The Insiders Podcast: Two Hour Free Agency Special!

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
What a season it was until the very end for
Sam Donald that has resulted in a new spot as
Sam Donald officially this week once Wednesday rolls around, will
be a Seattle Seahawk. How that happened? Coming up all
today's version of The Insiders justin Fields going to New
York again, waiting for these things to be finalized coming

(00:27):
up when the new league year starts on Wednesday. But
what is the path that got him there? And what
can we expect that coming up? And free agency is
not just about finding new spots. Sometimes it's about old
stalwarts returning to the place where they had the most successes.
Chris Godwin will remain that we can't say is official
as a Tampa Bay buccaneer. Hey, everybody, welcome to today's

(00:50):
edition of The Insider's Patrick Club. I'm here in the
nfl LA newsroom and you might say, Patrick, you're not
an Insider. I'm not, but I do have friends that
are with me. Now, Tom pallisero, Ian Rappaport there with
his always tony Patisa and it's time to take it
off man like this.

Speaker 2 (01:06):
It's the no tie portion of the I all get
that we're out of tie.

Speaker 3 (01:10):
A lot of text semesters about this. Yeah, okay, great, Patrick,
take cars off too, Patrick, Come on, I'm.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
Not quite there. I have not I have not attained
the rank of insider. If you guys would like to
bestow that upon me during this edition of the show,
you do have that option, but.

Speaker 3 (01:26):
You're honorary insider. Patrick. Lo's the tie. Come on, just
get with the program. Here, the whole style book you're
supposed to follow. Yeah, there we go. All right, we
gotta do it, Gotta loose a little bit.

Speaker 1 (01:37):
So this is gonna happen. This is gonna have repercussions
because Greg Rosenthal war tie. We're gonna have to get
into all this. But it's been a busy week. Uh
thus far, Let's let's recap some of the things that
you guys have been bringing to us as we got
things going new today. We start with the quarterback Sam
Darnold after that spectacular season in Minnesota. Yes, the ending

(01:58):
wasn't quite what the Vikings were Darnold desired, but finalizing
a three year deal that could be worth up to
one hundred zero point five million dollars with the Seattle
Seahawks after they parted ways with Gino Smith over the
weekend a total of fifty five million dollars in guarantees.
Another quarterback on the move after a strong start for
the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justin Fields bench for Russell Wilson for

(02:21):
the remainder of the year. He agrees terms on a
two year deal could be worth up to forty million
dollars with the Jets, with thirty million of that guaranteed.
So Field's making his way to Florin Park once the
new league year officially gets going this week, and a
player staying Chris Godwin essentially one one of those who
will go down one of the best Bucks ever staying

(02:44):
in Tampa Bay. A three year deal could be worth
up to sixty six million dollars with the Bucks forty
four million of that guaranteed. And Carlton Davis, the former
Tampa Bay buccaneer, said coming into this edition of free
agency that there weren't gonna be any discounts. He was
going out go out and obtain that value, and he
gets that value from the team with the most amount
of caps base. That would be the New England Patriots,

(03:06):
a three year deal worth up to sixty million dollars
to play cornerback for Mike Vrabels team up there in
New England, and Milton Williams agreeing to terms on a
deal after having that spectacular run for the Super Bowl
champion Philadelphia Eagles. A four year deal could be worth
up to one hundred and four million dollars with the
Patriots would average around twenty six million dollars that would

(03:29):
put him top three among interior defensive lineman. A list
of some of the other notable free agent contracts that
can become official Wednesday At for Josh Sweat, also celebrating
a Super Bowl four years up to seventy six million dollars,
Aaron Banks, Donie Odumbago, Talalahafunga, and Cam Bynum. One of
those members of that illustrious celebratory Minnesota Vikings secondary that

(03:55):
they could not keep goes to the Colts for four
years and sixty million dollars. A lot of players, a
lot of change, Tom, Why don't you start us off
with some of those most recent things that've taken place today?

Speaker 3 (04:06):
Well, Patrick, let's start out with Justin Fields heading to
the New York Jets.

Speaker 4 (04:11):
Ian.

Speaker 3 (04:11):
This is something that we had talked a lot about
in recent days. The Steelers had an offer out for
a week or so to Justin Fields. The sides had
been in negotiations, but it seemed in the last forty
eight hour hours or so that this was leaning toward
Justin Fields ending up in New York. Why did this
ultimately get done for Fields to find another new home
with the Jets.

Speaker 1 (04:32):
Well, first of.

Speaker 5 (04:33):
All, I would start with this, Justin Fields is going
to get a really nice contract from the.

Speaker 1 (04:36):
New York Jets.

Speaker 5 (04:37):
Two years, forty million dollars, thirty million dollars guaranteed, really
nice deal to be the starter for the Jets. And
there's no question it's not like last year. This is
he is now the guy.

Speaker 1 (04:50):
He is QB one.

Speaker 5 (04:51):
And if you remember last year, it was not always
like that with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Speaker 1 (04:55):
It was Russell.

Speaker 5 (04:55):
Wilson earning or being given pole position as the starting
core back for the Steelers, getting injured, Fields taking over,
leading the team to a four and two start, and
getting pulled anyway, And you really do wonder even though
the Steelers did some really nice things in freegency, even
though they acquired DK Metcalf and appear to be loading
up again, finally getting a big play receiver. You just

(05:16):
wonder how much that weight on Justin Field and how
much he wanted a fresh start. The Jets are building,
they recruited him, and eventually they are going to sign him.
Justin Fields the new quarterback for the New York Jets,
and I know in that building they are pumped about it.

Speaker 1 (05:32):
Sorry, that's my phone.

Speaker 6 (05:33):
Well, you reference to what happened at the Steelers last
year that they got off to a good start with
Justin Fields and then replaced him anyway with Russell Wilson.
Don't forget when that happened. There were people in the
building in Pittsburgh who weren't quite sure that this was
the right move to make, that they should have stuck
with Justin Fields because they felt he still had a
high steiling and he was ascending and they hadn't really

(05:55):
seen everything that he can do. Well, that is what
the Jets are counting, that the ceiling is still quite
high for him and he is still an ascending learning player,
and that they're going.

Speaker 4 (06:05):
To be able to get that out of him.

Speaker 6 (06:07):
Certainly, it will help that he is being reunited with
his college teammate at Ohio State. Garrett Wilson is the
Jets exceptional wide receiver. But look, this is a clean
slate for the New York Jets. Right they got rid
of Aaron Rodgers and Devonte Adams. They are going younger
and they are going to build now with Justin Fields
as the starting quarterback.

Speaker 7 (06:30):
And look, you see two things happen in free agency
when it comes to where guys go where they wind up.

Speaker 2 (06:38):
One of them is a.

Speaker 7 (06:39):
Coach leaves and hey, this was my guy in the
old place. We got to bring him in here. Another
thing you'll see is a guy that did damage against
another team will then show up there.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Well.

Speaker 7 (06:51):
The new head coach of the New York Jets, Aaron Glenn,
knows what Justin Fields can do because he gained planned
against him when he was the defensive coordinator of the
Detroit Lions and Fields was with the Chicago Bears. So
that's probably the ultimate endorsement, the ultimate stamp of approval
from a guy who says this is I know what
he can do. I know the headaches that he can

(07:11):
create for defenses. And if you get him right, and
if you put him in the right system and you
coach him up right, there's untapped potential here that is
absolutely what Aaron Glenn is looking at in this situation,
because I know that there are other defensive coordinators. Even
when he was just you know, not necessarily within the system,
but doing what he does was creating headaches for defenses.

Speaker 2 (07:30):
Aaron Glenn now hoping he could do that for other defenses.

Speaker 3 (07:33):
So a new jersey for Justin Fields he is going
to be with the Jets. Sam Darnold somewhere might have
a Jets jersey frame that was like four jerseys to
go for him because he is now the quarterback for
the Seattle Seahawks. A three year, one hundred point five
million dollar deal for Donald very similar ian to the
money that the Seahawks had on the table for Geno Smith.

(07:55):
They were willing to address his contract, but when Gino
balked at what the Seahawks for will to do, they
very quickly pivoted, got a third round pick from the Raiders,
and now land the top quarterback here in free agency.

Speaker 5 (08:08):
Yeah, I think it might be almost exactly what the
Seahawks were looking to pay Gino Smith. He wanted more,
wanted into the forties or maybe even forty five. Ship
him to the Raiders, who obviously Raiders needed a quarterback
and the Seahawks needed a quarterback as well, And as
soon as this trade happened, it became very clear this
was the spot for Sam Donald. And sometimes this is
what free agency is about. You bide your time, you wait,

(08:30):
you create the opportunity for yourself, but your play on
the field, and then boom, there is a spot.

Speaker 1 (08:35):
And this one made a ton of sense.

Speaker 5 (08:37):
And look, Sam Donald put his best football on the
field last year for the Minnesota Vikings. He earned the right,
as the Vikings have said, to be a free agent,
earned the right to make more than thirty million dollars
per year. And now we'll have to go out and
replicate that in the Seahawks offense. That really is essentially resetting.
Starting quarterback is gone, receiver one is gone, and if

(08:58):
anyone can rebuild like this general manager John Schneider and
the Seahawks, it is a risk. They have taken a chance,
but they have come back younger and cheaper, and we'll
see what the results end up being. But this is
obviously a really strong core that can withstand some change.
Most importantly, Sam Donald now QB one for the Seattle Seahawks,

(09:20):
and maybe the biggest signing of the day.

Speaker 4 (09:23):
They're also going.

Speaker 6 (09:24):
To have to do some work on their offensive line
in Seattle to shore that up to protect Sam Donald's
But when he was with the Minnesota Vikings, all the
speculation about what he returned to the Minnesota Vikings for
another season. They have JJ McCarthy there, their former first
round draft pick. Of course, couldn't play last year after
the injury. He didn't want to do another prove it year.

(09:45):
There was no reason for that. He wanted He felt
he had started and he had proven himself a worthy
starter in the NFL, and this was the starting opportunity
that was presented. It is a reset for the Seattle Seahawks,
but that's fine. Be with Clint Kubiak, who was the
passing game coordinator in San Francisco. When Sam Donald spent
a season in San Francisco. That was the year that

(10:07):
sort of started the career renaissance for Donald after he
had languished with the Jets and the Carolina Panthers. So
he is with somebody who is already familiar with his game.
It should be a smooth transition for Sam Donald as
his career renaissance continues now in Seattle.

Speaker 2 (10:24):
Yeah, backing up a bit.

Speaker 7 (10:25):
To what Ian said, the number that the Seahawks gave
Sam Donald here similar to what they were offering Gino Smith.
I've seen some questions out there today, why you go
from Geno Smith the Sam Donald?

Speaker 2 (10:37):
Aren't they kind of the same. Well, let's say that
they are. Let's say the production is even.

Speaker 7 (10:40):
Gino Smith wanted to be paid ten million dollars more
per year, so you saved that money, plus you got
a third round pick in return, and in the Seahawks eyes,
Sam Donald might even be better, so you may have
upgraded on that.

Speaker 2 (10:52):
So that's why they do that.

Speaker 7 (10:53):
And as for Donald, we're my numbers, fifty five million guarantees.
The first year number I'm looking for it's here somewhere.
I think it was thirty seven and a half million.
Let's go with that. Thirty seven and a half million
dollars in the first year for Sam Donald is much
higher than the Vikings would have gone. And the Vikings
were only going to go on a one year deal
for Sam Donald because they've got JJ McCarthy. They weren't

(11:14):
going to guarantee money into the second year. So he
got the guaranteed money into the second year. Here, So
good job by Sam Donald here a much better deal
than he would have gotten in Minnesota and definitely a
clearer path.

Speaker 3 (11:25):
Mike, did were you finger painting? By the way, on
the back of that paper, I noticed there was a
very large splotch of something just curious, did you my daughter?
It's a little old dry.

Speaker 7 (11:34):
My daughter dropped it off, so it says free agency frenzy.
She tried to draw the logo NFL logo right here,
and that is a dollar bill, which is not going
to buy you much in this market.

Speaker 1 (11:45):
But that's going to go in this frame as soon
as I got.

Speaker 7 (11:47):
My younger daughters up there for a little bit. That's
the dollar bill. Carmen's gonna go up in a second.

Speaker 3 (11:51):
But you're scribbling on the back of it, Just to
be clear that was your first instinct. I'm gonna take
this wonderful piece of art. I'm gonna take a few
notes right there. Yeah, that's the flotch I'm talking about.
These are my You got more drawing? Come on, who's
got loose leaf paper? Its twenty twenty five. Anyway, if
you got a list right of the quarterbacks written down there, Mike,

(12:13):
it's probably not as flashy as the one that we've
got at a graphic here, Greg Rosenthal's best available quarterbacks left,
Jameis Winston is there, Russell Wilson, Jacoby Brissett, Daniel Jones.
Of course, Aaron Rodgers going to be released by the Jets.
That will not take place until after four pm on
Wednesday because of cap considerations. However, Judy, Aaron Rodgers now

(12:34):
figures very centrally in some of these remaining chairs to
be filled on the proverbial quarterback carousel.

Speaker 6 (12:43):
As somebody pointed out hours ago, like twenty hours ago,
I love that Aaron Rodgers is in the tiniest possible
print as the you know under the best available free
agent quarterbacks was that you Garafalow. Well done anyway, that
is the name that's the next big name to go
that you're waiting for the next big domino now that
we've had Justin Fields and Sam Donold's. Look, there's two

(13:05):
starting jobs right now available, the New York Giants and
the Pittsburgh Steelers. It looks like, I mean, the Pittsburgh
Steelers don't have a quarterback on the roster at all.
So the question is are those teams fully invested in
the idea of Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback and
which of them does he prefer now? Certainly, if he
is looking to be with a contending team, the Pittsburgh

(13:27):
Steelers are much closer to that right now than the
New York Giants are, especially given the new wide receivers
they currently have. We will see which way the Pittsburgh
Steelers pivot. As we pointed out earlier, they were focused
mostly on Justin Fields until a day or so ago
when it was clear that Justin Fields wanted to become
a free agent. So which way do they pivot now?

(13:48):
Do they turn to Aaron Rodgers? And what does Aaron
Rodgers want? And if it's not either of those two positions,
what would it be.

Speaker 7 (13:56):
The approach from the Giants here has been to give
Aaron Rode all the time that he wants to make
a decision. I mean not all the time. I mean
sometime before Week one, he's gonna have to make a decision.
But they're not rushing him. They are showing him the respect,
which I think is part of the pitch here to
Aaron Rodgers. It's you know, look, we appreciate what you've done.

(14:17):
We feel like you've got good football left. We're not
gonna hold your feet to the fire. We're not going
to bring in other quarterbacks. We're not gonna leak stuff
to scare like none of that. They are not rushing
him at all, which tells you their belief right now
as to him being the best option for them at
this point. I mean, it's expected to be released by
the Jets on Wednesday, but he could have done a
deal at this part with any team because the Jets

(14:38):
have already announced it. So we're continuing to watch this one.
There's been communication throughout the day between the Giants and
Rodgers camp and other teams like this is still an ongoing,
fluid process.

Speaker 2 (14:51):
Maybe we'll know by the end of the day.

Speaker 5 (14:52):
Judy, I'll take this one. Yeah, maybe we will know
by the end of day. Can I talk about Kenny
Pickets because we actually got a really interesting quarterback question
answered a couple of minutes before this show started. Kenny
Pickett was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Cleveland Browns,
and one of the biggest questions has been what are
the Browns going to do with quarterback? Are they going

(15:13):
to draft a quarterback at two or are they going
to trade for someone? And there was a discussion was
it going to be they're going to sign one of
the free agents, They're going to trade for Kirk Cousins.
If the Falcons would make that happen, what are they
going to do? They end up landing Kenny Pickett, giving
him the opportunity to be a starter, and whatever the
Browns do, whether they draft let's say Cam Word or
Shador Sanders or someone else at two, or whether or

(15:35):
not they just roll with a quarterback later, Kenny Pickett
is going to have the opportunity to start. And he
has been a multi year started for the Steelers. He
has accomplished, he has been to the playoffs, he has
had ups and downs, and he has had a year
to reset. This is an unbelievable opportunity for Kenny Pickett
and for the Cleveland Browns answer one of the biggest

(15:56):
questions we'll have we'll have in free agency.

Speaker 3 (16:02):
Patrick I would fairly say that if you're watching that
segment there, you see this is not the greatest We've
ever been camera attentive in the past year. So there's
a lot more news. That's why we've got a two
hour show tonight, and I'd be remissief if I did
not tell you look great without a tie. And welcome
inside with the Insiders.

Speaker 1 (16:20):
We're here all night, glad to be here. We did
get the great questions answered, There's still some more. As
Judy said so eloquently, what does Aaron Rodgers want? I
think that's something we can move forward and continue to
try to ask ourselves. And we do know that Ian's
ringer is still on at six oh five Eastern, still on,
which is great. He's on twenty twenty five. Never know,

(16:40):
that's commitment, commitment to the bit from NFL Network insider
Ian Rapport. More to come here on the Insiders, we've
seen the Cowboys restructure some deals, get some space. What
do they do with that space? Jane Slater joins us
and Yes, all week we highlight the work that went
into Greg Rosenthal constructing his top free agents. Who's best

(17:02):
less left on the list? Who better to ask than
Greg Rosenthal himself? Who will join me at this desk
when we return on the Insiders on NFL Network. Back
here on the Insiders on NFL Network, the Dallas Cowboys

(17:23):
get their first big deal done at the Brian Schottenheimer era. Also,
Digazouoa gets a four year deal could be worth up
to eighty million dollars. And now we project out what
does that mean for the rest of the roster. Let's
bring in NFL Networks Jane Slater to discuss the Dallas
Cowboys here in twenty twenty five. And Jane, if we're
going to extrapolate, now we've got the OSA deal done,

(17:45):
could that mean good news for maybe timeliness? Maybe soon
we found out some news with Michael Parsons. What can
you tell us?

Speaker 8 (17:53):
You would certainly think that, Patrick Good afternoon. Last week
Cowboys made some of those rare moves of clearing quite
a bit of cap space ahead of free agency. They're
at about fifty four million dollars in cap space. Remember
they also restructured Ceedee Lamb and they restructured Dak Prescott.
So the natural inclination is, okay, Micah Parsons is getting

(18:14):
his contract, not so fast. It's my understanding there weren't
any meaningful talks over the weekend. In fact, Micah Parsons
is right now in Dubai. His Instagram quite fun right now,
as he was posting with lions over the weekend, But
I don't get the sense that this is going to
end up being problematic. What I will say is Micah

(18:36):
and Jerry will likely talk to each other at some point,
although I know agents don't love that and get a
deal done. They've got a great relationship, so I don't
think there's necessarily any concern that that doesn't get done here.
But I do think the question next is, Okay, if
they address that, what are they addressing now. They just
lost cornerback Jordan Lewis, which I thought was tough, but

(18:56):
three years, thirty million dollars to Jacksonville, they likely.

Speaker 9 (18:59):
Weren't going to pay that here. He was just such
a big locker room guy.

Speaker 8 (19:02):
Charvarius Ward was another guy that was floated around as
someone who might come back here to refresh your memory.
The Cowboys traded him away his rookie season, and then
he went on to do big things in Kansas City
and of course in San Francisco. The Indianapolis Colts signed
him today, so Lou gets another piece on his defense.
But the Cowboys will likely have to address a couple

(19:25):
of positions cornerback, linebacker. I anticipate they're going to still
try to make some moves for the defensive line, but
running back is the one thing that I'm going to
be keeping an eye on. Obviously, they tried committee last year.
Rico o'dowdell, once they gave him the carries, really came
on strong. But he is a free agent. His agent
is also Jordan Lewis's David Cantor.

Speaker 9 (19:45):
So let's see.

Speaker 8 (19:46):
If they couldn't get a Dill Dub for Jordan Lewis,
will they get done with Rico Dowdell, Which is going
to have to wait and see. Last year, I remember
the first day of free agency was disappointing to Cowboy fans,
particularly this year when you see some of the moves
that Washington is making. But I do remember last year
the Cowboys got at least into the feeding frenzy a
little bit later in the week.

Speaker 1 (20:04):
Yeah, there's of course all that pressure. There was all
the conversation about what all in means a new season
and a new era in Dallas. Jane Slater with the
latest on the Dallas Cowboys under new head coach Brian Schottenhammer.
Let's get some of this speaking of new new things
coming in Today, we discussed how Carlton Davis on his
way to New England. Will the Lions get another cornerback?

(20:24):
This coming courtesy of NFL Network insider Ian Rappaport. Now
former Jet will soon to be former Jet as of Wednesday.
DJ Reid and then the former forty nine ers running
back Elijah Mitchell had a lot of success in the
Bay Area. We'll be signing with the Kansas City Chiefs,
a source in forums NFL Network insider Tom Pellisero, speaking

(20:44):
of Casey, let's look at some of these off season
moves for the Super Bowl running it up. Kansas City Chiefs.
They get the franchise tag on Trey Smith, trade Joe
Toney to the Bears that will officially become official on Wednesday.
They reseund Hollywood and Nick Bolton and agree on a
two year, thirty million dollar contract with Jalen Moore, the

(21:05):
former forty niner. As we bring in Justinia to discuss
the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning AFC champion several times
in a row. They got a little bit of a
humbling Jeff in the Super Bowl. The offense, of course,
a plays of eight to make some addressing, to address
some changes. How do you view what they've done thus far.

Speaker 10 (21:25):
What do you start with the offense and what they
did make sense as far as the offensive line. Putting
the franchise tag on Tray Smith was a surprise for
some people, but there was more cap money to go around,
and they obviously made a choice between Tray Smith and
Joe Toney, who was traded to Chicago. So they feel
good about what they have on the right side, but
the left side is where the question is at. They
went out and signed left tackle Jalen Moore from the

(21:47):
forty nine Ers. He's been a backup for the last
four years, so you don't know what he brings to
the table. Getting rid of Tuny means you get rid
of your insurance policy at left tackle. He played the
end of the season there and did a pretty good
job until the Super Bowl, and then left guard is
open now and there's talk about king Le Sua Mataia,
their second round pick from last year who flamed out
at left tackle playing there. So there's a lot of
moving parts there for Patrick Mahomes. But the hope here

(22:09):
for the Chiefs is that they can find a way
protecting better than the Eagles. Eagles got after him in
that football.

Speaker 1 (22:15):
Yeah, Eagles were a problem for a lot of teas
one just the Chiefs towards that end je just as
we look over and the story of Casey has been
keeping things together, of course, waiting to find out what's
going to happen with Justin Reid. But they do get
a big piece of one of the notable defensive Super
Bowl plays in a while. Nick Bolton comes back. What
does he mean for Spags's unit.

Speaker 10 (22:34):
Well, I mean they have their quarterback back on that
side of the football. And as much as Nick Bolton
is not known for being great in pass coverage, he
is a great run defender and he is a very
smart linebacker. And the defense that's Despagnolo runs is very complex,
and this is the guy they rely on to make
the checks to get guys in the right positions. They're
probably going to lose Justin Reid. They're starting safety and

(22:56):
free agencies. To lose two guys who are really integral
getting guys lined up correctly and making things happen back there.
It had been tough for this team, so keeping Nick
Bolton was a surprise for some, but it makes a
lot of sense for what they want to do with
this defense.

Speaker 1 (23:08):
All right, Still more to come on how Kansas City
approaches bouncing back from that Super Bowl lost. Jeff to
Dea with the latest on the Kansas City Chiefs and
their moves do today. Coming into our NFL LA newsroom,
the former Jets quarterback and Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson signing
a one year deal to come back to the AFC
East the Miami Dolphins. This coming courtesy of NFL Network

(23:32):
insider Ian Rapport. After one year in Denver, Zach Wilson
going to Miami. The big trade news of the day
the Texans sending Laramie Tunsall and a fourth round pick
to the Washington Commanders for second, third, and fourth round picks.
Tunsall once traded from Miami to Houston multiple first round
picks in that deal a few years ago. And man

(23:53):
who owns a percentage of the Washington Commanders, a five
time NBA champion and Lipic Gold medalists Irvan Magic Johnson,
tweeting He's very happy to hear that they traded for
Laramie Tunsell. I want to protect their superstar quarterback in
Jaden Daniels. Let's get out to our NFL Network insiders
for more news. On the day.

Speaker 3 (24:13):
Thank you very much, Patrick, Welcome back with the insiders here.
Let's talk about some of the teams that have made
a big splash here through the first hours of the
negotiating windows. Starting out Ian with a team you just
saw right there, maybe a big trade. What exactly is.

Speaker 2 (24:28):
Going on right now in Washington?

Speaker 5 (24:30):
What is going on is the Washington Commanders are in
the window where they have a really good, cheap quarterback
and they can spend a bunch of money and build
around them.

Speaker 1 (24:38):
We see this for a couple of teams around the
league every year.

Speaker 5 (24:42):
Now it is the Commanders and they were looking to
spend biga tackle. We're in the market for all of
the top left tackles from Ronnie Stanley and Dan Moore
and Jalen Moore, all of the Moors and end up
trading for one of the best left tackles of the
last decade.

Speaker 1 (24:56):
This was a blockbuster.

Speaker 5 (24:57):
It is Laramie tunsall normally of the Houston Texans going
to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a future second
round pick and more in a huge package. A huge
hal for the Houston Texans who also have by the way,
I have a great young quarterback. That's about ready to
get paid. But for the Commanders, this is about protecting
Jayden Daniels, making sure that their offensive line is secure.

Speaker 1 (25:19):
That was not all they did. That was the work
they did on the offensive line.

Speaker 5 (25:22):
On the defensive line, Javon Kinlaw he agrees to terms
with the Commanders on a three year, forty five million
dollar deal.

Speaker 1 (25:30):
Sure up one side of the offensive line, sure up
the defensive line. A big day for the Washington Commanders
in the trenches.

Speaker 6 (25:37):
Much like the Commanders, the Bears did a lot of
work to protect Caleb Williams Drew Dolman, the center.

Speaker 4 (25:44):
From the Atlanta Falcons.

Speaker 6 (25:45):
They agreed to a deal with him and that came
after to trades a few days ago for guards Joe
Toney and Jonah Jackson to shore up the interior of
that offensive line. The offensive line was a big priority.
Kayleb WILLIAMSWISA sixty eight times in his rookie season, so
that has been their focus. And then they switched to
the other side of the line of scrimmage. Grady Jarrett

(26:08):
was agreed to a deal with the Bears about ten
minutes after the Atlanta Falcons released him. So a lot
of work in the trenches for the Chicago Bears, but
the focus certainly on the offensive line and improving protection
for Caleb Williams.

Speaker 7 (26:24):
Mike, Now your turn, Yes, all right, Judy, we're talking
about the Jacksonville Jaguars who have had a busy day here.
And you look at these additions down at the bottom
of Diami. Brown a one year deal, ten million dollars,
a former commander's wide receiver who certainly has flash. Robert
Hainsey as well, he got a twenty one million dollar

(26:45):
deal if I remember that one correctly.

Speaker 2 (26:47):
Patrick McCarry's going to be a guard. He's played guard and.

Speaker 7 (26:50):
Tackle here, so they really added to their offense. Nick
Mullin's not even mentioned there, the new backup to Trevor Lawrence.
He follows James Gladstone, the neral manager from the Rams.
Excuse me or excuse me. He follows Grant Yudinsky, not
James Gladstone. James Gladstone brought over their tight end where
they also signed, but Grant Udinsky, the assistant coach who

(27:12):
is now with the Jaguars, was with Nick Mullins in Minnesota.

Speaker 2 (27:15):
Brings him along.

Speaker 7 (27:15):
And then Jordan Lewis are a Sports We reported this earlier.
Did this deal to make him the highest paid nickel
cornerback in the NFL here on a ten million dollar deal. Yeah,
we all reported that one earlier. So the Jaguars and
James Gladstone, who I mentioned is a long time manager,
busy here getting things in line for Liam Cohen and
this new coaching staff.

Speaker 3 (27:35):
Another team that we expected to be active and they
very have much been is the New England Patriots, who
made the biggest signing just in terms of pure dollars
on the defensive side, landing one of the big free
agent prizes Milton Williams on a four year, one hundred
and four million dollar deal twenty six million a year
for a player at the defensive tackle position. This is

(28:00):
a ton of money for Bilton Williams and a big
part of what they want to accomplish in New England,
which is becoming very stout upfront on that line. They
also spent three year, sixty million dollars on Carlton Davis.
They signed Robert Spalane, the linebacker on a free agent deal,
yesterday signed Harold Landry the edge. A ton of action
for the New England Patriots and a ton more action is.
We got a bunch of text coming in here, so

(28:21):
you give us comme minutes here, Patrick, We'll be back
with board very very soon.

Speaker 1 (28:24):
Thank you, Somy. It's always fun to look ahead to
more information coming in courtesy of the Insiders. As they know,
their attention is divided, which is understandable. The Patriots the
attention devoted some of these very very talented gentlemen. News
just discussed Milton Williams, Harold Landry, Carlton Davis coming over
from the Detroit Lions, and Morgan Moses gets a three
year deal could be worth about twenty four million dollars.

(28:47):
The Patriots coming in to free agency with the largest
amount of cap space. I think even if we account
for some of these, they would still be in the
top ten. Let's bring in Brian Baldinger here on the Insiders.
Bald how do you feel about the blues the Patriots
have made thus far?

Speaker 11 (29:03):
Well, hold on one second, Pat, I see everybody's taking
a tie off.

Speaker 1 (29:05):
Okay, we just yeah, I want us to join the fun.

Speaker 11 (29:08):
Got a better now, Yeah, So here's the deal, Pat,
You go back to twenty twenty one when Mike Rabel
was a head coach of Tennessee. They were the number
one seed in the AFC that year, and they were
built around a strong defensive line. Jeffrey Simmons, Harold Landry,
who's now a Patriot, still playing great football, all right,
still getting to the quarterback. You sign Milton Williams to

(29:29):
go with a young Keon White going into your third year,
a young Christian Barmore coming back healthy after the things
that he suffered a year ago. And you can see
and see kind of the blueprint of what Mike Rabel
is doing, taking what front from what he did in
Tennessee just a short time ago. Like it's got to
be in the trenches, Morgan Moses comes on the offensive line,

(29:50):
you can see these pieces where you want to run
the ball, you want to be able to affect the quarterback.
And Milton Williams is a better pass rusher than run
or run defender right now. So I think they've got
some young pieces and some pieces that have played with
Mike that can start to establish that defensive front that
used to be so difficult to go up against. What

(30:11):
he was the head coach at Tennessee.

Speaker 1 (30:13):
Including a couple of players at least one somewhat familiar
with in Harold Landry looking forward to seeing just what
the twenty twenty five Patriots will look like. We get
a chance to see Baldy signs tie as we transfer
from the Frenzy to the Insiders, which, as I've been told,
is a tieless show. No ties. In terms of quarterbacks,

(30:34):
you can only start one at a time, the best
available remaining, and what do we think of Justin Fields
and Sam Darnold. The conversation with Greg Rolls at dall
coming up next on the Insiders. All the frenzy does continue,

(30:59):
and we've got some quarterbacks who are still out there.
The ones that are still available. The top ones per
are Greg Rosenthal, his top one oh one hot and
fresh over on NFL dot Com. He's got in this
order Jamis Russ, Jacoby Brissett, and Danny Dimes Diastros. There
being Aaron Rodgers expected to be released, so he's not

(31:20):
a free agent. So let's discuss these quarterbacks with Greg
Rosenthal here in studio. Good to be with you, Greg.
I'm being pressured to tell you to take the tile off,
but you're not moving on that.

Speaker 9 (31:30):
No.

Speaker 12 (31:31):
I just thought i'd bring a level of professionalism that
this show has been lacking.

Speaker 1 (31:34):
Yeah, see, I'm not so the thinly veiled shot.

Speaker 2 (31:38):
Perhaps.

Speaker 1 (31:38):
I mean no, I'm just kidding Gus, because we're close friends,
which means I know that Greg has passionate feelings about
Gino Smith. For those who are out there, Greg who
enjoyed watching Gino play in Seattle, tell us how you
think the Sam Darnald fit is going to be?

Speaker 4 (31:51):
Okay?

Speaker 12 (31:52):
First of all, you know, for Gino fans, we're you
know about Dome Gino. Gino is great in the Dome,
he'll be fine in Vegas. I think you look at
the Donald move on and you look at the contract.
It's very similar to the one that Baker Mayfield got
a couple of years ago, and so it does make sense.

Speaker 2 (32:06):
In some ways.

Speaker 12 (32:07):
He's much younger seven years, he's cheaper. You look at
Clint Kubiak's offense, that's the type of system that Donald
thrived in a year ago. It all makes sense. But
one thing they haven't thought about, Okay, Gino Smith is
better at football, the sport of football. So when he
throws the ball, it goes exactly where he wants it

(32:29):
to go. Before the play starts, Gino Smith gets a
picture in his head, and after the play starts he
hasn't even clearer picture in his head. And he's very
smart at understanding what is happening out there on the
football field. I question whether Sam Darnold does that as well,
But I do understand with the change in the system,
that was the one part of the equation that for

(32:50):
Seattle in a vacuum, it does make sense. But we
don't live in a vacuum. Gino Smith is better.

Speaker 1 (32:55):
Yeah, it exists in a world where there's plenty of
error oxygen available, and also there are offensive line allowing
a lot of quick pressures against Geno Smith. Perhaps those
circumstances we need to be remedied are for Sam Daldwin
or for anyone else. Let's go over to a team
that both Gino and Sam Donold used to play for famously,
the New York Jets. How do you feel about Justin Fields.

Speaker 10 (33:15):
Is a jet?

Speaker 12 (33:16):
I'm trying to be optimistic because this New Jets era
with Aaron Glenn, I think it's going to be a
lot better. And he signs two for forty million dollars
and some of the initial reaction was wow, like thirty
million guaranteed for Justin Fields really, And I'm thinking, have
you been watching the contracts that have been signed the
last couple of days too? To at well, he's like
a fourth receiver gets ten million dollars. BJ Hill really

(33:38):
like him. A rotational defensive tackle sixteen million dollars guaranteed.
So yes, I think the guy who's going to be
starting Week one and be the most important part of
your organization is worth that kind of money. And you
think about what the Jets haven't had over the last
few years. Here's what they do have. A true number
one receiver, a dynamic backfield with Justin Fields adds to
I think that's going to be a great running game,

(33:59):
and four fifths of a really strong offensive line. So
I think defensive coordinators like Aaron Glenn used to be
are actually going to struggle a little bit with the
run game that the Jets bring. I wouldn't be surprised
if they bring in a rookie as well, but this
is a sign they're not really in love with that
rookie class.

Speaker 1 (34:14):
A run game with a run aability for Justin Fields
that was put on the bench by the Pittsburgh Steelers
in favor of Russell Wilson perhaps not back as the
state of the Steelers don't have a quarterback right now?
What do we do with Russ? What's Russell wing? He's
number two on the board right.

Speaker 12 (34:28):
So it seems like Rogers is the bell of the
ball right now. He would be a top my free
agency list. By the way, at quarterback, I would put
him somewhere in the twenties. If he was on the
top one to one, then Russell Wilson is looking at
maybe the Giants, maybe the Titans. The Browns are out there,
and I would surmise I don't want to see him
starting for a bad team. I don't think it's going
to go well. I think it's a bad sign that

(34:48):
the Steelers reportedly preferred Fields over Wilson, despite them watching
Wilson for all those games. How about we put him
in Kansas City. Let's go get Russell Wilson another ring.

Speaker 3 (35:00):
Why doesn't he just be.

Speaker 12 (35:00):
A really good backup? Because to me, Russell Wilson at
this point in his career maybe gives you a shot
in the arm kind of like he did for the
Steelers three four games. He's the new Ryan Fitzpatrick. How
about that for the next part of Russell Wilson's career.

Speaker 1 (35:14):
That's it promoted to a backup spot for us, a
guy who could be starting in a number of places.
And you said it correct. Aaron Rodgers would be perhaps
will be your number one available quarterback on the board
if it takes some time for him to found a spot.
Judy pointed out earlier in the show, it's really just
two teams the need quarterbacks, the Giants and the Steelers.

Speaker 11 (35:33):
I guess is that it.

Speaker 12 (35:35):
I mean, first of all, those are pretty good options.
I think the Giants are a little more turnkey than
people think. But it is funny these two classic franchises,
you know, great head coach obviously in Pittsburgh, and they're
sitting there, they don't know what they're doing at quarterback.
They're hoping that Aaron Rodgers chooses them after the season
that he just had. He did play well late in
the season. But my issue is that NFL Network did

(35:57):
this whole scheme last week where they started playing great
games from old free of the free agent class, and
they played some Aaron Rodgers Davante. It was only three
years ago, and I was like, man, that Aaron Rodgers
was a lot better he just doesn't move the same.
He's not as aggressive. He's certainly not willing to take hits.
Everything that Mike Garofolo said in your A Block, you
guys did a great job in terms of giants being

(36:18):
confident and taking their time with Aaron Rodgers makes me
think that is the fit for him. You don't have
to leave. I've lived in New York. You don't want
to live one you know, leave once you live there.
I think that is a perfect spot for him and
Brian Dable, Like I said, a little more turnkey, better
offensive line than people thinking some weapons around.

Speaker 1 (36:34):
Ye, some calls for positivity. It's time to start believing
folks in the New Jersey, New York area. Aaron Rodgers
is gonna make things work with Brian Dable. If you
want to see Greg Rosenthal's one hundred and one NFL
dot com, it's always up. You can add the slash
Rosenthal to see Gregs full list was just constantly being
updated because this man provides a service too.

Speaker 12 (36:56):
All watch and listen to NFL Daily with Patrick Claiban. Tonight,
Hey there we go.

Speaker 1 (37:00):
We got options to folks. If your few of the rams,
you get one of those quarterbacks coming back. They're resigning
Jimmy Garoppolo to a one year deal, via NFL Network
insider Mike garow Folo, So Jimmy g gets to remain
and playing, or at least watch that building that's across
the street from us here at NFL Network New Today.
Coming into the NFL LA newsroom, former Chargers wide receiver

(37:22):
Josh Palmer is going to land with the Buffalo Bills
a three year deal worth up to thirty six million
dollars with eighteen million dollars in guarantees, according to NFL
Network insider Ian Rapport, joining us now Cam Wolf on
the Insiders as Cam. It has been a busy offseason
thus far for the Buffalo Bills, so close margins, so

(37:44):
slim in the NFL falling to the Kansas City Chiefs
back in the AFC Championship game. Very busy, especially in
the offensive side of the ball.

Speaker 13 (37:53):
Yeah, Patrick, A week like free agency teaching you just
how important it is to draft and develop and keep
your own guys. That's really been Buffalo's playing so far.
Their general manager, Brandon Being, made it a priority to
keep their top guys, starting with their MVP quarterback Josh
Allen just signed that massive, big money extension taking care
of him knowing that for at least the next half

(38:14):
decade he's going to be slinging the rock for them
and taking care of his receiving corps as well. Khalil
Shakira had that big extension, and I don't think a
lot of people nationally just know how important Shakira is.
I talked to Josh Allen a ton about it. He said,
he is my safety valve. He is the guy that
I trust, that I go to in key situations. He
assumed that role and he earned himself a big money

(38:36):
extension as well. And Josh Palmer, their addition today, is
really a final piece of that group. Talking with Brandon
being down there in Indy, he said, we really wanted
to find somebody that could stretch the field horizonically and vertically.
And Josh Palmer, separation is going to be the key
word for him because he's got a level of separation
that this Bills group just did not have last season.

(38:56):
And so each guy in this group, Coleman, their rookie
is well has a specific skill that Josh can excel in.
And now Palmer finishes that final piece. So Shakira Palmer,
Keon Coleman, Dalton Kakaid, and James Cook. A nice five
piece set for Josh Allen going it's next year.

Speaker 1 (39:14):
Yeah, five being thematic because people always say, you got
to have like of receivers and guys who catch the ball.
You gotta have the basketball team out there. The Buffalo
Bills have certainly constructed it within the last two off seasons,
including drafting Keyon Coleman. Let's look at the rest of
the roster, though, Cam. What's left to do for Brandon
Bean and the Buffalo Bills is they try to get
back to the Super Bowl.

Speaker 13 (39:35):
Well, the first thing I'm looking at is do they
finish their last two big potential extensions. James Cook, a
guy I just mentioned, wants to get an extension. They've
had conversations with his team. He's coming off a career
year running the ball and really helping make this a
complete Buffalo Bills team that was no longer just Josh
Allen slinging the ball fifty times a game. James Cook,

(39:55):
whether it was zero degrees or one hundred degrees, put
a lot on his load and he can catch the
ball the backfield. He's a guy they got to take
care of cornerback Christian Benford as well, another top young
guid his position. They also have been talking about potentially
giving him an extension. Again, if you give your guys
an extension, you don't have to overpay in free agency
like we see a lot of people do in this period.

(40:16):
And then as far as additions, pass rush has been
their priority. They made a move earlier this offseason to
release Von Miller. I'm told there's still conversations going potentially
trying to get him back at a lower number. They
value his veteran experience, but they want to add at
least two pieces into that pass rush group. We saw
him in the AFC Championship game. They just couldn't get
Patrick Mahomes down on third down when it counts. They

(40:39):
need that extra push, that extra pass rush, and I
expect them to add at least one more piece before
this free agency weekends.

Speaker 1 (40:46):
And it's another reason to go ahead and get that
deal done. Although it could be seen as rewarding the MVP,
you can create some cap space to make these moves
by going ahead and getting that Josh Allen extension done.
And Brandon Bean and the Bills have been able to
do just that. Cam Wolf with the latest on the
AFC runner up of Buffalo Bills. When we come back,
another hour of Insiders on the way as we recap

(41:08):
the biggest moves and explain just how Sam Darnald got
his new spot in Seattle. That's another hour of our
show coming your way on NFL Network. Welcome to the
Insiders on NFL Network. Sam Donald on the way to Seattle,

(41:31):
What got him there? And what can the Seahawks look
forward to with the former Viking N forty nine er
and Jets signal caller at the helm And speaking of
signal callers, Justin Fields. As soon as Wednesday rolls around
around four o'clock Eastern, it will be official as the
Jets acquiring the services of one Justin Fields with thirty

(41:53):
million dollars in guarantees and update on that deal and
just a couple of quarterback vacants. He's remaining, But there's
only one Aaron Rodgers. Where does Aaron Rodgers go? Where
does he want to go? What does Aaron Rodgers desire?
Perhaps answers on the way as we get set for
the second hour of the Insiders here on NFL Network.

(42:17):
Here everybody Welcome to the Insiders. Patrick Claiborne here in
the nfl LA newsroom without a tie, as I was
bullied by Tom Pellisero earlier. Tom, joined by Ian Rappaport,
Judy Battista, and Mike Garrofolo are actual NFL insiders. Yes,
no tie. You guys got Baldy to remove his side.
The one hold out was Greg rose Doal. Will put
a lot of effort into materializing.

Speaker 2 (42:36):
His Not worried about him. Okay, we don't claim him.

Speaker 1 (42:38):
Okay, So Greg rose Doal not claimed as an insider.
That will be something to ring about that we address
here on the second hour of our show, along with
Greg a substantial amount of news that love is throughout
what we do know that this love is what binds
us all PERREI at NFL Media. The news that's new today,
as there is a lot of it. We will start
with those quarterbacks. Sam dar gets a three year deal

(43:01):
work up to one hundred zero point five million dollars
with the Seattle Seahawks just after they trade Geno Smith
to the Raiders, reuniting him with former head coach Pete Carroll.
Fifty five million dollars for the former Viking, who had
a great prove it year with Minnesota after they lose
their rookie quarterback for the season in Sam Darnold. Also

(43:22):
approve it year opportunity for Justin Fields. He was proving
it then he got benched in favor of Russell Wilson,
and now the new Jets leadership agreeing to terms on
a two year deal worth up to forty million dollars
thirty million guaranteed for the former Bear and former Pittsburgh Steeler.
There is a notable player who chooses to remain Jason

(43:43):
Light and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get the deal to
keep Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay. He had a great
year finally coming back from injury, had to deal with
another one that ended his season. But it's a three
year contract wars up to sixty six million dollars, forty
four million of that guaranteed, so that covers some skill
position guys. Let's go upfront. NFL Networks Tom Pelasero reporting

(44:07):
four time Pro bowler Ryan Kelly signing with the Minnesota
Bikings a two year, eighteen million dollar deal which includes
nine million dollars, So just Tom on that. Sources also
told Ian Rappaport as well, Kelly moving on from the
Colts giving them some space they eat. Chris Ballard and
the Colts making some moves today that we will cover
on our show as well. And here's a look at

(44:30):
the free agency big board. Think about it like in
terms of the draft, as we get some of these
guys off the board. A huge deal for Milton Williams
with the Patriots, who do have the most amount of
cap space. Look at that as go down to number eighteen,
a Son Reddick chose to pay to not play for
the Jets, essentially for a large portion of twenty twenty
four would ultimately companies now gone back to Tampa Bay.

(44:52):
Let's go through some of these and potentially look at
some more potential moves as we have a out to
Tom and our insiders.

Speaker 3 (44:59):
Folks, Patrick, I want to see that board for just
another second if we can, because I know I've been
staring so Vie and Judy and Mike into these bray
lights like last ten to twelve hours.

Speaker 4 (45:10):
Here.

Speaker 3 (45:11):
Can anyone read that? Because my eyes are like it's
all blurry. I can't. I think that's Amari Cooper is
the highest ranked unsigned player at this point. I think
that's Byron Murphy. Next, I'm not actually sure this is
like I would not They don't have a logo next
to him, Mike. I presume that's what we're doing here.
All I know is I would if this for for

(45:33):
my driver's license, I'd be in a driving Miss Daisy
situation for the next year. So let's talk about some
of the big quarterback moves ian starting out with Sam Darnold.
Finally and officially on Wednesday, landing with the Seattle Seahawks,
three year deal one hundred point five million dollars for Donald,
coming off the best season of his career at age

(45:54):
twenty seven, and this is a pretty similar deal to
the one that the Seahawks offered Gino Smith. He said,
I had no ship to Vegas for a third round pick.
Now Donald has his landing spot and seat. It is
the new QB one for Seattle. Sam Donald, you right.

Speaker 5 (46:09):
As soon as it became clear that Gino Smith has
headed to the Las Vegas Raiders, everyone seemed to think
Sam Donald was going to the Seahawks. And he put
his best product on the field this year, had the
best season of his career, and then of course we're
waiting on a landing spot.

Speaker 1 (46:24):
Where was he going to go?

Speaker 5 (46:26):
What spaces were open except for Minnesota, who was going
to pay him thirty million dollars plus. And then it
became clear that the Seattle Seahawks had an opening. Talks
broke down with Geno Smith and the Seahawks. They shipped
him to the Raiders and there was Sam Donald's landing spot.
You're right, he gets essentially the Baker Mayfield deal, the
kind of deal that they would have given Gino Smith.

(46:49):
Instead it goes to Donald and now the opportunity is
there for him.

Speaker 1 (46:52):
He can prove that the.

Speaker 5 (46:53):
Kind of year he had for Kevin O'Connell and the
Vikings was not a fluke. He has always been talented,
a very high draftic dealt with some stuff, a lot
of stuff, several different organizations, bounced around a little bit,
but actually, similar to Baker Mayfield, took some time, really
seems to have found his footing. Now goes QB one
for Seattle. They're going to protect him, They're going to

(47:13):
run the ball. It is an incredible situation for Sam
Donald in Seattle.

Speaker 6 (47:21):
Well, the career renaissance that Sam Donald is now in
the middle of actually began in San Francisco after he
had all that stuff, as you called it, Ian, with
the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers in San Francisco.
The passing game coordinator at that time twenty twenty three
was Clint Kubiak, who is now the offensive coordinator for
the Seattle Seahawks.

Speaker 4 (47:41):
So this is a good fit.

Speaker 6 (47:42):
This should be a pretty smooth transition. He obviously knows
Sam Donald's game and what he likes and vice versa.
So this should work out very well for Sam Donald because,
look for a while, it looked like his best option
might be returning to the Minnesota Vikings, but they have
JJ McCarthy, their first round draft pick, waiting in the wing.
So that was never going to be the best situation

(48:05):
for Sam Donald. To actually get to go forward as
a starter and know that he is the starter untouched
in Seattle he is now. It is a bit of
a reset right now for the Seattle Seahawks. They just
gartet of DK Metcalf. They're number one receiver. Obviously they
are starting over with a new quarterback, but as Ian
pointed out, they are going to improve his protection protection.

Speaker 4 (48:27):
They certainly need to steer up that offensive line a
little bit.

Speaker 6 (48:31):
They want to run the ball, So this is a
good spot for Sam Donald's finally gets to be a
starting quarterback unquestioned again, Yeah.

Speaker 7 (48:40):
I mean Sam Donald gets fifty five million guaranteed, gets
guarantees into year two of his deal if he stayed
in Minnesota. We know what Minnesota's plan is right now.
They've got JJ McCarthy. They're not going to guarantee money
beyond year one. So this was all about could he
go back there on a one year deal? And the
number he's getting in year one with the Seahawks is
thirty seven and a half million dollars, which is much

(49:01):
higher than he would have gotten from the Minnesota Vikings
on a one year deal. So every metric along the
way made so much more sense. And for the Seahawks
in this case to get a player in Sam Donald who,
even if the production is comparable to Gino Smith, you're
paying him much less than Smith would have wanted it
and probably is going to get in the near future

(49:22):
from the Raiders, by the way, and you're also picking
up a third round pick along the way. So this
is more from an analytics perspective. If you're looking at
it from that perspective. You picked up money, you picked
up draft pick compensation, and you might even have yourself
an even better player here in Sam Donald. That's obviously
the way they are looking at it. And they've got
a ton of capital draft capital over the first three
rounds now having made the trades that they've made in

(49:43):
the last couple of days.

Speaker 3 (49:45):
There was a time Sam Donald donned a Jets jersey.
Now it is Justin Fields on in that jersey. He
is headed to the Jets on a two year, forty
million dollars deal with New York Ian. This was one
again that we had heard, especially over the past twenty
four hours. The Steelers had an offer out the Fields
for quite a while. He did not end up responding

(50:07):
to it. There was some negotiation back and forth, but
it became pretty clear by last night this was going
in the direction of the Jets. Why was this the
right fit for everybody involved?

Speaker 5 (50:17):
Yeah, when you have one team that's sort of quietly confident,
another team that's waiting to hear an answer, generally you
have your answer.

Speaker 1 (50:22):
Justin Fields the new QB one for the New York Jets.

Speaker 5 (50:26):
This was obviously a priority for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mugy,
and this new Jets regime deviled a lot with Aaron Rodgers,
no doubt about.

Speaker 1 (50:34):
It did not turn out the way they wanted.

Speaker 5 (50:36):
Now a much more low cost but dangerous option in
Justin Fields, and Aaron Glenn came up as a defensive coordinator,
knows the challenges of facing really good athletic quarterback who
could also sling it. All he did, guys, was lead
the Steelers to a four and two star last year,
still got benched anyway. And one thing I couldn't figure
out go through this whole process was how much that.

Speaker 1 (50:57):
Weight on him?

Speaker 5 (50:57):
Like obviously it did not happen the way he wanted
last year in the Steelers. Obviously it was a situation
where he wanted to stay in as the starter. Would
this effect his choice? Jets is a great opportunity, of course,
But it does seem like that affected things as Justin
Fields really turns the page on the Steelers, lands with
the Jets and begins a new chapter of his career.

Speaker 1 (51:18):
As QB one unquestioned this.

Speaker 4 (51:20):
Time, we saw a little bit in those highlights for you.

Speaker 6 (51:24):
We're just rolling up what Justin Fields can do with
his arm and with his legs, and we saw that
at the beginning of the season in training camp and
then at the start of the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers,
although it seemed like they were giving him a very
contained package for the Pittsburgh Steelers that they were slowly expanding.
And then of course the change was made to Russell Wilson.

(51:45):
But there were people in the building even when they
went to Russell Wilson who had questions about whether that
was the right decision at that moment, because they really
thought there was more to see from Justin Fields, much
more of an upside. We didn't get to see it
last year for the Pittsburgh Steelers, certainly a long time
it worked with Russell Wilson. But now that is what
the Jets will bank on that the ceiling is still

(52:06):
very high for Justin Fields.

Speaker 4 (52:08):
What we saw, especially last year in.

Speaker 6 (52:10):
Pittsburgh was pretty enticing with his arm and with his legs,
and if they can get that out of him, Look,
it is a clean start for the New York Jets
with a young quarterback who they hope.

Speaker 4 (52:20):
Is on the rise.

Speaker 7 (52:22):
Yeah, and Tanner Engstra in the new offensive coordinator. He's
young himself, I think he's forty two from what I
saw earlier. Yeah, he's gonna have to find ways to
utilize justin fields. And what the Steelers did last year
when he did start, was like, Okay, let's start with
a smaller I don't want to say package of plays,
but basically, let's try to build this thing up with

(52:45):
justin fields, minimize the mistakes, put him in positions to
make the right reads to not make mistakes, and then
as he goes along, we're gonna build this thing bigger
when they give him a chance.

Speaker 2 (52:55):
To really open things up.

Speaker 7 (52:57):
When we got to that point, that's when Mike thomains, no, no, no,
I'm going to go start Russell Wilson. So let's see
what Tennor Ingstron and the Jets can do here, not
only to start well with justin fields, but open this
thing up and get the full value of everything that
he can bring from a skill standpoint. Engstrom was with
Ben Johnson in Detroit and they certainly ran some creative
stuff there.

Speaker 2 (53:18):
Make a little bit of that stuff in there, it
might be fun.

Speaker 3 (53:21):
So Sam Darnold Seattle starter justin field certainly at this
point slotted in as the Jets started he still got
a half dozen teams that do not have a clear
starting quarterback for the twenty twenty five season, So where
could they turn? Jameis Winston is a free agent, so
is a Russell Wilson, Jacoby Brissett, Daniel Jones. Then way
down there at eight point front that I can read

(53:42):
Aaron Rodgers, forty one years old, going to be released
by the Jets. They have to do that after four
pm Eastern time on Wednesday, the start of the new
league year, because of the rules and for salary cap purposes.
Here so, Judy, you've had time to sit back today
watch the various chess pieces being put in play. What
are the next moves here on the board?

Speaker 6 (54:03):
Well, the next move I'm waiting for is Aaron Rodgers
landing spot. And you mentioned there are a number of
teams that don't have starting quarterbacks right now. The two
most obvious ones, though, are we were just talking about
the Steelers and the New York Giants. The New York
Giants have been having conversations with Aaron Rodgers for a
little while now, a few days at least. No resolution

(54:24):
on that, obviously, but Rogers has to decide what he
wants what's best for him. The Steelers now have an opening,
and if they pivot to him, is that the more
attractive option for them?

Speaker 4 (54:36):
For him?

Speaker 6 (54:37):
They have two dynamite wide receivers now after the DK
Metcalf trade. Is that the option that he will go for?
That is a playoff team with a really good defense.
You think they are much close to being a real
contender than the New York.

Speaker 4 (54:51):
Giants are right now.

Speaker 6 (54:52):
Then again, maybe he doesn't want to leave New York.
As our buddy Craig g Rosenthal said, why's you live here?
You don't want to leave?

Speaker 14 (54:58):
We'll see. It's all up to Aaron Rodgers, as it
often is. Judy, I'm glad you brought that up because
you look at him. Oh, DK Metcalf, you want to
go throw to him? Big body guy can make some
big plays. You got George Pickens potentially as well. How
about Malik Neighbors.

Speaker 7 (55:14):
And my understanding is the Giants have made it clear
to Aaron Rodgers. We think you're really gonna jibe well
with Malik Neighbors because Malik has got a.

Speaker 2 (55:25):
You can keep showing Aaron Rodgers. It's fine, you can
show him. Throw the other guys. We don't have footage
of him throwing the.

Speaker 7 (55:28):
Elik Neighbors yet we might because the Giants are trying
to sell him on the idea that this guy has
a great football mind, and that's what Aaron Rodgers needs
from his receiver, especially from his young wide receivers. Doesn't
need those mistakes. Malik Neighbors is on point. He can
see things, he can make adjustments. He's great during the
week in practice, he's great when it comes to installing
the game plan. This is the kind of stuff they've

(55:50):
been selling Aaron Rodgers on, and he can He's not
just a straight line guy. He can do a bunch
of different things. So that's been part of the sell
to Aaron Rodgers. Let's see if he buys. I have
no idea what Mike g said. I was typing on
a tweet.

Speaker 5 (56:06):
And uh yeah, well, let's talk about Darius Slayton for
the New York Giants. There it is right there. That's
a great tweet, if I do say so myself. As
I finished typing out this tweet, we still don't.

Speaker 3 (56:18):
Know whether one says Garrett Golo or do you get
this one right?

Speaker 1 (56:23):
What's that?

Speaker 5 (56:24):
Oh?

Speaker 3 (56:24):
No?

Speaker 5 (56:24):
This this actually was an edit to this one, which
is kind of nice. Hold on second, send this tweet?
All right, chellas what you're Yeah, I don't really have
anything to add here because I was tweeting and talking
at the same time.

Speaker 3 (56:37):
So you guys take it away. Hang on, we got
we got another deal coming in here. You ready for
this one? We got a lot going on, And say
yours real quick and then I'll get.

Speaker 2 (56:47):
Mine back to say the words.

Speaker 3 (56:50):
No, We're good.

Speaker 1 (56:51):
Go ahead, Tom, I'm on, all right, here's a good one.
How about this?

Speaker 3 (56:55):
Cowboys are on the board. They got a running back,
Javonte Williams, the former Broncos heading to the Dallas Cowboys
one year, three million dollar deal worth up to three
point five million dollars in incentives. Everybody wondering what exactly
are good they going to do in the backfield? Obviously
Rico Dowdell is a free agent at this point. Boy,
Twitter is really slow today. It just went through one

(57:17):
year up to three point five million for Javonte Williams.
What's their life like right now? In the time of
this segment, Ian tweeted, former Bengals linebacker there's more on
Javonte Williams. Former Bengals linebacker Keem Davis Gaither going to
the Cardinals two years and eleven million. Mike tweeted Mac
Hollins to the Patriots two years and eight point four million.
Up to ten point four million dollars and a very

(57:40):
sexy photo. If I might say so myself. Right there,
Michael Hoyt, I were a Rams defensive tackle slash linebacker
going on a three year deal worth twenty four million.
You got that one, Control Room, We got them all.
He's headed to the Bills now, and I'm to Sitch
Patrick before you even get to the rest of this.
There it exers Michael Hoyt as well. Control room is

(58:03):
absolutely on it today. We're just trying to stay afloat here, Patrick,
But a lot more action. We got like forty five
more minutes of insiders here could be like who knows
what might happen.

Speaker 1 (58:13):
Yes, it's gonna be great, and we can I can
finally tell people because Ian was trying to get everything.
It was Darius Slayton. I gets to come back with
the Giants. We'll see if Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback.
We got a whole lot to figure out as we
continue those forty now four minutes remaining in the Insiders
thanks to all of our insiders. So let's get to
look at some news coming into our nfl LA. News

(58:34):
from the Chicago Bears. Busy offseason continues, this time on defense.
The former Falcon Grady Jarrett a three year, forty three
and a half million dollars that will be official once
the new league year begins Wednesday at four pm Eastern.
Here's a look at what the Bears have done pending Wednesday.
Of course, Ben Johnson already in as the head coach.

(58:56):
They acquired Jonah Jackson from the Rams. They make the
trade with KC for Joe Toney. They agree to terms
with Drew Dollmon and Dale Odeyingbo as well as the
Grady Jarrett deal that we just talked about. Let's bring
in Stacey Dale's to discuss these Chicago Bears needs up
front on the offensive line. They have certainly gone out

(59:18):
of their way to address those thus far stacy they have.

Speaker 9 (59:22):
I mean, you can clearly see Patrick that Ryan Poles
and Ben Johnson have sat down and spent a significant
amount of time together in terms of personnel and building
a foundation which has to start in the trenches and
when you allow thirty eight percent QB pressure rate as
an offensive line last season, which was the fourth worst
mark in the NFL. But even worse than that Patrick,

(59:44):
they allowed fifty seven unblocked QB pressures in Chicago last
season with a rookie quarterback, then rookie quarterback Caleb Williams,
and he was sacked sixty eight times. And the run
game mustard from its running backs just three and a
half yards per CA, which was the worst mark in
the NFL. So they go out and they get Joe Tooney,
who is tom Brady Patrick Mahomes quarterback. So he brings

(01:00:08):
that experience. Ten year veteran entering this season, four time
Super Bowl Champion's an All Pro. He's going to make
Braxton Jones or whichever side they put him on. If
he's at left guard, by Braxton Jones a better football
player and if it's on the other side, Darnell Right.
They added Jonah Jackson. He was drafted by the Lions.
Ben Johnson was in Detroit at that time, and they

(01:00:29):
worked him into a Pro Bowl not in twenty twenty one,
and then Drew Dolman from Atlanta had the fifth best
run blocking grade among centers, so Tooney the second best
pass blocking grade among guards last season and obviously Dolman.
And so you ask yourself the question, what are realistic
expectations for the Chicago Bears, and specifically for Caleb Williams.

(01:00:51):
And I was just texting somebody who knows this team
very well win. I mean, I can sit here and
talk about he needs to play with better efficiency.

Speaker 4 (01:00:59):
He should.

Speaker 9 (01:00:59):
They're fixing the offensive line, of course, that he needs
to play on time and rhythm with his receivers. He
needs to figure out the cadence with this offensive line.
But the bottom line is they have to win. They
believe this is the quarterback of the future, and that's
why Ryan Poles has now solidified the interior. And I
don't think they're finished in the draft. I think they
add more to their offensive line and their defensive line

(01:01:20):
as we've saw in free agency today, but they'll also
do it in the draft.

Speaker 1 (01:01:23):
I believe. Yes, I see certainly a case to be
made for having those expectations for the Bears to win.
As the season began last year across the division in Minnesota,
the expectations weren't necessarily that high. Thought they were going
to start a ricky quarterback and JJ McCarthy income Sam Donald.
They have this magical run. Now that run concludes with
Donald getting one hundred million dollars over three years to
play for Seattle. So what's next to quarterback non JJ

(01:01:46):
McCarthy for the Vikings.

Speaker 9 (01:01:50):
Yeah, well it's JJ McCarthy time. Make no mistake about it.
Quasia Dofo Mensa, their general manager, spoke about it. His trajectory.
They love his trajectory coming off the injury, the surgery,
and now he'll enter this season as really the prime guy.
What is left on this roster Daniel Jones and Sam
Donald is now headed to Seattle. Nick mullins is no

(01:02:11):
longer with this group. To my knowledge based upon our notes,
our research notes. Here's the interesting thing about it is
something I learned about Kevin O'Connell, the reigning coach of
the Year in the NFL. You mentioned those expectations, Patrick,
because I remember being at training camp and we had
a quarterback competition with that guy on the screen, the

(01:02:31):
rookie quarterback, and they took in the first round who's
going to be the future they expect him to be
and Sam Donald, well, Sam Donald clearly won the race,
and when I was in London all the way back
to shoot week five, I think it was sitting in
production meetings with Kevin O'Connell. He loved Sam Donald from
a lead eleven days when he was just a youngster,

(01:02:54):
and then he loved him coming out in the draft
when he was taken I think third overall. Double check
me on that. But they wanted to bring him in
and they want depth in their quarterback room, so they're
going to have to add something here. But this was
a quarterback that Kevin O'Connell, who now we deem as

(01:03:14):
the quarterback Whisperer, was somebody he pounded the table for
when they knew Kirk Cousins was leaving. So I have
to imagine Patrick. I say that because I have to
imagine he's pounding the table for JJ McCarthy. We'll see
what happens with Daniel Jones, but they're going to have
to beep up their quarterback room and we'll see what
that looks like here after this week. But it'll be

(01:03:36):
interesting to see how Kevin O'Connell takes another quarterback like
JJ McCarthy and makes a great situation extraordinary as we
saw this season with Sam Darnold outside of those last
two losses.

Speaker 1 (01:03:48):
Yeah, I certainly done a lot to earn that moniker
of a quarterback whisperer Kevin O'Connell coming off that Coach
of the Year performance. We'll see how the Vikings do
and contend, and again one of the better divisions in
the NFL if we could see the make that growth
that we talked about at the top of the segment
thanks to Stacy Dale's chiming in on the NFC North.
Let's go down to the South where Chris Godwin resigned.

(01:04:11):
A three year deal could be worth up to sixty
six million dollars forty four million of that guarantee to
keep Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay. This is season after
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers able to keep Mike Evans, who's
a number player who going to have the title mister
Buck stays in Tampa Bay. To discuss the Bucks, we
have Sarah Walls joining us now on the Insiders. What

(01:04:32):
did it take as we look at this, Sarah to
keep Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay.

Speaker 9 (01:04:39):
Well, you see the numbers of the contract that he
was offered.

Speaker 15 (01:04:41):
But I think ultimately it's really tough to leave here,
and it's tough to leave here, especially so when this
team and especially the offense, has been on a role
last season. Chris Godwin is clearly comfortable here and I
talked about earlier today. He'll be coming back for his
ninth season. You mentioned Mike Evans, he's coming back for
his twelve season. So when the twenty twenty five season
gets underway, that's twenty one years of.

Speaker 9 (01:05:03):
Combined experience of these two playing.

Speaker 2 (01:05:05):
Together in a Bucks uniform.

Speaker 15 (01:05:07):
You cannot underestimate what that does for your number one
and number two receiver. Now, god what's going to address
the media tomorrow? Which will be great because we haven't
heard a lot from Christin's He had a season ending
injury back in Week seven, and when that injury occurred,
he was on pace for a career year.

Speaker 9 (01:05:23):
And at that time he was leading.

Speaker 15 (01:05:24):
The NFL in a bunch of different categories, receptions, yards
after catch, he was tied for the league lead and
receiving touchdowns. And the Buccaneers believe, despite the injury, this
is a guy that works like no other to come back.
He will do that, and I think overall this is
a statement once again for Jason light that front office
how they feel about consistency, because that is something that

(01:05:45):
the Buccaneers have had now for several years in a row.
They also signed offensive guard Ben Brenison, which means they're
entire as starting offensive line returns again to protect Baker.
You saw that run game really take off last year
after being in the league. They were fourth bests in
the league behind that line. So again, Jason Lyton company

(01:06:05):
have done a lot to keep this team in place,
and that is why you have seen a Buccaneers team
go to the playoffs five straight years.

Speaker 9 (01:06:11):
They've won the division title four.

Speaker 15 (01:06:13):
Straight times, and you like to believe that that probably
would continue when you make a signing like Chris Godwin.

Speaker 1 (01:06:19):
Yeah. Keeping that explosive offense together, they also make a
move on the defensive side of the ball is the
big story. If Hasan Reddicks twenty twenty four was not
playing for an extended amount of time with the Jets,
what do they expect for Hassan Reddick next season in
Tampa Bay.

Speaker 15 (01:06:36):
Well, the Buccaneers knew that they had to make some
moves on defense, and I would expect that they're going
to address a lot of needs in the draft this
upcoming draft.

Speaker 9 (01:06:43):
Obviously, Hassan Reddick.

Speaker 15 (01:06:45):
It's a one year, fourteen million dollar deal and Patrick
you just alluded to it. Obviously last year was not
the season he would have liked with the Jets. There
was the holdout.

Speaker 4 (01:06:53):
So then the Bucks do.

Speaker 15 (01:06:53):
They don't like to do these huge, big splash money
contracts and bring guys in that aren't already under there,
but they love getting guys on these one year prove
it deals. We've seen them do that and hit success
with them time and time again. Baker Mayfield is an
example of that. Shaq Barrett, who came from Denver, another
example of that. And they're hoping that Hassan Reddick will
be the next guy to fall in line with that

(01:07:15):
idea that this guy's going to be hungry, he's going
to want to redeem himself. And prior to his season
with the Jets, Patrick, he had four straight seasons double
digit sacks.

Speaker 9 (01:07:24):
The Bucks would love to have that again. They didn't
even have a single player on the roster do that.
This year, Klaijah Clancy had seven and a half sacks.
Todd Bowles has made it no secret he wants Ballhawks.

Speaker 15 (01:07:34):
And I would expect that his team has to address
a cornerback situation either still to come or definitely in
the draft because they're thin there.

Speaker 1 (01:07:41):
Patrick, Yeah, it's get to work on this Bucks defense
as they again trying to support that offense that was
very explosive and trying to get yet another division championship
in the NFC South. Sarah Walsh on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
More to come here on The Insiders, including specifics with
regards to the fit for Justin Field's playing for the

(01:08:01):
Jets in twenty twenty five, and that's coming up as
we continue here on The Insiders on NFL Network. Back
here on The Insiders on NFL Network News coming in
today in to our NFL LA newsroom. Justin Fields coming

(01:08:23):
up on Wednesday, it will be official agreeing to a
two year deal. We're with up to forty million dollars
with the New York Jets, thirty million of that guaranteed
to the former Pittsburgh Steeler former Chicago Bear, got benched
after a strong start in Pittsburgh in favor of Russell Wilson,
who led them ultimately to their early playoff exit and

(01:08:44):
a loss to Lamar Jackson and the ravens Lamar right
there on the top of the quarterbacks with the most
rushing yards since twenty twenty one. But how about down
there at the bottom, Justin Fields right around six yards
of Carrie that's the second most in the NFL. Also,
let's bring in Brian Baldinger now on the insiders. Baldy,
how do you view the potential fit for Justin Fields

(01:09:07):
and the New York Jets?

Speaker 11 (01:09:09):
Patrick, I've always liked Justin Fields coming out of Ohio State.
I liked him. I liked them in Chicago despite some
terrible coaching that was going on. I liked him in
Pittsburgh last year, Patrick, I mean, he gets off to
a four and two start. The two losses a three
point loss to Indianapolis, a three point loss to the Cowboys.
He got them the lead against the Cowboys in a
fourth quarter with a great play, and you can you just.

Speaker 1 (01:09:32):
Know that Aaron Glenn is going.

Speaker 11 (01:09:34):
He's had to defend this guy when he was in Chicago,
and Aaron Glenn was the defensive coordinator in Detroit and
he saw him gut their defense time after time again,
averaging six yards a run in his four year career.
Right now, I think it's a good fit. He's twenty
six years old, he's got forty four starts, he's healthy. Look,
I think he's going to fit in good with what

(01:09:56):
they do, and I think they'll build their offense so
it includes plays just like Patrick where he's going to
be a part of the run game. And you know,
I just think that there's a big upside do what
I think Justin Fields will be able to do with
some stability coaches that won him. He knows that they
want him there. I think that's a good fit.

Speaker 1 (01:10:14):
And upside that we never really got to see as
the season went on in Pittsburgh because he was benched
in favor of Russell Wilson Baldy stick around. We'll continue
our quarterback discussion because Sam Donald after that great season,
very very good season for Sam Donald, making his way
to Seattle to play for the Seahawks. It's going to
be three years, one hundred and one hundred point five

(01:10:36):
million dollars. That could be the total contract value. He
does get fifty five million of that guaranteed on his deal.
So for more on Donald and the potential match made
in Seattle, let's come back here to our newsroom. That's
where I'm proud to be joined by my friend Omar
Ruiz joining us in on the discussion. What's this connection

(01:10:56):
with Donald and the Seahawks ultimately going to end up
looking like well with Donald?

Speaker 16 (01:10:59):
To me, we just heard justin Fields only twenty six.
Donald's only twenty seven. It seal seems like he's been
the league forever.

Speaker 3 (01:11:06):
But this is a reunion with.

Speaker 16 (01:11:07):
Clint Kubiak, the new Seahawks offensive coordinator. Donald and Kubiak
working together in twenty twenty three where they were both
with the forty nine ers.

Speaker 1 (01:11:15):
Of course, Donald was the.

Speaker 16 (01:11:16):
Backup to Rock Pretty Clint Kubiak was the past game coordinator,
so they reunite now as quarterback and offensive coordinator. We
saw what sort of upward trajectory that stint in San
Francisco launched Donald to that great season last year with
Minnesota and big picture with that team, the Seahawks saying
that this gives him a clear identity of what their.

Speaker 1 (01:11:36):
Offense wants to look like.

Speaker 16 (01:11:38):
Obviously, they had Ryan Grubb as their offensive coordinator last
year first time in the NFL, and John Schneider, their
general manager, saying they brought in some solid players last year,
but not necessarily a right fit with that proven system though,
the Kubiak system that's had a proven track record, they
know which players definitively to go after to surround Sam
Donald with as they continue to look to reb that oftense.

(01:12:01):
So many big name players have walked out that door,
so obviously retooling around Sam Donald and listening to Mike
McDonald's speak at the combine, he talked about how if
you looked at the playoffs, those teams are physical. They
play a physical brand of football and that's how they
want to build this Seahawks team from the inside out, Baldy,
which I know is right up your alley.

Speaker 11 (01:12:21):
Well it is, and thanks for that, Omar. And you know,
I think it's interesting because when they traded Gino Smith,
who were like and then they let DK metcalf walk,
you know, to Pittsburgh. You say, what do they had
a plan? There's a plan here with what Mike. They
have smart people there. Leslie Fraser runs a defense for
Mike McDonald. Kubiak comes from a proven system. They have

(01:12:42):
a plan in Seattle. And so while maybe ten games
looked like that was a good year, even though they
adn't qualify for the playoffs. That's not the way that
they want to run the offense right here. So I
think you'll see some additions on the offense line through
the draft. I think we'll see a big free agent
signing a wide receiver in the draft to compliment Jackson

(01:13:02):
Smith and Jigba. But they make no mistake about it.
This system that Kubiak is running is all based off
a run game. And when the run game is cooking,
like it has been with the Rams or the forty
nine ers or at times the Vikings, this offense clicks.
And so that's what they want to get going. They
weren't very good in the run game last year. The
offense line has to get better. I think they get

(01:13:24):
that rolling. I think that Sam Darnold has a chance
to be real successful in this system.

Speaker 1 (01:13:29):
Let's keep it in the division Gays, because right across
the street, Cooper Cup and the Rams finished one of
the greatest wide receiver seasons ever. The team and Cup
parting ways in the offseason, but they go a different direction,
not necessarily a play style wise, He's going to go
in there Devonte Adams and root out edge rushers and
play the way the Cooper Cup does. But It does

(01:13:49):
make us think back to times where Sean McVay, they
went out and got O'Dell Beckham Junior, had a great
start to the Super Bowl. How do you see Devonte
fitting in in Los Angeles.

Speaker 16 (01:13:57):
It's interesting you bring that up because you look at
Cup and what Sean McVay had said that that was
the hardest personnel turnover he's had to face here in
the eight years that he's been head coach of the
Los Angeles Rams. But to replace him with Devonte Adams,
it does remind me of the assembling of the twenty
twenty one team where they had superstars like Von Miller
and o Dell Beckham Junior and Jaylen Ramsey was a

(01:14:20):
part of that team. Of course, Aaron Donald was already there,
and all those guys are gone and what was supposed
to be a rebuilding last couple of years has been
a couple of playoff teams, and we saw how they
took Philadelphia to the limit and Matthew Stafford back in
the fold. Pukanakua is now a superstar who's going to
be paired next to Davonte Adams, who is still playing
at an extremely high level. The fierceness, the competitiveness that

(01:14:43):
he brings to that football team is something that the
Rams are hoping to benefit from. And I know they
didn't like this expression in twenty twenty one when they
won the Super Bowl, but the peers that they are
all in hitting all those picks the last couple of
years on the defensive line and that defensive front, how
they've matured now and they are becoming stars in their
own right. Baldis when you look at this Rams team

(01:15:04):
in twenty twenty five, no surprise they're going after a
guy like Devonte Adams because Super Bowl or bus appears
to be what's.

Speaker 1 (01:15:10):
On the line for the Rams this upcoming season.

Speaker 11 (01:15:13):
Well, Davonte's been one of the great points scorers in
this business since he's been in this league and really
developed in Green Bay. And one thing about Lesneed and
Sean McVay, they value veteran experience. You know they always
say about experience, Omar, the problem with it is by
time you get enough of it, you're too old to enjoy. Well,
Davante's not too old. He can still enjoy it. He

(01:15:34):
can still be man coverage. He's got eight different releases
that he can beat you with like he wants the ball.
And look, he's had great success playing with Aaron Rodgers,
highly actor quarterback, and the Stafford can do many of
the same things from the same angles. Recognize defenses, see
the mismatches out there. Isolate those mismatches. And that's what

(01:15:54):
Davonte's all about. Give me the ball in mismatches. I
don't care who who I'm playing up against. It's fourth
down and third down, it's red zone. We need to play.

Speaker 1 (01:16:03):
Come to me.

Speaker 11 (01:16:03):
I'll win and if he wins, Stafford will find them
and they'll They'll create a great connection. I think it's
a great fit for the Rams right now and everything
that they want to do. They want this division. They
want to go deeper to playoffs. It ended on the
twelve yard line against Philadelphia back in the snow in January.
They want to go farther than that this year. I
think DeVante can help them do that.

Speaker 1 (01:16:24):
Yeah, and that game against the Eagles is considering the
run that the Eagles had, really that was the only
resistance that they faced in the playoffs. Kind of Matthew
Stafford of the Rams putting that fear in them in
those final moments in the Snow. The Rams getting a
little bit better this offseason thanks to Baldy into Omar Ruiz.
Look at some of the notable receivers. The reason that
we can assemble the receivers in a list is because

(01:16:44):
Greg Rosenal created the Top one oh one of this season.
It's available at NFL dot com slash Rosenthal. Let's talk
about some of these wideouts, Greg, including a guy who
had a lot of success across the street and Cooper
Cup expected to be released by the Rams's market going
to be like for the former Triple Crown winner.

Speaker 12 (01:17:02):
I worry about it, and yet I see a lot
of fans out there. I see a lot of reporters
out there thinking Cooper Cup is the big fish. He's
the number one receiver you could slide into, let's say
New England or different sort of offenses and change your team.
I just don't think he's that player anymore. And you're
right about everything you did across the street. He made
my daughter, who's a Rams fan, cry when he caught

(01:17:23):
that pass to win the Super Bowl. But the toll
that it's taken on his body, I think you need
to turn on the film of late last season. He
topped thirty yards in a game twice in the last
seven games, and that's in an ideal situation in an
offense he knows. So to me, Cooper Cup can fit
in as a role player, as a rotational player, you know,
second or third receiver, but I don't think he's coming

(01:17:46):
to save your offense right now, and that's why there
hasn't been a trade market for him.

Speaker 1 (01:17:50):
Yeah, it's very sad that the biggest part, or one
of the big parts of Cooper Cup's game is how
he could contribute to so many different parts of the game.
Probably contributed to the number of injuries that he's dealt
with as things have gone on. A guy who's played
very well late into his career ultimately going to be
seen as a replacement for Cooper Cup as Devonte Adams
coming over to play in so far with Matthew Stafford
and company, how do you see that going.

Speaker 12 (01:18:11):
I think this has been the biggest and the best
move of free agency so far. That contract two for
forty six. It looks like a lot twenty six guarantee.
That's actually where you would put a really good number
two receiver now in this market, and that's what he is.
And that's why I think it's such a beautiful melding
of football minds. One of the smartest football players of

(01:18:31):
his generation. You put him in a lab with Sean
McVay and Matthew Stafford, and I think it's absolutely perfect.
And this is what you can do when you're paying
your number one receiver fifth round draft pick money. People
will talk about, oh, wow, you got to take advantage
when Jayden Daniels on that rookie quarterback. How about Puka
Nakua making under a million dollars a year when he

(01:18:53):
really has worth about thirty five to that team, And
we'll be making that soon enough. So I'm thinking about
Don Draper a little bit here, and he's like, that's
what the capspace is horrid to spend the money, like
there is nothing that helps to have extra cap space.
You know what all the caps space did to draw
on Mayo last year, Like it got him fired.

Speaker 4 (01:19:12):
It is not going to help.

Speaker 12 (01:19:13):
So short term deals for great players like DeVante Adams.

Speaker 4 (01:19:16):
I love that fit.

Speaker 1 (01:19:17):
Yes, we're going to pressure you team management spend the money,
just like Greg Rosenthal was pressured into taking his time
off for this hour of the Insiders. Let's discuss more
of these wide receivers. You can go again an NFL
dot com slash Rosenthal to look at the list. Let
these are the best available free agents according to Greg's
Lissy puts the age on there because the age. Also,

(01:19:37):
I didn't contact in there.

Speaker 12 (01:19:38):
They put it on.

Speaker 1 (01:19:39):
Well, you know it's available. These players do have ages.
Considering that, considering the players the contract, who jumps off
the screen as the guy the teams need to be
looking at right now, Well.

Speaker 12 (01:19:50):
Amari Cooper is a top the list. He's a top
my entire one on one right now. It's got me
wondering did I overrate Amari Cooper a little bit? I
do think he was playing through injuries last year. He
joined a team at mid season at thirty years old.
He's had a very up and down career. Last year
a bit of a down year. I think betting on
a rebound from Amari Cooper is a smart investment. So

(01:20:12):
maybe he doesn't quite get Devonte Adams money going into
the season, but I think he can be a very
similar type of player, a quality number two receiver. I
think he stands out among that group as a difference maker.
I would slack cup in probably to the back end
of that group.

Speaker 1 (01:20:25):
Yeah, having to come in late to a team that
was already on a run, and have to imagine Amrio
would have a better opportunity with a team where a
quarterback knows where he's going to be and they're on
the same page, with a full offseason to work out.
I'll offer a take, Greg because I don't get a
chance to do too many. If Drake Greenlaw doesn't tear
his achilles on the way back to the field of
forty nine ers, hang on, they beat the Kansas City
chiefs well Ian reporting that the Broncos expected to sign

(01:20:49):
him three year deal worth thirty five million dollars. What's
your thought on Drake, I mean, first.

Speaker 12 (01:20:54):
Of all, it's been my career a dream to be
part of Ian Rappaport breaking news segment. I'm the first
that gets to talk about green Law here. I love
this move Greenlat First of all, you put only three
quarters on film last year. They were three of the
most electric quarters I've seen from a linebacker in a
long time. That made me think, Okay, he's going to recover. Well,
you look at what the Broncos did this day, adding

(01:21:15):
two former forty nine ers and Hufunga and green Law's
going to totally change the aggression of a defense that
already has a great attitude and is terrific. So they're
one of the best defenses in the league. And then Patrick,
you look at who the forty nine ers have lost.
We started last week right with Deebo, Samuel correct Aaron Banks.
I'm a little surprise he got that much money. But
top guard on the market, Hufunga and green Law. We

(01:21:35):
just meant to two defensive you know, Lynch pins for
that team. Elijah Mitchell is no longer on that team.
Tarvarius Ward was one of the best cornerbacks in the
league when they made that Super Bowl run. That's all
just from today and Deebo last week. That has a
lot of talent leaving San Francisco.

Speaker 1 (01:21:50):
Also, they're back up to Trent Williams say as well,
so a big departure in the Bay Area. We're always
great to have the addition of Greg Rosenthal. You can
check out his list NFL dot com slash Roosevelt. Also
the NFL Daily Pod dropping coming up very very soon.
We're going to discuss all the moves that take place
in the frenzy Jc Horn of the Carolina Panthers sign

(01:22:14):
a deal four years could be worth up to one
hundred million dollars. Seventy million of that guaranteed for the
first round pick of the Carolina Panthers gets a new deal,
and the Super Bowl champion Josh Sweat agreeing to terms
on a four year deal could be worth up to
seventy six point four million dollars. In the news traveled
around the globe, all the way to South Korea, where

(01:22:36):
Kyler Murray says he woke up some good news, got
a dog congratulations coming to the valley at Sweaty Jay
Underscore nine. He tweeted that while Twitter was experiencing a
major malfunction, hopefully the message finally got to Josh. Weeded.
As you look at our big board, got the teams,
the team logo asside some players and some players who
do not have team logos next to them. Let's look

(01:22:57):
back earlier today in rapport wanted to break some news
and he was flagrantly waving his camera trying to draw
all of America's attention. We were all younger then there
was there was less news. But our insiders have been
through it all day. We've We've had Ian doing a
lot of work. Of course Tom and Judy alongside him. Mike, girlfolo,
are your thoughts on this day one of the free

(01:23:20):
agency frenzy.

Speaker 7 (01:23:21):
You know, we pump out a lot of transactions here
and we're putting a lot of dollars out there, and
we're having fun with the business side of it and
then you get to see the personal.

Speaker 2 (01:23:29):
Side of it. This is cool.

Speaker 7 (01:23:30):
This is from Andy Ross Morgan Moses, his agent. This
was us delivering the news that he was agreed to
terms with the Patriots, which he had a hat because
he represented Krick Chris Hogan. He had a Patriots Champions
had that he was able to throw on Morgan's head
right there as he was there with his kids, Isaiah,
Jeremiah and Kyrie.

Speaker 2 (01:23:48):
That was cool, cool to be part of it. Congrats
to all the families, for everybody out there.

Speaker 1 (01:23:53):
That's great stuff. The friends. That continues tomorrow for Mikey,
Judy and Tom Wait and Ian. I'm patiate of Watermelonsider
seat the Lorket

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Judy Battista

Tom Pelissero

Ian Rapaport

Mike Garafolo

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