Hour 2: Myles Garrett to Rams Blockbuster Trade, plus Commanders WR Terry McLaurin, and John Smoltz

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20:47Rich Eisen:Back here on the Rich Eisen Show, and I'll just repeat the breaking news, certainly of interest here in Los Angeles, California, where we heard every day on ESPN 710. The Los Angeles Rams have just officially stopped messing around as if they were just playing footsie. They've just acquired Miles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, and they're sending Jared Verse, the 2027 first-round pick, and currently other draft pick compensation to be determined. That's what's just happened. I don't mean to turn my next guest into a television pundit, but I got to ask him how this lands in his neck of the woods.

21:34Rich Eisen:One of the best in the business, wide receiver, the Washington Commanders, the OG from the Ohio State, Terry McLaurin, back on the program. How are you, Terry? Good to see you. What's up, Richman? How are you doing? Good to see you, too. How's this news hitting you? I was walking in. I was hearing that. That's a blockbuster for sure. I mean, Myles Garrett is obviously, I think, top two, you know, at his position. Probably one of the top five players in the league. Jared Verst, who I also think is going to be, if not already, one of the top BNs in the league. So teams are trying to make moves to put them in position.

22:08So we're all chasing that Super Bowl. So that was crazy.

22:13Rich Eisen:Yeah. I mean, there's something that's been talked about. You're in the facility right now? Yeah, I am. Yeah, I just got done working out. All right. So you guys talking about this sort of thing? So we ended about 1230. So a lot of the guys are either in treatment or getting around. So I'm sure we'll probably be buzzing around tomorrow. Yeah, I bet so. Yeah, that's crazy. And then how do you think, again, how do you think this lands in the world of Browns fans that you know from your time in Ohio, Terry? How do you think this one lands? Not to turn you into that guy, but what do you think? I mean, each year the Browns are, you know, I think their fans are extremely optimistic.

22:53That's what I respect. Like, obviously they haven't had the success that they wanted to have. But, you know, I've met a lot of diehard Browns fans from my time in Ohio, and they still ride pretty hard. So, I mean, I think getting a guy like Jarrett Versus, you know, he's a young player who's ascending. If I'm not mistaken, maybe from the area. So that's pretty cool for him to maybe be back closer to home. And, you know, you get a guy you can build around. So obviously losing a guy like Miles, you know, he's he's impossible to replace. He's started his career there and done so many great things.

23:26But, you know, that's the NFL, too. It's a business and, you know, guys, there's a lot of attrition. so we'll see how it works out for both teams.

23:34Rich Eisen:Well, I appreciate you turning yourself into a pundit for the moment. Yeah, man, I got to get a little practice in. You're good at it, man. I might have a feature in this. We'll see. You're good at it. No, you're not done yet. You're not done yet. No, not at all. But you're done being a pundit in this conversation, so we can turn the page a bit here. How are you doing? I'm doing really well. I'm doing really well. We're about to head into week two OTA, so body's feeling good, starting to put the new offense together, seeing it you know come to life on on the grass after being in the meeting rooms for the first few weeks and it's been really fun uh building this thing together and i'm sure you must be relieved you're not dealing with the business side of things like you were at this point last year right i mean and that's potentially part of the reason why somebody like miles garrett does get on sent on the move at some point in time the business intervenes uh last year did the business wreck your season do you think terry last year say that again it cut out did the business wreck your season last year do you yeah I mean I think that's a fair question I think it definitely um it intersected I think a lot of people say when the business and football intersect like um it can definitely shake up a lot of things and you know when you're a player who's been around for a while like myself and had a key role in this team for a while um you know you know the importance of being out there and that was uh something that was always on my mind but at the same time, this is a business.

24:56It's a business for the player and it's a business for the team. If you don't produce, teams move on from you. And when you produce at a high level, as a player, you deserve to be compensated like that. So it was definitely challenging. I think the biggest part that I missed was this team building aspect in the spring. Obviously, you have that around camp, but I think spring, everything is new. And with us having a new offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, Jaden being back and healthy and everything like that. Building this new offense is extremely important for me to be here each and every day and kind of just help this offense come to life and try to be a go-to guy in this offense and bring the vision that Blau has to our offense.

25:38Rich Eisen:Yeah, I mean, and again, you know, the fact that you could just walk around a building and not have to worry about that stuff, right? That you could just focus on exactly what you just said. It's got to mean the difference. It's got to make a big difference. A hundred percent. I think last year, like 2025 was a lot. I got married last year. Yeah, I went to took a few trips to Italy, had a had a trip to the Maldives and traveled around. And then, you know, I had the contact contract situation in the summer, got hurt early in the part of the year. So everything that I'm so used to over the first seven years of my career was just completely different from a timing standpoint, my body and just the business side of football.

26:17It was tough, but I grew a lot during that time, man. Honestly, I learned a lot about myself. I had an unbelievable support system. And, you know, when I was finally able to get that done, you know, this is a place that I see myself continuing my career and playing as long as they'll want me here. So, you know, I'm just looking forward to getting back on track. I've had such a great offseason, been able to end the season, allow my body to get the rest it needed and started training right after the Super Bowl and headed right into OTA. So I'm feeling really good right now. No setbacks, no ailments.

26:50And, you know, the numbers are supporting the work that I've been putting in. So I'm looking forward to this year.

26:58Rich Eisen:All right. I lied. I had you as a pundit earlier. Now I'm turning you into an information person. How's how's your quarterback looking? How's he? Man, he looks he looks really, really good. And since I know Jaden, since he got drafted, he's always been a focused, determined, prepared player, young guy. but now he's a vet. And this offseason, you can tell he's taking even more of a leadership role, more initiative of, you know, putting his hands on the steering wheel of this offense. You know, I think it's no secret that Blau wants to build this offense around him, the things that he does really well.

27:31And, I mean, there's countless things he does well. And, you know, him being able to work under center and use more of the play action is only going to not only help him, but it's going to help the receivers, going to help the O-line, the running backs, the tight ends. And so I just think the biggest thing you can tell his voice is becoming more and more loud. He's a very laid back person. But from getting us together, throwing in L.A., you know, before OTA started to the way he's communicating in the meetings. Him and I are having so many conversations, not only on the field, but through text.

28:03We were going into Memorial Day weekend and, you know, Friday guys are doing their plans. And he's texting me about a route that we ran that day. And I'm like, all right, five, like we cut on the weekend now. We could talk about this on Monday. But that's just the type of player he is. He's always locked in and focused on the task at hand. And you can just tell his personality is continuing to grow. And, you know, he's the leader that we want leading this team this year and every year. So it's just been really fun to be able to build with him. And I think for me it's been different because I think this may be the first year I've had the same quarterback starting for three years and that continuity goes such a long way and and so him and I are really you know hitting a lot of early marks now in OTA so I believe it's going to continue to build as we get throughout the offseason and there's so many new

28:52Rich Eisen:offenses and new offensive coordinators around the league that I'm fascinated to see you know how it plays out um you're you're it was one of them one of you know three in the division as a Matter of fact, you know, with the Eagles re re, you know, hiring a new offensive coordinator, the giants have obviously got John Harbaugh on the mix there now. And then there's you, you mentioned David Blau, the OC and the conversation about it's a more pro style offense that he's bringing in. You kind of just referred to it a little bit. That is what is happening. And, and what, what more meat can you put on the bones there of what it's going to look like?

29:25Yeah. I mean, I'm not going to give away too much, but I just know he wants to be multiple. And the first thing he said about our philosophy, he wants, the same things that look different and different things that look the same. And what I take from that is you want things to marry together. You want formations that you could build off of. You have multiple formations that you could run same plays out of. You have different formations that you could give the defense a completely different look. But all encompassing, it all makes sense as an offense. For a receiver, going from no huddle to a huddle, that's different.

29:58You know what I mean? It goes from a signal base to really being able to open your ears to what part of the play call is most important. I think I got to give Jaden a lot of credit because it seems like he's just really picked up the offense really quickly. And his calls out there when we're in OTAs are really clean and concise. So it allows the communication to be that much better. And so, you know, I've been benefiting through OTAs of having a lot of similar stems and formations that allow me just to manipulate defenses more, manipulate the DB a lot more. and put them in a position of feeling like they maybe have to guess what I'm running because they just saw this same formation two or three plays ago, but it's a completely different concept.

30:40And as a receiver, that's music to my ears because you never want to feel like the defense has the upper hand on you. And, you know, I feel like with this offense, we'll have a chance to not only be on the attack, but also be able to get back to things in the games that maybe have been successful earlier in the first or second quarter. So I can't say enough great things about David Blau. He's an excellent communicator. He's been that way before he even got the offensive coordinator job. He's extremely personable and he's played the game. You know what I mean? He knows what it's like to be in our shoes extremely recently.

31:12And he knows the importance of putting playmakers in position to make plays. And he's been around so many talented offensive minds and offensive players. It's kind of seemed like it's come second nature for him to step into this role. And so even though this is his first opportunity, we're all excited to help support him and bring his vision to life because we all definitely believe that he has a chance to have a bright future in this league as a coach.

31:35Rich Eisen:A few minutes left with Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders, Pro Bowl wide receiver here on the program. All right. First round of the NFL draft. You're sitting wherever you're sitting. Commanders are seventh overall on the clock. And there's Sonny Stiles. There's Caleb Downs out there. You know, I mean, walk me through what you were going through at that. Yeah, you know, leading up to that week, I was making any of those decisions, but I was buzzing around AP and a lot of our front office people. It was like we got we got a lot of options of Buckeyes. You know what I mean? Like just grab one of them.

32:07Grab one of them. And, you know, they're going to be available. And just shout out to that program and, you know, everything that they're doing great with Coach Day and Coach Mick and having those guys prepared. But when we got Sonny, you know, I've known Sonny for a few years now, got to meet him a few times when I've gone back to Ohio State over the years. And, man, he doesn't carry himself like a rookie. I know that's cliche, but he has a very serious demeanor about him. He's extremely smart and he was a captain back in Ohio State. So I know what that means. You know, I mean, he had the utmost respect of the coaches and the players there.

32:41And he's a guy who leads with his work first. You know what I mean? You don't really hear him a lot, even though he's a middle linebacker. His communication is great so far, but he just handles his business like a grown man, comes in here, does his treatment, studying his film, and he's down there now working. So I've just tried to encourage him as much as I can to come in here and be himself. You know, they drafted him for a reason to be a leader on that side of the football when his time comes and to become an impact player. And like I said, having a Buckeye is always great, you know, because just the demeanor in which we play with, we're used to championship atmospheres and competitive environments.

33:21And I know he's going to fit in great here, you know, especially having DQ with his background as a linebackers coach. He's on a fast track with him and coach Ken to really help us this year. So I was sitting there, you know, selfishly. You always, you know, I love the receivers. You know what I mean? He's almost six and I was happy for Carnell. But I don't think you go wrong drafting a Buckeye and especially that high. And we're really glad to have him. He's been great.

33:51Rich Eisen:Yeah, everybody's just trying to strive for JSN money, huh, Terry? Right? That's what we got to get. Hey, shout out to JSN, man. He broke the bank. He deserved it. Did he ever? What would your advice to Carnell Tate be? Yeah, you know, I reached out to him. I got to know him over the last year or two, and I'm just really blown away by his demeanor. He's a very composed man. He's dealt with a lot of adversity and he's never let it sway him one way or the other. And, you know, playing at Ohio State, I have that type of background as well, where he's a number one wide receiver. But on the other side, you got a guy by the name of Jeremiah Smith who's going to be a top five pick next year.

34:32So I think he learned to embrace the role that he had at Ohio State. But he also we all know what he's truly capable of. And I think, you know, obviously, Coach Dayball has done a great job coordinating offenses and, you know, neighbors. And just so many receivers have had success in that offense. I know he's going to be a go-to guy. Cam Ward, I'm a fan of his game as well. So I'm rooting for him. Not against us when we play him this year, but I'm looking forward to seeing how he takes the next step in the league. He has everything you're looking for. Hands, speed, route running, deceptiveness, and he's smart.

35:07So I think he's going to be able to step in there and help them right away.

35:11Rich Eisen:Well, listen, Terry, I think I've shown off my professionalism through this conversation over the last two, three minutes, right? Just letting you talk about how great Ohio State is. Yeah, I appreciate that. Listen, I'm a pro, but because I also really appreciate you as a person. You just told me you got married. I've got a late wedding present for you. Do you really? I do. It's right here. It's a Dusty May autographed piece of the floor of the Michigan National Championship from Indianapolis. Wow. All right. It just shows you how much I care about you. Okay. So I'm from Indianapolis, so I'm familiar with the area.

35:46I appreciate it, but I may put that in the back of my office.

35:51Rich Eisen:I could frame this. I could frame this tweet right here that Michigan's knocked Ohio State out of five Big Ten tournaments this year. Baseball, softball, men's basketball, hockey, and lacrosse. You're right. I could frame that. Remind me, how did the last Team Up North Ohio State game go? Oh, Team Up North. Team Up North. Yeah, yeah. Okay, all right. And don't remind me about the years before. What have you done for me lately? So wait a minute. So once a week, once every year, we got to spell your last name X-C-L-A-U-R-I-N? Like, come on. It takes what it takes. And honestly, like, it was killing me to the point where I almost had to stop watching the games because I never lost to you guys.

36:37You know, I never knew what that felt like.

36:39Rich Eisen:That's what I was looking for out of this interview right there. You know, now I'm in here getting bullied by Mikey Sanders still. Like, he won't leave me alone. But that's what makes the rivalry great. And I will say this. I will say this. You know, they teach us. They train us up at Ohio State to dislike the team up north and the color blue. And we hate it. Don't get me wrong. I don't like it. But you guys are some solid men. You know what I mean? The Michigan men I've met, you guys are really solid people. So I do have respect for you guys. Seriously. Who else are you going to do an interview with where you get a great wedding present like the one I just gave up?

37:10Rich Eisen:There you go. Right? I appreciate that. Thank you. Thanks for the time, Terry. Appreciate seeing you out there without the business hanging over your head. Go crush it. Thanks for the time. I appreciate you. It's always a pleasure. Right back at you. That's Terry McLaurin, everybody. The Washington Commanders, where the conversation in there is not just about how great the quarterback looks, but they're talking about what we're all talking about. Miles Garrett's a ram. Holy crap. Your phone calls, 844-204-RICH. And Tom Pelissero is going to join us in hour three to talk about this breaking news.

37:40Rich Eisen:And I think he's on the golf course, too. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.

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39:31Rich Eisen:Make life brighter with Pella windows and doors. 844-204-RICH number to dial on the program. Tom Pelissero is going to join us in the middle of next hour. Chris Brockman, Overreaction Monday is a casualty of today's news. Oh, whack. We will now have Overreaction Monday on a Tuesday. Whack. Come on now. We've got to open phone lines and talk about this. Shepard in Los Angeles, California just called in, wants to talk about the news of the day. Miles Garrett is coming to Los Angeles to play for the Rams. What's up, sir? hello rich thank you for uh having me on yes sir i am very worried uh about this i i know that the rams are going all in and it's worked once before but i feel like our rams are testing fate and i could use do you feel like they're tempting the football gods by going all in twice over um let me ask you this shepherd what are you nervous about you're getting the you're getting a few you can't even call for call him a first ballot hall of famer because it's just it's just it's it's who he is it's just like you can't even it's one of the greatest defensive players ever at the zenith of his of his talent you're you're he's not on the back end he's not falling off.

40:53Rich Eisen:I mean, I'll tell you, I personally see him with my own two eyes at the NFL Honors, or you see him anywhere. The last two words you're thinking are, he's not falling off anything. As a matter of fact, the Rams just acquired the one person who could make Aaron Donald look in the mirror and say, do I look fat? You stole one of my overreactions. It's the truth. Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement. Mark my words. Okay, well, leave that one for overreaction. There's no way. But honestly. Really? Don't go down that wormhole. I'll make a comparison later. We'll talk about it another time. We're focused on the moment right now of what is in fact happening for real.

41:40Rich Eisen:And thank you for the call, Shepard. I think I've made my point. This is earth-shattering. And I understand, you know, what Shepard just said about being nervous and, you know, tempting this, tempting that. I ask any Rams fan here. Yep. Any Rams fan. That fellow who called in from Singapore to troll all over the Niners is able to do that because of the one in the case. Yep. Yeah. You got to put them in the case when you can. Ask any Seahawks fan how great life is now and for years to come. they can look at the Niners and say, we've had multiples in the case now since you've last won it. We just had John Smoltz on the air with the rumor being red hot about Miles Garrett.

42:34Rich Eisen:And he's like, please tell me it's the Lions. Lions fans would give anything to put one in the case. And the Rams are right there. And not only did they do that in the last few months, not only that in the last few months they've added Trent McDuffie for the back end they extend Stafford they draft a kid who they think is the next guy right Jalen Watson is too as well and the Rams just added Miles Garrett

43:08Rich Eisen:a walking bat suit they threw up the signal And I understand this comes across in the same way that the drafting of Ty Simpson, the Rams didn't want to denigrate, upset, get Matthew Stafford upset. Right? In the same way Jared Verse is going to hear, like, this is a no-brainer, man. You're so good. You're great. You're generationally great. Boy, did Les Snead hit it with him. And he's so damn good. And he's the next generation. And it's suddenly like, oh, yeah, we can get Miles Garrett. Here's a plane ticket to Ohio. And it's going to be tough for him to handle that, I imagine. He'll put a chip on his shoulder and he'll deal with it.

43:56Rich Eisen:But at the end of the day, Jared Verse is going to make more money than Miles Garrett sooner than they were going to. Yeah, for sure. Right? Like, it's going to require a new contract. and will anderson just hit it for 50 million per right miles is 40 million per and at this point it's always going to cost is a 20 27 first and other considerations i don't care what the considerations are if one's in the case and the browns are picking 32nd overall next year as miles garrett is how old is miles garrett now uh he's 30 he's 30 and he's now 31 years old and they get more years from him and anybody out there who's thinking oh Matthew Stafford was upset about this and that's why they wound up paying him all that money that may be true or not but this doesn't get done overnight don't you think they let him know hey Matthew Miles Garrett is coming or it's possible yeah and he'd be like okay and Ty Simpson's sitting at home and if I'm Matthew Stafford and I'm feeling good and I like playing football and I like coming to work and this guy is going to help me get back on the field I'm not leaving I'm like full on Wolf of Wall Street Ty Simpson you chill I cannot be more effusive about this so I don't know if Shepard in LA you got your answer, but what are you worried about?

45:36Rich Eisen:Win now, and he's still here, and you've got a star in Los Angeles. Holy crap. This is kind of like, to put this in basketball terms, this is like what the Lakers did. You had Kobe all those years, he retires, and then two years later, you get LeBron James, and now they had Aaron Donald, and then, what, three years later, and now they get Miles Garrett? This is like unfair almost. I'm thinking about this, too, in Reggie White terms. Reggie White was 32 when he joined Green Bay, He had 124 career sacks in Philadelphia. Myles Garrett has 125 and a half career sacks in Cleveland. Good one. Now goes to his second act here in Los Angeles, just like Reggie White's second act in Green Bay.

46:16Rich Eisen:I know that was a free agent situation, but the impact I think is going to probably be the same. The name you just mentioned is a big, huge manhole cover you very rarely throw around to compare anybody else to. But Myles Garrett, you don't stutter when you mention Reggie White's name. I mean, and him in the same sentence. Reggie White in Philadelphia had six first-team All-Pros and one defensive player of the year. Miles Garrett in Cleveland has five first-team All-Pros and two defensive player of the years. I said two defensive players. Yeah. Yeah, so. And the Rams just got him. For a highly talented player, a first-round pick next year that could be 32nd overall, chock full of quarterback prospects, but you don't need one because you just used one.

47:01Rich Eisen:Now the Ty Simpson pick, the light bulb goes over your head going, oh, okay. Because you were going to trade a draft pick in next year's draft for Miles Garrett. Unless you trust everybody. Here in Los Angeles, California. Holy cow. Hope that answers your question, Shepard. Wow. The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast. The Stanley Cup Final on ABC is more than a quest for the Cup. It's 134 years of putting it all on the line and the heaviest 35 pounds ever lifted. It's broken curses and broken hearts. But for those chasing it, it's everything. The only question is, who will take it? You just have to watch the Stanley Cup Final presented by GEICO on ABC and the ESPN app.