The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 1 - The Jets part ways with Aaron Rodgers

Episode Date: February 13, 2025

Colin reacts to the Jets officially announcing they will move on from Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback and why Rodgers is in need of a third act Thoughts on the Lakers loss to the Jazz last night He looks at the disconnect between Matthew Stafford and the Rams and believes there is one clear team Stafford could play for next season if it's not in LA   Guest: Ethan StraussSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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You're listening to FHR. Fox Sports Radio. Oh, it suddenly becomes a very interesting day and a Thursday live in Los Angeles. It's the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. We've got a lot of things J-Mack brewing today. Yesterday, J-Mack just threw out a little nugget. A little McNugget.

He said, you know, Matt Stafford Giants, this was actually two days ago. Keep your eye on it. Oh, things are percolating. Also, a story that Jay Glazer and Jordan Schultz broke, I think it was on Super Bowl Sunday or Saturday, Jets were going to move off Aaron Rogers. Well, that is official this morning. So it came down late this morning. This clearly was a Jets decision. Last week, we met with Aaron Rogers, said New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, and we informed him we're moving off.

I can see J. Max pumping his fist over there. That has been his mantra for the last six months. So this was, this is pretty interesting. Aaron contacted the Jets, much like he contacted the Packers, and they both dumped him. In my opinion, Aaron will tell you, hey, I'm going to wrap it up, heck of a career. He can say that. That's all BS. Aaron needs a third act.

You do not want to be remembered. Farr have had success in Minnesota, Peyton Manning wins a Super Bowl in Denver, Tom win once in Tampa. You're known as a quarterback that leaves Green Bay and the Packers the next year are better without you and you bomb in New York and become kind of a zany conspiracy theorist.

That is not what you want to be remembered as. Aaron's going to tell you, I don't listen to traditional news, I do my own homework, I don't care about criticism. That's B. Yes, everybody hears it. People care what you say about them. You do, I do, everybody does.

And what's really interesting here is the Jets do not have a succession plan. Okay, the Jets don't have a quarterback. It's a bad quarterback class. I want you to think about this because this is what I told you Monday on the show. And I said it's Sunday night in my podcast on the volume. I told you this. This is not just moving off Aaron Rogers, the quarterback. What the Jets are telling you is in a quarterback,

League, they have no succession plan, and they told Aaron, yeah, we're good here. This is not an indictment of Aaron the quarterback. He was good. It's an indictment on Aaron the person. They don't want him in the building. This is a coach with the rebuild. He didn't want him in the building because Aaron's last 10 games, he had a 97 passer rating. He was actually pretty darn good.

That's why I was surprised they didn't bring him back. Aaron's got a market. And by the way, with an incompetent coaching staff, he put up those numbers. So Aaron can play. And I'll say this. If it was about giving Aaron the control of the franchise, hard pass. But if you give him a competent staff, I'm all in. And I think this is a real moment here.

The second franchise dumped you. And I don't care about your resume. I don't care if you're a supermodel. if you get dumped by a long-haul trucker, time to look in the mirror and work on that personality. Aaron has sort of had this, I'm above football, I'm not going to do this, I'm off to Egypt, stop the nonsense.

You're not that quarterback anymore. Okay? You could have done that seven years ago. It's a different time. So the New York Jets, who do not have a quarterback, basically said, we are good here.

Not only do the Jets not have a quarterback, It's a bad quarterback draft class. I had another executive tell me last night, there's a reason the Giants want Matt Stafford. They're telling you they don't like the quarterback draft class. They don't like Cam Ward and they don't like Sodor Sanders and they don't like Jalen Milro. That's why that story has surfaced. Now, Albert Breer is on next hour.

So there is a quote this morning in an Albert Breer story. that Matt Stafford, the big domino in this year's quarterback market is Matt Stafford. So I am going to propose something. I'm just proposing it. But I made a couple of calls yesterday, a couple of Texas morning. I'm going to propose something. And yesterday I was talking to a longtime NFL exec, and he said this is not crazy. The Rams like Matt Stafford, but they're tiring of the confidence.

constant quarterback talk, his wife saying things publicly. They're not real happy with Cooper Cup. Going public with something, they tried to keep quiet. They're kind of over Cooper Cup. And with that, a little bit Matt Stafford. They like him, but they don't want to restructure his deal and give him a big contract. Meanwhile, the Giants do not like the quarterback class. And Brian Daibald, the head coach and Joe Shane, the GM, have got a win or they'll be fired by Thanksgiving.

They're going to get run out of the building. Because if they don't have a quarterback, Washington now is big time. Philadelphia will steamroll them. The Packers, the Bears, the Rams, NFC's getting better. And the Giants have some good players. So they are going to make a move, I believe, on Matt Stafford. And the first person to talk about this on the air was J-Mack. I'm going to give him credit on this.

He was like five days ago. So what the Rams want, I'm told, they want the Giants first round picket number three. So they probably want a first, a second, a first, a third, but you got to pay Stafford. If you're the Giants, you have to give them a new deal, they'll probably get a first and a fourth. But let's just talk about that number three pick. The Rams want that number three pick in the draft because they're drafting away later. They want to take that pick, move down, and get more picks. Why? So they have extra picks for next year when they have to move up to get a quarterback. So what the Rams will be in the market for if Matt Stafford moves is a one to two year rental at quarterback.

Aaron Rogers. Hear me out. Aaron needs a rehab. Packers got better without him. His image, big advertisers, not interested. Jets was a mess. He needs a rehab. Got a house in Malibu.

West Coast guy. By the way, in a division with Gino Smith, Kyler Murray, Brock Purdy, Aaron Rogers' last 10 games last year, he was good. He was actually, and remember, that was with a third-tier coaching staff. Now he gets McVeigh, an established O-line,

an excellent young defense. Remember, Matt LeFleur's brother is the O-C with Sean McVey. Well, he's been in that system before. So Aaron knows the system. with the Rams. I believe Aaron is craving infrastructure, stability,

a head coach he respects, organizational excellence. If the Rams do move down and do get the Giants number one pick, don't be surprised if they don't draft TeamAC, the Arizona-wide receiver to replace Cooper Cup, who

they're moving off of. He is easily the best receiver in this draft. So this sounds crazy. The match Stafford of the Giants thing is real, I'm told. I am told they like Matt Stafford, but he's old. Let's be honest. You look at the playoffs. There were two immobile quarterbacks, Stafford and Gough.

It is a mobile quarterback league. We just had another mobile quarterback win. Brady's the last pocket guy, right? Like that's Stafford's the last great pocket quarterback. Ramsmont, inexpensive, rental quarterback for one year. So, and I'll say this again. giving Aaron Rogers the keys to the kingdom, I'm not interested in that. I know what his personality is, right?

I'm not interested in that. But having Aaron come as a one or a two-year rental rehab? Absolutely. Aaron to the Rams, Stafford for the Giants. Remember, Aaron Rogers, last year, with a third-tier coaching staff through more touchdown passes than Patrick Mahomes, Jaden Daniels and Justin Herbert. What do you roll in your eyes?

He did. Okay. So I'm just, I am saying Stafford of the Giants, that GM and that coach got a vote of confidence. They're not winning. They're done. And now with Jaden Daniels, those are two Ls

if you have the quarterback situation you have. You just put down O and four, Eagles commanders. Put it down. Matt Stafford gives you instant credibility. Malik neighbors, you got a one. Thomas a left tackle, you got that. That solves a lot of problems for the Giants. A lot of problems for the New York Giants, the team you don't like.

So you're torn today. You hate the Giants and love the Jets, so you're torn. Yeah, I do like Stafford a lot. What were your quarterbacks that you said that Rogers was better than Justin Herbert? No, I said this morning the guys, as I was doing this rant and writing notes, the guys said, do you know he threw more touchdown passes? last year than Herbert, that I had heard. But I didn't know Jaden Daniels or Mahomes.

Yeah. Well, those three guys had something that Rogers didn't have. Playoff trip and some playoff success. I know Herbert lost, but still, Colin, I don't hate this idea of Rogers or the Rams. I just don't know that L.A.'s ready

for Aaron Rogers. Oh, I think L.A.'s fine. It's a big city. They're fine. Now, ask yourself. Again. Is Lest N.A. going to let him do podcasts and conspiracy theories and tinfoil That stuff. Is that going to fly? I don't think anybody cares.

I think, now here, I'll give an example. I think if you're Aaron Glenn and you're taking over the jets, I understand. I want you at camp. I want you off podcasting. If you're Sean McVeigh, do you give a rip? This is a big city. It's successful. It's organizationally excellent.

I don't think they give a rip. And I also think Aaron is not coming as a savior. When he went to New York, like Russell Wilson, went to Denver. He was a savior. Okay? When these quarterback, Deshawn Watson to Cleveland, a savior, Russell, Aaron, and Deshawn Watson knew they were running the organization.

Aaron's coming here? Rent a quarterback for a year or two. By the way, did you see the other note this morning that all of a sudden the Giants? Hey, Sam Darnold didn't play for the Giants. You know that's obviously a leverage play. Hey, Rams, you don't want to trade us Stafford? We're just going to after Sam Donald. He's on the market. Nobody seems to want him. We'll take him. obviously the Giants don't want Darnel, but it's this game of chess. Yes.

Where the Rams, hey, listen, they're kind of stuck with an unhappy quarterback. No, no, no. He's underpaid. Again. He just lost his guy, Cooper Cup. What the Jets are telling you, in a league of quarterbacks, it's not that Aaron can't play. The numbers tell you we can play.

They didn't want Aaron the dude in the building. So I'm telling you, the Packers got better without him. The Jets was a mess. Aaron will maybe insinuate. I can just wrap it up, play golf. That's fine. He's got a lot of money. Peyton ended with a ring. Brady ends with a ring.

Old Stafford gets a ring. Like, I'm sorry, the Jets is not how Aaron Rogers' career should end. He deserves it. Himself, he deserves better than that. Do you remember when Kyrie Irving went to Brooklyn and was burning Sage in the locker room? And James Hardin's like, what the hell? Get me out of you.

I don't want anything to do with this. I wonder if that young Rams locker room, They got a lot of young guys now, right? The verse leading the defense, Pooka and Kua. I wonder how they're going to take to Aaron Rogers. Because remember, Garrett Wilson had some beef with him in New York, and it was like, I don't know that it's going to go as swimmingly as you think with Rogers. No, I don't think there are a Super Bowl team with him.

I'm saying for a one-year rental, so I don't get tied to a massive contract, this is not a good quarterback class. It's just not the Giants are telling you that. I mean, the New York Giants are telling you, we just don't sit. We got the number three pick. We could move up or stay there. We're not interested. That's what they're telling you.

That's why the darnold story. They like Darnold better than the quarterbacks. They like a $40 million Sam Darnold over the college quarterbacks who were basically free for a few years. So the Jets are trying to establish a new culture. The Rams are trying to add Rogers to a great culture. That's a totally different quarterback. And again, I'm not saying it makes the Rams Super Bowl team. I don't think Aaron's as good as Matt Stafford right now.

I don't think he is. But don't, we cannot deny. We have to be fair on this show. Aaron in his last 10 games with a bottom five coaching staff in the league put up real grown-up numbers. You have to be fair.

The O-line wasn't great. The running game was okay. He had good receivers, but no tight end of note. Aaron put up good numbers. I mean, they were three and eight at the time, season over, no pressure. Whatever. I mean, yeah, it was like Kevin Love in Minnesota.

Remember, he was stacking 25 and 12. Oh my gosh, Kevin Love's awesome. Goes to Cleveland. He's gay, go stand in the corner and make some threes. Like, I mean, I just, I can't be one way. Kevin loves a Hall of Famer, by the way. Everybody gets in the NBA Hall of Fame, right?

I think you're in there, no. They put a few officials in there. Two globe-trodders, I will admit. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio app. 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 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 I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human. potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble

stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard 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 reel. 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 to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlic. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. You are now entering the no bull zone sponsored by credible great rates, none of the bull. So the Lakers played Utah again and got blown out. And listen, Luca has never been known as a cardio master.

Is not in good shape. He had a team low minus 16 plus minus. Lost in all of this AD Luca movement is that AD was a sensational defensive player and Luca is an atrocious defensive player, especially when he's out of shape. So he hadn't played until Christmas until a few days ago. So the Utah Jazz started three centers, John Collins, Kessler, Lori Markinen, who's a 7-1-3. I mean, they were huge. And Jackson Hayes got hurt.

The Lakers are tiny and totally outclassed. So what's fascinating about the Lakers and Luca, they're going to transition as a team. They're now a very bad defensive team, and they're going to have to make up for it by shooting threes. Last night, the Lakers shot 50 threes. They're not a team that shoots a bunch of threes. But now with Luca and still Austin Reeves, Dalton Connect, they're going to shoot a ton of threes. LeBron's going to shoot more threes. They shot 50 last night.

