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Towns up top. Drives on Wimpa Yama. From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. The thing about Carl Anthony Towns, I just love his heart. Earlier on the show.
ESPN NBA analyst and NBA champion Richard Jefferson. Coming up. NFL network insider Tom Pellicero. Comedian Michael Flaustein. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
Number two of the Rich Eisen Show on the Air here on our usual spots of Disney Plus and the ESPN app. We're on ESPN. Cable writ large today. We always love being back here, back home, if you will. 844204 rich, number to dial.
We say hello to the ESPN Radio audience, coast to coast, every single day on this ESPN Radio affiliate kind enough to have us. SiriusXM Channel 80, the home of ESPN Radio On. Satellite Radio. Chris Brockman and Jason Feller in their spots. We've got TJ Jefferson in his spot coming up in his usual Friday spot.
Tom Pellicero, my colleague from the NFL Media Group, he will join us with the latest, not only on what happened with Miles Garrett and A.J. Brown, but also Baker Mayfield speaking through the media today about. A new contract for himself, and apparently that's not going very well. Neither is uh Chicago staying in the uh the Bears staying in the state of Illinois. Um The uh the team putting out a statement saying we're moving forward with Indiana right now.
So Tom's going to talk about just how real all that is. Then there's your phone calls at 844-204-Rich, number to dial. Will Tom maybe get to the bottom of the current biggest mystery in the NFL right now? Ooh, which is. How did Jared Verse get number eight in Cleveland?
How did you hear about that? Good new drop from Jalen Brunson. I like it. I think Jared Verse. How'd you hear about that drop?
Take us away about that. Thank you. I like it. Cheryl. Thank you to my present Andrews for getting that.
But the equipment manager was like, Sorry, Mr. Verse. Can you walk up and just say, give me eight? Probably. Maybe.
You know? Did he ask for it? Did he just he couldn't have taken it from Dylan Gabriel's locker? Because I don't even know if Dylan Gabriel's jersey. would fit versus hand.
Well, Terre Armstead yesterday said quarterback jerseys are different too, the way they're stitched and lined.
So it wouldn't fit him. Right, it wouldn't fit him. Yeah.
So they had to give him a different size eight that wasn't in the uh Drawer? Maybe it's a locker that from even four days before. Maybe he just forgot. Dylan wore number eight and was just assumed that, like, Jared's coming, eight's his. Because Garrett was like, and by the way, Garrett, I mean, Miles.
Miles? Miles? Yeah.
Well, Garrett was talking about I gave Puna Ford money and McVay's even laughing, like, it must have cost a pretty penny. But Okay.
Okay. Dude just showed up on the field with eight. And and everything that you see on the socials. I think it's fake, right? That Dylan Gabriel's like, he just took it from me.
I didn't know what happened. I don't think he's hoping. He's hoping to get some money. Yeah, I don't think. I think everything is fake.
Like, we don't know. It might have been AI.
So, I know that picture?
Well last time and we'll uh No, that picture of eight was real.
Well, that is true. Yeah, so we saw him. There's video. Kind of like when in Friday, when Debo snatched Red's chain, like Jared just snatched Garrett's eight. Let's go to the phone lines before we get to what's more likely.
Darius in Houston, you're on the Rich His show. What's up, Darius? Hey, Rich, how's it going or whatever? I'm Darius from Houston. And my question is: do you think this is a make or break season for C.J.
Stroud? There's no break. They would like him to make. The guy's made the playoffs every year, and not only made the playoffs every year, he's won a playoff game every year. But we have a Super Bowl caliber defense or whatever.
Last season, I thought that he should have been pulled at halftime. I mean, because there's no guarantee if you're ever gonna have a chance to get to that big game or not.
Well, I mean, m but when you say make or break, um And I know Chris is waiting to see a franchise in the NFL to deny their young quarterback who has shown. Moxie Spark Victories Uh upside. And you're waiting for that team to just say, you haven't won it in your first contract. We're done with you. We're not paying you market value of 50-some-odd, 60-some-odd million.
We're starting from scratch. See you later. We're going to let you walk. You're waiting for that franchise.
Somebody. To emerge, and I keep telling you, you will be old and gray by the time you potentially never see it.
So there's no break, man. I mean, they're hoping he makes it to the AFC Championship game at the very least. Um and they and then thanks for the call. Um And You know, they they're they're at least hoping that Plays like the that that Hand grenade that he threw up deep in his own end in the playoff game in New England that flipped the entire script in the snow. I mean, the Texans were winning this game at this point in time, and the defense was doing its thing against Drake May, and he should know better.
