CURT MENEFEE: This year's third overall pick quarterback, Trey Lance, to keep the starting job. Meanwhile starting for the first time today is the No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, who rides into Jacksonville with Urban Meyer and his latest potential saviors, while Matthew Stafford, Julio Jones and J.J. Watt debut with their new teams.
The road to the Super Bowl begins and this season ends right here in Los Angeles as the Fox NFL Sunday Pregame Show gets powered up by Ford and their lineup of electric vehicles including the all new, all electric Ford F-150 Lightning, the F-150. So come on in here and stay a while, folks.
So glad to have you back for another season. I'm Curt Menefee. Thank you for joining us. Thanks for being a part of the one thing that unites this country and that's football. And for the first time in quite a while the entire band is back together again in person. You know the rest of us. Jimmy Johnson, you know him well. So glad to have you back, brother.
JIMMY JOHNSON: We had a little episode in Canton. It was great having my family there. Not only my immediate family but my Fox family, it was great.
TERRY BRADSHAW: We missed you, buddy.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Well, hey, I missed you.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Did you really?
JIMMY JOHNSON: No, not really.
CURT MENEFEE: We are definitely glad to have you back. Congratulations on going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. This is the 102nd season of the National Football League, but this is the first time ever that a panel of four former players and coaches all are Hall of Famers on the same set on a broadcast.
[APPLAUSE]
JIMMY JOHNSON: Wow. And, Curt, you're in the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
CURT MENEFEE: That's true but I'm proud to be here with you Hall of Famers. More honored to call you guys friends. It's really good to be here. It's fantastic. Let's talk football.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I have to wish my son Michael a happy birthday. Happy birthday, yes, big day.
CURT MENEFEE: Big day for all of us.
TERRY BRADSHAW: 30, 32, give him one of those Lightning pickup trucks.
CURT MENEFEE: Big day for football fans because for the first time ever there's a 17-game schedule on the slate. This is a big year for everybody. A lot of big-picture thoughts I'd like to begin the season with. I'd really like to know what intrigues you as you go into the season. I'll start with you, Michael. What's at the top of your mind?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I'm more excited than intrigued, to be honest with you, five quarterbacks drafted in the first round. Three of them will start today. The other two will see plenty of time during this season and get many opportunities but Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, Zach Wilson with the New York Jets. The only player drafted by the Jets at that position higher than him was Joe Namath, who was drafted first overall.
Trey Lance, Justin Fields in Chicago is going to be an exciting player and, of course, I think we're all very interested in Mac Jones. This is the first rookie quarterback to ever start for Bill Belichick team. A lot of fans are getting the opportunity to see what they're going to see for the foreseeable future at that position.
CURT MENEFEE: We'll talk about Mac Jones and some of the other quarterbacks in a little bit. I want to spin it forward to one guy. You've always been a fan of Matthew Stafford. Now he's out of Detroit, with the Rams, what are you looking forward to him in that conversation with Sean McVay?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Greatness. Absolute greatness. He's got one of the best arms you'll ever see in the that position at quarterback. Sean McVAY, head coach of the Rams, got his wish. Ever wish for something and you got it, and when you get it, you go, oh, my God it's better than I thought it was? That's what he has in Matthew Stafford. He's got the real deal. Only problem with Matthew he has never been really on a winning football team. He has to kind of tone down the interceptions. He's tried to do too much because his teams were too bad. Now with the Rams I expect greatness from Matthew Stafford and this Rams offense.
CURT MENEFEE: There's already one game in the books, Thursday night's game -- the Buccaneers and Cowboys. If this season winds up like that, Howie, we're in for a treat.
HOWIE LONG: If we look back a year, Tampa Bay started the season 0-1. They were struggling to find out who they were on offense, trying to figure out what kind of an offense between what Bruce Arians ran in Arizona and in Pittsburgh, and what Tom Brady was comfortable with.
They looked like the team that won the Super Bowl. And they look like it in week one. Brown was great. The offensive line was great. Gronk, who I thought was playing in shape the first six, seven weeks, was on point.
