The Bobby Bones Show: "Lots to Say: NFL Week 3 and Fmr NFL LB Shawne Merriman!"

Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Bobby Bones & Matt Castle
Guest: Shawne Merriman (former NFL linebacker)

Episode Overview

In this lively NFL-focused episode, Bobby Bones and Matt Castle break down the key stories of NFL Week 3, share insider perspectives on current and upcoming matchups, and later sit down with 3-time All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman. The show balances hard-hitting football analysis with laugh-out-loud moments—everything NFL fans want as the season heats up.

Table of Contents

1. Opening Banter & Week 3 Recap
2. Key NFL and College Football Storylines
3. Coaching and Quarterback Storylines
4. Dan Campbell & Jared Goff: Detroit Dominance
5. Winless Teams: Who's the Worst?
6. Chiefs – Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Sideline Tensions
7. Interview with Shawne Merriman
8. Preview of Week 4 & Closing Thoughts

Opening Banter & Week 3 Recap

Jersey Talk, Panthers, and Colorblindness

• Matt Castle is jazzed about his new Carolina Panthers jersey, despite being uncertain about the color:
  “It’s weird cause I’m not a blue guy. Is this blue?” – Matt Castle (03:12)
• Bobby ribs Matt for not walking in the community—or anywhere, really:
  “No community walking. I can see you. Yeah. Around the house, maybe.” – Bobby Bones (04:23)

Panthers–Falcons Blowout

• The Panthers humiliated the Falcons 30-0.
  “They embarrassed the Falcons.” – Matt Castle (04:55)
• Discussion of Carolina QB Michael Penix getting benched; Bobby and Matt reflect on how a “bad day” at QB feels, both as a player and commentator.

Key NFL and College Football Storylines

Indiana–Illinois College Blowout

• Bobby attended the lopsided Indiana–Illinois game:
  “It was very evident that whatever you thought about Illinois, Indiana’s a much better football team in every capacity.” – Bobby Bones (07:53)
• Praise for Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza:
  “22 for 24 in the game with five touchdowns. The guy looks the part... NFL talent written all over him.” – Matt Castle (09:03)

Oklahoma State Fires Mike Gundy

• Castle—an OSU alum—reflects on the surreal firing of a 21-year coach:
  “You either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain.” – Matt Castle (10:25)
• Discussion of college football’s churn and pressure for results.

Coaching and Quarterback Storylines

Giants Start Rookie QB Jackson Dart

• Surprise at the announcement:
  “Are you surprised that the announcement was made today that the Giants are going with Jackson Dart?” – Bobby Bones (11:28)
• The challenge: facing the Chargers’ tough defense in his first start.
• Playful ribbing on Dart’s sideline bling:
  “He’s got all his bejewelry on. He’s bejeweled. I’m like, dude, you’re the backup… you gotta earn wearing all that ice.” – Matt Castle (13:11)

Kansas City Chiefs’ Struggles

• The Chiefs’ 1–2 start. Discussion of the schedule and missing key playmakers.
• On Mahomes and Andy Reid’s adaptability:
  “Patrick Mahomes needs just one guy out there that he can make look like a star. And I think that’s what all the great ones do, is they elevate the people around them.” – Bobby Bones (21:24)

Dan Campbell & Jared Goff: Detroit Dominance

Coaching Greatness

• Bobby praises Lions head coach Dan Campbell:
  “They pick up exactly where they left off last year... That’s because of his guidance.” (23:25–23:43)
• Statement win over Baltimore.

“Most Underappreciated” Quarterback

• Matt and Bobby agree: Jared Goff is highly underrated. “He’s gone to playoffs with two separate organizations, been in a Super Bowl, is one of the most consistent quarterbacks you see.” – Bobby Bones (24:32)

Winless Teams: Who's the Worst?

• Breakdown of the six remaining winless teams: Jets, Dolphins, Titans, Texans, Giants, Saints (25:02)
• Consensus: Titans are the worst, with the Saints a close second.
• Matt on the best of the worst: “I think the Dolphins are the best winless team because they’ve won before.” (27:05)
• Quarterback debate: Would you take Tua or C.J. Stroud as your franchise QB from this group?
  “It’s a coin flip with him [Tua] and Stroud.” (28:11)

Chiefs – Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Sideline Tensions

• A candid discussion of the very public Andy Reid–Travis Kelce arguments:
  “Who gets the liberty to scream at their coach publicly and, like, right on the edge of the sideline where everybody can see it?” – Matt Castle (31:25)
• Bobby: “When you’re a superstar and you’re the head coach, you know the cameras are going to be on you non stop.” (32:57)
• Matt speculates: “My theory is they really don’t like each other… you don’t do that twice.” (33:35)
• Bobby pushes back, insisting it’s “just ultra competitive dudes.” (34:14)

Interview with Shawne Merriman (39:24–78:28)

Early Career & NFL Rise

• Merriman talks on draft day, being selected 12th overall, and immediate impact (“lights out” rookie season).
  “I was 20 years old when I got drafted… I believe I was the youngest draft NFL player ever.” – Shawne Merriman (48:29)

MMA Cross-Training

• On mixing MMA into football:
  “It’s a game changer… I came back just, just a different player… didn’t get tired. Very, very active with my hands…” – Shawne Merriman (46:10)
• Advice to current players: take up combat sports for leverage and conditioning.

Chargers Memories & 2006 Team

• Details the dominant 14–2 Chargers squad, including underappreciated teammates.
• Candid about playoff heartbreak:
  “We should have got at least one [Super Bowl]. But again, when you’re going through the Patriots… you don’t just go to the Patriots. You go through Ben Roethlisberger first, then Peyton Manning, then Tom Brady.” – Merriman (53:54)

Adjusting to Fame and Double-Teams

• On when offenses started game-planning for him:
  “From game one [in 2006], all hell broke loose… bunch set, tight ends, chips, fan protection… you’re not playing against them [the linemen], you’re playing against the coordinator.” – Merriman (63:34)

Injuries: The Physical & Mental Toll

• Mental hurdles more challenging than physical:
  “The mental aspect of being injured, not being yourself anymore, was way harder… because you knew your body.” (65:48)

Chargers Culture Shift: Enter Jim Harbaugh

• On Chargers’ new coach:
  “It’s night and day… The energy, that everybody walked around with, was completely different than I saw in the previous years… They will follow this dude to the moon.” – Shawne Merriman (70:52)

MMA Promotions & Life After Football

• Overview of “Lights Out Extreme Fighting” and his role as founder and promoter.
• Embracing the challenge:
  “I got fortunate, man… we feel that we’re the next big company in the world when it comes to combat sports.” – Merriman (77:17)

Preview of Week 4 & Closing Thoughts

Week 4 Games to Watch (83:43)

• Thin slate of must-see games, but two matchups stand out:
  • “Eagles at Bucs – 100%. How about Baker Mayfield?” – Matt Castle (84:03)
  • “Colts at Rams… the Colts until what, the second quarter, hadn’t punted all year. It’s unbelievable.” (85:03)

Behind the Scenes & Shoutouts

• Personal insights into relationships with players—Marcus Mariota love, defensive takes on the Browns, and a wish for NFL relegation for bottom teams:
  “One of them has to go back to college. Relegated. The loser gets delegated.” – Matt Castle (88:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain.” – Matt Castle on Mike Gundy’s firing (10:25)
• “Patrick Mahomes needs just one guy out there that he can make look like a star.” – Bobby Bones (21:24)
• “He had a vision for this organization... That’s because of his guidance.” – Bobby Bones on Dan Campbell (23:25)
• “My theory is they really don’t like each other.” – Matt Castle (33:35; on Reid–Kelce dynamic)
• “You can play basketball, you can play football, but you can’t play fight.” – Shawne Merriman (44:53)
• “It is tough trying to figure out that next thing.” – Merriman on life after football (77:24)
• “They will follow this dude to the moon.” – Merriman on Harbaugh’s leadership (70:52)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Panthers–Falcons game recap: 03:55–05:10
• Indiana–Illinois college football discussion: 07:11–09:44
• Mike Gundy fired at Oklahoma State: 09:59–11:22
• Giants starting Jackson Dart: 11:28–14:29
• Chiefs’ struggles and Mahomes’ impact: 15:03–21:44
• Dan Campbell and Lions statement win: 23:43–24:30
• Debate on worst winless team: 25:02–28:14
• Reid–Kelce sideline altercations: 31:11–35:08
• Shawne Merriman interview: 39:24–78:28
• Week 4 preview: 83:43–88:52

Tone & Language

The show is loose, fun, and candid, with authentic banter punctuated by deep football insight. Bobby and Matt alternate between lighthearted teasing and sharpening their analytic edge, while Shawne Merriman’s segment is honest, motivational, and inspiring.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a perfect NFL recap and deep-dive interview for fans seeking locker-room perspective, with timely discussion of coaching decisions, quarterback drama, and the realities of pro football life. Shawne Merriman's appearance is especially valuable for his transition from playing to building a media/combat sports brand—detailing not just football but how to succeed after it.

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