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A
Just how great was Aaron Rodgers in his prime?
B
He was going to know exactly what we were doing every single play. You know, he was tough. His record versus us was pretty damn good. Annoyingly really good. And they beat us in the 2010 NFC Championship to go to the super bowl and they end up beating Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. But he is my number. Like if I had to pick a guy for my quarterback, it'd be him.
A
Ready to bet, ready to flex.
B
Deanna is at you see where he's.
A
At come tune in we on stream with a chat. You can Michael Parson get you a sack sell my coverage Deion bet like a Ricky he'll be Yanna cook you a lock up eat it for dinner. We double cop. What's up guys? Mystic Zach here. Welcome Back to episode 13 of Double Coverage. Today I'm honored and privileged to be joined by eight time Pro Bowler, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, NFL hall of Famer and College Football hall of Famer Mr. Brian Urlacher. How are you doing today?
B
Doing good man. Thanks for having me. Appreciate it. Nice to see you.
A
Good to see you. I'm already liking the convos. You're telling me about your picks, you know, what you had before the season. This is my type of guy.
B
Yeah, most of them are wrong. It's hard to pick. Betting wise the NFL is impossible.
A
It's impossible.
B
I don't know how they get those lines so damn close. I don't, I don't understand it. Yeah, the over unders are like half a point off.
A
I don't get it right now. They've been moving the lines without the public even doing it. I'm like what's going on here?
B
I don't understand how the public moves the lines this and that. I just know when I see a line I like.
A
They're picking the games right now a little bit so. The public went undefeated last week too, which was shocking.
B
That never happened.
A
Six zero.
B
Well they can't mess with the games as much in the playoffs I guess when it with those lines is when they're as tight as they are.
A
Yeah, it's a little different.
B
Swam like they do sometimes you feel like they do at least.
A
How happy are you as a Bears guy?
B
Unbelievable, man. I just. I'm happy that. So I went back to Soldier Field to the. For the first time in eight years last weekend to the game, to the, the packers game. I think I've ever seen a stadium like that before even I don't remember a lot when I played like Being like that. But being on the field in that atmosphere was unbelievable. And they're playing great. Ben Johnson's done a great job. Caleb's doing a great job. And their defense is playing well enough to win.
A
Talk to me about bringing Ben Johnson and just the invigoration that he's brought to this franchise.
B
It was huge. I think, you know, they've hired some they've had before coaches in five or in 12 years, something like that, since they fired Lovey. Lovey won 10 games and got fired, by the way. Anyway, that was 2012. Just. I mean, what he did in Detroit was amazing. Right. And then they've hired guys that have been coordinators, but not like the level that Ben Johnson is. You know, he was the hot commodity when he, when he finally hit the market last year. He's changed the whole culture. You know, Caleb. Caleb's gone this direction and I think he's just going to keep going that direction as well. They still got some pieces to put in place, but he's. He's done a great job with the culture and getting these guys ready to play.
A
What do you think about his mentality? The Packers? I hate them, man.
B
I love it. Snub. Fans love it, man. Our fans love that. Lovey's thing was number one goal is to beat the Packers. And Ben goes, takes another step a little further after the Packers. But when you do it, they beat them two out of three games this year. Our fans are ecstatic about it. I know the packers fans are a little hurt because the handshake at the end of the game wasn't to their standards. Yeah, I mean, they've been beating the bears for what, 10 years now. And now they're little whiny after they get beat two in a row. Should have played better when they got beat.
A
213 comeback.
B
What was that? I mean, and then the regular season game, they were up 16 to 6 with like two and a half minutes to go in the game. The Bears had to score, get the onside kick, kick the field goal and then throw a touchdown. Everything had to go right and they did it all.
A
Yeah, obviously it's team effort, but it seems like Caleb has that X factor that you need.
B
I feel like he starts playing his best ball when they get down by 10 or more. I don't understand. Not necessarily a great thing, but he just. His athletic ability. He throws the ball great, don't get me wrong, but he gets out of thing like situations that no one else could do in the NFL. Lamar's Great. But Caleb's side to side movement and just. He's like a cat back there, man. He does some crazy things and he's got a cannon. He makes all the throws. It's amazing.
A
Yeah. Cardiac Caleb.
B
Yeah. They call him Iceman.
A
Iceman.
B
I love it. Yep, He's a stud.
A
He's better off platform than he is from the pocket. It's unbelievable.
B
He makes things happen, man. When the play breaks down, that's when he's at his best, like you said. But it's, it's fun to watch, you know, he's second year in the league. He's got a lot. He's going to get better and better.
A
Yeah. One thing I want to ask you, you guys, we're fortunate enough to have some great Chicago teams. We spoke about the super bowl appearance. How many Super Bowls would you have won if Caleb Williams was your quarterback?
B
That's hard to answer. We had a good. Our defense was really good. I had some good quarterbacks as well. Rex was the man. You know, we had Kyle Orton right after Rex and we had Jay for a couple years there. We got to AMC Championship with Jay in 2010 and that's as close as we got after we lost Rex. I would like to think at least one. I mean, but our defense is. But our money was spent on defense when I played. That's why. So we should have been really good. Right. That's the way it was back in the day. You pick a side of the ball. We had defensive head coach, so we spent our money on defense. We should have been good on defense. And we were. But man, I would have really liked to play with Caleb. I think we would have done some really good things with our defense and him at quarterback.
A
And the greatest special team of all time, Devin.
B
Right. Devin's good for six to eight touchdowns a year. You know, returns or the thing. And with the return game the way it is now with that weird kickoff, Devon would have crushed it because he got more opportunities.
A
What would his value be today?
B
Oh, my gosh. I mean, you know, they kick out of pounds. You're looking at a 40 yard start. At least 40 every time they kick off to you.
A
Yeah. You're looking at a return specialist who's like getting a first round pick like in return if you want to trade him. Like, that's unheard of.
B
And it's worth it.
A
Yeah, worth it.
B
I can tell you from firsthand watching this dude. He changed field position for you every single game. The teams were. They kicked, they punted out of Bounds on kickoff. They try to find a way to get away from him because when he kicked it to him, he scored. Yeah, there's no doubt.
A
How happy were you when he got into the hall of Fame? How incredible was that?
B
He deserved it. You know, it's hard. Everyone says specialist, whatever. He was the best at his position of all time. There's no one even close to Devon return in the return game. Well, there may be now with the way the return game has changed, but the way he did things and you know, he was his rook here. I think he had seven returns for touchdowns. Just. You'll never see anyone who did it the way he did it. Great guy, good teammate. Made a lot of good times earlier in Chicago.
A
Yeah, absolutely.
B
I was happy for him. He earned it. You know, I think he got on his third try, you know, might be a little mad he didn't get on his first. First try. But they're, they're weird about specialists. That's just the way it goes.
A
They're weird about first try. I mean, DeMarcus Ware didn't get it first try.
B
I was like, Dwight Free didn't go on his first try.
A
Yeah, they're a bit much.
B
Jared Allen was a second or third ballot hall of Famer. I just don't understand.
A
Oh, Antonio Gates. We had him on the show.
B
Did he go on his first try?
A
No. Second try.
B
And this year Larry Fitzgerald. Drew Brees will probably get in his first try, but Larry Fitzgerald should be in no doubt. First battle. Terrell Owen's third ballot hall of Famer.
A
Yeah, well, that immediate. Well, that's only off field.
B
Well, that's right. But you're, you're voting on what they did on the field. From what I can. From what I can gather, he should be a first battle hall of Famer. He was in my class. He was not happy.
A
Yeah, I don't think Antonio Brown's going to get in.
B
Antonio Brown, you don't think so?
A
I don't think they're going to let him in.
B
Yeah, well, I think. Well, now all the stuff going on, I don't think they will either, but I don't know if his numbers. I don't know what his numbers are.
A
I think he's like top 10 and like the.
B
Is he. Yeah, there was some numbers a couple years there. He was probably the best receiver in the NFL. Yeah.
A
Like almost 2,000 yards.
B
Yeah. In one season.
A
Yeah. Like he was a foe.
B
That's pretty good. Yeah.
A
Yeah.
B
But you know, the off the field stuff, which shouldn't Be done.
A
He's done.
B
Yeah.
A
It is what it is. Speaking of the Steelers, Coach Tomlin decided to step away.
B
Yes.
A
From the Pittsburgh Steelers. What was your thoughts on that?
B
I have a ton of respect for Coach Salmon and that franchise. I mean, you look at. They've had three head coaches in what, 55, 60 years.
A
Yeah.
B
No other franchise can say that they do things the right way. Coach Salmon does things the right way. But I think if. I think Kusama's looking ahead, you look at what they got coming back, and what, you know, quarterback is not sure. Their defense is getting a little older, so I think he might have saw what was coming in the future and thought it was a good time. But I have ton of respect for him. He's just. He's a winner. The guy just wins every year.
A
What are your thoughts on all the Steelers fans who are calling for his head constantly over these years?
B
I don't get it. You know, I think when you get spoiled as a fan base, as you just get used to winning, and when you don't win, the head coach is the reason. Right. You know, that's the reason they want. He's the easiest guy, I guess, to pick a target at. But I don't get it. Their fan base is spoiled. I get it. You know, they're used to winning every single year, and then you don't do what you think you're going to do and you want to get mad at somebody.
A
Yeah. What'd you think about the move to acquire Aaron Rodgers and try to go in with him?
B
I love it. You know, you kind of put all your eggs in one basket with Aaron because you don't know, is he two years removed from the Achilles, So he's probably going to be quite a bit better. I thought he played great this year. Their defense was down. They had some injuries, but everyone has injuries. You know, they got banged up a little bit, didn't play the way they wanted to. But I'm. I'm a huge Aaron Rogers fan. I thought he played great this year. I just love how he doesn't give people think and he says what he wants to. I like that.
A
Yeah. I mean, just how great was Aaron Rodgers in his prime?
B
He was going to know exactly what we were doing every single play. You know, he was tough. They. His record versus us was pretty damn good. Annoyingly, really good. And they beat us in the 2010 NFC Championship to go to the Super Bowl. They end up beating Pittsburgh in the super bowl, but he is my number. Like, if I had to pick a guy for my quarterback, it'd be him. Oh, wow. Yeah, he's good. I mean, ability wise and the way he played from his teammate perspective. All the guys I talked to play with him. They love him.
A
I'm a Cowboys fan. So are you.
B
So I grew up with Cowboys. Yes. That's. My team.
A
Tortured us, man.
B
It's so frustrating. And I love Dak. I love. It's just so. I mean, every year I'm like, this is it, man. You know? You know, we just bet every year. And this year was definitely our year. Definitely. Until it wasn't even when we were like the sixth and six. I was like, we're still. We're going to win the division. Phillies falling apart, you know, we're doing good. And then we just don't play good. It's frustrating. Pickens is great. He'll be gone. CDs back. But, I mean, they can only pay. I mean, Dax make it 60 million bucks a year. It's going to be hard to pay other guys on the team. I get it. That's just the way it goes when you have a great quarterback like Dak.
A
Talk to me about your son who's currently at usc.
B
Yeah. So he's committed to Notre Dame. Went to Notre Dame his freshman year. They went all the way to the national championship. Didn't win it, obviously, but. And then the portal, you know, rolled around and he's transferring to usc and he's started the last four games of the year last year, and he's got two more years left. He likes it. I mean, the weather is significantly better in California than it is in South Bend. So we like that. It's easier for us to get to the games. Two great schools, obviously. Notre Dame's great. USC is great. So you really couldn't go wrong there.
A
How would you describe him as a ballplayer?
B
Physical. He likes contact. He plays free safety. Whatever he hits, for the most part, goes backwards. And he is not scared to put his helmet in your chest. So I like watching him play, man. Obviously, he's my son. I have a little bias. But he gets to the football. And when he gets to the football, he punches the guy with the ball.
A
Well, he's playing for usc. He's got to be pretty damn good whether there's bias or not.
