Podcast Summary: PTI - "What are Reasonable Goals for the Bears?"
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser and Pablo Torre

Introduction

In this episode of PTI, Tony Kornheiser is joined by special guest Pablo Torre in place of Michael Wilbon. The hosts delve into various sports topics, primarily focusing on the Chicago Bears' strategic goals, issues within Maryland college football, and broader discussions on collegiate and professional sports dynamics.

1. Chicago Bears' Strategic Goals for Caleb Williams

Discussion Points:

• Caleb Williams' Performance Metrics: Bears' new coach Ben Johnson has set a target for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams to complete 70% of his passes and aim for 4,000 passing yards this season. Last season, Williams completed 62.5% of his passes, totaling 3,541 yards.

• Assessing Reasonableness of Goals:

  • Pablo Torre: Highlights that while 4,000 yards was a significant milestone in the past, the modern NFL's passing-centric approach makes it more attainable. However, he humorously notes the Bears' lack of historical 4,000-yard passers, stating, "The Bears have had as many 4,000-yard passing seasons as you and I have" ([02:33]).

  • Tony Kornheiser: Acknowledges the achievability based on last year's performances by four quarterbacks, including Jared Goff, but emphasizes the unique challenges Williams faces being on a struggling Bears team (5-12 record). Tony remarks, "It's not a walk in the park, because it is not. It is not" ([05:01]).

• Comparison to Jared Goff: Tony draws parallels between Ben Johnson's system with Jared Goff in Detroit and the potential with Caleb Williams, noting that Goff benefited from a strong tight end presence, which could be mirrored with William’s Cole Comet ([04:07]).

Notable Quotes:

• Pablo Torre: "The bar for them ain't that high. You know, Drew Brees has done it alone by himself five times. Bears zero entering 2025." ([02:33])
• Tony Kornheiser: "Only 10 lifetime have ever done this... and the Bears were 5 and 12." ([02:50])

2. Money Issues and Locker Room Dynamics in Maryland College Football

Discussion Points:

• Mike Locksley's Admission: Maryland's head football coach Mike Locksley confessed that financial disparities led to a fractured locker room during a 4-8 season, fostering a "haves and have nots" culture. He vowed to prevent such divisions, stating, "If I have to put my desk in that locker room, I will" ([05:35]).

• Tony's Analysis: Tony criticizes Locksley's explanation, arguing that managing finances is fundamental in college football and likens Locksley’s predicament to broader systemic issues rather than personal coaching failures. He points out Maryland's struggles against top teams, emphasizing, "Maryland's a basketball school... their basketball coach... said, we don't have enough money to compete in the Big Ten" ([05:35]).

• Impact on Coaching Philosophy: Both hosts discuss how financial management in collegiate sports is overshadowing traditional coaching strengths like locker room management, with Tony noting, "A lot more like the pros... it's a lot more like the pros" ([07:46]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser: "Nick Saban, if you asked him, what are some of the reasons you left? One of the reasons would be just this particular thing." ([06:47])
• Pablo Torre: "That's a bit of an existential dilemma for him..." ([07:57])

3. Big Ten vs. SEC: Evaluating Conference Strength and Playoff Implications

Discussion Points:

• Tony Patiti's Stance: Big Ten commissioner Tony Patiti advocates for recognizing a 6-3 conference record as "great" due to the Big Ten playing nine conference games compared to the SEC's eight. He argues this showcases the Big Ten's competitiveness ([07:46]).

• Hosts' Counterpoints:

  • Tony: Disagrees with Patiti, asserting that a 6-3 record in the Big Ten isn't exceptional unless paired with victories over top-tier teams like Ohio State, Michigan, or Penn State. He criticizes Patiti's marketing tactics, stating, "6 and 3 is not a great record in the Big Ten" ([08:59]).

  • Pablo: Acknowledges the political maneuvering behind Patiti's claims, recognizing that both the Big Ten and SEC are vying for dominance in playoff selections and media attention ([09:47]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser: "6 and 3 is good. It's not great." ([10:16])
• Pablo Torre: "It's political as much as it is actual merit." ([11:16])

4. Rafael Devers' Position Change with the New York Giants

Discussion Points:

• Rafael Devers' Transition: Rafael Devers moved from the Boston Red Sox, where he refused to play first base, to the New York Giants, embracing the first base position.

