SHOULD the Bills take a BIG SWING and TRADE for AJ Brown!?

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast

Episode: Should the Bills Take a Big Swing and Trade for AJ Brown!?

Date: February 26, 2026
Host(s): Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Special Guest: Zach Berman (The Athletic, Eagles beat writer)

---

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Buffalo Bills’ potential pursuit of star wide receiver A.J. Brown via trade, amid swirling rumors at the NFL Combine. The hosts debate the merits and challenges of swinging big for an elite receiver like Brown, the "diva" perception of top receivers, and what it might cost to land him. Special insight is provided by Eagles insider Zach Berman, who offers a firsthand perspective on Brown’s strengths, locker room presence, and the realities of his situation in Philadelphia. The show also touches on combine observations and additional wide receiver options for the Bills.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Combine Atmosphere and Early Impressions

(00:32 – 06:52)

• Jenna, Mike, and Dan share updates from Indianapolis, including lighthearted banter about height, combine logistics, and player interviews.
• Notable combine story: Jacob Rodriguez, a Texas Tech linebacker and top defensive prospect who models his game after Bills’ Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, is praised for both his journey and fit with Buffalo’s style.
  • Quote:
    “He said he could play Will, Sam…off the ball. Like, he said he could do it all. So, he would be awesome. I think just the story alone…” – Dan Fetes (04:46)
• The hosts stress how combine week is more than just drills – it’s about networking, gathering league intel, and assessing personalities.

---

2. Early Thoughts on Wide Receiver Needs

(05:37 – 07:32)

• Recognition that wide receiver is a major priority for the Bills, with the combine providing some early clues but interviews still to come.
• Dan notes the importance of blending tape study with face-to-face prospect interactions.

---

3. Interview: Zach Berman on A.J. Brown

(08:37 – 16:24)

What’s it like covering A.J. Brown?

• “He is interesting…he’s thoughtful. He’s not just giving generic responses. He’s emotional sometimes, but I like that about him…Then as a football player…he is the best wide receiver I’ve ever covered.” – Zach Berman (09:00)
• Praised for his Hall of Fame trajectory, physicality, and rare ability to “be open even when he doesn’t appear open.”

Did Brown have a down year?

• Berman concedes that 2023 wasn’t Brown’s best: some “uncharacteristic drops,” timing issues, and less dominance than in 2022.
  • Quote:
    “I don’t think this was A.J. Brown’s best season, but I think A.J. Brown at the season he had is still better than anything I saw in the Buffalo Bills uniform.” – Zach Berman (10:17)

Fit with Josh Allen and Buffalo Offense

• Brown could immediately be an unquestioned WR1 for the Bills, bringing YAC skills, physicality, and the ability to make plays when covered.

Diva Perception Addressed

• “I don’t view it that way, honestly. He’s respected in the locker room… He’s an emotional wide receiver and… could wear those emotions on his sleeve. But I don’t think he is a diva…” – Zach Berman (11:45)

On Brown Publicly Pressuring the Offense

• Berman defends Brown’s outspokenness:
  • “As long as what you’re saying is true—and I think what he was saying is true—they needed the change…he proved clairvoyant…” (12:27)
  • Playoff drop acknowledged as a contributing mistake, but not the root of the Eagles’ issues.

Trade Compensation Estimate

• Trade would take “substantial compensation”—most likely a late first-round pick or more, especially if multiple contenders are bidding (13:21).
• “If New England’s in play and Buffalo’s in play…that’s advantageous for the Eagles.” (13:55)

Chance Brown Stays in Philly

• Berman treats it as a toss-up: “I’m going like 50/50, honestly.” (14:27)
• Cap issues can be handled, but Eagles would need a clear replacement plan, given Brown’s integral role.

Would Brown Want Buffalo?

• “He wants to be the best receiver in the NFL and he wants to win. And Buffalo is a place where that could happen…given Josh Allen’s talent, given Joe Brady’s experience…AJ Brown could flourish…” (15:33)

---

4. Reactions & Roundtable Analysis

(16:27 – 25:49)

Perception Shift After Berman’s Interview

• Jenna: Initially skeptical (“absolutely not…like, you don’t want another headache in Buffalo”), but Berman’s insight made her “warm up” to the idea of trading for Brown (17:13).
• Dan: Noted that national narrative (social media, headlines) can exaggerate or misrepresent player personalities. Berman’s nuanced view was persuasive:
  • “I felt like Zach gave us the perspective of diving in…I’ve only seen the clips…the headlines…” (18:38)
• Mike: Emphasizes the complexity of such a move—cap hit for the Eagles makes the price high; Philly may want to “try to make it work,” feeling less like a sure trade than rumors suggest (19:39).

Diggs Comparison & Locker Room Fit

• Noted similarities between Brown-Hurts and Diggs-Allen dynamics—both strong, then seemingly strained.
• Cautions about “vibes” in the Bills’ locker room with Josh Allen—team culture matters (23:23).

Is Brown the Bills’ “Big Fish”?

• The group leans toward the Patriots as a more likely trade partner for Brown.
• Skepticism that Brown is the “ideal vibes fit” for Buffalo, despite his talent (25:14, Jenna).

What Would it Take?

• Likely a first-round pick in the mid-to-late 20s (Buffalo holds 26 this year), given Philly’s dead cap implications (25:49).

---

5. Additional WR Options & Draft Philosophy

(25:49 – 28:09)

• Names floated: Mike Evans, Romeo Doubs, Alec Pierce, DJ Moore, Michael Pittman (25:49).
• The group supports a “double-dip” approach—swinging for a veteran via trade/free agency AND using a first-round pick at WR (26:52).
  • Jenna: “Wide receivers are like money. You can never have too many.” (27:44)
• General agreement that Buffalo’s WR room needs major investment, regardless of which avenue(s) pursued.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On A.J. Brown’s Reputation:
  “He’s respected in the locker room. He practices hard, cares about his teammates…emotional wide receiver…but I don’t think he is a diva.”
  – Zach Berman (11:45)

• Difference-Making Ability:
  “He can turn a ten-yard reception into a forty-yard gain”
  – Zach Berman (11:03)

• Price Tag:
  “It’s usually a seller’s market more than it is a buyer’s market. I would imagine a late first-round pick.”
  – Zach Berman (13:03)

• Chances of Trade:
  “I’m going like 50/50, honestly…because I still think if he wants to play in Philly, I think he’ll be in Philly.”
  – Zach Berman (14:27)

• Jenna’s Change of Heart:
  “Before, I’d be like, absolutely not…after listening to Zach Berman’s interview…maybe it’s not a bad thing to have a guy say, you know what, we need to do this better on offense…”
  – Jenna Cottrell (17:13)

• Dan on Perceptions:
  “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it…sometimes that has come across as…that’s where I think the thought that Brown is a diva is because of what’s been said. But Berman, I think helped sway me…”
  – Dan Fetes (21:40)

• Jenna on WR as Priority:
  “Wide receivers are like money. You can never have too many. Like in my opinion go after someone because you have Josh Allen…”
  – Jenna Cottrell (27:44)

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• Jacob Rodriguez & Combine Musings – 02:11–04:46
• Wide Receiver Needs & Matt Harmon Segment Tease – 06:52–07:32
• Zach Berman Interview (A.J. Brown Deep Dive) – 08:37–16:24
• Post-Interview Roundtable & Vibes Discussion – 16:27–25:49
• Alternate WR Targets/Philosophy – 25:49–28:09

---

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The episode blends informative analysis with the Buffalo Plus team’s trademark camaraderie and humor. The addition of Zach Berman’s segment injects expertise and valuable nuance around A.J. Brown—dispelling some popular narratives while acknowledging his complexities. The hosts remain circumspect: while the “big swing” for Brown is alluring and seems increasingly palatable after Berman’s defense, logistical and cultural hurdles remain. The smart money is on Buffalo attacking the WR position—possibly even aggressively—but perhaps not via the A.J. Brown blockbuster.

The discussion offers essential context for fans following Bills offseason moves, emphasizing the need to weigh both on-field impact and behind-the-scenes fit.

---

For Further Discussion

• Would you part with a first-rounder (or more) for A.J. Brown?
• Is a WR1 acquisition essential for the Bills’ Super Bowl window, or can they “double dip” with more measured moves?
• How much do you value locker room “fit” compared to sheer talent at receiver?

(Share your thoughts in the comments, as the hosts encourage near the close!)

Transcript

[Mike Catalana]

I think there's always a concern from Bills fans and maybe the Bills themselves that they're getting into that type of business with what people would call a diva receiver. Is he a diva receiver?

[Zach Berman]

I don't view it that way, honestly. He's respected in the. In the locker room. He practices hard. He cares about his teammates. I think he's an emotional wide receiver.

[Mike Catalana]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast. I am Jenna Cottrell. Mike Catalana, and Dan Fades still out there in indie. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. A busy day at the NFL combine as actually talking to prospects today. We'll talk a little wide receiver. Also, the guys had an interesting conversation with Zach Berman, who covers the Eagles on wide receiver A.J. brown. Because we know with the combine, it's not just the prospects. It's also free agency coming up, a lot of trade talks, everything that goes into that. Before we get started, though, I just want to hear just kind of how today was day three of the combine out in indie.

[Dan Fades]

Guys, it's a big day for us.

[Mike Catalana]

We're not dressed identically today.

[Dan Fades]

We are not stepbrothers today. Yeah. Also, I'm not short. I'm above average.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, dad,

[Dan Fades]

what's average? Five, eight.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I would say five, nine. Which you're taller than five, nine.

[Dan Fades]

Okay. Still above average.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Joe Brady is a tall man.

[Mike Catalana]

Joe Brady is tall, by the way. I just want to say I'm not that tall because I was next to the Bill's general manager.

[Dan Fades]

That is correct. Also, just in general, I'm. I'm a giant here. Just want to put that on the record.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Not compared to the prospects, though.

[Dan Fades]

Not the prospects. Yeah, prospects are bigger. Giants.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

It's today. We got to talk to defensive line, talk to some of them and linebackers.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

So we have a cool story we got to talk to. We heard from Jacob Rodriguez.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. This guy. It's a wild story with him, Jenny. He was a, quote, quarterback at Virginia on scholarship, then leaves, goes to Texas Tech as a walk on and makes the team and then becomes a starter and then becomes the best defensive player in the country.

[Dan Fades]

All American consensus or unanimous All American? He was. He received votes for the Heisman Trophy is how good he was. And he's still projected to be a second, third round pick. And.

[Mike Catalana]

And we talk to him mostly because he models his game after Matt Milano and Terrell Bernard is what he told

[Dan Fades]

us today because the same body type. So he's like 6, 1, 2, 3. Not a massive linebacker by any means, but he said he can fit into whatever system the Bills want to do. He's, you know, you were kind of asking him about how it would transition

[Mike Catalana]

with Jim Leonard scheme and Jenna. He's an underachiever compared to his wife, West Point, and she flies black helicopters.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I'm not gonna lie. Like, looking at the, the draft stuff, it's like he literally won almost every award. It feels like best top defensive player, top linebacker, best lineman or linebacker. Like you said, all American, Big 12 defensive player of the year, two time first team all Big 12. Like there's quite a list there. But were you guys surprised when he said Matt Milano, Terrell Bernard? Because that was in a general, a general podium. So like everyone can ask questions and you wouldn't, I don't think, expect him to say that.

[Mike Catalana]

So I was going to ask him that question because I had seen some comps where they said Matt Milano and then he was asked who he models his game after. And right away he said the two guys in Buffalo. And the reason we bring it up is because as great as he's been, he's mocked in most places between second and third round. So it's not like he's the kind of guy that you have to get in the top 10. So we'll see if the Bills are interested.

[Dan Fades]

So he reminds me a little bit. And again, I haven't crunched all the tape. Jenna's been much more of the, the film watcher so far this prospect season. But it reminds me a little bit of like the story of Jack Campbell who was the linebacker at Iowa, who was just incredible four year starter, all of those kind of things, but was still supposed to be like second and third round. And when the Lions drafted him in the first round, they like ridiculed them, the Lions. And he was great. So I did see one of the other comps was Carson Swishinger, rookie of the year, rookie of the year for the Cleveland Browns. So it's like defense.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

So he again, he said he could play Will Sam, he said he could play off ball. Like he said he could do it all. So it was, he would be awesome. I think just the story alone. And then, you know, you talk about the. He didn't wrestle. But I don't think we need to worry Jenna as much about wrestlers anymore. I'm not sure what Joe Brady's favor is with that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, no, that's true. I mean, I think it's cool today, like to actually finally get to talk to some of the Prospects as well. And just like, there's so much lead up into the combine. And I know it's a big week, but just to hear and, like, see the players and kind of get a feel for their personalities. Because you're right. Like, the tape can kind of get monotonous, but actually getting to see and meet the players. But I know wide receiver, obviously, so they're not going till Friday for. In terms of interviews. But I know that's been a huge point of emphasis. We've talked about so much already.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, no doubt about it. And then there was other people we talked to today. We talked to Diana Rossini from the Athletic, and she has the same sort of vibe that we do when we talk about what it's like to be at the combine. She loves the gossip. She loves going out to dinner, having a couple of beers, and then doing it all over again. She. She was good today. And we talked to her about wide receivers.

[Dan Fades]

We talked to her about wide receivers. It was funny because Mike, you were saying, Mike was talking to me the earlier this week and was like, maybe one day we'll go over to the stadium and we'll see them run and do the drills. Like, I don't think I've ever seen them do the drills. I was like, I. I've never been over there. And Diana's like, I've been doing this for a long time. I've never talked to a prospect. I have never been over to see the drill. She goes, people. She goes, I come back and my friends are like, what was this like? What was that like? What was this player like? And she goes, I didn't. No idea. She goes, I had 17 beers, though. Like, that was awesome. One of us, one of us, one of us.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That is quite a strategy. But she is right. Like, you can get. You can talk to a lot of people, get a lot of intel and a lot of information just about the state of the league, certain teams, all the kind of the behind the scenes stuff.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah, yeah. And we also talked to Matt Harmon, who is our neighbor right. Right here at the Yahoo Sports Backdrop.

[Mike Catalana]

They spell it differently than we do.

[Dan Fades]

He was great. We'll have that interview coming up either later this week or early next week. But he was great talking about Keon Coleman because everybody's talking about Keon Coleman. I have a take with Khalil Shakir, which he agreed with. It is not my take. It's not Mike's take.

[Mike Catalana]

It is my take. And Dan has co opted it.

[Dan Fades]

Nope.

[Mike Catalana]

Jenna, you know what?

[Jenna Cottrell]

This is like, nope, I do. I do, but I don't. I can't remember who came up with it first, who started it.

[Dan Fades]

I've got. I've got receipts. I've texted other people and workshop this.

[Mike Catalana]

I said it on the podcast.

[Dan Fades]

When you're not listening, I'm gonna need you to find the clip. Like, I'm so good at finding the clip. You won't be able to find the clip.

[Jenna Cottrell]

How's the team bonding going over there? It feels like you guys are a lot of QT quality time together over there.

[Dan Fades]

Okay, so back to the combine. And Mike, yesterday we caught up with Zach Berman.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Because he covers the Eagles for the Athletic, and they're the topic in terms of traits. It's either, you know, the Raiders and what they're going to do.

[Dan Fades]

Max Crosby.

[Mike Catalana]

Max Crosby and The Eagles with A.J. brown. And I thought Zach Berman's interview, you're going to hear it here in a second. Was very nuanced. Like, it was not the simple things you hear. It wasn't all positive about AJ I think he gave an honest appraisal. So let's take a listen. It's not that long of an interview, but it's a lot of information. Zach Berman from the Athletic on A.J. brown. All right, we have Zach Berman from the Athletic covers the Philadelphia Eagles. Welcome to Buffalo.

[Zach Berman]

Great to be on here. Thank you.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, A.J. brown is the guy Bills fans want to know about. Look, the Bills are always, at least from a fan perspective, in the market for a receiver, guys like AJ Brown aren't at least potentially available. Before we talk about what it would take, what's it been like to cover AJ Brown and watch him both as a player and the guy you deal with?

[Zach Berman]

It's been an incredible experience, honestly, in the sense that he is interesting. He is interested also. Right. And like, you have conversations with him. He's. He's thoughtful. He's not just giving generic responses. He's emotional sometimes, but I like that about him. There's. There is a human there, not just a character. And then as a football player, I mean, he's the best wide receiver I've ever covered. And I've been on the beat now for this will be my 15th season. He is the best. I mean, he is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. When you look at his numbers and the ability that he has to do just about everything at that position is pretty rare.

[Mike Catalana]

At the end of the year, they seem to try to get the ball to him more than they did in the middle of the year. And there were some issues. Do you see any fallback in his ability? Did you see things that you had not seen over this period of time covering him?

[Zach Berman]

Yeah, that's a fair question. I don't think he looked quite the way he did. Maybe in 2022, 2023. I still saw an elite wide receiver, but I think whether, you know, if you want to frame it as separation or some of the routes, the timing was off. There were uncharacteristic drops here. You saw that in the, in the playoffs. I don't think this was A.J. brown's best season, but I think A.J. brown at the season he had is still better than anything I saw in the Buffalo Bills uniform.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, the Bills, you know, there's always questions about need and want and what you want. I think it's pretty well known. And even Brandon Bean tried to make moves at the deadline last year to get him if the Bills were to make a move. And we can talk about what compensation might be for A.J. brown going to a new team, being the unquestioned number one guy. I mean, devonte Smith's a really good player. The Bills don't really have that. What type of player would you see for the Buffalo Bills in what you've seen with Josh Allen as a quarterback

[Zach Berman]

in terms of AJ Someone who is just physically different. Right. The, the body that he like, the, the ability that he has in that body, the yards after the catch ability that he's demonstrated in his career, the ability to be open even when he doesn't appear open. He has a sign in his locker that says always open. And he lives up to that. Right. Like you throw him the ball even when he's covered, he can make a play on the ball. He can turn a 10 yard reception into a 40 yard gain. And I know critics might say some of that has waned, but I still saw enough of that to think that he can do that.

[Mike Catalana]

The Bills had Stefon Diggs, who was very good for them until it went south. I think there's always a concern from Bills fans and maybe the Bills themselves, that they're getting into that type of business with what people would call a diva receiver. Is he a diva receiver?

[Zach Berman]

I don't view it that way, honestly. He's respected in the, in the locker room. He practices hard, he cares about his teammates. I think he's an emotional wide receiver and I think he could come wear those emotions on his sleeve sometimes. But I don't think he is a diva wide receiver because I think in the locker room he's respected and he does the right things.

[Mike Catalana]

When he talked last year about this offense needs to change, I think from just about anybody's perspective, it needed to be better, didn't it? Did he go about it in what you would think for the team in the right way or was that ended up contributing somewhat to the issues that they had?

[Zach Berman]

Fair question. The right way. Subjective. I certainly didn't mind it as a reporter. I think as long as what you're saying is true, and I think what he was saying is true, that they needed the change that they needed, that they couldn't put a band aid, to use his expression, on some of their offensive problems. And he proved clairvoyant at the end of the season, honestly. Now he contributed to it until terms of he had a bad drop in the playoffs, like I said. But I don't think the team's downfall last year was because of A.J. brown.

[Mike Catalana]

If the Eagles were to make this move, Whether it's post June 1st or not, it's a substantial cap hit, it would be them wanting to say we're going to move on from this guy. My thought would be that would include substantial compensation back because the team getting him as a very manageable comp contract. What would you assume, or from what you've heard, it's going to take to get an A.J.

[Zach Berman]

brown? Yeah, so first off, it would have to come to them trading him. And I think a lot of that will have to do with his appetite for being in Philly or playing elsewhere if it gets to that point. A lot of it has to also do with the competition on the market. And when you're looking just the complexion of the afc, Baltimore, Buffalo, New England, Kansas City, they all need wide receivers. And when contenders all need a position and there's an elite one who could become available, it's usually a seller's market more than it is a buyer's market. And so I would imagine a late first round pick. I know there's been projections that have been less aggressive than that, but like I said, if one team's bidding, it's a buyer's market. If multiple teams are bidding, it's a seller's market. And I think in that case, if New England's in play and Buffalo's in play, they're bidding against each other. That's advantageous for the Eagles.

[Mike Catalana]

And last thing would be, you know, it's a decision the Eagles ultimately have to make one way or the other to keep them. Where would you stack it up? Right here. As we're talking in February. The chances that he's still with the Eagles or the chances that he's moved on.

[Zach Berman]

Yeah, I'm going like 50, 50, honestly. And I know that's. That's not. That doesn't really give a clear answer because I don't know if there's a clear answer right now because I still think that if he wants to play in Philly, I think he'll be in Philly. I don't think it serves the Eagles well to trade him. I don't think the cap is what would prevent him from doing it. I think they know how to absorb cap hits and the cash savings are such that it could be beneficial for the organization long term. But the issue is that if you move an outstanding player out of your offense, how do you fill that void? Devonta Smith would have a bigger role, but they have a question at tight end already. They have a new offense here. I saw this offense before A.J. brown got there in 2021. It did not look good in the passing game. I can't imagine trading AJ Brown would be beneficial for them. So the price would need to be right and they need to have a plan to replace him in that case as well.

[Mike Catalana]

Right. I said last thing, but I'm going to ask you one.

[Zach Berman]

I like this.

[Mike Catalana]

He would also be going to Buffalo, which in the past was a negative, but they got that unicorn at quarterback, Josh Allen. How do you think, knowing, at least as well as you can know A.J. brown, he would be coming to Buffalo and playing with a guy like Josh?

[Zach Berman]

Yeah, I think, you know, I can't tell you what A.J. brown wants, but I would project, based on conversations that in interviews, that he wants to be the best receiver in the NFL and he wants to win. And Buffalo is a place where that could happen. New England's a place where that could happen. And so, yeah, I mean, it's. If he said on record after he won the super bowl, he wanted to put a stamp on being the best receiver in the NFL. And I think he needs to feel as if that could happen in Philly. And I don't know what the answer is to that. If he goes elsewhere, given Josh Allen's talent, given, you know, Joe Brady's experience with top wide receivers, you saw that going back to lsu. I would imagine that AJ Brown could flourish if he were in a. If he were in Buffalo system, if he were in New England system, or frankly, if you were in Philly system, if they approach it the right way.

[Mike Catalana]

All right, well, thanks very much, Zach Berman from the Athletic.

[Zach Berman]

Thanks for being on Buffalo plus, appreciate it. Thank you.

[Mike Catalana]

I appreciate. When he says things like, AJ's a good guy. AJ's good in the locker room, people perceive him as a diva. He's not a diva. He's just a different guy, introspective. And he did come out and say things, and as Zach mentioned there, he kind of let them down late in the year. So there were some issues. But I get the feeling from the people in Philly, including Zach, A.J. brown is still that elite talent that could help any team.

[Dan Fades]

Jenna, what's your maybe. What was Your thought on A.J. brown? The Bills making a move for him before the Zach Berman interview and then after? Because mine kind of changed a little.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't know about you, I hear you. Before, I'd be like, absolutely not. Like what you saw at the end of last season. I know he's a great player, but can he be reliable? Also, he's only. He's going to be 29 years old this year. Like, I feel like a part of me thought he was an older player, but no, before I was like, I don't think this is a good idea. Like, you know, you don't want another headache. In Buffalo, we saw how things ended with Diggs and like, the weird energy there. But after listening to Zach Berman's interview, I was like, you know, he is a different type of wide receiver. He commands a lot of intention. And to have a top tier talent like that, to be a number one guy, he's won a Super bowl, he knows what it takes. And maybe it's not a bad thing to have a guy stay set out and say, you know what, we need to do this better on offense. We need to get better here. So it's kind of funny because I'm like, wow. I, I think it had more sway than I expected it when I first started listening to it. Dan, I don't know how you feel, but I. It made me warm up to the idea in a way that I probably haven't in the last couple of weeks, but zooming out. I do, I do think that maybe that's not the direction the Bills do end up going in. And like, what Zach Berman talked about in terms of there's going to be multiple suitors. Like, he's talked about, you know, New England being possibly one as well. But I did think it was curious. It was like, wow, I. I kind of came back, you know, the. The pendulum swung a little bit the other way, too.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah, that's exactly how I felt. About it because I've only seen it. Like, you talk about zooming out. I felt like the. Zach gave us the perspective of diving in. Like, he gave me that view of. I've only seen it from the peripheral. I've only seen the clips. I've only seen the articles. I've only seen the headlines. And then for him to say, like, he is respected in that locker room, yes, he is different. And like, goes. It goes back to mental health stuff that he's been dealing with since his time in Tennessee. Like, he is not just a diva in the sense of I want the ball. He wanted to help the Eagles offense that stunk last year.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

And he's saying, like, I'm not being used the correct way. You can't put a band aid on this kind of stuff. It's got to get fixed. I liked what Zach was saying about how he wants to be a number one.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He.

[Dan Fades]

He wants to be the best wide receiver in the NFL. And if he were to come to Buffalo, he would be unquestioned the number one, which I think checks one of the boxes he wants.

