The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 & Out - Jets hire Aaron Glenn, Raiders get a GM, Baalke out in Jax

Episode Date: January 23, 2025

John reacts to the breaking news that Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will become the next New York Jets head coach. Middlekauff salutes the Jets for making the right move and explains that fans in New York finally have something they can celebrate. Next, Middlekauff goes around the NFL coaching carousel, highlighting hires from the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and more. Finally, John wonders what’s next for the Detroit Lions and Dan Campbell after an incredible regular season fizzled out early in the NFL Playoff prior to both coordinators taking head coaching jobs. Next, John dive into the news that Jacksonville Jaguars owner, Shad Khan, fired GM Trent Baalke. Later, John answers your questions during this episode's mailbag segment. 6:17 - Aaron Glenn hired in NY 14:00 - Raiders hire John Spytek 24:20 - Ben Johnson thrilled to be in Chicago 34:35 - Mike McCarthy is running out of options 43:31 - Trent Baalke out 50:41 - Mailbag Follow John on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest. Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow -  for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas.

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It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was funny. You just understood. That's how personal it got.

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This week on Crimless, Rory and I welcome a very special guest. When I did podcasts, I wear my sleep masks. I like where this is going. So if you guys will indulge me. That's right, the incredibly talented and hilarious Will Ferrell on an episode dedicated to crimes committed by people named Will Ferrell. You're good for 300 crimes? Yeah. We got two.

I'm ready to go. right up to present day. Listen to Crimless on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The volume. What is going on, everybody? How are we doing? Hopefully everyone's having a great day. Hopefully everyone's doing well.

Probably not as well as Aaron Glenn, who just got a five-year contract to be the next head football coach of the JETs, Jets, Jets, Jets. So the Jets have a new coach. The Raiders have a new GM. John Spitech, Jason Lights, right-hand guy in Tampa. Former Philadelphia Eagle interned, a personnel man. Got a start there. We didn't quite overlap, but I've met him over the years. Big John Spitech fan.

So congrats to the Raiders, they got a GM. Need a coach, SpyTech. So we'll dive into that. And Kevin O'Connell, Extension, Josh McDaniels, back to New England, Cowboys. Brian Chottnimer a lot going on It's crazy

We got the AFC and NFC Championship games this Sunday And the coaching cycle Always just is And the GM cycle now It's just a really big deal Ben Johnson was introduced Today

We will discuss it all And right when I was recording The Mailback Which we will do as well At John Middlecoff, Instagram Fire into these DMs Trent Balky

The Jags GM was fired. So clearly Shad Khan not pleased with coaches telling them, yeah, I don't want your job. And I think it's pretty clear that it was because Trimboggy was his GM. So the politician finally goes down. So we will do that along mailbag as well. And

we took yesterday off. I just, I was out of juice. Now, sometimes to do this, you could muster up some creative juices, but I had nothing. I'm like, I just, I don't want to do an awful podcast. I just, I took a breather for 24 hours, but there was way too much happening today to not dive in and give some takes. So make sure you subscribe to three and out if you listen on Collins feed. YouTube channel has you covered with everything humanly possible that we do.

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Well, the Jets are a disaster. I mean, there's just no way around that. What has become of them the last couple years with the Zach Wilson situation, the Aaron Rogers situation, everyone getting fired. this year. It was a pretty big embarrassment. There's no way around it. Today it felt like the first time in a long time, just some normality. Just a moment where you'd be like, okay, that feels normal. That feels like a good thing. And if you're a New York Jets fan, there hasn't been much of that for a long period of time. Honestly, the last couple years couldn't have sucked anymore.

from the moment he ran out with the American flag and five plays later ripped his Achilles to this year with everyone getting fired and the team just being a joke I feel for you guys listen if you're an NFL fan and your team sucks it is a long season but when your team is an embarrassment

and the things you're doing are being reported on to levels in which the Jets were getting reported on it has to be a really really awful feeling as a fan. And when you hire Aaron Glenn, who is a guy that you drafted once upon a time, who played for your franchise from 1994 to 2001, so he played for Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick was there as an assistant coach. He played a year for Pete Carroll. Like, he worked for Sean Payton. He obviously worked for Dan Campbell these last four years in Detroit. It just feels like we made the right

move. We just made a move that wasn't just easy. It was we get a guy who just potentially knows what he's doing. Because we have gone a long time in New York where it feels like that's been the case. You could say early on when they hired Robert Sala, everyone was very excited. But then the moment they got Zach Wilson, it just kind of derailed everyone's plans.

And I think in this situation, you just get to start from scratch with one of your own. And one thing that was clear in the Robert Sala era, felt like he was a little over his head talking to the press. but clearly he's a good defensive mind and a solid leader and guys like him. They played really, really hard for him. But in terms of talking, and especially once Aaron Rogers got there, he was always having to basically come back from previous comments.

And it was just like a dog chasing his tail running in circles. And it was like, this is not a sustainable thing to do. And I think the element in New York of being able to handle what people in the 90s would have called the press, what I just call modern-day society of social media, of the intensity of it all, of the internet, is an element that a former player, who was a really good player, is going to be much more accustomed and equipped to handling.

So I think from that element, you just get a guy who's been used to the bright lights. Why? He's been a player for a long time. Then you get a guy who's proved his stripes as a DB coach under Sean Payton, where their defense was really damn good when Dennis Allen took over and Aaron Glenn was on the staff.

And then he went to Detroit. And this year, the masterpiece he had in that week 18 against Kevin O'Connell playing with me, you and eight other guys, or nine other guys, I can't do math. Aaron Glenn's a high-level cat. And you saw in his interview during the week of the Washington game when he's getting peppered about questions. And he said, listen,

I'm not a defensive coach. I will speak to the offense, just as much as the defense. I'm a football coach. And I think that's what the Jets are getting. Now, you never know in this world, it's no different than draft picks. It's a risk. You're dealing with human beings. How you're going to handle going from being a coordinator to being a head coach.

But Aaron Glenn's a really, really impressive guy. And I think this was, one, the Jets are lucky that he wanted to take the job. because let's face it, it's a pretty toxic place. Now, bright lights, big market, talent on the roster, especially on defense. So from Aaron Glenn's standpoint, when your defensive coach, you never know when your opportunities are going to come. I mean, he's at a front row seat of Ben Johnson turning people down for multiple years. For him, I mean, it took year four of them being the number one seed and him doing this

with a bunch of practice squad guys with him even to get some interviews. So I congrats to Aaron Glenn, congrats to the Jets. And most importantly, congrats to Jets fans. It just feels like, okay. Like I said earlier this year, I thought they were going to go with Rex Ryan. And I think a big reason I thought that was I didn't think anyone was going to take the job. And I thought Rex desperately wanted it. You know Rex can handle being a head coach, one, and you know Rex can handle the bright lights and the market.

I don't know if Aaron Glenn can handle becoming a head coach. You never know that. You know he can handle the bright lights and you know the market won't be too big. And you know he can handle players. And I think in this world of 2025, having guys that understand players and being able to deal with them, that does not mean kiss their ass. That does not mean give them a reach around every day. That does not mean treat them like this at the NBA, because that's not.

That's not the way this business works. But there is a balance of being the old school guy from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, the way the game was always coached. and the shift just the way younger people operate. And he clearly gets it. So big move. We'll have to wait and see as of recording this. I don't know who the GM is, but this was a big, big hire.

And now we know everybody in the AFC East, right? You obviously got Sean McDermott and the Bills. You got Mike Vrabble and the Patriots. You got Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins. Now you have Aaron Glenn. So some pretty accomplished guys, guys with impressive resumes. And now we'll just have to see how Aaron Glenn handles a situation where, you know, part of being a head coach is, you know, as an assistant, you manage up a little bit, but you just deal with the head coach. But you're not dealing that much with the owner.

I mean, even the GM, the GM goes through the head coach to get to you of anything like, quote unquote, controversial, like if he has disagreements. But you're doing a lot of managing down. As the head coach, you deal so much with the owner. and probably they're at there they're the jets have to be on the short list of places where you deal with the owner the most and it's well reported his children are involved and i don't blame those kids if i were woody johnson's kids i'd be involved as well but that's part of the gig here and uh you know it's it's a it's just a highly picked apart gig and it's intense and it's why i thought robert salla was really over his head you know it was just and joe douglas his personality is not not really that, and it was just a tough spot for him. Aaron Glenn's like, bring it fucking on. So I'm excited to watch this. The other hire today was the Raiders hired John SpyTech,

who actually when I got hired by the Eagles had just left the year previously. So a lot of people I work with know him really well. I wouldn't say that I know him that well. I definitely know him. He knows who I am. But I don't pretend to have a relationship with him. Everyone I know and that I'm close with in the NFL, that works with him or that had worked with him really likes them.

Obviously, Jason Light, who is one of the better GMs in the NFL, he's been his right-hand man for a long time, and they clearly draft and build a team at a pretty high level in Tampa Bay. So I think the Raiders, you know, John Spitech was a freshman. He played at Michigan, was a freshman. Might have been there two years. Definitely was there one year with Tom Brady. So they not only know each other from their Michigan days,

He was obviously with Tampa Bay when Tom played. So the Tom influence is really kind of showing itself here. He wanted Ben Johnson. Ben Johnson turned him down. He brings into Michigan guy. But this is a Michigan guy, you know, like myself, started at the lowest person on the totem pole with the Eagles and Andy Reid 2005. Worked his way up, got in with Jason Light, went around with him, and obviously has spent time in Denver, spent time in Cleveland with the, the, the late Tom Heckert and obviously has been in Tampa for a long time. So this is a guy with a lot

of experience. He's seen a lot of different places. He's been in Tampa and Philly where they've had a lot of success, where they've won at a really high clip. And he's been in places that were kind of a disaster. So I like guys that have a lot of experience. I would say the same thing for Aaron Glenn. Aaron Glenn's been a player. He's played for a million coaches. He's been an assistant coach on teams that are really good, the Lions, the Saints. He also was there when they show. up in Detroit and they were a joke. So I like guys that, you know, that's the thing with Josh McDaniels like, he only excels one place. All he knows is like the Belichick tree answering to Robert Craft. You get him out of that environment. It is a tire fire. Aaron Glenn, John Spitech,

they've seen it all. That means you have a lot of different experience. You know a lot of different people. You can relate experiences to, well, 10 years ago when I was in place X, I remember when this guy had an issue with his girlfriend. Very similar to this. I think we dealt with it like this. We should do it again. Or we tried to do this in this situation. It backfired. We got to take a different tactic. I think Aaron Glenn and John Spitek can bring that to the table because of all the different things they've seen. And listen, a lot like Aaron Glenn, this is a very difficult job.

This is not an easy place to work. The Jets and the Raiders are where people go, one to get paid a lot of money, and to quickly get fired. So, you know, part of life is taking risks, taking calculated risks. Not sure John Spitech would have taken this job. If Tom Brady didn't exist, he clearly has to feel a lot more comfortable having Tom Brady around. But I said the same thing about Ben Johnson. When John Spitech moves his family to Vegas and lives in a sweet pad and goes to that incredible practice facility, it's a booming area.

Vegas, Scottsdale, these fucking areas are on the come. But you still go into the office. and Mark Davis is there every day. Like, that's still a reality. And I would say the same thing about the team here in Arizona. Like when Jonathan Gannon and the staff go in every day, Michael Bidwell is the guy there. Like, those are the guys you answer to. That is who you have to overcome.

And the Raiders now flush with cash, stadium suite, no quarterback. So Tom Brady is a huge part of your life. And you swear by him. And I don't blame anyone if Tom Brady sells you on something, you listening to him. and you following him. That would be a smart move. I would do the same thing. But Tom is not in that office every day.

And during the fall, when you're working and grinding for the season, Tom's calling games. So until he quits that, and I saw he told Coward today, he has no plans to quit that. His role in technology, listen, I can run a podcast with people living in D.C. and Jersey and all over the place. It doesn't matter.

The world's changed. There's something to be said when you go into it. If you have a true office job, like being a GM and being a head coach is, like, the people that are there are the people that are there. And Mark Davis is there. So that is something that under Mark Davis has watched, the resume speaks for itself. I'm fascinated to watch who John Spitech hires in this situation because obviously that will be big. And how big of a leash Mark Davis gives this man, right? Does he give him just five, six years to just kind of run what he's learned for?

all these other guys. Does he give him an opportunity if you can't hire a great coach right now because it's not a great job to hire a second coach? You know, look at Houston. They realized when Nick Casario took over that job and Bill O'Brien left was one of the worst jobs we've ever seen. No one would touch that job with a 10-foot pole. So we had to hire guys that no one would have ever hired.

Like David Cully, nice guy, has no business being a coordinator, let alone a head coach. You know, Lovie Smith. who had been good a decade ago, you know, it just shouldn't be your head coach. And then he gets to Miko and then they're a real team. But he let him get two coaches that he had to hire because no one would take the job. And it'll be interesting to see what happens here with the Raiders. If they fall in a situation like that for a year, Mark Davis is paying a ton of people, a ton of people.

I mean, listen, you know, the crafts have become pretty controversial since Belichick has left. But even when Belichick was there, they used to hire people who were being paid by other people a lot. They love doing that. Josh McDaniels is still owed several years by the Raiders. And Josh McDaniels, I'm pretty sure, signed a six-year, $10 million a year contract. $60 million. So the Patriots can offer him like the league minimum, given his experience. And the Raiders are paying the majority of his money.

So they don't have to pay them like $3, $4, $5 million. And when you see Josh McDaniels going back with Vrabel, and I read this article that Diana Rusini wrote on The Athletic, you know, the SpyTech thing makes sense. SpyTech knows Brady. Brady has a huge influence. Mark Davis needs his help. This one, Rossini reported that Vrable and Josh McDaniels don't have like some close relationship. When he was a player, Josh was like a young assistant and a coordinator for a year before he

bounced to Denver. but it's not like they were boys. They've never worked together. This does feel a little bit like the crafts who love Josh McDaniels and knowing that he's cheap. So I'm a pro-vrable guy. And listen, Josh has been excellent as a coordinator,

clearly as a head coach. I mean, he's one of the worst head coaches we've ever seen in the history of the sport. I think he's the only guy to be fired by multiple teams and not make either past the middle of year two. so like what his resume is as a head coach is unprecedented. But Mike Vrable, I don't know, you would think,

and I understand going back to the well with Mike Vrable, though Mike Vrable never coached for Bill. He just played there. And when you look at Mike Vrable, the people that worked for him, he had guys like Arthur Smith and Matt LaFleurr or his assistant coach is on offense. So I just wonder, like, how much are the crafts still very, very involved? there is an element with the crafts and Jerry Jones that like they might not tell you on a daily basis everything to do but they are extremely involved and I mean extremely involved there are some teams when you show up to the office you just might not see the owner all week I remember when I worked for the Eagles you sometimes see Jeffrey Larry sometimes you wouldn't sometimes you just see him walking down to Andy's office sometimes you just wouldn't even notice them for weeks beside at the game when you take the Jets job you are going to

to see Woody Johnson a lot. When you take the Raiders job, you were going to see Mark Davis a lot. Vrable and the Crafts, and obviously they have a good relationship, and so does Josh with him. Those guys are around constantly, right? When you, it's just a huge part of what you're signing up for. And, like, I understand. It does feel, can Josh McDaniels coach any other place?

Like, are there any other teams where he can be an assistant coach and have success? it feels a little weird constantly going back to the well. You know, it really does. Like, I think about it like, I understand. Like, Kurt Warner. Kurt Warner the other day said that he thought that outdoor games and the elements, all games should be able to be played in controlled environments. I was like, of course Kurt Warner would say that.

He's a dome quarterback. And I don't mean that as a slight. Like, he's a Hall of Famer and had just some incredible moments. but think about his success. St. Louis in a dome. Arizona in a dome. I saw when he went to New York. It was pretty ugly.

Not really Mr. Outdoor, right? It'd be like, if you ask me, like, what do you like better? Radio or podcasts? I'll probably going to say podcasts. So we all got an agenda and we all got a bias. So I get, if you're Josh McDaniels, you feel very comfortable there.

You would say the best years of your life have been with the New England Patriots. But isn't part of being a coach, being able to go place to place and do some different things. So when I see that Josh McDaniels goes back there, I go, my first question is, like, this is who Bramble wanted? This is 100% who he wanted.

Maybe it is. But I just wonder if the crafts are involved. Like, clearly, Tom Brady wanted John Spitech. The Jets wanted Aaron Glenn, right? Or definitely when the process started, one of the coordinators, Ben Johnson wouldn't even talk to them. Aaron Glenn, being a defensive guy, had to be a little open-minded.

You wanted to become a head coach. Good hire. This one, like the Vrable thing, totally get it. Josh McDaniels? That's his coordinator? I don't know. Something's just weird about that with me. Something that's not weird.

We knew this when it came out is when the story leaked, not even leaked, reported from Jay Glazer that teams were going to trade for Kevin O'Connell, I went, that's a giant red flag. I understand the conversation around Mike Tomlin. It feels like it's peaked five years ago. The same thing happens over and over. Of course, anyone worth their salt that needs a coach is going to call the Steelers and be like, hey, Tomlin available? Could we trade for him? Like, that's not a crazy story. Even if, like me, I just threw it out there when the story actually came to fruition,

like, you could just see it coming. When it's like, teams are interested in trading for Kevin O'Connell. Well, think about this. If you're the Jets, you think Minnesota is going to trade Kevin O'Connell? Probably not. So who would want that out? Well, Kevin O'Connell's camp. Why?

Because, like, I'm tired of making $6, $7 million. I'm ready to be paid like a guy winning 12 to 14 games, which the going rate is $14 to $15 million. I want a race. And I thought, listen, I'm pro Kevin O'Connell. He seems like a good coach, even though he gets a little pass happy. You know, sometimes these coaches, they could be really hip, hypocritical because the team, the team, the team, stay banded as brothers, lock arms, we're in this together through the good and the bad.

And it's like, you're no different to the players. You're tired to make it $7 million. You want $15. Look at Ben Johnson. Like, coaches are much closer to mercenaries like the players than anyone ever discusses. Ben Johnson, as an assistant coach, does not have the same stock in the franchise as Dan Campbell. He has no ambition of coaching anywhere.

else. He's the head coach. As the players under contract, St. Brown, Gough, Penae Sewell, Jamir Gibbs, Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch. Those guys are in it with the Lions. That's their team. That's where they're going to get second contracts. They are Lions. Ben Johnson is like a hired gun, essentially, because all these teams are coming at him and eventually he's going to leave. It's why three days after the loss, he's happier in a pig and shit. You see how smile he is running around the Bears organization. Imagine me and Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes who probably have slept a total of 10 hours

in the last three games. Jared Gough with the little concussion he's got has probably been in shambles. I saw St. Brown on his podcast. You could tell he was pissed. Ben Johnson looks like he just hit the fucking lottery. It's just, you know, sometimes these coaches can be really hypocritical

when they preach like the Bochembleckler the team, the team, the team. Well, as long as they're paying me a premium. because if they're not, then I'm going to leak stories that are going to make it uncomfortable for them. Which is fine. His business, right? But at least us in non-like sports stuff, we can just be cutthroat. Like, this is what it's going to cost if you want to do business.

If you want to do business, if not, see you later. Nice meeting you. Nice doing business with you. It's just very black and white. We're in those type jobs. You've got to be very political. And he says, come in the press, like, this is where I want to be. Well, this is where you want to be as long as they'll pay you.

You know, so just embrace it. You're no different than Justin Jefferson or a guy that, like, hey, I'm not. practice until I get paid. It's essentially your version of doing that. You know, Ben Johnson, like, and listen, I never said or thought that he mailed it in. They had a bi-week. During the by-week, they don't even know who they're playing. They can basically play any team, you know, from four to seven. So it's not like he's game planning against every team. His game plan really starts on Monday. But I just think it's funny when these assistants...

It's one thing if Ben Johnson had been hired by the Raiders or by the Jags, Like, there's no different conference. You play the Lions once every four years. He went to the Bears. He went to the fucking Bears. So I just think it's... That always makes me laugh. It's not like I'm against it.

I don't blame him for taking the job. But imagine being like one of the dudes on the team where he's always preaching his coach speak. It's like, bro, was that all just coach speak? It's like, yeah, it kind of is. That's kind of the business we're all in. NFL playoffs. We're talking about the NFL playoffs.

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and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. we created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it.

We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers

was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, Hey, Jonas.

And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial, calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsLice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicalife Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth.

He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levin this went to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know.

Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I think it's pretty clear that when Black Monday happened and that week and Mike McCarthy didn't get quote unquote fired, Jerry Jones thought he could take advantage of the situation. Jerry Jones thought he had him by the boss. Thought he had had him bent over the desk. And then Mike looked around at some of these jobs and

thought, well, I'll go get the Bears job. I'll go get the Jets job. I'll get hired as a head coach. So my educated guess on this situation is Jerry thought he'd get him back for like, I'll give you like a two-year extension. Like he's like, a guard. Hey, I'll give you two years, $18 million. Come back. And he thought Mike would just say yes, because he thought he wouldn't have any options. then Mike looks around and goes I'm going to keep kissing this old man's ass he's going to take advantage of me why don't I just go get another job that gives me

four or five years guaranteed and so Mike kind of called Jerry's bluff he said no and I think Jerry was shocked I think Jerry assumed because if Jerry didn't why wouldn't Jerry have just fired him on Monday it made no sense the Cowboys had known for weeks

their season was over they had known since last year Mike McCarthy's contract was up. Jerry thought he could take advantage of the situation. Jerry thought he could win the deal. And then Mike said kick rocks. Now it looks like Mike potentially is going to get shut out of this. Maybe he takes the Saints job. But even if he takes a saint's job, I think what he would say is, yeah, it's a worse job than the Cowboys,

but they just gave me, you know, four years, $40 million. Jerry's offering me a two-year contract when I know that he'll gladly fire me after the next season. So I said, screw you. So maybe Mike will be proven. right when this is all said and done, but I think Jerry kind of screwed up here. And I think he misplayed his hand. And now when I read headlines that

he's interviewing Brian Shoddnheimer, in what world does it make sense to fire let Mike McCarthy walk and hire his number two? I can't even fathom that. A guy that's never been a head coach. And this completely shows you that Jerry, one of the great deal makers in the history of the league,

mine have lost his fastball and age is catching up to him and I don't care it happens to us all at different points in time in our life this is his version but I think he's kind of going through it I think he's kind of turned into

Al Davis here of 2006 2007 2008 and he's kind of lost control of even elements that he used to have control over and listen Jerry's always going to be in control until he dies he's going to be the GM

obviously he's the own owner, but it's like everything runs through him. And as long as he still has his marbles upstairs, he can pull that off. But I think he used to be a little slyer and have a deep. Now, he's always been probably more loyal than some of these owners in the league to his people. He definitely was to Jason Garrett. And I think he thought of trying to be somewhat to Mike McCarthy. But I think this situation, he's just upstream without a paddle.

And he's just kind of floating. And I don't think he knows what to do. I think when this situation, situation broke down with Mike McCarthy, he did not have a game plan. Because I think his game plan all along was to take advantage of Mike McCarthy. Who knows? Maybe get him for like two years, $15 million. Basically just extend the current contract that he was on. And he just thought Mike, because he's coaching the Cowboys.

And it's one of the biggest jobs in all the sports would be like, yeah, I'll keep doing it. Family likes living here. No state income tax. If we're healthy, we should have a competitive team. I'll stay. and Mike essentially said no. Now, Jerry's never going to let it out that Jerry acts like he's the one that said no. But I mean, just start putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

I think it's pretty easy to add this thing up and go, Jerry was playing poker. And I'm not a big poker guy, more of a blackjack guy, but he got aggressive. Let's use the blackjack analogy. And he hit, you know, when the guy was showing a four and you had a 13, you're like, I'm going to get aggressive here because he's had some. some he's had some four or five card 20s and 21s. I'm going to hit on this even though the number shouldn't. And I get a king and I bust.

Like that's what it feels like a little bit here. He got aggressive and it busted right in his face. No pun intended, obviously. Well, maybe. I mean, he Googled some of Jerry's pictures back in the day with some young ladies. But man, I just think the Cowboys, if you're a fan, huge win right now. Now, Eagles feel pretty stable. Their version of it is always a little chaotic.

Obviously, Washington, like, we know what we're doing. Like, those two teams got to be looking at the Cowboys. Like, I pray you hire Brian Chodinheimer. I really do. And listen, everyone acts like Brian Chodinheimer is the village idiot because Russell Wilson situation, every coach that ever worked for Russell Wilson got fired. Every single one.

Hack it all the way through the Seattle guys. and reports came out that Arthur Smith and him couldn't stand each other. So let's not act like Russell Wilson's Peyton Manning here. But I remember Brian Chottonimer took a lot of crap for his situation with Russell Wilson. That actually aged better. But to make him your head coach, that seems like insanity. Like, listen, I can think to Josh McDaniels things are a little weird and a craft creation. But I'm not arguing like it's a bad hire.

like it's not a crazy hire. Like, yeah, he's worked with, you know, just in recent memory, he made Mac Jones functional. So you take Drake May, who has more talent in his right leg than Mac Jones has an entire body. I get it. Aaron Glenn, SpyTech, those make sense. Kevin O'Connell

Extension. Make sense. Right? It'll be fast. I don't know what Detroit's going to do. You know, Detroit's in a weird spot. You lose your offensive coordinator. You lose your defensive coordinator. Ideally, you just want to keep doing the same things. They have another guy that he feels comfortable, elevating?

Because remember, when he fired Anthony Lynn, that first year, he made himself the offensive coordinator, I think, toward the end of the season. And then the next year, he just made Ben Johnson the coordinator. Who was on his staff? So is there a guy on his staff that can be the offensive coordinator? Is there a guy on the staff that can be his defensive coordinator? They lost their D-line coach. Today, obviously they lost Aaron Glenn.

I don't know. But these are tough spots. Sometimes you just have a guy. Best case scenario, you have a guy. You fire Anthony Lynn, you elevate Ben Johnson. It works out. Saw with the 49ers. Robert Saul got a job.

They elevated Domeco Ryans. Well, then D'Amico Ryans gets a job. Ben Johnson gets a job. Sometimes you're looking around and you're like, I don't feel comfortable making any of these guys the offensive coordinator. But I don't want to bring a guy outside who doesn't quite know what we do. So you get in this weird spot. Now, luckily for Dan Campbell, he's had a pretty good idea.

Both these guys were going to become head coaches, I would say, before the season even started, especially on offense. Like Ben Johnson, I would say last offseason. It was pretty clear this was going to be his last offseason with the Lions. So a lot going on in the football world, man. This is, it's crazy. You know, once the game stop, I mean, there's two games left. But usually during a season, when you have however many games on a given week,

12 to 14, we've got Thursday night game, there's just a lot of football stuff happening. Like, what is Dan Quinn, Siriani, and Andy and McDermott really saying on Wednesday? this stuff kind of fills that void during the playoffs on like Tuesday and Wednesday of just like and then by Thursday and Friday you're kind of in like, okay, what's the injury status of the chiefs, of the bills, of the Eagles, what was Jalen saying? How's Siriani like Andy? You know, Andy and McDermann are exactly like saying crazy things.

So yeah, it's an exciting week and glad it happened in the middle of the day. Trent Balke was fired. It's been a rough stretch in society for career politicians, and I think Bulkie finally got got, because for a guy that, you know, I think when you meet him and, you know, the way he came up, he was like this old school grinder tape scout. There is no disputing.

His greatest quality working in the NFL has been his ability to get in with owners. Jed York loved him. When he got fired from the 49th, before he got hired with the Jags, he worked for the league office. So he was in with Raj and company. And then when he got hired with Shot Khan, he has been in control with several coaches. And it looked like he was getting another.

So to think this guy, who again, I have nothing against him over, not that I'm friends with him or anything, but in my interactions over the years, he's been fine to me. But he has a skill. And it is an elite skill. I know me, I'm not a great politician. It's really hard for me. It's hard for me to fake things. And I think when most of us say the word politician, we think a complete phony, a complete fraud.

They'll just say whatever they have to say. And in any industry you work in, especially those of you in bigger companies where you have a lot of different levels of management, we've all been around them, right, that play the game, that know what they're doing. And there's one thing to have that and be talented. It's actually a really good skill to have when you're also good. at your job. But I think we can question whether Trent Balke knows what he's doing. And he's had hits and he's had a lot of misses. But one thing he's great at when shit hits the fan, it's like he can avoid it and everyone else gets taken out. And I think it's pretty clear. And by the time you're listening, there might be actual stories out about this, is for whatever reason the

cons, I think in a perfect world, just want to hire a GM, hire a coach, run the team and just make us competitive. We don't, we just want to go to some games, make a bunch of money. Like, we're not going to tell you what plays to run, what players to pick. Just do it, please. And I think he was praying bulky, was like that, and he could find

another coach. And it's pretty clear that Shod Khan, like all these guys are saying no to him. And who's saying no to him is not Ben Johnson. It's not Bill Belichick. This is like coordinators that don't have other options. And eventually, you pick up the

horn, that used to be a call to phone for those of us old enough to remember that were plugged in to a wall at your house where you have these things called house phones. Those don't really exist anymore. So you pick up your cell phone or you either call or you text the coaching agents. And you go, what's the deal? Can you help me out? Help me help you? Because those agents want to be in with the owners. And there's no doubt in my mind. He said, listen, my client likes the opportunity you provide and would be interested in being your head coach. But he would rather jump off the Golden Gate Bridge than have to work with Tram Balke. He's not going to do it.

Even these people that don't know them, all they're going to know is this guy is a politician, and the moment things go wrong, he will stick a knife in your back and then slit your throat. So it's like I'm not hitching my wagon. You know, Liam Cohen reports are that he just re-signed with Tampa Bay for about $4.5 million a year. And I've said it forever. The NFL is Wall Street on grass. There is not a better business to be in right now to be coaching. than the National Football League and really college football.

I mean, Chip Kelly's making $2.5 million. How many people and how many industries of people listening to this do you know that the guy that is not the head honcho, who's not at the top of the org chart, he doesn't own anything, he has little to no responsibility in terms of big decision-making. He's not a decision-maker. Now, being a coordinator is a big deal, but there is no decision-making in terms of roster, in terms of when guys get in trouble with terms of punishment. you don't have to deal with the owner a lot of the times in terms of like on a daily basis or a weekly

basis and you're making three four five million dollars it's an incredible gig to have you know listen I understand being a head coach much more famous you get to make the decisions you make more money but if you're telling me that the number twos and there are multiple number twos like the DC and the OC are getting paid between two and five million dollars and don't have responsibility when shit hits the fan they're not getting sued or anything anything. They don't have to pay people. It's an incredible, it's one of the greatest gigs in the history of America currently to be an offensive or defensive coordinator in the NFL, especially if you're good at it. Pays a premium. But Liam Cohen returns. Like I would imagine he goes,

why wouldn't Liam Cohen want this job? Now, I think you could also make the argument, like if you're Liam Cohen, you're already in Florida. What's he going to pay you a couple million dollars extra? Stay with Baker. I can get a better job than that. But, you know, You know, Balkey, he mentioned it during the final press conference, too, when asked, if you have a coach that does not want to work with Trent, would you at least acknowledge that you might have to do something here with Trent Balke and would you fire him? And I forget his exact way he phrased it, but he basically said, yeah. It was a very awkward moment because Trent, who's just always in great shape, you know,

looks good in a polo or suit or whatever. He's sitting there right next a shot. Who's, you know, at his home office, probably some mansion in Palm Beach. And it was like, well, what's Trent going to say? And then he ends up getting fired. So wouldn't shock me at all if Trump Alki's a GM for another team someday. I mean, don't ever put it past a great elite politician is never dead. Promise you.

It's just if you've been alive long enough, those fucking people, were leeches and this guy is great at it. Hey, it's us, the Jonas brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember.

I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And, well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy. Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-heartedly.

radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo SlicLife 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect.

We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this went to a billion-dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history.

You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, let's do a little thing we like to call the Middlekopf mailbag at John Middlkoff is the Instagram. Fire into those DMs. Get your questions answered here on the show. I was wondering why NFL head coaches are not paid more in relation to players.

Aside from the quarterback, its most important role on the team. Yet even elite head coaches don't make much more money than mid-level players. And since their pay isn't affected by the salary cap, It just strikes me as odd. I tend to agree. You could argue that coaches and the top GMs are severely underpaid, based on the industry they're in, right? They are, I think you could argue some position coaches are somewhat overpaid, right?

If I have a good DB coach and he's making $8.50, could I get the same thing for $400 grand? But again, that's what we're talking, hundreds of thousands of dollars. If I'm, let's use Kevin O'Connell as an example. I've been critical of them. But if they fired Kevin O'Connell yesterday, in what world could they replace Kevin O'Connell with another Kevin O'Connell? It'd be higher than, I'd say, 50, 60, 70% chance whoever they hired would not work, right?

So he just gets a raise. Let's just pick a number. $14 million. He was making $7. Let's say he doubled his income. I think Schaefter thought it'd be somewhere between 12 to 14. So even if he's making 12. Well, Justin's making 30.

his quarterback technically because Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, but let's say his highest paid players is making 30. You're telling me Kevin O'Connell's not work 20. Look at Caleb Williams. Oh, this guy's going to change the league. They draft him. He's terrible.

I mean, he has just not a very good rookie year relative to the hype. So, you know, Andy Reid, what's Andy Reid worth to the Chiefs? Let's say, let's just pick a number. They're paying him $18 million right now. now. Well, if Mahomes are worth 50, which obviously it's impossible to replace Mahomes,

and like you said, no one has a problem with the quarterback making more than the coach. Is there, if Clark Hunt had to pick this offseason, Travis Kelsey or Andy Reid, what's he picking? Andy Reid. There is not a player, Chris Jones would be tough, but like, I could find another Chris Jones. I can't find another Andy Reid. Andy Reid should be making probably $40 million. What's Sean McVeyworth? I mean, seriously, what is Sean McVeyworth through the ramps? Now, it's, listen, I remember when I lived in Philadelphia, they were having this big, they were really building up the baseball team.

And Cole Hamels was about to be a free agent. It's like, if he hits free agency, he might make $170, $180 million. And they put, I think the contract he signed when I first moved there was like $100,000, $125 million. I remember someone on the radio going, can you imagine saying like, I'm going to ride this out to get $175 million? And then someone puts $120 million in front of you?

What are you going to do? Not sign it? It's my argument with Purdy. It's like, hey, Brock, here's three years, $120 million. 100 guaranteed. This is our contract. You don't have to sign it,

but we can also just, we'll just play next year for $1 million. What's he going to do? Why doesn't that happen more in sports? Happens to us in business all the time. Don't get it. Honestly, I don't understand why it doesn't happen. I get with the Josh Allen's, the Joe Burroughs, the Patrick Mahomes, even the Justice Jefferson's and the CD Lambs.

But I don't think it happens with the second and third tier players enough. It happens with coaches, and they usually like, hey, hey, Sean, here's a five-year contract, $15 million a year. Reality is Sean McVeigh's worth double that. But what's he going to do, not sign a $75 million contract? What was Sabin worth Alabama? They were paying them 10. It's like, God, Saban makes so much money.

Sabin was worth probably $50 million to them. Longtime Rams fan from Delaware was at the Sunday game versus the Eagles. Hell of a game. Once in a lifetime. It was awesome to watch on television. Question number one. Offseason for the Rams.

Do you think the Rams will move on from Stafford or will he retire? I think McVeigh is really smart and he can see the league shifting into more mobile quarterback. time isn't on our side. Many people don't have him even listed as a five to eight quarterback in the league. I think McVeigh was pissed about the fumble in the game and the final sack he took.

The final sack, I mean, if your center is going to get, I mean, just destroys the wrong word. I mean, Jaila just went right over. What's he going to do? You know, I don't know. I'd love to see McVeigh with a more mobile quarterback. Question two, not really a question. I hear all the hype around Jaden and being the best rookie quarterback ever. Has everyone forgot about Kurt Warner's rookie year, 41 touchdowns?

Was Kurt Warner a rookie? Kurt Warner, let's just, I just want to get this right here. I know what you mean, but Kurt Warner, when he was born in 1971, so his first season starting for the Rams was 1999. he would have been like 28 years old. I mean, he technically came out of Northern Iowa in 1993. So he was an undrafted free agent in 1994. So he played for the Packers.

Then he obviously played the Iowa Barnstormers. Like, that's not apples to apples. I know what you're saying. But you can't be a 27-year-old rookie just because it's your first time starting in that situation. But I hear you. With all these coaching interviews happening, I'm seeing parts and articles that say, so-and-so is also a candidate and is compliant with the Rooney Rule. How pathetic do you think the minority feels going into these interviews knowing they are potentially just being interviewed solely because this rule states that they have to interview a minority?

Can we just go back to interviewing and hiring candidates that are just qualified? Why bring race into it? Curious to hear your thoughts? Well, I think part of it is for a long time, the NFL disproportionately black, right? And the coaching staffs were the same thing. And then the coaches, the head coaches, which pay way more. This goes back to decades were heavily white guys. This is my argument.

Like, everyone's making so much money now. Like, no one, in my experience in football, I've never heard race come up. Like, only working in the media are people obsessed with it. When you work in football, I never heard it come up when it came to coaching, when it came to players, when it came to interacting. And I spent five years every single day around players and coaches. Now, to get the shot at a head coach, you obviously, it helps to become an offensive coordinator.

That's why they've pushed, you know, to give guys opportunities with, you know, in those type roles, especially quarterback coaches. But like the Jets hired Aaron Glenn because, Aaron Glenn was a good candidate. Period. Point blank. End of story. Aaron Glenn could have been fucking purple. He was a no-brainer hire for them. You know, it's always my issue with like,

the paths want to hire Mike Vrable. It's like, why do I have to, why do, I can't remember who they brought in, Byron Lefich. And now sometimes you're bringing them in for a head coaching interview. Who turns down a head coaching interview? Plus, you get to know the owner. Maybe he pushes you to the staff and you become the offensive coordinator, which obviously didn't happen byron or Leftwich. But I hear you.

I mean, some of these interviews are a complete champ are just an absolute complete sham. Now, back in the day, I think you would say Mike Tomlin on its surface was a sham. Then he becomes a head coach. And 18 years later, he's probably made $100 million. So, I mean, you just, you never know. But I'm with you. I remember the Raiders got in trouble

for hiring John Gurdon. To me, the rule would be if you've won a Super Bowl, I don't have to follow any fucking rules. I can hire whoever I want to hire. right? And I just think these are the rules. I think the NFL has been very hesitant, you know, changing that. Now, you just look at the way society's heavily changing all the Fortune 500 companies, just getting rid of all the requirements. I don't think the NFL is going to pivot here. But, you know, I think we saw the Eric Bienomi thing become like a media talking point for years. And I've never met the guy, but all my guys in Kansas City really liked them. But, you know, I think there are, for whatever reason people were just hesitant to hire him not because he was black I'll promise you that

then he gets a job in Washington and it does not go well and it's like okay it's the commander's team wasn't that good then he goes to UCLA and he gets fired by Deshawn Foster fired now I know his agent puts out this was bullshit he was fired

I was told that reliably and he big brothers him he was the offensive coordinator wouldn't listen, and Deshaun Foster fired him. So, and listen, that conversation has already died. But, like, I just, I have a hard time with the, when I know who I want to hire, I have to interview other people if you have certain requirements. You could argue if you've been a head coach before.

Like, do I need to do the Rooney rule if I want to hire Pete Carroll? You mean a guy that's been a coach at three different teams, won multiple national championships, have been to multiple Super Bowls with a Super Bowl championship, why couldn't I just hire Pete Carroll? Why do I have to wait? But those are the rules. So I just don't think it's going to change, no matter how much society is heavily shifting.

And again, I can't speak for owners. I've never owned an NFL team. I've never met anyone who gives a shit about like, I just want to hire the best coach. And whether that's a white guy, whether that's a black guy, are you good? because I've seen, you know, you can find bad ones in every version. You can find great ones in every version.

That's the thing with coaching. Like, you can go to Division 2. You can go to Division 1. You go to the NFL. Like, they're good and bad coaches. There are better coaches in Division 2 than some in the NFL. And I'm talking about assistance and stuff. But the other thing is like so much now is about who's your agent.

Like, is Marcus Freeman a good coach? Like, because he's black or white? No, he's just a good coach. Like, he's just good. played in college, played a little in the NFL. He's just natural with people. You'll see it. Right. Marcus Freeman just lost to Ryan Day. I know this. If I had to hire one of those two guys for the next five years to run my program, I wouldn't even hesitate I would hire Marcus Freeman. Wouldn't even cross my mind. If I was an NFL team, Marcus Freeman, I'd hired tomorrow over Ryan Day. You're like, middle guy, if you're just Ohio State hater, he won the national championship.

Well, yeah, he's got a fucking $20 million payroll and get anyone into school. Give me Marcus Freeman all day long. God, I wanted Notre Dame to win that game. A quick question for the mailbag coming from a lifelong cowboy fan. What the fuck are we doing? I don't know. Hell of a question, man. Reaching out for the mailbag for your restaurant recommendations in the Scottsdale area.

My boyfriend and I are traveling there for the waste management. This is our first trip together as a couple. Whoa. So I'm super stoked. Big move, yeah. We are from the West Loop in Chicago and often venture out to nice dinners. Also, this being my first time to Scottsdale, Phoenix area, curious, any fun date night options you and Maria enjoy doing.

I've been tuning into Colin religiously. I would say that weekend's tough in terms of getting these reservations from, For my money, Dominics is the best steakhouse in North Scottsdale, and that's where waste management is. And I don't know if you're staying up on this end of Scottsdale. It's on the basically opposite end of Old Town Scottsdale, which is closer to Tempe. But I would get on those reservations immediately. You know, there are Mastros. There's one in North Scottsdale.

There's a Mastro's Ocean Club, which is close to TPC. I mean, these are awesome, nice elite steakhouses. Date night, there is a really cool bar behind the waste management at a hotel called the Princess. It's kind of outside. It's just an excellent spot. And there is a restaurant in the Princess, which is a hotel that backs up to TPC Scottsdale, which is called La Hacienda. It's a Mexican restaurant, but it's kind of like an upscale Mexican restaurant. It's legit. So I would say Dominic's Mastro's Ocean Club, La Hacienda. Preston's Day. Bakehouse, it's not too far away from me. It's not bad. Not bad. If you're in Old Town, the mission is just an awesome spot. It's kind of like, it's Mexican food, but great margaritas, just cool jam. I went, I mean, one of my favorite restaurants, that place, kind of got

famous when the dude, Biz from Barstool got in a fight with those Irish gypsies, and he fought like 10 of them. Houston's, I used to live right next to it. I went there all the time. That place is bomb. Norco guy. I'm 19 and started listening in 2003 when I needed my dad to respect my football knowledge. I feel like Jaden Daniels is the truth.

And according to Google, he's 6 foot 4, 210 pounds. I think if he doesn't fill out, his frame more, these defenses are going to figure him out as more film rolls in. And he's going to start talking or taking some big hits right now. When you're young

in certain frames, like, it's hard to put on weight. Like, it is going to be a difficult proposition for Jaden to ever be built like he's Cam Newton. You know, like, your frame's kind of your frame. Lamar Jackson is never going to be some jacked up thick guy, right? When you look at, you know, Mahomes or Josh Allen are just a little thicker. Now they're also, I guess they're similar age to Lamar. But, like, your body type's kind of your body type.

Like, Devante Smith is never going to weigh 210 pounds. He's always going to be 175, right? So, Jaden can get a little thicker, more muscle, but his frame's his frame. Like, it kind of is what it is. To me, where he's got to get smart, and Lamar is a lead at this, is if you're not going to be a slider, you've got to do the plop. And Lamar just does these, like, little plops when he gets near kind of chaos. Jaden's got a little, when I was in Philly, Michael Vick was reckless. Now, it was awesome to watch because he was tough and he was just, he was fearless.

but when you're getting hurt a lot, it becomes fearless becomes reckless. And Jaden has to be very, very careful, diving and jumping. But, like, I don't think he's ever going to be body type is kind of his body type. Because he's not a 20-year-old guy. I mean, this guy's been in college for like six years. And I think they feed you pretty well at LSU. Why isn't McCarthy getting more interviews? All he does is win.

And if the Saints hired him, they would have the best coach in the division. And if the Jaguars hired him, it would almost guarantee to save Trevor Lawrence. How say you? It's funny, you know, perception can be a real thing. And for whatever reason for a guy that has won a lot of games and is a Super Bowl champ. And he's not, I mean, how old is Mike McCarthy? 60. So it's not like he's Pete Carroll 73 years old.

His career records 174 and 112. He's won 11 playoff games. his winning percentage is over 600. In this century, he has 312 wins seasons. Just turned 2025. But he's kind of the, I don't think he's viewed like his record. Fair or not. I mean, honestly, I thought he had a pretty good run Dallas.

He clearly had an awesome run in Green Bay. But people go, oh, it's Aaron Rogers. So it's all Rogers. What do they say about Dallas? No one wins there. Do one, 12 games three years in a row. When's the last time that happened? When's the last time the Cowboys did that?

The 90s? I don't think they have anything near that this century. I mean, up until 2021, they hadn't had back-to-back winning season since 1995, 1996. Think about that. So when they were good in the mid-90s, 91 through 96, 11, 13, 12, 12, 10. Starting in 1997, until Mike McConaughey, until Mike McConaughey's, Carthy showed up, they did not have back-to-back double-digit winning seasons. He had three straight. So I'm sorry, like, you could argue Mike's better than the Cowboys,

because the Cowboys had a million coaches during that time, Parcells, Garrett, you name it, Wade Phillips, none of them could win back-to-back double-digit games. It's not that difficult. Huge fan. I'm an Alabama fan, and while the season was disappointing, I have a more optimistic outlook going forward than a lot of Bama fans do. I think we have a great coach and great recruiting infrastructure, and there are still one of the most attractive destinations for high school and transfers. I do worry, however, about the NIL situation. We have a harder time getting funding for our collective

and not only do a lot of northern and west coast schools, but even SEC competitors like Texas, Georgia, and A&M. While I think will always be one of the better schools in the country, do you think the NIL issues could prevent Bama, as well as some other lower funding SEC schools from being able to reenter the national championship contender. Let me just say this where I think you're wrong.

You said a comment like, I think we are still one of the most attractive destinations for high school kids. That doesn't exist anymore. There's no like, you know, forever if you wanted, you know, there were destinations, right? If you wanted to work in country music, you moved to Nashville. If you wanted to work in Hollywood, you moved to L.

And those were just attractive places, right? Hell, you know, think about in the last four years, the places that have boomed, right? Vegas, Scottsdale, Austin, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Nashville, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Miami areas. Charlotte, right? They were just, they were a destination for human beings. Destinations now in college football have nothing to do with, like, you know who used to play here? or you know how many games we've won? There's one question that gets asked,

I would say not 100% the time, but I think the number's well over 90 to 95%. Well, what's how much you pay? So it's like if Alabama's offering a guy $400,000 and a shittier school, let's just pick Alabama, let's just pick two schools. Alabama against, let's say Utah. Let's say Utah has more money than Alabama.

I'm not saying that they do. I don't know. I don't have the books. But let's just say Utah is offering the kid $600,000 and Alabama is offering the kid $400,000. Forever, it'd be like, you go play at Alabama. I think Utah gets that kid nine out of ten times now. Let's use Michigan State. And the example you use, and Colin's been hitting on this.

And Colin uses like these guys go to the coasts and they work in finance and whatever. I think it's just a simple numbers game. That Michigan, obviously, Ohio State, Oregon, these schools have more money than the SEC schools, not named Texas and Texas A&M. Maybe Georgia, we're really about to find out. But we just saw Ohio State have the highest paid roster in the country. The only team that was close was Texas.

Not Alabama, LSU, or Georgia. We saw LSU, and I would put LSU in there with Alabama. Brian Kelly had to give a million dollars to the collective. because when Underwood needed to pick his school, Michigan gave him all that money because they have an 80-year-old guy named Larry Ellison who cut the check. That guy just doesn't exist in Alabama or LSU.

I think many would argue that Arkansas because of Tyson Foods technically has more money. If you gave DeBore $20 million to play with, I think Alabama would win a national championship or compete to win one. But if let's just say, And again, no one really knows these numbers, but let's just say he's got 10. And the top 6-7 programs are between 15 to 20.

You're at a major disadvantage. And just because Saban rattled off championships, no one gives a shit that all those sweet, that, oh, Minka Fitzpatrick, Quinn and Williams, Julio Jones. Okay, awesome. How much are you paying me? Which I like. There's just a...

very capitalistic, I don't know, nature to the business now. It's capitalistic a work? The just cut-throat business nature of college sports. Which in basketball has always been like that. Like, why do you think Duke and Kentucky were getting all the serve players? Nothing comes for free. Nothing good comes for free.

Beside love. I think you guys are in trouble. I think any school without a ton of money is in trouble. So you could argue that it just becomes the top five or six NIL teams are going to consistently be in the final four, at least final eight. And you kind of, you know, Alabama didn't have to get lucky before. They got the best players. Georgia, Georgia and Alabama for like, you know, the last decade got the best players. LSU had the one year, but it was basically them.

Clemson had a couple years. That would never happen today. There's no way, Sabin is elite. Saban wouldn't have been able to land all those guys because he wouldn't have the money. I loved Alabama under Saban. I became a pretty diehard SEC guy. I watched most of their games, right?

Not just Alabama, but all the big SEC games. I thought it was the best product. If it shifts, like, I won't watch as much. I certainly think the conference is going to be awesome because the, you know, the vibe that the games are elite. They care so much. And they'll do whatever they can to raise the money, but how do you go up against the money of Ohio State?

the money of Oregon. If USC can never get their head out of their ass, USC. They just got more money than you. I'll tell you, the sleeper is fucking Notre Dame. You know how much money that school has? Do you know how many boosters with unlimited cash

are going to want to be a huge part of the program now that they can directly, and Marcus Freeman is much more likable than Brian Kelly and proves that it can win? Watch out for Notre Dame. Huge Bucks fan. I just wanted to get your thoughts and maybe an outside view.

of the future of Baker and Tampa. I feel like that we are consistently portrayed as a five-win team in all the preseason, and when we do make the playoffs for the fifth straight year, that's when the national media loves to come out. Just want your thoughts. Well, that's partly your division. It's pretty awful.

It's really bad. I mean, it's just not a fun division to watch. I mean, the Saints are putrid. The Falcons are kind of an embarrassment. and the Carolina Panthers up until the last second half of the year had been one of the rough couple of your stretches I can ever remember. So your division flies a little under the radar. You know, your head coach is not, you know, it's funny with Todd.

Like, that guy was a badass safety in the pros. And if you ever, most people probably listening haven't met Todd, but obviously, safeties are, if you meet a safety from like, the 80s or the 90s. I worked with one in Lewis Riddick, who you see on ESPN. I was around Todd Bowles with the Eagles. I spent a lot of time around the Niners and seeing John Lynch.

Safeties back in the day are fucking massive. Todd Bowles is a big ass dude. If you played safety back in the day, safeties were bigger. Like if you just see Todd Bowles or Lewis Riddick standing next to a linebacker nowadays, a lot of times they're bigger.

John Lynch is bigger than some 49er linebackers. Or every bit. Maybe not now. He's like 55 years old. But I'm just saying like height. You know, these safeties are 6-2, 6-3. They just, they look different. And they weren't, they hit hard.

Like you got killed back in the day. Yet Todd's personality, sometimes I'm jealous as someone that can get a little emotional, you know, just in life. It's like calm down a little bit. Todd's very mellow. I think sometimes when you're mellow, you know, Dan Campbell hit the scene. Like people follow the lions. pretty closely because he was such a just a magnetic figure.

You're like, what Dan Campbell say? Todd's not really like that. And even Baker, who was once like that, I would say is really mellowed down. So really the faces of your program in the NFL typically are your coach and your quarterback. And obviously, I would say Todd Bowles is one of the more understated coaches,

head coaches in the NFL by a wide margin. And I think Baker's become, really, really quiet, which is a good thing if you're Jason Light and Todd Bulls. What should the Saints do in order to get back into contention ASAP? Is that something feasible in 25? Should we accept the idea? Cleanhouse. Yeah, I think it's, I think, nuclear option.

Blow that bitch up. I think you have so many financial issues. I mean, no team robs Peter to pay Paul like the Saints. I mean, every single year up against it, up against it, up against it, up against it. and this Derek Carr thing, like he's going to be a quarterback next year. Known Derek a long time, but he just, he's lost his mojo, man. He just hasn't played well for a while. And the other thing with Derek is he kind of gets injured a lot now.

But it doesn't make any fine. You just roll him back. But the problem is if Derek's your quarterback, now, I don't know if, you know, it's feasible that he's going to play 17 games anymore. But he's going to, I just think that it's going to be hard to get a top of couple pick if he plays most of the games. Now, if he gets injured and you got to play Spencer Rattler or Hainer, I like Jake too,

Fresnel State guy, but just quarterback situation. It's not great. Teams not great. Just issues. I don't know what else to say. We'll end on this. Charger fan, stoked. We got Jimmy Harbaugh.

Year 1 was above my expectations, even though we had a rough ending. Going forward, what do you think are the realistic chances we ever win a Super Bowl? I think if Jim Harbaugh is your coach, you have a good chance to win a Super Bowl in the next several years. 1,000%. Killea Mack, I saw today, said he wants to come back.

Would not shock me at all if they resigned Kleeal Mack to a one-year deal. I would imagine Jim Harbaugh likes Kleeleel Mack. Same with Jesse Minter. Now, maybe Kleele Mac wants to leave. I don't see why I would. Obviously, depending on money. I think there are a couple keys to the draft for the chargers, which is something they just need to get for Herbert moving forward.

A weapon that can either be a tied end or a wide receiver. I think they would be more inclined if you tell me they draft one of those two in the first round. I think they'd be more inclined to draft a tight end. Though, you know, Harbaugh and Balke took a wide receiver, I think his second year in the first round. It turned out to be a bust AJ Jenkins from Illinois, but they did. But I could see them taking a tight end or a wide receiver high. and a running back on the second day. And this draft is littered with running backs.

So if they can hit on those, when Harbaugh got higher with the 49ers, one underrated thing they did is they hit on some free agents. They signed Carlos Rogers, who was playing with the Redskins, and he became a Pro Bowl corner for them. They signed, I'm trying to think, Dante Wittner,

they just signed some players that just became impact players for them. So I think this off-season could be about just signing a couple low budget guys that can become in-back players and then nail some draft picks. Harbaugh has a long history of doing that. I think offensively, the offensive line you feel good about, the quarterback you feel good about, Ladd-McConkey you feel good about. Now can you get a Tyler Warren? I think Michigan's tight end is pretty good.

Obviously, Jim's going to know him or a wide receiver to go with McConkey and then draft a running back. That to me is the best plan moving forward. Appreciate you guys. Talk to you soon. You. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe.

I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts.

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends.

Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam?

It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was hiring. You just understood. That's how personal it got.

Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come up to him. He's like, you know, I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your This week on Crimless, Rory and I welcome a very special guest.

When I would do it a podcast, I wear my sleep masks. I like where this is going. So if you guys will indulge me. That's right, the incredibly talented and hilarious Will Ferrell on an episode dedicated to crimes committed by people named Will Ferrell. You're good for 300 crimes? Yeah. We got two. I'm ready to go right up to present day.

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