• Performance Analysis: Despite Devers' struggles in San Francisco, batting .227 with two homers and 11 RBI in 30 games, Tony suggests this may be a step towards rebuilding his reputation by adapting to team needs ([14:02]).

• Relationship Dynamics: Pablo humorously likens Devers' change to an "ex-boyfriend" scenario, implying that Devers is finally complying with team expectations after prior resistance ([15:00]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser: "Maybe now Devers will be a better teammate in San Francisco than he was in Boston." ([14:02])
• Pablo Torre: "This is Raphael Devers just trying to twist the resemblance of what is left of a knife in the Red Sox..." ([15:00])

5. Venus Williams' Historic Victory at Age 45

Discussion Points:

• Historic Win: Venus Williams became the second-oldest woman to win a professional tennis match at 45, showcasing her enduring talent.

• Tournament Context: The victory occurred at a D.C. tournament that serves as a preparatory event for the US Open, featuring notable players like Naomi Osaka and Emma Navarro.

• Tony's Reflections: While skeptical about Venus' chances in subsequent rounds, Tony commends her achievement, recognizing her legacy with seven major titles ([12:03]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser: "No, no, no. My word is terrific." ([16:09])
• Pablo Torre: "It is a very small special moment." ([18:09])

6. Russell Wilson Named Starting Quarterback for the New York Giants

Discussion Points:

• Selection and Competition: Head coach Brian Daboll has designated Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback for the Giants, initiating competition with draft pick Jackson Dart, free agent Jameis Winston, and backup Tommy DeVito.

• Tony's Perspective: Tony questions the Giants' long-term commitment given Wilson's one-year deal, suggesting that Wilson serves as a short-term solution while other quarterbacks vie for supporting roles ([22:19]).

• Pablo's Insight: Emphasizes the practicality of having a competent "bridge quarterback" like Wilson, likening him to past players such as Sam Darnold with the Vikings, focusing on immediate team needs ([22:48]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser: "That makes you wonder how deeply committed the Giants are if Wilson gets a off to a slow start." ([22:19])
• Pablo Torre: "Russell Wilson could be that for them." ([22:48])

7. Justin Verlander's Season Performance

Discussion Points:

• Verlander's Struggles: At 42 years old, pitcher Justin Verlander recorded his first win of the season, bringing his record to 1-8. This highlights challenges faced by older athletes in maintaining peak performance levels.

• Hosts' Commentary: Both Tony and Pablo touch upon the rarity and significance of such performances from veteran players, acknowledging the continued physical demands of professional sports ([23:21]).

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser: "If I say. Okay, there we go. But he's not 42, is he?" ([23:25])

8. Additional Sports Highlights

• Jacob Young’s Catch: Highlights from Jacob Young of the Nets making a significant defensive play, demonstrating his fielding prowess despite the team's loss ([24:19]).

• Youth Sports Incident: Discussion on a 12-year-old baseball player's suspension for bat flipping, with Pablo advocating for it as an example of good parenting and discipline ([24:36]).

Notable Quotes:

• Pablo Torre: "Good parenting. A good bad flip is good parenting." ([24:36])

Conclusion

The episode of PTI featuring Tony Kornheiser and Pablo Torre provides an in-depth look into the Chicago Bears' quarterback goals, the financial strains affecting college football programs, and various other sports narratives. Through engaging discussions and insightful commentary, the hosts offer listeners a comprehensive analysis of current sports dynamics and individual performances.

Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• Pablo Torre: "The Bears have had as many 4,000-yard passing seasons as you and I have." ([02:33])
• Tony Kornheiser: "6 and 3 is not a great record in the Big Ten." ([08:59])
• Pablo Torre: "It is a very small special moment." ([18:09])
• Tony Kornheiser: "Maybe now Devers will be a better teammate in San Francisco than he was in Boston." ([14:02])

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the PTI episode, providing readers with a clear understanding of the topics covered without needing to listen to the full podcast.