Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Kevin Fishbain talks Bears' quarterback mystery, Kyler Gordon's return to practice

Episode Date: October 2, 2026

Leila Rahimi and Mark Grote were joined by Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic to preview the Bears' game against the Jets on Sunday. Who will start at quarterback for the Bears?

Kevin Fishbane. We found Kevin Fishbane. Bears beat rider for the athletic. Your team scored 59 points. They hadn't done that in 46 years. 46 years. I was reading your... I'm like, just enjoy that they scored that many points.

They're not going to do it every week. Kevin Fishbane talking bears. Matt Eber, Bruce, George McCasky, Ryan Poles, Kevin Fishpane. On Chicago Sports Radio, 1043, the score. It is Rahimi and Grotie on 104.3, the score. Thank you for being with us today. Kevin Fishbane is joining us on our video stream to watch Search the Score, Chicago, on Twitch and YouTube. We go down the Edens to the North Shore and Hallis Hall, and we go inside of Hallis Hall,

and that is where we find Kevin Fishbane. Hello, Kevin. How are you? Hello, guys. Happy Friday. Thank you. Same to you. I know the coach has spoken. did he name a starting quarterback? Not only did he not name a starting quarterback, Mark, he said, hey, maybe he'll even throw Miller Moss into the conversation. No, he didn't, no.

Having a little fun because a reporter asked to clarify, because he did rule Caleb Williams out. He said, so it's Case Keenamer Tyson Bayesian, right? Fed said yes. Hey, hey, how about Miller Moss? He's here too. So no, we did not get the starting quarterback announcement, so we will have to wait until Sunday morning.

morning. I wouldn't be shocked if it leaked elsewhere. But yeah, Ben wanted to keep Mums the word ahead of Sunday. As we talked about last week, you know, if he can keep Aaron Glenn on his toes for an extra 15 minutes, he's going to do it. Yeah, that's what it seemed like. And I know, Kevin, you were present for, we talked about it a bit in our meeting, a lot of the discussion. We forget sometimes. You know, that was the same Dan Campbell's staff. That was the brain drain. It was Ben Johnson leaving at the same time Aaron Glenn left.

And I know that there was a little bit of discussion from Aaron Glenn surrounding the familiarity. What was your impression of like what Dennis Allen had to say and just that whole mutual understanding of the coaching tree? Yeah, I mean, Dennis Allen played with Aaron Glenn. He coached Aaron Glenn. Then he was on

a coaching staff with Aaron Glenn. Of course, Ben Johnson was with him in Detroit. So a lot of familiarity. They know a lot about him. And I think, and again, not that the Bears would disrespect any opponent, but because of what these guys know about Aaron Glenn, they have a feeling about what they're

going to get from the Jets. And we've seen it in their two NFC North games, both losses, but they came right down to the wire. And they're playing hard. Gino Smith has been outstanding so far this year. Completing passes. An incredible rate. Hasn't turned the ball over yet.

So, you know, look, obviously every week, the Bears are going to make the coaches are going to make sure that their players understand what's at stake and not to look past an opponent. But the familiarity that Alan and Johnson have with Aaron Glenn helps because they can say, we know this guy, we know how these guys are going to play. They are going to play tough and we got to match that on Sunday. This segment with the voice that you are hearing right now with Kevin Fishbane is brought to you by Advent, breathe well, live better.

Visit advent knows.com. It's Rahimi and Grotie on 1043, the score. and I know you wrote a little bit about Bejant versus Keenham, Kevin. How different would the game plan look if it is Tyson-Bagent relative to Case Keenum? I don't think it would look much different, Mark. The only thing would maybe be a design quarterback run here and there, whether it's, you know, Bejant keeps it on a little zone read situation, a quarterback draw. You know, that's the only thing I could really think of.

I think generally, you know, maybe there's some more deep concepts, maybe that they can, you know, let the play, they can have some plays that have some deeper routes and trust that Beijing can have a little bit more escapeability. Yeah, but he's not Caleb Williams, but you should be a little bit better in that regard than Case Keen. But I think it's probably going to be pretty much whatever the Jets defense dictates as far as game plan goes.

I'm guessing it's going to be pretty similar for both quarter. And you know, you guys remember when Bejant came in 2023, one of the really remarkable things about him. And again, Division II undrafted rookie that year was how quickly he got rid of the football when he stepped in in those four games. And we saw, obviously, Case Keenham did that at a ridiculous level Monday night, especially against the Blitz. But I think that's also a hallmark of Bejant's, you know, Arsenal. And that's something that the bears are going to want him to do and get the ball of those playmakers quickly. And I imagine we'll see if he's a start, imagine we'll see a little bit of. of that. But I think the playbook is probably the same.

And Ben Johnson mentioned this. I admitted it. Like there's obviously a mobility difference. Like Bejan can move a little bit better probably than Keenham can at this point, Keenham's career. So that could open a few extra things up for Johnson possibly. Oh yeah. I remember taking the notes during the preseason. You know, Rollout King, Tyson, Bejan.

So I assume that we'll see a lot of that, especially when, you know, like we just saw too, the announcement about Theo Benedet starting at left tackle. So I wonder how much that factors in to perhaps a. Beigent playbook. Yeah, it's a good point, Leila, because, you know, he's comfortable throwing in the move and that allows Johnson to use some of those play action rollout concepts that we see

cable aims a lot. And yeah, it'll be interesting with Theo playing, you know, he's obviously going to start and it looks like he's going to play a full game at left tackle. I don't think there'll be a rotation until Ozzie Tripolo is game ready. I will say this about Theo. When I went back and watched the Vikings game and his season, he's, you know, he's, he'll be a series, I believe it was in the second quarter, I was actually really impressed. I don't know why I didn't say actually. I was just, that was such a good pass rush and that was obviously a really

difficult game for the Bears Offensive Alliance. So I feel like I'm expecting to see leaks everywhere. He did a nice job holding his own. You know, he had a couple misses like a lot of those guys did in that game. But I asked Dan Rochart about it last week and he too thought it was an impressive showing from Bennett. So getting to have a full week to prepare to be the starter, hopefully put him in a better spot also. But yeah, the Bears will be kind of it, that they have got, you know, still a younger player, still not as much experience as the other guys playing over there.

So that I imagine is going to factor in the game plan as well. Dare I ask you, Kevin Fishbane, if you guys dare to ask Ben Johnson about Kyler Gordon today? Grody, Ben Johnson got a few Kyler Gordon questions. And he told us, he goes, Kyler's in the field. I'm happy to talk about him now. you know, he didn't want to talk about it when he wasn't in the building or wasn't on the field,

but now, you know, he said, he goes, look, this is a guy who we know is a really good player. We just have to see him out there. And since he goes, he said, since we got here, talking about himself and the coaching staff, we haven't had that opportunity very much. So it seems like some of those guys who are on the Pupplist got a little extra work in pads on Wednesday night around the walkthrough, and good opportunities for Chappello and Shemar Turner, Noah Sewell as well, and Kyler Gordon. and, you know, he seemed pretty upbeat talking about it. I mean, I think all these guys are waiting to see, right?

Like, you just have to see what it looks like and how long can he stay in the field. How many string of consecutive games can he go? I know my colleague, Dan Peters, said yesterday, we shot a video together. He goes, no one else about Kyle Gordon until three consecutive games. Yeah, yeah, he put that mandate on to take the North podcast too. Yeah, which, you know, what he's doing, Grody, he's pointing it at us.

Yeah, yeah, you have to be the one to write. about it after his first game. You're going to be the left to talk about. You're going to talk to nobody. You know, he's really bus tossing us. You're right. And making us do the extra work is what that is. But yeah, I think it was obviously a major shift in interest in talking about Kyle

Gordon, because as Ben Johnson said, he's here now. He's practicing. I'm happy to talk about him now. And now we wait and see when he can come back and what that looks like. This begs the question, who else is dead to Ben Johnson? Our segment with Kevin Fishbane is brought to you by Four Seasons, Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Sewer, and Electric. For all the right reasons, call 866 Four Seasons.

All right, well, that was a pleasant plot twist that I didn't expect, but it also sounds like perhaps there is some compliance with protocol that might lead to results. So that's also a good thing, Kevin. Yeah, you know, and the fact that it was one thing for them to open his practice window. Then they said he was a full participant and that he was a full participant yesterday. I don't know if that means he'll be activated next week. But it means that he's good. Like he is practicing.

And, you know, I don't know if they feel like we need X number of weeks of him practicing before we can really put him in a game because we just got to see it. Or if they're like, oh, yeah, your CAF is fine. Like, we know what you can do. Let's put you back in the lineup. It's there's still, Lela, so much mystery with this thing. And I look forward to when we get a chance to talk to Kyler Gordon, once he's activated off the Pupplist, that's what we'll get a chance to talk to him.

We'll see what he's got to say. I'm sure he's pretty frustrated that it's taking this long. And I'm sure he's pretty aware of what's been said and speculated about him. And as I've said to you guys before, I think a lot of speculations fair, unfortunately, because you just don't know. And we just haven't gotten a lot of answers. But what matters now to the Bears is he's practice windows open. He's out there.

And there's a chance that he could be in the lineup pretty soon. Additionally, I don't want to hear what both you two think, the Bears writers, Kevin Fishbane and Mark Rodi. Are we surprised about the DeAndre Swift DNP on the practice report yesterday? Was it rest? Like, do we have any indication of what that could have been? So a very intrepid reporter asked Ben about that earlier. Thankfully for you guys, he's on your show right now.

Yay! Wow! I jumped in to get that. Fortunately for the Bears, it sounds like it was a maintenance thing coming off Monday night, just knee kind of banged up from that game. And Ben even said he is optimistic for DeAndre and that he will practice today. But Layla, there were alarm bells for sure when you see DNP knee on a Thursday. Because your first fear is that something that happened in practice or somewhere outside the building.

100%. That's what we're all, you know, that's your kind of thinking. But yeah, Ben said it was just kind of more, sounded like a just a lingering thing from Monday, took a day off, should be out there today. sounds like they feel good about him for Sunday. Will he be limited or on a pitch count? Who knows? But it sounds like better news than you might have thought

when you saw that on the injury report. That is great. That's great. That is intrepid. I don't know, though, if that was as intrepid as this little bit of audio, a little bit of a magical moment that occurred in the Bears media room yesterday.

I know you don't love talking about the previous game or yourself, so it's two strikes against me. But I have to ask you to start. You only got one more. I'm going to choke up on the bat a little bit, just try to make some contact. How did it feel to be recognized in terms of getting a game ball? And what was the last time that you were presented with the game ball in the locker room after a game? Last year against New Orleans.

That's strike three. What a move! Larry Mayer asking the questions and then Kevin Fishbane with the strike three. So good, Kevin. So good. I mean, listen. Listen. You're the Dennis Allen.

Look, I love Larry Mayer. There's nobody in this media room, I think, that has more admiration for that man, as goofy as he is. Absolutely. Come on, Larry. You'll work for the team website. You don't remember that he got the game ball against the Saints last year. His former team.

It was such a big deal. He was like, he was cheering. I mean, remember that game meant so much of him. It's funny, because Mark, last night, I said to my wife, I'm telling her the story. And she interrupts me. And she goes, wait, didn't it's Dennis? I don't get the game ball against the Saints? I'm like, Larry, my wife knows that he got the game ball.

You work here. So, yeah, I had, he left me no choice, but to ring him up there with the strike three. It was excellent out of view. We had to chuckle about it in our pre-show meeting. Kevin, big day, Northwestern, Ryan Field. Big deal. You see this here on the, there we go. Got the purple, purple cats.

It's, uh, yeah, I'm very excited. I'm trying to temper expectations as far as the game itself. I mean, I'm hopeful. I feel good about the way the cats have played, but it's just a special event tonight for Katz Nation to see that stadium and to have a game there. I'm pretty fired up. That's awesome, man. Congratulations to you and everybody, Northwestern.

It's going to be beautiful. Any, I guess two more quick things. If you have a favorite nugget, because I know you've always got a good string of nuggets in your stories in The Athletic. I was reading some of those this morning. And can you give us your prediction, which I know is also in the athletic? Did you guys talk about the last time the Jets beat the Bears in Chicago? No. Mm-mm.

Did not. 1997. Oh, dear. It's been a long time. Yeah. Do either of you, I don't know if you know, do either of you want to guess how many passes Eric Kramer through that day? 24. I'll go higher.

Grody? I'll just go higher. higher than 24. Yeah. 60. Oh my God. In 1997? And that's how you get up there on the Bears All Time list, my friends.

He's one of the best Bears quarterbacks of that time. That box score was just a joy to go through. I think Ricky Prol led the Bears. Oh, Ricky Prol. Speaking of my cats, Darnell Autry was the lead to washer that afternoon. Kramer's 60 passes thrown still a franchise single game record. But that is the last time. the Jets have beaten the Bears here.

The Bears are a three-game win streak against the Jets. As Soldier Field and Mark, I did predict that that win streak will continue. I had a pretty close score. I think I said 25, 24. I just think Gino Smith's playing well right now. They've got some weapons in Sadiq and Garrett Wilson. I know the defense is playing really great, but this is just another test for them. And I'd like to see how they fare.

But I do think that Ben Johnson's offense will find a way to keep rolling and get another win for the Bears. The Bill Parcells coached Jets. Bill Purcells. Wow. As Jerry Jones is saying, remember that? Bill Percells. Bill Per Sales. To open up the stage in.

That's right. Great stuff, Kevin, man. Have fun tonight. Have fun at Soldier Field on Sunday and we'll catch up with you soon. You know that. All right. Thanks, guys. Go Cats.

Go Cats, Kevin. Thank you for being intrepid. No doubt. Yeah, man. I mean, like I told you, Gino Smith, over 300 yards last week. He just mentioned Sadiq, that be Kenyan Sadiq, the rookie tight end had seven catches for 105 yards be on the lookout for him.

And Garrett Wilson's been Gary Wilson. Been very good for the Jets, the one constant that's been on that team. Ten catches for 107 yards and a touchdown against the lions in a loss. Coming up next with us here. Let's talk more bears. What? Coming up next with us here. Us here.

Right here. A sta a key. Jets coach Aaron Glenn reflecting on his time with Bears coach Ben Johnson. in Detroit. Does this give somebody an edge? We'll discuss next on Rahimi and Grotia on 104.3, the score.