The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd Podcast - Most “Interesting” NFL Teams In 2025, Steelers vs Giants For Rodgers, AFC West Shakeup?

Episode Date: March 13, 2025

They start with the Bears remaking their offensive line in free agency and Ben Johnson putting his stamp on the team, and discuss whether the moves show Johnson now has more personnel control than GM Ryan Poles (3:45). They also break down the differences in sports fandom, ownership and passion between the city Colin is leaving (Los Angeles) and the one he’s moving to (Chicago) (10:30).  They talk about the difficulty of drafting in the NFL vs. the NBA and why the constant churn of both players and coaching staff in football makes drafting so much harder and discuss why fit and continuity matter so much (29:30). They discuss the constant back and forth of Aaron Rodgers trying to decide between the Steelers and Giants and debate the pros and cons of each destination (39:00).  They try to predict who the most “interesting” teams will be in the 2025 season. Colin lands on the Bears, Chiefs, Packers, and Patriots. Danny offers Colin some pushback on his picks and highlights the Commanders as the most interesting team (52:00). They discuss whether Jayden Daniels can make the jump to a top 5 quarterback in the league and win the NFC (59:00).  Finally, they move to the AFC West and Colin predicts that Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers will finally be the team to dethrone the Chiefs, and they talk about what to expect from the Raiders under Pete Carroll (1:08:45).  (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates!  #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an IHeart 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.

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.

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 ice. Heart 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 crying. You just understood.

That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis'clock, 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, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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. Danny Parkins, co-host Breakfast Ball, the winner of the mythical FS1 NFL Picks Championship. It should be noted.

It's just like the USA Today High School Basketball Championship. It's all mythical, so let's not go crazy on this shit. Listen, it is definitely true that I only made it competition between you, me, and Nick once I started to crush it and distance myself on the field. Yeah. So, you know, going into next year, if I start four and nine, you know, it's just luck. But when I'm crushing it, it's skill and you guys are in a competition.

You didn't even know you had entered. Yeah, I had no idea. Yeah. I have had the last three shows in a row. I've had about as much fun as I can have at this point. of 30 years of doing it. So because I love free agency, I love the movement, I love when stuff breaks on the show. You know, I just, I, sometimes I think, you know, the audience thinks we love football and football season,

but I actually find it more challenging when the season's over and we have to sit there for two hours in the morning and figure out ways to be compelling. And there's not a lot out there. So this week, it's basically you've got B-level players, sometimes C-plus. players transitioning to bad teams. And yet I had so much damn fun this week. And I want to start with the Bears because I honestly, and I don't remember the last time I thought this, it's obvious Ben Johnson now runs the organization because he basically by acquiring a guard, a center of guard is telling Ryan Poles, your picks were not good.

You know the organization well. That's my take is, is there. certain coaches, Vrable in New England is running the show. Belichick for years ran the show. McVeigh's got a lot of power in Los Angeles. Whereas Brett Veach really runs personnel because Andy Reid doesn't want to do it. Sean Payton's running Denver. Didn't it feel like to you, this is all Ben Johnson's stamp?

So I've heard you say this, and I think that you're like 85 to 90% correct. Ben Johnson clearly now outranks Ryan Poles. And it's not a straight, like who makes more money, but it kind of is. Ben Johnson makes considerably more money than Ryan Poles. And obviously Ryan Poles' stock is down. And Ben Johnson's stock could not have been higher. So Ben Johnson has more say. And the Jonah Jackson move is directly tied to Ben Johnson.

And that was the first move that happened. They traded a late round pick for a guard. from the Rams, who had been a former pro-bowler, but before he was with the Rams, he had been with the Lions and Ben Johnson. Obviously, the Lions have the best offensive line, them and the Eagles and the NFL. He knows how valuable it is.

I think Ryan Poles has taken a little too much sheet in this regard. He was Matt Ryan's offensive lineman at BC. He is a former offensive lineman. He was on a practice squad in the NFL as an offensive lineman. His first ever first round pick, because the first year, he didn't have a first round pick because the previous regime had traded one away to acquire Justin Fields.

So his first year, his first draft, he had two second round picks and he took Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker, who are both starting players in the secondary. And then the next year, when he had the ninth overall pick, he traded down one spot, passed up Jalen Carter. I disagreed with it, but he didn't think their organization. was ready for the headache, and he took Darnell Wright, who looks like he's going to be the right tackle for the team for 10 years. Maybe not an all pro, but he looks damn good.

But he's going to get to say, and some of the draft people were like, should it have been Broderick Jones, the guy who went, I think, 17 to the Steelers, who wasn't able to start for a year plus and definitely is not guaranteed to be a 10-year starter in the NFL. And then, so I think first time he had a first round pick, he drafted a tackle. He gave Nate Davis money. Nate Davis had a pretty good reputation. Mark Schlereth has told me that he's like, Nate Davis was one of my favorite guards in the NFL when he was in Tennessee.

Atlanta tapered off a little bit. Bears paid him. And it looks like Nate Davis got paid and stopped trying. Yeah. But it's not like that guy didn't have good tape and it's not like people didn't like him. It's not like that wasn't a significant investment in the offensive line. Tevin Jenkins was a former second round pick as a tackle who he moved to left guard. Ryan Poles did.

And he was a better guard than tackle. But then he got hurt and he can't stay on the field. And he never invested in center, which has been a disaster. The Bears literally haven't had a good center since Olin Crutes. And left tackle is Braxton Jones, who I would not say is good, but I would also not say is bad. He's a replacement level player that Ryan Poles drafted

in the fifth round out of Southern Utah. That's a draft win. What happened last year was a mediocre offensive line got hurt with a rookie quarterback and you fired your play

caller and your head coach. So you couldn't scheme around it. The offensive line was a disaster. Your quarterback got hit 68 times. And it became a fire alarm. Like, this is, we are going to get Caleb Williams killed. We are like really flirting with David Carr level of sabotage here if we don't overhaul it.

So that's long-winded and maybe a little bit more in the weeds than people that don't follow the bears want to know. But like, I don't think it's that Ryan Poles doesn't prioritize the offensive line. I think it's that when he took over, he had such limited resources with draft capital that it took a while and last year was never supposed to be a good offensive line, but it wasn't supposed to be that bad. And I think that anybody would have spent on the offensive line this offseason, but Ben Johnson kind of turbocharged it.

