Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: How Can the Chicago Bears Get the #1 Seed in the NFC?
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Chicago Bears' late-season playoff push, analyzing their path to potentially clinching the NFC's #1 seed. Dan and Matt break down the critical playoff tiebreakers, recent team performance, and what’s ahead for the Bears. The show features post-game coaching insights, a candid look at penalty issues, and speculation about stadium rumors and future team directions, all layered with the duo's trademark blend of expertise, transparency, and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears Playoff Picture: Road to the #1 Seed

• Current Standings: Bears sit at 11–4 with two games remaining (@49ers, vs. Lions).
• Path to #1: They must win out (finishing 13–4) and get help from other NFC teams, especially needing the Seahawks or Rams to drop a game.
• Tiebreaker Details:
  • If Bears, Seahawks, and Rams finish 13–4, Bears would need the best conference record (Bears: 9–3; Seahawks/Rams could finish 8–4) to seal the top seed.
  • “That’s it. That’s how the Bears get in. All right, the number one seed.” – Dan Bernstein (13:06)
• No Room for Engineering Outcomes:
  • Both hosts agree: play to win out, don’t try to “game” the matchups based on potential playoff opponents.
  • “I wouldn't even look at the bracket until it's presented. …that seems like the presumptuousness of, if we win this and lose this, we're in a better position because we'd face this team...” – Matt Abbatacola (14:45)

2. Upcoming Challenge: Playing the 49ers

• 49ers Analysis: The Bears’ lack of pass rush will be a major challenge vs. the Niners’ efficient, if unspectacular, offense under Brock Purdy.
  • “He steers the vessel… he’s not only a starting quarterback but a winning quarterback that can lead his team deep into the playoffs. I just don’t see it still.” — Dan Bernstein (1:32)
• Game Plan Adjustments:
  • Discussion on whether to hold back play calls in case of a playoff rematch.
  • “Would the possibility of seeing the Niners again change the way you call a game? Would you want to hold anything back potentially for a second meeting?” – Matt Abbatacola (17:17)
  • “Which would be what? I'd love to hear that. Or maybe you want to lie…” – Matt Abbatacola (17:36)

3. Ben Johnson’s Coaching: Accountability & Growth

• Handling Play Management:
  • Johnson takes full responsibility for a late-game field goal situation, citing communication and execution issues.
    • "That's on me. That 100% falls on me. I gotta do a better job coaching that with all the players involved..." – Ben Johnson, Bears HC (2:47)
• Penalty Issues:
  • Acknowledges 10 penalties (four personal fouls) as a product of being overamped but says only Booker's penalty on Jordan Love is hard to coach out; the rest are “preventable and egregious.”
    • “...those 15 yard penalties, they really add up... all the other 15 yarders, as far as I’m concerned, those are all preventable and at times egregious.” – Ben Johnson (5:27)
• Team Goals & Standards:
  • From 11 wins (never missing playoffs at that number), to division title, to the #1 seed.
    • “Number one was to get to 11... that was step one. Step two is, we want to win this division... And then step three would be clinching number one seed.” – Ben Johnson (9:19)
  • Johnson credits the team for not deviating from development standards for Caleb Williams, resisting the temptation to simplify the offense or "borrow from the future" just to win now (see: Washington Commanders’ cautionary tale).

4. Roster Notes & Injuries

• Pro Bowlers: Kevin Byard, Joe Tooney, Drew Dahlman.
• Injury Updates: Only significant Bears concern is CJ GJ (knee), sustained on a touchdown play.
• Comparison to Previous Seasons:
  • Emphasis on not making the “Commanders’ mistake” of adjusting the offense primarily to a rookie QB’s college strengths at the expense of long-term development.

