NFL Cover Zero: NFL Free Agency and Chargers CB Cam Hart

Podcast: KSR – iHeartPodcasts / Sports Talk 790
Air Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Drew Franklin, Billy Rutledge (filling in for Matt Jones)
Special Guest: Cam Hart, LA Chargers CB
Theme: Discussion of wild NFL Free Agency moves and an interview with Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (former Notre Dame captain), recorded at Super Bowl week.

Episode Overview

This episode of NFL Cover Zero, hosted by Drew Franklin and Billy Rutledge in Matt Jones’ absence, dives into the biggest stories of the NFL offseason, with a special focus on 2026 free agency and the surprising moves defining this cycle. The second half features a wide-ranging, lively interview with LA Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, covering his rookie experience, Notre Dame leadership, coaching philosophies, and his drive both on and off the field. The tone is humorous and conversational, with plenty of football insight and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wild NFL Free Agency Moves (02:32–13:43)

• Hosts share surprise and excitement about recent free agency moves:

  • Mike Evans to 49ers:
    • Billy Rutledge (04:09): “I'm really still trying to get over Mike Evans leaving to go to San Francisco. Not only that, Drew, but to take a low amount of money. It was not about the money for him. He felt like he would go win a championship over there.”
  • Kyler Murray to Vikings:
    • Billy Rutledge (05:52): “Man, do they have egg on their face. Sam Darnold leaves and then goes, wins a Super Bowl and J.J. McCarthy really struggles... Kyler can. Can play ball. He just needs to get into his playbook a little bit more.”
  • Maxx Crosby’s (non-)trade and Ravens’ defensive arms race:
    • “Looked like the Ravens are just loading up on defense to try to get that Super Bowl ring.” (Drew Franklin, 07:52)
  • Travis Kelce returning to Chiefs, Justin Fields as backup (07:17–07:44)

• Local Pride and Kentucky Connections:

  • Wandale Robinson to Titans (08:52):
    • “Wandale played here for maybe one of UK’s best seasons in a long time... now you’re telling me after the great season he had in New York, I get to watch him in Nashville?” (Drew Franklin, 08:52)
  • Titans uniform surprise for Drew Franklin at SEC Tournament (09:54–11:10)
  • Discussion of new Titans stadium and the nostalgia of “being in at the beginning” (11:53–12:55)

• Lighter Moments:

  • Following Donna Kelce’s home renovation on social media (06:17–07:02)
  • Titans “taking back” Drew after his “flirtation” with Bills Mafia (12:55–13:20)

2. Cam Hart Interview – Chargers CB and Notre Dame Captain (18:49–33:10)

Setting the Scene

• Interview recorded at Super Bowl week in San Francisco, with Matt Jones returning to join Drew Franklin and Billy Rutledge in a relaxed “lounge” stage setting.
• “We had much less preparation time. They were kind of throwing us names we hadn't heard of before we got up there. And honestly, Drew, I think they all turned out…” (Billy Rutledge, 17:42)

Switching Gears: Early Football Reflections (18:49–21:25)

• Chargers’ 2025 season & new hires:

  • Cam Hart is optimistic about the team’s future post-coaching change.
    • “I think it was just a building point, honestly… I think the hires that we made this offseason with Mike McDaniel and Chris O'Leary are two great hires.” (Cam Hart, 19:28)

• On injuries derailing the season:

  • “You lose two All-Pro tackles, I mean, that's going to impact any… football team. And then I think we had like, nine different combination of offensive line.” (Cam Hart, 20:27)

Notre Dame Leadership & Coach Freeman’s Hair (21:00–22:48)

• Meaning of Notre Dame captaincy:
  • “That's something I remember for the rest of my life... having the respect and respect for my teammates and the coaches, that's a big thing for me, and I'll carry that.” (Cam Hart, 21:08)
• On Coach Marcus Freeman:
  • “He’s very personable. You can go to Coach Freeman about anything... he understands his players.” (Cam Hart, 22:04)
  • On the legendary hairline: “Yeah, he gets it touched up a couple times a week. Three times a week he gets it touched up.” (Cam Hart, 21:52)

NFL Trash Talk & Tough Matchups (23:10–24:32)

• Wide receiver rivalries:
  • “Stefon Diggs talks a lot of trash. We went to the same high school, so that was a battle that I always look forward to.” (Cam Hart, 23:24)
  • Toughest opponents: “Jamar Chase, Puka Nacua and JSN ... Puka and Jamar Chase, what they can do after the catch; JSN, he's very creative in his route running.” (Cam Hart, 24:03)

Chargers Fan Base, Brazil Game, and Locker Room Vibes (24:32–26:15)

• On the much-maligned Chargers fan base:
  • “If you look at the attendance from the NFL, Chargers is top 10… the fan base have backed us all year. I think it’s continuing to grow.” (Cam Hart, 24:59)
• International games:
  • “Just being in Brazil... you see all different types of jerseys... they don’t necessarily just wear the jerseys of the teams playing.” (Cam Hart, 25:25–25:32)
• On Justin Herbert dating Madison Beer:
  • “Justin, he's a very quiet guy... he doesn’t talk about much other than football in the locker room... once social media started posting, that's when I found out about it.” (Cam Hart, 25:54)

Harbaugh’s Milk, Michigan Rivalry, and Politics (30:36–33:09)

• Jim Harbaugh mythology & Michigan rivalry:

  • “I personally hate Michigan. I hate Michigan... I think because I wanted to go to Michigan in high school and they didn’t recruit me. So when you're at Notre Dame, you’re kind of like, blank that, that Jim Harbaugh.” (Cam Hart, 31:00)

• On being a political science major:

  • “I always wanted to go to law school... that was the fashion track at Notre Dame.” (Cam Hart, 32:06)
  • “No, I don’t follow politics as much as you would think. I think it's very polarizing. The more people talk about it, the crazier it gets.” (Cam Hart, 32:27)
  • Matt Jones responds: “Well, I can tell you one thing you did do correctly was not becoming a lawyer. I was a lawyer for a few years, and it’s the one worst. So you had a much better…” (Matt Jones, 32:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On free agency surprise:

  • “I wish [Mike Evans] nothing but the best, but he’s taken some shots on the way out, and I really don’t know how to handle it.” – Billy Rutledge (04:09)

• On Wandale Robinson signing:

  • “The Juan Del win really stuck out to me and says a lot with Brian Daboll coming over as offensive coordinator from New York, how, how much he really believed in him too.” – Drew Franklin (09:24)

• On Coach Freeman’s signature look:

  • “He gets his haircut probably three times a week… and the barber... cuts everybody on [the team] too.” – Cam Hart (21:51)

• On Chargers fans:

  • “If you look at the attendance from the NFL, Chargers is top 10.” – Cam Hart (25:03)
  • “Boom. Eat those numbers.” – Drew Franklin (25:05)

• On Stefon Diggs as a trash-talker:

  • “We went to the same high school, so that was a battle that I always look forward to.” – Cam Hart (23:24)

• On Harbaugh and Michigan snub:

  • “I personally hate Michigan. I hate Michigan... I wanted to go to Michigan in high school and they didn’t recruit me.” – Cam Hart (31:00)

• On NFL player/agent ambitions:

  • “I want to be an agent. I want to go to law school and become…” – Cam Hart (32:54)

Segment Timestamps

• NFL Free Agency Recap & Analysis: 02:32–13:44
• Titans segment, UK and local color: 08:47–13:18
• Lead-in to Interview: 17:35–18:49
• Cam Hart Interview: 18:49–33:10
• Post-interview wrap and Brown’s Denzel Ward tease: 33:15–34:14

Episode Takeaways & Final Thoughts

• The NFL offseason is full of unpredictability, and this year’s free agency made for some eyebrow-raising moves—most notably veteran stars seeking rings, surprise trades and re-signings, and teams betting big on fresh starts.
• Cam Hart, a thoughtful, funny, and grounded young player, provided insight into NFL culture, Chargers’ team-building, and his own path from Notre Dame captain to pro corner—and even talked a bit about his academic ambitions and the reality of transitioning to pro life in LA.
• The episode, with its blend of personal football stories, locker room humor, and affectionate regional ties, makes for an insightful and entertaining listen for NFL fans and Kentucky sports followers alike.