1 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: This is continuing coverage of the twenty twenty six NFL 2 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 1: Combine live from Indianapolis on the Steelers Audio Network, presented 3 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: by First National Bank. Can your bank do that? Welcome 4 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:21,640 Speaker 1: to FNB. Let's get started. Member FDIC iron Workers Local 5 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: Union number three. 6 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 2: We don't go to the office, We build it. 7 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: Schneider Downs Discover the value of big thinking with a 8 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: personal focus at Schneiderdowns dot com, your neighborhood forward store. 9 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,839 Speaker 1: The Ford F one fifty is the official truck of 10 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: the Pittsburgh Steelers and by us steal mine melted, made 11 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:39,880 Speaker 1: in the USA. 12 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 3: Good evening, Steeler Nation. How we do it? Well, that's 13 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 3: good us too. Wow our late our number three of 14 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,199 Speaker 3: the drive here bonus hour. We are of course on 15 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 3: location Radio Row inside the Indiana Convention Center, all part 16 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 3: of our ongoing NFL Scouting Combine coverage our spiritual home 17 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 3: here in down Town, Indie in late February as always, 18 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 3: and of course one of our favorite things is all 19 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 3: the different guests that we that we get to have. 20 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 3: But also Matt today on this Tuesday, in particular, a 21 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 3: lot of important people, a lot of important minds around the. 22 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 2: National Football seam makers. Yeah, a lot of the. 23 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 3: Key decision makers speaking to the media, and of course 24 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 3: from the Steelers' perspective, that is Omar Khan, team general 25 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 3: manager Matt I think we would typically always be interested 26 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 3: to hear what the Steelers GM has to say, but 27 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 3: especially this year when it feels like you're really starting 28 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 3: a new chapter. 29 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, and Mike PURSUEDA had a good, good point, a 30 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 2: good observation that Omar did a local you know, press 31 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 2: conference and then he went to the national podium and 32 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 2: must have changed clothes in between, because his little his 33 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 2: logo on the second one was the draft in Pittsburgh. Yeah, 34 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 2: if you notice on. 35 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 3: There, Oh, I see it right now on the thumbnail. 36 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, yep, so a little something different because it's a 37 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 2: hometown draft. You know. It's a little extra extra eyes 38 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 2: on the Steelers, which I love. But unfortunately, we tried 39 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 2: to play this one. Not unfortunately, we tried to replay 40 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:11,799 Speaker 2: this this right after it happened, and then he joined 41 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 2: us live in the flesh, so we had to cut 42 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 2: it off like two minutes in. I was like, what, 43 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 2: he's here in person, that's more important. 44 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 3: Let's do that absolutely, and so that will be that's 45 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 3: available in all the podcast feeds that'll be on the 46 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 3: on the on the SNR loops. We wanted to make 47 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 3: sure to bring you Omar Kahn's comments from the podium. 48 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 3: This is the national one, the national the national media 49 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 3: that happened at ten am right across the right, across 50 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 3: the way from here, just across the curtain over on 51 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 3: the other side of the TV podiums and all the 52 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,080 Speaker 3: things here inside this convention center setup. Here is what 53 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 3: the Steelers general manager had to say earlier this morning. 54 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 4: Guys, good morning, good to see everyone. Obviously, you guys 55 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 4: know where the draft is this year in Pittsburgh. 56 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 5: I can tell you that the community is really excited. 57 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 5: We're all excited. 58 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 4: It's it's a great place to host a draft, and uh, 59 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 4: you know, I can't wait for the rest of the 60 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 4: world to get to know Pittsburgh a little more because 61 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 4: it's it's it's a special and unique place. Before I 62 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,519 Speaker 4: take any questions, I'll just mention you know coach Coach 63 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 4: McCarthy has been on the job for about a month 64 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,359 Speaker 4: and uh, it's it's been a grind, but it's it's 65 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:18,799 Speaker 4: been it's been tremendous. 66 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 1: Uh. 67 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 5: I I personally have. 68 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 4: Learned a lot through the process and we have this 69 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 4: Steelers haven't done this in a long time. But uh, 70 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 4: it's been great and a lot of work, a lot 71 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 4: of conversations, good discussions. 72 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 5: Uh, but that's that's where we're at. 73 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 4: And Uh, I personally, I'm really I'm really excited and 74 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 4: have enjoyed the process. 75 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 5: Uh. Coach McCarthy has been great, so happy to take 76 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 5: any questions. 77 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, Like like all the fans, we're we're all searching 78 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 4: for the next franchise, you know player. You know it's 79 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 4: guys gonna be our quarterback for ten or fifteen years, 80 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 4: and you know it might be Will. 81 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 5: We don't know. You know, we're excited to work with Will. 82 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 2: Uh. 83 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 5: You know, really liked him coming out last year. 84 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 4: Unfortunately he got hurt and we didn't get a chance 85 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 4: to see him in the preseason, but he uh, you know, 86 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 4: we we've we've watched his progression in practice and it's 87 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 4: it's been exciting and I know, Uh, the new coaching staff, 88 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:24,720 Speaker 4: specifically coach McCarthy, is excited to uh to work with him. 89 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 4: Really really liked him coming out. 90 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:32,839 Speaker 5: Men's appreciation. 91 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's not that's not specific just to the quarterback position. 92 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 4: That's every position. We're we're looking for franchise type guys 93 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 4: at every every position. 94 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,160 Speaker 5: So it's it's certainly. 95 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 4: Important the doors open and have Aaron back. You know, 96 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 4: we've I've had conversations with him. I spoke to him 97 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 4: last week. Uh, you know, Mike McCarthy has spoke to him, 98 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 4: and uh, you know, he knows how we. 99 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 5: Feel about him. 100 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 4: And you know it's right now we're perceiving you know, 101 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 4: he's not he's a free agent and he's not on 102 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:03,919 Speaker 4: the roster, so but you know, he knows how we 103 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 4: feel about him. 104 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 2: Yeah. 105 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 4: So the the one thing is the speed of the game, right, 106 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 4: the anticipation, Uh that that that just kind of comes 107 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 4: with playing at this level. It's different than it is 108 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:24,920 Speaker 4: at the college level. But we we saw that, uh 109 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 4: that improved every week and there's a lot to like. 110 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 5: You know, that's a question for Aaron. 111 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 4: I mean, he knows how we feel and I think 112 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,039 Speaker 4: we know how he feels about us. It was it 113 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 4: was a good experience, uh for both sides. Unfortunately, we 114 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 4: didn't we didn't reach our goals on you know, winning 115 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 4: the games that we wanted to win at the end. 116 00:05:50,560 --> 00:06:00,599 Speaker 4: But you know, there's a mutual respect there. Yeah, I 117 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 4: think the circumstances are a little different, but just conversations 118 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 4: we had. I think neither neither side wants to have 119 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 4: this drag on like it did last year. Yeah, so 120 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 4: there's there's several traits. But I'll say, we have to 121 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:24,239 Speaker 4: find the right quarterback. That's gonna be uh an AFC 122 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 4: North quarterback. You know, playing in AFC North, there there's 123 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 4: nothing like it, you know, the cool weather, the rivalries, 124 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 4: the division, the physicality of the division. So it's it's 125 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:36,720 Speaker 4: got to be a AFC North quarterback. 126 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:48,679 Speaker 5: Yeah. What was the first part of the question. 127 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,480 Speaker 4: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, So you have to have an 128 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:56,480 Speaker 4: understanding of where they've been, you know, who coached them 129 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 4: at the previous school, who's coaching. 130 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 5: Them now, Scheme players that are around him. 131 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 4: There's a lot of different factors, and you know a 132 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 4: lot of the pressure falls on our scouts because they're 133 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 4: the ones that want to know you know, when we 134 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 4: when coach McCarthy and I ask them questions, we want 135 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:09,480 Speaker 4: to know everything right away. 136 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 5: So yeah, yeah, he's he's he's been great. 137 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 4: You know what, uh, Jenner, we really haven't had that 138 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 4: much time to think about it. 139 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 5: It's just been fluid. I mean, we have been grinding 140 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 5: and grinding and grinding nots. 141 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 4: Up, so we don't have a choice other than to 142 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 4: communicate off in and you know, we've we've really got 143 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:34,000 Speaker 4: to know each other a lot and understand how he thinks, 144 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 4: he understands how I think. And uh, it's it's been 145 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 4: a learning process, but it's it's it's been a grind, 146 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 4: a good grind. 147 00:07:50,040 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 5: Yeah, it's just sort of how it worked out. 148 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 4: But there's some good I mean, it speaks to the 149 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 4: talent at that in the Big Ten. There's a lot 150 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 4: of a lot of a lot of talent, a lot 151 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 4: of good players there and you know, our scouts spend 152 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:03,880 Speaker 4: a lot of time there, and it's, uh, it's just 153 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 4: sort of how it worked out. 154 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 1: Like that. 155 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 4: I'd say, I'd say all options are on the table 156 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 4: right now. Yeah, yeah, but both both players or free agents, 157 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:32,199 Speaker 4: like you mentioned, both players are. 158 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 5: We'd like to have both of them back. 159 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 4: You know, we'll see how it shakes out. 160 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 5: Mm hmm. Yeah. 161 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 4: Well, you know we we uh we we pay Pad 162 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,680 Speaker 4: for a reason and you know we expect him to 163 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:51,719 Speaker 4: be a big part of the the offensive. You know, 164 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 4: the new coaching staff likes him. Uh, they're excited to 165 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 4: work with him. 166 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 5: Uh. He represents as well, and you know, Pats a 167 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 5: steeler mm HMMA. 168 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 4: You know, you can't ever have enough good players at 169 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 4: UH at a specific position. 170 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 5: With respect to the the. 171 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 4: Monetary part of your question, i'd say, you know, we 172 00:09:23,280 --> 00:09:25,360 Speaker 4: we we're in a good cap position, so we have 173 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,680 Speaker 4: flexibility to do different things. And obviously we haven't been 174 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 4: in a position where we're paying uh uh the quarterback 175 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 4: position uh at at the top level, so we we 176 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:36,840 Speaker 4: we've had flexibility to where you know, maybe you can 177 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:37,439 Speaker 4: go heavy at. 178 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:38,320 Speaker 5: A specific position. 179 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been a good It's been a good experience 180 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:47,800 Speaker 4: with with Pat. 181 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 5: He's got a unique skill set. 182 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 4: You know, I know he's been in contact with the 183 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 4: new coaches and they're getting to know him and he's 184 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 4: getting to know them, and uh, you know I I UH, 185 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 4: it's been a good experience, and you know, expect him 186 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 4: to contribute commun. 187 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 5: Yeah. 188 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 4: Obviously what you guys saw on the field was disappointing. 189 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 4: It's got to be better. Uh, but we see it 190 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 4: on the practice field. We knew what he did in college, 191 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:19,319 Speaker 4: and UH, i'd expect Caleb to uh to turn the corner. Yeah, 192 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 4: that's a that's a that's a good question. You know, 193 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 4: I've talked about how you guys have heard me talk 194 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 4: about my belief in Roman. I think Roman's a talented 195 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 4: player and I expect him to contribute. I know the 196 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 4: coaching staff is excited to work with him. And you know, 197 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 4: his rookie year, you know, he got hurt and that 198 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 4: that was a little bit of a setback. And last year, 199 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 4: you know, the opportunities didn't come. I think, like like 200 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 4: everybody would have liked, but uh, I think he's got 201 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 4: a good future. 202 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 5: Yeah. 203 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 4: So the first year obviously was the injuries. You know, 204 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:56,400 Speaker 4: he was he was uh sorry Brian mcfatten over there 205 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 4: waving at me. 206 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 5: Uh, he was the first sure he got hurt. Uh 207 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 5: And you know, I think at the end he. 208 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 4: Was we were getting ready to uh start the window 209 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,199 Speaker 4: for him to practice, and you know, we got eliminated 210 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:08,959 Speaker 4: from the playoffs. 211 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:11,199 Speaker 5: And then last year, different situations. 212 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 4: You know, there were different things and there's not one 213 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 4: specific thing, but I'm confident you guys. 214 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:34,840 Speaker 5: Gonna see some good things from him this year. Yeah. Yeah, 215 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 5: that's that's a really good question. 216 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 4: I'll just say, look the way the approach we take 217 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:39,840 Speaker 4: is we try to get as many good players at 218 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 4: every position as we can and let us shake out 219 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 4: from there. You know, you just that's the right approach 220 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 4: for us. I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm excited. 221 00:11:57,960 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 4: You know, we've been talking about this for a long time. 222 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:02,839 Speaker 4: Pittsburgh is such a special place. 223 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,679 Speaker 5: It's unique. Uh you know where where it's gonna be. Hell, 224 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 5: it's it's pretty exciting, and. 225 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:09,959 Speaker 4: Uh, it's gonna be It's gonna be great, not only 226 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 4: for the local people, but I just can't wait for 227 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 4: my you know, I have lots of friends. I'm getting 228 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:14,680 Speaker 4: a ton of requests and I'm sure a lot of 229 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 4: people are about passes, what's going on, what to do? 230 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 4: And I'm just excited to show off the city. 231 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 5: Yeah, we have options. 232 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 4: So you know, I'd love to be able to stand 233 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:32,840 Speaker 4: here every year and say I have twelve picks. 234 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 5: I'll take that right now. It just gives us options. 235 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:53,599 Speaker 6: So yeah, So Mike, Mike, you know, Tom Arthur and 236 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 6: Mike McCarthy have some history together, but Tom's done an 237 00:12:57,400 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 6: awesome job with those guys. 238 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 5: I know those players really like them, Uh, the young guys, 239 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 5: the older guys, and you know, it's important. He's here 240 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:04,839 Speaker 5: for a reason. 241 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 3: Yeah. 242 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:20,240 Speaker 4: The uh you know, his passion for the game of 243 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 4: football was very unique, like he just loves loves ball 244 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 4: and just like I had a great It was an 245 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 4: honor and privilege. I mentioned this earlier, to be to 246 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:32,679 Speaker 4: work with uh side by side with Mike. But uh, 247 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:36,200 Speaker 4: his passion and he just his positivity when it comes 248 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 4: to players. I mean I could sign every single one 249 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 4: of you guys and he would find something, try to 250 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 4: find something that you guys could do in the football field. 251 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 4: It's just just his approach is uh is uh is. 252 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 4: It's pretty unique. We've talked on the phone a couple 253 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 4: of times. I think maybe once I've seen him. How 254 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 4: long has it been. It's been one. I don't I 255 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 4: don't even know what six weeks, seven weeks has been. 256 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:03,559 Speaker 4: So yeah, we we've talked on. 257 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 5: The phone a few times, but just I think just once. 258 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 3: We've been. 259 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 5: Yeah, I don't, I don't. 260 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 4: I don't think we were good enough overall, you know, 261 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 4: we we we we. 262 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 5: Didn't win a single playoff game. That's not good enough. 263 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 5: So we have to be better at every position. 264 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean his arms fine, by the way, No, 265 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 4: it should be no restrictions, no issues. It's just it's 266 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 4: just him who he is, you know, and I expect 267 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 4: him to get even even better, and he had more 268 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 4: opportunities to. 269 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 5: A tough evaluation. I'll take twenty of them. Yeah, no, 270 00:14:58,040 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 5: it's it's he's. 271 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 4: A guy we want here long term. 272 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 5: You know. 273 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 4: I think when your question is, you know, we're in 274 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 4: good cap shape, so we have the flexibility to to 275 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 4: maybe do some things that might not be normal in 276 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 4: people's eyes. 277 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 5: But uh, you know, we we have that flexibility. So 278 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 5: the key is just keep. 279 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 4: As many of our good players under contract and locking 280 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 4: them up. 281 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 5: That's that's that's important. 282 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 4: I really believe we have a good young nucleus of 283 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 4: guys that are deserving of second contracts. 284 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 5: Guys two more, two more. 285 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 4: Uh when you mean like online, yeah, we we we 286 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:45,640 Speaker 4: I don't use we can like I don't. I don't 287 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 4: go online and and and read mock drafts that that 288 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 4: would h that's that's not me. But we we have 289 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 4: our own system of how we evaluate and judge different 290 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 4: scenarios of what other people could do. And uh, I 291 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 4: mean we study it, but you know, until you know, 292 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 4: you don't know what the other thirty one teams are thinking, 293 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 4: so we're all guessing. You know, if you look at 294 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 4: our contracts, you know, I don't really like to talk 295 00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 4: about specific that's not really you don't see a lot 296 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 4: of those in our contracts. But it's just a different technique. 297 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:27,800 Speaker 4: Different people use it for different reasons. You'd probably have 298 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 4: to ask them why they choose to. 299 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 5: Do it that way. 300 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 4: I believe in the way we've done and the system 301 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 4: it's worked for us. And I said, it's we've managed 302 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 4: it in the right way for us. 303 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 3: Omar Collin, Steelers general manager, speaking there at the podium 304 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 3: to the national and members. Yeah, the Pittsburgh media looking 305 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 3: good in his NFL draft Pittsburgh. I don't know if 306 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 3: it was a quarter zip or a sweater exactly what 307 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 3: it was, but we could use some of those here 308 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 3: on rate. 309 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 2: I noticed it when he said next to us too. 310 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,240 Speaker 3: Hey, we can start, we can start promoting the cause 311 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:04,879 Speaker 3: here just about two months away from, of course, the 312 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:08,440 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six NFL Draft on the north shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 313 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 3: Gonna be a wild few days, but we have a 314 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 3: wild few days, a wild week to continue here. As 315 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 3: we roll along a couple of things that Omar Kahn 316 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 3: said there. 317 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 2: That I want a lot of stuff unpacked that I want. 318 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 3: To revisit with you. And we've got a Aaron Rodgers 319 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 3: update from Adam Schefter, so when we get into those, 320 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 3: when we return, it is our bonus hour here live 321 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 3: inside the Indiana Convention Center. We're on Radio Row all week. 322 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 3: What's ruler, Matt Williamson. It's the Drive Steelers Nation Radio 323 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 3: on the Steelers Audio Network. 324 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:46,800 Speaker 1: This is live coverreage up that twenty twenty six NFL 325 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:50,680 Speaker 1: combine on Steelers Nation Radio, a part of the Steelers 326 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 1: Audio Network. 327 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 3: It is the Drive back here inside the Indiana Convention 328 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 3: Center on Radio Row in beautiful down Indianapolis. Our final 329 00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 3: hour of eight here today on our first day. We'll 330 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,760 Speaker 3: be rocking and rolling all week, nine to five, just 331 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 3: like Dolly Parton. We will get out of here a 332 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 3: little bit earlier on Friday so we can all get 333 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 3: home at a decent hour. Of course, we did just 334 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:17,880 Speaker 3: hear from Steelers General manager Omar Khan a couple things 335 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 3: there to discuss. Matt, Yeah, a lot. Namely, I like 336 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:24,959 Speaker 3: how he kind of addressed that they have some second 337 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 3: contracts to get done with guys that have been coming 338 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:30,160 Speaker 3: through the ranks because I gotta think, and it can 339 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 3: be easy. We do so much time new head coach, 340 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 3: NFL Draft, the quarterback conversation, all these different things. But man, 341 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 3: at the top of the list, I think, as much 342 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 3: as any priority this offseason has to be locking up 343 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 3: Nick Herbig and Joey Porter junior long term. 344 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I also really liked what he said about 345 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,880 Speaker 2: Darnell Washington too, and along those respects too. Of hey, 346 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 2: I'll take twenty of those guys. That's not a tough 347 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 2: evow at all, you know, maybe sound like he will 348 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,639 Speaker 2: be very much in that mix as well of long 349 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 2: term stealers or at least second contract guys. I think 350 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,400 Speaker 2: Porter's probably the top of the list and the most 351 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:06,200 Speaker 2: expensive of the group, and he's earned that. I would 352 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:09,480 Speaker 2: really hope Herbig is a priority as well. I think 353 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:12,399 Speaker 2: Benton is a guy that's also from that draft class 354 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:14,600 Speaker 2: that could be in the very much in that mix, 355 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 2: and he really didn't do a very good job of 356 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:20,000 Speaker 2: hiding it. I mean that they want to keep these 357 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:22,399 Speaker 2: He didn't mention anyone by name other than Washington, but 358 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,359 Speaker 2: it's not hard to figure out who those players could be. 359 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 2: That's probably a post draft situation. There's no reason to 360 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:31,119 Speaker 2: do it now, but yeah, some money set aside. 361 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:33,400 Speaker 3: They certainly will as they should. And I think that's 362 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 3: those trio it feels like have to be a real 363 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,919 Speaker 3: priority going forward. Something that kind of ties into what 364 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 3: we discussed a little bit today along the lines of 365 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:46,680 Speaker 3: defensive backs. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know, trying to get 366 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 3: younger and faster as opposing to continue the Patrick Peterson 367 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:52,119 Speaker 3: Darius Slay. 368 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:54,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's kind of ran its course. And I don't 369 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:56,399 Speaker 2: even count Ramsey in that mix because he was a 370 00:19:56,440 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 2: trade but like the Peterson Slay older corner outside, guys, 371 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:02,080 Speaker 2: that's a tough way to live. 372 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 3: And he was asked about that and if they've kind 373 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 3: of re evaluated that strategy, if you will, and he said, 374 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 3: this process is always very fluid. I wish I could 375 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 3: give you guys more. It's just such a fluid process. 376 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 3: You know, the questions we have today are going to 377 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:18,640 Speaker 3: be completely different when I meet with you guys at 378 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 3: the league meetings. So things will change. Yes, So I 379 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:24,359 Speaker 3: wonder if we're going to see that prioritized in free 380 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,439 Speaker 3: agency of Hey, you know, you'll get an answer by 381 00:20:27,480 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 3: the time we're at the league meetings at the end 382 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 3: of March and feeders, this will be a little more clear. 383 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:32,200 Speaker 3: This will be a little more clear the. 384 00:20:32,160 --> 00:20:34,399 Speaker 2: Way I took that, And again I don't like to 385 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:38,639 Speaker 2: look too much into these conversations, but again, we opened 386 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:41,160 Speaker 2: the show this morning with Mike Pursuda in your chair, 387 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 2: and he had been to both of the press conferences, 388 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 2: and then Omark quickly joined us. So I was trying 389 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 2: to like put all the context clues together I could 390 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 2: from all those different conversations, and it made me think 391 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 2: that I bet a corner probably Pierre, but who knows, 392 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 2: would probably be locked up by owners meetings or whatever 393 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:02,000 Speaker 2: next time talk to him, which again would make that 394 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:03,880 Speaker 2: a lot more clear, you know, right, right right. 395 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:07,200 Speaker 3: And would would certainly I think also kind of make 396 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 3: the pecking order of draft priorities easier, which you will 397 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 3: obviously be by the time we get to the end 398 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:16,000 Speaker 3: of April. They're going to sign multiple players in free agency. 399 00:21:16,359 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 2: In the corner situation, by then we might be looking 400 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 2: at it like Porter and Pierre, you're outside guys. Ramsey's 401 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 2: a slot now that could also play safety and do 402 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:25,719 Speaker 2: versatile things. 403 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 3: Eccles is a really good piece off the bench. 404 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 2: Ecles is your four, which is how he opened camp 405 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,880 Speaker 2: yes last year, and I thought, boy, that's unusual depth 406 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 2: of the Steelers. And you could still use that last 407 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:38,200 Speaker 2: third round pick on a project corner. You know, who knows, 408 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:39,560 Speaker 2: because Pierre's not young either. 409 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:41,600 Speaker 3: You know, maybe you've added one of these safeties that 410 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:43,639 Speaker 3: we've discussed in free agency too. And then all of 411 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:45,360 Speaker 3: a sudden you get to the draft and you're like, yeah, 412 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 3: you want to add in the secondary, but it's not 413 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:48,680 Speaker 3: nearly as big of a priority as we thought. You 414 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,600 Speaker 3: don't have to back at the back at the end 415 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 3: of February. 416 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:53,240 Speaker 2: Maybe it's a third or fourth round pick with upside 417 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 2: that starts out on special teams or you know, as 418 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 2: opposed to needing a starter. I could absolutely see that scenario. Yeah, 419 00:21:58,359 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 2: that that seems and think about it. If that were 420 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:04,880 Speaker 2: the case, defensive tackle might be the only thing you're 421 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 2: really looking for in the first couple of rounds. And 422 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 2: I know a lot of people kind of push that off, 423 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,360 Speaker 2: like you know, they just did that the last two 424 00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:13,239 Speaker 2: years or the last couple years they've been drafting these 425 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 2: guys high. I'm like one another right right. 426 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:19,640 Speaker 3: I'm trying to get greedy in the Trench show. Oh yeah, 427 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,679 Speaker 3: and and yeah, I think that is That's certainly something 428 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:25,400 Speaker 3: that that we'll come into focus more here when free 429 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:29,879 Speaker 3: agency begins just two weeks from tomorrow. Of course, asked 430 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:33,520 Speaker 3: plenty about Aaron Rodgers and his potential return. The door 431 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:36,720 Speaker 3: is open to have Aaron back, was kind of how 432 00:22:36,760 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 3: he emphasized it a few times. 433 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 2: I think he said he spoke with Aaron. Coach McCarthy 434 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 2: spoke with there and he said it sounds like a 435 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 2: lot of back and forth. 436 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:47,040 Speaker 3: Spoke to him last week. Mike McCarthy has spoken to him. 437 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 3: He knows how we feel, and I think he knows. 438 00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:52,720 Speaker 3: I think we know how he feels about us with 439 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 3: that Matt. Earlier today, Adam Schefter, of course, well known 440 00:22:57,200 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 3: NFL insider, stated he was he was asked it was 441 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:02,320 Speaker 3: on one of the shows that he was doing. 442 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:03,959 Speaker 2: Sure, he's busy right now. 443 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,119 Speaker 3: He's certainly busy this week, and he was asked about 444 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,400 Speaker 3: Omar Kahn and Mike McCarthy in those comments and Aaron 445 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:13,400 Speaker 3: Rodgers and if he had any updates on the Aaron 446 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:18,639 Speaker 3: Rodgers situation and Aaron Rodgers part of me, Adam Schefter said, 447 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 3: and I quote less prefaces by saying it's Aaron Rodgers, 448 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:24,520 Speaker 3: so there are never any absolutes, and things could change 449 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:26,639 Speaker 3: just like that. But the belief around the league is 450 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:29,280 Speaker 3: that the feeling is he will suppose he is supposed 451 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:32,160 Speaker 3: to give the Steelers an answer by mid March. We're 452 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 3: technically on the Aaron Rodgers clock. Many people thought there 453 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:37,520 Speaker 3: was no chance he'd be back. It certainly sounds like 454 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:41,040 Speaker 3: it is an absolute consideration. Again, it's Aaron Rodgers, so 455 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:43,320 Speaker 3: you never fully know, but it sounds like he's more 456 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:46,640 Speaker 3: likely than not to be back. The feeling is he'll 457 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:48,840 Speaker 3: be back. The feeling is it should be mid March. 458 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 3: The feeling is it should be Pittsburgh. End quote. 459 00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:56,120 Speaker 2: One little way that Schefter phrased that that stood out 460 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 2: to me is he will tell the Steelers, not like 461 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:03,040 Speaker 2: he will tell the lead league I'm retired or I'm available. 462 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:06,080 Speaker 2: It's kind of made it sound like Steelers or bost. 463 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:09,280 Speaker 3: That's what some of the I think, rightfully. You know, 464 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 3: hypotheticals that we've had of what if there's a second 465 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,920 Speaker 3: team who's interested, what if Minnesota, you know, comes calling, 466 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,840 Speaker 3: what if somebody like that? It does feel like that's 467 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:20,680 Speaker 3: off the table, like it's Pittsburgh or retirement. 468 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 2: Just the way that schefter phrased that, and who's really 469 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 2: smart with his words and does this for a living? Yes, 470 00:24:26,080 --> 00:24:29,960 Speaker 2: and also the way Omar's had this conversation. And you 471 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:33,199 Speaker 2: know it was reported I forget who said it a 472 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:35,679 Speaker 2: week or so ago that this could go on for months, 473 00:24:35,720 --> 00:24:38,040 Speaker 2: which I didn't like the sound of that. Yeah, and 474 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:41,120 Speaker 2: I bet that there's some pressure from the organization that 475 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:43,359 Speaker 2: that's nice Aaron, but we're not waiting. We can't wait months. 476 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:46,040 Speaker 2: You know, it's just too big of a decision. 477 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:49,440 Speaker 3: I mean, I understand he wields the power, he being Aaron. 478 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:50,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, he can do it every once. 479 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:54,080 Speaker 3: But you can't. You can't give him just the the 480 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:56,280 Speaker 3: open season that he had last. 481 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:58,240 Speaker 2: Year, no field a team. 482 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 3: And to be fair, heading into that process last year, 483 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:05,359 Speaker 3: there was still even when when uh you know OTAs 484 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,120 Speaker 3: opened up at the end of May, those first two 485 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:09,359 Speaker 3: weeks before the deal got done ahead of Mini camp, 486 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:12,639 Speaker 3: there was still a lot of belief of Aaron Rodgers 487 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:15,040 Speaker 3: is coming here. They know it's gonna happen. Yeah, it's 488 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 3: it's on a weird different timeline, but no panic it's 489 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:20,800 Speaker 3: gonna get done. It's it's not if, it's a matter 490 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:21,160 Speaker 3: of when. 491 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:23,440 Speaker 2: And you really got that vibe when you're at the facility. 492 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 3: We really got that vibe at the facility. And so 493 00:25:25,720 --> 00:25:27,359 Speaker 3: that I think is even a little different than this 494 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:28,639 Speaker 3: year where. 495 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:30,400 Speaker 2: And he had never even played for the team before. 496 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 3: He had never had never played for the team before. 497 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:33,840 Speaker 2: It sounds like, I mean, I don't know what was 498 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 2: going on in his personal life, but it sounded like 499 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:36,879 Speaker 2: there was plenty that he was dealing. 500 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:40,760 Speaker 3: With, getting married, things like that. Yes, and so because 501 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 3: of that, yeah, I think there was a real I 502 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 3: think there was a real confidence and trust factor between 503 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:49,639 Speaker 3: him and Mike Tomlin. And I think the Steelers that 504 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:53,359 Speaker 3: that was the I guess proverbial eggs putting all your 505 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:55,920 Speaker 3: eggs in one basket, But they were they were very pretty, 506 00:25:56,200 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 3: pretty confident that happen. I don't know if you can 507 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 3: in good faith be that confident this time around and 508 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:04,440 Speaker 3: give him that much time. 509 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:08,399 Speaker 2: And I'm sure even if coach McCarthy wasn't in place 510 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 2: here that he had a meeting with Omar mister Rooney whoever, 511 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:16,840 Speaker 2: and probably said I enjoyed this year. I had a 512 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 2: lot of fun. It didn't end up exactly how we wanted. 513 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:21,119 Speaker 2: We don't like to going farther in the playoffs, but 514 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,959 Speaker 2: I give me another year. I'd like to do it, okay, 515 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:27,359 Speaker 2: you know, I mean, like not a handshake agreement, but 516 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 2: it both probably have left face to face saying I 517 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:33,120 Speaker 2: think another year really good chance. 518 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 3: Last yeah, maybe he said something along the lines of 519 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 3: I want to see how my body feels in a 520 00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:39,080 Speaker 3: few weeks, and you know, like I'm not one. 521 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:40,600 Speaker 2: Hot, but I'm leaning towards but I'm. 522 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:43,399 Speaker 3: Leaning towards playing one more year, and I want to 523 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:45,880 Speaker 3: do that here. Yeah, I think there's a real chance 524 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:46,679 Speaker 3: that was I mean. 525 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:48,080 Speaker 2: Clearly he didn't just shut the door on the way 526 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:50,640 Speaker 2: out and be like I'm done see you. You know, yes, yeah, 527 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:54,440 Speaker 2: obviously that's not the case. And at this point, especially 528 00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 2: after today, I got to think there's a seventy five 529 00:26:57,840 --> 00:26:59,399 Speaker 2: percent chance he's your opening day starter. 530 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:02,720 Speaker 3: Where are you doing that high? I guess I think 531 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:04,520 Speaker 3: that's actually at this point, I think that's about about 532 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:06,920 Speaker 3: three you know about yeah, about three three fourths of 533 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 3: a chance, seventy five percent chance three times out of 534 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:12,439 Speaker 3: three years out of four he's coming back here Yeah, that's. 535 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:15,320 Speaker 2: I would have been about fifty percent a week ago. 536 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:18,400 Speaker 2: But I just think that the way that everyone's phrased 537 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 2: things today and that. 538 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:23,399 Speaker 3: Number's definitely gone up from where it was last week certainly. 539 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:27,960 Speaker 2: Which I totally understand. Yeah, I mean he was interesting 540 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 2: and inspiring to be around, even from a distance, you 541 00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:32,639 Speaker 2: know what I mean, Like, boy, he knows the stuff, 542 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:36,640 Speaker 2: and I want it's a fine line because the Willis 543 00:27:37,119 --> 00:27:40,520 Speaker 2: angle I'm really intrigued with, but I'm really intrigued with 544 00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 2: next year's draft class, and I really intrigued with the 545 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 2: influence Rogers had on the organization more than maybe the 546 00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:49,280 Speaker 2: other way around, you know. 547 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 3: And I think that is a big part of this too, 548 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,879 Speaker 3: is you have to kind of survey the landscape and 549 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:00,199 Speaker 3: everything that's around you, and if it felt like it 550 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 3: was a low, if this was a year that there's 551 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:04,520 Speaker 3: going to be five or six quarterbacks drafted in the 552 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:08,000 Speaker 3: first round, different, sure, completely different still, yeah. 553 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:10,240 Speaker 2: Or if you're picking eighth overall or you know, right, yep, 554 00:28:10,359 --> 00:28:11,199 Speaker 2: or in a draft like. 555 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 3: That, if there's two or three big name free agents 556 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:16,640 Speaker 3: as opposed to just Malik Willis. But I think when 557 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:18,440 Speaker 3: you kind of assess the sei love. 558 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:19,919 Speaker 2: With Kyler Murray and you knew you could get a 559 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:22,399 Speaker 2: deal done or something like that. I don't see that. 560 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:24,720 Speaker 3: Don't see that being the case, Matt. Last thing that 561 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:27,640 Speaker 3: we have to discuss that could be pretty significant down 562 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:32,080 Speaker 3: the line. It sounds like there's a potential that Proger 563 00:28:32,240 --> 00:28:35,400 Speaker 3: Jones could not be ready for training camp for the Steelers. Oh, 564 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 3: with that injury in July. Of course, he suffered that injury, 565 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:43,400 Speaker 3: that neck injury against the Bears in November last season, 566 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:47,240 Speaker 3: and Omar Khan was asked about his availability for training 567 00:28:47,240 --> 00:28:50,640 Speaker 3: camp and it wasn't a particularly I guess positive update 568 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 3: if you want to say, quote, he had a significant 569 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:56,120 Speaker 3: injury and we're monitoring how he progresses. I know he's 570 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,040 Speaker 3: working hard. It's still early in the process, but that's 571 00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:05,720 Speaker 3: certainly something that we're monitoring. So you hate hearing neck 572 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:08,880 Speaker 3: in a position like that. Sure, and it's obviously we 573 00:29:08,920 --> 00:29:10,480 Speaker 3: all know a huge year for him and for the 574 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:13,680 Speaker 3: Steelers and for the future of that position in the organization. 575 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:17,280 Speaker 3: But when you kind of are parsing through the coach 576 00:29:17,320 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 3: speak GM speak, I think if they were confident that 577 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:23,840 Speaker 3: he's on the other side healthy, it's not going to 578 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:25,720 Speaker 3: be a big deal. I think he would have probably 579 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:28,640 Speaker 3: been a little more committal as opposed to leaving that 580 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:30,800 Speaker 3: wide open. That's a little bit of a red flag 581 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 3: for me. 582 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, where would you be without Dylan Cook? Obviously, 583 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 2: I think a lot of us probably thought it'd be 584 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:41,840 Speaker 2: a Jones Cook conversation or training camp battle. To some degree. Yes, 585 00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:44,480 Speaker 2: I thought Cook was the better player last year, but 586 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:47,520 Speaker 2: that doesn't mean you got to flush Jones's potential down, 587 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:49,720 Speaker 2: you know, down the toilet. Plus, you have a new 588 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:52,720 Speaker 2: offensive line coach, and could he find things in any 589 00:29:52,760 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 2: of these offensive linemen that to tweak their game to 590 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:57,600 Speaker 2: improve them. That's not a knock on the old staff, 591 00:29:57,600 --> 00:30:00,160 Speaker 2: but I mean it's a new set of eyes. I 592 00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:02,880 Speaker 2: don't like hearing that, And I've gotten a lot of 593 00:30:02,880 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 2: pushback of drafting a tackle with one of those top 594 00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:10,360 Speaker 2: five picks. I'm not saying necessarily round one. Yeah, but 595 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 2: I think you're crazy not to. I mean, the chances 596 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:15,360 Speaker 2: of Jones being on the team two years from now 597 00:30:15,560 --> 00:30:18,640 Speaker 2: very probably slim. Do we know that you're out of 598 00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 2: the woods with Cook? A lot of tackles can bump 599 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:23,640 Speaker 2: into guard. Is it ever a bad thing to have 600 00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 2: another tackle nope. I mean a third round guy that 601 00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:28,200 Speaker 2: has a lot of athletic ability but needs to get 602 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:31,080 Speaker 2: stronger or something along those lines. I think I would 603 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:34,960 Speaker 2: be really ripe for picking one of those, especially if 604 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 2: Jones is going to be available for mini camp or 605 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:37,800 Speaker 2: training camp for a while. 606 00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:41,200 Speaker 3: It's one of those positions that we've discussed a million times. 607 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:44,120 Speaker 3: I'd rather have one too many, oh always, and especially 608 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:47,600 Speaker 3: now you know we've discussed how clearly if you look 609 00:30:47,640 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 3: at Mike McCarthy's coaching staff hires on offense and their 610 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:54,560 Speaker 3: background and their experience, they've got a lot of offensive 611 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:59,320 Speaker 3: line minded guys in the three former offensive line coaches 612 00:30:59,400 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 3: in that room. 613 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 2: Mm hmm. 614 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 3: If there's ever a time to go and get a 615 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:04,960 Speaker 3: project guy late day two and day. 616 00:31:04,720 --> 00:31:06,800 Speaker 2: Three dampy an accident, Yeah. 617 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:08,440 Speaker 3: It feels like now you would really want to take 618 00:31:08,440 --> 00:31:10,880 Speaker 3: a swing on that when you've got so many offensive 619 00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:12,640 Speaker 3: line coaches on that staff. 620 00:31:12,280 --> 00:31:14,320 Speaker 2: Now and I don't foresee this being the case, but 621 00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:17,360 Speaker 2: I also thought, if you don't pick up the fifth 622 00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:19,280 Speaker 2: year option, which I don't know how you possibly can now, 623 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 2: especially with more injury news on top, I didn't think 624 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:23,720 Speaker 2: he even would do that to begin with, and he 625 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:26,560 Speaker 2: doesn't win the job right away, somebody would give you 626 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:29,480 Speaker 2: a decent pick for Jones. I mean there's a lot 627 00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:34,160 Speaker 2: worse starting offensive tackles. Still only twenty six, there's a 628 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:35,760 Speaker 2: lot of teams out there that had a high grade 629 00:31:35,800 --> 00:31:38,360 Speaker 2: on him a couple of years ago. I'm sure. And 630 00:31:38,440 --> 00:31:40,360 Speaker 2: if you had a third round pick, you could make 631 00:31:40,360 --> 00:31:41,640 Speaker 2: that work a little easier, you know. 632 00:31:41,840 --> 00:31:43,120 Speaker 3: Yes you could, Yes you could. 633 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 2: So that was kind of that news though. 634 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:48,160 Speaker 3: That was the yes of I think that was the 635 00:31:48,320 --> 00:31:49,840 Speaker 3: I don't know if you want to say like one 636 00:31:50,040 --> 00:31:53,200 Speaker 3: negative takeaway that I had. Everything else I thought was 637 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:55,200 Speaker 3: moving in the right direction. The stuff you want to hear, 638 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:55,880 Speaker 3: Like you. 639 00:31:55,880 --> 00:31:59,000 Speaker 2: Mentioned Darnault Washington's injuries. Nothing as a broken bone, we 640 00:31:59,040 --> 00:31:59,320 Speaker 2: got that. 641 00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:01,280 Speaker 3: But when you're asked, man, when you're asked about will 642 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:02,880 Speaker 3: he be ready for training. 643 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 2: Camp, which is he didn't ask many camp or still. 644 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:08,480 Speaker 3: Five six months away, I mean, that's that's that's a 645 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:10,760 Speaker 3: little that's a little eye popping. That's a little jarring, 646 00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 3: And obviously we just wish the best for Roger Jones 647 00:32:13,320 --> 00:32:15,760 Speaker 3: and his neck and that recovery. I can't be fun. 648 00:32:15,880 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 2: I hope it's not like career threatening I'm not throwing 649 00:32:18,160 --> 00:32:20,840 Speaker 2: it out there to scare people, but that that, you know, 650 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:23,640 Speaker 2: part of the body I don't like hearing. What I 651 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 2: wanted to hear was, boy, he came to camp, looks 652 00:32:26,440 --> 00:32:28,800 Speaker 2: like a new man. Wish we would have picked up 653 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:30,680 Speaker 2: that fifth year option. We didn't. We got to talk 654 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:32,920 Speaker 2: extension because he's going to be one of the best 655 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:34,760 Speaker 2: left tackles in the league, you know, which still could happen. 656 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:36,680 Speaker 2: I mean, he has that kind of ability. 657 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:39,280 Speaker 3: He sure does, and he is still a puppy, but 658 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:41,600 Speaker 3: the Steelers are getting close to that rubber meat in 659 00:32:41,640 --> 00:32:44,160 Speaker 3: the road time and it is it is not looking 660 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:48,200 Speaker 3: favorable from from his standpoint, at least with the future 661 00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:51,960 Speaker 3: with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But things always subject to change. 662 00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:54,000 Speaker 3: And as our guy Dale Lawley would have said, you 663 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:57,160 Speaker 3: are allowed to get better. Yeah, Matt, we got our 664 00:32:57,160 --> 00:33:00,800 Speaker 3: final segment. On the other side, Indianapolis Colts Bread is 665 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:02,600 Speaker 3: taking the podium across the way from us right now. 666 00:33:02,680 --> 00:33:06,080 Speaker 3: I wonder if we'll get any anything on Daniel Jones 667 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:08,280 Speaker 3: or anything interesting on some. 668 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:09,400 Speaker 2: Of the day. They are an interesting team. 669 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:14,760 Speaker 3: They're at an interesting crossroads this offseason. No first round pick, quarterback, quarterback, 670 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:16,520 Speaker 3: you know, situation kind of up in the air for 671 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:18,480 Speaker 3: the future, so we will. 672 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:20,240 Speaker 2: I could see Richardson getting traded, they get some wide 673 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:22,120 Speaker 2: receivers up. That's up in the air right now too. 674 00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:24,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, they've got Yeah, that's that's a great point with 675 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:26,360 Speaker 3: the wide receivers as we've been discussing. So we'll see 676 00:33:26,360 --> 00:33:29,160 Speaker 3: if maybe we get some some comments from from the 677 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:31,600 Speaker 3: Colts people before we get out of here. We'll dot 678 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,240 Speaker 3: some te's and cross some eyes with our final bonus 679 00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:38,360 Speaker 3: segment when we return. Wesheeler, Matt Williamson. We are live 680 00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:41,880 Speaker 3: on Radio Row here inside the Indiana Convention Center. It's 681 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 3: all part of our ongoing combine coverage on Steelers Nation 682 00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:46,680 Speaker 3: Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. 683 00:33:54,080 --> 00:33:57,560 Speaker 1: This is live cobbleach up that twenty twenty six NFL 684 00:33:57,640 --> 00:34:01,440 Speaker 1: combine on Steelers Nation Radio, a part of the Steelers 685 00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:02,560 Speaker 1: Audio Network. 686 00:34:04,040 --> 00:34:06,400 Speaker 3: Final segment here in the bonus hour of the drive, 687 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:10,960 Speaker 3: our eight of our coverage here on Steelers Nation Radio 688 00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:13,000 Speaker 3: and the Steelers Audio Network of day one of the combine. 689 00:34:13,040 --> 00:34:15,000 Speaker 3: But a good day one, it certainly has. We have 690 00:34:15,120 --> 00:34:18,799 Speaker 3: some fun guests, some you know, intriguing news of the day. 691 00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:20,759 Speaker 3: We'll get to some more here to wrap this thing up. 692 00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:22,640 Speaker 2: I don't want to tease it in case it doesn't 693 00:34:22,680 --> 00:34:23,880 Speaker 2: work out, but I think we had a couple of 694 00:34:23,880 --> 00:34:25,200 Speaker 2: guys lined up for tomorrow too. 695 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:28,839 Speaker 3: We have some potential fun guests. That again, Matt is like, 696 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:32,040 Speaker 3: you know, Matt's like the lion here on the open plane, 697 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:35,200 Speaker 3: stalking the gazelle, pray, waiting for the gazelle to come 698 00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:36,640 Speaker 3: run and by, and he could go, hey, why don't 699 00:34:36,640 --> 00:34:38,120 Speaker 3: you come here and talk with me on radio for 700 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:39,160 Speaker 3: ten to fifteen. 701 00:34:38,920 --> 00:34:40,799 Speaker 2: Minut When I got here this morning after you were 702 00:34:40,840 --> 00:34:43,360 Speaker 2: off the first hour, there were so many candidates, but 703 00:34:43,440 --> 00:34:46,320 Speaker 2: it was like Omar time. I couldn't be pulling guys 704 00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:49,600 Speaker 2: into too easily. So hopefully tomorrow morning's good as well. 705 00:34:49,640 --> 00:34:52,719 Speaker 2: But the three hours we do together is gonna be 706 00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:54,080 Speaker 2: pretty chock ful guests. 707 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:56,319 Speaker 3: It's gonna be awesome and good people. And we've had 708 00:34:56,320 --> 00:35:00,000 Speaker 3: some great ones so far today and that will continue 709 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:04,360 Speaker 3: certainly here all week. Matt Chris Ballard colts GM on 710 00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:07,080 Speaker 3: the podium across from US. As as we mentioned before 711 00:35:07,080 --> 00:35:10,120 Speaker 3: going to break, he was asked about future contracts for 712 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:13,120 Speaker 3: Daniel Jones and for Alec Pierce okay, and he said 713 00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:16,680 Speaker 3: both sides, and in both of their cases, both parties, 714 00:35:16,680 --> 00:35:19,960 Speaker 3: both sides are driven to get deals done. Wow, So 715 00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:22,200 Speaker 3: it sounds like I think with Daniel Jones, that's not 716 00:35:22,239 --> 00:35:23,000 Speaker 3: surprising at all. 717 00:35:23,040 --> 00:35:25,279 Speaker 2: Yeah. I don't know what other options they have or 718 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:27,640 Speaker 2: he has, and it went well, So do it again, 719 00:35:27,760 --> 00:35:28,040 Speaker 2: you know. 720 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:30,840 Speaker 3: But for for and especially again considering they don't have 721 00:35:30,880 --> 00:35:32,759 Speaker 3: a first round draft pick, they don't want a ton 722 00:35:32,800 --> 00:35:34,960 Speaker 3: of they're not in cap purgatory, but they don't have 723 00:35:35,040 --> 00:35:38,720 Speaker 3: any fun. They're not exactly right. But man, it's interesting 724 00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:41,520 Speaker 3: to see him or hear him label Alec Pierce in 725 00:35:41,600 --> 00:35:42,320 Speaker 3: that same breath. 726 00:35:42,560 --> 00:35:44,719 Speaker 2: Yeah, and he really did come on strong. He had 727 00:35:44,760 --> 00:35:48,359 Speaker 2: a very very good year. He's a lot different than 728 00:35:49,560 --> 00:35:53,040 Speaker 2: Warren and Downs, you know. So it gives you a 729 00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:56,120 Speaker 2: wide variety. I just keep coming back to. I think 730 00:35:56,160 --> 00:35:59,360 Speaker 2: it'd be really tough to keep Pierce and Pittman, and 731 00:35:59,600 --> 00:36:02,440 Speaker 2: Pittman would interest me quite a bit, would interest you 732 00:36:02,480 --> 00:36:04,200 Speaker 2: more than Peers for what you'd have to give up 733 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:06,920 Speaker 2: for them or all those things too. Yeah, he probably 734 00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:08,560 Speaker 2: could be released or you could get him for a 735 00:36:08,560 --> 00:36:10,359 Speaker 2: seventh round pick and restructures deal. 736 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:12,200 Speaker 3: I think it's certainly something to keep an eye on 737 00:36:12,200 --> 00:36:13,760 Speaker 3: from a stealer's perspective, right. 738 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:16,360 Speaker 2: He'd be a nice fit, plays hard, goes over the middle. 739 00:36:16,560 --> 00:36:19,680 Speaker 3: Certainly would, certainly would. He's one of those guys that 740 00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:21,120 Speaker 3: for the right price, I think we would love to 741 00:36:21,120 --> 00:36:23,440 Speaker 3: see in the black and cold Matt some more. Just 742 00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:25,680 Speaker 3: kind of news of the day again, crossing some te's 743 00:36:25,760 --> 00:36:28,239 Speaker 3: dot and some eyes before we get up out of here. 744 00:36:29,200 --> 00:36:31,799 Speaker 3: Trent Williams and the forty nine Ers sounds like they're 745 00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:35,080 Speaker 3: a bit of a contract standoff. Williams is doing a 746 00:36:35,120 --> 00:36:37,759 Speaker 3: massive thirty or is scheduled to carry part of me 747 00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:41,280 Speaker 3: a massive thirty nine million dollar cap hit this season, 748 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:43,359 Speaker 3: and he's an all time great, but that's that's a 749 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:47,120 Speaker 3: lot for a left tackle at his age. According to 750 00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:49,279 Speaker 3: Adam Schefter, the two sides are kind of struggling to 751 00:36:49,360 --> 00:36:53,040 Speaker 3: find a solution, and if they can't bridge the differences 752 00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:56,080 Speaker 3: in their standoffs, Williams will be released by the Niners. 753 00:36:56,760 --> 00:37:00,520 Speaker 2: So who knows. Curious how this shakes out. They're still 754 00:37:00,560 --> 00:37:02,839 Speaker 2: definitely in it to win it, and they went they 755 00:37:02,880 --> 00:37:05,120 Speaker 2: lost a lot of star power to injury last year 756 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:07,520 Speaker 2: on the defense side of the ball mostly, But also 757 00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:09,400 Speaker 2: I haven't gotten anything out of Ayuk and some of 758 00:37:09,440 --> 00:37:12,440 Speaker 2: these other big name guys. They're a top heavy roster 759 00:37:12,600 --> 00:37:16,400 Speaker 2: by design, you know, McCaffrey's and Warners and Bosa's and Williams. 760 00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:18,799 Speaker 2: And you mentioned he is an all time great. I mean, 761 00:37:19,560 --> 00:37:21,960 Speaker 2: I don't know that everyone gives him that kind of credit, 762 00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:24,120 Speaker 2: but he's really as good as basically any left tackle 763 00:37:24,160 --> 00:37:27,000 Speaker 2: it's ever played. Again, Oh absolutely yeah, and still is 764 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:30,960 Speaker 2: really really good. So ninety five percent of him is 765 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:37,200 Speaker 2: still an elite player after he retires. So there would 766 00:37:37,239 --> 00:37:39,560 Speaker 2: be a massive market for him if he became a 767 00:37:39,680 --> 00:37:42,560 Speaker 2: true UFA, even probably on a one year deal for 768 00:37:42,640 --> 00:37:45,719 Speaker 2: the next stop. But the Niners have a lot of 769 00:37:45,760 --> 00:37:48,280 Speaker 2: cap issues, you know, I mean, like their receiver rooms 770 00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:50,320 Speaker 2: kind of in flux. You know, we mentioned the Steelers 771 00:37:50,360 --> 00:37:53,120 Speaker 2: could be interested in Pittman. Could they be interested again 772 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:56,640 Speaker 2: in Ayuk? Could they be interested in Jennings, who's becoming 773 00:37:56,680 --> 00:37:59,600 Speaker 2: a true free agent. It's gonna be hard for the 774 00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:02,480 Speaker 2: Niners is to run back what they have already. And 775 00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:05,839 Speaker 2: I don't know that Williams is super interested in restructuring 776 00:38:05,880 --> 00:38:06,800 Speaker 2: by the sounds of it. 777 00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:08,799 Speaker 3: No, I mean, and he's kind of earned that right. 778 00:38:08,920 --> 00:38:12,759 Speaker 3: And and in this point in his career. He's he's been, 779 00:38:12,920 --> 00:38:14,960 Speaker 3: like you said, one of the greatest ever, the best 780 00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:17,640 Speaker 3: of his generation. Man, it is nuts that him and 781 00:38:17,719 --> 00:38:20,040 Speaker 3: Lane Johnson both came out of Oklahoma around the same time. 782 00:38:20,080 --> 00:38:22,480 Speaker 3: Maybe the best, maybe the best left tackle and right 783 00:38:22,520 --> 00:38:25,440 Speaker 3: tackle of the twenty first century. It's that that kind 784 00:38:25,480 --> 00:38:28,000 Speaker 3: of stuff is like justin Jefferson and Jamar Chase being 785 00:38:28,040 --> 00:38:28,839 Speaker 3: at l s U at. 786 00:38:28,719 --> 00:38:29,319 Speaker 2: The same time. 787 00:38:29,440 --> 00:38:33,480 Speaker 3: It's just nuts to think about. But yeah, he that's 788 00:38:33,480 --> 00:38:37,680 Speaker 3: certainly wanted to keep an eye on. Not from Steelers specific, noo. Yeah, 789 00:38:37,840 --> 00:38:40,160 Speaker 3: but just for a guy who is, you know, again 790 00:38:40,280 --> 00:38:42,880 Speaker 3: a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer, one of 791 00:38:42,920 --> 00:38:43,799 Speaker 3: the best to ever do it. 792 00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:45,799 Speaker 2: And I would imagine in his shoes too, like some 793 00:38:45,840 --> 00:38:48,400 Speaker 2: of these other guys you mentioned, or a Mike Evans's 794 00:38:48,480 --> 00:38:50,839 Speaker 2: hitting free agency, they're going to probably pick the right 795 00:38:50,880 --> 00:38:53,200 Speaker 2: team if they go play for somebody else, you know. 796 00:38:53,239 --> 00:38:56,720 Speaker 3: One one last run gear with a team who's clearly 797 00:38:56,800 --> 00:38:58,120 Speaker 3: in a in a Super Bowl window. 798 00:38:58,200 --> 00:39:01,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't think they're going to the Browns or Arizona. 799 00:39:01,520 --> 00:39:03,880 Speaker 3: You know, that would shock me, although Arizona not a 800 00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:04,720 Speaker 3: bad place to retire. 801 00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:06,160 Speaker 2: That's retirement home. 802 00:39:06,480 --> 00:39:11,719 Speaker 3: Matt the many Steelers have traveled west and treated that 803 00:39:11,800 --> 00:39:15,640 Speaker 3: as their retirement home, including our very own Max Starks. 804 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:21,120 Speaker 3: He sure does, Matt. The Minnesota Vikings brass spoke not 805 00:39:21,200 --> 00:39:24,360 Speaker 3: too long ago as well, and that's a little bit 806 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:27,680 Speaker 3: of an interesting situation because they're still changing some stuff 807 00:39:27,760 --> 00:39:30,560 Speaker 3: up in that front office after firing there. I don't 808 00:39:30,560 --> 00:39:32,840 Speaker 3: have a GM, they don't have a GM in place currently. 809 00:39:32,920 --> 00:39:36,759 Speaker 3: So it was Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brazinski 810 00:39:36,800 --> 00:39:39,320 Speaker 3: who took the podium about an hour ago for the 811 00:39:39,360 --> 00:39:42,120 Speaker 3: Minnesota Vikings. Because again every organization you have to have 812 00:39:42,160 --> 00:39:46,520 Speaker 3: a GM or a coach speak today or tomorrow. Almost 813 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:47,879 Speaker 3: all of them go today. 814 00:39:47,440 --> 00:39:51,920 Speaker 7: There's a couple tomorrow, yes, but you know probably I 815 00:39:51,960 --> 00:39:55,160 Speaker 7: don't know eighty five ninety percent of them go today. 816 00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:58,960 Speaker 7: But of course, quarterback JJ McCarthy big topic for the 817 00:39:58,960 --> 00:40:03,760 Speaker 7: Minnesota Vikings, and according to again VP of Football Operations 818 00:40:03,840 --> 00:40:07,200 Speaker 7: Rob Brazinski, the Minnesota Vikings are, as he says, exploring 819 00:40:07,239 --> 00:40:11,879 Speaker 7: all possibilities to improve their quarterback play in twenty twenty six. 820 00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:15,279 Speaker 7: He used a lot of those buzzwords, Matt, casting a 821 00:40:15,320 --> 00:40:18,680 Speaker 7: wide net, not ruling anything out. What we do know 822 00:40:18,760 --> 00:40:20,840 Speaker 7: is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for 823 00:40:20,920 --> 00:40:24,560 Speaker 7: us to be effective. Sounds like not. 824 00:40:24,800 --> 00:40:27,239 Speaker 3: The that's not a ringing endorsement, the ringing endorsement of 825 00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:31,279 Speaker 3: JJ McCarthy. I don't think anybody would expect that, But 826 00:40:31,360 --> 00:40:33,200 Speaker 3: I just I don't know. This is another one of 827 00:40:33,239 --> 00:40:36,719 Speaker 3: those even lesser. Hey, the bird in the hand is 828 00:40:36,760 --> 00:40:40,840 Speaker 3: not great, but door number two could be even worse. 829 00:40:40,920 --> 00:40:42,439 Speaker 3: Because what is door number two? 830 00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:44,520 Speaker 2: I think you have to add to door number one. 831 00:40:44,920 --> 00:40:49,120 Speaker 2: I think you bring back McCarthy with more competition than 832 00:40:49,160 --> 00:40:52,479 Speaker 2: he's had. Not somebody that you hope, not somebody that's 833 00:40:52,520 --> 00:40:57,279 Speaker 2: non threatening, a Mariota that you hope McCarthy easily beats out. 834 00:40:57,360 --> 00:41:01,439 Speaker 2: I think you bring back somebody or add somebody that's 835 00:41:01,840 --> 00:41:06,480 Speaker 2: legit competition, that's probably a better player today, and make 836 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:10,920 Speaker 2: McCarthy get over that bar. You know, a car, a cousin's. 837 00:41:11,080 --> 00:41:13,959 Speaker 2: So maybe Kyler, I don't know. 838 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:16,200 Speaker 3: So I was, I was gonna this is all I know. 839 00:41:16,239 --> 00:41:18,000 Speaker 3: It's not a Wednesday, but this is a this is 840 00:41:18,040 --> 00:41:22,600 Speaker 3: a would you rather exercise? Okay, if you are Minnesota, 841 00:41:23,040 --> 00:41:25,839 Speaker 3: let's go Kyler Murray. I'm gonna leave Milik Willis out 842 00:41:25,840 --> 00:41:26,400 Speaker 3: of this because that's it. 843 00:41:26,600 --> 00:41:28,120 Speaker 2: I don't think he's gonna sign there. 844 00:41:28,200 --> 00:41:34,279 Speaker 3: Yeah, Kyler, Murray, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, mac Jones, any 845 00:41:34,320 --> 00:41:36,040 Speaker 3: of those stand out is Matt. 846 00:41:35,880 --> 00:41:37,359 Speaker 2: Does mac Jones even stand out? 847 00:41:37,400 --> 00:41:38,480 Speaker 3: Even does he even? You know? 848 00:41:38,640 --> 00:41:41,720 Speaker 2: But I think Geno could really do well there. And 849 00:41:41,760 --> 00:41:44,040 Speaker 2: I'm not trying to make you happy, but I think 850 00:41:44,080 --> 00:41:47,359 Speaker 2: if he gets one more crack at a good organization, 851 00:41:48,360 --> 00:41:50,439 Speaker 2: that he could really go out on a high note 852 00:41:50,440 --> 00:41:53,440 Speaker 2: in his career. And to me, if I'm Gino, that's 853 00:41:53,440 --> 00:41:55,839 Speaker 2: where I want to land. Okay, maybe if I'm any 854 00:41:55,880 --> 00:41:57,840 Speaker 2: of those guys, that's where I want to throwing to. 855 00:41:57,960 --> 00:42:01,640 Speaker 3: Justin Jefferson, good wide receivers, offensive minded coach. 856 00:42:01,480 --> 00:42:04,120 Speaker 2: Jep Steelers just pluck someone from their offensive staff. It's 857 00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:07,200 Speaker 2: a great offensive staff. It's a really good system. The 858 00:42:07,280 --> 00:42:09,120 Speaker 2: line's better than you think too. It was just kind 859 00:42:09,120 --> 00:42:12,600 Speaker 2: of banged up this year. I could see anyone succeeding, 860 00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:16,040 Speaker 2: and I'd be really worried about McCarthy. I mean, I 861 00:42:16,120 --> 00:42:19,000 Speaker 2: read some stuff about his throwing over the middle was 862 00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:23,160 Speaker 2: really like worse in the league. He's not the biggest, strongest, 863 00:42:23,280 --> 00:42:26,200 Speaker 2: you know, best playmaker to begin with. Even at Michigan, 864 00:42:26,280 --> 00:42:28,799 Speaker 2: he was a hand them all off and you know, 865 00:42:28,920 --> 00:42:31,879 Speaker 2: kind of a caretaker in a bad way. I don't 866 00:42:31,880 --> 00:42:34,000 Speaker 2: think his book's written yet. I mean, maybe he is 867 00:42:34,040 --> 00:42:36,880 Speaker 2: the next Sam Darnold that gets a new lease on 868 00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:39,840 Speaker 2: life somewhere else. But I'm not getting any good vibes 869 00:42:39,840 --> 00:42:40,319 Speaker 2: out of that. 870 00:42:40,640 --> 00:42:40,960 Speaker 3: Agreed. 871 00:42:41,080 --> 00:42:43,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, they're gonna have to add something substantial. 872 00:42:43,840 --> 00:42:45,920 Speaker 3: And speaking of bad vibes, Matt as we close this 873 00:42:45,960 --> 00:42:50,000 Speaker 3: thing down, Andrew Berry, Brown's general manager, of course, spoke 874 00:42:50,080 --> 00:42:52,800 Speaker 3: a little over an hour ago, said the starting QB 875 00:42:52,920 --> 00:42:54,759 Speaker 3: roll is up for grabs. It'll be a battle that 876 00:42:54,800 --> 00:42:59,680 Speaker 3: includes Shador Sanders, Dylan Gabriel and Deshaun Watson. Left that 877 00:42:59,760 --> 00:43:01,240 Speaker 3: door open for Deshaun Watson. 878 00:43:01,360 --> 00:43:02,319 Speaker 2: Yeah, I kind of heard this. 879 00:43:02,440 --> 00:43:04,520 Speaker 3: He said he's been working really hard. He's been working 880 00:43:04,520 --> 00:43:07,040 Speaker 3: his tail off, and we're excited to go in mid 881 00:43:07,040 --> 00:43:09,360 Speaker 3: April with all of our players across the roster. 882 00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:15,000 Speaker 2: Who I mean, that can't sound good for the Browns. 883 00:43:15,239 --> 00:43:17,520 Speaker 3: No, And maybe he's just saying again there could just 884 00:43:17,560 --> 00:43:19,239 Speaker 3: be GM speak, but I don't know what reason he 885 00:43:19,320 --> 00:43:19,600 Speaker 3: would have. 886 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:24,160 Speaker 2: Watson's ownership is still pushing for Watson. 887 00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:26,359 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean so much in this guy. 888 00:43:26,440 --> 00:43:29,879 Speaker 2: He left them that long ago, all that stuff, but man, 889 00:43:30,120 --> 00:43:33,400 Speaker 2: I mean, none of those options are inspiring. I would 890 00:43:33,440 --> 00:43:36,239 Speaker 2: think that the real goal was draft one super high 891 00:43:36,320 --> 00:43:39,080 Speaker 2: next year. You know, you're probably I'm not saying tank, 892 00:43:39,200 --> 00:43:42,600 Speaker 2: but you don't have any offensive lineman. The other thing 893 00:43:42,600 --> 00:43:45,040 Speaker 2: I heard, which I think would be a massive mistake is, oh, 894 00:43:45,080 --> 00:43:47,760 Speaker 2: by the way, the Browns have no cap space whatsoever. 895 00:43:48,040 --> 00:43:50,800 Speaker 3: They are in a rough spot this offseason. 896 00:43:50,840 --> 00:43:54,640 Speaker 2: Now they could restructure in a big way Watson. 897 00:43:54,560 --> 00:43:56,200 Speaker 3: Like the bank of homes like you were talking about. 898 00:43:56,320 --> 00:43:59,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, but that means he's around longer, and the problems 899 00:43:59,360 --> 00:44:02,920 Speaker 2: even big. Yeah, you know, unless he's phenomenal all of 900 00:44:02,960 --> 00:44:04,960 Speaker 2: a sudden. But they don't have any other guys they 901 00:44:05,000 --> 00:44:08,080 Speaker 2: can restructure with. Correct It's a mess. It's a real 902 00:44:08,120 --> 00:44:08,640 Speaker 2: big mess. 903 00:44:08,640 --> 00:44:10,920 Speaker 3: And I know that that does not make anybody in 904 00:44:10,960 --> 00:44:12,359 Speaker 3: Steeler Land said. 905 00:44:12,160 --> 00:44:14,080 Speaker 2: No, they might be my last choice if you would 906 00:44:14,080 --> 00:44:16,400 Speaker 2: want to be GM four me, it's bad. 907 00:44:17,160 --> 00:44:19,400 Speaker 3: This was good, great day in the books. Thanks to 908 00:44:19,480 --> 00:44:22,040 Speaker 3: Nathan and Justin for producing. Thanks to all of our 909 00:44:22,080 --> 00:44:24,040 Speaker 3: guests today. We had some great ones. We're running out 910 00:44:24,080 --> 00:44:25,520 Speaker 3: of time here to thank all of them, but we'll 911 00:44:25,520 --> 00:44:27,160 Speaker 3: do a big thank you to everybody at the end 912 00:44:27,239 --> 00:44:29,080 Speaker 3: of the week. But that will do it. For us today. 913 00:44:29,120 --> 00:44:32,960 Speaker 3: We're back at nine am tomorrow, West Shuler, Matt Williamson. 914 00:44:33,080 --> 00:44:35,320 Speaker 3: Thanks to TV here doing the video on the site 915 00:44:35,360 --> 00:44:37,360 Speaker 3: as well. You know where to find us tomorrow at 916 00:44:37,440 --> 00:44:40,000 Speaker 3: nine am live on Radio row Here on your twenty 917 00:44:40,040 --> 00:44:41,920 Speaker 3: four to seven home of the Black and Goal Steelers 918 00:44:42,000 --> 00:44:42,600 Speaker 3: Nation Radio