Forward Progress: Chicago Bears – Minnesota Vikings Monday Night Football Preview

Podcast: Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast
Host(s): Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Phil Mackey (Score North, Purple Daily)
Date: September 7, 2025

Overview

In this special live episode, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola of "Forward Progress" are joined by Phil Mackey of "Score North" and "Purple Daily" to preview the Monday Night Football showdown between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings. The trio provides deeply analytical and often hilarious banter, spotlighting quarterback storylines, tactical matchups, coaching philosophies, and evolving NFL trends. This episode is a must-listen for Bears and Vikings fans—or anyone seeking nuanced, entertaining football analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Live Edition & Guest Introduction

• Opening banter about the excitement of a live show and mock sibling connections.
• [00:57] The tone: energetic, friendly, and ripe with football passion.

2. Vikings Quarterback Situation: JJ McCarthy’s Prognosis

• Question: Can Head Coach Kevin O’Connell perform QB magic again, now with JJ McCarthy?
• [03:01] Phil Mackey on McCarthy: "It's like we've been online dating our new quarterback for 18 months and now we're going to meet in person on Monday night for the first time."
• O’Connell’s past success with Kirk Cousins (tied for NFL record in 4th quarter comebacks, 2022) and the 2024 Sam Darnold turnaround ("quarterback rehab school").
• Season win total set at 8.5—panel agrees the Vikings could outperform if McCarthy is at least average.

3. The Secret Sauce: How Kevin O’Connell Develops Quarterbacks

• [05:06] Mackey: "He provides answers to the test before the snap... He helps quarterbacks play with a quiet mind."
• Contrast with Bears' Caleb Williams and former OC Shane Waldron: portrayed as chaotic, with rookie QBs lacking those pre-snap “answers.”
• Importance of applying play design to complement a QB’s strengths—especially utilizing the middle of the field.

4. JJ McCarthy: Strengths, Weaknesses, and the "Handoff Merchant" Narrative

• [07:34] Mackey pushes back against the “hand-off merchant” critique: When required, McCarthy flashed NFL-level throws at Michigan, even under duress.
  • "When he was asked to throw at Michigan... he excelled at the NFL things... more than a lot of the other quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams." – Phil Mackey
• [09:47] Mental traits: strong arm, high leadership, but must develop subtleties like touch and layering throws.
• Importance of learning from time spent off field due to injury, prepping intensely all the same: "[McCarthy] prepared throughout each week as if he was going to be the starting quarterback." – Phil Mackey

5. Modern NFL Offense: Middle of the Field Mastery

• [12:30] Bernstein on "over the middle between the numbers" as the new offensive sweet spot.
  • "What is modern offense?... It is using the middle of the field with everything being pushed to the boundaries."
• Discussion of “anticipatory throws” and the importance of trusting timing over the middle—potentially risky but highly effective.

6. Defensive Matchups: Brian Flores’ Vikings D vs. Ben Johnson’s Offense

• [16:49] Flores blitz rate (38.9% last year, over 42% vs. Caleb Williams in December).
• Why Ben Johnson’s (now Bears') offense succeeded against Flores in Detroit: using mesh concepts and rapid answers to the blitz.
  • [17:03] Mackey: "Ben Johnson's system has answers to Brian Flores' test, but it requires the quarterback to identify what's happening..."
• Challenge for Williams: identifying and executing quick, accurate passes against pressure.

7. Sustainability of Minnesota's Blitz-Heavy Defense

• [19:21] Roster upgrades: addition of Jonathan Allen, Jayvon Hargrave to bolster poor interior pressure.
• Flores is “married” to the heavy blitz, regardless of personnel, for its mental effect on offenses.
  • "It's mentally exhausting. By the end of the game." – Phil Mackey [20:31]
• Frequent pointing and pre-snap confusion ("pointy games") as a hallmark of Flores' defenses.
• The stress of processing and adjusting to Flores' looks can lead to frequent mistakes and turnovers by opposing offenses.

8. Bears O-line vs. Vikings Edge Rush

• [23:27] Emergence of three-edge formations: Dallas Turner joining Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard (third in edge pressures last year).
  • Greenard will be moved to attack perceived weak points in Bears’ tackle spots.

9. Vikings Wide Receiver Situation: Addison’s Suspension, Adam Thielen’s Return

• [24:56] Unexpected WR room: Addison suspended; Jalen Nailor recovering; Adam Thielen returns as WR2 despite diminished athleticism.
  • "If you dig into the advanced wide receiver stats of Adam Thielen... he’s even worse than you think..." – Phil Mackey [25:25]
• Irony: Thielen and McCarthy have history working out together.

10. Kevin O'Connell: What Needs Improving as Coach?

• [28:47] Offensive innovation praised, but the run game and red zone rushing schemes are lacking.
  • "He has not figured out how to unlock a running game." – Phil Mackey

11. The Caleb Williams Question: Processing vs. Athleticism

• [31:26] Williams holding the ball too long, struggling under pressure.
  • "Caleb Williams has been awful when pressured... Is that just an organic part of being a young quarterback? Or is there something missing from his processing?" – Phil Mackey
• Consequences: pressing into Vikings’ defensive strengths; potential for a very tough night in Monday’s test.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Phil Mackey [03:01]: "It's like we've been online dating our new quarterback for 18 months and now we're going to meet in person on Monday night for the first time."
• Dan Bernstein [12:30]: "When we look at where the yards are in this league right now... it is using the middle of the field."
• Phil Mackey [16:07]: "I'd rather have a guy who understands the anticipatory throw, who's a little too aggressive and needs to be reeled in... than the guy that needs to see it first."
• Matt Abbatacola [19:21]: "The tackles, you know, we're like ah, fine, whatever..."
• Phil Mackey [20:31]: "You can't fill out a 53 man roster with all superstars... but it's mentally exhausting."
• Dan Bernstein & Crew [38:12-39:49] (Chicken Wing Debate):
  • Matt: "When you have chicken wings, do you eat one at a time?"
  • Dan: "I'm more of a grazer... Maybe I'll get a different flavor, blue cheese with you."
  • Phil: "I have issues on the drummy to wing ratio."
  • Matt: "I prefer the flats... there's too much stuff I don't want to eat on the drums."
  • Dan: "You can even crack the bone itself and suck the marrow out if you want."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:01] JJ McCarthy's first start and Vikings QB optimism
• [05:06] Kevin O’Connell’s QB approach—“answers to the test”
• [07:34] Debunking “hand-off merchant” knocks on McCarthy
• [12:30] Modern offense: middle-of-the-field attacks
• [16:49] Ben Johnson’s offense vs. Brian Flores’ defense
• [19:21] Flores’ blitz philosophy and mental impact
• [23:27] Vikings edge threat vs. Bears’ tackles
• [24:56] Vikings WRs: Thielen’s return and depth issues
• [28:47] O'Connell's red zone/running game weakness
• [31:26] Caleb Williams under pressure: Bears' biggest concern
• [38:12] Memorable chicken wing debate and podcast camaraderie

Tone & Style

The hosts balance deep, analytic football discussion with relatable, authentic fan passion and sharp wit. The conversation often detours into playful banter and food debates, keeping the analysis fun and approachable.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers a comprehensive, high-level preview of Bears-Vikings, focusing on:

• The quarterback chess match (McCarthy and Williams)
• Brian Flores’ pressure-heavy D against Ben Johnson’s offense
• How coaching philosophies, personnel changes, and even game-day food preferences play into the Monday night drama

Whether you’re analyzing matchups or just want a laugh about the ratio of drums to flats in a chicken wing basket, this will prep you for all the Monday Night Football storylines.