Club Shay Shay – Deebo & Joe - Part 1

Episode Theme:
This episode, hosted by NFL veterans James "Deebo" Harrison and Joe Haden, delivers a candid, unfiltered look at the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback conundrum, upcoming free agency decisions (most notably Kenny Gainwell testing the market), and larger NFL business issues from a player's perspective—including a critique of the current NFLPA leadership and the salary cap's underlying mechanics. Expect real locker-room talk, inside stories, and strong opinions about how the game and business of football is really played.

Steelers Quarterback Situation

[04:13–16:38]

Kenny Pickett’s Rocky Ride

• ESPN ranked quarterbacks picked in the first round since 2001. Kenny Pickett was rated last: “Kenny Pickett finished 18 of 18. The worst possible spot they could get.” (Deebo, 04:38)
• Recap of Pickett’s career: started in Pittsburgh, traded to Eagles (got a Super Bowl ring as backup), then Browns, then Raiders. “I must have missed that Browns...” (Deebo, 05:53)
• Both hosts agree: Pittsburgh hasn’t found its “franchise QB.”

Which QB Next—Draft, Free Agency, or In-House?

• Will Howard, currently on the roster, gets some love:
  • Joe: “I want to give him a shot...I’m not a believer in any of these [draft] quarterbacks right now.” (06:08)
  • Deebo: “I definitely don’t see us getting our franchise quarterback in this draft.” (07:43)
• Speculation: Would the Steelers bring back Aaron Rodgers? Reports suggest a decision is imminent (08:00–08:38).
• Anthony Richardson mentioned as a possible low-cost “bridge”: talent and upside (“He a big dude, he mobile, he got a strong arm...only 23, 24 in May,” Deebo, 09:38) but work ethic and commitment questioned.

Quarterback Money Talk

• Malik Willis rumored to want $30–40M over two years. Joe: “If we can go give Malik Willis $40 million, we can make our team a lot better with that money.” (15:00)
• Both prefer investing in other positions and letting Will Howard sink or swim:
  • “Don’t bring Rogers back. Give it all to Will Howard. Crash or burn. Let’s ride it out.” (Deebo, 16:17)
  • “If he doesn’t do it...hopefully next season let’s look and see what the draft looking like.” (Joe, 15:10)

Memorable Moment:

• “Sink or swim, man.” – Joe (22:15)
• “We gonna sink or swim.” – Deebo (22:16)

Kenny Gainwell Tests Free Agency

[23:43–26:56]

• Gainwell, after a “prove-it” year ($1.7M), intends to cash in: “He did what the prove-it year is supposed to do...now he needs to go get his bag.” (Joe, 24:42)
• Steelers would love to keep him, but price is an issue. With Jaylen Warren already making $5M, having two mid-level paid backs is “where the running back market is...the math just looks crazy.” (Joe, 25:28)
• Both hosts say Gainwell deserves to get paid, and the Steelers shouldn’t block his opportunity.

Quote:
“Two things could be right at the same time.” – Deebo (26:56)
“Ain’t nobody gotta be wrong.” – both hosts (27:01)

Wide Receiver & Trade Rumors

[27:02–31:06]

• Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars) named as a possible Steelers trade target, but both hosts express doubts:
  • Deebo: “I just don’t like his decline in his performance...he would be coming to Pittsburgh and playing in not ideal weather...I can’t take that chance.” (29:30)
  • Joe: “We need hand catching receivers...I don’t know if he’s a natural catcher of the ball...drop balls are the reason why you aren’t in the league.” (30:19)
• Both agree, “We don’t need him. We need hand catching receivers.”

Inside Look: Browns’ Stefanski Knew He Was Fired

[32:07–41:52]

• Browns coach Kev Stefanski knew before the last game he was getting fired.
• Deebo and Joe dissect the awkwardness and hypocrisy: “Everything’s fake juice...he’s out the door for real...but you’re literally one foot in and one foot out.” (Joe, 34:41)
• “Don’t tell him nothing...coach me up like you’re trying to keep your job.” (Joe, 36:33)
• Fun aside: Deebo jokingly says if a player was told he’d be released before a game, he’d call in sick. “I am not playing in that game...I’ma have a mystery illness pop up right there on game day.” (Deebo, 38:17)
• Both hosts agree: in the NFL, players aren’t given a heads-up, and being a coach is no exception—no special treatment.

Candid Salary Cap and NFLPA Reality Check

[42:07–55:55]

Salary Cap Boom—And the Hidden Truth

• NFL salary cap hits $301.2M for the first time; huge 5-year growth (“40% increase,” Deebo, 42:07)
• Joe is initially enthusiastic: “The owner's making money, so then the players are able to make money...quarterbacks can make $60 million a year, receivers $35 million.” (42:31)
• Deebo challenges the celebration: “Know why you happy? Because you’re uninformed.” (46:11)
  • Exposes how the NFL takes $2–3B “off the top” before calculating the reported 48/52 revenue split with players, due to a poorly negotiated CBA.
  • Criticizes the NFLPA: “Nobody that is currently in the nflpa, working for the NFLPA, should have a shot at being elected...That’s another reason why I am running for executive director and I should be voted to win.” (49:01)
• Warns about looming issues: the NFL wants 18 games by 2028, with the Super Bowl earmarked for Atlanta but no locked-in date, to ensure flexibility.
• Larger point: salary cap has risen but players aren’t getting a true 48% split—structurally, more money should be going to players. The PA’s lack of transparency and collusion with owners is called out repeatedly.
• Passionate advocacy: Deebo calls for himself to be made NFLPA Executive Director, demanding better for players.

Memorable Exchange:

• “We need to get you in there to go find that thing.3 billion and get that bus down into the 52/48.” – Joe (53:00)
• “Two things could be right at the same time. Happy that it’s going up, but blown...cause they’re scraping off the top.” – Joe (53:31)

Tone and Notable Quotes

• Locker-room candor, humor, and authenticity:
  • “If I'm sitting over here and I got a six sitting in front of me and you over across that table from you, it look like a nine. Neither one of us is looking at it in a different perspective.” – Deebo (27:02)
  • “Telling your truth, telling my truth hurt somebody’s feelings in my perspective. Let the pain flow.” – Deebo (31:30)
• Self-aware, irreverent, and passionate about player empowerment.

Other Small Segments

• Dish on NFL facilities: Steelers’ facility “way better” than the Cardinals; both criticize Bengals’ pre-upgrade (23:19–23:35)
• Slightly off-topic, yet true-to-life tangents about finances, family, and off-field NFL politics.

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |--------------|--------------------------------------------| | 04:13–16:38 | Steelers QB discussion, trades, and options| | 23:43–26:56 | Kenny Gainwell tests free agency | | 27:02–31:06 | WR trade rumors: skepticism on Thomas Jr. | | 32:07–41:52 | Stefanski firing, NFL honesty/culture | | 42:07–55:55 | Salary cap, NFLPA, and CBA transparency |

Takeaways

• Steelers’ QB answer won’t come easy—hosts skeptical about the current draft, urge patience, and want to see what Will Howard can do before splurging in free agency or making another risky selection.
• Financial realities matter—whether in retaining breakout players like Gainwell or navigating mid-tier contracts, salary allocations are under the microscope.
• Players must become more informed and empowered—the salary cap leap isn’t all it appears to be, and the player share of revenue is less than advertised.
• NFLPA gets no pass—Deebo’s running for Director, demanding a fairer shake for players and calling out corruption or complacency.
• You get sharp insight, honest laughs, and the kind of real talk you only get from insiders who’ve lived it.

Episode Style:
Candid, familial, and deeply invested in the culture and future of the NFL and its players.