Nick Wright (7:12)

Well, I agree with you. It's, it is hard to accept that they missed their window, but they missed their window. And, you know, when this history of the NFL is written, there's going to be a bunch of teams that were going to say, man, if not for that annoying team in red in the Midwest, they could have been a champion. And the Niners had two great shots in it. Two fourth quarter overtime leads in a Super Bowl. They didn't get a ring. And too often teams then I think when it's clear it's kind of going in the wrong direction, cling to it. I think you are still seeing New Orleans cling to the idea of what they were trying to be with Drew Brees. And because of that, they won't be able to build a true contender for years to come. I think the Niners really went all in last year and the year before and gave out some contracts they didn't really want to. They didn't want Trent Williams, the guy on the screen is an all time legend. Yeah, but they didn't want to add guaranteed years for him at 37 years old. They didn't, I don't think want to give Brandon Iuk the deal they gave him right after they had given Deebo that deal and they had spent a first round pick on a receiver. They did all those things and others. It made Joey Bosa when the highest paid defensive player was making 29 million, gave him 34,4 million, all those things to win. They almost won and then had a season wrecked by injury and now they are resetting. I wouldn't call it rebuilding, but I think they are resetting and I do want, if I were running the Niners, I would offer Brock such a team friendly, almost insulting deal that I didn't expect him to take because I really do want to see him this year without a super team around him. If he looks like he did last year without a super team around him and if that's the case, then that simply is a player you cannot pay.55 plus million dollars. And the arguments people make as to why Brock Purdy should get that money, they're like, well, Tua got this and my guy Trevor got that. The problem with those arguments is if you then ask those same exact people, hey, do you think those were good decisions by the team? They're like, no, of course not, that's a disaster. And so you don't sign your. And again, Purdy, you know, obviously has accomplished more than Tua or Trevor in this league. But you don't use bad contracts as the standard that's right for a contract you're going to give. And so the Niners have the leverage here and if they're run as smartly as I think they are, I would expect them to use that.

Colin Cowherd (10:07)

Yeah, I said this. So Justin Fields to the jets and I said so he had a defensive coach in a defensive culture in Chicago. I saw what it looked like. He had a defensive coach and a defensive culture in Pittsburgh. I saw what it looked like. Now he's going to a defensive coach in a broken culture in New York. I know what this is going to look like. I think had he inherited McVeigh or Andy Reid, we would have gotten the best version of Justin Fields, whatever that is. It's not Mahomes, but whatever it is, I look at this Jets Move. And I'm like, I've seen it. I know what this is going to look like.

Nick Wright (10:41)

So here's why I don't mind it. Colin. For the first time in almost a decade, the first, second and third biggest story about the New York jets is nothing does not have everything to do with their quarterback. So what I mean is Darnold, you know, while they draft him in the top three, while he's there, everything Jet related is about is Darnold progressing? Is he the guy? Is he then Zach Wilson draft him number two, everything about the jets is centered around the orbit that is Zach Wilson. Then obviously these two years with Aaron Rodgers. Now the quarterback is not the lead actor. He's not even really the supporting actor. He's just kind of a tertiary character in the movie that Aaron Glenn is trying to write. And so I don't mind that at all. $20 million for a starting quarterback is literally unless Daniel Jones ends up being a starter. And maybe he will be, but he and Daniel Jones will be the 2 cheapest non rookie scale quarterbacks in the league. Like that is as cheaply as you can do it. And while they figure out what they're going to do at quarterback, I don't mind this as a placeholder with essentially a team option in year two with the 1 in 20 chance that Justin, who came into the league so young that he is still relatively young, reunited with Garrett Wilson when he was at his best at Ohio State. And see but I just think them not having oh my God, how's the quarterback doing? As the biggest story surrounding the team is a positive for what Aaron Glenn potentially is trying to build.

Colin Cowherd (12:28)

Okay, so this one somebody asked me the other day how's Nick Wright doing since the Super Bowl. And I said winning at poker and breathing. He's fine but people are got back.

Nick Wright (12:39)

From Vegas by the way is 4 hours ago, 4 hours ago your guy Goldman text me. He's like I know you're flying in today. You're still going to come home with column like of course. Like you got to be able to, you know, you got to work multiple jobs, no problem. But yeah, I bags under the eyes. Good game with Helmut yesterday. You can watch it on poker. Go, but go ahead.

Colin Cowherd (12:58)

Okay, so listen, Joe Tuney was doing yeoman work last year. He's gone. Bears really needed him. Great pickup by the Bears. They're going to go to San Francisco, get a backup, cross your fingers, overpay a little bit. That's free agency. And put them at left tackle. You got to Be after watching the Rams defensive fronts. You know, there's some defensive fronts in the NFL right now that are very, very good. Philadelphia's defensive front. I don't love the offensive line for Kansas City.

Nick Wright (13:32)

All right, well, let me listen. So they have. Let me, let me defend it for. So listen, Joe Tunney's a great player. Guys won four champions. I think four or five all pros might be a Hall of Famer one day, but they have the highest paid center in the league. And then they have to decide which of our highest paid guards in the league do we want to keep. They kept the guy who's seven, six years younger in Trey Smith. I'm fine with that. The guy replacing Toonie is going to be their second round pick from last year, Kingsley Souma Taia. And then there's the left tackle. And I look at the left tackle they signed from San Francisco, maybe differently than most, because normally you don't want to sign a backup to a frontline position.

Colin Cowherd (14:19)

That's right.

Nick Wright (14:20)

Unless, of course, that backup is backing up, arguably the goat. So again, not to make it about me, but once upon a time, I was nothing other than Colin Cowherd's backup. How good could he be? He's a bench player. And it's like, well, I'd be a starter in a lot of spots. I'm backing up the greatest of all time. You back up Trent Williams. Who knows? Maybe he's the third best left tackle of the last decade. But the best of the last decades in front of him, none you can do now. He gets a shot. So I'm, you know what I mean? I'm bullish. I'm bullish on this young man, and I think there's precedent for it.

Colin Cowherd (15:00)

Okay, well, it's an optimistic viewpoint, certainly.

Nick Wright (15:04)

Yeah. I mean, you're backing up the goat. What are you going to do?

Colin Cowherd (15:07)

That's true. That's true. I will say this. I said the good news and bad news with the Bears. The good news is they got a bunch of good players. I mean, I'm sorry, but Caleb Williams, guard, center, guard at may be the best trio in the league. Here's the bad news. It means you had to buy them because your GM whiffed on all his picks. So. So what it tells me is if you go look at the Eagles, the Chiefs defense, the Rams defense, the Lions O line, that's draft and developed by the team. So the good news is you're better. The bad news is, yeah, we. Your draft picks stink. So it still tells me the Bears going into next season. They still don't have everything upstairs. Right. That's my take.

Nick Wright (15:51)

So. So I'm not. I, I don't want to put this on Ryan. Polls like say he is Ryan Grigson and. Because that's not fair.

Colin Cowherd (16:01)

That's not fair.

Nick Wright (16:02)

But. Right. But what I'm. The reason I bring that up is Ryan Grigson got that job in Indianapolis right around the time they got the number one pick from Luck. And people thought, well, he'll have this job forever because you got the quarterback, right. And so you'll keep the job. And he never was able to protect him. And that ended up, you know, costing him his job. Maybe cut years, almost assuredly cut years off Luck's career. The reason I bring that up is I think Ryan Polls is a sharp guy. I think he learned from smart people in Kansas City. I also think that when you do the pros and cons ledger for polls, tenure in Chicago, the Caleb Williams trade is doing just a massive amount of the work on the pro side of things. And then you also do have to keep in mind that trade, he made that trade, obviously not knowing he was hoping, sure, but not knowing that Carolina was then going to be the worst team in the league and it would result in Caleb Williams. So, yes, this is a massive year for Caleb, but also for the gm. Now, you give him credit for being able to land Ben Johnson. What I thought you were going to say is this because they got Ben Johnson and addressed the offensive line to almost universal acclaim. Caleb is once again going to have the burden of expectation that if you look at take Jaden out because he was so spectacular. Drake May and the Patriots. Drake May was the third pick of the draft. The Patriots won four games this year. Two of those were two of the five games Drake May didn't play throughout. His numbers were not very good. The team was awful, and everybody loves him. No people could like quarterback solved in New England. And they go into this year, even though they spent a quarter of a billion dollars in free agency, people will be like, man, six wins for the Patriots this year and Vrabel's got them in the right direction. Caleb, on the other hand, goes into this year. And I think people feel like, man, if they're not at least a fringe, if not legitimate playoff team, then something's gone wrong. And so there is there. There are just massive expectations once again like there were on him last year because some foolish people picked that Bears team to go to the Super Bowl. I don't know why they would do that. But some people did.

Colin Cowherd (18:33)

You know, I don't know if I've ever asked you this because I asked you a lot of Lakers LeBron stuff and I think you and I both have SGA winning the MVP over Jokic. I strongly believe it's SGA's year. I'm going to throw this at you. I don't, I don't remember you talking a great deal about this and I'm interested to your take. So I thought the warriors should have signed Jimmy Butler. And my take was every time he's had a legit two or a Durant, he wins is that he was on a treadmill to nowhere. And when you're as great as LeBron or Steph Curry, some of it's just like waking up in the morning and having that zest and joy for life. So Jimmy Butler will give you that. We said this the other week is there was always three guys etched in stone on the all time starting five teams. You know, Michael's making it, LeBron's making it. Maybe those Kareem, Kareem's making it. I always thought Magic was etched in stone guy. I don't think in today's shooting league it would feel quite as big as it did. Is it if, if Steph gives me a couple more of these. Are you in the. Maybe it's time to get like a forklift or a crane and on the Mount Rushmore put Steph over Magic. Where are you on that?

