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Matt Abeticola
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Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
19219.
Dan Bernstein
Forward progress A Chicago Bears Podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports.
Matt Abeticola
You want forward progress? We award it to you on three welcome one two Sports Bernstein of Batacola. This is a Chicago Bears podcast brought to you by Beer Church Brewing, New Buffalo's Brewery Pizzeria in a historic church Wood fired Neapolitan Pizza Small batch craft beer brunch every day. Visit beerchurchbrewing.com Things get curiouser and curiouser when it comes to the injury report for the Bears and the Steelers. We saw this last night when, you know, we're never really sure when the report comes out of who is getting a little bit of rest and who might just kind of be a precautionary holdout or limitation on practice. But when most of the beat reporters start saying maybe you're going to be without all your starting linebackers, then things get a little weird. So it looks like Tremaine Edmonds going off did not practice designations Wednesday and Thursday. We'll obviously find out more in a little bit today of the likelihood of him playing. That would be the big one missing. We knew TJ Edwards was likely out and now Noah Sewell, the elbow injury appearing to be a real thing, also didn't practice yesterday. And I usually think by the depth chart itself there's really only two starting linebackers because of the way personnel groupings work. Yeah, for sure so many teams using 11 personnel and having three wideouts that that nickel is your starter. But you're. You're down this depth chart a ways right now, so we shall see. I don't like the idea of Aaron Rodgers and these dangerous tight ends working the short and intermediate areas of the field with some inexperienced or lesser pursuers, tacklers, et cetera, and trying to take advantage of their eye discipline.
Dan Bernstein
Now with Kyler Gordon and Jalen Johnson practicing, Jalen Johnson was a full participation. Kyler was limited. This linebacker situation, you don't think that that puts any extra pressure on getting guys out there?
Matt Abeticola
I don't expect Jalen Johnson to play. They just started the ramp up. I know this. This seems like gamesmanship to me, putting the full. I mean, full participation in whatever his practice is. You know, I don't really know how they have to define some of these things y Ravens week and Lamar Jackson and what they did, but it would be great if Jalen Johnson played. I just. I haven't heard anything to actually reasonably expect that after limited participation last week, all of a sudden he's like, ready to get out there and play.
Interviewee (e.g., Dennis Allen)
Play.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Because I think what we were targeting with both these guys was probably the. Was the packers game after the Eagles.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah.
Dan Bernstein
Is that where they're at?
Matt Abeticola
I think that makes sense, doesn't it?
Dan Bernstein
Steelers at Philadelphia at Green Bay. Yeah. So we're looking at the first week of Dec. That Dec. 7 game, a likelier possibility when they'd be back. And I just wonder, you know, guys want to be out there and if they're. Again, I think it's a good point. What? His full participation in his practice.
Matt Abeticola
But I don't know how they define it.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, I mean, like, like, for example, Aaron Rodgers yesterday was limited in practice. He didn't participate in all of the offensive stuff. He took some snaps from, like in the. In the shotgun. And that was a limited participation.
Matt Abeticola
Okay.
Dan Bernstein
So I think their definitions are really loose as far as what. What that means.
Matt Abeticola
Well, either way, not having these linebackers and going as deep as they are, I think is. Is a tough look.
Dan Bernstein
And if you.
Matt Abeticola
By the way, the word tough, if you. If you now know in sports casting, tough means bad in play by play speak. If anybody ever says a tough shot, tough call, nobody says bad anymore because I guess tough people have been told not to. But if you're missing Sewell Edwards and Edmonds, just to make sure I have this right, you have DeMarco Jackson. You have the recently returned Amen Obong Bemiga. And you have the fast but undisciplined Reuben Hippolyte ii.
Dan Bernstein
That's it.
Matt Abeticola
The sequel to the original Ruben.
Dan Bernstein
That's where you're at.
Matt Abeticola
Well, and then it depends what they may do with the practice squad. Right. Isn't that possible, too? Yes.
Dan Bernstein
I mean, you could. Yeah, you could.
Matt Abeticola
You got.
Dan Bernstein
Call a guy up.
Matt Abeticola
You got Carl Jones.
Dan Bernstein
Okay.
Matt Abeticola
Who they has. You know, you've seen that guy around before. And then they just signed Jalen Reeves. Mabin.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, they signed him a couple days ago. Right.
Matt Abeticola
Because apparently they can only have hyphenated names like Tryon Shoyinka and Reeves Mabin.
Dan Bernstein
They're bringing in the ramp up period, like that 21 day period that you start. That doesn't mean you have to take the whole 21 days. It means that a guy has to participate for 21 days before you can absolutely get back in the gameplay. And if he's, you know, if you're coming back from a hernia surgery and he's. Again, we don't know what the full core issue was.
Matt Abeticola
Groin core.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. I mean, maybe after the year, maybe he's ready to play and. And he's good to go.
Matt Abeticola
Okay.
Dan Bernstein
That's just one. They'd be awesome. It would be awesome. So that's why I wonder if he's closer to playing than what we originally thought, like the Eagles or the packers game. Does that get ramped up slightly with injuries to your linebackers?
Matt Abeticola
I don't know. I'd feel a whole lot better if DK Metcalf were looking across the line of scrimmage and that guy's standing there.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, for sure.
Matt Abeticola
Be real nice. But the guys that worry me in this game are John who Smith and Darnell Washington. I mean, hell, they go three deep at tight end because Pat Friarmuth. Those aren't boos you're hearing. The crowd is chanting moo. No, they're booing him. Maybe it's possible, too, that. Have you watched some of the plays that Darnell Washington has?
Dan Bernstein
Yes. He runs people over like they're children.
Matt Abeticola
He's a children. He is a vending machine.
Dan Bernstein
Yes.
Matt Abeticola
No, he is. Like they keep saying, like, he's around 300 pounds.
Dan Bernstein
He's. Yeah, he's around 300 pounds of food.
Matt Abeticola
When he eats, he's six, seven, like 320.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, he's a monster.
Matt Abeticola
And he's a tight end. And he. When he stiff arms people, he races them. He knocks them off the screen.
Dan Bernstein
No, I was watching highlights of him just running guys over like they were kids trying to tackle him.
