Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Nate Taylor & That Guy Thursday

ESPN New York | September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is split into two major segments:

1. An in-depth conversation with Nate Taylor, ESPN reporter covering the Kansas City Chiefs, analyzing both the Chiefs’ struggles and their pivotal matchup against the Giants.
2. The always-hilarious “That Guy Thursday” segment, where the team and listeners vent about classic "that guy" behaviors in sports and everyday life.

The tone is candid, at times anxious (discussing Chiefs), highly opinionated, and as always, playful.

Segment 1: Kansas City Chiefs Deep Dive with Nate Taylor

Timestamps: 00:59–18:40

State of the Chiefs: Offense in Crisis

• Chiefs and Giants: Both Desperate at 0-2
  • Focus on why the Chiefs, perennial contenders, are 0-2.
  • Both Kansas City and the Giants head into the game winless—unusual and stakes are high.

Chiefs’ Injuries and Offensive Worries

• Xavier Worthy’s (rookie WR) possible return could help, but expectations are tempered because of his still-painful dislocated shoulder.
  • “We have no idea how effective [Worthy’s] going to be... but honestly, guys, they got a lot of issues on offense.” – Nate Taylor [02:01]
• Major concern is a very young, shaky left side on the offensive line (rookie LT and second-year LG playing out of position).
  • “That’s an area of weakness for pass protection. The first two [opponents] really exploited Kingsley Sumataia.” – Nate Taylor [02:28]
• The Chiefs’ run game is “one of the worst” by both traditional and advanced metrics.
  • “All the burden [falls] on Mahomes to be excellent, to be a superhero.” – Nate Taylor [03:33]

Mahomes at 30: Era Shift and Declining Magic?

• Mahomes recently turned 30, sparking talk about his longevity and increased exposure to hits given the offensive line issues.
  • “There is a bit of a mortality feeling about him... he's a guy that will try to make plays and extend plays.” – Don Hahn [04:07]
• No longer the miracle, quick-strike team of the past—the Chiefs are laboring on offense:
  • “This is not a team that has quick-strike ability as of right now... Mahomes has to actually tuck the ball and run.” – Nate Taylor [05:21]
  • “If the Giants keep this close, I will not be surprised.” – Nate Taylor [06:44]

AFC West: The Toughest it’s Been?

• Rosenberg: “I would think... this is the best this division's been during this Kansas City run.” [07:24]
  • Taylor agrees—coaching has improved (Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh) and rosters are stronger.
  • “The Chiefs are going to have to really run the table in the second half of the season... the roster might be a little older and not as explosive as we're used to seeing.” – Nate Taylor [08:17]

Travis Kelce: Declining or Just Aging?

• Peter: “Is this it... a full step down [for Kelce], or will he still be Travis Kelce when it matters?” [09:40]
  • Taylor likens the Chiefs to the old Spurs, managing their stars for playoff readiness.
  • Kelce is moving better and gaining more yards after catch, but can’t make big plays as easily:
    • “Kelsey had a pretty good game statistically... but he’s not giving you a 50-yard touchdown anytime soon.” – Nate Taylor [11:30]
  • Heavy burden on an aging Mahomes & Kelce duo; new additions and supporting cast not up to previous standards

Quarterback Play, Turnovers, and Panic Button

• Russell Wilson (Giants) could exploit Chiefs’ defense if he protects the ball and attacks young safeties.

  • “If Russell Wilson can protect football, get his one-on-one matchups and throw it deep, the Giants will have a chance in this game.” – Nate Taylor [14:22]

• Chiefs at 0-3: Would it be panic time?

  • “Everyone’s allowed to push the panic button. 0-3... would really signify that, man, this team is not as well-coached as they’ve been in the past.” – Nate Taylor [15:24]
  • The schedule only gets harder: “03 would be an embarrassment... you can’t lose to this team [Giants] from their perspective, given what they believe.” – Nate Taylor [16:47]

Notable Moments & Quotes

• “Sometimes these issues get revealed in a bigger way than anybody could have seen on paper. That’s the beauty of this sport, man, it’s so silly.” – Nate Taylor [17:33]
• “0-3 is the death sentence in the NFL. Of the 165 teams to start with three straight losses since 1990, only four made the playoffs. Four.” – Don Hahn [19:29]

Segment 2: That Guy Thursday

Timestamps: 27:07–41:47

“That Guy” Antics – From Dabo to Cam Newton’s Hat

• Dabo Swinney (Clemson football coach) soundbite: Defensive about critics after a slow start.

  • “If they tired of winning, they can send me on the way, because that’s all we’ve done is win.” – Dabo Swinney [29:53]
  • The guys discuss whether Dabo is “that guy” (conclusion: more endearing than annoying).

• Cam Newton as the Logo for That Guy

  • Peter proposes using Cam Newton’s flamboyant style as the logo for the segment.
    • “Every time I see Cam Newton, I just go ‘that guy is that guy.’ Every outfit.” – Peter [33:32]

Everyday “That Guy” Scenarios

• Slow Drivers in the Passing Lane

  • Don: “If you are the one just sitting there [in the left/passing lane], defiant, going, ‘nope, not moving’... you’re being that guy.” [34:57]
  • “Should be a law! If I see that guy, I’m pulling him over. Was I speeding? No, you were just being that guy.” – Don Hahn [35:03]

• High Beams On, Blinding Everyone

  • Rosenberg vents about drivers who don’t dip their high beams for oncoming traffic:
    • “Unless you’re a functioning moron, you should realize [you need] to turn the high beams off.” [37:32]
  • Discussion spirals into “why do I have the urge to let people know they’re wrong?” and lands on minor OCD tendencies.

• The “Work from Studio” Complaints

  • Peter addresses a listener critiquing his remote work:
    • “Hey David, how about you go on mindyourbusiness.com/goblepeyourself” – Peter [41:15]
  • He jokes about needing to notify all listeners of his location in future broadcasts.

Segment 3: Quick Hits & Whiteboard Wednesday QB Debate

Timestamps: 48:47–52:30

NFL QB You’d Start a Franchise With

• Internal ESPN poll shows Josh Allen getting most votes over Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, etc.

  • Don and crew: Surprised Allen dominates—Mahomes or Jackson seems more deserving.
  • “Josh Allen and Joe Burrow have the same number of Super Bowl wins, and Joe Burrow at least has a Super Bowl appearance. He has no votes. Josh Allen has like 15. None for Burrow. How is that?” – Peter [50:21]

• Jalen Hurts gets some support, but the hosts are skeptical

  • “If I'm starting an NFL franchise... if I have Jalen Hurts as my quarterback, I'm going to have to really have a great offensive line.” – Rosenberg [51:18]
  • Ultimate verdict: Mahomes and Allen are franchise-changers, Hurts needs more help, poll results seem driven by recency or fan bias.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• “If the Chiefs get down, man, can you just create a superhero play? And again, you’re 30, you’re not 25 anymore.” – Nate Taylor [06:33]
• “All we do is win. You don’t like winning, you're bored with winning.” – Don Hahn, channeling Dabo Swinney [31:45]
• “Sometimes these issues get revealed in a bigger way than anybody could have seen on paper. That’s the beauty of this sport, man, it’s so silly.” – Nate Taylor [17:33]
• “Four teams out of 165 have made the playoffs after starting 0-3. Four!” – Don Hahn [19:29]
• “That guy is that guy. Every outfit.” – Peter, on Cam Newton [33:32]
• “If I see that guy, I’m pulling him over. Was I speeding, sir? No, you were just being that guy.” – Don Hahn [35:03]
• “Sometimes these issues get revealed in a bigger way than anybody could have seen on paper. That’s the beauty of this sport, man, it’s so silly.” – Nate Taylor [17:33]

Key Timestamps

• Chiefs vs Giants preview/Chiefs’ issues: 01:42–18:40
• Giants’ Opportunities / 0-3 Panic Button: 15:24–18:35
• NFL division context & QB aging: 07:38–10:03
• That Guy Thursday/Dabo Swinney audio: 27:07–31:47
• Cam Newton “That Guy” & slow driver debate: 33:31–35:39
• Whiteboard Wednesday QB debate: 48:47–52:30

Summary

This episode offers an honest, detailed look at the Chiefs’ vulnerabilities—shaky line, aging superstars, and legitimate risk of panic at 0-3. The NFC Giants could be in position to capitalize, but as the hosts warn, the “heart of a champion” is hard to count out—though maybe less potent than in years past.

“That Guy Thursday” provides comedic relief, with rants about bad drivers, oblivious high-beam users, and Cam Newton’s fashion statements. The passionate, high-energy banter, memorable soundbites, and relatable rants are classic “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg.”

For more sports, opinions, and laughs, tune in to Don, Hahn & Rosenberg—weekday afternoons on ESPN New York.