The Chicago Bears Draft Recap - SPECIAL EPISODE with player-by-player analysis

Summary

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Special Episode: 2026 Bears Draft Recap – Player-by-Player Analysis

Hosted by Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: April 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

This special episode dives deep into the Chicago Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft, with Dan and Matt meticulously breaking down each pick and providing candid, player-by-player analysis. The hosts debate whether the Bears executed a coherent draft plan under GM Ryan Poles and Head Coach Ben Johnson, assess how the new rookies fit the team’s needs (or don’t), and unpack both the optimism and frustration among the fanbase. As always, their coverage blends sharp expertise with the emotional realism every Bears fan knows.

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Main Themes & Purpose

• Assessing if there was a true draft plan or simply a "best player available" approach
• Player-by-player analysis of all seven Bears draft selections, including context, strengths, weaknesses, and realistic expectations
• Lively, honest discussion of Bears’ lingering roster needs — especially at offensive tackle and edge rusher
• Notable moments and banter capturing the authentic (and sometimes exasperated) mood of Chicago fans

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Was There Actually a Draft Plan?

[02:00–04:00]

• Matt Abbatacola: Asserts that Poles and Johnson mostly stuck to a “best player available” approach per their board, not strictly drafting for need.
  • “They patched up any major holes they had, which I disagree with because they didn’t.” (02:32)
• The first-round approach: “Their first pick, Dan, is a guy that walks in and starts from day one. They did that.” (03:11)

2. Player-By-Player Bears Draft Analysis

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Safety Dylan Thieneman (Round 1, Pick 25)

Minimal on-air discussion, prior episodes covered Thieneman.

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Center Logan Jones (Round 2, Pick 57)

[04:04–13:45]

• Matt: Jokes about Jones’ love of ketchup, even on tacos, which leads to an extended riff on taco purity and culinary traditions.
  • “A guy who happens to love ketchup more than life itself…puts ketchup on his tacos.” (04:09)
• Dan (summary of Brugler’s scouting report):
  • Strengths: Athletic, strong, high football IQ, called line checks, 700 lb. squat, “hates coming off the field,” high intangibles.
  • Weaknesses: “Undersized, short arms, maxed out build…Doesn’t offer any position flex.” (approx. 10:45)
  • “He is an undersized, sawed-off blocker…a center-only prospect, mid-round version of Tyler Linderbaum.” (12:01)
• Matt:
  • Prediction: “This will be a successful draft selection if he is the starting center by end of the season. He must be.” (13:29)
  • Emphasizes the draft’s focus on competition and loving football.

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TE Sam Roush (Round 3, Pick 69)

[13:59–17:40]

• Brought in to primarily be a third tight end/blocker, potentially replacing Durham Smythe.
• Dan (reading from Brugler):
  • Strengths: Thick frame, athlete, special teams contributor, “willingly overachieves.”
  • Weaknesses: “Disproportionately short arms…not a consistent hands catcher…not a third-level (deep) threat.” (16:02)
  • “He has the makeup and toughness to quietly become an integral part of an NFL offense.” (17:03)
• Matt: Sees Roush as a developmental pick — real value if he’s the No. 2 tight end in 2027.

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WR/KR Xavion Thomas (Round 4, Pick 89)

[17:40–21:33]

• Matt: Bears will use him in the DJ Moore “gadget” role — a multi-use speed threat, not just a pure WR.
• Dan (summary):
  • Strengths: Elite speed (4.28 40), “score anytime he touches the ball,” beloved at LSU, positive leader.
  • Weaknesses: Route running & hands inconsistency, “doesn’t have size or length to win at the catch point,” muffed returns.
  • “He brings all kinds of juice…projects best as a return man and gadget role player. Sounds a lot like Velus Jones to me.” (20:24)
• Matt: A project, could help on special teams. Questionable using a 4th on a 7th-round graded player.

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CB Malik Muhammad (Round 5)

[21:43–24:57]

• Matt: Will be a rotational CB and special teams player in 2026. “This will be a successful draft pick if he is a starter in 2027.”
• Dan (scouting report):
  • Strengths: Height, length, instincts, “hates to come off the field.”
  • Weaknesses: “Narrow frame…loses physical battles…great stopwatch time, but doesn’t show up consistently on tape…inconsistent tackler.”
  • Projects as a potential starter; compared to Greg Newsome II.

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LB Keyshawn Elliott (Round 6)

[25:01–28:42]

• Dan: 8th-graded LB by Brugler — solid value.
• Strengths: Size, mirrors well, high character, “extra coach on the field.”
• Weaknesses: Average twitch, can overpursue, limited in coverage, “was hoping to see more from him on special teams.”
• Matt: Impressive intro interview, immediate special teams contributor; projection as future starter.

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DT Jordan Vandenberg (Round 6, acquired by trade)

[28:48–35:11]

• South African–born, grew up playing rugby (inspired by "Invincible" movie), a project D-lineman with a strong pro day.
• Dan (reading from Brugler):
  • Size: 6'3¼", 310 lbs; “broad, well-built athlete.”
  • Motor, leadership, relentless, “late bloomer…NFL-caliber size, traits, and effort.”
• Matt:
  • “Very footballly” and hard worker. Most likely a practice squad candidate, long path to a rotational spot.
• Dan: Reminds him of recent “freaks” list prospects; question of keeping him through waivers if he can’t stick on the 53.

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3. Where Did the Bears Miss?

[36:08–41:37]

• Matt: Frustrated core needs (offensive tackle and edge rusher) not addressed.
  • “Their biggest need was O-line. They didn’t take one. Second was a guy to disrupt the backfield. They didn’t take one.”
• “They’re just going to coach everybody better then?” (37:03)
• Discussion of Bears’ bottom-tier pass rush performance (“29th in pressure percentage, 31st in pass rush win rate”).

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4. The Value of Pre-Draft Hype vs. Reality

[36:21–41:37]

• “The draft blows. It’s unwatchable.” (36:22)
• “All the time we spent looking at different guys and mock drafts and what this guy does and what that guy does…None of it matters.” (39:36)

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5. National Analyst Opinions & Grading the Draft

[38:26–39:36]

• Dan reads Matt Miller’s prediction:
  • “The 2026 class will be the one that puts the Bears over the top and into a Super Bowl...” (38:09)
• Jordan Reid:
  • “This class, 2026, will be known for the tackle talent it produced.” (38:50)
• Matt: Graded A to D across analysts—none of the grades matter, only results.

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6. Ongoing Roster Philosophy & 2026 Outlook

[41:05–42:26]

• Bears aim to be a top 3 offense; will defense be “good enough”? Targeting a “top-15” defense while maximizing offense.

7. Miscellaneous Moments and Classic Banter

Ketchup on Tacos Tangent

[04:09–08:33]

• Mock horror at Logan Jones’ food habits.
• Extended, passionate debate about what makes a proper taco.
  • “Tacos are about the quality of masa…good tortillas, good meat, good salsa, little onion and cilantro—that’s it.” (05:20, Dan)

“Coaching Them Better” Sarcasm

• Recurring theme: Frustration at Bears’ brass saying they’ll fix weaknesses simply by better coaching, despite personnel gaps.
  • “I’m told I’m going to rest easy because…‘We’ve got a plan. We’re going to coach them better.’” (40:59, Dan)

Executive Calls to Draftees

[45:41–46:31]

• Matt/ Dan: Question why team president Kevin Warren is calling prospects on draft night (“Why is Kevin Warren on the phone with Dylan Thieneman?”...“It really bothers me.”)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Draft Philosophy:
  “Their philosophy was taking the best guy available...That’s who they took. That’s what we’re going to do.” (40:00, Matt)
• On Draft Overload:
  “The draft blows. It’s unwatchable. I’m done. All the time we spent…none of it matters.” (36:21, Matt)
• On Defensive Needs:
  “Maybe identifying someone who can help your pass rush would’ve been helpful… maybe the worst aspect of your team.” (40:31, Dan)
• On Coaching Slogan:
  “They’re going to coach them better.” (various, running sarcasm)
• On Draft Grades:
  “The Bears have been graded anywhere from an A to a D. None of it matters.” (39:36, Matt)
• On Draft Night Calls:
  “What’s the point of [Kevin Warren] calling…other than him hogging camera time?” (46:01, Dan)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------| | 02:00 | Was there a plan? – Intro to draft review | | 04:09 | Logan Jones pick + Ketchup-on-tacos tangent | | 10:06 | Logan Jones: strengths and weaknesses | | 13:59 | TE Sam Roush breakdown | | 17:40 | Xavion Thomas WR/KR pick | | 21:43 | CB Malik Muhammad analysis | | 25:01 | LB Keyshawn Elliott | | 28:48 | DT Jordan Vandenberg | | 36:21 | “The draft blows” – Roster needs discussion | | 38:26 | National analysts weigh in | | 41:05 | Offense/defense philosophy for 2026 | | 45:41 | “Why is Kevin Warren on the phone?” |

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Overall Tone

• Blunt, passionate, analytical — with a clear blend of expertise and long-suffering Bears fandom
• Sarcasm, levity, and the occasional rant, reflecting the real debates Chicago fans have
• Unafraid to question front-office decisions while still holding out hope for development

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For Listeners

If you missed the episode, these are the key insights, assessments, and honest emotions of Bears fans and analysts staring down another draft class — wondering what could have been, what might still be, and whether another year in Chicago will finally bring “forward progress.”

Transcript

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[Matt Abeticola]

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matt Abeticola]

So I took it all. Even the gun.

[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matt Abeticola]

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[Matt Abeticola]

10.

[Dan Bernstein]

219.

[Matt Abeticola]

219.

[Dan Bernstein]

Forward progress.

[Matt Abeticola]

A Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt abetic cola on 312Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let's talk a little bears and NFL on forward progr. You have been awarded progress and the ball will be placed to the furthest point down the field where you carried it. And the Bears have a brand new draft class and they sign a bunch of undrafted free agents to complete their 90 man roster right now. We'll see everybody on the field in a week or so at May minicamp. But well okay, what do we have and was there a plan?

[Matt Abeticola]

Well there, there clearly was a plan. And listening to Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson, the the plan was to take the best player available at the time that they were picking based on their big board. That's just, that's really what it came down to. You know they said that they, they patched up any major holes they had, which I I disagree with because they didn't. But their philosophy was take the best player available on their big board when it was their time to pick. And if that player so happened to fill a need that they currently had,

[Dan Bernstein]

great, very specific needs.

[Matt Abeticola]

But it, but if it didn't, though, if it didn't feel like a big need, but it filled a need, that's. Then that was an extra bonus that just. It just so happened that the safety that was available or the player that was available on their big board when it came time to pick 25 happened to be a safety. He was the best player available on their board that filled a big need. He was the best player. Great. It works out. I. I always said I want their first pick, Dan, to be a guy that walks in and starts from day one. They did that. He is going to be a starter from day one. He made the secondary and the safety unit better by being drafted by the Bears. So that's it. Okay. They did what I asked them to do. Very simple. We'll get more into this as we go through it. So let's do this first. Let's look at the seven picks the Bears did make.

[Dan Bernstein]

We kind of did Fenaman already on this show.

[Matt Abeticola]

Right. So we did Dylan feed him in number one safety, their second pick, and number 57 overall, who now has a lifetime supply of catch up coming his way. A guy who happens to love ketchup more than life itself. A guy who, since he was a child, has been putting ketchup on his tacos. Center out of Iowa, Logan Jones. Are you making that face of the pick or the fact that he puts ketchup on his tacos?

[Dan Bernstein]

That's. Come on, man.

[Matt Abeticola]

That's a hard pass.

[Dan Bernstein]

Come on, man. I would. Look, there is. I will say there is taco sauce. Yeah. Trends, ketchup.

[Matt Abeticola]

Go for that.

[Dan Bernstein]

And. And that's fine. But at least it's nominally still salsa.

[Matt Abeticola]

Or.

[Dan Bernstein]

But look, here's one thing, if I may, as a quick aside. One thing that I was doing wrong in life for too long is treating tacos like cheeseburgers. And it took me a while and it took me to go to some real taco joints and wait, were you

[Matt Abeticola]

like, putting like shredded cheese and lettuce? Is that what you're talking about?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, for too long, the American style of lettuce, cheese, tomato, everything, and put it all on there. And now for too long, I was not understanding that a taco is about the quality of masa in the tortilla. It is about the. The art and skill of making that meat. And it's about the salsa and A little bit of ceballita y cilantro and that's it. That's all it should ever be on a taco. Unless you're one of these silly specialty tacos, but none of this, like, Americano stuff. It's good tortillas, it's good meat, it's good salsa. And then just a little bit of cilantro on you.

[Matt Abeticola]

No, you're 100% correct. My ideal taco is a corn tortilla.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. And always corn.

[Matt Abeticola]

Always corn over flour. Always a good carne asada. And I like the pieces small and I like crispy around the outside. I like. And there's a place in Libertyville, Tacos del Rey de Oro. Their carne asada is really, really. It's. It's a. It's a really small dice.

[Dan Bernstein]

It also depends what cut of meat that they are they using on a chair. Are they using skirt steak? A lot of places use chuck steak, which isn't bad but has to be cooked properly, so. Right.

[Matt Abeticola]

But this is. Yeah, this is a skirt steak. And it's. And it's. It's diced really fine. And then it gets a nice crispy edge to it because it's so small, which I love. And then only cilantro and fresh onion. Cilantro, onion. And then I use their salsa verde.

[Dan Bernstein]

And then perfection. There are different salsas. Like my. If I had to pick my three favorite tacos, one would be a perfectly executed carne asada. I think the other would be languor. You know, one of that just rich, beefy, soft. And my favorite is at a place called Tacos Tequilas on Milwaukee. Tripa. The tripe taco.

[Matt Abeticola]

Oh, the tripe.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Where it's. It. It is cooked perfectly. Cleaned and cooked perfectly. And then flash fried to just get that little crispy edge and you get that just enough kind of barnyardy stuff going on there with. With an a. With a fiery habanero salsa. Oh.

[Matt Abeticola]

So this is what we should do.

[Dan Bernstein]

What?

[Matt Abeticola]

Because I know obviously in the city there's. There is just fantastic, fantastic tacos. Yeah. Everywhere. You gotta come up here.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

We'll do a little fishing and then we'll hit. We'll hit like four.

[Dan Bernstein]

You're not gonna do any fishing?

[Matt Abeticola]

No, no, I like the. I actually enjoy it. I just. I just.

[Dan Bernstein]

I got a bass pond in your front yard.

[Matt Abeticola]

I know, but over there I enjoy it. I just don't do it very often, but when I do it, I really enjoy it. So, like when we did the fishing charter thing on vacation. I really had a good time.

[Dan Bernstein]

That was.

[Matt Abeticola]

It was very relaxing. It was very enjoyable.

[Dan Bernstein]

But.

[Matt Abeticola]

So you come up and then we'll go to four different places and we'll have tacos because there's a. There's actually a decent language taco tour. Yeah, we'll do a little taco tour.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm in.

[Matt Abeticola]

Similar to what we did with the Amaretto tour, but this time when there's no drinking. So we'll just be.

[Dan Bernstein]

This.

[Matt Abeticola]

Be an eating tour.

[Dan Bernstein]

Just.

[Matt Abeticola]

We'll do that. Oh, that was real bad.

[Dan Bernstein]

That should have ended badly.

[Matt Abeticola]

We went. We went out. I said, hey, Dan, here's an idea. Let's. Let's go on a bar crawl and drink amaretto to every. Every bar we go to.

[Dan Bernstein]

And of course, I'm like, okay, yeah, sure. Okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

What can I get you guys to drink? We'll take two amarettos on the rocks. What?

[Dan Bernstein]

What?

[Matt Abeticola]

You heard.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, we're. We're only drinking amaretto on this tour.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yeah, we'll do a taco.

[Dan Bernstein]

Why did we decide to drink amaretto?

[Matt Abeticola]

I don't remember. I. I'm sure I started it. I don't know why Milwaukee Taco. Here in Libertyville, they have a. They actually do a really good langua taco. And then we'll go to Tacos del Rey. Yeah, there's a couple places those are

[Dan Bernstein]

tacos of the king, so.

[Matt Abeticola]

Golden King Taco.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can I give you what was said about Logan Jones?

[Matt Abeticola]

Yes, that's where. That's where we're at. We're at Logan Jones. We. We. Yeah, we somehow got.

[Dan Bernstein]

Logan Jones is from Council Bluffs, Iowa, and he is described. And first of all, the combine stats. 6, 2 and 7, 8 and 300 pounds. Strengths, athletic mover. Keeps his hips and feet on the same page. Terrific on the move to spear defenders and drive them from the ball. Easily intersects and occupies on climbs, combos and pulls. Was allowed to run the show and make checks at the line. Can torque and turn defenders in the hole.

[Matt Abeticola]

Can twerk.

[Dan Bernstein]

Torque.

[Matt Abeticola]

Oh, not torque.

[Dan Bernstein]

Probably can. Gets underneath. Rushers to hop and answer power with leverage. Refits his hands quickly and efficiently for recoveries in pass pro. Finished his career going 17 straight games without a penalty. Throws plates around with ease in the weight room. Holds the Iowa record with a 700 pound squat. That's a lot.

[Matt Abeticola]

It is.

[Dan Bernstein]

Our rugged demeanor. Hates coming off the field.

[Matt Abeticola]

It's like with the defenses out there, you have to drag him off, right?

[Dan Bernstein]

It's like, son, you got to come over here. High intangibles kid, one NFL scout said. Pushes himself to the max. I wish all our guys loved the grind like he does. Weaknesses. Undersized short arms and a maxed out build. It's another guy with a maxed out build. Thieman was same way. Below average sustained strength to keep powerful defensive tackles contained. Drive block execution versus NFL size will be a different challenge. Can get a tad wild when fair fitting out in space. Anchor breaks down against bull rushers who use sheer force to push him into the pocket. 100% of college snaps came at center. Doesn't offer any position flex. And I ask you, does that remind you of another Chicago Bear center?

[Matt Abeticola]

It does mean those attributes or just that one?

[Dan Bernstein]

That one without positional flex at center. Was that Kurtz? No. Well, I mean maybe, but it didn't matter. The name that came to mind for me, Heronus Grassu.

[Matt Abeticola]

Oh, Grassu. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Remember Haronis Grassu do. Yes. Part of the problem. And also, let's see. Aggravated a left knee injury from 8th grade that required surgery. Missed a game as a junior. Had labrum surgery that caused him to miss spring practice. Missed a bowl game a senior year because of right hand injury. But he is in sum, an undersized sawed off blocker with aggressive technique and athletic ability. Though his sustained struggles might be tough to overcome. A center only prospect. He is a mid round version of Tyler Linderbaum. All right.

[Matt Abeticola]

Well he was taken in the second round and a lot of, a lot of people thought it was a reach to take him at, at 57.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Brugler had him as a third to fourth round pick. Yeah.

[Matt Abeticola]

But here's what's going to happen. He is going to. And this is again there were a few themes they've had this off season. One being versatility within their players. Two being speed. And now three, what we learned in the draft was competition. They wanted guys to come in and compete on their current roster.

[Dan Bernstein]

Don't forget loving football.

[Matt Abeticola]

Oh yeah. I mean these guys all love football.

[Dan Bernstein]

Very important.

[Matt Abeticola]

Like they all live, eat, breathe, sleep, football. Which he, which he certainly does. Logan Jones will compete with with Bradbury for the starting job. And I, I will say this is, this will be a successful draft selection. A very successful draft selection if he is the starting center by the end of the season.

[Dan Bernstein]

And he must season. Okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

He must be. I mean if we see acceleration and he's coached up by these coaches now that they're going to coach better and

[Dan Bernstein]

they say we can't keep him off the field.

[Matt Abeticola]

Right. Can't keep off the field. And without a doubt, he. He will be the starting center for 2027. That's why you draft him, period. Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think that's fair. To me, what matters too, is the fact that you took him when and where you did. Above Jake Slaughter and Sam Hecht.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right.

[Matt Abeticola]

Their third pick was a tight end out of Stanford, Sam Roush.

[Dan Bernstein]

You want the. The lowdown?

