NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport break down the Jets’ record-breaking extension for star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, with Marc Ross joining to weigh in on what the deal signals for the team's future. Steve Wyche and Omar Ruiz provide the latest on the Chargers, including rookie wide receiver Tre Harris’s training camp holdout and the eye injury sustained by running back Najee Harris on July 4th. Then, the insiders dive into the top storylines to watch as training camps get underway, including key positional battles and what to expect around the league.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
We've been off the air for a couple of weeks
and despite clear rules against it. Yeah, there was some
news from Jalen Ramsey to Darren Waller extensions to surgeries.
We will get you and ourselves up the speed over
the next sixty minutes. Chargers' rookies are already in training camp,
though not one of their top draft picks. We will
(00:29):
explain why a lot of other teams also have question
marks on their attendance sheet. With six more teams rookies
set to report on Tuesday. For now, everybody is zero
and zero. That also means there are questions about all
thirty two teams. Our intrepid team of reporters has information
and opinions tonight about how the NFC West could be
(00:52):
one welcome inside with the insiders. Alongside Ian Rapaport, I
am Tom Pelisero, so it feels good to say that again.
Ian has spent the past couple of weeks on the
golf course. I've spent the last couple of weeks hauling
kids from one leg to another. But you don't care
about that. You care about the fact that we've got
(01:12):
regular season football in fifty two days and by the
middle of next week, every team in the NFL will
be in training camp. The Jets got a jumpstart on
some of their remaining business, and that is where we
begin tonight. As Ian reported a short time ago, New
York getting it's one of its contract priorities taken care of,
(01:33):
agreeing to terms on a four year, one hundred and
thirty million dollars contract extension with Garrett Wilson, a player
Ian whose future seemed like it actually might be up
in the air had that guy number eight still being
in New York. Instead, it's justin fields and the Jets
obviously have high hopes for how Wilson will continue to
break out moving forward.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
That's exactly right, and I think for Gary Wilson to
the New York Jets, most important thing right here is
that this locks him in and makes him a huge
part of the Jets' future. He has done a ton
of things on the field over the course the first
three years, enough to become one of the highest paid
receivers in the NFL. The terms of the deal you
mentioned some of them four years, one hundred and thirty
million dollars, ninety million dollars guaranteed. He is now locked
(02:16):
up for the next six years total contract, he gets
the fourth highest guarantee of any receiver, thirteen point seven
five million dollars signing Motus, another twenty million dollar option
Motus in year two, and another ten in year three. Garrett
Wilson is going to be a very, very rich man
to the New York Jets. This means two things. One,
instead of requesting a trade like he probably would have
(02:38):
done if Aaron Rodgers was back, he is now not
going anywhere. The other thing is, and you mentioned he
was one of their priorities. Sauce Gardner one of the
best corners in the NFL, their other big time priority,
likely going to be one of or the highest paid
corners in the NFL if and when his deal gets done,
that is where the Jets turn their attention.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Now, it was not that long ago that we were
looking at the DeVante Adams and Tyreek Hill contracts and saying, boy,
the number is getting into the mid twenties. Look at
some of the deals that have been signed, most of
these in this offseason. Jamar Chase with the Bengals, DK
metcalf as part of the trade from Seattle to the Steelers. Now,
Garrett Wilson cracking the top five as well. Certainly, I
(03:21):
would think there are some other wide receivers around the
NFL who are saying, if Garrett Wilson is getting that
type of money, I should begin a new contract at
some point here in the not two distant future as well.
Though Garrett Wilson also has age on his side. Turns
twenty five next week, as we welcome in r. Mark
Ross to the conversation, Mark, this is a very proactive
move by a new Jets regime that turned over the
(03:42):
head coach and the general manager. Obviously, they've got high
hopes for exactly what this is going to look like
for Garrett Wilson for years to come, well, no doubt, and.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
This theme is a signal that this is not the
same old Jets.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Right.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
If the goal of a scouting staff is the draft
really good players and then you want to sign those
players too extensions while you have them identify the good
players and know this is going to be a cornerstone,
the Jets really just have not done that since his
current financial systems in twenty eleven. This is the first
time that they've re signed or extended let's just say,
(04:16):
a first round pick in their first year of eligibility,
this third year for Garrett Wilson. They did Quinn Williams
after four years, but the first time they've done it
under three years. So maybe this is a sign that
the Jets are finally doing business differently than what they've had.
I know, each year it's something different with the Jets,
but you always want the stability, and Aaron Glenn maybe
(04:36):
providing that. I think he's really setting the tone for
all this. So this should be a good sign for
Jets fans that, Okay, we've locked up one of our
young stars.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Now, now let's go.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Lock up Sauce as the second shoe will drop their fellows.
So I think this would be a good sign to
say we've identified really pro Bowl type players and we're
going to sign them and extend them, not let them
get out of the building.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Mark thank or from you later in the show, including
on some of those rookies who are reported to training camps. Tomorrow.
You know what else is tomorrow the deadline for franchise
tag players to sign long term extensions with their current teams. Well,
all the other ones already got done, except for that
man number sixty five, Trey Smith by four PM tomorrow.
Ian they're going to either have to have a new
(05:19):
deal in place for tray Smith, or by virtue of
the fact he already signed his tender, he's going to
be on the books for twenty three million in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Right either way, tray Smith, one of the best guards
in the NFL, is going to be a very rich man.
Either way, he is going to be the highest paid
guard in the NFL. It's really just a question of
does he get that multi year to lock him up,
to give him some financial security, to give the Chiefs
some salary cap breathing room. Of course, it would help
much more breathing room on a multi year deal than
(05:48):
on the one year, twenty three million dollar tag where
you have to take all of it. The two sides
have been in communication, there have been negotiations. We do
not know right now if the deal is going to
get done, but at least as of this moment, it
is a possibility. But I think either way, Trey Smith
is going to be more than fine this year and
for years to come.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
The Chiefs set to report as a full squad next week.
They're AFC West rival Chargers already in camp, but not
that man, Trey Harris, their second round draft pick, who
is currently one of thirty second round picks who have
not yet signed their deals. Ian. This seems to happen
every year, there's some type of a log jam somewhere,
whether it's over contract language or guaranteed money. Well, the
(06:31):
fact that the number thirty four pick, Jaydon Higgins got
a fully guaranteed deal, that's had a ripple effect. And
we'll see how many of these guys are reporting on
time over the next eight nine days. Yeah, and I.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Would guess if I had to do it right now,
Tom that it's going to be several other holdouts. As
of right now, Trey Harris the first, the first to
take a stand to fight for that guaranteed money. He's
way back toward the end of the second round, but
there are several others in the middle or early part
of the second round who are going to want that
fully fully guarantee deal. A lot of attention is going
to be paid to the contract that Tyler Shook, the
(07:04):
Saints quarterback gets. Does he get the fully guaranteed deal,
does he get the quarterback premium? And these take all
the picks before him with him as far as fully guaranteed,
plenty of drama to play out. So yeah, unlike most years,
we may get a few holdouts for training camp.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
The number thirty three pick also got a fully guaranteed deal.
The number thirty five pic Nickie man Warri in Seattle.
That's the next one to watch. Meanwhile, another Chargers news
Naji Harris, their free agent running back addition sustaining what
his agent Doug Henderson called a superficial eye injury during
an explosion of fireworks on the fourth of July in
(07:41):
his hometown in California. According to Hendrickson, Harris is going
to be ready for the start of the season, but
he is not yet reported to training camp. Chargers veterans
set to report on Wednesday, and until he does and
the medical staff and the coaching staff get a chance
to spend time around him, there's still remain leer in question.
But exactly when they'll be ready to get on the field.
(08:03):
For more on that, let's bring in our Steve Whites
and Omar Ruiz who are in Los Angeles. And Steve,
we already know the Chargers had other plans in motion
in terms of their backfield. What do you anticipate that
running attack is going to look like here in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
Yeah, Tom, anytime you're with a new coach, especially the
new ball club, you don't want to miss reps at
a position like running back, which is deep. They went on,
they drafted you know, Amar and Hampton, you know who's probably.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Gonna be the main guy anyway.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
But now Naji Harris is going to be giving reps
to players like Hassan Haskins who played for Hardball at
Michigan and was a heck of a player. You've got
other player Raheem Sanders, Kamani Vidahl.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
These guys.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Remember that the Chargers also playing the Pro Football Hall
of Fame games. They're gonna have a fourth preseason game.
This is time for these guys to get reps again
under Harrball and Greg Roman and to establish themselves. But Omar,
there's also this, if Naji Harris does miss time, he
can be fresh. Let's say week three, week four went
over the grind of the season starts to kick in.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
That could help.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Look, they signed him because they need a veteran player
who cannot only run the ball, but helping pass pro
certain things like that. But again, any running back missing
time at this part of the season with a new
ball club isn't necessarily agreed.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Ah, the silver lining Steve could be fresh in week six.
And the irony to all this is at Najee Harris.
You see how tough he runs the football, has never
missed a game in his entire career, has played seventeen
games each of his four seasons. It is that durability
and that toughness a big reason why the Chargers brought
(09:38):
him in to help revamp that running back room. And
now we're talking about an injury. That sounds very scary
when you talk about an eye injury and fireworks and
fourth of July, as you mentioned Wednesdays when the veterans report,
will have to see how much damage to that eye
there is. But you mentioned Omaro and Hampton, you mentioned
Raheem Rocket Sanders, who has made a name for himself
(10:01):
in the off season. So there are plenty of depth
at that running back position. And I think Steve we
would both agree that this offseason has been overwhelmingly positive
for the Chargers and how Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh
have really built off that first playoff appearance in Harbaugh's
first year as head coach, and this regime has rebuilt
the roster in their likeness. But when you talk about
(10:23):
the storylines now heading into training camp, granted we are
seven and a half weeks until kickoff in Salth Paolo
against the Kansas City Chiefs, we still have Rashawn Slater,
their star left tackle, who hasn't had his blockbuster extension
yet to come to fruition. You guys mentioned Trey Harris
not in camp yet, and now Naji Harris a big
part of that running bick room.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Some questions about his.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
Availability at least to start training camp, some questions here
in the early going for Chargers training camp.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, I know, ma, I think some questions regarding Najie
Harris's availability is fair. My understanding of where he stands
is he is not expected to miss significant time. Now,
it was a fireworks s incident. It does sound like
there's been some damage. Superficial was the word that is
agent Doug Hendrickson used. But from what I understand, this
is someone who will be on the field sooner rather
(11:11):
than later and is not expected to miss games. There's
certainly some people close to Naji Harris who are not
as fortunate during what sounds like an unbelievably scary scary situation.
As far as Harris goes specifically, his injured injuries are
considered relatively minor. Should be back on the field soon.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Steve Omar, thank you. We'll have you guys, take us
to the NFC West. A little bit later on in
the show, one other Chargers note today that the first
team reporting to camp, so they're also the first team
making transactions. I placed five players today on the active
physically unable to perform list, including their veteran wide receiver
Mike Williams, who is back in LA after a sojourn
(11:52):
to the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Active
pup is one you could be activated from at any
time during training camp. Doesn't mean that he's going to
have to miss regular season time, though that does create
Rochester flexibility for them in the short term. There also
was news in the past couple of days about Brown's
rookie running back Quinshawn Judkins, who was arrested Saturday and
(12:15):
charged with touch or strike, battery, slash, domestic violence. According
to Broward County, Florida Sheriff's Office records, Judkins accuser alleged
that he punched her with a closed fist in the
chin slash lip area, and later hit her in the
left arm and thigh wele in a car leaving the
airport on July seventh. The victim told police that she
is in a relationship with Judkins, who has not commented.
(12:38):
Both the Browns and the NFL said they are aware
of the matter will decline further comment. The league, let's note,
does conduct its own investigations and can discipline players even
if the legal system does not, including with a suspension
or by placing a player on the Commissioner's exempt list.
Dominquin Sue made it official over the weekend, announcing that
he is retiring from the NFL. That's played back in
(13:01):
twenty twenty two eight games with the Eagles. He was
one of the best, albeit controversial, early in his career
at the position of all times seventy one and a
half career sacks, and won a Super Bowl with the
Buccaneers after the twenty twenty season. As for the current
NFL players, as always, they are ranking their top one
hundred as we count down the days to the start
(13:22):
of the twenty twenty five NFL season. Dak Prescott revealed
today as the number seventy nine player, followed by Packers
defensive end Rashaan Gary at number eighty two. Players being
revealed per day on X and NFL Plus through the
end of August. Training camps kicking off are around the
league over the next week and a half. Here and
(13:45):
six more teams have their rookies reporting the training camp
on Tuesday. Who is ready to get a look at
the Giants collection of rookies with Abdul Carter and Jackson
Dart d Company. They are on that list, so are
the Ravens among others. Is welcome back our Mark Ross
to the conversation with me, Tom Pelisero and Ian Rappaport.
(14:06):
Let's start out Mark in Baltimore. They basically feel like
they got two first round picks based upon the talent
that Mike Gring brings to the table. What are you
going to be looking for for that group here as
we head through training camp.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Yeah, they no doubt got two top twenty, top fifteen
type talents. And Malachi starts the safety, the versatile safety
out of Georgia who I think will step in right
away with that loaded secondary of Baltimore and be a starter.
Then Mike Green, even though he's not going to start,
he may end up leading the team in sacks just
because he's just got to go in there and just
go get buckets, win big, crucial third downs.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
But I want to dig a little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Deeper too into that draft class where a third round
pick Emery Jones, the tackle Ai Lsu who played mainly
tackle there, but maybe even has a chance to start
at either of the guard spots, even push four Hee's
or Falle at one of the guard spots. And then
there are two sixth round picks, Tyler Loop, the kicker
out of Arizona, and then Lejonte Webster, the return specialist
(15:03):
out of Colorado, where both of those guys are really
the kicker. Loop's going to step right in and really
win that job he should, and then Webster. The Ravens
has really been looking for a reliable return specialist who
can provide an impact there, and Webster has done that
both at Colorado and FAU when he was there, and
then even step in when Zay Flowers got hurt banged
(15:24):
up a little bit last year. Webster is a similar
size bill quickness as a Flower, so he's got a
dual chance of being the return specialist stepping in right
away and also providing that slot receiver impact. So the
Ravens always fine gems too, So I just named those guys.
They got more draft pings to probably provided impact as well.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Leave it to our resident scout to pull two special
teams guys who are drafted on Day three out of
the mix. Right there, certainly guys to watch in Baltimore.
Take me to Buffalo here, Ian. We know that the
Bills have been at the prespice for a number of
years now to try to get over the hump. They
draft did a lot of guys who maybe went a
little bit later than people were thinking, a lot of
guys who played in the Senior Bowl. What do you
(16:05):
expected to see from that group? I mean, if you
look at.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
The landscape of the Bills draft class, there is really
one theme and that is defense. And clearly players they
think are going to have an instant impact on defense.
And you know, you look at the way the Bills
have been constructed, you to look at the way they've
done business. They spent all of their last year locking
up and signing so many of their homegrown players. Two
huge contracts from Josh Allen all the way down to
(16:31):
Christian Benford. It was basically the entire offseason and making
sure that their guys they drafted got paid. So what
that meant was free agency wasn't wild and crazy spending.
It meant the Buffalo Bills didn't go out and show out,
you know, thirty million dollars to let's say a top
edge rusher and said it was more like eight or ten.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
That also means they're going to need some impact from
some of this draft class. Mentioned some of the guys
who went later than expected. Maxwell Harriston a lot of
people thought he was the top corner, going to be
a top five team pick. TJ. Sanders another one went
a little later. Lannon Jackson went a little later than
people expected. And these are going to have to be
some of the names on the field for the Bills
if they're going to take that next step. Doesn't need
(17:12):
to be a big step, just like a tmy mini step.
Because you mentioned it, they're right there.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
I've been waiting to wile to say this football is back.
Celebrate as 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 to NFL dot
com slash Back Together Weekend for more information. I will
(17:39):
be in Detroit and Buffalo for Back Together Weekend, but
for now I'm in Minneapolis, where our kind producers wanted
to bring up how nice the weather is tonight and tomorrow.
You know, at a time that I could be outside grilling,
and instead I'm in my basement hosting this very show
that you're watching. But it does get us too. The
next segment, we're calling the training camp competition heat index.
(18:04):
The hotter the competition, the higher the temperature. Everybody got
that you got the redcarld rules. Great, let's play this game.
Welcome back to the Insiders. It is Tom Pelsero, Ian Rappaport,
Steve Whitch and Mark Ross Mark I thought Mark was
going to be here. How about this? How about let's
start with ian ian Do you have a heat index
(18:26):
you want to get to?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Yes, I will start with the Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition
for me. You let'll talk about the hottest index. This
is one hundred out of one hundred for the Indianapolis Colts.
Of course we know right now Anthony Richardson, And there
it is right there, see one hundred out of one hundred.
That's it, right there, Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones going
toe to tone. Really, what is a somewhat rare like
(18:52):
real quarterback competition. We've seen competitions before. We're like, let's
say a rookie top pick goes out there. You're like, oh, yeah,
these guys are really competing and whoa, the rookie ends
up winning it. I never saw that coming. This is
not like that.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
This is a real one.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
This is why Daniel Jones signing Indy instead of returning
back to Minnesota. Anthony Richardson has known he needs to
step up his game, He needs to step up his preparation,
needs to emerge as the franchise phase leader that the
organization has wanted him to be since taking him in
the top five. Mains to be seen how it will
shake out. But yes, this is a very very hot competition.
(19:29):
And now we have Mark Rosston steedbacks. So what's up, guys?
Speaker 1 (19:33):
It was so hot in LA that our four shot
temporarily melted down. Mark, you were really there now Giants
quarterback battle. How hot are we?
Speaker 3 (19:44):
Well, it should be scorching hot, about ninety degrees. Even
though the Giants are trying to keep it in an
air condition, much like you're down there in that basement, Tom,
they're trying to keep it in the air condition by
saying Russell Wilson's a starter. We're just gonna sit Jackson
Dart all year, Jameis Wilson at the backup.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
But it needs to be out there in the heat.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
This needs to be a fair competition and let Jamis
Cook throw the interceptions, throw the touchdowns.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Do what Jamis does.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
But even you never know, Jackson Dark may be a
revelation as a rookie, much like last year Jayden Daniels
and Boat Nicks and the year before CJ.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Stroud.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
The Giants shouldn't limit themselves to just say that here's
the pecking order and this is how we're going to
run things. It should be an open competition with a
lot of heat, and let the best man win and
not keep him in the air conditioning out of the cool.
Let this be a hot competition, New York Giants, please.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
I don't know how many people in fantasy football are
going to be drafting Giants or Colts quarterbacks. They will
Steve be trying to figure out what Broncos running back
to take, a task that got that much more difficult
when JK. Dobbins signed right before Minikamp. What's the heat
index of that battle for the Broncos running back job?
Speaker 4 (20:50):
But heat index, it's a nice September fall day in
Denver and I'm saying about sixty five out of one hundred.
And that's not because guys like RJ. Harvey the rookie
and JK. Dobbins the veteran, aren't going to be competing
for playing time. It's because of the coach and the
play caller, Sean Payton, who tends to roll out a
different running back on every play no matter what he does.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Again, he's a.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Guy with a multitude of personnel packages.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
But we know r J.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
Harvey.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
He's going to be a guy out of UCF who's
gonna be exciting. Been compared to Alvin Kamara because of
the versatility and the run and pass game, a guy
who averaged nearly seven yards of Carrie last year at UCF,
A big game hitter. He again, he's gonna be the
guy the eyes are on.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
But then JK.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Dobbins, a reliable veteran.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
You've got Ardrick Estimate, someone who's been there, the guy
they say you could break out if he gets the potential,
if he kind of figures things out. Julia McLoughlin another
shorter stock of your guy. So again, the competition will
be there among the guys. But again it's gonna be
the head coach who no matter how good someonne is,
he's gonna roll a lot of guys through and real quick.
Mark Ross, you're looking aff a lot like Marcus Freeman.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
There no beard, tight, crispy haircut.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
You should get in a lookalike contest.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
It's a summer of the Market'll cut the beard off,
you know, get refreshed and rejuvenate it for training camp.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
The return. All right, I got to get one here.
Give me the Cowboys running backs. They signed Davonte Williams
and Miles Sander. Their jersey numbers add up to sixty.
So that's what I'm gonna do, is the heat index
on that competition right now. Obviously, They've also got their
fifth round pick, Jayden Blue out of Texas. This is
going to be interesting to watch because with Davonte and
(22:29):
Miles Sanders. They got a couple of veterans who have
had productivity in the league, but that production hasn't really
been there over the past couple of years. From everything
I've heard through the spring, Deavonte Williams looks like the
guy who once completely tore up the Dallas defense down
there in Frisco. He's a player who, of course had
they torn acl has comeback. It sounds like his twitch,
(22:50):
his burst is back. I would not be surprised not
only if Javonte Williams wins that job, guys, but if
he has a pretty big year for a Dallas team
that's going to need production in the backfield. Mark, thank
you very much, with or without Beard, we always appreciate
your contribution. Steve stick Around, A lot more from you
still to come through the course of this loaded edition
(23:12):
of The Insiders, we had a lot that happened over
these past couple of weeks. We had a lot of actions.
Let's circle back on some of the big deals we
didn't get to talk about, including that blockbuster trade between
Pittsburgh and Miami. Stick Around, Let's see Insiders with NFL
(23:38):
plus keep the NFL in reach stream live out of
market preseason games, live local and primetime games on mobile
during the regular and postseason, and NFL Network, including seven
exclusive live games with NFL Plus Premium. Enjoy even more
football with NFL Red Zone game replays in NFL Pro.
(23:58):
Sign up today A plus NFL dot Com, Slash Network.
Terms and conditions apply. We are back on this show
after a couple of weeks off, So while we were
out there was some news. Tom Pelli, Ceradian Rappaport back
here on the inside. Let's start out with a couple
of extensions that got done recently in front offices. Ryan Poles,
(24:19):
the Bears general manager. He gets a new deal that
now aligns him with their new head coach Ben Johnson.
In Chicago. There have been a lot of moves over
the past several years for Ryan Poles. The optimism in
Chicago right now is that with Ben Johnson on board,
that quarterback that Ryan Poles took number one, Caleb Williams,
(24:39):
it'll show why he was worth that number one pick.
Omar Khan also has a new deal. The Steelers general
manager agreed to terms on a new deal that will
keep him in Pittsburgh through at least the twenty twenty
eight season and Omar Kan Well, he's been awfully busy
over the past several months as well. Nobody, nobody has
made more headlines on they show then the Steelers, including
(25:02):
while we were away. You're not allowed to make trades
during Fourth of July week, but here we were, Ian
calling me from Tulum and me jumping off of a
a stationary bike too. Break down this trade, Jalen Ramsey,
John H. Smith in a twenty seven seventh round are
going to Miami for Micky Fitzpatrick and a twenty twenty
seven to fifth Ian, Well, this was JUNI or March.
This is about as big of a trade as you get.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Yes, all of that is true, but let me just
explain to the people who watch our show not just
for the news and inside analysis, but also to find
out what in the world we were doing while news
was breaking. Let me just take you there. My wife
and I were on vacation in Mexico. We were having
a lovely time. We're going to Tulom, We're going to
go tour the Mayan ruins. We're actually listening to our
(25:49):
tour guide tell me all about the different wildlife, all
the birds that are around and all this is We're driving,
and I started to have a panic attack because as
I'm texting a source who had said to me, Hey,
this Jalen Ramsey trade is about to go down in
about ten minutes. Be ready, I realize I have no service.
You and I are talking, we're trying to figure this out.
I say, Tom, listen, there is a chance that when
(26:12):
I get the go sign, I'm going to not be
able to hear anything. So be ready. You were ready
as you always are, jumping off the peloton. Thank you
very much. It was a harrowing experience. I have no
earthly idea what the tour guy said, which means I'm
probably gonna have to go to Tulum again. But yes,
as you saw in that video. It also led to
me doing a little shot right in from the ruins,
(26:33):
just to tell people what was going on. As far
as the actual trade, though Jalen Ramsey, you and I
reported for a lot of months wanted out of Miami,
I think Miami was certainly more than willing to make
that happen. I thought in my head it would be
the Rams. They just never could figure out a way
to get the deal done. The Steelers did so Ramsey
(26:53):
goes there. He adds a huge, huge piece their defense,
but in doing so they give up Minka Fitzpatrick sort
of a salary swap a little bit. But I think
the Menca Fitzpatrick part of this tom really caught people
by surprise, whereas maybe the John hus Smith.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Part of it probably didn't. Like you said, the salary
piece was part of it. Order to take on salary,
you have to move salary. But if you look back
last couple of years, Mega Fitzpatrick's production hasn't been quite
the same. He's still not even thirty years old yet,
as he heads back to Miami, where he was a
first round pick a number of years ago. Here they're
(27:27):
hoping in Miami they get some stability with Minca on
the back end. We'll see what that means for twenty
twenty six. The Steelers get a very versatile piece in
Jalen Ramsey and also a tight end in John Newsmith
who wanted a new deal from the Dolphins instead, he
now gets that for the Steelers. So what does Miami
now do at tight end? They bring back a guy
We've talked about a lot of them this show over
(27:49):
the years. Darren Waller is back. The former Pro Bowl
tight end during his day with the Raiders, reunited after
one year in retirement with his old coach, Frank's Smith.
There's now the Dolphins oc those guys work together with
the Raiders. They are extremely close. If anybody is going
to help Darren Waller come back from a year away
(28:09):
from the game, it's going to be Frank Smith. And
from everything I've been told, physically mentally, Darren Waller is
in a much better place right now. As for the
Buccaneers and their star left tackle Ian Tristan Works, he's
been in a better place physically and he's going to
miss some time.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Yeah, this is I would say somewhat significant blow for
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's been knee injury that's been
bothering Tristan where first for some time. Is a tough,
tough dude, always been able to battle through It was
training was getting ready, kind of gearing up for training camp,
but became clear that this knee injury was still a thing.
He did have surgery. My understanding is he's going to
(28:47):
miss a couple of weeks of the regular season, which
means he probably starts on the pup list not the
pup list that you start on before training camp, but
the one that knocks you out the first let's say
four games of the regular season. It's not idea, but
if this Bucks team is kind of what we think
they're going to be, which is a team that's going
to be there in the playoffs, so at least competing
for playoffs, you'll have him for the better part of
(29:10):
the season, which, again it's not the greatest, but it
could be worse as well.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Tough news for the Buccaneers. We also had devastating news
for many people in the state of Texas while we
were away. The NFL family stepped up to provide immediate
assistance and long term resources to community needs devastated by
the flooding in central Texas. An initial one point five
million dollar donation from the NFL Foundation Dallas Cowboys in Houston,
(29:39):
Texans led to additional contributions from the Falcons, Panthers, Vikings, Saints, Steelers,
and Seahawks. Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt also announced
another contribution through his MLS team FC Dallas. Mik Keil, Hey,
how are you doing? My managed John Lynch ready to
(30:00):
being there. That's awesome. Buddy, we're so fired up to
get you.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
Man.
Speaker 7 (30:05):
We've been sitting here nervous about going up. I tried
to go up, it didn't work, but.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
We got you here.
Speaker 6 (30:10):
So we are so damn fired up.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Man.
Speaker 7 (30:14):
You're gonna be You're gonna be great for us. Man,
and the entire building got behind this, so I'm gonna
turn you over a go Chanahand all right, buddy, let's
hear it from my.
Speaker 6 (30:23):
Fuck out and drafts dude, this is all we wanted.
This is day one. Man. We're all pumped out there
and you with your family right now.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Yeah, yeah, man, we loaded.
Speaker 6 (30:34):
That's awesome. Man. Enjoy it all right. It's special tonight.
And enjoy it because when you get here, man, it's
time to go to work, all right, right, man, I
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Coach never gets old watching those draft phone calls forty
nine ers hope, and never gets old watching Michael Williams
do things like this, and do it in regular season
games when you can actually sack the quarterback and not
a guy wearing some weird get up that looks like
Michael could singly throw him over the fence. Let's talk
more about the NFC West with our West Coast correspondence.
(31:04):
They're dressed California business casual. There together Steve Wich and
Omar Ruiz lay it on. I mean, we got the
forty nine Ers rookies reporting training camp tomorrow. We've got
the Seahawks reporting with air rookies the training camp tomorrow.
What's the biggest questions facing each of those four teams
in the NFC West.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
With Tom Let's start right there with the forty nine Ers.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
We saw John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan talk to the
defensive their defensive end, Ferson All Draftick, Mikel Williams omark.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
The biggest questions could be on offense.
Speaker 5 (31:30):
Where they took care of their quarterback, Rock Party and
where is he going to go with that football? And
a big question for me is how healthy and how
productive can Christian McCaffrey return to form. Obviously the offensive
player of the Year in twenty twenty three. I think
he has to be back at that elite level because
you look at the wide receiver room. Steve Deebo Samuel
(31:51):
is gone, Brandon Ayuk is still coming back from that
torn ACL We're hearing now that Juwan Jennings reportedly is unhappy,
wants a new contract or to be traded. Ricky Piersall,
their first round pick last year, tweaked the hamstring in
OTA's The newly signed to Marcus Robinson over from the Rams,
had a DUI last year, pleaded no contest could be
facing suspension. So when you talk about the returning offensive firepower,
(32:16):
it's George Kittle and then Christian McCaffrey, who, according to
all reports and Kyle Shanahan Christian McCaffrey saying he is
as healthy as ever. We saw what his absence can
mean for that team in twenty twenty four as they
struggled to that six and eleven record.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
A lot of their.
Speaker 5 (32:33):
Holes were exposed throughout the course of last year. I
think Christian McCaffrey covers up a lot and the way
they operate, the way they use him in that offense,
that multifaceted role that he has, the way that Kyle
Uscheck has the multifaceted role at the fullback position, the
way George Kittle plays and can be lined up anywhere
on the field. It is important for Christian McCaffrey to
(32:54):
return to form play at that elite level and then
they can worry about the receiving.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
Court for brock purty Ye Christ McCaffrey also a new papa,
so congrats to him and his wife for their new baby. Well,
I'm gonna take it up to Seattle, right So there
is that forty nine ers connection right there is. Clint
Kobiak is the new offensive coordinator in Seattle, and he
got Sam Darnald as his quarterback. And that is the
big question for the Seattle Seahawks. Can Sam Darnald replicate
(33:20):
the magic season that he had last year with the Vikings,
you know, thirty five touchdowns, twelve interceptions, more than four
thousand yards because he comes to an offense that is similar,
not exactly to what he ran in Minnesota. But guess what,
he doesn't have Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson and TJ.
Hopkinson to throw the ball to the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
They lost Tyler Lockett.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
DK Metcalf now Jackson Smith and jigbu is a stud
wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
He's ready to take that.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
Number one role.
Speaker 4 (33:50):
Cooper Cup is the number two as he comes up
from the Rams. But as we know, who's going home
to Seattle to the Washington area has had durability issues
this Seahawks and Donald sustain durability issues with that wide
receiver corps. But again, the biggest question omar is can
Sam Donald play like he did last year? Because if
he did, Seattle might have a team that could push
(34:12):
somebody else. Is there another team in this division that
could surprise, Well, let's talk about.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
The Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 5 (34:16):
This is a team that when Jonathan Gannon, the defensive
coordinator from a Super Bowl appearance and the Philadelphia Eagles
takes over in twenty twenty three, I'm going to reach
you some stats here. They were thirty first in the
league in scoring defense in twenty twenty three, twenty fifth
in yards allowed. They make that big jump last year
and they improved by four games those defensive numbers in
(34:37):
twenty twenty four. Now they're fifteenth in scoring, eighteenth in
yards allowed.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
And that is in.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Large part Steve to boot A Baker and a lot
of no names on defense that Jonathan Gannon Nick rollis
the defensive coordinator, had those guys playing with energy, with effort.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
They're in most of the games.
Speaker 5 (34:54):
That they played, didn't get to ultimately where they wanted,
but they still improved by four games and are look
to improve now in a dramatic way in twenty twenty five.
There you see Kalais Campbell now a part of the team,
Josh Sweat. They're big blockbuster free agent signing. They have
Dalvin Tomlinson. They spent their first round pick on Walter Nolan.
They get Will Johnson in the second round fell to them.
(35:16):
How quickly can this defense come together for Jonathan Gannon
and the Arizona Cardinals If they can now make that
jump from poor to middle of the road to now
maybe elite in Jonathan Gannon's third year, perhaps take some
pressure steve off of Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals offense,
which seems they're filling it a little bit. Going into
(35:39):
the third year in this regime, they could really surprise.
Speaker 4 (35:41):
But the team I think everyone's looking at is the
Los Angeles Rams because look, they almost beat Philadelphia in
the playoffs last year. It could have been them representing
the NFC in the Super Bowl. But the big question
for them is can their workman like secondary, which has
a lot of good players, take advantage.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
Of that dominant front five that they have.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
You look at the secondary safeties like Quinton Lake You've
got Akela Weatherspon, Kobe Durant, cam Kins, Is Cam Curlet,
Darius Williams. They've got players back there, right. But then
you look up front Poona Ford, who is going to
be a huge addition. He's gonna be one of those
guys you were talking about. It's one of the best
free agent acquisitions in the offseason, joins Braden Fitz, Kobe Turner,
Jared Varsus, Byron Young. If this secondary can start getting
(36:21):
more and more takeaways, whether it's forest fumbles, whether it's interceptions,
this defense could be one of the better defenses in
the NFC. And the Rams with all the weapons on
the offense, Let's not forget they got DeVante Adams a
wide receiver, they could be a Super Bowl contender. But
here's one thing I talked to Sean McVay about this
that you know. I talked about the work mill guys
in the secondary. They could have had gotten played for
(36:43):
JayR Alexander and Jalen Ramsey.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
They opted not to.
Speaker 4 (36:46):
Part of it was financial, part of it was they
like the guys that they have so omar this division
is kind of up for grabs. A lot of questions overall,
but Thomas, we send it back to you. We just
think that again, this is going to be one of
the better divisions overall in the NFC.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
Hard to find a better duo than Steve Whitch and
Omar Wiz. That's that. We've got Pookinaku and Kobe Turner
on the show to borrow. Okay, that's just a better
due that. You guys still were much Still, we still
got more Insiders coming up. Right after this, we got
details on flave football in the twenty twenty eight LA Olympics.
(37:25):
We also got one former NFL player who's making a
splash in a different sport. Find out who. Right after
this on the Insiders, What up, Tony Man? Go outside
us some football?
Speaker 5 (37:45):
Some friends play for children under NNFL season is underway.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
Oh my god, Oh.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
Pluck, pluck. He hurdles a guy backwards. Oh Mark checkson.
There goes Henry. The pageantry of football.
Speaker 6 (38:07):
There's nothing like him.
Speaker 3 (38:09):
Oh baby, how beautiful is that?
Speaker 2 (38:16):
This is?
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Behind Cooper running in pitched it back to Alan. Who's
gonna on the line? Here comes the hail Mary with the.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
Game on the line, the ball is taught.
Speaker 1 (38:33):
That's America. Welcome to the postseason.
Speaker 6 (38:37):
Man, is that caught?
Speaker 1 (38:38):
Yes, you are not?
Speaker 2 (38:42):
Play by Dallas Donna who can't stop Jadan Daniel putty
off that the playoff Kelsey, he's a beast with a capitol.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
Be There goes Kirkly through the snow. The Chiefs go
to the Super Bowl for a chance for a three
paint lock.
Speaker 6 (39:00):
The Beagles, it's heading to do Orleans.
Speaker 3 (39:03):
Hey, no throwing that time, man, We're coming to dominate.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
That's it.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
Let just embrace the moment.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
Man, Let's do this.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
Doll and.
Speaker 7 (39:12):
Back goes my homes looking.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
It's interceptive that you chain has he bro touchdown?
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Oh my god, Oh my god, Hert's going team far off,
Davanta shift touchdown.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
It's the Philadelphia Eagles have won Super Bowl fifty nine.
Speaker 1 (39:42):
What a season it was, and what a week we've
got upcoming Flag Football, The twenty twenty five NFL Flag
Championships presented by Toyota are coming to Canton Field. Approximately
three hundred teams across twelve boys and girls divisions have
now been set. Watch every game on ESPN Plus or
NFL Plus July eighteenth through the twentieth, with additional coverage
(40:05):
on ESPN, ESPN two, ABC, and Disney. Plus, speaking of
flag football, it's coming to the Olympics in three years.
The official schedule for those games in different sports was
put out earlier today. The flight football portion will take
place from Saturday July fifteenth through Saturday July twenty second,
Exposition Park Stadium in Los Angeles. Notable dates because that
(40:28):
means the flag event will wrap up right before NFL
training camps kick off, and some players may or may
not be doing both of those events. I can tell
you what event I will not be doing. I'm going
to be doing what Jimmy Graham is doing right now.
He and three others test in the boundaries of their
endurance and mental toughness in the Arctic Challenge. They are
(40:50):
rowing one thousand kilometers across the Arctic Ocean in a
nine point six meter human powered boat, attempting to set
several world records in the event, including the speed record
of fifteen days, five hours. The raising funds for a
couple of New Orleans charities. It is, according to the
New Orleans Saints website, a sleep deprived around the clockwork,
(41:10):
each person rowing thirteen hours per day, with rotations of
two hours on, two hours off, and one hour donated
per day, very similar to the rotations of our insiders,
he and Rapport and Mike Garofolo, who were grinding away
on their final weekend before the drink camp. Grind truly
kicks off by hanging out in Sarah Tooga. Break it
(41:33):
down for me here, Ian, who do we got? All?
Speaker 2 (41:36):
Right? So we got the garatfoos. We got there. He
is right there, his bald self. Mike was doing extremely well.
I would say, there's the garifos and the wrap ports.
Late at night, did we have a couple of cocktails?
I don't know who's counting.
Speaker 1 (41:49):
At that point.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
It's not like we started at eleven am and finished
at one thirty in the morning. It doesn't matter. That's
the brands. By the way, Kyle Branton and Brooke hanging
out with us as well. They were drinking champagne at
about ten thirty in the morning. That is how you start.
It was a lovely day, some NFL Nework bonding. Tom.
You were invited and not so politely declined, So I
(42:11):
will say you were not missed, but it would have
been fun if you were there.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
You say I was invited, meaning you sent me one
text in like November saying, hey, we should go to
Saratoga next July. Never follow up, Yeah, never a reminder
of a horse race eight myself that I would have
to fly myself with my wife in for. I would
say it was a it was an invite, It was
an invitation from you.
Speaker 2 (42:35):
No, it would have been nice if you were there.
You were missed, I will say, But if it makes
you feel any better, Tom, we drank enough as if
you would.
Speaker 6 (42:46):
Have been there.
Speaker 2 (42:46):
Okay, we dragging up for both of you.
Speaker 6 (42:47):
That so there you go.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
Takes more teams in rookie Camp tomorrow. We got Cooking
to Cool on the show and Kobe Turner be there.
Sen me at Measter tomorrow. See you
We've been off the air for a couple of weeks
and despite clear rules against it. Yeah, there was some
news from Jalen Ramsey to Darren Waller extensions to surgeries.
We will get you and ourselves up the speed over
the next sixty minutes. Chargers' rookies are already in training camp,
though not one of their top draft picks. We will
(00:29):
explain why a lot of other teams also have question
marks on their attendance sheet. With six more teams rookies
set to report on Tuesday. For now, everybody is zero
and zero. That also means there are questions about all
thirty two teams. Our intrepid team of reporters has information
and opinions tonight about how the NFC West could be
(00:52):
one welcome inside with the insiders. Alongside Ian Rapaport, I
am Tom Pelisero, so it feels good to say that again.
Ian has spent the past couple of weeks on the
golf course. I've spent the last couple of weeks hauling
kids from one leg to another. But you don't care
about that. You care about the fact that we've got
(01:12):
regular season football in fifty two days and by the
middle of next week, every team in the NFL will
be in training camp. The Jets got a jumpstart on
some of their remaining business, and that is where we
begin tonight. As Ian reported a short time ago, New
York getting it's one of its contract priorities taken care of,
(01:33):
agreeing to terms on a four year, one hundred and
thirty million dollars contract extension with Garrett Wilson, a player
Ian whose future seemed like it actually might be up
in the air had that guy number eight still being
in New York. Instead, it's justin fields and the Jets
obviously have high hopes for how Wilson will continue to
break out moving forward.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
That's exactly right, and I think for Gary Wilson to
the New York Jets, most important thing right here is
that this locks him in and makes him a huge
part of the Jets' future. He has done a ton
of things on the field over the course the first
three years, enough to become one of the highest paid
receivers in the NFL. The terms of the deal you
mentioned some of them four years, one hundred and thirty
million dollars, ninety million dollars guaranteed. He is now locked
(02:16):
up for the next six years total contract, he gets
the fourth highest guarantee of any receiver, thirteen point seven
five million dollars signing Motus, another twenty million dollar option
Motus in year two, and another ten in year three. Garrett
Wilson is going to be a very, very rich man
to the New York Jets. This means two things. One,
instead of requesting a trade like he probably would have
(02:38):
done if Aaron Rodgers was back, he is now not
going anywhere. The other thing is, and you mentioned he
was one of their priorities. Sauce Gardner one of the
best corners in the NFL, their other big time priority,
likely going to be one of or the highest paid
corners in the NFL if and when his deal gets done,
that is where the Jets turn their attention.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Now, it was not that long ago that we were
looking at the DeVante Adams and Tyreek Hill contracts and saying, boy,
the number is getting into the mid twenties. Look at
some of the deals that have been signed, most of
these in this offseason. Jamar Chase with the Bengals, DK
metcalf as part of the trade from Seattle to the Steelers. Now,
Garrett Wilson cracking the top five as well. Certainly, I
(03:21):
would think there are some other wide receivers around the
NFL who are saying, if Garrett Wilson is getting that
type of money, I should begin a new contract at
some point here in the not two distant future as well.
Though Garrett Wilson also has age on his side. Turns
twenty five next week, as we welcome in r. Mark
Ross to the conversation, Mark, this is a very proactive
move by a new Jets regime that turned over the
(03:42):
head coach and the general manager. Obviously, they've got high
hopes for exactly what this is going to look like
for Garrett Wilson for years to come, well, no doubt, and.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
This theme is a signal that this is not the
same old Jets.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Right.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
If the goal of a scouting staff is the draft
really good players and then you want to sign those
players too extensions while you have them identify the good
players and know this is going to be a cornerstone,
the Jets really just have not done that since his
current financial systems in twenty eleven. This is the first
time that they've re signed or extended let's just say,
(04:16):
a first round pick in their first year of eligibility,
this third year for Garrett Wilson. They did Quinn Williams
after four years, but the first time they've done it
under three years. So maybe this is a sign that
the Jets are finally doing business differently than what they've had.
I know, each year it's something different with the Jets,
but you always want the stability, and Aaron Glenn maybe
(04:36):
providing that. I think he's really setting the tone for
all this. So this should be a good sign for
Jets fans that, Okay, we've locked up one of our
young stars.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Now, now let's go.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Lock up Sauce as the second shoe will drop their fellows.
So I think this would be a good sign to
say we've identified really pro Bowl type players and we're
going to sign them and extend them, not let them
get out of the building.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Mark thank or from you later in the show, including
on some of those rookies who are reported to training camps. Tomorrow.
You know what else is tomorrow the deadline for franchise
tag players to sign long term extensions with their current teams. Well,
all the other ones already got done, except for that
man number sixty five, Trey Smith by four PM tomorrow.
Ian they're going to either have to have a new
(05:19):
deal in place for tray Smith, or by virtue of
the fact he already signed his tender, he's going to
be on the books for twenty three million in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Right either way, tray Smith, one of the best guards
in the NFL, is going to be a very rich man.
Either way, he is going to be the highest paid
guard in the NFL. It's really just a question of
does he get that multi year to lock him up,
to give him some financial security, to give the Chiefs
some salary cap breathing room. Of course, it would help
much more breathing room on a multi year deal than
(05:48):
on the one year, twenty three million dollar tag where
you have to take all of it. The two sides
have been in communication, there have been negotiations. We do
not know right now if the deal is going to
get done, but at least as of this moment, it
is a possibility. But I think either way, Trey Smith
is going to be more than fine this year and
for years to come.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
The Chiefs set to report as a full squad next week.
They're AFC West rival Chargers already in camp, but not
that man, Trey Harris, their second round draft pick, who
is currently one of thirty second round picks who have
not yet signed their deals. Ian. This seems to happen
every year, there's some type of a log jam somewhere,
whether it's over contract language or guaranteed money. Well, the
(06:31):
fact that the number thirty four pick, Jaydon Higgins got
a fully guaranteed deal, that's had a ripple effect. And
we'll see how many of these guys are reporting on
time over the next eight nine days. Yeah, and I.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Would guess if I had to do it right now,
Tom that it's going to be several other holdouts. As
of right now, Trey Harris the first, the first to
take a stand to fight for that guaranteed money. He's
way back toward the end of the second round, but
there are several others in the middle or early part
of the second round who are going to want that
fully fully guarantee deal. A lot of attention is going
to be paid to the contract that Tyler Shook, the
(07:04):
Saints quarterback gets. Does he get the fully guaranteed deal,
does he get the quarterback premium? And these take all
the picks before him with him as far as fully guaranteed,
plenty of drama to play out. So yeah, unlike most years,
we may get a few holdouts for training camp.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
The number thirty three pick also got a fully guaranteed deal.
The number thirty five pic Nickie man Warri in Seattle.
That's the next one to watch. Meanwhile, another Chargers news
Naji Harris, their free agent running back addition sustaining what
his agent Doug Henderson called a superficial eye injury during
an explosion of fireworks on the fourth of July in
(07:41):
his hometown in California. According to Hendrickson, Harris is going
to be ready for the start of the season, but
he is not yet reported to training camp. Chargers veterans
set to report on Wednesday, and until he does and
the medical staff and the coaching staff get a chance
to spend time around him, there's still remain leer in question.
But exactly when they'll be ready to get on the field.
(08:03):
For more on that, let's bring in our Steve Whites
and Omar Ruiz who are in Los Angeles. And Steve,
we already know the Chargers had other plans in motion
in terms of their backfield. What do you anticipate that
running attack is going to look like here in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
Yeah, Tom, anytime you're with a new coach, especially the
new ball club, you don't want to miss reps at
a position like running back, which is deep. They went on,
they drafted you know, Amar and Hampton, you know who's probably.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Gonna be the main guy anyway.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
But now Naji Harris is going to be giving reps
to players like Hassan Haskins who played for Hardball at
Michigan and was a heck of a player. You've got
other player Raheem Sanders, Kamani Vidahl.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
These guys.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Remember that the Chargers also playing the Pro Football Hall
of Fame games. They're gonna have a fourth preseason game.
This is time for these guys to get reps again
under Harrball and Greg Roman and to establish themselves. But Omar,
there's also this, if Naji Harris does miss time, he
can be fresh. Let's say week three, week four went
over the grind of the season starts to kick in.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
That could help.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Look, they signed him because they need a veteran player
who cannot only run the ball, but helping pass pro
certain things like that. But again, any running back missing
time at this part of the season with a new
ball club isn't necessarily agreed.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Ah, the silver lining Steve could be fresh in week six.
And the irony to all this is at Najee Harris.
You see how tough he runs the football, has never
missed a game in his entire career, has played seventeen
games each of his four seasons. It is that durability
and that toughness a big reason why the Chargers brought
(09:38):
him in to help revamp that running back room. And
now we're talking about an injury. That sounds very scary
when you talk about an eye injury and fireworks and
fourth of July, as you mentioned Wednesdays when the veterans report,
will have to see how much damage to that eye
there is. But you mentioned Omaro and Hampton, you mentioned
Raheem Rocket Sanders, who has made a name for himself
(10:01):
in the off season. So there are plenty of depth
at that running back position. And I think Steve we
would both agree that this offseason has been overwhelmingly positive
for the Chargers and how Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh
have really built off that first playoff appearance in Harbaugh's
first year as head coach, and this regime has rebuilt
the roster in their likeness. But when you talk about
(10:23):
the storylines now heading into training camp, granted we are
seven and a half weeks until kickoff in Salth Paolo
against the Kansas City Chiefs, we still have Rashawn Slater,
their star left tackle, who hasn't had his blockbuster extension
yet to come to fruition. You guys mentioned Trey Harris
not in camp yet, and now Naji Harris a big
part of that running bick room.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Some questions about his.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
Availability at least to start training camp, some questions here
in the early going for Chargers training camp.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, I know, ma, I think some questions regarding Najie
Harris's availability is fair. My understanding of where he stands
is he is not expected to miss significant time. Now,
it was a fireworks s incident. It does sound like
there's been some damage. Superficial was the word that is
agent Doug Hendrickson used. But from what I understand, this
is someone who will be on the field sooner rather
(11:11):
than later and is not expected to miss games. There's
certainly some people close to Naji Harris who are not
as fortunate during what sounds like an unbelievably scary scary situation.
As far as Harris goes specifically, his injured injuries are
considered relatively minor. Should be back on the field soon.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Steve Omar, thank you. We'll have you guys, take us
to the NFC West. A little bit later on in
the show, one other Chargers note today that the first
team reporting to camp, so they're also the first team
making transactions. I placed five players today on the active
physically unable to perform list, including their veteran wide receiver
Mike Williams, who is back in LA after a sojourn
(11:52):
to the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Active
pup is one you could be activated from at any
time during training camp. Doesn't mean that he's going to
have to miss regular season time, though that does create
Rochester flexibility for them in the short term. There also
was news in the past couple of days about Brown's
rookie running back Quinshawn Judkins, who was arrested Saturday and
(12:15):
charged with touch or strike, battery, slash, domestic violence. According
to Broward County, Florida Sheriff's Office records, Judkins accuser alleged
that he punched her with a closed fist in the
chin slash lip area, and later hit her in the
left arm and thigh wele in a car leaving the
airport on July seventh. The victim told police that she
is in a relationship with Judkins, who has not commented.
(12:38):
Both the Browns and the NFL said they are aware
of the matter will decline further comment. The league, let's note,
does conduct its own investigations and can discipline players even
if the legal system does not, including with a suspension
or by placing a player on the Commissioner's exempt list.
Dominquin Sue made it official over the weekend, announcing that
he is retiring from the NFL. That's played back in
(13:01):
twenty twenty two eight games with the Eagles. He was
one of the best, albeit controversial, early in his career
at the position of all times seventy one and a
half career sacks, and won a Super Bowl with the
Buccaneers after the twenty twenty season. As for the current
NFL players, as always, they are ranking their top one
hundred as we count down the days to the start
(13:22):
of the twenty twenty five NFL season. Dak Prescott revealed
today as the number seventy nine player, followed by Packers
defensive end Rashaan Gary at number eighty two. Players being
revealed per day on X and NFL Plus through the
end of August. Training camps kicking off are around the
league over the next week and a half. Here and
(13:45):
six more teams have their rookies reporting the training camp
on Tuesday. Who is ready to get a look at
the Giants collection of rookies with Abdul Carter and Jackson
Dart d Company. They are on that list, so are
the Ravens among others. Is welcome back our Mark Ross
to the conversation with me, Tom Pelisero and Ian Rappaport.
(14:06):
Let's start out Mark in Baltimore. They basically feel like
they got two first round picks based upon the talent
that Mike Gring brings to the table. What are you
going to be looking for for that group here as
we head through training camp.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Yeah, they no doubt got two top twenty, top fifteen
type talents. And Malachi starts the safety, the versatile safety
out of Georgia who I think will step in right
away with that loaded secondary of Baltimore and be a starter.
Then Mike Green, even though he's not going to start,
he may end up leading the team in sacks just
because he's just got to go in there and just
go get buckets, win big, crucial third downs.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
But I want to dig a little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Deeper too into that draft class where a third round
pick Emery Jones, the tackle Ai Lsu who played mainly
tackle there, but maybe even has a chance to start
at either of the guard spots, even push four Hee's
or Falle at one of the guard spots. And then
there are two sixth round picks, Tyler Loop, the kicker
out of Arizona, and then Lejonte Webster, the return specialist
(15:03):
out of Colorado, where both of those guys are really
the kicker. Loop's going to step right in and really
win that job he should, and then Webster. The Ravens
has really been looking for a reliable return specialist who
can provide an impact there, and Webster has done that
both at Colorado and FAU when he was there, and
then even step in when Zay Flowers got hurt banged
(15:24):
up a little bit last year. Webster is a similar
size bill quickness as a Flower, so he's got a
dual chance of being the return specialist stepping in right
away and also providing that slot receiver impact. So the
Ravens always fine gems too, So I just named those guys.
They got more draft pings to probably provided impact as well.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Leave it to our resident scout to pull two special
teams guys who are drafted on Day three out of
the mix. Right there, certainly guys to watch in Baltimore.
Take me to Buffalo here, Ian. We know that the
Bills have been at the prespice for a number of
years now to try to get over the hump. They
draft did a lot of guys who maybe went a
little bit later than people were thinking, a lot of
guys who played in the Senior Bowl. What do you
(16:05):
expected to see from that group? I mean, if you
look at.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
The landscape of the Bills draft class, there is really
one theme and that is defense. And clearly players they
think are going to have an instant impact on defense.
And you know, you look at the way the Bills
have been constructed, you to look at the way they've
done business. They spent all of their last year locking
up and signing so many of their homegrown players. Two
huge contracts from Josh Allen all the way down to
(16:31):
Christian Benford. It was basically the entire offseason and making
sure that their guys they drafted got paid. So what
that meant was free agency wasn't wild and crazy spending.
It meant the Buffalo Bills didn't go out and show out,
you know, thirty million dollars to let's say a top
edge rusher and said it was more like eight or ten.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
That also means they're going to need some impact from
some of this draft class. Mentioned some of the guys
who went later than expected. Maxwell Harriston a lot of
people thought he was the top corner, going to be
a top five team pick. TJ. Sanders another one went
a little later. Lannon Jackson went a little later than
people expected. And these are going to have to be
some of the names on the field for the Bills
if they're going to take that next step. Doesn't need
(17:12):
to be a big step, just like a tmy mini step.
Because you mentioned it, they're right there.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
I've been waiting to wile to say this football is back.
Celebrate as 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 to NFL dot
com slash Back Together Weekend for more information. I will
(17:39):
be in Detroit and Buffalo for Back Together Weekend, but
for now I'm in Minneapolis, where our kind producers wanted
to bring up how nice the weather is tonight and tomorrow.
You know, at a time that I could be outside grilling,
and instead I'm in my basement hosting this very show
that you're watching. But it does get us too. The
next segment, we're calling the training camp competition heat index.
(18:04):
The hotter the competition, the higher the temperature. Everybody got
that you got the redcarld rules. Great, let's play this game.
Welcome back to the Insiders. It is Tom Pelsero, Ian Rappaport,
Steve Whitch and Mark Ross Mark I thought Mark was
going to be here. How about this? How about let's
start with ian ian Do you have a heat index
(18:26):
you want to get to?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Yes, I will start with the Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition
for me. You let'll talk about the hottest index. This
is one hundred out of one hundred for the Indianapolis Colts.
Of course we know right now Anthony Richardson, And there
it is right there, see one hundred out of one hundred.
That's it, right there, Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones going
toe to tone. Really, what is a somewhat rare like
(18:52):
real quarterback competition. We've seen competitions before. We're like, let's
say a rookie top pick goes out there. You're like, oh, yeah,
these guys are really competing and whoa, the rookie ends
up winning it. I never saw that coming. This is
not like that.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
This is a real one.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
This is why Daniel Jones signing Indy instead of returning
back to Minnesota. Anthony Richardson has known he needs to
step up his game, He needs to step up his preparation,
needs to emerge as the franchise phase leader that the
organization has wanted him to be since taking him in
the top five. Mains to be seen how it will
shake out. But yes, this is a very very hot competition.
(19:29):
And now we have Mark Rosston steedbacks. So what's up, guys?
Speaker 1 (19:33):
It was so hot in LA that our four shot
temporarily melted down. Mark, you were really there now Giants
quarterback battle. How hot are we?
Speaker 3 (19:44):
Well, it should be scorching hot, about ninety degrees. Even
though the Giants are trying to keep it in an
air condition, much like you're down there in that basement, Tom,
they're trying to keep it in the air condition by
saying Russell Wilson's a starter. We're just gonna sit Jackson
Dart all year, Jameis Wilson at the backup.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
But it needs to be out there in the heat.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
This needs to be a fair competition and let Jamis
Cook throw the interceptions, throw the touchdowns.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Do what Jamis does.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
But even you never know, Jackson Dark may be a
revelation as a rookie, much like last year Jayden Daniels
and Boat Nicks and the year before CJ.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Stroud.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
The Giants shouldn't limit themselves to just say that here's
the pecking order and this is how we're going to
run things. It should be an open competition with a
lot of heat, and let the best man win and
not keep him in the air conditioning out of the cool.
Let this be a hot competition, New York Giants, please.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
I don't know how many people in fantasy football are
going to be drafting Giants or Colts quarterbacks. They will
Steve be trying to figure out what Broncos running back
to take, a task that got that much more difficult
when JK. Dobbins signed right before Minikamp. What's the heat
index of that battle for the Broncos running back job?
Speaker 4 (20:50):
But heat index, it's a nice September fall day in
Denver and I'm saying about sixty five out of one hundred.
And that's not because guys like RJ. Harvey the rookie
and JK. Dobbins the veteran, aren't going to be competing
for playing time. It's because of the coach and the
play caller, Sean Payton, who tends to roll out a
different running back on every play no matter what he does.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Again, he's a.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Guy with a multitude of personnel packages.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
But we know r J.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
Harvey.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
He's going to be a guy out of UCF who's
gonna be exciting. Been compared to Alvin Kamara because of
the versatility and the run and pass game, a guy
who averaged nearly seven yards of Carrie last year at UCF,
A big game hitter. He again, he's gonna be the
guy the eyes are on.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
But then JK.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Dobbins, a reliable veteran.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
You've got Ardrick Estimate, someone who's been there, the guy
they say you could break out if he gets the potential,
if he kind of figures things out. Julia McLoughlin another
shorter stock of your guy. So again, the competition will
be there among the guys. But again it's gonna be
the head coach who no matter how good someonne is,
he's gonna roll a lot of guys through and real quick.
Mark Ross, you're looking aff a lot like Marcus Freeman.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
There no beard, tight, crispy haircut.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
You should get in a lookalike contest.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
It's a summer of the Market'll cut the beard off,
you know, get refreshed and rejuvenate it for training camp.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
The return. All right, I got to get one here.
Give me the Cowboys running backs. They signed Davonte Williams
and Miles Sander. Their jersey numbers add up to sixty.
So that's what I'm gonna do, is the heat index
on that competition right now. Obviously, They've also got their
fifth round pick, Jayden Blue out of Texas. This is
going to be interesting to watch because with Davonte and
(22:29):
Miles Sanders. They got a couple of veterans who have
had productivity in the league, but that production hasn't really
been there over the past couple of years. From everything
I've heard through the spring, Deavonte Williams looks like the
guy who once completely tore up the Dallas defense down
there in Frisco. He's a player who, of course had
they torn acl has comeback. It sounds like his twitch,
(22:50):
his burst is back. I would not be surprised not
only if Javonte Williams wins that job, guys, but if
he has a pretty big year for a Dallas team
that's going to need production in the backfield. Mark, thank
you very much, with or without Beard, we always appreciate
your contribution. Steve stick Around, A lot more from you
still to come through the course of this loaded edition
(23:12):
of The Insiders, we had a lot that happened over
these past couple of weeks. We had a lot of actions.
Let's circle back on some of the big deals we
didn't get to talk about, including that blockbuster trade between
Pittsburgh and Miami. Stick Around, Let's see Insiders with NFL
(23:38):
plus keep the NFL in reach stream live out of
market preseason games, live local and primetime games on mobile
during the regular and postseason, and NFL Network, including seven
exclusive live games with NFL Plus Premium. Enjoy even more
football with NFL Red Zone game replays in NFL Pro.
(23:58):
Sign up today A plus NFL dot Com, Slash Network.
Terms and conditions apply. We are back on this show
after a couple of weeks off, So while we were
out there was some news. Tom Pelli, Ceradian Rappaport back
here on the inside. Let's start out with a couple
of extensions that got done recently in front offices. Ryan Poles,
(24:19):
the Bears general manager. He gets a new deal that
now aligns him with their new head coach Ben Johnson.
In Chicago. There have been a lot of moves over
the past several years for Ryan Poles. The optimism in
Chicago right now is that with Ben Johnson on board,
that quarterback that Ryan Poles took number one, Caleb Williams,
(24:39):
it'll show why he was worth that number one pick.
Omar Khan also has a new deal. The Steelers general
manager agreed to terms on a new deal that will
keep him in Pittsburgh through at least the twenty twenty
eight season and Omar Kan Well, he's been awfully busy
over the past several months as well. Nobody, nobody has
made more headlines on they show then the Steelers, including
(25:02):
while we were away. You're not allowed to make trades
during Fourth of July week, but here we were, Ian
calling me from Tulum and me jumping off of a
a stationary bike too. Break down this trade, Jalen Ramsey,
John H. Smith in a twenty seven seventh round are
going to Miami for Micky Fitzpatrick and a twenty twenty
seven to fifth Ian, Well, this was JUNI or March.
This is about as big of a trade as you get.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Yes, all of that is true, but let me just
explain to the people who watch our show not just
for the news and inside analysis, but also to find
out what in the world we were doing while news
was breaking. Let me just take you there. My wife
and I were on vacation in Mexico. We were having
a lovely time. We're going to Tulom, We're going to
go tour the Mayan ruins. We're actually listening to our
(25:49):
tour guide tell me all about the different wildlife, all
the birds that are around and all this is We're driving,
and I started to have a panic attack because as
I'm texting a source who had said to me, Hey,
this Jalen Ramsey trade is about to go down in
about ten minutes. Be ready, I realize I have no service.
You and I are talking, we're trying to figure this out.
I say, Tom, listen, there is a chance that when
(26:12):
I get the go sign, I'm going to not be
able to hear anything. So be ready. You were ready
as you always are, jumping off the peloton. Thank you
very much. It was a harrowing experience. I have no
earthly idea what the tour guy said, which means I'm
probably gonna have to go to Tulum again. But yes,
as you saw in that video. It also led to
me doing a little shot right in from the ruins,
(26:33):
just to tell people what was going on. As far
as the actual trade, though Jalen Ramsey, you and I
reported for a lot of months wanted out of Miami,
I think Miami was certainly more than willing to make
that happen. I thought in my head it would be
the Rams. They just never could figure out a way
to get the deal done. The Steelers did so Ramsey
(26:53):
goes there. He adds a huge, huge piece their defense,
but in doing so they give up Minka Fitzpatrick sort
of a salary swap a little bit. But I think
the Menca Fitzpatrick part of this tom really caught people
by surprise, whereas maybe the John hus Smith.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Part of it probably didn't. Like you said, the salary
piece was part of it. Order to take on salary,
you have to move salary. But if you look back
last couple of years, Mega Fitzpatrick's production hasn't been quite
the same. He's still not even thirty years old yet,
as he heads back to Miami, where he was a
first round pick a number of years ago. Here they're
(27:27):
hoping in Miami they get some stability with Minca on
the back end. We'll see what that means for twenty
twenty six. The Steelers get a very versatile piece in
Jalen Ramsey and also a tight end in John Newsmith
who wanted a new deal from the Dolphins instead, he
now gets that for the Steelers. So what does Miami
now do at tight end? They bring back a guy
We've talked about a lot of them this show over
(27:49):
the years. Darren Waller is back. The former Pro Bowl
tight end during his day with the Raiders, reunited after
one year in retirement with his old coach, Frank's Smith.
There's now the Dolphins oc those guys work together with
the Raiders. They are extremely close. If anybody is going
to help Darren Waller come back from a year away
(28:09):
from the game, it's going to be Frank Smith. And
from everything I've been told, physically mentally, Darren Waller is
in a much better place right now. As for the
Buccaneers and their star left tackle Ian Tristan Works, he's
been in a better place physically and he's going to
miss some time.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Yeah, this is I would say somewhat significant blow for
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's been knee injury that's been
bothering Tristan where first for some time. Is a tough,
tough dude, always been able to battle through It was
training was getting ready, kind of gearing up for training camp,
but became clear that this knee injury was still a thing.
He did have surgery. My understanding is he's going to
(28:47):
miss a couple of weeks of the regular season, which
means he probably starts on the pup list not the
pup list that you start on before training camp, but
the one that knocks you out the first let's say
four games of the regular season. It's not idea, but
if this Bucks team is kind of what we think
they're going to be, which is a team that's going
to be there in the playoffs, so at least competing
for playoffs, you'll have him for the better part of
(29:10):
the season, which, again it's not the greatest, but it
could be worse as well.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Tough news for the Buccaneers. We also had devastating news
for many people in the state of Texas while we
were away. The NFL family stepped up to provide immediate
assistance and long term resources to community needs devastated by
the flooding in central Texas. An initial one point five
million dollar donation from the NFL Foundation Dallas Cowboys in Houston,
(29:39):
Texans led to additional contributions from the Falcons, Panthers, Vikings, Saints, Steelers,
and Seahawks. Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt also announced
another contribution through his MLS team FC Dallas. Mik Keil, Hey,
how are you doing? My managed John Lynch ready to
(30:00):
being there. That's awesome. Buddy, we're so fired up to
get you.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
Man.
Speaker 7 (30:05):
We've been sitting here nervous about going up. I tried
to go up, it didn't work, but.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
We got you here.
Speaker 6 (30:10):
So we are so damn fired up.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Man.
Speaker 7 (30:14):
You're gonna be You're gonna be great for us. Man,
and the entire building got behind this, so I'm gonna
turn you over a go Chanahand all right, buddy, let's
hear it from my.
Speaker 6 (30:23):
Fuck out and drafts dude, this is all we wanted.
This is day one. Man. We're all pumped out there
and you with your family right now.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Yeah, yeah, man, we loaded.
Speaker 6 (30:34):
That's awesome. Man. Enjoy it all right. It's special tonight.
And enjoy it because when you get here, man, it's
time to go to work, all right, right, man, I
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Coach never gets old watching those draft phone calls forty
nine ers hope, and never gets old watching Michael Williams
do things like this, and do it in regular season
games when you can actually sack the quarterback and not
a guy wearing some weird get up that looks like
Michael could singly throw him over the fence. Let's talk
more about the NFC West with our West Coast correspondence.
(31:04):
They're dressed California business casual. There together Steve Wich and
Omar Ruiz lay it on. I mean, we got the
forty nine Ers rookies reporting training camp tomorrow. We've got
the Seahawks reporting with air rookies the training camp tomorrow.
What's the biggest questions facing each of those four teams
in the NFC West.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
With Tom Let's start right there with the forty nine Ers.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
We saw John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan talk to the
defensive their defensive end, Ferson All Draftick, Mikel Williams omark.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
The biggest questions could be on offense.
Speaker 5 (31:30):
Where they took care of their quarterback, Rock Party and
where is he going to go with that football? And
a big question for me is how healthy and how
productive can Christian McCaffrey return to form. Obviously the offensive
player of the Year in twenty twenty three. I think
he has to be back at that elite level because
you look at the wide receiver room. Steve Deebo Samuel
(31:51):
is gone, Brandon Ayuk is still coming back from that
torn ACL We're hearing now that Juwan Jennings reportedly is unhappy,
wants a new contract or to be traded. Ricky Piersall,
their first round pick last year, tweaked the hamstring in
OTA's The newly signed to Marcus Robinson over from the Rams,
had a DUI last year, pleaded no contest could be
facing suspension. So when you talk about the returning offensive firepower,
(32:16):
it's George Kittle and then Christian McCaffrey, who, according to
all reports and Kyle Shanahan Christian McCaffrey saying he is
as healthy as ever. We saw what his absence can
mean for that team in twenty twenty four as they
struggled to that six and eleven record.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
A lot of their.
Speaker 5 (32:33):
Holes were exposed throughout the course of last year. I
think Christian McCaffrey covers up a lot and the way
they operate, the way they use him in that offense,
that multifaceted role that he has, the way that Kyle
Uscheck has the multifaceted role at the fullback position, the
way George Kittle plays and can be lined up anywhere
on the field. It is important for Christian McCaffrey to
(32:54):
return to form play at that elite level and then
they can worry about the receiving.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
Court for brock purty Ye Christ McCaffrey also a new papa,
so congrats to him and his wife for their new baby. Well,
I'm gonna take it up to Seattle, right So there
is that forty nine ers connection right there is. Clint
Kobiak is the new offensive coordinator in Seattle, and he
got Sam Darnald as his quarterback. And that is the
big question for the Seattle Seahawks. Can Sam Darnald replicate
(33:20):
the magic season that he had last year with the Vikings,
you know, thirty five touchdowns, twelve interceptions, more than four
thousand yards because he comes to an offense that is similar,
not exactly to what he ran in Minnesota. But guess what,
he doesn't have Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson and TJ.
Hopkinson to throw the ball to the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
They lost Tyler Lockett.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
DK Metcalf now Jackson Smith and jigbu is a stud
wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
He's ready to take that.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
Number one role.
Speaker 4 (33:50):
Cooper Cup is the number two as he comes up
from the Rams. But as we know, who's going home
to Seattle to the Washington area has had durability issues
this Seahawks and Donald sustain durability issues with that wide
receiver corps. But again, the biggest question omar is can
Sam Donald play like he did last year? Because if
he did, Seattle might have a team that could push
(34:12):
somebody else. Is there another team in this division that
could surprise, Well, let's talk about.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
The Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 5 (34:16):
This is a team that when Jonathan Gannon, the defensive
coordinator from a Super Bowl appearance and the Philadelphia Eagles
takes over in twenty twenty three, I'm going to reach
you some stats here. They were thirty first in the
league in scoring defense in twenty twenty three, twenty fifth
in yards allowed. They make that big jump last year
and they improved by four games those defensive numbers in
(34:37):
twenty twenty four. Now they're fifteenth in scoring, eighteenth in
yards allowed.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
And that is in.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Large part Steve to boot A Baker and a lot
of no names on defense that Jonathan Gannon Nick rollis
the defensive coordinator, had those guys playing with energy, with effort.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
They're in most of the games.
Speaker 5 (34:54):
That they played, didn't get to ultimately where they wanted,
but they still improved by four games and are look
to improve now in a dramatic way in twenty twenty five.
There you see Kalais Campbell now a part of the team,
Josh Sweat. They're big blockbuster free agent signing. They have
Dalvin Tomlinson. They spent their first round pick on Walter Nolan.
They get Will Johnson in the second round fell to them.
(35:16):
How quickly can this defense come together for Jonathan Gannon
and the Arizona Cardinals If they can now make that
jump from poor to middle of the road to now
maybe elite in Jonathan Gannon's third year, perhaps take some
pressure steve off of Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals offense,
which seems they're filling it a little bit. Going into
(35:39):
the third year in this regime, they could really surprise.
Speaker 4 (35:41):
But the team I think everyone's looking at is the
Los Angeles Rams because look, they almost beat Philadelphia in
the playoffs last year. It could have been them representing
the NFC in the Super Bowl. But the big question
for them is can their workman like secondary, which has
a lot of good players, take advantage.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
Of that dominant front five that they have.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
You look at the secondary safeties like Quinton Lake You've
got Akela Weatherspon, Kobe Durant, cam Kins, Is Cam Curlet,
Darius Williams. They've got players back there, right. But then
you look up front Poona Ford, who is going to
be a huge addition. He's gonna be one of those
guys you were talking about. It's one of the best
free agent acquisitions in the offseason, joins Braden Fitz, Kobe Turner,
Jared Varsus, Byron Young. If this secondary can start getting
(36:21):
more and more takeaways, whether it's forest fumbles, whether it's interceptions,
this defense could be one of the better defenses in
the NFC. And the Rams with all the weapons on
the offense, Let's not forget they got DeVante Adams a
wide receiver, they could be a Super Bowl contender. But
here's one thing I talked to Sean McVay about this
that you know. I talked about the work mill guys
in the secondary. They could have had gotten played for
(36:43):
JayR Alexander and Jalen Ramsey.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
They opted not to.
Speaker 4 (36:46):
Part of it was financial, part of it was they
like the guys that they have so omar this division
is kind of up for grabs. A lot of questions overall,
but Thomas, we send it back to you. We just
think that again, this is going to be one of
the better divisions overall in the NFC.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
Hard to find a better duo than Steve Whitch and
Omar Wiz. That's that. We've got Pookinaku and Kobe Turner
on the show to borrow. Okay, that's just a better
due that. You guys still were much Still, we still
got more Insiders coming up. Right after this, we got
details on flave football in the twenty twenty eight LA Olympics.
(37:25):
We also got one former NFL player who's making a
splash in a different sport. Find out who. Right after
this on the Insiders, What up, Tony Man? Go outside
us some football?
Speaker 5 (37:45):
Some friends play for children under NNFL season is underway.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
Oh my god, Oh.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
Pluck, pluck. He hurdles a guy backwards. Oh Mark checkson.
There goes Henry. The pageantry of football.
Speaker 6 (38:07):
There's nothing like him.
Speaker 3 (38:09):
Oh baby, how beautiful is that?
Speaker 2 (38:16):
This is?
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Behind Cooper running in pitched it back to Alan. Who's
gonna on the line? Here comes the hail Mary with the.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
Game on the line, the ball is taught.
Speaker 1 (38:33):
That's America. Welcome to the postseason.
Speaker 6 (38:37):
Man, is that caught?
Speaker 1 (38:38):
Yes, you are not?
Speaker 2 (38:42):
Play by Dallas Donna who can't stop Jadan Daniel putty
off that the playoff Kelsey, he's a beast with a capitol.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
Be There goes Kirkly through the snow. The Chiefs go
to the Super Bowl for a chance for a three
paint lock.
Speaker 6 (39:00):
The Beagles, it's heading to do Orleans.
Speaker 3 (39:03):
Hey, no throwing that time, man, We're coming to dominate.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
That's it.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
Let just embrace the moment.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
Man, Let's do this.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
Doll and.
Speaker 7 (39:12):
Back goes my homes looking.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
It's interceptive that you chain has he bro touchdown?
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Oh my god, Oh my god, Hert's going team far off,
Davanta shift touchdown.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
It's the Philadelphia Eagles have won Super Bowl fifty nine.
Speaker 1 (39:42):
What a season it was, and what a week we've
got upcoming Flag Football, The twenty twenty five NFL Flag
Championships presented by Toyota are coming to Canton Field. Approximately
three hundred teams across twelve boys and girls divisions have
now been set. Watch every game on ESPN Plus or
NFL Plus July eighteenth through the twentieth, with additional coverage
(40:05):
on ESPN, ESPN two, ABC, and Disney. Plus, speaking of
flag football, it's coming to the Olympics in three years.
The official schedule for those games in different sports was
put out earlier today. The flight football portion will take
place from Saturday July fifteenth through Saturday July twenty second,
Exposition Park Stadium in Los Angeles. Notable dates because that
(40:28):
means the flag event will wrap up right before NFL
training camps kick off, and some players may or may
not be doing both of those events. I can tell
you what event I will not be doing. I'm going
to be doing what Jimmy Graham is doing right now.
He and three others test in the boundaries of their
endurance and mental toughness in the Arctic Challenge. They are
(40:50):
rowing one thousand kilometers across the Arctic Ocean in a
nine point six meter human powered boat, attempting to set
several world records in the event, including the speed record
of fifteen days, five hours. The raising funds for a
couple of New Orleans charities. It is, according to the
New Orleans Saints website, a sleep deprived around the clockwork,
(41:10):
each person rowing thirteen hours per day, with rotations of
two hours on, two hours off, and one hour donated
per day, very similar to the rotations of our insiders,
he and Rapport and Mike Garofolo, who were grinding away
on their final weekend before the drink camp. Grind truly
kicks off by hanging out in Sarah Tooga. Break it
(41:33):
down for me here, Ian, who do we got? All?
Speaker 2 (41:36):
Right? So we got the garatfoos. We got there. He
is right there, his bald self. Mike was doing extremely well.
I would say, there's the garifos and the wrap ports.
Late at night, did we have a couple of cocktails?
I don't know who's counting.
Speaker 1 (41:49):
At that point.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
It's not like we started at eleven am and finished
at one thirty in the morning. It doesn't matter. That's
the brands. By the way, Kyle Branton and Brooke hanging
out with us as well. They were drinking champagne at
about ten thirty in the morning. That is how you start.
It was a lovely day, some NFL Nework bonding. Tom.
You were invited and not so politely declined, So I
(42:11):
will say you were not missed, but it would have
been fun if you were there.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
You say I was invited, meaning you sent me one
text in like November saying, hey, we should go to
Saratoga next July. Never follow up, Yeah, never a reminder
of a horse race eight myself that I would have
to fly myself with my wife in for. I would
say it was a it was an invite, It was
an invitation from you.
Speaker 2 (42:35):
No, it would have been nice if you were there.
You were missed, I will say, But if it makes
you feel any better, Tom, we drank enough as if
you would.
Speaker 6 (42:46):
Have been there.
Speaker 2 (42:46):
Okay, we dragging up for both of you.
Speaker 6 (42:47):
That so there you go.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
Takes more teams in rookie Camp tomorrow. We got Cooking
to Cool on the show and Kobe Turner be there.
Sen me at Measter tomorrow. See you
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.