Hour 1: Aaron Donald Latest, Colts ‘4-Downs’ Preview, plus Texans GM Nick Caserio

0:00Rich Eisen:Hey Chicago, class it up with Crocs. You know back to school is coming in fast. So why wait to find your new fave footwear? Step into a local Crocs store and step into your new look. Try it. Style it. Make it yours. Because the right pair doesn't just show up, it shows off. First day fits, handled. Walk out ready for whatever's next. Visit your nearest Crocs store today. This message is brought to you by AppleCard. Shave ice by the beach. A trip to the state fair. And a throwback flick at the local drive-in. They're more than just items to check off the summer bucket list. They're also opportunities to earn 2 % daily cash back when you use your AppleCard with ApplePay.

0:48Rich Eisen:Apply for AppleCard now and use in minutes with ApplePay. Subject to credit approval, AppleCard is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch. Terms and more at AppleCard.com. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash richeisenshow and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.

1:34Rich Eisen:What would you little maniacs like to do first? This is the Rich Eisen Show. Today's guests, Texans general manager Nick Casario, Colts head coach Shane Steichen, Saints quarterback Tyler Shuck, pro football hall of famer Tony Gonzalez, actor and director Eli Roth. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Oh man, everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. Football is so back. We've got five guests today. Because, you know, when you do a show like this, you put lines in the football ocean, if you will, and then bites come in bunches. Certainly this time of year, we've got a quarterback, we've got a coach, We've got a general manager.

2:25Rich Eisen:We've got a Hall of Famer. And then we've got a movie director, an actor. And so first up, Nick Casario is going to come out of a meeting room for the Houston Texans, and we're going to have a conversation with the GM of the Houston Texans. And then we'll have a conversation with the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Shane Steichen, and then Tyler Shuck, the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year last year, the New Orleans Saints quarterback. He'll join us. Tony Gonzalez, top of our number three Hall of Famer. We're going to be in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum for all three hours tomorrow.

2:59Rich Eisen:Our guests are Steve Hutchinson, Marshall Falk, Rod Woodson, Willie Rolfe, Luke Keekly, who's going into the Hall of Fame this year, and Chris Berman, the Master of Ceremonies. They'll all be with this show in person in Ohio on Friday, regular time, 12 to 3 Eastern, right here on Disney +, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio, Sirius XM, Channel 80. The director, Eli Roth, he loves making horror movies, this guy, and his new movie, Ice Cream Man, is out in theaters tomorrow. He's also very famous for being in Inglourious Bastards. Donnie Donowitz swinging a bat at the Nazis and talking broken Italian to Christoph Waltz.

3:40Rich Eisen:We're just going to go down a wormhole with him in hour number three. There's you at 844-204-RICH. I've got a top five list of my top five fantasy football sleepers. And fittingly enough, on a date, Shane Steichen joins us. We got ourselves an Indianapolis Colts season preview four downs. Good to see you over there, Chris Brockman. How are you? I'm great, Rich. Today is my L.A. anniversary. On this date, 2009, I moved to L.A. and the first movie I ever saw in the theater when I got here, Inglourious Basketball. How about them apples? That's called a full circle moment, is it? Pretty cool. How are you, DJ Mikey D?

4:12Rich Eisen:I'm doing well. Good to see you, TJ Jefferson. and how are you? Candles lit. What's up, world? How's everybody? How's it, Jay? Now that we're fully unpacked, let's get to it. We start with our favorite new segment because we don't know how long this segment's going to last. Today might be the last day. I don't think so. I don't think so. I don't think so. It's the latest edition of Is He Back Yet? Is he back yet? Where is A.A. Ron right now? Oh, look at the... Smich added two new faces. Del Tufo on the right. You're a disappointed and scared Christian McCaffrey and frightened Aaron Donald. And there you are smiling next to Miles Garrett's head right there.

4:57Rich Eisen:I love that. TJ, apparently you're not in this. Not surprising. Because you're a Dallas fan. Because I'm a Cowboys fan. I know. You're not a season ticket holder of the Rams. Is he back yet? I get it. Aaron Donald, is he back yet? Well, to use a phrase of the fugitive, which, by the way, also debuted on this date years and years and years ago. Yes. That's awesome. A phrase from the fugitive. Remember the one-armed man? Yep. You remember when Dr. Kimball broke into his house and called up the authorities and said, I found a big piece. And he put the phone down so they could track him. to the one-armed man's apartment.

5:43Rich Eisen:Yesterday seemed to be a big piece. And it broke on the NFL wire. Right. This is crazy. This is, you know, something that comes out every day that all 32 teams get. And anybody who cares to take a look at it can find information on it. Like, say, the Bills had three guys trying out and the Vegas Raiders had three guys trying out. The Miami Dolphins tried out five guys. And the Los Angeles Rams tried out a defensive tackle out of Pittsburgh named Donald comma Aaron tryout. Heard of them. Well, the reason why it's called a tryout, it's the phrase that's used by the NFL when somebody was not signed officially to a roster or is in this case, a retired player comes back and uses actual team equipment to work out.

6:38Rich Eisen:And I guess Aaron Donald is trying out with the Rams. So silly. Technically, because it seems like, hey, if he wants to figure out what it's like to go through a practice, whatever, he's putting on a helmet. He put on a Rams helmet, and he's working out with, you remember Giff Smith? Does that name ring a bell to you? He was the interim coach for the Los Angeles Chargers when they bounced Brandon Staley towards the end of the 2023 season. Giff Smith is now the defensive line coach for the Rams. So if you're working out with a line coach and you're putting on team equipment, according, again, to the rules of the National Football League, you got to put it on the wire.

7:29Rich Eisen:anybody who's using team equipment during training camp requires the organization to report the activity as a formal tryout. And so Eagle Eye reporters are picking up. Donald, Aaron is now officially on an NFL wire as a player trying out for the Los Angeles Rams. and the NFL Daily caught up with Sean McVay. Greg Rosenthal and Jordan Rodriguez, who covers the team for the NFL Daily. Greg Rosenthal had a little bit of fun with Sean McVay about Donald's name showing up on the NFL wire. The NFL transaction wire had Aaron Donald working out with the Rams today, which I guess - Did it come across as a tryout?

8:28Rich Eisen:It did come across as a tryout. Best tryout that we've ever had. Okay. You think he could make the team? Phenomenal. I think he could make the team. The kid's got a shot. Yeah. That was honestly our way of being able to get a workout with him within the, you know, parameters of what's necessary. But Giff Smith said it's the greatest tryout he's ever had. Giff Smith says it's the greatest tryout he ever had. Wow. Again, the question becomes more rhetorical each and every passing moment of the summer. Is he back yet?

9:05Rich Eisen:Woodland Hills is where the Rams facility is. That's where he tried out. The defensive line coach for the Rams is not at the training camp in deep Southern California. He's up in Woodland Hills. giving a tryout to a first ballot Hall fan. Who's going through the process. Is he back yet? Miles Garrett is now answering questions every day when he's made available to the media about Aaron Donald because it's his presence. It's his presence in Los Angeles and on this roster that has sparked Aaron Donald to even twitch in this direction. Hopefully, they'll link up here soon. They'll see where his head's at and just break bread with him as well.

10:00Rich Eisen:I don't know how he's feeling or where he is in this process, but it is a process coming back from no such time off. But not going to push him either way, but just get a feel on him. It's basically, if I may, the advice you give to a young man or young lady who's just beginning, if you will, in high school, the dating scene. Okay. If you're into somebody, you got to give them space. You know what I mean? Don't smother. Don't. Act cool. Be cool. You know what I mean? Be cool. Don't scare them off. I guess it's not just anybody in the high school dating scene. I guess it's true for everybody. I've been out of that scene for a while.

10:50Rich Eisen:I might be, you know. You tell me, Mike. It's tough, Rich. I'll say this. I'll say this. I'll say this. Potentially like you, all Rams fans are swiping right on Aaron Donald. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

11:09Rich Eisen:From what I'm told, you know, is he back yet? This is going to happen. You guys must be so psyched as Rams season ticket holders. Yeah, it's going to be. Because your resale price to put somebody in the building to root against your team is going to really pay for a few meals for you. Go in the game. Are you really going to do it? At least three, if not four. Oh, that's great. Because, you know, they play about eight. Yeah. And I work about how many Sundays are there in the season? Okay. Yeah. Their first two home games are Monday night. Exactly. There's two of the four. There's only one I'm concerned of myself with.

11:49Rich Eisen:I don't know if TJ's going to. Dallas. By the way, TJ, he comes back. You ain't going with me. See, you see that? Mike Del Tuvo is not a man of his word is all of it. Again, why are you so obsessed with this, Rich? Why are you talking about this, Rich? because Hall of Fame players do not come out of retirement every day. They don't really ever come out of retirement because a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer has decided to change addresses or at least had the team oblige him finally to change an address. And teams that go ahead and make this move rarely have the reigning MVP of the league on a team that also added a Pro Bowl defensive back that nobody talks about in Trent McDuffie because we're all talking about is he back yet because Miles Garrett's in town and it rarely happens on a team that came oh so close to making the Super Bowl the year before with a...

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15:07Rich Eisen:Fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash debt play. Talent.

15:14Rich Eisen:Roster that is laden with big time players. Oh, by the way, future Hall of Famer Devontae Adams is like wide receiver too. And he's not like on his last legs by any stretch. This is why we're talking about it. Is he back yet? With each passing date, it's a rhetorical question. This guy's coming back unless something completely unforeseen happens. And every time McVay's out there, he is like the cat that ate the canary. And everybody is on notice. And everybody else in the league who hears stuff like this is going to be saying, okay, sounds good. Any given Sunday, four quarters of action. Let's go.

16:06Rich Eisen:We are going to show up. I don't care if it's Donald or Garrett or Donald and Garrett. I don't care who the hell's out there. We're going to beat them. And good luck in every single one of their games is going to be. I've got to see it. And the first one in Australia where Donald and Garrett are going to be playing against each other is against San Francisco for a massive game internationally and obviously nationally. Come on. That's why we're talking about it. I'm going to miss this segment when he does come back for real.

16:46Rich Eisen:Now then, one thing that I've been pounding the table for a long time is running backs getting paid commensurate to their talent. We're not there yet, to be honest with you. even with Bijan Robinson now making$25 million a year, it happened as Chris Olave is making$30-something million a year. And Chris Olave means a lot to the Saints, as Tyler Shuck will tell us when he joins us, obviously, in Hour 2. And we don't really need to hear it from a second-year player. We know Olave is good and very important. Running backs, though, are the ones who take the time off the clock when you need to win a game with five minutes to go.

17:27Rich Eisen:They're the ones who come up with that first down more likely than not to seal the deal. They are the ones who can control the action. They are the ones, if they're good enough, can also create matchup problems where you can throw them the football. They are the ones who potentially might protect your quarterback because they're the ones standing right next to him. They are crucial players, but they don't last as long, so they don't get paid as much, I guess. And we've got an actual general manager, Nick Casario, joining us shortly. I cannot wait to ask him, Why are running backs paid less than pretty much any other offensive player position?

18:04Rich Eisen:Tackles, guards, quarterbacks, receivers, name it. Tight ends are paid less. That's it. So Jonathan Taylor, as we all know, back in 2023, when this thing was really spiking, where running backs are just not getting paid. They're just not. Remember he went to Jim Irsay, me, rest in peace. Jim brought him on the bus, basically told him, you're not getting it. You're not getting it. He eventually did. Got to hold his breath. Got to stamp his feet. Got to sit out. Ooh, my arm. Rich, this season goes back to Le 'Veon Bell. Oh, we could go further and further back. Him especially because he was a RB1.

18:51Rich Eisen:Sat a whole year. But why was he everyone? Sat a whole year. Sat a whole year. And I think it threw off his entire career, actually, to be very honest with you. Sure did. So when Bijan got paid, Jonathan Taylor, who was entering the last year of the deal that he had to hold his breath to get, had this to say. Hopefully. I got to go talk to my agent too. I got to go talk to him and see where things are at. I've been trying to just focus on getting better, making sure I'm staying in shape. So like I said, I have faith. So I'm going to tap in and check in when I'm actually going to go to the news.

19:24Now everybody, you know, we had some fun with that.

19:28Rich Eisen:I'm like, I think he's definitely calling his agent. For sure. It seems like his agent was already on the phone. He's got a new two-year contract extension worth$44 million. Can go up to$47. $39 guaranteed. Jonathan Taylor, ladies and gentlemen. Getting his. It's the third richest deal. The richest deal belongs to Bijan. I believe number two is Saquon, if I'm not mistaken. And that potentially could be all eclipsed by the end of the hour, as a matter of fact, because Jameer Gibbs, who's been holding in in Detroit, guess who got back on the practice field? Oh, and that means, according to Albert Breer, that's a new deal that's expected to be finalized soon.

20:22Rich Eisen:He made an appearance at practice today, which means he's close which means it's going to happen all eyes there is that gonna top bottom line is running backs are beginning to get theirs in a manner that pleases them at the very least and it keeps going up 25 million a year is getting close to wide receiver money it's getting close you know well you're still 15 million shy of what uh jamar chase you're about 10 million in the hailing distance of of of uh justin jefferson and you're about eight million away from cd lamb just off the top of my head i mean if you're looking at i might be a little off guaranteed money zay flowers just got 108 bijan got 51 jt just got 39 so they're you know that's combined they're still way under alec pierce makes more alec pierce got a lot of guaranteed correct and that's what the market bears for somebody who walks into the free agent market and has probably New England fallen all over themselves at the time to go get him.

21:26And it caused Chris Ballard to dig deep and pay a guy who's really not done it yet consistently

21:34Rich Eisen:over and over again. But Jonathan Taylor, with all due respect to everyone else, the past two seasons have been spectacular. And he led the NFL in rushing attempts and touchdowns last season 323 rushing attempts 18 touchdowns he ran for 1585 yards career highs and receptions of 46 for 378 receiving yards he surpassed 300 carries in each of his past two seasons the only one with more rushes over that stretch you want to guess it's easy go ahead don't don't don't think too hard don't think too hard nope don't think too hard who does it every year who's done it every year for a decade that's correct don't think too hard sometimes yeah I can smell the wood burning from all the way over here.

22:22Rich Eisen:That's why he deserves it. That's why he deserves to get it. But it's just fascinating to me, man. You know, Gibbs is going to get his, and then we're going to all talk about it. And then, of course, it does come down to, like, what's it going to look like? What's Gibbs going to look like with a bell cow around his neck? What's it going to look like with Bijan having an offensive-minded head coach who doesn't hand it to, you know, another running back inside the five-yard line as Arthur Smith did in the first year for Bijan because he was a rookie. And then last year, you know, he was beginning to get his more, but now here's Kevin Stefanski.

23:01Rich Eisen:What's that going to look like? And Jonathan Taylor, we all know what he has looked like in this offense. But I just, I'm thrilled that they're getting paid what they should get paid in terms of what others are getting paid. I still think it should be higher. They're that valuable. And certainly he's 27, Jonathan Taylor. Get it while you can get it now. Yes, indeed. These running backs, I do not mind them holding in. I do not mind them saying, what about me? Let's go. Pretty damn cool. And again, you're seeing last year, Ashton Gentry, top 10 pick. This year, Jeremiah Love, top five pick. Highest drafted running back since Saquon went second overall.

23:46Rich Eisen:Here we go. Things are shifting a bit here. We've got an actual general manager coming up next hour to have a conversation with him about all of this, about valuing running backs. We've also got Jonathan Taylor's head coach, Shane Steichen. We also have Chris Olave's quarterback, Tyler Shuck. And we've got one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the NFL, we've got ourselves Tony Gonzalez in hour three and then Eli Roth, the director in studio in hour three as well. Suze will stop by in advance of women's sports now that has Jason Sudeikis zooming in. You know, potentially, you could say, is he the most famous New York Liberty fan?

24:32Rich Eisen:Oh. Okay. Rocking the WNBA hoodie while he's on the Today Show promoting season four of Ted Lasso and Kylie Kelsey in studio. so Sarah's on today, correct? She is. She'll be here later. Renee Montgomery and Suze, along with Jason Sudeikis and Kylie Kelsey. That's at 6 Eastern time on the Disney Plus ESPN families of apps. That's a fun show. It certainly is 6 Eastern time. Suze will be here at the end of our 384-4204. Rich, when we come back, I've got my four downs on the Indianapolis Colts, and we've also got the general manager of Houston Texans, is Nick Casario joining us on this program. 844-204-RICH, as I said, is the number dial.

25:15Rich Eisen:See, all phone lines are lit. A SoFi personal loan is here to help you achieve something once thought impossible, and that's overcoming high-interest credit card debt. Walk the tightrope of your finances with one low fixed-rate monthly payment, no fees required, and as soon as the same-day funding. Pull off your own debt-defying stump with a SoFi personal loan by visiting SoFi.com slash trick to learn more. Loans originated by SoFi Bank NA member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891. Your phone calls, Nick Casario. Four downs on the Colts. Before the Colts, Coach Shane Steichen joins us.

25:55Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Understand what the regular season entails and our focus is on that. I would say in our roles, and he had the ability to balance off so many different things. You're kind of thinking about the present, but by the same token, having an eye on the future. In any end, trying to do what you feel is always best for the organization and the team. I would say that certainly resonated, just the way he was able to handle that. And he was so immersed in every aspect of the football operation. You know, I can't say enough great things about what I learned being around him for all those years.

26:37I was fortunate to be around a lot of great people over the course of that period of time. You know, I worked for Scott initially. Scott's the one that really hired me, Fioli, when I got my career started. But, you know, just to be around a lot of great people. I know it's cliche, but taking it one day at a time. And then I would say maintaining a certain level of consistency day to day, not getting too high, not getting too low. We are in a very, I would say, it can be emotional. There's a lot going on. But to be able to kind of stay right in the middle, that always really struck a chord. And I think that was something that, you know, kind of took notice of and have tried to apply in our own way and shape and form to my career.

27:26And, you know, some of the things that, you know, I've been fortunate enough to be able to do.