The Fumblerooski Podcast - Taking It Slow -Ep 345 The Fumblerooksi Podcast

Episode Date: March 14, 2025

Will signing Aaron Rodgers do more harm than good for an NFL Team? Which team will win the Cooper Kupp sweepstakes? Who are the best remaining free agents in the NFL? Can free agency pick up again? CJ Medeiros ponders these topics and more!

The Aaron Rodgers saga is taking its sweet time and wrapping up. Speaking of things taking their sweet time, Cooper Cups still hasn't signed anywhere. And Fragency itself has slowed to a crawl. This is the Fumbaruski Podcast. It may not have always showed it in the staff sheet, but you can see him making throws when he needs to make the throws. Back to back games where he has three touchdowns. Someone's gotta get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie.

Truly a lose-lose scenario for both sides. Welcome to the FumbleRusky podcast brought to you by Poweradeat, Dean Radio, and Seeker Web Consulting. I'm your host today, CJ Medeiros. No Adam, no Chris, no Tuck, just me. Had to be my turn eventually, right? I mean, I think Adam, I mean, I know Adam has done an episode by himself and I'm like 90% sure Chris has done one as well. So yeah, it's just me today guys. Adam's on a trip to Florida. I think he's gonna go see like the Red Sox and Spring Training. That's cool. Chris is working being a productive member of society and tuck is going for his master's program, which hey, you know studious guy

Love to see it. So once again, just me. Let's get rocking. Let's get rolling. Oh Boy, oh boy first and foremost the Cooper Cup saga here is just It's going is just it's going nowhere and it's going nowhere fast. Let me tell you so Adam Scheff and I think Diane have spoken on this topic. I know others have

reported it but drum roll, please. 12 teams have showed an interest in Cooper Cup. That's over a third of the league and at this point, it's one of those things where when you start saying everything, you really say nothing. What does this tell us? Oh, hey, no, 12 teams are interested. Okay. Can you define interest? Because there's levels to this, is there not? Are you just kicking the tires on them, like saying, oh, hey, what would it take hypothetically?

Or are you going to say, oh, I have an offer for him right now? Because some teams are, some teams are not. And like I said, I just, I don't understand what that's trying to convey. Like I said, 12 teams over a third of the league's interested. So once again, like I feel like they're, I think they're being dishonest here. I do I do

They are combining the tire-kicking teams and the serious teams try to make it look like oh the markets really big No, no, no, no, no. No, let me tell you who I have heard is in the mix and keep in mind I could be wrong because it seems like every day they're contradicting themselves. Originally the Patriots were the top suitor and now apparently they're out. Meanwhile the Cowboys weren't interested and now they are interested in him. It used to be that he wanted to stay on the West Coast and now he might go to the highest bid like we've been hearing so many things so many different things I might add and if you're like me you don't know who to believe and apparently

they're saying his uh his decision could and I quote come as soon as today. Once again, well, obviously, his decision didn't come yesterday. As soon as today. That's gotta be the most useless saying they say across any sports. Whether you watch the NBA, the MLB, or the NHL alongside the NFL, that's so stupid. Just, oh, it could come as soon as today. Okay, well, obviously, duh. I just, I don't know. I feel like they're just talking for the sake of talking because they know they have entire off season to fill. And as somebody in the, and I use this term loosely, media, I get it.

I'm not gonna sit here and pretend I don't understand because I do. So here are the teams that have shown the most interest thus far. They are the Chargers, the Packers, the Seahawks, the Cowboys, the Chiefs, and the Patriots. Once again, that is the Chargers, the Packers, the Seahawks, the Cowboys, the Chiefs, and the Patriots.

And apparently the Broncos too, but I don't have the energy to go through every team. So let's just go talk about Cooper Cup instead. So as it sits right now, let's take a look at how he was last year, right? 67 catches, 710 yards, 6 touchdowns. It's not great, but it's not terrible. Especially when you consider he only started 11 games played in 12 as a whole missed five and that is something that we've noticed from Cooper Cup. It is just it's injuries and and as far as his injuries go in and of itself, there's one thing I want to point out.

He missed 18 games in the last three seasons. In fact, it's gotten so bad that I want to take a step back. In his entire career, bear in mind, he was drafted in 2017. He has only played a full season once. Once. That was 2021, they won the Super Bowl and he won the Triple Crown, getting 145 catches, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Look, bravo to him, that's really good. But, I just, 18 missed games in the last three seasons, one full healthy season But he's great and as a patch fan. I know I'd like him but Well, let's pump the brakes here 12 teams that are allegedly interested in him And we have to look at why he was released to he was released at the start of the league new year Or should I say at the start if league knee year, sorry my my buddy Adam made the graphics hastily, he was at the airport, you know we can fix that, we can fix

that, it's fine, it'll be fine, but good lord just they couldn't find a trade partner for him and that's why he was cut because they couldn't find trade partner. And look, I get it. I am fully aware that when you're in the Ram situation and Cooper Cup is basically a salary dump, you're not going to have a lot of leverage. But when you have him on that deal, well, yeah, no. And with that injury history, no one's going to want to trade for him. And there's another caveat too. He now stay with me.

This is very important. Cooper Cup wants 15 million a year. 15 million a year. One healthy season his entire career and now he wants $15 million. Okay. healthy season his entire career and now he wants $15 million. Okay, I mean look, I feel like some teams going to give it to him and look, and he's still good. He has a lot left in the tank, but at this point in his career, it's almost a given he's going to miss a quarter to a third of the season.

And as far as the teams are interested in him go, obviously New England, I think despite going on that massive day one spending spree and even getting some other smaller pieces like Kalei Von Chason and Marcus Epps, they still have the most and they can comfortably give him that. But I don't know if you'd really want to do that if you're New England. I mean, he'd be worth it and let's be real. They haven't had a wide receiver one since Julian Edelman was last healthy in 2019.

So, and you gotta get Drake may some kind of help, but don't sell your soul for it. Don't needlessly damn yourself to cap hell for it. The Chiefs, I don't know. It's very possible, but they really can't afford to give him what he wants. Dallas, I heard is like a dark horse team for him, but bear in mind Jerry Jones, I don't think has given a free agent that is outside of the Cowboys, like someone coming into Dallas more than six mil a year since they signed Greg Hardy back in, what was it? Like 2015 or something like that.

So yeah, Jerry Boy, I don't see him pulling the trigger on that. Seattle, I think is really likely because it's no longer trade scenario and the Rams wouldn't deal him in division. And he did say he wants to stay on the West Coast, but can Seattle pay him? That remains to be seen.

Green Bay, once again, he just wants to stay on the West Coast, which is why I think the Chargers are a sneaky good team as well. And if he does move further inland in the United States, then I feel like Denver would be another team that could go after him. You never know. You really never know, that's right.

I just, I don't know. Like, once again, if you're a fan of Cooper Cup in general, or if you're a fan of a receiver needy team, you probably want him, but if you don't get him, it would suck, but is it the end of the world? Honestly, probably not. So that does it for old Cooper Cup. Up next, we're gonna be talking about,

oh brother, the gift that keeps on giving, giving me a headache that is, Aaron Rodgers, Pat McAfee's best friend. This is the Fumble Rootsie Podcast. It may not have always showed it in the staff sheet, but you can see him making throws when he needs to make the throws. Back to back games where he has three touchdowns.

Someone's gotta get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie. Truly a lose lose scenario for both sides. Welcome back to the podcast brought to you by a parody eight Dean radio and of course, secret web consulting.

Once again, I'm CJ Medeiros. We don't have hide nor hair of Adam Chris or tuck but we forgive them just the same. We're very generous for that, aren't we? So moving right along, oh boy, oh boy, the Aaron Rodgers saga. You want to talk about a saga that's taken its sweet time? Forget Cooper Cup. That's a drop in the bucket compared to this man, Aaron Rodgers, who is apparently, drum roll please, deciding between the Giants, the Vikings, or the Steelers. And I've seen, now if you go on any app, Instagram, X,

hell even Reddit, you'll see these fans going at each other's throats saying, Erm, no, he's ours. No, he's ours. We want him. Why? Why do you want him? Now, if you're the Steelers, you get the benefit of the doubt here. Because you've deluded yourselves into thinking you're a quarterback away despite the fact your feelings on this team are extremely bipolar, you know because one day it's Oh this roster sucks. They're so cheap then the next day. It's oh we're just a quarterback away

Look at our defense is so good the most expensive defense in the league by the way That is actually truly doing the most expensive defense but that is not why we're here. So Roger's going to Steelers. What? That's just mid on mid and the reason I say is because it's 2024 stats are not that great. 28 touchdowns 11 picks 3897 3,897 yards.

And on top of that, the lowest of his career, a 90.2 passer rating. And see, here's the thing. I know what you Rogers fans are gonna say. I hear it. I hear it. You're going to throw me that quote where he sticks his glasses up like this, goes, um,

and says, actually, down years for me are career years for most guys. What a self-absorbed little prick. Good Lord, I'm tired of hearing that. And one of our co-hosts, Adam says that a lot about other core bags, well, down years for him are career years for most guys. Okay Aaron, Aaron Rodgers, we're not talking about most guys, we're talking about you. So don't give me that

whole, well it's a career year for most guys, don't deflect, don't respond with zingers, refute my point. He knows he's on the down slide. Maybe if he took less ayahuasca It wouldn't be happening But it is I don't know for certain that that's what's causing it, but it can't be helping 90 sure on that And on top of that has an overall quarterback rating of 48 second lowest of his career I think that's funny. Just how do you like that? A 48 quarterback rating, not passer rating, quarterback rating. Those are very different things. It's personally QBR is a bit ridiculous, but I still think it's funny. And when you talk to Aaron Rodgers and say, hey, what are you going gonna do about that? Once again, you get the whole, well, down years for me

or career years for most guys, like shut up. I mean, at this point, you just gotta say shut up. And for what it's worth, Matt Jones in his career has had a higher QBR than this. So, in fact, a down year for you is actually better than a lot of career years for most people. So Rogers, stop it. That saying loses a lot of power when every year

you just get worse and worse and worse. And the so-called other guys actually overtake you. Now, Mack Jones, an extreme example, just to drive home the point of how awful he's been, but it's whatever. So once again, you're deciding between the Giants, Vikings, and Steelers. That's where we started. Oh my god! Once again, the Steelers I can see because you already have George Pickens, DK Metcalf, and all of them. You know, you got Jaylen Warren, who I think they tendered. The O-line's not great but they have the most expensive defense in the league. Rogers would make sense because they

think they're a quarterback away. I think they're a little more than that. They're probably a fully functioning locker room away, but I understand why they think that. I disagree, but I understand. However, the way I see it, Pittsburgh's a powder keg. Do you want to add the match, AKA Aaron Rodgers, because let's take stock of that offense. Your wide receivers are DK Metcalf and George Pickens. George Pickens is insane. I don't know what's wrong with him. Like he's not a bad receiver, far from it. He's just he's volatile. He's angry. He's just he's

fights everybody. He fights fans. He fights reporters. He fights players. Like I don't know what it is. He just has a meltdown over everything. And sure, if Aaron Rodgers can make the notoriously easygoing and, or notorious, I get some bad things, but still the easygoing and good locker room guy of Garrett Wilson, if Rodgers can make him say, I can't stand Rodgers anymore, if you keep him on the team, I'm gonna demand a trade. If Rodgers can make him say, I can't stand Rogers anymore, if you keep him on the team,

I'm gonna demand a trade. If Rogers can make Garrett Wilson do that, what do you think is gonna happen with George Pickens? Serious question. Because George Pickens, as you know, has a history of being a little crazy. And like I said, he's a good receiver, but he's not good enough to

justify how he acts if that makes sense because look better players are like the really good ones are allowed to behave weirdly because you know they actually help the team but George Pick, you act just like Antonio Brown and you do not put up even close to his numbers. And by the way, I just think it's funny, his own head coach at the University of Georgia, Kirby Smart outright called him undisciplined. So, and it hasn't gotten better.

