FS1 TV Star, Co-Host of First Things First and old friend, Danny Parkins

Summary

Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: FS1 TV Star, Co-Host of First Things First & Old Friend, Danny Parkins
Date: October 2, 2025
Host(s): Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Danny Parkins (FS1, First Things First)

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Episode Overview

This episode reunites Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola with longtime friend and now FS1 national TV host Danny Parkins. Together, they dive into the state of the Chicago Bears under new head coach Ben Johnson, the challenges of NFL coaching, and the ongoing development of quarterback Caleb Williams. The conversation covers media transitions, the unique culture of football, Parkins’ move from Chicago to New York, and even a spirited discussion on pizza, delis, and New York adventures. The mood is candid, irreverent, and steeped in both football insight and friendship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Chicago Bears & Ben Johnson Era

Timestamps: 01:29–07:09, 13:47–29:17

• Bears are 2-2: The hosts note the team's surprising position—neither thriving nor unraveling—as new coach Ben Johnson "figures out what he's doing here" (01:29).
• Early Bye Week: While some complain, Bernstein argues the timing is ideal for a rebooting regime (01:49).
• Early impressions of Ben Johnson: Noted for relentless work and accountability. Both hosts believe Johnson is confronting a tougher situation than anticipated:

  “Ben Johnson got here, realized it was a heavier lift than he thought it was going to be.” – Dan Bernstein (13:47)

• Johnson's candidness with media stands out; expect honesty to increase rather than retreat (18:53–19:54).

2. NFL Coaching Culture

Timestamps: 14:24–17:37, 19:58–21:11

• Discussion of previous Bears coaches (John Fox, Matt Nagy): Each was overwhelmed by organizational dysfunction, with Fox’s only legacy being a new practice facility.
• NFL coaches are "not normal people," with unique, sometimes "crazy" obsessions:

  “Ben Johnson strikes me as an awesome, crazy person.” – Danny Parkins (15:47)

• How coaching jobs erode optimism, with Matt Nagy becoming a "contradictory cliché” in pressers by year three (20:07–21:11).

3. Caleb Williams: The Franchise Quarterback?

Timestamps: 07:49–12:17, 17:37–18:53

• Parkins remains fully committed to Caleb Williams, emphasizing the "eye-test" wow factor and unique, elite traits comparable to Mahomes or Rodgers:

  “There are things that Caleb Williams can do that Joe Burrow cannot... he clearly has that physical ability.” – Danny Parkins (08:34–09:14)

• Accuracy issues: Parkins admits, “He misses layups,” but credits fundamentals and footwork as fixable problems (10:59–11:59).
• Ben Johnson seen as key to unlocking Williams' ceiling; the transition is a "rewiring" after a “lost year” under the previous regime (18:00).

4. NFL Parity, Storylines & TV Dominance

Timestamps: 21:13–26:25, 23:48–26:25

• Ravens’ surprising 1-3 record attributed to staggering injuries; Chiefs’ persistence and inevitable excellence discussed (21:13–23:48).
• Why the NFL rules TV: High stakes, gambling, fantasy, and the unique rhythm that keeps fans addicted:

  “Every game matters... In football, like the Ravens are one in three. What? It’s a huge deal.” – Danny Parkins (24:43)
  “It’s the best television product by far.” – Danny Parkins (24:43)

5. Changing Careers & Life After Chicago Radio

Timestamps: 04:49–07:09, 29:17–34:56

• Parkins and the hosts reflect on the transition from corporate radio to more autonomous ventures—appreciating less stress and more authentic content:

  “What brings a lot of the joy is the autonomy...for us to come to work and be in charge is really nice.” – Matt Abaticola (05:34)

• Danny talks about shifting from The Score, balancing career with family, and venturing into TV with his best friend Nick Wright on FS1’s First Things First:

  “This gig is really fun... This is so much fun. We watch football together for 11 hours on Sunday and then bring it to national television together.” – Danny Parkins (29:46–30:15)

6. Life in New York: Food, Shows, and the Pizza Tour

Timestamps: 31:28–40:53

• Parkins details the pleasures and quirks of New York living: Broadway nights, legendary delis, “the best falafel and shawarma,” and a running pizza bucket list.
• Classic NYC experiences—from Second Avenue Deli to Katz’s, and even star-studded nights at Madison Square Garden with Seinfeld stand-up:

  “I’m standing there...watching Seinfeld go up, shock the crowd, and he does New York material. Obviously, he’s killing.” – Danny Parkins (34:57)

7. Quick Hits: Comedy at Wrigley & Favorite Pizza Slices

Timestamps: 35:45–39:57

• Thoughts on John Mulaney playing Wrigley Field and the challenges of comedy in big venues:

  “Comedy is best enjoyed at the Comedy Cellar... It’s the greatest deal in the city.” – Danny Parkins (36:47)

• Pizza recommendations from Brooklyn and Manhattan—L’Industrie, Mama’s Two, and the unheralded greatness of Norms.

