Club Shay Shay Podcast Summary

Episode: Deebo & Joe - Part 1: Will Cam Heyward be back? + Steelers Coaching Staff Hires

Date: February 10, 2026
Hosts: James "Deebo" Harrison & Joe Haden

Overview

In this lively episode, James “Deebo” Harrison and Joe Haden break down the latest Steelers news, focusing on recent coaching hires, the hotly debated future of Cam Heyward, and salary cap implications for Pittsburgh's key players. With their trademark banter and inside knowledge as former players, Deebo and Joe analyze new additions to the coaching staff, speculate about roster moves, and get real about the business side of football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off & Housekeeping

• [02:41–03:47]
  • Joe welcomes listeners and asks Deebo how he’s doing. Deebo shares he’s finally moved back into his house, feeling ecstatic and ready to pod from home.
  • Banter about finally having a “brick firm” house that won’t blow down.
    • “Now my house is made of brick, firm.” – Deebo (03:26)

2. Steelers Coaching Staff Hires

A. D-line Coach: Domata Peko

• [03:48–04:11; 13:47–15:58]
  • Joe reacts enthusiastically to the hiring of “his dude” Domata Peko, former Bengals run-stopper, as defensive line coach.
  • Praises Peko’s longevity and technique, suggesting he brings real respect and know-how to the role.
    • “He is going to go in there and teach RD line the stuff that we kept talking about: Why is you not dropping your hips? Why is you not using proper technique? This dude … did it for a long time at a high level.” – Joe (13:53)
  • Deebo agrees, emphasizing the importance of having a coach who “did it at a very high level” and can provide gritty, honest coaching beyond the usual “coach talk.” (15:58)

B. Offensive Coordinator: Brian Angelichio

• [04:03–04:55; 11:10–12:09]
  • Discussion of Angelichio’s previous stint as a TE coach with the Browns. Deebo admits to not knowing him well but trusts McCarthy’s decision.
    • “I didn't really get to learn under him too much, but I think McCarthy knows more than I do. So I'm going to go ahead and sit back… let you pick your puzzle pieces, you be the cook…” – Deebo (11:12)

C. Special Teams: Danny Crossman

• [05:17–07:27]
  • Crossman’s long track record as a special teams coach reviewed.
  • Joe notes Crossman’s Miami tenure (2019–24), with a quick rise and fall from assistant head coach, emphasizing the brutal “sacrificial lamb” nature of NFL coaching changes (06:15).
  • Both defend his year off (2025), seeing it as a “freshen up” opportunity, returning with “something to prove.”

D. Assistant Head Coach (Secondary): Joe Whitt Jr.

• [07:27–09:46]
  • Joe is “real excited” about Whitt Jr., noting his D-coordinator experience in Washington (though the D was ranked last) and DB coaching time with Dallas, where units eventually finished in the top 10 vs. the pass.
  • Sees Whitt’s new “assistant head coach” title as grooming for a possible eventual head coaching position.
    • “He gets to sit back and actually be an assistant … help me out. He's on my same vibe.” – Deebo (10:11)

E. Wide Receivers Coach: Adam Henry

• [21:25–21:48]
  • Admits limited knowledge; Deebo and Joe both defer to Mike McCarthy’s vision.

3. McCarthy’s Approach to Staff Building

• [10:11–12:24; 12:24–13:47]
  • Deebo expresses trust in Mike McCarthy bringing in “dudes that are gonna be able to lean in on his system” and that there's “one message” in the building.
  • Joe praises McCarthy’s willingness to hire strong assistants without ego, referencing recent examples of other franchises’ successes with a collaborative approach.
    • “Look what happened … He wasn't so into self that he realized, yo, this is team… Look at how the defense, crazy.” – Joe (13:09)

4. Cam Heyward’s Future with the Steelers

• [22:19–34:50]
  • Joe notes Cam Hayward’s cryptic social media post (slamming a book closed), sparking retirement rumors.
    • “He had a little post that he did… slamming the book closed. You see that?...that looks like a closed book. Like I’m done reading.” – Deebo (22:19)
  • Deebo and Joe debate contract nuances: roster vs. signing bonuses, what signals Cam might be sending to the front office, and whether he’s leveraging for an extension. Both highlight the business chess game for aging stars:
    • “He’s not saying he's returning, he's also not saying that he's not retiring. So they're gonna have to go to him now.” – Joe (26:02)
  • Both agree: the ball is in the Steelers’ court, and ownership will need to “see where his head’s at.” (34:41)
  • Deebo frames it as a classic negotiation: “If they’re gonna do a whole switch … Mike McCarthy … they don’t owe Cam nothing … 37 years old at 14 and a half million.” (29:54)