B
Yeah, well, I was proud he got into Notre Dame. How about that? That's a pretty hard school to get into. So I was proud that he got in there and then, you know, two, like I said, two great traditions of Football at both schools?
A
Yeah, absolutely. The NFL playoffs. This is as tight of a race as I can remember. There's no clear cut favorite, really. I mean, Seattle's been incredible, but the first game on the docket, the Bills are going at Denver. What do you think about this matchup?
B
I love Josh Allen. I'm a huge. By the way, the injury bug has just crushed the Bills this year and they still find a way to get there. They didn't win the division this year, but they're in the playoffs. It's hard for me to bet against them, you know, I think I'm a huge Sean Payton fan as well. And what they've done this year has been great, but it's hard for me to bet against Josh Allen.
A
I've been defending Josh Allen forever. I mean, the people that were blaming him for those playoff losses, they put.
B
Up 35 points in the last.
A
What else could he have done? Yeah, I mean, going into this, he had the highest touchdown interception ratio in the history of the playoffs for any quarterback. I mean, you look at his qbr, his pass rating, what he does rushing the ball. What more could he have done in any of those games?
B
Well, the quarterback gets all the glory and they get all the blame, right? Yeah. Or the head coach. You know how that goes. Yeah. I don't know why you have to defend him. I think he's unbelievable. I mean, if he's another guy, by the way, who I would love to play along as my quarterback, how many rings we won with him, with our quarterback, we might have been really good. Yeah. At least three, right? Yeah. He's unbelievable. You would think. I don't know. You never know.
A
It's hard to say. Yeah, I picked them to win the afc, you know, before last week's episode. Just cause of him.
B
Yeah, I agree. He's awesome.
A
How incredible is he against Jacksonville?
B
I mean, he just. He has to will them to victory every week pretty much. If they're going to have a chance to win the game, he's going to have to play great because their defense is really banged up. They're getting some guys back, but they've just been banged up all season long.
A
How do you think that they match up with Denver's defense? Obviously avanted defense. And you got to go to the altitude. How tough is that as well?
B
Altitude sucks, I'll tell you that much. We played in Denver in December, my fourth or fifth year. It's different. You know, you get to your chest. The first quarter is a little different. It's week 20. So it shouldn't matter. They're all in shape, you know, then everyone's banged up. They're a little more rested than the Bills are, obviously, but I don't think there's a bad matchup for Josh Allen. I know their defense is really good, but there's no bad matchup for Josh.
A
You think there's going to be any rust? You had the first seed at one point. You guys went against Seattle, went to.
B
Overtime and we lost. My second year, we lost. We actually lost two. We had two buys in 2001, 2005. We lost the first game after our buy at home. So it is different, you know, because you're. You kind of getting on a roll there late in the season. You're. You're playing good football. I think Denver won 8, 9, 10 games and roll there for a while.
A
Yeah.
B
So then you get that break. You, you want. You always want the break because you want to get your guys rested up and get healthy. But there could be some. It could take a while to get going. But Sean Payton's been there before. He knows how to coach those guys. You know how to get ready to play.
A
Yeah. I mean, how incredible is that acquisition to get Sean Payton?
B
Unreal. I love Sean Dent. He's a great coach. He's a players coach. He's fiery, knows his offense. I mean, Bo Nix, who knew he'd be that good, right? First round pick, playing the right.
A
That's his guy. I mean, he just, he went and got him. This is my guy.
B
Yeah. I mean. And he's played great. You know, he's gotten better and better both seasons. He's done well. Playoff. Playoffs last year as well. They were.
A
Yeah.
B
Yep.
A
They lived their way in there.
B
Two for two with both.
A
Yeah. Unbelievable. Sean Payton, Wow. Hall of Famer.
B
He's a really good, great coach.
A
Yeah. 49ers Seahawks. Seahawks. Been the talk of the town. I mean, they get that one seed. You got to go into Seattle. The loudest stadium ever. How loud is that place?
B
It's loud. I mean, I don't remember it being like when I played. It was before they really got hyper with that 12 man stuff. But now it's just. I mean, the false starts they create and that defense, I mean, that you saw, Matt, was it at San Fran, the last game of the year when they played for the, for the division?
A
Yeah. They gave up three points.
B
Three points.
A
Yeah.
B
I mean, they were. There's like 13 guys at the football. I feel like they have two extra guys on defense, but they're gonna be tough to beat at home. You know, Sam, you know, Shanahan, Purdy, who knows? And division games are weird, man. Like, that division is the hardest division to bet, if you ask me.
A
No, it happens.
B
I don't. I don't touch that division.
A
Yeah, well, playoffs, it might be even tougher.
B
Well, it's gotta be tough, right?
A
They're all scrappy.
B
They are. You know, every game's a field goal. I feel like it's either a field goal or it's a blowout in that division. Unless it's Arizona. They're a little different.
A
They're a little different.
B
They're not as hard to pick.
A
No. They're a little easier to handicap.
B
Yeah, for sure.
A
Yeah, absolutely. I picked Seattle. I said. I said, you got to go out there and you got to bet on this team. They're 30 to 1, win the Super Bowl. They were like, I don't know, 13th and.
B
Yeah, they were starting the playoffs.
A
No, no, no, no. Week three.
B
Oh, you took them earlier.
A
Yeah. Oh, my gosh.
B
That's a great. Yeah, that's a really light.
A
Yeah, I'm like. I'm looking at Leonard Williams, Demarcus Lawrence, Devon Witherspoon. I'm like, this defense is incredible. Mike McDonald. I mean, yeah, they're tough and they run the ball.
B
Kenneth Walker's a good running back. Charbonnet. And then Sam, you know, Sam played great again this year.
A
14 and three twice. What more can you say?
B
I know, man. Just gotta get. I wanted to get a playoff win so people will shut their mouths. I like. Sam's a great guy. I met a couple times these golf tournaments, so I just need him to win. So everyone shut their mouths.
A
What do you think about Mike McDonald, what he's brought to that team?
B
That guy's awesome. Well, look at their defense. You know, I think their defense took the jump right away. And the culture. Everyone talks about culture, you know, that's a big deal. Like. Like Ben Johnson did in Chicago. I think they've created the same thing in Seattle. That fan base is just nuts. Yeah, that. That. That stadium.
