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- [00:00]
Al
Alright, let me ask you something. Ever feel like you're juggling at all? Work, family responsibilities and still trying to keep your eye on the ball? Yeah. You're in Ander. And National University gets the hustle. That's why they have flexible online classes and support services for folks who are balancing jobs and kids and everything in between. If you're ready to take the next step, National University can help you level up your education and score your goals. Check them out at nu Edu to learn more.
- [00:32]
Don Hahn
This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. That sounds like heaven to me.
- [00:38]
Peter Rosenberg
Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.
- [00:46]
Don Hahn
Don, I was fighting with obesity. I wore.
- [00:49]
Peter Rosenberg
You're losing, Don.
- [00:50]
Alan
Don. Peter. Thank you, Alan. I hope you make the team.
- [00:54]
Peter Rosenberg
And Rosenberg, Richard, have you ever heard of Brazzers?
- [00:57]
Don Hahn
No, this isn't North Dakot. This is New York.
- [01:01]
Peter Rosenberg
This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg on.
- [01:05]
Don Hahn
880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app.
- [01:11]
Peter Rosenberg
All right, we gotta do a few things. First of all, let's get into this Aaron Rodgers story. But first, Don, we need a weekend warrior. Do we have Alan Hans already in. Warriors come out to play.
- [01:29]
Don Hahn
Don Hahn and Rosenbergs.
- [01:31]
Peter Rosenberg
Weekend warrior.
- [01:36]
Don Hahn
I will say played well last night, although I think he had just one point. I'm gonna go Jack Hughes for Team usa.
- [01:42]
Peter Rosenberg
Love it.
- [01:43]
Don Hahn
Weekend warrior.
- [01:44]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, guess what? We talked about how great he was two nights ago. I think he's gonna wreck shop tomorrow. Give me Sid the Kid Sidney Crosby to come up big against Team USA tomorrow. We'll get you Allen's.
- [01:57]
Don Hahn
Oh, I have Allen's. Oh, you have Allen, Affectionately known as Jack Huggis. So it is really America versus Canada. Oh, so he's going Jack Hughes as well, huh?
- [02:07]
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, yeah. Double Hughes. Okay, full disclosure.
- [02:11]
Don Hahn
I think Allen got some help with.
- [02:12]
Peter Rosenberg
This one, but yes, Jack Hughes for.
- [02:14]
Don Hahn
Don and Allen and Crosby for Peter. What are you saying? His daughter's favorite player is Jack Hughes. I don't know if you wanted that to be a little more scandalous, but.
- [02:26]
Peter Rosenberg
No, it's a little scandalous, but we'll take it. All right, so Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post dropped an article in which he says he has a source who said that Aaron Rodgers is concerned that his career will end with a whimper and that he pleaded with the jets to give one or two more years in final conversations and according to this source, quote, accepted this fate like a man going to the gallows. Now, you know it's a story based on a source. We don't know who the source is, but let's. Let's take it at face value for the sake of conversation, because that's what we do. If that's true, Don, does it impact your feelings on the divorce of Rogers and the jets in any way?
- [03:24]
Don Hahn
Well, it makes me. It makes me wonder, what was the motivation to part ways with him? Because the feeling was, well, he's just too much of a handful. We've got an inexperienced head coach. We don't want to have to have him deal with this. But if he was begging to stay, which would then tell you, if Diana Rossini's report was true, that they asked him to drop McAfee to be at every camp, it sounds like he would have acquiesced to that. If he had his hat in his hand, I don't think he would have made demands if he was begging. I don't think that's when you say, oh, well, I really want to come back. Oh, by the way, I still got to go to Egypt. You got to let me go to Egypt. You got to let me go on McAfee. So if this report's true, I'd like to know, what was the motivation of parting ways with Rogers? Do they think they can do better, or is it what my theory all along is? They didn't want to put undue expectation on the young head coach because if Rogers came back, people would think they could win, and if they didn't, it would fall on his shoulders, and they don't want to do that to him because why else? Well, then why wouldn't you bring him back? You wouldn't have to take a massive cap hit. You'd have a motivated player that sounds like he'd fall in line, maybe help out a young quarterback that maybe you would draft coming up in April. I don't really see the motivation to let him go, other than my theory. Do you have one?
- [04:56]
Peter Rosenberg
No. I'm not looking at it from the standpoint of a theory. I'm looking at it from the standpoint of my judgment of the jets decision making. Meaning if this was true, that he was hat in hand, like, guys, let's find a way to make it work. I want to be here. And they were like, no, this is. This is a new. This is the Aaron Glenn regime. We're done. We're moving on. Then that says to me, Don, they better be head over heels in love with their next plan. Because even though I'm the first one to tell you that Rogers stats are misleading and the first half of the season was not good. When it mattered most, he was not good. He was coming off of an injury. And when it was all said and done, he ended up with one of the best quarterback seasons that this franchise has had in forever. Almost 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Was it great? No. But, Don, one of the main things that makes Rogers difficult is the attitude. If he was there going, I just want to play football. This is the end of my career. I'm taking this at face value. If he was literally viewing it, like, walking to the gallows, like, oh, my God, my career's ending. I don't want it to be over yet. I'm not ready. I think I have more. Please give me a chance. I'll work with whatever coach. Let's make it work. And Don, you said, no, we're good. You better be in love with whatever else you had.
- [06:37]
Don Hahn
But what. What's the. What's the plan? What could they be in love with?
