April 1, 2025 • 42 mins
NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report live from the NFL Annual Meeting with the latest information regarding rule changes that will be implemented for the 2025 season as well as the movement to ban the "Tush Push". Then, the Insiders discuss the most recent free agency developments including contract negotiations between the Cowboys and Micah Parsons, the Steelers' growing interest in signing Aaron Rodgers and Calais Campbell returning to the Cardinals. Steve Wyche sits down with Falcons owner Arthur Blank to discuss Kirk Cousins' future in Atlanta, followed by an interview with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn about Jayden Daniel's preparation for year two in the NFL. Plus, Tom speaks 1-on-1 with Bears head coach Ben Johnson about his plan for year one in Chicago and Mike chats with 49ers owner Jed York about the organization's ongoing contract negotiations with Brock Purdy!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Probably only fitting that the vote to potentially ban THEUSH
push has been pushed back to May. No vote taken
at the NFL annual meeting, but some compelling reasons given
for why they could consider it again.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Jerry Jones giving reasons you can.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Debate how compelling for why the Michael Parson's contract is
not done yet.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Jerry says he's willing to pay more to get.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
More information, which sounds like Michael Parson's getting more money.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
We'll tell you where things stand.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
We also heard from Steeler's owner Art Rooney today, who
says he's feeling the positive vibes about Aaron Rodgers becoming
a Pittsburgh Steeler. No final word though yet, So where
does it land?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Aaron? Please give us an answer.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Welcome inside with the Insiders alongside Mike Garriflo and Ian
rappap I am Tom Peliicero. We got a jam packed
show here in Palm Beach today. We got Ben Johnson,
the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. He's on
the show, Dan Quinn, the Commander's head coach on the show.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Arthur Blank, Jed York. They've got some interesting.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Quarterback questions for the franchises that they own, well.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Here for them too.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
But let's start out by getting to some of the
rules that were and we're not approved. On the final
day of the NFL Annual Media the Modified Kickoff, the
latest version of the dynamic kickoff, did pass as expected,
though not with adjustments to the on side kick. Those
could be considered later, but the key up shot of
today's vote the touchbacks now will come out to the
(01:43):
thirty five instead of the thirty, which people involved believe
is going to lead to a lot more returns and
they hope the same low injury rate.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
In twenty twenty five, NFL.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Also approved a change to the overtime rules, applying the
playoff overtime rules in which both teams have the opportunity
to possess the football to the regular season, standardizing that
across all games.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
However, they also tweaked it.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
It's now a ten minute overtime, not the fifteen minute
overtime that had been proposed. Could that mean that people
who run four minute drills e It'll have all.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
The analysis on that Momentarily.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
We also had a bylaw proposal by the Lions that
got tabled involving the possibility of reseting the playoff field
if in fact the division winners do not have the
best records in their conference table. Is fascinating because this
was a proposal that's come up several times in the past,
really hasn't had any momentum this time around. It sounds
(02:41):
like the Competition Committe is going to bring something that
also could be at a vote in may Or. The
NFL media that packed the tenth all week here in
Palm Beach will be packing it in Minneapolis as well,
because the push push debate is headed for another round.
Strong opinions voice on both sides by coaches at their
(03:02):
media availabilities this week on the possibility of banning that play,
here's what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had to say.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Well, listen, I think we're not looking at this as
the context of one team. We're looking at is a
particular play that may have an increased potential for injuries.
As I said before, one of the things we're looking
back is the rule we had prior to two thousand
and four that didn't allow a lot of that poll
(03:31):
or push anywhere on the field, and some of those
hits happen outside of a tush push, and that's one
of the things we want the committee to go back
and look at with our health and safety teamort to
look at those incidents and should our role be broader
than just a tush push. And that's something they're going
(03:52):
to bring back to the membership in May.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
So Rich McKay, the Competition Committee chairman, said, or the
reason they got rid of that no pushing, no pulling
rule twenty one years ago was it was really hard
for officials to officiate it when you got down the field. However,
there appears to be a real appetite ian for something
to change here and by reinstating that language and will
all of them say this is not about the touch push, This.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Is about the broader safety issues.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Something the Competition Committee and the NFL ownership doesn't want
to do is take something that one or two teams do,
change the rule based only on that. Now, it seems
at its face, if the toushbush has changed, that's what
it would be. It's the Eagles, it's the Bills, not
a ton of other teams running, not a ton of
other teams have success. It would really be those two.
But as you mentioned, Tim, if they are going to
(04:39):
go back to the twenty fourteen language. They would basically
be opening up, broadening the rule and saying no pushing,
not on the toush push, but at all, no pulling.
It would basically be going back to what they had before.
The momentum of this one has been really fascinating. It
started with the conversation of health and safety. There's not
enough data. We know that they've discussed that plenty of times,
(05:00):
but in the event of a catastrophic injury, they don't
want to be reacted. They want to be proactive. Say
this is a play that looks dangerous, so therefore potentially
discuss banning it. And then the conversation kind of changed
a little bit. Mike say, you know what, maybe this
doesn't look like a football play. Maybe this looks more
like a rugby play. We'll pick this back up in May.
(05:21):
But just reading the tea leaves now, it does appear
change on some level is coming to the toush push.
Speaker 5 (05:27):
The Eagles would disagree and tell you that there is
plenty of data because this play has been run for
four years now.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
The question to thank you right on.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Time, the can you translated and pushing a toush that's
very easy.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
That's a timp peach.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
It's a peach, guys, not your first day on social media, right, fair,
this is fair. We're gonna leave it there, all right.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
So they'll say there's plenty of data. Matter of fact, Jeffrey.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Lourie said that and said, we have voted in the
past for rules changes in the name of help and safety.
They don't feel like this is really the case when
you say there's not enough data. When will there be
enough data when there's an injury, Because this is more
about a proactive health and safety approach. So Jeffrey LORII
and the Eagles obviously disappointed. Howie Roseman says, we had
the data set it in the meeting. We have the
(06:15):
data and it shows that it's not a dangerous play.
We've run it more than everybody. We've never had an injury.
Now you've had some of this that jumping over the pile.
Chris Jones got hurt in the Super Bowl because he
was trying to defend it by going sideways while everybody
else was going forward. It's going to be an interesting
discussion in may. I do think making it all encompassing, though,
is going to help get a lot more support when
they rewrite it in that regard and drive.
Speaker 6 (06:37):
Pitch in that way.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
A small sample size here, I think it's what they're
referring to with the lack of data. In other words, yes,
we'd run hundreds of times in the past several years,
but not tens of thousands of times like other plays.
Speaker 7 (06:47):
They generally move.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
In cavelly the key phrase there for Roger Goodell's injury mechanism.
They're saying that there is the evidence that it could
become a dangerous play.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
You also, when the Eagles.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Decide to drop back, the pass can just turn loose
the pass rush. Let the Cowboys tend to do with
Michael Parsons, who is entering the final year of his
rookie contract, will make twenty four million dollars in twenty
twenty five if he does not have a new deal
in place, which remains the case because Jerry Jones, you'll
be shocked to find out he's wanted to take a time.
Speaker 6 (07:18):
We are there.
Speaker 7 (07:19):
I don't view it as urgent at all.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
And you know, some say, well, using the basis that
you get something done the cheaper, whether orly you get
something done, A lot of times, the more mistakes you might,
and you might want to see a few more cards playing,
not just with that particular negotiation, but with the whole team.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Time now for count on it presented by Toro Mike.
We know we can count on. Jerry Jones wanted all
those leaves to fall, more dominoes, more information. He is taking,
as usual, a very deliberate approach two negotiations that also
includes him talking directly to.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
The player involved, yes, and basically stating that he and
Michael Parsons had an agreement on some of the overarching
pieces of the deal and saying I don't even know
his agent's name, basically suggesting he hasn't had negotiations with him. Well,
it's two agents, David Mulligeta and Andre otom You've heard
the name Mulligeda before. He represents a number of high
(08:24):
profile clients. Deshaun Watson is one of them. I mentioned
him because that's one of the great contracts from a
player and an agent standpoint in recent memory. The fact
that he got that fully guaranteed. And I know a
lot of folks say, well, that's the wrong guy to
really say that about, because David's a prideful guy in
this case, and he's going to want to get the
best deal possible.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Well, now you added a little bit of fuel to
that fire.
Speaker 5 (08:44):
I just know that Jerry Jones talking directly to clients
is something that agents in the past have tried to
stop from happening. Dak Prescott did it, but Deak Prescott's
agents had faith that everything was going to be fine
and they would still be allowed to do their job.
But Jerry has done this in the past before, So
this is add a little bit of drama. Michah Parsons
tweeting that no, I trust David Willagetta to do the
negotiation and he's gonna get me the best possible deal.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It's never quiet down there. This is this is fun.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
It's never quiet. It's plenty of noise. Now, I don't
know that this will actually affect negotiations. David will get
is going to try to get the most money, the
best deal for his client, no matter what, no doubt
Michael Parson is going to be the highest paid non
quarterback when he has done. But you know the fact
that Jerry Jones said, I don't even know who his
agent is. I don't even know the name. It's one
of the most well known agents in the NFL. It
(09:29):
was just an interesting tactic early on, especially since they
haven't really dug in. What's fascinating to me is that
Jerry Jones says he wants more information. Well, Michaeh. Parsons
does too. Micah Parsons, to my understanding, would like to
see some of the other edge rushers. Top edge rushers
get paid. TJ. Watt, Aiden Hutchinson, Micah Parsons likely to
come in last. Well, if Jerry Jones wants to wait
(09:51):
and get more info, and if Micah Parsons wants to
wait and get more info, then we're all going to
wait and get more info until there's no more info
to get right up against the start of the season,
which Tom, this might seem familiar to you because the
last two massive deals the Cowboys did were right up
against it, including Dak Prescott Steel right before kickoff. I
don't know if it's going to be that dramatic for
Micah Parsons, but we are a ways away for this guy.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Stee Lamb was a long holdout last year, Zach Martin
was a long holdout the year before, and Jerry said.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
While he's confident in this deal, he also said.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
I can't tell you that it's gonna be done before
the started training camp, So tune in Knox Snart perhaps
in late July. Also waiting for more information the Steelers
because Aaron Rodgers on April first is still not made
a firm and final decision or is not communicated at
least to these Steelers about whether or not he's going
to play in Pittsburgh. You see him throwing earlier this week.
(10:42):
According to the fantastic photo stylings of Alex Amen right here,
that's pretty much came that calf one.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Of his potential. Didn't they lease this off of his
it's back now, it's.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
But first before that, Art Rooney saw it apparently and said,
it seems like everything is headed in a right directtion.
He's pretty confident here, feels positive about the way things
are going here.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Yeah, and for our ruining to say what we have
been talking about and thinking it was, there was a
lot of positivity and optimism in the air. Yes, it
does seem seem like Aaron Rodgers will eventually land with
the Steelers. That seems like the direction that's going. The
fact that he had a really positive throwing session with
DK metcalf is good. The fact that we were able
to see the video to see for ourselves is also good.
(11:26):
This all seems like it is headed toward Aaron Rodgers
being the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
However, Mike, we do not know what.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Is in Aaron rodgers head until he comes out and
says it in whatever form he says it, till he
lets the Steelers know yes, I am coming, Yes, I
will accept your offer. That sounds to me it's basically
worked out. We will be in this sort of limbo.
But this is as positive a sign as we have
seen that this will all happen.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Well.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
The Steelers are doing what few teams did and few
teams have done really in the recent years.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Which is put pressure. It's a little bit of pressure.
You think it's pressure, I think it is. I think
it is.
Speaker 5 (12:03):
Art Rudy today saying this has taken longer than he expected,
willing to wait, but not much longer. Right, Usually with
Aaron Rodgers, like nobody wants to spoo him, nobody wants
to scare him.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
It's a little bit of a walk on eggshell.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
So the Steelers today, I think we're sending a message
as suddenly as they could, saying like, let's go man,
we're getting close to the draft here.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
We got to know what's going on here.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
We're getting close offseason workouts as well.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
So Rogers has gone through the process, visiting the team,
working with DK Metcalf. I don't know what more could
be left for him to explore.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
We talked about the financials, Tom you did saying that
that was pretty much set and stone.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
There's really nothing left. His agent was here.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
We ran into him last night at the restaurant.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Restaurant huh bar, but you know that has a we're different.
We ran into but the bar. We don track. Parameters
have been discussed. It's been that was settled a month ago.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
It'll be a one year contract whenever it gets done,
following Aaron Rodgers to have.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Control over his future.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
The one thing that remains here is Aaron Rodgers telling
the Steelers I'm really comming and I'm really doing it.
And until that happens, we continue to talk about it
every night right here, bring on this very show. We
did have a deal get done earlier on today with
another high profile player who's been around for a very,
very long time. As Ian reported, Kaleis Campbell, thirty eight
(13:16):
years old, is headed back to the Cardinals. One year,
five point five million dollar deal can earn up to
seven point five million dollars with the incentives. So, Kalais
Campbell name all those former teams Ian.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Cardinals, Jaguars, Ravens, Dolphins.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Is that it? Noo? Keep going? Is that it?
Speaker 8 (13:33):
No?
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I think that's what goes bron No. No, you almost
signed with the broadcos Pree.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
Agency when he was going from Arizona to the Jaguar.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Get more of the NFL with NFL Plus, followed the
journey of future NFL stars, and stay connected throughout the
off season with coverage of the NFL Draft and more,
all in one place.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Subscribe today at plus dot nfl dot com. Terms and
conditions apply.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Kirk Cousins would have liked to know some of those
terms and conditions on the contract, including drafting.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
His replacement, like six weeks after he signed it.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
He got bench last season in favor of rookie Michael Pennix,
who now heads into.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Twenty twenty five as the starter.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
The Falcons at this point, though, have not moved on
from Cousins, but could they do that sometime in the
coming weeks.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Are Steve Woitz caught up with their owner Arthur Blank.
Speaker 6 (14:23):
All right, mister Blank.
Speaker 9 (14:24):
Of course when it comes to your team, the topic
is your backup quarterback. Kirk Cousins and I know you
and he spoke about that conversation. What was conveyed in
that conversation that relates to his future with the Falcons.
Speaker 10 (14:39):
Well, we spoke for about an hour. He asked to
chat with man. I said, of course, and I told
Kirk started the conversation. I said, look, I'm here to
really listen. I took five pages of notes, literally five
pages of notes. I think, you know, made some comments
back to them, shared some thoughts that I had from
a franchise standpoint. It It could not have been a
(15:02):
more cordial and more respectful conversation. And I heard everything
he said. I understand everything he said, and he also
understood where we.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
Were as a team and as a franchise.
Speaker 10 (15:14):
So but I think it created, you know, clarity about
what he hoped for and what his view of his
views were and what happened and why it happened, et cetera.
And uh so I think we're you know, I mean,
we're in a good, good place and and uh we
he ends up being up back of the quarterback. We
are the best in the National Football League, which is
(15:35):
always a good thing.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (15:37):
If we end up making a different decision, uh, we'll
move on. Uh, but you know we're I mean, he's
I just wanna reinforce this.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
He's been. He's been.
Speaker 10 (15:47):
You know, he could not be more of a gentleman.
I mean, sh thirteenth, fourteenth year going into the n
NFL was coming year six and six with uh, you know,
with the Commanders, and then with uh with Vikings and
one year with us. But I mean he's got, you know,
a great heart, a great spirit, he bleeds the NFL.
He's great with teammates, great with fans, very spiritual guy,
(16:10):
a great family guy. And so I mean, I mean
we'll both end up doing the right things for the
right reasons.
Speaker 6 (16:18):
It will be fine.
Speaker 9 (16:19):
Any point in that conversation did he express that he
did not want to be with the Falcons.
Speaker 10 (16:23):
Well, I think he made it clear that, you know,
in his best interests would be to have an opportunity
to you know, test free agency.
Speaker 6 (16:29):
And I understood why.
Speaker 10 (16:32):
He also understands that we've we have a contract and
we've paid him a great deal of money. He understands
that because he's really smart and economically in football. Why certainly,
so we understood our you know, our position as well.
So it was I mean it was a very very cordial,
(16:53):
good listening conversation. I did most of the listening, uh,
he did some. Uh, and we ended up you know,
being in a good place, I think, and we'll see great.
Speaker 9 (17:02):
So let's get to your young quarterback, Michael Pennix. You know,
not too far from this time ago last year when
you guys drafted and people like what are the Falcons do?
And they designed Kirk Cousins. But now just you know,
in hindsight kind of just how good of a decision
that turned out being what about now him going into
the season as your starter and your expectations of him.
Speaker 10 (17:23):
Well, we were, you know, we were in a situation
last year and we had, you know, being really clear
amongst the football folks and myself that we definitely didn't
want to go into another ABYSS without franchise quarterback. We
definitely felt Kirk could play for at least two years,
maybe longer at a very high level, and no reason
(17:44):
to think that would not be the case, That every
reason to think that would be the case. But you know,
we said, sometime in the next couple of years, this year,
next year, this is last year, we need to draft
the quarterback who we know we can transition to. And
other teams have done asfully in the NFL, like the
Packers is a good example, and we want to make
(18:05):
sure we did. I'm a big believer in succession planning,
both in business and in terms of football football football business.
So I think our operations folks are personnel folks. Our
coaching staff when they you know, went to old quarterbacks
last year, they picked this guy out as having an
incredible talent. I mean they loved the first two guys
(18:26):
that would pick last year. We loved them too, Williams
and Daniels, both extraordinarily talented players.
Speaker 6 (18:34):
But we had Pinics.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
You know.
Speaker 10 (18:36):
It's not that we didn't have Drake May up there too,
but we had Pinics, you know, as a armed talent,
somebody very very high. And I think when he became,
you know, became available, we didn't think he was gonna
be available at eight. I think the franchise made a decision,
let's let's you know, draft that.
Speaker 6 (18:53):
Quarterback and you know, and have him in the room.
We'll learn from a.
Speaker 10 (18:56):
Great veteran over the next couple of years, and we'll
transition to him that the you know, at the right time.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Whatever that might be.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
Turned out to be much quicker than you know, any
of us anticipated. But during the three game stretch, Michael
performed well and so we have high helps for him.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Right now, let's change gears a little bit.
Speaker 9 (19:14):
Yeah, okay, you're part owner of the td L Golf
Club in Atlanta to borrow Golf League guys just won,
right the initial championship, right, I know golf is a
huge passion of yours. What about though, being a top
of the league to start this thing off.
Speaker 10 (19:31):
Well, just to clarify, I'm not the part owner.
Speaker 6 (19:33):
I am the owner.
Speaker 10 (19:34):
So yeah, you have information so that we have a
few of the you know, limited partners, which are great
and their involvement is really appreciated.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
I'm a huge.
Speaker 10 (19:44):
Believer in tg L. You know, the idea was really
started by Tiger and Rory McElroy and UH and Michae McCauley,
who was a CEO came out Golf.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
Channel and NBC ET cetera.
Speaker 10 (19:55):
And because I think it brings a wider diversity, younger,
younger audience into the game of golf sooner and attracts
a different demographic than we currently have that'll be watching
the Villero Open this week and then the Masters next week,
et cetera. And it's done in a way and a
simulated golf format inside of a building as about as
(20:16):
big as a football field, with getting to know the
players better. They're all miked up, so you hear the
interaction between the teams and then between teams to teams
you hear those interactions as well. I think it gives
the players a chance to express themselves their personality much
more fully. Resow a lot of that with rtgl landa
Drive players this year, Build a Horselow.
Speaker 6 (20:37):
Patrick can't Ley, Justin Thomas.
Speaker 10 (20:39):
Lucas glover All did a fabulous job playing, but also
did a defabulous job relating to the crowd that was
in the building about fifteen hundred and to the roughly
seven hundred eight hundred thousand that view this sport. Untie
on ESPN, who was a great partner for us.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Some big changes at the NFL Annual Media, including another
the dynamic kickoff, got any complaints about it, don't lodge
with Mike. He can't fix it. We'll talk about some
of these rule changes next on the Insiders.
Speaker 11 (21:12):
Out thinking about.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
A lot of discussion, but no vote on the banning
of the tush push, which now a debate that's been
push back to the next league meeting, which is in
mid May in Minneapolis. Coaches a voice strong opinions on
both sides of the debate. Roder Goodell referred in part
to injury risk, specifically injury mechanisms that exists, even though
(21:41):
there's no data the show injuries are occurring on the play.
More discussion to come ahead. The NFL owners did vote
in favor of another modification to the dynamic kickoff rule.
The touchbacks now will come out to the thirty five
instead of the thirty yard line, disincentivizing teams from kicking
the ball through the zone. The optimism is that that
(22:01):
will lead to more returns while continuing to keep the
injury low thanks to the reduced space and speed on
that play. NFL owners also voted to approve a playoff
overtime then now will also apply to regular season overtime.
Both teams having the opportunity to possess the ball. However,
there's also a modification. Instead of a fifteen minute overtime,
(22:24):
it will be a ten minute overtime, which does raise
the specter of somebody just trying to eat the entire
ten minute clock. Rich Packay was asked specifically about that
scenario and said, if one team holds the ball all
ten minutes, sorry that opportunity to possess it involved you
playing a little bit of defense. Another proposal that was
push involving the reseting of the playoff teams. This one
(22:46):
proposed by the Lions solely by record and not giving
the division winners all a home game was interesting. This
was tabled not rejected, because it's come up many times
in the past, and according to Roger Goodell, there was
a really interesting conversation.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
There was some great data to show that we should
really look at some form of this or some version
of this, But there was also a really strong point
of view that winning the division was the number one thing,
that when you come into training camp, that's the goal.
Win that division first, and should the reward for winning
that division be you're in the playoffs and a home game.
(23:26):
There was some discussion potentially about you know, if you
were five hundred or less and you won that division,
should you also get the home game. I think there
was some interest in that also, but I think the
reality is it was very healthy. I think there'll be
more discussion of it as we look at our season structure.
There will probably be a lot of discussion in that
context also as we do that. But I do think,
(23:49):
you know, it's that constant work to be more competitive
and to find new ways to create interest in the game.
So I was really pleased with the discussion this morning.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
There are some division purists, as Mike Tomlin described himself yesterday,
and who think based upon especially all the schedule is
set up now, which is heavily weighted toward not just
division games, but teams within a division all playing the
same teams throughout the course of the season. Here tre
Rodrignello proposed some potential alternatives to that, including the teams
below five hundred. It's obviously they're at least thinking through
(24:22):
this debate that could now go to a vote in May.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
I would say, of all the developments, say, this is
probably the most surprising saw this on the docket.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I know we've discussed this.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
I know NFL owners have discussed it a couple of
different times. It has never advanced to the point of, well,
actually maybe it might pass. That's kind of where we are.
They're going to table it, They're going to go over
everything and rediscuss it. In May, when you're hosting a
big party before the league meetings in Minneapolis, and the
fact that you are in exists, you are, and the
fact that the NFL owners are now considering this, to
(24:51):
me is noworthy Mike, and you try to read the
tea leaves on these things. You try to figure out
where it's headed. Raise the possibility that maybe a division
win under five hundred somehow doesn't get to host and
if there's any justification to basically changing the seat, and
that would be it as a team essentially won the
division but doesn't earn it. But it really opens the
(25:14):
door to the kind of seating or reseeding, or maybe
you get through the wild card round and then you
reseed after the kind of things that the NFL has
never had and never embraced. But you know, if there
is an eighteen game season, this is all going to
be a topic for discussion.
Speaker 5 (25:29):
Again, Well, some five hundred teams that have hosted games
in the playoffs. It could come up with a couple
of the Seahawks. The Beast Quake game was against an
eleven win Saints team. They wound up winning that in
large part because of the home field advantage. The Panthers
were seven eight one year they beat the Cardinals at
home in the playoffs, and it's like, does that valid
date that they should have had the home game or
(25:50):
does that say, oh, well, they didn't really deserve it.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
And they got that advantage so that helped them win.
They it must be with Roger Goodell means.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
This is the kind of stuff that they were talking about,
and it might be weird that a nine to eight
team would host, but yet an eight to nine team wouldn't.
But the fact that this is still, as Tom mentioned,
tabled and not rejected means that there's more support maybe
than we've had in the past for this one. So
it's going to be an interesting discussion come May, and
it may not be for the twenty twenty five season.
It may not be voted on, It may it may
(26:18):
be just something that it just continues to be pushed
forward and talked about and further honed, so they get
to the point where everybody's comfortable.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Whatever enough getting to an eighteen game schedule. Two, is
that dog keeps parking over there? Don't we love an underdog?
That's why they can get to those teams that's a
regular dog. But yes, you're also talking about potentially needing
to rethink the entire scheduling process here in terms of
if you're going to go to a divisionless seeding format,
do you also then strip out some of the way
to division stuff, because right now almost all your games
(26:48):
are based on it's the same teams that you play
that the rest of your division plays, orts games within
your division. There's a lot of different tentacles to this,
but again, the fact that it's still alive suggests that
maybe there are some people here who are in favor
of thinking of something that doesn't have a fourteen win
team going on the road for a playoff game.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Like last year.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
There are also some interesting developments too from Roger Gell
today involving some thoughts on flag football.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
Well, I've heard directly from a lot of players who
want to participate and represent their country, whether it's the
United States or a country that they came from to
have them participate in that, and I think that's something
that we'll continue the discussions with, not just the union
but also the clubs. I think both of those are
things that will probably resolve sometime in the next sixty days.
(27:38):
But I do think the Olympics is a critical moment
for us in the flag development on a global basis. Listen,
the Olympics are the pinnacle of international sport, and for
us to be able to participate in that, to have
both men and women's flag teams participating from around the
world is a significant moment for us. So there is
(28:00):
a lot of lead up to that in the qualifications
and how that happens. So that is clearly inspiring some
of the work, but I think what you're seeing on
the state level is really unrelated to that. It's just
a demand.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
The twenty twenty five NFL Draft, presented by bud Light,
is just twenty three days away. All kicks off Thursday,
April twenty fourth, at eight pm Eastern at lambeau Field
in Green Bay. Catch every draft pick right here on
NFL Network and streaming on NFL Plus. Big draft for
the Bears, who already had a pretty big off season
(28:34):
in the works, first the hiring the Ben Johnson, then
signing three fifths of a starting offensive line, adding a
couple of big guys up front as well. Big piece
of this, though, is going to be their new head
coach who joined me earlier today, Ben, the first time
as a head coach down here at the NFL Annual Meeting.
Speaker 7 (28:51):
What do you think of all this, man, I tell
you what I think. It was the first day.
Speaker 11 (28:56):
That I was sitting in in one of those meetings,
and it was a little bit surreal just seeing all
the head coaches and the gms all in the same room.
Very grateful for it, Grateful for the McCaskey family providing
the resources for us to come down. And it's been
a great week so far since.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
We talked at the combine.
Speaker 1 (29:12):
You added a whole lot of beef to your offensive line,
two trades, a big free agency and just tell me
about the philosophy of why you attacked the interior.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
The way you did well.
Speaker 11 (29:21):
The game's still won in the trench, as simple as that,
and so we feel really good about the guys that
we brought in. Gives us the flexibility to run the ball,
pass protection needed to get a little bit better than
what it was last year in Chicago, and so I
feel strongly that we were able to augment that part
of the game for us, and I think we'll see
a better version of Caleb this year because of that.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
When you have perhaps hopefully less inside pressure. How much
does that impact the way that Caleb is able to
play in the park.
Speaker 11 (29:48):
Yeah, I mean, certainly this day and age, you almost
feel like those three techniques, the interior rush can have
as much, if not more impact on a quarterback, particularly
a young quarterback who's trying to see down the field
then the edge guys, and so what we're trying to
do is we're trying to keep that depth of the
pocket sound for him so that he's able to get
through his progression and extend the play if needed.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
I'm sure there are a lot of analytics people who
are excited to hear you talking about expected points added
per play in there. How do you look at that
and how does it apply to the way that you
scheme on a week to week basis.
Speaker 11 (30:19):
Yeah, So I first got into that last year and
we were just looking for ways to simply raise that
number for us, and so it was how do we
how do we get a higher completion percentage. I think
he saw with Jared he had probably a career high
in terms of completion percentage and also augmenting the run
after catch with our pass catchers as well. So it's
(30:39):
something we talked about as something we drilled, and I
want to say that we were pretty good a year
ago in that department in Detroit, and so something i'd
love to carry over here to Chicago.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
I don't know if you've seen that social media meme
of you your introductory press conversations, like a month later,
it's like bad lighting. Oh man, Ben, It's like this
job is really taking a toll lot him already. You
seem energetic. How are you feeling right now?
Speaker 7 (30:59):
I feel great.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
I feel great.
Speaker 7 (31:00):
It's just I don't sleep very much, but so goes life.
Speaker 6 (31:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
So you're gonna get the guys in the building for
the first time in about a week here. What's going
to be your message to them day one about what
this version of the Bears is all about?
Speaker 7 (31:10):
Yeah, listen, it's a completely different year.
Speaker 11 (31:13):
So I know last year didn't go the way that
a lot of them wanted it to go. But we're
going to start fresh. We're going to keep the standard
very high for him. We're going to set that bar high.
We're we're gonna push toward it each and every day.
Have fun, Ben, Thanks, thank you Here.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
With Niner's owner Jed York.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Happy April Fol's Day.
Speaker 12 (31:31):
But thanks man, you're looking really handsome today.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Okay, I got Yeah, see I got the joke right there.
Your off season, you've had to make some tough decisions
because you're at the point now where you know that
there's a quarterback extension.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Coming for Brock Party. How did you approach this offseason?
Speaker 5 (31:46):
Did you kind of expect that it would kind of go
the way that.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
It has so far?
Speaker 12 (31:49):
Yeah, I mean we knew that we had to make
sacrifices around the roster to make sure that you can
pay quarterback.
Speaker 7 (31:55):
Right Like, it's just math.
Speaker 12 (31:57):
And I've been in situations where you have great roster
and the quarterback isn't set and it's hard to have
sustained success. We want to make sure that Brock is
a long term partner. We want to make sure that
he's a part of our team for a long time.
And it's a decision. I don't know exactly when we
made it. But it was somewhere in the middle of
the season, knowing that you can start negotiating at the
(32:18):
end of the third year and it's like, all right,
he's our guy, and if he's our guy, you have
to know that and make those decisions. And that's where
we are right now.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
So it was in the middle of last season where
you guys as a front office and an organization said,
this is our guy, We're committing to him.
Speaker 7 (32:31):
What did you see at that point that led.
Speaker 6 (32:32):
You to have that conversation.
Speaker 12 (32:33):
I mean everything that he's done so far, right, Like,
he's been great on the field, he's been great off
the field. And it wasn't like just sit down in
whatever it was November or I can't remember when our
buy was. But that's genuinely when you we'll have those
types of conversations but you're not getting deep into free agency.
But it's like, look, is anybody opposed to doing Brock
And it's like, no, like you have to. I mean
(32:55):
last year, I think he was like the thirtieth highest
paid college quarterback, right, So when guys with nil are
making more than a third year NFL pro, like, there's
something wrong with the system with not being able to
extend guys earlier in the NFL, right, we change that
in the CBA. I think it was a twenty eleven CBA,
(33:17):
and we were a team that did it with Frank
or Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, several others in a generation
past forty nine ers, And we always want to extend
our guys early that you know are going to be
a part of it. I wish we could have done
something earlier with Brock. That's just not how the rules work.
Speaker 5 (33:34):
I know you guys don't want to negotiate through the media,
but you've made it clear that you expect something to
get done. How productive have the conversations been to this.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
Point, And I think they've been good.
Speaker 12 (33:42):
Like it's not conversations that I'm having right, Like I've
seen Brock a few times at the facility, like everything
is great, everything is cordial, and again like he's got
to make a decision of what he wants to do. Like, well,
I don't think we're that far apart. I think we
can sit down and get something done. But whenever he's ready,
we're ready.
Speaker 5 (33:58):
And if it's something that we last through the off season,
because sometimes these things drag out a little bit. You're
confident that he'll be able to do what he needs
to do this offseason without the D.
Speaker 12 (34:07):
I mean, I don't think anything is going to face
Brock and that's what you love about him. And when
he's ready to do something, when he's ready to be
a long term partner with the Niners, then we're ready
to have him.
Speaker 5 (34:16):
Last one for you, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. You've
professed your confidence in both of them as head coach
and general manager.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
How do you assess.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Where they are right now and what they're able to
do with this roster to get you back to being
a Super Bowl contender.
Speaker 12 (34:29):
Okay, I mean there's no one I would rather work
with the Kyle and John. They're the best in the
league of what they do. I love working with him.
I love going to work with them. And when you
have challenging circumstances like we have this offseason or anything else,
there's no one that you won the trenches with you
more than those two guys.
Speaker 7 (34:45):
Appreciate Jed, Thanks man.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
The NFL Draft presented by Bud Light is coming to
Green Bay and it's your chance to witness the future
the game for free experience. The history of Lambeoufield, see
the Vince Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl rings, and meet
nnevel players and legends. The NFL Draft starts April twenty
fourth in Green Bay. Register for free entry at nfl
dot com slash Draft Access today. Push push Man is
(35:09):
tabled for now, but Dan Quinn talked about it with
our guys Steve Weitsch.
Speaker 9 (35:13):
What are your thoughts on kind of where this should go?
Speaker 13 (35:17):
Yeah, My thoughts are like, I have to spend time
how do we stop this? And it's as a coach,
it's good because it pushes you into new spots and
how do you look at things differently? And so whether
that was our time in Dallas, you know, kind of
when we're competing against Philadelphia now here. As a commander,
so I spend way more time thinking about how to
stop it, what unique things can you do?
Speaker 7 (35:40):
And so that's where you know, I land on that.
Speaker 9 (35:42):
Well, we did see the Frankie Louvu, the Louvu leap,
we'll call.
Speaker 6 (35:46):
That right there.
Speaker 9 (35:47):
I mean, was that him being instinctive or was that
something you guys kind of strategically planned.
Speaker 13 (35:51):
We plan that, okay, And Frankie's got unique skill set too,
and so it takes timing to go over the top.
And we knew at that part of the field it's
worth you know, a penalty that may move you know
less than yes, and so you go take your shot
to take your timing. It wasn't something you know that
we would have done, you know, backed up where you
(36:11):
would concede a first down, but in that space like
you want to go for it and scratch and fight
and claw for like any moment to go make your stops.
And it's also what Frankie's about, and so he's the
ideal person you know, to implement into that technique.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Let's let's kind of move forward a little bit.
Speaker 9 (36:29):
You guys make the trade for Laramie Tunsel to get
him at left tackle when that presented itself, Yeah, how
did you all factor how he would help your offense
and how he would figure in it what Cliff likes
to do.
Speaker 13 (36:40):
Yeah, it was it was such an easy uh yes
when Adam you know, approached me on it. Competing against
Laramie for years, he's been one of the most difficult
guys to rush against. He's got such patience and length
that he's hard to you know, to work and get
an edge on So to add that type of person
at a cornerstone position, that's a really big deal for us.
Speaker 9 (37:01):
Think about that type of person, Deebo Samuel Right, we
know how much of a.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Threat he is.
Speaker 9 (37:05):
When you add a chess piece like him to this offense,
how much do you think that alleviates some of the
stuff on Jaden and puts pressure on opposing defenses?
Speaker 13 (37:14):
Say, as much as anything. I absolutely love that we're
adding a dog ass competitor to our group, competing against him,
tackling plans, alignments, you know, screen game, downfield shots.
Speaker 7 (37:30):
This is a real competitor.
Speaker 13 (37:31):
And so to be able to ligne him into different
locations and feature him into that way with the crew
that we already have, it's a big deal.
Speaker 6 (37:39):
All right.
Speaker 9 (37:40):
Now, let's get to Jaden right year one, right, came in,
did his thing.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Year two.
Speaker 9 (37:44):
Everyone's just like, hey, there's film on him, there's this
and that. We talk about two pieces you added to
help him. But what have you seen maybe in his
notorious grind as he prepares for the second season.
Speaker 13 (37:54):
I think that's the thing that people don't see, the
unseen work. When I say that he puts it in
like he really is committed to being excellent, and that's
in every phase and all that he does. I've said
before he had the right blend of confidence and humility.
I think it's also those same two traits that allow
(38:15):
him to continue to find the next spot and the
next thing that he wants to get better at, and
I have no doubt that.
Speaker 6 (38:21):
He will great appreciate it. You que Thanks guys.
Speaker 1 (38:25):
Have I mentioned the discussion about banning the tush push
has been brotherly shoved back to the next league meeting.
I'm wanna milk that one more time. We'll talk about
these rule changes and have some fun with spelling. Stick
around and see Insiders. Coming up next. Right after the
(38:46):
Insiders is Mock Draft Live. Our experts deliver their latest
draft projections. Find out where the next wave of NFL
stars will land, or at least where they say they
might land. Yeah, because it's a mock draft, Mock Draft Live,
don't miss it.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
That's next. We're down here at the NFL annual meeting,
where there was a.
Speaker 1 (39:03):
Lot of discussion but no vote on banning the tush push.
That proposal by the packers has been tabled until May.
Interesting comments both by coaches as well as Commissioner Roger
Goodell about different variations, including perhaps reinstituting the language that
was removed a couple decades ago.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
About any pushing or pulling. We'll pick that up in Minneapolis.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
In mid May, owners did approve further changes to the
dynamic kickoff rule, the most notable of which we'll have
touchbacks coming out to the thirty five yard line instead
of the thirty, a change that everyone involved anticipates is
going to lead to a lot more returns, they hope,
with the same reduced injury rate. Also approved was a
proposal to apply the playoff overtime rules to the regular season,
(39:49):
in which both teams would be guaranteed a chance to
possess the football, unless, of course, since.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
It was modified from fifteen minutes.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
To ten minutes, one team holds it for the entirety
that ten minutes and scores, in which case you lose.
Speaker 2 (40:03):
Two bad day, sir, Welcome back to the insiders. Tom Pilla,
Sero and Rappaport. Mike Garao.
Speaker 1 (40:08):
It's been a long day, and apparently in tonight that's
said really uh down quickly here.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
It's almost like it was an hour in Palm Beach.
Speaker 5 (40:15):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (40:15):
We covered a lot of ground, obviously, rules changes, availabilities,
talking to all the coaches throughout the course of the day,
but really our day began with a little slice of
humble pie.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
Spell rapoport r A P p A p.
Speaker 7 (40:33):
O r t it's a complete disaster, not even close
la r r A f O l O. That is close,
but also in hellasero p e l.
Speaker 2 (40:50):
I s A r o.
Speaker 7 (40:53):
It's completely run.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
I and I did not get an answer when after
we watched that entire thing live and I said to you,
spell iSER Rochelle.
Speaker 2 (41:02):
He didn't attend to there you want right now. Here's
what I don't understand. You had like ten hours I
google it.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
He's all over TikTok here Isaac.
Speaker 4 (41:10):
Rochell Here's what I don't understand. My name is not
very complicated, okay. And people say, oh, I know how
to spell it. There's two p's and there are two p's,
but what they mean is three piece.
Speaker 2 (41:21):
The wrong way that Jamie spelled it.
Speaker 4 (41:23):
They think it's r A P p A that's wrong.
And for Jamie to know me for a long time,
I see me on twin and many other places.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
He did not even know how to spell. My name
is ridiculous? Is it not ridiculous? E r d a
h L b r A.
Speaker 5 (41:38):
N d T s c h r O window Oh sorry, ESPN.
I was gonna do Schrigger. Yeah, no, we get it,
we get it. Yeah, well we get it. Your name
is hard, but what's your name too? And they not
follow us.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
I had a great hope there for I S A
A c R O c e h e l L.
He got through the first five letters and then it
was just all downhill from there.
Speaker 4 (42:05):
So I was gonna be much more insulting if I
had tried to spell it, so I kept my mouth.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
Should tag anybody directed to April fools, gag at him.
Speaker 2 (42:11):
That's your group, the four people you just saw, not
the three of us. We got to even say un
locked insiders. Back to borrow, stir upper back there fly
see it
Probably only fitting that the vote to potentially ban THEUSH
push has been pushed back to May. No vote taken
at the NFL annual meeting, but some compelling reasons given
for why they could consider it again.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Jerry Jones giving reasons you can.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Debate how compelling for why the Michael Parson's contract is
not done yet.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Jerry says he's willing to pay more to get.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
More information, which sounds like Michael Parson's getting more money.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
We'll tell you where things stand.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
We also heard from Steeler's owner Art Rooney today, who
says he's feeling the positive vibes about Aaron Rodgers becoming
a Pittsburgh Steeler. No final word though yet, So where
does it land?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Aaron? Please give us an answer.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Welcome inside with the Insiders alongside Mike Garriflo and Ian
rappap I am Tom Peliicero. We got a jam packed
show here in Palm Beach today. We got Ben Johnson,
the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. He's on
the show, Dan Quinn, the Commander's head coach on the show.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Arthur Blank, Jed York. They've got some interesting.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Quarterback questions for the franchises that they own, well.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Here for them too.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
But let's start out by getting to some of the
rules that were and we're not approved. On the final
day of the NFL Annual Media the Modified Kickoff, the
latest version of the dynamic kickoff, did pass as expected,
though not with adjustments to the on side kick. Those
could be considered later, but the key up shot of
today's vote the touchbacks now will come out to the
(01:43):
thirty five instead of the thirty, which people involved believe
is going to lead to a lot more returns and
they hope the same low injury rate.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
In twenty twenty five, NFL.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Also approved a change to the overtime rules, applying the
playoff overtime rules in which both teams have the opportunity
to possess the football to the regular season, standardizing that
across all games.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
However, they also tweaked it.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
It's now a ten minute overtime, not the fifteen minute
overtime that had been proposed. Could that mean that people
who run four minute drills e It'll have all.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
The analysis on that Momentarily.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
We also had a bylaw proposal by the Lions that
got tabled involving the possibility of reseting the playoff field
if in fact the division winners do not have the
best records in their conference table. Is fascinating because this
was a proposal that's come up several times in the past,
really hasn't had any momentum this time around. It sounds
(02:41):
like the Competition Committe is going to bring something that
also could be at a vote in may Or. The
NFL media that packed the tenth all week here in
Palm Beach will be packing it in Minneapolis as well,
because the push push debate is headed for another round.
Strong opinions voice on both sides by coaches at their
(03:02):
media availabilities this week on the possibility of banning that play,
here's what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had to say.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Well, listen, I think we're not looking at this as
the context of one team. We're looking at is a
particular play that may have an increased potential for injuries.
As I said before, one of the things we're looking
back is the rule we had prior to two thousand
and four that didn't allow a lot of that poll
(03:31):
or push anywhere on the field, and some of those
hits happen outside of a tush push, and that's one
of the things we want the committee to go back
and look at with our health and safety teamort to
look at those incidents and should our role be broader
than just a tush push. And that's something they're going
(03:52):
to bring back to the membership in May.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
So Rich McKay, the Competition Committee chairman, said, or the
reason they got rid of that no pushing, no pulling
rule twenty one years ago was it was really hard
for officials to officiate it when you got down the field. However,
there appears to be a real appetite ian for something
to change here and by reinstating that language and will
all of them say this is not about the touch push, This.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Is about the broader safety issues.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Something the Competition Committee and the NFL ownership doesn't want
to do is take something that one or two teams do,
change the rule based only on that. Now, it seems
at its face, if the toushbush has changed, that's what
it would be. It's the Eagles, it's the Bills, not
a ton of other teams running, not a ton of
other teams have success. It would really be those two.
But as you mentioned, Tim, if they are going to
(04:39):
go back to the twenty fourteen language. They would basically
be opening up, broadening the rule and saying no pushing,
not on the toush push, but at all, no pulling.
It would basically be going back to what they had before.
The momentum of this one has been really fascinating. It
started with the conversation of health and safety. There's not
enough data. We know that they've discussed that plenty of times,
(05:00):
but in the event of a catastrophic injury, they don't
want to be reacted. They want to be proactive. Say
this is a play that looks dangerous, so therefore potentially
discuss banning it. And then the conversation kind of changed
a little bit. Mike say, you know what, maybe this
doesn't look like a football play. Maybe this looks more
like a rugby play. We'll pick this back up in May.
(05:21):
But just reading the tea leaves now, it does appear
change on some level is coming to the toush push.
Speaker 5 (05:27):
The Eagles would disagree and tell you that there is
plenty of data because this play has been run for
four years now.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
The question to thank you right on.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Time, the can you translated and pushing a toush that's
very easy.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
That's a timp peach.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
It's a peach, guys, not your first day on social media, right, fair,
this is fair. We're gonna leave it there, all right.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
So they'll say there's plenty of data. Matter of fact, Jeffrey.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Lourie said that and said, we have voted in the
past for rules changes in the name of help and safety.
They don't feel like this is really the case when
you say there's not enough data. When will there be
enough data when there's an injury, Because this is more
about a proactive health and safety approach. So Jeffrey LORII
and the Eagles obviously disappointed. Howie Roseman says, we had
the data set it in the meeting. We have the
(06:15):
data and it shows that it's not a dangerous play.
We've run it more than everybody. We've never had an injury.
Now you've had some of this that jumping over the pile.
Chris Jones got hurt in the Super Bowl because he
was trying to defend it by going sideways while everybody
else was going forward. It's going to be an interesting
discussion in may. I do think making it all encompassing, though,
is going to help get a lot more support when
they rewrite it in that regard and drive.
Speaker 6 (06:37):
Pitch in that way.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
A small sample size here, I think it's what they're
referring to with the lack of data. In other words, yes,
we'd run hundreds of times in the past several years,
but not tens of thousands of times like other plays.
Speaker 7 (06:47):
They generally move.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
In cavelly the key phrase there for Roger Goodell's injury mechanism.
They're saying that there is the evidence that it could
become a dangerous play.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
You also, when the Eagles.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Decide to drop back, the pass can just turn loose
the pass rush. Let the Cowboys tend to do with
Michael Parsons, who is entering the final year of his
rookie contract, will make twenty four million dollars in twenty
twenty five if he does not have a new deal
in place, which remains the case because Jerry Jones, you'll
be shocked to find out he's wanted to take a time.
Speaker 6 (07:18):
We are there.
Speaker 7 (07:19):
I don't view it as urgent at all.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
And you know, some say, well, using the basis that
you get something done the cheaper, whether orly you get
something done, A lot of times, the more mistakes you might,
and you might want to see a few more cards playing,
not just with that particular negotiation, but with the whole team.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Time now for count on it presented by Toro Mike.
We know we can count on. Jerry Jones wanted all
those leaves to fall, more dominoes, more information. He is taking,
as usual, a very deliberate approach two negotiations that also
includes him talking directly to.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
The player involved, yes, and basically stating that he and
Michael Parsons had an agreement on some of the overarching
pieces of the deal and saying I don't even know
his agent's name, basically suggesting he hasn't had negotiations with him. Well,
it's two agents, David Mulligeta and Andre otom You've heard
the name Mulligeda before. He represents a number of high
(08:24):
profile clients. Deshaun Watson is one of them. I mentioned
him because that's one of the great contracts from a
player and an agent standpoint in recent memory. The fact
that he got that fully guaranteed. And I know a
lot of folks say, well, that's the wrong guy to
really say that about, because David's a prideful guy in
this case, and he's going to want to get the
best deal possible.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Well, now you added a little bit of fuel to
that fire.
Speaker 5 (08:44):
I just know that Jerry Jones talking directly to clients
is something that agents in the past have tried to
stop from happening. Dak Prescott did it, but Deak Prescott's
agents had faith that everything was going to be fine
and they would still be allowed to do their job.
But Jerry has done this in the past before, So
this is add a little bit of drama. Michah Parsons
tweeting that no, I trust David Willagetta to do the
negotiation and he's gonna get me the best possible deal.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It's never quiet down there. This is this is fun.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
It's never quiet. It's plenty of noise. Now, I don't
know that this will actually affect negotiations. David will get
is going to try to get the most money, the
best deal for his client, no matter what, no doubt
Michael Parson is going to be the highest paid non
quarterback when he has done. But you know the fact
that Jerry Jones said, I don't even know who his
agent is. I don't even know the name. It's one
of the most well known agents in the NFL. It
(09:29):
was just an interesting tactic early on, especially since they
haven't really dug in. What's fascinating to me is that
Jerry Jones says he wants more information. Well, Michaeh. Parsons
does too. Micah Parsons, to my understanding, would like to
see some of the other edge rushers. Top edge rushers
get paid. TJ. Watt, Aiden Hutchinson, Micah Parsons likely to
come in last. Well, if Jerry Jones wants to wait
(09:51):
and get more info, and if Micah Parsons wants to
wait and get more info, then we're all going to
wait and get more info until there's no more info
to get right up against the start of the season,
which Tom, this might seem familiar to you because the
last two massive deals the Cowboys did were right up
against it, including Dak Prescott Steel right before kickoff. I
don't know if it's going to be that dramatic for
Micah Parsons, but we are a ways away for this guy.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Stee Lamb was a long holdout last year, Zach Martin
was a long holdout the year before, and Jerry said.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
While he's confident in this deal, he also said.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
I can't tell you that it's gonna be done before
the started training camp, So tune in Knox Snart perhaps
in late July. Also waiting for more information the Steelers
because Aaron Rodgers on April first is still not made
a firm and final decision or is not communicated at
least to these Steelers about whether or not he's going
to play in Pittsburgh. You see him throwing earlier this week.
(10:42):
According to the fantastic photo stylings of Alex Amen right here,
that's pretty much came that calf one.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Of his potential. Didn't they lease this off of his
it's back now, it's.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
But first before that, Art Rooney saw it apparently and said,
it seems like everything is headed in a right directtion.
He's pretty confident here, feels positive about the way things
are going here.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Yeah, and for our ruining to say what we have
been talking about and thinking it was, there was a
lot of positivity and optimism in the air. Yes, it
does seem seem like Aaron Rodgers will eventually land with
the Steelers. That seems like the direction that's going. The
fact that he had a really positive throwing session with
DK metcalf is good. The fact that we were able
to see the video to see for ourselves is also good.
(11:26):
This all seems like it is headed toward Aaron Rodgers
being the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
However, Mike, we do not know what.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Is in Aaron rodgers head until he comes out and
says it in whatever form he says it, till he
lets the Steelers know yes, I am coming, Yes, I
will accept your offer. That sounds to me it's basically
worked out. We will be in this sort of limbo.
But this is as positive a sign as we have
seen that this will all happen.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Well.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
The Steelers are doing what few teams did and few
teams have done really in the recent years.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Which is put pressure. It's a little bit of pressure.
You think it's pressure, I think it is. I think
it is.
Speaker 5 (12:03):
Art Rudy today saying this has taken longer than he expected,
willing to wait, but not much longer. Right, Usually with
Aaron Rodgers, like nobody wants to spoo him, nobody wants
to scare him.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
It's a little bit of a walk on eggshell.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
So the Steelers today, I think we're sending a message
as suddenly as they could, saying like, let's go man,
we're getting close to the draft here.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
We got to know what's going on here.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
We're getting close offseason workouts as well.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
So Rogers has gone through the process, visiting the team,
working with DK Metcalf. I don't know what more could
be left for him to explore.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
We talked about the financials, Tom you did saying that
that was pretty much set and stone.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
There's really nothing left. His agent was here.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
We ran into him last night at the restaurant.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Restaurant huh bar, but you know that has a we're different.
We ran into but the bar. We don track. Parameters
have been discussed. It's been that was settled a month ago.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
It'll be a one year contract whenever it gets done,
following Aaron Rodgers to have.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Control over his future.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
The one thing that remains here is Aaron Rodgers telling
the Steelers I'm really comming and I'm really doing it.
And until that happens, we continue to talk about it
every night right here, bring on this very show. We
did have a deal get done earlier on today with
another high profile player who's been around for a very,
very long time. As Ian reported, Kaleis Campbell, thirty eight
(13:16):
years old, is headed back to the Cardinals. One year,
five point five million dollar deal can earn up to
seven point five million dollars with the incentives. So, Kalais
Campbell name all those former teams Ian.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Cardinals, Jaguars, Ravens, Dolphins.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Is that it? Noo? Keep going? Is that it?
Speaker 8 (13:33):
No?
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I think that's what goes bron No. No, you almost
signed with the broadcos Pree.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
Agency when he was going from Arizona to the Jaguar.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Get more of the NFL with NFL Plus, followed the
journey of future NFL stars, and stay connected throughout the
off season with coverage of the NFL Draft and more,
all in one place.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Subscribe today at plus dot nfl dot com. Terms and
conditions apply.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Kirk Cousins would have liked to know some of those
terms and conditions on the contract, including drafting.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
His replacement, like six weeks after he signed it.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
He got bench last season in favor of rookie Michael Pennix,
who now heads into.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Twenty twenty five as the starter.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
The Falcons at this point, though, have not moved on
from Cousins, but could they do that sometime in the
coming weeks.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Are Steve Woitz caught up with their owner Arthur Blank.
Speaker 6 (14:23):
All right, mister Blank.
Speaker 9 (14:24):
Of course when it comes to your team, the topic
is your backup quarterback. Kirk Cousins and I know you
and he spoke about that conversation. What was conveyed in
that conversation that relates to his future with the Falcons.
Speaker 10 (14:39):
Well, we spoke for about an hour. He asked to
chat with man. I said, of course, and I told
Kirk started the conversation. I said, look, I'm here to
really listen. I took five pages of notes, literally five
pages of notes. I think, you know, made some comments
back to them, shared some thoughts that I had from
a franchise standpoint. It It could not have been a
(15:02):
more cordial and more respectful conversation. And I heard everything
he said. I understand everything he said, and he also
understood where we.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
Were as a team and as a franchise.
Speaker 10 (15:14):
So but I think it created, you know, clarity about
what he hoped for and what his view of his
views were and what happened and why it happened, et cetera.
And uh so I think we're you know, I mean,
we're in a good, good place and and uh we
he ends up being up back of the quarterback. We
are the best in the National Football League, which is
(15:35):
always a good thing.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (15:37):
If we end up making a different decision, uh, we'll
move on. Uh, but you know we're I mean, he's
I just wanna reinforce this.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
He's been. He's been.
Speaker 10 (15:47):
You know, he could not be more of a gentleman.
I mean, sh thirteenth, fourteenth year going into the n
NFL was coming year six and six with uh, you know,
with the Commanders, and then with uh with Vikings and
one year with us. But I mean he's got, you know,
a great heart, a great spirit, he bleeds the NFL.
He's great with teammates, great with fans, very spiritual guy,
(16:10):
a great family guy. And so I mean, I mean
we'll both end up doing the right things for the
right reasons.
Speaker 6 (16:18):
It will be fine.
Speaker 9 (16:19):
Any point in that conversation did he express that he
did not want to be with the Falcons.
Speaker 10 (16:23):
Well, I think he made it clear that, you know,
in his best interests would be to have an opportunity
to you know, test free agency.
Speaker 6 (16:29):
And I understood why.
Speaker 10 (16:32):
He also understands that we've we have a contract and
we've paid him a great deal of money. He understands
that because he's really smart and economically in football. Why certainly,
so we understood our you know, our position as well.
So it was I mean it was a very very cordial,
(16:53):
good listening conversation. I did most of the listening, uh,
he did some. Uh, and we ended up you know,
being in a good place, I think, and we'll see great.
Speaker 9 (17:02):
So let's get to your young quarterback, Michael Pennix. You know,
not too far from this time ago last year when
you guys drafted and people like what are the Falcons do?
And they designed Kirk Cousins. But now just you know,
in hindsight kind of just how good of a decision
that turned out being what about now him going into
the season as your starter and your expectations of him.
Speaker 10 (17:23):
Well, we were, you know, we were in a situation
last year and we had, you know, being really clear
amongst the football folks and myself that we definitely didn't
want to go into another ABYSS without franchise quarterback. We
definitely felt Kirk could play for at least two years,
maybe longer at a very high level, and no reason
(17:44):
to think that would not be the case, That every
reason to think that would be the case. But you know,
we said, sometime in the next couple of years, this year,
next year, this is last year, we need to draft
the quarterback who we know we can transition to. And
other teams have done asfully in the NFL, like the
Packers is a good example, and we want to make
(18:05):
sure we did. I'm a big believer in succession planning,
both in business and in terms of football football football business.
So I think our operations folks are personnel folks. Our
coaching staff when they you know, went to old quarterbacks
last year, they picked this guy out as having an
incredible talent. I mean they loved the first two guys
(18:26):
that would pick last year. We loved them too, Williams
and Daniels, both extraordinarily talented players.
Speaker 6 (18:34):
But we had Pinics.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
You know.
Speaker 10 (18:36):
It's not that we didn't have Drake May up there too,
but we had Pinics, you know, as a armed talent,
somebody very very high. And I think when he became,
you know, became available, we didn't think he was gonna
be available at eight. I think the franchise made a decision,
let's let's you know, draft that.
Speaker 6 (18:53):
Quarterback and you know, and have him in the room.
We'll learn from a.
Speaker 10 (18:56):
Great veteran over the next couple of years, and we'll
transition to him that the you know, at the right time.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Whatever that might be.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
Turned out to be much quicker than you know, any
of us anticipated. But during the three game stretch, Michael
performed well and so we have high helps for him.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Right now, let's change gears a little bit.
Speaker 9 (19:14):
Yeah, okay, you're part owner of the td L Golf
Club in Atlanta to borrow Golf League guys just won,
right the initial championship, right, I know golf is a
huge passion of yours. What about though, being a top
of the league to start this thing off.
Speaker 10 (19:31):
Well, just to clarify, I'm not the part owner.
Speaker 6 (19:33):
I am the owner.
Speaker 10 (19:34):
So yeah, you have information so that we have a
few of the you know, limited partners, which are great
and their involvement is really appreciated.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
I'm a huge.
Speaker 10 (19:44):
Believer in tg L. You know, the idea was really
started by Tiger and Rory McElroy and UH and Michae McCauley,
who was a CEO came out Golf.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
Channel and NBC ET cetera.
Speaker 10 (19:55):
And because I think it brings a wider diversity, younger,
younger audience into the game of golf sooner and attracts
a different demographic than we currently have that'll be watching
the Villero Open this week and then the Masters next week,
et cetera. And it's done in a way and a
simulated golf format inside of a building as about as
(20:16):
big as a football field, with getting to know the
players better. They're all miked up, so you hear the
interaction between the teams and then between teams to teams
you hear those interactions as well. I think it gives
the players a chance to express themselves their personality much
more fully. Resow a lot of that with rtgl landa
Drive players this year, Build a Horselow.
Speaker 6 (20:37):
Patrick can't Ley, Justin Thomas.
Speaker 10 (20:39):
Lucas glover All did a fabulous job playing, but also
did a defabulous job relating to the crowd that was
in the building about fifteen hundred and to the roughly
seven hundred eight hundred thousand that view this sport. Untie
on ESPN, who was a great partner for us.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Some big changes at the NFL Annual Media, including another
the dynamic kickoff, got any complaints about it, don't lodge
with Mike. He can't fix it. We'll talk about some
of these rule changes next on the Insiders.
Speaker 11 (21:12):
Out thinking about.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
A lot of discussion, but no vote on the banning
of the tush push, which now a debate that's been
push back to the next league meeting, which is in
mid May in Minneapolis. Coaches a voice strong opinions on
both sides of the debate. Roder Goodell referred in part
to injury risk, specifically injury mechanisms that exists, even though
(21:41):
there's no data the show injuries are occurring on the play.
More discussion to come ahead. The NFL owners did vote
in favor of another modification to the dynamic kickoff rule.
The touchbacks now will come out to the thirty five
instead of the thirty yard line, disincentivizing teams from kicking
the ball through the zone. The optimism is that that
(22:01):
will lead to more returns while continuing to keep the
injury low thanks to the reduced space and speed on
that play. NFL owners also voted to approve a playoff
overtime then now will also apply to regular season overtime.
Both teams having the opportunity to possess the ball. However,
there's also a modification. Instead of a fifteen minute overtime,
(22:24):
it will be a ten minute overtime, which does raise
the specter of somebody just trying to eat the entire
ten minute clock. Rich Packay was asked specifically about that
scenario and said, if one team holds the ball all
ten minutes, sorry that opportunity to possess it involved you
playing a little bit of defense. Another proposal that was
push involving the reseting of the playoff teams. This one
(22:46):
proposed by the Lions solely by record and not giving
the division winners all a home game was interesting. This
was tabled not rejected, because it's come up many times
in the past, and according to Roger Goodell, there was
a really interesting conversation.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
There was some great data to show that we should
really look at some form of this or some version
of this, But there was also a really strong point
of view that winning the division was the number one thing,
that when you come into training camp, that's the goal.
Win that division first, and should the reward for winning
that division be you're in the playoffs and a home game.
(23:26):
There was some discussion potentially about you know, if you
were five hundred or less and you won that division,
should you also get the home game. I think there
was some interest in that also, but I think the
reality is it was very healthy. I think there'll be
more discussion of it as we look at our season structure.
There will probably be a lot of discussion in that
context also as we do that. But I do think,
(23:49):
you know, it's that constant work to be more competitive
and to find new ways to create interest in the game.
So I was really pleased with the discussion this morning.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
There are some division purists, as Mike Tomlin described himself yesterday,
and who think based upon especially all the schedule is
set up now, which is heavily weighted toward not just
division games, but teams within a division all playing the
same teams throughout the course of the season. Here tre
Rodrignello proposed some potential alternatives to that, including the teams
below five hundred. It's obviously they're at least thinking through
(24:22):
this debate that could now go to a vote in May.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
I would say, of all the developments, say, this is
probably the most surprising saw this on the docket.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I know we've discussed this.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
I know NFL owners have discussed it a couple of
different times. It has never advanced to the point of, well,
actually maybe it might pass. That's kind of where we are.
They're going to table it, They're going to go over
everything and rediscuss it. In May, when you're hosting a
big party before the league meetings in Minneapolis, and the
fact that you are in exists, you are, and the
fact that the NFL owners are now considering this, to
(24:51):
me is noworthy Mike, and you try to read the
tea leaves on these things. You try to figure out
where it's headed. Raise the possibility that maybe a division
win under five hundred somehow doesn't get to host and
if there's any justification to basically changing the seat, and
that would be it as a team essentially won the
division but doesn't earn it. But it really opens the
(25:14):
door to the kind of seating or reseeding, or maybe
you get through the wild card round and then you
reseed after the kind of things that the NFL has
never had and never embraced. But you know, if there
is an eighteen game season, this is all going to
be a topic for discussion.
Speaker 5 (25:29):
Again, Well, some five hundred teams that have hosted games
in the playoffs. It could come up with a couple
of the Seahawks. The Beast Quake game was against an
eleven win Saints team. They wound up winning that in
large part because of the home field advantage. The Panthers
were seven eight one year they beat the Cardinals at
home in the playoffs, and it's like, does that valid
date that they should have had the home game or
(25:50):
does that say, oh, well, they didn't really deserve it.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
And they got that advantage so that helped them win.
They it must be with Roger Goodell means.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
This is the kind of stuff that they were talking about,
and it might be weird that a nine to eight
team would host, but yet an eight to nine team wouldn't.
But the fact that this is still, as Tom mentioned,
tabled and not rejected means that there's more support maybe
than we've had in the past for this one. So
it's going to be an interesting discussion come May, and
it may not be for the twenty twenty five season.
It may not be voted on, It may it may
(26:18):
be just something that it just continues to be pushed
forward and talked about and further honed, so they get
to the point where everybody's comfortable.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Whatever enough getting to an eighteen game schedule. Two, is
that dog keeps parking over there? Don't we love an underdog?
That's why they can get to those teams that's a
regular dog. But yes, you're also talking about potentially needing
to rethink the entire scheduling process here in terms of
if you're going to go to a divisionless seeding format,
do you also then strip out some of the way
to division stuff, because right now almost all your games
(26:48):
are based on it's the same teams that you play
that the rest of your division plays, orts games within
your division. There's a lot of different tentacles to this,
but again, the fact that it's still alive suggests that
maybe there are some people here who are in favor
of thinking of something that doesn't have a fourteen win
team going on the road for a playoff game.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Like last year.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
There are also some interesting developments too from Roger Gell
today involving some thoughts on flag football.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
Well, I've heard directly from a lot of players who
want to participate and represent their country, whether it's the
United States or a country that they came from to
have them participate in that, and I think that's something
that we'll continue the discussions with, not just the union
but also the clubs. I think both of those are
things that will probably resolve sometime in the next sixty days.
(27:38):
But I do think the Olympics is a critical moment
for us in the flag development on a global basis. Listen,
the Olympics are the pinnacle of international sport, and for
us to be able to participate in that, to have
both men and women's flag teams participating from around the
world is a significant moment for us. So there is
(28:00):
a lot of lead up to that in the qualifications
and how that happens. So that is clearly inspiring some
of the work, but I think what you're seeing on
the state level is really unrelated to that. It's just
a demand.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
The twenty twenty five NFL Draft, presented by bud Light,
is just twenty three days away. All kicks off Thursday,
April twenty fourth, at eight pm Eastern at lambeau Field
in Green Bay. Catch every draft pick right here on
NFL Network and streaming on NFL Plus. Big draft for
the Bears, who already had a pretty big off season
(28:34):
in the works, first the hiring the Ben Johnson, then
signing three fifths of a starting offensive line, adding a
couple of big guys up front as well. Big piece
of this, though, is going to be their new head
coach who joined me earlier today, Ben, the first time
as a head coach down here at the NFL Annual Meeting.
Speaker 7 (28:51):
What do you think of all this, man, I tell
you what I think. It was the first day.
Speaker 11 (28:56):
That I was sitting in in one of those meetings,
and it was a little bit surreal just seeing all
the head coaches and the gms all in the same room.
Very grateful for it, Grateful for the McCaskey family providing
the resources for us to come down. And it's been
a great week so far since.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
We talked at the combine.
Speaker 1 (29:12):
You added a whole lot of beef to your offensive line,
two trades, a big free agency and just tell me
about the philosophy of why you attacked the interior.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
The way you did well.
Speaker 11 (29:21):
The game's still won in the trench, as simple as that,
and so we feel really good about the guys that
we brought in. Gives us the flexibility to run the ball,
pass protection needed to get a little bit better than
what it was last year in Chicago, and so I
feel strongly that we were able to augment that part
of the game for us, and I think we'll see
a better version of Caleb this year because of that.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
When you have perhaps hopefully less inside pressure. How much
does that impact the way that Caleb is able to
play in the park.
Speaker 11 (29:48):
Yeah, I mean, certainly this day and age, you almost
feel like those three techniques, the interior rush can have
as much, if not more impact on a quarterback, particularly
a young quarterback who's trying to see down the field
then the edge guys, and so what we're trying to
do is we're trying to keep that depth of the
pocket sound for him so that he's able to get
through his progression and extend the play if needed.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
I'm sure there are a lot of analytics people who
are excited to hear you talking about expected points added
per play in there. How do you look at that
and how does it apply to the way that you
scheme on a week to week basis.
Speaker 11 (30:19):
Yeah, So I first got into that last year and
we were just looking for ways to simply raise that
number for us, and so it was how do we
how do we get a higher completion percentage. I think
he saw with Jared he had probably a career high
in terms of completion percentage and also augmenting the run
after catch with our pass catchers as well. So it's
(30:39):
something we talked about as something we drilled, and I
want to say that we were pretty good a year
ago in that department in Detroit, and so something i'd
love to carry over here to Chicago.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
I don't know if you've seen that social media meme
of you your introductory press conversations, like a month later,
it's like bad lighting. Oh man, Ben, It's like this
job is really taking a toll lot him already. You
seem energetic. How are you feeling right now?
Speaker 7 (30:59):
I feel great.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
I feel great.
Speaker 7 (31:00):
It's just I don't sleep very much, but so goes life.
Speaker 6 (31:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
So you're gonna get the guys in the building for
the first time in about a week here. What's going
to be your message to them day one about what
this version of the Bears is all about?
Speaker 7 (31:10):
Yeah, listen, it's a completely different year.
Speaker 11 (31:13):
So I know last year didn't go the way that
a lot of them wanted it to go. But we're
going to start fresh. We're going to keep the standard
very high for him. We're going to set that bar high.
We're we're gonna push toward it each and every day.
Have fun, Ben, Thanks, thank you Here.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
With Niner's owner Jed York.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Happy April Fol's Day.
Speaker 12 (31:31):
But thanks man, you're looking really handsome today.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Okay, I got Yeah, see I got the joke right there.
Your off season, you've had to make some tough decisions
because you're at the point now where you know that
there's a quarterback extension.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Coming for Brock Party. How did you approach this offseason?
Speaker 5 (31:46):
Did you kind of expect that it would kind of go
the way that.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
It has so far?
Speaker 12 (31:49):
Yeah, I mean we knew that we had to make
sacrifices around the roster to make sure that you can
pay quarterback.
Speaker 7 (31:55):
Right Like, it's just math.
Speaker 12 (31:57):
And I've been in situations where you have great roster
and the quarterback isn't set and it's hard to have
sustained success. We want to make sure that Brock is
a long term partner. We want to make sure that
he's a part of our team for a long time.
And it's a decision. I don't know exactly when we
made it. But it was somewhere in the middle of
the season, knowing that you can start negotiating at the
(32:18):
end of the third year and it's like, all right,
he's our guy, and if he's our guy, you have
to know that and make those decisions. And that's where
we are right now.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
So it was in the middle of last season where
you guys as a front office and an organization said,
this is our guy, We're committing to him.
Speaker 7 (32:31):
What did you see at that point that led.
Speaker 6 (32:32):
You to have that conversation.
Speaker 12 (32:33):
I mean everything that he's done so far, right, Like,
he's been great on the field, he's been great off
the field. And it wasn't like just sit down in
whatever it was November or I can't remember when our
buy was. But that's genuinely when you we'll have those
types of conversations but you're not getting deep into free agency.
But it's like, look, is anybody opposed to doing Brock
And it's like, no, like you have to. I mean
(32:55):
last year, I think he was like the thirtieth highest
paid college quarterback, right, So when guys with nil are
making more than a third year NFL pro, like, there's
something wrong with the system with not being able to
extend guys earlier in the NFL, right, we change that
in the CBA. I think it was a twenty eleven CBA,
(33:17):
and we were a team that did it with Frank
or Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, several others in a generation
past forty nine ers, And we always want to extend
our guys early that you know are going to be
a part of it. I wish we could have done
something earlier with Brock. That's just not how the rules work.
Speaker 5 (33:34):
I know you guys don't want to negotiate through the media,
but you've made it clear that you expect something to
get done. How productive have the conversations been to this.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
Point, And I think they've been good.
Speaker 12 (33:42):
Like it's not conversations that I'm having right, Like I've
seen Brock a few times at the facility, like everything
is great, everything is cordial, and again like he's got
to make a decision of what he wants to do. Like, well,
I don't think we're that far apart. I think we
can sit down and get something done. But whenever he's ready,
we're ready.
Speaker 5 (33:58):
And if it's something that we last through the off season,
because sometimes these things drag out a little bit. You're
confident that he'll be able to do what he needs
to do this offseason without the D.
Speaker 12 (34:07):
I mean, I don't think anything is going to face
Brock and that's what you love about him. And when
he's ready to do something, when he's ready to be
a long term partner with the Niners, then we're ready
to have him.
Speaker 5 (34:16):
Last one for you, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. You've
professed your confidence in both of them as head coach
and general manager.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
How do you assess.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Where they are right now and what they're able to
do with this roster to get you back to being
a Super Bowl contender.
Speaker 12 (34:29):
Okay, I mean there's no one I would rather work
with the Kyle and John. They're the best in the
league of what they do. I love working with him.
I love going to work with them. And when you
have challenging circumstances like we have this offseason or anything else,
there's no one that you won the trenches with you
more than those two guys.
Speaker 7 (34:45):
Appreciate Jed, Thanks man.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
The NFL Draft presented by Bud Light is coming to
Green Bay and it's your chance to witness the future
the game for free experience. The history of Lambeoufield, see
the Vince Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl rings, and meet
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fourth in Green Bay. Register for free entry at nfl
dot com slash Draft Access today. Push push Man is
(35:09):
tabled for now, but Dan Quinn talked about it with
our guys Steve Weitsch.
Speaker 9 (35:13):
What are your thoughts on kind of where this should go?
Speaker 13 (35:17):
Yeah, My thoughts are like, I have to spend time
how do we stop this? And it's as a coach,
it's good because it pushes you into new spots and
how do you look at things differently? And so whether
that was our time in Dallas, you know, kind of
when we're competing against Philadelphia now here. As a commander,
so I spend way more time thinking about how to
stop it, what unique things can you do?
Speaker 7 (35:40):
And so that's where you know, I land on that.
Speaker 9 (35:42):
Well, we did see the Frankie Louvu, the Louvu leap,
we'll call.
Speaker 6 (35:46):
That right there.
Speaker 9 (35:47):
I mean, was that him being instinctive or was that
something you guys kind of strategically planned.
Speaker 13 (35:51):
We plan that, okay, And Frankie's got unique skill set too,
and so it takes timing to go over the top.
And we knew at that part of the field it's
worth you know, a penalty that may move you know
less than yes, and so you go take your shot
to take your timing. It wasn't something you know that
we would have done, you know, backed up where you
(36:11):
would concede a first down, but in that space like
you want to go for it and scratch and fight
and claw for like any moment to go make your stops.
And it's also what Frankie's about, and so he's the
ideal person you know, to implement into that technique.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Let's let's kind of move forward a little bit.
Speaker 9 (36:29):
You guys make the trade for Laramie Tunsel to get
him at left tackle when that presented itself, Yeah, how
did you all factor how he would help your offense
and how he would figure in it what Cliff likes
to do.
Speaker 13 (36:40):
Yeah, it was it was such an easy uh yes
when Adam you know, approached me on it. Competing against
Laramie for years, he's been one of the most difficult
guys to rush against. He's got such patience and length
that he's hard to you know, to work and get
an edge on So to add that type of person
at a cornerstone position, that's a really big deal for us.
Speaker 9 (37:01):
Think about that type of person, Deebo Samuel Right, we
know how much of a.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Threat he is.
Speaker 9 (37:05):
When you add a chess piece like him to this offense,
how much do you think that alleviates some of the
stuff on Jaden and puts pressure on opposing defenses?
Speaker 13 (37:14):
Say, as much as anything. I absolutely love that we're
adding a dog ass competitor to our group, competing against him,
tackling plans, alignments, you know, screen game, downfield shots.
Speaker 7 (37:30):
This is a real competitor.
Speaker 13 (37:31):
And so to be able to ligne him into different
locations and feature him into that way with the crew
that we already have, it's a big deal.
Speaker 6 (37:39):
All right.
Speaker 9 (37:40):
Now, let's get to Jaden right year one, right, came in,
did his thing.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Year two.
Speaker 9 (37:44):
Everyone's just like, hey, there's film on him, there's this
and that. We talk about two pieces you added to
help him. But what have you seen maybe in his
notorious grind as he prepares for the second season.
Speaker 13 (37:54):
I think that's the thing that people don't see, the
unseen work. When I say that he puts it in
like he really is committed to being excellent, and that's
in every phase and all that he does. I've said
before he had the right blend of confidence and humility.
I think it's also those same two traits that allow
(38:15):
him to continue to find the next spot and the
next thing that he wants to get better at, and
I have no doubt that.
Speaker 6 (38:21):
He will great appreciate it. You que Thanks guys.
Speaker 1 (38:25):
Have I mentioned the discussion about banning the tush push
has been brotherly shoved back to the next league meeting.
I'm wanna milk that one more time. We'll talk about
these rule changes and have some fun with spelling. Stick
around and see Insiders. Coming up next. Right after the
(38:46):
Insiders is Mock Draft Live. Our experts deliver their latest
draft projections. Find out where the next wave of NFL
stars will land, or at least where they say they
might land. Yeah, because it's a mock draft, Mock Draft Live,
don't miss it.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
That's next. We're down here at the NFL annual meeting,
where there was a.
Speaker 1 (39:03):
Lot of discussion but no vote on banning the tush push.
That proposal by the packers has been tabled until May.
Interesting comments both by coaches as well as Commissioner Roger
Goodell about different variations, including perhaps reinstituting the language that
was removed a couple decades ago.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
About any pushing or pulling. We'll pick that up in Minneapolis.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
In mid May, owners did approve further changes to the
dynamic kickoff rule, the most notable of which we'll have
touchbacks coming out to the thirty five yard line instead
of the thirty, a change that everyone involved anticipates is
going to lead to a lot more returns, they hope,
with the same reduced injury rate. Also approved was a
proposal to apply the playoff overtime rules to the regular season,
(39:49):
in which both teams would be guaranteed a chance to
possess the football, unless, of course, since.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
It was modified from fifteen minutes.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
To ten minutes, one team holds it for the entirety
that ten minutes and scores, in which case you lose.
Speaker 2 (40:03):
Two bad day, sir, Welcome back to the insiders. Tom Pilla,
Sero and Rappaport. Mike Garao.
Speaker 1 (40:08):
It's been a long day, and apparently in tonight that's
said really uh down quickly here.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
It's almost like it was an hour in Palm Beach.
Speaker 5 (40:15):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (40:15):
We covered a lot of ground, obviously, rules changes, availabilities,
talking to all the coaches throughout the course of the day,
but really our day began with a little slice of
humble pie.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
Spell rapoport r A P p A p.
Speaker 7 (40:33):
O r t it's a complete disaster, not even close
la r r A f O l O. That is close,
but also in hellasero p e l.
Speaker 2 (40:50):
I s A r o.
Speaker 7 (40:53):
It's completely run.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
I and I did not get an answer when after
we watched that entire thing live and I said to you,
spell iSER Rochelle.
Speaker 2 (41:02):
He didn't attend to there you want right now. Here's
what I don't understand. You had like ten hours I
google it.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
He's all over TikTok here Isaac.
Speaker 4 (41:10):
Rochell Here's what I don't understand. My name is not
very complicated, okay. And people say, oh, I know how
to spell it. There's two p's and there are two p's,
but what they mean is three piece.
Speaker 2 (41:21):
The wrong way that Jamie spelled it.
Speaker 4 (41:23):
They think it's r A P p A that's wrong.
And for Jamie to know me for a long time,
I see me on twin and many other places.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
He did not even know how to spell. My name
is ridiculous? Is it not ridiculous? E r d a
h L b r A.
Speaker 5 (41:38):
N d T s c h r O window Oh sorry, ESPN.
I was gonna do Schrigger. Yeah, no, we get it,
we get it. Yeah, well we get it. Your name
is hard, but what's your name too? And they not
follow us.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
I had a great hope there for I S A
A c R O c e h e l L.
He got through the first five letters and then it
was just all downhill from there.
Speaker 4 (42:05):
So I was gonna be much more insulting if I
had tried to spell it, so I kept my mouth.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
Should tag anybody directed to April fools, gag at him.
Speaker 2 (42:11):
That's your group, the four people you just saw, not
the three of us. We got to even say un
locked insiders. Back to borrow, stir upper back there fly
see it
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