New Questions Surround Kyle Shanahan's Accident

Summary

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Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: New Questions Surround Kyle Shanahan's Accident
Date: July 28, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola

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Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dive deep into two major storylines: the mysterious eleven-day media silence surrounding 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s car accident, and fresh updates from Chicago Bears training camp. The discussion blends careful analysis, fan-centric skepticism, and the hosts’ trademark humor as they untangle NFL intrigue, Bears personnel changes, notable league transactions, and lighter moments from the world of Madden and broadcasting.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Kyle Shanahan Accident Cover-Up (02:03 – 10:13)

• The Mystery:
  • Dan raises the “very strange” decision for media and team insiders to embargo news of Shanahan’s car accident for eleven days.

    “The number of people that would have to be in on it, the amount of capital that would be spent or favors redeemed to make this work... major organizational undertaking.” (Dan, 03:14)

  • Matt questions the logistics:

    “So they specifically went to everyone and said, hey, don't talk about this?” (Matt, 03:48)

• Potential Tesla Involvement:
  • Dan relays a “somewhat conspiratorial hypothesis” from a source:

    “If Shanahan had been using what Tesla calls FSD, full self-driving mode... this becomes an immediate red flag to Tesla... they insert themselves with NDAs... heading off a potential lawsuit.” (Dan, 04:07–05:11)

  • Both delve into Tesla’s monitoring capabilities, the location (Palo Alto), recent Tesla lawsuits, and the enormous financial/legal implications for the company.
• Journalistic Ethics and Outlandishness:
  • Matt remains skeptical:

    “It just sounds really... pretty far-fetched, that hypothesis. Yes.” (Matt, 09:01)

  • Both agree that even if it’s just a straightforward accident, the cover-up invites scrutiny:

    “Their actions have invited this scrutiny and obviously we're gonna stay on top of it.” (Dan, 10:13)

• Notable Quote:

  “It's a hypothesis, it is not my hypothesis.” (Dan, 08:09)

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2. Chicago Bears Training Camp Updates (10:13 – 13:39)

• Kyler Gordon’s Injury:
  • Announcement: Gordon has a new calf injury. Frustration abounds within the organization.

    “They don't know when he's going to be back... Polls says Gordon's got to earn trust with the coaching staff once he's able to return.” (Dan, 11:13)

  • Depth chart consequences discussed:

    “All they have to do is be better than the next guy, which right now is Josh Blackwell...” (Matt, 11:47)

  • Context on Gordon’s career injuries:

    “Four years, 68 possible games. He’s missed 23 of them. Hamstring, groin, calf.” (Dan, 13:20)

• Other Injury News:
  • Keyshawn Elliott and others are “okay enough,” PUP list discussed.
  • Fans should expect tougher competition for spots, with the coaching staff prioritizing reliability.

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3. Top NFL Offseason Impacts & Bears’ Moves (14:12 – 18:53)

• Matt Bowen’s Top 50 Offseason Impact Moves (ESPN):
  • Hosts highlight the list, specifically noting:
    • #29: Kobe Bryant signing with Chicago as a key post-Byard/Brisker move.

      “Bryant brings ball skills, seven interceptions over the past two seasons and deep range... Dennis Allen can be aggressive with his front seven.” (Matt, 16:48)

  • Only one Bear in the top 50; hosts note this reflects quiet Bears offseason outside the defensive overhaul.

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4. Contract Comps & Darnell Wright Extension Watch (18:53 – 20:10)

• Jalen Carter Sets New DT Record:
  • $160M deal discussed as a reference point for Bears lineman Darnell Wright.
  • Dan notes, “numbers like that, the whole history thing, that should never really bother you too much because it goes up every year.” (Dan, 19:39)
• Wright’s Possible Extension:
  • Bears brass “being asked about whether or not Darnell Wright is going to be next to sign.”

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5. Madden 99 Club & Bears Madden Ratings (20:10 – 26:33)

• 2027 Madden NFL’s Exclusive 99 Club:
  • Hosts quiz each other, correctly guessing:
    • Miles Garrett, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Trey McBride, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ja'Marr Chase
  • Fun banter about online Madden play and the culture inside sports gaming.
• Top-Rated Bears in Madden:
  • Joe Thuney (OL) is the Bears' highest at 96
  • Jalen Johnson at 90
  • Darnell Wright at 87
  • Devin Bush at 86
  • Caleb Williams at 85
  • Bears new TE Colston Loveland at 84

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6. NFL Coaching Hot Seats (26:33 – 31:34)

• AP List Highlights:
  • Matt LaFleur tops the NFC North “hot seat” list despite Packers’ recent success.
  • Other coaches: Aaron Glenn, Mike LaFleur, Todd Bowles, Dave Canales, Nick Sirianni, Shane Steichen, and Zach Taylor (whose brother is Bears OC).
• Hosts’ Own Predictions:
  • Dan and Matt offer their “first to be fired” picks: Dan selects Aaron Glenn, Matt picks Mike LaFleur.
  • Noted: The coaching carousel is a recurring drama in the NFL.

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7. League Notes & Broadcast Banter (31:34 – 40:39)

• Buffalo Bills “Nickel City” Uniforms:
  • Both are surprised they’ve never heard Buffalo called Nickel City, despite personal/family connections.
• Miscellaneous NFL News:
  • Daniel Jones cleared to play; Commanders TE coach Ben Steele fired after DWI arrest.
  • Tony Romo’s recent DUI and speculation about his future at CBS (36:02 – 39:54):

    “For the first time I'm seeing and hearing some speculation that CBS could use this to get out of that deal.” (Dan, 36:02)
    “10 years, $180 million. Wow. It's a lot of money for a guy who's not very good.” (Matt, 36:41)

  • Discussion of top TV football analysts (Tom Brady, Greg Olson, Chris Collinsworth, Jim Nance), with personal anecdotes and lighthearted jabs.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On media silence:

  “It's a big undertaking to cover this for 11 days. To cover it up for 11 days is a major organizational undertaking.” (Dan, 03:14)

• On Bears’ DB Kyler Gordon:

  “Four years, 68 possible games. He's missed 23 of them. Hamstring, groin, calf...” (Dan, 13:20)

• On Madden 99 Club:

  “I’m impressed by that. All right. I didn’t think you’d get any of those.” (Matt, 23:16 after Dan guesses several 99-rated players)

• On Tony Romo’s commentary style:

  “There's a lot of ‘say, hey, oh, Jim. Jim. Hey, Jim.’” (Dan, 38:20)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kyle Shanahan Accident & Tesla Cover-Up Theory: 02:03 – 10:13
• Bears Training Camp Updates (Gordon, DB Depth): 10:13 – 13:39
• NFL Top 50 Impact List / Bears Moves: 14:12 – 18:53
• Contract Numbers: Carter vs. Wright: 18:53 – 20:10
• Madden Ratings & Gaming Banter: 20:10 – 26:33
• NFL Coaching Hot Seat: 26:33 – 31:34
• Uniforms, NFL Tidbits, Romo/CBS Gossip: 31:34 – 40:39

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Tone and Authentic Exchange

The episode is a quintessential mix of passionate Chicago football talk, skeptical NFL rumor examination, and playful insider banter. Dan and Matt display mutual respect, sharp questioning on league transparency and accountability, and comic relief when the action gets heavy. The conversational style is natural and engaging, making heavy topics more accessible.

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This summary covers the essential storylines, insights, and personality-driven moments that define this episode, serving Bears fans and NFL watchers alike.

Transcript

[GameTime Advertiser]

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[Dan Bernstein]

I mean, if you're a Bears fan, you're thinking forward progress.

[Matt Beticola]

Come on. Forward Progress Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt abetic cola on 312

[Dan Bernstein]

sports forward progress on 312 sport brought to you by Giordano's Back to school means back busy between practices, homework and everything in between with Giordano's Treat the kids. Treat yourself to Chicago style pizza that everyone can agree on. Make tonight a giordano's [e-mail] or visit your local restaurant today. Giordano's the For Chicago Style People Pizza Happy Veterans report to Training Camp Day the Chicago Bears, they, they show them kind of pulling for training camp. It's not the same. It's not the same as when they were unpacking their cars and bringing all their things. But that's okay. They're the veterans are ready to go. And we know that there's Today is when Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson give their big speeches, their themes or their acronyms. We'll see what comes up.

[Matt Beticola]

We won't have you think there's me.

[Dan Bernstein]

No acronyms. No. Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

I think we'll be good.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right. Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

We're safe. We're in an acronym free zone.

[Dan Bernstein]

We were talking yesterday about the strange choice by both the San Francisco 49ers and the assembled media that covers them, including ESPN, NFL Network and national media to allow the 49ers to embargo the story about their coach being in a car accident for 11 days. 11 days. It was kept a secret. Everybody was in on it, which was very strange.

[Matt Beticola]

So we know that for a fact. I mean like niner feet reporters knew that he was in a car accident.

[Dan Bernstein]

Didn't report it, apparently. So Tim Kawakami is now defending himself, trying from criticism that everybody was indicated their responsibilities variously. There was a story. Chris Sims, Chris Sims was a podcast.

[Matt Beticola]

Well, he's friends. He's friends with him and I think through via text message conversation he was talking about how traumatic it was, how it impacted not only Shannon, but his family. He know the cut that required four stitches. Sims said that he nearly lost his right eye.

[Dan Bernstein]

Those, Maddie, are really good questions. I share your curiosity in that regard as well. Like what. What would motivate this decision to delay. And as we talked about yesterday, the. The number of people that would have to be in on it, the amount of capital that would be spent or favors redeemed to make this work. It's a big undertaking to cover this for 11 days. To cover it up for 11 days is a major organizational undertaking.

[Matt Beticola]

I just, I don't understand it because it's just if. So they specifically went to everyone and said, hey, don't talk about this.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, let me. After getting some feedback and talking to some people who know a lot more than I do, can I give you a somewhat conspiratorial hypothesis?

[Matt Beticola]

Sure.

[Dan Bernstein]

This is not mine, but I am relaying this. Okay. And I can't mention any names, but this is somebody who knows a lot more about this than we do. That a plausible possibility when we see that Kyle Shanahan was driving a Tesla is that if. And this again, this is not my. I am passing along a hypothesis that was shared with me. If Shanahan had been using what Tesla calls fast fsd, full self driving mode.

[Matt Beticola]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

And FSD could somehow be implicated in the crash. This becomes a. An immediate red flag to Tesla and it would be like them to insert themselves into the situation and to come swooping in with non disclosure agreements and all of this in the process of heading off a potential lawsuit by buying everybody out. And because it's a high profile person, if there were a Kyle Shanahan story that involved him getting into a crash because of full self driving on a Tesla, the company would be active. And when I was hearing this stuff, I was asking, come on, how does this happen? How does Tesla get to insert themselves in this? What are the incentives? And there are massive financial incentives because Tesla already has settled these FSD related suits out of court. They have.

