Forward Progress – Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints | Week 7 Breakdown with Dan Durkin

Podcast: Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Dan Durkin (Windy City Gridiron, The Athletic)
Date: October 17, 2025
Episode Theme: Analytical breakdown of the Chicago Bears' Week 7 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, team identity, roster-building philosophy, and broader NFL trends.

Episode Overview

This episode brings Dan Durkin onto Forward Progress to deliver a detailed, film-centric analysis of the Bears' evolving offensive identity under Ben Johnson, the development of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and the keys to beating the Saints in Week 7. The hosts and guest blend tactical breakdowns with passionate, relatable Bears fan energy, including critical insights on roster construction, the defense’s playmaking, and big-picture assessments of the NFL landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears’ Running Game Evolution & Offensive Identity

[02:09 – 09:03]

• Exploiting Defensive Weaknesses: Durkin notes how the Bears’ Week 6 run game specifically targeted the Commanders’ weaknesses at defensive tackle and edge, opening up lanes with creative blocking.

  "What I like though was duo has been like their bread and butter…they were really creative with their blocking schemes as they've been all year." (Dan Durkin, 02:48)

• Understanding Personnel: The Bears are shifting to schemes built around DeAndre Swift’s one-cut, outside-oriented style rather than trying to be a physical, between-the-tackles team.

  "He is really a give him one decision, let him make a cut and go… he’s not an in-between-the-tackle banger." (Dan Durkin, 03:44)

• Offensive Line Standouts: Special praise for rookie tackle Darnell Wright’s run-blocking on toss plays.

• Building a System: Discussion around Ben Johnson’s intent to make outside zone a foundational concept playing to the roster’s strengths. This identity shift will naturally produce more lateral movement, boot actions, and crossing routes.

• Durability Concerns: Acknowledgement that Swift takes a lot of hits, and the need to find a rotational back for sustainability.

• “Outside zone is a lifestyle, it isn't just something you do.”
  – Dan Bernstein (05:00)

2. Caleb Williams’ Growth and QB Development

[09:03 – 13:29]

• Structural Progress: Williams is increasingly playing within the rhythm and structure of Ben Johnson’s offense, rather than leaning into "hero ball."

  "I see him show a willingness to play within structure more, which is great… the maturation that I've seen with him this season is a willingness to play within structure, a willingness to get the ball out of his hands quicker." (Dan Durkin, 09:54 / 11:35)

• New Skills Under Center: Williams had very limited under-center snaps in college, making his mechanical adjustment this season notable.

• Accuracy Woes: Surprising inconsistency on ball placement—Williams’ adjusted accuracy ranks last in the league.

  "His accuracy is an issue. And that's not really something that I thought of him coming in." (Dan Durkin, 10:30)

• Chemistry with Receivers: Odunze and Zaccheaus are the most trusted targets; DJ Moore’s role still a question.

• Positive Trends: Lower sack rate, faster processing, more anticipation in throws cited as solid signs of growth.

3. Ben Johnson’s Scheme & Playcalling – "Does He Pass the Durkin Test?"

[13:29 – 19:47]

• Scheme Coherence: Johnson praised for layering concepts, making all plays look similar off condensed formations, and challenging defensive keys.

  “The ability to condense down what it is that you do, simplify it from a formation perspective, make things look the same and then build off of it is what makes [guys like] Shanahan, McVay, Matt LaFleur… really difficult to defend.” (Dan Durkin, 15:12)

• Aggressiveness and Execution: Johnson sends a deep threat on nearly every play—aggressive approach, hampered sometimes by pre-snap penalties and inconsistent execution.

• Intermediate Focus: Williams is being trained to work from short-to-intermediate reads, not just looking for deep shots unless trust with Odunze opens up the opportunity.

• DJ Moore’s Role: Despite his talent, Moore is currently being used too often on screen-based touches rather than matchups that would maximize his skills on crossing and option routes.

4. Defensive Takeaways & Allen’s Impact

[19:47 – 25:42]

• Creative Coverage: Dennis Allen lauded for mixing coverages, showing one look pre-snap and switching post-snap—disguising intentions to force mistakes.

  "He's really good at mixing coverages and… showing something pre snap and then dropping into something that's totally different." (Dan Durkin, 20:12)

• Al Harris’ Influence: Coaching cited for secondary’s aggressive—but informed—gambling on routes, especially with Kevin Byard excelling as a pattern-recognition safety.

• Slot Play & Kyler Gordon: Gordon is now among the league’s top nickel corners; slot role is now a starting position due to prevalence of 11 personnel.

  "His, his toughness out of there is really good. But McLeod played pretty well… I just think his ability to really kind of take away the slot receivers… he's a phenomenal blitzer." (Dan Durkin, 23:37)

• Defensive Line Issues: Bears lack a consistent pass rush; need more production from new personnel and blue-chip talent.

5. Roster Construction & Draft Philosophy

[25:46 – 28:34]

• On the Bears and Team Identity:

  "Number one, this team under Poles never really had established an identity. And I think they're still trying to figure out what their identity is." (Dan Durkin, 26:50)

• Drafting to a System: Successful teams draft and develop to a coherent systems-based identity; Bears' high turnover signals continued transition under Poles.

• Talent Gaps: Kyler Gordon, Rome Odunze, and potentially Caleb Williams cited as rare true blue-chip talents on the roster.

6. Around the NFL: Who’s Actually Good?

[28:34 – 31:19]

• Chiefs as the Standard: Despite a rotating cast and no run game, Kansas City is considered the most trustworthy team. Patrick Mahomes is playing "hero ball" out of necessity.

• NFC Parity: The Lions, Bucs (if healthy), and Rams are identified as dangerous, with the Eagles appearing “inherently broken” on offense.

• AFC Uncertainty: Bills, Chargers failing to inspire confidence; more parity and unpredictability league-wide than usual.

• Bears Outlook: With a softer stretch upcoming, Chicago could end up “in the hunt,” especially given division weakness outside Detroit.

7. Bears vs. Saints: Week 7 Keys to Victory

[31:19 – 33:05]

• Jump Out Early: The Saints have struggled badly in first quarters. Bears need to capitalize and make Saints QB Spencer Rattler chase from behind.

  “They give up the most first quarter points in the league…Spencer Rattler is not good enough to win from a deficit…Bears need to jump on this team early.” (Dan Durkin, 31:33)

• Weather Factor: Anticipated wind and rain should impact the Saints’ horizontal-passing tendencies.

• Saints Weaknesses: Struggles finishing drives, young/vulnerable outside corners, and still-developing run game mean the Bears will have chances for explosive plays.

• Watch for Chase Young: Adds juice to the Saints' pass rush, a key matchup to monitor.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Building an Identity:
  “You need to draft to an identity that you’re trying to build…not be so transient with your draft picks.”
  – Dan Durkin (27:49)

• Pre-snap Penalty Frustration:
  “So many plays are building on something else and so much of it is right call, right situation, right personnel…that might have been the call—these games come down to three or four opportunities to make that play, and it just has to make him…his head want to explode when everything he’s been setting up for is then ruined because somebody didn’t have the discipline…”
  – Dan Bernstein (16:07)

• Why Kyler Gordon Isn’t Moving to Boundary Corner:
  “He is phenomenal in that role…and the reason that’s become such a crucial role is teams are playing 11 personnel 60–65% of the time around the league…the nickel is effectively a starter.”
  – Dan Durkin (23:37)

• NFL’s “Blob” of Contenders:
  “I really think the Lions are the cream of the crop in their division. But the Bears can make some noise because they have the easy part of their schedule coming up.”
  – Dan Durkin (31:17)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09 | Run game breakdown vs. Commanders; Ben Johnson’s adaptation | | 04:44 | Outside zone as Bears foundational concept under Ben Johnson | | 09:03 | Caleb Williams’ development, accuracy, processing | | 13:29 | Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme and unpredictability | | 19:47 | Defensive breakdown, secondary excellence, Dennis Allen’s impact | | 23:37 | Kyler Gordon’s value as slot corner; slot/boundary discussion | | 25:46 | Roster construction, Bears' draft philosophy and current talent | | 28:34 | League-wide discussion: Who’s good? Chiefs, Lions, Bucs, Rams | | 31:19 | Saints preview and Bears’ keys to victory |

Tone & Style

The episode delivers a passionate, detail-rich, and often candid conversation. Durkin offers sharp, analytical takes underscored by critical honesty—never hesitating to highlight pain points or challenge the front office’s decisions, while still finding optimism in player development and upcoming opportunities. Jargon is accessible: “He makes you smarter,” as Bernstein puts it (33:24).

For New Listeners

If you missed the episode, this discussion will leave you smarter on what’s happening with the Bears—from schematic tweaks to long-term team-building—and how Chicago matches up with New Orleans. It’s a must for fans who want to go well beyond box score banter.