Latest / Football Junkies podcast / Ep.105: DEALS DEALS DEALS!!!!!

Transcript

Ep.105: DEALS DEALS DEALS!!!!! · Football Junkies podcast

0:00
The first wave of free agency is done, folks.
0:02
And man, oh man, do we have a lot to talk about.
0:04
So let's just get into it. Jalen Waddell heads
0:06
to Denver. DJ Moore heads to Buffalo. David Montgomery
0:09
heads to Houston. Trent McDuffie heads to LA.
0:12
Garrett Bradbury heads to Chicago. Minka Fitzpatrick
0:15
and Geno Smith heads to the Jets. Michael Pittman
0:18
heads to Pittsburgh. Rashawn Gary heads to Dallas.
0:21
Osa Edigizua heads to San Fran. Justin Fields
0:24
heads to Kansas City. My thoughts on Max Crosby.
0:27
And we got to talk about some free agent signings,
0:29
okay? All of this and more. on the 105th episode
0:32
of the Football Junkies Podcast, okay? I am your
0:35
host with the most, all right? I am your chief
0:37
Bagrod Thomas. That's right, chief, head of the
0:39
table. Anything and everything related to the
0:40
bag, rumors to the bag, and more. I am your hopium,
0:43
hopium, hopium, hopium, hopium deal. That's right.
0:45
All the hopium that you need to make it through
0:47
this offseason, I am the guy to go to, okay?
0:50
But I am all these things and more. But most
0:53
importantly, the most important thing that you
0:54
must remember is I am your host, Kale. Buckle
0:57
up. It's going to get crazy. So guess what? On
0:59
three, one, two, three, let's Fuck him. All right,
1:28
folks, let's get into the meat and potatoes of
1:29
everything that is going on in the league right
1:31
now. So let's just get into it because there's
1:33
a lot to talk about, all right? So Jalen Waddell
1:36
has been traded to the Broncos. Let's talk about
1:38
the details. So Miami receives a 2026 first,
1:41
third, and fourth, while Denver receives a 2026
1:45
fourth. According to Spotrack, Jalen Waddell
1:47
is guaranteed $17 million in 2026 and $15 .2
1:51
million in 2027. However, the dead cap number
1:54
continues to grow for the Dolphins. According
1:57
to Spotrak, they are second in the league in
2:00
dead cap hits at 108 million, and that number
2:04
is supposed to rise to 174 million. post -June
2:08
1st. Despite the financial ramifications that
2:11
came with this move, I think it benefits both
2:13
sides. And the reason why I say this is because
2:15
Denver has been looking for a highly productive
2:18
wide receiver to pair with Courtland Sutton.
2:20
And they realized they were in a position where
2:22
they can get a Jordan Tyson, a Cardinal Tate,
2:25
or a Makai Lemon in this draft. So the best thing
2:28
to do is just trade for a proven talent. A proven
2:31
talent that can play the Y or the Z. according
2:34
to reception perception. When he runs the nine
2:36
route, it's a 57 .9 % success rate. When he runs
2:40
a corner route, it's a 62 .5 % success rate.
2:43
When he runs an out route, that's a 77 .1 % success
2:47
rate. When he runs the post route, it's a 89
2:50
.5 % success rate. When he runs the dig, it's
2:53
a 83 .9 % success rate. When he runs a slant,
2:56
it's a 86 .8 % success rate. And when he runs
2:59
a screen, it's a 100 % success rate. He also
3:03
has a 81 .3 % success rate against zone coverage,
3:07
a 73 .5 % success rate against man, and a 76
3:11
.5 % success rate against press coverage. By
3:14
trading away Jalen Waddell, the Dolphins have
3:17
two first round picks. And we know with one of
3:19
those picks, they have to address wide receiver.
3:21
Now, I know this isn't the stack and shed series,
3:24
but we're going to incorporate that in this moment,
3:26
okay? The one move that I would do if I was the
3:30
GM for the Dolphins is either trade that second
3:33
first round pick for a future pick that you can
3:35
use in 27, or you just trade out of the first
3:38
round. Because I guarantee you somebody who doesn't
3:41
have a first round pick is gonna try to trade
3:43
into the back end of the first round. We've seen
3:46
it multiple times. It's bound to happen, okay?
3:49
Because let's be honest here. The only way you
3:52
can build this team is through the draft. You
3:54
can no longer make any big trades or big signings
3:57
until you figure out what you're going to do
3:59
with this snowball of dead cap that you have
4:01
right now. And that's not going to go away anytime
4:04
soon. So DJ Moore heads to Buffalo along with
4:07
a 2026 fifth while Chicago receives a 2026 second.
4:11
If the goal is to bring in a productive receiver
4:13
that can work with Josh Allen, fine. But the
4:16
way that you go about that is wrong. Because
4:18
why are you giving up a second round pick for
4:20
a receiver who was hot and cold all last season?
4:23
Instead, the Bills needed to go after a true
4:25
X receiver. DJ Moore isn't a true X receiver.
4:29
He's a Y, possibly a Z at this point in his career.
4:33
But if you're the Bills, if you believe that
4:36
you are still in your Super Bowl window, if you
4:39
truly believe that if you get a really productive
4:41
receiver that it's going to take you to the Super
4:44
Bowl, then you make that move. You did it with
4:47
Stephon Diggs. You saw how explosive and how
4:49
great the offense was. So why wouldn't you try
4:52
to do that again? The price is the price for
4:56
high quality players, regardless of what the
4:58
position is. Now, the angle that needs to be
5:00
talked about is the familiarity between DJ Moore
5:03
and Joe Brady. When DJ Moore was still with the
5:06
Panthers, Joe Brady was on that coaching staff.
5:09
Now here's DJ Moore's stats in the last two years
5:11
that he was with the Panthers. So in 2020, he
5:14
had 118 targets for 66 receptions, 1 ,193 receiving
5:20
yards, four touchdowns, and he averaged 18 .1
5:23
receiving yards per reception. Now in 2021, he
5:27
had 162 targets for 93 receptions, 1 ,157 receiving
5:33
yards, four touchdowns, and averaged 12 .4 receiving
5:36
yards per reception. Now as we fast forward to
5:39
now, these are the routes that DJ Moore ran the
5:41
most from last season. So he ran the dig at 20
5:44
.7%, the slant at 14 .5%, the nine at 14 .2%,
5:51
the post at 12%, and the out at 9 .5 % according
5:56
to reception perception. Now if we compare this
5:58
to the success percentage against the same routes,
6:01
this is what we have. DJ Moore was 100 % successful
6:04
when running the screen. He was 80 % successful
6:07
when running the slant. He was 90 .9 % successful
6:11
when running the comeback. He was 71 .9 % successful
6:14
when running the dig. He was 72 .7 % successful
6:18
when running the post. And he was 61 .5 % successful
6:21
when running the nine. Now, I don't think the
6:24
Bills are done with this receiving core, but
6:26
hopefully they make another addition, preferably
6:28
somebody that is a physical receiver who is proficient
6:31
in catching 50 -50 balls, over -the -shoulder
6:33
catches, and is very good at man and press coverage.
6:37
So the Lions traded away David Montgomery to
6:40
the Texans while receiving Drew Scruggs, a 2027
6:43
7th round pick, and a 2026 4th round pick. By
6:47
making this move, the Texans are signaling that
6:49
they want the run game to play a more prominent
6:51
role in the offense. which I don't hate them
6:54
for it because the one year that Joe Mixon played
6:56
for the Texans, it was really good. They were
6:59
15th in the league and they averaged 112 .3 rushing
7:03
yards per game, 4 .4 rushing yards per play,
7:06
and 15 rushing touchdowns compared to being 22nd
7:09
this past season in rushing offense where they
7:12
averaged 108 .9 rushing yards per game, 3 .9
7:16
rushing yards per play, and 9 rushing touchdowns.
7:18
Now as far as the Lions acquiring Drew Scruggs,
7:21
I feel like that's more of a def acquisition
7:23
i feel like at best he can compete with one of
7:26
the second year offensive linemen i'm not buying
7:29
a lot of stock into it okay so former chiefs
7:32
corner trent mcduffie has been traded to the
7:34
la rams so the chiefs receive a 2027 third a
7:38
2026 first a 2026 fifth and a 2026 sixth and
7:43
with this trade trent mcduffie and the rams have
7:45
agreed to a four -year 124 million dollar deal
7:48
50 million guaranteed at signing a 14 million
7:52
dollar signing bonus and he'll be making 31 million
7:54
a year now this is a trade where both sides are
7:57
winners because when we look at the ram side
7:59
they needed a dominant corner i'm sorry emmanuel
8:03
forbes was not getting the job done at kello
8:05
weatherspoon is not reliable at this point they
8:08
needed a true number one corner and trent mcduffie
8:12
is that guy During the playoffs last season,
8:14
I saw the secondary get targeted multiple times
8:17
because offenses realized that this secondary
8:20
wasn't that strong. Emmanuel Forbes can't play
8:23
press coverage, he's okay in zone coverage, and
8:26
he hasn't shown anything at this point. So by
8:29
getting someone like Trent McDuffie, who's versatile
8:31
in playing both the slot and outside, I think
8:34
that's going to add another weapon to this defense.
8:37
And the angle that nobody is talking about is
8:40
that the Rams gave up their first round pick
8:42
and kept the Falcons first round pick. So whatever
8:45
need they've been targeting, they can still get
8:48
it because the Falcons first round pick, if I'm
8:50
not mistaken, is a top 10 pick, which is great.
8:53
As we've seen in multiple years, the Chiefs continue
8:56
to show that if you're not Patrick Mahomes, Travis
8:59
Kelsey, or Chris Jones, you are expendable. And
9:02
mind you, they've traded away Tyreek Hill, LeJarrius
9:05
Sneed, Joe Thune, the list goes on. And by making
9:09
this move, the Chiefs are also admitting that
9:11
they believe in their drafting and scouting and
9:13
development of players so much that they're willing
9:15
to move off of high quality players just so they
9:18
can keep the core. Now the question is this,
9:21
what are the Chiefs going to do with those two
9:23
first round picks? Because me personally, I'm
9:26
drafting Kenyon Sadiq so he can be the next Travis
9:28
Kelsey. Now that second first round pick, you
9:31
can either use it for the 27 draft class or you
9:34
can use it to address a position on the defense.
9:37
Or, or, or, or, just hear me out for a moment,
9:40
okay? Just hear me out for a moment. What if
9:42
you use that first round pick to acquire a high
9:45
quality player? Just saying. I don't have my
9:48
tinfoil hat on. I destroyed it. But I'm just
9:51
saying. It's a possibility. You never know. So
9:54
former New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury
9:56
was traded to the Chicago Bears. And so the Patriots
9:59
received a 2027 fifth round pick. Now, prior
10:02
to this trade, the Bears brought in Tyler Beatty
10:05
for a visit. And then there were rumors going
10:07
around that they were interested in signing Tyler
10:09
Linderbaum once free agency started. Now, I'm
10:12
glad they didn't sign Tyler Linderbaum because
10:14
that's way too much money for a center. But I
10:17
think this is a really good move. Now, the question
10:20
is this. What are the Patriots going to do at
10:22
center? Are they going to bring in a veteran
10:24
such as Lloyd Cushenberry? Are they going to
10:27
draft one? Who knows? So we have two trades for
10:30
the same team. So let's start with Minka, all
10:32
right? So he was traded to the Jets, and so the
10:34
Dolphins received a 2026 seventh round pick.
10:37
Now with this move, the Jets have given Minka
10:40
Fitzpatrick a three -year $40 million deal, $20
10:44
.5 million guaranteed at signing, a $7 .5 million
10:47
signing bonus, and he'll be making $13 .3 million
10:50
a year. The reason the Jets made this move is
10:52
to bring in a proven veteran presence while at
10:55
the same time trying to emphasize more playmaking
10:58
from the secondary. Because last year, nobody
11:02
in the secondary had an interception. Now, this
11:04
trade doesn't make any sense for the Dolphins
11:06
because had you released Megan Fitzpatrick, you
11:08
could have received a high comp pick for next
11:10
year. It could have been a third or fourth or
11:13
even a fifth. And I would have rather taken that
11:16
than a 2026 seventh round pick. Now, the second
11:19
trade involves Geno Smith. And so the Jets, of
11:21
course, receive him in a 2026 seventh while the
11:24
Raiders receive a 2026 sixth. Now, this is a
11:27
low risk, high reward move. You already know
11:30
what you're getting with Geno Smith. His highs
11:32
are going to be really good. and his lows are
11:35
going to be head scratchers, okay? But at the
11:37
same time, understand this. He is a bridge until
11:41
27. This isn't a long -term commitment. This
11:45
isn't something where he's going to be the guy
11:47
for the rest of his career. He's just holding
11:49
you over until you get the guy that you really
11:51
want in the next draft class, which hopefully
11:54
that next draft class actually produces a few
11:57
more quarterback prospects that everybody's going
12:00
to want. So the Steelers traded for former Colts
12:02
receiver Michael Pittman, and so Indy receives
12:04
a 20 -26 -6, while Pittsburgh, of course, receives
12:08
him in a 20 -26 -7. Now with this move, the Steelers
12:11
have given Michael Pittman a two -year $35 million
12:14
extension, $24 million guaranteed at signing,
12:17
a $22 .7 million signing bonus, and he'll be
12:20
making $17 .5 million a year. Now this trade
12:23
is a corresponding move to the Colts paying Alec
12:26
Pierce and Daniel Jones because they realized
12:28
that they weren't going to be able to keep everybody
12:30
on this offense. So they decided to move off
12:33
of Michael Pittman knowing that what they have
12:35
right now on this offense is still good. In the
12:38
last few years, the Steelers have attempted to
12:40
address the wider receiver two position, but
12:42
have been unsuccessful in doing it. They've went
12:45
the veteran route and trying to go after Adam
12:47
Thielen, MVS, Van Jefferson, for instance. None
12:51
of them have been very successful. But by training
12:54
for Michael Pittman, you're addressing that position
12:56
while at the same time not handcuffing yourself
12:59
to somebody for the long term. Now, the question
13:01
is this, how did the Steelers view Michael Pittman?
13:04
Do they view him as a slot? Do they view him
13:07
as an outside receiver? Because I believe he's
13:10
effective in both of those positions. Now, according
13:13
to reception perception, Michael Pittman ran
13:15
the dig at 27 .7%, the curl at 17 .7%, the slant
13:21
at 12 .7%, the flat at 8 .8%, the out at 5 .8%.
13:28
and the 9 at 11 .5%. However, when we compare
13:32
that to how successful he ran the routes, this
13:34
is what we have according to reception perception.
13:36
So he was 100 % successful when running the screen,
13:40
90 .9 % successful when running the slant, 80
13:43
.4 % successful in running the curl. 80 .6 %
13:47
were running the dig. 76 .5 % were running the
13:50
post. 75 % successful in running the comeback.
13:53
87 % successful in running the flat. And 100
13:56
% when he ran another route that's not being
13:59
listed. So overall, I think this is a good move
14:01
by the Steelers. It's just now we have to wait
14:04
and see what are they going to do at quarterback.
14:06
I'm not going to go on a rant. I'm not going
14:08
to talk about Aaron Rodgers. I'm not going to
14:10
say anything about it. Want to know how I feel
14:13
about it? Listen to the previous episodes last
14:15
year. So former Packers edge rusher Rashawn Gary
14:18
has been traded to the Cowboys. And so the Packers
14:21
received a 2027th fourth round pick. Prior to
14:24
this trade happening, Rashawn Gary had been floated
14:26
around as a potential cap casualty. But the question
14:29
is this, what are the Cowboys going to do with
14:31
his current contract? Because if I'm not mistaken,
14:34
he doesn't have any guaranteed money on there.
14:36
According to Spoltrak, Rashawn Gary's market
14:38
value is a four -year $94 .9 million deal, which
14:42
is $23 .7 million a year. I think the Cowboys
14:45
can afford that, but will they be willing to
14:47
pay him? And if so, are they going to do it this
14:50
summer? And since we're talking about the Cowboys,
14:52
former defensive tackle Osa Edigizua has been
14:55
traded to the 49ers. And so Dallas receives a
14:58
2026 third. Now, I think this is a really good
15:01
move for the 49ers because believe it or not,
15:03
Osa Edigizua is a really good defensive tackle.
15:06
Now, he may not be in the same light as a Jeffrey
15:08
Simmons or a Kim Hayward or a Jalen Carter, but
15:12
best believe he can move an offensive line. His
15:15
bull rush, lethal. And I think that's what the
15:17
49ers have been missing for a very long time.
15:20
And so by pairing him with Nick Bosa and the
15:23
rest of the guys that they have on that defensive
15:25
line, I think that's a good move. But the question
15:28
is this, what are the Cowboys going to do to
15:30
replace his role? Because yes, you have Kenny
15:32
Clark and Quinton Williams, but also played just
15:35
as much of a pivotal role as all those other
15:37
guys. So Justin Fields has been traded to the
15:40
Kansas City Chiefs. And so the Jets receive a
15:42
2027 sixth round pick. Now this is a low risk,
15:45
high reward move. By going to the Chiefs, Justin
15:49
Fields can now actually learn how to play quarterback.
15:52
We have seen Andy Reid work with a plethora of
15:56
different quarterbacks and all of them tend to
15:58
play better in his system. Now the payoff is
16:01
if Justin Fields thrives in this system, there
16:04
might be a chance where he can have a resurgence
16:06
in his career because that's what we've seen
16:08
in the last few years. When Baker Mayfield went
16:10
to the Buccaneers, he looked better. Sam Darnold
16:13
went to the Vikings and then to the Seahawks.
16:15
He looked better. Now, am I saying he's going
16:17
to do the same thing that Sam Darnold did? No.
16:19
But I am expecting for Justin Fields to be a
16:22
better quarterback after his experience with
16:24
the Chiefs. Because let's be honest here. Justin
16:27
Fields has all the intangibles to be a really
16:30
good quarterback, but he's been in some unsuccessful
16:32
situations where they haven't been able to bring
16:35
the best out of him. From being drafted by the
16:37
Bears and your first head coach is Matt Nagy,
16:40
then it's Matt Eberflus, to then going to the
16:42
Steelers and they don't even give you a legitimate
16:44
chance to compete, to then going to the Jets
16:46
where the offense really wasn't designed for
16:49
you. Of course, things really haven't been going
16:51
in your way, but I think going to the Chiefs
16:54
is a breath of fresh air for him. truly hope
16:57
that he really maximizes this opportunity and
16:59
he becomes a better quarterback from this now
17:02
let's talk about this max crosby situation but
17:04
before we do that we got to pay some bills. Pardon
17:07
the interruption, but this is your GM, your bag
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Now back to the good stuff. And we're back, folks.
18:44
So let's talk about this Max Crosby situation
18:45
because there's a lot to unpack with this, all
18:48
right? So I have to talk about the past before
18:50
we can talk about now. So last year, Jay Glazer
18:53
tweeted out that the Raiders had told Max Crosby
18:56
they want to shut him down the last two games.
18:58
Crosby, who has played with injuries for much
19:00
of the year, vehemently disagreed and had left
19:03
the building. So time passes on and Max Crosby
19:06
name is being floated around as being a trade
19:08
candidate. They're connecting him to the Ravens,
19:11
to the Cowboys, and a few... other teams and
19:13
then lo and behold we have a trade. So the Ravens
19:17
were going to receive Max Crosby and the Raiders
19:20
were going to receive two first round picks.
19:22
Now the trade couldn't be finalized until the
19:24
start of the new league year and Max Crosby passes
19:27
a physical. Okay, cool. Put a bookmark on that,
19:30
all right? So Max Crosby flies to Baltimore.
19:33
He's posting pictures of the Inner Harbor. He's,
19:36
you know, changing his profile picture of him
19:38
in a Ravens jersey. Everything is good in the
19:42
hood, right? But then we run into a snag. So
19:46
as I was eating my food on a Saturday night.
19:49
My phone kept on ringing. I'm like, what's going
19:51
on? It must be something with football. Lo and
19:54
behold, the Raiders tweeted this out. And I quote,
19:57
the Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade
20:00
agreement for Max Crosby. We will have no further
20:03
comment at this time. End quote. So after they
20:06
tweeted that out, I instantly started to think
20:08
what would cause the Ravens to quote unquote
20:11
back out on this deal. It was his knee. Something
20:15
happened with his knee. Now, remember this, folks.
20:18
Max Crosby had his surgery in January. He didn't
20:23
have it after the whole debacle with the Raiders.
20:26
Put a bookmark on that because we're going to
20:28
be talking about it. multiple times. So according
20:31
to Adam Schefter, the Ravens consulted with Cowboys
20:35
team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper and multiple
20:38
doctors to review Max Crosby's MRI scans. Now
20:41
for all of you who don't know, Dr. Cooper has
20:44
performed multiple surgeries on players such
20:46
as Patrick Mahomes and Malik Neighbors. Okay,
20:49
cool. Put a bookmark on that, okay? Because that's
20:52
very important. Now, during this whole debacle,
20:54
according to Jane Slater, the Ravens had discussed
20:57
renegotiating the Max Crosby trade, but the talks
21:00
never progressed. Now, here's the statement from
21:03
Dr. Neil Elitros, who performed the surgery on
21:05
Max Crosby, and I quote, Max Crosby is doing
21:08
very well in the early part of his rehab and
21:11
recovery from a surgery to treat a significant
21:13
meniscus tear and the related stress injury to
21:16
the bone and cartilage in his knee. He is certainly
21:19
on track in his planned program. He feels very
21:22
well and is already much improved compared to
21:24
before surgery. We truly respect the work of
21:27
the Raven staff with Max regarding the contract
21:29
physical exam. We also understand the challenge
21:32
the staff faces when tasked to provide a future
21:35
risk assessment based on an evaluation early
21:37
in the recovery process. This is especially challenging
21:40
when dealing with an elite player like Max considering
21:43
the level of commitment necessary for a team
21:45
to obtain him. The timing of this assessment
21:48
is unfortunate because the apparent risk will
21:50
lessen as his recovery progresses and his return
21:52
to performance over the next few months become
21:54
clear. At this point, Max is doing an excellent
21:58
job attacking his rehab and his knee is responding
22:01
very well. We look forward to Max returning to
22:04
his elite level of performance this season as
22:07
planned and for several more to come, end quote.
22:09
Now as time passed, I started to wonder if the
22:12
Ravens were ever going to say anything because
22:14
from the outside looking in, it looked like the
22:17
Ravens had cold feet and they backed out of this
22:19
trade. But finally, the Ravens announced that
22:22
Eric DaCosta will be speaking to the media and
22:24
this is what he said, end I quote. It's devastating
22:27
for me to have that conversation. I'm sure it
22:30
was challenging for them to hear as well. It
22:32
was also very, very, very, very hard for the
22:35
player to hear that. It's probably hardest for
22:37
Max more than anybody else. We were really excited
22:40
about potentially adding Max. Nobody is more
22:43
disappointed than me. He's a player I greatly
22:46
admire. I know our fans are upset and devastated.
22:49
I understand that. Tough, tough, tough situation.
22:52
But I think for the Ravens, the right situation,
22:55
my role as GM and Jesse's role as head coach
22:58
and Sashi Brown. as president, stewards of the
23:00
organization, we have to make tough calls. And
23:03
this was certainly a tough call to make. When
23:05
asked if the Ravens had cold feet, this is what
23:08
EDC had to say, and I quote, we live in that
23:10
age of skepticism and people question things,
23:13
especially people that don't really know me or
23:16
know the Ravens culture and the Ravens organization.
23:19
As I said at the beginning, we've got a responsibility.
23:21
I've got a responsibility to the Ravens, to this
23:24
community, to our fans, and to Steve Machado
23:27
to do what we think. is best for the club. Nobody's
23:30
more upset about this than me. I am gutted by
23:32
it, actually, but we will move on as a football
23:35
team. It hasn't stopped my phone from ringing,
23:37
I'll tell you that. I think our relationship
23:39
with agents and with other teams is really, really,
23:42
really good. I think that GMs understand the
23:45
importance of getting as much information as
23:47
possible before making decisions. There were
23:49
moments yesterday when, honestly, I was probably
23:51
speechless. Just sitting in the chair in my office,
23:54
just thinking about what the next step would
23:56
be and trying to get as much information as possible.
23:59
We've dealt with these kinds of things in the
24:01
past, but probably never at such a large figure.
24:05
challenging you get to the point where when you
24:07
look at the situation you have to make the right
24:09
decision when you are a steward of the organization
24:11
and you're put in that position you have to make
24:14
the tough call end quote now before i give my
24:17
opinion let's talk about max crosby's side of
24:19
the story okay So he was called on March 6th
24:23
by his agent, CJ LaBoy, that Baltimore had submitted
24:26
a trade offer. As he was about to meet up with
24:29
his friends, Crosby got calls from both his agent
24:32
and John Spitek, the Raiders GM, that this was
24:35
happening. Now on March 9th, Crosby was flown
24:37
into DC and had to ride into Baltimore. The next
24:41
day, Crosby went to the team facilities. Before
24:44
he left the facility, he wanted to meet with
24:47
both EDC and Jesse Mentor. But once he met -
24:50
That Jesse mentor, he said, and I quote, felt
24:52
like the energy was off compared to earlier in
24:55
his trip to Baltimore, end quote. Now, when he
24:58
met with both EDC and Jesse Minter, he was told,
25:01
and I quote, I don't know how to say this, but
25:04
one of our doctors has concerns with the results,
25:06
end quote. They go on to say, and I quote, with
25:10
your knee, some of them are concerned about the
25:13
future, end quote. Jesse Minter had informed
25:15
Crosby that they'd get more opinions. So time
25:19
passes on. Max Crosby returns to the hotel. He
25:22
spoke directly to his surgeon, Dr. E .L. Atras,
25:25
and he told Crosby, Now, after hours of speculation.
25:39
Crosby had heard from a Ravens rep that the medical
25:41
team were trying to get something done. Five
25:43
minutes after that conversation with the Ravens
25:46
rep, his agent, C .J. LaBoy, called him and saying,
25:49
and I quote, they're backing out, end quote.
25:52
Now, the Ravens flew Crosby, his wife, and team
25:55
back out to Vegas, and the next day he was back
25:57
in the Raiders facility. Now that we've got all
26:00
this stuff out the way, let me tell you how I
26:02
really feel about this, okay? And I'm not saying
26:05
this to act like I'm a Mr. Know -it -all, okay?
26:08
feeling this was going to happen because max
26:10
crosby just had the surgery in january so everybody
26:13
knew he wasn't going to pass a physical by now
26:15
but what i don't like is for media people to
26:18
say that the ravens got cold feet or backed out
26:21
of this trade the ravens were smart in making
26:24
this move because at the end of the day if max
26:27
crosby's knee is actually worse than expected
26:29
and he goes out in training camp and he does
26:32
the same move that he's been doing all his career
26:35
and re -aggravates that injury again and it's
26:38
worse or possibly career ending guess what the
26:41
rainbows are on the hook for two first round
26:44
picks understand this my fellow football junkies
26:46
in basketball first round picks are like potato
26:49
chips okay but first round picks in the nfl is
26:53
like gold that's why it's so rare for teams to
26:57
trade first round picks for players because they
26:59
understand the weight that comes with that move
27:03
Now, I commend the Ravens for doing all the necessary
27:06
work that they needed to do. But I knew the moment
27:10
that Schefter said that the Ravens had consulted
27:13
with Dr. Cooper, who was one of the top dogs
27:16
when it comes to knee surgeries, that sealed
27:18
the fate of the entire trade. Because I knew
27:21
that he probably saw the same thing that the
27:24
Ravens doctor saw as well. Now, I'll be honest
27:27
with you guys. I never believed that Max Crosby
27:30
was worth two first round picks. Now, is he worth
27:32
a first round pick and some other stuff? Of course,
27:35
without question. But to say that he's worth
27:38
two first round picks is a little bit of a reach.
27:40
Now, I understand the Ravens weren't just the
27:43
only team that was in on trying to get Max Crosby
27:45
because the Cowboys were willing to offer a first
27:48
and second form, according to Adam Schefter.
27:50
So I don't hate the Ravens for having to give
27:53
up a little bit more to seal the deal. What I
27:55
don't understand is why you would do this now.
27:58
And remember, folks, the Ravens were still trying
28:00
to do this trade despite the problems with Max
28:03
Crosby's knee. That's the part that nobody is
28:06
talking about. So for all you people out there
28:09
that are saying the Ravens got cold feet, the
28:11
Ravens got cold feet, let me ask you something,
28:13
okay? Because this is another angle that nobody
28:16
is talking about. Would your opinion on the Ravens
28:19
doing bad business be justified if they've done
28:22
this in the past? Because the few times the Ravens
28:25
have had to make a decision and they based their
28:27
decision off of medical evaluations, in some
28:30
ways they were right. With Michael Brockers in
28:32
2020, he didn't last that long afterwards. He
28:34
only played two more years. Ryan Grant, he had
28:37
problems with his ankle. A couple years later,
28:39
he had to retire. So don't just tell me that
28:42
the Ravens got cold feet, when in actuality,
28:45
they covered every single base that they could
28:47
possibly cover to make sure that they were right
28:50
on their evaluations. Because again, you're not
28:54
just giving up just one first round pick, you're
28:56
giving up two first round picks. As I've said
28:59
before in the early part of this episode, if
29:02
I haven't already said it. If the trade would
29:04
have went through, and Max Crosby would have
29:06
went out on training camp, or better yet, during
29:08
the regular season, and he did the same move
29:11
that he's been doing for years now, and he re
29:14
-aggravates that injury to the point where he
29:16
has to medically retire, guess what happens?
29:19
The Ravens are on the hook for two first round
29:22
picks. Now, shortly after the Raiders made that
29:25
statement, there was speculation on if the Cowboys
29:28
were going to try to make a trade for Crosby.
29:30
And that didn't happen. That was shut down within
29:33
a matter of minutes. So that just tells you there
29:37
is somewhat of a red flag on his medicals. Now,
29:41
the question is, what is it? Will we ever know?
29:44
Probably not. And one more thing about this Max
29:47
Crosby situation, and then we'll go on to the
29:49
last topic and be done with the episode, okay?
29:51
What I don't like with Max Crosby is how you
29:54
could go on this giant hissy fit talking about
29:56
I am where I need to be and it is what it is
30:00
and talk about how you had to fly into DC and
30:03
then you had to drive two hours to Baltimore.
30:05
Bro, relax. Relax. Because what I don't understand
30:09
is how you can go and just nitpick at the small
30:12
little things. You were making it seem like you
30:14
were staying at a Motel 6. And you wasn't. You
30:17
were staying at one of the best hotels in the
30:20
city, dog. Stop playing. Stop playing. And then
30:23
you're going to say that there was a dead body
30:25
in front of the hotel. No, it wasn't. Most likely
30:28
it was probably a homeless person that was either
30:31
drunk or high and they passed out. Relax. Because
30:35
when this trade happened, oh, you was posting
30:38
up pictures of the stadium. You changed your
30:40
profile picture to you wearing a Ravens jersey.
30:42
You was using Kodak and all these different things
30:46
related to the Ravens and Lamar and whatnot.
30:48
But now that something has come up, now you're
30:51
having bitter feelings about it. You need to
30:52
relax. And you need to point the finger at yourself.
30:55
Because again, like I just said in the previous
30:58
part of this episode, had you had the surgery
31:00
earlier on, you wouldn't be in this situation
31:03
right now. But that's the part you don't want
31:06
to bring up. You want to point the finger at
31:08
the Ravens, but you don't want to point the finger
31:10
at yourself. And from now on, every time that
31:13
Max Crosby complains about not wanting to be
31:15
with the Raiders, pull up the clip of him talking
31:18
about he's where he needs to be. Pull it up every
31:22
single time because you know what's going to
31:24
happen. Because he's had a track record of doing
31:26
this every single year. You murmur and complain
31:30
and talk about, I don't want to be here no more.
31:32
I'm trying to win. I'm trying to do something.
31:35
I want to have a legacy. Blah, blah, blah, yada,
31:38
yada, yada. But when you get an opportunity to
31:40
do it, you don't want to capitalize off of it.
31:42
Because if I'm Max Crosby, I am blowing up my
31:46
agent's phone. Hey, bro. We got to find a way
31:49
to go to another team, man. I don't want to be
31:51
with the Raiders. I like the Raiders. The Raiders
31:53
are cool and everything, but I want to go somewhere
31:55
else. Can you take me to this team? Can you take
31:57
me to that team? Can you take me to any of these
31:59
other teams? Please, because I don't want to
32:01
be with the Raiders. But instead, you're content.
32:05
But that's okay. It's perfectly fine. All right,
32:09
let's get these free agent signings out the way,
32:10
and then we'll just end the episode, okay? So
32:12
Jalen Phillips inks a four -year $120 million
32:16
deal with the Panthers, $60 million guaranteed
32:19
at signing, a $35 million signing bonus, and
32:21
he'll be making $30 million a year. When we look
32:23
at his stats from this past season, he had 53
32:26
tackles and five sacks. Now, when we look at
32:29
his market value according to Spoltrak, it's
32:31
three years, $52 million, which is $17 .3 million
32:34
a year. Now, do I think the Panthers overpaid
32:37
for Jalen Phillips? Yes, but I'm leaning towards
32:41
no. And the reason why I say that is because
32:44
we know that edge rusher is a premium position.
32:47
So with it being a premium position, a lot of
32:50
times some players are going to be overpaid.
32:52
And don't get it twisted. Jalen Phillips is a
32:54
good pass rusher, but to say that he's worth
32:57
$30 million a year, I don't know about that.
33:00
Maybe, maybe not. I just got to see more from
33:03
him. But by going to the Panthers, you now have
33:06
a true dominant edge rusher to pair with Derrick
33:09
Brown and the rest of those guys that's on that
33:11
defensive line, which I think is good. Now on
33:14
to Tyler Linderbaum, who inks a three -year $81
33:16
million deal with the Raiders. $60 million guaranteed
33:19
at signing, a $20 million signing bonus, and
33:22
he'll be making $27 million a year. So he is
33:24
now the highest paid center in the league. Now
33:27
his market value, according to Spoltrak, is four
33:30
years, $70 .8 million, which is $17 .7 million
33:33
a year. I'll be honest with you, this is a reach,
33:36
a major reach, because I still believe that Creed
33:40
Humphrey is way better than Tyler Linderbaum.
33:42
Now, I understand when a lot of players hit free
33:45
agency, a lot of times those teams are going
33:47
to overpay for that player. That's perfectly
33:50
fine. But to overpay like this at center for
33:54
Tyler Linderbaum? Come on now. And don't get
33:57
it twisted. I don't think Tyler Linderbaum is
33:59
a bad center. I'm just not going to pay him more
34:02
than a Super Bowl winning potential Hall of Fame
34:05
center in Creed Humphrey. I'm not doing it. Now
34:09
let's talk about Adafio Way. So he inks a four
34:11
-year $96 million deal with the Commanders, $50
34:14
.6 million guaranteed at signing, a $26 million
34:17
signing bonus, and will be making $24 million
34:20
a year. Now, according to Spoltrak, his market
34:23
value was three years, $57 .9 million, which
34:26
is $19 .3 million a year. While I understand
34:28
the Commanders want more production from their
34:30
defense, and they realized that they needed to
34:33
add in a legitimate pass rusher, I don't know
34:36
if this is the right move. If you're going to
34:38
go after somebody, go after somebody that you
34:40
know that you know that you know can close a
34:43
game, can change a game. I feel like Adafia Way
34:46
has only shown that in moments. I need to see
34:49
a little bit more consistency because if we can
34:51
be honest here. Last season, when he got traded
34:54
to the Chargers, was probably his best stretch
34:57
of football. And that was only a couple of games.
35:00
I'm not going to pay you $24 million a year just
35:03
for a couple of games. But instead, I'm going
35:05
to pay you $24 million because you have shown
35:08
this throughout an entire season or even longer
35:11
than that. But by signing Adafi away, is this
35:14
signaling that the Commanders are not going to
35:16
address pass rusher in the draft? Because I really
35:19
don't want that to happen. I truly believe the
35:21
Commanders need to take a pass rusher. Now, I'm
35:23
not saying you need to do it in the first round,
35:25
but if you can do it in the second or maybe third
35:28
round, I think that's still good because I think
35:30
there's a lot of good pass rushers in this draft
35:32
class. Alec Pierce stays with the Colts and he
35:34
inks a four -year $114 million deal, $60 million
35:38
guaranteed at signing, a $26 million signing
35:41
bonus, and he'll be making $28 .5 million a year.
35:44
When we look at his market value from Spoltrak,
35:46
it's a four -year $80 .9 million deal, which
35:50
is $20 .2 million a year. It was only right for
35:53
the Colts to do this because they realized that
35:55
once he hit free agency, they weren't going to
35:57
be able to bring him back. Because we know there
36:00
were multiple teams that were lined up, ready
36:03
to give him whatever he wanted. So Mike Evans
36:06
inks a three -year, $42 million deal with the
36:09
49ers, $14 .3 million guaranteed at signing,
36:12
a $12 million signing bonus. He'll be making
36:14
$14 .1 million a year. When we look at his market
36:17
value, according to Spoltrak, it's a two -year
36:20
$26 .6 million deal, which is $13 .3 million
36:23
a year. Now, this signing caught me off guard
36:25
because I thought Mike Evans was going to stay
36:27
with the Buccaneers. But clearly, something happened
36:30
last season that just made him say, you know
36:32
what? It's time for me to go somewhere else.
36:34
And according to the Buccaneers GM, they were
36:37
willing to go above and beyond to keep Mike Evans.
36:39
So it wasn't a monetary thing. It must have been
36:42
something else. My guess is Mike Evans is trying
36:46
to win one more championship. Now, the question
36:48
is this. By signing with the 49ers, do you believe,
36:52
Mike Evans, that that is the best opportunity
36:54
for you to compete and to win another championship?
36:58
Somebody let me know on our YouTube page at Football
37:01
Junkies Pod, all right? I want to hear it specifically
37:04
from 49ers fans. So former Broncos defensive
37:07
end John Franklin Myers inks a three -year $63
37:10
million deal with the Titans. $42 million guaranteed
37:13
at signing, a $12 million signing bonus, and
37:16
he'll be making $21 million a year. When we look
37:18
at his market value, according to Spoltrak, it's
37:20
a two -year $15 .7 million deal, which is $7
37:24
.9 million a year. Now, this move is interesting.
37:27
because he has familiarity with working with
37:30
Robert Sala. So I feel like that's probably the
37:33
reason why he went to the Titans. Now, me personally,
37:35
I probably would have stayed with the Broncos
37:37
unless they were trying to lowball you. And if
37:40
they were trying to do that, then by all means,
37:42
this makes sense. But by signing John Franklin
37:44
Myers, that is just bolstering up this defensive
37:47
line even more because now you have him, Jeffrey
37:51
Simmons, they traded for Jermaine Johnson as
37:54
well. I know they're probably gonna get either
37:56
R. Harvell Reese, or Sonny Stiles. So best belief,
37:59
that defensive line is going to be ferocious
38:02
this upcoming season. So former Jaguars linebacker
38:05
Devin Lloyd inks a three -year $42 million deal
38:08
with the Panthers, $25 million guaranteed at
38:10
signing, a $15 .2 million signing bonus, and
38:14
he'll be making $14 million a year. When we look
38:16
at his market value according to Spotrack, it's
38:18
a three -year $60 .4 million deal, which is $20
38:21
.1 million a year. I'll be honest with you, I
38:24
feel like this is a little bit of a low ball.
38:26
And the reason why I say that is because I would
38:29
have thought Devin Lloyd would have cashed in
38:30
somewhere. But to only be making $14 million
38:33
a year is a little bit of a head scratcher. Now,
38:35
I think this happened because this upcoming draft
38:38
class is supposed to be really good at linebacker.
38:40
So my guess is that probably devalued Devin Lloyd
38:43
just a little bit. But even then, Devin Lloyd
38:46
is worth at least maybe $15 to maybe $18 million
38:50
a year. Maybe it's a former coach that's with
38:52
the Panthers that he's following. I don't know.
38:54
Only time will tell but i do think by going to
38:57
the panthers i think it's going to bolster up
38:59
this defense even more Believe it or not, they
39:02
got some guys on that defense now. You got Jalen
39:05
Phillips. You got Devin Lloyd. You still got
39:07
J .C. Horn. You got Derrick Brown. I see the
39:10
vision, Panthers. I see the vision. But Devin
39:12
Lloyd, the first thing that you need to do when
39:14
you get to Carolina, go to Garner's and get you
39:16
a barbecue sandwich with some coleslaw on top.
39:19
If you know, you know. For all my people that's
39:22
from North Carolina, okay? So Super Bowl MVP
39:24
Kenneth Walker inks a three -year $43 million
39:27
deal with the Chiefs. $28 .7 million guaranteed
39:30
at signing, a $13 million signing bonus, he'll
39:33
be making $14 .3 million a year. When we look
39:35
at his market value according to Spotrack, it's
39:38
a four -year $36 million deal, which is $9 million
39:41
a year. Now, I'll be honest with you. I think
39:44
the Chiefs realized they're going to have to
39:45
pay the Super Bowl tax to get someone like a
39:47
Kenneth Walker, and I think they were okay with
39:50
that because they realized in the last few years
39:52
their run game hasn't been good. Even though
39:55
they've had production from veteran running backs,
39:57
I think the Chiefs... Chiefs realize it's not
39:59
enough. Case in point, that's why the Chiefs
40:01
brought back Eric Biennemi because they realized
40:03
that when he was there, the run game was really
40:06
productive. But let's see how this run game goes,
40:08
all right? But I'm gonna end this episode here.
40:10
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to post them. Give me some time, all right? You
41:28
can follow me on Blue Sky at GMKale. G -M -Kale.
41:33
K -A -I -L -E. G -M -K -A -I -L -E, all right?
41:38
You can follow me on Instagram at football underscore
41:41
junkies pod. Football underscore junkies pod.
41:43
Junkies pod is not what? It is together. Not
41:50
spaced, okay? It is together, not spaced. Football
41:54
underscore junkies pod. You can follow me on
41:56
Twitter at GMKale. G -M -K -A -I -L -E. G -M
42:02
-K -A -I -L -E. As always, I hope I gave you
42:05
guys the fix that you guys need. I love you guys.
42:07
I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you guys
42:09
so much for listening to the best football podcast
42:11
that you can listen to on a week -to -week, day
42:14
-to -day basis. And as always, this is your GMKale
42:16
signing off. Peace and love. Later, guys.