NFL First Dates: Mike Evans, A.J. Brown, Cowboys, Steelers and Bills

16:40Oh, no.

16:42Colleen Wolfe:They ask Mike McCarthy, okay, but like, what's your vision here? And McCarthy says, well, I think it starts with establishing things early. That's what you got to do. So the Steelers, okay, they're sort of feeling a little dead behind the eyes at this point. But they're there. It's still appetizer time. And they say, yeah, you know, we too love things being established. Okay, what? So halfway through the appetizers, the Steelers realize that they did a mic swap, panic, they ask McCarthy, what separates you from Mike Tomlin? And McCarthy says, well, a lot of things, most of all, though, my system.

17:18Colleen Wolfe:So the Steelers say, okay, well, we really need clarity at the quarterback position here. And McCarthy leans in and he says, well, a reunion with Aaron Rodgers. That'd be a good story. Steelers say, a story or is this a plan? And McCarthy says, well, sometimes the best plans are stories, guys.

17:42Patrick Claybon:Bars.

17:44Colleen Wolfe:Steelers, are you currently waiting on his decision? Do you know anything at this point? McCarthy says, yeah. And so the Steelers says, so we're all waiting, too? This is just a big waiting game. McCarthy says, well, I think it just builds anticipation, you know? Steelers are now internally spiraling. We said we wanted stability, and we're right back in the most unstable position. waiting on a 40-year-old quarterback we don't even have yet. Okay, so a TV in the bar plays NFL Network in the background. A Steelers game from last year is playing. It looks like it's a tight two-minute drill. The clock, it's ticking.

18:24Colleen Wolfe:Precision is obviously needed. McCarthy is watching calmly. Steelers ask, hey, what would you do here? Says, probably let it play out. Steelers, well, the clock is melting at this point. and McCarthy says time is relevant. It's a social construct. So the Steelers physically recoil and one of their six rings slightly dims at this point. Their Super Bowl rings that they're wearing, one dims. So the Steelers, they say to themselves, we always do this. We say we want innovation and then we fall for the experienced guy with a laminated cheesecake factory match. Awesome. But then the day takes a turn for the better when Mike leans across the table and he whispers, I'm keeping the 3-4 defense.

19:17Colleen Wolfe:I'm letting TJ Watt line up wherever he wants. Art Rooney finally cracks a smile somewhere. So the Steelers say, OK, well, when can you start? like obviously they are spiraling a little bit inside but they say we want to just make sure this is right and mccarthy says i get it but sometimes you just got to commit you know and the steelers say you know even if it's not perfect but mccarthy's like yeah especially then if it's not perfect this is what you do steelers why does that sound like every mistake we've ever made in the past, though. Dessert comes. Steelers, we probably shouldn't rush into anything, but what are you doing on Sunday?

20:04Colleen Wolfe:Carthy says, I'm wide open. Steelers say, great, let's do this again. However, there's more. There's a group chat that's going on with the text messages. This is post date. The Steelers begin texting themselves. Wow. He's not exactly what we said we wanted, but he is safe. But he is, I don't know, why are we like this? Should we just get married and figure it out later? McCarthy says with his follow-up text, Had a great time. I think we managed the clock pretty well. Steelers stare at the phone. They know. They know. And yet they text back, Had a great time too. Smiley face.

20:50So I know it's bleak.

20:52Colleen Wolfe:It's over now. It's over now.

20:58That's great. A close cousin, you know, to Colleen bagging on the Giants is actually bagging on her in-state rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

21:06Colleen Wolfe:It's not a real rival. And I love the Steelers, by the way. Let me just say that. I know the draft's coming up. We're going to be out there in Pittsburgh. Oh, yeah. This wasn't the best idea. I do love a vaguely ambiguous ending where both sides are just like trying to convince themselves into something

21:24Jourdan Rodrigue:and the audience knows. The audience knows. The smiley face too. It's more like a pain, a little bit of a pain.

21:32Colleen Wolfe:But they want to get married. Figure it out later. It's one track mind. Figure it out later. They can fix him. I do like Mike McCarthy. It's just like the, I don't know, the guy you settle for. The guy you know is going to be your second husband when you're going to get to three. All right, let's take a quick break.

21:49Jourdan Rodrigue:The guy who you friend zoned for years. Oh, no.

21:51Colleen Wolfe:Now I feel so guilty and awful about this. I don't mean it, Mike.

21:55Patrick Claybon:Yeah, I was only picturing the weird AI version of Mike McCarthy that Tom Pelissero tweeted for some reason and not the actual Mike McCarthy. Let's take a quick break. We're going to come back and then really to the space with a lot of NFL first dates. Going to Patrick next. The shade now.

22:13Jourdan Rodrigue:The shade. Sorry we wrote long scripts, Greg. That wasn't the thing I'm talking about.

22:26I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and Free Agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stops. This is my favorite part of the calendar.

22:37Colleen Wolfe:Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, pro days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits. To my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team.

23:11Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis.

23:17Colleen Wolfe:Listen to 40s and Free Agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

23:28Patrick Claybon:Back on NFL Daily, we are continuing our first dates. It is my turn. And this is a date that I envisioned. It's called Meet the Parent. Playing the role of the narrator will be myself. Playing the role of Cowboys Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, Stephen Jones is Greg Rosenthal. Playing the role of Rashawn Gary is Jordan Rodrigue. And playing the role of the owner and president of the Dallas Cowboys is Philadelphia Eagles fan Colleen Wolfe as Jerry Jones.

24:00Jourdan Rodrigue:She's already getting into the seat position. I am. She's bellied up to the desk. It's incredible.

24:07Patrick Claybon:Let's begin. Rashaun Gary is able to meet the new family in Dallas. We see Rashaun walking into a bejeweled and bedazzled office. Sitting at the head of the table, facing backwards is the new boss, Jerry Jones, gazing aloft at three Lombardi trophies.

24:22Colleen Wolfe:When I look back on my life, I overpaid for my big successes every time.

24:29Patrick Claybon:Jones spins in his chair to face Gary. Rashaun wonders to himself how he knew that he'd entered the room. And when I tried to get a bargain, get it a little cheaper or get a better deal on it,

24:43Colleen Wolfe:I ended up usually either getting it and not happy I got it or missing it.

24:47Patrick Claybon:Gary looked around confused. Was he the thing that was overpaid for?

24:52Jourdan Rodrigue:Thank you. I'm glad to be here in Dallas. I'm hoping our match is a fruitful one. Your defense has needed some help, and I want to provide it, attacking with the intensity of a wild animal.

25:04Patrick Claybon:Jerry Jones stood pensively, gripping his fingers around the tusk of a razorback.

25:08Colleen Wolfe:My father had over 5 ,000 wild animals. And no matter what he'd hand someone a card and say, make sure you come see the monkeys.

25:19Patrick Claybon:Jerry was interrupted by the sound of someone entering the room on a Segway scooter. It was Stephen Jones. Oh, you found him. Rashawn, I just wanted to say we're really looking forward to seeing what you can accomplish with us. We've needed production on the defensive. Jerry Jones abruptly rises, eyes turning an electric blue. He radiates aura. Levitating above the floor, his voice booms.

25:40Colleen Wolfe:Stats are for losers. They're relishing them.

25:44Patrick Claybon:Dad, I'm only trying to say, we've been on the hunt for a talent like... Jones interrupts again. The floor of the room starts to illuminate, as if being charged with pure energy.

25:52Colleen Wolfe:I enjoy being with my family and hunting and with my children.

25:57Patrick Claybon:The scene shifts. What was once the bedazzled and polished oaken confines of the office Become the dinged tones of the American West

26:04Colleen Wolfe:How did we... They didn't even have to put any fuel in the plane I flew up here on my own My father's been doing this for a few years Acquiring mystical offensive powers to hunt down fearful prey Using them as weaponry to take down giants As well as commanders There's one thing he's been unable to stop though Uh, human resources? I give credit to the Eagles for being better at doing it than anybody else.

26:33Jourdan Rodrigue:He's transcended humanity in an effort to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles? Nah, he can't do that due to his most fearful opponent, organized labor. In our world, restrained by the collective bargaining agreement and the NFL's bylaws.

26:49Colleen Wolfe:If you look at the teams that want to share more revenues, they're teams that don't have a lot on the table. They've long since not had any serious investment in their team.

27:01Jourdan Rodrigue:If I'm to understand correctly, you use this power to create a world of beasts resembling NFL franchise mascots in order to dominate them?

27:14Patrick Claybon:Yes, that's right. Jerry Jones streaks through the sky like a beam of light headed straight for a lumbering giant. There's something new about this giant. New, but familiar. Jones overwhelms it with offensive firepower.

27:27Jourdan Rodrigue:I'm going to be honest. I'm not exactly sure why I'm here. I rushed the passer. I was the top recruit in the nation coming out of high school. I'm a Michigan man, which is a thing for some reason I feel compelled to say, despite there being little question regarding my gender identity.

27:43Patrick Claybon:Jerry Jones admires the machinery of the second beast, the commander. It's massive wheels rolling, powered by the still new engine that not too long ago dominated the lands of the play-offs.

27:55Colleen Wolfe:You look up there and see an army tank coming at you. You see it on a TV screen. It's one thing. You see it at a movie theater. It's something else. When that thing's coming at you at 70 feet high and 180 feet long, now that looks like a tank. He's not gonna...

28:13Patrick Claybon:Jones begins to vibrate at a resonance that causes Gary to question whether or not he's breathing. Is this air? Where am I? Suddenly, the massive machine evaporates into green light. It's gone. Rashaun, there's something we need you to do.

28:27Jourdan Rodrigue:What's that?

28:28Patrick Claybon:The mystical eagle soared high above their heads. It was wounded. It had clearly been nicked somewhere over the stout land. And despite all the creature's successes, you could clearly see it was starting to hurt. Even when it's weak, something goes wrong, Rashaun. You're joining us from a place that does things differently. An institution owned by a community. Operating with a hive mind. We need that, Rashawn. We need you.

28:52Jourdan Rodrigue:But that won't do you any good here. Are you sure about that?

28:56Patrick Claybon:Jones sparked off as the sky itself seemed to fracture. The eagle soared its way through the brakes within reality itself. Shoving its way, inch by inch, into Jones' power.

29:06Colleen Wolfe:I lost my tolerance for a lot of things. I probably should have tolerated.

29:11Patrick Claybon:And with that, in a flash, Gary was back at the facility. The star in Frisco, Texas. He knew this whole thing had become about one man How could he make it about a team A city, a community

29:22Jourdan Rodrigue:If I'm going to do this I need to tap into this energy Energy that only Jerry Jones Is in control of

29:30Patrick Claybon:The end I would like to thank my performers And I would like to announce That all of the things said by Colleen Wolfe Were things that Jerry Jones has actually said Wow

29:42Colleen Wolfe:I knew the stats are for losers Because that's one of my favorites but holy whoa Clayvon you've outdone yourself again oh my god thanks guys that was incredible and it was like I'm trying to think of like there's a certain type of like poem where you have there's like a different sorts of like sonnets have different sorts of structures like you set up a structure box that you had to fill with actual Jerry Jones quotes and it's amazing

30:12Patrick Claybon:the quotes were my god

30:14Colleen Wolfe:My father had over 5 ,000 wild animals.

30:16Jourdan Rodrigue:That was an interesting one. That's when I caught on because I remember that quote.

30:21Patrick Claybon:It was a question about Des Bryant's monkey. And somehow the Joneses had a zoo. I was trying to think, by the way, of the term a corona. Do you guys know what a corona is?

30:34Colleen Wolfe:It's like a special type of sonnet. Come on. They have that commercial with the palm tree and Christmas lights. Stats are for losers. You write 15 sonnets, and the 15th has to be comprised exactly with the first line of the 14 previous sonnets. Okay, Shakespeare. All right. Seems like a lot. Like, why would you do that? Look at the big brain on Greg. Just like, who would do that? All right, let's go. I'll go. We really, I think we're all on mushrooms when we did that. I miss you guys so much.

31:14Jourdan Rodrigue:I know, we miss each other. I'm so happy to be back. All right. This one's just more of a narrated one. All right, here we go. As night falls in the desolate corporate park that is Santa Clara, a single Waymo makes its way toward the 49ers facility. Outside the car, a rumbling low droning sound begins to get louder and louder. Unsure of protocol, the passenger Mike Evans asked the driverless car, what is that sound? There is no response. But the track, the gentle hum of anxiety from the Oscar-nominated original score to the 2010 film The Social Network, as written by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, begins to play even louder in the Waymo before Evans feels so claustrophobic he jumps out of the still-moving vehicle.

32:03Evans finds himself in the 49ers player parking lot where John Lynch is waiting for him. Mike, hope you enjoyed that Reznor bomb. We play it for every new 49er on their way in as a nod to our deep Bay Area culture. Evans surveys the surroundings. Without the music from the car, the surrounding din gets louder than ever. There is a glowing light emanating from near the practice field. Evans sees a solitary wrapper for a Tuscan-Italian Jimmy John's sandwich floating in the breeze. Is that a sound always there? Evans asks. Lynch's dead eyes stare at Evans. Let me show you around. Evans enters the facility and sees a world-class weight room, a cafeteria, and begins to relax.

32:50Ah, what's that over there? As he points to appear at a storage closet. Inside, a man that looks exactly like Adam Schefter, but with thinning hair, types furiously. Oh, that's our NFL insider clone. We use it whenever we want to get out our 49ers message. We like to have at least one prolonged, unnecessary contract dispute every year in order to feel alive. So is that Trent Williams now, or is that Ayuk again this year? Oh yeah, he's still on the roster, isn't he? No, we're just holding on to him out of pure spite. In that room, as Evans points to what appears to be a room for employees' children, with tiddlywinks and endless copies of the classic Dogman series.

33:39That's Bosa's playpen, Lynch's response. Now, Mike, we did want to say thanks again for taking such a below-market deal to come chase a title here with the 49ers. We plan to make it up to you in creative ways. We haven't been punished by the NFL for salary cap violations since 2022. And that wasn't anything compared to the picks and the money we lost back in the late 90s, or when the NFL made our owner sell the team for felony charges involving a gambling boat fraud scandal and the governor of Louisiana. Look it up. As Evans makes his way back to the building's lobby, the background hum was louder than ever.

34:20He ran his hands through his hair and noticed a clump falling out. What the? Ah, that, Lynch said. Happens a lot around here. Don't worry about it. Just take these. Removing a bottle of Nutrafol men's hair restoration grooming products out of his pocket. Evans took a swig of the water and the pills. As he swallowed, he noticed his dishes on every desk of the office overflowing with Nutrafol pills, with many employees popping them into their mouths like M &Ms. Don't they need to wash it down with something? Not if they want to be champions, Lynch says. Now let's get you back in that Waymo, slapping Evans on the back and leaving a bruise.

35:02As Evans approaches the car, the nearby hum grows unbearable. He suddenly feels a twinge in his calf muscle. His ankle is sore. He rethinks everything about his free agency process and takes out his phone to call his wife. As the number rings, a warm sensation takes over his entire body. His hair follicles are starting to tingle. The pills are kicking in. Mike, his wife answers, is everything all right? Yeah, honey. I think you're going to love it here.

35:42Colleen Wolfe:That was so dark. That's so good. Oh, my God. Incredible work. Thank you for our executive producer, Eric Roberts, for the germ.

35:51Jourdan Rodrigue:Sound design. Sound design. And the sound design. The severance of it all. The Reznor Atticus Ross. Drop.

35:59Patrick Claybon:Yeah, nobody was safe. Nobody was safe. Everybody could get it.

36:01Jourdan Rodrigue:The Nutraful Pills. The bruise. Just the back slap leaving the bruise. We caught what you did there. We caught what you did there.

36:08Patrick Claybon:It was special work. I saw Greg Grondon when he was finishing it up. And I was like, this is going to be some heat. Starting and finishing it up as people were coming over to say hi. I'm like, I need to get this done.

36:20Colleen Wolfe:He's an artist at work. We're about to start the show. crushed NFL insider clone is awesome that's so good they just keep them in there I mostly just imagine the secretaries all with the neutrophil pills falling out of their mouths as they're trying to um Jordan sorry for uh everything wow that was great thank you oh my gosh um okay

36:46Jourdan Rodrigue:So mine is going to be read in the style of a mom trying to set up a date for her son who still lives at home, but the vibes have gotten bad.

36:59Colleen Wolfe:Oh, no.

37:00Jourdan Rodrigue:I am the narrator. Patrick is Rose, the mother, a.k.a. Howie Roseman. Colleen is both Kelly and Maddie, who are the Bills and the Rams. Greg is AJ, AJ Brown, and May, who represents the Patriots. And is a female. 2026, Greg. Mm-hmm. Just for the listeners. I've given you notes. Mm-hmm. So, okay. Is everyone clear on their parts? Yes.

37:36Colleen Wolfe:Okay. Colleen just ripped the phone. Well, I'm like, okay, Kelly is the Bills and Maddie is the Rams, right? Yes. Okay, great.

37:45Jourdan Rodrigue:A mother in her late 50s, Rose, is about to leave her house to walk to the local farmer's market one sunny Saturday morning in Philadelphia. Before she leaves, she stops by her son, AJ's room. He's 30 years old and back living in his childhood room. Rose has had it. Right now, he's blasting In the End by Linkin Park. She knocks, the music just gets louder. I tried so hard, it got so far, and in the end, it doesn't even matter.

38:11Patrick Claybon:AJ! AJ, son! If you can hear me, turn it down.

38:16Jourdan Rodrigue:The music stops. She hears a groan. Come on. She opens the door. Behind him, Rose can see that the room is a mess. Books are everywhere. And signed jerseys. A suitcase he always seems to have halfway packed lies open behind him.

38:33Patrick Claybon:Honey, I'm going to the farmer's market. Do you want to come? Those lovely young ladies are always there looking to meet someone. I'm sure of it. I think it would be good to get you out of the house.

38:42Jourdan Rodrigue:AJ shuts the door. As he does, Rose mutters to herself.

38:46Patrick Claybon:Out of my house for good. I gotta get AJ a change of scenery. I gotta find him a girl and move him away. I just know it would be good for him. A mother knows what her son needs.

38:55Jourdan Rodrigue:Rose walks down the street to the market, grabs a couple of tomatoes and a cluster of carrots to make it look like she's casually shopping. But really, she scans the lively mid-morning crowd. Just as she thought, some of the neighborhood's eligible ladies are there shopping and mingling too. She's known their families for years and thinks any of them would be a good match for AJ. She sees one woman in a blue and red puffer vest, cute, split from her group and walk toward the coffee cart to the wide right of the other kiosks. Seeing her opportunity, Rose beelines toward her. Kelly! Kelly, hi! Oh, hey, Rose.

39:30Jourdan Rodrigue:How are you?

39:31Colleen Wolfe:How's AJ doing? Is he still at home?

39:33Patrick Claybon:Yes, and how amazing that you ask. You know, he's working out every day. Have you seen him out on his runs? He looks amazing. Kelly, you should see him. I swear he ages in reverse. Couldn't we all?

39:45Colleen Wolfe:Oh, yeah, Rose. Yeah, I've seen him out running. He still looks good. Is he single? Any women would be lucky. Any woman would be lucky.

39:54Patrick Claybon:He is. Can you believe it? And still in my house. Amazing. You should take him out. I always thought you two should get together. And who knows? The timing might finally be right. You crazy kids have had your eye on each other for years. I know it.

40:07Colleen Wolfe:Oh, oh, Rose, that's really cool of you to think of me. But I actually just started seeing someone, and it's already kind of serious. Like, he might be the one. His name is DJ. We really found each other, you know, kind of crazy, right? Out of his last relationship, too. But this just feels right, like what I've needed.

40:29Patrick Claybon:I mean, good luck with that, I guess, Kelly. I hope you don't regret not hanging on a little longer for my AJ.

40:35Jourdan Rodrigue:She turns away and beelines for another young woman, this one standing in line for some hot chowder.

40:41Patrick Claybon:May! May, how are you?

40:43Jourdan Rodrigue:The woman, May, turns when hearing her name, then greets the mom warmly with a hug. Hiya, Rose. How are you? Nice to see you out and about. AJ still at home?

40:53Patrick Claybon:I'm glad you asked. He is, and he is thriving. Best shape of his life and a joy to have in my house. Shoot, I'd love to have him there my whole life if I could, but I can't help but think. Never mind, Mae. What is it? You say he's in great shape? Great shape and happy. I mean, I should not be saying this, but Kelly over there was asking about him. I can't believe she would ask me about him before you did, Mae. You two girls were always competitive. I don't even know that AJ was still at home. But is he available? Maybe he'd be open to hanging out sometime. I don't know. Maybe I'll have to see if Kelly wanted to hang out with him.

41:32Patrick Claybon:She asked me first, you know. But he's definitely single. I always thought you two would look great together. Okay, okay. Well, hey, check in with me before you go back home. I'd love to see if maybe you can tell AJ you ran into me.

41:45Jourdan Rodrigue:Rose nods and smiles knowingly. Making sure that May is in earshot as she turns away, she exclaims, Oh, is that Maddie? Toward a woman standing at a fruit stand. May watches her hustle over to the woman, and unbeknownst to May, Kelly clocks in to observe all three. Hey, Rose.

42:05Colleen Wolfe:How are you? I haven't seen you in years since I first went out to L.A. How's A.J.? Still at home?

42:10Patrick Claybon:Oh, Maddie, you look amazing. The California sun agrees with you. And I'm always telling A.J., yes, he's at home and doing great, but he's never been in better shape. And what a joyful young man. Anyway, I'm always telling A.J. how much he'd love to be in that sunshine. A mother knows. So are you seeing anyone?

42:29Colleen Wolfe:Oh, I mean, yes and no. It's L.A. I'm on and off with a few people at any given time. Nothing serious. I mean, historically, I've always targeted one guy. Now, I guess you could say I'm open to switching things up.

42:45Patrick Claybon:Well, well, well, well. What a modern approach. Well, if you're ready to settle down, let me show you what my AJ looks right now. The last time you saw him, you were just kids. You've got to see him.

42:56Jourdan Rodrigue:And he's in great shape, you said. As Rose rifles through her bag to get her phone to show Maddie a picture of AJ, Kelly and May both walk over. They've been talking animatedly to the side since Rose struck up the conversation with Maddie. Rose, Kelly told me you approached her trying to set her up with AJ right before you approached me to do the same thing. Is that true?

43:17Patrick Claybon:Ah, well, not exactly. I mean, what does it matter? Kelly's seeing someone.

43:22Colleen Wolfe:Now wait, why would you come up to me about AJ if you were already trying to set him up with Kelly and May?

43:28Jourdan Rodrigue:Ladies, I mean... She stammers, but finally sighs deeply and puts her phone back into her bag.

43:37Patrick Claybon:Can someone just get this guy out of my house?

43:42Jourdan Rodrigue:The ladies all walk away from her. As they depart, May looks back over her shoulder and calls to Rose. So, you said he's in really good shape? And scene.

43:58Colleen Wolfe:That was Greg being thirsty, which was one of my favorite notes.

44:02Jourdan Rodrigue:I gave Greg notes thirsty, thirstier, thirsty.

44:09Jourdan Rodrigue:Thanks, guys. Patrick.

44:11Patrick Claybon:Wow.

44:12Jourdan Rodrigue:Oscar goes, too.

44:13Patrick Claybon:You didn't specifically note that the mom would sound like she was from Vestavia, Alabama, but the way she was meddling in her son's love life. You know what?

44:22Jourdan Rodrigue:I appreciate you seeing the script and really bringing the character to life in such a profound way. I just imagined the whole time Howie Roseman dressed like Big Mama style problematically for the entire skit. And the voice was perfect for that.

44:38Patrick Claybon:We're going to have to add an editor's note. Imagination. Howie Roseman was at no point in blackface.

44:48There's no Gruden involved in this show. we have a special closer here. Eric Roberts, you know, he had a bunch of ideas. This was his baby as an executive producer a year ago, had some great ideas we used then. I'm upset nobody took the Malik Willis, Devon H. Chan, and Jalen Waddle and Waddle standing them up at a Miami nightclub. That was a fun one. But when I saw the Bills one, which felt like it was from a very deep place, I'm like, Eric, you gotta just do this yourself. As much as you don't like being on the microphone, You're the man. Let's do this. All right, guys. So I'm going to introduce I will be the narrator.

45:26And to start, there'll be a couple other characters coming in and out. That will be explained throughout the dialogue. But to start, Greg, you are Josh Allen. Patrick, you are Khalil Shakir. All right. Here we go. Josh Allen, DJ Moore and the rest of the Bills new wide receiver room gather outside of the soon to be open new Highmark Stadium, where a fan fest is being held to celebrate the new arena and approaching season. Josh Allen gathers his wide receivers and hands out name tags to Tyrell Shavers, Jalen Virgil, Josh Palmer, and so on. I know, guys. It's weird, but this will clear it up for people.

46:02They'll realize you're actually who I throw the ball to. We don't want any of you guys getting kicked out like the last fan event we went to because people are confused. DJ, we're so pumped to have you.

46:13Patrick Claybon:You're going to love Buffett. Shakir is interrupted by a beanbag thrown by Josh from a nearby cornhole game toward Moore. Moore grabs it out of the air. Just checking. Like Guy was saying, it's great here in Buffalo. We've got this new stadium being built. Did you see the size of those bison out front? Some of the most passionate fans. And of course... Shakir is again interrupted. This time, Josh throws a toy ball from a nearby stand that grazes off Moore's hands and nearly hits the floor. But Moore secures the ball before it touches the floor. Just making sure. And, of course, Josh Allen throwing you the ball.

46:45Jourdan Rodrigue:That was a catch! Shouts Terry Pagula from a stage on the other side of the festival. That was a catch! Josh Allen and his group of wide receivers watch fans partake in winging in competitions, put each other through tables, and even use a virtual reality booth where fans can live out a life where Scott Norwood didn't kick it wide right. That miracle in Tennessee was called a forward pass. The Bills' defense stopped Patrick Mahomes and company with only 13 seconds left. or a 2026 Joe Brady-led Buffalo Bills team wins the...

47:16Colleen Wolfe:Hey, guys, wait for me. A muffled voice makes its way through the crowd. Hold up. Wait for me, guys. Hold on. I'm coming through. Josh turns around to see a familiar face making his way toward the group. Keyon, you're late again. And scene. I'm taking this maybe personally. Is that a shot at me? It did kind of come together perfectly. I was like, it was late. I was like, oh, wait. You can really connect with the character. It's perfect.

47:44Jourdan Rodrigue:Oh, guys. This is fun. Oh, my gosh. I like that Eric got to live out his fantasies of all the alternate realities that didn't happen. And we got to live out our fantasies as screenwriters here. Yeah. And actors. I mean, you're still living it out as a voice actor. People, Patrick Claibon's available. Yeah, that's the problem. I'm like Rose and George. I think we really showed some range here with Patrick today. We all assigned him parts we knew. You would just take it and have so much fun with it. Oh, my God. I love a table read. I do. That was perfect. I am already brainstorming and thinking about 2027 first date.

48:30Who's going to be on that?

48:32Colleen Wolfe:Interesting. Give me a 2027. I'm putting you guys on the spot. I know where I want to go. All of us. I want to do a walk through a botanical garden.

48:42Patrick Claybon:That's on the list. My dream cast to participate in the table read would include Adam Schefter, John Lynch, and Jerry Jones. This wasn't Adam Schefter. This was a clone that they've created. Maybe Adarn Schefter.

48:59Jourdan Rodrigue:Stats are for losers. Great show, guys. I love doing these shows with you. Let's hit the music. We are not done this week. This was an awesome show, but we are going to be back in the studio for our final show of the week. Jordan will be there. Patrick will be there. And Colleen will be somewhere wearing a matching like leisure suit.

49:21Colleen Wolfe:That's right, everybody. I will see you.

49:29I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I am Greg Rosenthal.

49:32Colleen Wolfe:I know that, Greg. We're teaming up on 40s and free agents, the podcast that owns the NFL offseason. This is where teams are built. Free agency, combine, pro days, trades. Every move matters. From my draft boards and mock drafts. To my vaunted top 101 free agents and how rosters come together. Quarterback movement. Surprise signings. We'll tell you what it means and who really wins.

49:56Patrick Claybon:Open your free iHeartRadio app, search 40s and free agents, and listen now.

50:00Jourdan Rodrigue:This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human