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.