Nightcap - Hour 2: Shedeur Sanders talks Draft criticism + Vikings move forward with McCarthy

Summary

Club Shay Shay: Nightcap - Hour 2: Shedeur Sanders Talks Draft Criticism + Vikings Move Forward with McCarthy

Release Date: March 26, 2025

Hosts:

• Shannon Sharpe: NFL legend, 3x Super Bowl champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame member.
• Ocho Cinco: Co-host and sports analyst.

---

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Shannon Sharpe welcoming co-host Ocho Cinco to discuss recent developments in the NFL, focusing on Shedeur Sanders' draft criticisms and the Minnesota Vikings' decision to stick with quarterback JJ McCarthy instead of pursuing Aaron Rodgers.

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2. Shedeur Sanders and Draft Criticism

Discussion Highlights:

• Handling External Criticism: Shannon and Ocho delve into how Shedeur Sanders manages the intense scrutiny that comes with being a high-profile draft pick.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [05:09]: “We always understood to block out the noise, even from Jackson State and Colorado. It's a lot of critics, it's a lot of hate. But we know what to do.”
• Ocho Cinco [05:14]: “There are a lot of things that aren’t in your control and just getting the knowledge from your dad and coaches, family, friends, and everybody you know that's supporting me and helping me through this process is extremely important.”

Insights:

• Emphasis on the importance of a strong support system.
• Recognition of the challenges Sanders faces but affirmation of his resilience and readiness to excel despite negativity.

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3. The Impact of Expectations on Performance

Discussion Highlights:

• Expectations as a Double-Edged Sword: Both hosts explore how expectations can either motivate or hinder an athlete’s performance.

Notable Quotes:

• Ocho Cinco [12:00]: “Prime has been built different. So I think he has a great understanding to ignore, to block the noise out.”
• Shannon Sharpe [13:14]: “It's the number one killer of dreams and goals.”

Insights:

• Drawing parallels between sports performance and personal relationships.
• Understanding that managing expectations is crucial for maintaining mental fortitude and achieving success.

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4. Minnesota Vikings’ Commitment to JJ McCarthy

Discussion Highlights:

• Vikings' Strategic Decision: Shannon outlines the Minnesota Vikings' firm stance on developing JJ McCarthy as their primary quarterback, rejecting trade proposals involving Aaron Rodgers.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [10:19]: “The Vikings are set to roll with JJ McCarthy.”
• Ocho Cinco [10:44]: “We don’t have time to play them games with you. So obviously you haven’t learned your lesson with the last two places you’ve been to.”

Insights:

• The Vikings' confidence in McCarthy’s abilities and their long-term investment in his development.
• Criticism of Aaron Rodgers' leverage tactics and the Vikings' resolve to prioritize their drafted quarterback.

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5. Veteran Leadership vs. Young Players

Discussion Highlights:

• Role Models and Mentorship: Shannon emphasizes the importance of veteran players in guiding younger teammates.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [35:45]: “I saw the veteran guys and how they do things. I need to be in that group.”
• Ocho Cinco [36:00]: “This was a dream of mine. You have finally reached that pinnacle of reaching what you’ve always dreamed of.”

Insights:

• The balance between relying on veteran experience and fostering young talent.
• Encouraging young players to set personal goals irrespective of the existing team dynamics.

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6. Jamar Chase’s Role in the Cincinnati Bengals

Discussion Highlights:

• Positioning and Compensation: The conversation shifts to Jamar Chase's standing within the Bengals, discussing his compensation and role as a premier wide receiver alongside other top talents.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [43:50]: “Jamar was not happy with the reporter calling T. Receiver number two.”
• Ocho Cinco [46:14]: “There is an enormous drop-off in skill and talent between wide receiver one and two.”

Insights:

• Analysis of how the Bengals manage their wide receiver lineup.
• Debate over the fairness of contractual obligations and recognition of top performers like Chase.

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7. Analogies with Personal Relationships

Discussion Highlights:

• Expectations Beyond the Field: Shannon draws parallels between managing expectations in sports and in personal relationships to illustrate the broader impact of uncommunicated expectations.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [15:24]: “It's like being in a relationship. Most of the people have uncommunicated expectations.”
• Ocho Cinco [17:08]: “Uncommunicated expectations are the number one killer of dreams and goals.”

Insights:

• The necessity of clear communication to prevent misunderstandings and disappointments.
• How athletes can apply relationship principles to maintain their professional focus and personal well-being.

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8. Closing Remarks and Conclusions

Discussion Highlights:

• Final Thoughts on Team Dynamics and Player Development: Shannon and Ocho recap the importance of team commitment, leadership, and personal accountability in achieving success.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [49:33]: “He’s earned it. I’m glad he didn't have to go somewhere else to get rewarded.”
• Ocho Cinco [53:10]: “I said, he's a one and then you bring somebody else in. They can't do it.”

Insights:

• Affirmation of the Vikings' strategy and confidence in their quarterback.
• Emphasis on rewarding players based on merit and contributions to the team.

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Key Takeaways

• Resilience Against Criticism: Shedeur Sanders exemplifies how athletes can overcome external negativity through support and self-belief.
• Strategic Team Building: The Vikings demonstrate the importance of trusting and developing drafted players for long-term success.
• Managing Expectations: Both in sports and personal life, clear communication and reasonable expectations are crucial for achieving goals.
• Valuing Veteran Leadership: Experienced players play a vital role in mentoring younger teammates, fostering a culture of professionalism and dedication.
• Fair Compensation and Recognition: Proper acknowledgment of players' contributions ensures motivation and retention of top talent.

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Notable Quotes Summary:

• Shannon Sharpe [05:09]: “We always understood to block out the noise... But we know what to do.”
• Ocho Cinco [13:14]: “It's the number one killer of dreams and goals.”
• Shannon Sharpe [10:19]: “The Vikings are set to roll with JJ McCarthy.”
• Shannon Sharpe [15:24]: “It's like being in a relationship...”
• Shannon Sharpe [43:50]: “Jamar was not happy with the reporter calling T. Receiver number two.”
• Ocho Cinco [46:14]: “There is an enormous drop-off in skill and talent between wide receiver one and two.”
• Shannon Sharpe [49:33]: “He’s earned it...”

---

This episode of Club Shay Shay offers an in-depth exploration of the complexities surrounding draft picks, team strategy, and the psychological aspects of sports performance. Shannon Sharpe and Ocho Cinco provide valuable insights into how expectations and team dynamics influence both individual and collective success in the NFL.

Transcript

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Boring old day job. Head over to your nearest Boost Mobile store and make the most out of your tax refund. Bucky, as you do about the draft process so far. Also about what's essential. What he's essentially been a smear campaign against him. His answer is what you expect from time, son. It's definitely A learning experience.

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There are a lot of things that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Aren'T in your control and just getting the knowledge from your dad and your just coach, family, friends and everybody you know that's supporting me and helping me through this process is extremely important and I'm thankful that I have those resources. We always understood block out the noise, even from Jackson State and Colorado. It's a lot of critics, it's a lot of hate. But we know what to do. We know how to handle that in every way, so we remain happy. What do you take away from what Shedeur spoke to Bucky Brooks about today?

[Chad Johnson]

Prime is prepared Shador for this day for a very long time. And he had the right person on his corner who also had to endure the same type of negative negativity in general from the media based on his style of play, the way he approached the game, things that had nothing to do with his play, would always use it against him. Shador understands that he should understand that because everything they talk about has nothing to do with the game of football. It had nothing to do with what he was able to do at Jackson State. It doesn't talk about him winning at Jackson State. It doesn't talk about him winning at Colorado. Despite the obstacles he had to overcome, despite having, you know, inadequate play at the O line, still being able to complete 70% of his passes. They don't. They don't talk about none of that. We talk about the way an individual carries himself, his swag, the way he talks. Not about being in trouble. Nothing is talking about that ridiculous stuff. Oh, showing off the watch. I mean, so what? It's all about having confidence. It's all about having belief. That's what it takes to play at the next level and be successful. The fact that they're using that as a negative says more about them than it does Shador. And I hope he never changes.

[Allstate Rep]

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[Chad Johnson]

And he continues to have success in all that he does, wherever he goes. You want to get a player like that that's going to change your franchise around. When someone comes up, comes out and says, I want someone to draft me that wants a player that's going to change their franchise, that's something you want in a quarterback. I know, I know it's frowned upon a little bit to have one that's as brash and as vocal as that. But if you look at the film, you turn the film on, you know what you get? It shouldn't be no problems at all.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, I'm sure time prepared him for this. His dad prepared him for this. He's been at this. His dad has been at this for a very long time. He's been in the spotlight since his days at Florida State. So he understands that there's a certain level of criticism that comes along with being the guy, with being a good, great football player. He understands that also. It comes along with being a quarterback. And yeah, the objective is. I think the thing is. Oo. A lot of times they try to tell you what you can't do, but they never want to emphasize what you can do. Bring me a guy and tell me what, hey, what can he do? Because I'm going to keep him away from what he can't do. That's my job as a coach, is to not put him in a situation where he can't succeed. Okay. You said he's not good on read option. Okay. Why would I run his own read if that's not what he's good at? I'm trying to put my players in a situation where they can succeed. That's what a coach's job is, is to put a guy in a position where he can succeed and get more out of him than the player thought he can get out of himself. Yeah, it's going to be this. I'm glad that he's doing a great job. As good a job. And he's not a robot with Joe. He sees this thing. I mean, he's on social media. He hears these things. He's not a robot. He has feelings, he has emotions. And so no matter how much you're like, oh, no, eventually, yeah, you hear it. You hear all the negativity that what they're saying, it doesn't make it any easier. Now, your dad can tell you, like, hey, son, this, blah, blah, blah, but it doesn't make it easier, Ocho, I ain't trying to hear that. This supposed to be one of the. Look, if Chador is what we think he is and can become the player that we think he can. All that noise. That's all it is. It's just noise. It should have no impact. What somebody says about you and his dad says, what you say about me is not what I think of myself.

[Chad Johnson]

Absolutely. I just hope he has the mental fortitude not to let it bother him. The fact that he's already been through it for so long and he has prime as his father. I don't think it will because I know a lot of people when it comes to the media and the media jumps on you and they talk about you. Sometimes it gets to certain people But I think. I think yours built different. Prime has been built different. So I think he has a great understanding to ignore, to block the noise out. And when his time comes in April, wherever he goes, he shows up and shows the. You know what? Out. I mean, I'm. I'm excited, man.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The Vikings are set to roll with JJ McCarthy.

[Chad Johnson]

Thank you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Pursue Aaron Rodgers. The Vikings have rejected multiple Trade calls for JJ McCarthy, telling other teams they're moving forward with him as their quarterback. The team plans to add a veteran, but they're not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the off season. SQB1.

[Chad Johnson]

That's. That's a good thing. That's a good thing. And listen, I don't like the way Aaron Rodgers is. Is using the leverage, using his pass, his accolades, his resume, and what he's done in the past. The whole team steadily at hostage. Now, some of the reports, he hold.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Him hostage, move on. Oh, look, they're allowing him. Just like Green Bay allowed him to do all the things that he did there. The jets allowed. Green Bay allowed it, the jets allowed it. Just move on that.

[Chad Johnson]

And that's. That's exactly what they should do. Now, this is what I like about Minnesota. The reports came up. They. The reports came out about Minnesota obviously being in the hunt for trading for him and what they did right away. It ain't even been two days. Oh, we gonna nix that real quick. We don't have time to play them games with you. So obviously you haven't learned your lesson with the last two places you've been to, because now here you go tell the other teams you're not sure on what you want to do yet. Having them wait, using the leverage that you do have, the little bit of leverage you still have to play games. I'm glad the Minnesota Vikings came out and said what they said. They're going forward with J.J. mcCarthy because you drafted him for a reason and you understand what he can do, especially with the supporting cast he has around him, because you saw what Sam Darnold was able to do. He wasn't able to do it with the jets, he wasn't able to do it with the Panthers. But all of a sudden he comes to Minnesota and he has a career year and that's. It's time for JJ McCarthy to step up and do the same damn thing. And that's what he's probably going to do because what he has around him is very, very special.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, well, you gotta find out what if the guy can play or not. Ocho, I Mean, you keep kicking the can. You keep kicking the can down the road.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, yeah. But listen, even if he couldn't play, we didn't think Sam Donnick would play either when he was with the Jets. We didn't think he could play when he's with the Panthers. But all of a sudden, magically, he turned into goddamn Houdini over there in Minnesota.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But we saw what he looked like the last two games of the season. When. Because, see, there's this thing called expectations. Yeah, you tell me. Because think about what you just said. You didn't think Sam Darnold was going to do that. Nobody thought Sam Turner was going to do that until expectations came along. And then expectations came along. Oh, we got to get the number one seed. And then what happened? Oh, we're in the playoffs. Then what happened? He turned back into Sam Darnold. You see, expectations is the number one killer of goals and dreams.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because the moment someone expects something of. See, that's the only way you can hurt me, Ocho, if I don't expect anything, if I'm in a relationship and I'm just casually. I don't expect nothing. Hey, you. Do you. I'm going to do me. It's the moment we have expectations in each other. See that it bothers me that it hurts me if you do something that I don't agree with.

[Chad Johnson]

See what I mean?

[Shannon Sharpe]

So the Vikings started to have expectations. We started to have expectations for Sam Darnold. And you see what happened now.

[Chad Johnson]

Now you was preaching a little too fast. Now, I'm not sure the people in the chat.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm not sure the people in the.

[Chad Johnson]

Chat didn't catch that. But that was a moment. That was a moment a lot of people might have missed because we're talking about football, but that's something that could apply to life that I think a lot of people missed. But I didn't miss it, because as soon as I heard it, you know, I keep that thing on me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, you keep it on you.

[Chad Johnson]

Expectation. Now bring that to me again. I got to write it down. Now, when we get to the end of the year, what I'm do is I'm going to take all these quotes that I wrote down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

And I'm gonna make a nightcap booklet called UNC's Quotes so that people can apply it to life expectations. Just get your name.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, it's the number one. It's the number one killer of dreams and goals. Because here's the thing, Ocho. Sam Darnold, nobody. Because they're like, man, he was terrible with the Jets. Well, he was terrible with Carolina. Well, we didn't get an opportunity to see him really, at San Fran. So everybody was expecting, remember the last two stops that they saw him, that he wasn't that good. Right. Okay. So now he doesn't have any expectations. The more you win, the more expectations come along with that. So now the last couple of games of the season, okay, we got an opportunity to get the number one seed, right? Boom. Oh, we're in the playoffs now, don't matter, blah, blah, blah, boom.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. And you know that that playoff atmosphere is different now. That's a whole different ballgame than playing in the regular season. Regular season, he looked phenomenal. It's a different type of pressure. Again, the one word expectation that comes with being the quarterback. Especially. Especially in that type of situation. So I kind of. I kind of understand. And the team you are playing or had to play.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, but that's what happens when you have expectations on your. Like I said, and I like to equate things to relationships because most of the people, especially not chat, has been.

[Chad Johnson]

A relationship and relate to it. Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's the moment you have expectations. You see, when a couple's in a. In marriage, there's an expectation you're going to be faithful. I'm going to be faithful. Oh, I'm going to protect you. You're going to protect me.

[Chad Johnson]

Come on now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm going to honor the vows that we stood before God and we swore to each other. Now I have that expectation. But hey, if you say, hey, what you doing tonight? I ain't going to be able to see you tonight. And everybody. There's like, there's no expectations. I have no obligation. You have no obligation to me. I see you when I see you holler.

[Chad Johnson]

And you know what I don't like about. You know what I don't like about the analogy and explanation that you're giving right now is the marriage. One normally doesn't work, but the one with that, no expectations. Here you be friends, you be. You be. You be sneaky links or whatever you want to call it for years and years and years and years all the way down the line, because there are no expectations. So there's no failure or reason for anything to ever end.

[Shannon Sharpe]

All. But here's the hair, the sneaky part. Don't you want to get you. You see, the number one. The number one cause that will cause a relationship to end is uncommunicated expectations. You see, Ocho, she expected you to get her flowers. And you didn't get them. Why didn't you tell me you wanted flowers? You expected her. She expected you, Ocho, to plan this vacation, right? You didn't know she wanted to go on a vacation. Uncommunicated expectations. Ocho thought that, you know what? Hey, she gonna do this thing for Father's Day. We gonna do it up, blah, blah, blah. She didn't do it. You see? Uncommunicated expectations. But again, uncommunicated. But what's the end part? Expectations.

[Chad Johnson]

I like that. I haven't heard. I even. I haven't even heard that word before. Not used in this context and actually used together. Uncommunicated expectations. Yes, I like that. That's. Hey, that's.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You see, she has an expectation, but she didn't communicate them with you, right? You have, but you didn't communicate them with her. So those uncommunicated expectations and what happens. A lot of times, people have what we call implosive personalities. They hold things, hold things. Hold things. There's only so much you can hold before it explodes. The term. Oh, you went postal. Yeah. Boom. And so now, instead of just saying, well, you know, Chad, I thought that we were going to do this, right? No. One month go by, two months go by, three months go by, four months go by, and it's building. Wait, you don't know. It's not been communicated. So you don't know. It's building. It's building. It's building.

[Chad Johnson]

Boom.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Then it blows.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You've been with me all this time. You should have known. You see how many times you heard that, Ocho?

[Chad Johnson]

All.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You know what I like.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, all the time. All the time. Because you've been with him a certain amount. You've been with someone for a certain amount of time, and you know women all the time. Oh, I know you real well. I know you real well. I knew what you're going to say. You can say something. Yes, he can finish the sentence for you. But all of a sudden, when it comes to certain stuff. Oh, you didn't want to.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I know you wanted that. I know you were like, oh, you.

[Chad Johnson]

Can'T read my mind. I threw you hints. I gave you a sign. A few. I gave you a sign a few weeks ago. A sign?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. What?

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, in the commercial. I mentioned it when it came on tv.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. I missed the sign that God gave me, too. You should have told. Say.

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[Shannon Sharpe]

I missed the sign that God gave me. I should have left your ass alone about six months ago. I missed that sign. But then that's the thing I just think sometimes we take for granted and you've been in a relationship, just tell me. Yeah, I'm very, I'm one of these guys, Ocho, just tell me. Yeah, if you want to do something, tell me. I don't have time. I got too much ish on my plate to try to, try to figure out what you want. You can just open your mouth and say, if you want to go here, say that. If you want to eat that, say that. If you want this, say that. But they got me, you know, you know what to talk about. You know what to talk about on them shows.

[Chad Johnson]

Uh, oh, what they gotta do with.

[Shannon Sharpe]

This, what that gotta do with you telling me what you would like to do. And so I, I, I think the thing is for the, the, the Vikings, they have an expectation now. They see their offense.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They realize that, hey, Jetta's gonna be Jetta. Hawkinson's been a Pro bowl player, Addison. Hey, the more opportunities we give him, the better he can be. Yeah, offensive line, maybe they add a piece to the offensive line, but other than that. Yeah, I think you draft the kid when you drafted him, and now you keep kicking the can down the road and he's like, hold on, what I got to do? You took me, you told me I was the guy, and now I get hurt. Okay, I get that. I understand that. I got hurt. There's nothing I can do about that. Ojo. But then I come back and y'all got another guy, you tell me I gotta wait another year.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that would bother, that would bother anybody, especially a quarterback that drafted where he got drafted, expected to start, but due to injury, he had a small setback. And now you've done all the work you need to do during the season last year to get yourself back, not only in playing shape physically and mentally, but now you talk about bringing somebody else in another veteran presence and telling me I gotta take a backseat again.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Wait a minute. What are we talking about here? So I'm, I'm happy for him. I'm glad that the organization decided to hurry up and nix the rumors that were out there about Aaron Rodgers coming in and let JJ McCarthy give him that sense of security mentally so he can go forward and know he's Quarterback 1 and doesn't have to look over his shoulder.

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Cam Hayward, the. The. The great defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers was asked if he'll be doing any recruiting to help bring Rogers to Pittsburgh. I ain't doing none of that darkness retreat. I don't need any of that crap. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't. That's simple. That's the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that's recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers. If you want to be a part of it, so be it. If you don't, no skin off my back.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, there are certain teams, you look at the logo on the helmet, they don't need no help, right? They don't need no recruiting pitch. The product sells itself. Again, I always use that. I use that example of Blue Magic in the movie American Gangster with Denzel Washington. The product sells itself. The Steelers historic franchise, them stars on the side of the helmet, it sells itself. The other franchise things are bigger in Texas. The product sells itself. You don't need to do anything for it. You don't have to recruit nobody. You have to. You have to sell nobody nothing.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because that wouldn't be a recruitment Ocho. That would be begging. And that's what he wants.

[Chad Johnson]

Thank you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I like that. What I like the jets do. The jets got on a private plane, right? And flew to him.

[Chad Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, I don't know if you saw this, but I had Young Miami on the podcast.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, hey. But I saw you shooting, boy. Let me tell you something, boy. You were shooting 70 from the field that night. Hey. Oh, don't do that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I see you blushing, baby. Yeah, I'm just having. I'm just having great conversation, that's all.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. You know, when you. You know, when you conversate, that's called shooting. That depending on what you say. It ain't what you say, it's how you say it. It's all about your delivery, baby. You was on point.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You was on point. But let them tell it. I was shooting that cash, dog. I was shooting that Amber rose. I was shooting at Young Miami. No, no, no, no, no. I was shooting at Kiki. I was shooting. I was like well, damn. I was shooting that mega cool.

[Chad Johnson]

Damn.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Can I have a conversation?

[Chad Johnson]

Well, this was a little different. Now, you didn't shoot at Cash dog. You didn't shoot at nobody else. Now, this is the conversation and the energy and the aura and the chemistry in which you can't see. You can't see it because you actually in the room. See, I'm not in the room with you. Yeah, I can see. I can see the heat coming off the couch.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You hear me?

[Chad Johnson]

I can see the connection in the chemistry. Now. I'm talking about the type of chemistry when you play Twister, that kind of chemistry where they say red and you got to cross over. You hear me? Yeah, I've seen it. Now you can't see it. So it's. It's. It's my duty.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm in the room.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, I know you're in the room. That's why you can't see that. So I'm trying to tell you what I saw.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Huh?

[Chad Johnson]

Your wi fi was on point. I'm talking about every. Every bar was there. It was there. It was a connection. There was chemistry. You can't see it, so I. You do with that what you will.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And I ain't doing nothing with it. I'm not doing anything with it. Joe, we're happy. I'm 1000 okay?

[Famous Smoke Rep]

For me, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

I couldn't in good conscience, right? It would be almost like I'm a therapist and some lady comes and talk about her problems, and then I end up sleeping with her. Or if I'm a lawyer and I have a client and I know she's vulnerable. Right? Bro, I'm just having a conversation. I mean, I love the fact. Go ahead.

[Chad Johnson]

Let me see what you. You know, it's the problem. This is the problem with. This is what happens when it comes to us. When it comes to us, our people, we overthink things. We overthink things and we try to analyze them and we put things in our head with a scenario like you just did. Now, you just said a scenario. You gave a narrative that fit the way you thought. This individual is based on the situation that you created. Now, see, God always has a plan for us, and he puts people in our life in certain situations. And you're missing your blessing. That could be. Now, young Miami chose to come do Club Shay Shay and sat down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes, yes, yes. I'm grateful for every guest. Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, that could have been a sign from God. You never know. Now, what I saw when I watched the interview, I said, what is more than Just a talk. This is more than just a conversation. Now, I can see the energy. I can see the aura. I can see the. The. The. The. The chemistry on camera. Now, you can't see it. And I'm telling you again, now listen to me when I talk to you, because I wouldn't tell you and I wouldn't steal you wrong. Because this wheel. The wheel over here. Jesus got this one. Okay? I'm not telling you. I'm not telling you to make no moves. I'm just telling you. I can see it, Ocho. I know. I know. We got people watching. You really don't want to say nothing.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, no, no, no, no, no. They're not people watching. It's just like. You heard what she said, man. Guys show Ocho guys showing up with Kroc Birkins. Yeah, hold up.

[Chad Johnson]

Hold on now. Now, you just talked about. I want somebody. You talked about wage just the other night. Now, you talked about Birkins and G Wagons. Now, this is right up your alley. It's about what you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

This is what you were talking about, Ocho. That's a buildup. She said Birkins now is a starter pack, right? I'm thinking lv. I'm thinking Gucci. Ysl. I'm thinking Dior, right? She say Birkins. Kloc Perkins. Wrestle starter pack. Guys buying Jeep, man. Man, come on, man. Y'all. Y'all know, man.

[Chad Johnson]

All right, first of all, you say you want him young, huh? Didn't I tell you? Didn't I tell you? You got evolved. This is what you got to deal with. You want. When you want him young, huh? Not only that, there's certain other areas aren't. You gonna have to. You're gonna have to listen. You're gonna have to update your resume.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, I'm gonna have to go. I'm gonna have to. Let me tell you what I'm gonna have to do. I'm gonna have to start going to church and get me somebody with a hat sitting in there, sitting in the deaconess corner. You got me thinking bad. I ain't got the bread. I can't. Hey, it ain't me.

[Chad Johnson]

I tell you. I tell you what. I tell you what. I tell you what. Now, if you do me a solid and you do me a favor, young Miami, you know, that's my sis now, you know, she from Miami. She's from Dade county now, okay? I'm just making sure, you know, that's why I'm vouching for. That's why I'm Vouching for sis. No, look, I know you're trying to keep it professional.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, but I like the fact. I like the fact that they come in and they open up and we have a conversation. Right. And we just be talking. I mean, look. I mean, I had a great conversation because, like I said, I had no. I didn't ever think I would even meet any of these people. So for me, I'm like, man, I can't believe you sitting across from me. That's how I look at them. I don't like. Okay, let me try to throw a question here and try to get slick with it. I ain't trying to do that, man.

[Chad Johnson]

See, you got to do that. You got to say the things you're saying right now. I'm saying the things I'm saying that you can't say, that you might be thinking, see, that's what me being your other half is supposed to do. I'm supposed to be able to see things that you can't see and then relate what I see that you should do, but you don't want to do it because you keep. You keeping a certain level of professionalism.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. In your face at all times.

[Chad Johnson]

Now, let me tell you what I'm gonna do. Now, you talk about. You understand the prerequisites when it comes to dealing with her.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

If you want to lead up with one of them KROC Birkins, I've seen your 5200 to speed up the process.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, send me that. Cause that's what you owe me. Not. Cause that's gonna be a down payment on the damn bag. Send me that. Cause that's what the hell you owe me. Chad.

[Chad Johnson]

Y'all hear this man?

[Shannon Sharpe]

This bag, nobody. Oh. If you go get a Croc working, I see you 5200 on it. How you gonna send me money? How you gonna stop it? You gonna send me something on it when you owe me that?

