Chicago Bears player evaluation and roster moves this offseason

Summary

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Episode Date: February 19, 2026
Episode Topic: Chicago Bears Player Evaluation and Roster Moves This Offseason

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Episode Overview

This episode zeroes in on the Chicago Bears' key player evaluations and potential roster moves for the 2026 offseason. Dan and Matt use their usual blend of sharp analysis and humor to break down the team’s internal changes, quarterback situation, running back depth, and thoughts on NFL combine prospects. Special attention is also paid to Bears-related off-field topics, including the heated debate around a possible Indiana stadium and its (minimal) impact on players and local revenue.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff King Named Bears Assistant General Manager

[01:54 - 04:44]

• News: Jeff King, a former NFL tight end with deep roots in the Bears’ personnel department, has been promoted to Assistant GM, replacing Ian Cunningham.
• Background: Started as a scouting intern, now on a "steady climb" up the organization. Played 108 NFL games, joined Bears as pro scout in 2016.
• Quote:
  • Dan: "It is official. ... Jeff King has been promoted to assistant general manager... a journey that began as a scouting intern in 2015." [01:54]
• Organizational Praise: GM Ryan Poles notes King’s eye for talent and communication skills.
• Light Banter: Matt and Dan joke about the NFL’s draft pick compensation for minority hires (or lack thereof in the Bears’ situation).

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2. Indiana Stadium Rumors & Player Logistics

[05:04 - 10:05]

• Addressing a Fan Myth: Bears players would not move to Indiana if a new stadium is built there; primary facilities and homes remain in Illinois.
• Key Points:
  • Practice in Lake Forest, not at the stadium.
  • Players only at the stadium ~8–12 times/year (game days).
  • Players generally stay around the North Shore or city, not near the stadium.
• Quotes:
  • Matt: "The players do not need to be close to the stadium... just think about this logically for one second." [05:29]
  • Dan: "If you look at most professional athletes, I would say by a wide margin live somewhere other than where they ply their trade." [07:40]
• Humor: Both riff on the absurdity of players living on a “giant floating house in Wolf Lake,” poking fun at online speculation.

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3. Evaluating Tyson Bagent: Trade Value & Backup QB Philosophy

[10:48 - 13:49]

• Tyson Bagent’s Role:
  • Consensus: Not seen as a franchise quarterback by the Bears, but as a solid backup.
• Trade Scenario Logic:
  • If offered a mid-round draft pick (especially 2nd–4th) for Bagent, the Bears should accept without hesitation.
  • Backup Quarterback Philosophy: “If your backup QB is playing, you’re in trouble no matter who it is.”
• Quotes:
  • Dan: “If somebody's calling for your backup quarterback, you say yes...” [11:52]
  • Matt: “If a team comes along and offers a third or a fourth round pick for Tyson Bagent, you send him off...” [13:17]
  • Dan: “If Caleb Williams is hurt and can't play, that's bad no matter what.” [13:49]
• Super Bowl Backup QBs: Brief discussion on rare success stories (Nick Foles, Jeff Hostetler).

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4. Running Back Room: Kyle Monangai’s Role & Possible Additions

[15:11 - 23:11]

• Kyle Monangai Evaluation:
  • Neither host sees him as a clear RB1 (primary back) yet, more likely a strong complementary piece.
  • The Bears’ approach may depend on what they think his ceiling is.
• DeAndre Swift Contract Context:
  • Discussion about whether Swift’s cap hit (~$8.5M) is justified if Monangai can take on a bigger role.
• Potential Free Agent Targets:
  • Kenneth Gainwell (Pittsburgh): Noted for youth (26), low mileage, versatility (receiving, kick returns), and favorable analytics. Projected bargain deal (~$2M/year).
• Quotes:
  • Dan: “The definition of a number one back that we grew up with is not really there anymore.” [16:09]
  • Matt: “If you feel that Monangai could be a primary running back, I think Gainwell is a guy... you could do a one year around $2 million deal.” [19:49]
• Success Rate Stats: Gainwell ranks highly among active RBs in “success rate.”
• Dan’s Caution: Running backs like Derrick Henry are outliers. The Bears need speed and “the threat of it going all the way,” but versatility is key.

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5. Draft Prospects: Landon Robinson (Navy DT) & Position Fit

[23:15 - 32:56]

• Profile: Landon Robinson—undersized at 6’0”, 287 lbs, but with eye-popping bench/squat numbers.
• Comparison: Chris Zorich comes to mind; such size is now rare and problematic for NFL DTs.
• Combine “Snub”: Internet buzz about why Robinson was not invited. Consensus: not enough size for a true NFL defensive tackle.
• Quotes:
  • Dan: “That’s not a good comp... Those are not the numbers of a modern NFL defensive tackle.” [24:33]
  • Matt: "It was just that 6 foot 287... that’s more of a red flag to me than it is, ‘let’s keep looking at this guy.’" [24:46]
  • Dan: "If the game involved lifting things competitively, it would be different." [27:06]
  • Both share skepticism that Robinson could stick at any role but maybe special teams or as a camp body.

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6. Coaching Moves & OTAs: Declan Doyle’s Comments

[33:32 - 36:38]

• Issue: Declan Doyle (ex-Bears offensive assistant, now in Baltimore) says he “expects everyone” at voluntary OTAs—a potential faux pas with veteran NFL players.
• Dan’s Caution: “You shouldn’t say that you expect [players at OTAs]… it’s voluntary.” [35:14]
• Matt: Concerned this "won't play out well" with veterans.
• Note: Both agree Doyle’s good on the microphone, but his “rookie mistake” could cause locker room friction.

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7. Chicago’s Bears Business — Indiana Stadium Revisited

[37:19 - 38:49]

• Economic Clarification: Even if a stadium were built in Indiana, the Bears’ business operations, taxation, and player residences remain in Illinois.
• Quote:
  • Dan: “The Bears are headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois... their business is not moving. The only thing that would go to Hammond, Indiana—which is not going to go—are things that happen on those days and a share of concessions.” [37:19]
• Satirical Riffs: The illusion that Bears would be “banned” from Illinois restaurants or forced to live on a “giant houseboat” in Wolf Lake continues for comic effect.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On backup quarterbacks: "If your backup quarterback is playing, you're in trouble no matter who it is." – Dan Bernstein [13:42]
• On stadium rumors: "The Bears players are not moving to Indiana. That would never, ever, ever happen." – Matt Abbatacola [08:10]
• On the shrinking role of bell-cow RBs: "The definition of a number one back that we grew up with is not really there anymore." – Dan Bernstein [16:09]
• On draft prospect Landon Robinson: "If the game involved lifting things competitively, it would be different." – Dan Bernstein [27:06]
• On free agent Gainwell: “A running back named Gainwell is aptronymically named.” – Dan Bernstein [23:05]

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Segment Timestamps

• Jeff King promotion & Bears front office: [01:54–04:44]
• Indiana stadium rumours & player logistics: [05:04–10:05]
• Backup QB (Tyson Bagent) evaluation and trade value: [10:48–13:49]
• Running back evaluation: Monangai/Swift/Gainwell: [15:11–23:11]
• Draft prospect: Landon Robinson profile: [23:15–32:56]
• Coach Declan Doyle’s OTA comments & NFL culture: [33:32–36:38]
• Indiana stadium economic impact revisited: [37:19–38:49]

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Tone & Style Notes

Dan and Matt engage with frankness, dry wit, Bears-insider know-how, and moments of affectionate lampooning of Bears fandom. Their exchanges reflect a realism about NFL priorities alongside hard-earned skepticism—never talking down to fans but instead encouraging clear-eyed takes on player value and off-field issues.

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SUMMARY

This episode serves up a brisk but deep-dive analysis of the Bears’ personnel moves, player evaluations, and offseason priorities, blending granular football insight with the hosts’ uniquely Chicago brand of humor. From leadership changes and roster debate to NFL cultural quirks and draft wildcards, listeners get a grounded sense of where the Bears stand in February 2026 and the decisions that will shape their future.

Transcript

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[Matt Abaticola]

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matt Abaticola]

Forward Progress A Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

You know what you get here? You get Forward progress. We give it to you. We award it to you here on 312 Sports. And we also bring you Bears News and it is official. You've been waiting it and now you have it. Wait no longer. I am reading the official press release from the Chicago Bears. Their story here and that is that they have a new assistant general manager. Ian Cunningham's replacement has been found and it is Jeff King in the picture of Jeff King. I just want to make sure when you're assistant general manager you have to tighten your tie. That button should not be showing you. Just just one more little thing like when you before you leave the house your Wife or your husband or whoever it is should pull that thing up and just get that tight up there against that little spread collar. Jeff King has been promoted to assistant general manager and according to Larry Mayer, who wrote this, it says the move marks a crescendo in King's steady climb through the club's personnel department, a journey that began as a Scouting intern in 2015. Ryan Polls says Jeff has earned his promotion through commitment to our team and his excellence within our operation and the positive impact throughout the organization. He was an NFL tight end. He played 108 games over seven seasons with the Panthers and Cardinals. Oh, he spent. He spent one year as a Bears scouting intern before being hired as a full time Pro Scout in 2016. He has been with the Bears 12 years. He is replacing Ian Cunningham. He said he and Polls played against each other in college when King was a tight end of Virginia Tech and Polls was an offensive lineman at Boston College where they did not know each other well. Polls said he was impressed with King. When we jumped into free agent meetings, he stood out to me. He took control of that pro staff. He had an eye for talent. He was a very good communicator, saw value in players. We kicked it off pretty quick and he's going to be valuable for this organization.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, well, hopefully when he goes and gets a GM job, the. Oh no, they won't get any picks.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nope, nope, nope, nope. Not. Not unless we can run him by the White Sox and continue where the

[Matt Abaticola]

Bears just don't get picks when guys leave.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, we don't know. We need to go to the White Sox panel of assessing race and they, their judges may say that Jeff King

[Matt Abaticola]

is black, but we still wouldn't get picks, though.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, right, because we don't. Because maybe the White Sox said Ian Cunningham isn't black either.

[Matt Abaticola]

You know, I wonder if his commitment to the Bears is the similar, is a similar level of commitment the Bears have made to him in Indiana.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's. Stop. Stop. All right. And now because we're not going to do that, if you want all of the stadium stuff, I'm going to do that again. No, no, if you want, if you want to help cut through the stadium bullshit, go to dbu. There's, there's a, there's a fresh, hot, steaming plate of dbu.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, you have to listen to that today about the stadium stuff with all

[Dan Bernstein]

the fixings kicks off the show.

[Matt Abaticola]

So get into that there, please.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And if you want to hear about all the water carrying, going on with the Bears behind the Scenes, feeding all the information, these people saying, I've been talking to people, I've been talking to politicians. No, the Bears are giving you stuff. And the Bears have their hand up your. They're moving your mouth. So go ahead and do some of that if you want to.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, Dan, one area that we haven't gotten into involving the Bears stadium issue. If they move to Indiana, which we know they're not going to move to Indiana, but I keep seeing this, this theme, whether it's online or from listeners reaching out, what about the Bears players? Are the Bears players going to move to Indiana? And I can tell you this right now, they are absolutely not going to move to Indiana. Even if the stadium ends up being in Hammond, which it's not, they're not moving to Indiana. The players do not need to be close to the stadium. I mean, just think about this logically for one second.

[Dan Bernstein]

Number one, practice there.

[Matt Abaticola]

They don't practice there. They practice in Lake Forest. Number two, they're at the stadium anywhere from eight to 12 times a year. That's it.

[Dan Bernstein]

And they stay in a hotel the night before the games anyway. Even home games. Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

They would stay at a hotel in Chicago and would then commute to Indiana, wherever it would be on the team

[Dan Bernstein]

bus, buses that leave the hotel the next morning.

[Matt Abaticola]

So, no, Bears players are not going to be put out by having to move to Indiana. They'll stay up in the North Shore. They'll stay around Lake Forest. They'll stay in the city. Just because the stadium, if it were to move to Indiana, doesn't mean they have to live in Indiana. Like, I don't know this for sure, but I'm going to throw it out there just as a, as a guess, because I've been to Green Bay. You've been to Green Bay. I don't think packers players live in the city of Green Bay. I just don't think they do. You don't have to live in the city where your stadium is. Again, keep that in mind.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, no, they don't. Their families, they don't. They don't bring their kids to go to their schools in Green Bay.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right? Come on. So 365 days out of the year and maybe eight at the most, 12 games a year at that stadium. They're not moving to Indiana to be near a stadium that they're at so infrequently throughout the calendar year.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm shocked that you feel you even have to say this.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's just I've seen it so many times, though. Dan, so many times like Bears players aren't going to want to move to Indiana. They don't have to move to Indiana. That's the point.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, if you look at most professional athletes, I would say by a wide margin live somewhere other than where they ply their trade.

[Matt Abaticola]

Except for a guy like Kirk Cousins who he couldn't have been happier to build a big house in Minneapolis when he was there and.

[Dan Bernstein]

But they have multiple houses.

[Matt Abaticola]

A lot of the guys do, yes. Not all of them, but yeah, a lot of guys do.

[Dan Bernstein]

Most people will. They're going to live where their family is or where their in laws are. Where their parents are. Like, come on.

[Matt Abaticola]

But of all the, all the issues and concerns about this whole stadium issue, that, that is the least of your thought process as a Bears fan is the players moving to Indiana. They're not moving to Indiana. That would never, ever, ever happen. Just given the simple fact, as you stated and the very first point I wanted to make. They practice in Lake Forest. That's where their facility is. That's where they'll stay closest to is to that facility.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's their office.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's where they work. The stadium is a place to TV studio as you call it. They take an office trip for their. Oh my God.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's an off site work location.

[Dan Bernstein]

Like, how are the Bears going to get free agents if they feel they have to live on Wolf Lake in a houseboat? What?

[Matt Abaticola]

I would love that if every player lived on Wolf Lake in a house.

[Dan Bernstein]

They must, they must live all together at a giant floating house in Wolf Lake.

[Matt Abaticola]

That'd be great. That'd be a great. Hard knocks. Hard knocks.

[Dan Bernstein]

Wolf Lake, here they come, the Chicago Bears. There are no wolves in Wolf Lake. But it's still create.

[Matt Abaticola]

I mean, but then I've seen it. You haven't seen that at all.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't think so. I may. I've just ignored it. Worried about, well, what are, what are NFL players gonna think? Have you heard the Bears have moved and now we all have to live on a giant houseboat in Wolf Lake. Like, come on, man.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, it's just, it's really funny. So if that's a thought you're having, just eliminate that from your brain, please. The Bears players are not moving to Indiana.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do they need to move to Indiana?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know.

[Matt Abaticola]

Just because the stadium could be in Indiana doesn't mean they need to live there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Players don't live where the stadium is. Do you think all the players are like the Giants and the jets are Come on.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match, limited by state law. Not available in all states. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with a name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Pricing coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

[Matt Abaticola]

I have a question for you about a couple Bears players, and we've talked about these guys a lot lately with the whole notion of a possible, you know, trade for Tyson Baynes if Arizona truly is interested. There's two players and two questions I have for you. Number one, because it doesn't matter what any of us think, it really matters what the Bears think. Do the Bears think that Tyson Bagent is a number one quarterback?

[Dan Bernstein]

No. Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do the Bears think Tyson Bagent is a backup quarterback?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay. So this whole idea of, oh, the Bears can't trade Tyson Bajan.

[Dan Bernstein]

Who said that?

[Matt Abaticola]

A lot of people online, a lot, A lot of. A lot of fans and Bears fans have expressed that thought. You can't treat even, even guys in the. Even guys and gals in the media saying, you have to have a solid backup. You can't go into a season without a solid backup.

[Dan Bernstein]

Those are different things.

[Matt Abaticola]

I know.

[Dan Bernstein]

But.

[Matt Abaticola]

But they think that Tyson Bajan is a solid number two guy, can be a very good quarterback. You can't part ways with a guy like that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Of course you can.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

So you should. If somebody's calling for your backup quarterback, you say, yes, and you get another

[Matt Abaticola]

quarterback, particularly when he is an undrafted free agent signing quarterback that you brought in. And I know they've given him a nice little contract for a backup guy, but if, if the Cardinals were to come back and say, hey, we'll give you a third or a fourth round pick for that guy, you send him off. Now, here's a hypothetical. Let's say the Bears. Let's say the Bears think that Tyson Bagen is a number one quarterback, that he's not at the same level as Caleb Williams, that they're not picking Tyson Bajan over Caleb Williams. But let's say that the Bears feel like they have two starting quarterbacks in their quarterback room and that would be a lot because not many teams can claim having even one starting quarterback in their quarterback room. But let's say that they think he's a number one quarterback and they have two starters in their room. If the Cardinals came to you and said, hey, we really love your, your backup quarterback, who we think is a starter in this league, we'll give you a second round, second round pick for that guy and you think he's a starter, quality quarterback in this league. Do you send that guy off for a second round pick?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. If you're the Bears.

[Matt Abaticola]

100% correct.

[Dan Bernstein]

Immediately.

[Matt Abaticola]

Immediately. Without even like you, you, you hang up the phone before they finish talking. Correct?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Get him out the door.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, yeah. You, you, you pick him up over your shoulder and you throw them in the trunk of your car and you take him to the airport.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I just, I just don't want people to be, be confused by this need of having a good backup quarterback. When you have Caleb Williams, you'll find another backup quarterback. And if a team comes along and offers a third or a fourth round pick for Tyson Bagent, you send him off and you take that draft pick. You turned an undrafted free agent backup quarterback into a fourth or maybe even a third round pick.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, my God. Any, like, you can find a backup quarterback if your backup quarterback is playing, you're in trouble no matter who it is.

[Matt Abaticola]

Correct.

[Dan Bernstein]

Period. If Caleb Williams is hurt and can't play, that's bad no matter what.

[Matt Abaticola]

And I, and I know that of the 60 Super Bowls that they've had so far in the league that yes, backup quarterbacks have won Super Bowls. I know that's, I know that's, I think what Jeff Hostetler, Nick Foles, who else has won? Was it, was there a Redskins backup quarterback that won a Super Bowl? Well, Doug Williams did.

[Dan Bernstein]

Doug Williams, yeah, but he wasn't a backup.

[Matt Abaticola]

He wasn't the back. I thought he was the backup.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I'm pretty sure.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Was the starter, Jay Schrader was their other guy. But yeah, I mean, there was the famous, like Earl Morrell who came in for Johnny Unitis or Don Strock coming for David Woodley, whatever you want to call it.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, so you have a hand, a handful of guys, sure, that have done it. But come on, if you get a draft pick offer for Tyson, beg it. You've got to make that move immediately. Immediately. So, or else you're trying to talk about the stadium issue and to not just take what's being handed to you. Don't, don't don't be that naive to think that you wouldn't move Tyson Bajan for a draft pick. Or regardless of what Ben Johnson has ever said about Tyson Bajan, no matter

[Dan Bernstein]

what, they signed him to a contract. It's a backup. Find a backup.

[Matt Abaticola]

If you get a draft pick for him, you make that move. All right, next question for you, Kyle Manonguy. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is there, is there a difficult question in here somewhere? Because so far these have been easy.

[Matt Abaticola]

It is, Dan.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do the Bears think that Kyle Menungai is a number one back?

[Dan Bernstein]

Probably not. I think he's. And I don't think teams. Well, let me also say too. Are you. Is this a loaded question?

[Matt Abaticola]

It's not.

[Dan Bernstein]

Are you basing this on the fact that teams crave a number one back? Because some don't

[Matt Abaticola]

like who I'm saying.

[Dan Bernstein]

Teams look at having the old definition of number one. The definition of number one back that we grew up with is not really there anymore. You can have a, a primary and a secondary. You can have a complimentary backfield. You can have somebody who gets 60% to 40%, but you're not going to have what you, what you used to have, which was sort of like the quarterback position. Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

So that's, that's an anomaly now in the league as it is today. A guy like Derek Henry, that's not the norm.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's a dinosaur. Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

So let's use the terms in primary and secondary running back.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

Is Kyle Manon guy a primary running back? Do the Bears think Kyle guy can be a primary running back?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't, I don't know the answer to your exact question. I know that I probably don't because

[Matt Abaticola]

that's the, that's the way I'm leaning to. I don't, I don't. I think they probably don't think he's the primary back yet. And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they do think he is. Maybe they saw enough of what they needed to see going into this new season to say we can make him our primary back because I think that impacts what you do with DeAndre Swift, obviously. And what could potentially be there for cap savings if they move on from DeAndre Swift?

[Dan Bernstein]

I think Kyle Mangai is really good.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

But I do, I don't think he's fast enough to be the, the top guy on a, on a great team.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay. Well, was DeAndre Swift fast enough for you last year?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. That wasn't speed, really wasn't my issue with him. I think him learning how to see what's in front of him and trust what's in front of him. Hit the hole as blocked and just go. Don't, don't look, don't dance, don't. Yeah. Don't have to use all your moves or spin 3 wide every time out there. Just run what is called as blocked. And yeah, he's a good pass receiver and he's a good enough blocker.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. See, I think when we look at the speed of running back, I mean how many running backs in the league are going to break off a 60 to an 80 yard touchdown run?

[Dan Bernstein]

I just. Regardless of the distance of the run, I want them to be able, if needed to outrun somebody and not necessarily run somebody over.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right. Because I think what's more important than what they look at are the explosive plays. We know in past plays they're 20 plus yards. In run plays they're 10 plus yards.

[Dan Bernstein]

10 plus. Yep.

[Matt Abaticola]

And I don't think you need to have, you know, this kind of 4, 3, 42 speed to be able to have consistent explosive run place.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think that's true. I, but I want that, I'm selfish. I want the ability, I want that exploit when he's got an angle on somebody. I want the threat of it going all the way.

[Matt Abaticola]

So I just think if, if they answer that question one way or the other, they can really determine what they're going to do with DeAndre Swift and add more cap savings if they want to part ways with DeAndre Swift if that's the case, if they feel that, that Kyle Manangai could be a primary running back. There's a guy that, that I'm. I looked at as a unrestricted free agent this year as a running back and that is Kenneth Gainwell from Pittsburgh.

[Dan Bernstein]

An aptronym. I always like a running back named Gainwell.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh yeah, very good.

[Dan Bernstein]

Little nominative determinism.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. So I just, I was looking at unrestricted free agents and Gainwell is a guy that, that stands out now. He, what is Gainwell? He was.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's only 26.

[Matt Abaticola]

He's only 26. So he's had 394 attempts, rushing attempts in five seasons.

[Dan Bernstein]

So there's plenty of tread on the tire.

[Matt Abaticola]

Correct. Last year was his best year production wise.537 rushing yards from 486 receiving yards.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's only started six games in the 83 that he's played in five years.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes, he's a guy. So if you, if you feel that Manungai could be a primary running back, I Think Gainwell is a guy and from a financial standpoint, you could do a one year around $2 million deal if not sub 2 million. He's kind of in that ballpark of what you get if you feel that you need a secondary running back to what Kyle Manongai can bring. I think Gainwell is a guy that the Bears should look at if they answer that question about Manungai and then make that decision based on that answer. On DeAndre Swift.

[Dan Bernstein]

Kenny Gainwell ran a 44440 at the combine listed at 59201 and on a 55 yard gain last November he recorded a top speed of 20.43 miles per hour.

[Matt Abaticola]

He also had a success rate last year of 55%. And if you look at all current running backs, all active running backs with a minimum of 100 carries, he's like fifth or sixth overall in success rate. And if you don't, if you're not familiar with success rate, that's gaining yards needed like 60% of the yards needed on first down or no. 40% of first down, 60% on second down and 100% on third or fourth down. So really successful year. Really productive year last year for, for Pittsburgh. A guy that's an unrestricted free agent that I think is, is a guy that they could look at if they make a decision on Swift based on what they how they evaluate Monongai going into year two.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's a good name. I don't know. You must have been sort of perusing a lot of these.

[Matt Abaticola]

I've been looking at a lot of stuff lists. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And he was the backup behind Jalen Warren. He can also return kicks, so there's some added value in that. He was originally a fifth round pick of the Eagles. 150th overall.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Yeah, that's. That is not a bad name. And he's, he has been an accomplished receiver as well, averaging 6.9 yards per reception. He has a total of 21 touchdowns between receiving and rushing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I just think he's, he's a guy that will have some, some more potential than what he's shown given more opportunity. But again I'm not, I'm not featuring my offense around him, but I'm adding him to what I think is a already established running room where I believe that my guy in house is a primary guy and I need to add a compliment to that. You know, from a value wise. That's a good number to look at too.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think so too. And maybe as is often the Case when we do this, we drastically end up underestimating the expense because for all the reasons you described, there may be multiple teams interested and maybe a higher price tag than we expect. But if the number for Swift, what do we say? Eight and a half?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Somewhere like eight and a half.

[Dan Bernstein]

Eight. Eight. Yeah. Something around there. Okay. I. That's. That's good name.

[Matt Abaticola]

That is.

[Dan Bernstein]

That is absolutely one to file away and easy to remember because a running back named Gainwell.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I love that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is. Is aptronymically named.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right. And here's another name I want to throw at you. And again, this isn't just for. I'm not saying this for Bears purposes, but it's a name that I keep seeing come up and like prosp and drafts. Draft talk. Are you familiar with the defensive tackle out of Navy, Landon Robinson? Because I was not.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay. Landon Robinson, first team all acc, first team All American. He was named co captain for Navy, which is obviously a really significant importance for the midshipman. He squatted 665 pounds. He benched 465. He was clocked at 1 point 20.1 miles per hour. Here's the thing. When I. When I give you these dimensions, who's the first? Because I had an immediate former Bears defensive tackle that came to mind. Six foot 287. Six foot 287.

[Dan Bernstein]

Six feet tall. 287. So very small. Yes, that is extremely small. We go back to like Brad Culpepper.

[Matt Abaticola]

I immediately thought of Chris Zorch

[Dan Bernstein]

because

[Matt Abaticola]

wasn't Zord similar to that? Wasn't he around 6 foot and 280, 285?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Yeah. That's not a good comp. I mean, it's not. I mean, it's. It's a. It's a valid comp. I'm just saying that's not what I'm looking for in the modern NFL. That is. Those are not the numbers of a modern NFL defensive tackle.

[Matt Abaticola]

They're not. Now, I don't know what I mean. Where like a squatting 665 and benching 465, where that puts a guy in that position, it sounds like an awful lot. It sounds like he could be some kind of athletic strength freak. But it was just that. That 6 foot 287 just was kind of like a. That's more of a red flag to me than it is. Let's keep looking at this guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right. First team All American. Is that right?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. He also had in his career three carries for 87 yards, which is a pretty good average.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. He's listed as a nose guard. Okay, that's. I mean, that's like £100 too light to be an NFL nose guard.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's what I was thinking too. Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. Like it's legit. 60, 70 pounds. Like I'm. That's not an NFL nose guard. It's just. No. I don't know what position he plays. Like you.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

You would.

[Dan Bernstein]

The only defensive tackle position for which he would even be able to sub in would be as a pure three technique. And he would have to be remarkably skilled. If you're talking about. Wait, who'd the Bears draft they one year. That guy, remember? The guy Will Sutton.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Arizona, I think.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, Arizona's right.

[Dan Bernstein]

And under another undersized guy. But. But if. Just if you have this unbelievable hip snap and incredible get off and leverage and low pads, you can exist. You could stay on a roster perhaps with those height and weight numbers. If you're just an un. Like a ridiculously disruptive three technique. How long are his arms?

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right. I'm, I'm, I'm defaulting to just. I'm out on this guy.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And there. So the reason why there's a lot of noise around him that he was, he wasn't invited to the combine and a lot of fans have been. I've seen online a lot of fans making a lot of noise that it's a, it's a snub that he should have been invited to the combine. And I think just based on that, you know, those lifting numbers, I think that's what people are talking about.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right. And we haven't had. That's all the combine is.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is people making bad decisions over lifting

[Matt Abaticola]

numbers and jumping and.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. It's like if the, if the game involved lifting things competitively, it would be different. I, I don't know where you play a guy with these high. I can't get past the measurables here.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, so that's what, that's what happened. Dan. So I see this name come up more than once. So I'm like, all right, let's look at this guy. And I see the resume. First team all acc, first team all American, co captain for Navy. Very cool. And I'm like, wow. Squats, 665. Wow. Bench, 465. Wow. He clocked at over 20 miles an hour. Like, holy shit. Oh. 6 foot 287. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's why, that's probably why he's playing there. And doesn't he have to do a hitch on the Navy?

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't. Is that still a thing? Do you have to do that?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Which is so that I was trying to, like, understand why would a guy like this not be invited to the combine. And then I answered it for myself when I saw his measures.

[Dan Bernstein]

There's no job for him. Yeah, it's a job. Fair.

[Matt Abaticola]

And nothing against Chris Zorich. I know. I think he's in the College Football hall of Fame. But my first thought was 6 foot 287 Chris Zorich.

[Dan Bernstein]

Those were some strays is what those were. And Chris is a good guy and always enjoyed my dealings with Chris and I covered him. But yeah, move him. The linebacker.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Move Zorich to like. The reason they were saying that was because he was so undersized. And my memories of Chris Zorich were always of him. He always had gaudy tackle numbers, but as a defensive lineman, he would always make a tackle with his body facing the end zone to which the ball carrier was running. You know what I mean? He never like where a guy came from behind. Yes, yes. He was great at like, chasing a guy down. His motor was awesome. He was great at getting blocked. The ball carrier would pass him and then he would shed the block and run down the ball carrier.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, not necessarily running with distance to get the ball carrier, but even. Even in that point of. That point of contact, he's still turning the wrong way.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, there was that too. Yes, it was that too. And it was also having to chase the guy down because he got up ahead of steam and then he cut and it's like, oh, ZOR 97 is in on the tackle. I think was. Was the number I kept seeing. He was. Yes. 6, 1, 2, 82 listed so pretty.

[Matt Abaticola]

So right there. Yeah, right there. That's what I thought.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. But that. And that was 100 years ago when it was a different NFL.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Because he and I are. When was. What's his birthday? He and I might be like exactly the same age. When was he born?

[Matt Abaticola]

Because he was under Wanstadt.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. He's three months older than I am.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was those years with Wanstat.

[Dan Bernstein]

91 through 97. So I covered him in 95, 96 and 97. Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

And once that was there, 92.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, he was there starting in 94. Right. Oh, so not 93 into 90. The playoffs in 90.

[Matt Abaticola]

I said 92. And you're like, no, 93. 94.

[Dan Bernstein]

Like I. Yeah, no, because you made

[Matt Abaticola]

a noise like I was off by a.

[Dan Bernstein]

That was. That was. Yeah, that was, that was when it was the.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, it was 92 Ditkas last year.

[Dan Bernstein]

93 was his last year. Right. Jesus Christ, you do this now.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, we're fine. It's right there. The early 90s.

[Dan Bernstein]

Completely different camera. Ditka's last year was 92.

[Matt Abaticola]

92.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Then he was out of the league for five years and then he came back to. With the ill fated saints tenure of 97 to 99.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Apparently also. Also not doing well.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, he's not, Mike.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes. All right, well, I just wanted to throw at Landon Robinson. Any of you were familiar with him?

[Dan Bernstein]

No. Here's the thing, though.

[Matt Abaticola]

Here's the thing though, because I've actually seen him though, as like a, A, like a day three draft pick though.

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe, maybe because he works so hard and he'll get camp and he'll be. It could be a core special teamer. Like he could be Daniel Hardy, couldn't he? Could he be like a guy like Daniel Hardy who just, you know, plays super hard and he's also played on offense before and he's been like the, like a full back, possibly kind of guy. And I made Daniel Hardy's great a couple times a year. Take some terrible penalties for you.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. But he'll beat him.

[Dan Bernstein]

Or not.

[Matt Abaticola]

Possibly a day three guy like Diego Pavia.

[Dan Bernstein]

Anybody who wasted draft pick on Diego Pavia is fired. You're not going to need a draft pick. And by the way, Daniel Hardy, 62 2, 56. So that is at least like an actual edge or linebacker size there.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

6 2, 2, 5 6. And when I see 6, 0. Is he. If he's listed at 6ft 287, he's probably shorter than that.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, he's probably 5, 10 and 3 quarters. Yeah. No, but hey, I wish him luck and he seems like like a great kid, everything I read about him. But you know what you did to

[Dan Bernstein]

me, this is why this was pissing me off, because you said. Have you heard of what's his name? Landon Schmidt.

[Matt Abaticola]

Landon Robinson.

[Dan Bernstein]

Landon Robinson. And I'm like, no, I haven't. And he has a really footbally name. That's, that's.

[Matt Abaticola]

He does.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's an outstanding.

[Matt Abaticola]

He looks very footbally too.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, it's a great sports name. Landon Robinson. And now for some reason I'm gonna remember that. But I don't have to remember that.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, you don't have to.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. But now I've gotta, like, cycle it through my brain. I'll move it to the delete to the, like the garbage can icon in my head.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

But it's gonna stay there. It won't be completely flushed out. It'll still be. Even if I say empty trash in my head, it won't empty it completely.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, I just wanted to see if you had the same reaction that I did after I read off the resume and then gave you his height and weight if you thought the same thing I did.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's all. Yes, I. I don't think. I don't have a use for him. I. I don't. I'm sure he's a lovely person. I'm not talking about his value as a human being.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes, Very valuable as a human.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm sure he's a valuable human being on this planet, but no, thank you. I'm not interested.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. So we'll see where he goes. And I'm just excited as the. As the NFL season begins to. To kick off here as we get. Get more into the draft stuff. One, One last note I have for you. I'm a little concerned about former Bears. What was. What was Declan Doyle with the Bears?

[Dan Bernstein]

Was he offensive offensive coordinator?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Even though he didn't really do the job, I'm a little concerned about Declan Doyle.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's enjoying this new job, isn't he?

[Matt Abaticola]

He sure is. Did you see what he said about voluntary OTAs?

[Dan Bernstein]

No. I know. He said that he's going to unlock all the untapped potential in Lamar Jackson.

[Matt Abaticola]

He also says that he feels that everyone should go to the voluntary OTAs and that expects everyone.

[Dan Bernstein]

Be careful. Be careful.

[Matt Abaticola]

Too late. He already. He already put it out there.

[Dan Bernstein]

You don't want to.

[Matt Abaticola]

And like, if you're. If you want to win a championship and you're going to play with championship standards, why wouldn't you want to be at every possible situation to collaborate together

[Dan Bernstein]

because they collective bargained or that for the. For to. It's. Don't. You don't want to go there.

