Lots to Say: NFL Daily's Gregg Rosenthal

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show – "Lots to Say: NFL Daily's Gregg Rosenthal"

Release Date: May 21, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Bobby Bones Show, host Bobby Bones teams up with Matt Castle and special guest Gregg Rosenthal from NFL Daily to delve deep into the latest happenings in the NFL. Skipping advertisements and focusing solely on substantive discussions, the trio covers a range of topics from player contracts and league expansions to team-specific analyses and broader NFL policies. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key points, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Golf and Pickleball Highlights

Matt Castle kicks off the conversation by sharing personal milestones in golf and pickleball:

• Golf Achievement: Matt proudly announces, "I shot a 78 and as a quiet 78, had no birdies" ([02:38]).
• Pickleball Tournament: He recounts his first-ever pickleball tournament experience, highlighting the physical grind of playing 14 games in a day and earning a bronze medal after a tough match where he injured his shoulder ([03:52]–[05:21]).

Greg Rosenthal adds context by comparing their sporting experiences, emphasizing Matt's consistent performance in golf and his perseverance in pickleball despite the challenges.

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2. NFL's Game Schedule Expansion

The discussion transitions to the NFL's potential move from a 17-game to an 18-game season, exploring the implications for player health, team strategies, and fantasy football:

• Player Safety Measures: Matt reads a rumor about limiting players to 16 games to address health concerns within the 18-game framework ([10:09]).

  "The league is proposing that each player be limited to 16 games per season, even with an 18 game schedule." ([10:09])

• Roster Management: Greg and Matt debate the necessity of expanding rosters, suggesting teams might need to increase their active players to accommodate the additional games and mandatory rests for starters ([11:34]–[13:42]).

• Fantasy Football Impact: The duo humorously contemplates the chaos an 18-game season would introduce to fantasy leagues, especially during championship week ([15:58]–[17:34]).

Conclusion: Both agree that while more games could enhance fan engagement and revenue, it poses significant challenges in player management and team strategies.

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3. Brock Purdy’s Record-Breaking Contract

A highlight of the episode is the discussion around Brock Purdy's staggering $265 million contract:

• Contract Details: Matt brings up Purdy's significant earnings and the competitive edge his contract brings to the Raiders ([18:10]–[19:21]).

  "He struck while the iron is hot... he's a guy that went in there and has played well." ([18:11])

• No Trade Clause: They commend Purdy’s inclusion of a no-trade clause, granting him greater control over his career trajectory, contrasting it with past players who had limited contractual security ([19:00]–[20:17]).

• NFL Contracts Evolution: Greg reflects on the shift towards more player-friendly contracts in the NFL, noting an increase in guaranteed money and clauses like no-trade ([20:29]–[20:50]).

Conclusion: Purdy's contract symbolizes a broader trend in the NFL towards empowering players with more favorable terms, fostering loyalty and stability.

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4. Team-Specific Discussions

Bengals and Trey Hendrickson

Bobby Bones criticizes the Bengals for mishandling player contracts, specifically pointing out Trey Hendrickson's situation where the team allegedly failed to honor previous promises despite his leading sack performances ([23:00]–[23:38]).

Raiders, Geno Smith, and Pete Carroll

The conversation shifts to the Raiders' offensive prospects under Pete Carroll, focusing on Geno Smith's role:

• Geno Smith's Impact: Bobby expresses optimism about Geno Smith as a stable starting quarterback amidst the team's roster uncertainties ([23:38]–[24:26]).
• Pete Carroll’s Coaching Prowess: Both Matt and Greg commend Carroll's youthful energy and ability to connect with players, suggesting he can effectively lead the Raiders despite roster challenges ([24:47]–[26:43]).

Conclusion: The Raiders are poised for a season of rebuilding and strategic play, driven by strong leadership and talented quarterbacks.

Browns’ Quarterback Situation

Greg Rosenthal discusses the Browns' ambiguous quarterback plans, emphasizing skepticism about the rumors and expressing confidence that rookies will be given opportunities without including veterans like Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett in the starting lineup ([26:43]–[27:37]).

Patriots' Expectations

Bobby Bones analyzes the Patriots' surprisingly optimistic outlook despite a tumultuous offseason, noting significant changes like filling seven to eight starting positions and the potential for a winning record fueled by an easier schedule and defensive improvements ([27:03]–[28:36]).

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5. Flag Football in the Olympics and NFL’s Stance

The panel debates the NFL's hesitance to support flag football as an Olympic sport:

• Player Safety Concerns: They speculate that the NFL fears increased injury risks among star players if they participate in the Olympics ([31:29]–[32:42]).

• Skillset Adaptation: Bobby suggests that while flag football is less intense, it requires different skills, and not all NFL players might excel in it ([32:42]–[33:14]).

  "You have to kind of learn flag... some of the shifty slot receivers... those are the guys that are going to be awesome in flag football." ([33:14])

Conclusion: The NFL remains cautious about integrating flag football into the Olympics, balancing growth opportunities against potential risks to player health and the integrity of the game.

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6. Aaron Rodgers’ Contract and Future

Bobby Bones speculates on Aaron Rodgers potentially moving to the Pittsburgh Steelers, citing conflicting statements from team owner Art Rooney and observing Rodgers' reluctance to engage fully in the current contract discussions ([34:53]–[35:30]).

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7. Personal Insights and Daily Routines

The discussion veers into personal territories as the hosts share glimpses into their daily lives:

• Greg Rosenthal elaborates on his rigorous film study routine, emphasizing the importance of detailed analysis to understand defensive schemes and player strengths ([35:30]–[44:31]).
• Matt Castle and Bobby Bones discuss their morning routines, balancing family life with their professional responsibilities ([44:31]–[46:57]).

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8. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

As the episode concludes, the hosts touch on various lighter topics, including stadium preferences, coaching philosophies, and personal anecdotes about relationships within the NFL community. They maintain a blend of professional analysis and personable banter, ensuring a well-rounded and entertaining discussion.

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Notable Quotes:

• Matt Castle on Playing Strategy:
  "They have to strategize... it's like the NBA does." ([12:26])

• Greg Rosenthal on Record Comparisons:
  "I don't think it's fair to compare those two things because we're not comparing apples to apples here." ([15:46])

• Bobby Bones on Pete Carroll’s Energy:
  "He brings that energy... a person that's always connected with other humans." ([24:47])

• Matt Castle on NFL Contracts:
  "These contracts were always in favor of the actual organization and the team. Now that tide has changed dramatically." ([20:17])

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Conclusion

This episode of The Bobby Bones Show offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of current NFL dynamics, enriched by firsthand experiences and expert analysis from Gregg Rosenthal. Whether discussing game strategies, player contracts, or team performances, the hosts provide valuable perspectives for both casual fans and dedicated enthusiasts.

Transcript

[Bobby Bones]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.

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[Matt Castle]

Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcasts.

[Bobby Bones]

We got lots to say.

[Greg Rosenthal]

We got.

[Matt Castle]

Lots to say we're glad you're here.

[Bobby Bones]

And we hope you stay. Cause we got lots to say Y.

[Matt Castle]

We got lots to say now here's Bobby and Matt. All right, you're the dealer. Dealer's choice. There's, like, 80 things to talk about. You're.

[Greg Rosenthal]

You're.

[Matt Castle]

You're up. You pick whatever you want. You want options or you want to go blind?

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, I mean, one thing that I did see on your social media this week, we've got to start with your week of sports last week.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Okay. Well, we've talked about it on the show, right? Never. Never broken 80.

[Matt Castle]

And golf. I've never broken 80. Yeah, yeah, we did talk about that. I said never broken.

[Greg Rosenthal]

And you've been close. You've been at 80. But last week, you finally accomplished something that has been.

[Matt Castle]

You're choosing this over Brock Party's contract. You're choosing that. There's like, eight things, but you.

[Greg Rosenthal]

We're definitely going to talk about Brock Purdy's contract, but I think first and foremost, we got to talk about the elephant in the room, because that was one. But you also meddled in a. Your first ever pickleball tournament. Yeah, I mean, this is. I'm bas. Basically putting you on A pedestal to let you brag to our audience about one. Your athleticism, your determination, and what you accomplished this week.

[Matt Castle]

I was reading online some people have said one of the greatest weeks in sports history.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, no doubt.

[Matt Castle]

They both happened the same week. Yeah, I shot a 78 and as a quiet 78, had no birdies.

[Greg Rosenthal]

No birdies. And you shot a 78. That's consistency, my friend.

[Matt Castle]

As consistent as possible. You know what? I bought one of those mini drivers.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, you did buy that.

[Matt Castle]

And not the actress. Mini driver.

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, the actual golf club.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. Which you can use as a driver, or you can use it like a three wood, but it's shorter shaft. Also your nickname in college.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yep.

[Matt Castle]

And a slightly larger head than the three wood, but a slightly smaller head than the driver. And I just kind of kept it in the middle. Yeah, I don't know what it.

[Greg Rosenthal]

So it was a game changer for you?

[Matt Castle]

It was my irons where I was playing pretty. I was just playing consistently pretty good. And if you can get near the green and have a shot to two point, that's all it was. I didn't even realize I was getting close to breaking 80 until, like, hole 16.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Okay, so is that when you clinch it up a little bit and you're like, okay, look, I'm at the.

[Matt Castle]

I don't clinch.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I'm at the cusp.

[Matt Castle]

I don't clench.

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, you didn't clinch. Obviously. 78.

[Matt Castle]

I don't clinch.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Never.

[Matt Castle]

No, there have been times, but generally, I don't want to say I don't feel pressure, but pressure doesn't make me clench. Pressure excites the crap out of me, so.

[Greg Rosenthal]

But there really wasn't any pressure. You weren't playing, like a tournament, were you?

[Matt Castle]

Nah, but I would. It was awesome. So I got a 78, and then I played in a pickleball tournament. Didn't really know what I was doing. I signed up blindly, and I went and I played and I. My rating is like a 3.78 or 3.8.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What does that mean?

[Matt Castle]

Exactly?

[Greg Rosenthal]

What does that even mean?

[Matt Castle]

So in handy in golf, you're handicapped. You're gin. G H I N. Right. So I'm like a 12 in golf. Okay. I'd imagine you're what, a six or seven?

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, I'm right there with you.

[Matt Castle]

A duper. Is that in pickleball? And I don't even know what that means.

[Greg Rosenthal]

So you got to plug in your score. When you beat somebody, beat somebody, you.

[Matt Castle]

See what they were, and then you get points.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Got it.

[Matt Castle]

Something like that.

[Greg Rosenthal]

So do they mix and match partners or you bring your own partner?

[Matt Castle]

I played singles.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, you played singles? Yeah. Oh, okay.

[Matt Castle]

I'd rather grind it out.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, obviously.

[Matt Castle]

Because I feel like that's the one thing I can control is me. Yes. And so I played singles and yeah, I. You play round robin. I'm gonna give you 30 more seconds on this. I played 14 games the whole day.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh my gosh.

[Matt Castle]

Dead.

[Greg Rosenthal]

It's a grind.

[Matt Castle]

It's a grind. Yeah. Like my ankles and my hips hurt still a little bit. But you play like round robin. You play everybody and your side of the bracket, which are like six people on my side. I played all them. Then you go to the metal round. If you make it, you play another little tournament, end up with a bronze medal. The I got beat once in the round robin and then I beat that person in the metal round and then I got beat by somebody I'd already beat, but I ran to the fence and freaking kill my shoulder. Blood everywhere.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

It was awesome.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yes.

[Matt Castle]

That's the only match.

[Greg Rosenthal]

You're like a gladiator out there.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Greg Rosenthal]

So just intimidating people.

[Matt Castle]

That was it. So that's what I did this weekend. You were baseball games?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Baseball games. Eight of them this weekend. Both myself.

[Matt Castle]

You didn't play your kids? Yeah, I don't know. Fast pitch.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, I'm going to go out and play fast pitch.

[Matt Castle]

So your kids played eight games?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Played eight games. Great weekend is my birthday on Saturday. That was. That was fantastic. Get to go watch the kids. But my one son, he. He pitched in his game. Pitched a one hitter, lost one to nothing.

[Matt Castle]

No way. No run support. Who is he?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Paul skeens in a 9 year 9U baseball team. Like 9 and 10 year olds. There was one run between two teams. It's unheard of. Normally these teams like they'll score 16 runs. It'll be like 16 to 10. It was absurd. But we ended up losing so we got knocked out. Tournament. My other son, he's a big kid, goes out there, knocks three home runs. On Saturday he was 4 for 4 with three home runs. Pretty good day at the plate.

[Matt Castle]

Wow. He say big kid? Bigger than the other kids?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, but about a head taller.

[Matt Castle]

Your size, was it? Are you guys.

[Greg Rosenthal]

He's taller than I was at. At his age. He's only 11. He's wearing a size 12. He's like 5 11.

[Matt Castle]

No way.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

Do the doctors still think he'll grow?

[Greg Rosenthal]

I think so. I think he's going to be like one of those seven footers at Least that's what. He's so far off the growth chart it's absurd. So maybe he'll hit early puberty, slow down, I don't know.

[Matt Castle]

Your wife was an excellent athlete at usc. Volleyball player. Does she have height in her family?

[Greg Rosenthal]

She does both. So her grandfather, her two brothers were all six four, six five and aren't you six? I'm six four, man. So there's, there's possibility there that he does get up into that upper echelon and his hand.

[Matt Castle]

Eye coordination for an 11 year old is pretty good.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Great. Great. Yeah. Kids, kids can play ball, so it's fun.

[Matt Castle]

What do they like the best?

[Greg Rosenthal]

You know, it's seasonal because I don't force them to play all the different sports. And the fun part about this age is you don't really have to focus on one thing. So when it's football season, they play football, when it's basketball, basketball, baseball, they play baseball and they kind of fall in love with it for the season. And then as soon as that's over, they're on to the next thing. But it takes a little time. There's this period of time right after that season that they're still in love with the last sport. So they're like, oh, I don't want to play baseball sucks. And then a few weeks in they play a few games. They're all, they're on board.

[Matt Castle]

When do they get to play tackle football?

[Greg Rosenthal]

So my oldest son played fifth and sixth grade tackle football, which we never had like middle school affiliation between the school and football at that age. But they have a full football team for fifth and sixth. So he played last year and, and that was his. Oh, well, maybe he played the year before for Blaze. There's a youth group out here called Blaze Football. He played as a fourth grader, but I think I was more comfortable with him playing tackle football because I knew his size. He was the kid with the dot on his helmet. You can't carry the football. You can only play offense and defensive line. Get him a little tough. So he did that. So he's played for two years.

[Matt Castle]

When. So we had fourth grade. I was good on fourth grade. I got worse as it went because everybody kept growing.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. Oh, yeah, There's a lot of those guys.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. So in fourth, fifth, sixth grade, I played quarterback as a kid. That's why Boomer Science was my favorite player. And then Steve Young, left handed. Yeah. When you were fourth, fifth and sixth grade, were you playing football at all? And were you heads and shoulders above.

[Greg Rosenthal]

The other Kids fourth grade was when I started and I played quarterback when I was in fourth grade. But it's one of those things in Pop Warner you play kind of different position. I played quarterback and linebacker. I played a little bit of the defensive line just to fill in. So I was always super competitive and always had a skill set. I wouldn't say I was the best. The first year I played, we had this kid named Justin Scalin on our team. Running back. Guy looked like Walter Payton. Like he just ran through everybody every time he touched the ball. It was incredible. I think then like you said, as we got a little bit older, everybody started to mature a little bit. He started to cap out. And then you saw him go from being human highlight reel to just a normal player. So it's always interesting at that age because you never know how guys are going to develop in. Into their bodies, how their skill set's going to develop. And a lot of guys are late bloomers and just come on later in life. But you got a lot of those guys that go out there and just blow you away with their skills at a young age. But then people generally catch up.

[Matt Castle]

I think I'm late blooming now. I shot a 70 and won a pickleball medal.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I know. That's what I'm saying.

[Matt Castle]

Same week now.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Greatest week of amateur sports you've ever seen.

[Matt Castle]

I don't want to put amateur sports tag on it.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I want to have to. Are you a professional?

[Matt Castle]

Well, define professional.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Well, are you professional?

[Matt Castle]

Nope, I'm not. You're right. Good point. Okay, my pick. I want to talk about. And we've talked about it briefly and we've given our own theories on the NFL going to 18 games, which at some point they're going to go to 18 games.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right.

[Matt Castle]

You don't float it for this long without having the plan of doing it. They're kind of warming us into it because they've already got us to 17 games. Like they warmed us up for that. There's another game coming. Another game coming. And so the latest story has been that the NFL is setting the groundwork for in either 26 or 27, adding that next. That next extra game. So I'm going to read you some of the rumored twists. Some of them we were kind of on when we were predicting what would and could work.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right.

