PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Adam Thielen Returns to Vikings, Rashee Rice Suspended
Date: August 27, 2025
Hosts: Frank Isola & Mina Kimes (filling in for Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon)

Overview

This episode features Frank Isola and Mina Kimes taking the reins on PTI, tackling the day's biggest sports headlines. The discussion is dominated by two major NFL stories: Adam Thielen’s return to the Minnesota Vikings and Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension. Beyond football, the hosts analyze Coco Gauff’s tense US Open win, examine high-stakes quarterback matchups in college football, and debate which MLB teams are real contenders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major NFL Wide Receiver News: Adam Thielen’s Return vs. Rashee Rice’s Suspension

• [00:53–04:37]
  • Thielen has been traded back to the Vikings after stabilizing Bryce Young’s development in Carolina.
  • Rice receives a six-game suspension connected to a 2024 off-field incident.

Mina Kimes: “I'll go with Rice because he's the more impactful player on the better team.... They figured out how to use Xavier Worthy. Travis Kelce looks good, but Rashee Rice is the number one receiver in this offense so his absence is huge” [01:41]

Frank Isola: “Everyone keeps waiting for the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs.... But they got the guy at quarterback that is head and shoulders above everyone in the league. So it seems to me it’s plug and play.” [02:22]

• On Thielen’s fit in Minnesota:
  • Returns to a rookie QB, J.J. McCarthy. Kimes points out the risk to Bryce Young's development in Carolina after losing a key veteran.

Mina Kimes: “He was the veteran presence in that offense.” [04:08]
Frank Isola: “Thielen... only Randy Moss and Chris Carter have more receptions with the Minnesota Vikings.” [04:11]

2. Micah Parsons Contract Saga & Week 1 Readiness

• [04:37–07:56]
  • Isola: Concern over Parsons missing camp, but draws historical parallels with Aaron Donald (2017–18) who performed without full camp.
  • Kimes: Raises injury concerns, references Chris Jones holding out then excelling.
  • Discussion of leverage, Jerry Jones' motivations, and possible week one absence.

Frank Isola: “At some point you think he's going to come back? ... He is under contract to play and it is football. This guy is a football player. The fact that he's there every day at camp, he's a world-class athlete." [05:00]

Mina Kimes: “NFL players aren't like you, Frank. They can't just roll out of bed, show up looking pretty, smile and have a great performance. There is a concern about soft tissue injuries…” [05:56]

On the drama:
Mina Kimes: “Does he (Jerry Jones) even care if they're fielding the best team possible is a reasonable and open question… I have trouble seeing this being a competitive game” [07:05]

3. Coco Gauff, Serving Yips, and US Open Prospects

• [07:56–10:42]
  • Gauff survived 10 double faults but advanced in three sets; serving struggles persist.
  • New serving coach, Gavin McMillan, aims to improve her serve as with Sabalenka.

Mina Kimes: “I think you saw that her biggest opponent right now is still herself. The double faults continue.... 320 double faults this year. That's more than 100 more than the next player.” [08:19]

Frank Isola: “But, at 5–3 in the third set, when you're serving for the match and you double fault twice... that's a problem." [09:00]

• Kimes notes Gauff's serve speeds increased late in the match and wonders if the improvements will stick.

4. Toss Up: College Football Quarterbacks With the Most to Prove

• [12:32–14:43]
  • Arch Manning (Texas) vs. Julian Sayen (Ohio State)
  • Isola: Pressure on Sayen replacing a national champ, but stakes highest vs. Michigan.
  • Kimes: Manning gets most of the hype because of his name, but also legit dual-threat ability to steady him.

Mina Kimes: “...His last name is Manning, which is the closest thing we have in this sport to a royal family. He is supposed to be the prince that was promised.” [13:46]

5. Coach Challenge: Deion Sanders or Bill Belichick?

• [14:51–16:33]
  • Deion faces new season without his star QB and Heisman son.
  • Belichick, now at UNC, must form a team from heavy transfer portal turnover; possible off-field drama with “gold digger” trademark story.

Mina Kimes: “Bill Belichick is going to be more of a circus off the field than Deion Sanders has been. Darren Rovel just reported... he and his girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, apparently trademarked the term gold digger for some jewelry.” [15:43]

6. MLB NL East: Is the Division Still in Play?

• [17:01–18:35]
  • Mets’ recent surge discussed, but both hosts don’t believe five games can be made up; Phillies likely to hold on.

Frank Isola: “Five is a lot to make up in one month. That's not to say that...the Mets can't beat the Phillies, but the Mets went 2–14.” [17:06]

Mina Kimes: “I just think they're better than the team we've seen the last few games in this series against New York, they've gone 3 for 19 with runners in scoring position.” [17:56]

Memorable Lines & Quotes

• “He is supposed to be the prince that was promised. The hype could not be higher.” – Mina Kimes on Arch Manning [13:46]
• “You're talking about a guy only Randy Moss and Chris Carter have more receptions with the Minnesota Vikings.” – Frank Isola on Adam Thielen [04:11]
• “[Gauff’s] biggest opponent right now is still herself. The double faults continue... 320 double faults this year.” – Mina Kimes [08:19]
• “Bill Belichick is going to be more of a circus off the field than Deion Sanders has been.” – Mina Kimes [15:43]

Notable Timestamps

• [00:53] – NFL headline setup: Thielen and Rice
• [01:41] – Kimes on why Rice’s news is bigger
• [04:11] – Isola on Thielen’s Vikings legacy
• [05:00] – Isola on Parsons’ contract/status
• [08:19] – Kimes on Coco Gauff’s serving struggle
• [12:37] – “Toss up” segment begins
• [13:46] – Kimes on Arch Manning’s expectations
• [15:43] – Kimes on Belichick as an off-field distraction
• [17:06] – Isola on why Mets aren’t catching Phillies

Final “Happy Time” & Headlines (Selected)

• [21:16] – Brianna Stewart turns 31, crucial to the Liberty’s playoff hopes.
• [22:22] – Commemoration of the 1977 NY Cosmos NASL win.
• [23:01] – Keegan Bradley forgoes playing in the Ryder Cup, focusing on his captain role.
• [23:31–24:21] – Rapid-fire on NFL contract news (Kyle Hamilton), MLB discipline, Tom Brady broadcast role, and Astros/Mariners dynamics.

Conclusion

This episode offered a blend of incisive NFL analysis with fun banter across sports. Key insights include the relative impact of Rice’s suspension versus Thielen’s trade, the ongoing uncertainty with star NFL holdouts, and signals to watch in tennis and baseball. Mina and Frank’s chemistry brought both stats and humor, making it a lively edition bridging football, tennis, and cultural commentary.