A
And they caused an earthquake once.
B
Yeah. I mean, the 12 man flag is going up there. They. They're. They're. They're tough.
A
Yeah. I've got Seattle as well. I think they take care.
B
I agree with you.
A
Yeah.
B
I love Brock Purdy. I like Shanahan. He puts those. I mean, they got nothing left. I mean, Kittle gets hurt. Last week, they got. He's throwing the. Nobody, not nobody. I don't Want. I don't mean that. But the receivers are down and their defense is really big.
A
No, the receivers, I mean they do step up in big moments, some of those guys, you know what I mean? Even if we don't know their name.
B
But I feel like you checks probably their best weapon now, you know, with George out they got. They've been banged up, man.
A
Yeah. Shout out to you. Check Another all pro selection.
B
You shake it well. He's the only fullback in the NFL.
A
Yeah, he is.
B
Yeah, he's awesome. I don't even know if he's a fullback. He's like a receiver, a fullback, a tailback. He does it all.
A
Yeah, he's been the best fullback forever. Yeah.
B
Yeah.
A
Like the easiest lock for the whole decade.
B
Was it this year? They cut him or last year?
A
Last year.
B
And they brought him right back. They cut him and brought him right back. Thank goodness. But yeah, that dude's a student. Awesome.
A
Texans Patriots. This is an interesting matchup.
B
That defense for Texans is good to Pittsburgh last year. I just. They're going into New England. I. Something about playing in New England in the playoffs is different and variable. Going to have those guys ready to play as well. Drake Maze a stud too.
A
Yeah, absolutely. I mean their defense looked incredible against the Chargers. They were causing all sorts of.
B
Yeah, they were. I mean Port Herbert was going to hit every single play. Had me a little nervous last week the way he played. I wasn't expecting him to play like that. Three turnovers early on so they end up winning the game. But he didn't play as well, I think as he would have liked. You know, the turnovers are going to get you in the playoffs.
A
And we take away his number one receiver. Now Nico's going to be out.
B
Is he out? Was it a full on concussion stinks. I did not know that. Yeah, I definitely like the Patriots in that game then with that. Yeah, I know the Texas defense is good, but they're going to find ways to move the ball on them.
A
Yeah. And the Patriots had like weird success against great defenses this year. They played against the Browns, probably the second best defense. They put up like 420 yards of offense.
B
Like McDaniels is a stud, you know, I know Vrabel's awesome head coach, but is it Josh McDaniels? That dude knows how to score points. And they will game plan the out of you and find a way to move the ball on you and score on you.
A
Yeah, he's a genius offensive coordinator.
B
Yes. OC for sure.
A
And they go out. They Get Travion Henderson in the second.
B
Oh, that guy. He's so fast. He's so fast, man. Drake May's playing great. Diggs is there now. They're just a fine guy. And plug them in. They all preach your way. There we go again.
A
Yeah. Varabel had such a similar impact to Ben Johnson in Chicago. I mean, we flipped the conferences, but they both just shot him last year.
B
3, 4 and 4, 5 win team. Yeah.
A
4 or 5 win team. Yeah. And they start. You got to remember week one, they lose to the Raiders this year. Yeah.
B
Oh, I didn't know that.
A
The over under and wins was like five and a half. I mean, we're like. They're dead in the water. They lost the Raiders and then they.
B
Just go, go off. Who thinks mvp, by the way?
A
Mvp? I got Matthew Stafford.
B
I agree with you, but they said Drake Mays in the conversation. I think Matt's the MVP just to.
A
Do 46 touchdowns, eight picks. Yeah.
B
Oh, I didn't know. I said I don't look at numbers like you do. That's unbelievable. That's freaking incredible. Yeah, he's mvp. No doubt.
A
What did you think about DK Metcalf and the guy in the stands?
B
I think it was overblown. I don't think guy. So if you watch the whole video, all you saw was him going like this. That's all. First thing I saw. If you watch the whole video, he reached up and grabbed his hair and he like pulled it and yeah, all.
A
He did was he just grabbed him.
B
Shouldn't have done that in the first place. I get it. But I don't think it was egregious as the media made it out to be because all you saw was they.
A
Wanted all of his guaranteed money.
B
I think this Thers said they weren't.
A
Going to do that. Yeah, the Steelers, luckily they're a class.
B
Like I said, they're a great organization. They don't do that to their players. But you can't do. You can't interact with the fans. I know they do some. They say stupid things. I've seen it firsthand. But you just can't do that with them.
A
Would you even have a Twitter or an Instagram today if you were playing? I mean, this.
B
I don't think there's any benefit. I mean, I think it'd be hard not to because I like interacting with people, like good, bad, whatever. I like to stand my ground sometimes. So yeah, I think I would have a good time with it, but I wouldn't let it bother Me, I wouldn't read the comments. How about that?
A
Yeah. What about Lil Wayne? Sweets to Caleb Williams. Did you see that?
B
Yeah, I saw it. One of the things I follow. It's good. Yeah. We apologize for it.
A
You apologize.
B
If you're, you know, your team gets beat like that, you know, I guess you're salty. Yeah. I told you. Green Bay fans, man, they don't like getting beat by the Bears.
A
The more. The more Lil Wayne type fans think. Better for the sport.
B
Yeah.
A
Bring that back.
B
Yeah, I agree. Get to get the big celebrities back involved again in the game. It's good.
A
That's the energy we need. And he's like a real die hard hardcore fan.
B
Why? He's from New Orleans, right?
A
Yeah. I don't. Maybe likes the colors. I don't know. Is that song Green and Yellow?
B
Black and Yellow?
A
No, he made a remix.
B
Oh, I made that one. Sorry, I'm not current. Sorry about that.
A
Remember they beat the Steelers that year? He made green and yellow.
B
I remember because we were the team that the packers beat to go to that game.
A
Yeah. Oh, you guys were great that year.
B
Not good enough.
A
That was. Oh, that should have been your year.
B
Thanks. Yeah.
A
Did you feel that way?
