Astros win + Texans and More NFL news

Summary

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Payne & Pendergast

Episode: Astros win + Texans and More NFL news
Date: August 5, 2026
Hosts: Seth Payne & Sean Pendergast
Platform: Audacy

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the Houston Astros' ongoing hot streak, major roster updates—including Carlos Correa's potential return—and key NFL happenings centering on the Houston Texans. Notable Texans topics include Jadeveon Clowney’s return to Houston and aspirations for the Super Bowl, as well as major NFL contract news like Zay Flowers’ record-breaking deal and the implications for Texans receiver Nico Collins. The hosts blend sharp analysis with entertaining banter, giving listeners both the facts and their signature Houston-flavored takes.

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Astros Update: Momentum & Roster Moves

(01:12-04:41)

• Astros Beat Blue Jays 7-2:
  The Astros bounced back from a previous loss to take a 7-2 win against Toronto, sustaining a streak where they've won 12 out of their last 14 games, and maintaining a 2.5 game lead in the AL West.

  • Sean: “Astros are rolling. Man, 12-2 in their last 14 games. They've got a two and a half game lead in the American League West.” (01:27)

• Key Player Return—Wisneski:
  Wisneski, acquired as part of the Kyle Tucker trade, is highlighted as a pseudo–trade deadline acquisition who can bolster the Astros’ pitching rotation.

  • Co-host: “He is one of your pseudo trade deadline acquisitions... we’re not going to get any pitchers except we got these guys coming back.” (01:52)

• Carlos Correa Injury Update:
  Astros insider Brian McTaggart (MLB.com) reports Carlos Correa has been cleared to start swinging a bat after his tendon surgery in May. Debate ensues over where and how Correa should fit into an already crowded infield as the postseason looms.

  • Sean: “Good news at the doctor. [Correa] is cleared to start swinging his bat. Swinging a bat, literally.” (03:00)
  • The hosts note the remarkable recovery speeds for tendon injuries in MLB and NFL, referencing Daniel Jones’ successful comeback from an Achilles tear.
    • “Achilles tendon really isn't that big a deal anymore.” (Co-host, 04:41)

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Texans & NFL: Clowney’s Return and Contract Trends

Jadeveon Clowney Rejoins the Texans

(05:00-09:32)

• Clowney’s Motivation and Mindset:
  Recently signed back with Houston, Jadeveon Clowney explains his decision as primarily motivated by a chance at a Super Bowl, downplaying financial incentives.

  • Clowney: “My whole thing was to chase the Super Bowl this year. No better place for me to do it here... I could have went other places for a little bit more money... But it's year 13. I started here, go back here, try to win there and see how the rest of my career goes.” (05:04)
  • Hosts discuss how Clowney’s comments echo what many veteran players feel about finding the right situation late in their careers.
    • Sean: “Clowny’s in a much different scenario because...he’s on a year-by-year scenario when it comes to whether he even wants to play football anymore.” (07:33)

• Super Bowl Motivation & Retirement Speculation:

  • Sean: “If they win a Super Bowl, I think Clowney goes out on top...I think Clowney would look at that as a great final chapter.” (08:15)
  • Co-host: “Hear that? That's now crispy and McCrispy strips meeting creamy Caesar sauce...at McDonald’s.” (09:29) (Note: brevity break, humor as ad parody just before segment end)

• Comparisons with Legacy Players
  Hosts riff on whether post-Super Bowl retirement or continued play is more likely for veterans, citing examples like John Elway and Andrew Whitworth, drawing parallels between motivations and mindset.

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NFL Contract News: Zay Flowers & Nico Collins

(09:39-10:59)

• Zay Flowers’ Record-Breaking Contract:
  Flowers secured a 4-year, $140 million deal with $108 million guaranteed—the largest guarantee ever for a WR.

  • Sean: “Zay Flowers got four years, 140 million, and the biggest guarantee in the history of wide receivers.” (09:39)
  • Reaction is pragmatic:
    • Co-host: “I don't bat an eyelash at any of these deals...The cap's going to keep expanding, and contracts are going to keep getting bigger.” (09:54, 10:39)

• Nico Collins’ Deal Looks Good:
  The hosts explain how Collins’ recent extension is now an even bigger bargain—he sits around 13th among WRs by annual value despite a "massive raise."

  • Sean: “If they kept Nico Collins where he was before...he’d be way farther down the list. Right now, he’s still like 13th, and that was with a massive raise.” (10:29)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sean (on the Astros’ win):
  “Astros are rolling. Man, 12-2 in their last 14 games.” (01:27)
• Clowney (on his motivation):
  “My whole thing was to chase the Super Bowl this year. No better place for me to do it here...it wasn't about the money.” (05:04)
• Sean (on Correa fighting to return):
  “He’s trying to buck the odds and return to the field late in the season after tendon surgery in May.” (03:02)
• Co-host (on the evolution of tendon injuries):
  “Achilles tendon really isn't that big a deal anymore.” (04:41)

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:12 | Astros beat Blue Jays; 12/14 recent wins | | 01:52 | Wisneski’s return and significance | | 03:00 | Carlos Correa cleared for baseball activities | | 05:04 | Jadeveon Clowney on choosing Houston for a Super Bowl run | | 07:33 | Free agency, legacy, and veteran decision making | | 09:39 | Zay Flowers’ contract; context for WR market | | 10:29 | Nico Collins deal analyzed |

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Tone & Style

The discussion is classic Houston sports radio—honest, sharp, and sprinkled with humor and personal anecdotes. Seth’s former-player perspective gives an insider feel, while Sean’s hosting keeps momentum brisk and accessible for both die-hards and casual fans.

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Conclusion

This episode offers Astros fans an optimistic update, context for upcoming roster decisions, and confidence in the team’s postseason prospects. Texans fans hear directly from Jadeveon Clowney on his motivations and hopes, with insightful analysis on team strategy and NFL contract dynamics. All wrapped in Payne & Pendergast’s distinctive, relatable tone.

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Transcript

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[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yes, with today's headlines. On the ground, another chance for Allen.

[Sean]

He goes to Pena.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

This time, the turned in time. Double play.

[Jadeveon Clowney]

Game over.

[Sean]

Astros win it 7 to 2.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

They have won down 12 of their last 14 games and maintain their lead in the American League West. Lumer continues to be a really good Homestead.

[Sean]

Astros are rolling. Man 12 Two in their last 14 games. They've got a two and a half game lead in the American League west. They win last night 72 over the Toronto Blue Jays. So they exact a little revenge from the night before. Rubber game today, Seth. They try to win the series this afternoon. We haven't had a businessman's special in a long time. A 110 first pitch today over at Dyken Park.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Good times, man.

[Sean]

Between the Blue Jays and the Ashes.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

And Wisneski, I think is the guy that I'm most excited about or at least intrigued by. He is. He is one of your pseudo trade deadline acquisitions. He's like, hey, hey, we're not going to get any pitchers except we got these guys coming back.

[Sean]

You know what else he is? He's part of the Kyle Tucker trade. So that helps the Astros try to continue to run the score up on the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade as well.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Well, no, imagine if it weren't for the. The Cam Smith, the Paredes, the Wisneski, those acquisitions. I think Dana Brown's fate would almost be sealed. Yeah, that's probably his one big move.

[Sean]

Yeah. And it's generally speaking, it's worked out not that Cam been. He has been a superstar.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

That's still an unfinished story.

[Sean]

Yeah, 100%. So they win last night 7 to 2. Hunter Brown on the mound today at 110 over at Dyken Park. By the way, another bit of news. This is Courtesy of Brian McTaggart. MLB.com does a great job covering. The Astros posted yesterday that Carlos Correa, good news at the doctor. He is cleared to start swinging his bat. Swinging a bat, literally.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

And metaph.

[Sean]

He always does it metaphorically. Literally. He can swing one now, too. Correa. This is Tip McTaggart. Correa is trying to buck the odds and return to the field late in the season after undergoing tendon surgery in May. It's funny to watch the different sort of permutations or puzzles that people are trying to put together reinserting Carlos Correa because here's the fact of the matter and I know Paredes has been on a bit of a slump right now, but I'm guessing he, unless he's getting a day of rest, he's going to bat third today. The three positions Correa can play for you, third base, shortstop, dh.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yeah.

[Sean]

Those are your three best guys right now over the last month, month and a half.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yeah.

[Sean]

So it's hurt. It really does become interesting. I would love to have Carlos Correa back because he's a good baseball player. They need good baseball players when the postseason rolls around. It's just that you're going to want all your good players in the lineup. So now we're back to kind of where we were before the season where we're like, well, Jordan's going to have to play a lot of left field. Can we re entertain Jose Altuve playing left field? Hey, Christian Walker kind of sucks sometimes. Maybe Paredes can play first base.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

The organization had been, you know, the organization have been trying to trade Paredes in the off season because they had a crowded infield and who knows what might have happened if Correa had stayed healthy and they needed either an out, you know, left handed outfielder, which they did acquire, but maybe you get somebody on a little bit higher price scale or a pitcher if. But that's neither here nor there. Yeah, the fact that he's coming back, you know, I was skeptical when Cray hinted at it.

[Sean]

Well, he may come back.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

May come back. Sorry, I was skeptical. But then you reminded. Oh yeah, it's like all these tendon injuries aren't as bad as they used to be. Daniel Jones, Daniel Jones seems to be doing just fine coming off of a torn Achilles Go.

[Sean]

He tore it in November.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Remember, I saw we were talking to somebody after, after the season and he said, I don't know if Daniel Jones will even play football again. And we looked at each other like, have you been paying attention the last decade? Achilles tendon really isn't that big a deal anymore.

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[Sean]

Jadevion Clowney met with the media yesterday. He said he is excited to be back in Houston and he wants to win a Super Bowl.

[Jadeveon Clowney]

Yeah, like I said, my whole thing was to chase the super bowl this year. No better place for me to do it here. I think they had great defense last year. I said, if I can go there, help my guys. It wasn't about the money because I could have went other places for a little bit more money than this. But I'm like, it's year 13. I started here, go back here, try to win there and see how, you know, rest of my career go. But it's been a great run, man. It's been great. I've been having fun with it.

[Sean]

I. What I love about that cut, when I listened to it when I saw it yesterday is it mirrors in a way what you, you said yourself to Nick Casario yesterday, actually about you as a former player watching d' Amico Ryan's defense and if you were still an active player, especially playing on the defensive line.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yeah.

[Sean]

And you were figuring out what you wanted to do and especially if, you know, there wasn't the interest you wanted in other places. Clowney had interest in other places, but just Clowny talking about watching.

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[Sean]

watching that defense and say, I would like to play in that defense.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Right? Right. Yeah. And no, and what I said is if you were a free agent, you weren't getting offers you wanted, I would go up to d', Amico, I would fly to Houston and say, I'll play for very cheap for one year and, you know, do some good things. Now Clowney. Clowney's in a much different scenario because I think Clowney is as he has been. I think Clowney's on a year by year scenario when it comes to whether he even, you know, wants to play football anymore or anything. And it's just gotta be the right sit situation. And he felt like this was the right situation. And he is in that 1% of players where when they say I had better offers elsewhere, usually I think that's bs. I do think that's the case with Clowney.

[Sean]

I do, too.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

That he could have gone elsewhere and played for more. But this just makes so much sense.

[Sean]

You know what else I think, too? Just based on some of the joking around he was doing yesterday, which I don't think was entirely joking, I think if they win a Super Bowl, I think Clowney goes out on top of the. I think Clowney, he joked about it yesterday. He's like, hey, we win a Super bowl, you guys might not get another interview from me.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yeah, that's right.

[Sean]

Yeah, I get that. I think he's being sincere and that he is here. He wants to win a Super Bowl. And I get that's just my own gut feeling in the whole thing that if they were to win a Super bowl, that I think Clowney would look at that as a great final chapter to his story. That's just me reading.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

I know that's you because people said the same thing after Elway won his first Super Bowl. And it's almost like, I don't. I just look, if I win a Super bowl and I'm on a team that's still good, my thought is, I'd like to win another one of these. This was fun.

[Sean]

Well, he was on. Well, Clowney's on a. Well, he's not Elway, but Clowney's on a one year deal, you know, like, you know what I mean? Like, it's.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

But if he had the option. Yeah. Like, it's just. You're saying like, okay, I want it. I'm done now. I don't know. I feel like, okay, you think like Andrew Whitworth, when was at a point where maybe he wanted retire. He goes out to the Rams and after being kind of miserable for a long time.

[Sean]

Oh.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Oh, this is awesome. All right, I'm gonna. I'm stick around.

[Sean]

That's just my read on it. I hope we get a chance to vet this thing because it means the Texans will have a Super bowl, so. And I'm happy to be wrong too, by the way. I'd love to have Clowney around and.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Okay. Thanks, Sean. I understand that Elway and Clowney have different careers. That's. I get it. Yeah.

[Sean]

Zay Flowers got paid yesterday, and the Nico Collins contract is an even bigger bargain now than it was before the day started yesterday. Were you surprised? Zay Flowers got four years, 140 million, and the biggest guarantee in the history of wide receivers.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Nah, I don't bat an eyelash at any of these deals. I don't understand people that get all up in their feelings about likes. How Bill Simmons love it when Bill Simmons weighs in. You know what? I don't care about this because Bill Simmons acted like it was a crime against humanity. So you like it? I'll see what the actual details of the deal are when they come out.

[Sean]

It's four years, 140 million, 108 million guaranteed.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yeah.

[Sean]

To Zay Flowers, which is like jumps way high up. The guarantees for wide receivers. It's the fourth highest average annual value. Again, like when these contracts come out, there were people upset that the Texans gave money for free to Nico Collins this offseason.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yeah.

[Sean]

If they kept Nico Collins where he was before they gave him that extra money, you know how far down the list he would be right now he's still like 13th. And that was with a massive raise.

[Co-host or Analyst (possibly a sports commentator)]

Yeah, I think with. I guess when it comes to contracts, the only time that it really raises my eyebrows, if it's somebody that I think is just genuinely not that good. Where I look, you can argue about Zay Flowers and some of his. Some of his issues, especially in big games, but I don't. Yeah, this is where the. The cap's going to keep expanding and contracts are going to keep getting bigger.

[Sean]

Yep. Apparently Aaron Rodgers, you know what? We'll get to this in the 7 o' clock hour. We're up against it. Aaron Rodgers is making excuses in my mind for the loss to the Texans last year, which we will, we will get to in the 7 o' clock hour. Nick Casario was on with us Yesterday, talked about C.J. stroud, talked about Tank Dell. We'll get to both of those and also we'll dig deeper into what Clowney had to say. The difference between Clowney 2026 and Clowning 2014. And he dishes a little bit on his time when he left here in 2019.

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