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, hey, hold on. Let me give you a prime example before we move on to the next topic. Before we move on to the next topic, understand the professionalism in which you carry yourself, the structure and discipline and everything that you do. That's what I love about you. That's why we work so well. Because I'm the complete opposite. So, yeah, I'm gonna give you a small example.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Chad Johnson]

There was a movie that came out not too long ago when.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Ah.

[Chad Johnson]

What's the lady's name? Jennifer Anson. Jennifer Anderson was dating Brad Pitt. They were a couple. They were together, and all of a sudden, Brad Pitt.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Mr. Mr. Smith.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Brad Pitt went off to do a movie with Angela.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Angelina Jolie. Mr. Mrs. Smith. Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay. Okay. You hear? You see where I'm going with this? So listen, it don't matter what you got going on, life, sometimes God puts you in situations. In this case happened to be club Shae Shay with a sit down with brother Shannon Sharpe and Karisha. And the situation, to me, it was to me from the outside looking in, regardless of the professionalism that you're trying to instill and carry because you have to. I saw a situation like that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Speaking of Pittsburgh, Nig Harris says there is a lack of leadership with the Steelers. We just didn't know anything on offense, really. We didn't have any identity. We had a young guy coming in at, coming in at qb. I really didn't have nobody to almost learn from on the offensive side. You like that he's saying that O joke.

[Chad Johnson]

I mean, at the run, at the, at the running back position and saying that you don't have anybody to learn, you know, at that specific position. I don't really like that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Chad Johnson]

I personally don't. Because there's so many resources once you're in that atmosphere that you can learn from, where it doesn't have to actually be a person right there outside of your head coach teaching you because there's so much you can learn on your own. They have film, they have vaults, they have man goo, gods of footage and stuff you can learn, right? You know?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

And to say something like, and to say something like that with the tutelage that you're getting at, the organization you're at, how could you even say something like that? Look at all the backs that have come through there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, but they weren't there. The veteran leadership wasn't there when he got there. That's the thing that I'm very appreciative of. I had a guy, even though he was a year older than me, Steve Atwater, that had to be professional. I had Dennis Smith, who had been there since 1981, who said, this is how you do things. This is how you be professional. You be punctual, you be on time, you practice hard. I saw John, I saw all those guys, the veteran guys, and how they do things. Okay, Me now, Ocho, I got the younger guys coming in. That's my job for Burns, Foots, Rod Smith, the other guys, td, Sharkey, House. Now I go to Baltimore now. The other younger guys, some of the younger guys, the Rays and think Todd Heaps, that's what you do. That's. I think that's what he's talking about. I think. I don't want to put words in his mouth, guys, but I think that's what he's talking about, like how to be professional, how to make sure I practice doing everything that I possibly can to make sure that I'm maximizing my time here. And I'm very grateful that I got to Denver. I had guys. Look, there are guys that wanted to party. I know that's not why I was there. Maybe Ocho, had I been a first or second round pick, maybe I would have partake. Probably not, because that's never been my mo.

[Chad Johnson]

Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But knowing that I'm on thin ice and I see Atwater and I see Dennis Smith and I see those other guys, John, and I see the way they doing things. I say, you know what? Yeah, I kind of. I need to be. I need to be in that group.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, I understand it, and I truly don't understand where he's coming from in a sense, because obviously you understand what it took you to get here, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Hold on. Najee, Najee, you've been dreaming about this since you was a little shorty, since you're a little kid. This was a dream of mine. You have finally reached that pinnacle of reaching what you've always dreamed of. Then you. Not only that, you part of historic franchise the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm not getting somewhere and worried about veteran leadership. When I understand the work it took me to get here, I'm already aligned with the end goal. All my goals reset themselves once I make it. I'm not worried about no veteran leadership. I know what I need to do based on the goals that I set for myself personally. It don't matter who's in the room. It don't matter who was there before me. Yeah, that shit. I need to get done and I got to focus. And everything I do has to align with my end goal. Regardless of whether I have a veteran presence or not at my Pacific position, I want to be one of the best to play this game ever. You talk about no veteran leadership. Look at the players that came before you that played the exact position. The Jerome Bettis, the Willie Parkers. I mean, I'm sure you're going to James.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. But I need them there to Ocho. See, you talking about. You talking about a pro. A pro. A pro is the occupation in which you do it.

[Chad Johnson]

Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's a professional. A pro is how you go about that. You see it out. You see the difference between College and pros, what do they do? They get your ass up. They make sure you go to study hall. They make sure you do X, Y and Z. They make sure you in the weight room. Who does that? When you go to the NFL, you. And it helps when you see somebody that's a pro because once you get there, we're all professionals. But to be a pro, it's something to be said for me. That's just me now. Hey, to each his own. But there's something to be said for me to have. Veteran. I remember Mark Jackson would take me up on his wing and say, hey, hey, you know, I see you ran that route, but I'm not so sure how to run it like that because blah, blah, blah, X, Y, Z. I said, okay, I appreciate that, man. He pulled me to the side. Hey, hey. Threaten that guy a little bit more. Hey, you got your head around a little too far. So it's little stuff like that Ocho that you. I mean, stuff that you can't see because you used to get. Hey, Ocho, we used to use God given ability. Getting open. It take more than that in the NFL. Yeah. Hey, God touched all them.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. I got you. I understand it. And I wish I could totally najay to get. To get better context and get a little bit more in depth on what he means by it. And maybe I'm thinking a little different because of my approach. I was better in leadership. I understood. Okay. I finally got here. I know what my goals are. I want to make sure everything I do are going to align with the angle, to make sure I become at some point one of the best ever played. Not just for the Bengals, but to play in the history of this game in general. I'm going to leave my imprint whether people like me or not. Then I think about also hell for the people in the chat. No veteran leadership. Where did I stay the first two years in the NFL where I live?

[Shannon Sharpe]

That. Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

And I'm locked in. I don't care who's there. I know what I got to do. I know what it takes to make sure I'm able to be consistent. This has a rookie.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

You know what? I might not have better impressions, but I'm gonna do the things I think I need to do to make sure I give them the best of me. Giving you the best of me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You know, a part of me, I think. I think NYG doesn't feel like the Steelers really appreciated him.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because a guy that's just barely rushing for a thousand yards is not gonna get the appreciation like a Saquon. Right. Like a Derrick Henry. Like these guys rushing for 14, 1500 yards. He's never had less than a thousand yards rushing, Ocho. Uh huh. But he's not spectacular. You don't look at him like oh my God. You don't think that when he gets the ball, see at least like Saquon gets the ball. You think, man, he might hit his head on the goalpost or, or Derrick Henry gonna end the game with 150, maybe 200 yards. That's not what you get from him. I thought he's a good back. I don't think, I don't think he, I don't think he changes live. No, he's not a guy that's going to change your life. For me now in college he was sensational.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, he's a, he'll, he'll be I like he a bail cow. Three, three down back.

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Ojo Jamar was not Jamar Chase signed his deal. T. Higgins signed his deal. They had their press conference. Jamar was not happy with the reporter calling T. Receiver number two. Let's take a listen to what he had to say.

[Chad Johnson]

Were the lead, he would have probably been wide receiver one.

[Shannon Sharpe]

When you see him put out there.

[Chad Johnson]

That real high speed wide receiver table. How does that one eight. You're saying it was for that I fixed the name one eight?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes, sir.

[Jamar Chase]

You know, bro, I don't need to look at it like that. You know what I mean? I kind of wish they wouldn't have put it out there like this so. Because now it's. That's why everybody said I'm the highest paid too. Well, let's just say I'm at a place where, you know, they value me and you know they respect me and I just, I'm a good player here. So let's just say that that's not the highest receiver too or anything like that. You Know what I mean? So let's just say he's another great receiver, Bengals receiver that, you know, that puts in the work and. And got his head down and just grinds. So.

[Chad Johnson]

I mean. Oh, Joe, I've been saying it for a very long time. Huh? I've been saying it for a very. Every, very long time. Every time I talk about the Bangles duo, I say it all the time. And I've been saying it for a very long time. You and I even went back and forth about it, you know, continuously on here. I said, he's a wide receiver, one that just happens to be on the team with another number one. There are a few instances, a few other teams that also benefit. Benefit from this situation. I'm not sure what the reporter is doing. And the reporter who understands the game of football and has been able to watch T and Chase together should know that and know better that he's a one. If he was a lead there, he would have been paid as a number one, because that's exactly what he is. It just so happens he have Jamar Chase on the other side of him. But anyway.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, we look at. We look at. Let me ask you a question. Yeah. When Pastor Tane lined up, who Pastor Taine going to. He going to chase or he going to T. Higgins.

[Chad Johnson]

If he's following, he's going to chase.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay? Sauce, Gardner, Stingley.

[Chad Johnson]

And he's following and going. He's going to chase.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So why wouldn't it?

[Chad Johnson]

I understand what you're saying.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because that's the thing now, Ocho. It used to be no QB1. It was the starter quarterback. It was no QB. It was no wide receiver one. It was wide receiver. It was Michael Irving, Sternley Sharp, Jerry Rice, Randy, blah, blah, blah, Keo. Now, they got. They got all these things. Wide receiver 1, wide receiver.

[Chad Johnson]

Hold on, hold on now. Hold on. Ain't no all. Now, there are only a few teams like that. The Eagle, that's wide receiver 1A and 1B. The Bengals, that's wide receiver 1A and 1b. What they did over there with Cooper cup and Puka Nakua, that was wide receiver 1A and 1B. Now, what they will do is they will take some of your production, your opportunities away from you and make it look like there's something wrong with you and make it look like wide receiver, too, when there's really nothing wrong with you, if you understand the business and how they work your ass up out of there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But let me. This is why I look at it, though.

[Chad Johnson]

Cho, talk to Me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Why didn't they give. If, if. If Jaylen Waddle was the equivalent of Tyreek, why didn't they give him the same type of money that he gave Tyreek If Devontae Smith was the same, was the equivalent receiver? So why did they give T. Higgins 40 million?

[Chad Johnson]

You know, you know, you can't. You can't work like that. Now, come on. He.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wide receiver one. Wide receiver one. Get wide receiver one. Money.

[Chad Johnson]

Right. Yeah, listen, we can argue. We can argue. We can argue too. But listen. Normally, normally when we talk about wide receiver one and we talk about wide receiver two, there is an enormous drop off in skill and talent. Enormous. Now you got two receivers that get it done totally two totally different ways.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Are you saying there's no drop? Hold on. I want to make sure I'm here.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, there's a problem. I said enormous.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, no, no.

[Chad Johnson]

Extravagant, extravagant drop off from your one and your two. There's a reason the person is a one and there's a reason the other person is the two. Now you got. Let me finish. You got two receivers that are really, really good at what they do. High point, short, intermediate, long balls. Now, both of them do all of them really well. That I think the. One of the few things that Chase might have on.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Is that goddamn run after the catch. My God. That's also because his background, his background in playing running back when he was younger. That's why he looked like that every time he get the ball. He like a damn running back. He bouncing off people playing ping pong. I mean, listen, you touch me, I'm going down. You touch me, I'm going down. I'm making a business decision.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So look, I'm glad he got paid. I think he earned a right. I mean, the way he played, he had been exemplary the whole while there. They made him play under the tag. He played under the tag. He caught Nate, but he still had double digit touchdown. He was going to be well over a thousand yards. And so they compensated him. I love when teams reward their players for work put in. Now, Ocho, I've already paid you for what you've done right now for me to give you this money. They're not paying Chase for the triple crown because they paid him that they're paying him for moving forward. We believe you're gonna put up numbers equivalent to that, if not better. I can't pay. I can't. How do I paid you? It wasn't like he didn't get a salary, Ocho. And now we got to make up for what we didn't give him. He got paid.

[Chad Johnson]

Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

With that being said, I believe Chase. They believe Chase is going to put up numbers equivalent to, if not better than, what he put up last year. So I'm going to pay you accordingly. Yeah, yeah. And.

[Chad Johnson]

That was a good one.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And he's earned it. Yeah, absolutely. He's earned it. I'm glad he didn't have to go. I'm glad he didn't have to go to get something because so many times we see guys put. Oh, put the work in. Put the work in, and then they got to go somewhere else to get. Get rewarded, get to get the appreciation that I should have got from the club that drafted me. You thought enough for drafting me. You know, that's why I tell people a lot of times what I love about Dan Reeves. He was smart enough to draft me, but somehow forgot to cut me. The Bengals.

[Famous Smoke Rep]

Oh, you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You really love T. You did your homework. You took him in the second round. But now he give you all those great years, and you want to let him. You gonna let him move on, right? And you gonna let him. Cause he ain't in his prime yet. So now the next four years is really going to be, you know, his prime. And you gonna let somebody else reap that benefit. Cause you cheap.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So I was glad they finally.

[Chad Johnson]

You know, the funny thing I think a lot of people haven't talked about, they really don't know, is the person that's pulling the strings behind closed doors, the person with the power, the person who runs the show and is making the calls is really nice.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, for sure.

[Chad Johnson]

You know, a lot of people ain't talking about that. We talk about T going here. No matter what I've said, no matter what people on espn, no matter what people have said on X or Twitter for that matter, the person behind the clause, the closed doors, who went up, the management, and probably said, listen, I don't know what you need to do, what you need to do with the numbers on my contract or what you need to restructure, but Uno and five, I need that back come hella high water. If you understand Joe Burrow and how he conducts his business and the way he goes about it, maybe that man, young, young bull ain't playing. Not by them, too.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You know what I love, Ocho? The fact that he was outspoken about it. A lot of quarterbacks like, yeah, we'd love to have him back, but that's not my call.

[Chad Johnson]

Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

He said, no, we need him back.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, his definition.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He's like they've earned. They've earned the right. And he said the same thing about Trey Hendrickson. It seems like they're a little bit more open to trading Trey than potentially bringing him back. But that's something we'll discuss at a later date in time. But he came on first take, and he was very, Hey, I want them to pay Chase. Chase has earned that. I want them to pay T. He's a valuable piece to what we do, and I want him back. None of that. Hey, yeah, we'd love to have him back, but, you know, I don't make that decision. I'm just a quarterback. No, no. And so I love. I love that. That part about him. Oh, Joe. A key factor in the Jamar Chase T. Higgins negotiation with Joe Burrow's influence. Beyond the public comments, Burrow applied private pressure, making it clear deals must get done for both. If Sissy fail, it could have gotten very, very interesting.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Listen, I'm glad that we just brought that up and I just said it ahead of time. Obviously, I wouldn't have said it when all this stuff was going on, but if you understand. I've watched Joe now for a few years. I've seen him up in person. I've heard the stories about the way he conducts himself and goes on about his business and his approach to the game and how serious he takes it. In order to continue playing at an elite level, you have to have elite talent around you. And you understand that, especially offensively, in order to keep that going and continue to give us a chance offensively to get where we want to go. We already know what the end goal is every time you compete and you play on a Sunday. In order to get there, especially San Francisco, I need my two, I need my Uno, I need my five. Now, I don't know what we need to do. I don't know what we need to do upstairs, but we need to make it happen.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, I think sometimes that quarterbacks be like, I got my money. To hell with the rest of this stuff. I ain't got nothing to do with me. And they take. That's a cop out, O Joe. Yeah, It's a cop out to say, well, I don't get to make that decision.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, I've heard that before.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And you hear that a lot. I mean, you know Joe making 55 million like, y'all fend for yourself. But he knows a part of him getting that 55 million was. Was. Was 1 in 5.

[Chad Johnson]

There it is. You said it right there. Now you come in there playing around and bring somebody else in. They can't do it. One in five.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You don't understand. He understand you're gonna be upset? I mean, he's been throwing me mad. I mean, he's pretty much been throwing a chase for what, five years. Had him in college a year, missed him and then picked him right back up.

[Chad Johnson]

Back up. Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So with that being said, I'm glad these guys got it done. Congratulations guys. Well deserved the volume.

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[Hypnotic Representative]

When it's tip off time at my house, there are a few things that are must haves on my checklist. My fellow friends and fans. Check my favorite jersey. It is good luck. Check an iconic drink that's a fan favorite.

[Chad Johnson]

Check.

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