Then they just flip it up for grabs. and create A defensive touchdown that flips the script. And they're hoping to see that. From him. And let the defense do the work.
So, but break? It's no break. But that guy that's right up your alley, man. Right there. That guy is speaking from your heart.
I've been saying it. I mean, Texas fans, I think, are frustrated. It's not frustrating.
Okay. You made the playoffs and you've won a playoff game every year. I understand it's that you don't hang banners for that. I get it. Yeah, what's next?
I get it. All right, it's time for What's More Likely, where Christopher. Throws things out, and I'll say what's likely and what's not. He tries to put me in positions that I don't appreciate being put in. And that's all presented by Pella Windows and Doors.
What? What's more likely? Never say never, but never.
Okay, Christopher, what do you have on it? Guys, happy Friday. Great to see you. You too. Felly, having a great week, man.
Happy donut. I don't know. I don't know. I'm just. We've been talking about this all week.
These are the two main thoughts. And storylines when it comes to the Miles Garrett trade. From Cleveland to Los Angeles. Guys, is it more likely Miles Garrett gets 30 sacks this year? Or Aaron Donald unretires.
Aaron Donald unretires. Really? Wow, I didn't. Really? Because you were very against that.
What are you talking about? I wasn't against that. No, I. I thought you said it wasn't going to happen. Hey, 30 sacks wasn't, you know.
When Chris said it for the first time. Within five minutes of Miles Garrett to the Rams. You know how his brain works? I'm like, listen, most guys who are out of the game for this long. Um are are done.
Right. And they also don't want to go back into the grind. But this guy grinds every day himself. And then With each passing day, you hear, including less need on this show. On Wednesday, Saying That it's real.
that he's thinking about it. He thinks that it's entirely possible. but we're going to back off and let him go through his process. But you look at the Rams depth chart, it's not like it's Miles Garrett and a bunch of slappies. You know, Braden Fisk, Byron Young, Kobe Turner.
Kobe Turner's a beast.
Okay, like, those are just some of the names up front. Yeah.
He's not going to get every sack for the team.
So he's going to get single. I understand. Let's just say that the Rams go crazy and get 60 sacks, right? 70 sacks. See, who led the league last year?
Uh I mean he's gonna get half of them? No, I think it's entirely possible that at some point around Thanksgiving The Broncos at 68.
Okay, you know what I mean? Like, he's not going to hit half of them. Why not? Because It's not likely. What's more likely is that Aaron Donnell around Thanksgiving will go, huh?
What else you got over there, Chris? Thinking about this, guys, last year. Breaking news. Seahawks, Patriots, Super Bowl. You know what those two teams had in common?
Neither made the playoffs in 2024.
Okay. Is it more likely that either the Seahawks or the Patriots get back to the Super Bowl this year or? A team that missed the playoffs in 2025. Makes the big game here. Algo missed the playoffs in 2025, makes it.
Absolutely. Certainly when there's one Mahomes comma Patrick. who I personally eyeballed at the big slick. over the weekend. Coming back.
And that's a team that missed the playoffs.
Okay. So that's one of the teams that missed the playoffs. The Bengals. Missed the playoffs. Correct.
Okay? The Ravens missed the playoffs. Correct.
Right?
Okay. Just for starters. The Jets missed the playoffs. I just wanted to say those words. Cowboys missed the playoffs.
Ah.
Well, Raiders did. Ah.
Cowboys missed the playoffs. You know what I mean? Lions missed the playoffs. There's enough out there. There's enough material.
Out there. But is it likely? It's likely that what team that missed the play more than the fact that we're going to get a Uh a repeat customer. What else you got over there? Fair.
The other big move this week, A.J. Brown. Our long national nightmare is over. To the Patriots. Guys, more likely Eagles wide receiver to have more yards and touchdowns this year.
The old one, A.J. Brown, or the current one, Devontae Smith. Hmm. Eagles wide receiver to have more yards and touchdowns. I'll go Eagles wide receiver.
Former one. I'll go A.J. Brown, New England. Him and Drake May, man. It's going to be nice.
Listen, Jalen Hurts throwing a deep ball to A.J. Brown. We've seen it work. Drake May throwing a deep ball. Kurt Warner came on this program last year.
And again, Kurt's a sunny disposition guy, right? Everybody knows Kurt Warner. What a warm and fuzzy. But that guy throws around compliments about quarterbacks like manhole covers, and he said Drake May's deep ball was akin to a handoff.
So, um I'll go with that one. I'll go with that one, Chris. I'll go with AJ Brown. Because I have no idea what the Eagles' offense is going to look like. No idea.