Matt Abeticola
I'd say go low. You got to chop him down like a tree. Secure those ankles.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, you have to.
Matt Abeticola
Otherwise it's like tackling a van.
Dan Bernstein
We have a saying, Dan, and our team, we say no legs, no run. No legs, no run. That's how you got to remember offensive player, no legs, no run.
Matt Abeticola
No Sosa, no problem.
Dan Bernstein
That's right.
Matt Abeticola
No legs, no run. Yeah, those, those. If you got linebackers, it's. There's also side to side stuff that Johnny Smith does. You know, this is the interesting tight end matchup because the Bears tight ends had a great game last game and I think Colston Loveland is on a sharp upswing. I think when he, when he is, starts to get him when he's ready to go. I'm not taking Star off the table for Colston Loveland.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, no, for sure. And here's one thing that has to happen. I think looking at this, the defensive injuries and the defensive concerns there, the offense needs to have one of their better games this season. They need to produce. And you know, if you're not going to fire on all cylinders, if you're still working towards December and when they're going to play their best football according.
Matt Abeticola
To the course, this should be a good day with a jump up in class.
Dan Bernstein
Just start. Yeah, for sure. I mean, the. I think the Steelers are worst in running the football. Right? They don't run the football well. I think they're averaging 3.8 yards per carry. So if you're, if your defense is going to get into an opportunity where if Aaron Rodgers plays, he's going to have a chance to throw the ball and get downfield and get some points. Your offense is going to have to be there, offense is going to have to make some plays and Kelly Williams is going to have to step up. He's going to have to hit those opportunities that are there downfield to kind of stretch the field and the defense a little bit. They're going to have to be able to run the ball, which they have run the ball the best in the league since the bye week. But this would be a really good opportunity for Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams and their offense to show even a better glimpse, a clear glimpse of what this can look like. This would be the game for it.
Matt Abeticola
It's funny because I think that, that if you're really paying attention as we are, some of those glimpses are there and I think we saw that in the first quarter of the last game. I really do. They're hunting coverages and hunting explosives in.
Dan Bernstein
Those missed opportunities though. Is that what you, Is that what you're saying?
Matt Abeticola
Yes. Yeah. And what I think is clear is that we can't judge this offense on the way we've looked at previous Bears offenses of, you know, a six yard gain here, an eight yard. That's not how Ben Johnson thinks he would rather get those 20 yard gains. It's all about setting up explosives and taking advantage of the explosives and getting the coverage you want and making sure the pass is in a place where it's not dangerous but it's catchable. Where you're not, the exposure isn't there. And I think Caleb Williams is okay with that. When you start looking at his turnover ratio, that's not an issue at all. The overthrow to Roma Dunes A on 3rd and 9 last week, the overthrow to DJ Moore and the reason why a lot of people have asked about those plays is when they come early, those are the scripted series. That is your insight into Ben Johnson. That's your insight into. If you get them early, it changes an entire game.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Ben Johnson wants those 10 plus yard runs. He wants those 20 plus yard receptions.
Matt Abeticola
And it isn't just wanting. He's, he, he strategized.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, for sure. Because it's, it's not about like his offense is never going to be. Let's just, you know, dredge the ball downfield. We'll get, you know, three yards here, four yards there, three and a half there and let's, you know, let's move the ball methodically downfield. No, he, he sets things up deliberately to afford those explosive play opportunities and Caleb Williams needs to take advantage of it when they're there in the passing game. And again, this would be a really good game for that to happen because if you're going to be down all of your starting linebackers and who knows what your defensive backfield is going to look like if Aaron Rodgers does play, if he's healthy enough to play and can throw the ball, you know, he releases the ball quick. They're fastest in the NFL. He's got unbelievable accuracy. He's going to read and know what you're doing before the snap happens. He will take advantage of the mistakes that you make. This is a game where the offense has got to step up and put points on the board.
Matt Abeticola
I'm thinking too that this is going to be a physical battle too. Both of these teams will come at you. Both these teams play hard and hit hard. I think it's one of the reasons why the Bears have caused so many turnovers and that's where the opportunity is. If he is going to get the ball out and they are going for some of the shorter stuff, there's your opportunities for a well executed zone to have the second guy in position, to have intelligent safety play, have the second guy ready to come in and punch, disrupt, get the ball out. Especially they've had trouble running the ball if, if there's crossers, if there is mid range stuff with the tight ends. If you're so worried about Washington running somebody over, tackle the ball, get it out.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, Yeah, I think it's, it's going to be really interesting to see the, the first drive for the Bears. Their first two drives are going to show a lot of what they did in preparation for this week.
Matt Abeticola
They always do.
Dan Bernstein
And it's going to show a lot of how well prepared Caleb Williams is to deal with the pressure that's going to come from the defense. And we know the Steelers have one of the best teams in the league defensively as far as pressuring the quarterback. We know that's going to happen. It's going to happen on the first drive. It's going to be there quickly. How well prepared are they? How well prepared is Caleb Williams and recognizing what's going to be his outlet when that pressure is there? Is he going to, as Ben Johnson says, stay in the house while it's on fire and find that outlet, or is he going to immediately do that 360 spin and look for an opportunity to get outside and either run or try to throw it on field? Maybe in one of those secondary plays that we've, we've talked about now throughout this season? Or is he prepared and said, all right, if this guy comes this way, I know I'm going right here. And if we see that quickly in those first couple scripted drives, that's going to mean a lot for what this team's going to look like for this game coming up on Sunday. But if it, if it falls apart quick and we see him bailing out and trying to, you know, makeshift plays and use his feet to create yards that aren't part of what Ben Johnson wants to do, it could be a long game, too.
Matt Abeticola
Well, I'm really looking forward to this game.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, no, I do look forward to every game.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. But I'm this one specifically because it is a step up in class. Yeah.
Dan Bernstein
It's a 6 and 4 team leading their division. One of the best defenses in the league, one of the best quarterbacks of all time. It's a really good test for what they can do defensively because we know they do some things really well, other things really poorly. The offense isn't clicking like they want it to. So this is a good chance to show that. Hey, if you want respect. Yeah, you're seven and three. This would be a good opportunity for you to put your name on the board. As far as the NFL Blob's concerned of this team is for real. It's not just who they've beaten.
