Forward Progress: A Chicago Bears Podcast
Guest: Kalyn Kahler, Senior NFL Writer for ESPN
Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Episode Theme:
A wide-ranging, insightful conversation with ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, delving deep into the Bears’ playoff outlook, cultural shifts inside the organization, league-wide coaching changes, and the volatile dynamics of the modern NFL.
Episode Overview
In this episode of Forward Progress, Dan and Matt welcome Kalyn Kahler of ESPN to discuss the state of the Bears ahead of their playoff clash with the Packers. The trio explores the emotional and organizational realities inside NFL locker rooms at season’s end, contrasts the Bears’ emerging culture with the dysfunction in places like Las Vegas, and breaks down what makes this iteration of Chicago football different from its recent, heartbreakingly familiar predecessors. Further, Kahler brings her reporting expertise to bear on league-wide coaching shakeups and upcoming head coach vacancies, and the group rounds off with a lively, authentic preview of Bears-Packers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Locker Room Emotions & The End of an NFL Season
[00:23 - 04:35]
- Kahler shares her recent viral TikTok experience covering the Detroit Lions’ post-game locker room, where emotions ran high despite a winning record.
- “There were some—I mean, everybody was crying in that locker room. It was really sad... I was kind of anticipating that this locker room would be in good spirits, but... a lot of guys are like retiring, very injured, on their way out, free agents.” (Kahler, 01:27)
- Takeaway: The end of a season is often less about the game and more about relationships and finality for many players.
2. Covering Locker Rooms: Pivoting Stories
[02:39 - 04:35]
- Kahler discusses how she adjusts her reporting based on emotional dynamics, noting how end-of-season interviews often shift from game analysis to big-picture reflection.
- Noteworthy quote:
- “I pivoted right away. I was like, oh, this is not really going to be about this game... we're talking about what the team meant to them, big picture stuff.” (Kahler, 03:26)
3. Raiders Dysfunction & Bears Organizational Culture
[04:35 - 10:59]
- Kalyn details her recent co-authored piece about ongoing dysfunction in Las Vegas—highlighting issues like offensive line confusion and nepotism under Brendan Carroll.
- “The offensive line was meeting on their own with Genti and quarterback Geno Smith to talk about how the quarterback and running back wanted them to create blocks for them. I mean, that is something that your coaching staff should be doing for you.” (Kahler, 06:00)
- Bernstein connects this to Bears’ history with dysfunction, asking Kahler to compare Chicago’s current and past cultures.
4. Bears' Improved Culture & Ben Johnson's Impact
[08:11 - 14:12]
- Hiring Ben Johnson: The conversation explores why Johnson—a top coaching candidate—chose Chicago over Las Vegas, tying it to the perceived stability of the Bears.
- Kahler points out Tom Brady’s influence as a Raiders minority owner trying to recruit Johnson, and notes how Brady, on broadcasts, is unusually effusive when discussing Ben.
- Key insight: Bears’ recent success feels reminiscent of 2018, but with crucial differences:
- “I think Ben Johnson's the real deal, and I also think Caleb Williams is and will be the real deal... now they're winning games that they shouldn't, and last year they were losing games they should have won. They've turned it around in that aspect.” (Kahler, 11:00)
- Still, Kahler is cautious:
- “Honestly, the good, better, best really feels so familiar to me to Club Dub that I'm just sort of having, like, flashbacks... is this going to end in a wild card loss again?... But I do think in the long run, it is going to be different.” (Kahler, 11:46)
5. Game Preview: Bears vs. Packers (Wildcard)
[14:12 - 17:18]
- Kahler’s Story Angle:
- Intrigued by: schedule proximity, both teams coming in on losing streaks, unpredictability, and impact of specific matchups (e.g., Trayvon Diggs).
- “I just feel like the two matchups have been so close that it really comes down to who's committing an error, who's making an unforced error. And I don't see that being the Packers for the second time.” (Kahler, 16:40)
- Analysis of previous Bears/Packers meeting and how unlikely mishaps decided the outcome; expects tighter, less error-prone football.
6. 2018 Parallels & What’s Truly Different
[17:18 - 20:42]
- Bernstein and Kahler discuss whether this Bears team mirrors the unsustainability of the 2018 edition (relying on turnovers).
- Bernstein: “This year it's a pretty bad defense except for the turnovers and the occasional play here and there... The offense is clearly better.”
- Kahler: “Bears fans now can trust the quarterback in a way that they have not been able to since forever... This is a quarterback that is gaining trust every time he's out there.” (Kahler, 19:01)
7. NFL Coaching Vacancies: Most Appealing Jobs
[20:42 - 24:53]
- Kalyn’s rankings:
- #1 Baltimore: “You’ve got Lamar, you have such a sound organization... that’s probably the best one.”
- Tennessee & New York Giants: Attractive thanks to promising QBs, but warns of owner impatience (Tennessee) and developmental needs (Giants’ Jackson Dart).
- Miami, Las Vegas, Arizona, Cleveland, Atlanta: Less stable due to quarterback uncertainty or dysfunctional ownership.
8. Packers & Matt LaFleur: Potential Tension & Job Security
[24:53 - 32:02]
- Speculation around reported “beef” between Ben Johnson & Matt LaFleur; Kahler finds no direct evidence, chalks up any tension to LaFleur’s occasionally abrasive public persona.
- “Matt LaFleur... can be a little sassy. He can be a little talk back to you.” (Kahler, 25:56)
- Bernstein & Matt highlight speculation that a blowout loss could cost LaFleur his job, given changing leadership in Green Bay’s front office.
9. Weather, Playoff Atmosphere & Game Integrity
[31:23 - 33:03]
- Brief but insightful segment on weather’s impact and hope for “clean,” full-strength football.
- “I don’t want these games decided by silly, elemental reasons... There’s too much at stake... to have some sort of novelty level of randomness.” (Bernstein, 31:56)
10. Kalyn’s Interests & TikTok Content
[33:13 - 38:05]
- Kahler discusses her blossoming TikTok presence, both NFL and figure skating commentary, her passion for Irish dance/music, and guitar lessons.
- Lighthearted banter about offbeat Olympic coverage and Chicago’s vibrant Irish music scene.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On locker room emotions:
- “Everybody was crying...I totally underestimated the fact that, like, a lot of guys are…faced with reality of retirement or a new team.” (Kahler, 01:27)
- On Raiders dysfunction:
- “The offensive line was meeting on their own... That is something your coaching staff should be doing for you.” (Kahler, 06:00)
- On Ben Johnson’s leadership:
- “It’s very clear now who’s in charge. And it’s Ben... You need one very strong voice who is making the choices.” (Kahler, 13:29)
- Parallels to 2018:
- “The good, better, best really feels so familiar to me to Club Dub that I’m just sort of having flashbacks being like, oh my God, is this going to end in a wild card loss again?” (Kahler, 11:46)
- On Caleb Williams’ progress:
- “Going from the most sacked quarterback in the NFL last year to someone who actually is getting the ball out decisively and on time…that is like the biggest progress.” (Kahler, 12:36)
- On trust:
- “Bears fans now can trust the quarterback in a way that they have not been able to... This is a quarterback that is gaining trust every time he's out there.” (Kahler, 19:01)
- On job attractiveness around the league:
- “All the... job openings, a lot... just don’t have a quarterback. So the ones that have the quarterback are going to be way more attractive.” (Kahler, 24:36)
Important Timestamps
- 00:23 – Introduction of Kahler & her social presence.
- 01:27 – Lions post-game locker room emotions.
- 04:35 – Raiders dysfunction and offensive line chaos.
- 08:11 – Ben Johnson’s hiring & Bears organizational shift.
- 11:00 – Is this year’s Bears team different from 2018?
- 14:35 – Bears vs. Packers preview.
- 17:18 – Are turnovers sustainable? Offense vs. defense now vs. 2018.
- 20:42 – Coaching vacancies: Kahler’s most appealing jobs.
- 24:53 – Ben Johnson vs. Matt LaFleur relationship speculation.
- 31:23 – Weather’s influence on the coming playoff game.
- 33:13 – Kahler’s TikTok & personal passions.
Tone & Delivery
The episode is conversational, analytical, and laced with humor and self-awareness. Kahler’s reporting is precise and pragmatic, often self-deprecating and honest about the emotional complexities and uncertainties that define NFL writing. Bernstein and Abbitacola balance candid fandom with direct questioning, fostering a space where both expert insight and genuine Bears fan excitement can coexist.
For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters
If you want to understand what’s truly changed about the Chicago Bears—from the inside-out—and how the leading football minds see this team and its future, this episode serves as an accessible but richly informed guide. Kalyn Kahler’s industry breadth provides not just local, but league-wide context, making this a must-listen (or a must-read) for anyone looking to stay ahead of the storylines shaping the NFL’s present and future.
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