Chicago Unity: From Crosstown Rivalry to “Green Bay Sucks!”

Summary

Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: “Chicago Unity: From Crosstown Rivalry to ‘Green Bay Sucks!’”

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: May 18, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode explores how the Chicago Bears galvanize city-wide unity—transcending even baseball’s famed crosstown Cubs-Sox rivalry—using a viral stadium chant as a springboard to discuss the cultural gravitational pull of the Bears in Chicago. Dan and Matt dive into details on the team’s 2026 schedule advantages, the ongoing stadium saga, roster speculation, NFL news, and cap it off with a hilarious Eli Manning draft story, all while blending sharp insight and irreverent humor.

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Key Themes & Segments

1. Chicago Bears: The Unifying Power in the City

[02:07–05:17]

• Main Discussion:
  • The hosts open with a vivid description of a viral moment: Cubs and Sox fans joining together at a Crosstown Classic baseball game to chant “Green Bay sucks!”
  • Dan Bernstein:

    “Just the idea… that the Bears are good enough, relevant enough, for that good feeling… to still be simmering underneath… even in that cauldron of rivalry… to have everybody unite in that, I thought was great.” (03:09)

  • They reflect on the significance: lasting optimism and tension-release for Bears fans, even before the pressure of the season.
  • Matt Abbatacola:

    “We know that the Bears are king in Chicago… even during the heated rivalry… we can all stand behind the fact that Green Bay sucks and we love the Bears.” (04:00)

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2. 2026 Bears Schedule: Travel Fatigue & Structural Advantages

[05:28–11:01]

• Key Points:
  • The Bears have the third-least travel miles in the NFL for 2026: only 10,676 miles.
  • Only Cleveland and Carolina travel less (Browns: 9,073; Panthers: 8,740). NFC North comparison: Packers (12,673), Vikings (14,852), Lions (18,958).
  • The 49ers by contrast, must travel over 38,000 miles.
  • Matt:

    “Going 38,000 miles in one season as opposed to another team going 8,000… there has to be some kind of impact to it.” (08:06)

  • The Bears are not scheduled to play any opponent coming off a bye—an underappreciated structural advantage.
  • They also enjoy the league’s most rest days.
  • Dan:

    “This is just another component… that seems favorable to the Chicago Bears as opposed to what we learned about the Bears tax when it comes to getting certain penalties called in the last four years.” (10:01)

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3. Bears Stadium Update: Arlington Heights vs. Hammond, IN

[11:01–13:23]

• Current State:
  • NFL clubs are getting a special update on the Bears’ stadium options: only Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, remain in consideration.
  • The Mayor’s “last-ditch” efforts to keep the Bears in Chicago lack a viable plan, as confirmed by Governor Pritzker.
  • Hammond is being used mainly as leverage; no serious intent exists for relocation there due to economic and infrastructure concerns.
  • Dan:

    “They don’t want to be on a toxic swamp at Wolf Lake. That’s why they’re holding open every opportunity to get their first choice through.” (12:38)

  • Matt:

    “We’ve been saying… that’s all that was: a leverage play. There is no validity to the Bears wanting or ending up moving to Hammond.” (13:05)

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4. Pass Rusher Rumors: Von Miller for the Bears?

[15:17–17:55]

• ESPN’s Matt Bowen lists 37-year-old Von Miller as the “best fit” for the Bears among available free agents, citing their lack of pass-rush moves.
• Matt:

  “If you could tell me Von Miller could give you nine sacks at 37 years old, I’d sign that dude in a second.” (17:46)

• Dan:

  “Nah, just the age thing… You have your guy [Grady Jarrett]… to be your veteran leader… I’ve just seen too many of these things fail…” (16:47)

• The hosts agree acquiring a big-name vet now could suggest panic or undermine coaching staff’s development claims.

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5. NFL Quick Hits: Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers

[18:06–22:18]

• Aaron Rodgers signs a 1-year deal with Pittsburgh (up to $25 million), reuniting with Mike McCarthy.
• Dan:

  “We get to kick him around again. He gives us somebody to watch and dislike and root against. I’m just going to be honest about it.” (19:26)

• The hosts mock “what could go wrong” with the Rodgers-McCarthy reunion, given their toxic final years in Green Bay.
• Both doubt Rodgers can play a full season at his age and durability.
• Matt:

  “I just don’t understand how they think it’s going to work… I never thought the McCarthy thing was a good idea in Pittsburgh to begin with. I just think this complicates it, makes it even worse.” (21:21)

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6. Titans Win 2030 Super Bowl Host Bid

[22:27–23:36]

• Nashville is awarded the 2030 Super Bowl.
• Mild amusement at the idea of personally attending and jokes about aging out of late-night parties:
  • Dan:

    “We’ll be back at the hotel by 9:30, asleep by 10:15.” (23:01)

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7. Notable Story: Eli Manning’s “Marriott Dinner” Draft Anecdote

[24:07–31:50]

• Eli Manning reveals why he didn’t want to be drafted by the Chargers: friction between team management and a famously uninspired “whining and dining” dinner at a Marriott restaurant in food-loving New Orleans left him cold.
• Matt:

  “They are all yelling, kind of like fighting… we are at a Marriott restaurant. Schottenheimer’s mad… Like, we’re in New Orleans and we’re eating at a Marriott. Come on, man.” (24:49)

• Rich color commentary from Dan & Matt about how idiotic it is to not sample world-class NOLA cuisine; how a mundane hotel restaurant summed up the franchise’s lack of ambition.
• Dan:

  “You’re whining and dining somebody at a hotel restaurant in New Orleans… there’s like five or six world class restaurants within walking distance…” (25:36)

• Marty's rage, the Spanos’ cheapness and GM mismanagement are lampooned.
• Dan:

  “You’re gonna draft this kid and this is what you show him… I could get us into Commander’s Palace in ten minutes.” (27:04)

• Both agree: if the Bears ever did something similar, they’d be livid.

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8. Closing Banter: Bears Fandom, Humorous Self-Promotion

[32:01–33:46]

• Playful outro about how listening to Forward Progress “makes you smart, happy, entertained… produces lots of endorphins”, complete with mock claims about science.
• Countdown: 16 weeks to go until the NFL season begins.
• Dan:

  “I want 16 more weeks of this. And it’s gonna—every bit of it—be awesome and so much better than anything you can get elsewhere.” (33:23)

• Unified, enthusiastic sign-off: “Go Bears!”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan (on Bears unity):

  “To have everybody unite in that [chant], I thought was great. And it deserves to be recognized as… why it makes everything better.” (03:09)

• Matt (on travel schedule):

  “Your Chicago Bears are actually traveling the third least of any team in the NFL in the 2026 season.” (06:23)

• Dan (on stadium speculation):

  “It would be a disaster for them if… they ended up [in Hammond]. Everybody involved would be miserable, including some people in Hammond.” (13:23)

• Dan (on Rodgers):

  “I’m glad I have him to root against… how the Aaron Rodgers Total Narcissism Tour takes it, works its way through this coaching staff…” (20:04)

• Matt (reading Eli Manning):

  “We are at a Marriott restaurant. Schottenheimer’s mad—like, we’re in New Orleans and we’re eating at a Marriott. Come on, man.” (24:49)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:07] – The viral “Green Bay Sucks!” chant unifying Chicago
• [05:28] – Bears 2026 travel/miles & schedule advantages
• [11:01] – Stadium location update: Arlington Heights vs. Hammond
• [15:17] – Pass rusher rumors: Von Miller speculation
• [18:06] – Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers, coaching drama
• [22:27] – Nashville wins 2030 Super Bowl host bid
• [24:07] – Eli Manning’s Chargers/Marriott draft dinner story
• [32:01] – Outro humor, countdown to Bears season

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Tone & Style

Lively, irreverent, and deeply Chicago-centric, with hosts balancing analytics and fandom. Dan handles the biting sarcasm; Matt brings warmth and comic timing. The episode oscillates between hope, skepticism, mockery, and nostalgia—all through a lens of deep Bears passion.

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Summary By Section:

• Chicago’s love for the Bears bridges even bitter city rivalries.
• 2026 presents a favorable logistical landscape for the team, with minimal travel and well-timed rest.
• Stadium discussions remain political theater, with only Arlington Heights as a realistic option.
• Roster speculation is met with wary pragmatism—not all “big names” are a good idea.
• NFL-wide news is treated with characteristic honesty and humor, especially when old rivals like Aaron Rodgers are involved.
• Memorable NFL stories—like Eli Manning’s Marriott dinner—are fodder for both schadenfreude and nostalgic relief for Chicago fans.

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Signature Sendoff:

“Go Bears!”

