Best of NFL News Part 1: Kyler Murray still a FRANCHISE QB or WASHED UP, ROASTING Cowboy Fans for BELIEVING 30 Years of Jerry Jones “Our Year” Lies

12:05Chad Johnson:He say the same thing every year. He just says it in a different way to get you excited. Every year, it's something different. Every offseason. You know what? They not talking about us enough. You know, let me come out and say something. The move, the move, the needle.

12:22Shannon Sharpe:And as soon as they win one game, everybody going to say, we them boys. We still them boys. Y 'all not though. I like them. But hey, I tell you, I give them credit, Ocho. Yeah. They done drunk the Kool-Aid for so long. Yeah.

12:39Chad Johnson:They believe in it. They believe in it. Hell, I'm starting to believe too, shit.

12:47Shannon Sharpe:We're going to see what the Cowboys do. 791 last year. Let's see if they can expand on that in 2026. Bill's GM, Brandon Bean, is ready to forget about the past with Keon Coleman following an underwhelming start to the career. Bean cited Joe Brady's promotion to head coach and the arrivals of offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and wide receivers coach Drew Terrell, Terrell, Terrell, as moves that will help Keon have a clean slate. I think there is a new energy, and it's year three, and we're going to hit full reset with Keon. Keon had a very good offseason last year, and we honestly had a very good training camp.

13:28Shannon Sharpe:We played the Ravens in the first game, and he had 100-whatever yards. And it's just some things from the maturity standpoint after that, but Keon has said all the right things. I give him this. He's very accountable. He's never made an excuse. we're all hands on deck and we're going to do our part. And I know Joe and those coaches are very excited for what's in store for year three. I agree. Yeah. You got to know, bro, if you do some things and you're not playing through your own fault, Ocho, you can't be on the field dancing. No, you just can't. You just can't. And that's what they were talking about.

14:06Shannon Sharpe:The maturity thing. Right. I'm like, Bro, really? The stuff that people find funny in your rookie year, they're not going to find it funny the second year.

14:22Chad Johnson:And they're definitely not going to find it funny the third.

14:24Shannon Sharpe:You don't really know. You don't know what you don't know. Right. But now, Ocho, they're going to find it even less funnier in year three. Yeah. Because they're saying, hold on, all these guys that, we expect you to be a thousand yards. We expect you to be 85, 90, 100 catches. We expect you to be double-digit touchdowns.

14:53Shannon Sharpe:That's what the expectations are.

14:54Chad Johnson:Yeah. I mean, listen, he's one of those that can do that. He's one of those that can do it. He has the size. He has the speed. He has the hands when he's locked in to be able to be a complementary piece for that offense. and he should be the go-to guy. It's just about working on that craft, not when you get in season, off season. This is where you get better. This is where you get good. This is where you polish up your game, you know, in the off season. Because once you get back, that ain't nothing but F and F and, I almost curse. That ain't nothing but X and O's, huh? That's all it is. It's X and O's.

15:32Chad Johnson:You're already supposed to be able to, in the off season, and you want to go back with the mentality, how can I make everybody's job around me easier? Yep. My quarterback, how can I make my officer coordinating job easy? You don't have to worry about me. I'm somebody you know you can count on every time it's time to call a play. But God damn, it's third and short. I don't know what to do. You know what? I can call on 85 because I know we're going to be open. I'm going to call a fan. Just make everybody else's job around you easy. That should be every player's mentality in the offseason when I go back.

16:03Chad Johnson:They watch me in the offseason program, but god damn who was this completely different completely different whatever whatever it may be

16:17hey you don't have to get me the ball i'm gonna make it so hard for you to want to go to throw

16:22Shannon Sharpe:to somebody else you got to get me the ball call play right right right right right you're a 84 gonna be first and second read in all the plays that you call and even if i'm last read you're looking at me first anyway, because you know I'm going to win. That's how he has to approach it. I agree. Brandon B. said, look, last year was last year, the year before, whatever the case may be. This is a new reset. We got a new coaching staff. We know what this kid can do. We believe he had an excellent offseason. He had an excellent training camp. He had an excellent first game. Okay? Those are some nice things to build on.

16:58Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. But you're not going to continue. They're not going to give you grace forever, Ocho. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

17:03Chad Johnson:You get one year. You get one year, especially if you don't have any issues and no hiccups. But if you have hiccups, you have issues and problems, and you're not playing well, okay, some got to give. Some got to give.

17:19Shannon Sharpe:So wish the young man all the best, but you got to take it serious. You got to take it serious. All that joking and clowning around, there's a time and a place for all that. There'll be a time and a place for all that. Are you going to be all right? Take care of what you need to take care of. You heard me on? Huh?

17:33Chad Johnson:He's going to be all right. He's going to be down here with me. All right. Yeah, he's going to be there. Hit me an X. I think I got about seven more guys coming down with me. Leg it. About a month, yeah. We get a month, a month.

17:46Shannon Sharpe:Ready for a different take on Formula One? Look no further than No Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the underexplored pockets of F1, including the astrology of the current grid.

18:00Chad Johnson:Lewis Hamilton, Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon. Wouldn't you know it, Michael Schumacher is also a Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon. The story of the sport's most consequential driver's strike. We have one man who, upon hearing that he was going to be fired, freaked out and apparently climbed out the window of the bathroom. And was Daniel Ricciardo's illustrious F1 career a success story, a cautionary tale or some combination of both? He started getting all this attention and he maybe started to think, I'm bigger than this. I'm better. And plenty of other mishaps, scandals and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years.

18:39Shannon Sharpe:Listen to No Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

18:45Chad Johnson:This is the biggest night in podcasting. The countdown is on to our 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards. Live from South by Southwest, March 16th, we'll honor the very best in podcasting from the past year and celebrate the most innovative, talented creators in the industry. It's truly a who's who of the podcasting world. Creativity, knowledge, and passion will all be on full display. And the winner of the iHeart Podcast Award is... See all the nominees now at iHeart.com slash podcast awards.

19:15Shannon Sharpe:Audible is a proud sponsor of the Audible Audio Pioneer Award. Explore the best selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and originals all in one easy app. Audible. There's more to imagine when you listen. Sign up for a free trial at audible.com.

19:32Chad Johnson:I'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. 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.

20:09Chad Johnson: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. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. One straight.

20:37Shannon Sharpe:The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly expecting to release Kyler Murray barring a last-minute trade per Ian Rapoport. Kyler is reported to receive interest from the Vikings as well as Pittsburgh, New York Jets, once Kyler hits free agency. The Vikings intend to bring another quarterback in to compete with J.J. either to raise his level of play or to take the job outright. Well, if you bring Kyler Murray in there, he's probably going to take the job outright. Yeah. But anyway, Ocho, is Kyler Murray still a franchise quarterback?

21:06Chad Johnson:Absolutely. He's a franchise quarterback in the right situation. And I think about what certain teams need. I think Kyler Murray to the Vikings, I don't like that move. I like Kirk Cousins going back to the Vikings instead, being a pocket passer based on the talents that they have around them. You think about Kyler Murray and Trey McBride, right? When Kyler Murray was quarterback. You look at the difference in when Brissette came in as a quarterback. You see how McBride's numbers change? Yes. You see how the offensive play calling change based on having a pocket passer and not having someone who's a good quarterback in the right situation, like Kyle Murray, who always has to be sprinted out, whether left or whether right.

21:46Chad Johnson:So it changes everything. I like Kyle Murray with the Jets. I like him better with the Jets because I think in that environment and in what they have going on, I think he'd be better suited with AG. But the Vikings, it wouldn't make sense. It wouldn't make sense. Because now you're going to have the receivers pissed and angry again, and you're going back into one situation where they're not getting the productivity that they would want.

22:13Shannon Sharpe:It's hard. And I've said this, it's hard playing with a guy that runs the football. Because, Ocho, I'm running the comeback, and the crowd's screaming. I'm like, what the hell are they screaming for? And he over there. Like, what the hell? I wrote a square out and like, hold on, wait a damn minute.

22:35Shannon Sharpe:It's hard to play with a guy like you said and you play with drop back quarterbacks and I play with drop back quarterbacks to know that, okay, back foot hit, the ball's coming out.

22:45Chad Johnson:Yeah. On time. On time.

22:47Shannon Sharpe:I understand that. Three step, five step, seven step. Now most guys, you know, they don't take seven steps anymore because very few teams have their guy up under center. Guys are taking and fewer snaps, even though Ben Johnson and his group still put the guy up under center. But for the most part, we've seen Stafford's up under center a lot too. Kyle Shanahan still has his guys. But for the most part, they've gotten just as pure up under center guys are taking shotgun snaps at an all-time high. With that being said, I mean, how this man got a super-duper contract three years ago, Ocho, and here we are, to release?

23:28Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. But Ocho, I ain't trade because I already know you want to release him. I ain't giving you market value for him. I'm not. Because guess what? I get him and pay him what I want to say and not have to pick up that contract. I know you got to get rid of him, Ocho. I know you got to. Yeah, most definitely. So why, when I know you got to get off something, would I come in, hey, I'm going to let you put the estate sale. I'm going to let you put it on your yard, put it in your yard, And I'll come look at it. But I'm not going to make you an offer on it. Yeah.

24:00Chad Johnson:I know you got to get rid of it. I mean, he's probably going to get released. Obviously, there are going to be suitors. I just think offensively, from an offensive standpoint, you look at what Kirk Cousins did when he was with the Minnesota Vikings. And you look at what Sam Donald did when he was with the Minnesota Vikings. You know, offensively, the production that the receivers had. You look at Kyler Murray when he had Trey McBride. The numbers weren't the same. Then all of a sudden, Jacoby Brissett is a quarterback. and now Trey McBride goes crazy. Yes. So now that gives you a better understanding.

24:28Chad Johnson:Kyler Murray needs to be in the right situation, not a team that's where you have that type of talent where you're throwing volume. You're throwing volume passes. I think somewhere like the Jets where it's somewhat balanced. You know, you have Garrett Wilson. You have, I mean, Brees is coming back, right?

24:44Shannon Sharpe:Yeah, they say, I mean, it's being reported that they're going to put the franchise tag on it if they can't get a deal done, a long-term deal.

24:51Chad Johnson:Okay, okay, yeah. I think over there would be dope. I mean, it would be the right situation for Kyler Murray. I think just fans, of course, knowing them, they'll probably say no. And, I mean, it is what it is.

25:02Shannon Sharpe:And, you know, they got A.D. Mitchell. Remember they traded for A.D. Mitchell?

25:05Chad Johnson:Hey, that's right. I like A.D. Yeah.

25:14Shannon Sharpe:How are we going to view J.J.? Because this is going to be his third year. He didn't play his first year. He got nicked. Last year. And missed a couple of games last year. How soon before we like, okay, Ocho, I don't know.

25:30Chad Johnson:I don't know. It ain't really too soon. It ain't not going to be too soon because obviously the patience is growing thin. The players offensively and those that are seniority, they're going to go frustrated. They're going to get angry. Now, Jedis was able to hold it together last year. How much longer do you think he's going to be able to hold it together? even though he's a team player. He's a team player. But obviously, there are frustrations that go on when as a team collectively, you're struggling because the most important position is not playing well. And not only is he not playing well, when he's available, he's not playing well.

26:06Chad Johnson:He's always hurt. So, I mean, something's going to happen.

26:12Shannon Sharpe:You know what happens? Because he look around, he's like, damn, Chase had another 120-catch season. damn hookah jsn this one that yeah yeah and i know what i had when i had my quarterbacks nobody had the first two three four five years like i had yeah now i feel like i'm running in mud and let you know how important that position is he's like hold on pick leave pittsburgh and come over to a new team and damn near get$1 ,500. Go crazy. Easy. I know. I done had me a season. I done had me$1 ,700,$1 ,800. Oh, hell not. Y 'all better get somebody in here before I start throwing... Breaking chairs. I don't want to do it, I know.

27:07Chad Johnson:Hey. Hey. Oh, it's odd. It sucks. It sucks.

27:14Shannon Sharpe:Because first thing, Because pretty soon y 'all going to start saying, at least right now y 'all still got me in that top five. But pretty soon you're like, Ocho, I don't know if we can put Jetta. I don't know if we can keep Jetta in the top five. Because, hey, JSN, and we got Puka, and we got Chase, and we got Pick, and we got CD. I don't know, Ocho. Yeah, and everything. A thousand yards receiving ain't going to keep you in the top five. You got to be 13, 14, 15, 16, 100, 105, 110, 115, 20 catches. Yeah. That's what it is. What it is. And we and what in sports, the thing that I love about sports, so it's that you got to constantly update your resume.

28:02Shannon Sharpe:This ain't no lifetime achievement award. We'll give you a lifetime achievement award once you're done. Yeah. That's what they give to Scorsese. That's what they give to Spielberg. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. The Oscar for Best Director goes to who did it this year? I know Jaws was great. E.T. was unbelievable. Chandler's List was another outstanding movie.

28:29Shannon Sharpe:What's that with Leonardo DiCaprio, Scorsese did? We know what Scorsese, we know it's worth. But this year, he deserved the Best Director Oscar. so that's kind of how we do it we base everything okay yeah we give you a great you know you have a little off year he bounced back right but Chase keep churning him Puka keep churning him JSN JSN went 100 now he went 126 yeah 1793 yeah A Super Bowl.

29:13Shannon Sharpe:Chase, another outstanding season. Another 13, 1400. Another 120. Yeah. You got Puka. You got CD. You got Chase.

29:30Chad Johnson:They're going to be all right. The Vikings' next move has to be their best move, especially at that position. It has because the window of opportunity to contend it's going to close, especially with the defense you have. What Mr. Flores has to work with right now is your best win of opportunity, but you got to fix that position. You got to get that position together. To me, if JJ's not the answer based on the small semblance I've seen the past two years, Kirk Cousins is the best option. There's nothing else out there. Tom Brady ain't walking through that door. Brett Clark ain't walking through that door.

30:04Chad Johnson:I'm just saying to give you better understanding on how difficult it is to find a competent quarterback to run your team. It's not easy. Is there anything in the goddamn draft? They definitely not going to draft another quarterback. That ain't happening. You just took him with eight

30:21Shannon Sharpe:three years ago. Remember when we were growing up and you going to such and such, yeah, I'm going to be there. Save me a seat. Hey, you get there before me, save me a seat. If I get there before you, I save you a seat. We don't get to save no seats when we ranking. Oh, yeah. Somebody come and occupy that. Somebody come and... Yeah. But now that you just said that... Is that sitting there?

30:43Chad Johnson:Oh. You know, I'm glad you said that. I'm glad you just said that. That was a great analogy, too. You still believe Justin Jefferson in the top five right now? Chat, I would love to hear your response, too, because I got my chat on to the right of me. That's why I keep looking to the right.

30:59Shannon Sharpe:It's close, Ocho. It's close, because Puka and JSN has put together back-to-back. Right now, I still got Chase at one for me. Yeah. Based on what he's done since he's been in the league and he's shown no slippage. So for me, Chase is number one. Now, you get to battle out between for me, for two, is Puka and JSN. That'll be two and three for me. Put them in whatever order you want. Now, top three. Woo! I mean, top five. So we got three slots. So now you got Jetta, you got CD. Yeah. You got Pick. Yeah. Hold on. I'm trying to think who else we got, Ocho.

31:44Chad Johnson:So, I mean, AJ Brown was once in the conversation. AJ Brown, yeah, yeah, yeah.

31:53Shannon Sharpe:AJ had a down year. Reek got hurt. Who else is out there, Ocho? Zay Flowers, no. He ain't top five.

32:09Shannon Sharpe:Pierce no McLaurin no that's just for me that's just that's just me that's something those guys that we mentioned they might be top five for somebody but I'm just saying based on what I say a top receiver is consistency that they bring I would say yes I would say yes but he's gonna have to pick it up this year because I don't know if I could hold I could hold that spot much longer

32:34Chad Johnson:That seat, yeah. I mean, we know what he can do. Yes, absolutely. But I don't understand. And I saw somebody in the chat just say, why bring in Kirk Cousins? Why would you want to go backwards? Well, hell, you're not going forward with what you got. You're not going forward with what you have. So having someone that's been able to get it done, I mean, from a productive standpoint, obviously, and hoping you get over the hump, but what's the point of having something where you ain't going no goddamn where you don't have a chance at all? True. true.

33:09Shannon Sharpe:But they got some, you know, what you call them got hurt. Mike Evans got hurt this year. But Tech, Carolina, I love the kid in Arizona. Wilson, I love him. Oh, yeah, he nice.

33:25Chad Johnson:Isn't the first name not Cedric, is it? No? I think it's Mike. Mike. Michael Wilson.

33:30Shannon Sharpe:I think that's his name. And that's why I just said Wilson, because I didn't want to say no.

33:36Chad Johnson:He's really good. With the way Wilson played last year, and we get Marvin Harrison, we get Marvin Harrison Jr. back healthy and back playing to how we know he can play, playing with confidence. But they got a nasty duo over there. They got a nasty duo. It is Michael Wilson? Mm-hmm. Okay. Mm-hmm.

33:57Shannon Sharpe:So, yeah, I agree with you, Ocho. We know what this guy can do. It's just a matter of getting a quarterback that can get him to football. And that's why, you know, you play a dependent position and you've got to have somebody that can get you the ball. Yeah. So we're going to find out. JJ, it's not, never. The last thing you want to be labeled is injury prone. He missed the first year with an injury and then he got nicked. Remember he played the first game, came back, beat Chicago. ago he missed three or four games uh comes back gets nicked again um he's gonna have to find a better way to he's gonna have to find a way to stay on the field because the best ability is availability i don't care how great you are if you're not on the field what can i do with that can't even evaluate that what am i supposed to do with that can't evaluate it so it's going to be incumbent to him to get into that playbook understand stay on the field uh because like you You say, Jetta, guys are going to get frustrated.

34:54Shannon Sharpe:You look at what they have. Addison and Hawkinson will be back. Jetta. I read, I think they're moving on from Aaron Jones. They said, yeah, I saw that. I saw that earlier. We're going to try to move you. And if we can't, we're going to end up releasing you and save some money. Ready for a different take on Formula One? Look no further than No Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the underexplored pockets of F1. including the astrology of the current grid.

35:25Chad Johnson:Lewis Hamilton, Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon. Wouldn't you know it, Michael Schumacher is also a Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon. The story of the sport's most consequential driver's strike. We have one man who, upon hearing that he was going to be fired, freaked out, and apparently climbed out the window of the bathroom. And was Daniel Ricciardo's illustrious F1 career a success story, a cautionary tale, or some combination of both? He started getting all this attention, and he maybe started to think, I'm bigger than this, I'm better. And plenty of other mishaps, scandals, and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful, decadent dumpster fire

36:01Shannon Sharpe:for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

36:10Chad Johnson:This is the biggest night in podcasting. The countdown is on to our 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards. Live from South by Southwest, March 16th, We'll honor the very best in podcasting from the past year and celebrate the most innovative, talented creators in the industry. It's truly a who's who of the podcasting world. Creativity, knowledge, and passion will all be on full display. And the winner of the iHeart Podcast Award is... See all the nominees now at iHeart.com slash podcast awards.

36:40Shannon Sharpe:Audible is a proud sponsor of the Audible Audio Pioneer Award. Explore the best selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and originals all in one easy app. Audible. There's more to imagine when you listen. Sign up for a free trial at audible.com.

36:57Chad Johnson:I'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. 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.

37:34Chad Johnson: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. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and Free Agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

38:01Shannon Sharpe:I don't know how much of that combine you watch.

38:04Chad Johnson:Yeah. This combine here? Hey, I didn't miss nothing. Obviously, even if you don't watch the combine, if you have social media, you get to see everything. You get to see everything. I've never seen nothing like this I've never seen nothing like this

38:20Shannon Sharpe:this was the fastest combine on record it had to be the DBs ran the fastest the wide receivers ran the fastest the tight ends ran the fastest the D linemen the O linemen everybody was outstanding

38:33Chad Johnson:hey did you see you see young bull from Miami to 6 '9 6 '9 340 some pounds ran a 5 something yeah how you that big moving like that man

38:44Shannon Sharpe:and I like when they simulcast against Rich. Man, them juggles be blowing the doors off Rich. The Dibliber give Rich a four-yard head start and catch him at the 30.

38:54Chad Johnson:Hey, them boys was moving. They was moving, they was moving, they was moving. And what I don't like, this is one of the things I don't like, and I would love to sit down and talk to some of these players. With some of the times that I'm seeing, based on what I saw at the combine, if you're running that fast, Why is it not popping up and showing up on tape like that? Like with that kind of speed, you should be dominating at said position at the collegiate level. So something is disconnected in a sense. You run a full, do you understand what you're supposed to do if you have the agility, the thing that can be taught?

39:37Chad Johnson:You can't teach speed. so you add that in addition to all the other qualities and intangibles and qualities that make you good or great at said position there's no reason I don't understand with all those times and watching college football all season long like we've done nothing jumped out nothing was like every week when Reggie Bush played we tuned in because it's Reggie you got to see it Peter Warwick Andre Johnson I mean Michael Vickery was at VT like you tune in to see it And it just, I didn't have that, based on what I saw today, or the past this weekend from the combine. Well, wait a minute.

40:14Chad Johnson:Why did all these fast time, but everybody flew under the radar, you know, in season?

40:19Shannon Sharpe:There's a difference between running fast and playing fast. Those are two different things. You didn't run fast, but you played fast. There are a lot of guys that ran for it. John Ross ran fast, but he couldn't play fast.

40:34Chad Johnson:and he was, he was, hey, hey, I don't, I don't see how the body, boy.

40:43Shannon Sharpe:But see, and the thing is, I mean, his body wasn't made because he was a track guy. See, Tyreek has track speed, but he's a football body. Tyreek has a football body. And there, and sometimes, Ocho, what you get is guys going and training for a specific task. I'm going to train to run the 40, standing long jump, the short cone, divert. I'm going to train for that. Right. Okay, you can train for it, Ocho. That doesn't mean it translates to what you're doing on the field. Right. Like when I see some guys, when I see like an offensive lineman run, when are I going to need my offensive lineman to run 4-6, 4-7, 4-8?

41:24Shannon Sharpe:Let me see your kick. Let me see what you do on this combo. Let me see what you do on this slip bop. Yes, yeah. That's what I need to see. All that running fast, your offensive line, I don't give a damn about that. Right. Defensive lineman, all I want to do is see you 10 yards.

41:38Chad Johnson:Yeah. What does that look like?

41:39Shannon Sharpe:If you run farther than 10 yards, bro, I'm sorry, you chasing somebody in the end zone. Mm-hmm. So that's the thing, Ocho. I think the thing is that we see guys and they're training for a specific thing. Right. As opposed to as a football player. Yes. I mean, most of the guys in the Hall of Fame didn't have pop-out stats, unless it's Randy. Yeah. Oh, yeah. A Randy Pro Day was stupid crazy. Yeah. But if you look at most of the guys.

42:09Chad Johnson:Yeah. Average.

42:11Shannon Sharpe:Yes.

42:12Chad Johnson:Average. Because, I mean, the game is not based on running in a straight line, in a sense. No. You think about all the 40 times. Chad, stay with me real quick. Stay with me. You think about all the 40 times from all the fast receivers today, right? How do you stop someone that runs that fast? We're not scared. Speed is a great thing. How do we stop it? You put somebody in front of them. You put somebody in front of them because most of the time, if you're somebody that's that fast, yes, you're explosive. But can you do it when there's a body in front of you? Do you have the lateral movement and quickness?

42:47Chad Johnson:Are you twitchy enough?

42:49Shannon Sharpe:Look at Miles Garrett. Look at Miles Garrett and how he rushed the passer. You see he doing all this. He like a damn wide receiver, tight end, trying to get off the ball. He ain't supposed to be able to do that. No, absolutely not. How he take one, he fake one outside, take one giant step outside and come across any offensive lineman face he want to. That's the difference. Look at Vernon Golston. Go back and look at his times and what he ran. He should have been, hey, he should have been ripping people's head off on the field. Right. Look at a guy like Sean Oakman, 6 '5", 6 '6". I don't want to know, can you play football?

43:27Shannon Sharpe:I'm looking for football. That's it. I ain't looking for Usain Bolt. I ain't looking for a bar beaming, somebody going to jump 30 feet.

43:36Chad Johnson:Can you play football? And that's what it comes down to at the end of the day. The 40 time is great. Being that fast, it's really great. It's a great quality to have. It's a great trait to have because it can't be taught. Then I look at things like Cardinal Tate. Cardinal Tate ran 4-4-4-5 from Ohio State. I don't care not about that. I don't care not about that. Turn on the goddamn film. What does it look like when Brother Tate is playing for the goddamn Ohio Buckeyes every goddamn Saturday? What is he doing?

44:06Shannon Sharpe:Prime example. Look at the receivers we just talked about. What did Chase run? What did JSN run? What did Puka run? What did Jetta run? What did Pickens run? ain't nobody in no four threes ain't nobody no 11 foot standing long jump ain't nobody got no 40 inch vertical bro can you play football yeah that's all it comes down to now if we go to the football Olympics I'm glad I got you on my team cause you gonna bring home the gold but

44:41Chad Johnson:look at Mike Mimoula

44:42Shannon Sharpe:y 'all see what and people say with a combine bull jive we've seen guys go up and slide down based on what they did at the combine so don't tell me the combine oh yes it does it play a big role Sonny Styles brother his brother ran Lorenzo he ran 427 yeah a safety he was moving boy 427 he was moving and then running Jeremiah Love you see what he ran

45:12Chad Johnson:he ran 4-3

45:14Shannon Sharpe:Yeah.

45:16Chad Johnson:He ran 4-3. He ran, you know, he don't look different. Hey, it don't look, you know what Jeremiah Love, you know what he reminded me of? What did? He runs so smooth and there's no erky, jerky, like, eh, like where it looks like he's being explosive. He reminded me of Aaron Foster.

45:31Shannon Sharpe:Mm-hmm.

45:32Chad Johnson:When Aaron Foster, Aaron Foster was fast, but he glided in such a way where it looked so effortless like he wasn't even trying. But they moving. And you don't know they moving until somebody trying to catch their ass.

45:45Shannon Sharpe:This kid here got... I knew it was fat. I thought he was low 4-4. I didn't think he was going to go sub 4-4. Right. Yeah. That was nice. I mean, them guys were rolling. They were moving. Them guys were rolling this weekend. I mean, the tight end run 4-3-9. 40 inch vertical. Lem 2. Guys standing long vert 45 and a half.

46:09Chad Johnson:Yeah. Hey, dude, I don't want receivers to understand. If you have that kind of speed, you're running four twos and you're running four threes, you should be able to go, if you understand the game of football and how to manipulate and get open and manipulate and understand and leverage and coverages, you should dominate the game. But there's so many other factors that aren't there in your game and you're not polished enough to understand that. I would love, obviously, I don't have the opportunity to do so, and I don't want to step on other people's toes that are training said receivers that are coming out and doing all this stuff.

46:48But there is so much where they can come in and dominate right away

46:52Chad Johnson:if you have that kind of speed, if the rest of your game is just polished up.

46:57Shannon Sharpe:There's no way. It's simple. What you're saying is, can you do something other than run a goal? Can you run an out? Can you run an in? Can you run a dig? Can you run a comeback? Can you run an over? because what makes Tyreek so unique is that people are afraid of that speed but he can stop on a nine he can run that speed out, he can run that dig he can run that comeback, he can run that over he can run the shallow can you tie everything together to make everything look like you're running a go ball because that guy I don't give a damn what you're running you ain't beating him he's going to drive his ass off on it you better break that cushion and make him think you about to get up out of there.

47:42Shannon Sharpe:Because if that guy don't respect you, okay, good luck.

47:46Chad Johnson:Funny thing about it, the funny thing about it, if you're fast as hell, all these people run these fast times, right? And this is where you get exposed because if you can't, for one, if you can't get off the bump, you're done. You're not going to last long anyway. If you can't run fast and be able to stop a transition, well, I mean, you're done also. Got to be able to control it. You got to.

48:10Shannon Sharpe:Speed without control

48:11Chad Johnson:ain't do you no good, Ocho. At all. That's like having a Ferrari with no brakes.

48:15Shannon Sharpe:Mm-hmm. It'll do you no good. I got a nice car. Can you drive it? Nah, man. You know, man, I don't get it out of third. What the hell, dude? Ocho, what the hell? You got a Ferrari and you can't get it out of third gear. Right. The hell? I think Ferrari got six gears now. You only get half of it?

48:34Chad Johnson:Mm-hmm.

48:35Shannon Sharpe:Because you don't know what to do with that.

48:36Chad Johnson:Yeah. I was excited, though. I was excited. Man, did you see that quarterback from Arkansas?

48:41Shannon Sharpe:Now, look. Yeah. What he did really don't have anything with the – What's his name? What's his name? Brother, wasn't it? No, no. Oh, no, no, no. He'll receive her. You talking about Trey Lance's brother? Yeah. No, Arkansas had a quarterback that ran 4-3. He ran the second fastest 40 times. He had this long jump. He had like a 40-something inch – 6-6. Yeah. 6-6. Yeah, Joe, the hit me up. You see the homeboy? You see the – come on, Joe. Yeah. yeah, Ash, what was the quarterback name? What was his measurable? But he had the highest vert, the highest standing long jump, the second fastest 40. Right.

49:18Shannon Sharpe:I mean, he was – I didn't know a boy had it like this. Right. I did not.

49:24Chad Johnson:But again, it comes back to this though. What does it look like when you turn the film on?

49:31Shannon Sharpe:But that's what I'm saying. All those stuff, Ocho, a 40-inch vertical, 11-2 standing, not for a quarterback. No, bro. I want to know how he processes information. How soon can he get the ball? How soon can he see it, process it, and get the ball gone? That's all I care about. I don't care about that. It'd be nice if you break away. The likelihood of a quarterback taking off and going 80, there probably been less in the history of the game. How many times do you think a quarterback has taken off and gotten 80? Maybe five times in the history of the game.

50:05Chad Johnson:Yeah. Remember Terrell Pryor? when he was a quarterback? Yeah, he went 93. And he cleared it and went 80? Yeah.

50:11Shannon Sharpe:That's the longest run. He went 93.

50:14Chad Johnson:Yeah, it was that long?

50:15Shannon Sharpe:Yeah.

50:16Chad Johnson:Uh-huh. I can't think. I mean, Michael Vick's done it a few times. Maybe not 80 plus, but he done broke some long ones.

50:24Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. So my thing is, Ocho, I want to know, can you process information? Can you get the ball in hand? How soon can you detect what the defense is doing and get the ball going out of your hands based on what you want to do?

50:35Chad Johnson:Mm-hmm.

50:41Shannon Sharpe:After making a run to the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots and veteran wide receiver Stephon Diggs are parting ways. The Patriots have reportedly informed Diggs that he will be released at the start of the new year next week, just one year after he signed a three-year$69 million deal with the team. Damn. Hold on, Arke Ocho. Yeah. I thought he'd done a great job in the locker room. Superb. I thought he was great. being available when he played like you know he balled out a good veteran president of the locker what's up what's going on I think the distractions off the field is too much for them not all this everything is an allegation none of none of it has been comproved but I just think he for that for that Ocho you played in that organization and even though the coach isn't there that coached you the principles still apply yes sir I think that I for me personally I could I could be totally off, but I think I just think the constant and that I think it just is like now this is this is not what we're looking for.

51:43Chad Johnson:Probably too much. I mean, also that too, obviously NFL, most teams, they're going younger too. I mean, I think Diggs had a great season, Joe. He had a thousand. He had a thousand yard season. He's going to get picked up being going to be somewhere else. I won't be surprised if he ends up in Baltimore. I'm just throwing it out there right now, being that that's not too far from not mistaken. and he's from the DMV area. Yeah, he's from the DMV area, so don't be surprised if he ends up in Baltimore. Just know I said it first. And every time I say something on the show, for some reason, Unc, I'm always right, and it always happens, but that's neither here nor there.

52:17Chad Johnson:But he had a good season last night. A true leader.

52:21Shannon Sharpe:He played well. He did what they brought him there to do. I thought he did a great job. Look, I thought he did a great job of catching the ball. I thought he did a great job with Drake May. I thought he didn't have any bad mannerisms when he was on the field. He wasn't pouting on the sideline. He wasn't loafing on the field. I loved everything. I loved everything about what he was doing on the field. Hey, whatever happened with his relationship, I don't care anything about that. I wish both of them the best if they're together, stay together. If not, that's okay too. But I just think knowing the Patriots and that organization, how they – if it ain't football related, they ain't trying to hear about it.

53:01Damn.

53:03Shannon Sharpe:Yeah, he got some juice left, though. I know he ain't done. Absolutely. And you got to think about it. Absolutely. So now he's going to get another year. So he'll be two years removed, Ocho, from that ACL. So he should become better. Better than he was this year. Yeah, I agree. I totally agree with that. Chiefs trade McDuffie to the Rams. The Chiefs get the 2026 first round pick, which is their pick because, you know, they have two first-round picks. They got one of those. They got Atlanta's first-round pick. They get a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick for Trent McDuffie services.

53:45Shannon Sharpe:Ocho, we talked about this. Remember, we talked about this. I said, Ocho, I'm not going to be surprised at all. Hey, you was right. I'm not going to be surprised. You was right. Based on what they have, what they need, knowing they can't pay him. And the thing that I like about him, they asked him a couple of weeks ago or maybe a month ago, if he were to get traded, where would he like to go? He's a Cali kid. He said, I guess I'd like to go back to the Rams.

54:06Chad Johnson:Back home.

54:07Shannon Sharpe:Jerry and Steve, where did they turn him? Tennessee Titans. Got the big contract. That's one thing. You can say whatever you want to say about the Chiefs, but Andy and Brent, they do a great job. When you play and do what you're supposed to, they will try to put you in the best situation to help you considering what you've done to help them.

54:25Chad Johnson:with them yeah that's a good thing most of the time you don't you don't have owners you don't have head coaches that operate in that manner and understand the value that you bring and that value that you do have we can't reciprocate what you've earned to this date but we appreciate your services we're going to allow you to go somewhere else and continue to blossom and we're going to do what we need to do and and fill whatever areas we need to and one of the reasons you know they can do some of the things that they do, Unc? Because they got one of the best players in the game. One of the best players to ever play this game.

54:58Chad Johnson:You can make moves like this, but he can make up for the absence of not having a great DB like Mr. McDuffie is on the defensive side of the ball.

55:07Shannon Sharpe:They did that with Tyreek. Tyreek, they say, you want to go to the Jets or you want to go to Miami? Okay, we'll put you in Miami. So, and knowing what they need, Ocho, they don't, Ocho, what do they need? a$30 million corner in Kansas City. They got too many other needs. Other PTA. They got too many other needs. And so it just, it didn't come, it didn't come, you know, it became cost prohibitive. And, you know, obviously we got Mahomes. I think they still need a running back. They need a running back. A big time. They need a receiver. Big time. I still believe they need a big time receiver. I just, those small guys, they need a stud.

55:49Shannon Sharpe:Go ahead, Ocho. I have a question.

55:51Chad Johnson:What's the chances the Kansas City Chiefs pick at number nine, if I'm not mistaken? I think if Jeremiah Love is there, they take him. I'm going to say I would hope they climb up to go get him. You think he's going to be there at nine, Unc? I don't know. Absolutely not.

56:06Shannon Sharpe:The thing is, Ocho, as a kid, we know today, right?

56:09Chad Johnson:Yeah, boy.

56:12Shannon Sharpe:I need those picks, Ocho. I need those picks because I've neglected so long. now I need to put pieces around Patrick Mahomes. Plus, he's coming off an injury, Ochoa. Now, we don't know if he's going to be able to start the season. I know that's his goal. His goal is to be able to start the season. But what if that's not his goal in moving forward? Right. Could there be a situation he goes higher? Hell, Ashton Gentry went sixth. Here's a guy that's more of a home run threat than Ashton Gentry, a power back. Now, Aston Jindy, for a guy his size, he runs with great power, great leverage. He runs with power, yeah.

56:49Shannon Sharpe:But I love Jeremiah. I love it. I think that's what they need. But Kansas City just has too many holes to fill to pay a corner, to have a$30 million corner and a$30 million knee tackle. And you got Corloftus making a boatload of money. You just gave the middle linebacker a boatload of money. So I'm not surprised based on their recent history and what they need and what it was going to cost for them to keep him. and you know that's what happens when you draft and they've done a great job of drafting Ocho at some point you can't pay everybody you just can't you're gonna have to let it's the same thing with Willen you're gonna have to let him go you're gonna have to let him go and the only thing is is that you're not gonna get compensation for it I mean you'll get compensation because he'll go and you'll get a third round pick but you can't trade him and get the value that you could got if you had his rights and traded him because you got the new spoon and you got JSN coming and Amunwari is going to be up in a year, two years.

57:52Shannon Sharpe:Yeah, he nice. And we talked about this. I was like, look, if you're prioritizing, K-9 is on the bottom of the list because what he's going to want is top five, top three, top five running back money. If they don't view him as a top three, top five back, which would be in the$15 million range, 15, seven, he's not gonna, they can't pay that. Thank you, helping us win a Super Bowl. Congratulations on your league, on your Super Bowl MVP. But.

58:23Chad Johnson:I mean, Unc and Joe, there's tiers to everything. There are tier one running backs, and it's only a handful. Now he's a very, very, very, very good running back. But is he in the same conversation with the Saquons and the Jameer Gives. B. John Robinson and the McCaffrey. The B. John Robinson. No, he's not. Did Derrick Henry know he's not?

58:43Shannon Sharpe:He's not. Yeah, he's very good. He's very good, though. And that's okay. He parlayed it at the right time, Ocho. I'm a free agent. I go on this great run. I win the Super Bowl MVP.

59:01Damn.

59:03Shannon Sharpe:You can't ask for anything better than that, Ocho. You got Charbonneau. And the thing is, Ocho, they always feel that they can get a back. they feel they can get it back because the freshest are back you're going to be Ocho when he's coming out of college 20 years because think about it they're going to put the if you're that back they're going to put 250, 300 carries on your legs before you get another contract so you're talking about 250, 300 you're going to get a thousand carries in your first three years

59:33Chad Johnson:and they don't you know how it is they don't value that position the way they they don't value it And you have to be extremely special for you to hold any kind of value at the running back position in this day and age, in this past and era.

59:50Shannon Sharpe:And to get multiple contracts? At that running back spot?

59:56Chad Johnson:Oh, it's hard. Hey, Joe, it's hard, Joe. It's hard. I already know. Like C-Mac and Derrick Henry and who else has got multiple contracts at the running back position? McCaffrey. McCaffrey. Yeah, I said C-Mac first. My bad, my bad.

1:00:09Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. That's it. It ain't many.

1:00:13Chad Johnson:It's hard.

1:00:13Shannon Sharpe:Hey, Joe, it's hard, boy.

1:00:18Shannon Sharpe:Well, there's some guy. The Cardinals have informed Kyler Murray that they intend to release him at the first day of the league year next Wednesday, barring a trade between now and then. Arizona already owes him almost$37 million in guarantee for 2026, and another 19 and a half would have been triggered on the 15th of March. He will now be moving on. Kyler took to social media to address the news. To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in Arizona, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization.

1:00:52Shannon Sharpe:I feel I'm sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best. I'm no stranger to adversity. I'm prepared for whatever's next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me, and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed. Ugh.

1:01:14Shannon Sharpe:What you thinking, Ocho?

1:01:17Chad Johnson:Hey, I'm curious. I'm curious on the destinations that make sense for him. And a whole lot of places out there. I'm curious. Hey, Miami. It's a couple, though. Yes. Stay with me. Stay with me real quick, Uncle Joe. Miami, New York, or Minnesota.

1:01:32Shannon Sharpe:Yes.

1:01:34Chad Johnson:Now, those are the only three I could think of. The one that I would like him to go to the best, you know?

1:01:40Shannon Sharpe:Minnesota.

1:01:42Chad Johnson:I would, me personally, Joe, I would prefer a pocket passer in Minnesota because of all the weapons they have. I would like Kyler maybe in New York or maybe in Miami. That's just me. I would prefer to see Kirk Cousins come back to Minnesota or maybe...

1:02:03Shannon Sharpe:He was gentle to pick back up where he was. I don't want to see

1:02:07Chad Johnson:Kirk Cousin go back to Minnesota. Ocho, you think he still... Hey, Joe, you got to see the numbers, Joe. You got to see one thing Kirk could do. Boy, he going to let that thing fly. Ocho, he going to have a few good games here and there, but come on, man. He ain't going to be the same Kirk. You know what I mean? I don't know, Joe, but I just think from a passing standpoint, listen, Kyler Murray is very good. Very good, very good dual threat quarterback But I think it limits some of the things You can do when you have that kind of talent Over there in Minnesota When you have a mobile quarterback like that But the thing is Ocho He's not your traditional drop back Pass quarterback And I think with that offense what they have They need a traditional drop back pass quarterback Like an Aaron Rodgers Or like a Kirk Cousins That can sling it You don't really need a dual threat

1:03:00Shannon Sharpe:I don't know if you noticed though, Joe, but Malik Willis is going to be available and he's going somewhere. Hey. He's going to the highest bidder. That's where he's going. Miami, Arizona. I can see him in Miami.

1:03:19Chad Johnson:Arizona would be a good one too for Malik. What's Wilson's first name? Mike Wilson?

1:03:24Shannon Sharpe:Yes, Michael Wilson. Hey, Joe.

1:03:27Chad Johnson:boy it's a young bull named Mike Wilson he came out of nowhere I don't know if you've been around Joe he came out of nowhere that's about like playing like true number one oh my god boy he nice all year long Joe he making play after play after play after play

1:03:47Shannon Sharpe:if they get Marvin Harrison Jr. up to speed they got Trey McBride best tight end in football so they got weapons. They got to redo the offensive line. They got to get better at the offensive line, Ocho. They got to get better at that. Yeah.

1:04:05Chad Johnson:What do you think about Malik Willis coming down to Miami?

1:04:09Shannon Sharpe:I think Miami or Arizona.

1:04:14Chad Johnson:If I had a choice, I would pick Arizona. McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., Mike Wilson.

1:04:20Shannon Sharpe:Yes, absolutely. I would too.

1:04:23Chad Johnson:Connors. Connors is coming back next year, I'm assuming.

1:04:26Shannon Sharpe:Hold on. Didn't he get the, who got the head job in Arizona? Wasn't it the guy from Green Bay? Yeah. Yeah. Ocho. Yeah. Where did he have success at? Green Bay. What type of offense did he run? Green Bay. The brother. Same thing. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. You see how that thing lines up in Arizona? Oh, he in Miami. No, no, no. LeFleur's in Miami, isn't he? Is he in Miami or Arizona? because Willis is probably going where the other LeFleur brothers went. Right. Or the Cardinals. He's going to Arizona, Ocho. He came from the Rams, yeah. But he knows that system because the systems are very similar.

1:05:08Shannon Sharpe:Okay.

1:05:11Yeah.

1:05:14Chad Johnson:This is the biggest night in podcasting. The countdown is on to our 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards. Live from South by Southwest, March 16th, we'll honor the very best in podcasting from the past year and celebrate the most innovative, talented creators in the industry. It's truly a who's who of the podcasting world. Creativity, knowledge, and passion will all be on full display. And the winner of the iHeart Podcast Award is... See all the nominees now at iHeart.com slash podcast awards.

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1:06:00Chad Johnson:i'm daniel jeremiah and i am greg rosenthal i know that greg we're teaming up on 40s and free agents the podcast that owns the nfl off season 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 open your free iHeartRadio app search 40s and free agents and listen now