Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode Title: Herb Howard, Bears Beat Reporter for The Bigs
Hosts: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola
Guest: Herb Howard
Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth discussion with Herb Howard, Bears beat reporter for The Bigs, offering an insider’s perspective on Ben Johnson’s early tenure as Bears head coach, the state of the Bears’ roster and coaching relationships, game-planning strategy, defensive identity, and locker room dynamics surrounding Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze. Key focus is given to the communication evolution of the new regime, offensive and defensive progress, and preparation for the upcoming Monday night game against the Washington Commanders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ben Johnson's Adjustment and Relationship with the Media

Timestamps: 01:34 – 05:47

• Early Impressions:

  • Herb Howard notes Ben Johnson’s initial “refreshing” transparency and candor with the media—“He seemed to be very transparent, very open, very willing to tell you what he’s thinking without obviously giving away any state secrets.” (02:13)
  • Johnson has grown more reserved in his answers, possibly responding to tough questions and media coverage.

• Building Relationships with a New Coach:

  • Herb describes his own interactions with Johnson, referencing a tense moment:

    “Going into week two, before the Detroit game, I asked him, was there any sense of urgency… and he kind of snapped back at me and said, ‘What, you’re talking crazy right now. We’re going to win the game,’ and walked out of the press conference.” (02:33)

  • Despite tension, there's recognition of mutual respect:

    “If the fear is there now, that means there's a little bit of respect there.” – Dan Bernstein (03:49)

2. Head Coach Learning Curve and Media Communication

Timestamps: 04:21 – 07:30

• Johnson’s Growing Pains:

  • Johnson is learning on the job; as a first-time head coach, he manages increased responsibilities—play-calling, press conferences, media schedule, etc.

• Intensity and Size of the Chicago Job:

  • Herb emphasizes Chicago’s unique media scrutiny:

    “You walk into your introductory press conference and there’s 100 people and 50 cameras... the attention that the Bears get around here is just completely different.” (06:20)

• Non-Football Demands on Head Coaches:

  “Half of my job has very little to do with football. And I think that part of it is an adjustment, too.” – Herb Howard (07:20)

3. The Offense: Play-Calling, Passing Game, and Personnel Versatility

Timestamps: 07:30 – 12:42

• Play-Call Communication Issues:

  • Johnson is fast with his play calls; issues stem more from Caleb Williams digesting and relaying information, not coaches being slow.

    “I think it's probably the latter. I think he's covering for the quarterback more so than he is getting the plays in slowly.” – Herb Howard (07:55)

• Passing Game Success Despite No Running Game:

  • The unexpected growth of the passing game has occurred even without a reliable run game.
  • Johnson effectively disguises play calls, uses formation variability, and adapts personnel usage:

    “What he's done really well is make a lot of similar things look different. ... you don’t necessarily have a great beat on what they’re about to do offensively.” – Herb Howard (10:21)

• Personnel Versatility:

  • Mix of players like D.J. Moore being used in the backfield and variable groupings has kept defenses guessing.

• Credit to Management:

  “That’s a credit to Ryan Poles and his staff as well, in terms of the personnel they brought in. ... you can send [Luther Burden] on jet sweeps, you can, you know, put him in a slot.” – Herb Howard (11:42)

4. Defensive Identity: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Mysteries

Timestamps: 12:42 – 19:08

• Pass Defense Resilience Despite No Pass Rush:

  • The Bears’ defense is among the top at defending the pass, but with little pressure on QBs and injuries in the secondary—“It’s a conundrum. I don’t know. I can’t figure it out.” (13:14)
  • Their success is attributed to legitimate takeaways—tight coverage, anticipation, and defensive adjustments.
  • Caveat: Sustainability is questioned.

• Red Zone Performance & Personnel Impact:

  • Credit given to Tremaine Edmunds' influence in the red zone and Kevin Byard’s outstanding play as a veteran safety.

• Dennis Allen’s Defensive Scheme:

  • Allen deploys a hybrid front, expects physical linemen, and emphasizes mismatch creation, but some current personnel may not be ideal fits.

