Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast
Episode: Where Would COLSTON LOVELAND Get Drafted Now?
Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Podcast Network: 312 Sports
Episode Overview
This episode, airing during the lead-up to Super Bowl week, features Dan and Matt exploring offseason themes with a heavy Chicago Bears slant and a healthy dose of NFL-wide perspective. The main thrust centers on a redraft of the 2025 NFL Draft with a focus on standout Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland—debating how highly he'd go now and what that says about positional value and hindsight in scouting. Around this, the hosts riff on Super Bowl week rituals, coaching hires, media takes, the Bears' offensive coordinator dynamics, league business politics, and the Super Bowl halftime show controversy.
The hosts' discussion is lively, opinionated, frequently humorous, and blends sharp analysis with fan perspective and banter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Super Bowl Week & The Bears’ Absence (00:22–04:04)
- Dan and Matt bemoan the Bears missing out on a winnable playoff game, re-living frustration that the Rams weren't the better team.
- "The Rams were not the better team in that game, and that was statistically proven." — Matt (01:43)
- Both describe a sense of "Bears withdrawal," wishing for another game.
2. Bears’ Offensive Coordinator Search & Role (04:04–10:44)
- Discussion on the open Bears OC spot following Declan Doyle's departure to the Ravens.
- Troy Walters turned down an interview; new candidate is Connor Senger, 36, highly regarded with experience with the Cardinals.
- They debate what the Bears’ OC actually does under presumed playcaller Ben Johnson, and how much influence the role carries.
- Matt suggests the Bears’ OC is a genuine proving ground for future head coaching prospects, not a symbolic title:
- "I think he significantly has a role as offensive coordinator. I would love to know specifically what that is." — Matt (06:15)
- Declan Doyle set a precedent; his press conferences showed ownership and strong, confident leadership.
3. Frank Reich to the Jets/Coach Carousel (08:53–10:06)
- Frank Reich is now Jets OC after previous head coaching stints; speculation about that staff’s shaky future.
4. Tony Dungy, Hall of Fame Voting, and Critiques (10:49–15:48)
- Dan launches a sharp critique of Tony Dungy’s public persona as moral authority, especially amid Hall of Fame voting secrecy.
- "For some reason somehow ascended to the throne of the moral and ethical guru for the league... he happens to be a bigot, a homophobe, and he should be the last person the NFL is looking to for some of these things." — Dan (11:07)
- Frustration over Dungy’s unwillingness to be transparent: “If you didn’t vote them in, have the courage of your convictions. From what are you hiding?” — Dan (12:56)
5. 2025 NFL Redraft & Colston Loveland as a Rising Star (15:48–22:28)
- The episode’s main focus: reviewing ESPN's redraft of the first two rounds of 2025 and where Bears TE Colston Loveland would be selected now after a spectacular rookie year.
- Orginally, Loveland was chosen by the Bears at #10—in the redraft, he still goes at 10, but Dan and Matt challenge this.
- Dan: “If you go back and look at rookie seasons of tight ends who were eventually great, there is no reason to take great off the table for Colston Loveland.” (18:00)
- Argue that multiple teams (notably Jacksonville at #5 and Carolina at #9) would now surely take Loveland higher if the draft were replayed with current knowledge.
- Brief notes on other breakout risers: Luther Burden III, Nick Imanwori, Ashton Genty, and the running back value devaluation trend.
6. League Business: The 18-Game Schedule Debate (22:43–27:30)
- Recap of Roger Goodell’s “no formal or informal discussions” stance on expanding the season.
- NFLPA’s opposition is noted; Kraft comments suggest owners are informally planning for 18 games and annual international games.
- Matt: “He made it really clear they’re going to push like the dickens... serious talk from an old guy.” (25:11)
- Dan: "There's just too much money in it [for 18 games not to be coming]." (27:32)
7. Bears Stadium, Fan Chants, and Local Anecdotes (27:36–30:38)
- Humorous back-and-forth about Bears stadium debates, potential protest chants, and Chicago area fishing shows and nature centers.
8. Super Bowl Halftime Show Debate: Bad Bunny & Football Culture (32:00–47:00)
- Discussion of the Athletic's player survey showing 41% disapproval of Bad Bunny as halftime act—responses highlighting lack of familiarity, preference for “American” or “football culture” artists.
- Dan: “Then you’re an idiot.” — reacting to players who don't know who Bad Bunny is (34:51)
- Matt: “What’s the issue? It’s the language, right?... But the Rolling Stones, The Who—speak English. So in that guy’s eyes, more American than a guy from America because he speaks American.” (35:40)
- Highlight hypocrisy of objecting to Puerto Rican (American citizen) artist but not British ones, and point out Bad Bunny’s massive popularity and prior Super Bowl appearance.
- Satirical proposal for an “All-American” halftime show featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Bryce, Gabby Barrett, etc.—lampooning the idea of “real American” music.
- Dan: “Honey, turn on Daily Wire Plus.” (45:07)
9. Absurdist Football “Culture” Parody (47:00–54:10)
- The hosts mock reductive “football culture” by listing “real American” football values: trucks, beer, guns, dirt, etc., riffing about symbolic Americana and flag code trivia.
10. Musical & Personal Tangents (54:10–58:00)
- Brief digressions on summer camp stories, musicals (Wicked, Wizard of Oz), and slapstick humor—reflecting the hosts’ comfortable, freewheeling rapport.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Draft Wisdom (18:00):
“If you go back and look at rookie seasons of tight ends who were eventually great, there is no reason to take great off the table for Colston Loveland.”
— Dan Bernstein -
On Tony Dungy (11:07):
“For some reason somehow ascended to the throne of the moral and ethical guru for the league... he happens to be a bigot, a homophobe, and he should be the last person the NFL is looking to for some of these things.”
— Dan Bernstein -
On Redrafting for Need vs. Best Player (16:17):
“Just because you’re still going with team need and not the outcome performance of the player...”
— Dan Bernstein -
On Football Culture Debates (34:51):
“Then you’re an idiot.”
— Dan Bernstein (to anonymous NFL players saying they don't know Bad Bunny) -
Satire on "Real American" Halftime Show (42:23):
- “Honey, turn on Daily Wire Plus.”
— Dan Bernstein
- “Honey, turn on Daily Wire Plus.”
Important Segment Timestamps
- Bears Season Frustrations & Withdrawal: 00:22–04:04
- Bears OC Vacancy & Ben Johnson’s Influence: 04:04–10:44
- Tony Dungy, HOF Vote Critique: 10:49–15:48
- 2025 NFL Redraft/Colston Loveland Debate: 15:48–22:28
- 18-Game Schedule & Business Politics: 22:43–27:30
- Super Bowl Halftime Show Debate (Bad Bunny/Football Culture): 32:00–47:00
Style & Tone
The episode crackles with Dan and Matt’s trademark blend of blunt honesty, sardonic wit, analytical insight, and deep affection (and frustration) for the Bears and NFL culture at large. They readily shift between serious football analysis and playful, improvisational banter—never shying from social commentary nor from ribbing their own fandom.
For the Listener
This episode is must-listen for Bears fans, draft nerds, and anyone interested in how NFL narratives—on and off the field—are built, revised, and satirized. The Colston Loveland analysis is especially sharp, but the show also doesn’t miss its opportunity to lampoon both league hypocrisy and overcooked “culture” debates, all while keeping the tone lively and accessible.