Jen, Gabe & Chewy

ESPN Wisconsin
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ESPN reporter Jen Lada teams up with Packers Hall of Famer Mark Chmura and longtime ESPN Milwaukee host Gabe Neitzel as they provide unique and raw perspectives on local and national sports headlines.

  1. 2D AGO

    Packers Back Lucas Van Ness, and Questions Grow About RB Depth

    Jen, Gabe, and Chewy spend the 7AM hour reacting to the Packers’ decision to exercise Lucas Van Ness’ fifth-year option, a move that surprised much of the fan base and sparked immediate debate about whether his production has truly justified that kind of commitment. Jen and Gabe break down the thinking behind the move, exploring whether the Packers are betting on future upside rather than past results, and whether the cost is reasonable given how expensive pass rushers have become around the league. Chewy pushes back hard, arguing the decision feels more like a gamble and a face-saving move than a reward for actual performance. The crew also compares Van Ness to other recent 13th overall picks, showing just how far his numbers trail players who made immediate impact for their teams. That leads to a broader discussion about Brian Gutekunst’s drafting philosophy, how often the Packers bet on traits over proven production, and whether Micah Parsons’ presence on the opposite side of the defense should finally put Van Ness in a position to succeed. Later in the hour, Jason Wilde joins the show and adds his perspective on the decision, explaining why the Packers likely view the option as a manageable one-year investment at a premium position. Jason discusses the Nick Perry comparison, the dangers of letting a player break out in a contract year without team control, and why Green Bay may still believe Van Ness can become a productive pass rusher. He also touches on the upside of the young edge rushers behind him, including Baron Sorrell, Colin Oliver, and Deny Dennis-Sutton, while noting that the fifth-year option also serves as a bit of insurance while those players develop. The conversation then shifts to the Packers’ backup running back situation, where Jason and the crew question whether the team can really count on MarShawn Lloyd after his injury-plagued start to his career. They debate whether Green Bay should still add competition to that room, whether Chris Brooks is enough of a fallback option, and if the Packers are again asking fans to trust hope and projection over proven reliability. The hour closes with more listener reaction and a larger theme emerging around the Packers: how often can a contender keep betting on upside before it eventually catches up with them?

    46 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Taylor Jenkins, Bucks Branding, and Brewers Injury Concerns

    Jen, Gabe, and Chewy open the 8AM hour with Craig Karmazin, who joins the show from Indianapolis and weighs in on the Bucks officially introducing Taylor Jenkins as the new head coach. The conversation explores why the organization is making such a public, high-profile event out of the hire at the Milwaukee Art Museum, what it says about the team’s excitement around Jenkins, and whether the move also reflects a broader effort to energize the fan base during an uncertain stretch for the franchise. The crew also gets into derby talk, Craig’s gambling background, and a hilarious detour into chicken wing standards, restaurant quality, and whether Chewy should become Milwaukee’s official wing reviewer. Later in the hour, the focus shifts back to the Milwaukee Bucks, with Jen and Gabe debating whether the Jenkins event is about more than just introducing a coach. They discuss the possibility that the Bucks may need to do a better job building connection and excitement around the rest of the roster if Giannis Antetokounmpo is no longer the face of the franchise, and whether the organization has done enough to market players beyond Giannis. The final part of the hour turns to the Milwaukee Brewers, specifically the concern surrounding Brandon Woodruff’s early exit with dead arm. Gabe shares what it looked like in real time at AmFam Field, where Woodruff’s velocity was clearly down from the start, and the group debates how worried Brewers fans should be. They discuss the team’s pitching depth, why there’s still reason for optimism despite the setback, and use the “Seinfeld scale of concern” to measure just how stressful this latest injury situation should feel as Milwaukee tries to steady itself heading into May.

    43 min

  3. 3D AGO

    College Visits, Jason Wilde, and Micah Parsons Recovery

    Jen, Gabe, and Chewy open the 7AM hour with Jen sharing the very real parent experience of touring colleges and realizing just how close families get to financially and emotionally investing in a school they never expected to care about. That leads into a bigger conversation about long day trips, road trip limits, college visits, and how far is too far to drive in one day, with the crew and listeners swapping stories about marathon drives, road fatigue, and who really controls the music and temperature in the car. The hour also features Jason Wilde, who joins the show to break down the latest on the Packers. Jason discusses Micah Parsons’ recovery timeline and why Green Bay should resist any temptation to rush him back too early, even if he is progressing well. He also shares his thoughts on the current offensive line outlook, the Packers’ backup quarterback situation with Desmond Ritter, and why Malik Willis’ success may be tougher to replicate than some believe. Jason also weighs in on the value of the Jayden Reed extension, calling it a bargain for Green Bay, and helps explain the unusual tag the Steelers used with Aaron Rodgers. Later in the hour, the crew circles back to Parsons and what his recovery means for the Packers early in the season, including how much of the burden falls on the medical staff to protect him from coming back too soon. They also briefly touch on Tucker Kraft’s recovery, what the early schedule could mean for Green Bay without Parsons, and how much the team may need to survive before getting one of its biggest stars back on the field. The hour wraps with a lighter Milwaukee note as the Brewers contribute money to help fix city potholes, sparking conversation about just how bad road conditions have gotten around town.

