Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast (ESPN New York) — March 4, 2026 Hour 3: NFL Offseason
Overview
In this lively episode, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into the evolving NFL offseason, focusing on New York Giants and Jets storylines, major quarterback market shifts, and broader sports talk with their signature blend of banter and insight. Key guests include ESPN Giants reporter Jordan Raanan and NFL great Phil Simms, offering deep dives on front office dynamics, QB availabilities, and team strategies. The hosts also venture into baseball free agency sentiments, family life as broadcasters, and field colorful fan calls.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Giants’ Front Office Drama: The Joe Schoen Question (02:10–06:19)
- Ongoing Uncertainty: With new head coach John Harbaugh at the helm, the trio debate the perceived frenzy over GM Joe Schoen’s future. Don and Peter are mystified by how fixated Giants fans are on whether Schoen stays or goes.
- Don: “Why do we care about Joe Schoen? If Harbaugh wants him, good. If not, goodbye.” (02:32)
- Peter: “Let him work behind the scenes...he’s a good guy, but if he goes, he goes.” (03:13)
- Jordan Raanan joins in (03:45): He describes Schoen as being on a “trial period”—he needs to prove himself to Harbaugh.
- Raanan: “He has X amount of time to prove...it really creates an unknown with the Giants they haven’t had in a long time.” (03:45)
- Transitional Nature: The consensus is that Harbaugh will lean on familiar personnel and eventually re-shape things as he sees fit.
2. Giants to Go "Run Heavy" Under Harbaugh? (05:45–07:21)
- Harbaugh’s philosophy is described as physical, run-focused football, reminiscent of his Baltimore Ravens teams.
- Raanan: “They’re going to reshape this roster...it’s going to be, to me, a run-heavy team—whatever that means today, pretty close to 50/50.” (05:45)
- Rosenberg: “Harbaugh believes you win at the line of scrimmage—a physical brand of football.” (06:22)
- Potential WR targets (Alec Pierce), and roster reimagination for more physicality.
3. Giants Roster Moves & Dexter Lawrence’s Contract (07:21–08:18)
- Dexter Lawrence: Needs a contract adjustment—no guaranteed money left, potential for conflict if not addressed.
- Raanan: “He’s too good a player to play with no guaranteed money...that’ll be something that has to be addressed, maybe it goes sideways.” (07:39)
- Expect significant defensive turnover.
4. Jets QB Carousel & Offseason Options (09:11–17:21)
- Malik Willis as a Fit? (Phil Simms joins) The panel debates if Willis fits the Jets:
- Simms: “He’s got all the things you want...except is he big enough? He does look big enough on the field.” (09:40)
- Experience concerns: Only 22 games, 6 career starts—Rosenberg: “What we saw at the end of last season, when Jordan Love got hurt, we saw somebody popping off the screen.” (11:35)
- Jets’ Desperation & Musical Chairs:
- Rosenberg: “This is going to be a game of musical chairs—the Jets might not have a chair to sit in when the music stops.” (14:45)
- On Tua Tagovailoa as a Jets option: Simms flat out says no, citing arm strength and success in cold weather (12:32)
- Air of resignation: “After midnight at the bar, you start to look around...there are some redeeming qualities.” (15:02–15:18) (Peter & Rosenberg)
- Kyler Murray’s Destination: Simms and the crew discuss the likelihood Murray lands in Minnesota, given their system and needs (17:21–18:21).
5. The Emotional Side of Sports Departures: Edwin Díaz, Free Agents, and Fan Sentiment (27:55–32:56)
- The hosts dissect Edwin Díaz's comments about returning to the Mets after likely winning with the Dodgers.
- Don: “In three years, you’d be lucky if anybody wants you at all...closers age quick.” (28:43)
- Rosenberg: “He’s basically admitting, I didn’t want to leave New York...” (29:02)
- Don reflects on rooting for players vs. teams: “As a 58-year-old, if they turn around and win then I’m good...I want these guys to help my team win...right now, it’s all about me.” (31:19)
6. Life as a Broadcaster & Family Banter (23:14–27:49)
- Don laments missing Devils home games due to broadcast obligations and the subsequent family guilt.
- “I should just lay out when that happens...But now I’ll also miss the next three. Now I’m a bad husband.” (24:41)
- Parenting struggles—comparing work to home responsibilities; the hosts joke about being “bad husbands” and the intensity of fatherhood, from toddlers to teens.
- Peter: “My work days are easier than being home...with a one-year-old, the work is more at home than it is at work.” (26:13)
- Rosenberg: “Wait till you have a 10-year-old who’s very, very active...” (26:49)
7. Callers: Sports Nostalgia, Listener Shoutouts, and Light-Hearted Arguments (33:38–46:42)
- Adam from PA tells a story about a student attending Ramapo College, leading to Don sharing his upcoming live show there (34:23–35:39).
- Richard from Manhattan: Fun rapid-fire round—Knicks vs. St. John’s prospects, Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky, and hockey trivia (40:23–43:20).
- Don calls it “the best Richard call ever, because there were three, count them, three separate occasions where we actually interacted.” (43:20)
- Playoff Formats (NBA, MLB, NFL): Mike from Stanford proposes fewer NBA playoff teams to increase regular season relevance. The hosts explain why this would backfire, encouraging tanking (45:04–46:28).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Giants’ GM drama:
“If John [Harbaugh] wants [Schoen] to stay, great. If he wants him to go, great. God, people are all caught up in this.”
— Don Hahn (02:59) -
On run-heavy football’s modern meaning:
“Run heavy in this league now means like 50/50. You’re still throwing the ball.”
— Jordan Raanan (07:21) -
On the QB market’s desperation:
“It’s after midnight at the bar, man. After a while, it’s like, take another drink and take a look around.”
— Rosenberg & Peter (15:02–15:18) -
On fans and departing players:
“My love for these players right now are all about me...it’s for getting that ring.”
— Don Hahn (31:19) -
Caller banter—Richard from Manhattan:
“That right there. That moment in radio history was the greatest Richard call ever...three separate occasions where we actually interacted.”
— Don Hahn (43:20)
Segment Timestamps
- 02:10 — Schoen/Harbaugh Giants discussion begins
- 03:45 — Jordan Raanan explains Schoen’s “trial”
- 05:45 — Giants’ roster shift/run-heavy philosophy
- 07:21 — Dexter Lawrence contract talk
- 09:11 — Jets QB debate: Simms, Willis, Tua, Murray
- 12:32 — Phil Simms on Tua not fitting Jets
- 15:02 — “After midnight at the bar” QB metaphor
- 17:21 — Kyler Murray to Minnesota?
- 27:55 — Edwin Díaz/Mets free agent sentiments
- 31:19 — Reflecting on player loyalty vs. winning
- 34:23 — Ramapo College shoutout & Don’s event
- 40:23 — Richard from Manhattan’s 3-question sports round
- 45:04 — NBA playoff format call-in debate
Tone & Flow
Full of classic New York sports radio energy, the episode mixes sharp analysis with playful jabs, authenticity, and relatable frustration around both football front office intrigue and the aging athlete’s journey in baseball. Call-ins and personal anecdotes round out the hour, making it accessible and engaging for casual and hardcore fans alike.
For listeners: This episode offers a rich snapshot of current New York sports storylines, the NFL offseason’s quarterback chaos, and the enduring tension between rooting for your favorite stars and rooting for your team’s success. As always, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg keep things both insightful and fun.