[Matt Beticola]

And is Tesla notified when one of their vehicles gets into an accident?

[Dan Bernstein]

As far as I understand, they. Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

That they can monitor every one of their vehicles and get full reports on everything that is available in the car's computer at any time.

[Matt Beticola]

And this accident with Shanahan took place in Palo Alto. Correct.

[Dan Bernstein]

So you'd think that they would be able to have.

[Matt Beticola]

But that's correct, right?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Tesla has an engineering headquarters in Palo Alto.

[Dan Bernstein]

They recently lost a huge suit over full self driving. It's like $250 million or something. So the Company has already been under pressure to control some of these suits. And that above number that whatever it is, 200, 300 million is nothing compared to what would happen to their market cap. If there is a belief that the full self driving can't create an eventual robo taxi business like Waymo and these other like they're competing to be the winner of the self driving robo taxi sweepstakes here. And this is and commas and zeros and money that we can't even imagine. And it goes directly to Elon Musk who could easily be personally involved. And there have been theories and there are stories of specific writers who even by saying negative things about Tesla or Tesla technology where Musk himself has gotten involved.

[Matt Beticola]

Really?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, that has happened. It would not be beneath him to do that.

[Matt Beticola]

So in this hypothesis you could have a scenario where he's going down the street and the hands, the self driving thing. So he's got his cell phone in his hand because he's not driving the car, just minding his own business and this other individual turns out in front of him and creates his head on collision.

[Dan Bernstein]

If in fact that has something to do with what could be perceived as a failure of full self driving and there could be a lawsuit involving discovery and everything that goes with it, that Tesla's motivation to protect at least the public awareness of FSD and the public reputation of their FSD could be enough that they could get involved. It's a hypothesis. It is not my hypothesis.

[Matt Beticola]

It. Yeah. And while I can appreciate connecting those dots there, it just seems like an awful lot because then you're telling me that they told beat reporters not to report this for 11 days or they paid them too. Wow.

[Dan Bernstein]

Who knows? That's this, like I say, it's a conspiratorial hypothesis.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah, it just. But it's, it sounds really, it sounds outlandish and it sounds like pretty far fetched that hypothesis. Yes, but. And not that anyone owes me an explanation, but I want to understand why it wasn't talked about or reported. He got into a car accident that happens every day. And there are people that.

[Dan Bernstein]

He got a car accident that wasn't his fault.

[Matt Beticola]

That wasn't his fault. He wasn't doing anything wrong. He wasn't driving in the car with some woman.

[Dan Bernstein]

They shouldn't have been as far as we know.

[Matt Beticola]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

We don't know where Diana Rossini was.

[Matt Beticola]

And he wasn't, you know, according to the police report, there was no alcohol or drugs involved. He got into an accident that happens all the Time. And yes, he suffered some pretty significant injuries, including a severe concussion and a gash in his face that required 40 stitches. Yes, that happens all the time and gets reported.

[Dan Bernstein]

Mm.

[Matt Beticola]

What? I just don't understand what there is to hide.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know either. I don't know.

[Matt Beticola]

Like, just logically thinking, this doesn't make sense.

[Dan Bernstein]

So we'll stay on it. And they have invited this.

[Matt Beticola]

I just don't get it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Their actions have invited this scrutiny and obviously we're gonna stay on top of it. We should also note that as we speak, the Bears press conferences have begun. It says Ryan Polls and Ben Johnson talking. So we're getting some of the information piecemeal as this stuff comes in. It happens to be. While we're recording. And the news that we have is that Kyler Gordon has suffered a calf injury. Ryan Polls said everybody's frustrated. They don't know when he's going to be back. It's all hands on deck to try to get him back that he. They said he put in work in the off season, but it really doesn't sound like that there's going to be a lot of Runway here for him because Poll says Gordon's got to earn trust with the coaching staff once he's able to return to show he can be dependable. Then when you say earn the trust, that means nothing is guaranteed starting job. Any of it is. Is not necessarily guaranteed.

[Matt Beticola]

And as we talked about on Friday, last week they brought in six players for workouts. Four of those six were defensive backs.

[Dan Bernstein]

Was a great catch on your part. And Polls said when he gets back, we need him to stay back.

[Matt Beticola]

Right. So.

[Dan Bernstein]

But he didn't.

[Matt Beticola]

But if he's available, he doesn't get right back into the job. Right. That's what he just said, that he has to earn that back.

[Dan Bernstein]

I guess so. I don't know who their nickel is. They don't. They don't have a backup.

[Matt Beticola]

So all they. All they have to do is be better than the next guy, which right now is Josh Blackwell, according to their depth chart. But how quickly is he going to reclaim his spot if he's healthy? I don't buy it. I mean, if he's healthy and he's cleared to go. Can play.

[GameTime Advertiser]

He's.

[Matt Beticola]

He's going to have the job. Like, if he's healthy.

[Dan Bernstein]

And maybe they're saying if this happens one more time or. Or if they have another game where he get hurts in warmups again or another game that he can't finish, then he's Then he's done. I don't know.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah, I. Who knows what was said?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know either. Apparently everybody else on the PUP list or the non football injury list in the case of TJ Edwards is okay enough.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah. What. What would they. What do they say about Keyshawn Elliott?

[Dan Bernstein]

I said it was back.

