PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The Insiders Podcast: Hall of Fame Game Recap & Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown Join the Insiders
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
45 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Aug 8, 2026
Published
Sat, August 8, 2026
16
Player insights
14
Players mentioned
Topics
Amon-Ra St. BrownJahmyr GibbsBrian Thomas Jr.Carson BeckCooper KuppHarold FanninJared GoffLarry FitzgeraldMichael WilsonPatrick MahomesRashid ShaheedStefon DiggsTrevor LawrenceTrey McBride
Player analysis
Player insights
Amon-Ra St. Brown
PositiveRole20:34
Amon-Ra St. Brown is recognized as an elite route runner with the rare ability to change direction without losing speed, a skill he attributes to years of repetition and understanding of route-running techniques.
Insight pagePositiveUsage30:40
Amon-Ra St. Brown is a central figure in the Lions' offense, noted for his route-running ability and chemistry with Jared Goff. He is considered a mismatch against linebackers and even defensive backs, making him a focal point of the team's passing attack.
Insight pageBrian Thomas Jr.
PositiveRole31:11
The Jaguars' offense is expected to elevate based on the connection between Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr. The team is prioritizing this tandem to mirror other elite NFL passing connections.
Insight pageCarson Beck
PositiveProjection15:16
Carson Beck performed well in the Hall of Fame game, showing arm talent, touch, and comfort in the pocket. While he is currently behind Jacoby Brissett on the depth chart, he is using the preseason to prove he can be a reliable option if the team needs a quarterback change during the season.
Insight pageCooper Kupp
NegativeUsage12:05
Cooper Kupp is expected to benefit from new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury's scheme, which is likely to incorporate more motion at the snap—a concept Kupp is already very familiar with from his time in similar systems.
Insight pageHarold Fannin
PositiveUsage25:25
Harold Fannin Jr. recorded a higher target percentage than any other tight end in the NFL last year. Adam Rank suggests he is a solid value at his current ADP (TE7) given the potential for growth in a new offense under Todd Monken.
Insight pageJahmyr Gibbs
PositiveUsage5:20
Jahmyr Gibbs is now the highest-paid running back in NFL history. He is described as the most electric player on the Lions, with teammates noting his ability to catch, block, and run at a high level. He is evolving by better understanding the offense and defensive schemes, and he remains a primary weapon in a dynamic Lions attack.
Insight pagePositiveUsage19:48
Amon-Ra St. Brown notes that Gibbs' speed forces defenses to respect him in any field position, allowing the Lions to run diverse routes for him; he is improving as a route runner and serves as a primary weapon that forces defenses to bracket or double-team him.
Insight pageJared Goff
PositiveProjection5:54
Brian Baldinger praised Jared Goff's performance in training camp, specifically highlighting his precision in the passing game, particularly in red-zone and third-down situations. Goff has developed a strong relationship with new offensive coordinator Drew Petsing and is operating within an offense designed to use 'the illusion of disguise.'
Insight pageLarry Fitzgerald
NegativeRole44:37
Judy Battista highlights Larry Fitzgerald as a legendary figure for both the New Orleans and Arizona franchises who will continue his career in various capacities following his playing days.
Insight pageMichael Wilson
NegativeUsage27:37
Michael Wilson ran more routes than any other wide receiver in 2025, clearing Ja'Marr Chase easily. Adam Rank notes this may have been a statistical anomaly but acknowledges the high volume of usage.
Insight pagePatrick Mahomes
NegativeInjury0:31
Andy Reid indicated that Patrick Mahomes is unlikely to play in the preseason opener against the Rams. Mahomes is recovering from knee surgery performed eight months ago, and the team is prioritizing a careful ramp-up period; he has looked terrific in camp, moving well and rolling out, but will be kept in 'bubble wrap' to ensure readiness for Week 1.
Insight pageRashid Shaheed
PositiveUsage11:47
The Seahawks made it a priority to bring back Rashid Shaheed, who is expected to be a significant part of the offense. Observers noted he looked fast and sharp during training camp practices.
Insight pageStefon Diggs
PositiveUsage21:43
Head coach Dan Quinn praised Stefon Diggs' work ethic during his first day as a Commander. Quinn highlighted Diggs' efficiency, noting that 60% of his career catches have resulted in first downs.
Insight pageTrevor Lawrence
PositiveValue24:24
Adam Rank highlights Trevor Lawrence as a target for those waiting on a quarterback, noting he led the NFL with 24 total touchdowns from Week 11 through Week 18 last season and added nine rushing touchdowns, despite a current ADP of QB12.
Insight pageTrey McBride
PositiveUsage28:02
Trey McBride ran more routes than teammate Michael Wilson, who led all wide receivers in that category in 2025, highlighting his massive involvement in the Cardinals' passing attack.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
0:03Change wisely. You want training camps? We got training camps on NFL Network.
0:07One separated by 300 miles like the Lions and Steelers or 3,000 miles like the Seahawks and the Jaguars.
0:13We have you covered on the Insiders after a great day, another great day of Inside Training Camp.
0:18Hey everybody, welcome to the Insiders. Patrick Claiborne here with Judy Battista as we will wrap up this week.
0:24But we continue training camps over the course of the weekend.
0:27Let's start with what's new today coming into the NFL LA newsroom.
0:31Since the start of training camp, we've had nothing but good news on Patrick Mahomes' recovery from knee surgery.
0:37He came about eight months ago. This is not the opposite of that.
0:40But Andy Reid today says we're most likely not going to see 15 on the field against the Rams in the preseason opener.
0:47Judy, Patrick Mahomes has started multiple preseason games in each of the last five seasons.
0:52Your reaction to what Andy Reid said today? Well, this makes total sense.
0:56Frankly, I've never really understood why Patrick Mahomes had to play in the preseason anyway, even when he's in perfectly good health.
1:02And this makes total sense considering he's coming back from a very serious injury.
1:07Obviously, they have had a plan on how to ramp him up and get ready.
1:11And he has looked terrific by all accounts in training camp.
1:14We've seen video of him moving around, rolling out, rolling out onto the left side, which is where the injury is.
1:21He's obviously going to wear a big brace. He looks fine.
1:24Certainly, there's no reason to put him out there against guys who are trying to make some noise and make a roster.