Nick Wright (19:45)

So that. So here's the deal. So I believe in my bones, Magic Johnson is the greatest point guard ever. And very quickly Magic in his first three years in the league won finals MVP twice. And the reason I say that is because he wasn't even good yet. And then in his final nine years in the league was top three MVP voting all nine times, first team all NBA all nine times. Won three more MVPs, finished second three times. He had a nine year run where he was either the best second or third best player in the league every single season. And I think we forget that he was still awesome when he had to retire because of hiv. So I believe Magic Johnson is the greatest point guard ever with the greatest resume ever. I just mentioned those nine consecutive first team all NBAs. Steph has four career first team all NBAs and isn't going to get one this year. I also believe this and it sounds in conflict every time I am putting together the team. You talked about that mythical all time starting five. I pick Steph over Magic. So that might Sound silly, but it is because in this make believe team, Steph's size and defensive limitations don't matter because I have Michael, LeBron, Duncan and Kareem as my back line. So I'm like, well, I guess some shooting would be nice and LeBron can run the point anyway, right? So whenever I'm putting together my ideal five man lineup, Steph is on there. When I am listing the greatest players in the history of the league, Steph is behind Magic. I know that sounds like it's in conflict, but I promise it makes sense.

Colin Cowherd (21:44)

Yeah, no, it is one of those things. When anybody does the all time starting five, my take is always if you don't put Bird on it, who's shooting, who's hitting threes.

Nick Wright (21:54)

And the answer is Steph.

Colin Cowherd (21:56)

Yep. No. Great seeing you. I was going to ask, you looked a tad tired but yet you brought your fastball. You, you hit the corners on it today.

Nick Wright (22:06)

Well, listen, I, you know, I've got, I've got some new partners and bosses at a place called the Volume. They're running me ragged doing stuff on the weekends and everything. This morning I did a podcast for him and in between all those podcast, I flew to Vegas Sunday night.

Colin Cowherd (22:20)

I know.

Nick Wright (22:21)

Got in, got in a nice little warm up game till about 2 in the morning. Sunday night Vegas time, it's 5am East coast time. Did the show yesterday and then played with the great Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Tilly and others until midnight last night. Flew back and now I'm doing this. And so yeah, listen man, it's pursuing a dream and the dream is to play in the biggest poker games in the world and just break even. We're just trying to break even in them. That's all we're trying to do. It's just like we're just trying to be a 200 hitter in the majors so you can tell your kids you made it to the show. And so I'm working on that while I'm doing this, that's all.

Colin Cowherd (22:59)

But poker is great for your wallet, not great for your life. It'll take years off it with your travel. Great seeing you, buddy. As always. Great. Nick Wright CO HOST first things first. Yes, he's at the Volume as well. He is a, he is one of one talent. That was, that's just really funny about Steph Curry. I'd never had his opinion on that. Is when everybody starts always putting in like Duncan and Michael. And my take is if you don't put Bird in the all time starting five, who's hitting threes. You got to have somebody because Magic that wasn't his game. LeBron's hit and missing it. It wasn't Michael's game. Not Duncan, not Kareem. You can't have a starting five. That's great defensively, but nobody can hit a jumper outside of a mid ranger because Michael do that. So worth discussing for sure. Urban Meyer last hour. Lot of Big ten guys at the top of this draft. I love both of Michigan's guys. I think next year's draft you're going to have couple of Ohio Staters near the top. Certainly is. Caleb Downs will be draft eligible next year I believe next year. Yeah, he'll be. He has a chance to be the first non quarterback taken live in LA. It's the Herd. One more Herd. The Herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. It's the last game of the season and with amex you can save time with card member entrances at select venues and go straight to the action so you can catch every moment. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Learn more@american express.com With Amex, you can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com Keep and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months. This is Jonas Knox from Two Pros and a Cup of Joan. Today's podcast is brought to you by Ferguson Home. Whether you're a homeowner working on a remodel or a pro managing multiple projects, Ferguson Home is where great ideas become stunning spaces. It's designed for the way you want to shop, explore the best selection of kitchen, bath and lighting products online, or visit a local Ferguson Home showroom and get one on one support from an expert consultant. Go to FergusonHome.com to shop the latest styles from top brands like Kohler, or find a showroom location near you. This message is brought to you by Apple Card Choosing the right credit card can be daunting. Among the countless credit card options, Apple Card stands apart. You get up to 3% daily cash back on purchases every day that Daily Cash can automatically earn interest when you open a High Yield Savings account through Apple Card. Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app on iPhone and see a credit limit offer in minutes subject to credit approval. Savings is available to Apple Card owners subject to eligibility. Savings and Apple Card by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch Member FDIC terms and more@applecard.com Our thoughts on a lot of the top players in the first 1520 picks from the Big Ten J Mac with the news no.

Nick Wright (26:28)

No no, turn on the news.

Colin Cowherd (26:30)

This is the Herd line news.

Jason McIntyre (26:33)

So Geno Smith obviously left Seattle and he is in Vegas now. This is where it gets interesting. Colin so Geno smith had wanted 40mil a year at least from Seattle. They balked at that and shipped him to Las Vegas. Gino is slated to make 31mil in the final year of his deal. Raiders gave up a third rounder to get him. Obviously he's going to get a new contract, but nothing's done yet. What's your, you know, what's the negotiation like between Pete Carroll who knows Geno Smith? Well, Chip Kelly, the OC apparently recruited Geno Smith out of high school.

Colin Cowherd (27:10)

Geno Smith is a young like 33 or 34 years old. I'm not giving Geno if I'm Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll, I'm not, I'm not signing up for four years of him. I would like a deal and they have an influx of money so they can write some checks here. I'd love a deal that is a two year deal and then maybe a third team option. But again, Gino is what he is and in a division with Justin Herbert, Sean Payton, Andy Reid, Mahomes, Bo Nix. I don't want the old guy with a, with the lowest ceiling. So I think he creates two years of stability. But he's not at this point he's not as mobile as Bo Nix. He's not, he's not as young, he's not as inexpensive, he's not as mobile and he doesn't have Sean Payton. He's not as talented as Justin Herbert or have the ceiling. He's not Mahomes. You're not going to win big in this league if you have the fourth most talented quarterback in the division. But the Raiders right now needs to build and for two years I'd pay him. I'd overpay him for two years if I could get out of a third year.

Jason McIntyre (28:13)

And listen, I'm sure people are going to, you know, knock Gino if he doesn't get the number he wants. But if the team you were with doesn't want to pay you what you want, go elsewhere. Take money less. Take less from the Raiders than Seattle, which didn't really want you. Right. They shipped you out for a third round pick.

Colin Cowherd (28:30)

Listen, I know this John Snyder. I was told they went back and forth for three weeks inside the building. They liked Geno. They, because of his age and his ceiling, didn't like the number. They would have kept him. They didn't. This is not. We don't like Geno. We like Geno, but Darnold's much younger and we like the price better. So. And I said this is yesterday. This is all about pricing. For Aaron, for Gino, for Darnold. Darnold's the best on the market because he's like 27 years old.

Jason McIntyre (28:59)

Yeah, I think you're, you're a little bullish on Sam Darnold in Seattle, are you not?

Colin Cowherd (29:06)

I think it's gonna work.

Jason McIntyre (29:07)

And do you think Geno will work with the Raiders?

Colin Cowherd (29:09)

I think he will create stability, but he'll finish fourth. Sam will not finish well. I'm saying this organization starts at such a low point that Pete, Chip and Gino will just give them stability, which is like eight wins. And you watch them and you're like, we're close.

Jason McIntyre (29:25)

Okay.

Colin Cowherd (29:26)

Nobody feels today they're close.

Jason McIntyre (29:28)

Rank interest level in Justin Fields, Jets. Sam Darnold, Seahawks. Geno Smith, Raiders. For your watchability.

Colin Cowherd (29:34)

Seahawks, Darnold 1, Geno 2. Jets third by a mile. I, I, I, I am going to make a pact that I may not use the words New York unless it's Mets, Yankees or Knicks for another year. That's how bad New York football is. I mean, seriously, they're, it's just, they're not well run.

Jason McIntyre (29:55)

I might have to push back on that. I gotta see the schedule of what.

Colin Cowherd (29:58)

Happens in the draft schedule. They play NFL teams that are well run.

Jason McIntyre (30:02)

Hopefully we can start with some cupcakes. Directional State University. All right, let's go to the NBA. Golden State State. Colin, man, they one of the hottest teams in the league, maybe the hottest, are the Golden State Warriors. Jimmy Butler has arrived and they have won 12 of 13. They are 121 with Jimmy Buckets. He had a triple double last night against the Blazers. Now listen, there is some noise in this 12 and run stretch. They have not played any elites. No Boston, no Cleveland, no okc, no Denver, no Lakers. So they're beating up on some inferior teams. That being said, they look really good. And the numbers, the net rating the.

Colin Cowherd (30:35)

Points per game, there are different teams, totally different team. And it, you know, again, now you're not asking Pods to score big Ubr four. Kaminga, you're a three. You know, they kept waiting for Kaminga to be Steph's running mate. That's not what he is. He is a three. He's a long athletic, that's a big.

Jason McIntyre (30:57)

Drop off from Steph and Butler.

Colin Cowherd (30:59)

Jimmy Butler. Jimmy Butler has slotted every warrior into their approach appropriate spot. So now Steph one, Jimmy two. Kaminga is a three. He's not a two. He's not offensively. I, I, I like him too.

Jason McIntyre (31:16)

He's even a three.

Colin Cowherd (31:17)

Well, he's no Austin Reeves. Okay. And like, you know, Draymond and pods can be 4 and 5. Looney off the bench. Moody starts, but he, you know, limitations. But when you were trying to make on a nightly basis Kaminga your second bucket, just not what he is.

Jason McIntyre (31:34)

I think if you're looking at some big picture takeaway, last year at the deadline, Dallas makes moves, gets to the finals. Golden State this year makes a move. Super hot Lakers make a move. I know it was fortuitous getting Luka. They look like a contender. I think going forward, NBA trade deadline is going to sort of be popping Colin, where teams are going to be like, hey, I can get some value here. I can make a run. My team can be interesting down the stretch. I, I was wrong about Golden State. Jimmy Butler, by the way, said he did not want to go there. Remember, initially, yeah, he was like, no thanks. Final story, Colin, is this has the potential to get heated. I'll try to remain calm. But your guy, SGA free throw merchant is the MVP favorite. But Nikola Jokic has been going off lately. He beat OKC last night. No Aaron Gordon, by the way, he was phenomenal. And after the game, Michael Malone kind of sorta got ticked off at the media with this whole SGA is the MVP thing. Take a listen if you didn't know.

Colin Cowherd (32:33)

That Nicola won three MVPs and I put player A and player B on paper and you had no idea that the guy who's averaging a triple double, the guy who's top three in the three major statistical categories, things that no one's ever done, he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10. And if you don't think so, I think you guys are all full.

Jason McIntyre (32:55)

Well, I like that guy, by the way.

Colin Cowherd (32:56)

Nice, intense.

Jason McIntyre (32:57)

He says whatever the hell he wants.

Colin Cowherd (33:00)

Here's what we know. Jokic is the best player in the world. Here's what? We also know SGA has led the youngest roster in the league to a much better record than Jokic has. And that's a big part of it. You don't give MVPs to teams that are 12 games back. That's just not. Oh really?

Jason McIntyre (33:16)

Russell Westbrook got one for average.

Colin Cowherd (33:17)

Well, we all know what that story was about. And that's fine. Congratulations to him. That's fine. But you know, it, it's. I don't get worked up on awards cuz Carl Malone won two when MJ was in his prime. So like I. Yeah, whatever. And I think he won one of them was MJ was out, I think. But it's like. Do you.

Jason McIntyre (33:36)

Do you agree that it is a narrative versus a numbers situation?

Colin Cowherd (33:39)

No, I know.

Jason McIntyre (33:40)

Has all of the. Literally all the numbers except for score. He's totally dominant.

Colin Cowherd (33:44)

Okay.

Jason McIntyre (33:44)

His season has been incredible.

Colin Cowherd (33:47)

I have the guy in the better team, the guy that's a better score, the guy playing with a younger roster, having to carry kids. And the guy who's number two, best player is off and out.

Jason McIntyre (33:56)

By the way, he got hurt last night again, Jalen Williams.

Colin Cowherd (33:59)

So it's like. It's just. You're, you're. I got. The guy who had best team in the west has. Just say this out loud. The best team easily in the west with the leading scorer in the NBA shouldn't win the mvp.

Jason McIntyre (34:13)

Best team in the West. So you have OKC in the finals. So don't say. If not, don't say they're the best.

Colin Cowherd (34:18)

I'm just saying today the best record.

Jason McIntyre (34:19)

Who cares?

Colin Cowherd (34:21)

You know, who cares? The NBA, the seating. You will get home court advantage.

Jason McIntyre (34:25)

Third hierarchy. You never put best record at number one.

Colin Cowherd (34:29)

Okay, you put that, but that's my opinion. Being seated number one in the NFL gets you a buy. That's fact. Mine's opinion.

Jason McIntyre (34:39)

So you're maintaining SGA is your.

Colin Cowherd (34:42)

It's a regular season award. So the regular season matters. The leading score on the youngest roster yet. It's the best team easily in the West. That's an mvp.

Jason McIntyre (34:53)

I'm sorry, I'm not going to let you say best team and get away with it. Best record. They're not the best team. The Lakers are better and Denver's better and hell, I don't know. Are the Golden State warriors better? Who are you taking in the series now? Golden State?

Colin Cowherd (35:05)

Well, OKC is better defensively. OKC is deeper. It's a good series. OKC will have home court advantage. You'd probably take okc.

Jason McIntyre (35:14)

I'M not betting against Curry now.

Colin Cowherd (35:15)

Now, if if the warriors face the Rockets that can't shoot, I'm taking the Warriors. If the warriors face Memphis, I'm taking the Warriors. But OKC is a lot.

Jason McIntyre (35:25)

I kind of like this. Two small market guys battling it out. It's almost like Lamar Jackson versus Josh Allen.

Colin Cowherd (35:30)

Yeah, I like it too. J. Mac with the news well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd line Urban Meyer last hour with all sorts of draft stuff. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together. I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio. Maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich. This one's for the food obsessed, for the phone eats, first person, for the influencer who knows about a new spot before it's popping, and for the person who's all in on dining out with Amex Gold, you can earn four times points at restaurants up to $50,000 and up to $100 back annually in statement credits on eligible purchases at US resi restaurants so you can get rewarded for eating what you love. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Cap applies. Learn more@american express.com With Amex, you can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile. Keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card has no cash access and expires in six months. Omaha Steaks delivers the world's best steak experience and it brings people together with more than 100 years of family owned expertise as America's original butcher. Omaha Steaks legendary filet mignons are extra aged to maximize tenderness and are tested to the highest standards to maintain the coveted distinction of USDA Certified tender. And now during their semiannual sale, you can get 50% off site wide at Omaha steaks.com plus our listeners get an extra $30 off with the promo code Herdherd at checkout. This weekend was a great time to bust open my Omaha Steaks assortment. Pack air Chilled boneless chicken breasts, rib eye and steak burgers Gourmet jumbo franks. They're great butcher's cut top sirloins and for dessert, caramel apple tartlets. It doesn't get better than this. From legendary steaks to classic comfort food, bring home that exceptional handcrafted flavor and convenience of Omaha Steaks. Every steak perfectly aged. Five generations of uncompromising quality Omaha Steaks has been America's original butcher since 1917. Don't miss the semi annual sale at omaha Steaks. Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site wide and for an extra $30 off, use the promo code herdherd at checkout. That's 50% off at OmahaSteaks.com and an extra $30 off with a promo code herd at checkout. Geico's motorcycle expertise gives me the coverage I need.

Nick Wright (39:22)

Like 24.7claims, I'm on cloud nine.

Colin Cowherd (39:26)

Clouds are wholly unable to support the weight of an adult human.

Nick Wright (39:28)

What's happening?

Colin Cowherd (39:29)

Furthermore, clouds are not numbered. Even if you procured a jetpack and searched, you'd find no cloud numbered nine. However, at that altitude, you'd likely befriend a flock of migrating snow geese. Geese who'd encourage you to leave your 24.7geico motorcycle claims insurance behind as they would take you in and even share their dinner of crickets and clovers with you. Geico assumes no liability for any indigestion that may occur from a clover cricket dinner. Geico expertise for your motorcycle who will.

Jason McIntyre (39:50)

Rise up in the world's most famous arena and take the conference Ground the Big east tournament live from Madison Square Garden against Thursday on fox, NFS one.

Colin Cowherd (40:01)

So I thought the moves that were kind of risky, you know, I love me some Sean Payton. I thought getting Dre Greenlaw the linebacker and Hufanga the safety from the Niners. These are injury plagued players. They're both super instinctive, really smart, instinctive players. But each one cost, you know, you're getting up there to 35, 45 million between the two of them. It's, you know, it's, it's 70 million bucks. Three years for guys that get hurt a lot. But I, the way I look at it is this. He's looking at Mahomes and Reed and Herbert and Harbaugh. And his take is, listen, when I got Bo Nix to 25 points a game last year, we went 9 1, he was a rookie. So if I can get Bo nix now to 27 points a game second year, I'll let somebody else worry about the defense. But I think I can get Bo Nix to 27 points. And in our division, we have a chance to win it if we add some defensive playmakers. This is what top CEOs do. I'm going to take care of the, you know, what I'm great at. I'm going to assign somebody else the stuff, maybe a blind spot or a little weaker position. And you know, Sean's going to handle the kitchen, somebody else can handle front of the house. And I think he looks at it and thinks, I got 25 a game in a bowl. We went 9 and 1. Second year I can get him to 26 or 27. That makes us a playoff team. So I'm going to squeeze every ounce out of the offense I can. It's what I do, it's what I'm good at. And I'm going to add some playmakers to the defensive side to ensure we're at least better or can get us the ball back. Because both Greenlaw and Hufenga are super instinctive players. But, you know, I, it's a little risky. You're paying a lot of money for guys that get hurt a lot. And I also think sometimes it depends on the stage you're at. The Niners are trying to scale back. They wanted to keep Hufang, they wanted to keep both these guys. But their timing, now they have to move off them. They're good players. And you know, Denver, because they're not paying anything to the quarterback, they're at a different time and stage. They're like, we're not paying Bo Anything. Let's take a. Let's take a stab on some playmakers because I'll. I'll take care of the offense. I got us 25 a game as a rookie. We'll get up to 26 and a half again. 25 a game, I think it was. I mean, look at Denver scoring. Probably about top 10 with a rookie. So can I squeeze more juice out of the offense? I'm gonna. I don't need to spend a lot of money on offense. I'm gonna get more offense. Just getting Bo Nicks a second year, just an off season with Bo nicks. I'll go 25 to 27 with no added players. I don't need to spend my money there. I'll spend it on defense. If our defense allowed 23, can we now allow 21 and a half? That gets it into the playoffs? So I'm guessing that's how he thinks. I'll squeeze the juice. I'll pay to make our defense better. We were talking about this with the New York Jets. Listen, it's a. It's a bit of a time machine when you're talking about the New York jets and their quarterback situation. You know, it's just here comes another guy that's going to, you know, not deliver. Jordan Schultz. Aaron Rodgers is leaving now. Here comes, you know, Justin Fields. Aaron's off to, reportedly, the Steelers and Jordan Schultz talked about that an hour ago.

Nick Wright (43:20)

He has to make a decision on what type of franchise, what type of structure he wants. The absolute best scenario for him is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The reason being is they have Pickens, they have Metcalf, they have a committed coach that's going to harness him. And I look at the Giants and I say that's the absolute worst case for Aaron Rodgers. They don't have enough weapons, they don't have an offensive line other than Andrew Thomas, and they don't have a culture that's predicated on winning. With all due respect to Brian Dabal and Joe Shane. So I think right now I would say the leader. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but the leader to me is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They give him the best opportunity to have the most amount of success.

Colin Cowherd (44:03)

Yeah, if I was to take. If Aaron lands with the Steelers. J. Mac. So let's say he does. And I took all the quarterbacks and their new landing spots. Darnold, Seattle. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis. Justin Fields, Jets. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers. I'm missing one or two. Geno Smith, Vegas. If I listed them, what was the best landing Spot. Forget the player for a second. What's the best landing spot? So I would say, strangely, you know, because Chip Kelly and Brock Bowers, you know, you're going to get an elite offensive coordinator and an unguardable weapon. Gino, in a weird way. No, no. I would say in Seattle you've got Kubiak who knows Darnold and has the offense to his style. And also they have a number one receiver. They have excellent running backs.

Jason McIntyre (44:55)

Jsn A number one. Are we sure? I like him a lot.

Colin Cowherd (44:59)

He's either a weak one and a great two.

Jason McIntyre (45:02)

He's like a lad McCon. He just really, really good. Maybe a little better. But a number one, I don't know. That's a good question though about.

Colin Cowherd (45:09)

Because think about Daniel Jones. Now you, you don't think about.

Jason McIntyre (45:12)

But he's not a lock to be the starter.

Colin Cowherd (45:13)

He's going to start at some point. He'll start.

Jason McIntyre (45:15)

I think he'll probably win the job. I don't think it's a lot.

Colin Cowherd (45:17)

Great offensive coach, weakest division of all the quarterbacks where they land and. And good old line. I pretty good roster. So the Daniel Jones one's interesting. He's a forgotten man. Oh, Daniel Jones, Shane Steichen, that division, good roster, winnable games. That's an interesting one.

Jason McIntyre (45:40)

Is it also interesting that Russell Wilson who had a pretty solid season with Pittsburgh.

Colin Cowherd (45:44)

Yeah.

Jason McIntyre (45:45)

Is nowhere to be found right now and we're talking about Aaron Rodgers going to Pittsburgh for his job. And then where does Russ end up? Is there even a job for him?

Colin Cowherd (45:54)

I'll throw this out there. Atlanta says they're not moving Kirk Cousins. They're gonna. Well, what if somebody comes around and says we'll pick up some of that contract? You were all hot on Kirk.

Jason McIntyre (46:07)

I think Kirk is a great buy low but that's when he's like in the bargain basement bin for super cheap. I'm not, I'm not paying part of that contract.

Colin Cowherd (46:14)

I mean, the Vikings, to me they do.

Jason McIntyre (46:18)

They're the one.

Colin Cowherd (46:19)

But you know, it's funny. Backup quarterback is an interesting position. Like Tim. I always said this about Tim Tebow. He can't be your backup quarterback. He stole too much oxygen out of the room with the media. Cam Newton is not a backup quarterback. He's a rock star. Sam Darnold off the jets was a great, super talented backup being, you know, got tossed around in New York. Zach Taylor now humbled. He had good backup. But you know, Kirk Cousins wants to start and even though he's a really good guy. He'll be a rough backup.

Jason McIntyre (46:54)

He's not going back in Minnesota.

Colin Cowherd (46:55)

He doesn't want to go to stay in Atlanta as a backup. So it's the backup quarterbacks. And interesting. I mean, Aaron Rodgers is not a backup, even if it was five years from now. So, I mean, I think, I think a lot of people look at Russell Wilson and here's what they see. He went Owen five down the stretch. That's what they think.

Jason McIntyre (47:14)

That was his record, you know, like what? He can't help it. Well, Pickens is going sideways. And the offensive coordinator, if you're going.

Colin Cowherd (47:19)

05 down the stretch, you are what.

Jason McIntyre (47:21)

Your record is make the playoffs.

Nick Wright (47:23)

Right.

Jason McIntyre (47:23)

I mean, Sam Darnold went 0 and 2 down the stretch.

Colin Cowherd (47:25)

They, they could not score. They're offensively, they were inept.

Jason McIntyre (47:28)

Either could Darnold go, look at that Lions tape.

Colin Cowherd (47:30)

There were two playoff games, two games at the end. Darnold, before those two games was in the MVP race. You know what's funny about Darnold is that people like, there is end of the season bias. How you end your season matters. Like, we look at the Chiefs now and we're all like, I don't know, is Kansas City a wild card team? Right.

Jason McIntyre (47:51)

Like that you do in that boat.

Colin Cowherd (47:52)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I, I, by the way, losing Joe Tunney, going with a backup left tackle, like, it is concerning tagging a guard. Yeah, no, I, I look at the Chiefs and I'm like, listen, this is what happens when you pay the quarterback a lot. I mean, a lot of these teams in free agency spending all this money, they don't pay their quarterback anything. So there's two ways to get great in this league. Have a superstar quarterback, and you're paying him a lot, but he's a superstar. There's about five of those. Or have a quarterback on a rookie deal where you can stack the roster. I mean, you start looking now at the Bears roster. DJ Moore, Roma Dunze, Keenan Allen Cole, Comet Swift, Joe Tuney, top three center. I mean, you stay. And now, by the way, Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, talented. You start looking at the Bears offense, you're like, damn, they got like seven dudes.

Jason McIntyre (48:44)

I'll say Vikings are better, but Bears are going to be improved. I think the Vikings are my, they can't be a sleeper off 14 wins. But I do believe the Vikings, they're.

Colin Cowherd (48:52)

My pullback team in the NFL.

Jason McIntyre (48:53)

Interesting.

Colin Cowherd (48:54)

So first place schedule. Yeah.

Jason McIntyre (48:56)

Lions have the first place.

Colin Cowherd (48:57)

Oh, you're right, you're right. You're right. So I. I see. I see. If there's any team that will have half as many wins right now, I would go Minnesota.

Jason McIntyre (49:07)

I'll go Cowboys.

Colin Cowherd (49:08)

Detroit's going to be better. Chicago's going to be better than 15 wins. Green Bay is going to be better. Tough year for the bikes. This is Nikki Glaser from the Nikki Glazer Podcast. On a more serious note, I'm still thinking about that commercial with Tom Brady and Snoop Dogg hating on each other. Because when you listen to the reasons for hating someone or something, you realize just how stupid they really are. There is too much hate in this country and it's got to stop. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it. If you see hate, speak up, call it out and you can learn more by following oupwithhate Geico's motorcycle expertise gives me the coverage I need like 24.

Nick Wright (49:46)

Seven claims, I'm on cloud nine.

Colin Cowherd (49:49)

Clouds are wholly unable to support the weight of an adult human.

Nick Wright (49:52)

What's happening?

Colin Cowherd (49:52)

Furthermore, clouds are not numbered. Even if you procured a jetpack and searched, you'd find no cloud numbered nine. However, at that altitude, you'd likely befriend a flock of migrating snow geese. Geese who'd encourage you to leave your 24.7geico motorcycle claims insurance behind, as they would take you in and even share their dinner of crickets and clovers with you. Geico assumes no liability for any indigestion that may occur from a clover, cricket dinner. Geico expertise for your motorcycle what's up, everyone?

Jason McIntyre (50:13)

It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you, with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Colin Cowherd (50:44)

In Mississippi, Yazoo Clay keeps secrets 7,000.

Nick Wright (50:50)

Bodies out there or more.

Colin Cowherd (50:52)

A forgotten asylum cemetery. It was my family's mystery. Shame, guilt, propriety. Something keeps it all buried deep until it's not. I'm Larison Campbell, and this is under Yazoo Clay. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.