And I think you overlook the 106 yards in penalties and the four turnovers, and the defense will play better. And I thought they played big in key situations. But Tom Brady at 44, in his 22nd year, we've had a lot of great leaders in our league's history, and this guy sitting right next to me here was a great leader with the Giants. I think he's the greatest leader we've ever had in the NFL. I really do.
JIMMY JOHNSON: But that was expected from Tampa. You look at the Cowboys, we didn't know what to expect. Prescott, with the injuries, the long layoff, he played great. The Cowboys came within two points of beating the defending Super Bowl champions on the road.
I'll tell you what, the Cowboys will score a bunch of points and Dan Quinn will make them better and a bunch of young players on defense. This is a team that can win the division.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You're back and something's different about you, you know what it is? You must be getting soft because now you're going for moral victories. I never thought Jimmy Johnson a moral victory was good enough for Jimmy Johnson, I guess it is now.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Hey, it's a long season. Long season, Michael.
CURT MENEFEE: While the Cowboys make positive headlines after that loss on Thursday night, unfortunately the other team in Texas has not had positive news during offseason. In fact, one of the biggest stories with the sexual misconduct lawsuits and allegations made against Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Our NFL insider, Jay Glazer, joins us for the first time. Jay, first of all, hello. Secondly, Watson won't play today. What's the plan going forward?
JAY GLAZER: I don't see a scenario where he ever plays again for the Texans again. And the wild part is he's still working out for the team. He's still on the active roster. But they're keeping him separated from everybody else on the roster. They want this to be Tyrod Taylor's team. Lately, they've let it be known that he could be traded for three ones plus a combinations of three picks or players.
They already had that. They had three ones and three threes going into the draft. They had four teams who were really interested back then. They said absolutely not, we're not trading him, weren't taking any of the offers. I think that they really overshot their step in this.
CURT MENEFEE: Sounds like it to say the least.
JAY GLAZER: And those four teams, most of them have dropped out, by the way.
CURT MENEFEE: That's not going to help them going forward. Of course he's got to get his legal issues taken care of first.
Terry talked about Matthew Stafford with the Rams now. You saw first hand how they came about what's the inside story there.
JAY GLAZER: Here's how it happened. It all happened down in Cabo. Andrew Whitworth, Sean McVay, they're down in Cabo, and Matthew Stafford happens to go down, just coincidentally, and check into the same place that they're staying. Remember, by this time Stafford is already allowed to go to talk to other teams. Lions gave him permission to seek a trade elsewhere.
They hang out, start at the hot tub, went back to Whitworth's room for dinner. And Sean McVay and Stafford absolutely fell in love with each other. Stafford at that moment said, that's the place that I want to go. 36 hours later Sean McVay turns around and says you're looking to the new, at the newest member of your Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford. Sean McVay, just a crazy coincidence. That's a match made in football heaven.
JIMMY JOHNSON: You can't beat a good hot tub to get business done. (Laughter).
TERRY BRADSHAW: All this happened with a hot tub.
CURT MENEFEE: That's a visual we don't need.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I put it out there for you.
CURT MENEFEE: A quarterback that we thought might be changing teams was Aaron Rodgers. He did not, but he does sit down with Erin Andrews. An exclusive interview with him and much more is still ahead.
>> It was the story of the NFL offseason -- Aaron Rodgers. He's back with the Pack. But for how long? Erin Andrews sits down with the reigning MVP to break down what went wrong and his outlook on this season and beyond.
Plus, Michael Strahan connects with members of the famed FDNY bravest football team to share a story of heroism, sacrifice and the healing power of football. All that ahead on Fox NFL Sunday.
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CURT MENEFEE: Coming to you from Los Angeles all season long. Fox Sunday will literally be powered by Ford. This fully electric F-150 Lightning has a full-power on-board system that turns the truck into a mobile generator that today is powering our outdoor set. That's cool.
The Ford F-150 Lightning, the power behind our set and the only EV that's an F-150. I guess you could say adding juice not only to our set, but to this NFL season is the fact that 15 teams have brand new starting quarterbacks.
