Podcast Summary: Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Dennis Allen and the Bears defense - what can they do?
Hosts: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola (A & B)
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Forward Progress" dives into the state of the Chicago Bears as the regular season comes to a close and the playoffs loom. Dan and Matt discuss the complex playoff scenarios, Bears defensive struggles, injury concerns with key players, and strategies for improvement. The tone is analytical, passionate, and peppered with the hosts’ signature humor and deep Chicago football knowledge.

Key Topics and Insights

1. NFC Playoff Scenarios and Bears’ Position

Timestamps: 00:23–05:11

• The Eagles are expected to rest Jalen Hurts and most starters for the season finale, impacting NFC seeding.
  • "The big news for Bears fans... Philadelphia is sitting most of their starters for the game against the Commanders." (A, 05:15)
• Discussion of possible outcomes: If Bears win, potential 2 or 3 seed; if Lions win, scenarios for other teams shifting seeds.
• Intricate breakdowns of tiebreakers, including the NFC South's three-way tie potential.

2. Latest NFC News: Resting Starters and Backup QBs

Timestamps: 05:11–06:15

• Philly is poised to play backup QB Tanner McKee.
  • "What are these white guy names? Tanner McKee is Philadelphia speak for Tyson Bagent?" (B, 01:43)
• Commanders starting Josh Johnson, Green Bay adding Desmond Ridder due to quarterback injuries.

3. Bears Defensive Struggles and Possible Fixes

Timestamps: 06:17–13:00

• The Bears have surrendered 880 yards in their last two games, particularly struggling on first down (allowing 6.1 yards per play, 28th in the NFL).
  • "I don't really think there's anything you can do in a week or a couple weeks to make a bad defense good." (B, 07:14)
• Modern defenses rarely use three linebackers; focus is on Edmonds and Edwards.
• Debates about lining up Montez Sweat on the interior to leverage his power rush, possibly shaking up the d-line.
  • "Try something different because there's really not much you can do. We're going into week 18." (A, 09:11)
• Brief consideration of adding Trayvon Diggs, but consensus is it doesn't address the primary problem: lack of pass rush.
  • "It doesn't address your biggest, your glaring need, which is a pass rush." (A, 10:52)

4. Injury Concerns: Montez Sweat, Jalen Johnson, and Rome Odunze

Timestamps: 13:00–24:04

• Brad Biggs’s mailbag hints that Montez Sweat may be playing hurt, as snap counts have gone down.
  • "I suspect he's dealing with something... It's just a hunch I have." (Brad Biggs via B, 17:37)
• Jalen Johnson’s performance has dropped; debate whether he should rest to regain "football health."
  • "If he's not playing the game that we're used to seeing him playing, it's because he isn't at that level to do that right now." (A, 20:38)
• Rome Odunze's "stress fracture" discussed. Strategy: Rest him so he can contribute (even as a decoy) in playoffs.
  • "You can rest him, you can limit the participation, you can get him back even in limited capacity for the playoffs." (B, 22:44)

5. Playoff Odds and Award Markets

Timestamps: 27:22–32:32

• Bears are 20:1 to win the Super Bowl, trailing NFC West teams and the Eagles.
  • "Bears, Packers, Ravens... Bears and Packers are the same, 20 to 1." (A, 28:37)
• Coach of the Year favorites: Vrabel, Shanahan, McDonald, Cohen, Ben Johnson (5th).
  • "Mike Vrabel, 1. Kyle Shanahan, 2. Mike McDonald 3. Liam Cohen, 4. Ben Johnson, 5." (A, 32:17)

6. Listener Feedback and Caleb Williams Discourse

Timestamps: 33:02–36:46

• Addressing passionate feedback about Caleb Williams and his development.
• Emphasize statistical analysis as a tool, not criticism.
  • "You can love Caleb Williams and still want him to become a better passer. Those two can live together." (A, 35:08)
• Audience engagement described, noting some listeners "way smarter than the hosts" (B, 36:39).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Defensive Woes:

  • "I don't really think there's anything you can do in a week or a couple weeks to make a bad defense good." (B, 07:14)
  • "Try something different because there's really not much you can do. We're going into week 18." (A, 09:11)

• On Jalen Johnson’s Health:

  • "If he's not playing the game that we're used to seeing him playing, it's because he isn't at that level to do that right now. I don't think he's holding back." (A, 20:38)

• On Trayvon Diggs:

  • "It doesn't address your biggest need. And your biggest need is putting pressure on the quarterback." (A, 13:00)

• On Listener Intelligence:

  • "There’s certainly a subset of the hardcore listeners... who are way smarter than the hosts." (B, 36:39)

• On Calmly Managing Fan Expectations:

  • "You can love Caleb Williams and still want him to become a better passer. Those two can live together in the same house. They may not share a bedroom, but they can live together." (A, 35:08)

• Playful Banter:

  • “You are such a meatball. Go, Bears. That’s awesome. Like you needed more incentive to want the Bears to win.” (B, 29:25)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |---------------------------------------------|-----------| | Intro & Playoff Scenarios | 00:23–05:11| | NFC News: Backup QBs, Resting Starters | 05:11–06:15| | Defensive Struggles & Ideas | 06:17–13:00| | Injuries: Sweat, Johnson, Odunze | 13:00–24:04| | Playoff Odds & Coach of the Year | 27:22–32:32| | Listener Feedback & Caleb Williams | 33:02–36:46|

Tone and Style

• Language: Direct, analytical, and full of Chicago fan flavor. Hosts blend X’s & O’s talk with relatable, passionate commentary.
• Chemistry: Dan and Matt’s long history shines—jokes, inside references, and frank disagreement make for entertaining and insightful conversation.
• Audience Engagement: They assume listeners are knowledgeable, and even poke fun at themselves for having an extra-smart audience.

Final Thoughts

This episode provides fans with an in-depth look at the state of the Bears as they head into their most important games of the season. It balances critical analysis with fan emotion, candidly addresses injuries and weaknesses, and delivers on the show's promise—never shying away from the tough NFL and team questions.