1:31Put him in bubble wrap and have Patrick Mahomes ready for day one.
1:34Yeah, to their opponent in that preseason game we go, Judy.
1:38And a lot of attention being paid to the Rams playing host to former all-pro Aaron Donald at a workout.
1:44It wound up on the official league transaction. Sean McVay was asked how he looked.
1:48Judy said he looked outstanding as the wait continues for an announcement of a decision.
1:53Not just a decision, but an announcement of when we're going to get this decision.
1:57Because everybody in L.A. is excited about the possibility.
2:00Everybody outside of L.A. is pretty excited about the possibility, too.
2:03I mean, what a surprise that Aaron Donald would look terrific in a workout.
2:07This is all about Aaron Donald ramping himself up, making sure that his body feels good, but also that if he makes
2:14the decision, when he makes the decision, he's not just going to be out there playing.
2:19He's going to be able to play to an Aaron Donald standard.
2:22Let's not forget, yes, he has missed the last two seasons, but the last time we saw him on the field, he wasn't all pro.
2:30This is a future Hall of Fame player. He's not going out there just to take up space and walk around.
2:36He wants to be able to play at an elite level.
2:39This is a team that is clearly making a Super Bowl push with all of their moves this offseason.
2:45Adding Aaron Donald feels like the cherry on top of the Sunday.
2:49And I think everybody except maybe the other teams in the NFC West and all opposing quarterbacks is really excited about the possibility.
2:56Yeah. So perhaps if you're excited about a preseason game between the Lions, between, excuse me, the Rams and the Chiefs may
3:02have to wait for Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Donald.
3:05But those two and these teams made me think of November 2018, Judy, when the other player on the field was Jared Goff in 54 51 games.
3:13Jared Goff is now in Detroit. He's been there for a while.
3:17They don't have any more hold ins at Lions camp.
3:20Jameer deal Jameer Gibbs got that deal finished. Stacy Dales and Brian Baldinger a report from Allen Park, Michigan.
3:25Thank you. Patrick, it's been a fantastic day at Lions training camp with Baldy here at Allen Park.
3:31It was fully padded fourth day in a row and it was intense Baldy with these guys.
3:36It was. And we talked to all the stars starting with the head coach Dan Campbell beforehand to kind of let us
3:42know what we were going to see. But you see Amon Ross St.
3:46Brown being tackled by two guys coming across the middle.
3:49I mean, it was there was a lot of heavy hitting, a lot of pads popping.
3:54I thought it was a really productive day. I thought Jared Goff was awesome today.
3:59Just the precision in the passing game, especially when it has to be in the red zone when you've got to score on third downs.
4:06Like there's a lot of situational football out there.
4:09And he's developed a really strong relationship already with Drew Petsing, the offensive coordinator who the players have really adapted to.
4:15There's been a warmth there and it really is.
4:18Hey, let's make a run look like a pass.
4:20Let's make a pass look like a run. It's the illusion of disguise that they're really trying to sort out and figure out here.
4:28But there's no question Jared Goff has an incredible plethora of weapons.
4:31And it all starts with Jameer Gibbs, who got the big deal and who came and crashed our set.
4:37He had the I don't know if the check was bigger or the smile on Jameer Gibbs today, but you couldn't get it off him.
4:44Yeah, you quiet kid, but very, very, you know, such a big part of what they do.
4:50And so when you look at a healthy Sam Laporta to go with the Jamison Williams and Amon Ross St.
4:56Brown and Jameer Gibbs, Panay Sewell, the new right tackle Blake Miller, there's there's talent everywhere in this office.
5:01They've been a great offense in this league, and there's no reason why they can't be another elite offense this year.
5:08And one of my favorite nuggets from the today, Dan Campbell telling us they are working on drawing up a couple of
5:14plays for their now left tackle Panay Sewell, given his athletic freakishness in the NFL.
5:19And I know he's one of your favorites, the power there, Baldy.
5:22Well, he's going over the left tackle, you know, so he's been at right tackle.
5:27He comes over, take over for Taylor Decker, who's retired now.
5:30And and I think that's really his best position.
5:33I think there's going to be a lot of runs that are going to be designed to the left side behind Panay Sewell.
5:40Like he's just complete, like fully loaded Polynesian power and everything he does, put the ball in his hands and good things will happen when that does happen.
5:48And so but but, you know, he's an elite player that you can build your offense around.
5:53Yeah. Love getting you talking about the O lineman.
5:56And certainly it was fun to talk to Dan Campbell, who's rejuvenated.
5:59They missed the playoffs last year, Patrick, but they're scratching to get back in already here at training camp.
6:05Back to you. Scratching and clawing. Thanks to Stacy Dales and Brian Balder here.
6:09The defending champs featured on this year's edition of Hard Knocks on HBO, the show chronicling a few things that have changed for the champs.
6:17One thing that hasn't the offensive line, all five are back for more on the Seahawks.
6:22Ian Rappaport and Mina Kimes from Washington. Here in Renton, Washington, after a very spirited, very loud, highly efficient practice from the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
6:29And we got to see a lot here, especially from the offense, Mina.
6:33And, you know, we've spent a lot of time this offseason talking about the players who are leaving Seattle, including Ken Walker, the Super Bowl MVP.
6:41Well, today we got to see a little show from some of the guys they kept around from Sam Darnold.
6:47The kind of pinpoint accuracy that he has shown with him and some of his returning receivers.
6:52And we got to see a little bit of this offensive scheme from their new O.C., Brian Fleury.
6:58What did you like about the Seattle team today?
7:00Yeah, Brian Fleury is the big change, right? Because outside of the running back position on offense, they're largely running it back.
7:07They made it a priority to bring back Rashid Shaheed, who I also saw with the ball's hands looking fast.
7:13I think that's going to be a big part of the offense.
7:16But I think what's most interesting and what's going to be most interesting, particularly to see in the early parts of the
7:23season, is the tweaks to the offense. Something we talked about with Cooper Cup was how Brian Fleury, who comes from San
7:30Francisco, is likely to use more motion at the snap, which, of course, Cup is very familiar with.
7:35I think we're going to see a lot of tight ends and fullbacks in the offense.
