Pardon My Take – Dianna Russini, NFL Combine Week In Indy, A Big Dom Peace Meeting, Hot Seat/Cool Throne, and More

Podcast: Pardon My Take
Host: Barstool Sports (Big Cat & PFT Commenter, with Hank, Max, Zach, et al.)
Episode Date: February 25, 2026
Special Guest: Dianna Russini (The Athletic)
Episode Theme: The crew reports on-site from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, dissecting NFL rumors, trades, and the insider buzz surrounding the biggest storylines entering the offseason. The episode features a memorable peace summit with Eagles' Big Dom, a hilarious road trip recap, banter about Olympic celebrations, in-depth discussion with Dianna Russini, and staple segments like Hot Seat/Cool Throne and Guys on Chicks.

Main Episode Overview

The hosts are at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, providing boots-on-the-ground coverage and behind-the-scenes stories—both in the conference rooms and the local bars. With Dianna Russini joining to spill insider knowledge, plus good-natured drama (the Big Dom Peace Meeting), the show delivers equal parts NFL gossip, personal anecdotes, and classic “PMT Family” hijinks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Combine in Indianapolis – Setting the Scene

• Timestamps: 02:45 – 07:00
  • The PMT crew celebrates the return of “football season” as Combine Week signals new NFL storylines.
  • Reflect on the time between football seasons, joking about pretending to care about hockey.
  • Recap Team USA’s double gold in Olympic hockey, then pivot with excitement to NFL rumors and speculation.

2. QB Market Madness: Cousins, Tua, Rodgers

• Timestamps: 03:17 – 05:59
  • Kirk Cousins—Rumors swirl he might hit the open market. Discussion on his future with the Vikings, possible release date (March 11th).
  • Tua Tagovailoa—Miami Dolphins have “everything on the table.” Hosts joke about wild hypothetical trades and what his actual trade market might be.
  • Aaron Rodgers—Situation described as “fluid,” but the guys comment on the annual cycle of Rodgers drama.

“Everything's on the table. I love that phrase."
— Big Cat (04:28)

• Notable Cap Insight:
  • Stephen Che, PMT’s “cap guy,” later breaks down Tua’s contract (35:17). Cutting Tua pre-June 1 would mean ~$99.2M in dead money, making a trade unlikely.

3. Trent Williams Contract Drama

• Timestamps: 05:40 – 06:46
  • The 49ers are at an impasse with Trent Williams. PMT wonders who wouldn’t want him, given his dominance and fun style of play.

“Trent Williams is a joy to have on your team…he’s the rare offensive lineman where you have fun watching him play.”
— Big Cat (06:09)

4. PMT Road Trip & Windmill Debate

• Timestamps: 06:53 – 12:36
  • Big Cat and Hank recount their drive to Indy, complete with “frunk” mishaps and a surprisingly passionate conversation about windmills.
  • Hank admits he dislikes ocean windmills due to environmental concerns but concedes land windmills are fine.
  • Side story: Mike Katic (producer) reacts to seeing the NFL Combine for the first time—“that’s so sweet!” becomes a running joke.

“I have no issue with the land windmills... it’s just the ones off the ocean.”
— Hank (09:58)

5. Big Dom Peace Meeting – Squashing the Beef

• Timestamps: 14:51 – 27:03
  • Big Dom, the legendary Eagles security chief, stops by in person for an unexpected “peace summit.”
  • Past banter and trash talk about Philly/Italians leads to palpable tension—Max literally runs from the room.
  • After humor and apologies, the “beef is squashed.” The moment is relived and dissected for laughs.

“Hank said it like I was willing to go outside… Chuck some knucks, dude.”
— PMT, on the standoff (22:27)

“If you want to go outside, let’s go outside.”
— Hank (22:23)

• Memorable Moment:
  • The crew jokes about inviting Big Dom to Max’s bachelor party and Big Dom promising Vic Fangio’s meatballs.

6. NFL Soundbites of the Week & GM Quotes

• Timestamps: 13:07 – 14:51; 27:22 – 27:56
  • Quote of the Week: Lions DC Aaron Glenn declares “Playcalling is my superpower.” The hosts riff on superhero analogies.
  • Giants GM Joe Schoen: Attempts to instill confidence by stating, “I’m still the general manager.” PMT jokes: if you have to say it, things aren’t going well.

7. Combine Buzz and QB Dominoes

• Timestamps: 29:44 – 36:14
  • The Cardinals and Bears trade scenarios (“everything is on the table”). Kyler Murray, Tyson Bagent, Malik Willis trade rumor mill.
  • Olympic Party Relitigation: Team USA celebrates hockey gold in Miami at “11”—clarifies to audience: “not a strip club; a club with strippers.”

“Every strip club should have the national anthem before they start the pole work.”
— Big Cat (30:21)

• Canada Copium: PMT roasts Canadian hockey fans for shifting to “what if” hypotheticals.

8. Hot Seat/Cool Throne

• Timestamps: 39:07 – 45:27
  • Hot Seat:
    • Fanatics/Nike—Did not make enough USA jerseys after gold medal win.
  • Cool Throne:
    • “Heat 2”—Rumor of Christian Bale & Leonardo DiCaprio starring in sequel (excitement from all).
    • Darren Peterson—KU star admits he’s an “antisocial loner,” PMT analyzes modern athletes/pressure.

9. Special Interview: Dianna Russini (The Athletic)

• Timestamps: 55:29 – 114:13

- Main Topics Covered:

• Top Combine Storylines: AJ Brown trade buzz, Maxx Crosby’s future, Vikings QB plans.
  • AJ Brown: Both sides likely “ready to split.” Could be resolved quickly due to Combine networking and GM meetings.
  • Maxx Crosby: Frustration over injury management. Could be traded, with the Ravens as a possible fit. “I will not be surprised if [a trade] winds up happening.”—Diana (70:04)
  • Vikings: QB uncertainty, JJ McCarthy’s future. Aaron Rodgers was close to joining as mentor.
• Insider Process: How trades and deals are made “off the record” at late-night Indy steak dinners.
• Reporting Ethics: The tricky line as an insider, how to handle “retroactive off the record.” Dianna stresses most NFL folks are “savvy” about what’s for public consumption.
• Team Thirstiness: Some franchises try to win over reporters by over-sharing.
• New Hires: Jesse Minter (Chargers DC) called a “winner,” positive early buzz on Eagles’ new OC.
• Rapid-fire Town Hall: Listeners and crew ask Dianna about franchise QBs (Kyler, Jalen Hurts, Tua), Nick Sirianni’s “warm seat,” and more.
• Reporting Realities: Reflects on leaving ESPN for The Athletic, personal rewards, and the power of loving your work.

“If you’re good at it and you work hard at it, you can find success. Someone is going to hire you if you are doing it.”
— Dianna Russini (115:00)

- Notable Quotes:

• “Sometimes it’s better to just split and go in separate ways.” [On AJ Brown/Eagles] (58:14)
• “What are you doing to me today?”
  — Dianna, after rapid-fire questioning about Maxx Crosby (66:20)
• “Sometimes your questions…are just dumb…just use, like…common sense.”
  — Dianna ribbing PFT (74:59)
• “I think the A.J. Brown situation…the thing that we’re not doing enough of…what is A.J. actually upset about, and why is anyone having that conversation and being real about it?”
  — Dianna (99:30)
• “The best part outside of you guys and the team, is actually your listeners. They’re loyal as hell.”
  — Dianna (112:57)

- Memorable Moment:

• Dianna shares a dirty penguin joke she’s been using to break the ice with NFL execs (109:42).

10. Wrap-Up: Studio Return & Classic Segments

• Timestamps: 118:24 – end

- Leftover Olympic Takes:

• Fantasize about John Kruk or Bill Walton commentating “boring” winter sports.
• “Every Olympics, there should be a regular person in the skeleton just to see how bonkers the pros are.” (132:33)

- Guys on Chicks:

• Relationship advice queries about boyfriends who watch rom-coms. The hosts declare

  “If watching Love Actually is gay, then I’m the biggest gay person on planet Earth.”
  — Big Cat (123:01)

- Other Banter:

• The “par three vs. par five” debate in golf.
• Would you rather be a world-class sprinter or a world-class figure skater?

- Fan Games:

• Audience numbers game and happy birthday to Christian Ponder (138:08).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Thinly Disguised Tension:

  • “If you want to go outside, let’s go outside.”—Hank (22:23)
  • “I ran away. I got scared. I got scared.”—Max (18:46), explaining why he fled when Big Dom entered.

• Combine Wisdom:

  • “Stuff gets done out at steak dinners…two GMs get drunk together and they’re like, ‘f*** it, let’s do this trade.’”
    — Diana Russini (59:11)

• Media Ethics:

  • “Everything’s off the record with me…until it isn’t. And then I say, ‘Can I go with this?’”
    — Dianna Russini (61:51)

• On AJ Brown’s Trade Possibilities:

  • “Smiley face for New England, Buffalo…Poop emoji for Tennessee.”—Dianna Russini (64:45-64:56)

• Olympic Take:

  • “Every strip club should have the national anthem before they start the pole work.”—Big Cat (30:21)

Important Timestamps

| MM:SS | Segment / Topic | |-------|----------------| | 02:45 | NFL Combine & return to football vibes | | 03:17 | QB rumors (Cousins, Tua, Rodgers) | | 05:40 | Trent Williams contract issues | | 06:53 | Road trip/windmill debate | | 14:51 | Big Dom “peace summit” | | 27:22 | Joe Schoen "I'm still the GM" quote | | 29:44 | Cardinals/Bears QB rumors | | 39:07 | Hot Seat/Cool Throne | | 55:29 | Dianna Russini interview starts | | 58:14 | AJ Brown trade scenario | | 66:20 | Maxx Crosby trade tension | | 70:04 | “I will not be surprised…” (Crosby) | | 74:59 | Diana calls out dumb questions (PFT) | | 99:30 | Root cause of AJ Brown’s discontent | | 109:42 | Dianna’s dirty penguin joke | | 112:46 | Diana reflects on loving her work | | 118:24 | Return to studio for Olympic takes/Guys on Chicks |

Overall Tone & Style

• Classic PMT: irreverent, conversational, and quick-witted.
• Expertly oscillates between serious NFL scoop and self-deprecating banter.
• Dianna fits seamlessly, sharing real insider knowledge but never above the jokes or ribbing.
• Episode’s highlight: the on-air resolution of the show’s playful feuds—especially with the Big Dom “summit”—and deep NFL offseason insight.

Takeaways for the Uninitiated Listener

• The NFL Combine is as much about information and rumors at late-night bars as it is about 40-yard dash times.
• AJ Brown and Maxx Crosby are at the trade epicenter, with Dianna predicting quick movement on Brown and openness to a Crosby deal.
• NFL coach and GM rumors are constant, and much is smoke—but the Combine is where deals get done.
• PMT brings the ‘locker room’ feel to listeners—insider interviews, personal road trip anecdotes, and the kind of dynamics you only get with close friends (and a little bit of “family beef”).

Bottom Line:
This episode is a tour de force: a must-listen for NFL fans who crave insider scoop as well as the brotherly chaos and recurring bits that make Pardon My Take a sports podcast institution.