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00:00NFL free agency underway as of yesterday afternoon, the legal tampering window around the league and despite Twitter being down in the update slow to come at the very start.
00:12We saw a flurry of moves in free agency yesterday and of course Donnie will break it all down here on the early line in this opening hour, but we start with the most important position in football and the biggest quarterback name in free agency.
00:27Sam Donald after a career year in Minneapolis has a new home, the newest quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks after dealing Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night to set the stage for an opening at the QB spot.
00:41Sam Donald signs a three year one hundred and a half million dollar deal to become the newest starting quarterback for the Seahawks.
00:50Again, a career year in Minnesota gets Sam Donald paid.
00:54He will look to provide that stable floor in the Pacific Northwest these next few seasons.
00:59Yeah, interesting to see what that offense does now because you have a pretty good stable of running backs there, a decent offensive line.
01:05You figure you have your franchise quarterback.
01:06We'll see if he plays as well in the regular season as he did last year with the Minnesota Vikings.
01:10Jackson Smith and Jigba, the lone standing guy, you could say at the wide receiver position, but that's what you have a draft for draft capital and you're going to fill in the blanks there.
01:18So this could be a reset of Seattle who won 10 games last year and felt that their roster wasn't strong enough to compete over the next couple of years, primarily because they didn't think their quarterback was worth as much money as he thought he was getting here.
01:30So I do believe they got a younger quarterback, which obviously they did.
01:33Donald's younger than Geno Smith and also at the same time, probably figuring they paid him thirty three and a half million when Geno was probably asking for around 40 to 40 plus at this point here.
01:42And also didn't just cut him here, traded him and got draft capital back.
01:46I really like what the Seattle Seahawks are doing because I'm now under the impression as I get older, either trying to build for a future championship or you're doing it wrong.
01:54If you feel your organization doesn't have the necessary tools to compete for a deep playoff run, which means making the playoffs and winning at least one playoff game.
02:02Why not scrap it, start over and try to rebuild from scratch?
02:05That's a healthy organization in Seattle.
02:07I like the moves they're making.
02:10Let's start with the player first and then we'll get to the finances behind it, because that's also a pretty equal part of the conversation.
02:17Sam Donald last year for the Vikings was brought in maybe as a bridge quarterback to provide some veteran guidance for the young J.J.
02:24McCarthy, who Minnesota is in love with drafted 10th overall at a great preseason debut.
02:30But at some point in that preseason opener tore his meniscus and was out for the entirety of his rookie campaign in the NFL.
02:38So Sam Donald quickly goes from maybe in a quarterback battle, maybe a veteran leader to now the guy for Minnesota.
02:46Not much was expected.
02:48He leads the Vikings to 14 wins with a career best season.
02:53Donald, of course, drafted third overall by the Jets back in 2018.
02:58Never fully fulfilled that promise in New York with his struggles or in Carolina, his next stop.
03:04But after a career year as a backup in San Francisco, he makes his way to the Vikings.
03:11And you see those numbers if we can go back to them.
03:14Four thousand three hundred and nineteen.
03:17And it's seven years in the NFL.
03:19Sam Donald has actually started double digit games five of seven years, including twenty twenty four DRS.
03:25Last year was the only time he threw for more than three thousand and twenty five yards, more than 20 touchdowns.
03:32Those were the second fewest interceptions in his five years, starting at least ten games, a career year by all accord.
03:40But there was some question, of course, after some disappointing performances in the two biggest games for the Vikings a season ago.
03:48The regular season finale against the Detroit Lions, that opening round playoff game against the L.A. Rams.
03:54Sam Donald went from being, oh, maybe this guy has a lot left in the tank as a face of the franchise?
04:00Question mark to, OK, maybe a consistent quarterback, but does it really elevate the ceiling?
04:06But as Donnie is really laid out, Seattle's not all that interested in elevating the ceiling,
04:11but looking for a consistent QB to help in this rebuild restructuring in the northwest.
04:17Exactly. And the NFL, the good part is it's not like the NBA where sometimes you've got to take years and years and years.
04:23You can have quick rebuilds all the way because the one thing the NFL does appropriately is if you're a bad football team,
04:28you get the benefit of an easier schedule and also the benefit of a higher traffic to help you do that.
04:33Now, understanding this, are we expecting Sam Donald to be the exact same quarterback in the regular season he was last year with Minnesota?
04:39Now in Seattle, that's a tall task because you have the best wide receiver in football, a very competent running game,
04:44a great play caller and weapons all around them.
04:46Now, still, as I said, you're going to get a solid offensive line in Seattle, a good running game and a very good young wide receiver to grow with,
04:52because understand this, growing with Gino Smith will turn 35 next year.
04:56That's not a plan. Growing with a player in his late 20s that you feel finally unlock something
05:01and you can get him in his prime for the next six to seven to eight years.
05:04If things go well, that's a perfect rebuild.
05:06And also he didn't go out and say, hey, quarterback starters, 50 million dollars.
05:11You got him for thirty three and a half million dollars, a valuable starting quarterback.
05:14And as I said, you didn't cut, you know, Smith, you flip them for a draft pick as well.
05:19It's a good day for the Seattle Seahawks and their fans.
05:22Clint Kubiak hired as the offensive coordinator by Seattle this offseason.
05:27He was off to a great start last year in New Orleans.
05:29It is a very similar system where Kubiak spent time in Minnesota under Kevin O'Connell in 2023 with Kyle Shanahan
05:38when the backup QB for the 49ers was Sam Darnold as the passing game coordinator.
05:43So there is familiarity there, of course, for Sammy D.
05:47Now, in terms of the finances, DRS, three year, one hundred and a half million dollars,
05:52because as you and I were getting everybody ready here on T.E.L.
05:56and across the Spiz Grizz network for free agency, we said Sam Darnold top quarterback in the market
06:02as it pertains to free agency.
06:04The question was where Seattle and how much three year, one hundred and a half million,
06:11thirty three and a half million per year.
06:13Fifty five mil guarantee.
06:15I asked you this very question yesterday.
06:17What do you think is fair market value?
06:19What would you be comfortable spending on Sam Darnold?
06:22You said somewhere between thirty and thirty five million dollars.
06:25Right smack dab in the middle.
06:27It feels like a fair deal for Sam Darnold to take the reins in Seattle.
06:32And also understand this like these are reworkable numbers.
06:35So Darnold goes out next year, makes the pro bowl and he's your franchise guy.
06:38He's getting re-upped again next year for a longer extension.
06:41It's almost like the bottom of the basement saying, you know what?
06:44I got a starter who was very good last year and I just had a starter here.
06:47That's a little bit older and I didn't want to pay as much.
06:49I think it's a win in both spots because if he does flame out,
06:52it's not a contract that is really going to set back your franchise all that much.
06:55So I do want to see what the actual contract details come out with the, you know,
06:58the guaranteed monies go up against what some of those voidable years on the back end.
07:02But today, if you ask me, Seattle, a better football team moving forward than what they were.
07:06I'll say yes.
07:08Fifty to one yesterday to win a Super Bowl.
07:10Now 46 to one, the market like Donnie.
07:13Loves the moves that John Schneider has made in the last few days.
07:17Now to New York, Justin Fields is a jet.
07:20From Sam the Seahawk to now Justin the Jet.
07:23Justin Fields testing the free agency.
07:26Waters makes his way to New York on a two year,
07:30$40 million deal to take the reins under new guidance in New York with gangrene.
07:37$30 million guaranteed.
07:39Justin Fields, who just turned 26 earlier this month, about a week ago,
07:45after four years in the NFL, started the first six games for Pittsburgh a season ago.
07:51Now the newest QB for the New York Jets.
07:54Donnie, you have been fond of this new regime for this Jets franchise.
07:59Aaron Glenn, the new head coach, Darren Mooji, the new GM.
08:02What did you make of this move in the signing of Justin Fields yesterday?
08:06I thought it was great.
08:07Let's understand both parties here involved.
08:09Like Justin Fields feels like, you know, I came into the NFL, didn't get a lot of help in Chicago.
08:13Then I go over to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
08:15I never even got a chance to play with them.
08:17So it's interesting that you were hearing behind the scenes.
08:19Justin Fields saying, I'm not going to play for the Steelers unless you tell me like I'm the starter.
08:22Like I don't want any competition.
08:24You danced around it last year.
08:26You know, I had a winning record.
08:27I didn't get to play much there.
08:28And it was apparent that you didn't like me as the franchise.
08:30So I thought it was his best to move on.
08:32But also you saw me put out on Twitter and talk about it yesterday saying, you know,
08:35now that you have different components in Pittsburgh and added wide receivers,
08:38it's up to you to get a true pocket passer.
08:40And Fields wasn't that.
08:41So the next best move was, OK, I'm going to get out of town.
08:43Where can I go?
08:44Go to a franchise that's not going to have any pressure next year to win,
08:48which means you can work out the kinks.
08:50You can put your work ethic in.
08:51You can show that organization.
08:53You can be that franchise guy on a good contract for him.
08:56But a look see contract per se for the Jets themselves.
08:59The Jets are coming in with Garrett Wilson.
09:01And as you said, he liked that move.
09:02Garrett Wilson likes anything other than Aaron Rodgers.
09:05He says, I'm the number one wide receiver here.
09:07You brought all your friends in.
09:08All you do is throw them the football.
09:09Anything would be better than Aaron Rodgers.
09:11So, yes, he's going to be excited.
09:13But also understand this.
09:14If Justin Fields fails, it means they didn't have a good season
09:17and they can find their quarterback of the future in the draft.
09:20If Justin Fields is good, you go, wow, I just signed my guy.
09:23Didn't have to use draft capital.
09:25Found my franchise guy.
09:26Now let's build around this guy and give him the weapons he never had in Chicago.
09:31Because most people just see like, oh, Justin Fields, you know,
09:33average player in the NFL.
09:34What are the Jets actually doing?
09:36Understand what the prognosis for the Jets is this year.
09:39Clean house.
09:40Find young talent that's willing to win.
09:42And if you do, start to build for the future.
09:45We said it all along, Ben, at least I did as well.
09:47When you get a new head coach in town, it's okay for you to say, hey,
09:51let's keep everybody around because this is a free year.
09:53They got right to business here.
09:55The Jets finally, as I said, for their fan base, you got your franchise back.
09:59It's time for the good times to roll.
10:01It might not equate to wins and losses this year,
10:03but I love what we're doing as a foundation for this team, Ben.
10:07Yeah, no doubt about it, DRS.
10:09And Garrett Wilson, fond of this move with Justin Fields for good reason.
10:14In the two years they shared together in Columbus,
10:17even in the shortened year in 2020,
10:19Garrett Wilson averaged more than 90 yards per game,
10:22had eight receiving touchdowns in only eight games for the Buckeyes.
10:27Justin Fields was prolific, historic during his time at Ohio State,
10:32hopes to replicate that in New York.
10:35And you know what is so fascinating, Donnie, about the Jets?
10:37The world of expectation.
10:39Every single NFL eyeball and notoriety on the Jets the previous two seasons
10:45because of Aaron Rodgers.
10:46Those expectations in large part are out the door,
10:49or at least maybe more fitting for a franchise that has not made it to the
10:54postseason in 14 consecutive years.
10:56Finishing with five wins or fewer, half of those 14 seasons.
11:01Justin Fields can go in there, provide some stability, has the experience.
11:06I still have belief in his ability to play the quarterback spot
11:10and see where things go for the New York Jets.
11:13The numbers are not gaudy during his four years in the National Football League.
11:17Last year started the opening six games for the Steelers.
11:20They went four and two.
11:21He was benched in favor of Russell Wilson.
11:24Frankly, Donnie, in those six starts, he only threw for a buck 60-plus twice.
11:29Five touchdowns to only an interception in those opening six games.
11:34Did run the football for at least 27 yards on the ground.
11:37Of course, a great athlete at the QB spot in five of those six,
11:4155-plus in three of those five games.
11:44Had five rushing scores.
11:46You would think the offense can be orchestrated to design things
11:50around Justin Fields and distribute the football
11:53where there is still a lot of offensive and young talent
11:56for New York entering this season.
11:59So you know what you love the most about this?
12:01Because we're handicappers as well.
12:02Like last year, Jaden Daniels gets drafted to Washington.
12:04All I could think of was, my goodness, this guy might be a thousand yard,
12:07you know, running back, per se, at the running back position.
12:09And he did well in that.
12:10You take a look at Justin Fields and you say, well,
12:12is he going to get benched at any time?
12:13Like, no.
12:14Adrian Martinez, Jordan Travis, and Tyrod Taylor,
12:16the other quarterbacks on the roster right now with Justin Fields.
12:19You know what that means?
12:20Barring injury, Ben, that's 17 starts for Justin Fields.
12:23I think he's going to be a maniac on the ground for the Jets next year.
12:27I'm going to be very hopeful for what he can do.
12:30I look forward to see what the passing yards props are.
12:33I'm going to bet some Justin Fields on believing in the Jets once again.
12:38Other huge news from the opening day of free agency, including a trade.
12:42Next.
12:43More moves yesterday on the official start of free agency
12:46outside of just quarterback signings.
12:48Plenty to break down and even just free agency deals as well.
12:53A blockbuster deal between the commanders and the Houston Texans yesterday.
12:59Laramie Tunsil in six years in Houston, five times a pro bowler,
13:03traded to the commanders to now be the blindside blocker for Jaden Daniels.
13:09A big deal for Washington.
13:11One BRS, as I said in the opening segment of this show,
13:16kind of leaves me scratching my head for what Houston necessarily is doing.
13:21In return, as you see there, they get a lot of draft capital back.
13:26That's a good sign.
13:27A 2025 third round pick and a seventh rounder this year and the next season,
13:31a second and a fourth rounder.
13:34The commanders get one of the more consistent left tackles in the NFL
13:38over the last three to four years.
13:40Six seasons in Houston, five times a pro bowler for Laramie Tunsil.
13:46It's an interesting move overall because you're right about this.
13:48You look at that Houston offense and, again,
13:50you're trying to protect your quarterback and to have a very good left tackle
13:53is very important.
13:55Also, they're worth their weight in gold.
13:56You're going to pay them a lot of money.
13:57You hope they stay there a long time because that's one of those positions
14:00you can play into your prime well into your 30s, 33, 34, 35.
14:04We see that all the time.
14:06Having said that, too, sometimes it is a little bit of a buy your beware situation.
14:10What do the Texans know that nobody else knows why they would move on
14:14that they have a franchise quarterback they want to protect?
14:16Number one, you're going to clear out some cap space.
14:18Number two, you are going to get some pieces.
14:21I don't want to say the rebuilding process.
14:23That's not right for Houston.
14:24They're right in the middle of that threshold where they think they can make
14:26Super Bowl runs.
14:28But there are components that go into it here.
14:30I'm just wondering.
14:31I'm going to buy it just as it is.
14:33Very good move here for Washington.
14:35A little bit puzzling here for what Houston's doing.
14:37But, as I said, again, sometimes you make these deals.
14:40Understand, like, we don't know if this guy's going to hold on.
14:42We don't know about his work ethic here.
14:44Maybe some of the financials are a little bit too much for us here.
14:47We can spend and allocate our money elsewhere.
14:49But it's an interesting move.
14:50But if you buy it on face value, it's a good move for Washington.
14:52Made the NFC Championship game last year.
14:55Now looking to get beyond that.
14:57Loading up on more talent helps you do that.
15:00Of course, Laramie Tunsil is a name that everybody knows going back to his draft
15:04day in 2016 because of a rather infamous picture.
15:08But when he has performed in the NFL, he has been sensational.
15:11Six years in Houston.
15:13Five times a pro bowler.
15:15As I shared to start, the two best tackles in the NFL the last three years
15:19in terms of pressure rate allowed.
15:22Tristan Wirfs, who is the first player in NFL history to be a first-team
15:26all-pro performer at both left and right tackle.
15:29And Laramie Tunsil not all that far behind.
15:32Yes, had a lot of false starts last year.
15:35I will trade some false starts to keep my quarterback upright because Tunsil
15:39was about the only guy in Houston trying to keep C.J. Stroud upright.
15:44He was sacked 52 times.
15:46Second most around the NFL, only trailing Caleb Williams.
15:50And we have seen what the Bears have done.
15:52They haven't said, let's trade our best offensive lineman away for draft capital.
15:56Let's bolster the offensive line.
15:59C.J. Stroud looked pedestrian in his sophomore season in the NFL because of
16:04how much pressure he was under year over year, game by game by game.
16:10Does not make sense to me.
16:12If you are the commanders, a great deal to protect Jaden Daniels.
16:17And Washington did make some moves yesterday as well.
16:20The R.S. the commanders will be looked at this year, of course, as an NFC contender.
16:25A 19 to 1 price on Washington right now to win Super Bowl 60.
16:29Fourth best around the NFC.
16:32Yeah, I want to see what they do in the draft.
16:33They probably are loading up on defense because that wasn't a very good defense last year.
16:37Lost a lot of key pieces this year.
16:39Their offense is right right now.
16:41Now it's time to spend some time to focus on that defense, which they rebuilt last year,
16:44which was better than the year before.
16:46New regime change comes in.
16:47So I trust what Peters, the GM, is doing at this time because you want to take care
16:52of the offense first.
16:53That's most important because Jaden Daniels is the future of that franchise.
16:56Now focus on the defense here.
16:58And I'd like a team that's like, hey, we were young last year.
17:00We made a run.
17:01Let's not go to head over our skis here at this point.
17:04No, they're going in.
17:05They're spending money in free agency to make sure that offense is shored up.
17:08Now spending some time on the defense quality franchise right now.
17:11They're on the rise.
17:13A wide receiver, by the way, offensively for Washington, who finished off last year,
17:17being a main component of their playoff run.
17:19Deami Brown signing a one year deal in Jacksonville.
17:22But up front, the commander signing Javon Kinlaw, who was released by the 49ers.
17:27Adam Peters used to work in the front office in San Francisco.
17:30Brings Kinlaw to Washington to bolster the interior of that D-line.
17:35Jonathan Allen leaves.
17:36He's now in Minnesota.
17:38But De'Ron Payne's still there.
17:40Bobby Wagner brought back the veteran who had an all-pro season this year
17:44outside the nation's capital.
17:46DRS speaking of a team trying to bolster that defense, it's exactly what the
17:51Patriots are doing right now under Mike Vrabel, the defensive-minded head coach.
17:55The Patriots with more than $120 million in cap space this offseason,
18:00by far the most to spend around the NFL.
18:03And they're making good on that money.
18:06The guy that you mentioned yesterday from Philadelphia,
18:09a very successful four-year span in Philly on his rookie deal,
18:13but knew he was going to get paid.
18:15Milton Williams, reported early to maybe go to Carolina,
18:19finds his way to Foxborough on a four-year, $104 million deal, 63 mil guaranteed.
18:26Donnie, Howie Roseman would have loved to have brought him back,
18:29but that money Philadelphia just couldn't afford.
18:32Yeah, you knew he wasn't coming back, along with Joshua,
18:35to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
18:36But let's focus on the New England Patriots.
18:38This is the interesting part.
18:40The Patriots' defense technically was never really the issue.
18:43The goal in the NFL is to get a good young quarterback,
18:46which if they think Drake Mays is that guy, surround him with talent.
18:49The offensive line, outrageously bad.
18:51The wideouts, completely inept.
18:53The running backs' situation, pedestrian.
18:56I look at them today, the exact same things here.
18:59So their free agent money was spent on defense,
19:01when you take a look at other teams saying,
19:03I have my young quarterback, let me get all the confidence in the world
19:06and make sure that side of the football is correct,
19:08then we'll focus on defense.
19:10It's a long way to go in free agency.
19:11It's a lot of fill in the blank spots here.
19:13You have draft capital, you can go, maybe even make a trade.
19:15But you need to focus on that offense.
19:17The issue is not the defense, which they shored up.
19:20Mill Williams is a quality defensive young prospect
19:22that should be really good in the NFL.
19:24Landrieu is a great pickup, familiar with Mike Frabel.
19:27And also the defensive backs, you pick up Carlton Davis III, great ones.
19:30You have your quarterback set, your defensive line set,
19:33you bring over Spillane, like the defense,
19:35but that offense still looks wretched right now.
19:38Let's see what they do.
19:39They sign the veteran offensive lineman in Morgan Moses.
19:44Excuse me, he is 34 years old.
19:46Mack Hollins remains in the division after one year in Buffalo.
19:50The shoeless wonder now finds his way to the Patriots.
19:53You would assume, DRS, that other moves made by New England in the draft
19:58will focus now offensively.
20:00New England holds that fourth overall pick, if I'm not mistaken.
20:03Yes, I believe it's fourth overall.
20:05Is that going to be an offensive lineman?
20:08Will Campbell, Arman Membu, off the board first.
20:11We shall see.
20:12But bolstering that defense under Mike Frabel with a ton of money
20:16able to be spent throughout this offseason.
20:19Josh Sweat signs a big deal in Arizona.
20:22Four years north of $75 million.
20:25Carlton Davis III makes his way to the Pats.
20:28In return, DJ Reed signs with Detroit on a pretty similar deal
20:33to what Davis got as well.
20:35He bolsters that secondary for the Lions.
20:38Byron Murphy back in Minnesota.
20:40Chris Godwin, maybe the top free agent wide receiver
20:44after Devontae Adams signs with L.A.
20:47And T. Higgins placed under the franchise tag
20:50returns to Tampa on a three-year $66 million deal.
20:54Donny, many people thought he could have gone out and got more in the market.
20:57But after a season-ending injury this past year,
21:01comfortable to remain with the Buccaneers
21:03where he has been for the entirety of his eight years in the NFL.
21:07Exactly. Making good money there.
21:08Living in the state of Florida.
21:10Very tax-friendly there.
21:11Nice weapon.
21:12Got a quarterback that's an absolute gunslinger.
21:15Why would you not want to come back to that situation?
21:17It was the perfect fit.
21:18And I don't think too many people realize that he wasn't going anywhere.
21:21And it's like, hey, he got the free agency.
21:23The minute free agency happened, signs right back with the Buccaneers.
21:25That's where he's supposed to be.
21:27And that's a good move for the Bucs.
21:29We'll have a few more thoughts on free agency
21:31and show you where the Super Bowl markets are
21:33as we continue to go early in this offseason.
21:36On the other side of the break, you saw there at the bottom,
21:39Dan Moore Jr., offensive lineman, making his way to Tennessee.
21:42Maybe the best offensive guard in the free agency market.
21:45Aaron Banks leaves San Francisco.
21:47Will help protect Jordan Love and pave the way for Josh Jacobs in Green Bay.
21:53The Bears also making some moves yesterday.
21:56Beef along both sides of the football.
21:59A look at the Super Bowl odds as free agency rolls on next.
22:03Live right here on the early line on SportsGrid.
22:06Free agency now underway in full force around the National Football League.
22:10Any update we receive on this Tuesday morning, because we expect some,
22:15we will bring you here on the early line.
22:17But, Donny, just a quick moment.
22:19After the flurry of moves we have seen yesterday in terms of free agency signings
22:23and, of course, in the past 72 hours or so in those blockbuster moves
22:28and contract extensions over the weekend in the NFL,
22:32an updated look at those Super Bowl 60 prices.
22:35The reigning champs remain the Super Bowl 60 favorites.
22:38The Philadelphia Eagles at plus 650.
22:40The Chiefs and the Ravens tied for the second best price at 7-1.
22:44The Bills plus 750.
22:46And the Lions round out the top five at 10-1.
22:49Those prices have really remained pretty stagnant.
22:53A couple of cents here and there, but the top five really has remained unchanged.
22:58It's where you go after that, the 49ers, 16-1,
23:01moving back ever so slightly in the market.
23:04We're still waiting on the Bengals to sign Jamar Chase, to sign Tee Higgins.
23:09They do bring back B.J. Hill to anchor the interior of the D-line yesterday.
23:15Okay.
23:16The Commanders have certainly made some move and the Packers and the Rams.
23:20Big winner so far, it would seem, in free agency, both at a 22-1 number.
23:25Yeah, let's understand, too.
23:26I'm glad you started with the Bengals, 17-1.
23:29Let's just say they do bring back Chase and Higgins.
23:32Is that exciting?
23:33Does that mean they go back to 13-1?
23:35I think that's already baked into the price.
23:37That's as good as it's going to get here.
23:39Now, can that offense turn heads?
23:41Yes, but they're going to stop anybody on defense.
23:43And all you need is one little hamstring injury for either one of those wideouts
23:46that misses four to five games, and it's a wrap once again on the season.
23:49So I'm certainly not high on them, but I agree with the premise of,
23:52you don't win championships in free agency, right?
23:54Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens, what did they do in free agency?
23:58Not a blip on the radar, and quite frankly, lost players at this point.
24:02But you're factoring in that there's still a long way to go to fill in
24:05in the free agency period here.
24:07You have the draft coming up, and trades will be made.
24:09And also, when you start, they say, wow, the Eagles lost Joshua and Newton-Williams
24:12and can't afford to keep certain guys.
24:14Understand this, that offense is intact.
24:17The only guy they might miss out on next year is Makai Beckton-Ikard,
24:20who hasn't signed yet on the first day of free agency, which tells you a lot,
24:24which means he was probably asking for a lot of money.
24:26The Eagles said, you know what?
24:28Get out in that free agency and know what your worth is.
24:30Maybe we can work out a deal.
24:32But as long as that offense is intact, the Eagles will be fine.
24:34As long as the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, they'll be okay.
24:36As long as the Ravens have Lamar Jackson, as long as here we go with the Bills,
24:40what do they do?
24:41Restructure the quarterback, re-sign their own guys.
24:43As long as they have Josh Yow and a quarterback, they'll be fine.
24:45Quarterbacks win in this game here.
24:47You don't win free agency Super Bowls.
24:49You win Super Bowls when you take the field with a complete football team
24:53and a solid quarterback.
24:54So I like to see where some of these teams sit,
24:56and these numbers will change based on some moves that are made.
24:58But no way should they, oh, the Eagles plus 650 should move behind,
25:01let's just say, the Commanders at a 19-1 price
25:04because they made some moves and additions here.
25:06I see where they're at.
25:07The Bills adding a wide receiver in Josh Palmer,
25:10spent many years, of course, in Los Angeles with the Chargers.
25:13What we did not mention in New England, Joshua Dobbs,
25:16some veteran experience in the QB room.
25:18Two-year, $8 million deal.
25:20Jimmy Garoppolo makes his way back to Los Angeles.
25:23The Rams feel pretty set.
25:25They also add Puna Ford up front along the defensive line.
25:29I highlighted the Chicago Bears before the break.
25:31You could say the theme of this offseason so far,
25:34beef along both sides of the football in the trenches.
25:39Drew Dallman, the best center on the free agency market
25:42from Atlanta, makes his way to Chicago.
25:45Three-year, $42 million deal.
25:48On the other side, longtime fan favorite in Atlanta,
25:51Grady Jarrett, released yesterday by the Falcons,
25:54quickly finds a new home in Chicago.
25:57And Dayo Odengbo, a promising young interior defensive lineman
26:01from Indianapolis, now in Chicago.
26:04The Bears making some very sound moves this offseason,
26:07their first under Ben Johnson.
26:10I love it because Ben Johnson just came from an organization
26:13that said we are going to invest in the offensive line
26:16and that's going to take us to the promised land.
26:18Does Detroit want a Super Bowl yet? No.
26:20But you see, protect your quarterback,
26:22you can run your offense.
26:24The same exact thing is taking place in Chicago.
26:26Protect your quarterback, you'll be able to run your offense.
26:29The weapons are there.
26:30Look at the great teams in the NFL.
26:31The Philadelphia Eagles just won.
26:33They absolutely dominated in trench warfare last year in the NFL.
26:37If you win the line of scrimmage, chances are
26:39you have a chance, better chance, by the way,
26:42to win the football game itself.
26:43But for me, with Chicago, you did the one thing you had to do,
26:46invest in your quarterback.
26:47And it doesn't mean getting a Superstar wide receiver
26:49or running back.
26:50Keep him upright.
26:51It's the best investment you can have.
26:53And Chicago's doing that.
26:54Yes, they certainly are, DRS.
26:56The Bears at a 35-1 price right now to win Super Bowl 60.
27:00Fascinating to see what their NFC North price is
27:03and what we all expect to be a highly competitive division.
27:06What the win total is for Ben Johnson's first year
27:09as a head coach.
27:11Indianapolis making some moves in their secondary.
27:14Cam Bynum, the safety, who is a great dancer from Minnesota,
27:17now heads the Indy Charverius Ward.
27:20Now they're as well at the cornerback spot.
27:23Plenty of moves still to be made.
27:25Donny, when you think about the outstanding free agents,
27:28if you will, a lot of focus still at the quarterback spot.
27:32Where does Aaron Rodgers end up?
27:35A lot of speculation and steam behind the Steelers
27:37and the Giants.
27:39What does that mean for Russell Wilson?
27:41His market a little bit more up in the air.
27:44It is.
27:45And also understand this.
27:47You start to get some of that buyer's market as opposed to,
27:50like you're saying, okay, free agents are ruling the roost
27:52and they, number one, that's the top of the talent.
27:54The longer these guys wait out here, that price is going to drop.
27:57So it's interesting to see.
27:58We never knew really what Aaron Rodgers' motivation was
28:01because he's one of the highest-paid players
28:03in the history of the sport.
28:04If you look at total contract numbers.
28:06But he's at the point of the career that he goes,
28:08I have to sell myself to a football team.
28:10Give me the vet minimum.
28:11If it works out midway through the season,
28:13let's go extend it two or three years at some top money.
28:15Like I'm interested to see where he goes because I need him.
28:18It sort of feels like in Pittsburgh right now
28:20because that gives that a lightning bolt franchise that says,
28:23was it really just an anomaly where, hey, look,
28:25it wasn't really my fault in the Jets.
28:27Let me prove it wrong and go to a more stable franchise
28:29like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
28:31He goes to the Steelers and gets sacked and can't move in the pocket
28:33and blames everybody else and is no longer their quarterback by week eight
28:36and is cut at this point.
28:37So that is the big move that we're waiting to see is where Aaron Rodgers
28:41actually winds up to help or harm his new franchise.
28:45I would think the Steelers would be wise to avoid all of that headache.
28:49I think Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers have respect for one another.
28:53I'm not sure it would be the most successful partnership.
28:56I think this version of Aaron Rodgers at 41 years old
29:00is what we have seen his last three seasons in the NFL.
29:03His final in Green Bay, the ruptured Achilles in 2023,
29:07and rather mediocre play that certainly does not elevate a franchise
29:11expected to be a playoff contender in 2024.
29:15Just by two cents.
29:17A man about town, that's what you can call Mike Blewett,
29:20a man about conference tournament week.
29:22Last week in College Hoops, we'll talk some college basketball
29:25with Big Blue in our next segment together around out this second hour.
29:29But of course, one of the leading football voices here on this biz
29:33Grizz Network, we get Blewett's take on the start of free agency
29:37around the National Football League with a flurry of moves yesterday
29:40and plenty more to come.
29:42Blewett, as always, thank you for joining us here on this Tuesday
29:46on the Early Line on Sports Grid.
29:48Thank you. Excited to talk College Hoops in a few minutes.
29:50Nice job with the WAC and the MAC and everything else there.
29:54We can touch on those in a few minutes.
29:56But obviously, free agency got off to a rousing start yesterday.
30:02Certain teams just furiously scooping up players, teams like the Patriots,
30:07who did a really nice job of getting some tone setters,
30:10specifically for Mike Vrabel's defense in Williams, Spillane, and Davis,
30:16one player at each level that he wants to come in and help him
30:19be a more physical football team.
30:21The Vikings really shoring up their line play.
30:24Jonathan Allen, and now possibly Javon Hargrave,
30:27going to Minnesota's defensive line.
30:29And the Bears obviously investing very heavily
30:32in Caleb Williams' protection scheme.
30:35So a team's really going after needs.
30:37But I would caution everybody that's very excited right now,
30:40continue to be excited.
30:41Think that these are the moves that are going to help your team
30:44win a championship, but it's just a piece.
30:46We had a coaching shuffle, free agency, then the draft.
30:50Those all fit together to form the puzzle.
30:53Blue, really well said, right?
30:54Off-season optimism is always a thing.
30:57Hope can be dangerous at times, but also beautiful.
31:00These are not going to help you win a game at this very moment.
31:03It has not won you a game.
31:05You hope you are building the foundational pieces
31:07to make your football organization a successful one.
31:11Certainly the hope in Seattle with the acquisition and signing
31:14of a new quarterback in Sam Darnold.
31:17A three-year, $100.5 million deal.
31:20Of course, Blue, in the past 48, 72 hours,
31:23a ton of sweeping changes with the Seahawks.
31:25They trade away Geno Smith on Friday to Las Vegas.
31:28They trade away DK Metcalf to your Steelers on Sunday evening
31:32and then sign the top quarterback in the free agency.
31:35Mark it for a deal worth about $33.5 million per year.
31:39How would you grade the move to bring Sam to Seattle?
31:43I do like it.
31:46What's interesting to me about it is that apparently Geno Smith
31:50was offered a very similar deal to stay in Seattle,
31:53and he turned it down and they traded him to Las Vegas.
31:56Will he receive another deal like that from Las Vegas or anybody else?
31:59That remains to be seen.
32:01I think the one thing about Darnold that people still have a hard time
32:06realizing that he's only 27 years old,
32:08so he's not a 30-year-old quarterback retread.
32:12Nonetheless, he's had a very unique start to his career.
32:16This is, I think, his fifth different team.
32:19It might be sixth, but nonetheless,
32:21Sam Darnold gets an opportunity to start there.
32:24I think it's very clear that they moved on from veteran receivers
32:28and now Jackson Smith and Jigba will be somebody to target
32:31in your fantasy leagues.
32:33He's the number one receiver.
32:35He is a potentially future star in this league,
32:37and we've seen glimpses of it.
32:40They have relied somewhat heavily on the run game in the past.
32:45Do they move to a little bit more up-tempo now?
32:48Kubiak, their offensive coordinator,
32:50and Darnold work together in San Francisco.
32:53That's part of the reason for this marriage.
32:55Should be more comfortable for Darnold,
32:57but they're going to have to protect him.
32:59He's not somebody that works well under pressure.
33:02I have a hard time seeing where the Seattle Seahawks have success right away,
33:08but I do like the signing.
33:09I think it provides stability at the quarterback position.
33:12Mike, I always like to say, a man with a plan, watch out,
33:15because that guy's probably going somewhere.
33:17I can always buy into an NFL franchise with a plan.
33:20You talk about the Seattle Seahawks.
33:22As you pointed out, they didn't want to spend all that money on Geno Smith.
33:25Plan B here, let's go after a quarterback that's going to be younger.
33:27We'll pay him a little bit less, and we'll see what we have in the future.
33:30We can get on the Vegas Raiders, which at another time,
33:32I don't think they have any plan whatsoever at the quarterback position.
33:35They didn't solve it here.
33:36Let's talk about the New York Jets here.
33:37Justin Fields moves on from the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent
33:40to the New York Jets.
33:41I understand the plan here.
33:43We're not ready to win yet.
33:44We have a young, talented quarterback.
33:45If this is our franchise guy, we didn't give up any draft capital
33:49and didn't spend a ton of money to get, say, quarterback.
33:52Talk to us about the move from Fields saying, you know what?
33:55Pittsburgh, unless you're giving me the starting job, I don't want to be here.
33:58And the Jets probably told him, yeah, you're our quarterback number one.
34:03Yes, I think that's well said, Donnie.
34:06And also very low risk for the Jets.
34:09If it doesn't work out after year one, there's four void years on the end of it.
34:13The cap hits are very low, and I just don't think it's a high risk at all.
34:18The Jets promised him the starting job week one, but I don't really think,
34:24Donnie, they've promised him much more than that.
34:27The problem for the Steelers is that they promised a job to Russ Wilson
34:31before Fields ever took the field.
34:33Fields played fine.
34:35I don't think he played great.
34:37He played well enough to continue to play, but because this strange promise
34:41had been made before the season to Russ, and Russ takes over,
34:45has initial success, and then the Steelers fade at the end of the season yet again.
34:50So I understand why Fields would want to depart,
34:52because he doesn't feel like he can trust them.
34:55I think he probably liked the working relationship with Arthur Smith,
34:59but Tomlin overrode that in the middle of the year last year,
35:02so he moves on, and the Steelers are obviously going to have to look
35:05for other options.
35:06Russ Wilson is still on the table for them.
35:09Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones, other veteran quarterbacks are out there
35:13for them to take a look at.
35:15Would they take a huge swing with Kirk Cousins?
35:17I don't see it.
35:18I think Aaron Rodgers is a real possibility,
35:20but is he waiting for something else other than the Steelers?
35:23Steelers are a playoff team.
35:25Any of the names that I mentioned, I don't think it transforms them
35:28into the best team in their own division.
35:31So that's the question, Blue.
35:32The Steelers are a playoff team.
35:33They have made the postseason four of the last five years
35:36with inconsistent quarterback play, even in the tail end of the Big Ben era.
35:41So you, as a Steelers faithful, what do you want the Steelers to do?
35:46What ultimately do you think Pittsburgh does at the quarterback spot?
35:52I've said for some time, I do not think that they would sign up
35:56for the Aaron Rodgers drama, but the game of musical chairs,
36:01it's getting late in the song.
36:03So they're going to have to make a decision,
36:05and I don't know that you'd sign up for Russell Wilson again.
36:07I thought he was a good teammate last year,
36:09and Russ is prone to drama as well,
36:11but I don't think he provided any of that last year.
36:14I think I would go with Rodgers on a one-year deal,
36:16and I think that's their most upside for 2025.
36:20But Daniel Jones long term, that would be interesting to me.
36:24The problem is the Steelers offensive line isn't very good,
36:26and that hurts Daniel Jones.
36:28It will be really interesting to see Pittsburgh's playoff price,
36:31knowing the consistency of success,
36:34but hoping for more, of course, in the Steel City.