Hour 3: Harbaugh Watch Continues

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – "Hour 3: Harbaugh Watch Continues" (Jan 13, 2026)

Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Theme: The ongoing saga of the New York Giants’ pursuit of John Harbaugh, franchise leadership dynamics, and a spirited look at New York sports and NFL coaching carousel.

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Episode Overview

This hour is dominated by the evolving story of the New York Giants’ quest to land head coach John Harbaugh amid competition from Atlanta and Tennessee, the implications of ownership succession for the franchise, and how rising salaries for elite NFL coaches could change the market. The hosts also riff on the historical stature of the Giants, touch on hockey road trips, and field lively calls from the New York sports faithful. The tone is energetic, speculative, often humorous, with deep dives into NFL franchise politics.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. John Harbaugh & the Giants’ Pursuit (00:14–18:41)

• Mike Tomlin’s Stepping Down Opens a Domino Effect
  • Tomlin steps down from Pittsburgh; TV likely for him. Pittsburgh’s job opens, shifting the market for top coaches.
• Giants’ Harbaugh Chase
  • Giants labeled as slight favorites for Harbaugh per Ian O’Connor’s "golf analogy": “The Giants are 6 under, but Tennessee and Atlanta, they're 5 under...but they're close.” (00:42)
  • Money, Joe Shane’s presence, and the Mara family’s health are possible factors.
• Ownership & Power Dynamics
  • Chris Mara, John Mara’s brother, was the first in-person Giants exec to meet with Harbaugh—a clear signal of succession plans.
  • History examined: When Ernie Accorsi retired, Chris was passed over for GM in favor of Jerry Reese due to family politics and “nepotism” concerns (02:20).
  • Tish and Mara families jointly own the Giants; friction or checks and balances possible if Chris ascends.
• Continuity & Decision Power
  • The hosts theorize Joe Shane remains GM as a strategic move by Tish to balance Chris Mara, or as a stabilizer amid John Mara’s illness.
  • “If Jon were to ever not be the owner...would Chris become Jerry Jones?” (02:57)
• Who Influences Harbaugh?
  • Eli Manning, Brian Daboll, and others have called to recommend the Giants.
  • Despite illness, John Mara is “putting in the work” and directly engaging Harbaugh, which the hosts view as hugely significant.

Memorable Quote:

“Despite his cancer fight, Mara has been putting in the work, engaging in all in person interviews in New Jersey and working the phones on Harbaugh today. Wow, he wants this one.” – Alan Hahn (05:17)

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2. How Much is Too Much? Harbaugh’s Price & Market Realities (06:25–18:41; 12:04–15:13)

• Coach Salary Speculation
  • Should the Giants be outbid? “From a court of public opinion, do you really want to be outspent by Atlanta and Tennessee?” (07:21)
  • Coaches have no salary cap; sky’s the limit. Giants rumored to offer $20M/yr, but “at some point you gotta say no, right?” (08:55)
• Limits to Bidding War
  • “If all of a sudden I had to give you 30. No, no. Go walk that. That's ridiculous. $10 million more than Andy Reid, who gets you the Super Bowl every year?” – Don La Greca (14:23)
• Who Else Is in Play?
  • Tennessee seen as “unlikely” to go big financially, but Atlanta possibly could.
  • Falcons job has appeal—especially in stability and potential GM/roster control, but lack of clear quarterback is a factor.

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3. What Could Go Wrong for the Giants? (15:13–21:09)

• The only major risk is the Giants bumbling the interviews or Harbaugh being unnerved by Maras’ health or ownership ‘split’ unfavorably for him.
• “The only way they lose out to him is if he sits down with them and they're just bumbling things all over the place. And he's like, oh my God, I do not want to work there.” – Alan Hahn (15:57)
• Stability in ownership is crucial: coming from Baltimore (one owner, streamlined operations), Harbaugh may not want to land where there’s ambiguity.

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4. Caller Segment: Giants’ Status, Franchises, Tomlin Theories (26:03–34:43)

• Iconic Franchise Defense
  • Callers defend the Giants’ historic status: “They've been around since 1925... only three teams have had the same owners...” (26:39)
  • Wellington Mara’s role in TV revenue-sharing legacy highlighted.
• Mike Tomlin Conspiracy
  • Speculation if Giants/Jets could swing Tomlin as consultant or eventual coach (swiftly debunked by hosts due to NFL employment rules).
• Front Office Appreciation
  • Credit given to Joe Shane for maneuvering up for a young quarterback, which helps with roster cap flexibility—“the greatest thing that happened in 2025 for the Giants was that they... traded up and got the guy they needed.” (32:44)

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5. Beyond Football: Hockey & New York Sports Banter (24:00–26:03; 36:35–40:30)

• Islanders Grueling Road Trip
  • Seven-game road trip covering Nashville, Winnipeg, Minnesota, and the West Coast, called "pretty nuts" and "really going to test them."
• Oldest Arenas & MSG Trivia
  • Engaging trivia on Madison Square Garden being the oldest NBA and NHL arena, discussion of now-closed Joe Louis Arena (“built in 1980... old the second they opened it”).

