Loading summary

Transcript21 lines

[00:01]
A
Grainger knows. When you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
[00:30]
B
Not to spoil what to watch that will that we will have at the end of today's show, but there is a slew of NFL preseason games. Football tonight. Yes. Football is back, I believe. I don't know how many. I think the yeah. So The Titans and 49ers game will be on NFL Network. That will be the the prime game or at least the the national game. That will happen at 8 o'. Clock. Every other game will be local, which is disappointing because there actually is one game I do want to watch tonight. Shocker. I want to watch preseason football. Can you guess which game I want to watch tonight? Jake Janicek, Packer. Steelers, right? No. God, no. I don't care. I mean, I know, but you know, Aaron, it's not it is a Thursday.
[01:19]
A
Thursday.
[01:20]
B
Play it, Jake. I don't care. I don't care. Thank you. I don't care. I don' the packers and the Steelers and Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers and the couple who divorced who has now got him back together. I care about Arizona versus The Las Vegas Raiders. Oh, Carson guy. Well, yes, I am actually. I Carson back was one of my more highly rated quarterbacks in the draft. I I actually said that I would take Carson Beck over Ty Simpson is what I told some people. I Shocker, right? That was a bold prediction I had that I thought that Beck would be drafted before Simpson. I well, the shocker is, is that I was wrong by a wide, wide margin. But I think Beck kind of has all the tools that you look for in terms of a ton of experience. Has played at the highest level of college football playing. I think the number was like playing 55 games or something crazy like that. Played at the highest level of college football, has won at the highest level of college football, has not lost a lot of games in his career. You know, obviously he has some pretty notable fourth quarter mistakes that, you know, one of which cost his team a national championship. But to give him credit, he got his team to a national championship, played great throughout the entirety of the playoff. And I just thought, look at him as, you know, accurate, good arm. He doesn't have the type of athleticism that is going to break games. And his, you know, off schedule stuff that we fall in love with with guys like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, like, it's definitely not at that level, but just from a pure strength, accuracy, experience winner. I mean, I really, really liked him. I want to continue to see him play more football. And a quarterback battle that I don't think people thought was really a battle, but may turn into one if Jacoby Brissette continues to have bad practices and Carson Beck continues. Continues to perform at a. At a fairly high level. And then on the other side, you have the Las Vegas Raiders, who their head coach, Clint Kubiak told the media, Fernando Mendoza is going to get a lot of snaps and a lot of work in during the preseason. So that's a game that maybe I'll like Pirate or something. I don't know. I'll find a way to watch it. I want to bet on it. I want. No, I'm not. No good man. No, no, no. I'll only bet on the first game of the preseason. Mike goes, I don't care. Matt is stealing bits. I'm not. I'm not stealing bits. I just said I don't care. My bad. Come on, we gotta. I know. We gotta hit that a little. I was like waiting to see, but J man says he's upset that this weekend in women's. Women's history is gone. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm not stealing bits, though. Mike goes, Matt McPirate. What's this long comment? Jeremiah goes. Avoiding lettuce made everything appear flat and less lively. Well, after some time, good riddance. I taste everything again without nonsense. I've been gone for what? What is happening? I don't know what Jeremiah's talking. Bit by the lettuce bug. Oh, yeah? What's the. Has that ended yet or still people still having explosive diarrhea because of low lettuce. I know the whole Taylor Farms thing, but I think it has to this Taylor Farms? That's what it's called? Yeah. I mean, I'm getting Taco Bell tonight with my girlfriend. I do not care if there's lettuce on it.
[04:46]
A
I'm fine.
[04:46]
B
You're getting Taco Bell tonight. I'm gonna get Taco Bell. You taking her on a date to Taco Bell? No, she just wanted to get some Taco Bell and they're Actually releasing a tahin menu, so I might try. Oh, I love tahin. Yeah. Do you put tahin in your margaritas? I do like Tahin in my margaritas. Good stuff. Tahin in your margaritas is amateur stuff. All right? That's not. That's. That's 100 level margarita stuff. You need to put Tajin and, like, your beer. You need to put tahen and like, Modelo. You need to put Tahin, dude. Tahin and beer is awesome. You get some of that. Because what I love about tahin is the hint of lime, which quick little tangent to skitos. You like tosquitos. Okay. The chip brand, please sponsor us to Scoops. Might be one of the most underrated chips out there, because number one, I don't see them a lot at parties, but talk about a chip that gets their job done. You like, you buy to Tostito scoops to go and scoop the dip. It works like it. Tostito scoop. Like, they make the chip for scooping. Like, they did what they accomplished. It ain't a gimmick. It ain't a bit. They are it. They are perfect Anytime there's a dip. If I'm like, hey, I'm having dip tonight, or I'm making a dip, I'm making buffalo chicken dip, or I'm making a queso, or I'm making like a. I had a cheeseburger dip. Oh, it's just basically queso with ground beef.
[06:05]
A
That's good, though.
[06:06]
B
Oh, it was great. Shout out Uncle Mike from roommate Dan's family. It was one of the best clips I've ever had. I. Dude, scooping with those tosquito scoops, so effective. And they're sturdy. Here's my beef, though, with Tostitos. Hint of lime. They have a hint of lime chip. I like it. It's cool. But there's no hint about it. They ain't hinting at you. It's more of, like, a punch of lime. It's more of, like tosquitos slapped with lime. You. It's all lime. There's no. There's no, like, secret. Like, you don't taste that chip and you're like, oh, well, I got a hint of something there. I wonder. I wonder what that is. No, you just. You get smacked over the face with lime. And it's not. Not necessarily that I don't like the chip. It's. I just don't like being lied to. Yeah, okay. I don't like being lied to. And. And speaking about being lied to, Kevin Warren has talked today with the Chicago Bears and had a press conference with the Bears media, along with George McCaskey, in terms of the new stadium project that is going on here with the Chicago Bears, which have turned into. Did you see the jokes yesterday that there was a rumor that Indiana wants the Bears to build in Indiana and then call them the Indiana Bears? This is what has been so frustrating about this entire experience. As a Bears fan, I'm really past the point of, like, caring anymore about this. It's just more so. I hate all the jokes, you know, I hate all of, like, all of this.
[07:46]
A
The.
[07:47]
B
The. You know, John Bishop making jokes and Schaefer making jokes and Peterson making jokes and Joey making jokes. Like, I really, at this point, hit it. Come on, Jake. I don't care where the Bears play their football. I don't. Like. I. It's. It's not of importance to me anymore, okay? It just really isn't. It would be less of a pain in the ass if they played in Arlington Heights for me, specifically, because I got a train stop, you know, back home that runs there. But, like, at this point, if. And butts are candies and nuts, I don't care, all right? I don't. It's more so about, like, the lying, the deception, and, you know, people making fun of, you know, the Bears, which I don't appreciate. Here's what Kevin Warren said today. Our focus is in Hammond, Indiana. We don't have any legislation in Illinois. Warren was then asked, is there a target date for breaking ground on construction for the Bears new stadium? Warren said, my wife told me about six months ago, don't give any more target dates. Just get the work done. And then George McCaskey was asked if. In talking about lies, by the way, George McCaskey was asked if the Bears would be the Indiana Bears if they were to move to Indiana. McCaskey responded with, no, we will be the Chicago Bears, whether we'll be in Arlington or in Hammond. Which is funny that McCaskey, who. I think my theory is, at this point, George McCaskey is seething and is so pissed that they've gotten to this point that Hammond is even a. A discussion. And I think he.
[09:23]
A
He.
[09:23]
B
My theory is that he's mad at Warren that it's gotten this far, that they have to bring in Indiana and they have to bring in Hammond and they have to do all this charade and all this hoopla in order to get leverage with the state of Illinois, which the state of Illinois is guilty for as much of the stuff as anybody. But, like, I. I was just so pissed yesterday about the whole, they're going to be called the Indiana Bears. I'm very happy that that's not going to be the case. I was very frustrated. Last quote from George McCaskey. He characterized the Bears discussions with Illinois legislators as, quote, minimal, following the team's board of directors vote to focus stadium efforts solely in Hammond. So there we are, the Gary Bears. Probably not gonna happen. I'm at the point. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. Unless they call themselves the Indiana Bears. If they became the Indiana Bears. That's a whole other discussion. That's a whole other point. That's all. That's. That is not just. You're moving stadiums and you're playing somewhere else. That means you are a different entity. You are a completely different franchise, in my opinion. That is a different conversation to one where. Yeah, I'll say it right now. If they became the Indiana Bears, I would think about whether or not I would root for them. I'm not saying I wouldn't, but I would think about it because I'd be that mad would care. J Man goes. 16:20. The Scoop Boys a midday. I don't know if that's a nickname we want. Skibs goes. Those lime chips are the bane of my existence. I hate them with a passion.
[10:55]
A
Wow.
[10:55]
B
I hate that. Kind of checks out for Skibs. Skibs is kind of like. Like if there was a revolution, like, Skibs would be at the part of it, you know, like if Sibs was in Les Miz, he would be one of the college students trying to overthrow the French government. You know, he'd be close. He. Skibs is way closer to Jean Valjean than he is Javert. I think everybody knows that about Stips. Mike goes. Ham Bears. Get out of here. J Man goes. Haymond bears on 1620 of his own. Please. Andy goes, blame the billionaires, not others. You know what? Yes, yes. Andy. Andy, who is very apt in his Chicago knowledge, says this. He goes, let them go. The owners have no allegiance to the people of Chicago or Illinois. All that matters is money. See, Andy, I. The one thing, and I think you can appreciate this is like when you are the charter franchise of the NFL and you have been in the same city and in the same area for a hundred years now, right? You've been in the greater Chicagoland area. I think you do have a service. You do have an allegiance. You do have a responsibility towards your constituents, towards your fans. You. They The. Let's just say this. The Chicago Bears fans have given more to the Bears than the Bears have given to fans. That is, without a doubt, with no conversation. That franchise outside of a handful of years has been lost in the wilderness. And yet that city, their fans have made that team the identity of, of this third largest city in America. I, I, V, I, I understand what Andy is saying is where it's all matters is the dimes and cents in their pockets. Andy's not wrong. But if we're talking about who deserves loyalty, the Bears fans deserve loyalty. J Man goes Arlington Heights. George Hallis is turning in his grave. White Sox move, move.
[12:49]
A
Next.
[12:49]
B
When Jerry's gone, that's a whole other conversation, J man, to which I don't know how, like, I, I honestly don't know what Sox fans would do if. Because I know a lot of Sox fans in my life because I grew up in a part of the suburbs of Chicago where a lot of, A lot of kids, parents like their dads and their moms. This is the joke I use, but it's the truth. Their dads and their moms made enough money to move from the south side to the north side, but they raised their kids to be Sox fans. So I'm in the part of the suburbs where it's like, there's actually a lot of Sox fans I grew up with. I think they, I think I know a lot of socks fans who would just give up a baseball before they root for the National White Sox or before they root the Chicago Cubs. And he goes, imagine George House rolling over in his grave the day the Bears no longer exist. Nathan goes, my wife asked me a decent question. Why do most NFL teams go to the city? And there's a few that are state. Oh, I mean, with the names go with the city. And there's a few. Oh, oh, why is there. Why is it the Tennessee Titans, the Arizona Cardinals, but it's not the Illinois Bears?
[13:59]
A
I don't know.
[14:00]
B
I think it's rolling off the tongue. Yeah. Like, Theo goes, Les mis. Deep cut McMaster. I love myself. Les Mis skips goes, hell, yeah. Viva love revolution. Andy goes, Bingo. I appreciate you agreeing. J man goes. St. Louis loses the Rams and Cardinals. Then Phoenix loses Coyotes and possibly D backs, followed by Chicago losing the Bears, followed by the White Sox. Damn. Here's the thing, though. If they're still the Chicago Bears, but they play in India, I wouldn't say Chicago lost the Bears. I would just say. I don't know what I would say. But if they're still called the Chicago Bears. They're still the Chicago Bears. I see. But this is why I'm so mad, Jake, because all these people make the jokes about the Bears. Chicago lost the Bears, which they kind of did. I hate all of this. I hate this entire conversation. Andy would go, Andy says it would be like the Red Sox moving to Rhode Island. Well, it be like the Giants moving to New Jersey. Oops.
[14:52]
A
Oops.
[14:53]
B
That already happened. All right, quick segment coming up. I want to talk about Russell Westbrook. And then we'll go ahead do buy sell holder, bet at 1 o' clock about the Texas Longhorns, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. And then we will talk to Lauren Michelson, ktv. All that and more coming up here middays with Matt on the 1620 Zone radio network.
[15:10]
A
When you're a maintenance engine, a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

Summary5 min read

Podcast Summary: Middays With Matt

Host: Matt McMaster
Podcast: Middays With Matt, 1620 The Zone
Episode: I don't care MWM Edition (Thurs 8/13 - Seg 7)
Date: August 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This segment of "Middays With Matt" is a lively mix of NFL preseason talk (with a humorous "I don't care" theme), personal food cravings (Taco Bell, chips, and dips), and an in-depth, impassioned discussion about the Chicago Bears’ stadium saga. Host Matt McMaster oscillates between playful banter and more serious grievances, particularly concerning the Chicago Bears—focusing on the ongoing uncertainty around their new stadium location, the rumors about a move to Indiana, and the emotional burden on Chicago sports fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Preseason Excitement and Indifference (00:30–04:45)

Football is back with a slate of NFL preseason games. The marquee matchup nationally is Titans vs. 49ers at 8:00 p.m. on NFL Network.
Matt’s picks and preferences:
- Matt expresses little interest in the Packers-Steelers game, humorously declaring, “I don’t care,” and instead shows enthusiasm for the Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders game due to quarterback storylines.
- Carson Beck Watch: Matt highlights his high evaluation of Carson Beck pre-draft, noting Beck's experience, accuracy, and winning record, stating, “I actually said that I would take Carson Beck over Ty Simpson… I was wrong by a wide, wide margin. But I think Beck kind of has all the tools that you look for: a ton of experience… played at the highest level of college football, has won at the highest level…” (02:30–03:30).
- Raiders coach Clint Kubiak is planning to give Fernando Mendoza lots of preseason snaps—a QB battle worth monitoring.
- Matt jokes about "pirating" the game to watch it, and the conversation self-referentially riffs on not stealing bits from other shows.
Notable quote:
- "Play it, Jake. I don’t care. I don’t care. Thank you. I don’t care." — Matt (01:19)

2. Lettuce Recall, Taco Bell, and Tajín Tangents (04:45–06:49)

Outbreak aftermath: Light banter ensues about the ongoing repercussions of the lettuce recall (Taylor Farms), with listeners chiming in about their physical responses and risk tolerance.
Taco Bell cravings: Matt mentions he’ll be getting Taco Bell with his girlfriend, undeterred by lettuce safety worries.
Tajín appreciation:
- A vibrant mini-debate about the best uses for Tajín (in margaritas, beer—especially Modelo) and the underrated excellence of Tostitos Scoops chips for dips.
- “Tostito scoops… might be one of the most underrated chips out there, because number one, I don’t see them a lot at parties, but talk about a chip that gets their job done.” — Matt (05:36)
"Hint of lime" chip rant: Matt laments that Tostitos Hint of Lime isn’t really a hint, “It's more of, like, a punch of lime. …I just don’t like being lied to.” (06:05)

3. The Chicago Bears Stadium Saga – Frustration and Fan Identity (06:49–14:52)

Rumors and jokes fueling frustration:
- Matt’s patience with the Bears’ stadium drama and relocation rumors (including the suggestion of relocating to Indiana and becoming the “Indiana Bears”) is running out.
- "I really, at this point, hit it. Come on, Jake. I don’t care where the Bears play their football. I don’t." (07:46)
Press conference responses:
- Kevin Warren (Bears President) and George McCaskey (Chairman) addressed stadium rumors, with Warren refusing to set a groundbreaking date and McCaskey confirming “we will be the Chicago Bears, whether we’ll be in Arlington or in Hammond.”
- Matt speculates on the internal frustrations among the Bears’ leadership and expresses relief the franchise won’t be rebranding as the Indiana Bears.
The deeper meaning of relocation:
- “If they became the Indiana Bears, that’s a whole other discussion. …That means you are a different entity. You are a completely different franchise, in my opinion.” — Matt (09:34)
- Matt questions his own fandom should that change ever occur: “If they became the Indiana Bears, I would think about whether or not I would root for them. I’m not saying I wouldn’t, but I would think about it because I’d be that mad.” (09:44)
Fan loyalty vs. team loyalty:
- Listener Andy argues owners have no allegiance; Matt counters that, as a "charter franchise," Bears fans have given more to the team than they received. “The Chicago Bears fans have given more to the Bears than the Bears have given to fans. …That city, their fans have made that team the identity of this third largest city in America.” (11:40–12:20)

4. Listener Interaction and Chicago Sports Woes (10:54–14:52)

Chat contributions:
- Banter continues in the chat about Bears nicknames, chip preferences, and the general state of Chicago and Midwest sports teams.
- “It would be like the Red Sox moving to Rhode Island. Well, it’d be like the Giants moving to New Jersey. Oops. That already happened.” (14:51)
NFL Team Name Discussion:
- Why some teams use cities (e.g., Chicago Bears) and others use state names (e.g., Tennessee Titans)—Matt suggests it’s just what sounds better.
Sports exodus anxiety:
- Listeners reflect on the pain experienced by fans when teams leave cities—St. Louis, Phoenix, Chicago—all referenced as cities threatened with loss of iconic franchises.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"Play it, Jake. I don’t care. I don’t care. Thank you. I don’t care." — Matt, satirizing the overdone NFL storylines and his own football preferences (01:19)
"I told some people…I would take Carson Beck over Ty Simpson… I was wrong by a wide, wide margin." — Matt (02:30)
"Tostito scoops…might be one of the most underrated chips out there…" — Matt (05:36)
"It’s more of, like, a punch of lime. …I just don’t like being lied to." — Matt on ‘Hint of Lime’ chips (06:05)
"If [the Bears] became the Indiana Bears…that is a different conversation to one where…you are a completely different franchise." — Matt (09:34)
"The Chicago Bears fans have given more to the Bears than the Bears have given to fans. That is, without a doubt, with no conversation." — Matt (11:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

NFL Preseason Overview & Picks: 00:30–04:45
Food Tangents (Taco Bell, Tajín, Tostitos): 04:45–06:49
Chicago Bears Stadium Discussion: 06:49–14:52
Listener Reactions & Team Loyalty Debate: 10:54–14:52

Conclusion

This episode blends football banter, relatable food rants, and a deeply personal look at what sports franchises mean to their cities and fans. Matt McMaster balances humor and sincerity as he processes the constant swirling rumors about his beloved Bears, punctuated by lively listener interaction. The "I don't care" refrain is both comic relief and an expression of emotional fatigue felt by many sports fans when their teams face existential uncertainty.

Loading summary

Transcript21 lines

[00:01]
A
Grainger knows. When you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
[00:30]
B
Not to spoil what to watch that will that we will have at the end of today's show, but there is a slew of NFL preseason games. Football tonight. Yes. Football is back, I believe. I don't know how many. I think the yeah. So The Titans and 49ers game will be on NFL Network. That will be the the prime game or at least the the national game. That will happen at 8 o'. Clock. Every other game will be local, which is disappointing because there actually is one game I do want to watch tonight. Shocker. I want to watch preseason football. Can you guess which game I want to watch tonight? Jake Janicek, Packer. Steelers, right? No. God, no. I don't care. I mean, I know, but you know, Aaron, it's not it is a Thursday.
[01:19]
A
Thursday.
[01:20]
B
Play it, Jake. I don't care. I don't care. Thank you. I don't care. I don' the packers and the Steelers and Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers and the couple who divorced who has now got him back together. I care about Arizona versus The Las Vegas Raiders. Oh, Carson guy. Well, yes, I am actually. I Carson back was one of my more highly rated quarterbacks in the draft. I I actually said that I would take Carson Beck over Ty Simpson is what I told some people. I Shocker, right? That was a bold prediction I had that I thought that Beck would be drafted before Simpson. I well, the shocker is, is that I was wrong by a wide, wide margin. But I think Beck kind of has all the tools that you look for in terms of a ton of experience. Has played at the highest level of college football playing. I think the number was like playing 55 games or something crazy like that. Played at the highest level of college football, has won at the highest level of college football, has not lost a lot of games in his career. You know, obviously he has some pretty notable fourth quarter mistakes that, you know, one of which cost his team a national championship. But to give him credit, he got his team to a national championship, played great throughout the entirety of the playoff. And I just thought, look at him as, you know, accurate, good arm. He doesn't have the type of athleticism that is going to break games. And his, you know, off schedule stuff that we fall in love with with guys like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, like, it's definitely not at that level, but just from a pure strength, accuracy, experience winner. I mean, I really, really liked him. I want to continue to see him play more football. And a quarterback battle that I don't think people thought was really a battle, but may turn into one if Jacoby Brissette continues to have bad practices and Carson Beck continues. Continues to perform at a. At a fairly high level. And then on the other side, you have the Las Vegas Raiders, who their head coach, Clint Kubiak told the media, Fernando Mendoza is going to get a lot of snaps and a lot of work in during the preseason. So that's a game that maybe I'll like Pirate or something. I don't know. I'll find a way to watch it. I want to bet on it. I want. No, I'm not. No good man. No, no, no. I'll only bet on the first game of the preseason. Mike goes, I don't care. Matt is stealing bits. I'm not. I'm not stealing bits. I just said I don't care. My bad. Come on, we gotta. I know. We gotta hit that a little. I was like waiting to see, but J man says he's upset that this weekend in women's. Women's history is gone. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm not stealing bits, though. Mike goes, Matt McPirate. What's this long comment? Jeremiah goes. Avoiding lettuce made everything appear flat and less lively. Well, after some time, good riddance. I taste everything again without nonsense. I've been gone for what? What is happening? I don't know what Jeremiah's talking. Bit by the lettuce bug. Oh, yeah? What's the. Has that ended yet or still people still having explosive diarrhea because of low lettuce. I know the whole Taylor Farms thing, but I think it has to this Taylor Farms? That's what it's called? Yeah. I mean, I'm getting Taco Bell tonight with my girlfriend. I do not care if there's lettuce on it.
[04:46]
A
I'm fine.
[04:46]
B