So you're basically asking a team that was a very strong team defensively around the rim, not that great in the perimeter, but pretty good around the rim. now they're awful and now they're small. So they're not going to match up well with a team that's big like Memphis or Denver or like last night. Utah, if Jackson Hayes gets into trouble. Now, Utah is not a great team, but it was funny to watch them start three of their bigs. Everybody in the league knows what the Lakers' weakness is. And right now, one of the weaknesses is actually Luca defensively. He is by Luca standards, and those aren't very high.

It's not in good shape. I mean, he picked up, I looked this morning, five. fouls in 23 minutes. He can't stay in front of that chair next to me. Here was Luca after. I think we can go very far, obviously. Today I felt a little bit rusty, you know, two games seen after my injury, turnovers, Ms. Frittals, so I got it away better. But now I think approaching this break, so we got a rest. For me, I think it's more mental rest than anything else, but still got to work. So I'm excited about this break, and I can't wait to go back to play.

So, again, so much attention was paid to offense in Luca. But you were replacing, in my opinion, the best defensive player in the league with the worst defensive player in the league. Now, I still think the Lakers, when Luca is scoring 30 a night, not 16, and it is not plus minus. I think it was plus minus, maybe it was 19 last night. But you went best offensive player to worst and boy Utah figured it out really quickly. Like go big.

Houston's also a team with size. Memphis has size. OKC's got size. Denver's got real size. I still think this team can shoot their way to the Western Conference finals, but boy, did Utah figure it out the second time they played the Lakers. J-Mac with the news. No, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All right, let's go back to the NFL calling the Eagles.

Fresh off winning the Super Bowl last weekend blew out the two-time defending champs. Oh, it felt so good. With the win, Philly will play in the season opener next season. Yep. And a team that is on their schedules, the Detroit Lions. Well, Amoraz St. Brown wants a primetime matchup with the Eagles on opening night. Eagles have the home opener next year because they won the Super Bowl. You don't want the smoke.

Can I read you the list of teams? that could potentially be in that first game. Uh-huh. Rita. Commanders. Okay. Cowboys, Giants, Bears, lions, Raiders, Rams,

Broncos. Out of all those teams, what, like, if you're the NFL, who are you putting in there? Lions or commanders. I'm saying, you would see what are, like, our healthy defense. How that's...

I mean, how many... That'd be a great game. Those are the two best rosters and pro football. Would you rather see lions or commanders? I would rather see lions. Yeah, because commanders are bringing in a bunch of free agents and draft picks.

I think they could be great. They're not going to be great in the first week. Jayden's not going to play much in the preseason. They're going to have like eight draft picks. They're going to rely on them to play. Free agents. They've got tons of cap space. Washington's going to be really good.

Don't be shocked if they're not great in September. What about the Lions? They lose both coordinators, right? You don't think that's significant? We saw the Eagles pull back when they lost their quarter. They got a bunch of dudes that have played together. Now, they may go backwards. They'll be great early.

Will they be great at the end of the season? Or will their coordinators And this happened. Remember when Philadelphia had new coordinators? Yeah. And they came off a great season. They were very good early. But over the course of a season, people found weaknesses on film with the coordinators who both got fired.

So Detroit's going to be good early. We'll find out if the coordinators are as good as Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn because the coaching is so good in the NFL. If they're not good by Thanksgiving, they'll be exposed. But Detroit will be very good week one. If I'm Philly, I would rather play the Lions at home in, say, December when the weather's crappy and Jared Gough has. to go outside as opposed to September where it's going to be a balmy, 65, no weather elements

come into play. I'm just trying to think like a team that wants to go back to back, you know? Disagree? No, I don't disagree. I just, as a consumer, I want to watch Lions Eagles. That is, those are the two best rosters in the NFL. Yeah, can't argue with that. That's fair point. Let's go to the next

story, and that's Jaden Daniels, had an amazing rookie season. Offensive rookie of the year. They were 12 and 5. They went to the NFC championship game. Well, the Cowboys faced him twice. And Micah Parsons believes Jaden had the best rookie campaign since Lamar Jackson. I think the rib injury held him back. But what I noticed in his last couple weeks is he's not afraid to run no more.

He's taking and running. I think if he didn't have that rib injury, we're looking at, you know, an MVP conversation for him. Obviously, he's locked up the offensive rookie the year. I haven't seen more of a cold-blooded rookie, you know, since I've been in the NFL, probably the past, you know, besides Lamar,

probably past five, seven years, but I think he's at a, you know, a different level. There's a comparison on the screen of Jaden to Lamar. Their first 20 starts, very comparable. Yeah, Jaden is much better in the pocket than Lamar was as a rookie.

Yeah, and remember, Jaden spent, I think it was, he transferred from ASU to LSU. Yeah. So he had a lot of college starts under his belt. Lamar had plenty at Louisville. I know everybody wants to put Jaden Daniels as the fifth. Well, Jaden also played in the SEC and Lamar played in the ACC.

Yeah. Right? Didn't he? Yeah. So the difference is Jaden in college, this last two years in college, was facing NFL bodies every Saturday. So I think he was just more ready for the NFL. Lamar, you know, I mean, Clemson was good, but most of the people on that schedule are not playing pro football. I can't wait for your offseason quarterback rankings because I have this feeling you're going to put Jaden at first. five. And it has to be Jalen Hertz, and I'm going to get upset with that, just letting you know,

like, motion to advance. I'm considering everything. Oh, Justin Herbert didn't play at five? I don't know. I will say this. Mobility is increasingly important, and I think we saw it in the playoffs. Off script. Yesterday, Mark Sanchez came on. Those Jalen Hurts runs in the second half were literally backbreakers to the cheap. I mean, they weren't winning that game anyway. But when he took off those two times, you're like, oh, this is just, this is really ugly. Kellyn Moore had a pretty damn good Superbook. He did. He would call it a great game.

He did. If he didn't hear Sanchez yesterday, he really broke down what Kellynne Moore did, how, and whenever you say simplified, but Mark did a good job of explaining what you want to do for a quarterback, because so many things are hard as a quarterback, you want to make some things easier. And the way Sanchez talked about what Kellyn Moore did, just make everything work into your line of sight so you don't have to literally look all over the field, and it gets a bad rat. Like when you say game manager or they simplify the offense, well, you should manage a game as a quarterback, and you should have some layups.

That's one of my knocks on some of these offensive coordinators, the Bears last year. Can you give Caleb Williams six to seven layups a game? Just easy stuff. Like you don't make a quarterback, not everything has to be a 600-pound deadlift. I also liked what Sanchez said about every third down. and they went tempo, so Spags didn't have time to put in those exotic blitzes. Real smart. Kellemore had a good Super Bowl.

Got to give him props for that. Final story, Collins, to the NBA, where Steve Kerr, he was a little whiny, shall we say, last night, the Warriors lost to the Mavericks. A bit of a surprise. Kerr picked up a technical foul on the third after yelling at officials, but he revealed that he was really ticked off because the game didn't start until 8.45 p.m. I know it. And because they were on a back-to-back.

Here's Kerr ranting. after the game. It's a tough back-to-back and, you know, that's why that's what makes this loss even more frustrating is that, you know, we've got to get into Houston at three o'clock, you know, whatever it is, because, you know, the NBA and its infinite wisdom makes us play an 845 game and they clearly don't care about, you know, rest or player health. It's just ratings and all that stuff, so I get it. So everyone's got to do it. The whole league's got to do it. And, And so it is what it is. We've got to strap it up and get ready for tomorrow.

Yeah, I was wondering last night. Last night was a great NBA night. I watched the Celtic Spurs. I'm telling you, San Antonio, now they're not as good as Boston, but watch out. They got some dudes. Didn't San Antonio get smoked last night? When I was watching it, it was an 8-to-a-10-point game. It's Boston.

They're easily the best team in the league. Boston humiliated the Knicks. They did not humiliate San Antonio. It was an 8-10-point game. I like Steve Kerr a lot. The flight from Dallas to Houston is like a puddle jumper, dude. What are you complaining about? Come on.

I'd be more depressed that they could not stop Kyrie Irving. When you start Steph Curry and Buddy Healed in the back court? He was phenomenal last night. Yeah, Kyrie looked good. What did he score? 47? 42 points. God, he was good last night.

Yeah, he was great. I mean, I'm sorry, Buddy Healed has zero chance against him. Warriors just have no defense on the perimeter. They can't lose that game. Didn't you like, I think I agree with you. No, my two picks in the NBA last night for Draft Kings were I liked the jazz plus nine against the Lakers and the Warriors minus five. And I had money in my pocket ready to burn. And then that second half, they couldn't stop Guy Rie Irving.

They couldn't make stops. But here's the other thing. The NBA, I know you like to credit the NFL for doing this a lot. The NBA said, oh, the Super Bowl is that Sunday? Let's have a stacked week of really good games. Last night was one of the best. I mean, the games didn't turn out very well. But the matchups.

But the matchups were great last night. And it leads into All-Star weekend, which has kind of gone the way of the Pro Bowl. Like, I mean, do you even know who's in the dunk contest if I asked you? Do you know who's in it? No. I didn't know until I had to look it up this morning. I was like, ooh. I don't know.

Not great. I know LeBron's not in it. He's not doing the dunk contest. That's correct. J-Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News.

Listen. Baby steps for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are broken offensive. as a franchise. So this is interesting. A reporter in Jacksonville, Ryan Burr, says the Steelers, you have to applaud them for just making a phone call to an offensive player. The Steelers are calling the Jaguars for Trevor Lawrence. Man discovers fire. Steelers discover quarterback. Give them credit. Nine of the last 10 Super Bowl champs were top 10 offenses. Pittsburgh is broken offensively. So, yes, they're competitive in the regular season.

They are not a competitive franchise in the postseason. Listen to this. This is nuts. In their last five playoff games, this is crazy. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been outscored in the first quarter, 73 to nothing. In their last six playoff games, they have trailed by 21 points or more in all six playoffs. games. So it's sad that it's taken this long to realize the league is pivoted to offense, but it's a start. So you can say that, you know, defense wins championships. Yeah, the Eagles

were ahead 34-0-0, and that 34, that number is like scoring points and stuff. So, you know, I've been saying this now a couple years. Let's stop pandering to Mike Tomlin's. He's never missed the playoffs. Who cares? They're not a competitive playoff team. So, I mean, to me, this story is, it's real progress yesterday there was a billboard in Pittsburgh that a fan bought trade Tomlin or sell the team

now as I noted it's right next to a chain link fence it doesn't look like it's an ideal location on a busy freeway it could be somebody's backyard but nonetheless did we have a new one is there a new one out there don't worry Kevin we're making calls

okay there we go I just think it's I think we have to be honest. I think it's progress. I think it's progress. So Kevin Adams, Steelers bought a billboard. They're making calls for you.

Coming up, free agency in the NFL. It is Suckerville or you can change your franchise. There is one player in this free agent class I would absolutely pay for. Now, last year, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, there were some hits. Sequin Barclay, there were absolutely, I think Derek Henry, there were some hits last year. There were more hits than average. But this free agent class, man, buyer beware. There's some things to worry about this year.

There is one free agent I would empty the bank for. I'll talk about that. My buddy, Ethan Strauss, NBA writer, House of Strauss around the corner. as well. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Steve Kavino. And I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Kavino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.

You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course the I Heart Radio app. Why should you listen to Kavino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world? We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture.

Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio. Maybe the most interactive show on Planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino-enrich live on Fox Sports Radio on the IHeart Radio app from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino-N-Ritch, wherever you get your podcast and, of course, on social media. Cabino and Rich.

Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, new? 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 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hart Radio app. Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tript Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. and we're still chasing it

and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro.

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast. Learn the hard way.

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Probably my favorite podcaster in the country. I think I'd listen to him on more walks and treadmill jaunts as I do. Anybody in the country, Ethan Strauss, NBA writer, really does culture, business. House of Strauss is what it's called. And he's done a great job ditching traditional media and starting his old little mini empire. So I'm always proud of him and I like guys that do that.

So you have really interesting stuff. Of course, you wrote the book years ago about making and unmaking of the Warriors dynasty. You had a contentious relationship with Kevin Durant, a good relationship with other warriors. So there's a bunch of stuff here I want to unpack. You had an interesting relationship with Nico Harris and the GM of the Mavericks that pulled off this trade, which is being labeled as the worst NBA trade of all time. I have somewhat defended it saying if they got two more first round picks, 74 million extension, out of shape, hurt a lot, missing camp.

I kind of get it. It's still a bad trade. Take my audience back to why you think they ultimately made this deal, and was Nico just a lone agent here making it happen? Well, you said it. If they'd gotten more picks, maybe you could justify it. But I think the issue with Nico and the issue with the hire, a lot of people, they don't know about the origins.

Nico is a former Nike marketing rep. that kind of job, it's somebody who's good with people, somebody who can help recruit players and make them happy. They're assigned to a player. They hang out with the player. And so what I think might have happened is that Nico is used to having a relationship with the star. That is his raison d'etre, if you will.

That's what he's supposed to do. I think Luca might have shut him out. And at that point, from his perspective, given his background, he's going, well, the relationship's bad. Then what am I doing here? And then you had this other problem column, which is that Mark Cuban never said it, but he was GM of the Mavericks. He said, I'm the owner and I've hired a GM, but he was the guy on the phone call who was doing everything. The idea is that they had a symbiotic relationship where Nico helps recruit the talent, and then Mark makes the big decisions.

So Mark hightails it out of there. He sells the team to new ownership, and I don't think he told them. I don't think he said, look, guys, you know, I was really the GMGM. This guy sort of operated in a role where he was helping me. I think he just said, Nico Harrison's the GM. Good luck with it. We've done pretty well. Go Mavs.

And boom, you have a situation where the GM does not understand the asset climate and does not get enough back when he makes this major decision that is upset the Dallas-Fort Worth area. So the Lakers ownership group, the bus family, is one of the poor ones. They've been saved largely. Kobe Bryant's last five years, they were abysmal. LeBron kind of saved them. They got the COVID championship, which was wonky, but it is what it is. I do believe they got a gift.

Now, they got a gift with Kobe Bryant from Charlotte for Vladivats, who wasn't even an All-Star. They got a gift when Paul Gasol, so that either the smartest or the luckiest franchise in the history of American sports. Do you think Luca, because there are conditioning issues, he's more offense than defense? I just argued 80s, the best defensive player in the league. Luke is the worst. That was very visible last night against a big front line with Utah. do you believe that Luke is going to change it and going forward he is their Kobe he is their kareem he is their magic well it's funny that dumont and the new

ownership group for the mavericks was talking about how we need guys who really work hard and he named a few NBA players and it felt as though chat GPT might have been helping him because one of the guys he named that wasn't a guy you would name he named shack right that famously shack all-time great winner not known to be the hard to be the hard worker. And so I think you look at Luca like that. You take him warts and all because he's so brilliant with the basketball and he has physical advantages, even if he's not great at defense, he's so physically imposing. I think what you look at, you try to build around him and account for some of the deficiencies. You can do that. Steph Curry, obviously I covered the Warriors back in

the day. His effort level was clearly higher than Luca, but he is not an ideal defensive player if you were building one from scratch, and the Warriors managed to build the perfect team around him. So the Luca situation is about the future. What makes it a little strange, column, is that LeBron is here right now. And right now, it feels like a big deal that LeBron is here, but in the future, it might be one of those weird footnotes

where we go, hey, you remember when LeBron and Luca were on the same team? I totally forgot about that because it doesn't quite fit to have a liability on perimeter defense alongside a guy who's going to be in his four, but we'll see them try. Yeah. So I don't know how good Jimmy Butler makes the Warriors. He

absolutely makes them more captivating. When Steph is off the floor before Jimmy Butler arrived, they're unwatchable. What do you make of it? It kind of wreaked a little bit of desperation. Did it not? What do you make of the move somebody that's covered the Warriors for a long time?

Well, I think unwatchable is the key word, Colin. I think a lot of the time don't make perfect the enemy of good. Everybody is looking at every situation through does this completely optimize our ability to win a title. With the Warriors, I almost felt like don't make perfect the enemy

of interesting. They were boring. Yes. Very boring. The story had run out. They were a rough watch. I know they lost last night, but the shots were better. Jimmy Butler's impact on the game makes you want to tune in. I'm not saying they're going to be able to beat the thunder.

They still have to make the playoffs. They've got a tough road ahead of them. But they're not depressing and you want to watch you want to know how those two are going to play off each other it does work jimmy puts pressure on the paint he gets foul that's been a problem for this team and you can work off of him in the post and trying to get step curry open shots so i understand people are making that argument saying i don't even know if jimmy butler is better than wiggins look all i can tell you is right now there's energy in the bay people are excited about this team and for the last two seasons of what might be stepf curry's career i will

take that. Even knowing that Jimmy Butler has a little bit of that Scorpion and the frog fable where the scorpion hops on the frogs back and something bad happens across the pond every single time it seems to go bad. Even with that with Jimmy Butler, even with the Byrne Bridges that you would expect,

I will take it because the present until he got here was just so dang boring. Yeah, totally agree. So Kevin Durant taking shots at Ramona Shelburne, who I think is an excellent reporter. That was a couple days ago when she said the toxicity in the locker room of Phoenix was palpable. He didn't like that.

I really like Kevin Durant. He's pushed back on you. He hears everything. I love him. He's one of my favorite players ever. I think he's an all-time. I've said before, he'd win a one-on-one all-time NBA tournament if he took out centers. He'd beat Jordan. You can't stop him. That said, I saw a story this morning. Phoenix is going to probably move him. Are you surprised? I said yesterday, it's almost like he tanked his career leaving the Warriors. Are you surprised what's happened since he left Golden State because you kind of knew him and followed him. Yeah, I'm not surprised. I have to say,

I don't want to, as an aside on the Ramona thing, I did find that to be totally absurd, but he was saying about Ramona, this idea that she walked in the locker room and didn't know what was happening and maybe just made a mistake. I mean, Ramona has reported on some of the calamitous locker room situations

on the Lakers. She was way ahead of when Mike Brown got run out of there with Kobe back in the day. She's a veteran reporter. very well connected. Yes. And I think this is fitting the Durant pattern where he hears everything, as you said, but they'll tend to angrily respond to what's true.

You know, when he got mad at me, I said, Kevin Durant wants to get out of here. He doesn't want to re-sign with the Warriors. That's what he got mad at. Now, for all the drama with Durant, the interesting thing about him is that the people around him like him. He's somehow likable and also impossible. He's a really interesting guy, as I've said, the open book nobody can read. but this doesn't surprise me because you've said it Colin.

Did you say he's like an artist? He's like an artist. He's an individualist. He's somebody who wants to do the coolest thing that he can do with his skill set, which is at a genius level. But I don't think he's ever bought into the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I don't think he's bought into the idea that he should sacrifice or he should lead. That's just not what he does.

And in the right situation, it's been something that worked. but at the same time, he's not somebody who really thinks much about situations, and so he keeps choosing the wrong situation. Yeah, I said this yesterday, is that LeBron, all basketball players, to me, of all sports, that's got the most artistry and most aesthetic appeal as basketball. Every shot looks different.

Every player's got his own game, and both LeBron and Katie are artists. One of them is the guy that cancels the two or halfway through and Sue's Ticketmaster, and the other, LeBron is like Gordon Ramsey or Bono, just keep stalking, you know, stacking wins after wind. They're different personalities. But I can admire both, and I admire you.

Ethan Strauss, it's called The House of Strauss. It's a great listen. Excellent writer. As always, my friend, you know I love having you on speed dial whenever you can make us smarter, and I appreciate it. Thanks so much, Colin. Thanks for having me. Okay, House of Strauss.

He's author of the Victory Machine, The Making and Unmaking of the Warriors Dynasty, which is a great read. Everything he does is really interesting. Always makes you think a very curious guy. Albert Breer next hour as well. So aren't you kind of, what's interesting about that, I like the way he said it about the Warriors. It's not about winning a championship.

I was watching the Warriors early this year, as you and I kind of cherry-picked basketball during the football season. And when Steph was off the floor, they were impossible to watch. And there are teams in this league that aren't great, the Spurs, but they're a fun watch. Spurs are a fun watch. There are teams that may not win the championship. Nix, great television.

But when Steph Curry, a fascinating player, is on a team that's boring, you've got to make a move if nothing else for the fans who are paying in the Bay Area top dollar. Weren't they in the finals two years ago against the Celtics? And then Curry at the Olympics was just unbelievable. And now you've got to watch him with like these guys? Guys. I don't even know if they're getting out of the play in, Colin. Assuming they get to the playoffs.

I think Mads are in trouble. But he pointed out, because I like the Warriors last night, they did get better shots. They are a better team with Butler. Yes. They could not stop Kyrie Irving last night, who was easily the best player on the floor. All right, Albert Breers are on the corner.

Jets have moved off Aaron Rogers. Almost sounded kind of personal. Hour to next. 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. Nice. Did 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 Smigel 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. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes.

in. I'm Timbo, and every episode we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear.

Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Thank you.