Chicago Bears Shake‑Up: Secondary Gone, defense will build through the DRAFT

Summary

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Chicago Bears Shake‑Up: Secondary Gone, Defense Will Build Through the Draft

Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abaticola

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Chicago Bears' major offseason defensive shake-up—especially in the secondary—with the surprising departure of key names in free agency, and how this signals a new strategy: building the defense primarily through the upcoming draft. Bernstein and Abaticola break down recent moves, second-guess fan expectations, and debate what these changes mean, not just for 2026, but for the Bears’ roster philosophy and future identity. The hosts balance statistical analysis with the passion and frustration of lifelong fans, all while never shying from the essential question: Is this a reasonable plan, or are the Bears leaving too much to chance?

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Secondary Overhaul & Free Agency Philosophy

• Major Departures: The hosts open with shock at seeing so many familiar "green names" (returning players) gone from the secondary, replaced by a crop of new signings and low-cost, short-term deals.
  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson → Buffalo
  • Nishan Wright → Jets
  • Jaquan Brisker & Kevin Byard leave on one-year deals; Byard highest paid among four, nearly double Brisker.
• Surprise at Market Value:
  • Matt: “If you would have said to me that you could have Jaquan Brisker for one year at $5.5 (million), I’d be like, all right Bears, sign him up.” (04:33)
  • Dan: “I guess I didn’t factor in Brisker’s concussion history...that easily could be viewed as a massive risk.” (04:10)
• Strategic Speed Focus:
  • Dan: “Speed, speed, speed, speed. I think they just want guys who can run.” (05:04)
  • Ryan Poles and new coach Ben Johnson are prioritizing raw speed—mirroring successful modern defenses like Seattle’s—with Dennis Allen (defensive coordinator) driving secondary personnel decisions.

2. New Additions & Scheme Trends

• The Bears opt for versatile, interchangeable defenders:
  • Devin Bush praised for his potential.
  • Kobe Bryant singled out for his ability to blend safety/slot defender roles.
• Dan on Modern Defensive Roles:
  “The number of interchangeable parts on a defense, giving a defensive coordinator more disguise possibilities...” (06:21)
  • Emphasis on agility and disguising coverages, not just raw skills.

3. Risks with Star CBs and Takeaways Sustainability

• Heavy pressure on Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson to stay healthy and perform all season; hosts confess doubt due to past injuries.
  • Matt: “We can’t have another season where he misses five, six games.” (09:45)
• Last year’s defense led the NFL in takeaways and differential (+22), but the hosts stress that most primary takeaway producers are gone.
  • Dan: “Two thirds of them are out the door...” (10:03)
  • Matt: “We’ve said it all year long that you can’t sustain that. That’s not how you build a defense.” (14:52)

4. Draft-Driven Defensive Rebuild

• Bernstein & Abaticola explicitly frame the offseason as a shift:
  • Bears fixed offense last year through draft and free agency; now defense is in focus.
  • Dan: “They want this year’s draft to do for the defense what last year’s draft did for the offense.” (15:48)
  • The philosophy: develop “young, inexpensive guys on rookie deals” as financial flexibility wanes due to paying the quarterback. (18:36)
  • Matt: “You need to start this cycle of success both defensively and offensively.” (19:05)
• Notably, Bears’ measured, value-first free agent approach implies trust in their coaching to develop draftees.

5. Defensive Line and Pass Rush—Metrics and Frustrations

• Bears’ pass rush must massively improve:
  • Dan: “If you can double quarterback hits, quarterback hurries, sacks…that’s got to go way up.” (17:10)
• Mixed feelings on current DEs/DTs (Montez Sweat, Odangbo, Grady Jarrett):
  • Matt: “Odangbo’s got to do something this year…he’s got to show something this year.” (23:16)
• Cutthroat honesty about favorites leaving:
  • Matt: “I can’t let my emotions…because it was one of the most fun years I ever had as a Bears fan. And that’s not how it’s properly evaluated by the guys inside the building.” (24:22)
  • Dan: “There’s no romance going on. There’s no soft stuff here…” (24:20)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Defensive Philosophy (05:04)

Dan: “Speed, speed, speed, speed. I think they just want guys who can run. And they were. It tells me that this is also a commitment to Dennis Allen. He's not going anywhere.”

On the Unsustainability of Takeaways (14:52)

Matt: “We've said it all year long that you can't sustain that. That's not how you build a defense. And sustainability [is the question].”

On Draft-Development Commitment (18:13)

Dan: “The very careful measured free agent spending to me is also a statement of conviction and commitment to development.”

On Letting Fan Attachment Go (24:22)

Matt: “I can’t let my emotions and what I feel about how I felt about the year overall…That’s not how it’s properly evaluated by the guys inside the building.”

On Pass Rusher Priorities (38:52)

Matt: “I don’t give a fuck if my edge rushers…are great against the run. I’m tired of it. I want my edge rushers sitting on top of the quarterback.”

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Draft, Roster, and League Context

The Bears’ New Roster Reality (25:26)

• Gut-check for fans: The depth chart is full of unfamiliar names. Even positions like long snapper are unsettled—light moment about long snappers, “golfing and drinking until the season starts.” (28:14)

What’s Next: The Edge Market (35:32, 37:44)

• Discussion of possible Bears target Josh Sweat (EDGE) and the complexities (7.2M option bonus, cap implications) if pursued.

League News & Quick Hits (44:12)

• Titans debut Oilers-inspired new uniforms and logo (hosts approve).
• Kyler Murray heads to the Vikings; debates about his fit versus J.J. McCarthy.
• Washington Commanders likely to target a running back in the draft, per Field Yates’ mock.

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Notable Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | | ------- | ----- | --------- | | Bears’ free agency philosophy & secondary overhaul | 00:54–05:27 | | Focus on speed, defensive scheme trends | 05:04–08:00 | | Importance & injury risks of Gordon/Johnson | 09:20–09:59 | | Takeaways, turnover differential analysis | 10:00–14:52 | | Defensive rebuilding via draft; cap logic | 15:48–19:27 | | Pass rush focus & edge rusher debate | 17:02–18:50, 38:10–39:34 | | Letting go of fan favorites | 24:22–25:26 | | Roster depth, long snapper humor | 25:26–28:14 | | Josh Sweat trade/edge market talk | 35:32–39:21 | | League news (Titans uniforms, Kyler Murray, etc.) | 44:12–46:07 |

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Final Thoughts

• Measured Optimism: Bears’ moves signal a smart long-term plan, not a win-now panic. There’s clear trust in Dennis Allen’s defensive vision and Ryan Poles’ development model.
• Draft as Destiny: The upcoming draft will define whether the defense can catch up with Chicago’s emerging offense. Hosts are eager, but realistic about the challenge.
• Fan Reality Check: Bears fans should brace for growing pains and unfamiliar faces; emotional investments will need to reset as the team evolves.

