Days after trading starting QB Geno Smith, the Seahawks found his replacement Monday by agreeing to terms with Vikings free agent Sam Darnold. We debate the chances of Darnold being an upgrade on Smith and why the process might be good either way, plus react to Sunday’s trade sending WR DK Metcalf to the Steelers.
The Seahawks shocked us Friday by trading quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he’ll reunite with Pete Carroll, for a third-round pick. We discuss possible replacements for Geno, including free agent Sam Darnold, as well as the overall direction of the franchise.
We react to Wednesday’s news that Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has requested a trade entering the final season of his contract, which came hours after the Seahawks released veteran WR Tyler Lockett. Plus a look at UW women’s basketball making a statement by beating Minnesota in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament.
The Steve Scheffler episode considers the calm before the storm in Seattle sports as we await a crucial Big Ten tournament matchup for the UW women against Minnesota, the Sounders taking on Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the start of NFL free agency next week. Plus we discuss more records for UW’s twin pole vault stars and confusing reporting on DK Metcalf and the Packers.
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Intro – Toasting to UW standouts 14:40 – Tristan “fixes” the sport of basketball 39:51 – NHL trade deadline looming, Sounders advance in CCC but struggling in MLS 46:08 – Assessing where UW women’s basketball stands on the bubble 55:40 – Who’s likely coming back and going for the Seahawks
In honor of Diana Taurasi’s retirement, we discuss whether she’s the greatest “villain” in Seattle sports history before considering Andres Munoz’s new change-up, UW men’s basketball all but being eliminated from the Big Ten tournament, Seahawks news from the NFL Draft combine and more obscure Sonics retro trade grades.
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Intro – The Bobby Wagner edition 11:45 – Who are other great Seattle sports villains besides Taurasi? 34:40 – Final week of Seattle Burger Month 39:55 – M’s not takes: Find a new slant 45:30 – Tristan looking for an NHL bandwagon, Sounders poised to advance in CONCACAF Champions Cup 53:45 – Storm bring back Katie Lou Samuelson 55:15 – What went wrong for the UW men against Rutgers? 1:09:10 – Takeaways from John Schneider’s media availability
After a week off for Kevin’s wedding, we’re back to resume our search for Seattle’s best cookie, discuss disappointing updates on NBA expansion, excitement as the full Mariners squad reports to spring training, the Storm filling out its roster for 2025 and both UW men’s basketball (Big Ten) and women’s basketball (NCAA) on tournament bubbles.
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Intro – Perfect 50 dunks by Sonics 9:15 – Toasting to Sue Bird and other Hall of Fame finalists with local ties 26:35 – Searching for Seattle’s best cookie at Cardoon 38:52 – Pessimism about expansion timeline 49:15 – M’s hot takes: Spring is coming 1:02:30 – Roundup: Previewing the Sounders’ 2029 season ahead of CONCACAF Champions Cup and MLS openers 1:10:55 – Storm bring back Alysha Clark and add to bench 1:17:30 – Tough losses for UW women’s hoops; big week for men 1:30:38 – Comings and goings from UW football and Seahawks coaching staffs
We’re saying a number of farewells this week, from a Seattle BBQ institution to a beloved Peltoncast hero who signed with the Texas Rangers. But we’re also celebrating the start of Seattle Burger Month, cautiously optimistic about the Mariners re-signing Jorge Polanco and encouraged by UW men’s basketball getting its first Big Ten road win.
After the Storm struck a three-team trade fulfilling Jewell Loyd’s trade request by sending her to the Las Vegas Aces and getting back the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft plus a 2026 first-rounder, we look at how the Storm could make a bid for Paige Bueckers, options if they stay at No. 2 and how this year’s roster shapes up. Plus Franck Kepnang’s return couldn’t quite get the UW men over the hump and we look at the Seahawks hiring Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator.
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Intro – Did George Washington know about dinosaurs? 3:30 – Evaluating the Storm’s return for Loyd and the 2025 WNBA draft 44:15 – Toasting to Pete Carroll’s return to NFL sidelines 49:20 – Roundup: Tristan goes to a Kraken game, Sounders learn summer tournaments 57:17 – UW women’s hoops suffers home heartbreak; gauntlet finally over for men 1:08:50 – What we’ve learned from Kubiak’s previous play-calling stints
A long-awaited podcast features Tristan’s reaction to Ichiro Suzuki missing unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame by a single vote. We also remember Sonics legend Gus Williams after his passing, share the latest on Storm free agency, check on UW men’s basketball attempting to reach the Big Ten tournament and discuss the report that Hank Fraley is the frontrunner for Seahawks offensive coordinator.
Contents sponsored by Pagliacci Pizza
Intro – Tristan talks himself into multiple Hall of Fame takes 15:49 – Remembering Williams 27:00 – Searching for Seattle’s best cookie at Bake Shop 35:15 – M’s have most prospects in Baseball America top 100 45:18 – Roundup: Kraken winning, Sounders play first friendly of 2025 preseason 52:20 – Schedule relief finally coming for UW men’s hoops 1:09:00 – Huskies add experienced receiver 1:16:40 – Takeaways from our interview with Mike-Shawn Dugar and the OC search
Seahawks beat writer Mike-Shawn Dugar of the Athletic joins us to talk about whether the Seahawks’ 2024 season was a disappointment and what that means in the context of outside expectations, what went wrong with Ryan Grubb and what the Seahawks are seeking in a replacement and what to expect this offseason with Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and other key players.
The Fabulous Peltoncast is a weekly podcast where brothers Kevin Pelton and Tristan Carosino discuss Seattle sports from an analytical perspective and search for Seattle’s best food. The Peltoncast Network also includes Talkin’ Taco Time and Trader Bros.
