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Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

312 Sports
Chicago Bears
NFL
Caleb Williams
Ben Johnson
Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl
NFL Draft
Minnesota Vikings
DJ Moore
Los Angeles Rams
National Football League
NFL Playoffs
Detroit Lions
Mike Vrabel
Ryan Poles
Kevin Warren
Arlington Heights
Kyler Gordon
312 Sports
NFC Playoffs

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes308Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FootballSports

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Artwork for Forward Progress

Latest Episodes

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola welcome Thor Nystrom of Sweating Sundays for his weekly visit, breaking down a busy weekend ahead in college football and Week 4 of the NFL. Thor shares his insights on the biggest matchups, storylines, and prospects... more

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dive into the early-season numbers behind the Bears defense and its ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. While it's still a small sample size, the improvement from last season is impossible to ignore. The pass ... more

After the disappointing loss to Minnesota and the questions that followed, the Bears delivered the perfect response on Monday Night Football. Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down Chicago's impressive 27-7 win over the Eagles, a performance fu... more

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Bears' impressive 27-7 win over the Eagles at Soldier Field, as veteran quarterback Case Keenum turned in a stellar performance with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score in front of a packed home... 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

Patrick Finley
Chicago Sun-Times sports journalist covering the Bears
Chicago Sun-Times
Episode: Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams and Quarterbacks Update with Patrick Finley
Paul Charchian
Fantasy Football World Podcast host
Fantasy Football World
Episode: Paul Charchian: Caleb Williams will lead the NFL in passing yards and TDs
Thor Nystrom
NFL draft analyst, co-host of Sweating Sundays
SKOR North, NBC Sports, Fantasy Life
Episode: Thor Nystrom of SKOR North joins 312 Sports for a weekly NFL conversation
Ben Solak
NFL analyst and writer
ESPN/Footballer/Football analyst
Episode: Will the Chicago Bears Trade for Jonathan Taylor?
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

Hosts

Dan Bernstein
Host known for unflinching Bears insight and long-standing presence in Bears-focused coverage.
Matt Abbatacola
Co-host delivering Bears analysis with fan perspective, balancing data with personality.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 360 ratings
  • A great show and great guests

    I’m a longtime Bernstein listener. I was really enjoying this show, but now with the added guest for the regular season it’s somehow even better. Thor Nykstrom is one of my favorites and I truly missed him after FFWeekly was gone. Dan and Matt are great together always and the added guest really seal the deal for me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scrum336609
    United States13 days ago
  • Tighten it up

    This is what happens with a good show. Doesn’t have a program Director or a true producer very good show. Very good content. They get distracted on side topics and go on way too long. If they tighten it up, it would be awesome.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    RyanRipsOffConway
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States4 months 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 States4 months 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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Balanced Bears analysis with entertaining banter; strong host chemistry.
Insightful breakdowns, though some fans want tighter pacing and audio quality.
Appreciated for bringing Bears coverage back with new energy and consistency.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#96
United States/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#3
Austria/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#7
New Zealand/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#55
Japan/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#74
Austria/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Thor's Thursday NFL Cheat Sheet: Bears, Vikings & Week 3 Best Bets
Q: How does the forecasted weather influence the betting angles for Thursday night and the Bears' upcoming matchup?
Weather shifts the emphasis toward run-heavy scripts and quicker, safer passes; it also tightens the scoring expectations and alters game-script projections, which in turn shapes player prop bets and total expectations.
Thor Nystrom, of Sweating Sundays, breaks down Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings week 2
Q: What are you looking at for this game that stands out to you?
I expect the Bears to be involved in a run-heavy approach with a focus on clock management, while the Vikings lean on a mix of short, quick passes to counter Chicago's pressure, with Justin Jefferson likely the primary target and a notable emphasis on containing turnovers.
ESPN'S Kalyn Kahler on Rooney Rule, looming Dianna Russini + Mike Vrabel saga, and Bears/Packers rivalry headed into 2026 season
Q: What was the core revelation of your Rooney Rule story and why is it significant today?
The core revelation is that the Rooney Rule's intent to diversify interviews has been undermined in practice by organizational maneuvering, timing, and opaque processes, leading to a systemic sense of unfairness among Black coaches. The piece documents real-world failures and how the league's responses have evolved, highlighting the need for transparent, verifiable processes.
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.

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 voices deliver analytical, no-nonsense football coverage with a strong emphasis on roster construction, injuries, and coaching strategy. Episodes consistently dissect Bears game plans, training camp notes, and depth chart questions while weaving in lightweight pop culture banter and sponsor segments. The show stands out for its long-running, emotionally charged Bears focus paired with informed NFL context, making it a reliable hub for fans who want sharp analysis tempered by personality and camaraderie.

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How many listeners does Forward Progress get?

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How many subscribers and views does Forward Progress have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Forward Progress?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Forward Progress:

1. Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
2. Off The Ivy: A Chicago Cubs Podcast
3. Spiegel & Holmes 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 a year ago and published 308 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?

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What guests have appeared on Forward Progress?

Recent guests on Forward Progress include:

1. Patrick Finley
2. Paul Charchian
3. Thor Nystrom
4. Ben Solak
5. Kevin Warren
6. Kalif Raymond
7. Caleb Williams
8. Brad Biggs

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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