NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, Mike Garafolo, and Judy Battista bring you the latest news from around the NFL including, Brown’s Owner Jimmy Haslam’s comments on the Deshaun Watson trade, Aaron Rodgers working out with DK Metcalf, and the competition committee considering a ban on the “tush push.” Plus, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talks about the team’s offseason moves and whether J.J. McCarthy will be their teams’ starter in 2025; Giants head coach Brian Daboll discusses the Giants’ quarterback room; and Los Angeles Chargers owner Dean Spanos sits down for an interview.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
If there was any doubt that the Browns are moving
on from the Deshaun Watson era hell own or Jimmy
haslm erased it today. But after that big swing and miss,
do they have a home run alternative? Maybe with that
number two overall pick. We will tell you what Cleveland's
brain trust is saying now. Maybe the Browns just signed
Aaron Rodgers. Probably not, but it does continue to look
(00:30):
like Rogers will land in the AFC North as soon
as he gets around to telling the Steelers exactly what
he intends to do. Hear what Mike Tomlin is saying
about the guy he still hopes is gonna be QB one.
Tuesday is voting day here at the NFL Annual Meeting,
and there's at least a chance the final tush has
been pushed. We will break down the debate over whether
(00:51):
to brotherly shove the play aside and so much more.
Welcome Inside with the Insiders live in Palm Beach, Florida,
alongside Judy Batista, Mike Garrifalo, Ian rappaport I am Tom Pelsero.
We got Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell coming on the show tonight.
We got Chargers owner Dean Spanos coming on the show.
(01:12):
You'll hear from Brian Schottenheimer about what's going on with
Michael Parsons.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
A ton to get to in this show.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Let's start out with the Browns and an interesting statement
earlier today that Jimmy Haslem made to some local reporters
here regarding the man that just three years ago in
the Little Change was traded for in a deal involving
several first round picks and a five year, two hundred
thirty million dollar fully guaranteed contract, a mess of injuries,
among other things, as sidewinded the Deshaun Watson aire in Cleveland,
(01:42):
and Haslm, speaking earlier today, said quote, we took a
big swing and miss with DeShawn. We thought we had
the quarterback, we didn't, and we gave up a lot
of draft picks to get him. So we got to
dig ourselves out of that hole. The trade was an
entire organization decision and it ends with and I so
hold us accountable. Pretty good year to have the number
(02:04):
two overall pick, Kevin Stefanski.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
He's an extremely talented football player. Again, getting to know
the kid, Uh, you watch the tape, Uh, and you
I think the important part as an evaluator is you
want you want to talk to the player about plays
and how it plays. And I think he sees the
game really, really well, has been raised the right way.
I think they've done an outstanding job bringing him along
(02:29):
in terms of understanding football. But he's a very, very
talented young man. But off the field is where I'm
probably most impressed.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Knowing about it when you still need.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
To find out, I'm out, yeah, out there.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I think throwing live is another piece of this. Uh
that's a small piece, but a piece of it. Getting
around him going to dinner is important. But then the
whole process and getting in and listening to the rest
of the coaches and the rest of the scouts how
they see.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
The entire draft board.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
But certainly Chaudor is somebody that I think has done
a really nice job throughout this process.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
All right, So Kevin Stefanski kind of saying the quiet
part out loud in the sardine can. That was the
AFC coaches media availability early this morning, in essence, and
all signs are pointing toward cam Wore.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Going number one to the Titans. If that indeed is
the case.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
The draft would really begin at number two, and for
the Cleveland Browns, their choice is going to be do
you take that quarterback, take the swing on Shador Sanders,
whoever it might be, or do you potentially go to
a different spot. I have to figure out your quarterback
question elsewhere.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
Well, let me go in the past a little bit first,
because Jimmy has some guys said a lot, really more
than he ever has about the Deshaun Watson situation, the trade,
which of course has proved disasters over the last several years,
and the contract put the blame on himself and his
wife d for that fully guaranteed contract which has worked
out in absolutely zero ways, essentially saying point the finger
(03:54):
at us, really providing some context. I know a lot
of people have questioned about general manager Andrew Berry and
all of the rest of those who make decisions in
Cleveland has them saying very clearly he was intricately involved
in the decision to give Deshaun Watson that contract, also
saying that essentially it is over for Deshaun Watson. He's
going to miss this season with another torn achilles and
(04:16):
after that almost certainly we'll be headed out of Cleveland,
likely to be released, kind of closing the door on
that part of it. The other part of it, guys,
leads to far more questions. What are the Browns going
to do now? They do have a chance to make
this right and take Shador Sanders at two, if that
is in fact their decision, But what goes into that,
what they ultimately decide, would go a long way and
(04:38):
seeing how well they fix this mistake.
Speaker 7 (04:41):
Well, first of all, some credit is due to Jimmy
Haslm for taking responsibility for what we've known for a
while was an absolute disaster of a trade and a
contract that has been clear for months, maybe even for
several seasons.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
But to hear him say it and to.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Close the door on the Deshaun Watson ear as messy
as it was, I think was important for him to
do as you said. Now, the next big question is
how do they move forward? What are the mechanics? I mean,
de Sehan Watson is still there where it's clear we're
never going to see him in a Cleveland Brown's uniform again,
But what are the mechanics about how they go forward?
They do have the number two pick, what are they thinking?
(05:20):
Certainly places the focus now squarely on the draft, and
I'm really curious to say, like, do we ever see
Deshaun Watson again? I mean, he is on the rosteries
obviously not going to play. Like the mechanics of the
separation are sort of fascinating to me because it has
been such a messy marriage and now the divorce which
has just been announced to he or two everybody has
(05:41):
to play out in front of everyone.
Speaker 8 (05:43):
Well, starting with that last point, it's going to be
a Russell Wilson type situation where the Browns are just
going to have to eat the money. It's a sun cost.
It is what it is not this year, that'll be
in twenty twenty six. So you could have him available
for the veteran minimum, and that was tempting for teams
such as this dealers who said we can have this
guy for the veteran minimum. That there's a lot more
that comes with Watson than there. Really hasn't been a
(06:05):
great play along the way either as well. It's not
like he had the pedigree or the accomplishments that Russell
Wilson had, So we'll see about that once we get
to that point. Has them taking the blame on this one, Look,
there were other teams involved in this, in the DeShawn
Watson situation, that had a chance to make a run
at him, that heard that a fully guaranteed contract was
(06:25):
something that he had on the table and that they
would have to match, and at the ownership level they said,
no way, we are not going there. And Jimmy has
them because remember Watson had called them and said that
they were basically out knew that they had to do it. Yeah,
So yeah, for Jimmy has them to take the blame. Yeah,
obviously it's a big part of it. It also just
strikes me because going back to the Miles Garrett situation,
(06:48):
he told Miles Garrett, no talk to Andrew Berry. He
has the faith in the general manager. He's also saying
the blame lies with me. So he certainly has done
a lot to so offseason to show that he fully
believes in his general manager.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Andrew Berry.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
The Browns did earlier, or a couple of weeks ago,
restructure Watson's contract convert bonus money from base salary again,
which gives you cap relief now, but it also means
they've pushed a lot of cap charges out into the future.
They've done some things mechanically So if in fact that
Shawn Watson just serves out the time in twenty twenty
six makes his extra forty six million, they can spread
(07:19):
that out over twenty twenty seven and twenty twenty eight.
The cash for Jimmy Heslim's pockets mostly stop flowing to
de Shaun Watson. But there are smart things they're going
to have to deal with here as they move into.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
A new era.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
I mean, while these Steelers are still trying to dip
into a past era and waiting on a forty one
year old quarterback who as of March thirty first, has
not actually given them a decision, it's Aaron Rodgers who
has Mike reported earlier today, did throw with one of
his potential new wide receivers in dk Metcalf over the weekend,
an opportunity to spend some time on the field and
(07:53):
off of the guy that he quite possibly will be
throwing passes to this fall.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Although Mike Tomlin confirmed so far.
Speaker 5 (08:00):
News he's a free agent. As you guys know, he
came to visit last Friday. We had a really productive day.
He's been in this thing a long time. I've been
in this thing a long time. But there's no substitute
for intimacy and spending time together and getting to know
one another in a non competitive environment. And so that
(08:22):
was really good. But I don't have any new updates
in terms of where the process is. We'll see where
it leaves us.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
He added, there's no substitute for intimacy to the catalog
of Mike Tomlin phrases. You take a look at what
dk metcalf has done in his career on deep passes.
He's been one of the top players in the league
going back to twenty nineteen in so many different categories. Mike,
we should also know that Mike Tomlin walked in that
sweating It's sound as if he was havin under the
(08:49):
lights and lying about something. This truly appears to be
a situation where all signs are pointing toward Aaron Rodgers
being the Steelers quarterback, But until he actually calls and
says I'm in, they can't be one under percent.
Speaker 8 (09:01):
Sure, there's a certain tip of the cap to Aaron
Rodgers for being able to string along a team like
the Pittsburgh Steelers this long, and I don't gather that
privately they're as patient as they're making it out to
be publicly. Everybody's always on eggshells when it comes to Aaron.
Nobody really wants to push him a little too far here,
(09:22):
and I guess he understands that and is now saying, well,
I've got to go through the process.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
I've got to visit you.
Speaker 8 (09:27):
I've now got a throw with this big target that
you just acquired to make sure that we're good here.
He is going about this very scientifically. I don't know
when a decision is going to come. We had sort
of hoped that one would come while we're down here,
but it's continuing to give us a topic to talk about,
so that's great. I guess we can't. You know, what
is it smack a gift horse in the mouth or
something like that.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
I think that's the same.
Speaker 7 (09:49):
So what Mike Tomlin also said in that session was
that he's really comfortable being uncomfortable, which I thought, like, well,
that makes one of us like because it's pretty clear
nobody else is very comfortable with this situation. He also
said there is no drop did time in his mind,
and I thought that was interesting. So Mike Tomlin again,
as she said, like nobody wants to be seen or
(10:11):
felt like they're pushing Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
Certainly.
Speaker 7 (10:14):
I think there are other people in the organization who
are looking at their watch and saying like, Hi, Hi,
when are we going to get that decision with Aaron Rodgers?
But Tomlin is being very, very careful not to push
the subject. He made the point. He's perfectly fine waiting.
He's got no problem with this. We will see. I
agree with you that I think there are certainly other
(10:34):
people in the organization who are getting a little bit
antsy with how long this decision is taking it is.
Speaker 6 (10:41):
It has been fascinating you walk around these lead inague meetings,
talk to other general managers and coaches. How many different
people have said, Hey, when's Rogers going to make a decision?
It does seem like it is agitated everyone. And yes,
I assume the Steelers would like a decision sooner rather
Thlan not.
Speaker 9 (10:56):
I assume.
Speaker 6 (10:56):
I know several members of the organization have said so
a couple of Mike you mentioned the throwing session with
DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 9 (11:03):
Sounds like it went very well.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
I don't know how it wouldn't, but it did sound
like it went well, which if you're looking for some momentum.
As far as why he would choose the Steelers over
basically nothing, There's a little bit there. And as far
as the deadline goes, the Steelers have avoided any artificial
deadlines right they have said.
Speaker 9 (11:19):
When you are ready, come tell us.
Speaker 6 (11:20):
But there is an actual deadline because in late April
we have the draft, and if these Steelers are not
going to get Aaron Rodgers, they're likely to pick a quarterback,
maybe even early.
Speaker 9 (11:31):
That is when they need to know.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
A couple of years ago, me and Tom were hutted
up in Kansas City before the draft working on the
Aaron Rodgers Jets trade.
Speaker 9 (11:38):
I don't know. I'd just have a funny feeling.
Speaker 6 (11:40):
It's possible we'll be in green Bay working on the
Aaron Rodgers potential signing to the Steelers.
Speaker 9 (11:45):
I'm here for all free we have nothing, but where
will you be green Bay? That's fitting, Yeah, he used
to play that.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I would say you saying there are other people in
the organization that feel differently here. Cam Hayward kind of
said it a couple of weeks ago, would was, what's my
pitch that you either want to be a Steeler or
you don't. He is not a loan in terms of
some of the locker room leaders and just feeling like, Okay,
are we doing this or not? Because we're going to
be in the building for offseason workouts during draft week
(12:13):
just a few weeks.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Away, we'd like to get some answers.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
We should have answers tomorrow, unless, of course, the proposal
gets tabled on the possibility of banning the tush push.
The Packers made the team proposal, those do not historically
have a high percentage of actually passing. But to hear
some of the coaches talking about it today, you have
some people who believe the play should stay. You also
(12:36):
have some people who seem to be moving towards saying
we should take it out of the game.
Speaker 10 (12:42):
No, I don't have a sense either way. We'll see,
you know, we'll see how it goes. I know, I
know I'll say about it. All I'll say about it
is Gannon Stiching and more. Better vote for it. They were,
they're in the position there in right now because of
that place, so they've all three. I better have those
(13:02):
three votes right there and the Eagles vote, so at
least at least know we got.
Speaker 11 (13:06):
Four if we're going to vote against that. We just
feel like it's it's a football play. If you want
to take out pushing, then you've got to take it
out across the board, you know, you got to take
it out downfield when the guy's running a bunch of
guys come in and push them. If you feel like
it's a dangerous play, then it's a dangerous play in
every scenario, not just at the line of scrimmage, I think.
Speaker 12 (13:24):
But we're going to vote.
Speaker 13 (13:25):
Against so so a loose term really in terms of
what what defines a push push So, you know, so
there's there's different forms of it out there. I know
we are one of the teams that people identify that
run it.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
That's fair.
Speaker 13 (13:43):
You know, there's other teams as well. So I just look,
we're gonna we're gonna always act in a way that's
best for the health and safety of the players, and
I think that's the responsible way to go, Judy.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
One of the interesting things here is so often the
NFL is reacting to data when it comes to changing plays,
whether it's to kick off or any other number of things.
Blindside blocked here, there is no data to say this
is a dangerous play. But for the first time, I
can remember you heard people saying today, well, it could
become a dangerous play, and that alone has reason abandon.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
Now, yeah, first let's go back, and I want to
say this respectfully to all the coaches, like, I.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Know how you feel. You are not the people voting.
Speaker 7 (14:23):
It is the owners voting, and so especially Nick Sirianni,
who's counting the votes of his former assistant coaches, Like,
it doesn't really work that way. Next, I'm sorry to
tell you, okay about I think the tenor of this
conversation has changed dramatically since the Competition Committee started talking
about it back at the combine, where they made the
point there is no injury data there because there have
(14:45):
simply been no injuries on this play there. It hasn't
been run that often, so there's just not this pool
of data.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
That's great.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
However, doctor Allan Sills, who is the chief Medical Officer
of the NFL, has told the league listen, this play
presents a real risk of catastrophic spine injury. And basically
the conversation now in the room is well, like, you
don't want to wait for that kind of injury to happen.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
You want to get ahead of it.
Speaker 7 (15:14):
I think there's going to be a really good, solid
discussion about that, because certainly there are coaches we heard
from a lot of them who say, like, listen, this
is a football player. Mike Vreebel put it really well,
like saying like, we need to be able to stop it.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
There are plays in football. We just need to be
able to stop it.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
That is not the conversation that the Competition Committee has
had over the last few weeks. So it has certainly
morphed into a player safety conversation. Now I can tell
that you are dying to say something about that, but
it is certainly the tenor of this conversation has changed
from well, the Eagles are just really good at it
and it doesn't look like a football play and we
(15:50):
should get rid of it, to this is a potentially
very very dangerous play.
Speaker 8 (15:55):
Well that's what the folks that wanted out what goes
there and say go to be had.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
We've had this debate before. I'm not going to have
it again.
Speaker 8 (16:03):
I'm just going to say that I had an interesting
conversation today with someone who said when the play first
popped up a couple of years ago, he expressed to
a member of the Competition Committee I don't love this play.
I just don't like it. I had nothing about health
and safety, and that person relayed and said, we're not
gonna do give it a year, right, give it a year.
(16:23):
I believe based on that conversation that they were going
to say, let's see what the data winds up being.
I think they thought that there might be some injuries
that popped up on this play and they didn't get it.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
So now it's more about that word they keep coming up, proactive.
Speaker 8 (16:37):
That's Whatshean McDermott said, saying that we want to do
things that are always in the best interest of the
health and safety of the players. Obviously, those in Philadelphia,
thank you, strongly disagree. I'm not in Philadelphia. I live
in North Jersey. I am not an Eagles fan. I'm
in Palm Beach right now with you where tomorrow they
will also discuss whether to attack the seating takes place
(17:01):
in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
The Detroit Lions have proposed that even if.
Speaker 8 (17:04):
You're a division winner, doesn't automatically mean that you mean
that you're going to get a home game that they
would see based on record, with the division winners getting
the automatic tie breaker in that case.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
I got to tell you, if there.
Speaker 8 (17:16):
Was a coach today who came out in favor of this,
I didn't hear it. I heard a lot of guys
saying I'm a division purist. Winning the division should mean something.
One person that may have been McDermott that said, if
you have a losing record, then maybe we could talk
about that and perhaps you don't get to host the
game at that point.
Speaker 9 (17:32):
But I just don't see the way that this gets
voted through. It really walked the line in the Tourchbush anyway.
Speaker 6 (17:36):
Another topic that is going to be discussed tomorrow the
expansion potential expansion of replay a system. What that is
is the officials in New York getting in the ears
of the referees on the field and essentially fixing egregious
fouls that one, not that one, but fixing egregious foules
that we can all obviously see. Not going to put
(17:56):
down new flags. It would be a flag that already existed.
Fixing a replay before it happened. We saw a ton
toward the end of the year. Expect that to increase,
and then the Competition Committee and the NFL owners are
also going to consider a proposal Tom from the Detroit
Lions to do way with the automatic first downs related
to defensive holding. We will see where that ends up,
(18:20):
but obviously the Tush push conversation that Mike so expertly
navigated is going to be the biggest headline NFL.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
There's also past a resolution regarding the Thursday Night Football Flex,
basically moving games from Sundays to Thursdays. They actually improved
it on one year basis a couple of years ago.
It only happened one time over the past two seasons
here now they are trimming it down from twenty eight
days notice to twenty one days notice.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
Now.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
Hearing league officials talk about this today and also the
presentation made behind the scenes, it was basically, this is
a break glass in case of emergency. We can't have
a Browns game on in December when we have a
compelling game between the Chargers and the Broncos, fifty percent
of the country is going to see now.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Hans Shrewder, one of the NFL.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Executives, acknowledge there are some people who don't like this,
but he also said this was overwhelmingly approved by the membership.
He said it's good for our fans and it's good
for Amazon specifically of course those fans who.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Are watching on Amazon.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
A lot more to come in this show from the
NFL Annual Meeting, including some comments from Brian Schottneimer. I
sat down with him yesterday, talked about Michael Parsons and
Ashton boy Blake. Do you see a scenario at which
Micah is not on your team in twenty twenty five?
You'll hear his answer also here next my conversation with
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who is going to give the
(19:40):
most complete and exhaustive answer on the quarterback situation that
you are going to hear to date. I know because
I have telepathy and the sun is going to be
much brighter behind me when we're back next on The Insiders.
(20:05):
Wasn't that long ago the Vikings were finishing off a
fourteen win season that ended in disappointment, first in Detroit
and then against the Rams in the playoffs. Now Sam
Darnold is off to Seattle. Certainly sounds like JJ McCarthy
will be the Vikings quarterback in twenty twenty five. But
there's so much more the Minnesota has accomplished in an
off season.
Speaker 14 (20:25):
Where we really defined the growth of our team through
for agency a year ago, thinking about what we did
on defense, bringing in Aaron Jones to kind of peggyback
that with what I thought was a fantastic free agency
by Quasi and his staff, our coaching staff, everybody working
together to make that happen. I mean, I really went
into this hoping to solidify the interiors of both our
(20:49):
offensive and defensive line. We wanted to make sure our
secondary was continued to not only in the present but
into the future be in a really great spot. Getting
Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Acuda. And then how
about Harrison Smith coming back. Nobody's really talking about that,
but I haven't coached a game for the Vikings without
Harrison Smith running out of the tunnel, so I feel
(21:11):
incredibly comfortable with that. And then to bring Aaron Jones back,
trade for Jordan Mason, all kinds of you know, moves
on the offensive line with Will Fries and Ryan Kelly.
A lot of boxes got checked in a really positive way.
So I'm excited to ultimately get going with the offseason
program and see what this this year's team is going
to start looking like.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
When you go out and you get Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, yep,
Ryan Kelly, you bring back Aaron Jones.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
All these guys are thirty, thirty one, thirty two years old.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
These are the moves you make if you feel like
you're in a championship window. It's fair to say that's
where you feel like you are.
Speaker 14 (21:43):
Well. I just I think for football teams nowadays, you know,
I know this since I first interviewed for this job.
I feel a responsibility to make sure every single year
we're doing the things that we feel like we need
to do as a football team to give ourselves a
chance to compete for a championship.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
You know, you have to.
Speaker 14 (22:03):
Make moves based upon what your organization is, and in
my opinion, we've built an organization with the resources. We
have four players that may be on the other side
of thirty with a bunch of production in their career,
a coaching staff that can has proven with you know,
some of the additions we made last year and guys
went out and had career years. Defensively, Aaron Jones had
(22:24):
a career year. Our jobs are to make sure schematically
and football wise we make it work. We've got great resources,
to make sure we stay healthy, we prepare our team
the right way, and ultimately what that leads to Tom
is a chance to be competitive week in and week out,
even when maybe others don't always see our team the
same way. Allah year ago, where folks like yourself thought
(22:45):
we'd finished in the cellar of the division, going no,
you were always great, But fourteen wins later, we're off
to just reset it and go chase some more wins
this year.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
It's very reminder you guys are a fourteen win team.
A year ago.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
You had a lot of suggests in a lot of
the air there is obviously you're aware that a lot
of the focus has been on one particular position, one
guy who's on your roster. We haven't seen another guy
who's not on your rosters. I'm gonna give you, I'm
gonna take one shot at this for every conspiracy theory,
every report, every rumor, everything post on social media, where
do we actually stand? But JJ McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers and
(23:19):
the Vikings quarterback position.
Speaker 14 (23:21):
Yeah, JJ is you know having a great offseason. He's
in daily at a place now where the workouts he's
putting in throwing wise, you know, getting stronger, He's gained
all his you know, his weight back for making sure
that that knee healed properly, and at the same time,
he had a great year from a mental standpoint. I
asked him to pseudo treat it like a red shirt
(23:43):
year where he was able to mentally really kind of
totally summerse himself in our offense and the verbiage and
live through you know, samplane, you know, one year coming
in and having to learn everything and and go out
and be productive to win fourteen games, and JJ was
able to take, you know, have a.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
Front row for all of that.
Speaker 14 (24:01):
So I really don't look at JJ as a rookie
for you know, he's going to be a first year
guy competing and hopefully ends up being our starting quarterback,
and he's in a great position to do that. Can't
wait to get to work with him. In regards to Aaron, look,
Aaron and I have known each other for a long time,
four time MVP I got. You know, I can't even
put into words the amount of respect I have for Aaron.
(24:23):
So when it became a possibility that Aaron may have
interest in playing for the Minnesota Vikings, our job quasi
myself amongst many others, is to evaluate what that looks like.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
We've had a.
Speaker 14 (24:34):
Quarterback plan in place, one that started out with Sam
Darnold coming here and being a guy that we could
win with and not only do that, but propel Sam
to where he belongs in this league, which is I
was happy to see for him ending up, you know,
getting a great deal in Seattle with a great organization,
great coaches. But JJ McCarthy was part of that plan,
selecting him with the tenth overall pick last year and
(24:57):
really wanting to pride ourselves as an organization of a
place quarterbacks want to be tom They want to come
here because they know we're going to do everything in
our power to support them, put them in great systems
to have success, and then give them the ownership to
compete and go help drive our team to new levels.
And we've seen it with multiple guys now over the
course of my time here, and that's really been the
(25:18):
plan all Along with all that being said, you have
to take the time to visit those topics and have
that kind of dialogue as an organization, and where we
ended up is after some personal dialogue with Aaron, we
wanted to make sure JJ feels that he's in a
position to hit the ground run in this spring, have
a great spring, and put himself in position to have
a Grade twenty twenty five, which has kind of been
(25:40):
the plan all along. But at the same time, with
the respect level to all involve the communication I need
to have with our current players like JJ and the
other free agents we were able to bring that. I'm
really excited about all that requires a lot of time
and energy. Well, the world seems to be talking about it.
We had our work to do in house, as you know,
(26:02):
but I feel really good about where we're at.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Lamar Jackson coming off another MVP caliber season, so got
three years left on the contract extension that he signed,
making them the NFL's highest paid player a couple of
years ago. That hasn't stopped the Ravens already from having
some minister conversations about the next Lamar deal.
Speaker 11 (26:24):
There's been conversations about that internally. I know how far
along that is or whatever, I don't know, but I
definitely think it's an obvious point that you're making. That's
that's that's going to continue to have to be addressed
really with all those guys. I mean, you know, he's
got to kind of manage that dance, the salary cap dance,
and Lamar is the main part of that because he's
(26:44):
he's he's a he's a franchise player. So that's possibility,
I think, you know, sooner or later definitely is going
to have to happen.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Gdo Smith got traded to the Raiders without a new
contract in place, one year left on his deal. Seahawks
are willing to give him a raise, you know, decided
he want a bigger raise. At least according to Pete Carroll,
sounds like they're gonna be able to figure out some
way to get something done.
Speaker 15 (27:11):
Let's build them, you know always, you know, so taking
Gino is an immediate to fix for us. It's going
to last us. We're gonna get a number of years
from Gino at his very best. He's as healthy and
ready to go. He's as tuned in as he's ever been.
But that doesn't mean that we don't see you guys.
There's some guys coming out that tremendous protest, and we'll
just take a look at each spot and the opportunity
(27:33):
that's presented and the guys, the choices that we had.
We're not excluding taking any position.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
As did I mentioned quarterback contracts, brock Perty also is
up for one. There have been negotiations between the forty
nine ers and Perdy's agent John Lynch. Was asked about
that situation earlier today Mike and said simply, I think
we're going to get the deal done and then more
or less send.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
That's all I'm doing right now.
Speaker 8 (27:58):
Well, because we've got a couple of months to go here,
So it's a question of when that deal gets done.
Anytime before week one is going to be fine with everybody.
I don't think rock Party holds out a training camp.
I don't think he misses anything in the spring. So
when you're a quarterback, you know you have to be
involved most of the time at the very least. So look,
brock Party was the last pick in the draft, and
I think that's going to sit in a lot of
(28:19):
people's minds. And when it comes to negotiations, you know,
there's no holds barred sometimes and this kind of stuff
can be held against you and then in the end
the deal gets done and everybody's happy. But right now
we're in that period of potential consternation here. But brock
Party's going to sit there and say, I don't care
where I was drafted, look at the numbers and look
at the fact that I was a Super Bowl quarterback.
(28:40):
That counts for something because some of the other guys
that got contract extensions in recent years didn't play in
the super Bowl and my numbers are comparable with them,
But maybe just because they were drafted highly, why should
that matter.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I'm basically playing out all the negotiations right now.
Speaker 8 (28:55):
This is kind of sort of what's happening behind closed
doors and what's going to happen for the next couple months.
But like I said earlier, you don't look a gift
to us in the mouth. I got it right this time,
and we are halling to talk.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
About Brockberdy a bunch of more entire out to what
you said in the In the first block of the show,
there Michael Parsons. Another contract situation that we are monitoring
very closely. Parsons entering the fifty year option on his
original rookie deal do about twenty four million dollars this season.
Mike has made absolutely no bones about the fact that
he'd be very happy if we got a forty million
(29:26):
dollars a year contract in line with some of those.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Other top pass rushers.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
Here's what Brian Schottenheimer said yesterday when I asked him
about Mike's future in Dallas.
Speaker 12 (29:37):
Micah has said all along. You know, hey, he plans
on being there. Again, it's a business, right, There's a
lot of factors that go into a deal. There's two sides,
heavy negotiation. It's not just our side, it's Mike has
got his side. And this is an opportunity for Mike,
especially with some of the guys we've lost as a leadership,
for Micah to take a step up, and he's excited
about that. He wants to have more leadership responsibility. So again,
(30:01):
we've got a ton of time, and again we'll take
it day by day. But again my conversation with Mike
have been great, and again I think he's in a
good spot. It's business, as he understands, and we.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Talked about it on Super Bowl Sunday.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
The fact that Cowboys had at least internal discussions the
dated backaways about hey, when you're already paying Dak top dollar,
you're paying cdee Lamb very close to top dollar, is
it the best in our best interest to also pay
Mike get top dollar or could we trade him get
a whole bunch of draft picks and kind of remake
the thing. I asked Seawanenheimer directly, is there any scenario
in which you see Michael No on your team in
twenty twenty five? He said, I don't think so. We've
(30:38):
seen rushing the pastor here a long time. But how
does this play out?
Speaker 6 (30:41):
That would be best case scenario for the Dallas Cowboys, says,
Take Micah Parsons, a homegrown player, a big time draft success,
and make sure that he is a highly paid member
of the Dallas Cowboys for a very long time, and
we have been discussing Mike's contract extension seems for quite
a while, while several other pass rushers, including of course
Miles guyt including Max we have already gotten paid and
(31:01):
it doesn't seem like the past rushers are done.
Speaker 9 (31:03):
TJ.
Speaker 6 (31:04):
Watt also up for a new deal. A Hutchinson also
up for a new deal. If you want to know
when we're gonna stop talking about Micah Parson's contract extension,
I wouldn't be surprised if we are talking about this
all the way in July and all of this, because
I wouldn't be surprised that Michah Parsons is the last
to go before the season. Certainly believes he should be
(31:24):
the highest page is going to be the highest paid,
but that would carry on longer the later he goes.
Speaker 9 (31:29):
So I think Michaeh.
Speaker 6 (31:30):
Parson just waits and waits, but we all spend a
ton of time talking about him with.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
If there's a team accustomed to those protracted contract negotiatings,
very from me. The same team that did it with
Ceedee Lamb and did it with Zach Martin. The Cowboys
have been down that road before. Also, weird to think
this fall if indeed Michael Parsons isn't expected on the Cowboys.
We chasing Russell Wilson in a Giants uniform. Russell Wilson
headed to the Giants on a one year deal, as
we told you last week, seeing here along with his
(31:56):
wife Sierra, hugging head coach Brian Dabel. Giants also added
Jamis Winston to that room. That doesn't necessarily mean they're
not going to take one with the number three pick.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Yeah, I think anything's on the table.
Speaker 16 (32:08):
You know, we're still going through that process a few
weeks out, but you know, We're doing a lot of
work on not just the quarterbacks but all the players,
so you know, we'll do what we think is best
for the football team. But I wouldn't rule anything out.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Judy, We've been talking about Shador Sanders and the Giants
going all the way back to last fall.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
We know they went through that school a bunch of times.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
Brian Dable is a master saying a lot of words
without actually saying anything. Take me between the lines, What
did you make out how they're talking about this now?
Speaker 7 (32:38):
I think just what he said, everything is on the table.
I wouldn't rule out taking a quarterback, certainly.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Listen.
Speaker 7 (32:45):
I don't know how to phrase this without saying like
they are a desperate team. They are desperate to settle
the quarterback situation. Having Russell Wilson in the building settles
it temporarily. I think they expect that he will give
them competent quarterback play. They think that they will be
able to put a better team around him than they've
had in previous seasons, and so that should.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
Help them win games. But I don't think anybody is.
Speaker 7 (33:10):
Under the illusion that this is a long term fix
for the most important position. And so when day Ball
says he doesn't rule anything out. I don't think you
rule anything out. They remain a team desperate to improve
their quarterback situation, and if the quarterback that they like
is available whenever they draft, I would expect that they
(33:30):
would take them.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Easy to forget. Just a couple of years ago. Daniel
Jones plays Best Football. Brian Dable Coach of the Year.
They went to the playoffs. It wils went to the
playoffs in their first year. Jim Harbaugh with the La Chargers.
We're gonna have owner Dean Spanos on the show coming
up right after this to talk about a lot of
things go on, the expectations for year two, some of
their new additions, as well as a pretty cool opportunity
(33:52):
for the Chargers maybe to play a game in Greece.
We'll explain when Dean joins us next on The Insiders.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Oh bah, that's what says in the script.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
The Charters have been awarded international marketing rights to Greece,
the homeland of the ancestors of Dean Spanos and the
Spanos family. Dean joined us to talk about that and
a lot of other exciting news earlier today with me
and Steve Weich.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Dean down here at the NFL Annual Meeting.
Speaker 1 (34:27):
You're always in this nebulous part of the off season
between free agency and the draft. Yarre coming off of
really exciting year one with your coach Jim Harbaugh and
Joe Hortiz. Just tell me about what's going on in
that organization right now.
Speaker 17 (34:38):
Well, a lot, okay, obviously, but to go back when
Jim first came, you know, you never know what's going
to happen, but I think everybody had a good feeling
that you know, we're going to head in a different
direction and they end up in the playoffs after the
first year was really exciting, not just for me but
our fans, the organization as a whole, and it's just
(34:59):
set a whole new dynamic for us for this coming year.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
He want to put down roots with the Bolt, which
was when I saw that the first time last year.
It's just it's really cool when you walk out and
you just see the expansiveness of it.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
Everybody's been inside so that it's awesome.
Speaker 17 (35:13):
Yeah, it's really it's I'll tell you, it was a
work in progress. It took a long time to get
it done. We're fortunate I had some good people working
on it. But I'd love to go to work every
day I see it. Our everybody that works in the
organization loves it. But the players they come and I've
heard nothing but good things about it, which makes.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Me feel good.
Speaker 17 (35:32):
The food is great, Okay, the food is great, and
so that's the first thing that everybody complains about. So
I really feel good about it, especially when we're trying
to recruit a player or a coach or somebody you
know that works on the business side. It's it's really
a selling point for us.
Speaker 18 (35:49):
So yeah, incredible facility, I mean, yeah, thank you. Absolutely
one of the tops in the NFL. So we're talking
about all this great stuff happening in Los Angeles, but
today you got the good news that you have.
Speaker 9 (36:00):
Been awarded rights over in Greece.
Speaker 18 (36:03):
Now, explain to us what exactly that means. It doesn't
necessarily mean you're going to be playing a game there,
but your toe is in the water to possibly do that.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
It is.
Speaker 17 (36:12):
It is, and I've spent I was in Greece three
or four times last year. We have some other businesses
that we're looking at and being involved in over there,
and I was taking off flying back to La and
I looked over and I saw the old Olympic stadium
there just by chance, honestly, and I said, I said,
it would be incredible if we could really play a
(36:34):
regular season game there, and didn't think much of it.
Got back a month later I was talking with some
of our people internally and I said, what do we
need to put our hat in the ring or for Greece.
I said, you know, nothing guaranteed. And so we talked
with the league and they have this outreach program. It's
a global network that they're reaching out all over the world.
It is you know you saw today presentation. We're looking
(36:56):
to go global and you know, with the NFL in
the next decade and hopefully and we will be successful.
But I thought, you know, look, this is something that
you know, my heritage is from there, My grandparents on
both sides of my family are from there, and selfishly,
I just I couldn't imagine. I guess I could imagined
(37:19):
being there for a regular season game. So what we're
trying to do, just in the short of it is
we want to implement a flag football league in Athens
through the school system over the next two or three years,
see what the interest is okay, and I want to
go back to the league and prove that this market
is viable. It'll support the NFL Chargers brand and everything.
(37:41):
And then you know, maybe maybe after the Olympics, when
everybody sees what's happening with flag football and the Olympics Athens,
Greece might be a great place for a home game.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Down one more thing you could do, they say, come
Tony Funny and hey, we need to borrow Justin Herbert
for a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Yes, play these games. I imagine you'd like to see
him in downtown LA. That wouldn't be all bad.
Speaker 1 (38:04):
Yes, that would be great. Being always a pleasure than
Thank you, guys, Thank you very much.
Speaker 13 (38:09):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
New today here at the NFL Annual Meeting, Colts coach
Shean Steike and addressing reporters for the first time since
the signing of veteran quarterback Daniel Jones, who is now
set to compete but Anthony Richardson for the starting job.
And certainly sounds like as Chris Ballard said back at
the combine, this thing's gonna be wide open.
Speaker 19 (38:29):
It'll start in the spring. They're gonna split the one
reps through spring practice. And going into training camp, and
really it's going to come down to who's the most consistent,
who's the most productive, will be the starter.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
You like, look at we had talk Anthony Si signing Daniel.
Speaker 19 (38:44):
Yes, what's his reaction to having a guy you.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
Know, I guess you job?
Speaker 19 (38:49):
Yeah, No, he was aware of it. After the season. Obviously,
we sat down, we talked and we said, we're gonna know,
look at bringing in some competition, and uh, it's obviously
when we signed him, he knew it was coming, and uh,
we talked about it. So I me and Anthony we've
been talking weekly, just keeping up, you know, tabs they
always doing obviously working out in Florida, doing well.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
We are just twenty four days away from the twenty
twenty five NFL Draft and the Titans, who have been
on the clock for close to three months now, still
doing their due diligence. That includes on April ninth, a
private workout they are going to conduct with Colorado quarterbacks
Door Sanders and his teammate Travis Hunter. Here's what Brian
(39:28):
Callaghan that had to say about where they stand on
number one.
Speaker 20 (39:31):
I think we're opening everything at this at this point.
I mean we've been consistent with that approach from the
get go and that hasn't changed. We're doing our due
diligence on all the options available to us, and when
it comes down to make the decision, we'll make it
and there won't be really you know, we we'll have
done it knowing we've gone through all every bit of
the process and looked at every possible outcome and feel
(39:52):
really good about it. At that point.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
Path is back.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Our experts take you inside the film room to show
you which pro specks are rising to the top of
draft boards and are ready to transform into NFL stars.
From evaluations to draft needs for all thirty two teams,
we've got you covered. Path of the Draft presented by
Harbor Freight weeknights at six pm Eastern Time on NFL
Network and streaming on NFL Plus. It was fifteen years
(40:20):
ago next month to Gerald McCoy, our friend and colleague
started a trand where you hug the commissioner until he
can't breathe anymore. So who will get hugged or give
a hug? That's the hardest in twenty four days. That's
one of the great mysteries. Twenty four days.
Speaker 2 (40:38):
Away from the NFL Draft.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
I think NFL Networks should bring back the graphic package
right there, and Gerald should bring back that hat P
nine button suit. Jerald, I know you still got it.
We're a week one for game day morning. The annual
NFL Head Coach's picture here at the Annual Meeting was
taken yesterday. I just find this fascinating because we've seen
(41:00):
Judy to sit down, Kyle Brandt breaks it down. But
how they get there, how they look between and while
they're awaiting it. I think this is a big tell
about the personalities of the men in the photo.
Speaker 7 (41:11):
I always want to know do they tell them where
to sit, who to sit next to or are they
self selecting?
Speaker 4 (41:17):
And that would be really fascinating.
Speaker 2 (41:19):
It looks like it looks.
Speaker 7 (41:21):
It does look like a free for all, So like,
does everybody want to sit next to Andy Reid because
you know, like.
Speaker 6 (41:25):
What's the being Let me let me just explain, as
someone who is not the tallest person in the whole world,
if you're taking a picture, you know your place. So
like when everyone gets them, Dan Campbell's in the back,
Dan Campbell's in the back, Andy Reid in front. I
got some questions there that's not a great play. But
all the other shorts are right in front. That's where
they need to be. Self selection at its finest. We
(41:47):
do have a pink shirt in there, which surely in
this picture stands out.
Speaker 16 (41:51):
Mike.
Speaker 8 (41:51):
Yeah, Jonathan Gennon holstered the guns this year. By the way,
he had the longer short sleeves than he usually has
because he's in the gym working out. It was little
disappointed in that Andy Reid with the pants as well. Now,
this could have something to do with it being inside
because there was a thread of weather. I think at
the time that they had to take this inside, so.
Speaker 9 (42:09):
They went green screen.
Speaker 4 (42:10):
Yeah, top of the baby larger.
Speaker 9 (42:13):
You can't even tell that they're inside.
Speaker 6 (42:15):
It looks like they are sitting outside, right outside.
Speaker 9 (42:19):
The historic Breakers Hotel. You'd have no idea.
Speaker 7 (42:22):
I love Mike Tomlin, who's in like a T shirt
with his sunglasses just dangling off the.
Speaker 9 (42:26):
Com Where was Raheem? Do we know?
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Noem Wilson.
Speaker 1 (42:30):
You know Raheem was just he was later arriving. He
is here now. I also think that there's definitely a
memo of like wear paints right you show up to
the photo that nobody wants paints. We don't want to
see it. One guy not in pants, Nick Sirianni in shorts,
which when you win the Super Bowl you can wear.
Speaker 4 (42:47):
Petshamas to thee whenever you want.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
We're back here tomorrow. We got rules votes, we got
special guests.
Speaker 1 (42:52):
Ben johnsonban was a stink, went so much more so
then m
If there was any doubt that the Browns are moving
on from the Deshaun Watson era hell own or Jimmy
haslm erased it today. But after that big swing and miss,
do they have a home run alternative? Maybe with that
number two overall pick. We will tell you what Cleveland's
brain trust is saying now. Maybe the Browns just signed
Aaron Rodgers. Probably not, but it does continue to look
(00:30):
like Rogers will land in the AFC North as soon
as he gets around to telling the Steelers exactly what
he intends to do. Hear what Mike Tomlin is saying
about the guy he still hopes is gonna be QB one.
Tuesday is voting day here at the NFL Annual Meeting,
and there's at least a chance the final tush has
been pushed. We will break down the debate over whether
(00:51):
to brotherly shove the play aside and so much more.
Welcome Inside with the Insiders live in Palm Beach, Florida,
alongside Judy Batista, Mike Garrifalo, Ian rappaport I am Tom Pelsero.
We got Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell coming on the show tonight.
We got Chargers owner Dean Spanos coming on the show.
(01:12):
You'll hear from Brian Schottenheimer about what's going on with
Michael Parsons.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
A ton to get to in this show.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Let's start out with the Browns and an interesting statement
earlier today that Jimmy Haslem made to some local reporters
here regarding the man that just three years ago in
the Little Change was traded for in a deal involving
several first round picks and a five year, two hundred
thirty million dollar fully guaranteed contract, a mess of injuries,
among other things, as sidewinded the Deshaun Watson aire in Cleveland,
(01:42):
and Haslm, speaking earlier today, said quote, we took a
big swing and miss with DeShawn. We thought we had
the quarterback, we didn't, and we gave up a lot
of draft picks to get him. So we got to
dig ourselves out of that hole. The trade was an
entire organization decision and it ends with and I so
hold us accountable. Pretty good year to have the number
(02:04):
two overall pick, Kevin Stefanski.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
He's an extremely talented football player. Again, getting to know
the kid, Uh, you watch the tape, Uh, and you
I think the important part as an evaluator is you
want you want to talk to the player about plays
and how it plays. And I think he sees the
game really, really well, has been raised the right way.
I think they've done an outstanding job bringing him along
(02:29):
in terms of understanding football. But he's a very, very
talented young man. But off the field is where I'm
probably most impressed.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Knowing about it when you still need.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
To find out, I'm out, yeah, out there.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I think throwing live is another piece of this. Uh
that's a small piece, but a piece of it. Getting
around him going to dinner is important. But then the
whole process and getting in and listening to the rest
of the coaches and the rest of the scouts how
they see.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
The entire draft board.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
But certainly Chaudor is somebody that I think has done
a really nice job throughout this process.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
All right, So Kevin Stefanski kind of saying the quiet
part out loud in the sardine can. That was the
AFC coaches media availability early this morning, in essence, and
all signs are pointing toward cam Wore.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Going number one to the Titans. If that indeed is
the case.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
The draft would really begin at number two, and for
the Cleveland Browns, their choice is going to be do
you take that quarterback, take the swing on Shador Sanders,
whoever it might be, or do you potentially go to
a different spot. I have to figure out your quarterback
question elsewhere.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
Well, let me go in the past a little bit first,
because Jimmy has some guys said a lot, really more
than he ever has about the Deshaun Watson situation, the trade,
which of course has proved disasters over the last several years,
and the contract put the blame on himself and his
wife d for that fully guaranteed contract which has worked
out in absolutely zero ways, essentially saying point the finger
(03:54):
at us, really providing some context. I know a lot
of people have questioned about general manager Andrew Berry and
all of the rest of those who make decisions in
Cleveland has them saying very clearly he was intricately involved
in the decision to give Deshaun Watson that contract, also
saying that essentially it is over for Deshaun Watson. He's
going to miss this season with another torn achilles and
(04:16):
after that almost certainly we'll be headed out of Cleveland,
likely to be released, kind of closing the door on
that part of it. The other part of it, guys,
leads to far more questions. What are the Browns going
to do now? They do have a chance to make
this right and take Shador Sanders at two, if that
is in fact their decision, But what goes into that,
what they ultimately decide, would go a long way and
(04:38):
seeing how well they fix this mistake.
Speaker 7 (04:41):
Well, first of all, some credit is due to Jimmy
Haslm for taking responsibility for what we've known for a
while was an absolute disaster of a trade and a
contract that has been clear for months, maybe even for
several seasons.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
But to hear him say it and to.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Close the door on the Deshaun Watson ear as messy
as it was, I think was important for him to
do as you said. Now, the next big question is
how do they move forward? What are the mechanics? I mean,
de Sehan Watson is still there where it's clear we're
never going to see him in a Cleveland Brown's uniform again,
But what are the mechanics about how they go forward?
They do have the number two pick, what are they thinking?
(05:20):
Certainly places the focus now squarely on the draft, and
I'm really curious to say, like, do we ever see
Deshaun Watson again? I mean, he is on the rosteries
obviously not going to play. Like the mechanics of the
separation are sort of fascinating to me because it has
been such a messy marriage and now the divorce which
has just been announced to he or two everybody has
(05:41):
to play out in front of everyone.
Speaker 8 (05:43):
Well, starting with that last point, it's going to be
a Russell Wilson type situation where the Browns are just
going to have to eat the money. It's a sun cost.
It is what it is not this year, that'll be
in twenty twenty six. So you could have him available
for the veteran minimum, and that was tempting for teams
such as this dealers who said we can have this
guy for the veteran minimum. That there's a lot more
that comes with Watson than there. Really hasn't been a
(06:05):
great play along the way either as well. It's not
like he had the pedigree or the accomplishments that Russell
Wilson had, So we'll see about that once we get
to that point. Has them taking the blame on this one, Look,
there were other teams involved in this, in the DeShawn
Watson situation, that had a chance to make a run
at him, that heard that a fully guaranteed contract was
(06:25):
something that he had on the table and that they
would have to match, and at the ownership level they said,
no way, we are not going there. And Jimmy has
them because remember Watson had called them and said that
they were basically out knew that they had to do it. Yeah,
So yeah, for Jimmy has them to take the blame. Yeah,
obviously it's a big part of it. It also just
strikes me because going back to the Miles Garrett situation,
(06:48):
he told Miles Garrett, no talk to Andrew Berry. He
has the faith in the general manager. He's also saying
the blame lies with me. So he certainly has done
a lot to so offseason to show that he fully
believes in his general manager.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Andrew Berry.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
The Browns did earlier, or a couple of weeks ago,
restructure Watson's contract convert bonus money from base salary again,
which gives you cap relief now, but it also means
they've pushed a lot of cap charges out into the future.
They've done some things mechanically So if in fact that
Shawn Watson just serves out the time in twenty twenty
six makes his extra forty six million, they can spread
(07:19):
that out over twenty twenty seven and twenty twenty eight.
The cash for Jimmy Heslim's pockets mostly stop flowing to
de Shaun Watson. But there are smart things they're going
to have to deal with here as they move into.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
A new era.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
I mean, while these Steelers are still trying to dip
into a past era and waiting on a forty one
year old quarterback who as of March thirty first, has
not actually given them a decision, it's Aaron Rodgers who
has Mike reported earlier today, did throw with one of
his potential new wide receivers in dk Metcalf over the weekend,
an opportunity to spend some time on the field and
(07:53):
off of the guy that he quite possibly will be
throwing passes to this fall.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Although Mike Tomlin confirmed so far.
Speaker 5 (08:00):
News he's a free agent. As you guys know, he
came to visit last Friday. We had a really productive day.
He's been in this thing a long time. I've been
in this thing a long time. But there's no substitute
for intimacy and spending time together and getting to know
one another in a non competitive environment. And so that
(08:22):
was really good. But I don't have any new updates
in terms of where the process is. We'll see where
it leaves us.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
He added, there's no substitute for intimacy to the catalog
of Mike Tomlin phrases. You take a look at what
dk metcalf has done in his career on deep passes.
He's been one of the top players in the league
going back to twenty nineteen in so many different categories. Mike,
we should also know that Mike Tomlin walked in that
sweating It's sound as if he was havin under the
(08:49):
lights and lying about something. This truly appears to be
a situation where all signs are pointing toward Aaron Rodgers
being the Steelers quarterback, But until he actually calls and
says I'm in, they can't be one under percent.
Speaker 8 (09:01):
Sure, there's a certain tip of the cap to Aaron
Rodgers for being able to string along a team like
the Pittsburgh Steelers this long, and I don't gather that
privately they're as patient as they're making it out to
be publicly. Everybody's always on eggshells when it comes to Aaron.
Nobody really wants to push him a little too far here,
(09:22):
and I guess he understands that and is now saying, well,
I've got to go through the process.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
I've got to visit you.
Speaker 8 (09:27):
I've now got a throw with this big target that
you just acquired to make sure that we're good here.
He is going about this very scientifically. I don't know
when a decision is going to come. We had sort
of hoped that one would come while we're down here,
but it's continuing to give us a topic to talk about,
so that's great. I guess we can't. You know, what
is it smack a gift horse in the mouth or
something like that.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
I think that's the same.
Speaker 7 (09:49):
So what Mike Tomlin also said in that session was
that he's really comfortable being uncomfortable, which I thought, like, well,
that makes one of us like because it's pretty clear
nobody else is very comfortable with this situation. He also
said there is no drop did time in his mind,
and I thought that was interesting. So Mike Tomlin again,
as she said, like nobody wants to be seen or
(10:11):
felt like they're pushing Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
Certainly.
Speaker 7 (10:14):
I think there are other people in the organization who
are looking at their watch and saying like, Hi, Hi,
when are we going to get that decision with Aaron Rodgers?
But Tomlin is being very, very careful not to push
the subject. He made the point. He's perfectly fine waiting.
He's got no problem with this. We will see. I
agree with you that I think there are certainly other
(10:34):
people in the organization who are getting a little bit
antsy with how long this decision is taking it is.
Speaker 6 (10:41):
It has been fascinating you walk around these lead inague meetings,
talk to other general managers and coaches. How many different
people have said, Hey, when's Rogers going to make a decision?
It does seem like it is agitated everyone. And yes,
I assume the Steelers would like a decision sooner rather
Thlan not.
Speaker 9 (10:56):
I assume.
Speaker 6 (10:56):
I know several members of the organization have said so
a couple of Mike you mentioned the throwing session with
DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 9 (11:03):
Sounds like it went very well.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
I don't know how it wouldn't, but it did sound
like it went well, which if you're looking for some momentum.
As far as why he would choose the Steelers over
basically nothing, There's a little bit there. And as far
as the deadline goes, the Steelers have avoided any artificial
deadlines right they have said.
Speaker 9 (11:19):
When you are ready, come tell us.
Speaker 6 (11:20):
But there is an actual deadline because in late April
we have the draft, and if these Steelers are not
going to get Aaron Rodgers, they're likely to pick a quarterback,
maybe even early.
Speaker 9 (11:31):
That is when they need to know.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
A couple of years ago, me and Tom were hutted
up in Kansas City before the draft working on the
Aaron Rodgers Jets trade.
Speaker 9 (11:38):
I don't know. I'd just have a funny feeling.
Speaker 6 (11:40):
It's possible we'll be in green Bay working on the
Aaron Rodgers potential signing to the Steelers.
Speaker 9 (11:45):
I'm here for all free we have nothing, but where
will you be green Bay? That's fitting, Yeah, he used
to play that.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I would say you saying there are other people in
the organization that feel differently here. Cam Hayward kind of
said it a couple of weeks ago, would was, what's my
pitch that you either want to be a Steeler or
you don't. He is not a loan in terms of
some of the locker room leaders and just feeling like, Okay,
are we doing this or not? Because we're going to
be in the building for offseason workouts during draft week
(12:13):
just a few weeks.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Away, we'd like to get some answers.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
We should have answers tomorrow, unless, of course, the proposal
gets tabled on the possibility of banning the tush push.
The Packers made the team proposal, those do not historically
have a high percentage of actually passing. But to hear
some of the coaches talking about it today, you have
some people who believe the play should stay. You also
(12:36):
have some people who seem to be moving towards saying
we should take it out of the game.
Speaker 10 (12:42):
No, I don't have a sense either way. We'll see,
you know, we'll see how it goes. I know, I
know I'll say about it. All I'll say about it
is Gannon Stiching and more. Better vote for it. They were,
they're in the position there in right now because of
that place, so they've all three. I better have those
(13:02):
three votes right there and the Eagles vote, so at
least at least know we got.
Speaker 11 (13:06):
Four if we're going to vote against that. We just
feel like it's it's a football play. If you want
to take out pushing, then you've got to take it
out across the board, you know, you got to take
it out downfield when the guy's running a bunch of
guys come in and push them. If you feel like
it's a dangerous play, then it's a dangerous play in
every scenario, not just at the line of scrimmage, I think.
Speaker 12 (13:24):
But we're going to vote.
Speaker 13 (13:25):
Against so so a loose term really in terms of
what what defines a push push So, you know, so
there's there's different forms of it out there. I know
we are one of the teams that people identify that
run it.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
That's fair.
Speaker 13 (13:43):
You know, there's other teams as well. So I just look,
we're gonna we're gonna always act in a way that's
best for the health and safety of the players, and
I think that's the responsible way to go, Judy.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
One of the interesting things here is so often the
NFL is reacting to data when it comes to changing plays,
whether it's to kick off or any other number of things.
Blindside blocked here, there is no data to say this
is a dangerous play. But for the first time, I
can remember you heard people saying today, well, it could
become a dangerous play, and that alone has reason abandon.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
Now, yeah, first let's go back, and I want to
say this respectfully to all the coaches, like, I.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Know how you feel. You are not the people voting.
Speaker 7 (14:23):
It is the owners voting, and so especially Nick Sirianni,
who's counting the votes of his former assistant coaches, Like,
it doesn't really work that way. Next, I'm sorry to
tell you, okay about I think the tenor of this
conversation has changed dramatically since the Competition Committee started talking
about it back at the combine, where they made the
point there is no injury data there because there have
(14:45):
simply been no injuries on this play there. It hasn't
been run that often, so there's just not this pool
of data.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
That's great.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
However, doctor Allan Sills, who is the chief Medical Officer
of the NFL, has told the league listen, this play
presents a real risk of catastrophic spine injury. And basically
the conversation now in the room is well, like, you
don't want to wait for that kind of injury to happen.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
You want to get ahead of it.
Speaker 7 (15:14):
I think there's going to be a really good, solid
discussion about that, because certainly there are coaches we heard
from a lot of them who say, like, listen, this
is a football player. Mike Vreebel put it really well,
like saying like, we need to be able to stop it.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
There are plays in football. We just need to be
able to stop it.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
That is not the conversation that the Competition Committee has
had over the last few weeks. So it has certainly
morphed into a player safety conversation. Now I can tell
that you are dying to say something about that, but
it is certainly the tenor of this conversation has changed
from well, the Eagles are just really good at it
and it doesn't look like a football play and we
(15:50):
should get rid of it, to this is a potentially
very very dangerous play.
Speaker 8 (15:55):
Well that's what the folks that wanted out what goes
there and say go to be had.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
We've had this debate before. I'm not going to have
it again.
Speaker 8 (16:03):
I'm just going to say that I had an interesting
conversation today with someone who said when the play first
popped up a couple of years ago, he expressed to
a member of the Competition Committee I don't love this play.
I just don't like it. I had nothing about health
and safety, and that person relayed and said, we're not
gonna do give it a year, right, give it a year.
(16:23):
I believe based on that conversation that they were going
to say, let's see what the data winds up being.
I think they thought that there might be some injuries
that popped up on this play and they didn't get it.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
So now it's more about that word they keep coming up, proactive.
Speaker 8 (16:37):
That's Whatshean McDermott said, saying that we want to do
things that are always in the best interest of the
health and safety of the players. Obviously, those in Philadelphia,
thank you, strongly disagree. I'm not in Philadelphia. I live
in North Jersey. I am not an Eagles fan. I'm
in Palm Beach right now with you where tomorrow they
will also discuss whether to attack the seating takes place
(17:01):
in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
The Detroit Lions have proposed that even if.
Speaker 8 (17:04):
You're a division winner, doesn't automatically mean that you mean
that you're going to get a home game that they
would see based on record, with the division winners getting
the automatic tie breaker in that case.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
I got to tell you, if there.
Speaker 8 (17:16):
Was a coach today who came out in favor of this,
I didn't hear it. I heard a lot of guys
saying I'm a division purist. Winning the division should mean something.
One person that may have been McDermott that said, if
you have a losing record, then maybe we could talk
about that and perhaps you don't get to host the
game at that point.
Speaker 9 (17:32):
But I just don't see the way that this gets
voted through. It really walked the line in the Tourchbush anyway.
Speaker 6 (17:36):
Another topic that is going to be discussed tomorrow the
expansion potential expansion of replay a system. What that is
is the officials in New York getting in the ears
of the referees on the field and essentially fixing egregious
fouls that one, not that one, but fixing egregious foules
that we can all obviously see. Not going to put
(17:56):
down new flags. It would be a flag that already existed.
Fixing a replay before it happened. We saw a ton
toward the end of the year. Expect that to increase,
and then the Competition Committee and the NFL owners are
also going to consider a proposal Tom from the Detroit
Lions to do way with the automatic first downs related
to defensive holding. We will see where that ends up,
(18:20):
but obviously the Tush push conversation that Mike so expertly
navigated is going to be the biggest headline NFL.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
There's also past a resolution regarding the Thursday Night Football Flex,
basically moving games from Sundays to Thursdays. They actually improved
it on one year basis a couple of years ago.
It only happened one time over the past two seasons
here now they are trimming it down from twenty eight
days notice to twenty one days notice.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
Now.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
Hearing league officials talk about this today and also the
presentation made behind the scenes, it was basically, this is
a break glass in case of emergency. We can't have
a Browns game on in December when we have a
compelling game between the Chargers and the Broncos, fifty percent
of the country is going to see now.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Hans Shrewder, one of the NFL.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Executives, acknowledge there are some people who don't like this,
but he also said this was overwhelmingly approved by the membership.
He said it's good for our fans and it's good
for Amazon specifically of course those fans who.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Are watching on Amazon.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
A lot more to come in this show from the
NFL Annual Meeting, including some comments from Brian Schottneimer. I
sat down with him yesterday, talked about Michael Parsons and
Ashton boy Blake. Do you see a scenario at which
Micah is not on your team in twenty twenty five?
You'll hear his answer also here next my conversation with
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who is going to give the
(19:40):
most complete and exhaustive answer on the quarterback situation that
you are going to hear to date. I know because
I have telepathy and the sun is going to be
much brighter behind me when we're back next on The Insiders.
(20:05):
Wasn't that long ago the Vikings were finishing off a
fourteen win season that ended in disappointment, first in Detroit
and then against the Rams in the playoffs. Now Sam
Darnold is off to Seattle. Certainly sounds like JJ McCarthy
will be the Vikings quarterback in twenty twenty five. But
there's so much more the Minnesota has accomplished in an
off season.
Speaker 14 (20:25):
Where we really defined the growth of our team through
for agency a year ago, thinking about what we did
on defense, bringing in Aaron Jones to kind of peggyback
that with what I thought was a fantastic free agency
by Quasi and his staff, our coaching staff, everybody working
together to make that happen. I mean, I really went
into this hoping to solidify the interiors of both our
(20:49):
offensive and defensive line. We wanted to make sure our
secondary was continued to not only in the present but
into the future be in a really great spot. Getting
Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Acuda. And then how
about Harrison Smith coming back. Nobody's really talking about that,
but I haven't coached a game for the Vikings without
Harrison Smith running out of the tunnel, so I feel
(21:11):
incredibly comfortable with that. And then to bring Aaron Jones back,
trade for Jordan Mason, all kinds of you know, moves
on the offensive line with Will Fries and Ryan Kelly.
A lot of boxes got checked in a really positive way.
So I'm excited to ultimately get going with the offseason
program and see what this this year's team is going
to start looking like.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
When you go out and you get Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, yep,
Ryan Kelly, you bring back Aaron Jones.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
All these guys are thirty, thirty one, thirty two years old.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
These are the moves you make if you feel like
you're in a championship window. It's fair to say that's
where you feel like you are.
Speaker 14 (21:43):
Well. I just I think for football teams nowadays, you know,
I know this since I first interviewed for this job.
I feel a responsibility to make sure every single year
we're doing the things that we feel like we need
to do as a football team to give ourselves a
chance to compete for a championship.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
You know, you have to.
Speaker 14 (22:03):
Make moves based upon what your organization is, and in
my opinion, we've built an organization with the resources. We
have four players that may be on the other side
of thirty with a bunch of production in their career,
a coaching staff that can has proven with you know,
some of the additions we made last year and guys
went out and had career years. Defensively, Aaron Jones had
(22:24):
a career year. Our jobs are to make sure schematically
and football wise we make it work. We've got great resources,
to make sure we stay healthy, we prepare our team
the right way, and ultimately what that leads to Tom
is a chance to be competitive week in and week out,
even when maybe others don't always see our team the
same way. Allah year ago, where folks like yourself thought
(22:45):
we'd finished in the cellar of the division, going no,
you were always great, But fourteen wins later, we're off
to just reset it and go chase some more wins
this year.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
It's very reminder you guys are a fourteen win team.
A year ago.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
You had a lot of suggests in a lot of
the air there is obviously you're aware that a lot
of the focus has been on one particular position, one
guy who's on your roster. We haven't seen another guy
who's not on your rosters. I'm gonna give you, I'm
gonna take one shot at this for every conspiracy theory,
every report, every rumor, everything post on social media, where
do we actually stand? But JJ McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers and
(23:19):
the Vikings quarterback position.
Speaker 14 (23:21):
Yeah, JJ is you know having a great offseason. He's
in daily at a place now where the workouts he's
putting in throwing wise, you know, getting stronger, He's gained
all his you know, his weight back for making sure
that that knee healed properly, and at the same time,
he had a great year from a mental standpoint. I
asked him to pseudo treat it like a red shirt
(23:43):
year where he was able to mentally really kind of
totally summerse himself in our offense and the verbiage and
live through you know, samplane, you know, one year coming
in and having to learn everything and and go out
and be productive to win fourteen games, and JJ was
able to take, you know, have a.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
Front row for all of that.
Speaker 14 (24:01):
So I really don't look at JJ as a rookie
for you know, he's going to be a first year
guy competing and hopefully ends up being our starting quarterback,
and he's in a great position to do that. Can't
wait to get to work with him. In regards to Aaron, look,
Aaron and I have known each other for a long time,
four time MVP I got. You know, I can't even
put into words the amount of respect I have for Aaron.
(24:23):
So when it became a possibility that Aaron may have
interest in playing for the Minnesota Vikings, our job quasi
myself amongst many others, is to evaluate what that looks like.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
We've had a.
Speaker 14 (24:34):
Quarterback plan in place, one that started out with Sam
Darnold coming here and being a guy that we could
win with and not only do that, but propel Sam
to where he belongs in this league, which is I
was happy to see for him ending up, you know,
getting a great deal in Seattle with a great organization,
great coaches. But JJ McCarthy was part of that plan,
selecting him with the tenth overall pick last year and
(24:57):
really wanting to pride ourselves as an organization of a
place quarterbacks want to be tom They want to come
here because they know we're going to do everything in
our power to support them, put them in great systems
to have success, and then give them the ownership to
compete and go help drive our team to new levels.
And we've seen it with multiple guys now over the
course of my time here, and that's really been the
(25:18):
plan all Along with all that being said, you have
to take the time to visit those topics and have
that kind of dialogue as an organization, and where we
ended up is after some personal dialogue with Aaron, we
wanted to make sure JJ feels that he's in a
position to hit the ground run in this spring, have
a great spring, and put himself in position to have
a Grade twenty twenty five, which has kind of been
(25:40):
the plan all along. But at the same time, with
the respect level to all involve the communication I need
to have with our current players like JJ and the
other free agents we were able to bring that. I'm
really excited about all that requires a lot of time
and energy. Well, the world seems to be talking about it.
We had our work to do in house, as you know,
(26:02):
but I feel really good about where we're at.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Lamar Jackson coming off another MVP caliber season, so got
three years left on the contract extension that he signed,
making them the NFL's highest paid player a couple of
years ago. That hasn't stopped the Ravens already from having
some minister conversations about the next Lamar deal.
Speaker 11 (26:24):
There's been conversations about that internally. I know how far
along that is or whatever, I don't know, but I
definitely think it's an obvious point that you're making. That's
that's that's going to continue to have to be addressed
really with all those guys. I mean, you know, he's
got to kind of manage that dance, the salary cap dance,
and Lamar is the main part of that because he's
(26:44):
he's he's a he's a franchise player. So that's possibility,
I think, you know, sooner or later definitely is going
to have to happen.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Gdo Smith got traded to the Raiders without a new
contract in place, one year left on his deal. Seahawks
are willing to give him a raise, you know, decided
he want a bigger raise. At least according to Pete Carroll,
sounds like they're gonna be able to figure out some
way to get something done.
Speaker 15 (27:11):
Let's build them, you know always, you know, so taking
Gino is an immediate to fix for us. It's going
to last us. We're gonna get a number of years
from Gino at his very best. He's as healthy and
ready to go. He's as tuned in as he's ever been.
But that doesn't mean that we don't see you guys.
There's some guys coming out that tremendous protest, and we'll
just take a look at each spot and the opportunity
(27:33):
that's presented and the guys, the choices that we had.
We're not excluding taking any position.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
As did I mentioned quarterback contracts, brock Perty also is
up for one. There have been negotiations between the forty
nine ers and Perdy's agent John Lynch. Was asked about
that situation earlier today Mike and said simply, I think
we're going to get the deal done and then more
or less send.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
That's all I'm doing right now.
Speaker 8 (27:58):
Well, because we've got a couple of months to go here,
So it's a question of when that deal gets done.
Anytime before week one is going to be fine with everybody.
I don't think rock Party holds out a training camp.
I don't think he misses anything in the spring. So
when you're a quarterback, you know you have to be
involved most of the time at the very least. So look,
brock Party was the last pick in the draft, and
I think that's going to sit in a lot of
(28:19):
people's minds. And when it comes to negotiations, you know,
there's no holds barred sometimes and this kind of stuff
can be held against you and then in the end
the deal gets done and everybody's happy. But right now
we're in that period of potential consternation here. But brock
Party's going to sit there and say, I don't care
where I was drafted, look at the numbers and look
at the fact that I was a Super Bowl quarterback.
(28:40):
That counts for something because some of the other guys
that got contract extensions in recent years didn't play in
the super Bowl and my numbers are comparable with them,
But maybe just because they were drafted highly, why should
that matter.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I'm basically playing out all the negotiations right now.
Speaker 8 (28:55):
This is kind of sort of what's happening behind closed
doors and what's going to happen for the next couple months.
But like I said earlier, you don't look a gift
to us in the mouth. I got it right this time,
and we are halling to talk.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
About Brockberdy a bunch of more entire out to what
you said in the In the first block of the show,
there Michael Parsons. Another contract situation that we are monitoring
very closely. Parsons entering the fifty year option on his
original rookie deal do about twenty four million dollars this season.
Mike has made absolutely no bones about the fact that
he'd be very happy if we got a forty million
(29:26):
dollars a year contract in line with some of those.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Other top pass rushers.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
Here's what Brian Schottenheimer said yesterday when I asked him
about Mike's future in Dallas.
Speaker 12 (29:37):
Micah has said all along. You know, hey, he plans
on being there. Again, it's a business, right, There's a
lot of factors that go into a deal. There's two sides,
heavy negotiation. It's not just our side, it's Mike has
got his side. And this is an opportunity for Mike,
especially with some of the guys we've lost as a leadership,
for Micah to take a step up, and he's excited
about that. He wants to have more leadership responsibility. So again,
(30:01):
we've got a ton of time, and again we'll take
it day by day. But again my conversation with Mike
have been great, and again I think he's in a
good spot. It's business, as he understands, and we.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Talked about it on Super Bowl Sunday.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
The fact that Cowboys had at least internal discussions the
dated backaways about hey, when you're already paying Dak top dollar,
you're paying cdee Lamb very close to top dollar, is
it the best in our best interest to also pay
Mike get top dollar or could we trade him get
a whole bunch of draft picks and kind of remake
the thing. I asked Seawanenheimer directly, is there any scenario
in which you see Michael No on your team in
twenty twenty five? He said, I don't think so. We've
(30:38):
seen rushing the pastor here a long time. But how
does this play out?
Speaker 6 (30:41):
That would be best case scenario for the Dallas Cowboys, says,
Take Micah Parsons, a homegrown player, a big time draft success,
and make sure that he is a highly paid member
of the Dallas Cowboys for a very long time, and
we have been discussing Mike's contract extension seems for quite
a while, while several other pass rushers, including of course
Miles guyt including Max we have already gotten paid and
(31:01):
it doesn't seem like the past rushers are done.
Speaker 9 (31:03):
TJ.
Speaker 6 (31:04):
Watt also up for a new deal. A Hutchinson also
up for a new deal. If you want to know
when we're gonna stop talking about Micah Parson's contract extension,
I wouldn't be surprised if we are talking about this
all the way in July and all of this, because
I wouldn't be surprised that Michah Parsons is the last
to go before the season. Certainly believes he should be
(31:24):
the highest page is going to be the highest paid,
but that would carry on longer the later he goes.
Speaker 9 (31:29):
So I think Michaeh.
Speaker 6 (31:30):
Parson just waits and waits, but we all spend a
ton of time talking about him with.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
If there's a team accustomed to those protracted contract negotiatings,
very from me. The same team that did it with
Ceedee Lamb and did it with Zach Martin. The Cowboys
have been down that road before. Also, weird to think
this fall if indeed Michael Parsons isn't expected on the Cowboys.
We chasing Russell Wilson in a Giants uniform. Russell Wilson
headed to the Giants on a one year deal, as
we told you last week, seeing here along with his
(31:56):
wife Sierra, hugging head coach Brian Dabel. Giants also added
Jamis Winston to that room. That doesn't necessarily mean they're
not going to take one with the number three pick.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Yeah, I think anything's on the table.
Speaker 16 (32:08):
You know, we're still going through that process a few
weeks out, but you know, We're doing a lot of
work on not just the quarterbacks but all the players,
so you know, we'll do what we think is best
for the football team. But I wouldn't rule anything out.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Judy, We've been talking about Shador Sanders and the Giants
going all the way back to last fall.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
We know they went through that school a bunch of times.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
Brian Dable is a master saying a lot of words
without actually saying anything. Take me between the lines, What
did you make out how they're talking about this now?
Speaker 7 (32:38):
I think just what he said, everything is on the table.
I wouldn't rule out taking a quarterback, certainly.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Listen.
Speaker 7 (32:45):
I don't know how to phrase this without saying like
they are a desperate team. They are desperate to settle
the quarterback situation. Having Russell Wilson in the building settles
it temporarily. I think they expect that he will give
them competent quarterback play. They think that they will be
able to put a better team around him than they've
had in previous seasons, and so that should.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
Help them win games. But I don't think anybody is.
Speaker 7 (33:10):
Under the illusion that this is a long term fix
for the most important position. And so when day Ball
says he doesn't rule anything out. I don't think you
rule anything out. They remain a team desperate to improve
their quarterback situation, and if the quarterback that they like
is available whenever they draft, I would expect that they
(33:30):
would take them.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Easy to forget. Just a couple of years ago. Daniel
Jones plays Best Football. Brian Dable Coach of the Year.
They went to the playoffs. It wils went to the
playoffs in their first year. Jim Harbaugh with the La Chargers.
We're gonna have owner Dean Spanos on the show coming
up right after this to talk about a lot of
things go on, the expectations for year two, some of
their new additions, as well as a pretty cool opportunity
(33:52):
for the Chargers maybe to play a game in Greece.
We'll explain when Dean joins us next on The Insiders.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Oh bah, that's what says in the script.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
The Charters have been awarded international marketing rights to Greece,
the homeland of the ancestors of Dean Spanos and the
Spanos family. Dean joined us to talk about that and
a lot of other exciting news earlier today with me
and Steve Weich.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Dean down here at the NFL Annual Meeting.
Speaker 1 (34:27):
You're always in this nebulous part of the off season
between free agency and the draft. Yarre coming off of
really exciting year one with your coach Jim Harbaugh and
Joe Hortiz. Just tell me about what's going on in
that organization right now.
Speaker 17 (34:38):
Well, a lot, okay, obviously, but to go back when
Jim first came, you know, you never know what's going
to happen, but I think everybody had a good feeling
that you know, we're going to head in a different
direction and they end up in the playoffs after the
first year was really exciting, not just for me but
our fans, the organization as a whole, and it's just
(34:59):
set a whole new dynamic for us for this coming year.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
He want to put down roots with the Bolt, which
was when I saw that the first time last year.
It's just it's really cool when you walk out and
you just see the expansiveness of it.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
Everybody's been inside so that it's awesome.
Speaker 17 (35:13):
Yeah, it's really it's I'll tell you, it was a
work in progress. It took a long time to get
it done. We're fortunate I had some good people working
on it. But I'd love to go to work every
day I see it. Our everybody that works in the
organization loves it. But the players they come and I've
heard nothing but good things about it, which makes.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Me feel good.
Speaker 17 (35:32):
The food is great, Okay, the food is great, and
so that's the first thing that everybody complains about. So
I really feel good about it, especially when we're trying
to recruit a player or a coach or somebody you
know that works on the business side. It's it's really
a selling point for us.
Speaker 18 (35:49):
So yeah, incredible facility, I mean, yeah, thank you. Absolutely
one of the tops in the NFL. So we're talking
about all this great stuff happening in Los Angeles, but
today you got the good news that you have.
Speaker 9 (36:00):
Been awarded rights over in Greece.
Speaker 18 (36:03):
Now, explain to us what exactly that means. It doesn't
necessarily mean you're going to be playing a game there,
but your toe is in the water to possibly do that.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
It is.
Speaker 17 (36:12):
It is, and I've spent I was in Greece three
or four times last year. We have some other businesses
that we're looking at and being involved in over there,
and I was taking off flying back to La and
I looked over and I saw the old Olympic stadium
there just by chance, honestly, and I said, I said,
it would be incredible if we could really play a
(36:34):
regular season game there, and didn't think much of it.
Got back a month later I was talking with some
of our people internally and I said, what do we
need to put our hat in the ring or for Greece.
I said, you know, nothing guaranteed. And so we talked
with the league and they have this outreach program. It's
a global network that they're reaching out all over the world.
It is you know you saw today presentation. We're looking
(36:56):
to go global and you know, with the NFL in
the next decade and hopefully and we will be successful.
But I thought, you know, look, this is something that
you know, my heritage is from there, My grandparents on
both sides of my family are from there, and selfishly,
I just I couldn't imagine. I guess I could imagined
(37:19):
being there for a regular season game. So what we're
trying to do, just in the short of it is
we want to implement a flag football league in Athens
through the school system over the next two or three years,
see what the interest is okay, and I want to
go back to the league and prove that this market
is viable. It'll support the NFL Chargers brand and everything.
(37:41):
And then you know, maybe maybe after the Olympics, when
everybody sees what's happening with flag football and the Olympics Athens,
Greece might be a great place for a home game.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Down one more thing you could do, they say, come
Tony Funny and hey, we need to borrow Justin Herbert
for a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Yes, play these games. I imagine you'd like to see
him in downtown LA. That wouldn't be all bad.
Speaker 1 (38:04):
Yes, that would be great. Being always a pleasure than
Thank you, guys, Thank you very much.
Speaker 13 (38:09):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
New today here at the NFL Annual Meeting, Colts coach
Shean Steike and addressing reporters for the first time since
the signing of veteran quarterback Daniel Jones, who is now
set to compete but Anthony Richardson for the starting job.
And certainly sounds like as Chris Ballard said back at
the combine, this thing's gonna be wide open.
Speaker 19 (38:29):
It'll start in the spring. They're gonna split the one
reps through spring practice. And going into training camp, and
really it's going to come down to who's the most consistent,
who's the most productive, will be the starter.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
You like, look at we had talk Anthony Si signing Daniel.
Speaker 19 (38:44):
Yes, what's his reaction to having a guy you.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
Know, I guess you job?
Speaker 19 (38:49):
Yeah, No, he was aware of it. After the season. Obviously,
we sat down, we talked and we said, we're gonna know,
look at bringing in some competition, and uh, it's obviously
when we signed him, he knew it was coming, and uh,
we talked about it. So I me and Anthony we've
been talking weekly, just keeping up, you know, tabs they
always doing obviously working out in Florida, doing well.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
We are just twenty four days away from the twenty
twenty five NFL Draft and the Titans, who have been
on the clock for close to three months now, still
doing their due diligence. That includes on April ninth, a
private workout they are going to conduct with Colorado quarterbacks
Door Sanders and his teammate Travis Hunter. Here's what Brian
(39:28):
Callaghan that had to say about where they stand on
number one.
Speaker 20 (39:31):
I think we're opening everything at this at this point.
I mean we've been consistent with that approach from the
get go and that hasn't changed. We're doing our due
diligence on all the options available to us, and when
it comes down to make the decision, we'll make it
and there won't be really you know, we we'll have
done it knowing we've gone through all every bit of
the process and looked at every possible outcome and feel
(39:52):
really good about it. At that point.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
Path is back.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Our experts take you inside the film room to show
you which pro specks are rising to the top of
draft boards and are ready to transform into NFL stars.
From evaluations to draft needs for all thirty two teams,
we've got you covered. Path of the Draft presented by
Harbor Freight weeknights at six pm Eastern Time on NFL
Network and streaming on NFL Plus. It was fifteen years
(40:20):
ago next month to Gerald McCoy, our friend and colleague
started a trand where you hug the commissioner until he
can't breathe anymore. So who will get hugged or give
a hug? That's the hardest in twenty four days. That's
one of the great mysteries. Twenty four days.
Speaker 2 (40:38):
Away from the NFL Draft.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
I think NFL Networks should bring back the graphic package
right there, and Gerald should bring back that hat P
nine button suit. Jerald, I know you still got it.
We're a week one for game day morning. The annual
NFL Head Coach's picture here at the Annual Meeting was
taken yesterday. I just find this fascinating because we've seen
(41:00):
Judy to sit down, Kyle Brandt breaks it down. But
how they get there, how they look between and while
they're awaiting it. I think this is a big tell
about the personalities of the men in the photo.
Speaker 7 (41:11):
I always want to know do they tell them where
to sit, who to sit next to or are they
self selecting?
Speaker 4 (41:17):
And that would be really fascinating.
Speaker 2 (41:19):
It looks like it looks.
Speaker 7 (41:21):
It does look like a free for all, So like,
does everybody want to sit next to Andy Reid because
you know, like.
Speaker 6 (41:25):
What's the being Let me let me just explain, as
someone who is not the tallest person in the whole world,
if you're taking a picture, you know your place. So
like when everyone gets them, Dan Campbell's in the back,
Dan Campbell's in the back, Andy Reid in front. I
got some questions there that's not a great play. But
all the other shorts are right in front. That's where
they need to be. Self selection at its finest. We
(41:47):
do have a pink shirt in there, which surely in
this picture stands out.
Speaker 16 (41:51):
Mike.
Speaker 8 (41:51):
Yeah, Jonathan Gennon holstered the guns this year. By the way,
he had the longer short sleeves than he usually has
because he's in the gym working out. It was little
disappointed in that Andy Reid with the pants as well. Now,
this could have something to do with it being inside
because there was a thread of weather. I think at
the time that they had to take this inside, so.
Speaker 9 (42:09):
They went green screen.
Speaker 4 (42:10):
Yeah, top of the baby larger.
Speaker 9 (42:13):
You can't even tell that they're inside.
Speaker 6 (42:15):
It looks like they are sitting outside, right outside.
Speaker 9 (42:19):
The historic Breakers Hotel. You'd have no idea.
Speaker 7 (42:22):
I love Mike Tomlin, who's in like a T shirt
with his sunglasses just dangling off the.
Speaker 9 (42:26):
Com Where was Raheem? Do we know?
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Noem Wilson.
Speaker 1 (42:30):
You know Raheem was just he was later arriving. He
is here now. I also think that there's definitely a
memo of like wear paints right you show up to
the photo that nobody wants paints. We don't want to
see it. One guy not in pants, Nick Sirianni in shorts,
which when you win the Super Bowl you can wear.
Speaker 4 (42:47):
Petshamas to thee whenever you want.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
We're back here tomorrow. We got rules votes, we got
special guests.
Speaker 1 (42:52):
Ben johnsonban was a stink, went so much more so
then m
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