Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Is This the Best Offensive Rookie Class in Bears History?

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into a bold and timely question: Is this the best offensive rookie class in Chicago Bears history? Dan and Matt blend fan passion and critical analysis, dissecting the impact of this season’s rookies, lingering defensive struggles, and the playoff outlook, while weaving in classic banter, anecdotes, and some music humor. The hosts also address questions of player health, effort, and coaching trust as the Bears approach the postseason.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Injury Updates and Playoff Outlook

[00:22 – 05:00]

• Bears roster health: Walk-through estimation lists Tryon-Shoyinka and Rome Odunze as DNPs; others, like Luther Burden, limited but improving; Lamide Zacchaeus returns to full practice.
• Rome Odunze's health debated – both hosts agree they'd rather have him fully healthy for playoffs than risk aggravation in a near-meaningless final regular season game.
• Concerns about Jalen Johnson's performance, his benching versus Tyrique Stevenson, and how to best manage reps for recovery and team benefit.
  • Dan: "Part of me kind of wants to know for sure, I'd rather have a little more data... It's not binary. Maybe you play him a few series, and if you gotta take him out, take him out..." [04:04]
  • Matt: "Yeah, that's a good approach... maybe having a rotation or situational rotation... see what they can evaluate going into a one and done situation." [05:42]

Jalen Johnson: Effort, Honesty, and Locker Room Chemistry

[05:48 – 12:14]

• Both hosts debate "playing hurt" versus honesty and effort, referencing Johnson’s comments post-benching (“I’m 100% healthy; I don't get it”) and the difficulties in managing player egos and injuries—especially with playoffs approaching.
• Dan notes, "Everybody's a little hurt... There isn't a single dude in there that feels fresh as a daisy." [10:20]
• Importance of honest communication between player and staff; risk of controversy in an otherwise "clean locker room."
• Locker room integrity and trust in Bears coaching staff called out: "I trust that the decisions these coaches make are not about ego or about veteran standing or trying to play political games in the locker room." [09:00]

Defensive Concerns: Run Defense Woes

[12:32 – 17:26]

• The Bears' run defense has flown under the radar but has been “atrocious.”
  • Gave up 100+ yards in 12 of 16 games, and 150+ in 7 games.
  • Recent two-game stretch: 392 rushing yards allowed.
  • Matt: "This rush defense is just, is just as bad and has gotten a pass for whatever reason." [14:01]
• League context: Bears give up 5 yards per rush, fourth-worst in NFL.
• Noted lack of improvement despite off-season investments and how this undermines their playoff aspirations.
• Side-topic: lighthearted ribbing about Billings's effort on CMC's 43-yard run—"Yeah, because they told him there was gravy at the end of the run." [16:46]

Playoff Scenarios & Packers Rivalry Anxiety

[20:05 – 24:23]

• Bears' potential playoff pathways discussed, including seed scenarios and possible opponents (mainly Rams or Packers).
  • Dan: "For sure it would be the Packers... They've beaten them. They have the muscle memory..."
  • Matt (on facing Green Bay): "My anxiety level is going to be so much higher if it's the Packers... I don't want to hear those motherfuckers come back next year and say, oh, yeah... We beat you in the playoffs. I don't want to hear that shit." [23:36]
• Debate about fan anxiety, trust in coaching, and embracing rivalry.
• Brief banter referencing Cubs/Brewers; “meatball” fan mentality.

Musical Interlude and Tangents

[25:20 – 37:34]

• Amusing, off-topic exchange about Triumph's reunion tour, Mike Levine's Wheel of Fortune appearance, and Adam Levine family rumors—classic podcast banter.
  • Matt: "Mike Levine is the brother of Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine. Did you know that?" [26:53]
  • Correction made: they are not related, and side jokes continue.
• Both hosts bemoan long concerts and joke about personal music preferences.
• Provides comic relief and maintains friendly, irreverent tone.

Main Theme: The 2025 Bears Offensive Rookie Class – Historic?

[38:03 – 44:23]

• Direct Comparison of 2025 Rookies:
  • Colston Loveland (TE): 48 catches, 622 yards, 5 TDs—"potential star"
  • Luther Burden (WR): "Good, might be really good"
  • Ozzie Tropillo (OL): "Arrow pointed up"
  • Kyle Monungai (RB): "Definitely good and should get better or at least stay good"
• Discussion slides into Bears’ historical draft classes, comparing current squad’s early impact vs. prior classes (2004: Tommy Harris, Tank Johnson, Vasher, Berrian; then older defense-heavy drafts).
  • Dan: "...if these guys pan out on this trajectory, it would be by far the best offensive Bears draft class in their history." [38:51]
• Matt notes the rarity: “You are going back 50 years, Dan, to find that.” [42:46]
• Short detour: remembering Ditka’s legendary rookie year; 1983 draft with Covert and Gault; Butkus & Sayers (1965)—putting this year’s class in rare company.

Credit to Coaching Staff: More Than Just the GM

[44:23 – 45:40]

• Dan frames success as a combo of GM Ryan Poles’ picks and Ben Johnson’s direct role in rookie integration, vision, and development.
  • "Congratulations to Ryan Poles. But it may be the best thing that ever happened to him and the best thing that ever, ever happened to Kevin Warren to date is the hiring of Ben Johnson." [45:21]
• Matt agrees: “...through one season, 16 games, NFC North champions, the most important coach hired since Ditka.”

Bears All-Pro Recognition & NFL Awards

[48:04 – 50:47]

• Bill Barnwell picks only Joe Thuney as a Bears All-Pro.
• Both hosts scan the roster and league for other possible candidates, validating the choice.
• Quick tour through Barnwell’s selections at other positions (WRs, RBs, QBs, Safeties)—further NFL context.

Notable Quotes

• Dan (on Jalen Johnson’s status, honesty):
  "It's like when a manager walks out to the mound to talk to that starting pitcher... Don't be a tough guy." [06:27]

• Matt (on the impact of the rookie class):
  "...by far the most significant offensive draft class to impact rookie season. They are not where they are right now without those guys." [39:11]

• Dan (on long concerts):
  "I just think most concerts, it's just too much. There's too much music." [33:24]

• Matt (playoff anxiety):
  "I don't want to lose to the Packers. I don't want to hear those motherfuckers come back next year and say... We beat you in the playoffs. I don't want to hear that shit." [23:36]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Injury/Playoff overview: [00:22 – 05:00]
• Jalen Johnson benching discussion: [03:45 – 12:14]
• Run defense woes: [12:32 – 17:26]
• Playoff brackets & Packers rivalry: [20:05 – 24:23]
• Bears offensive rookie class historical context: [38:03 – 44:23]
• Coaching credit & Ben Johnson’s influence: [44:23 – 45:40]
• Bill Barnwell's All-Pro picks: [48:04 – 50:47]

Takeaways

• The 2025 Bears rookie class has made an immediate, franchise-altering impact on the offense—perhaps unmatched since the 1970s or even Ditka’s era.
• Defensive vulnerabilities, especially against the run, remain unsolved and could threaten playoff hopes.
• Coaching trust, player management, and locker room stability are seen as vital in this new era.
• Rivalry with the Packers still stirs up fan anxiety and passion, providing rich Chicago sports texture.
• The hosts keep things lively with humor and tangents, reinforcing their chemistry and deep Chicago roots.

Listeners will walk away with a nuanced appreciation for this class of Bears rookies, a realistic sense of the team’s playoff prospects, and a reminder of the enduring Bears-Packers rivalry. Plus, some memorable laughs about Triumph, family mix-ups, and the perils of long concerts.