Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode Title: NFL Combine Players to Watch | Indiana Shrimp & Illinois Horseradish
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Release Date: March 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into key takeaways from the 2026 NFL Combine, with a detailed Bears-focused breakdown of prospects who might be on Chicago’s radar. Dan and Matt debate positional needs, weigh the team’s messaging from staff, and bring their trademark wit to both NFL and Chicago Bears news. In true “Forward Progress” style, the podcast blends sharp analysis with banter—including some priceless Midwest culinary controversy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The NFL Combine: Bears’ Focus & Standouts (02:23 – 16:10)

• Watching the Linemen

  • Dan admits to enjoying watching "prospective NFL interior linemen run as fast as they can. A lot of them look like giant babies" (02:52).
  • Kaden Proctor (Iowa) slimmed down from 366 to 352 lbs and impressed with athletic testing (5.21s 40-yard, 32.5” vertical, 33 3/8” arms)—potential Bears target if available at their pick (03:39–04:08).

• Nickel Corner to Watch: D'Angelo Pons (Indiana)

  • Measured 5'9", 43.5" vertical (second-best for a sub-5'10" player since 2003).
  • "Keep an eye on D'Angelo Pons. I just think he can play," Dan says (05:27).

• Redheaded Mullet Alert: Jennings Dunker (Iowa)

  • Matt highlights his “bright red mullet” and physical presence (06:07), as well as tackles Monroe Freeling (Georgia) and Spencer Fano, noting, “There’s going to be tackles available for the Bears” (06:13).

• Are the Bears Drafting a Tackle?

  • Despite talent at tackle, Matt is confident the Bears won’t pick one: “The Bears are not drafting a tackle. They’re just not… they’re not going to” (07:01).
  • References OL coach Dan Roushar and GM Ryan Poles’ apparent confidence in current roster (07:11).

• Carnell Tate’s 40-Yard Dash & Agent Antics

  • Carnell Tate ran a pair of 4.54s—below some expectations, leading to classic agent-driven drama. As Dan notes:

    “Just have Rosenhaus send the text himself… Let it come from him… It makes the agent look scared. It makes the reporter look… too easily fed stuff. … Those are the numbers. That’s the whole point” (09:09–10:32).

• Safety Prospects: Strong Value in Mid Rounds

  • Matt predicts:

    “I believe that the Bears will find a safety...you could get a guy that can start at safety in 2026 [as late as] round four” (11:11).

  • Names to track:
    • Jalen Kilgore (South Carolina): versatile DB, strong combine (11:40)
    • Kyle Lewis (Pittsburgh): “hybrid who could be box safety, off-ball backer, or even outside linebacker...ran a 4.53 40, 39.5” vertical, 10’9” broad” (13:27–13:54)
    • Jack Kelly (BYU): productive LB, 4.57 40, 10’5” broad; early Day 3 per Kuyper (12:42)

• Other Defensive Names for Bears’ Board

  • Malachi Lawrence (UCF), Danny Dennis-Sutton (Penn State, 4.63 40, 6’6”, 256 lbs), Mike Washington (Arkansas RB, 6’1”, 223 lbs, 4.33 40) (14:36–15:02)
  • Fox 32’s mock: Caden McDonald (DT), not a pass-rusher, but impactful defending the run at pick 25 (15:20).

• Draft Prediction

  “Round one for the Bears is definitely going to go defensive line somewhere and then expect a safety to be their second or third pick.” – Matt (16:01)

Free Agency and NFL News: Bears, Trades, and QB Talk (18:10 – 35:00)

• No Interest in Juwan Taylor (Chiefs OT)

  • Dan:

    “I’ve got the I’m not interested sign on Juan Taylor...he’s good for a penalty a game” (18:18, 19:14)

• Maxx Crosby Trade Rumors

  • Matt refers to Albert Breer tying the Bears loosely to Crosby. Neither host considers it plausible (19:34–20:06).

• Minnesota Vikings’ Quarterback Chaos

  • Vikings to release Hargraves & Aaron Jones, freeing cap for a new QB—ideas floated: Tua, Kyler Murray, or even a trade for Tyson Bagent from the Bears (“Bring it on,” jokes Dan). Matt: "Division rival with instability at the quarterback position is good for the Bears" (20:34–21:31)

• Diego Pavia’s Draft Prospects: The Shortest QB Debate!

  • Matt catalogs Pavia’s athletic combine scores: “Production score—a 74, ranked 3rd among QBs; athleticism score—86, second among QBs” (23:42–24:41), pushing for him as a possible late pick for Vikings or Browns.
  • Dan’s trivia: “At 5’10”... he would tie [for] the shortest listed passer in league history” (25:18). Doug Flutie, Kyler Murray, and Bryce Young are named among other 5’10” QBs (25:35).
  • Banter:

    “He just can’t throw the deep ball. He can throw shorter passes.” – Matt
    “No, he can’t throw them fast enough.” – Dan (26:39–26:53)

Bears’ Running Back Trade Value & Market (28:10 – 33:46)

• David Montgomery Trade

  • Montgomery (Lions) sent to Houston for a 2027 4th, 7th, and C Juice Scruggs (28:10–28:27).
  • Dan’s worry:

    “I would not want to invest in a 29-year-old NFL running back with that many rushing attempts” (29:36).

