Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast
Episode: The Big Game isn't coming to Chicago, ever!
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: February 5, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Dan and Matt dissect the news cycle leading up to Super Bowl weekend, analyze the Chicago Bears' coaching changes, and, most notably, dive deep into why the NFL’s Super Bowl requirements make hosting the big game in Chicago virtually impossible. The episode balances inside-football commentary with a skeptical, often humorous look at NFL bureaucracy and the realities of mega-event hosting.
Key Discussion Points
1. Bears Coaching Updates (01:15–05:13)
- Eric Studesville Hired as RB Coach:
- Former Bears staffer with a long NFL resume; replaces Eric Bieniemy.
- Dan: “In his career he has coached 14 1000+ yard rushers. So good success for the run game...” (03:49)
- Variety in roles: From offensive quality control under Wanstead to multiple stints as RB coach and even an interim head coaching gig.
- Matt: “He's probably the most qualified person they could possibly find with experience in multiple organizations as a running backs coach.” (04:47)
- Offensive Coordinator search remains open; speculation about staff roles continues.
2. Joe Flacco’s Surprising Old-School Rant (05:13–08:44)
- Flacco, on Kevin Clark’s show, lamented excessive QB protection penalties and reminisced about "old school" football toughness.
- Colorful tangent involving roughing the passer and tongue-in-cheek humor about penalties.
- Matt: “He has become an old is what he is.” (06:14)
- Dan: “He’s Frankenstein’s monster… just to hear a quarterback talk that way was kind of surprising.” (06:41)
- Acknowledges self-awareness but ultimately circles back to old-school “toughness.”
- Matt: “He slipped into kind of a caricature of an old player who thinks the young players are coddled and cosseted.” (07:04)
- Both hosts enjoy Flacco’s candor and riff on the generational divide in football.
3. Why Chicago Will Never Host the Super Bowl (09:04–47:17)
The NFL’s Staggering Demands
- Joe Pompliano’s “Huddle Up” Newsletter exposed the NFL’s 154-page stadium bid requirements.
- Highlights include:
- Stadium rent-free for 54 days (12:24)
- Minimum 70,000 seats, dome required below 50°F average (12:25)
- NFL takes 100% of ticket and parking revenue (13:28, 24:52)
- Must provide luxury suites, hotels, parking, golf courses, bowling alleys, buses, limos, cellular upgrades, security perimeters, free staff apartments, and even a million-dollar charity match—plus sales tax exemptions on top (entire segment starting 12:24 extended through 39:14)
- Dan: “The NFL controls one quarter of all the Super Bowl tickets. Period. But they get 100% of the ticket revenue.” (13:28)
- Matt: On golf courses/bowling alleys: “How are they going to play in February?” (14:38)
- Dan: “I just, I still can’t see the state of Illinois being able to do [this] in Arlington Heights… 35,000 parking spaces, 27,000 hotel rooms…” (35:31)
- Chicago’s climate, infrastructure, and fiscal situation are all factors, but the requirements themselves are “insane” and prohibitive.
Economic “Benefit” Debated
- Cited host city revenue claims ($200-300 million) with skepticism about their accuracy and true net value.
- Matt: “The accuracy of those things… a lot of that is puffed up. It isn’t necessarily actual realized value.” (34:55)
- Dan: “Enough people think it is [worth it].” (35:30)
- They agree that political motives and backroom deals, not direct economic benefit, likely drive most bids.
Ridiculous or Not?
- Both hosts astonished — but not surprised — at the breadth and pettiness of the NFL’s asks.
- Dan: “Isn’t that insane? And those are just 40 of the more interesting things he pulled out of a 154-page document.” (36:21)
- Matt: “I guarantee you the stories about FIFA and the World Cup would put that to shame.” (39:33)
- Anecdotes about covering previous Super Bowls in Detroit, Jacksonville, Miami, New Orleans, and the shenanigans with accommodations reinforce their points about the logistical burden and dubious upside for host cities.
4. Reflections & Final Thoughts
- Neither host wants a Chicago Super Bowl: Both emphasize that the NFL’s requirements make it a nonstarter — and that’s not a bad thing.
- Matt (sarcastically): “That’s not an insult.” (47:38)
- Dan: “I just don’t know how it’s beneficial. I would love to really know how it’s beneficial for a city.” (46:33)
- They reflect on positive Super Bowl coverage memories elsewhere—but always as working press, not fans, and never viewing it as a civic opportunity for Chicago.
- Casual banter about dream travel destinations closes the episode.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Bears RB coach hire:
“He's probably the most qualified person they could possibly find with experience in multiple organizations as a running backs coach.”
— Matt Abbatacola (04:47) -
On Joe Flacco’s “throwback” personality:
“He has become an old is what he is.”
— Matt Abbatacola (06:14)“He’s not here for your quarterback protections.”
— Matt Abbatacola (05:51) -
On Super Bowl bid requirements:
“The NFL gets the use of the Super Bowl stadium rent-free for 30 days before the game and 24 days after. A total of 54 days of use, completely free of charge.”
— Dan Bernstein (12:24) -
On why Chicago’s out:
“I still can’t see the state of Illinois being able to do [this] in Arlington Heights… 35,000 parking spaces, 27,000 hotel rooms…”
— Dan Bernstein (35:31)“They’re already out.”
— Matt Abbatacola (20:03) -
On the NFL’s audacity:
“Isn’t that insane? And that’s just. Those are 40 of the more interesting things he pulled out of a 154-page document.”
— Dan Bernstein (36:21) -
On the “benefit” to cities:
“The NFL takes everything. Everything that profit wise, they take it all.”
— Dan Bernstein (47:03)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [01:15] Bears new RB coach: Eric Studesville
- [05:13] Joe Flacco’s “old-school” QB rant
- [09:04] NFL Super Bowl bid requirements (main topic)
- [12:24] Key requirements and deal-breakers for Chicago
- [19:29] Hotel requirements, pricing, and revenue splits
- [24:00] Parking, stadium infrastructure, logistics
- [30:12] Law enforcement and safety requirements
- [32:02] Media accommodations and host expenses
- [34:04] Questioning the “benefit” to host cities
- [37:00+] Memories of Super Bowl coverage, not as fans
- [42:43] No interest in a Chicago Super Bowl
- [44:00+] Casual travel and life discussion
Tone & Style
- Authentically skeptical, occasionally sarcastic, irreverent and candid — insider’s Chicago sports radio at its best.
- Detailed, analytical, but laced with personal stories and sharp banter.
- Chummy, accessible, and always “on the fans’ side.”
In summary:
This episode offers a thorough look at why Chicago will almost certainly never be home to a Super Bowl — not due to the city's climate or hotels, but because the NFL’s unyielding demands make it a lose-lose proposition for any host. Dan and Matt’s combination of expertise, humor, and Bears fandom keeps the conversation fast-paced and relatable for both diehards and casual NFL observers. If you’ve ever wondered why the Big Game seems so exclusive to a few golden cities, this is the exposé you need to hear.