The Bobby Bones Show — “Lots to Say: NFL Power Rankings and Super Bowl Champion Tyrann Mathieu!”

Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Bobby Bones (A), Matt Cassel (B)
Special Guest: Tyrann Mathieu (C)

Episode Overview

This episode features a spirited breakdown of the NFL’s current balance of power, fresh weekly power rankings from Bobby and Matt, and an in-depth interview with Super Bowl champion and LSU legend Tyrann Mathieu. The hosts dive into quarterback performances, divisional shakeups, undiscussed NFL controversies, and more, all punctuated by their trademark humor and candid banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Open: Nicknames, Injuries, and Life Updates

• Bobby opens with a producer joke about Tyrann Mathieu's “Honey Badger” nickname, revealing Mathieu’s own mixed feelings on it after two decades.
  • “He doesn't love being called Honey Badger… I get it. It's like if everyone called me Jumbo Crotch.” — Bobby ([02:54–03:28])
• Matt and Bobby swap updates: Bobby’s ankle boot woes and Matt’s family hibachi dinner antics, with much hilarity about failed mouth catches and being outperformed by his kids ([03:40–05:58]).

2. Broadcast Careers and ESPN Rumors ([06:10–07:31])

• Bobby's name surfaced as a potential successor for ESPN's Paul Finebaum. He gives a shoutout to Matt, reflecting on how their partnership started after a “sixth interview."
  • “You made me interview six times for this show…” — Matt ([06:38])

3. NFL Power Rankings: Bobby’s Top Six ([07:51–17:21])

Bobby’s Rankings:

1. Rams: “Freaking awesome. Matthew Stafford is still that dude.” ([16:30])
2. Eagles: “Their offense sucks but their defense is freaking elite…” ([14:08])
3. Broncos: “Their defense is better than New England’s, fewer holes.” ([12:32])
4. Chiefs: “I don’t give up easy… if they get to the playoffs, they win the whole thing.” ([10:54])
5. Patriots: “Drake May is playing MVP caliber ball, but I can’t put a second year quarterback much higher.” ([09:16])
6. Honorable Mention: Colts ([15:32])

• Ongoing debate about young quarterbacks, reliability in playoffs, and why Bobby prioritizes playoff potential versus regular season performance.
  • “It’s hard for me to trust a second-year quarterback to go deep in the playoffs.” — Bobby ([08:13])
  • “You’re not even going to give Drake May any credit?” — Matt ([13:35])

4. Myles Garrett’s Dominance on a Losing Team ([21:23–24:42])

• Matt argues Myles Garrett may be the best defensive player ever, lamenting his “generational talent” is being squandered on a bad team.
  • “When you watch him and his pure dominance... he is such a generational talent.” — Matt ([21:23])
• The crew draws player-history parallels (Archie Manning, Barry Sanders), with Bobby’s “assistant” (AI, possibly unwitting meta joke) chiming in with research.
  • “So you’ve got these two guys… both playing at an elite level on teams that didn’t give them the platform to really rack up the wins or the trophies.” — Bobby’s “assistant” ([24:01])

5. NFL Spitting Controversies ([25:41–29:41])

• Jamar Chase’s $448,000 fine for spitting leads to a wider discussion on loathsome on-field spitting incidents and historical examples.
  • “Spitting on someone is about the least humane thing you can do, 100%.” — Bobby ([27:45])
  • On vigilante justice: “Mostly I would disagree… but you’re right, spitting is a different level.” — Bobby ([28:25])

6. Division Power Swings? Patriots and Broncos’ Emergence ([30:08–31:41])

• Matt floats the idea of a “power surge” in the AFC East and West, noting the Patriots and Broncos’ rise to challenge traditional division dominators.
  • Bobby (skeptical): “You guys are both such homers, it’s crazy... Not even a full season. They didn’t even call guard!” ([30:36])

7. Personal Stories: Signing and Retiring from the NFL ([31:51–33:44])

• Matt describes retiring as a Detroit Lion (!) and shares inside perspectives on legendary QBs (Matthew Stafford).
  • “I was the veteran backup and Stafford never came off the field!” — Matt ([32:36])

8. Weekend Preview & Game Picks ([34:05–38:17])

Top matchups:

• Colts @ Chiefs: Both pick Chiefs, but Matt leaves the door open for an Indy upset.
• Bucs @ Rams: Matt backs Rams; Bobby predicts Bucs in a “do or die” game, rationalizing with hope for Baker Mayfield.
• Steelers @ Bears: Matt chooses Steelers (assuming Rodgers plays); Bobby rides with Bears and their “hot hand.”
  • “I got a feeling you’re picking the Steelers. I’m going to pick the Bears, because, I dunno, they just win.” — Bobby ([37:17])

9. Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott and Receiving Corps ([60:10–64:45])

• Discussion on Dak’s stellar 21:6 TD:INT season, George Pickens’ impact, and how CeeDee Lamb’s presence ‘manages the crazy’ among receivers.
  • “He needs to be in a program that can manage his crazy.” — Bobby, on Pickens ([61:09])
• Playoff path calculation (ten wins needed), skepticism about Cowboys’ hopes.

10. Quarterback Circumstances: Sam Darnold & Shadour Sanders ([65:16–71:23])

• Matt and Bobby discuss Sam Darnold’s struggle to shed his “not big game winner” narrative and root for him post-Jets/Panthers.
• Extensive backup QB talk: practice rep realities, why late-season insertions are especially unfair to backups like Shadour, and how offensive cadence impacts performance.
  • “You don’t get your cadence, everything making the calls at the line… it’s set up for failure.” — Matt ([69:06])

11. Arkansas Coaching Search: Bobby as an “Insider” ([71:23–75:51])

• Bobby reveals multiple Arkansas coaching candidates have called him personally for insights but stays tight-lipped.
  • “I am totally keeping everything confidential because they called me as a human being, not… to share their business.” — Bobby ([74:04])
• Debunks local “insider” reporting — “People have no idea.”

Featured Interview: Tyrann Mathieu (Super Bowl Champion, LSU Legend) ([43:04–57:01])

• Retirement Reflections: Not many teams called to lure him back; most calls are about coaching, but he’s “not too fond of that schedule.”
  • “I don't want to hold on to this football thing forever. So I’m looking forward to what’s next for me.” — Mathieu ([43:38])
  • On walking away: “To be able to walk off the field on my own two feet, in my right mind… that’s a blessing.” ([44:16])
• Identity & Transition: Talks adjusting to retirement, the challenge of filling the void after a life “since 4–5 years old” dedicated to football.
• LSU Legacy: “It was one of my greatest honors as a Louisianan, to represent LSU.” ([46:12])
• Heisman Year Motivation: Determined to prove he was more than a gadget or nickel player, using adversity and perceived doubts to fuel an incredible sophomore campaign.
  • “I just remember going into that season, man, with a chip on my shoulder…” ([47:00])
• Draft Experience: Expected the 49ers to take him, but they drafted his teammate Eric Reid instead.
  • “That kind of stung a little bit… two more rounds to hear my name called.” ([48:34])
• Early NFL Adversity: Knee injuries taught him humility and reinforced the importance of his role off the field and within the locker room.
• Chiefs Era & Defensive Leadership: Chiefs pitched him as their ‘defensive quarterback’; revels in finally leading a defense as its “alpha dog.”
  • On Spagnuolo: “If I was to ever get in the Hall of Fame, Spags would be a big reason why… he gave me the keys to the car.” ([52:19])
• Podcast & Giving Back: Talks about his new show “In the Bayou” and the importance of being a positive voice in Louisiana.
• Returning Home to New Orleans: Emotional about finishing his career where it all started, especially after his early reputation as someone who “needed to get away from Louisiana.”
• LSU Mount Rushmore: Billy Cannon, Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, and Patrick Peterson.

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

• On the “Honey Badger” nickname:
  “He doesn't love being called Honey Badger… I get it. It's like if everyone called me Jumbo Crotch.” (Bobby, [02:54])
• On trusting young QBs:
  “It’s hard for me to trust a second-year quarterback to go deep in the playoffs.” (Bobby, [08:13])
• On Myles Garrett's greatness:
  “When you watch him in his pure dominance… he is such a generational talent and the way he plays the game.” (Matt, [21:23])
• On player spitting incidents:
  “Spitting on someone is about the least humane thing you can do, 100%.” (Bobby, [27:45])
• Tyrann Mathieu on retirement:
  “I don’t want to hold on to this football thing forever. So I’m looking forward to what’s next for me.” ([43:38])
• Tyrann Mathieu on being LSU’s pride:
  “It was one of my greatest honors… as a Louisianan, to represent LSU.” ([46:12])
• On leading the Chiefs’ defense:
  “When I went to Kansas City… this was my defense. I was going to be the alpha dog. I was going to be top voice in the room.” (Mathieu, [50:59])
• On coaching rumors and Arkansas insiders:
  “I am totally keeping everything confidential because they called me as a human being, not… to share their business.” (Bobby, [74:04])

Memorable Moments

• Self-Aware Homers: Bobby needles both Matt and Kevin for being “Patriots homers”, especially over claims of an AFC power shift ([31:21]).
• AI “Assistant” Guest Appearance: Bobby uses his “assistant” for quick stats and player parallels, to everyone’s amusement ([23:59–24:42]).
• Playoff Math for Dallas: Calculating Cowboys’ playoff odds with tongue-in-cheek pessimism, only to conclude “seven wins is not going to do it” ([64:05]).
• Insider Humor: Bobby calling out fake Arkansas “insiders” and keeping real coach conversations on lockdown ([74:04]).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Banter and Injury/Nickname: [02:30–06:10]
• Bobby’s ESPN Rumor: [06:10–07:31]
• NFL Power Rankings Discussion: [07:51–17:21]
• Myles Garrett Segment: [21:23–24:42]
• Spitting in the NFL: [25:41–29:41]
• Division “Power Shift”: [30:08–31:41]
• Weekend Game Picks: [34:05–38:17]
• Tyrann Mathieu Interview: [43:04–57:01]
• Cowboys/Receiving Corps: [60:10–64:45]
• Sam Darnold/Shadour Sanders QB Talk: [65:16–71:23]
• Arkansas Coaching Search: [71:23–75:51]

Tone & Style

Casual, quick-witted, at times irreverent but always lively. The hosts blend firsthand player experience with fan-style emotion, weaving between analytical arguments and inside jokes ("belt to butt" for blowout games, or patenting “Arkansas Minute” for multi-minute Arkansas talks). Interviews are respectful, insightful, and conversational, with mutual respect and genuine appreciation for guest stories and candor.

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