Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio.

Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio.

It is a very cool day. It is a very cool day for a lot of different reasons. It's exciting, it's famous players getting huge money. And I'm actually really impressed with the Bengals because right or wrong, they had this reputation and their front offs so their organization of won't pay it is gone from who day to who pay?

It is a very cool day. It is a very cool day for a lot of different reasons. It's exciting, it's famous players getting huge money. And I'm actually really impressed with the Bengals because right or wrong, they had this reputation and their front offs so their organization of won't pay it is gone from who day to who pay?

And they pay, They pay their guys.

And they pay, They pay their guys.

It just wouldn't be me, guys if I didn't say, also like, okay, this is a really good day for the Bengals offense. It's a very good day for the Bengals offense. I don't know yet if it is a very very good day for the twenty twenty five Bengals record. I don't know that, Higgins. They got Jamar Chase. That's a wonderful thing and everyone can do their tweets about they got that bag and they got all paid all capitals. Are you picking the Bengals go to the Super Bowl next year? Are you picking the Bengals to win the North? You're probably picking the Bengals to win your fantasy league. But I picked the Ben Affleck meme for Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden who was sitting outside.

It just wouldn't be me, guys if I didn't say, also like, okay, this is a really good day for the Bengals offense. It's a very good day for the Bengals offense. I don't know yet if it is a very very good day for the twenty twenty five Bengals record. I don't know that, Higgins. They got Jamar Chase. That's a wonderful thing and everyone can do their tweets about they got that bag and they got all paid all capitals. Are you picking the Bengals go to the Super Bowl next year? Are you picking the Bengals to win the North? You're probably picking the Bengals to win your fantasy league. But I picked the Ben Affleck meme for Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden who was sitting outside.

With a cigarette, like, what am I gonna do? Guys?

With a cigarette, like, what am I gonna do? Guys?

There is still a very very good pass rusher who was out there. I don't know if he's going to be part of the team moving forward. His name is Trey Hendrickson. And if he's not, who is? I have to put the cards on the table. Exciting day, sure, but nobody wants to have the best offense on a team that doesn't make the playoffs, and right now there are shades of that. My favorite sporting events other than the Super Bowl. You know, I've actually cried at a sporting event before and you would think, you know, was the Cubs winning the World Series in twenty sixteen?

There is still a very very good pass rusher who was out there. I don't know if he's going to be part of the team moving forward. His name is Trey Hendrickson. And if he's not, who is? I have to put the cards on the table. Exciting day, sure, but nobody wants to have the best offense on a team that doesn't make the playoffs, and right now there are shades of that. My favorite sporting events other than the Super Bowl. You know, I've actually cried at a sporting event before and you would think, you know, was the Cubs winning the World Series in twenty sixteen?

No?

No?

Was it the Bears winning the Super Bowl in January eighty sixth.

Was it the Bears winning the Super Bowl in January eighty sixth.

No.

No.

I cried at WrestleMania last year. I did it. I've never been to WrestleMania before.

I cried at WrestleMania last year. I did it. I've never been to WrestleMania before.

I went to the Linking Financial Field with the Eagles play this last year.

I went to the Linking Financial Field with the Eagles play this last year.

I brought my son. I brought my son who was in fourth grade.

I brought my son. I brought my son who was in fourth grade.

You will not believe how amazing this experience is and the presentation. Imagine if you combined a sporting event and a rock concert, and.

You will not believe how amazing this experience is and the presentation. Imagine if you combined a sporting event and a rock concert, and.

It's somewhere in between.

It's somewhere in between.

In the last main events, they're doing all these cameos, and the rocks walking in and John Cena's running in and I'm getting so emotional. And in the middle of all this chaos, they turn the lights out and you just hear and it's the Undertaker's music. And the Undertaker when the lights come back on, is in the middle of the ring, as if it was magic.

In the last main events, they're doing all these cameos, and the rocks walking in and John Cena's running in and I'm getting so emotional. And in the middle of all this chaos, they turn the lights out and you just hear and it's the Undertaker's music. And the Undertaker when the lights come back on, is in the middle of the ring, as if it was magic.

My son is screaming at me and he looks in the ring.

My son is screaming at me and he looks in the ring.

He looks at me and goes, are you crying out?

He looks at me and goes, are you crying out?

Yeah, a little bit. I'm getting a little worked up.

Yeah, a little bit. I'm getting a little worked up.

I had one tear going down my cheek like grima worm tongue. Looking at Saramon's army, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and it was just an amazing product.

I had one tear going down my cheek like grima worm tongue. Looking at Saramon's army, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and it was just an amazing product.

I've been to a lot of Super Bowls. I've seen them all. I was at.

I've been to a lot of Super Bowls. I've seen them all. I was at.

Twenty eight to three, I was at that horrible Jason mccordy rams Patriots one.

Twenty eight to three, I was at that horrible Jason mccordy rams Patriots one.

I was at this one.

I was at this one.

I have never come close to shedding a tear, But when the Undertaker stood up and choke slammed the rock, I'm sitting there. I needed a tissue that was the power of WrestleMania.

I have never come close to shedding a tear, But when the Undertaker stood up and choke slammed the rock, I'm sitting there. I needed a tissue that was the power of WrestleMania.

I'm the fan and I'll never forget it.

I'm the fan and I'll never forget it.

What I learned during this free agency period is that after really decades and decades of trying to do this with the media and with the athletes, we still have not solved the it's not about the money quote and all the fallout that comes from that case. In point, Miles Garrett, we know how this went down. He goes around Super Bowl week, he does n't a bunch of different interviews after posting a letter that he wants out of Cleveland, wants to go win a super Bowl, uses the phrase it's not about money to rich Eise it. In many other places, he's gone, it's done. He just wants to win. Cleveland pulls out a massive contract out of nowhere, and for a brief period of time, Miles says, let's go, and I'm the most expensive, most highest paid non quarterback play ever. He had a media session that was just a few days ago, and we haven't gotten to talk about it as a show.

What I learned during this free agency period is that after really decades and decades of trying to do this with the media and with the athletes, we still have not solved the it's not about the money quote and all the fallout that comes from that case. In point, Miles Garrett, we know how this went down. He goes around Super Bowl week, he does n't a bunch of different interviews after posting a letter that he wants out of Cleveland, wants to go win a super Bowl, uses the phrase it's not about money to rich Eise it. In many other places, he's gone, it's done. He just wants to win. Cleveland pulls out a massive contract out of nowhere, and for a brief period of time, Miles says, let's go, and I'm the most expensive, most highest paid non quarterback play ever. He had a media session that was just a few days ago, and we haven't gotten to talk about it as a show.

And it was actually very cool.

And it was actually very cool.

And there's dinosaurs everywhere, and you know he's a dinosaur enthusiast, and it was looked at as a really cool moment for the Cleveland Browns, and there's cupcakes with dinosaurs and all this type of stuff. There was just a period where he made his statement, and of course he got a bunch of follow ups from the media about you know, you said it was this.

And there's dinosaurs everywhere, and you know he's a dinosaur enthusiast, and it was looked at as a really cool moment for the Cleveland Browns, and there's cupcakes with dinosaurs and all this type of stuff. There was just a period where he made his statement, and of course he got a bunch of follow ups from the media about you know, you said it was this.

And this, money this and money this and not wanting to win this, and it was just a little awkward.

And this, money this and money this and not wanting to win this, and it was just a little awkward.

And in a day that he was trying to have you about celebration, he's getting these follow up questions about money. So honestly, as well represented as he is, there's part of me, as a fan that wishes that I could have personally written the remarks or the speech for Miles Garrett to sit down and speak to the Cleveland media, because if I could have, this is how it would have gone. It would have gone like this, all right, here we go, Miles Garrett, massive deal, said he wanted.

And in a day that he was trying to have you about celebration, he's getting these follow up questions about money. So honestly, as well represented as he is, there's part of me, as a fan that wishes that I could have personally written the remarks or the speech for Miles Garrett to sit down and speak to the Cleveland media, because if I could have, this is how it would have gone. It would have gone like this, all right, here we go, Miles Garrett, massive deal, said he wanted.

Now he's here.

Now he's here.

Good afternoon, Good afternoon, good afternoon. How's everyone doing. Good to see everybody listen, Like you wouldn't have come back for that deal, no, listen. I was so impressed and proud and grateful to the Cleveland Browns for making an offer of that stature. Number one, it would be irresponsible to my family to walk away from that level of financial security.

Good afternoon, Good afternoon, good afternoon. How's everyone doing. Good to see everybody listen, Like you wouldn't have come back for that deal, no, listen. I was so impressed and proud and grateful to the Cleveland Browns for making an offer of that stature. Number one, it would be irresponsible to my family to walk away from that level of financial security.

Part of the.

Part of the.

Reason I'm here is the money. I'm going to shoot you straight. However, number two, the Browns organization also showed a great deal about how they feel regarding the future. The fact that they wouldn't let their best player leave, wouldn't trade me, and made me an offer I can't refuse, tells me, in fact, how serious they are about winning. I understand they could have traded me for many picks and began that very rebuild that I told you all I wanted no part of.

Reason I'm here is the money. I'm going to shoot you straight. However, number two, the Browns organization also showed a great deal about how they feel regarding the future. The fact that they wouldn't let their best player leave, wouldn't trade me, and made me an offer I can't refuse, tells me, in fact, how serious they are about winning. I understand they could have traded me for many picks and began that very rebuild that I told you all I wanted no part of.

But they didn't.

But they didn't.

I saw them like I've never seen them before, because they've never made a deal like this before. It was about the money, and the money said we want to win, and we want to do it now, and we don't want to do it without you.

I saw them like I've never seen them before, because they've never made a deal like this before. It was about the money, and the money said we want to win, and we want to do it now, and we don't want to do it without you.

There are many dinosaurs here today.

There are many dinosaurs here today.

I'm an enthusiast for the Jurassic Period, and I felt like my life as a Cleveland brown was reaching extinction. But this organization reminded me life finds a way, and to quote John Hammond, they spared no expense.

I'm an enthusiast for the Jurassic Period, and I felt like my life as a Cleveland brown was reaching extinction. But this organization reminded me life finds a way, and to quote John Hammond, they spared no expense.

Now I'd like to open up for questions that should have been the statement.

Now I'd like to open up for questions that should have been the statement.

And I am here for hire for a far, far, far lesser number than Miles Garrett. Is there for hire for any athlete who wants to hit all the right notes when saying.

And I am here for hire for a far, far, far lesser number than Miles Garrett. Is there for hire for any athlete who wants to hit all the right notes when saying.

Yeah, hell yeah, the money matter, you stupid. Of course it's the money, but there's also some real substance behind it, and that's why I am here. Well, the Jets segue is easy.

Yeah, hell yeah, the money matter, you stupid. Of course it's the money, but there's also some real substance behind it, and that's why I am here. Well, the Jets segue is easy.

The guy that they took the right steps to a couple of years ago, Aaron Rodgers is still taking steps on the beach, wrapped in some sort.

The guy that they took the right steps to a couple of years ago, Aaron Rodgers is still taking steps on the beach, wrapped in some sort.

Of blanket and looking out into the future.

Of blanket and looking out into the future.

As far as I know, we might as well be because we still don't have the decision.

As far as I know, we might as well be because we still don't have the decision.

And as here's where we are, let's to pick up at this as.

And as here's where we are, let's to pick up at this as.

Russ Tucker is a great friend of mine, we've had him on the show, and I'm going to paraphrase, but he's making the point about listen, both things can be true. Aaron Rodgers deserves all the time to make this the career defining decision, because a guy with twenty years served and he can take whatever time he wants, and the fact that he's waiting and waiting, waiting, and all the media circling around him kind of just underlines the reasons some franchises don't want him because it's always something, and even if he does something that makes sense, like taking his time to make a decision, it becomes a news story that then comes to your franchise and your company. I'm still the same place with Rogers as a fan. I'm done seeing him play. It's fine if I'm trying to see where he has to land someplace. I think Pittsburgh is the best spot for a million different reasons that.

Russ Tucker is a great friend of mine, we've had him on the show, and I'm going to paraphrase, but he's making the point about listen, both things can be true. Aaron Rodgers deserves all the time to make this the career defining decision, because a guy with twenty years served and he can take whatever time he wants, and the fact that he's waiting and waiting, waiting, and all the media circling around him kind of just underlines the reasons some franchises don't want him because it's always something, and even if he does something that makes sense, like taking his time to make a decision, it becomes a news story that then comes to your franchise and your company. I'm still the same place with Rogers as a fan. I'm done seeing him play. It's fine if I'm trying to see where he has to land someplace. I think Pittsburgh is the best spot for a million different reasons that.

I've talked about at nauseum. So is everybody else the.

I've talked about at nauseum. So is everybody else the.

Most fascinating one and the tastiest one if you're just want some sort of titillating media. As he goes to the Vikings and there's the New York Times article that comes out, there's written by a few people who say that, you know, O'Connell's interested, and the Vikings are interested, and of course Rogers is interested. My take on it is the elephant in the room would be, of course, oh my god, he's doing the Brett Farv thing again. Where by some very infinitesimal odds, he goes from the Packers to a brief stop with the jets to the Vikings and he gets to play against the Packers. It is a crazy coincidence if it happens, and I do think it's a coincidence. I think Brett Favre genuinely and passionately wanted to go against the Packers.

Most fascinating one and the tastiest one if you're just want some sort of titillating media. As he goes to the Vikings and there's the New York Times article that comes out, there's written by a few people who say that, you know, O'Connell's interested, and the Vikings are interested, and of course Rogers is interested. My take on it is the elephant in the room would be, of course, oh my god, he's doing the Brett Farv thing again. Where by some very infinitesimal odds, he goes from the Packers to a brief stop with the jets to the Vikings and he gets to play against the Packers. It is a crazy coincidence if it happens, and I do think it's a coincidence. I think Brett Favre genuinely and passionately wanted to go against the Packers.

I don't know if Rogers is like that.

I don't know if Rogers is like that.

In fact, if you had to ask me, I don't think it's that. I think Rogers' motivation of play with the Vikings as he's looking at the wide receivers and the coach, and if they were in the NFC North and they didn't have the Packers on the schedule, I think you would have the same desire to play there. That is a team set up for Rogers to cook. The fact that he goes into Lambeau, I don't know, you're gonna go in there and you can get.

In fact, if you had to ask me, I don't think it's that. I think Rogers' motivation of play with the Vikings as he's looking at the wide receivers and the coach, and if they were in the NFC North and they didn't have the Packers on the schedule, I think you would have the same desire to play there. That is a team set up for Rogers to cook. The fact that he goes into Lambeau, I don't know, you're gonna go in there and you can get.

To get booed.

To get booed.

You have everybody make these signs about you know, you suck this, and like, I don't even know if he wants that in his life. There's nothing taking medicine out in the jungle that says go take revenge on the team where you.

You have everybody make these signs about you know, you suck this, and like, I don't even know if he wants that in his life. There's nothing taking medicine out in the jungle that says go take revenge on the team where you.

Spent eighteen years. I think it is so.

Spent eighteen years. I think it is so.

I think the Vikings would be the most interesting. I don't think Rogers is waiting around for them to offer him a job just so he can go and stick it to the Packers.

I think the Vikings would be the most interesting. I don't think Rogers is waiting around for them to offer him a job just so he can go and stick it to the Packers.

I want the end.

I want the end.

He wants that job, so we could throw it to Jefferson, and who can blame him at this point. If you made me choose one that would be the most fun, it's the Vikings. I still say, if he's going to go somewhere, the one that makes the most sense for the football I still think is the Steelers. I think Sean McVay is the best coach in the NFL, I really do. And it's they left us with that bittersweet taste at the end of the season where it looked like they really were going to pull off the impossible and somehow beat the Eagles in the snow, and then the Eagles just flexed on them and it was over the Seahawks.

He wants that job, so we could throw it to Jefferson, and who can blame him at this point. If you made me choose one that would be the most fun, it's the Vikings. I still say, if he's going to go somewhere, the one that makes the most sense for the football I still think is the Steelers. I think Sean McVay is the best coach in the NFL, I really do. And it's they left us with that bittersweet taste at the end of the season where it looked like they really were going to pull off the impossible and somehow beat the Eagles in the snow, and then the Eagles just flexed on them and it was over the Seahawks.

Listen, it's the Sam.

Listen, it's the Sam.

Donald conversation, right, and we're gonna have the same one until next six months, and the schedule is going to drop and you know, in a matter of weeks in the offseason, and we're going to look at that first primetime game that the Seahawks have on the road against a really good NFC opponent, and we will pull up with popcorn and see what Sam Donald has. I can't really answer any questions definitively out the Seahawks until the games happened, because anybody else does.

Donald conversation, right, and we're gonna have the same one until next six months, and the schedule is going to drop and you know, in a matter of weeks in the offseason, and we're going to look at that first primetime game that the Seahawks have on the road against a really good NFC opponent, and we will pull up with popcorn and see what Sam Donald has. I can't really answer any questions definitively out the Seahawks until the games happened, because anybody else does.

Is just guessing what we're going to get from Donald. It's such a mixed.

Is just guessing what we're going to get from Donald. It's such a mixed.

Bag resume the good, the high, the low, and that could be just last year.

Bag resume the good, the high, the low, and that could be just last year.

So it is. I've said this before.

So it is. I've said this before.

I think he's the most interesting player in the league this season. Interesting because you do not know how the movie is.

I think he's the most interesting player in the league this season. Interesting because you do not know how the movie is.

Going to end.

Going to end.

So that makes the Seahawks one of the most interesting teams. They're physical, they run really hard, they have good defensive players.

So that makes the Seahawks one of the most interesting teams. They're physical, they run really hard, they have good defensive players.

Do they have a big game quarterback? I don't know.

Do they have a big game quarterback? I don't know.

You don't know, and really I don't think they know. I like Cam and I like what Cam stands for. I think in most eras of Steelers football, I would agree where the Steelers it's an honor to join us like the Packers, so honor and accept the invitation or GTFO, But.

You don't know, and really I don't think they know. I like Cam and I like what Cam stands for. I think in most eras of Steelers football, I would agree where the Steelers it's an honor to join us like the Packers, so honor and accept the invitation or GTFO, But.

Not in this era.

Not in this era.

This era for the Steelers is we can't find a quarterback and our coach can't find the divisional round era Cam says he's not going on a darkness retreat. He's already on one. Cam has not won a playoff game since twenty seventeen. He and his whole team have been on a darkness retreat for eight years. Rogers merely adopted the dark Most of the Steelers on this team were born in it.

This era for the Steelers is we can't find a quarterback and our coach can't find the divisional round era Cam says he's not going on a darkness retreat. He's already on one. Cam has not won a playoff game since twenty seventeen. He and his whole team have been on a darkness retreat for eight years. Rogers merely adopted the dark Most of the Steelers on this team were born in it.

So no, the pitch is not just Pittsburgh Steelers. It's Pittsburgh Steelers.

So no, the pitch is not just Pittsburgh Steelers. It's Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aaron, just play as well as you did last year and you'll be the best quarterback we've had in a long time.

Aaron, just play as well as you did last year and you'll be the best quarterback we've had in a long time.

Cam has nothing to prove.

Cam has nothing to prove.

We know there's a Super Bowl champ, Walter Payton, Man of the Year, universally respected.

We know there's a Super Bowl champ, Walter Payton, Man of the Year, universally respected.

He has nothing to prove. Mike Tomlin does. Though.

He has nothing to prove. Mike Tomlin does. Though.

Mike Tomlin has to prove he should still be the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he needs a quarterback to do it with. Of Course, of course it's annoying to wait for Rogers. Of course Cam is tired of talking about it, But he's got to be more tired of talking about losing every January, right, because I listened to Cam's podcasts after this most recent playoff loss of the Steelers. He talks about letting the fans down, letting themselves down, and he says it's unacceptable, and that's exactly the right word.

Mike Tomlin has to prove he should still be the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he needs a quarterback to do it with. Of Course, of course it's annoying to wait for Rogers. Of course Cam is tired of talking about it, But he's got to be more tired of talking about losing every January, right, because I listened to Cam's podcasts after this most recent playoff loss of the Steelers. He talks about letting the fans down, letting themselves down, and he says it's unacceptable, and that's exactly the right word.

It's unacceptable. I respect that.

It's unacceptable. I respect that.

Waiting around for a forty one year old quarterback to decide if he wants to toss a bouquet to the Pittsburgh Steelers feels like it's beneath the Pittsburgh Steelers. But right now, you got to keep on waiting because I don't recognize a lot of these Pittsburgh Steelers. Waiting until late July is better than losing in early January. The weight continues. Matt Collins is out there. He feels like he's been on fifty different teams. He's very well liked, he's good at media. He's like the Kyle van Noy of wide receiver. I like him right now in New England. He's going where he's going to go back with Jack McDaniel.

Waiting around for a forty one year old quarterback to decide if he wants to toss a bouquet to the Pittsburgh Steelers feels like it's beneath the Pittsburgh Steelers. But right now, you got to keep on waiting because I don't recognize a lot of these Pittsburgh Steelers. Waiting until late July is better than losing in early January. The weight continues. Matt Collins is out there. He feels like he's been on fifty different teams. He's very well liked, he's good at media. He's like the Kyle van Noy of wide receiver. I like him right now in New England. He's going where he's going to go back with Jack McDaniel.

We got this.

We got this.

Can we just take a second for everybody at the table, this type of character, the barefoot thing dude walks around three sixty five with no shoes or socks on Van Noy and Derwin.

Can we just take a second for everybody at the table, this type of character, the barefoot thing dude walks around three sixty five with no shoes or socks on Van Noy and Derwin.

What do you guys think of it?

What do you guys think of it?

Hey man, I definitely believe in the grounding before the game. Definitely get that feel of the atmosphere out there. So I'm with you, hey, KB, It's something I like to do to get grounding. Mac is actually a former teammate. I've been in the league so long. I feel like everyone one's been my teammate.

Hey man, I definitely believe in the grounding before the game. Definitely get that feel of the atmosphere out there. So I'm with you, hey, KB, It's something I like to do to get grounding. Mac is actually a former teammate. I've been in the league so long. I feel like everyone one's been my teammate.

But Max awesome for me too. Max awesome for a locker. I think he's gonna do great in New England. He did really well with Josh Allen last year. I felt like he was a great teammate to everybody and played really really good football. Expect to see Max feet everywhere in Boston.

But Max awesome for me too. Max awesome for a locker. I think he's gonna do great in New England. He did really well with Josh Allen last year. I felt like he was a great teammate to everybody and played really really good football. Expect to see Max feet everywhere in Boston.

All right, guys, Yeah, that's that's that's there's the list right there, Kems, you have the list. But grounding yourself before the game is one thing. This guy's going to the grocery store.

All right, guys, Yeah, that's that's that's there's the list right there, Kems, you have the list. But grounding yourself before the game is one thing. This guy's going to the grocery store.

Bearefree. It's a totally different deal. You're not doing that, right, No, I really do that.

Bearefree. It's a totally different deal. You're not doing that, right, No, I really do that.

Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with I Heart Radio. For more iHeartRadio pods, go to the iHeartRadio app, go to Apple go anywhere you like, it'll be there.

Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with I Heart Radio. For more iHeartRadio pods, go to the iHeartRadio app, go to Apple go anywhere you like, it'll be there.