In short
The Rich Eisen Show discusses whether Dallas Cowboys fans are more committed to winning than owner/GM Jerry Jones, focusing on Jerry’s Monday press-conference comments about why a contract deal with star Micah Parsons isn’t finalized. The show also touches on Cowboys training-camp expectations, schedule difficulty, and key health concerns.
Guest backgrounds
Longtime Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill (DLLS Cowboys) joins to explain Jerry’s context and the Parsons negotiations. Pro Football Talk host Mike Florio and actor Paul Walterhauser are mentioned as guests (Walterhauser appears later in the show).
Key claims
Jerry is embarrassed/disappointed there’s no Parsons deal despite a March handshake/verbal agreement; Jerry cites injury risk and “leadership” as reasons. Hill argues the real issue is Jerry/Stephen Jones not contacting Parsons’ agent. TJ Watt’s new contract is seen as unlikely to derail the Parsons deal. Cowboys’ success hinges mainly on Dak Prescott staying healthy and improving run defense.
Notable examples
Dak Prescott’s $60M/year deal with only eight games played; Parsons’ four games due to a high ankle sprain; Trevon Diggs’ injuries and rehab dispute; Diggs possibly not returning until October; Cowboys’ 2025 schedule includes tough stretches vs Eagles/Chiefs/Chargers and a key early game vs the Eagles.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOFootball Season and Training Camps
1:53 to 5:15
Discussion about the start of NFL training camps and the anticipation surrounding it.
“Welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show.”
Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones' Press Conference
5:16 to 7:07
Analysis of Jerry Jones' recent comments regarding the Dallas Cowboys and player contracts.
“Today is one of the days where we have to.”
Injury Concerns and Contract Implications
7:08 to 8:16
Discussion of the implications of injuries on player contracts in the NFL.
“This is how we're disembarking or embarking on the journey, however you wish to put it.”
Micah Parsons and Public Reactions
8:17 to 12:07
Exploration of Micah Parsons' position with the Cowboys and public reactions to Jerry Jones' comments.
“and it's not because it's a billion degrees out here in Oxnard.”
Leadership and Player Negotiations
12:08 to 14:00
Discussion on leadership among top NFL players and the dynamics of contract negotiations.
“And Micah Parsons hit the old retweet on it.”
Leadership and Cowboys' Contracts
14:00 to 21:40
Discussion on the leadership dynamics within the Cowboys and contract negotiations involving key players.
“and that top quartile of your team, leadership is really big.”
Analyzing Cowboys' Schedule and Performance
23:17 to 28:00
Analysis of the Dallas Cowboys' upcoming schedule and potential performance issues.
“when the radio audience rejoins us as well.”
Jerry Jones and Player Negotiations
28:00 to 29:40
Discussion on Jerry Jones's negotiation tactics and the impact of public opinion on his decisions.
“I mean, in any sport, somebody, look at basketball, with the stars in basketball and the NBA, who now have blown out Achilles and what that means for the entire team.”
Impact of NFL Contracts on Team Dynamics
29:40 to 31:40
Exploration of the effects of contracts on player performance and team morale.
“Watt deal complicated this anymore, do you think, Clarence?”
Jerry Jones's Approach to Management
31:40 to 34:10
Analysis of Jerry Jones's management style and how it has evolved over the years.
“in how he handles his business with the Cowboys.”
Show all 19 chapters
Fans' Perspective on Jerry's Success
34:10 to 35:50
Discussion on how fans perceive Jerry Jones's success and their desire for more wins.
“Not only does he get to work next to his sons and his daughter Charlotte, but he also has his grandkids on the staff.”
Training Camp Expectations for the Cowboys
35:50 to 37:40
Review of the Dallas Cowboys' training camp and the expectations for the upcoming season.
“This is how it's going to be until the end.”
Injury Updates and Team Challenges
37:40 to 40:40
Insight into current injuries on the team and how they impact the Cowboys' season.
“The question is who's going to carry the ball.”
Jerry Jones's Commitment to GM Role
40:40 to 42:00
Clarence Hill discusses Jerry Jones's commitment to being GM and fan reactions.
“And Rubble coming off ACL, he may not be at his best until next season.”
Discussion on Cowboy Fans' Commitment
42:00 to 42:50
Exploring the loyalty of Dallas Cowboys fans amidst ongoing frustrations.
“He faced the devil, as he said, to do this job.”
Jerry Jones's Commitment to GM Role
42:50 to 43:00
Clarence Hill discusses Jerry Jones's commitment to being GM and fan reactions.
Jerry Jones' Commitment to Winning
44:44 to 47:29
Jerry Jones discusses his dedication to the Cowboys and the quest for another Super Bowl trophy.
“or if they're fortunate to be able to go to a game if the local ordinances allow it, it's so huge.”
Rich Eisen Show Updates
47:30 to 51:11
Rich Eisen shares updates on the show's move to ESPN Radio and upcoming projects.
“That was at the outset of the pandemic season in 2020.”
Future Plans and New Podcast Concept
51:11 to 54:35
Rich Eisen discusses plans for a new podcast focused on past SportsCenter stories.
“audio is the podcast world, the Rich Eyes and podcast world, is also porting to ESPN radio.”
Transcript
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1:10Subject to availability, restrictions and fees apply. This is the Rich Eisen Show. 158!
1:18Rich Eisen:This one made no sense to me. Touchdown! Titans! The longest touchdown pass of the year! Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. This one made no sense to me. Will Levis is having season-ending shoulder surgery. Today's gasps. Long-time Cowboys insider Clarence Hill. Hosted pro football talk Mike Florio. Actor Paul Walterhauser. Plus, latest news and more. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Well, hey everybody. Welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. We're live on the air, and the best news about all that is that every single team, save two, in the National Football League is in training camp right now.
2:06Rich Eisen:We did it. We're not there yet. We're just not there yet. For some reason, the Falcons and the Steelers are like, we can wait a day. It's very humid in those places. I got a tea time today. We can wait a day. Take Tuesday. You know what I mean? Just take Tuesday. We'll see you Wednesday. We're playing Oakmont. Just real quick. Okay, good enough. You know what? You can't always get what you want. That's why once upon a... But if you try sometimes... You'll get what you need, which is three hours of the Rich Eisenhower. Hey, you're just my friend. We want to say hello to everybody watching us, listening to us on the Roku Sports Channel, Infinity Sports Network, Odyssey.
2:47Rich Eisen:Say hello to all of our podcasters and let you know who's on the program. We've got Mike Florio. joining the show from Pro Football Talk right in the middle. And there's a lot of pro football to talk about. Let's put it that way. Paul Walter Hauser is on the program. Yesterday we had Danny Houston, the actor who plays the heavy, if you will, in the new Naked Gun film that's coming in theaters near you starting next Friday, August 1st. The man who plays the son of the George Kennedy, Ed Hawken character. Paul Walter Hauser, also famous for guesting on No Contest Wrestling, which you can get right now wherever you get your podcasts or check out on the Rich Eisen Show YouTube channel.
3:31Rich Eisen:I had a great time. He will be here in studio in hour number three. Good to see you over there, Chris Brockman. How are you? Great, man. What's up? Good to see you, Jason Feller. How are you, brother? Doing well. Good to see you, TJ Jefferson. What's up, Rich? Candles lit. You and O'Shea had a nice chat with our third-hour guests. We normally don't car wash our guests. Yeah. To use a television phrase where one person shows up and does two different entities from the same, I guess, umbrella. But he wanted to do it. Hey, listen. Don't go. So he's making a second consecutive trip down to El Segundo, California, which means God bless.
4:08Rich Eisen:Yeah. Appreciate all of that. Leave his wallet here. Right. To come back. Hey, look at you. Look at that photograph from yesterday. I love it. And O'Shea Jackson Jr. year he made it he made it he made it back as he had flying back from the east coast and there was some travel and look at paul walter hauser fun stuff so paul will be joining us in hour number three of this program um hey listen sir we are in a yes deep end of the sports talk pop culture talk uh pool okay we're in the deep end we've got a lot of competition we're going to talk about to listen a little bit later in more granular detail about what's going on with this show you're an experienced swimmer though but let me just tell you this um you know we we we we notice things we talk about things that we think you want to talk about things that uh i like to talk about and things though that most importantly are worthy of being talked about because of the headlines because of the news and uh frequently that involves a Dallas Yes, it does.
5:15Rich Eisen:And we're not starting this show with the Dallas Cowboys. Oh, man. Because, you know, we just want to. It's a thing to do. We have to. Today is one of the days where we have to. Because it is the story of the National Football League as training camps are opened now for, again, 30 teams of the 32. I can't do the fraction. What's 30 seconds? 5 '6". Thank you, sir. How do you know that? 83%. It's impressive. Yeah. That's the rain man of the Rich Eisen show right over there. He can tell you how many football toothpicks I just spilled on the ground. Charlie Babich, your friend? Listen. Stop trying to get us off the scent here, okay?
6:03We're not just going to close things down for the next eight weeks so we don't have to bring up a vote on the Dallas Cowboys. I'm an excellent driver. Straight from the headlines of what's going on in this world right now. We have to talk about the Dallas Cowboys. I agree today.
6:19Rich Eisen:Because of what Jerry Jones did to open training camp for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday. He held a press conference. Stephen Jones was there. Ron Schottenheimer, the new HC of the Dallas Cowboys, was there. Micah Parsons in camp. I'm holding in. We'll get to that in a second. We'll see how long he's there. We'll get to that in a second. And listen, we know Micah's going to sign with the Dallas Cowboys. You know who knows that? I don't know that. No, no, no. We all know it. Jerry knows it. Micah knows it. At the end of the day, he's going to sign with the Dallas Cowboys. He'll be rushing the passer.
6:54He will be training his sights on Jalen Hurts on the first Thursday of September. Better be. On NBC. It's going to happen. We all know it. We all know it. Yeah, come on, Chris. You know that's going to happen. That's the point B. You do know. That's the point B. This is the point A. This is how we're disembarking or embarking on the journey, however you wish to put it. Okay. And that line between A and B, it's not straight. It's not straight. It's going to be all over the map. And it started to go all over the map, right? as soon as the train left the station. I mean, as soon as the microphone's turned on in Oxnard, California yesterday.
7:45Is this thing on? Yes, it was. Certainly when Jerry starts talking about, in retrospect, about why this thing's not signed yet.
7:58Get this right. About the fact that Micah didn't play all 17 games last year and nor did his highly priced$60 million a year quarterback who must be just sitting around going, what did I do? My ears are burning for some reason and it's not because it's a billion degrees out here in Oxnard. This is why we're starting the show with the Dallas Cowboys because of Jerry's soliloquy on this subject matter going thusly. Just because we sign him doesn't mean we're going to have him. He was hurt six games last year. Seriously. We've signed, I remember signing a player for the highest paid position in the league, and he got knocked out two-thirds of the year, Dak Prescott.
8:49So there's a lot of things you can think about when you, just as the player does, when you're thinking about committing and guaranteeing money. All right, now, very simple question. What the hell does that mean? what's the point he's trying to make that we're not i'm holding off on signing him because i need to see more health does that mean again you can infer does that mean he's implying that both guys are injury prone is he implying both guys aren't taking care of their bodies well enough to the point where he needs to hold back until the very last second? Because if he does that, that makes no sense.
9:40You're still signing him anyway at the end of the day. What does that even mean? Anybody? Bueller? You want to chime in? Like, I'm all ears. I don't think it's the they're not professional enough to take care of their bodies. I can't say that, right? He's not applying that, is he? Why should I pay these guys if they're not going to play the full season?
10:06Rich Eisen:But that's... That is how I took it. But you're a guy who signs the checks in the National Football League. Nothing's guaranteed. The most significant contact sport there is. He wants guys that don't get hurt. But that's never going to happen. I'm aware. that's absolutely
10:30unrealistic unrealistic a good way to put it I was looking for the word somewhere between insane and insane you know what I mean like I understand you're you want more guarantees of someone's health but in the NFL you can't no and so of course you know we're all wondering how that's going to sit with somebody who has got a sign on the dotted line and he missed six games not like he he wasn't holding out last year he also didn't miss six games he missed four well they're both even numbers
11:10they're both divisible by two that we can't i don't know i mean they're not prime numbers i don't I don't know, but so, you know, we're also wondering, is TJ Watt going to affect the bottom line here? Right. Because he just signed a lot. But yeah, no doubt. Because that's what happens when you wait. But get to that in a second. Interestingly enough, the Watt that has kind of thrown a ripple rock that has rippled in this pond isn't TJ. It's JJ who heard this soundbite, retweeted it, and said, anytime you can publicly take a dig at your star quarterback and your star pass rusher, simultaneously, right before the season begins, you just got to take it.
12:01You got to do it. Nothing makes guys want to fight for you more than hearing how upset you are that they got hurt while fighting for you. And Micah Parsons hit the old retweet on it.
12:16So there's that. Which is why, again, we have to start this show at the Dallas Cup. You just gotta. I offer no pushback today. Okay, good enough. Good enough. Because don't worry, we're making the turn here on this golf course. Do Jones.
12:39Listen.
12:43i understand that micah hit the repost on this sort of thing and jj i mean that that was a very economical way to put it perfect i mean word for word to make your point sarcastically and then seriously um the fact that micah's under contract on top of it being laid out there by jerry jones how will that sit because this was the sound bite everybody brought up when asking you do you expect micah to practice hit it everybody here is under contract everybody yes yes and so So that's what that is. From the standpoint of, let's say, what happens relative to, I'm looking at the entire NFL when I say this, and that's players that are under contract and teams looking to make it better for the team and for the player.
13:50In terms of that, that is incumbent if you're in that price range. When you're up there in that top 10%, so to speak, of the league, and that top quartile of your team, leadership is really big. And leadership exhibits himself when you're negotiating as well. And so I'm appreciative of Micah being here. I am. He mentioned leadership several times.
14:24Rich Eisen:And that's always been the undercurrent. I'll shoot you all straight. That's the undercurrent coming out of the Metroplex. He podcasts too much. He says too much. Right? Isn't that what DeMarcus Lawrence kind of lobbed back into Dallas as he arrived into Seattle? Like, hey, you keep podcasting. I'll come up here and win.
14:46Rich Eisen:Once upon a time, this is what I'll say here. I always try to keep it real and level-headed here. Micah's going to sign. He's going to sign. This is nothing compared. Right now, the reposting of a tweet that calls out Jerry, and I think rightfully for him basically saying, I'm paying people to get hurt around here? And Micah's somebody I paid. Dak, I paid him, and he got hurt. So you want me to pay him now?
15:19You know?
15:21Rich Eisen:And he even added down, Trevon Diggs got called into this thing. Yeah, right? Did he play at those guys? Well, it was brought up. It was brought up, and Jerry used it as a cudgel in a way. A what? He used it as a way to dig, to dig, a dig at the media for saying, you don't sign people early enough. Because he signed Trevon Diggs early enough, gave him the largest contract for cornerbacks, and he's been hurt twice. Yep, yep. You play that sound, buddy. Jerry, Connie just talked about, you know, the things that can happen before a contract's up, and that's why you kind of wait for it a little bit.
15:56You've done deals, though, early with Trayvon Diggs, with Terrence Steele, before it was time for it. What's the difference between those situations and a situation like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons?
16:08Frankly, frankly, should we have waited on Diggs and Steele?
16:19Oh, you brought them up. I didn't. Well, the other thing is the willingness. I mean, you have players who decide, hey, I'm willing to wait. I'm going to wait on bigger numbers. And you've got other players who want to be more conservative and say, hey, I'd like to have my money now. And every person is different. Every player is different.
16:43Rich Eisen:That's Steven Jones for those listening, the COO and co-owner of the Cowboys, sitting next to Jerry, who is just like, cat ate the canary. Oh, I signed those guys early. They got hurt. Should I have waited on him? You're the one who brought it up here. Oh, it's just a rondelay of... You have to love this. It's a brew of discussing the Cowboys, and I understand that's maybe what Jerry's point is in all of that sort of business. Because at the end of the day, the signing's going to get done. and this is nothing compared to when Zeke held out. Because Mike is an Oxnard. Zeke went to Mexico. Zeke went to Cabo.
17:24Rich Eisen:Zeke is just like, I am going to be the next Emmitt Smith. I will hold out. I will sit here. I will not play. And Jerry did give him one of the richest contracts in the history of running backs. Imagine if we had this type of access when Emmitt was around and this was going on. Dude, well, Emmitt, Emmitt. This is Emmitt Smith. Jerry brought that up yesterday, too. He's just like Emmett, you know, Emmett held out. So if we're going to go 0-2 and then win the Super Bowl, then that would be a great way for this thing to work. That's true. So at least the rest of the media is not going nuts saying, oh, is he want Mike going to hold out for two games?
17:58Rich Eisen:Mike is not going to hold out. At the end of the day, this is going to get done. He's going to get a poop ton of money. Poop ton of money. And Brian Chottenheimer has got to be sitting there going, well, I mean, McCarthy told, I had a front row seat as McCarthy told me, this is the sort of stuff I'm going to have to deal with, talk about whatever. Do you think he's regretting taking this job? No, absolutely not. Absolutely not. He's the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. End of story. End of story with a team that is laden with superstars, including Micah Parsons when he's there. But boy, is this something.
18:31You don't have to deal with this.
18:32Rich Eisen:No, I get it. But Jerry gave him the gig and he's, I don't think he's regretting it one more at all. It's Cowboys fans that are sitting there going, why do I have to sit through this again, once again? Every year. And Jerry is having a grand old time, and I'm the one sitting at home wondering about this team and sitting through some of these distressing losses, and does Jerry really care all that much? Jerry, he seems like the only guy having fun. That is the conversation that a lot of Cowboys fans that I know of. And, you know, does Jerry want to win the Super Bowl? Hell yeah, he does. I don't know about that.
19:07Rich Eisen:You know where I stand on that. No, I know that you think he's having more fun in Jerry world than winning. Yeah, we're getting ulcers. He's out there having the time of his life. Well, I mean, that's the point. Is there going to be any fatigue with dealing with all of this stuff? And does that include the players at the end of the day? I mean, that is the ultimate question. I always boil it down to how does this factor into wins and losses? Right now it looks like a big fat L because Mike is not going to be signed yet. And he's reposting some very pointed criticisms of the guy he's negotiating with right now.
19:42Rich Eisen:Very bad. But in terms of wins and losses, if you start 1-3, 2-4, you go 3-5, 4-5, 5-6, how does this all manage? Is there some fatigue that just does not allow them to dig in because of this stuff? I don't know. That's going to be on Schottenheimer. and then the fans you know is there any good fatigue with them because one last thing that he threw out there there's something else oh yeah he was asked if he's ever thought about giving up being the general manager of the team here's his response stepping away as general manager ever been even a momentary consideration for you through the years uh yes oh momentary oh how long a moment now we're getting down to it small fractions of seconds i promise you that okay yeah the only one laughing he's the only one having a good time i'll remind everybody the this the dallas cowboys are his fantasy team in the same way that your fantasy team is yours and your fantasy team is yours and your fantasy team is yours and my fantasy team is mine because if I went through a bunch of years where I haven't won anything, I would spend maybe a momentary fraction of a second thinking about having somebody else pick my team.
21:07Rich Eisen:But at the end of the day, hell no. It's my team. Especially, you know what I mean? Especially if you own your team with your kid. Yeah. Also, especially if you've won championships, you know, especially if you've run fantasy championships before, like, or if it's worth$15 billion. It's been about 12, 13 years since I won my fantasy league in the one league. I really want to win it. but I'm, I'm a GM. Oh man. So we're going to have Clarence Hill, who's been covering this team forever in a day. Join us next to interpret everything that we just did. And then Mike Florio, R2 and there's you at 844-204-RICH here on the Rich Eisen show.
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22:57That's the perfect time to call an audible with express delivery from the Home Depot. Order in the app or online. Get what you need delivered fast and track updates along the way so you can finish your project in time for the first snap. Get what you need even faster with express delivery from the Home Depot. Subject to availability, restrictions, and fees apply.
23:16Rich Eisen:Back here on the show, Clarence Hill is about to join us when the radio audience rejoins us as well. Well, you made this point, Chris, during the commercial break. Let's follow up on it. The Dallas Cowboys 2025 schedule isn't easy. Remember I said before, let's talk about what if they start slowly, poorly, mediocre record, halfway through. They've got a, we all know, big kickoff visit to the Eagles. Home for the Giants at the Bears. Home for the Packers at the Jets. At Carolina. I mean, again, looking at this prism through the prism of last year, I mean, those are some winnable games. Now, it's always difficult to look through the prism of last year when you're talking about a new year.
24:04Washington at Denver, Arizona is going to be better, which they've struggled against that team in recent years. I mean, I think they're lucky to be 5-4 heading into the bye week. And then you look at the second half.
24:17Rich Eisen:Philadelphia, Kansas City, Detroit, Minnesota, Chargers, Washington. They got a six-week stretch that is just absolutely brutal. If the Giants and Vegas are improved, and again, if Carolina is the sleeper team that I'm thinking that they could be, then the Jets, dude. I mean, who knows? But you look at this schedule and you're like, man, how do they win? Where are seven, eight wins? Where are, if you think they're a playoff team, okay, where are 10, 11 wins on this schedule? You have to hunt and pack. Yeah. Could be long air. Maybe. You have to be smoking something over there this morning. You know, again, folks might not know, and we'll talk about it on tomorrow's show as well.
24:59Rich Eisen:Chris Brockman and TJ Jefferson share a birthday. That day is tomorrow. So I think what we should do is you each come up with a birthday wish for yourself from the other. A gift. And yours would be to have TJ play the win-loss game for the Cowboys tomorrow. Happy birthday to you. Thank you. Now, TJ, you'll have to think about something similar. Okay. Okay. Let's play the soundbite of the day from the Monday press conference with Jerry Jones talking about the injury history of two of his stars. Just because we sign him doesn't mean we're going to have him. He was hurt six games last year. Seriously.
25:43We've signed, I remember signing a player for the highest paid position in the league, and he got knocked out two-thirds of the year. Dak Prescott so there's a lot of things you can think about just as the player does when you're thinking about committing and guaranteeing money
26:02Rich Eisen:and again we chopped up that sound like quite a bit to start today's program and we were wondering what does this really mean and to join us once again back on the Rich Eisen Show is a man who speaks fluent Jerry as he is the longest tenured Dallas Cowboys beat writer representing DLLS Cowboys, ladies and gentlemen, Clarence Hill. Good to see you again, Clarence. How are you? How are you doing today? Well, you tell me. I mean, what did Jerry mean by that? And what was the context in which he said it on Monday, Clarence? Jerry is embarrassed and disappointed that they don't have a deal done with Michael Parsons.
26:46Jerry and Micah Parsons actually reported in March that they had a handshake deal, a verbal agreement on a deal to make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, certainly the currently highest paid player. And Micah asked Jerry to call his agent. And Jerry and Steven have not done that. And now this was in March. And now we're in late July, getting ready to go to August, starting the training camp. They still have a deal done. Michael Parsons here most likely will have a hold in. So Jerry is coming over reasons why they don't have a deal. And he's saying, well, the guy could get hurt.
27:22Well, that's the case with any deal you make with anybody. Certainly he signed Dak Prescott last year to the richest contract in sports in the NFL, $60 million annually, and he only played eight games. Michael Parsons played four games last year because he had a high ankle sprain. But that comes with a dinner with football. I mean, players get hurt, which is one reason why, you know, players are pushing or should be pushing more for guaranteed contract. That's part of it. To bring it up and act like that's why they don't have a deal done. That's not true.
27:53Rich Eisen:Well, the thing is, I'm with you, Clarence. You know, we were saying at the, again, top of the show, this sounds like man raging at clouds, right? Like, yeah. I mean, in any sport, somebody, look at basketball, with the stars in basketball and the NBA, who now have blown out Achilles and what that means for the entire team. You know somebody's going to eventually get hurt, certainly in a contact sport like the NFL. So you're saying this statement is born out of the fact that Jerry and Steven had a handshake deal with the player himself, and the player himself says, talk to my agent, and they still haven't actually followed that instruction from the player?
28:36Is that what you're saying, Clarence? Is that what it is? They still have not. The two principals, Deary and Steven, the guys who make the decisions, have not talked to the agent, David Moologata of Athlete's First, one of the top agents in the country. They have not talked to the agent. You know, their cap guy has, Evan Pacifica. But Deary and Steven, who Michael asked to talk to his agent, have not talked to the agent. And I'm just saying Jerry spent a lot of time doing the press conference, come up reasons why he hasn't done the deal. He's like, I need to see more leadership from Michael. I need to see him, you know, in camp, you know, patting players on the butt because it's going to be a hold in.
29:14I just, I need to see more. Well, you didn't need to see more because you already had a handshake deal, a verbal agreement on a deal in March without saying all that. So now we're in late July, August. Why have you not, why don't you have a deal? well, he's coming up with reasons, an example of why they may not have a deal. Well, the agent needs to call us or whatever else. Well, Micah asked you to call the agent. They haven't done that.
29:38Rich Eisen:Clarence Hill here on The Rich Eisen Show. Has the T.J. Watt deal complicated this anymore, do you think, Clarence? Because they understood from the beginning that no matter that, and they've said they want to make Micah the richest non-quarterback in the NFL. You know, and before T.J. Watt, it was Garrett, you know, and Jamar Chase. and T.J. Watt only went a million over them. So, I mean, if 40 was realistic that now that T.J. Watt is 41, then that doesn't have an impact. I mean, he was going to get that anyway. Well, now it's 41, is it 42, is it 43? How much higher do you go? But, you know, Micah said he knows he's going to be the richest non-quarterback.
30:20He is comfortable in knowing that he wants to be at camp. He wants to be practicing with his teammates. he's out here you know and he's going to be around and I think the fact that he's out there going to be around knows that it's a matter of time because the Cowboys have never not gotten something done. If you go back to all the negotiations going back to CeeDee, I mean Zeke when he said Zeke who before and then Zeke got upset and then he signed Zeke and you last year CeeDee missed all the camp and deck you know decided to start to the morning of the season opener, Jerry always gets the deal done.
30:56It's just a matter of when. And for Jerry, it's sport. If you listen to his first comment yesterday, he was just enjoying life, enjoying being GM of the Cowboys, making jokes about Landman and Cartoon and talking about, you guys have, you know, there's nothing you can say that's going to impact me because I've heard it all, I've been through it all, and he has. But I remember a time when public criticism did impact the decision making, going back to Randy Moss, when they passed on Randy Moss because of the criticism of the bad boy Cowboys of the 90s that passed on the Hall of Fame with Randy Moss and drafted Greg Ellis.
31:28Everybody knows they should have drafted Randy Moss, and Randy Moss expected to come to Dallas at that time. But Jerry was swayed by public opinion. He was swayed by the media. I think that now we're seeing a different Jerry Jones in how he handles his business with the Cowboys. They don't spend the money like they used to. They don't go all in, so to speak, in putting this team together. and 82 years old, Jerry is enjoying working with his sons, working with his family. Certainly his franchise is the richest in sports. He does have three Super Bowls. The angst for him is not the same for fans who've never seen the Cowboys be winners or these players who have to bear the burden of the 90s on their back like Dak and CD and Micah.
32:12You know, he got three Super Bowls he can sleep with and he has the richest franchise in sports and he's on Landman and he keeps talking about the next Netflix special, you know, life is good.
32:25Rich Eisen:Yeah, I know the Landman speech that, you know, we saw and that he said the best part got cut out of in his press conference on Monday. You know, everybody says that really is Jerry. Jerry wasn't making that up. Like he truly does love working with his kids and things of that nature. You know, and it's funny you bring up what you brought up because, you know, I was going to say, I said this to start the program to Clarence, is, you know, the Micah Parsons liking the J.J. Watt tweet that criticizes Jerry's comments to sort of potentially seem like he's broadsiding Parsons and Dak for getting hurt or potentially not living up to a contract.
33:12Rich Eisen:In fact, Zeke hanging out in Cabo is holding the beer here. Like, this is nothing, you know, when it compares to all of that. And Zeke wound up getting paid anyway. So it's just another day in Jerry world is basically what you're saying? If you listen to Netflix, he says it's a soap opera 365, but he's part of the reason why it's a soap opera, and he enjoys these moments. You know, I really think he opens the press conference looking to go viral. Like, what can I say that's going to get these people laughing and sucking? I mean, when you talk about the lab man thing about the best part, and he puts his finger up there, you know, what he would have done to the guy.
33:54I mean, he enjoys that. And certainly we enjoy the banter of the owner and GM because he is the decision maker, but he makes it fun. But he enjoys the fun of it. I mean, he talks about he's never worked a day in his life, and I'm having fun. and why would I ever give up this job that I paid for to have fun with my team and enjoy life with my family? Not only does he get to work next to his sons and his daughter Charlotte, but he also has his grandkids on the staff. I mean, as we get older, we take a stock in life, and we appreciate these moments. He's appreciating the moment.
34:29Rich Eisen:Well, I've got to tell you, Clarence, during that last response, because my head's always on a swivel here in the Rich Eisen Show studio, and I have my peripheral vision. Diehard Dallas Cowboy fan, TJ Jefferson, you were shaking your head throughout that entire answer. Like, just like, you were just, I mean, you want to interpret that? Because Clarence is here to help. Clarence is here to help right now. I don't know if Clarence can help at this point. This is just a personal thing where, I guess this is why people stay in loveless marriages, Clarence, because you're so used to each other. You fear what would happen if you leave each other, right?
35:05That's how I feel. But I got to be honest, that last thing you said there, when you when you really broke it down, right? At the end of the day, Jerry's when it's all going to be written, it's going to be he had the most valuable franchise in sports. He had three Super Bowls. He helped bring advertising into the NFL. He did this, that and the third. He's got a bust for it. At the end of the day, you just said he's doing what he wants to do. He paid for this team. He's working with his family. He's working with his sons and his grandsons. And it's hard to argue that he hasn't earned that right.
35:37But you want results, though. You want results because you're the fan here. But it's hard to, like, what argument can you give to this man at that point, right? Like, based upon everything you said, how are you going to get him to change his mind? He's not going to. This is how it's going to be until the end. And he's already in all the fame. He's already in all the fame. Yeah. So he has no reason to change.
35:57Rich Eisen:I don't know, though. Clarence, where do you stand on that? Where that Jerry, I mean, although it seems, are you driving at that he's content enough? I don't know if he had the same hunger as Cowboy fans, the generation of Cowboy fans who've never seen the Cowboys be winners. I'm not saying Jerry doesn't want to win, certainly wants to win again, but he's certainly enjoying having fun and running this franchise and having a richest franchise in sports. My mom used to say a long time ago, you can't serve two masters. Either you focus on making money or you focus on winning. He's making money. Well, and so in the few minutes we have left with you, Clarence, what, I guess let's talk about the actual wins and losses and how it looks, right?
36:42Right? I mean, training camp's open. It's Brian Schottenheimer's first run at it, not just for Dallas, but period. What are you hearing? What are you sensing that's different, that can be different, that will actually result in the wins that can take a lot of these conversations off the table? Well, the only thing, the main thing is Dak being healthy. When Dak has been healthy and played the full complement of the game, the Cowboys have been winners in the sense that they've made the playoffs. They've continued for the playoffs late in the season. It's just what's going to happen when they get to the playoffs is the issue.
37:14But they've generally been a playoff team when Dak is healthy, and Dak is healthy and ready to go, and the Cowboys are excited. They brought in George Pickens to pair with CeeDee Lamb. They should have one of the most exciting pass offers in the league, with CeeDee and George Pickens and Dak Prescott throwing the ball around the park. The last time he was fully out and played a couple of games, he was the MVP runner-up and really should have won it. His numbers were better than Lamar Jackson that year.
37:40Rich Eisen:What about the run game? What about that? That's the question. They've improved the office line. First-round pick, Tyler Booker. They should run the ball better. The question is who's going to carry the ball. And Miles Sanders, Javante Williams, Jaden Blue, So there's some questions at running back, but the blocking should be better. The threat of CD and George on the outside should help open things up in the running game. They should run the ball better. But the big issue for me, you know, when we're talking about how good they can be, if they can make a playoff run, really deep playoff run for the first time since their last Super Bowl title in 1995, I remember the Cowboys have the longest drought to get the NCAA title game in the NFC.
38:24since Washington got there last year with Jayden Daniels. They have the longest draft. And that's something that Jerry should be sensitive about. And certainly the players and the fans are certainly sensitive about this long draft. But they've got to find a way to stop the run. You know, their biggest bugaboo has been defense, not being able to stop the run, not being able to run the ball, but also not being able to stop the run. And they did little to improve their run defense last year.
