The Bobby Bones Show - Lots to Say: A Chance Encounter and a Change of Mind!

Episode Date: September 17, 2025

Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel dive in with Colbie Caillat joining Bobby's other pocast and how his relationships form in different ways.  Bobby went to a boxing class and ran into Fmr NFL lineman Andrew Whitworth.  Matt was shocked over the number of QBs that went down with injuries and the importance of the backup QB.  Bobby gives his thoughts on the tush push this season and how much we've seen it.  What is it like for a backup QB in the locker room?  Matt wants to make the case for Malik Nabers as the best WR in the NFL.   Bobby chimes in with what the Chiefs need to get back on track and how they can still make the Super Bowl!  What are the best games coming in Week 3?   Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel is part of the NFL Podcast Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Search 40s and free agents and listen now. Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and IHeart Podcasts. We got lots to say. Yeah, we got lots to say. Now here's Bobby and Matt. Everybody, welcome, welcome, welcome. Matt, good to see you, buddy.

Great to see you, as always. Got my Castle pregame hug. You know, that's what I'm there. for. You know, I'm going to lift you up. Now you just do it. Just to annoy you. I'm not annoyed by it.

You're a little bit annoyed by it. You're not a touchy, Philly person. I'm not. You're right. Yeah. I'm not. And that's why now I've made it my world to come in and make sure that you know that I'm going to give you a hug every time. I was doing an interview over here for another one of my podcasts and the artist, Colby

Calais. She has a song. Starts in my toes. Makes me wrinkle my nose. That song? Beautiful song. Yeah. So she's over.

And I've, I've known her. a little bit for a while. Never known her a lot of bit, but known her a little bit. Like she's done some stuff with me at the Ryman, played a show together. She's been on my radio show. We've done stuff,

but never as full friends. But she lives very close to me. And the reason that she came over was I saw her walk in her dog and I was in my car. And I was like, Colby. She was like, hey. And I was like, you live right here?

She was like, yeah. I live right there. And I was like, come over and jump on the podcast. She's like, no problem. So she comes over. And I'm normal with her. because I have a bit of a relationship, enough that it's not the first time I've met her.

Right, you've got a foundation. As limited of a foundation as it is, there's still a foundation. And we have probably seven times where we've been together. And I'm like, hey, come on. And at the end of the interview we were talking about because she's very introverted. And I'm very introverted when it's not time to be extroverted.

Okay. Extrovert time, A plus. I've seen both sides of it. Yes. Introvert, I feel like, ah, probably this room's not for me. nobody wants me here. I'm just going to kind of beat myself. Yeah.

Oh, yeah. At the commissioner's dinner by himself and just text them 30 minutes later when I'm at home in bed. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks for that. Colby says to me, you're not very warm. And I respected it.

No, I respected it because that's what I want. I love when people say that. And I was like, what do you mean? She's like, well, I came over and, you know, we're doing this thing. And usually it's like, hey, and you were like, hey, come on, grab a seat. We'll just get started. And I was like, okay, this is excellent to know. because I thought I was extremely warm.

Oh, you didn't even get up. It's not that I didn't get up. We already know each other. Right, but you didn't like... I hear you. I'm not saying she's wrong. I'm not saying she's wrong. I'm not saying you're wrong, but go ahead.

I'm saying a natural greeting when somebody comes over your house to do your podcast, you'd probably get up out of the chair. I did get up... To go give her a friendly handshake, brohug. I did. I did. Kind of?

Yeah, I did. It doesn't seem like you did. She wasn't feeling the love. But it wasn't the same that I would do somebody I've never met. It literally what? because if I'd never met them, I'd want them to feel so comfortable. Like, thank you so much.

Like, we just finished taping with Randall Cobb, which everybody's going to hear. And I was, like, so appreciative. I was like, Randall, thank. Like, I wanted him to know. He didn't know me. That, like, we're so grateful. He took an hour out of his day to come and hang out with us. I didn't do that with her because I felt like it wasn't needed.

And I don't like that about me that I just assume that there is some sort of friendship foundation or that the more normal I am, it means the more I like you. Okay. So the less you get up and show effort, you like them more. Kind of. And I know that's backward. I know that's backwards. So basically, when you meet Bobby, you better hope that first introduction is going to be amazing.

Yes, it will be. But it's going downhill from there. If I like you. It's like with you. If I see you, what's up? Boom. Let's get started. Because I genuinely know you, like you, and enjoy being around you.

Therefore, I don't need to present some, hey, what's up, but. And that's backward. I get it. And that's what I do. So that's why the polar opposites attract. Because I am every single time I see you, I'm like, I'm like a little puppy. Look, hey, Bobby, how are you, bud? You're one of the initial friendliest people I have ever met. Hey, I take pride in that. Yeah. Yeah. It is. And you should because you're so warm and you're so likable, so quick. I think I'm more of a acquired taste. No, you're definitely that way. It's just sometimes I think also your scheduling is so insane that there, the,

The effort's got to at some point be like, okay. I'll agree with that a little bit. I think I've, but it's not fair to people who don't have to go through that. How many people do you probably interview on a daily basis? You're on the radio. You've got to talk to different individuals and always be up and going that sometimes it's fair to say, hey, how are you? Good to see you.

Come on. Let's get on. But I was only doing that because I felt like we were already friends. And what I also appreciated was like Brandon, who has been my friend for 10 plus years. and who runs video for this show, I was like, Brandon, am I cold?

It's like, well, yeah. I mean, yeah. He was like, he's like, it's like it's not cold. It's just, you just feel like you don't have to go

through that song and dance again. It's just you. I should song and dance a little more, is what I'm saying. I should a little more. No. But it's respect. And I mean that with you,

your thing is you want to everybody to feel loved. You want me to feel loved. And I definitely do. And me, I want you to feel like, we're so close. We don't got to do the song and dance. All right.

I'm not talking to you until we start the show next week. Well, then I'd be like, why's he mad? Why is he mad? I'm not mad at all. Oh, no, why's he mad? I'm now so comfortable with you. I'm never going to, like, give you a brohug anymore. I went to a boxing class.

Oh, really? Three or four days ago. Have you done that before ever? Yeah, I own two boxing gyms in town. Of course you did. You find out something new about your entrepreneurship. Yes, what else do you own? I own five buildings, and I own this thing over here.

We're putting a new studio and boxing gym. Thanks for inviting me to the boxing gym. Could I get like a weekly pass? The hustle is real. And I didn't flex that. You just said, it doesn't matter. I'm just saying. I'm just finding out more about it.

I even went to one that I didn't know. Why? You own three and you didn't go to the one that you own? Schedule. I needed to go to a class at a certain time. And it was kind of last minute. Why don't you just call the person that you hired to run your gym? Say, hey, this is the time I've got.

I would never do that. I would make a lot more sense. I would. Own the boxing gym. I would never do that. Okay. So anyway, you went to a new one. go. Yeah. And it's probably like

25 people. And it's probably 23 females, ages from anything from like 19 to 57, right? Is this like an aerobics? It's not a... Like jazzercise? Where you guys... I mean, kind of. This isn't my gym. I went to a class. I'm just asking.

They're bags. I'm trying to get a feel. Yes. Yes. It's a class. Okay. So I don't feel like right now I'm being respected. I'll be honest with everybody in this room right now. No, I'm just trying to get a feel for what you were doing. Yes, it was like a jazzerc size. so I go and there's a giant man in there. So giant that if you see them, you know they do something.

Okay, define giant. Six-seven. Six-seven. Offensive linemen, for sure. Like a 280, 300-pounder. Yeah, yeah. It's like if I saw you out, I would know you did something physical because your frame, your height, you're still in shape.

I get volleyball and basketball. Did you play volleyball? Basketball? I was like, no. I didn't at all. I don't look like a... 64, 65? 6-4.

I don't look like a volleyball player. Yeah, you definitely could. Okay, maybe. You're just so much taller than the rest of us. And I'm six foot and you're still, like, you walk by. And my wife, again, it was like, Matt's tall. And I'm like, shut up. That's right.

That's my girl. I was like, I'm tall. I'm tall. Remember me? Like, guy's like 300 pounds. He's like 6, 7. And he's wearing a hat and he got AirPods in. And I'm like, I think I recognize him.

Really? Who is he? What reminded me is when you said the NFL, we saw him at the NFL party. And we thought he's a giant man. I mean, there were a lot of giant. Giant. giant man. Well, you left early, so you probably could go gather your thoughts. I even sit there and mingle with people. Well, a white guy baldheaded, retired. Oh, Whitworth? Wittworth's here in Tennessee? He was here

because the Rams and Titans were playing and he was jumping in some random boxing class and I saw him there. Do you know him at all? No, I've actually met him at the Super Bowl this year. One of the nights you were at home and went over. He shocked me with how big he was. And we've played against him before, but on the opposite side, They're amongst other giants. Your offense, though. Yeah, but he's one of the bigger offensive linemen you will ever meet. Yeah. Because, again, we get to see large people.

Yes. And you played with large people. He's a monster. He's a monster. He's a monster. Even in that profession, when you think about him, he, when I saw him in person and shook his hand, I was like, wow. He's got a presence about him.

He's got that gruffy voice. I was like, man, okay, this guy's pretty badass. I went and said hi to him. But he didn't know I was. Did he punch you? Thank God, no. Because it was Jazzercise. He's like one and two and one and two.

Yeah, that's what I was, because when you said boxing class, I thought you're going to be like, but it was a boxing class. That is it? But you hit the, you hit the pads where the guy's saying it and then swings over your head and you duck. I did that. And you're acting like rocking Balboa. No, Rocky. Rocky.

Sorry, came out. You can't make fun of me going jazz or side. They call it rocking Balboa. Well, it's kind of, they, that was the name of the class. Rocking Balboa? Yeah. So not rocky because you're not hitting anything. He's a giant.

He's a giant. was if I were a guy like Bryce Young, Tua, we can walk through the short ones. I don't know how you see anything over a guy like that. That's always the part for me with some of these guys with their height because I remember being back there at 6'4 and that was kind of 6'5, 6'4

where those guys in the interior outside, you get to the 6'6 frame, but you're trying to find windows the seat. And a lot of times you just get, when the pocket's muddy, you can't get your throwing lane down. So you're trying to side step and move to try to make sure you've got an angle and not throwing it to the opposite team. That would be really difficult in some of those circumstances.

If you're 5'10 and you're trying to find an outside guy and there's a 6-7 tackle. Oh, yeah. Like that's for sure in your way. Without a doubt. Without a doubt. And with Bryce in particular, did you see this shot when he first started with the Carolina Panthers? They took a shot with him next to the lineman. And he looked like a pop-warner player.

And I was like, wow, I didn't realize how small is. But obviously, they've developed a skill set over time because when you're at Alabama, you're playing with all those players and the offensive line is probably equal to the size of the NFL guys that it's a skill set. And they've just developed it over time. I was super thankful.

And this will be the last on this. And then we'll go back and forth with our three each. But I didn't want, because I've met Andrew Whitworth at an award show once on Amazon, like ACMs. And I didn't want him to be like, oh, I saw you once and you were a jerk going back to my, sometimes people think I'm not very warm. So I really push myself to go and say hi, because I wouldn't have. Oh, so your neighbor here had a major impact.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Because I do feel like in my heart, it's almost like don't judge someone. There's a saying that's like you can't judge other people on their actions, but you on your intentions, because you know what your intentions are. Okay. Because you can give yourself the credit, well, I wanted to do this, but I didn't. And other people. And so I, my heart was like, I'm a nice guy.

And if he needs anything, I'm, but I was like, I need to go and have an action. So I said, hey, man, five bones. He had no idea, right? No clue. And he was nice. He tried for a second to act like you knew I was. And he was like, oh, and I was like, I don't need this. I was like, hey, I just want to say hi, have a good workout.

And the greatest thing, an angel from above. A woman comes up to me, woman young, like 25. And as he was standing next to me, AirPod's still out. She goes, hey, are you by bones? I've read both of your books. And he looked, and he was like, oh, oh, this is not just somebody

that's annoying me. You're like, yes. Yes, an angel from above. Fuck it, Andrew. I told you, you may not know who I am, but one person does, and she's in this little dancer-sized class, too. Oh, don't worry about it.

Do you want me sign both of your books? Don't worry, watch you? Yeah, no problem. Oh, Andrew, have you read it? No, okay. Don't worry. You'll know who I am. He picked up your book for sure.

Yeah. Big guy, big guy. Let's go back and forth. I will let you go first. Well, you know what? I was just looking at this past week, and it's amazing how many starting quarterbacks went down with injuries.

Obviously, we know Joe Burrow. Brock Purdy was out. There's questions whether or not Jane Daniels is going to be able to play. But I always think about that because for such a long time in my career, I was in that position as always the backup. And just the importance of having somebody

that can come in and play, especially in the game that, the NFL game that we play today and how volatile that position is, that they put all their eggs in one basket saying, hey, we're going to go win with this guy, but how often do you see starting quarterbacks go down? And now these backups are thrust into the spotlight and they've got to go out and perform. And really, we'll make or break your season. A lot of these guys aren't going to be long term. But even J.J. McCarthy, guy goes out for another, what, two to three weeks with a sprained ankle. And now you've got Carson Wentz, who they just signed before, season. We talked about this a few weeks ago. We're like, why'd they do that? Now it's, it's going to be week three of the season. You're starting and you've got to expect to go win games for this team. And so it's just, it's always fascinating when you go throughout the course of the season and see how many starting quarterbacks go down and how important it is to have valuable backups behind those guys, which I think is overlooked at time. The 2026 NFL draft is here and the NFL Daily podcast has it covered from all angles. Join me. Greg Rosenthal and Jordan Roderig after night one on Thursday.

Nick Shook joins me night two Friday and then Sunday to recap everything that went down over the three days in Pittsburgh. We'll tell you who won the draft and which players were my favorite picks. Listen to NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and free agents.

The games may be over. but the NFL never stopped. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg, free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, Pro Days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits to my top 101 free agents

and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations every week.

I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And Minnesota plays Cincinnati in the back of quarterback bowl this week. It's going to be great. It's going to be great. I think I was thinking about which quarterback. I could rather have Wins or Browning. Because Browning played well.

He did last year. Yeah, he had a stint. He had a stint where he went in and played well. He played well also. Wasn't it the year before when Joe Burrow went out with the wrist where he stepped in in that role as well? I know last year he played a bunch. The year before. Yeah, it was like seven games.

It was seven games. You went four and three. Maybe that's what I'm thinking of. Yeah. It wasn't last year. It was a year before because last year Joe stayed healthy and he was potential MVP and all that stuff. The year before it was when he had the wrist. And he went out and he came in and held down the fort.

