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The Biggest Unanswered Questions Heading Into Training Camp

34m 31s

The Biggest Unanswered Questions Heading Into Training Camp

The podcast discusses major NFL headlines as training camps approach. The Seahawks' record $9.61 billion sale to Vinod Khosla highlights soaring franchise values, with the Super Bowl win boosting the price. The team's biggest challenge is its backfield: Kenneth Walker III left, Zach Charbonnet is injured, and rookie Jadarian Price must step up. New offensive coordinator Brian Flory, who has no play-calling experience, adds uncertainty. Aaron Donald is mulling a return to the Rams after working out at their facility, weighing whether he can endure training camp and the season. The Brandon Aiyuk saga continues; he remains on the 49ers' reserve list, and teams doubt his commitment due to his social media antics. Stefon Diggs, despite an ACL tear, posted strong numbers last year and could fill a need for the Commanders, who were initially linked to Aiyuk. Overall, the NFL landscape is shifting with major transactions, roster questions, and player decisions as camps near.

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[Music] Welcome back to the Adam Schaefter podcast. As we get ready for training camps to open as we record this on Tuesday morning July 14, two weeks from today and counting. Every single NFL team will be in training camp and next week we'll have an all-32 look at every team's training camp and the biggest storylines each team faces as they go into training camps that will be open. All of them by July 28, but there are issues that are outstanding now. Big headlines across the NFL and to break them down and take a further look at them. We are joined today by my friend, my colleague, the usual producer of the show who stepped into a place, Toshmit, who's sick today, Dan Stanzick. Dan? Chef, it's great to be with you. Great to be following for Tye here and the season we can feel it. We are like mid-July here or past the fourth of July. Training camps around the horizon. Like football is almost in the air here. Normally like July, nothing really happens till the end, but we're getting there. Things are brewing. You know what? This week, Dan, we've got the World Cup. We've got the Major League Baseball All-Store game. We've got the SB's. We've got the British Open. We've got a whole bunch of things going on, but you can feel that training camp is coming. This week's Six Pack is brought to you by Zippercruder. Try it for free at zippercruder.com/atom. Meet your match on Zippercruder. Let's dive right into this week's Six Pack. And we have a reported record deal. We have a new ownership group in Seattle. What can you tell us about the 49ers Lundered Partner, the Nod Coastler, winning the bid to buy the Seahawks? Well, first of all, it's so fascinating on so many levels. His wife is going to be the controlling owner of the team. His son is going to run point on the franchise. His 31-year-old son, Neil. So he's going to be the boss of Seahawks Journal Manager, John Schneider, and head coach Mike McDonald. It's going to be very interesting to watch that. But if you look at the NFL's recent sales and the percent increase, we've gone from the browns to the bills, to the panthers, to the broadcodes, to the commanders, to the Seahawks. Browns, bills, Panthers, broadcodes, commanders, Seahawks. There have been at least 50 percent increases in each of the last sales of NFL franchises. So the value of these franchises is going through the roof. And now we have an NFL record, $9.61 billion dollars being paid to the Seahawks. The sale still is pending approval of the NFL owners. But then why would the NFL owners not approve a record sale to somebody who has been vetted before? That's going to be a formality. I'll predict it right now. It's going to be unanimous when the NFL owners get together on what I'm told is August 26. Now I asked the NFL yesterday, is that the official date when the vote to sell the Seahawks to Vinod Kostler and his family will be held? And they said, we don't have the final date yet. But I'm told August 26 will be the date when the Seahawks officially wind up being sold to Vinod Kostler and his family. An incredible transaction when you look at it, when everything that goes into it. And this is obviously a record price for an NFL franchise. And I think when I hear that also, the value of these franchises going up the way they have, I mean, what an investment for these people. You thought that the commanders were paying a lot when they were sold a few years back. Right? It was the commanders in 2023, $6.05 billion dollars. The Walton Penner family bought the Broncos in 2022 for $4.65 billion dollars. David Tepper, Nicole Tepper, he bought the Panthers in 2018 for what sounded like a lot. $2.27 billion dollars. The bills were bought in 2014 for $1.4 billion. The Hazlums bought the Browns in 2012 for $1.05 billion. And now we've got $9.61 billion being paid for the Seahawks. Here's my question. And I was on unsportsman-like on Tuesday morning, going over this. Maybe you're smarter than Matt than I am, Dan. Do you know what the $1.2 in $9.61 billion dollars is? What is the $1.2 in that? $1.2 so it's $9.6 so that's $600 million. The $1.2 is probably $1.2 million. I don't know. $12 million. Is it $12 million? Maybe. I don't know. I'm guessing here. I will say this though, Shafty. Great time to sell a franchise. We're at office Super Bowl victory. I remember the Celtics did this couple years ago. They won the NBA championship and then they sold the franchise for I think $6 billion. So great timing to have this sale. And here's my question to you. And we're just wondering all that. And I haven't asked this question anybody, but you just made me realize, how much did the Seahawks Super Bowl win raise the price of that franchise if the Seahawks had not won the Super Bowl? What would you guess? And we're just guessing. What would you guess the Seahawks were sold for? I have to think that the Super Bowl victory ups that price by at least a billion. I have to. I don't know why. It just seems like that is a multiplying factor. If you win the championship, you're selling high. Literally, there's no other highest moment to sell the team at that point. It has to be at least a billion. And if you look at the trajectory of what you said of those franchise values going up, I think this probably would have been in the 8 billion range. And now we're verging. We're on the verge of 10 billion. It's a fascinating question to ask. But I think we can agree whether it raised the price a half billion or a billion or more, the Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots was undoubtedly the ultimate force multiplier. There you go. There you go. And the Seahawks keep taking away from the 49ers, Chef. The 49ers, the limited partner now owns the Seahawks. The offensive coordinator of the Seahawks was a formerly on the 49ers staff. Brian. Wait, it's a lot more lap. There's a lot of overlapped. Tell me has to sell off their shares of the 49ers, which will happen. Brian Flory, the new Seahawks offensive coordinator who was the 49ers tight-ends coach. He came over before the sale happened. It's crazy. That's very ancestral that NFC West. It's unbelievable. But it's a great division. It's a great division. It's sure. But we will stay with the Seahawks to get us into topic number two here, Chef. The Seahawks rookies, they're the first ones that will open training camp. And that is Friday. Like I said, football is in the air. The season is approaching. Is there anything you'll be monitoring closely, not necessarily with the Seahawks and their rookies reporting? But just the fact that training camp is here. Is there anything that's going to be catching your eye? They're going to be watching extra closely. Well, I think the fact that the Seahawks rookies report to training camp this Friday. And the questions that team faces as it tries to repeat really overlap some. And what I mean by that is this. To me, the biggest question this team faces is the Super Bowl MVP. Kenneth Walker III went to Kansas City in the off season as a free agent. They lost their star running back. Zach Sharbinay, tours ACL in January. And so Sharbinay is recovering from that knee injury. He's not going to be available. I would guess the first quarter of the season, the first half of the season. I don't know the exact time I'm going to find out. But he's not going to open the season here. Kenneth Walker's gone and the team used its first round draft pick on a running back. Jadarian Price. Now I do remember one coach telling me before the draft that he thought Jadarian Price was the best running back in this draft. Now again, his college teammate Jeremiah Love is the star and the great versatile player who can catch and nobody felt like as a running back. Jadarian Price was the best running back in the draft. And Seattle drafted what this particular individual and those and things about the position. Felt was the best running back in the draft. And he's got to step in here. Now they did sign a manual Wilson, the free agent from Green Bay. They have George Hullani who stepped in the playoffs and played well. But Jadarian Price, a rookie running back, is going to be counted on heavily. And the Siox are the first team to open the season that opening Wednesday night two days after a Labor Day against the New England Patriot team that they beat in the Super Bowl. They help jack up the value of the franchise. So to me, that's that's the big question. How does Seattle's backfield shake out? But again, a reminder, as you pointed out, Dan, Sihox rookies report to training camp Friday and by July 28th, every NFL team will be in camp. Chef, I'm glad you you noted this running back situation with with the Sihox. We talked about him in the first topic. The guy that's going to have to figure this out is their brand new offensive coordinator. We didn't even mention they lost their offensive coordinator to the Raiders. So Brian Florey, the new OC is going to have to come in and figure this thing out. And I will say this also, as highly touted as he is, as much as the Sihox think of him, he's never called plays at the NFL level before. And it's a different deal to call a game. You may be a great smart offensive coach, but it's like anything else. You may have been practiced in television. When you go do your first live shot, it's a different deal. And when you go call your first NFL game, it's a different deal. And that opening Wednesday night game will be the first time that Brian Florey's cold. again in the NFL and by the way as great a coach as he is we don't know how he's gonna fair in that area You just don't know and take a look in recent years a team that have hired offensive coordinators who have no play-calling Experience and see how it's worked out. It's a mixed bag. He may be really good and take to it He may not be we don't know and we can't know and won't know until that Wednesday night opener Yeah, I mean the ball is is couldn't be any higher. Clint Kubiak. It worked wonders for that offense So we'll see what Florey can do We're gonna stick chef. This is unbelievable. We're sticking in the NFC West the the best division football I think We keep talking about it. We got another update I think Aaron Donald is he coming out of retirement? Is he not apparently now he wants to do workouts at the Rams training facility What does that mean? What can you tell us about the future Hall of Famer potentially coming back to play the Rams for another season? It sure sounds like we're getting closer to a decision one way or another whatever that is now when he was spotted working out at the Rams facility in recent days What I was told this was about is this he wanted to go back into a football building which essentially he's been back there to visit I'm sure but he has not been back in a football capacity to work out Do drills see how he feels he wanted to go in to see what it felt like to see how he felt like If you think about anything that you've done if you go back and visit it and Revisit something like you may start doing that something you haven't done a couple years and be like man I'm glad I don't do this anymore or maybe like I missed this and I want to try this again And I think that's what this was about for Aaron Donald. It was a journey a Visit to figure out how do I feel about this? Okay. I've openly knowledge that I'm considering it but how is it in reality and my up to it mentally? can I Handle and grasp the rigors that come along with being a football player Practicing on a regular basis everything that comes with it or do I not how do I feel physically running around in those drills? We know the guys in great shape. We know the guy can bench press Meing you together, but it's beyond that. So he had to see how he felt physically and mentally and I'll bet you wasn't just one day I'll bet you he's been there a few times. I Don't know the end result of what he ultimately felt and decided He may still be going through that process, but in the end I come back to this Where else is Aaron Donald going to be more appreciated, wanted, celebrated, respected Then in the Rams organization that they're gonna want him back now the question is can he Psychologically Get himself up to go through a training camp to Expose a body that's been in retirement for a couple of years to what it takes to be an NFL player Can he do all that? Does he want to do that? Is he willing to do all that and those are questions that that he I believe is going through right now To try to come up with an answer It certainly sounds like he's open to coming back. It certainly sounds like he's strongly considering coming back But you have to make that ultimate final decision. Yes, I am coming back But chef, he you mentioned putting his body through training camp I can't imagine that if he said to the Rams, hey, I want to come back for week eight I'm sure they would say yes There there can't be like a drop dead date here on this is there? Well, I think Aaron Donald's the kind of guy that you're in or you're out like this isn't some kind of country club deal Where you guys go do all the work and I'll join you in November for the stretch run Either you're a part of the team or you're not a part of the team now if he is a part of the team They're gonna tailor his schedule to make it work for him right like you see veteran rest days all the time He's gonna have a lot of those veteran rest days and they're gonna ramp him up and get him ready for the regular season opener in Australia Against the 49ers so they'll do it the smart way in the right way and and I don't know How much he would play during the course of a game anyway? I don't think he's playing a hundred percent snap count. I think he may be out there A third of the time half the time whatever it may be when it matters But they'll be really smart in the ways that they deploy him if he decides ultimately that he wants to come back But I I don't view Aaron Donald is the kind of guy that that you guys take care of the first half of the season I'll join him prior either he's doing it and he'll be there when camp opens or he's not It's a good note. It's a good note on just the kind of guy he is He's not gonna easy throw in or he's not and I like I like that Let's let's get to topic number four here Shafty and this one is I guess we're still in the NFC West here But it is I don't know how much longer. It's gonna be in the NFC West. What is going on? There's more more videos out there. I can't watch them all I don't know what's going on what is going on with Brandon I you what is the end game? What kind of resolution are we gonna get when are we gonna get it? What can you tell us about the whole Brandon I you situation? I think we can talk to people around the league There are a couple of observations that come up with this number one I think they're concerned about the guy because these videos they come on and He's criticizing his former college teammate Jaden Daniels everybody thought he was going to Washington It was set up for him to go to Washington and it certainly looks like he's alienated Washington with his comments. We've got Jaden Daniels the firing back on social media brand that I you coming out Brand that I who did not help his case with the Washington commanders aside from the fact That he's still under contract to the 49ers. He's on the reserve Did not report list. He would have to be reinstated. He had to apply for reinstatement now He could just apply to the NFL for reinstatement and The 49ers would have to