FOJ SHOW

FOJ 92 opens with Jason's 53rd birthday and a Halloween surprise: his wife's ramen-over-candy experiment outdrew the candy three to one. Jason checks in on his 15U travel baseball team, now managed by his son Josh. Jeff updates his finger surgery, plots a sleeveless Ricky Vaughn sport coat for conference season, and the guys pitch wrestling entrances for keynote talks. Jeff asks Jason about biohacking implants and cryogenics, then they react to the Tesla Roadster flying car demo. Jason breaks down the Brewers' first World Series title, the looming MLB lockout and salary cap, Cubs free agents, PCA's MVP case, and Munetaka Murakami's White Sox future. Then it's Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson, the Blackhawks, and Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark. The main event: the Bears dominate the Seahawks on Monday Night Football behind new DT Jeffrey Simmons and a maturing Caleb Williams. Plus trade deadline targets, Tyson Bagent trade talk, the Bucs' three-pass win, Next Gen Stats, election night, and a Bears stadium update.

00:00 Intro and Jason's 53rd birthday

01:01 Halloween: ramen beats candy

06:26 Best suburban Chicago ramen spots

08:14 Jason's 15U travel baseball returns

11:19 High school season rules and expectations

15:04 New players and team chemistry

18:00 Josh's first year as manager

20:33 Jeff's finger surgery and the pins

23:02 Conference travel and the Ricky Vaughn plan

24:28 Wrestling entrances for keynote talks

27:10 Pins-out countdown and Vegas

28:46 Biohacking and tech implants

33:25 Would you freeze yourself?

34:52 Tesla Roadster flying car demo

36:57 Brewers win the World Series

39:15 MLB salary cap and lockout outlook

42:56 Cubs free agents: Suzuki, Happ, the rotation

45:37 PCA and a Cubs reload

47:10 White Sox, Murakami, and Montgomery

52:09 Will there be a lockout?

56:02 Jason negotiates for players and owners

59:51 Blackhawks, Bulls, and Caleb Wilson

1:04:14 WNBA Finals, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark

1:10:37 Bears beat the Seahawks on MNF

1:11:12 The Jeffrey Simmons trade

1:15:16 FOJ Listener of the Week

1:15:24 JSN and the secondary problem

1:20:54 Caleb Williams by the numbers

1:24:10 Power rankings and statement wins

1:26:18 Trade targets: CJGJ, Nahshon Wright, Khalil Mack

1:38:50 Bucs win with three pass attempts

1:43:44 Joe Burrow and the MVP race

1:45:23 Super Bowl odds and prime time Bears

1:49:48 Who the Bears can't afford to lose

1:53:32 Should the Bears trade Tyson Bagent?

1:56:11 Cornerback vs. Khalil Mack

2:04:47 Jaylon Johnson's rankings

2:05:41 Next Gen Stats

2:09:06 Election night

2:15:42 Bears stadium update: Arlington Heights

2:16:50 Outro

FOJ, Friends of Jeff, Chicago sports podcast, Chicago Bears, Bears vs Seahawks, Monday Night Football, Jeffrey Simmons, Jeffrey Simmons trade, Caleb Williams, Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Bears trade deadline, Khalil Mack, Tyson Bagent, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, NFL MVP, Next Gen Stats, Brewers World Series, MLB lockout, MLB salary cap, Chicago Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, White Sox, Munetaka Murakami, Colson Montgomery, Chicago Bulls, Caleb Wilson, Blackhawks, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, WNBA, travel baseball, biohacking, Tesla Roadster, Halloween ramen, Bears stadium Arlington Heights

FOJ 91 kicks off with the Bears who wore No. 91 and Jason's Naperville Central class of '91, which includes Pete Crow-Armstrong's dad. Jason is handing out the first Listener of the Week coins, his wife Michelle is opening a Greek restaurant in Plainfield, and Jeff is recovering from finger surgery with two pins and a cast. The guys preview a Brewers vs. Rays World Series, react to the Blackhawks' slow start and Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson's historic debut, then go deep on Caleb Williams' latest 300-yard game, Cairo Santos' redemption kick, Jaylon Johnson's struggles, Khalil Mack trade talk, and Bears record predictions. Plus the Jalen Hurts blood clot investigation, broadcast booth rankings from Tom Brady to Chris Collinsworth, and Jeff's Rivian R2 order.

00:00 FOJ 91 intro and Bears who wore No. 91

01:07 Class of '91 and skipping high school reunions

03:41 Graduating with PCA's dad

04:31 First Listener of the Week coins and Listener of the Year plans

06:17 Chicago's warm fall weather

08:16 Jason's long weekend and the driveway oil spill

12:24 Michelle's new Greek restaurant in Plainfield

17:57 Jeff's finger surgery, two pins, and a cast

25:08 Turning 50 and aging in bursts

28:12 Weight loss and walking three dogs

31:14 Wag Bar, the dog park with a bar

33:40 World Series: Brewers vs. Rays

36:20 The looming MLB lockout

37:22 Dodgers: dynasty or anomaly?

39:02 World Series prediction

40:34 Why the Cowboys are so easy to dislike

41:49 The White Sox playoff hangover

43:51 Blackhawks struggles and the coaching debate

46:52 Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson's historic start

50:38 League Pass vs. Chicago Sports Network

52:26 Bulls bench Patrick Williams

54:17 Caleb Williams' 300-yard game

55:30 Cairo Santos' 58-yard redemption

58:11 Caleb's pocket presence and elite throws

1:00:31 Is Caleb a top-five QB?

1:02:30 Jameis Winston and JJ McCarthy

1:03:41 Check-downs and the 70 percent goal

1:04:03 Luther Burden III breakout, Cole Kmet injury

1:06:01 Colston Loveland's role

1:08:10 Bears defense and the Jaylon Johnson problem

1:14:19 Khalil Mack and DeForest Buckner rumors

1:18:12 Dennis Allen's defense and the Bears' run game

1:19:41 Bears schedule and record predictions

1:24:18 Jalen Hurts blood clot controversy

1:32:49 The Hurts timeline and NFL review

1:41:24 Eagles QB options

1:45:41 Seahawks top Chiefs, JSN dominates

1:47:14 Ohio State: Wide Receiver U

1:48:39 NFL roundup: Niners, Falcons, Steelers in Paris

1:51:42 The Browns' surprising start

1:54:09 NFC contenders and Caleb's leadership

1:56:29 Bears schedule quirk and injury report

1:59:13 Tight end depth and the Joe Thuney trick play

2:02:31 Broadcast booth: Brady, Collinsworth, Olsen, Watt

2:06:20 Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee

2:08:14 Jason Kelce and Peyton Manning everywhere

2:12:17 Is Arch Manning overrated?

2:13:17 Jeff orders a Rivian R2

2:13:51 Jason turns 53 and lands a new work account

2:15:33 Cruises and Charles' travel tips

2:17:27 Caleb top five and sign-off

FOJ, Friends of Jeff, Chicago sports podcast, Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, Cairo Santos, Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, Khalil Mack, Bears trade rumors, Bears predictions, Jalen Hurts blood clot, Eagles, World Series, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, MLB lockout, White Sox, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Blackhawks, Connor Bedard, Chicago Bulls, Caleb Wilson, Patrick Williams, Chris Collinsworth, Tom Brady, Pat McAfee, Jason Kelce, Arch Manning, Listener of the Week, Rivian R2

Jeff's broken finger needs surgery after all, which kills his California trip, so the guys break down the pins-and-twist plan before turning to sports. Jason recaps the Brewers sweeping the Dodgers, the looming December 1 MLB lockout, salary cap fights, and Shohei Ohtani's playoff slump. On the ice, Connor Bedard returns, the Blackhawks get blanked by Dallas, and Patrick Kane sets the US-born assist record, earning FOJ Listener of the Week. That sparks a debate on where Kane ranks among all-time Chicago athletes and a deep dive into the missing 2010 Stanley Cup puck. The Bears move to 4-2 behind a fired-up Caleb Williams and a historic three-sack, two-forced-fumble day from Kyler Gordon, plus a Green Bay Sucks chant in Atlanta. Around the NFL: the Browns' fool's gold, Vikings defense, Rams and Eagles disappointments, Patrick Mahomes, Tua's contract, and Travis Hunter. They close with Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson, Daniel Tosh's podcast, Ron Bennington's Portcast, and Jason's son launching an app built with Claude.

00:00 Intro

00:31 Jeff's broken finger and surgery plan

06:05 Canceled California trip

10:39 Jason's fall yard work and PTO math

13:10 Brewers sweep the Dodgers

15:30 MLB lockout and salary cap debate

21:28 Dodgers future and Ohtani's slump

26:52 Payroll vs player development, World Series pick

28:08 Blackhawks: Bedard returns, Dallas shutout

30:55 Patrick Kane record, FOJ Listener of the Week

32:43 Is Kane a top 10 Chicago athlete?

38:24 The missing 2010 Stanley Cup puck

43:41 Bears beat Falcons: Caleb Williams fired up

47:18 Penalties and Atlanta's late push

48:38 Kyler Gordon's historic day

51:14 Bears at 4-2 and the NFC North

53:40 Surprise and disappointing teams

57:24 Point differentials and Patrick Mahomes

1:00:40 Chargers, Dolphins, and the Tua contract

1:02:05 Browns fool's gold

1:05:14 Caleb's season stats and sacks

1:07:24 Penix, Bears pass rush, Sweat and Khalil Mack rumors

1:09:00 Jaylon Johnson and the cornerback question

1:12:07 Giants vs Saints

1:13:08 Travis Hunter two-way update

1:14:41 International games

1:15:46 Bears fans take over Atlanta

1:17:03 Bulls opener and Caleb Wilson

1:19:17 Chicago sports and Carolina college hoops

1:20:30 Daniel Tosh and The Tosh Show podcast

1:22:57 Ron Bennington's Portcast

1:25:14 Surgery day details

1:26:56 Jason's son's app built with Claude

1:29:37 Outro

FOJ, Friends of Jeff, Chicago sports podcast, Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams, Bears vs Falcons, Kyler Gordon, Bears 4-2, NFC North, Green Bay Sucks, Bijan Robinson, Montez Sweat, Khalil Mack, Jaylon Johnson, Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers sweep Dodgers, MLB playoffs, MLB lockout, salary cap, Shohei Ohtani, Chicago Blackhawks, Connor Bedard, Patrick Kane, Spencer Knight, 2010 Stanley Cup puck, Chicago Bulls, Caleb Wilson, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Patrick Mahomes, Tua contract, Travis Hunter, Daniel Tosh, Tosh Show, Ron Bennington, Portcast, finger surgery, Claude app

Jeff and Jason are back after two weeks off, and it was a rough stretch for Chicago. Jeff breaks his finger in the Atlanta airport, splints it with electrical tape from his podcast bag, and gets it reset in Orlando. The guys pay tribute to Mike Ditka, who passed away at 86, with Jason revisiting the '85 Bears, the Buddy Ryan feud, the Ricky Williams trade, and Chicago's sports Mount Rushmore. On the field, the Bears dominate the Jets on time of possession, then get drubbed by the Packers. Is Tyson Bagent an NFL starter? Plus Montez Sweat's suspension, the pass defense, and a Falcons preview. Jason breaks down the White Sox playoff exit after 21 strikeouts in Game 5, picks the Brewers, and shares his son's run-in with Pete Crow-Armstrong. Also: Connor Bedard's return, Caleb Wilson and the Bulls, and Jeff's second Rivian R2 order.

00:00 FOJ 89 intro

00:50 Jeff breaks his finger in the Atlanta airport

04:47 Electrical tape splint and airport EMS

07:12 Urgent care and the Orlando bone reset

11:03 Jason's broken bone stories

13:43 Bocce availability and the Jordan Flu Game angle

15:33 Mike Ditka passes away at 86

16:21 Walter Payton and the blocked kick in Green Bay

17:41 Bears beat the Jets: Kyle Monangai, 89 plays to 32

19:31 Is Tyson Bagent an NFL starter? Trade value debate

22:48 Case Keenum in relief and Ben Johnson's worst game

24:10 No Monangai, Roschon Johnson, 9 carries for D'Andre Swift

26:41 Pass defense collapse vs Jordan Love

29:10 Montez Sweat suspended

30:20 Grady Jarrett, Shemar Turner and the pass rush

31:13 Falcons preview: Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Michael Penix

31:49 From the Eagles high to the Packers low

33:10 Bears -3 in Atlanta and the division record

34:49 Bagent or Keenum? Caleb Williams update

37:01 Jameis Winston as the Bears backup?

38:02 Caleb's ceiling and the NFC North race

42:08 White Sox eliminated: 21 strikeouts in Game 5

44:12 Sean Burke's gem and Jose Ramirez's golf shot

47:15 A successful season for the Sox?

48:47 Brewers, Dodgers, Rays, Guardians and payroll

51:07 Who Jason is rooting for and Shohei Ohtani's slump

53:59 Would Tom Brady bench himself?

55:05 Are these the four best teams? Cubs season

57:46 You can't win the division in April

59:47 Pete Crow-Armstrong in Naperville

1:01:06 Blackhawks: Connor Bedard returns

1:02:48 Bulls: Caleb Wilson, Josh Giddey, Buddy Hield

1:04:31 Rough week in Chicago and the Ditka legacy

1:06:15 Ditka vs Buddy Ryan and the '85 Bears

1:08:19 Jordan, Ditka, Payton

1:10:38 Saints and the Ricky Williams trade

1:12:10 Leaf blowing and Asheville winters

1:16:12 Jeff orders a second Rivian R2

1:17:26 Travel plans and wrap

FOJ, Friends of Jeff, Chicago sports podcast, Mike Ditka, Ditka dies, Ditka tribute, 1985 Bears, Buddy Ryan, Super Bowl XX, Chicago Bears, Bears vs Packers, Bears vs Jets, Bears vs Falcons, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, Kyle Monangai, D'Andre Swift, Montez Sweat suspension, Jaylon Johnson, Jordan Love, Bijan Robinson, Jameis Winston, NFC North, Chicago White Sox, White Sox playoffs, Guardians, Jose Ramirez, Sean Burke, Brewers, Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani, MLB playoffs 2026, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, Connor Bedard, Chicago Bulls, Caleb Wilson, Josh Giddey, Ricky Williams, broken finger, Rivian R2

FOJ 88 was recorded late Wednesday night with both Chicago baseball teams in the playoffs and the Bears fresh off a Monday Night Football shocker. Jason opens with Patrick Kane back in the number 88 Blackhawks sweater, then walks through the White Sox beating the Astros in Houston, Chase Meidroth's no-doubt homer, and the first Sox playoff series win since 2005. Jeff reports in from Atlanta with a Hyatt Regency Wi-Fi and cold shower rant, plus the story of a flaming pizza box, an ADT fire alarm, and a fire truck in the driveway. The guys cover the Cubs' brutal travel week, Game 1 against the Padres, Pete Crow-Armstrong's check swing arguments, and whether a first-round exit would make it a failed season. They also debate how short the MLB season should be (Jason says 120 games, Jeff says 100). From there, football: Case Keenum and the Bears' 27-7 win over the Eagles, Ben Johnson's game plan, Dillon Thieneman and the defense, the Hurts timeout debate, who starts at QB with Caleb Williams out and Tyson Bagent cleared, Caleb's bathrobe, JJ McCarthy landing with the Giants, Brock Purdy vs Josh Allen, and the FOJ Listener of the Year trophy and coins.

00:00 Intro, Patrick Kane in 88, Hawks opener in Vegas

02:00 Jeff's Atlanta trip and Bulls hopes with Caleb Wilson

10:35 Hyatt Regency Atlanta rant: Wi-Fi and the cold shower

15:19 The flaming pizza box, ADT, and the fire truck

23:16 White Sox beat the Astros, Meidroth goes deep

29:17 Why this Sox team hits Jason so hard (2005 flashback)

31:37 Astros stigma and a get well card for Cruz

34:17 Jeff jinxes the Cubs, plus their wild travel week

37:40 Is 162 games too many? Jason says 120, Jeff says 100

45:18 Cubs vs Padres Game 1 and PCA's check swing beef

48:17 Failed season if the Cubs lose? Padres vs Cubs

50:54 Yankees-Red Sox home run controversy

51:58 Dreaming of a Cubs-Sox World Series

53:40 Bears vs Eagles: Case Keenum and Ben Johnson's best game

1:01:28 Burden, Raymond, Roush, Loveland and the drops

1:04:19 Thieneman, the defense, and the Hurts timeout debate

1:07:38 Why the Eagles stopped running Saquon

1:09:25 Keenum's inspiration: Jason's baseball game

1:10:54 FOJ Listener of the Year trophy and coins

1:13:08 We traded JJ McCarthy to the Giants (thanks, Jameis)

1:17:26 Caleb Williams' bathrobe vs Jameis' cologne

1:21:09 Hamstring gamesmanship and the QB decision

1:25:26 Jets, Packers, Falcons, Patriots: the road ahead

1:26:06 2024 QB class check-in and best QB right now

1:30:36 Bears QB room, net points, Kyler Gordon return

1:34:23 Packers game flexed to noon, Jeff's travel plans

1:36:24 Deebo's 80 yards on zero catches

1:37:06 Keenum gets the Listener of the Week coin

FOJ podcast, Friends of Jeff, Chicago sports podcast, Case Keenum, Bears vs Eagles, Bears Eagles Monday Night Football, Bears 27-7 Eagles, Caleb Williams hamstring injury, Caleb Williams bathrobe, Tyson Bagent, Ben Johnson Bears, Dillon Thieneman, Luther Burden, Kalif Raymond, Colston Loveland, Dennis Allen defense, Jalen Hurts timeout, Bears quarterback controversy, Bears vs Jets, Bears Packers, White Sox playoffs, White Sox beat Astros, White Sox Guardians, Chase Meidroth, Cubs Padres wild card, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs playoffs, Cubs White Sox World Series, shorten MLB season, 162 games too many, JJ McCarthy Giants trade, Jameis Winston, Brock Purdy, Josh Allen, best quarterback in the NFL, Deebo Samuel hook and ladder, Patrick Kane 88, Blackhawks opener, Chicago Bulls Caleb Wilson, flaming pizza box fire, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, FOJ Listener of the Year

Jeff and Jason open with the trip to Chicago, Portillo's after a conference happy hour, and a career night in Jeff's Sunday bocce league (rules included for the uninitiated). From there, baseball talk covers the Cubs clinching a playoff spot, Pete Crow-Armstrong's franchise home run record, Alex Bregman's scary foul-ball injury, and the White Sox playoff push. Then it's on to the Bears, who lose 9-3 to the Vikings in a sloppy, penalty-filled Week 2 setback that ends with Caleb Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury and Tyson Bagent taking over behind center. FOJ AI weighs in on what the offensive line needs to fix, and the guys survey backup quarterbacks around the league before diving into an all-time tight end debate (Tony Gonzalez, Travis Kelce, Jason Witten, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Gates) with detours into Tim Tebow's baseball career and Jameis Winston's cologne habit. Jeff previews a fall packed with conference travel, Jason gets ready for his first trip to Lambeau Field, and the two make their picks for next week's Bears-Eagles matchup. FOJ AI closes out the show with its weekly recap, plus a birthday shoutout to a longtime listener.

0:00 - Intro and Week 2 NFL setup

1:31 - Chicago recap: Portillo's, NYC, and the mural project

4:06 - Bocce league rules and Jeff's career night

12:17 - Cubs clinch, Bregman's scary foul ball, and PCA's home run record

18:22 - White Sox playoff push and MLB postseason predictions

26:47 - Last week's guest recap: Bob talks youth sports coaching

31:32 - Bears fall 9-3 to the Vikings in a sloppy Week 2

33:10 - Caleb Williams' hamstring injury and Tyson Bagent in relief

36:36 - Offensive line penalties and a broken pass protection

51:42 - FOJ AI on fixing the Bears' O-line

55:09 - Around the NFL: Panthers, Saints, Bills, and more Week 2 results

1:04:46 - Legendary backup QBs: Chase Daniel, Fitzmagic, and Jameis Winston

1:07:13 - FOJ AI and the Heisman winners who played baseball

1:11:01 - Bears-Eagles Week 3 predictions

1:16:58 - Jeff's fall conference gauntlet and Jason's Lambeau Field trip

1:22:15 - Chiefs-Colts check-in and Travis Kelce talk

1:27:01 - Tight end GOAT debate and FOJ AI's Antonio Gates fact-check

1:30:27 - Caleb Williams' injury outlook and the Bears' backup QB options

1:39:22 - Blackhawks, Bulls, and the rest of Chicago sports

1:42:00 - FOJ AI recaps the episode, plus a birthday shoutout

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Jeff and Jason welcome Jason's forty-seven-year friend Bob Russell, a veteran youth football and baseball coach, for FOJ's longest episode yet at two and a half hours. The guys trace Bob and Jason's friendship back to their Green Trails neighborhood, unveil the 3D-printed FOJ Listener of the Year trophy, and dig into youth sports culture: entitled parents, travel ball politics, coaching certification gaps, and the life lessons that matter more than wins. Team USA's FIBA World Cup gold over France gets a quick shout before the guys turn to NFL Week 1, breaking down the Bears' record-setting 59-37 demolition of the Panthers, Caleb Williams' Chicago takeover, Ben Johnson's coaching ceiling, and the rest of the league's opening slate. FOJ AI closes the show with a few thoughts of its own.

00:00 - NFL Week 1 kicks off: football vs. baseball allegiance banter

01:30 - Guest intro: Bob Russell joins the show

01:48 - Bob and Jason's forty-seven-year friendship story

07:52 - How Jeff and Jason started FOJ (Chili's Bowling Brook, Cruz's 50th)

13:00 - FOJ Listener of the Year trophy revealed, nominees explained

17:53 - Early NFL check-in: Vikings blast Packers, JJ McCarthy benched

19:17 - Coaching together on the JR Stars, travel ball structure

20:25 - Travel ball politics and players jumping teams

24:31 - Parents living through their kids, the QB-switch saga

32:11 - Jason's philosophy: sports, life lessons, and "ending on your own terms"

44:05 - Proudest coaching moments: team captains and turning a kid's grades around

55:33 - The text message that "melted" Bob's heart

1:02:07 - What does it actually take to become a youth coach?

1:10:02 - No governing body for travel ball, learning from Saban and Lou Holtz

1:20:36 - When coaching stops being fun: parent drama and burnout

1:22:09 - Jason's path into coaching Bob's team

1:29:09 - Bob's career regret: the Marine Corps advice that steered him from teaching

1:32:56 - "Be better than you are, braver than you are"

1:37:19 - Coaching wisdom: always be coaching, it's okay to get smarter, don't waste my time

1:44:54 - Team USA wins FIBA World Cup gold, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese talk

1:47:38 - Bears 59, Panthers 37: the recap begins

1:52:46 - Bob's Caleb Williams redemption arc and Chicago's new golden era

1:56:18 - Travis Kelce oversaturation and the Chiefs

2:04:16 - Ben Johnson's coaching ceiling and the Bears' shaky defense

2:07:00 - Bears QB history: Trubisky, Erik Kramer, and ghosts of drafts past

2:11:01 - The Harbaugh brothers and a Bo Schembechler recruiting story

2:14:01 - Around the NFL: Rams collapse, Myles Garrett injury, Saints' passing surprise

2:20:19 - Jordan Love's punchable losing face

2:20:41 - NFL honors 9/11 across every stadium

2:27:44 - FOJ AI closes the show and calls out Bob's defense take

2:28:42 - Wrap: Jeff's bocce league debut and sign-off

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Jason closes out an undefeated men's league season, going 23-1 and winning Manager of the Year, and walks Jeff through the title-clinching doubleheader, the ice water bath, and what next year's roster might look like. From there the guys shift into peak baseball season with Pete Crow-Armstrong's 40 homer, 30-30 chase and an MVP debate against Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber, and Shohei Ohtani. A detour into PCA's Hollywood family tree leads into remembering Tim Curry, Hayden Panettiere, and Bears great Matt Suhey. The back half is all Bears: ESPN's playoff odds, the Coby Bryant and Kyler Gordon injuries, a full game by game 2026 schedule debate, and two visits from FOJ AI, who lands on a 10-7 prediction. Caleb Williams stat over/unders, his mustache, and the young Chicago superstar "rat pack" round out the football talk before the guys close with an F Mary Kill on Office Space, Tropic Thunder, and Super Troopers, a reunion story with old Chili's Bolingbrook coworkers, and an update on the FOJ Listener of the Year race.

0:00 Intro and Labor Day catch-up

0:04 Jason's championship recap: 23-1 and Manager of the Year

7:51 Season stats and the 250-plus run differential

10:56 Player poaching and pay-for-play in men's league ball

15:24 League expansion and team fees for next season

17:05 Offseason training plans

19:02 MVP and pitcher shoutouts from the championship run

21:11 Coaching the kids and high school team captains

25:52 Why Jason keeps coaching

28:02 Pete Crow-Armstrong hits 40 home runs

30:09 The NL MVP debate

34:09 The Javy Baez trade that brought PCA to Chicago

35:41 PCA's Hollywood parents and the Heroes connection

39:32 High school reminiscing

42:16 Growing up between Naperville and Rochester

45:37 Remembering Tim Curry and Hayden Panettiere

47:31 Remembering Bears great Matt Suhey

49:23 Bears season preview begins

52:48 Caleb Williams' year three expectations

55:04 Jason's game by game Bears predictions

1:03:24 Jeff's game by game Bears predictions

1:07:57 FOJ AI breaks down the real 2026 schedule

1:11:51 FOJ AI's Bears win total prediction

1:16:56 Is anything short of the playoffs a bust?

1:18:05 Ben Johnson's offense-first blueprint

1:21:08 What Chicago sports radio is saying

1:22:12 Caleb Williams' mustache and Hot Ones

1:24:51 The young Chicago superstar "rat pack"

1:27:44 Does Caleb Williams have a personality problem?

1:32:28 Caleb Williams stat line over/unders

1:37:57 Caleb as the face of the NFL, plus Madden 26

1:39:24 Tecmo Bowl vs NFL 2K5 vs Madden nostalgia

1:41:04 F Mary Kill: Office Space, Tropic Thunder, Super Troopers

1:48:50 Reuniting with old Chili's Bolingbrook friends

1:53:00 Chili's Bolingbrook memories

1:56:10 FOJ Listener of the Year update

1:58:06 Jeff's Chicago and NYC conference schedule

2:01:04 FOJ AI previews Bears-Panthers week one

2:04:45 Wrap-up

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Jeff and Jason catch up after Jeff's trip to the Providence/Foxboro area, where he toured the entertainment complex growing up around Gillette Stadium which was preparing for a Savannah Bananas sellout. Jason's men's league baseball team sweeps into the championship series, and the guys kick around ideas for a real FOJ Cup and Listener of the Year trophy. The bulk of the episode is a live fantasy football snake draft with FOJ AI grading picks, interspersed with Pete Crow-Armstrong's monster August for the Cubs, the Bears trimming their roster to 53 (including the Coby Bryant IR move), Aaron Donald's return to the Rams, and Odell Beckham Jr. making the Giants. Jeff and Jason also swap home-project updates, debate a nightmare-fuel bipedal robot race, remember Dolly Parton, and check in on Jeff's 3D-printed FOJ coins.

0:00 - Gillette Stadium recap and the Savannah Bananas sellout

8:03 - Jason's baseball team sweeps into the championship series

17:15 - FOJ Cup and Listener of the Year trophy talk

21:53 - New iPhone and Apple leasing plans

23:43 - Live fantasy football draft begins

33:53 - Pete Crow-Armstrong's monster August for the Cubs

48:09 - Bears trim their roster to 53

59:10 - Draft resumes: kickers, tight ends, and depth picks

1:06:23 - FOJ AI grades Jason's fantasy roster

1:11:56 - Breaking down the sons' fantasy teams

1:17:42 - Aaron Donald returns to the Rams, Odell Beckham makes the Giants

1:22:13 - Chicago trip, FOJ listener meetup, and coins

1:24:47 - AC installs, power washers, and house projects

1:33:16 - Polestar vs. Rivian street race

1:35:19 - Remembering Dolly Parton

1:38:37 - Jeff's 3D-printed FOJ coins and filament switch mount

1:42:17 - FOJ AI recaps the episode and sign-off

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Jeff and Jason catch up on Jason's men's league baseball playoff run and his CPBL Manager of the Year award, then dig into Bears preseason (Caleb Williams' cameo, Case Keenum), the Deshaun Watson booing controversy, the Myles Garrett trade, and NFL international expansion. A Bears jersey trivia battle leads into Cubs vs. White Sox, headlined by Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic bookend walk-off homers. They talk Jeff's NYC trip, road trips, Joshua's 21st birthday and golf round, the endless Bears stadium saga, and Jeff's 3D-printed FOJ coins, plus early ideas for a "FOJ Cup" and Listener of the Year award.

00:00 - Intro & catching up

00:03 - Jason's baseball playoffs recap

01:07 - Breaking down the semifinal games

05:51 - Jason wins CPBL Manager of the Year

07:42 - Shoutout to listener Phil

08:14 - FOJ listener-of-the-week coins debut

09:34 - Bears preseason: Caleb Williams' cameo

10:57 - Deshaun Watson booed, Browns controversy

13:07 - Watson's guaranteed money & fallout

14:24 - Myles Garrett trade & Browns rebuild

15:39 - NFL's international expansion plans

17:38 - Aussie/rugby players & NFL's global reach

19:19 - Bears #83 trivia: Willie Gault

22:15 - Cubs vs. White Sox series recap

22:33 - Crow-Armstrong's historic walk-offs

25:33 - Cubs/Sox playoff positioning

27:12 - Blackhawks, Bulls camps & "Great Purge"

28:09 - Jeff's NYC trip: clean streets, food

29:53 - NYC boroughs trivia with FOJ AI

32:41 - Is Times Square overrated?

34:53 - NYC travel costs & Utopia Bagels

35:37 - Upcoming Chicago & NYC trip plans

36:20 - FOJ coins heading to Chicago

37:10 - Jason's road trip history

39:21 - Retirement travel dreams

40:34 - Jeremy's visit & 18 holes of golf

41:15 - Joshua's personal-best round

42:47 - Jeff's upcoming Mallorca, Spain trip

43:59 - Friend Chad's anniversary

44:38 - Joshua's 21st birthday plans

45:38 - Flashback: brother Michael's 21st in Vegas

46:26 - Jason's Vegas memories

47:19 - Vegas as a conference destination

48:23 - Bears stadium: Kevin Warren's non-answers

50:16 - Mapping the Hammond, Indiana sites

51:52 - Political fallout if Bears leave Illinois

52:26 - NFL's push to keep Bears in state

53:01 - Jets/Giants-in-New-Jersey comparison

54:07 - Barclays Center & arena relocations

54:52 - NFL/college stadium capacity rankings

56:04 - Highmark Stadium's view controversy

57:00 - Domed vs. outdoor stadiums debate

57:40 - Memorable weather games (Fog Bowl)

58:26 - Bills' snow-shoveling crew callback

59:03 - Jeff's 3D printing deep dive

1:00:00 - How long the coin batch took

1:01:47 - Automated material system & filament

1:02:36 - Print failures & troubleshooting

1:04:17 - QR code keychains & future coin ideas

1:06:08 - Coin size, material & durability

1:06:24 - FOJ Cup & Super Bowl coin-toss pitch

1:07:43 - Brainstorming the FOJ Cup

1:08:27 - FOJ Listener of the Year concept

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