The Ryen Russillo Show – Dec 22, 2025

Guest: Jon Gruden
Main Topics: Trevor Lawrence’s Revival, Drake Maye’s Ceiling, Who to Trust in the AFC, CFB Playoff Blowouts, NFL Playoff Picture
Special Segments: Life Advice (Holiday family dynamics, coupon obsessions, airplane seating dilemmas)

Episode Overview

Ryen Russillo welcomes Jon Gruden to break down the chaotic AFC playoff picture, Trevor Lawrence’s recent surge, the trajectory of Drake Maye, college football playoff mismatches, and team-building philosophy in the NFL. They discuss which teams can be trusted in the postseason and the evolution of offenses. The show wraps up with a lively “Life Advice” segment that dives into family holiday stress, obsessive couponing, and the etiquette of swapping seats on airplanes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unpredictable AFC (03:18–18:21)

• Russillo’s Frustration: Ryen admits he’s “given up” trying to handicap the AFC, citing unpredictable swings and lack of a truly trustworthy team.
• Jacksonville’s Resume: Russillo praises the Jags for sound, mistake-free football and a defense that’s become elite late in the season.
• Notable Stats: Denver’s defense fell from “top-three” status to 27th in EPA over the last five games; meanwhile, Jacksonville emerged as the No. 1 defense during that span.
• On the Patriots: New England is now a 2-seed—despite allowing 75% red zone touchdowns, they’ve benefited from the easiest schedule since 1999.

“I give up on the AFC. I have no confidence whatsoever.”
—Ryen Russillo (03:18)

• Pittsburgh’s Surprise: The Steelers’ offense has marginally improved, and big wins (like vs. Detroit) may signal they’re a legitimate threat.
• College Football Playoff Critique: A brief aside on how blowouts by P5 teams against Group of Five programs are exposing flaws in the expanded playoff format.

2. College Football Playoff Blowouts (09:53–16:58)

• Ryen’s Take: The difference in experience, depth, and scheduling between Power 4 and Group of 5 teams makes upsets unlikely and blowouts inevitable.
• NCAA Tournament Comparisons: Russillo criticizes efforts to equate CFB upsets with NCAA basketball, highlighting the difference in format and entertainment value.

“We've had plenty of Big Boy vs Big Boy playoff games be just as unentertaining as what you saw from Tulane and James Madison…”
—Ryen Russillo (14:31)

3. Jon Gruden on the State of the AFC (18:21–24:17)

• NFL Upside Down: Gruden marvels at teams like Jacksonville and New England flipping fortunes year to year.
• Gruden’s Picks: He likes New England, Jacksonville, Denver, and “dangerous” Houston—especially for their defense.

“The whole NFL to me, has gone upside down. You're seeing teams go from worst to first.”
—Jon Gruden (18:50)

• Jacksonville Praise: Gruden highlights the system, Trevor Lawrence’s developing confidence, and the arrival of Jacoby Myers as difference-makers. He names five eligible receivers and a “dangerous” defense as key strengths.

4. Trevor Lawrence’s Revival (20:18–22:48)

• Ryen’s Question: What’s clicking for Lawrence during his best NFL stretch?
• Gruden’s Insight: It’s Lawrence’s first time with real confidence and system-fit, help from Myers, and a creative scheme giving him multiple receiving options.

“Now they have a receiver [Myers] who can go into the middle…and the revival of this offense… They're dangerous, man. They've come out of nowhere.”
—Jon Gruden (20:18)

5. Building Around a Quarterback in Today’s NFL (22:48–25:53)

• Gruden’s Team-Building Philosophy:
  • Must-have: A mobile QB who is a run threat.
  • Next: Offensive linemen who can block.
  • Key: A go-to WR who can win 50/50 balls.
  • Bonus: A 3-way back (run, receive, block).

“We never took a quarterback in the first round all the years I was coaching…You have to adapt to who you have.”
—Jon Gruden (24:45)

6. Drake Maye’s Ceiling (25:53–28:04)

• Gruden’s Take: He wouldn’t trade Maye for anyone in the AFC, even over Josh Allen.
• Attributes: Maye’s athleticism, intelligence, and adaptation to a pro-style system.
• Mental Toughness: Overcomes mistakes, stays composed in big moments.

“I wouldn't want anybody over Drake Maye. ...If I had Drake Maye, I would be hard pressed to trade him to anybody.”
—Jon Gruden (25:59)

7. Offensive Systems, Game Planning, and NFC Contenders (28:04–42:04)

On Offensive Planning Based on Defense: Gruden emphasizes adjusting offensive aggression based on whether the defense is healthy/elite and the matchup.

Caleb Williams & Ben Johnson:

• Notable improvements in sack reduction, performance under pressure, and talent around Williams.
• Gruden credits Ben Johnson (Bears) for improving fundamentals and hiring Dennis Allen (defense ranks among league’s best in turnovers).

Seattle & Rams Analysis:

• Importance of run game balance, even for play-action heavy QBs like Darnold.
• Seattle’s play-action numbers are elite, but you can’t “just call play action every single time.”
• Rams/Seattle home-field advantage is “wide open” in the NFC.

“I think it's wide open. I think anything goes this year in the playoffs... when you have a quarterback that can run it and throw it, God help you.”
—Jon Gruden (38:26)

Favorite Systems:

• Gruden shouts out Detroit, Seattle, Sean McVay (Rams), Kyle Shanahan (49ers), and Ben Johnson’s creativity.

8. Absence of Star Quarterbacks in the Playoffs (42:04–43:18)

• Ryen & Gruden Lament: The postseason is missing Mahomes, Lamar, and Burrow—a significant “changing of the guard.”
• Jacksonville’s Moment: With traditional powers missing, the Jags might have their window.

9. Game-Planning Philosophy & Story Time (44:40–49:41)

• Tailoring the Gameplan: Play to your strengths but know when to adjust drastically for defense (i.e., Bill Walsh on not “saving any bad ideas”).
• Gruden’s Coaching Roots: Shares early stories from his 49ers stint, the impact of greats like Montana, Rice, and the environment that shaped his approach.

“It’s not the plays. It’s how we practice the plays. ...They were creative. They stimulated their players. That was the cutting edge of football. It’ll never be that way again.”
—Jon Gruden (47:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ryen on AFC Chaos:

  “I give up on the AFC. I have no confidence whatsoever.” (03:18)

• Jon Gruden on Drake Maye:

  “I wouldn't want anybody over Drake Maye. ...If I had Drake Maye, I would be hard pressed to trade him to anybody.” (25:59)

• On NFL Parity:

  “The whole NFL to me, has gone upside down. ...Jacksonville, what they've done is astonishing.” —Jon Gruden (18:50)

• Gruden on Supporting Cast for QBs:

  “If you can’t block, you can’t play.” (23:12)

• Ryen on College Football Playoff Blowouts:

  “We've had plenty of Big Boy vs Big Boy playoff games be just as unentertaining as what you saw from Tulane and James Madison…” (14:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AFC Breakdown & Parity — 03:18–09:53
• CFB Playoff Blowouts & System Critique — 09:53–16:58
• Transition to Barstool & Gruden Interview Starts — 18:21
• Lawrence’s Surge & Jacksonville Offense — 20:18–22:48
• How to Build Around a QB — 22:48–25:53
• Drake Maye Conversation — 25:53–28:04
• Caleb Williams/Bears/Seattle NFC Picture — 28:04–42:04
• Absence of Big QBs in Playoffs — 42:04–43:18
• Bill Walsh, Game-Planning, and Gruden’s Coaching Roots — 44:40–49:41

Life Advice Highlights (50:33–End)

1. Holiday Family Crowd Control (54:14+)

• Listener frustrated about extended family (fiancé’s relatives) crowding a small, sentimental Christmas gathering.
• Consensus: You’re allowed to feel annoyed, but don’t blow up the family vibe; vent after the fact and don’t create unnecessary holiday drama.

2. Coupon Obsession/Return Policies (67:02+)

• Listener obsessed with maximizing discounts, using return windows, manipulating customer service to snag more rewards/hot dogs.
• Group says “set some boundaries” — it might be performance art now, but don’t become a nuisance to loved ones or the people serving you.

3. Airplane Seat Etiquette (76:24+)

• Listener refused a switch request from a mother wanting her teen son closer.
• Russillo & crew: Not an asshole for saying no, especially if it means downgrading your seat—line gets trickier the younger the kid is.

Tone and Language

• Russillo is candid, often self-effacing, and occasionally exasperated by the madness of the NFL season and holiday inconveniences.
• Gruden brings a coach’s eye—pragmatic, occasionally sentimental about the game’s golden eras, with vivid detail about football systems and personnel.
• The Life Advice segment has a humorous yet empathetic approach, full of relatable anecdotes, sarcastic asides, and practical wisdom.

Overall, this episode delivers a timely, lively, and football-savvy conversation between two gridiron minds—and ends with relatable, laugh-out-loud riffs on holiday and everyday life headaches.