- [06:40]
Peter Rosenberg
I don't know.
- [06:42]
Don Hahn
They don't know that they can sign any of these free agents. They don't know what's going to be there in the draft. There's nothing absolute. The only thing absolute is the two quarterbacks they have under contract right now. That's why I think that's the plan. We'll figure out the quarterback at some point, but let's. Let's give our head coach a chance to overachieve rather than underachieve. And Tyrod Taylor will be our quarterback and we'll see if Jordan Travis can give us anything. And then we'll draft a guy, hopefully that could be our future. Or sign a free agent when we establish the coaches get a year under his belt because you can't have a theory is not a plan. That's hope. That's a dream. So listen, I'm not the biggest Aaron Rodgers fan either, guys. I get it. But what I would do if I were a head coach and a general manager, I'd. I'd weigh my options. And I've. If I've got a pleading Aaron Rodgers saying, I want to stay, to me that seems like a viable option compared to everything else that you have right now. Also, considering the dead cap money hit that you're taking, unless Woody Johnson's up there telling them, no, we're not bringing him back. And it never really was about a football decision because wouldn't Aaron Glenn want a competent quarterback? Not that. Not the Tyrod Taylor is not a competent quarterback, but are you telling me that that's a better option than Aaron Rodgers if he's going to be on his best behavior. And it sounds like if he's begging you to stay, he would be. And besides, too honestly, yeah, he's a nozzle, but we live in a day and age where everybody and their mother has a podcast. What. What's McAfee? What's the difference between McAfee McAfee and, you know, anybody else having a podcast?
- [08:24]
Peter Rosenberg
Michael Parsons, who has his own show every week.
- [08:26]
Don Hahn
Right. So, I mean, so there's a very good possibility your next quarterback that you bring in might have his own podcast or. Or do something on Netflix or be a part of Hard Knocks. I mean, so really, that's the deal breaker again. We. He was a nozzle. I'll be the first to admit it. All right? And nobody beat him up more than this show over time. But let's be fair, he is a much better option than whatever they think they're going to be able to pivot to. But I'm sure there's a lot of people in that building, Peter, that love to see him walk away with his head down.
- [09:06]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, listen, we don't know.
- [09:07]
Don Hahn
There's a lot of people celebrating this moment, Peter, inside and outside the jets organization.
- [09:11]
Peter Rosenberg
Obviously, you're right. And, you know, you. And I don't know what it was. And I have to admit, I come off as a complete hypocrite on Rodgers. Let me just be completely real with you. In fact, I think in some ways all of us do, because to be an honest person and to know a little bit about football and to have followed this story and to have followed Rogers career is to be a hypocrite, Don, because in one breath you're going to go, he's so annoying. He was a disappointment. He's a distraction. He's not the same guy. But I will in one minute tell you afterwards, he's better than half the league. He's better than so many other options. And furthermore, Don, from a sheer interest standpoint, just for me as a fan, if they have Rodgers, game one next year, I'm interested in watching game one. Well, if they're trying out some random veteran who we. Who we know isn't anything, are you better off?
- [10:09]
Don Hahn
Well, it depends on what you want this year to be. If it's going to be kind of a de facto rebuild where you're trying to tamp down expectations and people thinking you're going to win four games, go out there, win seven. I mean, maybe that's the plan. I don't know, and you're not a hypocrite about Rogers, I'm going to defend you for this reason.
- [10:25]
Peter Rosenberg
Go ahead.
- [10:26]
Don Hahn
It was very fluid because expectations were this guy was going to win you a Super Bowl. And so a lot of the things that he did were irritating and he was nozzle y. We get it. We've never said that he was a bad guy. And there were times he played horribly in the beginning of the season, but expectations changed. He played better in the second half of the season, and now the super bowl is off the table. Now we're just saying to be a competent team and be able to have a chance to win some games, you need a quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is not somebody that you would consider when there's very little or almost no other options at this point. So I don't. I don't think there's anything wrong with. As the information changes, your opinion can change. He went from the guy that's going to lead this team to the promised land to a guy that now you're just thinking, hey, can you go out there and help us finish 500? So, yeah, if you're going in under the template of championship or bust, yeah, Rogers, get out of the business of it. But if you're just looking for a competent quarterback to play for your team in 2025, Aaron Rodgers is not it.
- [11:31]
Peter Rosenberg
Again, if that's the case, you better have something loaded and you better understand football better than we do, because we're looking around right now going, you don't know if you're getting Cam Ward. You don't know if you're getting Shador Sanders. We can't really quite figure out who the veteran would be that you're getting. And you made this bold, declarative. And I get it. We've been saying for a year, two years, certainly this last week, what a failure this Rogers experiment was. But that doesn't mean it wasn't the right choice to trot it out again. In fact, you could argue that you'd already invested so much, Don, and you're in such a weird place, you might as well see through the contract. But let's talk to the people. And by the way, everything else, still on the subject as well, but we'll start with Jason in the Bronx. What's up, Jason?