[Matt Abeticola]

Sure. I mean, yeah, if you. If you want. You know, pull that up. I mean, he obviously was brought in as a. As a third tight end to replace Durham Smythe, who just had to refresh my. Myself on his. On his. His numbers for the 2025 season. Had nine targets in the regular season and playoffs. So Sam Roush is obviously being brought in to be that third. That third tight end. They used the three tight end formation on 30 of the snapshot. He's there to be a blocker. He's there to mainly be a blocker, an extra offensive lineman. And as. As I was telling Hank earlier today, we're talking about it, if he has 10 targets this year, I would be surprised.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'll take the over.

[Matt Abeticola]

You'll take the over on targets?

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Yeah. On 10. Why not targets, not catches.

[Matt Abeticola]

Targets.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Matt Abeticola]

Derm Smythe had nine targets and six catches.

[Dan Bernstein]

I. Okay, again, I will take the over for Sam Roush. He is described by Dane Brugler as somebody whose strengths include having a thick frame with developed muscle mass in chest core and lowers. Listed at 66267. Accelerates cleanly off the line and into routes for quick windows. Athleticism shows up on tape and in combine testing numbers. Stanford spammed out route after route with him 29.3% of his routes, second most in FBS. Large hands, flashes flexibility in his upper half to adjust runs with toughness after the catch to find hidden yards. Physical base blocker drive strength to move defensive linemen. Strains in his blocking. Plays with competitive edge. Described as down to earth. All ball player who willingly overachieves. One of just six combine prospects who competed in every drill. No stranger to special teams weaknesses. Has disproportionately short arms to box with. God, which show in his blocking and receiving. Not a consistent hands. Catcher had too many focus drops on his tape. Questionable catch point strength to command crowded windows. Wasn't much of a third level threat. Wish he had more red zone targets. Needs to do a better job staying low into blocks and room to tighten blocking angles on screens and backside cutoffs.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yeah, so I'm gonna. I'm gonna. Yeah, I'm gonna take that under on those, on those 10 targets. And he's there primarily to block and to learn and get coached up. And I think eventually this will be a successful draft pick if next year. He is your number two tight end.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. Because of what's happened with Cole Comet's money and where you're probably gonna have some cap savings next year. Dean Brugler's conclusion here is Roush isn't without his warts, but he offers a traditional Y tight end skill set. Competitiveness to handle dirty work as a blocker, athleticism to be a functional underneath target. He has the makeup and toughness to quietly become an integral part of an NFL offense. That's an interesting little takeaway there.

[Matt Abeticola]

So again, we're talking about a guy who needs to develop.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sam Roush. Yes.

[Matt Abeticola]

All right. Their fourth pick was Xavian Thomas, wide receiver from LSU. Also a kick returner. Ran a 42840.

[Dan Bernstein]

Xavian Thomas. I have to go to the next page here of prospects.

[Matt Abeticola]

Well, hearing about what I've heard about him, to me he is the replacement for what they wanted to do and I'm not going to say, I'm not saying that he's going to have the same production level, touchdown level of a DJ Moore, but that type of player, things they wanted to do with DJ Moore, they're going to be able to do, or at least they think they will, with Xavion Thomas. Being able to use him in the backfield, get him running opportunities as well as using his speed to open up the top of the defense.

[Dan Bernstein]

Xavian Thomas, listed on the beast on the athletic here as wide receiver. Number 34 in this class.

[Matt Abeticola]

Hmm.

[Dan Bernstein]

A seventh round grade. Okay, okay. 5, 10 and 3, 8. 190 pounds. His strengths include solid muscle definition with the rocked up body of a lean running back. Tremendous speed to score anytime he touches the ball. Doesn't lose steam, making it unlikely for pursuit to make up ground. Had three career return touchdowns. Sharp footwork the jets to win at the line. His acceleration confuses pursuit angles. Adequate hand eye coordination for grab and go opportunities. Beloved in the LSU program for his positive energy and grinding attitude. Described as a leader of the receiver room by an NFL scout. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

[Matt Abeticola]

He does.

[Dan Bernstein]

Here are the weaknesses.

[Matt Abeticola]

No hands.

[Dan Bernstein]

Has been. Doesn't. Literally doesn't. Flashes as a route runner. Needs better snap to snap consistency. Inconsistent plucking the football outside his frame. Relies on his chest, arms and wrists to finish catches. Doesn't have size or length to win the catch point. Over defensive backs.

[Matt Abeticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Average at best contact balance. Hope to see more broken tackles. Unproven as a deep target. Has a muffed punt return on his tape. The conclusion by Dane Brugler. Xavian Thomas lacks ideal polish as an every down receiver, but brings all kinds of juice to threaten opponents in different ways. They have juice of threatening youth made precious juice. He projects best Jews.

[Matt Abeticola]

He threatens people with Jews.

[Dan Bernstein]

Threatens people with. Yes. He's got great lawyers.

[Matt Abeticola]

Okay. Apparently. Okay. Oh, so you said Jews. Yes. Okay. Not Jews.

[Dan Bernstein]

He threatens people with his lawyers and accountants and Hollywood producers. He projects best as a return man and gadget role player capable of creating explosives. He's a gadget guy and it sounds an awful lot like Valous Jones to me.

[Matt Abeticola]

But he isn't 20 and hopefully better.

[Dan Bernstein]

He better be better than Valis Jones. But this was a seventh round grade

[Matt Abeticola]

and he was taken to the fourth round. Yeah, right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is a fourth round pick 89th. Okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yeah. Oh, by the way, we didn't, we didn't mention the fact that, that the Bears didn't pick at 57 and 60 like I said they wouldn't do, right?

[Dan Bernstein]

That they made trades.

[Matt Abeticola]

They moved. That they moved down what, 60 down to 69. Is that where, is that where Roush was taken? 69. I think that's what it was. All right, so Xavion Thomas is a obviously a kick return specialist and is going to need a lot of development and work as a wide receiver. But good thing the coaches are going to be there to coach guys better.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know, maybe they're only coaching the defensive line better. The only thing that they've committed to coaching better. And the reason it's all fine, everything's fine. Because we're coaching the defensive line harder and better.

[Matt Abeticola]

All right. The next next selection was a cornerback. Malik Muhammad. Malik Muhammad. I think if, if he's going to be a successful draft pick, he next year should be a starting quarterback, a cornerback. I do not believe he will be a starter this year. He will serve as a rotation guy as needed as well as a key special teams player for the 2026 Chicago Bears.

[Dan Bernstein]

But we do know that based on how you play in over in camp over the summer, if you look at what Nishan Wright was able to do is they're not going to keep you out of a job if you earn that job.

[Matt Abeticola]

No, you're correct. You're correct about that. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Malik Muhammad is described by Dane Brugler as, let's see, six feet tall. Oh, big difference between combine and Pro Day 6ft tall. 182 at the combine. 5 11, 3/4. 190 at the Pro day. Right.

[Matt Abeticola]

So shorter, heavier. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Strengths above average height and length for the position. Quickly gets up to speed out of turns, plant and go. Quickness for quick redirects. Smart deciphering routes from off coverage, which allows him to stay on top. Not shy throwing his hands to jam receivers backward at the line. Did a nice job minimizing coverage penalties. Just two last year. One PI. One holding. Has springs in his calves to elevate and make plays on the ball. Triggers quickly as a run defender and looks to get busy.

[Matt Abeticola]

It's a Friday night story.

[Dan Bernstein]

Hates to come off the field.

[Matt Abeticola]

Ooh, so he'll be there on the offense?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, he. And he can. Logan Jones will just be like, dude, one of you's got to leave the field. No, we like it here. I'm not leaving. We live here now.

[Matt Abeticola]

I have catch up.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's got ketchup and I just like tacos, so I'm staying. Weaknesses Narrow linear frame with below average muscle mass. Loses physical. Battles to bully receivers on the perimeter. Outstanding stopwatch time, but it doesn't show up consistently on tape. Struggles to make up lost ground once receivers gain a step. Oh, boy. Good hip mobility. Tends to get upright in his pedal. Can get back shouldered by quarterbacks anticipating his aggression. Willing but inconsistent tackling technique. Tries to chop down instead of wrapping. Has some special teams experience, but inconsistent blocking, jamming skills. The takeaway. Malik Muhammad can be out physical at times, but he plays with good reaction, quickness and route instincts which help him stay attached in man or zone. He projects as a starter with shades of Greg Newsom ii.

[Matt Abeticola]

Projects as a starter, but not. I mean, he's not walking in starting,

[Dan Bernstein]

not on this team.

[Matt Abeticola]

Right. So, yeah, like I said, he'll be a key special teams contributor this year and this will be a successful draft pick if he is a starter in 2027. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Third round grade. Yeah. Okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

Next selection was Keyshawn Elliott, linebacker. And I think he was Arizona State.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think that's.

[Matt Abeticola]

That's correct. He's another guy that I believe like Malik Muhammad will be part of a rotation, but his key contributions this year will come on special teams.

[Dan Bernstein]

Keyshawn Elliott, the eighth graded linebacker overall by Dane Brad Rugler and it is pretty good.

[Matt Abeticola]

It is good.

[Dan Bernstein]

He is 61 1/2, 232 pounds. 61 2.

[Matt Abeticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Strengths. Passes the eye test with adequate arm length and firm muscle in his upper and lower halves. Mirrors well at the line with a feel for sifting and driving. Plays with confidence to fly to the football. Models his game after Fred Warner. Yep, that's a good.

[Matt Abeticola]

That works.

[Dan Bernstein]

Enough speed to stay within arm's length of tight ends on seams and running backs on wheels. Meaning wheel routes, not running backs on wheels.

[Matt Abeticola]

Because you get running backs with wheels, you got a guy with springs in

[Dan Bernstein]

his calves and love in his heart. Extra coach on the field. Communicates all calls to his teammates. Flashes contact, balance and pop in his hands to penetrate the pocket as a blitzer. Described as an A plus kid with grown man maturity by the coaching staff. Sophomore team captain at New Mexico State. Voted to the team's Pat Tillman leadership Council both his seasons. Already a professional in terms of his work ethic and study habits. An NFL scout says he wears out the coaches in the best way possible.

[Matt Abeticola]

Oh, boy, that sounds like a young Danny Bernstein or Jason Bernstein trait.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, not this kid again. Oh, no, he's back. Well, you know what I was famous for, right?

[Matt Abeticola]

You remember?

[Dan Bernstein]

Did I tell you the story about the Deerfield firehouse?

[Matt Abeticola]

Maybe? Tell me again.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, my mom used to take me there like once a week.

[Matt Abeticola]

And it's got you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, it got to the point where it's like I would go see Chief Gainey and they're like, look, we've done it with this kid. We've done the bit before. We've shown him all the trucks. We did all the things and she

[Matt Abeticola]

slid down the pole. Yeah, right.

[Dan Bernstein]

My mom would be like, he has more questions.

[Matt Abeticola]

Oh, Jesus.

[Dan Bernstein]

But she would do that because it was right across from the Union 76 gas station where she would gas up the Buick. And we'd stop, can we go to the fire station? And then it's like, oh, no, not this kid again. And I was asking, you know, if you use this truck and this truck does this hose attached to this thing and does this go. And so I was very into it. Weaknesses? Average Twitch athlete. Okay, maybe that just being on Twitch while he's playing video games, I don't know. Lacks suddenness getting off blocks. Climbers can take him for a ride. Doesn't always feel blockers in his peripherals. Gets trapped inside over pursuit, leads to missed tackles. Limited in coverage. Struggles to find the right eye balance. Tardy route recognition. Leaves him late to drive on routes. Was hoping to see more from him on special teams coverages. Well, I don't want to hear that because he's going to be.

[Matt Abeticola]

He's going to be a special teams guy. That's why he's there. Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

And that's the. The takeaway is Keyshawn Elliott must prove his value on passing downs, but his instincts and football character are attractive qualities for what NFL teams desire at middle lineb.

[Matt Abeticola]

Well, I. I will say this, that I watched his introductory video that the Bears posted on their website, and very impressive young man. I'll say that about him. How that translates into the football field, we'll see at the NFL level. But he is going to be a key contributor to special teams if it's going to be a successful draft pick and eventually a starter on the linebacking core. The last pick where they moved two picks in the seventh round to get this defensive tackle in the sixth round is Jordan Vandenberg. Jordan Vandenberg, defensive tackle. He apparently had such a good pro day, Dan, that it just, it jumped out to the coaching staff that they need to get their hands on this guy. Also watched his introductory video on the Bears website also. Very impressive young man. He. He actually, he owns a laundromat down in Atlanta because his father taught him early on that he needed something with that, that creates passive income. And so, I mean, he's. He seems very sharp. He doesn't. I mean, he like, lives, breathes, loves football, but grew up in South Africa. Didn't. Really wasn't very familiar with football with American football. He grew up playing rugby and got introduced to American football through the really bad football movie with Mark Wahlberg, Invincible.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, that's about Vince Papali, right?

[Matt Abeticola]

Yes. Who tries out as a fan and makes the team. So that's how we got introduced to American football again. Seems like a very, very impressive young man, though, as well, and comes from a long line of athletes within his family.

[Dan Bernstein]

I will also say he's got a super cool face mask on his Georgia Tech helmet. Really cool face mask. It looks like what Tom Hardy had on his face that he eventually has to saw off.

[Matt Abeticola]

Is that his name? What's his name?

[Dan Bernstein]

Max Rockatansky. His name is Max. It's mad.

[Matt Abeticola]

I'm sorry. Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I was thinking of the Bane stuff.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. No, not Bane.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yeah, my bad.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, maybe Tom Hardy always is. In his contract, he has to have something on his face, but when. When he's the blood bag at the beginning, the first act half of Fury Road, although I did at one point on a previous show refer to it as. And if somebody caught me on this, I slipped and I called it Mad Max Thunder Road instead of Fury Road, which would be the mashup with Bruce Springsteen in the East Street Band. Totally different movie. Mad Max, Thunder Road, where they're just trying to keep from being trapped.

[Matt Abeticola]

Wait, what?

[Dan Bernstein]

Asbury Park, New Jersey.

[Matt Abeticola]

Wasn't Mad Max in a. Wasn't even Thunderdome or though, was he? Yes, that's how you put it together. Okay, so Thunder Road.

[Dan Bernstein]

So I. Furry Road.

[Matt Abeticola]

And then he was on his way to like a furry convention.

[Dan Bernstein]

Furry convention. But I think it's hysterical that I combined Matt beyond Thunderdome with Fury Road into Thunder Road. And somehow it's. It's like this, you know, it's this, you know, angst ridden Max as he's, you know, he's making music in New Jersey, but he doesn't know if he and his. And his. His girlfriend can ever quite break out. Maybe he'll end up working at the mill like so many other people do anyway. Jordan Vandenberg. You asked, I will answer.

[Matt Abeticola]

Defensive tackle.

[Dan Bernstein]

Defensive tackle from Georgia Tech. Six, three and a quarter, 310 pounds. I don't have the combine. He didn't go to the combine, only the pro day stuff. And there are no positives or negatives that are mentioned here. So I'm just going to read you the paragraphs. Vandenberg has four brothers. He was born and raised in South Africa. His grandfather was a competitive bodybuilder. His grandmother holds several South African swimming records and she amazingly owns the Mexican pitching record. Nobody could figure out how that happened. She. She somehow was able to usurp that standing from Esteban Loiza, who probably also doesn't have the Mexican pitching record because they sent him to the pokey, remember?

[Matt Abeticola]

But he once held a South African swimming record.

[Dan Bernstein]

Probably Loisa did. Yes.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

When Jordan was 10, his family relocated to the Atlanta area. He'd grown up playing rugby and hoped to continue playing in the States. His new friends played football, so he made the switch. He also played baseball and basketball. Okay, a no star recruit, he didn't have any Division one offers. He walked on at Iowa Western community college in 2020. Added 40 pounds during his first juco year. Moved from linebacker to D line despite a left knee injury. Received double digit FBS offers. Signed with Penn State where he played three seasons as a backup. Transferred to Georgia Tech his final two years. Earned all ACC both years. An alum of the freaks list, whatever that means. Vandenberg is a broad, well built athlete who has thickness through his arms, legs and core.

[Matt Abeticola]

He's very beefy looking.

[Dan Bernstein]

He bursts off the snap with aggressive hands to push the pocket. Although he shows some lower Body stiffness when attempting to move laterally around blocks took a positive step Forward from his 24 tape and ability to recognize and shed blocks against the run. His motor is relentless. His coaches said he was one of the team's best leaders because of the example he set. He brings outstanding personal and football character. The takeaway. Vandenberg was a late bloomer on the field, but his 2025 tape showed a player with NFL caliber size traits and effort. He is attempting to be the first South African born player selected in the NFL draft.

[Matt Abeticola]

And so he is, he is going to. Well, he was, he was selected. So yeah, he is very much a project. There's gonna be a lot of, a lot of hard work ahead for him to become a rotation and a starter guy in the NFL. He very well could be a practice squad guy this year.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's what I was thinking too. Like a Theo Benedict maybe for the defense. Yep, that's what it sounds like to me.

[Matt Abeticola]

I think, I think, I think if, if he actually cracks the roster this year, that would be a huge, huge success and win for him. I think he's a practice squad guy that has a road to. And the path is there for him. He's very footballly and he's a very, very hard worker though too.

[Dan Bernstein]

The problem might be getting him to the practice squad and because remember, if he is on the practice squad, he has to be exposed to waivers and he is, he's claimable. So that'll be a measure of how much they like him, how far they think of him. Yeah. Possibly gets in here. They're like, ye, it's, it's not translating. He doesn't get it or it's not working. And, and if they do have to find a way to get him to the practice squad and there's, there could be a deal in place maybe where he would turn down a roster spot elsewhere. Like you can, you can cut some side deals here. So we'll, we'll keep an eye on it.

[Matt Abeticola]

Well, he said his pro day was so good it just, it jumped off and, and people like people within the building really wanted, wanted the, the Bears to consider looking at him. So that's what happened. One of his favorite players, guys that he emulates and looks up to, Grady Jarrett.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh my goodness. And now they're on the same team.

[Matt Abeticola]

Now they're teammates.

[Dan Bernstein]

They're in the same positional room.

[Matt Abeticola]

All right, so, you know, I've read a lot of different experts and their analysis of the Bears draft and here's what I've concluded. Dan, two things about the draft. Number one, it blows. It's unwatchable. It's terrible.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's just watching it this year, it's so bad.

[Matt Abeticola]

It's so bad. Number two, I'm done. I'm done with the weeks and hours and time leading up to it. It's just. What? Okay. I said it can't be. I am. I. I am. I'm done. No, you're not. Yeah, I am. Because here's what I'm allowed to be. Here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna. We're gonna. We're gonna look at it after the Bears make their decisions because that's when we learn what the Bears priorities were. That's what they're. That's what their process played out. Their biggest need was offensive tackle. They didn't take one. Their second biggest need was a guy that can. That can disrupt the backfield and pressure the quarterback. They didn't take one. Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

They're going to coach everybody better then in.

[Matt Abeticola]

In. In pressure percentage. They were 29th in the NFL last year. They were 31st in pass rush win rate. They needed help and they didn't address it. They just didn't. So I'm done with draft. You're going to get new guys every year. You get them and then we'll look at and say, yep, this is what they did. Their philosophy was taking the best guy available at the time. They picked whatever their board said was the best guy. That's who they took. That's what we're going to do. I'm done with this. They. Okay, here's the thing. [e-mail] and Jordan Reed and Matt Miller, two of their. Two of their experts, and of course our buddy Matt Miller, they were asked this question about this draft. Make one prediction about this class for five years from now. Okay, so Matt Miller specifically answered about the Bears. He says the 2026 class will be the one that puts the Bears over the top and into a Super Bowl. Quarterback Caleb Williams is the main reason for the Bears success, but adding safety Dylan Thieneman and cornerback Malik Muhammad satisfies huge needs in the secondary, while center Logan Jones will be Williams's new best friend and bodyguard. He believes this draft class will be the thing that puts the Bears over the top and into the Super Bowl.

[Dan Bernstein]

How about the Malik Muhammad Love for Mr. Texas fan?

[Matt Abeticola]

Yes. All right. Jordan Reed said this and his answer to that question. Make one prediction about this draft class for five years from now. He did not specifically answer about the Bears, and this is what just drove me insane. This class, 2026 will be known for the offensive tackle talent that it produced.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ouch. Ouch. That seems narrow casted to you.

[Matt Abeticola]

Seven offensive tackles were drafted in the first round and all landed in ideal spots for them to play early in their careers. Expect several of these players to be long time starters. That just, that killed me. Yeah, but imagine, again, it's just, it's one guy's analytical take on this draft. I've, I've read them all, all the experts, all the different websites. The Bears have been graded on their draft class anywhere from an A to a D. None of it matters, Dan. The opinions, like all the time we spent looking at different guys and mock drafts and what this guy does and what that guy does.

[Dan Bernstein]

I just warn you, don't, don't think about this too hard.

[Matt Abeticola]

Why?

[Dan Bernstein]

Because it's going to throw you into an existential panic.

[Matt Abeticola]

No, I'm not. I just, I'm done. I'm just like, we're going to, hey, next year when there's a draft, we'll say, yeah, the draft is coming up. And here's what I'm going to say about the draft. It's 20 days away, 19 days away. No, hey, guess what, Dan? The draft is tomorrow. And then after they make their picks, we'll get together on Monday again, just like today, and we'll analyze the 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 guys they pick and say, all right, this is what this guy's good at. This guy should be a starter. This guy could be a starter next year. That's what we're going to do. They didn't address any of the two biggest needs they had because they thought this draft class didn't have guys that were worthy of picking at those two spots, getting after the quarterback and protecting the quarterback. Now, I love that they took Logan Jones. I do. I really do. I said, I told you I wanted them to take a center, but I wanted an offensive tackle and there were guys out there to be had.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I just thought maybe identifying somebody who could help your pass rush would have been helpful in either free agency or the draft or trades somehow finding some new blood to help, maybe the worst aspect of your team would have been nice, but I'm told I'm going to rest easy because Ben Johnson said, oh, that we're just going to, We've got a plan. We're going to coach them better.

[Matt Abeticola]

That's on them.

[Dan Bernstein]

Same guys.

[Matt Abeticola]

They're going to coach them better.

[Dan Bernstein]

So they told me Trust them. They're going to coach them better.

[Matt Abeticola]

So the Bears offense is obviously was a, was a, one of the top offenses in the league last year. And we talked about this, we talked about, we looked at the, at the last 10 Super bowl winners that, where you have to be really good, whether either you're one of the top three offensive units in football or you're one of the top five defensive units in football. And if you're going to be the top offensive unit, I mean if you're not going to have one of the strongest defensive units, I should say you better have the best or second best offensive unit in the game.

[Dan Bernstein]

You better be scoring 40 points a game.

[Matt Abeticola]

So the Bears are looking to be a top three offense. And I think, I honestly think, Dan, if they look at their defense with the players they have, the players they added, I think they feel if they can be around a top 15 defense that's going to be good enough to win games and win in the playoffs with their top rated offense. I don't, I don't know if that's the right philosophy. The whole idea of what Ryan Poll said after Friday night's picks, that maybe the quarterbacks, the opposing quarterbacks will maybe hold the ball a little bit longer now because of the, the safeties they have and the cornerbacks they have. And that was. He said that even before they drafted Malik Muhammad. That was the current roster on Friday night. Dan. We're just adding Dylan Thienaman.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yep. They're hoping that maybe a quarterback's gonna just.

[Matt Abeticola]

We're gonna hold the ball a little bit longer.

[Dan Bernstein]

Before we wrap up, I wanted to make sure that we address this. This was just posted at Pro Football Talk.

[Matt Abeticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

If the NFL doesn't work out for quarterback Diego Pavia.

[Matt Abeticola]

Oh, he got an invite by the Ravens, by the way.

[Dan Bernstein]

He'll have options in other leagues. And if Pavia looks to Canada, one team has secured his negotiating rights. Who? The Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Okay, the Blue Bombers. This. And this is smart. You have to do this up there. They squatted on Pavia's rights in 2024. So they did like, like a, like a Larry Bird kind of thing here. So the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would be the CFL team. So the UFL is another option for Pavia. For now. He's going to try to parlay a tryout at Ravens rookie minicamp for a spot on the 90 man roster.

[Matt Abeticola]

He is.

[Dan Bernstein]

And we congratulate him. He is the first Heisman finalist in 12 years to go undrafted.

[Matt Abeticola]

Well, he's not the first one ever do it. So let's not try to, like, you know, give him some kind of special record. I know. I'm just saying I know you're working against him and you want him to fail.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not. I just have a bet that he's never going to play a down of NFL football now.

[Matt Abeticola]

I think he will.

[Dan Bernstein]

The best part is hearing that apparently his, that Roel and Javier.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

His brothers didn't help his cause in, in his. In professional football comes with his, his drunken, stupid brothers.

[Matt Abeticola]

No, they certainly didn't help it. I think his, his production and his leadership qualities that he possessed and displayed at Vanderbilt and because the way that his teammates talked about him, the coaches talked about him, if that was just it, someone would have serious looks at this guy and he would have more than one. But he did get one invite to a football minicamp. Great.

[Dan Bernstein]

A football minicamp. I'm glad you said.

[Matt Abeticola]

But his, his brothers, though, and all the extra stuff was such a turn off for most teams in the NFL. I, I think if he were to play football in the ufl, I mean, he'd probably be the mvp. I mean, he probably would be. And if he goes to the cfl, he's going to have success there, too. I think he, he could have some. I'm still gonna. I mean, I have to. I have to hold on to the whole idea that he's going to take one. One snap in an NFL regular season game. He'll take at least one. That's the bet.

[Dan Bernstein]

So. And that.

[Matt Abeticola]

That bet is active until he dies. I just, I love the pictures. They never have to. I may never have to pay up on that bet. We'll see.

[Dan Bernstein]

When they, when they keep showing him everything. They show a picture of him. They've got him, like, with those, like, double chains over the turtle. When his brothers came walking out, like, it was like, like a cutaway in the Miami Vice open.

[Matt Abeticola]

I mean, didn't he tweet something that, that he then later deleted or. I thought someone sent something to me where he was like, f the NFL and I, I, we believe it.

[Dan Bernstein]

If he did is the point.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yeah, that's. It's true. All right, but. Okay, that can't be the last thing because I have one last question for you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

Are there other, like, Kevin Warren equivalents in the NFL that talk to draft picks on the phone?

[Dan Bernstein]

Why did they put. What is he doing? What is he. Why is Kevin Warren on the phone with Dylan Thienaman?

[Matt Abeticola]

I mean, are there other, like, equivalents to Kevin Warren at other teams, talking to draft picks.

[Dan Bernstein]

I have no clue. What's the point of that? What is the point of it? Other than him hogging camera time?

[Matt Abeticola]

It really bothers me.

[Dan Bernstein]

What is the point of that? This is Kevin Warren, the President. Welcome. Why?

[Matt Abeticola]

Why?

[Dan Bernstein]

What is he going to tell about cranes in the sky

[Matt Abeticola]

and geese on the move?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, what are we doing? I like to see cranes in the sky. Talk about washing his car. Because he. He likes to.

[Matt Abeticola]

His.

[Dan Bernstein]

His mind is clean when he drives in.

[Matt Abeticola]

Like, when I saw. I saw the video, and it was. It was. It was Kevin or Ben Johnson who was like, I'm gonna hand you over to team president Kevin. I was like, what? Why are you doing that? What's happening? Is he here to tell them about Hammond? We have this beautiful site in Hammond

[Dan Bernstein]

and with a lot of bathrooms. We're going to build bathrooms, Dylan. We're going to build bathrooms. You know, we're going to get bidets

[Matt Abeticola]

from the White Sox.

[Dan Bernstein]

It was famously. It was Jim Irsay who talked to Quentin Nelson, right?

[Matt Abeticola]

Hey, Quinton. Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Dan Bernstein]

You fired up, man. But who's this again? Jim Ursay. That's the actual owner.

[Matt Abeticola]

No, the player. Who's this? I'm sorry.

[Dan Bernstein]

Who is this? Quentin Nelson, the great hall of Fame guard to be.

[Matt Abeticola]

I know. I'm pretending to be him, asking Jim Ursay, who are you again? Oh, who's this? I'm the owner, man. You're the team.

[Dan Bernstein]

You got to see my guitar collection.

[Matt Abeticola]

You know what? I've changed my mind, actually. I don't think I'm gonna go here.

[Dan Bernstein]

And if you're asking, why does he sound like Otto the bus driver? It's because that's how he sounded. Because that is to have an NFL owner who was pretty much Otto the bus driver. That was Jim. Or say.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

So I just.

[Matt Abeticola]

I want to know, man, like, executives at Kevin Warren's level that are talking to draft picks, I don't know, night

[Dan Bernstein]

one of the draft, I got some. If. If Steve Tish ever picks up the phone, I got some questions. Oh, yeah, definitely asking questions like, well, yeah, this is a Steve Tish. I'm here to welcome you to the Giants. Underage girls. You can send me, by the way. Hey, you know, you got any. Set me up with some girls. You're. You're in college. You know, some of those college girls to say, hey, Steve, no, no, Steve, don't.

[Matt Abeticola]

Sorry. Let that one go. So I watched. On night one, I watched the ESPN broadcast. Apparently, what? There's there's NFL and there might have been a couple different choices.

[Dan Bernstein]

And that's where they kept sending it down to Marriott Bonvoy.

[Matt Abeticola]

That's where the Marriott Bonvoy kept interviewing the players. They, they took an interesting approach that I learned on Saturday that they weren't exactly correct. So Reuben Bain gets drafted out of, you know, from Miami.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sure.

[Matt Abeticola]

And he's taken by the Buccaneers. And I don't know if you saw when they, they come down the hallway out of the green room, they stop at the mirror, they put the hat on. You know, they pose for a selfie and it's, they look right in the camera. So Reuben Bain Jr. Walks, grab, doesn't even break stride, Grabs the hat off the podium and just keeps on walking. Puts the hat on as he's walking. You know, he does the whole hug with Roger Goodell. Like they're long time friends and anything to do with him getting to this stage, at this of his life, it's so stupid. And then they talk about it on the, the, the, the panel there on ESPN was like, oh, he's all business. He's got no time for this. And it kind of came off in a way that he was just like above and, and be all, like he was above all of this and almost, almost portrayed him in a way as like kind of being a dick. Okay, Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

But you should be above it because

[Matt Abeticola]

here's the thing, though. Here's the thing. And then when you heard his interview that he did, he was so overwhelmed and overcome with emotion. That was him doing the best he could to get through that moment.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

You know. Yeah. And it was really, it was actually really, it was really moving and touching to hear what this meant to him and to see how emotional he became about it. But to have it portrayed, oh, he's all business and he just can't wait to get fired up and get out of the football field. He's got no time for all this, you know, this, you know, dog and pony show and all this stuff. And that wasn't it, man. He was like, he was doing everything he could in that moment to keep it together, but they could, they kind of painted him in a little negative light that wasn't really accurate.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know, but I see that's not negative to me. If somebody's like, look, he's got, he just can't wait to get on the field. He's got better things to do than all this stupid, silly pageantry.

[Matt Abeticola]

It was almost like he was kind of like he Was. He was kind of like a dick about it, that it was like, this is just beneath me, you know?

[Dan Bernstein]

So important. We believe in all of this, and this matters to us, and how dare you not take it serious?

[Matt Abeticola]

But I thought it was really sweet that it was just. He was so overwhelmed that it was just everything it could to get through this particular moment, you know? And I, I. Yeah, I just. That. That bothered me. I wanted to mention that because I think the Buccaneers got a real steal. That. That dude.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, he's a heck of a player.

[Matt Abeticola]

He was my favorite. My favorite defensive player in this draft.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, he's. He's a heck of a player. And I think he would be drafted around where he was in pretty much any draft like that, that, that jumps off tape.

[Matt Abeticola]

You.

[Dan Bernstein]

You don't have to be a genius to.

[Matt Abeticola]

He's a monster. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely.

[Dan Bernstein]

That kind of bend and that kind of speed and those hands and that. That is. That's a position you can probably watch individual drills at the combine. Just be like, oh, yeah, okay.

[Matt Abeticola]

And he was the first edge taken at 15, something the Bears didn't feel the need to address because they're just going to coach them better.

[Dan Bernstein]

We'll see

[Matt Abeticola]

Mazador and Malachi Lawrence taken before Dylan Thieman.

[Dan Bernstein]

Mm. I'm not going to make my Dylan Theta been comments again.

[Matt Abeticola]

I've made. And.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, can I just say this, too? Thank you for all of the comments that are still coming in regarding our. Our Thursday night episode.

[Matt Abeticola]

Wait, which ones? The ones that were entertained or the ones that were angry by us? Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, both. And my favorite ones are the ones that. That absolutely get it when I. And I, like, I look at it and I'm like, oh, this person hates us. It's like your. This said your Thursday night show was. What did they say? Unprofessional, reckless, stupid, and maybe the best work you've ever done since beginning this project on August 25th of 2025. And I was like, okay, thank you. Thanks. Somebody said that that's. That is the essence of when you know, you've reached a point of saturation, of taking something seriously, and everything culminates like that late at night. And it's all. It's just like, all right, well, it's the 25th pick in a bad draft, and I'm only capable of. Of taking it that seriously so far. And thank you for understanding.

[Matt Abeticola]

Yes. Lots of feedback. Thanks for that as well.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. And that will do it for today's forward progress. A Chicago Bears podcast. I. I concur with that. On 312 Sports for progress is stopped. Forward progress.

[Matt Abeticola]

Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abeticola on 312 Sports. Book a loved by guest property with Vrbo and you get a top rated vacation rental that's loved for all the right reasons. Uh, I love my VRBO for the location. Good reason.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, and for the pool.

[Matt Abeticola]

Cause pools are cool. I feel the love book of VRBO that's loved by guests. If you know you vrbove.