Transcript

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matabata Cola]

I mean, if you're a Bears fan,

[Dan Bernstein]

you're thinking Forward progress. Come on. 10.

[Matabata Cola]

219, 219Forward progress a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and matabetic cola on 312 sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

We give you forward progress on 312 sports. And before we get into a bunch of news and notes for the Bears in the NFL, I just want to say this. I just. I want to lead with the fact that no matter what else was going on all weekend between Cubs fans and Sox fans and all that, that entire stadium, all of right field united in a full throated chant of Green Bay sucks more than once and for what that says. And you can write however many words you want or talk about, but just the idea of the Bears being good enough for. For the Bears to be relevant enough, for all of that good feeling about the Bears to still be simmering underneath, for it to be that easily accessible even in that cauldron of rivalry of everything. Suck. You suck. You Cubs socks suck too. Wait a sec. You know what really sucks? And to have everybody unite in that, I thought was great. And it deserves to be recognized as one of these marking points for when the Bears are good. Why it makes everything better. That was a case of it.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah. And that was. That was Saturday night, correct?

[Dan Bernstein]

I think it was that. Yes.

[Matabata Cola]

Saturday night was Saturday night. So that was when Caleb was at the game with Modest and then the two of them with PCA went out to dinner afterwards. Kobe Bryant, Bears new safety throughout the first pitch. So football and Bears were in the atmosphere and on people's minds.

[Dan Bernstein]

Top of mind.

[Matabata Cola]

And it's just, it's a, it's a beautiful thing because we know that the Bears are king in Chicago and this is a Bears town. And even during the heated rivalry, the bitterness of Cubs and White Sox with both teams playing well. Yep, we can all stand behind the fact that Green Bay sucks and we

[Dan Bernstein]

love the Bears, but fans did it on their own. Yeah, that's the best part. That it wasn't some manufactured, you know, make some noise or everybody make some noise. It wasn't, it wasn't like that or it wasn't just like a brief thing. It just, hey, let's, let's all do this. We can all agree on it. And it made, it made everybody seem a little bit closer and it was some self awareness of just how silly the sports fandom is in general. I just loved was fantastic. Best Bears moment we've had in a while. To have everybody until they end up, you know, eight and nine and missing a wild card in the second to last week of the year and everybody's going to be screaming and miserable and wanting everybody to be fired again because you know that's coming. But you know, to be, to be here now and optimistic and excited before injuries and before everything else, just enjoy it.

[Matabata Cola]

Well, I don't think that 8, 9 thing is coming anytime soon. You never know, but it's not going to happen here.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's. I hope you're right.

[Matabata Cola]

But I am right. No, you never know, but I'm right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Good.

[Matabata Cola]

All right. One other great thing we talked about the end of last week with the Bear schedule being released, the really favorable breaks and time, and we saw that stat you gave out about the amount of rest and days off that Bears had. And so the Bears were number one in that. There was another aspect that I brought up last week about the travel miles because just looking over the schedule, I said The Bears weren't traveling a whole lot. It didn't look like they traveled a whole ton. Being very lucky, avoiding and missing any of those international games, traveling outside of the country and then going to Seattle for a game was about their greatest distance of travel. They have a Carolina game. They open up. They play in Buffalo, the play in Miami. So I just. I threw it out there and said it doesn't seem like they're traveling a whole ton.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right.

[Matabata Cola]

So it's put together every year, the total travel miles by team. And I spotted something in the schedule that I was.

[Dan Bernstein]

I was accurate on.

[Matabata Cola]

The Bears. Your Chicago Bears are actually traveling the third least of any team in the NFL in the 2026 season. They have a total travel schedule of 10,676 miles on the year, and there are only two other teams in the NFL that are traveling less than the Bears.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Does it matter who they are?

[Matabata Cola]

Well, it doesn't matter who they are. It just shows that the Bears. I guess it would matter if it was someone in the division. Right. But those two teams are the Browns and the Panthers.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, no worries.

[Matabata Cola]

The Browns traveling 9,073 miles. The Panthers traveling 8,740. Again, the Bears are 10, 6, 76. Looking at the division, the packers are very close to the bears at the 20. At 28. They are traveling 12,006. 73. The Vikings are 25 at 14,852. The Lions are 15 in the league at 18,958. Now, to put this all in perspective, I said the bears are at 10,006, 76. The Panthers the lowest at 8,700. The San Francisco 49ers are traveling 38,105 miles. So you see, from 1 to 32.

[Dan Bernstein]

And they have all the. The scary electromagnetic field around their practice facility. Right, Right.

[Matabata Cola]

That's making them bad and injured.

[Dan Bernstein]

Making them bad, injured and strange. Yes.

[Matabata Cola]

So just to say that one more time, the 49ers are 30,105. The Panthers at 32, are at 8,740. So a nearly £30,000 in miles travel.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right. Okay.

[Matabata Cola]

The rams were number two. So Rams 49ers 1. The Rams 2. The Rams at 34,008, 47.

[Dan Bernstein]

Now, until we have correlative measures of success or failure or lack thereof, it's hard to tell how much this matters. It feels like it really should matter.

[Matabata Cola]

It feels like it should. But then the other thought, my immediate thought was, yeah, they're also. It's an NFL team. It's not like they're traveling through coach and going through the airport and doing all the hassles that we have to go through as we travel as a, as a regular person. But, but my brain also says it has to play some impact. It certainly has to play impact on those weeks where they're going, those international games. They're not in their regular comforts of their practice facilities or being at their regular hotels that they would go to in this city or at home for that matter. Of course. So maybe it doesn't do anything but for it to be highlighted every year and, and listed out and you know, to people to talk about there has to mean something to it. Maybe there isn't. I don't know. It just sounds like that it should. And going 38,000 miles in one season as opposed to another team going 8,000, you know, it sounds like there has to be something, some kind of impact to it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Dan, I would much rather be traveling less than more.

[Matabata Cola]

For sure.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know that for sure. I can't give you any exact points on the graph that I say are the inflections in a team's travel schedule. I can't. But I, I would rather travel less than more.

[Matabata Cola]

But I think more importantly for the big picture, talking about the Bears since the schedule was released, this is just another component that seems something that's favorable to the Chicago Bears as opposed to

[Dan Bernstein]

what we learned about the Bears tax when it came to get certain it comes to getting certain penalties called in last four years and maybe this is just a way of saying that cosmically things can balance out for you. Sometimes you get breaks, sometimes you don't and probably in in in the wash in enough years and enough time you'll, you'll, it'll even out.

[Matabata Cola]

And one other note on the Bears upcoming season, I saw this on Twitter. I haven't gone through to to verify this yet, but there was a tweet sent out that said that the Bears do not have any opponents this season coming off the bye week.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's good.

[Matabata Cola]

Another again, you would think it would be an advantage to the Chicago Bears. So as you start to stack these things overall I know that they do have the hardest strength of schedule but they also get the most rest. They're traveling one of the least you know, amounts in the in the NFL and zero opponents coming off a bye week which you would think would be an advantage to the Bears as well.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let me also mention this. This was posted earlier this morning by our friend Courtney Cronin who said per a source at the league NFL meeting in Orlando tomorrow, there will be a special briefing on the Bears stadium club and league staff will update the 32 clubs on progress on the only two viable stadium solutions at Arlington Heights in Hammond, Indiana. And as this goes on, the latest that I am continuing to hear from everything that's going on in Springfield is their. The Senate, they're still hashing out what they're going to do about the pilot program deal. It is in the works. This is the, the, the sausage being made. Once again, I have to keep saying this. Finally Governor Pritzker came out and just said this Brandon Johnson last ditch stuff about trying to keep the Bears in Chicago. He, he finally said it where Pritzker said, yeah, what, whatever he's trying to do, I don't know, but there's no plan. He said, we have not been informed of any plan to actually do that. I know he doesn't want to be seen as the mayor that was in office when the Bears left the city. But his point was it's not really a large concern because there isn't a plan to act on any of this stuff. So we're waiting to see how they make it that way through the noise, etc. I'm working on a couple other things where I'm trying to learn exactly what's going on. But what you're seeing and what we've told you so far still holds. Bears don't want to go to Hammond. They're not interested really at all in using Hammond as anything other than leverage because they, they would end up making a lot less money there. There's so much more to be done infrastructurally to actually build in Hammond. They don't want to be on a toxic swamp at Wolf Lake. That's why they're holding open every opportunity to get their first choice through. They're just going through the process right now. But if, if Hammond is apparently getting this sense that boy are we. The timing is such. It looks like we' in this. Yeah, it's because. It's because you are. And they're just letting everything play out. Yeah.

[Matabata Cola]

And the sooner they come to realize that, the better for the people in Hammond, the leadership there. But we've been saying that for quite some time now that that's all that was, was a leverage play. And there is no validity to the Bears wanting or ending up moving to, to Hammond. It's just, it's just not going to happen.

[Dan Bernstein]

So it would be, it would be a disaster for them if everything felt if they ended up there, everybody involved would be miserable, including some people in Hammond. As we're learning now, when they're starting to see where the hidden tax dollars are and where it's coming from, that there really wouldn't be any anybody pleased with that as a business move. I think the NFL well included if

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[Matabata Cola]

So there is a veteran pass rusher that has been linked to the Chicago Bears. Maybe you've seen these headlines or these stories and here's the reason why this pass rusher was linked to the Bears.

[Dan Bernstein]

So is it your guy? Is it Jadevion Clowney?

[Matabata Cola]

It is not Jadevian Clowney who still has not signed yet and I think he's gonna sign everything I've read recently about about Clowney is with the Cowboys still, but that hasn't happened yet. But there's a new name and our guy Matt Miller or Matt Bowen, I'm sorry on ESPN has 14 free agents still available and their best fit. And one of those guys is veteran pass rusher last year led the Washington Commanders with nine sacks, that being Von Miller. Okay, still available and he has him down as the as a best fit being with the Chicago Bears. Of course given their need for pass rush, even Matt Stated how the Bears haven't didn't address it in free agency or the draft. So he thinks Von Miller would be a, a guy that he calls a, quote, true designated pass rusher, end quote would be a really great fit. As you have other guys coming back from injury, other players expected to take a step forward in their career. He could really be a guy that you just line up there in situational needs to go out and get the quarterback. And again, last year at 36 years old, had nine sacks to lead. Washington is 37 years old now. What do you think of the idea of vaunted pass rusher? Von yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nah, nah.

[Matabata Cola]

Just the age thing or. Yeah. Level.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, just. They already have Grady Jarrett there. That was the whole point. You have your guy who's there to be your veteran leader and leader by example and show people how to be professional and all that. I, I don't know. I, I've just seen too many of these things fail and very few of them be more than, than a splash head. If the money's right and if you think he could, there could still be some effectiveness there. I'm, I'm more looking at the moves that they make as indicators of potential desperation. And if in fact they believe what they've said, this we're going to coach him harder. We realize we didn't coach him well enough last year. We're going to go and put it on these. Your, our defensive coordinator and our defensive line coach. You just make them better. Well, it's going to undermine that if at the last second they're like, oh, geez, we, we can't do it with these people. We need help. So to me, it's really about the evidence aligning to keep their story straight.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah, that makes sense. That's a good, good angle to take with it too. If, if you could tell me that Von Miller could give you nine sacks at 37 years old, I'd sign that dude in a second. If you're going to give me nine sacks again like he did for Washington, that would be outstanding. So if you've seen that headline, that's the reason why Matt Bowen had it as a great free agent fit who's still available. And it does, it does quite a bit make, make sense if he's still going to play another year in the NFL. I know that there's another story that happened over the weekend that I know you're very interested in because this is your guy. I mean he's forever associated with you. Your love admiration for the quarterback Aaron Rodgers. So he does sign a one year deal with Pittsburgh. He's back in the league and a deal that I believe could earn him up to $25 million, which I heard that that was insane that I. But, you know, God bless you if you can get it, but can earn him up to 25 million. He's back once again with Mike McCarthy. And I'll remind you, the last time they were together in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers did everything within his power to undermine and cut the legs out from underneath of his head. Coach Mike McCarthy now reunited in Pittsburgh. And everything is going to be great. And Hunky Dory.

[Dan Bernstein]

Go get them.

[Matabata Cola]

They're gonna. They're gonna be on the same page and move forward together to help Pittsburgh win another Super Bowl.

[Dan Bernstein]

Go get a man. I'm. He's. We get to kick him around again. He gives us somebody to watch and dislike and root against. I'm just going to be honest about it. I will enjoy continuing to have him to root against. So now that quarterback room is Sam Howell. Drew all our. Mason Rudolph.

[Matabata Cola]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

And Aaron Rodgers.

[Matabata Cola]

And Aaron Rodgers.

[Dan Bernstein]

There was a fourth name in there, I think, wasn't there? I thought. I thought there was another name that was already existing there, but I could be wrong.

[Matabata Cola]

But good luck. I think. I think you're right. And it's something that is good luck

[Dan Bernstein]

with whatever that is. But he. He went to the only team that would take him. Was there any other NFL team that had anything resembling an offer for him?

[Matabata Cola]

No. There was the rumor about Arizona, but then Adam Schefter killed that right away. And so that's not true. That's all made up.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. So this is. This is really. The story is that he decided to take the offer that was provided for him by the only team he took. The only offer he had.

[Matabata Cola]

So ESPN's depth chart for the Steelers has Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, it wasn't Howell. It was Will Howard. Yeah, I didn't get that part right. Okay, that's fine. Okay. Yeah, I'm. I'm glad I have him to root against. And we will see how the Aaron Rodgers Total Narcissism Tour takes it, works its way through this coaching staff and. And this team. And the number of times he glares at a wide receiver for apparently in his mind, not being in a position to catch the ball that was delivered too slow and too late.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah, I just. I don't understand how they think it's going to work. You know, they. I've heard all the stories over the weekend from the NFL reporters about the respect that they share for each other and how much McCarthy respects, you know, Rogers, and Rogers really respected McCarthy and loved playing for him. Well, then why did he try to undermine and undercut everything he did when they were together at the end in Green Bay?

[Dan Bernstein]

Because that's how he operates. Because he's a narcissist.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah. I never thought the McCarthy thing was going to be a good idea in Pittsburgh to begin with. I just think this complicates it. Makes it even worse.

[Dan Bernstein]

It makes it what? So much more fun, though.

[Matabata Cola]

Oh, more fun for us.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Yes. The possibilities of what could happen here are just endlessly entertaining. So, you know, well, I'm. I'm here for it.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm absolutely here for it. And I. I just. If you look at the numbers last year, it wasn't good. It was bad. And he's another year older, and the chances of him getting through a full season anyway are almost zero.

[Matabata Cola]

Oh, he's not starting 17 games.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, no. He may start two and then fall down and be broken and it's over. So we'll enjoy it while we can.

[Matabata Cola]

One other quick NFL note. The league has decided to give the 2030 Super bowl to the city of Nashville.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matabata Cola]

I think that's a confirmed location. So Nashville in 2030. If you want to get your tickets, Dan, for that or start making travel arrangements, I'm good. You're good with not going to Nashville?

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm. I'm good on not attending the Nashville super bowl unless we do it as a show. If forward progress is going, I'm going.

[Matabata Cola]

No, we'll. The Bears are there again.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't care. You and I have had enough fun.

[Matabata Cola]

We.

[Dan Bernstein]

We should be marking our territory in some of these other cities, saying, wait a second, you youngsters. You don't know what it's like to come here and. And take over for a Super bowl week. Get out of our damn way. And then we'll be. Then we'll be back at the hotel by 9:30, asleep by 10:15.

[Matabata Cola]

Oh, asleep by 10.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, for sure. Oh, yeah. 10 might be pushing it.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah, 10:15 is a little late.

[Dan Bernstein]

Might be pushing it. And, you know, maybe like, sitting in the hot tub a little later. Maybe I'll have my ice cream in the hot tub and then I'll get melt all over. Yeah. Head right up to bed. That's perfect.

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[Matabata Cola]

My favorite story I saw over the weekend, though, came from Eli Manning. And Eli Manning was on a podcast, an episode of Busing with the Boys. And he talked about his time that he was drafted and why he didn't want to go to the San Diego Chargers. Okay, finally, apparently, this. He hasn't opened up about it, but he finally opened up about why he didn't want to go to San Diego. And this is. This is just great. So this is Eli Manning. He says, I just didn't feel like they were the most committed team to winning at the time. And there's an aspect I'm going to read that comes out that is absolutely my favorite. And I think it's gonna. You're gonna love it because I loved it so much. He says, Marty Schottenheimer was the head coach who was awesome, had great respect for him, but they came to work me out in New Orleans, went to dinner, and there was this friction between the head Coach, general manager A.J. smith, and the owners, the Spanos family. They are all yelling, kind of like fighting. This is the part I loved. We are at a Marriott restaurant. Schottenheimer's mad. Like, we're in New Orleans and we're eating at a Marriott. Come on, man. He's, like, pissed. They're kind of bickering, and it just didn't seem like there was a lot of things to agree on. It didn't seem like they were committed to building a winning franchise at that moment. So you're trying to draft Eli Manning.