[Matt Abaticola]

I think. Yeah, he already started it, dude. And it's. It's already going to be. So it was very deliberate in what he said about Lamar Jackson to then followed up with those comments that, oh, everyone, I expect everyone to be at OTAs, at the voluntary OTAs. Like, why. Why wouldn't you be?

[Dan Bernstein]

If you want any reason, for any reason, because you don't want to be. Because you don't have to be. Maybe you have something better to do

[Matt Abaticola]

because they're called voluntary.

[Dan Bernstein]

Correct.

[Matt Abaticola]

There's a reason why they're voluntary. They're not mandatory. So I'm a little concerned there that he kind of stepped in it right away because that's, that's not going to play out well. Because, you know, like, I don't care

[Dan Bernstein]

if he did or not. It doesn't bother me.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't care either, but it's just like the entire team will not be at volunteer at a voluntary practice.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And you shouldn't say that you expected me. I know. Look, I'm not. I'm not naive. I know what voluntary versus mandatory means and I know there's always grumbling. This guy wanted to take a trip with his kids. I mean, I know that's out there, but it doesn't make it suck any less with these football coaches who. Not sleeping in his office or he doesn't care about football enough. Is football not important enough to him to be at the voluntary? It's voluntary. It's voluntary. It's voluntary. And if he's not there, deal with it.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right. Well, I'm just, you know, looking at it from a coach speak standpoint to go out and say what he did about Lamar Jackson and then to throw this out there and say, oh, I expect everyone to be there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Not.

[Matt Abaticola]

Not the way to reach those veterans. No, that's not it, dude.

[Dan Bernstein]

No. Well, we'll see. We'll see. That wouldn't have happened in a John Harbaugh regime, I tell you that. Sorry. I'm just saying what I think, like, Nasty Nestor would say or something. Yeah. And I don't know, but I. I don't think any. I don't think ill of Declan Doyle. I wish him well.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, of course.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, not at all. I just thought. You're right.

[Matt Abaticola]

Stepped in it, though, quickly. That's not the. That's not the look you want to put.

[Dan Bernstein]

He likes talking, though, and I don't want to coach that out of him. I. I love he. He's always. Every time on the mic, he said stuff.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, he was great, so. He was.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Good mic skills. I don't. I don't mind the man's mic skills whatsoever. We should put him on the list, too.

[Matt Abaticola]

Mike skills. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think we maybe have a. We may be capped at Mike, though.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, we made to do a whole

[Dan Bernstein]

separate Mike team, I think, so. The last team in the mic team. I'm. I've got a lot of work to do for the remainder of the day because I got to put this list tomorrow for together for DBU tomorrow.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Just a quick reminder too, that Bear Stadium talk go to D from today. So Thursday's episode of dbu, all the Bear Stadium stuff is in there. We lead the show with it. So you want to get in there and get involved in that. And also just. I want to just reiterate to you that if the Bears do move to Indiana, the players do not have to move to Indiana.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can I add something else to that too? Sure. Okay. I have. I feel compelled to add something else, and that is those who are talking about, well, you're gonna lose all of this business revenue. No, you're not. The Bears are headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. The Bears are going to remain headquartered and taxed in Lake Forest, Illinois. That's where the Bears are. The Bears business is not moving. The only thing that would go to Hammond, Indiana, which is not going to go. The only would go are things that happen on those days and a share of concessions or whatever. Some of this stuff would be for. For actual state revenue. And then it's up to the state for the rest of the days, whatever their stadium authority is to sell the building with all the other concerts and all that stuff.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

All the other money you can make that's now on Indiana was still with all the money going to the. To the Bears.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right. So where would like Bears players eat?

[Dan Bernstein]

They wouldn't be allowed to eat in Illinois anymore. Ever.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, they wouldn't be. Okay, so they wouldn't be able to go to down restaurants.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, they're not allowed.

[Matt Abaticola]

And where would they stay?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know. They got. They got to stay in Wolf Lake. I'm telling you.

[Matt Abaticola]

They wouldn't stay at the Chicago hotels.

[Dan Bernstein]

Not allowed, apparently, you know, giant houseboat in the middle of Wolf Lake. That's about the best they can do. But come on here.

[Matt Abaticola]

Just.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, they're losing a billion dollar footprint of their business. Their business and going anywhere. It's just those. It's just the TV studio. All right, I'm done. I don't want to do. I already did this on one show. I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna bother you on it with another.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, well, that'll wrap up Forward Progress for you today and we'll back for you tomorrow with DBU and Forward Progress as well. There's a new OWC that's out that dropped yesterday, so check that out. And then tomorrow on DBU, do something a little fun. We're gonna. We're gonna visit with an old friend who was actually in the building at Lake Placid and saw with his own eyes USA over Russia, the miracle on Ice. We'll talk about that tomorrow. We got some fun stuff planned for DBU as well as Ford Progress tomorrow as well. So we'll talk to you. It's Bernstein. I'm a Batacola. This is Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears and an NFL podcast right here on 312 Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sports for progress is stopped.

[Matt Abaticola]

Forward Progress, Chicago Bears podcast with dan Bernstein and Matabeticola on 312 Sports.

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