>> You're listening to TSR 670 Los Angeles -- 940 The Score, New Orleans -- Sports Radio New York, and it's a new day in the NFL.
>> Welcome to New York City.
>> Patriots turning the keys of the offense over to Mac Jones.
>> The minute they saw him on the field, this was going to be the guy they wanted. 15 teams are starting a new quarterback.
>> The Saints have named Jameis Winston the starting quarterback.
>> Welcome to Lala Land, Matthew Stafford.
CURT MENEFEE: Look, as we come out of the week one, already some teams have quarterback controversies. Some teams have made big decisions. Want to go through the ring and figure out, do you think they made the right choices in certain cases. And why don't we start with you, TB? Patriots cut Cam Newton and wound up going with a rookie, Mac Jones. Right choice?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Mac Jones is perfect for Bill Belichick. He and Saban are good friends. Saban gave him all the insight he needed to know. Belichick knew he needed a quarterback. And when he drafted Mac Jones he got the most NFL ready quarterback coming out of college. I love this kid. Four years he stayed at Alabama. He's polished and poised. Five other teammates went in the first round. Like he already played in the NFL. Great call by Bill Belichick.
CURT MENEFEE: Michael in Chicago, week one, Andy Dalton a starter instead of Justin Fields.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: If you looked at preseason Justin Fields, outplayed Dalton. The thought process for the future, not two, three years down the road, just getting through the first week of the season. Week one Aaron Donald and week three Miles Jarrett. This is a question, let the young man sit there on the bench. Don't crush his confidence. And I think eventually we'll see Justin Fields replace Andy Dalton.
CURT MENEFEE: Howie, San Francisco going with Jimmy Garoppolo instead of the third overall pick Trey Lance, but we hear Lance will play a little bit this season.
HOWIE LONG: I think Jay has more on that how they're going to do that, but last year a league-high 31 players on IR, and they Mack in the offensive line, as good an offensive line as they've had there in several years. Aiyuk, Samuel back at wide receiver, three deep at running back, Dee Ford and Bosa come back; they're loaded. Whoever plays quarterback will be in a position to be successful.
The big question is, how will they do that? Is it like the New Orleans situation where you've got the starter and you've got Taysom Hill coming in a platoon kind of situation or is it really just playing both quarterbacks?
JAY GLAZER: Here's the thing, it's not going to be like Taysom Hill where he's a Swiss Army knife. It's going to be Trey Lance coming back in at quarterback. The plan right now is for Trey Lance to come in play quarterback.
Legitimately, Kyle Shanahan is going to with Jimmy Garoppolo, he's going to put in Trey Lance. He doesn't know what the rotation is going to be. I think he's just going to go for a feel. Early on it looked like Jimmy Garoppolo wasn't going to be able to hold off Trey Lance. Right now it's Jimmy's job but they want to get Trey more and more work as the early season goes on. Who knows, at some point during the season he can take the job from Jimmy.
JIMMY JOHNSON: I'm not a big fan of that two-platoon thing. I'm a Garoppolo guy.
JAY GLAZER: It's also going to drive defensive coordinators crazy.
CURT MENEFEE: Jimmy, let's wrap things up with Denver. This is a big year for Vic Fangio. He decided to go with Teddy Bridgewater instead of Drew Lock.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Denver led the league last year in offensive giveaways. That's not good for the defense. What does head coach Vic Fangio say, I need a quarterback that's not going to make mistakes? Teddy Bridgewater is a perfect guy, high completion average. He protects the football and people say he's a game manager. I'll tell you what he manages, he manages to win games. That's what he does.
CURT MENEFEE: We'll find out what he does for Fangio. If not, a lot of people thought Aaron Rodgers could be the quarterback there in Denver. Certainly not this season. We'll find out about next season when we get there, but this offseason Rodgers hosted Jeopardy. Today's category "Disgruntled Superstars," the clue, what's coming up.
ERIN ANDREWS: Will Aaron Rodgers play his final game in the NFL wearing a Green Bay Packers jersey?
[COMMERCIAL]
CURT MENEFEE: Thanks to Michael Keaton for voicing that his new NFL-based film Worth is streaming on Netflix. Of course 20 years ago our lives were changed on 9/11. And today just before kickoff the NFL will honor nearly 3,000 people we lost on that tragic day, including 343 brave New York City firefighters who ran up the burning towers to try to save others. They made the ultimate sacrifice.
Fire department semi pro football team had to endure unimaginable heartache as well. I'm joined by Michael Strahan who lived and played in New York during that time. You had a chance to visit with these guys. They were determined to carry on.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: They were, Curt, they lost 343 firefighters lost, 22 from the FDNY football team and after some doubts if there would be a season after, they decided it was just as important to keep going on.
>> They're the bravest of the bravest. No doubt about it.
>> We're taller than the twin towers. Don't you ever forget it.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: In sports, we talk about brotherhood and camaraderie. But we're not literally asked to put our lives on our line for our teammates. So when tragedy struck the twin towers on 9/11, the loss of 22 members of the FDNY's brave vest football team was nearly indescribable.
>> When we got down there both towers were down, and this guy's missing, that guy's missing, just digging and looking for people, you know?
>> The devastation was crazy because we didn't know how many guys Bronco was missing and they thought they were going to find him. You just go every day thinking what your life is going to be without them because they're our family.
>> Yeah,
MICHAEL STRAHAN: What kind of player was Bronco? What kind of play did he bring to the team.
>> He was a big personality. Proud Irishman, just pumping. Getting the guys going. He was a leader on the field. He was just a fun guy.
>> No doubt. And I know No. 10 Pat Lions, Tom Brady before Tom Brady, competitive.
>> If the play came in he didn't like it he had no problem saying we're not running that play.
>> Second and forever, Lions would say, what are you going to do, pudgy, quick kick on second down? (Laughter).
MICHAEL STRAHAN: 2002 comes around. It's football season. Did anybody here think we're not going to play football, we're not going to do it?
>> I needed to be around the guys. They understand the loss. They get it. It was important for my mental health.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Giants stadium. 15,000 fans show up.
>> Just go out and show the guts and show up September 11th and you'll take it home, baby.
>> We kept it close but we lost 10-0 and I know it bothered some guys, it still bothers me.
>> Yeah.
>> That we couldn't make this a fairytale ending to a season and bring that home for the guys.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You're emotional, and I get it 100 percent, but the fact that you guys were able to walk out into that stadium in 2002 in front of those fans and play, that's a fairytale in itself.
>> It definitely was, especially what we were able to do for the families and have all the families there, letting them know we won't forget. We've never forgotten. We still try to keep in touch with every family who lost somebody, because we lost somebody. We all did.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: And you see got emotional at times Curt but at the same time there was so much love, so much pride. These guys were joking with each other. You can see that it is truly a family and Anthony said being a firefighter made them a better football player and being a football player made them a better firefighter. They made sure that I walked out of there with a shirt FDNY bravest, never forgotten with all the names of the 22 team members they lost, they hold in their hearts every day and they play for every day.
CURT MENEFEE: I think we all do. You talk about it being emotional. It's still emotional to just watch and talk about this. I, like you, lived in New York, I lived in lower Manhattan. On that day I can remember walking three miles in the silence not being able to get home that night because they had the street blocked off. But like 20 years later you see these stories. You hear these stories and this was this weekend has been so much about, brings tears to your eyes, pulls on your heart. Not only is it about the lives lost we'll always honor those people to the families out there they need to know their loved ones are always remembered and thought of not just on September 11th, each and every day and the sacrifices they made. Our although of goes out to all of you. Keep in mind that the NFL will have a special honor right before kickoff for all the lives lost on 9/11 as we get ready for football to get started 20 years later. We'll be back to talk football right after this.
