OverDrive - Willson on Maye's skid with the Patriots, the Steelers' direction and Rodgers' performances

Episode Date: October 1, 2026

TSN NFL Analyst Luke Willson joined OverDrive to discuss the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Browns and Steelers, Aaron Rodgers looking to improve the entire roster, the Steelers' ranking in the AFC, Drake Maye playing through a rough skid and the level of concern for the Patriots, O'Win Willson's selection and more.

if you smell what the Owen Wilson is cooking Hour 2 Overdrive continues powered by Fandul making you want to hit

the sportsbook app and hammer the Browns tonight that's what I think the play is tonight but I'm not on the clock thankfully Luke Wilson in studio

because Al's brother and I Al's brother's very very distracted right now completely unreliable not good yeah he's got a I mean he's got to got a massive life event coming up, clearly.

He's getting married in a week and a half, so I don't even know what he's up. Are you not getting, like, the analytics report as usual? Nothing. Nothing. You know what I think Jamming, too, is when Parts said, O'Dog was like, yo, we're going to start using gut instinct. That hurt. I think that, and then he pulled out a huge dub.

I think the guy's all out of whack. Yeah, it's not a good place. Like, Al's brother is very, very distracted and very conflicted. And I don't know what the hell he's doing after the wedding. Like I'm assuming they're going, are they going on a honeymoon else? Yeah, they are great. Chris? Apparently, apparently it's like an extensive honeymoon.

We're talking like three weeks type of thing. I mean, he's earned it, right? He's earned a break house brother. He's a busy guy. So three weeks, he'll be MIA. So I'm riding solo, Jonas. And that's help? Do you want my help?

If you want to supply some help, I'm happy to feel for you. He does need to help. I do actually. We are not seeing the board clearly. What's crazy about tonight is someone is going to be in first place in the AFC North. Yeah. And it could be the Cleveland Browns. Could be. Like they have won two in a row.

Deshawn Watson, compared to week one performances the last couple weeks, he has been better. You got to give him some credit. Yeah, for sure. For sure. He's got to give him some credit. He's protected the football as well. Yeah, big time. But that being said, I'm not sure I'm ready to be like, yo, this is the Deshawn Watson that they paid for,

that we saw kind of the tail end of his Houston. career. That's never coming back. Yeah. I mean, last week he was 16 of 30 for 144 yards throwing the football. Yeah. And now all of a sudden, everyone's like, oh, man, I'm like, looking at this thing, and he's protected the football, which has been big,

and he's used his legs, which has also helped him. But I'm not sure I'm ready to be like, yes, this is Deshaun Watson, the Brown's knee. I totally agree with you. I don't think it's ever going to happen, but Chador Sanders is not either. I mean, that's the reality. That's the tough part, is like, you know, there's

this narrative where it's like, oh, you know, has Deshaun earned more time as the starter? And I'm like kind of wondering, I'm not sure like they have another option. Exactly. Like statistically, Shadur looked horrid last year and statistically was horrid and did not look great. So it's like, hey, are we just going to cash in the season and see what we have with Shadur Sanders? I'm not sure that's the play for.

And this is the NFL. If he was the guy, he'd be playing. like they have to pay Deshaun anyway. That is a sunk cost. It is one of, if not the worst, trades in the history of the league. And they gave him a fully guaranteed contract without question the worst contract in the history of the league.

And he's playing because they're two and one and they think he's better than Shadur. Bingo. Like that's it. Like if Shadur was the next coming of a stud quarterback, he'd be playing. Facts. They're not playing him because he's not.

think Deshaun gives him a better chance to win. That's why Watson's playing right now. To be honest, it's a hard one for me, Hayes, because you know, as an analyst, you field all these questions and I'm like, there's really no, like, conspiracy here. It's just that simple. Yeah. Like, turn the film on and look at it. I don't know

what else to say. No, it's exactly what's happening. And then on the flip side, you get Aaron Rogers, who who, yeah, I know. I mean, it's, listen, he's in, it's a fascinating division, because all four teams are two and one. Lamar's looked pretty good.

Burrow up until last week, I guess, with seven or eight minutes to go, has looked pretty good. So he's got these two monsters in their prime within the division. Yet, again, if he goes on the road short week, finds a way to perform tonight, the Steelers could be three and one. Three and one with the division win against Cincy. You know, everyone said, okay, they beat Atlanta. Atlanta's garbage, blah, blah, blah. They look terrible against the Pats.

You know, there was a lot of offensive line issues against the Pats. Now of a sudden you come back, they beat up since he beat him up. And I look at that that ran the ball well, they threw the ball well. In fairness, this team has, you know, they could get a little spicy here. I look offensively. They got a nice little duo running back, Warren, Rico Dowdell. Okay, the offensive line seemingly played better week three. That's a big question mark.

They're obviously banged up. But I look at their weapons and it's like tight ends. You got Friamuth and Darnell Washington. obviously Darnell's not more of a receiving guy, but he can be once he gets the ball of his hands. Then you look at DK, and DK has been horrid thus far, but hopefully he figures it out. They sign Pittman, which is a nice acquisition. They've got the youngster Roman Wilson. They got the youngster Bernard.

Like, I'm not saying this team's, you know, a Super Bowl contender right now, but I would put him in the top seven, top eight in the NFL. In the NFL. Not the AFC. Top five in the AFC. Wow. We were to go top five in the AFC. Let me run these teams by you.

Obviously, you have Kansas City and Buffalo ahead of them. Like clearly ahead of them. Denver's better than them. Agreed. I still think Baltimore is better than them. Not sure. I agree with that. What about Sincey?

No, he's beat Sincy. Okay, but it's a long season. I mean, if we're talking about... I would put the Jags in front of them at four. Jags are another one. I'll put the Jags. After that, I think the fifth spot is... There's a very good argument that Pittsburgh Sears

is the fifth best team in the AFC right now. Okay. Wow. Okay. I'm with you. When you say like that, I'm, wait.

Are you out on the Chargers? You're done. Out, out, out? Well, I couldn't be more out. You have to be. What about Houston? They're all in three. What about Houston?

All of three. They're done. I know, but they're not. They weren't they own three last year? I think they were own two last year. They were all in two. They were all in two and 25. And they made the playoffs both years.

I don't think they're done. But I think they got a very tough, tough. Tough schedule. Yes. I think that loss in Indie last week was a, was crushing. And Stroud does not seem like he's really on a trajectory. Well, he bet on himself too, right? Like they were allegedly or reportedly, they were willing to pay him 50 million a year.

And he goes, no dice. And now, like, he's put himself in that position where if they end up in the top 10, there's a couple of big-name quarterbacks. They take the quarterback. They tell CJ possibly to take a walk. But I would say 5, 6, 7 are in some sort of whatever order would be Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Centsy. Where's Vegas at 3-0?

I love Vegas. I love Pugiax. No respect. I'm not putting them in the top five. I'm with your noodles. I'm not put them in the top five yet. And what about New England? I would say they're in that conversation with Steelers, Ravens.

Like that's kind of the whole. Yeah. Yeah, I'm not arguing against that. Like Kansas City, for me, it's Denver, Kansas City, Buffalo. Those are the three best teams in the NFC. And I think the Jags deserve a lot of love. Yes. So that, that for me, would be a clear cut four.

and the debate is who's going to be the fifth team. Now, furthermore, can the fifth team be a team that actually does damage come playoff time? And I know this is way down the road, but that's a different story. In other words, I guess what I'm asking you is, would you put money on one of those top four teams in the A.C. being in L.A. at the Super Bowl? Or do you still think there's a potential a Baltimore can push their way into that? Sincere.

Sincie. Pittsburgh. I don't see Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. but could Cincinnati or Baltimore New England? where it's like all of a sudden of Jamar and T. Higgins are healthy and get hot and Joe Burroughs protected

they can light up a scoreboard and if they can... If Joe Burroughs protected that's a yearly There's a long way to go for that. When does he take some heat though for not being clutch Joe Burrow? You've seen the stats. It's ridiculous. Like he's 1 in 34 or something when they're losing with eight minutes to go in a game.

