The Rich Eisen Show

Segment One--NFL: Season Opener Four Days Away Rams-Bills. Has Sean McVay Already Become The Most Important Figure In The League? Segment Two--NFL: Russell Wilson Just Got Paid. How Much Of A Difference Will He Make In The Rugged AFC West and how does it impact Lamar Jackson? Segment Three--NFL Guest: Jason Cole, Outkick.Com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich comments on the LIV Golf Tour’s challenge of building an audience this fall now that college football is in full swing and the NFL is just around the corner.  In his Friday staple ‘What’s More Likely’ Rich weighs in on Ohio State vs Notre Dame, Trey Lance vs Jimmy Garoppolo, Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts’ NFL MVP chances, how high Russell Wilson can lift the Broncos, and if Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert will find more success with their new teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, after the Utah Jazz’ house cleaning.  Rich reacts to Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s response to being asked about being under pressure to win this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp tells Rich that he’s not easing up on his desire to improve despite winning Super Bowl MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors last season, reveals how that crucial 4th down run he had in the Super Bowl vs the Bengals almost never happened after they continually botched it during practice, and says what Matthew Stafford and new additions Bobby Wagner and Allen Robinson bring to the field and to the locker room. Rich explains why you shouldn’t sleep on the Rams repeating as Super Bowl champions thanks to the offseason addition of LB Bobby Wagner and others. Thee-time All-Pro DT Gerald McCoy tells Rich that he’s hoping to sign on with a team for one last NFL season before embarking on a career in media, explains why locker room leadership will be the key to the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo-Trey Lance backup-starter dynamic, says how good the Las Vegas Raiders can be this season, and tells Rich what he’d say to Lincoln Riley after the coach jilted his Oklahoma Sooners for the US

Rich recaps the big Thursday night in college football that featured thrilling games between Penn State vs Purdue, Pitt vs West Virginia and more, and reacts to Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance addressing the media regarding the 49ers’ QB depth chart. Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette tells Rich why he’s not bothered by the annual scrutiny about his off-season weight gain, what the difference between new head coach Todd Bowles and the retired Bruce Arians, how the Bucs’ locker room reacted to Tom Brady’s mysterious leave of absence, why Julio Jones is poised for a huge season in Tampa, and how he’s making it easier for his fans to actually hang out with him when he’s off the football field.  Brockman continues his pre-season NFL power rankings reveal with his ‘Burning Questions’ for teams 20 to 16 on his list including the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN’s Chris Fowler weighs in on Rich’s fashion choice of Birkenstocks as footwear today, recap Serena Williams’ “staggering” US Open 2nd round upset of #2 Anett Kontaveit and if she can continue her run at Flushing Meadows, previews this weekend’s huge Ohio State vs Notre Dame game, and weighs in on the Big Ten’s expansion and the possibility of adding more teams to the College Football Playoff mix.  Brockman continues his pre-season NFL power rankings reveal with his ‘Burning Questions’ for teams 25 through 21 on his list including the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots. Rich EMPHATICALLY weighs in on the Shohei Ohtani vs Aaron Judge for AL MVP debate and EMPHATICALLY tells Mets fans that the slugging outfielder IS NOT changing addresses in New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich updates Sam Darnold’s ankle injury and reflects on the star-crossed career of the Carolina Panthers’ QB since coming out of USC with great expectations, and gives some advice to a caller from the U.K. who’s in an INSANE 24-team fantasy football league. 49ers General Manager John Lynch tells Rich how Jimmy Garoppolo’s offseason shoulder surgery severely limited his trade market and led to the Niners keeping him as their backup QB, how Trey Lance reacted to learning that Jimmy G would be sticking around and if there’s a chance he could return to the starting role if the 2nd-year QB struggles, and reveals how deep the rift was between the team and Deebo Samuel before they inked the All-Pro WR to an big contract extension.  Rich and the guys break down the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo/Trey Lance dynamic and if Jimmy G’s presence will hinder the development of the promising 2nd-year quarterback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to Russell Wilson’s mammoth new $245 Million contract with the Denver Broncos and says whether or not he left some money on the table.  ESPN NFL and College Football Analyst Robert Griffin III tells Rich why Russell Wilson should have pushed for a fully-guaranteed contract from the Broncos like the one the Browns gave Deshaun Watson, why the 49ers keeping Jimmy Garoppolo was good for the team but not great for Trey Lance, why he’s bullish on Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins but has some concerns for the Washington Commanders, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, and the Dallas Cowboys, predicts the Baltimore Ravens will win the Super Bowl while Nick Saban and Alabama will win the College Football Playoff again, and breaks down Michigan’s QB competition between Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich and the guys discuss starting up a fantasy football league at the prodding of his wife Suzy Shuster that may or may not include Academy Award-winning actress Jodie Foster. Brockman begins his pre-season NFL power rankings with ‘Burning Questions’ for teams 32 through 26 including the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions.   Rich and the guys react to 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s explanations for keeping Jimmy Garoppolo and debate the wisdom of having the deposed starter as Trey Lance’s backup, and break down the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent trades including trading embattled WR Jalen Reagor to the Minnesota Vikings where he joins Justin Jefferson, the player Philly passed over in the NFL Draft to select Reagor.  Michigan alum Rich fields a call from a viewer who asks if he’s still motivated to beat Ohio State again. Seriously, he actually asked that question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co

Ravens All-Pro TE Mark Andrews tells Rich why he’s excited for Baltimore’s offense after it was ravaged by injuries last season, why Lamar Jackson’s up-in-the-air contract status hasn’t impacted his play on the field or his leadership in the locker room, hints at his unhappiness that Lincoln Riley left his Oklahoma Sooners for USC, and reacts to his college teammate Baker Mayfield getting another starting opportunity with the Carolina Panthers. Cardinals Pro Bowl RB James Conner tells Rich why the sour end to Arizona’s 2021 season is providing a lot of inspiration to prove doubters wrong this year, and says how Kyler Murray’s turbulent offseason has led to more maturity and growth from the Cards’ QB.  Rich takes a call from 3rd grade teacher and cancer fighter Joel Stetler who lived out a dream last week when The Killers called him up on-stage during a concert to play drums for them during a song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich lists his Top 5 NFL QB’s You Want for a Must-Win Game among the Buccaneers’ Tom Brady, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes.  NFL Network NFL Insider Tom Pelissero and Rich break down the NFL’s final roster cutdowns and why the Cowboys released every QB except for Dak Prescott, why the 49ers decided to keep Jimmy Garoppolo instead of trading or releasing him and what that means for Trey Lance’s job security, why Lamar Jackson is taking a “big gamble” by not taking the Ravens’ latest contract offer and how Deshaun Watson’s guaranteed contract is playing a role in the negotiations, and what Watson must do in order to avoid having his suspension extended beyond 11 games.   Rich and a caller debate if Joe Burrow belongs in his list of Top 5 QB’s for must-win games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heisman Trophy winner/ESPN College GameDay Analyst Desmond Howard tells fellow Michigan alum Rich why he was immensely proud of his Ohio State trolling at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Gold Jacket Dinner ceremony and why he’s predicting Michigan, Texas A&M, Baylor and Pitt will reach the College Football Playoff.  Rich and the guys react to 42-year-old Albert Pujols homering and 40-year-old Serena Williams winning at the US Open on the same day and speculate which current athletes and/or offspring of athletes will still be balling out two decades from now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich asks TJ for his Cowboys fan reaction to the 49ers keeping Jimmy Garoppolo to backup Trey Lance and if he’s concerned about Dallas’ suddenly sparse QB room, and says why the Eagles trading for Saints DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson solidifies his choice as Philadelphia to win the NFC East.  Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians tells Rich how much he’s enjoying being retired from coaching, sets the record straight about his relationship with Tom Brady, weighs in on the Jimmy Garoppolo-Trey Lance dynamic and more.  Rich recaps the big night in MLB where he took his kids to see the Yankees face the Angels that featured a Shohei Ohtani home run and Aaron Jones’ 50th long ball of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to the 49ers decision to keep Jimmy Garoppolo in the fold after being replaced as the San Francisco 49ers’ starting QB by Trey Lance. Pro Football Hall of Famer/NFL Network Analyst Kurt Warner tells Rich how his experience as the New York Giants backup QB to Eli Manning compares to the 49ers keeping Jimmy Garoppolo around as Trey Lance’s understudy, why he predicts Jimmy G will still be traded at some point during the season, and says where Lance still has room to grow as a quarterback and if his ups-and-downs could eventually get him benched if the lows get too low. Rich and Brockman break down the 49ers options in case Trey Lance doesn’t work out as their starting QB including the scenario of Aaron Rodgers as the Niners’ QB1 in 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots Insider and Rich break down the Pats’ massive struggles on offense this pre-season and how much blame should fall in head coach Bill Belichick, and tells Rich why Tom Brady “seems fatigued” and appears to be “punching the clock” following his comments to the media after the Buccaneers most recent preseason game. Stanford Head Coach David Shaw and Rich discuss USC and UCLA leaving the Pac-12 and what it means for the Cardinal’s and the conference’s future, how the expectations for quarterbacks have changed over the years and why he prefers them taller, why Christian McCaffrey is a poised for a huge comeback season, why the Texans’ Davis Mills was the best rookie QB in the NFL last season, and says if there’s any sliver of a chance Andrew Luck would ever come out of retirement. Rich recounts the special moment he witnessed at a recent concert by The Killers where front man Brandon Flowers brought a cancer patient on stage to play drums during one of their songs. Learn more about you

Rich and a caller discuss the Buffalo Bills release of punter Matt Araiza following the rape allegations against him.  In his ‘Overreaction Monday’ segment Rich says if Kenny Pickett or Mitchell Trubisky should start Week 1 for the Steelers, if Bill Belichick and Patriots can sort out their offensive struggles, the chances Jimmy Garoppolo lands with the Seahawks, if Trey Lance will shine or struggle as the 49ers’ starting QB, if Aaron Donald should have been voted the NFL’s best player by his peers over Tom Brady. Former NFL executive/VSiN host Michael Lombardi tells Rich why he has some concerns for Tom Brady and the Dallas Cowboys this season, why he’s confident the Patriots can get their moribund offense sorted out, what new Head Coach Josh McDaniels brings to the Las Vegas Raiders, why he’s still skeptical Tua Tagovailoa can be a star with the Miami Dolphins, how the 49ers offense will look with Trey Lance at QB1, why the Cleveland Browns should trade for Jimmy Garoppolo to fill the void during Deshaun Wa

Rich reacts to Tom Brady’s return to the Buccaneers and his postgame comments over the weekend that made him more relatable as a father and husband. Tampa Bay Times Buccaneers Insider Rick Stroud tells Rich how Tom Brady’s recent absences and comments to the media show a rarely-seen vulnerable side to TB12, why the Bucs are not as concerned about their rash of O-Line injuries as some pundits in the media, what expectations are for WRs Julio Jones, Chris Godwin and Tampa’s receiving corps are this season, why Jon Gruden and the Raiders said ‘no’ to adding Brady back in 2020, and if this could REALLY be Brady’s final NFL season.  Rich and Brockman break down the Buccaneers’ 2022 schedule and ponder if Tom Brady can win another Super Bowl and ride off into the sunset. Mike Tomlin finished the pre-season showing he’s already in mid-season form when addressing the media which leads to a heated discussion about Brockman and TJ’s Kenny Pickett bet that has yet to be paid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc

In his ‘What’s More Likely’ segment Rich weighs in on the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Cooper Kupp vs Ja’Marr Chase, the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa vs the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, Matt Ryan and the Colts playoff potential compared to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers’, if the Minnesota Vikings or Denver Broncos have a better shot at the postseason, and if the Atlanta Falcons or Jacksonville Jaguars have the better sleeper team potential. Danny DeVito and his daughter Lucy join Rich in-studio to discuss their new animated FX series ‘Little Demon’ that features cameos by Arnold Schwarzenegger and comedy legend Mel Brooks, and reveal what it was like growing up on/raising kids on movie and TV show sets like ‘Cheers’ and 'Terms of Endearment.’  The guys wrap up the hour discussing their paltry Uber ratings, this weekend’s pre-season NFL schedule, fantasy football and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich reacts to the Mariners giving rookie OF Julio Rodriguez a huge long-term contract and makes a desperate plea for someone to take out the Houston Astros before his Yankees have to face them in the playoffs.  Rich explains why it’s not too soon for the 49ers to throw QB Trey Lance into the fire as their starter over Jimmy Garoppolo. ‘Brother from Another’ co-host Michael Smith and Rich discuss his new gig on Amazon Prime’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage, says why Trey Lance’s early struggles as the 49ers QB1 could pay off huge dividends down the road, why Kevin Durant and the Nets were able to mend fences after a summer of strife, why Russell Westbrook should swallow his beef with Patrick Beverley and “beg” to stay with the Lakers and why Lamar Jackson negotiating his own contract with the Baltimore Ravens might not be in his own best interests.  Rich reacts to Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin officially announcing his QB depth chart among Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett for the team’

Rich reacts to the ugly brawl between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals and says if the NFL will be able to punish Aaron Donald for recklessly swinging a helmet during the melee, and comments on the “shocking and disgusting” gang rape allegations against Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio tells Rich what the NFL and Buffalo Bills’ options are regarding Matt Araiza, why the NFL should try to punish Aaron Donald despite their lack of authority over team practices, why Lamar Jackson should take the Baltimore Ravens’ best contract offer, and why he thinks the 49ers might hang onto Jimmy Garoppolo despite naming Trey Lance their starting quarterback. Rich and Brockman debate if the Niners keeping Jimmy as injury insurance would be too much of a distraction for Lance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rich comes to the defense of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes who’s been slagged on by former teammates and some media pundits despite having a Super Bowl win and NFL MVP award on his resumé. Comedians/Activists Chad Kroeger and Jay Parr join Rich in-studio to discuss their new Netflx show, reveal how Paul Walker led them toward a life of activism, describe their perfect day and what “stoke” means to them, being tapped by Bill Hader for a cameo in ‘Barry,’ their take on the Hot Dog Beer Straw controversy, and weigh in on Brockman’s no-time-limit fantasy football draft.  Rich ends the hour with a not-so-uplifting pep talk for all the Dallas Cowboys fans feeling down in the dumps after the serious knee injury to OT Tyron Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices