Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: NFL wins against the NFLPA | Maxx Crosby trade | Good Will Lawing
Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dig into emerging storylines both with the Chicago Bears and across the NFL landscape. They break down the Bears’ coaching vacancies (focusing on the passing game coordinator conundrum), review the latest NFL-NFLPA legal battle over player report cards, debate playoff turnaround trends and predictions, analyze the potential for a Maxx Crosby trade, and discuss the political controversy of recent presidential pardons for former NFL players. The pair balance humor and expertise, making this a must-listen for Bears fans and diligent NFL observers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicago Bears Coaching Carousel & the Elusive Passing Game Coordinator

• [02:37 - 11:41]
  • The Bears' only remaining significant coaching vacancy is passing game coordinator, after Press Taylor’s promotion to OC and other staff changes.
  • Speculation swirls about potential candidates: Good Will Lawing (aka "Goodwill Long"—an inside joke about his name), a collegiate friend of new HC Ben Johnson, and Arizona Cardinals passing game specialist Connor Sanger.
  • The hosts jokingly riff on name-based nicknames for candidates, poking fun at the process and the Bears’ slow pace in making a final decision.
  • Notable Quote
    • “We’re no further to knowing the Bears next passing game coordinator, and somehow you’re going to have to make it through the next few days with that incomplete part of your life.”—Dan Bernstein (10:32)

2. NFL vs. NFLPA: The Player Report Card Grievance

• [11:41 - 16:54]
  • Discussion of the NFL’s successful grievance against the NFLPA over public "player report cards" grading teams’ working conditions.
  • The arbitrator found the NFLPA’s methodology unsound and banned them from publishing the report cards, citing “disparaging” of clubs and lack of scientific rigor.
  • Matt initially thinks the owners are overreacting, but Dan details the findings—leading to greater sympathy for the league’s position.
  • Notable Quote
    • “The benefit for them was to shame clubs ... tried to shame them into making themselves more like the teams that graded out well.”—Dan Bernstein (14:17)
  • The hosts debate whether the report cards actually influenced player decisions or simply provided media and fans with amusing content.

3. Predicting NFL Playoff Turnarounds for 2026

• [16:54 - 26:29]
  • Drawing from CBS Sports’ stats: since 1990, at least four non-playoff teams make the postseason each year.
  • The hosts list 2025’s non-playoff teams and make their picks for who’s most likely to rebound:
    • Dan’s Picks: Chiefs, Ravens, Buccaneers, Lions
    • Matt’s Picks: Ravens, Lions, Cowboys, Bengals
  • They also identify 2025’s most likely playoff teams to regress: Bears, Broncos, Steelers, Patriots, Eagles.
  • Notable Quote
    • “At some point the Cowboys will, just, because they probably should.”—Dan Bernstein (19:26)
  • Discussion of extraordinary parity and “the blob” in the league, where year-to-year swings have become the norm.

4. Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye: Rookie QB Performance Deep Dive

• [26:29 - 31:13]
  • Matt breaks down Bears QB Caleb Williams and Patriots QB Drake Maye’s 2025 performances against playoff teams and above-.500 opponents:
    • Williams: Strong touchdown-to-interception ratios, several tough matchups.
    • Maye: Fewer games against quality opponents, slightly less impressive stats.
    • In the playoffs, both QBs posted mediocre numbers, especially Williams with a sub-53% completion percentage.
  • Discussion about context and the perils of judging QBs just from raw stats, especially with injuries in the postseason.

5. Maxx Crosby Trade Scenarios

• [31:13 - 34:53]
  • Citing Tyler Sullivan’s CBS Sports article, the hosts explore potential blockbuster trades for Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.
  • Top suitors: Eagles, Patriots, Bills, Seahawks, 49ers.
  • Both agree they don’t want to see Crosby on the Eagles, Seahawks, Patriots, or 49ers; they’d settle for the Bills.
  • The hosts stress they do not want the Bears to part with high draft picks to land Crosby.
  • Notable Quote
    • “So just take that Max Crosby thing out of your brain. The Bills, I’d like to see that... but I don’t want the Bears to get involved in that.”—Matt Abbatacola (33:19)

6. Presidential Pardons for NFL Players: Sports Meets Politics

• [34:53 - 39:36]
  • President’s surprise pardon of five ex-NFL players (Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, Billy Cannon).
  • Dan discusses the background of each case and weighs the principle of second chances against the optics of celebrity-focused pardons.
  • He expresses skepticism that such compassion would be extended to less famous individuals.
  • Notable Quote
    • “Part of me would be pleased to see, if I thought these same ideas applied to non-football players ... but I always look askance at some of these, like why this guy instead of other people who are less famous?”—Dan Bernstein (38:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joking About Candidate Name Puns

  • (On Good Will Lawing):
    • “Goodwill Long is kind of a roving mind. He just kind of helps out wherever needed.”—Dan Bernstein (11:09)
  • The hosts spiral into wordplay and inside jokes about decaf coffee, Sanka, and hockey players (07:12 – 08:14).

• On Report Card Grievance

  • “At the start of you reading this 32-second story, I was like, oh, the owners sound like a bunch of crybabies. And then... now that makes a little bit of sense.”—Matt Abbatacola (15:14)

• The State of the Bears

  • “And it would suck if the Bears are one of those teams.”—Dan Bernstein (25:24)

Key Timestamps

• [02:37]: Bears’ passing game coordinator speculation begins
• [11:41]: NFL wins grievance against the NFLPA (player report cards)
• [16:54]: Four teams that missed the playoffs expected to make it
• [26:29]: Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye rookie season statistical breakdown
• [31:13]: Maxx Crosby trade chatter
• [34:53]: Presidential pardons for NFL players
• [39:36]: Wrap-up and final banter

Summary

In this episode, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola journey through the Bears’ coaching search (especially the elusive passing game coordinator decision), provide a smart, nuanced take on the NFL’s battle with the NFLPA over player survey report cards, and forecast the NFL's next round of playoff risers and regressors. They deliver a sharp side-by-side analysis of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye’s rookie campaigns and navigate the intrigue around a Maxx Crosby blockbuster trade. The discussion closes with a critical, thought-provoking look at why certain former NFL stars received presidential pardons and the broader justice implications. Consistently mixing deep football insight with wry Chicago humor, the show offers both diehards and casual fans a perfect blend of substance and personality.