[Matt Castle]

So to address growing concerns around player health and safety, the league is proposing that each player be limited to 16 games per season, even with an 18 game schedule.

[Greg Rosenthal]

That's exactly what you were saying. You've got to sit your starter at least one game and no matter who.

[Matt Castle]

They are, which makes backup quarterbacks so much more valuable.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right.

[Matt Castle]

And there are running backs that can't pull like you're, you literally can't play two of the games.

[Greg Rosenthal]

So what's the even point of going to 18 games if you're, you're competing for that last wild card spot or whatever it might be and the entire year you've played your same starting lineup and you've got your guys to go. It's now week 17 and you've had to grind to get to that point. And now you're saying we gotta play with all backups.

[Matt Castle]

Well, I think you're gonna have to strategize.

[Greg Rosenthal]

You're 100% and you only have a 53 man roster. Are they talking about.

[Matt Castle]

They probably have to expand. So as of what I read, no, but I think that has to happen, right? You probably go to 60 at least if you're having to play. Because I mean also think about quarterbacks. How many quarterbacks play the full season not hurt anyway?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Gosh, not, not a lot.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, so. So it's rare anyway that a quarterback is able to play all 17 games. But obviously it would be more money. So that's another game. Television rights, all of everything, Fewer preseason games. So three. Now I think they'd want to go to two. Just more attention. Right. So you have another week. But then it's a strategy of do you set your quarterback against weaker opponents, right. Do you load, manage a bit like the NBA does?

[Greg Rosenthal]

And you're also thinking about divisional opponents. You want all your dudes for divisional games because if you win your division, you're going to go to the playoffs. So then these out of conference games don't have as much meaning because you're probably sitting there going ah, you know what, it's not a divisional game, so let's set them now. Or sit partial partially like the wide receivers or whoever it might be that are going to be impact players for you late so you know at the end of the road you're ready to rock and roll.

[Matt Castle]

Do you sit players week one when you know the other team isn't at full cap? There's a lot of strategy that will probably have to be played in order to figure out. But backup quarterbacks, I think their value, I won't say skyrockets, but I'll say mid rockets.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, I'm going to definitely get back in shape. Just in case, you know, they've had, they've had a Few injuries at the quarterback position this year. It's week 17, they're not going to play their starter. Yeah, I'll come in for a week.

[Matt Castle]

Guys think about how much, how much more value the third string quarterback would have. Huge value because for at least four weeks, well two weeks for sure. They're going to be the backup for sure. That third string guy, his, I mean I think it drives everybody's value up just a little bit. But especially the backup quarterbacks.

[Greg Rosenthal]

You also might see teams keep four because like you said, how often do you see a quarterback lose time during a year, let alone be done for the season? That backup quarterbacks playing now you've got a third string. I mean case in point, Brock Purdy. That's exactly how he stepped on the field, was their starter, both their starters get hurt and that's the way he got his opportunity and took advantage of it. It's wild.

[Matt Castle]

And I think the players would make more money. I think the revenue, the revenue share would be bigger. So I think it'd be a win. But again you're talking about more just hits.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Just hits for sure, more hits. And they're trying to say player safety. But I mean the salary cap is 280 plus million this year. Quarterbacks are getting 50 million a year guaranteed contracts. I mean it's pretty good time to play in the league, let's be honest.

[Matt Castle]

What do you think about. Because if they did this it would be even farther from like the records. And I'm not always a big record guy but like all time records are. If you set them in the 70s or 80s, they're pretty much all gone.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right.

[Matt Castle]

Because they weren't playing as many games. But you add another game. It's also why baseball doesn't really manipulate itself because baseball is America's pastime. We want everything to be true and tradition. So they're going to be at 162 forever. Even though it's to the detriment of the sport.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right.

[Matt Castle]

Where the NFL has at least embraced, hey we're going to change and some of the records will go because we're playing more games. Does that bother you at all? If they add games therefore they're giving players more opportunity to break old records.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Well, I think the record should start if you have a 17 game season or an 18 game season. They, they shouldn't compare those records that are set in a single season to the ones of teams that played only 16 games because they get an extra game or two. Whether it's a rushing record or a passing record. I don't think it's fair to compare those two things because we're not comparing apples to apples here. So I think that they should start. When did we start the 17 game season? 18 game season. Then those records should be held for the seasons that took place with an extra game. That's just my opinion on it.

[Matt Castle]

So there's a record for 17 game, right? There's an 18 game record.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Well, now there'll be an 18 if they go to 18. But with that, that circumstance where you only play 16, your stars are only allowed to play 16 games. It's kind of weird.

[Matt Castle]

Imagine fantasy football.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh my gosh. Can you imagine lineups at the end of the year just getting changed homes isn't playing. What do you mean?

[Matt Castle]

Championship week. Oh my God. Yeah, that would be a nightmare.

[Greg Rosenthal]

That would be a nightmare.

[Matt Castle]

But it would also be awesome. Like I as a fan who did not have to get hit over and over. More football for me is just more fun.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. As a fan, it's great.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Greg Rosenthal]

You get more, more football, more entertainment. Your team's going to play. Get another probably home game for all these teams or most of these teams. So for as a fan. Yeah, the more the merrier. When football season ends, it's always a depressing time of year when you're like, oh man, what are we moving on to now? It's usually NBA at that point, but it's always for true football fans. You're sitting there going, I want more. And then it's over.

[Matt Castle]

I think for mid and fringe players it's a benefit because mids are going to be worth more and fringe are actually going to have a spot in the league which they're constantly fighting for. If they're practice squad on another team, like I think those guys get a shot. Yeah, we'll get to 18. I don't know if they're going to do all that, but that's. They float a lot of stuff just to see how the public reacts to it.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, for sure.

[Matt Castle]

And then they react on our reaction. There will be an 18th game. Probably. Probably not 26. I would say 27. But man, if they. I think it will be so interesting. I won't say fun. I think it'll be so interesting to have to have players sit two games because it's strategy. But again, I don't pay money to go watch an old ball dude strategize.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. Plus the coach. Can you imagine the coaches sitting in the room this week like, all right, who you want to sit like Just pissed off. Like you've got your, your team's at full health. Our guys can go. You always talk about we're going to play the best guy that gives us the best chance to win. But now you're forced not to because you have to strategize it. So it's a lot more work in terms of the front office, GMs, coaches, everybody involved in personnel decisions. That's a game changer.

[Matt Castle]

You mentioned Brock Purdy a second ago. Yeah, he got paid 265 million bucks. That's a lot of money.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Heck yeah, that's a lot of money.

[Matt Castle]

How do you feel about that contract?

[Greg Rosenthal]

I think he struck as the iron is hot. Is that the term that you use? And he's a guy that went in there, has played well. I mean last year was not as successful as he wanted to be, but they had an ever revolving door at the wide receiver position. There was a lot of injuries on that team.

[Matt Castle]

Running backs too.

[Greg Rosenthal]

McCaffrey running, he was hurt. He was on like almost the entire.

[Matt Castle]

Year doing stem cell on.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, they just need to put him in like a little bubble. Just please don't touch the trophy. Please don't touch the trophy. So at the end of the day, they believe that he's a guy that gives them the best opportunity to win. He stabilized that position where they've been looking for that guy for a long period of time. And when you turn on the film and you watch this guy play, he does an incredible job of his processing ability. He's accurate as all get out. He throws with timing. So he's a perfect fit for the Shanahan system. He's been there and he's proven that he can win ball games.

[Matt Castle]

For him, five year, 265 million, I think 170 or so was guaranteed. But he has a no trade clause in his contract.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Love that.

[Matt Castle]

That would feel definitive. Like that would be a great feeling to have a no trade clause. Like you actually have some control over your future.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right. When you have control over your future. Because I've had it where I did not have the no trade clause in my contract. When I was with Minnesota, I got traded to Buffalo, Dallas in the same year. From that point on, I was like, please put a no trade clause. I didn't even know that that was something that you really need to pay attention to. But it's also commitment by the team of saying, hey, we believe in you long enough that we're, we're going to give you the option as a no trade clause. If we. If we want to trade you, we have to come to you for your approval, and that gives you some sense that they're committed to you.

[Matt Castle]

As a fan, I don't love it. As a player, it would be the greatest. I just think of Bradley, Bill, like, in the NBA, like, you can't. Couldn't trade him. He had a terrible contract. He ended up not being worth the money in Washington. And then, you know, he's like, fine, I'll get traded to Phoenix. He sucks with the Suns. So as a fan, you would like to be able to trade them if they suck as a player. Man, that's awesome.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Well, forever. That's how the front offices work.

[Matt Castle]

The.

[Greg Rosenthal]

The way that these contracts were designed, they'd put a. They'd sign a guy for six years, guarantee the first year, maybe two years, but then from that point on, for those last four years, they can cut you, they can trade you. They can do so. These contracts were always in favor of the actual organization and the team. It was never in favor of the actual player. Now that tide has changed dramatically because you're seeing a lot more guaranteed money, guaranteed contract, no trade clauses. And so. And that. That comes with the success of the league.

[Matt Castle]

That's a lot of money. Congratulations to the guy that was NFL poverty, not real life poverty.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Mr. Irrelevant.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, like 800,000 bucks a year or so he's making. Yeah, he's barely getting by, but that's NFL poverty. And in San Francisco, that's, like, normal.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. You're sitting there going, this apartment cost me.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, he had a roommate.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I mean, for sure he had a.

[Matt Castle]

He had to have a roommate. Yeah. Congratulations.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. That's amazing.

[Matt Castle]

We have Greg Rosenthal from NFL Daily coming up next. And we'll talk about the Cowboys. We'll talk about Aaron Rodgers. We'll talk about the Browns quarterback situation. We'll do that when we come back.

[Bobby Bones]

Foreign.

[Talkspace Sponsor]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone, let's face it in therapy, by talking or texting with a supportive licensed therapist. At Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back, whether it's mental health symptoms, relationship drama, past trauma, bad habits, or another challenge that you need support to work through. It's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider, typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll Meet on your schedule. Plus, talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by Insurance, get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's S P, a C80 to match with a licensed therapist. Today, go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80.

[Matt Castle]

On now with Greg Rosenthal, host of NFL Daily, which is a podcast that's daily NFL News. We were kind of listening in a minute ago and I think we should start with some of the stuff, stuff that you guys were talking about in the, in the old daily there. Do you want to talk about the Bengals for a second? Do you want to tell us what's happening with possibly the second or third best defensive player in the NFL.

[Bobby Bones]

Little Trey Hendrickson? Yeah, look, I don't think he's the second or third best player. That's why you caught me off guard there. I was like, is he the second or third best pass rusher in the league? You could make an argument. But to me it's just like the Bengals being the Bengals, which is not paying their players on time. And Bengals fans will say like, we literally just paid Jamar Chase and we literally just paid T. Higgins and it is tough to pay everyone, but they're, they're lowballing Trey Hendrickson. They tried to tell him before last season they would take care of him. And when you make those sort of promises, as I'm sure you know, Matt, like, then you get into the next offseason and he literally led the league in sacks. That you're going to have an unhappy.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Player, really unhappy player. Let's switch to the Raiders. You've had a long standing support for Geno Smith and what are your expectations of the Raiders and also Coach Carroll this season? I mean, it's year one. He's, he's there. But I think bringing Geno Smith over is a big ad.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, like the, the Carol juice and just good vibes is carrying like a lot of optimism. When you look at their roster, it's not great. And Geno Smith being a clear upgrade at quarterback, like, I love Geno and I think he's, he's a better than average starter. One of the best players, like pure throwers of the football. But man, they got a lot of holes. Like the offensive line is a question. Pretty much the entire defense is, especially the secondary. And yet I Sort of believe that Pete Carroll can get it done.

[Matt Castle]

I think between both of you guys, Greg and Matt, talking about Pete Carroll, one of my buddies said, how does Pete Carroll stay relevant, being that old? So, Greg, I want to ask you first, and then I want Matt to follow up, because Matt played for him, because Pete Carroll is no spring chicken. He still is very youthful feeling. But does he feel youthful in person?

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, yeah. He. It's crazy to think that he's older than every coach in the NFL. There's so many that, like, seem older, that act older. Like, he has just energy. Like, that's crazy. And I think he just connects. Like, he's a person that's always connected with other humans in a way that, like, a lot of head coaches, frankly, don't.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I totally agree with him. Like, he's got this youthful energy about him, and even though he's, what, 73, he connects with his players. He understands his players how to get the most, and he. He teaches and coaches from a position of positivity, and that's pretty special. And I think that that's why he gets the most out of those guys. So it'll be interesting to see how he does with the Raiders. But to say that he's still got it. Absolutely. I talked to him last year when we went out to Washington when his son was out there, and he had a conversation with me over the phone for 30 minutes about the history of the zone, running game in the outside zone. And I was like, coach, you need to get back into it. He's like, don't worry. I'm not done yet. So it's pretty funny.

[Matt Castle]

And I guess that's my next question about Pete Carroll. And again, I'll go to Greg and then to Matt. Does. Does Pete Carroll need football to live?

[Bobby Bones]

I guess so. I think a lot of these guys do. He was, you know, teaching at usc.

[Matt Castle]

He.

[Bobby Bones]

He actually finished out the class after he. He took the Raiders job. Like, people were going to his class. And he literally was the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, which is wild. I think it's just in his blood. I think he wants to connect with, like, as many people as he possibly can, that that's where he gets energy from. And you hear a lot of these coaches when they stop coaching, like, there's too big of a hole to fill. That that's why his. His old rival Bill Belichick's at UNC right now.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. When you're a ball coach, you're just a ball coach, and you have to have it. It's in your blood. And I think that he's that type of person where he can't sit around and go through an off season, all that. If he has the opportunity to coach, he's going to do it.

[Matt Castle]

Greg, let me ask you about the Brown situation. If we read Twitter, it's, well, check it out. Sanders crushing Gabriel, fine. But then you start to read reports coming out of the Browns and it's like, hey, they're both actually doing pretty good. Like, what do we believe? Are there PR teams already working within the Browns?

[Bobby Bones]

It's just like a lack of information and people just making stuff up. I mean, they're rookie minicamps. I don't think you could take anything from anything. I do think they'll give them a chance, both those rookies to play. I don't see a world where Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are on the roster in week Week one. I think they'll keep both rookies, but neither one of those guys gonna start week one. But, man, they're just starting. And in generally this time of year, I think anyone that's trying to like, draw conclusions from anything has an agenda or doesn't know what they're talking about.

[Greg Rosenthal]

All right, let's talk about what you. The team that you really want to talk about. Your die hard Patriots. Let's go. Brave had a heck of an off season. What are your expectation for them over under 10 wins?

[Bobby Bones]

Wow. It's so crazy how optimistic it is in New England. Like, man, they were such a bad team. But yes, they. They must have filled, what, seven, eight starting jobs. I think because of the schedule being so easy, it's reasonable to hope for them to have a winning record. But I thought it was crazy that, for instance, in Vegas they look at the jets as three wins worse than the Patriots. To me, the jets, the Dolphins and the Patriots are all in this similar sort of zone where if things go right, yeah, they could win 10 games, you know, not really be a Super bowl contender, but compete. But there are a lot of ways that things could go wrong. Still, they're counting on a lot of new faces on the offensive line. For the Patriots, I think the defense will definitely be better. Will it be good? I don't know. But either way, we got Drake May and we're feeling good.

[Matt Castle]

So we're recording this Tuesday afternoon and it goes up bright and early Wednesday morning. So the last I read was the packers have changed their language on trying to get the tush push canceled, and it's mostly you can't pull or push. Where do we stand right now?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I think it sounds like there's a good chance that it'll pass. I'm annoyed by it. I don't that they're changing the rule. To me, I. It just feels like sour grapes. It feels like this is sort of anti. Anti what the NFL should be for. Like a team executes a place so well that we just get rid of it. Like, I don't think it's that big of a deal. I think they should keep it. We'll see if people agree with me.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Well, the Cowboys will probably see it week one because they're playing in Philly. And my question is, they added George Pickens. How much of a difference will he make for this team this year? And does that put them in a position now to compete in that division?

[Bobby Bones]

I think it's huge because he just upgrades the position they were the worst at, which was receiver, depth, even their tight end position. Like, Jake Ferguson's a good player, but they didn't really have a second weapon behind CD Lamb. Like, he compliments him very well. He's never played with as good a player as CD Lam, who's a lot more versatile than him. But you have Pickens kind of in that old Michael Gallup role and he's playing for a contract. They. They've had good success with guys coming in that were maybe, you know, a little divisive in their old spots and then playing for a contract and then getting that contract. I think a Roy Williams back in the day, I think a to back in the day, I think Pickens could be a lot like that.

[Matt Castle]

Let's stay with the Cowboys for a second and talk Dak, but let's do Dak and let's do Lamar and let's do Josh Allen. Like all three of these guys theoretically needs something to happen this year, right?

[Bobby Bones]

Sure. Well, what. What do you mean by Lamar needs something to happen?

[Matt Castle]

Can't win in the playoffs. Josh Allen can't beat Mahomes and Dak can't. Can't win. I can't. Like they all have different, different villains, like different bosses they need to beat.

[Bobby Bones]

I know it really reminds me of, of the Jordan era, you know, Eastern Conference teams or even, even the LeBron era Eastern Conference NBA teams where it's like, I don't know how much better Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson can be on a week to week basis. Like they are clearly the top three quarterbacks in the league along with. With Mahomes. And things just got to break right, that they're doing it the right way, which is getting back to that spot each and every year. But their offenses were dominant last year way better than the Chiefs. So I just think they have to keep knocking on the door. Dax in a different position where he makes more money than all of them because the Cowboys blew that negotiation. He's coming off a second serious injury, and he's got the focus of really the entire country because they are the team that gets the most attention. And it's an interesting part of his career with a young offensive line that there is a lot of heat on them. I, I think with Allen and Lamar, like, if they keep getting back to that point, eventually they will break through. That's just what sports usually tells us.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What do you think about the NFL and the pushback they're getting a little bit about the flag football being part of the Olympics and allowing players to play. You hear a lot of different opinions about it in terms of, you know, potential injury, this, that and the other. But what do you think the stance is right now in the field for the NFL?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, it seems like they're open to letting some players. I want to see the details. I have no idea how this is going to go. I guess it's a question of what matters more to you if you're the NFL growing the game in terms of flag football and getting that gold medal, which they, you know, I would think they would be able to get without the super duper stars or, or risking the injuries of those players. Like, to me, let. Let them play if they. If they really want to play. But I, you know, team owners might feel differently.

[Matt Castle]

Maybe they. And I guess it's all scheduling because baseball would let their guys play in the Olympics, the world championships, you know, and injuries weren't really a concern. I think we only saw one guy even halfway get hurt. So do you think they're worried more about injuries and just not saying it than they. Like, I'm just confused on the flag football thing. And what really is the issue here?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I don't. I don't really know either. Like, and are those players necessarily going to be the best options? Like, if they train for it, sure. But I don't. The skill sets, to me would be different. First of all, you got to kind of learn flag. And then, you know, the players that excelled, you know, some of those shifty slot receivers, you played with more than a few, Matt, like the guys who dominate in padless practice early in training camp, like, those are the guys that are going to be awesome in flag football. I would love to see it. It's here in la. I'd love to go. Maybe the NFL will send me. I don't know.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Maybe the NFL is just worried that God forbid we send Lamar Jackson, Tyreek Hill, all these guys out there and just get drummed.

[Matt Castle]

Oh yeah, you said, you know, I.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Mean you said your best and you go and just get drum by Poland.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. Oh, that. That would be humiliating. The sport we invented and we're really the only ones that play it and it's now an Olympic sport and we don't win.

[Talkspace Sponsor]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone, let's face it, in therapy by talk or texting. With a supportive licensed therapist at Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back, whether it's mental health symptoms, relationship drama, past trauma, bad habits, or another challenge that you need support to work through. It's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider, typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule. Plus, Talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most Insured members have a $0 copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by Insurance, get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's S P A CE80. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80.

[Matt Castle]

Aaron Rodgers. I don't know. Dot, dot dot.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I expect him to be a Pittsburgh Steeler sooner than later. I think he just wanted to skip this part of the off season or there's something going on with him personally. But the the person who's spoken with most clarity in this whole process is Art Rooney, the owner. He he keeps saying what? No, everyone else seems to be afraid to, which is just like, yeah, we totally expect Aaron Rodgers to be on the team. Like he's going to be on the team. He said that multiple times in front of a microphone. So I think they must have some assurances that it's going to happen eventually. And for whatever reason it's not happening yet. But I'm not too worried about it. Does make them more interesting this year, certainly than if, if Mason Rudolph was their week One starter.

[Greg Rosenthal]

All right, Greg, I also know you're a huge tennis fan. Who's your all time great man, greatest tennis player and also what are your thoughts on pickleball?

[Bobby Bones]

It's a great question. I mean, who is my favorite? I mean I was a Federer guy. Ultimately, I, I think it's not just about like Grand Slams that you won. It's just like who is the absolute best at their absolute best. I was a K. Nichi Corey fan. He's still playing, actually, just as a shorter guy myself who plays tennis. And I know you're a big pickleball guy, Bobby, so I kind of want to hear you because I need you to humanize pickleball for me because I feel like my interactions with the pickleball community out here in L. A have been negative and I need, you know, it hasn't shined a good light on the pickleballers out there.

[Matt Castle]

So I'm going to compare the pickleball community to the CrossFit community as far as as the community because they won't shut up. Like, shut up. You don't have to tell us all the time. You don't have to talk about your so. And I play and I get annoyed with them. I also love to go to TikTok and watch people comment on how it's not a sport. Yeah. Is it? It's fun. It's difficult. It's as difficult as you want to make it. One of my best friends was a number one in the world tennis player and he makes fun of pickleball constantly. But he also will admit that, yeah, it's. It's pretty difficult. So I'm not somebody who's going to fight you over pickleball because tennis is by far like, it is so much harder. No doubt about it. It's why the best tennis players are the best pickleball players. Right? It's like guys coming out of college going, well, I've kind of maxed out my tennis career so let me go and dominate pickleball. Do I. I love playing pickleball. I meddled hey, medal in tournament this weekend, but what's up? Yes, but I'm not going to act like I could also hop into a tennis tournament. I used to get the best tennis equipment for free. All of it. I, I get all the Lacoste I wanted. I would get all the Babalaw all. I don't even know what they were. Best rackets. And I sucked and I never got better than slightly above suck. I got pretty good at pickleball in, like, two weeks, Greg. So I'm gonna be honest with you. It's a lot easier.

[Bobby Bones]

Wait, who's your friend? Roddick. Andy Roddick?

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Roddick was talking smack.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, that's. That's amazing. See, my thing was I. I'm going out to the public courts here with my son out in California. And when the pickleball thing happened, like, they swarmed, and they just weren't cool about it. They'd just be, like, dropping all their equipment on the court. Public courts. And being like, no, we've got these. And I was like, they're public courts. There's no such thing as God. He's like, no, we're starting in, like, 45 minutes. Like, that's not how it works. And they're trying to, like, kick me and my son off. And, like, that happened multiple times. I was like, you know, there's enough courts here for everyone. That's all.

[Matt Castle]

I think that the bad taste in your mouth is. It's deserved because they are quite obnoxious with the battle over how. How tough the sport is. But anything can be hard if you try hard enough at it. But, yeah, no, no, it's. It. Pickle ball, the community. And I own part of a professional pickleball team, so, like, I couldn't. I couldn't be any more in.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Bring yourself in yet.

[Matt Castle]

Yet. I will say you're right, Greg. You're right about that type of person. And they're everywhere. And I also don't get along with them, so I. I. Do you still play tennis a lot?

[Bobby Bones]

Not really. I play with my son. He's getting better and better, so there is a point where he's going to just be better than me. But that's mostly when I play. Not with other adults as much, but some of my good friends are pickleballers, too, so I know it's cool. I know it's fine.

[Matt Castle]

Okay. I hate to get off pickleball, because I could do this for an hour, but I got, like, two. I have, like, at least three other things I want to get into. And first, Caleb in Chicago. He was watching film, apparently by himself, crying in the treehouse. I'm not sure what was happening with him in Chicago, but. And then Kurt Warner had a really interesting perspective on, like, hey, they teach you how to watch film, but you don't need somebody holding your hand the whole time. What do you feel about this situation.

[Bobby Bones]

That was so fascinating that he was that open with a writer who's doing a book. So it wasn't something that was coming out right away. And I don't doubt that that was a bad fit for him. Shane Waldron and Matt Eberfluss, you just look at the way the Bears have run offense for a handful of years. It was a bad fit. But him being as open and honest about, man, they, they thought they didn't even want to go to Chicago, that they were going to try to burn the city and all this stuff like before it happened. And then he changed his mind and everything. It's one of those things where we want our athletes to be honest. So I think that's cool that he did that, but it's also probably going to be a lesson for him that, like, I'm not going to be that open and honest with the writer in the future. And he ended up giving this book a good, a good plug.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. One other question about that story or that part of the book. They, you know, if you, if you read the excerpt, which I just read the excerpt, it was that Eberfluss, they were on their way out. They knew they were on their way out, so they just checked out. I find that not to be common in any part of life. Whenever you want to stay in the same industry, you don't just check out with a month to go, even if it's going horribly you, because you want to remain in the industry. And owners, general managers, not only they talk. It's a very incestual world.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, it's, it's, it's funny because they were right. Caleb Williams and his father, it was a bad situation to go to. Everything that happened showed it. You know, the offensive coordinator that they had doubts about, he got fired before halfway through the season, if I'm remembering right. He definitely didn't make it to the end and so they were right about that. But you got to try to make the best of that situation. But it is the Bears, you know, in, in the defense of the Williams is like thing that they've done again and again and again and again, which is that the coach and the GM aren't aligned, that one is hired and the other is fired and then they're not on the same page. And you do get a feeling with Ben Johnson coming in here, hopefully that it's really his show and he's quarterback first and he's building up the offense. So I, I'm usually skeptical of all the Bears optimism. I faded them. I on my podcast three straight years when we do the over unders before this year, I'm like, there's way too much hype about this team. I'm kind of buying in this year that at least Ben Johnson's the right guy, I think, to turn this around.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I was going to say, because when you look at what they did in the draft of Colson Loveland, Luther Bird in the third, they brought more personnel in for that offense to surround Caleb Williams. Do you think this is a situation for him? I do, but do you think this is a situation where he's going to make a significant jump from this first year, which was chaotic, to the second year?

[Bobby Bones]

Yes, I do. And that's. That's the year you see the biggest jump, especially with quarterbacks. Used to be that way late lately. Like, they've been coming out of college more ready to go, the great ones like. Like C.J. stroud and Jaden Daniels in their rookie year. But I do think coaching makes such a difference, and I just think they're going to focus on what he can do well. And we know that Caleb Williams has a lot of strengths and not ask him to do things that he can't do well. And the offensive line, just on paper, they just gave Joe Tunney this new contract and they drafted at the position and they obviously got a guy in free agency, Drew Dahlman at center. Just everything around him seems like it's in such better shape that he's not going to have to be a hero to be a good quarterback. And to me, that'd be a big step up. He's just got to get the ball out of his hand a little faster.

[Matt Castle]

I want to ask one more quarterback question, and it has to do with the Saints, and I don't know who's going to play quarterback there. Are they even going to have a quarterback?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I think it's Tyler Schuck. Look, he's their guy. He is a really unique prospect in that he's 26 years old, but he didn't play that much in college because he was always hurt. So those are pretty big red flags for me. On paper, he is really talented and, like, can throw everything that you would want to do and move well. And I get why they were into him, and he's the guy that Kellen Moore wanted. I don't really know what Kellen Moore has done since he's gotten there, other than say, I want Tyler Schuck. So I got to assume he's going to be the starter week one.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I mean, with everything. You've covered the NFL for a really long time. Right. And what are some significant changes that You've seen over time, both on and off the field, that you look at our game now and it's much better, much worse, whatever it might be.

[Bobby Bones]

That's interesting because now I have the quarterbacks in my. In my head and the way. The way that I think the skill position players like quarterback and wide receiver especially come into the league. They come into the league ready to go in a way that I think the NFL has kind of met college where it is and adapting a lot of what they do well. But the other thing that. That goes along with that is that the NFL and you know this, Matt, like, how different offseason practices are compared to even 20 years ago. It's crazy that it really feels like September and the Patriots were always kind of like this, where they use the first month of the season to feel things out. Where's your strengths? Where's your weaknesses? You talk to coaches now they're like, September just seems like an extended preseason and even October. And these games mean a lot. It feels like September, October, like they are just figuring out what they can do because they weren't able to practice in pads and really get to know their team and. And practice the situations as much as they used to be.

[Matt Castle]

What's your day like? Walk us through what it's like for you because we listen. Yeah, we listen almost all. All days. But what. I don't know what's. I'm always curious about someone's daily routine.

[Bobby Bones]

I mean, it's. It's like you. I'm sure, although you have like four shows, Bobby, I don't know how you do. It's prepping. It's. It's like the second you finish a show, so I just finished it in the morning. You start prepping basically, and planning and getting everything together for the next day show and whether that in the off season, it's definitely not as intense. But like, we just did a Brock Purdy episode that was. Was fun kind of talking about how he, I think was worth the money and helps like explain how quarterbacks are paid and stuff. So it's kind of going through all the numbers with pie, but also going through the tape. But I always just enjoy watching the game so that you can, you know, as much as you're talking about and like getting ready for the next show and then. Then you do it all over again.

[Matt Castle]

What time do you wake up in the morning?

[Bobby Bones]

Well, I have kids, so I'm now like a 6:15, 6:30am oh, you got.

[Greg Rosenthal]

To get up before you got to get up before that, I tell you, I've got five and I'm a 5:30 guy. You got, you got to take a breath before they.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, you're saying wake up before they.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, yeah, yeah. You can't roll out of bed.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm not beating my son, though. He's up at like 5:45, 5:50 every morning. I hear him downstairs already, so I can't beat him for whatever reason.

[Matt Castle]

And then what time do you get to check out of the NFL office?

[Bobby Bones]

I mean, I'm not here every day in the off season. It really depends in the, in the season. And, you know, we're here through every game and then we do a show after the late game. And so those are late nights. Getting out of here at 10:00pm but that, that is one of the best things about living on the West Coast. I mean, the weather is great, but to me, sports. And I know you guys are east coast guys, but like, to me, sports are just so much better on the west coast. And working in sports is so much better on the west coast because you don't have those 1am days that I used to have on the east coast. At least it's like 10pm Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

I guess the problem, because the weather's great, taxes not great.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Not great.

[Matt Castle]

Watching live television. Great, right? Oh, yeah.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Everything's on earlier.

[Matt Castle]

Uh, but I think the thing that will be difficult for me since my morning radio show is like a syndicated show. I'd have to start at 3am like when I was out there living for Dancing with the Stars, because I went out there for like three months.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right.

[Matt Castle]

I had to start at 3:00am oh. Which. Cause I had to be on there on like Boston and all those east coast markets. Like, I think that would be the, the torturous thing about living out there full time. That'd be brutal in traffic because I'm always car sick. Are you not always car sick, Greg?

[Bobby Bones]

I. I'm not car sick. The traffic, you know, you learn to manage. You learn to work around it. I've never had a situation where I had drive through crazy traffic to get to work or whatever. So you just, you just know what to avoid. But you're right. They tape good morning football out here. My friend Colleen Wolf was hosting it today, and she was here at three in the morning. So I'm glad. I'm just, I'm just a lowly podcast host. My, My advice, you know. Yeah. Do. Do podcasts. You kind of plan it around your schedule at least a little better.

[Matt Castle]

You guys check out the show NFL Daily. It's NFL News analysis, opinion. It's funny. Greg's funny. You guys follow him on Instagram and Twitter. Greg G. Rosenthal. No, it's two G's in your name. Wait, Greg. You're two G. Greg.

[Bobby Bones]

That's. I mean, three total, 60% G. Hold on my rap.

[Greg Rosenthal]

GW from the feet up.

[Matt Castle]

You have to it. So two. Two G's at the end. Has that always been misspelled?

[Bobby Bones]

That is. That was the way to just, like, end it. You know, that. That says there's no Gregory here. It's just Greg Rosenthal is kind of a long name. It's filling in a lot of boxes when you're, you know, putting your license name in there. So they just wanted to keep it short and tight. Greg.

[Matt Castle]

All right, well, Greg with two GS. Hey, Greg, thanks for the time, man. We're big fans and we look forward to seeing you again.

[Bobby Bones]

All right, thanks, Bobby. Thanks, Matt.

[Matt Castle]

See you, buddy.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Thanks, Greg.

[Matt Castle]

I want to talk about the Bears, and I want to go to you first, because the Bears, first of all, Soldier Field, it's awesome, the history, but it kind of sucks.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, it's an iconic place for sure. So, like, Soldier Field. Going there, the vibe. The fans themselves are kind of gritty. Everything but the field itself. Yes, there's more to be desired.

[Matt Castle]

Amenities.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Not the best, not so much.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. If you were to, like, go and check out its travelocity rating, probably not high. Uncomfortable? A bit. And it's also freezing freaking cold in Chicago in the winter.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Very cold.

[Matt Castle]

Did you ever play in Chicago?

[Greg Rosenthal]

We did. We played in Chicago. I was with the Tennessee Titans. So it was either 16 or 17 that we went there, and it was a cold, damp day. It wasn't wildly cold. It wasn't that time of the year yet, but it's just miserable to play in those. Those conditions, honestly. I mean, they have a grass field, which I don't mind. It's better than turf. When it gets really cold because of the hits, and you. When you actually land on the ground, it doesn't hurt as much. But at the same time, as you said, there's more to be desired.

[Matt Castle]

So if we were to talk about the Bears, and I said, hey, they were considering moving into a dome, regardless of where that is, if you're Bears fans, is your identity so much the cold that you don't want to go to a dome, or if you're a Bears fan, do you just want to be warmer?

[Greg Rosenthal]

I mean, I'm going to speak from the heart here. Give Me, the Dome all day long in Chicago. I mean, players probably are fired up about it. Fans. If you're die hard fans and you love going to games and painting your chest and being that, that dude that's going to be out there drinking his beer and just loving those elements, they're probably not going to like it. But you can still take your shirt off in the dome, paint your chest, drink your beer.

[Matt Castle]

Drink your beer.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, shower yourself with beer. Go for it. And still the same environment, just better overall playing conditions.

[Matt Castle]

I would also say, and I say this to Bears fans respectfully, you haven't won a lot, so your identity is not attached to winning in cold. Where Buffalo is. That is definitely. Let's check a box in favor of the Bills. If you have to go to Buffalo and play in the winter, check. That's advantage Buffalo. Same thing with the Packers. Advantage Packers. The Bears haven't won enough to ever go. Yeah, the cold has given us an advantage because they don't have advantages. So I would say their identity is not tied to the cold. Even though it's freaking cold in Chicago.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right. Because that is an advantage. And you think about it, with these teams that have open stadiums and the elements like you just brought up two great teams with Green Bay and who was the other team? Buffalo. When you would travel from say Kansas City or somewhere like that, that does get cold. But say you're having a hot week and you didn't, all of a sudden you go to Buffalo and it is freezing cold. The advantage is for sure the cold team. When Arizona came out and played us in New England, they got off the bus and they might as well just got back on because we beat him by 40 points because they're coming from Arizona and that cold stings. It's the same thing for cold teams. Going down to Miami in November, December, when they get that 30 degree change in the heat, it feels like you're out in the desert. And it's an advantage to the Miami Dolphins because they're conditioned to play there. So there is advantages. But like you said for Chicago, show us the proof where it has been just a major advantage to your organization to play in the cold.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. What advantage? Respectfully.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Respectfully.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. What? Jim McMahon.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. I mean, the fridge.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. 85.

[Greg Rosenthal]

85 Bears Bab.

[Matt Castle]

So they have. They're considering moving to a dome stadium in Arlington Heights. I had to look up where Arlington Heights was.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. When I, I saw that and I was like, no idea where that is.

[Matt Castle]

So I'm a massive Cubs fan. But I only know north side, south side from my Cubs, White Sox life of going to those games. Okamisky, then new stadium. US Cellular. Is that the White Sox field's called now? I think it's Guaranteed Rate Field. Oh, I think about that.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Guaranteed Rate Field. Come on down.

[Matt Castle]

I won't even say that. I won't even learn the name of the stadium. So. But okay, here's what Arlington Heights is. Arlington Heights is a village in Illinois, first of all, a village. Yeah. Is that, like. Because.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Is that a thing? I've never even heard an area described as a village.

[Matt Castle]

So in Louisiana, they don't have counties, they have parishes. Oh, did you know that?

[Greg Rosenthal]

No.

[Matt Castle]

So the only reason I know that is because I'm from Arkansas.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Arkansas, yeah.

[Matt Castle]

So Arlington Heights is a village in Cook County, Illinois, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. It lies about 25 miles northwest of the city's downtown. So not far. As of the 2020 census, the village's population was 77, 000. But it's close enough to Chicago to still be Chicago. Yeah, the village thing's weird.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Village things weird, like tiki huts.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, you're a full.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Like, we're gonna go to a village.

[Matt Castle]

I guess I think of a village as, like the M. Night Shyamalan. You ever stay at the Village? Oh, yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

That's good.

[Matt Castle]

That movie was good.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I didn't see that. Was it?

[Matt Castle]

I don't want. I don't want to say too much.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, 20 years ago, but yeah, yeah.

[Matt Castle]

We don't want to spoil it. Those M9 Shyamalan, that gets you in trouble if you talk too much about them. I think the Bears should go dome because they have no reason to, for advantage purposes, stay in the cold.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I 100% agree. And when you look at the speed that they've acquired at the wide receiver position, young quarterback, obviously they made the upgrades. Offensive line never impacts the offensive line as much as it does. But the skill position, those guys go out there and they have no conditions to deal with. And Caleb Williams, no wind, rain, snow, whatever. That's going to definitely help him.

[Matt Castle]

We talked about it briefly with Greg Rosenthal, but Caleb Williams playing quarterback, and he mentions, and it kind of comes secondhand, but he's like, yeah, I had to watch film by myself. What was your relationship with film? And did you have a coach sitting with you all the time watching film? Did they teach you how to watch film? What was it?

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, I think everybody watches film a little bit differently, to be honest with you. And I think when I first came in the League I really learned how to watch film because that off season, Josh McDaniels was a stickler for attention to detail. He's very meticulous about it. So we would watch film with a purpose and it was more just to fundamentally understand what defenses were trying to do. And when I say that it was if you had, we call it a post safety defense, so you got a middle field safety, one high. But the way in which the defenders on the outside of the defense play, particularly on the slot, that nickel, he can carry the seam, he can reroute the guy and play outside, that would make the corner responsible. So every team has these little nuances to their defense. It's still considered cover three, but they change what they do with the underneath coverage, also with the guys from behind. So you have to learn these things and what to look for when you're watching film. Now a lot of times when you start the middle of, I mean the beginning of a week, you go home and we used to get this is dating myself. We used to get DVDs. They it's before they could upload it onto your iPad and do all that stuff. And so it would be plays or you'd ask for a cut up on situational football, third down, red zone, the important parts of the game to watch, what they do defensively. And so you're trying to get a head start. Now I'll also say that I had a major advantage because Bill Belichick, and I've told you this before, on Tuesdays would bring us in and we just sit with Bill and he'd break down the defense. Everybody from the defensive coordinator, his lineage, where he came from, what he learned from overall scheme, and then player by player would go through strengths, weaknesses, how we're going to attack them, why we're going to attack them. And so that taught me it was like a masterclass in learning how to watch film and what you're looking for in particular players and characteristics that you could take advantage of on a Sunday. So then by the time I came in on Wednesday and we're doing install and we're putting in 25, 30 passes, this is why these plays are going in, because we're trying to take advantage of this type of defensive structure. And so you clearly understood now not every team has run like that. And so it's up to the player and the coaches of devising a plan that is going to help that player understand. And I know that sounded like it was chaotic there last year between the head coach, the firing of the Offensive creator, offensive coordinator midway through the year. So then you have all these things that you have to address as well.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, it seems like. Well, I wanted to hear Eva flu as part of the story.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I did, too.

[Matt Castle]

But he's not going to give it. No.

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, he's not.

[Matt Castle]

So we're only really hearing Caleb. Caleb's dad's part of the story.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah. They put me in a small room and made me watch film away from everybody, by myself with the lights out.

[Matt Castle]

And my eyes had to be closed and only had one airpod. It just feels like since we're only getting one perspective, we're only getting one version of the story.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Right. Because I'll tell you what it would be. It would be hard for me to believe that the team didn't come together offensively. You always watch practice together when you're in quarterback rooms and you're there just there with the offensive coordinator or the quarterback coach, and all you do is watch film. Like, you break down film. You do install. You go through the game plan. And so to think that there was no time on task with coaches present or other players present is hard for me to believe.

[Matt Castle]

We were talking last week about the NBA draft lottery, and we had the brief conversation of do we think it's rigged? And. No. I think, and so do you, that it's not worth rigging for a year to ruin a whole brand. Right. It's a billion dollar brand. And so. But Shaq was talking about this. He was asked on a podcast, and he insinuates that David Stern, who was the commissioner at the time, asked him where he wanted to play before the draft lottery took place. And he said, basically, you want warm weather or cold weather?

[E]

I don't know if you heard this story, but in 1992, I think the draft was in June or something. I meet Mr. Stern in March, and he says to me, hey, know who you are. Can't wait for you to come to the NBA. Then he pulls me to his hot. You want to play where it's cold or where it's hot? He asked me that. Yeah, he did. He asked me that. And I was like, hot. And he smiled and I smiled.

[Matt Castle]

That's kind of just a question that you can ask, though, right, without it being fishy. They do play the music behind it on TikTok, where it means there's conspiracy. Yeah, that's the general conspiracy Tik tok music. I don't feel like that question is a wink, wink question. Would you rather go play somewhere cold or somewhere warm?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, warm.

[Matt Castle]

And also, if you're going to, like, rig it. Do you send him to Orlando?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, I don't think so.

[Matt Castle]

I don't think you send him the Magic either. No, he probably sent. Go ahead and cut everybody off.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Take me somewhere warm.

[Matt Castle]

That's. That's.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Thanks. Commission.

[Matt Castle]

That's from Ashley Neville and her podcast, and also from Legion Hoops. I don't think it was a conspiracy. It is very interesting now to see Cooper Flag go to Dallas. They got the first WNBA pick, too.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Did they really?

[Matt Castle]

Paige Beckers.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, the commissioners are working together.

[Matt Castle]

Dallas just sold their soul to the devil, Mike.

[Bobby Bones]

I think so.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I said, what was it? Who got picked in the one where they. They said they froze the envelope.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, the Knicks.

[Greg Rosenthal]

That was a good one.

[Matt Castle]

That's Patrick Ewing.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

Frozen the envelope.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, frozen envelope.

[Matt Castle]

So I thought I'd follow that up. What's happening this week for you? Anything this week.

[Greg Rosenthal]

We got some friends coming into town, some dear friends, actually. Ken o' Brien, who played for the jets for a bunch of years. They're good family friends are coming here for a wedding this week, and they get in today, so we get to have him out. He's also the godparents. He and his wife are the godparents of my son Matthew. So we get to see him, be around him for a little bit. It'll be great.

[Matt Castle]

You guys just talk football the whole time?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, every day. We're just such meatheads.

[Matt Castle]

I don't know if you're kidding. I feel like you're telling the truth.

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, no, we talk. We talk a little bit of football, but, like, we're close friends. I've known him. I was 17 years old. He was. He was coaching quarterbacks at USC when I was getting recruited there. Came to my house when I was 17 to recruit me, so I've known him forever.

[Matt Castle]

Did he stay when you went?

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, he couldn't. He didn't get along with the head coach, Coach Hackett, so he left as I was coming in. I was just so devastated by it.

[Matt Castle]

Wait, you didn't go in under Carroll?

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, I went under Hackett. That's probably why I didn't play, because Pete Carroll brought in.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, man.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Of course you weren't. That's my conspiracy theory. I wasn't his. Dude.

[Matt Castle]

Play the conspiracy music.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Conspiracy music right now.

[Matt Castle]

When did Carol come in?

[Greg Rosenthal]

My second year. So the first year I was there, we didn't even go to a bowl. And we had good talent like Troy Palmer. Carson Palmer. Go, go down the list. We had Some dudes. And then Carol came in the next year, like, just raging with energy, fired up, ready to roll. We went six and six. Went to the Las Vegas bowl on Christmas Day. Awesome to be in Vegas, but still Christmas Day. Really. Vegas. Like, we had an Elvis impersonator performing for us. Like, I'm just like, what are we doing here? Then the next year's the year that we went to a whole new level. We went Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Orange bowl, won all those games back, back to back or three Pete in terms of national champion. And then I left after that. That's the year that they went. Played Texas in the Rose bowl, so they got it going.

[Matt Castle]

Pete Carroll, earlier, and you talked about his energy. What's he like when he comes in at first? Did he have a meeting with the whole team and, like, an auditorium? I don't know. That's what I consider every coach doing, like, coming in, talking to everybody all at once.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, yeah. Every head coach I've ever been to, especially new head coaches that come in. They come in, they meet in front of the team, say that they're excited for their opportunity, but they get right to business. They kind of set the tone for what the expectation level is or talk about their foundation for their program, whether it's physicality, toughness, all those things, and then just kind of lay the groundwork for, this is our expectation. This is what we want to do. And I'm excited to work with you and get to work. So he came in, but he has a different type of aura about himself. You know, you see when you see him in those press conferences or if you've ever seen him interviewed, you know, everybody describes him as useful, and that's true. But he brings that energy. I'm not kidding you. Every single day, you never see this dude down. You always seem interacting with players on the field. He's. He's playing catch, he's getting into drills. He's doing everything that he can do to try to connect, and that's the special quality that Pete Carroll brings everywhere he goes.

[Matt Castle]

I've never met him. We should go out to Vegas before. Before the season actually starts and, like, sit down with them.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, he absolutely should do that.

[Matt Castle]

That would be awesome.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Yeah, because he'll. He'll talk for hours, I'm telling you. I just meant to call him. I knew he was probably busy or something to talk to him about his son, Brandon Carroll, who was the offensive coordinator. Just like a. Hey, what are your thoughts about now, where he's progressed to? He talked about that for maybe five minutes. Oh, he's great. Matty this and the other. But then immediately went into their scheme, what they're doing, the run game, how they need to be more physical up front, play from under center so they get better play action. And I was just like, man, this dude still. Still's got it.

[Matt Castle]

Well, man, hope you have a good week.

[Greg Rosenthal]

I do too. What do you got? What do you got on the docket?

[Matt Castle]

Well, so my brother in law is a heading coach at Arkansas. They won the regional of four teams.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Let's go.

[Matt Castle]

So now they're in the super regional. And so they play one series of three games against Ole Miss in Fayetteville. So there are 16 teams left in the entire NCAA tournament. If they win that, it'd be their first appearance ever in the College World Series.

[Greg Rosenthal]

That's a big deal.

[Matt Castle]

So when he was at Utah, he went in as a hitting coach. And their second year took Utah to the first ever College World Series. And if he's able to do it here again his second year, again, he's the heading coach. But it will. It will not be a coincidence.

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, he'll be a head coach. Anywhere he goes. He's turning these programs into gold.

[Matt Castle]

His. His mom has won four national championships in a row at Oklahoma. Has won eight in total. Has won like six of the last eight.

[Bobby Bones]

Wow.

[Greg Rosenthal]

It's in the bloodstream. She had him and he's like. She's like, is it okay if he plays softball? Because I know, I know how to do that.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. He's like, so we're gonna go to Fayetteville and hopefully watch Arkansas beat Ole Miss.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Let's go.

[Matt Castle]

That'll be awesome. Hey, I appreciate you guys. Thanks for listening. If you don't mind giving us a review, if you don't mind writing a little comment, and if you say, hey, Matt, your pants are much looser this week I think because he's really been focused on his pants not being so tight.

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, these are tight too. I think it's just my legs are getting bigger with all the squats I've been doing. Front squats, bro.

[Matt Castle]

Front squats suck.

[Greg Rosenthal]

They suck.

[Matt Castle]

Like on your. My shoulder's. My shoulders, yeah.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Oh, in your wrist.

[Matt Castle]

It's not the most masculine, like, hold of a bar either, because your elbows have to go in front of you.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Sometimes I'll just fold it over and try to make myself feel a little bit better.

[Matt Castle]

Or I do towels. You ever do the small towels?

[Greg Rosenthal]

No, I never. Never. Towel.

[Matt Castle]

You wouldn't do that? Yeah, no. You're kidding me. You're a real dude. All right, that's it. Thank you, guys. Mike D producing for Kickoff Kevin who kick off. Kevin is out. He had twins, a boy and a girl.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Incredible blessing.

[Matt Castle]

We haven't heard from him other than him commenting on a video. It was the baby video of you.

[Greg Rosenthal]

And I. Oh, great video.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. And he was like, this is hilarious. So Kickoff Kevin did have twins, but Mike D's producing brand, Brandon Ray is shooting video. He's Matt Castle. I'm Bobby Bones. We've had lots to say. We'll see you next week. Bye, everybody. Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcasts. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bobby Bones]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.