B
I mean, gosh, we had Julius Peppers, Charles, Lance, Jay, who's our. I'm trying to think. Yeah, Greg, we had some dudes, man. I feel like we should have. Jay got hurt in the second quarter in that game. That's not why we lost. But it didn't help that we didn't have our starting quarterback.
A
Yeah, Forte, she's.
B
He was good for a couple games there, but. Yeah, we just didn't. We didn't play well enough.
A
The final game, the big game, the one that we have to talk about.
B
Yep.
A
Rams at Chicago.
B
Yes.
A
Break this game down for me, Brian.
B
Going to be cold, I'll tell you that much. God, it's. I'm glad we got it home. The Rams, they can score in bunches. Like you said, 46 touchdowns for Matt, but it's going to be cold. I know I've seen some numbers about Matt playing in cold weather that aren't very good for them, but those are the past two great head coaches. We'll see, man. I'm a Bears guy, so I'm going to lean towards the Bears especially. We're getting four points if betting purposes. The Bears are getting four, so I like that they are getting four. It's going to be hard to beat them at Soldier Field, though. Those fans are. I've never. Like I said, I've never seen it the way it was last week. I've never seen a stadium like that before. So I'm sure it's going to be even crazier this week.
A
Talk to me about how this Bears defense matches up with the Rams offense.
B
Outside secondary, we're good. You know, we're. We're loaded in the secondary. We're going to have to get pressure up front. Puka Naku is a monster. They run the ball good. They protect Matt. The ball's gone fast. Sean McVegus. Guys, open. They're paying the ass. They're paying the ass for a defense. But we lost TJ Edwards last week, too. TJ Got hurt there in the first quarter or second quarter. So we're banged up, but everyone's banged up this time of year. So. Yeah, just got a next. Next man up and go in there and make some plays. Dennis Allen has done a good job this year with our defense. You know, he puts them in good positions to make plays. But if you blitz Matt, he will make you pay.
A
Yeah, absolutely.
B
Puka's unbelievable. Oh, my God. I don't know how he does it. He catches everything. Did you see the catch he made that was out of bounds?
A
Yeah. Yeah. That was one of the best catches.
B
I've ever seen or whatever game it was.
A
It was the very last game of the season.
B
The catch, it was out of bounds, but he caught. I mean, the ball was in limbo, like for.
A
No, I think it was, yeah. Against the Falcons.
B
Falcons, yeah.
A
Yeah.
B
They lost that game. But yeah, I mean, he's. He's a badass.
A
And then opposite side, they go out and get Devonte Adams. He had 14 touchdowns.
B
Yeah.
A
And he missed the last three games.
B
He's good.
A
Yeah.
B
I'm not sure how healthy. I'm not. I don't think he's fully healthy after pulling hamstring myself. It's. It's hard to come back after two or three weeks and be full speed, especially at receiver.
A
Yeah. In the cold. Right. A little tougher.
B
It's just your legs just feel like they're not moving in the cold and they're all going to have to deal with it. It's supposed to be 8 degrees or something like that.
A
Yeah, perfect. No one's really talking about the climate. I mean, that has to be a big factor. There's no way not to mention it.
B
I mean, I don't know how. I didn't like going to playing in Chicago all season long. I didn't like going playing in Florida in November and December, because it was hot as hell. Yeah. And then not only didn't like coming to Chicago in November, summer, because it was cold. So it's a dynamic there. You can't just get used to it in, you know, a quarter. You're not gonna be. It's a. It's a process to get used to the whole game, and you're not ever gonna be comfortable. It sucks.
A
Matthew Stafford, first bout, hall of Famer.
B
Yes, no doubt, no doubt. Especially after he gets MVP this year.
A
Yeah.
B
Has he won it before? No, he hasn't.
A
This will be his first MVP.
B
How many years is for him? Like, 16, 17?
A
Yeah, a lot.
B
He was drafted in 09, so I played against him three or four years there in Detroit. He was good. Just didn't have much around him there in Detroit.
A
Yeah. It's a story. A lot of these quarterbacks when they're in the wrong situation.
B
I know. Sam. How about Sam? Sam going Minnesota. Baker. I love Baker, by the way. What a beast. What a dog. Oh, man, I love that dude. One of my favorite quarterbacks. That dude just. Just plays hard. Yeah. Every game. Love it.
A
What's the storybook on Stafford's career if he doesn't get to the Rams, he stays in Detroit the whole time?
B
Well, Detroit got good, so Dan comes in, you know, so he maybe would have got Dan Campbell.
A
If he had Dan Campbell, he would have won.
B
You never know. It might have changed a little trajectory. I'm not saying they're head coach for the reason he lost, but they got better players around him. Jared Goff played really good there the last few years, so who knows?
A
I think a rare win, win, trade for both those teams.
B
Oh, no doubt. Yeah. You know, Goff probably didn't want to leave there to go to the situation in Detroit, but it's worked out for both guys, that's for damn sure.
A
Yeah. And you got two of the league's best coaches, McVay and Campbell, and.
B
Yeah, I love Dan Campbell, too.
A
Yeah. Oh, my God, what a dog.
B
He's a beast, man. He just tells you how it is, man. He goes to the mic, takes all the blame for everything. Anything that goes wrong, he takes the blame for it. Like a good head coach should do. I got a lot of respect for that.
A
He's your type of guy.
B
He is my type of guy. Yeah. I could definitely play for Dan Campbell. Yeah, you definitely feel like I could.
A
Yeah, you could definitely fish with him. You could definitely play. Yeah.
B
Yeah. He tells you what he's thinking. I like that there's no, in between with him. I appreciate that as a player.
A
Yeah.
B
If you.
A
If you had to put money on one team to win the super bowl, who would you go with?
B
One team right now. Besides the Bears. How about. Can you just say besides the Bears?
A
Besides the Bears.
B
Besides the Bears and the Cowboys. We'll leave those. Leave those two out. I'm going to go based on quarterbacks. And it would be Josh. Josh. Yeah. It's just hard for me to. And I know he hasn't been to the big game yet, but it's hard for me to bet against them.
A
Yeah.
B
And they won't have to if they play Seattle. It won't be in Seattle. It'll be in the Super Bowl. So it'll be at San Fran. It'll be out of that stadium, neutral field. But Josh is a badass.
A
He is.
B
Yeah. What about you? Who's your pick?
A
My pick?
B
Can you pick now or do you have to wait?
A
No, no, I picked. I picked before the playoffs. I picked Rams, Bills.
B
Oh, that's a good one. Okay. Yeah. So I'm thinking if the Bears don't make it, I'm going Seattle Bills as my pick because. Because of Josh.
A
Dude at Seattle's gonna be so tough.
B
It is gonna be hard to beat them there. Yeah.
A
I picked the Rams preseason. They were like 10th nods behind the commanders. Even so I'm just sticking with them.
B
I got you. How about the Redskins this year? They had a tough season.
A
Tough season.
B
Tough year, man. Well, Jaden got hurt. If you. I mean, this tough season. I didn't see them taking that season.
A
I thought, kingsberry's gone.
B
He is.
A
Yeah.
B
Where'd he go?
A
He hasn't gone anywhere yet. They mutually agreed to part ways.
B
Yep. Oh, my gosh. I didn't know that.
A
Yeah.
B
That's not good. I like him.
A
Yeah.
B
Basically, I like everybody, as you can tell.
A
Yeah. You're very positive.
B
I like that guy. Yeah. If I don't like, I might still say anything.
A
Reverse Skip Bayless here. Yeah.
B
Yeah. If I don't like, I might as well talk about him. Easier that way. Good. Yeah.
A
If you don't have anything nice, they don't say it at all.
B
Yeah, that's right.
A
Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. He's a. They fired the defensive coordinator as well. They had a rough season defensively, obviously.
B
Yeah. It's always the coordinator's fault, right?
A
Yeah.
B
It's not the head coach, not the players ever. It's never the players fault. You got to get rid of all these coaches. It's their Fault? Yes. It's always the coach as a player.
A
You have that opinion?
B
Yes. Well, we know we can play better. You know, it's, we're making more money. I get it. So you want to keep the players and trade out the coaches because it's their fault.
A
And you know when the guys aren't putting in the work that they're supposed.
B
To and not the work. I know when they're not playing, you can see when guys aren't playing to their ability, the coaches see it as well. So I get em to play their ability.
A
Do you attribute that to more like off field stuff? Maybe not in a film study.
B
No, I just, I mean sometimes I'll say this, there's a lot of guys hurt that you don't know that are hurt. I'll say that. And as players we know, especially as teammates of the guys that are, you know, who's hurt and who's playing hurt and who's playing through injuries and most of the guys are this late in the season, they're all hurt. It's just a great point. You played 17, 18 games, you're going to get beat up. So. So the media doesn't know that, the coaches don't, the players won't talk about it. But pretty much everyone's hurt this time of year. Unless you're a kicker or a holder.
A
Absolutely. You know, you see guys posting from the surgery room and it's like cleanup surgeries. But guys are like, I didn't even know you were hurt. Yeah, bro, they're all hurt.
B
Everyone's hurt. You say after a week one or two, everyone's banged up and then you just try and stay healthy the rest of the season. Do what you can to get as healthy as you. Bye weeks are huge. I didn't realize how big they were until probably 4th, 5th, 6th year of my career. I couldn't wait for the bye weeks. I would look at them on the, on the schedules and see when they were.
A
Obviously a great weekend of playoff football coming up, but the coaching role we spoke about. Tomlin, let's go. Harbaugh here. Yeah, that's big news. He goes to the Giants. Five years, 100 million. The Giants fans are as excited as they've been since they probably won the super bowl last. I mean they are ecstatic to bring that guy in the building.
B
I can't believe they fired him. I was pretty shocked about that. But I mean that's probably the best job. I mean you look at the quarterback, I think Jackson Dart's pretty good. Their Defense is young neighbors didn't even play this year. So you got him coming back next year. I think that's probably the best. You know, when you look at the teams that were open, the teams that he interviewed. Right. That was because they didn't interview him. He interviewed them. Like that was probably the best situation to be in. Just. New York's a tough place to coach football.
A
Yeah, it is.
B
But if anyone can do it as Harbaugh, I think he's just done. Obviously he's proven what he can do over the past few years.
A
And you're a defensive guy. I mean they've got some studs on the defense.
B
They do. Thibodeau, Burns. Yeah.
A
Dexter Lawrence.
B
Oh, Dexter Lawrence. Yeah. They got some dudes, you know, you got all those guys up front, they get a bunch of sacks.
A
Abdul Carter.
B
Abdul Carter, yeah.
A
Yeah.
B
He got a little troubleshoot, didn't he? A little bit, Yeah, a little bit, yeah.
A
They made up some reports. It was.
B
Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. Media said it, so I'm not sure if it's true or not.
A
Yeah, exactly.
B
If I hear it from the horse's mouth, I'll believe it.
A
Yeah, I think that's some of it probably fabricated. He did try to take lt's number though. What'd you think of that?
B
Yeah, I wasn't a big fan of that. You know, that's. That's a number I think around the whole NFL. That's pretty sacred. 56. You don't want to. Trying to bring that one out of retirement. Maybe get a few more sacks and you can talk about it.
A
Lawrence Taylor, is he the goat defensively?
B
Yeah, him. Reggie White, I'm trying to think of. I mean those two stand up. Bruce Smith, I mean 200 something sacks, they don't play a long time. I'm. I'm biased towards Dick Buckus because I play for the Bears, so that's fair. The meanest dude of all time on the football field, he did and got away with. Would not be. He'd be. Did it. I mean he was mean. I love it, but he was. When I got. Every time I got a chance to meet him. I cherish those time because he was. He said what he thought all the time. There was no holding back, no political correctness, just he said what he thought all the time. I like that about him.
A
It's your type of guy.
B
Yeah, it's my type of guy. Just there's no, no in between, you know, where you stand all the time with him.
A
Yeah, absolutely. There's a lot of other coaching spots available. There's. We gotta mix and match them. I mean, if you're the Tennessee Titans, who would you go after?
B
I mean, I don't know. It's.
A
You got a young quarterback, you got a lot of cap space.
B
Yeah, I like the quarterback. They have a lot of cap space.
A
They do, yeah, they have a lot.
B
They do. I don't know how that stuff works. I don't know who I go after. I mean, I think depends on if you want a guy to work with a young quarterback. Right. But they had a guy like that, right, didn't they fired him?
A
Yeah, they did fire him.
B
Yeah. So I don't know.
A
You know Mike McCarthy, you went against.
B
Him for a lot of years. McCarthy. Yeah, I didn't. Is he in the mix?
A
He is in the mix.
B
Well, I like that. That's. That's what hired. I like Mike McCarthy. And he coached for the Cowboys too.
A
Yeah.
B
Did a good job there. And Green Bay, we played against him at Green Bay, but he's another old school kind of hard nosed guy and he works with. Well with quarterbacks. You know, I think he had Green. Brett and Aaron in Green Bay. They coach them both. So 2. He knows some pretty good quarterbacks.
A
He was awesome in Green Bay.
B
He was great. I know. I was surprised he left there as well.
A
Yeah. Just how open like Jordan Nelson would get down the field. Like, what is Mike McCarthy doing?
B
That's what's up. It's been. I'm about to call it usc. That's what I'm gonna go to. Lincoln Riley.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
It was amazing. As you're watching USC play, how many times these dudes are wide open. He gets these dudes.
A
Yeah.
B
Like there's no one within 20 yards. I'm like, how does the hell these dudes get this wide open against good football teams? I think good coaches have a knack for doing that. They just get their guys open and that's what they do.
A
Some of these other jobs, the Miami Dolphins, you got the weather, you got the.
B
Not a very.
A
But you have the team.
B
Not a variable, desirable job in my opinion. Who's your quarterback? I mean, I got ewers. I know that. I understand he played this season. I just chaos down there. I'm not sure that'd be a job. I mean, if you're getting a head coaching job, you don't care where you're coaching, I guess. Right?
A
Yeah.
B
And you always think you can turn the place around. You have to have that mindset yeah.
A
What did you think about the decision to fire McDaniel? A little bit early for you.
B
How long has he been there? Three, four years.
A
Yeah, I made the playoffs a couple times.
B
I don't know, man.
A
Playing record.
B
I feel like they kind of quit early in the season. It was tough, and then they got hot there in the middle of season. I didn't like benching Tua. I mean, I know he was struggling, but, I mean, you paid him all this money. You might as well play him. Yeah, like. But if you're not going to play him, he's not going to be a guy for the future. You want to see what you have in yours, right? Yeah, I get that. I see both sides, but I just don't. I mean, I feel like you're just saying we're giving up. We're gonna. We're bench our guy who played $250 million. We're gonna bench him and see what we have and move on.
A
Yeah. The Cardinals. These are rough jobs, some of them.
B
I mean. Yeah, Kyler's gone. Kyler's gone.
A
Yeah, he's gone.
B
I did not know that. Well, I don't know. That's not very desirable job either. Either. And I live in Arizona.
A
Yeah, these are rough jobs.
B
Yeah, that's tough, man. Geez. Very. Bringing our. Bringing our kind of thing down here, bro. You're going the wrong direction.
A
What about the Ravens?
B
Oh, yeah, that's a good job.
A
What a job that is.
B
You got Lamar, Anyone interview for that one? Anyone good there?
A
I think Minter as well. I mean.
B
Oh, yeah, go back to. Yeah, yeah, I like him. That's a great job. And you got your. You know, you have a.
A
How great is that job?
B
First team all pro quarterback, MVP guy right there. That's where I want to go. That's where I want to go to. Yeah, defense is pretty good. Yeah, that's where I'd want to go. That's a very desirable job.
A
Yeah. Do you think they go with an offensive coach or a defensive coach?
B
Good question. Harbaugh. What was Harbaugh?
A
Special teams.
B
Special teams guy. Yeah.
A
Shout out to Harbs.
B
I don't know, man. I think maybe you go with. I don't know. I would go with offense. And then. Because their defense, you know, I think it's fun to work with. We have a head coach that marries up with the quarterback. I think it's very successful. Chance to be successful.
A
I definitely want to ask you this question.
B
Okay.
A
Philadelphia Eagles.
B
I thought you were looking over there, bro.
A
Philadelphia Eagles, they didn't fire their coach. All the blame goes to the office of coordinator.
B
It's just the oc.
A
His one year there, Kevin Batulo gets axed, his fault. Everybody blames him and only him. All the players get alleviated of the blame. What are your thoughts on that situation?
B
I mean, it helps when guys who are throwing the ball catch it. You know, when it hits them in the hands and they catch it. That definitely helps your situation. You know, when you don't take sacks, when you don't turn the ball over, it helps. I mean, it's easy to blame one guy, you know, nobody wants to be that guy. But they. They definitely gave him all the blame. I don't think that was very deserved. No, but that's the business, right? I mean, they didn't want to. You can't fire Sirianni.
A
Of course not.
B
It's not his job, it's not his fault. But outside of this, there's some situations in that football game versus San Fran that if certain guys make plays, if they catch the ball when they're supposed to or maybe do a better job of their job, they. They win that game.
A
Yeah, I agree with everything you just said.
B
No, no, I'm not going to name names. But if they just do a little better job of doing their job.
A
Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, a little more.
B
I bet them that game too. I didn't need him to win by six. I just need him to win.
A
Yeah, that was my miss too, the weekend.
B
Just need him to win. That's it.
A
I hit the Bills, hit the Bears.
B
I was on a Patriots.
A
Patriots.
B
Yeah. Yeah. I was feeling good. I had. The Bears. Had. Yeah. There was another one I had too. Oh, Carolina. 10 points.
A
It was a lot.
B
Home in the playoff game, 10 points at home. That was like. I don't know. They're giving money away. That game, what was going on? That was. That was. And they beat him three weeks before or a month of whatever it was. Yeah, too easy.
A
There's a lot of scandals right now involving point shaving, gambling, all that sort. Was that a thing? While you were playing, did you ever get propositioned?
B
No. I didn't understand the spread when I played. I didn't know what the plus or minus. I understand the totals, but I didn't understand, you know, who's the dog, who's the favorite. I had no idea. I didn't care. You know, we never got approached and it wouldn't matter if we did. The people that can affect the games the most are the refs that's in my. Well, the quarterbacks, the kickers and the refs, in my opinion, are the ones that can affect the game the most.
A
Yeah, I mean, the refs are kind of. If there was something weird happening, it would be the refs.
B
There are so many things that come out now that they show you reasons why certain plays are made or certain calls are made. Like. Like you're watching a game like there was someone was favored by, I want to say, seven and a half points and they're up by 10. I want to say it was the Raiders and somebody else, and the clock's running down and the game's pretty much over, and they throw a delay of game on the defense and the team kicks a field goal to lose by seven. The line was seven and a half or eight. I don't know. I want to say it was the Raiders and maybe Seahawks, I don't know. But it was. Pete Carroll made the decision to kick the field goal. Yeah, but that's not his fault. I mean, you're thinking, you get onside kick, but the clock was running out.
A
I just remember the interview.
B
The clock's running out either way, there's no time on the clock. And you kick a field goal, why throw it in the end zone? I mean, there's some things. Very questionable decision, but why'd the right guy throw the flag anyway? Yeah, the game's over. I just don't. There's some things that you're like, what the hell?
A
I can't believe eight head coaching jobs. And to me, the Pittsburgh and the Baltimore shocked me. We had Chris Carter on. He was like, I wasn't surprised. Where there's smoke, there's fire. You know, we've been hearing about this for a long time.
B
Yeah, but I mean, just. Tomlin never loses. And I don't. I know they didn't grow the standards, and I don't know, he stepped down, but I think it was a mutual split. The one that really shocked me was Baltimore. I mean, Harbaugh's the man, and they were competitive. You know, they had injuries this year.
A
You know, 189 and 124. Win, loss record. Most Rose Playoff wins ever as a.
B
Head coach, super bowl, obviously. Yeah, that one shocked me. But maybe it's kind of similar to Baltimore. You've been there so long, you kind of get monotonous. People get used to hearing the same voice. They don't listen anymore. Yeah, maybe your players get that way. I don't know.
A
Yeah, it's an exciting time though. Coaching carousel. NFL playoffs.
B
Yeah, the playoffs are always fun.
A
I love the playoffs, especially when the Bears are in it.
B
Well, yeah, this is very exciting. It's been a while since they've been in, so it's very exciting.
A
Yeah. You'll be there, right?
B
I'm not going to this game.
A
Oh, you're not going to this game? No, man.
B
I went last week and froze my butt off. And I tell Giddy for the first time ever at Soldier Field, the fans are phenomenal, man. I think I took 5,000 pictures before the game. But I'm not. I'm gonna watch it on my couch this Sunday.
A
Shout out to the Bears. But you're not gonna get Brian Urlacher this weekend.
B
Not this weekend. I'm not gonna be there. I'm sorry, guys. They did okay without me up to this point, so I think they'll be. They'll be just fine.
A
He's supporting at home.
B
Yeah, I'm supporting. Don't worry. I'll be yelling at the TV from my couch.
A
Double coverage. Thank you for tuning in. The legend, the hall of Famer, Brian Urlacher.
B
Thanks, man. Appreciate it.
A
Just like with the American Express Platinum card, you can access over $3,500 in.
B
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Episode Title: Brian Urlacher Explains Why Aaron Rodgers Is The GOAT & Why Caleb Williams Is NFL’s Best Young QB
Hosts: N3on & Mystic Zach
Guest: Brian Urlacher (NFL Hall of Famer)
Date: January 17, 2026
In this lively playoff edition, hosts N3on and Mystic Zach are joined by Chicago Bears legend Brian Urlacher. The conversation dives deep into the changing fortunes of the Bears, the genius of coaches revitalizing franchises, why Aaron Rodgers is Urlacher’s quarterback GOAT, and why Caleb Williams is the most exciting young quarterback in the NFL. The trio covers all angles of the current NFL playoffs, Hall of Fame debates, coaching carousels, and lighter moments involving Twitter, fan culture, and the rise and fall of NFL franchises.
[00:00, 08:30, 08:54]
“He was going to know exactly what we were doing every single play…If I had to pick a guy for my quarterback, it’d be him.” – Brian Urlacher [00:30]
“I just love how he doesn’t give people think and he says what he wants to. I like that.” – Urlacher [08:23]
[01:38, 03:23]
“He’s like a cat back there, man. He does some crazy things and he’s got a cannon.” – Urlacher [03:28]
[02:01, 02:45, 15:14]
“He’s done a great job with the culture and getting these guys ready to play.” – Urlacher [02:42]
[04:51, 05:31]
“You’re looking at a return specialist who’s like getting a first round pick if you want to trade him. That’s unheard of. And it’s worth it.” – Urlacher [05:12]
[10:39, 12:11]
“If he’s another guy… we might have been really good. Yeah. At least three, right?” – Urlacher on Allen leading his Bears [11:27]
[13:35, 14:01, 15:14]
“That fan base is just nuts…they cause an earthquake once.” – Urlacher [15:28]
[20:38, 21:19]
[16:21, 17:02]
[05:31, 06:29]
[09:36, 10:09]
[27:35, 28:22]
[26:47, 27:19]
“Pretty much everyone’s hurt this time of year. Unless you’re a kicker or a holder.” [27:13]
The episode is high-energy, unfiltered and engaging. Urlacher’s candor and old-school perspective shine, balancing deep football analysis with lighthearted banter. The hosts encourage a conversational, story-driven flow with plenty of back-and-forth.
A must-listen for Bears fans, NFC North followers, and anyone who loves insightful old-school-meets-new-NFL commentary. Urlacher’s appreciation for Rodgers and his effusive praise for Caleb Williams set the tone for serious football debate, and the playoff picks and coaching carousel predictions make for a compelling snapshot of today’s league.