If you turned on stephen a first take today, you probably noticed something felt a little off. Not bad, just... different. For ten years, we had Molly Qerim playing the role of the ultimate traffic cop, keeping the chaos of Stephen A. Smith and his rotating cast of sparring partners from veering off a cliff.
But it’s January 17, 2026. Molly is gone.
Now, we’re seeing a new version of the show that feels more like a late-night talk show mixed with a courtroom drama. Today’s episode was a perfect example of why the "post-Molly" era is both brilliant and totally unhinged.
The Christian Kirk Gaffe and Why It Still Matters
Honestly, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. Earlier this week, Stephen A. had one of the most bizarre slips in the history of the show. He was trying to give flowers to Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk for an 8-reception, 144-yard masterpiece in the Wild Card round.
Instead? He called him Charlie Kirk.
Yeah. That Charlie Kirk. The political commentator who was assassinated last September.
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It was a dark, awkward moment that the internet hasn't let go of. On stephen a first take today, the tension from that mistake was still hovering. Stephen A. didn't run from it, though. That’s not his style. He leaned into the criticism, essentially telling the "keyboard warriors" to pipe down while doubling down on his actual football analysis.
Bills vs. Broncos: The Divisional Round Breakdown
The meat of today’s show was dedicated to the AFC Divisional Round clash between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. With kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET, the takes were flying fast.
Stephen A. looked genuinely worried for Josh Allen.
He should be. The Bills just lost Gabe Davis to a torn ACL. That’s a massive blow. Without Davis, Allen is looking at a depth chart that includes Mecole Hardman Jr. and Curtis Samuel. Good players? Sure. Championship-level WR2s? Stephen A. doesn't think so.
"You're telling me," he shouted, leaning so close to the camera his tie almost hit the lens, "that Josh Allen is going into Empower Field—at altitude—without his most reliable deep threat?"
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His guest today, Jeff Saturday, tried to argue that the Bills' defense is the real story, but Stephen A. wasn't having it. He pointed out that Denver went 14-2 this season. They’ve won 13 of their last 14 home games. Basically, he thinks Buffalo is walking into a buzzsaw.
The New Dynamic Without Molly
Since Molly Qerim left ESPN back in late 2025, the show has been rotating hosts like Shae Cornette and Amina Smith. Today, the energy felt more decentralized.
Most people get this wrong: they think First Take is just about the yelling.
It’s actually about the pacing. Without Molly’s specific brand of "graceful authority," the show feels more like a street fight. Today's debate on whether the New York Knicks actually need Giannis Antetokounmpo (a recurring Stephen A. obsession) felt like it went on for twenty minutes without a single commercial break.
It was messy. It was loud. It was exactly what the ratings want.
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What Really Happened with the ICE Commentary
We can't ignore the controversy that has followed Stephen A. onto the set of stephen a first take today. His recent comments regarding the Renee Good shooting in Minneapolis have alienated a huge chunk of his audience.
For context: Renee Good, a poet and mother, was killed by an ICE officer during an operation.
On his radio show Straight Shooter, Stephen A. defended the officer. He repeated some of those sentiments today, though in a more "sports-adjacent" way, discussing "accountability" and "rules of engagement."
It’s a pivot. He’s no longer just the guy talking about the Cowboys' ineptitude. He’s trying to be a cultural arbiter, and frankly, a lot of fans find it exhausting. You can see it in the social media metrics—people want to hear about the 49ers-Seahawks game, not his legal theories on extrajudicial killings.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Weekend
If you're looking to use the "expert" advice from stephen a first take today for your own weekend plans (or your PrizePicks entries), here is the distilled wisdom from the desk:
- Don't bet against the altitude: Stephen A. is convinced the Bills will gas out in the fourth quarter in Denver.
- Watch the Seahawks' QB situation: Sam Darnold’s status is the "X-factor" for the 49ers game. If he’s not 100%, the Niners might cover a double-digit spread.
- The Knicks-Giannis rumors are noise: Don't expect a mid-season move. The focus in the NBA right now is the Detroit Pistons' sudden surge in the East.
The show is different now. It’s grittier and arguably more prone to errors, but it’s still the sun around which the sports media world orbits. Whether he’s confusing wide receivers with dead politicians or screaming about the "The U" being back after the Fiesta Bowl, Stephen A. remains the loudest voice in the room.
To stay ahead of the curve this playoff weekend, keep a close eye on the Bills’ injury report. The addition of Mecole Hardman Jr. is a desperation move, and if Josh Allen doesn't find a rhythm with him in the first two drives, the Broncos (-2.5) are the safest play on the board.