#92Noon! 11am Hour 3/2 Alec Lewis!

0:00Every small business owner has that one moment that could have broken them, but remarkably, it didn't. Hi, I'm Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business, and on Season 3 of The Unshakeables, my co-host Kathleen Griffith and I are bringing you more incredible stories of overcoming the impossible. We're really proud to share that The Unshakeables is nominated for Best Branded Podcast at the 2022 I Heart Podcast Awards. Listen to The Unshakeables wherever you get your podcasts, and learn more at Chase.com slash podcast. JP Morgan Chase Bank and a member FDIC, Copyright 2026, JP Morgan Chasing Company. Lately, my friends keep asking, what I'm doing to my skin. Honestly, I didn't change my makeup. I changed my skincare. It's called Farmhouse Fresh. This award-winning fresh-grown brand is a 14-year favorite of US Spas and Beauty magazines, and celebrities agree. If you're over 40 and feel like nothing really makes a difference anymore, this does.

1:00My skin looks brighter, smoother, and yes, people notice. Get the Farmhouse Fresh skincare glow. Go to FarmhouseFreshSkinCair.com and Big Ice Cup Cat. We got Club 5, 20 with Jeff Teague in the gang. Don't call me White Girl. Mona will be there. Keep it positive, sweetie with Chris Thu'erne. We got reality with the king with Carlos King. And yes, drink champ will be in the building. No, no, no. No, no, no, no, no. Plus you know we're going to have a lot of guests, so you need to join us. And we got the Black Effect Marketplace, the Pitcher Podcast, and everything you expect from the Black Effect Podcast Festival. Take us around to El right now. Don't get your other BlackEffect.com slash podcast festival. Don't play yourself, okay? Pull up. I'm Clayton Nackered in 2022.

2:02I was the lead of ABC's The Bachelor. But here's the thing, Bachelor fans hated him. If I could press a button and rewind it all I would. That's when his life took a disturbing turn. A one-night stand would end in a courtroom. The media is here. This case has gone viral. The dating contract. Agree to date me, but I'm also suing you. This is unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'm Stephanie Young. Listen to Love Trap on the iHeartRadio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Next Monday, our 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards are happening live in South by Southwest. This is the biggest night in podcasting. We'll honor the very best in podcasting from the past year and celebrate the most innovative talent and creators in the industry. And the winner is... Creativity, knowledge, and passion will all be on full display. Thank you so much iHeartRadio. Thank you to all the other nominees who guys are awesome. Watch live next Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern 5 p.m. Pacific free at Veepe.com or the Veepe

3:05app. And there's nothing like live hockey experience, Minnesota Wild Action at Grand Casino Arena. All season long, I'm Sierra Steese now at wild.com slash tickets to join the excitement wild.com slash tickets. Yeah live hockey, Grand Casino Arena tomorrow night for the Minnesota Wild. And then several days with the high school squads looking forward to that. Joining me now. He's going to be at the xwatch in high school hockey later this week. I can feel it. It's Alec Lewis of the athletic at Alec underscore Lewis via x. How you doing, man? I'm great, Nordeau. Yeah, I actually would be. I'm going home tomorrow to be in the warmth for a little bit and quasi recover, quasi work harder. I really, the high school hockey would be fun right about now. I'll tell you that. No doubt about it. Now, just as I brought you on and we're introducing you, I heard some sort of a notification in

4:07the background. Did the Vikings cut somebody else, Alec, are we ready to break more? Nothing. Nothing has broken since we've been on the phone in two minutes, but yeah, I expect this week and next week to be very challenging from a work life balance perspective, but that is part of what you sign up for and doing this job. I did see this morning, the lion's traded David Montgomery to the Texans, which is pretty interesting, but nothing on the Vikings front right now. You're going to be down in your hometown, sipping sweet tea and breaking news as things unfold over the next week or so. That's going to be terrific. Now you, you got to the combine, I want to, we're going to, we're going to dig in a bit because this morning and I love how this thing sets up your fresh back from Indy. You had this, the articles, what I heard about Vikings, QB pursuit and Jayden McCarthy at the NFL combine. I do want to dig into that more specifically momentarily, but just at 10,000 foot level,

5:11like you spent some time there digging in. It's an exhausting week. How was the combine for you, Alec? Yeah, it was how it always is. Some really late nights that turn into really early mornings. And it's a blast. I mean, really, I, the opportunity to be in person with people, you just don't take it for granted because you don't get it a ton, especially in this league where everything is kind of guarded and airtight. So it was a blast, it was fun to see a lot of colleagues. It was cool to catch up with people, meet some new people, spend time with people at all levels of this organization and others and agents. So it was, it was really, it was really good. I will say this, I mean, the bike, I think, I don't mind saying this. We had an athletic staff meeting with our NFL staff on Monday and our editor and chief came up to me, he said, I think the Vikings might be the most interesting team in the NFL

6:14right now, which A for me was cool to hear that, but B, it's like, all right, so that means the editor and chief is paying attention to what I'm doing, which adds a layer of pressure that you're really, you know, it's not the most preferable, but it adds to the intrigue over the next two weeks. A lot of reporting's been done on it at the national level, but you mentioned the Vikings, maybe one of the more interesting teams. It's clearly solely dedicated to whatever the hell they're going to do with the quarterback spot, right? And there's just a broad spectrum. Yeah, I think it's, I think it's the combination of, you've got this polarizing young quarterback who you drafted in the top 10 for the first time of your franchise history and who had the season he did. You have the names that we've all seen and heard floating in the ether that are possibilities to come in. You have the GM who was just fired. You have Justin Jefferson being one of the face of the leagues.

7:14You have a head coach, one coach of the year, but hasn't won a playoff game. So it's just a lot of, yeah, it's a lot of interesting dynamics and, and I will say, I mean, like any conversation with agents or team people, it's, what are you hearing? What are the Vikings going to, yeah, the quarterback, who's going to be, they're really going to do that? Are they really, I mean, that's, that's what it was for five days. So yeah. Kind of set this up as, as whether it was Pete Najarian, my previous guest or just kind of how my mind has been, has been following this and just trying to reconcile all of the various names and the ether, as you mentioned, you know, for me, the, the situation with, with the quarterback spot and this new regime and all of those things, I'm still not ready to quit JJ. The way that we've talked about this from minute one, Alec, it feels I don't just mean you and I, but I'm just collectively social media national reporting and all these things is that, you know, JJ had his opportunity. That opportunity looks different and is different.

8:16I don't disagree with that. But now we are talking about XYZ free agent that's just going to come in and, and replace the guy in some respects. I've just seen too much about that where, as we look at part one of your piece via the athletic, is there, is there anything you're able to do to kind of smooth out that path or smooth out or add clarity to that conversation in terms of JJ McCarthy's role in 2026? Yeah, I mean, I, I, I try to write this in a way that makes sense and talk about it in a way that makes sense and I'll, I'll do it here. I mean, you're really, this organization right now is really, really balancing two different worlds. You're in the long-term quarterback development world with a young player who has a lot to develop on the field, off the field and obviously from a health perspective. And you're in the short-term world of, you haven't won a playoffs game since 2019.

9:16You have a superstar receiver who wants to win and produce. You have a veteran-laden roster that really kind of is built for the now. And so managing those two worlds at the same time, I mean, it's not the most optimal scenario. And I think I would also add this Vikings ownership group has never been willing to not compete in the present. And so until they become willing to essentially like allow the bottom to fall out or to allow it to reach the ultimate mountaintop from a, you know, we're going to shoot from the moon perspective, it's, it's, you really almost have to find the level of quarterback insurance that they're in the market for. So that's really the dynamic at play. I mean, it's very clear, and it was very clear throughout the 20-25 season that Jay-Jay McCarthy does have high end trade.

10:18It was also very clear that it might take a longer runway to bring those out on a consistent basis. And again, while Jay-Jay might need that runway, teams aren't always willing to take that entire amount of runway. So it's, it's part of the complex situation that makes it so interesting. And I would say as an analyst, as someone on the outside, I totally understand any fans perspective who's like, why would you hand it over to someone in the short term that maybe it would be really difficult to reach the circle with instead of just allowing Jay-Jay to either sink or swim. And I understand that. But again, this organization has never been willing to ultimately sink. And so the decision-making will align with ownership's preference in that way. We're 100% correct. And the, you know, kind of trying to thread that needle, we talked about it when this first quote unquote regime came to Minneapolis, threading the needle of becoming younger, becoming

11:22more financially flexible while competing and contending. And you have a couple of good seasons in the mix. You don't have any playoff wins, but now we're looking at a spot where instead of being younger and more financially flexible, we're actually older and we have no money. So sadly, that did not work out very well. Now with that, with that said, the pressure, is there pressure or is there a variable here of head coach year five that plays into that runway for Jay-Jay McCarthy? Yeah, I mean, I absolutely do say, I don't know if I call it pressure, but it became clear over the course of the 2025 season and it also was evident last week in Indian apolis that it was a stressful time period, definitely for Kevin O'Connell, but also for a lot of people internally because of their inability to be as consistent as they wanted to be. So I would say that definitely guides the decision making.

12:25I would, you know, I've had people ask me the last couple of days, you know, does Kevin O'Connell have more power now? I wouldn't say push back, but I've made it very clear. Like he's had a lot of power now for multiple years. And he was the strongest voice from a personal perspective on the quarterback last off season. So that's not crazy different. What is different, obviously, is going another year without a playoff win and going another year where you did have the downsides that they have. Yeah. And so until anything breaks, it still kind of feels like we're playing the names. And I loved your, I loved your breakdown on, on several potential options here. Again, in your piece, you probably already subscribed to the athletic ladies and gentlemen, but, but follow Alec underscore Lewis via X. You got his podcast going on, but terrific piece. And it's only part one. You're kind of leaving us hang. When's part two coming out, Alec? Tomorrow, I was working on it, right? As you call. I mean, we got some Rob Brzezinski stuff in there.

13:26We got some Jalen Naylor, Eric Wilson. We're going to have some, some center conversation, some draft targets, run game. I mean, it's, it's, you know, there's a lot to get at. They're, they're really it. Am I, and over the last, over the last couple of weeks, I've gone from somewhat clueless to somewhat engaged and informed on this as, as the running back spot. You, you, you're aware of the news that sands a trade that, uh, Javon Hargrave will be released. And, and of course, Aaron Jones, Aaron Jones, the human, Aaron Jones, the culture element, that locker room, going to miss that guy, but there's also a cap associated with it. And a guy sadly missed five games last year, kind of a story of his career. And we love Aaron Jones, but he's, he's turned in 32. I think at some point in 2026. So with that said, I went from daft to somewhat informed. And now it's, it's kind of on my radar, the idea of, of looking at a running back in the draft. You mentioned that run game is year five, the year that, uh, the run game explodes for

14:29the Minnesota Vikings. Well, I definitely think Frank Smith, um, who was brought in to be the assistant head coach from the Miami Dolphins, where he was the offensive coordinator. I definitely think, um, he will have some ideas and, and some additional input that will add a layer of creativity. I also believe that Keith Carter's role as the offensive line coach will probably add a little bit of snarle to that group and to that room, um, on a daily basis that they hope draws out kind of probably more of what Kono Kono would call the play style element. So yeah, those are critical, but you're right to mention, I mean, Aaron Jones conversation, um, I mean, look, I, I think his cat numbers around 14 million, um, the production has not come anywhere close to matching that cat numbers. So at the bare minimum, the Vikings would be see what would have been seeking a, a pretty major pay cut, um, depending on his market, I mean, we'll see what happens in terms of

15:32how, how aggressive would other teams be? I know he loves it here. Um, I know they, they respect him. And then I also know that the Vikings aren't going to want to spend crazily on the position, um, because they don't have a ton of room. So who might be, uh, be available? It is a, I mean, you know this, but finding a running back, um, with a three down still set is going to be massive. And if you're doing that via the draft and you're not doing that via the first round, I mean, you're really taking a long shot bet, which to do that for a run game you want to improve is, that would be a pretty bold kind of scenario, in my opinion. Yeah. And that's the, you know, kind of the tough path forward. I've been bouncing it around just kind of the idea. Okay. So Quacy moves on and the rest, you know, personnel, people and scouts and Brazinski, the rest of these guys are here. So maybe there's a philosophical change in terms of draft boards and all of that. But, but just nuts and bolts of this thing.

16:32If they go with a defensive tackle, I was talking earlier last hour about Caleb Banks, the cat out of Florida. Okay. That makes sense. Uh, if they go with a safety, uh, PA really, really hot up, he's, he's hot on this Dylan, uh, phenomenon, I think, out of, out of Oregon, who just showed out at the freaking combine. It might not be there at 18. We'll see, but you start playing that game, you know, relying on a rookie running back to compliment a guy in Jordan Mason, who's had trouble catching the ball over his course of his career, the, the combination of shedding money and then potentially relying on super young talent. But we're threatening another needle here, Alec, as it pertains to 2026, it's ridiculous. Yeah. No, it's funny. You said that because that has become the, like that is, I don't know if that was even a company, not a line of threading the needle, but it's kind of become the tagline of, of this offseason, I think. But yeah, I mean, it's, it's the other aspect you didn't mention and it's not the sexiest radio, but running back past protection is huge with how some of these defenses are calling

17:36games. And so, you know, Jordan Mason has not been reliable in that phase. CJ Ham is retired, who was a huge third down pass protecting back in the backfield. Yep. And with any quarterback that's playing for the Vikings, you're going to need that person to be reliable. So I mean, it's like this, who can you find at running back if it's not Aaron Jones, who you would trust to have burst out of the backfield, who could catch passes, who you believe could pass protect straight out of the gate. I mean, there's just not a ton of those options available and they're really good ones who are, have been healthy in years past and have been reliable, they're going to cost money that the Vikings don't really have money to spend. So it's, I mean, you're looking at quarterback and running back arguably to, I mean, two of the most important business on your team, the question marks exist. So is it a Kenneth Gainwell type who could thread that needle? I mean, I'm sure that name, just like all the quarterback names, brings rash reactions

18:40on both sides, but that's the dynamic of where this team is, Kenneth Gainwell, that's where we're at. Hey, we're, we're, again, threading needles is the, is the story of this thing. Hey, when, when you were in, when you were down there, Alec Lewis, the athletic with me nine to noon, Nordo and for PA, vocal maintenance season, it's a Monday morning and there's sunshine outside. So we should all be happy when you weren't, when you were in Indie last week, were there any prospects and, you know, I don't, you probably didn't spend much time inside Lucas Oil watching any of this. Maybe it did, but, but was there anybody who was just like super steamy, just like I can't wait to watch that guy at the combine at any level, whether it was Vikings related or not, just was there anybody that somebody was just like, wow, I can't wait to see this guy show out on the field. That's a great question. Yeah, it's terms of me watching 40-yard dashes. I, I don't, I wouldn't know how to get into Lucas Oil stadium. Would you bring a stopper? I would want to hear, but it's, it's, it's, it's part of it.

19:44Um, I mean, I would say for me personally, like, I, I, Jeremiah Love is my jam, um, and the guy, you know, running back from Notre Dame just explodes his head, but I, I can't and he even gets to like number eight. So that would be a guy. Diazolo Fonds, the tiny corner from Indiana, who may be my favorite player to watch on tape in the draft, had a really good week there, which was cool to see. I mean, you mentioned Kayla Baystrom Florida is definitely, I mean, the guy's like 6'6'3'30, and just, I mean, he looks made in a lab production and the availability haven't been there. But I would say just on the draft in general, when you talk to even the league, the feeling is, this isn't the most exceptional draft. There definitely is some talent at the top. And then it's kind of, you know, you can find starters in the mid-tier.

20:45And that's really, I mean, with where I think this Vikings team is, that's gotta be the focus here. It's just like how many starters and young players can we pluck to add surplus elsewhere? That's gonna be the critical component. And I also will say this, because you're talking about sunshine outside. Like I think there definitely is a path with any of these quarterbacks that we've talked about, acquiring them in this system. I think there would be a path to 10, 11 wins. It's just the upside right now with that position, limits where this team can go. I know I'm shifting the conversation a little bit, but I just wanna say that. No, no, that's all good. And it's prescient to this. Now, and I know you gotta go to 11.30. So just one or two more for you here, specifically with the Vikings and the center spot. So, you know, one thing that we haven't talked a ton about, you know, you're anticipating there aren't like 30 or 40 different online combinations. Can we please just be healthy, but specific at the center spot, you got Ryan Kelly. And I just have to imagine that that's potentially one of those cuts,

21:48one of those cap casualties and great career that he's had, but the head injuries and sadly, just a lack of reliability proves into this. And then you have Jurgen's and you have Blake Brandell, who's kind of that swing tackle guard center and do it all he had to last year. Like, what do you think about addressing that spot? Is that a free agency conversation plus a draft pick, like any thought given to that center spot yet? Yeah, I would say there are a couple free agents who are intriguing to this team, but the month again, I mean, and this is a theme of the conversation, like the money is gonna matter and the market for these guys may limit how far the Vikings would be willing to go. I would say there is faith in Blake Brandell and that more time with that position, he could be serviceable. And if the offense line around him is healthy,

22:48then they could really produce. And then this draft, I would say, has a lot of centers that the Vikings like. So I wouldn't be shocked if there is a move forward scenario with Blake Brandell and Michael Jurgen's and then if this team can snag one at some point the draft, that might be the most likely scenario at this moment. Yeah, that's a tough thing. And this is all with all respect to Brandell. It feels like the trust in Brandell is because that's a guy that they have. Is there any element of necessity associated with moving forward? Because he's done good work in moments when he's been asked to play in a spot, but there's a reason that he's still a reserve. You know what I mean? And I'm looking at Logan Jones, I don't think he's definitely not a day one pick, but the Iowa cat for a center, I mean, man, you're a Conor McGovern, Ethan Positch. I mean, some of these guys are going to be getting way too much catch that the Vikings won't even be in on, but it is a difficult spot.

23:51It just, Brandell does feel like a, in lieu of found money somewhere, we do have Brandell. You know what I mean? No doubt. And I think that part of it is, he's really smart. He works his butt off. So from a coaching staff standpoint, there is an amount of trust there that I, you know, where it's like a fallback that you, you were saying it's like bad analogy. So bear with me. Like that restaurant, you know, you can always go to and it's gonna satisfy you in some way. I mean, that's just kind of what it is with Blake Brandell. I don't know why, maybe I'm hungry. I'm bringing that up as the analogy, but yeah, and I mean, you mentioned Logan Jones, but like there are, again, in the drafts, there are a lot of centers. You're talking Sam Heck can the state, you're talking Jake Slaughter, Florida, Connor Lou Auver. And like, the fact I can rattle off a lot of these guys tells you, you know, that if the Vikings want to go that route,

24:52and maybe you have Blake Brandell starting the season, maybe one of those guys develops quickly and you plug and play and they understand the system, that could be around. I also think you're more inclined to go with the younger center or a less experienced center if you have a more veteran style quarterback. Yeah, that's a terrific point. Hey, thanks for jumping on with me on a Monday, man. I know you got to fly, but have fun down in Alabama. It was good chat with you. We'll catch up again soon, all right? Absolutely. It'll be busy. You guys enjoy this week looking forward to seeing what happens. But yeah, thanks for having me. Appreciate it. And I will probably be texting you later this evening. Absolutely. Cheers, man. That's Alec Lewis of the athletic. And again, jump to jump to the athletic. He put out a piece and, you know, what in terms of just what he heard at the combine and quarterback specifically related. He dropped part one today. Part two is going to be available tomorrow, but long time and one of our favorites, Alec Lewis of the athletic spend some time in Indy.

25:54Always good to spend some time with him nine to noon. Now we're going to pause catch up on the clock. It's Nordowen for PA, breath like more producing. It's lately my friends keep asking what I'm doing to my skin. Honestly, I didn't change my makeup. I changed my skincare. It's called Farmhouse Fresh. This award-winning fresh-grown brand is a 14-year favorite of US spas and beauty magazines and celebrities agree. If you're over 40 and feel like nothing really makes a difference anymore, this does. My skin looks brighter, smoother. And yes, people notice. Get the Farmhouse Fresh skincare glow. Go to farmhousefreshskingcare.com. Next Monday, our 2026 IHART podcast awards are happening live in South by Southwest. This is the biggest night in podcasting. We'll honor the very best in podcasting from the past year and celebrate the most innovative talent and creators in the industry. And the winner is... Creativity, knowledge, and passion. We'll all be on full display. Thank you so much, IHART radio.

26:54Thank you to all the other nominees who guys are awesome. Watch live next Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific free at Veebs.com or the Veebs app. I'm Clayton Neckard, and in 2022, I was the lead of ABC's The Bachelor. Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan. He became the first bachelor to ever have his final rose rejected. The internet turned on him. If I could press a button and rewind it all I would. But what happened to Clayton after the show? Made even bigger headlines. It began as a one night stand and ended in a courtroom with Clayton at the center of a very strange paternity scandal. The media is here. This case has gone viral. The dating contract. Agreed to date me, but I'm also suing you. Please search for it. This is unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. This season, an epic battle of he said she said. And the search for accountability in a sea of lies.

27:56I have done nothing to get hurted by the f***ing bachelor. Listen to Love Trapped on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Aigo Woda is your host for the 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards. Live at South by Southwest. Hello, is anybody there? Raised by a single mom. Aigo may have a few father related issues. Are we supposed to talk about your dad? Her podcast, Thanks Dad, is full of funny heartfelt conversations with actors, including fellow SNL alums, comedians, musicians, and more about life and their wonderfully complicated relationships with their fathers. I think and hope that's a good thing. Get to know Aigo. Follow Thanks Dad with Aigo Woda and start listening on the pre iHeart Radio app today. I'm Nancy Glass, host of the burden of guilt season two podcast. This is a story about a horrendous lie that destroyed two families. Late one night, Bobby Gumprite became the victim of a random crime.

28:58He pulls the gun, tells me to lie down on the ground. He identified Termaine Hudson as the perpetrator. Termaine was sentenced to 99 years. I'm like, Lord, this can't be real. I thought it was a mistaken identity. The best lie is partial truth. For 22 years, only two people knew the truth until a confession changed everything. I was a monster. Listen to the burden of guilt season two on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The fan. The fan welcome some great shows to ledge amphitheater this year. John Mulaney will be there August 22nd. Bush Traveller and Jin Blossoms will be there September 12th. Get complete details and all of our upcoming shows on the concert page, kfand.com. Cure calendar.

30:06Many text messages throughout the show today. Thank you. It's Nordow and for PA vocal maintenance season. PA returns tomorrow. And you know, I might as well do a little rundown on that right now because we're going to start the show with head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Victoria is in the mile high city yesterday over the nuggets firmly in a top four spot right now. Well, firmly is tough because it is muddy and it's weird. And they could drop to you straight and find the find their way back in fifth or sixth again. We know that, but they're also in lockstep right now and have a great opportunity. Let's continue. Let's make a new form of let's instead of being inconsistent, consistently. Let's just be consistent and find our way into the third spot before the post season. But PA is going to be back. We're going to chat with the head coach and then Kevin Gorg not just on the Minnesota wild, but high school hockey tournament. He's going to join around 930, Ben Gessling, star tribune, he's going to be in studio at 10 and then Tony Scott, youth hockey hub and more.

31:07He's going to be in studio chatting about the boys high school state tournament that's going to lift off on Wednesday. So a full show post vocal maintenance tomorrow, the text message is in 64686. Brad John Bryant, KFA and text line, anybody is, is able to text. But I noticed that the, there was a particular topic. Now there's a gentleman by the name of Paul that has effectively spammed the entire text line. We can just run through them here. I know you're all free to do it. This is a block free environment, at least 9 to noon, I could tell you. Good, bad, nugly, ain't going to block you. Let's see from from Paul here. If you're offensive line sucks, it doesn't matter who your QB is, okay? That was at 1114, 30 seconds later, he does not believe that his point had been made. So he texted again, if you're offensive line sucks, it doesn't matter if your wide receiver is a superstar, okay? Perfect. All right. Moving on.

32:07Paul again. Oh, seven minutes later. If you're offensive line sucks, you cannot run the ball no matter who your running back is. All right. Check that box. Let me see here. Paul again, just to make a final point. So I thought, fix the offensive line and the quarterback and running back will fix themselves. Okay. Well, then 30 seconds later, why is Alec Lewis not talking about the offensive line? Did he not watch how last season's games played out? And then another serviceable is not good enough. So I got the point, Paul. And I appreciate it. So we've spent in fairness to Paul's point. We do spend a lot of time and that's how I framed it up last week. We had Charge on talking about the draft, talking about the combine, pick 18, by nature of being the first one, by nature of being in said first round with the highest likelihood of getting a super talented player that can help the team quickly. That has been the focus of nine to new couple shows last week at the Combine and Indianapolis

33:11PA and Pete, speaking with the luminaries, little steam rolling, focused on pick 18. Well, what is pick 18 and tail? Hmm. Well, may have entailed tight end Kenyans to eat until he freaking went total alien on it and looked like the greatest tight end in the history of combines ever to combine. Kenyans to deep Wow. And maybe he's not available anymore at pick 18. We shall see, but specifically defensive tackle specifically safety. And we do this a lot. Well, we need the best player available. But then we immediately look at the depth chart and say, well, for getting rid of a gentleman by the name of Javon Hargrave, we're going to need a fact guy in the middle. And maybe that's Caleb Banks out of Florida, wouldn't mind having him here. Looks pretty damn good. In fact, or at the safety spot, hit man retire, well, we need the best player available. But hit man's retiring. And he had a shoulder thing with Mattelis here ago, and Theo Jackson was playing a lot.

34:11Hmm. Might need safety. So at the moment, Ken, I hope I'm pronouncing his name correctly, the safety out of Oregon. Speaking of showing out, by the way, I'd seen bits with the enemy going somewhere in the second round. Hmm. Well, he'd be available at 18, a lot about Oregon docs, by the way, too much Oregon and our favorite cat, favorite cat coin parrots, now plays for Oregon. Maybe he's the next best Dylan Theatman and a guy we're talking about a year or two from now, going to the purple. Who knows? Hopefully not a pick 18, hopefully much later in the draft. But to that end, all that focus on defensive tackle, all that focus on safety. I must concede listener Paul and a few others. I only read Paul's because he texted about eight times and what felt like 20 minutes. But we have not chatted about the center spot, maybe as urgently as we possibly could. And it is an issue two years ago, 48 sacks for Sam Darnell during the regular season in

35:14total 57, including the playoff game. A year later, Vikings quarterbacks combined, felt like there was 10 of them that played. There wasn't 60 sacks endured courtesy of the Minnesota moving company. And as we talked about during the middle hour with Pete and a gerian, you can kind of, you can play the game of sack by sack by sack by sack by sack. So you get 60, which one did the quarterback hold out of the ball too long? There was a point in time, by the way, there were plenty in terms of the sacks that JJ McCarthy endured, where as soon as he hit his drop, the top of his drop, somebody was on him. That happened many times, specifically early on in the season, when Justin school was playing in substitution of Christian Darisaw, he just had no time. We kind of talked to you and kind of talked, talked our way out of that being a potential

36:15issue. It's Justin school's fault. We'll get Darisaw back. Everything's going to be fine. And then McCarthy hurts his ankle. We don't see him for six weeks, but there is an element where one can help the other. And McCarthy should not be absolved of anything in relation to holding the ball too long, lack of decision making, walking his way into sacks, all of those things. About 60 is a glaring number, a year after 57 on Sam Darnold, and the center spot with the number of combinations that took place, whether it's injury, proficiency, all of those things that this team endured in a nine wind season last year. You can't move forward in April, can't move forward into free agency without talking about the center position. And it's similar to the quarterback, well, it's different than the quarterback spot because there are talent. There are talented individuals that will be available in the middle of March. But it's, but it's similar to the quarterback spot in terms of the money that you want

37:18to spend the output and how you're going to find your way to the right answer there. And there's a Lloyd Cushemberry out of Tennessee. Now I know there's somebody via the text line that's going to tell us that they've watched all of Tennessee's games. I will concede. I'm not really sure how good Lloyd Cushemberry is, but he's 28. Then he got about 12 million this last year. He's going to be somewhere between seven to 10 per Conor McGovern. I mentioned him with Alec last segment Buffalo center feels like they would try to make him move to keep him if they could Ethan Postch up and down career, but he found some stability with Cleveland. He's with the Browns, the Browns, then there's a high-ender Tyler Linderbaum for the Baltimore Ravens. I think he is ending his rookie contract. I believe the Ravens would be apt to want to keep them. Oh, Austin Schlockman's available. Remember him played for the Minnesota Vikings?

38:18Probably not an option, but I mentioned, I mentioned Logan Jones, the, this Minnesota moving company can be better in 2026 simply by just staying on the freaking field and bringing Christian Darisaw back from injury, working his way in slowly, Willie play, Willie not play as their additional injury to the knee. Think about how that game played out over the course of 2025, how exhausting it was. Will Fry's who had to work his way. I think his competency level and his production level did slowly, sadly, slowly get better over the course of 2025. He was the only consistency that you had the entire season. And Donovan Jackson appreciated. I thought he was a little bit better early than he was later in the season. He needs to be much better into his sophomore campaign, Brian O'Neal, little Nick's little injuries here there, little stuff. He battles through it. He's an iron man at this stage of his career.

39:20What are we getting out of him? Simply by nature of just staying healthy, this will be a better operation in 2026. I just don't know how you move forward with Ryan Kelly. I don't know how that is even a possibility in 2026. And so I could be proven wrong. Happy to face that when it occurs. I just don't see him in the mix. And so it is Michael Jurgens, who is definitely not like Cam Jurgens in Philly. There is Blake Brandell, who can play every spot on the whole line. It appears but has him busted through into a prominent starting role. There's a reason behind that. And then there's the draft and I mentioned that Logan Jones cat on Iowa. I really like him and he would be somebody that I would focus on in the draft. I'm not in the rooms. Brzezinski doesn't ask me just somebody I'm looking at. And then there's one of those free agents. That is to Paul's point and anyone else listening nine to noon, what we do at the center

40:21spot means a freaking ton in 2026 and should not be forgotten. As we talk about the upcoming draft and what's ahead for our favorite football team. Final segment is next. Lately, my friends keep asking what I'm doing to my skin. Honestly, I didn't change my makeup. I changed my skincare. It's called farmhouse fresh. This award-winning fresh grown brand is a 14 year favorite of US spas and beauty magazines. And celebrities agree. If you're over 40 and feel like nothing really makes a difference anymore, this does. My skin looks brighter, smoother, and yes, people notice. Get the farmhouse fresh skincare glow. Go to farmhousefreshskincare.com. Next Monday, our 2026 iHard podcast awards are happening live in South by Southwest. We'll honor the very best in podcasting from the past year and celebrate the most innovative talent and creators in the industry. Creativity, knowledge, and passion will all be on full display.

41:22Thank you so much iHard Radio. Thank you to all the other nominees who guys are awesome. Watch live next Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern 5 p.m. Pacific free at Veebs.com or the Veebs app. I'm Clayton Neckard and in 2022, I was the lead of ABC's The Bachelor. Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan. He became the first Bachelor to ever have his final rose rejected. The internet turned on him. If I could press a button and rewind it all I would. But what happened to Clayton after the show made even bigger headlines. It began as a one night stand and ended in a courtroom, with Clayton at the center of a very strange paternity scandal. The media is here, this case has gone viral. The dating contract. Agree to date me, but I'm also suing you. Please search for it. This is unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trap. This season, an epic battle of he said she said.

42:22And the search for accountability in a sea of lies. I have done nothing to get hurted by the f***ing bachelor! Listen to Love Trap on the iHeartRadio app Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Nancy Glass, host of the Burden of Guilt Season 2 podcast. This is a story about a horrendous lie that destroyed two families. Late one night, Bobby Gumpright became the victim of a random crime. He pulls the gun, tells me to lie down on the ground. He identified Termaine Hudson as the perpetrator. Termaine was sentenced to 99 years. I'm like, Lord, this can't be real. I thought it was a mistaken identity. The best lie is partial truth. For 22 years, only two people knew the truth.

43:23Until a confession changed everything. I was a monster. Listen to Burden of Guilt Season 2 on the iHeartRadio app Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Grupo frontera, triste pero bien cabra tú, porque algunos andaren amorados y otros tristes, pero bien cabrón. Yo soy Grupo frontera, y tú no te lo puedes perder. Es solo para decirte lo mucho que lo siento. Con ratos bonitos hoy en Live Nation, Tocco. En. Quick little covenant clean up and you smile at me, Blake, I was about, you call, I was

44:36about to call you. That's fair. I was about to call you, Blake, Brandel, Brett Blakemore, you smile at me as I say, there's a covenant clean up because you want to play it. And so I'm just, I mean, you smile as well. Just do it. It's a covenant clean up, we say stupid things all of the time. It's a covenant clean up, according to you, and I'm forgive of our crime. Covenant clean up, sponsor by nobody. I have that on almost every page on the PA shift just in case, just in case that it may come up. Yeah. And I was talking with somebody in sales last week, we could spend an entire segment every single day going through the, the mistakes that we make on a daily basis. But I saw a couple of text messages about this early on in the show. I did the weekend wrap, the weekend wrap on Monday morning, spend the segment, just what, what happened over the weekend? Here's what happened. And just a quick little pontifications we move on. And Egregious error was, yeah, was committed because I did not talk about the 19th ranked

45:43go for women's hoops team, you know, Niko Medved Squad, their scramble just to get to 500 Moscow's team. I mentioned them. They need to win the big 10 tournament to sniff the national tourney. Meanwhile, go for women, they just hooked and they beat Illinois, I believe that was in Champagne and it was close, but 78 73. And they are a ranked national force that will be in the NCAA women's tourney. And I believe the big 10 tournament starts later this week. I think, let me see here, I believe it's Friday, yes, there we go. It's in Indie, starting on Friday, I did not mention them as part of the weekend wrap. And so that is indeed, as I said, the sales guys, we could do a segment every single day. Just devoted to covenant cleanups, the things we do and say incorrectly, it's an option. It's an option that's out there. So cheers to the go for ladies that are absolutely showing out and representing college hoops at a high level.

46:43So congratulations to them. That does wrap up the 9 to noon show today in order and for PA. Thanks to Brett. Thank you so much, whether it was Pete Nigerian, Alec Lewis and Pat McAlletti during the opening hour for joining me tomorrow. Again, it's going to be Coach Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves leading off the show. Kevin Gorg in the first hour, Ben Gessling in studio at 10, Tony Scott on the high school hockey tourney at 11 full show full strength. That's Mignana. Thank you for listening to the fan when you do the program is next. Have an awesome afternoon. We're going to the I heart radio app or KFAN dot com. Peace to the planet. Shalom in to God here and listen to your back. The black effect podcast festival is back in Atlanta on April 25th at Pullman Yard. Yeah. And the full lineup is nuts. We got the Gritchin age podcast, the auntie Kyle and big ice cup cat.

47:45We got club five, 20 with Jeff Teague in the gang. Yeah, yeah. Don't call me white girl. Mona will be there. Keep it positive. We got reality with the king with Carlos King and yes, drink champs will be in the building. Plus, you know, we're going to have a lot of guests. So you need to join us and we got the black effect marketplace to pitch your podcast and everything you expect from the black effect podcast festival. Tickets are on sale right now. Go get yours at blackeffect.com slash podcast festival. Don't play yourself. OK, pull up. I'm Clayton Neckard in 2022. I was the lead of ABC's The Bachelor. But here's the thing. Bachelor fans hated him. If I could press a button and rewind it all, I would. That's when his life took a disturbing turn. A one night stand would end in a courtroom. The media is here. This case has gone viral. The dating contract. Agreed to date me, but I'm also suing you.

48:46This is unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'm Stephanie Young. Listen to Love Trap on the iHeartRadio app Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Next Monday, our 2026 iHeart podcast awards are happening live in South by Southwest. This is the biggest night in podcasting. We'll honor the very best in podcasting from the past year and celebrate the most innovative talent and creators in the industry. And the winner is creativity, knowledge, and passion will all be on full display. Thank you so much. iHeartRadio. Thank you to all the other nominees. You guys are awesome. Watch live next Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern 5 p.m. Pacific free at beeps.com or the beeps app. I'm Nancy Glass, host of the burden of guilt season 2 podcast. This is a story about a horrendous lie that destroyed two families. One night Bobby Gumpride became the victim of a random crime. The perpetrator was sentenced to 99 years until a confession changed everything.

49:48I was a monster. Listen to burden of guilt season 2 on the iHeartRadio app Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. AGO WOTA is your host for the 2026 iHeart podcast awards live at South by Southwest. Hello, is anybody there? Raised by a single mom, AGO may have a few father related issues. Are we supposed to talk about your dad? Her podcast Thanks Dad is full of funny heartfelt conversations with actors, including fellow SNL alums, comedians, musicians, and more. About life and their wonderfully complicated relationships with their fathers. I think and hope that's a good thing. Get to know AGO. Follow Thanks Dad with AGO WOTA and start listening on the free iHeartRadio app today.