release him they don't want him around and if he showed up at the 49ers Complex which he said he won't do they'd have to release him But the 49ers hold his rights right now and he is not allowed to go signed with another team If another team is even willing to sign him until he's released from that list and only branded I you Can force that issue and so far to date as we record this on Tuesday morning July 4 He has not done that now again We're getting closer to camp if he wants to play Then he'll force that issue that's the other thing that I've heard a couple times and talk to the a couple of foreign offices They're like does this guy even want to play and I can't answer that only branded I you can But I could tell you the teams have raised that question because why hasn't he forced himself off that list Why isn't he looking more actively for a team? Why isn't he gainfully employed right now? Where was he all last year not showing up? Does he want to play that's a question that teams have asked and Only brand that I have himself can answer that so there are some questions. They'll have to be resolved if He wants to play here in the coming days and weeks, but that's certainly a major question People are concerned about the guy and people are wondering whether he does want to play Yeah, it sounds like the ball is in his court if he wants to get released all he has to do is show up He gets released the question then becomes chef You may not have a good answer to this because who knows teams will want to see if he wants to play football If it's willing to bring him in but what would the market be for him other teams that would be interested in his services or is at this point I honestly believe that he's scared off Team's like to see it. I mean, I think they're looking at the social media posts repeated social media post where he's blasting the Niners where he's criticizing Jane Dale's and saying is this the kind of guy that we want to bring in Right now and have a part of our franchise is this what we want to do and my guess More often than not would be no now there might be a team at a certain point. That's willing to do that But that market right now at best is going to be soft Okay, let's let's get to topic number five another White receiver looking for more work Stefan Diggs the other day said there is no wider seer or two better than him in the league Where do you think he ends up? What teams do you think are interested in him? Are we surprised that he hasn't signed yet? What can you tell us about Stefan Diggs? You know, there's some interesting things about this guy right he's coming off in ACL tornado NACL last year and even last year when he was coming up the ACL which people said they're better in the second year He was 12th in receptions with 85 he was 16th in yards with a 2013 he only played 54% of the Patriots offensive snaps and was still 12th in the league in receptions with 85 above the stats He was not limited this off season. He was able to work out So that worked out this off season. He's been training all off season didn't need the rehab You would think that you would get a better version of Stefan Diggs this off season and so to me I think they'll be interest by the way. We talked about Washington and Brandon Ayuk and Most people thought Ayuk will go there and it may turn out to be that Brandon Ayuk's social media post created an opening for Stefan Diggs who played at Maryland To go back to that area. It's interesting take the spot that Brandon Ayuk might have had And now fill in like again the production was there last year coming off in ACL injury You'd have to think the production will be there this year And I think there are certain fits that would make sense for Stefan Diggs with veteran quarterbacks like in Kansas City that would be logical but I think he'll find work and I think somebody will bring him in and it wouldn't surprise me if he has a new team relatively early in camp Interesting you mentioned the commander is in him being you know, he went to Maryland. If you look at their depth chart right now there They have a third round, third round wide receiver Antonio Williams who's slotted in there to be the wide receiver two in Washington. So it's to find digs who just told the world there is no wide receiver two in the lead is better than him. It's a perfect place for him to just slide right on in there and make it work. Chefty, let's get to the sixth and final topic of this week's six back. And this one is, uh, this one's close to home for us at ESPN. I thought it was very interesting, right? Marcus Spears, junior class of 20. 47 in high school reclassified and signed with Texas, where his older sister, Carrie plays volleyball. Now, and this is basketball. We should say Marcus Spears, our colleague played football at LSU, played football for the Catalyst Cowboys, the Baltimore Ravens, best known as a cowboy. This is his son, a basketball player. And we should also know Marcus's wife, Marcus, junior's mother played in the WNBA. So basketball is very much in his blood and and Marcus, the father was a great basketball player in high school. He was a great basketball player before he became a first round draft, big ass of the Dallas Cowboys and had a great NFL career. It gives you an idea of the type of athletic jeans that are in that family. Like I wish Marcus Spears or my dad, like I would have been a foot taller. It would have been great. You know, I would have been six, seven instead of five, seven. But unfortunately, that's not what happened here, Dan. So Marcus Spears, junior was the benefactor of his parents, jeans. And now he's reclassified the Texas. First of all, can you imagine being a junior in high school and being paid the millions of dollars that I'm sure Marcus Spears, junior is being paid? This is a different world now, a different world and Marcus Spears. For those who are wondering like, maybe they said, well, why are they talking about a junior high school? Are they doing this because they work with him? Now Marcus Spears, I had an NBA coach text me this summer. But they watched him on tape. And then he would be the swag. Swagu son. Oh, well, we all, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Watch. We're talking about swagu for a second there. Okay. Okay. So I'm going to watch. Keep going. This is an NBA coach. Yeah. One of my friends, Marcus Spears, and they watched him. He, they expect him to be the number one pick in the NBA dream. The number one pick. And we should say, Chevy, I believe the way this works is he has to play two years at Texas. Correct. Reclassifying. We should know that. So he wouldn't be in the NBA draft the following year. And that's here to be the following year. So it would be the NBA draft, I believe, of 28. Yes. Right. 28. Correct. Right. So this coach felt like Marcus Spears, Jr. would be the number one pick in the 28 draft. And by the way, if you're Marcus Spears, Jr. And you're working at our company, which you are like, that's great. He loves it and he's great at what he does. And I hope he stays in our company forever. But you know what's money's out there for his son right now? Like if he's kind of keeping him on the right path, training and making sure that he's turning out to be the best person and player he can be like, oh my God. Think about the money involved there, Dan, right? That's absolutely. And that's where his bread is buttered right now. Well, I mean, and the older daughter, I should know, I used to produce swagu's podcast called Swagu and before that swagu and perk with our friend, Kenzak Perkins. And we had a live show in Houston years ago where I met Marcus Spears, Jr. who at the time was this young string being, you know, basketball player. But you know, he hadn't really grown into his six, 10 frame or whatever he is now. He was probably 13, 12, 13 years old. And now he's the number one player in the country. It's amazing how quickly this ascent has gone. But having worked with swagu and hearing him talk about his children like he is, he has his kids in the right mind frame to have success in athletics and in life. Like swagu is an awesome guy. I love swagu. I'm happy for him. I'm happy for his wife. Happy for the whole family like this is such an awesome story. And into the fact that he went to is going to Texas, where his older sister already is. Like if there's a US women's volleyball team in the near future in the Olympics, Marcus Spears daughter, Kerry, who he calls one his first child, he calls her one. She's probably going to be on it. She's a superstar as well. So just just great news all around for the Spheres family. Couldn't be out here. It's almost like, you know, he's a modern day manning, you know, pretty interesting thing off all these offspring of all these of all these great athletes who are going on to success in their own particular, particular athletic endeavors. And and you're right. He is one of my favorite people at our company. So that guy and we wish that family nothing but success. And I can't wait to watch what Marcus Spears Jr. Is going to do. Yeah. I think I saw you know, another player who played at Texas, Kevin Durant was tweeting about this. Like this is this is a big deal. Like people know who Marcus Spears Jr. And what did he say? He tweeted something like glad you went, you know, he happy that he went to Texas. I'll put the tweet in this podcast here, but it was it was cool to see just like he is. He is a known commodity as being one of the best basketball players in the country at his level. Unbelievable. So congratulations to the Spheres family. And then we are getting closer to turning camp. We're coming off summer breaks. But before we go, I do have one question for you. What is the coolest thing that you did this summer on the summer break? Whatever that is that we get. Okay. The company man answer here is taking my three children to Toy Story 5. They've now seen it twice. But the real answer is probably I took my kids or five, three and one for two. It is event. We took them all to a Metz game. And it was it was a lot to handle, but it was cool to see them watching live sports. They had a blast. Their favorite part was when the Metz hit a home run and the apple came up in city field. So that was an absolute highlight from the summer so far. So that's if I had to say anything, that's what I would say at this point. Right now, Chef, I believe I have to ask you the same question. What about you in the summer? What's the coolest thing that's happened to you or that you've done? Well, I guess it's still going on because there are a couple of things that are still left ahead here. Like I got a couple of trips to Ann Arb are coming up. Brief overnight trips. One for a golf tournament, a charity golf tournament, another for the Michigan football game. But I would say that this off season was one of the better ones that I've had. I was fortunate to get to play golf like eight, nine, ten times. And what I would say then, the last two times I may have hit the two most memorable golf shots that I've ever hit. I know it's boring when people talk about their golf shots, but about two weeks ago, I played at Bullsbridge in Connecticut. You ever hear of the course? Haven't. It's an awesome course. So on the par four hundred and 44 yard whole, I hit a seven iron that when I mean, it's perfectly struck, which I don't hit perfectly struck shots usually. And it went to the left of the hole and came back into the right and literally rolled literally two, three inches right past the whole stopped one foot past it. And I tapped it for birdie as close as I've never come to a home one. My next round at a course on Long Island, there was a par five. And I was playing with a four some three grade golfers somehow I turned out to be the only guy in the fairway. And so I hit the drive probably went hit a hill, rolled down. I'm going to get to 42 50. And I hit my five wood in to the green, but there's a body of water that surrounded the green. And went in the water in front of the water. So it's kind of bummed. So I went up there. I'm like, damn, I wanted to put it on the green and two out of chance. Drop it from 60 yards out. I hit a shot in the hole in the hole. Oh, man. So like I've never, I've never hold out from 60 yards in my life. I've never had an eagle in my life. It was an eagle, but it wasn't an eagle. Yeah. And it was a great part of starting yelling and hard people with what's going on. So I almost had a hole in one. And then I did have the birdie from 60 yards. Like, wow, that was, uh, yeah, that was fun. Then that's that's the bill is going in a good golf shot. The worst scenario ever. And I hope this never happens to you is if you're playing a part three and you hit a ball out of play, you're retie, you hit your, your third shot. And that goes in the hole that happened to a buddy of mine, the worst scenario ever, because it's not a hole in one. It's a par. I would love to have that happen one day because I felt like in a way, I felt like it was an eagle, even though it was an eagle and I've never had a single eagle in my life, right? That's what it felt like. Right? It'll happen. It'll happen. I got paid the news. Have to. I was on social media yesterday. I saw Noah Khan had a hole in one at the Boston Gal Club. I had the chance to be great fortune of playing golf with Noah Khan. I know. As part of my fun summer. Look at you. You're a friend shout out Harris Schwartzberg and he invited out Noah Khan. He invited out the guys from Mount Joy. Matt. Yeah. Yeah, he played with us. Noah Con. I played with us. It was a big sports fan. I used to produce Sarah Span's podcast and he would come on all the time from now. He's an awesome guy. Awesome. And we and golf with Noah and Matt and had a great day. I wish Noah would have had his hole in one that day. And I wish I would have had my hole in one last week. Didn't get it. Still a very short year. That's on my bucket list. That's on my bucket list of things that I want to do in my lifetime. If I could ever have it happen. It's never happened before. We'll see if we get ever again. Chef, I don't mean to be. I probably shouldn't tell you this. I have two hole in one in my career. Are you serious? I have two. Two. Yeah, two. And they have to happen probably about 20 years ago. So I was in my 20s and it's at a local par three pitching puck course. And it was they both happened a one year exactly a part on July 4th. The first one was on the third hole. I hit a shot and I'm playing. with my father and one of my brothers, my dad was like, oh, it's short of the green, there's a swell on the other green. And like, dad, it's in the hole. And he thought I was joking. It wasn't. It was in the hole. And so then a year later, it's kind of drizzly. And I'm like, I don't really want to play golf today. But my dad's like, you made a hole in one a year ago. We have to play. I'm like, okay. So we go. We play on the ninth hole, the last hole, hit a shot, hits a bounce, rolls right in the hole. Unbelievable. It's too old to run. - When you hit both the shots, do you feel like, oh, there's got a shot? - Oh yeah, yeah, you knew, you know. - Right, when I hit that seven iron, the guys were like, that might be in that, I'm like, what, what, like, oh my God, I would've been so excited out of my mind. I would've walked off the course, I think, at that point. Tell me, you got to finish the round. You got to finish the round, get the signatures, and you're all good. Then you're all like, then you're buying drinks, Chef, that's it. Let's next. It'll happen. - It'd be my pleasure to buy drinks if that ever happened. God, that would be honestly, that's, I've always wanted to have a home one. I've always wanted to be at a baseball game where there's no header thrown. The problem with that is I don't go to baseball games anymore, so that's a tough one to do. But the whole one, maybe even tougher. We'll see. - The summer's after you. We got some life goals here, I love it. - All right, then we'll be back in this spot next week. Hopefully, Ty will be back to rejoin us. We'll have an all 30. - Yep, we'll have an all 32 look at every team's training camp and the story lines that each team faces, some of the issues, what should be fascinating. It's here then, it's coming quick. NFL training camps are about to open great job today. Filling in for Ty, thank you very much for that. Thank you to all the listeners tuning into the Adam Shepter podcast. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe to the Adam Shepter podcast. We'll be back in this spot next week. Until then, have a great week, everybody. Be well and stay safe. (upbeat music)

Podcast Summary

Key Points:

  1. The Seattle Seahawks are being sold for a record $9.61 billion to Vinod Khosla and his family, pending NFL owners' approval on August 26, reflecting a massive increase in franchise values.
  2. The Seahawks face a key question at running back after losing Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet to injury, relying on rookie first-round pick Jadarian Price.
  3. Aaron Donald is considering returning to the Rams after working out at their facility, assessing if he can handle the physical and mental demands of another season.
  4. Brandon Aiyuk's situation remains unresolved; he is on the 49ers' reserve/did not report list, and teams question his desire to play, as he has not forced reinstatement.
  5. Stefon Diggs, recovering from an ACL injury, is still a free agent and could interest teams like the Washington Commanders, especially after Aiyuk's comments alienated them.

Summary:

The podcast discusses major NFL headlines as training camps approach. 61 billion sale to Vinod Khosla highlights soaring franchise values, with the Super Bowl win boosting the price. The team's biggest challenge is its backfield: Kenneth Walker III left, Zach Charbonnet is injured, and rookie Jadarian Price must step up.

New offensive coordinator Brian Flory, who has no play-calling experience, adds uncertainty. Aaron Donald is mulling a return to the Rams after working out at their facility, weighing whether he can endure training camp and the season. The Brandon Aiyuk saga continues; he remains on the 49ers' reserve list, and teams doubt his commitment due to his social media antics.

Stefon Diggs, despite an ACL tear, posted strong numbers last year and could fill a need for the Commanders, who were initially linked to Aiyuk. Overall, the NFL landscape is shifting with major transactions, roster questions, and player decisions as camps near.

FAQs

The Seahawks were sold for a record $9.61 billion to Vinod Kostler and his family, pending NFL owners' approval expected on August 26.

All NFL teams will be in training camp by July 28, with the Seattle Seahawks rookies reporting first on Friday, July 17.

The Seahawks' backfield is a major concern after losing Kenneth Walker III and Zach Sharbinay to injury, relying on rookie running back Jadarian Price.

Aaron Donald is considering a return and has been working out at the Rams facility to assess his physical and mental readiness, but a final decision is pending.

Brandon Aiyuk is on the reserve/did not report list and must apply for reinstatement to be released, but questions remain about whether he wants to play.

Stefon Diggs, coming off an ACL injury, could fit with teams like Kansas City or Washington, where he might fill a need as a wide receiver two.

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