In short
NFL coaching and roster decisions (Packers/Matt LaFleur hot seat; Giants head-coach search; Steelers/Bengals QB injury window), plus Eagles/Packers talk (AJ Brown/Twitch comments; fourth-down play), Lions “tush push” debate, and Lakers/LeBron G League return.
Guests
Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated senior writer; covers NFL; discusses Packers, Giants, Steelers, Bengals). O’Shea Jackson Jr. (actor; talks Lakers/LeBron’s return).
Key claims
Packers’ Matt LaFleur is perceived “on the hot seat” due to turnover/contract decisions under new team president Ed Policy, plus urgency signals from decisions like trading for Micah Parsons and the Jordan Love contract. Giants fired Mike Kafka’s predecessor after repeated slow starts and blown leads; they want to evaluate Mike Kafka and give a “two-month head start,” with Jameis Winston as a merit-based reset. Steelers/Bengals: Joe Burrow’s 21-day practice window opened; Bengals must decide whether to reactivate him. Eagles: Nick Sirianni says AJ Brown’s Twitch drama isn’t a distraction; play-calling explanations reject “stats-only” narratives. Lions: Dan Campbell opposes banning the tush push.
Notable examples
Packers’ Eagles loss; Giants’ 2-8 starts and blown leads (including 18-point and 10-point leads); Bengals’ losses to Jets/Bears; Burrow practice ramp (7-on-7 before 11-on-11); Eagles’ AJ Brown involvement on key plays; LeBron with South Bay Lakers (G League) return.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOPenny Production Stopped
1:37 to 2:28
Discussion on the US Mint stopping penny production and its implications.
“Earlier on the show, pro football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.”
Interview with Albert Breer
2:30 to 3:55
Rich Eisen speaks with Albert Breer about NFL coaching changes and evaluations.
“The writing was on the wall for the penny.”
Matt LaFleur's Position at Green Bay
3:57 to 6:15
Exploring Matt LaFleur’s status with the Packers and organizational changes.
“Is he really on the hot seat in Green Bay?”
Giants' Coaching Changes and Future
6:18 to 10:41
Albert Breer discusses the reasons behind the Giants' coaching changes.
“then let's get to a job opening that now exists with the Giants.”
Potential Coaching Candidates for the Giants
10:43 to 14:00
Discussion about potential candidates for the Giants' head coach position.
“And then defensively, I would say they are disappointed based on where they are.”
Coaching Candidates for the Giants
14:00 to 17:30
Discussing potential coaching candidates, including Lane Kiffin and Bill Belichick, for the New York Giants.
“Went to high school with my brother, Jeff Eisen.”
The Steelers' Future
17:30 to 19:00
Exploring the potential changes in the Steelers organization as their veteran players age.
“You know, and so after Aaron Rodgers and T.J.”
Joe Burrow's Injury Update
19:00 to 22:18
Analyzing Joe Burrow's recovery timeline and the implications for the Bengals' season.
“and for the Bengals to have to decide to reactivate him or not for the rest of the season.”
AJ Brown's Fantasy Comments
22:18 to 23:24
Discussing AJ Brown's humorous comments about fantasy football during a Twitch stream.
“I'm sure NBC's keeping it on their Thanksgiving hope chest.”
Nick Sirianni on AJ Brown's Distraction
23:24 to 28:00
Nick Sirianni addresses AJ Brown's comments and the media's perception of distractions within the Eagles.
“Sirianni on his top wide receiver supposedly saying drop me in fantasy if you have me.”
Show all 18 chapters
Analyzing Game Strategies and Play Calls
28:00 to 31:20
Explore the thought processes behind key game decisions and play calls in football.
“But, of course, it's just like, no, it's not a distraction.”
Dan Campbell's Coaching Style and the Tush Push
31:20 to 36:40
Discuss Dan Campbell's approach to coaching and the controversial 'tush push' play.
“As you know, we have a new superhero in town.”
O'Shea Jackson Jr. on LeBron and Lakers Dynamics
38:43 to 39:11
O'Shea discusses LeBron's impact on the Lakers and the team's current situation.
“Back here on the Rich Eisen Show on ESPN Radio.”
O'Shea Jackson Jr. on LeBron and Lakers Dynamics
39:16 to 42:00
O'Shea discusses LeBron's impact on the Lakers and the team's current situation.
“LeBron James is back in the fold with the Lakers organization right now as an active basketball player with the G League, getting ready to come back to the Lakers.”
Lakers and LeBron: Current Dynamics
42:00 to 43:38
Discussion on LeBron James's influence on the Lakers and team dynamics.
“But at the end of the day, though, this is a bitter man talking basketball.”
Gaming and Twitch Talk
43:38 to 44:26
Conversation about gaming, Twitch, and the hosts' familiarity with the platform.
“Because I'm so thoroughly unfamiliar with that world.”
Throwback Gaming Nostalgia
44:26 to 46:11
Hosts share memories of classic video games and past gaming experiences.
“You should go on Janky Rondo and play Duck Hunt.”
Coaching Decisions in the NFL
46:11 to 47:09
Discussing recent coaching decisions and their implications in the NFL.
“Janky Rich would be a great clothing line.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with Power Boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Goats only trust Goats because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell. You survived the Miami weekend, nailed the speech, and maxed out your credit card in the name of friendship. Now you've got one hangover, four pastel dresses, and zero reasons to wear them again. Sell them on Depop. Just snap a few photos and we'll take care of the rest.
0:47And you at least get some of your dignity, money, back. Someone on Depop wants what you've got. Start selling now. Depop. Where taste recognizes taste. 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. The Rich Eisen Show. Show. This is The Rich Eisen Show.
1:36Rich Eisen:The least surprising headline would be the Mavericks fire Nico Harris. The Rich Eisen Show. Earlier on the show, pro football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. ESPN senior NBA writer Brian Wintorst. Coming up, senior writer for the MMQB Albert Breer. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number three of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. For those who listen as well, there's SiriusXM Channel 80. There's our podcast all three hours. Certainly, if you want to catch up on anything that you've missed, the first two hours of the show, great stuff with Kurt Warner in hour one.
2:16Rich Eisen:Brian Winhorst in hour number two. News that just broke. The Associated Press is reporting the United States Mint is stopping making the penny. It's actually finally happening. So give a penny, take a penny. See you later. Yeah. The writing was on the wall for the penny. Is that right? Is that right? The penny was on the hot seat? The penny was on the hot seat. I know. The penny was on the hot seat. Matt LaFleur, penny. Matt LaFleur being on the hot seat is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Let's bring in Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated back on the Rich Eisen Show. Good to see you, Albert.
2:46Rich Eisen:How are you?
2:47Albert Breer:Terrible news. I just had a conversation with somebody about how kids don't understand the value of a dollar anymore. It's around like taking my kids to the arcade. because you remember when your dad would take you to the arcade when you were a kid, they would give you a roll of quarters, right? Oh, yeah, absolutely. That's$10, right? And so you knew when you were there that you would have that roll of quarters, and that's all you had, and after that you were done. And now kids go to the arcade, and they have these cards, and it's like they think that's like endless money, so they could just come back to you.
3:19Albert Breer:Interesting, yes. So that's what I thought when I heard the pennies gone. It's like this is how we learned the value of a dollar. was by actually having the cash in our hands and understanding this is what this is worth. Yeah, man. I feel like we're kind of cheating kids now, don't you?
3:34Rich Eisen:Of course. It's a different day and age, Albert. Certainly back in my day, I went to the Staten Island Mall arcade. They gave away free games for good grades. I brought my good grades, so I didn't need a roll of quarters. It was my good grades, but you already knew I went to Michigan. Listen, let's start talking. Wow, what a round of applause. Thanks for talking. Let's see how I just shoot. Hi, Albert. Good to talk to you. I'm a dart thrower. Listen, why is Matt LaFleur really on the hot seat? Is he really on the hot seat in Green Bay?
4:02Albert Breer:I think so. Like, I think the reason people are saying that, and I think the reason it is a topic of conversation is because of the, some of the turnover above him in the organization. And so, you know, Mark Murphy obviously did a great job there over the years and was there for almost 20 years. And he steps down. There's the rules there about, you know, aging out. And so he aged out. And so Ed Policy, who's Carmen Policy's son, is the new team president there. And when he came in as the new team president, they decided not to extend Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst. Doesn't mean they won't, but they just weren't going to do it right when Ed got on the job.
4:41Albert Breer:And so I think that creates some perception within the organization, whether it's right or wrong. Are these guys under evaluation now? and then you know you've got the contract for jordan love which they made a decision on you've got the decision to trade for micah parsons which amps up the urgency um under what you're trying to build a contender and it kind of signals to the fan base our time is right now and we're trying to make the most out of what we've got with our quarterback with the young talent that we have on hand we believe this is a suitable team that's what you're saying when you do things like that And, you know, obviously there have been some ups and downs this year.
5:18Albert Breer:I would caution people the season's not over. And Matt LaFleur's record is really, really good. But that's why I think that question comes up. It's like, OK, we've got a new team president, which, as you know, in Green Bay is ostensibly the owner. Right. And a lot of times a new owner comes in and wants his own people. And so is that policy going to want his own people? I think that's what people are asking right now. the difference being that Ed Policy was working there before he was Mark Murphy's right-hand man so he'd been working with LeFleur and Gudakunst for a long time but I think that's why you know after a disappointing night the other night against the Eagles and after the quarterback like didn't play great why you would be looking at this you know if you're a fan of the Packers if you're a person covering the Packers and say like okay like we had that like little thing over the summer where he didn't get extended.
6:11Albert Breer:And so if they're under evaluation now, then that this would be a data point towards that evaluation.
6:17Rich Eisen:All right, Albert, then let's get to a job opening that now exists with the Giants. Why do the Giants make this move, Albert?
6:25Albert Breer:A few things. So I think, you know, I think that the overarching one would be like the definition of insanity is when you keep doing the same thing over and over again. I like, There were some facts that I didn't realize until I started talking to some people there. This is the third straight year they've started the season two and eight. They haven't won consecutive games in almost two years now, which is wild to think about. And then there's the way this season went and really the two big wins that they had. The first one, all the way back in September, they went with Jackson Dart going in there, beating a really good Chargers team.
7:04Albert Breer:right so like okay like we're you know we're we're sort of like we're going now and now we got some chance to build some momentum and then they you know they they fall off the next week against the saints that's not a good saints team and then they beat the eagles and everybody remembers what that looked like post game with those guys ripping their shirts off and everything else and then 10 days later they blow the lead in denver and then that blown lead in denver which was you know an 18 point lead going into the fourth quarter is followed by this past Sunday. You know, you blow a 10 point lead with with six minutes left.
7:39Albert Breer:It's just these patterns and these things happening over and over again. And so I think that's sort of what drove, you know, John Mara and the owners there to the point where it's like, OK, like this is not going to get better. You know, and then I think to some degree, you also want to get a look at Mike Kafka, who, you know, like is very well respected. He's got the Andy Reid seal of approval. You know, I'd say at the end for Mike Kafka in Kansas City, like Reid really wanted to see him as their offensive coordinator. And the timing didn't work out with Eric Biennemi. So he's got that. And, you know, he's also, as he's interviewed for some of these jobs, done really well in his interviews.
8:18Albert Breer:So I think part of it is like, let's see what we've got on staff with Mike Kafka. and you know now we get a two-month head start where we can kind of evaluate evaluate our organization out in the open and we don't need to be hiding the research we're doing from anyone
8:32Rich Eisen:so the dart injury now bringing about jamis winston which is mike kafka's first um move that's different um and and the two things that you you know one i just alluded to uh dart getting hurt might have had something to do with forcing a hand by ownership, along with the fact that there were no changes made to the defensive staff when the defense was the one that was constantly blowing these fourth quarter leads with one of the best front four that you can think of in the NFL. Certainly the best front four of a two-in team in the NFL. And I understand that the Cleveland Browns might raise their hands and say, don't forget about us, even though this is not a contest anybody wants to be in um what about those two pieces to the equation here
9:21Albert Breer:yeah so i think like going to to jamis winston like whether he intends to do this or not um it does have like a little bit of a new sheriff in town feel to it you know where and maybe it's acknowledging something they're seeing in practice that part i don't know um but i do think part of the deal in signing Russell Wilson and this isn't all Russ's fault but part of the deal in signing Russell Wilson was you had to tiptoe around him a little bit you know um like I felt like when they signed Jameis Winston it was like okay like this guy should be given a chance to compete like I like at this point I don't think like Russell Wilson deserves like a free pass to the the starting job yet they declared him starter pretty early and they gave him all the starter reps and I felt like I think like there's been this feeling even after benching him and going to Jackson Dart like we can't embarrass Russ we can't show Russ up like and so you're tiptoeing around him that way and I you know I just feel like this has a a way of just kind of putting an end to all of that right like where it's look like we're going to make decisions based on merit from here on out this is on Mike Kafka to make these decisions and he's got the keys and now we'll see where he can take it right that effectively it becomes the message that this sends to the locker room and we'll see what the response is from the locker room.
10:43Albert Breer:And then defensively, I would say they are disappointed based on where they are. And I think part of it is getting the best seasons out of individual guys. That does not mean they haven't gotten great seasons out of some guys. I would say Brian Burns, despite the team's record, is a guy that is in the running for defensive player of the year. He's played that well. But Dexter Lawrence isn't close to where he was a year ago. So how do you look at those things? You know, I think there's an acknowledgement that with some of the more talented guys on the defensive side of the ball, some of what's gone on the last few years has started to wear on them a little bit.
11:24Albert Breer:And so the hope here would be that they can get a spark. And again, like I know you're talking like specifically to the defensive coordinator, to Shane Bowen. But I do know Shane's still pretty well respected in that building. and I don't think very many people there would tell you he's a problem.
11:39Rich Eisen:All right, Albert Breer here on the Rich Eisen Show. Names, give me names because, I mean, who wants to coach in the New York City metropolitan area for an ownership group that's been there, done that, doesn't like firing anybody, likes giving you some lead time? There's a terrific quarterback, Malik Nabors, Scadaboo coming back from injury. There is a general manager already in place, so you'd have to work for that guy who's hiring you. You're not bringing your own person, one would think. Give me some names here, Calvert.
12:10Albert Breer:So I think we start here. You're right. It's an attractive job. It's a Tiffany franchise. Whatever value that might have to you that you'd be coaching for a flagship team, it's a flagship team. It's there with the Steelers and the Cowboys and the Packers as one of the NFL's flagship teams. So that's certainly part of the equation. There's good talent on hand. And, you know, depending on how high you are in Jackson Dart, they have a franchise receiver in Malik Nabors, a franchise left tackle in Andrew Thomas, and, you know, franchise players along their defensive front in Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and they expect Abdul Carter to get there.
12:46Albert Breer:That's a lot of premium positions that are taken care of. You know, whether or not you want to coach in New York, I think kind of depends on your personality. And there's some guys that are fits and some guys that aren't. So with all of that established, they're going to cast a wide net because they've found that searching in one box hasn't really helped them of late. They tried the young rising offensive assistant with Ben McAdoo. That lasted two years. They tried the retread coach and Pat Shermer. That lasted two years. They tried the battleship commander CEO and Joe Judge. That lasted two years.
13:20Albert Breer:Now they go back to offense, Brian Dayball, and that lasted a little longer but didn't end any better. So that's what the two months is going to give them a chance to look in a lot of different areas for the next head coach. I think they'll look at some college coaches. I think Marcus Freeman could be somebody that would be of interest to them because there are Notre Dame connections in that building. And Marcus has the kind of presence that I think they would look for in that market. Lou Anarumo has connections to the organization, was in Miami with Joe Shane, is from your beloved Staten Island.
13:58Rich Eisen:That's right. Susan Wagner High School. Went to high school with my brother, Jeff Eisen. Yeah, man. I went to high school with his sister, Elena. See how you're talking about Staten Island.
14:08Albert Breer:Yeah, okay. Lou, I think it's somebody who has the connections, the experience in the market that I think makes some sense. You know, Mike McCarthy is one that I look at. And if you're looking to stabilize things, I mean, if his worst offense was winning 12 games a year for three years in Dallas, like maybe he's somebody that you look at as somebody who can kind of stabilize things for your young quarterback and build a really good staff. What about Lane? What about Lane Kiffin? And Lane is so, I love it. From an entertainment perspective, there are two names, two names that I think would be great for me.
14:41Albert Breer:I know the other one too.
14:42Rich Eisen:You just go for Lane and then I'll give you the other one. Our purpose is Lane and Belichick are the two. Oh, Belichick. I thought you'd go Gruden.
14:49Albert Breer:No, for entertainment purposes, those would be the best ones, right?
14:53Rich Eisen:Okay.
14:54Albert Breer:Wayne and Belichick, because Bill's obviously got the connections to the organization. He reveres the Giants. He's got a personal relationship with John Mara. I just don't know that they can go down that road. But I think Bill would walk on hot coals to get that job. Lane is interesting because Lane has NFL experience, has been a head coach in a lot of different places, has built a program on his own, has developed quarterbacks, and not just Jackson Dart. But if you look at it over the course of his history, I mean, going all the way back to SC and Matt Leinart, and I believe he was with Carson Palmer all the way back then, like this is a guy who has been on the ground floor and developing quarterbacks.
15:34Albert Breer:And so he checks a lot of boxes. My only question is, is it a personality fit?
15:40Rich Eisen:What do you think? I don't know, man. it really just depends on what the Giants want to do here if they're okay with if they want to just say let's go completely far afield of what we've done, there is Lane Kiffin there is John Gruden, there is also obviously Belichick, you go back to certain roots but that comes with a lot of other things that you'd have to buy into even though he is going to be a Hall of Fame head coach on your sideline You know what I mean? Cause he's going to be named to the pro football hall of fame prior to the super bowl this year, prior to what I imagine that the giants making an announcement on this front, but you know, I got one more for you that I know I'm sure Steeler fans want to know about.
16:28Rich Eisen:Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I'm now, I know we're really stirring things up, but you know how the Steelers fans have been talking about this and that his, you know, and who knows what he wants to do. So at the end of the year,
16:39Albert Breer:Let me preface this by saying, like, I haven't heard that there's going to be a trade on the table yet. But I have heard in past years that, like, teams were going to check in on that. Like, you know, over the last five years, I'd say I've heard of a few teams going into hiring CycleSpeed and like, oh, we ought to check in on that. Like and see if there's a way to work something out. Like all things run their course. Right. So he's been there. This is his 19th year, which is crazy. I mean, he's been there, I think, five years longer than Bill Cowher was there, which is wild and makes us all feel old.
17:18Albert Breer:I think there is a reason to believe it could happen now or soon, though. And that's that you've got this group of players that they have now that are all older, and there is a reset coming. You know, and so after Aaron Rodgers and T.J. Watt and Cam Hayward and Jalen Ramsey and all these guys are gone, there's going to be like a significant retooling that's going to happen. And that's when you ask those big picture questions. If they were running off like, you know, playoff wins and all that different stuff like and you had a core of guys who are 26, 27, 28 years old, we'd be talking about that differently.
17:59Albert Breer:that's not where they are you know so like when you're talking about like rebooting it's that's not like a one-year thing it's like yeah i'm in this for the next four or five years and you know when you're at that point it causes people to naturally ask those big picture questions so again like i i haven't heard yet that they're going to be at that point but like just speaking from like a a big picture perspective and and you know the the the way the natural course of things go sometimes like this would be the the point where the Steelers would ask those sorts of questions coming out of this like I'm saying like when the when this core of water starts to filter
18:36Rich Eisen:out and assuming that what everybody is assuming does happen that the Ravens are going to run down the Steelers here and the Steelers are going to have a finish that leaves the fan base wanting more once again and in terms of the AFC North before I let you go on the rest of your day Joe Burrow's window to practice, a 21-day window for him to practice in and for the Bengals to have to decide to reactivate him or not for the rest of the season. That opened up this very week. It opened up a couple days ago, Albert. And so the clock's ticking for a team that's coming off of their bye. Speaking of the Steelers, this is a big game.
19:20Rich Eisen:Pittsburgh needs to come home and hold serve against Cincinnati. Matty, the Bengals now have the next two games to figure out, is it worth it or does Burrow's body actually give them the answer that it's not worth it? Walk me through what you see over the next three weeks leading up to that big Thanksgiving night finale on NBC in Baltimore.
Read the full transcript
19:42Albert Breer:Yeah, so like obviously the Bengals had high hopes coming out of that Thursday night game that Joe Flacco is going to be able to lead them to a point where it's like, okay, we're really going to get going now with Joe Burrow as our quarterback, and we're going to be 5-4 going into our bye, and then they lose consecutive games to the Jets and Bears, which I don't think they saw coming. And to be fair, it wasn't Joe Flacco's fault. Those were shootouts, and the defense was the culprit, not Flacco in the offense. So now you're going into Pittsburgh, New England, Baltimore and I I can tell you Burrow has been throwing for a while he's been in meetings for a while and so this week they're going to get him I the plan I think like and this is from what I've heard over the last few days is to get him seven on seven work not get him in 11 on 11 yet they want to get him to the point where he's getting real reps where he's going through his progressions he's not just throwing to a trainer, right?