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Chris Mara’s Role:
  “Chris is running things.” – Alan Hahn (03:54)

• On Giants Ownership and Harbaugh:
  “John Mara is in on the in person interviews…says a lot about him.” – Peter Rosenberg (19:44)

• On Limits of Coach Salaries:
  “But to Peter's point, there is a limit. As much as you want a guy... there is the business of... ‘if I could save myself $18 million a year…’” – Alan Hahn (12:32)

• On How the Giants Could Lose Harbaugh:
  “The only way they lose out to him is if… they're just bumbling things all over the place…he’s like, oh my God, I do not want to work there.” – Alan Hahn (15:57)

• On Harbaugh and Atlanta:
  “The Falcons are a real threat because...there is true stability there and there’s talent on that roster.” – Alan Hahn (20:58)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:14–04:07: Giants coaching search, Harbaugh odds, Mara family dynamics
• 04:07–08:55: Ownership succession, influence, Harbaugh’s endorsements
• 08:55–13:38: Coach salary discussion, market dynamics
• 13:38–21:09: What could go wrong, risk factors for losing Harbaugh
• 24:00–26:03: Islanders’ road trip, NHL scheduling
• 26:03–34:43: Listener calls, Giants’ franchise status, Tomlin speculation, draft maneuvers
• 36:35–40:30: Arena trivia, MSG history, quirky sports moments

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Overall Tone & Style

• Lively and familiar, mixing deep football analysis with playful skepticism and New York sports culture.
• Transparent about their Giants fandom, but well-informed and self-critical.
• Plenty of inside-baseball (and football, and hockey) jokes, with accessible explanations for big-picture listeners.

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Bottom Line

The hunt for John Harbaugh is the big story, with the Giants poised as favorites—but the franchise’s messy ownership situation, bidding war questions, and outside threats (especially Atlanta) mean nothing is settled. The panel approaches the saga with optimism, pride, and typical New York nervous energy.

If you’re a Giants fan, this is the episode to hear the real-time pulse on one of the most pivotal coaching searches in team history. If you love franchise drama, NFL market economics, or just playful debate, there’s something for you too.

Transcript

[A]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[B]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[A]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[B]

Game time is brought to you by teleporting Irish whiskey. Because when it's game time, it's telly time. Coverage of St. John's Marquette follows us on 880 at 6:10. And the Islanders are in Winnipeg to take on a Jets team that's starting to get hot. They won a couple in a row. Winnipeg is a very interesting place, by the way.

[C]

How was that? You were there for a minute.

[B]

It was cold.

[C]

You weren't really that long.

[B]

It was cold and everything is. You can go. We were able to walk to the arena without having to go outside. It's. It's very cool, but I, it's got some personality. But I will tell you this. I don't, I don't think I'm telling tales out of school. They had a couple of days off in Minnesota, so they didn't have a couple of days off in Winnipeg. The Islanders earlier this week, because, listen, you'd rather be in Minnesota than Winnipeg. So that'll be at 8 o'. Clock. Tullimore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullimore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. So in case you're just getting out of work. Tomlin out? Not fired. He just stepped down. All indications are that he's at least done for coaching for now. It looks like television is going to be a destination for him. So. So the Pittsburgh job has opened up. Still a lot of noise around the Giants getting John Harbaugh. Ian o' Connor was on TMKS earlier today, talked use the golf analogy, that right now The Giants are 6 under, but Tennessee and Atlanta, they're 5 under. They're a stroke behind. They're behind, but they're close. He didn't think that Joe Shane will be a stumbling block. I can't imagine money being a stumbling block.

[C]

No.

[B]

So unless Joe feels a little uncomfortable about the John Marah health situation, which could be a thing, right? Like, hey, what's gonna happen if John, God forbid, passes? Like I'm signing a contract. I believe the word was it was gonna be like five years, $100 million, right. $20 million a year. So I'm gonna sign a five year contract. I wanna know who my boss is. Gonna be for those five years.

[C]

Who had lunch with him?

[B]

Chris. And then it seems like Chris is going to be the guy.

[C]

Yeah. He's. It's clearly setting up that way that he will, you know. And, and, and Ian told an interesting story about how when Ernie was stepping down. Right. Or Corsi.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

That Chris had, had done a lot of work to get himself prepared to be a general manager and that John passed on him and, and gave the job to Jerry Reese. Jerry Reese.

[B]

But, but the story.

[C]

And that crushed Chris.

[B]

But John wanted to give it to him. Tish said no because it just felt like nepotism.

[C]

Right.

[B]

Now if you extrapolate that out, if Jon were to ever not be the owner of the Giants anymore and Chris took over, would Chris become Jerry Jones? Like I'm the football guy now and I can make all these decisions. I.

[C]

Who says he won't?

[B]

But here's the difference. Jerry owns the team. His son is his successor. Chris won't only own 50% of the team or wherever less than 50 because they sold another 10%. But he'd have an equal share with Tish. And Tish might say no, no, you're not. We're going to bring in a football guy. Oh well, I've been around football my whole life. Yeah, well, so would John and look what's happened over the last 20 years.

[D]

So.

[C]

Well, the fact that he's the first one to sit down in person and meet with John Harbaugh says a lot. Well, because Joe Shane has talked to him on the phone. They've had those conversations. But the fact that it's the very first representative of the organization to sit down and face to face.

[B]

Yeah. It was Chris.

[C]

Right. Like think about it like that.

[B]

Chris is running things.

[C]

I guess that tells me a lot. And it also tells me that you would think then that the Tish's are signing off on him.

[B]

And also it breaks my heart because John's not doing this so. Because he's obviously going through his stuff and again we wish him nothing but the best.

[D]

And you wonder now if, you know, we talked some about the reason Shane likely stayed in place is because of trying to keep continuity with everything John's going through. And maybe they wouldn't have taken like such a huge swing this season, but John Harbaughs don't shake free that often. This is now a major move. You might have to sign a major huge coach here that could be locked in for a long time and a lot of money. But you got to do it.

[C]

Let me by the way, the recent thing that I saw, and I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Don, but because I was thinking of it, and it's also important thing to add here is that this again, more Ian, because he's all over this. Eli Manning was among different people who have called John Harbaugh to give him a strong recommendation about Dart and the Giants. You know who else did? Brian Dable.

[B]

Yeah, that, that's classy out of him.

[C]

How about that?

[B]

Would you do that?

[C]

They fired you like out of spite, Wouldn't you? But no.

[D]

Sitting close to home.

[C]

But that's pretty, that's, you know, that says a lot.

[B]

Now we want to clear this up too. Ian tweeted. All right. Giants co owner John Maurer was among many New York Giant executives in direct contact today.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

With John Harbaugh. Despite his cancer fight, Mara has been putting in the work, engaging in all in person interviews in New Jersey and working the phones on Harbaugh today. Wow, he wants this one.

[C]

Hot dog.

[B]

Now here's my little conspiracy theory. If you want to hear me, that's great. Tell me and shoot it down because apparently this is all shtick. Is, is it possible Joe Shane still has a job because Tish wants a football guy in the room so Chris doesn't take over to kind of keep Chris at bay because John's talking on the phone. It's not crazy, but like Chris is going to dinner with Harbaugh. It's like, listen, we're going to move on from Joe because they never gave him a contract extension because Tish has to sign off on that too. But Tish is like, no, no, no, we're not going to let Joe go. We need somebody to kind of keep Chris at bay here because if you didn't want him to be the general manager, now, this was, you know, a decade and a half ago, then you still don't want him to be the general manager. We'll keep the current general manager in place so that at least I've got somebody to kind of keep an eye on him.

[C]

It's not crazy. Yeah, I don't think it's crazy at all.

[B]

And they work together and then once you hire the coach, if it's John Harbaugh, he becomes my football guy.

[C]

He's in charge.

[B]

All right, Joe. Thanks, man.

[C]

Right. Or not.

[B]

Listen, John Harbaugh may be like, I like the cut of his jib. I like him. I like the way he was able to modernize all the scouting here with the Giant. I want to keep him Around. I want him to be the general manager of the team. I want to win every face off. I want to have the final say on personnel. But I like this guy. I want him to be around. I don't know. I really don't. I don't think Joe Shane is out. I also don't think Joe Shane is going to stand in the way. I really don't know how they don't get John Harwell now. Can Tennessee or Atlanta blow him away financially? Like, I mean, how would that look for the Giants if they find out, you know, they ended up. Tennessee or Atlanta end up going to 22, 23 million, 25.

[C]

You know, something crazy?

[B]

Do you really want to lose that from a public. From a court of public opinion? Do you really want to be outspent by Atlanta and Tennessee?

[C]

Is there a salary cap on coaches?

[B]

No.

[C]

No, there is not. Right. No, but there's no reason. There's no reason to be outbid. None. Zero.

[D]

Well, it's just. There's no reason, well, not to be outbid. But you also.

[C]

It doesn't affect anything. Doesn't affect how you can build the roster. It doesn't affect anything. All it does is take more out of your pocket.

[D]

Isn't there something that to be said, though, for just being stupid, like, for just being willing to throw anything, like, you know what I'm saying?

[C]

How bad you want them?

[B]

That.

[C]

Well, that's.

[D]

This is the hard question, but I'm.

[B]

Saying I understand what Peter's saying, that at one point, this is. This is stupid.

[D]

Now we look like, yo, yo.

[C]

So you want to be the major market that says, I'm not spending all that on the best candidate available. I'm not doing that. A team that just won four games.

[B]

Let me ask you.

[C]

All right, no chance.

[B]

All right, where's the number?

[D]

Like, where's the number?

[B]

What if. What if. What if John Harbaugh says, listen, I'm going to the Giants, all right? I like their quarterback, I like their owner, okay? I want to stay there.

[C]

I'm Tennessee, by the way, isn't going to go crazy with money?

[B]

I don't think so, but Atlanta can. And so Atlanta goes, all right, John, I'll give you 30. I'm going to try to outspend the Giants. The giants offered you 20. I'm going to give you 30 a year. Now, if you're the Giants and you hear that, he'd be like, that's ridiculous. You'd be like, all right, 35. 35. Well, I mean, at some point you got to say no, right? Even though there's no cap, if you've.

