The Ryen Russillo Show — December 24, 2025

Episode: Fred Warner on Underrated Purdy, His Toughest Opponent & Favorite AFC Contender + NBA Christmas Preview w/ PJ Carlesimo

Overview

This jam-packed episode features conversations with San Francisco 49ers star Fred Warner on the Niners’ big MNF win, Brock Purdy’s development, NFL defensive mindset, and the wide-open AFC race. Later, coaching legend PJ Carlesimo joins Ryen to preview the NBA Christmas games (especially OKC, San Antonio, Houston, and Orlando), discuss modern versus historic NBA challenges, and—as always—share legendary sideline tales and life advice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. San Francisco 49ers Recap & Brock Purdy’s Growth

With Fred Warner
[03:43–18:19]

• Unique Challenge of East Coast Night Games: Fred details how late start times disrupt west coast teams’ internal clocks and preparation.
• Brock Purdy’s MNF Performance:
  • Fred ranks the win as Purdy’s "best game" yet:

    “That game showed just how poised he is, how he's able to dissect defenses, deliver the football anywhere on the field...the guy is a complete baller. Best in the game, in my opinion, of course.” (Fred Warner, 04:43)

  • Purdy played while sick (noticeable on TV) and still delivered.
• Special Teams Impact: Shoutout to Jair Brown (“Frey Warner punch out”) and D. Winners’ pick-six.
• Run Defense Revival: The Niners D held a top rushing attack to ~60 yards, bucking media doubts.
• Philip Rivers’ Return: Both Warner and Russillo remark on “old man” Rivers’ competitive fire and impressive command despite years away from the league.

2. Quarterback Intelligence vs. Physical Skills

[07:02–17:42]

• Is Experience/Knowledge the New NFL QB Cheat Code?
  Russillo ponders whether Rivers’ late-career return—and success—is more about "mental reps" than arm talent.
• Fred on QB Development Gap:

  “Tom Brady talks about it—guys aren’t as developed coming in...they have to learn to read defenses in the pros. Alex Smith told me this is the best the QB position's ever been, just with the new level of athlete.” (Fred Warner, 08:38)

• The Brock Purdy Effect:
  • Warner calls out Purdy for elite processing and pocket awareness, not just system/QB "floor" from Kyle Shanahan:

    “You can only put a QB in the right scheme, but when the bullets are flying, he’s the one that’s gotta make it happen...People who don’t want to give Purdy his due just don’t understand the game.” (Fred Warner, 16:21–17:22)

3. NFL Defensive Strategy and Physicality

[27:08, 29:31–35:28]

• Design Trends: Rams’ Unorthodox 13-Personnel
  • Warner explains challenges of facing the Rams’ 3-TE sets, which aim to stress defenses by mixing heavy run looks with unexpected passing:

    “When you have that ability to throw from 13 personnel, it keeps the defense on their heels...the tight ends can really expand the field.” (Fred Warner, 24:46)

• Defensive Physicality in the Modern Game
  • Warner on "toeing the line" of violence under new rules:

    “You gotta impose your will...if I let off, and now an offensive player lowers his pads and I get folded up? I’m not putting that on tape. The moment you let up, it’s not for you anymore.” (Fred Warner, 31:57)

  • Most ‘offensive retribution’ is more performative than real—“they’ll be mad regardless.”

4. Unique Player Discussions & Opponent Respect

[34:00–35:28]

• Fred’s Toughest, Most Stoic Opponent:

  “Joe Burrow, through and through. I just ran right through him, he pops up like it’s nothing: ‘hey, man, good hit.’ That’s competitive spirit.” (Fred Warner, 34:12)

• On the AFC Playoff Picture
  • Nobody has an answer with so many stalwarts out (Burrow, Lamar, etc.).
  • Warner is high on the Patriots’ “complete team” with Drake Maye, citing physical play and ‘RayBro’ as a players coach.
  • Jacksonville and Denver both mentioned, but uncertainty reigns.

5. Listener Mailbag: Player Communication

[42:33–46:22]

• On Relaying Defensive Play Calls: Warner details the complex, rapid pre-snap communication it takes—described as “two, three word call” but depending on motion, checks, and shifts, the real challenge is getting all 11 guys in sync.

  “There’s a lot of pre-snap communication, then you have to actually make a play...that’s what separates the goods from the greats.” (Fred Warner, 43:35)

  • Surprised there aren’t more blown coverages:

    “Of 70 plus snaps, I’m surprised there aren't three blown a game.” (Russillo, 45:36)

6. NBA Christmas Preview with PJ Carlesimo

[50:08–79:39]

• How Do You Stop the OKC Thunder?
  • PJ: “I don’t remember a team that leads in both fewest turnovers on offense and most forced on defense—they start up five possessions per game, and when you turn it over, they score instantly.”

    “Their depth is ridiculous...Mark Daigneault just keeps throwing new guys in the game and they don’t miss a beat.” (PJ Carlesimo, 56:11)

• OKC’s Offensive Rebounding and Transition Game
  • Some teams are exploiting their (relative) lack of defensive rebounding, but you risk their lightning transition attack in return.
• Minnesota as an OKC Challenger
  • Russillo and PJ both praise Jaden McDaniels' defensive emergence and how his presence lets Minnesota ‘hang’ with OKC.
• San Antonio, Wemby, and Thunder
  • Experimentation with who guards Wembanyama—e.g., using Caruso aggressively in cup games.
  • PJ notes: “Playoff series are the only time you really get to prepare and adjust in the NBA like college...Daigneault is always experimenting for April, May, June.”
• Culture & Roster Building
  • OKC’s “San Antonio Blueprint”: Stability at the top, doing homework on character, and players buying in.

    “Their culture isn’t rhetoric...it’s not cliches. It’s what separates them.” (PJ Carlesimo, 63:53)

  • Wemby and the Spurs cited as building similar ethos.
• Rookie Standouts: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Stefan Castle all getting “real” NBA minutes and shining beyond expectations.

7. Modern NBA vs. the Past: Generational Debate

[92:27–98:31]

• Comparing ‘80s Basketball to Today

  “The physical stuff is overrated. Today’s guys are covering so much more ground. The science and tracking data prove it. The paint’s no longer packed, but you have to recover and fly all over. It’s just a different strain.” (Russillo, 94:22)

• Rule Changes & Skills
  • Old-timers’ physicality is often romanticized; today’s stars play under stricter rules but require more stamina/flexibility. However, today’s refs permit star guards even more with pivot foot shenanigans and “star calls.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Fred Warner on Brock Purdy:
  • “The guy is a complete baller. Best in the game, in my opinion, of course.” (04:43)
• Fred Warner on Joe Burrow:
  • “I just ran right through him...pops up, ‘hey, man, good hit’...he’s just a dog.” (34:12)
• PJ Carlesimo on OKC’s Turnovers:
  • “You’re already just giving them a whole slew of extra possessions...and in transition, they’re incredible—the way they score in a split second.” (50:37)
• Russillo on NBA Physicality Through the Years:
  • “I have to be honest...it’s just, you’re asking today’s player to cover so much more ground…the tracking makes it a different game.”
• PJ Carlesimo on NBA Sidelines Then vs Now:
  • “Red [Holzman]…Danny Whelan the trainer, and Frankie as scorer. That was it. Now, you look, there are 11 guys with iPads in the second row.” (99:01)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:43] Fred Warner joins: MNF, Niners, Brock Purdy’s development.
• [07:02] Old QB mental edge & NFL learning curve.
• [14:51] Brock Purdy’s "moment"—team first realizes his upside.
• [27:08] Rams’ 13-personnel: NFL design trends/defensive chess.
• [31:57] Defensive physicality and modern line: “I’m not putting that on tape.”
• [34:00] NFL QBs who never complain about being hit.
• [35:28] AFC pick ‘em—nobody sure who’s the true favorite.
• [42:33] Playcall communication: Fred breaks down helmet-to-players process.
• [50:08] PJ Carlesimo joins for NBA: How do you stop the Thunder?
• [62:46] Building culture in OKC (vs. past NBA models).
• [92:27] NBA now vs. the ‘80s: Physicality, switching, officiating.
• [99:01] PJ on how much the NBA bench has changed.

Tone & Style

• Sports-savvy, insider talk: Both interviews feature direct, candid player and coach perspectives on Xs and Os, mindset, and team culture. Russillo deftly steers from nerdy breakdowns to laugh-out-loud asides.
• Sharp, self-aware, conversational: “If you’re not a film head, you just don’t understand how football works.” (Fred Warner, [17:23])
• Mix of humor and candor: PJ’s riffs on historic NBA benches and modern assistant coach armies are pure gold for hoops junkies.

Summary

For sports fans who missed the show: This episode of The Ryen Russillo Show brings you deep inside the NFL and NBA through savvy interviews and authentic, locker room-level insight. Fred Warner gets granular about what makes Brock Purdy special, the realities of NFL violence, navigating psyche games against young QBs, and why certain AFC teams could surprise. PJ Carlesimo gives a coach’s view on OKC’s historic two-way dominance, the ins and outs of modern roster building, and how today’s NBA truly stacks up against the mythic eras many fans long for.

The pod is a perfect listen for anyone wanting insider-level football/hoops knowledge with no-nonsense—but always fun—delivery.