Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: "Dave Called It: Tomlin Out, MJD In & the Best Weekend of the Year"

Date: January 16, 2026
Host(s): Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Notable Guest: Maurice Jones-Drew (MJD)

Episode Overview

In this divisional-round preview special, Dan, Stugotz, and their rotating crew dig deep into the coaching carousel (most notably Mike Tomlin’s departure from Pittsburgh), discuss the Rams’ playoff outlook with Maurice Jones-Drew, and break down the weekend’s upcoming NFL matchups. As always, the crew blends insightful football analysis with signature humor, irreverence, and personal stories from both on and off the field.

Key Topics & Segments

1. Mike Tomlin’s Steelers Legacy and Coaching Changes

• [00:00–05:26]
  • Discussion kicks off with Mike Tomlin’s end of a 19-year run as Steelers head coach.
  • Debate over whether Tomlin was underappreciated or overstayed his welcome.
  • Recognition that Tomlin raised the franchise’s “floor” but failed to win playoff games in his last nine seasons.
  • Broader meditation on sports media, objectivity, and fan bias.

Notable Quote:

"On one hand, Tomlin’s this century’s greatest floor-raiser... On the other hand, he underachieved by not reaching a Super Bowl over the five-year stretch he had one of the league’s best quarterbacks, one of the two best receivers, and the best running back.” — Dan [00:44]

2. Coaching Rumors, the Harbaugh Watch, and Sports Conspiracy Theories

• [05:26–11:00]
  • Speculation about John Harbaugh's next destination, with a playful Marvel-multiverse analogy about alternate timelines.
  • Debate if Harbaugh delayed interviews in case the Buffalo Bills job opened up.
  • Side banter about sports media personalities and rumors.

Notable Quote:

“What happens when things happen in those [Marvel] movies? New timelines get created... You don’t want to know this timeline, but maybe Harbaugh was waiting for the Bills job!” — Mike Fuentes [06:39]
“Conspiracy theorists connect dots real well.” — Dan [07:48]

3. The Players’ Coaching Carousel: Rams Assistants & the McVay Tree

• [18:12–24:27]
  • Maurice Jones-Drew describes the Rams’ thriving coaching ecosystem and why so many assistants are getting head coach buzz—including Nate Scheelhaase and Chris Shula.
  • Exploration of how the McVay (and Shanahan) coaching tree is permeating the league.
  • Discussion on offensive innovation and how it’s as (or more) important than quarterback play.

Notable Quote:

“People want that new, innovative offense... That’s why Chris Shula—even though he’s defensive—is still getting looks, because people want some of that Rams offense DNA.” — Maurice Jones-Drew [19:01]

4. Rams Playoff Outlook & Locker Room Mood

• [31:01–36:55]
  • MJD gives behind-the-scenes insights into the Rams’ response after a tough loss in Seattle.
  • Praises the team’s depth, development of role players, and confidence heading into a frigid showdown in Chicago.
  • Stresses, “It’s not about the Bears. The Rams are the most talented team in the NFL from top to bottom.” [35:03]

Notable Quote:

“I just walked on the beach for two hours—75 and sunny. That’s what the Rams are practicing in... Then you want to go play in negative degrees and snow? You gotta be mentally ready for that.” — MJD [36:31]

5. QB Discussion: Can Defense Carry a Flawed Offense?

• [24:27–25:53]
  • Parallels drawn between the 2026 Texans and the 2017 Jaguars.
  • MJD admits Stroud is ahead of Blake Bortles, but the team’s current inconsistency is worrying.
  • Highlights how a dominant defense can still carry a QB with flaws.

Notable Quote:

“Their defense is championship-level. When you have two pass rushers with double-digit sacks and guys who can cover, it takes a lot of pressure off your offense.” — Maurice Jones-Drew [24:27]

6. Personal Stories: MJD’s Career Reflections and Hall of Fame Talk

• [36:55–40:44]
  • Dan quizzes MJD on his all-time rushing rank (50th, ahead of Terrell Davis).
  • MJD shares honest reflections on retiring too soon and his advice to his football-playing sons: “Make them pull you out of the league.”
  • MJD reveals he has a (players) Super Bowl ring from the Rams’ SB win as a broadcaster—“Because I’m a P-L-A-Y-A… so I got a ring.” [40:19]

7. Divisional Round Predictions – Rapid-Fire Game Picks & Reasoning

• [45:57–56:51]

a. Rams at Bears

• Focus on weather impact (forecast: 19 high/2 low, lakefront wind), Rams’ superiority if healthy, and doubts about Bears’ ability to keep winning on fourth-quarter comebacks.
• All pick Rams to win and cover.
  • Dan: 28–23 Rams [46:01]
  • Mike: Rams by 10 [46:50]
  • Gino: “The Bears can’t keep getting away with this.” [47:14]

b. Texans at Patriots

• Concerns about Stroud’s turnover problems, belief that Texans’ D must score for them to win.
• All pick Patriots narrowly.
  • Dan: Patriots 17–16 [48:04]
  • Gino: Patriots 20–18 [48:31]
  • Mike: Patriots—Texans not ready yet [49:09]

c. Seahawks at 49ers

• A 49ers team ravaged by injuries, no George Kittle.
• All expect Seahawks to win and cover; sets up Rams–Seahawks NFC title game.
  • Dan: Seahawks 26–17 [51:45]

d. Bills at Broncos

• Denver favored by 1.5; debate over Josh Allen’s ‘one-man show’ status.
• Dan: Broncos 24–21 [52:46]
• Mike: Holds out for “Josh Allen magic” but lightly picks the Bills [53:57]

8. Fun Personal Touches & Memorable Moments

• MJD recounting old stories with Dan: snowball fights with his sons in Pittsburgh [17:27], Game of Thrones podcast contests, and playing 2-on-2 basketball with pre-fame Pat McAfee [15:31].
• Banter about not knowing what “JB” in his broadcast partner’s name stands for—turns out to be “James Baxter” [16:25].

9. Closing & Fantasy Picks

• [56:51–end]
• “Pick Six” segment: Each host gives player stats predictions (touchdowns, yardage).
• Josh Allen over 0.5 passing yards is the joke “lock.”
• All hosts submit fantasy bets and predictions for scoring and individual player props.

Noteworthy Quotes (w/ Timestamps & Attribution)

• “Whether you see that glass as half empty or full, we can all agree there’s something in there.” — Dan [01:09]
• “The objective truth matters in sports and otherwise… The standard is the standard.” — Dan [03:20]
• “People want a piece of that [Rams/Sean McVay tree] right? They want that new, innovative offense… That’s why Chris Shula is a guy—even though he’s defensive—people are going to hire him to get a piece of that Rams offense.” — MJD [19:01]
• “I have a [Super Bowl] ring that says Jones-Drew on it. Are you kidding me? I got the players ring. And let me tell you something—a player’s ring is something else.” — MJD [40:01]
• “The Rams are the most talented team in the NFL from top to bottom.” — MJD [35:03]

Suggested Listening Timestamps

• 00:00–16:00 — Tomlin out, coaching carousel, and early banter
• 18:12–25:53 — MJD on the Rams, coaching trees, and Texans/Jaguars comparisons
• 31:01–36:55 — Rams’ playoff readiness, team psyche, and Chicago matchup preview
• 36:55–40:44 — MJD reflects on his playing career and talks Hall of Fame vs. Lombardi
• 45:57–56:51 — Rapid-fire divisional round picks and argumentation
• 56:51–end — Fantasy picks and closing banter

Tone and Takeaways

This episode blends energetic, candid NFL talk, insider anecdotes, and genuine candor from MJD and the usual Le Batard crew. Perfect for listeners who want nuanced breakdowns of playoff football meshed with laugh-out-loud personality, plus a side of humility about the world of sports and sports media.

For the full playoff picks, coaching insights, and classic Le Batard–style jokes, listen to this episode—especially if you love your NFL coverage with substance and a wink.