PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The Insiders Podcast: Aaron Donald's Week 1 Readiness, Christian Gonzalez's Contract Standoff, and the Falcons' QB "Battle"
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
51 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Sep 5, 2026
Published
Sat, September 5, 2026
16
Player insights
15
Players mentioned
Topics
C.J. StroudBaker MayfieldBo NixDJ TurnerGeorge KittleJeremiyah LoveJoe BurrowJosh JacobsKyler MurrayMichael Penix Jr.Mike EvansParker WashingtonPatrick MahomesPuka Nacua
Player analysis
Player insights
Baker Mayfield
PositiveProjection78:26
Baker Mayfield is feeling disrespected by his team's contract offer, and history suggests that an angry version of Mayfield is typically his most effective.
Insight pageBo Nix
NegativeProjection73:15
Bo Nix enters the season coming off two ankle surgeries and a limited spring, leaving uncertainty about whether he can elevate the talented Broncos roster to a higher level of performance.
Insight pageC.J. Stroud
NegativeValue48:55
C.J. Stroud is prepared to play out the fourth year of his rookie deal without an extension, though Houston has offered a competitive contract in the $50 million-per-year range; he is under significant pressure to return to his rookie-level performance.
Insight pageNegativeProjection66:58
CJ Stroud faces immense pressure to improve after failing to return to his rookie-level performance and ending last season with a poor playoff showing, all while navigating a contract extension situation.
Insight pageDJ Turner
NegativeValue54:03
DJ Turner is unlikely to receive a contract extension before the season, with the Bengals likely preferring to have him play out his deal and potentially using the franchise tag in the future.
Insight pageGeorge Kittle
PositiveInjury9:38
George Kittle is trending toward playing in Week 1 after crushing his rehab and participating in hard practices leading up to the 49ers' trip to Australia. While there is no absolute guarantee, there is optimism he will contribute early, though he may be on a pitch count if he suits up for the opener.
Insight pageJeremiyah Love
NegativeInjury43:31
Jeremiah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain sustained in the preseason; his Week 1 status is considered 50-50 as the team monitors his progress through the practice week.
Insight pageJoe Burrow
NegativeUsage77:10
Joe Burrow has been practicing under center significantly more during training camp, signaling a potential shift in how the Bengals' offense will operate.
Insight pageJosh Jacobs
NegativeInjury14:20
Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list following battery charges. His court hearing has been moved up to September 10th, which will be a critical date for his status with the Packers.
Insight pageKyler Murray
PositiveRole75:02
Kyler Murray is expected to utilize his legs more in Kevin O'Connell's offense, with the Vikings showing optimism that he can be their long-term solution at quarterback.
Insight pageMichael Penix Jr.
NegativeRole11:58
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from his third ACL reconstruction and is currently in a holding pattern. While he possesses significant upside, he has not yet taken contact in practice. The Falcons are hesitant to start him until he is fully ready for game action, making his health the primary factor in the team's quarterback decision.
Insight pageMike Evans
PositiveInjury10:02
Mike Evans is dealing with a minor adductor/hip issue but is determined to play in Week 1. He has been practicing and is expected to be ready for the 49ers' opener.
Insight pageParker Washington
PositiveValue51:57
Parker Washington is a hot name in Jacksonville following a tremendous camp and is expected to have a big year; contract extension talks are ongoing and could potentially be finalized before Week 1.
Insight pagePatrick Mahomes
PositiveInjury71:43
Patrick Mahomes has looked totally normal and strong throughout training camp, remaining ahead of schedule in his recovery from an injury sustained in the spring.
Insight pagePuka Nacua
NegativeValue39:03
Jeremy Fowler notes that Puka Nacua is eligible for a rookie contract extension, but the Rams likely won't pay him before Week 1; off-field issues have been a hindrance to a deal, though the team views him as a long-term keeper.
Insight pageTua Tagovailoa
NegativeRole11:48
Tua Tagovailoa is in a precarious position as the Falcons' potential Week 1 starter. His preseason performance was inconsistent, and while he is the veteran option, he is on a short leash. The team is waiting on Michael Penix Jr.'s health to determine their long-term direction.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. The entire draft room groans because you just took the guy they wanted.
0:06There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
0:09I'm JJ Zacharyson, host of the award-winning Late Round Podcast.
0:12Before your draft, our players to target and players to avoid episodes tell you exactly who to circle and who to cross off.
0:19Listen to the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:25Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama. And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
0:30Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
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1:03It is your home for everything football. Breaking news, expert analysis, game picks, and hear from your favorite players too.
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1:18Listen to the NFL Report Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:24How much is a new deal worth to Christian Gonzalez?
1:27Could he decide to not play in the opener against the Super Bowl champs?
1:31And will Aaron Donald be ready to play for the Rams in week one?
1:35And do the Falcons know which quarterback will play at all?
1:39It's all coming up today on this edition of the The Insiders.
1:42Hey everybody, Patrick Claybon here in Los Angeles, joined by Ian Rappaport, Judy Batista, and Jeremy Fowler as we get a look
1:49at the news that's come in for our show today into this beautiful NFL LA newsroom.
1:54And the news is that there's no news yet for Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
1:58The latest update from Mike Vrabel on Thursday was that there was no update.
2:03Gonzalez has two years remaining on his rookie deal, five days remaining before the season opener in Seattle, leaving us to wonder
2:09if he is considering not playing in the 2026 opener.
2:12Do you have an idea if you are going to play week one?
2:16You know, I'm focused on today. Right now. Just practice.
2:19How do you focus on today with the contract still lingering?
2:23I mean, it's football. It's my job. I gotta do what I gotta do.
2:27So, yeah. What in your mind sticks out when you think about a rematch with Seattle?
2:32Yeah, I mean, just, it's a great team, a great organization.
2:35You know, they've built pieces. They've kept their team and did what they've done.
2:39And, you know, respect the organization and their players.
2:42And, you know, we look forward to it. Do you have any impression of whether or not the contract will get done before Wednesday?
2:49I'm not sure. I don't know. So, he says he's focused on his job.
2:54He's also good at it. Look at the opponent's completion percentage jump up almost ten points without Christian Gonzalez the first three weeks of 2025.
3:01Those first three games included games against the Raiders, the Dolphins, and the Steelers.
3:05Not exactly teams that lit it up through the sky as we're back with Jeremy Fowler.
3:10It's been a couple of weeks, more than that, since Devon Witherspoon got his deal.
3:15What are we looking ahead to for Christian Gonzalez, Jeremy?
3:18Well, Patrick, I'm hearing Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots remain a part on several key elements of this deal.
3:24Now, here's why it could get done. New England feels like it has worked hard on this.
3:29They're prepared to make him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL.
3:32That's above Devon Witherspoon's $33 million per year threshold.
3:35They feel like the guarantees are in a good place.
3:38Clearly, Gonzalez does not feel the same way. So, they have a fundamental disagreement on several things that have to come together.
3:45The length of the deal, the structure of the deal, all those things.
3:49And we've heard him in that soundbite and also in his past press conferences.
3:53He's clearly very frustrated. He does not seem eager, Ian, to play as of right now.
3:58No, it really does not. But the reality is he has been practicing.
4:02And if a player is going to hold out, if a player is going to take him off the field for non-injury
4:08reasons, it is unbelievably punitive now in this new CBA, which is really not that new at all.
4:14Teams cannot waive fines. There's the fines. Plus, there's the game check if he decides not to play.
4:19In Gonzalez's case, $125,000 of game checks that he would be missing.
4:23But he has been practicing. And from my understanding, practicing extremely well, reminding the Patriots, by the way, of how very, very
4:30good of a football player he is. Time, though, really is running out for a new deal.
4:35Today, obviously, is Friday. But it's really not. It's really Tuesday in the Patriots and Seahawks world because their game is on a Wednesday.
4:42So, follow me for a second. Today is really Saturday in our world.
4:46But for the Patriots and for the Seahawks, it's Wednesday.
4:49That is the start of the game. It is getting real late to do a contract extension.
4:54Pretty clear to me that if Gonzalez thought he was going to knock it out of the park, in other words, many,
5:01many millions of dollars over the highest paid, that probably is not going to happen.
5:05But there is a deal out there for him, one that would make him the highest paid.
5:10We will see in the next couple days how close these two sides are able to get.
5:16Yeah. Anybody could get that deal if they're able to navigate the temporal time loops that we have just navigated with the
5:22fact that it's Wednesday, but really a Tuesday. And then we've got another game that's going to be a day after they
5:29play that game where it's actually yesterday. And that's because our first ever Australia game is coming up.
5:34One of those teams already there, the San Francisco 49ers, arrived with their 200 person traveling group.
5:40It includes George Kittle, landed Friday morning after a 15 hour flight.
5:43They have made it. Their opponent though, the Rams won't leave until 24 hours before kickoff.
5:48It's a strategy that's been successful for the team before on international trips with their three, you know, in their last three games.
5:55Also successful in the past for the Rams, Aaron Donald, whose week one plans aren't yet available, according to his head coach.
6:02He's so intentional about his rhythm and routine that a lot of these veteran guys like you've heard me talk about, they've
6:08earned the right, you know, where it's truly a collaboration.
6:11Obviously, one of the best things you can do is get out there and play football in 11 on 11 settings with
6:18pads, your eye progression, taking on some of the double teams, different things like that, you know, so this week will be
6:25a big week for him in terms of how he feels.
6:28And then we'll just kind of take it a day at a time and see where he's at.
6:33If he feels good enough to go great, if not, you know, I got a lot of confidence in the other guys
6:40that will be ready to step up if that's the case that have really gotten all the reps anyways.
6:46Judy has been a consistent refrain from Sean McVay throughout the Aaron McDonald return process, taking it day by day, see where he is.
6:53It's consistent in game week as well. Well, don't forget the Rams because they are traveling to Australia so late, only 24
7:00hours before kickoff, they're going to land. They have a few more practice days here in the United States to watch Aaron
7:06Donald to see how he feels, to see how he recovers after each practice.
7:11And then they can make up their mind about whether he's going to play in week one.
7:16As long as he is on that airplane and he is expected to travel with the team to Australia, there is a chance that he plays.
7:24He knows how much he plays. I think that will be determined by how he gets through this week of practice as well.
7:31But it is worth keeping in mind, this is not about Aaron Donald playing in week one.
7:36They need to have Aaron Donald in week 17 and 18 and in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl.
7:42This is about winning the Super Bowl for Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams.
7:46If he can play in week one, that's great.
7:49I think they would like him to play. He certainly sounds like he wants to play, but there is no reason to
7:56push it if he does not feel completely ready for that game.
7:59Judy, the Rams strategy here is fascinating. Not leaving until scheduled for Tuesday to get on that plane, 16-hour flight, get all the way to Australia.
8:07The 49ers are already there preparing for this game.
8:10I checked with the Rams on this and I was told by a person in the building that like this is just how we do it.
8:18We're all business. We go in, we rest up a little bit, we play the game, we get on a plane and we leave.
8:25They felt like they worked really well last year in the London game against the Jaguars where they beat them convincingly.
8:32They've done it in the past when they go to the East Coast.
8:35So this is their plan here and it gives them a couple days at home to get fully healthy for Puka Nakua to be good to go.
8:44Miles Garrett, we'll see about Aaron Donald. Meanwhile, the 49ers have a ton of stars injured that they're trying to get right.
8:50George Kittle, Nick Bosa, the like. And so both teams should be healthy.
