The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 & Out -Seattle signs Darnold, Bears approach in free agency, State of the 49ers

Episode Date: March 11, 2025

John dives into the start of free agency talking about some of the biggest moves starting with the Seattle Seahawks trading Geno and signing Sam Darnold and why he thinks that is the right decision. Next, John talks about the difference of how the Bears have approached free agency this year compared to last and how they are doing everything to set Caleb up to succeed. Later, John discusses the big name trades that have taken place and which moves he likes and which moves have made him scratch his head. Lastly, John talks about the state of the 49ers. 6:03 - Seattle signs Darnold 17:05 - Bears approach in FA 24:49 - Big name trades 28:06 - Tunsil goes to DC 32:08 - Bucs re-sign Godwin 38:25 - Patriots are signing real players 42:29 - Giants are in trouble 48:29 - State of the 49ers Follow John on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest.  #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you. you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy. Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel. Help an Acapella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the ice. Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam?

It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was crying. You just understood. That's how personal it got.

Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis' keep coming to you. He's like, you know, I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the, IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Therapy is fantastic, but once again, it does not have a monopoly on healing. That's why I create the resources and that's why I create the community because I really just want you to have more access. On the podcast, Cultivating Her Space, Dr. Dom and Terry Lomax create a space where black women can show up fully and be heard. It's tough because we're suppressing our emotions and so many of us are like high-achieving individuals. Listen to cultivating her space on the IHeart Radio app.

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. The volume. What is going on, everybody? How are we doing? It is Monday night and about 7.30. I got off a little bird headed back from Nashville about three hours ago. I recorded a little free agency reaction. Then ate some dinner.

and I saw a use check for the Niners got cut, and I did a little separate, just rant that I put at the back of the podcast, because the 49ers felt like lost their retired team today and are going through this crazy transition because of some poor decisions they have made. So we will talk everything from Sam Darnold to Gino Smith to Justin Fields, D.K. Metcalf, Laramie Tunzel. We had a lot of moves.

NFL free agency is fun. So that's what we'll do today. I said, you know what? I'm not taking a day off. I started getting FOMO actually last night. I'm like, I got to do something. Almost did it last night, but I was like, you know,

I can't just take a deep breath. I thought today was supposed to be the one thing we've learned is the legal tampering period is just free agency. Like everything happens. So by the time we get to Wednesday, I don't know why I, it's part of the reason I put the wedding

is, you know, I thought I had myself like a couple-day buffer, but that was somewhat of a... Wedding was not a mistake, but my timing was probably a day off. But luckily, I'm a podcaster, and we bang something out. And the game plan will just keep reacting all week

to whatever's going on, because as I'm recording this, it's hard because it's such a fluid situation. Aaron Rogers, Russell Wilson, it's going to be fascinating what happens over the next couple days. obviously there are just a lot of random players that get paid. Some become good and some don't.

I mean, some of these contracts are going to be disasters and some of them are going to be steals. And we've known this for a long time. You just never quite know. But it's exciting to watch play out. And these yesterday and today and the next couple days are just are fun. It's fun to talk about this stuff. It's why fantasy football is so big.

So that will be the gameplay. We'll just keep podcast the rest of the week. And I need a good night's sleep because I basically just, we got there Tuesday. Everyone showed up Wednesday. We were raging Wednesday. Raging Thursday. Tried to lay low Friday. Did relatively well.

And then Saturday night was a rager. And I pumped the brakes yesterday. But some other people were still there. I mean, Nashville is a drinker's town. It was fun. But now I'm a married man. and podcasts go on. So we'll talk about the wedding

maybe as the week goes on. But so much going on in football. Very, very excited to talk some football. I've missed talking football. Throw a mic. I mean, you constantly talk football everywhere I go. But other than that, you guys know the drill, subscribe to the podcast,

subscribe to the YouTube page, and let's rock and roll. I do want to start with the Seattle situation. And I've seen a lot of takes flying of why would you take Sam Darnold over Gino Smith? And I think based on the

last several years, Gino has a much longer track record of playing at a pretty high level. He didn't just resurrect his career. He became a pretty good player. And Sam Darnold had 15 games of looking awesome. And I think

what gets lost in the conversation sometimes This is a business, and money really matters. And Gino Smith is going to be 35 this fall. I haven't seen the numbers, and I don't think it's official yet. He's got, you know, hasn't been reported about his contract extension. By all accounts, he's going to get extended. At like $45 million a year.

I would be stunned if the guaranteed money Gino gets isn't well over $100 million. It's not going to be the crazy money, but it's going to be like the Daniel Jones, version of two years later. It's going to be a lot of money. Now, there is no disputing that the last two games of Sam Darnold's Minnesota Viking career cost him a lot of money. He is lucky.

He's not lucky because he did it, but in one of his best games of the season, in an enormous game for Seattle, which ultimately cost them the playoffs, he made some of the best plays of his career and threw a game-winning touchdown, against two years ago the man known as Boy Genius

the defensive coordinator, now the Seattle head coach. So he had a front row seat of seeing that guy. Listen, sometimes that can jade you. I remember Bill Simmons, you talk about it with Doc Rivers. He would always sign these guys that lit him up because he was the GM and the coach. And I'm not saying, obviously, they have a GM there too.

And for John Snyder, $55 million total, it's like a year and a half contract in the NFL quarterback. So it doesn't even limit their ability to make changes over the next couple years if it doesn't go well. But they were not going to give Gino Smith another huge extension at his age. And I don't blame them. And I think you also have to fact, and I like Gino Smith.

I do. And I could understand, like if you just pulled 10 guys, offensive coordinators and coaches that just had one season with the guy next year, it could be 7 to 3 Gino to Sam. and coaches usually like to know I know what I can get and I remember watching the game when Gino got banged up

Sam Howl came in was that a, it's been a long week might have been a national televised game might have a Thursday night game I don't remember but it was on full display like Gino's athleticism is underrated but like you have to factor in contracts

like there were other trades today with enormous names the money plays apart this is a giant fucking business with enormous cash flows. I mean, this is, like, how many businesses do you know that are paying humans 40, 50, 100? Miles Garrett's got $123 million.

So when you make these decisions, it's easy to sign in a week, a guy for one year, $3 million. It wasn't that difficult, though it worked out for Howie last year to give Beckton one year, $4 million. Those are the contracts that, like, are very low risk. When you're talking $100 million, $80 million, these huge signing bonuses to to quarterbacks to tackles to wide receivers

you have to factor it all in the age matters and how fast you can pivot out of it so like I get why they did that and I can say like if I had to choose one of those doors like I get why Seattle chose the door they did I also understand why the Raiders chose the door they did

and they traded a third round pick for a guy that's going to be 35 years old and you're going to have to give them a lot of money and you don't really have that many weapons beside a rookie tied in who's pretty awesome. Jacoby Meyer's not bad either. But I get why SpyTech's doing that. And I get why the money guys are surely going to cut

Gino a big check. Because what they did last year is the worst thing humanly possible to go into a season with just no quarterbacks. In the history of the NFL, you're always going to lose if that's the case. Now you could argue every once in a while, it's like, a guy pops out of nowhere, Kurt Warner.

But they didn't go into the season with Kurt Warner. They went in the season with Trent Green and then he got injured. So like the Raiders went into a season with no quarterbacks. And that is by far the shittiest experience you could ever have. And they just experienced it. And they said, you know what? Fuck this. Not in division with Patrick Mahomes, with Herbert and now with Bo Nix and Sean Payton. We need to get a guy who can play quarterback and just give us a chance because here's a reality. Pete Carroll and Tom Brady, like they want to they want to try to win like eight, nine games next year.

I think it's a little crazy. I would have gone the other way. Like, listen, I love Max Crosby, and I totally understand why Pete Carroll and John SpyTech gave him a lot of money. Well deserved. He's a certified badass. But like, to me, the right move would have been to trade him

and blow the bitch up. But that's not what they're going to do. I would have said the same thing about Miles Garrett. Like, I would have acquiesced. I would have traded him. Right? I would have gave in because of what I could go back and where I'm at. but I also understand like the whole point of these draft picks is to find the guy

and we got the cash here's 130 million miles and it's like miles like I want to trade and then they give him 130 million he's like I'm in brown for life you know max crosby's like are we sure we're winning they're like here's three years a hundred million dollars guaranteed he's like rate it for life so it's like money talk shit walks then next gets back to the gino sam darnald right this is a business and the worst business decision you can make in the NFL is just have no quarterbacks. Now granted, they attempted with Gardner Minchew $15 million. Like, that's an awful investment. And it blew up in their face and he was terrible and they just cut him. And now you get Gino Smith, a guy that you can at least function with. Is he going to

outplay those other quarterbacks in the division? Especially Herbert and Patrick Palms. Probably not. But like, where he gives you a chance is like when you're playing the Titans, when you're playing the Bears, when you're playing the Cardinals, like, you can just win some of those games. And all of a sudden it's like, oh, we're kind of in the wild card mix. maybe in late November, early December. Even if you end up, you know, with eight, eight and nine, there's going to be a point late in the season. We're like, okay, we are credible, functional football team.

And that's why the Raiders trade a third round pick, which is essentially Devante Adams for Gino Smith straight up, because they get that third round pick for Devonte Adams. Now, obviously, you know, Seattle could use Devonte Adams. They don't have any wide receivers. But, yeah, I mean, I think, I was texting with a buddy a couple days ago before this all started. And when Gino first got traded, he said, yeah, you know, rumors were $45 plus million a year.

Like that's what that was the decision. And I think all this stuff, like sometimes the money's pretty jarring. Russell Wilson was benched last year, which I thought was pretty nuts. Then it kind of worked until it didn't because then it got cold and Russell Wilson turned into a pumpkin. And I think this is a great level. lesson. And I think Sam Darnold falls under this too, though Sam just actually had a good season. Be a good guy.

Handle your shit like a pro. Do things the right way. Because what Justin Fields has done these last two years earned him a lot of money. Obviously he's a great athlete. And he can bomb the ball. A lot of question marks about him as a pocket quarterback. And I don't know if anything's changed. I mean, it didn't really in Pittsburgh. But like, you know what? The word is, because all football is, especially

at the highest level, it's like high school drama. Everyone talks to each other. Good and bad. Well, you know what the word is on Justin Fields? Good guy. People really, really like him. Because when Ryan Poles traded him,

remember how well and highly he talked about Fields when he was getting rid of him? It was like, God, I mean, that's pretty impressive. This is a guy, this is a business. Like, get rid of it, number one pick. And he was like the opposite. He was like hell bent on making sure everyone knew how much respect he had for that guy.

and then last year, the way he handled getting benched when they were winning. And what happens at the end of the season when the Steelers fall apart, crumbull? Stories start coming out pretty clear. Mr. Drama, Russell Wilson, leaking shit left and right. Fields didn't say a peep. Just showed up every day. Ray and his couple plays when Tomlin allowed him to go into the game and they were getting their ass kick down the stretch like they do typically these last couple years.

And now he's rewarded because you see. two years, 40 million? You're like, that's kind of crazy. And I'm thinking today on the plane, I'm like, obviously Aaron Glenn knows him, right? He's a defensive coordinator with the line, so he played him, and he understood he's seen him up close and personal countless times. But if you're going to overpay a guy,

you want to feel good about the person. And like, that's, Gino Smith's a good example of that. Like super high character guys last longer in this league. The drama field, again, maybe he gets some enormous contrast. I wouldn't touch Russell Wilson. Too much drama. You could argue Aaron Rogers too, but Rogers is way better than Russell Wilson.

But you could argue, don't touch either of them. Why even mess around with it? Justin Fields is just kind of low-maintenance. Gets along with people. High-character guy. And I don't know if there's going to work. I would probably bet against it. But I also think for the Jets,

it just gives them a guy to play with for a year. Overpay a little bit. You kind of have to, because Pittsburgh was a much better football situation. Right. So if the money, if the money would have been half this, hey, we'll give you two years, $20 million and guaranteed. Pittsburg, just given that, I'm sure. So it's like you have to entice him to come to New York. Obviously, the taxes play a part. It's expensive. And he gets $30 million guaranteed. So good for him. Even though I like, I don't, I'm not betting on this situation like the Jets to be good. But I do think it's cool watching guys just handle their shit the right way.

And where you get paid sometimes is by the bad teams, right? meant you last year. Resirected his career. Boom, gets $50 million from the Raiders. That's your time to cash you out. And the other thing. The Bears, I mean, it is crazy how different last year is from this year. Last year's

Caleb, Caleb, Caleb, Caleb, Caleb. And it was like, offense, passing game, Keenan Allen, Roma, Dunzee. Then they realized, like, if you can't protect the quarterback, none of it matters. I don't remember a team trading for like three

trading slash signing, three high-level starters within, I guess they traded for one of them last week, but Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney, and the Falcons Center today. So within the last five or six days, they have a new guard, center guard combination. And all the guys could kind of, you know, Jonah Jackson can bounce back and forth. Tunis proving he can play left tackle. I mean, these guys got a lot of versatility. But I think we talked about it last week when they, made the trades for the guard,

is like you have to shore up the inside with smaller quarterbacks. That was a huge thing with Sean Payton and Drew Burris. Because those guys, it's harder for them to see. They've got to step up in the pocket to see. And if you can't protect them up the middle, they're going to get lit up like a Christmas tree. But you know my overall take right now in the Bears?

All the predators on Caleb Williams. Offensive line fixed overnight. Not like random. I think this is going to, no, like these guys are high-level starters. fixed overnight. They got the number one coach on the market on offense. Brable would probably be the top coach of the market.

But they got the number one offensive scheme boy genius. They got this year's version of Kyle McVe, O'Connell, LaFleur. They got that guy. So it's like, you got that guy. You got the offensive line fixed. It's like, I'm not doing because a lot of times what happens in Chicago is the organization. Well, it's like they're not skipping. the ball out there. It's the coaching. And listen, sometimes the coaching's shitty. But like,

Justin Fields, a lot of excuses. Caleb Williams last year, a lot of excuses. Like, those are done. It's just like, all the pressure is on you. Number one pick. Just get it done. You know why Josh Allen just got a $250 million contract extension? Guarantee, he got like 330 total. After like, I think it was two years signing his original extension. Because it's like Josh, carry the fucking franchise. And Josh, you know, goes, hey everyone in Buffalo, hop on my back, and I will carry us to the playoffs every single year and give our team by far the best chance to always be the Chiefs. Can't do it, but in fairness, no one can unless the Super Bowl. Like that's what, and that's why he is a total max guy.

Like there is not enough money you can give to Josh. There's just not enough. Right. It's why they just keep funneling him the money. He's the equivalent of like a LeBron in his prime or Steph Curry in his Prime. Just carry my organization. And every single year, so it's like, boom, boom, boom, just a lock to be unreal. That's what we were told about Caleb Williams. And I didn't see many flashes last year, but that year gets a wash. Just like Jared Goff, his first year with Jeff Fisher, complete wash. And then it all changed. McVeigh came, Whitworth came, and they were just off to the races. So to me, if I'm a Bears fan, I'm pretty fired up. Because I'm like, I'm excited to watch Caleb, right? But it's, there's going to be a lot. Now, luckily for him, he's been under the

bright lights for a long time. But like, the pressure's not on the coach, right? I mean, he's, he's proven. He took Jared Goff, who sucked when they got him. It was completely falling apart and turned him into, I don't know, top six, seven quarterback back in the league again. So, I, props to the Bears. I mean, Ryan Poles and that team, they came out gunning this year in free agency. I think sometimes free agency can be overrated. I mean, this is, most of these things we're talking about, or are guards and Justin

Fields getting $40 million. So it's not like Mahomes, Justin Jefferson aren't changing teams here. But exciting. I saw Zach Wilson. Just got some money from the Miami Dolphins, so prop to him. Who's scoring big in the NBA this season? You

are with the all new ways to get in the action at Drafking Sportsbook. An official sports betting part. partner of the NBA. From dunks to assists to rebounds, get behind your favorite player and the prop bets you can make on Draft Kings, the home of NBA player props.

Ready to place your first bet? Try betting on something simple, like picking how many points your favorite player will have. Go to Draft King Sportsbook and make your first pick. First time, here's something special just for you. New Draft King customers bet five bucks to get 150 in bonus bets instantly. Take it to the rack with Drafking Sportsbook.

Every point counts. Download the Drafking Sportsbook app and use the code John, that's code J-O-H-N for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets when you bet just $5. Only on Draft Kings. The crown is yours.

Gambling problem, call 1-800 Gambler. In New York, call 877-8-HopenY or text Hope-N-Y-4-67-369. In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling called 888-78-9-777 or visit ccpg.org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casinoin Resort in Kansas, 21 and over, age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction, void in Ontario.

Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. Four additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng.com slash audio. Hey, it's us to Jonas brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember.

I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas.

And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite.

Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letter help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs,

on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Genshin won. I mean, she went down to three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface.

Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days I'd put on 10 pounds, I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, some big name trades. I got to be honest, this one made me scratch my head. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded a second round pick for D.K. Meckaff and then reportedly plan on giving him a ton of money. I like D.K. McCaff. and I defended like, hey, Seattle, you better be very careful.

You trade this guy. I get it can be a little different. And he's falling off a little of these last couple years of some injuries. Get some penalties. You just drive Pete nuts. But his talent's elite. To me, he's like the little lesser version of like Terrell Owens in his prime. Complete freak show.

And just him being on the field, like Tyreek, changes your offense. It makes everyone on the other side a little scared. But what I think the Pittsburgh is, Steelers, it's like you guys have no quarterback. It's like, yeah, you need some more offensive weaponry. But like the last thing I would have done until I can just like, you did not have a court, Justin Fields was not signed. Even if you sign Aaron Rogers, he's 41 years old.

To trade for D.K. Meck half, I like rap sheet. But he's like, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally land their star wide receiver. It's like, yeah, that's usually cool. Like when the Eagles landed AJ Brown after they had other shit figured out. I watched your defense last year. It sucked down the stretch. And again, I'm pro D.K. Metcalf. But trading a second round pick for him, pretty high one,

you can just, where was DK drafted? In the second round. Like, what does Pittsburgh Steelers do better than most? Develop sweet wide receivers. I just don't quite understand that one. If you would have told me the bills did this, the chiefs did this, the Ravens don't technically need them,

but a team like that, the Chargers, who I saw people tweeting like, and maybe I talked about this last week, people were like, Jim Harbaugh, going to trade for D.K. Metcalf. You think if you've watched Jim Harbaugh's coaching career

for the last 15 plus years, Stanford, Niners, Michigan, and now the Chargers, you think he would trade a second round pick, which is extremely valuable in the NFL, especially in this draft, where people are saying there's not much difference from the 15th overall player

to the 50th overall player. So the talent discrepancy is not wide and give that guy a lot of money. Even though that wouldn't even be that crazy a move, I think he'd be sweet on the chargers. But philosophically, Jim Harbaugh just doesn't believe into that. If Jim Harbaugh had done it, I'd have been like, damn, Jim kind of got out of his comfort zone. Maybe they think he's a player away. What did Jim do? Gave $18 million to Clemack.

And I just, I don't know, man. I just, my first reaction was I don't like it. I just don't think it makes that much sense. I really don't. Andy's just like adding more, just weirdness to that room. Even though D.K.'s proven to be like a winning player, you can't say the other thing for Pickens.

I don't know. I just, I didn't see that one coming. We saw D.K. getting traded coming, but just not to the Steelers. Okay, Laramie Tunzel traded today. This is another example of the Sam Darnold thing. It's like, the future, just traded Laramie Tunzel?

He's in the last year of his. contract. And right before we took off, I just saw the plane or the trade happened on my phone, right before we were leaving. I'm like, what's his contract status? Well, he can be cut next year for no dead money. So I would imagine his current contract has no guaranteed money. So what do you think Laramie Tunzel wants right now? An enormous contract. He's going to want, what do top tackles get? 120 guaranteed on a $200 million contract. So the Texans, clearly we're not comfortable giving them that contract. So if you're not comfortable giving them that contract,

what do you do? You shop the guy. Because he's got value. And this is what the Washington commanders did when they attacked free agency. It was like, well, you can just pay a bunch of guys. Well, it's like free agencies kind of hit or miss. I like Adam Peters.

Don't quite understand the Ken Law contract. I don't. I get you need a defensive tackle. And I get you've been around him. That one was, we're going to disagree on that one. but the Laramie Tunzel one, like the Debo one, makes a lot of sense. You get two former, I mean, Tunzel's a better player than Debo these last couple years, but you get high-level winning players that are in contract situations,

and you trade draft picks to acquire their salary. Instead of paying 20, 15, it's actually incredible for the owner. And it's also why when we talk about cap space, it's like, well, who are you going to go by? Well, you can also use picks to acquire. players and fit in that cap space. So they get Laramie Tunzel and Debo, and maybe within the next couple days, maybe by the time you listen to this, Laramie Tunzel

signed an extension. Or maybe they just go, listen. If you ball out this year, if I'm at him, like, I've been around Trent Williams, and we broke him off when he was older than you, Laramie. So if you dominate this year, we got no problem giving you a big contract. And they acquired him, like, guys like Laramie Tunzel don't hit free agency. Look at who's supposed to be the best tackle in free agency this year.

Ronnie Stanley doesn't hit, free agency. So you kind of got to understand like the only way to acquire that player is to a trade. And I think Adam Peters, the Debo move and the Laramie Tunzel move are just good moves with your cap space. If you're not comfortable paying the whoever their equivalent is in free agency where you have to give way, you know, crazier contracts to. And you're stuck for several years. So to me, that was the, I don't have all the details I wrote down. They're giving their third round pick this year and their second round pick next year. So there is, they are incentivized for Laramie Tunzel to play well. And if he does, they extend him and they'll go, well, we make

the playoffs again, we give you a late third round pick this year, next year if we're in the second round, that's the 24th pick of the second round. So I think if you're Adam Peters, like I like that move a lot. Now, if you're the Texans, I think whatever's going on there, you just weren't comfortable with the player giving him big money. And I was reading online, a lot of false starts last year, definitely just talented player, blue chipper. I mentioned this earlier, but Tampa, it's just pretty rare to have two stud wide receivers and have them both be just so low maintenance. And one story I saw today is like, Chris Godwin, the Patriots were offering $20 million more.

Well, yeah, on the total contract. But if I was a player, especially a guy like Godwin, who's made millions of dollars, I would look everything from a net income perspective because we're talking so much bleeping money that when you just throw out $20 million, this isn't like, that's why I've always hated the word. Oh, get your bag. Bags are what mafia members handed politicians

or what boosters used to hand kits and they had $10,000, $20,000 cash. These guys get millions of dollars through bank accounts that have taxes deducted because they're W-2 employees. So $20 million to go to, as Bill Belichick once called it, Taxitutes, compared to Tampa Bay, is not even remotely close to $20 million.

It honestly, one, you'd have to cut that $20 wherever you're playing, borderline in half, so you're talking $10, and it might be the difference of $3 or $4 million at the end of the day. So when you say about staying in Tampa, you go, well, I'm comfortable with the quarterback here. I'm comfortable with my wide receiver mate. I like playing here from a living standpoint. I would much rather live in Tampa.

It's safe to say if you're Chris Godwin than Boston, Massachusetts. And this is where I want to play. So I think sometimes took a lot less money. Well, kind of. You know, $4 or $5 million to a guy that's going to be worth at the end of the day, $150 million, making a decision to stay in a state. He likes much more than another state. Isn't that crazy?

honestly it probably happens a lot relative to how much money normal people make it probably happens on a daily weekly basis I was at a wedding talking with friends that are in all sorts of industries they make these decisions all the time it might be over 50 grand

or 100 grand say no not interested it's not worth my time I don't want to pick up and move my shit don't want to move my kids $5 million ain't changing my life it would me but if you're Chris God, just like $50,000 might not change your life. Money's all relative. I hate when that's said,

and it's so often said during this stuff. It's a different conversation in like the Luca contract. When he got traded, he lost $120 million. Sometimes you see these baseball contracts. You're talking like $6, $700 million. This is a different stratosphere. Then like, he would have extra $20 million, well, $20 million total? Like we got to be adults here. We're grownups. This is every team. What's the NFL worth? $100 billion? More than that.

$200 billion? This is real money's exchanging hands here. Devante Adams signs with the Rams. I hate to say it, but I love it. I just feel like this thing's going to work. You get Devante with Puka, with Matt Stafford. It's just an upgrade over Cooper Cup.

And listen, I know, you know what's funny is like, sometimes, and listen, I've been fired twice, fired by the Eagles, and I was fired in radio. And at the time, I was so mad. At the time it was happening, now like Cooper Cup, I was in my late 20s, early 30s, I was angry. And now looking back, I laugh.

Why would you want to be with people who don't value you anymore? And it's like you also make, like you have to understand, you make a lot of money, and you don't produce at that level anymore. But like Sean McVeigh, like they're kind of over you. If anything, that should be, it happens all the time in the NFL.

And guys go to other places and have a lot of success. I will guarantee, now you're going to have to take a pay cut. All the good teams in the NFL are going to be interested in Cooper Cup. Now, at a price point, they're not going to give you

Devante Adams money. What do you get two years, $46 million, I think 25 year, or something. Cooper Cup might get one year $5 million. That might happen. I remember when I was around the Raiders and they signed Michael Crabtree

to like a one year, $3 million deal. That he had an incredible, everyone thought he was like, shot, no one wanted to touch him. Had a huge season and then he got like a three year contract. It happens all the time. Like this notion that you're just careers over because Sean McVeigh doesn't want you. It's like

I feel like sometimes listen, I want to like Cooper Cup. I have nothing against the guy. The pity party around, like, him getting cut or traded over the last, like, six months has been fucking laughable. I mean, we have seen dramatically better players in the history of the NFL get treated way worse than just like Sean McVeigh is like, yeah, we might trade you. It's like, bro, you make $20 million.

You're hurt all the time these last couple years. What do you think is this? Fantasy football? Mike Vrable just signed real players. And I think sometimes when you are really, really crappy, and that's what the Patriots were, they were really bad. Now, obviously, poorly coached too, but they just look pretty bad, talent-wise. You got a bunch of money, just sign some guys that can just plug and play.

The number one thing you can do as a coach, I think you always want to do when you first get a job, is sign someone that knows you, right? Just some players who are probably going to be starters that know the way you do things, know the way you lead meetings, know the way that, like, you structure stuff. And the Landry signing,

the pass rusher from Titans, no-brainer, easy decision. It happens every time one of these guys gets a new job. But, like, signed Milton Williams. Like, that's just a real defensive tackle. Like, that guy's good.

In a perfect world, the Eagles would love to keep them. Obviously, financially, they just can't. Like, Mac Collins, like, that's just a real NFL player. He's not a number. number one, he's not even a number two, but like, that's a guy. If you're playing the bills, if your team's not bad, you can just compete with him on the field.

Shit, he was just starting for the bills. Megan plays. The guy's a good player. And Carlton Davis, I haven't seen all the details from the money, and sometimes it's hard to decipher it all. But the bottom line is like, Carlton Davis is an NFL corner. Morgan Moses is an NFL tackle. He's got some NFL players. And now you can go into the draft and take some big swings.

Try to hit some home runs. Try to get some superstar talent. But I don't think it's inconceivable that if three of these guys can be like big impact guys, you hit on some draft picks and, almost said Mack Jones. And Drake May is good

that like the Patriots can win nine, ten games. Like Mike Frable's a real coach. Listen, when I said the pressure's on Caleb Williams, I don't know if Ben Johnson's a good head coach or not. I know he's a great offensive schemer. Being a head coach is completely different. We got no clue. I know Mike Vrable is a good coach.

Like that's an objective truth here. It's just factual. We have seen him win enormous playoff games as huge underdogs on the road. Typically in a playoff game, if you're a big underdog, you're going to be a road team. But you know what I mean? So props of the Patriots, finally getting Kraft to, Kraft doesn't like giving that money out, you know. Robert likes to keep it that thing for himself.

A couple more. Denver Broncos. I thought they had one of the better, like, just, I'm not talking statistically, just when you watch them. Team speed-wise, one of the faster and just harder hitting defenses in the NFL. And to add who funga and Dre Greenlaw,

like I would say two of the 49ers, more physical players, honestly, two of the better players of the team, team two years ago that lost to the chiefs in the Super Bowl in Vegas. Now, both these guys have been injured. He fungus at ACL, hurt his thumb, Greenlaw hurt his Achilles, and then tried to come back and then he did and he killed everyone for a half.

And then his other hamstring went and he couldn't stay on the field. But if either one of these guys are healthy, let alone both of them, you have two absolute hammers. These guys will put anyone into the ground in the end. NFL. So you have two of the harder hitters in the NFL. So now you're looking at a good defense with an offense that now can just draft players. So it's like, who's Denver going to draft in the first couple rounds? A tight end, a running back. You can invest there around Bo Nicks, guys for him to grow up with, and they're throwing money at the defense. And their defense is

already good. So I really like, you know, those two signings for Denver. Honestly, they just hit on one of the two of them. If Drake Greenlock could stay healthy next year, you'll be a pro-bowler. The Giants, I just think that they are in major trouble. Because at the end of the day, the Titans have a choice. If they stay at number one, they're going to draft one of two players. It's going to be the quarterback.

It's going to be the past rusher. And if they take the quarterback, you know, the team is not good enough. And we saw a couple years ago with Chador was on a not-a-talented enough team against better competition. And they got their ass kicked. So the Giants could not go in with this roster,

Wichador Sanders, and have any chance of winning. Now, big picture, it might not be a crazy move to get a quarterback on the roster. But like Brian Daible and Joe Shane need to attempt to win this year. They're going to get fired. Right? So it's, are they going to sign Russell Wilson, Aaron Rogers? And by the time you're listening to this, maybe they've signed one of these guys. But, man, I think they're in trouble.

The Chiefs have signed Jalen Moore. He was Trent Williams. And really, he can play both spots. I'm pretty sure he played right tackle a couple years ago as well. But he can play left tackle. He's just a talented young player. He didn't get to play a lot because Trent Williams on the team. So Chiefs gave him a little money.

I'm pretty sure this guy has versatility to play both spots. He's clearly a high-level guy and like that signing a lot. Colts, Terver. Ward and Cam Bynum, the safety from Minnesota in the Niners Corner. Bynum's the guy that does all the cool dances. And like those signings. But, you know, the one thing is when free agency, besides some of the trades, like with Tunzel, D.K., Gino, some of these names, it's like,

free agency can be really, really overhyped. Because in basketball, you know Kevin Duran or LeBron James or Yokic, like, is going to be a free agent this year, right? Same thing in baseball. You knew Juan Soto or you named Aaron Judge last year going to be a free agent. And then, you know, in the NFL, that's just not the case. Guys resign, guys get franchised.

And you get big names, you know, that older players typically that are cut. And guys like Talanoa Hufunga and Dre Greenlaw, who have just been battling major, major injuries. So we're going to keep the content flowing. and just wanted to get something, get my juices flowing. But Aaron Rogers, Russell Wilson, who knows? Maybe we'll get some more trades in the next couple of days, exciting times. And Miles Garrett and Max Crosby went from like, are they on the block to about 250 combined million dollars guaranteed.

So money talks, baby. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it.

We just contributed to a... We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And...

Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas,

and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends.

me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I, competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenschen, I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rabakina is arguably the best player in

in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface, because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court-side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full. year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, I did want to do something really quick on the state of the 49ers because it's pretty crazy what has happened to them over the last, I don't know, ever since the Debo trade, they have lost. Now, we knew a lot of these guys were going to be gone, but to me there was a tipping point last year

when a good team and a good GM and a good head coach, part of sustaining high levels of play, is being cutthroat. Andy Reid's done it. Belichick made a career out of doing it. Bill Walsh became a legend because of it. Sometimes even guys you like, and have won with, you've got to say

Sianara. And I don't ever remember a team regretting a contract faster all while changing their business plan overnight, like the Brandon IU contract. Now, I'm not here to toot my own horn.

I thought it was nuts last year that they were going to give them $75, $80 million guaranteed when their offense isn't built like that. and he, listen, he wasn't really, obviously got injured, but paying a guy that much money, he was never going to catch more than 80 balls to me is insanity. And they had just learned their lesson

a couple years previously with Debo Samuel. And today, the 49ers just informed Kyle Eusecheck. He's being cut. Like, in a vacuum, none of these moves are that crazy. Kyle Eustache's been on the team for nine years. That is an incredible run in the national football. league. And that wasn't his first team. Right? He played, he had a four-year career with the Ravens. Kyle Eusecheck has had an incredible

career. And his run with the Niners was awesome. Was a part of every big game they ever had. That isn't that weird? No, I hate to say it, but not many teams, the fullback, changing the way teams play, even though I think Kyle will always use some sort of hybrid tight end. Hufunga, who might not even have been a starter anymore, but a couple years ago wasn't all pro. Gray Greenlaw, if it's not for injury, is a lock starter. Tarvarious Ward, four-year starter for him. Aaron Banks, several year starter at guard, got a ton of money from the Packers. The number I saw, again, you never quite know, seemed a little nuts.

Their backup tackle Jalen Moore, which is kind of a big deal given one of their best players, Trent Williams also gets injured a lot. I just think that, you know, and luckily, if you're the Niners, like, all your players are signing with good teams. I mean, you know, commanders, NFC championship. The Chiefs will take Jalen Moore. The Broncos playoff team will take Hufunga and Dre Greenlaw. The Packers' playoff team will take Aaron Banks. It's not like they're going to shitty teams.

So it shows you like this team was one of the best teams in the NFL for a long time because of these guys. And I'm not even saying like they should sign all these guys. But it's just like you don't have to be this abrupt. this is how you sustain. Look at what the Chiefs did. Several years ago. Tyree Kill, Adios. And you could combine Debo and Brandon Ayuk

and they weren't as good as him and his prime. And he reads cutthroat. You've got to make those moves. And it does feel like, so the stories coming out about the 49ers, Mike Silver, writing about Jed, wanting him to, like, not get so emotional. Like, listen, I respect this about Sean McVeigh

a couple years ago. He just, like, turned on guys. And he's even apologized. He did it too. publicly, but that's part of the business this is in. Like, you need to be able to pivot to a new player. And, like, they got very emotional and they're high-priced guys. And now it's like, we will trade Debo Samuel.

We will trade Brandon Ayuk. It's like, shouldn't you probably have done that before you signed one of the two guys and had a lot more money to spread it around to sustain, especially after you fucked up on the Trey Lance decision? Which, listen, it was a tough year. to draft the COVID year, but there's no way around. It's one of the worst draft decisions in the history of the league to go from 12 to 3, trade all those first round picks, and completely whiff on a guy who's just horrendous. I mean, that set the team, that move,

and all the moves when it came to paying, like, I understood why they paid Debo. He carried him the NFC championship, and he wasn't really good for a couple years. The IU, thing, like you should have learned from that situation. Trade them for a second and a third, but it's like, no, we need to get a first. Like, come on, man. Second and a third, see you, audio, peace, Godspeed. And they, like, couldn't do it. And now they're in this position of, it's not the end of the world.

Luckily, they got high draft picks because they sucked this year. But you're paying a quarterback, a ton of money, which, who knows what that number is going to be, that we all acknowledge is not nearly as good as these other guys. the top guys making huge cash and winning MVP's. So he is very dependent on guys being around him that can play. Look at your main competition in the NFC in terms of the best teams. Obviously, when the Lions are healthy, what do they have? Elite talent around Jared Goff.

What do the Eagles have around Jalen? Elite talent. And then those guys, you know, Jared didn't, but Jalen came through. Just like if Brock has the elite talent around him, he can come through. but he ain't like taking me and you overachieving to 10 wins. That's not what it's going to be. We saw it this year. You're trying to win games against shitty teams at the end of the year and it's kind of unravel.

You need a really good team. And now I think it's pretty clear they're trying to do that Rams thing where you like punt off a bunch of guys and you like nail a bunch of draft picks for a couple years. It's like, well, I don't know. Are we sure you can do that? That's pretty difficult to do. It's a tough little move to make. So I just think this is a

It's a very, very fascinating, interesting offseason for the 49ers because this was one of the best rosters in the entire league. He had established himself as one of the best coaches in the league. They were one of the more well-run teams in the league. And now it just feels pretty chaotic. And like the coach got really emotional. Now the owners get like, and one thing I don't want to hear with Jed, and this story's kind of out there with Silver and some guys,

about the money and the cutting costs, give me a fucking break. This place has been an absolute cash cow. You know, like Navidia for the last five or six years. Printing unlimited money. We spent a lot too. Well, you made even more. That's why Jeffrey spends a lot,

because he's making way more. So I just like cutting costs, it's like, give me a fucking break. Whenever I hear about good teams talking about cutting costs, I want to throw up in my mouth. Doesn't mean you just pay whoever, right? But like the money should,

it shouldn't even hesitate of where we're going to, we have no problem allocating huge cash for good players. And it feels like, yeah, we're going to pick our spots now. It's like, oh my God. I just think this thing is teetering. Now it's football, not freaking out over an offseason. I love whofunga, especially Greenlaw. Guys are injured.

Charvarius had already established. not coming back. He had tragic situation. It was not even going to be an option. Nine aren't going to pay him anyway, but like it was over. The use check thing, I love Kyle, like him personally. Talk to him a lot over the years. But like also, I do understand nine years at that position.

I mean, they almost cut him last year. They got him take a pay cut. Again, like I said, I'm not overreacting to one individual move. I do think it just is all symbolic. And I think it just goes back pretty clearly. the last season in the offseason. When the Niners aren't used to getting played, and for a long time,

you know, they took advantage of everybody from Willis to Bowman. They could always get these guys to sign early and get these cheap team-friendly deals and the one big quarterback contract they had right before it really blew up Kaepernick, they completely played his agent. It was a year-by-year contract.

The Jimmy thing seemed crazy, and it actually was nothing. And Jimmy ended up playing on the team for like six years or, four or five years. So it didn't even matter. But I think they know these players don't lose as much anymore.

Like even if you take a team friendly deal, you're still getting astronomical amounts of money now. So I'm not saying this is the NBA, but good players have a lot of juice. And last year, they were used to just typically, you know, and Parag is one of the best in the league. But like, Iyuk won and took them to the cleaners in that negotiation.

and that really rattled them. And it feels now they're pivoting because they're so shook from that moment to now doing whatever is going on. And it's going to be fascinating to watch how this all plays out. They just, their team is not as deep because of the Trey Lance disaster. And they went from being this like,

I mean, absolute powerhouse to like, I don't know. I don't feel as confident. I'm not, I wouldn't, their schedule is a joke. But if you said right now, especially with this stock market right now. Middle cop $5,000. Yes or no? Playoffs.

I just couldn't put it confidently on yes. I'd like to, I'd probably lean that way just because their schedule is so bad. But I don't know. They've got a lot of unknown guys that are going to be in positions. And I'm watching these good teams just kind of like the Broncos, add. Chiefs, they ain't going away.

Add. Right? Don't really, like, Naji Harris runs hard. $10 million, a little rich for my, but the charge ain't going away. They're going to keep adding and drafting. So the Niners, man, just, and they're going to have, who knows what this number is going to look like with Purdy. But does feel just at the point in time, if they were a boat, they'd be rocking. And be like, I don't know if they're going to capsize, but it doesn't feel like that's a very stable place to be right now.

The volume. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy. Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam. It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Tolodano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs.

We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was hungry. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come until he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love.

This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Therapy is fantastic. But once again, it does not have a monopoly. on healing. That's why I create the resources and that's why I create the community because I really just want you to have more access. On the podcast, Cultivating HerSpace, Dr. Dom and Terry Lomax create a space where black women can show up fully and be heard. It's tough because we're suppressing

our emotions and so many of us are like high achieving individuals. Listen to cultivating her space on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart Podcasts. Guaranteed human.