38:47Rich Eisen:Well, what about health-wise as well, Clarence? I mean, of all the people that might have sparked Jerry's soliloquy on injuries and big-time contracts not being lived up to because of it, there's Trayvon Diggs sitting there riding out. What's his scoop and the rest of the injury front going into this season? You know, Diggs is not – he signed a contract, a rich contract a couple years ago, and he's been injured the past two years. He was torn ACL in 2023 after three games. And then last year, he suffered a knee injury and has been out. It may not be back until October. You know, that's the reality of it.
39:30And certainly he has a clause in his contract that he should be around for the offseason program and show up. And so he loses$500 ,000 on a$10 million salary. So he's going to make$9.5 million this year anyway, right? But he lost$500 ,000 of incentives to show up for the offseason program because he valued his trainer in Florida is going to get him healthy and ready to go for the bulk of his career, not just for this season. And he has a public spat with the Cowboys training department. And so he decided to train elsewhere. And Jerry threw him under the bus, so to speak, about his rehab and not being around.
40:12Yesterday, we were talking about Mike. Like, you know, he just picked up and threw Diggs under the bus and invoked Diggs into the conversation.
40:20Rich Eisen:Yes. But we all knew that Diggs was not, and everyone knows that Diggs in the injury situation, he might not be ready for the start of the season. And that's been the case. And you add in Siobhan Rubble, the third-round pick, who's also on the NFI list and coming off ACL injury. Yeah, they have questions in the secondary because you don't know when you're going to get Diggs and you don't know. And Rubble coming off ACL, he may not be at his best until next season. So I guess lastly for you, before I let you go, the one other comment that lingered from the Jerry press conference on Monday to kick off the training camp season was the amount of time that he admitted that he considered no longer being general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.
41:06Rich Eisen:Was that frame of time shorter or longer than the, you know, retirement concepts that Jordan once upon a time threw out there, right? About his return and things of that nature. Clarence, what'd you make of that comment from Jerry? At least he admitted it was a fraction of a second. You know, he told me last year that he's the best damn GM in the league and nobody can do the job better than him. Nobody has more experience doing the job better than him. He certainly has been added longer, as long or longer than anybody in the NFL. And he knows the league. He knows economics. And so over the time, everybody's asked, well, the Cowboys have won and they got a non, maybe they need to get a football guy, a football guy.
41:50And he said that, you know, during this 30 year drought, he's considered a fraction of a second of not being the GM. And then he came to his senses because he's having fun doing his job. He paid. He faced the devil, as he said, to do this job. He paid for the right to do this job and he's going to do this job.
42:12Rich Eisen:How's that going to sit with Cowboy fans? Like, what do you think? The Cowboy fans will continue to sell out AT &T Stadium. I mean, what are we talking? We're stuck, Clarence. We are stuck. We're not going anywhere. Still drinking the Kool-Aid. Clarence Hill, ladies and gentlemen. Love it, man. The red kind, Clarence. D-L-L-S Cowboys. D-L-L-S Cowboys. And, of course, at Clarence Hill Jr., if you wish to follow him on social media. Great to see you, Clarence. I knew you would always bring it like you always do. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Thank you, guys. That's Clarence Hill here on The Rich Eisen Show.
42:54Rich Eisen:Golf clap for Clarence Hill. Yes, sir. Big time. All right. We will take a break here. Give you some minutes to refresh. Come back some news about the way you can take in this program with your ears. and then Mike Florio coming up. Also the latest from the Commanders on Terry McLaurin.
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44:43Rich Eisen:The NFL bringing the country together around a television set, or if they're fortunate to be able to go to a game if the local ordinances allow it, it's so huge. That said, for you personally, you have an embarrassment of riches. You've got a beautiful family, a beautiful stadium. You're the guardian of the star. You've got a bust. You've got a Hall of Fame ring. You've got a jacket. What you don't have is a fourth Lombardi trophy. How bad do you want it, Jerry Jones? How badly do you want this? Well, Rich, like you said, you've been around for two decades now. And you haven't seen us raise that trophy.
45:20I did ask the man upstairs when I got the third one. I said, if you'll give me this one, I'll never ask again. I'm asking. I'm trying to retrade that deal. And so to the extent that he's listening to us, and I'm sure he is, I will do better. There have got some things that I can offer you to get that trophy. On the other hand, you know, that's why we're here. That's why I'm involved. A lot of people say and relate us to financial. but I was fortunate, lucky, and I had some resources and I used it all to buy the Dallas Cowboys. Every bit of it to buy the Dallas Cowboys back 30 years ago. I came here to get to be a part of a team that could compete for the championship.
46:15Not a greater place to compete and start than in this new stadium in Englewood, California. I was born about a block and a half right at the end of the LAX runway. I had a little house out here during World War II, and I was born right there in Inglewood. Well, that's, I didn't even, I never knew that, Jerry Jones.
46:41Rich Eisen:I never knew that. That's truly unbelievable. I never knew that that's where you were born. And again, I'm excited for this season on behalf of everyone at NFL Network. greatly appreciate your support for our network for all from jump street to now. And then just for me personally, I want to thank you. I truly appreciate it.
47:04Rich, I've watched you handle Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. Anybody that can keep them in their place deserves to be the star of the network.
47:14Rich Eisen:Jerry, I really appreciate that. That means a ton. And best to your family. And good luck for the season. We appreciate the call. Thank you. Thank you, Rich. You got it. Thank you, Rich. You got it right back at you. Thank you. That's Jerry Jones here. That was at the outset of the pandemic season in 2020. He was talking about the anniversary special that was going on on NFL Network and other places for the Cowboys. I believe back in 2020, that was their 50th year, right? Was there a 50th celebration in 2020 or 60 or something like that? 20? Yeah. At any rate, he was on. 60, yeah. And it's amazing.
47:55Rich Eisen:And I appreciate, Hoskins, you playing that there because in the 30 seconds we have left here, he's still, as you heard what Clarence Hill basically say, he's still the same guy who's like, I gave every dime to get this team. I'm running it. I'm running it with my family. I paid for this right. To do this. Yeah, that's kind of how it was. You know, we all know him as a gajillionaire right now. But once upon a time, he put every dime he had into buying the Cowboys. So he's, even in 2025, he's not giving it up. Back on the Rich Eisen Show. One big happy family together. Don't usually talk about us and the business of us very much on this program.
48:39Rich Eisen:But there's a lot going on with the business of us. back in may um we uh we struck a deal uh to move the television version of this show to uh the walt disney company we will be in early september streaming on disney plus espn plus and the new direct-to-consumer um way of delivering television uh that espn is putting out and it's a new service called wait a minute i wrote it down here espn oh god yeah and you know clearly uh to be able to go back to where my career started also stay with nfl network um was uh was something that i never thought possible 22 years later and the same thing is now the case with the radio version of this show we are on september 2nd moving the audio version of this show to ESPN Radio, which is also my roots.
49:40Rich Eisen:I'm proud to say I got my first radio gig of my career being the first ever studio voice of Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio. Covered the World Series, covered All-Star Games, covered that amazing 1999 All-Star Game in Fenway Park with the All-Century team. I stood behind home plate with the ESPN Radio mic flag and watched all of the stars of the past and the present converge around Ted Williams throwing out that first pitch. Remember that? What a moment, man. Right? I'm getting goosebumps just even remembering that right now. So the fact that I'm able to return to those roots is also a blessing.
50:17Rich Eisen:I do want to thank my friends at Westwood One, Odyssey as well, the Infinity Sports Network. You can still, this show will be available on many Infinity Sports Network stations throughout the rest of the fall. Westwood won. You were there for us coming out of the pandemic when our world was completely turned upside down. Again, it's just a blessing being partners with them, also with Odyssey, Infinity Sports Network. But ESPN Radio is going to be the home of this show. It's an old home of mine. It's a new home of mine. I'm getting my ties back to some people who I was working with at the start of my career, and that is an absolute, I'll keep saying it over again, blessing.
51:04Rich Eisen:I thought that part of my career was closed. And part of the world that we're moving to as well, audio is the podcast world, the Rich Eyes and podcast world, is also porting to ESPN radio. And I can't wait to work with ESPN radio and Good Karma Brands and everybody else there as well. And I appreciate you listening. Also, in the same way that we're available on Infinity Sports Network stations throughout the fall, I keep saying over and over and over again here, and for the last three years, with our relationship with Roku and the great crew there, right? Just want to just get it all out right now so we don't talk about it.
51:50Rich Eisen:You know, Joe Francetta, who brought the show here, and Charlie Collier, and the rest of the crew there, just amazing people. as I keep on reminding everybody, Roku's got everything. So Disney Plus and ESPN Plus and I wrote it down here. ESPN. Yeah, heard of them.
52:14That we're not going anywhere.
52:16Rich Eisen:If you have Roku, you still watch us. Still got us. Yep. Right? So because Roku's got everything and it's partners with everybody. Yep. So and then I'll be on NFL Network I think the next thing I'm doing is Hall of Fame. And then I've got a night in studio for preseason and then game day morning. And then one of the pods, just to, again, keep talking about our business here, that we're creating a new pod here at the Rich Eisen Show and Rich Eisen Productions. I will be hosting it. it's yet untitled but it's a pod um where i'm going to scroll down memory lane and lean into the old sports center days and interview some colleagues of mine from back in that day and those who are still there from connectivity from back in that day and a bunch of other people uh it's untitled but i've got a title in mind oh okay you know i think i i think i'm gonna call it this should i should i do it should i do it crowd source it yeah sure i think i'm gonna call it i'm gonna call it this was sports center i love that you know lean in because they yeah you know again the folks there that you know that campaign this is sports this was yeah this was sports center you know because of this you know i'm going to lean into the old days tell some stories about of my own and then uh chop it up with some old uh long time friends that's fun that's gonna be great whose number i don't believe they've lost of mine i don't think so that's the business of what we're doing around here look at us the best thing about us is it's about it about us though it's about us that's uh that's that's uh rich eyes and consulting we're bringing that consulting as well we're full service that's basically what i'm saying we do it all you can't stop us you can only hope to contain us.
54:13Rich Eisen:I don't think they can even hope to do that. Who said that once upon a time? I don't think containment is an option. No, that's not an option. Hour two coming up. I don't think I can be your friend, Isabella said. Rebecca's stomach flipped. This is the love story of real hinge couple Isabella and Rebecca, written and read by me, Temby Denton-Hurst. Listen to the free audiobook now.
From the publisher
7/22/25 - Hour 1
Rich recaps Jerry Jones’ press conference at the opening of the Cowboys’ training camp where Dallas’ owner took jabs at disgruntled LB Micah Parsons and his starting QB Dak Prescott.
Cowboys Insider Clarence Hill tells Rich the real reason why Jerry Jones’ contract talks with Micah Parsons have dragged on so long, just how committed Jones actually is to winning another Super Bowl and how much longer he’ll continue to be the team’s GM, what concerns he has for Dallas on the field this season, and more.
Rich makes a big announcement about the show’s future and upcoming move to ESPN.
Please check out other RES productions:
Overreaction Monday: http://apple.co/overreactionmonday
What the Football with Suzy Shuster and Amy Trask: http://apple.co/whatthefootball
The Jim Jackson Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jim-jackson-show/id1770609432
No-Contest Wrestling with O'Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-contest-wrestling/id1771450708
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