NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport, Judy Battista, and Mike Garafolo dive into the hottest news coming out of NFL training camps! Jane Slater updates on the ongoing contract talks between the Cowboys and DE Micah Parsons, as well as the leadership message from Jerry Jones to Trevon Diggs. The Insiders analyze Bengals owner Mike Brown's comments regarding DE Trey Hendrickson and DT Shemar Stewart. Omar Ruiz reports on the Chargers’ receiving corps reshuffle following Mike Williams’ sudden retirement. Then, Adam Rank joins the show to rank the first-round fantasy wide receivers. Plus, the Insiders weigh in on what Will Levis’ season-ending injury means for rookie QB Cam Ward.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
The Cowboys have reported to training camp, and so is
that man Michael Parsons who is still waiting for his
megadeal before he gets hit by a car. That is
a real thing, Jerry Jones brought up today when discussing
parsons situation, and boy, will you want to hear the rest.
Don't worry, We're gonna play it tonight. The Chiefs have
also officially gone camping and expectations are as high as ever,
(00:31):
but one of the biggest concerns about the supporting cast
around Patrick Maholmes. We will break down what stands between
them and their sixth Super Bowl appearance in seven years.
Training camp's launching around the NFL through the next couple
of days, which means it's officially time to dial in
on your fantasy plans. Our Adam Rank will be here
(00:52):
with some hot takes on which receivers to target and
who may not be targeted enough. Welcome inside with the
insiders alongside Ian Rappaport, Judy Batista and Mike Garrafolo. I
am Tom Pelicero. When you got four of us here
all together, you know that can mean only one thing,
(01:12):
not just that we're forty five days out from kickoff
in the NFL. Within the next forty eight hours, all
thirty two teams will officially be in training camp. Cowboys
already there out in Oxnard, California, and as I just said,
Michael Parsons did make that trip, even though it remains
unclear at this point how much, if at all, Michaeh.
(01:34):
Parsons is going to be doing when practice officially kicks
off on Tuesday. Jerry Jones, who is never shy about
talking about his players, their participation, and certainly their contracts,
he had a few thoughts in his opening press conference today.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Just because we signed him doesn't mean we're going to
have him. He was hurt six games last year. Seriously,
we've signed I remember signing a player for the highest
plaid at position in the league and he got knocked
out two thirds of the year, Dark Prescott. So there's
a lot of things you can think about when you
(02:10):
just as the player does, when you're thinking about committing
and guaranteeing money.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
On the tango part of it. Though, Mike go sitting
the podcast that ownership.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Has over complicated this thing.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
In your mind, you guys think this has been over complicated.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Of all of the people that I've set down with
as a player, of all the players that I've ever
negotiated with, Michael Parson is as savvy and knowledgeable and
understanding of his financial business relative to football as any
player I've ever been around.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
JJ Watt just done with the victory tour for his
brother's contract. Pleen in on Jerry Jones comments, saying, in part,
any time you can publicly take a dig a year
star quarterback and your start pass rusher simultaneously right before
the season begins, you just gotta take it. Good thing
that we've got our Jane Slater in ox Star California
(03:02):
for what does register as the first live shot of
a very busy several weeks of trading camp coverage right
here on NFL Network. Jane, you are many things to us,
to the show, to this network. You're definitely the person
most fluent in Jerry Jones. You heard the entirety of
that press conference, what he had to say about Michah Parsons.
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 4 (03:23):
All right, let me break a few things down now.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
I did talk to Micah Parsons during that press conference
and he confirmed me that he is here now. Tuesday
is the first practice. To what extent he will engage
still unclear. The team and Michah Parsons not answering that question.
But as head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones pointed out,
you don't have to be actively hitting or tackling players
to make an impact out here, and so that's important.
(03:48):
But let's get into some of the things. I like
to call it reading between the lines, since neither side.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Is getting into the specifics. I mean, my big question.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
I know the fans are asking, well, if you started
talking to Micah back in March, which he did right
after Combine, he was in his office, why isn't this
deal done yet? One Jerry doesn't agree with the notion
of paying and negotiating a new deal when there is
an existing one in place. A lot of teams do
because they see numbers go up. Well his defense, he
believes agents operate and what he calls a projected apy,
(04:18):
in other words, what they think the market value will
be for the player in a year versus what the
team does three They say the value of the valuation
process is not just about them as a player, but
as a person. They get to evaluate younger players while
this plays out and see if someone like Micah Parsons
is growing and progressing in the leadership area, because, as
Jerry Jones put it, you've got ten percent of your
(04:39):
people making two thirds of the money, so it's incumbent
on them to walk the walk and lead again, breaking
all this down, listening to Jerry Jones and Steven Jones today,
it sounds like when he talks about going to the
mirror looking at things that he can do better, maybe
he feels like he gave money, you know, that big
two thirds of the roster, money to guys like Terrence
Seele and Rayvon Diggs too early while they still had contracts.
(05:02):
They were looking for the extension, and maybe he wishes
he hadn't. It's unfortunate that that is now trickling down
to Micah Parsons. But I will tell you this, We've
been here before. It has been far more contentious. I
know some people thought maybe he was throwing his players
under the bus. Not something I walked away with. I
know he's got a lot of respect for Micah Parsons.
If anything, maybe not as much respect as maybe he
(05:24):
should have for the agent, saying instead he only talked
to the principles involved in the contract negotiations. He hasn't
had much talk with David Mugoletta, so I don't know
how that is going to impact negotiations, but I do
get the sense that this is going to get done
with Micah Parsons. I just tend to think it's better
for the team when you put a bow on these
things before you get back to practice, especially with a
new DC and a new head coach.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Trayvon Diggs, who took the NFL by storm as a
rookie with all those interceptions, had some injury. Since he's
back in the news as well, Jane, you'll be back
with more on the dig situation and a lot more
on the Cowboys in just a little bit. Take a
look at them market. Jerry's right. Agents like to project
what the market is going to be, and recently their
projections that the market was going to skyrocket have absolutely
(06:08):
been correct. As we termed it back during Super Bowl Sunday,
this was the off season of the pass rusher Max Crosby,
the Neil Hunter, Miles Garrett, TJ. Watt have all gotten
their deals. There's still a few names left that have
not yet gotten paid. Michael Parsons certainly high up on
that list. Ian we know, by Jerry Jones Michael Parsons's
own words, Jerry thought he had a deal done with Michaeh.
(06:29):
Parsons months and months ago. It seems like it's been
less active of late. Here, No question it's going to
be a big number. What do you envision be in
the timeline on how this entire thing plays out?
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Well, first of all, let's talk about the number, because
you see the forty million dollars from Ales Gary, see
the forty one million dollars for TJ Watt per year
I expected to coming over and this is all said
and done, Michaeh. Parsons likely is, almost certainly is the
highest paid non quarterback in the NFL, as he should be,
and he has been content to wait. I've talked about
this plenty on this show. When a deal gets done,
(07:02):
Michael Parsons will likely be the last pass rusher to
get a deal done before the season. Aiden Hutchinson of
the Detroit Lions is the other big name, high octane
pass rusher currently discussing a potential long term deal. Once
that get done. If that gets done before Michael Parsons
and Parsons officially on the clock. This really is a
(07:22):
fascinating one. Though it is not that that uncommon for
teams to go to players and try to circumvent the agent,
it actually happens more than it probably should. I'm not
sure I can remember a situation like this where it
does seem Jerry Conna alluded to it today that the
Cowboys thought they had a deal, thought they had an
agreement talking just to the player, only for the player
(07:43):
to leave and talk to his agent and go, yeah,
we don't have anything. It's odd. It does mean that
you'll sort of start over. I mean, Urn is a
big deal for the Cowboys, no doubt they're gonna want
to do a long term deal, whereas David Mulligata and
Michah Parson's gonna want to do a shorter term deal
as they've done so I'm not sure anywhere yet, which
(08:03):
means plenty of time to talk about this all through
trying to get Untildale gets done right before.
Speaker 6 (08:11):
Well, there was a whole lot to unpack from Jerry Jones,
But my biggest takeaway, and Jane alluded to this, is
that Jerry sounds like he is comfortable waiting even if
that means he's going to have to pay more rather
than take the risk of paying a player early and
then maybe making a bad bet on a player and
the player not panning out the way he anticipated, which, again,
(08:34):
as Jane said, is counter to the way that most
teams in the NFL operate now, where you identify your
really good young players and you want to lock them
up as early as you can because the market is
only going up, up and up. But Jerry is Jerry,
and Jerry is going to do things the way he
wants to do and the way he explained it today
sort of explains why he is comfortable waiting until the
(08:56):
last minute to get deals done, right. I mean, we
saw the Dak Prescott last year get done literally hours
before the season kicked off. We saw cde Lamb have
to wait, and now we're watching Michaeh Parsons have to wait.
And it goes to Jerry's mindset that he feels like
maybe he has made bad bets in the past, paying
players who then have not performed up to the level
(09:18):
that he paid the met He is more comfortable waiting,
and he knows that that means he's going to have
to pay more. Certainly that's the case with Michael Parsons.
Really fascinating admission from Jerry Jones.
Speaker 7 (09:31):
You know, Jerry Jones mentions that Micah Parsons might not
be available just like Dak Prescott was. And if I'm
Michael Parsons, you know what I say. It's a great point, Jerry.
I don't think I'll be stepping on the field much
over the next couple of weeks in training camp until
this deal is done.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
We could see some form of that.
Speaker 8 (09:48):
Sounds like that's one of the considerations, the old hold
in or the new hold in. I should say the
old hold in was the holdout. But you're looking at
this Cowboys pass rushing group.
Speaker 7 (09:56):
It's pretty crowded, and how much money do you have
Eventually when this Miket deal gets that's gonna be big money.
They've got three other second round picks that they drafted
at the position, including Donovan Azeraku, the guy they took
this year. I'm looking at Sam Williams coming back from
an injury missed twenty twenty four, a guy who's headed
into a potential offseason as a free agent here and
(10:18):
there has been some rumblings in social media and whatnot
about a potential trade. I don't think the Cowboys are
really interested in that. But this is a guy who
if he hits on the potential that we believe that
he has in this final year and proved that he's healthy,
he can't get paid a ton of money.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
So maybe if you're the Cowboys, you're looking at U
s A. It's pretty crowded.
Speaker 7 (10:36):
Adding Dante Feller, by the way, who they brought back
as a veteran, it's pretty crowded here. Maybe we do
want to entertain the possibility of getting some value for
him rather than letting him walk in the off season.
Doesn't sound like they're there just yet, but when this
MiCT deal gets done, that.
Speaker 8 (10:49):
May force you to have a different conversation there. With
regard to Williams, we shall see.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Speaking of pass rusher who have not yet gotten their deals,
Trey Hendrickson also set out mini care up with the
Bengals as he continues to seek a multi year extension
in place in the one year and sixteen million dollars
he has left on his contract like a part of
supporter without a deal, seems like a long shot that
Hendrickson is going to do the same, though owner Mike
Brown struck an optimistic tone about their chances that they
(11:17):
can come to a compromise.
Speaker 9 (11:20):
Well, we're working at it. It came over here and
we have people back in our office who are sharpening
their pencils and trying to figure that out as I
speak here. It has been a long negotiation. Trey Henderson
(11:40):
is a fine player. He's a good guy. We want
him here. Dealing with him is sometimes not so easy.
That's all right. He's got the right to argue his case.
We'll try to make sense of it from our perspective
(12:00):
and we'll see. I'm not persuaded that it isn't going
to get done as far as I'm concerned. The sooner
the better.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Do you think Trey deserves a raise?
Speaker 9 (12:17):
We offered him one, but keep in mind Trey signed
for this season, but foolishly maybe we offered him one
but a rays. But anyway, he deserves a ray. He
did well and he played effectively.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
He's important to us three Anderson maybe under contract, Mike,
but he's made abundantly clear publicly when he showed up
during the Bengals practice where to Polo and Khaki's back
in May. He's not playing on that deal. There's a
real question about exactly how this plays out. At a
time the Bengals are trying to say, we think the
deal gets done, but here we are the night before
(12:56):
they report and nothing's done yet.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
Yeah, these it just wasn't in the realm of what
Trey Hendrickson was willing to accept. And then they went
public and said, well, he's got to get comfortable basically
at lower numbers. I'm para praising with Katie Blackburn, who's
trying to negotiate this deal, said back at the league
meeting back there in the spring. But the number has
since this started, the number's only gotten higher, right, The
numbers for the rest of the market has.
Speaker 8 (13:20):
Only gotten higher.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
They don't have to get to the top of the market,
which is now at forty one million dollars per year.
Speaker 8 (13:26):
But he's less than half of that right now where
he is.
Speaker 7 (13:30):
And so to say you offered him a raise, that's great,
but it's got to be more of a raise. It
sounded like Trey Hendrickson felt like it was a disrespectful number.
Not just a number they don't agree with, but a
disrespect respectful number early on, and they're trying an engine
and hopefully getting closer.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
No, that's exactly right, Mike. I think to hear Mike
Brown talk about how Trey Hendrickson deserves a raise, He's right.
Trey Henderson not going to play for these sixteen million dollars.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
I don't think that.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
He's making this year. The Bengals have offered a substantial
raise this year, plus a multi year deal. It's really
not about just the overall dollars that the Bengals have
offered Tair Henderson. If it was just about the base money,
then this would probably be done ready. What he wants,
and this is something I've been reporting with Tom over
the course of the last several weeks, is he wants
guaranteed money into next year and beyond that is what
(14:19):
a lot of the really good pass rusher contracts a featured.
That's what TJ Watt's contract feature. Not saying that Transition's
gonna get the contract that TJ Watt got, but his
deal does have guarantees deep into the deal. That seems
to be where Hendrickson wants. And there's a couple different
ways this could go. They could by the time Judy
he gets to step on the field. They could figure
(14:41):
out a way to get this done in a way
that all sides are happy, or they could simply not
and Henderson could go out play on the sixteen this year,
then be a free agent next year and kind of
end this whole band aid upon band aid upon band
aid situation. Just that's not what either side wants as
of now.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
Judy, I was struck by how optimistic Mike Brown sounded.
And I think for an owner to come out and
say all the good things that he said about Trey
Hendrickson and that he deserves a raise, something that Duke
Tobin also said that he deserves a raise. It's hard
for me then to imagine the team not getting something done,
(15:18):
whether it is a band aid that just patches things
until we get to next year, or if they figure
out a longer term deal. But when an owner comes
out and says all of the nice things you say
about Trey Hendrickson, he performed well, he deserves a raise,
we like him, we want him here, I'm not sure
then how the team doesn't cobble something together in time
for the season.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Tray Henderson at least has been in the state of
Ohio recently. If they work something out. He could be
at training camp pretty quickly. Here, Jamar Stewart, their first
round draft pick, is still working out down in Texas,
and Mike Brown did not sound as optimistic or at
least as positive about the state of talks on the
number seventeen pick.
Speaker 9 (15:58):
So we're sitting here argue, you know, there's something that
I think is pretty remote, And I asked myself sometimes
why the hell we're doing it? But we are, and
he's doing it too, and at some point we got
to put this stuff behind and just get him signed
(16:19):
and get him up here and get him so he
can be a contributor. He needs to get under way soon.
It doesn't help him or us to have this strung out.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
So let's address how these rookie contracts work really briefly,
hearing and the dollars are slotted, the years are slotted,
the guarantees functionally are slotted as well. This is about
language that the Bengals are trying to insert for the
first time into contract. Is similar to language that many
other teams have in place. But Shamar Stewart to this
point has not caved and saying I'm not going to
(16:55):
take different language than what the guy had a year
ago related to defaults. If there's some type of an
issue and he misses time, the Bengals are still not
moving either. And here we are now the day before
training camp. Shamar Stewart still has not stepped on the field,
and we'll see if that changes here in the next
twenty four to forty eight hours.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Mike Brown said it very well. It is to the
point of foolishness because this is not Trey Hendrickson's situation, right,
this is not the Bengals won't pay Shamar Stewart what
he deserves. They're trying to pay him right. There is
a base deal, there's a signing bonus. It's allocated in
a way similar to the other players around him. This
is simply about them trying to insert three little words
(17:36):
at any time. Are the little words in reference to
if something happens and he defaults, does he lose his guarantees?
That's really what this over is over many many other teams.
As you mentioned, Tom use the language. The Bengals are
trying to do it now evolving in the words of
Duke Tobin for the first time, it is ridiculous. I
do hope that cooler heads prevail and they figure out
(17:59):
some way to get this done. It's just rare to
see this kind of a strong dug in disagreement over
so little. But you would hope that at some point
this thing does happen.
Speaker 6 (18:11):
Well, Mike Brown, all of the good how he sounded
about Trey Hendrickson. He sounded so exasperated about this situation
on this contract, to the point where he even said,
there at the very end, you know, at some point
this needs to get resolved, right, you know we're doing it,
They're doing it. At some point this needs to get resolved.
Which makes me wonder if at some point Mike Brown
is going to go to his people and say, like,
(18:33):
come to a meeting of the mind somewhere in the
middle and get this done.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
But enough, And the other thing is this is not
necessarily a binary outcome. One side caves or the other.
At times in the negotiation you were given something to
get something. So is there a way that they could
change around the bonus payout structure or something else to
actually bring this thing home. We're going to find out. Otherwise,
Tamar Stewart, as he was throughout the Spring, will continue
(18:57):
to be standing on the sideline. We had some other
news being a pass rusher over the past twenty four hours,
but first let's talk about Will Levis underwent surgery on
his throwing shoulder, will miss the entire twenty twenty five season,
according to our ian Rappaport, who reported that first, the
Titans have since confirmed Levis had issues with an ac
joint last year. It's something that he continued to deal
(19:19):
with throughout the course of the spring. Now undergoing surgery,
that effectively means the cam Ward now will be in
fact Tennessee's starting quarterback. Also quarterback news in New Orleans,
Tyler Shuck officially signing his rookie contract fully guaranteed, the
fortieth overall pick in the draft and the last member
(19:40):
of this year's draft lass to get a fully guaranteed contract,
White possibly going to end up being now QB one
in New Orleans come this fall. Competition still pending. A
lot more to come here on the Insiders, including a
look at the Chargers. Jar Omaruiz has been around that team.
What do they do a wider even now that Mike
(20:00):
Williams walked away? Hopefully the oldmar has got some answers.
Right after this on the inside.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
This football is back. Celebrated teams across the league take
the field for Back Together Weekend, presented by YouTube TV
with two full days of practices, player interviews, and behind
the scenes access. It's a can't miss NFL reunion. Go
(20:25):
to NFL dot com slash Back Together Weekend for more information.
You know who is already back This guy right here,
Justin Herbert, the Chargers starting quarterback. I once you wait
forty minutes for Justin Herbert to interview him during training
camp because he loves signing for the fans. That's not
a joke, It's actually true. He loves interacting with the fans.
(20:46):
You will see it over and over here. He is
right here doing it. One guy. He will not be
interacting with Mike Williams, who now has retired. Quentin Johnson
takes us into it.
Speaker 10 (20:58):
This is you know, decision, you know, the past three
years and just me knowing him and me coming in
and kind of just being mentored by him. You know,
it means a lot, you know, you know, you know,
just knowing him as a person on and off the field.
So you know, you know, I'm happy for him, you know,
happy with his you know, decision and you know, you know,
I wish him abyss so.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Welcome in our good friend Omar Ruiz joining me in
rapport and Juda Batista here on the insiders. Omar, So
let's get into this topic a little bit. Mike Williams
steps away from the chargers right before training camp. What
impact is that going to happen?
Speaker 11 (21:29):
Well, it's plenty of opportunity for the receivers obviously still
on the roster, and they have a superstar in the
making that they believe is ready to take another step
in Ladd McConkie. I asked offensive coordinator Greg Roman the
other day if there is another tier that McConkie could
get to, and he said, yeah, absolutely. He gave an
anecdote from the early days of training camp. He saw
(21:49):
mconki in a dark wide receiver room by himself, focused
on his iPad, just watching tape over and over again
until he finally got the concept that they were learning
about in the early installation. In those days in training camp,
Roman telling me it's those kind of minute details that
mconkee is focused on that leads him to believe he's
(22:10):
able to accelerate and find another gear. Remember, McConkie the
last time we saw him in the playoffs, set the
rookie receiving record for most receiving yards ever in a
postseason game. He was a top ten receiver in receiving
yards last year. On the field, his receiver coach Sanjay
Law said he showed him a lot of tape of
Julian Edelman and Tyler Lockett, obviously the former great for
(22:32):
the New England Patriots, former Super Bowl MVP, and also
Tyler Lockett, now the Tennessee Titans, formerly played for Law
in Seattle. He showed him the tape of Julian Edelman
because Edelman was famous for being able to split a
couple defenders and dive forward for a couple two three
extra yards at the end of place. Tyler Lockett had
the innate ability to know when a big hit was
(22:53):
coming and get down for mconkie to know how to
protect himself. So those are the things they're looking for
for him to improve on the field. Then you also
have Quentin Johnson, who he just heard from quadrupled his
touchdown output from his rookie season, going from two to
eight last year. He comes into training camp with all
kinds of confidence and then the second round pick Trey Harris,
who they believe can be in all everything type of receiver.
(23:15):
They're going to start them out on the outside learning
the Z position. As Roman said, you got to start somewhere.
So a lot of confidence in the players that they
have a lot of opportunity for this young receiving core
that they hope is a lot better.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
In the twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 6 (23:31):
And of course we heard the fans the other day
chanting for Keenan Allen to be brought back to the
Chargers end. We also know that Harbaugh wants to run
the ball a whole lot more too, to take some
of the pressure off Justin Herbert. All Right, Omar, Speaking
of Justin Herbert, Harbaugh said that his biggest weakness is
basically everybody around him.
Speaker 11 (23:50):
What do you make of that comment, Well, it's interesting
and that he wants everybody to elevate their games to
Justin Herbert, and that includes the offensive line.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
It's the tight end.
Speaker 11 (24:00):
And what's interesting we just talked about the receivers, it
was the tight ends who had the two longest pass
plays of the practice that I was at on Saturday.
But as far as the offensive line, goes. Rashaun Slater
missed practice on Saturday. They described it as a rest day.
He was back today as expected, working off to the side.
Nobody there is calling it a hold in, but they
(24:20):
do express optimism both sides along this whole process for
Slater and a blockbuster contract upcoming as he enters the
final year of his rookie contract. But this is an
offensive line that's looking to come together. Obviously, Makai Becton.
They signed over from the World champs in the Philadelphia Eagles,
and they essentially have switched positions with Zion Johnson and
Bradley Boseman. Boseman going to left guard, Zion Johnson coming
(24:43):
into center. They have to figure that out. And oh,
by the way, last year's number five overall pick, Joe
Alt told me on Saturday that he feels as comfortable
as ever. He doesn't like to use that word comfortable.
He said he wants to keep his edge. The pace
of the game has slowed down, but he wants to
maintain that edge as that of desive line looks to
make dramatic improvements. But as you mentioned, Judy, they're going
(25:04):
to ground the football with Omarion Hampton and Agie Harris
and the rest of that crew. They have a potentially
explosive pass game, and of course the offensive line comes together.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
A lot to be optimistic about is.
Speaker 11 (25:13):
The Chargers heading into their fifth training camp practice already
tomorrow down in San Diego. They'll make their return to
their former home practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday down there.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
A lot of the good stuff, Omar, thank you as always.
Chargers for sure do have a lot to look forward to.
They also did a little bit looking back today as
Philip Rivers Dak Gummett retired a member of the Chargers,
one of our favorites, one of the best miked up
athletes of all time, made it official in a pretty
cool video, saying that he is now a Charger for life.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
The Cowboys have reported to training camp. They went through
the entire offseason without Trayvon Diggs in the building because
he was back in floor rehabbing from a significant knee injury.
There did not say well with the Cowboys, who enforced
a de escalator contract in Diggs contract. Jerry Jones had
some more to say on the subject.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
We expect a player paid like Trevon to be here
all the time. We expect him to be leading. Expect
him to be leading. It's important to have the right
body language in every respect. When you are one of
those rare, financially paid and gifted players, you've got to
(26:39):
have some leadership about you.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pella Sero, joined once
again by our Jane Slater, who is at Cowboys training
camp in Oxnard, California. We've heard this, Jane, the leadership,
the culture buzzwords throughout the off season from Brian Schottenneimer,
among others, and clearly Jerry's trying to make a point
here about the importance of those high paid guys being
(27:02):
a part of that culture. What did you make of
what he said?
Speaker 5 (27:07):
Look, I know some people might roll their eyes at this,
but I will tell you, and talking to some of
the players the leadership and I even talked about just
the culture and the locker room was really off last
year and they were looking for some of their leaders
that they pay the big money to step up.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
And I'm old enough.
Speaker 5 (27:21):
To remember when that Trayvon Diggs extension happened. It was
two years ago here at training camp, a five year
one worth ninety seven million dollars. If you'll recall in
that same year back in twenty twenty three, three weeks
into the season he entered his knee, so he missed
eleven games that year or he missed thirteen games rather
that year, and then last year he made eleven games
(27:43):
for entering the same knee again. Now seeing here, he's
opted for South Florida and training with doctor Sharif Toba.
Taba has been telling me that they've begun working on
some of the position group drills and things that he needs.
But new defensive coordinator Matt eber flies Plisi has two
of the best corners in the league in Derad Blandon Diggs,
who have come buying for thirty one interception since twenty
twenty one. Last season, the team as a whole had
(28:05):
the six fewis Iberflus wants this defense predicated on takeaways
when healthy. He has the personnel to do that, but
availability and accountability are paramount and Jerry Jones, Steven and
the coaches are making it very clear with that half
a million dollar fine and some of the comments they
made today that they have high expectations for players that
are making what they would describe as Tier one money.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Now, could the Cowboys trade him.
Speaker 5 (28:27):
I know that people are now talking about that, like
how acrimonious has this gotten?
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Because this is the second off.
Speaker 5 (28:32):
Season that Trayvon Digg spent the majority of his time
working out away from the facility. Now, according to overthecap
dot com, they could save nine point six million dollars
if they made that trade.
Speaker 4 (28:42):
Now here's the issue, guys.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
Remember I just said it was a five year, ninety
seven million dollar contract extension.
Speaker 4 (28:48):
That means he's got four years left.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
That means another team would have to pick up that contract. Well,
is their concerns there? This is now two injuries to
the same knee. Although I guess you could make the
others argument that he's twenty six years old. This is
a guy who's got a lot of talent, who's proven
that he can get the takeaways. Being that former wide
receiver at Alabama, maybe there's some big upside here.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
I think they're going to look to see how this
thing plays out.
Speaker 5 (29:12):
I think this team can be really, really good, and
Digs could be really good in this system. But I
think they're making it very very clear that things have
got a change if Diggs wants to remain on this roster.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
Trevon Diggs do nine million dollars in base salary this season,
which if he can be close to his former self,
that is a bargain for the Cowboys in twenty twenty five.
Jane Slater our first training camp on Cedarport. Jay, can
you actually just take like five steps backwards so I
can see you in the sun to prove this is
not a green screen. I want everybody at home to
know you're really out there, You're really on the field.
Speaker 8 (29:44):
Look at that.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
We're there.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
We are going to be all over the place. Back
together weekend this weekend, around the clock inside training camp
starts on Monday. Cannot wait, Jane, Thank you very much.
As always, a ton other news around the NFL, including
in the Troit Worthy Lyons. Also back at it on
the field. They're playing in the Hall of Fame game,
hence the early start. David Montgomery pictured here. What the
(30:08):
guy everyone's talking about is a fantasy stud. Jamiir Gibbs
said recently he's the forgotten man in the offense after
that knee injury last season. But not so, says Dan Campbell.
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Believe me, he has not forgotten. He's We know exactly
who he is. Where he is and what he's capable of,
and the one two punch with he and Gibbs is uh,
it's special and it's rare in this league in my opinion,
especially nowadays. So there's a place for David. He's going
to help us, and we're going to use him, and
(30:38):
we'll use he and Gibbs together. You know, we'll do
some of those things. So we know he's one of
our best offensive players. That's not changing right now.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
Season approaching regulars, he's approaching contract season still upon us.
George karlofftis the latest two get paid a four year,
ninety three million dollar contracts mentioned with Kansas City, the
former first round draft picked cash in on a deal
he guarantees them sixty two million dollars, and they'll need
more highlights like this if they're going to meet the
(31:09):
high expectations that always exist in Kansas City.
Speaker 13 (31:13):
Expectations are always are always high, and that that's a
that's a plus, and the guys that have been here
have earned that right to have it that way. But
at the same time, you know you've got to maintain
that and even strive to be better. I mean, the
AFC West is a tough conference, and it's not any worse,
(31:34):
that's for sure. I mean these guys, that's good coaching
and they've got good players. So just that alone is
a great challenge for us.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
AFC. West is tough, says the guy who wins it
every year. Let's go, welcome to the job.
Speaker 14 (31:54):
Ow boy, it's Jamar chains down.
Speaker 1 (31:58):
We'll breaking the towards down.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
I'm putting in the circles Rount.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
And we can fall down. Oo Jamar.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
It's just a big play way to happen.
Speaker 7 (32:06):
Two bomb how chases on the cases. Number one was
number one when it came to fantasy production by a
wide receiver in twenty twenty four, now number one amongst
wide receivers paid for real production on the field period.
Speaker 8 (32:28):
But you see the value that he brings to fantasy.
Speaker 7 (32:30):
Owners as well as those Bengals owners that were willing
to pay him. That money in comes Adam Rank now
because he knows everything when it comes to ranking wide receivers.
In fact, last year we were talking about Jamar Chase's
potential w R when we talk about CD Lamb potentially
as a first round pick. Had we known Dak Prescott
was going to go down, we would have said, now
(32:50):
you can wait a little bit later because you saw
what that did to his production. So entering twenty twenty five,
with all these guys quarterbacks healthy rank, how are you ranking.
Speaker 8 (32:58):
Some of these top receivers?
Speaker 1 (32:59):
No, unintended.
Speaker 14 (33:01):
Now it's funny because one of my least favorite things
in fantasy when the guy's like, hey, take your pick,
it doesn't matter, But we have to make choices, Mike,
where we're sitting there on the line, we got to
figure out what we're doing. I'm gonna go with Jamar
Chase as the first wide receiver off the board. I
know it's super chalky. Last year he was the number
two overall scorer in all of fantasy football. That includes
(33:22):
that includes the uh that includes the quarterback position as well.
So for me, I think Jamar Chase is pretty much
the easiest pick here right now. Obviously, when you look
at it, people might fear regression or anything like that,
but I look at it by the sense of how
good do the Bengals get on defense? Not very so
there's still gonna be in a situation where they have
to score a ton of points.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
My number two.
Speaker 14 (33:45):
Guy is going to be Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson last
season was the wide receiver too. Sam Darnold had a
season for the Ages, and people are like, well, what
about JJ McCarthy, what about him? We've seen the floor
for these quarterbacks in any KOC offense, it's a being
very high. So I love the opportunity to go out
there and get Justin Jefferson and it's.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
A little quick tip.
Speaker 14 (34:06):
I love JJ McCarthy and fantasy football as well, So
he's my number two and then I'm gonna go back
to Ceedee Lamb. I know a lot of people were
disappointed last year. You mentioned it when Dak Prescott went down.
That kind of hurt everybody or hurt his production. So
for me, I'm not too worried about it, and I'm
not worried about George Pickens being there either, because George
(34:27):
Pickens picking the top off the defense should actually help
him out. So I will go back to Ceedee Lamb.
He's my number three wide receiver. Off the board, I
am not afraid of that at all.
Speaker 7 (34:39):
CD tried to do all he could with those backup
options that they threw out there after Dak Prescott went down,
but it obviously changed the position and it changed the
production for him. If Dak Prescott stays healthy, I'm with you,
Adam Ray, throw Ceedee Lamb back up there. Now you
talk about what a receiver on the other side can
do for a guy on the other side, Let's talk
about Pooka Nakua because incomes Adams. Now Cooper Cup's out,
(35:01):
but DeVante Adams is in. What does that do for
Poka in that offense?
Speaker 14 (35:05):
You know, I actually think it makes him better. I
think that any time that we've seen Sean McVay over
the years, his offense always has the ability to support
two really good wide receivers, especially in fantasy one always
seems to outshine the other. We remember, during the time
that Cooper Cup was going out there and dominating fantasy
football leagues, there was still a pretty good wide receiver too,
(35:26):
whether it was Bobby Trees or somebody of that nature. Similarly,
I think that Devonte Adams comes in here, keeps the
defenses honest and allows Pooka Akua to go out there
and do his thing. So again, when we're going through
the rankings right now, I look at pu Puka Akua
as my number four option because I trust this Rams
offense I trust the quarterback, and I really do believe
(35:48):
that he's going to step up this season.
Speaker 7 (35:51):
You talk about those receivers that you just mentioned up
there in the cluster, but give me the guy who's
on the outside of that crew, but could vault himself,
maybe even to the top of the guy. You're like,
if all falls right, this guy could get even to
wide receiver number one.
Speaker 14 (36:05):
Well, I think that when we looked at the top
ten board from last season, people might have been surprised
that Brian Thomas Junior was the number four overall wide receiver.
I will point out though, for those of you who
live in the world where you rank these on points
per game, he was the wide receiver eleven, right around
seventeen fantasy points per game. I really believe that he
has an opportunity to step up this season and be
(36:27):
even better.
Speaker 8 (36:28):
Now.
Speaker 14 (36:28):
They went out and they drafted Travis Hunter, which is
a great addition to that team. He should be a
guy who can take the top off a defense, somebody
who can expose some of those safeties deep. But it's
still going to allow Brian Thomas Junior to go out.
Speaker 3 (36:41):
There and do the work.
Speaker 14 (36:42):
And when you bring in an offensive mind like Liam
Cohen to lead this team. And I know, like it
seems weird because Doug Peterson was supposed to be this guy.
But I really do believe that Liam Cohen's going to
help Brian Thomas Junior take that next step. And I
wouldn't be shocked if Brian Thomas Junior ends up the
wide receiver won this season.
Speaker 7 (37:02):
Well, Travis Hunter is there, and you talked about it earlier,
what a receiver on one side could do for a
guy on the other side, kind of like what the
insiders can do for Fantasy Live. You see it there
on the body of the screen weekdays at six pm Eastern.
We are three weeks away from the return of Fantasy
Live at six pm. Adam Rank and his buddy's gonna
be back to give you that fantasy information every single day.
Speaker 8 (37:24):
Thank you very much, Adam Rank.
Speaker 7 (37:26):
Appreciate you always and all your thoughts on fantasy football.
Speaker 8 (37:29):
Calvin Ridley probably out there like, yo, what about me?
Speaker 1 (37:32):
What about me? Rank? You're not looking at my quarterback?
Speaker 8 (37:35):
I mean, let's to a lot of folks are saying
to Tennessee, not giving this guy enough credit.
Speaker 7 (37:38):
Well, we're about to see because no will Levis means
cam Ward gonna be the starter for the Titans this
upcoming season.
Speaker 8 (37:44):
We pretty much expected it anyway.
Speaker 7 (37:45):
We got to talk more about it when he Insanders returns.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
From QB one so QB two to QB twenty twenty six.
Will Lovis officially out for this season after opting to
undergo shoulder surgery. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pillasaroi
and Rapport and Judy Batista Ian take me through exactly
what led to this decision by Will Levis. Now, what
it means knowing that you know you got that other
(38:19):
guy went number one in the building right.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
What it means is pretty simple. Cam Morden is going
to be the starting quarterback, as he was going to
be the starting quarterback anyway. This is more about Will Levis,
his backup quarterback, and his decision after consulting with from
Mine I, unerstand Is, several medical professionals. Will Levis suffered
a shoulder injury last season. Remember, landed really hard along
the sideline on his right shoulder. He did rehab, he
(38:46):
did get it better, he did fully participate in spring practice,
but sounds like it just never felt quite right. Judy
and the fact that he couldn't get it to where
he was throwing pain free. Led to this decision where
he is now going to have surgery at the end
of July. He is out for twenty twenty five, twenty
twenty sixty, like it would be at full strength. Just
(39:08):
hard to imagine being with the Titans at that point.
Plenty of that as it comes, but a fascinating decision
by will Levis to leave cam Ward all alone, which
kind of a weird thing, Judy.
Speaker 6 (39:24):
Well, let's be clear, this was never a quarterback competition
in Tennessee. Cam Ward was always going to be the
starting quarterback. But what this does is it leaves them
without a safety net. I mean, that is what will
Lefis was going to be. If cam Ward's got hurt,
you at least had somebody who could go in there
and function in the offense and potentially give you a
(39:44):
chance to win a game. The two backups they have
on the roster now, Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle, have
started games over their careers, not very successfully. They are
new there, so presumably the Titans are going to have
to go out and get a veteran quarterback who has
a whole lot more starting experience to be in that
(40:05):
quarterback room behind cam Ward who is certainly the future
and he is the guy right now. But again, if
he gets hurt, what would they turn to? And also, frankly,
you'd like to have a veteran guy who can push
the rookie a little bit, not to take his job,
not even to challenge for his job, but just to
sort of push him to accelerate his growth. They need
(40:25):
to get that in the building. A very tough break
for will Levis obviously, and we will see how it
impacts cam warden the Titans this season.
Speaker 1 (40:33):
A more incoming slow Mode videos across the NFL, because,
as we know, the twenty twenty five NFL season begins
with training camp starting Saturday, July twenty six through Wednesday,
August sixth. NFL Network is you're home for wall to
wall coverage from every camp across the league. We're live
on the field, bringing you exclusive interviews, expert analysis, breaking storylines,
(40:55):
and your first look at the biggest names in new places,
new today. Business still getting done on the eve of
training camp, that includes in Green Bay, where they have
re signed their tackle Zach Tom to a four year,
eighty eight million dollar contract extension max is out at
ninety two million. Sources tell the Insiders Green Bay one
(41:17):
of the teams that's back on the field on Tuesday.
The Steelers report on Wednesday and begin the countdown to
wear in these gorgeous nineteen thirty three throwback uniforms. It's
like Bumblebean Junior. I love it. It's got ten pants.
Welcome back to the Insiders. Tom PELLISEROI and rapport, Judy Batista,
Mike garral Follo Ian or you in or out on
(41:39):
this version of the tan pants.
Speaker 3 (41:44):
Well, let's see. If I was gonna say something and
it maybe wasn't nice, I think maybe the best thing
to do is, Mike, what do you think?
Speaker 10 (41:57):
No?
Speaker 8 (41:57):
I dig them. I think they're better.
Speaker 7 (41:58):
I mean this is this goes back to Tom dying
on a hill for the Giants uniforms in Week one
last year, which were not great.
Speaker 8 (42:05):
I dig these a lot better.
Speaker 6 (42:07):
I like them better than the other bumblebee ones. I
think these are fear of them as great.
Speaker 1 (42:13):
Call the best news we can stop tying about uniforms.
Twenty six more teams reports a training camp tomorrow. You're
gonna hear from the head coaches, are players from the quarterbacks.
We will have all of it, the analysis like you
get no place else. Football is this close. Folks, will
see you tomorrow at Semaban Eastern time. Thank you as
always for being here with the insiders. See it.
The Cowboys have reported to training camp, and so is
that man Michael Parsons who is still waiting for his
megadeal before he gets hit by a car. That is
a real thing, Jerry Jones brought up today when discussing
parsons situation, and boy, will you want to hear the rest.
Don't worry, We're gonna play it tonight. The Chiefs have
also officially gone camping and expectations are as high as ever,
(00:31):
but one of the biggest concerns about the supporting cast
around Patrick Maholmes. We will break down what stands between
them and their sixth Super Bowl appearance in seven years.
Training camp's launching around the NFL through the next couple
of days, which means it's officially time to dial in
on your fantasy plans. Our Adam Rank will be here
(00:52):
with some hot takes on which receivers to target and
who may not be targeted enough. Welcome inside with the
insiders alongside Ian Rappaport, Judy Batista and Mike Garrafolo. I
am Tom Pelicero. When you got four of us here
all together, you know that can mean only one thing,
(01:12):
not just that we're forty five days out from kickoff
in the NFL. Within the next forty eight hours, all
thirty two teams will officially be in training camp. Cowboys
already there out in Oxnard, California, and as I just said,
Michael Parsons did make that trip, even though it remains
unclear at this point how much, if at all, Michaeh.
(01:34):
Parsons is going to be doing when practice officially kicks
off on Tuesday. Jerry Jones, who is never shy about
talking about his players, their participation, and certainly their contracts,
he had a few thoughts in his opening press conference today.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Just because we signed him doesn't mean we're going to
have him. He was hurt six games last year. Seriously,
we've signed I remember signing a player for the highest
plaid at position in the league and he got knocked
out two thirds of the year, Dark Prescott. So there's
a lot of things you can think about when you
(02:10):
just as the player does, when you're thinking about committing
and guaranteeing money.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
On the tango part of it. Though, Mike go sitting
the podcast that ownership.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Has over complicated this thing.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
In your mind, you guys think this has been over complicated.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Of all of the people that I've set down with
as a player, of all the players that I've ever
negotiated with, Michael Parson is as savvy and knowledgeable and
understanding of his financial business relative to football as any
player I've ever been around.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
JJ Watt just done with the victory tour for his
brother's contract. Pleen in on Jerry Jones comments, saying, in part,
any time you can publicly take a dig a year
star quarterback and your start pass rusher simultaneously right before
the season begins, you just gotta take it. Good thing
that we've got our Jane Slater in ox Star California
(03:02):
for what does register as the first live shot of
a very busy several weeks of trading camp coverage right
here on NFL Network. Jane, you are many things to us,
to the show, to this network. You're definitely the person
most fluent in Jerry Jones. You heard the entirety of
that press conference, what he had to say about Michah Parsons.
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 4 (03:23):
All right, let me break a few things down now.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
I did talk to Micah Parsons during that press conference
and he confirmed me that he is here now. Tuesday
is the first practice. To what extent he will engage
still unclear. The team and Michah Parsons not answering that question.
But as head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones pointed out,
you don't have to be actively hitting or tackling players
to make an impact out here, and so that's important.
(03:48):
But let's get into some of the things. I like
to call it reading between the lines, since neither side.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Is getting into the specifics. I mean, my big question.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
I know the fans are asking, well, if you started
talking to Micah back in March, which he did right
after Combine, he was in his office, why isn't this
deal done yet? One Jerry doesn't agree with the notion
of paying and negotiating a new deal when there is
an existing one in place. A lot of teams do
because they see numbers go up. Well his defense, he
believes agents operate and what he calls a projected apy,
(04:18):
in other words, what they think the market value will
be for the player in a year versus what the
team does three They say the value of the valuation
process is not just about them as a player, but
as a person. They get to evaluate younger players while
this plays out and see if someone like Micah Parsons
is growing and progressing in the leadership area, because, as
Jerry Jones put it, you've got ten percent of your
(04:39):
people making two thirds of the money, so it's incumbent
on them to walk the walk and lead again, breaking
all this down, listening to Jerry Jones and Steven Jones today,
it sounds like when he talks about going to the
mirror looking at things that he can do better, maybe
he feels like he gave money, you know, that big
two thirds of the roster, money to guys like Terrence
Seele and Rayvon Diggs too early while they still had contracts.
(05:02):
They were looking for the extension, and maybe he wishes
he hadn't. It's unfortunate that that is now trickling down
to Micah Parsons. But I will tell you this, We've
been here before. It has been far more contentious. I
know some people thought maybe he was throwing his players
under the bus. Not something I walked away with. I
know he's got a lot of respect for Micah Parsons.
If anything, maybe not as much respect as maybe he
(05:24):
should have for the agent, saying instead he only talked
to the principles involved in the contract negotiations. He hasn't
had much talk with David Mugoletta, so I don't know
how that is going to impact negotiations, but I do
get the sense that this is going to get done
with Micah Parsons. I just tend to think it's better
for the team when you put a bow on these
things before you get back to practice, especially with a
new DC and a new head coach.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Trayvon Diggs, who took the NFL by storm as a
rookie with all those interceptions, had some injury. Since he's
back in the news as well, Jane, you'll be back
with more on the dig situation and a lot more
on the Cowboys in just a little bit. Take a
look at them market. Jerry's right. Agents like to project
what the market is going to be, and recently their
projections that the market was going to skyrocket have absolutely
(06:08):
been correct. As we termed it back during Super Bowl Sunday,
this was the off season of the pass rusher Max Crosby,
the Neil Hunter, Miles Garrett, TJ. Watt have all gotten
their deals. There's still a few names left that have
not yet gotten paid. Michael Parsons certainly high up on
that list. Ian we know, by Jerry Jones Michael Parsons's
own words, Jerry thought he had a deal done with Michaeh.
(06:29):
Parsons months and months ago. It seems like it's been
less active of late. Here, No question it's going to
be a big number. What do you envision be in
the timeline on how this entire thing plays out?
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Well, first of all, let's talk about the number, because
you see the forty million dollars from Ales Gary, see
the forty one million dollars for TJ Watt per year
I expected to coming over and this is all said
and done, Michaeh. Parsons likely is, almost certainly is the
highest paid non quarterback in the NFL, as he should be,
and he has been content to wait. I've talked about
this plenty on this show. When a deal gets done,
(07:02):
Michael Parsons will likely be the last pass rusher to
get a deal done before the season. Aiden Hutchinson of
the Detroit Lions is the other big name, high octane
pass rusher currently discussing a potential long term deal. Once
that get done. If that gets done before Michael Parsons
and Parsons officially on the clock. This really is a
(07:22):
fascinating one. Though it is not that that uncommon for
teams to go to players and try to circumvent the agent,
it actually happens more than it probably should. I'm not
sure I can remember a situation like this where it
does seem Jerry Conna alluded to it today that the
Cowboys thought they had a deal, thought they had an
agreement talking just to the player, only for the player
(07:43):
to leave and talk to his agent and go, yeah,
we don't have anything. It's odd. It does mean that
you'll sort of start over. I mean, Urn is a
big deal for the Cowboys, no doubt they're gonna want
to do a long term deal, whereas David Mulligata and
Michah Parson's gonna want to do a shorter term deal
as they've done so I'm not sure anywhere yet, which
(08:03):
means plenty of time to talk about this all through
trying to get Untildale gets done right before.
Speaker 6 (08:11):
Well, there was a whole lot to unpack from Jerry Jones,
But my biggest takeaway, and Jane alluded to this, is
that Jerry sounds like he is comfortable waiting even if
that means he's going to have to pay more rather
than take the risk of paying a player early and
then maybe making a bad bet on a player and
the player not panning out the way he anticipated, which, again,
(08:34):
as Jane said, is counter to the way that most
teams in the NFL operate now, where you identify your
really good young players and you want to lock them
up as early as you can because the market is
only going up, up and up. But Jerry is Jerry,
and Jerry is going to do things the way he
wants to do and the way he explained it today
sort of explains why he is comfortable waiting until the
(08:56):
last minute to get deals done, right. I mean, we
saw the Dak Prescott last year get done literally hours
before the season kicked off. We saw cde Lamb have
to wait, and now we're watching Michaeh Parsons have to wait.
And it goes to Jerry's mindset that he feels like
maybe he has made bad bets in the past, paying
players who then have not performed up to the level
(09:18):
that he paid the met He is more comfortable waiting,
and he knows that that means he's going to have
to pay more. Certainly that's the case with Michael Parsons.
Really fascinating admission from Jerry Jones.
Speaker 7 (09:31):
You know, Jerry Jones mentions that Micah Parsons might not
be available just like Dak Prescott was. And if I'm
Michael Parsons, you know what I say. It's a great point, Jerry.
I don't think I'll be stepping on the field much
over the next couple of weeks in training camp until
this deal is done.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
We could see some form of that.
Speaker 8 (09:48):
Sounds like that's one of the considerations, the old hold
in or the new hold in. I should say the
old hold in was the holdout. But you're looking at
this Cowboys pass rushing group.
Speaker 7 (09:56):
It's pretty crowded, and how much money do you have
Eventually when this Miket deal gets that's gonna be big money.
They've got three other second round picks that they drafted
at the position, including Donovan Azeraku, the guy they took
this year. I'm looking at Sam Williams coming back from
an injury missed twenty twenty four, a guy who's headed
into a potential offseason as a free agent here and
(10:18):
there has been some rumblings in social media and whatnot
about a potential trade. I don't think the Cowboys are
really interested in that. But this is a guy who
if he hits on the potential that we believe that
he has in this final year and proved that he's healthy,
he can't get paid a ton of money.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
So maybe if you're the Cowboys, you're looking at U
s A. It's pretty crowded.
Speaker 7 (10:36):
Adding Dante Feller, by the way, who they brought back
as a veteran, it's pretty crowded here. Maybe we do
want to entertain the possibility of getting some value for
him rather than letting him walk in the off season.
Doesn't sound like they're there just yet, but when this
MiCT deal gets done, that.
Speaker 8 (10:49):
May force you to have a different conversation there. With
regard to Williams, we shall see.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Speaking of pass rusher who have not yet gotten their deals,
Trey Hendrickson also set out mini care up with the
Bengals as he continues to seek a multi year extension
in place in the one year and sixteen million dollars
he has left on his contract like a part of
supporter without a deal, seems like a long shot that
Hendrickson is going to do the same, though owner Mike
Brown struck an optimistic tone about their chances that they
(11:17):
can come to a compromise.
Speaker 9 (11:20):
Well, we're working at it. It came over here and
we have people back in our office who are sharpening
their pencils and trying to figure that out as I
speak here. It has been a long negotiation. Trey Henderson
(11:40):
is a fine player. He's a good guy. We want
him here. Dealing with him is sometimes not so easy.
That's all right. He's got the right to argue his case.
We'll try to make sense of it from our perspective
(12:00):
and we'll see. I'm not persuaded that it isn't going
to get done as far as I'm concerned. The sooner
the better.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Do you think Trey deserves a raise?
Speaker 9 (12:17):
We offered him one, but keep in mind Trey signed
for this season, but foolishly maybe we offered him one
but a rays. But anyway, he deserves a ray. He
did well and he played effectively.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
He's important to us three Anderson maybe under contract, Mike,
but he's made abundantly clear publicly when he showed up
during the Bengals practice where to Polo and Khaki's back
in May. He's not playing on that deal. There's a
real question about exactly how this plays out. At a
time the Bengals are trying to say, we think the
deal gets done, but here we are the night before
(12:56):
they report and nothing's done yet.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
Yeah, these it just wasn't in the realm of what
Trey Hendrickson was willing to accept. And then they went
public and said, well, he's got to get comfortable basically
at lower numbers. I'm para praising with Katie Blackburn, who's
trying to negotiate this deal, said back at the league
meeting back there in the spring. But the number has
since this started, the number's only gotten higher, right, The
numbers for the rest of the market has.
Speaker 8 (13:20):
Only gotten higher.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
They don't have to get to the top of the market,
which is now at forty one million dollars per year.
Speaker 8 (13:26):
But he's less than half of that right now where
he is.
Speaker 7 (13:30):
And so to say you offered him a raise, that's great,
but it's got to be more of a raise. It
sounded like Trey Hendrickson felt like it was a disrespectful number.
Not just a number they don't agree with, but a
disrespect respectful number early on, and they're trying an engine
and hopefully getting closer.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
No, that's exactly right, Mike. I think to hear Mike
Brown talk about how Trey Hendrickson deserves a raise, He's right.
Trey Henderson not going to play for these sixteen million dollars.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
I don't think that.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
He's making this year. The Bengals have offered a substantial
raise this year, plus a multi year deal. It's really
not about just the overall dollars that the Bengals have
offered Tair Henderson. If it was just about the base money,
then this would probably be done ready. What he wants,
and this is something I've been reporting with Tom over
the course of the last several weeks, is he wants
guaranteed money into next year and beyond that is what
(14:19):
a lot of the really good pass rusher contracts a featured.
That's what TJ Watt's contract feature. Not saying that Transition's
gonna get the contract that TJ Watt got, but his
deal does have guarantees deep into the deal. That seems
to be where Hendrickson wants. And there's a couple different
ways this could go. They could by the time Judy
he gets to step on the field. They could figure
(14:41):
out a way to get this done in a way
that all sides are happy, or they could simply not
and Henderson could go out play on the sixteen this year,
then be a free agent next year and kind of
end this whole band aid upon band aid upon band
aid situation. Just that's not what either side wants as
of now.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
Judy, I was struck by how optimistic Mike Brown sounded.
And I think for an owner to come out and
say all the good things that he said about Trey
Hendrickson and that he deserves a raise, something that Duke
Tobin also said that he deserves a raise. It's hard
for me then to imagine the team not getting something done,
(15:18):
whether it is a band aid that just patches things
until we get to next year, or if they figure
out a longer term deal. But when an owner comes
out and says all of the nice things you say
about Trey Hendrickson, he performed well, he deserves a raise,
we like him, we want him here, I'm not sure
then how the team doesn't cobble something together in time
for the season.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Tray Henderson at least has been in the state of
Ohio recently. If they work something out. He could be
at training camp pretty quickly. Here, Jamar Stewart, their first
round draft pick, is still working out down in Texas,
and Mike Brown did not sound as optimistic or at
least as positive about the state of talks on the
number seventeen pick.
Speaker 9 (15:58):
So we're sitting here argue, you know, there's something that
I think is pretty remote, And I asked myself sometimes
why the hell we're doing it? But we are, and
he's doing it too, and at some point we got
to put this stuff behind and just get him signed
(16:19):
and get him up here and get him so he
can be a contributor. He needs to get under way soon.
It doesn't help him or us to have this strung out.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
So let's address how these rookie contracts work really briefly,
hearing and the dollars are slotted, the years are slotted,
the guarantees functionally are slotted as well. This is about
language that the Bengals are trying to insert for the
first time into contract. Is similar to language that many
other teams have in place. But Shamar Stewart to this
point has not caved and saying I'm not going to
(16:55):
take different language than what the guy had a year
ago related to defaults. If there's some type of an
issue and he misses time, the Bengals are still not
moving either. And here we are now the day before
training camp. Shamar Stewart still has not stepped on the field,
and we'll see if that changes here in the next
twenty four to forty eight hours.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Mike Brown said it very well. It is to the
point of foolishness because this is not Trey Hendrickson's situation, right,
this is not the Bengals won't pay Shamar Stewart what
he deserves. They're trying to pay him right. There is
a base deal, there's a signing bonus. It's allocated in
a way similar to the other players around him. This
is simply about them trying to insert three little words
(17:36):
at any time. Are the little words in reference to
if something happens and he defaults, does he lose his guarantees?
That's really what this over is over many many other teams.
As you mentioned, Tom use the language. The Bengals are
trying to do it now evolving in the words of
Duke Tobin for the first time, it is ridiculous. I
do hope that cooler heads prevail and they figure out
(17:59):
some way to get this done. It's just rare to
see this kind of a strong dug in disagreement over
so little. But you would hope that at some point
this thing does happen.
Speaker 6 (18:11):
Well, Mike Brown, all of the good how he sounded
about Trey Hendrickson. He sounded so exasperated about this situation
on this contract, to the point where he even said,
there at the very end, you know, at some point
this needs to get resolved, right, you know we're doing it,
They're doing it. At some point this needs to get resolved.
Which makes me wonder if at some point Mike Brown
is going to go to his people and say, like,
(18:33):
come to a meeting of the mind somewhere in the
middle and get this done.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
But enough, And the other thing is this is not
necessarily a binary outcome. One side caves or the other.
At times in the negotiation you were given something to
get something. So is there a way that they could
change around the bonus payout structure or something else to
actually bring this thing home. We're going to find out. Otherwise,
Tamar Stewart, as he was throughout the Spring, will continue
(18:57):
to be standing on the sideline. We had some other
news being a pass rusher over the past twenty four hours,
but first let's talk about Will Levis underwent surgery on
his throwing shoulder, will miss the entire twenty twenty five season,
according to our ian Rappaport, who reported that first, the
Titans have since confirmed Levis had issues with an ac
joint last year. It's something that he continued to deal
(19:19):
with throughout the course of the spring. Now undergoing surgery,
that effectively means the cam Ward now will be in
fact Tennessee's starting quarterback. Also quarterback news in New Orleans,
Tyler Shuck officially signing his rookie contract fully guaranteed, the
fortieth overall pick in the draft and the last member
(19:40):
of this year's draft lass to get a fully guaranteed contract,
White possibly going to end up being now QB one
in New Orleans come this fall. Competition still pending. A
lot more to come here on the Insiders, including a
look at the Chargers. Jar Omaruiz has been around that team.
What do they do a wider even now that Mike
(20:00):
Williams walked away? Hopefully the oldmar has got some answers.
Right after this on the inside.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
This football is back. Celebrated teams across the league take
the field for Back Together Weekend, presented by YouTube TV
with two full days of practices, player interviews, and behind
the scenes access. It's a can't miss NFL reunion. Go
(20:25):
to NFL dot com slash Back Together Weekend for more information.
You know who is already back This guy right here,
Justin Herbert, the Chargers starting quarterback. I once you wait
forty minutes for Justin Herbert to interview him during training
camp because he loves signing for the fans. That's not
a joke, It's actually true. He loves interacting with the fans.
(20:46):
You will see it over and over here. He is
right here doing it. One guy. He will not be
interacting with Mike Williams, who now has retired. Quentin Johnson
takes us into it.
Speaker 10 (20:58):
This is you know, decision, you know, the past three
years and just me knowing him and me coming in
and kind of just being mentored by him. You know,
it means a lot, you know, you know, you know,
just knowing him as a person on and off the field.
So you know, you know, I'm happy for him, you know,
happy with his you know, decision and you know, you know,
I wish him abyss so.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Welcome in our good friend Omar Ruiz joining me in
rapport and Juda Batista here on the insiders. Omar, So
let's get into this topic a little bit. Mike Williams
steps away from the chargers right before training camp. What
impact is that going to happen?
Speaker 11 (21:29):
Well, it's plenty of opportunity for the receivers obviously still
on the roster, and they have a superstar in the
making that they believe is ready to take another step
in Ladd McConkie. I asked offensive coordinator Greg Roman the
other day if there is another tier that McConkie could
get to, and he said, yeah, absolutely. He gave an
anecdote from the early days of training camp. He saw
(21:49):
mconki in a dark wide receiver room by himself, focused
on his iPad, just watching tape over and over again
until he finally got the concept that they were learning
about in the early installation. In those days in training camp,
Roman telling me it's those kind of minute details that
mconkee is focused on that leads him to believe he's
(22:10):
able to accelerate and find another gear. Remember, McConkie the
last time we saw him in the playoffs, set the
rookie receiving record for most receiving yards ever in a
postseason game. He was a top ten receiver in receiving
yards last year. On the field, his receiver coach Sanjay
Law said he showed him a lot of tape of
Julian Edelman and Tyler Lockett, obviously the former great for
(22:32):
the New England Patriots, former Super Bowl MVP, and also
Tyler Lockett, now the Tennessee Titans, formerly played for Law
in Seattle. He showed him the tape of Julian Edelman
because Edelman was famous for being able to split a
couple defenders and dive forward for a couple two three
extra yards at the end of place. Tyler Lockett had
the innate ability to know when a big hit was
(22:53):
coming and get down for mconkie to know how to
protect himself. So those are the things they're looking for
for him to improve on the field. Then you also
have Quentin Johnson, who he just heard from quadrupled his
touchdown output from his rookie season, going from two to
eight last year. He comes into training camp with all
kinds of confidence and then the second round pick Trey Harris,
who they believe can be in all everything type of receiver.
(23:15):
They're going to start them out on the outside learning
the Z position. As Roman said, you got to start somewhere.
So a lot of confidence in the players that they
have a lot of opportunity for this young receiving core
that they hope is a lot better.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
In the twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 6 (23:31):
And of course we heard the fans the other day
chanting for Keenan Allen to be brought back to the
Chargers end. We also know that Harbaugh wants to run
the ball a whole lot more too, to take some
of the pressure off Justin Herbert. All Right, Omar, Speaking
of Justin Herbert, Harbaugh said that his biggest weakness is
basically everybody around him.
Speaker 11 (23:50):
What do you make of that comment, Well, it's interesting
and that he wants everybody to elevate their games to
Justin Herbert, and that includes the offensive line.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
It's the tight end.
Speaker 11 (24:00):
And what's interesting we just talked about the receivers, it
was the tight ends who had the two longest pass
plays of the practice that I was at on Saturday.
But as far as the offensive line, goes. Rashaun Slater
missed practice on Saturday. They described it as a rest day.
He was back today as expected, working off to the side.
Nobody there is calling it a hold in, but they
(24:20):
do express optimism both sides along this whole process for
Slater and a blockbuster contract upcoming as he enters the
final year of his rookie contract. But this is an
offensive line that's looking to come together. Obviously, Makai Becton.
They signed over from the World champs in the Philadelphia Eagles,
and they essentially have switched positions with Zion Johnson and
Bradley Boseman. Boseman going to left guard, Zion Johnson coming
(24:43):
into center. They have to figure that out. And oh,
by the way, last year's number five overall pick, Joe
Alt told me on Saturday that he feels as comfortable
as ever. He doesn't like to use that word comfortable.
He said he wants to keep his edge. The pace
of the game has slowed down, but he wants to
maintain that edge as that of desive line looks to
make dramatic improvements. But as you mentioned, Judy, they're going
(25:04):
to ground the football with Omarion Hampton and Agie Harris
and the rest of that crew. They have a potentially
explosive pass game, and of course the offensive line comes together.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
A lot to be optimistic about is.
Speaker 11 (25:13):
The Chargers heading into their fifth training camp practice already
tomorrow down in San Diego. They'll make their return to
their former home practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday down there.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
A lot of the good stuff, Omar, thank you as always.
Chargers for sure do have a lot to look forward to.
They also did a little bit looking back today as
Philip Rivers Dak Gummett retired a member of the Chargers,
one of our favorites, one of the best miked up
athletes of all time, made it official in a pretty
cool video, saying that he is now a Charger for life.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
The Cowboys have reported to training camp. They went through
the entire offseason without Trayvon Diggs in the building because
he was back in floor rehabbing from a significant knee injury.
There did not say well with the Cowboys, who enforced
a de escalator contract in Diggs contract. Jerry Jones had
some more to say on the subject.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
We expect a player paid like Trevon to be here
all the time. We expect him to be leading. Expect
him to be leading. It's important to have the right
body language in every respect. When you are one of
those rare, financially paid and gifted players, you've got to
(26:39):
have some leadership about you.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pella Sero, joined once
again by our Jane Slater, who is at Cowboys training
camp in Oxnard, California. We've heard this, Jane, the leadership,
the culture buzzwords throughout the off season from Brian Schottenneimer,
among others, and clearly Jerry's trying to make a point
here about the importance of those high paid guys being
(27:02):
a part of that culture. What did you make of
what he said?
Speaker 5 (27:07):
Look, I know some people might roll their eyes at this,
but I will tell you, and talking to some of
the players the leadership and I even talked about just
the culture and the locker room was really off last
year and they were looking for some of their leaders
that they pay the big money to step up.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
And I'm old enough.
Speaker 5 (27:21):
To remember when that Trayvon Diggs extension happened. It was
two years ago here at training camp, a five year
one worth ninety seven million dollars. If you'll recall in
that same year back in twenty twenty three, three weeks
into the season he entered his knee, so he missed
eleven games that year or he missed thirteen games rather
that year, and then last year he made eleven games
(27:43):
for entering the same knee again. Now seeing here, he's
opted for South Florida and training with doctor Sharif Toba.
Taba has been telling me that they've begun working on
some of the position group drills and things that he needs.
But new defensive coordinator Matt eber flies Plisi has two
of the best corners in the league in Derad Blandon Diggs,
who have come buying for thirty one interception since twenty
twenty one. Last season, the team as a whole had
(28:05):
the six fewis Iberflus wants this defense predicated on takeaways
when healthy. He has the personnel to do that, but
availability and accountability are paramount and Jerry Jones, Steven and
the coaches are making it very clear with that half
a million dollar fine and some of the comments they
made today that they have high expectations for players that
are making what they would describe as Tier one money.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Now, could the Cowboys trade him.
Speaker 5 (28:27):
I know that people are now talking about that, like
how acrimonious has this gotten?
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Because this is the second off.
Speaker 5 (28:32):
Season that Trayvon Digg spent the majority of his time
working out away from the facility. Now, according to overthecap
dot com, they could save nine point six million dollars
if they made that trade.
Speaker 4 (28:42):
Now here's the issue, guys.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
Remember I just said it was a five year, ninety
seven million dollar contract extension.
Speaker 4 (28:48):
That means he's got four years left.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
That means another team would have to pick up that contract. Well,
is their concerns there? This is now two injuries to
the same knee. Although I guess you could make the
others argument that he's twenty six years old. This is
a guy who's got a lot of talent, who's proven
that he can get the takeaways. Being that former wide
receiver at Alabama, maybe there's some big upside here.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
I think they're going to look to see how this
thing plays out.
Speaker 5 (29:12):
I think this team can be really, really good, and
Digs could be really good in this system. But I
think they're making it very very clear that things have
got a change if Diggs wants to remain on this roster.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
Trevon Diggs do nine million dollars in base salary this season,
which if he can be close to his former self,
that is a bargain for the Cowboys in twenty twenty five.
Jane Slater our first training camp on Cedarport. Jay, can
you actually just take like five steps backwards so I
can see you in the sun to prove this is
not a green screen. I want everybody at home to
know you're really out there, You're really on the field.
Speaker 8 (29:44):
Look at that.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
We're there.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
We are going to be all over the place. Back
together weekend this weekend, around the clock inside training camp
starts on Monday. Cannot wait, Jane, Thank you very much.
As always, a ton other news around the NFL, including
in the Troit Worthy Lyons. Also back at it on
the field. They're playing in the Hall of Fame game,
hence the early start. David Montgomery pictured here. What the
(30:08):
guy everyone's talking about is a fantasy stud. Jamiir Gibbs
said recently he's the forgotten man in the offense after
that knee injury last season. But not so, says Dan Campbell.
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Believe me, he has not forgotten. He's We know exactly
who he is. Where he is and what he's capable of,
and the one two punch with he and Gibbs is uh,
it's special and it's rare in this league in my opinion,
especially nowadays. So there's a place for David. He's going
to help us, and we're going to use him, and
(30:38):
we'll use he and Gibbs together. You know, we'll do
some of those things. So we know he's one of
our best offensive players. That's not changing right now.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
Season approaching regulars, he's approaching contract season still upon us.
George karlofftis the latest two get paid a four year,
ninety three million dollar contracts mentioned with Kansas City, the
former first round draft picked cash in on a deal
he guarantees them sixty two million dollars, and they'll need
more highlights like this if they're going to meet the
(31:09):
high expectations that always exist in Kansas City.
Speaker 13 (31:13):
Expectations are always are always high, and that that's a
that's a plus, and the guys that have been here
have earned that right to have it that way. But
at the same time, you know you've got to maintain
that and even strive to be better. I mean, the
AFC West is a tough conference, and it's not any worse,
(31:34):
that's for sure. I mean these guys, that's good coaching
and they've got good players. So just that alone is
a great challenge for us.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
AFC. West is tough, says the guy who wins it
every year. Let's go, welcome to the job.
Speaker 14 (31:54):
Ow boy, it's Jamar chains down.
Speaker 1 (31:58):
We'll breaking the towards down.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
I'm putting in the circles Rount.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
And we can fall down. Oo Jamar.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
It's just a big play way to happen.
Speaker 7 (32:06):
Two bomb how chases on the cases. Number one was
number one when it came to fantasy production by a
wide receiver in twenty twenty four, now number one amongst
wide receivers paid for real production on the field period.
Speaker 8 (32:28):
But you see the value that he brings to fantasy.
Speaker 7 (32:30):
Owners as well as those Bengals owners that were willing
to pay him. That money in comes Adam Rank now
because he knows everything when it comes to ranking wide receivers.
In fact, last year we were talking about Jamar Chase's
potential w R when we talk about CD Lamb potentially
as a first round pick. Had we known Dak Prescott
was going to go down, we would have said, now
(32:50):
you can wait a little bit later because you saw
what that did to his production. So entering twenty twenty five,
with all these guys quarterbacks healthy rank, how are you ranking.
Speaker 8 (32:58):
Some of these top receivers?
Speaker 1 (32:59):
No, unintended.
Speaker 14 (33:01):
Now it's funny because one of my least favorite things
in fantasy when the guy's like, hey, take your pick,
it doesn't matter, But we have to make choices, Mike,
where we're sitting there on the line, we got to
figure out what we're doing. I'm gonna go with Jamar
Chase as the first wide receiver off the board. I
know it's super chalky. Last year he was the number
two overall scorer in all of fantasy football. That includes
(33:22):
that includes the uh that includes the quarterback position as well.
So for me, I think Jamar Chase is pretty much
the easiest pick here right now. Obviously, when you look
at it, people might fear regression or anything like that,
but I look at it by the sense of how
good do the Bengals get on defense? Not very so
there's still gonna be in a situation where they have
to score a ton of points.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
My number two.
Speaker 14 (33:45):
Guy is going to be Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson last
season was the wide receiver too. Sam Darnold had a
season for the Ages, and people are like, well, what
about JJ McCarthy, what about him? We've seen the floor
for these quarterbacks in any KOC offense, it's a being
very high. So I love the opportunity to go out
there and get Justin Jefferson and it's.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
A little quick tip.
Speaker 14 (34:06):
I love JJ McCarthy and fantasy football as well, So
he's my number two and then I'm gonna go back
to Ceedee Lamb. I know a lot of people were
disappointed last year. You mentioned it when Dak Prescott went down.
That kind of hurt everybody or hurt his production. So
for me, I'm not too worried about it, and I'm
not worried about George Pickens being there either, because George
(34:27):
Pickens picking the top off the defense should actually help
him out. So I will go back to Ceedee Lamb.
He's my number three wide receiver. Off the board, I
am not afraid of that at all.
Speaker 7 (34:39):
CD tried to do all he could with those backup
options that they threw out there after Dak Prescott went down,
but it obviously changed the position and it changed the
production for him. If Dak Prescott stays healthy, I'm with you,
Adam Ray, throw Ceedee Lamb back up there. Now you
talk about what a receiver on the other side can
do for a guy on the other side, Let's talk
about Pooka Nakua because incomes Adams. Now Cooper Cup's out,
(35:01):
but DeVante Adams is in. What does that do for
Poka in that offense?
Speaker 14 (35:05):
You know, I actually think it makes him better. I
think that any time that we've seen Sean McVay over
the years, his offense always has the ability to support
two really good wide receivers, especially in fantasy one always
seems to outshine the other. We remember, during the time
that Cooper Cup was going out there and dominating fantasy
football leagues, there was still a pretty good wide receiver too,
(35:26):
whether it was Bobby Trees or somebody of that nature. Similarly,
I think that Devonte Adams comes in here, keeps the
defenses honest and allows Pooka Akua to go out there
and do his thing. So again, when we're going through
the rankings right now, I look at pu Puka Akua
as my number four option because I trust this Rams
offense I trust the quarterback, and I really do believe
(35:48):
that he's going to step up this season.
Speaker 7 (35:51):
You talk about those receivers that you just mentioned up
there in the cluster, but give me the guy who's
on the outside of that crew, but could vault himself,
maybe even to the top of the guy. You're like,
if all falls right, this guy could get even to
wide receiver number one.
Speaker 14 (36:05):
Well, I think that when we looked at the top
ten board from last season, people might have been surprised
that Brian Thomas Junior was the number four overall wide receiver.
I will point out though, for those of you who
live in the world where you rank these on points
per game, he was the wide receiver eleven, right around
seventeen fantasy points per game. I really believe that he
has an opportunity to step up this season and be
(36:27):
even better.
Speaker 8 (36:28):
Now.
Speaker 14 (36:28):
They went out and they drafted Travis Hunter, which is
a great addition to that team. He should be a
guy who can take the top off a defense, somebody
who can expose some of those safeties deep. But it's
still going to allow Brian Thomas Junior to go out.
Speaker 3 (36:41):
There and do the work.
Speaker 14 (36:42):
And when you bring in an offensive mind like Liam
Cohen to lead this team. And I know, like it
seems weird because Doug Peterson was supposed to be this guy.
But I really do believe that Liam Cohen's going to
help Brian Thomas Junior take that next step. And I
wouldn't be shocked if Brian Thomas Junior ends up the
wide receiver won this season.
Speaker 7 (37:02):
Well, Travis Hunter is there, and you talked about it earlier,
what a receiver on one side could do for a
guy on the other side, kind of like what the
insiders can do for Fantasy Live. You see it there
on the body of the screen weekdays at six pm Eastern.
We are three weeks away from the return of Fantasy
Live at six pm. Adam Rank and his buddy's gonna
be back to give you that fantasy information every single day.
Speaker 8 (37:24):
Thank you very much, Adam Rank.
Speaker 7 (37:26):
Appreciate you always and all your thoughts on fantasy football.
Speaker 8 (37:29):
Calvin Ridley probably out there like, yo, what about me?
Speaker 1 (37:32):
What about me? Rank? You're not looking at my quarterback?
Speaker 8 (37:35):
I mean, let's to a lot of folks are saying
to Tennessee, not giving this guy enough credit.
Speaker 7 (37:38):
Well, we're about to see because no will Levis means
cam Ward gonna be the starter for the Titans this
upcoming season.
Speaker 8 (37:44):
We pretty much expected it anyway.
Speaker 7 (37:45):
We got to talk more about it when he Insanders returns.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
From QB one so QB two to QB twenty twenty six.
Will Lovis officially out for this season after opting to
undergo shoulder surgery. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pillasaroi
and Rapport and Judy Batista Ian take me through exactly
what led to this decision by Will Levis. Now, what
it means knowing that you know you got that other
(38:19):
guy went number one in the building right.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
What it means is pretty simple. Cam Morden is going
to be the starting quarterback, as he was going to
be the starting quarterback anyway. This is more about Will Levis,
his backup quarterback, and his decision after consulting with from
Mine I, unerstand Is, several medical professionals. Will Levis suffered
a shoulder injury last season. Remember, landed really hard along
the sideline on his right shoulder. He did rehab, he
(38:46):
did get it better, he did fully participate in spring practice,
but sounds like it just never felt quite right. Judy
and the fact that he couldn't get it to where
he was throwing pain free. Led to this decision where
he is now going to have surgery at the end
of July. He is out for twenty twenty five, twenty
twenty sixty, like it would be at full strength. Just
(39:08):
hard to imagine being with the Titans at that point.
Plenty of that as it comes, but a fascinating decision
by will Levis to leave cam Ward all alone, which
kind of a weird thing, Judy.
Speaker 6 (39:24):
Well, let's be clear, this was never a quarterback competition
in Tennessee. Cam Ward was always going to be the
starting quarterback. But what this does is it leaves them
without a safety net. I mean, that is what will
Lefis was going to be. If cam Ward's got hurt,
you at least had somebody who could go in there
and function in the offense and potentially give you a
(39:44):
chance to win a game. The two backups they have
on the roster now, Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle, have
started games over their careers, not very successfully. They are
new there, so presumably the Titans are going to have
to go out and get a veteran quarterback who has
a whole lot more starting experience to be in that
(40:05):
quarterback room behind cam Ward who is certainly the future
and he is the guy right now. But again, if
he gets hurt, what would they turn to? And also, frankly,
you'd like to have a veteran guy who can push
the rookie a little bit, not to take his job,
not even to challenge for his job, but just to
sort of push him to accelerate his growth. They need
(40:25):
to get that in the building. A very tough break
for will Levis obviously, and we will see how it
impacts cam warden the Titans this season.
Speaker 1 (40:33):
A more incoming slow Mode videos across the NFL, because,
as we know, the twenty twenty five NFL season begins
with training camp starting Saturday, July twenty six through Wednesday,
August sixth. NFL Network is you're home for wall to
wall coverage from every camp across the league. We're live
on the field, bringing you exclusive interviews, expert analysis, breaking storylines,
(40:55):
and your first look at the biggest names in new places,
new today. Business still getting done on the eve of
training camp, that includes in Green Bay, where they have
re signed their tackle Zach Tom to a four year,
eighty eight million dollar contract extension max is out at
ninety two million. Sources tell the Insiders Green Bay one
(41:17):
of the teams that's back on the field on Tuesday.
The Steelers report on Wednesday and begin the countdown to
wear in these gorgeous nineteen thirty three throwback uniforms. It's
like Bumblebean Junior. I love it. It's got ten pants.
Welcome back to the Insiders. Tom PELLISEROI and rapport, Judy Batista,
Mike garral Follo Ian or you in or out on
(41:39):
this version of the tan pants.
Speaker 3 (41:44):
Well, let's see. If I was gonna say something and
it maybe wasn't nice, I think maybe the best thing
to do is, Mike, what do you think?
Speaker 10 (41:57):
No?
Speaker 8 (41:57):
I dig them. I think they're better.
Speaker 7 (41:58):
I mean this is this goes back to Tom dying
on a hill for the Giants uniforms in Week one
last year, which were not great.
Speaker 8 (42:05):
I dig these a lot better.
Speaker 6 (42:07):
I like them better than the other bumblebee ones. I
think these are fear of them as great.
Speaker 1 (42:13):
Call the best news we can stop tying about uniforms.
Twenty six more teams reports a training camp tomorrow. You're
gonna hear from the head coaches, are players from the quarterbacks.
We will have all of it, the analysis like you
get no place else. Football is this close. Folks, will
see you tomorrow at Semaban Eastern time. Thank you as
always for being here with the insiders. See it.
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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