Deebo & Joe - Part 2: Rams Super Bowl Expectations, NFL Injuries getting worse?

Summary

Club Shay Shay – Deebo & Joe (Part 2): Rams Super Bowl Expectations, NFL Injuries Getting Worse?

Podcast: Club Shay Shay
Host: iHeartPodcasts and Shay Shay Media
Date: March 16, 2026
Length: ~48min
Guests: Deebo, Joe

---

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of Club Shay Shay, Deebo and Joe dive deep into NFL hot topics—namely the Los Angeles Rams’ bold off-season moves, Super Bowl expectations, and the ongoing debate about NFL injuries. The conversation is candid and authentic, featuring playful banter, insider takes on recent trades and front office philosophies, and genuine player perspectives on the evolving nature of the NFL. The co-hosts further break down issues regarding league finances, the impact of state taxes on the salary cap, and the internal working of the NFL Players Association. Listener questions and some lighthearted moments round out an entertaining, informative segment for football diehards.

---

1. Rams’ Offseason Moves & Super Bowl Window (02:31 – 08:31)

• Trent McDuffie Acquisition & Rams’ Status in NFC

  • Deebo and Joe analyze the Rams’ ambitious move acquiring cornerback Trent McDuffie, formerly of the Chiefs.
  • The Rams reportedly also explored trading for A.J. Brown (Eagles) and Devante Adams (Raiders).
  • Joe (02:56): “Right at the top. I mean, they still look… Their offense still intact, still status quo. If their defense gets better, they’re right back in the mix. So I’m loving that.”
  • Discussion of the Rams’ 2025 playoff run and what went wrong—namely, pass defense: “They pass game was the Achilles heel… they were only 19th in the regular season… jumped to 276 [yards] a game in the playoffs.” (Deebo, 04:48)

• Banter About NFC Contenders

  • Deebo jokes about only disagreeing with Joe out of habit, then concedes they agree: “Sometimes I just want to fight… I actually think the same thing.” (Deebo, 04:24)
  • Both agree Rams’ defensive upgrades keep them in the top contender conversation.

• Potential Moves for A.J. Brown & Devante Adams (06:12 – 07:59)

  • Discussion about implications if Rams had landed A.J. Brown and financial logistics of pairing multiple superstar receivers.
  • “If I was them, I would just keep it… status quo… Devante, he still… had 14 touchdowns this year and Matthew Stafford is tossing it to him. Money’s good.” (Joe, 07:27)

• Matthew Stafford’s Legacy (08:13 – 09:36)

  • Praise for Stafford’s ability to elevate receivers.
  • Joe (08:13): “If you play with Matthew Stafford, you going for the record, man.”
  • Deebo and Joe agree that Stafford should get more credit and that the defense holds the key to another Rams Super Bowl push.

---

2. NFL Injuries & Training Camp Debate (09:54 – 18:57)

• Easier Training Camps = More Injuries?

  • Inspired by Troy Aikman’s comments, Deebo asks if softer camps are contributing to more early-season injuries.
  • Joe (10:06 & 13:22): Initially tries to split the difference, but ultimately agrees: “Yes, I would agree.”
  • Deebo details how old-school, grueling camps “toughened your body up for the season” and built real conditioning (13:46).
  • Both decry the watered-down modern approach—less full contact, shorter camps, fewer preseason snaps for starters.
  • Deebo (14:12): “It’s a recipe for disaster… fatigue, dehydration… the outcome is soft tissue injuries and non-contact injuries. He’s 100% true.”

• Game vs. Camp Physicality

  • Joe: “All other stuff is all them little drill work that we doing during the off season, it’s cute. But ain’t nothing like… another man out there with his shoulder pads on, running real routes… with the timing of the D line...” (15:14)
  • Deebo and Joe reminisce about how suffering through camp made regular season games feel easy.

• Player Safety vs. Defensive Player Burden (17:48 – 20:29)

  • Deebo references Troy Aikman’s critique of defensive rules protecting QBs: “You’re asking a lot of defensive players… to try and navigate a 300-pound offensive lineman and then not graze the helmet of the quarterback” (Deebo, 17:48)
  • “Let’s call the flag a flag only if the quarterback is concussed or comes out the game.” (Deebo, 20:05; tongue-in-cheek)
  • Both vent frustration at the impossible standards for defenders regarding QB hits.

---

3. State Income Tax & NFL Salary Cap (20:29 – 25:44)

• State Taxes & Salary Cap Debate
  • Deebo explains proposals to adjust the NFL cap based on state income tax, citing California’s “jock tax” (~13.3%) vs. no-tax states (Nevada, TX, FL, TN).
  • Deebo (22:31): “The idea of raising the percentage of the cap by state income tax… it sounds like something that would make it even. But I don’t know if that would even work… it gets so confusing… I don’t think it would help out.”
  • Joe says lifestyle and weather often trump tax concerns for players: “It’s a weather tax… every day I wake up, it’s beautiful out here” (24:15).
  • Consensus: Increasing the Cali teams’ caps would be “cheat code” and unpopular with the rest of the league.

---

4. NFLPA Leadership & Transparency Discussion (26:05 – 38:17)

• Current State of NFLPA

  • Deebo gives a critical breakdown of recent NFLPA presidential elections and the “good old boys club” nature of leadership selection.
  • Explains why some executive committee candidates (David White, C.J., Tim Perrett) are controversial or have questionable backgrounds.
  • Deebo (28:55): “They didn’t like that I was talking bad about the NFLPA… because I want to tear it down and reset it back to what it was.”

• Calls for Democracy & Openness

  • Joe: “Unless you open it up… so all of the players can see who’s going on… validate… process needs to just be the players because it’s the NFL Players Association.” (35:00)
  • Push for a more democratic, transparent voting system for all players—not just executive committee.

• Memorable Quote

  • “My job is going to be up for grabs every year too… We need the players to be wanting the players, people that’s going to run it and that’s going to do the right job.” (Joe, 37:26)

---

5. Listener Q&A & “Play of the Day” (39:04 – 48:04)

• Betting Segment (39:04 – 41:54)

  • Joe shares NBA prop picks (Cooper Flagg rebounds/assists under, Luka Doncic points over, Victor Wembanyama points over); Deebo debates play/fade.
  • “I feel like Cooper gonna go out there… and be the straw to break the camel’s back, but I like everything else.” (Deebo, 41:15)

• Coaching Staff & Roster Moves (42:03 – 43:33)

  • Listeners ask about concerns for Rams’ coaching and QB situations (Justin Fields, Mahomes recovery scenario, etc.).
  • “I ain’t got no concerns over this coaching staff. I like what the coaching staff is. I know who they is. I don’t seen them.” (Deebo, 42:56)
  • “They think me and James Evans [from Good Times] is related… you know he talking about Good Times.” (Deebo, 43:33, referencing frequent comparisons)

• Candid Takes on Quarterbacks (44:18 – 47:57)

  • Listener predicts Deshaun Watson will outplay Shadour Sanders (Cleveland debate). Joe: “If Deshaun Watson comes back healthy… not disrespect to Shadour… let’s see.”
  • Playful teasing over Browns’ and Steelers’ prospects: “We kept track of the Browns… getting their face kicked in.” (Deebo, 44:18)

---

6. Notable Quotes

• “If their defense can end up stopping some of the people that’s scoring on them all the time, then they right back in the mix.” – Joe (03:03)
• “Training camp used to be where you toughened your body up for the season… Now the rules make it so they can’t do it…” – Deebo (13:46)
• “It’s a weather tax… every day I wake up, it’s beautiful out here.” – Joe (24:15)
• “The NFLPA Players Association needs to be run by the NFL players, not a little association...” – Joe (35:00)
• “My job is going to be up for grabs every year too… It’s literally for them.” – Joe (37:00)

---

7. Memorable Moments

• Playful bickering about agreeing/disagreeing for competition's sake.
• Breakdown of the absurdities in player safety rules: “Flag only if the quarterback is concussed…” (20:05)
• Honest insight into how cap/tax situations shape NFL rosters, but ultimately, “weather tax” trumps.
• Hard-hitting critique of NFLPA’s internal politics and lack of transparency.
• Listener interactions keep the show light, as well as a betting segment with real-time debate on picks.
• Several shout-outs and in-jokes with regular listeners (“Covenant Life”).

---

8. Key Timestamps

• 02:31: Discussion of Rams’ place in the NFC after McDuffie trade & failed A.J. Brown talks
• 09:54: NFL injuries and training camp “softness” debate
• 14:12: Effects of preseason changes on injury rates
• 17:48: Defensive player frustration with quarterback protection rules
• 20:29: State income tax and NFL salary cap implications
• 26:05: Detailed NFLPA leadership critique
• 35:00: Joe’s call for NFLPA voting reform
• 39:04: “Play of the Day” betting picks
• 42:03: Listener Q&A: coaching staff, Mahomes, Fields
• 44:18: Debo vs. Joe—Steelers/Browns prospects banter
• 46:04: Debate: Deshaun Watson vs. Shadour Sanders

---

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, irreverent, and filled with ex-player authenticity. Deebo and Joe are unfiltered, sometimes combative, but always insightful—mixing deep knowledge of the game, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and an ability to make fun of themselves and each other. The discussion bridges serious critique with playful engagement, making it valuable and entertaining for die-hard NFL fans.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Joe]

We've all been there. You hold onto a coupon but forget about it and suddenly it's expired.

[Deebo]

Expired in 2012. Dang it.

[Joe]

Fortunately, by switching to Geico, you could save about $900 on car insurance without ever touching a coupon. It feels good to save big. It feels good to Geico.

[Nancy Glass]

I'm Nancy Glass, host of the Burden of Guilt Season two podcast. This is a story about a horrendous lie that destroyed two families. Late one night, Bobby Gumpright became the of a random crime. The perpetrator was sentenced to 99 years until a confession changed everything.

[Deebo]

I was a monster.

[Nancy Glass]

Listen to Burden of guilt season two on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Questlove]

Good people. What's up? What's up? It's questlove. So recently I had the incredible opportunity to have a real conversation with actress and producer Jamie Lee Curtis. From routines to recovery, true lies, and a certain Jermaine Jack music video. Jamie's real and raw and it's something I really admire about her.

[Jamie Lee Curtis]

I am so happy that I'm the head in charge at 67 that I have the perspective that I have at my age to really be able to put all of this into context.

[Questlove]

Listen to the Questlove show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Safeway/Albertsons Advertiser]

Safeway and Albertsons have made saving easier than ever with great savings on family favorites this week at Safeway and Albertsons. USDA choice Beef, boneless, tri tip, whole or flank and style ribs bone in are $6.99 per pound member price and asparagus or $1.99 per pound member price plus 16 ounce strawberries. Six ounce raspberries or blackberries are 197 each. Limit three member price with digital coupon. Hurry in. These deals won't last. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.

[Arizona State University Promoter]

At Arizona State University, we're bringing world class education from our globally acclaimed faculty to you. Ranked number one in innovation for 11 consecutive years and number two among public universities for employability, ASU isn't just ahead of the curve. It's creating new paths to success. Earn your degree from the nation's most innovative university online. That's a degree. Better Explore more than 350 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs at ASUonline. ASU. EDU.

[Deebo]

Now look, let's go on over here, man. Trent McDuffie. His goal is to bring a championship over there to the Rams. Now the Rams, I guess actually considered trading for AJ Brown and then explored trading devonte Adams. But with him over there, where do you think this ranks the Rams among the NFC contenders? Where you think?

[Joe]

Right at the top. I mean they still look. They played against the Seahawks.

[Deebo]

Damn, they ain't even win the Super Bowl.

[Joe]

It was Seattle. They had to play against Seattle to get there. And that was the only team, the only reason why Seattle's defense was a little better, you know what I'm saying? The offense there, we met with Stafford, Puka, them dudes were putting up crazy amounts of yards, but Sam Darnold ended up balling. So I'm thinking they're. They're losing. Seahawks lost more then they've gained. They lost their running back, they lost Walker. So we gonna have to see what they look like. They lost their starting other cornerback, you know what I'm saying? So their defense might not be as good. I'm looking at the Rams, their offense still intact, still status quo. So if they going out there looking like that and then if their defense can. Their past defense was the main thing. Like I think if their past defense gets good and their defense gets better, then they're right. Right where they're at. If you have a quarterback, you have receiver, you have the running game. Well, why aren't the Rams up there? The reason why they would lost was because I think that defense kind of let them down. It was never. They couldn't score enough points. So if they can get some defense, they can end up stopping some of them, some of the people that's scoring on them all the time, then they right back in the mix. So I'm loving that.

[Deebo]

And I'm what, the number one contender?

[Joe]

No, I mean nfc. Who do you like? Who do you like? Seattle. Yeah, I like.

[Deebo]

Yes. Who I like. To be honest with you, Joe, I kind of got off on a tangent of just being against you. Because of the burns.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Deebo]

And I actually think the same thing. But I just, you know, I. No, I gave my feelings.

[Joe]

That's why I really you Sometimes you agree with me. You just be wanting to. Tonight I just be wanting to fight.

[Deebo]

You know what I'm saying? Sometimes I just want to fight. Listen man, what was it the Rams gave up A one, a five and a six. Of course they think this man can help bring them a championship. And when you look at it, just as you said, they pass game was the Achilles hill leading down the stretch. Hell, they were only 19th in the regular season. Giving up 216 yards a game. And then they jumped into the playoffs and they up that to 276 a game. So with him being in there, I'm 100. You know, I'm 100. I see.

[Joe]

I almost said just naturally I'm 100

[Deebo]

with you, that I think this puts Seattle as the number one contenders over there. Because if they had him when it was time for them, when they were playing Seattle, then it would have been an opportunity where him being on the field could have led them to being there playing in that championship game. So I'm. I'm a hundred percent with you on that. I just. Like I said, Joe, I kind of got into my.

[Joe]

Yeah, you just ready to go against me, man. As soon as I get to talking about. As soon as I get excited about the Browns, you just get hype and mad.

[Deebo]

It's something eat up inside.

[Joe]

You like them because you like. Oh, you just. Yeah, you get real mad, man. Real, man. So I'm gonna keep on.

[Deebo]

I mean, even the. I mean, they considered even getting AJ Like, I guess. On Friday, the Athletic reported that the Egos had serious conversations about a trade for A.J. brown with. Oh, the Rams and the Patriots. Dude, the Rams are out of it and I guess the Patriots, they're saying, are still in play, brother. They're looking at possibility of doing a deal after June 1st. So according to. I guess that was. Heard that on. That was Flores that I was seeing that on right there. Bunch of possible moves, but from the moves that were made, especially the McDuffie move, I really feel like they.

[Joe]

Dude, what if they got AJ if they got AJ where they had to got. They would have had to get rid of. You think they would have got rid of devonte or somebody. They had got rid of devonte then? Because I don't think they're gonna have. No way it's going. Would have been Puka, AJ and devonte

[Deebo]

because then that's a lot of money, though. I think AJ, I think AJ is like for 29. I think Devonte is 24.

[Joe]

Hooker's not going anywhere.

[Deebo]

They gotta sign.

[Joe]

Pooka's not going anywhere. So, I mean, if I was them, I would just keep it. I mean, keep it status quo. Keep a status quo because it's either Devontae, he still. He's had 14 touchdowns this year and Matthew Stafford is tossing it to him. Money's good. I'm just keeping the status quo. I'm just keeping it just like it is. You gotta get Puka the bag. He used to stealing Cause he's the. He's the young one. So when he gets up, you got Devonte vet chilling. You don't hear much, you know what I'm saying? Stand out the way.

[Deebo]

And that was something else I was thinking too. I'm like, how's that gonna go? What if he don't get the ball? You know what I'm saying? You know how he take off when he don't. You know, he don't get the rock like you playing with the Rams.

[Joe]

Matthew Stafford, you got to get your. The highest receiver. He didn't get Calvin Johnson the passing record. He done gave my man Cooper cup the record. And then he gave Puka Nakua the record. If you play with Matthew Stafford, you going for the record, man.

[Deebo]

Matthew staff need to be up in his pay, man. They need to be.

[Joe]

That's what I'm trying to tell you, Debo. When he. He's hall of Fame because his talent, he can just throw the ball so good. And now next year I'm not. I'm rocking with what they doing. Bring some defense because he's still. He's putting up 30 points. Like when I was watching that Seahawks game, that's why I thought the Rams were legitimately going to win. Because I'm like, all right, we got Sam Donald vs Matthew Stafford and he ended up balling out. You know what I'm saying? Sam Donald did his thing, so that's why I already had to give him all the respect. But Matthew Stafford did not underperform.

[Spreaker Advertiser]

He can't.

[Joe]

He wasn't slacking on his pimping like, no, bro.

[Deebo]

But also, I told you Rams, they, they, they, they defense is what was going to get them DBs. I told you they was gonna get them.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Deebo]

Told you this go again.

[Joe]

I did not. I did not. I just. I didn't. I was. I was non. I was a. I was a non sound believer. And I had to go eat crow because now I was like, no. But then. But I get. I show love when you show me, Sam. I'm off your back, coach. You did that.

[Deebo]

Just gotta. You just gotta lead Joe to the water. You know what I'm saying? He'll drink. Just gotta. Just gotta lead him to the wall.

[Joe]

I didn't even know that water, the jets, they was. They was. They needed to get led to the water. The Vikings needed to get led to the water. All of them. So it wasn't just me, Joe.

[Deebo]

Troy Aikman, he said he thinks easier training camps lead or led to more early season injuries. Do you agree, disagree with this statement? Joe, what do you think?

[Joe]

I think he has. So I think two. Like a little bit of both. A little bit of both. I think there is, there's no way you can really train for football. You gotta kind of like get that physical that, that, that hitting, that tackling for it.

[Deebo]

We just ain't doing.

[Joe]

What'd you say?

[Deebo]

It's a way to train for it. We just kept doing it. Well, you.

[Joe]

I. Okay, you.

[Deebo]

You.

[Joe]

I'm. Let me, let me say my piece. I would say yes. Yes, because.

[Deebo]

All right, hold on, let me ask you this question then. Let me ask you this question. Okay, let me ask you this first. All right, Joe, what was your first training camp like at the pro level versus what your last training camp was like at the pro level? And then let me go back even further though. What was your first training camp like in college compared to first year pro, last year pro?

[Joe]

It's not even close. The physicality, the time on field, the heat, just the time on field is what it is with pads with no walkthroughs. You know what I'm saying? You're out there full padded practices both times, and that's what it is. So I think the conditioning, the wearing of your pads, the just you out there, you're sweating, you're drenched, and it's. Now, the games were so easy because that training camp was so hard that it was like the game. You're celebrating, you couldn't wait to play in the game. The games was literally the funnest thing that you could do because you and your homeboys, you're like, all we got to do is get a three and out.

[Deebo]

Like, let me pause you for a second. I'm gonna let you continue after this. You said it was half this, half that. Your explanation now is telling me everything that it is. But go ahead and then tell me where you're at if you agree or disagree.

[Joe]

I would say no, because when I'm saying that, I think being on field though, is our bodies. I mean like the training. Like I said, you. When you, when I say you can't train for football, I meant like the on field stuff. That when we're doing these seven on sevens, when we're doing these one on ones, when we're going like these one on ones live drills, when training camp comes, that's when we're really getting our craft right. Like that's when you can really try stuff. When you can really do, you're going versus the ones you're going versus the best of the best. So you can line up, you can really move, and you can really come out of your breaks. You can get beat and it's okay. We're going to watch the tape and we're going to figure out how can we get my technique exactly right. So you can go in, you practice it, and it's happening. You practice, go watch the tape and then you can go practice it again. Of like now you can get to see how, how I move now what, what I do better. So I, I would say that part is the thing that you.

[Deebo]

We're talking about the injury part of it. He's just saying that easier training camps led to more early season injuries. Do you agree or disagree? That's all we. But from your statement, you have to 100% agree.

[Joe]

I have to 100% agree to what you said. I know I don't have to 100% agree because I mean, he's saying, he said easier training camps led to more

[Deebo]

injuries, led to more early season injuries.

[Joe]

Okay. Yes, I would agree.

[Deebo]

Yes, Joe. No question about it. He is 100% right, Joe. Because when I came in, Joe, we did real life Tuesdays, brother, full pass. And even when we did shells, the shells was actual helmet and shoulder pads. And you just have to wear shorts.

[Joe]

Yes, yes, you're banging. You're banging.

[Deebo]

Not them little soft ass cushions that they wear now. And dude, building up your endurance, building up your conditioning for football, blood. We were in training camp for like 32, 33 days in Latro in the Troll, bro. And here's the issue, dude. Like, training camp used to be where you toughened your body up for the season. And now the rules make it so they can't do it along with, you know, what is it, only three preseason games. Add that with a good majority of the starters, dude, don't even play more than what, 30, 40 snaps the whole preseason, dude, It's a recipe for disaster. And when you get into week, like he said, early in the season, you get into week one, two, three, and now you're asking your starters, hey, go out there, go 100 miles an hour, give me 60, 70 snaps. And your body hasn't been put nowhere close to that. And you wonder why all of a sudden you got fatigue, dehydration, which means your muscles ain't working as much. Fatigue you don't have, especially if you got an imbalance in your muscles that is is greater than 10%. And the outcome is soft tissue injuries and non contact injuries. He's 100% true. Like he's. That's. I 100% agree.

[Joe]

When I said you can't like practice, you can't play like practice football. You have to actually be in on the field with these dudes doing 11 11, doing actual live drills to be able to replicate all of that. The stuff that you're doing without players, without pads, there's no replication of the football of you going up against a left tackle where he has this stuff on. It's really putting that, putting his hands on you. And now you really got to get out of the repetitions of that. So I used to love the training camp part because you're getting your craft so. Right. Because all other stuff is all them little drill work that we doing during the off season, it's cute. But ain't nothing like you seeing another man out there with his shoulder pads on, running real routes on you with the timing of the D line, getting after the quarterback. And you know it. The ball's got to come out with them pants on. What'd you say?

[Deebo]

With them pants on, with them football, you ain't running around and your feet are.

[Joe]

Your feet are starting to squish around because there's just sweat running all the way, just down. Need. Need more socks. You know what I'm saying? Because like, after that, once you go through that type of exhaustion, that game, when you actually come off, you get a three and out or you get a ten play drive. That ten play drive is nothing. I've been out here about to die during training camp and then run it back, you know what I'm saying? Run it back, stay out there. And it's two and a half hours straight, like looking crazy.

[Deebo]

Yeah, bro. Like, they don't go through those rigors, they don't go through that, you know, that build up to getting into that position. Another thing, a lot of guys off season training ain't what it should be. Man. My off season training was so hard, dude. That was the thing that I thought about as soon as I was like, yo, am I going to retire or not? Let me go out here and see how I feel after a couple weeks of training. Do I really want to go out here and grind and put all this time in? Because when the season came, that was the easy part for me. It was to build up to getting ready to go to into season. And it was like, yo, I don't, I don't know. That was the fun part. Playing in the game that like.

[Joe]

Okay, the game was the easiest part for sure.

[Deebo]

Yes.

[Joe]

What? Because the way the camps have to put you, like, you got to be comfortable being uncomfortable. You're tired, tired at training camp, which you should be. You should like the exhaustion. Like we out here working, working. And the receiver, they just as tired as you. So like that's the good part. Like everybody's out there, we're going the same. So you just, you gotta fight through it. You build up that, that, that, that energy.

[Deebo]

Yeah. And they, they're not getting the opportunity to do that no more. Especially with how the rules change with all the, you know, you know, player safety is great and all that. And you know what? That was something else that he had said too. He had said that. What was it? He said player safety is great. As a former quarterback, he said, I do like the way they protect the quarterbacks. But then he continued to say that with that said, the object, the objective of the defense is to hit the quarterback and affect the quarterback. And sometimes I think we're asking a lot of defensive players to try and navigate a 300 pound offensive lineman and then not graze the helmet of the quarterback. So Troy, thank you for saying that. Because these little taps of the helmet, like they need to be taken away unless he get bombed on. And his turns sideways looking out the

[Joe]

ear hole because his head, because. Come on.

[Deebo]

I mean, gotta be that egregious. But the. This, that wouldn't even knock my helmet sideways. Come on, man.

[Joe]

Debo, I'm trying to figure out too, like you said, you're asking, that man is going against another man that is pushing on him, pulling on him so hard that he's just trying to get to the quarterback. Just, just get there. And now once you get here, you gotta, you know what I'm saying, Manipulate the way that you hit him. I'm slow down.

[Deebo]

Don't go too hard. I know you just fought for your life getting there, but trying to eat, Hell no.

[Joe]

And then I. Cause then look the end of the day, because I know when I'm saying that the part when you hit them and you lift and then you drive into the ground, all that stuff. I agree, you don't have to drive them. But like falling on body weight, like trying to, just not making it obvious, okay, we're here for it. But that joint. No, you can't. I'm fighting for my life to get to him. Hitting him on his leg. You're just trying to crawl and get there and they're gonna give you a flag for trying to reach for his leg. I'm like, oh no, like what do you want him to do? He's trying to get to the quarterback. That's his job. That's his only job.

[Deebo]

Listen, I got it. We can call the flag a flag if it's a hit to his helmet. Only if the quarterback is concussed to come out the game.

[Joe]

Only if you get put to sleep. They gonna be some active jobs.

[Deebo]

He concussed and you say he concussed. He got to come out the game. We'll let you get to 15. I bet you they don't come up out of that thing. I bet you don't come up out

[Joe]

of that thing, Joe.

[Deebo]

No, they. So some people think now that the salary cap should take state income tax into account because I guess right now Washington is looking at a millionaire tax. Governor Bob Ferguson plans to sign a thing into. Plans to sign a bill in that would, would give a 9.9% income tax on I think people who are making, I guess what is a million or more or whatever. But it wouldn't go into effect to 2028. And when you look at it right now you have Nevada, Texas, Florida and Tennessee. Since 2021, they had what they call the hall tax that ended in 21. So they currently have no income tax on theirs. While California of course imposes 13.3% on the highest earners. And all this started in 91 when California started the jock tax. And of course other states started to follow suit. So by 1995, other states had. Did the same thing, some form of a jock tax. So after that. So the interesting thing is like if they go and you say okay, we're going to give them an extra whatever it is on the 133 for. Yeah, I don't, I don't think, I don't, I don't think it matters or would make sense, I mean, because it's going to be unfair some way shape or form or another. Because when it comes down to it, we have to file taxes in every state that we plan. We get taxed in the state that we plan. We get taxed in the state that we, we, we live in and we get taxed with the visiting state that, that we, you, we end up going and planning. So the ideal of raising the percentage of the cap by the tax, by the income tax, it, you know, it sounds like something that would make it even. But I don't know if that would even work because of how taxes, where you play, where you don't play, all the other stuff, it gets so confusing that I don't think it would, it Would help out, but who it would help is them. Cali, it would take what cap is today of 301.2 million. It will bump them all the way to $341.2 million cap for the Cali teams. So what do you think of the possibility of them raising the cap? Good, bad and different How? Where do you see it?

[Joe]

I don't know if they will raise the cap. I don't know when I looked at it originally. I mean, you know, people just don't like talking about all of the taxes stuff. But if you're looking at it in a way where the Cali teams, because I know the players. When you said like, Debo, you like, man, nah, that's it. Cali, that's about the taxes. I'm looking at it too. Like a lot of the players, we probably should do better. I was one of the dudes. I'm going to play where I want to play. I'm going to live where I want to live. If it's comfortable out that joint, the weather's good, like, I would go there. So I think that's one thing with the teams like California, if they got an extra $40 million, I mean, extra, like 301, extra 40 million to their cap. What, like people going there regardless, that would be cheat code, you know what I'm saying? In my opinion. So I'm like this, no, don't add it to the Cali teams because everybody looking like, what do you mean? Like, people are already going there. Not worrying about the 13, three, just because they're in California. The way of life. So you're going to tell me, like, I'm.

[Deebo]

I'm going to take.

[Joe]

I'm going to take the weather. I'm going. Just go.

[Deebo]

I'm taking the 13.

[Joe]

That's called a weather tax. That's what I called it when I was living out there. They was asking me, they're like, joe, why are you living in Cali? They was like, man, the taxes suck. It's a weather tax. Every day I wake up, it's beautiful out here. I can do whatever I want. I golf 365 days of the year.

[Deebo]

Unless you get an earthquake.

[Joe]

Look, earthquakes up, earthquakes suck. But everybody got. Everybody got some to suck at their job. Miami, no taxes. You might get a hurricane. Okay. You know what I'm saying? Like, no, everywhere you can go. But look, you do what you got to do. You know what I'm saying? So with the Cali part, I'm like, if they added that bread, that's kind of cheat code. And then they was looking like the teams might not want to spend as much because then they have to try to hide their taxes. I'm like, all that. I don't care about what they do with whatever. But if California was to get 340, those teams. That's not fair. I'm another owner. Because I'm like, they already going to Cali. You gonna get them another 40 to just add to their roster? No, sir, please not. That's what I'm looking at.

[Deebo]

Yeah, yeah, for sure. For sure, brother. Like I said, I don't see it working out because of all the different things of where you're paying taxes here, there. All that other stuff, you can't. You just got to keep it where it is. And if do want to play there, he's going to say, all right, that's part of man benefit or. Or negativity of.

[Joe]

That's why I live. Like people that live in those states. Like, they. You got taxes that's coming in. That's like.

