Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - 5 On It & Danny Parkins joins the show (Hour 3)

Episode Date: February 18, 2026

In the third hour, Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris discussed a variety of sports topics in the 5 On It segment. After that, FS1 host Danny Parkins joined the show to discuss the NBA landscape and whether the Bears should pursue Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby on the trade market.

The score. It's time for five on it. Rahini Harrison Rooney. Bring you five topics on their minds today. On 104-3, the score. I got five on it. Number one. Bears running back, DeAndre Swift, is heading into the final year of his contract and is hoping

to return to Chicago. Swift told Jason Leisure of the Sun-Times the following quote, I have no idea, but hopefully I did enough for them to want me back because I know I don't want to go anywhere else. I hope it plays itself out that way. I love the city. I love the coaching staff and love the men that I work with. That's out of my control. But if I had it my way, I'd be back.

I don't want to play nowhere else. Quote, so that's DeAndre Swift talking to the Sun-Times. On a scale of 1 to 10 on the newly created, bring that man back meter. Where would you rate the likelihood that we see Swift playing in a bear's uniform in 2026? Nine, because of an aim broke, don't fix it. Like, what did we spend the entire pre-draft discussion doing last year? trying to figure out whether or not the Bears wanted Ashton Genty.

And at the time we saw that it was probably a referendum on DeAndre Swift and knowing his history with Ben Johnson's offense in the Lions, we knew that there was a possibility they might go in a different direction because they did in Detroit. But in this case, the running back room wasn't the ultimate problem here. It's not the positions of need. I understand that Swift is in the last year of a deal and it's very team friendly. But I think that might be penny wise and pounded.

foolish to get rid of somebody who had a career year. After having a career year, the year before he came here when he was with Philadelphia. So I understand why it's a possibility and it's because of the writing of the contract, but I do not think that this is the right use of the Bears effort or roster capital to get rid of him for a very small reason to have a very big risk of the run game, which the offense is predicated on not function as well as they would like. You've got it at nine. I'm going to say seven and here's why. I don't disagree with anything really that you said in terms of what the bears got out of the

running back position and that it was not an issue and there's so many other issues they could upgrade or flat out correct between last season and next season. The reason I have it as a seven so not quite as high is because the cap hit is real. the $8.8 million, dead cap is only 1.3. They're looking for ways to probably save money. And at age 27 going into the next season, that's when running backs get quote-unquote questionable. They are highly replaceable.

The closer they get to 30 is a concern. And so I could see a way of them drafting maybe another running back, pairing them with Kalmanungai and turning them loose, and then saving $7 million of Kemp. cap space. Yeah, it's just, Benangai doesn't have the same running profile and receiving profile that DeAndre Swift does.

And that's why I like them together. But I think it might be harder to find a DeAndre Swift type than it is to just retain DeAndre Swift. Number two. The Cardinals are rumored to be quote unquote intrigued by Bears backup quarterback Tyson Baygent. Would you be on board with the Bears trading Bayesian? And if so, what would you expect in return?

Case Keenham's still out here, right? So, yeah, if Tyson Bayesian can fetch you something, an undrafted free agent that you signed off the street, and you can get, let's say, a third-round pick for him? You know what? Scratch that. We'll call it a conditional second-round pick that becomes a third-rounder if he doesn't hit certain milestones,

like if he doesn't start any games. People are saying that, like, Bill Barnwell suggested, like a third or fourth for DJ Moore. I know that's a cap hit thing. Yeah. But still. Yeah, Tyson Bayesian is that, somebody might think Tyson Bayesian could be a starter for them.

I think the Raiders. So, complimentary of him. If you're going to give somebody else a starting quarterback, second round pick sounds like a smart play. And I say conditional, because if he doesn't end up being the starter, then you still get a third round pick.

If they got a second round pick for Tyson, or a third, you trade. Period. you know how I feel about the Bears and third round picks. Dangerous. Smart thing by not drafting anybody in the third round last year. But now they might, and under this condition, they would get an extra third round pick. Which scares me because of that.

But that's a huge value, if that's the case. I think the Bears signed Tyson Bayesian to a contract they thought he was worth. I think that they understand he put in the work and he does the most to get the most out of himself. But I also think that because of that, a lot of other NFL teams are pleasantly intrigued by him, too. It doesn't surprise me that the Cardinals are out here saying something. I think given the fact that the league had a third of it, change head coaches, I bet there's another team that might be interested in his services as well for at least a stopgap measure until perhaps a new quarterback draft class is unveiled.