20:47Albert Breer:And so, like, that ramps him up. And then I think they feel like the next two games might not be the most realistic. So that's New England and that's Baltimore. So if you're 3-6, can you find a way to go 2-1 in those three games? Pittsburgh, New England, Baltimore. you know and then at that point you're at six and seven and you've got and god i like now i've got that ringing in my because my stupid kids they're uh i said six seven six seven um so uh but but if you're six and seven um going into that game um with buffalo in week 14 um i think that's what you have circled and this is going to be kind of a convergence of Joe's comfort level because it is a little bit of a moving target with that injury and the team's place and the team's spot and contention and you know I don't think he'll be back over the next three games but I also I'm not going to sit there and rule him out like could he find a way to play on a short week when they're not practicing against Baltimore, I wouldn't completely say that isn't happening.
22:06Albert Breer:But I also know there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to this. And I'm rooting for it. I'm rooting for it. I don't root for any team, but I would love to see Joe Burrow out there competing for a spot down the stretch for sure.
22:19Rich Eisen:Of course. I'm sure NBC's keeping it on their Thanksgiving hope chest. You know what I mean? certainly for him to maybe return although Flacco back in Baltimore again because he did it with Cleveland I mean the guys played international games plural and all sorts of stuff it's crazy Albert thanks again for your time appreciate it and we'll chat again soon
22:45Albert Breer:you be well I may not have done as good in school as you my math might be bad but I think it's 17 days okay and Albert Albert, you give it to us. Hold on a second.
22:57Rich Eisen:Excuse me. I will handle this the way I can handle it. I understand you and I will be talking in the next 17 days, but it's not doing good. It's doing well, Albert.
23:10Albert Breer:That's a typical, hey, everybody else in the studio, that is a typical Michigan.
23:14Rich Eisen:No, what it means is if you're saying typical Michigan is to speak properly, guilty of the charge you. Be well, Albert. Be well. Not be good. Be well, ladies and gentlemen, Albert. The difference? It's like 6 '7".
23:33Rich Eisen:Dan Campbell on the tush push. You're taking on Philadelphia. Sirianni on his top wide receiver supposedly saying drop me in fantasy if you have me. That's coming up. The Rich Isis Show Podcast.
24:18We'll be right back. Lays, the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
24:50Rich Eisen:696-891. Fast funds terms apply at sofi.com slash debt play. Save money on your next oil change with O 'Reilly Auto Parts. Get a$15 O 'Reilly gift card after rebate when you buy five quarts of Mobile One full synthetic motor oil for just$35.95. Stop by your local O 'Reilly Auto Parts.
25:12Rich Eisen:Back on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance, Disney Plus, and the ESPN app. We started the show by talking about the Twitch feed of Janky Rondo. Janky Rondo. Yeah. Janky Rondo entered the chat. Or actually, A.J. Brown entered the chat on Janky Rondo's Twitch feed. Saying while he was playing video games, A, if anybody has me in fantasy, you should release me. Set me free. Please release me. Was it Engelbert Humperdinck who said, please release me, let me go? Please release me. No, stop. Everybody's got to stop singing songs here. You know we're musical people. I understand that, but you must because I don't want to pay for it.
25:54Rich Eisen:That tracks. Good Lord. Okay, what tracks? That I don't want to pay for stuff? Be careful. Trap lightly. I don't want to go all Walter White on you here. I'm just kidding.
26:08Rich Eisen:Nick Sirianni, Meet With The Media, was asked about. How about this? It goes straight from Janky Rondo's Twitch feed. to the press conference in Philadelphia. Oh, here we go. No, I don't think so. Again, you can only go from your interactions with everybody and the way they go about their work on a daily basis that you guys aren't able to see. But, you know, no, it's business as usual. When you say it was kind of business as usual with AJ, I mean, his latest comments, I mean, made it seem like it's not business as usual. Like, how do you kind of reconcile that with him? yeah guys I'm close to being done answering these questions with this like he's working hard and he is a big part of this game plan and it'll be a big part of the game plan going forward and he's working like crazy when he's here and I'm excited to have him they asked about it being a distraction and it's just like didn't you are you new to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Nick Sirianni administration, as I pointed out at the beginning of this program, distraction.
27:18Rich Eisen:It's not a distraction. It's almost a bug. It's a feature. It's an attraction. Yeah, they love it. You know, it's just like that bright light, that bright yellow light on the porch. All the bugs just keep flying. Not to equate the players to bugs, but I'm just trying to give you an analogy of like I think they're attracted by that sort of thing. It seems toxic from the outside. Who wants to have arguments? Who wants to have people who are upset or angry? You don't want to be warped. Listen, I like coming here to work because I think you guys like coming here to work. And you like coming here to work because we all get along around here.
27:52Rich Eisen:We don't want to have people walking around going on Janky Rondo's Twitch feed saying things like that because of the way things are going in the workplace. You just don't want it. But, of course, it's just like, no, it's not a distraction. You know what? Are you new here? Hold on a minute. Let me take out this book and just start reading in the middle of your workplace. Like A.J. Brown did last year. What happened? We won the friggin' Super Bowl. I feel like this is like a what are they really thinking segment. They don't have to do that. What were they really thinking? That's what he's got to be sitting there thinking.
28:27Rich Eisen:I'm done asking, answering these questions. Are you new here? And so, yeah, it's like business as usual. Well, wait a minute. Business as usual is him being upset. Yeah, it is. It is. Business as usual. All right. What about that fourth down play? All right, so now you finally decide to target him when every analytic says you need a punt and you wound up giving a better field position for the Green Bay Packers to eventually miss a field goal and you have a field goal kicker now starting to call out his coach there in Green Bay. But that's the Green Bay problem. That's a GBP, right? Yeah. Green Bay problem.
29:07Rich Eisen:Or just a peep. What about that play call, coach? There's been a couple players who have indicated that it was a Jalen and AJ communication that led to that. I knew exactly what the play was that we were calling, and that was run in that moment. So they didn't check? I knew exactly what the play was in that moment, what we called, and what did happen. Why in the first 59 minutes was AJ never targeted beyond? Were we in a debate? I think that's a fair question to ask. What's the question? Why wasn't A.J. targeted beyond the first two drives until that moment for you guys to throw to him deep? Yeah, you know, again, if you look at the game and how the game went, there's a lot of plays in that game that are going to him that for different reasons don't.
29:51For instance, Smitty's touchdown. That play is going to A.J. They took it away, and he threw it over the top. You can't look at stats and just say this is what's happening. You can't paint the picture that way. I know that sometimes is all the information that you guys may have, but you can't look at it that way and just say, here's how the game is playing out. Like, there are reasons and different things. A.J. Brown is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, so of course we're trying to get him involved in the game every single time. You know, sometimes it goes like it did in the Rams game or the Vikings game, and sometimes it goes like it did in this last game.
30:25Rich Eisen:Great answer, man. Hey, you know that touchdown we had? That play was for A.J. Brown, but the defense took it away, And you know what they didn't take away? The great throw from our quarterback to the other terrific receiver that we have here. Yep. That's the difference in the game, is it not? Great answer. I'm just wondering, would Sirianni want it a calmer way? No. Nope. This is the guy who runs up and down the sideline yelling at his own fans. I kind of think this is just the way they – This is their jam. It's their jam. You know what I mean? It's their jam. And it works. It works. It works.
31:17Rich Eisen:Next up for the Eagles of the Detroit Lions. As you know, we have a new superhero in town. If you guys wouldn't mind calling that up first. We noticed that when Dan Campbell took over the plays, maybe to see the big-ass play sheet. Well, the big-ass play sheet is that size because he needs to have the font larger because he wears glasses as the coordinator. He's Clark coordinator. Clark coordinator. But then when he takes off the glasses and he's the head coach of the full team, he's Super Dan. That's what's going on at the Daily Planet. Look, it's a bird. In Michigan. In Alan Park. Just up the road from Detroit, Michigan.
32:01Rich Eisen:That's what's going on. So today, Super Dan took the podium. It's not Clark coordinator today. He's Super Dan asking the question, be answering the question asked of him about the tush push, his thoughts on it, and whether they should ban it from the sport. Hit it. I'm a purist, man. You take something else out of the game, then we're taking the next thing out of the game. Then you're taking another thing out of the game. Then pretty soon, we don't have pads anymore. And then pretty soon it's you're only playing 30 minutes. And then pretty soon it's, you know, so that's why I don't want to take it out of the game.
32:36There's a, you know, it's something a team's got a niche. They found something. They're good at it. And it's for everybody else to stop. And it's unique. And it's physical. And I just, more than anything, I just don't want to take anything else out of the game. You know, I just want to leave the game alone.
32:56Rich Eisen:Wearing a salty t-shirt. That's awesome. Well done. I wonder if Clark coordinator would be like, well, I don't know. We've got to speak to the competition committee first. We've got to know Lois. Who's the Lois? I don't know. By the way, that was a Christopher Reeve version of Clark Kent. That's what I was channeling. Yeah, the real Superman, which we get. There's a lot of real Superman. New guy's pretty good. New guy's really good. It's good. Hey, do not disrespect Corn Sweat around here. I like him all. Mike didn't even see the movie. Yeah, Mike, it was really good. It's actually excellent. But at any rate, don't disrespect anything Rachel Brosnahan is in around me.
33:35Rich Eisen:There you go. Oh, my God. I didn't mean to get aggressive. I should wear my salty shirt now, too. Hold on a minute. Yeah, put the glasses on. Okay. Don't band a tush push. Let's go. Let's go. Let's stop it. Let's go. That guy's not going to band a tush push. You know what I mean? Come on. Dan Campbell. That's super Dan. Clark coordinator is going to be back for more. what a great game this is going to be. Holy crap. And that's after the Rams and the Seahawks will have played against one of the other and the Chiefs and the Broncos will have played against one another on Sunday. Good slate. That's after the witching hour and after the witching hour, the four windows of football, final four windows of football this weekend.
34:23Rich Eisen:Yes. It starts in Spain. so it's the commanders and the dolphins once upon a time when that got scheduled it was not what it is now but hey tune in because I'm waking up at the it's not even dawn I will be way up pre-dawn to be doing that
34:42Albert Breer:are you guys on at 4? 4am
34:45Rich Eisen:Pacific I'll be wearing a suit that says salty I'll be suiting and booted in a salty suit and tie. I don't know if you're going to be salty, man. You'd love it. Yeah. Yes or no. Yes or no. Yes or no. Full squad? No, no, no. Yes or no. Lions stopped the tush push on Sunday night once. Do they do it? Are they going to call false starts? Yeah. I'll give it one. Yes. The play will be run legally. Because it wasn't in Green Bay. Tell me about it. That's part of the reason why I won a fan. Because it puts the pressure on the defense and the officiating and someone is crumbling. One of the two. I say no, they can't stop it, but I do think the Lions win the game.
35:31Rich Eisen:One. I give them once. Once. You think the Lions stop a tush push? Once. At least once, yeah. Their defense is at once. And that will be on defense, so it'll be Super Dan, not Clark Coordinator. Right. Do the Lions run one themselves? Does Clark Coordinator come back up? Yes or no? You can't run it with Goff. You'd have to have Oh, no, Laporta. A tight end or Montgomery. That'd be great. I'd love to see them do that. Skipper's back on the team, right? We get him doing one of these things and get him to take the snap. Or he's pushing. Sure, I'm down with that. Do the Lions want to push? Does Clark coordinator have one set up?
36:08Rich Eisen:That's a good, hold on, save that for what's more likely. Okay. Oh. All right. We got a new superhero in the state of Michigan. I love it. I can't get enough of it. God, I love this sport. 844-204-RICH, number to dial. When we come back, O'Shea Jackson Jr. is here. Guess who just got added to the local G League Lakers team for tonight? You heard about this, O'Shea? I will break you. Is it you? It's not you. It's not you. It is not you. It is not you, but we'll discuss that when we come back. The South Bay Lakers have a new player. Oh.
36:51The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
36:59Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here, and summer's here too. And that means it's travel season. My favorite summer trip last year was to Sao Paulo, Brazil. With so many fans traveling for the Los Angeles against Kansas City game, they got to see how lively the city is. I love the culture and the amazing food that I'm still craving. Those memories remind everyone that it's that time of year to plan a little getaway. And that's why summer has a way of turning weekends into big events. One minute, it's a normal week, and then all of a sudden, a huge concert, sporting event, or festival brings people in from all over.
37:32Rich Eisen:And when that happens, visitors start looking for places to stay all across your city. So if you're already planning a summer trip of your own, you could list your space on Airbnb and earn a little extra cash while you're away. It doesn't have to be some big year-round commitment. It's about making the most of a busy weekend when your place would just be empty otherwise. I can tell you, people love finding a place that helps them feel connected to the city that they're visiting. If your city's about to have a big summer moment, this is a great time to maximize your space. Your home might be worth more than you think.
38:05Rich Eisen:Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Heat up your 4th of July at The Home Depot with our wide variety of grills under$300 and make every gathering one to remember. Give your outdoor space a glow up. Whatever your budget is, the savings on seasonal plants starting at$5. With the grill fired up and your backyard set to perfection, you'll be able to invite friends and family over to kick off the party. Start celebrating with low prices guaranteed at The Home Depot. Prices may vary by store. Exclusions apply. See Humvee.com slash price match for details.
38:43Rich Eisen:Back here on the Rich Eisen Show on ESPN Radio. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is something that we've been talking about for quite some time. If you're unaware, for the last 27 years, Hyundai, every Hyundai sold has helped fund life-saving pediatric cancer research. You may not be aware that there's 850 dealers nationwide that together have raised more than$277 million, supporting over 25 ,000 kids in their fight against cancer. At Hyundai, hope isn't optional. It comes standard. You visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on wheels to learn more. O'Shea Jackson Jr. is here. LeBron James is back in the fold with the Lakers organization right now as an active basketball player with the G League, getting ready to come back to the Lakers.
39:27Rich Eisen:And O'Shea, I think Chris Brockman has given you a bit of a crystal ball look here. that LeBron is suddenly now going to be a fly-in in eight and three teams ointment just by returning, which I think if I may is stupid. Oh, you heard that? Yeah, but as we debuted yesterday a new segment, true but stupid. That's pretty good. True but stupid. I think once upon a time, was that hosted by Leonard Nimoy back in the day? Stupid, stupid, or no, the guy from Star Trek. What's his name? Oh, yes. The TV Star Trek. Yes. You see his memes all the time saying, well, whatever. Bottom line. What do you think?
40:17Rich Eisen:What do you think? I think we're going to be fine. Of course, there's going to be some time to adjust, Chris. But it's LeBron James. It's LeBron James. He's going to come in. We're going to find the fit. Right now, I'm loving it. Luka Doncic is out of his mind. We should build a statue of Nico. Life is good. Free Nico. Did you see the meme that they are going to at the next Lakers game? Raise a banner. They're going to retire his number one jersey. I'll stitch it myself. Are you kidding? What a guy. Shout out to Nico, man. It's not your fault. You just like greatness and you hooked it up. It's my boy.
40:55He got to play it at the house if he want it.
40:59Rich Eisen:Our coordinator producer, Mike Hoskins, as a suggestion. Hoskins with a Y. Yes, indeed. They should put the Nico Harrison retired Laker jersey next to the in-season tournament banner. Yeah, first one ever. First one ever, Hoskins with a Y. Recognized. If we weren't the first one ever, that would not be hanging up, by the way. It would have been a terrible look for the league if the Lakers don't hang that back. You're awful quiet there in the corner. You have no thoughts on this subject matter? I don't like the Lakers. I don't like the Celtics. So I let these two just... Well, you have to understand what's happening over there.
41:32Rich Eisen:His basketball season is over now. Wow. Already? He knows it. We all know it. Everyone knows the Celtics are, without a doubt, not in the mix. They might be one of those plucky eight seeds. They might be this year's version of the Miami Heat at the end of the day. With the way the NBA draft's going to look next year, we don't want to be in the playoffs at all. We want a lot of picks. He's finished. He's done. He's already thinking about the Patriots going to the Super Bowl. So let him have that. Good for you. Okay. The Red Sox hot stove. He's hoping that that works out. Yes. But at the end of the day, though, this is a bitter man talking basketball.
42:07Rich Eisen:Every day. I got it. He won the chip and he was bitter. So that's where I'm taking that sensibility from. But you know that's coming. I mean, you know it's coming.
42:16Albert Breer:You know, absolutely.
42:17Rich Eisen:It's coming. You know this whole conversation's coming. Unless he shows up. He looks terrific. He works his way back in as only LeBron James can. And they're a way better team. and suddenly the team that they're facing tonight will see a much better team the next time they face the Lakers. Yeah, LeBron James, role player. You see that in his future? Who said anything about role playing? The nucleus will shift and will find the pocket. Is LeBron James one of the smartest basketball players the world has ever seen? We're going to figure it out, bro. It's 77's team now. Oh, yeah, like you figured it out with Russell Westbrook?
42:52No, not at all. I'm talking about Luka and LeBron. Where did Russell Westbrook come from? Because that was the phrasing when you signed Russell Westbrook.
43:01Albert Breer:We'll figure it out. Yeah, how'd that go?
43:03Rich Eisen:Chris, the nucleus is shifting. You just heard it. I heard it. You're right. Are you aware what's happening with the nucleus? It's shifting. Yeah. Yeah. Watch the Rich Eisen show sometimes. To find out about the nucleus and where it shifts. I can't believe I have to be the voice of reason on this, saying the Lakers, you don't need LeBron. Listen, if you think you're right all the time, that makes you the voice of reason? You're wrong, bro. It's okay. We're going to be all right. I know it's terrible. By the way, what a way to boil it down. If you think you're right all the time, does that make you the voice of reason?
43:35That's an excellent point.
43:36Rich Eisen:Great. That sounds almost like it's a lyric. Thank you, man. I come from a poetic. I told you yesterday. I told you today. We're musical people. I told you that. Shay, I had to let him know. He told me not to sing something. I'm like, look, we're musical people. I can't help it. Are you on Twitch, too? Are you gaming out there on Twitch? No, no. Because I'm so thoroughly unfamiliar with that world. You don't game, though. I had no idea what I was going to wake up today. I'm like, you know what? We're going to have a big, fat conversation about one of the top hot topics in the National Football League thanks to what A.J.
44:09Rich Eisen:Brown said on Janky Rondo's Twitch feed. Janky Rondo. Yeah, I'm well aware of Janky Rondo. He's hilarious. Okay. Yeah, yeah. Should we book Janky Rondo on his program? Oh, my gosh. That would be hilarious. That would be hilarious. hilarious. Hey, Janky, tell me, should you invite me to to... Oh, Rich. You should go on the live strike. He's a big Commanders fan. Well, I mean, he needs a hug then. This will be great. He's asking AJ Brown if he's alright. Should be on the way around. You should go on Janky Rondo and play Duck Hunt. Yeah, Rich. Like old school Nintendo Duck Hunt? Yeah, because I'm sure he hasn't played a video game recently, have you?
44:48Rich Eisen:That is how far he went. Great question. When was the last time I played a video game? I'm sure Mario Kart or something. No, it might have been. You don't play the show? No, it might have been. Oh, the show, right. No, I don't do that either. My kids do that. It might have been when my kids were really young, and they were using my iPad, and I did the Fruit Ninja thing. Oh, wow. Yeah, an angry bird. Mobile games. An angry bird. What was your favorite one, Rich, when you were a kid? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I mean, just the Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, nothing really. I'll bring in my Pac-Man. I got the Pac-Man small thing.
45:24Space Invaders. Okay, we're going to win some titles.
45:27Rich Eisen:Okay. By the way, at this point, Janky's like, I'm not having it on. Yeah, 100%. Listen to this OG, this old man. I'm not an OG, I'm an old man talking right now. You got a logo, you OG, bro. Okay, I appreciate that. Yeah. So I can go on Twitch? I mean, you could. I don't know how successful it'll be. You can do what you want. You can drive with your feet. Doesn't mean it's going to be a good idea. Years ago, we were looking for a new home for this show. We were not. Twitch was a possibility. Yeah, that's right. If I didn't have no contest, that's where I'd be doing my wrestling talk. I made a Twitch page for us.
46:07Rich Eisen:We did. I remember that. How's that working for us these days? I have not looked at that. It's janky.
46:16Janky Richo. Janky Richo. Janky Richo. Janky Rich would be a great clothing line. Janky Rich. Matt LaFleur just said he's not giving up play calling.
46:29Rich Eisen:What is going on in Green Bay? They have lost their minds. I know. It's a two-game losing streak. You are a half game out of first place. You have beaten arguably the best team in your division already. They have lost their minds. coaching for your job, giving up your play calling. What the hell's going on? Talk about janky. It's all that cheese on the brain. What is going on with the cheese on the brain? What the hell going on? The nucleus is shifting. Nucleus, jam on it. The nucleus is shifting. LeBron's coming back. Rondo is janky, and I don't know anything else. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast.
47:15You can watch and listen to The Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
47:45or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18+.
From the publisher
Sports Illustrated/The MMQB’s Albert Breer tells Rich if Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is truly on the hot seat, breaks down the New York Giants firing Brian Daboll and naming Jameis Winston their Week 11 starter for the injured Jaxson Dart, the G-Men’s top coaching candidates including Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, UNC’s Bill Belichick, and Steelers HC Mike Tomlin, and discusses a possible timeline for Joe Burrow to return to the field for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rich and the guys react to Eagles’ HC Nick Sirinni’s comments on disgruntled WR AJ Brown, and to Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell’s opinions on whether or not to ban the Tush Push.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. stops by the studio ahead of the latest taping of his ‘No-Contest Wrestling’ podcast to talk Lebron James’ eminent return to the Lakers.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices