Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2: Ty Simpson & NFL Binge

Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Don La Greca, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into NFL Draft speculation—especially regarding Ty Simpson as a potential franchise quarterback for the New York Jets. The hosts weigh the pros and cons of selecting a QB in the current versus the following year’s draft, referencing expert opinions (notably Dan Orlovsky’s glowing assessment of Simpson’s upside), and taking passionate calls from Jets fans. The hour closes with broader NFL news (wide receiver contracts, Travis Kelce’s extension), a playful discussion about ESPN intern pop culture gaps, and some comic banter about generational divides.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Personal Open: Life in the Rosenberg Household

[00:58–02:30]

• Don shares that his daughter Maya got her ears pierced, sparking a brief, humorous discussion about parenting milestones, nerves at “the piercing place,” and babies bouncing back quickly.

2. Jets Quarterback Debate: Ty Simpson or Wait?

[03:06–13:51]

Dan Orlovsky’s Take (Clip & Summary)

• Dan Orlovsky (03:12): “I think Ty Simpson is QB1...the best quarterback in this class.”
  • Orlovsky emphasizes Ty Simpson’s ability to handle pressure, “NFL throws,” and argues for his upside over Heisman-winner Fernando Mendoza, whom he claims is limited (“no ceiling”).
  • He likens Simpson’s processing to Brock Purdy: “I see a lot of Brock Purdy in the way Simpson plays, in his ability to process.” ([04:19] Alan paraphrasing Orlovsky)
  • The only knock? Experience—limited college reps and a weaker finish to the season.

Host & Analyst Views

• Alan (05:03): “The ceiling’s the roof. There really isn’t anywhere more to go with [Mendoza]. ...Simpson has the upside to continue to develop.”
• Orlovsky suggests the Jets shouldn’t worry about next year’s draft—future classes (including Arch Manning) are too unpredictable.
• Alan (05:47): “If [Simpson] wasn’t 6’2”, if he was 6’4, 6’5, the Jets would be running to take him at number two.”
• The hosts debate Jets’ long-term QB strategy:
  • Take a shot now with Simpson using surplus 1st round picks.
  • Or purposely tank and wait for a “can’t-miss” QB next season—risky and potentially wasteful.

Don’s Perspective (07:00):

• Admits most of his research is highlight reels, but is impressed by Simpson’s composure and athleticism (with the caveat: “Obviously they’re highlights!”)
• Both agree it’s unwise to “kick the can down the road” and hope for a better QB class later, especially after 15 years of Jets playoff drought.

Memorable Quote:

• Alan (10:21): “I just don’t know why you want to wait a year...Well then that’s a devastating year to go through.”

3. Jets Fan Call-Ins: Draft Priorities, Skepticism, and Alternatives

[10:56–23:39]

Jack in Connecticut [10:56]

• Advocates drafting tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16—not a QB.
• Thinks Jets could wait for a QB (maybe Drew Aller or Garrett Nussmeier later), even speculating on the Steelers drafting Simpson instead.
• Argues next year’s QB class is stronger.

Host Responses

• Alan and Don stress the danger in assuming next year’s “better QBs” will be available (or better), highlighting recent analyst support for Simpson.

Frank in Newark [14:46]

• Raises concern about head coaching instability: “Can any of these quarterbacks actually survive a head coaching change?”
• Alan counters: “Drake May did that...Firing the coach doesn’t mean you gave up on the QB...Usually it’s the opposite.”

John in Queens & Joe in Brooklyn [16:22, 18:30]

• Both are skeptical about taking Simpson so early:
  • John wants a “big dude” like Josh Allen.
  • Joe would prioritize filling holes (LB, safety, OL)—wants “four starters” with top-44 picks.
• Joe: “Ty Simpson has played one season of college and half of it was crap.”

