Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: ESPN Bears Reporter, Courtney Cronin
Date: September 18, 2025
Host(s): Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Courtney Cronin (ESPN Bears Reporter)

Overview

This episode of Forward Progress dives deep into the Chicago Bears’ rocky start to the 2025 season (0-2 record). Hosts Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola are joined by ESPN Bears beat reporter Courtney Cronin for a frank, no-nonsense breakdown of what’s gone wrong, who’s accountable, and what comes next. The conversation covers coaching, player execution, scheme, communication, and the underlying issues contributing to early season woes. Notable moments include pulling back the curtain on press conferences, “read-between-the-lines” coach-speak, and candid reflections on body language and leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Severity of the Bears’ 0-2 Start

[00:20 – 02:39]

• Dan Bernstein sets up the discussion, asking just “how bad” the Bears start truly is: is it expected hiccups under a new coach, or a full-blown crisis?
• Courtney Cronin places the situation “somewhere in the middle.” She cites fans’ frustration as justified, especially after back-to-back frustrating losses and broken promises of a new culture.
  • “There does carry some PTSD elements… they were promised it would look different, more than anything else.” (Courtney Cronin, [01:25])

2. Culture Problems & Practice Habits

[02:39 – 05:00]

• Poor practice habits and lack of “championship-caliber” preparation have carried into games, especially impacting the defense.
• Tyrique Stevenson’s comment that it’s “an effort and a want to thing” troubled Cronin.
  • “That’s a disconnect between how it’s being coached and how the players are receiving it.” (Courtney Cronin, [04:41])

3. Accountability: Coaches vs. Players vs. GM

[05:40 – 11:21]

• Discussion on Dennis Allen (Defensive Coordinator) being defensive about questions, resisting media pressure, and owning mistakes.
• The growing tension between “it’s an execution problem” (players) versus “is this a talent issue?” (front office).
  • “Anytime they start talking about execution or habits, that’s saying ‘the players, the players, the players.’... You can only shift the onus so many times…” (Dan Bernstein, [10:19])

4. The Reality of a New Regime and Patience

[06:45 – 10:19]

• Matt asks about the legitimacy of a four-to-six-week patience window with new coach Ben Johnson and rookie QB Caleb Williams.
• Cronin says expectations for “clean football” are fair, especially given offseason messaging that mistakes wouldn’t be tolerated.
  • She points to Detroit’s 2022 example as evidence this offensive scheme can take a while to gel, but admits: “That presumes you have the right players.”

5. Ben Johnson’s Coach Speak: Reading Between the Lines

[11:21 – 15:07]

• Cronin deciphers Johnson’s public comments, highlighting moments where he subtly shifts blame toward the front office and players.
  • Notable quote: “I brought Dennis Allen in here for a reason. The scheme works... To me, that was a read-between-the-lines... pointing at the front office for the players they brought in, the players not producing right now.” (Courtney Cronin, [12:44])

6. Defensive Line Failures & Montez Sweat’s Struggles

[15:07 – 18:40]

• Dan explores whether Dennis Allen’s front-four approach is stuck “in between” familiar schemes and why the pass rush is failing.
• Cronin refutes the double-team excuse for Montez Sweat’s lack of production.
  • “Of anybody who’s had at least 30 pass rush snaps... [Montez Sweat] is 92nd out of 133 players in double teams.” (Courtney Cronin, [16:22])
  • “If you are the highest paid player, you should be producing—without the caveat of, ‘oh we need to take pressure away from him.’” (Courtney Cronin, [16:36])

7. Offense: Tight End Usage and Practice Intensity

[18:40 – 23:22]

• Matt asks about Johnson’s vague comments on why tight ends like Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland have been non-factors.
• Cronin interprets Johnson’s broad critique (“guys aren’t practicing hard”) as a message for the entire offense, but possibly directed at specific players behind closed doors.

