Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts

Brian Cashman claims the Yankees aren't the same team, Eli won't get in the Hall, and much more

Evan and Tiki react to Brian Cashman's media session and the line that set Yankee fans off: the idea the Yankees are not “running it back.” Is he right, just terrible at saying it, or both? The guys debate whether last year's trade deadline basically was the Yankees' offseason, what's still missing without a true Soto replacement, and how the team should handle Anthony Volpe's rehab and role when he returns. Then the calls roll in, from prospect trade debates and “go get a bat” arguments, to a Mets tangent on Eugenio Suárez vs. giving Mark Vientos one last runway. Hour wraps with Knicks trade chatter and Mikal Bridges' brutally honest “entitlement” quote as Giannis rumors hang in the background. Time Codes 00:00 — Cashman meets the media, Yankees fans immediately annoyed 01:18 — “Just say it's similar” vs Cashman over-explaining why they're different 02:23 — The blunt truth: “They added ONE player” and it feels like the same roster 04:41 — Bigger issue: 15 years, one World Series run, and no Soto replacement 05:15 — Tiki's counter: Cashman is right, just said it in the worst way 05:55 — The trade deadline as the real “offseason” and why that's actually unique 07:03 — AL East framing: Blue Jays, Red Sox, and why “track record” matters 10:40 — “Leave no doubt” offseason vs Yankees budgeting, Dodgers standards, and choices 16:24 — Volpe update: “110%” and “deploy properly” sounds like a role change 18:49 — Call: Yankee fan talks trades, Dominguez and Spencer Jones, and patience 24:30 — Call: Mets tangent, Kyle Tucker opt-out mechanics and the Suárez debate 26:12 — Mark Vientos “final stand” season and why a one-year vet could block him 28:05 — Call: Paul Skenes trade fantasy, prospect “forbidden fruit,” and control years 31:17 — The “pied-à-terre” detour and why it turns into a comedy bit 35:42 — Call: Yankees flexibility, then Knicks trade anxiety after a win 40:14 — Mikal Bridges' “entitlement” quote, being coachable, and trade-rumor pressure 43:16 — Giannis reality check: if it happens, Bridges is likely in the deal

Evan and Tiki start Hour 2 with a stat that confirms what everyone's been feeling: the NFL playoffs have been called way looser, with penalties, false starts, and especially holding dropping hard compared to the regular season. They debate whether it's better teams, better discipline, or a league-wide “let them play” emphasis, plus the one-off moments that still ruin it for everyone. From there, the show pivots back to New York, starting with calls on the Yankees and the bigger question of what fans even expected this offseason. The conversation turns into a Monday morning quarterback exercise, including the idea that the one move that could have changed everything was adding a true lockdown bullpen arm. They also hit the ongoing concern: too many “ifs” across the roster, and whether the bullpen is the biggest risk heading into 2026. Then the hour goes full New York chaos: a date-night detour about Rascal Flatts, a quick Mets roster chemistry question, and a deep dive into the real Giannis conversation, not just “can he play,” but can he handle New York. The guys replay Giannis' famous “failure” press conference exchange and ask the only question that matters if he becomes a Knick: will that mindset survive a brutal city after a playoff loss? Calls roll in on what “the core” even means, which players are truly untouchable, and whether New York fans will ever accept anything but championship or bust.

The crew goes off on the Hall of Fame “leak season” and argues why the NFL should stop the slow drip and just make it a true NFL Honors moment. Then it turns into a full Hall of Fame courtroom: why Bill Belichick didn't get in (and whether “still coaching” is the real reason), how the voting rules have changed for coaches, contributors, and veterans, and why conspiracy theories pop up the second the process gets murky. Plus, the Giants angle: is Eli Manning a first-ballot lock or a classic “he'll get in, just not right away” case? The guys go through the finalists list, debate what actually matters now (stats vs. greatness vs. uniqueness), and push back on the loudest anti-Eli arguments. And to close it out, the Knicks get a major piece of outside help as a new report throws real uncertainty into Jayson Tatum's return timeline, which could flip the entire East playoff picture.

Hour 4 of Evan & Tiki gets wild as a Vikings fan letter sparks a deep dive into a long-forgotten conspiracy theory accusing the Giants of cheating in the 2000 NFC Championship Game. Tiki Barber shuts it down in emphatic fashion, breaking down why the 41-0 blowout was no fluke. Plus, calls on Jets patience, Yankees playoff expectations, Cody Bellinger's awkward press conference, Knicks trade rumors involving Giannis, Super Bowl QB matchups, and classic Evan & Tiki chaos to close the show.

A listener drops an all time Minnesota classic: Vikings fans swear the Giants “cheated” in the 2000 NFC Championship by tapping into on field communications and knowing every play. The guys react in real time, pull up the old accusation, and then immediately do the obvious thing that ruins the conspiracy. They replay how that 41-0 game actually unfolded, how fast it became a bloodbath, and why “they stole our signals” sounds a lot like what people say when they cannot accept a historic beatdown. Tiki, who was on the team, shuts it down flat and explains why something like that would not stay secret in an NFL locker room. From there, the show pivots right back into New York pain with Jets calls. A fan admits it is getting harder and harder to defend the current direction, but also makes the point that firing coaches nonstop does not magically make the job more appealing. The guys break down the ugly truth: for the Jets, trust is only earned one way, winning, and everything else is just noise.

Is there actual tension brewing between Bo Nix and Sean Payton, or is it just a miscommunication blown up into a storyline? The guys react to the “verbal spat” vibes, Payton joking about Nix's medical history, and why that kind of honesty might play with fans but can rub a quarterback the wrong way. Then the conversation turns into pure Jets desperation logic. If there's even a whiff of a QB being unhappy somewhere, Jets fans start drawing up trades on a napkin. Would you take a swing on Bo Nix if the price was somehow reasonable, or is Tiki right that it's pointless without the coach and infrastructure that made him succeed in the first place? The crew debates the fantasy vs. reality, the “we've got nothing to lose” mindset, and why a Denver breakup doesn't automatically mean a New York solution. And then the Knicks get the kind of outside help that changes a season. A new report adds real uncertainty to Jayson Tatum's return outlook, which could swing the East race and reshape what a Celtics matchup looks like in the spring.

The guys are sick of “leak season.” Instead of letting the Hall of Fame results trickle out through reports and whispers, they argue the NFL should make it a real moment again, like a true NFL Honors reveal, not the schedule-release-style slow drip that ruins the drama. From there, it turns into the two biggest lightning rods: Bill Belichick and Eli Manning. Why is the Belichick conversation always louder than it needs to be, and is the simplest explanation the real one, that the Hall doesn't want an active coach getting in? And for Giants fans losing their minds over Eli not being first ballot, the crew tries to cut through the outrage and talk reality: he's getting in, but the “slam dunk” resume argument is not as clean as people want it to be. It's a debate about the process, the presentation, and why the NFL keeps stepping on its own big moment.

The Giannis trade chatter keeps building, and this segment hits it from every angle. It starts with Robin Lopez saying Giannis “fits” best with the Miami Heat, which immediately sets off the pushback. Do the Heat really want it more, or is that just Pat Riley mythology? From there, Evan and Tiki reveal they made Giannis trade predictions months ago and decide to keep them sealed until a deal actually happens. Calls pour in and quickly turn the conversation to the Knicks' real problem: if you're trading for Giannis, what exactly is “the core” you're trying to protect? Jalen Brunson is the obvious untouchable, but everything else gets debated, including Josh Hart's impact on the locker room and how many key pieces you realistically have to give up. Then it becomes the biggest question of all: can Giannis handle New York? The guys break down his famous “failure” press conference moment and argue that the explanation might play in Milwaukee, but it will not fly here. In New York, if you gut the roster for a superstar, the expectation becomes simple: win a championship, or it's a failure.

Evan and Tiki kick off with the numbers behind what it feels like everyone has noticed: the NFL playoffs have been called looser, with penalties way down and offensive holding dropping dramatically. They debate whether it's simply better, cleaner teams or a deliberate “let them play” postseason emphasis, plus the rare moments when the whistle suddenly tightens and drives everyone crazy. Then it shifts back to New York sports expectations. A Yankees caller argues that being better on Opening Day actually matters and that Cashman can always patch holes at the deadline. That leads to a bigger discussion about how low the bar has gotten for Yankees fans, what upgrade they actually wanted, and why the bullpen still feels like the shakiest part of the 2026 picture. Finally, the Knicks conversation turns into a full-on Giannis reality check. The guys replay his famous “is this season a failure?” press conference exchange and ask the only question that matters if he lands in New York: can that mindset survive the Knicks' championship-or-bust pressure, the media, and the fan base after a playoff loss.

Evan and Tiki dive into the idea of “forbidden fruit” trades and what it would actually take for Yankees fans to part with elite young talent in a true blockbuster scenario. The conversation shifts to roster flexibility, prospects earning real opportunities, and why patience still matters more than panic. From there, the focus moves to the Knicks, where recent wins clash with ongoing trade rumors. The guys break down why Mikal Bridges still divides the fan base, how his own comments about coachability and entitlement stood out, and why any serious pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo would almost certainly have to include Bridges. A classic Evan and Tiki segment that blends big swings, reality checks, and a few entertaining detours along the way.

Brian Cashman's update on Anthony Volpe stands out when he says the shortstop will return at “110%” and be “deployed properly.” Evan and Tiki break down what that wording really means, why it could signal a change in how Volpe is handled, and whether the Yankees are finally moving away from force feeding him everyday reps. The discussion spills into roster flexibility, prospect patience, and a few classic Yankees fan trade fantasies.

Brian Cashman met the media and managed to do the one thing Yankee fans knew was coming but still weren't ready for. He pushed back on the idea that the Yankees are “running the same team back,” and in the process somehow made everyone even angrier. Evan and Tiki break down what Cashman meant versus how he said it, why Gerrit Cole's return is both obvious and not enough, and how the front office keeps leaning on last year's trade deadline as proof this team is different. The guys debate whether the Yankees actually improved, or just reframed the same roster with better PR, why the “growing pains” comment made no sense, and how losing Juan Soto still hangs over everything. Is Cashman technically right but emotionally tone deaf, or is this just another case of Yankees fans being sold the same story with new wording? Plus, a deeper look at roster flexibility, young players like Jason Dominguez and Spencer Jones, and why this franchise still refuses to leave “no doubt” heading into Opening Day. Featuring discussion of the New York Yankees, Brian Cashman, Gerrit Cole, Cody Bellinger, Anthony Volpe, and how this all stacks up against division rivals like the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.

From 'Rico Brogna' (subscribe here): In this episode, Evan Roberts takes a look back to the Edwin Diaz trade between the Mets and the Mariners. Where does it rank within the all-time Mets trades? Carlos Mendoza opens up on how he plans to put together his new bag of toys! Does Evan agree? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Jets sprial into a further mess, the Giants need for an OC takes a turn, and Giannis asks out, sort of.

The Jets hit the reset button again, and the fallout is ugly. With Aaron Glenn firing coaches and still searching for an offensive coordinator, the conversation turns to the wildest report yet: the Jets allegedly offered Jon Gruden a staff role, and the guys think that only happens if Woody Johnson is the one making the call. That sparks the bigger question: is this the setup for Gruden to become the next Jets head coach once the season goes sideways? Hour 1 dives into why the Jets feel like a disaster in the making for 2026: no OC, no QB, and a staff that looks like a collection of “singles to center field” hires. The crew debates whether the franchise should just go full drastic now, or ride out Glenn, embrace the tank, chase the No. 1 pick, and then make the big swing later (Arch Manning dreams included). Plus, a heated caller debate on whether Gruden should ever be hired again, the reality of the Jets' league-wide reputation, cap space vs dead money, and a potential “path forward” that includes a real play-caller and a quarterback swing like Malik Willis or Teddy Bridgewater. Then it's a quick pivot to Knicks notes after a win, with Karl-Anthony Towns again sitting late, Clyde calling out the defense, and more questions about crunch-time lineups.

Hour 2 opens with the debut of “Tiki's Top 5,” as Tiki lays out his preferred Giants offensive coordinator candidates after Todd Monken comes off the board. Matt Nagy sits at the top of the conversation thanks to the Andy Reid connection and play-calling experience, with other names like Kliff Kingsbury, Dave Ragone, Davis Webb, and a young riser in Declan Doyle getting a look. The big theme: Giants fans are ready to trust John Harbaugh no matter what, but the OC choice matters for Jaxson Dart and the direction of the offense. Then the show pivots back to the Jets, who reportedly hire a new defensive coordinator (Brian Duker) after a virtual interview just hours earlier. The guys react to what it says about the organization, how it essentially makes Aaron Glenn the real defensive boss while also trying to survive as head coach, and why Jets fans are spiraling into full-on “Woody meddling” paranoia. From there it turns into a true sports buffet: Giannis trade buzz heats up with Knicks fans debating whether the best move is waiting for the offseason leverage, while the crew rips into the Hall of Fame process after Bill Belichick is not first ballot and Bill Polian claims he is not 100% sure who he voted for. Plus, a classic WFAN flashback featuring Steve Summers going at the lone writer who did not vote for Jacob deGrom, and a hilarious detour into Charlie Weis Jr, Jaxson Dart, and an accidental Mark Wahlberg conspiracy.

The Jets rumor mill hits a new level when reports surface that New York reached out to Jon Gruden, and the crew immediately connects the dots to a bigger, messier question: is this really Aaron Glenn's show, or is Woody Johnson still lurking with “suggestions” that can shake the whole building? Connor Hughes joins to explain what he's hearing from inside the organization, why the Jets' coaching plan has felt scattered, and how quickly a bad start could turn any “big name” hire into instant chaos. Along the way, the conversation digs into how toxic the Jets' reputation has become around the league, why the staff changes caught people off guard, and why the franchise feels like it's stuck in a never ending cycle of headlines, embarrassment, and “trust us” messaging. If Gruden turned them down once, does that make it even more likely the Jets come crawling back later, especially if the season goes sideways again? And if the Jets keep operating like this, what does that say about who's really steering the ship?

Evan & Tiki react to Art Stapleton linking former Jets OC Tanner Engstrand to the New York Giants, debate whether the Jets are officially the NFL's most dysfunctional franchise, and dive into coaching chaos, quarterback uncertainty, and front office leadership issues. Plus, fiery caller reactions, media feuds involving Joel Sherman, Jets despair at an all-time high, Yankees trade chatter, Mets contract talk, and classic WFAN banter you won't get anywhere else.

We went back into the archives to see how we actually reacted when Sam Darnold signed with Seattle, and it turns out we barely reacted at all. Instead of breaking down Darnold, we immediately pivoted to what it meant for everyone else. Now that Darnold is in the Super Bowl, we revisit that moment and ask what we missed. Plus, a surprising on-air moment involving Jerry Recco and an open Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio job. Why didn't Jerry bring it up directly, what the role really entails, and why this might be a bigger opportunity than it sounds. A mix of hindsight, media honesty, and a classic WFAN sidebar that turns into something much more interesting.

A new Giants OC curveball hits when Art Stapleton floats Tanner Engstrom as a legitimate candidate after his Jets exit, citing his coaching ties and the idea that he may have been doomed by the Jets' quarterback situation. Evan and Tiki debate whether a fresh start with Jaxson Dart could unlock something different, even if Engstrom's first run as a coordinator didn't exactly inspire confidence. It quickly turns into a bigger point about trusting John Harbaugh, and the hilarious reality that Engstrom becoming competent in New York would only add another chapter to the “Jets ruin everyone” narrative. Then the show takes a sharp left into the station's internal soap opera as Tommy's group chat presence, late-night takes, and “who stole whose idea” drama becomes its own mini-segment, complete with receipts and a little friendly sabotage speculation. After that, the Mets portion arrives: Freddy Peralta meets the media and gets asked about an extension, and the crew reads between the lines. The instant “I just got here” framing tells the story, he's not eager to talk long-term yet, and it doesn't sound like something that's happening soon from either side. The segment closes with WFAN audio gold, including the rediscovery of the John Heyman blow-up clip and a new Clyde Frazier drop that instantly earns a spot in the rotation.

Pure Browns dysfunction after Jim Schwartz reportedly tells Cleveland he wants out, creating a ridiculous scenario where candidates were told “you have to keep the DC,” only for the team to hire Todd Monken and suddenly the DC doesn't even want to stay. Evan and Tiki rip the process as another example of an organization tripping over itself, and Evan admits it almost makes Jets fans feel a tiny bit better knowing there's another franchise living in the same mess. From there, the conversation spirals into a broader takedown of how “bad organizations stay bad,” plus a quick rant on how meaningless the Pro Bowl has become, before Evan unveils his Top 5 most likely Jets head coaches for Week 1 of 2027, headlined by the nuclear prediction everyone is bracing for: Jon Gruden. Then the show pivots hard into Yankees frustration after Joe Sherman's rant goes viral and Sean fires back, calling out the “old guard” of baseball writers and the idea that fans with microphones are supposed to apologize for criticizing the team's spending. The anger keeps rolling when a lifelong Yankees fan calls in and says she's finally refusing her season tickets after three decades, forcing the crew to walk the tightrope between “the offseason hasn't impressed” and “this team is still a postseason lock if the core is healthy.”

Evan lays out his blunt read on the Jets reaching out to Jon Gruden: it feels less like a coordinator search and more like a preview of what Woody Johnson might do when Aaron Glenn is gone. To separate paranoia from reality, the show brings in Jets reporter Connor Hughes to explain what he's hearing inside the building, how “hands off” Woody really is, and why a name like Gruden almost certainly touched ownership at some level. Connor details how the Jets' staff plan has shifted in real time, why candidates believed the defensive coordinator job was traditional before Aaron Glenn decided he wanted to call plays, and how the process spiraled from big-name interviews into a lesser-known hire with Glenn essentially running the defense. On offense, he explains the original plan to keep Tanner Engstrom in place with a veteran “head coach of the offense,” why firing him complicates things, and why Frank Reich is trending as the likely answer once the required interview process plays out. The bigger takeaway is the one Jets fans can't escape: the organization is getting mocked league-wide, the timeline to get a staff and quarterback plan in order is shrinking fast, and any Gruden connection is gasoline on a situation that already feels toxic. The segment then pivots to the Giants, where optimism is rising under John Harbaugh and the OC opening is suddenly one of the most attractive springboards in the league. Finally, the show reacts to fresh Browns drama involving Jim Schwartz, adding another dose of “what are they doing?” dysfunction to a day that already has plenty of it.

The show turns into a full sports smorgasbord, starting with the latest Giannis “ready for a new home” reporting and why the timing matters. The conversation breaks down how Giannis' leverage changes depending on whether a deal happens now or in the offseason, why a team like Detroit could make a move before he can fully steer the destination, and why Knicks fans might actually want this to wait so Giannis can pull the ultimate power move: the “no extension” threat that funnels him toward New York. From there, the discussion pivots to the Bill Belichick Hall of Fame weirdness, the Spygate bitterness lingering behind the scenes, and the most outrageous part of all: a voter claiming he can't even remember who he voted for. That leads to a classic WFAN flashback on the eternal question of public shaming voters, highlighted by the legendary Steve Summers moment that still makes everyone laugh. The segment wraps with calls on the Giants OC search, why Matt Nagy feels like a clean fit, and an unhinged but hilarious sidebar on Charlie Weis Jr, Jaxson Dart, and the conspiracy theory nobody asked for but everyone will remember.

With Todd Monken officially off the board, Tiki drops a fresh “Top 5” list of preferred Giants offensive coordinator candidates, ranging from familiar names like Matt Nagy and Kliff Kingsbury to intriguing newer options tied to successful coaching trees. The conversation hits what the Giants job actually offers, why play-calling matters, and why the safest endorsement might simply be “whoever John Harbaugh picks.” Then the show gets sideswiped by breaking Jets news that somehow feels even more Jets than usual: New York hires Brian Duker as defensive coordinator after a virtual interview just 21 hours earlier, with the clear implication that Aaron Glenn is essentially taking over the defense himself. The reaction is immediate, equal parts disbelief and dread, as callers torch Woody Johnson, question how any of this qualifies as a plan, and argue the only person who could survive this level of dysfunction is a full power “CEO coach” like Jon Gruden. The segment closes with the larger fear hovering over everything: the Jets' reputation is so bad that even elite quarterback prospects may steer clear, which turns “hope” into something darker, rooting for the No. 1 pick and praying the next coaching hire finally resets the franchise.

Jets fans hit a new low, so Evan turns to Tiki Barber for the one thing the fanbase is desperate for: an actual path forward. Tiki lays out a realistic short-term blueprint, starting with finding a competent, slightly “down on his luck” offensive mind, then using the Jets' cap flexibility to take a swing at a real QB plan that doesn't feel like another doomed lottery ticket. That leads straight into the Malik Willis idea, why he's viewed differently than Justin Fields, and why a Bridgewater-plus-Willis approach could at least make the offense functional and watchable. From there, the calls light up with the real issue hovering over everything: Jon Gruden. Is he even hirable? Do the Jets need a “CEO coach” to fix the entire operation? And if the Jets are already sniffing around Gruden, does that mean ownership is setting the table for the inevitable move next year? The segment wraps with a brutally honest look at the Jets' league-wide reputation, the fear that top quarterbacks simply won't choose New York, and the uncomfortable reality that “hope” might now mean rooting for the No. 1 pick and praying the next coach can finally change the culture.

The Jets blow up their coaching staff, rumors swirl about Jon Gruden, and one uncomfortable conclusion starts to feel unavoidable. After reports that the Jets reached out to Gruden for an offensive role, the discussion turns into a full blown look at who actually made that call, why it almost certainly came from ownership, and what it says about Aaron Glenn's future. As the Jets drift toward another chaotic season with no coordinator, no quarterback, and no clear direction, the idea takes hold that this is all groundwork for what comes next. A brutal 2026, a desperate franchise, and a coach no one else seems willing to touch. The conversation breaks down why firing Glenn now makes no sense, why bringing Gruden in today could be worse than waiting, and why a year from now Jets fans may finally get exactly what they have been asking for.

The Knicks are in the mix for an MVP once again, Carlos Mendoza acknowledges a truth, and coaching rumors swirl the NFL

Evan unloads a rapid-fire stack of reports that all point to one wild possibility: the Knicks making a real run at Giannis Antetokounmpo before the NBA trade deadline. They dig into the smoke around Giannis potentially leaving Milwaukee, Rich Paul circling, Portland lurking as a multi-team power broker, and the Knicks quietly testing the market on Karl-Anthony Towns. Then the debate gets real: does a Giannis blockbuster raise the ceiling or shrink the window? What does it cost (Bridges, KAT, McBride, swaps), and can the Knicks actually win with chemistry and health risks midseason? Plus, the guys react to fan calls, the idea that Giannis' personality might play very differently in New York, and a head-scratching Mike Brown moment where he admits he doesn't even know the upcoming schedule. To close out Hour 1, the conversation swings to Super Bowl talk: Seahawks vs Patriots, why Seattle feels like the better team, and whether New England can keep pulling off wins even if the score doesn't always look pretty.

Hour 2 opens with a hard look at the Jets' coaching mess and why firing Aaron Glenn after one year was never going to bring in a top-tier replacement. Evan and Tiki explain how Cleveland's chaotic search reinforces the idea that some NFL jobs have become flat-out undesirable, and why Glenn blowing up his own staff feels both necessary and desperate. Then the conversation pivots to breaking NFL news as the Bills make a surprise move by promoting Joe Brady to head coach. The guys react to Buffalo passing on bigger names, what it means for Brian Daboll's future, and why internal hires sometimes signal fear of losing “the next guy” rather than true conviction. The hour wraps with Super Bowl talk, Tiki breaking down ball security and the Peanut Punch, and a chaotic Posting and Toasting segment that spirals into snow-football arguments, old WFAN tweets resurfacing, and a surprisingly heated debate over one question: is it acceptable for a Jets fan to wear a Sam Darnold jersey during Seahawks week?

Hour 3 starts with the Mets, as Carlos Mendoza's comments on a “corporate” clubhouse reignite the chemistry conversation. The guys break down what Mendoza really admitted, why Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor's personalities matter when things go bad, and whether leadership has to come from someone other than the highest-paid star. They also hit the idea that locker rooms are messy everywhere, even for “great leaders,” and why David Stearns is about as untouchable as it gets in New York sports. Then it pivots back to the NBA with Ian Begley joining to sort through the Giannis noise, Jrue Holiday rumors, Karl-Anthony Towns tension, and what the Knicks can realistically do with the trade deadline a week away. Begley gives a sober read on whether this roster is truly championship built, what happens if the team sputters before the deadline, and why any Jrue move is likely tied directly to the Giannis chessboard. The hour closes with quick hits: Buffalo's Joe Brady hiring reshapes the coaching carousel and Brian Daboll's options, plus a rapid-fire look at what's next on the sports calendar as deadlines and Super Bowl week collide.

Aaron Judge is officially revealed as the MLB The Show cover athlete for the second time in his career. The guys run through the full history of the game's cover athletes, react to Judge joining a very short list, and debate whether it means anything at all without another Yankees ring to go with it. Then the show completely veers off the rails with Cinco de Luncho, as Shaun Morash unveils his list of 2026 sports events he already knows he does not care about. Dodgers fatigue, World Baseball Classic arguments, Rangers post Olympic apathy, World Cup rooting rules, and Lindsey Vonn Olympic promos all turn into rapid fire arguments that only escalate as the list goes on. The hour keeps rolling with callers weighing in on Mets clubhouse chemistry, Lindor and Soto leadership dynamics, Idiots With Idioms callbacks, Patriots fans defending their Super Bowl path, and a deeper conversation about Sam Darnold, Seattle's rise, and why so many preseason takes aged poorly. It is a classic Evan and Tiki final hour where baseball, basketball, football, lists, and nonsense all collide at once.

Cinco de Luncho kicks off in full chaos as Shaun Morash takes over and rolls out his list of 2026 sports events he already knows he does not care about. From total Dodgers fatigue to World Baseball Classic apathy, Rangers post Olympic burnout, and a World Cup take that lights the room on fire, the list instantly turns into a loud, hilarious argument about what actually matters and what is just being jammed down everyone's throat. The segment then bleeds into callers, Mets clubhouse leadership debates, Idiots With Idioms callbacks, and Patriots fans pushing back on the “easy path” Super Bowl narrative. It is classic Evan and Tiki madness where lists spiral, egos get bruised, and absolutely nothing stays on the rails.

With the trade deadline nine days away, Ian Begley joins to cut through the noise on the Giannis chatter and what it really means for the Knicks. Begley explains why Milwaukee is still more likely to wait until the offseason, but teams are doing their homework now in case Giannis decides he is ready to be “the bad guy” and ask out. The guys dig into why Jrue Holiday rumors keep getting tied to the Knicks, not as a standalone move, but as a way to make a Giannis pitch more attractive if a bidding war forms. They also tackle the uncomfortable Karl-Anthony Towns conversation, with Begley acknowledging the comments and body language are not nothing, even if it is unclear how deep the issue runs. Begley then gives a blunt answer on the biggest question for Knicks fans: is this roster built to win a title as it is? His view is no, even while admitting the postseason can flip narratives fast. Finally, they get into the practical side of a deadline move, what the Knicks can realistically offer, why certain rotation pieces are hard to move, and how any big swing would have to account for the center situation and Mike Brown's preferred style.

The phones take over with everything from Super Bowl skepticism to full-blown life advice. A caller argues the Patriots had one of the easiest paths ever to the Super Bowl, but Evan and Tiki make the point that banners do not come with footnotes. Win the game and history does not care how you got there. Then the conversation takes a hard left into one of the most relatable debates of all. Should you ever meet your heroes? From a heartfelt Sam Darnold encounter story to Evan's painfully awkward run-ins with Carrie Underwood and Kurt Angle, the segment spirals into a hilarious breakdown of why admiration is safer from a distance. The takeaway is simple. Players and celebrities are human, fans are weird, and sometimes the best move is saying nothing at all.

With Opening Day creeping closer, the Mets' clubhouse chemistry is back under the microscope after Carlos Mendoza's comments on the Heyman and Sherman pod. Asked if there were issues last year, Mendoza starts with “yeah,” then explains what he really means: the room was professional, respectful, and at times way too “corporate,” without enough celebrating or looseness when things got tough. The guys connect that to the dynamic between Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, two stars with totally different personalities. Soto is all business, Lindor is the constant energy guy, and that contrast can be fine when you are winning, but tricky when the season gets stressful. They also zoom out to a bigger point about locker rooms: even “great leaders” can have messy relationships, and plenty of winning teams keep everything quiet, which is why we rarely hear these stories until someone finally says the quiet part out loud.

Breaking news hits in real time as the Bills make a surprise coaching hire, promoting OC Joe Brady instead of going outside the building for a bigger name like Brian Daboll. The guys react to what it says about Buffalo's interview list, what it could mean for Daboll's next move, and why teams sometimes promote from within out of fear of losing “their guy.” Then Posting and Toasting takes over: old coworker tweets get exposed, the snow-football debate reignites, and the conversation spirals into a very specific New York sports question. If you're a Jets fan, can you wear a Sam Darnold jersey during Seahawks week, or is that crossing the line?

Evan explains why most Jets fans wanting Aaron Glenn fired sounds logical on the surface, but completely ignores reality. The big-name coaches fans dreamed about were never coming, and Cleveland's messy search proves just how toxic certain NFL jobs have become. The conversation dives into Glenn blowing up his own staff, why that signals both accountability and inexperience, and how the Jets are stuck without the relationships, quarterback, or organizational respect needed to attract top coaching talent. The segment closes with a sobering truth for Jets fans: the only real path forward might be painful losing, draft capital, and finally finding a quarterback who can build the bridge this franchise desperately lacks.

The guys dig into the uncomfortable question nobody wants to ignore: would Giannis actually survive New York? From his defensive postgame press conferences in Milwaukee to the recent fan booing incident, they explain why that behavior might fly with the Bucks but would explode instantly at Madison Square Garden. Evan and Tiki debate the mercenary reality of New York sports, the brutal expectations that come with it, and why winning immediately would be Giannis' only protection. The conversation then spills into Knicks roster fit, Karl-Anthony Towns trade value, Mike Brown's eyebrow-raising schedule comments, and a spirited Super Bowl breakdown with Seahawks-Patriots predictions from callers.

Evan lays out every major report from the last 48 hours and asks the big question Knicks fans cannot avoid anymore: is a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade actually happening? From Milwaukee's growing acceptance that a split may be coming, to Rich Paul circling, Portland lurking in a multi team deal, and the Knicks quietly testing the Karl Anthony Towns market, the smoke is everywhere. The guys debate whether the Knicks should pull the trigger before the deadline, what it would cost, how it impacts chemistry and health, and whether this move raises the ceiling or slams the championship window shut.

WFAN hosts are erupting over former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold reaching the Super Bowl, sparking a heated debate on whether his success serves as the ultimate proof of the Jets' organizational failure

From 'Rico Brogna' (subscribe here): The Mets take a chance on Craig Kimbrel. Evan dives into the Mets backup plan. Plus, we read through all of your emails regarding your Freddy Peralta reactions. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices