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Well, hey everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. I mean business, and I should have waited to take off my glasses to show that. Hold on a minute. Welcome to the Rich Eisen Show, everybody. It's Disney Plus, the ESPN app.
It's ESPN Radio, it's SiriusXM Channel 80, and it's you. 844-204 Riches. The number to dial were four wide today. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated first up. And then in our number two, we've got an in-studio guest, Ozzie Albies of the Red Hot Atlanta Braves.
Love him to be here on this program. Won't that be a lot of fun? Great. Also on this program, in our number three, Chris Weber will be on as well. As we mentioned, four-wide on today's show, The Miz, right in the middle.
And unless he's going through some form of a.
Some form of a wardrobe change. He'll be wearing Sequin like he did on Get Up and First Take today.
So we're appreciative of being part of the Ms. Car Wash on today's program. 844-204 Riching In is the number to do. How are you over there, Chris Brockman? What's going on?
Rich, I'm fantastic. How are you? What's going on there, Jason Seller? How are you? What's up, Rich?
And TJ Jefferson, what's going on by you over there?
Well, you know how I feel about the Braves, but I will do my best to stay professional today when. Ozzy comes in. I understand you're a Met fan, but here's what you should do: you should take heart in the fact that Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Brave, is here. On the 10-year anniversary of Bartolo Colone homering against the Padres.
So at least you got that. What a great moment in here. Great moments in Met's history because there are very little other ones. Hey, come on, Rich.
Well, it's the truth. It's too early for this. No, it's not. No, it's not. It's never too early for Met's slander.
We went this Yankee fan, even though we lost last night. All right, listen: 844-204 Richie is the number to dial. Looks like there is some. Um uh um I guess Black and gold smoke coming out of the uh chimney. Oh.
In Pittsburgh, PA. What you got? Or wherever Aaron Rodgers lives. Really? In Rappaport, my guy.
All right, NFL Networks Ian Rap report, as reported on all the ESPN platforms. Hey. Talking about white smoke coming out of the chimney. Developing news. Mm-hmm.
Ian's saying Rogers is going to go to Pittsburgh this weekend. Just to hand me hold on a minute. Hold on, hold on. He's going to visit the Steelers this weekend. and will likely play for them in twenty twenty six, sources say.
There's a lot of information, news media information hedging there because as he points out, even he points out in the post, A deal's not done, and there is always caution until things are signed. But Rogers' plan. It is to play for Pittsburgh, and these are steps toward that end.
Okay. Here, Coach. There's more to the post, but we'll pop it back up in a minute. I need you to handle this part first. Sure.
What you do. How is this different from last year? I'll tell you. Oh, okay. He didn't show up till June last year.
This is May. Although, wait a minute. Last year, if you remember, He snuck in the back. He drove himself and something. Like a Toyota rattle.
A truck thing, yeah. He rented a car. Yeah. Like he. Like he's Seinfeld.
Did you have the reservation?
So you're just holding it. Is he holding it? Hold it. Remember that? He just snuck in the back.
Now we're just going through the front door. I'm showing up. Hey. And then That whole you know remember that That whole deal we had Pellicero on a tele, you know, Tom, explain this to us like we're five. This pop up the tweet again one more time from Ian today if you don't mind.
Um the uh uh UFA tender. Remember, they gave him that tender offer, unrestricted free agent offer. that um sat him at fifteen million bucks and We're wondering, is he happy with that? Is he not happy with that? How does he view it?
Did he know about all that stuff? And Tom's like, yeah, it's just a formality, just in case he ghosts. For someone else. And it's like, well, why would you have to put it there if you don't know what he's doing and all that business? Oh, he's not going to play for fifteen million dollars, someone you think.
So Ian's saying that's considered a placeholder. Hard to imagine. He plays for $15 million, which is why a deal must be worked out and finalized. But finality is coming soon, sources say. Didn't he play on the cheap last year?
That was last year. This is this year. Yeah. I imagine. Sup Um Yeah.
This is uh happening, guys. Yeah, 14.1 last year. This is happening right now. I'm not surprised. Neither am I.
It's happening. We knew this. And I'll just think this dealer should be doing it. Let me tell you, I hear you, Chris. I understand what you're saying.
They 100% should be doing this. If not, For us.
Okay, that's good. Then who? I understand that, yeah. content with all due respect to the kids that they've got there. And Mason Rudolph, who apparently got pissed off when Kim Hayward was only talking about Will Howard because they only asked him about Will Howard, when he came on the program the week before the draft, or when he came on the show again.
I'll tell you, nobody was happier than Will Howard when Ty Simpson got drafted. How do I know this? We were standing behind him. We were standing right next to him. Do tell?
Oh, yeah, well, we were at. Shouldn't we tell? Of course.
Well, I mean, first of all. I was going in another direction. You hop in to say this, and now you're like, should we tell it? Of course, we'll tell it.
Now you have to tell it. We were at Cam Hayward's draft party. He invited us. We went. It was great.
Very, very fun. A lot of Steelers players were. Techla Cowboy and pitchers. Will Howard was among them when the Rams took Ty Simpson. Because, you know, that was maybe Ty Simpson was a Steelers spot.
That's a lot of rumors and conjecture about 13th overall. Everyone went crazy. And Will Howard was jumping up and down. They may or may not have done some shots because that meant Ty Simpson was not going to the Steelers. And Will Howard's spot, you know.
Conceivable way of the team was secure.
Okay. Well now This only prevents Will Howard, one would think, from playing this year. Yeah. But get some red. Because, as I was going to point out here.
That Rogers means Will Howard Andrew Aller. Can get some time in front of Mike McCarthy. And then he who has been hired. to bring along the next quarterback Because he has been bringing along quarterbacks from your guy in Dallas and Dak. Yep.
even though Dak was already blossoming under Jason Garrett. And then Rogers is the avatar of what Mike McCarthy can do with a kid. Who he has in his midst. Without playing. And then he goes out.
And he can play.
So this is what It affords them without having to throw them out there. And tell also the fan base, hey, we got a new. Coach. You remember Mason Rudolph? We've been there and done that with him.
He's our week one starter because Rogers said no. Or Rogers. was not welcomed back, or Rogers didn't want to come back because we made him feel unwelcomed. That's the alternative. You think that's a better alternative?
Just to see what they can do with Will Howard week one? Drew Aller, week one. Like, Drew Aller's not walking through that door for week one. Here's the deal, and this is where the Steelers are. This is now another year.
Of just kind of eight and nine, nine and eight, picking in the late teens. First of all, they haven't been eight and nine. In the NFL, you need to bottom out. Or be a contender. The middle ground, what is the zone that we've been talking about all week?
The regulation. That is the worst possible place to be if you're an NFL team. You want to be at the bottom so you can get a high draft pick and reload, reload, reload, or you want to be at the top because that means you are a contender and in the running for a Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been none of those things. And look where they are.
relying on a forty two year old guy to make up his mind. This is an awful place to be. Yeah. Well, you're the one relegating them to that zone. And Hey, I'm going to let everyone in on a secret.
Yeah. The Steelers are not winning the Super Bowl this year. Oh. Oh, my goodness gracious. Because the guy who went from 4-13 to 13-4.
We're almost winning the Super Bowl. Not that guy. Did we win it? Nope. We got smoked.
Could have. You almost. Let me put it this way. That game was never close to the Super Bowl. Or the kickoff happened.
Let me put it this way: Steelers fans are about to get. A taste. of what they've wanted. which is no more Mike Tomlin. And no more offensive coordinators chosen by Mike Tomlin.
You want Aaron Rodgers either? Um I don't believe. Last year.
Okay. Where DK Metcalf gets into it with some blue-haired lion fan at the wrong time. Wrong time. At the absolute wrong time. And then The offense behind Rogers regressing at the wrong time.
is and Mostly because of Rogers' fault. I think Rogers played way better than what you expected last year. And you, I also mean the American people. And Stranger things have happened. And Michael Pittman's walked through the door.
And Rico Dottles walked through the door. And You could make the case the Steelers are a better team if Mike McCarthy comes in and pluses up that offense in the way that he's done before. Say what you will about them, and people are saying what they will about him. I also like their draft a hell of a lot, man.
Solid draft. They got themselves a Hannah Chore for their offensive line. This kid, Jeremy Bernard, is exactly the guy that every Niner fan is up in arms about that they didn't take and let him go to the Steelers. I mean, Jennings Dunker added him to that offensive line. This Weegen kid from Iowa is just another one of those kids from Iowa that does more than just one thing.
I don't know, maybe the The Navy man in Heidenreich can actually do something too. I think the Steelers are better. than the team that walked off the field last year. And if every Steeler fan blames it at the feet of Tomlin, it's your fault. And part of why Rogers might be coming back is he feels there's unfinished business, and this just end, he might have a chip on his shoulder.
I know I just gave the much rosier view of it than you did. Chris. And I think most people in this Audience listening to us would agree with you more than they would agree with me. But hey, Steelers fans, you wanted somebody other than Tommin. You might not have wanted McCarthy, but one thing that McCarthy does is he coaches offense, and the offense gets better.
And I liked the draft, but And Pittman plus DK Metcalf is better than what they had last year. Yeah. Which was DK Metcalf plus Kenneth Gainwell. was their main offensive engine, certainly catching the football. And and then DK goes poof.
'Cause he couldn't keep his hands to himself in Detroit. Pittman's another guy. He's much bigger than you think. No doubt, sir. He's a big dude, man.
I hope I'm wrong. And this kid, Noah Kowski from Indiana, is another national champion, tight end kid, who's going to be with. with uh friar muth. The muth. I think the offense is going to be better, and I think that's a fact.
Rico. And I would rather see Rogers out there then roll out Will Howard and see can he be the next Bo Nix. Can he be the next? you know Fill in the blank of any Young quarterback. Shining as a bright shining star.
Wouldn't you rather do that now than in 27? That's gonna you're gonna have to do this at some point. Unless you you want to give um McCarthy enough time. And guess what? One of those two kids I just mentioned may get some time too.
Because Rodgers didn't play all 17. He missed one game last year. Unfortunately, he was against the Bears. And then again, for us, the Steelers with Rodgers at the quarterback spot, much more exciting to see and watch. And I think it's great that he's making this decision in advance of the schedule being released because now you're going to see a lot more of these Steeler games on national television.
Facts. And be in front of everybody. I kind of dig it. I'm excited. This excites me.
The league's more interesting with Rogers in it. For you to say the stuff that you say, for Rogers to come out and put his chip on his shoulder and say things that make people outraged or not. But as you know, it's not over until he shows up on Pat's show. Mm-hmm. So and I'm looking up, I don't see it yet.
So we'll see. Keep an eye out for that. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial here on the program. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated coming up. And then Ozzie Albi's in studio.
We've got a fun game set up for him. He is an avid aquarium owner. Did you know this about him? I did know this about him. He collects exotic fish, sort of like the way Braves are collecting winds right now.
He does. And um So we're going to show photographs of exotic fish on the screen, and we'll see if he's really waiting for it. And uh. Fish in auto. Yeah.
But don't don't thank you. And we've created our own ABS system to check his answers. Yeah. You think we're joking. We're not.
We're definitely not joking. We're definitely joining. The Ms., Chris Weber, and you, 844-204 Rich Number Don. We come back. We got Breer on the horn.
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated, joining us next here on the program. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts.
At Thrive Ent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrive and where money means more. Connect with us at ThriveInt.com. If you've ever wanted real energy without choking down something that tastes like regret, Bucked Up is the answer.
The flavor is the thing people keep coming back for. Insanely delicious, which is not a phrase usually associated with energy drinks, and they're built on real science-backed ingredients. Clean energy that actually works without the garbage you don't want. Bucked up is so confident you'll love their drinks, they're giving away an island vacation just to prove it. That's the kind of brand this is.
No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends May 30th. Enter and find your closest bucked up at buckedupenergy.com. Grab a bucked up and feel like a million bucks.
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Here he is back on the program. Good to see you Albert. What's going on, brother? How are you? Good to see you, Rich.
Hi, everybody. What's going on? Look at Albert Brere back here. Um all right.
So, Roger's going to Pittsburgh, huh? This is happening? What do we got? Yeah, it feels that way. And I think this is really, you know, the only conclusion here that was going to have him playing.
I know there was some speculation. Could he go? To Arizona? Could he go like somewhere else? And I think.
If this thing had dragged out into July, maybe there's an injury somewhere, then something might have materialized. But I think as it stands right now, Really, this for him is about enjoying playing football. And, you know, I think he struggled to find. A way to do that in his two years in New York. There was just so much going on there.
And I think one of the things that he really liked about going to Pittsburgh last year was that it did allow him to dive into just being a football player. Not everything else, not the ayahuasca guy or the political activist or any of that stuff. It was just go be a football player. And you don't need to be the face of the organization. That's Mike Tomlin at the time.
And I think he really was able to dive in and enjoy that. And he enjoyed his teammates. It's a very veteran locker room with more guys that are peers of his. And so, you know, I think if it was going to happen, if this 22nd season for him as an NFL player is going to happen, it was going to happen in Pittsburgh. And I think there's a likelihood it was going to happen.
And now that likelihood seems to have ramped up a little bit with the idea that he could be there later today and maybe signing a contract by the end of the weekend. All right.
So here we go, right? Mm-hmm. I should put the hashtag. But yeah, you know, this is it. You know what, though, Rich?
Here's the thing, though. Like, if you look at their actions to me, like, that's the whole thing. It's like. I Like, everybody's very careful. Everybody around Aaron Rodgers is very careful on talking on Aaron Rodgers.
It's like the fight club, man. Yeah. Yeah. It's like no one wants to be the one that's speaking for Aaron Rodgers. You know what I mean?
So everybody's very careful about that. And so the Steelers were, and I think this, like, this was last year, it's this year, too. They've been very careful about the way that they've discussed this because the last thing they want to do is. Like, say something the wrong way or be speaking for him, and then it pisses him off, and he's off into the sunset, right?
So, you know, I, but I think like you can read into a team's actions that speak louder than their words. And I think in this case, you saw that. I look like this very easily could have been a rip-the-band-aid offseason for them, right? They've gotten older. I think there was some feeling that you know, they maybe they go younger again with a head coach.
I certainly thought so at the beginning of all this that it'd be someone like Chris Shula. They wind up hiring Mike McCarthy, who's an older head coach. That tells you they don't want to sink to the bottom of the league. Then they hang on to their current core, right?
So all those guys, you know, Cam Hayward, you know, the TJ Watts, the Jalen Ramseys, like those guys are there. And then, if you look at their actions, you know, in the offseason, they sign Rico Dowdle, who's going into his eighth season of running back, right? They trade for Michael Pittman, who's almost 30 years old. They bring in Jamel Dean, who's almost 30 years old at corner. I mean, it just all lines up where, I mean, all due respect, if we're being honest, does that seem like a team that's ready to roll Will Howard or Mason Rudolph out there at quarterback?
No, right?
So, like, I think every sign was out there that this was happening, and they were preparing to have Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback. But, you know, until it's done, it's done. And I think nobody wanted to come out and say anything that would jeopardize that in the time being. Yeah. And it doesn't appear like it appears that everybody is now on the same page.
And the way it was handled is. Is um pitch perfect to be honest with you. I mean, um, and so what is Will Howard Steele, Albert? I mean, like, where, where, where, what is the future at the position? Because at some point, You know, McCarthy will be asked to shepherd somebody new in and along.
Is that guy currently on the roster, do you think, including the kid they just drafted out of Penn State and Drew Aller? Drew Aller, right? Like, I. I think they don't know right now, is probably the best way to put it. I mean, they could have a decision to make in another month on whether or not they want to put a bid on a kid who might become available at the beginning of July.
Okay. So is that a Sourceby reference you just made right now? Yeah, I know we're going to get to it, but it's the Brendan Sourceby reference. I just think, look. Do I think that they would be comfortable putting Will Howard in a game right now?
Yeah, I do. Does that mean that he is going to be their quarterback for the next 10 years? No, it doesn't.
So, I think too often we make these things yes or no things, where it's like you can be optimistic about a guy. But that doesn't mean, I mean, if Will Howard was, if they were very sure that Will Howard was their future, they probably wouldn't be spending a third-round pick on Drew Aller, right?
So you can believe that a guy has promise and be optimistic about his future and still understand like we still have to put resources into the position.
So I think they feel good about Will Howard, but I don't think anybody's convinced that like he is the successor to Ben Rothlessberger there, you know? And I think there's a good chance the successor to Ben Rothlessberger isn't on the roster yet. Again, with all due respect to Will Howard and what he did in his first year and Drew Aller coming in, who they haven't seen do much of anything yet.
Okay. Um, what are we going to get first from Jimmy Haslam? Uh, Giannis' situation handled or the quarterback situation handled for the Browns? How about that? I did see him come out and talk.
I didn't actually see what he said, but like, I did see he's kind of like speaking for the team now, right? Yeah. Did you see, did you, did you all see that? I did. Before the draft.
He wants it before the draft. And it's just like, okay.
Okay. A little bit of Brown's being brought to the Bucs now. And it's kind of. Yeah. I mean, could that be Jalen Brown for Giannis straight up?
I don't know. Ha ha. Look at us mixing sports right now. But is this Deshaun Watson's gig as we're sitting here? You know, soon to be mid-May schedules coming out.
So, Bert, what do you think? Yeah, this is the way that I've looked at it. And I've looked at it this way for a couple of months. They have now invested nearly $200 million. By the end of this year, it'll be $230 million into Deshaun Watson.
They've invested three first-round picks into him. Obviously, it's gone the way it's gone. It has not, the return has not been close to the investment they made. Um over the last four years. You know what would be worse though?
than just striking out on this. What would be worse would be striking out. Not giving him a chance this year, and then seeing him go and ball out somewhere else in 2027.
So, like, I think for the Browns, part of this is you sort of owe it to yourself. to at least give this Iran and see. And make sure that that top five quarterback that we all watched play in 2017 and 18 and 19 and 20 isn't still in there. And do I think that they want to get a look at Shadur Sanders again? Sure.
I also think it's much easier to pull the plug on Deshaun Watson four games or eight games into the season and go to Shazur Sanders than it would be the other way around. Generally, you'll start with your veteran quarterback, you'll see what he's got. And then you get to a point in the season where it's like, okay.
Now we're going to go with the young guy. You give the young guy a little bit more runway to learn your offense. to learn from the older guy. And then, if it doesn't go well with the older guy, you go to the younger guy. That, of course, is presuming.
That Shador doesn't just flat out beat him out, which is possible too. But I think in this case, You know I just think the Browns would like to see And make sure. The Deshaun Watson Is not the guy anymore. Period. End of story.
that he was Five years ago. And I honestly, look, if I had invested that much, if I was the owner of the GM, if I had invested that much. I mean, I think I would want to get a look just to make sure that it's not there, especially in what's going to be a transition year, unless, of course, there's a much better answer on the position on your team. No, there's no doubt, right? I mean, you've come all this way.
He's come all the way back from an Achilles injury. You have two rookies from last year, you know. One who flashed in Shador, and one who really didn't in Dylan Gabriel. But neither of them sit here and give you a week one better chance than a You know, turn back the clock to Sean Watson. You know what I mean?
Like that, with a new coach. who doesn't own um The concept of drafting anybody that's there or the signing of or the acquisition. Like all of these quarterbacks, none of them are on the ledger of the The new head coach, right?
So. All bets are off, to use the phrase. You know? I would think I mean, clean slate, right? Like the only one that Todd Munkin had anyone, anything to do with acquiring is Talon Green, who they just drafted out of Arkansas and went the sixth round.
So, you know, I think it's. It's a clean slate for everybody. And again, like I think. Like, if we just look at this historically. There at this point are Far more recent.
Examples of first-round reclamation projects that have worked out. You know, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones. Then there are third rounders or fifth rounders that wind up becoming big stars.
So it just seems to me like. If they're going to get top-end quarterback play, it's probably still most likely going to come from Deshaun Watson, too, based on what we know about the position in recent history. Albert Breer here on The Rich Eisen Show. It's now time to play. Who gets the most starts in 2026 of the rookie quarterback class?
Rank them. What do you got for me? Mendoza leads that list. Yeah. Carson Beck leads the list.
Who leads the list, Albert? What do you got for me? I think it's Mendoza. All right.
Beck is the one. I'm glad you brought him up. Beck's the one that gives me some pause. Because It could be a scenario where Arizona, I mean, they know what they've got in Jacoby Brissette. They know what they've got in Gardner Minshew, right?
So. I mean, if you get to a point where you've fallen out of contention, do you want to at least evaluate him before making a decision on how you're going to handle the quarterback position in 2027? I'd also say this. Just having talked to a ton of coaches and scouts over the last few months. The A couple of them told me Beck was the smartest of the quarterbacks that they sat down with.
Now, a lot of people will be surprised by that, but a lot of them told me that Beck was the smartest of the quarterbacks that they sat down with ahead of the 2026 draft.
So, like, A guy who played six years in college, who has football IQ. It would seem to me like he would probably be ready to go too. Like, that's the advantage of having as much time on task as Carson Beck has had.
So I still think it's Mendoza because he's the number one overall pick. And history tells us that there's going to come a point in the season that he's going to be in there. Um But Beck would be the one that would just give me a little bit of pause where I would look at it and say, you know. There's a possibility that it does wind up, um, it does wind up being Carson Beck, just because I think the Cardinals might want to get a look at what they have there. All right.
Um.
So Mendoza starts the season. Yeah, I don't think so. My guess would be Kirk Cousins starts the season. And I think that this boils down to, you know, again, like looking at this historically. What history tells us is if the team is in contention and you have a veteran quarterback at the controls, Generally That's the only scenario where a first-round quarterback sits the entire year.
So, using that as my guide, like I'd say, If Kirk Cousins is winning, if the Raiders are playing well, which might not be the most likely thing in the world, then Kirk Cousins stays. stays in the job. But I I do think there would come a point whether it's Five games in, seven games in, nine games in, if they are struggling, where you would want to get Mendoza the reps. And he does have, you know, a ways to go. Like there is a little bit of a translation there going from the spread system he played at Cal, the RPO system, RPO heavy system that he played at Indiana.
Not that you didn't see NFL things that he was doing, but there is a little bit of like a learning curve there and a translation. And, you know, I think there'll probably come a point for the Raiders where they'll look at it and say, this kid can handle it. He's ready. He's grown up. He's mature.
And he's not going to be broken if he has a few bad plays out there.
So we want to start the process of getting him ready for 2027 now.
Okay. Um The portion of the interview where I ask you to make prediction, if it's right, we'll repeat it. If not, Never happened. Uh Ty Simpson plays for the Rams for the first time. In, fill in the blank.
Oh, see, like I'm a little uncomfortable with this, Rich, just because. Like, I feel like I'd be predicting an injury, but Matthew Stafford does have injury history, right?
So it's possible he plays in 2026 if Matthew Stafford gets hurt for a game or two. Um I think My guess would be in 2027, though. My guess would be: this is a pure red shirt, and I would not mistake this. for just being a like drafting him 13th overall. I wouldn't mistake that for This being just a Like, move for the future.
I do think part of the equation for the Rams here, now they move that 29th pick. for Trent McDuffie, right? And that's very much a win-now move.
Well That 13th pick, right? Like using the 13th pick on Ty Simpson now frees them up. To use future picks as capital, which I think will allow them flexibility over the next few months if opportunities come available.
So I think that they're set up in a really nice way where they got their quarterback of the future and they're sort of liberated to operate like the Rams have traditionally operated in the past because they don't have to worry about Matthew Stafford's replacement anymore.
Okay. Um now then. You mentioned Brandon Sourceby. Yeah. Okay.
I understand talent over everything. This is a talent over everything league. But I cannot, I'm hoping I'm going to get this right here. I cannot believe. That the first supplemental draft choice in seven years will most likely be used in this quarterback needy league.
on a kid currently involved in a lawsuit When he's been sued by his school about a breach of NIL contract. And he's taken a medical leave of absence over a gambling addiction. Yep. And in the lawsuit that involves antitrust. And uh gambling He's now being represented by Jeffrey Kessler.
who might be. The buggy man. If there is an NFL Christmas card list. Out. He might be the last name on it.
Right. And and no, no, no, no. You're above him, despite. You and your history. Um But in all seriousness, really?
Like, we're falling all over ourselves for that kid because he must be insanely talented, Albert. Yeah. Because that's all I'm hearing is that Tires are being kicked. By a ton of teams. He's that good, and they're willing to take him.
Under this cloud. if cleared. Albert.
Well, so I'll give you the landscape.
Okay. So the landscape starts, like you said, with Jeffrey Kessler. I don't want people to make the mistake here of thinking that Kessler was brought in purely to sue the NFL. No. I don't think that's what it is.
No, I know. I know. That's separate. That's that, if I'm not mistaken, what I'm reading, he's being brought in to sue Cincinnati. Sue the NCAA sue the NCAA.
I'm sorry. He's not being brought. I don't think that's why he's being brought in to sue the NCAA.
Sorry. Sure. I don't think that's what it is. I I think If like, and this is just from having talked to people around it. This is Saresby's side lawyering up.
The Texas tech people have lawyered up. I think what this is. And what the presence of Jeffrey Kessler is about. Is about trying to accelerate a decision from the NCAA on this and trying to see if there's a way to allow him to play college football in 2022. I think he wants to play college football.
Texas Tech obviously wants him there. And so this is about, to me, Jeffrey Kessler and an all-star legal team going to the NCAA. and seeing if there is any settlement to be had. Where it's a three-game suspension, it's a six-game suspension, whatever it is. Is there some path?
to Brendan Sorresby playing college football in 2026.
Now if Mm-hmm. The NCAA says no, because this looks really black and white. He admitted to what he did wrong. He gambled on games in Indiana. The rules say that if you gamble on any team at your school, it doesn't even matter if it's a sport you play.
Your eligibility is done and permanently revoked. And so, if the NCA sticks to that and says your eligibility is permanently revoked, that's it. Then Ms. Sworesby has a decision to make. Do I sue the NCAA and try to get an injunction and maybe go to a Texas tech-friendly judge in Lubbock?
And can I get an injunction based on the fact that like Like, it looks to me like really unlikely he could win the case, which is what you have to prove to get the injunction.
So, it seems like it'd be a steep hill to climb. Or do you just go to the NFL? And if you go to the NFL now with Kessler in your hip pocket. And now, and now, and this is interesting, right? Do they follow the Terrell Pryor precedent?
Oh, my word. And if you remember, in the Terrell Pryor case, and I think this is a fascinating piece of it, it wasn't just a six-game suspension, right? That wasn't pulled out of thin air. That was what the NCAA suspension was.
So the NFL was matching the NCAA suspension.
So if the NFL goes to that precedent.
Well, the NCAA would essentially be banishing Sworesby from college sports, right?
So now how does the NFL handle that? And, you know, and then I think the next piece of it is the eligibility for the supplemental draft. We've seen guys with drug cases get in the supplemental draft, Josh Gordon. We've seen the eligibility cases prior. We've seen a ton of guys become academically ineligible and get into the supplemental draft.
And the NFL has let them in on the premise: we're a trade association, and we have to leave it up to our companies to decide whether or not they're employable. In other words, the trade association itself cannot deny employment to the prospect.
So then, does the NFL have to allow him into the supplemental draft, which I think they would have to allow him into the supplemental draft, then it becomes up to the teams whether or not he gets in. It's a fascinating case.
So then, to wrap up.
So, who's interested in what level of draft choice do you think would go for Brandon Soursby? I got four teams, right? I have four teams here that I think in the 2027-6 draft kept their powder dry for 27. The Jets, the Cardinals, the Browns, the Dolphins. I think all four of those teams kick the can down the road, you know, at various levels.
Obviously, the Jets get Geno Smith, the Dolphins go get Malik Willis. They've all kind of Patchwork the position together. And basically said, like, we don't think there's somebody as there's somebody worthy of taking that high in 26.
So we are allowing ourselves the opportunity now to extend this out and get to 27 and take one there. And what happens if one of those teams says Brendan Swordsby is as good as any of the kids that are coming out next year. We'll throw a second-round pick at it. And then think about this. What if you're Pittsburgh?
Right. And what if you're Pittsburgh and you say Brendan Saresby is going to be a top five pick next year, which some people look at him that way, right?
So if you're the Steelers, do you say I mean If Aaron Rodgers is here, we think we're going to win nine or ten games. Mike McCarthy is our coach. Sure. That's going to be the 20th pick in the draft. That's going to be the 23rd pick in the draft.
We'll throw that at him. Would Minnesota do it with the new general manager? A first-rounder? They'd use a first.
So a team would use a first-round pick and next to draft. I don't know if that's likely, but I, but I think if you're one of these teams that believes they'll be drafting at the bottom of the round, right? Yeah. Like, I would have put the Rams in this category before they took Simpson, right? Like, this is part of the equation.
It's like the Rams would be in that category. We'd be like, well, we're not going to be drafting high enough to get one. Right. You know, and we have an older quarterback.
So is it worth the 28th pick in the draft, the 26th pick in the draft? To get a guy who might be a top five pick if he's in the draft next year. And oh, by the way, we get to have him in our building this year, you know? I it's It's fascinating. I think, like, honestly, like, I was thinking about this historically.
I think Steve Walsh was the last quarterback, like, right, like, who would be of this level that was available in the supplemental draft? Obviously, the most famous one is Bernie Kozar, all the way back in whatever that was, 84, 85. But it's. It's a fascinating case.
And I, you know, I talked to one offensive coordinator who said to me, From a He's not consistent enough yet. He's like, but from an arm talent perspective, I hate to use the names Caleb Williams and Patrick Mahomes, but I think this kid has some of that. Wow. And like, Zach Wilson was the other name.
Sorry, Rich. No, Trotter. Zach Wilson was the other name. But, but, guys who have like that level of arm, like, he has that sort of arm talent. And so, you know, I mean, if you're, if you're the Jets, right, or you're the Cardinals, like you can say, we'll throw a second-round pick at this now.
We get him in our building for a year, and we'll see how the NFL rules on that because that's going to be part of the equation, too. Is he suspended? If he is suspended for the entire year, like, can you have him in your building and can you work with him? Like, all of these things are moving parts with this. And again, like, to circle back to the beginning of the conversation, I think there's a big piece of this is like, like, big piece of hiring Kessler is so like they can clarify the landscape on all this because there is so much to sort out between now and what I think is expected to be a June 30th deadline to declare.
I got to beat it on down the line. Albert, thanks for the time, man. We'll get you on back again real soon. Love chatting with you. Thanks, buddy.
Awesome. Thanks, Richmond. We're going to take a break. We're back to unpack a lot of that right here on the Rich Eisen show in a moment. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
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Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Alright Lee Auto parts. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show. How about Brendan Saurby has that ability? That was some private crazy hype. I guess, listen, I haven't watched him play.
I'll be straight out. I mean, same. I just haven't watched him play. But again, there's a lot going on with him right now, and all that needs to be handled by the end of next month. Everything that just you just heard.
Got to figure out do I sue the do I get a settlement? Do I sue the NCAA? And if I don't, do I go into the NFL draft? And if I do, the NFL supplemental draft, how do I clear my name with all this gambling stuff? Right.
It's going to be tough, man. You think so, huh? I agree with you. It's gonna be hard. Not all of that.
Man. But if he's that good, what a Caleb Williams, Patrick Mahomes type ability. That was like, and you could flip a two right now and get him in your building? And he's in the supplemental draft, and you look him in the eye, and he's like, Yeah, I'm done with all this gambling stuff. I went to the rehab, I'm finished.
You know? Seems worth it. By the way, I think that's a good question. I I have been through the uh Again, I lost my remaining hair in the lockout. Do you remember when Bob Kraft stepped in with Jeff Saturday?
Saturday, yeah. Do you remember all about all those years? Jeffrey Kessler was. Not welcome. in any of these conversations.
At all. But if you want to hire somebody to sue the NCAA or sue, you know, to get your. That's the guy you call. Yeah. And he's not Saul.
Yeah. Not by any stretch of the imagination at all.
So I just had a very nice chat with Ozzy Albies in the back. And he's up. He's up for showing off his um A fish in eye. Oh, amazing. He collects exotic fish.
And um he's got many fish tanks. And he's he's he's also uh coming on to support his Foundation Rescue Dogs. Oh, do we have that? Is this what photograph? Pop that photograph up of the fish tank.
I just saw you guys were cycling through it. What is that? That is the 6,000-gallon fish tank in his garage. In his garage. I think there's a video of him swimming in the tank that you can find online.
Yeah. Swimming with the fish. Oh, gosh.
Well, that would be his koi pond. That looks like it's a a hot tub. Oh my god. Jumping fish. He's got jumping fish.
I mean, come on now. That's gangsta.
Okay. That's coming up next. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show Podcast. You can watch and listen to The Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app, The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
