Rephonic
Artwork for Forward Progress

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes243Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FootballSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Forward Progress

Latest Episodes

Forward Progress brings you the latest Chicago Bears and NFL news, analysis, and debate with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola. New episodes drop every weekday (Monday–Friday) at 1 p.m. CT.

On today’s episode:

0:00 Caleb and The Pope

10:00 Bears O... more

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the biggest stories surrounding the Chicago Bears and the NFL. Get the latest news, analysis, and conversation every weekday on Forward Progress. New episodes drop daily at 1 p.m. CT.

#chicagobears #bears... more

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down some of the biggest stories around the NFL, including ESPN’s removal of a report involving former Bear Mike Pennel and the latest on Brendan Sorsby’s pursuit to play this season.

0:00 Mike Pennel

5:00 Br... more

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola revisit the Dianna Russini situation as another questionable claim surfaces—this time over something so minor it raises bigger concerns about credibility and trust. The guys break down what it could mean and why it m... 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

Kevin Warren
Chicago Bears President and CEO
Chicago Bears
Episode: 'Talk Football' with Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren
Kalif Raymond
NFL wide receiver
Chicago Bears
Episode: What Kalif Raymond Told Caleb Williams — And Why It Matters
Caleb Williams
QB prospect in NFL context
NFL/College placeholder
Episode: What Kalif Raymond Told Caleb Williams — And Why It Matters
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
Clay Harbor
Former NFL tight end
Episode: Former NFL player Clay Harbor on the NFL Draft strategy and more for the Chicago Bears plus perspective on Dianna Russini + Mike Vrabel scandal
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"

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
  • Favorite show

    I watch on YouTube but glad the pod is an option. Thanks for what you guys do. Listening since 2000, the local options suck other than jurko

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rbbeudkssks
    United States23 days ago
  • It’s fine

    Nice to hear Dan again. Show would be much better without Abbatacola doing his Bernstein impression. No show needs two Bernsteins. Shut up, Matt.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    mcgee92
    United Statesa month ago
  • Enjoy listening

    Would love to hear your thoughts on signing players to huge contracts and then they end up getting hurt. A team really has to be careful. Right now we have too much money in guys that are not playing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    johncoachm
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States8 months ago
  • super duper postgames

    matthew and daniel are puddin on the rizz

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JMalAnthony
    United States8 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
#95
United States/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#8
Israel/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#166
Japan/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#176
Singapore/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#178
South Africa/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#195
South Korea/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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Forward Progress, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Forward Progress?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Forward Progress, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Organizations Win Championships: A Chicago Bulls Podcast
4. Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show
5. Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast

How many episodes of Forward Progress are there?

Forward Progress launched a year ago and published 243 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Forward Progress from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Forward Progress?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Forward Progress. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Forward Progress?

Recent guests on Forward Progress include:

1. Kevin Warren
2. Kalif Raymond
3. Caleb Williams
4. Brad Biggs
5. Chris Prozinski
6. Clay Harbor
7. Christine Brennan
8. Kalyn Kahler

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days