Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

ESPN New York | Hour 2: Burrow & That Guy Thursday
Air Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca

Episode Overview

This episode blends classic New York sports banter with hot-button topics, focusing on growing speculation over Joe Burrow's future with the Cincinnati Bengals and the potential implications for the Jets and Giants. The hosts dive deep into the discourse around Burrow’s apparent dissatisfaction, the realities of NFL quarterback trades, what the Jets or Giants could offer, and whether either is an attractive destination. The show's second half shifts to "That Guy Thursday," where memorable player antics and personal stories about “that guy” in everyone’s life bring laughs and inside NBA and NFL color.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York Sports Update

[00:43–01:46]

• Knicks play the Pacers; Rangers face St. Louis Blues after tough losses—“You gotta get two points.”
• Alan gets nostalgic about his past as a radio update guy, sharing the "Pavlovian" urge to jump in when he hears Rangers intro music—“There is this twitch that I feel when I hear the introduction music and I think I've got to say something.” (Alan Hahn, 01:10)
• Adapting to being out of the booth—"Dan's doing a wonderful job. But it's an adjustment. It is certainly an adjustment." (Alan Hahn, 02:30)

2. The Joe Burrow Situation: Will He Stay or Go?

[02:55–17:29]

The Hosts’ Case for a Burrow Move

• Alan and Peter claim their show was first to 'sniff' the Burrow unrest story—“We just happen to notice the smoke before everybody else. Now it's starting to burn.” (Rosenberg, 03:41)

League-Wide Rumor Mill

• Dan Graziano & Dan Orlovsky (via clip) [04:24–05:11]:
  Speculation that Burrow could "pull an Andrew Luck" (retire from injuries) or "Carson Palmer" (force trade), or have off-field issues citing his “uncharacteristically glum” demeanor.
• Reaction:
  • “Glum” becomes a running joke—“Glum had kind of like been out of our lexicon for a long time, but I think now it's forcing its way back in.” (Rosenberg, 05:23)

How Real Is It?

• Mike Tannenbaum (clip) [05:38–06:18]:
  “He's not saying this stuff just to share it in a diary. He's saying it publicly to make a clear declaration… How many teams should call? …So every team basically in the NFL outside of, let's give it eight to be high, should be having conversations right now.”
  • Alan: “So it's a reality now.” [06:25]
  • Rosenberg: "Now do you believe us?" [06:26]
• What do the Jets or Giants have to offer? Multiple first-round picks, possibly even the no. 1 overall, but few franchises are really positioned to outbid.
• The dilemma: “If I win a game or two here and I end up with like the fourth or fifth pick… It is not as valuable as having the number one pick.” (Rosenberg, 07:36)

Would Burrow Approve a Trade to NY?

• Rosenberg: “Joe Burrow doesn’t want to be a Jet. He’d be going from the frying pan right into the fire... He’d want somewhere with a history of winning, a good coach—like Matthew Stafford to the Rams.” [09:38]
• Alan: "Jets are a dumpster fire as far as wins and losses are concerned, but they treat their players well. They've got a world class facility..." [11:18]

The No-Trade Clause Conundrum

• Raises question of how much power Burrow actually has over destination.
• Rosenberg notes: “He does have the no trade. So… if you're the Jets... he could look at you and go, that's not where I'm going.” [13:58]
• Alan: “If he wants out, maybe the Jets aren't the most attractive place, but really, it might just come down to anything but Cincinnati.” [12:25]

What Should the Jets Do?

• Rosenberg: “If you're the Jets… you may never need to even have that type of recruiting video. But it doesn’t mean you don’t prepare—because that 1% chance tells you you have a chance.” [16:00–17:29]
• Alan: “That means maybe having to live with the embarrassment of being told, no, I don’t want to play for you.” [17:22]
• Rosenberg: “Shoot your shot though.” [17:29]

3. Jets/Giants, Aaron Glenn, and Fans' Disappointment

[17:48–21:53]

• Caller Brad (Montclair) debates with Alan about the disappointing tenure of Aaron Glenn. Brad believes Glenn should be out due to the defensive collapse, while Alan argues expectations were already lowered after the Aaron Rodgers injury and unjustified optimism:
  • “How when you go from Aaron Rodgers to Justin Fields? What were your expectations?” (Alan Hahn, 19:03)
  • “There was nothing to me more overrated than how good this defense was.” (Alan Hahn, 19:57)
  • Rosenberg: “They should have been a better defense... That’s on Steve Wilks.” [20:26]

4. That Guy Thursday

[24:00–38:36]

The Theme

• Exploring the concept of "that guy"—the friend or teammate who is always doing something mischievous, embarrassing, or just comical in group settings. Parallels drawn to NBA/NFL “characters.”

Josh Hart: Memorable Antics (NBA, Knicks)

• Josh Hart publicly jokes about Jalen Brunson's lack of athleticism—then riffs live:
  • "Not physically impressive, not athletic, but he's able to manipulate defense... inch for inch, I think he's probably the best one." (Josh Hart/Alan Hahn, [26:14])
• Brunson takes the ribbing in stride, culminating in the “check the oil” prank during the Knicks’ post-win celebration—moment captured on TV.
  • Rosenberg: “We all have that one friend. Josh Hart’s that one friend. And in a couple of cases while the Knicks were on the national stage, he was being that guy.” [28:42]

Puka Nacua: NFL Rookie "That Guy"

• Alan’s pick: Rams rookie WR Puka Nacua, for controversial podcast comments claiming NFL officials want TV stardom and intentionally throw flags:
  • "These guys are lawyers, and, like, they want to be on TV, too, bro." [33:36]
• Further criticizes Nacua for suggesting concussions are "all in your head"—highlighting the dangers of “just BSing” as a sports celebrity.
  • Rosenberg: “You can be extremely physically talented and still be a dumbass.” [34:40]

Referee Showmanship

• Discussion about sports officials who “make it about themselves,” especially during televised moments—examples from NHL (Wes McCauley), NBA (Bill Kennedy).
  • Alan: “There are times, I do think that they try to get attention, you know, whether it's a home plate umpire with a grandiose strike call.” [35:35]
  • Rosenberg: “Bill Kennedy, when he gets the chance to do the review ... he has one of these radio voices. Like, he's really good, not only with the sound of his voice, but the inflection and how he uses it. … He does make it about him in that moment.” [37:21]

Personal Stories: Everyone Has "That Guy"

• Stories about friends who can’t resist causing a scene—embarrassing or confusing their buddies for laughs.
  • Alan recalls a “grabby” prank when doing a lottery voiceover: “For that brief moment, it could be her... knowing Tim, he did it because he wanted my mind to be split in that second.” [31:58]
• Both hosts reflect: “You can’t really get mad at me because we’re best friends.” (Alan Hahn, 29:52)

5. Pop Culture: 30 for 30 and Tarantino

[40:44–48:59]

Why No 30 for 30 on the Islanders Dynasty?

• Fans’ suggestion: “why no 30 for 30 on that Islander team that won 19 consecutive series?” [40:44]
• Alan and Peter debate ESPN’s programming choices, audience size—“That’s not a big enough fan base” vs. recognizing greatness regardless of market size.
• Childlike excitement at seeing themselves or friends on TV:
  • “It is something to see someone you know on TV and it's like Jumbotron…” [44:31]
  • “Still get a kick out of…a spot that runs on MSG…never do, because it's such a cool thing.” [45:46]

Tarantino Movies Mini-Rankings

• The hosts riff on Quentin Tarantino's films, bemoan "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" being underrated by IMDb, and joke about Tarantino's newfound grumpiness:
  • "He's got old and angry, I guess." (Rosenberg, 47:29)
  • “Don’t be a little bit angry.” (Alan, 47:37)
  • Quick rundown of favorite films: "Pulp Fiction" usually ranked #1, “Reservoir Dogs” high up.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Early Scent on Burrow Rumors:
  "We just happen to notice the smoke before everybody else. Now it's starting to burn. There's some embers. This is a fire now." (Rosenberg, 03:41)
• The Power of Assets:
  “If I have five first rounds, including the number one overall pick, who's got more than I got to give you...But if I win a game or two here…I end up with the fourth or fifth pick… it is not as valuable as having the number one pick.” (Rosenberg, 07:08)
• Is New York Attractive for Burrow?:
  “The Jets are a dumpster fire as far as wins and losses, but they treat their players well...they’ve got a world-class facility...” (Alan Hahn, 11:18)
• Shoot Your Shot:
  “If you're the Jets…you can't just dismiss it. He's not going anywhere. He has a no trade. He won't want to come here. No, when you're the Jets, you can't think that way. You have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to get him. Make him say no. If he does, hey, you tried.” (Rosenberg, 16:00-17:29)
• That Guy Thursday (Josh Hart’s Antics):
  "Not physically impressive, not athletic, but he's able to manipulate defense... inch for inch, I think is probably the best." (Josh Hart via Alan, 26:14)
  “You could see Brunson stops and turns around, real quick and stares at him. … In that moment, you saw his face, like, really here. Right here in front of all these people. Tremendous.” (Rosenberg, 28:17)
• Puka Nacua on NFL Officials:
  “These guys are lawyers, and, like, they want to be on TV, too bro...I think he's...texting his friends in the group chat, like, yo, you guys just saw me Sunday Night Football.” (Alan Hahn, 33:36)
• On Celebrity Dumb Comments:
  “You can be extremely physically talented and still be a dumbass.” (Rosenberg, 34:40)

Timestamps for Select Segments

• 00:43–01:46 – NY sports update, Rangers optimism, Alan’s radio nostalgia
• 02:55–04:24 – Show claims "first" on Burrow-to-NY rumors
• 04:24–05:11 – Dan Graziano and Orlovsky on Burrow rumors
• 05:38–06:18 – Mike Tannenbaum: Every NFL team (but 8) should call about Burrow
• 07:08–09:14 – Pick value, Giants/Jets tanking scenarios
• 09:38–11:18 – Does Burrow want to be a Jet? The “destination” argument
• 13:58–14:28 – Burrow’s no-trade clause
• 17:48–21:53 – Caller Brad bashes Aaron Glenn; hosts debate expectations and defensive performance
• 24:00–38:36 – That Guy Thursday: Josh Hart, Puka Nacua, and best-friend/prankster stories
• 40:44–48:59 – Islanders 30 for 30 debate, seeing yourself on TV, Tarantino movie rankings

Language & Tone

• Banter-filled, irreverent, warm New York sports radio conversation
• Hosts blend insider knowledge with relatable personal stories, humility, and ribbing
• Willingness to “play out the hypothetical”—even if it’s low-probability
• Occasionally earnest when discussing sports history and legacy

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers a thorough, entertaining deep dive into the possibility of a Joe Burrow trade as a real NFL domino—especially for New York’s teams—while recapping key talking points surfacing around the league. If you want to understand how sports rumors gather momentum and how local media debates them with unique candor, plus enjoy a segment celebrating sports personalities who are magnetic, annoying, or both, this is a quintessential Don, Hahn & Rosenberg hour.

For NBA and NFL fans, the “That Guy Thursday” stories are a light-hearted but revealing look at team cultures and friendships, while the sports movie and documentary discussion closes things out with a dose of media nostalgia and fun.