Footie Award Winners + Hot Takes for 2025!

Summary:

Introduction to the Podcast Episode 00:00

“Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright.”

• The Fantasy Footballers Podcast features hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright, who bring insights into the world of fantasy football.
• They engage their audience with energetic discussions, making listeners feel welcomed right at the start of each episode.

Fantasy Awards Announcement 00:50

“Thousands of you voted for the awards this year, and I am proud to say I don’t know a single winner.”

• The hosts are excited to reveal the winners of their fantasy football awards, with thousands of votes cast by the audience.
• Each host expresses that they have not peeked at the results, maintaining suspense for both themselves and their listeners.
• They humorously acknowledge previous instances where they may have cheated and looked at the results, showcasing their commitment to genuine surprise.

Divisional Playoff Game Reactions 02:00

“Congrats to us. Just took, you know, devastation and chaos and terribleness to get a home playoff game.”

• The discussion shifts to football news, specifically mentioning a home playoff game that the hosts are looking forward to, emphasizing the current struggles of their local team, the Rams.
• The conversation highlights how the circumstances leading to this playoff game were fraught with difficulties, indicating a sense of irony and excitement about the upcoming matchup.

Hot Takes for Next Season 02:47

“Why do we like hot takes so much? Because they’re fun.”

• The hosts delve into the tradition of making bold predictions, or “hot takes,” about the upcoming football season.
• They discuss the anticipation and enjoyment these takes bring to fans, particularly when they turn out to be true, inviting a sense of thrill in predictions.
• The conversation flows to specific players, such as Brian Thomas Jr., whose promising performance leads to speculation about his future stardom alongside other elite receiving talents.

Players to Watch and Future Predictions 04:49

“T. Higgins stays in Cincinnati. Joe Burrow will be the QB one.”

• The conversation touches on expectations for players like T. Higgins and his potential to remain a key player in Cincinnati, supported by quarterback Joe Burrow.
• The hosts outline the importance of strong offensive lines and playmakers for a successful season, hinting at changes that could affect team dynamics.
• As predictions unfold, the hosts build a narrative around future player performance and team outcomes, resonating with fantasy football enthusiasts’ interests.

Mike Tomlin’s Performance and Future as Head Coach 09:58

“Mike Tomlin has not won a playoff game in eight years.”

• The discussion highlights a concerning streak for Mike Tomlin, indicating he hasn’t secured a playoff victory in nearly a decade. This performance is compared unfavorably to the team’s historic coaches, such as Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.
• One panelist expresses a bold prediction that next year could be Tomlin’s final season with the Steelers, emphasizing that the city is growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of wins and competitive play.
• While acknowledging Tomlin’s struggles, the conversation also points out that he has been constrained by the quality of players available to him since Ben Roethlisberger‘s retirement, particularly regarding the quarterback position.
• The sentiments suggest that Tomlin is in a complicated situation, balancing being a competitive coach while also managing a subpar roster, which some believe could lead the team to consider a complete overhaul to improve long-term performance.

The Team’s Current Struggles and Future Potential 10:38

“They’re in purgatory because they will always be a competitive team.”

• The notion of the Steelers being in “purgatory” captures the essence of a franchise stuck between mediocrity and potential. They are seen as perpetually competitive, but not strong enough to be true contenders for playoff dominance.
• The discussion touches on the need for a significant shift in strategy, possibly through a rebuilding phase that Tomlin might resist, given his history of pushing players to maximize their potential even in challenging situations.
• Insights suggest that without a willingness by Tomlin to “tank” for better prospects, the Steelers may remain stuck with players who are not exceptional, leading to a need for substantial changes in coaching tactics or personnel to foster genuine improvements.

Ownership and Management Considerations 18:48

“If I bought a team, I might want to be GM. I might not be good at it, but I probably would think next year I’ll be good at it.”

• The speaker reflects on the notion of owning a sports team and expresses a desire to take an active role as General Manager (GM). Despite acknowledging a lack of experience, there’s an underlying optimism about improving in the role over time. This comments suggests that passion and aspirations can often outweigh initial shortcomings.

Jerry Jones and Team Direction 19:06

“This isn’t money. This was not money. We decided before that.”

• A discussion arises about a statement from Jerry Jones, indicating that a decision made wasn’t financially motivated. The focus here is on the meaning behind official statements and a look into team skirmishes that are often publicly justified through financial narratives when, in reality, personal or strategic reasons may be at play.

Injuries and their Implications in the NFL 19:51

“Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles again. He’s now uncertain to play at all next year.”