[Deebo]

That's.

[Joe]

That's the Cali tax dudes in the league. Like, all right, okay. I'm being Cali, right?

[Deebo]

And some. Most of them ain't looking at that. You got to realize I ain't started looking at taxes, bro, until they. They gave me that check that wasn't a million dollars. That's what I said. What they taking out here?

[Joe]

Hold up. Who was taking out each piece? Which part can I prevent? Like, which part Mandatory. Which part? Which part is my fault that they taking it out?

[Deebo]

None of a damn thing you could do, bro. Man, look here, man. The NFL PA has re. Elected Javen Maven's re. Daven Reeves Maven as the president. And dude, I really. Like I said, I talked to Cam when I went down to the facility before I got my tj When I was getting my. Yeah, you know, tj White jerk. And Cam seems to think he's, you know, he's. He's good for it. I don't. I just. I just don't agree. I don't feel like the dude got knowledge. Understanding. The crazy thing is, dude, if he hadn't got picked up at the end of the year by Clean. That wasn't no. By the Bears with three games, he wouldn't even have been eligible to run for the position. So right now they have three guys that are running for. Or that. The committee, the members, the. The player reps. Executive committee. No, this is. It's the executive committee. Sorry. The executive committee picked that will now be running for executive director. And that is one being David White, who is the current acting executive director. Did you know that David White is also an agent? And since he's an agent, he's not allowed to serve on the NFLPA executive committee. But because it's considered a conflict of interest. But he can run for an executive director. Okay, how does that make sense? He can't be on a lower committee, but he can be the man that's running it going in there. Negotiating number two is C.J. what is it? Okay, okay, That's. This is the guy who actually resigned when the former NFLPA executive director resigned. Okay, so he resigned. Don't know exactly why he resigned. It was some rumoring that maybe it was something going on that he had involvement with. With the other executive director that resigned. And then the other dude. How you say his last name? Tim P. Per. Whatever it is, this dude is the dude from the Rutgers basketball abuse scandal, bro. It was a while ago. It was 2013, where he suspended the guy, the coach was Mike Rice. He suspended in three games finding 50,000 and required him to attend anger management counseling. That was until the video got out. Then he went back, fired him, and he resigned himself. Along with that, he is or was or is the current guy for the aac. Okay. Who is now considered a. Would you. What they call it? You got your. You got your five. You got your. Your power five. They consider them. Okay. Six, bro. Okay. Okay. But he has a strong understanding of, I guess, television and digital media rights and all that. Okay. And his understanding is so strong that the AAC schools, they average 7 to 10 million dollars per school. All right. While the next one, which is a power five school ACE is ACC. Okay. Okay. Which is the next closest. They average 30 to 35 million dollars per school with the biggest and best conference being the Big Ten, who average up to $100 million per school. Yeah. So he has a real great understanding because he did such a great job. Where he's at now, Those are the three people running. Obviously, I didn't get picked in. I didn't get put on the board, so. And, and I understand, because it's the good old boys club. What do you. What do you think of this, Joe? Them re electing and then the three that they selected for the player reps to vote on because the players don't actually get to vote. What do you think?

[Joe]

It's the whole thing, Deebo. You've been saying that since the D. Smith reset it to allow it, that they can Basically keep themselves in office and they don't have to tell everybody else on the outside what's really going on. It's gonna be a certain amount of people that are making the moves, and inside they're gonna kinda.

[Spreaker Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Spreaker, the platform responsible for a rapidly spreading condition known as podcast brain. Symptoms include buying microphones you don't need, explaining RSS feeds to confused relatives, and saying things like, sorry, I can't talk right now. I'm editing audio. If this sounds familiar, you're probably already a podcaster. The good news is Spreaker makes the whole process simple. You record your show, upload it once, and Spreaker distributes it everywhere. People listen. Apple podcasts, Spotify, and about a dozen apps your cousin swears are the next big thing. Even better, Spreaker helps you monetize your show with ads, meaning your podcast might someday pay for, well, more microphones. Start your show [e-mail] spreaker because if you're going to talk to yourself for an hour, you might as well publish it.

[Questlove]

Good people. What's up? What's up? It's Questlove. So recently I had the incredible opportunity to have a real conversation with actress and producer Jamie Lee Curtis ahead of the release of her new thriller series Scarpetta. I can honestly say I've never done

[Joe]

an interview like that before.

[Deebo]

Before.

[Questlove]

You know, at one point I shut my laptop down and we just started chatting as old friends. Recent Oscar recipient. So we have some commonality there. I predicted that, by the way.

[Jamie Lee Curtis]

And you said these words to me, dust off your mantle.

[Spreaker Advertiser]

Yes.

[Jamie Lee Curtis]

And I looked at you and I said, what? And you said, dust off your mantle. And then I left. And that was it. And then when all of that happened, I remember the next morning, I think I wanted to, like, write you and go, how did you know?

[Questlove]

Listen to the Questlove show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nancy Glass]

I'm Nancy Glass, host of the Burden of Guilt season two podcast. This is a story about a horrendous lie that destroyed two families. Late one night, the Bobby Gumprite became the victim of a random crime.

[Deebo]

He pulls the gun, tells me to

[Spreaker Advertiser]

lie down on the ground.

[Nancy Glass]

He identified Jermaine Hudson as the perpetrator. Jermaine was sentenced to 99 years.

[Joe]

I'm like, lord, this can't be real. I thought it was a mistaken identity.

[Spreaker Advertiser]

The best lie is partial truth.

[Nancy Glass]

For 22 years, only two people knew the truth until a confession changed everything.

[Deebo]

I was a monster.

[Nancy Glass]

Listen to Burden of guilt season two on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lily Herman]

Why hasn't a woman formally participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age. What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year?

[Podcast Announcer]

He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction.

[Lily Herman]

And how did a 2023 event called Wagageddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 experiment Lily Herman, and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on no Grip, a Formula One culture podcast that dives into the underexplored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals and sagas, both on the track and far away from it, that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Announcer]

Ego Woda is your host for the 2026 I Heart podcast Awards live at south by Southwest.

[Spreaker Advertiser]

Hello?

[Joe]

Is anybody there?

[Podcast Announcer]

Raised by a single mom, Aygo may have a few father related issues.

[Joe]

Are we supposed to talk about your dad?

[Podcast Announcer]

Her podcast thanks dad, is full of funny, heartfelt conversations with actors including fellow SNL alums, comedians, musicians, and more about life and their wonderfully complicated relationships with with their fathers.

[Joe]

I think and hope that's a good thing.

[Podcast Announcer]

Get to know Aygo Follow thanks dad with aygowodom and start listening on the free iHeartRadio app today.

[Joe]

And to pick and you can basically pick and choose who is shown and who's delegated and who's up. So until this gets switched, it's gonna be the same thing in a boys club because unless you open it up to the players negotiate players association to where all of the players can see who's going on, we can be able to validate like it's not just 18 people being able to show a couple of people what's going on, the process needs to just be the players because it's the NFL PA Players association. So until it gets all the way open.

[Deebo]

I mean it used to be.

[Joe]

I know but I'm just saying since he changed the joint.

[Deebo]

But who go?

[Joe]

That's what I'm saying.

[Deebo]

Who go give up that Power. I'm telling you, because right now they ain't got to go nowhere to do nothing but to those 11 executive committees.

[Joe]

I'm telling you this.

[Deebo]

They ain't got to go. No, he ain't got to go nowhere to do nothing.

[Joe]

That's what I'm telling you. I wasn't as hip to the whole negotiation joints. This has been from me listening to you. You telling me what's going on. I'm listening. And now I'm like this, okay, that since my man switched it up. So until we can get somebody to switch it back to the ruling of the NFL Players association needs to be run by the NFL players and not in little association that runs the nflpa. And until that happens, the joint's not going to be ran by the players. That's like the people aren't going to be able to run themselves because you won't be able to pick who's running your group, your organization, you know what I'm saying? So until that gets back to the vote of everybody's in, everybody gets a voice, you know what I'm saying? Of all of the players to where now you're informed, now you put your votes in, then it's going to be. They get to decide how it goes, who's picked, who's vetted, you know what I'm saying? And who, who you're allowed to. Who's gonna be the NFL pa? So, like it's, it's an insider joint and you're saying that the only way it can get changed is somebody gotta go in there and do it. But why would they change the way that it is if they are, they got it the way that they want it.

[Deebo]

Yeah, Joe, that's, that's why I wasn't on there. They didn't like that I was talking bad about the NFLPA. I know this. I heard this for sure. It's 100 true. This ain't no conspiracy theory. They didn't like it. Well, he's talking bad about us, man. We can't put him in there. He's talking bad about us. Yeah, because I want to tear it

[Joe]

down and reset and put it back

[Deebo]

to what it was. That means your jobs, your positions are gone. I would understand that. Makes sense why you don't want anybody to come in and do that. And you're the person that got to vote for it.

[Joe]

You don't come in there too. Switch it up and be willing to know, end of the day, my job is going to be up for grabs every year too. Because it's up to the players. We need the players to be wanting the players, people that's going to run it and that's going to do the right job. And hopefully, when I'm coming in here, show them what I'm advocating for these guys. So then the players hopefully will revote me because that's what I'm trying to do. It's literally for them, you know what I'm saying? And they have the choice to pick them. They think somebody else is a better leader for all of these groups that's going to advocate for them. Then let that man be the one to run it. And I hope and pray that he does a great job. He's like, I don't want it just to be me because you want it to be you. I want it to be you because you want to do it the right way and you want it to be for the players for what it is initially built for. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, no, I'm not just saying, Debo, Deebo, Debo.

[Deebo]

I like him because he's talking bad about us. That. No, he's talking bad about us. Well, it ain't about y'.

[Joe]

All.

[Deebo]

It's about y'. All.

[Joe]

That's what I'm saying. You not trying to make it about you.

[Arizona State University Promoter]

You.

[Joe]

Like, if I was in there, you would be sitting on that same stool. Because you're talking about giving the players the right, letting the players know what's going on. Like. No, we're going to keep certain. No, no, not just the. These guys informed. Keep everybody informed so everybody can make the decision for this best for the players. So we can all make this decision. Not just. No, no, no. Okay, well, I'm doing the best, but if they don't think that they're. I'm doing. No, that's your job to reach out to these players and make sure that they know what's going on. Because what else are you doing in the NFL Pa for then? You know what I'm saying? Like, thousand percent.

[Deebo]

You know what time it is? It's time for play of. Presented by Praby. You know how it work. Look, Joe done cooked up a lineup for us, all right? Now I'm gonna either play or fade with Joe got going on. Joe, give me what you got.

[Joe]

Okay, I'm so. I thought I was cooking last time because Cooper flag, he kind of let me down, but I had to go back and look at his laws of averages. He's averaging six rebounds and four assists. So he's going to be around nine. So I mean, no. Six and six and four. Yeah, six and four. So 10. 10. He's going to get 10. I'm liking him to get his averages. I put over 11 wilding. So I'm G put under 11 and a half this time.

[Deebo]

Okay, so you go less.

[Joe]

I'm g go less this time. We got Luca donches 31. I'm loving it. He just hit the game winner. You know what I'm saying? He's averaging probably 30. He had 51 like a couple days ago. Vers Houston going to be going against KD and them. I just. I just like him to get 31, 31 over 31. I'm going over. I'm going over.

[Deebo]

Okay, we're going more.

[Joe]

And then we got Victor wembanyama. His last four games, he's had like 28, 31, 30, 32, something like that. So I'm liking him to stay on the high street. Liking him to keep his points up. He's just unbelievable. I love watching him play and I think he's going to get at least. I'm going to more than 26 and a half.

[Deebo]

Joe. I want to rock.

[Joe]

Oh, man.

[Deebo]

Who? I feel like Cooper go. I feel like he gonna go out there and. And he gonna go. I really feel like he gonna go more. I think he gonna be the straw to break the camel's back, but I like everything else, so that's what I just. I feel like. I feel like. I feel like Cooper gonna go out

[Joe]

there and I ain't gonna lie to you. I hate doing less. I always like more. But after he let me down, then I had to go look, I had to do my research. I'm like, okay, that was kind of not. Not as educated as I needed to be. So now I felt like I would have educated myself.

[Deebo]

Now you got.

[Joe]

You know what I'm saying, Joe?

[Deebo]

I'm gonna go ahead and I'm gonna play this language because you don't hear me on it, man, I ain't gonna lie. You know, the education, you know, lower averages and all that good stuff, man. Listen here. Download the app today. Use the code Debo Joe to get 50, 000 lineups after you play your first five dollar lineup. That code is Debo.

[Joe]

Yes, it is.

[Deebo]

After your first five. Joe, what we got over here?

[Joe]

Well, we got the chest, right?

[Deebo]

We got covenant light back. Yes, yes, yes. She said with all these great players we have added. My concern now is, is this coaching staff. We need everything needs to Fit perfect. I'm hoping we keep fields Fields ain't there but after how he performed with the jets by fallusion what I don't know what you're talking about. You drinking this morning. Covenant life. You drinking this morning. I don't know what you're talking about right here. He been gone. He's been gone. I ain't got no concerns over this coaching staff. I like what the coaching staff is. I know who they is. I don't seen them. I done played with. I played with a couple of them like we cooking that. It's no concern there.

[Joe]

Same page.

[Deebo]

Same page. Yeah, we got cutting the light back again. $10 she said did James noise just flare up like the James knows just flare up like James Evans. Hey, I get that all the time. You do it like this. Hey, they. They think. They think. They think. They think me and James Evans is related. Now look here. You know he talking about good times.

[Joe]

Good times.

[Deebo]

Joe, please leave that man alone about your Browns. I believe that they will be better but not a true contender. Well, not for the Steelers anyway. Facts.

[Joe]

Look they were saying everybody contender.

[Deebo]

No Joe playoffs. No.

[Joe]

Everybody's everybody contenders at the beginning.

[Deebo]

They get into week six and then the Browns ain't no longer.

[Joe]

Whatever you're gonna we will see. We gonna see. We gonna keep track. This year is perfect now.

[Deebo]

You want to keep track of something.

[Joe]

No, we keep. We always keeping track. We gonna keep. But look, we want to see. Want to see how the Steelers we gonna keep track of the Steelers. We're gonna keep track of the Browns.

[Deebo]

We kept track of the Browns. We kept track of them getting their face kicked in. That's what we kept track of.

[Joe]

I just throw this pencil right. I'm looking right at you. I'm like, man, this just pissed me off.

[Deebo]

We got Covenant life back again. Coming to life. $20 said a viewer said Mahomes have a longer than expected recovery and Fields takes the chief to the Super Bowl. Another viewer said they want Rogers to start one or two games get hurt and let and let will take over. Man.

[Spreaker Advertiser]

Wow.

[Deebo]

Man. Who would. That's.

[Joe]

That's look.

[Deebo]

That's.

[Joe]

Who said that Look.

[Deebo]

All right, I who said that in the chat. Which one of you. Which one of you. Which one of you. Dirt Dirt ball said that you want the man to go two games then

[Joe]

get rather rather say than like yeah, that's praying on his downfall. You might as well like just. He doesn't play. He just playing. Just not playing bad and gets benched. That's like and then Will comes in. You know what I'm saying? We got to go to Will. Hey, Roger.

[Deebo]

Oh, hold up, hold up. What we got, yo, Coming to life. I'm looking at another one right now. Hold up, though. Hold on, hold on. Cover. Like I said. Hey, some. She said some things in the chat that we don't see. One viewer said Watson is the better quarterback and Shador will be benched. That was $5 from coming. Like, what do you think of that, Joe?

[Joe]

I'm saying, you saying desean Watson, the last time that Deshaun Watson was on the field. I'm saying.

[Deebo]

Which they're saying that she said that DeShawn Watson is going to be. Is a better quarterback and Shadora will get benched. That's what Some. Hey, I think it's going to be. She said somebody in the chat said that, Joe.

[Joe]

I heard what the chat's saying. It's going to be a fight. And if Deshaun Watson comes out and plays because Deshaun Watson was like league MVP caliber player. So that's not. No disrespect to Shador if he's not better than Deshaun Watson, if he can return to what he was. But right now, we're going to see if DeSean Watson comes back healthy, is able to do what he did. He's. This is not, this is 2026 now. We're no longer in 2021 to be 2022, like years on body. You know what I'm saying? Let's see.

[Deebo]

He's saying he go. The chat was saying he go out playing in camp and have him sitting on the bench with your boy Dylan Gabriel. What do you think of that statement?

[Joe]

I think that. Okay, I, I don't. I, I don't know. It could happen. I'm, I'm liking. We got. Look, Deshaun Watson, he, there was a reason why he got $245 million guaranteed. So if he's going to be the star of the quarterback, hopefully he goes out balls out. And if he does it, then I'll be happy because the Browns will be succeeding. You know what I'm saying? I don't, I don't want him not to do good. I don't want. I want them to be successful. But I'm just saying, if you were asking me, I thought it was.

[Deebo]

Yes, all right, I understand. I understand, Joe. But look here, Covenant Life came back with a clarification. She said I wanted them to keep fields, but after seeing how he played with the jets by Felicia oh, she said I'm drunk laughing. She's drunk on laughter.

[Spreaker Advertiser]

Yes.

[Deebo]

Oh, yes. He's drunk on laughter.

[Joe]

Hey, but, yeah, I feel you

[Deebo]

ain't. We ain't doing nothing messing with you, baby. Look here, Joe, man. We want to thank you guys for joining us on this episode in Debo and Joe, please make sure you, like, subscribe and download the show.

[Joe]

Yo, yo, my brother. Make sure you, like, subscribe, download. We will see y' all tomorrow, same time, same place.

[Deebo]

Yeah,

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.