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Jun 19, 2026
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Fri, June 19, 2026
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Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human. The Dallas Cowboys at work this week.
0:04Once again, Dak Prescott in a position to talk about other Cowboys contracts.
0:08So what's the Pickens tag doing for one of the league's top offenses?
0:12We find out on our show. Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, both have come very close to the ultimate goal.
0:17So what do they do in order to get that goal?
0:21Cam Wolf on two franchises looking for one answer.
0:23And now that the majority of minicamps are done, what are the biggest question marks?
0:28The Insiders question our Mark Ross on today's show, which starts right now.
0:32Hey, everybody. Welcome to the Insiders. Patrick Claibon here in the NFL LA Newsroom.
0:36Tom Pellicero and Mike Garofalo with us as our Insiders today.
0:39So let's get right into that news, gentlemen. We will start with what is new today coming into the newsroom.
0:45That's the Dallas Cowboys. There's some continuity in Dallas for a Cowboys team that's searching for balance between the offensive defense.
0:51Quarterback Dak Prescott says the parts that are different make the changes feel very evident.
0:55Yeah, I see it. I feel it. I'm actually breaking down the team yesterday.
1:00I said that and I said if you're a young guy and don't go get with an old guy and they'll tell you why.
1:07So, yeah, it's just exciting. I mean, it's the what we're just talking about the CP, the energy they're bringing on defense,
1:13who we are on offense, but yet trying to elevate, not complacent with anything that we did last year.
1:19Yeah, two units taking pride in what they do and it's going to be a hell of a hell of a camp just competing against each other.
1:27And yeah, you could fill in just the culture building.
1:30I mean, credit to Shadi and all the things that we've done outside the building or just in the building to better
1:36the culture of this team and the brotherhood. So it's very exciting.
1:40Cowboys wrapped up minicamp today. We're joined now by our Jane Slater, who was there.
1:44Coach Schottenheimer, pleased with the insult. So pleased that they finished up a little early, Jane.
1:49Yeah, look, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said thanks to minicamp rules.
1:52There's only so much seven on seven he can run out there, but he said he really appreciated the connection and the buy in from this team.
2:00So they break camp and in five and a half weeks they'll report to Oxnard.
2:04And it's there that Schottenheimer says there will be more padded practices and more importantly, he expects everyone to be there.
2:11Entering year 11, Dak Prescott says if you're not trying to improve, you probably shouldn't be playing.
2:16One area he's focused on playing from under center.
2:18He threw 12 touchdowns from under center last season, more than his previous three seasons combined.
2:23Whether it's shotgun or under center, Prescott says it's all about creating space, staying balanced at the top of his drop and
2:30having clean footwork to deliver the football. As for George Pickens, don't expect to see him live at the X spot.
2:36Schottenheimer says he'll be moving him around a bit.
2:38In other words, you're going to see him working out of the slot or in different alignments, maybe on those front sides.
2:45Before sending players this summer, though, Schottenheimer made sure that they paid attention to his two talking points this summer.
2:51One was be on time. That's been an issue for this team last year.
2:55He doesn't want it to be an issue heading into this season.
2:58And the other respect the team. In other words, Patrick, stay out of trouble.
3:03The trouble for the Dallas Cowboys was mainly on the defensive side of the ball last season.
3:08We'll get an update from Jane on just how they plan to approach and fix those things coming up later on on the insiders.
3:15One thing they thought that people on the outside thought may need to be fixed early on in the offseason is the
3:21relationship between George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys. They put out the franchise tag.
3:25He signed the franchise tag. Everybody thought that he was going to show up and he did.
3:30So all evidence that Pickens and Cowboys were on the same page, Tom, appears to have been confirmed thus far.
3:36He said George Pickens running around there in individual drills didn't do any of that seven on seven that Jane was talking about this week.
3:44But back at the podium today said he did go through a bunch of touchdowns right now.
3:49That guy's ready. And if you go back to last season, obviously, CD lamb, a huge part of the Dallas offense.
3:55He missed some time because of injuries. It was George Pickens who led the Cowboys in basically every category targets and catches and receiving yards and touchdowns.
4:03He's not impoverished here. Okay, he's making over $27 million.
4:06A second franchise tag in 2027 will cost him close to $33 million.
4:10So odds are this is it for George Pickens in Dallas and for a guy who all the way going back to
4:16when he was at Georgia and slid into the second round of the draft and then had the bumps in the road he did in Pittsburgh.
4:24If he can put it together both on and off the field for the next six, seven months here, he's going to
4:30put himself in position to be one of if not the highest paid player in free agency next March.
4:36That should be plenty motivation for Pickens on an offense in Dallas.
4:39It was not the problem. Mike a year ago.
4:42They were top 10 in basically every category. It was the defense.
4:46Obviously Dallas is totally overhauled things on that side of the ball.
4:49Yeah, and that side of the ball is the key.
4:52And this time of year I like to have conversations with some folks around the league and say, all right, the dust is settled.
4:59The coaches are hired. The players are signed. The draft is done.
5:03The spring is done. We're getting ready for training camp.
5:06So who's really standing out to you? Who's the team like we're not giving enough love?
5:10Who's the team that could come out of nowhere?
5:13This Cowboys team has come up a couple of times in regard to the people that at least I respect with their opinion of what's happening.