[Matt Beticola]

A back thing, right?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, yeah. So we had a shin and a back, and they said none of that really seems to be that big an issue right now.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

So.

[Matt Beticola]

And then the other guys in a PUP list were guys we knew because they're coming back from injuries, so. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yep, yep.

[Matt Beticola]

That all makes sense. Okay, so it's a calf injury again.

[Dan Bernstein]

A calf injury.

[Matt Beticola]

Right. Is this the same calf? Is it the other calf? Have both calves been injured?

[Dan Bernstein]

I can't keep track anymore. And you know what? I don't think we have to really worry about it because it sounds like that his status on this roster and on this team is not what it was, even if his significance.

[Matt Beticola]

And. Well, I think we knew that might be. We knew that at the end of last season when Ben Johnson said, hey, I don't know the guy. I haven't had a chance to see him on the field. You play three out of 17 games. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Four years, 68 possible games. He's missed 23 of them.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Hamstring, groin, calf. And if you're just susceptible to these kinds of injuries, that's where a reasonable lack of trust comes from.

[Matt Beticola]

Which is, yeah, completely fair.

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[Matt Beticola]

I have from ESPN and our. Our guy, Matt Bowen. This topic caught my interest and he says here the 2026 NFL off season. Top impact signings, trades and draft picks.

[Dan Bernstein]

Top impact signings, trades and draft picks. That's something to write about.

[Matt Beticola]

It is. And he has the top 50. And I just want to jump through. And I'll start with you from number one.

[Dan Bernstein]

50.

[Matt Beticola]

50. Yeah. But we're not going to get that far because we want to see where there's any bears, any significance.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, okay.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah. Number one is Miles Garrett.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, it's not Kentavia. Street. No, damn it.

[Matt Beticola]

The trade to the Rams. So Miles GARRETT, Jared Verse, A.J. brown is number two. The trade to the Patriots, which, you know, some sketchy details behind that, but no one cares.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, not a big deal.

[Matt Beticola]

Number three is Trent McDuffie, cornerback, traded to the Rams. Number four is Dexter Lawrence II, traded to the Bengals from the Giant. Trey Hendrickson is number five. This one I thought was interesting. Number six stood out to me because if you ask the head coach and the offense coordinator.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is it Kyler Murray?

[Matt Beticola]

It's Kyler Murray. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

I can tell by your deadpan setup,

[Matt Beticola]

it's just awfully, awfully high on a list when there's a complete quarterback, right?

[Dan Bernstein]

If they only brought him in competition, if he just add him to the mix, we'll just see who wins the competition. If they didn't bring him in to start, what's the big deal, right?

[Matt Beticola]

So the first quarterback on our list and likely starter in Minnesota says Matt Bowen. Murray has the ability to produce in Kevin o' Connell's passing offense, a system built on play action and throws, leveled reads and defined concepts. O' Connell can set Murray up for rhythm throws like he had in Arizona while isolating wide receiver Justin Jefferson as a matchup target. Thought he was pretty high in the list for a quarterback competition. But number six is Kyler Murray. Number seven is Caleb Downs. Number eight is Tyler Linderbaum. Nine is Jalen Waddle. Number ten is the trade of DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Pretty significant impact and a number one wide receiver option for Josh Allen and new coach Joe Brady. I'm going to mention number 11 only because I love this guy and loved him in the draft was Reuben Bain Jr. I am excited to watch him play, I really am. I think he's going to be an absolute stud. All right, so we'll jump down, we'll go down 11, 13, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. All the way down, Dan to number 29. Where we find our first Chicago Bear. Kobe Bryant signing by the Chicago Bears after the departure of startings of starting safety's Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Bryant will join first round pick Dylan Thieneman in Chicago's overhaul at the position. Bryant brings ball skills, seven interceptions of the past two seasons and deep range. Plus he can spin down to cover with Bryant and feed them in over the top. Coordinator Dennis Allen can be aggressive with his front seven and he can shift both safeties late in the play to change the Post snap picture. So he can be extra aggressive now with the front seven, which failed to

[Dan Bernstein]

produce, which was anything, is going to be coached harder.

[Matt Beticola]

Yes. All right. So that was number 29. And then we keep moving down. Any other Bears or significant signings we

[Dan Bernstein]

have

[Matt Beticola]

at number 50. That's it. Just the one.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

The one impact.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that just tells you they didn't need it. Oh yeah, they were so good they didn't need that kind of impact.

[Matt Beticola]

With the exception of the defensive line

[Dan Bernstein]

of the front seven. That will be better even just because they're coached harder.

[Matt Beticola]

So that was 29. There was one other I wanted to point out because it was a guy that I'd mentioned for the Bears before the season even ended was John Franklin Myers, a defensive tackle that was signed by the Titans from Denver. He was a guy that I said, hey, let's keep an eye on him in free agency because he will be available. And I thought he might be a good fit for what the Bears do. And he was not looked at by the Bears. Maybe he was. Maybe they even looked at it, talked to him, who knows? But he signed by Tennessee, so I'm going to keep an eye on that as well too because I think he's going to be a guy that's going to have an impact for the Titans.

[Dan Bernstein]

Something else I'd like to take a look at too, that this is the time of year before we get started that there could be some signings here. The Bears brass are being asked about whether or not Darnell Wright is going to be next to sign that long term deal. You saw the Jalen Carter who the Bears traded out of the nine spot. Remember they picked up a fourth just because they knew Philly in that arrangement. The Bears opted for Darnell Wright and now we're getting some comps on the signings to see where Darnell Wright's money is going to fit.

[Matt Beticola]

But that Carter signing though was the the largest contract for a defensive lineman, is that correct?

[Dan Bernstein]

That was 152 million worth. Up to 160, 106 million guaranteed. Makes him the highest paid defensive tackle in NFL history.

[Matt Beticola]

But for him.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, but numbers like that, the whole history thing, that should never really bother you too much because it goes up every year.

[Matt Beticola]

106 guaranteed.

[Dan Bernstein]

But the Vikings have signed Brian O', Neal, their tackle, to a four year contract extension as well. And I'm looking more at the O' Neill deal at $96 million for what that's going to mean for Darnell Wright and Ryan Ryan poll just Said there is a window to do that. So that. That's where I'm looking right now with some of these other numbers that are

[Matt Beticola]

coming out and talking about Darnell Wright. This is relevant to one of our biggest stories that came out today, Dan. It's the Madden 99 club. So I know it's very important to you as it is to myself, because we play a lot of Madden online together. I do like how in the middle of our games, Beth always brings you snacks. It's nice. She always gives you snacks to eat while you're online.

[Dan Bernstein]

Brings me that big barrel of Utz brand cheese balls.

[Matt Beticola]

Oh, those are good.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I can knock out a whole

[Matt Beticola]

one of those during we buy the big plastic jug of ut's pretzel rods. The best, best in town. Anyway, the Madden 27 game, which of course features Caleb Williams on the COVID there. They've revealed the six players in the NFL that have a rating of 99. Okay, do you want to attempt any guesses? Oh, sure. You do?

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, sure. I'm going to say the aforementioned Miles Garrett.

[Matt Beticola]

Miles Garrett is a 99. That is correct. So you have one of the six.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, how about Josh Allen?

[Matt Beticola]

Josh Allen is also a 99. One of the two quarterbacks to make the list.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Stafford.

[Matt Beticola]

Matthew Stafford is the other quarterback.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right, so I got. I got three in my first three guesses.

[Matt Beticola]

You did. And now you have three left.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is Bijan Robinson a 99?

[Matt Beticola]

He is not. There are no running backs on the list.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Because I didn't know if there's positional waiting. Sure. Do you know if a kicker could it like be a 99? If somebody could be established into that level?

[Matt Beticola]

Well, I'll give you a clue here. For your final three, there are two wide receivers.

[Dan Bernstein]

Puka Nakua.

[Matt Beticola]

No. And one tight end.

[Dan Bernstein]

Brock Bowers.

[Matt Beticola]

Brock Bowers. No, no.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, it's the other guy. The guy from the Cardinals.

[Matt Beticola]

Trey McBride.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Is 99. Yes. So now you have two wide receivers left. Very good guessing on your part. Two wide receivers.

[Dan Bernstein]

Jackson Smith and Jigba.

[Matt Beticola]

Correct. He is one of them. And the other is.

[Dan Bernstein]

99. Wide receiver. If it's not seen because it's Nakua, would always be my next guess.

[Matt Beticola]

He played the Bears last year in an unbelievable, unforgettable ending for your Chicago Bears. He was receiving passes from my guy, Joe Flago on the.

[Dan Bernstein]

On the Browns. No, no. He was receiving passes from Joe Flago on the.

[Matt Beticola]

The Bengal.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, okay. Chase.

[Matt Beticola]

Yes. Very good. That's very good, though. You did good. That Was great. Your first. First three guesses were on Chase. That's impressive.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

I'm impressed by that. All right. I didn't think you'd get any of those.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, well, I got some.

[Matt Beticola]

I mean, I know you love playing Madden with me online. I just didn't think. And if you guys want our, like

[Dan Bernstein]

our names, our Madden tags.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah, you email us and we'll give

[Dan Bernstein]

them to you so you can. Don't make people think I wouldn't even know how to plug it in.

[Matt Beticola]

Don't. You don't have to act like that. It's okay if you play. People are gonna think it's cool if you play, but I have, so don't pretend like you don't. Dan, it's fine.

[Dan Bernstein]

Chase doesn't even play anymore.

[Matt Beticola]

Don't pretend like you don't that we don't play online and have leagues. It's fine.

[Dan Bernstein]

All I know is every time he played, all I heard if he had the audio that. And NBA 2K.

[Matt Beticola]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is the N word used constantly by everyone while they play these games. Like the other people out there, not my own kid. I have no idea. Especially in NBA 2K, if you could hear what other people are saying, it's just like. It was just like N word, N word. I'm like, what the hell's going on? It's like I'm playing 2K.

[Matt Beticola]

I just like when they play.

[Dan Bernstein]

They use it a lot when they

[Matt Beticola]

play mlb, the show. I don't know if it's this most recent season, but John Shambi is the voice I love, so I like to hear that.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's such an easy listen. He's just so easy on the ears. It's so pleasurable to listen to him.

[Matt Beticola]

So if you want to know how to find Dan online to play Madden with him, just email dan312sports.com he'll take on all challengers.

[Dan Bernstein]

You are a penis.

[Matt Beticola]

Any guesses as to who is the highest rated player on your Chicago Bears?

[Dan Bernstein]

The highest rated player on the Bears. Do. Do non skill positions get rated?

[Matt Beticola]

Everybody gets rated Joe Tuney. Joe Tuney is number one, okay. With an overall rating of 96.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's the best player on the Bears.

[Matt Beticola]

And by the way, not only is he in 96 on Madden, he was also number 49 on the NFL.com's top.

[Dan Bernstein]

Williams.

[Matt Beticola]

Yes, yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

As he should be because he's the best player on the Bears.

[Matt Beticola]

All right, so Joe Tooney's number one.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. And now I'm looking for other guys in what the 90s are in.

[Matt Beticola]

We have one other player in the 90s comes in at a flat 90. Flat 9, 090. Who would that be?

[Dan Bernstein]

Zero. That is Loveland.

[Matt Beticola]

It is not Colson Loveland. It's a defensive player.

[Dan Bernstein]

It is Jalen Johnson.

[Matt Beticola]

It is Jalen Johnson at 90 overall.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know how forward looking these ratings are, how they're. Are they predicting how good you're going to be this year?

[Matt Beticola]

Next up at 87 is Caleb, an offensive lineman.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, shoot. The offensive lineman is Darnell Wright.

[Matt Beticola]

Darnell Wright, Correct. Then we have a brand new player to the Bears at linebacker at 86, Devin Bush. Devin Bush, really? Then number five on the team. You check in at 85 with your quarterback, Caleb Williams.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

Deandre Swift, also an 85. And then Colston Loveland checks in at 84.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right,

[Matt Beticola]

but Joe Tuney, 96.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not surprised. I'm not surprised at all. Do you want a list of the coaches on the hot seat already? Well, who would you say? I've got 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 names of coaches on the hot seat. The heat is on several NFL coaches. So this is Associated Press.

[Matt Beticola]

Training camp opens today and the AP has a list of seven coaches on the hot seat. Okay, so it's, it's. This is obviously based on expectations.

[Dan Bernstein]

It says slow starts could make their seats pretty toasty early. For some others, there's not immediate pressure, but it could change if their squads don't live up to lofty expectations and team owners ponder franchise altering decisions. All right, there is one from the division,

[Matt Beticola]

dan Campbell. Oh,

[Dan Bernstein]

LaFleur really says, wait, they need

[Matt Beticola]

to get an extension.

[Dan Bernstein]

How's he on this list? LaFleur has made the playoffs six times in seven seasons. He has only one playoff win since 2021. His 3 and 6 record of the postseason has some packers fans restless. A four game losing streak to end the regular season and a first round playoff exit against the rival Bears, during which the packers blew a 15 point lead in the fourth quarter, didn't help. With the packers expected to again be playoff contenders with quarterback Jordan Love leading the way. LaFleur's job status likely won't be an issue until January. Things could go from lukewarm to sizzling if the packers don't win at least one postseason game.

[Matt Beticola]

Well, they should have fired him after last year. So an absolute mistake that they've cut them around.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right, the others on the list.

[Matt Beticola]

All right. Is Aaron Glenn in that list?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay. Say he better be.

[GameTime Advertiser]

Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay. So Aaron Glenn.

[Dan Bernstein]

Very much so on my list. Yes, I have him there. And I'm probably going to put Mike LaFleur on there too.

[Matt Beticola]

Yes. Yeah, I would think so. He's not going to be very good, though.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know he just got the job, but that is, that's my. What was, what was the Broncos guy who they had to get out of there?

[Matt Beticola]

Oh, Nathaniel Hackett.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nathaniel Hackett.

[Matt Beticola]

Who couldn't.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nathaniel Hackett.

[Matt Beticola]

Oh, that's nicely done. Who else would be on this list? Off to a slow start or lofty expectations?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, you know, there's got to be another black guy there because you already got the two. Because they out all the black guys, obviously, because that always happens. So Todd Bowles is there.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Todd Bowles, he's 35 and 33 in the regular season and they had that collapse last year. He'll need double digit wins. It says he's there. And then the Panthers, Dave Canales, a handsome young man. Nick Sirianni of the Eagles.

[Matt Beticola]

Okay, that makes sense.

[Dan Bernstein]

Shane Steichen of the colts.

[Matt Beticola]

Really?

[Dan Bernstein]

Potential AP coach of the years. They got off to an 8 and 2 start. Then Daniel Jones was lost. The Colts lost their last seven games after bringing Philip Rivers out of retirement.

[Matt Beticola]

Is that, Is that seven or no?

[Dan Bernstein]

No. One more.

[Matt Beticola]

Hang on a second. Let me take a stab at this.

[Dan Bernstein]

There is, there is a Bears connection to this name.

[Matt Beticola]

It's not Kellen Moore, is it?

[Dan Bernstein]

It is not. This man's brother is a Bears coach.

[Matt Beticola]

D' Amico. Ryan's? No. All right, who is it?

[Dan Bernstein]

Zach Taylor of the Bengals, whose brother, Press Taylor, is the Bears offensive coordinator.

[Matt Beticola]

Did I know that?

[Dan Bernstein]

I think you.

[Matt Beticola]

Did we talk about that?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Beticola]

Remember? Because I didn't know Zach Taylor was the head coach like the first three years he was the head coach.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know.

[Matt Beticola]

I saw a picture of on Instagram and I was like, who is that?

[Dan Bernstein]

Very forgettable. Yeah, you go through the coaching photo.

[Matt Beticola]

I was like, oh, Cincinnati, oh, they hired a new coach. And then I looked into it and I was like, oh, he's been there for three years.

[Dan Bernstein]

I didn't recognize you.

[Matt Beticola]

All right, so Zach Taylor on the hot seat. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

I, I, that's, that's it. That's the, that's the ap.

[Matt Beticola]

Well, it's not our coaching hot seats, though, because ours is Todd Monken, Mike LaFleur.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Who else do we have?

[Dan Bernstein]

One of those guys is going to completely flame out.

[Matt Beticola]

One of them has to, because do we have.

[Dan Bernstein]

I had, I mean, Aaron Glenn is monkey in.

[Matt Beticola]

Our first guy to get fired. Yes, that's your. That's your guy, right?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

Mine's the floor. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Not Matt. Matt or Mike.

[Matt Beticola]

Mike.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

No, Matt should have been fired. They made a mistake. Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

But you could still have him as the first to be fired.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah, I know. But no, I'm going to. I'm going to go with his brother. His brother gets fired and gets hired in Green Bay as, like, an executive to the assistant coach of the.

[Dan Bernstein]

So apparently Ben Johnson also today has said it still feels like I'm drinking out of a fire hose.

[Matt Beticola]

Ben Johnson is.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's what he said. And he was asked about the Caleb Williams completion percentage goal still being 70% and he says it always will be. Now is we. And we always talked about expected. Was it expected yards. Yards per attempt added or whatever that stat.

[Matt Beticola]

We should write that down.

[Dan Bernstein]

EPA added over attempts. Yes.

[Matt Beticola]

As long as he's not drinking out of a fire hydrant, I think we'll be fine. He did well with the hose last year. He's fine with it.

[Dan Bernstein]

You obviously want to do well with the hose. It's a high compliment. Is he a good man? Yeah, he's a good man. Does well with the hose.

[Matt Beticola]

Well with the hose. The Buffalo Bills have unveiled a new alternate uniform called their Nickel City uniforms. They're all gray and different helmet design. Okay. I like the uniform. It's cool. The helmet's kind of odd.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nickel City.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah, the Buffalo Nickel.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, okay.

[Matt Beticola]

So let me. Okay, let me ask you now, since you said that, were you not aware of Buffalo being called the Nickel City?

[Dan Bernstein]

I was not. I neither was my mother's from there. And I've never heard that.

[Matt Beticola]

I'd never heard it ever in my life until I read the article and Nickel City uniforms.

[Dan Bernstein]

I've never heard it. Like I said, my mom, my aunt.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah. Okay. So it wasn't just me. Okay. I want to make sure.

[Dan Bernstein]

Never heard it.

[Matt Beticola]

I've never heard anyone ever in the world refer to Buffalo as Nickel City. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think I made that up.

[Matt Beticola]

Well, thank you. I'm glad that I'm not the only one. Daniel Jones, he's 100% good to go, if that means anything to you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Just. Just mentioned him. Good for Shane Steichen.

[Matt Beticola]

And then. Oh, I wanted to pull up. Where's that story here? I want to get his name right here. Oh, Ben Steele, the Washington commander's former tight end coach who was fired.

[Dan Bernstein]

I thought that was the Steelers mascot.

[Matt Beticola]

No, Ben. No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Like half Roethlisberger. Half.

[Matt Beticola]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Steely McBean.

[Matt Beticola]

Yes. All right. McBean that's what it is. No. Ben Steele was the tight ends coach who was fired on Monday. So this is yesterday or. No, two days ago for a June 7th DWI arrest. Mm. Nothing else out of the ordinary with the arrest. He apparently was also charged with obstruction and resisting without force. And he refused to take a blood or breathalyzer, which is an automatic dwi. So he was released from the. Where was he at?

[Dan Bernstein]

Here.

[Matt Beticola]

Loudoun County, Virginia.

[Dan Bernstein]

They've been busy.

[Matt Beticola]

Is that where the enemies live?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. Yeah.

[Matt Beticola]

So he was stopped at 1:15 in the morning near the commander's facility. Those multiple charges and then a month later he is fired by the commanders for violating team policy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

It's just interesting that there are other things that transpire take place in the

[Dan Bernstein]

NFL that are worth recourse or at least consequences.

[Matt Beticola]

Looking at? Examining. Yes. Investigating.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I've got another one here in a second I want to let you know first. Backpacks are packed, schedules are filling up, and somehow everyone is hungry at the exact same time. Yeah, it's back to school season, so when you need an easy win, just make it a Giordano's night. Treat the kids and yourself to the Chicago style pizza everyone loves. Whether you're celebrating that first day back or just surviving the first week, dine in, pick up or order delivery. Visit giordano's.com or visit your local Giordano's restaurant.

[GameTime Advertiser]

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[Dan Bernstein]

There was another DUI recently and I think the mug shot was kind of going around. But Tony Romo got picked up and for the first time I'm seeing and hearing some speculation that CBS could use this to get out of that deal. Because we know that his stock as a broadcaster has been on the decline ever since he signed that massive contract that I can't imagine is making up the money that they're spending that would. Do you remember the Tony Romo contract?

[Matt Beticola]

I don't.

[Dan Bernstein]

10 years, $180 million.

[Matt Beticola]

Wow. It's a lot of money for a guy who's not very good.

[Dan Bernstein]

10 years, $180 million so just keep that in mind as this plays out. We know Mark Sanchez lost his job. He was making a fraction of this. But it is possible if places are looking to trim. And now there's a bunch of people available because of layoffs elsewhere. And always new prospects. Every next crop of retirees is bringing you new prospects. I'm just wondering if CBS has a little buyer's remorse on that $180 million price tag and they might sense an opening here.

[Matt Beticola]

Well, I would hope so, because he's just not very good. And I think CBS needs to revamp their. Is that still their number one team? Nansen, Romo? Is that number one, right? That's their right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah. It's time to reevaluate the talent they have there and the order in which they are assigned various games throughout the book.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I would just say keep. Keep an ear and an eye on that one as it plays out, because I'm wondering about how they look at that as a liability on their books right now, if it's. If his presence isn't. Isn't making that up in their ad revenue. I don't know how many advertisers are looking to say, put me on there because Romo.

[Matt Beticola]

Because of Tony Romo. Yeah, I. I just. I mean, if they listen to the broadcast, I would. I wouldn't think there's a whole lot of.

[Dan Bernstein]

There's a lot of say, hey, oh, Jim. Jim. Hey, Jim.

[Matt Beticola]

You know,

[Dan Bernstein]

Jim.

[Matt Beticola]

Well, my. My biggest takeaway from anytime I. I listen is, is he preparing for the game itself, or does he just go in and do the game? Like, he certainly has played enough to be able to sit there in front

[Dan Bernstein]

of a game, and he's a likable

[Matt Beticola]

football player, and to be able to be able to teach you something in the course of watching a game. I just don't know how much he prepares. Maybe he does a lot. Maybe it's just me, like, specifically for that particular game.

[Dan Bernstein]

I thought Tom Brady passed him up easily last year.

[Matt Beticola]

Tom Brady improved quite a bit. I wasn't a fan.

[Dan Bernstein]

I did not think Brady was good when he started. He got better.

[Matt Beticola]

He did get better.

[Dan Bernstein]

I still prefer Greg Olson.

[Matt Beticola]

Well, he's the best.

[Dan Bernstein]

I love Greg Olson. And I'm actually. Even though I don't really like his. His. His style, I do think Collinsworth is pretty good.

[Matt Beticola]

Oh, I like Collinsworth and Tariqo together. Yeah, it's very entertaining. Yeah, I like it. No, I don't. I know a lot of people hate the fact that he loves Patrick. Patrick Mahomes. There's always the jokes about it, but I mean, whatever, who cares? Yeah, he's one of the best ever, so it's fine. No, that stuff makes me laugh. It doesn't bother me at all. But yeah, that's. That's interesting. I would think you would take advantage of this opportunity to revamp what you do, because your number one team, it just. It pales in comparison to other number one teams. I think you can do better. And I love Jim Nance. I love. I love Jim Nance. I just. I think he's losing a little bit in his football calls, but I'll always love him.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's.

[Matt Beticola]

He's a hell of a guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I've met him a few times. He's always been nice to me.

[Matt Beticola]

I told you, I got a personal, like a handwritten note from him about his book. I sent him a comment about his book that he wrote about his dad. Yeah. And then he delivered. I got a handwritten letter from Jim Nance. Just thank you. It was awesome. I couldn't believe it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Just out of the blue, you didn't do this as part of work?

[Matt Beticola]

No, it was just out of the blue. Yeah, I read the book, really enjoyed it, and then sent him a little note and then he mailed me something back.

[Dan Bernstein]

Send it to him through the publisher or did you have an address for him?

[Matt Beticola]

I had his info. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, well, that helps.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah. So you had it.

[Dan Bernstein]

You had an in that other people wouldn't have.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah, we became, you know, pals from a distance.

[Dan Bernstein]

Cool.

[Matt Beticola]

Yeah, he's a great guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Very, very nice. Well, that is today's forward progress and it has been brought to you by Giordano's back to school means back to busy between practices, homework, and everything in between. Give yourself a break with Giordano's treat the kids treat yourself to Chicago style pizza everyone can agree on. So make tonight a Giordano's night. It actually does sound really good.

[Matt Beticola]

It actually does sound really good.

[Dan Bernstein]

You know which is the one with the sausage and the green pepper? Is it. They call it the Supreme. Is it Supreme?

[Matt Beticola]

It might be the Supreme. I might just head downstairs, grab one and eat it on the way home.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's a. Yeah, like. Like you can do the Doug Buffon. Yes. Where you've got on your lap or like an entire pizza.

[Matt Beticola]

Oh, I thought you meant where you drink your own spit water.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I mean where you drive with something on your lap.

[Matt Beticola]

Remember the number of times he did that watching the Bears games? Oh, often he would drink his tobacco.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Every time you look over, like, does he have the right glass? Where was make your make tonight a giordano's night@giordano's.com or visit your local Giordano's restaurant today. Giordano's. You're doing it. That's it. You're done.

[Matt Beticola]

I'll do that tonight. Yeah. I'm on my own tonight for dinner.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Beticola]

So I'll do Giordano's. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nice. Are you going to do deep dish?

[Matt Beticola]

Maybe both.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Beticola]

Why do I have to limit myself?

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not judging. Giordano's the one for Chicago Style pizza Ford Progress has stopped.

[Matt Beticola]

Forward Progress a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and matabeticola on 312 sports.

[GameTime Advertiser]

We have the tech to get food delivered in 15 minutes, but we all have horror stories about buying tickets. The Game Time app gives fans the advantage. Get amazing tickets in just a few taps. Fees are included, so what you see is what you pay. And the Game Time guarantee means authentic tickets at the best price. Price every time. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets to concerts, sports, comedy and more with GameTime. Download the GameTime app and create an account for $20 off your first purchase term supply.