Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2: "Burrow to Giants?" (December 15, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode explores blockbuster NFL hypotheticals, centering on whether Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow could land with a New York team: the Jets or the Giants. The trio discuss the value of first-round picks, player-for-player trades, new regime shakeups, and the ongoing saga of the Giants’ current quarterback, Jackson Dart. Callers weigh in on these scenarios and the hosts weave through NFL storylines, injuries, and “what-if” situations for the road ahead.

Key Discussion Points

1. Joe Burrow Trade Rumors: Jets, Giants, and the League Landscape

• Initial Setup:
  • The hosts discuss rumors swirling around Joe Burrow’s future in Cincinnati following public comments and the team’s poor performance.
• Jets' Package:
  • The Jets have five first-round picks, making them a leading candidate if Burrow requests a trade (00:42).
  • “Jets have five first round picks...to offer Cincinnati to get Joe Burrow. Burrow could change the scenery. Maybe a Matthew Stafford kind of situation.” — Don Hahn (01:32)
• Giants’ Leverage:
  • If the Giants finish with the #1 overall pick, their ability to offer an elite young QB (Jackson Dart) and the top pick might be more attractive than sheer draft capital.
  • “You can make a solid case that’s better than five first round picks.” — Peter Rosenberg (04:44)
• Comparing Returns:
  • The Giants’ offer could resemble the Carson Palmer-Andy Dalton transition: a proven QB (Dart), plus the top pick in a QB-rich draft (03:43).

2. Does Trading Jackson Dart Make Sense?

• Why Keep Dart?
  • Dart has impressed despite adversity: “He can make every throw … seems like he’s got a good head on his shoulders…” — Don Hahn (02:45)
  • Injuries (including concussion history) and inconsistency worry some, but some hosts are “in full bloom love” with Dart:
    • “I think he’s … no, I love him … Like I’ll take him.” — Don Hahn (06:14)
• Would You Trade Him for Burrow?
  • Debate ensues over whether trading Dart for Burrow (even packaged with the #1 pick) is “lunacy.”
  • “You don’t think it’s lunacy to say I should think about trading Jackson Dart?” — Don Hahn (08:04)
  • “I think it’s lunacy. Me, personally.” — Don Hahn (08:07)
  • “Even for Joe Burrow?” — Peter Rosenberg (08:08)
• Callers Weigh In:
  • Multiple callers argue it makes no sense to move on from Dart without a proven elite alternative.

3. New Giants Regime: Draft, Coaches, and Alternatives

• New Leadership Shakeup?
  • Would a top-tier coach/GM candidate force the issue to draft their own QB—specifically Heisman winner Mendoza?
  • “Are you not hiring that guy? Are you going, hmm, tell me more? … Could that scenario exist?” — Peter Rosenberg (02:54)
  • The situation mirrors the Cardinals’ draft of Kyler Murray just a year after Josh Rosen.
• Is the QB Class Even Worth It?
  • “Nobody’s clamoring for Mendoza. Like Mel Kiper said, this is a weak quarterback class.” — Caller (19:39)

4. The Art of NFL Trades and Draft Valuations

• Value of the #1 Overall Pick
  • Some fans want to “name your price” with the #1 pick, trading back for a king’s ransom of players/picks (15:03).
  • Rosenberg tempers expectations: “Right now, I’m not sure you’re going to get the haul you think you’re going to get… This is not Trevor Lawrence. This is not Peyton Manning.” (16:16)
• Jets’ Perspective:
  • Jets could offer a pick for Dart instead of landing Burrow or Mendoza.
  • “Jets have struggled [at QB] over the years, so you’re kind of bolstering the quarterback position a little bit.” — Caller (13:13)

5. Burrow’s Resume vs. Risks

• Injury History vs. Proven Winner:
  • Callers and hosts note Burrow’s injury woes, but Rosenberg reminds:
    • “He’s the only quarterback to go into Kansas City in a playoff game and beat the Chiefs and go to a Super Bowl.” (20:03)
    • “But the injuries are a bit of an issue. But they could be for Dart as well.” — Don Hahn (20:28)
• Win-Loss Metrics:
  • Debate on judging QBs by record: “If they had WAR in football, wouldn’t his WAR be off the charts?” — Don Hahn (20:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• On Dart’s Upside:
  • “He looked like, this is the goods. This guy’s the goods. ... I do think he’s got an amazing future.” — Don Hahn (19:09)
• On Burrow Injuries vs. Accomplishments:
  • “He’s the only quarterback to go into Kansas City in a playoff game and beat the Chiefs and go to a Super Bowl.” — Peter Rosenberg (20:03)
• Trade Hypotheticals:
  • “You remove a piece and you add. ... Addition by subtraction.” — Peter Rosenberg (00:13)
• On Tanking for the #1 Pick:
  • “What’s the difference between winning three games and winning two games? Who cares? I want the one pick so we can get two great players.” — Caller, Dave in the car (15:33)
• On the Old Raiders Vibe:
  • “The autumn wind is a Raider...There’s something kind of really cool about the Raiders. The autumn wind is a Raider.” — Don/Peter banter (23:47)

Key Timestamps

• Burrow/Jets/Giants hypothetical, trade logistics: 00:42 – 05:47
• Dart vs. Mendoza, QB debate, new regime scenarios: 05:47 – 12:00
• Callers on Jets, Giants, picks, and “tank” culture: 12:08 – 19:30
• Burrow injury/accomplishment split: 19:39 – 21:21
• Caller suggestion: focus on building around Dart, avoid QB trap: 49:46 – 50:52

Flow, Tone, and Call-in Energy

• The hosts lean into playful, spirited, sometimes sarcastic debate—especially on hypotheticals.
• Rosenberg’s brash optimism and sports talk skepticism clash with Don Hahn’s measured pragmatism.
• Callers bring nostalgia, analogies (Spurs/Patriots/Astros), and local fan passion, pushing the show's energy into impromptu “sports bar” territory.
• NFL storylines, player nostalgia, and even a foray into the Raiders’ mystique—“like Motorhead for the NFL”—give the show a broad, pop-culture fueled feel.

Segment Highlights (Timestamps)

• Giants/Jets/Burrow multiteam matrix: (00:42 – 08:19)
• Mendoza’s hypothetical dominance/NFL draft dynamics: (09:28 – 12:00)
• Caller Dave: Maximizing the #1 pick for a player haul: (15:03 – 17:33)
• Raiders, Football Nostalgia & The Autumn Wind: (23:40 – 25:32)
• Giants’ internal debate: Is moving on from Dart “lunacy”?: (08:04 – 08:19, 19:39 – 20:03)
• Jets’ endless QB churn, hope or history repeats?: (49:46 – 50:52)

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• The hosts believe the Giants should hold onto Jackson Dart unless a generational QB lands in their lap—moving on is called “lunacy.”
• Joe Burrow’s trade value is massive, but injury concerns muddy the waters.
• The Giants’ potential to wield the #1 pick and a young starter may trump the Jets’ draft haul in negotiations.
• The 2025 draft class does not inspire universal excitement—teams may not break the bank for Mendoza.
• NFL culture, nostalgia, fans’ hopes and fears—all drive the non-stop, impassioned debate.

This hour is rich with speculation, vigorous fan debate, and classic New York sports radio personality—a must-listen (or must-read!) for anyone trying to gauge the temperature on the Big Apple quarterback carousel.