You know, I'm in a... NFL on CTV group chat, Kerr Waglins in there, you know, Davis Sanchez in there. I caught a lot of heat a few years ago about Brock Purdy. And Hayes, I'm going to present this. And Joe, feel free to jump in here.

Okay? Who would you rather have? Brock Purdy or Joe Burrow? Right now. For a game or for a season? Both? I mean, I think the ceiling is still higher for Joe Borough. Sure, but I mean,

we're talking about ceiling for Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. How many years have we heard sealing? I mean, you got hurt last year, right? I agree. But that's a part of it. Now, Purdy gets hurt too. Purdy gets hurt too. Like, he does get hurt. I guess my point is, and I probably still take Burrow. I probably do, but

two years ago it was like Joe Burrow was in the conversation with Josh Allen. You know, now all of a sudden, when you present Purdy versus Burrow, it's at least a conversation. You're not like, right away, that's the craziest thing I've ever heard. If you watch Brock Purdy cooking right now.

No, he's playing really well. This guy's doing it. Like, he started, in Australia, he was dancing down there. Dancing. And that started the season for them, and they're 3-0. And they look great. Yeah, they look very good. What about DAC?

Would you throw Dak in any other? No, that's what I'm saying? That guy makes, what, 55 or 60? I think it's 60. A lot of them do, though. And I'll tell you, crazy. But rank those three then, Burrough, Purdy, and Dak. Like one, two, three of who?

Yes. Who you would pick right now? Jack is a distant three for me. Who I would pick, if I was an offensive coordinator, I would pick Purdy. But I know I'd probably be in the minority there, but I think Purdy understands offensive football. Part of that, in fairness, is he has been with Kyle Shanahan, who I don't know Kyle personally, but I believe he is one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of the world when it comes to football. Okay, so that is part of it.

And we're not talking ability, because Burrow has obviously got a ton. So does Dak. but as far as playing the game of football, I would go Purdy, Burrow, DAC, and it's close between Burrow and Purdy. Yeah, see, I think Joe Burrow may have a Matthew Stafford case to make. Get me out of here and watch what happens because Purdy has had the luxury of having arguably the best left tackle

protect him his whole career. Yes. Which is very significant. He's had arguably the best game-breaking running back in his backfield the last few years. Very significant. Agreed. and the best offensive mind head coach.

Agreed. So he's got a lot of benefits going for. But he's also never had a Jamar Chase. T. Higgins, I guess. Like, who would be, I mean, it was Brandon Ayuk a couple years back. Obviously, he's had his off the field. I mean, Debo is rookie. Like, when Debo was there, the first in, I think they overlap when they went to that Super Bowl.

They did. It's more of a, but even Debo, I wouldn't say he's a traditional receiver. No, he's not. He's not. He's awesome. Don't remember wrong. He's had a premier tight end. I'm not saying.

that. I'm just saying from a receiver perspective. But I agree with you, Joe Burrow could be in the Stafford realm eventually. Yeah, if he gets out. What, can I ask you your concern level out of like, what is the concern level of ratings? Do you know them off heart?

Level of concern. Oh yeah, I can play role play level of concern. Drake May. Where are you at? On a scale 1 to 10? Yeah. Or drinks on a patio? I'm a six-pack with a shot or two. Like, there's a level of concern, but, But like last year, I was reading on ESPN earlier this week that what defenses are doing to him,

they're playing zone on him this year, way more than they were last year. I guess last year, like 51% of the snaps or at least the dropbacks, I guess they were blitzing or they were playing cover two. I think it was 51% of the time. Now it's like up to 65% or 67%. And he's clearly not adjusting to it. He's not reading it. He's like he threw eight interceptions last year.

He's throwing six already through 10 games. Yeah. That is very, very special. Second for MVP. He, exactly. It's off their schedule, but he's also played at Seattle, Jacksonville, and Pittsburgh's defense. Yeah, which is fair. But, like, I think a lot of Pat's fans, they went to the Super Bowl last year.

You're hoping, like, hey, this is a year where we can get back to Super Bowl and win. So I would, I don't know the patio drink scale, but I'd put it at it, I'd put it at like an 8 out of 10. Okay, that's a lot. That's like Rick Bush. They're bad. They're bad turnovers. Six Bush lights. Bud Light and I love them, tall boys.

That's a lot of booze and a lot of concern. Yeah. Yeah. Listen, they're bad. And Brable's coming out and saying it. He's like, I'm very concerned about the whole club, but now there's reports in New England that the two of them are not on the page. Did you see Verable's response to that? He came

out in front of the media. It was like, part of the reason I came here was because of Drake May. Like, one of the things that really drives me nuts about the media is when it's like an unnamed source. says that there's an issue between Drake May and Mike Vrable. Who would even know that?

Like, I mean, lots of people. So one of the coaches? One of the coaches, teammates, agents. But you're right, it's, yeah. Greasy. It's part of journalism, though, right, John. Yeah, it's part of it. But I get it.

Am I missing something here? Well, Jonas is a reporter that quotes anonymous sources. Are you? All the time. All the time. sources guy? I don't, I miss it. I'm not a miscarriage thing.

I don't know. You're delicate with using that kind of thing. You got to be, you have to have a good reason. Yeah. It'd be the thing. Well, and it's got to be ironcloth. Yeah, and they check it. Like, you can't just write unnamed source.

Like, they're going to come to you and say, like, how do you know this? You're not saying. Yes. Look, it's weird for me, and maybe you can, because this is one not always confused me. I like this. What does, yeah. What does the unnamed source get by saying, things. That's a good question. I mean, maybe they're, maybe they're upset about the

perception, they want to correct the record, maybe they're a you know what disturber. Yeah. Yeah. What's weird is in the NFL, and I don't know about this is something that always drove me nuts, but it was like somehow like Adam Schafter, Ian Rappaport would get in, these agents would be like, oh, I'm going to leak this to whatever. And the quid pro quo here is that they'll call in a favor. Like it's very like, hey, when I'm going to give you this piece of information,

but in two months when my other client needs a nice tweet about how there's a big market for them, you're going to like... A hundred percent. You're like, I'm playing a game. But what's tough for me about that is this is no longer journalism now. I'm with you on that. This is quid pro quo. This is

politics. Well, and it's to the point where some of those guys you mentioned, like they have copied and pasted texts. Yeah. Where they forgot to delete something. You know, And it's like, man, that is just blatantly from the agent. Yeah. But that's the game.

Like the agent has the information. And, you know, a lot of it is relationship building. And if you want to be one of the insiders, you know, you got to have those relationships. You got to bank on that type of intel, you know. Like, that's where a lot of information comes from is agents. Agents are telling you, you know, what players are saying and what they're hearing. And agents know everything in the league. In a situation like this, it could be secondhand.

And that's where it gets like, you know, I mean. It's like, I talked to Luke and Luke said they're not talking. It's like, oh, interesting. You know what I mean? But don't you think, though, like, Jonas, you obviously have a lot of integrity. I know some people that I think flat up make just stuff up. Like just flat out, make stuff up and say, oh, unnamed sources.

When really it's their thought and they're trying to get it validated. Their hunch, yes. Yeah, like it's my hunch. So this is what I'm thinking. So I try and get it validated by saying unnamed sources. And maybe that's more twist. Twitter type of stuff. Like, Jonas, you obviously have an editor, and you have to have a level of integrity, and you do.

But there are people in those scrums that I've come across that are a little bit shadier than you want. Would you agree with that? Yes. 100%. No more comment. No more comment. I heard a story the other day. I'm not going to name any names.

I want to get jammed up. I heard a story about a gentleman in the Toronto scene, ex-CFL guy that got jammed. up for making up a person in quoting him. I love that place. Rick Bushwood. I've heard that that's a real thing. And from a unnamed but extremely reliable source.