And so he gets credit for it, but I can't, I have a hard time believing that a smart guy who came up under Brett Veak, who, by the way, I'll add one more detail, he was the director of college personnel, in Kansas City when they lost that Super Bowl to Tampa. And in the offseason, they signed Joe Tuny, they drafted Creed Humphrey, and they drafted Trey Humphrey Humphrey set the market at center. Trey Smith set the market at guard.

And now Joe Tuni's a bear, and he was an all pro for a couple of years in Kansas City. So he was in Kansas City when Mahomes got killed in a Super Bowl. They brought in three new offensive linemen. He's the GM in Chicago when Caleb Williams got killed. They brought in three offensive linemen, one of whom is literally the same guy they brought in Kansas City. So I think Ryan Poles knows about the offensive line, cares about the offensive line, prioritizes the offensive line. He just made a couple of bad mistakes.

Nate Davis, most principally, not investing in a real center, probably right behind it. And he underestimated how little depth he had to protect Caleb Williams last year. You know, it's interesting about, you know, as I, you know, move my operations primarily here in the next six weeks, primarily to Chicago, how bad all the teams are. Oh, yeah. Yet, you know, the Bulls have led the NBA in attendance three or four straight years. So the passion, the Bears, the passion's still there. The Bulls, people. I don't have it completely committed to that.

I mean, the Bulls have led the attendance like. 20 of the last 25 years. Like since, I mean, it's legitimately crazy. Like, I can look it up or one of your producers can look it up. Like since Jordan left, like 1999 till now, they've literally led the NBA in attendance more than 80% of the years. It's insane. Go ahead.

Yeah. So it's a sports town that has, it's the opposite of Los Angeles. In L.A., our owners are the richest. Steve Balmer, Stan Cronky. In Chicago, there are some of the poorest. our owners are in their sort of earning prime. A lot of the Chicago ones outside of Ricketts are not. Our teams are all hyper-aggressive, and we have star coaches everywhere.

You know, Chicago does not. The difference is in Los Angeles, if teams aren't really good, people stop going. In Chicago, they don't. So I've always said, and you've never lived in L.A., but I've always said, L.A., it's the double-edged sword, is that you have to be aggressive because our weather's so good, we've got beaches, and Vegas is so close. Like, people just say, we're not interested.

Like, the Dodgers are great, and they're like, yeah, we just won the World Series. We're going to spend $450 million more and put $150 million into our clubhouse. Because in Los Angeles, it's like people move on. I mean, Steve Ballmer was rolling. He builds a new facility. People are like, yeah, Luke is in town. There's other stuff. Whereas in Chicago, and I haven't been there enough,

but I feel like there is a real pride in the city. People in Chicago kind of look at you sideways if you even mention the weather. It's like, yeah, you know, our winters, you wear a coat. It's just funny. I feel like I'm moving to a city that is sort of diametrically different. in terms of ownership, teams, star power, and loyalty. And I do think LA is a great sports town.

It's better than Miami, which also has beaches and weather. But people here are really, really distracted in Los Angeles. And they're not as much in Chicago. I think that you're 100% spot on. There's not a ton to add. I mean, I can go deep on any of those topics. But, like, you know, Jerry Rinesdorf owns the Bulls, in the white socks, and he cares way more about the white socks than the bulls.

His son, Michael Rinesdorf, basically runs the Bulls, but both teams have a bunch of minority partners. He doesn't own over 50% of them. It's just, it's like a bunch of rich guys that own 1%, 5%, and they cobble it together, and they go from there. And he, you know, it looks like he's getting right, even though he loves baseball. He's the diehard baseball fan. He hates spending money. They have, there's a crazy thing going around, uh, Ishpia, you know, the guys who on the son. Yeah. I know, Justin. Yeah. Um, they're apparently, they're apparently buying up minority ownership in the White Sox and they're reportedly in line to be next. Um, yep. And White Sox fans are cautiously optimistic because there's this like funny thing going around Chicago in the,

you know, in one of the towns on the north shore of Chicago, uh, where I was from where a lot of the wealth in Chicago lives, like on Lake Michigan, Ishbia is building a mega mansion on Lake Michigan that is estimated to be worth more than any single contract the White Sox have ever given out in team history. It's estimated to be like an $86 million megamension compound. And I believe the largest contract the White Sox have ever given out

is still the $75 million. Because it was Yasmani Grandal, and then it was the left fielder whose name I can't remember because the White Sox are terrible. But the biggest one ever is $75 million. The Cubs ownership and the Cubs organization is excellent. They frustrate some people

because they are top 10 in spending and people think they should be top three. But they make a ton of money and they spend them a lot of money, but they don't really operate. People, and people I know in an out of Chicago like the Ricketts. Tom Ricketts is as normal of a billionaire. Like he, he sits, he doesn't sit in the suite, even though he has one. Most of the games, he sits in the

second row or the first row behind the pubs on deck circle. And he shakes hands and takes pictures and signs autographs. And, you know, if the Cubs make a lot of money and they put a lot of money into the team, they break even. It's like what they say. But the rest of the ownership is pretty brutal. It's pretty brutal. The McCaskey family wealth is all the bears, and there's a million of them. So in terms of kids and grandkids, and so they don't all want to be in it. And yeah, Chicago is an amazing city. And you mentioned like the pride thing, like pride in the city. I've only, listen, I've lived in New York where there's a ton of pride, Kansas City, ton of pride, Syracuse, college town, and Chicago. That's where I've lived. I've

traveled all over the world. So I am definitely biased Chicago's. my home. But people in Chicago, Chicagoans, man, they take so much pride in the city, the people, the neighborhoods, being Chicago tough, but Midwest, nice, capital of the Midwest. And it's sad that, like, Chicago became a, like, political

lightning rod word for people around, like, the gun debate and all of these things when it's so unfair and we don't have to get into it. We can, but we don't have to get into it. And so I think that also kind of, like, hypercharged Chicagoans in the last, call it, 10 plus years, where it's like, we know we got some problems and we know we have some gun violence and some poverty and we got problems.

But we have a lot of hardworking Chicagoans who are working on it and caring about it, not moving out of the city and doing it. And it just seemed like people who don't give a shit about Chicago at all were using it to score cheap political points. And I think that even though the city's always had a tremendous amount of pride in the last, just as our political cycle and the internet has like polarized us even more, I think it's like rallied Chicagoans together even more to have like a tremendous amount of pride and like protectiveness over the city. Yeah, I mean, I think I have pretty good taste and my wife's got remarkable taste is, I mean, our favorite North American city is Chicago. It's the best. The people I know that live in Chicago, it's one, eight, it's been the best city in America, like eight straight years, Condé Noss.

Like, it's great. I always said this. If the parents were the federal government and all 50 states were kids, California is the best looking and the richest and gets the most criticism. They have to literally pay into the federal government every year because they make so much money. like 28 of the states or more need a check to pay their bills. And those are the states that often criticize the good-looking kid in the family, California, more. And the second most criticized state is Chicago, which gets voted best North American city over and over. So, you know, I've always said this that, you know, I've traveled abroad, mom was British, London's my favorite

place on earth. And then, you know, Los Angeles and Chicago I love. because there are just lots to do. Some people want to live in small towns. I grew up with one. It bored to live in hell out of me. There's just not enough stimulation for me to each their own. I'm not into hunting. You know, it's not my thing.

But it is funny that I tell, Ann, we keep picking these cities that everybody tells us are awful, and we absolutely love them. Chicago in the summer, like, I'm a year round. And the fall. Yes, for sure. I'm a year-round Chicagoan. Like, that's for me, that's my happy spot.

I'm incredibly jealous of what you have set up right now at our network. I'm incredibly envious. But there's just something about the world-class international city where you can do anything at any time. Relative to some places, it's also affordable. Yes, very. It's beautiful. And while the traffic with the construction right now on the, on the Edens is hellacious, like when they're doing the construction,

generally, like outside of that, um, it's pretty easy. Like, it's a pretty easy. It's a pretty great public transportation, four lane, you know,

four lane roads in, like in downtown. Yeah. alleys for like the trash isn't on the street plenty of you know you can take a train into midway into o'hare yeah to rigley two white sock stadium to basically yeah you have a zoo in your downtown it's awesome yeah millennium park relatively new beautiful ton of green space yeah the lake is the water supply to the city. You have a beach with a skyline behind you and a fresh body of water. And by the way, not just a beach. Even my little area where I live has three public beaches.

Oh, yeah. All the North Shore suburbs. Yeah, well, Matt, Winneka, Glencoe are all awesome beaches. Awesome. Yeah. It's it's I mean, listen, we could do this for hours, man. I get sports, music, culture, food, cost of living, accessibility, cleanliness. You can fly anywhere in the world nonstop. You know what I mean? Fly to Tokyo nonstop can fly to Hawaii. Nonstop can fly to anywhere, obviously in Europe, most places in Asia. It's the best. It's the best. I love it. I love it so much. But circling back, it is completely polar opposite of Los Angeles and sport. Oh my God. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, but listen, I think that that, like, I love you giving Chicago credit for it. I think that, and we've talked about this a little bit, like, as both just like guys who love radio and you still do it.

Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, Philly, Boston, Kansas City. These are great sports radio towns, great sports towns, and they have a through line of cold weather. like great sports town that is warm weather town are outliers. And often, you know, like Dallas, obviously Cowboys obsessed. I think Mavericks fans are a little underrated in the ecosystem of the NBA fans. Like Mavericks playoff games kind of jump off the screen. But like, it's not a great sports town. Miami, as you mentioned, not a great sports town.

Obviously, L.A. Right. good sports town, but they can lose interest. In the cold weather cities, you're not losing interest. You don't lose interest. And the people from the warm weather cities are like, because there's less to do there. Yeah, that's probably part of it. But I think there's also just a little bit of like, man, we all are all in this together.

Like these are our teams. We rep it, the city pride. And so I loved doing local sports in Chicago and Kansas City because it really was in the fabric of civic pride within those cities. Who's scoring big in the NBA this season? You are all the new ways to get in on the action at Draft King Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NBA. Slams, dish in the ball, cleaning the glass,

get behind your favorite players, prop bets you can make on Draft Kings. It's fun. The home of NBA player props. If you're ready to place your first bet, make it really simple. Pick how many points your favorite player is going to score. Go to Draft King Sportsbook. They have an app, download it, make your pick.

If you're a first timer, here's something special. New Draft King's customers, all you have to do is bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets instantly. So take it to the rack with Draft King Sportsbook. Every point counts. Download their app. Takes 90 seconds. Use the code, C-O-L-I-N.

To get 150 bones in bonus bets, betting just five. Only on draft kings, the crown is yours. Gambling problem, call 1-800 gambler. In New York, call 8778-8-8-Hopen-Y or text Hope-N-Y 4667-369. In Connecticut, help is available for Problem Gambling. Call 888-789-77- Or visit ccpg.org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino-in Resort in Kansas, 21 and over, age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction.

Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. Four additional terms and responsible gaming resources. see dkng.com.co slash audio. 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, 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 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 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. SportsSlice 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 Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis.

And I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchian win. I mean, she went down at three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay.

Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, Good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. You know, we'll talk some free agency here.

You know, what's really amazing. So, and I always give NBA executives a bit of a break. You get maximum these days, like, years of college tape on a guy. You have to go back to high school tape because, and the truth is, you could be at Gonzaga and a guard, Jalen Suggs, and you only face an NBA guard in your out-of-conference games. I get very little to work on. In the NFL, you have often four years and three years of tape, and there's NFL bodies

everywhere in the Big Ten and the SEC. I'm getting NFL dude on NFL dude multiple years of it. Yet, this is astounding. The hit rate on draft picks, like playing for a few years, is 51%. It's just insane. Steve Kyn, my buddy, always says, if you can get three starters a draft, like the Vegas dealer, boom, you're good, is that you get to the fourth round, and all my GMs are like, you get to the fourth round, it's probably not a starter.

If you have the right system and you draft. Half of the system, you have a much better chance. That's why continuity is so important in this league because Andy Reed, I mean, even with Mahomes and Andy Reid and Brett Veach, they have missed on multiple receivers. Now, just think about that. They are, I mean, Veach is first or second best GM. Andy's brilliant. Who can make anybody work? He got Skymore wide open in the red zone in the Super Bowl for a catch.

Like literally nobody on him in a congested area. And Skymore didn't work. And I can mention multiple other, you know, receivers. there didn't work. And I wonder, not to, you know, catch off guard, but with all the tape, I think the reason that that draft percentage is so low, and I think it's harder, is because the NFL pension for coaches is really good. And there's a lot of money in this NFL business. And virtually everybody feels like they're upgrading. I think in the NBA, assistant coaches know, if you're You're an assistant under Steve Kerr.

You might as well sit there for years until the job opens. Like, right, right. Like the, everybody knows if you don't have two stars, you're not going to win. In the NFL, there is this sense, hey, is I can make this thing work. I mean, I draft a quarterback every year. And so every assistant in the NFL, every coordinator wants to be a head coach, as soon as possible. And it creates this transitional

league, and that really hurts drafting. It really hurts drafting. And the money now is so great as head coach that the money is now so great in college and pro, in coordinator jobs, that everybody is trying to upgrade.

It's like being in college with a girlfriend. You're looking at everything, right? And I feel like in the NBA, A, assistants are like, hey, man, wait until you get the right gig. You know, so then that's my take is why this draft number is so low. There's too much movement. I think that there's probably like a lot of factors, and that is a good one.

And I think that impacts, it impacts everybody. I mean, it's not the exact same, but we're going to see it with Sam Darnel. Like, situation matters. It just matters. He's going to be worse. in Seattle. Like, Clint Kubiak, like similar system, good offense. It doesn't matter.

Donald's going to be much worse. He's going to be much worse. And I know you love him and he's your guy, but. I think he's going to go 24 and 10 from 35 and 13. I think he's going to be about a 23, 24, 10, 12 touchdowns. He'll be a more athletic, cheaper, younger version of Gino.

Maybe. That's about right. And 14 wins to seven and we won't talk about him and he will have gotten paid and it's like like situation just matters we do it we do it all the time like what would have happened if the bears would have taken mahomes instead of trabisky would tribisky have three super bowls i don't think so but he'd be much better and the homes would still be awesome but he wouldn't have the MVPs maybe or he wouldn't have all of the rings like we don't these are unanswerable sports talk questions, but like situation matters up and down.

So if you want to pinpoint it on the draft, I'm definitely with you. And I'll go back to Ben Johnson in Chicago. Like Ben Johnson was one of the rare guys who was able to like have job offers and turn them down because he knew that they were going to be there again the next cycle because he was like, I've got Leporta and Amman Ra and Gibbs and Montgomery and a top two offer. offensive line and a head coach that everybody loved. Like, he knew his stock wasn't really going to go down. But that's like, I wanted to believe, though, when he took the Bears job, I was like, oh, look at the Bears. Like, he turned jobs down two years ago.

He turned jobs down last year. The Bears are the perfect job. This is amazing. And then when he did the interviews, he was like, I knew midway through the year that I was leaving and the bears were like the job that he wanted among the jobs this year you know he was just he was just ready to take a job just ready to take a job and so i think i don't think this is directly addressing your draft point but i think it matters for all of these guys rookies free agents assistant coaches steve spagnolo's amazing Dave tobe's amazing as defensive coordinator

and special teams coach. They also happen to coach with Andy Reid. And they're not getting head coaching jobs. So Kansas City just benefits from, oh, you want to hire our offensive coordinator away? Who gives a shit? We have Andy Reid. But no one apparently wants to give Steve Spagnolo another head coaching job. That's just the chief's benefit.

So the chief's benefit from continuity in more ways even than Mahomes and Reed and Veach. They benefit from continuity all throughout. out the coaching staff. And that has to have ancillary benefits on everybody, not just graphics. That's why when they miss on Sky Moore, he still can have a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Like they squeeze the juice out of even their misses.

By the way, the Rams with 2-2-atwell has been a miss. They've squeezed every ounce. And if you would have had a new coaching staff that have blown him out, and you'd have had to, the Rams. Two, Two, Atwell, is a great example. They're bringing back there like, listen, we're going to bring in Devante. We're going to keep the kid. We think we got a year to two to win a Super Bowl with Matt.

Like, let's just keep the continuity. Tutu Atwell was a continuity signing. That's all he was. And I think, and so it's funny when people say, why do you like the Ram so much the last two years? GM, ops, owner, quarterback, coach, like, it's all the same people. I mean, they go through defensive coordinators, but it's the same scouts. It's the same people. So I am, my staff at FS1, it's, I would argue, in the history of this business, sports talk radio, on the radio site, it's the greatest staff ever assembled.

It's an incredible staff. I mean, I have writers. I have guest bookers. My guys are, could all have other jobs. And we just have an incredible environment. Now, I don't know about TV shows. You know, Stephen A. Smith could have 30 people. I don't know how many.

But in just as, in terms of a radio staff and the, in the humor and the writers and JMA, it's an incredible. group of people from graphics on down, audio, it's just really strong. And I've told people this before. They're like, they're like, how long do you think you're going to do it? And I'm like, I like everybody so much. And I'm like, it's like, and part of the reason I like it is because I'm quirky and they all get my bullshit. And there's like, like, and that's why Andy Reed is a barker. But Spags gets it.

Mahomes gets it. Kelsey gets. So Andy, like at the end of Philly can wear people. out. And I think it's just one of those things where if continuity, like I read a story the other day, fewer Americans are moving. And I'm like, that's actually a good thing. Like, mobility is for the young. Like, I don't want a country where 40-year-olds are like me and they're bouncing around. It's like, it's probably not healthy for families. I can tell you that three-month stretch was really stressful for mine.

I can tell you that. I'm like, we're back to, like, we just took a nice family vacation. We're looking forward to another one this summer. Oh, but like together as a family unit. Like, when I get to maybe even in your spot and we can have some time apart, that would be fine. But for now, it's, yeah, it's stressful. That's fucking. So I thought it was interesting today where Adam Schaefter was almost annoyed with Aaron

Rogers, where he came out and said. said, pick a team. So I said this on the air today. If you ever tell a corporation, listen, I need more time, I'll get back to you. You have to have the self-awareness to know how that lands to the corporation, especially if you're in a valuable position. It's a big F you. You're literally going back thinking, ugh, what a what a prima donna. What a, and I, it's weird, I usually tend to think, really smart people have excellent self-awareness. And I wonder sometimes with Aaron, is he the rare, smart dude, doesn't read the room well? I mean, he goes on this darkness retreat in Green Bay and then is shocked when they're like,

take a hike. Like, how can you be shot? But here's the thing with Rogers, and there's a lot of it. Do we, he talks a lot, but do we believe anything he says? like, what do you mean? He said he didn't have cell service. Like, he's like, he's like, oh, and I, like, you live in Malibu in like a $25 million house. You have cell service.

Like, it was just, I think that he has a lot of narcissism to him. And he's like, I love the silence. And then he brought a film crew. Like, what do you? These things are just in conflict with each other. I just, you know what I mean? I think that he is a. So I don't.

know that he knows exactly what he wants. And I think he loves attention. And I think that he he told Mark Schlereth and Stink has told the story publicly. He did like a week 16 or 17 Jets game. And he stinks said that they talked for almost 30 minutes. 20 something was about the running game because Sting's insane. And he was like five or 10 minutes was about his future. And he's like, Aaron told me point blank, like, I'm only going to keep playing if the situation is perfect. Well, Well, apparently it's down to the Steelers and the Giants. Imperfect. Imperfect.

Now, at least the Steelers, to me, makes perfect sense. That one makes perfect sense. He loves Mike Tomlin. Mike Tomlin loves him. Mike Tomlin. Apparently, it's impossible for this guy to have a losing season. Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Duck Hodges. It doesn't matter.

It's impossible for this guy to have a losing season. a losing season. So obviously you're hyper-relevant. The fans care. You'll look good in the iconic jersey. You'll get to play against Joe Burrow. You'll play against Lamar Jackson. The AFC North plays the NFC North this year. So the Steelers host the Packers. They go to Chicago. Aaron will eat that shit up. To me, that makes sense. He can have an expectation of playing in a playoff game and maybe winning a playoff game that Tomlin hasn't done since 2016. They're not going to win a Super Bowl. But that makes sense.

If he comes back and he plays for the Giants, it's just pure vanity. It's just pure. I want to. Okay. So I'm going to argue because this was a discussion today on our show. And I said, because I've moved so many times that I get a yellow pat out, pros and cons. And I said, I'm going to be Aaron Rogers. I don't have to move.

I get an offensive coach. I get neighbors and a really good left tackle, and I'm going to have more juice in the building because the coach and the GM are getting fired. Or they lost Naji Harris in their left tackle. They're completely toned off to offense. I'm old and don't want to get hit, and they haven't had a good line for seven years.

I'll have really no power in the building, and I'm going to have two guys that are both going to demand the ball, and neither one runs a complete route tree. I can make an argument selfishly. Like every time I've ever thought about moving, my take is, who is my Spengali in the building? Will somebody get me?

Brian Dable's worked with Daniel Jones. He's worked with Josh Allen. Brian Dable's been around forever. Man, Jeannie calls him one of his best assistants he's ever known. Like you go into a building with a guy, you can literally be on the same wavelength. I mean, Arthur, Smith does not appear to be likable and Mike Tomlin does not appear to care about offense.

And you got two receivers who want to be ones. I look at Pittsburgh and think, this is a powder cake. Okay. So two things. One, I could be wrong. I obviously don't know the man. I don't think he cares about moving. He'll, like, come on.

He travels to Tahiti and Thailand and he lived for. 15 years in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and he'll be fine for eight months in Pittsburgh. I have a hard time believing that that is going to be a determining factor for him. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just, I think he'll be fine. He's a very well-traveled individual. He'll have as much power in the offensive side as he wants. Who knows, maybe he'll fire Arthur Smith and they'll hire Nathaniel Hackett.

Like he's the offensive coordinator in and of himself. I think he loves Tomlin. I think that they've flirted with each other. They wink at each other on the sideline. He shouts him out when he does the McAfee interviews. I think he's got a respect for him. Conspiracy theory. McAfee today retweeted a video of Rogers talking about Tomlin from like 2021.

I think it's happening. I think it's happening. I think he's going to announce it on that show. McAfee is a Pittsburgh guy or a Pennsylvania guy, whatever he is. He's doing some show in Pittsburgh coming out soon. He's calling it Big Night Act. I don't fully understand the McAfee universe. But I think Rogers, who's apparently making seven figures from the guy, which is amazing.

Good gig if you can get it. I think he's announcing that he's going to Pittsburgh with McAfee at his show in Pittsburgh, and he's a stealer. That's what I think's happening. All right. You're probably right. I'm just telling you, the stuff that matters to me, which is don't have to worry about moving, left tackle, offensive coach, great weapon, and I'm going to have power in the building. I'll get a say in the building.

Where do you think he wins more football games? Pittsburgh. Yeah. So I guess, okay, and this one of the other thing I wanted to say to you. And this is like developing more as my media career continues to just get older or whatever. I root for interesting. Powder keg? Great.

awesome. It is so much more interesting if Aaron Rogers is in Pittsburgh with Mike Tomlin. That, you know what? Great point. I've said it. I had our guys work up a Photoshop of him in a Steelers uniform the day the season ended. Like, to me, it's made, obviously, if Minnesota wants him, that's a better situation, obviously. So I see him holding out for that. I think they're going to go with J.J. McCarthy. We'll see. but and the Steelers would be on national TV six times they would be hyper relevant and hyper interesting good or bad good or bad so I am I if he's going to play and we're going to talk about him and he's going to suck all the oxygen out of a room I would much rather him do it on a 10 or 11 win team than a 5 or a 6 win team so I'm personally am rooting for Pittsburgh

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

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, calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice 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 Slicelife 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs. And on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm Breaston. breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jen she went.

I mean, she went down at three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court-side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. And now for our next segment, Whiskey Business, brought to you by Green River Whiskey, the official whiskey of the Colin Cowherd podcast. If you want to enjoy life's simple pleasures, reach for Green River Whiskey. Whether it's rye whiskey, single barrel bourbon, you're getting over a century of craftsmanship packed into every bottle. Hop on over to greenriverwiskey.com and discover a legend in a bottle today. You know, it's interesting. You and I both, that's, you know, I like fresh produce. I'm a chef.

Just give me the best ingredients. That's all I care about. J-Mack last year before the season said Chicago's the most interesting team. And they were early until they were just, you know, obviously bad. And then by week like 10, you're like, okay, they're not interesting. Let's think about this. The three most interesting teams next year. So I think this year, the Bears are really interesting because if Caleb struggles again, he may not be the guy.

In fact, he's probably not. So rookie quarterbacks, I never think the team is too interesting because it's going to be ugly and you can't make any stern judgments. Like obviously, Jane Daniels is terrific. He's Lamar Jackson, NFC. It's over. We don't have to argue about that. So I think Chicago is my most interesting team. Well, then let's get those weekly hits on the TV show going, buddy.

Let's go. Chicago's interesting. Okay, let me think about this for a second. I mean, I think Washington's pretty high on the list. I will say this. I think Kansas City pulling back for a year because the offensive line is absolutely in place. their left tackle has never been a starting left tackle. It's like, boys, that's honestly

like having a Bentley and finding the cheapest insurance on the market for it. It's like, no, just call progressive or something. Okay, let's not go discount insurance. So I think Kansas City, I predicted the Niners in Dallas would pull back last this year. They did. I'm going to, I'm going to say Kansas City's going to pull back for a year. Their offensive line is in flux. I mean, if this kid from San Francisco to left tackle doesn't move, also Joe Tooney may have been the most, had more dexterity than any offensive lineman in the league last year. He's gone. So Chicago, Kansas City are fascinating. How about this?

Green Bay. I loved Jordan Love. Last year gave me pause. What if Jordan Love? struggles this year. Like, what if it's... From your mouth to God's ears. Chicago's better. Detroit's really good. As long as Kevin O'Connell's coaching Minnesota, they're viable. I, like, I really like Jordan Love. And then there were times I watched them last year and I'm like, oh, I don't know if the coaching staff right now trust Jordan Love. Like,

I'm not sure they do. So I'm going to go Chicago, Kansas City, Green Bay. Um, And we'll do four. I'm going to say, and I don't know how interesting they'll be, I think New England, Vrable, Drake May, a basically 30% new roster. I do think they'll get Travis Hunter. I think that's going to be a pretty damn interesting team. Those are my four. Bears, Chiefs, Packers, Patriots.

Yeah. So let's revisit this after the draft because I'm not at all convinced that the guy that the chiefs paid is for sure. the left tackle. I think for sure the left tackle now, but I could see them, this is the last year of Kelsey. He's made it clear. We don't know how much more Chris Jones has in him. Obviously, Mahomes is going to be there and Reed will be there and they're going to be good for a long time. But I could see the chiefs trading up in the first round for a for a tackle. I could see that happening. Or a tight end. Or a tight end. Yes. I just think I could see a big drag. half day move for the chiefs to try to inject a blue chip offensive player.

So, you know, where Shador Sanders goes, how far he falls, is Dion Sanders like coach in waiting? Like that, like does the Shador Sanders fall to 21 and he goes to Pittsburgh and he goes to Mike Tomlin and he sits behind Aaron Rogers? Then they're really damn interesting. or does he go to the Giants and it feels like a mortal lock that Brian Davel gets fired and they hired Dion Sanders. Pretty damn interesting.

Either way. So I think that we're going to change a little bit of this out of the draft. I loved what Urban Meyer said on your show, by the way. Side note, parenthetical on Travis Hunter. If you believe Cam Ward is a superstar, then Cam Ward's the number one pick in the draft.

If you have any doubt, then clearly Travis Hunter is the number one pick in the draft, in my opinion, because it's just a value proposition. Like, if you think he can be a Pro Bowl corner, well, that's $25 million a year. And if he can also be a slot receiver, well, that's $15 million a year. Even if he's a slot receiver for 12 snaps a game. So I will. And I think wherever Travis Hunter goes, his team immediately becomes interesting. But let's remove the draft from it to get back to your point.

Obviously, I'm with you on the Bears. I think the Chiefs in an All-in situation is a great pick. The thing that I don't agree with on the New England point is that all the guys that they added are new, but not terribly interesting. And while I love Drake May, I think he looks like Justin Herbert to me, I was disappointed that they didn't figure out a way to get him a number one. He has nobody to throw the ball to. And even if the line is better and Morgan Moses upgrades their left tackle situation, no doubt. Vrable, they spent all that money on like, Carlton Davis and Spelan and Milton Williams.

And I'm like, man, help your quarterback with a rocket arm, please. Like, now I know Godwin went back to Tampa. They can't help that. I know the Bengals franchise tagged. T. Higgins can't help that. You couldn't beat the 58th pick for D.K. Metcalf? Like, Cooper Cuff better be a patriot. Like, do something to help out Drake May in terms of past catchers because he has nothing in that regard.

So to me, they need some weapon to totally get there. And Green Bay is just not new enough. But everyone's back. Watson, Dobbs, Wicks, Reed. They're so young. You know, they're so young. that there's just not a lot of turnover there to make them all that interesting. Though I'm definitely rooting against Jordan Love and the Packers in general,

just like the Chicagoan in me, I don't think who you left out. So I think Washington, the reason I said Washington while you were thinking about it is, I think Jada Daniels had the best rookie quarterback season of my lifetime. Yes. No question. I think it was better than Herbert, who set the touchdown record.

Better than Andrew Luck. RG3, Cam Newton. Especially if you look at his third down and fourth quarter numbers. It's in Joe Montana, his 11th year in the league. They led the league in fourth down conversions. Fourth down conversion with a rookie quarterback. They led the league. It was remarkable.

And then he won playoff. He went to the NFC championship game. But the guys who've had amazing rookie seasons recently, Justin Herbert, it's been up and down. C.J. Stroud this past year, he won another playoff game. I don't think it was all his fault. He was staring at the sky so much as offensive line was the disaster. Diggs got hurt, Tank Dell got hurt, Nico Collins got hurt at various points.

But C.J. Stroud did not take another step from his rookie year. Well, we could say plateaued. If Jaden Daniels takes another step, like the year, two in the system, year two in the league jump. Well, then he's going to win MVP. He will win MVP. Like Mahomes won MVP, his second year in the league. Like Lamar Jackson won MVP, his third year in the league, second year in a system.

Like he will be the MVP of the league. Well, also, if he's great, not to interrupt, but if he's great again, then we have found our top five quarterbacks. Mahomes, Alan, Lamar, Burrow, Jaden. because we all like Jalen Hertz, but we're like, well, the line. I think it's ridiculous. I think it's ridiculous still. Eagles fans kind of bothered me with this.

But I don't remember a time. Most of my life, there have been three great quarterbacks, maybe four in the league, and then it kind of peters out. To have five first ballot level Hall of Fame talent, if Jaden comes out and even duplicates, duplicates last year with much better players around him, then we've got five first ballot guy. And by the way, now I'm moving because of his mobility. I'm moving Stafford to six. And he, I believe he, especially if he could get in that Super Bowl circle again,

win or lose, you're going to have a hard time keeping him out. I think Stafford now that he has a ring is pretty, I would be shocked if he's not a Hall of Famer with where his numbers are going to end up. he's not far from his prime, okay, for him to be the sixth best quarterback in the league, mostly because he doesn't move. The other guys move. The NFL, like I've said this, we're in the golden age of quarterbacking, folks. Like, if he's six, if Herbert and Hertz are seventh.

Can we not forget about Herbert? We are an all-time high. By the way, do you have a line to Harbaugh? Can you like, can you tell him to throw a little bit more, please? to who? Yeah, that's fair. That's fair. But you use the Bentley analogy.

I know that the winning went up, and I know the passer rating was very good, and I know he loves to run the ball. Can you just, from the football appreciation society, don't let my guy, let my guy Justin Herbert not be 26th in the NFL in attempts again or whatever he was, please. Well, they lost Palmer.

So now they have Ladd McConkey. they need a tied in in the first round and a receiver in the third. Like, it's one of those things where, and I've said this about Jim Harbaugh, it's kind of fascinating. San Francisco and Michael Crabtree. It was an O-line, D-line physicality. John Harbaugh is the same way. What's the one thing the Ravens haven't had?

White receiver talent, they've always been a little shy. The Harbaugh's, it's their nature. He could have taken Michael Thomas, who he loved. He took Joel. It's who they are. Their DNA is, we want to intimidate you. We want to physically. like listen, they let go of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.

They kept boasted Killeo Mack. That was very clear their DNA. I know. I just as a guy who loves Justin Herbert, I want to see the guy throw a little bit more. What were we just talking about? I'm sorry. I feel like I lost my train of thought.

Oh, but Washington, what Houston did off of C.J. Stroud's rookie year was correct. Oh, my God. We have a quarterback. He turned our franchise. around. We won a playoff game. We have a ton of cap space and a stud quarterback who we know we have to pay on a cheap deal. Let's go all in. And Stefan Diggs was crazy expensive. Denial Hunter was crazy expensive. They paid Mixon. Like, Mixon didn't really work. He was fine. It wasn't

really his fault. The offensive line was a disaster. Diggs was working, then got hurt. De Niel Hunter was fantastic. Washington is in the exact same spot. And we've now seen what they've done. Like they, Debo, we're going to give Kingsbury and Terry McLaren and Jane and Daniels. We're going to give them a toy and see how it works. We are going to trade a ton of capital for one of the best pass blocking left tackles of his generation to protect our investment. And then they paid Kinlaw, I think too much money.

But they didn't want to get too much weaker on the defensive line when they lost. lost Allen and they brought in Kinlow. So maybe they'll do one more trade for a move or whatever, but they're going to maintain Caplexible, but we've seen their moves. D-Tackle, left tackle, D-Bos Samuel, plus what they had in the draft. And Philly got worse. Now, Philly got worse by design, and we know it, and they should because they didn't want to pay Milton Williams $100 million so they could pay Jalen Carter, $150 million next year. Philly's top 10 players are still all excellent. They deserve to be the favorite. But I think. think that what Jaden Daniels did and like year two, does it plateau? Does it go down? Does it go up?

Because he's got way more talent and he should be only more comfortable in the NFL. So of the, to me, they are very high on my list of interesting. The division, the teams they play, sleeping giant of the band base, the ownership change. Like Washington's very high on my list of interesting. Yeah, Jaden Daniels, the quarterback, reminds me of Sean McVey, the coach. Like, you're like a month in and you're like, yeah, he's way ahead of where he should be. Like McVeigh was going up against good coaches and you're like, how were they so bad last year? And how are they like going? When he had golf go toe to toe with Mahomes at the Coliseum, remember, because there was going to be a game in Mexico. And you're like, okay, we're looking at

maybe the greatest young coach by far in league history, maybe John Madden, Sean McVeigh. You know, people have said, you guys are getting high on him. It's like, no, no, like I can remember Jordan's rookie year. And it's like, oh, that's, I haven't seen that. Like the hand size. His just, his ability to just play hard every second on the floor, which Urban Meyer says that about Travis Hunter. It's like 65th snap.

He's literally racing down the field blocking people. Like he has a motor that never stops. I think Jaden Daniels is one of those. Oh, yeah, this is Lamar Jackson. I watched Lamar his first year. He started week 11. They got to the playoffs. And I went and watched him in person.

I think it was against the Chargers. They didn't know how to defend him. It's like, you know, everybody was like on eggshells. Like, don't commit. It was the non-committal defense. Like, he was terrifying people. The rookie quarterbacks who have won at a very high level, you know,

Dak Prescott had that awesome winning rookie season where he didn't really throw any interceptions. Russell Wilson, Big Ben, every rookie quarterback who's won big in my lifetime, they weren't the reason. None of them. Like, they weren't bad. Except that's my judgment.

point. That's what. And luck. But one big, like, they, he's in the NFC championship game. They won nine, one score games this year. Like, he was like, fourth quarter comebacks,

third down, fourth down, passing, running, playoff wins. Now, like, listen, the, the counter argument is nine one score playoff game, nine one score wins,

and they beat Tampa by three in the wild card round. lose that game, we are at least having a little bit more doubt about, about Jade and Daniels. But I just, I'm not going to invoke Michael Jordan, but I also was two when Michael Jordan was a rookie, so I'm not completely dismissing what you're saying. But I just, I'm with you. I'm pretty positive. He's great. and his team should be much better in terms of around him.

Well, they won't be in as many one-score games. So the truth is, you go, oh, they were nine and one-and-one-score games. They will not be in 10-1-score games. And so me, that's, they're just, again, the whole premise was like most interesting. I'm with you on the Bears. I'm with you on the Chiefs. I'm less so patriots. And I know we're just doing this off the top of our head.

but Washington is very, very high on the list. Trying to think of the AFC team that you left out. I mean, listen, I think, I do think Harbaugh, Herbert is incredibly compelling. I think they're going to win their division. You think they're going to beat the Chiefs? Yeah, I think the Chiefs. Wow. Listen, I think.

Have you told Memphis yet? Yeah, I think, I think. Yeah, but, you know, he's. There was static in his ear. He didn't really hear it. But I do think to win like they did last year, they went from the worst defense to like the third best. It's like, okay, that was all coaching.

It was the exact same players. And you know that not every defensive player knew that system wrote. Like some of these young guys are like, hey, man, we are learning on the fly here. So I just think they also will draft as well. as anybody in this sport for the next two years because of Harbaugh's connection to college football. So I think they're going to go get four to five. I mean, last year they went in the fifth round and got two corners. Like both can play.

It's like, okay, they're going to draft different than everybody else. It's the Pete Carroll out of USC, the first four years. They hit on everybody like third, fourth, fifth, sixth. They were hitting on everybody. It's one of those built-in advantages. And I think it will pay dividends again this year. Are you a believer in Pete Carroll this time around? There are ceilings with Pete.

His fascination with Gino Smith is his ceiling. He doesn't care enough about quarterbacks as I don't think. I think the difference between offensive coaches and defensive coaches in this league is the urgency at quarterback. I mean, Andy Reid's moving off a pro-bowlder. Sean McVeigh is moving off Jared Goughlin. Like defensive coaches, you get me Gino, I can win a lot of games with Gino. And I think, I mean, Aaron Glenn, hey, I can win a lot of games with Justin Fields. I think defensive coaches think differently.

It's in their DNA. And I think Pete looks at Gino as, hey, man, he'll complete a bunch of passes, stay out of trouble. And I just, so I think Pete, that's the ceiling for Pete that would infuriate me. Mike Tomlin's got a lot of this. He just, I mean, right now, Steelers don't have a quarterback. Ron Revere in Washington. I got Sam Hound. I think Gino's underrated because he was under pressure

more than basically any quarterback in football the last three years and still completed 68% of his passes and won a bunch of games and threw for a bunch of yards. So I think Gino's underrated, but he's obviously not great and he's older and I'm with you and your overall premise. There's obviously a million differences between someone like me and these athletes and coaches. obviously that doesn't need to be said, but I'll say it anyway.

But one of the biggest differences beyond the athleticism is I would be like, I'm going to go coach against Andy Reed, Sean Peyton and Jim Harbaugh, and Bo Nix, Justin Herbert, and Patrick Mahomes. Like, the path to winning seems, borderline impossible? Like, borderline impossible? These guys clearly don't think that way. They clearly have such ego,

belief, confidence, wherever that line blurs between delusion and confidence. All of these guys seem to have it. They are the 1% of the 1%. But when people are like, Aaron Rogers should go quarterback the Raiders, I was like, I think he's smarter than that. I don't think he wants to go to a team with a ceiling that is seven wins.

Like what is the bet? And I'm rambling. But like when Max Crosby was like, I want to be a Raider for life, a small part of me, I think less of you. Like, it's cool. It's cool. It's admirable. Your name will be in the ring of honor. But I'm bummed. I want to see Max Crosby in his prime on a great team. Miles Garrett. It was just about the money? You could have gotten the money without saying you didn't want to go from Cleveland to Canton. They were going to pay you.

You said you wanted to win. And then you're back. In football, I want to see these guys be straight mercenaries and see the best players in their prime play on the best teams. And I know these guys don't run from challenges, but I was like, Pete Carroll at his age, thinks he can turn the Raiders into a winner in that division. no quarterback? Like, I think you're crazy. I think he's crazy. Yeah. Well, yeah, I mean, there's no way. There's no way he wins big in that spot, right? He'll argue we got to play

these guys anyway, if we're any good in the AFC. You're going to, might as well face them two times, have them have our kind of, you know, I think, I mean, Chip Kelly told me he looked at the Raiders, Chiefs, games, every play. and he told me, we can match up with them. He goes, if we get a good quarterback, we can match out with them. He goes, we had them beat twice. So I think, and I do think Kansas City last year was beatable. So I know, and listen, the league is designed for parity

and a big favorite in the NFL was 10 points. So, of course, there is, there is some truth to it. But you got a cleaner path in the AFC South. you know, you just like, like, teams most likely to host a playoff game next year. But if you had to, there's a hundred grand on the table. You get to pick it up if you're right. Buffalo. Buffalo.

Baltimore. Houston. Philadelphia. But see, like, I think. But I think Baltimore and Philly, like, at least in those situations, it's like, well, Burl is there. Jaden is there. Like, they, there's, those, they've real other team, like, Buffalo is the number one pick.

Buffalo's won the division five years in a row. They've got the MVP of the league. They've got the most talent. No other team is particularly compelling. I think Houston might be my number two pick. The rest of the AFC South sucks. And I think Kansas City should still be there. Like, I'm surprised to hear you having the Chargers catching them.

But it's just, I would be looking for, do I have a quarterback, like if I was looking for a job, do I have a quarterback and do I have a path to winning? Like a reasonable path to winning. And I was, so I don't think that there is really one in Vegas. Danny Parkins. That was a good hour. Anytime, buddy. This was fun, as always.

The volume. 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. 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 me.

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. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ 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 hungry.

You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming to you. 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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're not, you know, 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. This is an IHeart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.