[Mike Catalana]

Exactly. But he was number one in Philly, and I think the issue was that he made it public and he did the tweets. Like, you know, sometimes people can or not tweets. It was maybe Instagram, but at the same time, sometimes you may be right. It's the way you go about doing it. Now, I will tell you guys this. My impression from most of the people we've talked to, Even Zach said 50, 50. They don't believe he's going to be traded. I think it's a difficult thing to make that move. It's a major cap hit for the Eagles, plus they're changing their offense. And I think he may be excited about the offense they're going to run this year. And Howie Roseman's not going to do something that's going to set his team back. That's not usually the way he does deals. So it's a matter of can. Can they make it where he wants to stay there? Because I think it felt more like, well, they're definitely going to deal him. I felt a little bit more like they're going to try to make it work out because the compensation might be kind of high to get him because the Eagles are taking the big cap hit. And so the other team, they may be looking for somebody to give up more picks. I will tell you the one that I've heard from multiple people about another receiver Bill's fans know, I think they believe Diggs is done in Foxborough, that he's going to be out.

[Dan Fades]

That's kind of the vibe that, that it seems like.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, you could see why. Yeah, I think it's, I mean, his personal production at the end of the year massively dropped off, especially in the playoffs. I think that was a team that was transitioning anyways. They went further than anyone expected. But I think for Diggs, it was like, okay, he's coming off the acl. We'll see what he has. He is a veteran. He has had production in the past. And then, you know, I, I think he's at the point in his career where it's like one year deals also the distractions kind of everything around off the field stuff. But yeah, yeah.

[Dan Fades]

And I think a lot too is made with seeing something in print, seeing something on the athletic, the headline or the comments that AJ Would make. Jenna, I always think about this. I talk about this with friends and my family. It's not what you say, it's how you say it. And sometimes that has come across as. That's where I think the thought that Brown is a diva is because of what has been said. But Berman, I think helped sway me and Jenna. Like you said, the pendulum swing swung back the other way for me.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I do think a couple things. One, sometimes it's hard because you. We've all been at a press conference where a player says something and you're right, it's the tone of voice in which they say it. But then when you read it on a tweet, you're like, oh my gosh, I can't believe they said this. But when you're actually listening to it, it's the context of the tone and how different that that makes the feel of the sentence be. But I do think, and we've seen it in our own right of, you know, when you're covering a team sometimes and it tweets out and then it goes to the national audience, it's like it kind of. Not to say it creates a storyline of its own, but there are times where things, you know, kind of change from what you're feeling directly in the room to what the outside, you know, global approach and perspective is. So it was, I thought it was cool to hear his perspective because, yeah, in my eyes, before this interview, you asked me about A.J. brown. I'm like, he's emotional, he's a diva, he's funny, fallen off. Like he's not worth the, the. Essentially the, the not heartache, but what's the word headache. Excuse me. But after talking to him, I'm like, you know what? There does seem like there is upside there if a team wants to invest enough in him to bring him out of Philly.

[Mike Catalana]

I will say there's a couple of things. I felt the relationship. It seems like A.J. brown and Jalen Hurts kind of mimicked a little bit of Diggs and Allen and they were really tight and then they weren't. I mean, especially A.J. brown and Hertz were really close. Now I just think he's a different kind of guy. And he has said after he won the super bowl, this isn't what completes me. This I'm worried going right back in the gym and that's fine. And he's self motivated that way. But you guys know Josh is a vibes guy. I think he wants good players, but he likes everybody rolling in the same direction.

[Dan Fades]

AJ Especially you, not understanding and being more in tune than Jenna and I. Do you think his vibe could fit with Josh?

[Mike Catalana]

I'm sure it could, but he does seem to go to these places that it's just a little different.

[Dan Fades]

But do you think it's just also the fresh start? Do you think a fresh start would do him better than trying to make this relationship work in Philly?

[Mike Catalana]

I guess it could. I feel like he's a very like you meant, thoughtful and internal guy. Thinks about himself in relation to being a football player and then just being a person. And I don't know how much different that would be in Buffalo with Josh Allen as opposed to in Philly with Jalen Hurts. I think he is who he is. He's a unique guy. He's already been paid, he's already won a championship. So we'll see. I think it's, I'd say 50, 50, whether he's dealt at all and whether the Bills are then in the market. Maybe they're not even in it, but in the market for a Brian Thomas or signing a Mike Evans as a free agent, those type of things. If you want to go for a big swing.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I don't think.

[Dan Fades]

I don't think for the Eagles.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I just, I don't think he's the Bill's big fish. I could see the Patriots. He is a big fish. I don't think he's the Bill's big fish. I could definitely see the Patriots being very interested with. With the fact that there's a connection with Mike Vrabel, but for the Bills, I don't think it would be a personality. Like you said, Mike Vibes fit in my opinion.

[Mike Catalana]

Seems like it but he is a win ready and right. He's a heck of a player and I think Bill's fans would be happy to see that kind of talent at wide receiver. It's just a matter of what they'd have to give up.

[Dan Fades]

You comment in if you would like AJ Brown if it costs. I think reality is it's a first round pick because of what the Eagles are going to have to eat cap wise that isn't real but they're going to have to eat dead cap is real actually they're going to have to eat that I think it will take because the bills are at 26 I think it's going to take a pick in the 20s to get AJ Brown. So comment in if you would like it if there's somebody else that you'd be interested in. Like I said I talked with Matt Harmon about Mike Evans, Romeo Dobbs, Alec Pierce, he talks about DJ Moore, he talked about Michael Pittman as also other candidates that could fit in Buffalo as well as drafting a wide receiver. But these would be as he kind of said double dipping and also Jenna kind of alluded to what you've said about Brandon doubling down and overcorrecting after years of not making the moves and he's like we still don't really know what Josh Palmer is thinks he could they could do a move in free agency via trade or free agency and then drafting one at 26.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean honestly I would like to see that. I would like to see a multiples approach in this because I think where the wide receiver room is it needs a lot of work A and B.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh no no no no no. Joe said yesterday that's all overdone the fact that this receiver room isn't good enough.

[Dan Fades]

Joe said also there's more to Khalil Shakir than just short routes because Joe's never coached Khalil Shakir.

[Mike Catalana]

Here's the way Joe said it to Dan.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You did look pretty tiny.

[Mike Catalana]

It's like hey Dan, that's not hey buddy.

[Dan Fades]

Joe's probably at least six two.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I would agree.

[Mike Catalana]

I think I checked. Joe's five nine.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, no that's true.

[Mike Catalana]

And I'm six four.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No but I, I, I, I want them to throw many resources at wide receiver. It's like money. Wide receivers are like money. You can never have too many. Like in my opinion go after someone because you have Josh Allen like this. You've seen what this team has been struggling with to get the ball down the field Having more options is better. Try to. You allocated so many resources to the defense. Why don't you give some to the offense and specifically wide receiver.

[Mike Catalana]

Stop bitching about wide receiver.

[Dan Fades]

I've been saying it for years. I'm ready to be hurt again. I'm ready to be hurt again. I'm ready to get my hopes up to get hopes up for free agents, trades, and a first round wide receiver. I'm ready to be hurt.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I know, but like a couple years ago when they traded back and then they picked Keon, we were immediately disappointed. We didn't like that pick on night one. Well, I guess it was technically night two.

[Mike Catalana]

Night two?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. We didn't like the night one or night two.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah. So comment in what you guys think. Obviously, we will get more into free agencies just around the corner, but we have plenty of content in the bag that will be coming on Buffalo plus.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. What else, guys?

[Mike Catalana]

Well, we're going to Elmo's tonight.

[Dan Fades]

Oh, before we get to Elmos, a little story time with Mike here from last night.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah, the Pacers game.

[Mike Catalana]

So we got tickets to. I got to see my Sixers play. They. I mean, the Pacers were great last year. They were playing with nobody. I. I could have gotten a little run in that game.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

For the Pacers. Like, they had nobody.

[Dan Fades]

And you got to see your boy Embiid play.

[Mike Catalana]

Embiid played. They dominated, Maxi. They won by a ton. So we go to eat and Jenna, you know, we had already eaten, and then Dan says, I want a pretzel.

[Dan Fades]

Yes. I was like. So we. We went to the stadium to eat. There was a Chick Fil A. Fine. I don't need to get the Pacers food, like, du jour. Like, it's. It's stadium food. So I know at least what I'm going to get.

[Mike Catalana]

Pacer pizza.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah. Like, Speedway sandwich. Like, I don't need that. Like, I will just. It was fine. But I wasn't totally full from the Chick Fil A. So I was like, let's walk around. I was gonna get popcorn or something. And there were Ben's soft pretzels.

[Mike Catalana]

So, Jenna, remember that story I told on the podcast about the Sears stores when I was a kid? When I was Husky Mike with my mom?

[Dan Fades]

Is that what you said?

[Mike Catalana]

I was a little fat Mike walking around and my mom, husky, Husky would. We would leave the store and they had those soft pretzels and they would come down off the rack and I was like, locked in. She would give me the pretzel. I Could have eaten like six of them. Well, I had six of them last night in one pretzel.

[Dan Fades]

So we were with Stephen Bond, friend of the pod, and he's like, oh, there's this. It wasn't like a stadium pretzel. It was like a cart. They were probably. They were more homemade. It was more size of a pizza. We got the pretzel. It was £3. Like it was Jenna. It was a low.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It sounds amazing.

[Dan Fades]

It was so heavy.

[Mike Catalana]

I went back to nine year old Mike.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But was it good?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, it was good.

[Dan Fades]

It was good.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. I was gonna say. Then it's worth it. Crushed it. So good. I'm shocked, though, because Dan is not a snacker. The fact that you went after dinner and got more food is not you.

[Mike Catalana]

That pretzel was not a snack. It's like, I'm still full today. Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

Along with the waffle we had the morning. But the funny story, Johnny, you have about you saying Mike saying that he was a little fat kid. Little fat Mike. When he talks about him as a kid, which is so funny to me to hear every time. And you said he's husky. My brother was. Was husky growing up as a kid, and he thought that the brand name of the pants that he would get was husky.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

No, it's not a brand. No.

[Mike Catalana]

But there. I think there was something that was like the.

[Dan Fades]

The section of the store that you bought. Oh, yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, yeah, the guy.

[Dan Fades]

Like they weren't like Levi's. Like they were. They were husky.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fades]

But my brother thought that's what was the brand.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like.

[Dan Fades]

Like you got.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I thought it was the brand too. No, it's just no size.

[Dan Fades]

It's just the. The section of the store at which you purchase things.

[Mike Catalana]

I quickly figured that out as a kid.

[Dan Fades]

So funny.

[Mike Catalana]

So. So tonight is Elmo's.

[Jenna Cottrell]

How are you feeling? Did you eat anything today?

[Dan Fades]

I had a muffin for breakfast because I needed more carbs and then a

[Mike Catalana]

kind of a lame salad.

[Dan Fades]

Lame salad here, but that's fine.

[Mike Catalana]

What's your late dinner tonight?

[Jenna Cottrell]

What are you thinking? What's. What time's den.

[Mike Catalana]

8:30.

[Zach Berman]

Oh, okay.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah, we're gonna do shrimp cocktail, obviously. Then I like the navy bean soup.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Much more than I thought I would.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah. Because it's that or tomato juice. And the first time I was like, I don't like navy bean soup. I went with the tomato juice. It's really a glass of V8.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

And I was like, that's not it. And then I'll do mashed potatoes. And the strip. You're gonna go filet, aren't you?

[Mike Catalana]

I like the filet. Last time. And then maybe it's Scooter's home.

[Dan Fades]

Shout out. Chuck Wade.

[Mike Catalana]

Chuck Wade. Friend of the pod sent us a little gift for our dinner tonight.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Really?

[Dan Fades]

It's very kind of him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What a guy. He's the best. Oh, my gosh.

[Dan Fades]

Also sent a great T shirt. Just haven't been able to wear it on the pod. Yeah, great T shirt.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's fair. Did you guys tell this scooter story last year?

[Dan Fades]

They're everywhere.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, they're just this specific scooter story.

[Dan Fades]

Two years ago, was it after An Elmo's night? And we went to Kilroy.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, we. We stayed out.

[Dan Fades]

We stayed out. Your friend was a bad influence. Had a couple sodas. Scootering home on. Yeah, on these lime scooters. And you don't think they're that fast, Especially when you're a little.

[Mike Catalana]

They weren't that fast.

[Dan Fades]

Inebriated. And we pull up to the hotel and, you know when you were a kid, Jenna, and you would jump, you were riding your bike, and then you would hop off your bike, and then you would match the speed at which you were going. Like, you kind of jumped off your bike.

[Mike Catalana]

Dan. Didn't match the speed.

[Dan Fades]

I did not match the speed. I was like, I'm just going to hop off this scooter. And I slid 10. 10ft.

[Mike Catalana]

I don't know. I just got up and said, are you okay?

[Jenna Cottrell]

He's safe.

[Dan Fades]

And then Mike was gone. And then I had to get him back. Because you had to turn off the scooter.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, somebody would have turned it off, but, yeah, I cruised right on in.

[Dan Fades]

You did. They are fast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I've never been on one of those. I was on the sidewalk, so it's like.

[Mike Catalana]

No, I was right down the middle of the road. Middle of the road, middle of the

[Dan Fades]

road, middle of the road. Like, I was like.

[Mike Catalana]

I was riding that scooter, like, where were the cars? DiCaprio in the Titanic.

[Dan Fades]

There are no cars.

[Mike Catalana]

Just out the front.

[Dan Fades]

There were no cars. And then I was like, okay. I was approaching the curb, like, to get into the hotel. So I was like, I can't take the scooter. I'm going to hit the curb. I'll hop off.

[Mike Catalana]

Like, oh, be an athlete next time, Dan.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Be an athlete. Oh, my gosh.

[Dan Fades]

Sprawled out.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I got a little fomo. I got. I got. I got FOMO here.

[Mike Catalana]

Are you jumping on a scooter?

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, not not for that. The steaks, the navy bean soup. I'm a little really good. I don't know. It's like the base. Like. What's the broth?

[Dan Fades]

Tomato. It's like a tomato broth.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fades]

And I don't like beans. And I like the navy beans, too.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's because it's really funny.

[Dan Fades]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't like beans.

[Dan Fades]

I don't like beans and chili. I don't like beans on. I like beans.

[Zach Berman]

Right.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't know why that's so funny to me.

[Mike Catalana]

He doesn't like. Oh, never mind. Get us in trouble.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Do you have anything else, gentlemen?

[Mike Catalana]

No, I think that's pretty good.

[Dan Fades]

We're just a content machine out here.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What's tomorrow?

[Dan Fades]

Linemen and tight ends.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Edge,

[Mike Catalana]

right?

[Dan Fades]

I thought it was Right.

[Mike Catalana]

That's what I'm saying. It's edge. I'm sorry. Yes. Tight ends tomorrow and then wide receivers on Friday.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, I'm excited. I'm excited.

[Mike Catalana]

And a lot of gossip. I know a recap.

[Dan Fades]

An Elmo's recap.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. Yeah, I want to hear about it. What do you go to? Old fashioned.

[Dan Fades]

Old fashioned.

[Mike Catalana]

That sounds what the kids are drinking these days.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Look at you, staying young. Okay. All right. That'll do it for us. For Mike and Dan having a great time at St. Elmo's tonight. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. I am Jenna Cottrell. We'll catch you next time here on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel podcast.

[Dan Fades]

Buffalo pl.