Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: NFL games belong in DOMES | Sharks in Olympic swimming | Super Bowl XX
Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the main theme: Why NFL football should be played indoors, focusing on how poor weather negatively impacts the quality and fairness of critical games. Bernstein and Abbatacola also take hilarious detours—debating the logic behind “football weather,” discussing famous Bears and NFL moments, poking fun at coaching hires, riffing on sports played in ridiculous conditions (including Olympic swimming with sharks), and celebrating the anniversary of Super Bowl XX.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Case for Domed NFL Games

• Outdated Notions of “Football Weather”:
  • Bernstein reignites his long-standing argument against weather-impacted football, referencing the snowy Denver game (00:22–04:12).
  • “We don’t do it to any other sport. We don’t start a hockey game and turn the heat up in the stadium so the ice starts to melt… Why do it to football?” — Matt Abbatacola (02:03)
• Impact on Game Quality:
  • Both hosts argue that snow and other extreme conditions make games unfair and lower the quality of play.
  • “No one wants to watch shitty football. And that’s exactly what that was.” — Matt Abbatacola (04:15)
  • Legendary “bad weather” games (like the “Fog Bowl”) are remembered for oddity, not greatness.
• Unintended Randomness:
  • Weather introduces unnecessary randomness—missed kicks, lost footing, and “unjust and unfair” outcomes (02:41–05:55).
  • The NFL’s investment should demand showcase-level play, not chaos.

2. NFL’s Hypocrisy About Weather

• Super Bowl Locations:
  • The NFL keeps Super Bowls out of weather-risk cities for entertainment certainty, not football quality (14:06–15:14).
  • “They don’t want everybody whipping in the wind… Bruno Mars would blow away… Bad Bunny flies away.” — Dan Bernstein (14:14)
• Playoff Contradictions:
  • Critical playoff games remain exposed to elements, undermining arguments about reward for regular-season success.

3. Coaching Carousel & Quarterback Development Satire

• Mike McCarthy's Hiring and “Quarterback Development” Claims:
  • The hosts lampoon McCarthy’s claim of developing Joe Montana (17:04–22:19).
  • “Did you imagine… ‘Hey Joe, I want to show you some video. Oh, you’re the video guy?’” — Dan Bernstein (19:27)
  • The bit evolves into an ongoing joke: any coach claiming credit for legendary QBs’ greatness.
  • “Until he got a hold of him, Montana was throwing lefty.” — Matt Abbatacola (20:21)

4. Around the NFL: Coaching Searches & Quarterbacks

• Other Openings and Odd Hires:
  • Quick breakdown of the Browns, Raiders, Bills, and Cardinals situations (26:11–30:16).
  • Brief jokes about owners not remembering names and fans trying to bring back Sean McDermott.

5. Comparisons: Weather in Other Sports

• Poking Holes in Tradition:
  • The hosts hilariously suggest imposing similarly absurd handicaps on other sports (34:06–36:09).
  • “Olympic swimming, but with piranhas.” — Dan Bernstein (36:16)
  • Pro golf “putting through goose shit,” NBA three-legged races, outdoor Stanley Cup Finals.

6. Light-Hearted Tangents & Nostalgia

• Reminiscing about Bears, Super Bowl XX:
  • Short anniversary shoutout to the Bears’ legendary win (15:30–15:53).
• Pop Culture: Star Wars Bits:
  • Banter about Tauntauns, the Wampa, and Bill Hader’s impersonation (37:40–39:28).
• Inside-Radio Stories:
  • Stories about Terry Boers, Murph, and radio show antics add old-school Chicago sports flavor (40:01–41:33).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Weather-Impacted Football:
  “What we now know as football was as meant to be played inside as basketball. Period.”
  — Dan Bernstein (02:41)

• On Coaching Hires:
  “He developed Joe Montana? He should have said he developed Terry Bradshaw, but then they might have… ‘Really? You did?’”
  — Dan Bernstein (21:13)

• On Super Bowl Venue Logic:
  “They don’t want Bruno Mars blowing away during the halftime show. So it’s got nothing to do with football.”
  — Matt Abbatacola (14:14)

• On Athletics & Hypocrisy:
  “Why do they get to play in ideal conditions? But the—arguably—the most violent sport that humans play, we’re gonna challenge them even further.”
  — Matt Abbatacola (36:09)

• On Olympic Swimming:
  “I got a better idea. Olympic swimming, but with piranhas.”
  — Dan Bernstein (36:16)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Domes & NFL Weather Rant: 00:22–07:58
• Why Aren’t Super Bowls in Bad Weather Cities?: 13:59–15:23
• Super Bowl XX Shoutout: 15:28–15:53
• Mike McCarthy “Developed Joe Montana” Bit: 16:03–22:19
• NFL Coaching Carousel: 25:05–30:16
• Comparisons with Other Sports (Goose Poo, Sharks, Etc.): 34:06–36:34
• Olympic “Danger Sports” Riff: 36:09–37:40
• Star Wars Pop Culture Segment: 37:40–39:30
• Inside Radio Anecdotes: 40:01–41:33
• Closing Arguments for Domes: 41:42–42:28

Tone & Style

• Language: Candid, irreverent, passionate, laced with humor and sarcasm.
• Dynamic: Banter-heavy but insightful, with strong, clear opinions and colorful analogies.
• For Listeners: Equal parts analysis and entertainment—ideal for football diehards and fans of old-school Chicago sports media alike.

Final Takeaway

Football is too important—and the athletes too elite—to be governed by the randomness of weather. Every NFL stadium should have a domed field so the players, fans, and the game itself get the best possible showcase—just like every other major sport. The time for ‘Bear Weather’ is over.