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Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

312 Sports
Chicago Bears
NFL
Caleb Williams
Ben Johnson
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
Montez Sweat
Jaylon Johnson
Braxton Jones
Kyler Gordon
DJ Moore
Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys
Ford Field
JJ Mccarthy
Jalen Johnson
Kevin O'connell
Dude Wipes
Jaquan Brisker
Special Teams

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes132Founded6 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for Forward Progress

Latest Episodes

0:00 Roger Goodell

13:30 Robert Kraft

23:10 Matt Nagy

29:50 Byard

33:00 Matt Miller Mock Draft

37:25 Diego Pavia

Roger Goodell met with the media and addressed several big issues — from Steve Tisch and the Epstein Files to the possibility of an... more

0:00 NFL Coaching Hires

15:00 CBS Sports - Top 25 Stories of 2025

27:50 Bears Backup QBs

34:30 NFL Replay Review

The NFL had 10 head‑coaching openings, and only one was filled by a minority candidate — Richard Saleh in Tennessee. The league keeps... more

0:00 Minnesota Vikings

3:45 Ian Cunningham

9:15 NFL Hirings

15:00 NFL Kickoffs

23:30 Charles Tillman

A lot is happening across the NFL, and we’re starting right here in Chicago. Ian Cunningham, the Bears’ assistant GM, is heading to the Atlanta ... more

0:00 Bears and the draft

12:25 BJ and the Bear

20:00 Belichick

23:00 Bo Nix

26:00 NFL coaching hires

30:00 Matt's got a list

Ben Johnson may have called the Bears’ season “not good enough” after a Divisional Round exit, but his first year on th... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Clay Harbor
Former NFL tight end and insider; 9-year NFL veteran
Episode: Clay Harbor - NFL Insider | 9-year NFL veteran
Carmen Vitali
Expert in NFL matters and coverage for FOX Sports and Marquee Network
FOX Sports, Marquee Network
Episode: Carmen Vitali, FOX Sports Radio and Marquee Network
Matt Miller
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and NFL Insider
ESPN
Episode: Matt Miller - ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and NFL Insider
Patrick Finley
Chicago Bears beat reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
Episode: Patrick Finley, Sun-Times Chicago Bears beat reporter
Bill Huber
NFL and Green Bay Packers beat reporter for Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Episode: Bill Huber - SI.com Green Bay Packers beat reporter
Chris Easterling
Covers the Cleveland Browns for the Akron Beacon Journal
Akron Beacon Journal
Episode: Chris Easterling, the Akron Beacon Journal - Chicago Bears | Cleveland Browns
Scott Bair
Contributor at Marquee Sports Network and host of the Chicago Football Show
Marquee Sports Network
Episode: Scott Bair - Marquee Sports Network | The Chicago Football Show
Courtney Cronin
Veteran scribe and broadcaster covering the Bears and the NFL for years
ESPN
Episode: Courtney Cronin - Indiana Grad and ESPN Bears Beat Reporter
Paul Charchian
Sports radio host and commentator from KFAN in Minneapolis
KFAN Minneapolis
Episode: Paul Charchian KFAN - Minneapolis

Hosts

Dan Bernstein
Co-host bringing extensive sports expertise and emotional insight to discussions, particularly focused on the Chicago Bears and broader NFL themes.
Matt Abbatacola
Co-host offering a dynamic and engaging perspective on sports discussions, emphasizing fan sentiment and analysis of the Chicago Bears.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 198 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 States3 months ago
  • super duper postgames

    matthew and daniel are puddin on the rizz

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JMalAnthony
    United States3 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 States3 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 States3 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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many are excited about the hosts' dynamic and the return of familiar faces from past radio appearances.
Listeners enjoy the blend of serious game coverage alongside humor and fan engagement.
Concerns exist regarding perceived nepotism when family members of the hosts appear on air.
Some feedback criticizes the audio quality, particularly noting one host's sound discrepancies.
Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis balanced with emotional commentary.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#113
United States/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#62
Finland/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#63
New Zealand/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#66
Ukraine/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#117
Switzerland/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#138
South Africa/Sports/Football

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Clay Harbor - NFL Insider | 9-year NFL veteran
Q: How much does playing in cold weather impact a team that generally doesn't play in these conditions?
Clay Harbor shares that playing in cold conditions can significantly affect a team's performance as it's difficult to simulate cold weather in practice, which can lead to discomfort for warm-weather players.
Tim Jenkins - All Things QB / NFL Analyst
Q: What can the Bears do and how can players like Johnson and Kyler Gordon, where even not at their best, they're still better than the next guy up, be effective in this game?
They will need to blend disguises and exotic pressures to overcome the limitations from injuries.
Matt Miller, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and NFL Insider
Q: What do you think happens with these quarterbacks coming out in 2026 and the teams that have a need for quarterback?
The Raiders are likely to take Fernando Mendoza, and other teams could also look into quarterbacks from the upcoming draft class as they have significant needs.
Matt Miller, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and NFL Insider
Q: What is going to make the difference in this game allowing them to minimize their defensive liabilities and maximize the points?
It could either be a ball control game or a shootout, depending on how well both offenses can execute.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Forward Progress

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

Focusing intensely on the Chicago Bears, this podcast analyzes the team's games, players, and strategies with a blend of expert insights and passionate commentary. Hosts engage in detailed discussions about each game, highlighting key players, coaching strategies, and prospects for upcoming matchups, all while maintaining a vibrant connection to the fan experience. The dialogue flows naturally between serious analysis and light-hearted banter, capturing the emotional highs and lows that accompany a football season. With a strong emphasis on the Bears' immediate performance and broader NFL narratives, the content appeals to diehard fans seeking in-depth coverage as well as casual listeners drawn to the excitement of the sport.

Where can I find podcast stats for Forward Progress?

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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. Take The North: A Chicago Bears Podcast
3. Mully & Haugh Show
4. Hoge & Jahns: a show about the Chicago Bears
5. CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast

How many episodes of Forward Progress are there?

Forward Progress launched 6 months ago and published 132 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.

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What guests have appeared on Forward Progress?

Recent guests on Forward Progress include:

1. Clay Harbor
2. Carmen Vitali
3. Matt Miller
4. Patrick Finley
5. Bill Huber
6. Chris Easterling
7. Scott Bair
8. Courtney Cronin

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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