← Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Christian McCaffrey, Trevor Lawrence, D’Andre Swift join the set + Super Bowl LX yardage prop bets
00:52:00
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- [00:00]
DeAndre Swift
How does game work?
- [00:01]
Matthew Berry
You got no elbow over the table. All you have to worry about is.
- [00:04]
Trevor Lawrence
No elbow over the table.
- [00:05]
Matthew Berry
You're good.
- [00:06]
Trevor Lawrence
You're good.
- [00:08]
DeAndre Swift
Oh, almost.
- [00:09]
Matthew Berry
Pretty close.
- [00:10]
Christian McCaffrey
Almost.
- [00:10]
Matthew Berry
The old lefty.
- [00:13]
Connor Rogers
Oh, see the free throw skills right here. David Montgomery.
- [00:20]
DeAndre Swift
Oh, let's check the free throw skill.
- [00:23]
Aaron Jones
The double bounce.
- [00:26]
Connor Rogers
We'll give it one more shot. Oh, he hit the rim.
- [00:31]
Trevor Lawrence
I got one shot.
- [00:31]
Connor Rogers
Bringing you in for slot. Slot, slot.
- [00:33]
Aaron Jones
Let's go.
- [00:37]
Connor Rogers
Let me roll on this in case you nail it. All right, go ahead. They're rolling on it. Oh, let's go. Oh, let's go.
- [00:46]
DeAndre Swift
Easy money.
- [00:47]
Jay Croucher
Easy money.
- [00:52]
Connor Rogers
Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Barry.
- [00:58]
Matthew Berry
Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. It is Thursday here on Radio Row for Super bowl, and the place is an electric factory right now. We've had a ton of great interviews already. Plenty more joining us during the show. Fantasy royalty all around this place right now.
- [01:14]
Connor Rogers
Matthew, it's been an incredible day of interviews. The whole week, honestly, has been amazing. And you know what's great is that the people that have come on the show have they understand the assignment, which is like, I've been doing this for a while, obviously, and previously it was either tough to get people or if they came on, you couldn't ask them directly about fantasy football. You had to sort of, you know, know, weave around and pretend that you weren't what you were kind of thing. And like this one, everyone has come on, they not only, they not only understand fantasy football, they appreciate it. They, they're into it. They're grateful to the fans. Luckily, we, we've, we've gotten all good players. It's, you know, it's easier to, but, but it's been great to see how they've just embraced it. Everyone has.
- [01:58]
Matthew Berry
And it's been running backs galore on this show going around here, superstar running backs. Let's take a look at those running back leaders. Of course, from this year, we're going to, you're going to hear a bunch of them on this show. Matthew and I just sat down with Bijan Robinson. We're going to have DeAndre Swift come by, but let's get right into one that you guys did yesterday. That was absolutely awesome.
- [02:17]
Connor Rogers
And Christian McCaffrey, welcome back to the Fantasy Happy Hour set. Jay Croucher, Matthew Barry, along with San Francisco 49ers running back and fantasy football legend Christian McCaffrey. You know, Christian, so many people I'm sure, say to you, you know, I always believed in you and like, you know, and I believed you'd Have a good year this year. But we actually did, and we have proo watch this. So I'm just gonna say CMC is healthy. I have him at running back four this week, but there's a very real possibility that he ends the week as the number one running back in fantasy. And then he gets back out there and reminds everyone, oh, yeah, he's that dude. So I'm in on CMC this year. There you go. So, by the way, that was.
- [03:01]
Christian McCaffrey
That was.
- [03:01]
Connor Rogers
That was preseason. Thank you much, by the way. Thank you for making me look smart. I very much appreciate that.
- [03:07]
Jay Croucher
A very bold take, that Christian McCaffrey is going to have a good year. Well done by you, Matthew. I. The thing, Christian, that everyone was worried about was just coming off the injury last year. Now you lead the NFL in touches. Like, what were you able to do in the off season to prepare your body for that type of load?
- [03:21]
Christian McCaffrey
Yeah, well, you know, it was obviously, you know, didn't end the season that I wanted last year. And, you know, I knew I had a bunch of stuff I needed to do and, you know, got with a great group of guys, great group of trainers who, you know, I trusted them completely, you know, went and did everything I could to come back to being myself. And, I mean, I remember even my trainer telling me, look, this is going to be a long, long off season, you know, long days. There was a lot I had to fix, a lot I had to get going and just trusted the plan, committed to it, and, you know, it worked out. And look, you can do everything right, and it still goes wrong. So that's the. That's football. That's the NFL. And I was fortunate enough and feel very blessed to be able to play in every game this year and, you know, looking and excited to do the same for next year.
- [04:04]
Jay Croucher
I know some of the training you did was with Bijan Robinson. Curious. Like, when you have those sessions with Bijan, when you train, is it a complete open book or are you, like, keeping any secrets or how does that work?
- [04:14]
Christian McCaffrey
No, I mean, some. Somebody like that, man, you just have to watch. You know, you literally just watch. You see how the way. Not just how he trains and how gifted he is, but the way he carries himself. You know, it's no shock why he's had the success he's had, but, you know, it turned out, you know, it started being something, hey, man, I'd love to get some work in. And we had mutual respect for each other and had talked in the past, you know, I'd love to get working and, you know, maybe pick your brain a little bit. It just turned into a great friendship, you know, and somebody I kept in touch with the whole season. You know, we'll do it again this year. And again just became a really good.
- [04:46]
Connor Rogers
Friend as you head into the end, into the, into this offseason. Christian, is the mindset different? So last year, obviously you're coming off a serious injury, you're getting ready for the season, but now, after, you know, another massive workload, you've now led the NFL in touches two of the last three seasons. Is the mindset different or is it more of the same? Because obviously it worked so well last offseason.
- [05:04]
Christian McCaffrey
Yeah, conceptually it's the same. It's, you know, it's building the foundation the entire off season to withstand the storm of the season, you know, and that's, that's really what it is. And that's, that's mind, body and spirit. That's in all ways just, you know, kind of taking care of anything that happened during the season. Getting your body back to full speed and then continuing to move, you know, it's really, it's really a non stop job. You know, you take too much time off, it can be detrimental. And so it's, you're kind of right back to it. Obviously you don't go extremely hard right away, but they always say motion is lotion. So staying, staying active, staying moving, keeping my body in the best shape and just trusting my training.
- [05:41]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, Matthew Bear uses that, that same speech to himself often. Motion is very, very much lotion. You had one of the greatest receiving seasons of all time for running back. Obviously is your receivers are banged up all year. Is there a conversation with the coaching staff at some point earlier in the year where there was the discussion that, you know, you need to be our number one receiver effectively, or was that just something that evolved naturally over the course?
- [06:03]
Christian McCaffrey
I don't think anyone ever has a conversation with a coach about, you know, being the number one receiver. You know, it's, it's more of, hey, what, what's happening in the game where, where do we have matchup issues or where do we have matchup advantages and, and go from there. You know, I think a lot of times too, it's, it's. We have such a great team that it's very complementary football. So if a guy like George Kittle's on the field and I'm on the field, he takes so much weight off me because you have to account for him, which leaves me open, you know, and when you have quarterbacks who can push the ball downfield as good as anybody, but also know when to check it down. And, you know, one of my abilities, just being good in space, being able to find zones, sitting on them and beat man coverage on choice routes, like, that's. That that can be really effective. And it's something for me that try to take advantage of. I've always prided myself on being a complete back and not just running the ball, but also being able to, you know, not just line out, line up out that receiver and run receiver routes, but to do it really well. You know, I try to do that. I train like that in the offseason so that whatever position I'm asked to be in, I can be effective.
- [07:09]
Connor Rogers
Speaking of George, friend of the show, we've had him on the show multiple times. We love, we love George Kittle here. Awful injury that we saw. The story came out that when he was in the, in the locker room after the injury, he asked for a bottle of tequila. Jed York brought him a bottle of tequila. Can you confirm this story is this.
- [07:27]
Christian McCaffrey
Yeah, I confirm it. I wish everybody had a George Kittle in their life, you know, And I mean that. He's, he, he provides a perspective on life that I think everybody needs. You know, we went golfing in Cabo a few days after the last game and he's out there fresh off a surgery in a boot, you know, bought a robotic golf club that hits the ball, he sets his distance.
- [07:51]
Connor Rogers
I saw that on Instagram.
- [07:52]
Christian McCaffrey
He's just having a blast, man. And it's, it's, it's such a good perspective to have. Here's one of the best players in who just has the greatest joy for life. And, you know, when you have someone like that, you know, has a terrible injury happen and, you know, has a bottle of tequila in the locker room with the owner after. Man, that's George, man. It's genuine. It's so fun to be around. And he's just, you know, the best teammate and an unbelievable friend. Yeah.
- [08:17]
Jay Croucher
Well, from bottle of tequila to can of Olipop. Can you tell us about your partnership with Olipop that you just cracked up?
- [08:23]
Christian McCaffrey
Yeah, absolutely, man. It's an easy partnership because I have these all the time and I've been bugging my agents, man, we gotta get an Olipop deal. Cause these things. But it's, you know, as somebody who's very health conscious, I pride myself in taking care of myself. And Olipop is the perfect partnership because it's a soda you can feel good about drinking. You know, end of the day, long day training, you want to treat. It's the best treat. Low in sugar, high in fiber. It's a prebiotic, obviously, good for your gut and, you know, just tastes incredible. Sometimes you get these drinks that, you know, they're healthy and they taste healthy. These taste like soda. And it's funny, everybody that I've had interviews with has been super excited about trying them. So you guys. You guys definitely got to try them at some point.
- [09:07]
Connor Rogers
We absolutely will. Believe me. I'll absolutely try it. In the meantime, while we're doing this, I don't know if you saw this, but earlier this week, your coach, Kyle Shanahan, was at a press event. I don't know if you've seen this clip or not, but here's the clip right here. So there's Roger Goodell. He throws a little football. There's Andrew Luck. He throws football a little bit further. But then your coach decides, go long. Go long. He's pointing. He breaks the tv, doesn't come anywhere close.
- [09:34]
DeAndre Swift
Y.
- [09:35]
Christian McCaffrey
And he's happy about it.
- [09:36]
Jay Croucher
He's not embarrassed about it at all. Which is the real takeaway from that video for me.
- [09:39]
Connor Rogers
No. Completely owns it. Yeah.
- [09:42]
Christian McCaffrey
I think when you're in meetings and you hear how he coaches Brock, he, you know, a lot of F bombs. So I won't repeat all of this. You know, he loves when you just rip it.
- [09:50]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [09:51]
Christian McCaffrey
You know, he loves when you play with confidence. You get. See his smile after that. Yeah, he's pumped up. He's like, yeah, that's. That's how you throw a football. He didn't care.
- [09:58]
Jay Croucher
That's.
- [09:58]
Christian McCaffrey
That's. That's Kyle.
- [09:59]
Connor Rogers
Hey, Dan. Brock should have that video on. You know, next time he throws a.
- [10:03]
Christian McCaffrey
Pick, he needs to be like, listen, he doesn't care. Hey, if you throw a pick but you're decisive and you rip it on to the next one, man. But I love the. I love the, you know, mentality. It's good to see he practices what he preaches.
- [10:14]
Jay Croucher
Last one I got for you, Christian. A lot of dancing from Brock Purdy this year. Felt like his personality really, really came out this season.
- [10:21]
Christian McCaffrey
Absolutely.
- [10:21]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [10:22]
Matthew Berry
I mean, he's.
- [10:23]
Christian McCaffrey
He's always been like that. You know, obviously sometimes in public, it's a little different, but it was really cool to see his personality come out. You know, he's a. He's a serious guy, an intense guy, but he's extremely fun, too. And, you know, we had a blast this year. Obviously, it didn't always go the way we wanted to, and we some key guys, but we had a lot of fun playing football, man. And you know what? It was a group that brought the. It brought the person personality out. And you. I think a lot of times that's a testament to the kind of team we had where we were all so loose together, man. Everything was fun. It was time to be serious. We were serious, but we had a blast together and just approach. Approach the season with a. With a. With a real love for each other and a real love for football. It was fun to be a part of.
- [11:00]
Connor Rogers
I thought Kyle did an unbelievable job this year. I mean, he's always been one of the best coaches in the NFL, but this year, especially given all the injuries and having to, you know, start multiple quarterbacks throughout the year and you. I thought Kyle did an unbelievable job. Christian, last thing for you here. So our show is called Fantasy Bowl Happy Hour. So when we're not on radio row, we shoot our show in a bar. We do a lot of bar games and everything like that. And I was wondering if. I'm sure you've never played beer pong.
- [11:28]
Christian McCaffrey
In your life, but I've only done it with Olipop.
- [11:31]
Connor Rogers
Understood, Understood. So Olipop pong. But we'd love for you to. So we're calling you in for a celebrity pong shot here. We've asked all of our guests to take a shot. No one has hit it yet. No, no, you stand. Stand up like you like you would like in a normal beer pong.
- [11:46]
Aaron Jones
Here.
- [11:47]
Connor Rogers
Move this out of here.
- [11:48]
Jay Croucher
Elbows. The technique. The samc Technique.
- [11:53]
Connor Rogers
Oh, that cow got a bunch of balls in there. That guy sabotaging the show, man. That.
- [11:59]
Jay Croucher
Absolutely.
- [12:00]
Connor Rogers
There you go. That's.
- [12:02]
Christian McCaffrey
Bring back the college days.
- [12:04]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [12:04]
Connor Rogers
Well done.
- [12:05]
Jay Croucher
Oh, you're the first one to hit it as well. That's good to hear. We six or seven.
- [12:09]
Connor Rogers
Before that, superstar for the 49ers. Superstar in fantasy football. Now superstar in beer pong. Is there any Christian McCaffrey can't do?
- [12:15]
Jay Croucher
Jay? No. Can crack open on Nollipop with the best of them as well.
- [12:19]
Connor Rogers
A thousand percent. Well, listen, Christian, obviously, I'm sure fantasy pool comes up all the time in your life. People come up and tell you since you've come into the league, you've always been one of the first draft picks. You're always a first round pick. So on behalf of fantasy managers everywhere, thank you.
- [12:34]
Christian McCaffrey
I appreciate it, man. Myself, my fantasy managers, we've been through a lot together over these last nine years. But those who have stuck with me, I love you guys and I appreciate you.
- [12:43]
Connor Rogers
I have you on every single Dynasty team. I'm just saying. So I've stuck with through nine years. Anyway. Chris McCaffrey, thank you so much. Thank you to Olipop for giving us a few minutes of your time. Best of luck next season.
- [12:53]
Christian McCaffrey
Thanks a lot, guys.
- [12:53]
Jay Croucher
Appreciate it.
