The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD - Hour 1 - Lakers need to let LeBron James go, MLB players happy the Dodgers are spending money

Episode Date: February 17, 2026

Colin Cowherd criticizes the Lakers for trying to hold onto 41-year-old LeBron James when they should be going all in on building a championship contender with Luka Doncic in his prime He gives his thoughts on players around the league happy the Dodgers are spending money to winSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Wherever you may be and however you may be watching or listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. day, J-MAC is back, and I was thinking this morning, two fatal flaws, or maybe they're just challenges in business, because we're going to start the show talking about the Lakers and the Yankees. Two fatal flaws are when you build a business is what's your identity, what are you? I'm a shopper, you're a company. When you put your name out there, what do I think of? What are you?

You need a strong identity in any business. including the NBA. And the second big flaw in business, to me, is you can't look in the mirror and own your stuff. That's more the Yankees. I'll get to that in a second. But it was interesting. Big story. Dave McManneman, ESPN's writing a big, big story on the Lakers and why they didn't do anything at the trade deadline because they're waiting for a big move next year.

And buried in this article is a line. If LeBron does want to play next season, his 24th, he would be welcome. back in LA, sources tell ESPN. Really? Rob Polinka. What is your identity? Pick a timeline. The Lakers are having an identity crisis if that, indeed, that source is right. You can't get significantly more athletic, they need to, significantly younger, they need to, go grab a rim protector and a couple of elite three-point shooters. Catch and shoot, guys. and have $50 million LeBron in his 40s.

Okay, LeBron's never going to be a role player. He's always going to take oxygen out of the room in the offense, and the prince has no power when the king is still on the throne. And LeBron's the king, and always will be, as long as he's a Laker, and Luke is the prince. And so, I mean, can you imagine a LeBron retirement tour? How distracting that would be.

So this article is a prime example. It's just poorly run. They have an identity crisis. They can't pick a timeline. According to the story, if LeBron wants to come back, you can. Why should it be his choice? And I'm pro LeBron. This team didn't have enough shooters.

Defenders. They're too old. They don't have a rim protector. They have so many things. They need multiple starters. And I'm going to die on this hill. Luca is going to be 27 in a couple days. but Luca's going to be 29 in a couple of years.

And why does that number matter? Because my comp for Luca, which is now acknowledged by a lot of smart people, is that he's a better version of Carmelo. Never been in great shape, profound offensive talent, not really committed defensive end. When was Carmelo's last all NBA year? 28 years old. We are a year away from that with Luca. He no longer dunks three this year.

one last year. I was told he came into the season in great shape. Doesn't look like it now. His lifestyle choices? Hey, it's his life. He said last week, I don't want to play like LeBron at 41. That's not his thing, man. So we always talk about this in the NFL, how Super Bowl windows shrink really

quickly. Well, for guys that aren't in great shape and not committed defensively, you age very quickly. Luke is aging. You're going to look up in two years and still, and maybe one year off the LeBron retirement tour, he can be 28, 29 years old. And you're going to be like, we blew the window. So the Lakers have got to figure out what they are. Pick a direction.

Pick a timeline. To me, get younger, get faster, get swifter, more shooters, rim protector. And I know they got a lot of choices. If you want to bring back Austin Reeves, fine. Luca J.J. Reddick, I love. Like, here was Jason Temp from the volume, talking about this roster, which until you pick a direction, by the way,

this is what OKC did. They picked the timeline, everybody's in on it. San Antonio Spurs, let's take. Pick the timeline, everybody in on it. Detroit Piston several years ago. Let's get, let's bottom out, get our Starcade Cunningham, build around his timeline.

The teams at the top of this league are all doing it. And the Lakers are like, well, if LeBron wants to come for one more year, why not? Maybe two. Here is Jason Timp yesterday. This roster is utterly devoid of jump shooting talent and athleticism down the roster. And I think where this has really started to mount up on Rob Polinka is the misses. They need three new starters. LeBron's going to be leaving.

You need three new starters. And they need to build out a bend. They have nobody on the roster who is both a good defender and a good catch and shoot player, literally not a single one. They are at such a huge disadvantage in this department. Yeah, we talked about it. And by the way, you can solve a lot of problems in this league very quickly. Spurs did. OKC did.