7:40So that, to me, is going to be interesting because if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
7:45However, he still wants to put a stamp on it.
7:48You can certainly see where the Seahawks have prioritized.
7:51They bring back Rashid Shaheed, let a bunch of other big names go.
7:55One of the guys they are trying to pay is one of the key pieces on this defense.
8:00Devin Witherspoon was out there practicing, was out there on the field, but certainly getting him locked up to a big-time contract
8:07extension is going to be one of the key points of this offseason for Seattle.
8:11That said, this defense run by Mike McDonald, a mad scientist or a genius, depending on who you talk to, the description will differ a little bit.
8:19But one thing is clear. The defense is very good.
8:22They make it incredibly tough for the offense. And they can put themselves in different positions based on what they're seeing, maybe unlike anyone else in the NFL.
8:30Yeah, mad scientist Cooper called him a stone-cold killer, I believe was his words.
8:35Yeah, I mean, this was probably a top-two offense in football, depending on how you stack it with Houston.
8:40Expectations are it will continue to be. But Witherspoon is very important.
8:44I suspect there's going to be a priority, obviously, to get something done because of his versatility.
8:49He plays inside. He plays outside. And also because the rookie phenom, Nicky Manwari, who's safety nickel hybrid linebacker, he wasn't at practice.
8:56He's coming off the ankle surgery. Hopefully, he's ready for week one.
9:00But I would say, you know, his absence or the questions around his status make Witherspoon playing even the more important.
9:06That's right. All eyes here on Seattle as they try to run it forward, not run it back, run it forward.
9:12What a great start it was to a Hall of Fame weekend as we look at our 2026 inductees for the Hall of Fame game.
9:20In which Carson Beck played fairly well. Game tied at seven in the second quarter.
9:24He goes up top to Jalen Brooks, who hangs on, takes a big hit and comes up with a grab.
9:30Big applause from Larry Fitzgerald. High praise on the night.
9:33A couple plays later, Simi Fajoko goes up and gets this ball from Carson Beck.
9:38Five-yard touchdown. That was Carson Beck's lone touchdown of the day of a solid performance.
9:42But not a game-winning performance because late in this game, as Mike LaFleur looks on, two seconds on the clock.
9:48Haynes King says, fine, I'll do it myself. Pulls it down, dies for the end zone.
9:53Touchdown. Panthers win it 33-30. But a lot of praise from the Cardinals staff on their rookie quarterback.
9:58From the time that you cross the white lines and you're out there on the first play, I was ready to roll.
10:05Since last night when I was laying in bed, I could barely sleep.
10:09Just thinking about having the opportunity to play football again.
10:12Just never taking it for granted. Ever since I went through the injury, the surgery, and had to get my UCL repaired and everything.
10:19I don't know. Just having gratitude for the game and every opportunity that I get is just something that I've really found faith in.
10:26So I was ready to roll. Back here with Judy Batista.
10:29Great moments by Carson Beck. He'll always remember where he was, Judy, the night Haynes King took the football world by storm.
10:36But honestly, looking at the Cardinals, loads of praise from the staff for Carson Beck after the game.
10:41They were pretty impressed with what he was able to do.
10:45Well, it was an impressive performance. And all of the caveats apply.
10:48Yes, it is the preseason and he's performing against backups.
10:51But he passed all the tests that he could possibly pass last night.
10:55Right. Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback. They just paid Jacoby Brissett.
10:59So unless something crazy happens in the preseason or in the rest of training camp, Jacoby Brissett is going to start the season.
11:06And maybe Gardner Minshew is still going to be the backup.
11:09But what Carson Beck can do in this time is get coaches comfortable with the idea that they could turn to him
11:16if they have to make a quarterback change. Even if they have to make a quarterback change early in the season.
11:22And he showed last night. Again, it's one performance.
11:25It's the preseason that he's got all the tools.
11:27Right. You're seeing his arm right here. He had great touch.
11:31He was throwing the ball on time. The ball was going where it was supposed to be going.
11:36He looked comfortable out there. He was comfortable in the pocket.
11:39Certainly the moment did not look too big for him.
11:42You see him rolling out there. So he passed all the tests he could possibly pass.
11:47The next test is can he do it again?
11:50And again, they need to see consistency there. Again, this is not about necessarily can he win the job on opening day?
11:56This is about can he make the coaches comfortable with the idea of putting him in at some point in the season?
12:03And bigger picture, could he be the long-term answer for the Arizona Cardinals?
12:07And we'll get the next step in that process six days from now as the Cardinals face off against the Raiders in their next preseason game.
12:15More to come here on The Insiders. There's Jameer Gibbs, now the highest paid running back in NFL history.
12:20It's tough to stop him from getting in the end zone.
12:24Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep him from crashing an interview with one of his teammates?
12:30We'll find out coming up next on The Insider.
12:33Valvoline Instant Oil Change presents Wisdom from the Road.
12:35Summer means wide open spaces and a whole lot of extra miles.
12:39The last place you want your engine to give out is halfway to nowhere.
12:43Out here, low oil or a weak battery is just an ambush waiting to happen.
12:48That's why every oil change at Valvoline Instant Oil Change includes an 18-point maintenance check.
12:52These techs are trained to help spot issues early and give you a ride and easy.
12:57Change wisely. We're back on Insiders. Let's look back at what's new today coming into the NFL LA newsroom.
13:03Stephon Diggs didn't do a full day of padded practice or anything for his first day as a commander wide receiver, but
13:09his head coach, Dan Quinn, praised his work ethic and his stats, noting that 60% of Diggs' catches in his career have been for first downs.
13:17Elsewhere, Colts cornerback Cam Taylor Britt has been suspended for one game for a violation of the league's personal conduct policy, suspension
13:24stemming from reckless driving charges that resulted in five days in jail.
13:27For more news, specifically on to player contracts, let's get over to NFL Network Insider Ian Rappaport.
13:32What a great day to be a top guard in the NFL.
13:36What a great day to be Peter Skaronsky, former No.
13:3911 overall pick for the Tennessee Titans. He has cashed in big time, gets a huge four-year, $100 million deal that has been agreed to and signed.
13:47$88 million guaranteed for Skaronsky, one of the top bodyguards for Cam Ward.
13:51Tennessee Titans have spent a lot of money this offseason paying guys outside the organization.
13:55Now they pay one who has richly deserved it after succeeding inside the organization.
14:00Titans were not the only team to pay a big-time guard.
14:03Osiris Torrance, one of the top offensive linemen for the Buffalo Bills.
14:07He also cashed in, gets a four-year, $78-plus million deal with the Buffalo Bills.
14:11Thank you, Ian. First day at camp for Lions star Jameer Gibbs since becoming the highest-paid running back in the league.
14:17Today, the player that has more touchdowns than anybody since 2023 joins Stacy Dales and Brian Baldinger, as well as his even better compensated teammate, Amon Ross St.
14:25Brown. You speak three languages. I mean, English, French, German, and football with Jared Goff.
14:30Uh-oh. I got a special guest. Yeah, yeah. For those that aren't in tune with the football world, this is the highest-paid
14:36running back in the NFL, Jameer Gibbs, the most electric player.
14:40Welcome to the set. Thank you. Can we get him a mic, please?
14:44Do we have a microphone? We actually do? Awesome.
14:46We don't have a seat, but... You can start the interview.
14:50Jameer Gibbs. I'll start it. Thank you. We missed you.
14:53You just signed your big deal. You know, the fans don't know, what is like, what's the first purchase?
14:58Ah, I don't know. I might get, I might open some FIFA packs or something.
15:03Oh, okay. Something for the offensive line, maybe, Jameer?
15:06Oh, yeah, that'd be nice, too. Yeah. They gotta tell me what they want, though.
15:10I'm not a good gift giver. Like, they gotta tell me.
15:13Okay. Can you explain just how challenging it was to wait this out?
15:17Oh, my God. I didn't know what to do in the first place.
15:21I go, ah. It was extremely hard. Yeah. You know, I always want to be out here, you know, with my teammates and having fun.
15:29I was bored. I'm still bored, so... So how do you put in perspective you're the highest paid running back in the NFL?
15:36I mean, I don't really feel any different. Like, I'm still gonna be me.
15:40It's not like I'm gonna go do, like, some extravagant stuff.
15:43It's like, I'm still gonna go home, play the game, chill.
15:46But your production is insane, Jameer. Production? Production. Your production over three seasons, now you enter four, has been insane.
15:52I appreciate it. What... Where has your game evolved the most?
15:56Where has it leveled up the most? Evolved. Evolved.
15:58Uh... I think just understanding, like, the offense and why we're doing it, and understanding more of the defense, too.
16:04Monroe, what's it like when he's taking a ball to the house?
16:08Like, 80 yards, 60 yards, and you're just watching Gibbs.
16:11Like, everybody's looking at the back of his jersey.
16:14Nobody's catching him. Like, what's that feeling like? Yeah, yeah.
16:17You know, just to toot his horn a little.
16:19It's nice. I feel like, as a receiver, when you're blocking, all I gotta do is make, like, a half a second block.
16:26To shield. To shield him. And once he's past me, I know he's past the defender.
16:31So, I just stop running and just watch him chase him to the end zone.
16:35He does a great job. It's nice. Do you guys have the most dynamic offense?
16:40I mean, that's not... That's not for us, you know, to decide.
16:44That's for you guys, for us to put on, you know, we gotta put the work in.
16:49I was an outside looking in. But you guys, we gotta produce.
16:52You know, we only went 9-8 last year. We gotta be better.
16:56What does he do for you in this offense?
16:59Because his production, you talk about production, it's like...
17:01He's everything else. Yeah. You know, he catches the ball.
17:04He blocks. If you ask him to run the ball, he'll run the ball, too.
17:09He does everything at a high level. We trust him with, you know, everything.
17:13Game on line. We're going to 14. So, yeah.
17:16You guys have a new offense coordinator, Drew Petsing.
17:18We know who he is. We've been around. What has it been like, just the installation?
17:23It looked like everything's installed right now. Just watching the formations and just players coming in and out of the huddle right now.
17:30But what's that installation been like so far? It's been good.
17:33I feel like it was harder during OTAs. I feel like we went...
17:37We did a lot of the installation during OTAs.
17:40First, second, down, third, down, fourth. Now, obviously, in training camp, he's adding wrinkles and stuff like that.
17:45But a lot of the base stuff is already in because we did an OTA.
17:50So, now in training camp, I feel like we're flying around.
17:53We understand the offense. We know where we need to be, why we're doing certain things.
17:58But it's still evolving. He's still adding stuff. You know, you're going against the defense every day.
18:03You can't show the same play. So, we've got to mix it up for them, too.
18:08Okay. But it's been fun. It's been a lot of fun.
18:11Jared Goff is just really special. What is his evolution for you in the pocket, the way he commands the line of scrimmage?
18:18Where does he take his game to another level?
18:21I mean, he's just – I think he starts up here.
18:24Like, he's very smart. He knows how he gets in certain looks and different looks to put us in the right position to win.
18:31He's extremely accurate, as you can tell. And he's a leader.
18:34He's a great leader. So, we trust him with everything.
18:37Come on, Roy. He caught 77 passes last year.
18:40I want you to coach up Jameer here as a route runner.
18:44Like, what are we looking at here? All right?
18:46Like, give me the coaching point on why he can catch up on those passes.
18:51Why he's getting so open? Yeah. I mean, number one, I think he's a mismatch to any linebacker.
18:56I mean, he's damn near a mismatch to DB.
18:59So, I feel like if you line up a linebacker against Jameer, it's like – if it's not, like, bracket or anything, it's Jameer every time taking him.
19:07So, number one, he has the advantage over a linebacker any time.
19:11He can catch the ball. So, he has hands.
19:14He can run routes. And you've got to respect every part of his game.
19:18Whether he's running in the backfield, you can't just say, you know, he's going to receive on third down.
19:24He might run it. We might do anything. So, just I think our offense is so dynamic with the guys that we
19:30have and with him in the backfield. I think, you know, I think we're a pretty good group.
19:36So, how do you get the quarterback to give you more touches?
19:39And how do you fight over touches for the football?
19:42We don't fight. Yeah. You don't fight over touches.
19:45Nah, I feel like, you know, you can't double team everyone.
19:48If they want to double team Jameer, bracket him, we got Jameer.
19:52If they want to put a safety over Jameer, we'll throw it underneath.
19:56We got Laporta. We got Tesla. We got so many weapons.
19:59Yeah, you got that. Panay might get it too.
20:02You never know. You never know. We hope Panay gets it.
20:05It is coming. Jameer takes the top off, guys.
20:08How does it impact everything else on the field?
20:10I mean, I think, you know, with Jameer's speed, you always got to respect it.
20:15Whether it's when the one-yard line backed up, the 40, I mean, he can run past you in any situation.
20:21So I think that just, it strikes fear and safety is hard, especially DBs.
20:25Like, they're already running. It allows them to run so many different routes.
20:29He's good at them, too. Yeah, he's getting a lot better at running different routes, too.
20:34So I'm excited for Jameer. Amon, I put you in the elite route running category in this business.
20:39You're a router. And I always think, like, the ability to change direction without losing speed is one of your qualities.
20:45Appreciate it. Is that something you work on? Is that a natural thing?
20:49Your body type? Yeah, I think it's just, you know, having running routes for so long, you kind of understand different angles, different route running techniques.
20:57But I think it's just doing it over and over, the repetition, and just trying to, you know, try and perfect the
21:04details and the craft of route running. I would just say, from an explosive standpoint, how explosive do you guys think you can be?
21:11I think we can always 35. I mean. 35 would set an NFL record.
21:15Yeah, exactly. A couple years ago, you were right around 34, 33.
21:19We were close, yeah. You scored over 600 points.
21:21I'm just doing the math in my head. What is your favorite route?
21:25Anything. I get the ball. I don't care. That's not the ball.
21:29What's the one thing we're missing about this Detroit team that nobody's talking about?
21:33I think the one thing we're missing is a Super Bowl.
21:36Okay. That's the one thing we're missing. That's the mission.
21:39That's the mission. That's the mission. How about the North?
21:42How do you guys size up the NFC North?
21:45It's a good division. I think it's one of the best.
21:48I think NFC West is really good. I think we're really good.
21:52I mean, like in our division, whether it's the Packers, the Bears, the Vikings, you never know who's going to win, I feel like.
21:59You can't take them. Although you might have a favorite, like, oh, I think the Lions are going to win.
22:05I think the Packers are going to win. You really never know going into the game.
22:10So I think that's what makes our division so special is we're all capable of winning games at any time going against each other.
22:17And I think that's what makes this division so fun for us is the rivalry, the competition.
22:22We're all pretty good teams. I think it's a great division.
22:26Let's continue the thought that Amon Ra was just having there about the NFC North.
22:30The Lions finished last. The perennial power in the division, considering all the things that have changed this offseason, what's your view of the North right now?
22:38Well, I think Amon Ra is right that, like, you go into it and really anybody could win it.
22:44We know that there's obviously a quarterback situation in Minnesota that has to be resolved.
22:48But given Kevin O'Connell's history of resurrecting quarterback careers, would anybody be surprised if he resurrects Kyler Murray's career?
22:54And they have a great season. I was watching that interview and they were name-checking so many players on the Lions roster.
23:01And I think that last year, because it was the down year, we all sort of forgot how explosive the Lions can
23:07be and how many star players they have all over the roster.
23:11They have so much firepower on the offense. Of course, Aiden Hutchinson is part of the defense.
23:16They still have great players. The offensive line has to come together.
23:20They were really struggling last year after Frank Ragno's retirement, right before training camp.
23:24Then they had injuries. If they can stay healthy and the offensive line comes together, I think they are right back in the mix.
23:31But Amon Ra is right. It is a really tough division.
23:34The Bears and the Packers are playoff teams. They've got outstanding quarterback play.
23:38This is, I would say, now the second toughest division behind the NFC West.
23:42I don't know who's going to win this division this year.
23:46Yeah, you mentioned the circumstances on the offensive line.
23:48They had eight different combinations on the line last season, tied for most, third most in the NFL in 2025.
23:54Folks, ESPN Fantasy Football, now the official fantasy game of the NFL, new this season, knockout leagues, where each week the lowest
24:01scoring team is eliminated until one is left standing.
24:04Download the ESPN Fantasy app for free today and sign up to play the number one fantasy game, ESPN Fantasy.
24:10Let's get Adam Rank in. As people need information, Rank, but in a world of chatbots and questionable search results, what they really need are facts.
24:17Fact. That's all I deal with, Patrick. Facts. That's what I'm interested in, and that's what I'm here to deliver today.
24:24As a matter of fact, excuse me, we'll start with Trevor Lawrence, who led the NFL with 24 total touchdowns from week 11 through week 18.
24:32So week 11 through 18. Yes, sir. Trevor Lawrence had 24 touchdowns more than anybody else?
24:36Patrick? That's a fact! There it is. Okay, I'll keep holding it.
24:40When's the first time we've done this on the Insiders?
24:43We'll get the mechanics done. Yeah, Trevor Lawrence, you know, we say this all the time.
24:48Wait on a quarterback. Wait on a quarterback in your fantasy football league.
24:52This is the deepest I've ever seen in the quarterback position, and guys like Trevor Lawrence, who was so good last year,
24:58is coming in with an ADP of quarterback 12, which is still a number one quarterback in a 12-team league, but still,
25:05a lot of people are overlooking him. What you should not overlook is the fact that he had nine rushing touchdowns last season.
25:12He had about, I think it was 11 or 13, in his first four years combined.
25:16So Trevor Lawrence should be one of your targets if you are indeed waiting on a quarterback.
25:22That's a noteworthy fact, and I appreciate that. I have summoned a fact.
25:25You do. Okay. Adam Rankin, did you know that Harold Fannin had a higher target percentage than any tight end in football last year?
25:33Harold Fannin of the Cleveland Browns had a higher target percentage than any tight end in all of football.
25:38That's a fact! On an offense that wasn't very good.
25:41And so if you're projecting growth for the Cleveland Browns, perhaps another season and a chance to start for Shador Sanders, because
25:48late in the 2025 season, there were a lot of opportunities for Harold Fannin to get the football.
25:53The results weren't necessarily great. Once again, if you are trending towards volume and you believe that the progression of both of
26:00these players will go in a new offense with a new head coach, then I think you can feel solid about the
26:07ADP number five right now, depending on where you look on ESPN.
26:10He's tied in seven. And so you get opportunity with Harold Fannin Jr.
26:14I really love that. And Todd Mockin being there in Cleveland as well is going to be huge for him.
26:20So I love that one. And another great rookie last season was Cam Skadaboo.
26:24And what people might not realize, Patrick, last year Cam Skadaboo was the number two receiver for the Giants between weeks one through eight.
26:31So one through eight, a significant portion of the season.
26:34Yes. Cam Skadaboo, the powerful runner who does backflips and stuff.
26:38That's true. That's true. Was the number two receiver on the team?
26:41Patrick, that's a fact. That's right. Everybody loves Cam Skadaboo.
26:44They loved him at ASU. He became an instant fan favorite in New York for a lot of reasons.
26:50He runs hard. He, as you said, does backflips.
26:53He's a colorful personality. He's actually a really good football player too.
26:56Like a lot of times there will be some smoke around players like this and you're like, what are you doing?
27:03But now that we sit here and really examine the numbers and you look and see how good he is as a
27:09receiver out of the backfield, there is a real opportunity for him.
27:13Even with Malik Neighbors returning to the Giants this season, there is a chance that Cam Skadaboo continues to be the number
27:19two most targeted player in this offense, which again kind of justifies his ADP.
27:24It was so much fun to watch the way that his rookie year started.
27:28Hated the ending. Yeah. You know, we've had some backflip incidents this offseason.
27:32So perhaps puts that in the past, keeps things going.
27:35I got one more fact. One more. Okay, please.
27:37One more fact for you, Adam Mark. Did you know of all the receivers that ran routes in 2025, no one ran
27:44more routes at wide receiver than the Cardinals' Michael Wilson?
27:47So you're talking about the wide receiver who ran the most routes was Michael Wilson?
27:51Adam, right? Yeah. That's a fact. He cleared Jamar Chase easily.
27:55And here's the addition to the part of that fact.
27:58The only person that ran more routes than Michael Wilson was his teammate, Trey McBride.
28:02Remember when Jacoby set the completion record in a single game?
28:06There are so many things that happened late in the season for the Arizona Cardinals.
28:10Saw them and Carson Beck with Mike LaFleur calling the plays.
28:13I think the team may be a little bit better, but I kind of feel like some of the circumstances for this
28:202025 Arizona Cardinals may have been a statistical anomaly.
28:23Okay. We might never see that. But it's still a fact.
28:26It is still a fact, which is something that we now do on this show, as well as on NFL Fairies Live,
28:33which will be back on August 17th right here on NFL Network.
28:36Have you ever gone to Las Vegas and gotten in a fight with somebody that you know?
28:41As long as it wasn't like Max Crosby or somebody, I think he should be cool.
28:46It was Max Crosby. Who is trying to fight Max Crosby?
28:49And we'll find out when we come back on The Insider.
28:53Oil change. If your service lights on, trust the techs with the training.
28:56That's us. 270 hours with zero complaining. They train under the hood.
29:00They train down in the pit. Down here. 270 hours means their training's legit.
29:04It's the smart choice for smart folk who care for their steed.
29:08So trust the instant oil change that starts with Valvoline.
29:11Valvoline Instant Oil Change. Change wisely. We are back on The Insiders.
29:14And Inside Training Camp returns Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
29:17Eastern right here on NFL Network. Looking forward to all the action on ITC over the course of the weekend.
29:23After coming into contact with Kirk Cousins' arm a couple times during Reps, Cousins grabbed Max Crosby, got into his face before things were broken up by teammates.
29:32Head coach Clint Kubiak afterwards on the scuffle. Yeah, that's training camp.
29:35You know, those are those two leaders of our team going at it.
29:39So that is part of camp. Obviously, you fight in the game, you throw a punch in the game, especially then you're out of the game.
29:47So we got to be smart, treat it like a game.
29:50Jacksonville Jaguars first preseason game coming up Saturday on the 15th against the Saints.
29:55Jags back at work today in Jacksonville. For more, let's go to Sarah Walsh and Gerald McCool.
30:00Here in Jacksonville, the Jaguars simulated a mock game today.
30:03And we know this offense is going to be as good as Trevor Lawrence is.
30:07But the question mark about this offense is what's happening with the run game.
30:11Liam Cohn addressed that specifically when I said, what do you need to improve on?
30:16What have you seen? Well, you have to establish what you're going to be as a run team.
30:21And that's what Liam Cohn talked about. They don't even know their identity of what is their best scheme running.
30:27Is it going to be outside? Is it going to be gap scheme where it hits downhill?
30:32You know what makes Kyle Shanahan's run game so great?
30:35Because they know who they are. Well, Liam Cohn is in the midst of trying to figure that out.
30:41But he said today they hit some big runs and he liked what he's seen.
30:46So the run game is on the up and up.
30:49But that's going to take a lot of pressure off Trevor Lawrence.
30:52There is Basial Tootin. There is Chris Rodriguez. There is LaQuint Allen.
30:56So there is a running back by committee potentially approach here happening in Jacksonville.
31:00And then when you look at Trevor and what can help Trevor elevate from what was already a really good season a
31:07year ago, what needs to happen for him? That would be Brian Thomas Jr.
31:11and their connection. You know, when you look at all the top connections, the tandems across the league, you got your Joe
31:17Burrows, your Jamar Chazes, your Dak Prescott, your CeeDee Lambs, your Matthew Stafford, your Puka Nikolas.
31:22That's what makes these offenses great. And that's what makes these quarterbacks even better.
31:26So if that connection can be better consistently, you know, it's crazy.
31:30I was watching today and I was talking about that on the field.
31:34And right after that, boom, one-on-one Brian Thomas Jr.
31:37catches the end zone pass. I said, ha, there it is right there.
31:40So I got a chance to see it today.
31:43It's a man that knows what he is talking about.
31:46This is a Jacks team that's going to be tested early.
31:49You want to see how good you are in the AFC, just in your own conference.
31:54They've got the Patriots and they have got the Broncos in weeks two and three.
31:59Looking forward to preseason football right here on NFL Network.
32:02The Packers and the Steelers Thursday at seven Cardinals Raiders after that at eight.
32:06And then on Friday, the Buccaneers at the Jets.
32:09Remember every preseason game eventually available right here on NFL Network, but available right now on NFL Network.
32:14It's the Weekender with Adam Rank. Oh, Patrick. Thank you so much.
32:18You know what? NFL football is back. We had a real live NFL game on Thursday.
32:22Well, as much as it can be when you have Kenny Pickett going up against Carson Beck.
32:28Although Carson Beck actually looked pretty good. I got to say that was pretty good.
32:32But what about the walk-off touchdown for Haynes King?
32:35That was pretty cool. He's going to have a great story to tell when he's out of work in a couple of
32:41weeks and he's working security at a Smash Mouth concert.
32:44He's what? No, I'm just saying. They're still touring, by the way.
32:48I don't know. No, I'm just saying. If that's what he's doing after that.
32:52But still, it's great. It's good, though. We had the Hall of Fame game.
32:56And listen, I understand the Hall of Fame game tends to play like a one-year-old's birthday party where the kids playing sure
33:03seem to be having a lot of fun, but the parents get bored after 15 minutes like, yeah, we're heading out to
33:09the bar for some snacks and some refreshments. But listen, it's a whole weekend affair because not only did we have the
33:16game, we have the Hall of Fame ceremony this weekend with a lot of great players, including my guy, Larry Fitzgerald.
33:22And, you know, I sometimes wonder what could have happened back in the day if the San Diego Chargers had taken Larry
33:29Fitz instead of going with Eli Manning, who they flipped for Phillip Rivers.
33:33You know, you would have had Drew Brees, LT, Larry Fitz.
33:36Would that team have been any good? Would they have stayed in San Diego?
33:40I don't know. And I bring this up because the Chargers were actually practicing in San Diego this week.
33:46And I'm sorry. I have some thoughts here. It was nice seeing those San Diego fans representing 619 and all that stuff, holding up San Diego Charger banners.
33:54But what are we doing, Chargers? It kind of gave me the same icky feeling I had when Jordan started flirting with
34:01Norris during the Challengers ride and dive. Remember season 38?
34:04Like poor Tori had to sit there and wear it for weeks before they finally settled it.
34:09There's just some lines you don't cross. I don't know.
34:12That's just me. And speaking of girlfriends and challenges, what exactly was Madison Beer doing on the sideline of the Chargers practice,
34:19muscling with the hair of her fiance, Justin Herbert?
34:21I realize I will never be the athlete that Justin is, but I remember the time Coach Tershell made me run suicides
34:28in practice for an hour because he saw me flirting with Donna Owens.
34:32Like that, that was frowned upon. I guess if you're a great athlete, you can get away with that kind of stuff.
34:39I guess what I'm really concerned about, what does this all mean for Justin Herbert's fantasy stock this season?
34:44And speaking of fantasy, you were just talking about this earlier on the show.
34:48Shout out to the Detroit Lions for getting the deal done with Jameer Gibbs.
34:53That means Bajon Robinson, Jameer Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor have all signed their deal, which means we don't have to have that dilemma
34:59in your fantasy football draft where we have to wonder, is he holding out or not?
35:04It reminds me of the great Le'Veon Bell debacle of 2018, where his holdout was the worst thing he ever did until
35:11he started recycling memes and trying to pass them off as his own original tweets.
35:15Listen, trust me, he's not that clever. And stop talking about Caleb Williams.
35:19We don't care about his nails. We care about his touchdowns.
35:22But listen, our main story this week is the Los Angeles Rams, is they could have Aaron Donald back.
35:28Yeah, he was seen working out for the team on, what was it, Wednesday?
35:32I'm sorry, is this some sort of L.A. thing where you have to stack your roster in order to play?
35:38You're like some club soccer team. Like, ah, we got to have everybody.
35:42You're not content with seeing the Dodgers trade for Tarek Skubal.
35:45You need to go out there and have Aaron Donald join the team, a team that already has Miles Garrett.
35:51The funny thing is, nobody cares. Everybody hates the Dodgers for this.
35:55Nobody cares about the Rams. Maybe if they knew, I don't know if you knew this, speaking of facts, Matthew Stafford was
36:02once a high school teammate with Clayton Kershaw. Really?
36:04That's a fact. Oh, wait, wrong segment. But still.
36:07We're not doing that. But still, we're not doing that.
36:10We're never doing that again, according to our producer, Nicholas Shepra.
36:13But still, it was a lot of fun. That is your weekend.
36:17And I don't have anything to plug. That's weird.
36:20Like, normally I come here to plug the sick podcast with Adam Rank.
36:23No, what are you doing? But I'm not doing that.
36:26I'm not going to plug that. You can't plug it by saying you're not going to plug it.
36:32I'm not going to plug the podcast. Looking forward to the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction coming up tomorrow right here on NFL Network.
36:39What a class. Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri, who sat down for a conversation with Steve Weich in Canton.
36:47Adam, okay, we're kind of on the precipice of everything.
36:50The gold jacket tonight. The speech is tomorrow. Where are you in all of this right now?
36:55I'm in a good place. I'm a little excited, a little nervous for the speech.
36:59I think we were all talking about it a little bit today.
37:03And I think everybody else is kind of in the same place.
37:07We're excited. We're like, it's kind of like Super Bowl week.
37:10And it's about Friday. And you said, God, will the game finally get here?
37:14So I think we're all kind of excited. I'm really excited for about 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon when my speech is done.
37:21And I'm back in the green room. Maybe I get a drink and just, but no, it's going to be awesome.
37:27I know getting the jacket this evening is a very emotional, wonderful time.
37:31And I'm really looking forward to that. That's going to be a lot of fun.
37:35And I've repped my speech, repped my speech. I just hope I'm not going to get too emotional as we do it.
37:42You know, I've had so many guys talk about it.
37:45What are the wagers? What are the wagers? Do you know where you rank?
37:49Are you like the highest odds to cry during your speech?
37:52I'm not sure. I don't know. We did put a little gentleman's bet on it, like who's going to go first kind of thing.
38:00And I go, that's not fair. Whoever starts first is probably going to be the one.
38:04But yeah, I did tell my family, though. I said, if you're sitting stage right, I said, I'm going to be looking
38:11at teleprompter left when I'm speaking at you guys, because if I see you, I'm going to lose it.
38:17So I'm going to try to be a little smarter than that and try to let them know.
38:22You're an absolute veteran because if you look at your family, that's when it's all balls apart.
38:27But that's really cool. I want to talk to you a little bit about your career, man.
38:32Was it 28 game winning kicks? A couple Super Bowl winning kicks.
38:36First off, is there one that sits with you, like the game winning kick?
38:40Was it the Raiders game? You know, some of them get lost in the mix.
38:45I mean, you remember them, but and every one, every kick is always important, right?
38:49It doesn't matter if it's the first quarter or the end of the game.
38:53But there's certain ones that stand out a lot to me.
38:57You know, if I if I named four, that would be my top four would be the kick in the snow against the Raiders.
39:04I mean, there's two of them. But the first one was the one that was the one that you was the hardest one.
39:11Right. Both kicks in the in the in the Super Bowls.
39:14I mean, how do you how do you match that?
39:17Right. I mean, you know, you get to put the icing on the cake in the biggest moment of your life.
39:23I would think, you know, I had I had five field goals in a Jacksonville game my rookie year.
39:29And I knew I was kind of on the hot seat.
39:32If you if you don't make those and something that goes sideways, you might be looking for a different kind of job kind of thing.
39:40Right. Right. And then I think if, you know, one of the games that I'm the most proud of is is the
39:46divisional playoff game against against the Ravens. When I was with the Colts, the first year that we went and made it
39:53to the Super Bowl, that that game was only scored.
39:56The kicker scored all the points. It was 15 to six.
39:59So I had all five field goals. Thank goodness I made them all.
40:03That last one kind of gave us a nine point spread, you know, at that point where it was at the end of the game.
40:11It's going to wasn't a game winner, but it was a game sealer at that point.
40:15So that game was one of those like I just came over to a new team and earned my money that game.
40:22You know what I mean? It's so funny here.
40:25You're like, well, I've got all this, you know, this great index of game winning kicks I can choose from.
40:31There's so many people who wish they were in your shoes.
40:34But what is it about having the ice in your veins?
40:37You know, I just I just every from from being a young kid, I think the competitive spirit was in me from competing with my older brother.
40:45And I just always wanted to be the guy no matter what sport I played.
40:50I wanted to be the guy that had the ball in my hand or the ball at my foot.
40:56Or I wanted to be the reason that we won or lost.
40:59Right. I just I love the pressure. Not to say that I always made every kick or made every play, but I
41:06literally wanted to be the reason that we won or lost because I knew how much effort and how much work that
41:12I was going to put into it. So I I guess I trusted myself and my own ability.
41:18So, you know, you get to the league and everybody says you want it to come down to a field goal.
41:24Absolutely not. Let's win by 35. Let's win by 35.
41:27It's we're all we're all chilling at the end of the game.
41:31But I always thought if it's coming down to a kick at the end of the game, I want it to be
41:37on my foot and not be standing on the sideline hoping that the other guy misses.
41:42Right. So I always embrace that as a kicker.
41:45That's it's kind of the nature of your position.
41:47And if you can't handle it, you better find yourself a different job.
41:51But that's what they say about the great ones about the Kobe's, the MJ's and stuff like that.
41:57Put in my hands at the very last minute.
41:59Last thing, I just want to talk to you about today's game a little bit and the way that maybe the thinking of the coaching is gone.
42:08Coaches aren't afraid to let guys line up and bang a 63 yarder right now.
42:12Absolutely. Is that not is that because guys are kicking it longer or because maybe when you play, the coaches were like,
42:19no, no, we're going to continue to move the chains before we give our kicker an opportunity.
42:24Well, I think both. Right. I think first and foremost, kickers are getting stronger and more consistent.
42:29I know when I first got into the league, they said, if you're 75 percent, you're pretty good.
42:34Now you've got to be 85 percent to even keep a job.
42:38Right. So I think kickers are getting better. I think they're getting more powerful, stronger.
42:42You know, back in the day, kickers didn't work out the same.
42:46Every everybody. It's just evolved. Right. And so I think the analytics of the game have changed as well.
42:52I know when I first started, if it was fourth and more than one, you're automatically kicking it.
42:57Right now they go for it a lot more often because they're not you know, it's the game's just changed.
43:03And yeah, you know, I only had a handful of kicks.
43:06I think maybe one or two 60 plus and only a handful above 55.
43:10And now it seems like every week there's five or six that are 55 to 64.
43:15You know, you just sit there and go, oh, my gosh.
43:19So it's the game has changed. Kickers are getting more valuable.
43:22I know at one point they said we don't want so much emphasis on kickers.
43:26You better have a pretty damn good one at this point if you want to win games.
43:31Absolutely. Well, look, congratulations to the best of the way and the rest of the week and the highlight is going to
43:38be when you Morton Anderson and Jan Stenerud take the picture of the three kickers wearing the gold jackets.
43:44Morton said earlier today, we just need one more.
43:46Now we can have a foursome when we go golf.
43:49There you go. Great stuff with Steve and Adam there.
43:52Just a great class. Looking forward to a great weekend, Judy.
43:56What do you think when you think about this group of players going in this year?
44:01This is a really strong class. I love that the four of them are contemporaries.
44:05And I love that Roger Craig is going into because I feel like he was always overlooked as part of those great San Francisco dynasty years.
44:13And I also want to give a shout out to Barry Willner, the former Associated Press NFL writer.
44:18He and I shared many press boxes. He is receiving the Bill Nunn Award for long and distinguished coverage of football.
44:25He deserves it. I am thrilled for him. Congratulations to all of the Hall of Famers.
44:29Yeah. Just looking back and thinking about all of these moments and the people all around this country of ours that have covered these men going in.
44:37You got basically legendary figures in both New Orleans and Arizona in Larry Fitzgerald, who will continue his career in many different aspects.
44:44Looking forward to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony coming up tomorrow, noon Eastern, right here on NFL Network.
44:50The Insiders will be back on Monday. From Judy Bautista, I'm Patrick Claiborne.
44:54Enjoy the weekend and congratulations to our Hall of Fame.
44:57This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