[E]

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[C]

There's a couple of ways you do it right to me in that type of situation. You know, you want this job. So we were offering you 20. They're going to the 30. If I gave you 25, is that enough to split the difference? Are we good there like. Or do you need me to match it? That's. And you don't ask John that. You ask, of course, Harlan that the agent. Right, Right. You asked that. You ask him. What's it going to take? Because we're not losing him. What's it going to take?

[B]

But. But to Peter's point, there is a. There is a limit. As much as you want a guy that there is, there is the business of. Listen, if I'm going to have to give you 30, Stefanski's not that close behind. I like him, too. I can get him for 12. Like, if I could save myself $18 million a year.

[C]

To me, first of all, again, I think we're. Right now, we're just playing silly.

[D]

We are. We're all yo yo games.

[C]

Of course.

[D]

But let me just say this.

[C]

We're not getting there.

[D]

This was the same thing that I was saying the other day about the Giants being the Giants, much to the chagrin of our caller Joe earlier, and being a generally great organization and saying we cannot just give anyone whatever they want. It's all yours. That's what yo yo franchises do.

[C]

Correct.

[D]

And we're gonna carry ourselves with dignity. We want you here. However, if you're taking us to the cleaners and it looks like you're just trying to cash out one last time, we are willing to work harder and find the next thing. I do respect that as an organization.

[B]

I do. I'm just pushing back at the fact that you just give them whatever you can't.

[D]

You can't.

[B]

$20 million. That's a healthy amount of money. $100 million contract.

[D]

What's the highest salary of all time for a coach? Yeah. Right.

[C]

Now well, he was at 17 in his extension with the Ravens.

[D]

He was at 17.

[C]

He was at 17. Yeah. I don't know who's the highest paid coach in the league right now, though.

[B]

And it just.

[C]

Would it be Andy Reid?

[B]

Just in. In sports, like what. What's Kerr's contract in Golden State?

[C]

Oh, you're talking about overall?

[B]

Oh, I'm just.

[D]

Andy Reid's at 20, Sean Payton's at 18.

[C]

There you go.

[D]

Harbaugh and Tomlin, 17, 16 apiece. Yeah.

[B]

Well.

[C]

Well, Jim is at 16, I think. John.

[D]

It says Jim. And Mike Tillman.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

So 17.

[C]

17 and a half. So Andy Reid, 20 million.

[B]

So if all of a sudden I had to give you 30. No, no. Go walk that. That's ridiculous. $10 million more than Andy Reid, who.

[D]

Gets you the super bowl every year?

[B]

Vince Lombardi trophies. All right. And Kerr, who's one of the most respected coaches in all the sport. No, that's ridiculous. But I'm going there, Peter, because I want to know how they don't get them. And I'm not being a conceded Giant fan, I understand the problems that they have. It's not a perfect job. The situation with John Mara is not perfect. The situation with Joe Shane's not perfect. I'm not trying to disrespect Atlanta or Tennessee. Tennessee's got a really good quarterback, but they haven't won anything longer than the Giants, and Atlanta doesn't have a quarterback. The Giants have a quarterback and they have one. The super bowl still in my dvr, so it's not like it was that long ago.

[C]

Right.

[B]

I want to. I want to explain what's the story behind them not getting him? What is it? I don't know.

[D]

It's hard. It's hard to picture that.

[C]

It just feels like, to me, it's the Giants to screw up. It's not some other team blowing the Giants out of the water. If you are any candidate, you're not just going to talk to one team. You're going to talk to at least two or three, get a feel for the ones that look the best. But there's a reason why Ian is saying that the Giants are still the favorite because it's probably the best case scenario, the best situation for him. Right.

[B]

It feels.

[C]

But you don't just talk to one team so we can get overexcited about, well, what can happen if they get. If they lose out to him.

[B]

No, you got to.

[C]

The only way they lose out to him is if he sits down with them and they're just bumbling things all over the place. And he's like, oh my God, I do not want to work there.

[B]

Well, he also had to do that because we didn't know 24 hours ago that Tomlin would become available. And who was to say that if he did become available like he did today? And the first thing Tomlin said was, I'm thinking of retiring. The only team I'd really coach or think about coaching is the Giants. The Giants are like, oh, I'll get, I'll take Tomlin. I'll say, oh, boy, I really, I wish I talked to other teams. No, you always talk to other teams and maybe you can get to 21 or 22 if it kind of go back and forth.

[C]

Right, of course.

[B]

Or get a little bit more responsibility.

[C]

No, I'm just saying you don't lose him over money.

[B]

I just. Again, you know how I feel about the Giants. But you also know that I'm notoriously pessimistic when it comes to my teams. But reading the tea leaves here, it feels like it's a no brainer and it's going to happen.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

And I'm just trying to think, all right, if we come on the air the day that he signs on with Atlanta or Tennessee, I need to know what happened. Right. I would really need to know how that. Because it really feels like. But Ian's been all over it and he still only in his golf analogy has the Giants up one stroke on Tennessee and Atlanta.

[C]

But you're still up a stroke.

[B]

All right, but you could Greg Norman it and all of a sudden you're five, you're five over.

