Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show
5 On It: What will be the key statistic in the Bears-Rams game?
15 Jan 2026
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
It's time for Five On. Layla Rahimi and Marshall Harris with Mark Grote. Bringing you five topics on their mind today. On Chicago Sports Radio 670 The Score. I got five on it. Number one.
It's a special edition of Five On. We've got Layla Rahimi, Marshall Harris, and CHSN's Clay Harbor all in the house. And this is an amazing Chicago Sports Week. Bears are in the playoffs. The Cubs introduced third baseman Alex Bregman. Before we get into it all, Got to let you know, Spiegel and Holmes will broadcast live from Cubs Convention tomorrow afternoon from 2 to 6.
And they have a star-studded lineup. The man himself, Alex Bregman, will join the show at 4.45 at 5 o'clock. Second baseman, Nico Horner. And 5.15, manager Craig Council. So Spiegel and Holmes, Cubs Convention tomorrow, 2 to 6. Don't miss it. Now here's question number one. What were your takeaways from the Cubs introductory press conference for Alex Bregman?
I still don't know who's playing where in the infield. So that's that's cool. That tells me that maybe there is an awkward conversation that hasn't happened yet. I don't know if that happens at Cubs convention, because as I said, I think in the hour that we followed the Alex Bregman press conference, we seem to kind of figure out people's roles throughout the season.
So that may be the case here as far as seeing how that goes. Jed Hoyer even went so far as to bring up the 2016 team and how they had players playing all over the diamond who were versatile. Javi Baez was the example that was most notable. But if I had to guess, Alex Bregman's probably the everyday third baseman. It's just a matter of how they want to use Matt Shaw.
But the problem is Matt Shaw's greatest value to this team is still his defense at third base, although his offense made leaps and bounds in the second half of the season.
My biggest takeaway is this. Playoff dreams are no longer deferred. Salaries now are. And that's a new way of doing business for the Chicago Cubs. And that's a good way of doing business for the Chicago Cubs. Don't know what's going to happen with the 2027 work stoppage on the horizon. But I can tell you this. It seems like whatever conversations need to be had last summer between Jed Hoyer,
in between Crane Kenny, in between ultimately Tom Ricketts, got had in a way that they understand that this is the future. This is the only way they're going to be able to compete with other big market teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers who have shown they'll defer it all for a chance to win World Series after World Series after World Series.
And now maybe the Cubs can sneak into what should be a Dodgers dynasty window.
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Chapter 2: What are the highlights from the Cubs introductory press conference for Alex Bregman?
What I noticed about him throughout that whole offseason of training and the six games with the Pats, he kept that six-round draft pick chip on his shoulder. He's the second pick in the draft. He's keeping it on his shoulder. And the other thing is, nine consecutive... Playoff appearances, this guy is a winner. He knows how to play baseball. He's a winner, and that matters.
Sometimes the stats aren't quantifiable. You can't quantify what it takes to be a winner. This guy is someone you want in your franchise.
You're right about that. I think that was important to this team.
Number two. On a scale of one to ten on the we should have created this sooner pedimeter trademark, rate what Sean McVay said to reporters yesterday about Matt LaFleur.
Matt LaFleur, obviously, King and Green Bay, and my thing on your staff, he's played Ben Johnson three times this year.
What would you guess? Now, you know what? We watch the tape, we do our work, and Matt is a very close friend of mine.
So that's Rams coach Sean McVay being asked if he spoke to Packers coach Matt LaFleur. So that was his answer. So on a scale of 1 to 10, on the Pedimeter trademark, give us your number.
My number's a three. I didn't... Like, I understood the intent behind the question to try to uncover what kind of disarray there is and what kind of connection the LaFleurs have. Obviously, one of the LaFleurs is actually on Sean McVay's staff, so it makes sense. But the way he answered was pretty... Typical answer. This is what you expect. They're friends.
He knows them, but he didn't fire like a shot across the bow at, you know, the head coach of the Chicago Bears, Ben Johnson. I think any firing of shots will be done on the playing surface between the lines on Sunday evening.
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Chapter 3: What did Sean McVay say about Matt LaFleur and their friendship?
So I think that's just a tough place right now. I don't know if I'm going with that one. I think the next team to hire a head coach might be the Dolphins. Where are they going?
I'm pretty sure they were the mystery team for John Harbaugh, so that's out.
I like the idea of Kevin Stefanski in Miami. I can see that. I just like that idea. Fresh start, very much change of climate. And then he gets to work with that offense and gets what they need with the help of a front office. And I think they can figure some things out.
I could see a guy that said, you know, we will be back next week in the Green Bay Packers. Jeff Halfley has a chance to be a head coach. He's going to get a lot of looks. The guy's schemes have been great. I know we don't like them guys in Chicago. That was well reported on this last week. But I think Halfley's a guy that we could maybe see with the Raiders, with the Cardinals. He's young.
He's got a great defensive scheme. He knows what he's doing. I think he would be a good fit there. And I think a dark horse guy that I like is Jesse Minter, the D.C. for the Chargers. The Chargers' defense this year, offense, didn't look good. Dustin Herbert still has as many playoff wins as us.
A lot of injuries to the offensive line.
A lot of injuries to the line. But I think that Jesse Minter is one of those dark horse candidates. And a local guy, a U of I guy. I don't know if this is realistic or not. Nathan Schielhaus. Passing game coordinator for the Rams passing game coordinator, younger candidate, but he's getting a lot of noise, a lot of talk about him becoming a head coach, even before he's called to play.
So that's another dark horse candidate, and I wouldn't be surprised if he lands somewhere like, say, Miami.
Jeff Halfley interviewed with the Falcons, by the way. That's the latest report, too. So that's reported and out there. That could be a possibility.
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