Matt Abeticola
I want to make sure, too, that the play that we have noted, the easily sniffed out wide receiver screen, hopefully that's gone and that's been in the script. Let the record show, usually when that thing is screwed up and almost pick sixed, almost housed, every time they've run it, it has been among the scripted.
Dan Bernstein
Plays because it was Van Ginkel, Crosby, and. What was the third one?
Matt Abeticola
It's already half a law firm that you've got there.
Dan Bernstein
But I would. I would.
Matt Abeticola
I would just cross that one out. Yeah. Or do something that doesn't give it away.
Dan Bernstein
Well, yeah, that's. That's what I'm saying. Then like, reinvent it where it's not picked up on film so easily. Where the defensive end says, oh, I know where this is going immediately.
Matt Abeticola
Or pump fake it and then throw it behind the defensive end.
Dan Bernstein
Or throw it right at the defensive end, like, right in his groin.
Matt Abeticola
That'll show you, like the original Longest yard.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, that'll show you.
Matt Abeticola
That was actually Ray Nitschke come after.
Dan Bernstein
Who played.
Matt Abeticola
What was his name? Bazunski?
Dan Bernstein
No idea.
Matt Abeticola
And they said, let him. Let him rush. And he just threw it right into his nads.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, that was like. What's the one with Denzel Washington? The. Remember the Titans never saw it. Really?
Matt Abeticola
Really. All right, all right. So, you know, it just pisses me off. You put in longest yard and Adam Sandler's picture comes up.
Dan Bernstein
Well, because it was newer.
Matt Abeticola
I know, but it still just feels wrong to me. I don't like it.
Dan Bernstein
You never saw that one either.
Matt Abeticola
I didn't. Because it's Bogdansky. Ray Nitschke plays Bogdanski. Let Bogdanski come in, and they throw it right in his ball sack.
Dan Bernstein
Well, in. Remember the Titans, the quarterback comes in, he gets. He's injured. The backup quarterback comes in and he tells the. The offensive tackle, let the guy through. He throws the ball, and then as the end's about to hit him, he like, gets underneath him, shoulders him, and flips him over. His own back.
Matt Abeticola
Ooh.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
Nasty.
Dan Bernstein
It was a real, real important part of the. Of the movie that you've never seen. It's a good. It's a good movie.
Matt Abeticola
I'm sure it is.
Dan Bernstein
Why would you never watch it?
Matt Abeticola
I just didn't. I don't know. I don't know. I just. Not on my list.
Dan Bernstein
What, you don't like good acting?
Matt Abeticola
I don't know.
Dan Bernstein
You don't like Denzel? Is that what it is?
Matt Abeticola
He's fine. Okay. I like Denzel.
Dan Bernstein
You don't like football?
Matt Abeticola
I love football. How's the football in the movie?
Dan Bernstein
It's really good.
Matt Abeticola
The actual quality.
Dan Bernstein
Oh, my God, it's the best.
Matt Abeticola
The 1974 longest yard. The football's really good.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
Yes.
Dan Bernstein
That's one with Burt Reynolds.
Matt Abeticola
Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauder, Michael Conrad, Bernadette Peters. Yeah. And then the actual football players. Joe Cap, Ray Nitschke, Sonny Sixkiller. So there's. There's real dudes out there.
Dan Bernstein
Sonny six killer.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. All right. Sonny six Killer. Did. Was he a. No, he wasn't a Bear, but he was. He was a pretty good player.
Dan Bernstein
All right, so we'll get more information on injuries as they come out later. Remember, Aaron Rodgers was limited in practice yesterday. Did you go over the. The Steelers.
Matt Abeticola
Oh, no, I was. I was planning on doing that.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
So the Steelers notes yesterday. It's along. Aaron Rodgers, limited practice. Darius Slay, full. Jalen Warren, upgraded to limited. Cole Holcomb with an illness.
Dan Bernstein
Full.
Matt Abeticola
Alex Highsmith, limited. Isaac SEO Mallow, limited. John who Smith, full. Keyshawn Williams, full. TJ Watt, full. Cameron Hayward, still resting and did not practice.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Cause he was a. Yeah. Non injury rest. And Wednesday, 30.
Matt Abeticola
Tyler Gordon, also listed as limited.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, it's limited. Jalen Johnson, full. So.
Matt Abeticola
All right.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. We'll get more information today. Looking forward to hearing more from Hallis Hall.
Matt Abeticola
And this one's easy, by the way. If, in fact, there's the. The unlikely possibility that Kyler Gordon is out there, then you know that C.J. gardner Johnson will be a quote unquote, linebacker somewhere. Yes, you'll figure that out.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
But it's hard to keep him off the field.
Dan Bernstein
No, and you shouldn't. Shouldn't be off the field. Like, if you figure out a way to get both those guys on, that's. That's a. That's a really good problem to have. So you'll figure that out. Why choose a sleep number? Smart bed.
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Dan Bernstein
I want to play for you. We have first Dennis Allen, and he was asked about his preparation for the Steelers.
Interviewee (e.g., Dennis Allen)
It was a little uncertainty in terms of what his availability is going to be. So, you know, you're studying, in particular, you're studying the scheme and, and then you're, you're preparing for the scheme. And yet you understand how each quarterback, you know, likes to operate. There's, there's plenty of tape on Mason Rudolph and obviously plenty of tape on, you know, Aaron, too. So, yeah, we've spent a lot of time on it.
Dan Bernstein
So just, you know, being asked about how do you prepare not knowing if Aaron Rodgers is playing?
Matt Abeticola
That's a non answer. That's a total non answer. You don't, you don't necessarily prepare for when Aaron Rodgers is out there.
Dan Bernstein
Well, he's, he's preparing for the scheme this week because he knows what Arthur Smith likes to do. And until you find out who the quarterback is that makes the difference.
Matt Abeticola
I mean, I know what he's saying, but yes, I get it.
Dan Bernstein
All right, here's more.
Matt Abeticola
Dennis Allen understanding as a defensive coordinator, your job is to work with whatever you have out there. What's the feeling for you with Jalen back on the field, Tyler trending the right way, ideally TJ Back sometime soon?
Interviewee (e.g., Dennis Allen)
Look, they're good players, you know, and, and so getting those guys back out on the field and getting them going, I think is going to help our defense. And so we're excited about having them out there. Both those guys you know, look good right now. So anxious about getting them on the field.
Dan Bernstein
Position switch for Tremaine. Does that put him in more. In a better position or more advantageous position for the interceptions? I know he'd have five if that one wasn't called back.
Interviewee (e.g., Dennis Allen)
Yeah, I think so. I think, you know, I think his. His. His skill set fits that position in terms of the things that we asked that position to do and the size and length and the athletic ability. And so I think that's been good. You know, I think, you know, you know, when you're kind of in the middle, there's a lot of communication and things that have to occur and you're able to kind of take a little bit of that off his plate and, you know, he's a little bit more free to just go play. And I think that's been. I think that's been good for him. So I think he's adjusted to the position switch pretty easily.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. So it really shows in his play and on the stats, obviously. But, you know, take a little more off his plate, so less responsibility and just more go out and play football.
Matt Abeticola
Interesting, because I thought it was much more tactical, Much more simply being the will instead of the mic just allowed him to be in the fray. Yeah.
Dan Bernstein
So when it came less responsibility, that's what it sounded like. Yeah. Take some more stuff off his plate. Let him just go out there and play football. Foul the ball, track the ball, get the ball, get the ball carrier. Yeah. I thought that was interesting from Dennis Allen.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah, it's. I would say that he fit the mold in the previous defense of the Mike Backer.
Dan Bernstein
Just not what Dennis Allen does.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. It's very different in the Tampa 2. If you remember when he was coming out of college, it's West Virginia. Right. That the Tremaine Edmonds, the comps, athletically and height and weight wise, some of the comps were. It was a reach. But it was Brian Erlacher who was probably the best middle. Best Tampa 2 middle linebacker who ever lived.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Oh, for sure. Virginia Tech.
Matt Abeticola
Excuse me, Virginia Tech. You're right. And that was that. That fit his skill set. And maybe it's just more like the Will Backer in this defense. Not to mention not. I didn't think he'd go to that play. Not overloading him with responsibilities of play calls and communications and all that.
Dan Bernstein
Yep.
Matt Abeticola
Okay.
Dan Bernstein
All right.
Matt Abeticola
Or maybe Edwards is better at it.
Dan Bernstein
Right? For. No, for sure. Maybe that's just that because he said his skill set, so that's maybe just not in his wheelhouse. And that's fine because you're a hell of a football player. Maybe you're just not out there to communicate and the calls and the signals and be aware of what's happening. You're just out there to get the ball, get the ball, get the ball carrier. Courtney Cronin had a question of Richard Hightower.
Matt Abeticola
Okay.
Dan Bernstein
Want to refresh your memory from. Remember we played the audio from Matt Daniels, the special teams coordinator. Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
When he said you or your kid could have run that thing back, and what was it had he taken it up the sideline? Well, then I would have been mad. But, you know, what could we do? We didn't know he was going to cut it up to the other side of the field.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. And he was like. All he did was catch it and run. So Courtney asked a question of Richard Hightower. So I put a little. Little something together to refresh your memory on Matt Daniels and Richard Hightower's response to Courtney's question. From your perspective for the 56 yard return, can you speak to the level of difficulty? Because there's this perception out there that anybody could apparently do that return.
Matt Abeticola
No, no.
Dan Bernstein
No disrespect or anything.
Matt Abeticola
A lot of respect for what the Chicago Bears, you know, their unit, Devin DuVernay, all this and that. But, I mean, it could have been anybody, you know, son, if you got.
Dan Bernstein
A son or anybody, like, I mean, all he did was just catch it and run back to the field. From your perspective for the 56 yard return, can you speak to the level of difficulty because there's this perception out there that anybody could apparently do that return.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah, I mean, I don't see it in any way. I see, you know, the ball kicked off to us, ball in our hand, and we had an opportunity to make a play. And it's kudos to our guys that. That went out there and executed our technique, executed our scheme, executed our call. I don't. I'm not. I'm not sure what the perception is or anything like that. I mean, it could have been anybody.
Dan Bernstein
You know, son, if you got a.
Matt Abeticola
Son or anybody, like, I mean, all he did was just catch it and run back to the field. Don't give us a chance. That's what we know. Anytime it's time on the clock, don't.
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
Give us a chance.
Matt Abeticola
Offense, defense, or special teams. I like how she phrased it. Yeah. Perception out there. I don't know where this perception arose.
Dan Bernstein
Not sure where I heard it from or where it developed.
Matt Abeticola
It might have been Your counterpart from the Vikings who refuses to give any credit, that it was just, just a thing that kind of happened.
Dan Bernstein
Despite saying, not taking any credit away. I'm going to take all the credit away.
Matt Abeticola
All due respect and very little respect. All right. Well, it appears that Richard Hightower understood he caught the drift of that. I just want to see Devin DuVernay run faster more often. I don't care if it's sideline. I don't care if it's middle of the field, when or what. Just get up to speed fast and house it.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Richard Hightower talking about that return. He used a phrase, and I love catching up on these, these phrases from these coaches. He said that they didn't blink. They didn't blink. That in other words, he just, he just took off and he ran. And that's what I want to see him do. Just go run down that. Find the hole and just run. Like, don't dance, just run.
Matt Abeticola
Did you see the kickoff return last night?
Dan Bernstein
No.
Matt Abeticola
Buffalo, when they went full 360spin at midfield without losing any speed.
Dan Bernstein
Oh, really?
Matt Abeticola
That was really cool. Yeah, it kind of got bumped and took the energy of the bump into a full spin without stopping his feet.
Dan Bernstein
That's awesome.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah, I was, I was at dinner and I kind of half saw it. Like, wait, did I. Did I just see that right? Holy crap. Was that a return?
Dan Bernstein
So, yeah, no blinking, don't blink. Just go run, run. Execute your blocks and just go run. All right. I want to play. I want to remind you of something that that was said by the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback too. What has to happen?
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
Gotta get the okay and gotta feel like I can protect myself.
Commercial Narrator
Is there added incentive for you, for.
Matt Abeticola
The opponent this week?
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
There's incentive for every opponent. But I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and Thursdays in that city. It's a great sports town. Phenomenal sports fans and phenomenal. Great place to play.
Matt Abeticola
Do you sort of thrive off of.
Dan Bernstein
Being the villain there a little bit.
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
Sort of enjoy that? I'd rather not be. I mean, I'm not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones. Maybe I can. I guess it's been. It's a great rivalry. I mean, in the history of all sports, you talk about the Lakers and the Celtics and the Red Sox and the Yankees. You got to talk about the packers and the Bears and there's been some great memories there. When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had the all time series lead when I left. Packers did since J Love has taken over. It's even gotten better. But I hope, I hope those fans can put that, put that behind them. I'm sure they can't. Don't expect them to, but I really enjoy the city. They got great sports fan. I grew up watching WGN on my 5 channel TV back in the day, so I was a Cubs fan and a Bulls fan. How can you not be a Bulls fan unless you don't like Michael Jordan? I did. I loved him. So it was a lot of fun memories over the years playing there he.
Matt Abeticola
Is such a stroke.
Dan Bernstein
Just wanted you to hear that again. So, you know, getting ready for Sunday when I really cement the idea that we want him playing.
Matt Abeticola
He's just such a complete rope job, this guy. I mean, how can you listen to that without going, hey, Aaron, Aaron, no, knock it off. Like after a while, just be like, you're holding the microphone in front of me, like, Eric, just stop. Come on. I really hope we could. They could let it go. I'm sure they can.
Dan Bernstein
By God, be by. Go good for the banana and the tailpipe. Mason Rudolph, he. He was, he was meeting with the media as well, and there was a little, little banter back and forth with the media and the backup quarterback about the relationship he has with Aaron Rodgers.
Matt Abeticola
Mason Rudolph, like one of these super high strung guys.
Dan Bernstein
I didn't see it. I seem that way.
Matt Abeticola
Okay.
Dan Bernstein
I said it. Really.
Matt Abeticola
I thought his reputation.
Dan Bernstein
Mustache. Maybe he is. But no, he seemed pretty, pretty laid back.
Matt Abeticola
Okay.
Dan Bernstein
But they were talking about the relationship he has with Aaron Rodgers and, and apparently when they're in the quarterback's room, they like to play jokes on each other and there's a lot of, a lot of joking around, a lot of, a lot of horseplay, you know, between the quarterbacks and they have a lot of fun together. So it's not like the locker room.
Matt Abeticola
At Top Gun is. Could be a little towel snap.
Dan Bernstein
It is. All right, let me take my towel off first and I'm gonna snap myself with it.
Matt Abeticola
All right.
Dan Bernstein
So he was asked about the, about some of the things that, that he, he jokes around about with Aaron Rodgers. He's. Because Mason said that there's a lot of material in his life that we can show. Let's write this down.
Matt Abeticola
Let's write down what, what. I don't, I don't know what he said.
Dan Bernstein
Well, it's the same.
Matt Abeticola
Joke about.
Dan Bernstein
Okay, so you want to figure out what they joke about?
Matt Abeticola
What do they joke about? They joke about Aaron Rodgers being estranged from his family. Yep. They Joke about him being a bizarre freako anti vaxxer. They joke about what, his vacations to the dark place to take various hallucinogens.
Dan Bernstein
So one of the reporters said to Mason there that Aaron Rodgers referred to him as a troll. And he always liked playing jokes. And then Mason was like, oh, well, he's a troll. And he has a lot to say as well, too. And so they kept pushing him on the issue, like, what kind of things you joke about with him? Like, what, what are the things that you use? Like, give us some material. And he kept dancing around the issue. So here, this is Mason Rudolph. What's your favorite material to use?
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
Probably nothing that. Well, I don't know. I think there's a lot of good stuff, you know. What's pg? I would say. Yeah, I mean, you know, I think, I don't know, I don't know what to say. I don't think there's anything, you know, he's got a very storied, you know, he's a plant, big plant medicine guy. And so we, you know, we were curious about learning about, you know, that his experiences and where he's been and, and yeah, a great story about him getting out of, I believe it was Peru, right before COVID lockdown. He was like the last point out during a trip for ayahuasca. So that was, that was a fun, fun.
Dan Bernstein
Listen, okay, Mason, did you think that.
Matt Abeticola
You'D have this close of a relationship with him before he signed here?
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
I didn't know what to expect. You never know. But I, I, I had enough mutual friends that said he was just an awesome guy in the room. And, you know, a lot of these ultra famous and ultra successful but, like, can let his guard down and just be about as normal as you can ask for. So we've all appreciated that.
Dan Bernstein
All right?
Matt Abeticola
Normal as you can ask for if that's normal. I'd hate to see abnormal.
Dan Bernstein
All right, so the first part of his answers, it took forever for him.
Matt Abeticola
To say, I'm not telling you what.
Dan Bernstein
But okay, my bullshit meter just went off like crazy. There are, there are no, there's no banter back and forth. There's no, there's no fun and horseplay. There's no. They play jokes in each other. And I don't, I don't buy it for one fucking second. I don't buy, listen how he was stumbling all over, like, hey, well, but he said pg. I know, but, but he was, he was rifling through his brain trying to figure out any fucking conversation he had with Aaron Rodgers outside of football. And he remembers. Oh, oh my God. Yeah. There was the story about Peru. I think it was Peru. And he was on there and he almost didn't get out because of COVID I mean, he was stumbling all over himself.
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
Probably nothing. Well, I don't know. I think there's a lot of good stuff.
Dan Bernstein
A lot of good stuff. As I'm trying to remember one conversation I've had.
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
What's pg?
Matt Abeticola
I would say.
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
Yeah, I mean, you know, I think. I don't know. There's. I don't think there's anything.
Dan Bernstein
You know, he's got a. I don't think there's anything. And then it's like he remembers the story about Peru.
Matt Abeticola
Well, maybe he's joking about his former girlfriend that created the rift with his family or the fact that his family disowned him. Who knows? Do you?
Dan Bernstein
Do you really? Do you think Mason Rudolph would pull that out on Aaron Rodgers and use that against him? If they're joking around and have this close relationship, I say, hey, how's your family?
Matt Abeticola
Oh, yeah, everybody's got a good relationship with their family. Step forward. Not so fast, Rogers.
Dan Bernstein
No way. There's zero chance that he has any kind of a personal relationship with anybody in that team. I don't. I don't buy it. I think they respect him as a quarterback. They love that he's their quarterback because he's talented still, even at an older age. I don't buy him joking around in the quarterback room. He's. He's a complete and total weirdo.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah, I. Rogers strikes me he keeps.
Dan Bernstein
To himself during the off season. He doesn't want to be around people. He's not joking around.
Matt Abeticola
He strikes me as the kind of person who makes it seem like it's okay to joke around. Like he can be self deprecating, perhaps and be one of the guys, but if you go there, he'll like give you a look and freeze you out for a couple of days.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Or you're like off the team.
Matt Abeticola
Well, that too. Right. He has your ass traded.
Dan Bernstein
Right?
Matt Abeticola
I don't know if he still wields that kind of.
Dan Bernstein
Probably not. And not with Tomlin. I wouldn't think so. But I don't see him being a regular. He's not a regular guy. He's never been a regular guy.
Matt Abeticola
Do you have to earn if you're on offense, do you have to earn this like your, your. Do you have to be initiated into the secret society of the secret hand signals and phrases? You know, you know all of his like off menu offense stuff, it's like in n out burger or whatever where if you know the code to order something, you get special treatment.
Dan Bernstein
I don't know, I just think, I just think he's a total weirdo. Mid. One time, I don't even remember it.
Matt Abeticola
Mid.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, I don't, I don't even recall.
Matt Abeticola
It's fine. Yeah, it, yeah, like I was like, oh, go to in and out. Okay, I went. How was it?
Dan Bernstein
Fine. All right, I got fries. I got one little note here for you. Looking at the, the 10 game start for Ben Johnson in his first year as the.
Matt Abeticola
Head coach.
Dan Bernstein
Bears head coach.
Matt Abeticola
Yes.
Dan Bernstein
So looking at other first year head coaches for the Chicago Bears during the super bowl era. So what? That's 1967 on. Then you have to look at. I wanted to look at 16 game schedules. That was 1978. So looking at every head coach from 1978 on their first year, if Ben Johnson was off to the best 10 game start of any head coach. Okay, so 1978, we go to the first year was first year of Neil Armstrong after Jack Pardee and they went 3 and 7. Then you jump up five years to Mike Ditka in 1983, that was an.
Matt Abeticola
8 and 8 season.
Dan Bernstein
So he went 3 and 7 in his first 10.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah, they finished real strong.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, because 82 was the strike season. So that was a, that was also Mike Ditka, but it was a shortened year. I think they played eight or nine games only. Right.
Matt Abeticola
I went to two of them.
Dan Bernstein
Okay, so his first full year was.
Matt Abeticola
83, three and no, wait, no, I did not that year I went to the other strike year games. The late. That was 87, I believe.
Dan Bernstein
87.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. The next strike year, not that year.
Dan Bernstein
1993 then is Dave Wanstead and they.
Matt Abeticola
Went nine and seven and in the.
Dan Bernstein
First 10 he was five and five. Okay, 1999, Dick Duran, his first 10, he was four and six. 2004, Lovey Smith, his first 10, he was 4 and 6. Mark Tressman gets on the board with a winning record of 2013 at 6 and 4 after 10, John Fox in 215. In 2015 he was 4 and 6 in his first 10. Matt Nagy in 2018, the 13, 3 season, the doink season, he was 7 and 3 in his first 10 games. And then Matt Eberflus will finish up the list. 2022, 3 and 7 his first year.
Matt Abeticola
So I, the way I read that is this is the second best.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, it's the second time it's ever happened.
Matt Abeticola
Right. It's tied for.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, yeah. In super bowl era in a 16 game schedule. So I thought, you know, because obviously the 2018 season you try to forget because the way it ended was just. Was so heartbreaking. I thought for sure he was going to have the best 10 game start in the super bowl era and forgot that Matt Nagy won 7 and 3 in that damn season.
Matt Abeticola
How did you forget?
Dan Bernstein
Because it was, it was crushing. It was soul crushing. It was heartbreaking.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. But that means you should remember now here's what's really cool. Because the Bears lost their first two and they have that Baltimore loss in there. Here's what you could look up. If the Bears win, not only is this another sort of defining playoff possibility spread game, they're all big from here on in. This would be their second four game winning streak because they won four in a row after losing two. They lost one, they won three in a row. When is the last time a Chicago Bears team had two streaks of four or more wins in a season? Hmm. I know we've, we've talked about at the end of seasons when they've performed well and they've said, well, we can't fire anybody because we were really bad to start and then we were less bad later. So we need to keep everybody.
Dan Bernstein
When did the Miami Monday night game happen? In the 85, 86.
Matt Abeticola
Well, we're already going back there. Yeah. So that was, that was what, 10 games in? More than that. 11 games in.
Dan Bernstein
Okay. So that you would have had a four game streak there or two of those at least.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah, we're going back to the heyday Bears.
Dan Bernstein
Well, I'm trying to think of, of those great seasons. What did, what did the Bears do in the 2018 season?
Matt Abeticola
Well, I'm looking at this one. Yeah. The Miami game was week 13. So they technically did not.
Dan Bernstein
They did not. Okay.
Matt Abeticola
They did not.
Dan Bernstein
Too late in the season.
Matt Abeticola
Too late in the season. The 85 Bears won their first 12, then lost and won, then won their last three.
Dan Bernstein
All right, let me take a look here at.
Matt Abeticola
Well, the next year in they won their first six and then they finished out the season winning their last seven when they went 14 and two. So they did definitely do it in 86. I mean, I'm not going to go through the whole thing on football reference.
Dan Bernstein
No, no.
Matt Abeticola
I just thought that was kind of cool. They did not do it in 87 when they went 11 and 4.
Dan Bernstein
They did it in 2018.
Matt Abeticola
They did it in 88.
Dan Bernstein
So in 2018, they lost their first game. They won three in a row.
Matt Abeticola
Okay.
Dan Bernstein
They lost two, then they won 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in a row, lost a game in overtime to the Giants, and then won four in a row to finish out the season.
Matt Abeticola
Well, as long as it is, it's still a relatively rare thing.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Oh, yeah, for sure.
Matt Abeticola
Four game win streaks. And they can do that with a victory at Soldier Field on Sunday. And to remind you, if you are not a part of the forward progress Bears post game live broadcast on YouTube or webcast on YouTube, you should be because it's fun and I look forward to it every week just knowing that we can get down there and flip these things on and just go with our immediate thoughts about how it can. Especially because these last games, everything has been immediate and I've been all over the place. I don't know about you, but I've been sort of preparing what I'm gonna say and what's important and prioritizing and then it's all out the window and then I end up with no notes in front of me by the time we start. Because everything's flipped.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. Because it's more. The last couple of games have been more about emotional feelings and, and, you know, being a meatball fan and enjoying it. And how did you ride the roller coaster of the games? And not so much the technical stuff that we get into as we get back into forward progress during the week. So again, we'll have that Sunday for you. After the, the Steelers and the Bears wrap up their game somewhere around 3, we'll go live on our YouTube channel. Make sure you're there for it. If you haven't subscribed yet, you need to do that.
Matt Abeticola
Yes.
Dan Bernstein
And then also click the little bell icon to get the alert so you know exactly when we're going live. Because, you know, if the game is over before it's over, we start. And maybe there'll be a game where we're just so emotionally exhausted we need 30 minutes before we can start because we can't even talk.
Matt Abeticola
And we'll tell you too, if you are, if you are following on Twitter or Blue sky during the game. I try to make sure that we.
Dan Bernstein
Give a little alert there, too, a.
Matt Abeticola
Little advance warning just to kind of remind you, remind you to get all set up with your subscription and your alerts and then say, hey, we'll be on in a couple of seconds or on in a minute, because I gotta. I'll send it and then I'll. I run right down the basement and I put on my, my 312 quarter zip. And we. Sometimes I forget.
Dan Bernstein
So your, your uniform, your work uniform.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. Or it's like, you know, it's like going down the bat pole down there and I'm, I'm, I'm. I become 312 sports guy, ready to go with my Bears thoughts.
Dan Bernstein
And then I've, I've had people ask about what, what they can do to, to help the shows out. And I say what you can your friends to subscribe. Now you're in a circle of Bears friends. You're not listening to the podcast. Tell them to check us out.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. Tell them there's something wrong with them.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, that's for sure. And then make sure you're subscribing to all the shows here we have on 312 sports. So thank you for your continued support and all the feedback that Dan gets to read and peruse through during the week. And I glance at. So thanks for that.
Matt Abeticola
No, it's all right. I like it. I like being the curator of.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, I just, I read and I'll scroll to see how long the messages are and I'll go, all right, I'm going to read the first two sentences.
Matt Abeticola
Tldr. And that's it. Well, I also say people have asked me like, hey, why didn't you read mine? Or what? The stuff that entertains me, the stuff that makes me laugh, that makes me smile, that the stuff, just good stuff, well written, well conceived. It isn't a democracy, it's a meritocracy.
Dan Bernstein
So you're saying they're not funny enough?
Matt Abeticola
Well, they don't have to be funny. There might just be something. Just the best stuff gets ready.
Dan Bernstein
So if you want Dan to read your email, like impact Dan emotionally, speak to him, let him hear your thoughts.
Matt Abeticola
Or connect with Dan, you know, work at the highest level of your intelligence or be really funny and come up with something that I. Especially if it's something where I say, I wish I would have thought of that. And there's a lot of that.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
And that's great because that's how you expand and how you learn. But if it's the kind of thing where, oh, that's clever, that's interesting, or you're telling a story, or there's something unique that you've got a perspective on because of something that you explained, experienced that nobody else has, that's the kind of thing you can share.
Dan Bernstein
Well, if all else fails, just have AI create a song that worked too. And we'll Play it.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah, I liked it.
Dan Bernstein
All right.
Matt Abeticola
I liked it. That is forward progress. And it has been, I should say, brought to you by our friends at beer church New Buffalo, because they are the place to be.
Dan Bernstein
Yes.
Matt Abeticola
And if you're getting out this weekend, go there because you can have the best Neapolitan pizza you can get outside in Naples. And Matt said that Matt has had the actual Napolitan pizza. And the stuff at beer church is so good. Not only that, hanging out on the patio and it's heated patio, it's open year round and just noshing everything on the menu. And when I say the menu, it's actually a hymnal because this is beer church. That's what this is. This isn't beer, it's not bar, it's not tavern, it's not restaurant, it's church. You're going there to worship, drink, eat, repent, repeat. You are worshiping pizza. You are worshiping the craft brewed beers and all of these special cocktails they have and all of their full selection of gelato, the brunch menu, whatever you want. Maddie had, what was it, two different meals there a couple of weeks ago.
Dan Bernstein
We had dinner and then we had went back for brunch. I had sandwiches, I had salads, I had appetizers, we had pizzas. We had the pistachio crema with sausage and then the margarita. Telling you this, like, get there and plan for the long haul because you're going to have. There's great beer.
Matt Abeticola
Settle in.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, because get comfortable because you're going to do appetizers, then you're going to get yourself, when you're ready, a Caesar salad. And then you get through that and then you're gonna get yourself a pizza or two or three. And then after the pizzas, you're gonna sit for a little bit, you're gonna have another drink, and then you're gonna get gelato and you're gonna do a flight of three different gelato flavors.
Matt Abeticola
Well, you skip past the sandwiches.
Dan Bernstein
Well, you could do a sandwich too.
Matt Abeticola
Yeah. How about their prosciutto di Parma wood fired sandwich? It's their sandwich bread and they bake it. The prosciutto with buffalo burrata.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
Not buffalo. Like, I mean, the milk comes from a bison.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah.
Matt Abeticola
Buffalo burrata, cherry tomatoes, sea salt. Oh, my God.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah. And they make all the bread in house, so just like their pizza crust, they make all the bread.
Matt Abeticola
You didn't mention the meatballs.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, well, so that's what I'm saying. Appetizer, you get Veal and pork.
Matt Abeticola
Meatballs.
Dan Bernstein
You get meatballs. You get the sausage, stuffed banana peppers.
Matt Abeticola
And you've got the pizza school there.
Dan Bernstein
So if you need a place, get the shrimp cocktail.
Matt Abeticola
You need a place to do a party. Well, they don't call it a shrimp cocktail, remember?
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, I know. What do they call it?
Matt Abeticola
They call it the Saint Erasmus of Campania. Colossal shrimp chalice. And I don't know. I don't know why.
Dan Bernstein
Yeah, because they add horseradish and then the Calabrian chili.
Matt Abeticola
Why do they have Elmo there? Seriously, there's got to be a reason.
Dan Bernstein
What's the name of my Reuben sandwich? Was it Jacob, son of Reuben, son of Jacob. What is it?
Matt Abeticola
I think that's right.
Dan Bernstein
Right.
Matt Abeticola
Well, it's. Let me flip through the hymnal here. You got to give me the page number there.
Dan Bernstein
Father, go to the sandwiches.
Matt Abeticola
Well, I am. It is Reuben, son of Jacob.
Dan Bernstein
There we go. Yeah. So you get a sandwich for the table. You can all get a big slice of it.
Matt Abeticola
Come on. It's good stuff. Yeah.
Dan Bernstein
But settle in. Yeah. For the long haul.
Matt Abeticola
If you want to do the pizza school thing, do that, too. Just Google beer, church, pizza school. Book a private class, learn how to make pizza, and then you can learn how to eat all their pizzas, too, which is as. As quickly.
Interviewee (e.g., Mason Rudolph or Dennis Allen)
Yes.
Matt Abeticola
So their website, beerchurchbrewing.com has all the info you need, and that is Forward progress.
Dan Bernstein
Forward progress. A chicago bears podcast with dan bernstein and matt abeticola on three 1, 2, sp.
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: November 21, 2025
Podcast Network: 312 Sports
This episode dives deep into the Chicago Bears’ mounting injury issues at linebacker, the ambiguous status of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, and how these developments could impact the Bears' game plan against the Steelers. Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola mix sharp analysis with trademark humor, breaking down the real implications of the Bears’ injury report, the importance of the upcoming matchup, and how key players could (or couldn’t) step up. They also examine the broader context of Ben Johnson’s tenure as Chicago’s head coach and engage in rich banter about football, film, and fast food.
Heavy Linebacker Losses:
"When most of the beat reporters start saying maybe you're going to be without all your starting linebackers, then things get a little weird." – Matt (01:33)
Jaylon Johnson’s Status:
"I just haven't heard anything to actually reasonably expect that after limited participation last week, all of a sudden he's like, ready to get out there and play." – Matt (03:41)
Practice Designations are Vague:
"I don't like the idea of Aaron Rodgers and these dangerous tight ends working the short and intermediate areas... with some inexperienced or lesser pursuers." – Matt (02:42)
"He runs people over like they're children." – Dan (07:36)
"It's like tackling a van." – Matt (08:19)
"If, in fact, there's... the unlikely possibility that Kyler Gordon is out there, then you know that C.J. Gardner Johnson will be a 'linebacker' somewhere." – Matt (19:23)
"The offense needs to have one of their better games this season. They need to produce." – Dan (09:02)
"Ben Johnson wants those 10 plus yard runs. He wants those 20 plus yard receptions... he sets things up deliberately to afford those explosive play opportunities." – Dan (11:38, 11:46)
"It's going to show a lot of how well prepared Caleb Williams is to deal with the pressure that's going to come from the defense." – Dan (13:49)
Steelers Updates:
Preparing for Rodgers or Rudolph:
"You're studying... the scheme and yet you understand how each quarterback likes to operate." – Dennis Allen (20:58)
Rodgers as the Perennial Villain:
"I'd rather not be. I mean, I'm not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones. Maybe I can. I guess... it's been a great rivalry." – Aaron Rodgers (28:56)
"He's just such a complete rope job, this guy." – Matt (29:55)
"He's a big plant medicine guy." – Mason Rudolph (32:32) "There's no banter... no fun and horseplay. They play jokes in each other. And I don't buy it for one second." – Dan (33:56, paraphrased)
"His skill set fits that position in terms of the things that we ask that position to do... You’re able to kind of take a little bit of that off his plate." – Dennis Allen (22:24)
"It's the second time it's ever happened... in a 16 game schedule." – Dan (39:20)
"Anytime it's time on the clock, don't give us a chance. That's what we know." – Richard Hightower (26:36)
On Linebacker Crisis:
"If you're missing Sewell Edwards and Edmonds... you have DeMarco Jackson. You have the recently returned Amen Obong Bemiga. And you have the fast but undisciplined Reuben Hippolyte II."
– Matt Abbatacola (05:14)
On Darnell Washington:
"He runs people over like they're children." – Dan Bernstein (07:36)
"He is a vending machine." – Matt Abbatacola (07:39)
On Ben Johnson's Offense:
"He sets things up deliberately to afford those explosive play opportunities and Caleb Williams needs to take advantage of it when they're there in the passing game."
– Dan Bernstein (11:46)
On Rodgers’ Persona:
"There's zero chance that he has any kind of a personal relationship with anybody in that team... He's a complete and total weirdo."
– Dan Bernstein (35:22, 35:41)
On Bears' Potential:
"If you want respect... This would be a good opportunity for you to put your name on the board. As far as the NFL Blob's concerned of this team is for real."
– Dan Bernstein (15:08)
On Special Teams Philosophy:
"He used a phrase, and I love catching up on these, these phrases from these coaches. He said that they didn't blink." – Dan Bernstein on Richard Hightower (27:24)
This summary captures the essential content and flavor of the episode, ensuring even those who missed the podcast feel prepared for the Bears’ critical week ahead.