- [12:18]
Alan
Hey, what's up, fellas? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I said a lot what I was saying as far as, like, I listened to you guys at Rick and Dave for forever and all year, it was Aaron Rodgers, the New York Aaron Rodgers. He hijacked the. He hijacked the jets, he did this, he did that. And he wasn't good the last four games he played okay. He played pretty good to me. There was a lot of times also where he was at like the two or four or five yard line and you could have easily gave it a breeze. Well, but it seemed like they was trying to get him the 500 touchdowns or whatever. And you can see Garrett Wilson end up getting upset now I'm more worried about Aaron Glenn being the voice of the room and him smoothing it over with young talent like Garrett Wilson and getting all the young players back on their proper court because they was playing very well without him. And I'm not. I think he's a great player, but I think it's time to move on and all it just seemed like people just got short memories. And like Don said, I get it, you can change your mind and everything like that, but to me, it's time to move on. Let Aaron Glenn be the only voice in the room. Do what you got to do. Build it the right way. And I'm a long. I'm a just him for the longest and I just wanted to be built the right way. It didn't work. And that's it. And people just remember when all the stuff you were saying about Aaron Rodgers and everybody said, well, she had the right to say it seemed like now I was listening to Rick, it seemed like it's falling on deaf ears. He's the only option. There's other quarterbacks out there that could get you more than five games. They can. So I mean, I'm looking forward to see what Aaron Glenn.
- [13:49]
Don Hahn
All right, well, who.
- [13:49]
Alan
And the new GM dope.
- [13:52]
Don Hahn
I'm interested too. But I'd like to know who are you gonna. Are you gonna give $50 million a year to Sam Darnold? Are you going to give money to Kirk Cousins who to me is kind of. He's a little younger, but he's also coming off in Achilles was awful last year as well. I mean I would just bring back Aaron Rodgers and go with Kirk Cousins. Justin Fields. Well, then you got. That's a. You got to figure out a way to get him out of Pittsburgh. Derek Carr coming off a shoulder injury guy unwanted in New Orleans by the new regime. I mean, you're making it seem like there are a ton of options. It's not even really a compliment to Rogers. It's just what are your options? And you do take the cap it from him not being here now there's money. You're still gonna have to pay him. But you have a talented roster now. You're gonna have to pay your quarterback something. Cause I dug somebody on Twitter. And whether Anthony can check the math on this. He's like, it's a $63 million dollars in a massive cap hit over the next two years, plus Adams would be 30 million this year. Why don't you see that? But what do you. What do you think it's going to cost the new quarterback to come in? Unless. Unless you just decide, I'm going to go with what I have. I'm going to have Tyrod Taylor be my starting quarterback. Hopefully Jordan Travis comes back healthy and we'll have him. We'll sign some other veteran quarterback for. For. For nothing. And we'll go out there and make it work that way. And I don't even know at this point what you would. Is it guaranteed that Adams would have to come back if Rogers came back? Because again, Rogers wouldn't have much of a say anymore. Now, Woody, if they, if you decided to move on from, from devonte again, I don't know the whole math of how they worked out the deal when he came here, but I don't think Rogers would be dictating personnel moves anymore.
- [15:47]
Peter Rosenberg
Let's go to Arsenio in the car. What's up, Arsenio? What were your thoughts on this whole week of Rogers and the Jets?
- [15:54]
Alan
I am just so fed up with this franchise. Even when I get excited about the coach and everything that's going, it's just like they always do the wrong thing. And it's just at the end of the day, you guys hit it on the head. There are no other options that would have made this team a winning team next year. He was your best option. So for you to cut him already and if he was willing to accept whatever changes they were telling him that he would. And obviously these are all speculations and we don't know, but it's like, it's ridiculous. Like this franchise just always can't get out of its way. And who are you going to get? Who are you going to get? There's nobody available. Tyra can't stay. Can stay healthy for more than 10 games. And that's not a knock on him, but it's just the reality there is nobody else out there for them.
- [16:43]
Peter Rosenberg
That's how I'm feeling right now. And I'm even more frustrated because it's over so demonstratively too. Don. It was like, I mean, they practically burned the contract and then lit a Cigarette up right afterwards. I mean it was just a. This is. They spiked the ball at the end, Don.
- [17:01]
Don Hahn
I know. I just want to know why. We heard the report that they didn't want him doing all the other stuff. You're hearing now a report that he had his hat in his hand was begging to stay. I don't. I. They might have a plan. I can't imagine what it is. But we'll see. Maybe they'll be better for it. Let's wait and see. It is a new regime. Woody Johnson's still there. We got new general manager, new head coach. I hope they get it right.
- [17:28]
Peter Rosenberg
Let's go to AC in Bangladesh. Hey, see how's.
- [17:35]
Alan
It Take my call.
- [17:36]
Peter Rosenberg
We're great, man. How you doing?
- [17:38]
Alan
Good, good. Thank you so much for having me. Well, you know, you guys are talking about Aaron Rodgers and you know there's rumors out there. Rumors are rumors, right? I mean Cleveland might be interested, Pittsburgh Steelers might be interested. So. I know I. I understand he's 41. Who do you think in your opinion would benefit with Aaron Rodgers in terms of selling tickets? Because I don't think Rodgers is going to deliver the championship. And matter of fact, I don't blame Rodgers for leaving New York jets because what the jets have done so far, you have a one time champ and Jets. I don't remember the last time they won a championship. Thank you so much for to my call, bro. Harlow.
- [18:19]
Don Hahn
Talking about him going to Pittsburgh.
- [18:21]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, that's all that's out there. I don't know how real that is being talked about like it is.
- [18:26]
Don Hahn
My buddy Carmine's like no way I would don't. I don't want him anywhere near my franchise. Big Steeler fan. And I'm looking for the text he sent me a text that apparently somebody bought a billboard in Pittsburgh begging the Steelers not to sign, not to get Rogers.
- [18:43]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, the only way I feel that way if I'm. I get. Of course. Listen, I get why you feel that way. But I'm telling you, as much as he appeared to be finished and it didn't seem like it was working here, Don, Is there a world in which I could see if he's in fact hat in hand? Is there a world in which this thing could work and he could still have a good season if you had a great team in place.
- [19:08]
Don Hahn
So that's what you need, right? Like Pittsburgh looks like a team that could use a quarterback. Is he better than Russell Wilson? I mean Russell Wilson did, you know, have a decent enough season, definitely bounce back after what happened in Denver, is Rogers definitely better? I don't know. Looks like there's a bit of a connection there. Cleveland, I don't know what they're going to do. I find it very difficult to believe if he wants to play, there isn't somebody somewhere for him. But I don't see the fit right now unless he's just willing to play for anybody. If Tennessee doesn't draft a quarterback, is he willing to sit there and, you know, help Will Levis in Tennessee just to be on an NFL roster hoping that somebody gets hurt and gets a chance to play? Is there any place else to go? Is he going to go to the Giants say if they want a bridge quarterback and just play in New York and get his reps, work with neighbors. Hopefully the Giants overachieve a little bit with a few guys. Like with the Giants do that. I don't, I don't know. Would he be willing to, let's say the Giants take Shador Sanders? Would he be willing to be the Kurt Warner to Eli Manning, like, go in there and start the season and let the young quarterback. If he's willing to do that, I guess there's a place for him. But if you're looking for a place where he can go out there and get another kick at a Super bowl can. I don't see, I don't see where that's going to be. Maybe Pittsburgh. That would be it. Cleveland ain't winning nothing.
- [20:33]
Peter Rosenberg
All right, we have a couple more. We've plenty of calls on this, plus some super bowl calls, some All Star calls, a Yankee call or two. A lot on the table. We did not know we'd get sort of another Rogers bombshell right at the end. Listen, you got to show love Darren Rodgers for nothing else, Don. The guy keeps giving. Even when it's completely over, there's still something to talk about. So we'll talk to you next. But first, Peter Rosenberg here to tell you about my friends over at Bath Fitter. They remodeled my bath. They did an incredible job, customized it for my needs. Process was easy. One expert installer, done in a day. No demo, no mess. And Bath Fitter is a permanent, high quality solution with a lifetime guarantee. 3 million happy customers like me lock in 2024, pricing at 0% interest for 30 months. Start designing your bath today like I did@bathfitterdesign.com. there's only one Bath Fitter.
- [21:20]
Alan
This is a mini meditation guided by Bombus.
- [21:24]
Al
Repeat after me.
- [21:25]
Don Hahn
I'm comfy.
- [21:27]
Al
I'm cozy.
- [21:28]
Don Hahn
Cozy. I have zero blisters on my toes blisters. And that's because I wear Bombus the softest socks, underwear and T shirts that give back. One purchased equals one donated. Now go to bombus.com espnpod and use code espnpod for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M b-s.com espnpod and use Code espnpod when you think about.
- [21:51]
Al
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- [23:48]
Peter Rosenberg
The Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Oh, I got a little game time for you brought to my Tully More to do Irish Whiskey because when it's game time, it's Tully time. The NBA and NHL are in break, but of course we got the celebrity game on ESPN at 7, if that's your cup of tea. I was in that game once. Nailed a big bucket. And then I did commentary for a couple of years too, which was a good time, but I'm now Persona non grata. I'm just kidding. And the Rising Stars game is at 9:00, right here on 880, following our guy, Jake Asman, who's coming up next. The Ass man, if you will. Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoy and tell them or do responsibly. I can't help but think, Don, you run this radio station. You got to think about putting Boom Baka on the board for Ass man. And then Jake Assman. And then you get.
- [24:57]
Don Hahn
Did you read the schedule? No, that's the show tonight.
- [25:00]
Peter Rosenberg
He's on with him. Oh, yeah, yeah. Listen, trust me, guys like you write home about. I've been doing this radio a long time. You got to call that show Ass man and Boom Baka. That's Don Tell. That's a T shirt. That's everything.
- [25:12]
Don Hahn
Yeah, that would be. Listen, this radio station has a history of actually giving people shows based on what the name would sound like. So it's not out of the realm.
- [25:21]
Peter Rosenberg
Of possibility that Boombaka, it's a hell of a name.
- [25:24]
Don Hahn
Well, Jake's already a talent.
- [25:25]
Peter Rosenberg
You got a great talent. We don't know. We don't know yet about that. But that's. That's what Jake Asmond can do. He can teach him how to do it. But the thing is, you gotta. You gotta take the win. Asmin.
- [25:39]
Don Hahn
Yes.
- [25:39]
Peter Rosenberg
You're getting a co host who's never talked on a radio before, but what you're gaining is the name Boombaka. And just, you know how fun it is just to say it.
- [25:49]
Don Hahn
I do it whenever I read the credits for the Ranger game. It's hard for me not to say Matt Boom Baca. And of course I say Ray Santiago, who's been to Santiago, Chile, twice in one year.
- [26:01]
Peter Rosenberg
I've heard that. That I've heard. I haven't heard your Boom Baka yet. Alex has his best All Star moment. We've been talking about how NBA All Star weekend. A bit of a dud this year, but some classic moments. Alex, what's your favorite?
- [26:14]
Don Hahn
Oh, hey guys, thanks for taking my call. Don, happy belated birthday.
- [26:18]
Alan
Pete, congratulations.
- [26:19]
Peter Rosenberg
Thanks, bud.
- [26:20]
Alan
Listening to you guys for a while. You guys got me through Covid. You guys should be simulcast. That was literally, you know, got me through that time. But no, my, my greatest All Star moment. I grew up, I was, you know, in the late 90s, you know, I was about 12 years old. I think you guys have probably heard it. Vince Carter hanging in the hoop in a dunk contest. I mean, if you want to. If there was a time when they could have won NBA fans over, or a kid just sitting in front of a TV watching, you know, an All Star contest. That, that, that one they sold me on, that one. I mean, that was that. That's up there for me. And then the Yankees thing, you know, I went to that Dodger series last year in June. Soto was out, he was hurt. And the talk around the stadium was, you know, that's what you get when you don't have Soto. Like, I hate to break it to the Yankee fans listening, but, you know, that's what you get. A flat. It's a flat team. If Judge doesn't hit, it's flat. You know, they don't get, you know, the base hits they need. You know, he brought a spark to the team. You know, it's going to be tough this year to, to watch the team if they don't hit. So, I mean, that's what I got, you know, going to.
- [27:27]
Don Hahn
So you were right about last year's team. But the, the idea is that if Goldschmidt can go out there and be what he has been in his career, and he's a guy that can go out there and he can hit you 30 home runs, he can drive in 80, 90 RBIs. Then you throw in what Bellinger can give. He's a former mvp. So is Gold Schmidt. So neither of them are Soto, but with both of them in the lineup, the idea is that maybe it won't be dead if Soto's out, that it won't be just the Soto and Judge show, that it'll be a more well rounded lineup. And that's when the Yankees are their best, when everybody's got a chance to do damage. So that's what they're hoping for. But, you know, Coltschmitt's not, not a kid anymore. He's 37 years old. Bellinger is not anywhere near where he was at the MVP level, but that doesn't mean he can't get there again. So we'll see.
- [28:17]
Peter Rosenberg
Let's go to Lewis in the truck. What's up, Lewis?
- [28:22]
Alan
What's going on? Fellas first thing first I could. Last time I called, I forgot to do this. Congratulations, Peter. You and your wife and your baby and happy belated birthday to you. Dawn. Real quick to the Aaron Rodgers just thing. Have you guys seen the show Hunters on Amazon?
- [28:39]
Peter Rosenberg
I've never watched Hunters.
- [28:40]
Don Hahn
I have not.
- [28:42]
Alan
It's great. It's great. I'm watching. I'm not going episode six right now. Now. It's a great show. Al Pacino starring. It's great. It's great.
- [28:49]
Peter Rosenberg
But I remember Hunters. Yes. I did not watch it. Heard it was great. I got to go watch that.
- [28:54]
Alan
Yeah, yeah, you got to watch. You got to watch it. It's good. It's set up in the 1970s and all. It's like about two Holocaust survivors that actually hunting down Nazi refugees in America, hiding in plain sight. It's great. It's a great show.
- [29:06]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, no, I remember it. I remember the storyline. That sounds fire.
- [29:09]
Alan
All right, so Aaron Rodgers, right? I remember clearly when he got injured, the jets was able to get seven wins with Zach Wilson and company, which all three of those guys together were not. Were not Aaron Rodgers. So I think really for the jets, and I'm a Giant fan, but for the Jets, I think it's best for them just move on, go with Tyrod Taylor. You're not, you know, you're not going.
- [29:29]
Peter Rosenberg
To get to this.
- [29:30]
Alan
You're not gonna get the super bowl with Aaron Rodgers. Eva, you're not gonna do that with him either. So you do what you do. You figured out. And really, for me, it's more important of keeping Garrett Wilson happy, who's going to be a future receiver, than worrying about Aaron Rodgers feeling at this point, that's. That's just how I feel about that.
- [29:45]
Don Hahn
Now. Apparently he didn't get along with Rogers, wanted to get traded. And one of the rumors around him wanting to get traded, Peter, was that he just didn't like this influx of different coaches, different quarterbacks. Well, if Tyrod Taylor's your quarterback next year, knowing that it's. It's a bridge to whatever. You think Wilson's gonna be happy with that, you know, are they gonna end up having to trade him? Will they use him as a way to try to maybe trade up to get the quarterback this year, I can't imagine Garrett Wilson would be happy with just Tyrod Taylor. And then we'll see in 26. Now he's a kid still, but, you know, he's already wasted two years of his career chasing after a dream that never materialized. And now he's going into year three with Tyrod Taylor and year four with. Who knows? I can't imagine that'll make him happy.
- [30:40]
Peter Rosenberg
Let's go to Will in North Carolina. Hey, Will.
- [30:45]
Alan
Hey, what's up, guys? I was listening to your subjects here. Listen, I think. And the call before kind of stole my thunder little bit, because I think that Garrett Wilson was probably one of the reasons why they didn't want to sign Aaron Rodgers. I mean, Garrett Wilson is the future. But, you know, I mean, it's. It's that that attitude in New York wasn't going to fly when he got here. That's how I felt when he first got here. And it obviously affected him, you know, going forward here now. And I just want to make another quick mention about the Yankees, because I had talked to you guys probably about a month ago, and I had said that. What I was trying to say was that it's almost a blessing in disguise that they weren't able to sign him, Soto, because now they can go back and to do what Brian Cashman has been touting about wanting to do since George Steinburn was still around. And that was like. To build a team from the ground up. So now I think this is, like, this time to maybe put up a. Shut up as far as that's concerned. Now that we all understand, now that it's no longer World Series of us. That's all I had, guys. Thanks.
- [31:47]
Don Hahn
Okay, but, you know, building from the ground up, you know, signing a Paul Goldschmidt that in September is going to turn 38 years old, you know, Bellinger, how old is he now at this point? I'll look it up. But, you know, building from the ground, you got signed a couple of 30 somethings.
- [32:10]
Peter Rosenberg
It's not 29.
- [32:12]
Don Hahn
That's right. It's only 29. But it just feels like he's been around forever. But still. All right, I just. I just take exception to the building from the ground up. No, you went out and you pivoted to try to replace Juan Soto with multiple players, which is not a bad move. But according to Brian Cashman, it wasn't the move. It wasn't plan A, it was plan B. As Peter said so eloquently earlier in the show, pivot. Pivot is not something you do unless you're forced to do it. Pivot is not a positive. Pivot is. We lost out on what we want, and now we've got to go to something else. If. If you want. If your plan was to let Soto go and sign Goldschmidt, and Bellinger and Freed. Well, then that's not a pivot. It's called a plan. You don't pivot when you got a plan. You pivot to another plan.
- [32:59]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, when your plan doesn't work. Let's go to Billy in the truck. Hey, Billy.
- [33:07]
Alan
Yeah. If this reports true, Aaron, and this gets out and all that.
- [33:11]
Don Hahn
Aaron Rodgers is humiliated right now, if.
- [33:15]
Alan
You know I'm Aaron Rodgers, the Jets turned me down, The New York jets turned me down. He's going to go out somewhere and that. He's not the kind of guy to just walk away after. After being. After something like that happening. He's going to go out. He's going to go ball out somewhere.
- [33:31]
Don Hahn
But where? I have no doubt that he's going to be motivated. I have no doubt that he wants to play. The question is, does anybody want him?
- [33:41]
Peter Rosenberg
But Don, how could there not be a place?
- [33:44]
Don Hahn
Well, there's got to be, right? But will he be willing to go someplace that you won't win, but just to be able to play and just hope.
- [33:55]
Peter Rosenberg
Let me put this in here right now. Let's take a look real quick, if you don't mind. Yeah. And talk through it. Thank you.
- [34:03]
Don Hahn
Thanks.
- [34:05]
Peter Rosenberg
Thanks. Straw noise. Kyler Murray in Arizona.
- [34:11]
Don Hahn
Thank you.
- [34:12]
Peter Rosenberg
I guess they're gonna. I guess they're gonna continue with this, I guess.
- [34:16]
Don Hahn
Paying the money.
- [34:17]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I mean, they owe him lots of money, but, like, are they in love? No, I guess you can't. I guess you can't risk how much. How much time is left on the Kyler Murray deal.
- [34:30]
Don Hahn
It just feels like they just. I don't know what the outs are.
- [34:32]
Peter Rosenberg
But it also felt like they were almost out. It almost felt like they were about to try to get out of it, just move on and cut their losses. But then they didn't. But. Okay, let's. Let's say they're 100% moving forward with Kyler Murray. Atlanta is locked in on Michael Penix Jr. They're done with cousins.
- [34:53]
Don Hahn
What you saw last year, you got to be pretty.
- [34:55]
Alan
Yeah.
- [34:55]
Peter Rosenberg
I mean, listen, I think there's a lot left to.
- [34:57]
Don Hahn
Murray's got three more years.
- [34:59]
Peter Rosenberg
Murray's got three more years, so I guess they're probably not eager to move on from that. Baltimore is good. Buffalo's good. Carolina is going to keep trying with Bryce Young. Chicago's good. They got Caleb Williams, Joe Burrow. How is. How is Cleveland not a possibility?
- [35:21]
Don Hahn
Well, just because you're paying Watson all that money and you're hoping that.
- [35:26]
Peter Rosenberg
He'S also a There's a cap is a.
- [35:28]
Don Hahn
Lot of guaranteed money.
- [35:29]
Peter Rosenberg
But, but, but, but you know, he's not the guy whether, whether Cleveland has to continue to eat that money or not and they'll be stuck with it. But Don, first of all, is he even going to get on the field to start the season next year? If he gets on the field, will he stay on the field? If he stays on the field, can he still play football? If you're going to end up spending no money or barely any money because the jets are going to eat most of her for Rogers, you don't consider. If you're Cleveland, you're a Browns fan, you're not excited I'm putting Cleveland on the table. Gotta be.
- [35:58]
Don Hahn
But it sounds like they're not drafting a quarterback. Now. Is that because they don't like either quarterback or are they gonna try to make Watson work? I don't know. Now, before you get there, the one that I see is Vegas. Even if they draft Sanders, could Rogers at least play there until the kids ready?
- [36:21]
Peter Rosenberg
Why not?
- [36:22]
Don Hahn
Good. Coach, you're not going to win because you're in a tough division, but you'll get a chance to play.
- [36:28]
Peter Rosenberg
It's Vegas.
- [36:28]
Don Hahn
Vegas playing a dome Tom Brady.
- [36:33]
Peter Rosenberg
I don't hit it. Denver's locked in with Bo Nicks. Detroit's locked in with Jared Goff. Dak, of course, is locked in in Dallas. Green Bay's good, Houston's good. Indian and Anthony Richardson, there's. There's no interest there. I don't know the guy, the guy who kind of quit mid game, who, you know, they're not sure about anymore. Again, I don't know the contract situation, but I feel like Anthony Richardson will not be there long term. Trevor Lawrence is playing in Jacksonville. I think Mahomes is probably good in Kansas City. You covered the Raiders certainly as an opportunity that is that it could be a real thing. The Chargers are good with Herbert. The Rams are good with Stafford. We think Miami appears to be good with Tua somehow. Minnesota may be J.J. mcCarthy, but if it's not McCarthy, it's Sam, right?
- [37:37]
Don Hahn
Well, yeah, they bring back Sam, but the idea that they let him go. But you know, JJ's coming off of an injury, didn't play all year. Would they want to give him a chance to watch Rogers for a year or are they going to throw him.
- [37:49]
Peter Rosenberg
Right in or what about you? Go. We're not sure. Yeah, we're not going to resign Darnold. We don't want to spend the money on Darnold. We're going to let him go. We're still not sure on Drake May.
- [38:01]
Don Hahn
Does he want to just have Favre's career?
- [38:03]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, let's just go full farve. We'll just go jets, we'll go Packers, Vikings, jets and we'll just farve it. Unlikely, but I wouldn't rule it out. New England has Drake May for whatever. New Orleans.
- [38:21]
Don Hahn
Guy got a car first with a plan to, it sounds like.
- [38:26]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, it seems like car is going to be done there today.
- [38:29]
Don Hahn
You would put the saints on a maybe.
- [38:31]
Peter Rosenberg
I put Saints as a maybe.
- [38:33]
Don Hahn
But why would he want to go there again? Just because you have no options, I guess.
- [38:40]
Peter Rosenberg
Great town. You could put up, people put up. You could put up some yardage in New Orleans. I don't know. Listen, they have limited options. If the guy literally act like he was walking to the gallows, then New Orleans is a dream, right? Giants are out. Just because it's here. Jets are out. Phillies out. Pittsburgh's on the table. San Francisco, they're moving forward with Purdy. It's pretty clear. Seattle seems good with Geno.
- [39:13]
Don Hahn
Yes.
- [39:14]
Peter Rosenberg
Tampa's got Baker. Titans on the table. Commanders are out. So where do we land on six or seven maybes?
- [39:22]
Don Hahn
Maybes. Not a ton of options, certainly.
- [39:25]
Peter Rosenberg
But why would you not? If you're one of those teams that we talked about, why would you not?
- [39:28]
Don Hahn
You would think there'd be a landing spot for him somewhere. But would he have a chance to play? Would he have a chance to succeed? That really will depend.
- [39:36]
Peter Rosenberg
And my guess is he's like, I got a home in New Jersey. I like it here. I don't like the idea of adding another team here at the end. Let me just finish here. I. I could see how he felt that way.
- [39:53]
Al
Welcome to AutoZone. What are you working on today?
- [39:56]
Don Hahn
I think my battery's dead.
- [39:58]
Al
With free battery testing and charging, we can help you get back on the road.
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Peter Rosenberg
Get in zone Auto.
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Don Hahn
So what if I need a new one?
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Al
We have the right Duralast battery for you only at AutoZone Auto. And what about my old battery? We can recycle it right here at America's number one battery. Destination restrictions apply.
- [40:21]
Don Hahn
I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, hey, find a keto friendly restaurant nearby and text it to Beth and Steve. And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more squats anywhere I can. 1, 2, 3. Will that be cash or credit? Credit.
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Al
4 Galaxy S25 Ultra. The AI companion that does the heavy lifting. So you can do you get yours@samsung.com.
- [40:47]
Peter Rosenberg
Compatible with select apps.
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Don Hahn
Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input.
- [40:50]
Peter Rosenberg
Check responses for accuracy. What's the best time of day to get a deal? All day with Jack in the box's all day. Big deal meal. You get to choose from four entrees like the supreme croissant and five tasty sides, plus a drink starting at $5. So hurry in or take your time. You've got all day at Jack. Every bite's a big deal. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Oh, that's right. Some Bee Gees as we head it head into the weekend on Right. By the way, I just saw a clip of Moving around from the Eagles parade.
- [41:45]
Don Hahn
Right.
- [41:46]
Peter Rosenberg
I don't know if you've seen it yet. Saquon walking down the parade route and he spots a guy who he recognized immediately and rushes over to him and it turns out it's one of the Eagles ball boys who. They didn't have room. They weren't able to put him on the parade route. And Saquon bear hugs him and lifts him over the barricade and then walks with him in the parade.
- [42:14]
Don Hahn
I didn't see that.
- [42:16]
Peter Rosenberg
I. Listen, listen, I get it. All the reasons we've talked about. Maybe it didn't make sense to draft Saquon. Maybe it made sense to let go of Saquon. But boy, did you lose a hell of a player and a hell of a guy. I mean, they just don't come like Saquon. They don't. He's. He. He is in rarefied air. Don and I have felt this from the moment we interviewed him at camp. They don't grow Saquons on trees. Like he's just a unicorn as far as talent and kind of guy he is. Don, like you, you cover sports. I'm not saying they don't exist. They do. But they're very few and far between.
- [42:55]
Don Hahn
No, he's special. No question. It's just such a. I. I don't even know if I can compare it to anybody that was such a good guy, such a good player. But it just never.
- [43:07]
Peter Rosenberg
It just didn't make sense.
- [43:08]
Don Hahn
Fit and like to draft him. It never worked out in the six years he was here. And then he immediately leaves and wins the super bowl someplace else.
- [43:16]
Peter Rosenberg
Wait, hold on. Done. Not only that, he leaves go to arrival. Obviously he has one of the Greatest seasons the position has ever seen, top five, maybe two. And wins a Super bowl immediately and is still just a gem of a guy. It's just, it's such a weird and random situation. Chris has been holding on to talk about the Yankees. What's up, Chris?
- [43:43]
Alan
Hey, how are you? Thank you for taking my call.
- [43:45]
Peter Rosenberg
Of course, buddy.
- [43:46]
Alan
So, yeah, hi. Or how are you? So yeah, about the Yankees, it's. Yeah, it's frustrating hearing Steinbrenner talk, you know, about the Dodgers and how they can't compete with them. Cashmere saying that, you know, like kind of lowering down expectations. I just want to know what like Aaron Judge would have to say because every year it's World Series of bust. When you talk to Aaron Judge and I feel bad for him honestly because we're seeing like the prime of his, you know, his ears just waste away. I know like the 162 and he's doing great and the Yankees are winning 90 plus games. But you know, when it comes down to it, it's World, you know, it's World Series of us because the Yankees are a brand.
- [44:25]
Don Hahn
But again it's not. So I. And nobody is, nobody else has that moniker. I mean maybe if you want to say Kansas City had this year because they won back to back Super Bowls. But this World Series or bust, man, it just. When you say he's wasting his career, like yeah, he, maybe he doesn't win a championship, but was it a waste with the records and he's played in the World Series, goes to the playoffs pretty much every single year.
- [44:47]
Alan
I mean but what about Cashmere and like the lack of development in minor league? I know they got Wells, they got, you know, Volpe, they're nice players. But you know, over the years, you know, besides Judge and maybe he'll. There's been kind of lackluster and with that as well.
- [45:02]
Don Hahn
It's hard, Chris. It's hard to develop young players. Just ask the New York Rangers when you're expected to win at the same time, you know, usually you can develop young players when the games are meaningless and they can come up in September and play every day when there's no pressure. When do the Yankees ever have that luxury? It's hard to do that. It's hard to win a championship and be able to, to. To get a bunch of influx of young players to be able to plug in. It's hard.
- [45:27]
Peter Rosenberg
Let's go to Jay and Queens. Hey, Jay.
- [45:32]
Alan
Hey guys. What's up?
- [45:34]
Don Hahn
How are you, buddy?
- [45:35]
Alan
Friday, happy, happy belated birthday. Listen, I Tried to call yesterday and get this point, but I didn't get through, unfortunately. Listen, everybody was wrong about the song. The movie that you're thinking about, Peter, is something about Mary in the very, very beginning. The window scene. That's the. That's. That's the movie you're thinking of because on your birthday, ready? Your greatest rant was the Jose Reyes rant. The greatest line in any rant was and still is, they killed Gil Hodges.
- [46:09]
Don Hahn
Well, no, but see, now you're mixing it up though, Jay, because they. They killed it. Right? They killed Gil Hodges was in the crane pool rant.
- [46:17]
Alan
I remember. I'm saying it's. It's the greatest.
- [46:18]
Don Hahn
Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah, I think the Reyes was underappreciated. But I'm not going to kill Peter's list. I'm not that guy. Like they are. I thought the list. I hear you.
- [46:30]
Peter Rosenberg
And I got a lot of tweets from people reminding me it's the moment in. It's the moment in. There's something about Mary when he's looking out the window in the bathroom at the beginning. Before we get out of here, look, Jonathan in the hospital. Hi, guys. Jonathan, it's happening.
- [46:48]
Alan
Hi, guys. Straight from the hospital, guys. I might have my baby on Valentine's Day. I'm right here with my wife. Hey, you want to say hi to the guys? Hi, dawn and Peter.
- [47:00]
Don Hahn
Wow.
- [47:02]
Alan
Yeah. And. And, yeah, man. But I just wanted to call in that. Thank you guys for putting up a great show like always. Makes these hours go faster. And Don, happy belated birthday. You a national treasure with your rants, man. I mean, they're. They're real. And thanks a lot.
- [47:17]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, Jonathan, listen, we're 20 seconds left. We want to hear from you Monday, God willing, everything goes great and is smooth and she has a smooth delivery and we'll hear about it on Monday. Don, have a wonderful birthday Valentine celebration. Enjoy the hockey tomorrow night.
- [47:34]
Don Hahn
You enjoy as well, buddy.
- [47:35]
Peter Rosenberg
All right, we will be back with you guys on holiday Monday. Enjoy the three day weekend. We'll talk to you Monday at three.
- [47:42]
Don Hahn
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [47:45]
Peter Rosenberg
I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know.
- [47:47]
Don Hahn
It's good.
- [47:48]
Al
Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESP New York app, and your smart speakers. All right, let me ask you something. Ever feel like you're juggling at all work, family responsibilities, and still trying to keep your eye on the ball? Yeah. You're in Ander and National University gets the hustle. That's why they have flexible online classes and support services for folks who are balancing jobs and kids and everything in between. If you're ready to take the next step, National University can help you level up your education and score your goals. Check them out at nu Edu to learn more.