The lead up to the NFL trade deadline is obviously a busy time for Adam Schefter.
So much so that the ESPN insider didn’t have time to finish a live radio interview, as he had more pressing business to attend to.
On Tuesday, Schefter joined ESPN Radio’s Unsportsmanlike morning show to discuss the latest news ahead of the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. But despite being in the middle of an answer about the Chicago Bears, the 57-year-old opted to cut the interview short to take another call.
“I think when you don’t win, those things get called into question — I gotta take this, bye bye,” Schefter said before hanging up the phone.
“Wow, something is happening,” Chris Canty responded.
“That was so thrilling,” Michelle Smallmon added. “Something major is happening.”
Host Evan Cohen proceeded to speculate that the incoming call Schefter received may have been in connection to a potential trade between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. And a mere few minutes later, Cohen’s prediction was seemingly proven correct, with Schefter posting to X that the Browns had traded pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith to Detroit.
THE DRAMA@AdamSchefter had to take a call and this post drops 💥 https://t.co/LfOt6G1Gjf pic.twitter.com/hi9uTRtjqQ
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) November 5, 2024
By this point, it’s been well established that the work never stops for ESPN’s insiders and Schefter’s propensity for working the phones has become the stuff of legends in recent years. This past June, the former Denver Post reporter was even caught texting while on stage during a ceremony to celebrate “Adam Schefter Appreciation Day” in Nassau County, New York. The big breaking news that couldn’t wait? That Rhamondre Stevenson was signing an extension with the New England Patriots.
Previously, Schefter has also answered his phone while on ESPN airwaves to break news, but the reality of his radio interview on Tuesday morning didn’t afford him with the same flexibility. And while one could question whether the news of Smith being traded to the Lions warranted cutting a live interview short, the reality is that it made for more entertaining radio than it would have had he just stayed on the line.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.