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For the Diehards and the Doubters Alike

Bernstein and Abaticola argue: the 2026 Bears—especially on defense—will be built more through shrewd drafting, not emotional attachment or free agency splashes. Enjoy the ride, but evaluate with sober eyes—because that's how NFL success is sustained.

Transcript

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[Dan Bernstein]

I mean, if you're a Bears fan,

[Matt Abaticola]

you're thinking forward Progress. Come on.

[Dan Bernstein]

10. 219.

[Matt Abaticola]

219. Forward progress a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abetic Cola on 312 Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

We give you forward Progress here on 3 Bernstein, Abaticola. And as I look at the Chicago Bears depth chart, those green names are mostly gone right now. So it does look like this roster is getting close to done with this phase. And suffice it to say, free agency for the Bears has been what I think it should be for most people unless there are unique or extreme circumstances. And that is a value proposition with the exception of the Garrett Bradbury move, which was a trade which is outside of what I would be describing for I know it's easy for us to lump all these things in, but it's a big difference to make a trade than it is to just start throwing money around. I think this is a sensible, reasonable approach that is holding all kinds of options open.

[Matt Abaticola]

And a trade, by the way, that doesn't impact the team until 2027 because that was a fifth round pick next year, not this year. So all draft picks still intact with the Garrett Bradbury trade. And I know, I think people may be disappointed because I think, you know, you get all caught up in the frenzy and you want to be like a big splash in free agency, but there just wasn't one there that Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson said, this is the direction we need to go. This is the good fit for us. You know, a lot of people were in on a Max Crosby trade. A lot of people wanted, all right, Trey Hendrickson.

[Dan Bernstein]

I just wanted everything to be priced. I wanted them to have those conversations. I was at no point saying, you gotta do this, but you gotta make the phone calls.

[Matt Abaticola]

I was not willing to trade two number one picks. I would have been willing to trade a pick for Max Crosby or a

[Dan Bernstein]

second and a fourth.

[Matt Abaticola]

Not, not two number ones. I would have, I would have parted with a number one pick with one number one pick, but not two. I didn't want to do that clearly, when you look at what this team did this offseason here, this, the last five days in free agency, it says a lot of things. Well, it says a lot about. About the secondary.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's where I was wanted to start.

[Matt Abaticola]

It says a lot about the secondary because we saw some guys that were signed elsewhere on one year deals. If I said to you that Nishan Wright, cj, gj, Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard were signing and if I said to you that all four are signing one year deals, would that have surprised you? Yes or no?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

If I said to you that Kevin Bayard is getting the most money of any of those four guys on a one year deal, would that have surprised you? No. Really?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, because I knew how and we had indications that the league did not think as highly of Nishan Wright as Chicago and the fans here did.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, then let me rephrase that. If I said to you that Kevin Byard. Because it surprised me. If I said to you Kevin Byard is going to earn more and almost twice as much as Daquan Brisker, would that have surprised you in total?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, probably. But I guess I didn't factor in the concussion history with Brisker and how that easily could be viewed as a massive risk.

[Matt Abaticola]

I guess so, dude, because that's the only explanation I could come up with about why. Because I think Joquan Brisker is a guy that people would want to have on their team.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'll tell you what it is.

[Matt Abaticola]

And one year, was it five and a half million, 5.1 million, whatever it

[Dan Bernstein]

was, I think it was the max, 5.5 on that.

[Matt Abaticola]

So 5.5, 1 million or 1 year for 5.5. If you would have said to me that you could have jaquan brisker for one year and 5.5, I'd been like, all right, Bear, sign him up.

[Dan Bernstein]

Here's what I think it is. Okay. And this also is allowing CJ Gardner Johnson to sign with Buffalo.

[Matt Abaticola]

Sean Wright goes to the jets and

[Dan Bernstein]

signing Cam Lewis, signing Kobe Bryant, hell, even signing Devin Bush. But looking at the way that they're structuring this. Speed, speed, speed, speed. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

And Ryan Paul said that yesterday.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think they just want guys who can run. And they were. It tells me that this is also a commitment to Dennis Allen. He's not going anywhere.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, a commitment to Dennis Allen. And how much influence does Ben Johnson have in this roster saying, yeah, not my guy, not my guy. I want this type of guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think he defers defensively to Dennis Allen, Allen a tremendous amount of. But when it does come to how you're going to allocate money, if Ben Johnson says my guy, my guy, my guy, he might be talking about offensive players more so I don't, I don't know who, how the running back room

[Matt Abaticola]

is going to work. It seems pretty clear that during the season it was all to Dennis Allen. Dennis Allen's defense, Dennis Allen's defense. I just wonder, did he have any input or say as far as what the defensive guys look like or is that all, hey, let's sit down, talk with Dennis Allen about this. And this is the type of guy that I want for my defense Now. I'm super excited about Devin Bush and the more I've watched Devin Bush.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, and what you read yesterday.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And reading that and then that spurred me to go on and watch even more highlights and more game film of him on NFL.com I am super excited about Devin Bush. Like really excited to see Devin Bush in a Bears uniform.

[Dan Bernstein]

I had the same feeling, but it's more about Kobe Bryant and more about his transition. I keep talking about the under discussed ability of modern NFL defensive players, particularly in schemes now that do rely on a too deep safety shell. And so many of them do. But what you saw executed so well by Seattle last year are safeties with the speed and agility not only to play other positions, not only for your safety to disguise as a slot guy and maybe show up enough as a slot guy for it to be taken seriously. The number of interchangeable parts on a defense giving a defensive coordinator more disguise possibilities, but transitioning from pass coverage to run defense, being able to get out of that backpedal or hit the landmark and then fire yourself back toward the line of scrimmage with discretion and not out of control to be able to do that is what you watched Seattle do. Would you watch them pick their spots, the defense itself attacked, you would watch them. They. It was almost like when you think about a slingshot or a bow and arrow, the way that defense would make potential energy into kinetic energy. It was like the defense itself, you're drawing back the bowstring and that's what

[Matt Abaticola]

you're talking about in Kobe Bryant, being able to load and release.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, pull back, pull back, pull back, fire when you have your read, when you know who it is. And I want to mention this too, I say this often, but I can't say it enough when we discuss speed and quickness on defense. So much of that is used before the ball is snapped. Can you get back to your actual spot quickly when you're showing a different spot, when you break out and you're like here's, here's the defense we're in, but it's not the defense you're in. And knowing the snap count of knowing when you got to get back, can you close back to where you need to be fast enough before the ball is that we're at the snap? I shouldn't even say before Dennis Allen is. Will disguise a lot of coverages. That is a lot of guys. Everything might end up in a too deep shell one way or the other. But you're not going to show that. You're going to show single high. You're going to show zero. And the speed, agility and discipline to be able to be indicating a defense you're not playing is all of those things. And I do think that they want to do more of that. Having Kyler Gordon back and having Jalen Johnson healthy, it's the most important.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And that's what, you know, I've said that a lot so far as the season has ended and we're getting to where we are now is that it really depends a lot on those two guys. Like you can bring in a bunch of, bunch of good players from free agency. You can draft a lot of good young players. But they, those two guys have got to be there. And playing 17 games in this regular season. They've got to. And they've got to play to the level that we expect them to play.

[Dan Bernstein]

Never proven.

[Matt Abaticola]

No. Yeah. It scares me. Should because it's, it's. We can't have another season where he misses five, six games. Let me ask you a couple of quick questions about the Bears defense. All right. You know, obviously where the Bears ranked in takeaways last year.

[Dan Bernstein]

They were number one in takeaways.

[Matt Abaticola]

Number one in takeaways by two.

[Dan Bernstein]

Two thirds of them are out the

[Matt Abaticola]

door, two thirds are gone. And one year deals, which is interesting

[Dan Bernstein]

tells you they don't think that they were going to sustain that kind of production or they think that the takeaways come with the defense and not with the people involved. Easy to prepare, comfort food, full of protein. And right now with Omaha Steaks, you can get 50% off. During their semi annual sale, Omaha Steaks has their exclusive lineup. USDA certified tender steaks, gourmet burgers, all the versatile chicken, pork and seafood. Everything's delivered right to your door. And the going through that box and deciding what goes in the downstairs freezer and what is the upstairs freezer because I know I'm going to make it soon. Omaha Steaks is the choice of steakhouses and professional chefs around the world. This is a grass fed grain finished beef with more marbling for exceptional flavor. And the burgers that I use, they have some that are made from like brisket and short rib. It's a family owned company. Over 100 years of expertise in the meat industry. America's original butcher since 1917. Right now you can get 50% off the world's best every day protein. Go to Omaha steaks.com for 50% off site wide during this semiannual sale. And for an extra $35 off, use the promo code Bernstein at checkout. That's just my last name. B E R N S T E I N if you work in university

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[Matt Abaticola]

All right. Do you know what the Bears takeaway differential was last year? Obviously leading the league of 33 takeaways. Do you know where they ranked first of all in differential?

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, were they ranked, I don't know, 10th?

[Matt Abaticola]

No, they were first in differential.

[Dan Bernstein]

Differential.

[Matt Abaticola]

Differential.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's because Caleb Williams takes care of the ball.

[Matt Abaticola]

So they were a plus 22. The only team over 20.

[Dan Bernstein]

And Kyle Menongai never fumbles.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do you know, out of 32 NFL teams, Dan, how many. How many teams finished in a plus differential?

[Dan Bernstein]

Five.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay. That's all right. I didn't know how you'd go with it, but it's 13. It's. That's lower than I expected. So 13. Only 13 teams finished in a plus differential. And I know that's just last season. I want to go back and look and see where. How that pairs out every year and correlates.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I would definitely like to see.

[Matt Abaticola]

I definitely would have thought that it would have been more. More teams.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know. I was thinking few. I just was guessing fewer.

[Matt Abaticola]

Did you get a sense of the way why I was asking or does that just.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I thought it'd be extreme if you're asking.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Yeah, I really expected it to be more than 13 teams to be in a. In a plus differential.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, then you also have to look and see are there teams at the extremes that are skewing the numbers in a given year? If you have some outlier teams, if you have one that just has a quarterback. And it's probably fewer than it used to be. My guess is if you go back.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Into the 90s when quarterbacks were allowed to throw interceptions.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, yeah. I mean, shit, far

[Dan Bernstein]

like you're going to see vastly different numbers.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I'm going to. I'm going to take a look at that. It'll be fun here during the off season.

[Dan Bernstein]

It used to be great quarterbacks could throw a lot of interceptions before they realized. Talk about correlation. They just realized how damning it was to lose possessions.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, this is interesting, too. The number of teams that had a negative differential of 10 or greater was only 2.

[Dan Bernstein]

The Jets.

[Matt Abaticola]

The jets were definitely 1. They were the worst at negative 19. Zero interceptions.

[Dan Bernstein]

That is.

[Matt Abaticola]

Nishan Wright will change that.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's unbelievable.

[Matt Abaticola]

I mean, seriously, that dude could get one interception lead the team.

[Dan Bernstein]

Not this year.

[Matt Abaticola]

You don't think. You don't think they can combo.

[Dan Bernstein]

It did enough a bounce. Like seriously hit somebody in the face mask.

[Matt Abaticola]

How did one not do that?

[Dan Bernstein]

Fat guys.

[Matt Abaticola]

They played 17 games. That didn't happen once.

[Dan Bernstein]

Not one time did they run into one.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, so good call. The jets, they were negative.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's like a basketball game with no defensive rebounds.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's hard to do.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, it's crazy.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, who's the other team that finished with greater than 10? They actually were at negative 13 last year.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let's go with the Cardinals.

[Matt Abaticola]

Good guess. It was the Washington Commanders. All right, so only two, so.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I just.

[Matt Abaticola]

I thought that would be higher. I thought it'd be higher. Number of teams in the. In the plus. So the bears obviously were number one at plus 22.

[Dan Bernstein]

So

[Matt Abaticola]

you. We've said it all year long that you can't sustain that. That's not how you build a defense. And sustainability. So we knew that the defense had to get better. When it came down to it, when we got into the playoffs, it was all right. The Bears need to score 24 or more because you can give up three touchdowns in a field goal and still win a game with this offense, they need to cut down on the point scored. They are points allowed. I'm sorry. Need to cut down on the points allowed. And it's really interesting for me to see in a. What was a overall successful season for the front office to say, nishan wright can go. C.J. g.J. You were great. We lucked into you and a great attitude and great team behavior. You can go. Well, Daquan Brisker, you can go. Kevin Byard, we'd love to have you back, but you can go.

[Dan Bernstein]

This is modern football and it tells me that they want this year's draft to do for the defense what last year's draft did for the offense.

[Matt Abaticola]

So that's where I was going to go. I'm glad you circled, you brought it together, you closed the loop on it because that's, that's what they're expecting at

[Dan Bernstein]

the end of the season. Last year when you saw what Colston Loveland and Kyle Menungai and Luther Burden, you know that and they really didn't have a whole lot of defensive draft impact. I think that's the commitment right now is reinvigorate the defensive side of the ball to help your, your number three offense or whatever it was that could.

[Matt Abaticola]

So let me ask you this, how does this work then? Because they made a significant dent into fixing the offense through free agency on the offensive line. Significant. And then you draft the talented pieces,

[Dan Bernstein]

the playmakers, I think they were further behind there. I think that, that was so bad. I think that needed the doubling of an investment.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, you get it.

[Dan Bernstein]

You get a kick ass pass rusher out of this. If you can just increase your, your, your sack total and or whatever your pass rush metrics are, hurries, et cetera.

[Matt Abaticola]

All of it. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

However you want to measure all it

[Matt Abaticola]

all has to improve. If you can double quarterback hits, quarterback hurries, sacks, they all have to improve.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's got to go way up. So that. And that will have knock on effects elsewhere.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I agree with that. But you can also look at it and say, all right, well they did do that. Ryan Poles has done that on the defensive line and it just hasn't hit. He's failed the offensive line. I mean, I mean you talk about what they did last year in the draft and free agency to bolster that offense, you're not going to, you're not going to strike lightning twice there. That's not going to happen again. I mean everything he played out went really well.

[Dan Bernstein]

Again, it's back to one of your fundamental truths is our trust in the coaches and big picture. Let's zoom out a little bit. The very careful measured free agent spending to me is also a statement of conviction and commitment to development. And saying that are the advantage the Bears have is that Player X will be better as a Bear than he would elsewhere.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And because that's that's the plan. If you want to have sustained success, you have to. You have to be able to build through the draft. You gotta.

[Dan Bernstein]

You have to believe that you can do that.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right? You have to believe you can do that. But also it's a necessity when it comes to a financial aspect, because all of a sudden you're going to have a lot of money.

[Dan Bernstein]

You got to pay the quarterback.

[Matt Abaticola]

Going to your quarterback. Soon a lot of your cap is going to be eaten up by that quarterback, and rightfully so.

[Dan Bernstein]

And you better have young, inexpensive guys on their rookie deals who are making a work just getting into the prime of their careers where you're paying inexpensively for first contract rookie contract guys.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right? Because it's a cycle that starts because you get it right. When you have the head coach and you have the quarterback, you get it right. Those other guys, those other pieces, like, you know, from, from hey, like Luther Burden, Colson Loveland won't be here.

[Dan Bernstein]

But also, I was going to say Luther Burton's the reason D.J. moore is gone.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right. But they also won't be here a few years down the road because you can't pay everybody. So you need to. You need to start this cycle of success both defensively and offensively, because you

[Dan Bernstein]

have the coach of the quarterback.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right? Because you have the coach of the quarterback. And right now, this year, 2026, you need to bring in those defensive guys that match what the offensive guys did.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't. I don't agree. Loveland and Burden, My. My guess.

[Matt Abaticola]

I think I said they. Well, I think they. They both won't be here. What one could. They both won't be.

[Dan Bernstein]

It'll be Loveland if you got to pick one. Right now, I just think that you're looking at like a Mahomes Kelsey is what the goal is going to be. That's. That's the moment.

[Matt Abaticola]

He's back for a 14th year, I think. Right. Whatever season it is bad. 14 million. Yeah. I don't. I don't want. I don't want that version of Colson Loveland.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I don't. I don't. I don't know if Coulson Love is going to play that long.

[Matt Abaticola]

I read, I read an article the other day. It was Taylor Swift really enc. Kelsey to go back for one more year. And my wife was like, why. Why would she do that? She loves football now. She's a huge football fan.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, but doesn't she love her. Her husband's brain?

[Matt Abaticola]

Maybe not. Well, I mean, you think she was attracted to his smarts.

[Dan Bernstein]

He seems smart.

[Matt Abaticola]

And you think she was attracted to his smarts?

[Dan Bernstein]

I mean, he's.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't know, seems like a really fun guy. Yeah. Nice guy. Like a good guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think she's probably attracted to all of it.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. I don't think smart's on the top

[Dan Bernstein]

of the list, though. He's not dumb.

[Matt Abaticola]

I didn't say he was dumb.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. She probably knows she's smarter than he

[Matt Abaticola]

is

[Dan Bernstein]

and that probably makes her a very healthy, happy relationship.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes. I think he knows his lane too, probably. Yeah. I like him a lot. I like his brother a lot too. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think she likes his parents. I mean, good luck to him.

[Matt Abaticola]

I really, I seriously, I do. I do mean that. I really hope that they have a very successful relationship in marriage. I like them both quite a bit. Her last album, there's a couple songs that I like. I was never a huge fan of her music, but I wasn't. I didn't dislike it. But anyway, that's not why you called. Yeah. So it's gonna have to start this cycle where you're gonna have to start bringing guys in every year in the draft. And I think we saw that this year that he made very calculated, deliberate signings in the off season that weren't going to take huge financial impacts because you have to start building and developing through the draft. You have to, you have to, you have to find that.

[Dan Bernstein]

And they are. And this is a draft that is going to have all these edge rushers. So we should mention too, which is

[Matt Abaticola]

also great, why we talked about that sweet spot that a lot of the NFL insiders and experts are saying. This year's draft, you're going to have a lot of starters coming in that 40 to 80 range.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, also, Dominique Robinson left to go to Houston, so that was some of the Texans.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

And they, they gave him every chance. He can't complain.

[Matt Abaticola]

I'm okay. I kept thinking he.

[Dan Bernstein]

They were going to cut him. They were going to cut him. They were going to cut him. He got every chance. He must have some practices that absolutely blow your mind. Yeah, that's all I can think of.

[Matt Abaticola]

I'm fine with that.

[Dan Bernstein]

He must have some absolutely drop dead practice performance.

[Matt Abaticola]

I was, I was okay to see that. That didn't affect me one way or the other. Austin Booker, I'm still holding out for. I mean, I think that guy can continue to progress and grow.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm excited to see Shamar Turner.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, we'll see what he does. That's like an extra draft pick that you didn't get last year. And you know what I mean. I think overall when you look at what Ryan polls has done with the line in Dio, Odangbo Ms. Montez Sweat has been good, but not to the level that you expected him to be. But Odangbo Grady Jarrett needs to play up to that level. We saw it later in the year. Hopefully he can sustain that and be healthy even as a year older and play better through all 17 weeks and be there. We need the continued play. But even a little higher level from Montez Sweat. Oh, Dango's got to, got to do something this year. I mean, he's, he's, he's got to show something this year.

[Dan Bernstein]

He wasn't showing it by the time he got hurt.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, he wasn't.

[Dan Bernstein]

They were thinking of moving him inside even because there was so little push being generated from the edge. But I do think that they are, they're, they're doing everything in a way where it all seems to make sense.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And it also says to me as a fan that, like, if you, if you would have told me that those four guys were all going to leave the Bears on one year deals. That's right. And Bayard and Brisker and cj, gj. I think I'm really, really surprised on the Bayard and Brisker thing. That really surprises me. You know, if you'd have told me beforehand that these four guys will go on one year deals and the highest paid one of the four will be Bayard at 9 million, almost twice as much of Brisker. That really surprised me. But it also says to me as a fan, I can't let my emotions and what I feel about how I felt about the year overall because it was one of the most fun years I ever had as a Bears fan. And that's not how it's properly evaluated by the guys inside the building watching the film.

[Dan Bernstein]

There's no romance going on. There's no soft stuff here. We keep this guy because we like him, because fans.

[Matt Abaticola]

And I don't expect my team to do that. I don't expect that. But for me, it's more for me as a fan to be able to say, how am I going to evaluate and watch this team moving forward? I need to flip a little bit and not be so much of a fan because I am a fucking meatball Bears fan.

[Dan Bernstein]

And they made it really fun. Got your time's worth, your money's worth, whatever it is.

[Matt Abaticola]

I mean, I think obviously doing the podcast makes a huge Difference because I'm watching it differently. But just like the heart rate level and anxiety and excitement of it all leading up to it was like no other season I can remember, you know. But it's like, all right, let's not watch it for just pure entertainment enjoyment value. I'm just talking to myself here that I need to be able to say, all right, how is this guy performing? What are they seeing on game film outside of just what's the enjoyment of it all?

[Dan Bernstein]

Let me move on to a couple of questions that I have. Just looking at the depth chart right now. Because our lads has removed the green names. They've taken away the guys.

[Matt Abaticola]

All the green's gone now, right?

[Dan Bernstein]

We're on the team. Yeah. All the. And the sky is gray. But they.

[Matt Abaticola]

And the sky is gray.

[Dan Bernstein]

They took away the guys who were free agents that were yours, whether or not they've signed elsewhere. For example, Devin Duvernay I don't believe has signed. Correct.

[Matt Abaticola]

He is not.

[Dan Bernstein]

But so. But he's not listed here. The other name that kind of scares me a little bit. Can you name currently the Bears long snapper.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's not Scott Daly.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, he's another one. He's. He's currently a free agent. He has not been resigned.

[Matt Abaticola]

Is that his first name?

[Dan Bernstein]

Scott?

[Matt Abaticola]

Right? Yeah. Who's the Bears long snapper? The Bears long snapper is.

[Dan Bernstein]

You've never heard of him?

[Matt Abaticola]

Don't say that. You don't know what I do. I know if you.

[Dan Bernstein]

If you pull this, I'll buy lunch. Seeing that you're here today. I will, I will, I will.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Power outage in Libertyville must be. All right, let me.

[Dan Bernstein]

Bears long snapper. Don't look it up.

[Matt Abaticola]

I'm looking up a lunch menu. I'm looking up a lunch menu. What? Who is it? I don't know who it is.

[Dan Bernstein]

You know it is Luke Elkin. No.

[Matt Abaticola]

For the Bears. I mean, you've never heard of him? No. The Bears long snapper. Who is it?

[Dan Bernstein]

It's Luke Elkin.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, no. Dan for the Chicago Bears.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm looking at him right now. No.

[Matt Abaticola]

Pull up the Bears current roster with the long snapper.

[Dan Bernstein]

Six one, two, three, five. Long snapper out of Iowa. That's at the moment. He is the Bears long snapper. The Chicago Bears and the Bears kick returners. Khalif Raymond as well as the punt returner. Also Kalief Raymond.

[Matt Abaticola]

Also this like third wide receiver.

[Dan Bernstein]

He is listed as the slot wideout.

[Matt Abaticola]

So he can't be all the three of those things.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't think so either. No, there's going to. Whether it's John A. Walker being elevated from the number 2 wide out position behind Rome. I don't know exactly what they're going to do here, but it's, it is noticeable that they pulled out these green names. Maybe they would be resigned.

[Matt Abaticola]

When did Luke Elkin become a Bear? I don't know. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know. But ever since they replaced Patrick Scales and then Scott Daly slid right in there. Patrick Scales is like after Patrick Manoli. The second longest serving Bears long snapper. So

[Matt Abaticola]

why. I don't understand. Why not Scott Daly?

[Dan Bernstein]

It probably will be okay. Sometimes these guys sign a day before the season. You know how those guys are. They all go hang out in a room. They're all golfing. All those guys are doing is golfing. All the long snappers, they're golfing and drinking and then finally there will be a season. And. And they're like, oh, football. Okay. And their bodies feel pristine and they don't have to beat themselves up. And they're not waking themselves up at 4 in the morning to drink these high calories.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, they're waking up at 4 in the morning for their tea time.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. To go fishing or golfing.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's. See, that's why, that's why I love Pat Manley. Because I mean, golfing and drinking, he was like, I need my own beer. I'm gonna make my own beer to drink.

[Dan Bernstein]

So did they, did you know, I mean, the Sherman and Tingle had their own beer. Did you know that? No. They had like a Driver Nation beer. Sherman and Tingle. That apparently Karwaski was telling me at one Awards. I don't want more awards and Long Snapper ipa.

[Matt Abaticola]

I've had the long snapper before I stopped drinking. It's a, it's a good beer. But that's like, that's like next level drinking thing when you're like, I need my own beer, damn it. Yeah, make me a beer.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, and the craft beer industry is, is facing some headwinds right now. It's not, not the business that is the gold mine it used to be. Fewer people are drinking, more people are drinking Seltzers. Did you see Half Acre merge with Maplewood?

[Matt Abaticola]

I did not see that. Really?

[Dan Bernstein]

It's a huge move and it's a, it's a fascinating deal how they're doing it to strengthen each other's weak spots.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And sort of said, well, you do this well and you do this well. Let's combine forces. Yeah. That was A big, big Chicago craft beer news.

[Matt Abaticola]

So, you know, we were at, we were at Natalie's cousin's wedding over the weekend. Last weekend in Milwaukee, I did the wedding ceremony. And so Friday night we had the rehearsal and we were at Pilot Project Brewing in Milwaukee and they had a THC drink. It's like two and a half miller, like 2.5 milligrams of THC, these seltzers. And Natalie got one and I tried to sip it.

[Dan Bernstein]

It was really good.

[Matt Abaticola]

So I had one and then I had a second one. And then we bought a four pack on the way out and I drank two more at the hotel.

[Dan Bernstein]

That'd do you upright.

[Matt Abaticola]

They tell you if you don't drink these regularly, you shouldn't drink more than one or two. And they tell you that for a reason.

[Dan Bernstein]

See, I don't get a lot of. It's good advice because I don't get much effect from some of the Delta 9 stuff.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay. Have you ever had four in one night?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

And nothing. Some of them were 10 milligram.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, dude.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I had. And it did nothing to me.

[Matt Abaticola]

I. I woke up the next. I woke up the next day at five in the morning and I thought to myself, I hope I'm okay. By the time the wedding starts at

[Dan Bernstein]

4, you were still high.

[Matt Abaticola]

I felt awful.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I felt terrible because I've never had any kind of negative next day from any cannabis.

[Matt Abaticola]

So when I got the third one, she was like, are you sure you want to have a third one? And I was like, well, yeah, because the first two, I felt great. We went to Pottawatomi and we were playing slots and I was like, you know, it was. The machine was talking to me. It was great. And things were all the bells and whistles. Everything was awesome. Yeah, we had a great time. And then I was like, well, if two was great, three would probably be even better. And then if three is good, and four probably better, it was not good.

[Dan Bernstein]

Now I'm gonna go to the high roller poker room.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. All right. What's the minimum bet on this blackjack table? 500. I'm in.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm in, baby. Let's go. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Dude, that was. That was rough.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I. I gotta find out they from just a chemistry reason for whatever. Some of this delta 9 hemp derived THC stuff that's in the legal over the counter drinks. I mean, some of the drinks actually taste okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't know. These tasted great. Yeah, but I don't, I don't.

[Dan Bernstein]

I haven't had Much of an effect.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. So if I. I enjoyed them and they tasted really good, but I'm gonna have to stick to, like, one.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

Can't do four.

[Dan Bernstein]

Good to know. It was so.

[Matt Abaticola]

When I was in it. That's why I mentioned it, because we were talking about golf and drinking when I. I golfed once with. With Pat, and it was just two of us. At least I thought there was. I thought he had, like, four foursomes coming because we. He's like, we got to stop at the clubhousing. We get a cooler beer. All right.

[Dan Bernstein]

I can't. I can't drink when I golf.

[Matt Abaticola]

He got. Oh, that's. That's all we did. He got, what do you get, 24 cans of Miller Light in the cooler. And I said, well, who's meeting us? And he's like, well, nobody. I was like, oh, how are we getting home? Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right. Well. Oh, okay. I guess. I guess we're doing this.

[Dan Bernstein]

24 total.

[Matt Abaticola]

He got. Yeah, he filled the cooler up so.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, it's four hours.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, well, it was a little longer than that. A little longer than four hours.

[Dan Bernstein]

Were you at Ivanhoe?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, we were at Ivanhoe.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's so gorgeous, isn't it?

[Matt Abaticola]

It's great. It's great. And it's always. I was always. Hadn't always had a blast playing with Pat, but that's. He's too good. Oh, yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, he plays a different.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was just. See, when I play with a guy of that level, it's. It's to be outside in the sun and to drink some cold beers. I just. I didn't expect two cases to be put in the cooler for two of us, like. All right. That's how it's going right then.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I can't do any of that.

[Matt Abaticola]

Next question, Pat. My car can stay overnight right here in the parking lot. We're good. They're probably used to it that they

[Dan Bernstein]

have a special space for Manly's guests.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's Manly's guests.

[Dan Bernstein]

And there's. There's like a tarp you can put

[Matt Abaticola]

over the cot next to the bed. It's a carport.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

There's a. There's a lockbox. You drop your keys in there. There's a cot. They leave out just. There's a pillow and blankets. You're good to go.

[Dan Bernstein]

A couple things I want to bring up, too, that I've got on my list for Bears News and Notes. Did you see how DJ Moore described his Bears departure?

[Matt Abaticola]

I did see it, and he.

[Dan Bernstein]

This is the Quote, he said his time in Chicago, quote, ran its course, unquote. Despite last season ending on what he calls a great note, he said, I never look at any season as they're going to be the same. I go into it with a free mind. No goals for the past. This past year I didn't have any goals. I think this year I'm going to do the same with it. It turned out to be a winning season. It clears your mind. You're not thinking about, oh, am I getting catches, am I getting target? It's just letting you play free. But ran its course and he ended on a great note. I agree with both. Yeah, absolutely. Like, it's just right. But you just. You couldn't keep that money around and you couldn't keep. You can't keep Luther Burton off the field.

[Matt Abaticola]

No. You can't have him as your highest paid offensive player on this roster.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nope. So I get it and I wish

[Matt Abaticola]

him success in a great place and I'll be cheering for him as I like watching Josh Allen and the Bills.

[Dan Bernstein]

So.

[Matt Abaticola]

And hopefully the Bears and Bills can meet. That'd be great. And, you know, that'd be awesome.

[Dan Bernstein]

So did you see that? A reporter, also for the Arizona Cardinals said that Josh Sweat has asked out that Josh Sweat put in a trade request after Jonathan Gannon was fired as head coach. Now, I don't know if Mike LaFleur is going to be able to make himself palatable to a Josh Sweat and if he can just be talked off of this, but this reporter said I think Josh Sweat will get traded. Did.

[Matt Abaticola]

Where did Gannon go? Where did he end up? He didn't end up in Green Bay, did he?