You're getting Taco Bell tonight. I'm gonna get Taco Bell. You taking her on a date to Taco Bell? No, she just wanted to get some Taco Bell and they're Actually releasing a tahin menu, so I might try. Oh, I love tahin. Yeah. Do you put tahin in your margaritas? I do like Tahin in my margaritas. Good stuff. Tahin in your margaritas is amateur stuff. All right? That's not. That's. That's 100 level margarita stuff. You need to put Tajin and, like, your beer. You need to put tahen and like, Modelo. You need to put Tahin, dude. Tahin and beer is awesome. You get some of that. Because what I love about tahin is the hint of lime, which quick little tangent to skitos. You like tosquitos. Okay. The chip brand, please sponsor us to Scoops. Might be one of the most underrated chips out there, because number one, I don't see them a lot at parties, but talk about a chip that gets their job done. You like, you buy to Tostito scoops to go and scoop the dip. It works like it. Tostito scoop. Like, they make the chip for scooping. Like, they did what they accomplished. It ain't a gimmick. It ain't a bit. They are it. They are perfect Anytime there's a dip. If I'm like, hey, I'm having dip tonight, or I'm making a dip, I'm making buffalo chicken dip, or I'm making a queso, or I'm making like a. I had a cheeseburger dip. Oh, it's just basically queso with ground beef.
[06:05]
A
That's good, though.
[06:06]
B
Oh, it was great. Shout out Uncle Mike from roommate Dan's family. It was one of the best clips I've ever had. I. Dude, scooping with those tosquito scoops, so effective. And they're sturdy. Here's my beef, though, with Tostitos. Hint of lime. They have a hint of lime chip. I like it. It's cool. But there's no hint about it. They ain't hinting at you. It's more of, like, a punch of lime. It's more of, like tosquitos slapped with lime. You. It's all lime. There's no. There's no, like, secret. Like, you don't taste that chip and you're like, oh, well, I got a hint of something there. I wonder. I wonder what that is. No, you just. You get smacked over the face with lime. And it's not. Not necessarily that I don't like the chip. It's. I just don't like being lied to. Yeah, okay. I don't like being lied to. And. And speaking about being lied to, Kevin Warren has talked today with the Chicago Bears and had a press conference with the Bears media, along with George McCaskey, in terms of the new stadium project that is going on here with the Chicago Bears, which have turned into. Did you see the jokes yesterday that there was a rumor that Indiana wants the Bears to build in Indiana and then call them the Indiana Bears? This is what has been so frustrating about this entire experience. As a Bears fan, I'm really past the point of, like, caring anymore about this. It's just more so. I hate all the jokes, you know, I hate all of, like, all of this.
[07:46]
A
The.
[07:47]
B
The. You know, John Bishop making jokes and Schaefer making jokes and Peterson making jokes and Joey making jokes. Like, I really, at this point, hit it. Come on, Jake. I don't care where the Bears play their football. I don't. Like. I. It's. It's not of importance to me anymore, okay? It just really isn't. It would be less of a pain in the ass if they played in Arlington Heights for me, specifically, because I got a train stop, you know, back home that runs there. But, like, at this point, if. And butts are candies and nuts, I don't care, all right? I don't. It's more so about, like, the lying, the deception, and, you know, people making fun of, you know, the Bears, which I don't appreciate. Here's what Kevin Warren said today. Our focus is in Hammond, Indiana. We don't have any legislation in Illinois. Warren was then asked, is there a target date for breaking ground on construction for the Bears new stadium? Warren said, my wife told me about six months ago, don't give any more target dates. Just get the work done. And then George McCaskey was asked if. In talking about lies, by the way, George McCaskey was asked if the Bears would be the Indiana Bears if they were to move to Indiana. McCaskey responded with, no, we will be the Chicago Bears, whether we'll be in Arlington or in Hammond. Which is funny that McCaskey, who. I think my theory is, at this point, George McCaskey is seething and is so pissed that they've gotten to this point that Hammond is even a. A discussion. And I think he.
[09:23]
A
He.
[09:23]
B
My theory is that he's mad at Warren that it's gotten this far, that they have to bring in Indiana and they have to bring in Hammond and they have to do all this charade and all this hoopla in order to get leverage with the state of Illinois, which the state of Illinois is guilty for as much of the stuff as anybody. But, like, I. I was just so pissed yesterday about the whole, they're going to be called the Indiana Bears. I'm very happy that that's not going to be the case. I was very frustrated. Last quote from George McCaskey. He characterized the Bears discussions with Illinois legislators as, quote, minimal, following the team's board of directors vote to focus stadium efforts solely in Hammond. So there we are, the Gary Bears. Probably not gonna happen. I'm at the point. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. Unless they call themselves the Indiana Bears. If they became the Indiana Bears. That's a whole other discussion. That's a whole other point. That's all. That's. That is not just. You're moving stadiums and you're playing somewhere else. That means you are a different entity. You are a completely different franchise, in my opinion. That is a different conversation to one where. Yeah, I'll say it right now. If they became the Indiana Bears, I would think about whether or not I would root for them. I'm not saying I wouldn't, but I would think about it because I'd be that mad would care. J Man goes. 16:20. The Scoop Boys a midday. I don't know if that's a nickname we want. Skibs goes. Those lime chips are the bane of my existence. I hate them with a passion.
[10:55]
A
Wow.
[10:55]
B
I hate that. Kind of checks out for Skibs. Skibs is kind of like. Like if there was a revolution, like, Skibs would be at the part of it, you know, like if Sibs was in Les Miz, he would be one of the college students trying to overthrow the French government. You know, he'd be close. He. Skibs is way closer to Jean Valjean than he is Javert. I think everybody knows that about Stips. Mike goes. Ham Bears. Get out of here. J Man goes. Haymond bears on 1620 of his own. Please. Andy goes, blame the billionaires, not others. You know what? Yes, yes. Andy. Andy, who is very apt in his Chicago knowledge, says this. He goes, let them go. The owners have no allegiance to the people of Chicago or Illinois. All that matters is money. See, Andy, I. The one thing, and I think you can appreciate this is like when you are the charter franchise of the NFL and you have been in the same city and in the same area for a hundred years now, right? You've been in the greater Chicagoland area. I think you do have a service. You do have an allegiance. You do have a responsibility towards your constituents, towards your fans. You. They The. Let's just say this. The Chicago Bears fans have given more to the Bears than the Bears have given to fans. That is, without a doubt, with no conversation. That franchise outside of a handful of years has been lost in the wilderness. And yet that city, their fans have made that team the identity of, of this third largest city in America. I, I, V, I, I understand what Andy is saying is where it's all matters is the dimes and cents in their pockets. Andy's not wrong. But if we're talking about who deserves loyalty, the Bears fans deserve loyalty. J Man goes Arlington Heights. George Hallis is turning in his grave. White Sox move, move.
[12:49]
A
Next.
[12:49]
B
When Jerry's gone, that's a whole other conversation, J man, to which I don't know how, like, I, I honestly don't know what Sox fans would do if. Because I know a lot of Sox fans in my life because I grew up in a part of the suburbs of Chicago where a lot of, A lot of kids, parents like their dads and their moms. This is the joke I use, but it's the truth. Their dads and their moms made enough money to move from the south side to the north side, but they raised their kids to be Sox fans. So I'm in the part of the suburbs where it's like, there's actually a lot of Sox fans I grew up with. I think they, I think I know a lot of socks fans who would just give up a baseball before they root for the National White Sox or before they root the Chicago Cubs. And he goes, imagine George House rolling over in his grave the day the Bears no longer exist. Nathan goes, my wife asked me a decent question. Why do most NFL teams go to the city? And there's a few that are state. Oh, I mean, with the names go with the city. And there's a few. Oh, oh, why is there. Why is it the Tennessee Titans, the Arizona Cardinals, but it's not the Illinois Bears?
[13:59]
A
I don't know.
[14:00]
B
I think it's rolling off the tongue. Yeah. Like, Theo goes, Les mis. Deep cut McMaster. I love myself. Les Mis skips goes, hell, yeah. Viva love revolution. Andy goes, Bingo. I appreciate you agreeing. J man goes. St. Louis loses the Rams and Cardinals. Then Phoenix loses Coyotes and possibly D backs, followed by Chicago losing the Bears, followed by the White Sox. Damn. Here's the thing, though. If they're still the Chicago Bears, but they play in India, I wouldn't say Chicago lost the Bears. I would just say. I don't know what I would say. But if they're still called the Chicago Bears. They're still the Chicago Bears. I see. But this is why I'm so mad, Jake, because all these people make the jokes about the Bears. Chicago lost the Bears, which they kind of did. I hate all of this. I hate this entire conversation. Andy would go, Andy says it would be like the Red Sox moving to Rhode Island. Well, it be like the Giants moving to New Jersey. Oops.
[14:52]
A
Oops.
[14:53]
B
That already happened. All right, quick segment coming up. I want to talk about Russell Westbrook. And then we'll go ahead do buy sell holder, bet at 1 o' clock about the Texas Longhorns, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. And then we will talk to Lauren Michelson, ktv. All that and more coming up here middays with Matt on the 1620 Zone radio network.
[15:10]
A
When you're a maintenance engine, a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Preseason Excitement and Indifference (00:30–04:45)

