Club Shay Shay: Deebo & Joe – Part 1
Ranking Steelers Free Agency Priorities, Chiefs Restructure Mahomes, Lamar CALLED OUT?
Original Airdate: February 20, 2026
Host: James "Deebo" Harrison
Co-host: Joe Haden
Overview
This episode of "Club Shay Shay" features former NFL stars James "Deebo" Harrison and Joe Haden as they chop it up about pressing NFL off-season issues. The primary focus is on:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest free agency and roster questions
- Thoughts on player contracts, re-signings, and cap maneuvers
- The Kansas City Chiefs’ restructuring of Patrick Mahomes’ deal and what that means for their roster
- Commentary on Lamar Jackson’s attendance (or lack thereof) at voluntary offseason work and a potential public call-out
- A few detours to the Cleveland Browns, Ravens, and Chiefs, with candid, player-to-player insight
The tone is laid-back, humorous, and direct, with unfiltered opinions from two ex-players who know these teams and the business of football from the inside.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Life Updates: Cabo Vibes & Early Drinks
[02:06 – 03:55]
- Joe is calling in from a golf trip in Cabo, joking about customs, early-morning drinks, and the need for a passport.
- Notable moment: "Early bird get the word, Debo." (Joe, 03:57)
Steelers’ Offseason Roster and Cap Management
[04:00 – 10:46]
Who Stays & Who Goes: Top Cash Earners
- Locks to Stay: T.J. Watt, DK Metcalf, Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, Jalen Warren
- Quote: “TJ Watt… he’s not going nowhere.” (Joe, 04:24)
- Trade/Release Possibilities: Alex Highsmith (if Nick Herbig keeps ballin’ at the same position), Patrick Queen.
- Tight Ends: Pat Freiermuth is a keeper, Jonnu Smith may go, Darnell Washington is worth a reasonable deal.
- Quote: “Jonnu might gotta go. Definitely KEEP Firemuth…” (Joe, 06:39)
- Special Teams Value: Connor Heyward’s role as a do-it-all guy on special teams makes him almost indispensable at the right price.
- Younger Players: Joey Porter Jr. should get ‘the bag’ before any others.
- Quote: “He’s a dog… Nephew, you deserve that bag.” (Joe, 08:37)
Free Agency Approach & Business Realities
- Discussion about the difficult business decisions with 'your boys' and asset management.
- “What have you done for me lately is a real live thing in the league.” (Joe, 25:10)
- Cap reality check: You can’t have three edge rushers each making double-digit millions.
- Importance of homegrown talent—guys who’ve gotten better every year are prized (Joey Porter Jr. especially).
Steel City Free Agents: Priorities and Price Tags
[10:46 – 19:45]
Extensions & Young Core
- Joey Porter Jr.: Priority extension due to performance and upside.
- Nick Herbig: Extend depending on how the edge room shakes out.
- Boswell & Darnell Washington: Both valuable, but at player-friendly pricing.
- “I think Boswell… you can get a player deal because I feel like he wants to stay in Pittsburgh.” (Deebo, 09:44)
- Keanu Benton: Better to use him at his natural position and reassess mid-season if he breaks out.
Depth & Special Teams
- Connor Heyward: Valuable, ‘Dirty Red on the offensive side,’ willing to take a local discount (possibly).
Roster Turnover and Tough Calls
- Steelers have up to 27 FAs; not all can be kept.
- Gainwell will “get the bag” elsewhere after doing it all; team must bring in QB competition since Mason Rudolph doesn’t cut it.
The Business of Football: Age, Value, and the Bottom Line
[19:36 – 26:29]
- Joe and Deebo break down the harsh realities for role players and aging veterans.
- Quote: “Either you’re going to be the highest paid or minimum; there’s no middle area.” (Joe, 25:00)
- Discussion about letting go of solid but older or less impactful vets to save cash and get younger.
Browns Roster Chaos & Offensive Line Meltdown
[26:25 – 33:40]
- Cleveland losing foundational pieces of its offensive line (Wyatt Teller, et al.)
- Quote: “How you lose your whole… How you lose five?” (Deebo, 32:48)
- The business side: contracts structured so departures are inevitable, often post-June 1st for cap purposes.
- Joe’s frustration as a former Brown: “We have to get a line. We don't have nobody.” (Joe, 33:11)
- Jokes about modern analytics suggesting firing your whole O-line as a strategy.
Ravens Drama: New OC, Voluntary (Mandatory) Workouts, & Lamar Jackson
[33:46 – 36:30]
- Ravens’ new OC is publicly emphasizing the need for players to report for voluntary* workouts.
- Underlying implication: call-out likely aimed at Lamar Jackson, who traditionally skips voluntary offseason stuff.
- Notable quote: “Voluntary is mandatory in the NFL.” (Joe, 34:44)
- The tension between contract status/star power and accountability.
- Deebo: “Our success is dictated off of you. We need you here… building those relationships.” (35:37)
- Joe: “It makes it look like...where’s your quarterback? You want him in there…” (35:59)
Chiefs Cap Magic: Mahomes Restructure, Tyreek Return Rumors, and More
[36:30 – 41:45]
Mahomes Clears Cap Space – Tyreek Hill Reunion?
- Chiefs restructure Patrick Mahomes’ contract, free up $44 million in cap space.
- “I really think I am a contract analyst, brother. I should really do that… I know how to work that cap!” (Joe, 38:31)
- Tyreek Hill drops hints about a possible reunion with KC on social media.
- “That would be the smartest and best situation for both parties. They need Tyreek.” (Joe, 37:36)
- Cap implications for other stars (Travis Kelce, running backs) and how deals get spread out between base and signing bonuses.
- Jokes about Taylor Swift’s wealth cushioning the need for Kelce’s next contract.
The Salary Cap Game
- Debates about the ongoing manipulation of contracts to make cap space, especially for elite QBs.
- “You should make every year Patrick Mahomes on your team change his f***ing contract to fully guaranteed...” (Joe, 40:19)
- Mahomes on a “team-friendly” 10-year, $500M deal. Dak is making more annually; structure is everything.
- Side note: running back contracts and the likelihood of Kansas City moving on from existing backs (draft, value plays).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Joe Haden’s take on locker-room business:
“What have you done for me lately is a real live thing in the league.” (25:10) -
On Joey Porter Jr.’s extension:
“Nephew, you deserve that bag.” (08:37) -
On the cap game:
“I should really do that… I know how to work that cap!” (38:31) -
Harsh NFL economics:
“Either you’re going to be the highest paid or minimum; there’s no middle area.” (25:00) -
Lamar and the Ravens’ new OC:
“Voluntary is mandatory in the NFL.” (34:44)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 02:06 – Joe’s Cabo intro & early morning antics
- 04:00 – Steelers’ top earners: who stays, who goes
- 08:08 – Free agency extensions: priorities and reasoning
- 15:50 – Keanu Benton & handling young contracts
- 19:04 – Full free agent rundown, tough roster choices
- 26:15 – The "what have you done for me lately?" reality
- 32:03 – Browns' O-line departures & contract poison pills
- 33:46 – Ravens’ OC comment: is Lamar being called out?
- 36:30 – Chiefs: the Mahomes restructure, Tyreek rumors, cap wizardry
- 40:19 – Joe’s cap structure rant (guaranteed money, Mahomes, Dak)
Tone & Final Thoughts
The conversation is candid, insightful, and colored by the players’ on-field experience. The discussion flows naturally from topic to topic, with much of the back-and-forth based on personal relationships with players/coaches and the gritty realities of the NFL's business side.
If you want to understand how real pros weigh value, loyalty, and the salary cap—plus get a sense of how locker rooms gossip about front office moves—this episode is a must-listen. The perfect balance of insider knowledge, sharp banter, and real talk about the cutthroat world of NFL contracts.