• The report on Deshaun Watson’s severe injury highlights the grave implications for both his career and the team’s prospects. The conversation touches on the insurance mechanisms teams have in place for such situations, as well as the applicability of contractual clauses that might void years of service if players do not adhere to recovery protocols.

“Tyreek Hill says now he’s committed to the Dolphins after positive meetings with the team.”

• Tyreek Hill’s recent public declaration of commitment to the Dolphins comes as a response to prior speculation about wanting to leave the team. This demonstrates how player-management dynamics can shift rapidly, influenced by ongoing negotiations and interactions within the team.

Cricketgate and Workplace Humor 22:00

“Cricketgate just happened. Our entire crew almost got fired today…”

• A humorous story emerges about an office prank involving a hidden cricket sound device, which caused frustration among team members. This situation escalated into discussions about staff accountability and morale, showcasing how lighthearted antics can take on exaggerated importance in a workplace environment.

Annual Footie Awards Introduction 25:28

“Welcome to the Annual Footie Award Show, featuring Performance of the Year, The Waiver Wire Wonder…”

• The anticipation builds as the hosts introduce the Annual Footie Awards, which celebrates standout performances and memorable moments from the season. This segment sets the stage for a lively recap of the most impactful achievements and recognitions within their community.

“The winner with 88% of the vote is Christian McCaffrey.”

• Christian McCaffrey is often the top choice in fantasy drafts, consistently demonstrating his value as a premier running back.
• Recent news indicates that McCaffrey is healthy and ready to play if his team makes the playoffs, reinforcing his status as a sought-after first-round pick.
• While it’s noted he may not maintain the number one overall position in drafts, he is expected to remain a top six pick due to his past performance and reliability.

The Poopiest Pants Award Nominees 29:20

“The winner of the poopiest pants award is Travis Etienne with 52% of the vote.”

• The nominees for the Poopiest Pants Award highlight players who significantly underachieved relative to their draft positions, such as Travis Etienne, Marvin Harrison Jr., Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Waddle.
• Travis Etienne received the most votes for his poor performance, which disappointed fantasy managers throughout the season.
• A contributing factor to Etienne’s struggles may have been competition within his own backfield, as players like Tank Bigsby also saw significant involvement.

Undrafted Waiver Wire Wonder 31:38

“The winner is Bucky Irving with 47% of the vote.”

• Bucky Irving was recognized as the top undrafted waiver wire pick, outshining options like Baker Mayfield, who came in second.
• The discussion emphasizes the value of finding late-round running back assets that can significantly contribute to a fantasy team’s success.
• Despite a common belief that early waiver wire pickups tend to be more beneficial, this season deviated from that trend, with later additions proving to be more rewarding.

Fantasy Quarterback of the Year 33:17

“The winner is Jaden Daniels, 39% of the vote.”

• Jaden Daniels triumphed as Fantasy Quarterback of the Year, outperforming established names like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, who were higher draft picks.
• His impressive rookie season, marked by significant contributions and strong performances, positioned him as a valuable late-round find for fantasy owners.
• The votes reflected the impact of draft position and the value gained by picking a quarterback later in the draft.

Fantasy Running Back of the Year 34:57

“The winner is Saquon Barkley with 54% of the vote.”

• Saquon Barkley was recognized as Fantasy Running Back of the Year, illustrating his vital role for fantasy teams throughout the season.
• Jameer Gibbs was the runner-up, but the considerable gap in voting signifies Barkley’s dominance and the impact of his performances.
• The award emphasizes the importance of evaluating both draft positions and overall impact when assessing player value in fantasy sports.

Fantasy Wide Receiver of the Year 35:50

“The winner is Jamar Chase with 49% of the vote.”

• Jamar Chase narrowly secured the title of Fantasy Wide Receiver of the Year, closely followed by Brian Thomas Jr.
• Despite the competitive field, Chase’s performances solidified his key role and contribution to fantasy teams in the league.
• The tight voting indicates that while Chase was a favorite, other contenders also made strong cases for their performances during the season.

Fantasy Tight End of the Year 36:46

“The winner is Brock Bowers with 66% of the vote.”

• Brock Bowers dominated the Fantasy Tight End of the Year award, indicating his emergence as a key player in his position.
• Highlights of his season include strong performances that outshined other notable tight ends, such as George Kittle, who was the runner-up.
• Bowers’ status as a rookie made his achievement even more impressive, showcasing his potential for future seasons.

Player Draft and Breakout Awards 38:22

“Brian Thomas, Jr. was drafted as the wide receiver 47.”

• Brian Thomas, Jr. is highlighted as a significant player in the draft, noted for his position as wide receiver 47.
• There are various rookies under discussion, including Malik Nabors, listed as wide receiver 22, Chase Brown as running back 40, and Chuba Hubbard as running back 43.
• Brock Bowers is acknowledged as tight end 9, drawing attention to his performance.
• When discussing breakout players of the year, consensus seems to favor Brian Thomas, who many believe had a surprising breakout season, receiving significant votes from panelists.

Rookie of the Year and Notable Players 39:17

“Puka Nakua took it home in 2023.”

• The Rookie of the Year award was awarded to Puka Nakua, highlighting his exceptional performance in the season.
• Among the nominees were Jaden Daniels, Brian Thomas, Malik Nabors, Brock Bowers, and Bucky Irving, with Bucky being notably mentioned as undrafted.
• Jaden Daniels emerged as the runner-up with 40% of the vote, while Brian Thomas Jr. received 27%.

Comeback Player of the Year 40:11

“The winner is J.K. Dobbins with 48% of the vote.”

• J.K. Dobbins received the Comeback Player of the Year award, showcasing his return from a challenging Achilles injury.
• Nominees for this award included players like Kareem Hunt, Jonu Smith, and Adam Thielen, each contributing noteworthy performances after setbacks.
• Dobbins’s electrifying return was particularly emphasized, as he significantly impacted fantasy football during the initial weeks following his comeback.

Steal of the Draft 41:05

“Brian Thomas Jr. is the steal.”

• The discussion transitions to identifying the “steal of the draft,” a term used for players who provided exceptional value compared to their average draft position (ADP).
• Brian Thomas Jr. is named the winner of this award, suggesting he vastly exceeded expectations relative to where he was drafted.
• Other nominees include Jaden Daniels, Chase Brown, and Chuba Hubbard, indicating a competitive selection among promising talents.

Playoff King 42:46

“The winner of the playoff king is Jameer Gibbs.”

• Jameer Gibbs was crowned the Playoff King, emphasizing his crucial role in helping fantasy managers reach championship games due to his outstanding performances in weeks 15 through 17.
• Alongside Gibbs, nominees included Jared Goff, Jaden Daniels, Baker Mayfield, and Jonathan Taylor, highlighting a mix of players pivotal during playoff weeks.
• Notably, Gibbs was the most commonly rostered player in fantasy on teams that advanced to championships, underlining his impact.

Nickname of the Year 44:32

“The winner is Laser Mayfield with 77% of the vote.”

• The award for Nickname of the Year went to “Laser Mayfield,” which resonated well with fans and garnered a significant majority in the voting.
• Other fun and creative nominations were presented, including Sam Darnold as the “Prodigal Son” and Jared Goff as “The Dominator.”
• The lively voting process stirred debate about the basis for such nickname awards; some names resonated more due to the performance realities attached.

Show Moment of the Year 46:14

“The championship trolling for Owl was declared the winner.”

• The award for the Show Moment of the Year went to a memorable incident centered around championship trolling, particularly highlighting the community and humor within fantasy leagues.
• Various nominees captured significant moments from the season, including Andy’s antics and humorous exchanges among participants.
• The result reflects the vibrant, often comedic spirit of the fantasy football community, showcasing how these experiences become integral to the overall enjoyment of the league.

A Moment of Celebration and Reflection 48:22

“This guy won the show moment of the year.”

• The hosts excitedly prepare for a significant announcement regarding a contest winner, showcasing a lighthearted and humorous vibe.
• They joke about the winner hitting numerous buttons, signaling a playful atmosphere.
• The featured winner shows great enthusiasm, especially after earning the title of “Show Moment of the Year,” indicating a memorable moment in their series.
• Despite light teasing about needing to improve his performance, the winner is ripe for a triumphant showcase of his personality.

Reacting to a Surprise Appearance 48:25

“I was ready to say Jaden Daniels, and the announcer…”

• The conversation shifts toward their reactions to unexpected moments during the show, particularly focusing on a surprise twist involving a player.
• They discuss how one of the hosts was misled regarding a player, highlighting the cleverness of the setup.
• The mention of player performances suggests a humorous contrast between reality and expectations, adding depth to the overall discussion.

Anticipating Upcoming Content 50:38

“The Truth series episodes are coming up.”

• The hosts relay their eagerness for the upcoming “Truth Series,” which will explore player performances and expectations in detail.
• There’s a hint of drama as they mention that Kyler Murray‘s situation is complicated, setting the stage for some in-depth analysis.
• They also introduce a new category idea for player evaluation, called “Bummer of the Year,” indicating a humorous but critical approach to analyzing player disappointments.