Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - 5 On It & Bill Wennington reflects on Derrick Rose's legacy (Hour 3)

Episode Date: January 26, 2026

In the third hour, Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris discussed a variety of sports topics in the 5 On It segment. After that, Bulls Radio analyst Bill Wennington joined the show to reflect on the organization retiring franchise icon Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey in a ceremony Saturday at the United Center. Later, Rahimi and Harris discussed if more NFL teams need to build domes to avoid playing in bad weather conditions.

The score. Me and Marshall Harris with more groaning, bringing you five topics of their mind today. On Chicago Sports Radio 670, The Score. I got five more than. Number one. What did we learn about the Rams after they lost to the Seahawks but beat the Bears? Okay, that was my, are you all right with losing to the team who lost question?

Because the Bears lost to the Rams, who lost to the Seahawks. I think what we learned was, Sean McVey is also of the Sendit School. We asked the question to Herm Edwards about the Broncos going the fourth down call that Sean Payton says that he wants back when it comes to the Broncos and Patriots AFC title game where, unfortunately, the weather may have taken the entertainment out of that game in the second half. That was a struggle. But it wasn't for your typical reasons. It was two good defenses, young quarterbacks, a backup quarterback, and a lot of just dealing with. what the world was handing you at that time.

Not the case in Rams and Seahawks where we did see a bit of a bit of going for it, a bit of send it when there was the fourth and fourth. They could have kicked a field goal. They were inside the red zone, but they decided to go for it. It ended up incomplete instead. That was an incredible game. At one point there were four straight possessions where they had fourth straight touchdowns between the two of them.

So I think what I learned about the Rams is even when it took the very, last play because they were able to move down the field in very little time. Don't ever count that team out until it is absolutely done. And I know it's cliche, but Tom Brady had the Seahawks already advancing to the Super Bowl. It's like not so fast Tom Brady. That Rams offense can do a thing or two. And they took it even down to the very last second of the game before you thought that this was done.

And remember, they had to challenge the play. Pukinuku, they couldn't figure out if his knee was actually in bounds or not on the last play because he was trying to get to the right side line. Yeah, they had no timeouts. They needed a big gain to set up a possibility for a Hail Mary or a hook on ladder or whatever you run at the end of games these days.

Do you? But... Is that even a play? Maybe. Anything can be a play if you can conceptualize it and then draw it up. Ben. In the dirt.

Mike McDaniel. We're on a board. Sean McVeigh. Willie Bob. What do we learn about the Rams after they lost the Seahawks but beat the Bears. We learned that they're better than the Bears and that the Seahawks are better than the Rams. I mean...

How dare you? Yeah, no, it's true. The NFC West was the best division in football this year. And the only teams that have beaten NFC West teams at last check were other NFC West teams. That's correct, right? There were three teams in and the Seahawks beat both the other NFC West teams, the Niners and then now the ramps. Oh, it's you all again.

Yes, they did. Handily against the 49ers, but then a challenge against the Rams. Yeah, and this is about what I expect. Like, the ballers came to ball. Both quarterbacks thrown over 300 yards. You had both leading receivers looking like number one receivers in Puka Naku. And of course, Jackson Smith and Jigba.

JS.N. JS and Jigba. JS and JGBA. JS and sounds like a television network that I'm just, I did not pay the extra. tier to get my... You're listening to

J.S. It does end and end. Just like a lot of networks do. So... The Jackson Smith and Jigba network? You ever think about that? I hadn't until you said J.S.N.

Also, how is he getting so open on some of those plays? He was wide open in some of those catches. Objective number one, if you're a defense, is probably to try to contain him.

The biggest playmaker. That's him. You might want to know where he is at all times. And then you're still at times going, wait, how did he get that separation on this guy? And we respect the Rams secondary. They were starting to adjust mid-game and latent game

to some of the tendencies they were seeing out of the Rams' defense or out of the Seahawks' offense, rather, just like they did against the Bears' offense. That's one of the big takeaways I had. Yeah, and I just, the Rams are better than, like I said, the better than the Bears. They're as good as the Seahawks, 49ers. All three of those teams are really good.

