The Morning Shift’s full show on Thursday, December 18th, 2025.

HR1 - Not too many scenarios where Kirk Cousins returns to Falcons next season

In hour one Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac quickly touch on some of the biggest headlines around the local and national sports scene, react to Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel announcing that he’s benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, react to Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo announcing that he plans to enter the transfer portal, explain why they think Philo transferring proves that college players commit to coaches now and not schools, let you hear Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris talk about how the team will talk with quarterback Kirk Cousins after the season about potentially coming back next year, react to what Coach Morris had to say, let you hear some of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins’ conversation with Dukes & Bell yesterday where he’s talking about if he's willing to return to the Falcons next season, react to what Cousins had to say, explain why they think wanting Kirk Cousins back next year after one win is being too reactionary, react to the latest college football headlines, and then close out hour one by diving into the life of Ali Mac in Ali’s Mac Drop!

HR2 - Kirk Cousins mishandling his injuries last season ultimately got him benched

In hour two Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan let you hear some of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins’ conversation with Dukes & Bell yesterday where he’s talking about not realizing he wasn't completely healthy last year, not faulting Raheem Morris for his decision to bench him, and the Falcons’ offense being less complex this year. The Morning Shift crew also reacts to what Cousins had to say, explain why they think Kirk Cousins treating his injuries as singular injuries is what led to his benching, react to the latest news, rumors, and reports in the NFL as they go In The Huddle, react to Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel announcing that he’s benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, let you hear Tua give his thoughts on getting benched, react to what Tua had to say, explain why they think Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa both are at fault for the Dolphins struggles this year, preview some of the first round College Football Playoff matchups, and then close out hour two by diving into The Life of Mike Johnson and getting Mike’d Up!

HR3 - Kyle Pitts’ inconsistency makes it hard for Falcons to justify re-signing him

In hour three Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan spend some time with the Co-Owner and Publisher of Dawgs HQ and Co-Host of The Steakhouse, Rusty Mansell! Ali, Mike, Beau, and Rusty discuss what’s been Rusty’s favorite part about calling and covering some of the Georgia High School football State Championship games this week, Aaron Philo declaring that he’s entering the transfer portal, if a big part of hiring head football coaches in college football these days is what coordinators and players they can bring with them, Oregon Ducks Dante Moore quarterback being ranked ahead of Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton in ESPN’s current Top 50 college football players rankings list, Diego Pavia’s comments after not winning the Heisman Trophy, how Georgia has done a good job of not having players in the headlines about going into the transfer portal, how Rusty feels about the Texas A&M vs. Miami first round College Football Playoff game, and some ACC teams having to play eight conference games next year and some ACC teams having to play nine conference games next year. Then, Mike, Beau, and Ali let you hear some of Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris’ conversation with Dukes & Bell yesterday where he’s talking about facing the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and the challenges they will bring offensively. The Morning Shift crew reacts to what Coach Morris had to say, and then explain why they think the Falcons must be ready to stop the Cardinals' tight end screens to Trey McBride. Mike, Beau, and Ali also explain why they think the Falcons will have too many unknowns next season to re-sign tight end Kyle Pitts, and then close out hour three by diving into the life of Beau “Squidbilly” Morgan in The Life of Squid!

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan react to Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 15, and explain why they think the Falcons will have too many unknowns next season to re-sign Kyle Pitts.

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan let you hear some of Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris’ conversation with Dukes & Bell yesterday where he’s talking about facing the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and the challenges they will bring offensively. Mike, Beau, and Ali also react to what Coach Morris had to say, and then explain why they think the Falcons must be ready to stop the Cardinals' tight end screens to Trey McBride.

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan spend some time with the Co-Owner and Publisher of Dawgs HQ and Co-Host of The Steakhouse, Rusty Mansell! Ali, Mike, Beau, and Rusty discuss what’s been Rusty’s favorite part about calling and covering some of the Georgia High School football State Championship games this week, Aaron Philo declaring that he’s entering the transfer portal, if a big part of hiring head football coaches in college football these days is what coordinators and players they can bring with them, Oregon Ducks Dante Moore quarterback being ranked ahead of Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton in ESPN’s current Top 50 college football players rankings list, Diego Pavia’s comments after not winning the Heisman Trophy, how Georgia has done a good job of not having players in the headlines about going into the transfer portal, how Rusty feels about the Texas A&M vs. Miami first round College Football Playoff game, and some ACC teams having to play eight conference games next year and some ACC teams having to play nine conference games next year.

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan react to Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel announcing that he’s benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, let you hear Tua give his thoughts on getting benched, react to what Tua had to say, and explain why they think Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa both are at fault for the Dolphins struggles this year.

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan react to the latest news, rumors, and reports in the NFL as they go In The Huddle.

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan let you hear some of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins’ conversation with Dukes & Bell yesterday where he’s talking about not realizing he wasn't completely healthy last year, not faulting Raheem Morris for his decision to bench him, and the Falcons’ offense being less complex this year. The Morning Shift crew also reacts to what Cousins had to say, and explain why they think Kirk Cousins treating his injuries as singular injuries is what led to his benching last season.