September 1, 2026 • 15 mins
Mike Florio of PFT and NBC joins Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain to talk about Terrion Arnold’s availability for the Seahawks since the signing, if other players could be put on the Commissioner’s List, if Tony Romo will rejoin CBS after his OWI arrest, the impact of Aaron Donald returning to the Rams, Joey Porter Jr’s holdout with Pittsburgh, and more.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time for our weekly conversation with Pro Football Talk's
Mike Florio, brought to you by Simply Seattle. Tired of
buying and repping the same old Seattle sports gear everyone
else has? For the best Storms, Seahawks, Mariners, Kraken, Rainiers, Sounders,
and not to mention the largest Sonics collection in the world,
check out simplyseattle.com. Now with Mike Florio, here's Softie and Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
All right, here we go.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
On a busy Tuesday, normally a Wednesday, but we got
weird schedules this week and next week, so we are
trying to be accommodating to Mike Florio's busy, busy work
week the next couple of weeks, and here he is,
courtesy of our friends at SimplySeattle.com, whatever you got your
eyes on on the website, KJR15, for 15% off anything
at SimplySeattle.com. Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk.com, the NFL and NBC.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
How are you, pal? I'm doing great. Thank you for
accommodating me in our normal spot.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
I will be somewhere between Pittsburgh and LaGuardia Airport for
rehearsals at NBC on Thursday.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
And then next Wednesday, you know where I'll be.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
I'll be at Lumen Field watching them install grass for
week one.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Why don't you come by Jimmy's right outside Lumen and
jump on the air with us live next Wednesday before
the game?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Because I'll be working. All right. We have to get ready.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
We don't just show up and start talking, although it
definitely seems that way.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
We actually have a plan. At least I do. I
try to. I got you. Just blurt out. Whatever comes
into my head like I do on the spot.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
I mean, it usually works for us. So we like that.
But hey, let's let's first of all talk about the
moves the Hawks have made. Terry on Arnold is officially in.
He's now on the exempt list. Can you explain to
people kind of what that means and when you think
we might possibly see Terry on actually play for the Seahawks?
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Well, he will be paid. He can't practice or play.
He can be in the building.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
He can work out. He can go to meetings. They
can get better acquainted with him.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
They've basically secured dibs on him in the event that
he is able to return at some point this season.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
And here's where the paid leave comes.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Slash commissioner exempt list gets a little bit confusing when
they devise this thing. And as it's written in the
personal conduct policy, once a player who is facing criminal
charges is placed on paid leave, he stays there until
the case is resolved. And then after that, until the NFL.
decides what, if any, punishment he will receive. And all
(02:29):
appeals are exhausted. So in theory, he's not coming back
until this case is over. There's no trial date. There's
a court date early October. It's probably not going to
be a trial during the season. However, in at least
one Case, two years ago, Patriots safety Jabril Peppers.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
He was placed on paid leave. Seven games later, they
allowed him.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
To come back, even though his case had not yet
been resolved.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
He had a trial in January of 2025.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
He was acquitted, but he missed those seven games. And
it's possible, and there's a thought, that maybe what the
NFL is doing now is pre-suspending the player. How much
do we think he's going to ultimately miss if he
is suspended? held to have violated the personal conduct policy,
will put him on paid leave for that duration. And
(03:21):
then if and when this thing ends and he gets
a punishment, he gets credit for the games he missed.
He forfeits the salary he made during those games. That's
one potential way to deal with this. So there's a
window possibly for the NFL to allow him to come
back this season unless they are determined in his case.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
And in his case, it's serious.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
It's eight felony charges, kidnapping, armed robbery, life in prison,
potential sentence if he's convicted. They may not let him
come back until the case is resolved. I think the Seahawks,
just like they were initially betting on the possibility he'd
be available for the preseason, he wasn't. They're betting on
the possibility he may be available for the stretch run,
and he could be.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
There's been speculation that the commissioner's exempt list could hit
the Rams as well. What's the chances that Puka and
or Alaric Jackson end up there?
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Well, their cases are premature for a couple of reasons.
And the main one is there aren't charges. They could
end up with misdemeanor charges. They could end up entering
a diversion program. And a diversion program is one way
of resolving a criminal case that triggers discipline under the
personal conduct policy.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
It could happen. It hasn't happened.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
And because they're not facing charges and the NFL didn't
otherwise check the boxes to justify paid leave, they weren't
placed on paid leave when Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Cooper and
and Terry Arnold were placed on paid leave on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
It could happen at some point, or it may.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Just be nothing happens until they enter a diversion program.
And at that point, the NFL promptly deals with.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
A potential suspension.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
And what also happens in a lot of these cases
is They negotiate a punishment and it's just done. We
don't have a drawn out process. There aren't many times
where we've got the hearing like the one that happened
in the Deshaun Watson case four years ago, where it
went through a full blown process.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
It went through a full blown hearing. There was.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
A finding, there was an appeal, and there was finally
a suspension. They could enter the diversion program. It could
be all worked out. They're going to miss a couple
of games, whatever the case may be. That could happen
at any time, depending upon how these cases move forward
during the season.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Mike Florio with us on the air. You mentioned Mike
Tarion may be playing this year. Are we going to
see Tony Romo on CBS this year?
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Well, I was disappointed last week when There was a
statement issued by an unnamed spokesperson.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
And I got the statement.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
I got the email from a PR firm. And I
didn't ask for it. They just sent it out. And
they said, please attribute this to an unnamed spokesperson. And
part of the statement was Tony Romo takes full responsibility. Well,
it just seems odd to me that you would take
full responsibility by hiding behind a spokesperson whose name isn't
even mentioned. It just felt kind of clunky. And I
eventually made the point. It's not going to really count
(06:06):
until he does.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
It in his own name and in his own voice.
He did it today.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Accepted full responsibility, pleaded no contest to the operating while
intoxicated charge in Wisconsin, expressed an intent to return to CBS.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
But I haven't seen anything yet. And maybe I've missed it.
I've been on my exercise bike for the last hour.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I haven't seen anything yet to show that CBS has
reciprocated and said we welcome Tony Romo back when he's
able to return.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I think... CBS is looking for a way out of
this deal.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
$ 18 million a year, four years left, $ 72 million. They
could negotiate an outcome where they pay him half, 60%, whatever,
and he moves on.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
They've announced J.J. Watt as the replacement. They're getting ready
to go.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
I think it would be awkward for CBS at this
point to pull the plug on Watt during the season
and put Romo back in the booth. I think this
goes all year, and then what happens next year remains
to be seen.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
So it's good that he's accepted responsibility.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
He's acknowledged that he has developed an issue over reliance,
I think was the term he used on alcohol, as
an aftermath of having issues with pain medication, following back surgeries.
And look, it's good that he's addressing an issue.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
And he's got an open container while he's driving around Milwaukee.
Of course, he's got an issue.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
And he's addressing it. And that's good for him. But
CBS may have already decided they want to move on.
And if they do, then that's that.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
Mike, how much does the Aaron Donald return move your
needle on the Rams' chances to dethrone the Hawks? And
are we going to see him in Australia?
Speaker 4 (07:43):
I don't know how much it actually changes because I'm
not ready to declare, and I'm not saying he won't be,
I'm not ready to declare that the Aaron Donald of
old is going to be back.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
And just because he.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Feels like he's the old Aaron Donald, you don't know
for sure.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Until you're out there in 11-on-11 full contact competition. There's
no way to train to simulate that. You can't even
practice to that level.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
You don't know what it feels like in a game
until you get in a game, and he won't know
until he gets out there with guys who are younger,
who may be faster, and he's two years older, and
who knows if he can get back to what he.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Was two years ago. I don't know. So.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
We won't know how much of a difference it makes,
but there's a chance that even if he's a little diminished,
he'll seem better than he was because he's not going
to be constantly harassed with two or three blockers on
every play because they have to account for Miles Garrett. Now,
as it relates to week one, I went back and
looked at the last year he held out.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Through training camp in the preseason.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
He ultimately showed up, signed a contract, joined the team
on August 31. That year they played on September 10,
Monday night, against the Raiders in Oakland.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
That's how long ago it was. He played 62 out
of 70 snaps.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
I was told, and I said this on our Hall
of Fame pregame show a few weeks back, that if
he's able to get ramped up the way that they
did in 2018 and the year before that, 2017, when
he also held out but didn't get a new contract,
the goal would be 30 to 40 snaps.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
So I don't think that's out of the question because.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
September 10, same day. And he actually showed up a
day earlier than he had the last time around.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
So I think it's feasible. I know they want to
get him back on the field ASAP.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
I thought at first when he came back on cut
down day, they might possibly tuck him on to the
physically unable to perform list for a few weeks to
let him get acclimated behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But they didn't. They want him to play. They want
him out there.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
And he's back with the mindset that he's going to
go out there and play. Right now, I guess he's
going to play. week one but we'll see what happens.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
What's going on with joey porter speaking of pittsburgh is
he is he playing week one i guess he's threatening
that he may not play without a new deal well.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
He was on the pup list all the training camp
all the pre-season he didn't have an injury it was
a hold-in the problem with the hold-in is if you
don't do a contract at some point the player has
to go practice and play that's where the whole thing's
circuits and if the team wants to play hardball they
can fine they can suspend a player for conduct detrimental
to the team they can withhold his paycheck if you're
(10:07):
not going to work if you're refusing to work we're
not going to pay you if they want to take
it that route And if Porter doesn't play, it puts
everyone in a box.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
And I wrote about this today. We talked about it
on PFT Live.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
The Steelers have this outdated policy that they won't do
contracts after week one. So it puts extra pressure on
both sides to get it done, because if they don't,
then what? What if he says, OK, I'll play? And
what if he is all pro level and the Steelers decide,
you know what, we're going to go out and give
him what he wants? Oh, wait, we've handcuffed ourselves with
(10:40):
this stupid rule. that we won't do contracts after week one.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
I mean, that may have worked in the 70s or
the 80s. In the salary cap era, I think it's dumb.
I think it's dumb.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think Vinod Khosla needs to call up his favorite
team and say, hey, you guys need to do business
the way I'm going to do business in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Little shot there, huh? You know, I'm kidding. We haven't
talked about that. I mean... Look, I understand. We'll spot
the Vikings. They're lifelong Giants fans.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
You don't get to buy your favorite team. It's an
asset that rarely becomes available. I understand that. But, man,
there are unforced errors, and there are unforced errors. And
poor Neil Koestler's face.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
He tried. He tried to hold it firm. And that smile,
he's like, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Does your son ever look at you like that and go, Dad,
come on, what are you doing?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
All the time. That's how I know the look. All
the time.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Hey, Mike, you mentioned Contract Soft. You mentioned with Joey Porter.
Is C.J. Stroud going to get a deal before week one,
or is this going to really be a prove-it year?
I know they picked up the fifth-year option, but usually
your stars after three years, you give them that long-term deal,
and they haven't yet.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
And they've done it with multiple key players in Houston.
They don't try to kick the can through the fourth year.
You know, there's a real benefit to the team if
you can get that fourth year on a first-round contract
because it is low-paid, low-cap number.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
And that money is never going to be spent.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
You get that guy for $ 4, $ 5, $ 6 million, and
then you can pay him later.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
So we've seen teams try to do that and get
away with it.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
The Seahawks haven't done it with their two first rounders
from that same year.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
But with Stroud, look, here's the reality.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
There was a time, and the quarterback market has kind
of gone this way lately. There was a time in
the quarterback market, and this goes back eight years as well,
where the next guy up became the highest paid player
at the position.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
And it didn't matter how much better he was or wasn't.
That was just the way it was. Went in wrong.
Next guy up, moves the bar a little higher. Next
guy up, moves the bar a little higher. That's changed
in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Now we've got a $ 45 million spread for veteran quarterback contracts.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So where does C.J. Stroud land?
Speaker 6 (12:49):
And I think the Texans... would gladly sign him now
if he would accept something that meshes with how they
view him based on his first three seasons. From Stroud's perspective,
why do I want to do that deal when if
I can go out and have a big year, I
can push that bar higher? Because whatever they view him
at now, chances are if he has the year like
(13:11):
he had last year, they'll view him at that same
level next year, and they can.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Do that deal next year.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
So It's in his interest to go out and play
well this year and move that needle higher. And it's,
you know, quote unquote, good problem to have for the
Texans if he goes out and has that big year
and they have evidence to pay him more.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
But, you know, we've seen multiple examples now.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
The Broncos with Russell Wilson, the Dolphins with Tua Tonga-Vailoa,
the Texans.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Cardinals with Tyler Murray. You do these deals and it's
this big.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Number and you get to a point where you're so
desperate to move on from the player, you're willing to
pay him millions to go play for someone else.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
For the minimum.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Hey, Mike, this is really great that we were able
to work this out and get you on the air
this week. I know things are busy, and we sure
appreciate you taking time for us up here in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Question. Question. Will you just play this again tomorrow at
310 Pacific? Is that what you do?
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Yeah, but we have to edit out this part. We
have to edit out the part of you saying we're
replaying it.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
I expect double pay then.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Okay, that's fine.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I expect an extra one below.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Like royalties. He wants royalties. Jackson, you're fired again. So
we can pay Mike again. And then next week, we'll
figure it out. All right, we'll figure it out next week.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
All right, see you. All right, see you, man.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Mike Florio with us.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Lots to talk about.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
What percent do we pay him if we have to
play it again, if we choose to play it again?
Speaker 3 (14:32):
I mean, do you get paid extra when they replay
your stuff here on the radio station? Is that what happens?
I mean, is he on a per-episode basis? Is that
what's going on? That every time somebody downloads a podcast,
we've got to give the guy a quarter?
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It's like Jerry Seinfeld.
Speaker 5 (14:47):
He gets like $ 1, 000 every time TBS picks up a
Seinfeld episode from 30 years ago.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Well, let's come back and talk more about that Terry
on Arnold thing, because I don't think people even really understand.
The whole thing is kind of just taking care of itself,
by the way. And we don't even know it right
in front of our very eyes.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Next.
It's time for our weekly conversation with Pro Football Talk's
Mike Florio, brought to you by Simply Seattle. Tired of
buying and repping the same old Seattle sports gear everyone
else has? For the best Storms, Seahawks, Mariners, Kraken, Rainiers, Sounders,
and not to mention the largest Sonics collection in the world,
check out simplyseattle.com. Now with Mike Florio, here's Softie and Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
All right, here we go.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
On a busy Tuesday, normally a Wednesday, but we got
weird schedules this week and next week, so we are
trying to be accommodating to Mike Florio's busy, busy work
week the next couple of weeks, and here he is,
courtesy of our friends at SimplySeattle.com, whatever you got your
eyes on on the website, KJR15, for 15% off anything
at SimplySeattle.com. Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk.com, the NFL and NBC.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
How are you, pal? I'm doing great. Thank you for
accommodating me in our normal spot.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
I will be somewhere between Pittsburgh and LaGuardia Airport for
rehearsals at NBC on Thursday.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
And then next Wednesday, you know where I'll be.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
I'll be at Lumen Field watching them install grass for
week one.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Why don't you come by Jimmy's right outside Lumen and
jump on the air with us live next Wednesday before
the game?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Because I'll be working. All right. We have to get ready.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
We don't just show up and start talking, although it
definitely seems that way.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
We actually have a plan. At least I do. I
try to. I got you. Just blurt out. Whatever comes
into my head like I do on the spot.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
I mean, it usually works for us. So we like that.
But hey, let's let's first of all talk about the
moves the Hawks have made. Terry on Arnold is officially in.
He's now on the exempt list. Can you explain to
people kind of what that means and when you think
we might possibly see Terry on actually play for the Seahawks?
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Well, he will be paid. He can't practice or play.
He can be in the building.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
He can work out. He can go to meetings. They
can get better acquainted with him.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
They've basically secured dibs on him in the event that
he is able to return at some point this season.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
And here's where the paid leave comes.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Slash commissioner exempt list gets a little bit confusing when
they devise this thing. And as it's written in the
personal conduct policy, once a player who is facing criminal
charges is placed on paid leave, he stays there until
the case is resolved. And then after that, until the NFL.
decides what, if any, punishment he will receive. And all
(02:29):
appeals are exhausted. So in theory, he's not coming back
until this case is over. There's no trial date. There's
a court date early October. It's probably not going to
be a trial during the season. However, in at least
one Case, two years ago, Patriots safety Jabril Peppers.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
He was placed on paid leave. Seven games later, they
allowed him.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
To come back, even though his case had not yet
been resolved.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
He had a trial in January of 2025.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
He was acquitted, but he missed those seven games. And
it's possible, and there's a thought, that maybe what the
NFL is doing now is pre-suspending the player. How much
do we think he's going to ultimately miss if he
is suspended? held to have violated the personal conduct policy,
will put him on paid leave for that duration. And
(03:21):
then if and when this thing ends and he gets
a punishment, he gets credit for the games he missed.
He forfeits the salary he made during those games. That's
one potential way to deal with this. So there's a
window possibly for the NFL to allow him to come
back this season unless they are determined in his case.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
And in his case, it's serious.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
It's eight felony charges, kidnapping, armed robbery, life in prison,
potential sentence if he's convicted. They may not let him
come back until the case is resolved. I think the Seahawks,
just like they were initially betting on the possibility he'd
be available for the preseason, he wasn't. They're betting on
the possibility he may be available for the stretch run,
and he could be.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
There's been speculation that the commissioner's exempt list could hit
the Rams as well. What's the chances that Puka and
or Alaric Jackson end up there?
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Well, their cases are premature for a couple of reasons.
And the main one is there aren't charges. They could
end up with misdemeanor charges. They could end up entering
a diversion program. And a diversion program is one way
of resolving a criminal case that triggers discipline under the
personal conduct policy.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
It could happen. It hasn't happened.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
And because they're not facing charges and the NFL didn't
otherwise check the boxes to justify paid leave, they weren't
placed on paid leave when Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Cooper and
and Terry Arnold were placed on paid leave on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
It could happen at some point, or it may.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Just be nothing happens until they enter a diversion program.
And at that point, the NFL promptly deals with.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
A potential suspension.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
And what also happens in a lot of these cases
is They negotiate a punishment and it's just done. We
don't have a drawn out process. There aren't many times
where we've got the hearing like the one that happened
in the Deshaun Watson case four years ago, where it
went through a full blown process.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
It went through a full blown hearing. There was.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
A finding, there was an appeal, and there was finally
a suspension. They could enter the diversion program. It could
be all worked out. They're going to miss a couple
of games, whatever the case may be. That could happen
at any time, depending upon how these cases move forward
during the season.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Mike Florio with us on the air. You mentioned Mike
Tarion may be playing this year. Are we going to
see Tony Romo on CBS this year?
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Well, I was disappointed last week when There was a
statement issued by an unnamed spokesperson.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
And I got the statement.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
I got the email from a PR firm. And I
didn't ask for it. They just sent it out. And
they said, please attribute this to an unnamed spokesperson. And
part of the statement was Tony Romo takes full responsibility. Well,
it just seems odd to me that you would take
full responsibility by hiding behind a spokesperson whose name isn't
even mentioned. It just felt kind of clunky. And I
eventually made the point. It's not going to really count
(06:06):
until he does.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
It in his own name and in his own voice.
He did it today.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Accepted full responsibility, pleaded no contest to the operating while
intoxicated charge in Wisconsin, expressed an intent to return to CBS.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
But I haven't seen anything yet. And maybe I've missed it.
I've been on my exercise bike for the last hour.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I haven't seen anything yet to show that CBS has
reciprocated and said we welcome Tony Romo back when he's
able to return.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I think... CBS is looking for a way out of
this deal.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
$ 18 million a year, four years left, $ 72 million. They
could negotiate an outcome where they pay him half, 60%, whatever,
and he moves on.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
They've announced J.J. Watt as the replacement. They're getting ready
to go.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
I think it would be awkward for CBS at this
point to pull the plug on Watt during the season
and put Romo back in the booth. I think this
goes all year, and then what happens next year remains
to be seen.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
So it's good that he's accepted responsibility.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
He's acknowledged that he has developed an issue over reliance,
I think was the term he used on alcohol, as
an aftermath of having issues with pain medication, following back surgeries.
And look, it's good that he's addressing an issue.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
And he's got an open container while he's driving around Milwaukee.
Of course, he's got an issue.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
And he's addressing it. And that's good for him. But
CBS may have already decided they want to move on.
And if they do, then that's that.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
Mike, how much does the Aaron Donald return move your
needle on the Rams' chances to dethrone the Hawks? And
are we going to see him in Australia?
Speaker 4 (07:43):
I don't know how much it actually changes because I'm
not ready to declare, and I'm not saying he won't be,
I'm not ready to declare that the Aaron Donald of
old is going to be back.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
And just because he.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Feels like he's the old Aaron Donald, you don't know
for sure.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Until you're out there in 11-on-11 full contact competition. There's
no way to train to simulate that. You can't even
practice to that level.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
You don't know what it feels like in a game
until you get in a game, and he won't know
until he gets out there with guys who are younger,
who may be faster, and he's two years older, and
who knows if he can get back to what he.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Was two years ago. I don't know. So.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
We won't know how much of a difference it makes,
but there's a chance that even if he's a little diminished,
he'll seem better than he was because he's not going
to be constantly harassed with two or three blockers on
every play because they have to account for Miles Garrett. Now,
as it relates to week one, I went back and
looked at the last year he held out.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Through training camp in the preseason.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
He ultimately showed up, signed a contract, joined the team
on August 31. That year they played on September 10,
Monday night, against the Raiders in Oakland.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
That's how long ago it was. He played 62 out
of 70 snaps.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
I was told, and I said this on our Hall
of Fame pregame show a few weeks back, that if
he's able to get ramped up the way that they
did in 2018 and the year before that, 2017, when
he also held out but didn't get a new contract,
the goal would be 30 to 40 snaps.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
So I don't think that's out of the question because.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
September 10, same day. And he actually showed up a
day earlier than he had the last time around.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
So I think it's feasible. I know they want to
get him back on the field ASAP.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
I thought at first when he came back on cut
down day, they might possibly tuck him on to the
physically unable to perform list for a few weeks to
let him get acclimated behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But they didn't. They want him to play. They want
him out there.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
And he's back with the mindset that he's going to
go out there and play. Right now, I guess he's
going to play. week one but we'll see what happens.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
What's going on with joey porter speaking of pittsburgh is
he is he playing week one i guess he's threatening
that he may not play without a new deal well.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
He was on the pup list all the training camp
all the pre-season he didn't have an injury it was
a hold-in the problem with the hold-in is if you
don't do a contract at some point the player has
to go practice and play that's where the whole thing's
circuits and if the team wants to play hardball they
can fine they can suspend a player for conduct detrimental
to the team they can withhold his paycheck if you're
(10:07):
not going to work if you're refusing to work we're
not going to pay you if they want to take
it that route And if Porter doesn't play, it puts
everyone in a box.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
And I wrote about this today. We talked about it
on PFT Live.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
The Steelers have this outdated policy that they won't do
contracts after week one. So it puts extra pressure on
both sides to get it done, because if they don't,
then what? What if he says, OK, I'll play? And
what if he is all pro level and the Steelers decide,
you know what, we're going to go out and give
him what he wants? Oh, wait, we've handcuffed ourselves with
(10:40):
this stupid rule. that we won't do contracts after week one.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
I mean, that may have worked in the 70s or
the 80s. In the salary cap era, I think it's dumb.
I think it's dumb.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think Vinod Khosla needs to call up his favorite
team and say, hey, you guys need to do business
the way I'm going to do business in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Little shot there, huh? You know, I'm kidding. We haven't
talked about that. I mean... Look, I understand. We'll spot
the Vikings. They're lifelong Giants fans.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
You don't get to buy your favorite team. It's an
asset that rarely becomes available. I understand that. But, man,
there are unforced errors, and there are unforced errors. And
poor Neil Koestler's face.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
He tried. He tried to hold it firm. And that smile,
he's like, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Does your son ever look at you like that and go, Dad,
come on, what are you doing?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
All the time. That's how I know the look. All
the time.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Hey, Mike, you mentioned Contract Soft. You mentioned with Joey Porter.
Is C.J. Stroud going to get a deal before week one,
or is this going to really be a prove-it year?
I know they picked up the fifth-year option, but usually
your stars after three years, you give them that long-term deal,
and they haven't yet.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
And they've done it with multiple key players in Houston.
They don't try to kick the can through the fourth year.
You know, there's a real benefit to the team if
you can get that fourth year on a first-round contract
because it is low-paid, low-cap number.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
And that money is never going to be spent.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
You get that guy for $ 4, $ 5, $ 6 million, and
then you can pay him later.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
So we've seen teams try to do that and get
away with it.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
The Seahawks haven't done it with their two first rounders
from that same year.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
But with Stroud, look, here's the reality.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
There was a time, and the quarterback market has kind
of gone this way lately. There was a time in
the quarterback market, and this goes back eight years as well,
where the next guy up became the highest paid player
at the position.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
And it didn't matter how much better he was or wasn't.
That was just the way it was. Went in wrong.
Next guy up, moves the bar a little higher. Next
guy up, moves the bar a little higher. That's changed
in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Now we've got a $ 45 million spread for veteran quarterback contracts.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So where does C.J. Stroud land?
Speaker 6 (12:49):
And I think the Texans... would gladly sign him now
if he would accept something that meshes with how they
view him based on his first three seasons. From Stroud's perspective,
why do I want to do that deal when if
I can go out and have a big year, I
can push that bar higher? Because whatever they view him
at now, chances are if he has the year like
(13:11):
he had last year, they'll view him at that same
level next year, and they can.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Do that deal next year.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
So It's in his interest to go out and play
well this year and move that needle higher. And it's,
you know, quote unquote, good problem to have for the
Texans if he goes out and has that big year
and they have evidence to pay him more.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
But, you know, we've seen multiple examples now.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
The Broncos with Russell Wilson, the Dolphins with Tua Tonga-Vailoa,
the Texans.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Cardinals with Tyler Murray. You do these deals and it's
this big.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Number and you get to a point where you're so
desperate to move on from the player, you're willing to
pay him millions to go play for someone else.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
For the minimum.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Hey, Mike, this is really great that we were able
to work this out and get you on the air
this week. I know things are busy, and we sure
appreciate you taking time for us up here in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Question. Question. Will you just play this again tomorrow at
310 Pacific? Is that what you do?
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Yeah, but we have to edit out this part. We
have to edit out the part of you saying we're
replaying it.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
I expect double pay then.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Okay, that's fine.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I expect an extra one below.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Like royalties. He wants royalties. Jackson, you're fired again. So
we can pay Mike again. And then next week, we'll
figure it out. All right, we'll figure it out next week.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
All right, see you. All right, see you, man.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Mike Florio with us.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Lots to talk about.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
What percent do we pay him if we have to
play it again, if we choose to play it again?
Speaker 3 (14:32):
I mean, do you get paid extra when they replay
your stuff here on the radio station? Is that what happens?
I mean, is he on a per-episode basis? Is that
what's going on? That every time somebody downloads a podcast,
we've got to give the guy a quarter?
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It's like Jerry Seinfeld.
Speaker 5 (14:47):
He gets like $ 1, 000 every time TBS picks up a
Seinfeld episode from 30 years ago.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Well, let's come back and talk more about that Terry
on Arnold thing, because I don't think people even really understand.
The whole thing is kind of just taking care of itself,
by the way. And we don't even know it right
in front of our very eyes.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Next.
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