting from scratch with his footwork. And already, already it does seem like they're, they're down talking some stuff here. Do you notice that too, that around the, around the margins a little bit? You're getting. Well, this is going to be a longer process. Yes, it's going to be a longer. They're tempering expectations 100%. Well, he's not going to be where he is now, middle of the year and, and the end of the year. Or you see comparisons that. Well, you look at Jared Goff under this. It took him some time even coming over from where he was. It wasn't until the second half of his first year that they really started to get going and they just missed the playoffs and then it was the next year. Like, come on, man, what are we, what are we. Why are we doing it?

[A]

That's not deliberate, is it? Like, I mean, he's not, he's not playing games. Like, he's not. He, like Ben Johnson is a strike. Strike me as that kind of guy.

[B]

I hope not because we're going to hold them to what he said.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And the number that I have in my head is 70% completions.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That's a high number.

[A]

Very high number.

[B]

How many guys did that last year? Seven. He was what, 62, five or something?

[A]

Seven at most, maybe five. Five or seven.

[B]

That's what he said. 70% completions. Yeah, he gave us that. Now, that's an easy one. I'm not. I'm bad at math, and I can even still do division in my head to figure that out. That's not. That's not qbr. That isn't passer efficiency rating. Ben Johnson offered that as the measuring stick.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And look, you can. You can do it if you're checking down all day, but I know Johnson doesn't want to do that. They want to score as soon as they touch the ball. So if you're going to say, well, you know, the first year, we'll find out. If he says, well, 65 is good, that'll tell us something, right? No.

[A]

Yeah. And you. I mean, he said it. Yeah. You didn't come out and have that as your marker. That was something that the head coach gave us.

[B]

And if he's confident enough to do that, fine. Maybe regrets it.

[A]

Yeah. And still. And I know we touched on this previously, but I'm still, you know, they're still concerned about the running back room. I thought there might be something available. I wasn't sure what would be available, you know, on the, you know, on waiver claims, but something.

[B]

Yeah, running backs.

[A]

I know. I know how you feel about running backs.

[B]

There's a handful of special.

[A]

I know how you feel.

[B]

There's a handful of special. There's a lot of good.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's easy. It's relatively easy to find decent. And then there's a lot of blah. It's easy to find blah. They're everywhere. They're absolutely everywhere. And I don't know if Swift is going to be in that higher level or not, or just if he's just kind of decent. I don't know. Hit the damn hole. Quit dancing around.

[A]

Well, I mean, it should improve the running game with the, you know, fixing the interior of the offensive line. That. That should have a significant difference. You would hope better, right?

[B]

Yeah, it's. If it doesn't, you really screwed this thing up. If the running game isn't better with these three.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

At guard, center guard, you've done something horribly, horribly wrong. So now we wait. And now we'll see how they play around with the bottom of that roster. And when they tell us the truth about some of these injuries. And I feel when I'm. I'm also very, very curious about. Is it. It's Zay Frazier, right. Who is out for the season, who has been around the team but is out for the season with what they're calling a personal issue. And I don't want to feel intrusive. I don't Feel like I'm prying, but I've never seen this before. I've never seen somebody declared out for the year with something that isn't an injury. May if it is. And we've talked a great deal about the truth and reality of mental health and I hope we can get to the point in football and elsewhere where it's okay to say that. Where it's okay to say it. It's a mental health issue and maybe the NFL isn't there yet and they just haven't come far enough to make that comfortable, to take the stigma away. It's my hope that eventually leagues can do that and treat these things like, like the real illnesses and, or injuries or potential crises that they are. But best to Frazier and, and I don't, I don't know what it is. I don't know. But I was hoping to have him because I know they liked him.

[A]

Yeah. Going back to the quarterbacks last year that threw that had a completion percentage of 70% or higher. Yeah. Now you have to look at number of games, games played. Jared Goff. So Tua.

[B]

Is there a filter you can put in because you're going to get some punter?

[A]

Yeah. No, no, no. I got it right here. So it's Jared Goff at 17 games through 72.4%. Baker Mayfield 17 games, 71.4.

[B]

He had a great year.

