First Take

First Take

First Take is always a heated discussion as Stephen A. Smith and guests debate about the day's top stories.

Episodes

January 22, 2026 46 mins
First Take resumes with Buss family infighting. How did a family feud drive the Lakers into selling, and will this be LeBron's last year as a Laker? (0:00) Then, after the Rams and Seahawks split their season series, which powerhouse does a third matchup favor? (14:30) Next, strengths collide when Kayshon Boutte and the Patriots offense meet Pat Surtain and the Broncos defense. Who has the edge? (28:10) Learn more about your ad cho...
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First Take begins with Brian Windhorst and Stephen A. on Giannis's best options moving forward. Should Milwaukee trade for another star, or ship him out? (0:00) Then, RC and DanO address SAS Broncos comments from yesterday. (14:45) Next, the Steelers interviewed Mike McCarthy for their open head coaching position. Is he a good fit? (43:10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with the undermanned Broncos. Put a number on it. What percent chance do you give them to win? (0:00) Next, Mel Kiper has Fernando Mendoza going number one to the Raiders in his latest mock draft. Would he be a good fit for Las Vegas? Then, Mad Dog is mad at Sean Mcvay, DJ Moore, and Broncos-Bills refs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take begins with Mad Dog's return, and he is fired up! You have to hear his defense of Josh Allen! (0:00) Then, Bills owner Terry Pegula is blaming Sean McDermott for drafting Keon Coleman. Supposedly, Brandon Beane didn't want him! Only the coaching staff did. What in the world is going on in Buffalo? (28:00) Next, Mad Dog gives us his top 5 most improbable champions in sports history! Can you guess who is number one? Hint: ...
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First Take resumes with Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, and Jeremy Shockey down in the dumps after Fernando Mendoza late game heroics. Is the U back despite losing a heartbreaker to Indiana? (0:00) Next, Sam Darnold threw 6 INTs in 2 regular season games vs the Rams. How concerning are his previous struggles going into a Sunday night NFC showdown. (16:00) Then, with Jimmy Butler's ACL injury keeping him out for the rest of the year, shou...
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First Take begins with a wild finish at the CFP championship game! Indiana took home a third straight title for the Big Ten. Has the college football landscape officially shifted away from a dominant SEC, to an up-and-coming Big Ten? (0:00) Next, the last two MVPs are now coachless. Which job should free agent coaches value more: Buffalo or Baltimore? (22:50) Then, we grade the other head coaching acquisitions including Robert Sal...
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First Take resumes with Stephen A. going in on the Bills! They fired their head coach, but promoted their GM? Huh??? Then, how well does Carson Beck need to play against Indiana to give Miami a shot? Next, Mark Cuban on his relationship with Curt Cignetti and the IU football program! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take begins with more NFL coaching moves. Sean McDermott is out in Buffalo after another playoff heartbreaker. Then, Tim Tebow gives us his Indiana vs. Miami pick. Next, we break down CJ Stroud's all time stinker vs the Patriots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with a monster QB matchup in Chicago. Temperatures will be cold, but these QBs are bold. Will you be surprised if the young QB outplays the old? (0:00) Then, the crew makes their Patriots-Texans picks. (15:10) Next, Chris Fowler joins to explain just how improbable this CFP National Championship matchup is between Miami And Indiana. (21:15) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take begins with Sam Darnold's oblique. RC and Cam aren't buying this late week injury! (0:00) Then, Stephen A. brings up the NIGHTMARE scenario for Miami: getting blown out by Indiana on their home turf! (24:40) Next, Josh Allen leads an injury plagued Bills squad into Mile High. Will he leave victorious, or suffer another postseason disappointment? (44:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with setting fair expectations for John Harbaugh in his first year with the G-Men. (0:00) Then, Josh Pate makes the case for Miami competing with Indiana in a galvanic Championship matchup! (15:20) Next, how confident are you that C.J. Stroud will bounce back after a miserable performance against the Steelers? (24:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take begins with a midnight bombshell! The Giants are set to hire John Harbaugh. Will he immediately change the culture in the Meadowlands from trash, to bold and brash? (0:00) Then, will Caleb William's hot streak continue against a beatable Rams defense? (31:00) Next, with his entire receiving core on IR, how concerned should we be about Josh Allen and the Bills? (42:20) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...
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First Take begins with Stephen A.'s top 5 NFL coaching openings and, more importantly, a 10/10 Mad Dog impression! (0:00) Then, with Harbaugh out in Baltimore, who should the Ravens pair with Lamar Jackson to ensure success through the rest of the decade? (9:50) Next, Rich Paul said on his podcast that the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves. LeBron disagrees. Stephen A. breaks down LeBron distancing himself from his own agent! (29:4...
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First Take begins with an AFC North coaching carousel. Tomlin steps down, Harbaugh and Stefanski are fired. What does Stephen A. have to say about all of these coaches on the move? (0:00) Then, the Eagles finally let go of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Will this fix their offensive issues, and Swagu wants to trade who?? (27:30) Next, the Patriots and Texans came away with easy wild card weekend victories. Which team's domina...
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First Take begins with strong words from Aaron Rodgers on Mike Tomlin, Matt LaFleur, and NFL television coverage. Stephen A. speaks on the media not knowing what they're talking about when it comes to coach hirings and firings. (0:00) Then, the Bills opened up as 1.5 point favorites against the Broncos. It's since flipped to Broncos -1.5, but which team deserves to be favored in this mile high matchup? (14:10) Next, Stephen A. lis...
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January 13, 2026 48 mins
First Take begins with a 7th straight Steel City stinker! Aaron Rodgers danced his way right into the arms of a suffocating Texans defense! Should he play another year, or ride off into the caves of Oregon... (0:00) Then, Ben Johnson will NOT apologize for his expletive laced Packers rant and quick handshake. Is he singlehandedly bringing NFL rivalries back? (25:30) Next, Hurts stock fell out of the Q&B 32 top 10 list, but is now t...
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First Take resumes with Wild Card Weekend losers. We check if the Packers or Eagles need to make drastic changes this offseason. (0:00) Then, would you rather have Rodgers or Stroud for Monday Night's monster matchup! (15:45) Next, Josh Allen donned his cape, battled against the villainous Jaguars, and left Jacksonville victorious. Will Superman finally reach a Super Bowl this year. (24:40) Finally, RC gives Steelers fans a MAJOR p...
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First Take is live from Pittsburgh! Steelers fans are waving their Terrible Towels and can't WAIT to hear about the Eagles massive loss to the 49ers. Their season came to a painful end, but the drama is just beginning! How much blame does A.J. Brown deserve? (0:00) Then, did Caleb Williams prove he's an elite QB with his big comeback victory against the Packers? (21:50) Next, Pittsburgh mayor Corey O'Connor joins to talk about the ...
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First Take resumes with a CFP title drought! 3 seasons have past since we last saw an SEC team play for the CFB crown. Is the changing landscape of college football good or bad? (0:00) Then, the Rams are heavy favorites against the Panthers who beat them in the regular season! Should Stafford and McVay be nervous? (15:30) And, Chris Fowler joins to take us through an all time Fiesta Bowl from his vantage point in the booth! (23:40)...
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First Take begins with Ole Miss-Miami reaction and remembrance of an up and down season in Oxford! (0:00) Then, is Josh Allen's legacy on the line Sunday against the Jaguars? (26:10) And, with all other bye teams out, how disappointing would it be if Indiana doesn't win the CFP? (41:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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