“How ‘bout them Cowboys?” In the early 1990s Dallas had a dynasty built by masterminds Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith & Co. won consecutive Super Bowls, but before they could even say “three-peat” Johnson and Jones parted ways, rocking the NFL. The Cowboys managed to win another Super Bowl two years later, but haven’t even gotten past the Divisional Playoffs since. But what would have happened if Jimmy Johnson had stayed with the Cowboys? How many more Super Bowl wins would he have? Which other teams’ Hall of Famers might have worn the star instead? Which Florida legend would go pro to replace the NFL’s all-time winningest coach? And why isn’t there a hair out of place in the entire state of Texas? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the few drawbacks of winning the Super Bowl is that you get the worst draft position - a tradeoff every team would make any day. But in the 2018 draft, the “Philly Special” Eagles had the opportunity to select Lamar Jackson at No. 32, but chose to trade the pick to the Baltimore Ravens for a package of lower picks. Since then, the Ravens have been elite, Jackson has won two MVPs, while the Eagles bottomed out in 2020, changed coaching staffs and underwent a major roster overhaul before bouncing back the past two seasons. But what would’ve happened if that trade never happened and the Eagles used their pick on Lamar? Could Jackson have ever beaten out Carson Wentz in Philly? What former Eagles great would he forever be compared to? Who would the Ravens find as a replacement for Joe Flacco? And what does this all have to do with Tecmo Bowl? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the past two decades, the road to the college football National Championship has passed through the SEC. With Texas and Oklahoma joining the party, it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon. This current dominance began in 2006 when The Florida Gators won two titles in a three year span under coach Urban Meyer. Those Florida teams were so stacked with talent, they began their 2008 championship season with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow at QB1 and an athletic sophomore named Cam Newton at QB2. But injuries and off-field issues led to Newton’s departure from Gainesville. He eventually landed in Auburn where he led the Tigers to the 2010 National Championship, won a Heisman of his own, became the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and was named NFL MVP in 2015. But what would’ve happened had Newton stayed with the Gators? Could he and Tim Tebow co-exist? Why would the Buckeyes be out of luck? What Hall of Famers team up in the desert? And how does this all relate to Snoop Dogg and an iconic southern clothing designer? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The wait is almost over - the 2024 NFL season finally kicks off this week! Since every new season comes with an endless supply of storylines yet to be played out, instead of our usual look back at “woulda, coulda, shoulda” moments, Trey and Kevin are focusing on the “here and now” and doing their best to predict what will happen. Will Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls? Will Caleb Williams be this season’s C.J. Stroud? Or will it be Jayden Daniels? What will Aaron Rodgers’ return to the Jets and Jim Harbaugh’s return to the NFL look like? And which GOAT, Brady or Belichick, will be everyone’s favorite rookie broadcaster? Find the answers to all of these questions and more in a special extended Hot Routes episode of Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the first time in nearly two decades there’s a new boss in Tuscaloosa, AL. Nick Saban, widely regarded as the GOAT in college football, stepped down in January after winning six of his seven National Championships at Alabama, leading the Tide to eight of the first ten College Football Playoffs, and coaching four Heisman Trophy winners. Perhaps the most memorable championship for Saban came in the 2018 CFP Final when trailing Georgia 13-0 at halftime, he shocked the entire nation by switching QBs from two-year starter Jalen Hurts to unproven freshman Tua Tagovailoa. The move worked as Tua led the Tide to an overtime win and the National Championship. Hurts would eventually transfer, Tua would suffer a serious injury, but both would end up near the top of the highest paid players in NFL history. But what would’ve happened if Saban stuck with Hurts? Does Alabama still come back to win? Does Tua stay at Alabama or does he transfer? Does Hurts win a Heisman as a junior? And which other player becomes the biggest two-sport star since Deion Sanders? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the biggest stories of this NBA offseason was the breakup of Golden State’s Splash Brothers. Teammates since 2011, Steph Curry and (now-Dallas Maverick) Klay Thompson won four NBA titles, made a collective 7,000 regular and postseason three pointers and literally changed how the sport is played on all levels. But the NBA’s all-time greatest shooting duo almost never happened. The Warriors reportedly offered Curry to the Bucks in a 2012 trade, but Milwaukee, worried about the durability of his troublesome ankles, passed on the Hall of Famer, choosing to receive veteran Monta Ellis instead, and every NBA fan knows the rest. But what would’ve happened if the Bucks did take the baby faced assassin? Would Steph overcome his bad ankles to eventually form a different dynasty with Giannis Antetokounmpo? Would Thompson and the Warriors ever win a title? And how does this alternate scenario lead to a revolution in the fast food industry?! Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before arriving in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, the U.S. national basketball teams were making more headlines for who wasn’t chosen. At the center of the respective maelstroms were WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. However, those omissions pale in comparison to the greatest snub in Olympic basketball history: Isiah Thomas being left off the Dream Team. Legend has it that Michael Jordan gave USA Basketball an ultimatum about his biggest rival: either him or me. They chose Jordan, the U.S. captured gold, and basketball around the world was changed forever. But, what if Thomas was part of the greatest roster ever assembled? Would Jordan really have “abandoned” the national team or learned to coexist with his archenemy? Would the squad have been torn into warring factions? And which pitchman would suddenly become the global face of counterculture? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the world’s greatest athletes descend on Paris for the 2024 Olympics, we find ourselves in the golden age of women’s team sports. Over the past year alone we’ve seen record viewership and attendance across the board, punctuated by the more than two billion viewers who tuned into the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, it was another World Cup, 25 years ago, that first transformed “women’s sports” to just “sports.” That U.S. Women’s National Team win over China – and Brandi Chastain’s legendary celebration – put female athletes in the spotlight like never before – until now. But what would’ve happened if the U.S. had lost that World Cup Final? Would superstars like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, A’ja Wilson, Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have ever gotten the chance to shine? What indispensable article of clothing would never have gotten its due? And what does this have to do with Tebowing, T.O.’s popcorn and the Steph Shimmy?! Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.