PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The Insiders Podcast: Falcons QB Battle, Baker Mayfield’s Contract Talks, and Quentin Johnston Joins the Insiders
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43 min
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Jun 17, 2026
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Wed, June 17, 2026
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Full transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human. Timer at home coming up on The Insiders, which starts now.
0:05Hey everybody, welcome to The Insiders. Patrick Claiborne here in the NFL LA Newsroom.
0:10Tom Pelissero, Ian Rappaport, and Mike Garofalo performing the role of our Insiders.
0:13We had 17 teams in minicamp last week, Tom 11 this week, but it's still very important.
0:19We still do a lot of great stuff, right?
0:21Absolutely. Can't wait. Let's do this thing. Yeah, we're excited.
0:24We're fired up. I was going to Dean scream, but I decided not to.
0:28Let's get a look at the news coming in to the newsroom today after reporting yesterday to take his physical.
0:34Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens at mandatory minicamp today.
0:37There, we see actual video of him participating in the activities, fielded some questions, including from our very own Jane Slater, not
0:44just about his decision to be there, but about the overall conversation and how that makes him feel.
0:49If you keep showing it or they kind of already have a hint of who you are, that's when they'll start speaking to you.
0:56You know, JSN contracts and stuff like that. So I just keep doing what I want, you know, what's best for me.
1:03George, for those who say that you're here because you don't want to get fined, but then alleged that you will plan on holding out.
1:10What would you say to them? I'm here now.
1:13Like I say, that's always their opinion. I don't really like criticize what they say or what they do.
1:19I just feel like that's the opinion that they have.
1:22And that's all I can really say. Would you hold out?
1:25No, no, definitely here now. Like I said, the group of guys, that's what the Cowboys kind of prevents you.
1:31If you know guys, you're going to guys house, you're talking like I talked to Dak.
1:36I'm still throwing with Dak. It's definitely going to make you not want to hold out.
1:41And joining us now, Jane Slater covering the Dallas Cowboys for us here on NFL Network.
1:45Jane, a very measured and thoughtful George Pickens today at Cowboys minicamp.
1:49Was there ever any doubt that he would be there?
1:52Not for me. I told you two weeks ago that he intended to be there.
1:56Now, look, that was George Pickens in his own words telling us he will play this season.
2:02But I took it a step further because there are trust issues when you are a Cowboys fan.
2:07We've had players come here and they they have a back issue or they might have a hammy.
2:12He said, no, no hold out. There's not going to be any of that.
2:16He plans on being here. As you can see, he did participate in team drills, but he looks at the team.
2:23He looked strong and he didn't participate in the team drills, but he looked strong in the individual portion.
2:28After catching a tiptoe pass along the sidelines, he did a little dance and told me it's because he was just happy
2:35to be back and with the guys. Now, he says his decision to not attend OTAs was at the at the direction of his agent, David Mooligeta.
2:43I asked his agent about that, and he takes issue with the suggestion that Pickens should have to be there.
2:49Voluntary means exactly that is what Mooligeta told me.
2:52He said he has and will continue to fulfill his contractual obligations.
2:55He went a step further and said many players across the league skip OTAs.
3:00And to my knowledge, none of my clients have ever missed mandatory team activities.
3:04Pickens has stayed connected with the team this off season, despite not stepping foot in the building until today.
3:09He's been out with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson for throwing sessions and has been working out the track of his local high school.
3:17He says he's here for his teammates and winning a Super Bowl.
3:21The contract stuff, he said that's going to figure itself out and he's got his agent for that.
3:26But he made sure to tell us at the end of the day, it's football first.
3:31And I know that is good news for Cowboys fans.
3:34Yeah, Shannon, you mentioned those teammates. They've gone through Cowboys contract issues, including the quarterback, as we mentioned, the Dak Prescott listed
3:40as a limited participant with a knee injury. Is it time to panic there?
3:44What's going on? You know, he was out at practice and I will tell you, he looked sharp.
3:50He was, you know, rolling out to the left, rolling out to the right.
3:54A lot of passes to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
3:57He was wearing a sleeve on that left knee.
4:00So when I saw him in the locker room, even though he didn't look hampered at practice, I said, what's up with that?
4:07And he was annoyed. He was annoyed that it was even brought up to the media.
4:11He says it's just fine. And Brian Schottenheimer reiterated that today in the presser saying, quote, it's nothing to worry about.
4:18So there you go. Yes. Worry. Put it all aside.
4:21I'm sure everybody will be completely rational about the status of Dak Prescott's knee here as the Cowboys are in minicamp.
4:27And Jane Slater will be back with this to discuss new DC Christian Parker as the Insiders continues.
4:32But we will stay in Texas, the home state and state where Texas Tech transfer Brendan Soresby was supposed to play.
4:39But as of today, he is applying to enter the NFL supplemental draft after things kind of changed regarding his NCAA eligibility.
4:45Thought after a judge's decision, he would be able to participate, but he is electing to enter the supplemental draft.
4:51And so now we are back with our insiders.
4:54Tom, I'll start with you. This appears to be one of the more intriguing supplemental drafts that we've seen in a very long time.
5:01Patrick, we have not seen this in decades, a legit first round quarterback prospect available in the NFL supplemental draft.
5:07There are steps here that are still involved. The first one took place today when Brendan Soresby, I am told, formally filed
5:14the paperwork to enter the NFL supplemental draft. The legal proceedings down in Texas are winding down.
5:19That will end up with him being ruled ineligible to play college football.
5:23And while the NFL has not commented on Soresby's status, the expectation from everyone I have spoken to is that he will be allowed into the supplemental draft.
5:31According to his agent, Ron Slavin of Lyft Sports Management, the plan is for Soresby to have a pro day on July 10th in South Lake, Texas.
5:39The supplemental draft not actually scheduled yet. It's only conducted over email.
5:43It's one of the archaic things left in the league.
5:46The expectation is that will be later on in July.
5:49A lot of different things that NFL teams have to figure out between now and then, including in the steps that Soresby
5:55has taken and continues to take to manage his gambling addiction that led him into this place.
6:00In terms of the possibility of a suspension, there will be a lot of complications with that, including the fact that the
6:07NFL Players Association would challenge it as a violation of the collective bargaining agreement.
6:11Bottom line, somebody is going to get a very talented quarterback.
6:14It's a matter of who and when. Yeah, and there's so much here, so much research and work that teams have to
6:21do to try to look into Brendan Soresby, the player, the person you mentioning.
6:25You mentioned the gambling, the gambling addiction teams are going to have to do their homework there, try to understand what was
6:32there, why, what he has done in the meantime, what is going to happen in the future.
6:37The off the field situation certainly something that teams are going to have to dig into.
6:42As far as the on field situation, I talked to seven general managers today in the NFL, most who did not need
6:48a quarterback just so you hope to get the honest viewpoint.
6:52Everyone viewed him as a first round talent. That was universal.
6:55Most believed that he would end up going in the second or third round, mostly because let's say you want a first round quarterback.
7:02I mean, you'd have to give up a pick in next year's draft, not knowing who you may or may have may not have been able to take.
7:10It's a high risk. It's a high price. Not sure that's going to happen.
7:15A second rounder, though, surely would make sense. A third rounder if he's still available.
7:19Just to give you, Mike, some idea of some of the feedback, more upside than Cade Clubbic and Drew Aller was what one GM said.
7:27Good arm, accuracy up and down, a little streaky, a lot of upside.
7:30As far as the teams, I would say, well, I don't know anyone who still needs a franchise quarterback, right?
7:36A bunch of them, including the New York Jets, who have three first round picks.
7:41I mean, if any team's going to have the ammo to do this and still have some picks left over to fill
7:48out the rest of their roster and do what they need to do.
7:51It certainly is the New York Jets. So we'll look toward them potentially Arizona as well.
7:56My straw poll seemed to come up with the same thing that you got, Ian, which was he's a first round talent.
8:03Yes, I get that. Right. Is anybody using a first round pick in your opinion?
8:07And I asked the teams that don't that already have quarterbacks that don't have a need here because they'll give you the most honest answers on this one.
8:16And people said, well, you got some teams out there.
8:19Yes, being one of them, Arizona as well. Look, and I know a lot of people say, well, the Jets have the
8:25capital to get up next year to get a quarterback, whoever they need.
8:29So maybe they don't have to do it right now.
8:32The Jets, you talk to people over there, they're expecting to win some games this year.
8:37They're expecting Geno Smith to play well. So their own first round pick is probably going to be much later than it was this year at number two.
8:45So this might be their chance to really strike here because it doesn't matter how many first round picks you get.
8:52You're not trading up if a team that's in that spot needs a quarterback themselves.
8:56As for Soresby, the risk involved, Ian, we were all NFL employees for a decade more or less.
9:01And we heard plenty of times, don't gamble. And by the way, don't gamble.
9:06And by the way, don't gamble. And by the way, don't do anything that could possibly be used as information to gamble.
9:12So that's the risk on this one, because if it comes up again and he's your quarterback, he's going to be not
9:19playing for you for a long period of time.
9:22So that's what's going to have to be assessed right now.
9:25Yeah. The combined 50 years of ninjos up here taught us a lot about the NFL gambling policy.
9:30Yep. We're all going to have a big opportunity to learn about this supplemental draft.
9:35As Tom pointed out, the archaic email led supplemental draft.
9:38Everybody's going to become an expert on it here in the next month and change.
9:42Thank you, gentlemen. Hey, what about a guy who's not coming into the league, who's been in the league and been very good for a long time?
9:50Cam Jordan, visual evidence there that he signed a new deal, will stay in New Orleans and excited to be back with the team goals.
9:58The open line of communication I've had with Mickey, as well as the Saints and all my guys here has been another short of, you know, a blessing.
10:06And at the end of the day, you know, it was mutual, a mutual benefit for us to come back from what I want to do with perspective.
10:14I always believe in, you know, black and gold and how, you know, I'm still pumping up the draft like I'm still part of the team.
10:22I don't think that is ever going to change the way that I want to affect this city.
10:28I don't think that's ever going to stop us.
10:30And it felt like it was in question for a while.
10:34The Saints get to keep our franchise legend in the city for a season.
10:38An incredible day in New Orleans, really the kind of day that Cam Jordan, one of the franchise all time greats, eight
10:44time pro bowler in his 16th entering his 16th year.
10:47The kind of day that he deserves. Well, not just the team gets to celebrate him for agreeing to terms on a
10:54one year incentive, incentive late incentive late and deal that can put him over double digits, but also the team, the city,
11:01really everyone kind of gets to celebrate Cam Jordan as he made it clear.
11:05This is his final year of what could potentially be a Hall of Fame worthy career.
11:10Now, as far as his second career, I think it's pretty safe to say whenever Cam Jordan decides to hang it up,
11:16he's probably going to be joining us in the media that can wait.
11:20Patrick, he's got a lot to do on the field for a resurgent should be pretty good.
11:25Saints teams in 2026. Yeah, team with a lot of excitement and now they could throw in a farewell tour as well down there in the 504.
11:33Let's go from a guy going into season 16 to a guy going into season two.
11:38Cam Ward, a risk taker in games. He's taking risks during the Titans offseason program as well.
11:43Prompting some chart makers to ask Ward questions about accuracy.
11:46Cam's not worried. All these guys are going to miss throws, whether it's and knock on wood have been around long enough.
11:53I would say Brock Purdy is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in all of football and he would miss a lot of throws and that's OK.
12:01These guys are all working on a few things here and there.
12:04But as we get closer, as he gets more comfortable with the system, as he gets more comfortable with what he's being
12:11asked to plan and play out, the expectation is that he things start cleaning up.
12:15And so what he's doing now, I think like I said, I think he's had an outstanding OTA.
12:21He's done a lot of really good things, especially in those move the ball periods.
12:25And like everybody on this team, the expectation is that he continues to get better.
12:30New coordinator, play caller, two new top targets. A lot for Cam Ward to adjust to in Nashville, Mark.
12:35From Cam Jordan to Cam Ward later in the program, we've got Cam Wolf.
12:40Cam Cameron, the former NFL coach, he might be on the show tomorrow.
12:44I got to do it. In the meantime, we're talking Cam Ward here, the number one overall pick last year.
12:50And again, it's got a whole new coaching staff with which to work this upcoming season.
12:54And that coaching staff has been impressed with what he's done in the spring.
12:59Now it's shorts and helmets, whether there's no pads and there's no contact, you got that red jersey on right there.
13:05But what he's showing in the spring is the ability.
13:08You heard Salah talk about the move the ball period in practice.
13:11That's when things are a little bit unscripted. And the way that he's responded to that stuff is great.
13:17I mean, you can go out and hit the scripted part of practice or maybe the seven on sevens and the stuff
13:24that you worked on, you know, it's coming and you don't really have that traffic around you.
13:29That's that's good. You want to work on that well in practice.
13:32But when you can do it, when you don't know necessarily what's coming or how it's going to go, that's the part that they've been most impressed with.
13:41So that needs to continue into the summer, certainly into the fall when things go live.
13:46But that's what this new coaching staff with Brian Dable is the offensive coordinator is most excited about when it comes to Cam Ward.
13:53Yeah, and a lot of Titans fans excited as well as Mike Garofalo from his home camp talking about Cam here on the insiders.
14:00We'll be back with Mike Moore. Let's go to another AFC quarterback.
14:03Bo Nix Broncos fans excited to see him there at work, even though it's in a limited fashion.
14:09Head coach Sean Payton said he will clearly be ready in time for training camp.
14:13Let's get Tom Pellicero back in here for a lot of folks.
14:17Tom, it was that second surgery that Nix had about a month and a month plus ago that had some people concerned.
14:24But it seems like things are going well in Colorado.
14:27Well, Bo Nix said it today. That second procedure was to clean up some bone spurs.
14:31He said he actually might have better mobility in that ankle than he did before he had those two surgeries.
14:37You mentioned it. Sean Payton said Nix not only will be ready for training camp, but also in Payton's words, I don't think you'll see any governor.
14:45In other words, full reps, full go when they get out there for campus.
14:50Nix enters a really critical season for him and the Broncos.
14:53This is a team that may well have been in the Super Bowl if Nix doesn't get hurt in the playoffs.
14:59He's also year three for Nix. That means he's eligible for a contract extension after the season.
15:04Payton said he's already been doing some throwing out there on the field.
15:08They'll continue to ramp him up come end of July.
15:11He's expected to be full go gets more time on task.
15:14Vote that rhythm and timing with that new weapon that he's got over there.
15:19Patrick and Jalen Waddle. Yeah, good news all for the Broncos offense more concerning for the Broncos.
15:24They've excused edge Jonathan Cooper from camp on the heels of multiple arrests in early June related to domestic violence charges.
15:30Coach Payton says the team is in contact with the league local authorities and Cooper as the process works its way through the system.
15:37Chiefs wide receiver Rasheed Rice released from a Dallas County jail today after serving 30 days for a probation violation.
15:43Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said last week he expects Rice to be there for the team's training camp in late July.
15:50What can we be sure about when it comes to the uncertain future of several quarterbacks in the southeast, whether it's contracts or position battles?
15:57Our insiders have the answers for you and all the way on the other side of the country.
16:03Chargers wide out Quentin Johnson joins the show to break down some wide receiver terminology.
16:07We get into the weeds with Quentin Johnson coming up next on the inside.
16:11Herbert takes the shotgun snap. They bring a blitz and it's a quick throw to the end zone over the shoulder.
16:18Touchdown. Quentin Johnson is a one handed catch man.
16:20He catches that with his left hand over the shoulder gets his feet down.
16:24That was a fantastic grab. One of the big playmakers of the Los Angeles Chargers Quentin Johnson joining us here on the
16:31insiders along with myself and Mike Garofalo. Quentin thanks for joining us on the show.
16:36It's going to be year four in the NFL.
16:38It's going to supersede your three years at TCU.
16:41You could be here longer than almost anywhere else other than high school.
16:45What's that feel like for you? So it feels good, you know, happy to be out here.
16:50Happy to, you know, get a little extension and, you know, continue my, you know, football career out here.
16:56So the fun. What's this offseason been like for you?
16:59You had a guy like Mike McDaniel offensive coordinator that was highly sought after even up for some head coaching jobs.
17:05He comes in. We know what kind of dynamic offense he likes to bring.
17:09Well, take me through the spring of Mike McDaniel there.
17:12Oh, yeah. I mean, since since the first day he came in here, he's just been very high energy, very fun person to be around.
17:20And, you know, just just just getting to learn his office been very fun.
17:24So I'm very excited to see, you know, what we're going to do with this season.
17:28There's a clip that we saw. We want to get you to react to it.
17:33So take a listen to this one here. There's a lot of technical term.
17:37I've been around this game for two decades now, but there's a lot of technical term here and I want to have you explain.
17:44So take a listen here. For to not see be comfortable at the top of a stick until August because you have
17:51so much drive phase and weight that if you really utilize the drive phase, it's not going to be as clean and 90.
17:58And that's what I want. You'll you'll tighten up the turn as it goes.
18:02But that your drive phase right now is going to the league up and I just want to protect that at all costs.
18:09Oh, we got stick, which I know the stick is, but the drive phase and the weight, the weight that you're bringing here.
18:16Take me through what he's trying to tell you there in that clip.
18:20Yeah. So, yeah. So at a lot of on a lot of my routes, my route tops, I always try to make
18:26it like a perfect 90 cut or, you know, just where I'm going, I try to make it perfect.
18:32And he felt like he felt like my stride is so good, you know, at where it is right now.
18:38He doesn't want me to slow down or compromise my stride length to try to get the cut right.
18:44So he was just like used to having my stride length on that certain route and don't worry about the route top
18:50at that time that's going to come. And then, yeah, he's just saying just to keep my way forward on it and,
18:57you know, come out with full speed. The particular meticulous nature of Coach Mike Macca in something like that.
19:02Is that something that you got from previous coordinators?
19:05Not, not, not up to, not up to this level.
19:08Well, we'll just, we'll just this much, much emphasis on what he puts on with, with, with our receivers.
19:14But for me specifically, he's, he's definitely put a lot of time just to just to kind of just bring me up
19:20and just, and just, and just let me know how he wants me to play, you know, through the offense.
19:26Let's talk about your quarterback. You lose both offensive tackles last year, highly drafted offensive tackles.
19:31And in Rashawn Slater's case, highly paid. That's not the blueprint that you want right there.
19:36And Justin Herbert did a great job of navigating behind the offensive line.
19:40What are we expecting from him? Not only with McDaniel, but also an offensive line that we're expecting to stay healthy or hoping to stay healthy.
19:48I should say. Yeah, no, you know, obviously we got guys like him back.
19:52We got Joe back from last year. He was hurt a little bit.
19:56So, so, so just a great feeling for us.
19:58As an offense, you know, obviously, hopefully, you know, we can keep those guys healthy.
20:03But, you know, the way, the way they've been going this camp, you know, they definitely have a even higher ceiling than
20:10they have, you know, already been playing stuff like that.
20:13So, you know, very excited for them, you know, and I know they got all the confidence in the world, especially in this offense.
20:20Quintana, have you put your scout hat on because Jesse Minner is gone.
20:24He's in, he's in Baltimore now with the Ravens.
20:26What has Chris O'Leary's defense looked like with the veterans that you guys have over on that side of the ball?
20:33Mm-hmm. Oh, yeah, you know, you know, I'll say very, very, very high energy guys.
20:37I feel like, I feel like so far this camp, they've been able to grasp the defense very quickly and stuff like that.
20:44And, you know, obviously, they're under the leadership of Derron James, Khalil Mack, those guys like that.
20:49So, you know, with them at the leader position for the defense, I feel like they're making it easier, you know, on everybody just to learn it.
20:57But, you know, like I said, very high energy.
21:00You know, definitely excited to go to war with those guys this year.
21:04Tim Harbaugh, this spring, talked about you, talked about you as being one of the top guys there.
21:09They've seen this, right? What have you done on the field that you think has caught his eye?
21:14And what do you feel comfortable that you've done on the field the last couple weeks?
21:19Honestly, just playing fast, playing free, playing loose, you know, getting the playbook down, you know, fairly quick.
21:25And, you know, at the end of the day, just playing with confidence.
21:29I feel like all those things is popping up to him at this time.
21:33And he wasn't shy about letting me know that.
21:35So I appreciate him for noticing that. But at the same time, I'm going to continue to work and continue to go forward from there.
21:43I kind of got a surprise from Coach Harbaugh this week when he was shouting out you guys, this group of receivers.
21:49He said there were three elite receivers, you, Ladd, and Trey Harris.
21:53What have you seen for the young guy out of Ole Miss?
21:57Oh, shoot, very smart. You know, obviously, he's a guy that you can put anywhere on the field, you know, on the offense.
22:04Very, very, very technically sound in his routes. Great blocker.
22:07And, you know, at the end of the day, just a great football player.
22:11He's a great athlete. He showed flashes of what he can do last year.
22:15But I feel like this year, this year, he's due for a breakout.
22:19Tough to poke holes in what you guys are going to accomplish here in 2026.
22:23Quinton Johnson, thanks for joining us here on The Insiders.
22:26Yes, sir. I appreciate you guys for having me.
22:29Back here on The Insiders with what's new today.
22:32The Lions really missed Sam Laporta late last season.
22:34Here's a tweet from Nolan Bianchi. Shout out to him.
22:37He's got the laser meme profile picture. Dan Campbell says Sam Laporta, they like where he's going.
22:42He's trending the right way. Let's get Ian Rappaport back in here.
22:46Ian, Sam Laporta, a key part of both the run game and the pass game.
22:51He certainly is. Dealing with a back injury that cut short his season last year, played in just nine games, still emerge or continue to emerge.
22:58One of the top young tight end weapons, dual threat tight ends in the NFL.
23:03Two parts this year. First of all, the fact that Dan Campbell would say that trending in the right direction.
23:09To speak Dan Campbell, that means he's likely ready for training camp.
23:12Certainly going to be ready for the start of the 2026 season.
23:16That is excellent news. He is also, as I mentioned, one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
23:22Do a contract extension. Considered a priority for the Detroit Lions.
23:25Wouldn't be surprised if both Laporta and Tucker Kraft for the Green Bay Packers both reset.
23:30The tight end market that is badly needing to be reset.
23:33Both of that could happen before this season, next season.
23:36Either way, all good things coming for Laporta and the Lions.
23:39Yeah. All good news for a team that had to deal with injuries on both sides of the ball last season.
23:46Hopefully they can get back to contention in the NFC North.
23:49Let's get some more news that we discussed at the top of the show.
23:53Texas Tech transfer quarterback Brendan Soresby was in line.
23:56At least had cleared the first hurdle to play in the fall.
23:59But this announcement coming courtesy of our Tom Pellicero.
24:02He has decided to enter the NFL supplemental draft after he admitted to being over $90,000 in gambling debt.
24:08After making several bets regarding the team that he was actively playing for, he will enter the supplemental draft.
24:13Cowboys, excuse me, not George Pickens, will go back to Cam Jordan.
24:17He signed a one-year contract to return for his 16th season for the New Orleans Saints.
24:22He had mulled thoughts of retirement, but Cam Jordan will be back for a year that he says could be his last in New Orleans.
24:29Now Cowboys wind out George Pickens at mandatory minicamp today, as our Jane Slater reported earlier.
24:34He's still ramping up physically. He is not planning to do any sort of holdout if we can check that box.
24:40So we go over to the defensive side of the ball and discuss that as the offense.
24:45That's Jane reported on earlier, still waiting for Dak Prescott to be fully back.
24:50Dak says the knee is fine. Don't worry about that.
24:53Don't even listen to me on that. Dak and Jane say he is fine, but let's talk defense because in 2025 things did not go well.
25:00In comes Christian Parker, in comes Caleb Downs, a tall task for those guys and others to fix the Dallas Cowboys defense.
25:07Yeah, Patrick. I mean, if you look at the way they address this off season, their two first round picks went to defense.
25:14They went out and they got Christian Parker to recalibrate this thing.
25:18Because if you look at their numbers last year by several metrics, they were at the bottom of the league.
25:23Now we're going to hear from Christian Parker tomorrow at the star, but I thought it would be interesting to ask George Pickens.
25:30This is your first look at the defense since you've not been in the building until today.
25:35What are you noticing? And he will tell you along with several other players that this defense is different.
25:41And I know that can be annoying to some Cowboys fans.
25:44As we've had defensive coordinators come in here and tell us it's going to be new look.
25:50It's going to be exotic. But this seems very intentional to tell you what George Pickens told me.
25:55He said, quote, I noticed a lot of different stuff from last year's defense.
25:59He said certain routes are predicated on how far the receivers go and how they're going to react, whether they go outside or inside.
26:06But this is the line that stood out to me, Patrick.
26:10He told me it's now more learning from the defense than just being out there like last year trying to make a play.
26:16Now Parker might be 34. This might be his first DC job, but he and his staff are very intentional about the little things.
26:24And OTAs, they were drilling down on the end zone as a 12th defender.
26:28They were saying that use the end zone as a 12th defender and yelling, push him out.
26:33Let me show you something I saw today. The linebackers are walking around with green resistance bands along the forearms there as
26:40they were going up against the tackling dummies. The reason here, practicing keeping the elbows tight to strike.
26:45Now a lot of preaching and Campbell emphasize the importance of connection and being disciplined with your eyes and location.
26:51They want the offense to find where the one on one matchup is and sort through the traffic, which to pick its
26:57point is really going to help this team. When you think about it, practicing day in and day out against this defense
27:04keeps them sharper against teams that employ those disguised defenses.
27:07Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, which is where Christian Parker came from.
27:11So really, really interesting stuff. Normally I go to practice and it's like, what am I going to see here?
27:17They're essentially in pajamas guys. But it's just some of the little nuances that are standing out to me.
27:22And I'm finding myself asking more questions of others while I'm up there.
27:26So I don't know what to make of that.
27:29We can always talk about these things in OTAs, mini camp and training camp.
27:33Of course, none of that matters until we get into the season.
27:37But I am seeing some things different than in the previous 14 years I've covered this team.
27:42Well, if there was ever a case, Jane, for a bottom up change in fundamentals and approach on the defensive side of
27:48the football, it was the 2025 Dallas Cowboys. And you gave us some insight into how they are going about that from their mini camp, which started today.
27:57Elsewhere in the division, there's another young coordinator, David Blau, the new play caller and coordinator for the Washington Commanders.
28:03Jaden Daniels dealing with injuries the past couple of years, his head coach on his quarterback and his relationship with his play caller.
28:10His ability to quickly process it. And so a new system, John, I think that's the space that you're going to see
28:16differently in and out of plays working from under center.
28:19So there was new parts of the game that, you know, are now him outside the pocket on some spaces.
28:25That's the I wouldn't say it's growth, but maybe some things that we haven't featured with him as much that we will now.
28:32And I thought he did a really good job of like owning and being in command at a very quick level already.
28:39Jayden, the under question starter there in our nation's capital, but there's a quarterback battle in Atlanta.
28:44Nobody wants to lose their job due to injury.
28:46How Michael Penix Jr. is facing his quarterback battle as he pushes to get back on the field.
28:52A live report from Cam Wolf coming up next on the inside.
28:55Back here on the insiders fresh off another surgery to repair a torn ACL.
29:00Michael Penix Jr. seen here throwing at Falcons OTAs there in the midst of a quarterback battle.
29:05Kevin Stefanski and Michael Penix Jr. at the mic this week in Flowery Branch.
29:09We're not giving out any jobs in June. So we'll continue with every player at every position to bring the guys along
29:15at the pace that they're able to. So obviously, with Mike, he's rehabbing from an injury.
29:20He's been able to do seven on seven, do individual with us, which he's attacking and doing a great job with.
29:27With any competition, quote unquote, those things work themselves out down the line.
29:30But but we just have to be as a team.
29:33I think we have to realize players have to realize that we're all working towards the same goal right now in June.
29:40And that's building a foundation for this football season.
29:43Sometimes they say drill. They tell the trainers, they stand to the side and tell me, no, you can't do it.
29:49And I'm like, I feel like I can do it.
29:52But, you know, but I just, you know, listen to those guys.
29:56And, you know, just like I said, continue to just trust my body, trust that trust my knee.
30:01And, you know, if it was up to me, I'd go out there and do everything.
30:06I do 11 on 11 now. Let's discuss this Falcons quarterback battle with Tom Pellicero and Cam Wolf joining us now here on the Insiders.
30:13We've seen Michael Penix come back from injury before.
30:16We haven't seen Tua in this position where he's battling for a starting job.
30:20Cam, what do you think about this quarterback battle?
30:23Yeah, this is the most intriguing quarterback battle in the NFL to me because you have Michael Penix, the highly drafted quarterback,
30:29dealing with overcoming injuries to trying to rehabilitate himself with a career defined by injuries.
30:34Look, from what I understand, talking to people in Atlanta, Michael Penix has been doing really well in his recovery.
30:40Remember, he had surgery seven months ago. And so him not being 100%, him not being full on 11 on 11 is not a setback.
30:47In fact, he's actually ahead of schedule where they want to be.
30:51From what I understand, the goal is still week one from him.
30:55They expect for him to be out there at some point in training camp competing for this job.
31:00But what's really key is that Tua is spending a lot of time this spring running with the ones, getting comfortable in
31:07Kevin Stefanski's scheme and talking to people there, Tua has had a really strong spring.
31:11A couple of things that Kevin Stefanski is really focusing on, footwork and mechanics, trying to get the timing of the offense back in flow.
31:18Those are both really good skill sets that Tua has at this stage.
31:22And so, yes, it's setting Tua up really well to have a step ahead in the competition, whereas Michael Penix is spending
31:29most of the time recoupling for injury. Can he do enough in training camp to win the job or will he have to wait?
31:36To me, that's one of the most intriguing conversations there.
31:39Two lefties with injury concerns. Who is going to be the Falcons week one starter?
31:44Cam, the Falcons haven't had a franchise quarterback since Matt Ryan.
31:47Kevin Stefanski hasn't had a franchise quarterback since Baker Mayfield before Cleveland pivoted to Deshaun Watson.
31:52I get that Falcons fans are thinking about a nine year playoff drought, trying to get back into the postseason.
31:58But nothing is more important in 2026 than figuring out if you might have a quarterback or if you absolutely need to go and get one.
32:05Remember, Tua, even though it feels like he's been in the league forever, he's only two years older than Michael Penix Jr.
32:12Tua is 28, Penix is 26. These two guys duking it out will give the Falcons a very clear picture of what
32:19they need to do moving forward here. Tua is only on a one year minimum deal.
32:23The Dolphins are still paying him upwards of $50 million this year.
32:27You have Penix going into year three of his rookie contract, after which they'll have to make a decision on his fifth year option.
32:34All of it leads to this. If they don't feel like either of these guys has the opportunity to solidify that position,
32:41the Falcons are going to be right up there near the top of the list, Patrick, of the teams that potentially could
32:47be looking for a quarterback in a very talented draft class in 2027.
32:51Yeah, Tommy, you mentioned Matt Ryan. He's one of those people that will be making that decision.
32:56As Kevin Stefanski says, they're not handing out jobs in June.
33:00Well, back in January, Kevin Stefanski, Matt Ryan, new group coming in getting those jobs in Atlanta.
33:05Cam, stick around. Tom, we'll be back with you as we continue on the Insiders here, because we're going to discuss another
33:11quarterback, this one in the NFC South, along with Tua and Michael Penix Jr., Baker Mayfield.
33:16Still no word on a contract as those negotiations continue.
33:19Baker says everything's going to be fine. No, pretty much the same.
33:23But for me, like I told you guys, it's not going to affect how I approach this.
33:28Things will happen when they should. But for now, I'm worried about getting better each day, finishing mini camp in this off-season
33:34program the right way and going into training camp.
33:37So, yeah, just handle it one day at a time.
33:40Mike Garofalo now back with us with Cam Wolfcam.
33:43He says it's going to happen. People need to do things for it to happen.
33:47Where do we stand on Baker Mayfield's contract? Well, Patrick, first of all, the Bucks really like Baker Mayfield.
33:53They want a long-term deal to get done here.
33:56But Baker has set a deadline and deadline spur action.
33:59We're going to watch the next few weeks to see if a deal can get done.
34:03But really, the big thing here is valuation. As he mentioned a couple of weeks ago, they aren't close on price.
34:10Baker's in the final year of a three-year, $100 million deal, about $33 million a year.
34:14He's doing a big raise. How much the raise is a question.
34:18And I talked to one general manager not involved with the situation.
34:22He said it's the good but not great quarterback problem of how much do you give him?
34:27You look at some of the quarterbacks who have gone over $50 million a year.
34:31Recently, you got guys like Jared Goff and Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence.
34:35All of those are going well. You also got guys like Tua, who we just talked about, who didn't go well.
34:41Rock Purdy, a little bit up in the air at this point.
34:45How do you decide how much to give a guy who maybe wants close to top of the market money?
34:51You also got a new scheme. A quarterback who, a Tampa Bay Times report has said the organization may have questions about his durability.
34:58He pushed back on that. There's a lot of layers to go into this situation here.
35:03It does seem like more likely than not the Bucs want to keep him and will keep him.
35:08But this may drag out a little bit. And there's other layers involved with this Mike.
35:13Vita Veya, who is at practice today but not participating, is one of those guys who wants a new deal.
35:19He may have to wait until Baker gets done to get his.
35:23So a lot of tent poles there for Tampa.
35:25Tim, you mentioned Vita Veya, the nose tackle for the Buccaneers, the two-time Pro Bowler entering the final year of his contract at $18 million.
35:33The top of that defensive tackle market is now into the 30s if you include Chris Jones.
35:38You've got Jordan Davis up there at 26. Somebody else is up there, Dexter Lawrence at 28.
35:43So this is well above where Veya is in the last year of his contract, which was signed over four years ago.
35:50So that's what happens, right? The market has now gone up significantly.
35:53You're right. He did not participate. Todd Bowles was asked about it.
35:57He said, look, it's a non-contact practice in June.
36:00We don't need Veya. He also said he's not injured.
36:03My understanding is the contract is playing into this.
36:05Now, we don't know for sure about every OTA, so I don't know if he's been there for any of them.
36:12But it seems like the ones that have been open to the media, he hasn't been there.
36:17Again, from my understanding, sources have told me that the fact that he's in the final year of his deal and hasn't
36:23gotten an extension to this point is part of the reason that he is not participating.
36:28So let's see if a deal gets done before training camp, and if not, how this is handled once we get into training camp.
36:35But the big guy wants big money. Patrick, I don't blame him.
36:39To make Bucs fans feel better, Jason Light has navigated these things, including navigating multiple contracts, including Tom Brady.
36:44Yeah. So have faith that the Bucs can do it.
36:47And he's got Mike Greenberg, his assistant GM, and he's got Jackie Davis.
36:51He's got plenty of people in that front office to help him with the numbers that have gotten it done before.
36:58He's overflowing with talent on the Gulf side of the peninsula of Florida there.
37:02Mike Garofalo, Cam Wolf with us here. We're back here on the Insiders joined in this illustrious newsroom by Adam Rank.
37:08It's time for Ranks for Nothing. What's up, man?
37:11You know, I'm always in a quest for knowledge there, Patrick.
37:14So these are the five things that I learned over the weekend.
37:18We start at number five. Patrick Mahomes is getting paid.
37:21Yes, he reportedly signed an extension to make him the highest paid player in the league at just over 500 million.
37:27Guess what? This is actually bad news for other quarterbacks.
37:30Look, if you're Baker Mayfield, you're just talking about a moment ago, and you're looking for a new contract, it's easy to
37:37walk into your GM's office and be like, hey, I deserve to be paid more than the highest paid quarterback.
37:42As long as it's Kirk Cousins or Joe Flacco, not as easy when it's Patrick Mahomes.
37:47What are you going to say? Like, yeah, I deserve more money than Patrick Mahomes.
37:52It's kind of like what I got rejected is the lead in the Pout Pat Fish movie.
37:57I mean, I would have been upset if I had lost out to like, I don't know, Tony Hinchcliffe or whatever, because he's he's inclusive.
38:04You know what it was Nick Offerman. I'm like, yeah, that's that's it.
38:08I sort of get it. Like that makes perfect sense.
38:11By the way, if Mahomes is the highest paid quarterback, you know who should be the highest paid tailor?
38:17The guy who's making Andy Reid's tux. Yeah. Nothing.
38:20OK, fine. They don't all have to be gems.
38:22Hey, wait. But this guy got an invite to the wedding.
38:26I'm shocked. I'm shocked he got it. By the way, this is what this is what Matt Harmon's wedding looked like when I requested Country Roads.
38:33Yeah. At the end. All right. Get up there.
38:36Hey, not only Garofalo can make shout outs to his friends.
38:39So listen, number four, the Knicks ended a long championship drought.
38:43Yes. The New York Knicks defeated the Spurs four games, the one of the NBA finals to end a near 50 or over 50 years of utility.
38:51And if you're a fan of the New York Jets, you have to wonder if this if this could this be a
38:57sign of a possible championship of your own yet?
39:00No, no, no, no. I'm sorry. Unless Geno Smith is the second coming of Jalen Brunson, probably not going to happen.
39:06You've got to play the games, man. No, I think your dogs are safe.
39:10Don't worry about it. And number three. Great news for the NFC.
39:14No, no, no. Wait, not you, Minnesota. Look, I applauded you when you brought in Kyler Murray.
39:19But what are we doing with Ryan Pace as a consultant?
39:22I know this. Listen, he's not going to outright replace Quetsy or anything like that.
39:27But you guys, what are we doing here? What do you what?
39:31How can I sum this up? Is there a way I could sum up?
39:35How could I sum up my thoughts here on this?
39:38There it is. There it is. I'm sorry. And listen, say goodbye to all your first round picks.
39:43And I would warn you about trading up for a mid tier quarterback that you're going to try to shoehorn.
39:49It is a franchise guy, but you got JJ McCarthy already.
39:52So I think you're safe there. You're not. You're not.
39:55You're good. All right. And number two, the supplemental draft is still a thing.
40:00Yes. I learned that because in battle, Texas Tech quarterback, Brendan Sorsby is going to apply for the NFL supplemental draft.
40:06Exactly. I mean, like who knew who knew that was still a thing?
40:10Look, this is a huge move and you can call me sentimental if you will.
40:14But even my old jaded heart will always have a soft spot for a young athlete who is willing to bet on himself.
40:21There it is. I'm sorry. Sometimes if I see that on GMF beat a mile, I'm going to be upset.
40:27Listen, number one, there was a milestone for SoFi Stadium.
40:30That's right. The World Cup is in full swing, filling up stadiums across three countries in North America.
40:35The Scots have taken over Boston. Cape Verde had an amazing draw against Spain.
40:40Don't be the NFL. Go, where's a draw? I mean, shut up.
40:43It was awesome. Oh, and you know what? They can actually grow grass in all these stadiums.
40:48Oh, I was worried for Mbappe hearing he was going to be at MetLife Stadium, but he's fine.
40:54But the biggest news was the United States national team that captured America's heart with a thrilling 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday.
41:01And in it, a milestone was reached when the electric partisan crowd provided the first ever home field advantage at SoFi Stadium.
41:07The first time. Boo. Is that? Yeah. It's played out.
41:10The airport's right there. Occasionally people come to Los Angeles.
41:13It's a nice place to visit. And we had Quentin Johnson on the show, too.
41:18Tom Pilsero, Ian Rappaport, Mike Garofalo. We love collecting things.
41:21We love merch. Mike, I hear you got some today.
41:24Yeah, my kids came home from school and were so excited to show me, here's Carmen, that she had a bunch of Phillies and Eagles.
41:31I'm a Phillies fan. We've got family in Philly.
41:34So she said in school they were giving out trading cards or selling.
41:38I don't know. I didn't follow the story that closely because it took a twist.
41:42She's like, hey, look, Hasan Reddick even in his Panthers uniform.
41:46Here's a bunch of Phillies relievers. There's is that Reed Blankenship?
41:49I forget who else was in there. She's going through the whole list.
41:53And she's like, but you're not going to believe this one that we got.
41:57So Vivian had it in her apron and she whips it out here.
42:01Is it another Philly athlete? No, no, no, no, no.
42:04It's an E-Rappaport trading card. Oh, my goodness. How much did you pay for it?
42:08Viv, and you haven't sold it yet, huh? Give me it.
42:12Give me it to me here. We still have it right here.
42:15Any offers? There it is. In all of its glory.
42:18Nothing? No offers yet? There it is. Being an NFL insider requires constant attention to machinations of the league and the capacity to drop everything.
42:26You know what? You want the rest? You got to buy it.
42:29Go buy it on eBay for $1.99. There's a signed one for sale for $8, Ian.
42:34So we got that. There's a couple on sale for $40.
42:37There's a $38 one. She could just be like everyone else and send it to my house.
42:42I'll autograph it, send it back, and then you can put it on eBay.
42:47That's in the shot. Didn't mean to undersell your card.
42:50I swear I didn't know the premise of this segment.
42:53And I said, hey, I wonder what the Ian Rappaport cards are going for on eBay.
42:57There are so many. You flooded your own market.
43:00And also, does that signature say ham Rappaport? No, that's how I do it.
43:04It's a little flare. You know, the eye is like the big thing.
43:08So it's real. You have two lines on the eye.
43:11Wait, how is that? Why the double line on the eye?
43:14It's a good signature. Rare in all caps. No, it's not.
43:18We got Jordan Lovincamp's catapoo on the show. And he's misspelled your name, dude.
43:22Mike, I'm Patrick. We'll see you tomorrow on the inside.
43:25This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