5. Other Cap & Roster Questions

A. Edge Rushers: Highsmith, Herbig

• [38:11–41:24]
  • Joe and Deebo walk through the crowded roster at edge rusher: T.J. Watt (“ain’t going nowhere”), Alex Highsmith (next cap hit $18M), and Nick Herbig approaching his own new payday.
  • Speculate on possible cost-saving moves, trade possibilities (e.g., Highsmith), and how to keep Herbig without breaking the bank.
    • “You got your young dudes coming in… it's good problems to have, but it's real problems to have.” – Deebo (39:36)
  • Joe details his own experience with contract cycles and restructuring (41:23).

B. Inside Linebacker: Roquan Smith / Queen

• [41:28–42:34]
  • Queen’s upcoming $10.8M base salary and roster bonus ($2.5M) make him a likely cap casualty.

C. Secondary & Tight Ends:

• [42:55–45:09]
  • Joey Porter Jr. flagged as a must-pay soon.
  • Pat Freiermuth discussed (“they might let go of Fire Move”), especially with availability of younger, cheaper alternatives at tight end.

D. Depth & Free Agents:

• [46:11–47:47]
  • The real-world economics of keeping or losing rotation players (e.g., Jonnu Smith, Gainwell) amid cap constraints.
    • “If it's disrespectful, slap in your face that they offer you, you know, 2 million and somebody already got something on the table for you for four and a half, five … you gotta get your [money].” – Deebo (47:09)

6. Philosophy: Rings or Money?

• [47:53–53:36]
  • An engaging, honest exchange: would you give up half (or more) of your career earnings for a Super Bowl ring?
    • Joe: “For me, I would give up 50 of what I made for one super bowl because I know the feeling of winning one and losing one.” (48:12)
    • Deebo: “I know the feeling of being able to provide for my family... if it was meant for me, it was meant for me.” (48:23)
  • Both reflect on how their early NFL environments (Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland) shaped those priorities—Deebo saw championship culture every day, Joe learned to protect his own interests when the team environment failed to match his passion.

Memorable Quotes

• Joe Haden:

  • “He is going to go in there and teach RD line the stuff that we kept talking about… did it at a high level.” (13:53)
  • “He done came through and got him a Super Bowl off rip because he wasn’t so into self that he realized, yo, this is team. I’m gonna get everybody around me that can help me.” (13:09)
  • “For me, I would give up 50 of what I made for one Super Bowl because I know the feeling of winning one and losing one.” (48:12)

• James “Deebo” Harrison:

  • “Sometimes you can’t do everything. Everybody’s not Bill Belichick… you gotta be able to get other dudes in good positions that know what's going on.” (13:25)
  • “I’m more leaving it on him [McCarthy]. I think Mike McCarthy, he’s got his hand in all of these ships… you’re bringing in certain people for certain reasons.” (11:12)
  • “I love the game, but it really could show you, like, you’re in this. It’s a business… So money gonna come, I’m gonna get signed, I’m gonna do my deals. But that’s when I was like, if I would’ve got drafted to Pittsburgh…” (51:26)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:48] — Steelers hire Domata Peko as DL coach
• [04:03] — Brian Angelichio hired as OC
• [05:17] — Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman's resume
• [07:27] — Joe Whitt Jr. as assistant HC/secondary
• [12:09] — Trust in McCarthy’s system and hires
• [13:47–15:58] — Deep dive into Domata Peko's coaching style and legacy
• [22:19] — Cam Heyward's future, cryptic social post and contract logistics
• [34:41] — “You have to” — Owners and coach must talk to Cam Hayward
• [38:11] — Highsmith vs. Herbig: Edge rusher contract crunch
• [42:55] — Tight end position and Freiermuth’s status
• [47:53] — Money vs. Super Bowl Ring: Joe and Deebo’s debate

Tone and Takeaways

• Authentic, direct, and playful. Joe and Deebo riff on football the way only former pros can, mixing business acumen with locker room candor.
• Emphasis on transition: The Steelers are in a pivotal offseason, making big coaching changes and facing crucial veteran contracts.
• Underlying theme: Trust in leadership (McCarthy), realism about the NFL as a business, and a wistful nostalgia for the pure drive of chasing either rings or generational wealth.

For Steelers fans or NFL followers, this episode delivers an unfiltered inside look at football strategy, team-building, and the lifelong ripple effects of the decisions made both on and off the field.