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Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Kyle Tucker to the Darkness. What are we talking about? His repeat now?
This is the Rich Eisen Show. MLB, do something, enough is enough. Just like that. Tucker's second home run of the ball game. Today's guests: NFL Network Insider Tom Pellisero, Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Rams running back Blake Cora. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. If you're listening on ESPN Radio or SiriusXM Channel 80, we say hello to you. And I'll just let you know, I just literally mimicked almost step for step what you just saw as the show opened on Disney Plus and ESPN roaming the hallways to sit down on the set.
I just. I'm so fired up, ready to go. I just needed one extra cup of coffee. Getting ready for a hot cup of Joe from my Rich Eyes and Show mug, richeisandshop.com if you want your own. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial right here on the program.
Tom Pellisero, Tommy P, is going to join us with the latest on the coaching carousel and everything going on for the divisional playoff football weekend, getting set to start on Saturday. And also, two players from the weekend: Christian Kirk of the Houston Texans. They're going to start wild card Sunday coming off of that big Monday night win against the Steelers, taking on the Patriots and potentially a snow game in New England. We're keeping an eye on the weather. And then Blake Corum, Balake Karum, will join us from the Los Angeles Rams before he hops on a plane.
To go to chilly, windy, frigid Chicago, Illinois for that football game.
So, and then I said mention there's U844-204-Rich, number dollar. Hello, Christopher Brockman. How are you, sir? Rich, I'm excellent. January 4th, 2020.
I've been waiting for this weekend since that day, and I cannot wait. What's that date about? Did you Google it, Chris? Titans Patriots. That was the last Patriot game for Tom Brady.
And now we have our own Tom Brady. Good to see you over there, sir. Jason Feller, what's going on? It's living the dream. Yeah, you and Kyle Tucker.
What's up? What's up, TJ Jefferson? Good to see you over there. I mean, I got nothing. You know what you have, TJ?
Please tell me. May I tell you what you have? Yes, you have what the rest of all us awesome. Loving National Football League fans have the best show in town, the greatest. football weekend of the calendar year.
The final eight that my team's not involved in.
Well, it's fine, fine and dandy. Uh you and three quarters of the National Football League fan base. That's also a good point, though.
So I'm not alone. And also on the back end of it, a national championship game. You could say the next 72 hours for football fans to sit back. Kiss your loved ones goodbye and sit down and crack one open. And that's basically what it was.
That's what's become. And I'll be there for you on NFL Network for a four and a half hour pregame show on Saturday at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, and then a four-hour pregame show on Sunday at 8 a.m. Eastern Time. I'm psyched because I get to sleep in a little bit on a Sunday.
So basically, people can't get enough of you, is what you're saying. But here's what I'm about to do, and I do this at the outset of National Football League season and also on the outset of the best football weekend, arguably, that there is. Uh in our football-loving nation. I'm requesting for my music. Yes.
And I'm about to lay out for you a preview of Divisional. Football weekend in the National Football League playoffs. It all starts in Denver, Colorado. The Buffalo Bills at the Denver Broncos, the sixth seed at the one seed. Last year, The Broncos visited western New York.
took on the bills and got to use The Michael Irvin phrase Spanked. Boy, did they ever 31-7, the final score in that game? The Bills had twice as many total yards and first downs as Denver had in the entire wildcard game. A time of possession of 41 minutes and 43 seconds served to be. The best such number of time of possession in the history of the Buffalo Bills.
In the postseason. They also. Had a 247 yard total yard advantage. That's the largest in a single game in Bills' playoff history, the largest in an NFL playoff game since the Panthers had 308 yards of difference against Arizona in the 2014 Wildcard.
However. This game will happen in Denver, Colorado. Where the one-seated Denver Broncos Are getting set to host the 20th playoff rematch this century between teams that faced each other in the previous postseason. The same team, by the way, won both games. And 13 Of the previous 19 attempts, let me be fair and balanced.
However, give you this stat. The Bills are 1-7 all-time against one seeds in the playoffs since the NFL began seeding by record in 1975. The only win. Was the 1992 divisional round at the AFC one seed. Pittsburgh Steelers.
That's it. Denver Broncos and their fans. have not seen a playoff win since? Since Bueller, Bueller, Super Bowl 50. Wow.
It's been nine straight playoff losses for the Denver Broncos. As a matter of fact, the nine-season playoff win drought following a Super Bowl win. is the sixth such longest streak. of all time. Not a single playoff win.
In nine seasons. Since winning Super Bowl 50. And of course, we all know where Super Bowl 60 is, where Denver won Super Bowl 50. This is going to be Sean Payton's Attempt at winning as the one seed. He's the fifth coach in NFL history to lead multiple teams to the one seed.
He did it with the Saints. And now with the Broncos joining Marty Schottenheimer, Andy Reed, Tom Coughlin, and Mike Holmgren in that. And you could see on the screen the guy who was talking to Bone Nicks. He has 24 quarterback wins in his first two seasons with a win. That he would come up with his 25th, the most of any other human being to play quarterback in the National Football League in their first two seasons since 1950.
He's the sixth quarterback in NFL history to make each of his first two career playoff starts against the same opponent and same opposing starting quarterback. The Bills and Josh Allen standing in front of him again, all six lost the first matchup. The only one to win. The rematch out of the previous six, five of them went on to lose it. The only one to win it.
Dan Marino in nineteen eighty four. when he finally beat the Seahawks and Dave Craig on the way to His only Super Bowl appearance. One other nugget to keep in mind here. As they move on. Or couple involves the defense of the Denver Broncos.
This is only the fifth matchup. In NFL history, Between the previous season's MVP and the defensive player of year In the playoffs. It's going to be Alan. Patsertan II, he might not look in Patsertan's direction, but. This is only the fifth matchup ever.
The previous two have been in Super Bowls, by the way, won by the MVP. That would be Mahomes over Nick Bosa, and in 2018, Brady over. Aaron Donald in the 2018 Super Bowl. On top of it, the Bills just fresh off of somehow, some way surviving the. Top rush defense in the National Football League.
And Jacksonville now face the second best pass rush defense in the National Football League. They become just, they can become just the fifth team in NFL history to defeat the top two rush defenses in a single postseason. Only the 75 Cowboys did it. on the road in a single postseason. Against the top rush defense, Tony Dorset.
Can James Cook basically be the new Tony Dorsett? Bills, as we all know, trying to get to the Super Bowl. And win it. And the Denver Broncos, as we know. Trying to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since winning their last postseason game.
That kicks off divisional. Saturday leading to the San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks. Would you believe? This will be. The first time in the history of the National Football League in which two teams play in week one.
Week last of the regular season and the playoffs. That's never happened before. Seattle, as we all know. Faced San Francisco in week one. And then the final week of the regular season, and now they face each other in the NFL playoffs.
That's never happened. The Seahawks last played on January 3rd. Remember that date? That's how long ago it's been. They'll have 13 days of rest in between the games.
That they've last played. And playing this weekend, the 49ers come in and play this game on five days' rest. If you're wondering, since 1984, teams with eight or more days of rest advantage against an opponent. The playoffs are 7-0. That's what the Niners are up against when they head up to Seattle.
Now, the Niners. are bringing in a team coached by Kyle Shanahan, as we know. In Kyle Shanahan's tenure as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, when they make the playoffs every single time. They've made the NFC championship game. That's it.
As a matter of fact, the Niners have made at least the NFC Championship game in each of their last seven playoff appearances. They're 7-0 in a wild card in divisional rounds under Kyle Shanahan. How about them, Apples? They've won seven consecutive divisional round games, tied for the second-longest win streak by any team in a single playoff round all time. The Patriots have won eight.
In a row. They're taking that streak into Sunday, but I. get a little bit ahead of myself. Mike McDonald's Seattle defense, number one defense we know. Shut down Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers last time they faced them.
The last two teams. To score three or fewer points in a regular season game and then face that team in the playoffs, both won. The playoff matchup. Back in 2022, Dallas lost to Tampa 19-3 in week one and then beat them in the wildcard round. In 2020, Tampa Bay lost 38-3 to New Orleans in week nine and then beat them in the divisional playoff round.
In 2013, the Seahawks held the Niners to three points in week two and then beat them in the NFC Championship game. Here we go. Brock Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant, coming into this game. He can join Patrick Mahomes as the only starting quarterbacks to reach the conference championship in three of his first four National Football League seasons.
He's four on the road. By the way, You know what he is in Seattle? 4-0. It's never lost in Seattle. Never lost in Seattle.
The only other person who's had. As many Straight. Wins in Seattle in the history of the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks being in existence. His name is Dan Fouts. He was good.
That's right. Purdy could break the tie with Dan Faunts. Words I never thought I would say. But as we all know. This defense for the Seattle Seahawks is top-notch, if not one of the best, in the National Football League.
They're absolutely crushing it and killing it. And all we need to get. Is a game out of Sam Darnold in which he doesn't turn it over, moves the ball down the field, and oh, yeah, by the way, doesn't hurt the oblique that has him questionable on the injury report. What the heck, Sam Darnold? In routes on air, just kind of felt a little something in my oblique.
Just didn't want to push it. You know, wasn't the day to push it, so that was that was it.
So just came inside, got some rehab, and you know, feel like I'll be ready to go for Saturday. Just on like throwing side, so I'll just. Um, it's just on my left side. Um, you know, it is what it is, but yeah, again, like I said, Felton on a throw, but um, you know, we'll be ready to go. What percent of you think she might not play?
Uh It's a very low percentage, probably closer to zero. Probably closer to zero. Darnold is the fourth quarterback in NFL history to lead two different teams to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. And here's the other names: Tom Brady, Warren Moon, Earl Morrill. And now, Sam Darnold trying to get it done, not just for himself, for his first career playoff win, but for his draft class, if he wins.
and take Seattle to the NFC Championship game. The 2018 draft class would join the 1983 draft class as the only class with four first-round quarterbacks that won a playoff game. Lamar, Josh Allen, and Baker have already done it. If Darnold does it, they would join the vaunted 83 combo. Of John Elway, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, and Tony Eason.
That's right, Jets fans. Ken O'Brien wasn't in that list. We'll move on to Sunday. I don't think. Houston.
At New England. Sunday Divisional Playoff Weekend. Talk about two different franchises trying to get to the same point. The Patriots are looking to advance to wait for their 16th AFC Championship game. 16.
would tie them with the Cowboys and Steelers. In terms of the most of all time, second place behind the 49ers, the Texans are one of only four active franchises to never reach a conference championship game, only one of four teams to never appear in a Super Bowl all-time. They're the only active franchise to have never appeared in a conference championship. New England's got 11 Super Bowls. Appearances three more than any other team.
The Patriots' wild card win against the Chargers was their first playoff win since. Since Bueller, Brockman, Remember their last playoff win? Super Bowl. That's right, beating the Rams in Super Bowl 52. That's how long it's been.
Meanwhile, the Texans won a playoff game last Monday, and they have won a playoff game in each of their first three seasons since hiring head coach D'Amico Rhines and drafting C.J. Stroud, the last combo to do that. Andrew Luck and Chuck Pagano. After Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh did it, the longest win streak in a single playoff round in NFL history belongs to. The New England Patriots bringing in eighth straight divisional playoff wins 2012 to the present day.
The Texans have lost all six games that they played in the divisional round in team's history. Totally different, and yet both of them start. Young quarterbacks in terms of playoff matchups between starting quarterbacks under the age of 25. CJ Stroud and Drake May are the first such matchups since Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts played in the NFC Championship game. Notice I didn't say finished that game.
Lamar and Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Brooks and Dante Culpeper are the only other such matchups this century. This will also be the third youngest combined age between opposing starting quarterbacks in a playoff matchup all time. The Purdy Hurts combo, younger than Stroud and Drake May at 47 years and 248 days combined. The youngest was Russ versus RG3 back in the 2012 wild card days. Regardless of outcome, The 2025 playoff season will be the fourth consecutive season with a quarterback under the age of 25 starting in a conference championship game.
That would tie the record of four straight. of 84 to 87 when the 83 Draft class started crushing it. The Texans have the number two ranked scoring defense, number one total defense. This will be the first time in May's career that he faces a team with a top five scoring and total defense entering the week. That has never happened.
We shall see what happens when. The Texans defense goes against the Drake May quarterbacked offense. And of course, we will have to keep an eye on the weather to see what happens. In New England, will old man winter, will mother nature level the playing surface with a bunch of snow that might create problems for that vaunted secondary of the Texans to plaster and that vaunted pass rush of the Texans to get enough traction and make some hay like the Steelers did against this. Offense last week, like the Steelers did against this Texans' offense last week, or what they did against the Steelers' defense, Steelers' offense last week, or will we see?
Will we see? CJ Stroud have some trouble getting the snap in his hands. My goodness gracious. That's easy for me to say as we lead to the final game of. Yeah.
Playoff weekend. Want to talk about cold? Supposed to feel like zero could potentially even be winds of 20 to 30 miles an hour, it could potentially even be. Snow. Things That we don't see in Los Angeles, California.
Could cover the mountains for that. The Rams and the Bears are going to meet each other for the third time in the playoffs. Last time it happened, the 1985 NFC Championship game, the vaunted Bears defense shut out the Rams 24-0. On that day, Sean McVay and Ben Johnson were not born. Really?
Wow. That's correct. Both of them were born in 1986. The Bears just won their first playoff game since 2010, while the Rams have advanced to the divisional round for the second consecutive season and the third time in five seasons since trading. for Matthew Stafford.
These two gents dialing up the offenses are part and parcel of two of the best in the National Football League in terms of the masterminds and young minds. Johnson and McVay are two of three head coaches all time to take over a team ranked last in total offense, which McVay did back in 2017, and lead them to the playoffs in his first season as its head coach. Ben Johnson did it this year. Again, the last coach to do it. Was Sean McVay in 2017.
The Rams and Bears each ranked inside the top 10 in scoring and total defense, each ranked top three in big plays in 2025, which are rushes of 10 or more yards. Or completions of 20 or more yards. Sean McVay comes into this game with nine career playoff wins, four more than any other head coach all-time before turning 40. You want to widen it out to anybody 45 or younger. He wins this one.
He breaks a tie with John Madden and ties Don Schula for the all-time mark in that regard. While Wait for it, the most interesting wild nugget of the entire weekend. Sean McVay is coaching in his 15th career playoff game. The Bears are a 15th different opponent. He's never played the same opponent.
In coached against the same opponent in the playoffs. Ever. And now Ben Johnson, as we all know, is trying to take the Bears to the NFC championship game against an old foe. An old foe. Matthew Stafford taking on the Chicago Bears for the 23rd time in his career.
He's got 35 passing touchdowns against Chicago. That's the third most in the Super Bowl era, while also taking on a first overall pick in Caleb Williams. This will be the largest age difference between former number one overall picks in a head-to-head playoff matchup ever. Stafford Is 5,033 days or 13 years and 250, 284 days older? Than Caleb Williams.
Fifth time Stafford has faced a number one overall quarterback in the playoffs. No other number one overall quarterback has participated in more than two such playoff matchups. And as you know, Stafford's doing it for a second consecutive week. He beat Bryce Young. Last week, both Stafford and Williams are the kings of the fourth quarter, last-second comeback game-winning drive.
Both of them come into this game. Throwing a game-winning touchdown pass with under two minutes. To go to lead the team to victory. We also do know the Bears like taking the ball away. We know that Stafford in this offense are bringing in a guy like Devontae Adams, who's used to playing.
In soldier field as well, and they also. Have Matt LaFleur's brother coordinating the offense going against Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears. That's your setup. for the divisional playoff. Weekend.
Let's go. I'd love to kick it off right now, but instead, I got to throw it a break. Tom Pellicero must have just shown up from an appearance on NFL Network because he suited. And booted.
Okay, that's what happens. Tom Pellisero, when we come back right here on the Rich Eisen Show, he is all ready to dispense information and also maybe serve a cocktail or two. Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled.
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Call 1-800-GRANGER, clickgranger.com, or just stop by. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. The New York Giants head coach. But it is not and was not ever a foregone conclusion. We should have answers in the relatively near future.
The Giants are optimistic that they are close to the finish line on this thing. And only then, Rich, when they actually cross the goal line, holding the ball and making sure this doesn't turn into a touchback, that they can actually celebrate what would be the biggest win for that franchise in a very long time. Tom Pellisero joining us here on the Rich Island Shore. Our radio audience just rejoined Tom. Coming up with all the conditional phrasing he could muster about the John Harbaugh Giants.
contractual conversations that uh it's not done yet So let's ask you about Mike Tomlin. 'Cause uh I'm I'm a little surprised By Ronde Barber, who absolutely would know Um his statement on his own show. saying that Mike Tomlin m he doesn't believe is ever going to coach again.
Now, we haven't heard a single word except the report from the athletic about how emotional it was. for his players to receive the news from Tomlin. What's the general sense? Because we're certainly not hearing him about being available in this current coaching cycle, Tom. What's the general sense about what Mike Tomlin's next steps are going to be?
I would tell you that what Art Rooney said publicly accurately reflects what Mike Tomlin has told people privately, which is this was more a family decision than it was a football decision. He has not entered into any agreement to go do TV. He is not secretly, you know, going to do the old unretire in two weeks and try to come back with a different team. He truly intends to take time away. There have been teams that have checked in.
On Mike Tomlin, and they have been told the same thing, which is he does not intend to coach in 2026. We all know plans can change, Rich. If plans change with one of the most respected coaches in recent NFL history, there certainly would be teams that would have an interest in bringing in Mike Tomlin. The Steelers still have him under contract. It would have to be a trade at this time if they were to move down the road.
Art Rooney has not spoken specifically on what that would look like, but there's precedent for it in terms of the Sean Payton trade a couple of years ago. That, though, occurred a year later after Mickey Loomis had hired Dennis Allen and gone through an entire year. There was a coach in place. And at that point, the way that Loomis approached it was, here's what historically these trades have been. It's a first-round pick and more.
We are going to tell other teams: if you want Sean Payton, you got to agree that that is going to be the compensation. If you're on board with that, then you can talk to him about potentially going there. Sean made several different visits. He talked to Carolina, I believe he talked to Arizona, ultimately talked to Denver, and is now the head coach of the team that's the number one seed in the AFC. It is much more complicated to trade a coach who has just walked away.
In other words, Because of the contractual piece of this, because the Steelers have not even hired a coach, it would raise a lot of questions. And Art Rooney, as he said, would have to cross that bridge when you come to him. It doesn't sound like we're there right now with Mike Tomlin. I can't tell you what the future holds. I did not personally see.
A guy on the sideline, the way that he interacted with players, beating his chest after that win right there over the Ravens, who looked like he is just done and he's out of gas. He felt it was time for a change for himself, for the Steelers organization. How will he feel in 2027? We don't know, but he's a very competitive guy. He's going to need an outlet for that.
And certainly, one of the driving storylines over the next year will be: will Mike Tomlin come back to the NFL? And if so, will. Who potentially who's coaching in 2026 could end up having their job taken by a guy who's coached 19 seasons and never had a losing one? What is happening with Matt LaFleur and Green Bay right now? Tom.
There have been extensive discussions about a contract extension. That was the plan going into this phase of the offseason. That was the plan even before the game in Chicago. That probably, frankly, didn't make things easier in terms of the negotiation. The fact that not just did they lose that game, but the way they lost that game.
I would repeat something I know I told you, Rich, a week or two ago. which is Matt LaFleur. At 46 years old, in the middle of His coaching career is not just I would fairly say, if you pull people around the NFL, a top 10 head coach, he's also a top five play caller in the NFL.
So if you moved on from Matt LaFleur, you would have to essentially replace both positions. The Packers recognize that. They do not want Matt LaFleur going anyplace else. The question has been about what is the level of the commitment? What are the contract numbers?
Where should Matt LaFleur rightly fall among other head coaches in the NFL at a time that the market is exploding? If Matt LaFleur Would become available. There would be no shortage of teams that would be lining up to hire him. There's already eight vacancies. There would be a strong chance that Matt LaFleur would be a candidate for the majority of those vacancies.
But there's still several steps here. Can they work out a deal? That's been the focus for both sides. If they can't, then the options are he coaches out in 2026 and then becomes a free agent. You could attempt to trade him, which again, complicated things.
The coach has to be on board. It's not like players. You can't just send him wherever. Like he'd have to agree to a new deal with that team in order to work out the compensation, or you fire him. I don't see that being an option.
I don't see the Packers firing Matt LaFleur. I believe Matt's preference is to be in Green Bay and to continue to compete in that division with a roster that he loves. He's developed two quarterbacks there, not just Jordan Love, but Malik Willis. He won games with Malik Willis. Matt built something in Green Bay.
He has lived up to the standards they have at Lambeau Field. He just has not put the Lombardi trophy in the case yet. Can they find a path forward? I anticipate we'll get answers in the not too distant future on that. We'll see exactly how the rest of this plays out.
But that's where they've been throughout this week, Rich, is trying to figure out if they can find a path forward, do an extension that locks in Matt LaFleur for multiple years to come.
Well, I think you make an excellent point, Tom, in the fact that he's not just a head coach, he's also the play caller. And I appreciate you multitasking right here on the Rich Eisen show. You need to return that text? We're good. We're good.
Just tell me if there's. No, no, I'm here on you. This is the way I know I'm typing, but I do hear you telling me what I need to make for dinner tomorrow. I'm used to this, Tom, because this is the way I talk to my children. You know, honestly, their faces are in their phones, and I'm like, are you hearing me?
All right.
So, it's an interesting point that you make about that LaFleur is the offensive coordinator and play caller as well as the head coach. And in that regard, there's a ton of OC jobs open where the candidates are also applying for head coaching jobs. How do you see this? playing out? Do the head coaching gigs need to be filled first?
Or is there going to be somebody who's also Um talking about a head coaching job saying, you know what? I kind of dig this OC gig more, and they're gonna jump in. and turn down a head coaching job. How what's the timing on all of this for the Lions fans and the Chargers fans? All of them were wondering who their next offensive coordinator is going to be, just as an example.
It's a great point because I honestly have had multiple conversations today with coaches in the NFL, some of whom are on lame duck staffs. Remember, over a quarter of the league fired their head coach.
So you currently have nine staffs.
Some of the owners have given those people permission to interview for other jobs. Other owners, GMs, have said, We're holding on to you until we get the next guy. We're not just going to let our staff get raided.
So people start to get antsy. But it is January 16th. We can't even do the in-person interviews with currently employed coaches until Monday. And so, what I've been telling everyone is. Just exercise some patience here because you're talking about the OC jobs that are open, Rich.
So we've got Tampa, Detroit, the Chargers, the Eagles. The Chiefs don't have Matt Nagy under contract. The commanders already hired David Blau, promoted him from within, and that's because Detroit was willing to hire Blau, who used to be a quarterback there.
So that's six. You have nine staffs, that's 15. You can count on two, three, four offensive coordinators getting jobs.
Now, all of a sudden, you're talking about 17 to 19 new offensive coordinators in 2026. There is so much movement that needs to take place. And one thing that you're seeing, this has become more commonplace in recent years, is teams conducting head coaching interviews with candidates that realistically are probably more likely to be offensive or defensive coordinator candidates. Take Tennessee. Who now, I believe, as of the end of this weekend, will have interviewed like 18 candidates, 13 or 14 of which are former NFL, or in the case of Jeff Hafley, college head coaches.
So it's very clear they are prioritizing experience. They want people to have done it. Is Brian Dable really gonna be the head coach of the Tennessee Titans? Is Jonathan Gannon gonna be the head coach of the Tennessee Titans? In both cases, with respect to those guys, I would say probably not.
But they certainly, in Dave's case, could be the OC. And Gannon is going to be a hot defensive coordinator candidate. Mike McDaniel is interviewing. He's interviewed for four head coaching jobs so far. I believe there's going to be a fifth interview for Mike McDaniel.
He simultaneously is interviewed for the Lions offensive coordinator job. And I believe that between the Eagles, the Bucs, the Chargers, there's a bunch of teams that would like to hire Mike as their OC as well.
So those decisions you're talking to are real things that need to be worked through here. But because there are so many OC jobs out there and there are so many of the candidates for those jobs that also are interviewing for head coaching jobs, the coordinator jobs are probably going to fill a little bit more slowly. In other words, a Mike McDaniel is going to want to know he doesn't have a head coaching opportunity before he just goes and jumps and takes, let's say, the Lions offensive coordinator job. These are all moving parts, Rich. There are, of course, issues under the Rooney rule in terms of qualifying interviews that need to take place before you can hire.
The only three teams that as of today can hire their head coaches are the Giants, the Titans, and the Falcons. Those teams are in position to move swiftly as we get through this weekend and into the start of next week. But a lot of teams have an interest in at least speaking to some of those candidates that by rule, if you are employed by an NFL team, you can't interview until this coming Monday. They at least want to go through that portion of the process. I believe that you will see the hires really pick up, probably not Monday, but as we get into the middle to End of next week, you could see a bunch of these vacancies fill.
All right, Tom, before I let you go, Sam Darnold's oblique. What the heck? That's a simple question. Two sides to this.
So, Sam Darnold feels something. You mean of his body? Yes, he's got two obliques, I believe. I'm not even sure what he's doing. I'm going to go dad joke on you when we're dispensing information.
I like that. Yeah, Oblique has many different definitions. He felt something in his side throwing the football in practice yesterday. He pulled himself out of practice. He talked with reporters.
And when he was asked about the percent chance that he doesn't play, he basically said it is near zero. That's not a surprise. I believe. That Sam Darnold, barring some type of a setback, will be able to play tomorrow night against the 49ers. But oblique injuries always are concerning when you're talking about a quarterback.
It is much like. A pitcher in baseball. Oblique injuries in baseball, that guy's going on the 15-day disabled list, right? Because of the torqueing motion, the way that you're, it's the pain tolerance, and the fact that you can make something like that worse. And so, this is a situation where, again, barring some type of setback, I'm not under the impression that Sam Darnold is not going to be able to go, but it's going to be worth keeping an eye on how functional is he?
Is he in pain? Are there things that they can do to numb him prior to the game? It's a muscle injury. And so, Inevitably, if you tweak that thing the wrong way, you're going to be feeling it in the game. It's not what the Seahawks want to be dealing with as they get set for, you know, probably the biggest home playoff game that they've had since the Legion of Boom over a decade ago.
So keep an eye on it over these next 24-plus hours here. They'll continue to monitor. He'll receive treatment. I believe that he is going to be able to play, but he's listed as questionable. We just have to see exactly what that looks like against the 49ers defense that despite all the injuries, Robert Sala has had humming and attacking people this entire season.
And then what other injuries should we keep an eye on? Nico Collins and the concussion protocol. Same thing with Christian Gonzalez. Just as, for instance, what else you got for me for the entire weekend before I let you go, Tom? Do not believe that you're going to have Nico Collins on the field.
He's not practicing again today. Based on the concussion protocol, you kind of got to progress from limited to full and then get clearance from the independent neurologist before you're able to be cleared. They're running out of time with Nico Collins. I don't. Believe that he's going to play.
They'll probably rule him out today. Christian Gonzalez, on the other hand, went from limited on Wednesday to full on Thursday. That's a very positive sign. As of this morning, I was told he is still in the concussion protocol, but that's stage five. Once you get past full participation, which is clearance by the independent neurologist, is the last step.
If that comes today, which is probably when he'll see the doctor, or as late as tomorrow, he'll be available, which would be huge, obviously, for a Patriots team. That, you know, as much as they're going to have to deal with that Texans' defense, the Texans' offense, if CJ Stroud can handle a snap this week, they can be dangerous as well. Tom, thanks for the time, man. You're free to go. Appreciate it.
We'll chat over the weekend on NFL Network, obviously. Take care, buddy.
Sounds good, Rich. Thanks, Tom Pelicero. Multitasking is only heat right here on the Rich Eisen Show. That's odd that the Texans, one of their best players, is not going to be fine, but the Patriots do have one, and then weather might come and level the playing field on behalf of the Patriots. In their home.
I'm sorry you're so broken up. That's really weird. That's really, really, really weird. That doesn't happen for New England.
So it's an interesting break for them. All right, we'll take a break right here on the Rich Eyes. It's a tone, Rich Eskimo. It's not a tone. I'm just telling you, good for you.
I don't like your tone.
Okay, let's get a break. Christian Kirk, by the way, joining us in hour number two. New Year, same extra value meals at McDonald's.
So now get two snack wraps, plus fries, and a medium-sized drink for just $8. For limited time only, prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher in Hawaii, Alaska, and California, and for delivery. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Back here in the Rich Eisen Show, 844-204-Rich being the number today, give us a call, we'll have a chat.
Uh Christian Kirk, hour number two. Hour number three, Blake Corum. Black eight. What's more likely coming up? I've got a top five list.
Oh. And. Do you know what it is, Anto? Do you tell you what it is?
Well, there's only four games, so it can't be anything. It can't be the usual of me and the five the top five games I'm looking forward to. No, I don't know. I'm anxiously awaiting. Coop came up with it, so.
Um it was a great idea and I decided to employ it. There you go. That'll be later on. Um So Sitting around last night. And I hear Kyle Tucker signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
And, um My first thought was, I really can't say anything. As a Yankee fan since birth. You know, Cooper texted me, couldn't believe it, he's pissed. as the rest of the free baseball world is. that the team that um You know.
is already Top of the food chain. With all of their stars, half of them deferring their salary like it's the like they got a a deferred comp policy there in Los Angeles, which allows them to go ahead and give Kyle Tucker four years, two hundred and forty million dollars. By the way, he's deferring thirty million dollars of it. And um I kind of want to say to him, Listen, I can't complain. Um Because Back in the day, Steinbrauner had more money than most and the Yankees built quite a Quite a team.
That's why I'm a Yankee fan, 'cause they started winning when I was six, seven years old, an impressionable young man and Staten Island, New York. Um So we can't really say very much, but That would make for any good T V or radio, so screw it. I think this stinks. I think it absolutely stinks. The only thing that actually gave me pleasure was Steve Cohen was tweeting out, hey, white smoke's going to come out of Queens.
And whoop, got egg on his face, until he signs Beau Bachette this morning. No egg. Yeah. Which is, you know, good for you. That'll be great.
I don't why do you say it like that? It's good for you. It's great. Am I wrong on it? He's like, No, Soto's got a got a got a runner mate now, along with um.
Lindor, and it's heck of a signing. He's pretty damn good. I don't know, man. Your tone right now tells me you're not happy for me. But at some point, at some point, you know, Spot Track, I think I'm, it's not Spotrack, right?
It's Spot Track Commerce. Spot Track. The Giff and GIF. The Dodgers have committed. On their books a lot.
of guaranteed money. to baseball players. Including all the deferred stuff. Oh, yeah. $2.1 billion.
Yeah, it's a lot. Is that even legal? It is. It's a lot, bro. It is.
It is. And so you know What are you going to do?
Now, the only thing that I could sit here and say Is that Even with all of that for the Dodgers last year, they needed everything to go their way. Yeah. In order to stave off the Toronto Blue Jays. Who, by the way, are third on the list of most committed Guaranteed dollars. Yeah, they're spending.
You know who's two? Padre's Yeah. Padres are too.
So it's not like the usual have-nots, unable to keep up with the haves. I don't know. But it's once again the Dodgers world. We're all paying rent. I don't even know where does Tucker hit?
Fourth, fifth, sixth, sixth.
So where he goes. You know what I mean?
So it's gonna happen. Was he even good? He wasn't even that good the second half of last year. They're paying him $60 million a year. Which makes the Soto deal look like a mere bag of shells.
Looks like it's cheap. I would have signed that deal too if I was here. I'm glad we got to. Kyle Tucker? He also gets to opt out year two and year three.
Yeah. Also.
So the Dodgers are like, we'll give you opt-outs. We'll pay you 60 million a year. We'll give you signing bonus of $64 million. You want to defer $30 million so you got a nice little 401k plan for yourself? Great.
Why wouldn't he sign that sort of thing? To be with the back-to-back champion Dodgers with this and outstanding manager. Who's not, you know. I'm gonna treat you anything but like a person and an adult. And get to play with quite possibly the greatest player.
Of all time? Yeah. I keep mentioning it last year. Otani on first. Oh, no, sorry.
It was Otani on second, Betts on first. Freeman hits one in the gap, and they're all running. They have a shot from behind home plate. watching the base paths move. Of Otani come around, bets first to third, and Freeman go to second.
I'll f sat there and think, like, is that a billion dollars on the base fence? Easily.
Well, I think it was. And so again, you know, baseball fans, it'll be, you know, for you to vote with your remotes or your feet or whatever, or or you're going to sit there and Rude against your Dodgers. You know? I don't know. But it's honestly, it was the Yankees in the 70s and the 80s and the 90s.
And now it's the Dodgers of the of the now. Where they have more money. then they know what to do with, they're willing to spend it. And they're also able to spend more money than they know what to do with because a bunch of players are like, we'll take it 10 years from now, we don't care.
So you're down underneath the luxury tax. You can use it to your advantage. And I just hope Boba Shet's healthy for you. That's all. Because last year, I mean, he could rake, and then he was limping around the bases.
I imagine he'll be just fine. You kind of got to wonder, man, when he hit that three-run homer off Otani, like, had they won? what his present would look like. You know, he's awesome. I don't know.
Maybe he would be. Maybe it would be. I don't know. The Blue Jays are are still spending like crazy. And at some point, you know, Brian Cashman's alarm will go off.
Seconds. Same thing with your Red Sox over there, but you did sign, you did sign a, you know, you did sign Rangers. You did get Rangers Suarez, which was great. You got two nice lefties coming out to start. Baseball hot stove heating up our t.
The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
