If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in I-93 traffic around 11:30 in the morning, you’ve likely heard the distinctive, high-octane energy of Scott Zolak and Marc "Beetle" Bertrand. It’s loud. It’s often chaotic. Sometimes they are arguing about Drake Maye's footwork, and other times they are debating the merits of a specific type of muffin for twenty minutes. This is the Zolak and Bertrand podcast experience, a digital extension of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s midday dominance that has somehow managed to stay fresh for over a decade.
Honestly, sports talk is a dime a dozen. You can find "experts" anywhere. But what most people get wrong about this show is the idea that it’s just two guys screaming about the Patriots. Sure, "Zo" is the color analyst for the Pats and a former QB, and Beetle is the resident voice of reason (or madness, depending on the day), but the podcast is really a survival guide for being a New England sports fan in the post-Brady era. It’s the chemistry. It’s the weirdness. It’s the fact that they don’t take themselves nearly as seriously as the national media does.
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Why the Zolak and Bertrand Podcast Still Rules the Airwaves
The show officially kicked off back in 2015, replacing the legendary Gresh & Zo. Since then, it’s become an institution. While the terrestrial radio show runs from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the podcast version is how most people actually consume it now. They break it down into one-hour segments, making it easy to skip the commercials and get straight to the "Read & React" or the latest "Fake Promo Friday."
What makes the Zolak and Bertrand podcast work in 2026 isn't just the sports takes. It's the supporting cast. Tim McKone and Hardy have become essential pieces of the puzzle. You’ve got different generations of Boston sports knowledge colliding. McKone brings a level-headedness that balances out Zo’s... let’s call it "exuberance."
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The Drake Maye Era and the Mike Vrabel Shift
As of January 2026, the conversation has shifted dramatically. Gone are the days of debating Mac Jones' "potential." The show is currently obsessed with Drake Maye's progression under head coach Mike Vrabel. Recent episodes have featured deep dives into whether the Patriots are playing with "house money" in the playoffs or if the expectations have rightfully skyrocketed.
- Phil Perry from NBC Sports Boston is a frequent guest, often bringing the "Light Box" talk that Beetle loves to pick apart.
- Albert Breer from SI and MMQB shows up to break down the NFL coaching carousel, which has been particularly wild this year with names like John Harbaugh and Bill Belichick moving around.
- Tedy Bruschi still drops in to provide that championship perspective that fans crave when the Pats are making a playoff run.
Behind the Scenes: More Than Just "Pats Talk"
You’d think a show hosted by a former Patriots quarterback would be 100% football. It’s not. That’s the secret sauce. One minute they’re talking about the Red Sox signing Ranger Suarez to a five-year deal, and the next, they’re arguing about Zdeno Chara’s jersey retirement. They cover the Celtics’ latest run and whether Jaylen Brown is officially a Top 10 NBA player (Beetle has thoughts, obviously).
They also lean heavily into the "lifestyle" of being a Bostonian. If there’s a local scandal involving a sub shop or a viral song about a quarterback, they are all over it. It’s that local flavor that prevents the Zolak and Bertrand podcast from feeling like a generic corporate sports product. They’ve even done segments on "Enchanted Village" experiences and wedding etiquette. It’s basically a four-hour hang with your loudest, most opinionated friends.
How to Listen and What to Expect
If you’re new to the pod, don’t expect a buttoned-up ESPN-style broadcast. Expect:
- High Volume: Zo does not have a "quiet" setting.
- Deep Cuts: They will reference a random backup offensive lineman from 1994 and expect you to know who it is.
- The Football Card: Their weekly gambling segment that usually ends in someone losing their mind over a missed spread.
- Today’s Takeaway: A quick wrap-up that hits the high points if you only have five minutes.
The Verdict on the Midday Kings
Is it for everyone? Kinda. If you hate Boston sports or find high-energy radio grating, you might want to look elsewhere. But for the "dedicated and passionate" fans—as Beetle calls them—it’s essential listening. They’ve won numerous awards, including recognition from Barrett Media, because they understand the market better than almost anyone else.
The Zolak and Bertrand podcast isn't just about the box score. It’s about the culture of the city. It’s about the feeling of being a fan when things are going great (like the current Vrabel era) and when they are a total mess.
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If you want to stay ahead of the curve, your next step is to subscribe to the full-hour segments on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't just listen to the highlights; the best stuff usually happens in the second hour when they've completely veered off-topic. You can also catch the live simulcast on NBC Sports Boston if you want to see Zo's wild hand gestures in real-time. Start with the "Fake Promo Friday" archives—honestly, it’s some of the best creative radio produced in the last decade.
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