[A]

Joe Burrow at 17, 70.6. Geno Smith 17 games, 70.4. Jaden Daniels just missed it at 69% played 17 games. Still take his season. Kyler Murray 68%. So of the other guys that actually played the entire season, you only have three to played only 11 games. But he completed 72.9%.

[B]

Now with that said, there is no expectation unfair for Caleb Williams.

[A]

Correct. Because we didn't set it.

[B]

There is even more. That's one of one. That word generational is going to be attached to him for a while. Yes, that's one of one that you remember the celebration when Lovey's Texans came up with that win that allowed them Lovey fighting to the bitter end of his Texans career to allow the Bears to have that pick. And we celebrated it for that reason and here he is. There is no expectation set. I don't care if Ben Johnson says I expect him to get 80% because of who he is and what he is and the excitement level. Don't start eroding that now. Don't start bringing that down now. Keep everything that high. If we're gonna throw away last year and I'm noticing that, too, that when you read the people close to the team, when you read Brad Biggs and some of these other guys for clues and how they talk about things, it creeps in. Cause, you know, you know, they're. They're well sourced and they're having conversations along there. The fact that everybody is completely disregarding last year because of how bad it was, because of how bad the offensive brain trust was and how bad Shane Waldron was everything. It almost didn't count.

[A]

No.

[B]

And that's what we're getting. They're saying, well, you know, other than having a little bit of NFL experience, that wasn't anything. He's essentially a rookie.

[A]

But I have. I. I really don't have any issue with that, though, because those are. Those are all legitimate things that took place last year that were out of his control. Now, again, we talked about this. Some of the things were in his control. Yeah, I get that. But a vast majority of the things that impacted his rookie season were out of his control. The problem I have with that, though, Dan, is that the guy that was in charge is still there. That's what bothers me.

[B]

Well, there's.

[A]

That's what really bothers me.

[B]

It also.

[A]

You put that offensive line together. You hired those guys that ruined this rookie season.

[B]

You gave him that.

[A]

That's what you did. That's what bothers me the most.

[B]

It also tests my. My long held belief that greatness, genuine greatness, doesn't wait for anything.

[A]

Yeah, you're right.

[B]

It doesn't hide. Genuine greatness transcends bad coaching. It transcends everything. And I know this is neither here nor there, but I find myself talking about this when Blackhawks fans are talking about Bedard, talking about Connor Bedard and when he was. You're talking about, you know, the Gretzky's in Connor McDavid's, and, oh, my God, a once in a lifetime. Nobody is able to get this shot off. Like he is. His wrister's incredible, his vision. And then you say, like, greatness transcends that. And when you don't see it right away, how many times does greatness arrive a little late? I know football's weird because football's a team sport and football's reliant on some of those things. But how many times does true greatness take time to arrive absent a larger ish, a positional switch or something, Some. Some bizarre deus ex machina or force majeure, other Latin things that off the top of my head, I'll just Speak Latin for the rest of the show. But where, when do we see that? When is there a moment? And not just one, one of those holy shit throws. Because all quarterbacks will have a couple of those. Yeah, and he's had his share of those. But I mean a sustained level a takeover a game.

[A]

Well, I think we've seen him have those moments during games and I mean he led several game winning drives that didn't pan out and not because of him at the end.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You know, the defense killed that, that, that commander's game. But you know, it's, it's a fair question because I thought about it too. Like he's the. No, he's the one on one generational talent. Should he have overcome more of these obstacles on his own?

[B]

Should he.

[A]

I think it's a fair question. And you still look at it. 17 games played, he completed 63% of his passes through for over 3,000 yards. Set a Bears QB rookie record with 20 touchdowns.

[B]

He wasn't bad.

[A]

No, he wasn't. He wasn't bad at all.

[B]

He just wasn't what he should be. And the fact that overall, look, let's, let's, let's face it here. Those numbers 30 years ago would have been ridiculous.

[A]

Right?

[B]

But the standard for quarterbacking, in large part because of the evolution of the rules, because of the evolution of the game, it's just a higher standard. You have to have ridiculous numbers.

[A]

That's also complicated though by the rookie class he was involved with that complicated.

[B]

Fine.

[A]

Even more.

[B]

You're one of one.

[A]

I know, I know, I know. So it's a, it's a fair question. So where, where do you think his talent, this generational talent, like where should have his number? Like how much higher should his numbers have been?

