First Take

ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Shae Cornette

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

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88 episodes
Avg 45 min
English

Episodes 88

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August 24 · 47 min
Hour 1: Deshaun Watson Named Browns Starting QB
First Take begins with a simply BLASPHEMOUS decision by the Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson takes the reins week one in an attempt to finally prove to the Browns he can play QB. Is he deserving of a 6th chance, or are the Browns making a monumental mistake by not starting Shedeur? Then, Ben Johnson seemed irrationally angry at Caleb Williams for missing Colston Loveland on a simple seam route. Are his comments something or nothing? Next, how confident are you in the Bucs this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 21 · 45 min
Hour 2: Did Mendoza or Stroud Shine Brighter?
First Take resumes with Mendoza vs. Stroud! Which QB impressed our experts more? Then, LSU alum Swagu picks their schedule! You'll be SHOCKED to see which game he has them losing! Next, Jerry Jones speaks up on fighting! He will fine any Cowboy responsible for causing a ruckus at joint practices! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 21 · 48 min
Hour 1: Are Raiders Right To Keep Starting QB In The Dark?
First Take begins with the Raider rumination! Mendoza or Kirk? Number one overall pick, or 15 year veteran? With subpar o-line play and an abysmal receiving core, is it better to keep Mendoza sidelined until his team improves, assuring the young Hoosiers' confidence isn't flushed down the MGM Grand drain? Then, Kevin Clark picks the Cowboys schedule! How many more losing season can Jerry suffer? Next, Dan Campbell's time is running low. Jared Goff racks up top 10 QB stats annually, while Jahmyr Gibbs is the top fantasy prospect in the league! Yet, the Lions still haven't reached a Super Bowl... Is this the year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 20 · 46 min
Hour 2: Are The Eagles or Patriots More Dangerous?
First Take begins with the NFC's and AFC's most dangerous offenses! Which team will convert more explosive plays, more 60 yd runs, more trick plays leading to wide open touchdowns: Patriots or Eagles? Then, perhaps our overindulgence into the Vikings electric QB battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy has us forgetting about their immense untapped potential as NFC contenders? Next, Jordan Rodgers picks Texas's schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 20 · 47 min
Hour 1: Why Does Jalen Hurts Hate A.J. Brown?
First Take begins the Patriots and Eagles joint practice! Quinyon Mitchell shutdown former teammate A.J. Brown. Jalen Hurts refused to exchange pleasantries with his former star WR teammate. Beef! Why do these two have so much disdain for one another? Then, Shedeur's upcoming preseason start! Here's the scenario: one QB is coming off of a mediocre rookie season making 5th round money. The other is coming off of 6 straight mediocre seasons and two torn ACLs but makes $50,000,000. Which one should start? Next, Myron Medcalf weighs in on the NCAA granting players who participated in training camps the option to go back to school! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 19 · 47 min
Hour 2: Do You Consider Jordan Love A Great QB?
First Take resumes with an all-time Jordan Love debate! Is he Good? Great? Elite? Trash? Mediocre? Is not having him in your top ten blasphemous? Then, Roger Goodell has "no doubt" about an NFL team being based outside of the USA within a few years. Are we pro or anti expansion? Next, Mad Dog is MAD at Jayden Daniels number issue, Tyrese Haliburton's unrealistic outlook on his small market, finals choking Pacers, and Little League teams treating a New Jersey slugger like he's prime Melky Cabrera! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 19 · 46 min
Hour 1: Can Mahomes Lead Chiefs On A Deep Run?
First Take begins with pondering Mahomes greatness! Can the three time Super Bowl champion really lead the Chiefs back? Then, are the Browns a QB away from dominating the AFC? Next, can Jalen Hurts lead the Eagles on a Super Bowl run? Considering he has a super team around him, what happens if the Eagles don't impress? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 18 · 46 min
Hour 2: Is The Cowboys Defense Good Enough?
First Take resumes with fresh Cowboys takes. They've already added numerous pieces to their defense through free agency and the draft, but is it enough? Is another massive trade looming? Then, PGA superstar Chris Gotterup joins to break down his FedExCup Playoffs performance. Next, CC picks Bama's gauntlet of a schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 18 · 47 min
Hour 1: What's Your Biggest Gripe With AP Preseason Poll?
First Take begins with another UnSportsmanLike takeover! CC and Evan are here to sling takes, give us NCAAF cupcakes, and dive into Lakers snakes. Where did the AP poll get it wrong? Then, Jeanie Buss is on the outs as her family overruled her and sold the Buss stake in the Lakers. Now, as Jeanie contests the sale, we deep dive where it all went wrong in LA. Next, CC picks the Chiefs schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 17 · 47 min
Hour 2: Is Brown's QB Race Still a Debate?
First Take begins with the never ending, always intriguing Browns QB race! Did Shedeur or Deshaun take the lead after preseason week 1? Then, can Burrow and the Bengals afford another slow start, or would 0-3 out of the gates officially bury this era of Bengals ball? Next, what happens if Josh Allen doesn't win the Super Bowl this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 17 · 47 min
Hour 1: Is The NFL Out To Get Jaxson Dart?
First Take begins with preseason football! Jaxson Dart impressed in his 2026 debut with a rifle off platform touchdown pass to rookie Malachi Fields, but took another big hit and wound up in the blue tent. Postgame, he noted that NFL doctors seem to only take major precautions with him! Is Dart correct? Then, Kevin Clark has the Rams winning 15 games!! Next, are the Bears the team to beat in a loaded NFC North? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 14 · 49 min
Hour 2: How Do Professional Athletes Overcome Fear?
First Take resumes with an underwhelming Titans debut. Cam Ward struggled to find Carnell Tate in their first game together. What has to change for them to find their groove? Then, Steve Smith Sr. and Chris Canty tell us how athletes overcome fear! Next, are you buying the Rams as overwhelming Super Bowl favorites? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 14 · 46 min
Hour 1: Can Joe Burrow Overcome Offensive Line Woes?
First Take begins with the Bengals preseason opener! Joe Burrow's offensive line failed him yet again, as he faced numerous pressures and even took a sack in his one quarter of action. Are we staring down the barrel of another disappointing Bengals season due to subpar o-line play? Then, Drew Allar balled out in his preseason debut for the Steelers, tossing two touchdowns and adding another on the ground. Should Aaron Rodgers be worried about Allar lurking in the shadows, awaiting his opportunity to overtake the ole' gunslinger as QB1? Next, DanO picks the Colts schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 13 · 46 min
Hour 2: Who's Going To Show Out In Tonight's Loaded Preseason Slate?
First Take resumes with a loaded slate of preseason football! Are you looking forward to Carson Beck potentially repeating his stellar HOF game performance? Do you want to know if Carnell Tate is next up in a line of insane Ohio State WRs? Or, are you more of a Bengals watcher, patiently awaiting Joe Burrow's tight spirals and Tee Higgins' circus catches? Then, Perk reveals his top 5 point guards of all time! You'll be shocked to see where Frank Howard lands! Next, Jayden Daniels can't believe his alma mater, LSU, is giving a current player his number! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 13 · 47 min
Hour 1: How Should Russell Westbrook Be Remembered?
First Take begins with Big Perk reminiscing about his old triple double machine of a teammate and godfather to his child! Always on full-go. Always driving manically to the rim, yet finishing with the grace of Jalen Brunson. After two decades of lending his entire mind, body and soul to the game of basketball, we give Brodie his flowers <3. Then, DanO is the latest NFL guru to tell everyone Jalen Hurts isn't in the top tier of QBs! Will we ever listen, or continue bringing up his Super Bowl run from two years ago? Next, DanO predicts the Chargers schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 12 · 50 min
Hour 2: How Many Game Will The Vikings Win This Season?
First Take resumes with Evan Cohen! UnSportsmanLike's premier host dishes on the Vikings win total, Kyler vs. J.J. and Jordan Love's win%. Then, are we underrating the Eagles offense? Their QB can't complete a pass between the numbers and they lost their number one receiver to the Pats, but could they outdo our expectations? Next, the Super Bowless QBs; who are you picking out of Lamar, Burrow, and Allen to win a ring first? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 12 · 50 min
Hour 1: Are The Vikings Correct to start Kyler Over J.J. McCarthy?
First Take begins with the Vikings announcing Kyler Murray as their week 1 starter! Can he take them to the playoffs, and how does this affect former 1st round pick J.J. McCarthy? Then, the Rays lead the Yankees in the AL East, but the Evil Empire is still favored to come out of the lackluster American League. Why? Next, noted Bears fanatic Shae Cornette predicts their daunting schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 11 · 50 min
Hour 2: What's At Stake For Jordan Love This Season?
First Take resumes with Green Bay's monstrous season! What happens to Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love if Green Bay misses the playoffs? Then, are you taking the Rams or the field? Aaron Donald, Myles Garrett, Matt Stafford??? Who's picking against this super team? Next, O Schrag's top 5 impact rookies heading into the NFL season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 11 · 50 min
Hour 1: Does Micah's Absence Change Your View of The Packers?
First Take begins with a shaky start to the Packers season. A brutal schedule plus Micah Parsons most likely sitting until at least week 6 puts all of the pressure right on Jordan Love's shoulders! UnSportsmanLike's Evan Cohen goes off on the Green Bay's analytics darling! Next, UnSportsmanLike's Chris Canty threw a take into the ether: Patrick Mahomes has clearly declined. We respond! Next, Open Champion Ryan Fox gives us an update on life since joining the illustrious and exclusive club of one-time major winners! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 10 · 46 min
Hour 2: Which Eagles Offensive Player Must Show Up This Year?
First Take begins with the always controversial Eagles! Their 2026 journey begins without A.J. Brown, and WITH added pressure on Jalen Hurts after every exec and scout slammed his quarterbacking prowess this offseason. Devonta Smith is a WR 1 for the first time, and Saquon needs to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Which Eagles player needs to have a big season the most? Then, with Mahomes returning from injury and the Chiefs adding zero offensive weapons, what are fair expectations for them? Next, should Deshaun Watson start week 1 over Shedeur? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Showing 41–60 of 88 episodes