Chicago's Jaylon Johnson top NFL cornerback shares his bigger vision, talks WR matchups, Ben Johnson’s leadership, Caleb Williams, contract market shifts, and how faith and therapy helped him overcome sexual addiction

“I think it was important in my highest moment, to talk about my lowest moment because if it wasn’t for God’s work in my life, I wouldn’t be who I am now…. Going into that season, my mind was so cloudy and cluttered, I didn’t have the right focus and I knew I needed to get help.” -Jaylon Johnson In one of the most humbling and revealing episodes of The Pivot Podcast yet, Chicago Bears star cornerback Jaylon Johnson sits down with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder for a conversation that dives far deeper than football. With a new contract as one of the highest paid cornerbacks in the league, Jaylon is revitalized by the Bears culture under leadership of new head coach Ben Johnson and believes his accountability to players is helping Quarterback Caleb Williams lead the team better with emphasis on competition and execution. He breaks down the tough wide receiver match ups he faces, who his style of play is modeled after and the games he has circled on the 2025 schedule. But beyond Xs and Os—Jaylon dives deep into his personal growth, fatherhood, giving back through his foundation, and what it really means to stay true to yourself in a league that tries to mold you. Known on the field as one of the NFL’s rising shutdown corners, Jaylon opens up about the battles he’s fought off the field — including his deeply personal struggle with porn addiction and the role his faith in God played in his journey toward healing and freedom. With honesty and vulnerability, he shares how he reached a breaking point, leaned into scripture, and found strength through surrender. Jaylon also talks about growing up in Fresno, the loss of his close friend and how it fueled his mission, becoming a father at a young age, and why his purpose now goes beyond interceptions and contracts. Jaylon’s life is guided by something bigger than football and this conversation is about redemption, resilience, and redefining manhood—as he opens up like never before, proving that true strength starts within. Thank you to Toyota and as you heard, we talked about Toyota's all in partnership with football and game day giveaways, Learn more at https://toyota.com/nfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s been so gratifying, not just the accolades but how I’ve been able to show up. Learning how to love myself, learning what my voice is, and being able to trust that, stand tall and stand true in that it’s enough.” Taylor Townsend on evolving  Taylor Townsend Joins The Pivot Podcast for an exclusive, deeply personal and powerful conversation after her 2025 US Open breakthrough. Days after captivating fans with her deep run and emotional performances at the 2025 US Open, American tennis star Taylor sat down with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder for one of the most heartfelt and unfiltered interviews in the show’s recent history. The episode opens with the hosts giving Townsend her flowers, celebrating not just her performance on the court—where she reached the fourth round in electrifying fashion—but also her unapologetic authenticity, her resilience, and her long road back to center stage. From the jump, Townsend came through with that signature mix of grace and grit. “I've started setting goals and not being afraid of failure...I finally get to be myself and not hide from who I am,” Townsend said, reflecting on her resurgence. Over the course of the hour-long conversation, Townsend opened up about her heated post-match altercation with Jelena Ostapenko, breaking her silence and addressing the viral moment head-on, being proud that she used her words to control her emotions and how she stood firm on not tolerating disrespect, as her father raised them not to be punks but also to always stand up for themselves which led Taylor to telling Jelena- “Don't ever put your finger in my face again."  Taylor continues to open up with her childhood dreams, looking up to Serena and Venus and how despite being competitors, Serena took her under wing when she was pregnant and helped prepare her for this gratifying yet extremely difficult journey. Her battles with body image and bias in the sport, especially how early narratives in her career tried to box her in and tell her she could never excel in a sport that wouldn't accept her certain stature and build. Sharing how she lost 95 pounds in 10 months coming back after pregnancy but that motherhood and identity have impacted her life in meaningful ways. Revealing intimate details about balancing elite competition with raising her son, Adyn, which she credits to teaching her what true love and sacrifice is as she opens up on the mental side of her journey, including moments of doubt, therapy, and the role of her support system.  One of the most powerful moments came near the end, when Townsend addressed she's been on the pro tour for 13 years and been hiding for twelve of them and is now finally able to show up as herself.Taylor points to her recent loss as her most pivotal moment, in a place where her career is going to skyrocket, with her confidence, faith and motivation higher than ever. The conversation flowed like family catching up, as Taylor made the joke she felt like she was sitting with her uncles with Channing bringing the laughs, Ryan dropping wisdom, and Fred reflecting on what it means to carry a legacy in a sport that hasn’t always been built for athletes like Townsend. The episode has a lot to unpack, filled with many viral moments, drawing praise from across the sports world for Townsend’s honesty, charisma, and unshakable sense of self.  