[C]

Right. But that's. And, and that's, you know, that's when you say something went wrong in the meeting, something went wrong somewhere along the way where he just saw something. He's like, I don't like this. I don't think I can win there. That's what it has to be. Which something, I mean, seriously, it has to be drastically, horrifically bad for him to just say, yeah, I don't think the Giants are the right place. What else could possibly happen?

[B]

Yeah. The only thing I can think of is that as he meets with the Giants, he's like, I just don't like this ownership structure right now. Yeah, this doesn't feel right with John not being 100%. It feels like maybe. Well, here's one. If my conspiracy theory is true and that Joe Shane still has a job because Tish wants to keep an eye on Chris. Well, is there something between Chris does he feel that? Does he feel like there's no.

[C]

There's no continuity? Remember, he's coming from a place where there's one owner and he's a terrific owner. Right. There's nothing getting in the way. There's no internal strife. They went from Ozzy, they went to Dacosta. Like the leadership there with the Baltimore Ravens has been rock solid.

[B]

Yeah. And you want to know, and you.

[C]

Want to go to a place that you don't feel like there's some infighting or there's some disagreements. And now I got to deal with two sides. You know, I've got all of a sudden warring factions.

[B]

Well, the, the caller. Was it Jim that was getting on me about the Giants not being an historic franchise? Was referring to when Pete Roselle had to step in. That's because Wellington was fighting with Tim, with his own family, and the franchise was falling apart. If he got a sense that, God, if John ever passes, there's going to be a power struggle between Tish and Chris Mara. I don't want to be a part of that because I'm signing on for five years and I need to know in those five years that I've got a stable ownership stature. That could be something. And that, to me is the pitch the Giants are making to John Harbaugh. Here is plan B. Here's plan C. All right. Here's the way things are if John recovers. Here's things are if Jon continues to get sick. Here's what happens if, God forbid, John passes away. I hate to talk in those terms, but if I'm going to sign my life for the next five years, I'm going to want to know now, anything can happen. Tomorrow's not promised to anybody. But when you got an owner going through cancer treatments and he's north of 70, don't you need to know?

[D]

And. And I just like, you know, and the tone you've been getting from everyone who talks about it is not fantastic. It is pretty solid.

[B]

But that, but that. That's good news to hear. He's making the phone. I love that he's involved.

[D]

I really that to know that he's in on the in person interviews, which.

[C]

Was really great, which doesn't surprise me because it says a lot about him. Right? Yeah. Now, Atlanta, the one thing that could, as you talk about stability and connectivity and all those things that are important so you have that stability is the fact that you have Matt Ryan who has taken over. Right. And he's a guy that obviously Falcons in his blood and somebody that is respected, but they are looking for a general manager. And so again, that's the hardball. I can get my guy in here and then I'm working with my people. The owner is the owner. There's no one else. There's Matt Ryan and I don't have to worry about him because he's a football guy and I trust him and I. He knows he's won here. He knows what it's about. And then I can have a GM that I can work with. That's the one thing that you can sell about Atlanta. Now the quarterback situation is. You don't know what it is. That's not. The young quarterback is banged up. The old quarterback is reworked his deal because he doesn't want to go anywhere. It's a good team with a lot of talent on it. You can't deny that.

[B]

So there are things about the finished under 500. Yeah.

[C]

But there are things about the Falcons.

[B]

That you could sell tied for first.

[C]

Which is crazy. But I know.

[B]

No, you're. You're right because that's the one thing I don't see.

[C]

The Tennessee Titans quarterbacks interesting. But the Falcons are a real threat because of all that stuff because there's. There is true stability there and there's talent on that roster.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

But there's no better job than the Giant job right now.

[B]

Not for him, but we'll see. How about Baltimore? That'd be funny.

[C]

The quarterback liked him.

[D]

Yeah, well, that's the problem.

[C]

He can't.

[D]

It can't work. And we're going to play. We're going to play the biscotti. The Biscati Biscotti.

[G]

Like biscotti?

[D]

Yeah, I love. Good cookie gonna play his audio during enn. Being asked about Tomlin being a good stuff. So that's the Baltimore. That should be good.

[G]

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[E]

Break let's talk pizza. You want to bring restaurant quality pizza home this football season? Get Frigidaire's stone Baked Pizza Oven Fresh pizzas go from dough to done in just two minutes right from your kitchen and ready before halftime. Perfect for watch parties or just upgrading pizza night without the delivery delay only from Frigidaire Game ready pizza. Get it today at the Home Depot. How doers get more done.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[D]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

All right, let's get back to the phones. 1-800-919-3776. Lots to talk about Mets possibly giving Tucker $50 million a year. This is what Alan was talking about. Instead of giving long term contracts to a guy that's 29 years old, just give him a ton of money. And obviously all the taxes and the penalties that come from having a high payroll don't seem to bother Steve Cohen at all. Mets have a team to build. You're getting close. February 15th. Never mind pitchers and catchers. Like February 15th, everybody reports. So what's today? The 13th. So Thursday will be exactly one month away from spring training actually being, being happening, you know, happening. And then by the end of March, they're already playing games.

[C]

You got to have a team.

[B]

You got to put things together, man, get it all coordinated. Because baseball, I'm not sure it's going to be as hyped as it was last year, but it'll still be cool. Coming off a dreadful football season, hockey doesn't look like it's going to give us much. Unless you're an Islander fan. Although I got to tell you, just real quick diversion. I know it's a first world problem, but the league did not do the Islanders any favor. A seven game road trip. A seven game road trip. Nashville, was it? Nashville? Winnipeg? Nashville, Minnesota? Winnipeg. And then out to Western camp?

[C]

Sure, why not?

[B]

Good Lord. Like I'm going on a four game road trip next week. Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Seattle. But I'll be gone exactly A week.

[C]

How much are you guys on the road?

[B]

Well, it happens, man. You play 81 like everybody else. But my point is that that's a road trip that starts in Nashville and ends in like Seattle. And it's right when they're playing hot. And they had a good win over Minnesota, won the game in overtime. We'll see what they could do tonight.

[C]

Nashville, Minnesota, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle.

[B]

And how many day. How many days?

[C]

This thing started on the 8th, it'll end on the 21st.

[D]

That's two weeks to you and me.

[B]

Because they left on the 7th to go to Nashville.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And then they'll come home. Is that Seattle game a night game?

[C]

9:30Pm I guess, Eastern time.

[B]

Right. So they'll leave after. So they'll leave the next day. So they left on the 7th and they'll come home on the what, the 22nd.

[C]

22Nd, yeah. Well, they play and then they get a day and then they'll play on the 24th at home. Then they go back on the road.

[B]

Philly to Philly.

[C]

But this is really, it's, it's, it's like this home at Philly. Rangers, Rangers. So it's not too bad in your home, Washington, Pittsburgh, jersey. So there's not a lot of after that, there's not a time trial and.

[B]

Then they're going to have the Olympic break and all that. It's just that like they are hot and it's like, wow, this trip is.

[C]

Just, it's really going to test them.

[B]

It's pretty nuts. Let's go to Steve in Holmdel. You're on ESPN New York.

[H]

Hey guys, good to talk to you. I just want to touch on the discussion from earlier today when you the caller called about the Giants not being an iconic franchise.

[B]

Oh, he was fighting a storm. Yeah.

[H]

I just want to quickly give you the Giants resume. I'm a big Giant fan like you are, Don, and I want to give you the Giants resume that I believe makes them an iconic franchise.

[I]

Please, first of all, go ahead.

[H]

Yeah, first of all, number one, they've been around since 1925, which makes them the fourth oldest team in the NFL in back of the Cardinals, Bears and Packers. They're also only one of the one of three teams that have had the same owners. Pittsburgh with the Rooneys and Chicago is still with the Halas family. They've had several championships besides the super bowl era. They had several championships in the pre super bowl era, including 1956, the year from 1956 to 1963 where the Giants won one championship and they played, played for the NL championship at that time in six years. Also, the early days of the NFL on television are defined by the Giants Colts classic game of 1958. Yeah, and the thing that Wellington Mara gets credit for most of all is the current TV structure with Wellington Mara agreeing to share his money with the smaller markets so the. So the Green Bays of the world could stay there.

[B]

Yeah, well, but the caller didn't understand, Steve, and thank you for. The history of the Giants is that.

[D]

Wellington was born on a warm day.

[B]

In April in a log cabin in western Pennsylvania.

[D]

The name Wellington, similar to the stake was because his grandpappy pappy Wellington.

[B]

Is that both could be true. They're an historic franchise that right now is playing embarrassing football. But there are some name. No matter how bad the Yankees are, they're still the Yankees in just the history of everything. When Bill Parcells took over, took over as head coach in 1983, he's like, the Giants are one of the flagship franchises in the NFL, and that was when they hadn't won a championship since 1956, you know. So listen, don't let one call ruin the day. Artie's got a very interesting question in Brooklyn. Hi, Artie, how are you?

[I]

So I'm calling Micah. I'm blanking out, and I'm calling him and I'm saying, how do you feel about Dante Moore? Because he should make the whole draft for us. Can we hire him as a consultant just like we did with Parcells, and let him make the draft? Is that against the NFL rules?

[B]

I don't think so. I mean, you would, you'd be paying him, but you're not contracting him to be a head coach. So I don't think you'd have to give Pittsburgh any kind of compensation. You would just have bring him in as a. As a independent contractor consult on the team. Now, I don't know if he'd be interested in doing that, but I would definitely reach out if I could.

[C]

I don't think he can work. He can't work for another organization. He cannot work for another organization.

[I]

Tell him. Listen, if by chance you're coaching for us next year, which quarterback in college do you want? Because we'll pick them.

[B]

Well, I brings up a good point, is that even though Pittsburgh couldn't ask for compensation, does Tomlin forfeit, you know, the right to get compensation later on or does restart the clock if he does get paid by another organization? I don't really know how it works.

[C]

He can't work for Another organization under any capacity. No, he can work. He can do tv. He can't work for another NFL team. Can't.

[B]

Now, if you want to call him and just say, hey, what do you think?

[C]

Well, I mean you.

[B]

Well, you know what, he's going to be on tv. He'll probably tell you what he thinks there.

[C]

He could. But I know what Artie's trying to suggest. And God bless you, Artie, but if you really think that the history that the future of the jets is Mike Tomlin is going to say, you know, I want to coach there. No, come on.

[B]

Not happen.

[D]

You don't think so?

[C]

No.

[B]

It's interesting because you think he doesn't pay.

[C]

He pays attention. He knows the league. He's seen everything.

[D]

But let's play it out.

[C]

No way other teams will have openings for him to choose the Jets. I would then question his decision right now.

[D]

You can't want him anymore.

[C]

What are you doing? Well, this is because what Artie's suggesting is have him pick his quarterback, we'll draft him and then a year from now, wink, wink, we'll give a first round pick and a second round pick, which is might be the cost, if not more to the Steelers so that you'll be our head coach and then we're going to pay you $20 million a year after we fire Aaron Glenn. That's. That is a dream and I understand it. We got to wake up from that one.

[B]

And there's always like six jobs a year open. So if you were hoping that, hey, he'll work TV free. Come on, we'll fire Glenn and there'll be no other job open.

[C]

Tell us who you want as a quarterback.

[B]

Come on.

[C]

Come on. He'll say none of the above. I'm good.

[B]

But you don't have a quarterback now. Maybe you draft more and things can change in a blank, right? Of course we view bank coached here after, you know, winning a Super bowl with Baltimore or championship with Baltimore. Bill Parcell's coached here. So it's not crazy that you can get yourself to a point where you can be attractive. But right now, 15 years and counting, not making the playoffs at this particular point, not having a quarterback, then you got a bunch of picks that's attractive for maybe a general manager if you want the Lego of Muji to take over. But hey, it is what it is, man. It's tough. It's not an attractive job and really more so attractive for the Giants than being historic franchise. As we debate that today is they seem like they got a Quarterback?

[D]

Yeah, seems like it. Yeah.

[C]

And that's what I think was probably the greatest thing that happened in 2025 for the Giants was that they didn't get the guy. They didn't get the number one pick and didn't get the guy they really wanted, but they traded up and got the guy they needed.

[D]

Well, and again, even though people want to credit Dable with a lot of that, maybe that's also part of why Joe Shand is here to continue to build this.

[C]

He was able to maneuver to make that happen.

[B]

Let's go to Chris and Beth Page. You're on espn.

[J]

Hey, guys. You know, it's crazy. I was on the phone on hold last Tuesday with you guys, and I called up originally to say don't let Stefanski out of the building. In the interim, I was on hold, Harbaugh became available, okay? So I swear to God, I was on another show earlier today on hold, calling to say the Giants have to get Harbaugh when Tomlin became available while I was on hold, I swear to God. But what I'm asking you is, can you leave me on hold until the Rams lose and maybe McVeigh?

[B]

All right, there you go. We'll keep you on hold for the next few days.

[J]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

Yeah. It could change like that, right? I remember that, you being on hold for that and now. Yeah, but.

[J]

And I was like. And you guys said to me, like, you still want Stefanski to leave, not to leave the building. And I was like, haha. Harbaugh is the guy. I mean, and that's why I called, guys, really. I think it's definitely going to happen. I'd be shocked if harbor didn't call the Giants. It just makes sense from all angles. And by the way, you know, it's great. The capital in the Giants are going to have. Okay, the good thing about having a good young quarterback is we don't have to pay him for another three or four years. You know what I'm saying? So, like, that's a rare. And that's what these guys look at. That's what Harbaugh is going to look at. He's going to be like, I don't have to pay this quarterback. And I'm sure that hampered him a lot. In as great as Lamar is him making tons of money, hurt them with the cap space. So now he's going to go to a place with the big with a lot of cap room and a good young quarterback.

[B]

It does feel that way. Again, we're biased because we're giant Fans, but you do get neighbors back. You get Scatter Boo back. You're. You're drafting fifth overall. So a really good player should be available there. There's a lot of good that can happen here. But I can't get in John Harbaugh's head. I don't know. It's not like he called the Giants and hire me, hire me. He's still going through the process. Each day goes by, it's still up in the air on exactly what he's going to do. But I've been saying it all day. Just feels like it's bound to happen. How will the Giants screw it up? Is really the only thing that stands in the way? Well, he comes prepared. Usually. We'll see if he's gonna be able to pick up the phone, but everybody's abuzz about the call yesterday. Well, I mean, how will he follow it up? Richard in Manhattan, you're on ESPN New York. Hi, Richard.

[I]

Fellas, A week from today, Tuesday, the Jeopardy answer will be Indiana. And the question will be, who was the last college football team to go in undefeated? Indiana. Who was the last college basketball team to go undefeated 50 years ago? Indiana. You know what I find interesting? The six out of the eight playoff teams. Six out of the eight are old, old, old franchises. You got New England, Buffalo and Denver. New England, of course, were the Boston Pagers. Those franchises were the original three out of the original eight AFL teams. Those three. Then you got the Rams, the Bears, and the 49ers. They're over 80 years old, so that's pretty neat. Six out of eight franchises. Alan, let me ask you this. The best starting four. Best starting four in the NBA. This is my vote. Paul, George, Edgecombe, Maxey and Embiid. Do you disagree?

[C]

The best starting four players in the entire league?

[I]

Yes.

[C]

Are those four?

[I]

That's what I say.

[C]

Two. Two guys that get hurt randomly and a rookie.

[I]

Well, when they're good. Well, but when they're playing, I think they can be the best.

[C]

You're saying they're the best in the league?

[I]

Yeah, that's my feeling.

[C]

Okay. I don't agree.

[I]

Okay. Alan, you like this? Do you know that Madison Square Garden is not only the oldest basketball rink in the oldest basketball arena in the NBA, it's also the oldest hockey rink in the NHL. That's unbelievable.

[C]

Yes, that is unbelievable. And it wasn't so in the NBA until the warriors moved out of the Oracles, that arena in Oakland. Once they moved into the new. The Chase arena, that then MSG became the Oldest arena in the NBA.

[B]

And do you know when they came? The oldest in the NHL? Say about 10 years ago.

[C]

10 years ago?

[B]

Yeah, somewhere around there.

[C]

10 years ago. Who was it that moved out of a.

[B]

No, they just.

[C]

Or moved out of town?

[B]

No, they moved out of town. They moved across the street.

[D]

Across the street.

[C]

Peter should know.

[D]

Pittsburgh Pen.

[B]

Oh, and then they closed the igloo. Oh, yeah, because the igloo.67, even though it had been old right before that. They came in in 67. So a year before they opened the new Garden on. I believe it was 68. February 11th. 68.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Here's the thing. Anthony Pusick used his brain and said, oh, when they closed the Joe. If I'm going to tell you that they opened up Joe Louis Arena. You ready? You're sitting down.

[C]

Wait till he is.

[B]

1980. Yeah, they built it old.

[C]

They played in the Kobo, right?

[B]

Yeah. And they built this new arena. Never built a press box. So, like when I would do games at the Joe, like you'd be wedged. You're in the upper deck.

[C]

Like Stanley cup finals, 2002, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

That was the Carolina.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Were you there? Did you cover it?

[B]

No, that. That one I did not.

[C]

We were sitting in the crowd.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

They had rope around in a section. You sat around fans.

[B]

But I was. I was like you. I'm like, oh, Gordie Howe played here, you know. No, Alex Del Vecchio, like, really? Glenn hall, who passed away recently. And I remember, like they built it in 1980. It was old the second they opened it.

[D]

That is insane.

[C]

It's. It was just.

[D]

I would have thought 200 years ago.

[B]

You would walk in there and you would think they filmed like Slap Shot here.

[D]

It was.

[C]

It was.

[B]

But it was cool and I had a great vibe to it. Like, it just felt like an old.

[C]

Barn built like the Coliseum.

[B]

And it was two levels, just a.

[C]

Bowl and nothing more.

[B]

1980, no frills. It is ridiculous.

[D]

Ridiculous.

[B]

Little Caesar is gorgeous because they. They approached it like the. The Bell center in Montreal. So it's really, really nice arena. But no.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So Madison Square Garden, oldest NBA all the Senate. Really a shame because a lot. A lot of these places, some of them are. Are gorgeous and some of just like they're cookie cutter. Although I will. I will tell you.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Even in. In darkness. Peter Darkness. Going by the. Whatever they call the. The football stadium in Minnesota. God, it is.

[D]

Oh, it's awesome. It is gorgeous.

[B]

I know.

[D]

That's all I want.

[B]

That's all I want.

[D]

The commies to do just do what they did in Minnesota. Give me the sunroof, give me the whole look and the inside right.

[B]

It's right in. In the city proper. It's so like you're driving in the street and you can just. You. You can reach out the window and you feel like you could touch it. Like, you know, it's not this.

[D]

Minus the birds thing. Remember, initially, birds were slamming into it and dying.

[B]

Sacrifice.

[D]

Hold on. I don't want to kill the birds.

[C]

Turn the fan on.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[C]

Let her rip.

[B]

I was. I was. I mentioned it on the air, and Danico said, thank you. I'm calling the game in Pittsburgh, right? Pittsburgh. That's a really nice arena and all. I think that. I think the puck gets cleared.

[D]

It's not puck.

[B]

It's a bird. A bird flew right, And I'm like, oh, my God, there's a bird in the building. And I was gonna drop the hole. There's a bird.

[D]

There's a bird loose in the mall.

[B]

I just.

[C]

That's an old case. Show drop, wasn't it?

[B]

Right, Exactly. And Kenny's like, good thing. I thought they cleared the puck. Yeah, there's a bird flying in here. I was like. So it was kind of a moment, but I wanted to bring. I'm just not comfortable enough, being new to start using K drops. Yeah, they're in a game. Oh, get it. Chris Stapleton's All American Roadshow is coming to North American at Jones beach theater on Wednesday, August 26th. And ESPN New York has your chance to score tickets on the ESPN New York app. Just find the contest tile and submit your entry. Brought to you by Live Nation. Tickets go on sale this Friday at [e-mail] Ian's next. Then St. John's basketball at 6. 10 here. Any SPN.

[D]

You know, I feel the need at this very moment. No, no more. Not for speed. For actually thoughtfulness.

[B]

How about the need for weed?

[D]

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[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[D]

I don't want to know how the.

[C]

Sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good.

[A]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN News York app and your smart speakers before you go.

[E]

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