Who may or may not have worked with him. I could see that being a case. Like you're making a human up being like, I talk to this person. This person is not real. But did you guys see Harbaugh talking about Justin Herbert? Which one?

He kind of criticized him for the first time. So, like, that's real. Yeah. Yeah. Whereas before, he's like, this guy's going to be the greatest quarterback in the league. Totally. Now, how much of that is because Harbaugh realizes I'm in big trouble here if this doesn't work out. Do you think they would ever fire him in season?

I can't say. I don't know about in season. But if they're on their way to, you know, 2 and 15 or 4 and 13, I don't know how he's going to survive. Like, that's a huge step back in L.A. The Harbaugh situation to me is a bit funky because. This has kind of been his M.O. And this is from guys that I know. Unnamed guys.

Bales, not bails. Not unnamed guys, guys that have played with that. Unnamed players who have played with him. In San Francisco when he was there. And it was like part of what they told me, it was like when he comes in, everybody loves him. Because he's so quirky and he's so different. And it's fun.

And it's like, you know, who's got it better than us? Nobody, all that stuff. and then all of a sudden it's like, yo, I've been listening to this like extremely awkward man for three years now, I don't know, or it's been whatever amount of time and the messaging starts

to kind of, you know, is this authentic or is this kind of more of a stick? And I I do worry that maybe the chargers are starting to enter into that phase where like the allure of, oh, we've got Jim Harbaugh is starting to kind of wear a bit.

Yeah, he's a different cat, you know, what he's willing to show the world, you can just tell he's a different, different cat. But he generally jumps at the right time. This would not be the right time. Like he left the Niners. They had been to a Super Bowl. They were kind on their way down.

Yes. And then he goes to Michigan. They win a national championship. All hell breaks loose with the investigation. He's out of there. And now the thing is, this is different because in L.A., you're o'em three. They haven't had any success. They were in the playoffs last year, but didn't go.

well. No. Right? So, you know, this would be him going out, you know, not on top. Like, it's a bit of a different journey. So are you saying like this is him being like, yeah, maybe it's the quarterback and isn't as good as everyone thought, or I thought? Well, what's weird is, again, two weeks ago,

he said he's one of the best to ever play the game or will be. That's the hard about play, though, right? His brother said that about Lamar. Like, they jump on that like hyperbole pretty quickly. But that generally is the way it works. You know, go look at the other guys. trying to, when you feel like all eyes are on you and you're the problem. Yeah.

You know, not everyone takes full account of it. Where does Mike McDaniels, you know, stand in all that? He's been a, he's, obviously it hasn't worked, but I'd ask you that, like the execution of a game plan. He may put his hands up and say, dude, I'm telling him the, you know, make plays or what have you, and they're not executing. I was finding a bit strange where it's like this guy was considered in the same breath as like the Shanahan's and the McVays and he's like this offensive

minded guru and he goes to Miami and he was you know the bell the ball for let's call it a half of a season everyone was like this guy's going to transform the NFL and then all of a sudden since then Miami became a fire sale since Tyreek left basically yes comes down to the chargers and everyone was all fired up hey how's it going to be now oh he's gone from Tua to Justin Herber like such an upgrade I mean it's been off to a tough start well and and who was really running the show in San Francisco. Shanahan.

Exactly. So he got credit for it. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve some of it, but he didn't have carte blanche. I don't believe on the offense. Like Shanahan was still running a lot. Kyle Shanahan runs very,

from what I've told, unnamed sources. Yeah. One of which, start doing it. One of which I think is a, was K.J. Wright, who was a linebacker coach over there, was like, I remember calling him last off season in the Super

ball. I was like, how has it been coaching? And he was like, man, like, love it. It's been awesome. but Shanahan runs a very tight ship. Like, it's pretty buttoned up. That's what, his dad did the same thing. Yes. Right?

Like, that's where he would have learned that from. And he mentioned a compliment. He meant it in a very complimentary way. I think athletes are probably looking for that, right? Like, you guys would be able to speak to it. You don't want to show up, and it's like, what the hell's going? Who's running the show here? Yeah.

Stability. Yeah, exactly. You watch stability. Like, it's ridiculous. Yeah, exactly. All right, you guys are on the clock. The line has moved down at two and a half. Yeah.

So it's Steelers minus two and a half. and a half at Cleveland tonight. I think we know who you're taking. Go ahead. We're taking Pittsburgh. On a field goal game, again, like, I get it's a divisional game, and I do expect this thing to be, like, real greasy. But I don't see, I cannot take in good faith to Sean Watson on a short week

after barely completing 50% of his passes. I just can't. Isn't there some home dog thing that you shouldn't? There's a bunch of this stuff. and Dugge's been in the division on a short week. On the payroll right now and has been just exploding my phone with statistics, none of which are football related

as to why I should take the Browns, which I won't do, okay? We're going to roll with Aaron Rogers who looked great last week. Yep. I mean, Mike McCarthy on a short week on the road, I don't know. I don't know about Mike. I get it.

I get it. I don't feel like I'm jumping over the moon for this, but it's a tough game. I can't sit here in good faith in Partsy, I think, would understand. And picked to Sean Watson. I hear you. I can't do it.

I hear you. I think he would be very supportive of that pick. Not feeling well today. Although he's been sending me texts about different things. Which I responded with, who is this? And then he's now. Who this? Who is this?

And he lost it. Unnamed source. That's by unnamed source. Exactly. But, all right, more picks tomorrow. We get some big ones like New England's a seven-point dog in Buffalo on Sunday. Who's got that one? Who's got that one?

I don't know if they've even established that. We're not even playing that game. I don't think, doogie. Because there's a 930 game. There's a London game. Oh, we're on the London game. Indianapolis, Washington. Oh, wow.

You guys are a big game. What's the line for that? You want to talk about greasy. I think it's Colts three and a half. Wow. That game's being played at Pottonham, Hotspur Stadium. Those are my least favorite games to call. Dude, this guy has jammed us from the word go.

We had to play an Australia game, a Brazil game, game and now a London game. Dude, imagine trying to. It's impossible. Commanders Colts on a neutral site in London. Like, do you know how awful this game? The best is, if it ends up being three on the dot? It will be. I guarantee you it will be. A hundred percent it will be.

Three and a half right now. Even that is gross. Like, I'm going to be having breakfast praying that Danny Times does something. One way or the other. I think you take Mariotta. You know how delusional that is? I know Marioo look really good last one. Anyway. Yeah, so I guess that means you guys are on Bill's Pats, right?

Dugue is that the plan? Of course, why would they play that game? That's a tough. We're not playing Bill's Pat? Yeah, why would we ever want to play that game? Rams Eagles, boys. That's a, that's a massive game. No way.

Okay, that's a good. I like that. Now he's going to take Matthew Stafford. You know he's going to do it. Have you watched Jalen Hertz play recently? They were awful on Monday night. Horrendous. That's a layup, dogy. Good, good call.

All right. There you go. Lock in the pick. You guys are on Pittsburgh tonight. unnamed sources. Did you ever see, you would have seen this, did you see the curb episode where Larry goes to a psychiatrist and the

psychiatrist tells him. Yeah, starts talking about it. He says, I have this patient. I'm not going to say his name. He's a famous director, directed Star Wars. Yeah, it's so great. That's what you can start doing with your unnamed sources. 100%. I had this quarterback in Seattle. I'm not going to say his name. The initials

were R.W. He threw the worst pick in NFL history. I'm not going to say his name. though, but that's exactly what this is. That's precisely what it is. All right, Luke, enjoy it tonight. Cheers, Luke Wilson, our TSN. Football analyst.

The music you love. Your favorite radio stations. Everywhere you go. The podcasts, everyone's talking about. All in one place. And it's free. I heart radio. Whatever you want to hear.

Listen anytime, anywhere. Music, radio, podcasts. Unlimited audio. It's on the free. IHart Radio app. Let's go! One app, no subscription. Always free.

Grab the free app. I heart radio. Everywhere you go. Always free. Download the free. IHard Radio app today.