Podcast Summary: Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
Episode: Hour 2: Concern in Kansas City?
Host(s): Myron Medcalf, Andrew Sal Tunis (in for Matt Jones)
Date: September 21, 2025
Network: ESPN Radio
Episode Overview
Hour 2 revolves around the value of NFL quarterbacks (especially Brock Purdy), struggles and expectations for teams like the Steelers and Chiefs, baseball and WNBA headlines, and a look at where dynasties may be ending—and new ones beginning. The hosts dig into recent performances, team-building philosophy, and both the immediate and big-picture questions hanging over the NFL’s biggest brands.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Brock Purdy Debate and Quarterback Value
(Start at 01:09)
- Andrew Sal Tunis expresses skepticism about giving Brock Purdy a mega-contract:
"I'm not saying Brock Purdy stinks. I'm just saying I don't believe he's worth $250 million, or in his case, $267 million. I think he's a guy that can win with Kyle Shanahan." (01:09)
He posits that Kyle Shanahan elevates QBs, citing his Atlanta and San Francisco success. - Myron Metcalf counters that Purdy has proved enough to get paid:
“How much more could you want out of a guy other than what Brock Purdy did? And why wouldn’t you pay him?” (04:10)
Myron adds that the NFL mythologizes quarterback tiers, emphasizing that the “Baker Mayfield” archetype—good, not elite—still demands payment. - Andrew pivots to discuss the cost of paying a QB and the cap strain on San Francisco, suggesting more teams should adopt a draft-and-develop approach instead of big contracts for “pretty good” QBs.
2. Steelers, Jets, and Precarious Early-Season Narratives
(06:07)
- Andrew and Myron discuss the Steelers’ and Jets’ performances as misleading:
“Maybe two bad teams going up against each other and having a great game...does not mean they’re two good teams.” (06:07)- They reference Kurt Warner’s analysis that the Steelers’ underwhelming play is likely their true level and that Aaron Rodgers looks increasingly uncomfortable in the pocket.
- The pressure, particularly on Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, is discussed:
“How much pressure is there for Pittsburgh today against the New England team...that a lot of people have maybe making it as that seventh team, that final wild card team?” (07:29)
- Myron’s take on Rodgers:
“Aaron Rodgers thinks he’s still the 25-year-old who can be mobile and do all these innovative things. He can still improvise and his body isn’t responding to that idea...” (08:26)
This suggests concern for the Steelers’ strategy and a late-career reckoning for Rodgers.
3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Banter
- On overanalysis and vocabulary:
“If you’re using big words like ‘binary’ in regular conversation, I don’t want to be friends with you.” – Myron Metcalf (09:49)
- On NFL reality:
“You have to pay a guy if he’s in that second tier.” – Myron Metcalf (04:00)
“There isn’t this imaginary list of quarterbacks out there that you can just tap and say, he’ll get the job done.” – Myron Metcalf (05:26) - Andrew’s analogy for NFL quarterback decisions:
“Before that I was very, ‘Is this gonna happen or not?’ ... That’s how I am with life. I don’t understand how teams aren’t with that with quarterbacks sometimes.” (39:31)
4. Sports Headlines Segment: “Sunday Headlines”
(14:09)
With James Steele returning, the crew runs through the major sports stories:
MLB
- Cal Raleigh breaks Ken Griffey Jr.'s Mariners HR record:
“If MVP is most valuable to me, it has to be Cal Raleigh.” – Myron Metcalf (14:39)
Both hosts argue Cal Raleigh is crucial:
"Catcher is the most important position on the field other than the pitcher...if you took Cal Raleigh out of that lineup...the Mariners would not be [in contention]." – Andrew Sal Tunis (15:11) - Guardians’ Hot Streak:
“This stretch, when you have this in baseball is the best thing in sports.” – Myron Metcalf (16:56)
Andrew highlights the benefits of the expanded wildcard system and criticizes the Tigers’ front office for missing their window at the trade deadline.
WWE
- Discussion of the first WWE event on ESPN platforms, highlights Brock Lesnar’s durability:
“Whatever you think about wrestling, the fact that these guys are still getting after it at that age. 48, like I'm in pain today from just going to a baby shower yesterday.” – Andrew Sal Tunis (20:08)
WNBA
- A’ja Wilson’s fourth MVP Award:
“I thought Fowles Kylie was the MVP…But you can’t argue against A’ja Wilson, who might be the greatest women’s player that the league has ever seen.” – Myron Metcalf (20:39)
5. Chiefs at a Crossroads: Has The Dynasty Faltered?
(23:22, resumes in earnest at 24:17)
- Andrew describes the talent drain around Mahomes and inferiority of support weapons:
“You look at the talent around Mahomes at this point...he's thrown to nobody.” (25:25)
He credits Mahomes’ greatness, but says “magic can only go so far.” - Myron sees this as a pivot point:
“This version of the contender could be coming to an end. Like to me, Mahomes is by far their best player. And I don't think that's been the case in past years...Rome has fallen. Right?” (24:17)
“Kansas City has to decide who it's going to be in the next chapter for Patrick Mahomes...Are you going to go out and get a bunch of young receivers, young prospects and build up?” (28:04) - Mahomes addresses 0-2 start:
“But knowing that we got the guys for it, you know, we have the mindset of going out there and being even better...What an opportunity to prove who we are as the Kansas City Chiefs..." (26:34)
- The hosts agree the Chiefs’ supporting cast is depleted, the defense will keep them in games, but “maybe the Eagles showed us as much” last week about the Chiefs’ current level (27:18).
6. AFC West: Chargers’ Opportunity
(30:35)
- The Chargers, led by Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh, might “run away and hide” in the division (Chris Canty clip, 30:35).
- Both hosts note Herbert’s development, but Myron flags the Chargers’ defensive injuries as a possible stumbling block (33:09).
7. Other NFL Storylines: Cowboys, Bears, Falcons, and Bucs
(35:43)
- Dallas Cowboys:
Self-inflicted problems after off-season contract drama and loss of Micah Parsons. The margin for error is tiny. - Chicago Bears:
Uncertainty about QB Caleb Williams’ future. Myron pushes back on patience:“This is not an internship program, man. And I hate when we talk about the NFL that way...I'm not seeing anything that says Caleb Williams is a guy...” (39:06)
- Atlanta Falcons:
Andrew: “The Falcons have a chance right now to try to close that gap and they're going into Carolina...this is our chance to try to keep up with Tampa Bay in the division." (41:36)
Myron: Praises the young defense and Bijan Robinson; defense "disrupted everything" against Minnesota (41:36).
Coach Raheem Morris’s “He’s definitely the best player in football” quote about Bijan gets some friendly ribbing from both hosts (42:46). - General theme: Teams across the league are facing pressure to clarify the path at quarterback and to evaluate their readiness against evolving competition.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Brock Purdy/Quarterback Value Debate: 01:09 – 06:07
- Steelers/Jets, NFL Perceptions: 06:07 – 10:34
- Sports Headlines (Cal Raleigh, Guardians, WWE, WNBA): 14:09 – 21:12
- Chiefs’ Dynastic Woes Begin: 23:22 – 29:56
- Chargers/Herbert & AFC West Outlook: 30:35 – 33:35
- Cowboys & Bears Identity Questions: 35:43 – 40:47
- Falcons, Bucs, & NFC South Race: 41:36 – 44:17
Notable Quotes (with Attribution)
- “How much more could you want out of a guy other than what Brock Purdy did? And why wouldn’t you pay him?”
— Myron Metcalf (04:10) - “If you’re using big words like ‘binary’ in regular conversation, I don’t want to be friends with you.”
— Myron Metcalf (09:49) - “This version of the contender could be coming to an end. Like to me, Mahomes is by far their best player...Rome has fallen.”
— Myron Metcalf (24:17) - “He’s definitely the best player in football. Like, in my head, I don’t care...I love the kid. I love everything about him.”
— Raheem Morris on Bijan Robinson (42:42) - “This is not an internship program, man...I’m not seeing anything that says Caleb Williams is a guy...”
— Myron Metcalf (39:14)
Tone & Banter
- Conversational with light ribbing and candid takes.
- Both hosts mix sharp analysis, humor (“If you’re using big words like binary...”), and relatable analogies.
- Good mix of rapid-fire NFL analysis, baseball enthusiasm, and wrestling asides, keeping energy high.
Final Thoughts
- The episode offers a survey of the biggest NFL storylines—namely, QB value, the viability of legacy franchises, and the urgency facing teams with high expectations and recent stumbles.
- Baseball and WNBA fans get passionate coverage, and the show leans into big-picture thinking while keeping segments accessible and entertaining for all listeners.