8. Ben Johnson’s Candidness, Messaging, and the Evolution of NFL Coaches

[23:22 – 25:10]

• The hosts and Cronin discuss if the current transparency from Ben Johnson will last, or if adversity will force him into more guarded coach-speak.
  • “It takes a coach a whole year… and a real big moment of adversity, whatever it ends up being, to see if he sticks with that course or goes a different direction.” (Courtney Cronin, [24:34])

9. Body Language, Leadership & Human Reactions

[25:10 – 29:56]

• Discussion on Ben Johnson’s emphasis on not being a “palms up team” (overly negative/defeatist body language).
• Cronin candidly empathizes with players being criticized for on-field reactions:
  • “That would fucking hurt, like, if you got hit like that…I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt for that. But in the context of sports, the way that looked was a big problem for the rest of your football team.” (Courtney Cronin, [27:04])
• Balancing authenticity and composure as a leader: what’s expected versus what’s human.

10. What the Bears Need to Beat Dallas

[29:56 – 33:41]

• Courtney: “Can they run the ball better?” Key to sparking offense, especially against Dallas’ questionable run defense.
• Limiting big pass plays will be crucial, especially with injuries in the secondary and a weak pass rush.
  • “If they can’t get pressure up front... you’re going to be seeing the same result on the back end. We’ll find out if Bears can win in a shootout.” (Courtney Cronin, [31:19])

11. Adapting the Defensive Scheme Amid Injuries

[31:54 – 33:41]

• Dan worries Allen’s man-heavy scheme is a poor fit for a battered Bears secondary.
• Cronin says adjustments are essential given the team’s current vulnerabilities.

12. On Beat Reporting and Press Conferences

[33:41 – 34:59]

• Praising Cronin and the Bears’ press corps for their shrewd questioning and ability to dig out answers from sometimes elusive coaching staff.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the state of the team:
  “Somewhere in the middle... Bears fans who think ‘same old Bears’ right now, you can’t be mad at them.” (Courtney Cronin, [01:25])

• On accountability:
  “You can only shift the onus so many times... before the question is: are they not executing because they’re just not good enough at football?” (Dan Bernstein, [10:19])

• On Montez Sweat’s struggles:
  “He’s supposed to be the best player at his position... you should be producing without the caveat of, ‘oh we need to take pressure away from him.’” (Courtney Cronin, [16:36])

• Coach’s transparency:
  “When there was a question asked specific to two players... that gave the coach a window into being able to... communicate to his team through the media.” (Courtney Cronin, [20:18])

• Empathizing with players:
  “That would fucking hurt... I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt for that.” (Courtney Cronin, [27:04])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:20] – Assessing the Bears’ 0-2 start
• [01:25] – Cronin on broken promises, PTSD for fans
• [04:41] – Practice habits and effort questioned
• [10:19] – The shifting of blame (players vs. coaches vs. GM)
• [12:44] – Cronin deciphers Ben Johnson’s “read-between-the-lines” comments
• [16:22] – Debunking double-team excuses for Montez Sweat
• [20:18] – Coach using media messaging to motivate/criticize players
• [24:34] – Will Ben Johnson remain transparent or go “full NFL coach?”
• [27:04] – Cronin’s unfiltered empathy on taking NFL hits
• [29:56] – Keys to beating Dallas: run game, limiting big plays
• [31:54] – Pressures on adapting defensive schemes due to injuries
• [33:41] – Praising the Bears beat press corps

Tone & Takeaways

The episode features a candid, unsparing tone, blending sharp football analysis with wit and the emotional resonance of seasoned Chicago fans. The hosts and Cronin trade frank observations, calling out excuses while providing nuanced explanations and real accountability. The conversation offers a must-listen companion for any Bears fan (or NFL observer) seeking to understand the real, raw issues woven into the Bears’ 2025 struggles.

Summary Prepared For:
Listeners who want a full grasp of the episode’s discourse, without sitting through ads, intros, or outros. All takeaway, no filler.