• Developing Chemistry on the Defensive Line:

  “They’ve got to get to a space where they can play off each other, understand exactly what he’s doing. ... he’s trying to put guys in positions to where I do expect you to beat that man in front of you because I put you in position to be able to do it.” – Herb Howard (17:37)

5. Locker Room Vibe, Growth, and Caleb Williams’ Leadership

Timestamps: 21:00 – 33:42

• Lingering Emotions from 2024 vs. Commanders Game:

  • Defensive players still feel the sting of last year’s collapse; Tyrique Stevenson is handling the media and responsibility with maturity:

    “He’s not running away from it. He’s acknowledging it. ... I think he’s setting a terrific example.” – Dan Bernstein (21:28)

• Key Matchups and Game Plan for Upcoming Monday Night:

  • Bears must control time of possession, take advantage of turnovers, capitalize on red zone chances, and develop trust between Johnson and Williams, especially in critical situations.

• State of the Offensive Line:

  • Tackles: Ongoing struggles; Theo Benedet likely to get a shot with little optimism behind the move—“They're trying to put a happy face on a sad situation.” (26:21)

• Caleb Williams: As Person and Leader:

  • Herb sees significant progress in Williams’ locker room presence:

    “I've seen in the first, you know, four or five weeks of this season more of Caleb's personality inside that building than I was able to see all of last season.” (31:06)

  • Williams now actively interacts with both offensive and defensive teammates; seen playing basketball with teammates, joking, building relationships.
  • Stronger rapport with DJ Moore—more laughter, interactions, and shared comfort in leadership.

6. DJ Moore & Rome Odunze Dynamics

Timestamps: 33:42 – 36:21

• Locker Room Chemistry:

  • Moore and Odunze have neighboring lockers, often seen entering, leaving, and interacting together.
  • Rome’s role is growing; DJ Moore’s is evolving, but he is embracing the broader responsibility and showing no public signs of frustration.

    “I've asked him about it. He says, 'Listen, we just want to win. If they ask me to be in the backfield, I'll be in the backfield.'” – Herb Howard (34:20)

• Balancing Roles and Egos:

  • No visible jealousy over target share; the three (Williams, Moore, Odunze) have developed a strong working relationship.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Herb vs. Ben Johnson:

  “He kind of snapped back at me and said, ‘What, you’re talking crazy right now. We’re going to win the game,’ and walked out of the press conference.” (02:33)

• On Play-Calling Issues:

  “He’s covering for the quarterback more so than he is getting the plays in slowly.” (07:55)

• On Chicago Coaching Pressure:

  “Everything is magnified. Everything matters. Everything is hyper-discussed and analyzed.” (06:20)

• On Defensive Mysteries:

  “They're not disrupting any quarterback. ... but they're still holding up on the back end, and it's like, I don't really know how that's happening.” (15:09)

• On Locker Room Culture:

  “He can’t get in my head. I’m built different. There’s no getting in my head.” – Caleb Williams, on basketball locker room trash talk (32:16)

• On DJ Moore’s Attitude:

  “If they ask me to be in the backfield, I’ll be in the backfield.” – DJ Moore, via Herb Howard (34:20)

Segment Guide

• 00:18–04:00: Intro and Herb Howard on building relationships with Ben Johnson
• 04:21–07:30: Johnson’s learning curve, communication, and job magnitude
• 07:30–12:42: Offensive strategy and play-calling, lack of run game, personnel flexibility
• 12:42–19:08: Defensive strengths/weaknesses, takeaways, scheme adaptability, and d-line challenges
• 21:00–25:40: Preparation for Commanders, locker room emotions, and key matchups
• 25:40–28:45: State of the offensive line, tackle shuffling, and roster concerns
• 30:02–33:42: Caleb Williams’ growth as leader and his evolving locker room presence
• 33:42–36:21: DJ Moore and Rome Odunze player dynamics

This episode delivers a sharp blend of detailed Bears analysis, candid inside perspective from Halas Hall, and direct observations of critical team personalities and progress—a must-listen for fans looking to understand both the X’s and O’s and the locker room pulse.