Podcast Summary: Forward Progress – Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal – Chicago Bears | Cleveland Browns

Date: December 12, 2025
Host(s): Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Chris Easterling (Akron Beacon Journal, Cleveland Browns beat reporter)

Overview

This episode of Forward Progress brings in Chris Easterling, Browns beat reporter from the Akron Beacon Journal, ahead of the Bears/Browns matchup. The crew delves into the state of the Browns—one of the NFL’s more snakebitten franchises—focusing on player development, the future of head coach Kevin Stefanski, Myles Garrett’s historic season, and organizational transitions like the new stadium. They bring characteristic candor, blending deep analysis with fan-level emotion and humor.

Key Discussion Points

1. Browns’ Motivation and Playing Hard (01:07–02:27)

• Postseason Elimination: Despite being out of contention, the Browns are still giving full effort. Chris credits rookies fighting for spots and veterans like Joel Bitonio and Myles Garrett chasing personal milestones.
• Kevin Stefanski’s Leadership: The buy-in to Stefanski’s program endures. “That’s a hallmark of what his teams have been…the last couple years is they still play hard because they believe in Kevin.” (Chris, 01:42)

2. Cleveland’s Offensive Line Woes (02:43–04:10)

• Severe Injuries: The Browns’ line has become a “train wreck,” with nine different starting combinations this season. Injuries to key players like Ethan Pocic (Achilles) and Jack Conklin have hindered offensive stability.
• Impact on Offense: The instability has worsened quarterback play and stunted the run game. “It’s just been a revolving door at pretty much every spot up there because of injuries this season.” (Chris, 04:05)

3. Offensive Struggles and Player Development

Quinshon Judkins’ Tough Rookie Campaign (04:11–05:54)

• Running into Walls: Judkins’ talent “is obvious” but numbers mislead due to poor blocking and stacked boxes. He also missed training camp, hurting his early acclimation.
• Looking Ahead: There’s “a whole lot of context when you look at Quinshon’s numbers” and optimism for 2026 if the environment improves.

Shedeur Sanders at QB & Browns’ Plan (05:54–08:29)

• Evaluating Sanders: The Browns have named the rookie starter for the final games, giving him a crucial audition. If he shines, offseason priorities shift away from QB.
• Organizational Stakes: “It may be the most important seven starts this franchise has had in several years,” Chris notes (06:23), impacting not just the draft but the coaching staff’s future too.
• Sanders’ Growth: Chris sees clear progress: “There has been without question growth…you can see it.” (07:13)
• Balancing Growth and Urgency: The Browns want to maximize this defensive core, perhaps even “take shortcuts” with Sanders if needed for competitiveness.

4. The Myles Garrett Experience (09:38–15:15)

• Historic Season: Garrett stands at 20 sacks, vying to break the NFL record.

• How Teams Game-Plan: Success against him comes down to run plays and quick passes more so than all-time O-line play. “If Caleb can get rid of the ball quick, that’s a great way to neutralize [Garrett].” (Chris, 10:45)

• All-Time Talent: Host Dan likens him to Julius Peppers. Chris adds: “He’s not just chasing the sack record, he’s chasing the tackles for loss record.” (13:22)

• Underrated vs. the Run: “That’s a vastly underrated part of Myles’ game…he is great at shedding blockers.”

• On the Wasted Prime of Defensive Talent: “It has to feel like such a missed opportunity...this defense isn’t going to last to wait for the offense to get good.” (Dan, 07:22)

  Memorable Exchange:

  • Dan (13:22): “The closest…is Julius Peppers.”
  • Chris (13:41): “…It would take, you know, a heck of a last four games, but he is certainly going to…end the season with the second most tackles for loss in a single season. He’s just been…legitimately an MVP kind of season. But he’s on a 3 and 10 football team…and you’re like, how many more years do you get out of a guy like Myles?”

5. Strategic vs. Developmental Dilemmas (16:06–19:25)

• How Should the Bears Defend Sanders? Chris recommends mixing up zone and blitz: “Keep him on his toes…accelerate the clock in his head…that’s where you can get turnovers.” (16:37)
• Is There a 'Blankie' Receiver? Rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. seems most trustable—and a rare consistent target amidst a very green group.

6. Kevin Stefanski’s Future & Organizational Crossroads (19:25–22:06)

• Job Security?: Despite injuries and adversity, Chris flags Stefanski as a potential “sacrifice to the fans” following years of malaise.
  • Chris (19:51): “Sacrifice to the fans…you got to sell tickets…There’s just so much that’s wrapped up in these…final four games…if Shedeur shows progress, then does that help Kevin stick around?”
• GM and OC Dynamics: Tommy Rees (OC) is “adored in this organization,” while the entire braintrust’s fate may hinge on these last four games.

7. Jim Schwartz and Defensive Staff (22:06–24:26)

• Head Coach Rumors: Schwartz, DC and architect of Cleveland’s dominant defense, could see interest as a head coach again, though his own focus remains singular.
  • Chris recounts Schwartz’s “I can’t even do my bit” line when asked about players’ stats on a losing team.

8. New Stadium Developments (24:26–27:24)

• Progress Update: Groundbreaking set for early 2026. Funding from “unclaimed taxpayer funds” approved, and city council onboard.
• Fans’ Sentiments: Division remains on moving indoors—some long for outdoor, “Browns weather” football, others eager for concerts and high-profile events.
  • “There are some who…‘We’re Cleveland, got to play outside,’…I went to one [blizzard game]…I don’t want to go to another.” (Chris, 26:05)

9. Health Update: Bernie Kosar (27:30–28:22)

• Kosar’s health is uncertain after a liver transplant and subsequent E. coli infection. Chris requests, “Say a little prayer, light a candle, whatever your choice of faith is for Bernie.” (27:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Myles Garrett’s Unique Physique:
  Dan (13:00): “There’s no way somebody who weighs 275 pounds can have that kind of bend, that kind of quick twitch. The closest I could compare him to is Julius Peppers.”
• On Fan-Driven Coaching Decisions:
  Chris (19:51): “Sacrifice to the fans…you got to sell tickets…and the fan base has never been…I think, more down than it is right now.”
• On Browns’ Offensive Youth:
  Chris (18:08): “Pretty much all of them [receivers]…are rookies. So every time they do something, it’s the first time…It’s just created a weird dynamic with this offense all season.”
• Schwartz on Defensive Stats Bit:
  Chris (23:12): “He goes, you know, I can’t even do that. I can’t even…My Miles is Miles.”
• On Stadiums and Weather:
  Matt (27:01): “Give me the most optimal opportunity and setting for these professional athletes who are the best in the world at this point, to play their best style of football. We want the indoor stadium for the Bears.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:07–02:27 – Are the Browns still playing hard?
• 02:43–04:10 – Offensive line injury report and impact
• 05:54–08:29 – Evaluating rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
• 09:38–15:15 – The Myles Garrett segment (sacks, tackles for loss, impact)
• 16:06–19:25 – How can Bears D attack Sanders? ‘Blankie’ receivers?
• 19:25–22:06 – The precarious job status of Stefanski & the front office
• 22:06–24:26 – Jim Schwartz’s future, DC as HC?
• 24:26–27:24 – Browns' new stadium updates and fans’ reactions
• 27:30–28:22 – Bernie Kosar health update

Tone & Language

The hosts bring their signature blend of analytic sharpness and wry, Chicago-style candor. Chris Easterling matches this with earnest insights on the Browns, never shying from hard truths—including Cleveland’s penchant for self-sabotage and a fanbase’s justified pessimism. Banter about cold weather, stadium politics, and even a Michael Jordan/LeBron James GOAT debate (“LeBron James is the greatest player in the history of basketball. And it’s not even close, frankly.” – Dan, 15:20) add flavor, but NFL diagnostics remain front and center.

Conclusion

This episode serves both Bears and broader NFL fans hungry for behind-the-curtain info on the Browns. It covers the realities of player development, the immense challenge of losing seasons, the need for leadership stability, and the fickle winds of fan sentiment and stadium politics. Standouts are the segments on Myles Garrett’s peerless dominance, the QB decision looming for Cleveland, and the “sacrifice to the fans” dynamic that may dictate the franchise’s immediate future.

For more game breakdowns and unfiltered Bears talk, catch Forward Progress live after the Bears-Browns game with Dan, Matt, and the 312 Sports team.