But, I mean, I think that he's the guy that knows the system, been in the system for a long period of time. I mean, Jamar Chase had, what, 163 yards receiving or something like that? So he knows how to get the ball to the playmakers. And so I'm going with him because I just don't know what Carson's going to look like. Did you play with Carson once at all? I never did. Because he was a chief for a minute.

But way after, he's my home's back up. He was a Philadelphia. But I get you in Mahon mixed up. That's the problem. Yeah. It happens all the time. Same type of skill set, baby. Same type of skill set.

Got it. Sorry about that. I got you guys mixed up. Yeah, a lot of quarterback injuries through two weeks. Yeah, Jane Daniels is an interesting one. Jane Daniels is injured. Well, they've got Marcus there too. Marcus Marriota played a little bit last year when he got banged up with, I think it was

a back issue or something. Maybe it was a rib, but they'll be in good hands with Marcus. Marcus knows that system. And he's a perfect fit. A lot of times when you look at these backup quarterbacks and you have a guy like Jane Daniels, you can't replicate that in your backup. But Marcus Marriota is the perfect fit because he's got the same type of skill set,

the RPO game. He knows that and played in that type of offense before where they don't have to manipulate or change the game plan so dramatically to fit the type of player that you now have to put in that position. And I think that's where sometimes it's hard when a quarterback, particularly these dual threat running quarterbacks go in,

and then they've got a pure pocket passer. Your game playing and what you do offensive is going to look completely different from that week to the next week. And your team's got to adapt to that. Did you back up Marriota here? I did. So I saw a clip of after the Ravens had played Marriota this year. And Derek Henry Mariotto, Derek Kinder was like, where's my guy?

Yeah. Like, Derek Henry seems like a good dude. He's a great dude. I don't know him. When I first met him, I was like, I don't know if I'm ever going to break through to this kid. He was pissed off because we had, what's his name? Look him up. We don't even know what position.

Running back. Running back. Chris Johnson? Johnson? No, that's before. That was. Lendell White? No, DeMarco Murray.

Oh, got it. We'd have got there. Chris Johnson and Lendell were saying. That was a little too far back. So when he came in, we had DeMarco Murray here. So he was really not getting the reps early on. DeMarco Murray, I think, went to the Pro Bowl maybe that the year, rushed for over a thousand yards. So he was more of a guy that was coming in and spilling DeMarco Murray than being the featured

back. But you could always see it. So he was a little bit more standoffish, not as prior a guy just trying to prove himself and knew that he just wanted to be on the field. But as soon as you saw that second year come around and he became that guy, you could see his personality and everything changed because he's such a competitor. And he's a great dude. And everybody from Ben Jones is what we've had on and everybody else. I mean, they love the guy. Absolutely love him. I'm going to do for mine What I like, what I don't like. Now, what I like through two games, and even through last year, I do like the kickoff rule.

Looks really weird. But it's nice for that play to matter and count. Because for the, what, 10 years before that, again, it didn't. Right. Kick it out of the end zone. 20, 25. Go to commercial. Come back.

All right, here we go. Like, it was really like a wasted four minutes. 100%. Because they would come back to TV for that one play and go back to commercial. Just put it on the 20-yard line. Yes. Yes. Right.

So that is what I like. Now, I've shifted on this other thing, what I don't like. Because I fought for it during the offseason, and trust me, my fighting meant a lot to the NFL. It did. I have a lot of pull when it comes to the NFL making rules. I don't like the push push anymore. I'm now against it. I think everybody hates it.

Just because it's utilized with such a high success rate. That's not why. Not for me. Or because they don't call when four of the five offensive linemen are off sides and they just go. And even your center's line. His head is over the ball lined up off sides where I'm like, there's got to be some regulation. They can't regulate it.

That's why. Right, because you're so crowded in there. I think everybody, they were all being haters in the meetings when they're voting on it, and I thought they should have kept it. Because I invent a rule that is within the rule book and it's advantageous to me, that doesn't mean you can kick the rule out.

However, now they can't regulate the play. There was like maybe a fumble. And they're talking on the broadcast. well, you can't really see what's happening in the pile, so no fumble. So the fact that you, the refs can't even see it. And yes, we saw the Can City players lining up in the neutral zone. Occasionally, we saw the two guards jumping on two different plays. Oh, yeah.

We saw possibly a fumble. And it's really boring. Now, I don't think because it's boring, it should be eliminated. I think you're thinking more because it's boring. No, no. Yes, it sucks. But I've always thought it sucked as far as watching. And I thought that would be the killer of it.

And I stood behind it to go, the tush push deserves to exist. because they found a rule that they can manipulate and they shouldn't be punished for that. But now it just sucks and they can't call anything. So I hate it now. I'm out. Consider me out of the tush push game. I think everybody is coming to that conclusion and that rule will be changed next offseason. Because they're just tired of it.

And great job by Philly. They're going to be able to use it all year. Yeah, they're going to use it all year long. So just be prepared. But was it just this one game? Because I don't think there was as much noise around. around the play until you saw how outrageous it was when those guys were jumping off and the situation being down at the goal line.

It also seems, and this could very much not be true, it also seems like that play has gotten even more violent than it was at the beginning because now the defense is having to meet it with extra violence to try to stop it. So the offense has got to amplify their violence to try to stop them from stopping it. So now it looks like freaking two thunderbolts just crashing down on each other. It's like medieval times when you're on the front. line and they're running like when you see Braveheart and it goes, yep.

It was a quarterback. It was crazy. It was interesting because Jalen Hertz had a lot of leg power. Now it's like bodies and necks bent at an odd angle, just diving for the ground. Yeah, that's exactly what it is. You know what else is crazy about the Eagles for me is A.J. Brown, I think he has five receptions on the entire year. And he's on our fantasy team.

This guy might be the most skilled wide receiver. in the league, or he's one of the top wide receivers, but as a player as an individual, if you are AJ Brown, you're probably sitting there going, I mean, I love being part of a winning organization, and I'm team first, and I want to do it all.

But you didn't bring me here to block all day. You brought me here to be a playmaker, and you've got to throw me a bone at some point because that's what wide receivers, especially elite wide receivers, they want to get the ball, they want to catch it, they want to have an impact on the game.

But you said, which is, headline, he's on your fantasy team. That's true. You know who our starting quarterback is? Joe Burrow. That sucks. First week, seven points.

I was like, you're playing the Browns for God's sakes. And then now he's out for the year. So yeah, that's the problem with fantasy football. And I never played fantasy football for that reason because you're sitting there judging people on points and not rooting for the actual team. The 2026 NFL draft is here. And the NFL Daily podcast has it covered from all. Angles. Join me, Greg Rosenthal and Jordan Roderig after night one on Thursday. Nick Shook

joins me night two Friday and then Sunday to recap everything that went down over the three days in Pittsburgh. We'll tell you who won the draft and which players were my favorite picks. Listen to NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stopped. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg, free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, Pro Days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future.

This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits. To my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely.

It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. So I'm going to ask a question,

but I really want to go to you for the answer on my second one here, is that we were talking about like a browning And more so Browning than like a Carson-Wence, because Wins has had his time starting. But you got a guy like that who now, even his first run two years ago, he's the backup. And it's not that you're going in mid-game because your quarterback has a hurt pinky or maybe a concussion where he could come back in. But next week will probably be back. Or maybe you're in for a spell. Browning's the guy.

Unless they sign somebody, which I don't know if they will. Yeah, they went out and signed two other players as well. But he is the guy. What is it like to now, like, what is the shift like in the locker room when you, because this happened to you, when Brady goes down, it wasn't, he's going to be out for two weeks. Right. You're now the guy. How does that change the dynamic in the locker room? Well, I think first of foremost, as a quarterback, you got to wrap your head around that.

When you go into those type of situations, when Joe Burrow goes down, you're just going into the game immediately because it's out of necessity. You're reacting. You're not as emotional because you have to go out right now and play. And then all of a sudden it sets in that you're the dude. And it not only sets in for you, it sets in for the entire team. That offense, Jamar Chase, T. Higgins, and they're looking at you like, okay, they're asking themselves the question, how are we going to be with him at calling the plays and run this offense? And they've had some experience with him.

For me, it was, man, I've got to go prove myself. There was a lot of mental scrutiny I put myself through of, man, am I ready for this moment? can I go out and execute? Like, I know this offense, but at the same time, I've got to prove it to myself. And then it's about going out there and doing it to where you can earn the respect to those guys. Because they're looking at you saying,

you've got to prove it to me. And it's in the huddle, it's the command, it's being able to execute on third down situation of football, all the things that put us in a situation where we can win, especially with a guy like Jamar Chase, who demands the ball. He also understands, look, I want the ball because I'm a stat guy.

Like, give me the ball. Can you do that consistently and be able to help us win? So it's hard to overlook it and say just concentrate on the task at hand. You, you have to kind of suppress those inner thoughts that you have where you're second guessing yourself and go out there and just play the game. And if you're good enough, it'll show up on Sunday. Is there an added pressure that you don't expect? Of course, there's pressure now that you're the starter.

But is there a pressure where if I don't perform quickly, I won't even be the starter now. They'll pull somebody else in here. Oh, 100%. I felt that throughout this early part of the season. And even as we had a little success, you always know, was it good enough? Because at the end of the day,

if you don't get the job done, then they're going to bring somebody else in, maybe a veteran guy, give him an opportunity. And you know that this is your opportunity to extend your career, to go somewhere else, to maybe even be a guy like Sam Darnold did last year, where you get an opportunity you go out and play,

well, you can, now you can transfer that into a big-time contract or something. So there's a lot of pressure that comes along with that as well of knowing that if you don't take advantage of this opportunity, this might be your last opportunity. And you might not even be in the league. If you go out there and shit the bed for two weeks in a row and they bring somebody else in, now you're labeled a certain type of player.

But if you can go in, hold down the fort and play well and show that's really what I was able to do when I went in with New England because I was in my fourth year of a rookie contract that there was no talks or anything. Let's bring Castle back. He hadn't even played. So if I don't go out there and perform really well or even if I perform halfway decent for three weeks and they put in somebody else, now I'm still viewed as just a guy with no experience, can't play, can't get it done.

But the fact that I went out and played the entire season and we were able to win ball games and I played at a high level, that's why I played 14 years in the NFL. Did you worry every week they'd bring someone else in, that they would find someone else that wanted to come in that was a veteran? Well, it's funny because you can't avoid the paper in the noise and the news and all that stuff as much as you try to. And you know that for the first week or so after Brady went down, they'd bring guys in throughout the course of the week to try them out.

So you're like, oh, God, what's that mean? is that writing on the wall? Do I have a short leash? Are they going to let me, are they going to let me grow up and learn a little bit, make a few mistakes because this is my first time starting and build my confidence? Or is it one of those where, hey, one bad game, and that's the end of that. And they're going to give it to a guy that has a little bit more experience. What do you think would have happened if Brady never got hurt? I probably wouldn't be sitting here with you. What do you think you'd be doing, honestly?

Honestly, I did a bunch of internships. So I did an internship. I did an internship. in finance. I did an internship in real estate. So I felt like I was pretty well-rounded in a lot of different arenas of business. And so I was a business minor, a communication major, and I had a lot of good connections through USC that was still very prevalent when I was in my first few years. So I'd probably be doing one of those industries, to be honest with you. Had Brady not got hurt, I wouldn't be getting those beautiful bean hugs. Hey, I've got a great house for sale right down here. Why don't you come on over? It's all marble on the inside.

All right, one more. What do you have? My outside the box thinking right here, I don't think it's outside the box. Is Malik neighbors the best wide receiver in the NFL? I think most people would look at you like you're crazy until they actually look at the game tape. If they watch the game?

Yeah, yeah. The answer is probably not, but man, does he make a case? Man, he's in his second year. He doesn't have the body of work. That's the only reason he can't be. He doesn't have the body of work yet. That's true. But if you watch pure route running ability, being able to attack the ball,

anybody that guards him one-on-one, he's creating separation. When I say creating separation, in the NFL, we say one-step separation. He is open, wide open, just breaking people off all the time. And I thought that when he came out of LSU, I was like, this guy is the number one wide receiver in the draft. And now he's proving it. It's wild. I think the sky is the limit for this guy.

Yeah, imagine if he had a quarterback that was consistent. I mean, Russ dropped some in. Oh, he did. So, shout out of his mind. Yes, for a lot of the game. Not all the game, but a lot of the game. He threw for 435 yards. Well, they scored 80 points in the fourth quarter.

They were just chunking bombs. Yeah, Neighbors is awesome. But when you say LSU, think of the three, let's say the two best wide receivers, Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase. They were on the same team. And Malik Neighbors, all LSU guys. Yeah, they've got a factory going.

Yeah, that's pretty wild. That's wide receiver. right there. I'll go with my final point. Man, I have a lot of points. Me too. You do have a lot over there. Would you pull up Can City schedule?

Yep. Okay, so I'll do this. Rishie Rice comes back week seven. The Chiefs need them. Really bad. They need Worthy. They really need Rice because Rice is multi-dimensional.

Not that Worthy's not, but he was a straight line guy for much of last season and then had to devise develop and he did a pretty good job but they still need a straight line guy because they don't even have that now right they need a route runner yes so it's until week seven until rishie rice comes back and without the weapons you know you can have all the bullets in the world but if you don't have the gun nothing's going to happen with the bullet and i think that's what we're seeing now

you got patrick mahomes but unless patrick mahomes has got somebody to throw to he's not he nothing works right well there's no threat but there's no deep threat right now that that's completely true and they're not able to run the ball consistently. Their running game is Patrick Mahomes running the football. And that's not what you want. That's not the formula that they want for winning. But at the same time, you look at even

at that Philly game, and if Travis Kelsey catches that ball... Different game. They win the game. It's a different game. They're going to win the game. What's going to keep them in ball games consistently now, which you wouldn't say three, four years ago, their defense. Their defense is legit. They've got a good

defense that will keep them in ball games. So it's going to be possession games. It's not going to be blowout. like we saw early on in their career. And they will probably have some of those just because I believe in Andy Reed is a play caller. But it definitely handcuffs that offense because of the lack of weapons that they have. I think without a straight line guy who can extend the defense, it hurts the running game. Of course it does. So when Worthy's out, those guys can play a little closer.

Well, they can trust that they can play man to man on the outside, put an extra defender in the box to play the run game. which that naturally would tell Patrick Bahams, man, oh, great, I got one-on-ones on the outside. But when you have a guy like that and they've got to think about a deep threat, that softens coverage. They can't always put an extra guy or a defender in the box. And then that's when you get favorable numbers to be able to run the ball consistently. And that's not, they just don't have that guy right now. The 2026 NFL draft is here and the NFL Daily podcast has it covered from all angles. Join me, Greg Rosenthal, and Jordan Roderig, after night one,

on Thursday. Nick Shook joins me Night 2 Friday and then Sunday to recap everything that went down over the three days in Pittsburgh. We'll tell you who won the draft and which players were my favorite picks. Listen to NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stopped. This is my first. favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg, free agency, the combine, the NFL draft pro days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes

his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits to my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding its hope season. Yeah, absolutely it's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations

every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Kevin, can you walk me through week 3, 4, 5, and 6? Week 3, Sunday night at the Giants.

I think they can win that game. I think they could win that game. They need to win that game. If they lose that game, I think it's, this sucks. Yeah. Yeah, that will really suck. I still think they make the playoffs.

I do too. Yeah. Next. Yeah, because then they play the Ravens. Yeah, I don't think they're going to win that. So let's say they're one. Let's say they're one and three. Let's go worst case scenario.

One and three. Go ahead. Then the Lions. Oh, no, sorry. Jaguars first at Jacksonville. Two and three. Okay. Then the Lions.

Okay. I think two and four is a worst case scenario. then to get weapons, I think they're still in the mix. For sure, they're in the mix. I mean, Chargers have another divisional game this week. Broncos lost? The Broncos lost.

They should have ever lost that game. They should have lost the game, but yes, I agree. I think the Chiefs, if they can two and four, three, can you imagine? It's crazy to think that they could be. If they're three and three, and they get their weapons, I think the Chiefs can still win the Super Bowl. The final game without him is the Raiders. What week is that?

For us the Raiders. What week is that? Okay. I think they can win that Raiders game. I mean, they're going to... If they're three and three. Yeah, when you watch their first two games against really good ball teams, they're still in the mix.

Yeah, what sucked is that first game, they actually had worthy playing, though, for the most part. Yeah, that's true. But Justin Herbert looks... Dude, how good does he look? Through two games? Yeah. Chunkin. And Keenan Allen came back with a vengeance.

did he's a playmaker I like Omari and Hampton but that defense is tough too man they're really good let's quickly walk through the schedule this week dolphins and bills that's an easy builder huh I think the dolphins are headed in the right direction on opposite day my god

yeah what a dumpster fire that's a that's probably dead man walking coach huh feels like it I mean even watching his press conference and we know that he handles things differently in the media and stuff like that and he's just a interesting personality altogether but when things aren't going right and you don't have good answers, the quirky, funny guy doesn't really come across well.

I agree. Patriots at Steelers. Patriots Steelers, I believe, is going to be a really good football game. Drake May played out of his mind last week, which is a great sign to see for them. But they also had to have that kickoff. They gave up a kickoff. A punt, then a kickoff return to retake the lead. It was crazy.

So it's good for them to get a win, but then you looked at Pittsburgh last week and go, what is going on with their defense? What I like about the Patriots is that I expect them to get better every week. That's true. I don't expect that with every team. But I think they now have the coaching staff that is there to develop the team and develop the culture. And I think you're going to see the Patriots actually get better, not the opposite or not go bad, good, good, bad. Again, it's the NFL, so there'll be some spotty weeks. Oh, for sure.

But I do expect the Patriots to slowly grow each week as a team. And then sometimes just getting that first win out of the way and having a win like they did against a division opponent, that gives breeds confidence throughout that entire locker room. So you come in hungrier the next week because you've got a taste of what it tastes like to go out there and get a victory. I think that really helps that team moving forward. Packers and Browns.

I mean, the Packers look unstoppable. Yeah, I can't tell you that I would pick anybody other than the Packers right now on that one. I can't tell you. I'd pick the Browns against anybody. They're on the struggle by us offensively. I feel so bad for Browns fans

because I know what it's like to lose. But how good is Miles Garrett, dude? I love watching that guy. He is an absolute savage. Yes, he's awesome. He's awesome. The game two weeks ago,

the Browns played the Bengals. And he was the only, he was on Joe Burrow. Every freaking play. I'm telling you, it was unreal. the disruption that that man can cause on a front. And I guarantee every one of those offensive linemen are sitting there going,

oh my God, we've got to deal with this man child. Colson Titans, I think there is now my new favorite nickname in the NFL, and that is Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones. Daniel Jones. That's my new favorite nickname. Listen, I've always been a Daniel Jones guy, even on this podcast. I think Daniel Jones has weapons on his own body.

And I've said it before because he's white. people don't give him any credit for being fast. I like Daniel Jones. I think he's had a really good couple of weeks. I don't think he's that consistently through the year, but I think he's better than people thought. And I think the Colts can give that division a run. Yeah, the division's there for the taking, to be honest with you.

I mean, I don't think that there's one team right now that you look at, whether I would have said Houston to start the year, if you're really thinking about a team that probably has the pieces to win that division. But the Colts are obviously going to be competitive. They're very competent at the quarter-bent. back position now. You don't know what you're going to get right now with Tennessee because there's just that development factor for Cam Ward and that team. And then Jacksonville, I don't know, they have the talent to be really good and really competitive, but they just

haven't put it together yet. Oh, you mean with the Titan? Why Jacksonville? What are talking about Jacksonville? They're in that division. Oh, in the division. Yeah. I thought you went off a different game already. No. Yeah, you're right. I'm just talking about Jacksonville looks odd right now. Colts have an opportunity to win that division. I agree. Jacksonville looks odd on the field. meaning they got a weird coach, Liam Cohen. I don't know Liam Cohen. Do you know him? No, I don't know him.

He's like what Miami has. If they don't win, his quirkiness is going to be why people don't like him. And if they do, his quirkiness is going to be why people love him. Love him. Because it's different. But yeah, that division is right for the taking. Let's do three other games that I have here. Okay.

I want to go to the Cowboys and the Bears. First of all, who do you think's favorite? Cowboys. No. The Bears are favored? Isn't that why? How? Bears minus one and a half.

They just gave up 40 something to them. Well, they did play the lines. And they suck. Yeah, and Dallas's offense is high octane. They're going to go out and score points. I guess it's probably a reflection of Dallas's defense right now. They've been banged up in the secondary. They just played the Giants, which nobody thought that the Giants were going to go up there

and put up 500 yards of offense and score 40 points. So maybe they're thinking this is the week that Caleb William has is a coming out party. Maybe. but man, the cowboy. I mean, I feel like the cowboys are a better team than the bears. The bears look like a disaster. Well, can they go blow for blow with them offensively? I'd say no.

And that's the thing for the Cowboys this year is how long can it last where the offense has to outscore the opponent, where the defense at some point has to step up and hold an opponent to not 40 points, I promise you that. It feels like the Bengals last year. Yeah.

The Cowboys does a bit. Like they're going to, have to score 40 points to be in the game. And they can, but it's hard to do that consistently. Yeah, and Clowney coming in this week, them signing them, they knew that they needed a little help. Hopefully he can give them another pass rusher on the outside that has a presence because they need it. Two other games. We'll do Jets at Bucks, and I only want to say this game because Baker-Mayfield is that dude.

He's that dude. Two-fourth quarter, two-minute drill comebacks. I mean, last week, and I just love the way he plays the passion, how he's, how he's, He puts his body on the line. He got banged up all day. But in the biggest moments, the guy steps up. He makes throws. He does it with his legs.

And he's just a competitor. I love watching him play. Final game, we'll talk about Monday night lions at Ravens. You expect the Ravens to win. But it was nice to see the lions. Well, I mean, they look like the lions. Yeah, and they went a little extra hard. Yeah, they did.

They went a lot for sure. Like, we got to come back from last week against Green Bay. But they had a great game plan. They did give up some points. But at the end of the day, it was good to see them because I think this is going to be one of those knock down, drag out brawls.

They're both super physical teams. They've got skill on the outside. It'll be a good showing. I also think Dan Campbell wanted to let Ben Johnson know, hey, look, you might be the guy there now. And, you know, a lot of people may be giving you credit for what we did last year. But right now, in this moment in time,

we're going to score 60 points on you. It's a show me game. Yes, we're going to do something interesting this week. So that's the end of this one. So that's Matt Castle. do the whole thing. And Bobby Collins, that's kickoff Kevin. That's Brandon Ray.

We have another episode, too, that's going to come out probably very soon right after this. They may both already be up now. Are you guys friends with him? Who? Are you guests? Randall? Yeah. Yes.

Okay. Yeah. I would say we're friends. I mean, we're getting to know each other. We've been at a bunch of different dinners and stuff together. Yeah. There's not a secret guest coming in. No, I was like, who are you talking about?

Yeah. There's not someone coming up from behind the curtain. Well, you're like, yeah. And then we're going to have another. one. I was like, do we do another podcast? We did. We did like 45 minutes of Randall Cobb. I know, but I didn't know that that's, I thought you were talking about something else. I was like, did we record something? I don't know. No, Randall. Matt's ready to play. This is your life from like your eighth grade coach. Bring him on out.

C.T. He's real. No. Yes, I've known Randall. Obviously, we played against each other, but I didn't get to know him until he got here to Nashville. And so we're building that friendship. We have been able to meet his wife, his kids and all that stuff. And he's a great guy. All right. Check out the episode. It's with Randall Cobb. All right, thank you for this episode. That's it. We've had lots to say. Goodbye, everybody. Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and IHeart Podcasts.

For more podcasts from IHartRadio, visit the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The 2026 NFL draft is here and the NFL Daily podcast has it covered from all angles. Join me, Greg Rosenthal, and Jordan Roderig after night one on Thursday. Nick Shook joins me night two Friday and then Sunday, two. to recap everything that went down over the three days in Pittsburgh. We'll tell you who won the draft and which players were my favorite picks. Listen to NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Daniel Jeremiah.

And I am Greg Rosenthal. I know that, Greg. We're teaming up on 40s and free agents, the podcast that owns the NFL off season. This is where teams are built. Free agency, combine, pro days, trades. Every move matters. From my draft boards and mock drafts to my vaunted top 101

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