Football is back with a slate of NFL preseason games. The marquee matchup nationally is Titans vs. 49ers at 8:00 p.m. on NFL Network.

Matt’s picks and preferences:

Matt expresses little interest in the Packers-Steelers game, humorously declaring, “I don’t care,” and instead shows enthusiasm for the Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders game due to quarterback storylines.
Carson Beck Watch: Matt highlights his high evaluation of Carson Beck pre-draft, noting Beck's experience, accuracy, and winning record, stating, “I actually said that I would take Carson Beck over Ty Simpson… I was wrong by a wide, wide margin. But I think Beck kind of has all the tools that you look for: a ton of experience… played at the highest level of college football, has won at the highest level…” (02:30–03:30).
Raiders coach Clint Kubiak is planning to give Fernando Mendoza lots of preseason snaps—a QB battle worth monitoring.
Matt jokes about "pirating" the game to watch it, and the conversation self-referentially riffs on not stealing bits from other shows.

Notable quote:

"Play it, Jake. I don’t care. I don’t care. Thank you. I don’t care." — Matt (01:19)

2. Lettuce Recall, Taco Bell, and Tajín Tangents (04:45–06:49)

Outbreak aftermath: Light banter ensues about the ongoing repercussions of the lettuce recall (Taylor Farms), with listeners chiming in about their physical responses and risk tolerance.

Taco Bell cravings: Matt mentions he’ll be getting Taco Bell with his girlfriend, undeterred by lettuce safety worries.

Tajín appreciation:

A vibrant mini-debate about the best uses for Tajín (in margaritas, beer—especially Modelo) and the underrated excellence of Tostitos Scoops chips for dips.
“Tostito scoops… might be one of the most underrated chips out there, because number one, I don’t see them a lot at parties, but talk about a chip that gets their job done.” — Matt (05:36)

"Hint of lime" chip rant: Matt laments that Tostitos Hint of Lime isn’t really a hint, “It's more of, like, a punch of lime. …I just don’t like being lied to.” (06:05)

3. The Chicago Bears Stadium Saga – Frustration and Fan Identity (06:49–14:52)

Rumors and jokes fueling frustration:

Matt’s patience with the Bears’ stadium drama and relocation rumors (including the suggestion of relocating to Indiana and becoming the “Indiana Bears”) is running out.
"I really, at this point, hit it. Come on, Jake. I don’t care where the Bears play their football. I don’t." (07:46)

Press conference responses:

Kevin Warren (Bears President) and George McCaskey (Chairman) addressed stadium rumors, with Warren refusing to set a groundbreaking date and McCaskey confirming “we will be the Chicago Bears, whether we’ll be in Arlington or in Hammond.”
Matt speculates on the internal frustrations among the Bears’ leadership and expresses relief the franchise won’t be rebranding as the Indiana Bears.

The deeper meaning of relocation:

“If they became the Indiana Bears, that’s a whole other discussion. …That means you are a different entity. You are a completely different franchise, in my opinion.” — Matt (09:34)
Matt questions his own fandom should that change ever occur: “If they became the Indiana Bears, I would think about whether or not I would root for them. I’m not saying I wouldn’t, but I would think about it because I’d be that mad.” (09:44)

Fan loyalty vs. team loyalty:

Listener Andy argues owners have no allegiance; Matt counters that, as a "charter franchise," Bears fans have given more to the team than they received. “The Chicago Bears fans have given more to the Bears than the Bears have given to fans. …That city, their fans have made that team the identity of this third largest city in America.” (11:40–12:20)

4. Listener Interaction and Chicago Sports Woes (10:54–14:52)

Chat contributions:

Banter continues in the chat about Bears nicknames, chip preferences, and the general state of Chicago and Midwest sports teams.
“It would be like the Red Sox moving to Rhode Island. Well, it’d be like the Giants moving to New Jersey. Oops. That already happened.” (14:51)

NFL Team Name Discussion:

Why some teams use cities (e.g., Chicago Bears) and others use state names (e.g., Tennessee Titans)—Matt suggests it’s just what sounds better.

Sports exodus anxiety:

Listeners reflect on the pain experienced by fans when teams leave cities—St. Louis, Phoenix, Chicago—all referenced as cities threatened with loss of iconic franchises.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"Play it, Jake. I don’t care. I don’t care. Thank you. I don’t care." — Matt, satirizing the overdone NFL storylines and his own football preferences (01:19)

"I told some people…I would take Carson Beck over Ty Simpson… I was wrong by a wide, wide margin." — Matt (02:30)

"Tostito scoops…might be one of the most underrated chips out there…" — Matt (05:36)

"It’s more of, like, a punch of lime. …I just don’t like being lied to." — Matt on ‘Hint of Lime’ chips (06:05)

"If [the Bears] became the Indiana Bears…that is a different conversation to one where…you are a completely different franchise." — Matt (09:34)

"The Chicago Bears fans have given more to the Bears than the Bears have given to fans. That is, without a doubt, with no conversation." — Matt (11:40)

Conclusion