[Dan Bernstein]

He might. I think he did. Isn't he the new defensive coordinator?

[Matt Abaticola]

What's his name?

[Dan Bernstein]

Jonathan Gannon? I think that is where he is.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right. As I have that. Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

So if the Bears wanted to do the double Sweat formation.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. He's in Green Bay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Josh Sweat turns 29 this month.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

And the contract details are a little complex. He has an option bonus that is due on the 20th of March.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

That would immediately give him $7.2 million. And then for the cap that is amortized across the rest of the deal if they want to trade him the option. But they would have to do it before the option bonus kicks in because the trading team, the team getting him would inherit that automatic payment. So if they are going to move him, there'd be no reason for the Cardinals to cut him a check for 7.2 million.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

And then move him, they'd have to

[Matt Abaticola]

do it before Friday.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Now, can the Bears afford to add the first initials of their names to the back of their jerseys?

[Dan Bernstein]

M. Sweat and J. Sweat.

[Matt Abaticola]

Ooh, they sound like a boy band.

[Dan Bernstein]

The Sweats.

[Matt Abaticola]

I got the Sweats.

[Dan Bernstein]

The Meat Sweats.

[Matt Abaticola]

Not the Meat Rider sweats. No, that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. No, I don't even want to start.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, so are you.

[Dan Bernstein]

So what do you.

[Matt Abaticola]

What do you. What are you saying? Are you. Are you saying.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm saying it's pretty interesting that here is a. An established, successful pass rusher at age 29. We know he's not great against the run, but could you make this work? Could you make this work? There. This. You would have to take on 12.7 million in 26, 19.9 in 27 and 28. All of that includes the prorated 7.2. I don't know if the Bears have room, but you can always make it. That's the thing, that if they want to make a move like that, you can go convert other people's contracts into bonus money. You could carve out that money if you really wanted to. My guess is the answer is no.

[Matt Abaticola]

Last five years, he's missed three games

[Dan Bernstein]

and didn't. What do you have, 12 sacks?

[Matt Abaticola]

Last year he had. Where are the sacks at 12.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

He has 55 sacks in his career going backwards from 20, 25. 12, 8. 6 and a half. 11. 7 and a half. 6. 4.

[Dan Bernstein]

0. Yeah, just. I just saw that. And I think it is reasonable to ask if it's something the Bears would want to pursue.

[Matt Abaticola]

Could you trade one sweat for another?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that. Then you're kind of running in place, aren't you? Are you? I don't know enough about. About Josh. I mean, I haven't seen him play enough to actually put him side by side.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. You know, here's the thing, though, and you mentioned how not great against the run, and we heard a lot from Ben Johnson last year about how great Montez Sweat is against the run, and he plays the run really well. I don't give a fuck of my edge rushers. I don't. I don't want to hear about my edge rushers being great against the run. I'm tired of it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, go get the quarterback.

[Matt Abaticola]

I want to hear my edge rushers sit on top of the quarterback. Like, I know Micah Parsons is a great player. And when you talk about Micah Parsons, do you talk about Micah Parsons, how great he is against the run? No one gives a shit because he impacts the game. Because of what he does at the quarterback. That's what I want. I want one of my two edge guys to make a difference against the

[Dan Bernstein]

quarterback and let the linebacker behind him stop the run.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right? Or get a fucking defensive tackle that can stop the run next to that guy. I want an edge that can get after the quarterback. I'm tired of hearing about, oh, but he's so good against the run. Who gives a shit?

[Dan Bernstein]

Has anybody signed Billings?

[Matt Abaticola]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Come on, man. Get AB a job. Big Bill. Big Bill will. Will stop the run for food.

[Matt Abaticola]

Wow.

[Dan Bernstein]

A lot of food.

[Matt Abaticola]

Wow.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not saying he's standing shade at him now. No, it's my. We.

[Matt Abaticola]

One day we praise him and we.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, that's my guy.

[Matt Abaticola]

And now it's like, we'll stop the run for.

[Dan Bernstein]

He literally will.

[Matt Abaticola]

He said he's, like, on an off ramp with a big cardboard sign.

[Dan Bernstein]

We'll, you know, we'll run stuff for food if you. That's what. That's what he's doing right now. He will. That's what he's gonna do. He's 350 pounds of rompin stomping dynamite. And he's a. He's a. He's a hail fellow. Well, met a beloved teammate.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, don't let the government get their hands on him. They'll drop him from the sky and try to blow things up.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, no. It's Big Bill.

[Matt Abaticola]

Penetrator.

[Dan Bernstein]

Big Bill.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, he's. It wasn't enough of a penetrator. What do you mean? A bunker buster?

[Matt Abaticola]

A bunker buster. Yes. Not a buffet buster.

[Dan Bernstein]

We have deployed Andrew Billings, however. Do you own a map?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, you strap Pete Hegseth onto his back.

[Dan Bernstein]

We still don't own a map. That bastard. You know what? How could we have possibly anticipated the oil price shock? I don't know. If only we had a book and a map.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, hey, as long as you're not talking about the Epstein files.

[Dan Bernstein]

We have it. We've consulted a book and we've consulted a map. And now we're going to get after it and be lethal and kill a

[Matt Abaticola]

bunch of innocent called Brent Miller. Like, what do we need next? A bike helmet? Bike helmet.

[Dan Bernstein]

Get your bike helmet on and go halfway downstairs and move halfway in your planning to move all your valuables up off the floor? Because you never know.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, so, Josh Sweat. That's interesting. So good to know that. So the 20th he would be owed 7.2 million, but so it would be wise if they're going to move him to do it before next Friday or,

[Dan Bernstein]

or commit or just. Yeah, and take this all out of there and, and just say we talked to him and he's fine. He loved Jonathan Gannon and he'll get to love the Leflore brother and it's all good.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, one other note or a couple other notes here. Let me start with the, the deeper of the, the three notes here. We talked yesterday about Kyler Murray going to Minnesota and you said that I think that he'll be the next quarterback. And of course then we find out later in the day he is a new quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. And we talked about KOC and his ability to take these quarterbacks and kind of. How did you rephrase it?

[Dan Bernstein]

Necessitate, rehabilitate, rehabilitate the quarterback. Use a budget, whatever it might be. You, you come through his, his place and better things happen for you.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, so I've been thinking about that and I know JJ McCarthy was injured and he missed his rookie year because of injuries.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, here's our hot take.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, no, it's. No, no hot take. But it's just a question for you then. What happened with McCarthy last year? If Koc is the guy that can be the quarterback whisperer, can disinfect, can resuscitate a career, what's the issue with McCarthy? Is it McCarthy? Is it Koc? Did he get, you know, is it a one hit wonder with Sam Darnold?

