Buffalo Plus Podcast Detailed Summary

Episode: "Why Not TJ WATT on the BILLS?! Where's JOSH ALLEN in NFL's TOP 100 and Jenna's WEDDING RECAP"
Date: July 1, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus covers three major topics:

1. The ramifications of a blockbuster NFL trade involving the Dolphins and Steelers, and how it could inspire a bold, unconventional move (like acquiring T.J. Watt) for the Buffalo Bills.
2. Speculation and analysis around the NFL's Top 100 player rankings, particularly where Josh Allen fits and which Bills may make the list.
3. A lively and heartfelt recap of Jenna Cottrell’s wedding, complete with behind-the-scenes stories, emotional moments, and plenty of inside jokes.

The episode is conversational, energetic, and blends deep insider football analysis with candid moments from the hosts' personal lives.

NFL Blockbuster Trade Discussion

Segment starts: [02:05]

Trade Breakdown

• Trade Details: Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, & a 7th-round pick to Pittsburgh for Minkah Fitzpatrick & a 7th-rounder (Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to Steelers; Minkah Fitzpatrick to Dolphins).
• Mike & Dan's Initial Thoughts
  • Both call it a "big names" trade, unusual in the NFL.
  • Question whether either team truly "wins" the deal.
  • Notable quote – [03:00] Dan Fates:
    "When it was done, I'm thinking who wins this trade? ... Bills and Ravens win this trade. Because I don't think it's going to Pittsburgh."
  • Doubt cast on Pittsburgh's approach by accumulating past-prime, expensive veterans.
  • "Name recognition does not win in the NFL" – [04:47] Renee

Steelers' Strategy and Super Bowl Aspirations

• Criticism of assembling a “dream team” of aging stars.
• [04:18] Dan Fates:
  "Ramsey’s now 30, obviously. Rodgers is 41. ... Let's see what they do with Watt now in that case for Pittsburgh. But they certainly have name recognition now, if nothing else."
• Dan references the Eagles' failed "dream team" experiment and draws parallels.

Should the Bills Target T.J. Watt?

Segment starts: [07:30]

The Case for Trading for Watt

• Dan floats a hypothetical: What would it take for the Bills to trade for T.J. Watt (who may be unhappy in Pittsburgh)?
• The idea: Third-round pick for a one-year "rental."
• [09:03] Dan Fates:
  "It's very difficult to take him on his current contract with his guaranteed money and make it fit for this year. I think the Bills would need to make it spread the cap hit out."
• Recalls other trades (like Von Miller) where a team rented a star for a season without extending them.

Cap and Contract Realities

• The panel debates the practicalities and necessity of extending Watt if acquired.
• [13:03] Renee:
  "What is wrong with saying, we're doing this for a year? Hey, T.J., we hope you love it here… then you can pick your team with your contract whenever you want."
• [14:10] Dan Fates:
  "I like the player. ... The Steelers, they are what they are. Nothing changed [in the odds]."
• Highlights that Bean (the Bills GM) has spent 3rd-rounders on lesser moves in the past.

Conclusion

• All agree: Watt would be a massive addition.
• "Why not Watt?" becomes the episode's rallying cry.

NFL Top 100 Players: Where's Josh Allen?

Segment starts: [15:25]

Bills on the Top 100 List

• Last Year's List Recap
  • Josh Allen & Dion Dawkins still with the team.
  • Stefon Diggs and Jordan Poyer made last year's list but have left.
  • Notable moment – [16:38] Dan Fates:
    "Diggs, 56. And it listed him as Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, which was kind of funny ... Jordan Poyer was 65 ... He's out of the league at the moment."

Josh Allen & Top 5 Predictions

• Hosts recall Allen was around 11 or 12 last year, not in the Top 10.
• They debate where Allen and Lamar Jackson should land.
• [18:13] Dan Fates:
  "If you're judging best linebackers, it's not a slight on Josh ... it's where you have the other quarterbacks."
• All agree: Josh should be Top 5, possibly even edging Mahomes for spot behind Lamar Jackson, but it's up to the players' vote.
• [19:43] Renee:
  "It goes back to Lamar being first team all-pro quarterback."
• They speculate on who else could land in the Top 5 (Lamar, Josh, Saquon Barkley, Myles Garrett, Justin Jefferson or Jamar Chase).

Who Else from the Bills Could Make It?

• James Cook a likely candidate, probably in the 90s.
• Dion Dawkins (“Dion”) expected to repeat in the 90s.
• Spencer Brown called "a top 100 player" in terms of talent but likely not recognized this year.
• Defensive potential: Christian Benford and Terrel Bernard possibly getting noticed with strong seasons.
• Consensus: The Bills excel at overall depth, with fewer “top 100” superstars but excellent roster 11-53.

Buffalo Bills' Offensive Rankings & Skill Positions

Segment starts: [23:03]

• Referenced Mike Giardi’s “All-32” podcast and how various outlets are ranking the Bills’ offense without the quarterback.
• Hosts debate where the Bills' skill position talent ranks league-wide—consensus: lower tier, but the offensive line is a strong, cohesive unit.
• James Cook mentioned as a budding star.
• O-line (especially Dion Dawkins) praised for playing well together.

Jenna’s Wedding Recap: Behind-the-Scenes & Heartfelt Moments

Segment starts: [28:24]

Jenna Joins from Her Honeymoon

• Shares touching stories about her wedding weekend in Cape Cod.
• Weather-related drama: ceremony goes from outdoor to indoor and, last-minute, back to outdoor due to improved weather—a sign, Jenna feels, from her late grandparents ([31:50]).

Quotes & Moments

• [31:50] Jenna:
  "My grandfather turned 100 a couple months ago… he actually ended up passing away at the end of May. I really think it was the two of them ... who helped make it just such a wonderful weather day as well."
• [32:05] Dan Fates:
  "Credit to Dan and I. We did not interrupt you one time during that."
• [32:38] Jenna:
  On Dan officiating: “He was fantastic. I mean, better than anything else I've ever seen him do. ... Way less annoying than he is on the Buffalo Plus channel."
• [33:14] Renee:
  “Jenna was putting on the bravest face ever. ... She had her cry, but was moving forward.”

Ceremony & Reception Highlights

• Dan shares he was nervous about officiating, but appreciated advice: “talk slow and get the [heck] out of the way” ([34:24]).
• Humorous moments about ceremony rehearsal, delayed day-of coordinator, and keeping things light.
• Emotional moments:
  • Dan’s advice: “Take a second, take a breath. All of these people have never been together before. They will never be together again. And they’re here for you guys and the open bar, but 97% of them, I needed the chuckle right off the get go.” ([35:10])
  • Father-daughter walk and dance notably moving for the crew.

Odds and Inside Jokes

• Jokes about who would cry (Dan, Mike, Jenna, or Zach) during the ceremony. Mike teared up during Jenna’s walk down the aisle ([43:21]).
• Tales of her father’s legendary size ("built like a refrigerator box") and his dance-floor “reverse worm” ([41:13], [43:41]).

Praise for the Team

• Maid of honor Alyssa Cottrell got "like, comment, and subscribe" into her speech ([49:16]).
• Everyone agrees: Jenna’s wedding was "five stars" and deeply meaningful for the Buffalo Plus team.

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

• On Steelers’ “Dream Team”-style tradition:
  • [04:49] Renee: “It usually doesn’t work in the NFL because we've always talked about it. ... Those guys are recognizable in name only.”
• On betting big for a Bills Super Bowl:
  • [14:10] Dan Fates: “...Nothing changed [in the odds]. They are what they are.”
• On Allen’s place among QBs:
  • [18:13] Dan Fates: “A slight on Josh is where you have the other quarterbacks.”
• On being a wedding officiant:
  • [34:24] Renee: “I got some advice from John Dawes... ‘talk slow and get the out of the way’ ... I knew as soon as I was saying, ‘by the power invested in me by the State of New York...’ and I was like, and I’m gone. That was all I wanted to do.”
• On wedding emotions:
  • [43:06] Renee: “I lost it at the father-daughter dance. ... Knowing I have three daughters and thinking about me being up there—that was like, whoa.”

Upcoming Podcast Preview

[50:02]

• Next week’s guest: A director from HBO’s Hard Knocks will join to discuss behind-the-scenes with the Buffalo Bills.

Tone & Atmosphere

• Genuine camaraderie, quick wit, centered on football but unafraid to detour into the personal.
• Language captures the insider, irreverent-yet-deeply-caring tone of the Buffalo Plus crew.
• Episode deftly weaves NFL strategy with the team’s signature banter and local flavor.

Quick Reference Timeline

• [02:05] NFL mega-trade discussion, AFC implications
• [07:30] T.J. Watt-to-Bills hypothetical trade, cap conversations
• [15:25] Top 100 NFL Players: Josh Allen, Bills roster speculation
• [23:03] Bills skill position/o-line debate, NFL offense rankings
• [28:24] Jenna wedding recap: emotional family stories, Dan’s officiant debut
• [41:13] Family praise, dance floor antics
• [50:02] Look ahead to next week (Hard Knocks director)