• Comparing DeAndre Swift’s Value

  • With Montgomery fetching two picks and a player, Matt asks what Swift would bring if traded (30:06–31:04), suggesting he’d fetch more given his speed and impact.
  • Dan: “Ultimately I think DeAndre Swift is better.” (31:22)

• Role Debate: 1-2 Punch or Just Give the Best Back the Ball?

  • Dan:

    “All you’re doing is taking away more explosive possibilities by giving anybody else the ball... You don’t want a 1-2 punch if the one is so good, he should be touching the ball every time.” (32:55–33:30)

Bears Free Agent and Trade Chatter (33:46 – 35:35)

• Interest in Tremaine Edmunds Before Cut
  • Three teams reportedly eyeing trade before he’s released—a curious strategy, but sometimes helps teams get first negotiating rights (33:46–34:45).
  • Dan likes the player-first trend of letting agents broker deals ahead of cuts:

    “I do like this new custom… gives him agency and saves the team work.” (35:00)

Chicago Bears at the Combine: Where Was Ryan Poles? (35:35 – 37:14)

• Poles Skipping the Combine for His Son’s Basketball Game
  • Matt relishes the buzz about GM Ryan Poles watching his kid’s grade school basketball while staff handled the Combine.
  • Dan:

    “He was exactly where he needed to be… watching his kid play. Good job, Ryan Poles. That’s a terrific example.” (36:03, 37:11)

  • Echoes from the school crowd: “Must be nice to be here when the combine is going on” (37:38)

Midwest Culinary Scandal: Indiana Shrimp, Illinois Horseradish (37:48 – 45:56)

• The Real Secret Behind St. Elmo’s Famous Cocktail Sauce

  • Listener feedback: “It’s not about the shrimp, it’s about their horseradish sauce.” (38:09)
  • Dan unveils the truth:

    “The horseradish that powers the famous sauce at that restaurant that makes central Indiana shrimp, a destination appetizer—is grown in Illinois.” (39:47–40:24)

  • Further research: “Bagley Farms is listed as the [grower]… St. Elmo horseradish. Southern Illinois… is the horseradish hotbed of North America.” (41:52–43:09)

• Regional Pride and Banter

  • Matt jokes: “You keep that horseradish in Illinois, mister!” (45:11)
  • Both lament the misattribution of culinary fame across state lines, joking about radioactive Indiana shrimp and the “best land shrimp in the Midwest.” (42:56–43:02, 44:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A lot of [offensive linemen] look like giant babies.” — Dan (02:52)
• “The Bears are not drafting a tackle. They're just not…they're not going to.” — Matt (07:01)
• “Those are the numbers. That’s the whole point of this thing… Don’t say all those numbers are wrong. NFL teams are saying those numbers are wrong. No they’re not. Stop. He’ll be OK.” — Dan on the 40-yard dash controversy (10:32)
• “I think Jaquan Brisker has played his last game for the Bears. I really do.” — Matt (11:18)
• “I’ve got the ‘I’m not interested’ sign on Juwan Taylor.” — Dan (18:18)
• “Division rival with instability at the quarterback position is good for the Bears.” — Matt (21:04)
• “You don't want a one two punch. If the one is so good, he should be touching the ball every time. Right?” — Dan (32:55)
• “He was exactly where he needed to be…watching his kid play. Good job, Ryan Poles.” — Dan (36:52–37:11)
• “[St. Elmo’s] horseradish ... is grown in Illinois.” — Dan (39:47)
• “You keep that horseradish in Illinois, mister!” — Matt (45:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NFL Combine Standouts & Analysis: 02:23–16:10
• Free Agency / Tackle Talk: 18:10–19:34
• Vikings’ QB Search / Diego Pavia Debate: 20:34–27:59
• Montgomery Trade & Bears RB Market: 28:10–33:30
• Tremaine Edmunds Trade Chatter: 33:46–35:35
• Ryan Poles’ Combine Absence: 35:35–37:14
• Indiana Shrimp, Illinois Horseradish Scandal: 37:48–45:56

Summary Takeaway

This is a classic “Forward Progress” blend of sharp Bears analysis, in-depth commentary on NFL draft and free agency priorities, and the kind of off-the-wall, locally rooted banter that defines Chicago sports fandom. The show is packed with insight—on prospects, roster construction, and front office dynamics—while side trips through culinary intrigue and trivia make for an engaging, informative listen that’s distinctively Chicago.