Point-Counterpoint (Alan):

• Acknowledges valid criticisms (Simpson’s limited reps, weak finish), but trusts respected analysts (“Dan was insistent...what he sees that Simpson can do is not just pre-snap, but also post-snap.”) [20:15]

4. The “Tanking” Fallacy and Super Bowl QBs

[23:39–27:44]

• Alan and Don debunk the concept that tanking for a high draft pick equals finding a franchise QB.
• Alan: “How many QBs [in the last 13 years] taken in the first round are still with their team? Three. ...All won MVP, one won two.” [24:11]
• They run through recent Super Bowl winners: most were not top-3 picks, several weren’t even first-rounders (e.g., Russell Wilson, Brady, Hurts).
• Gist: Franchise QBs don’t have to be top picks; the NFL is filled with counterexamples.

Notable Quote:

• Don (24:11): “You can’t keep acting like every tanked season leads to the guaranteed quarterback that works.”

5. NFL Binge – Contract News and Receiver Rankings

[30:25–38:42]

Jackson Smith-Njigba’s Record Contract

• Peter announces the Seahawks have signed JSN for four years, $168.6M ($120M guaranteed).

  • Comparison: Jamar Chase ($40.25M/yr), Justin Jefferson ($35M/yr), CeeDee Lamb ($34M/yr).

  Peter: “We’re going to see guys in the $45 million range next. Whoever that next person is.” [33:01]

• Discussion on Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown as future big earners, and how durability and adaptability drive the position’s value.

• Alan: “With the athletic ability you have to have to do what they do...it’s hand coordination, speed, body control, and strength.” [38:08]

Travis Kelce Extension Details [38:43]

• Three years, $54.735M ($12M guaranteed first year, $3M incentives).
• Hosts discuss whether Kelce has anything left (“he may not be the Travis Kelce we remember...but still formidable”), speculating on how off-field distractions may have affected 2025 performance.

6. Flag Football Classic: NFL Players vs. Team USA [41:22]

• Comic recap of Tom Brady and NFL stars being routed in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic by the USA national team.
• Alan: “It’s like taking NHL players and putting them in a roller hockey league.” [42:46]
• Hosts learn about unique flag football rules (no jumping) after seeing Saquon Barkley penalized for leaping.

7. Generational Gap: Intern Doesn’t Know Tarantino [47:03]

• The hosts are appalled their intern, Chase, has never heard of Quentin Tarantino or any of his movies (e.g. Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill).
• Alan: “Fire him immediately. That should be on your job application.”
• Intern is assigned to watch “eight Tarantino movies in eight days” and report back.
• The team spirals into a comic roast about today’s youth (“not an age thing...what’s going on in the home?”).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dan Orlovsky (via Alan, 05:03): “If [Simpson] was 6’4, 6’5, the Jets would be running to take him at number two.”
• Alan (13:51): “All you’ve been doing is waiting another year.”
• Don (24:11): “You can’t keep acting like every tanked season leads to the guaranteed quarterback that works.”
• Alan (38:08): “Think about the eliteness of athletic ability that you have to have to do what they do with the hand coordination and yet speed and body control and strength.”
• Alan (47:15): “Fire him immediately. That should be on your job application for this place.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Maya’s Ear Piercing: 00:58–02:30
• Ty Simpson Draft Debate & Orlovsky Analysis: 03:06–13:51
• Jets Fan Call-Ins: 10:56–23:39
• Tanking Fallacy & Super Bowl QBs: 23:39–27:44
• NFL Binge: WR Contracts/Rankings: 30:25–38:42
• Travis Kelce Extension: 38:43–41:06
• Flag Football Classic Recap: 41:22–43:25
• Intern Tarantino Blunder: 47:03–52:02

Tone & Banter

• True to DHR’s trademark: lively, opinionated, and irreverent.
• Lots of back-and-forth teasing, especially about generational gaps and NFL fan frustrations.
• The hosts blend expert analysis with everyday fan logic—balancing hard data with a healthy dose of skepticism about “standard” NFL narratives (tanking, top-pick QB guarantees).

Summary Takeaway

A quintessential mid-offseason DHR episode: Passionate debate over the Jets’ future, spirited arguments from expert voices and fans, and a strong reminder that the NFL is full of surprises—both in draft strategy and, apparently, in interns’ pop culture knowledge. If you missed it, you’ll come away ready to argue Ty Simpson’s case, laugh at a few football (and generational) misadventures, and consider the true value of gambling on the “next year” plan.