- [12:56]
Matthew Berry
Our run of great running backs on the show continues as DeAndre Swift joins us. I like the headline of this. Killing them swiftly.
- [13:02]
Jay Croucher
Wow.
- [13:03]
Matthew Berry
Another thousand yard season in the books for DeAndre, who you must say, comes Baron.
- [13:08]
Jay Croucher
Look at this.
- [13:08]
Matthew Berry
On the show. Yeah.
- [13:09]
Christian McCaffrey
Hold that up.
- [13:10]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, I will.
- [13:11]
Matthew Berry
Thank you, DeAndre.
- [13:12]
DeAndre Swift
No problem.
- [13:12]
Connor Rogers
No problem. Look at this. Got a Taylor Swift halftime show.
- [13:16]
DeAndre Swift
Yeah. Logo right.
- [13:19]
Matthew Berry
Going up on our fantasy football happy hour studio wall.
- [13:21]
Connor Rogers
Absolutely.
- [13:22]
Matthew Berry
DeAndre, awesome season in the books. Just what was it like playing under Ben Johnson? Man, you guys were just rolling on offense week in and week out.
- [13:29]
DeAndre Swift
It was amazing. It was amazing. Especially playing for Ben, man, I can't say enough great things about him as a coach and as a person. Just the impact that he has on us as players. And I feel like the city of Chicago felt that as well. Man, it was. It was a great year.
- [13:41]
Jay Croucher
Yep. Now, Ben, great coach, great body as well, which America got to see.
- [13:47]
DeAndre Swift
You said great body.
- [13:48]
Christian McCaffrey
Yeah.
- [13:48]
Jay Croucher
Great body. Yeah.
- [13:49]
Aaron Jones
Ye.
- [13:50]
Jay Croucher
I mean, for an NFL coach, you certainly got to be top tier. Look at that.
- [13:54]
DeAndre Swift
He left, he'd be in the jump.
- [13:56]
Jay Croucher
I'm gonna say there's a lot of coaches in the NFL. I'm not sure they would do that.
- [14:00]
Matthew Berry
I wouldn't like. When did it hit for you that he's like this? Because America, America did not know about this side.
- [14:07]
DeAndre Swift
I knew he was like this when I was in Detroit with him, but just we was winning, man. We was stringing wings along. And then there's the energy and the emotion that comes in. At the end of the game, we were in the locker room. I guess that's what he wanted.
- [14:23]
Connor Rogers
You know, it's interesting because it's so fascinating to watch your career. And I'm curious about Ben Johnson coaching you in Detroit vs Ben Johnson coaching you Chicago. Because I felt like when you were in Detroit, they used you much more as a pass catcher and as a third down back than a between the tackles guy. You go to Philadelphia, all you do is go between the tackles. And then this year, finally, thank God, we got DeAndre Swift not only running between the tackles, but they finally used you in the passing game. I felt like this was one of the first times we got to see you as a complete back on a consistent basis.
- [14:54]
DeAndre Swift
Exactly. That's exactly what how I felt as well. Especially being under. I'm so grateful that I was able to reunite with him and that's somebody like that's always believed in me. So I thank him for that. Just the opportunities that he was able to give me, the positions he was able to put me in. Go ahead and show my God given ability, man. I thank him for that. And like it was definitely a complete year for me as far as being able to do various amount of things and showcase a lot of stuff.
- [15:15]
Jay Croucher
DeAndre maybe the most iconic clutch season for a team that I can remember. Just all these insane comeback wins and the crowning moment I guess is Caleb obviously a touchdown to Cole commit against the Rams. Do you remember what was going through your head when he starts running backwards on that play?
- [15:30]
DeAndre Swift
Just throw the ball somewhere. I was on the field and I ran my route but I wasn't going to score where I was at. I'm seeing him running, trying to extend the play. He throw the ball. I'm looking at the ball. I see Cole go ahead and separate and catch the ball. I'm like, oh my God. Cardiac Bears is. That's a fitting name for us for what we did this year.
- [15:54]
Matthew Berry
Important it is to beat the Packers. When you play in Chicago, are we in or are we out on the cheese grater hats?
- [16:00]
DeAndre Swift
We in. Yeah, whatever works. The rivalry I feel like between the fans and everything that was going on this year is. It's great for the sport.
- [16:10]
Matthew Berry
That's DJ Moore, I believe, with the.
- [16:12]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, with the cheese grater hat. It's very big. It's a very big. Gotta love it.
- [16:18]
DeAndre Swift
Gotta love it.
- [16:19]
Connor Rogers
Very big. I want to go back to Caleb Williams here for a second because at what point do you like is. Is it something you see in the. In training camp or just as the season went along where you're. You're just sort of like where you go from like, oh no, don't do that to like it's going to work out.
- [16:36]
DeAndre Swift
It starts in otas training camp when you otas you go seven on seven. Everything's a little bit more dumbed down. But the risk that he takes is like you got to live with it. You know what I mean? Because he's thin plays. He makes things happen. And then we got the talented playmakers that catch the ball to go ahead and kind of complete it, so. And it gets greater as weeks go on. He makes a wild play Every single week. I feel like just his growth from year one to year two that I've seen in him personally. I'm just proud of him in the way that he's going about his business. He's going to be a great quarterback for the future.
- [17:05]
Connor Rogers
He's made some ridiculous throws this year where you're just like, well, there's no way he. Wait, what? So I can't imagine what it's like on the field seeing that for all.
- [17:15]
Matthew Berry
The ridiculous throws, the identity of your team was running the ball and everybody knew about you going into the season. I don't think everybody knew about Kyle Menungai. What was it like forming that little bit of new age thunder and lightning with him?
- [17:28]
DeAndre Swift
It was great. It was great. Especially when you got a guy like him, a young guy that doesn't carry himself like such. Very mature in his approach, man. He makes the most of his opportunities when he in there. We trust him as players and coaches to go out there and handle his business, which he does very, very well. So it was great.
- [17:45]
Jay Croucher
Obviously, you play behind a great offensive line in Chicago. How'd you see the growth of that line over the course of season?
- [17:50]
DeAndre Swift
Phenomenal. Phenomenal. They're my guys up front. We don't. We don't do anything without them. I mean, I go as they go. Them guys up front, man, I love them guys. The character, the great group they play. They play well together. It took us a couple weeks to go ahead and kind of get rolling. Once we did, man, we took off.
- [18:07]
Connor Rogers
Hey, DeAndre, question for you. So we're a fantasy football show. How often does. Obviously you care about the Bears, you care about winning. You're trying to win the north and, you know, get to the Super Bowl. But I'm curious how often fantasy football comes up in your life. Do fans approach you about it? They talk to you about it?
- [18:24]
DeAndre Swift
Every day. If I check my phone and look at my DMs, it's every day. You got family members? Yeah, I got you. What you got for me this week.
- [18:32]
Trevor Lawrence
Can you get me two touchdowns?
- [18:33]
DeAndre Swift
Da, da, da, da. It's cool, man. It's a fun aspect to it. It can get a little bit much sometimes, but I understand it.
- [18:40]
Connor Rogers
Have you ever played it before?
- [18:41]
DeAndre Swift
I haven't.
- [18:42]
Connor Rogers
Okay.
- [18:42]
DeAndre Swift
I haven't. I haven't.
- [18:43]
Connor Rogers
So you tell me. You say some family members say they got you on your team, like, yeah. Do they complain at you when they're like, why'd Kyle get the touchdown? Why didn't you get that?
- [18:54]
DeAndre Swift
What the coach is doing. They got their own little two cents all every week. It's fun.
- [19:00]
Jay Croucher
That's awesome. Do you have a prediction for how the game goes on Sunday?
- [19:04]
DeAndre Swift
I don't. I can see it going both ways, to be honest with you. Two great teams, very well coached teams as well. I think it'll be a defensive game, to be honest with you. Just wanted to see a great game.
- [19:16]
Matthew Berry
Obviously it's a game headlined by all the great running backs in it. What do you think of guys like Kenneth Walker who's breaking out at the right time and then we got to see a young guy and Trevion Henderson on the other side with the older guy, Ramondre Stevenson.
- [19:27]
DeAndre Swift
I love to see it. I feel like the position now, last couple of years has continued trending the right direction, as it should. I don't understand why running backs have been devalued from the last couple years. Like you need us, you know what I mean? And then they. They don't just hand us the ball. Like we have to be able to pass, protect and then get thrown the ball in situations, then convert first downs and things like that. We do a lot of things that I feel like should be. Should be talked about more. But I'm excited for guys like Kenneth Walker and Ramonda Stevenson and Henderson been playing well all season. They're in the big one this coming up Sunday. So I'm looking forward to watching them guys go to work.
- [20:02]
Connor Rogers
DeAndre, you're here thanks to your partnership with Dairy Queen. Thank you so much for this. This sweet shirt, by the way. And listen, I've. I spent a lot of money at Dairy Queen. I got two young girls, so we're here at DQ quite often. But talk to me about the partnership with Dairy Queen.
- [20:20]
DeAndre Swift
You mentioned you're at Dairy Queen a lot. So I'm about to give you another reason to go back. We got the new. The party. New party platter, new chicken strips coming out, flamethrower strips. It's a little bit spicy. If you don't like spicy, they got the DQ original for you. Also we got a soft serve on the side as a dipping sa.
- [20:35]
Connor Rogers
Oh, let's go some.
- [20:36]
DeAndre Swift
I feel like y' all should look forward to great for Sundays.
- [20:39]
Jay Croucher
That's good that there's an alternative because Matthew can't handle the hate.
- [20:42]
Connor Rogers
We got every option but Dairy Queen. I'll tell you, Dairy Queen chicken strips are the truth. Make no mistake. They seriously. They really. They are really good. Last thing for you, DeAndre, before we get you out of here. So our show happy hour. It takes place in a bar. Generally when we're not on radio row, we play a lot of bar games. We do flip cup. We do beer pong.
- [21:02]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah.
- [21:03]
Connor Rogers
So we want to bring you in for a celebrity pong shot. Can you. Okay, go ahead and stand up there at the end. And let's see.
- [21:09]
DeAndre Swift
Elbow. Gotta be back. I heard that's a rule.
- [21:16]
Jay Croucher
Oh, he went for the bounce shot.
- [21:17]
Connor Rogers
I like it. One more check. Oh.
- [21:26]
Jay Croucher
Wow.
- [21:26]
Connor Rogers
Let's go. DeAndre Swift, his magical year continues.
- [21:32]
Jay Croucher
Wow. The second attempt as well. The cardiac Bears.
- [21:35]
Connor Rogers
Yes, exactly. Clutch.
- [21:36]
Jay Croucher
Clutch.
- [21:37]
Connor Rogers
It can never, ever count up the Bears until the last play. Absolutely.
- [21:41]
Matthew Berry
Is another comeback win.
- [21:43]
Connor Rogers
Exactly.
- [21:43]
Matthew Berry
The Chicago Bears and DeAndre Swift, it's been so fun having you on, man. Thanks for joining us.
- [21:47]
DeAndre Swift
Yes, sir.
- [21:48]
Aaron Jones
Yeah.
- [21:48]
Connor Rogers
Good luck with everything.
- [21:49]
DeAndre Swift
Thank you.
- [21:49]
Aaron Jones
Thank you so much.
- [21:50]
DeAndre Swift
Have a good week.
- [21:51]
Matthew Berry
All right. As we continue here, guys, we look at the NFC championship odds for next year already. The Seahawks, there's DeAndre's bears, of course, on this list. A very tight field, Jay, as the NFC championship favorites for early contenders next year.
- [22:06]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, absolutely. Particularly you'd expect that the, the RA +500, that they are a good chance to, to go one better than they did against the Seahawks. But the thing that stands out is this is just a very flat field.
- [22:21]
Matthew Berry
Right.
- [22:22]
Jay Croucher
And there's just a lot of team like. Would it be that shocking to see the Bears at 13 to 1 make the Super Bowl? No, absolutely not. The Commanders as well. That's something that leaps out to me. The fact that a team of Jaden Daniels is 30 to 1 to make the Super Bowl. The Cowboys 2171 if they can fix their defense a little bit, they have a offense that is super bowl caliber.
- [22:42]
DeAndre Swift
Yeah.
- [22:42]
Jay Croucher
A very flat field and also I think going to be a flat field in the AFC too.
- [22:46]
Matthew Berry
NBC Sports now is live from San Francisco all week with special guests. Tune in live from 9am to 7pm Eastern time each day, Monday to Friday for the Dan Patrick Show. PFT Live. Chris Sims, unbutton the Dan LeBatard Show. And of course, watch us at the happy hour as we continue on with our usual nonsense, including some pretty impressive celebrity beer pong shots throughout the week. NBC Sports now is a free 24. 7 streaming channel. Full details NBCSports.com/Now we're taking one more another break here. When we're back, Trevor Lawrence and Aaron Jones will be live on the Traveler. The Traveler. It's legendary February at NBC and streaming on Peacock tomorrow. Join the celebration as we kick off the Winter Olympics in Italy with the opening ceremony and our plenty of great interviews continue as Trevor Lawrence stops by here.
- [23:41]
Trevor Lawrence
Thanks guys. Trebler.
- [23:43]
Matthew Berry
We have to get this out of the way.
- [23:45]
Connor Rogers
Get this out of the way. So our show fantasy will Happy hour. We are all our biggest fans are the regulars, right? Happy hour the regulars. And so for some reason the name the Traveler has the Traveler, that has been our nickname for you all season long. So I wanted to get a thumbs up or a thumbs down on the Trebler.
- [24:05]
Matthew Berry
We can can it.
- [24:06]
Jay Croucher
It's just, it's your. It's the first half of your name with Lar and you don't have to pretend to like it. Okay. You don't have to preten 10 say.
- [24:14]
Trevor Lawrence
You don't like it.
- [24:14]
Connor Rogers
It's just become a dumb thing on our show where just we. When somebody has a name, we've add Ler to like every. Like, you know, whatever. I'm the excusler. And so we've just add Ler to the end of every name. And so yeah, it's unique.
- [24:28]
Trevor Lawrence
I've never heard of Traveler. Yeah, it's picking up steam, that one.
- [24:31]
Connor Rogers
That's good. Yeah, it's a dumb one, but do we have permission on the Trebler?
- [24:34]
Trevor Lawrence
Of course.
- [24:34]
Connor Rogers
All right, there we go. All right, there we go.
- [24:36]
Matthew Berry
We'll keep rolling. Listen, you're coming off your best season as a pro. What was it like this year under Liam Cohen because you guys were just rolling felt like on a different capacity at some point.
- [24:46]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, man, it was a lot of fun. You know, obviously it took a little bit of time. I think anytime you get a new system, I've been through it now a few times. This one was unique. Just the moving parts, the amount of time it takes to really get comfortable. But once you. Once you get there, it feels like you can play fast. It's like as a quarterback, it gives you a lot of answers, which is a good feeling going out there on Sunday and knowing you have a good plan and you're prepared. So I think towards the middle of the season it really started to click for our offense. Especially in the past game, you know, we all got on the same page. Me with the receivers, tight ends, running backs, all the guys. And you see us start to take off. We ran the ball well, really all year, but it took a little bit of time for the passing game usually takes longer and it was a lot of fun and our staff did an awesome job.
- [25:25]
Connor Rogers
Would you feel like, Trevor, that it really fully 100% clicked in for you? Up until about the final six weeks of the season. Because if you look there on your screen, the final six weeks of the season for you were unbelievable. You were the number one quarterback in all of fantasy football. You obviously had a, you know, a monster season leading the Jaguars to the playoffs as well, which is. I know what you care about as well, but this stretch from week 12 on was nothing short of fantastic.
- [25:53]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, I mean, yeah, it's. I think there's. I don't know exactly how.
- [25:56]
Connor Rogers
It's not really a question there. I'm just saying. Not really a question was just more of me telling you how great you are to your face.
- [26:01]
Trevor Lawrence
But I appreciate that. That means a lot.
- [26:02]
Christian McCaffrey
But. But I guess.
- [26:03]
Connor Rogers
No but. But further on that, like it. Because it's a new system for you, and you've been under a bunch of different, you know, offensive systems since you came into the NFL. So did you feel like again, towards the second half, that's when Liam's system really fully clicked and you understood everything?
- [26:18]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah. You know, and I think it's in my position, you spend a lot of time in the offseason preparing and learning the system. So it's not that I didn't know the system. You know, I felt confident as far as what we were doing, but I think seeing all the things and in real time in the games, having those reps, those. Those add up over time, and that's where you really feel confident. You see stuff before it happens. So you're not, as. You're making quicker decisions, you're seeing it faster. That's the comfort part, I guess. It's. You know, I always felt confident in what we were doing. I just think seeing it faster and faster, the more reps you get, that's really what started to click over the course of the season and really for our whole offense.
- [26:52]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. So you guys had a tough loss in London against the Rams. Then you go into the bye week and you go 91 after the bye. Elite offense, what specifically happened in that bye week? Was there anything that set you up for the second half of the season?
- [27:05]
Trevor Lawrence
You know, leading up to that, that bye week, our season, you know, we'd won a decent amount of games, so we weren't in a bad spot. But offensively, there was a lot of things that we needed to improve on. The details, you know, some mistakes that were happening, you know, some by me, you know, or maybe, you know, receiver, o line, a penalty here or there. Just some critical errors by different people at different times. And I think we really looked Ourselves in the mirror on that bye week, we were like, all right, guys, we gotta. We gotta address these. The penalties problem. You know, some of the mistakes we really have to focus in and be more detailed. And I think guys really took that and ran with it. And we're really professional and put a lot of work in to make sure that that got fixed when we came back. And you see the improvement from then on. Every week, it seems like we got better and better and better. And I think when guys see that, they say, you know, all right, these extra things that we're doing, they're really making a difference, whether it's the walkthroughs or the extra reps after practice. And guys really bought into that, and it was a lot of fun.
- [27:59]
Matthew Berry
We know what kind of mobility you have going all the way back to Clemson, but the career high, nine rushing touchdowns this year, is that something that was, you know, kind of preached by the coaching staff of like, hey, take off more. Or is that something you went into the season been like, I'm healthy. I got to use my legs as much as I can?
- [28:14]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, it was something, you know, I got hurt last year in 24, and I think coming back from an injury, especially as a quarterback, it had been so long since I'd been in a live contact situation. And in the spring and in the off season, you don't get any reps of it because you can't get hit. You're in a red jersey as a quarterback, you never get hit in practice. So I think early on the season, there was times where I'd watch the tape and I felt like I'm not quite as settled in the pocket as I'd like to be. You know, I didn't see the escape lanes as clearly as I wanted to. I wasn't seeing it great. You know, I wasn't moving in the pocket as good as I normally do in the past. So that was something I really worked on and me and the coaches really worked on throughout the year to get better at. We talk a lot about, hey, use your athleticism. You know, you can move. And it finally started to click more. I felt like I got back into my groove of just seeing it and playing, like, of course, evaluating the concept down the field, but if there's a lane or if there's rush getting home, I got to be able to escape and use my legs. And it really started to click, and I felt like I used it at the right times and not trying to do it too much. You can't chase Those plays, they just kind of come naturally and you got to feel the pocket.
- [29:12]
Connor Rogers
Well, it definitely expanded the offense and, you know, obviously came in some clutch moments here. One thing I want to talk to you about a little bit is, you know, you see wide receivers get traded mid season all the time. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. It's tough for a wide receiver, receiver to come to a new system and develop a chemistry with a quarterback here. But it seemed like from moment one, Jacoby Myers and you were on the same page. Talk to me about what that trade did for this offense and what you see in Jacobe.
- [29:36]
Trevor Lawrence
It did a lot. I mean, I can't say. I can't say enough about him and the type of player he is and the guy and just the leadership, everything that he brought to our team when we really needed it. You know, as far as Travis Hunter going down, the receiver room kind of shuffled around a little bit. We had a lot of injuries just throughout the year where we had to make some, some changes. A lot of guys played and for him to be able to come in and really be consistent right away, he picked up the offense super fast, which was impressive. And then he was such a reliable target for me, especially over the middle of the field. I mean, he catches everything, does everything right. Made some big plays for us and he blocks, you know, and that's the thing for receiver that people don't realize and it's that you don't get fantasy points for it. But as far as it keeps you on the field. Keeps you on the field. And as far as the team goes, guys see that and appreciate that. When you're willing to block in the run game and he's just willing to do whatever it takes. And I think that guys gravitate towards that. And really it was a huge, huge get for our offense.
- [30:30]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. Unfortunately, Trevor, we call him the Jacob on our show. Yeah. So we've got the traveler, the Jacob. Yeah. Progressively worse and worse. Another kind of an unheralded guy. Parker Washington came out of nowhere, then all of a sudden looks like he's the best player in football. Football over the past the last month of the season. Like, how did you see his growth as the season evolved?
- [30:50]
Trevor Lawrence
It's cool to see just because I've been with Parker for three years now and just the amount of work he puts in. He's such a hard worker, takes care of himself. He's prepared every day. And he hasn't always gotten the opportunities just because, you know, Christian Kirk was our slot For a few years me and him had a great relationship. Christian's a great player and Parker had to come in and play for him a little bit when he went down with injuries. But still not in that starting role for an extended amount of time as. And then this year he was playing a little bit, played well when he got the opportunity, but still not a starter. And then obviously when Travis Hunter went down, he was became our main slot receiver. So he got, I think just knowing that he was going to get all those opportunities and he played so well every game prepared the right way, just ran with that opportunity. So I'm proud of him because he's put in the work and he finally got his shot and he took advantage of it and I have a lot of trust in him. I think you saw throughout the season just it makes amount of times I threw some passes into tight windows. I trust him and he goes and makes plays, run after the catch. I mean he was huge for us.
- [31:45]
Matthew Berry
You mentioned Travis Hunter. It felt like we saw the best of you guys and then he got hurt for the rest of the season. What are you expecting from him this year? Because it feels like people forgot the kind of receiving talent alone that he is.
- [31:57]
Trevor Lawrence
I mean he's such a talented player and I think you're right. People forgot that he's on our team just because he didn't get to finish the season. And it moves fast. There's a lot of good going on and I think you look at the talent we have, just all the guys we have and he wasn't even on the field the last half of the season, offense or defense, and he's such a weapon on both sides of the ball. So it'll be interesting to see exactly how much he plays both ways and we'll have to figure all that stuff out. But there's no denying the talent he is and you saw in that LA game. I feel like we finally started to click a little bit.
- [32:27]
Christian McCaffrey
Yes.
- [32:27]
Trevor Lawrence
So it is a bummer when he got hurt, but I do think it'll. He'll use it as a good thing for him as far as just to be able to learn the back half of the season, take some pressure off of him, just hey, learn the system, get healthy, spend some time. He just had a baby as well, so I think in the end it'll be good for him. But it was definitely a bummer in the moment and I mean to have a guy that second or second overall pick you don't even have basically all season he's going to Be healthy coming back next year, it's exciting for our team.
- [32:51]
Connor Rogers
Do you want him on offense, which helps you, or do you want him on defense? Because listen, you're the quarterback of the overall, the team and he can probably help out on that side of the ball too.
- [33:00]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, he doesn't want to come off the field. He wants to play both ways and you know, if there's a guy that can do it, it's him. I mean he's in crazy shape. I mean he's never seen a guy run like him just non stop. I mean it's impressive. So we'll see. I'm sure he'll play both ways. Who knows if he'll play one more than the other. Yeah, he's a great, great guy to throw to. He's a weapon for us. I want him to have the most impact possible for our team because that means it's going to help us the most. So. And I think he'd want that too. He wants to help our team the most he can. So we'll see where that lands. I think it's going to be a moving, you know, it's going to be fluid, but we'll see probably on a.
- [33:32]
Connor Rogers
Week to week basis here. I want to ask about one other wide receiver here. After his rookie season, expectations were sky high for Brian Thomas, kind of an up and down year last year. I was just curious about what you felt the difference was from year one to year two for, for BTJ and then what you expect coming into year three.
- [33:49]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, you know, I think it's a, it's a new system for everybody and that can play a part in that. And then it's a new staff too. So it's had a great year and he's familiar with what we were doing last year, his rookie year two years ago. And then we get a new system and it's new coaches and you're trying to figure it all out. And then we got some new players coming. We got Travis Hunter that's drafted. Obviously we ended up picking up Jacoby as well. Parker comes onto the scene. So there's a lot of moving parts and you're trying to figure out who does what well, who's the best at this and you're trying to get guys in the right position. So it's not always that first year. You might not always maximize your production and that's just the reality of it. And I think it was cool to see how he responded to some adversity. Had such a great rookie year, didn't Go exactly the way he probably wanted to last year and he still was the same guy every day. Came to work, didn't complain. There's a lot of guys that probably couldn't have handled that at the receiver position because guys want the ball. Yeah, it's understandable. But you know, I'm just proud of the way he worked. I know he's in a bounce back and you know, he's dealing with a couple injuries throughout the year too. And he played through a lot of stuff that people probably don't know about. So that guys go through a lot and it's not always just a black and white. Hey, this guy didn't have a good season. It's not that, you know, I think he's going to have a great year this year.
- [34:57]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, seemed like he got his swagger back a bit in the final month of the season. Some good moments. You guys played the Seahawks in the first half of the season. What's the, what are the challenges preparing for a Mike McDonald defense?
- [35:08]
Trevor Lawrence
A lot of challenges. You know, they're very sound. They create a third down. Their plan for third down is really good. As far as the different looks they present you, the pressure looks, you know, they, they come after you, but then you think they're coming after you and they drop everybody into coverage and they do a good job of scheming your protection stuff up. And then they have just really good players too. You know, when you mix really good players with really good coaches, I think it usually works out pretty well. So they have their group up front is great, they're great against the run, they can rush the pass or really across the board, inside, outside. You know, it's a tough defense to block to go against and they create some, some chaos for your offense. So that was definitely one of the better defense we played this year.
- [35:47]
Matthew Berry
What'd you think of your 30 year old offensive coordinator being all over the coaching rumors this offseason? Because I think the national fan wasn't.
- [35:55]
Jay Croucher
Aware of him because he doesn't call.
- [35:56]
Matthew Berry
Plays, but I'm sure he does a lot behind the scenes, but it felt like there was a lot of hype around him.
- [36:00]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, he does a lot, you know, so I was watching it closely and just hoping that he didn't, that he didn't leave us. I told him in our last meeting, we have a great relationship. I was talking to him, hey, don't leave us after one year. We just, we're just getting started, you know. So obviously I wish the best for him. As far as if he were to get an opportunity that he wanted to take, you root for him to get that. But more joking, you know, just wanted to have him around because he's. He's super smart. He's unique. I've never been around a guy like him. The way he prepares, the. The amount of details that go into our meetings, just in our quarterback room and what we talk about throughout the week, getting ready for our opponent, really impressive. And he's helped me a lot. He's taught me so much, and I'm excited to get another year, at least one more year. Year of that with him.
- [36:41]
Connor Rogers
Trevor, you're here thanks to your partnership with Zebo. What can you tell us about that?
- [36:45]
Trevor Lawrence
Yeah, we're here with Zebo. And, you know, it's a. It's a flying insect trap here. You plug it in inside by the kitchen. You know, it eliminates any fruit flies, flies, mosquitoes, anything like that. So we living in Florida, we host a lot at our house. We're inside, outside, going back and forth. The door gets left open, so bugs get in all the time. So it's really perfect for us to protect all our, you know, super bowl party snacks and everything that we got inside. All the food that's sitting out. Yeah, it's. It's great. You guys can check it out.
- [37:11]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. Thank you for the snacks as well.
- [37:13]
Trevor Lawrence
Of course. I know you guys look like you need a little snack.
- [37:15]
Connor Rogers
We appreciate it. I have two last questions for you. We'll get you out of here. First one is just, again, we're a fantasy football show. I'm curious. You only care, obviously, and rightfully so, about the Jaguars getting the Jaguars to a Super Bowl. But I'm curious, how often fantasy football comes up in your life. Do people approach you about it and they talk to you? They say, like, hey, I need you to throw it to Jacoby, or, I need you to throw it to Parker. Hey, is Breton Strange getting five targets. Targets today? What?
- [37:39]
Christian McCaffrey
You know.
- [37:39]
Connor Rogers
Or, hey, I've got you on my fantasy team. I'm curious.
- [37:42]
Trevor Lawrence
I get a lot of that.
- [37:42]
Christian McCaffrey
Do you?
- [37:43]
Trevor Lawrence
It's. I mean, it's huge. Obviously, like, you guys are talking about it. I mean, it's. It's. It's cool because I think it's gotten a lot of people into the game that might not have been before. So I think there's a lot of good things about it. There's. Of course, with anything, there's some negatives, too. You get a lot of stuff that's like. Like you said, like, yeah, I'm just trying to win games I don't really.
- [38:00]
Connor Rogers
Care that much about, nor should you.
- [38:02]
Trevor Lawrence
I wish you, you know, I wish I got point more points for you. That probably meant I played better. But we won, so I'm happy with that. But it is cool. It gets people into the game. Some of my buddies that maybe didn't know a ton about the NFL, they started playing fantasy football and now they're super into it. They know everything that's going on. They follow the games. So I think that's the really positive side about it.
- [38:21]
Connor Rogers
I always explain that, you know, there's obviously a tremendous amount of Jaguars fans that are rooting for you guys, but the reason anyone knows who Bash Tootin is is because of fantasy football. Like, you know, he was a big fantasy football sleeper and will be next year as well. So just, I think it, it adds more of a fan base to national.
- [38:37]
Trevor Lawrence
You know, Bashel, shout out. Bashel's a stud. Keep your eye on him. He's great.
- [38:41]
Connor Rogers
Well, we're excited to see what happens next year with with Bash Altut and we're all big fans of him on the show. Last thing for us here is again, our show's called happy hour. It takes place in a bar. We do a lot of bar games. We do flip cup and we do beer pong. So, Trevor Trevler, we'd like you to do our celebrity pong shot here, if you don't mind. You got one shot here. Stand up. You can stand up.
- [39:02]
Trevor Lawrence
Do it like, do it like a.
- [39:03]
Connor Rogers
You know, do it like a. Sure, I'm sure you. I'm sure you played a little. Sure you played a little beer pong at Clemson in your day.
- [39:11]
Trevor Lawrence
No, never. First time.
- [39:14]
Connor Rogers
Oh, let's go. There he goes. That is why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
- [39:22]
Matthew Berry
Nails it in one shot.
- [39:24]
Connor Rogers
Unbelievable appearance.
- [39:25]
Matthew Berry
Trevor Lawrence, we can't thank you enough, man. Thank you so much. Thank you.
- [39:29]
Connor Rogers
You to see.
- [39:29]
Matthew Berry
Appreciate for having you come by, man. And we'll be taking one more break. When we're back. Aaron Jones will join us here on Radio Rails. DraftKings Sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the NFL. New customers can bet $5 and get $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins down the app and use promo code ffh when you sign up DraftKings sportsbook, it's time for last call. Although we're not finished up here yet at radio Row, you're going to see an empty chair next to Jay that will belong to Aaron Jones in just a couple of moments here. But some notable player props for Super Bowl 60. We are looking at longest completion, longest reception, longest rush. Jay always talk about the thrill of these.
- [40:22]
Jay Croucher
Yes, you can live or die in a single play. The one's interesting. Interesting to me is Drake May 33, longest rush. No, longest pass. The idea that he. I think that he's going to have to buy a lot of time in the pocket and then you can. The Seahawks, they are pretty good at avoiding explosives. They obviously have a very good secondary overall. But you can get some of these corners on the outside. You can get Tariq Wall and you can get Job. So I do wonder if Drake May is able to connect on one of those deep balls.
- [40:52]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, I kind of like the longest rush. Thirteen and a half. Again, this is somebody who had, I believe over 50 rushing yards in each of the playoff games. We think that that offensive line has struggled, especially Will Campbell. If he's, if he's under pressure, he's going to have to run and scramble. And so 13 and a half, I feel like that's a number he can get to.
- [41:09]
Matthew Berry
And going back to your point, Jay, about the pass, like if they're going to throw the ball down the field. Feels like case on Booty has to get some opportunities in man coverage. Seattle doesn't play a lot of man, so it'll be interesting to see how they go throughout this game. But I just don't think this is a game game where, you know, New England credit to them, they find ways.
- [41:24]
Christian McCaffrey
To win this way.
- [41:24]
Matthew Berry
But be so run and screen heavy at some point you're going to have to take a chance and it feels like Kaan Booty would be the X factor on that offense.
- [41:31]
Jay Croucher
Yep, definitely we've seen that. You know, he can, he can get a deep ball against anyone. He beat Derek Stingley into the end zone of the playoff game. I don't mind Randre Stevenson under 11 and a half as his longest rush one, facing maybe the best rushing defense in the NFL in Seattle. And then also, you know, if you think that the Seahawks are going to win and they're four and a half point favorites, perhaps they don't have a ton of opportunities to run the ball in the second half.
- [41:54]
Matthew Berry
And there he is.
- [41:55]
Connor Rogers
There he is.
- [41:56]
Matthew Berry
Aaron Jones joining us on the happy hour.
- [41:59]
Connor Rogers
Good to see you, Matt Bear. Aaron, man, good to see you.
- [42:02]
Aaron Jones
Great to see you.
- [42:02]
Connor Rogers
Great to see you.
- [42:03]
Matthew Berry
Our great running back list here rolls on. We've had all the great running backs over the last two days here.
- [42:10]
Aaron Jones
Glad to join it. Join.
- [42:11]
Connor Rogers
Join the group.
- [42:12]
Matthew Berry
Congrats on 10. 10k scrimmage yards.
- [42:14]
Aaron Jones
Oh, thank you.
- [42:15]
Matthew Berry
By the way, are you aware of this list of people that you past, including Earl Campbell, Jamal Charles.
- [42:20]
Christian McCaffrey
Heard of him?
- [42:21]
Matthew Berry
Brian Westbrook.
- [42:22]
Christian McCaffrey
Heard of him.
- [42:22]
Matthew Berry
Le'Veon Bell.
- [42:23]
Connor Rogers
Heard of him.
- [42:23]
Matthew Berry
And Mark Ingram.
- [42:24]
Connor Rogers
Oh, yeah, heard of.
- [42:25]
Matthew Berry
What does it mean when you hear those names?
- [42:26]
Aaron Jones
See, I didn't know all of that. I guess that's. That's some history. Those are some names that I grew up watching, right? Especially Jamal Charles. That's kind of one of the guys, like, I loved growing up. I feel like our body frames are, like, similar playstyle. He was faster than me, but no. So just to join those group of guys, and I feel like I'm setting myself up right where I want to be, continue to do those things. And who knows, we'll look up and hopefully one day I'm wearing a gold jacket.
- [42:59]
Connor Rogers
There you go. Listen, these are the things that happen when you free Aaron Jones. So I don't know if you're aware of this, Aaron, but. No, but. So way back in the day, I was on my. I used to do a podcast for espn.
- [43:11]
Aaron Jones
Were you the one who started that?
- [43:17]
Connor Rogers
That was me. And I would just.
- [43:19]
Christian McCaffrey
I would.
- [43:19]
Connor Rogers
MF Mike McCarthy. I gotta give you a hug.
- [43:22]
Aaron Jones
I gotta give you a hug.
- [43:24]
Connor Rogers
I am the one who started that. Hashtag, free Aaron Jones. And I've been singing it forever and ever and ever because I was just like, why will Mike McCarthy not give the ball Taryn Jones?
- [43:31]
Aaron Jones
And it actually stuck. And it was. All the fans in Green Bay were using it, and I'm like, that's kind of like who's. Who started it. Now I'm like, thank you. It worked. It worked.
- [43:42]
Connor Rogers
And I say this all the time. These are things that happen when you hashtag free Aaron Jones. Finally. So, yes, I'm happy that you were able to finally get. Get out from Mike McCarthy. You were able to get a. Get a full workload and America could see what we all saw. I never understood it because your rookie year, like, every time you touch the ball, it was five, seven, nine yards. And I would be like, why is this guy not getting more work? Anyway, yes, free Aaron Jones. It became a rally cry for all of us and all the fans of the old show as well. But let's talk about. Let's talk about Minnesota here and this offense last year. What were your. I'm curious, what was it like playing with Jordan Mason this year? The two of you guys felt like it was Kind of a one, two punch.
- [44:25]
Aaron Jones
It was a lot of fun just being able to pick his brain, see what. Ask him what he sees on certain plays and just continue to grow together. And then him picking my brain. Brain as well, he. He was trying to learn some. Some receiver stuff out of the backfield. So just being able to have each other and piggyback off of. I come up, come off of the sideline on a run, and you know, in the course, if you don't see the replay, you may happen so fast you're on to the next play. So I'll come off. Hey, what did you see on that? Do you think there's anything else I could have done? And we'll give each other both ways. We'll both give each other that feedback and then just there for each other outside of ball too, just as being brothers, you know, because it's life outside of ball too, so make sure you're. You're mentally good.
- [45:10]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. 100 up and down year for JJ McCarthy obviously dealt with injuries. How did you see his growth over the course of the season?
- [45:17]
Aaron Jones
He just kept his head down, continued to work, kind of blocked out all the outside noise and just. He had. And I say young quarterbacks, they. They go. They're gonna. They have to grow. Nobody. It's hard for a quarterback just to come in right away and boom. You look across the. Jordan, Jordan Love. He got. He came in and said Sam Darnold. Now, he had time to develop, but they were trying to write him off at one point. So I just feel like it takes. It takes some time. Say I normally say about 18, 19 games for, for a new quarterback. Get the. Get comfortable, get catch the flow of the game, all of that. So I feel like he made a. And you've seen it at the end of the year, those last four, he came to play and he made a jump.
- [46:05]
Matthew Berry
So for all the complaining about Mike McCarthy, we know your head coach, Kevin O', Connell, knew exactly how to use you. What makes him one of the best offensive minds in this league?
- [46:14]
Aaron Jones
Just the way he. He can move guys around, find those mismatches. He knows exactly what he's looking, what he wants to do, kind of. Of what. What look he's gonna get. And he's like, hey, this is the power of the play, and this is why we're doing it. He breaks it down to you so you know exactly what we're trying to accomplish while we're doing it, what coverage we're trying to be okay. And if it's not that Coverage. This is how we can still survive the down and get out of this. Just so that. And then just how he can manipulate like. Like, line me up out wide, line me up out wide, bring me back and the backfield, then motion me back out wide just to uncover a defense and see what they're giving you if they're in, man. And then it also, Justin Jefferson, he's catching doubles as well, so it. It frees up other guys and it's. It's a fun offense to be a part of.
- [47:05]
Connor Rogers
Aaron, you. You hit IR in week number two, and you came back. You always come back. But my question is, is when did you feel like you were fully back to 100% Aaron Jones last year, or did you.
- [47:17]
Aaron Jones
No, I didn't feel like. I. No, it was. It was tough. I came back against Detroit, and that was the first time we played Detroit, in Detroit, and that was the first game I came back like, I felt like, okay, I'm finally over this hamstring. And I felt. I started off the game well, and I was. I can't remember what I had, but I was. I was like 78 yards in the first. First half and then came out of halftime and got tackled weird. Fell on my AC joint, and now.
- [47:47]
Trevor Lawrence
I have, like, a little.
- [47:49]
Connor Rogers
Sure, you can see.
- [47:51]
Aaron Jones
So that happened. And then I had some bone spurs in my big foot, and that all happened in the same play. Pushed me back even more. So it's. It's. To me, it's a. It's a matter of staying healthy. Availability. The best ability is availability, but availability where you can produce as well. So just. Just hit the. Hit the offseason hard, stack it, and it goes back to how you're taking care of your body, what you're doing, and set myself up for the biggest year yet.
- [48:21]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, for sure.
- [48:22]
Trevor Lawrence
I love to hear that.
- [48:23]
Matthew Berry
Well, it feels like this happened in a flash, but is the north the toughest division in football right now? It feels like everybody's a legitimate contender in this division. Ben Johnson going to the Bears. Obviously, you've been in Green Bay, so you know what that's all about.
- [48:34]
Aaron Jones
I say, yes, it is, but one of us got to get to a bowl, right?
- [48:38]
Jay Croucher
Because.
- [48:38]
Aaron Jones
Preferably us, but I would say us in the NFC west, though normally those two divisions are, at the end of the year, neck and neck. They're having to play to the end to see who's getting that first. That first. The first round. Not first round, but first place in their division, things like that. So. But I do think The NFC North. Even last year we put three teams in the post playoffs. Arguably could have had three teams. This year we were just. If we'd have beat Chicago, we'd have been in.
- [49:08]
Jay Croucher
But yeah, arguably could have had 400 teams that division. You guys played the Seahawks in the second half of the season. What's it like going up against the Mike McDonald defense?
- [49:17]
Aaron Jones
Those guys fly around there. They're where they're supposed to be at at all times. They're rarely making mistakes. They play as one unit and then they have guys playing with their hair on fire. Guys retracing D lineman D Law, he made, he came back and I caught a screen and kind of, well, I chipped him first and kind of put him on the ground. Catch the pass and kind of going downfield and he retraces and it's a big rake in and knocks the ball out. And it's just the, the way they play and it's a never die attitude. Even though he was on the ground and he's about five yards back. I catch the ball, have to maneuver, cut it slows you down. And he's right there to keep playing. So I got a lot of respect for them over there.
- [50:01]
Connor Rogers
Aaron, we heard you're throwing a Super bowl party. Can you, can you tell us about it?
- [50:05]
Aaron Jones
So you, of course you guys are invited. So I launched my brand, lifestyle brand. It's called Showtime worldwide. We launched November 14th. We have it's act. So the event is tomorrow. It's called the Showtime bowl. It's from 4:30 to 8:30 at 10:15 Team Folsom. Okay, we have G herbo coming.
- [50:23]
Christian McCaffrey
He's doing a little performance.
- [50:24]
Connor Rogers
Let's go.
- [50:25]
Aaron Jones
And then there's open bar, hors d'.
- [50:28]
Trevor Lawrence
Oeuvres.
- [50:28]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [50:29]
Aaron Jones
Just showing my creative side to the, to the world and my, my, my art, my art view like how football meets fashion. Well, sports world meets fashion and art all cultivated together. It somehow started November 14th and we had our first drop and we just started. Did our second drop January 30th. And it's funny, the name show, that's my nickname. But it came about in high school. We were sitting there like gamer tags.
- [50:56]
Christian McCaffrey
Yeah.
- [50:57]
Aaron Jones
How can, how can people know we're all together? So my brother was my time. My best friend was prime time. My cousin was it's go time. We had all had tyme. But then I sat down and like what does this mean to me? And to me it's, it's a mentality. No matter what you're doing, it's all, always showtime.
- [51:15]
Connor Rogers
I appreciate that.
- [51:16]
Aaron Jones
If you step into a meeting, if you're, when you, when you walk, when you walk into the door at home, you have those little kids, they want.
- [51:24]
Christian McCaffrey
Your best foot forward.
- [51:24]
Aaron Jones
It's showtime. So just that showtime mentality, anywhere you, anything, I'm doing it anywhere I go and doing it with a genuine heart and love. And it'll be done the right way.
- [51:34]
Connor Rogers
Well, yeah. Jay's nickname is no Time. Just be clear. Listen, Aaron, we, we love you here on the show, you know, hashtag free Aaron Jones. Continue to free Aaron Jones. Congratulations. Good luck with it. We're off air now, so you don't have to go home, but you can stay here for Aaron Jones. Jay Croucher, Connor Rogers. I'm Matthew Berry. We will see you tomorrow. Peace out.