Draft Do-Over: Are the Chicago Bears Still Picking Caleb Williams No. 1?

Summary

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Draft Do-Over: Are the Chicago Bears Still Picking Caleb Williams No. 1?
Date: July 8, 2026
Host(s): Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola
Main Theme:
A reflective and analytical look at the ongoing Bears stadium saga, a fresh CBS redraft of the 2024 NFL Draft, and an assessment of where the Bears stand at key positions in 2026. The hosts weigh if they'd still pick Caleb Williams first overall or if a fast-rising Drake May would get the nod in hindsight, and have their usual blend of sharp insight and fan passion throughout.

---

Stadium Saga: The Indiana Tax Revolt (01:22 – 10:25)

Key Points:

• The Bears’ stadium ambitions in Indiana have hit the reality of local pushback, especially around the proposed 1% food and beverage tax in Porter County.
• Residents and officials are questioning why their taxes should subsidize an NFL stadium primarily benefitting Illinois interests.
• Skepticism and sarcasm abound about politicians' rosy forecasts vs. the real costs that taxpayers would bear, as estimates now top $4 billion and likely higher.

Quotes & Memorable Moments:

• Dan (02:42): “So the residents of Porter county, the elected officials of Porter county are saying, wait, we’re going to get taxed for something that’s not in our county to help Bears build a stadium? Well, that’s not going to sit well...when it’s monopoly money, it’s great.”
• Matt (06:28): “You kind of have to be dumb to still be hanging on every word of it.”
• Dan (09:14): “Telling you, Caleb Williams is going to play his entire career at Soldier Field...He will not play home games for the Chicago Bears at another stadium.”

Takeaway:

• The hosts are highly skeptical about the viability of a Bears move to Indiana, viewing the whole stadium story as politically motivated posturing rather than a real threat—especially now that “voters are informed about who pays.”

---

Play Calling and Coaching Trends: Ben Johnson’s Aggressive Second-Down Strategy (10:56 – 12:53)

Key Points:

• Ben Johnson leads the NFL in passing on second and short since 1999, prompting teams to likely adjust defensively in 2026.
• If the data is out, defenses will now expect more passes, changing box counts and possibly opening up more running opportunities for the Bears.

Quote:

• Matt (11:20): “No NFL play caller this century has treated second and short like a free shot more aggressively than Ben Johnson...No current projected 2026 play caller is even within 17 percentage points of him on 2nd and 1.”

Takeaway:

• The Bears’ offensive strategies and adjustments under Johnson will be watched closely—opponents will prepare differently, forcing Chicago to adapt.

---

2024 NFL Draft Redo: Would the Bears Still Take Caleb Williams? (12:53 – 18:53)

Key Points:

• CBS Sports redrafted the 2024 class: Bears pick (now) would be Drake May, not Caleb Williams, citing May’s huge 2025 leap.
• Caleb Williams would instead go 2nd overall. Jaden Daniels falls to 3rd.
• For the Bears’ 9th pick, CBS prefers Lad McConkey (WR) over Rome Odunze, citing production over projections.

Quotes:

• Matt (16:32): “He has the most touchdowns from this class...Marvin Harrison Jr. is at 19th, Rome Odunze is at 20th.”
• Dan (17:26): “Given the opportunity to switch those two quarterbacks...yeah, I’ll take Caleb Williams today over Drake May.”
• Matt (17:47): “I think Caleb Williams has a great, a higher ceiling than Drake May. He may not reach it...but I’ll take Caleb Williams.”

Takeaway:

• Both hosts stick with their original choice—Caleb Williams—despite CBS’s retroactive preference for May. Williams is seen as the higher-upside, more exciting player, even if May’s floor and 2025 results impress.

---

Free Agency: Leonard Floyd Possibility & Roster Mechanics (18:53 – 22:07)

Key Points:

• Leonard Floyd, long-discussed as a possible free agent target for the Bears, remains unsigned.
• The structure of veteran contracts: If signed after Week 1, salary isn’t guaranteed for the year—just week to week.
• There are pros and cons to bringing in vets before or after camp, especially for roster depth and developmental reps.

Quote:

• Matt (19:10): “A player like Floyd would only get a one year deal...if a vested vet is on the 53 for the first game, his salary is guaranteed for the whole season.”

Takeaway:

• The Bears are likely being prudent, waiting to see when/if the “right time” comes financially and roster-wise to add an established player like Floyd.

---

“Motivated Dio” and the Internet Meme Machine (22:30 – 26:58)

Key Points:

• “Motivated Dio” (Dayo Odeyingbo) has become a Bears meme across Reddit and Twitter, used ironically to suggest hope in the defense without real additions.
• The fanbase lampoons the idea of super-coaching and “motivation” being the difference-maker vs. actual talent acquisition.

Quotes & Memorable Moments:

• Dan (24:11): “Welcome Dan and Matt to the bottom of the well of off-season brain rot and shitposting.”
• Matt (26:19): “The reason Motivated Dio is a thing is because somebody’s like, ‘Yeah, we don’t need Max Crosby. We have motivated Dio.’”

Takeaway:

• The hosts enjoy the self-aware Bears fan humor, acknowledging the team’s passive approach to pass rush upgrades as “wishful thinking with a wink.”

---

Edge Rusher & Position Rankings: Where Do the Bears Stand? (27:13 – 29:52)

Key Points:

• ESPN’s top edge rushers for 2026: Bears’ Montez Sweat “receives votes”, but no Bear cracks the top-10 at CB, RB, or edge.
• Bears skill players generally absent from elite company, but some receive “honorable mention.”

Quotes:

• Matt (29:35): “So far the Bears have peaked at honorable mention, when it comes to the positional stuff.”

Takeaway:

• The Bears have improved their roster, but still lack truly top-tier, “household name” talent at these positions per national experts.

---

Wrapping Up: Are the Bears About to Boast Franchise Greats? (30:07 – End)

Key Points:

• Caleb Williams is seen as a likely candidate to produce the best Bears QB highlight reel, regardless of how the overall “career” debate with May plays out.
• A fun hypothetical: Bears fans might currently be watching the best QB, TE, and possibly WR in team history on this roster.
• It reflects how low the historical bar has been for Bears skill positions—and the hope the franchise is finally entering an era of true offensive stars.

Quotes:

• Dan (30:49): “Caleb Williams’ career highlight reel is going to be pretty awesome. Because it already is.”
• Matt (31:54): “We could be watching right now, Dan...three players who end up the best ever at their positions for the Chicago Bears. Tight end, quarterback, wide receiver.”

Takeaway:

• Despite the skepticism and satire, there’s real optimism among the hosts: This could be the start of a golden era for Chicago’s offense.

---

Notable, Memorable, and Funny Moments

• On the stadium deal (04:48):
  “That's a problem. Okay. We said this all along and the governor, when it becomes real, people aren't going to go for this.” — Dan
• On “Motivated Dio” meme (24:21):
  “Don’t threaten us with a good time, Pete.” — Dan
• On QB debate (17:43):
  “Maybe I’m stupid for doing that, but I just... think Caleb Williams has a higher ceiling than Drake May.” — Matt

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:22 — Bears stadium saga: Indiana tax revolt explodes
• 10:56 — Ben Johnson play calling & analytical stats
• 12:53 — CBS’s 2024 NFL Redraft: May or Williams?
• 18:53 — Leonard Floyd, free agency timing, and cap management
• 22:30 — “Motivated Dio” explained & meme culture
• 27:13 — Edge rusher rankings; Bears consensus “honorable mention”
• 30:07 — Could this roster contain Chicago’s best-ever QB, TE, WR?

---

Tone & Takeaways

Dan and Matt blend sharp wit, skepticism, and diehard fandom. Their discussion is candid, sometimes biting—especially regarding city politics and the Bears front office—but always engaging. Despite plenty of playful sarcasm, both are authentically excited about the possible golden era on the horizon for Bears offensive football.

Summary:
If you want a crash course on the latest stadium politics, changing NFL play-calling trends, the Williams vs. May QB debate, and what hope and humor looks like for long-suffering Bears fans—this episode of Forward Progress delivers all that and more, in the hosts' signature style.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

you're thinking forward progress. Come on. Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt abetic cola on 312 sports.

[A]

We bring you forward progress here on 312 sports. As we talk be Bears and NFL. And I guess the latest that we are hearing in the Bears stadium saga is that word has gotten around in Porter County, Indiana that there's no free lunch. And I find it interesting that even the people clamoring for we're gonna show you liberal state Illinois, our state can bring over business here. Oh, wait, the Big Gulp's gonna cost more. Oh, we can't have that. I can't have my Big Gulp costing more. We're not gonna put dollars in the pockets of billionaires from Illinois. Funny how things change when it's always some made up money coming from some magic land. And then when it's your money that they said, oh, come on in. Business friendly. No, it's business friendly because apparently you think you can just slap taxes on people and steamroll people and take businesses from people. And the people when you tell them that, when you actually inform them and when there are reporters around that actually are able to do their jobs because you're funding some local coverage of what's happening. Like, oh, wait a second here, I'm paying for it.

[B]

Yeah, the people of Porter county are hearing this 1% food and beverage tax and they're saying, wait a second. So the residents of Porter county, the elected officials of Porter county are saying, wait, we're going to get taxed for something that's not in our county to help Bears build a stadium? Well, that's not going to sit well and we're not going to allow that to happen. So yeah, when it's Monopoly money. It's great. And it's like, yeah, sure, we'll just, we'll give you whatever you need. You need billions of dollars.

[A]

Sure. We just make it up.

[B]

And we were saying all along, Dan, that it's going to come out of the taxpayers pockets. And people were saying, oh no, that's not how it's going to work. We're going to give them free money. We want the Bears and it's a great thing for them to do to build on this toxic wasteland. And now people are hearing, oh, this is what it's going to cost me to give George McCaskey who has to borrow the money himself because he doesn't have any. It's going to cost me extra money from my pocket. Well, no, that's, that's a problem. Okay. We said this all along and the governor, when it becomes real, people aren't going to go for this.

[A]

Yeah. And the governor's mad, Mike Braun's mad because he's basically saying if they choose not to put any skin in the game, they're not going to have any say. So for what happens from all the economic benefits we're going to get from it. So we know that's a lie, that all the touted economic benefits of public stadiums are wrong made up. It's always a lie. And under the law it says Porter county would have to approve a 1% food and beverage tax to have representation on the stadium authority. And the governor said if it doesn't get approved, the biggest impact would be on Porter county itself. Basically telling the citizens of Porter county if you don't want your money to subsidize the McCaskeys, then you're going to somehow be punished for it because you won't be able to share in all the, all the grand glory that this is going to bring. I think Porter county is like, yeah, we're good.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, we're not going to pay money, extra money so that Bears can have a stadium.

[A]

And that's when they, the legislature rammed this through.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And they, and anytime you asked who's paying, they're like, I don't worry about it. This, this, this nebulous stadium authority, we're just gonna be a whole ton of taxes. And where are the taxes? Well, they're not here. We don't really have that new property tax, new income tax, new sales tax for the next 35 years and that's going to be all around whatever this made up building is. And we can't say exactly how Much because we don't know how big the area is. We're going to double the hotel tax. Lake and Porter counties, there's going to be a 12% ticket tax. All this stuff. So the public cost, now they're estimating it easily past $4 billion. But it always goes up from there. But everybody ignored this until somebody's like, you know, it's all, it's all exciting. And then when you ask people, just vote for this, vote for this, vote for this. Okay, I'll vote for anything. Sure. Whatever people want, I'll vote for it. Well, you realize that now you're taxing your constituents and they don't like that. Oh, it's so stupid.

[B]

Yeah. When you're asking your taxpayers to pay more money for a bear stadium, it's so stupid. That was never. That was never going to be accepted or welcomed. It's wasn't.

[A]

It's just so stupid. And it's been stupid. The entire thing has been stupid, the whole process. Yes. This is, this is another chapter. Another chapter in a really, really dumb story. That's where we are. But good for Porter county for all of a sudden going, oh, hold on.

[B]

Wait.

[A]

What?

[B]

Right.

[A]

I'm paying for it. Okay. It's a little different now, isn't it?

[B]

Right. So my, my food and beverage costs are going to be higher so the bears can have a stadium here in

[A]

Indiana across the board. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I'm not interested in paying more money. Sorry.

[A]

Because George McCaskey can't afford it.

[B]

Right. Because he doesn't have the money himself. He needs to borrow any portion of what he puts towards the stadium. So I'm supposed to help that guy out.

[A]

I moved to Indiana because I didn't want to pay all those taxes in Illinois. They were taken away and they were giving it to brown people. I don't work my asshole off and pull myself up my bootstraps, give money to brown people. Okay. So it's, it's better now if you're hardworking money.

[B]

That.

[A]

And you pulled yourself up from your bootstraps and now you're going to give money to George McCasky. I'm just trying to make sure we're okay. Okay. All right. Let me write that down. That's. That's okay. That part's good in your world. Okay. Got it. Thank you.

[B]

Yeah. Just remember, they were never moving to Indiana ever.

[A]

But if they do, you're paying for it.

[B]

They're. They're never moving to Indiana.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

I don't care what the board says. What the vote is. Because that's not real either.

[A]

Right.

[B]

We're focusing all of our attention now on Hammond.

[A]

Oh, how so Secret.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We can't tell you how focusing. Are you doing the legal work? No. No. Really.

[B]

Do you own land anywhere else? Oh, yeah. We spent nearly $200 million five years ago.

[A]

But do you own land where you say you're going to build?

[B]

No. Other people do. We're just going to take it away from them.

[A]

The government.

[B]

They're old businesses anyway. No one will care that.

[A]

That's what he said. Yeah, I heard it. That's what the mayor of Hammond said. Old business. Nobody's going to shed a tear over these old businesses deciding to go elsewhere.

[B]

That's this, that's the headline for this story. It's a dumb story. Yep. You have to. From the start.

[A]

You kind of have to be dumb to be. To still be hanging on every word of it. Really. And that.

[B]

And guess who still has a job. Guess who still has a job.

[A]

Kevin Warren.

[B]

Yes. Yep.

[A]

He's still running the show.

[B]

And George is where. Umpiring games where. I mean, what's George doing?

[A]

George. George. I know that he's not expanding his businesses to allow him to dictate some of these options when it comes to his legacy as the owner of the Bears.

[B]

Telling you, Caleb Williams is going to play his entire career at Soldier Field.

[A]

I'm just.

[B]

I'm telling you that right now.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

He will not play home games for the Chicago Bears at another stadium.

[A]

Ever.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That you're. You're probably going to end up being. Right. You really are. They're going to have to extend their lease.

[B]

Unreal. They bought land five years ago. But we don't need to get back down to that rabbit hole. It's just.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Unbelievable. But now the people of Porter county thank you for waking up and saying, hey, guess what? Not our money.

[A]

Nicely done. Not now that people have informed you where the money comes from. We just can make up money. This is Indiana. We just. There's numbers and things happening. We don't have to do anything because we're business friendly climate here.

[B]

Okay,

[A]

That's fine.

[B]

Go ahead. Hey, what if you don't have bootstraps? How do you pull yourself up then? I don't know.

[A]

You pull yourselves up. Privilege, I think.

[B]

Okay. All right.

[A]

Wasn't sure.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think. Bootstraps or privilege or some combination of both. Just, you know, you pull yourselves up and that's.

[B]

That, that's.

[A]

That's good old American hard work. And Ingenu right there. And you're not going to reach into my pocket and take any of that money.

[B]

No way.

[C]

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[B]

Let me, let me share this with you. This was who was, who tweeted this out originally. All right. Ryan Pagnetti. Paganetti. Okay, let me see, let me go

[A]

see who Ryan is.

[B]

Super bowl winning NFL analyst, former Eagle Jaguar and Radar Radar Raider.

[A]

He's a former Raider Jaguar and radar radar. So former player.

[B]

So listen to this. What he, what he, what he said. He tweeted this out. No NFL play caller this century has treated second and short like a free shot more aggressively than Ben Johnson. Among 68 play callers with 70 plus games since 1999, Johnson ranks first in second and one pass rate at 48.2%, first in second and one to two yard pass rate at 47.7% and first in second and one to three yard pass rate at 47.5%. No current projected 2026 play caller is even within 17 percentage points of him on second and one.

[A]

Wow, that's awesome.

[B]

Is that great? Yeah.

[A]

It also if those stats are out there, that means if it is second and one teams are coming in like a dime defense.

[B]

That's the first thing I thought of. Yeah. Like if, if that's there and this guy can tweet it, we can.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Read it and learn it that clearly other NFL defenses know it and they're, they're going to prepare differently.

[A]

Right. So then this year he's if it's all a box count. Right.

[B]

It's going to drop. It's all.

[A]

Yeah, it's a box count. The Caleb is going to look over, he's like, oh, light box. Here you go, Kyle.

[B]

Right off. Yeah, here you go. Here you go.

[A]

Check with me. And you've checked with me and it's still a light box, Kyle.

[B]

Go. So unless, unless the Bears play the Las Vegas radars this year and then Max Crosby gets on them. You never know.

[A]

Yeah, that's true. Because the radars, they can, they can see things flying through the air. They know where all the passes are because they've, it's, it's a, it's a blip on their screen. They've figured it out. I, I have this thought exercise and. Oh, people are going to get mad year. Oh, oh, people gonna get mad because. Because CBS Sports has redrafted the 2024 NFL Draft.

[B]

Oh, interesting.

[A]

They have redrafted it. Okay, now the good news is the Bears still have the number one overall pick. All right.

[B]

NFL draft. Hang on a second. 2024. All right, here we go. Picks by round. Okay. All right, so they redrafted it. I'm going to say that Caleb Williams stays number one.

[A]

You're wrong. The Chicago Bears. Now, according to Zachary Perez, they didn't pick Drake May. CBS Sports would now select Drake May. That he says the following. This is a brutally close call between Drake May and Caleb Williams, both of whom took massive leaps in 2025. May, though, was truly special, leading the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt en route to an MVP runner up finish. There are still questions as his up and down playoff showing revealed. But the physical tools combined with the accuracy in playmaking is a tremendous combination. The number two overall pick by the Washington Williams Commanders, Caleb Williams. Okay, the commanders would gladly settle for Williams here. Settle is in quotes. He took his game to another level by cutting way down on negative plays, especially sacks, and improving massively as a pocket navigator and scrambler. This is his biggest advantage over May, who still must improve his pressure mitigation. Williams has always taken excellent care of the ball as a passer, even during his difficult rookie year. And his out of structure creation is jaw dropping. Yet they still have him behind May. The number three pick.

[B]

Let me guess, is it Joe Alt?

[A]

It's Jaden Daniels. Jaden Daniels saying that the Patriots would now select Jaden Daniels. He said if this article had come out at this time last year, Daniels would likely be number one. Instead, he falls all the way to number three. Said his electrifying rookie season can't be forgotten, but his second year struggles, injuries, a fall off in accuracy, less than ideal surroundings can't be completely overlooked either. Then it's Jared Verse, Joe Alt, Brock Bowers, Malik Neighbors, Quinon Mitchell. And they have the Chicago Bears at number nine.

[B]

Do not select Roma Dunes.

[A]

They do not. Who do they take? I don't know if I would have agreed.

[B]

It's not Marvin Harrison.

[A]

It's lad McConkey.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

Lad McConkey says pairing Williams with a highly regarded wide receiver made sense. But instead of going with Roma Dunes A in this redraft, the Bears land on McConkey, whose versatility and overall skill set have impressed through two seasons. His 13 touchdown catchers are the most of anyone in this class. His 1938 receiving yards are second.

[B]

Really?

[A]

That's what I thought too. Was like, really?

[B]

He has the most touchdowns from this class.

[A]

Yeah. Marvin Harrison Jr. Is at 19th. Roma Dunze is at 20th. Has him going to the Steelers.

[B]

Steelers.

[A]

Yeah. And it says behind the mercurial George Pickens, The Steelers didn't really have much in the way of wide receiver entering the 2024 draft. And that problem persisted all season. After Pickens, the next leading wide receiver was Calvin Austin iii. By grabbing Odunze, the Steelers would have gotten a big, physical player who has flashed major talent when healthy. I don't think there's anything unfair about this, do you?

[B]

No, there isn't.

[A]

But we can quibble with the quarterback stuff, but what they said about the quarterbacks made sense.

[B]

No, no, certainly. It certainly did. I. I still. I still want Caleb Williams.

[A]

I think, personally, I do, too. I think.

[B]

I mean, given the opportunity to switch those two quarterbacks, this. Like, if I could switch today and you give me Drake May and everything else is the same. Same tight end, same receivers, same coaches, and you just swap the two QBs. Yeah, I'll take Caleb Williams today over Drake May.

[A]

I think he's more fun to root for. I just.

[B]

And maybe I'm stupid for saying that, for doing that, but I just. I think. I think Caleb Williams has a great. A higher ceiling than Drake May. He may not reach it. We don't know how he'll develop and continue to grow. But I take. I'll take Caleb Williams over Drake May any day.

[A]

Yeah, I just. I think he's more fun. I do. I. It gives me more joy to root for Caleb Williams at the moment than I think it would for Drake May. But maybe I'm rationalizing because. And that's a very common psychological response to choosing between two things. We actually learned about this in psychology, if they haven't changed the rules on it and discovered new things, that when you are deciding between A and B, it is very common after you make your decision to psychologically find reasons or be biased toward reasons that reinforce your. Your decision rather than doubting it. It's just. It is sort Of a, an adaptive evolution.

[B]

Yeah, that's. No, that's, that's fair. I mean, that makes a great deal of sense. But I'm still taking Caleb Williams despite the great year that Drake May had. Hey, there was a name that we mentioned as a free agent, potential free agent for the Bears to look at, and it's Leonard Floyd.

[A]

I remember. Yes.

[B]

Okay. We talked about that and he's still sitting out there as a free agent. And I was wondering if the Bears were to take a flyer on him, like, when is it like the. Financially most responsible for the Bears to take a flyer, Like, I was wondering if, if they would take a flyer on him before camp to bring him in. Into camp. Okay. And just to get good detail on it, I asked a former former NFL guy, former scout guy, have a good understanding of the cap, how that would work. And so I said, what would be the issue financially, the impact financially of taking Leonard Floyd, bringing him in before camp starts? He says there's none. Unless there's a signing bonus involved or a part or all, the contract is guaranteed. A player like Floyd would only get a one year deal. So if they gave him, say, 1.5 million assigned, then cut him, the cap hit would be 1.5. If a vested vet is on the 53 for the first game, his salary is guaranteed for the whole season. But if he's cut, even if he's cut because of that, it's better to sign a vet after the first game and then his salary goes week to week. So if there's any concerns about losing, I mean, it's not. You know, when you're looking at 1.5 million in NFL money, that's, that's nothing significant. It's not great. It's still, it's still stuff that you'll, you'll take a hit on. You don't want to lose any kind of money. But it's not. Nothing, nothing too significant. The Bears wouldn't be able to handle or wouldn't derail anything but bringing a veteran in after the first game, then his salary is based week to week. So I, I didn't know how that worked.

[A]

Yeah, I'm trying to remember exactly when they brought in CJ GJ last year and about how that kind of worked out for them. That was what, four games in five

[B]

games in at least four.

[A]

Something like that? I think so. But the, the concern sometimes in camp is what would his presence in the depth chart then do for sorting through your developmental guys or giving people and snaps, you mean? Yeah, I Just thought it was their turn that. So you get a guy in, he's not here to sit, and he wouldn't be here to necessarily be, you know, not a special teamer. You know, if you do sign a veteran, you're going to be limited.

[B]

They.

[A]

They will be. I play this position on game days. I'm not on punt coverage and kick coverage and field goal block and, and all of these other things. So sometimes it, it will, it will change your, your distributions and your opportunities for some other people.

[B]

Yeah. So I just didn't know that if they, they brought him in after week one that it just goes week to week.

[A]

Either way, they. They would be smart to keep looking at some people because we know that that's.

[B]

Someone's gonna say it soon. Dan.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

With the front address. The fact outside of this podcast.

[A]

Yeah, somebody is. It just might have the inkling that the Bears were. Were potentially negligent in their lack of attention toward their pass rush, their front seven, their defensive line, however you want to phrase it.

[B]

Yeah, I'm waiting to hear it. Outside of forward Progress here on 312 Sports.

[A]

It would be about damn time if somebody pointed that out. The one thing, though, we talked about that weird thing on Madden where somebody made up a player card based on fan requests for something called motivated Dio OD.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And he was at a 99 that motivated Dio was just an absolute force. So we did immediately have some explanations come in as to what was going on there. So can I share a couple?

[B]

Yes, please.

[A]

All right. Well, first, there was. There were some different explanations here. This is Lucas who said the Motivated Dio meme started on Reddit and the site formerly known as Twitter. After the season ended, when people started speculating on the draft, some Bears fans and writers were suggesting that DYO would be extra motivated coming back from injury and a lackluster season. And therefore we didn't.

[B]

We being.

[A]

The Bears didn't necessarily need to add a pass rusher through the draft or a trade as the defense would be fixed. So people, especially fans of rival NFC north teams on a Reddit or subreddit, ran with this theme of motivated Dio. Okay, so that's hilarious. And now there's. There's some further stuff here from Pete in Westtown.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

He said, and I love the way he phrased this here it says, welcome Dan and Matt to the bottom of the well of off season brain rot and shitposting.

[B]

Oh, boy. I don't know if we're there yet. We can go lower.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Don't tempt us, Pete. Don't threaten us with a good time.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[A]

He says motivated Dayo Odengbo was born on March 7, 2026 during the Max Crosby saga. A completely unremarkable and inconsequential. Blue check mark on Twitter shared the following. Rewatching the Max Crosby tape this morning. Yeah, let's just say I'm glad we saved the picks. Montez, Dexter and a motivated Dyo Odengbo. This defense will surprise everyone that's got a million views.

[B]

Was that Twitter handle? Was it Jen Bonson?

[A]

Who is that? No, it's not at caleb goat qb1. Immediately following the tweet, r Shy Bears and r NFC North Memore launched a shitposting campaign with the goal of inflating Dayo Odengbo's perceived value with the word motivated. He says, please do not interrupt the psyop. We're this close to unloading his contract. Since the Bears defense will be the beneficiaries of super coaching this year, Dyo can still be flipped for Jalen Carter. Just you wait. Okay. It's a. The whole thing's a bit. And actually. That's hilarious.

[B]

Yeah, it's great.

[A]

That's great. I don't want to ruin it because that's really funny that somebody decided. Wait a second. Daio Dangbo's motivated. Hold on here. Okay, now. Oh, you didn't tell me that. You didn't tell me he was motivated. So even when he was healthy last year, he wasn't that good?

[B]

No, he wasn't.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

He was not motivated.

[A]

The reason motivated Dio is a thing is because somebody's like, yeah, we don't need Max Crosby. We have motivated Dio. Okay, good, good. Well done.

[B]

I hope that works out for us.

[A]

99.

[B]

Yeah, well.

[A]

Well, here's the question, though. Is he motivated by super coaching?

[B]

Yeah, I'm not. I'm. I'm less concerned about his motivation as I am about his Achilles that. Can he move? Can he run?

[A]

But perhaps super coaching can also heal the.

[B]

Heal that even even further.

[A]

They're going to keep really coaching him.

[B]

You have doctors look at it like in week three and say, wow, his Achilles is actually stronger. Yep. He is better than it ever was.

[A]

He has two in this leg.

[B]

He grew a third one. No. Yep.

[A]

He's got. He's got an extra just in case. So while we're talking about edge rushers.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's their turn for the rankings. The. The coaches, execs, and the scouts have ranked.

[B]

Okay. Oh, yeah. So ESPN's top 10 edge rushers going into 20, 26.

[A]

Yep. Okay. Yep.

[B]

So Michael Parsons.

[A]

Micah Parsons is number two. Miles Garrett is number one.

[B]

Oh, yeah, he's good, too.

[A]

He was also number one on every ballot. A clean sweep that they say is rare for this exercise that usually features at least one detractor. 23 sacks, 33 tackles for loss. They said he doesn't get enough credit for how powerful he is. Everybody talks about Aaron Donald's power, but Miles is just as strong. He's seen every type of help an offense can give. Slide chips only run away from him. He has a game plan or a counter for all of it. Said his ability to feel and navigate at the line without wasted movement is elite. Number two is Micah Parsons. Okay, so there are only two guys that never really get blocked in the NFL, and it's Miles and Micah. And you do what you can.

[B]

Motivated Dio.

[A]

And that's the thing. So now. Now we have to include Motivated Dio and the Sue Bears super coaching number three, Will Anderson of the Texans. Number four, the aforementioned Crosby, who is described as a bad motherfucker versus the run, the pass, whatever. He's a pain in the ass all game. Said one NFC exec who's probably Ryan. Polls that wouldn't surprise me. Aiden Hutchinson, 5. Daniel Hunter, 6. T.J. watt, 7. 8. Is Nick Bosa saying he'd be in the top five if healthy? Brian Burns of the Giants. Number 9.

[B]

Number 10 is Montez. What?

[A]

Number 10 is Denver Broncos and Nick Bonito. Honorable mentions Jared Verse and Josh Heinz. Allen also receiving votes.

[B]

Montez Sweat.

[A]

Montez Sweat. Yes, he did receive votes, along with Trayvon Walker, Jalen Phillips, lay out to Latu, Nick Herbig and Alex Heisman.

[B]

Okay, well, good. Lisa received votes. So I think so far in cornerbacks, running backs and edge rushers, that's all we've done. So far. We have. Bears have also received votes and an

[A]

honorable mention, I think.

[B]

Oh, Jason was an honorable mention. Right.

[A]

Jalen Johnson was an honorable mention and

[B]

then DeAndre Swift have received votes. Okay, so that's where we're at so far is Bears.

[A]

Okay, so far the Bears have peaked at honorable mention. When it comes to the positional stuff,

[B]

I can't really argue at this point.

[A]

No, yeah, no, I'm not. I'm not here to build a case and argue on the behalf of certain Bears. And when we're talking about the other list, about redrafting, that's just personal preference. I.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

I personally would rather be a fan of Caleb Williams than a fan of Drake May. I just think he's more fun and if you want to, if you just, I don't know. Some people like vanilla, some people like chocolate.

[B]

That's why you have both. Yeah. And when it, but when it's all said and done, I think Caleb's gonna have the better career period.

[A]

Okay. I'm not as certain about that.

[B]

I am.

[A]

I think he'll have, I, I, I have better highlights.

[B]

I bleed Chicago Bears football. Dan. You don't. That's why, that's why we disagree there.

[A]

That's true. I know he'll have better highlights. Absolutely certain of that. That the Caleb Williams career highlight reel is going to be pretty awesome.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it already is.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's already pretty good.

[B]

I will put if you end the career highlights right now. Career highlights better than Drake Mays career highlights.

[A]

It might be when all is because I know we don't have the Sid Luckman tape lying around but if, unless they're doing it wrong, Caleb Williams is like first five years worth of highlights should be better than all other Bears quarterbacks combined.

[B]

Correct. Yeah. After Caleb's career is done, they're going to stop looking back at other Bears quarterbacks.

[A]

No, no we won't. Never. It'll never happen. That, that narrative will. All it's going to do is throw it into more focus. They were that bad.

[B]

Hey, let me, let me, let me throw this at you and just think about this. And, and this. It doesn't, this may not come to fruition but we could be watching right now, Dan. We could be watching right now three players who end up being the best ever at their positions for the Chicago Bears.

[A]

Tight end. Quarterback. Quarterback. Kicker.

[B]

No, I was going to say Luther Burden.

[A]

Oh well, yeah, exactly. Yeah. I know sometimes wide receivers have, yeah.

[B]

And there's, there's definitely, I would, I would say, I would say tight end quarterback are up and then there's a little, there's a, there's a bigger gap.

[A]

Well, you're off aroma dunes already. That didn't take long.

[B]

Let me see, let me see you play this year.

[A]

Dude, that's, yeah, he was the one talking about it. Remember when he was drafted he was the one saying Johnny Morris has this. I don't even know where that is. And he's got this record and that record and all that. These are career, all time records in your franchise. He was the one talking about that stuff.

[B]

Yeah. And I hope I'm wrong. I, I really do, I don't, I don't Dislike Roma Dunes day. But I need to see you play. I remember I need to see 17 games in the regular season and I need to see more of that guy that had five in the first four.

[A]

Do you remember when Parkins was making the same point about Darnell Mooney?

[B]

I don't.

[A]

Yeah. He was saying like, darn, if Darnell Mooney. Look at this. Like, he, he could be the best, most accomplished Bears wide receiver. All he needs is to average this is this and this over the. And it wasn't wrong.

[B]

No, it just.

[A]

It's just an illustration of any next Bears wide receiver who's decent the way the numbers are now has a decent chance of being the. You stick around for a while, you get another contract. If. And you end up not hurt.

[B]

But look, you should be. You. You could have. We could be watching the best quarterback ever in franchise history and the best tight end.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. And you're right about the wide receiver position. It could be just the next guy up. The next guy somebody just happens to

[A]

be here for a while should break those records.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You don't even have to be spectacular.

[B]

Right. But it could be Luther Burden with what he's done in his rookie year and some of the stats he put up and the company that he kept with those stats.

[A]

My God, we were. Any number of guys who've had a good year, whether it's Marty Booker, Marcus Robinson or Alan Robinson. Like, there's always seems. Look at this guy, you know, Darnell Mooney, one of those guys.

[B]

You're right. No, that's. That's a fair. That's a fair point to make. And I think. But with tight end and quarterback, I think we're. Man, that's. That's something special right there. You could be watching.

[A]

So we'll close it on a positive note for you. We'll leave you with that on this edition of Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast on 312 Sports. Forward progress is stopped.

[B]

Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports.