What's Wright - Best Of - Chiefs are BACK, Lamar's big game struggles, Shedeur Sanders self-sabotage, 49ers regretting Purdy?

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "What's Wright - Best Of - Chiefs are BACK, Lamar's big game struggles, Shedeur Sanders self-sabotage, 49ers regretting Purdy?"

Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Nick Wright
Producer/Co-host: Demanze

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Episode Overview

This episode of "What's Wright" features Nick Wright breaking down some of the most compelling storylines in the NFL:

• The Kansas City Chiefs' return to form and the media's fickle perception
• Lamar Jackson's struggles in big games and why narratives don't change
• Shedeur Sanders' self-sabotaging behavior and the challenges of being a high-profile backup QB
• Whether the San Francisco 49ers are regretting their big-money investment in Brock Purdy
• A quick look at Puka Nacua’s rise among NFL wide receivers

Nick Wright leans into his trademark candor, combining meta-media analysis with sports insight, and doesn't shy away from calling out football’s biggest characters—players, coaches, pundits, and even the nature of modern NFL celebrity.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chiefs' Resurgence and Media Overreaction

Segment starts: [02:45]

• Chiefs' Bounce-Back: Nick recounts how the media was quick to count Kansas City out after an 0–2 start, ignoring the team's resilience and elite leadership.

• Mahomes & Adversity: Wright details the adversity Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs faced, including injuries and suspensions to their top receivers, yet highlights how they always manage to "figure it out."

  "The fatalism surrounding the Chiefs from almost everyone else in the media was...so myopic. As if they don't have a Hall of Fame head coach, a Hall of Fame caliber D coordinator and the most talented quarterback to ever live." – Nick Wright [04:30]

• Media’s Short Memory: He laments what he calls embarrassing punditry, criticizing the flip-flopping of opinions without respect for context or past performance.

• Injuries as Excuses: Nick points out the inconsistency of the national conversation, with some using Ravens injuries as an after-the-fact excuse despite not picking Baltimore to lose for that reason before the game.

• Not All Problems Solved: Wright is clear that the Chiefs still have issues—running back depth, pass rush without blitzing—but calls claims of a crisis deeply exaggerated.

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2. Ravens, Lamar Jackson, and the Big Game Narrative

Segment starts: [07:38]

• Lamar's Costly Mistakes: Nick calls out Lamar Jackson’s tendency for back-breaking mistakes in marquee games, specifically citing a critical interception against the Chiefs.

  "This game turned on a totally predictable yet inexplicable horrific Lamar pick." – Nick Wright [11:20]

• Changing the Narrative: He critiques the media and fandom for refusing to acknowledge patterns in Jackson’s postseason and Chiefs performances, drawing parallels to past QBs like Peyton Manning, who had similar big-game struggles publicly discussed.

• Data-Driven Critique:

  • In Lamar's last 30 games, he’s had multiple turnovers in only three—all in elimination situations.
  • Many of his regular season INTs are incidental, but the "what was that" picks show up only in high-leverage spots.

  "The all-time great legendary player who sadly gets tight in his biggest spots and plays his worst in his biggest moments. That's part of sports, man." – Nick Wright [14:05]

• Protectionism and Dishonesty: Nick addresses the reluctance to criticize Lamar because of historic, unfair slights (e.g., Bill Polian’s comments) but insists honest analysis is still fair and needed.

• Advice to Ravens Fans:

  • The bigger worry isn't the defense—it can be fixed—but the uncertainty regarding "which Lamar" will show up in defining moments.

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3. Shedeur Sanders: Self-Sabotage and Backup QB Celebrity Problems

Segment starts: [26:13]

• Background:

  • Shedeur, after a benching of Joe Flacco and elevation of Dylan Gabriel, remained third-string and responded to media questions by mouthing silent answers—a "bit" widely shared on social media.

• Rex Ryan’s Criticism: Nick critiques analyst Rex Ryan for unsubstantiated claims that Shedeur “isn’t doing the work,” labeling such broad attacks as unconstructive.

• The Media Bit:

  • Wright analyzes how Shedeur's silent protest is a perfect storm of modern sports media—feeding those who wish to blast him for immaturity, as well as those who frame him as a perpetual victim.

• Advice Segment:

  “If Shedeur was your best friend...what my plan is: I’m going to answer their questions silently...All of us would say, don’t f***ing do that, man. It’s a bad idea. Fair or not, bad idea.” – Nick Wright [33:24]

• Public vs. Private Persona:

  • Nick argues Shedeur is acting like a top draft pick, but his fifth-round reality as a backup QB means all that "celebrity" now works against him.
  • NFL backup is “one of the only jobs left in modern America where celebrity works against you.”

• Family Influence:

  • Nick gently rebukes Deion Sanders for publicly encouraging the bit, contrasting Deion’s generational on-field greatness with Shedeur’s very different situation.