We talked about Toyota's partnership with football and game day giveaways, Learn more at https://toyota.com/nfl Thank you to our friends at Monarch Money for sponsoring this episode, Check them out here and use code PIVOT to get 50% off your first year. https://www.monarchmoney.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The chemistry between Travis and Patrick is ridiculous, with one look, they just know what the other is thinking." Xavier Worthy on learning from his teammates Ahead of YouTube streaming its first NFL game live from Brazil between the Chargers and Chiefs, Ryan Clark sits down with Xavier Worthy to go inside the mind of this playmaker and what's ahead for the Kansas City Chiefs. This episode offers a glimpse into the mind of a young star determined not just to bounce back and continue to build — but to rise to the level he knows he is destined to play at. As the Chiefs prepare to face the Chargers in a pivotal AFC West matchup to start the season, Xavier Worthy sits down with Ryan Clark for a raw and revealing conversation about life after a break out Rookie year, the Super Bowl loss, his bond with his mother, overcoming personal distractions and stepping into the spotlight as the Chiefs top wideout wit Rashee Rice out for the first 6 weeks of the NFL season. As a first round draft pick in 2024 and making headlines by breaking the NFL Combine record for the 40-yard dash, clocking in at 4.21 seconds, even catching the attention of pop star Taylor Swift's excitement that her fiance's team added him to the offense, Xavier welcomes the pressure and responsibility that come with being a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL . From building chemistry with Patrick Mahomes and learning from Travis Kelce, Worthy is prepared to show the NFL world, he isn't just a fast wide out, he's an elite one and can match up vs the top defenses week in and week out. Worthy shares how his team was on an all new level during training camp this summer as they went back to the basics to rebuild their championship ways. He reflects on what he’s learned from former mentor Travis Kelce, the standard of greatness set by Patrick Mahomes, and how those experiences shaped his own approach to leadership and preparation. Worthy doesn’t shy away from the personal, speaking candidly about the internal battles he's fought off the field — and how confronting those struggles has made him stronger, more focused, and more dangerous between the lines. With all eyes on Kansas City as the season kicks off, the Chiefs are more focused than ever with one goal in mind, to finish the job they started last year, winning another Lombardi Trophy. This is a conversation about pressure, presence, and proving you belong at the highest level. We talked about Toyota's partnership with football and game day giveaways, Learn more at https://toyota.com/nfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Football is BACK — and so are the hot takes, high stakes, and headline drama. Ryan, Channing and Fred break it all down in this unfiltered episode, where the Pivot keeps it real, even when it may be unpopular opinion or pointing the finger back at one of us! From the NFL kicking off with big energy to college ball having us amped to Charlamagne and Ciara clapping back at the world calling Russell Wilson “lame,” with Channing doubling down on his words that he said when this first all started. The guys weigh in on that situation as well as Ray Lewis stirring the pot with his thoughts on Shannon Sharpe, their longstanding bond — and how maybe speaking up on where others fall short isn't the right move, when people have come up short themselves. We get into the Sanders family, as things seem to be a little rocky with a lot of change Deion and sons continue to navigate public scrutiny, media firestorms and family pressures being in the spotlight.  And we have varying viewpoints about Arch Manning’s college debut — is he truly the future, or just carrying a name? Ryan gives a unique perspective that we never realized.  In other sports, we talk tennis as Taylor Townsend’s on-court flare-ups raise questions about emotion, pressure, and performance… and we spotlight a female athlete turning to OnlyFans to fund her tennis dream — is it empowerment, desperation, or both? We also break down the top NFL storylines to watch this season, the pivotal points that could define teams and careers, and the personal pivots that remind us all: growth isn’t always pretty and easy, but it’s necessary. Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe on YouTube and however you listen to your podcasts! We love hearing from our Pivot Family! We talked about Toyota's partnership with football and game day giveaways, Learn more at https://toyota.com/nfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Notre Dame kicks off the 2025 College Football season, pressures to get back to National Championship swirl as well as the talk of being a Heisman hopeful. Star running back Jeremiyah Love captivated college football fans last season with his explosive play and dynamic speeds, this year he has a little more noise around his play. All-American preseason accolades and Heisman hopeful talk, but Love isn’t worried about the expectations others have put on him, he’s focused on elevating his team and being better on and off the field than he was last year. He holds onto the pain of coming up short in the championship and is finding ways to use that pain as a lesson in all he and his team does this year.Tap in for this conversation with the Fighting Irish captain as top 10 ranked Notre Dame is battle tested and ready to for what’s ahead. Pivot Family! hit the button to SUBSCRIBE HERE: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUnxiP7q4RDDyeioZFZLnXA?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I just want our guys to start with the end in mind. If you hoist a Lombardi trophy, you’ll be remembered forever. That is something no one can take away from you, when you die people will remember your name, and that’s your legacy.” Matt LaFleur Green Bay Packers What a whirlwind of 24 hours as the Packers welcome the NFL's best overall player, Micah Parsons, to Green Bay. As our NFL training camp tour winds down and we are just days before the 2025 NFL season kicks off, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur sits down with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder on The Pivot Podcast for a rare and candid conversation as the guys discuss what it will take to get the Packers over the hump and to the Super Bowl. After back to back years of "almosts" and tough breaks, Coach shares his mindset heading into the new NFL season and the early message he shared with the team. LaFleur opens up about his journey from young offensive coordinator to one of the most consistent head coaches in the league, and how he's evolved as a leader since taking over in Green Bay. In this exclusive interview, LaFleur discusses life after Aaron Rodgers, the development of Jordan Love, and what it’s really like coaching in one of the most storied franchises in football. He reflects on playoff heartbreaks, locker room culture, and how he keeps his team locked in despite the constant media noise. The crew presses him on leadership, accountability, and how he balances high expectations with staying true to himself. Whether you're a die-hard Packers fan or just love the game, this episode delivers insight, laughs, and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from one of the NFL’s sharpest minds. Don't forget to comment, like and hit subscribe. We love hearing from you Pivot family! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“A lot of lessons from that (National Championship) game, one is- we are good enough to be in that game and we are good enough to win that game….but this program is good enough every year to be in that game and to win that game, but we have to earn the right to do that.“ Marcus Freeman As the 2025 college football season approaches, The Pivot Podcast welcomes back Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman for a powerful sit-down ahead of what could be a defining year in South Bend. Coming off a thrilling run to the National Championship game last season, Coach Freeman opens up to Ryan, Channing, and Fred about the lessons learned from the highs and heartbreaks of 2024—and how he's using that experience to fuel this year’s mission. In this candid conversation, Freeman talks leadership, pressure, and what it truly takes to build a sustainable culture of excellence. Freeman opens up about the hunger that still drives him, the lessons taken from last year, and the mounting expectations as Notre Dame returns a roster stacked with talent and leadership. He reflects on the evolution of the Fighting Irish under his watch, handling pressure, the growing expectations on and off the field, and how he’s preparing his team—and himself—for the next step. Freeman also shares his excitement for breakout running back Jeremiah Love, whose explosive finish to the 2024 season has fans buzzing and opposing defenses on alert. With bigger responsibilities in the spotlight, Love is expected to be a game-changer in the Irish offense—and a major factor in Notre Dame’s championship hopes. With unfiltered honesty and a competitor’s mindset, Marcus Freeman gives fans and critics alike an inside look at what’s coming next for Notre Dame football. The Irish kick off vs Miami Sunday night August 31st on primetime. Don't forget to like, subscribe and comment- we love hearing your feedback and chatting with you about the episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Pivot training camp tour continues as the 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching and we make a stop to catch the Seahawks practicing with Green Bay as Seattle is looking to get back to the postseason being one of the top NFC teams. Ryan, Channing and Fred are sitting for a Sunday Special with NFC West powerhouse and star players Demarcus Lawrence and Jaxon Smith Njigba who give us a glimpse into what the season holds ahead. Coming from Dallas, Demarcus is very clear why he made the change entering his 11th season, what he's found with his new team and sheds light on his former team's contract headlines all summer. Jaxon is excited to see the arm of QB Sam Darnold and line up with the Super Bowl Champion Cooper Kupp, shadowing his veteran leadership and work ethic. Seattle overhauled its offense with new faces—Darnold along with Kupp and new coordinator Klint Kubiak, as JSN looks to lead the offensive core grounded by the run game and supported with a deep threat. On defense, expectations are high with a revamped line featuring D Law, anchored by a talented secondary of Witherspoon, and Woolen) setting up a top-tier defensive outlook. Seattle's preseason has been encouraging—dominant rushing performances, strong offensive cohesion under Kubiak, and a deep receiving group are all signs Seattle is looking to make that postseason push this year. Fun conversation about football, family and following your heart to where you belong, don't forget to comment, like and subscribe to get all the latest episodes and updates on guests.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"For me, people say oh he's a celebrity, he's a football player, but millions of people got to see that I was going through the same struggles they were." Cam Bynum As our NFL Training Camp tour continues, we stop in Indy to sit with one of their newest additions who is making noise both on and off the field. In this upbeat and fun-filled episode of The Pivot Podcast, Indianapolis Colts safety Cam Bynum sits down with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor to talk about his journey from standout NFL Safety to viral sensation — and how his purpose goes far beyond football. The guys are blown away by his positive energy and contagious spirit, which truly shows why Cam is such an asset to any locker room. Now with Indianapolis, Cam reflects on leaving the Vikings, his upmost respect for Justin Jefferson and how he looks for his new defensive unit to lead the league in interceptions like he did in Minnesota. Finding a new home in Indy, he shares how he continues to grow as a leader, husband, and man of faith. Being named Captain of the Colts defense, Cam gets into what it will take to get this young team to be a competitive unit in the AFC, how to buy into new schemes and succeed under a new regime. He shares his insight around the QB competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson and how he hopes to support both by challenging from opposite side of the ball. Cam opens up about what it means to represent the Philippines on a global stage, the story behind his emotional and viral postgame celebrations waving the Filipino flag, and how he's using his platform to spotlight his heritage and his faith. He shares the deeply personal journey of helping his wife gain U.S. citizenship, giving listeners a raw look into the sacrifices, love, and cultural pride that fuel him off the field. This episode blends football, family, and purpose — showing there's so much more to Cam Bynum than what fans see on Sundays. Don't forget to like, comment and hit the subscribe button to stay up to date on our latest conversations and guests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Sick and tired of being sick and tired…we want the big thing.” David Montgomery Detroit Lions Running Back  Our Pivot training camp tour continues as the 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching and we make a stop in the Motor City to catch the Lions practicing with Miami Dolphins as Detroit has been a NFC favorite last 2 years and looks at this season as the one to take care of unfinished business. Sitting with star running back duo, Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery, the two-headed monster is setting the tone for the offense to play fast, gritty and compete. In a rare joint appearance, the dynamic tandem opens up to Ryan, Channing and Fred about the pressure, the chemistry, and the unfinished business driving them into the new season. Reflecting on the heartbreak of the last two seasons, including Detroit’s near-miss in the NFC Championship and the emotional toll of falling just short of a Super Bowl as Jahmyr opens up on how David was the one who helped get him through the pain of a costly fumble and kept him up in a dark time. Since Jahmyr's rookie year, his explosive playmaking and Montgomery’s physicality complement each other and the duo's embraced a “1A/1B” mindset over ego. Under the leadership of a new offensive coordinator,  their game plan may change but the duo said the team is ready to attack opposing defenses with more motion, more versatility, and finding ways to keep both backs involved. Their close relationship with quarterback Jared Goff and how he fits right in with them as the leader of the huddle, and maybe not earning the league-wide respect, but these two tell you exactly why Jared is the right leader for this team. Matching the fire and passion of head Coach Dan Campbell, the locker room has matured into a team that’s not just hopeful — but hungry as the cultural shift has transformed Detroit from a punch line to a powerhouse. From laughs to leadership, this episode gives fans a rare, unfiltered look at two stars who aren’t just sharing carries — they’re sharing the weight of a city’s dreams. A few weeks away from kicking off the season, the Lions are roaring to get back to the top of NFC and this year, finish it off bringing home a Lombardi Trophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices