Molly & Jim

Jim Rutledge & Molly Brown are back from the ESPN Chicago studio as their digital-advertising business trip rolls into Day 2 in the Windy City! It's also Day 5 of Matt LaFleur contract watch -- so why is there still no news....? They discuss the latest of ESPN's Adam Schefter, the money and number of years that could be holding up a deal, and where LaFleur stacks up against the NFL's best and highest-paid coaches. They ask today's Siding Unlimited poll question -- Does Matt LaFleur deserve to be the highest-paid coach in the NFL? Before that, they recap Day 2 of their sleepy digital advertising learning sessions and what Molly learned about Jim's "slobbish" hotel habits, leading to today's other Siding Unlimited poll question -- Do you hang the Do Not Disturb sign if you’re staying in a hotel for more than one night? They also tease an appearance from Jim's daughters, who be in studio tomorrow to help pay off their facepaint and nail-painting bets from the Packers-Bears series! Evan Cohen of Unsportsmanlike joins Jim & Molly as they hold it down on Day 5 of Matt LaFleur contract watch! They discuss what Matt LaFleur actually deserves from the Packers — and should Green Bay make him the highest-paid coach in the NFL? Evan also teases that something could be coming soon, and he validates Molly's feelings of doubt in DC Jeff Hafley's stock as a head-coach candidate! The also dive why Evan wouldn't take Matt LaFleur over ANY of the other coaches in the NFC North, how much responsibility falls on the coaching staff vs. roster construction for their playoff flameout, and why the Packers don’t feel as “nasty” or intimidating as their NFC North rivals. Do the Packers need an IDENTITY CHANGE at head coach?

Mark Tauscher joins Jim & Molly to discuss the lingering contract negotiations for Matt LaFleur & the Packers. They also get into Ben Johnson saying BLEEP the Packers after their playoff game, the criticism's of LaFleur's in-game coaching, the weak identity of his, and whether he'd be the best candidate on the open market right now. They also discuss what was most to blame for the Packers' playoff loss to the Bears -- the offense, defense or special teams?

Jim Rutledge & Molly Brown roll into Hour 2 as they broadcast from ESPN Chicago for today and tomorrow's shows! They continue discussing today's Siding Unlimited poll question surrounding the ongoing contract extension talks between Matt LaFleur and the Packers (and why it hasn't gotten done yet): Who needs who more -- LaFluer or the Packers? They also turn the attention to GM Brian Gutekunst and his culpability for the team's failings at the end of the season & in the playoffs! Also, what if contract talks are taking so long because new president Ed Policy wants to put the GM back in charge of the head coach? They dive deeper into the importance of having good GM-HC alignment when building a roster & culture. Mark Tauscher joins Jim & Molly to discuss the lingering contract negotiations for Matt LaFleur & the Packers. They also get into Ben Johnson saying BLEEP the Packers after their playoff game, the criticism's of LaFleur's in-game coaching, and whether he'd be the best candidate on the open market right now. They also discuss what was most to blame for the Packers' playoff loss to the Bears -- the offense, defense or special teams? During Throwing Stones, they take aim at Giannis booing fans during last night's blowout home loss to the Timberwolves -- which was LAME AF! Are we OUT on Giannis???

Jim Rutledge & Molly Brown broadcast live from the ESPN Chicago studios as they are in the city for an EXCITING digital advertising conference! They discuss the ongoing silence surrounding Matt LaFleur's contract negotiations with the Packers as he heads into the final, lame-duck year of his deal -- What is taking so long??? They hear the latest from ESPN Insider Adam Schefter on Jen, Gabe & Chewy, and they discuss what could be holding up a resolution four days after the end of the season and after the reports that both sides wanted to get something done! First, they recount the actual exciting parts of their drive down to the Windy City together, including their return visit to the Weiner Circle, Stan's Donuts and more of Jim's anxiety-inducing driving and parking in his big blue truck from Symdon Chevy in Mt. Horeb! Jim also describes how they created new acronyms for each member of the show, and he finds a new favorite jacket -- a MEAT JACKET -- laying around the ESPN Chicago studio! They discuss the comments from Schefter and get into today's Siding Unlimited poll question: Who needs who more -- the Packers or LaFleur? Would MLF be the hottest candidate market on the head-coaching market, and how would Green Bay compare in terms of desirability relative to the openings with the Steelers and Ravens? During Minute to Win It, Jim & producer Primetime quiz Molly on the NFL's 9 HC vacancies after Mike Tomlin stepped down yesterday!

Jason Wilde joins Jim & Molly to continue the conversation about the end of the Green Bay Packers' season at the hands of the division-rival Bears in the playoffs! Jason pushes back against Jim's take from Monday that Jordan Love was "insignificant" in the 2nd half of the loss, and why it doesn't feel like the loss will cost Matt LaFleur his job anymore. They also discuss the other hot candidates on the head coaching market like John Harbaugh and Mike Tomin as well as the Packers' trend of offering a small salary pool for assistants. Why does he have a hard time seeing Ed Policy hiring Harbaugh to work with Gutey, and where is Jeff Hafley's stock after giving up 25 points in the 4th quarter?

Jim Rutledge & Molly Brown roll into Hour 2 after their conversation with Jason Wilde about the end of the Packers' season and the futures for Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley! Before pivoting to the end of Aaron Rodgers' season (and maybe career) after the Steelers' playoff loss last night, they tease their upcoming trip to Chicago for a fun an exciting digital advertising event -- why isn't Jim trying to make any new friends, and Molly gives him advice for a good Netflix recommendation! They hear Aaron Rodgers' vote of support for Mike Tomlin and Matt LaFleur last night before Tomlin stepped down with the Steelers today -- THINGS ARE LIKE OLD MAN RODGERS' DAYS! During Throwing Stones, Jim gives PR 101 for the rest of Rodgers' postgame press conference, including cursing out a reporters' question, whether this was his last game, and one last "underhanded" shot at the Jets! They wrap up with a final tease of what's to come on the show while Jim & Molly broadcast from Chicago over the next 2 days!

Jim Rutledge & Molly Brown are back after another 24 hours removed from the end of the Packers' season against the Chicago Bears. They continue revisiting the loss, including Jim's emotionally uncomfortable & conversationally awkward experience watching the game at his very non-tech savvy parents' home! He describes the new facts he learned in his father's adventures/escapades of nearly getting fooled by telephone scammers -- with a phone call that lasted EVEN LONGER than he was previously led to believe! He also paints the picture of the different themed rooms in his childhood home and the many TVs all playing the same thing, but out of sync... He also gives more dazzling details from watching the Packers-Bears game with his sauced dad, his awkward mom, and his overly-emotional brother! Jason Wilde joins Jim & Molly to continue the conversation about the end of the Green Bay Packers' season at the hands of the division-rival Bears in the playoffs! Jason pushes back against Jim's take from Monday that Jordan Love was "insignificant" in the 2nd half of the loss, and why it doesn't feel like the loss will cost Matt LaFleur his job anymore. They also discuss the other hot candidates on the head coaching market like John Harbaugh and Mike Tomin as well as the Packers' trend of offering a small salary pool for assistants. Why does he have a hard time seeing Ed Policy hiring Harbaugh to work with Gutey, and where is Jeff Hafley's stock after giving up 25 points in the 4th quarter?

Jim Rutledge & Molly Brown roll into Hour 2 as they continue reacting to the Packers' BRUTAL collapse in their 31-27 loss to the Bears in the wild-card round... They continue reviewing the results of today's Siding Unlimited poll question - Does Jordan Love deserve any blame for Saturday’s PLAYOFF COLLAPSE vs the Bears - and some of the outstanding injuries coming out of Saturday night. Matt Hamilton joins LIVE from his ALLEGED movie shoot in Canada to review our Don't Quote Me predictions from ahead of Saturday's game - Molly and Matt killed it with their predictions, but who cares when Jim's team ultimately won... Plus, how did Jordan Love perform compared to Caleb Williams, how far can the Bears go, and what will Aaron Rodgers in his playoff game with the Steelers tonight? They skip ahead to Throwing Stones with a surprise for Mrs. Steal Your Take, Molly Brown, who might not have been wrong but just early with her take that Jeff Hafley coached himself out of a head coach position this hiring cycle -- Did LaFleur or Hafley do a better job handling injuries on their respective side of the ball this season? They wrap up teasing a conversation for tomorrow about if the Packers should move on from LaFleur or the top candidate on the coaching market -- John Harbaugh!

Jim Rutledge & Molly Brown are back after the Packers vs Bears Wild-Card -- and it's a PAINFUL Loser Jim Wins Monday after the Packers COLLAPSE 31-27 in the playoffs... They react to the unimaginable (but not shocking) playoff loss, as the Packers blew a 21-3 halftime lead. Molly & Jim their Rollercoaster of Emotions from watching the game, including the ANGER after the Packers couldn't do what the Bears did all season in closing a game late. Jim shares some empathy as a Bears fans who's felt this pain, and he describes the experience from watching the game at his parents' home before emptying his notebook from the game, including why it doesn't feel like Jordan Love is getting enough blame while EVERYONE seems to be calling for Matt LaFleur's job! They ask today's Siding Unlimited poll question -- Does Jordan Love deserve any blame for Saturday’s PLAYOFF COLLAPSE vs the Bears? They also hear a question from JM&M caller Brandon in Tulsa, who wants to know why opposing coaches like Ben Johnson feel like they push LaFleur and this Packers team around? They discuss the lack of identity around LaFleur & whether this team has the right leadership both on the roster and in LaFleur's coaching staff! They wrap up juxtaposing LaFleur's strategy for assembling a coaching staff compared to other successful HCs!

Jason Wilde joins Jim & Molly as he pushes HARD against Molly's take that Jeff Hafley might've coached himself out a head-coaching position! Why does Jason disagree with her take that Hafley hasn't done enough to keep this defense from falling off without Micah, why was Mike McCarthy similarly unproven when he was a head-coaching candidate, and is it wrong to prefer offensive head coaches over defensive coordinators like Hafley? Jim also asks how important this game will be for both Hafley and Matt LaFleur -- especially if it's the last we see of them this season!