[Dan Bernstein]

You're whining and dining somebody at a hotel restaurant in New Orleans. But I love isn't already a specific, like, chef driven place, right?

[Matabata Cola]

And Marty Schottenheimer is pissed about it,

[Dan Bernstein]

and

[Matabata Cola]

they're fighting about it in front of this kid.

[Dan Bernstein]

I can't believe we're here with Eli Manning and you're taking us here. We're sitting. We can't get out of the lobby of a damn hotel. And we're one of the great eating cities anywhere in the world.

[Matabata Cola]

Yes. Oh, I absolutely love it.

[Dan Bernstein]

I am so with him. That the fact that a coach, like, I could get my phone right here, we could go to a decent restaurant. Give me two minutes. I can get us in anywhere you want me to get.

[Matabata Cola]

Like, oh, but how great is that? Yes, it's so great. I loved it. And like, so, yeah, they are, they're in new and just think of the restaurants they could have gone to in New Orleans. And they're eating at a hotel, even right near the.

[Dan Bernstein]

If they're at the downtown Marriott.

[Matabata Cola]

Oh, my God.

[Dan Bernstein]

There's like five or six world class restaurants within walking distance with at that time.

[Matabata Cola]

World class chefs eat right now.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, they're just different world class chefs now. Correct. And he always attracts the best.

[Matabata Cola]

Right. But it was New Orleans and Marty Schottenimer's angry that they're eating at a hotel restaurant for him.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matabata Cola]

I love if they're doing it in front of the kid, though, which is great. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

You're gonna draft this kid and this is what you show him here. We can, we could go over down and we go to. I could get us into Commander's palace in ten minutes. Right, right.

[Matabata Cola]

You couldn't go there. Yes, you're right.

[Dan Bernstein]

You're an NFL. You're the owners of an NFL team. You can go gentleman anywhere you want.

[Matabata Cola]

A well known head coach, a famous head coach.

[Dan Bernstein]

You can go eat anywhere you want in the entire city. And what year was this?

[Matabata Cola]

So this is. What year is he drafted? Over 20 years ago.

[Dan Bernstein]

Where are we at? So emeralds. I think that was in the like the heyday of emeralds. And that's right there on Chapatoula street.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah. So 22 years ago, he was the first round selection in 2004. Yeah. I mean, it wasn't, it wasn't. Yeah, it wasn't Emeralds at its peak or prime in that, that time frame.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, it opened in 1990. Yeah.

[Matabata Cola]

So, but I just, I love it. I love the fact that he's so angry and, and mad that they're doing, but yet he's so angry about it. They're doing it right at the table. They're fighting right in front of this kid. They're trying to whine and dine and impress.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't want to play here.

[Matabata Cola]

Like, they're arguing over the restaurant that they were at. And this kid's like, I don't, I don't want to do this. And he's just a dumb young kid, but he was so into it at the moment that it was like, I don't, I don't think they even care about winning. They're arguing about the restaurant. But Marty's right though. I'm side with Marty on that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Not to mention because he's from there, Right. Why don't you ask him where he wants to eat?

[Matabata Cola]

Right?

[Dan Bernstein]

Because you're going to see him. That's where he lives. That's where they grew up. Right?

[Matabata Cola]

You. I mean, that's.

[Dan Bernstein]

Come meet us at the hotel for dinner.

[Matabata Cola]

Right?

[Dan Bernstein]

You come meet us at the Hot.

[Matabata Cola]

At the Marriott Hotel, which I'm sure was great. I'm sure it was a great restaurant. But given the opportunity. Come on, man. And shot. And I was just pissed about it.

[Dan Bernstein]

I love it.

[Matabata Cola]

Fighting about it right in front of him. Yep. It's like, hey, we're gonna fly down to New Orleans. We're gonna work you out. Why don't you. Your mom, your dad. Let's make. Where. Where should we make dinner resumes, right? Where do you guys want to go?

[Dan Bernstein]

Where do you want to go? What do you want? Whatever you want.

[Matabata Cola]

We got. Where should. Where should we eat? There. Tell us where to go. And if Eli didn't have a thought on it because he was a kid, like, hey, ask your dad. Ask your dad where we should go eat, and we'll make sure there's a table there, and we'll see you there at this time. But, no, come to the hotel bar. Meet us in the restaurant. We're gonna eat dinner there. And Marty Schottenheimer is gonna lose his mind because we're eating at the restaurant.

[Dan Bernstein]

I heard their chicken fingers here are really, really good, right? They're. They're known for their pub burger. Give it a try.

[Matabata Cola]

It's so good. And then Eli's like, yeah, I'm a little turned off from this team. I don't want to go.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm a little sleepy. I'd like to go home now.

[Matabata Cola]

And he also shared.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ever play for you?

[Matabata Cola]

That his. His dad didn't like that he did that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matabata Cola]

But, you know, publicly, he came out and supported him, obviously. But behind the scenes, told Eli he didn't really think that's what you should do. But, you know, good for Eli to. To stick to it and be like, yeah, I just don't feel right about this, but I think it's great.

[Dan Bernstein]

I seem to work out well enough for him.

[Matabata Cola]

But I. Yeah, I saw the headline. I didn't. I didn't listen to the podcast, but I saw the headline of it. I'm like, all right, what.

[Dan Bernstein]

What's he got to say about it now? This is. I'm just so happy it's not the Bears. I'm just so. Because it sounds like something that the McCaskeys would, would do.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's why like every time when I hear something like that, you hear that, it's like, oh, well, the, the mcask is like, well, let's just eat here at the hotel. We don't need to go to go out. We're just, you know, we're, it's, we're here anyway and I'm sure it's fine. It's, it's, it sounds like something that the, that would have fit with the, what we thought about the bears.

[Matabata Cola]

And it's a Monday and they have a really great buffet. We can,

[Dan Bernstein]

it's two for one appetizers for another 20 minutes.

[Matabata Cola]

Right. If you get here by 4:30, we can get an extra shrimp cocktail.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. Careful, because you only want to get that in central Indiana because that's very, very special.

[Matabata Cola]

Indiana shrimp.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, you got to get that Central Indiana shrimp and the sauce that is sold at every grocery store ever.

[Matabata Cola]

I just, I just, I loved that story and it was so great. And I can just picture Marty Schottenheimer all red faced and angry and.

[Dan Bernstein]

What do you mean we're staying here?

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

The hell are we talking about?

[Matabata Cola]

So funny. So much so that Eli Manning, a young kid, is like, I don't want to do this.

[Dan Bernstein]

Even though Marty shot. I was not wearing a headset. He was pantomiming, Ripping it off and throwing it. Yes. Just, just out of reflex. Damn it, Marty. You're not wearing a headset.

[Matabata Cola]

Oh, good stuff though. Good, good stuff.

[Dan Bernstein]

And now I want blackened redfish.

[Matabata Cola]

Oh, that sounds good. Now I'm hungry again though. Hungry.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's that time of day. That's the other thing that forward progress does.

[Matabata Cola]

What's it do?

[Dan Bernstein]

Makes you hungry. Oh.

[Matabata Cola]

What else does it do?

[Dan Bernstein]

It makes you smart and happy. Entertained.

[Matabata Cola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

It, it can lower your cholesterol. It can raise all of, of your, all the good things like your, your, your endorphins.

[Matabata Cola]

Oh, okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

We, we produce lots of endorphins. You actually get a documented forward progress high. The harder you listen, the happier you get. It's incredible that way. I haven't documented any of this stuff or had it backed up by actual science, but science isn't popular anymore. Science.

[Matabata Cola]

Yeah, you don't need science now.

[Dan Bernstein]

Facts and all that. It's not the end thing. People don't really care.

[Matabata Cola]

I think we're good.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right.

[Matabata Cola]

Okay then.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Go Bears.

[Matabata Cola]

Go Bears. Go Bears. I think we're like, I don't know, what are we, like 17 weeks away from the season. I don't know. Maybe I just made that up. I don't know how I pulled that name or that number out of my.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let's see here.

[Matabata Cola]

Where are we at here?

[Dan Bernstein]

Four months in a week.

[Matabata Cola]

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. All right, 16 weeks away. 16 more weeks of this.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's going to be a blink. Oh, are you kidding? I. I want 16 more weeks of this. And it's gonna. Every bit of it is going to be awesome and so much better than anything you can get elsewhere.

[Matabata Cola]

Well, then you're welcome for it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, that's right.

[Matabata Cola]

You're.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's the point. And it's free. How about that? It's all completely free.

[Matabata Cola]

So that's another episode of ford progress on 312 sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ford progress is stopped.

[Matabata Cola]

Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and matabata cola on 312Sports.