Hour 2: A Case For Nico

Summary

Summary of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" - Episode: Hour 2: A Case For Nico

Release Date: June 29, 2025

Introduction

In the second hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and David Dennis Jr. delve deep into the intricacies of recent sports trade decisions, notably advocating for Nico Harrison. The conversation intertwines analyses of high-profile trades, team strategies, and player performances, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current sports landscape.

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1. The Case for Nico Harrison

The primary focus of this episode revolves around the controversial trade involving Nico Harrison. Matt Jones initiates the discussion by questioning the commonly held skepticism towards Nico, aiming to present a balanced perspective.

• Trade Analysis: David Dennis Jr. supports Matt's stance by highlighting the strategic advantages of drafting Cooper Flag as the number one pick for the Dallas Mavericks. He emphasizes the favorable circumstances surrounding this pick, noting, “You get drafted number one. You go to this Dallas Mavericks team that just got rid of Luka... you are immediately a possible playoff contender, and you are somebody who can contribute” (04:16).

• Comparative Insights: The hosts compare this trade to historical precedents, such as Tim Duncan's selection alongside David Robinson, underscoring the rarity and potential impact of such moves.

• Potential Outcomes: Discussing future scenarios, David speculates on the implications if Luka Doncic remains injured, stating, “If Luca stays hurt... Cooper Flag becomes Cooper Flag and Dallas is contending for a title in two or three years. Do you think he gets redemption...” (06:47). They debate the likelihood of Nico Harrison redeeming the trade through team rebuilds and player performances.

• Trade Mechanics: The conversation critically examines the mechanics of the trade, questioning the value exchanged and the long-term benefits, with David asserting, “You always could have gotten better for Luka. This was not that you could have gotten better for him” (09:13).

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2. Sunday Sports Headlines

Transitioning from the main topic, Matt and David cover a series of sports headlines, providing their takes and engaging in light-hearted banter.

• Soccer Climate Challenges: They discuss Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca's complaints about the heat in the United States affecting his team's performance. Matt emphasizes the importance of acclimatization, remarking, “In America, it's hot, and they better get used to it” (16:53).

• WWE Night of Champions: The hosts review the event, noting Cody Rhodes winning the men's title and John Cena retaining his title against CM Punk. David highlights Jade Cargill's performance and anticipates future matchups, “J. Cargill sees what happens next with her... heading to a triple threat at SummerSlam” (21:13).

• Aaron Rodgers’ Move to the Steelers: A significant portion is dedicated to discussing Aaron Rodgers opting into a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both hosts express skepticism about the move's potential success.

  • Performance Concerns: David questions Rodgers' current performance level, stating, “I'm not sure Aaron Rodgers is good at quarterbacking anymore” (25:04).

  • Team Dynamics: They debate the potential impact on the Steelers' locker room, with David asserting, “He's a Hall of Fame disruptor... he will destroy your team” (25:56).

  • Fan Reactions: Listener calls reveal mixed emotions, with some expressing strong opposition to Rodgers joining the Steelers, highlighting concerns over team harmony and Rodgers' influence.

Notable Quotes:

• David Dennis Jr. (04:16): “You are immediately a possible playoff contender, and you are somebody who can contribute.”
• Matt Jones (06:47): “If Luca stays hurt... Do you think he gets redemption...”
• David Dennis Jr. (09:13): “You always could have gotten better for Luka."
• Matt Jones (16:53): “In America, it's hot, and they better get used to it.”
• David Dennis Jr. (25:56): “He's a Hall of Fame disruptor... he will destroy your team.”

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3. Listener Engagement and Opinions

Throughout the episode, Matt and David engage with listener calls, showcasing diverse viewpoints on the discussed topics.

• Support for Aaron Rodgers: A caller from Milwaukee defends Rodgers' acquisition by the Steelers, arguing his statistical performance improvement over previous quarterbacks. However, David remains unconvinced, emphasizing the potential negative ramifications on team cohesion.

• Fan Boycotts: Another listener, Donna from Pittsburgh, expresses her decision to boycott Steelers merchandise and events due to Rodgers' signing, reflecting the polarized fan base.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller (39:09): “Someone needs to explain to me this selective blindness of people who actually think that a 41, almost 42-year-old former great NFL quarterback has any expression.”
• Donna (35:14): “I'm not watching a game. I've boxed up all my Steelers shirts and clothes and hoodies and pocketbooks.”

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4. Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Matt and David reflect on the discussed topics, reiterating their skepticism about the Aaron Rodgers trade and its potential impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers. They emphasize the importance of team dynamics and long-term strategy over marquee player acquisitions that may not align with the organization's culture.

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Conclusion

In "A Case For Nico," Matt Jones and David Dennis Jr. provide a thorough examination of a pivotal sports trade, blending analytical insights with passionate debate. Their discussions extend beyond the main topic, covering a range of sports news and engaging with listener opinions, making the episode both informative and interactive for fans seeking a deeper understanding of current sports affairs.

Transcript

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[Matt Jones]

This is Matt and Myron the podcast. It is Sunday morning ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. I am Matt Jones, fresh off the wedding in Venice of Jeff Bezos as David Dennis Jr. Did you, did you get to go on the canals in Venice yesterday with all the big time celebrities?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I was gonna go, wanted to be there, but they told me I'd be missing spending three talking sports. So I said I'm not, I'm not missing, I'm not doing that.

[Matt Jones]

Leonardo DiCaprio wore a hat to the wedding and he's gotten a lot of heat for it. They said he did because he said he didn't want the paparazzi to seem. Oh, someone who likes to wear a hat. I, I'm pro. Leo. I wish you could wear hats to weddings. If you can wear a hat to Jeff Bezos wedding, you can wear it to any of them.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Well, you know, also Jeff Bezos getting a lot of flat tux. The tux is a. Who has a.

[Matt Jones]

So what was the problem with the tux? I don't understand. I didn't understand.

[David Dennis Jr.]

It looked, it's a, it's a bad looking tux. It's kind of like, doesn't fit. Well, the, the little. What are these? The. What are the. Not the column, but the things. The pals were a little too thick. It just looked, it looked kind of rough for a guy. Looked like he kind of.

[Matt Jones]

Are we allowed to, Are you allowed to give advice on tuxedos if you don't know the name of the thing? You're criticizing lapel.

[David Dennis Jr.]

I can, I can. I'm criticizing billionaires and I'm, and I don't know what a billion dollars looks like. So I think, I think we've. That train is up the station. So I think we say it was.

[Matt Jones]

The third most expensive wedding in the history of the world. That's a pretty amazing statement, isn't it? Third most expensive wedding in the history of the world.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yeah, you know, whatever. Good for him. Good for him. Glad. Hope is. Hope is.

[Matt Jones]

How do we know that? We don't. We don't. People just say things like that, and then people like me repeat them, and then next thing you know, that's what it is. But, well, maybe.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Maybe his next wedding will be the even more expensive.

[Matt Jones]

Well, Tom. He's on the three thirds of charm. Tom Brady was there as well. The one sports star that made his pick one day, it might be Cooper Flag that is at the next major wedding. Drafted number one overall by the Mavericks. You know, when you talk to people who've been. Who are draft followers, they will, I think, if you go back to LeBron, start with LeBron and go forward. There are a handful of draft picks that in the moment stick out. Like in the moment, people said, okay, this is going to be the guy. I think LeBron's obviously number one, and Carmelo was kind of in that group, too. Then it was the Odin Durant duo. People debated who should be one, who should be two, but they were there. Then I think it was John Wall. Then I think it was Anthony Davis. Then I think you skip a few years and you get Zion and now you get Cooper Flag. Do you agree with that list? And then how do you think Cooper Flag fits into that timeline of not necessarily what they ended up being, but, like, hype slash excitement going into the league?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I think so. And I think one of the things. I mean, the talent is. Is definitely there, but I think what also helps is just the circumstances in which he gets drafted into the league. Right. You get drafted number one. You go to this Dallas Mavericks team that just got rid of Luca, that is in, you know, one of the more unpopular general managers that we've ever seen, a team that fans are saying that they're gonna leave, and you are a lifeline to this fan base, and you're immediately a possible playoff contender, and you are somebody who can contribute. Not like it's. I think it's different. If he goes to Washington, he goes to Washington. Wizards. We say, hey, I feel like I'm picking on the Wizards today. But, you know, they're the one.

[Matt Jones]

You are mean to the Wizards, like the Wizards, the Lab. How are you going to be mean to Washington? They've never won anything.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Well, that's why I mean to them, like, that is a. That is an organization that just seems like they just are going to. They just have an idea that we're just going to have the draft save us every year, and we're going to tank and tell it until it happens. And this was the year they wanted to do it, and it didn't happen. But I think if you go there that's like great. A generational talent. He's going to go to Washington maybe and see what he does. Now you're in a position where I think you're as set up to succeed as any rookie that we've seen a long time just because of the coaching, the personnel, all that stuff around to protect some of those flaws. And you're going to be in high pressure, high intense games that are going to help you early in his career. I think all of that helps to. The hype around Cooper Flag, oh, it's a great.

[Matt Jones]

Listen, he's on a good team. You have to probably struggle to think of a number one pick that has been placed on a better team. You know, I. Off the top of my head, I guess the only one I can think of is when Tim Duncan gets picked with David Robinson.

[David Dennis Jr.]

That's the only comp. That's the only comp to me is Tim Duncan.

[Matt Jones]

That's the only one. That's the only one I can think of. During this time. It was interesting you mentioned the thing about Nico Harris. I mean, they were still chanting, fire Nico at the draft party. But I, I'm gonna. I'm gonna do something that I don't think a lot of people have done, which is, let's just, let's make the case for Nico for a second. He clearly would not have thought that, no, I'm making the case. I'll be the guy. I have a tendency when everybody in the world is. Is. Is crapping on somebody I take up for him. So let's, let's just, let's make the case. If you had told before the draft and David, I grant you, he couldn't have known this, but if you had said to him before the draft, luca, for Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg, you say yes to that, right?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yes, absolutely. Yes.

[Matt Jones]

You say yes. Okay. So he ended up. I'm not. He obviously didn't know before, but he ended up with Anthony Davis and Cooper Flag. You make that deal, what's going to happen in five years, David, if Lucas stays hurt because he's not in shape? I know people say he's in shape, but it's like Zion. I hear that every year. And then he's not in shape. What is it going to look like for Nico Harrison if Luca stays not in shape? Hurt, Cooper Flag becomes Cooper Flag and Dallas is contending for a title in two or three years. Do you think he gets redemption or people just going to say, ah, you got lucky?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Well, I think he would give redemption because of the fact that in order for Cooper Flag to be competitive in five years, if Nico Harrison still there, which, you know, who knows, it will require a rebuild of that team because in five years, the AD will be there anymore. Kyrie won't be there anymore. Clay won't be there anymore. And you're going to have to build that team sort of from scratch. So if, if you have rebuilt that squad in a few years and Cooper Flags competing for a championship, then yes, you could beat your chest. But at the same time, we will know that you made the wrong decision in trading Luke. That was the wrong decision.

[Matt Jones]

But why is it the wrong decision? Notice I gave two parts to that. Not just Dallas being good, but Luca staying hurt. Because I think part of what Nico's decision was is that Luca has the body of the kind of dude who's going to break down as he gets older. So if that becomes true, shouldn't that be part of the analysis? You're not.

[David Dennis Jr.]

If the Luca thing falls off a cliff, then yes, you get redemption. If the, If Luca becomes Zion, then yes, you get redemption. But what we also think that's a.

[Matt Jones]

Crazy thing to predict, David.

[David Dennis Jr.]

But I mean, but here's the thing. Here's the thing about Luca. Even out of shape, bad defense. Luca took you to the finals when.

[Matt Jones]

You, when he was 24, 25. But is 30 year old Luca going to do that? I mean, I, maybe he is. I don't know. Jokic isn't in the best shape and still be. Is going to be fine, probably into his early 30s. I just, two years ago, if you and I sit here and we had a conversation about who are the faces of the league, who's the. You're not going to get very far without getting Luca. He doesn't come up now. Now you sit there and you talk about the 3, 4, 5 best players. You don't mention Lucas name. I mean, there's an argument that fall off, even if it's slight, has already begun.

[David Dennis Jr.]

I mean, it's pot. Yeah, it's possible. Yes, it's absolutely possible. And if that happens, Nico can say this is what I predicted. This is what I saw coming. Right. But I think also one thing that'll make this, that makes this work for Nico is, is. Is Anthony Davis also going to be healthy too? Like that's part of that trade. You're trading for Anthony Davis. So like you're also. You're so like that's that. I think that was the issue. The issue was not necessarily moving on from Luca because you can make an argument for moving on for Luca based on all the things that you said, right. The problem was the mechanics of him doing that.

[Matt Jones]

The problem is there's.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Why aren't you shopping Luca to more people? Why don't you get a better haul for Luca? Because what you're getting Luca for A.D. one for one, essentially. And you can say Luca may be out of shape and hurt next five years. What is Anthony Davis?

[Matt Jones]

What if Anthony Davis is better in that one for what? And you got Cooper flag.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Because if Anthony Davis. If Anthony Davis spends the next five years. Five. Because how is Anthony Davis now? What, 32, 30. 30.

[Matt Jones]

Probably. Yeah, probably about 32, 30.

[David Dennis Jr.]

If you spend the next five years of Anthony Davis, like. Right. But Nico didn't do this for five years. He did this because he thought he can win a chance like he thought he could, right?

[Matt Jones]

Anthony Davis and a draft pick. The draft pick matters, right?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Well, no. Well, they got the draft pick because they were bad. They didn't get the Lakers draft pick. They got the draft because they were bad. Like, what essentially we're doing is a guy who like as goes bankrupt because of his financial decisions and then wins the lottery and he's like, ha, ha. I just knew it was gonna.

[Matt Jones]

I think you have to be very careful. I think you have to be very care. You're right about that. I think you have to be very careful, though. If you put him in a scenario where there is no analysis that will let you let him. Let him win the trade. There is none.

[David Dennis Jr.]

There is none. There's no. There's no way you win the trade because you know why. Okay, so you're telling you, let's say.

[Matt Jones]

Let's say Luca retires right now and Anthony Davis plays for five more years. He still doesn't win the trade.

[David Dennis Jr.]

He does not win. He does not win this trade because you always could have gotten better for Luca. This was not that you could have gotten better for him. Like, even. Even if you. Even if you win the. I have a better player now and Anthony Davis and Luca than Luca Doncic. You lose because of what you could. Who was off the trade market for Luca? Who. What team are you? Not Giannis. Giannis Wimby, Jokic. That's probably. You could. Let me be so many.

[Matt Jones]

Let me be fair, though. You're not able to make that trade unless, you know, Luca will resign with the team because very few teams are going to trade for him without knowing he's going to resign with the team. He's not going to resign. With Milwaukee, probably. He's so. Listen, I'm not trying to say he did. He did the best negotiated. I don't like scenarios, though, where you create a system where there's no way the opinion opposite of yours could be correct. Not yours, but just anybody.

[David Dennis Jr.]

I agree. Nico created a system with the trade.

[Matt Jones]

Saying to you, I'm going to throw out.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Okay, okay.

[Matt Jones]

Might end up winning it. He might end up winning the trade. I don't think he should have. I think if you're rolling dice or whatever, there was a 97% chance he'd lose the trade, but there is this 3% chance where he would win and that might happen. It might.

[David Dennis Jr.]

It might. It might. You're very like it. It. It might happen. Luca may retire tomorrow. Anthony Davis may be the most healthy version of himself for the next five years to be a top five athlete. It may happen. It may happen. Derek Queen may be the next Patrick Ewing and the number one and the pick that the Hawks got.

[Matt Jones]

So you said that because you know I'm not a Derek Quinn.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Because come at the end of the end of the round and that could possibly. Like we could. We could do this all day with these scenarios.

[Matt Jones]

I'm just throwing it. Everyone dumps on him. I wanted to take up for him for a second. We will do some Sunday headlines, including a story that I think David will like. If he doesn't, I like it. That's next. Or on Sunday Morning with Matt Myron. Matt and Myron. The podcast.

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[Matt Jones]

Shop Skinny Pop now. It is Sunday Morning. Matt Myron on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. We have some breaking news. I love the Peter Jennings music from our guy shams. The Lakers LeBron James opt his $52.6 million player option. He will be back to the Lakers. Lebron says, quote, I know the Lakers are building for the future and I value a realistic chance of winning it all. Not a huge surprise. He ops in. Do you agree with him, David? They have a realistic chance of winning at all?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I do not. But I think that I understand LeBron has given us a shot. That is an interesting quote. You know, like, that's an interesting quote. Like, I know they're building for beyond me, but I want to win now when he knows they're not building necessarily for him. That's a very interesting way to phrase that. But I don't think, I mean, in order for the Lakers to get this thing to work out, they're going to need some centers there. They're going to need some depth. They're going to need Luca to be prime value. Luca. And they're going to need LeBron to be the best version of LeBron at 40. Would it be 41 now? 42? Whatever age he is, that is an uphill battle for that team.

[Matt Jones]

It certainly is. All right, it is now time for the other stories in the world of sports. It's time for Sunday morning headlines.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Extra, extra. Real money.

[Matt Jones]

The Sunday headlines. All right, what do we got here, James?

[James]

All right, first up, we'll go to soccer. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca questioned the choice of the United States as host of the Club World cup and branded the two hour weather delay in his team's round of 16 win over Benefica. Don't know if I said that right. I'm from Western pa. I don't talk too good.

[Matt Jones]

I'm not from Portugal.

[James]

I understand as, quote, a joke. What do you think about that, Matt?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I just need to yell at the Chelsea guy for a minute. These managers. So he's like the third manager from Europe, David, the guy from Dortmund in Germany, Chelsea, who has complained that it's too hot here in the United States, that they can't play here because it's too hot. His players are getting tired. When Dortmund played in Cincinnati, they had their reserves sit in the locker room during the first half so they wouldn't get too hot. I was at a game yesterday in Philadelphia. It was two Brazilian teams, Palmeiras and Botafogo. It was like 93 degrees. Those dudes were playing. Nobody was complaining. You know why? Because they were used to the temperature. Because they're from Brazil. These European coaches and players that are whining that it's too hot, David, I have no time for them. We're not. The world is not supposed to be on European temperature. Time you know what? In America, it's hot, and they better get used to it, because next year, the World cup is here as well.

[David Dennis Jr.]

It's what home field advantage is about. It's the same thing that happens. You go when you have Buffalo, go to Miami on a Sunday, and everybody's struggling the sidelines because it's too hot, and then Miami goes up to Buffalo in December and it's snowing. That's part of the game. You got to get. Got to get used to the temperatures.

[Matt Jones]

Get used to the temperature. Chelsea, just because you're from London, where it's 63 degrees and rains every single day, does not mean that everything has to be in your temperature. So the South American teams and the Central American teams are doing better in this tournament than they normally do. And maybe part of it's the temperature. But you know what? That's exactly right. That's home field. So the Chelsea manager and the Dortmund manager, they all need to stop crying. What's next?

[James]

Yeah, it's straight from your Twitter feed, a video of the General Lee, famously of the Dukes of Hazard car jumping over a fountain in Somerset, Kentucky, yesterday.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. So Somerset, Kentucky, they host a thing every year. David, I'm going to have to get you to this one year. It's called cruising, okay? And people who have, like, old cars come and just drive them around town. The main event this year was they got the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard. Put aside the symbolism of the General Lee just for a second, okay? And, and, and if, if possible, and just know what they did. They shut down downtown. They have a fountain in the middle of downtown, and they set up a ramp, and the car jumped the ramp, and it landed on the other side of the fountain in front of what looks like tens of thousands of people in this little small town. Now, the problem is it crashed into the barriers after and nearly hit a few people. But put that aside. It was a pretty amazing spectacle. You can see it on my Twitter account. Would you go watch a car jump a fountain in a small town?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I would watch a car jump a fountain in a small town. I am not going to watch the General Lee jump a fountain in a small town in Kentucky. That's just not. That's where I draw the line. So in theory, I will watch these things, but generally, I want no part of General.

[Matt Jones]

Well done. So let's. So go through there. There's three. Three parts of that. So you would. All right, so you would go to a small town. A small town, a fountain, a Fountain. A fountain. Okay. You don't want to see the General Lee. We don't have to go into why I get it. But I get it. All right. So that's fine. What's wrong with Kentucky? Why couldn't you come to Kentucky? Very nice place.

[David Dennis Jr.]

I will happily go to Kentucky. And I will happily go to a small town in Kentucky. I will not go to a small town in Kentucky where there's a General Lee anything anywhere near me that's just not. And a crowd. And a crowd and a General Lee anywhere near me in Kentucky. No, thank you. Absolutely not. But love Kentucky will go there. I will need somebody to make sure that there are no General leaves anywhere in 5 mile radius.

[Matt Jones]

General leave barrier. But you would have gotten seen like a Chevy Impala in Somerset, Kentucky.

[David Dennis Jr.]

We're going Viper. That car. Whatever. What's the car? The David House. That's Viper, right?

[Matt Jones]

Yes, Viper. That's right.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Viper. We're flying. We're jumping Viper over a fountain. We're jumping.

[Matt Jones]

It's not generally. What about the.

[David Dennis Jr.]

We're doing that.

[Matt Jones]

We've got the General Lee. If you were in Atlanta.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Nope. Generally like. I feel like I'm doing green eggs and ham right now. No. No way. No General leaves anywhere in my. In my vicinity.

[Matt Jones]

Fair enough.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Thank you.

[Matt Jones]

Otherwise. Yes, I get it. Makes perfect sense.

[James]

Yeah. I feel like those are fair ground rules.

[Matt Jones]

I think David makes a very fair point. We could do.

[David Dennis Jr.]

We could do the Back to the future car. We could fly any sort of cars over any sort of fountains. That one is what kind of where I draw the line.

[Matt Jones]

I understand.

[James]

All right, I think we got time for one more real quick. Night of Champions. WWE Night of champions held yesterday 1pm start here in the United States. Over in Saudi Arabia saw the crowning of the king and queen of the ring. Cody Rhodes won the men's Jade Cargill won. The women's main event was John Cena retaining over CM Punk in a beautiful mess of a finish. What did you guys think about Night of Champions?

[Matt Jones]

That was interesting. I mean, I didn't like Cody Rhodes being king of the ring because usually they try to do that to kind of give somebody on the come up a little bit and Cody's already here. But Joe, CM Punk and John Cena was fine. It was nothing spectacular, but I thought a solid thing for. I don't like that they go to Saudi Arabia, but they do. And so if they're going to do it, I thought it was fine.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Jade Cargill. Jade Cargill coming out of Storm Queen of the ring. You know Oscar, they had a good match. J. Cargill see what happens next with her. Naomi Bianca I think we're heading to a triple threat at SummerSlam and the build is starting right so the king of ring gets a title shot right at SummerSlam.

[James]

Yeah. So we're looking at Cody and Cena and Jade and right now Tiffany Stratton.

[David Dennis Jr.]

There you go.

[James]

Main events in SummerSlam.

[Matt Jones]

Cena's retirement tour is hitting like George Strait levels of length at this point though I feel like feel like they I don't know if you need a year long goodbyes but nevertheless enjoyable and probably should have made the ESPN top headlines we read earlier. Is this going to finally be Aaron Rodgers final season? Please Lord, we hope that's next on Sunday Morning. Matt and Myron the podcast.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Savor every.

[Matt Jones]

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[Matt Jones]

Aaron Rodgers has informed the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[David Dennis Jr.]

He is going to sign before next.

[Matt Jones]

Week'S minicamp on a one year deal. Touchdown Aaron Rodgers. I love Aaron Rodgers with something to prove in a new city. Now I'm not gonna sit up here.

[James]

And say that Aaron Rodgers is gonna.

[Matt Jones]

Take you to the promised land, but I like his chances better than Mason Rudolph. Rodgers tore the goal like caught touchdown.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Did Mike Tomlin have his first losing season ever or will they be super bowl contenders?

[Matt Jones]

I've been in the darkness. You gotta go make peace with it. I wish we were on camera so the world could have seen my eye roll at that last comment. You gotta walk into the darkness and I'm at peace with it. In the in the realm of athletes of my lifetime, I've disliked Aaron Rodgers has climbed to number one with a vengeance. And now we get one more year. Although I'm not buying it until he actually says he's retiring one more year. Van Rodgers with his last ride. It's Sunday morning. Matt myron, David Dennis Jr. Filling in. Presented by Progressive Insurance. Insurance for motorcycles, boats and RVs. For protection on the road and on the water. See how much you can save at 1-800-progressive and progressive calm. There's almost two conversations for me about Aaron Rodgers, David. One is, you know, will he help Pittsburgh this year? I mean, I think they will. I agree with Harry Douglas there, who said they will be a little better with him than they would have been. Mason Rudolph. And then I think there's a second conversation of even with that considered, is it worth doing? And then there's my third personal conversation, which is how exhausted I am of him as a personality. Let's start with the first one. Do you think they will be better and if so, how much better with Aaron Rodgers?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Better than if they had Mason Rudolph.

[Matt Jones]

Or whatever else they could have done this offseason?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I don't. So here's the problem is that I'm not sure Aaron Rodgers is good at quarterbacking anymore. There's that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I'm not either.

[David Dennis Jr.]

There's that important thing. But also the floor. I mean, the ceiling, I guess. The Steelers is Aaron Rodgers. You're baking on a high ceiling. The floor for having Aaron Rodgers on your team is about as low of a floor as you could possibly have as an organization. Not because of just the talent, because of what Aaron Rodgers can do to your locker room and your organization. He left the jets in disarray. And you will say that, oh, they're the Steelers. They're not going to allow this to happen. This is not how they're going to be. They're going to be more, you know, they're the Steelers, right? I'm not so sure because this is a Steelers team that punted on every other quarterback and just waited for Aaron Rodgers to be available, which is very un Steelers like for a guy like him.

[Matt Jones]

He's a Hall of Fame disruptor, too. I mean, if there's a Hall of Fame of people who can ruin your locker room, he's in it.

[David Dennis Jr.]

He's a. He's a Hall of Fame disruptor. You have a coach who everybody is, for whatever reason, was saying, maybe people are tired of him, even though he's raised the ceiling of his team every single year he's been there. And he may be out the door as a result of this. Aaron Rodgers can come Mesa. Rudolph can come in and be bad. Russell Wilson could come in and be Bad Aaron Rodgers can come in and be a eater of worlds, most most notably your world, and destroy your team.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, he certainly can. I. You know, the interesting point, there's no doubt the downside is. Lolo, the downside is everything you just said. Let's just talk about the high side, because I don't understand where everybody finds the high side. Let's say Aaron Rodgers is the best version of what Aaron Rodgers can be at this age, in my opinion, he still, at that point, ranks at best, at absolute best, giving him every single benefit of the doubt. He's still fifth in the AFC behind Mahomes Allen, Lamar Burrow. So even if you think he's the best version of the he can be his fifth, then there's a very strong argument that he's lower than that, that he's lower than Justin Herbert. And you start even then going, well, where is he in that little, you know, to the, you know, that, that realm of people, Trevor Lawrence, wherever you want to put whoever you want to put in that group. So if at best he's fifth, and if pretty consistently, David, Pittsburgh has found themselves in the fifth, sixth, seventh seed in the AFC anyway. I just don't get it. I don't get it. I don't get. If he was in the nfc. I guess I could see the argument, but he's not going to be better than those guys. So what are you doing? What are you trying? What are you doing? He's only going to be there one year. What is the point?

[David Dennis Jr.]

And he's going to be the third best quarterback in his own division by default.

[Matt Jones]

That's exactly right.

[David Dennis Jr.]

By default. Yeah. I don't get it. Because you. I would understand. You bring in Aaron.

[Matt Jones]

Let me put him six.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Oh, yeah. CJ Stroud is clearly better. You know, you bring in Aaron Rodgers if you, you know, you've tried out other guys. You tried out Rogers. He played best. He did. They did not entertain anybody else until they got Aaron Rodgers. Which makes this even more baffling. Like, they treated Aaron Rodgers like he was Green Bay Aaron Rodgers like he was MVP Aaron Rodgers, and he was going to save your franchise when even at his best in over the last few years, he's not a guy that's good enough to save a franchise in the way that they were acting like. That's the part that I don't get is one thing to just get him because you've wager options. It's another thing to be all in on a dude with no rhyme or reason.

[Matt Jones]

So let's go back to the point you made about Mike Tomlin and how they've waited, etc. Let's say. Because I'm sure the Steelers would say we're not going to let Aaron Rodgers run everything. So far, their actions have indicated otherwise. But let's say that that's true. If you're Mike Tomlin and you're the coach, David, are you going to tell him, first of all, you're going to tell him. You can't do McAfee all year.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Somebody should. I mean, like, I mean.

[Matt Jones]

But would you do that if you were Mike Tomlin?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I. I would imagine that that's probably been. Bro. That. That Tom the Nose, he can't tell him that. I would imagine that. I mean, not like that.

[Matt Jones]

That's probably telling that. Then you're losing the Steeler way, right? The whole.

[David Dennis Jr.]

You already lost it. You already lost the steel away by getting Aaron Rodgers in the way that you got him. You already lost it.

[Matt Jones]

Really. You. It's. They think it's already gone.

[David Dennis Jr.]

You already.

[Matt Jones]

You.

[David Dennis Jr.]

That. That idea that we. I mean, you've already let the guy sign in after, you know, after. After many camps, right? So, like, you know, you've made a situation where he comes in when he wants, you know, that you. He was. There was no real competition for him. Like, they've already moved the needle for Aaron Rodgers in a way. I, I just don't think Aaron Rodgers goes into an organization. The idea of, like, I can't be podcast bro when I want to be podcast.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so if he's going to be podcast bro, and I agree with you, he probably is, then he's going to be disruptive. And he is already. We've agreed, no chance. He's better than the sixth best quarterback. So if you're a Steelers fan, and I'm sure we have those of them, we have lots of them listening. 888, say ESPN. If you're a Steelers fan. Are you excited about this? Like, what is the way. Let's assume. What's your favorite team, David, in sports, I don't think I know this. Is it the Falcons? Is it?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I'm a Saints fan. And football Saints.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so it's the Saints. Okay, so you're a Saints fan. You're. You're. Let's. Let's say you are as rabid about the Steelers as you are the Saints. Are you even going to try to talk yourself into this? And if so, what are you saying? To try to talk yourself into it?

[David Dennis Jr.]

You're Saying Aaron Rodgers is still one of the great quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers was at the Jets. He had a year where he was injured and another year where he's getting back from an injury. Because those Achilles injuries, you take some time to get better and you say this dude is going to come back and be better than ever. It's his last year. He wants to win a championship.

[Matt Jones]

You're going to tell yourself he could be better than ever.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Oh, not ever. But better than he's been in the last few years. Better than since the injury. That's what I'm telling myself. You know, better. Better than. You know, than ever since the Achilles injury. Right?

[Matt Jones]

Since the Achilles. Okay.

[David Dennis Jr.]

I'm telling myself that. I'm telling myself that this is. We're getting the best Aaron Rodgers. The best behaved Aaron Rodgers. He's all. He said.

[Matt Jones]

The last year in Green Bay wasn't very good either.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yes, I know this. I know this. How are you going to ask me to pretend to be a Steelers fan and then try to be logical while.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, fair enough.

[David Dennis Jr.]

You can't.

[Matt Jones]

Well, there's got to be a lot. So I guess again, 808, say ESPN, if you're a Steelers fan. I'm interested in what? In can you make yourself mentally make this work? Okay, so we've talked about all the problems and the upside. What happens this year, David, you put on your, your, your, you know, your hat of the future and say, when we sit here in December, where are they?

[David Dennis Jr.]

They're not in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers is mediocre at best. Mike Tomlin is on his way out because, you know, they were talking about it last year. And you have a Pittsburgh Steelers team that is going, a franchise that is going into the next year in disarray without a quarterback, without a coach building from scratch in a situation that was absolutely avoidable if they had just went out there and tried to find the actual better quarterback instead of putting it all in on Aaron Rodgers.

[Matt Jones]

See, that's. I. First of all, I agree with you. I think that's the most likely scenario. And if that is the scenario, did Mike Tomlin want to lose his, like, finish his legacy in Pittsburgh like this? Going down with podcast, bro. Like, everything I know about Mike Tomlin, I don't feel like I know him well, but everything I know suggests this is not how he wants his last stand to be.

[David Dennis Jr.]

No, it's not. And. And what I want to be, I'm very interested in what this Aaron Rodgers stuff looked like from Mike Tomlin's perspective. Where was he in the conversation. I mean, you know, the Steelers are very mum. The Steelers don't like was Mike Tomlin pushing for this because it feels like that wouldn't be something he would do. I'm interested in where he falls in the decision making of the Aaron Rodgers.

[Matt Jones]

All right, let's say 888, say ESPN. We've got some Steelers fans. Let's try Scott in Baltimore. Scott.

[Caller]

Hey, good morning. Happy Sunday. How are you?

[Matt Jones]

Good.

[Caller]

Somebody needs to explain to me. I'm trying to be objective. Someone needs to explain to me this selective blindness of people who actually thinks that a 41, almost 42 year old former great NFL quarterback has any expression. You want something left in the tank can lead us to the promised land. What has he done in the last. I'll give him six years. What has he done that grades him out as anything above a C quarterback only getting older and only getting fruity fruit loopier in the head.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so I appreciate the call. David, can you. Is there an answer to that?

[David Dennis Jr.]

No. I mean the big. I mean all that is valid. But the biggest thing is does Aaron Rodgers care about football anymore? I think that's the question.

[Matt Jones]

That is a fair question.

[David Dennis Jr.]

That's how much does Aaron Rodgers actually care about football or is just a mechanism for it to stay in the spotlight until he event like going over to the. The whatever. The darkness or whatever does not happen. He's going direct into a podcast booth. That's what he's going to be doing.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. And I'm not going to listen to it. Don in Kentucky, I'll give you the last word for the break. 888, say ESPN.

[Donna]

I'm so against Aaron Rodgers. I'm boycotting my Steelers that I love.

[Matt Jones]

Wait a minute. You're a Steelers fan.

[Donna]

Donna, I am a Steelers fan.

[Matt Jones]

For boycotting. What does a Donna boycott look like?

[Donna]

I'm not watching a game. I've boxed up all my Steelers shirts and clothes and hoodies and pocketbooks and I put everything away. I'm not watching a game. I'm not going to Pittsburgh this year. I am not going to the fan fest that I've gone to. I'm not doing anything for the Stalert.

[Matt Jones]

Wow. Well, Donna, you boxed up your pocketbook.

[Donna]

I do. I have a Steeler pocketbook that I take with me everywhere during the season when we go to watch the games.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Oh, no.

[Matt Jones]

I'm sad you boxed up your pocketbook. Well, will you bring it back out when he finally leaves?

[Donna]

Yes. Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. So that is a true boycott. No, Donna Pocketbook during the Rogers reign. Well, I appreciate it, Donna. I think it'd be interesting to see how many of those folks there are out there. Wow. The pocketbook goes to 888. Say ESPN. What are your if you're a Steelers fan, let us know. We'll take more of your calls. David. I'm glad David's here because you know, Myron has some pro Aaron Rodgers tendencies. It's nice to be with somebody rational here on Sunday Morning with Matt, Matt and Myron. The podcast my day kicks off with a refreshing Celsius energy drink, then straight to the gym, pre K pickup back home to meal prep. Time for my fire station shift. One more Celsius. Gotta keep the lights on when the three alarm hits. I'm ready. Celsius Live fit. Go grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate [e-mail].

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[Matt Jones]

Yeah, this feels like the kind of music Aaron Rodgers would listen to, right? He says he's walking into the darkness like Nietzsche. Sunday morning, Matt, myron, David Dennis Jr. Filling in here on ESPN Radio. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers told McAfee that he's pretty sure 2025 will be the final season of his storied career. Can you at least agree with him on that? David, this will be the last year.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yes, I think this will be the last year, finally. But the going off into the, you know, into nothingness is that ain't happening.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that, that didn't happen. All right, Steven, Milwaukee. I think we may have found a person who will take up for him. Steve.

[Caller]

Hi, good morning to you. Yeah, I'm an Aaron Rodgers fan. I believe he is a better option for the Steelers at quarterback than what they had last year. He, he's not a long term solution, but he is definitely a solid quarterback. He's not a guy you're going to win because of, but he is a guy that you can win with. And if, if Tomlin can keep his attitude in check, then the Steelers have a solution at quarterback. For a run first defense, heavy team.

[Matt Jones]

I predict what would you answer to the guy? How, what Would your answer be to the caller a minute ago who said, what evidence do we have in the last three to four years that he is, is even as good as you say he is?

[Caller]

Statistically, he was a better quarterback than Russell Wilson or Justin Fields last season on a very.

[Matt Jones]

Let me just grant you that. Let me grant you that. But that's not good enough to win anything.

[Caller]

At the Steelers, made the playoffs with poor quarterback. You, you, you improve poor to average, and you're going to have a playoff team that's capable of, you know, winning a game or two.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so you would want an Aaron Rodgers. What about the divisiveness in the locker room? You're good with that?

[Caller]

I think if there's one coach that can handle Aaron Rodgers, it's Mike Tomlin.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, what about that point, David? I appreciate the call. That is something you hear, you hear people say, yeah, Aaron Rodgers can be a lot, but if anybody can handle him, Mike Tomlin can you buy that?

[David Dennis Jr.]

No, I don't, I don't, I don't buy that. Mike Tomlin has handled players who are young, players who were starting out like he, he is not. Aaron Rodgers is a, is a unique, singular entity in the world of sports in the fact that he has these accolades, he's got these MVPs. He's been at it for so long. And as we know, Aaron Rodgers does not really change his opinion on much. You know, like these, these guys, this is a incredibly stubborn dude, don't you think?

[Matt Jones]

There gets to a point when a person is so good and so old that no one can change them. Like, I mean, I. And we think of it Naron Rodgers because it's a negative. But isn't that also true about, probably towards the end of his career, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning go to the NBA? I mean, nobody's telling LeBron what to do. Or, you know, I mean, isn't that true? Like, there's just comes a point where these, they are who they are and they're going. They're not going to change.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Right? That's. That's who they are. Aaron Rodgers has butted heads with all of his coaches for the last decade. Right? And that's just what it's going to be. I don't think that we're going to see a situation where Aaron Rodgers comes to Pittsburgh and he's hat in hand and he's saying, mike Tomlin, I'm going to do whatever you say.

[Matt Jones]

There are very few people in this world that I think when they get to 40, change.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yeah, right.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, you know, maybe there's some. Maybe they have a health crisis and they look at the world differently. But generally speaking, the person you are at 40 is the person you're gonna be. Very few people go through an awakening after that. Maybe they will, but I don't know. Harold is in North Hollywood, not Hollywood. North Hollywood. Harold, what do you got?

[Caller]

Yeah, no, it's not Hollywood, it's North Hollywood.

[Matt Jones]

What's the difference? Because I don't know.

[Caller]

You know what? This is exact. Matt, this is exactly what Aaron Rodgers wants. I disagree with that last caller. The guy, all he's looking for is stroke his ego. And you keep talking about him where nauseating about Aaron Rodgers. This is exactly what he wants, for you guys to talk about him.

[Matt Jones]

That's. I mean, that's probably a fair point. Can I. You didn't answer my question though. Because I don't know. Because I haven't. I haven't. What's the difference between Hollywood and North Hollywood?

[Caller]

Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is in disarray.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, but you still haven't answered my question. What is the difference between North.

[James]

He's not even.

[Matt Jones]

What's the difference between Hollywood and North Hollywood?

[James]

And he is gone.

[David Dennis Jr.]

All right, okay. Now I know. Now I need to know.

[Matt Jones]

You talk about wanting to avoid a question. My man did not want to explain the difference between Hollywood and. Are they different cities, James, or is it.

[James]

I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

He didn't want to be associated with those South Hollywood scoundrels.

[James]

I don't know. All I know is that Cameron potted the telephone the whole way down. He kept talking and then as he was potting him up, he was still talking. He had no idea what you asked.

[Matt Jones]

While he was saying that he didn't want. All Aaron Rodgers wanted us to do is talk about it.

[James]

Correct.

[Matt Jones]

It's all right. I like you, Harold. Let's go to Steeler Juan in Georgia. Hello, Steeler Juan.

[I]

Yes, this is still a one. I got. How you said dealer one there, by the way, sir. But listen, the thing is, I'm not a fan of Aaron Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh. I don't care if he does play better. Yeah, he's better than the quarterbacks we had last year. But he destroys the locker room. He has that me first mentality. He's going to do what he wants to do. This is very much a Jerry Jones type move in the past and we've seen me, we're kissing his backside. And I disagree with. I'd rather win Randolph.

[Matt Jones]

So who's back? Wait a minute. I don't. The one thing I didn't understand, Steeler one is what do you. Whose backside is being kissed and you don't want to kiss his. You don't want Steelers kissing his backside.

[I]

I don't. Because what I'm saying is he's a diva. Pittsburgh traditionally has not catered. Right.

[Matt Jones]

That's true. That's true. He is a D. Well, thank you. Steel one no back traditionally, David. No backside kissing in Pittsburgh.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yeah. That's not what they do. And they've, they've changed, as I'm saying, they've changed, they've changed it. They've changed how they do things. And now, and now it has me concerned about what they're going to look like.

[Matt Jones]

And now the backside kissing has begun. That's a tough way to go because you, once you start down that path, you'll get others. LeBron has opted in. What does that mean for the Lakers? You were probably sitting there thinking, yeah, they're talking Aaron Rodgers, but when are they going to talk LeBron? The answer is next here on Sunday Morning with Matt Myron. Matt and Myron, the podcast. In 1979, the first words spoken on ESPN weren't just an announcement. If you're a fan, they were a sports prophecy. What you'll see in the next minutes.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Hours and days to follow.

[Matt Jones]

Glad you're with us tonight. May convince you you've gone to sports heaven. And right now, you're standing on the edge of tomorrow. This fall, the next era of ESPN begins sports forever.