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Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

312 Sports
Chicago Bears
NFL
Caleb Williams
Ben Johnson
Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC North
DJ Moore
NFL Playoffs
Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl
NFL Draft
Cleveland Browns
Deandre Swift
Washington Commanders
New York Giants
Los Angeles Rams
Beer Church Brewing
Mike Vrabel
Minnesota Vikings

When it comes to Chicago Bears talk, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola have been setting the agenda for decades. Now, they’re bringing that same unflinching insight — and Sunday-afternoon passion — to Forward Progress. From breaking down Bears game plans with analytical precision to unleashing the raw emotion every fan feels when the season’s on the line, Dan and Matt deliver the perfect balance o... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes230Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsFootball

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Artwork for Forward Progress

Latest Episodes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the latest Chicago Bears storylines, including Kalif Raymond’s advice to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and a look at two new UFL additions to the roster.

0:00 Bears

11:00 Jaylon Johnson

24:20 NFL Ne... more

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down what the Chicago Bears’ potential move to a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana would mean for fans—focusing on the real-world logistics of getting to and from games.

0:00 Ben Johnson

4:30 Driving to/from Ha... more

The Chicago Bears veteran minicamp and there are several key position battles that are far from settled heading into training camp. Joining Dan Bernstein on the show is Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic to break down the biggest competitions on the rost... more

For decades, Chicago Bears fans have debated the strengths and weaknesses of the McCaskey family's ownership of the franchise. From preserving the franchise's historic identity to maintaining organizational stability and investing in the team's futur... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Brad Biggs
Chicago Bears lead mailbag contributor, noted sportswriter
NFL/Chicago Bears coverage
Episode: Chicago Bears won't play in Spain, Germany, or Hammond in 2026
Chris Prozinski
Former Bears safety
Wyoming/Wyoming pageants (guest tomorrow)
Episode: Sam Roush’s NFL Roots, a D-Line Reset & the Latest from Springfield
Christine Brennan
Journalist
USA Today
Episode: Russini's Exit: Reading Between the Lines
Kalyn Kahler
ESPN senior NFL writer
ESPN
Episode: ESPN's Kalyn Kahler on Tush Push, CBA and potential lockout, the Chicago Bears stadium drama!
James Lynch
Defensive lineman
Chicago Bears
Episode: Chicago Bears add depth at D-Line | WR3 | Maxx Crosby is "livid"
Brad Reiss
Guest introduced as having the world's attention and his family background noted
Episode: Chicago Bears add Devin Bush - the PERFECT FIT and take a swing on Jedrick Wills Jr. at LT
Ryan Poles
General Manager of the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
Episode: Is Ryan Poles fighting for Bears draft picks? Tyson Bagent is a top 32 QB in the league
Ben Johnson
Offensive Coordinator who evaluated Tyson Bagent
Chicago Bears
Episode: Is Ryan Poles fighting for Bears draft picks? Tyson Bagent is a top 32 QB in the league
Clay Harbor
Former NFL tight end and insider; 9-year NFL veteran
Episode: Clay Harbor - NFL Insider | 9-year NFL veteran

Hosts

Dan Bernstein
Host of Forward Progress and Bears analyst; long-time Chicago sports commentator with explicit Bears focus.
Matt Abbatacola
Co-host of Forward Progress; Chicago sports journalist with a focus on Bears coverage and dynamic banter.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 218 ratings
  • Poor audio

    Not that it’s a terrible thing but you can hardly hear Matt Abatacola. He’s the weak link on the show anyways. It sounds very amateurish with Dan coming in loud and clear with obvious professional equipment and Matt must have the Temu version of Dans equipment. Not that Matt adds that much anyways but the sound discrepancy is horrible.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Kairook
    United States7 months ago
  • super duper postgames

    matthew and daniel are puddin on the rizz

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JMalAnthony
    United States7 months ago
  • WSCR Who?

    Somebody told me about The Score when I was home from college back in the summer of 1992. I’ve been a Scorehead ever since. However, since Dan and Matty reunited, I can count the number of times I’ve listened to The Score on one hand.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JerryInSBend
    United States8 months ago
  • Professionals Please

    Really enjoy the show and the regular rotation of professional journalists. But nothing is more aversive on here than the blatant nepotism of putting your kid on the air despite having no professional credentials. It’s insulting to your guests who have worked the beat honestly and your audience who wants to hear experienced sports thoughts.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    #DJR
    United States8 months ago
  • Not for me

    If you hate the bears and over analyze every press conference…you will love this show

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DanSte12
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Sound quality varies; the host with stronger mic setup is more clearly heard.
The reunion energy is a strong draw for longtime fans and new listeners alike.
Audience appreciates in-depth discussion that blends football analysis with media and PR angles.
Professionals deliver a balanced take with sharp Bears insight and engaging banter.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#62
United States/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#19
Israel/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#88
New Zealand/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#129
Switzerland/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#158
Mexico/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#158
South Africa/Sports/Football

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Which defensive player fits best for Dennis Allen & the Chicago Bears in the NFL Draft?
Q: What kind of defensive players is Dennis Allen likely to value given his history?
He values long, athletic linemen with versatility who can play multiple positions, along with defensive backs who can adapt to different schemes and coverages.
Former NFL player Clay Harbor on the NFL Draft strategy and more for the Chicago Bears plus perspective on Dianna Russini + Mike Vrabel scandal
Q: What would you do if you were sitting down with Ryan Poles to discuss the Bears' draft approach?
I'd emphasize fixing obvious needs like stopping the run, consider trading down to accumulate more picks, and target versatile players who can contribute early, especially along the defensive line and left tackle area.
Chicago Bears stadium UPDATE + Dan Durkin on the offseason and upcoming NFL Draft
Q: What does this say about the bigger picture of the Bears' offseason approach?
It suggests a mindful, measured strategy focused on balancing cap management with positional upgrades, aiming to build a sustainable, young core rather than chasing short-term fixes.
Chicago Bears player evaluation and roster moves this offseason
Q: Do the Bears think Kyle Monangai is a number one back?
Probably not.
Clay Harbor - NFL Insider | 9-year NFL veteran
Q: What has stood out to you the most in Caleb Williams' progression this year?
Clay highlights Caleb's increased comprehension of the offense and his ability to identify coverages and make the right calls at the line of scrimmage as areas of significant growth.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Forward Progress

What is Forward Progress about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two veteran Chicago Bears analysts bring analytical depth and high-energy fan enthusiasm to every episode, balancing rigorous roster and game-plan breakdowns with playful banter and cultural tangents. Across recent topics, the show covers Bears schedules, roster moves, rookies and minicamps, stadium politics, and NFL-wide narratives, all anchored by a strong emphasis on the Chicago market and local fan culture. It's likely to appeal to engaged Bears fans who want both insider context and accessible, entertaining discussion, with occasional forays into broader NFL topics and media dynamics that shape public perception of the sport.

Where can I find podcast stats for Forward Progress?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Forward Progress. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Forward Progress and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Forward Progress get?

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What are the audience demographics for Forward Progress?

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How many subscribers and views does Forward Progress have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Forward Progress has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Forward Progress?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Forward Progress:

1. Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
2. Spiegel & Holmes Show
3. Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show
4. Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast
5. Organizations Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast

How many episodes of Forward Progress are there?

Forward Progress launched 10 months ago and published 230 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Forward Progress?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Forward Progress?

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What guests have appeared on Forward Progress?

Recent guests on Forward Progress include:

1. Brad Biggs
2. Chris Prozinski
3. Christine Brennan
4. Kalyn Kahler
5. James Lynch
6. Brad Reiss
7. Ryan Poles
8. Ben Johnson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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