Hour 2: Steelers Insider Gerry Dulac, Burrow’s Super Bowl Prediction, LeBron Laments Lakers’ Roster

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1:59Rich Eisen:Now, on with the show. Could be Aaron Rodgers' last game. Yes, this is it. This is the Rich Eisen Show. What's he gonna be like with truly no Fs left to give? Let's go, let's go, let's go. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Earlier on the show, WWE superstar and actor John Cena. Coming up, Steelers Radio Network host, Jerry Dulac, two-time Super Bowl champion, Osi Yumanura. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Our number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air. Let me be very honest with you, this hour is going to have a very AFC North theme to it. The Cleveland Browns head coach, new head coach, Todd Monken, spoke today.

2:48Rich Eisen:yesterday pardon me at the end of the day of his I guess we'll call it OTAs minicamps whatever the heck is going on OTAs yeah and some news was made some of his comments we played some Joe Burrow sound bites one wound up on the cutting room floor that I'm going to resurrect because it's the one that everyone's talking about today oh okay but the minute that we heard just going out the door yesterday Aaron Rodgers he's going to return, caused us to get to our next guest. But before we do, I just want to let you know that a SoFi personal loan is here to help you achieve something once thought impossible.

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4:04Rich Eisen:As soon as Aaron Rodgers said, I'm coming back for one more year and that's it, we sent up the bat signal to Western PA and he's answered it. Good to see you again, Jerry. How are you, sir? I'm Jerry. Rich. Rich, I am well. And, you know, I always enjoy when you send up that signal and I get on the bat phone and tell you I'll be there. OK, and I appreciate that, Jerry. All right. So were you surprised to hear Rogers just point blank answer a point blank question about is this your last year? And he goes, yep, it is. That surprised you? Yeah. Nothing he says ever surprises me, whether it's good, bad and different or mysterious.

4:41I kind of enjoy always listening to him speak. You know, many times when he does speak, you know, you can see his eyes light up. They dart around. You can almost see the feathers sticking out the sides of his mouth sometimes. I, you know, I think he's kind of a fascinating guy to listen to. And no, so I wasn't totally surprised. I think the Steelers knew all along that this would probably be his last season. Heck, they thought last year might be his last season. But, you know, nothing he says at any point at any time ever really surprises me.

5:18Rich Eisen:All right. So then let's go to this direction. What did you hear about his thought process on that front? Well, you know, all along the Steelers have been under the impression that he was coming back. There was more that he would be as opposed to he wouldn't be. and that he says he made the decision after the NFL draft. I was just a little curious about that time frame because the Steelers were kind of under the impression that he would be expected to agree before the NFL draft. There were a couple factors involved. I don't think there's any question that Mike McCarthy was the head coach led him in that direction.

6:07And even though he didn't fully acknowledge this, he did acknowledge the fact that the Steelers made a lot of moves. Not that he said that would help him, but would help the team, even though they do help him. And that is getting Michael Pittman, making the trade for him to pair with DK Metcalf, giving them now a reliable, quality, productive number two receiver. Signing Rico Dotto after they lost Kenny Gainwell, which as good as Kenny Gainwell was for them last year, I think all in all, Rico Dotto is an improvement. Their number one pick, of course, was an offensive lineman. The number two pick was a wide receiver.

6:45And seven of their 10 draft choices were offensive players. And I don't know that those moves convinced him. But if he waited, as he said, until after the NFL draft to finalize his decision, then I don't think those there's any question those moves helped him make that decision.

7:05Rich Eisen:Well I mean and if you look at it Jerry just now we can finally turn to what this looks like right compared to what it's looked like over the last few years and the conversation because boy do I hear it from the very vocal and passionate fan base out there in western PA as I've been caping for Mike Tomlin for years from this seat, that the offense has always been an Achilles heel ever since Arians left, to be straight up, right? That's correct. And so now here comes Mike McCarthy, whose expertise is that side of the ball, bringing an offense who, without question, has been best run by the current quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

7:57Rich Eisen:And I'm wondering what this is going to look like and how different it's going to be from the last decade plus. Jerry, what do you think? You know, Rich, when you look at two days of OTAs, and I never put, of course, any amount of stock in anything that happens in OTAs, so it was nothing in particular. But when you see, and everybody who sees it for the first time, and we got to go through this last year, But when you see Aaron Rodgers throw the ball the previous two days here, nothing looks different. Now, I know it's a different animal when four linemen or edge rushers are coming at him and want to take his head off.

8:38And you're reading the opposing defense or it's trying to figure out what they're trying to do to you, which he does better than any quarterback in the league at the line of scrimmage. I know that's a whole different animal. But what I'm talking about is at age 42, you know, I saw him yesterday roll out of the pocket. And what we've seen many, many times when he throws that Hail Mary, rolls out left, plants his feet and lets it go. I saw nothing different in him doing that than I have last year or maybe in other years. I think last year, if I'm not mistaken, Rich, he had the longest air throw in the NFL last year at 70 yards to DK Metcalf down to the end zone.

9:16So there's no question, at least from what we see, and you can tell the guy's in shape. He is not letting himself go in any form. So from that physical standpoint, he looks like he can at least be the same quarterback he was last year. And then I'll let others judge what that quarterback was. He was 10-6, though, as a starter. Big road wins in Detroit. Now, I know the Ireland game was a home game, but a big road win against the Minnesota Vikings. one in Baltimore, and then coming back and clinching the division with another good performance, a big performance against the Ravens in the season finale that clinched that postseason spot.

9:56Now, look, I know he laid an egg against Buffalo, and he did not play well in the postseason game. But all in all, when you evaluate Aaron Rodgers at age 42, I think the Steelers and everybody else would agree that he performed better than what the expectations were for him. Now, how does that translate to 2026? I guess that's what we're going to find out. But, you know, they look, he gives them. Rich, Mike McCarthy is not coming back to his hometown after to take over a team that won a division title and has been in the playoffs five of the last six years. he is not about to expect anything less than a division title and a playoff appearance in his hometown at age 62.

10:39So he's going to do whatever he feels he needs to do to at least replicate what they did last year. And he feels obviously Aaron Rodgers gives them gives him the best chance to do that.

10:51Rich Eisen:I guess you mentioned again, Dowdle there, Pittman acquired, right? And the kid from the second round, Bernard. jeremy bernard right yeah um he's in this mix what are we what are we thinking here like uh 24 points a game 27 i mean like what what are 20 21 i mean it just and also listen we we also saw the last few years you know of arthur smith and wondering if that was a fit and then before that you know um it always seemed to be points challenged in december november you know um is it right to expect it's going to be different? Just a better mix, a better set of eyes? Yeah? Well, yeah, Rich, I don't think anybody's going to argue that it's right to expect something better, something more productive, because you're talking about a guy who not only is a proven head coach, he's a proven play caller.

11:54You do not compile the record that he has in his career where it stands all time as a play caller and a head coach, you know, and think that it's not going to be better. I don't care who was there before him. And you mentioned before going back to Bruce Arians. And yes, and since then, the offense has never been the same in terms of production. It was modestly better last year, you know, with Arthur Smith. But I would expect it to be better because now the wide receiver room is deeper and better. You know, you have one, two at running back. And, you know, their offensive line is built around a lot of young guys and high draft picks.

12:34There's a lot of stability, production and talent on that offensive line. So, look, I'm not going to sit here and tell you they're the greatest show on turf. Of course, they're not on turf, as we know. But I think it's very reasonable to expect something more than what we have seen. Now, a lot of that, of course, is going to depend on Aaron Rodgers at age 42, going to be 43. But the one thing, you know, Rich, when I've talked to, I've heard Aaron Rodgers say this before, but when you talk to Mason Rudolph, as I did yesterday, and Will Howard, as I did yesterday, and the way they speak about Mike McCarthy and the way he develops quarterbacks and how he does it and the detail that he has.

13:21He is a very, I've learned this in a short amount of time, an extremely detail-oriented coach right down to his practices, how often he practices, the way he practices. But in terms of working with quarterbacks, and here's a guy like Mason Rudolph's been around eight years and his eyes are open to the way Mike McCarthy works with quarterbacks and just the things that he does to get them to be better and to prepare them and all that. So I don't, I think it's very reasonable to expect that, that things should be not only different, but more importantly, better offensively in 2026.

13:57Rich Eisen:Jerry Dulac, a few minutes left with the Steelers insider, Maven, our clubhouse Steelers guy right here on the Rich Eisen Show. So when a 42-year-old says this is it, and it's a quarterback-driven league, and you got two youngins and Mason Rudolph in that quarterback room, it's now time to say what's next, who's next. I mean, what's the plan? What do you think it looks like and involve the entirety of the season? and then obviously next spring in the draft in D.C. Jerry, what's the plan here? You know, Rich, that's what they want to use, OTAs, but then the next step, a little bit of minicamp, but especially training camp to find out when you put the pads on and then you start playing games.

14:42I don't think there's any question. I think it's safe to say 90 % to 95 % of the snaps in the preseason and are going to be split between Will Howard and Drew Aller. As a third-round pick, they're not going to cut Drew Aller. They haven't cut a third-round pick since the mid-1980s as a cornerback by the name of Lifford Hobley. So they're not going to cut Drew Aller unless he's a complete bust, and I don't think they think that's going to be. But they really like what they've seen of Will Howard. And again, I know it's OTAs, but when you watched Will Howard yesterday in practice, You can see how much more comfortable he is and the throws he make.

15:25And you don't sit there and go, well, you know, there's not a strong arm there. I saw him make a couple passes where if you weren't watching, you might think it was one of the other quarterbacks. So they like Will Howard. Now, we'll see. But that's what the preseason is going to be for. And where does that leave Mason Rudolph? I've always believed. And when I talked to Mason yesterday, he said this. This is a veteran team. They think they can win and they want to win now, which is why they brought Aaron Rodgers back. I do not think they are going to entrust their offense to two quarterbacks backing up Aaron Rodgers who have never appeared in an NFL game.

16:02And so I don't see them moving on from Mason Rudolph either. But, you know, by the same token, I don't see them caring for quarterbacks. So we'll see what happens. But it's going to be interesting to see how they decide to play this. but that's kind of the way you know if you want to paint what might happen or how this is going to play out you can choose from a couple of those different scenarios and probably not be wrong on

16:26Rich Eisen:either one what about the scenario that the current quarterback the next quarterback the starting quarterback of the 2027 Steelers is currently not on the roster right well that's I think one that's what obviously they're going to try to find out to hope hope hope they find excuse me, hope they find out that one of these guys could be that person. Now, we're not going to go out on a limb and call them a franchise quarterback. There's only, to me, only a handful of them in the league anyway. But maybe it's a player who is good enough to help you win, you know, to maintain their winning status until they feel, okay, maybe we need to go get somebody better.

17:07And I think that's kind of the way they are going to approach it. It's the reason why they drafted Drew Waller. Look, they felt if there was somebody with a bigger upside than Will Howard, they would draft him somewhere where they did Drew Waller. Third round, maybe the fourth round. And maybe they'll probably continue that same process. Look, they know they can't continue going with that revolving door that has been in place since Ben Roethlisberger left. They're not stupid. They know it's the most important position in sports. And so they want to try and get it right. And maybe this is a step in that direction, Richard.

17:42Rich Eisen:All right, last one for you, Jerry. The Steelers are no strangers to sending a future Hall of Famer off into retirement with a fanfare. Does Rodgers want it? What's the plan? What do you think? Retirement. Yeah. You mean in terms of this being it, Rich? No, like the Steelers, we all remember Roethlisberger and his family. They're all hand in hand going up the tunnel. It was a nice moment. The bus, we all saw what happened, obviously, for him. he was able to hoist a Lombardi. What's the plan for a retirement tour? Does Rodgers want one? Steelers going to give it to him? What do you think, Jerry?

18:17It's going to be, you know, it's curious to see. I think out of respect to him, they will do that. I don't think it's going to be on the order of Ben Roethlisberger because he played 18 seasons with the team, of course, and Aaron's only two. But I think out of respect for him and what he's accomplished, let's face it, he's a future Hall of Famer. If he's not a first ballot Hall of Fame pick, and I'm on that committee, I would be shocked. But then I guess these days, nothing shocks me when he gets into the Hall of Fame.

18:46Rich Eisen:We all know Rodgers, if this is his last year, just count five years and he's in. Well, I agree. But did you think the same thing, Rich? And not to prolong the discussion, but what did you think of Eli Manning? And I'm shocked after two years, he hasn't been in. I thought he was automatic first ballot. But, you know, really good stats, two Super Bowls and two Super Bowl MVPs, and yet he's still not in. I think he's a Hall of Famer, but I've gotten a lot of pushback on that front. But first ballot, I never really thought he was first ballot either. I mean, you mentioned his stats. They're really good.

19:21Rich Eisen:I mean, Rodgers are superlative. Of course, they're through the roof. And the MVP awards are Favian, you know what I mean? Or closer to Peyton Manning, you know what I mean, than Favre. I agree. I agree with you. Yeah, again, and clearly I understand, you know, what the boss and Ben Roethlisberger meant to Steelers fans in terms of longevity and trophies and things of that nature. I'm just wondering, the Steelers know how to put on a show. You know what I mean? Like, they know what they they're like a gold standard franchise. They know how to handle these things. I'm just wondering if there's already been a conversation about what to do.

19:56Yeah, I, you know, I don't think there has been. But obviously, as the season goes on, and again, out of respect to Aaron, let's face it, he's going to retire as a Green Bay Packer or go into the Hall of Fame as a Green Bay Packer, understandably so. But the Steelers will get to get, you know, they get a little sliver of that. And I think, though, I think they'll give it the proper due as you get near the end. And certainly, I think the fans will respond to that. I mean, he's Aaron Rodgers. Let's face it. He's he's as big a name, if not the biggest name in the league. He's right up there in the conversation.

20:28and when he says this is it, you know, good Lord, it's on the ABC Evening News last night that this is his final year, even though everybody kind of thought it would be. I mean, he's Aaron Rodgers, and we've all learned too, but he really likes ice cream.

20:43Rich Eisen:Jerry Dulac, you're a good man. Thanks for the time. Appreciate it. Sorry, Richard. Always good being with you, my friend. We'll chat soon. That's Jerry Dulac right there. Jerry. Nice. So if the Steelers get a sliver, what do the Jets get? I know what it is. as quoting Judge Smales. Nothing and like it. The Jets are the Spalding. I want a hamburger. No, I want a hot. That's probably about right. They're the Spalding of the NFL. In this situation. I have the whole week. Spalding never won anything. The Jets did win something once. Yeah, but you weren't boring. People want to cut it on me. You weren't even boring.

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22:04Rich Eisen:We'll be back with your phone calls. Joe Burrow has chimed in on how far the Bengals can go. And he does it so matter-of-factly you didn't even catch it yesterday.

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