    51 min

  4. 3D AGO

    Brewers Offensive Boost Incoming, Top 8 at 8, and NFL Referee Update

    Jen, Gabe, and Chewy open the 8AM hour with Brewers talk as Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn near their return to the lineup, breaking down how Milwaukee’s offense could finally settle into place after a tough stretch of injuries. The crew discusses realistic expectations for the lineup once both bats are back, why the Brewers just need to keep surviving for now, and how the rotation and bullpen could shift if struggling pitchers continue to falter. They also look ahead at a challenging May schedule and what it could mean for the team’s place in the NL Central race. Later in the hour, the crew plays Top 8 at 8, challenging listeners to name the last eight Brewers players to hit two or more home runs in a game. The segment brings plenty of guessing, frustration, and baseball trivia before the final answers are revealed. The hour wraps with a conversation about the NFL referee labor situation, as signs point toward a possible deal getting done before replacement refs become a reality. Jen, Gabe, and Chewy react to the latest update, explain why the league wants to avoid a repeat of past replacement-official chaos, and debate whether expanded replay assistance should still be considered even if a deal is finalized. The hour finishes with lighter conversation about jock straps, derby plans, and the usual off-the-rails fun.

    38 min

  5. 4D AGO

    Do the Packers Have Enough “A Players”? Jordan Love, Jacobs & O-Line Debate

    What does it actually take to win a Super Bowl? In this hour of Jen, Gabe & Chewy, the conversation turns to the Packers’ offense and a simple but revealing question: 👉 Do the Packers have enough true “A players”? Using Chewy’s old-school formula for championship football — A players playing like A players, B players stepping up like A’s, and role players making key contributions — the crew breaks down whether Green Bay has enough top-end talent on offense to make a real run. 🧀 The Packers “A Player” Debate The discussion starts with the obvious names: Jordan Love Josh Jacobs Zach Tom And then the harder question: 👉 Is Jordan Love already an A player… or does he still have to prove it? The show digs into whether Love has actually reached that level yet, what Jacobs needs to be after last season, and how much the Packers are relying on players to grow into bigger roles. 👀 Which Pass Catchers Need to Emerge? The next layer of the debate focuses on Green Bay’s weapons: Christian Watson Jayden Reed Matthew Golden Tucker Kraft The takeaway: 👉 Not all of them need to become stars, but somebody has to elevate If the Packers are going to be dangerous, they need one or two of those skill guys to become clear difference-makers. 😬 The O-Line Concern Is Still There Even beyond the skill positions, one concern keeps coming back: 👉 Can this offensive line actually hold up? The group on paper has talent: Jordan Morgan Aaron Banks Sean Rhyan Anthony Belton Zach Tom But the issue is whether that talent turns into: consistency durability and a top-10 unit Because if it doesn’t: 👉 the whole season can get shaky fast 🧠 Projection vs Proven Production That’s really the bigger point of the whole hour: The Packers have a lot of players who could be really good. But when you’re talking about a championship team, “could be” only goes so far. This hour asks: Who’s actually proven? Who’s still projecting? And how many of those projections have to hit for Green Bay to be a serious contender? 😂 Bonus: Dude Wednesday Chaos The hour also opens with some classic JGC chaos, including: Chewy ranting about hotel prices and service Airbnb vs hotel complaints Josh’s upcoming Nashville + Kentucky Derby trip And the search for the perfect Derby hat So yes: 👉 it’s football analysis… but still very much Jen, Gabe & Chewy

    52 min

  6. 4D AGO

    March Madness Expansion Is Awful! Why 76 Teams Makes No Sense

    March Madness may be getting bigger — but almost nobody seems to think that’s a good thing. In this hour of Jen, Gabe & Chewy, the crew reacts to reports that the NCAA is moving toward expanding both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to 76 teams, and the response is immediate: 👉 This is a terrible idea. 🚨 Why the 76-Team Plan Feels So Bad The biggest issue: More play-in games More clutter before the real bracket begins And a format that makes the tournament feel messier, not better Instead of the clean 64-team structure fans love, the NCAA is creating: 👉 12 games involving 24 teams before the bracket even really starts 🧠 The Bracket Problem One of the strongest points in the hour: 👉 Filling out a bracket is one of the best parts of March Madness But with this setup: It becomes harder More confusing And more rushed for fans trying to participate The feeling from the show is clear: 👉 Why would the NCAA make the most fun part of the tournament worse? 💰 It All Comes Back to Money The consensus: This is a money grab Not something fans are asking for Not something that improves the sport And even then: 👉 It’s not expected to be a massive financial windfall 🏈 The Bigger Pattern: College Football Expansion Too The conversation broadens to college football: 12 teams already feels like a lot 16 teams might be manageable 24 teams? That’s where it starts getting ridiculous The same problem applies: 👉 More teams does not mean more legitimate contenders 😬 Fan Frustration Feels Familiar The hour also pivots into a bigger discussion about: what it feels like when a team’s championship window is closing why fans struggle to admit it and how that tension shows up with teams like the 49ers… and even the Packers That gives the whole segment a bigger sports-wide theme: 👉 expansion, entitlement, and the reality of knowing when the magic might be slipping

    38 min

  7. 5D AGO

    Packers’ Biggest Problem After the Draft? O-Line Concerns Still Linger

    The NFL Draft is over — but for the Packers, the biggest conversation might be about what still wasn’t solved. In this hour of Jen, Gabe & Chewy, the focus turns to Green Bay’s biggest remaining weakness after the 2026 NFL Draft, with one position group taking center stage: 👉 The offensive line 🧀 What’s the Packers’ Biggest Remaining Concern? The hour opens with a simple question: After the draft, what unit still worries you most? The answers include: Offensive line Running back depth Linebacker Cornerback Defensive line But Chewy makes his stance clear immediately: 👉 “O-line, O-line, O-line.” 😬 Why the Offensive Line Still Feels Risky The concern isn’t just the starters — it’s the depth behind them. The discussion centers on: Whether the Packers truly have enough reliable bodies How quickly injuries can derail a season Why counting on a fifth-round rookie to stabilize the unit feels unrealistic There’s also skepticism about whether Jagger Burton can realistically push for a major role right away, even with the strong scouting feedback from Kentucky. 🧠 Jason Wilde Agrees When Jason Wilde joins the show, he backs up the concern: 👉 He says he’d vote yes that the offensive line is still the Packers’ biggest issue. The logic: questions remain about depth the front office says it feels good about the group but there are still real unknowns if injuries hit 👀 Other Concerns: RB, Kicker & Depth The conversation doesn’t stop with the line. The hour also gets into: Running back Josh Jacobs will carry the load But behind him, the Packers are relying heavily on Marshawn Lloyd If Lloyd can’t stay healthy, that room gets thin in a hurry Kicker Jason Wilde says the new kicker competition is fascinating Green Bay traded up to draft a kicker, which suggests the job is his to lose But if Lucas Havrisik wins the job, the Packers may have burned a draft pick for nothing Jaden Reed Wilde was surprised not by the extension itself, but by how low the money was The discussion frames Reed’s new deal as potential bargain territory if he produces 🎙️ Schefter Draft-Week Fun from Pittsburgh The hour also includes some Adam Schefter setup from Pittsburgh, including: buying a draft-night outfit the morning of the draft running into Ty Simpson doing the same thing and setting the stage for a conversation about the Rams’ surprising QB pick and its Packers/Jordan Love parallels

    46 min

  8. 5D AGO

    Brewers Surviving April + Packers Ranked 16?! Debate Erupts

    The Brewers are hovering around .500… and somehow, that might be a good thing. In this hour of Jen, Gabe & Chewy, the show opens with a reality check on Milwaukee’s start to the season before shifting into a hilarious — and heated — NFL power rankings debate following the draft. ⚾ Brewers: Surviving the First Month At 14–13 and just one game over .500: The Brewers are hanging around despite injuries The offense has been inconsistent The bullpen hasn’t always locked things down But the perspective from Jeff Levering: 👉 This is actually a solid place to be Especially considering: Missing bats like Vaughn, Trujillo, and Yelich Limited experience in the starting rotation 🧠 Why There’s No Panic (Yet) The key takeaway: Last year’s team was in a similar spot The Brewers didn’t really take off until later The division won’t stay this tight forever 👉 Translation: it’s way too early to panic 🏈 NFL Draft Fallout → Power Rankings Chaos Then things take a turn… The crew reacts to post-draft NFL power rankings, and: 👉 The Packers come in at #16 Which immediately sparks: Confusion Disagreement And a full breakdown of the list 😳 The Rankings That Made No Sense Some of the biggest reactions: Teams like the Rams and Seahawks near the top The Packers sitting in the middle Questions about how much the draft should even change rankings 👉 The conclusion: Nobody really agrees with the list 👀 The Bigger Packers Question It turns into a deeper debate: Are the Packers actually underrated? Or is this a fair reflection of where they stand? And one key point: 👉 Draft picks alone shouldn’t define a team’s ranking

    45 min
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4.5
out of 5
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About

ESPN reporter Jen Lada teams up with Packers Hall of Famer Mark Chmura and longtime ESPN Milwaukee host Gabe Neitzel as they provide unique and raw perspectives on local and national sports headlines.

Information

  • Channel
    ESPN Wisconsin
  • Creator
    Wisconsin On Demand
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024, Good Karma Brands, LLC
  • Show Website
    Jen, Gabe & Chewy

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