Club Shay Shay: Deebo & Joe – Part 1

Episode Title: Steelers NFLPA Report Card Grade + Ty Simpson to Pittsburgh?
Date: February 27, 2026
Host: James “Deebo” Harrison
Guest/Co-host: Joe Haden

Overview

This episode features former Steelers James “Deebo” Harrison and Joe Haden in a candid, high-energy discussion on the fallout from the recent NFLPA team report cards — with the Pittsburgh Steelers receiving particularly scathing grades for their facilities, locker room, and organizational investment. The duo also delves into quarterback rumors surrounding the Steelers, including speculation about Alabama’s Ty Simpson and their thoughts on Will Howard, evaluating the team’s quarterback strategy and needs.

Woven throughout are comedic moments about Joe’s harrowing travel experience in Mexico and serious commentary on the state of the NFLPA’s leadership and transparency. Both hosts blend unfiltered takes with insider knowledge and humor, making this a must-listen for football fans and advocates of player empowerment.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Joe Haden’s Wild Trip to Mexico

Timestamps: 02:39 – 15:38

• Haden recounts a recent chaotic golf trip to Cabo, Mexico: He highlights the sudden cartel activity, chaotic airport scenes, and being stuck after his return flight is disrupted.
• Relief at returning home: Haden jokes about missing everything from American soil to fast food.
• Comedic moments: Deebo reveals his plan to "replace" Joe if he didn’t hear from him—going so far as to have “extraction team three” on standby and concept art of Joe Burrow as a podcast stand-in.
  • Quote:

    “I got extraction team three ready on standby. You know what I’m talking about?” – Deebo (10:31)

• Haden speaks on how travel can make you feel helpless, especially with language barriers and unpredictable situations.
  • Quote:

    “After that situation… feeling of helplessness… and you don’t know the language… I just feel compromised.” – Joe Haden (13:34)

2. Steelers’ Scathing NFLPA Report Card

Timestamps: 15:38 – 24:18

• Facility & locker room issues: Pittsburgh ranks at the bottom in nearly every category, with specifics like only five bathroom stalls for the entire team and failing (“F-minus”) grades for the field and locker rooms.
  • Quote:

    “Steelers—worse this year… locker room as a F minus… players reported having only five bathroom stalls for the entire team… Owners ranked last in willingness to invest in the facilities… Lowest ranked home field due to high school and college use leading to poor field conditions…” – Deebo (15:38)

• Training and coaching critiques:
  • Strength coaches also received the lowest grades. Haden is surprised, saying his experience was positive and coaches tried to cater to each player's needs.
  • Deebo goes deep into the science of strength training, emphasizing the need for tailored regimens to prevent injuries.
  • Quote:

    “A great strength coach is going to make his program to fit each person… If you get a 10% imbalance in between muscles…it ups the risk of injury.” – Deebo (24:18)

3. The State of the NFLPA: Leadership, Transparency, and Player Power

Timestamps: 27:29 – 47:43

• Critique of NFLPA leaks and leadership:
  • Discussion of the 2026 NFLPA report card leak and its fallout.
  • Deebo is sharply critical of the current NFLPA leadership, arguing that processes have become less transparent since Gene Upshaw’s passing.
  • Voting for key positions and agreements is now limited to only 32 player reps, not the entire player body, making the system easy to manipulate.
  • Quote:

    “They changed that. So now only the 32 player representatives get to actually make the vote… they don’t have to bring it to the players. It’s easier to control 32…” – Deebo (30:07)

• Player benefits/hardships and bureaucracy:
  • Deebo and Joe highlight the difficulties retired players face in accessing health benefits, with processes so complex that many give up.
  • Joe credits his agent team for support, but Deebo stresses many others aren’t so lucky.
  • Quote:

    “If you have a regular 9-to-5 job after you’re done playing, you’re not going to be able to get to your NFL pension… When I say you have to go through a process—if it wasn’t for the fact that I didn’t have a regular 9 to 5…” – Deebo (44:11)

• Deebo’s candidacy for NFLPA Executive Director:
  • Frustrated by lack of player representation and transparency, Deebo voices his intention to run.
  • Both hosts argue for greater openness and player-first priorities at the union’s highest levels.
  • Quote:

    “If you can’t do it, get out of there, dude. That’s why I’m running for the NFLPA executive director. You need somebody in there that’s actually in there for the players.” – Deebo (41:16)

4. Steelers QB Rumors: Will Howard & Ty Simpson

Timestamps: 51:01 – 57:42

• Speculation around Ty Simpson:
  • Deebo references media reports linking the Steelers to Alabama’s Ty Simpson, but both maintain skepticism about chasing a new quarterback.
• Confidence in Will Howard:
  • Both want to see 2025 draftee Will Howard get a real chance. Haden argues that a strong team around a young QB is key, and that the team shouldn’t panic after just one year.
  • Deebo breaks down Howard’s positive college stats and physical presence, contrasting him with other prospects.
  • Quote:

    “We got Will Howard. We’ve seen what he could do in college… He’s on our squad. Let’s use everything that we got to make everything around him better.” – Joe Haden (51:35)

  • Quote:

    “His senior year, he was 73% completion, had over 4,000 yards, almost 10 yards a catch… 35 touchdowns, 10 interceptions… We ain’t even get out a shot or a chance…” – Deebo (56:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you go back, anybody that take yourself over there to Mexico right now… you are out of your mind, Joe.” – Deebo (04:14)
• “Bruh, if you ain’t hit me back, I was sending the drone.” – Deebo (12:35)
• “The NFLPA… they’re trash, dude… and they have been trash since we lost Gene Upshaw in 2008.” – Deebo (27:29)
• “We need report cards on the NFLPA, bro. They would definitely not let them things get out.” – Joe Haden (50:52)
• “If you can’t do it, get out of there, dude. That’s why I’m running for the NFLPA executive director.” – Deebo (41:16)
• “I actually do… I want to give (Will Howard) a shot. If the sink, if it falls, it falls.” – Joe Haden (51:35)

Structure & Flow

The episode blends humor—like Deebo joking about Joe Burrow’s face replacing Joe Haden’s on the podcast—with sharp, critical insights on serious player topics. The chemistry and mutual respect between the hosts is evident, making their back-and-forth on the Steelers’ facility crisis, quarterback rumors, and the NFLPA’s internal dysfunction both lively and illuminating.

Segment Timestamps Index

• Joe’s Mexico Trip: 02:39 – 15:38
• Steelers’ NFLPA Report Card Breakdown: 15:38 – 24:18
• NFLPA Critique and Deebo’s Candidacy: 27:29 – 47:43
• QB Rumor & Evaluation (Ty Simpson/Will Howard): 51:01 – 57:42

Final Takeaway

This episode gives listeners a no-holds-barred look at the realities of NFL player life—inside and outside the lines. Whether it’s navigating cartel danger, navigating the bureaucracy of player benefits, or navigating the next Steelers quarterback controversy, Deebo and Joe keep it real, keep it entertaining, and keep it all about the players.