Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Chicago Bears - Philadelphia Eagles | Can Caleb deliver in a hostile environment?

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

This episode gears up for the crucial Bears vs. Eagles matchup, focusing on quarterback Caleb Williams' development, the challenge of facing Vic Fangio’s complex defense, and what it means for both teams at this critical stage. Dan and Matt dive deep into schematic expectations, culture-building, player development, and the psychological toll of high-stakes "island" games, blending technical insight with the humor and candor that have built their reputation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Anticipation: Bears vs. Eagles – A True Test

[02:09 – 06:00]

• Excitement and Stakes: Both hosts express excitement and anxiety about the national spotlight. Bernstein emphasizes:

  "I think it's going to show a lot that there's a lot of things that we've debated that are going to be in front of us and we are going to see all of the things we're talking about tested in real time in front of the country." (Dan, 02:15)

• Vic Fangio’s Defense:
  The challenge is the deceptive, post-snap movement of Fangio's scheme. Williams faces the most complicated looks he’s seen yet.

  "What they're going to show Caleb Williams is the most movement post snap of what he's going to see this entire football season." (Matt, 03:16)

2. Caleb Williams’ Growth and Offensive Evolution

[03:41 – 06:56; 11:14 – 12:59]

• Playing Under Center: Williams took more dropbacks under center last week than ever, building comfort as part of Ben Johnson’s evolving approach.

  "They want him to get more comfortable...turning his back to the defense...and focus in on what he sees." (Matt, 03:49)

• Faking and Play Action: Improved play fakes, body movement, and rhythm—an essential half-second advantage.

  "Give him credit and praise him for his body movement in those fakes...it's all you're talking about. Half a second or a second makes all the difference to a play." (Matt, 05:29)

• Big Stage Nerves: Matt’s honest Bears-fan anxiety over being on national display—emotional stakes beyond Xs and Os.

3. Island Games, Bears History, and the Weight of Prime Time

[06:56 – 09:45]

• Past Prime-time Dramas: Bernstein recounts a disastrous Trubisky outing vs. the Rams (2018) and the infamous 1985 MNF loss to Miami. These stories exemplify the feeling of being "exposed" on national TV for both team and fans.
• Anecdote:

  "My grandfather was watching with us...just kind of cackling to himself and sitting on the couch going, the Bears suck. The Bears suck." (Dan, 10:02)

4. This Game as a Litmus Test for Playoff Contenders

[11:14 – 12:59]

• Growth Opportunity: The matchup doubles as a progress report—how far is Caleb, and how does Ben Johnson recalibrate from here?

  "For Ben Johnson to be able to gauge and say, this is where he's at. This is what our next steps are." (Matt, 11:14)

• Tape for All: Other playoff teams will study this tape, searching for "best practices" against the Bears.

5. Defensive Challenges: Injuries, Cross-Training, and Culture

[13:10 – 25:49]

• Kevin Byard on Stopping Philly: The Bears' immediate focus is containing explosive weapons (esp. Smitty) and winning with "culture versus culture."

  "You talk about Saquon Barkley...he's still a threat every time he touches the ball...AJ's still that guy. If you watch the film, Smitty's been the guy that Jalen, I think Jalen Hurts probably has the most chemistry with..." (Byard, 13:10)

• Disputing "Culture vs. Culture":

  "It's still blocking and tackling. And I've never worried about the Bears effort." (Dan, 14:32)

• Cross-Training Defensive Players: Listener insight into Dennis Allen’s strategy of prepping DBs to play across positions, ensuring depth and adaptability when injuries hit.

  "In the spring he cross trained a lot of guys on this team...taking reps at safety, at nickel, at corner." (Byard, 20:16)

• Coaches on Rotations:

  "Everybody's going to have a role to play...but we'll have a plan in place." (Dennis Allen, 23:34)

• Buy-in Concerns: Not all players handle shifting roles (CJ Gardner-Johnson called out for needing to adapt).

6. Offensive Philosophy: Ben Johnson and "The Tush Push"

[28:46 – 30:58]

• On the "Tush Push": Johnson doesn't employ it; prefers every play/formation has explosive potential, not just "one yard and no more."

  "The reason why he's not a tush push guy was because he said he wants every play and every look to be able to go 10 plus or 20 plus to score..." (Dan, 29:32)

• Compliments Off the Look: Both teams must be ready for wrinkles off this staple formation.

  "But to have compliments that you run things off that type of formation..." (Matt, 29:26)

7. Caleb Williams’ Self-Assessment and Development

[34:41 – 39:37]

• Feet and Footwork Flaws: Williams admits early-game accuracy issues stemmed from a too-wide base and not getting his "legs under" him.

  "My base got a little wide and then...my legs weren’t fully under me yet early in the game..." (Caleb, 34:44)

• Warmup Adjustments: Wants to improve his pregame readiness to avoid starting slow.
• Coach Praise: Declan Doyle highlights improvement in Williams' eyes, feet, and willingness to fix small errors.

  "His eyes have improved, his feet have improved. They've gotten better every week...he's very hungry for growth." (Doyle, 50:28)

• Ball Placement as 'Premium': The need for consistency and accuracy, especially on structured pocket throws, doesn't demand perfection but capitalizes on key opportunities.

  "It's all about ball location at the end of the day." (Doyle, 52:02) "Try to eliminate the variation there...but the biggest thing is that the ball location is premium." (Doyle, 52:41)

8. Coaching, Player Development, and NFL Realities

[45:14 – 53:33]

• Making Players Better: Dennis Allen praised for focusing on actual football improvement, not vague "life lessons."

  "We're going to make you a better football player." (Dan summarizing Allen, 45:14)

• NFL Practice Squad to Pro Bowler Pipeline: They discuss how many Patriots starters under Vrabel were cut elsewhere, showing talent development and roster churning are league-wide constants.

9. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Facing Vic Fangio's Defense

“What they’re going to show Caleb Williams is the most movement post snap of what he’s going to see this entire football season.”
— Matt Abbatacola, 03:16

On Play Action's Importance

"But being able to do that out of play action with your back to the defense is critical."
— Matt, 04:24

On Nationally Televised 'Island Games'

"I don't want the Bears to be exposed... Let us watch and let the team..."
— Matt, 06:56

On Ball Placement

"It's all about ball location at the end of the day. ... Try to eliminate the variation there... the ball location is premium."
— Declan Doyle, 52:02 & 52:41

On Football “Culture”

"The culture is really just the full encompassing aspect of what the organization is. That's the process, the game planning, the work..."
— Matt, 15:04

On Adaptive Coaching

"When [Ben Johnson] mentions them publicly, what happens? There's a change."
— Matt, 16:39

On Belichick's Coaching Tree

“Not enough.”
— Dan, 46:47 (on successful head coaches)

10. Timestamps for Reference

• [02:13]: Setting up the national test against Fangio’s defense
• [03:16]: Spotlight on the post-snap movement challenge for Williams
• [05:29]: Praise for Williams’ improving ball fakes and mechanics
• [10:02]: Bernstein’s family story on Bears prime-time pain
• [13:10] – [14:32]: Kevin Byard talks about stopping the Eagles, framing the “culture battle”
• [20:16] – [23:15]: Dennis Allen and Byard on defensive cross-training and adaptability
• [28:46] – [30:58]: "Tush push," offensive philosophy, and game-planning wrinkles
• [34:44] – [35:40]: Caleb Williams on self-diagnosed footwork issues
• [50:28] – [52:53]: Doyle on the granular mechanics and improvement trajectory for Williams

Flow & Tone

• Conversational, analytical, passionate—hosts blend serious football talk with relatable Bears-fan anxieties and sharp humor.
• Memorable, lively banter (e.g. the "penis punch" rules update at [58:56]) and frequent callbacks to Bears history for context and comic relief.
• Honest about the Bears’ progress—clear-eyed about both advances and areas for concern.
• Defensive rotations, evolving culture, and play design are treated with both skepticism and optimism.

For Bears/NFL Fans & New Listeners Alike

This episode provides a comprehensive, clear-eyed prelude to a pivotal Bears-Eagles showdown:

• Explains the technical schematic matchup (Fangio's defense vs. a rookie QB)
• Tracks Caleb Williams’ improvement and the coaching methods spurring it
• Frames the broader narrative: where the Bears stand in the NFL, both on the field and as an organization
• Offers behind-the-scenes, context-rich insights into player development, adaptation, and what’s really at stake in prime time

Whether you want detailed schematics, player psychology, or just the pulse of Chicago sports radio, this episode delivers.

Next up:

• Friday morning show: Top 10 Eagles of all time, Feedback Friday
• Live Postgame: Immediate reaction to Bears vs. Eagles