You know, if you don't like this year's or you don't think your team is in the position to get somebody, Cardinals make sense based on that timing. So I think it's more of a compliment to Tyson Bayton and a compliment to the Bears' roster choices and contract than it is necessarily a statement about a team and where they may be at in the NFL. When there's that much turnover at the top of that many organizations, then they're going to want to bring in not only new people, but their own people.

Right. And there's a lot of musical chairs going around. there'll be people who are left out of this eventual musical chairs once the music stops, but also new opportunities for guys who maybe had a different role on one team, and now a better role opens up on another team. It's not unlike the coaches when you see a guy who was a linebacker's coach become a defensive coordinator for someone else or a receiver's coach or a quarterback coach, become an offensive coordinator for someone else.

It's a step up for everybody. Yeah, or if somebody's buying you time, I think, I think Tyson Baygett is one of the, those guys who can buy you time. Case Canaan, by the way, did just as of yesterday turned 38 years old. I don't even know that that matters anymore given I saw Joe Flacco out here in the Unk Bowl. Joe Flacco was doing it. Joe Flacco versus Aaron Rogers. So I don't even know that that's a concern at this point in time. Just flashback to Joe Flacco's appearance against the Bears last season. That's it. Yeah. That's what I'm saying. So 40 is not a concerning number for a lot of quarterbacks. I don't, when it's a problem for Case Keenham, I think he'll let us know.

And in the meantime, if the Bears can get a significant asset for Tyson-Bagent, they should explore the possibility. Secret Baygent man. Five on it. Number three. This is five on it on 104.3, the score with Laila Rahimi and Marshall Harris. Here's question number three. The Cubs are hoping infielder Matt Shaw can be their super utility player,

which would include time in the outfield. what Shaw told reporters about his outfield experience, courtesy of Markey Sports Network. Outfield's been a lot of fun, so I have a lot of experience out there just from being a younger kid, playing a lot of outfields, so it's been fun for sure. I mean, I played a ton like just growing up. I had two of the brothers, so I played out for them all the time. Played outfield, summer ball, my freshman year, and then, you know, I've played here and there in college a little bit, too.

Yeah, that's Matt Shaw talking about his quote-unquote outfield experience. on a scale of 1 to 10 on the confidence meter, where would you rate your level of belief in Shaw's defensive ability in the outfield? After hearing those comments. Why do you say it like that? Because the text that I sent you guys when I sent this clip to you

was this don't do much for my confidence right here. Now I have to give my answer as a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. After hearing that, I'm interested to hear Leila and Marshall what you have to say about it. I'm going to lay it out very plainly. It's a 7.5 for me. He's an athlete.

The position he's playing currently is harder than the position that they're asking him to play in the outfield. I think he can run. Obviously, he has a good glove. He has a strong arm. It may take a minute to recalibrate, but I like the idea that Matt Shaw can adjust and assimilate to the outfield.

Was I the only one who watched the film yesterday? Did you guys watch the film? Oh, there's film? Okay, I did not do the film study. I didn't do the film study, so maybe I'm wrong. He caught the ball. Okay. There were some interesting paths, but he caught the ball.

He tried to just do the classic outfielder one-on-one, keep your nose to the ball. And frankly, that's not always done in Major League Baseball. So that's going to, best practices here will help you. But I think the bigger concern is, you're number one process. last year, he clearly has an investment from the organization as far as importance and now time. And I just, I again wonder, is this the best return on their investment? Is this the best way to get the best return on their investment? He's doing what he's been asked to do, which is a good thing.

But should your number one prospect from last year be a utility player? Like I worry about it all as a whole More than I break it down By individual concern here But then again, the Cubs are also the same team Who decided to platoon their cleanup hitter So I don't know that that was the best idea either Wait

You saw the film Did it not look like a guy who was just starting out as far as He's doing the very Fundamental things and then Nose to the ball We can believe that he will adjust accordingly as days and weeks go on. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Okay. So you're watching the film. If we had to go back, remember the debate shortly after the trade and you find out

Camp Smith is going to break in with the big league team, leave camp with the big league team and be the everyday right fielder for the Houston Astros. Yes. Camp Smith's natural position is not outfield. Yes. How is this that different from that? I think the difference was the Astros have enough of, they had enough non-question marks elsewhere to where they had a plan for Cam Smith. This is like, we had a plan for other people. This is where you're going to have to go. Yeah, but I think that is a plan for Matt Shaw.

And it's not like Matt Shaw is going to be playing every day in right field. It's just can he play in right field? We're finding that out. I think he can play in the outfield. I think he's going to blame. But you're right. Third base is a much more difficult position. Yeah.

I just, I guess I have a, when Ray said one, that threw me, because I don't know what number I thought he was going to say, but I did not think it would be that low. I understand why there's questions. There should be questions. He hasn't done this before,

or he hasn't done it since college, according to him, right? But I think you have to say, this guy is an athlete. He should be able to do them the least. you know, I was talking about doing too much or doing the most. He should be able to do the least out in right field. And we'll see together whether or not he can do it.

But I have, I guess, a great deal more faith. What was your number, by the way? I said 7.5, very said one. Oh, yeah. Let me see what I said. The confidence meter. Not that I feel like it necessarily matters. His belief, defensive ability in the outfield, six.

You'll get there eventually. I've seen some bad outfield. Elohimenez comes to mind. So, oh, no. So, okay, don't hurt yourself and don't hurt others. Is that fair? Can I go negative on the confidence meter now that you've brought up the name of Eloy? Guys, that's all.

Don't play left field like Yuloi Jimenez. You're in right field, so that takes care of part of it on its own. The Chicago bar is very low when you ring up Yeloy. That's true. That's kind of my point here. But is this the best for him as a player? Somehow you've made me feel better. Raising it up to three on the confidence meter for me.

Well, look. Don't be a liability. Don't commit errors. But the errors are the problem here because we've seen some people literally drop the ball and therefore the game in right field when things got hot. Oh, yeah. I'll one up you. Have you guys ever seen Adam Dunn playing the outfield?

Yeah, that's true. You guys are making me feel better about the situation. I'm going up two or four and a half on the confidence meeting. Wow. We got them from a one to a four and a half. Great job. And then we got some other stories of outfields past. 815.

I have PTSD from Andrew Vaughn playing in the outfield. Oh, my. Then 773, Eloy. I mean, like, I'd by that far removed from Elo Jimenez. You're right. You're right. And Eloy wanted to play in left field. Like, that was the most random part of it all.

He didn't want to be just a DH. Maybe he should have stuck to the plan. I don't know why. And, like, I can't really question. Like, his, when he was hitting well, it was so good that I was like, okay, do these things have to go together for you to be like this? So that's why I bring it up in this nature. You're right.

That classic case, Marshall, as you brought it up, to Eloy, classic case is doing too much. Kyle Schwerber got hurt in left field. I don't feel like this is doing too much. The goal should be, do not hurt yourself, do not hurt others. Am I still talking about professional sports? Evidently. That can apply to other fields.

Number four. According to ESPN's Pete Thammle, NIU coach, Thomas Hammack is being hired. as the Seahawks new running backs coach slash senior offensive assistant. He's expected to become the highest paid running backs coach in the league. Hammock chose Seattle over multiple NFL opportunities. What do you think of the move? I think great for Thomas Brown.

Or Thomas Hammock, sorry. Yeah, you felt me. I was going to get there, Ray. Don't worry. So great for Thomas Hammock because that is a huge step up. I mean, he very well could get another Super Bowl ring. Yeah, when you think about it that way, that's absolutely massive. And for NIU, he did the most with the talent that he had, and beating Notre Dame is obviously the high point of his tenure there.

It should be. You know, that's how you make hay in the college football world, and those upsets are becoming fewer and more far between now that the new conference set up and NIL exists. So I don't blame him at all for wanting to go to. to Seattle to be the running backs coach. I think that's fantastic. Also, just look at what happened with Eric Biedemie recently, the former Bears running backs coach. He's now with the Kansas City Chiefs where he also has a good chance of getting a ring.

And he's the offensive coordinator. It's an upwardly mobile position, as we have seen. I think we can all say that we would not be surprised if Thomas Hammock ends up being someone's assistant head coach or associate head coach. and having a bigger role in the NFL, he's proven he can win. Right.

But in college, there's too many pitfalls now, especially in the Mac, especially as one of the lowest paid coaches, not only in the Mac, but in all of Division I in terms of the FBS. Now he doesn't have that pressure of not only recruiting, but re-recruiting your own players, and then going into the transfer portal,

knowing if you have a good season, your best players are definitely gone into the transfer portal. That's a lot less stress for Thomas Hammack, And now he gets to coach running backs on a team that, if I remember correctly, was pretty good at running the football last year. So, yeah, this is a dub for Thomas Hammock. And it might be a cautionary tale for a lot of head coaches or would-be head coaches at the college ranks in terms of how much more difficult that job is now

compared to, say, five years ago, let alone 10 years ago. Number five. It's five on it at 104.3. The score. Final question on the Mind Game Pod, Lakers, Star, Bron James said he gave up a couple of his favorite indulgences. So I wasn't playing, obviously, as the season started. Yeah.

You know, so I needed to give up something. Yeah. I got to sacrifice something and I actually did two things that I very love. And that is drinking wine and my chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I completely took it out. So I was like, okay, I wasn't playing. I missed, obviously, I missed the first 14 games of the season. It wasn't playing in November.

I missed all of training camp, everything. I was like, all right, I got to do, I got to take something out. I got to sacrifice something, you know, and for the whole month of November, I was like, I'm going to do no desserts and no wine, no liquor, no nothing for the whole month of November. And yeah, I did that. And I actually went all the way once I got to December. I was like, oh. Keep going.

I kept going. And I didn't have my first drink and my first piece of dessert until New Year's. New Year's night. So I end up going basically two months. That's pretty impressive. Yeah, yeah. The chocolate chip

cooking part, but the ice cream is probably the hardest for me. It's LeBron James on the Mind Game Pod. What's your favorite indulgence?

And could you actually go two months without it like LeBron? I can go 40 days. That's usually what I do during Lent. This year it's going to be sweets and like

any unnecessary shopping of any kind. And I'm not talking like, oh, but I needed that fan or something for my house. I'm saying like anything that isn't like running out of something that you need, a la like toilet paper, paper towels, clean out the pantry, clean out the freezer, that type of thing.

So that is where I'm at this year. My sweet tooth had gotten too aggressive. And I think that I'm giving up shopping of any, of any necessary kind is unnecessary kind is a pretty good way to get more disciplined. If you added 20 more days, could you do it? Probably at that point, because I just give myself the pep talk. You didn't come this far to only come this far. But that's it.

Because even some days, it's like those two little dove chocolate squares, and I'll keep it at two. Because you know how I like to ration my resources, Ray? I've talked about that from a content standpoint. So yes, those are the two for me that I had probably needed to curtail. I don't have a good answer for this And here's why I feel like every indulgence that I've ever had I've given up for 60, 90 days

You talked about the drinking before During the pandemic you altered that, right? Yeah, I definitely don't even need alcohol anymore I occasionally get a little sweet tea On my unsweet tea The desk knows all about it right there Thank you Ray for the reminder RIP.

Yeah, RIP iced tea Man, there was so much tea 30 ounces of tea just everywhere. It just kept going. It just kept going. For like hours. That's definitely what she said. That's not what she said.

Down goes Anderson. Down goes Anderson. So many White Sox references. Man, that was a sad White Sox reference. Okay, so if I could think of something just off the top, maybe nuts? Like peanuts, cashews. Do's nuts? Not these nuts, those nuts.

Yes. But yeah, nuts are healthy. I love them. I don't know. That's all I got. That's all I got. I can give it up, though. I can give up anything.

There's nothing I can't give up. Can you give up giving up stuff? Well, then I would just do whatever I want. For 60 days, how long would you last? You'd be like Shia LeBuff in New Orleans right now. What the hell are the headlines surrounding that guy? Did you see the one that said he's terrorizing the city? Yes.

A hurricane, a category five hurricane terrorized the city and it survived. What the hell is that guy doing? He's Shia LaBuffin. Let that man live. That guy's being compared to an actual natural disaster, Shia LaBuff. He's also a natural disaster. Can he act his way out of this? No.

Is it an eagle eye? Is that my favorite Shia LaBuff movie? You have one? Right, I was thinking of the same thing. You didn't like Transformers? I didn't watch enough of it. I don't think Transformers is another. necessarily about Shile Abuff's acting.

But he sure did get arrested at a Walgreens in Chicago while filming. Trying to get in when he shouldn't have been. Are you serious? We would never say he was terrorizing the city, though. We'd just be like, you're acting stupid. Eagle Eye was my jam in 2008, and it was very future predictive. It depends on how you feel about Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps. Like, I'm watching that from Michael Douglas to continue the plot.

That's the sequel, right? Yeah. Greets still good. Let me just tell you. Look around. An entire culture of people created a whole ethos based around a movie character. Good times. Gordon, get go. Danny Parkins is up next.

I could do Stephen A's job, guys. It's not that far. Danny Parkins. QB1 party. All are invited. Host of Fox Sports Wands, first thing first. Coming in number six, though, the team that should be the favorites in the NFC North, though, the odds makers say they're the third best team.

My Chicago Bears. Why can't the Chicago Bears be the best offense in football? The Bears, plenty of reason to doubt them. Caleb Williams, no. Former host of 670 The Score before he abandoned us. That's the Caleb Williams custom, baby. Jersey number one is going to the Raptors. You guys made it seem like a Chicago Bears fans.

We had our guy, Danny Parkis, all these guys. Danny Parkins on 1043, the score. Wait just a minute. Did I see Danny Parkins on Not Just? the expanded hour of first things first. Why, yes, I did. He was talking to Tyler Reddick. He is hosting all three hours of First things first this week from two to five on Fox Sports One.

He is at Danny Parkins on X. And he joins us on Twitch. Twitch.tv slash the score Chicago via our circus sports Illinois hotline. Download the circus sports app today. Yeah, Danny, I saw you talking to Tyler Reddick about the Daytona 500. NASCAR Danny was revving up. Yeah, listen, you know, not even pretending to be a huge NASCAR guy,

but I am a huge story guy. Tyler Reddick's story is incredible. You know, it's one thing, you know, listen, having Michael Jordan as your boss is one thing. Like, that's pretty cool. So we talk to him about that and what he talks to Mike about. And so that was cool for me for sure. But, you know, his two kids and his eight-month-old was sick.

and had a tumor growing on his kidney that was leading to heart failure. And he had to have like emergency surgery a couple of months ago. But they get the tumor out, they get the kidney out, the heart starts functioning normally. He starts developing normally. And in the lead up to the Daytona 500, he crawled for the first time. So like his kid was like crawling up and pulling himself up on the Daytona Trophy. It was just, I thought it was a beautiful story. and it was a really cool moment.

So, you know, am I a big autosport guy? No, but I love a good human interest story, so it was great. But that's how you get hooked. There are a ton of storylines, and the Michael Jordan connection to this is pretty significant because we were talking about it yesterday, Mark Grady, Danny, that may have been the happiest MJ has looked since when exactly after that win at Daytona.

I thought it was pretty funny that he, like, intentionally recreated the trophy-hugging photo. He said he felt like he had won a championship. I have a hard time believing that's 100% true, but he's obviously a crazy person. So, you know, like whatever it is, right? Like when his fishing team does well, when he wins a couple of grand at the grove off somebody, like the guy loves competition. And so I guess the LeBron Jordan debate is now settled. You know, Jordan got a trophy in another sport.

So I guess it's now over. that's a good point. I'm curious, Danny, like, do you cry when football season ends? Because I feel like that is your one true passion. And I know we're talking good human interest stories and everything else. But come on, Dan, and we know what you're here for. You know, you know why you're here. Yeah, well, I'm here to raise my kids and, you know, be a good husband. No. Listen, that too, that too. I love the NFL. I think it's the best product in sport by far. But we do a lot of NFL offseason stuff here at FS1.

We get to take vacations in the offseason. I'm going to the Bahamas coming up in a few days. So, you know, it's funny. I love the NFL, but our work schedule during the NFL is so insane that by the time the playoffs come around, I'm like, man, when does NFL end? And then we do, you know, we'll do combine and draft and free agency and, you know, all sorts of NFL things that it never. It never really ends, but I'm a huge NBA guy, Marshall.

I wrote a book on coaching and management structure and basketball. These playoffs should be amazing, especially the Western Conference. So, you know, NBA, Tiger Woods teasing the Masters. I'm a huge golf fan. So when football season ends, I actually get to take vacation and get to play golf and don't have to stay up crazy late every night, watching games. So, you know, it's seasons. Danny, who's your favorite?

Who's your favorite in the NBA? I'm just curious since you're, you know, basketball guy. Who's your favorite? I mean, I think the Thunder versus the field, I think, is actually like a fair bet. Really? Even with the emergence of Wimbunyama and some other things going on and not full health for Oklahoma City. Yeah, well, I think Oklahoma City will get healthy. And I know that the Spurs are four and one against the Thunder this year.

But a lot of that was without Jalen Williams, who I still do think is the Thunder's second best player. and I think that they're playing with their food a little bit now that they realize that they're not going to set the wins record because they've already, the Thunder have already matched last year's loss total, but if you go by point differential, it's the third best point differential in the last 50 years. First is last year's Oklahoma City Thunder, second are the 96 Bulls,

and then third are this year's Thunder. So I still think the Thunder are clearly the best team. The Spurs are so fun and so interesting. thing, but they are so young. Are they going to really go from no playoff experience to winning four consecutive rounds in the playoffs, led by a 20-year-old

with Dylan Harper coming up behind at 19 and 20? I love Vassell, Castle, Deeran Fox, Wemby, like, it's a very exciting team. I think the Western Conference finals are going to be like the NFC title game in the NFL where

whoever wins the West wins the title. I don't think anyone out of the east can put up much of a fight this year, though my pick is the Cavs, but Boston's a great story. Detroit's a great story. But I still think that I would make it basically even money, Thunder versus the field, and probably take the Thunder. Fun fact about Danny Marshall.

And this was after Thunder and Bulls opener number one, not the one that you and I were at, but the one the year before that. I remember that one too. And Danny was, we were all there, and Danny said this on one of the shows immediately afterwards. and I agreed with you because it was such a leap at that point to the realized product that was SGA. Danny was like the first person saying SGA MVP.

He was like you could make the argument that SGA was MVP worthy that season. And I agreed with you. I don't know if you were called that part. I forgot. I forgot we watched that game together, Lela, but I do reference that game all the time. Yeah, the opener two years ago. I was like, oh. Well, I was just like, listen, I'm not going to say I thought he was for a shoe.

into be MVP, but I remember distinctly thinking like, oh, like, there's, he can get anywhere he wants on the basketball court at any time. Like, he's like, he's like, the movement in the ease in which he got to his spots and, and all of that was just like very apparent that he had taken a leap and he's a spectacular athlete with spectacular length. And, you know, the ball was in his hands so much. I was like, yeah, that's the type of guy who can be, uh, an MVP of a league. And so, yeah, I do consider that one of my better calls. A lot of people, a lot of people liked the Thunder last year. But yeah, I've picked them now.

This will be my third year in a row picking them, and I think I'm going to go two for three. Well, and like, before we get to a football topic, that I do want to get your thoughts on the Caleb and Max Crosby discussion if you've heard about it or just what your thoughts are on Max. Oh, it's leading our show today at first things first. Perfecto. Okay, so just right before that, though,

there was something about the way that SGA was using his body in the lane, just so really efficiently in that game that I feel like, You just knew in that moment he had unlocked who he was going to be as a professional. Yeah, because it was not like the Bulls were like a lockdown defensive team, but like it was just, you know, again, like getting to a spot when you want to, any time you want to, you know, that Kobe was able to do that. Obviously, Mike was able to do that. And I'm not saying that he is necessarily ever going to reach like those guys' levels in terms of legend status.

But he's pretty freaking ridiculous. Like in terms of a, I mean, he was a top 15 defensive player in the sport last year, and he was a league leader in points per game, and they, you know, won what, 67, 68 games, and they won a championship. Like, it was an all-time guard season in NBA history when you factor in, you know, all defensive ranks, points per game leader, 65 plus wins, and a championship led by a guard who won MVP. like it's a very I think it's literally him and Michael Jordan

that have done that. So it's a he's a very, very impressive player. I get why everyone has you know, he's the type of guy also kind of like Kobe who he might never be regarded as the best player in the league but we'll win a bunch of titles

because like Yokic is the best player in the league and then he might pass that baton to Wemby and SGA might never actually like hold the belt. But at the end of the day, he'll be the one who's like, oh yeah, but I also have four rings and two MVPs. And he could win MVP this year, by the way. I still think he could win this year if he plays enough games. He very well could.

Okay, so we spend an hour talking about Caleb Williams and Max Crosby. What do you think? I mean, listen, I think that like the underlying thing about the whole thing is obviously how much Crosby likes and respects Caleb. And I don't know that Crosby is going to like pull the lever to demands the trade, but like he's been flirting with it for a while, and we know that Ryan Poles has traded a second round pick for Montez Sweat, and we know that the Bears have the 25th pick in the draft. So like, if Ryan Poles deems that there are only 22 players worthy of a

first round grade, so that that's a, that's really a second round talent that you would get at 25, but you'd have to pay them like a first rounder, that makes it a lot easier to trade the 25th pick in the draft. So I think that there's a real chance that the bear, make that offer centered around that pick for Crosby. And I think Crosby would be open to coming to Chicago. And obviously it would be a huge financial investment in the position, but it's a huge need for the Bears. So like that's one.

But then, you know, Crosby and so many guys praising Caleb for how, you know, impressive and how impressed they were with him. And Caleb saying, you know, that he wants to have the best offense. It's like, well, I've said this since the season ended. We should hold them to the standard. of being the best offense in football next year. Like that, now that doesn't mean if they finished as the third best offense that they were disappointing. But like if Ben Johnson is what I think he is as a coach and Caleb Williams is what I think he is as a talent,

and they bring back their entire offensive line or get better at left tackle, we'll see. But at least 80% of the offensive line returns. And Burden, Udunze, Manungai, Loveland and Caleb are all 23 and under. and they all have continuity in this perfect modern offense. I legitimately think if they're the seventh best offense in football next year, it's a disappointment. So, you know, I think that just the validation of his peers, Caleb's standards for himself, and then the dream of Crosby teaming up with the Bears to be the missing piece on Caleb's rookie deal. I just thought there were a lot of things that hung over that conversation.

No, you're absolutely right. Top offense is the standard, should be the standard. And it was good to hear Caleb say it out loud. Yeah. And again, there's a lot of competition there, right? They think they can have the best offense in the league. Let's just think about it. The Rams think they could have the best offense in the league.

The Niners think they could have the best offense in the league. The Lions think they could have the best offense in the league. The Jaguars think they can have the best. We'll throw the bears in there. The Bengals, the Cowboys. No, it's a wildest. open rate, not wide open, but like, there's a lot, there's a lot of teams that like their fans are saying the same thing right now. And who like for stretches of time this year, you know, like the Jags offense, the last eight games was better than the Bears' offense.

The Bears need to do it more consistently. They need to start hotter. But if they can do it, how they played at the end of games for the full length of the games and they're so young. So there's, there's a lot of teams that are vying for that title. But I do think, given the coach, the quarterback in the age, and the continuity up front, I do think it's in play. Danny, you're right. And the other part is all of those teams are also judging themselves through the lens of being the best offense in the NFL. So it's the right, it's the right calibration point. Danny, this has been great. We look forward to starting off the show with the Big Caleb and Max Crosby News.

Yeah, yeah. Thanks for being flexible with the time for me today. I appreciate it. And I'm on vacation next week, but we'll pick it back up in March, including I'll tease a little, little announcement for the scorelisters. All right. Well, enjoy your vacation, man. You've earned it.

Bahamas are fun. Sounds good. Thank you. Thanks, Danny. Happy vacation. That is Danny Parkins with a two-week wait for the big announcement. Call that a tease. A deep tease, in fact, is what we would call that. It is. It is absolutely.

And in the meantime, Inhab talked to Marquis Sports Network about the resignation of players association president, Tony Clark. He also says, something that I haven't heard anybody else say yet when it comes to the conversation around the 2027 season. So I want to bring that to you next. Amy Harrison Grody. Can you imagine Lovey Smith doing the whole good, better, best thing?

And saying bleep the Packers. Come on, guys, good better best. Never let it rest. I'll see you on Tuesday. Middays 10 to 2 on 1043, the score. I've been waiting to break. Oh, there it is. This is thuggish-ruggish bone, at least. This isn't crossroads. It's the thuggish-ruggish bone. Listen here, if it wasn't Ash Wednesday, I might go outside and get myself some boneless buffalo wings just to support everybody involved in this important case. Get you some cauliflower wings, Layla, come on.

cauliflower wings are excellent, and I love Franks Red Hot. You know that. Could just make them myself while I'm at it. This is Rahimi Harrison Grotie. I'm 104-3, the score. And we spent the entire 11 o'clock hour talking about court stuff. Mike Floreo is on. We're all very curious to see what happens with Brian Flores' suit against the NFL.

Then there's the matter of what's going on with the MLB Players Association. And then, yes, there was a landmark boneless Buffalo Wings case. I said landmark. As far as the Players Association, the message that we've heard, whether it's, whether it's, I don't know how you want to absorb it, whether it's owners hinting at it, whether it's the discussions around it, whether it's even a story that came out today from Evangraulic Ray that you sent us in the athletic talking about

dissension among the players' ranks when it comes to the Boris interest in who becomes the Players Association executive director or if it's a non-boros interest. And then there's Ian Hap, who said this to the Marquis Sports Network about the whole thing when he was asked about Tony Clark. I think the game's in a great place. the rules changes have worked.

The pace is fantastic. Viewership, attendance, all of those things are in a great place. It's a beautiful game. And you can see that the reception has been really strong from fans in the last few years. And so I really hope that we can continue playing baseball and avoid anything that would take the game away from the fans.

He's the first person I've heard say something like that. Which part? Like the part that, oh, this doesn't have to happen. He can believe that. He can hope for that. The reality is there's going to be a work stoppage next year. And how long that lasts depends on how dug in the owners are in their intent to leverage a salary cap on baseball, which does not exist, has never existed. And if the players get their way, will never exist.

That's the problem here, is that the owners, we heard about how they have their little war chest, what is it, 45 million per team? 75. Oh, I'm sorry, yes. Millions. Millions to just kind of weather that storm. And are the players willing to give up a season of baseball

to not see a salary cap enforced? That's the question. He's right, though. It doesn't have to happen. But that would mean that people have to agree to a lot of stuff quickly. And it doesn't sound like people, people are going to agree. And before we even get to what I just described,

don't forget, before it's the billionaires versus the millionaires, it's the billionaires versus the billionaires. Fellow team owners have to decide what they want to do. The Dodgers are certainly not going to agree with what the Pittsburgh Pirates or the Tampa Bay Rays or want to do. Or that's the billionaires versus the millionaires.

Let's be honest. Okay. Yeah, that's a fair way to put that. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Rays and some of these other teams are operating. because they're small market teams on a very different level than a Dodgers team that's got so much money coming in before things even get started from their local television contract,

which half the league doesn't have television distribution on their own right now. And that's something that we discussed a little bit yesterday, Marshall, but you and I having worked together at Comcast SportsNet, Philly, me going there because of the demise of Comcast Sportsnet, Houston. that is in the reality a big part of this. And when we say the millionaires versus the billionaires, I don't think we're talking about the individuals you picture when you talk about owning the actual team.

We're talking about the operating costs and the budgets that the respective teams have. The halves are the teams like the Dodgers, the Mets. And the Phillies do have a very robust contract. They don't often get mentioned in this, but they do have a very nice deal. Marquis with the Cubs, Nesson with the, the Red Sox, and the have-nots are the teams that are unfortunately seeing their regional

sports networks cease to exist. Now, Pittsburgh is in an interesting spot because they got owned and operated by Nesson, but if you're one of the Fanduals sports networks, St. Louis, for example, you're in much more dire straits. When you talk about what we thought were the richest owners in the sport, you know what team falls under the bottom 10 owners as far as wealth. You know the Yankees are in the bottom 10? Did you know that? I did not.

And so that puts in perspective, though. Right. It's not the Steinbrenner family. It's the yes network and the cost that the Yankees operate with from their budget. And so to hear a guy like Aaron Judge, for instance, was just talking about, I would hope that we can go out and be on the same level as, sir, you can't. They've shown us over the last half decade or so that the Yankees are not on the same level as some of these other teams.

Yeah, the evil empire move west. It moved west to Time Warner and Charter Communications and a 25-year TV deal. That ends in 2038. So before you say to yourself, oh, well, this CBA, blah, blah, blah, no, it outlasts many of them. And so I'm equally as interested in what. the owners of the teams with their own television deals want to do versus this idea that Major League Baseball brings all the TV rights back under one bubble and sells them a la what Apple did with MLS.

Right. And I don't know that that's possible. Right. So if it's not, how are you going to figure this out? And that is as big of an issue with all of this as anything. But I appreciate Ian Hap saying it doesn't have to be like this. It's possible. Right? That is absolutely possible. It doesn't have to. But here we are cherishing it.

In the meantime, more from the conversation Caleb Williams had with Max Crosby. Because I feel like there were a couple follow-ups that he naturally got to with Max that were storylines that we had during the season. And one of them was his relationship with Ben Johnson. Pretty big deal, wouldn't you say? Still learning about the layers of that relationship and how it came to, be what it was by the end of the season. So let's peel it back like an onion because QB1 gave us insight next.