Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Chicago Bears Swap Picks Add Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Hosts: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola
Date: November 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Chicago Bears’ roster shakeups at the NFL trade deadline, particularly at edge rusher/defensive end following Deyo Odeyingbo’s season-ending injury, and evaluates the Bears’ strategy both for immediate needs and long-term roster building. Dan and Matt combine analysis with passionate fan energy, breaking down the team’s options on everything from potential trade moves, developmental players, and positional flexibility to a broader discussion about the team's future, league trends, and even memorable moments from around the NFL.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Trade Deadline Fallout and Edge Rusher Crisis

• Impact of Odeyingbo Injury: The Bears’ already-thin depth at edge rusher is further tested after losing Odeyingbo for the season.
• Coach Ben Johnson’s Perspective ([01:27]): Johnson expresses confidence in the current roster but acknowledges the challenge of maintaining depth.

  “You can never have too many pass rushers. You can never have too many cover players in the back end either. That’s how I’ve always felt.” – Ben Johnson [01:27]

• Trade Philosophy: Johnson and GM Ryan Poles are described as balancing present needs with future assets, avoiding a hasty move unless the value is undeniably favorable.

  “It is a balancing act, but it’s one that I think we have a really good process and a lot of communication on.” – Ben Johnson [03:26]

Should the Bears Spend Assets to Replace Odeyingbo?

• Hosts’ Skepticism about Aggressive Trades: Both Dan and Matt agree that the Bears should avoid giving up premium draft picks for a “rental” edge rusher.

  “It sounded to me like that is a long-winded way of saying unless something crazy presents itself, we’re more likely to keep our powder dry.” – Dan Bernstein [05:08] “If they’re going to make a move with a draft pick, I don’t want to go any higher than five... I think you have your guys on your practice squad.” – Matt Abbatacola [07:58]

• Review of Depth Chart and Internal Options: Dan reviews backups (Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, Dominique Robinson, etc.) and proposes turning to the practice squad or poaching from other teams’ squads before pursuing external trades. [05:30–08:54]
• Player Development over Short-term Panic: The hosts stress the importance of coaching up younger players like Austin Booker rather than overpaying for temporary fixes.

  “Work on the deficiencies in the run game through reps during the week to coach him up. Close that gap.” – Matt Abbatacola [09:00]

Creative Solutions: Positional Flexibility

• Gervon Dexter to Edge? Dan floats the idea of using Gervon Dexter Sr. on the edge in run downs, rotating Booker in for pass situations—a compromise met with cautious openness. [09:54–14:44]

Realistic Expectations for the Season

• The Bears aren’t legitimate Super Bowl contenders, so mortgaging the future to chase a short-term upgrade is “bad economics.”

  “The Bears are not going to win the super bowl this year. So don’t chase it.” – Dan Bernstein [15:03, 15:08]
  “You have enough right now on your roster to do Something to at least get to that level.” – Matt Abbatacola [15:10]

Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, and Offensive Progression

• Developmental Patience for Caleb Williams: Dan and Matt discuss Johnson’s comments praising Williams’ command of the offense—even on an incomplete pass—and the process of installing an offense suited to Williams’ strengths.

  “It’s looking more like I want it to look that he wants it to look like…he’s starting to play faster the more reps we’re getting.” – Ben Johnson [22:10]
  “I’m not lowering my expectations for Caleb Williams, but I’m extending my timeline.” – Matt Abbatacola [24:35]

• Coaches’ Insight on QB Growth: Dan highlights the subtle difference between “timing” and “rhythm,” which Johnson mentioned as crucial to quarterbacking.

  “He used both [terms]. Ben Johnson specifically said timing and rhythm.” – Dan Bernstein [24:24]

Around the League: Injuries and Sideline Management

• Discussion of high-profile season-ending injuries league-wide (McCaffrey, Lattimore, Tucker Kraft, Jaden Daniels) and the importance of responsible player management late in games. [26:17–28:23]

Statistical Oddities, Comparisons, and NFL History

• Comparing Caleb Williams to Baker Mayfield: Matt surprises Dan with passing stats through eight games showing the two are shockingly similar on paper. [29:29–31:21]

  Quarterback B is Caleb Williams; A is Baker Mayfield. Completion %, yards, touchdowns, and even yards per attempt are nearly identical—for both, pure passing numbers aren’t wildly different.

• League Leading Rushing & Sacks:
  • Bears are 3rd in the NFL in offensive yards per game and 2nd in rushing. [37:34, 38:05]
  • Broncos lead the league with 40 sacks—on pace to challenge all-time records (1984 Bears had 72). [39:10–40:08]
  • Historical stats: Only seven NFL teams have eclipsed 3,000 team rushing yards in a season; the 2022 Bears are one of them. [41:56–42:05]

Bears’ Special Teams and the Kicking Ball Conundrum

• Dan explains the technical reasons for missed long kicks this year—the “K ball” rule changes—and reveals George McCaskey voted against the return to “doctored” (friendlier) kicking balls. [34:10–36:03]
• Despite struggles, Bears kicking/special teams differential is a league positive at +1.1 expected points added. [36:02–37:20]

Personal and Community Notes

• Lighthearted stories about youth sports, sports officiating, and Bears connections to former coaches, touching on the human side of local football culture. [43:38–47:07]

Touching Tribute: Bob Trumpy

• Dan shares a moving anecdote about late NFL broadcaster Bob Trumpy, who once talked a distressed radio caller out of suicide live on air, emphasizing the personal legacy beyond the gridiron.

  “He did that just out of empathy… That’s a legacy you can’t measure. A life saved…” – Dan Bernstein [51:00–51:52]

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “You can never have too many pass rushers... That’s how I’ve always felt since I’ve been in this league.” – Ben Johnson [01:27]
• “It is a balancing act, but it’s one that I think we have a really good process and a lot of communication on.” – Ben Johnson [03:26]
• “It sounded to me like that is a long winded way of saying unless something crazy presents itself, we’re more likely to keep our powder dry.” – Dan Bernstein [05:08]
• “If they’re going to make a move with a draft pick, I don’t want to go any higher than five.” – Matt Abbatacola [07:58]
• "Work on the deficiencies in the run game... Coach him up." – Matt Abbatacola [09:00]
• “The Bears are not going to win the super bowl this year. So don’t chase it.” – Dan Bernstein [15:03, 15:08]
• “I’m not lowering my expectations for Caleb Williams, but I’m extending my timeline.” – Matt Abbatacola [24:35]
• “He used both [timing and rhythm]. Ben Johnson specifically said timing and rhythm.” – Dan Bernstein [24:24]
• “That’s a legacy you can’t measure. A life saved…” – Dan Bernstein on Bob Trumpy [51:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trade Deadline & Edge Depth: [00:18–11:00]
• Roster Philosophy & Internal Development: [11:00–17:00]
• Caleb Williams’ Growth & Ben Johnson’s Offense: [21:45–26:17]
• League Injuries & Coaching Decisions: [26:17–28:23]
• Statistical Comparisons & Bears History: [29:29–43:36]
• Special Teams & K-Ball Discussion: [34:10–37:20]
• Local Sports Stories & Community Notes: [43:38–47:07]
• Bob Trumpy Tribute: [48:02–51:52]

Final Thoughts

Dan and Matt’s blend of granular Bears analysis, skepticism of panic-driven moves, and focus on long-term team health is on full display in this measured, passionate conversation. The hosts offer both analytical rigor—citing stats, PFF grades, and historical context—and a fan’s emotional connection, always pushing for perspective on what truly builds a winning franchise. Their closing tribute to Bob Trumpy reminds listeners that sports stories matter well beyond the field.

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