Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Episode Title: Hour 2: Gary Bears
Date: December 21, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones, Myron Medcalf
Platform: ESPN Radio

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Matt and Myron dive into the weekend NFL slate, highlighting the uncertainty and opportunity in the league this year, especially with big names like Mahomes sidelined. They discuss key matchups, reflect on the state of the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, and debate which teams might “steal” a Super Bowl in a season missing perennial powerhouses. They also tackle hot sports headlines – including the possibility of the Chicago Bears leaving Illinois, Jake Paul’s knockout at the hands of Anthony Joshua, and some awkward NBA party dynamics. The show features a detailed interview with new Southern Miss head coach Blake Anderson ahead of the New Orleans Bowl and closes with their signature "King of the Mountain" hot takes challenge.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

1. The NFL’s “Wide Open” Landscape

[01:04–06:47]

• Game of the Week: Both agree the NFL slate is less compelling than the previous week, with the Bears-Packers game already played. Focus shifts to late games: Steelers–Lions and Patriots–Ravens.
• Lions Outlook: Myron highlights Detroit's volatility after losing key coaches; their “ceiling is high… but the floor is much lower” ([02:03]).
• Steelers Consistency: Matt marvels at Mike Tomlin's knack for 9+ win seasons, noting the schedule lines up for that again. If they win out, 11-6 and a division title isn't impossible ([02:52]).
• “Hakeem Olajuwon Year” Analogy: Myron likens this NFL season to a year when a superstar is missing (like the NBA during Jordan’s absence), creating a chance for underdogs ([04:58]).
  • "I'm going to call this the Hakeem Olajuwon year in the NFL, man. Like Michael Jordan isn't here. Like, somebody is going to steal a championship." – Myron [04:58]
• If Not the Bills, Who? They debate whether Josh Allen could seize the moment, and how the legacies of players like Hakeem and Patrick Ewing hinge on that one title ([06:34]).
  • "The difference between Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing in our minds is that Hakeem won that title and Patrick Ewing did not. 100%." – Matt [06:34]

2. Buffalo Bills & Browns Matchup

[07:35–09:04]

• Bills’ Inconsistency: Matt expects either a Buffalo rout or a nailbiter; Myron agrees, noting “the Bills actually do [play down to competition]” ([07:59–08:35]).
• Deshaun Watson Replacement Debate: Both are not convinced Shador Sanders is a franchise QB, with Myron saying, “the Browns still need a quarterback… they have to go and get a quarterback” ([08:53–09:04]).

3. State of Boxing: Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua

[12:15–15:44]

• Headline: Jake Paul hospitalized after being KO’d by Anthony Joshua, driving himself despite a double broken jaw.
• Spectacle vs. Sport: Myron laments, “I just hate that people have decided that this is boxing now. It’s a spectacle,” arguing the real boxers have been overshadowed ([13:00–13:33]).
• Matt’s Take: Enjoys the notion of seeing amateurs vs. pros to highlight athletes’ abilities:
  • "If we want to appreciate our athletes, we need to put a regular dude... so that you could see just how much better [pros are]." – Matt [14:24]

4. Bears’ Stadium News: Could They Move to Indiana?

[15:44–17:55]

• Bears Explore Move: The Chicago Bears open to building a dome, possibly outside Illinois. Matt jokes about the "Gary Bears" and quickly dismisses the likelihood, “they are not moving to Gary, Indiana... fine people, they ain't have they playing these games in Gary” ([16:11]).
• Dome Debate: Matt and Myron argue dome merits;
  • Matt: “I don’t understand why you’re building a dome and you’re the Bears. The advantage is it being cold.”
  • Myron: “You build a dome because you don’t trust that your team’s going to be good. So you don’t want to give fans another reason to not want Bears fans go to games.” ([17:46–17:55])
• Public Funding Rant: Both dislike cities being pressured to build new stadiums at public cost.

5. Quick-Hit Sports Headlines

[18:03–21:53]

• College Basketball:
  • Texas Tech’s comeback against Duke and Kentucky’s win over St. John’s are debated as most surprising result. Matt singles out Kentucky, Myron picks Texas Tech.
  • Discussion of Rick Pitino’s visibility; “Is he the face of college basketball?" Myron says, “most recognizable, I would say” ([20:17]).
• NBA Social Life:
  • Chris Paul’s failed Halloween party; only three teammates showed.
    • "Nothing worse than having a party [nobody shows]" – Matt [20:50]
  • Jeff Teague’s wisdom: NBA players avoid "married people" parties ([20:57–21:13])

6. Music & Culture Sidenotes

[23:56–26:11]

• “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues: Matt tries to share a sentimental Irish Christmas song, while Myron can’t understand the lyrics. The playful cultural confusion ensues:
  • “Is he okay? Like, I don’t...” – Myron [24:36]
  • Matt: “No, he’s just Irish!” ([24:38])

7. NFC South Chaos: Panthers vs. Bucs

[26:09–31:08]

• Déjà Vu Divisions: Both lament how the NFC South is perpetually up for grabs with mediocre teams fighting for playoff spots ([26:44–27:55]).
• Baker Mayfield’s Health: Matt gives Mayfield some slack due to injuries; questions if it’s time for changes if the Bucs falter ([27:55–28:46]).
• Coaching/Staff Impact: Discussion on the loss of key assistant coaches (Liam Coen for Bucs, Ben Johnson for Lions).
• Panthers’ Future: Neither sees Panthers as legitimate playoff threats. Matt notes, “I literally know the Panthers and Falcons have played each other nine times” ([30:29]).

8. Dolphins QB Drama: Tua Benched

[31:08–33:37]

• Quinn Ewers Starting: Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel benches Tua for Ewers against Cincy. Matt: “How do you go from he’s our starter to he’s third string?” ([32:12])
• QB Contract Philosophy: Matt’s hardline take: “If you don’t have a top 8 quarterback... you cannot give him a max deal. You will crush your franchise.” ([32:40])
• Future Outlook: Myron flags that Tua’s situation could hurt other QBs trying to get new contracts.

9. College Football Chaos & Interview: Southern Miss Head Coach Blake Anderson

[35:51–43:50]

• New Orleans Bowl Preview: Matt and Myron interview new Southern Miss head coach Blake Anderson.
• Coaching Search & Promotion: Anderson discusses frustrations and the emotional process of being promoted from interim:
  • "Redheaded, competitive, temper got the best of me immediately when I wasn’t just immediately elevated. And then I honestly, I just slept on it, prayed about it a little bit... I just had complete peace about it." – Blake Anderson [36:25]
• Portal & Roster Management: Anderson describes the chaos of roster turnover, NIL, and staff changes: “I don't know if there is such a word as stable anymore in college football. You just gotta be able to do about a million things at once…” ([37:55])
• Creative Recruiting: Discusses the need for puzzle-solving, “finding value in a guy that other people don’t, or seeing a guy that’s got some really good traits but not great stats yet,” ([40:11–42:03])
• QB Battle: Myron asks about the importance of quarterback play in their matchup.

10. King of the Mountain: Hot Take Segment

[43:51–45:11]

• Rules: Callers get 30 seconds for their hottest take; entertaining but substantive rants are encouraged.
  • "Straight and to the point. Don't deviate, don't stick to the point." – Myron [44:25]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On this NFL season:

  "I'm going to call this the Hakeem Olajuwon year in the NFL, man. Like Michael Jordan isn't here. Like, somebody is going to steal a championship."
  — Myron [04:58]

• On Jake Paul Boxing:

  "I just hate that people have decided that this is boxing now. I mean, that's the part that bothered me. Like, it's a spectacle."
  — Myron [13:00]

• On Dome Stadiums for the Bears:

  "I don’t understand why you’re building a dome and you’re the Bears. The advantage is it being cold."
  — Matt [17:46]

• On College Football Coaching:

  "[Roster management] didn't stabilize anything. It's still just as chaotic as it was before... I don't know if there is a such a word as stable anymore in college football."
  — Blake Anderson [37:55]

• On Franchise QBs:

  "If you don’t have a top 8 quarterback or top 10 at best, you cannot give him a max deal. You cannot. You will crush your franchise."
  — Matt [32:40]

Flow and Tone

The show is irreverent, sharp, and packed with the personalities of Matt and Myron. Matt leans humorous and quick-witted, frequently poking fun or pushing for unusual analogies, while Myron is insightful and often deadpan, but jumps in with pop culture and historical references. Segment transitions are marked by playful debates and running in-jokes (from boxing movie tropes to Irish music incomprehensibility), making the two-hour block engaging and accessible to both casual and hardcore sports fans.

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|--------------| | NFL's wide-open season; Hakeem analogy | 01:04–06:47 | | Bills–Browns preview | 07:35–09:04 | | Jake Paul v. Joshua, state of boxing | 12:15–15:44 | | Bears consider stadium move | 15:44–17:55 | | College basketball, Pitino, handshake | 18:03–19:46 | | Chris Paul's NBA Halloween party | 20:50–21:53 | | “Fairytale of New York” music tangent | 23:56–26:11 | | Bucs–Panthers, NFC South chaos | 26:09–31:08 | | Dolphins QB controversy, Tua benched | 31:08–33:37 | | Southern Miss head coach Blake Anderson | 35:51–43:50 | | King of the Mountain (hot takes) | 43:51–45:11 |

For New Listeners:

If you want smart, funny, deeply informed sports talk—with a side order of real-life sports industry gripes, college football chaos, and some epic pop culture analogies—this episode is a must-listen. Whether you're tuning in for strategy debates, college football recruiting gossip, or just Matt and Myron’s hilarious takes on music and food, you’ll walk away with a clear sense of the biggest sports stories of the week—and probably a few laughs.