  “This may be the best slice of New York pizza I’ve ever had in my life.” – Dan Bernstein (39:15)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On podcasting vs. radio:

  “Unencumbered might actually be more proper than unfiltered.” – Matt Abaticola (05:26)
  “Dan Bernstein, unencumbered…” – Matt Abaticola (05:34)

• On Caleb Williams’ upside:

  “To me, those are the most special players in the league. And he clearly has it. He clearly has that physical ability. He does some dumb shit sometimes, right?” – Danny Parkins (09:33)

• On NFL’s dominance:

  “It’s the best television product by far...the ebb and the flow to the conversation, the characters, the parody, it’s just, it’s the greatest.” – Danny Parkins (24:43–26:25)

• On life adjustments in New York:

  “The kids get to watch me on TV...But if you’ve lived in the suburbs of Chicago, you can live in the suburbs of New York.” – Danny Parkins (30:34)
  “Someone has to do one hour of day of television with their best friend and live in New York. Someone has to do it.” – Danny Parkins (41:01)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bears’ status and early bye week: 01:29–02:19
• Transition from sports radio to podcasting: 04:49–07:09
• Caleb Williams discussion: 07:49–12:17
• Bears coaching carousel, NFL coaching culture: 14:24–17:37
• Ben Johnson’s handling of media & accountability: 18:53–19:54
• NFL as a TV product & league parity: 21:13–26:25
• Chiefs, Ravens, and NFL injuries: 21:31–23:48
• Parkins’ move to TV, NY lifestyle: 29:17–34:56
• NYC delicacies and pizza recommendations: 31:28–40:53
• Comedy at Wrigley segment: 35:45–37:40

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Tone & Originality

The episode maintains the hosts’ trademark blend of deep football knowledge, Chicago-style irreverence, and the easy camaraderie of old friends. Jokes about fried chicken in the tub, candid recollections of Bears misery, and real-time laughter about eating habits and music lessons color the football talk. Even the heaviest discussions—coaching drama, job losses, or quarterback doubts—carry a tone of authenticity, wit, and optimism.

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For New Listeners

This episode offers a frank, funny, and unsparing look at the Chicago Bears in transition, the realities of sports media, and the pleasures of embracing new challenges. With access to insider insight but the tone of a barroom conversation, it’s essential listening for any Bears fan—and a great showcase of why Forward Progress is a must-follow for Chicago sports talk.

Transcript

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[Dan Bernstein]

Forward progress a Chicago Bears Podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 SP.

[Matt Abaticola]

We give you forward progress here on 312 Sports. I'm Dan Bernstein, that is Matt Abaticola. This podcast about your Chicago Bears and the NFL and it's brought to you by Beer Church Brewing New Buffalo's Brewery Pizzeria in a historic church wood fired Neapolitan pizza small batch craft beer brunch every day. Visit Beer Church Brewing. The bears are 2 and 2.

[Dan Bernstein]

Unbelievably 2 and 2.

[Matt Abaticola]

Somehow, some way, they're kind of right where they're supposed to be. They are a right in the blob. They are right there in the blob. As Ben Johnson gets started figuring out what he's doing here as a head coach, what he wants this to be, beginning to sort through some of the players making moves on the fly.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, you know, I've heard some people talk about just like friends and people in life talk about the bye week being too early. They don't like it. You want some more time? I think it's perfect for a brand new regime, brand new team trying to put things together. You know, people will say later in the season's better with some injuries and kind of recovery. I like this. I like Ben Johnson. I don't see this guy taking a second off during this bye week and just hopefully fixing the things that he can fix this week as they prepare for the Commanders game coming up in a couple of weeks.

[Matt Abaticola]

And again, the Bears practiced Tuesday. They had a lifting day on Wednesday and they're off now for the four days that is collectively bargained. That certainly lets them do that. I like the fact that the bye week comes here because it allows Beth and me to head down to New Orleans and see Jason timed up with their break. That works out well it's their fall break. And then instead of having to fly him home, he's just going to stay there and we can take him out to a couple of dinners and then he'll walk us around and have us buy him things.

[Dan Bernstein]

What's the dinner you have to have for me? Remember I told you. Cause it's five.

[Matt Abaticola]

It is the fried chicken festival. But we've got. I don't know, we worked something out. We've got a dinner at one of the Brennan restaurants called. It's the Brennan restaurant that the locals recommend. It's called Bourbon and it's a lot of their classic stuff, but it's one of the new Dickey Brennan places. We're going there. And then because we happened to buy a New Orleans trip at a charity event, we went. The Intonation Music festival was honoring my cousin Brian as like their man of the decade or one of their live auction items was a trip to New Orleans. We knew we'd be going, so we figured we might as well buy this and give the money to the organization. So we also have a jazz cruise dinner with a Grammy nominated New Orleans jazz band going all around like the river, Mississippi river and Lake Pontchartrain and all that while we.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's fun.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

But no, you owe me a fried chicken dinner in the bathtub at the hotel. Yeah, baby, you gotta do that.

[Matt Abaticola]

By myself?

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, yeah, absolutely by myself.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

I'll get a separate room at that point.

[Danny Parkins]

Oh, I'm sure Beth already has separate rooms.

[Dan Bernstein]

You just don't know about it yet.

[Matt Abaticola]

Nothing to do with that. So joining us now here on Forward Progress is an old friend who you will recognize as soon as you see him. It is Danny Parkins, the co host of first things first on FS1. He is a national television superstar who has taken time out of his busy schedule to join us. Hello, sir. How you been?

[Danny Parkins]

What's up, friend? Fried chicken in a bathtub. That's. That sounds lovely.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, it's fine. You just don't want to watch me eat it. That's generally. Especially when it comes to chicken, whether it's wings or fried chicken. Just don't watch me eat.

[Dan Bernstein]

Because ever. It's just.

[Danny Parkins]

There's.

[Dan Bernstein]

There's never a good, good reason to watch anything.

[Matt Abaticola]

There's bones flying everywhere. There's all sorts of things happening. Occasionally I'm at least partially unclothed, even in public.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

So it just.

[Danny Parkins]

My favorite part.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's not a pretty scene.

[Dan Bernstein]

What's up, Danny?

[Matt Abaticola]

How are you?

[Danny Parkins]

What's up, guys. Thank you for having me on. Congratulations on. On this. I've been a big fan. I'm like, I was thrilled to hear the news and I was like, I knew Dan was going to do something and then I heard. I was like, with. With a Bata Cola. Oh, my God. We're getting the band back together. But, like, this is. This is really dope. And I have not listened to every episode of everything, but I have listened to a decent amount. And you guys just sound like you are having fun and not stressed at all. Like, I have no idea if that is accurate. I know I've texted you a little bit, Dan on the side, but, like, you guys just do not sound at all encumbered by anything, which I think is lovely.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, that's kind of the point. I think unencumbered might actually be more proper than unfiltered.

[Danny Parkins]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Truly, it doesn't have quite the same ring, but. Dan Bernstein, unencumbered. Yeah, there's definitely some truth to that. I think what brings a lot of the joy is the autonomy. I think just being able for. For us to come to work and be in charge is really nice.

[Danny Parkins]

That's a nice. Yeah. Talk about what you care about. You know, things weren't mandated on what you could talk about at the score, but there was like an expectation.

[Dan Bernstein]

Play the hits.

[Danny Parkins]

Play, play, Play the hits. You got to play the hits. You have energy. Reset. Play the hits. But now listen, it was. It was. You know, I don't know how many you want my thoughts on all. Everything that led to you ending up here, but I will just say it is great to hear you. It is completely ridiculous what happened. I know, I know.

[Matt Abaticola]

I earned it.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

I mean, I mean, you can say in the grand scheme of things, it's ridiculous because things like that involving Twitter and Fish are clearly are objectively ridiculous. But I don't. I don't think I was necessarily unfairly treated. I don't think I necessarily got shot.

[Danny Parkins]

They.

[Matt Abaticola]

They made their decision.

[Danny Parkins]

And I know they did. I know they did. And I can say that their, you know, suspensions would have been better than firings. And I personally suspended me. That's true. I just think. I think, you know, I think you, you, you're an institution and it's a bummer if a dope like me could get a goodbye show. It's insane that you didn't. And I just, you know, the. The airwaves are worse to not have you on it, but it is. It is Forward progresses. And three, one twos and YouTube's gain, man, so.

[Matt Abaticola]

And Hubbard Broadcasting and being part of this wonderful family owned company is for me an incredible new experience. After being part of publicly traded corporate radio for so long, it's very, very different.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And Danny, after eight years of being in the corporate sales world and now back into something that I love and I really enjoy every day and I am very happy. I can be the first to say I am very glad Dan was fired.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, that worked out nice.

[Dan Bernstein]

So this was a great thing.

[Danny Parkins]

What a come up for you. First he's fired. You send the text like hey man, I'm so sorry and I'm a side. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, let's go.

[Danny Parkins]

Opportunity knocks.

[Dan Bernstein]

Here's a plan.

[Matt Abaticola]

Who knew? So let me ask you this. As married as you've been to Caleb Williams for years now.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Like how in your business, once you have a take that's in your portfolio, like I look at, especially the way you guys do things, you've basically got, you're almost like a hedge fund manager in that you're short on certain things, you're long on certain things and once you have it, it's hard to unwind that trade. So you are established as a Caleb Williams believer. A Caleb Williams sort of, you know, true believer guy.

[Danny Parkins]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Where are you now? Based on the body of evidence that's continuing to grow.

[Danny Parkins]

I mean, unwavered man, like he is the ultimate eye test project to me. I can't, I cannot divorce myself from. When I see him escape the pocket, evade the rush, shake off a dude and then throw the ball 35 yards down the field on a line at a sidearm angle, I'm like, oh, that's Aaron Rodgers. Like that's Patrick Mahomes. That's Josh Allen. Like it, I don't know if he will get to that level, but there are certain things that he can do that guys who have been paid $250 million simply cannot do. And so what like how I. What I believe is, is that the highest level of quarterback play possible in the NFL are guys with his skill set. Like, Joe Burrow is an amazing player who statistically last year had one of the great seasons that you could possibly have. And I would love to have Joe Burrow. And obviously Joe Burrow is better than Caleb Williams. Obviously. But there are things that Caleb Williams can do that Joe Burrow cannot. And so like if Caleb maximizes and realizes his like between the ears potential, which is what Ben Johnson was given 10 million plus dollars per year to, to unlock and to Harness, think about the best quarterback seasons we've ever seen. Mahomes going 5,000 yards, 50 touchdowns, his second year in the league. Aaron Rodgers going 45 touchdowns, six interceptions. Right? Like the truly great. I throw the ball down the field. I am an attacking quarterback. I can play on schedule and off schedule. When a play breaks down, I can uniquely still make a great play with my arm talent and my athleticism. And I don't turn the ball over. But not because I'm conservative, but because I'm just awesome and deadly accurate. To me, those are the most special players in the league. And he clearly has it. He clearly has that physical ability. He does some dumb shit sometimes, right? Like, you know what I mean?

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, he also like, is he accurate enough? And if not, is that something that gets better? These are the questions that I have. There's too many mid range throws that just have to be in a better spot.

[Danny Parkins]

He misses layups. He misses layups. And I think that like some of that at least the coaches seem to believe and I know Ben Johnson believes that it's like a fundamentals thing, it's a footwork thing. And that he absolutely is accurate enough and that his college statistics suggest that he is accurate enough and his ability to put the ball anywhere he wants on the field, on a dime is great. But sometimes when he is in his head too much, he is like the fundamentals break down and he doesn't step into a throw or he drops to that like weird like 3/4 sidearm angle when he doesn't need to. And it's like, buddy, that's your, that's your change up. Don't, don't make it your fastball. So I, I think that he, his talent is so tantalizing that I will, I will be the guy who goes down with the ship. Like, I will not, I will, I will not be the. Like I have a child and I like get off the boat early. I will be the guy.

[Matt Abaticola]

Zane.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, yeah. I will not be Billy Zane. I will be the guy closing myself in the door. Gentlemen, it's been an honor playing with you. And then I'll keep playing the cello as the ship goes down. Like it. Is the talent badly? Yeah, yeah. Obvious. Was it a cello? Was it a violin? Is it a viola? Is it a clarinet? I don't know.

[Matt Abaticola]

I picture you like holding the bow and moving the cello across the bow. What's wrong with that guy?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know. I always took you more for a sax guy though. You look more like a sax guy.

[Danny Parkins]

Oh, man, I. So true story. I played the clarinet. I went recorder clarinet. And then I was the last kid who qualified out of. I like, barely made the cut to go from recorder to saxophone, but I didn't care at all. But my parents thought it was like a good thing to do and, like, music, whatever, and so I did it. And then at the first, like, concert that like, the parents would go to after you practice the music for like 812 weeks or whatever, like, my parents came to the concert and it was like this big ensemble thing. And at the end, my mom was like, I'm so proud of you. You were so great. And the truth of the matter was I didn't play a single note.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, nice.

[Danny Parkins]

I just sat there and I was in the third row and I moved my fingers and I didn't do anything. And I was like, I have to quit music. I don't know what I'm doing.

[Matt Abaticola]

But it was still, from the parents perspective, the process of learning an instrument. The process of learning music and exercising that part of your brain, I would say will still pay dividends somewhere down the road. That is why you should always require a kid, even if it's a short period of time. Learn an instrument, take a few lessons, because you never know when that's going to come back. And maybe you'll play harpsichord or zither someday. Who knows?

[Danny Parkins]

The parody songs I did with Speaks.

[Matt Abaticola]

There you go.

[Dan Bernstein]

There you go. Exactly.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's what it was meant to be.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not sure how much of the Bears four games you've consumed and maybe you've taken them all in every snap. Okay, there you go. Perfect. So, yeah, we know that. So our assessment has been that Ben Johnson got here, realized it was a heavier lift than he thought it was going to be. You watch these first four games and it kind of comes apparent, especially in watching the games and then hearing him post game. What has been your assessment of where the Cup. Where the Cubs. I'm so excited about the playoff game today. Where. Where the Bears. Where the Bears were at and where they are now after. After their first four games.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, I think that what you said is true. And I don't think that Ben Johnson is the only person that got hired over there that kind of looked around and was like, holy cow, we got some. We got some cleaning up to do, you know, And I. And by the way, I don't think that Ben Johnson is the first coach to be overwhelmed by that.

[Matt Abaticola]

We know that John Fox, the moment he got there was like, what is this shit. I need this. I need this. This practice facility sucks. You suc. What is this? This is terrible. And they actually got another practice feeling. All he did his entire tenure was bitch. And it actually helped.

[Danny Parkins]

Yes, he had. John Fox's legacy is the field, which is not. Not nothing or no eber fluor flu.

[Matt Abaticola]

Fox is a practice facility.

[Danny Parkins]

Fox is the practice facility. And Matt Nagy, I think, was just bitching. I think Matt Nagy was like, what is going on? Can I hide? Can Andy Reid come with me to help? Because I need more help. Yeah. So I think that that is a thing that we have seen for many coaches and I absolutely think it applies to Ben Johnson as well. I think I've been thinking about you, Dan. We have shared a conversation on air, off air about football. Coaches are not normal people. Like, they are. They are like an inherently like off weird breed of human.

[Matt Abaticola]

They're not wired. Right.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. And it's like where on the, like Jim Harbaugh has milk with his steak. Do you fall on the spectrum of weird and like, Ben Johnson strikes me as an awesome, crazy person. Like, he, he strikes me as like what? I love that he took accountability for that less than perfect moment with the CBS sideline reporter. Like, on the scale of one to 10, I thought it was a two. I didn't think it was a huge deal.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's what we were just talking about. You know, we, we did that a couple of days ago saying, I didn't think that's a two day story. You know, I wake up and I'm still hearing about it. I thought, okay, he got a little red ass in him. He was unhappy. His team sucks. His offense that he puts his name on and prides himself on was bad. And someone's like, are you going to do something differently? Well, yeah, we're just being bad.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. Listen, he's taller, guy staring down, smaller woman is like a visual thing that I think that Ben Johnson did not love. How he visually came across.

[Matt Abaticola]

Same thing I said, if that's Stacey Dale's, it doesn't look like that.

[Danny Parkins]

Correct. I thought he looked like a crazy person. And he looked like he was like physically towering and intimidating and like trying to intimidate and he didn't like how he came across. And so he owned up to it. Like taking like that measure of accountability is a good. Like calling himself out for the failures of the running game is good because I have no doubt that he's chewing these guys out in public, in private. And we know he did in training camp. And we know he went hard at Caleb. And by the way, back to the Caleb piece, like, we also know. I mean, I've had a guy on that team tell me that, like Caleb last year, he would not have given him A plus grades for effort in terms of, like, studying and professionalism. Like, he had always kind of just gotten by on being the best.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, he also knew that the guys advising him were idiots.

[Danny Parkins]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was the other thing that we know that now that there's no question that when Matt Eber flew, so you're sitting at his desk, even the stuff we saw at Hard Knocks, that was the very best stuff they could possibly find. To paint him in the best possible light. Made him look like an idiot.

[Danny Parkins]

Correct. And so I think that, like, it was a. As close to a lost year as you could have. And now Ben Johnson is rewiring him. And so, you know, this team has some serious problems, right? Like this. They have. They don't have much pedigree at tackle outside of Darnell Wright. And we know, you know, the injury there, they can't stop the run. And they've got an inconsistent quarterback learning a new system. So, like, they are going to look bad at times, and this is going to be a zigzag. It's not going to be linear progress, as the show is called, forward progress, like, they will take. They'll have a bad loss or two or three. But I don't think it'll be 10 like last year. You know, I don't. I think that they have just like, a baseline level of competency here with Ben Johnson that should raise the floor of accountability across the board. I've been impressed by what he's been, how he's been presenting himself.

[Matt Abaticola]

I was told by somebody, too, who's close to him. When we were talking about Johnson's honesty with the media, and it was the. The Abaticola observation was that Johnson's tendency was at the microphone to be really honest and then kind of reel it back in. So he would say what he thought, he would give a real answer and then mitigate. And I brought that up to somebody who knows Ben Johnson well. And what I was told was, if anything, expect him to get more emboldened, not less. Because my belief was a coach, a younger coach is always gonna be like, oh, they're gonna kill me for that. They're gonna kill me for that. That's a misstep. I don't want that smoke. I don't want somebody from PR pulling me aside, telling me this this and this. And they said that's usually what happens, but in his case, as he starts to feel more comfortable, that that's just not how he rolls. So I was.

[Danny Parkins]

That would be great.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's what I said. I said, that's all we asked for, right?

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, well. Cause, I mean, Dan, you. I mean, Matt Nagy went the other way. Matt. Matt Nagy, year one, it was like, oh, my God, this guy is refreshing.

[Matt Abaticola]

I remember being at the Cub game with you.

[Danny Parkins]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

When Naggy threw that strike and we looked at you like, this guy's really the dude, isn't he?

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. When people from Kansas City swore to me, they're like, you're gonna love him. And by the way, I do like Nagy as a person. Like, he is like a normal guy to talk to. Like, on the football coach spectrum that we were just talking about, like, you could have a beer with Matt Nagy and find yourself, like, enjoying your time, but he, by the end of, was like, contradictory cliches and it was mealy mouth. And you would ask him, like, what happened on that play call? And he'd be like, I have to go back and watch the film. And then he would watch the film and he'd be like, what happened on that play call? And he'd be like, well, I'm onto the Lions game. And you're like, wait, what the hell? Like, what happened?

[Matt Abaticola]

That's like Dennis Allen. That's what he's been doing now. I can't believe you're asking me about that last game. Well, this is our first time talking to you, Schm.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, exactly, exactly. So, like, so I. I was. I. I felt terrible for Nagy by, like, year three because I was like, where's the guy? You're. You're 41. Like, what happened? Like, how did you change so much? But the job can beat it out of you.

[Dan Bernstein]

He got Bears. That's what happened.

[Danny Parkins]

Exactly.

[Dan Bernstein]

He got Bears. You know, looking at. Around the NFL, and you mentioned Kansas City, apparently Mahomes and the Chiefs aren't quite dead yet. Big win over the Ravens. So 2 and 2 and Baltimore at 1 and 3. Really, really surprising to see that after. After four weeks in this NFL season.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, I mean, listen, the Raven side of it, we saw this happen to the Lions last year where they had just a comical amount of injuries on one side of the ball. And I think that Baltimore has way more talent defensively than Detroit did last year. Like, Detroit lost Hutchinson and then they lost their other pieces, and it was just too much to Overcome, but they still won 15 games. Baltimore, I mean first round picks are dropping left and right. Guys who signed hundred million dollar contract. Matabuque being out for the season and maybe his career being in jeopardy. That's a huge deal. Kyle Van Noy is awesome. Nate Wiggins with the elbow injury, who's their first round pick last year? Roquan Smith. Bears fans obviously know how good he is. Two more defensive linemen also out for them. Like that's just. It's a staggering number of injuries in week four to happen on one side of the ball with great players because then you add in also like Marlon Humphrey. I, I was reading in the Athletic the top when Lamar Jackson went out and we'll see if he plays this week. Their five highest paid players were all out for that Chiefs game. And then in addition to first round picks and Kyle Van Noy and other players who are just like excellent football players that haven't been their top five highest guys. So I think Baltimore's offense is excellent. That game got away from them. But it might not matter if they just have a staggering number of injuries all at the same time on one side of the ball. And then the Chiefs, they're awesome. They're just great. They're just, they're just, they're just great. Like Mahomes is unbelievable, Reed is unbelievable. And they, you know, Kelsey got old.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, Kelsey's not unbelievable anymore. Very believable.

[Danny Parkins]

He, he is, he's very rich, he's very famous and he's going, he'll be a first ballot hall of Famer, but he's old. And the guy had 97 catches last year though. Again, 97 catches. He's not, he's just not supposed to be the main part of your offense. Like my guess is when Rasheed Rice comes back with Xavier worthy, my guess is Travis Kelsey will end the year, will look up and be like, oh, he had 820 yards and seven touchdowns. Like you know, by the end of the year if those guys get healthy. But Kansas City just feels inevitable. Like they, they won 15 games last year and they didn't look good in any of them.

[Matt Abaticola]

I keep having these weird feelings watching NFL where I vacillate wildly from this is the greatest sport on the planet to this is absolutely unwatchable. And I rarely feel in between like sometimes when these, these penalty marred games where or you just sometimes you see two teams that are playing each other at the wrong time, sometimes it's in the very same game that you'll get three quarters of horror. And then 15 minutes you're like, oh, my God, this is absolutely bananas. I don't know how they've done it. I don't know how they've created this product that no matter when you tune in, even when you think it's at its worst, is when, you know, if I flip away something, I'm going to look over on social media and somebody's going to say, holy shit, can you believe what just happened in this game?

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. It's the best television product by far. It's just, it's just. And I, I think the simplest. People gambling. Listen, I gamble. I think it's a huge piece of it. Fantasy. I, I play fantasy. I think it's a huge piece of it. The simplest explanation for me is that every game matters. It's just every game matters. In baseball, it's 1 of 162, so no game really matters. In, in basketball, it's 1 of 82, so no game really matters. In football, like the Ravens are one in three. What? It's a huge deal. It's, you know, where it's like 25% of the season, 23% of the season out the 17 game schedule. So each game carries this unbelievable importance. And the flow of it is just, the game happens on Sunday. We overreact like maniacs on Monday and people get fired, like, react, but like with a little bit more like perspective on Tuesday and then Wednesday it's like, oh God, it's the slow time of the week, but the coach and the quarterback have to speak. And so there's just like central casting. And then there's a game Thursday and then we overreacted that game. And then we preview all of the games on Friday and then like four and a half hours of like weird football happens on Saturday and you're like, ugh, this is not good. And then excellent football happens where like the biggest point spread in the world is like, oh, this team is a 12 point favorite over the other team. Meanwhile, on Saturday, a team can be a 38 point favorite over someone else. So like the, it's just, it's awesome. It's the, it's the, it's the greatest television product. The ebb and the flow to the conversation, the characters, the parody, it's just, it's the greatest.

[Dan Bernstein]

So you watched the, the Bears Cowboys game. Nice win for, for Caleb and Ben at home. Yeah. How soon do you think before Matt Eberfluss is, is given the old heave ho by Jerry Jones?

[Danny Parkins]

Oh, God. I mean, it, I mean, Jerry's like weirdly loyal to his coaches, though, so I don't know, he might be there for 10 years.

[Dan Bernstein]

Like, it's a very great for the rest of the NFC East.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, it would be. Yeah. Matt Eberflu's tough spot. Like. Yeah, yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

You lose a generational level pass rusher, right?

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. You go to Dallas, the head coach they hired was like, like already there. So he's entrenched and knows everybody, but you're not like really his guy. But we had to hire someone from the outside. And then right before the season, you trade a guy who's like, what kind of pass rush start to his career? Zion. He's like, oh, he's somewhere between J.J. watt and Derek Thomas, right behind Lawrence Taylor. And it's like, oh, that's a tough, that's a tough hand. It's a tough hand to be dealt with to lose Michael Parsons. But yeah, they, they just don't have the horses defensively. They're gonna, they're gonna be a get right team all year. But Dak Prescott, that dude is really good. Like, he is. He is. That game he played against Green Bay Sunday night I thought was the best game I'd ever seen him play. I thought he was spectacular.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, so was George Pickens.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, he. Yes, he was. And Pickens is going to get paid this, this off season. But like, to not have CD Lamb, to not have two of your starting offensive linemen to play a defense that, you know, obviously is motivated with Micah Parsons, with Rashawn gary, with Xavier McKinney, with a defensive coordinator, and Jeff Halfley, who people think is going to get head coaching interviews, who held the Lions to 13 points, the packers scored on every possession of the second half. And Dak just went blow for blow with him and put up 40 like he, he was spectacular.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I think it was a good point you made, Dan, when we talked about that, that game, that any coach, regardless of who they are, if they have the time to game plan and prepare, they can prepare something for an opponent. So the, you know, the, the, the, the game against the Bears, they lost CD Lamb. And how do you overcome that right at the start of the game?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, you just spent all week on a game plan with him being the most dangerous player on the field. And now all of a sudden you're throwing to Jay Ferguson 75 times.

[Danny Parkins]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

But the difference one week can make when you at least know preparations you have tells us about the overall quality of NFL coaching.

[Danny Parkins]

Oh, you know, I mean, the. We saw it in the opener. I like, I know that people with the Chiefs believe that like that Chiefs Chargers game in Brazil would have been very different if Xavier Worthy would have like pulled a hamstring in practice, of course, to colliding with Travis Kelsey in the first quarter of that game. That like Xavier Worthy was going to be a huge piece of their game plan and they don't have anyone else who's as fast as him. So when they lose him, it's like, oh, we have to throw all of that stuff out of the game plan and it made, made them lose.

[Matt Abaticola]

Before we let you go, I appreciate you taking your time out of your busy day. It's been a whirlwind for you, obviously, with everything that's gone on and leaving the score, going to Breakfast Ball and dealing with all of the logistical stuff with your family and everything else and two young kids. And now you've moved on to first things first. Because of the changes there, do you feel like the sands have finally stopped shifting under your feet a little bit or is this just the nature of our industry right now?

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, I think that, yeah, like I, this, this is, it's been incredibly fun. It's a really cool new challenge. You know, my best friend in the world is Nick Wright, who is arguably the biggest star in the business right now. So getting to work with him every day, like for the first time, I mean, we worked at the same station in Kansas City, but not on the same show. The fact that like we did Syracuse basketball post game shows together in college and now we do national TV at 5pm Eastern together every day is just so much fun. Like we have so much. We watch football together for 11 hours on Sunday and then we just like bring it to national television together on this like unbelievably popular, really well rated show that he created. So this gig is really fun. The family part is definitely weird. Like it's, you know, moving in schools and child care and I'm getting up at four in the morning and now I'm not getting. But now the show has changed. So now I'm doing the morning routine and now I don't get home until 7 o' clock at night. But it's like it. But the kids get to like watch me on TV and it's, it's just a, it. So it's very weird. We're adjusting to suburban New York life, but if you've lived in the suburbs of Chicago, you can live in the suburbs of New York. Like it, you know, New York's awesome. Like I Got to take my wife out to a omakase restaurant and then go see Bill Burr, Kieran Culkin, and. Oh, God, why am I blanking on the third star? Do Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway. And it's just like, this was. How am I blanking on this? It was Kieran Culkin, Bill Burr. Oh, and Bob Odenkirk.

[Dan Bernstein]

And Bob Odenkirk.

[Danny Parkins]

Bob Odenkirk.

[Dan Bernstein]

Just that guy.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Does he play Shelley Levine, who plays the Machine Levine.

[Danny Parkins]

Kieran Culkin was the main star, and then. And then Odenkirk. Yeah. Odenkirk.

[Matt Abaticola]

What is the one who's always the nervous old guy with the daughter who eventually is caught. Spoiler alert. The guy who they eventually catch stealing the Glengarry League.

[Danny Parkins]

Yes. That is Odenkirk. Odenkirk is Shelly Levine, and he was nominated for a Tony. He was incredible.

[Matt Abaticola]

Wow. Because that was the role that Mike Nussbaum made famous here in Chicago that I saw him do that. Jack Lemmon, of course, famously, in the movie.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Kieran Culkin was Roma, and then Oden, Kirk Levine, and Bill Bird, Dave Moss.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Roma is the Pacino role.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Danny Parkins]

Correct. And he plays it very differently. I bet he's.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I've heard such great things about that, so it's awesome that you got to go see it, too.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. But, like, that's just, like, an example, by the way, Tany came out for it. So, like, Tanny and his wife and me and Stephen, we did. We did, like, a New York. A New York double date, and Tanny came and saw the show, and we went out to Second Avenue Deli, and, like, so we just, like, did a New York week. Like, it's incredible.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do you like Second Avenue?

[Danny Parkins]

I love Second Avenue.

[Matt Abaticola]

My problem is it's a true kosher deli.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

And so you can't get a Reuben. You can't get a cheeseburger. And, like, the cream cheese is that weird Parva.

[Danny Parkins]

You know, But I like, the pastrami is.

[Matt Abaticola]

Meat is great.

[Danny Parkins]

The. I'm just going for the pastrami. I just. I go and I get the big pastrami sandwich. And they. They have a. They have a sandwich called the Heart Attack with. With the two latkes as the bread. It's the greatest. It's. And. And you can, like, sit down and have a. Get a table with a beer as opposed to cats is.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's true.

[Danny Parkins]

It's just sensory overload.

[Dan Bernstein]

And, like, dude, we went to New York last December. It was My first time ever in New York because I've hated it for years because of the Knicks. So I refused to go. So I know I finally gave in to go. And we're there, and we go to Katz's, and the line was just way around the building, and it was raining, and I was like, I'm not interested. And my wife was like, you sure you don't want to just wait? You know, you've been talking about this for weeks. And I'm like, I don't. And she's like, where do you want to go? And I just turn around, and there was a falafel place right across the street. And I'm like, that looks good. Let's go there. And it was the best falafel sandwich and shawarma I've ever had in my life.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. And there's just. There's seven of those on every corner. The bodega across from our studio. Like, I was like, this pastrami sandwich is incredible. And, like, all these New Yorkers are making fun of me. I'm like, no, like, legitimately, this is.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right?

[Danny Parkins]

It is. This sandwich is amazing. And it's like, there's, like, a cat that lives in the store to, like.

[Matt Abaticola]

A cat.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Central casting, dude. It is central casting. And so, yeah, just like, I. Pat McGann invited me to go see him at the Garden open for Sebastian Maniscalco, and he gave me a pass to the Garden. And so I'm like, walking around. This is so dope. All access past Madison Square Garden. He's like, you picked a good night, man. I'm like, yeah, I picked a good night. You're opening at Madison Square Garden. He's like, no, no. There's three openers tonight instead of two. Every night of the tour, it's going to be me and Sebastian's podcast partner. He's like, but tonight there's a third. I'm like, oh, really? Who? Seinfeld.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, Jesus.

[Danny Parkins]

And Seinfeld just walks into the green room, like, 20 minutes later, and I'm just totally starstruck. And I'm standing there with my All Access pass in the corner of Madison Square Garden, watching Seinfeld go up, shock the crowd. And he does New York material. Obviously, he's killing. And he goes. And, you know, by the way, I'm really more of a theater guy, but I'm so close with Sebastian, I couldn't say no. This is my first time playing Madison Square Garden. And the place went fucking insane. Like, he's. Because he was just like, never done it because he doesn't like playing in arenas.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's so cool.

[Danny Parkins]

It was so cool. So just. Just like. That was like a Wednesday.

[Dan Bernstein]

So you're not very happy down there, is what you're saying. Things are really rough. Okay.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah, it's hard. It's hard.

[Dan Bernstein]

I get it.

[Matt Abaticola]

We'll let you go in a second.

[Danny Parkins]

What do you.

[Matt Abaticola]

What do you think of Mulaney playing Wrigley in this coming July? Because that, for a comic thinking about the. All of the acoustic, you know, headwinds and everything that you've got, that's a big risk.

[Danny Parkins]

It is. I remember not to name drop. I talked to Crane. Kenny, no, when I was talking to Crane.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, wow.

[Danny Parkins]

Wow. But when we were. When we were doing radio thought planning one time, I was like, you know, why have you never had comedian play Wrigley? He's like, oh, we're talking about it because Bill Burr did Fenway. And it's, you know, now that these comedians can sell out. If you could sell out the United center, you can. For the. You can sell out Wrigley. And so he. He will sell it out. He will be great. The weather is like a weird component of it. I also, I agree with Seinfeld. I don't love. Whenever I go see an act at Madison Square Garden, United center, whatever. The problem is, I end up watching the comedian on the video board.

[Matt Abaticola]

Because you want to see his face.

[Danny Parkins]

Because you want to see his face. Yeah, exactly. And so, yeah, comedy. Comedy is best enjoyed at the Comedy Cellar, which I've been to, like 12 times since I've lived in New York, because it's just the greatest deal in the city by far. It's 12 bucks and a two drink minimum, and you're guaranteed to see at least five comics. But sometimes, like, you know, anybody can walk in and drive. It's the greatest. But so it's. It's a. It's a risk. But, like, Wrigley's done enough concerts that I feel like they've figured out the.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, for sure.

[Danny Parkins]

They figured out the sound at this point. And you'll. I would just say to people, like, if you want to see Mulaney, you should probably see him in Chicago theater over Wrigley in terms of, like, seeing him. But it's a Saturday in July. Like, there's a 50, 50 shot. I fly in to go to the show just for the spectacle of seeing a comic at Wrigley. I think it'll be awesome.

[Dan Bernstein]

I've done one concert At Wrigley. And it was 2009. It was Elton John and Billy Joel, and it just. It couldn't have been a better. I mean, it was an unbelievable experience and venue and that was 2009.

[Matt Abaticola]

I've had great experiences. I mean, now I've seen what. I've seen the Police. I've seen Ice, Green Day, Zak Brown, and acdc. Green Day was bad. Zac Brown was meh. The Police were really good. AC DC Absolutely blew the doors off everything. One of the best shows I've ever seen in my life.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Just incredible.

[Danny Parkins]

Yeah. I saw Lumineers, and I saw Springsteen, and I had a blast at both. But I'm also not a music critic. I have no idea. I'm just. They're making music.

[Matt Abaticola]

You're just a lapsed clarinetist. All right, I promise. Last thing. What's your go to Pizza Slice?

[Dan Bernstein]

Ooh.

[Danny Parkins]

I mean, dude, there's so many there. So L. Industry. Have you been to there. That place?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, but I. I almost went there.

[Danny Parkins]

The Sl. The slice is outrageous. Mama's Two. Have you been to Mama's Two? There's. There's two locations. There's. And they're. They're both excellent. But, like, Mama's Two. They. That place is incredible.

[Matt Abaticola]

Have you been to Norms?

[Danny Parkins]

I've not been in.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, dude.

[Danny Parkins]

Really?

[Matt Abaticola]

The best one, Norms is I had it, and we were visiting my sister in Brooklyn.

[Danny Parkins]

Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

I stumbled on it, and it's one of those things. You're like, you know what? Let's get a slice. I'm with Jason.

[Danny Parkins]

Is it only in Brooklyn?

[Matt Abaticola]

No, no, there's. There's one.

[Dan Bernstein]

There's one in the financial district.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. One in lower Manhattan.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yep.

[Matt Abaticola]

And so I. And I happen. So I look at it. I'm like, wow, this looks good. Let's just go get a slice. And I took a couple bites, and I said, jason, this may be the best slice of New York pizza I've ever had in my life. He's like, no, you're just hungry. He said, I'm sure it's good. Don't overrate it. You're being Bernstein. You're being hyperbolic. I said, no, kid, I swear to God, I think this is great. So I went back and I tried to say. I'm gonna say, all right, we do it again. Maybe I just got him on a good day. It really is the best slice. Just. Just cheese.

[Dan Bernstein]

So well done.

[Matt Abaticola]

So Norms is. Is phenomenal.

[Danny Parkins]

Okay. Yep. I have a running New York list of things. Things to try and that was when. When I was doing Breakfast Ball in the morning and I was done with work at 10am and we had. And we had child's care. And, like, Steph is working all day. I'm like, I was just, like, taking lunch out in the city every single day.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nice.

[Danny Parkins]

Like, because I could get home whenever the hell I wanted. So I was just like, oh, that. That's like 40 blocks away.

[Matt Abaticola]

You get anything, though? Like, you get bodega, bacon, egg and cheese.

[Danny Parkins]

Oh, yeah, it was the best. I went and I was like. I asked a producer. I was like, what's. What's good around this place that I was, like, seeing some show at? And she was like, oh, the Cuban restaurant down the block from there is absolutely incredible. And I was like, oh, okay. Not normally something that I would have done. And we went. And I was like, that Cuban restaurant was incredible. It was incredible.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, Danny, life sounds pretty rough. We're going to. We're going to. I'm going to. I'm going to pray for you every day, man, and just keep you in my thoughts, because it just sounds like you're really struggling out in New York.

[Danny Parkins]

And so someone has to do one hour of day of television with their best friend and live in New York. Someone has to do it. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

It might as well be you, right?

[Danny Parkins]

Might as well be me.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right, good stuff, man.

[Danny Parkins]

Thanks, man. See you guys.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's Danny Parkins. And this has been Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast, on 312 Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Forward progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Burke, Bernstein and matabeticola on 312 sports.