Other than the fact that it's an every other year thing. Mm-hmm.
So What else you got, Chris? A couple whiteouts got Pizza'd this week. Wide receiver who got paid this week to have a bigger 2026, Drake London, Christian Watson. Hmm. Frankie.
Um Christian Watson has put up some numbers. I know, but he just does, he can't stay healthy. He can't stay healthy, and I don't like putting that into the ether, but it's just speaking the truth. I will go Drake London. I'm excited to see what this Falcons offense looks like with Stefansky dialing it up, man.
This is um this is real. and it could be spectacular. Two with their own deep ball. I I might not even beat to a Yeah. I think I'd be surprised.
But to a back, you know, back where he made his first great deep throw of his life in that stadium. Ain't that the truth? Two, by the way, uh ath uh the aforementioned Devontae Smith of this segment. He was.
So I'll go Drake London just because of the fact, and I wish Christian Watson the best. Because tech, you know, not technically, the uh, Green Bay has a more decorated veteran. Proven quarterback than what Atlanta is putting out on the field. No doubt about that. Jordan Love.
Here And the other Atlanta quarterbacks here. But in terms of health and in terms of d you know, um Uh production. It's the other way around here.
Okay. With Drake London. What else you got, Chris? How about this one, guys? You saw the news of Russell Wilson officially hangs him up.
Had a nice video on social media about that, ready for his new career at CBS. Quarterback that retired this year to make the Hall of Fame first. Russell Wilson or Philip Rivers? I'll go Philip. I'd go Phillip.
With all due respect to our colleague Stephen A. Smith, who says Russell is a Hall of Famer. Russell had a Hall of Fame beginning of his career. The last few years, I think, is going to stick in the mind's eye of a lot of voters, and it's going to be a difficult. Hall for a guy who Who did win one and Philip didn't.
I understand that. But if I had to guess, what's more likely? I would go with. Phillip over Ross. Neither guy first ballot, though, right?
No. Yeah.
Mm-mm. If Eli is not. That was kind of my pushback to some people who were saying Russ was. I really like it's Alan, but thank you.
Okay. I really like these last few guys. How about this one? Blockbuster LA trade. more likely to yield more championships.
Mookie bats. Or Luca and Miles Garrett combined. Nice one. How many Zwookie have already? 19.
Well, if you count the 2020 Mickey Mouser, he's got three. He's not a Mickey Mauser. Stop saying that stuff. I am not three. He's asterisk guy.
Everybody had to deal with COVID issues. He's got three. Here in LA. One with Boston we do not obviously doesn't get it. I'll go Mookie.
He's already up 3-0. He's up 3-0. He's got a 3-0 lead. They spotted him. And.
Yeah.
I know the Diamondbacks cook took care of the Dodgers last night, but... I don't think it matters. And I'm yeah, the Dodgers are poised again.
So I'll go Mookie. I'll go Mookie. What do you put the over-under at for Luka Miles Gare combined? Half? Oh man.
Oh, not half. Not half. Uh I I I I'd put it at at one and a half. And I take the over. I think there's going to be two.
Maybe one each, or if not two, for the Rams. I don't know. I would go that, is this where we would put the John Henry photograph up or no? Not yet.
Okay. I'm not feeling okay. I'm feeling okay right now.
Okay. What else you got here? More likely to be the higher 2026 win total. 2026. Win total.
Knicks in the postseason.
Alright, they currently have... 13. 13, right? 13. Rams regular season.
Oh. Oh man. So this is again why I started this segment saying you're putting me in positions I don't like to be put in. because you know I would like to see the Knicks get 16. And you know that you're you and my son Cooper accused me of being a passionate Rams fan.
And this would now be saying there is no 17 and only 15. I'm a ransom ticket holder. I am just going to say it is so difficult. And you know There are teams across the NFL between now and the beginning of the season will say, Everybody think like there will be 31 nobody believes in us cards played in the National Football League by 31 head coaches if they're not already being played right now. Right, didn't we see that from Dan Campbell when asked about the Miles Garrett trade?
He's like, it's already over. It's already over. Give it a shot. He even said that as an aside.
So I will go NYX playoff. wins even if the Knicks only get 15 of them. How dare you? How dare you? You think we need one more?
Oh my god, we need one more. All right, we'll get one more. Thank you. I did one last one. How about this one, guys?
Today is the 17th anniversary of the hangover release. Ah, hangover release. 20 2000s movie that made you laugh hardest in theater. The hangover. Or wedding crashers were a month out from my wedding in Las Vegas.
That's tough one. Did you say 2020s? I meant 2000s movie. 2000s. I was trying to figure out what this is.
I just remember in the theaters. Watching the hangover and laughing and laughing and laughing. And then comes the final reveal of the credits. One of the greatest buttons. to any movie ever.
So I will do that. Even though Wedding Crashers is great.
Okay, I get it. I say waiting grandma. Meatloaf, I get the whole thing. Hang over. And I don't mean meatloaf the entertainer.
Mah! Right. Okay, Will Farrell. Spoiler alert. Um Nothing, I don't know, it's just spoiling, but just the I'm going to hangover.
I think I'm going to hangover too. Beginning to end laughs, and like you said, the final credits. Wedding Crashers, I think like the first two-thirds is funny. Then it just kinda tails off. All right.
Yeah, but that. Dinner table scene, people helping people. That was the funny scene. People helping people. I know.
Do I say motorboat? I was going to do it if you didn't. People helping people. But you also knew that was going to be funny. Hangover came out of nowhere.
That's true, too. That's true too.
Well done. What's more likely is brought to you by Pella Windows and Doors. When it comes to your home, Pella Windows and Doors always have the winning game plan. That's why your neighbors trust them. Visit Pella.com.
Slash Eisen 844-204-Rich. Number to dial right here live on ESPN and Disney Plus. Before we take a break and get to Tom Pellisero, I just want to let you know about our friends at Hyundai. While the world watches the stars at the FIFA World Cup, Hyundai has its eyes on the next generation of talent, the future stars of the game who have already turned heads at age 14 because NEX doesn't wait for an invitation, and neither do we. Hyundai has always moved the future within reach.
We did it when we made advanced safety standard on every vehicle and engineered EVs with ultra-fast charging capability. And we're still doing it. Every day, the future isn't some far-off concept, it's already here.
Next starts now, Hyundai, an official partner of FIFA. Tommy P. Tom Pellicero is next. This is The Rich Eisen Show. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.
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Hyundai has always moved the future within reach. We did it when we made advanced safety standard on every vehicle and engineered EVs with ultra-fast charging capability. And we're still doing it every day because the future isn't some far-off concept. It's already here.
Next starts now. Hyundai, an official partner of FIFA. Rich Eisen here. Take a second and look at your city's calendar. Everywhere I go, there's always something coming up.
Games, concerts, conventions, tournaments, the kind of events that bring people in from all over. And when that happens, you can feel it. More energy, more fans, and a whole lot more people looking for a place to stay.
So here's something to think about: if your city has that kind of buzz, if big events are on the way, listing your space on Airbnb could be a great opportunity. If you're already planning to be out of town or you've got a trip coming up, Why not make your place work for you while you're gone? You've got the space and you're not using it. It could be earning you some extra cash. I know when I travel for these big events, I'm not just looking for a place to crash.
I want something comfortable and safe, a place that allows me to experience the city like a local. And that's exactly what you can do by offering to list your space. No big lifestyle change, no long term commitment, just making smart use of the space you already have.
So the next time your city draws a crowd, think about listing your space on Airbnb. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Here on the Rich Eisen Show, we're one big simulcast again here on ESPN, the app and cable and Disney Plus and ESPN Radio, and Tom Pellicero, my colleague from NFL Network, is back on the program. Good to see you, Tommy P.
How are you? Doing great, Rich. What's up to the boys in the studio? What's up? Hey, happy Friday.
You know. And again, like, you video these things and then you post them. No, he posts them.
Well, you, I send it to him and then post it. Again, it's, but it's the video, it's like the guys come.
Now you're shooting me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And this is going to be bizarre. Yeah.
Because we're on live. I just said we're on like 15. And then there's Chris and there's Jason. And then he'll tag us. And then I got to turn the key.
We repost it. Yeah.
By the way, Rich, I'm looking forward to listening to the podcast with Dan. This was Sports Center, going to be fantastic. I am waiting to find out when my episode will be because I have a cameo. In, I think, one of the more famous This is Sports Center ads of its time. It's the one where Simone Gagne and Van Pelt are sitting in the cafeteria.
Yes. And they're talking back and forth, SMAC, about America versus Canada. And Panpel goes, What kind of cheese is that on your sandwich? He says, American cheese. That's right, it's American cheese.
If you look, Over Van Pelt's shoulder. You can see a 21-year-old Tom Pilliser eating an apple at the next table back. I was an intern. They needed people to show up to just be extras in the ad. And you can see me very distinctly behind those guys.
I'm learning so much from this with Sports. All right, I'm watching this right now. Are you really? Yep. All right.
Well, let's send that so maybe we'll get a screen grab of it by the end of the. The interview. Wow, I did not know that. That's pretty cool, man. Um let's just jump into it here with you.
Anything about the Miles Garrett acquisition? since we talked on Monday, you joined us from the golf course moments after it became official. What have you learned? Is there anything new that you can open up right here for us about this massive trade? I would think that the biggest thing that I learned as I followed up was when the Browns went into this, they really did not think they were going to get the type of value out of this trade that they ultimately got for Miles Garrett.
Obviously, it's well documented now. I said it on the show on Monday that once Jared Verse was included in the deal, that's what kind of sent it over the top a week ago. But the fact that if you look at the value on paper, it is very close to adding up to the three first-round picks that a lot of people would expect. That if you think about trading Jared Verse in a vacuum, he's a one-plus-type player in terms of value. To get the first rounder and the second and the third on top of it, it just really got to that point where Cleveland felt like they were blown away.
On the flip side of it for the Rams, this was really the culmination, Rich. And I don't think that this has been talked about a ton. Miles Garrett was not the first pass rusher that they pursued in this offseason. They had eyes on players. Whether it was via free agency, whether it was via trade.
There may have been a scenario somewhere along the line where Max Crosby could have been the player who ended up with the Rams instead. But the Ravens, obviously, were willing to go at the time to the two first-round picks until they weren't. Max Crosby ends up going back to the Raiders, and Max, upon returning, made very clear to everybody: I don't want to be traded now. Yes, we've talked about this for a couple of years. I'm home.
This is the sign from the universe. I want to be a Raider. And so it didn't seem. Like anything ever really progressed down the line in terms of that being realistic. Doesn't mean that that couldn't change, and that if the Raiders aren't playing well this season at the trade deadline, we're not talking about them getting calls about Max Crosby again.
But there is certainly a scenario where it could have been Max Crosby, not Miles Garrett, ending up in LA. In the end, you had a player in Max who wanted to be back with the Raiders. The value probably wasn't as high after what happened with the Ravens. The Rams end up giving even more in the trade with the Browns, and they land a 30-year-old two-time defensive player of the year who they can only hope has the same type of production that he did a year ago on a team that couldn't score a whole lot of points and give him a lot of pass rush opportunities in Cleveland. Have we learned how Jared Verse wound up with Dylan Gabriel's number eight?
Has that been established, Tom? I think if I'm a betting man, of course, I can't give gambling advice on this show. I would admit Jared Verse has a substantially higher chance of being on the team than Dylan Gabriel. No, I don't know the entire backstory at this point, but it seems. It seems pretty apparent at this point that Dylan Gabriel can go ahead and pick a different number moving forward.
Well, clearly, because it's wound up on Jared versus body. And, you know, and this we heard the whole story from Miles Garrett and a jocular Sean McVay sitting next to him at his press conference, but. Uh I I don't know it We haven't heard anything how he wound up with number eight. At all. Tom.
I don't know that Dylan Gabriel has a press conference scheduled anytime soon as the third string quarterback on the Browns. We may learn a little bit more. I would say that the dynamics are slightly different when Puna Ford, who's a pretty good player for the Rams, was able to get a few bucks for the Miles Garrett number than it is Dylan Gabriel, who, if you're projecting this out and things we're going to be talking about in August and September, Rich, we're talking about what uniform ultimately, forget the number, what uniform Dylan Gabriel will be wearing in 2026. Tom Pellisero dropping Brad Cumberspittin Facts right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Anything about the A.J.
Brown acquisition you've learned since then that you can open up for us here, Tom. It was, you know, I think that one we had talked to death for the three months leading up to it. I would just say, you know, when it came down to it, it was just about the second pick. They had been locked in on the 2028 first-round pick for quite some time. The debate was just going to be over what's the value of the additional pick.
It ends up being a 2027 fifth-rounder. You know, I thought that A.J. Brown's comments were interesting about his knee, which was a concern when the Rams were involved on that potential trade. It's also the reason that the Titans back in 2022 weren't willing to pay A.J. Brown and traded him away.
You know, John Robinson was the GM at the time. It was a significant enough of an injury and a long-term concern that these things come up over the course of time. Max Crosby, obviously, we all know that was about the projections in the medium to long term with Max. It was a similar type of thing with A.J. Brown.
A.J. downplayed it and said, well, I missed one game in four years with that knee. But I would say, if anybody knows. The state of that knee, Rich, and how you put together a practice plan to keep him healthy. It's going to be Mike Vrabel and the Patriots, the other people from Tennessee who know him well.
Todd Downing, who was his OC, is now his receivers coach. Ryan Cowden, who's in the front office in Tennessee, is now in New England. I don't know how much A.J. Brown will practice, frankly, at any point in his Patriots tenure, Rich, but certainly they're going to have a really good plan for him to get out on the field. He's still only 28 years old.
They believe he's got good years ahead of him, any better, considering that that first-round pick they gave up for him is still two years away.
Well, I mean, the comments that A.J. Brown made on the podcast, 7 p.m. in Brooklyn, a very interesting time for sure. Him saying some of the stuff he was saying in the media was on purpose to push. The locker room in a certain direction, you know, because there were times where he would say stuff, and you're like, Why is he saying that?
And he said he was purposely doing that. to light a match or a spark. He says he won't be doing that anymore in New England. Not the Patriot way there. Listen, AJ's a really smart guy.
He's a really engaging guy when you talk to him. I have no doubt that he was choosing his words carefully over the course of time. I also thought what he said about Jalen Hurts was informative, where it was there was no incident. It wasn't one thing. It's people drift apart.
Obviously, they were not as close by the end of his Eagles tenure as they were at the start. And now, let's see both sides of this. AJ Brown feels like he's got something to prove. I mean, he was still a thousand-yard receiver. He's still a top receiver in the NFL.
Now, going into New England, where the expectations are going to be huge that, okay, again, for public perception, like the anchor is off. You're going to play with Drake May now. You should have a monster season. You at least have to live up to what Stephon Diggs did in that offense a year ago. And for Jalen Hurts, it's okay.
The distraction has moved on. He's in a new offense that is not necessarily on paper geared toward his specific skill set or what he has done well in the past, but is an established offense. Offense that we've seen succeed around the NFL, but you're giving them a whole bunch of new receivers from Makai Lemon to Dantavion Wicks to Hollywood Brown coming in. Let's see how both these teams coalesce, making a move in June where you've already lost not a ton of reps, but at least some reps toward developing the rhythm and timing and tempo that makes NFL passing offenses go. Tom Pellisero here on the Rich Eisen Show.
All right, now who's next online for a contract in the quarterback position? We're still waiting to see what's happening with CJ Stroud. in the AFC South. In the NFC South, Baker was quite open about it when chatting with the media. First and foremost, regardless, we built boots here in Tampa.
We love the community, we love being here. They've embraced us, and we enjoy being here. Obviously, we can raise kids here, but yeah, contract stuff is happening, it's starting, the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what, you know. we were thinking.
So Would love to be here long term, and as of right now, that's not exactly the case. But I'm under contract for 2026, and the guys in that locker room, the staff, know that I'm still going to. I'm still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl, and that's to me the priority. Else to take care of itself. Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done, but they know my deadline.
As soon as training camp starts, we're not doing any contract stuff, it's all ball. It's not up to me wh when that gets done by, but um.
So hopefully hopefully before that, if not But it's still gonna have a good year.
So, midnight's going to strike in about six, seven weeks. What do you make of this, Tom? With Baker Mayfield, he's in kind of a unique spot here because remember, when he got there initially and replacing Tom Brady as the Buccaneers quarterback, he was on a one-year, $5 million deal. After that year, he played well, and this was after the brief Rams revival that he had after bouncing around for a couple of years there. His second deal was, I believe, three for $100.
So that was at the time a mid-tier type of quarterback deal for a player who, again, had been cut loose by the Panthers. It had a brief stint with the Rams. It signed a one-year deal with the Bucs. It was substantial money for Baker Mayfield. But if you look at the current landscape, Rich, of quarterback contracts, half the league's quarterbacks are paid like franchise quarterbacks.
Baker Mayfield right now, an average per year, ranks 16th at $33 million in change per year. After that, there's this huge drop-off to the 17th ranked quarterback, which is Malik Willis at 22.5. In other words, of the franchise quarterback contract, Baker Mayfield is at the bottom. Yes, he's above the guys who are on their rookie deals, above some of those, you know, the Geno Smiths of the world who are kind of placeholder type quarterbacks, but he is at the bottom of the actual franchise quarterback contracts.
So the question is going to be: where does he fall in the hierarchy of quarterback contracts? Should he be in the Daniel Jones category, which I think is like $44 million per year? Should he be closer to the Jalen Hurts, Trevor Lawrence-type money, which is like low 50s? Should he, based upon how much the cap has exploded in the last three years, be closer to Dak Prescott at 60 million? That's a huge variance, Rich.
The Bucks have to make decisions in terms of how they're setting up their cap, how they're paying other players on the team, some of the contracts that they are going to have coming up with young players because Jason Light and his staff continue to draft really well on a year-in, year-out basis. The intent is there from all appearances with the Bucs to get something done. with Baker Mayfield. But if you're talking about, hey, should he be bumped up to forty something million or should he be closer to sixty million, that is a really wide berth and they're going to have to figure out over the next six weeks or so if they can close that gap. Lastly, Tom, looks like the Indiana Bears have come closer to reality.
Obviously, they'll still be called Chicago in the Chicagoland area, and that's the point. That was made in the statement the Bears put out from George McCasky and the President, Kevin Warren. That the board of directors voted to advance our stadium project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected. We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region connecting northwest Indiana to the south side of Chicago through the loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.
A lot of folks who live in the Chicagoland area. Aren't terribly happy with the idea of this nor Do they look at this as a A necessary step to expand Chicagoland into northwest Indiana. Is this real? Is this happening, Tom? The message from the Bears via that statement and the vote that their board took is the due diligence is over.
There are still a number of steps. It is finalizing the site selection, getting the financing together, getting the legal documents together. They have had a term sheet with Hammond, Indiana, since back in December. They've also been evaluating Arlington Heights. Certainly, the city of Chicago, based upon public statements from the mayor and others, have at least remained engaged in the process.
But they don't just take votes. This is the first time that that board has taken a vote on this. The board is five of the McCasky family members. It is Pat Ryan, who's a longtime businessman who owns a large minority interest in the team. And it is Kevin Warren, who also was part of the process in Minnesota getting that stadium built over a decade ago.
I would remind people that as part of the Minnesota process, at one point, the Vikings were headed to Arden Hills in the north suburbs. And they held a press conference and they had Bud Grant trot out and say, Outdoor stadium, we're bringing back the elements, snow, we're bringing back tailgating. And then a few months later, all of a sudden, things moved in the Minnesota legislature, and suddenly there was a stadium being built downtown on the site of the Metrodome. All of which is to say, yes, this is real. We may soon be having conversations about whether the team should be parochially known as the Chicagoland Bears or the Monsters of the Midwest, but nothing is done at this point.
There is still the possibility that this could pivot back to Arlington Hills, Arlington Heights. This is part of a fluid situation, but this is a significant step. It is a major step in the course of their process. They are effectively saying, we've done all the research, we've evaluated all the possibilities. We intend to go to Hammond, Indiana.
Still legally, some steps in that process here. But at this point, in the bears' minds, that is where their focus lies. Yeah.
I mean, again, being as a New Yorker, seeing two n teams with New York on their um monikers play in New Jersey, I mean, this wouldn't be anything new. Um and I know as the crow flies the Bears will tell you about how close Hammond is and things of that nature. It just so you're saying this could potentially be for an audience of one, and that's Illinois Governor Pritzker, is what you're saying. What I would say is, there's still listen, there's still ballgame left here. Illinois really has not presented anything yet.
They closed their latest legislative session without a resolution on this matter.
So is it possible that the wheels begin to move now in Illinois? Absolutely possible. But again, from the Bears' perspective at this point, the due diligence is over. Their sole focus is on Hammond, Indiana. We'll see if it ultimately ends up going in that direction.
It is real. It is a possibility here, and one that the Bears appear to be driving towards, but it is not done yet. Legally, it is not done yet. Let's see what the coming weeks and months will. All right, Tom.
You said you were in the background of that Sports Center commercial of SVP, and we have the screen grab. Where's young intern? There it is, right there. Second row back, white shirt behind the guy in the blue shirt. That's the Grimace.
Eating the hell out of that app. Wow. Is that Grimace next to you, Todd? I believe that's the hilltop. I've been in a sports center commercial with that hilltopper coming out of the bathroom.
Oh, well, you didn't wash your hands? No, that was a different sports center commercial involving a bathroom. And a horse. And if you think I got a lot of product in my hair these days, Rich, you should have seen how much I had it back in 2002. Me too, back in that day, Tom.
You weren't the only one. Wow. Thanks for the time, buddy. All right, Tom, I'll get this video TA set. Tommy Pete.
See you, Tommy. Tommy Pete. All right, we'll take a break. Your phone calls and set up hour number three of the Rich Eisen Show here on this Friday edition. Don't you dare go anywhere.
Back with you, 844-204-Rich, number two dial. Apple didn't stand a chance, Chris. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back.
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844-204 Rich is the number to dial. Let's go to Monique in Oklahoma, right in the middle of this country. What's up, Monique? Monique? Hey.
Rich, I love you so much. Shout out to my Aunt Linda.
Okay. You just passed away, and we both loved you.
So why did the Eagles? Trade AJ.
Okay. And what am I supposed to do in my jersey? Oh, your number 11 jersey. Interesting. Yeah.
Maybe you can give it to Dylan Gabriel, Monique. He's looking for a jersey. Oh my. No, I mean what was the what's the answer? Hint.
Boy, isn't that the question? Isn't that the question of the moment? I don't know if he wanted to be there anymore or. All I'm going to say is this: let's see what it looks like. for your eagles.
Uh unless you follow A.J. Brown wherever he goes. Are you are you that type of fan or okay. No. Okay.
I mean, I love them. I still love them, but I I have the issue. Understood. But, you know, go. I mean, so did the Eagles and he, and so did he, and apparently Jalen Hurtson.
Why? I don't, I don't know. I don't know why, but it, it, it's. It's been a long time coming, as you know. Um, where, as Tom Pellisero just was on the show last segment, says people just grow apart, and the quarterback and the wide receiver grew apart to the point where everybody thinks that they should be in separate places.
Um, and I'm sorry about that. Do you want to hug it out, Monique? I do.
Okay, here we go. I'm gonna reach out and then I'm just gonna give you a hug and then Send you on your day.
Okay, you'll be well. Thank you, Monique. And Oklahoma, she needed a hug, it sounded like it sounded like it, yeah. Let's go to Jonathan in Anchorage, Alaska. What's up, Jonathan?
Hey guys, Chris, TJ. What's going on? What's up, man? I've got a top five worst overreaction from last season.
Okay, can you do it fast? We only have about two minutes. What do you think? Probably not, but I can try. All right, just give it to me.
Just read the list off. Pump them. All right, number five, week one, overreaction Tuesday. The Cardinals are the best team in the AMC West.
Okay. Rich called it an overreaction. Number four, Jackson Dart will have the Giants sniffing it all season. Overreaction, Rich. Number three, week 16, the Steelers are going to end their playoff drought.
You call that an overreaction? They got blown out. Yeah.
Number two. Pete Carroll will be coach of the year.
Well, that was after week one, wasn't it? After they beat the coach, that had to be in week one.
Okay, yeah. Yeah, it was after week one, but you know, the hindsight is terrible. And then week four, number one, the Chiefs are. Are going to win it in the AFC West. You called it not an overreaction.
You said they had turned a corner. Yes, I did. Yeah, they had turned a corner. They were two and two at that point in time, if I'm not mistaken. They're voting 0-2.
They turned a corner, Jonathan. I just didn't know where that corner was. The corner was leading to another corner.
Okay. Thank you, Jonathan. I got one more. Hold on a second. This one's for you, Chris.
Hate to do it to you, but week three: Justin Herber is the MVP through the first three weeks. He was.
Well, I think you think he deserved that MVP vote. They were 3-0. They were 3-0 at that time. That's where his vote came. Again, overreaction is not in a vacuum.
You know what I mean? Like, it's a spotlight at the moment. But I appreciate your fandom that you're keeping tabs. You're keeping tabs. Thanks for the call, Jonathan.
You can email me at the five best that I had. Thank you. Oh, there you go. I mean, you spent some time in Alaska, didn't you? I did.
Yeah.
907. Let's go. Being a Coast Guard camera. It doesn't catch a can.
Okay, very good. A little further south. Right. And plus, sometimes. You know, the sun doesn't set, so he's up at three in the morning staring at the sun and coming up with your staring of reactions.
Holding them accountable. Cardinals are the best team in the world. Listen, when Pete Carroll and the Raiders beat the Patriots week one. We're like, all right, man, he could be coach of the year. Gino was amazing.
He was.
By the way, and then. Smash cut to 16 weeks later, and how the hell did that happen? No idea. Man, oh man, oh man What a fun show we've had so far today here on ESPN. It's just always a blast when we're on the four-letter cable, as well as with our app and Disney Plus.
I know I've mentioned it ad nauseum, but there is an ion rich and Isen and the word this. Yeah.
Was Sports Center is the name of the show. And I'm very proud of it. And it's very personal. Um, because to be very honest with you, uh, I I never thought I was going to leave Sports Center. It was seven years long of a run.
And I've always wanted to just revisit what it was like to be there with people who are there with me and then with you on the television set. Uh, back in the day, so it's me and Dan Patrick, uh, a really raw, honest conversation about where we were at the time and where we are now. That's out there on Disney Plus and the ESPN app, the Rich Eisen Show YouTube channel, which is where maybe you watch over Reaction Monday or no contest wrestling. And the Disney Plus, where maybe you watch women's sports now as well. It's out there for everybody to take in.
I appreciate you taking the time. The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
