Game Over with Max Kellerman & Rich Paul

Podcast: The Ringer
Episode: "Changing of the Guard, the Chiefs' Future, and LeBron vs. Brooks"
Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Max Kellerman and Rich Paul dive into some of the biggest storylines in sports from the past weekend, including a possible “changing of the guard” in the NFL with the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes going down with a major injury, the surge of Josh Allen and the Bills, and what the future holds for the Chiefs. The duo also unpacks the dramatic Lakers vs. Rockets matchup featuring LeBron James and Dillon Brooks—both Paul’s clients—and discusses the dynamics and realities of representing players on both sides of high-tension moments. Additional insights on NBA development, playoff strategies, and deeper cultural reflections round out an episode rich in both sports analysis and personal perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL: A Changing of the Guard?

• [05:14–15:18]
• Max and Rich reflect on a pivotal NFL Sunday, where Patrick Mahomes suffered an ACL injury and the Bills, led by Josh Allen, delivered another high-octane comeback.
• Max’s Main Takeaway: Feels like a sea change in the NFL hierarchy, particularly at quarterback, with Allen elevating to "best in the league" status as Mahomes is sidelined.
  • [06:38] Max Kellerman: "Right as the Chiefs season ends and Mahomes gets hurt… did you not feel it was the changing of the guard?"
  • [10:01] Max Kellerman: "This is the first time I would say in Josh Allen's career that's the best quarterback in football."
• Rich on Mahomes: Highlights the physical toll on Mahomes and considers the Chiefs' need for a strategic reset as their dynasty stalls.

2. Chiefs’ Future & Mahomes’ Recovery

• [13:32–18:55]
• The guys discuss how Kansas City should handle Mahomes’ injury timeline, especially as Travis Kelce seems near the end of his career.
  • [14:22] Rich Paul: "Do you want to come back as soon as possible or take it slow in the rehab? If you’re the Chiefs, you evaluate everything—production, character, professionalism—to approach a potential reset."
  • Rich floats the idea of Mahomes syncing his return with the arrival of top college receiver Jeremiah Smith as part of the Chiefs’ next championship window.
  • [17:13] Bill Simmons (Max): “If I was Mahomes… I would go to Ohio State games next year with the scouts. Manifest this thing with me and Jeremiah Smith.”

3. Devastating Injuries: Mahomes & Micah Parsons

• [20:09–26:19]
• The episode marks the rare occurrence of two franchise-altering injuries on the same day: Patrick Mahomes and Cowboys star Micah Parsons.
  • [21:13] Rich Paul: “The only thing that’s undefeated is injuries. You can have the best plan… but the only thing that could really make it not is an injury to that guy.”
  • Discussion on the broader impact on team morale and season outlook, drawing parallels to previous NBA and NFL moments when stars went down.

4. Playoff Picture & Team Trajectories

• [29:11–34:10]
• Max (Bill Simmons) and Rich hash out which NFL teams still have realistic championship dreams post-injury, with Rich expressing admiration for the Rams and raising the surging Texans as a dark horse threat.
  • [31:19] Rich Paul: “The Texans. Every now and then… the defense, especially the front seven, is an outlier defense.”
• Discussion on the Cowboys’ playoff (and existential) struggles, the high stakes for the Eagles, and why the Bills have a clearer pathway but should fear Houston as a matchup.

5. Playoff Legacies and Fan Culture

• [33:01–35:06]
• The duo explores fan expectations around playoff rivalries and matchups, emphasizing that sometimes legacies are shaped by who you don’t get to face, referencing Kobe vs. LeBron as a finals matchup that never materialized.
  • [34:27] Rich Paul: "It goes back to… just get me [to the Super Bowl]... I’m not, if I win a Super Bowl, I won a Super Bowl."
  • [34:40] Rich Paul: “Disclaimer—everything that Rich says on this show is Rich’s idea… not coming from the clients or anyone else.”

6. Inside Rich Paul’s World: Sports Agency & Media

• [36:41–38:41]
• Rich shares reflections on his motivation for doing the show, navigating public (and client) perceptions, and dispelling the myth that LeBron orchestrates his every move.
  • [35:40] Rich Paul: “He’ll tell you—'that guy has his own mind. That guy took an opportunity and went and built something.'”
• Rich tells a behind-the-scenes story about visiting the George Lucas Museum, highlighting his commitment to staying true to himself and building his own lane.

7. LeBron vs. Dillon Brooks: Agent on Both Sides

• [39:34–45:28]
• A detailed conversation about representing both LeBron James and Dillon Brooks in a heated Lakers-Rockets matchup, including practicalities and personal philosophy as an agent.
  • [40:31] Rich Paul: "Representing players and being a nanny are different… these guys are grown men."
  • [42:12] Rich Paul: “If there’s a team out there that can get Dillon Brooks that actually has a chance to win the championship, they should.”
  • Max presses on whether Rich talks to Brooks after high-profile mistakes (like the tech late in the game), with Rich stressing players take responsibility themselves while he supports and advises where needed.
• Comparison of Brooks to classic villains—someone you hate playing against, but love on your team.

Notable Exchange:

• [43:11] Bill Simmons: "He hit two of the final three free throws to get the win."
• [43:14] Rich Paul: "He should have made the technical free throw... we'll talk about that later on tonight. But nevertheless, he came back..."

8. NBA In-Season Cup, Wemby, and Changing Generations

• [47:07–60:41]
• Recap and analysis of recent Cup games, including Wembanyama's standout performance.
  • [48:51] Rich Paul: “When I talk trophies, Michael Jordan’s up there. But LeBron, Kobe, now Steph—they go on the shelf, too.”
  • Max and Rich debate whether Wemby could someday surpass Jordan or LeBron in terms of all-time impact, noting the historic skills and defensive influence he’s already displaying.
  • In-depth dissection of the Spurs’ development under rookie head coach Mitch Johnson, their player payroll strategy, and positioning for sustained success.
  • [54:22] Bill Simmons: “Does that mean this year?”
  • [54:24] Rich Paul: “Could be this year.”

9. Coaching & Organization Evolution: NBA Head Coaches as Coordinators?

• [61:11–67:21]
• Max and Rich discuss the evolution of NBA coaching roles, with a provocative take on Tom Thibodeau possibly thriving more as a “defensive coordinator” than a head coach, and cultural differences in coaching trees (Spurs, Heat, etc.).
  • [65:21] Rich Paul: "Do you think some coaches have more value as assistant head coaches?"

10. Gun Violence & Antisemitism: Culture, Community, and Sports as Refuge

• [67:19–70:44]
• In a reflective segment, the hosts address recent tragedies (Brown University shootings, antisemitic incidents), the toll on communities, and the role of sports as both distraction and unifier during troubled times.
  • [68:34] Rich Paul: “It’s just unfortunate, man. So I just wanted to say that.”
  • [69:39] Bill Simmons: “Jewish people are looking around right now saying, where are our allies? Because it feels like there’s a level of tolerance of antisemitism now around the world that is sickening.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the NFL’s generational shift:
  • [10:01] Max Kellerman: “This is the first time I would say in Josh Allen's career that's the best quarterback in football.”
• On the reality of injury in sports:
  • [21:13] Rich Paul: “The only thing that’s undefeated is injuries.”
• On representing controversial or combative players:
  • [42:18] Rich Paul: “Could some things get a little chippy? Whatever. At the end of the day… I want that. I don’t want it to the extent that he gets a technical foul… but I want it.”
• On why he started the podcast:
  • [35:40] Rich Paul: “LeBron gave me an opportunity… but if you talk to the man himself, he'll tell you, that guy has his own mind. That guy took an opportunity and went and built something which allows me to be in the position I am today to do this show."
• On the Cup, winners, and legacies:
  • [48:34–50:15] Rich Paul: "When you talk about ‘replace,’ it’s like—no. Michael Jordan’s up there. If someone else comes along, they go on the same shelf… LeBron, Kobe, now Steph…"

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:14 – Start of NFL recap, Bills-Patriots, Chiefs-Mahomes injury
• 13:32 – Kansas City Chiefs’ strategic future, Mahomes’ rehab
• 20:09 – Impact of Mahomes and Micah Parsons' injuries on league landscape
• 29:11 – Playoff picture shakeup, Rams, Eagles, Bills, and Texans
• 39:34 – Agent dilemmas: LeBron vs. Dillon Brooks, navigating client rivalries
• 47:07 – NBA Cup discussion, Wembanyama’s emergence
• 54:22 – Spurs’ player development, evolution of the modern NBA roster
• 61:11 – NBA coaching hierarchies: Head coach vs. coordinator roles
• 67:19 – Reckoning with gun violence and antisemitism, sports as solace
• 71:00 – End-of-show birthday and sneaker launch celebration

Language & Tone

• Conversational, sharp, and occasionally playful.
• Max (Bill Simmons for this episode) pushes Rich for both hot takes and honest looks behind the curtain.
• Rich keeps it candid, mixing insight with straight talk and personal anecdotes.

Closing Notes

This episode blends insightful NFL analysis, personal experiences from sports representation, thoughtful commentary on cultural currents, and a touch of celebration at the end. Whether discussing dynasties ending, player rivalries, front office strategy, or heavier topics outside the arena, the show remains a compelling blend of expert opinion and authentic rapport.