5. Stadium Relocation Rumors

• KC Chiefs’ Move as Case Study:
  • Discussion about state-funded stadiums flipping from Missouri to Kansas; Bears could see a similar situation with Indiana.
  • “If another state wants to do it, and you can still enjoy everything you currently enjoy without having your tax dollars enrich the Bears owners, let Indiana do it.” – Matt Abbatacola (23:23)
• Bears Ownership’s Financial Limitations:
  • The panel points out that Bears ownership lacks the cash to self-fund, and new land at Arlington Heights could be sold off if Indiana becomes viable.
• Nostalgia & Fan Experience:
  • A little sentiment over “losing” the Bears to Indiana, but both hosts remain pragmatic – it’s about the cost, not geography.
  • “It would be weird if the Bears are in Indiana. That would be really, really weird. It's not going to stop me from being a fan.” – Dan Bernstein (25:18)
• Suite Economics & Modern Stadiums:
  • Focus increasingly shifts toward building for premium suite revenue rather than general fan experience.

6. Around the League (Fun Moments & Stories)

• “Small Market” Jab:
  • Sean Payton refers to Jacksonville as a “small market,” to which Jaguars coach Liam Cohen counters with dry gratitude after their win.
    • “Just thankful that, you know, a small market team like us can come into a place like Mile High and get it done.” – Liam Cohen (41:05)
• Travel & NFL City Anecdotes:
  • The hosts trade battle stories about covering the NFL and Super Bowls, including hotel horror stories in Jacksonville and Houston, run-ins at Waffle House, and run-ins with “local color.”
  • The segment veers into humorous debates about the largest city by area in the U.S. (“It might be. All they did was keep an eye on.” – Matt Abbatacola, 44:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Playoff Mindsets:
  • “You just have to go out and win.” – Dan Bernstein (14:43)
• On Modern NFL Stadiums:
  • “You are building all of these buildings now just for the suites, everything else is just fodder.” – Matt Abbatacola (26:28)
• On Penalties:
  • “The Brisker one is just dumb. That's out of frustration and the situation of the game. That's just stupid.” – Dan Bernstein (8:44)
• On Coaching Consistency:
  • “He’s doing more under center. He’s getting better at cadence because that was the plan.” – Matt Abbatacola (36:35)
• On Bears’ Ownership:
  • “Desperate people do desperate things.” – Dan Bernstein (24:58)
• On NFL Geography:
  • “...if they're bad, you know what they're going to be? They're going to be the Hammond Bears or the Gary Bears when they're bad, and when they're good, they’ll be the Chicago Bears.” – Dan Bernstein (28:21)
• On Keeping Perspective:
  • “This is sort of the cautionary tale of every season being precious. Never make presumptions when you say you’re a year ahead.” – Matt Abbatacola (32:06)
• On Fan Priorities:
  • “Just stay out of my wallet.” – Matt Abbatacola (30:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Playoff Standings & Tiebreaks Broken Down: 11:02 – 14:20
• Fourth-Down Field Goal Sequence, Coaching Accountability: 2:47 – 5:05
• Penalty Discussion (Including Booker's Hit): 5:27 – 8:17
• Ben Johnson on Team Goals: 9:19 – 10:35
• 49ers/Bears Playoff Dynamics: 17:17 – 18:36
• Stadium Relocation/Judging Bears Ownership: 23:23 – 30:55
• Commanders Cautionary Tale vs. Bears' “No Compromise” Approach: 32:06 – 37:24
• Fun NFL Stories & "Small Market" Coach Quotes: 40:44 – 41:48
• Jackonsville/Houston Super Bowl Stories: 41:57 – 47:22

Tone & Style

The episode is marked by frank analysis, mutual ribbing, and the seasoned fan’s blend of skepticism and hope. Dan’s dry wit and Matt’s storytelling carry even the heaviest topics with levity, while the coaching and team development segments remain appropriately earnest and analytical.

For Listeners:

This episode provides a roadmap for Bears' fans dreaming of a first-round bye, while offering a dose of practical skepticism about both stadium rumors and the rush to anoint the team as perennial contenders. The coaching philosophy discussion stands out for its insight into why this year's success feels different—and potentially sustainable. There’s also plenty of classic sports radio banter, salty as Chicago’s lakefront in January.