8:54They feel like they've been resting their guys. I was at both camps this summer and nobody was practicing.
9:00But now that it's time for some real football, they seem prepared to ramp it up.
9:05Yeah, people are questioning the strategy. It's worked out.
9:08They've outscored opponents 92 to 17 in those international games.
9:11And Ian, Jeremy mentioned the stars, the all pros between Nick Bosa and George Kittle.
9:15What can you tell us about their status as they did make it on the plane?
9:20First of all, when you refer to that word, it's called strat now, not strategy.
9:25That's sort of how the kids do it, just to give you a little heads up here.
9:30I got two young kids. I'm trying to learn all this myself.
9:33Anyway, let's get to the San Francisco 49ers. First, we'll start with George Kittle.
9:38Because look, before they left for Australia, Kittle had two really good practices, two really hard practices.
9:43Not at a point yet where we know for sure, for sure that he is going to play.
9:48But there is certainly some optimism there. And if it's not week one, it is probably going to be week two getting
9:55in a really good place to contribute far earlier than anyone had anticipated.
9:59Nick Bosa also in team drills. Mike Evans also in team drills.
10:02I know there's certainly some question marks about both these guys.
10:06Both are coming back from the ACL. Certainly had seemed like maybe his was a little slower as his knee was kind of flaring up.
10:13He likely is okay. Mike Evans dealing with a adductor slash hip issue.
10:17He's been practicing as well, Jeremy. Certainly some positivity there for the Niners.
10:21Yeah, and George Kittle fascinating because this was a long shot to play week one based on the nature of the injury
10:28and how late last season he got it. But he has hit every checkpoint.
10:32He has crushed his rehab. He's put himself in a position to play.
10:36He's practiced all week in the three days leading up to when the 49ers got on the plane to leave.
10:42It looks like everything's going well in Australia. So he's put himself in position.
10:46I would not be surprised if the 49ers ended up putting him on a bit of a pitch count while he's out there.
10:53But whether it's week one week to he beat the timeline.
10:57He will be ready early this season and hopes to kick off week one.
11:01And then Nick Bosa is a little different because he was out for most of camp kind of had that knee tendinitis
11:08combating that with coming back from the ACL had a bit of a foot issue.
11:12So it looks like he's trending upward. I think if all systems are a go and he practices and feels good, then he will play.
11:20But it just doesn't seem like a slam dunk because he just got back.
11:24And meanwhile, Mike Evans, I'm told, is determined to play.
11:27All his injuries have been minor. He's fought through them pretty well.
11:31Yeah, a truncated timeline when you add in the fact that they had to take this giant journey again in a very
11:37different fashion than the Rams will as they will arrive right before kickoff.
11:41Let's get over to a team that still going through some of their offseason storylines as they become week one storylines.
11:48Kevin Stefanski's Atlanta Falcons have yet to name a starting quarterback for their week one trip to Pittsburgh to take on the
11:54Steelers just over nine months post ACL reconstruction for Michael Pennix Jr.
11:58Which Jeremy, along with the play of Tua Tungvaloa is why we're here.
12:02Where do you think the Falcons go from here at the quarterback position?
12:06Well, it's not final yet, but early this week, I suspect as early as Monday when Kevin Stefanski addresses the media that he could announce this thing.
12:14Now, I know Stefanski has long considered waiting until he had to release more of an official depth chart for week one, which is typically on a Wednesday.
12:22But I'm not sure he waits that long at this point because players will be in the building on Monday.
12:28They're also going to address the media so they could get through this weekend where the team is off.
12:34They're not practicing. They got some time off. So there's no reason to name it now.
12:39And so come Monday, he really has to decide does Tua's up and down play even though he's a veteran?
12:45Is that enough or with Michael Pennix, who's got maybe the more upside talent, the youth, but he just got back to
12:5211 man work still hasn't really taken any sort of contact.
12:55So are they comfortable with his first contact being in game action and not in preseason action?
13:00They have to determine that, Ian. But the way things looked with Tua there with the joint practice and the Colts in
13:07his first preseason game, it was not trending well.
13:10No. Now, Tua did play a little bit better in the last preseason game, but you're right.
13:15I mean, this is a decision where you would have hoped for the Atlanta Falcons that this one would be easy.
13:21Tua would have played totally fine. Very solid veteran presence.
13:24Go out there. Hold it down until Michael Pennix Jr.
13:27is ready. Just hasn't quite been that way. And so really the Falcons are left in a little bit of limbo right
13:34here because you have Tua who, again, played okay, who is ready.
13:37But you have Michael Pennix Jr. just kind of getting started.
13:41If he felt like he was ready to go, if he could get out there and be in a game situation, then
13:47it's pretty clear to me he would be the starter.
13:50It's just he's not there yet. And so they are in a holding pattern for when Michael Pennix Jr.
13:56will be ready. But then I will say this, if Tua is named the starter early this week or whenever this is,
14:03it's going to be on a little bit of a short lease and based in part on the health of Michael Pennix Jr.
14:10Yeah, it's his third ACL reconstruction. The first on his right leg again, just just over nine months ago.
14:16We will keep things in the NFC and go to the Green Bay Packers.
14:20We're just over a week after being placed on the commissioner's exempt list in connections with battery charges.
14:25Packers running back Josh Jacobs court hearing has been moved up to this upcoming Thursday, September 10th.
14:30The Pro Football Hall of Fame announcing changes Friday that will impact how the Hall's class of 2027 is considered this coming
14:37at the end of a two and a half year review of the selection process as there was a notable absence in
14:44this most recent Hall of Fame class. Here's a look at what those changes are.
14:48They go from 50 selectors to 25 with three alternates.
14:51So 28 there. The requirement for each one selector from each team market has been eliminated, as has the senior category.
14:58So no breaking it up into modern or senior eras.
15:01And the total number of finalists cut to 15 as we are rejoined by Judy Batista.
15:06Judy, what's the main impact of these changes going to be?
15:09Well, these are some pretty big impacts for the Hall of Fame and for potential candidates.
15:14The big ones are eliminating the senior category, which means that all players, no matter how long they have been retired, once
15:20they get past that five year wait from retirement, are going to be eligible and going to be in the same pool.
15:27So there's no special slot for players who may have been passed over in earlier years or now are 20, 30 years post retirement.
15:34They are all in the same pool with the more current players who retired recently.
15:39So that is probably going to make it tougher for senior candidates to get in there.
15:44Also, players are going to be competing directly with one coach candidate and one contributor candidate.
15:49Those candidates will be put forward by committees that select them.
15:52So they are all being considered same pool. That is probably going to make it tougher to get contributors, for example, in there.
15:59And the other thing is that the Hall of Fame was concerned about what they thought was unintended bias.
16:05That's part of the reason why they got rid of the seniors category, because they thought there might be a bias about
16:11like, well, we should get this player in because he has waited so very long he might not get a chance.
16:18Also, in the presentations, there's not going to be a presentation by a selector.
16:22It's going to be a neutral person who does not vote, who's just going to say this person is eligible.
16:28This is what he accomplished in his career. And then the selectors will have a conversation.
16:33So lots of changes, a much smaller pool of voters also.
16:36That's going to be different. So lots of changes.
16:39It's going to be really fascinating, especially in this first year, to see how it all shakes out.
16:44From 50 voters, Judy, to 25 with about three alternates certainly changes the landscape of this thing and really taking a hard
16:51look at who actually are the voters and certainly changing the way it is done.
16:56You mentioned the one voice. So essentially the thought is if you have one person from a city presenting on behalf of
17:02that player, maybe he's a great orator. Maybe he's not.
17:05And if he's not, that might make voters bias sort of against that player.
17:09Now it's going to be one voice speaking for all players, giving everyone equal footing to come in and potentially get in the Hall of Fame.
17:17And look, there's obviously a lot of changes. You mentioned the elimination of the senior category.
17:22This comes all on the heels of what seemed to be several voters getting together and making the decision not to have Bill Belichick in last year.
17:30It's not a direct response to that, but you have to understand that this was part of it.
17:36Really what you want is the best people. Is he a Hall of Famer or is he not in the Hall of
17:42Fame in last year it seemed with Bill Belichick out?
17:46That just was not the case. Hopefully this gets to a fair and more equitable process.
17:50The reality is there's going to be part of this that some people agree or disagree.
17:55Blowing it all up, starting over with many new voters and a completely new system, that is going to be better than the way it was.
18:03You can quibble a little bit, yes, it might not be perfect, but it is going to be better and more fair
18:10and get a more accurate Hall of Fame, which is good.
18:13Yeah, it'll also be the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the selection process, all of it, the presentations, the discussion will be held in person.
18:21That's true. Another aspect of that there. We got more to come here on this edition of the Insider.
18:27CJ Stroud and the Texans will meet in person with the Buffalo Bills in week one.
18:32Will we have a new contract by then? Updates on that negotiation and several more when we come back on the Insiders.
18:39You know the feeling. You make a pick in your fantasy draft and the entire room groans because they wanted that player.
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18:52There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
18:55I'm JJ Zacharieson, host of the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast.
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22:12Back on the Insiders, the 49ers arrived in Melbourne, Australia, Friday morning ahead of their season opener against the Rams.
22:18The first NFL game on Australian soil. They'll spend the week there getting set for the game that will kick off at
22:241035 AM local time, where it's a full 17 hours behind Pacific time.
22:28So they'll be adjusting throughout the week and start contrasts.
22:31The Los Angeles Rams will leave 24 hours before the game kicks off a 16 hour flight into a 17 hour time distance.
22:38Sean McVay sticking with the stated plan that he says the most important factors of that plan weren't up to them.
22:45Sean McVay, We don't control where we play. You know, that was a decision that was above something we could control.
22:51The thinking in its simplest form is, is what do we deem the best for our football players and for them to try to be at their best?
23:00There's different approaches and theories, but I do have a lot of trust in our group and we'll see, you know, hopefully it works out.
23:07And I know that we've got a bunch of guys that I think, you know, we'll feel good about the plan.
23:14And then ultimately it's let's go play to the best of our ability in that three and a half hour window.
23:20We're allotted as we're back with Jeremy Fowler, the Rams choosing to try to have their bodies just not even be aware
23:27of the jet lag as they get into this game and make it a quick process.
23:31Unlike the off season, which has been constant change and contracts and upheaval and they got more to come.
23:37Yeah, Patrick, a fascinating subplot with this Ram season is that they've made all these splashy moves and brought in these older
23:44players that they're paying, but they have their young stars on rookies contracts that are eligible for extensions that they have not
23:50paid and probably won't pay before week one. Barring a surprise.
23:54That's Puka Nakua. That's Byron Young, the edge rusher.
23:57That's Kobe Turner, defensive tackle and center Steve Avila.
23:59Typically teams like to pay their young stars. Now, the Rams certainly could do something.
24:04They have a penchant for doing late season contracts.
24:07They did that last year with safety Quentin Lake when he was coming up his rookie deal.
24:12They've done deals right before free agency for key players.
24:15But as of now, the messaging is, hey, we paid Miles Garrett and Aaron Donald and all these older guys, Trent McDuffie,
24:21all these trades and big splash moves we made.
24:24These players now do have to wait. And so it's an interesting locker room dynamic.
24:29Do those players buy into that or are they frustrated?
24:32It seems like because of the enormity of the Rams moves, hey, when you're bringing in Miles Garrett, Aaron Donald, you can't really complain about that.
24:40And you got to sort of get on board here.
24:43Certainly Puka Nakua because the off field issues, that was a hindrance to potentially getting a deal.
24:48He's a key guy that they do want to keep long term.
24:51Yeah. The team that ended the Rams season, probably what led to some of these big free agency signings was the Seattle Seahawks.
24:58And they did so with significant contributions from then rookie safety Nicky Manwari, who is currently dealing with an ankle injury that
25:05leaves his status in question for the opener against the Patriots.
25:08He does so much for this defense. Jeremy, what's the latest with his status?
25:13Well, the latest says he's got an uphill battle to play week one, which is really in just a few days here.
25:19So we got to kind of twist the calendar.
25:22We're talking about a Wednesday kickoff. So it really feels like a Tuesday of game week, like Ian mentioned.
25:28So it's iffy at best. I'm told that there's certainly a possibility he could miss the first two weeks of the season,
25:34one to two weeks, try to get back week three.
25:37We'll see if he perks up in time. He has been on the practice field, was out there today in some capacity,
25:44stretching and joking with teammates, according to local reports.
25:47So they'll leave the light on. Nothing's been determined yet.
25:50They decided not to put him on short term IR, which was a good sign.
25:54But he's really just weeks from having ankle surgery, which is a pretty serious thing.
25:59That was in July. He's been working his way back.
26:02So everything is positive. But week one, very much in question.
26:05I'd be fairly surprised if he did play. Yeah, defensive rookie of the year candidate throughout last season.
26:11He was so good. There's an offensive rookie of the year candidate in Jeremiah Love elsewhere in the division, but he had that ankle injury in the preseason.
26:19What can you tell us about his week one status?
26:22Well, he's been rehabbing. He's hoping for the best, not a slam dunk to play at this point, but it's not convinced,
26:29you know, considered a severe issue right now. It's a pretty typical high ankle sprain.
26:33Heard it in that game of the Raiders where he was getting a bunch of touches and looking great, looking like he
26:40was going to transform their offense in a big way, even though it was only the preseason.
26:45Arizona's got some weapons. They just signed Michael Wilson to a big extension.
26:49They're receiver. They got Marvin Harrison Jr. They're hoping Love is in the mix with those guys.
26:54But right now, week one is still in question.
26:57They have not made a firm determination on where he's at looking like 50-50 for the season opener.
27:03That is the truth. They want to get through the practice week, see how much he can handle behind the scenes.
27:09Yeah, a couple of ankle injuries, big ankle injuries to first-round running backs this preseason, like the Las Vegas Raiders in Ashton
27:16Gentry, who went down and a practice had to be helped off the field.
27:20But his head coach, Clint Kubiak, confirmed optimism earlier this week that he'd be good to go against the Dolphins in week
27:26one as we are back with NFL Network Insider Ian Rapport.
27:30Ian, optimism is great. It's a far cry from our collective concerns when we heard about that injury and Gentry having to be helped off the field.
27:38Confirmed optimism kind of sounds like a band name, right?
27:41Yeah, and a really good one. That is the facts, right?
27:44Ashton Gentry, who had appeared at one point, people thought he suffered a major injury, thought it was a knee injury.
27:51Players were praying on the field. It looked like everything was terrible.
27:54And then you do some tests, you see some specialties.
27:57You know what? It is an ankle. It is a low ankle, and he is going to be okay.
28:03The optimism is real for Ashton Gentry. Now, does that mean he's going to be on the field?
28:09It does not. This is not nothing. It is something that he's going to have to work himself through, and the fact
28:15that they have Mike Washington, a rookie who they like a lot, who can really run, might give them a little pause.
28:22It is a long season, and the Raiders are going to want Gentry for a lot of it.
28:27But still, optimism reigns. Yeah, now it's doubly confirmed optimism, which is a cover band for confirmed optimism.
28:33Emeka Abuka had that toe injury that came in the joint practice as the Bucs were set to face off against the Bengals.
28:40What can you tell us about his status here?
28:42The good news for Emeka Abuka is that he was spotted on the side field, going through drills, running around, really showing no sign of limping at all.
28:51That is based on the eyes of those reporters who were there, Rick Stroud and others, and that is a very, very good sign.
28:58Now, he has seen a specialist for what was described as a toe sprain.
29:02These are the kinds of injuries that teams are especially cautious with because unlike, I don't know, an upper body injury of
29:09some sort, I mean, if you hurt a toe, it can hurt the entire season.
29:14There are players where this just ruins their entire season.
29:17It is way early, so early that the season hasn't even started yet.
29:21So the Bucs want to show some caution, but at least it is not a long-term injury, and I would expect Abuka to practice next week.
29:28Yeah, with the departure of Mike Evans, a big part of that Buccaneers passing game is the Bucs make that decision.
29:35The Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud have a set of decisions to make.
29:39General Manager Nick Casario had said that there have been productive discussions regarding a new contract after the team picked up Stroud's
29:45fifth-year option, but also says if it's not done before the season starts, then it will have to get addressed in the offseason.
29:52So that creates a de facto deadline as we bring Jeremy Fowler back.
29:56What's taking place as we get close to that deadline, Jeremy?
30:00Yeah. Yeah, Patrick, from what I'm told on the player side, he is prepared to play out the fourth year of his
30:06rookie deal without an extension based on where things sit right now.
30:10Now, we have nine or ten days here before kickoff where they can potentially reach a deal.
30:15I'm also told, though, from Houston's side, they feel like they've put together a competitive offer.
30:20Right now you have 12 quarterbacks making at least $50 million a year.
30:24Houston, I'm told, is prepared to put him in that range and not at the very bottom either.
30:29So they feel like they're in a good place to potentially get something done, but neither side is really trying to force it here.
30:37It is early in the process. They don't have to do it.
30:40Stroud feels like he's poised for a big year.
30:43This is a team that could be in the Super Bowl mix, certainly with that defense.
30:48If they can run the ball and support Stroud, if he can move on from his postseason mistakes, then he's in position
30:55to cash in this offseason where there'll be a bunch of young quarterbacks like the Drake Mays, Jaden Daniels, all those guys that are eligible for extensions.
31:03They could do the work for him to get that market up to a new place.
31:08So there are a lot of subplots of this that could play out if both sides decide to wait.
31:13Yeah, as they play in the AFC South where there's a lot of competition with the Jacksonville Jaguars who had an explosive
31:20late part of the season from Parker Washington. And now Parker Washington going into that final year of his deal wants a new one.
31:27Do you think he can get it, Jeremy? It's possible.
31:30Parker Washington is a hot name in Jacksonville right now because he's had a tremendous camp.
31:35He's a safety valve for Trevor Lawrence. He's expected to have a big year.
31:39So because of that, he wants big dollars. Now, both sides have been talking about a contract.
31:44This one does have a chance to get done before week one.
31:48I'm told the player would prefer to get it done and not have this linger in season, whereas Jacksonville is comfortable continuing
31:55talks during the season if the player wants to engage.
31:58So it's interesting because Michael Wilson in Arizona got that deal done $25 million a year and change.
32:03So that is a nice comp for that player to potentially reach a deal.
32:08You know, he's not a household name, doesn't have a bunch of accolades or big yardage, but he is really valued in that offense.
32:15So we'll see if they can reach a deal.
32:17Yeah, was not on the field for any of the Jags preseason games.
32:21We'd like to think he would like to get that done before he gets back out there to risk any potential deal.
32:28We talked at the start of the show, Jeremy, with Christian Gonzalez and the lack of a deal there.
32:34But there's some other cornerbacks who are currently in a bit of a stalemate as well.
32:39Yeah, a lot of corners out there are not getting paid right now, Patrick.
32:43I'll start with Cincinnati's DJ Turner, really good young player.
32:46I'm told that this is not going to get done, barring a huge surprise in the next nine to ten days.
32:52He will get into the season, likely play this out.
32:55And then you're looking at free agency where he's a really attractive free agent for teams, trying to add a cover corner
33:02or they franchise tag him at what would be around $23 million a year.
33:06Similar to Jesse Bates years ago, a star safety where they had him play out his deal and then they franchise tag him.
33:13That's sort of the Bengals way, which players don't always love.
33:17But my understanding is that where the team is is not where the player wants to be.
33:22So I would be surprised if something gets done.
33:24And then on that front, you know, I guess have Joey Porter, star corner out of Pittsburgh, which we can get to as well.
33:32There he is, Joey Porter. He is on the practice field.
33:35So that's a good sign. But this has been a tumultuous negotiation, if it really is one, because my understanding is that
33:42the team still hasn't really made a formal offer unless something changed here very recently.
33:46But that's sort of been the stance. The team has sent the message that they want him to play it out on
33:53that fourth year of his rookie deal. And so the player has been frustrated.
33:57I'm told he's at least considered his options, whether that's a potential trade or a continuing hold in during the season.
34:04You know, we'll see if he does it. Now, there's certainly those game checks.
34:08He doesn't want to compromise at the end of the day.
34:11Sometimes players want to do something until it gets to game time and they find their way back on the field because they don't want to lose money.
34:20However, he has really considered some of those things because it's been that frustrating of a situation where Pittsburgh has played other
34:26players on defense that aren't as accomplished as he is.
34:29So we'll see if this heats up in the next nine or ten days.
34:33But there really hasn't been any major movement here.
34:36Yeah, and I'd be surprised if there was major movement.
34:39Now, you're right. Joey Porter has considered his options.
34:42My understanding is teams have considered their options as well.
34:45There's been enough rumors, enough smoke here, where teams know that whether he's available or not, that at least he is a trade topic.
34:52And, you know, if you're going to trade for someone like Joey Porter, you know it would be a premium pick, second rounder, maybe a first rounder.
35:00I mean, these are the kinds of guys that go for big-time picks.
35:04And then there's the matter of the contract. Does he want one right now?
35:09We'll see. Or would he just go somewhere else for a huge draft pick compensation and then just kind of play it out and see where it goes.
35:17As far as the hold in, that's a little harder.
35:20He mentioned he's been practicing. Clients of David Mulligan almost never give up money.
35:24Almost, like, I can think of no times when he has given up – his clients have given up guaranteed money, so that would surprise me.
35:32But what options are there for Joey Porter? You're right.
35:35Team wants him to play it out. We'll see what happens next.
35:39We're back on Insiders. Sign up to play the official fantasy game of the NFL ESPN Fantasy.
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35:56that had the best sound, this week. Yeah, I think I'll always have a chip on my shoulder.
36:02You know, the way that last season ended, you know, I actually wasn't happy with it.
36:06Haven't been happy with any of the seasons the way they've ended.
36:10So, got to continue to find ways to keep getting better.
36:13Do I feel like I can play at a high level?
36:17Yes. Do I feel like I can still be myself?
36:20A hundred percent. If I didn't feel like that, I wouldn't be here.
36:24I recorded everything. I studied myself to a tee.
36:26Watched every movement, every cut, every hit flip. In my opinion, I don't see no difference.
36:31If not, it looked a little cleaner than me.
36:34It's everything. Everything you need in the offense play, actually.
36:37You know, drop back, run game. It's, like, everything you want in the offensive system.
36:42And, like, coaches, like I just said with Coach Jesse, the attention to detail, he's overly, like, preaching that, you know, he
36:48want every guy to know what everyone's doing, basically, with the offense.
36:52So, he's just making everyone's job a lot easier.
36:55And I just can't wait to showcase him. Last two years, I talked to y'all about just the spiritual journey that I've been on, the growth, the humility.
37:03You know, I'm kind of walking through life over the last two years and a bit of hardships, you know, with myself
37:10feeling just wasn't where I wanted to be. And now being able to be here, to walk in here, I remember coming
37:16here to practice and seeing the 86, the 90, the 2007, 11 banners, and I was like, man, I just want to bring one here.
37:24You know, I made it here. You know, I've been through the hard stuff, so I feel like there's nothing in my life that I can't overcome.
37:32And, you know, the step that I'm going to take forward is going to be better than before.
37:38And will it take me some time? Who knows?
37:40But I know for sure if I'm out there, you know, I'm going to run some routes, for sure.
37:46No one really cares what you did last. You know, we won two Super Bowls in a row, went to a third
37:53one, and I'll be honest with you, the first opponent didn't give a damn every single time.
37:58So you just have to bring it, man. You just have to have that consistency.
38:02You have to treat every single moment, treat the present and every single play like it's the most important play.
38:09But I asked if you felt like you grew apart.
38:12Clearly. You know. You tell me what a quarterback can learn watching the tape, okay?
38:16Okay. Randall Cunningham. Cannon. He could do the thing that I did versus the Rams.
38:2120 extra yards. He could hose the ball anywhere, put it on the field at any point whenever he wanted.
38:27Tom Brady. Killer. Two-minute killer. End of game. Moment killer.
38:30Let's go moment killer. Aaron Rodgers. Magician with the football.
38:33Magician with the football. And Caleb Williams. All of you both.
38:36From throwing the bomb to eating the bomb on hot ones, it's Caleb Williams there.
38:41Bill Barmerwell has a piece on ESPN.com. Players under the most pressure in 2026.
38:45He says that in the sense that guys could be in the line for big deals, maybe potentially lose their starting job.
38:52Either way, a lot of things could impact them from the results of this season.
38:56So let's start as we're back with NFL Network insider Ian Rappaport.
39:00All right, you're looking at what's at stake for Khalil Mack this season.
39:04Hot ones is such a great show, isn't it?
39:06Yes. I mean, it's such a great look for Caleb, but having to explain and talk about real things while your mouth
39:13is literally dying is quite a different skill from having to escape a 300 pounder trying to kill you.
39:19But still, I digress. All right, let's talk about Khalil Mack.
39:22And yeah, here's what I would say about Khalil Mack.
39:25Talking about him being under pressure. Yes, of course, he's 34, 35 years old, whatever it is.
39:30Teams paying him a lot of money has to come in and play well.
39:35When I was at Chargers camp, the buzz I got from Khalil Mack was that he's getting ready to have an insane season.
39:42I mean, the kind of freak that they are talking about him being, the kind of shape he is in, what his
39:48body can do athletically compared to his age. I know last year was dinged up a little bit, didn't play all the
39:55games, still had five and a half sacks or whatever it was, had six the year before.
40:00But based on the work he put into camp, it looks like Khalil Mack is getting ready to go off and kind
40:07of turn back the clock a little bit, which if that is the case for this really, really, really good Chargers defense,
40:13then he may not be even close to being done despite going into his upper 30s.
40:18Well, CJ Stroud is much, much younger than Khalil Mack, but he's under a lot of pressure, more pressure than Khalil Mack.
40:25I think he's under some of the most pressure in the entire NFL.
40:29Let's set aside the whole contract situation. Let's pretend that's not even happening.
40:33Just in terms of football, CJ Stroud still has not gotten back to the level we saw from him when he was a rookie.
40:40And of course, last season ended so badly with such a poor playoff performance.
40:44That's the kind of thing that sticks in people's heads, especially when he is the quarterback for a team that has an
40:51absolute world-class defense, a Super Bowl caliber defense. This is a team that should be in the Super Bowl mix when we
40:58get into December and January, but they're going to have to get better play from CJ Stroud and that offense.
41:04Now let's layer back the fact that he may not have a contract extension by the time the season kicks off.
41:10So he would be playing for his contract extension.
41:13Of course, if he plays lights out and this team goes on a deep run, gets to the Super Bowl, that's great.
41:19He cashes in. He will be at the absolute top of the quarterback market, but it could go the other way too.
41:26And if it goes the other way, he's going to cost himself an awful lot of money.
41:31So an awful lot of pressure on CJ Stroud.
41:34Yeah. You mentioned the Super Bowl. It reminds me of a 2012 season by one Joe Flacco that ultimately led to some
41:41elite compensation for the Baltimore Ravens, then Ravens quarterback.
41:43We've got more elite football discussion coming up as Ian has more campaigns to be a guest on hot ones.
41:49And we look at the week one division of games.
41:52Some of them rivalries that we will preview next on the inside.
41:56You know, the feeling you make a pick in your fantasy draft in the entire room groans because they wanted that player
42:03or you grab a small school rookie off waivers and you start him right before he goes off in primetime.
42:09There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
42:12I'm JJ Zachary, host of the late round fantasy football podcast.
42:15Before your draft, our players to target and players to avoid episodes tell you exactly who to circle and who to cross off.
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42:27And your dominance doesn't stop with the draft. All season long.
42:30We have our 15 transactions, 10 trends, sleepers and the mailbag data driven, quick hitting episodes to help bring home that league trophy.
42:37Listen to the late round fantasy football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
42:43Back on inside. It's going to be a great start to the Monday night football season as the defending AFC West champion
42:50Broncos travel to Casey to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
42:53Also traveling to Casey. Good morning football. Taking their show on the road.
42:57Their coverage will start at 8 a.m. Eastern for Monday night football road show live from Kansas City.
43:03It is a game Patrick Mahomes has been working on being available for Judy since before the schedule even came out and
43:09hopes to play in week one against the Broncos.
43:12Yeah, this is what I am looking for in the first Monday night football game of the season is Patrick Mahomes and
43:19how he looks and how he functions, how they function as an offense.
43:23Andy Reid has been happy about how Patrick Mahomes has looked since back in the spring.
43:27He's been ahead of schedule since basically since he suffered the injury.
43:31He was ahead of schedule almost immediately after that.
43:34So the question is, is he at full capacity right out of the gate?
43:38He's had a really strong training camp. He's looked totally normal like Patrick Mahomes.
43:42I want to see how they look. Obviously, an awful lot is on the line.
43:47They are going against a stellar defense in the Denver Broncos, and that's the team they're going to have to topple to retake the AFC West.
43:55Ian. Yeah, I'm looking to see about Bo Nix.
43:57And you mentioned the offseason for Patrick Mahomes. Bo Nix had actually a somewhat similar offseason.
44:02Of course, his last play of the season was featured in breaking his ankle, ended up having two surgeries.
44:08And obviously did very little in the spring, a little more in the summer.
44:12But, you know, we'll see what happens when he gets out there.
44:16Is he going to be the Bo Nix of old?
44:19His team is going to be better, though. And the Broncos now are no longer a Cinderella.
44:24They're a team everyone's gunning for. They know they are going to be good.
44:28And we are going to see where Bo Nix is.
44:31Is he the kind of quarterback that can really elevate a really talented team and make it really, really great?
44:37Or is he somewhere below that? The product is going to be on the field.
44:42I'm looking forward to seeing a fully healthy Bo Nix decide all that for us.
44:47Yeah, with Davis Webb calling the plays. Is Sean Payton giving up play calling duties for the first time in over a decade?
44:53We've also got some other good week one division rivalry games, including one in the NFC North, where the first start for Kyler Murray since joining the Vikings.
45:02Jordan Love returning to an offense that threw free agencies and injuries.
45:06And now Josh Jacobs' legal battles look pretty different, Ian.
45:09But we mainly look forward to seeing Kyler Murray not in an Arizona Cardinals uniform for the first time.
45:14Yeah, and also seeing him in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
45:17And for the last several years, it feels like it's been forever.
45:21The Vikings have been looking for a quarterback. They believe they have their guy.
45:25And I know it seems like Kyler Murray's been around forever, and probably he has.
45:30But he's still not that old. And so if Kyler Murray goes out and has the kind of year that the Vikings
45:36hope, this could be their quarterback for the next three, four, five, six, however many years.
45:41And the Vikings could finally stop searching. For that to happen, Murray needs to go out and play well.
45:47There is optimism there. It sounds like the QB battle with J.J.
45:50McCarthy was won very quickly. He's going to do things with his legs in this offense that really haven't quite been able to do.
45:58I'm just really intrigued to see Kyler Murray with the Minnesota Vikings.
46:01Yeah, great. Again, in-division game. We also have some cross-conference games in Week 1 that could have some season-long implications, like the
46:08Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveling to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals.
46:11An interesting offseason for both teams. The Bengals have relatively no contract scenarios to navigate compared to previous seasons, where the Bucs
46:18are leaving their quarterback feeling disrespected by their offer.
46:21And the Bengals also making a big-time deal in making the trade for Dexter Lawrence, Judy.
46:26There is so much in this game. I'm not going to know where to look first.
46:30First of all, Joe Burrow has been practicing under center a lot more during training camp, so I'm interested to see how
46:37he looks doing that, how that offense looks. And then I want to see the impact that Dexter Lawrence has on that
46:44defense, which, of course, we have talked about the Bengals' defense now being the thing that's maybe holding them back for the last few seasons.
46:51Then they broke character and traded for Dexter Lawrence.
46:54I know from when he was here at the New York Giants, he is a huge— first of all, he's a huge
47:01person—he is a huge impact on that defense. So I can't wait to see what he does there.
47:06And then on the other side, you've got Baker Mayfield, who is not happy with his own team.
47:12He feels like he's being disrespected. Everybody knows an angry Baker Mayfield is usually the best version of Baker Mayfield.
47:18So there's so much to watch in this game for an early-season matchup.
47:22Lots of drama. Yeah, the Bengals have been trying to get that fast start.
47:26They started off 2-0 last season. It was the part after that that didn't necessarily go well.
47:31Can't wait for Week 1. In the paid ranks, the Dallas Cowboys traveling to MetLife to face the Giants in Week 1.
47:38They're 6-0 against them in primetime since 2017, outscoring them 159-65.
47:41They're 6-0 against them, outscoring them 159-65. Judy, what are you looking forward to seeing in this matchup between the Giants and the Cowboys?
47:48I am looking to see what the Cowboys' defense looks like because they did a lot of work on that defense in the offseason.
47:56New defensive coordinator. They drafted Caleb Downs. We know the defense was their downfall last season.
48:00The last few seasons, this offense has been one of the top offenses, if not the top offense in the entire league.
48:07They just need to get some help from that defense.
48:10This year, it doesn't feel like the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl hype is all that crazy.
48:15It feels like it could be real. I am looking to see how that defense is coming together in Week 1.
48:21Yeah, we're talking about their overall success. 6-0 in primetime against the Giants, though.
48:25They played the Giants last year with that defense.
48:28Russell Wilson has 450 yards and four touchdowns. Looking forward to the start of a game week, which we're already in.
48:35Thanks to Judy Batista, Jared Fowler, and Ian Rafford.
48:37I'm Patrick Claiborne. Have a great weekend, everybody. We'll see you next week.
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49:54Whether you're a first-time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, we give you the advantage and the confidence you need to make every move count.
50:02Listen to The NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
50:08The entire draft room groans because you just took the guy they wanted.
50:12There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
50:15I'm JJ Zacharyson, host of the award-winning Late Round Podcast.
50:18Before your draft, our players to target and players to avoid episodes tell you exactly who to circle and who to cross off.
50:25Listen to the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
50:31This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