Then there's DK Metcalf, who you just traded for. A guy who, it's a better kept secret because, oh, look at him, he's just a funny guy. He's DK Metcalf, oh, fiddle-dee-dee, look at him go. But he's another one with an inconsistent motor. He is, he gets these weird motivation issues. And worse yet is how he'll throw his helmet and discuss he'll scream at refs. I remember like, I think it was like two seasons ago, maybe three. It's something that lives rent free in my mind. DK Metcalf was thrown out of a game and he then

tried to come back. Everyone's like, oh that DK and I was the only one that said huh. Can you imagine he did that on a team run by Andy Reid or Pete Carroll? I actually know that was Pete Carroll. What the hell actually know that. What is Pete Carroll? What the hell, Pete? Nevermind. You mentioned that on Andy Reed's team or Bill Belichick's team. Well, he's about to probably do it on Mike Tomlin's team.

So you have these two guys, they're notorious headcases, right? And then you're gonna throw Aaron Rodgers on them. Aaron Rodgers who has a knack for, just for being a character. That's what I'm gonna call to call him a Rogers who has a knack for. Just for being a character. That's what I'm going to call him a character. You know, a guy who will put up a stinker in one game, you know, just like just absolutely fall apart on the field just short circuit. where it's obviously his fault, then the next day he'll go on Pat McAfee and say,

oh my God, it's everyone else's fault. Like remember the whole Mike Williams thing where he's like, he ran the wrong route. No Rogers, you threw a duck. I just, so if you're Pittsburgh, I don't know what you do, but it's not him. But he would make the most sense in Pittsburgh. Then there's the giants and the Vikings.

If you're the Vikings, do if you sign Rogers, do you really not believe in JJ McCarthy? Because that is the message he's sending to me. Either A, you're having Byers or Moors and you just don't think he's that good, or B, his ACL tear, which he got literally before the regular season started, is a lot worse than we thought and he might not be ready for next season, which I highly doubt. Like, I mean, he should be, unless he's behind,

which, hey, it happens. Like, it's been known to happen. You know, sometimes you get setbacks and stuff, but I feel like we would know about it already cuz you know Schefter One of them would have reported it But it is whatever But either way even him signing with the Vikings with Jefferson Addison would at least be fun like I said it's kind of a weird indictment on JJ McCarthy at least to me and

then The New York Giants. I have a buddy, you people at home know him. His name is Justin Hill. He used to be a co-host on the show before he went off to chase his own ambitions. And we'll always be grateful for his time here. He's my friend and I still talk to him. He keeps saying, because remember he's a Giants fan that he wants Aaron Rodgers

Why now I this is something that I talked to him about I'm like why You're not a quarterback away. He has more business on the Steelers and even a little more of the Vikings than he does with the Giants The Giants defense still hasn't been completely patched up. Their offensive line is streaky at best and abysmal at worst, and your entire offense is literally Tyrone Tracy and Malik neighbors and I guess, I guess, Darius Slayton, who you gave the money you should have given to Saquon but neither here nor there. I just I wish Aaron Rodgers would just hurry up and pick a team because last time he was on Pat McAfee he said oh you know I'm

pondering it. Well he didn't say that I'm paraphrasing. I'm just considering it weighing my options. The thing is we know who Rodgers is at this point. He's just doing it for the drama and It's getting really annoying Aaron Rodgers and also from the last segment Cooper Cup chop chop, please free agency is already ground to a halt and I Just I would prefer you actually You know Do something please like like and you know, do something, please.

Like, and when you generate stories, have it be real stuff and, you know, not speculation. And I'll grant it, you can't control that. Although one of you revels in the speculation, Rogers, but it is what it is. So with that out of the way, we will be moving on to the best remaining free agents. There are actually some pretty big names out there, if you can believe it.

I mean, I know it's not, I know like it's already been, like a lot of the big names have already been signed, but trust me, there are still some guys not named Cooper, Kup, and Air Rogers that are still worth talking about. This is the Fumbaruski Podcast. It may not have always showed it in the staff sheet, but you can see him making throws

when he needs to make the throws. Back to back games where he has three touchdowns. Someone's gotta get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie. Truly a lose-lose scenario for both sides. Welcome back to the Fumble Ruski podcast brought to you by Powerade8, Dean Radio and Seeker Weapon Consulting. By now, I hope you know this.

I'm your host, CJ Medeiros, just me today. Let's get rocking, let's get rolling. Let's get to this final segment. But before we do anything, before we do anything, we do have some news. Nothing league breaking, but it's interesting. So the Buffalo Bills, you know, you know how they are. They've been making some pretty nice

under the radar moves, methinks, but this is getting interesting. So as you know, they have signed two linemen this defensive offseason. Michael, I think it's pronounced Hawks, if I'm wrong, Michael, I I'm sorry and Larry Ogonjobi Now those are some solid signings however They will be suspended for the first six games of next season for violating the NFL's Pete

Force enhancing drugs policy. This is per Bill's GM Brandon Bean To which I say Brandon Brandon Brandon Brandon Did you know this this prior to signing them? I really hope not. Oh well, so yeah, Buffalo's gonna be without two free agent additions for the first six games next year. I'm just going to go through position by position and if you hear someone that I've missed that you're upset and talk about, I'm sorry, don't bite my head off. First quarterbacks Yeah, I'm gonna go through position by position here. There's really not a lot of starting caliber guys left. I'll be fully transparent. I think a lot of them can start in a pinch, but if these guys are your guys, you know, going in, if

this is your guy going into next season, you know, might be in trouble. It's very possible. However, we mentioned Aaron Rogers and say what you will about him and you know how crazy he can be. At least he can start. If nothing else, I'll give him that. He's starting caliber and still might have enough juice left for one more season. Same thing goes for Russell Wilson. He's still a free agent. I believe he last spoke to the Browns. And I know I think he's also looking at the Giants. So I feel like Aaron Rodgers is option A for all these teams and Russell Wilson is option

B. And as for other quarterbacks, there's Drew Locke, Joe Flacco, who could forget everyone's favorite third overall pick, Trey Lance. And yeah, that's that's a best pretty much it. I mean, there's Carson Wentz, Cooper Rush, everyone's favorite Desmond Ritter. Bailey Zappi. God love him. Yeah, that's pretty much it for quarterbacks. It's Rogers, it's Wilson, then it's everyone else. Oh, and famous Jameis, of course. Famous Jameis. I love him. I want to see him on another team. He's just a lot of fun. Also, going a bit of a side tangent here, I want wanna see him in the broadcast booth wherever he retires.

He's just great guy, radiates positive energy. He's a lot of fun to listen to. Running backs. Nick Chubb has not been signed yet. J.K. Dobbins also has not been signed yet. Those are probably the two biggest names left. I mean, there are other guys like uh I don't think Jeff

Wilson Jr or Kim Acres have signed anywhere but right now for running backs, it's Chubb and it's Dobbins. They're not going to be homeless forever. I can almost guarantee that they are going to have a home. I mean, unless something crazy happens, and once again, they're just more injured than we think, which has happened. It's been known to happen. So yeah, that's just something to keep an eye out for. Wide receivers. There

are three big names. Not big in production, but just they have the name value. Stephon Diggs, Keenan Allen, and Amari Cooper have not been signed. Now Amari Cooper is probably the worst remaining out of the three because you got to remember, when he was traded to Buffalo from Cleveland, this man pulled the disappearing act He Contributed next to nothing and I get he's oh well. I want to win, but maybe you should Contribute more maybe Buffalo would have won who am I kidding? They can't kiss pass Kansas City in the playoffs come hell or high water He needed Allen based on last season. I do think has some juice left in the tank now he was in a crowded receiver room

with Roma Dunze and DJ Moore, their wide receiver one, but even still he had 70 catches, 744 yards and 7 touchdowns. So let's not pretend he's a bum. And then there's Stephon Diggs, who's probably the biggest enigma out of all of them because he's coming off an injury, an ACL tear in fact, where before that he was doing pretty solidly at 47 catches, 496 yards and three touchdowns. So as a whole, I would say Diggs is probably going to be, I mean, I'm not saying most highly touted,

just because he was coming off an injury. Make no mistake, if he played, if he didn't get hurt and he didn't suffer that gruesome ACL tear, he's probably already signed by now. I'm not even gonna bother going off of tight ends because it's really just, I think Tyler Conkle, I don't think he signed anywhere yet

and then Everyone else it's literally just tyler conkle and the tight end position in general Is considered very top heavy and rightfully so Offensive line If you are a team who needs a tackle, I got news for you. It's Cam Robinson, Jedrick Wills or Bust. Cause there's some other like solid people here, but once again, Cam Robertson and Jedrick Wills

are the only ones that have like real, like good starting experience. I mean, there's, I think Calvin Beecham's out there, that one dude, Cornelius Lucas from the Commanders, but when you need a real left tackle, it's Robinson or it's Wills. Interior, I mean, the biggest one that comes to my mind is Tevin Jenkins at guard,

and then there's Garrett Bradbury at center. Bradbury was recently released. I'm sure Jenkins hasn't been signed yet. He was actually one of the few solid parts of that line, but you know at this point I'm not a GM so maybe I'm not allowed to speak on such issues. Edge Rushers, Charles Amenahue is still out there. Dennis Gardek is still out there. is still out there. Dennis Gardek is still out there. Get this, Matt Judon has not been signed and it gets crazier. Aziz Ojalary has not been signed. Neither has Zedarius Smith or Von Miller. There are definitely some guys that can

come out and at minimum get you seven sacks. So if you need a stopgap at Edrush or maybe get one of those guys, I'm sure they'd love to keep playing. I mean, obviously they would or they'd retire. Linebackers, nobody super consequential. I mean, there's really nobody like, where, oh my God, how's he still a free agent? I mean, I mean, Jermaine Pratt's out there.

That's really all I got, I won't lie to you. As far as like those real off-ball linebackers go. I mean, I was gonna say Jordan Brooks, but I know he's been resigned. I think Zaire Franklin from the Colts has not been signed unless he has, which you know, these things can get really episodes, especially during the off season,

can get real outdated real fast. So it's very possible. And then for defensive backs, the most notable corner left is Stephon Gilmore. And then of course there's other guys like Mike Hilton and Emanuel Mosley. And get this, actually I lied, it's Assante Samuel Jr. How's he not been signed? He's actually pretty good. And then for safety's there's Von Bell, John Johnson, there's also Fuller from the Panthers. There's also Fuller from the Panthers.

Oh, and Whitehead as well. Jordan Whitehead from Tampa. I don't know. Oh, and by the way, by the way, Ben Cleveland, the guard is getting released from the Ravens. He's another free agent. I wanna backtrack. And, can't believe I almost forgot this,

Tyler Lockett. Yikes. And also, he's not a free agent, but there has been some buzz And can't believe I almost forgot this Tyler Lockett. Yikes. And also he's not a free agent, but there has been, but there has been some buzz around Packer Star corner, J Alexander getting traded. So, hey, anything's possible. Am I right? And there's one more thing that I want to talk about

before this show ends. And that my friends is the Cincinnati Bengals. And I'm not gonna say talk about them, talk about them, but we do have some rumors. The Bengals have made per Ian Rappaport and I quote, significant progress on long-term deals with their wide receiver duo, T Higgins and Jamar Chase. They wanna get their deals done as soon as possible.

So there's that. And I would imagine this would officially push Trey Hendrickson out the door. And fun fact, the Bengals want a first rounder for Trey Hendrickson. And if you're a GM, you give up a first rounder for a one year rental on the wrong side of 30, you should be fired.

Trey Hendrickson or not, even though I think he's good, it's just the Bengals have no leverage and there'd be no reason to give up a first. side of 30, you should be fired. Trey Hendrickson or not, even though I think he's good. It's just the Bengals have no leverage and there'd be no reason to give up at first. But once again, that might just be me. And just like that, that's going to do it for this solo edition of the Fumble Ruski podcast. Thank you for listening. We do have our new episodes out on Tuesdays, 730 PM Eastern Time, and Fridays at 5 o'clock PM Eastern Time. Also, please, if you're watching this on YouTube, be sure to subscribe to our channel. We also have all our episodes available on places

that you'll listen to podcasts like Spotify, Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and so much more. And please, please, I beg of you follow our Instagram at fumble Ruskie Underscore podcasts to keep up with not just our podcast but the latest coverage on the NFL in general Otherwise, we will see you next week over now