5:21Around the league and Christian Parker being the key because we know how good this offense was.
5:26It's Parker and this defense and a lot of folks that have worked with him that say, look, he's going to hit
5:32the ground running as a defensive coordinator. You also have Rashawn Gary added to the front along with those two defensive tackles
5:39Quinton Williams and Kenny Clark that now have some experience playing alongside each other.
5:43And now they should be even better moving into year two.
5:46This defense doesn't need to be excellent. It just needs to be marginally better.
5:50Get themselves up somewhere in the middle of the pack.
5:53And all of a sudden we're talking about the Cowboys potentially as a, you know, I call them a sleeper team, but
6:00how much of a sleeper can they be when we talk about them roughly five times a week on this program?
6:06Yeah. And it's a, it is a literal thing.
6:08The, in terms of success rate, the absolute worst defense in the NFL in 2025, any improvement comes a long way elsewhere.
6:15In the division, the Washington commanders wrapped up their mandatory mini camp yesterday.
6:19It was Mike Garofalo reporting that Dan Quinn was just looking for contributions in mini camp from guys further along the roster
6:25and that full roster evaluation led DQ to figure out some guys that have really stood out.
6:30I thought, you know, a few of the new guys who had exceptional off seasons, Rashad White was one, I thought, you know, jumped out.
6:38Um, Caleb on chase on was another one that in a camp that doesn't have pads showed a lot of edge and toughness the way he competes.
6:46And so I thought those are two guys that, you know, added some, you know, already in just a short off season
6:52program and looking forward to everybody getting back. So glad to get rocking with you guys.
6:57So those are the standouts from DQ Mike, you were there in Ashburn yesterday.
7:01Uh, what were the standouts to you? A lot of them.
7:04Uh, some of the names that he mentioned there, Rashad White on offense, Caleb on chase on on defense, Caleb on chase
7:11on a guy that got off to a slow start in his career now on a one year deal, uh, and potentially
7:17setting himself up for a bigger payday. But how about Sonny styles?
7:21How about the rookie coming right out of the gate?
7:24Matter of fact, I wasn't, I was standing and talking to somebody and he walks by and I wasn't even ready.
7:30And I couldn't remember what number he was. The one I was like, who's that guy?
7:35And the way that he was sort of carrying himself, you think like five year veteran.
7:39They're like, Oh, that's, that's the rookie. That's the guy that just got here.
7:4352. That's his number, by the way. Um, and I said, well, how's the spring been?
7:48And they said, well, he's about six foot five.
7:51And yet the way he operates, he's also all that six foot five.
7:55And the way that he operates is like five 11.
7:58And I was like, okay, explain that to me.
8:00Like, I don't know what you're talking about. Well, he's so compact in how he moves and so quick in how he moves.
8:07And yet he has the size of the six foot five guy.
8:10They could not be more ecstatic about what they've gotten Sonny styles and think that this is going to be a defensive
8:17rookie of the year candidate right out of the gate and a guy that they feel like, Oh, okay.
8:23Boom. We hit on that pick right out of the gate.
8:26As coordinator, the guy running things on the defensive side of the ball, Durante Jones, first time NFL defensive coordinator.
8:32This was Dan Quinn really going back to something he wishes he had done a decade or so ago between Durante Jones
8:38and then promoting David Blau to offensive quarter. He's given a couple of guys who have never called plays in the NFL
8:45an opportunity in what is a really critical season in Washington.
8:48You go back to the Falcons after their Super Bowl appearance.
8:51We all know what happened in that game. We don't need to rehash it, but that coaching staff included Matt LaFleur and Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniel.
8:59Quinn at that time decided he needed experience. There were some other ancillary factors at play ended up hiring Steve Sarkeesian and
9:06it just didn't hit this time around refresh the staff moved on from Cliff Kingsbury moved on from Joe with Jr.
9:12Who was one of his longtime deputies in a bunch of different places gives two guys their first shot.
9:17Everything I've understood through the spring is things have gone.
9:20Well, obviously we're not into live football just yet.
9:23There's going to be a growth process here, but they're hoping Patrick that these two bright young coaches gonna be able to hit the ground running.
9:31Yeah, with the Shanahan, of course LaFleur, Jeff Ulbrich, you get like a coaching roster from that entire Falcons coaching staff.
9:37It's really something to look back on at all the things that they've accomplished since then.
9:42We'll be back with Tom and Mike as we continue.
9:45We'll get over to flowery branch where the Atlanta Falcons have had quarterback competition to a tongue of Iowa, the leader in the clubhouse, because Michael Penix Jr.
9:53still not yet cleared for 11 on 11 participation.
9:55So to involved in this quarterback competition, I guess by himself head coach Kevin Sabansky says that they are not going to
10:02name one this month to on what this competition means to him.
10:06I think competition is going to be there whether it is said or whether it's not said.
10:11This is the NFL. You're either coming out there to compete or you're not.
10:15You know, I think we we've all been in this league for for some time to know this isn't something that you can you can walk through.
10:23You know, this is something that whether it's in a meeting room, you know, we we all got to take our job
10:29serious in whatever capacity we can do it to.
10:32And so I look at at it all as a competition.
10:35But needless to say that I don't think that changes my relationship with anyone, you know, on the team.
10:41Mike, Trevor, Kyle Pitts, whether I'm the guy, whether I'm not the guy, you know, I'm I'm here to help in whatever way that is.
10:48I love so much that to a shout out Trevor Simeon in this relationship.
10:52So here's the car, the comparison between two of the time of all and Michael Penix Jr.
10:57They both were runners up in national championship games.
11:00They're both left handed. They both completed in the 60s of the percentage of passes last season, and they both had a decent touchdown interception ratio.
11:07We've got our front office expert Super Bowl champion Mark Ross joining us now.
11:12Mark, what is your view of this quarterback competition as of right now in Georgia?
11:16Well, something you left out, Patrick, they both been hurt a lot.
11:20So I think this competition will be who can stay out of the training room.
11:24And right now to his head of Michael Penix because Michael Penix is in the training room.
11:29Of course, well chronicled all the injuries that Penix has had going back to college to also has had a lot of injuries the past few years.
11:37Of course, these guys, you don't expect them to get hurt in many camps and training camp.
11:42But once they get into real games, that really will be important of who can stay on the field.
11:48If I'm just looking at them in terms of talent to have he was always had a limited sort of game.
11:54And then last year, he was almost shocked to me where even the things he did well, the timing, the middle of
12:00the field throws, the quickness of the release. He didn't do those things.
12:04He seemed as if he was very reluctant. So if he can get that back to where he was prior to last
12:11season, then you're looking at a possible competition with Penix.
12:14What I saw from Penix was a lot of inconsistencies, but the big arm can throw it downfield.
12:19Surprisingly nimble for despite having a lot of leg injuries, he could still run the football.
12:24So if all things are equal and both guys are healthy, then I would have to go with Penix winning that job and what they invested in him.
12:32They want him to win the job. But Patrick, poor Kevin Stefanski.
12:35He goes from the Cleveland Browns with the quarterback competitions every year of back and forth.
12:40Now he goes to Atlanta and says, here, just give me another one to start off my tenure there.
12:46Yeah, but this time, Mark, he's got two different first round quarterbacks to pick from.
12:50So it's a great opportunity for Kevin Stefanski. Thanks to Mark Ross.
12:54We'll be back with him later on in the show.
12:57Earlier this week, we talked about rookies that absolutely had to step up.
13:00They're not off the hook. The veterans that absolutely must step up in 2026.
13:05That's coming your way on the insider. Back here on the insiders, the Jags traded up for Travis Hunter last year, a
13:11season of promise, but derailed by injuries. No firm return date for him, but coach Liam Cohen likes what he's seen thus far.
13:18Travis, I know he ran 22 six this morning outside of outside here.
13:22And, you know, he was he was talking a lot of smack to Chris Bach and the athletic trainers.
13:27And I mean, he just he's worked his tail off.
13:30I got to give a lot of credit to our strength staff, athletic training, sports science.
13:35They've just kept him not not motivated because he motivates himself, but they've kept it creative for him.
13:40The drills, the way that they're pushing him and challenging him.
13:43And then he goes into the video room with each side of ball and then he's able to get a ton of reps in there.
13:51So, yeah, watching him run around this morning, hit 22 six was was pretty fun to watch.
13:56Joining us now, Jeffrey Judy and Mark Ross to discuss veterans who need to step up this season.
14:01Jeff, I want to know, does Travis Hunter after seven games qualify for this discussion?
14:06He's always going to be on that list, Patrick, given what they gave up to get him in last year's draft.
14:12You know, a huge haul first round pick to take him second overall.
14:16And as you said, he only played in seven games because of that knee injury.
14:20Tremendously talented. I love that they're going to talk about him being a full time corner and being a part time player on offense this coming year.
14:28The work he's done in the offseason has been impressive without being able to be on the field, going in that virtual
14:35reality room and learning a lot about how to play the position.
14:38And also defensive bass coach Anthony Perkins talked about the muscle he's put on in the weight room.
14:43So a lot of opportunities for growth here for Travis Hunter marketing.
14:47Better show up big. They need him to do this.
14:50No doubt. Look how good they played without him last year though, Jeffrey, but this will only add to it.
14:56I want to go with another supremely talented player.
14:58They got picked high and that's Marvin Harrison, Jr.
15:01The number four pick who I thought when he came out was the best wide receiver prospect.
15:06In years has been a little bit of a disappointment or a major disappointment based on the expectations.
15:11885 yards as a, as a rookie only 608 last year.
15:15And you mentioned the injuries with Travis Hunter and Marvin Harrison, Jr.
15:18Has had injuries as well with an at the depth of me to heal injuries and concussion.
15:23And even when he's played though, he just hasn't looked like that dominant force that I thought he was at Ohio State.
15:30Drops balls. Doesn't look confident, not playing with strength.
15:32So I'm hoping Marvin Harrison, Jr. Gets back to that form because he can help out the Cardinals a lot, but help himself as well.
15:40All right. A couple of guys want to get their teams into the playoffs while participating.
15:44I want to know Jeff, if you have a player that's had the ultimate success that you feel still needs to step up.
15:51Yeah. It's strange to put Jalen hurts on this list, but you look at where he's at right now, where AJ Brown is gone.
15:58Now Kevin Patulo's last year, offensive coordinator has been replaced by Sean Mannion.
16:02This team was 20, so what 25th in the league last year in passing 29, two years ago when they won the championship.
16:09It's all on Jalen hurts. Now to show he is the quarterback.
16:12They proclaim him to be, I think he will make that jump because as Nick Sirianni said, when he's been doubted, Mark,
16:19he's shown up big and been very consistent and very relentless for sure.
16:23Living here in Philly, Jalen hurts talk every day, all day, but I'm gonna go with a guy who's had similar success,
16:29not winning the Super Bowl, but CJ Stroud of the Texans, who was the offensive rookie of the year, lit it up as a rookie.
16:37And then since then has not played particularly well.
16:39And especially in the playoffs where he only threw for 51.9%, only had two interceptions to being two touchdowns to five interceptions, fumbled five times.
16:47And really though the playoffs, all he had to do was not do anything.
16:51And they, I think the Texans defense could have won it.
16:54And for him, it's twofold. Number one, he's got to play himself into getting a contract extension.
16:59And number two, he's got to play good for the Texans, as I mentioned, to go win the Super Bowl, because I
17:06think that defense and the team as a whole is even better with more talent this season.
17:11But it all comes down to CJ and which CJ we will see this year, Patrick.
17:15Yeah. And there's one thing both of your quarterbacks have in common there.
17:19They've been eliminated in the postseason by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
17:23But Jeffrey, you think the veteran that needs to step up for the Chiefs is somebody that just got there?
17:29Yeah. Kenneth Walker is going to be the man in the spotlight for the Chiefs, mainly because as much as we talk
17:36about what Patrick Mahomes is going to be coming back from the ACL, the Chiefs are trying to transform their offense to
17:42the one that has more of a consistent run game, which they have not had.
17:47They put a ton of pressure on Mahomes over the last few years and you've seen what's happened.
17:52They have not performed at the same level. So going out and getting Kenneth Walker, bringing more speed and explosiveness.
17:58This team was the worst team in the league when it came to explosive runs plays.
18:02You look at what they had last year with Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco.
18:07Kenneth Walker had 50 years less yards by himself than those two combined, Mark.
18:11Yeah, I think Kenneth Walker could take that offense to another level, but I'm gonna go with Trey Hendrickson, the defensive end for the Ravens.
18:18Of course, we talked about his contract drama the last couple of years, whether he was going to get extended by the bangles.
18:25And then he went to the ultimate drama this year when Max Crosby deal fell through with the Ravens.
18:30Then they signed Trey Hendrickson, 31 years old coming off an injury.
18:34That's a bad combination to have to go save a defense who was 24th in the league last year in sacks with only 30.
18:41Travis Jones was their defensive tackle was their leading sack man with five.
18:45They bring in Calais Campbell, the veteran, Mike Green, the second year man out of Marshall, need him to step up.
18:51But really, this is all about can Trey Hendrickson provide that pass rush that the Ravens have been missing for a couple years.
18:58And making that move in the division provides him with an opportunity to play his former team that did not want to pay him necessarily two times.
19:06New today, let's look back at the new Cowboys defense.
19:09They make the trade last season for Quinnen Williams as a part of some other trades.
19:14Able to get with Sean Gary and Kenny Clark.
19:16Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence also coming in in the draft this season.
19:20We got Jane Slater back with us here on the insiders thus far.
19:24What is the impact been for 34 year old defensive coordinator Christian Parker?
19:28Patrick, throughout the season, you're going to hear about this disguise defense.
19:31And the goal here is that you want to confuse the opponent through those disguises.
19:36And you know, it's interesting. I talked to Sean Gary.
19:39He is a season vet in this league and I asked him about it and he said it is energized him.
19:45This scheme is very interesting to it to him and it's also intricate.
19:49You know, it doesn't hurt that it's also stress testing this offense.
19:52Brian Schottenheimer says the one thing that Parker has done is really challenging them when it comes to changing the picture before
19:59the snap, adding and dropping defenders to force quarterbacks and offenses to process on the fly.
20:03The way they changed the way they changed the way they changed the math.
20:07Jane is really it's impressive. But at the same time, we've got pieces on the outside that if you want to change
20:14the math and you want to send five guys at three.
20:17I hope you guys can cover George Pickens and CD lamb one on one.
20:21And so they're not the only ones that can do algebra.
20:25And I'm told that the players are so excited about this, this defense rather.
20:29They've been lining up outside of Parker's office after practice, just looking for more information.
20:33So there you go. And before we go guys, Coach Schottenheimer got a little choked up today on the 29th.
20:39He and his wife, they're going to be celebrating their 25th anniversary.
20:43Jimmy Schottenheimer seen right there. And I bring this up because he's all about building culture around this building.
20:48He's been to DeMarvian overshone's wedding this off season and he's got Jake Ferguson's coming up.
20:53So I asked him what advice he has for the guys and their brides when it comes to this crazy football life.
20:59Well, number one, I think it's the most important decision that you make in your life.
21:04I know I would not be here. I don't want to get emotional talking about my wife, but you know, I would
21:11not be here if it wasn't for her. But it's the biggest decision you're going to make in your life.
21:17In this business, you better find somebody that's independent because they wear a lot of hats, whether it's chasing owls out of the house or things like that.
21:25All right. Mike G, full disclosure here. I was one and done when I attempted marriage.
21:29You've been married 15 years to Jess. We've got Fergie's wedding coming up.
21:33What sort of advice would you give to him to make a marriage work when you grow up around this football stuff?
21:40Well, when you grow up around the football stuff, you heard that thing at the end right there.
21:45A little reference to the owl chasing the owl out of the house.
21:49If you don't recall what happened there, it's Brian Schottenheimer's family had an owl in the house, which is just like one
21:55of the worst things that could possibly happen inside your house.
21:59And he told his wife, listen, I'm at the condo.
22:02They've got a condo separately for when he's got to work.
22:05I'm at the condo. You got this. So I would say when it comes to around this game, if it's in season
22:11and there's a problem that needs to be taken care of at the house, the wives of the NFL and the husbands
22:18of the women that work too as well, they're the real heroes.
22:21It's so true. It's all there. My boyfriend helps with the dogs.
22:25Yeah. My advice would be to find the most interesting, beautiful and thoughtful person on the planet and then have them not necessarily have the best vision.
22:33And so for some reason they agree to spend the rest of their life with you.
22:38Thanks to Jane Slater and Mike Garfield. And congratulations to Brian and Jimmy Schottenheimer coming up.
22:42Let's go to the Arizona Cardinals. They wrapped up their mini camp last week, but the work continues for rookie quarterback Carson
22:49Beck, who threw for well over 11,000 yards in his college career.
22:52But he recognizes that there's levels to this. Again, I think the biggest thing and especially in the first couple of weeks
22:59that I notice, you know, heading into this is a the NFL game is 100% different than the college game, right?
23:05We I mean, there's different routes that they're running.
23:08There's different concepts in the way that we piece everything together.
23:11So where do I where do my eyes need to be?
23:14Right. Where are the defenders? Right. Like what coverages are running?
23:17Everything is disguised, especially in today's NFL. I feel like it's very different what defense are doing, how athletic these guys are.
23:24Right. These defensive linemen and especially the edge guys, you know, there's a lot of standup guys that can do a lot and are very versatile.
23:32So defense are able to do more. Right. So I need to make sure my eyes are in the right place.
23:38I need to make sure I understand who's running what route.
23:41Right. Again, there's so many levels to being a quarterback and understanding an offense.
23:45And the more reps you get, the more comfortable you become with that.
23:49But again, I've played a lot of football. So I think that my brain just kind of works a little bit different as a quarterback.
23:56So again, just going in, you know, day in, day out, trying to get 1% better.
24:01And that's kind of been the mindset. So back now with Tom Pellicero, Tom Carson over going very honestly through the differences
24:08between the game after he played at Georgia and Miami.
24:11And now he's here in Arizona with a new head coach.
24:14Could they need him to play quarterback this season?
24:16You go back to the Bill Parcells days. There were the so-called Parcells rules, Patrick, of what he would look for in a quarterback.
24:24It was all these things. If you had to play a ton of football, you had to be a senior.
24:29You needed your degree, win a lot of games, complete a lot of passes.
24:34Carson Beck was like the one guy in this draft, one of the rare ones now coming out into the NFL, who
24:40checks every single one of those boxes. So if you're looking for a guy who is set up somebody who wasn't a
24:47first-run draft pick for a lot of reasons that didn't necessarily have to do with his production on the field, you'd say
24:53Beck, if he does have to play, is as prepared as anybody coming in.
24:57Yes, there is a growth process that still needs to take place playing in the type of offense that Michael Fleur is going to run.
25:04But Jacoby Brissett wasn't there through the entire spring, finally showed up for minicamp, still not happy with his contract.
25:10Gardner Minshew, we got a good idea what he is.
25:13He's there on a one-year contract. If you're Carson Beck and you got all these extra reps during the spring with Jeremiah Love and Marvin Harrison Jr.
25:21and Michael Wilson and Trey McBride, what better spot could you have possibly landed in here?
25:26We'll see how this season plays out, Patrick, but we know this.
25:30Arizona has a steep uphill battle. Even within their own division, they're probably going to have a high draft pick again in
25:36a really talented 2027 NFL Draft Classic quarterback. You would have to think, just logically speaking, whether it's in week one or
25:43week 18, at some point you're going to want to see what Carson Beck can do on the field to make you
25:49know, do you already potentially have that future quarterback in the building?
25:53Yeah, something about making a future investment, but doing that while knowing what you currently have on your roster.
25:58Tom Pellicero looking at the Arizona Cardinals. That's a Bengal, the tweet from the Cincinnati Bengals as they acquired Dexter Lawrence in
26:05a trade with the New York Giants earlier in the offseason.
26:08Now that instantly thrusts him into the role as Bengals defensive star, but as we see him working there running in Pacor
26:14Stadium in Cincinnati, he's also thrust into the role of Bengals leadership.
26:18I think just to, you know, lead by example, you know, instead of saying things and not being around, he's been here front center.
26:25I don't know if he's really left since the day he showed up in the trade.
26:30So it's just really good to have veteran leadership like that.
26:33That's been in the building, been around, has experienced a lot of things over the seven years he's been in the league,
26:39that he can bring to the table along with a lot of those other vets that we've signed and acquired and brought in.
26:46And so I just think that the leadership on that side of the ball has really expanded amongst the amount of players that we have.
26:54I think you'll see big jumps from some of the guys that have been here in the program for the last couple years.
27:00And so I'm really pleased with the direction that that the leadership is going on defense right now.
27:06Cam Wolves joining us now on the Insiders. Good evening to you, Cam.
27:10Zach Taylor says he's looking for leaders to lead by example.
27:13Joe Burrows said yesterday this is the most talented team he's been on.
27:17What message is that sending? The message is the Bengals believe it's Super Bowl or bus.
27:21Joe Burrows putting the pressure on his shoulders. He wants all the heat.
27:25He wants all the smoke. And the reality is we should give it to him.
27:30This Bengals team is more talented than we have seen in a long time.
27:34And too often we have talked about this Bengals teams as one of the AFC's elite.
27:38They have not made the playoffs last three or four years.
27:42They've got to put it on their shoulders. They've got to do it.
27:46And look, I've mentioned it earlier this offseason. I thought the Bengals were one of the three teams that became Super Bowl
27:52contenders this offseason by getting a sexy Dexie by getting several defensive starters and free agency front office doing things they don't normally do.
27:59They have to put the action on the field.
28:02And it's not a surprise to say, hey, if they don't get it done, if they miss the playoffs again, that the
28:08core of Zack Taylor, Duke Tobin and Joe Burrow probably won't all be back next year.
28:13And so that's why you see an increased urgency from Joe Burrow.
28:17He's saying I want it on my shoulder and I want everybody else to want it on their shoulders.
28:22We want to be talking about the Bengals throughout the year.
28:25And he compared them to that 2019 LSU team that he was on that won the championship.
28:30Talking to people with the Bengals, they've seen a little bit different version of Burrow.
28:35He's usually a little bit more low key. He's been more vocal, holding people more accountable.
28:40And they hope if he's healthy, that's a big if, they should be one of the best teams in the AFC, one
28:46of the easiest schedules in the NFL. And they also are the only team in the AFC North with continuity in their coaching staff.
28:53It's got to be the Bengals year or else we may be looking at a different Bengals team in 2027.
28:59Yeah. In previous years, the discussion leading in was it has to be a hot start.
29:04They start off 2-0 last year, lost the next four consecutively.
29:07Burrow gets injured. Good luck to the Cincinnati Bengals here in 2026.
29:10Let's go elsewhere in the AFC. Josh Allen and the Bills, they've been close to getting over the hump.
29:16They've been consistently good, but feel like new head coach Joe Brady is the guy to get them exactly where they want to be in the Super Bowl.
29:24Yeah, Patrick, the buzz I've got talking with people up in Buffalo is there's been an energized Josh Allen.
29:30There's been an energized Buffalo Bills team. This is a team that has been knocking on the door, hasn't been able to get over the top.
29:38Obviously, they change head coaches to Joe Brady, but Josh Allen is in year nine.
29:42This is not a young whippersnapper anymore. And talking to people who know Josh, he took the playoff loss very hard.
29:48He had a lot of turnovers. He put it on himself.
29:51He knows he has to play better. He has a new baby.
29:55He certainly had a different version of himself coming through and people will see maturity in him in another way.
30:01You see the pictures of Josh Allen here on the screen.
30:04He is not the same baby face guy. He was when he's with a rookie.
30:09And so he mentioned he still feels like it's year three year four.
30:12But like Joe Burrow, there's immense pressure on Josh Allen.
30:15He doesn't want to be the quarterback who couldn't get it done and Buffalo throughout this rain.
30:20So as he turns 30, a crease urgency for him.
30:23And we talk a lot about it. Playmakers, the defense, everybody else to blame.
30:27This one is on Josh Allen's shoulders. He has his preferred head coach.
30:31Let's go do it in a new stadium. Josh is on you.
30:35Yeah, exciting season in both those places at Cincinnati and Buffalo.
30:38Problem is for all these teams, only one can win.
30:41There's only one Campbell. Thanks for spending time with us here on the insider.
30:45Well, we come back here on the insiders. A lot of questions to be asked about the Dallas Cowboys defense.
30:51Several of them going to Rashawn Gary courtesy of our Jane Slater coming up next on the inside.
30:56The Cowboys have been wheeling and dealing for nearly a year to rebuild their defense, including a trade for that man, Rashawn
31:03Gary, who participated in this week's minicamp and caught up with our Jane Slater.
31:07All right, Rashawn, how is it being in Dallas now?
31:10You told me that you've been training here and you started here with your combine training.
31:15Does it feel like you're a little bit home?
31:17Yeah, you know, it's kind of full circle moment.
31:20Being able to train for the combine at MJP, being able to now be a Dallas Cowboy.
31:25It's just a full circle moment. I'm honored, appreciative, and just can't wait to go to work for Cowboy Nation.
31:31You've been in the league for a while. We've talked to a lot of guys.
31:35And the question we've been asking is how different is this defense really?
31:39Can you explain? Yeah, just being able to be around some of the offensive guys, you know, Dak, things like that.
31:45Just being able to, you know, me being a new part of defense, you know, how can I help?
31:51But just off the rip, man, just night and day difference.
31:54You know, he says it makes it a lot harder on him, you know, giving them different looks, things like that.
32:00And, you know, as a defense, being able to prepare against offense like that, man, is iron sharp iron.
32:06Christian Parker, 34, first time as a defensive coordinator.
32:09What's been your impression of him so far? Man, smart, intelligent, and understand how to use his players so far.
32:15You know, going through OTAs and minicamp understands how to get matchups, understanding how to, you know, mess with the quarterback, you
32:21know, in terms of, you know, making them check calls, you know, checking to a player that they don't want to particularly check into.
32:28So it's been fun. It's only going to, you know, get bigger and bigger and more.
32:33You know, everyone talks about Caleb Downs being the first round pick, but there was another one Malachi Lawrence.
32:38And yesterday he joked that he's kind of always been in the shadows.
32:42We're not really talking about him a lot, but he made a point to say that you've really taken him under his wing.
32:49Why? Um, you know, just being a former first round pick, um, you know, understanding, you know, the things that's asked of him and just understand it, man.
32:57I just want to know that football is football, man.
33:00You're here for a reason. You know, you have the talent, you have all the ability.
33:05And I'm just being with a guy like me that's, you know, on top of the details that's hungry.
33:11Um, you know, still have a lot to give to this game.
33:14Still have a lot to prove, you know, for myself, man.
33:17Um, no, the sky's the limit for me and him.
33:20So just being able to have, you know, a rookie like that, that, you know, allowed me to, you know, help him in things like that.
33:28And, um, always coming to me, you know, with questions, I'm able to give him answers.
33:33And, uh, you know, sometimes, you know, we're figuring things out on the spot, you know, us, you know, with this new defense, things like that.
33:40But man, just as tense in the details and just just wanting to get better, man, it's been great to see it.
33:47He's lucky to have you. We're lucky to have you in Dallas.
33:50And I had to crack up. He said the reason why he decided to train here in the off season is because he liked the weather.
33:58See how you feel about that in August. Thank you so much, Sean.
34:02Cowboys hope they've got some answers on defense, but there are still many question marks around the NFL.
34:07So let's bring in our question. Mark Ross. You got it.
34:10Mark Ross with us here on the insiders. Mark, let's start with the jets.
34:15What's your biggest question for them as we head into this break before training camp?
34:19Did they do enough of this off season to save Aaron Glenn, get him another year?
34:24You know, last year was, was a poor one for the jets to say the least.
34:28And their first big signing was Gino Smith, who I couldn't believe it when it went down.
34:33And I still is a little bit surreal that Gino is back with the jets.
34:38They signed a bunch of older veterans on the defensive side of the ball.
34:42The Demario Davises and Nashawn rights and Joseph asides of the world got making for Patrick in the mix.
34:48And then their first round picks with David Bailey, the defensive end from Texas Tech and Omar Cooper, Jr., the receiver out of Indiana.
34:55So they made a lot of movement, a lot of new pieces, Mike.
34:59But did that actually make them competitive enough to give Aaron Glenn another chance?
35:03I'd say more competitive. I mean, Darren Mugi, anybody can tear it down, Mark.
35:07Anybody can trade these picks away or these players away, excuse me, and compile a ton of picks.
35:12We've seen teams do it and then not capitalize on it.
35:15So Darren Mugi with this draft class that he brought in, I think these guys are going to contribute right away.
35:22And I like the Kenyon Sadiq pick. I think he's going to be an absolute stud and do a lot of things for the jets at this level.
35:30Frank Reich excited about that one elsewhere in the AFC East.
35:33What's your question, Mark, about the Patriots? Well, it's got to be Drake May.
35:37And which Drake May are we going to see?
35:40Is it the Drake May that throughout the regular season was an MVP candidate leading the league in completion percentage and rating and yards per throw?
35:47Or the one that we saw in the playoffs who really, really struggled with only six touchdowns and four interceptions, you know, under 60% completion percentage.
35:55His sacks almost doubled throughout the playoffs. And that'll be the big question mark going forward because if he plays like he
36:02did during the regular season, the Patriots will be right back in the mix.
36:06But if he plays like he did in the playoffs, then it'll be a struggle as we saw winning on defense for the most part in the playoffs.
36:14We'll see if AJ Brown can help out to get them back to that form.
36:18I think everybody's lasting impression of the Patriots coming out of that Super Bowl was Will Campbell really struggling over there at left tackle.
36:26He wasn't healthy. He got himself ready to play.
36:28Just didn't look like himself. The hope in New England is Campbell comes back strong 100%.
36:33They draft Caleb Lomo on the right side and they give him a couple more weapons.
36:38Obviously, Stefan digs no longer there. You bring in Romeo Dobbs.
36:41You bring in AJ Brown. All those different parts are hoping are going to fit together and take a little bit of
36:47that pressure off Drake May moving forward. One more Mark.
36:50What's your question mark with the Eagles before training camp?
36:53Huge question mark in the Eagles. Did they make the right choice of bringing in Sean Manning as a new offensive coordinator
37:00with only two years of coaching experience? One is an offensive assistant and one is a quarterback's coach.
37:05We know that the offense had been a topic of discussion that the struggles throughout last season and will Sean Manning be
37:12the right guy to get them right. Get Jalen Hurts right and then twofold with that.
37:16Can they trust a rookie Makai Lemon out of USC the wide receiver to replace the production that AJ Brown provided?
37:22You know, despite the all the worry about AJ Brown last year.
37:26He still was productive in stretches and still provided that playmaking ability.
37:30So huge question mark for me. Can they rely on a first time coordinator and a rookie receiver to save the offense?
37:36Chargers taking a new approach with Justin Herbert in terms of number of throws in camp and footwork under Mike McDaniel.
37:42You know, all is a part of protecting the quarterback.
37:45Something that should be easier because they get Joe all back.
37:48He goes one on one with Omar Ruiz. Thank you very much.
37:52Joe all here. Joe coming off that practice field.
37:55We might as well call you for a scum because you were running running running running.
37:59Yeah, this is something that we hear all of the time in the NFL world this time of year.
38:05But are you in the best shape of your life?
38:08I would say so when it comes to football perspective.
38:11I think getting used to this offense and the running we've been having to do.
38:15Yeah, I would say so. When you talk about what you look like on the field, it looks like your ankle.
38:21There is no issue. What's the latest on your recovery there?
38:25Yeah, I know the ankle's been feeling great and it's just been it's been great to be back out there.
38:31I know having to miss a lot of the season last year being able to like, you know, touch grass and stuff
38:37over there with the teammates has been great. What did you learn missing the time that you did last year and kind
38:44of observing from the sidelines down the stretch the way you did?
38:47Yeah, I would say it just it kind of re created that passion in my mind for like how much you love
38:54the sport like you have it you're doing it you're living it and then it gets taken away from you're like wow,
39:00like do I really miss the game? Do I miss my teammates?
39:04I miss being you know in the meeting room in the locker room all those things.
39:08So it really just brought my love for the game and gave me kind of like a new perspective on it like
39:15really to appreciate me grateful for this opportunity. We know Rashawn Slater's on his way back to what have you guys had
39:21in terms of conversation about how much you guys can impact this team in 2026 in what you guys were missing last year?
39:28Yeah, I think you know the biggest thing for both of us has been getting healthy and being able to put our best version of ourselves out there.
39:36That's that's when the main focus and then once we get out there, let's you know go back to where we were,
39:43you know my rookie year and being able to kind of, you know, bounce off each other ideas and our thoughts and
39:49you know being able to watch those film and just help each other out to be the best versions of ourselves.
39:56You mentioned the new system that you're learning Mike McDaniels impact on this team.
40:00There are a few things more impressive than seeing you offensive lineman leading the block out in the open field running full speed with those running backs.
40:08What have you learned from Mike McDaniel besides what you've been learning from his playbook?
40:12Yeah, I think just I think I understand football in a different way.
40:16I've been taught football, you know a specific way my entire life going back to my dad coaching me to college and
40:22I think Coach McDaniel is a very interesting way of looking at the game and it's very specific and it's different.
40:29So it's a new lens look through the game at and for all of us offensive linemen, it's a new way to place.
40:35We've been really trying to learn this technique and learn how he wants to see the, you know, the job done and
40:42learn that and kind of develop that. How much fun are you having with this new attack style that he's been trying to implement?
40:49Yeah, I mean it's an offensive lineman's dream. So it's been a lot of fun.
40:53It's just for us, you know, like I said, there's little technique changes that you're not used to doing.
40:59So you really have to, you know, hone in on those and really take this OTA time and to really take advantage of that and improve on that.
41:07So you need to training camp, you know, you have those reps banks, you can kind of hit the ground running.
41:13With as much as we've heard about Mike McDaniel working on Justin Herbert's footwork, what have you noticed with that quarterback coach relationship there?
41:20Yeah, I think it's been great for both of them and it's been fun to kind of, you know, hear them, you
41:27know, talk back and forth on the practice field.
41:30I think they have the ability to joke around, but at the same time be serious and know, you know, hey, there's something we're trying to change.
41:38We're all trying to change something. We're all trying to be better.
41:41And I think it's cool to see that from the top down.
41:45With the way you guys have gone to the playoffs the last couple of years, even with you and Rashawn out, you
41:51guys still made it to the postseason. High expectations from outside the building.
41:55What are the expectations for you guys inside the building?
41:58Yeah, I think it's been a really fun OTAs as a group.
42:01I think we're all here to work. And I think it's been different the last two years.
42:06We're out there on the practice field every day just trying to become the best versions of ourselves.
42:12And I think we're kind of let the chips fall away after that.
42:16Just let's put the work in now. Let's have a great off season, you know, this summer getting, you know, staying in
42:22shape, being ready to come back in training camp so we can hit the ground running and just, you know, out work
42:29and work as hard as we can. And, you know, the games will come.
42:33All right. Well, it's great to see you, Joe.
42:35Congratulations on your recovery and getting to this point.
42:38And we'll see you at training camp. Thank you.
42:41I appreciate it. We'll see you at the end.
42:43He got it. 60. Can you? We got one more left, man.
42:47Hey, great season coming up next week. We have an opportunity to look towards next season as we are five weeks away from training camp.
42:54Going to take a break tomorrow. Happy Juneteenth to everybody celebrating, not just in Texas, but all over the country.
43:00Enjoy your holiday. I'm Patrick Claibon for Mark Ross, Jeff Chidea, Tom Pelicero, Mike Garofalo.
43:05Have a good night, everybody. Thanks for watching. This is an iHeart Podcast.
43:08Guaranteed human.
