Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: ESPN's Kalyn Kahler on Tush Push, CBA and potential lockout, the Chicago Bears stadium drama!
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Dan Bernstein (filling in solo for Matt Abbatacola, who’s on vacation)
Guest: Kalyn Kahler, ESPN Senior NFL Writer

Episode Overview

This episode brings Kalyn Kahler to the show, joining Dan Bernstein in a wide-ranging conversation that covers some of the hottest ongoing topics in the NFL: the ongoing drama over the “Tush Push” (quarterback sneak) play, looming tensions and a possible NFL officiating lockout around the CBA, and the ever-evolving saga of the Chicago Bears’ stadium. Kahler shares insights from her reporting, experiences at NFL meetings, and what she’s hearing around the league about the Bears’ future both on and off the field.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life on the Road and College Football Team-Building

• Kalyn is reporting from New Orleans, recounting time at Tulane and LSU Pro Days, exploring the emerging role of college football General Managers (GMs) and their approach to roster-building in the transfer portal and NIL era.
  • Retention vs. Recruitment:
    Tulane’s GM values player retention over playing the transfer portal.

    “I think retention is more important than how well you played the portal.” (Kahler, 03:25)

  • Financial Gaps:
    Noted huge discrepancies in NIL payments—schools paying a million+ for QBs compared to Tulane’s whole QB room earning less than a single South Florida starter.

    “He was kind of saying that there is this huge divide between schools that pay a million or more... and schools that are paying in the low hundred thousands...” (Kahler, 04:20)

2. NFL Owners’ Meetings – Rule Changes and the ‘Tush Push’ Debate

• ‘Tush Push’ (QB sneak with a backfield push):
  • Kahler has closely tracked this controversial play and clarifies it won’t be banned this season.
    • The main concern this year has shifted from player safety to officiating challenges—it’s just too hard to referee.
    • Previous proposals to ban it focused on health/safety, not officiating.
    • Actual play success appears to be fading as teams adapt.
  • Dan’s Analogy:

    “I think of the Tush Push as like your pet—like you have a little...you have some ownership in it.” (Bernstein, 08:51)

  • Kahler’s Take:

    “My pet is not gonna go extinct yet. This is the good news.” (Kahler, 09:06) “Normal quarterback sneaks are more successful than Tush Push now, which is probably true...It would be the exact same play if no one was behind Jalen Hurts.” (Kahler, 14:59)

  • Natural football evolution is making the play less dominant, especially as the Eagles and others lose mastery.
  • The consensus: banning the push wouldn’t solve officiating problems or affect the sneak much.

3. Looming NFL Officials Lockout & CBA Tensions

• CBA Expiration & Lockout Threat:

  • The officials’ collective bargaining agreement expires May 31.
  • Talks have been slow; the NFL is preparing contingency plans, including recruiting backup officials.
  • Main sticking points: NFL wants a longer probationary period (from 3 to 4 years), shorter offseason "dead period" (to offer more training/availability), greater power over firing and postseason assignments, and bonus allocation only for top performers.
  • Officials’ pay and status (many have established careers outside officiating) complicate moving to full-time.
  • Jeff Miller (NFL Exec):

    “Negotiations are taking longer, aren’t happening as quickly as expected.” (Kahler recounting, 18:26)

• Centralized Mega Replay Center:

  • In the event of a work stoppage, NFL’s Art McNally Game Day Central (AMGC) could be empowered to override any on-field call, not just those currently subject to review.
  • On-field officials’ jobs may be weakened in the long run if centralized review proves effective.

    “If this works too well...then there might be other jobs at stake here.” (Bernstein, 26:46)

• Future of NFL Officiating:

  • Kahler explains why there is no easy fix—most rules or replay change proposals end up flawed or unworkable.
  • Example: Rams’ failed proposal after a critical broadcast-led review last season.

    “There is a very difficult to think you can come in and improve officiating... every idea has some flaw to it.” (Kahler, 29:38)

4. Chicago Bears – Around the League and the Stadium Saga

• League-wide Perception of Bears:

  • Football side: Extremely positive. Ben Johnson, in particular, is well-respected.

    “In the football conversation, very positive. Everyone...great things about Ben Johnson.” (Kahler, 31:04)

  • Notable behind-the-scenes storyline: some rumored tension between Ben Johnson and Packers’ Matt LaFleur, and that LaFleur is generally “unpopular.”

    “Within the division, I think he [LaFleur] has rubbed some other coaches the wrong way, not just Ben Johnson.” (Kahler, 31:41)

• Stadium Drama:

  • The question of whether the Bears will wind up in Arlington Heights, Indiana, or elsewhere is the top non-football question insiders are asking.
  • Kahler is wary of public posturing:

    “Most of the stuff the team is telling you is probably garbage.” (Bernstein, 32:46)
    “I just have no idea what any of this means because...the media is being used...just being used in a lot of different ways.” (Kahler, 32:49)

  • Predominant league chatter thinks Indiana is likely, comparing it to other teams not in their city, but Bernstein argues Arlington Heights is much more probable, detailing obstacles for an Indiana move (environmental cleanup, lack of entertainment development vs. Arlington’s opportunity).

    “I’ll take all those bets...there’s a lot more about the environmental issues on that [Indiana] site...” (Bernstein, 34:13)

  • The episode delves into legislative maneuvering in Springfield, estate tax implications of ownership succession, and the limits of using private equity to fund the project.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NFL officiating:

  “I would argue every play in the NFL is hard to officiate. It’s because they’re moving too fast and they’re enormous and it’s chaotic...” (Bernstein, 16:48)

• On the Bears using media for leverage:

  “I don’t even know what to make of any of it because...the media is being used in a lot of different ways.” (Kahler, 32:49)

• On stadium finance math:

  “Why don’t they just sell 10% private equity to have the money to build in Illinois and pay that property tax?”
  “It’s not enough. Because they said two billion for this building here? No way...minimum of like 7 billion.” (Bernstein, 38:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Tulane/Pro Days/College GM discussion: 01:25–06:24
• NFL Owners’ Meetings and Tush Push debate: 08:15–16:48
• Officiating, CBA and potential lockout: 16:48–26:46
• Replay Center Proposal & Rule Change Difficulties: 26:39–30:18
• Chicago Bears’ status around the league: 31:04–32:49
• Stadium drama & legislative/ownership complications: 32:49–39:47

Overall Tone & Style

The tone is informed, humorous, and candid—reflecting Dan Bernstein’s playful cynicism and Kalyn Kahler’s deep sourcing and reporting acumen. Both are forthright about the circus of NFL rule-making, labor relations, and behind-the-scenes power-plays, particularly when it comes to the Bears’ stadium play.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a must for anyone who cares about the future of NFL rules, labor relations, and the fate of football in Chicago. It blends on-field evolution (the ‘Tush Push’) with off-field intrigue—from CBA poker to stadium power-plays and real league gossip. The result is equal parts entertainment, analysis, and rumor—just what Chicago (and football) fans crave.

End of Summary