• The Tebow Zone:

  “He is risking entering the Tebow zone of your biggest fans hurt you...you are not only a person anymore, you are like a vessel for their own wants and desires. That works against you professionally.” – Nick Wright [46:33]

• Emotional Toll and Advice:

  • Wright and Demanze discuss how Shedeur, for the first time, is hearing “you’re not good enough”—something unfamiliar for elite athletes, and emotionally destabilizing.

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4. San Francisco 49ers: Regret Over the Brock Purdy Contract?

Segment starts: [54:07]

• Purdy’s Health Mismanagement:

  • Nick is “furious” that the Niners let Purdy play through injury, risking long-term health to try for a short-term win, especially with a known Thursday-night turnaround.

• Contract Regret:

  “He struggle[d], had his worst year yet last year, has dealt with some injuries and has no leverage whatsoever. Just wait and see! They gave him fifty-three million a year and now…if they could wipe it away, would they? Of course.” – Nick Wright [55:25]

• Shanahan’s System:

  • Nick reinforces his long-held take that the Niners system and weapons are “quarterback-proof,” questioning the logic of allocating mega-money to a QB who isn't a true difference-maker.

• Comparisons to Mahomes:

  • Even with ex-Chiefs receivers, Mahomes wins Super Bowls, further suggesting the system and supporting cast are undervalued in quarterback assessment.

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5. Puka Nacua’s Incredible Ascendancy

Segment starts: [58:59]

• Historic Stats:

  • Nacua leads the league in receptions and yards by a wide margin; on pace for a 2,000-yard, 160-catch season.

• Relative Value:

  “It’s weird to say he has almost an ironclad case that he should be in consideration as the best receiver in the NFL. Yet...I still would not be able to wrap my mind around [him being] better than Justin Jefferson or Jamar Chase.” – Nick Wright [59:26]

• Team Fit and Attitude:

  • Praises Nacua for production and humility—“doesn’t seem like he has the wide receiver curse”—while noting that anyone would be happy getting 15 targets a game.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mahomes & the Chiefs:

  "If back means being the highest scoring team in the league, I don't think that's who they're going to be… But if you looked around the AFC… the only team you could say had no holes… was the Chargers. And then they melt down." – Nick Wright [06:17]

• Commentary on Lamar Jackson:

  "Why do we have to pretend what is obviously true is not?... The all-time great legendary player who sadly gets tight in his biggest spots..." – Nick Wright [14:05]

• On Shedeur Sanders’ Media Bit:

  "This is just. A perfect, just perfect moment for today's media and social media... The kid can't win. He talks and he gets yelled at. He literally doesn't talk and you kill him anyway." – Nick Wright [34:04]

• Advice if you’re a backup QB:

  "You have one of the only jobs left in modern America where celebrity works against you... The only job where your bosses want you to be as anonymous as possible is backup NFL quarterback." – Nick Wright [40:00]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:45] Chiefs' bounce-back and the media’s narrative
• [07:38] Chiefs vs. Ravens schedule strength and Nick’s media frustration
• [10:50] The Lamar Jackson mistake that turned the game
• [14:05] The "big game" Lamar debate: evidence vs. narrative
• [26:13] Shedeur Sanders’ benching, silent media response, and broader analysis
• [33:24] How Shedeur could/should have handled the situation
• [40:00] The unique challenge of NFL backup QB celebrity
• [46:33] The “Tebow zone” and dangers of overzealous support
• [54:07] Brock Purdy’s injury, contract, and 49ers as a "quarterback-proof" team
• [58:59] Puka Nacua’s record-setting pace and place among top wide receivers

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Episode Tone

• Frank, direct, and often critical—but well-argued and layered with statistical and emotional context
• Aimed at challenging familiar narratives and “conventional wisdom”
• Heavy on meta-media commentary, exposing the cyclical logic in pundit circles

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For new listeners:
This episode is a masterclass in how high-level football analysis and honest discussion can provoke both admiration and controversy. Whether it's Nick's takedown of lazy narratives around teams and players, or his focus on the human side of sports celebrity, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the complex forces shaping modern football conversations.

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Transcript

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And official rules, visit toyotasgamedaygiveaways.com welcome to the best of the Week for what's Right with Nick Wright. The best takes and moments from this week on the show. Enjoy where I am though. Damanze is fully relaxed and comfortable and relieved about the Chiefs. Let's get right to the game of the weekend.

[F]

Yeah. So we all saw what happened on Sunday. Your Chiefs crushed my Ravens. We were obviously riddled with injuries. Our quarterback went down very early into the third quarter but she said after starting oh and that is not.

[A]

Hold on. Your quarterback did not go down early in the third quarter. He went down at the end of the third quarter when when he tapped out when they were down 17. But go ahead.

[F]

All right. You said your Chiefs had the chance to rewrite history after starting 0 and 2 after this game. Do you think they did so well?

[A]

Listen, I they studied themselves and the 02 start. What they had to do was beat the Giants. That was an ugly game. That obviously turned on the tackle that turned the tide and then they had to go take care of business against the Ravens and take care of business they did. And not shockingly the moment the Chiefs had close to a competent receiving core. The offense looked good again the the last and we don't have to do this full history in depth but it is worth mentioning that the Chiefs traded away Tyree Kill Mahomes snap in an off season changed the way he played. Based on the receivers they had one league MVP the very next year dealt with more drops than any quarterback literally in modern NFL history. Figured it out by the playoffs, won the super bowl the next year dealt with the most injured wide receiver and running back room in the NFL. Got all the way to the super bowl and the next year which was this year walked into the season with his number one receiver suspended for six games and his number two receiver knocked out of game one. Three plays in and it looked shaky for a bit and I told you guys that I knew real like I guess insight that that Chargers Week 1 game plan. Xavier Worthy was the epicenter of it and him being knocked out three plays in threw everything off but this. The fatalism surrounding the Chiefs from almost everyone else in the media was and I don't want to be a scold and I don't want to be more annoying than I naturally am but it was embarrassing and it was so fickle and so myopic. Myopic. Pardon me, as if they don't have a Hall of Fame head coach, a Hall of Fame caliber D coordinator and the most talented quarterback to ever live that they couldn't figure it out. And it was as if they were getting boat raced in these early games or as if they were playing terrible teams and losing. Neither were true. Now I want to make this clear. I Don't think the Chiefs are, you know, quote, fully back. If back means being the highest scoring team in the league, I don't think that's who they're going to be. I don't think the Chiefs have solved all their issues. I still think the running back room leaves a lot to be desired and their ability to get pressure on the opposing quarterback without sending a blitz at the moment leaves a lot to be desired. But you looked if you going into the Baltimore game, if you looked around the afc, the only team that really you could say had no holes to poke at it was the Chargers going into week four. But they already were dealing with some potentially mounting injuries that sadly they dealt with more of during week four in a game they had no business losing but lost. And so the Bills were undefeated, but the Bills defense had looked shaky. And they, they had and have played three consecutive games against just bottom feeders. The Ravens were given this huge benefit of the doubt despite having the same record as the Chiefs and then every other team that had a good record like the Steelers or the Jags, you had real reason to be concerned about. And so who's first?

[F]

I mean, I don't know if this matters. Whose first slate of games? Who do you think has had the tougher schedule through the first four weeks between the Ravens and the Chiefs?

[A]

I think it's been almost identical. Okay, so like they played each other. So if we want to call, like I so call the Chiefs Ravens game, you know, a wash, so to speak. The Ravens played the Browns, the Chiefs played the Giants, which is the Giants. I think the Giants are better than the Browns, but the Browns have a better defense. You know what I mean? Call that a wash. And then the Ravens played the Bills, the Chiefs played the Eagles, the Ravens play, or I guess we could do Bills, Chargers, Eagles, Lions, you know what I mean? Like, I think the Bills are a little better than the Chargers, but I think the Eagles are a little better than the Lions. So to me it's very, very similar. Like as far as what the opening slate was. Now you could argue the Chiefs Ravens game being in Kansas City, like the Ravens having to go on the road for that tilts it. But the other piece of it, that was maddening to me and has been even more maddening in the after. There have been two things that have happened in the aftermath of this game that really drive me crazy. And I had kind of a rough moment near the end of yesterday's show on TV with Wilds yesterday. I'll apologize to him when I see him today. It's not really the tone of our show, but I got, I got angry when I shouldn't have the. And I mean, I don't think he took it like, terribly. Like, I think he might be surprised when I apologize to him, but maybe not. But, but it. Two things have happened that to me are so frustrating. The first one is, I understand the Ravens during the game lost Ron Smith and late in the game lost Humphrey, and once the game was over, over, over lost Nate Wiggins. But they went into the game missing four starters every. And the defense already had been bad all year. Everyone knew that and picked them. That's fine, by the way. Like, you can pick whoever you want. And I'm not acting like that game was a lock from the. The way it played out, the Chiefs had full control, but, you know, something goes differently. Maybe not, but to know the team has those injuries going in and then afterwards be like, wow, of course Kansas City did that. Look at all the injuries on defense. It's just, it's the. If, if your handicap going into the game was, I think the Ravens at full strength are better, but they're not full strength. Therefore I think the Chiefs will win. And then you see that game, you're like, yeah, that's what I thought. So be it. But that wasn't anyone's handicap. The handicap was even with the Ravens defensive injuries, the Chiefs offense with Patrick freaking Mahomes on it and Andy Reid calling the plays is so broken that they're not going to be able to move the ball.

[F]

I mean, Vegas had them as underdogs as well.

[A]

Correct? Yeah. Like, which is. It's so nobody again, two and a half point underdogs at home to a one and two team that the two. The two competent offenses that they had played move the ball at will. And so to then Monday morning quarterback be like, oh, well, obviously this was going to happen. That's not what you believed. That wasn't people's picks. That wasn't people's opinion. The conversation going into the game was, who needed it more? Kansas City. Who do you trust more? Baltimore. Good. I, I watched Orlovsky do the Ravens are built to beat the Chiefs. What it's like, no, they're built to beat the Chiefs in the Bengals. They're just, they. They're not built to beat the. I think he said the Chargers and the Lions. Something. I don't know. I, it was consent. And the other piece of it was. And this is my other level of frustration because while Ronnie Stanley did go out during this game. The Ravens offense is healthy and it was that, well, the Chiefs aren't going to be able to slow down a Ravens offense that no one's been able to slow down. They score 30 plus in every game. And that of course is not what happened. And so that frustrated me. And the other thing that frustrated me had nothing to do with Brewer Wilds, but had to do with me listening to Simmons pod as I do every Monday morning, listening to Greg Rosenthal's NFL Daily pod as I do every day, listening to, you know, a lot of them watching the Monday morning shows and all of it. And I was like, I could not believe that I was going to once again have to be, I guess, the bad guy. In pointing out the obvious fact that this game turned on a totally predictable yet inexplicable horrific Lamar pick. And the the Ravens were up 7 to 3 with the ball on first down around midfield and Lamar reach pedaled backwards and then threw up a prayer for no reason whatsoever. A guy who has. And again, people can be mad at me, but here are the facts of it. And every year people get mad at me and then every year we get another piece of evidence that I'm stone right about this. And then every year I have to listen to folks stick their fingers in the ears and be like, nope, actually wrong. Lamar is the greatest passer of the football we've ever seen as the highest passer rating ever turns the ball over. And all the big game playoffs games against the chief stuff is just dumb random luck. In the last 30 games Lamar has played, he has multiple turnovers in three of them. The AFC Championship game against Kansas City, the divisional round against Buffalo, and Sunday against Kansas City. I guess that's a coincidence. In the last 30 games Lamar is played, he has thrown seven interceptions, which is remarkable that he's only thrown seven. He had like a 50 to 4 touchdown interception ratio. You know, in the stretch you move the playoffs. It was crazy. The interceptions are as follows. Four regular season interceptions prior to yet Sunday, three of which we played the video, hit his receiver in the hands and then either got like bobbled or stolen. One of which Bateman just stopped running his route. But four passes that did not need to be picked. The only three in the last 30 games. The only three interceptions Lamar has thrown where it's like what the hell was that AFC championship game into triple coverage in the fourth quarter against Kansas City, divisional round game early against B against Buffalo, and the one Sunday he also in those three games had inexplicable fumbles out of nowhere. To pretend like that is coincidental when we once again saw Lamar throwing his helmet out of sorts, it's just dishonest. And I know Bill Polian was mean in his commentary towards the guy eight years ago and I know some of the worst actors in media, sports or otherwise tried to pigeonhole him as a wide receiver in a pretty nakedly, at times racist way. I get that and I understand because of that there has been a, almost protectionism and a want for folks to see him succeed at the highest level. I don't disagree with that. But why do we have to pretend what is obviously true is not? Why do we have to pretend that this is a unique thing we haven't seen across sports our whole lives? The all time great legendary player who sadly gets tight in his biggest spots and plays his worst in his biggest moments. That's part of sports, man. And nobody was going back and taking away Peyton Manning's MVPs in his records because he struggled massively in the biggest spots. But we weren't pretending it was coincidental either. Talked about the Peyton Manning face, talked about how he got anxious, talked about how his brother was like the bizarro version of him, a wholly mediocre player for giant expanses of his career who somehow in the biggest spots played his absolute best. And for some reason with Lamar, we got to pretend it's not happening. I gotta. And listen, I, I, I don't know this guy, but I think he does good work. I think he's a smart commentator. But I Deontay Lee at the ringer I before the Lamar fumble, I tweeted, lamar is basically gone two years without making that this was on the pick, without making that exact type of mistake. Except for in the 23 AFC championship game, the 24 divisional round and just, just now Kansas City. Probably a coincidence. And Deontay Lee quote tweets and right. Nobody can identify the intrinsic traits of a winner and loser like Nick Wright. He is the seer. It's like, no bro, I'm not, I'm not trying to tell you, I'm not trying to act like I look in a guy's eyes and can determine whether he has the it factor. I'm just trying to act like I've watched this guy's whole fucking career and from day one he has been a guy who in the postseason or in these instances now when he sees Patrick across the field, plays his worst football. And we can act like it's a small sample, but he's played the Chiefs seven times. He's played, I think 10 playoff games. Like it's not a small sample. And I my frustration is and again so this is the other thing to Monze and this is what I'll say before we keep it moving and maybe Demons A you'll tell me this is unfair. I don't think if I'm a Ravens fan, I don't think the thing that I came out of that game most disheartened about was the defense. And the reason for that is obviously if the defense is this bad, they are drawing dead. You know what I mean? They can't have the worst defense in football. But what to me was so disheartening about it, if you're a Ravens fan, is you're now going to have in the back of your head. Even if we get the defense fixed by when we get to these moments against Josh or Patrick, are we getting MVP Lamar or are we getting throwing his head back, slamming the helmet, taking terrible sacks, throwing off his back foot Lamar, I that to me is the concern Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. If you love betting on sports or you just love sports and want to try betting, the Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook app makes it simple, packed with great insights and nonstop promos every day of the week. Sunday Hard Rock Bet Stats hub will have you covered right there in the app showing me Kansas City has won 10 in a row at home against the AFC. 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Not a cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC in all other states must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call 1-888-Admitted in Indiana. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-809 with it gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. I'm Dan, he's Ty. Hello. And we're the Solid Verbal College Football Podcast.

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[A]

I did not think we would be starting with the Browns third string quarterback. However, because of the last 24 hours and because this show loves itself some meta media discussion, we are going to start with the Browns third string quarterback. Go right ahead, pal.

[F]

No, I'm kidding.

[A]

Joe Flacco's been tricked me. Hold on, I was about to say the Monza's mic's not working. I just want. I went to see if my headset got disconnected. That was really good mouthing of the words. You totally tricked me. All right, good job there. I mean that's for watching if you're watching on YouTube. You got the bit if you're the, the if you're listening to us on podcast. It doesn't really play but good job. All right, go ahead.

[F]

So Joe Flacco has been benched and Dylan Gabriel is the new quarterback one and Shador responded to that news and oppressor and maybe Rex Ryan with a little bit of memeing or miming action. What are your take or your thoughts on this?

[A]

Okay, so let me, let me give the audience the very short history of this. Okay. A week ago she door gave a somewhat innocuous but probably poorly worded comment when he said, you know I, I'm paraphrasing but I think this is going to be close to an exact quote. You know, I watch the league and I'm better than some of those guys out there starting. I didn't think it was a huge deal. I think it, I think that one of the reasons demand say that I thought that comment was likely to not go great for him was because one could argue the starting quarterback in the league playing the worst was his own. You know what I. So if he had. If he was third string for the Bills and said, you know, I watched the league and, you know, I feel like I'm better than some of the guys starting. I think the exact quote was, if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I'm capable of doing better than that. Then I think it's less of a problem. When a lot of people felt like and feel like the Brown starting quarterback was playing the worst of everyone in the league, it could have been construed as an unintentional shot at Flo. I don't think it was that at all, but it was just a little trickier of a spot. Does that part make sense, what I'm describing there?

[F]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Then Rex Ryan goes on TV and makes a fool of himself. Yeah, like, every time I see Rex Ryan, he's just talking about how much someone sucks. It's like the whole bit. It's that Russell Wilson can't play dead in a Western. It's the end. His career's over.

[F]

He said he comes at people like they're the reason, you know, every problem in his life that he has.

[A]

Like, yeah, I don't personally like that. His style. I'm just going to be transparent on this. I'm not. I don't. I don't know Rex personally. I'm not. I don't want. Please. Awful announcing. Don't make this a nick. Right. Eviscerates. I'm not trying to do that. I'm just being honest. I think Rex, like, goes on tv. It's like, this guy sucks. This coordinator is an idiot. I do a better job with that bang, I'm out of here. And so I just don't love that. Let me put it like he would. It just. If he would not fit on First Things first, you know what I mean? But I mean different styles for different folks. And I wouldn't fit on other shows. Whatever. I'm really trying to be kind here. But. But be honest with my opinion pretty clearly. And. Oh, and one of the things he said. He said two things that really struck me with the Shador commentary. One was he basically reported that Shador is not doing the work. He was like, get in there and study. If I know this, the whole league knows this. It's like, wow. Like, Rex Ryan elbowing Shefter off the breaking news beat. Like, I hadn't. I had not seen that reported anywhere that Shador has been lazy or not paying attention to meetings, that would be news. But the other thing he Said was, you know, b, shut up and dribble. Not quite shut up and dribble, but shut your mouth. So Shador yesterday was asked about Dylan Gabriel being named the starter and about how he was not elevated to second string. Because that's the other piece of news here. It didn't go flat. Typically, if a veteran quarterback. Not always, but I shouldn't even say typically. Sometimes when a veteran quarterback is benched, he then goes to the bottom of the depth chart. He wasn't a veteran. But last year, when Bryce Young got benched for Andy Dalton, that. That first game, Bryce wasn't the backup. You know what I mean? Like, it was. He went all the way down the ladder. And then. So there was an opportunity that it was going to be Gabriel 1, Shador, 2, Flacco 3. That ended up not happening, just Gabriel and Flacco flip. Shador stayed three. He was asked about all of this and he smiled and in my opinion, looked like he always does, which is charming and seemingly talked without talking, moved his mouth. And I actually wonder if a professional. I wonder if he was giving real answers.

[F]

He was saying, you know what I mean?

[A]

Like, yeah, I mean, he was clearly. He wasn't like, you know, speaking gibberish. I now, I don't know if the sentences were, you know, a inaudible. I was told, you know, on tv, they told me not to talk. So this is me not talking, or. I don't know if it was an inaudible. I'm happy for Dylan to be getting this opportunity. I'm still working hard. But he was clearly saying sentences, but they were dead silent. And the reason I wanted to start the show with it is because this is just. A perfect, just perfect moment for today's media and social media. Because if you want, which I don't want to do, to kill Shador, it's an example of just wanton immaturity. I don't want to kill Shador. And if you want to blindly support Shador, the criticism he gets from this will be an example. The kid can't win. He talks and he gets yelled at. He literally doesn't talk and you kill him anyway. I don't want to do that either, because I'm not an idiot. What everyone, every adult has a responsibility to set down for a moment their priors and to ask themselves this honest question. If Shedeur was your best friend, if he were your. I don't want to say son, because prime has, I think, not helped him on this. And I'll get to that in A second if he were your godson or your nephew or you were his high school guidance counselor who he stayed in touch with and he called you up and was like, hey, do you see what Rex Ryan said about me? Yeah, I saw. And you saw that Gabriel's the starter now, right? Yeah, I saw. So when they asked me about it, listen to what my plan is. I'm going to answer their questions silently. What do you mean? You're gonna like write it down? No, I'm gonna stand in front of the cameras and act like I'm talking, but not make any sounds. How awesome does that. How awesome of an idea is that? All of us would say, don't fucking do that, man. It's a bad idea. Fair or not, bad idea. Why they told me I shouldn't talk. Buddy, here's all you gotta say. You're asked about Dylan. Really happy for Dylan, you know, he and I obviously same draft class. We've been working together this whole time. Joe's been great to all of us. You know, it's coach's choice to make a change. And you know, Dylan works hard. He's a really good player. I'm excited, you know, I'm excited to watch him. Well, are you upset, you know, you didn't get bumped up to second string? You know, do you. Listen, I, I believe in myself. I'm not going to lie to you guys and act like I don't. I believe that I will one day be a starting quarterback in this league. But my job right now is to keep doing what, you know, what I've been doing, studying, working hard, being a good teammate, and hopefully, you know, we can get back on the winning track this weekend. That's all you have to do. Everything else is foolishness and anyone acting like acknowledging that him doing a bit in the locker room in front of the media as the third string quarterback is good for him or smart or productive is a liar.

[F]

Also not the third string quarterback, apparently.

[A]

What do you mean?

[F]

Well, it was Joe and then it was Dylan and then they moved him down below Joe again. Like, why, why do they do that?

[A]

He is still third string. Like. No, that's.

[F]

Oh, yeah, I guess. Yeah, he's third again.

[A]

Yeah. No, he's. Yeah, he stayed third. He didn't. No, they. Listen, I don't, I don't know how he's looked at practice at this point. I don't know how he is in film study. I do. I know that he played one preseason game, looked awesome, played another preseason game, looked bad. I like all of these. So I, I don't know if in that building there are different camps like Stefanski is deeply invested in Gabriel but the owner wanted Shador and so I don't know any of that. I don't. None of that is relevant to this piece of it. Just control what you can control, bro. You are not right now getting the opportunity to show what you can do on the field publicly. So all you can do is show that you can be a true professional privately or you know, in your role as backup quarterback. And this is what. And I did Cam Newton's show a couple days ago and Cam has real, excuse me, sympathy for Shador. And Cam feels like a lot of what he did like that. You know, Cam had a real hard time when he had to be a backup and Cam felt his celebrity and aura worked against him at those things. And I said this to Cam and I'll expand on it here. One is while I respect the I respect folks who believe Shedor does have starting caliber talent and traits and will be a good NFL quarterback, I'm not the I. A lot of people I respect have that opinion and fair, no problem. Cam was talking about him as if Cam and Shador were at all similar prospects. They weren't man like Shador is whether he should have been or not. He's a fifth round pick. And the other piece of it that I really wish somebody close to Shador would really explain to him is this man you have. Maybe it shouldn't be this way, but it is. You have one of the only jobs left in modern America where celebrity works against you in almost every other job. I don't care what it is. If it's like hey, I can do the job well. Also oddly, I'm very famous on TikTok. That doesn't hurt you. It usually helps you. The only job where your bosses want you to be as anonymous as possible is backup NFL quarterback. And now maybe the, the, the organizations are too stodgy. Maybe that's stuck it maybe, you know, maybe that'll change. It ain't changing this month and I do think we have seen over the course of these few months some of the reason that once teams and this was the, the seminal moment once he was not graded as franchise quarterback coming out of the draft top 10 top 15 pick and he was graded as backup who could one day compete to be a starter that his job description changed massively and he is still carrying himself as if it hadn't. And I am not asking for the kid to be humbled I hate that commentary. I'm not asking for him to change who he is at a personal level. I am asking for him to recognize that this shit works against him and his dad, who everybody loves, myself included. Instagramming in response to this video. All these laughing emojis and writing. Good one, son. You did that is not helpful. Go Demonte, go ahead. I can tell you want, want to.

[F]

Say I didn't know that. I didn't know that happened but at.

[C]

The end of the day you were.

[F]

One step like I guess he was still third on the dev chart but Joe Flacco getting benched, you were a step closer in the direction that you wanted to be headed. So there correct. It was unnecessary and it's just.

[A]

And this is what's frustrating to me and this is why I wanted to lead the show with it because it is a, my favorite topics are when sports a sports discussion is a microcosm for a bigger worldwide, you know, holistic discussion. There are going to be so many disingenuous fools that today try to act like, see, damned if you do, damned if you don't. You tell him to shut up and then when he literally does, you criticize him for that too. As if we, we can't hold multiple thoughts in our head at the same time and as if we're not all functioning adults that recognize this was he was running a bit. He is doing 45 seconds of standup in the locker room as the third string quarterback when all you've got to do is not, not do a single thing that is going to add to the questions the media is going to ask Stefanski and then bide your time, bro. Because Gabriel's not going to start the last 13 games. I don't think he's good enough. Listen, they're going to give Gabriel a real opportunity. There's no question about that. And Gabriel, I, you know, they have a real investment in him. I just don't think Gabriel's good enough to run the table the rest of the way. So he should get a shot. He just has to be ready for it. I just, I, I, I really think he is getting and people thought this was patronizing. When I said he's getting bad advice, they're like, he's 23 year old grown man. Shut up. Monza is 27. I give Demanza professional advice all the time. I'm 40. I, I call my dad for advice on things like the idea that because.

[F]

Three years is you're good, right?

[A]

He's almost old enough to Rent a car without paying the extra fee. He's beyond advice. Is just idiotic. Like, yes, he's allowed now at 23, he's. He's his own man. He can make his own decisions. He can take the advice and throw it in the garbage. And so. But the idea that you shouldn't have people in your life like, hey, man, that's a mistake. It's. And. And I really like him. The thing is this. I think. I do think he's charming. I do think he's talented. I do think he is well intentioned, but I think there is a protectionism. He, right now, to me is in a really. And they're not a similar player, but he is risking. Entering the Tebow zone of your biggest fans hurt you where. Because you are such a celebrity and because they have more. You are. You are not only a person anymore. You are like a vessel for their own wants and desires. That. That works against you professionally and Dion. And the last thing I'll say is this. And this is where, like, it's tough because you see your own kids through a parent's eyes. You know what I mean? Through the. And I. I get that Dion's got to recognize, man, you could do this. Your son can't. Why? Because Dion's one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, and your son is not. And he doesn't. And you'd be like, well, Dion wasn't that until. No, Dion was. Dion. Dion was a. Dion, going into the draft was talking about this team better not draft me. I'll bankrupt the bank like that. Like, guess what? People are like, all right, he might be a lot to deal with, but did you see the 40 yard dash time? Did you see him locked down in the side of a field for two years at Florida State? Dion's like, I might play baseball too. They're like, we'll. We'll fly out there, buddy, whatever you want. Deion had two things going for him that are very important that Chador did not. One is he was a super duper star on the field, and the other one is he wasn't a quarterback because as great as Dion was, if he were a quarterback instead of a cornerback, it would have been trickier. And so Cam was a quarterback and dealt with some of this. He's the. He was coming off the single greatest season in the history of college football. And so, like, he can. I just. I don't know, man. I. I legit worry that he is. He's.

[F]

He's hurt. He's like wounded, like all the time.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[F]

Feelings are always hurt. And I think he kind of doesn't know how to deal with it sometimes.

[A]

Shouldn't say, I don't know. I don't know, man.

[F]

But like, you know, with that type.

[A]

No, I think that's a great take. The idea that he is for the first time in his football life consistently being told, yeah, you're not good enough. Right, right. And when not only was he not told that before he was the best player or second best player on every team he ever played on. Yeah. And so I think that, I think there is something to that. I think the whole thing though, I just, I thought that was a mistake. By the way, if you're thinking about upgrading to the all new iPhone 17 Pro, designed to be the most powerful iPhone ever, but you're also thinking about the traffic on your way to the store or transferring all your data, good news, when you order a new phone online with Boost mobile, they'll send an expert to your home. How about that? Or home. Or work to deliver your brand new iPhone pro and get you set up on Boost mobile within minutes. No hassle. So you get the new iPhone, it comes right to you, and a tech comes in. Get all your stuff transferred, get you set up on the network. Visit Boost mobile.com to get started. Delivery available for select devices purchased@boost mobile.com terms, of course, do apply. I'm Dan. He's Ty. Hello. And we're the Solid Verbal College Football podcast.

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Listen to the Solid verbal college football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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[A]

Hugely concerned about Purdy's health, I would also be furious with my medical staff once again, if I'm the Niners, I It's not like the NFL spins a wheel to determine who's playing Thursday night each week. You if you're the Niners, you knew that you were playing Thursday this week. Purdy clearly was not 100%. This past Sunday they let him play anyway. The injury got worse. He now is definitively going to miss this game and he's not even healthy enough to be like the emergency quarterback for them and could miss more time. I don't understand, especially because they did go 20 with Mac Jones, how they don't Hold Purdy out, demanze this past Sunday and then he gets four extra days before he would be playing against the Rams to heal up that toe. And then 10 days before the next game, you know, you could have get, you could have eased him back in three games off and then he plays the Rams then a mini buy before they play the next week. Now this is probably going to be a problem all year. Which brings me to the bigger Purdy conversation. Man, I, I said all offseason, why would you be in a rush to pay this player? He struggle, had his worst year yet last year, has dealt with some injuries and has no leverage whatsoever. Just wait and see. They gave him 50, what, $3 million a year and now like it has been four games into the contract. If they could wipe it away, would they? Of course. And I, I know that there's. It felt unfair because he had made no money at all as the final pick of the draft and they had been to a Super bowl and been to a conference championship game and two of his years he had played really well. But you're not in the fairness business. You're in the football business. And the other. Had they not paid him and then this, you know, we see this opening month of the season, it's like, oh, Mac Jones who is basically on the minimum can be dropped into this offense without all the weapons and it can function. Are we better off spending our money elsewhere? Are we bet? Like do we need a $50 million a year quarterback? Unless he's a true difference maker. And that's. That's the other piece of this is it. We have so much evidence that that Shanahan system is relatively quarterback proof. Now listen, Purdy's a healthy. Purdy is better than Mack and raises your ceiling. But does he raise your ceiling more than having three separate Pro bowl level players that you could get with $50 million a year? I don't know that he does. So I have been. There are very few opinions that have spanned the course of five, six years that have aged better than my. I do not believe the Niners quarterback is as good as his numbers suggest. It's about Shanahan, the weapons in the system than that take. But once again I think that takes going to age quite well. It also should be noted because people are putting out there the Niners wide receiver room and I'm like, oh, I recognize those guys. Patrick Mahomes won Super Bowls with them. Demarcus Robinson, Sky Moore, Marquez Valdez, Scantling. What do you expect anyone to do? I don't know Patrick Mahomes win Super bowl. So like there is that. All right. I know you want to ask me about Puka.

[F]

Yeah. So where would you rank him among amongst your wide receivers? He's number one in yards, receptions and yards. By a lot.

[A]

By a lot.

[F]

Stafford loves him.

[A]

He's. He's on pace to Monze through 16 games not even 17 game season for more than 160 catches in the first ever 2000 yard season. So here is.

[F]

All right.

[A]

Here is the it's weird to say he has almost an ironclad case that he should be in consideration as the best receiver in the NFL. Yet I cannot wrap my mind around the idea that he's better than Justin Jefferson or Jamar Chase and I feel like he could have a 2000 yard season and I still would not be able to wrap my mind around it. But you know, he's doing it with not great quarterback play. He's doing it under I shouldn't say he's not not great quarterback play. He's. He's doing it when he's not fully healthy. He's been able to just do it and it's. I think he's playing at a higher level than Cooper cup did. And so some of that is, you know, when we saw Cooper cup do it. Now we're seeing Puka do it. You Stafford and McVeigh gets some of the credit. But Puk is an unbelievable player. He is really an unbelievable player and he certainly demands a has to be in your top five. Certainly. I still think Jefferson's the best receiver in football but man, Puk is an unbelievable player.

[F]

He's just an unbelievable diva too. Seems like a solid teammate as well. I mean same thing Justin Jefferson as well. But you know.

[A]

Yeah, he doesn't. It doesn't seem like he has the like wide receiver curse, but it also helps that he gets 15 targets a game. I think all these receivers be pretty happy with. You know what I mean with with those types of targets. This is the story of the one as head of maintenance at a concert.

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Listen to the Solid Verbal College Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or we're wherever you get your podcasts.

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Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin and this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different.

[A]

Did you see the Colts pretzel?

[E]

That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your PO.

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Greatness doesn't just show up, it's built. One shot, one choice, one moment at a time. From NBA champion Stephen Curry comes Shot Ready. A powerful, never before seen look at the mindset that changed the game.

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I fell in love with the grind. You have to find joy in the work you do when no one else is around. Success is not an accident. Listen, I'm passing the ball to you. Let's go.

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This is an iHeart podcast.