[COMMERCIAL]
CURT MENEFEE: Time for our first Sleep Number screen pass of the season. Let's get right to who will win the division. Michael, in the NFC West, 49ers get healthy bodies back, but who wins the west?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: A, best division in all the NFC, Matthew Stafford and the Rams, baby. Aaron Donald and that defense will not be stopped.
CURT MENEFEE: 49ers kick off the season in Detroit, Jared Goff, their quarterback, who wins the north, Jimmy.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Green Bay runs away with the north division.
CURT MENEFEE: Let's go to the east, Carson Wentz, sent packing to Indy, it's Jalen Hurts' team, who takes the east TB?
TERRY BRADSHAW: I'm going to go with the Dallas Cowboys, Coach Johnson's always said you get points through the air throwing the football, nobody does it better than Dak Prescott, that Cowboy offense.
CURT MENEFEE: Go to the south, defending Super Bowl champions Buccaneers are there, the Falcons, new energy there this season. Michael, can they catch the Bucs? Excuse me, Howie?
HOWIE LONG: No, I think Tampa Bay is the team to beat. Bruce Arians talked about focus and complacency. And I think the week one win was good for them. Four turnovers, all the penalty yards, gives them an opportunity to focus on getting back to winning a championship.
CURT MENEFEE: All right, the Falcons, they have excitement there, highest drafted tight end ever as a rookie for their team, but we're excited about some new faces we've got here on the talent side at Fox as well.
[MUSIC]
>> Mark Sanchez putting on credit.
>> Hall of Famer Charles Woodson.
[MUSIC]
CURT MENEFEE: Yes, sir, welcome to the team fellows. One of those faces joins us, done a couple of games for us over the years now. With us full time is Greg Olsen, just off the field, Seattle Seahawks. Welcome aboard, young man. Miss football yet?
GREG OLSEN: I was just down on the field, and I'm glad I'm in the booth. The stress and anxiety of getting ready to kick off a season as a player is something I'm happy to be removed from. I'm excited to join you at Fox.
CURT MENEFEE: We're excited to have you. Talk about this Falcon team. New head coach in Arthur Smith. They've got Julio Jones gone for the first time. How do they try to replace some of the offense we've seen over the years?
GREG OLSEN: Anytime you talk about a player of the caliber of Julio Jones, finding his replacement sometimes is a daunting task. That's the exact situation after Julio was traded away to Tennessee this offseason, Arthur Smith inherits this offense trying to replace who has been the workhorse of this team, and he finds himself in a pretty good situation.
He's got Calvin Ridley, a young but proven elite-level wide receiver, and he also has a top five pick, you touched on it. The highest tight end ever drafted, Kyle Pitts, top five pick. He's something that everyone around this organization is really excited about.
So between Matt Ryan and those two guys, I think this offense that Arthur Smith has to work with, he's off to a pretty good start.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Greg, this is Terry. We have to ask you, how is T.J. doing?
GREG OLSEN: I appreciate you asking, he's doing great. I'm sure he's home watching the pre-game show right now with my wife. And he's about 13 weeks post-transplant. And he's doing great. I appreciate you guys asking.
TERRY BRADSHAW: He's our hero.
CURT MENEFEE: Great story there.
GREG OLSEN: He's a special boy.
CURT MENEFEE: Great finish to it. Have a great game today. Thanks a lot. All right. For those who don't know, he had a heart transplant, as a 12-year-old kid, and as you heard, he's doing well.
We talked about that Atlanta offense now as we go back to football. Today they take on the Philadelphia Eagles. What should we expect of this Eagles team this year?
HOWIE LONG: I think it's really an interesting team, Jalen Hurts takes over at quarterback and I think last year there were so many injuries to the offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver. I think they've got speed out wide. I think they have done a great job in the draft acquiring wide receivers. If Johnson and that offensive line is healthy and Fletcher Cox gets back healthy, I think they've got a shot to be successful.
There were a lot of rumors in the offseason they were maybe trying to make a trade for somebody at quarterback, and Howie Roseman has been famous for saying he likes to collect quarterbacks. I think Jalen Hurts is in good position to be successful there and they could be a surprise team in the NFC East.
CURT MENEFEE: That's one of the four games at the top of the hour. Another one Vikings-Bengals. Michael?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I think a lot of people are interested to see Joe Burrow come back, especially teamed up with old college teammate Ja'marr Chase from LSU, see how those two work together. The Bengals are on a building process, but the Minnesota Vikings, Kirk Cousins, 30-plus touchdowns, Cook 1,500 yards, Justin Jefferson a rookie wide receiver sensation, and they still had a losing record. But it wasn't because they can't score points in offense, it's their defense. The defense really struggled last year. Had a lot of injuries, now to get Daniel Hunter coming back, and Patrick Peterson now part of the Minnesota Vikings defense. This will not be a bottom-third defense. This is team should do well this season.
CURT MENEFEE: TB, a rebuilding Lions team, hosting San Francisco.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Yeah, they've go some offensive line problems. Decker, their starting left tackle, is out and their right tackle from Oregon, their No. 1 pick, Penei Sewell, he's going from right tackle to left tackle. Howie, not easy to do.
HOWIE LONG: He struggled at right tackle. I think left tackle is his natural spot.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Big guy. Six-five, 331 I believe he is.
But here's the real fun today, I think Garoppolo will play well today. It's going to be a fun game. If you love tight ends you're going to love, you've Kittle with the 49ers and Hockenson with the Detroit Lions. It's going to be fun to watch. Probably the two best tight ends on the field at the same time. Well, not at the same time but you know what I mean.
CURT MENEFEE: In the same game.
Jimmy, two playoff teams in the same game, Seattle and Indy.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Look at Seattle, they're struggling on defense, but when you've got Howie's favorite player Russell Wilson at quarterback, you've got a shot. Now, as far as Indy, they've got as talented a roster as there is in the league, great defense, great offensive line, great running backs, the whole question is Carson Wentz. Is he going to play like he did a few years ago when Frank Wright was his quarterback coach when he was the best in the league as far as protecting the ball or is he going to play like he did last year without Frank Wright, he was the worst in the league as far as protecting the ball?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Who is going to protect him? Ertz did it in Philadelphia.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Yeah, he's got some decent receivers.
CURT MENEFEE: While you guys are full of questions, have you heard that Aaron Rodgers is going to be on the show today? Everybody wondering after his crazy offseason, the question remains, is he happy there? Is he going to want an out? We'll find out a little bit later on when we hear from the man himself.
One thing we're all happy about, the fans are back and that has inspired actor Anthony Anderson to perform his own version of Return of the Mack.
[COMMERCIAL]
DENISE CURT MENEFEE: ... this week between the Packers and Saints had to move from New Orleans to Jacksonville due to devastating effects of Hurricane Ida which continues to wreak havoc on the Gulf Coast, impacting the northeast. You can help. Visit NFL.com/auction to bid on authentic and game-worn items and support the Gulf Coast Renewal and fund the American Red Cross. Text Ida to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross's Hurricane Ida relief.
As far as the football game itself, the NFL's reigning MVP, Aaron Rodgers.
Begins what could be his final season in Green Bay. Heck, we didn't even know for sure if he'd play this year, after reports surfaced he was extremely unhappy.
Erin Andrews joins us right know from the stadium in Jacksonville. Hello, EA. Happy new year from a football standpoint.
ERIN ANDREWS: Yes, happy new year. A little warmer out here than the studio. We joked around with Aaron Rodgers this week saying, hey, how was your offseason, nice and quiet? Yeah, it was anything but. You mentioned it. You heard the NFL headlines all summer long.
Just now I felt like every week there was something new. Rodgers is upset with the front office. Rodgers told teammates he's not coming back to Green Bay. Rodgers is even thinking about retirement. But after several closed door meetings, an agreement was finally reached and Aaron Rodgers was back for Green Bay for his 17th season and one that is shaping up to be his last.
There's a ton of unknowns as you get set to start your 17th season. Obviously the turmoil drama what would you call it in the offseason, what's the word you're using for it?
AARON RODGERS: Contemplation.
ERIN ANDREWS: Good, contemplation in the offseason.
AARON RODGERS: That's what it was for me. I wasn't intentionally trying to kick up any drama, I didn't feel like playing things out. And the media would do anything towards the desired result, which was, you know, an amicable breakup or a come-together.
ERIN ANDREWS: Draft day was unbelievable. It was full blown must see TV.
>> I hear Raiders I hear Denver.
ERIN ANDREWS: They're saying 49ers, you're hearing Broncos. Did you think this could be a reality?
AARON RODGERS: Yeah, I did. Because they wouldn't commit to me past 2021. So I figured if they wanted to make a change even though I just won MVP, why wait? They drafted my replacement. So let him play if that's what you want but I could also picture myself not playing. So there was a lot of things --
ERIN ANDREWS: You really thought about retirement?
AARON RODGERS: 100 percent. I don't feel like I have anything left to prove on the field. I think it's more about the enjoyment and happiness and the quality of life that this game has afforded me over the years. And be able to 100 percent commit to everything that my job entails and there were many times during the offseason I didn't feel like I was ready to fully do that. And until I was, it was a possibility.
>> Touchdown Tampa Bay! Picked up by the Buccaneers.
ERIN ANDREWS: Last time I saw you on this field NFC Championship. Losing to Tom Brady and his recruited team of all stars. Did that kind of get the wheels going here that it's all right front office I'd like a say in this now.
AARON RODGERS: It's been years and years, decade of having conversations and wanting to have a greater impact in what goes on my whole point was nobody knows the squad like I do. Nobody knows the locker room like I do. Nobody knows the way guys respond in clutch situations on the field like I do. I have a greater opportunity to speak to those decisions. I didn't think for a guy who probably might have a name up here at some point that that was maybe fair for what I've accomplished here.
I don't care about credit or fears you might have around giving me more of a voice. I care about winning and about leaving this organization better than I found it. I wanted to make sure I was involved in those conversations moving forward if they wanted me here. So there's a lot of unknowns. I just want to be happy. That's why I'm going to enjoy this season.
ERIN ANDREWS: I love that last answer. I said to him after the sit-down, what do you want, Aaron? And he just said, "I want to be happy." He seems excited. He's very upbeat and very focused. If this is the, quote/unquote, last dance for him, he said he doesn't want the farewell tour. He wants to go out, if they're going to go out like this, at the top. They still think they're very close to winning a Super Bowl.
But Jimmy let's get to this year. What do you think about Aaron Rodgers saying to management, I want to be involved, I want to get in there help you make these decisions, would you allow that from a two-time MVP like Aaron Rodgers?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Erin, without question. And, by the way, great interview with the most interesting player in the entire NFL. You look at three-time MVP. 17 years with the organization. They should listen to him.
And in fact when I was with Dallas, I had Norv Turner, who I was thinking about being my offensive coordinator, sit down with Troy Aikman before we ever finalized his contract. Then with we were going to trade for Charles Haley, I had some of our players call the 49er players, "What about Charles Haley?"
I think Aaron Rodgers, he needs to be consulted on this. I would rather listen to him rather than a two-year scout or coach that's only been there a short time.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: You say you listen to your players, but do you really listen to your players and do what they wanted you to do?
JIMMY JOHNSON: Michael, a good leader has to be convincing enough that his people make the decisions that he wants them to make.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Or good enough to make them think you're listening when you ask for their opinion. All right.
TERRY BRADSHAW: There's no denying the fact that Jimmy and I are intellectually compatible but this is where I totally disagree.
JIMMY JOHNSON: Jimmy who?
TERRY BRADSHAW: I totally disagree. I don't believe his job -- his job was to get a touchdown on third down last year in the NFC Championship. His job is to play better. He's got them in the playoffs, win those games. That's his job. They have a good football team. Just play football, Aaron. I don't think I could go to Bill Richards or Eric Shanks anybody at Fox and say, I want this, I want that. My job is to do my job and do it better than I've ever done it before.
CURT MENEFEE: He was the MVP, by the way.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I don't care what he was.
CURT MENEFEE: You said "play better," how much better can he play?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Well, he could've scored a touchdown on third and eight. That's what he could have done.
CURT MENEFEE: Howie talk about the Saints competing against him.
HOWIE LONG: Quarterback competition down there to replace an icon in Drew Brees, between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. It turned out the way the coaching staff hoped it would. And Taysom Hill brings a unique spark to their offense. But Jameis Winston, two years removed from a 5,000-yard season. He gives them the ability that they haven't had in the last few years, no knock on Drew Brees, to expand the field. You have to cover the entire field with Jameis.
Turnovers has been the issue. I think this preseason he was kind of overcompensating and kind of reeling it in too much. They want him to cut it loose and he did they and won the job. I think it's an exciting time for the New Orleans Saints.
CURT MENEFEE: One of the late games we've got, Denver at your Giants, Michael.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Same thing for both teams - turnovers. I know Denver is getting back Von Miller, which I'm sure they're happy about that. They have Kyle Fuller coming over from the Chicago Bears. Pat Surtain in the secondary. I think for the Giants it's just turnovers. Daniel Jones needs to protect the ball. They're still searching for the offensive line. If they get an offensive line with Saquon Barkley, Golladay, they have all the weapons to put up points. Time will tell.
CURT MENEFEE: Find out who was in and out today officially, brought to you by GEICO, here's Jay Glazer.
JAY GLAZER: Before we go to that, the Saints are playing down in Jacksonville, and how they got down there? Sean Payton said, we chose them, went on Expedia, literally, went on Expedia, what's the hardest way for Packer fans to get to somewhere in this country? It was Jacksonville. That's how they chose it.
Let's get to our ins and outs, Saquon Barkley, the plan was for him to come back Thursday against Washington, he is, however, cleared to play today but going to be limited.
Austin Ekeler didn't practice two days this week however, he's been cleared good to go for the Chargers.
Carson Wentz and Quinton Nelson, coming off those foot injuries, they're fine, good to go.
The Honey Badger, coming off COVID, he is a legit game-time decision, see how his lungs are later today.
And Odell Beckham Junior, he's coming back from the ACL, they think he's good but it's really going to be Odell's decision in pregame warmups how the knee feels.
Jadeveon Clowney he was sick this week, wasn't COVID, he is good to go today.
CURT MENEFEE: Thanks a lot, Jay. Time now for Fox Bet Super Six Picks. You can win $1 million of Terry Bradshaw's money by downloading the app, playing for free. We'll start with last year's winner, Michael Strahan!
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I'm not going to brag about finishing in first place, everybody. All I'm going to say is this: The 49ers will win by 10, how about that?
TERRY BRADSHAW: Oh my God.
JIMMY JOHNSON: The pressure is on Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay wins by 10.
HOWIE LONG: Buffalo by five at home over the Steelers.
TERRY BRADSHAW: Minnesota by four over Cincinnati.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Don't try to do the dance.
TERRY BRADSHAW: I'm not --
CURT MENEFEE: We don't want to see that for sure.
I'll join the picks contest this year. So you're looking at the future winner right here, let's say week one. I grew up in Atlanta. As a kid I watched TV. Nobody ever picked the Falcons to win. I'm going to start this whole thing off. Picking the Falcons to win by four over the Philadelphia Eagles.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: That's why you won't win this year, getting all sentimental.
HOWIE LONG: I thought you were going Seahawks.
CURT MENEFEE: THAT'S next week. We'll go week by week.
All right, guys. It is so much fun to be back together. Jimmy, thank you so much for actually for joining us in person.
JIMMY JOHNSON: With you, bro.
CURT MENEFEE: Jimmy will be with us all day long. Halftimes, OT, everything. He's back in full. The fans are back in full as well. We appreciate you at home watching us. And those of you going out to stadiums all across America. Have a great day today. When we come back, the NFL will have a special tribute to 9/11 followed by a full day of real NFL football.
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FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports