The Bobby Bones Show — "Lots to Say": Conference Championship Preview & The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin

Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Bobby Bones, Matt Cassel
Special Guest: Ben Volin (Senior NFL Writer, The Boston Globe)
Podcast Theme: Conference Championship NFL Preview, Coach/Quarterback Changes, and a Deep Dive on the Patriots

Episode Overview

This episode sits at the heart of NFL Conference Championship Week, with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel previewing the Patriots vs. Broncos and Rams vs. Seahawks matchups. They are joined by Ben Volin from The Boston Globe for insider analysis on the Patriots’ culture shift, roster surprises, and the rapidly changing NFL coaching landscape. The episode also dances through vibrant discussions about quarterback narratives, franchise pressures, and the quirks of NFL player development.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Car Talk & Life Off the Field

(01:30–10:56)

• The conversation opens with the panel chatting about their vehicles — from sprinter vans, sticks, and family car stories, to Bobby’s journey with his cars (including a Bentley and Lamborghini Urus).
  • Bobby: “When I was just a young lad, my dream was to get a Bentley... Three years ago, I bought a Bentley. Maybe less than that.” (05:26)
  • On family driving anxiety: Cassel shares about teaching his 15-year-old to drive and the terror of being in the passenger seat.
  • Nostalgic look at driving stick shifts versus modern automatic cars.

2. NFL Conspiracy Theories & Injury Candor

(11:18–14:51)

• Discussing Bo Nix’s injury: Bobby and Matt posit on Sean Payton’s directness about the QB’s absence, pondering if transparency was a tactic to rally the team around their backup.
  • Bobby: “Conspiracy theory: Bo Nix didn’t get hurt during the game…[maybe] celebrating, fell down, hurt his ankle.” (11:18)
  • Matt: “I believe it was the right call for him and the team because it can be more of a distraction if you let it linger on.” (13:24)

3. Backup Quarterbacks: Leadership & Practice Dynamics

(13:29–17:53)

• Matt Cassel details the challenges (and often overlooked role) of a backup QB:
  • “You’ve got to be a natural leader when you get on the field as a quarterback. But in order to truly be in a position of leadership…the guys have to see you perform.” (13:52)
  • Discussion: limited reps, making the most of practice time, and working with special teams/practice squad outside of scheduled times.

4. Buffalo Bills Coaching Situation

(17:56–21:55)

• Sean McDermott’s firing is dissected:
  • Matt: Advocates for Brian Daboll (“brilliant offensive mind”) as the best candidate due to his history with Josh Allen, emphasizing the need for an offensive rather than defensive head coach.
    • “Would you hire Brian Daboll as a head coach?” Bobby asks.
    • Matt: “Let’s go. Yeah, I would...Risk it all.” (21:09)
  • The challenge: Finding a coach who can maximize Josh Allen’s prime.

5. AFC/NFC Conference Championship Previews

Patriots vs Broncos

(22:02–27:42)

• Patriots as favorites: The hosts discuss confidence levels (Bobby: “going away” winners; Matt: “a seven out of ten” on confidence scale).
  • Matt: “The biggest factor in this game is not turning over the ball… they’ve got to take care of the football and handle the pass rush.” (23:44)
• Both teams expected to play it safe offensively, especially early.

Rams vs Seahawks

(27:46–29:45)

• Both hosts lean toward Matthew Stafford and the Rams as the straight-up winners, emphasizing experience and previous matchup chaos.
  • Matt: “I’m going to go with Stafford, Puka Nacua…I don’t think they’re intimidated.” (29:33)

Featured Interview: Ben Volin, The Boston Globe

(30:46–57:49)

Patriots’ Culture Shift Under Mike Vrabel

• Ben: “Vrabel’s been very intentional about guys getting to know each other… wanting to build the culture and be player-first. He’s been sweeping out the old leadership…and turning over the locker room.” (33:54)
• Individual introductions, team cohesion activities, and building new leadership.

Patriots Roster Surprises & Receivers’ Emergence

• Kayshawn Boutte: “That one-handed catch in the endzone…an all-timer. He’s been tremendous all year.” (35:52)
• The value of newly acquired receivers (Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins).

Drake Maye’s Leadership Development

• Ben: “For someone who’s 23, I think he’s done a really good job of establishing his voice...accountability, hard work, demanding attention to detail.” (37:33)

Patriots Defense Upswing & Keys to Beating Elite Defenses

• Reinforcements and health (Milton Williams, Spillane) major factors.
• “The Patriots defense has allowed one touchdown in 25 drives in the postseason, which is just phenomenal.” (39:25)
• “Turnover margin is huge…Drake Maye [needs to] be cleaner with the football.” (41:41)

Coaching Carousel & NFL Pressure Cookers

• Sean McDermott’s firing:
  • “Of all years to fire Sean McDermott, to me, this wasn’t it. He wasn’t the problem this year.” (43:12)
• Buffalo job now carries massive pressure to win immediately with Josh Allen still in his prime.
• On the Titans hiring a defensive coach: “Teams always go for the opposite of what they just had.” (51:29)

The MVP Ballot Decision Process

• On voting Drake Maye first-team All-Pro:
  • Ben: “I value team success...Drake went 14 and 3, huge turnaround, won the AFC East...That’s why I voted for him.” (53:37)

Memorable Stories

• Tim Tebow: “He learned everyone’s name...He was a very genuine guy and I thought he didn’t get a good enough chance [in the NFL].” (55:06)
• Gronk: “Gave me like a ten-minute interview. Gronk was always a very genuine guy; never got in trouble and obviously was a big superstar.” (57:30)

Conference Championship Storylines & QB Legacies

(58:06–64:54)

• Favorite Stories if They Win the Super Bowl

  • Matt: “Jared Stidham…He gets drafted by the Patriots…only started five games…all of a sudden, boom, AFC Championship game. That’s the other crazy thing…” (58:19)
  • Bobby: Sam Darnold’s journey from NFL castoff to potential Super Bowl QB.
    • “He played well, but system. Goes and makes his money in Seattle. I would love to see him win.” (59:22)

• Quarterbacks Needing a Second Act

  • Discussion on the unfairness of quarterbacks labeled “busts” simply by being drafted into bad franchises (Tim Couch, Cam Newton, Joe Burrow).
  • “So many of these guys get labeled...and sometimes it’s just that fresh start.” (60:23)

• Matthew Stafford: Top-10 QB?

  • Bobby: “Matthew Stafford wins another Super Bowl, I think he’s a top 10 quarterback all time.” (63:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “People are up to no good, man. People are up to no good.”
  — Bobby, on questionable car repair shops (11:13)
• “I’m a huge phone call guy. If you call me, I’ll pick up.”
  — Matt Cassel (66:39)*
• “I don’t call people. I hate it.”
  — Bobby Bones (66:12)*

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|------------| | Car talk, driving stories | 01:30–10:56 | | Bo Nix injury conspiracy & transparency | 11:18–14:51 | | Leadership as a backup QB | 13:29–17:53 | | Buffalo Bills coaching search | 17:56–21:55 | | Conference Championship Previews | 22:02–29:45 | | Ben Volin Patriots/league interview | 30:46–57:49 | | Best Super Bowl QB narrative | 58:06–64:54 | | QB legacies and top-10 debate | 63:30–64:54 |

Tone & Style

Conversational, humorous, football-savvy, and occasionally irreverent—the hosts weave in personal anecdotes, challenge each other’s takes, and interact candidly with guest Ben Volin for deep football insight. There’s a blend of analytical football talk, fan passion, and behind-the-scenes NFL stories that keep the episode lively and relatable.

For New Listeners

This episode delivers an energetic, informed, and personality-driven preview of the Conference Championship weekend, with a special focus on the Patriots resurgence, quarterback redemption stories, and the pressures of today’s NFL coaching carousel. As always, Bobby and Matt bring both depth and levity, drawing out personal stories and insider details to make listeners feel like insiders, too.