Russell & Medhurst

Rooster and Max close out the NBA Finals conversation with a few more nuggets on the series and the Pacers thrilling comebacks. Then you'll hear a Belmont Stakes preview with BetOnline.ag's Dick Jerardi. Finally, Happy National Donut Day!

Tyrese Haliburton does it again!! But does that automatically make the game a great one? Chris Russell says no.

We kick things off with the latest on Terry McLaurin, whose frustration with ongoing contract negotiations has become increasingly clear, especially with his absence from OTAs. According to Jordan Schultz, this holdout sends a strong message, and we break down whether it's surprising and what it means for McLaurin's future in Washington. Using DK Metcalf as a benchmark, we compare stats, play styles, and overall impact to determine where McLaurin ranks among NFL wide receivers and what his next contract should look like. We also explore whether McLaurin belongs in the league's elite tier, opening the discussion to fan opinions and player comparisons. From the gridiron to the diamond, we recap the Nationals' dominant shutout win over the Cubs, led by MacKenzie Gore, who rebounded from a rough first inning to pitch seven stellar frames. The Rooster breaks down Gore's performance and what this means for the NATS moving forward. Then it's time to “do that Hockey,” as Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winner in the Oilers' 4-3 Stanley Cup Final victory but The Rooster missed the dramatic finish, and his reason might just surprise you. Plus, breaking NFL news: Aaron Rodgers is reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Steelers, setting up a must-watch Week 1 matchup against Justin Fields and the Jets in what's shaping up to be a fiery revenge game. All that and more, right here on The Team 980.

We open the hour by using DK Metcalf as a benchmark to evaluate Terry McLaurin's talent, and likely his next contract. We compare their stats, play styles, and on-field presence to help pinpoint where McLaurin should fall on the wide receiver pay scale. Then, we pivot to breaking news: Multiple reports confirm that Aaron Rodgers is set to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Immediately, we look ahead to Week 1, Rodgers vs. Justin Fields in a revenge game as the Steelers face off against the Jets. Get ready for fireworks.

According to Jordan Schultz, Terry McLaurin is frustrated with ongoing contract negotiations, and his absence from OTAs sends a clear signal. We break down our reaction to the news: Is this a surprise, and what does it mean for his future in Washington? We also dive into the big question: is McLaurin truly an elite wide receiver? Using player comparisons and stats, we lay out the case for where he ranks among NFL pass-catchers today. Plus, we open the floor to you: how do you see McLaurin stacking up in the league?

We kick things off with a quick update on Terry McLaurin's contract frustrations before diving into the Nationals' dominant performance last night. MacKenzie Gore shook off a shaky first inning and went on to pitch seven nearly flawless frames, leading the NATS to a shutout win over the Cubs. Hear The Rooster break down Gore's brilliance and what this win means for the NATS moving forward. Then it's time to "do that Hockey." Leon Draisaitl netted the game-winning goal in the Oilers' 4-3 victory, but The Rooster explains why he missed that wild Stanley Cup Final finish, and his reaction might surprise you. All that and more, right here on The Team 980

The Rooster talks with NASCAR's William Byron, fresh off consecutive Daytona wins, who shares his racing mindset and unexpected love for baseball. We recap Nationals' tough loss to the Cubs and a personal story from The Rooster involving a disputed alcohol incident at the game. Joined by AMAC, they delve into the broader implications of the experience. Also a conversation that includes media criticism, as The Rooster agrees with John Mamola's take on market-driven sports coverage, arguing that fans and media alike chase trends over passion. Wrapping up, NHL writer Steven Whyno joins to preview the Stanley Cup Final, breaking down the matchups and what it'll take to capture hockey's ultimate prize.

After The Rooster wraps up his grumbling over what he sees as mistreatment while leaving the Nationals game, sparking some lively reactions from our audience, we shift gears to the Stanley Cup Final, which promises to be an exciting series. NHL writer Steven Whyno joins us to break down the key matchups and the critical factors each team will need to master in order to hoist hockey's Holy Grail once all is said and done.

We kick off the hour with a great interview featuring NASCAR driver William Byron, fresh off his back-to-back Daytona wins. He shares insights into his racing mindset and opens up about his surprising love for baseball. That sets up a seamless transition into a tough night for the Nationals, who suffered a heartbreaking loss in their series opener against the Cubs. From there, The Rooster recounts an unfortunate personal story involving wrongful alcohol enforcement, which sparks a broader conversation. AMAC joins the discussion to offer additional perspective and help unpack the incident in depth.

John Mamola penned an article criticizing sports media for prioritizing market size over compelling storylines, especially in less mainstream sports. In response, The Rooster argues that both fans and media are increasingly driven by popularity trends, resulting in stale, repetitive coverage that lacks genuine passion or depth. Listen to The Rooster discuss TV ratings and the importance of following sports you actually care about rather than what's trending.

We kick off the show fired up about the Nationals' return, though their matchup with the red-hot Cubs tempers the excitement. The Rooster previews the series, shares predictions, and outlines what the Nats must do to stay competitive. Then it's all about football, starting with Conor Orr's 100 bold predictions for the 2025 NFL season—we break down the wildest and most surprising takes. That leads us to the Washington Commanders, who Orr projects to finish under 9.5 wins. The Rooster pushes back, offering his own outlook for the season. As the NFL hype builds, we revisit more bold picks before closing with breaking NBA news: Tom Thibodeau is out as Knicks head coach. We react and discuss possible replacements. Plus, Commanders GM Josh Harris made headlines on Alex Rodriguez's podcast, hinting at a potential D.C. return—we dig into what that could mean for the franchise and the city.

We wrap up the show with breaking news: Tom Thibodeau is out as head coach of the New York Knicks. We give our instant reactions and break down some potential candidates to take over and finally push the Knicks over the hump in the Big Apple. Plus, Commanders GM Josh Harris joined Alex Rodriguez's podcast and had plenty to say about the team's potential return to D.C. We react to the key soundbites and explore what this move could mean for the franchise and the city.

After breaking down some of the boldest and most thought-provoking predictions from Conor Orr, we turn our attention to the hometown team, your Washington Commanders. Orr projects them to finish under their 9.5 win total, and The Rooster isn't letting that slide. He weighs in with his own season outlook and expectations for the team heading into 2025. Plus, we revisit a few more wild picks from Orr's list as the hype for the upcoming NFL season continues to build. Buckle up, football's almost back.

We kick off the show fired up that the Nationals are finally back in action but the excitement is tempered a bit by their opponent: the Chicago Cubs. The Rooster breaks down the upcoming series, shares his predictions, and lays out exactly what the Nats need to do to stay competitive. Then, we shift gears to football. Conor Orr just dropped 100 bold predictions for the 2025 NFL season, and we dive into the wildest, most surprising, and most thought-provoking ones. Agree, disagree, or completely stunned; we've got thoughts.

After a pre-show discussion around the office, the Rooster kicks things off by questioning whether tanking in the NBA actually benefits teams long-term. Using Oklahoma City and Indiana as examples of smart rebuilding through patience and development, the crew also examines the Washington Wizards' post-Wall and Beal strategy and revisits the Sixers' “Trust the Process” era as a key case study. Shifting gears, we break down the Nationals' weekend series against the Diamondbacks, highlighted by a wild 10-run first inning on Saturday. The Rooster offers a balanced take on the Nats' performance, analyzing the pitching, defense, and offensive sparks. In the final hour, things heat up as AMAC and the Rooster debate Mike Florio's recent claim that the Commanders knew they'd lose to the Eagles in the NFC Championship. Plus, we touch on Deion Sanders' take on Shedeur's pre-draft plans and react to the news of Saquon Barkley landing the Madden 26 cover.

Florio recently claimed that the Commanders knew they were going to lose to the Eagles in their NFC Championship matchup, sparking a lively debate between AMAC and the Rooster over whether the game was truly competitive. Tune in for that back-and-forth and more, including Deion Sanders' thoughts on Shedeur Sanders' pre-draft process, all in our final hour.

We break down the good, the bad, and the ugly from the Nationals' weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, highlighted by an explosive 10-run first inning on Saturday. The Rooster dives into the pitching rotation, defensive performance, and offensive output, offering a balanced critique of the Nats' overall solid play, while pointing out both encouraging signs and areas that fell short. We wrap up the hour with a discussion on Saquon Barkley, following the news that the Eagles' star running back will grace the cover of Madden 26.

After a pre-show discussion around the office, the Rooster kicks off the conversation by questioning whether tanking in the NBA truly benefits an organization. He points to Oklahoma City and Indiana as strong examples of teams that have successfully rebuilt their rosters through patience and smart development. We also examine the Washington Wizards' strategy in the post-Wall and Beal era, and take a closer look at the Sixers' “Trust the Process” approach as a case study in long-term rebuilding.

It's a Feel Good Friday and the Nats are cooking! Setting a franchise record last night, the Nationals defeated the Seattle Mariners with 7 runs in the 10th. Plus, we discuss the fate of Brian Robinson Jr. Will he still be the starter by the time we get to week 18?

The Nats set a franchise record last night, scoring 7 runs in the 10th inning the most in team history vs the Seattle Mariners. The young guys are coming along quite nicely, could they hit .500 sooner than we think?

PFF ranked Brian Robinson the 31st out of 32 RBs in the NFL. Do you think he'll be the starter by week 18?

We continue our discussion on Brian Robinson Jr. will he remain the starter? Then Rooster and Max get into the handshake lines between the Panthers and the Hurricanes. Finally, Dumb Dumb of the Day!

After Jalen Ramsey posted a cryptic tweet suggesting his time in Miami could be ending, Chris Russell ("The Rooster") speculated on the possibility of the star cornerback joining the Washington Commanders. He praised Ramsey's talent, discussed trade possibilities, including a bold hypothetical deal involving Daron Payne, and debated the team's championship potential with AMAC. Their spirited exchange continued into the next hour, as the conversation shifted between Washington's realistic aspirations and the implications of acquiring Ramsey. The show also touched on the Knicks' playoff struggles and featured Nationals announcer Charlie Slowes analyzing the team's inconsistent performance. Reactions followed to Mike Rizzo's sharp interview, including his response to Ken Rosenthal's critical article, while a brief controversy involving an erroneous email about Alex Ovechkin's retirement stirred discussion before the show concluded with its “Dum Dum of the Day” segment.

The show continues with our reactions to Mike Rizzo's standout interview, as we share our thoughts on the Nationals' rollercoaster season. Rizzo also responds directly to Ken Rosenthal's article labeling the team a “bottom feeder,” and we play that audio along with the Rooster's take as we consider the Nationals' current state and what the future might hold. Then, we shift gears to a surprising moment involving the Capitals, as confusion swirls around an email suggesting that last season would be Alex Ovechkin's last—an error the team later clarified with an official statement. We wrap things up with our final “Dum Dum of the Day” segment.

After continuing the spirited debate from the first hour about whether the Commanders are truly a championship-caliber team, we shift back to the day's top story; Jalen Ramsey. The Rooster presents a bold hypothetical trade scenario in which Washington sends Daron Payne to Miami in exchange for Ramsey, arguing how such a move could benefit the Commanders on both sides of the ball. The conversation then turns briefly to the Knicks and their potential elimination before we hear from Charlie Slowes, who breaks down the ups and downs of the hot-and-cold Nationals.

After Jalen Ramsey posted a cryptic tweet hinting that his time in Miami might be coming to an end, Chris Russell began speculating about the possibility of the star cornerback joining the Washington Commanders. "The Rooster" shared his thoughts on what he likes about Ramsey as a player, what he'd be willing to give up in a trade, and how realistic such a deal might be. During the discussion, Russell mentioned a potential “championship window” for Washington; an idea that caught AMAC's attention and sparked a spirited debate between the two about the team's expectations and future prospects.

The show opens with the Rooster delivering an informative update on the Capital One Arena rebuild before shifting focus to the Commanders' OTAs, where the absence of several key players takes center stage. The Rooster breaks down which absences should raise concern, offering valuable context, especially around Terry McLaurin's unique situation compared to the other no-shows. This sparks a broader conversation with listeners about how much these OTA absences really matter. The show continues with reactions to Terry Bradshaw's harsh comments on Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, prompting debate on whether Rodgers is still “worth the chase.” In the third hour, we hear from head coach Dan Quinn, with the Rooster dissecting key sound bites; including Quinn's take on Jayden and other critical topics. The show then shifts gears for an NBA Playoff recap and a lively discussion on what truly defines an NBA superstar, with Tyrese Haliburton's breakout performance fueling the debate.

We kick off the third hour by listening to Dan Quinn, hoping to gain some insight into the major OTA absences. The Rooster reacts to key sound bites, including Quinn's thoughts on Jayden and other pressing topics. From there, we shift gears to an NBA Playoff recap and dive into a bigger conversation: what truly defines an NBA superstar, especially in light of Tyrese Haliburton's recent success.

The Rooster dives into why all OTA absences should not be viewed the same, sparking a broader conversation with audience input as we all share how concerned we are, if at all. Later, we react to Terry Bradshaw's scathing remarks about Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, debating whether Rodgers is truly "worth the chase." The hour wraps up with some post-OTA audio from Dan Quinn, offering insight into his perspective moving forward.

The show opens with the Rooster delivering an informative update on the Capital One Arena rebuild, setting the stage before shifting focus to Commanders OTAs. The discussion centers on the absence of several key players, with the Rooster breaking down who fans should be concerned about and why. He also highlights how Terry McLaurin's situation stands apart from the other two major no-shows, offering insight into the context behind each player's absence.

We kick off the show recapping a packed sports weekend following Memorial Day, diving into major headlines including a new Washington Post poll showing a significant rise in fan support and approval for the Commanders' name. After sharing initial reactions, we open the phone lines to blend listener perspectives with the data, as Chris notes the limitations of polls in capturing full public sentiment. The Rooster offers final thoughts on the Commanders' momentum before shifting focus to the Nationals, who continue to struggle after a series loss to the Giants. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently called them one of the league's bottom feeders; a take the Rooster agrees with, offering a candid breakdown of the team's direction. We then turn to the NBA, where we respond to Anthony Edwards' postgame defense of his unselfish play in Game 4, addressing criticism that he wasn't aggressive enough offensively.

After continuing our reaction to Ken Rosenthal's article labeling the Nationals as one of MLB's bottom feeders, the Rooster shares his candid take on where the organization truly stands compared to the rest of the league. He breaks down the team's current trajectory and whether the criticism is warranted. From there, we shift to the NBA, responding to Anthony Edwards' postgame comments about making the right play, a statement that pushes back against critics who felt he wasn't aggressive enough with his shot in Game 4.

After the Rooster shares his final thoughts on the recent surge in support for the Commanders and takes calls from listeners weighing in on the team's name and direction, we shift gears to the Nationals. Coming off a series loss to the Giants, the team continues to struggle, and MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently labeled them as one of the league's bottom feeders. The Rooster agrees with that assessment and thinks it's a fair take; tune in to find out why.

We kick off the show by recapping a packed weekend in sports following the extended Memorial Day break, covering all the major headlines and storylines. In the first hour, we dive into the latest Washington Post poll that gauges fan support and opinions on the team's name; a poll that reveals a significant uptick in both areas. After sharing our initial reactions and thoughts, we open up the phone lines to hear from listeners, as Chris points out that polls like these often fail to capture the full range of public sentiment. It's a conversation that blends data with real fan voices, setting the tone for an engaging hour of discussion.

The Sports Junkies, BMitch & Finlay, Grant & Danny, The Kevin Sheehan Show, The Chris Russell Show and The Hoffman Show all weigh in on the Tush Push vote this past week

Full Show: Friday 23 May 2025 full 8168 Fri, 23 May 2025 20:27:02 +0000 LUrJYKNcuCuj7BIt4uGDG6UbMffKCNqL sports The Chris Russell Show sports Full Show: Friday 23 May 2025 Chris discusses and debates DC sports on his daily show. Get informed and opinionated discussion of the Washington Commanders, the Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, and more. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=https%3A%2F%2F

Hour 3: Chris interviews famed wrestler Santino Marella / Final hot dog takes / On the possible glass roof at the proposed stadium at the RFK location / Dum Dum of the Day

On the possible glass roof at the proposed stadium at the RFK location full 877 Fri, 23 May 2025 19:57:22 +0000 mCdzgqjLsJ12eQ4XhJQH3iWAvi1wFdfU sports The Chris Russell Show sports On the possible glass roof at the proposed stadium at the RFK location Chris discusses and debates DC sports on his daily show. Get informed and opinionated discussion of the Washington Commanders, the Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, and more. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports False https://player.amperwa

Chris interviews famed wrestler Santino Marella full 1167 Fri, 23 May 2025 19:36:55 +0000 mJMe4186Xg6XVl823eF3nnpyEP4ctSI3 sports The Chris Russell Show sports Chris interviews famed wrestler Santino Marella Chris discusses and debates DC sports on his daily show. Get informed and opinionated discussion of the Washington Commanders, the Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, and more. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-l

The first annual Wienie 500 race of Wieniemobiles at the Indianapolis 500 today leads to a conversation about the best, and worst, styles of hot dogs.

Hot dog takes ahead of Memorial Day Weekend full 434 Fri, 23 May 2025 19:27:07 +0000 aelR20izG4P4JzqEwnJ3fSdRCGRoSrKc sports The Chris Russell Show sports Hot dog takes ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Chris discusses and debates DC sports on his daily show. Get informed and opinionated discussion of the Washington Commanders, the Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, and more. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=

What's the deal with Chicago style hot dogs? full 1086 Fri, 23 May 2025 18:59:44 +0000 LCpNr1mhhbhumcQnstnZAIH5uGvHpqbs sports The Chris Russell Show sports What's the deal with Chicago style hot dogs? Chris discusses and debates DC sports on his daily show. Get informed and opinionated discussion of the Washington Commanders, the Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, and more. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link