And when they're healthy, they're all really, really good. I expect the Seahawks to make short work of the New England Patriots. So I just, what I learned about the Rams is that they're better than the bears. Good luck to y'all. Number two. What was the most compelling aspect of the AFC title game? Do you guys remember Friday when I was like, the Patriots have got this?

Why did I discredit the home field combined with that Denver defense? Why? I lost faith in Nick Benito. I don't want to face him and tell him in the face that I underestimated his team's defense. And thusly, Jared Stidham actually not only throwing passes but completing them. For a time. There was an explosive play out of the Denver offense even. Early.

It happened. This is a guy who only threw two passes prior to that this season. Can we talk about what happened after the snow started falling, though? That's it. This was the, we'll take with what we have given bull. And that's what occurred. Like the Patriots had to go on the road to Denver. Denver's defense is ridiculous. I thought Seattle probably had the, it was Houston and then it was Seattle out of the four for me who was slightly better.

But that Denver defense once again, I mean, the sacks, the pressure that they had dialed up, that was no easy day for Drake May and the crew. But Drake made it happen as her memory. Edwards who joined us earlier in the program. You can use the old Odyssey app, the rewind feature to go listen to that conversation that we had at 11 o'clock with the former NFL head coach and player. Now the current ESPN analyst.

He beat him with his legs. He had more yards rushing than anybody else. And I just... But anybody else's relative. It is all relative. But once the snow started, that's why I thought you had to have points on that first opportunity to go up double digits.

and they did not get it when they went forward on fourth and one from the 14-yard line of New England. And that disappointed me. And I just, I wish the weather wasn't as big a factor as it had been. But I also knew that if one team was going to be like so wet on the weather, it was going to be the Patriots because they're pretty used to that weather. Yeah, they also were expecting a snowstorm in New England over that weekend and it looked miserable. They were going to get way more inches of snow than we did here. but that got intense during the second half, and we know that. The total yards in this game, if you liked defense and weather, then this was your game.

206 total offensive yards for the Patriots. Total for the career? 181 for the Broncos. In the career? Drake May was sacked five times. And some of the stunts that they were running, I number one I was surprised in both games how many times blitz pressure did not go picked up by both quarterbacks

like number one is mad Stafford sir you have no excuse you're 37 years old we joke about you being coat drive because tony medlin's coat drive and you have both been alive for 37 years number two drake may I'm like okay yeah I get it but at the same time if nick benito is coming off the edge on your left side and it's fairly obvious whose job is it to pick that guy up? Whose job is it to pick up the entire Denver Broncos front seven? I felt like that was happening a lot in this game before the shift and the tide turned. You mean before the snow started falling?

And then all hell broke loose. I'll say this. With those five sacks you talk about for 21 yards, the net passing was 65 yards. 65 yards net passing for Drake May. Yeah, that was a survive in advance. Yeah, well, that's what it is at this point. of the season. And we had a texture that was like,

this game was a chess match, blah, blah, blah. I was like, yeah, of course it was. It's a playoff game in the NFL. That doesn't mean it was aesthetically pleasing because it wasn't. No, the Rams and Seahawks was aesthetically pleasing. Also, I thought about this a lot during yesterday's game. How would you like to be the fans sitting at the top of that pointed open end zone seating get up at Lumenfield?

Get Up is the right word here The hell Who chooses that seat? You're like I will take the top of this shady looking Seating structure Get in where you fit is what I say Why don't they just Just make it more square

Like I appreciate architecture But put more fans in the seats What is that? Did you notice that too, Ray? You're looking at me like you did Oh yeah 100%. 100%. And I don't envy that

I don't I mean you You'd have to be a hardcore I don't care You know Cold doesn't affect me fan to be up there. Or you just really love to throw elbows.

And if you sat at the top, then you know that nobody's getting in the way of your elbows. And everybody, everybody's right on this kick field goals thing. I understand, man. I understand that there are times where you want to go for it on fourth down. I love it. But I do think there are some field goals that guys would have rather had back in these cases. Check the forecast and act accordingly. Yeah.

And also just, it's the first half, you know? Like, you can make those other decisions later. It's when you have to play from behind that makes it hard. I'll be out here telling you to go up two scores, always. Five on it. Number three. This is five on it on six, seven, the score with Laylorah, Rahimi, and Marshall Harris. Here's question number three.

The Packers are reportedly hiring former Cardinals head coach, Jonathan Gannon, to be their defensive coordinator. What do you think happens to Bears' defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Al Harris, who also interviewed? for that job. Al Harris, he's a former Packer, correct? That's why we're talking about this in an opening sense. Did Mike McCarthy ever coach him? I'm just curious. I think he did. Does Mike McCarthy have a new head coaching job? I think Al Harris may very well be the defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, and also, how about the news out of Washington? There was a, there

was a report that it was like, Al Harris is being interviewed. Dan Quinn wants turnovers. Raw! And I'm like, oh, man, he's going to go. And I kind of accepted it. I knew that Al Harris was going to get a lot of interviews. The turnaround that he had of this bear secondary was incredible. What he did with an injured secondary deserves all of the credit in the world, making Kevin Byard an all pro again. And Al would probably say, oh, Kevin Byer did that himself. And yes, Kevin Byrd deserves credit. Yes, all this things. But You still got to go out there and do it and be put in positions to succeed, which is something that I think Al Harris helped do.

There's a high, high praise for Al Harris right now among league circles. And if he doesn't go to Pittsburgh, like you mentioned, maybe he just drives the price up on Washington. Because if there's one guy who probably also appreciates what he did with that secondary, it's defensive coach, Dan Quinn. I don't think we're out of the woods with Al Harris and jobs yet. He may be able to call his shot. But I just selfishly hope it's not one of these.

I do wonder how his interviews went over because I was a little surprised that Gannon was the pick in Green Bay. If Matt LaFleur is still mad about the Bears rivalry, even though Al Harris is a former Packer, do you think that may have had something to do with it? Probably not, I guess, because they wouldn't have brought him in an interview or they wanted secret info. Yeah, never turned down an opportunity to learn more about your opponent.

And I think interviewing him, you can learn more about your opponent. Was three games not enough? Matt LaFleur? Number four. Philip Rivers took himself out of consideration for the Bill's head coach job. What's next for Mr. Rivers? You know what? The thing that I found the most compelling about the Philip Rivers career arc this year was not even necessarily the comeback to the NFL,

because that was prolific. Let's just be honest about that. The whole thing was very inspiring. But it was how collectively is a society, we all seem to understand that the true value of Philip Rivers getting a job and extending his service time in the NFL was that he gets five more years of health insurance for him and his very large family.

When the salary doesn't matter as much as the health insurance does, that is an indication of it all, is it not? I mean, I think the salary matters. Getting paid as an NFL head coach, you know my thing. hire me so you can fire me and I'll take the... That's college. But the NFL same principles apply. It is. But in this case, everybody

seemed to know that the five years extra of health insurance that Philip Rivers got was worth him taking it for his familial team and coming back and getting a job in the league. Well, Diana Rusina who had this news and then Mike Garofalo who said

sounds like he enjoyed the process with Buffalo, but now isn't the right time for him or his family. My family. Sounds like wife you might have had some input on, you want us to move where? I don't know because his kids are having kids.

Like he's to the point where they're self-policing and whatnot. He is a grandpappy. Not ignoring that fact. I don't know that it's like Joe Flacko, where he just wanted to have an uninterrupted meal alone. No, I don't think Philip Rivers knows what that's like. Based on his history and how we got here. By the way, Will Brinson, senior writer for C.

sports NFL writer. Maybe the tweet of the of the year. It's early. Philip Rivers pulled out. Certainly wasn't expecting that. I got family. Lots of family.

Yeah, the family roster is deep. I think the bigger question is here. Does he get on to somebody's staff as an assistant or something like that? There are these like favorite quarterback interviews that seem to happen. You know, where a guy doesn't necessarily have the job experience, but it's good to interview into the process. You take the Josh McCown path.

I was thinking of Josh McCown when we discuss this. McCowan. But perhaps we do see Philip Rivers as an assistant of some sort. Number five. It's five out of nine and six, 70 score with Layla Rahimi and Marshall Harrison. Here's our final question. And it's a big one.