[Dan Bernstein]

Is it the relationship with Justin Jefferson that we know went source.

[Matt Abaticola]

Justin Jefferson also said, now that I read this correctly yesterday, that he wants out.

[Dan Bernstein]

I didn't. I haven't seen that headline because I saw it.

[Matt Abaticola]

I saw it on Twitter, which doesn't mean that it was accurate. That's what I texted you. Doesn't seem happy, wants out.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, if he's. I think Kyla Murray is going to be the quarterback. And I'm shocked that they're saying it's going to be a competition because we

[Matt Abaticola]

agreed yesterday that if he goes there, it's not because it's a competition.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's not going there to sit. But he's not Teddy Bridgewater.

[Matt Abaticola]

But he could also look at J.J. mcCarthy and say, oh, I can beat this motherfucker out easy.

[Dan Bernstein]

But that's their draft pick. I know it was Quasi Adolfo Mensa's draft pick and not the current GM's draft pick.

[Matt Abaticola]

But you don't think Koc had something to do with that?

[Dan Bernstein]

He probably did, but that looked like a power struggle that one guy won and one guy lost just on the Outside. That's usually the way those things go down is if they saw eye to eye, it probably wouldn't be happening.

[Grainger Sports Maintenance Announcer]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

But if you're Kyler Murray, which, I mean, yeah, sure, it's a competition, but I know I'm going to kick this guy's ass and I'm going to, I'm going to earn this job.

[Dan Bernstein]

If I'm Kyler Murray, I also want to play on that turf. Yeah, that's a big part of it too is I want to, I want to play indoors on turf. That. That's. He becomes a whole hell of a lot more dangerous. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Although like have you seen all the memes with Kyler Murray working out or Kyler Murray at the. Just because it's like toddlers.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's when he runs. That's my favorite meme. It was his, his rookie year. His rookie year. There was that video meme that said he looks like a toddler who stole a loaf of bread. And he's like. But he's. And even some of these things like baseball is an option for him. Come on. He's like, go back and play baseball. No, please. People used to talk about Elway that way. Come on. Not happening.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, a couple other notes and I showed you this, but I don't know if our, our friends here know the Tennessee Titans unveiled their new uniforms, new logo. What'd you think of it?

[Dan Bernstein]

I like it.

[Matt Abaticola]

I thought. I liked it a lot. It's very reminiscent of the Houston Oilers.

[Dan Bernstein]

The color scheme is oilery.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yep, yep. Yeah. No, I liked. I thought that was cool.

[Dan Bernstein]

The video was a little turgid.

[Matt Abaticola]

A little much.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Let's just. You could just show like have a

[Dan Bernstein]

guy wearing it and show it was devotional.

[Matt Abaticola]

They were very, very excited about it. Yeah. Well, I got new stadium. Is that ready this year? Is that new stadium for 20, 26?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, let's see if that is. But new uniforms, new stadium, new logo. Things are looking up there for Tennessee. And then last note, I have NFL notes here. Field Yates after the NFL free agency frenzy has. Has subsided. Instead of putting out a whole new like mock draft, he just did the top 10 because I was curious to see where Jeremiah Love might end up where guys how that might be reflected in.

[Dan Bernstein]

Because some of those signings needs were satisfied pre draft.

[Matt Abaticola]

Washington commanders.

[Dan Bernstein]

We have Love going that they need a guy.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, they sure do.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, they absolutely do.

[Matt Abaticola]

Because they had.

[Dan Bernstein]

Who was that guy that started against the Bears? The three name guy who was terrible. I Gotta get that.

[Matt Abaticola]

You got your notes there.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think yeah. I gotta find that guy because I

[Matt Abaticola]

remember they were talking about your Bears notes accessible.

[Dan Bernstein]

You never know, man. We're also gonna put them at home. We gotta do with them there. Somebody end up throwing them out.

[Matt Abaticola]

Don't you have like a filing cabinet for all your years of notes?

[Dan Bernstein]

I, you know, I wish I'd save some of my Bulls notes. Here it is.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, we all do too.

[Dan Bernstein]

Bears at love to go through those

[Matt Abaticola]

together as a group.

[Dan Bernstein]

Game 5.

[Matt Abaticola]

Can you look for some of those?

[Dan Bernstein]

Corey Crosky Merritt.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, that's right. Frosty Merritt. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Jacori. Jacori Crosky Merritt.

[Matt Abaticola]

Frosty Merritt.

[Dan Bernstein]

Who fumbled near the end of the first quarter.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's right. I would have never guessed that name.

[Dan Bernstein]

I just remembered that that was their. That was their guy.

[Matt Abaticola]

Just like Luke Elkin and Bad. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Jakori Crosby. Merritt. I knew it was a three name guy who was bad.

[Matt Abaticola]

Frosty Merritt.

[Dan Bernstein]

Frosty. Yes. Frosty Peters.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, I think that'll do it.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'll do it for our week. We're good. We've had another week. We have. And I don't know if you mentioned for this show as well that we recognize there were some technical issues with. With the upload and with the feed.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, it's an Apple issue, not our issue. So here's the thing. Listen, if you haven't had the last two days, load on your Apple podcasts, refresh your screen, give that a try. That seemed to work for everyone else who's tried it. So there's an Apple issue with some Update on the iOS. So refresh your screen. They should be there. You want to solve all the, all the, all the issues all together. Get the 312 app. Everything's right there for you. Oh, last thing I have for you. Do you know how far away opening weekend is for the NFL? And I'll tell you this, it's less than the amount of time that Zaba Dabadoo was thinking about our Vikings list before he emailed dbu.

[Dan Bernstein]

Hold on a second. I'll say 22 weeks.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, but 25. 25 weeks away. Which is still less than the amount of time that Zabba Dabadoo was thinking those 27. 27 weeks.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, but you got to listen to

[Matt Abaticola]

DBU if you want to understand what that means.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, reference. But that is going to do it for today's Forward, a Chicago Bears and NFL podcast on 312 sports.

[Matt Abaticola]

Forward.

[Dan Bernstein]

Progress has stopped, Ted. 219.

[Matt Abaticola]

219 forward progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports.

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[Matt Abaticola]

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market.