But they picked a lane and a timeline and a direction. And now when you think of OKC, you think best defensive team maybe ever, when you think Spurs, You're like built around Wemby, young, defend. I mean, they still haven't won a lot of playoffs. Maybe one of the reasons the All-Star game means so much for Wembe, he hadn't won a big playoff series. They don't want a playoff series yet. But you know it's coming.

Okay, so I want to talk about the Yankees, by the way, because I read a story this morning, and I'll get to Aaron Judge in a second. But the other part of business that is something you have to do, you have to self-audit all the time. The Yankees do not self-audit. They don't look themselves in the mirror. So it used to be the Yankees were the most aggressive team in baseball.

Now they're not the most aggressive team in their own division. That's Toronto or even in their city. That's the Mets. So the Yankees brought back 24 of their 26 guys. They spent $200 million in free agency, but it was just resigning their free agents, right? And what's interesting is, do they not see their deficiencies? Are they self-auditing? They don't run the base as well.

They're not very athletic. They commit a lot of errors, and they're totally home run dependent. In fact, since their last World Series win, they lead Major League Baseball in home runs and don't have another World Series win. So it's really lopsided, and it's not necessarily working. Last year, when they hit multiple home runs, they had the best record in baseball. When they didn't, they had the third worst record in baseball, meaning it's an uneven roster. It's not athletic enough.

The bullpen is very mid. They're starting pitching. Their big promise this year, their hope is Garrett Koloff. Tommy John comes back in July or August. He won't be 100%, but it will give them excellent starting pitching. Okay, are they better defensively? Not really. Are they super athletic?

Not when you watch them play anybody outside of the American League Central. They're not. So this is the prime example where the Lakers can't pick a direction. The Yankees have. We're going to jack home runs. But it's not paying off. I mean, when you watch them in the World Series, a couple of years ago against the Dodgers, you're like, man, they're bad athletically.

Like, they're not, they don't take the extra base. They commit a lot of errors. They strand a lot of runners. Man, they're totally home run dependent, which is great against bad teams with low-end pitching. It's not, I mean, the Yankees and the Lakers have a similar problem. They don't beat playoff teams. Yankees last year had a losing record against playoffs. teams. Lakers this year. So two different problems. One can't pick a direction the Yankees have,

but they can't look in the mirror. And so I was looking this morning at the last 10 playoff series wins for the Yankees. See if you see a trend. Twins, Indians, Indians, Guardians, Royals, Guardians, as the Red Sox last year. I mean, they're beating the American League Central, which is a lower revenue division, does not have elite pitching, so the Yankees get multiple home runs against that.

They're not getting multiple home runs against the good staffs, and they have a losing record. So here's Aaron Judge on the offseason. The Yankees eventually did sign $200 million. dollars worth of free agents, but it was all their own guys telling me is they can't self-audit. They can't look in the mirror. Here's Aaron Judge. That was brutal.

You know, I'm like, I see a lot of free agents out there. I'm seeing other teams around the league get better. They're making trades. They're signing big prospects or big players. And, you know, we kind of, we're sitting there for a while, you know, kind of making smaller moves. Early on, it was pretty tough to watch. I'm like, man, we're the New York Yankees.

It was frustrating. I think wherever we need to be. Did you express any of that to them? Yeah, hell yeah. Had some discussions. All right, J-Mack, it's good to have you back. Very interesting. What you don't want to get happened to you in the NFL,

you don't want to get trapped. Yeah. And you don't want to romanticize about the players you have. So a lot of times you win a Super Bowl, and the good GM, make really hard decisions and move off popular players who may have even been like a like a legendary Super Bowl player. Interesting story out of Seattle on the Seahawks and Kenneth Walker.

And this is one of the best GMs, if not the best GM right now in football. It's very easy to resign the players that were good in big games. But do you, is that the best for you going forward? So we have an interesting story developing with the Super Bowl MVP. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Fox Sports Radio is taking over YouTube, and you can be a part of it. Pay attention.

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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 broke down on my little notepad. 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 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 a 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. 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. Jenchen won. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lerna 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 I-Heart Women's Sports. 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. 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 SportsClyce on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist. Kier Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over

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And do you franchise tag a player? Players don't like that. They don't like the franchise tag. Even though they agree to it, even though it's the right of every general manager, John Snyder with the Seahawks doesn't do a lot of franchise tag stuff. The question is, what do you do with Kenneth Walker's Super Bowl MVP at Running Back? The easy answer is, well, you recently? sign him. And you lost Clint Kubiak. Let's make sure you sign him. That's my natural inclination.

But there's a very reasonable argument, and it's getting very uncomfortable in Seattle. There's a very rational argument to let him go. A, data says don't sign running backs to a second big deal. B, he can't catch the ball to the backfield or pass block. He's kind of one dimensional, although great in that one dimension. And C, he gets hurt a lot. So he wants to get paid. He wants a long-term deal. He didn't want a franchise tag. He will be unhappy and moody if he gets it. And if you don't think it's uncomfortable, here's John Snyder.

This is wildly uncomfortable at the Super Bowl parade for the Seahawks. Listen to this. Ken Walker being the MVP, let's go! He tried negotiating with me five minutes ago. It was really weird. Anyway,

hey, MVP, MVP, MVP. Yeah, that was awkward. that silence in front of 10,000 people, that was awkward. These are the tough decisions you have to make. So a one-time championship has the potential to be a dynasty. Remember when Cooper Cup had that unbelievable season, became Super Bowl MVP, he did not have a single thousand-yard season after that,

and his numbers have gone down year after year after year. The Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles have done a very, very good job. job time and time again to fall in like with players not fall in love with players so my natural inclination is well clint coobiac's leaving sam darnald needs help but the truth is it's the quarterback's job i.e sam darnold to overcome the loss of a coordinator or a coach patrick mhombs loses tyreek hill he wins two super bowls you can win with him you got to be able to win without him that's up to sam darnold so it's it so john Snyder does not want to get backed into a corner and the data tells you based on the injuries

that Walker is sort of a power running one trick pony doesn't catch it out of the backfield gets banged up not great in pass pro probably not a guy you want to sign and he won't be a good franchise guy because he gets dinged up he wants long-term money he's one of those guys at a certain position he's had injuries he could get real moody with a franchise tag. So, you know, again, my gut feeling is, boy, you better resign him. And then I sit there and I think, well, Snyder's the best in the league probably at this. He doesn't franchise tag, doesn't want to get back into a corner, awkward Super Bowl parade talk on Walker. My guess is they can't keep him. Jay Mack with the news.

Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All right, let's go to the Pittsburgh Steelers to start the morning. Interesting drama unfolding. between Ben Rothesberger and a bunch of other former Steelers. Colin, Joey Porter, Sr. had some scathing remarks about Big Ben during Super Bowl week. There was some piling on in the comment section from former Steelers. We had Mourkees Pouncey go out on Instagram and support of Big Ben. And now another guy has come to the defense of Rothsburger. That's James Harrison.

Here's what he said yesterday. You personally, I do not think Ben is a bad team. That was just a pure out attack on Ben's character. And what I said about Mike was an attack on his coaching, dude. Okay? Two different things. And that's more breaking the brotherhood than what Ben said. Ben said, I think I feel that maybe Tomlin should move on.

Like, come on, bro. That's what he said. I went way harder than that. But he went on it because he obviously has a personal issue with Ben that hasn't been resolved. By the way, David DeCastro, a great offensive lineman for the Steelers. I think Stanford guy with very ornery great offensive linemen. He backed Big Ben today yesterday too. So you got James Harrison and DeCastro and Big Ben on one side.

And then Joey Porter, Sr., whose son is now a Steeler on the other side. And my take is, it is Ben was, Ben Rothlisberger came into Pittsburgh. and he would not bow down to a lot of the old school ways. He was named a captain very early. Some players thought you have to earn it. Well, he's a quarterback. That's the reality of the position. So I think the reality is Big Ben was always,

and by the way, Big Ben got frustrated that Mike Tomlin was very player-friendly, that he was willing to draft, and sometimes the feeling was sort of pamper or coddle players that were difficult and high maintenance before moving off them. Ben got tired of it. Ben was a little bit polarizing, but it's interesting. DeCastro is a great player, defends him. James Harrison, great player, defends him.

So this is something I talked about yesterday with John Middilkoff, is that when Tomlin was there, we're now starting to see it come out. It's starting to now leak out that it was a much more polarized building than people want to admit. There was a faction of the Steelers that were voicing concerns like Harrison and Ben

privately that they didn't think Tomlin gave them the best chance in big spots to win. And then there's a clear faction like Joey Porter, Senior, that was pro Tomlin to the end. So you're seeing, it's like when somebody leaves the White House, you hear stories about their White House. Biden leaves. Oh, here's stuff that comes out. When Trump left, oh, this was happened. You don't read and hear everything that happens in a tumultuous time. So Tomlin leaves, and now all this stuff is coming out where clearly it was a divided house among many of their elite players

DeCastro, Ben, Harrison Porter. Yeah, this is weird, Colin, because Mike Tomlin has basically not said anything. He's just not responding to any of this nonsense, which I respect a lot. Hey, take the high road. What do you need to get in the weeds for? That's right. You're right.

And give Ben Rothesberger the engagement he needs for his podcast or whatever online venture he's got. So the stuff that we, the stuff people like you and I and fans complained about, and the media complained about, clearly there was a group of high-end Steelers in the building that were also complaining about it. Yeah, I'm guessing that happens on every team, right? That there's some bubbling.

I'm sure Seattle has some stuff bubbling up. Well, the difference is, some. But the Steelers specifically haven't beaten a good team, a top quarterback in the playoffs in 15 years. The Rams have, the Eagles have, the chiefs had. So these other organizations, they may have an occasional small group of average players who are disgruntled. But if you're the Patriots and the Chiefs and the Rams and the Eagles

and you're winning and you're winning playoff games, it usually keeps that stuff at bay. Yeah, and there's also the code of the locker room. Hey, don't go to the media. Don't go public with this stuff, right? And Ben's breaking all the rules. I don't have a side here. I just like the town is not saying anything.

You and I both know when you're in a position we are talking about sports. People talk trash about us all the time. I could care less. I'm unbothered by it. You know, and Mike Tomlin just seems to not care at all. That's right. That is former quarterback is saying all this stuff. So I kind of respect that. All right, let's move on to Lamar Jackson, Colin.

Interesting subplot here. I think this is low-key, the biggest off-season story that nobody's talking about. Colin, remember, he wants a new deal, okay? Entering next season, he has a $74.5 million cap hit. Brutal. That is among the worst in the league. I don't know if it's actually the worst. But here's the thing.

One former NFL veteran believes if Lamar doesn't get what he wants. And remember, the last time they had a couple rounds over this, he didn't get what he wanted. He wanted the Deshawn Watson contract. That he could force the Raven's hand, as the saying goes, and tell them he will only restructure with another team, trade me. Now, maybe that's a bridge too far.

But, Colin, I think if you remember, the Lamar Jackson last negotiation was ugly. And now there's no John Harbaugh. I think they made a mistake firing Harbaugh. Well, I'll say this about John Harbaugh. Sometimes you lose a job and you win. So Jesse Minter is going to inherent a Lamar Jackson who did not last year look nearly as explosive

and is now punitively expensive. John Harbaugh goes to the New York Giants, lower expectations, talented rookie quarterback on his deal, left tackle, star running back and wide receiver, very high draft pick. He doesn't have those cat problems. He doesn't have the Ravens expectations where you either beat Mahomes or Alan or you're not

the right coach. So you think John Harbaugh, oh boy, the Giants are a losing organization. I'm telling you, Stefanski and Harbaugh may very well turn out to be thankful they were let go because, and I think Jesse Minter may be good. You are completely limited. We've just watched it happen with Stafford, team-friendly deal for the Rams, darn old team-friendly deal,

Drake-May rookie deal. I don't know if Jesse Mentor understands how limited you become with a raw... You have to hit on every draft pick. He's probably banking on the Ravens organization that he knows well coming through. But Colin, I'm sure you've heard the saying from some movies,

you know, he got the last chopper out of Saigon. I think you could be on to something with Harbour. getting out just in time. It may have worked in his favor. And I'll just tell you, I think we touched on this last week. I may have done it on my podcast. But I'm just telling you right now,

this Lamar thing could go sideways easily, and I will ask you, if you've got the choice, if you're the Raiders, do you want to say, hey, man, we got the number one pick? Do you want Max Crosby a number one pick, a future number one?

Give us Lamar Jackson? Because I would not do that under any circumstances. I would go forward with Mendoza on the cheap. But I'm just telling you, I think there's a world. Remember, Crosby wants out. do the Raiders say, we could go get Lamar Jackson, bring him in here? Does Tom Brady want to go big game hunting?

I think that is going to be one of the more interesting subplots as we lead up to the draft. Yeah, I just, this Lamar thing, I'm telling you, John Harbaugh, if they get the right tackle solved and maybe another weapon, the Giants next year, they got, they're going to have cap space, going to have their old line set if they get the first good tackle. It's, you know, this league, we know this. It changes instantly. I mean, literally, Patriots bad, Patriots Super Bowl. Bears unwatchable, bears really good. You see and you see teams fall off. Chargers unwatchable.

Harbaughal comes to town. Chargers playoff team. Jack's terrible. Jack's terrible. Get Liam Cohen. All of a sudden now hosting a playoff game. Baltimore is very well run. But a new coach, never been a head coach, Lamar's contract.

And I'm a Raven believer. I think it could get. real bumpy. If they go through a series of injuries like everybody does, they're not going to have the depth to replace players without Lamar deal. Do you remember, I feel like I heard Lamar is going to sit in on some of the coaching interviews and stuff like they're giving him a lot of power for a guy that maybe past his prime. I'll just ask you this. Do you think the Raiders make a move and try to go after Lamar Jackson? No. You think they're set on Mendoza? Yes. Okay. Final story, Colin. Miami Dolphins yesterday dumped Tyreek Hill. Not a major surprise. The timing,

moderately interesting. He had four years in Miami, a couple good ones, and a couple less good. But we don't know when he's going to be back from the dislocated knee and torn ACL. Tyreek is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. He's on social media saying how the Cheetah will be back and born again. His former teammate, Chris Jones, the aging Chris Jones is tweeting at Cheetah, obviously, to try to, you know, stir up interest and get people talking about him. I have a hot take on where Hill will land. but this guy's not going to be ready for at least the first month.

He's going to be out at least a month, maybe longer. And you know his game is predicated on speed. We're talking about a bad injury here. Any thoughts on where he's going to go? I think Kansas City, the ship has sailed. Again, who has a strong-armed quarterback and a speed deficiency? So like the Seahawks last year went and got Rashid Saheed. They needed special teams, sideline speed.

And it helped them win a Super Bowl. Similarly, is can you get Tyreek Hill? Who's a really good team with maybe an explosion deficiency? You could argue Buffalo. You know, strong-armed quarterback. They have a good slot receiver and good tight-end play. Do they have over-the-top deficiencies? I would say yes.

I mean, that's why, you know, when you got Josh Allen, you know, you'd like to be able to get some free touchdown, some over-the-top stuff, not have to go long field, James Cook, tied-end, slot receiver, nine-play drive. You know, is Buffalo the play? Yeah, I don't know that he's going to want to go to Buffalo, Colin. Remember, this is a guy you can read about his off. Chargers, I was going to mention. Big strong quarterback cap-space, sideline receiver.

Mike McDaniel? Does he like him? Mike McDaniel, only the OC, Jim Harbaugh, maybe good cop, bad cop deal going on there. I'll just say before we get into Tyree Kilkele, Colin, his background, he's got a lot going on. A lot of lawsuits, a lot of stuff in his personal life. I don't think it's an easy, seamless fit. And I'll add, he's not, he's a Miami guy. He's a big city dude.

Like, he's loving being a celebrity. I don't know if he's going to go to Buffalo. I think L.A. could lure him. And I will just say, keep an eye on Las Vegas, Colin. Quarterback on a rookie deal, indoors, and a chance at revenge against. the Chiefs and McDaniel if you believe they didn't get along well at the end. All right.

Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd Lie News. Bruce Feldman has an interesting article about the remaking of Fernando Mendoza and Kurt Signetti, finding him thinking he had a lot of promise.

We didn't know. I mean, I'd watched him play a couple times at Cal. I didn't think he was going to go 16 and O'Noh and win a national championship and beat Ohio State in Miami. So, and I've said before, I'm a huge believer in Fernando Mendoza. But if you were telling me, Colin, you have to bet your 401k on he's going to be fine and make the Raiders respectable,

or he's going to a bunch of playoff games. I would take the latter. Okay. So when's the last college quarterback that went to a bottom five NFL franchise and consistently won? Joe Burrow and C.J. Stroud. and Joe Burrow has not made the playoffs for three straight years. Right? They can't protect him.

Once he got paid, they can't protect him and elevate the roster. And Burrow is a much higher-graded prospect than Fernando Mendoza was. So Burrow got to a Super Bowl, AFC championship, took a really bad franchise there, but yet since then, he can't even make the playoffs. Can't make the playoffs. Andrew Luck, again. higher prospect than Fernando Mendoza. 11 and 5, 11 and 5, 11 and 5.

But his career, he couldn't beat the good teams, and eventually he leaves early. So the Bengals have struggled to protect Joe Burrow and elevate the roster once they pay him. And Andrew Locke, they couldn't protect him. And then there's C.J. Stroud, who appears to have regressed. So ask yourself, who are the young quarterbacks that come into this league and win, really quickly. See if you notice anything. Brock Purdy, Gough, Drake May, Caleb, Mahomes, Bo Nicks, Lamar Jackson. Look at their coaches. And by the way, John Harbaugh with Lamar, Andy Reed, Sean Payton, Kyle Shanahan, golf in year two pops with McVeigh, May pops in year two

with Brable, Caleb Pops in year two with Caleb, with Ben Johnson. So, I mean, again, is Clint Kubiak a great coach? Could be. And I love Fernando Mendoza. But the truth is when you read this article, you find the college quarterback. There's like a linear. It's like the ones that work by year two. It's the coach.

Like the coach is a huge part of it. So it really boils down to is Clint Kubiak the guy? And you could say, well, Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield won a playoff game. He did not win consistent. in Cleveland. He wins more consistently in Tampa. But there's a line on the quarterbacks that come in and work. It may not work rookie year. They don't have the right coach. Caleb Williams

don't have the right coach initially. Jared Goff eventually year two gets McVeigh. But, you know, it's really, really hard. And I'm a Mendoza fan. But do I think based on the Raiders that he's going to stay in Las Vegas forever and win a ton of playoff games, he may have the fourth best coach in his own division for a while. I would say no. I think he's really good. I would draft him.

I think he'll elevate the franchise. You know, I mean, but the two guys that really wanted a high end, not for very long, but they won immediately and won a lot were Burrell and Andrew Luck. Both struggled to get protection.

Burrell has been hurt a lot and now can't make playoffs and Andrew Luck retired early and felt like he was hurt all the time. So, you know, I can love somebody, but there's data and history. Here's Clint Kubiak on Mendoza. I saw him play the National Championship game. You know, I saw the interviews he's given after those games and how team-oriented he is. So, but I look forward to getting to know the player better. But obviously, a really talented guy with a bright future and we'll see, we'll see where it ends up.

We got a lot of work to do to get to know him before that time comes. Coming up next, the top college football coach says, we need a CEO badly. That, and Daniel Jeremiah comes out and says, Mendoza is the only quarterback going in the first round, and I disagree. And I'll tell you why next to Hurt. Be sure to catch live editions of the HARD weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific.

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 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 It's Michael and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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. Jen she won. I mean, she went down in three to Rovachina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me.

And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

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

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear 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. Tripp 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? 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, Keer 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. Sunday on Fox, the NASCAR Cup series heads to Atlanta.

Kyle Larson and the best of the best. Take on Echo Park Speedway for some high, Speed chaos. Pre-race coverage begins at 2 Eastern with the green flag at three only on Fox. So when people say they don't want college football to be like pro football, well, that's strange to me because last year with the NIL and the transfer portal, players getting paid and free agency, that is pro football. and last year, more than any year in the history of the sport, more people watched it. So one of the knocks I've had on college football is that they need to be like the NFL, more like the NFL, better playoffs, more even scheduled, and you know, have a commissioner. Well, now, finally, Mike Elko, Texas A&M coach, a lot of these college football people,

I don't want to be the NFL. But he's suggesting, like we've suggested, the NFL does a lot right. Like you know for a billion dollar business has a singular voice. Here's Mike Elko, Texas A&M coach. Put somebody in charge. I think it's a $1.2 billion industry with not a singular voice in charge of it, making decisions for the betterment of college football.

I think until we get that, we're going to continue to flounder with some of those areas. At some point, we're going to have to have somebody who's capable of making rules, regarding the betterment of college football, enforcement of rules, and all of it. And again, until we get that, I think we're all at risk of this thing not lasting like we wanted to last. Why did boxing mostly die and UFC ascend? Dana White. For Titas, Dana White, it had a singular voice. So for the, I don't want college football to be the NFL.

This is essentially what Mike Alco is saying. a commissioner. I mean, like people saying, I don't want college football to be like the pros. It's like saying, I want to, I want to create a retail business. I don't want to be like Amazon. What? Innovative, efficient, top of mind? Okay.

I want to own a golf course, but I don't want it to be like Augusta. I don't know. I duplicate it if I could. The NFL is better scheduling. It's got a brief free agent period. and a trade deadline and it pays its players and it's got a commissioner and it's better for the consumer. You know, there's a lot that the NFL does really, really well. They're imperfect, but they're always changing the PAT, the kickoff, the catch rule. Let's stop pretending the NFL isn't the

dominant sport in this country and isn't well run. Basketball, the NBA right now has some Adam Silver leadership questions. Baseball for years until the pitch clock has. had a lot of leadership issues. Our stuff on the NFL is, well, I wish they'd make the officials full time. Okay. They butcher a call every playoff run. And it happens. They're human.

So I just think college football this past year when Indiana beat four straight top 10 teams, that felt like the NFL playoffs. That felt like the Seahawks having to beat the Niners and the Rams and the Patriots. college football this year with the playoff felt like the NFL. I mean, Indiana's got to beat Baman and Oregon and Ohio State and a Miami and narrowly did on a couple of those games. That's pro football. And a commissioner that Mike Elko wants, that's pro football. And a playoff system that everybody watched, that's pro football.

NIL paying players is pro football. We've got to stop this nonsense that pro football bad, college football, just great the way. it is. Not true. Stop manipulating your way to a national championship. Start doing what Indiana did. Play your way to college football Super Bowl. Play your way into it. Line up the good team. Stop manipulating the schedule, getting a buy before this game and a buy before that one and three cupcakes in September. Get right into conference play immediately. You get one cream puff, max. Get rid of the conference championships, 16 team playoff, 24 if you have to. Let's not have the committee having any power.

The bigger the playoff, the less power the committee has. Don't tell me you're starting to retail business and you don't want it to be anything like Amazon. Then you're an idiot. And if you're trying to fix a lot of college football, take many of the things the NFL does and adopt them. Okay. So Daniel Jeremiah released his first round mock draft. Very, very good. Fernando Mendoza quarterback, Indiana, Raiders, number one.

No other quarterback in the entire first round. So this is what he said last week in our show about Ty Simpson from Alabama, certainly talented. He doesn't think he's a first round quarterback. He's my 40th player, you know, as we are in the process right now, which I wouldn't look. If somebody wants to take him with the 25th pick, that's not that out of the realm of possibility, and I would think that's not really a reach. He's mechanically sound. He throws a nice ball. He's got touch and accuracy. But when bodies get around him, I thought there's times he plays a little small. And then the guys only started 15 games and he's been beat up.

So those are the negative sides of it. That's why I kind of slot him outside my top 32. But if you're the Rams, you've got a great offensive line. He doesn't have to step in and play right away. Yeah, Rams make a lot of sense. Second pick. My take is there are certain things, aggressive, successful men reach on. Cars, a new driver in golf, and quarterbacks. The car gives you status. The driver gives you length. And the quarterback gives you hope to your meddling owner. Somebody's going to reach on him. I mean, there's been a lot less talented guys that have gone in the first round. E.J. Manuel, Kenny, Penny, Pick it. I mean, he's got a nice arm. He had a good college coach. He didn't have any semblance of a run game to lean on. Do I think he's a big first round talent? I really don't. I think he's like a less athletic Jackson Dart. There's something there. He's certainly a franchise quarterback if he gets decent coaching. I don't see a star. But there's just, the NFL GMs are aggressive, successful, ascending men, often now young men. Somebody's

reaching for a new driver, a new car, or a new quarterback. It gives you hope. Your owners on your butt, your coach on your butt, you're like, this kid, this is going to be a new version of us. I do not believe everybody's going to pass on him. I think somebody's going to, we've only had in the last 25-ish years, we've only had two drafts with only one quarterback. And there's been a lot of reaches. And I mean, reaches that are far less talented than Ty Simpson. I mean, Tebow, I didn't even think he was an NFL quarterback.

I thought he was more of a tight end. Johnny Mansell wasn't responsible or big enough to him. He was mature and not. He won't an NFL first round quarterback. I didn't get that one. So I, there is some sort of mythical quality, magical quality to the new car, the new driver, the new quarterback. And my guess is, for the record, Daniel Jeremiah's draft. I like it. I think it's really interesting. I think it's a very good first 15 pick NFL draft.

But Ty Simpson's getting wedged into somebody. Rams have two first round picks. If they get their tackle or if they get their safety, I wouldn't be shocked if they got it. Jay Mack, you're shaking your head. You also do mock drafts. Where do you have Ty Simpson? I had him first round and then I had Jeremiah. Listen to his analysis. Here's the interesting thing, Colin. Do you think teams are getting smarter with drafting quarterbacks? Remember, we had to run of bad quarterbacks in the first round. Look at what's happened in the last two years. Guys are dropping. Tyler Shuck dropped second round.

Shador drops way down. Jackson Darts sneaks in the first. I don't think he's the first. He looked good. And then two years ago, we had the loaded class with Caleb and company. I mean, other than JJ McCarthy, all those guys have had moments. Pennix, a bit of a struggle. But I wonder if teams are getting smarter and the more data you receive on these guys

is having teams back off. Because this Ty Simpson, 15 starts, that's not great. And there's a lot of history that says those guys usually don't hit in the NFL. Right. If the feeling with Ty Simpson, people keep mentioning the Rams because he would not have to play for a minimum of a year. Stafford looks like he's got two good years left. Stafford, I've been told, wants a multiple year deal. So you wouldn't have to play him for a couple of years.

You could do a Jordan Love in Green Bay, what they did with Aaron. So I think Ty Simpson's sitting for two years has every chance to succeed. I just know that I'm not a huge fan. I said this during the season. You can talk your way into Ty Simpson. His coach, he didn't have a run game. He played in a great conference. He's got a nice arm.

He's got a really nice arm. Not a huge arm, but a nice arm. There's been Kenny Pickett, and a lot of people talk themselves into guys where I didn't get it at all. This one I could get. Hey, only takes one. Giants Love Jackson Dart moved up. Only takes one. Nick right around the corner, Urban Meyer today too.

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. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We get to ask other 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. 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-Heart Radio app, or wherever you get your podcasts. Turn someday into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio. Nonstop workout music and expert tips 24-7. Hey, head over to iHeart.com. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free right now. Awesome health and wellness tips 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember, stick to the fight.

When your hardest hit, it's when things seem worst that you must not quit. Don't quit. Body by Jake Radio, where hope meets momentum. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free. Day. I heart radio. This season on Dear Chelsea, with me, Chelsea Handler, we have some fantastic guests like Amelia Clark.

When, like, young people come up to me and they want to be an actor or whatever. My first thing is always, can you think of anything else that you can do? Rather be disappointed in. Do that. David O'Yellow-I-O. I love this podcast, whether it's therapy or relationships or religion or sex or addiction or you just go straight for the guts. Dennis Leary, Gaten Moderato from Stranger Things,

Tana Monjou, Camilla Morone, Carrie Kenny Silver, and more. Listen to these episodes of Dear Chelsea on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast, Guaranteed Human.