It's a big one. It's an important one. Does anyone want to coach the Cleveland? Browns. I mean, I would like to coach the Cleveland Browns for reasons I just shared with you. Hi. I would like to get hired and then fired by your finest executive. But it is a little bit concerning that Grant Udansky, the offensive coordinator for the

Jacksonville Jaguars, of course, just had a great season, probably Trevor Lawrence's best offensive season, has pulled his name from consideration for the head coaching job of the Browns, although he's still pursuing the bill's job. I mean, clearly we have, if we're ranking it, the Browns's job is the worst job in the NFL right now. It's the worst head coaching job in the NFL right now. Yes. Because at least like with the Raiders, you have the number one overall pick coming up. So you're going to be able to get whatever quarterback you would like. It's interesting because he's not the first person to withdraw his name. And if you look at who's left, here are the remaining candidates for the Browns job.

Survivor, Cleveland Browns. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Rams passing game coordinator, Nell Shihalas, commanders run game coordinator, Anthony Lynn, and former Ravens offensive coordinator, Todd Munkin.

So not even Matt Neggie's on that list? Mad Neggie is going to be sitting on the sidelines as far as head coaching jobs. Maybe even offensive coordinator jobs, I do not believe he will be coaching in the NFL next year. So according to the Cleveland Jones. Cleveland Browns.com, which would be their website, head coach interview tracker. Matt Neggie isn't even on the list. So this makes me ask the question, is Matt Nagy not on the list by the choice of the Cleveland Browns or by Matt Nagy's choice?

Now, hold on. You have a job that seemingly nobody wants. And even then you're not interviewing him? now sometimes I think it's because you can know that it's a bad idea for both parties like I don't want to be associated with them they don't want to be associated with me neither but in this case when there's this dance that everybody does like I just mentioned we don't necessarily know what went on in the Al Harris and Green Bay Packers interview that's very interesting to me also this is of no offense to Todd Munkin local guy but when I hear

his name, I mentally picture him with his clipboard in the front part of his pants. That's appropriate because that's what he likes to do. He's on the record as saying he likes to do it and explaining why. Your waistband of your pants is there for a reason. You might as well check it. Can't fit in your pocket. If it's, yeah, if it seems like that's the right place for the clipboard, then I don't hate on him for it. But here's the, here's the hook. Is that Munkin has an understood role if this doesn't work out? Yeah, I like this new trend of guys getting coordinator jobs and then you're free to interview for head coaching jobs and then you have a fallback if it doesn't work out. Oh, so you're not sending a thank you Matt Nagy graphic?

Like, yeah, it's it. I'm like, what is happening here? Bye bye. Do you remember the old movie failure to launch? That seems like what's going on with Matt Nagy and his attempt to get back into the head coaching ranks. What if in dating? You just sent them like a thank you graph. Like a graphic. Is this like a Derrick Jeter thank you bag? What are we talking about here? You're done with this relationship.

Thank you, ex-girlfriend. I have a great setup. It did not work. Yeah, we just posted the graphic. That's how you know it's over. We sent the thank you graphic. The end. I wonder if Matt Nagy's approach to this coaching carousel is not to be sad that it's over,

but simply to be happy that it happened. that he had opportunities to interview for jobs. Who are the friends he's making along the way? I don't know that he's making that many friends along the way. Ray's just laughing over there. I'm laughing because the Los Angeles Chargers have teased out. They've put this video out about an hour ago. Oh, you saw it.

Yes, that it's like they're teasing a Mike McDonald, Mike McDaniel, ask me anything kind of format where he's reaching into a bowl with some questions. So it's just a tease. It'll come out at some point, and I'm sure it's going to be amazing. See, here's the frustrating part. I think once you get to the league as a head coach, then you can't be have fun guy anymore.

You know, you got to be like CEO guy. He was kind of fun guy still with the dolphins. And then what happened? Have you seen Dan Campbell this past year? Dan Campbell also used to be have fun guy. Yeah, Dan Campbell had a rough year. And then once you get to that coaching job, it's like, no, you have to act a certain way. nuts to that.

They also photoshop that picture, which we don't know how authentic the original picture is, but where he, Mike McDaniel pulled up to that one club. Who was the opposing team? It was the Bills. It was a Bills bar. In Miami. You know, the authenticity is questionable. But, you know, he pulled up in the photo.

He's in his car with his arm hanging out, just looking at the Bills Bar. They have, the Chargers have photoshopped that to be. him pulling up to the Los Angeles Chargers facilities. It's amazing. The Chargers social team plus Mike McDaniel. Endless possibilities. But also, if you remember, Ray, Mike McDaniel pretty much said that that was true.

Like I said, you can expect who will be on the show tomorrow. That is true. See, I would want to be have fun offensive coordinator guy. That is true. I would be like, hey, let's get weird. Seventh down. Do you know who's also a half-fun guy? Who's that?

Bill Weddington. Bill was at Derek Rose's ceremony. I think he can add a lot to being there. So we will have Bill on next. Oraheby Harrison Grody on 670 the score. Harrison Grody, Midday's 10 a.m. to 2 on Chicago Sports Radio 670 the score. The only thing you do is foul and you don't want to do that. White and play, Pritcher, touch shot.

And it's no good. But again, you can't take that shot. and the ball game is over. Bulls win! Bulls win! Bulls win! This crowd on their feet! And it just started, folks, with Derek Rhodes around the corner, but the Bulls earned this game. 111 on a Kevin Hurder left corner three ball.

Take that, Peyton Pritchard. This is Rehemi Harrison Grotie on 670 to score. I don't know why Peyton Pritchard deserved to stray. I have no idea. Nah, they beat them at their own game. You want to see threes? Here's a three for you. Take it with you. Step back.

How about the extra pass by Kobe White, too? I love a good extra pass. It was a well-designed play on an in-bounds with the game on the line, and I love it. Yes, it was on an in-bounds play. I also loved that part. Thank you for reminding me. This is Rahimi Harrison Grady on 670, the score, and there's another person who likes all of these things.

He joins us on the Circus Sports Illinois hotline. Download the Circus Sports app today. You heard Chuck Swirsky and Bill Whittington there on the call. Bill Whittington is joining us. Hi, Bill. Layla Marshall, Leather to be on with you guys. And yes,

I like extra passes as well, especially when they were to me. Everybody eats. That's the idea. What did you make of that last play? It was good play design. It was often inbound. And that was some good coaching and good execution.

It absolutely was. And the whole game was excellent. And we had, you know, I was just going over the stats tonight, because we got a game tonight. And I looked at a game. We had eight double-fitting.

figure scores and nine players played, and the one player who didn't score double figures would not be the guy you would think it was giddy. Only had four points. Now, everything else was he had 10 assists and I think six or seven rebounds and played well. But that last play was nice. Herder gets put in the game to inbound the ball. And I'm always very leery of inbounder plays.

I even told Charlie, watch, you know, Kevin, it's good that he's. he's inbounding the ball because he could step right back in and get a shot, and that's pretty much what happened, although he did drop down to the corner a little bit, but just a nice, well-read play. I mean, Kobe didn't fiddle with the ball at all. He knew that Herta was

open right away, and the defense was adjusting, and he got it down to him in the corner, and game winner right there. It's a great play. Bill, the way that this team has played of late, you know, Trey Jones goes out. He's the hero of the Minnesota game, and now,

as we kind of approach the trade deadline, what, six games away, it feels like they're starting to round into form, and they're going to give the front office some things to think about heading into this trade deadline, correct? Absolutely. They're playing real well, and it's kind of weird the way the season's broken up right now, and I was looking at that.

There'll be, after the, not the trade deadline, but after All-Star break, there will be 27 games left. So I kind of broke down the season for the first 27 games. Then there's 28 games until the All-Star break, last game being Boston. And the Bulls started off 12 and 15 in the first 27 games. I believe there'll be 15 and 12 or 15 and 12 by the middle 27 games, which we're in right now. But they're playing so well right now. Obviously with a four-game win street going on, the offense is.

flowing. The defense is better. I mean, really, we're not a good defensive team, but it's better than it has been. And obviously, when you're shooting the three-well, which is what we've done, the last four games, and you guys talked about it just before I came on, and so we beat Boston at their own game shooting threes. And if we're hitting our threes, I really honestly believe we can compete with any team in the NBA. And Billy Donovan made reference to it a game or two will go when it's pregame that we have to do it together

and if we do it together like the other night in Boston how do you beat us because everyone can score we had eight guys in double figure scoring nine guys played and Giddy normally scores double figures but it's just the second game back he's still getting

back into the rhythm of the game not really playing his full complement of minutes yet and it's it's really going to give the front office some pause to think and say, hey, you know, what's really going on with this team right now? We're talking to Bill Winnington, the Bulls Radio Network analyst and three-time NBA champion here on Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 670 the score. It was a moving tribute to Derek Rose at the United Center after the game for his Jersey retirement ceremony. Bill, what were your takeaways?

I just thought his speech to not only his teammates, but his teammates. family was so incredibly profound. Oh, absolutely. I mean, he was really, I mean, personal, personal information that was given. I mean, some of the things he talked about as brothers and what they meant to him, but some of the things that they were going through, his mom, how much she meant to him, and, you know, his, really is life story, and part of it really personal and heartfelt. You can see that he was very emotional. His teammates, when they spoke, were really

emotional, and you could see the love that they all have for the game, but each other, but especially Derek, in that tribute to his family and just what they mean to him, his mom, his brothers, and then his wife and kids as well. So very touching. I thought it was very well done.

I've been privy to go to three banner raisings now. Michael Scotties and now Derek's and they're all touching, but that was the most heartfelt and the most emotional one of all and Derek just made it that way

and really a tribute to him for what he did and said at that and respect that he has for everyone around and Bulls really did a phenomenal job. It was actually, there were 22,000 plus people at the game and I believe every

one of them stayed. Every seat was filled and it was very emotional. Bill, it kind of brought, you know, another level of the love this city has for Derek Rose. When you try to describe to someone who's either not from here or didn't live through it the way that you did, what would you say was the Derek Rose era embodied? Well, it really is where the city had one of their own, be that successful and really carry a team for the whole time he was here and was the face of the city.

And it's really great when that happens. Because a lot of teams have stars. And we had Michael Jordan here for so many years. And it was phenomenal. And I don't want to compare the two or say it. But Michael was from North Carolina. And when you can say from Chicago, and that's what Derek was, how he was introduced,

that means a lot to the people of Chicago. They're born and raised here, lived up through the hardships on the south side, and Derek brought reference to that in his speech. And, you know, he overcame all the odds. And he did some really great things for this team. And that's going to be remembered now forever up in the rafters at the United Center for the Bulls now. And it really does mean that much to see. And it's always going to.

Bill, what did you think about just the celebration of that team, too, you know, to be such a teammate and have Taj Gibson and Lugald-Dang and Tom Thibito speak the way they did? How can you speak to how much of a tight-knit group that group of Bulls is? You know, it really was that tight. And those guys, you could see the love that they have for each other, that they got choked up. and the way they revered, I was going to say poo. I guess I could say poo. Yeah. But the way they revered him and what he meant to them and how they all interacted together.

And that's why that team was successful. And the most successful teams that I've been on in my life have been close-knit teams like that, where guys really cared about each other and treated each other as family and worked together because you didn't want to let each other down. and you can see that in them and how they loved each other and talked about each other. And even Tom Thibito speaking about Derek and that team, every time they talked about it, it's always with love as family. And it is so neat to see that.

And that's why that team was successful. I wonder, Bill, tonight's game, the Lakers could be the last time we saw. see LeBron in Chicago? Do you say that hopingly or? Well, no, just realistically, right? Like, the man's been playing basketball forever. How do you really feel? Come on, tell me.

No, I, you know what? I feel like I have marveled at this man's ability to just keep coming back season after season and realizing every time he comes back, he doesn't look like a guy who's done, you know? Yeah, yep. No, I agree with that. And just one of the stats I was looking at just a little while ago as I prepared for the game is, I think he's, you know, I think he's, you know,

he's third in the league in fast break points at 41 years old. That's insane. Really? Like how? Like what? I mean, that's just when you think about that, it's like, wow, one of the oldest guy, or really the oldest guy in the league right now and just still getting down the floor and third in the league and fast break points, that's pretty amazing.

So the longevity of his career and for, you know, it's not like he's a role player playing, you know, 10 minutes a game. He's played 30 plus minutes a game his whole career. So it really is when you look at it that way, an amazing feat. And honestly, with what he does, I mean, he's on a good team now. He's, you know, arguably, you could argue that he's still the best player. I don't think so. I think the guys, Lukic is always, obviously, I think he's better. And Reeves is stepping up. But he's got some help and playing well. And if he can accept that role, I mean, he could still play for another few years because he still adds to what that team, what any team could do if he takes that role as maybe a secondary

or even third player on a team. But, you know, what he does and the knowledge that he has and how he can help a team is still amazing. He averaged 8.2 assists a game over 70 games last year. It's just ridiculous. He makes guys better. That's what great players do. And I think the assist number speaks to that. Bill, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate the time. Thanks, Bill. Alana. Marshall, always a pleasure. Anytime.

And don't forget, you can listen to Bill tonight. They host, as we mentioned, the Bulls are hosting LeBron James, Luca Donchich, and the Lakers at the United Center. Pre-game coverage begins at 645. Tip-off is at 7 on the score in the Fitzgerald equipment Bulls Radio Network powered by heli forklists.

We thought about the weather that affected the AFC championship game yesterday. And it was brought up talking about the weather and how that will help some teams, looks outside in Chicago. But it will also cause a lot of other teams to want to build domes. That said,

I hold in my hand some information that has come across my desk regarding the latest on the Bears Stadium developments. And we asked the question. Does every team need to have a dome now? We'll do it next. talking about the fact that everybody seems to be in the dome business now and they want to build a stadium. It makes sense. You get more use out of it. You can use it year round. The cost,

in these cases is worth the benefit. It stinks because, like, bare weather doesn't become as much of the thing. So that's unfortunate. So as people try to figure out entities try to figure out whether or not it's worth it to build a dome on their stadium. And you saw even Kurt Warner be upset by how much the weather factored into that game. Of course, the quarterback wants to see more offense. You also get the flip side of it knowing that you can use it for concerts. You can use it for other events at bad times of year like now. Then the news came across thanks to Kerry. This is from Capital Fax, FACS. Capital Fax is a pretty respected news site when it comes to what's going on in Springfield. There were a couple of nuggets in here, mostly the reiteration of the reiteration of

the fact that the bears were have reportedly wanted about give or take a few dollars 895 million for infrastructure just infrastructure when it comes to arlington heights that in and of itself is not exactly noteworthy that seemed to be the price that was what a lot of people understood that's not as much of a surprise but as we look down there's more details in this marshal when you look at the deadlines, right? Because shovels in the ground 2025 not happening. Now we're focused on shovels on the ground, 2026. Did you have a shovel in the ground at any time?

Do you have snow or whatever? I don't shovel because I park inside and I just have like the brush and the scraper and all this. I don't have a snow shovel. Brush on the ground? Maybe a brush on the ground. Congratulations. Brush on the ground. So here's the key part of this article here.

The legislative calendars in each state, Indiana, Illinois, give Indiana an advantage. Indiana state law requires adjournment by March 14th, but Hoosier legislative leaders have said they want to adjourn by February 27th. Oh, some of y'all got spring break trips, eh? Yeah. Indiana's House Speaker said last week that he won't run a bill unless the Bears commit to moving to his state. If he sticks to his guns, he could force the team to pick a state well ahead of the February 27th deadline.

And that's one month and one day from now. I've got to cheer, everybody. Pick a state. Pick a state. Pick a state. Hawaii. Now, conversely, the Illinois legislature usually doesn't do much

until after the March primary. Alaska! So getting something done or on the table this month would be way out of character, although it would also be a tell. I think that's what this is. I think somebody was like, enough of this.

I got a spring break trip. Spring break at a lot of states is the third week of March. That is a thing. And I don't blame anybody from being like, I ruining my spring break for this. Figure it out. Either you want to be with us or you don't. Here's a deadline.

Pick a staple. And so is this what it's come to? How about Massachusetts? It can be nice in the summer. No. Not Massachusetts. Pick a state. I don't have another state.

Iowa? Sure. Did you say Iowa? I went to Iowa this year. Yeah, I've been Iowa. Last year, not this year. Yeah. I've been Iowa many times.

Iowa City's a good time. The air lighter had good pizza. Listen, seriously, though, like, I think we all have a bit of stadium fatigue. Is that a fair way to put it? Kentucky. No. not Kentucky.

There's bourbon there. There is bourbon. Is this like when Lisa and the Simpsons had to be Florida and Homer created the costume and it was terrible? Oh, I remember that. What about Wisconsin? I'm not Florida. What about Wisconsin? What about Wisconsin?

Lela, Wisconsin. The Dells? That Door County? I'm just saying Wisconsin is right there. There's two parts of Michigan we can choose from. The upper peninsula and the main part of? The hand. The hand. Where are you from on the hand? Yes.

That's what this is. You're right. It's calling the bluff. So if that's the case, we're going to find out how quickly they may be using Indiana's name or Indiana's sincerity when it comes to getting the Bears in actual stadium. They did create, as you know, an entity to put together funding for this, to issue bonds. And we are in agreement. Indiana is dead serious about this. Yeah, you don't go through any sort of the legislative rigmarole unless there's a reason. They enacted the right procedural process to say, we would like to get this done. We are going to write a law that says we will get the taxes through this body of entity, the public entity. You just use one of my favorite words.

I just want to point that out. What's that? Rigomeral. Yes. So if that's the case, they're serious. It's just a matter of how serious they are. and $895 million as we've discussed seems to be in the ballpark of what we thought the bears were asking for from the state of Illinois.

By the time they get it done, it'll be a square billion. But here's the thing. It's the difference of what's left that seems to be the sticking point here. What is the difference of what's left? Somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 billion, am I correct? That seems like a lot of money. That's just me saying it out loud. but the state of Illinois has said we will give you the money for the infrastructure I don't

think that that was ever in question right it's just the rest of it the subsidizing no the subsidy nobody wants anything subsidized because you're a company worth what at last what check valuation 10 billion 9.9 yeah so rounded up yeah 9.8 9.9 so it's hard for anyone with real needs in this economy specifically to feel that bad about the bears. And weighing that versus, are you okay with being the administration which lets the bears leave the state of Illinois? It's a guaranteed eight or nine regular season dates a year. So I'm pretty sure that given the way the bears played this past season, people would be willing to drive to Indiana to be at a bear's home game. And if not, that's a okay. It's well within your rights. But I know people would go. I don't think they'd have any

problems selling at the stadium like they wouldn't say Jacksonville. Wow. You just bring that because I brought up the tarps. Well, but it's a good point though. And we were talking about all the stadiums that want to build domes, you know, or the cities that want to build dome stadiums, I should say a stadium can't build itself yet. Well, the whole point is the more use you can get out of said dome, the more money it can make and profit. And, you know, you see it right now, Kansas City is going to get a dome. Tennessee Titans are going to get a dome. And basically, I think Jacksonville is going to get a dome. Everybody's getting a – if you're building a stadium now, it's to get a dome.

Well, and it makes sense. Weather can't be a factor in how some of these events go. You've got too much money involved in them. You can't afford to have weather be a problem. It stinks because it takes away one huge aspect of strategy and part of football. It's kind of like taking the designated hitter out of the American League or adding it to the National League or something along those lines. You're changing the game.

You're changing the traditional part of it. The game evolves, and this reminds me of my college roommate who was from Detroit, and he just used to be like, yeah, they won't come play Big Ten schools and Big Ten weather when both season comes. I was like, bro, nobody wants to go to those games. But I was wrong because here we have a college football playoff where they actually do play on campus really, really late into the season. Yeah, and it did affect things.

It affects how you play. But college, I don't think they're going to be as ready to build domes. But in this case, in the NFL cities, it makes sense. 815, Buffalo will be a dome. Yeah, so they don't have to worry about it there. And that's going to be big for them as well. Coming up next, Jaron Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 670 to the score. We are joined by Bear Senior Writer for the athletic, Dan Weirer next.

I have three words for you. Hope, Dome.