[B]

He should be blowing out the Bears record books.

[A]

And I think he will.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I mean, I think. And here's, here's the thing about it too, that's that, that I'm. Why I'm so excited and why I'm passionate. Talking about Caleb Williams. Because I like him.

[B]

I do too.

[A]

I like Justin Fields. It's nice. And I like. And we were so excited when Justin Fields was drafted. Yeah.

[B]

Not as excited.

[A]

Not. No, not, not. No, it's not the same level, but there was a great, there was a great deal of excitement.

[B]

Yeah. Also a good man.

[A]

We got, we got this guy.

[B]

He's a good guy for whom you root, right?

[A]

Yeah, absolutely. And I really like Caleb Williams. He's handled himself really well. I just, I really like, I want him to succeed because I like him as a person, you know? And it's just. It's so hard to look back, though, and say, well, how much better should he have been last year? Being the generational talent, being a guy that's going to change the franchise for the future for years to come, Talk about playoff appearances and championships. Well, how much better should those numbers have been? Which were pretty good numbers. And if Jaden Daniels doesn't have the year he has. Are we. Are we looking down on Caleb Williams as much as we have been?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. I think it's independent of Daniels production. I really do.

[A]

Not. Not for the national conversation.

[B]

The guy was sacked 70 times. You can't be on your ass that much. And I know it's not all his fault. And if they don't fix the tackles, if they don't fix the pass protection on the edges, it's going to keep happening.

[A]

Right.

[B]

How many times is he going to be able to just step up in the pocket? They'll clog that up, too.

[A]

Right. And I mean, he has to get better, obviously. I mean, these are things that we've talked about many a times. He has to get better at getting rid of the ball. And, you know, that timing issue you talk about, that. That has to be there. That's on him. But, yeah, I mean, you know, we're getting there, and that's what's exciting. We're getting there.

[B]

We'll see. And while we're talking quarterbacks, you were. You were all excited about. Would you make this. Is it a trivia question or.

[A]

No, it's not a trivia question.

[B]

It's just.

[A]

It's something I was going through because there's a. There's a story. There's something that's going to happen this year. Matthew Stafford is going to join a very exclusive club of NFL quarterbacks.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

He's going to. He's at 59,809 yards.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So with just under 200 yards, he will join the 60,000 club.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Okay. And that's. That's a very, very special club. Yeah. So you have Tom Brady at the top. Oh, you're not gonna even. Oh, you want to. Oh, okay. Well, Tom Brady's number one. That's. Everyone knew that. Okay, so who's two?

[B]

Two is. Where is. This is all time.

[A]

This is all time. Regular season passing yards.

[B]

Regular season passing yards. I'm trying to. Who passed whom? Where is Breeze?

[A]

He's number two.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And he's.

[B]

He.

[A]

So Breeze and Brady, the only two at 80,000 or more.

[B]

Where is Peyton Manning?

[A]

Peyton Manning is three at 71.

[B]

Look, I'm not looking. You could bring the camera around and look at my computer. Trust you, I'm not looking at anything.

[A]

I know they don't have those stats in Flavortown, so. Yeah, Peyton Manning, 71. 940. So look at his career. 71 night and he's. He's still nine. 9,000 yards away from Drew Brees.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

18,000 from Tom Brady. Who's four.

[B]

Everything's going to skew modern because of however four, because somewhere there's going to be a weird old guy in there.

[A]

Okay, well, here's a weird old guy.

[B]

Is it Marino?

[A]

No, I was going to give you a clue. I was going to tell you. Orange Crocs.

[B]

Okay. Yes. I got my spine. I got my Orange Crocs.

[A]

All right, number five. Who's number five?

[B]

Cracking myself up. REM lyrics.

[A]

Number five.

[B]

Number five.

[A]

He comes in at six. So now Favre was at 71,838. So Manning just passed him. Is it somebody like.

[B]

Like Rivers or Roethlisberger?

[A]

It is Ben Roethlisberger, the guy that we met 2004 before he was drafted.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Very weird kid.

[B]

Yeah, it was weird. And you remember we looked at each other like, is he kind of off?

[A]

Yeah, it was. Something wasn't right. Yeah, yeah, it was weird.

[B]

Steinberg's guy. Right. That's when Steinberg sat down with us.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

That's when he left his super bowl party tickets under the chair. Ben Roethlisberger. 64,088. Number six is Rogers. No, you just mentioned his name.

[B]

Marino.

[A]

Nope.

[B]

Rivers.

[A]

Yes. 63,004. 40. Number seven is.

[B]

Really does show you the explosion of stuff. That's. That's just how at this time. That's amazing.

[A]

So number seven could potentially pass Philip Rivers.

[B]

It's not Russell Wilson, is it?

[A]

Nope. No, he's. Wilson is 17th overall.

[B]

Trying to think where is somebody like Matt Ryan? He was saying, could potentially say somebody's still going.

[A]

Someone's still going.

[B]

And it's not Rogers.

[A]

It is Rogers.

[B]

Oh, it is Rogers.

[A]

Okay, so Rogers is number seven. Number eight is Matt Ryan. You just mentioned number nine. You've mentioned him a few times already. Old guy dan Marino.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

61,361. And then Matthew Stafford is at number 10, and he'll be the 10th person to join the 60,000 plus club.

[B]

So who are the next active when we start looking at people who like Burrow. I mean, I'm Just trying to see who's on pace for long careers. They usually have them, like in Football Reference, in bold, See?

[A]

Yeah, no, here's. So that's the whole point of it. So looking at guys that are still currently playing, where could they max out at? So I'm going to give you name right here. We already mentioned him. Number 17, Russell Wilson. 46,135. He's not getting to 60,000. That's not happening.

[B]

No, because he's. He's.

[A]

He's almost done.

[B]

He's seeing the end. Yep.

[A]

Joe Flacco is. Yeah, he is 14,000 yards away from. From 60. He's not going to do it. Kirk Cousins. 43,000.

[B]

No, because he was. He looked hurt. Yeah. Last year. And obviously it's not his job anymore.

[A]

He won't do it. Derek Carr.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

41 to 45.

[B]

Did he retire? Did he retire?

[A]

I don't think so. They still have him as an active player.

[B]

I don't. Maybe he didn't file his.

[A]

Okay, maybe he has.

[B]

But I thought he said he was done.

[A]

Oh, I think it was at dinner. He was done. He walked away from the table.

[B]

Are you done? I'm done done. I mean, with my career.

[A]

All right, number 26, still active. Andy Dalton. 39,500. He'll never touch it. Jared Golf.

[B]

By the way, Derek Carr did retire. He did. Okay. I don't think it's official yet because he's got to submit everything.

[A]

Yeah. So it's not submitted. So Jared Goff is at number 34.

[B]

With 35,000, and he's 32.

[A]

That's 25,000 yards away.

[B]

Yeah, probably not.

[A]

Probably not. Ryan Tannehill.

[B]

No.

[A]

No.

[B]

Another quarterback with a gun, by the.

[A]

Way, what about Patrick Mahomes? He's 48. Currently at 32,000. Three. 52. Can Patrick Mahomes get. What is that, 27,000 yards?

[B]

Maybe.

[A]

Maybe.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. With good health and some better receivers.

[A]

Dak Prescott.

[B]

No.

[A]

31,000. No. Josh Allen. He's at 26,000, so he'll have to do another 24,000.

[B]

Yeah. My only caveat on that would be he plays in a way that makes him more likely as he ages to. Not some physical issues.

[A]

Not play as long as he needs to.

[B]

He's just. He plays so roughly.

[A]

Yep. Baker Mayfield. 83,000. Or. I'm sorry, he's number 80. He's 83 right now. 83. There it is, 24,000. So he'll need another 25,000 or another 35,000.

[B]

It's kind of reminding me of pitching wins in a way.

[A]

So yes or no? I'm going to say no.

[B]

No. I'm going to say no. I mean I'm obviously going to default to no.

[A]

Jameis Winston?

[B]

No.

[A]

Carson Wentz.

[B]

No.

[A]

All right. Here's the guy though, that. This is what I got excited about because I think there's a guy that has potential. It is. He's number one 12 on the list right now. He has 21,093 yards in five seasons.

[B]

So it's not C.J. stroud. Not C.J.

[A]

Stroud.

[B]

And his. I was waiting to see like what his pace would. C.J. stroud's pace would be.

[A]

His current 7 Justin Herbert average is 4539 yards. And it's Justin Herbert.

[B]

Yeah. And pretty rugged. You don't have to win in the playoffs.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yeah. Maybe he's the heir apparent to a Stafford type guy who has that kind of career. And then maybe late in his career, I don't know.

[A]

Trying. Trying to look through it. I mean below him. Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, Joe Burrow, Joe Burrows. At 19,000, he's not going to do it. I think. I think Justin Herbert could possibly be the next guy to get to 60,000 yards. I mean he has. He has the greatest amount of potential here at five seasons in. He has a higher 17 game average than Tom Brady had in his career.

[B]

And what is the all time Bear? Is Jake Hutler the all time Bears leader in yards with like 20,000 or something like that?

[A]

I don't know. Where is Jay Cutler on this? If he was at 20,000 he would be on this list. Jay.

[B]

Bears all time passing leaders. Jay Cutler 23,443 all time completion percentage of 61.8. That is unbelievable. That is unbelievable. How bad this Bears list is. Sid Luckman is at 14. 686. Jim Harbaugh 115 67. Jim McMahon 11203 Number 5 All time in Bears history for passing yards. Mitchell Trubisky. Is he really 10,609 ahead of Eric Kramer's 10,582. Billy Wade, Ed Brown, Bob Avellini, Justin Fields, Johnny Lujak, Rudy Bukich, Mike Tomczak, Vince Evans, Rex Grossman, George Blanda, Jim Miller, Kyle Orton.

[A]

Those are. That's so. Oh wow.

[B]

Jack Concannon, Bobby Douglas, Zeke Bradkowski, Caleb Williams.

[A]

Wait. Go to go to Bears wide receivers.

[B]

Oh no.

[A]

No. You'll throw up. No. Do it.

[B]

No, don't do it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

No. Don't go to Bears wide receivers.

[A]

Do it.

[B]

No, it's bad.

[A]

Do it.

[B]

No, on this episode. I need to prepare before this, I need to take Dramamine.

[A]

No, you don't. You're fine. You had to. Flavortown Lemon ice. You're fine.

[B]

Bring some of that in. We should have that here.

[A]

I will.

[B]

Although I do like spindrift. Do you?

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Spindrift. Lemon.

[A]

Yeah. No, it's good. And I was. I drank that a lot before I got on the Waterloo thing, so. And I'm sticking with Waterloo.

[B]

Which movie had that? The Martian.

[A]

Oh, you're Martian did.

[B]

Because he was making fun of her playlist. That right?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. Receiving.

[A]

Bears wide receivers. Let's do it.

[B]

What do you want? Yards?

[A]

Yeah, I want yards.

[B]

No, you don't.

[A]

All time. Who's number one?

[B]

Johnny Morris.

[A]

Okay. He's still number one.

[B]

5059. I'm sorry, 5059.

[A]

No, not for a season. For his career.

[B]

I know. Number two, Pro Bowler.

[A]

Marty Booker.

[B]

No, he's a Pro Bowler. Harlan Hill. He's working the side circuit. Says here you're a Pro Bowler.

[A]

Oh, man.

[B]

Took time away from football. Wait, so bowled professionally.

[A]

Bears all time. Leading receivers. Johnny Morris with 5,000 yards.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Then, then. Alshon Jeffires. Ashlon Jeffires is third. Walter is fourth. Walter Payton, Peyton's fourth coach is fifth. Conway, Forte, Booker, Gault.

[A]

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. The number three leading wide receiver of all time is a running back?

[B]

No. Alshon Jeffries, third. Peyton. Four.

[A]

So four.

[B]

Yeah. You want to go by receptions?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Walter Payton is first. Matt Forte is second. Good job. Two receivers. Running backs.

[A]

Running backs.

[B]

Your Chicago Bears. It's so lame.

[A]

It is so lame. It's so terrible.

[B]

So bad. Now it changes now.

[A]

How many, how many years did. Who's number one? Luckman. Who is it?

[B]

Cutler.

[A]

Oh, no, but I'm sorry. In receiving yards, who's one?

[B]

Johnny Morris.

[A]

Johnny Morris. 5,000.

[B]

Yeah. 559.

[A]

And so there are. There are second year players in the league right now. Receivers that will. Will. Yeah, that will pass that.

[B]

Yeah, but they're not in the Bears. That's the problem. They can do with other teams. I mean, it's, it's, it's insane. It's absolutely insane.

[A]

That's really bad.

[B]

Cole Comet is already 12th in receptions. Cole Comet last year passed Bobby Ingram.

[A]

How many receptions does Peyton have?

[B]

He has 492.

[A]

And the next. So is Cole Comet the next, like the only active player?

[B]

Peyton Forte, Johnny Morris. Conway, Booker. Ditka, Jeffrey. Neil Anderson, Allen Robinson. Is he still active? He was inactive before he left the Bears. Brandon Marshall, Matt Sui. Cole, Comet.

[A]

Okay, so he's. Okay, so. And how many does he have?

[B]

He has 258. Boy, and then you've got to go down to Darnell Mooney of the Falcons. Is he hurt again, by the way?

[A]

I think so. Yeah.

[B]

I think so.258.

[A]

So he may not. He may. He may not even catch Walter.

[B]

That's ridiculous. Can I stop doing this, please? Seriously, why you do this to me? I don't want to do this because.

[A]

I want to remind people that they don't need reminding.

[B]

They know it sucks.

[A]

They need reminding.

[B]

Stop.

[A]

The best thing about this organization, this franchise, middle linebackers, are the fans. That's it.

[B]

It's just that I'm not pandering.

[A]

Idiots. I don't even like pandas.

[B]

The great Chicago Bears fans are the best.

[A]

They are. They're the best in the world.

[B]

They're our 12th man. Put them at the bottom of the roster.

[A]

Did you. Did you see the. The Forbes franchise valuations came out?

[B]

No.

[A]

Okay, topping that list, Cowboys is the Cowboys at 13 billion. One year change of 29%.

[B]

They're great moneymakers. They really are. Say what you want about Jerry Jones, but they're a great moneymaker. They're a great brand.

[A]

Revenue of 1.234 billion. Operating income of 629 million. All right, number two are the Rams at 10.5 billion. The Giants at 10.1. The Patriots at 9 billion. The 49ers come in at number five at 8.6 billion. The Eagles are 8.3. Take the point out, it's 83. And then the Chicago Bears come in at number seven at $8.2 billion.

[B]

Yeah. When you start showing that to the legislators downstate with the looming October veto session, and they're asking for. Every time I hear veto session.

[A]

He's a guy, I went to school with him.

[B]

I picture veto session. Right?

[A]

Yeah. He was a gu. We knew.

[B]

But the. Everybody knows what they're worth. And then they come hat in hand asking for all these breaks, and people are still saying, no, no, no, thank you.

[A]

So that's a one year change of 28% revenue.

[B]

628% in one year?

[A]

Yep. 629 million in revenue, operating income. So remember what I said. The operating income for The Cowboys was 629 million.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

The operating income for your Chicago Bears is 80 million. Stadium, 80 million. The jets, who are number eight at 8.2 billion, just behind. The Bears have an operating income of 180 million. The Raiders at number nine. Operating income of 179.

[B]

Yeah. See that?

[A]

That's the Commander's at number 10. 116 million.

[B]

That's Mickey Mouse stuff, what you're talking about for the Bears because they don't own their stadium. 80 million and they can't optimize any of this stuff. So get the hell out of there and build this thing already and quit dicking around.

[A]

Correct? Correct.

[B]

We'll leave it at that then. Okay, that's forward progress.

[A]

Oh, hang on a second. Yeah, okay.

[B]

What? No, nothing.

[A]

No, we're good.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I just got to set something up here.

[B]

Oh, we got to get set up to close.

[A]

I do.

[B]

Okay. Well, I'm just making sure we're going to have a lot more as the Bears continue to fine tune their roster. We'll know more about injuries. And just so you know, this is going to be your place here at Forward Progress. So make sure you like and subscribe, especially post games. And promise if something big happens with the Bears, we're going to pop on and be there for you no matter when, no matter what it takes to be there. Watching as you watch, consuming as you consume. Make this a regular part of your Bears week. Right now it is two days a week and post game, but who knows? Maybe it'll be more.

[A]

Forward progress. A Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports.

[B]

It.