NFL Insider Tom Pelissero Talks Rams, Eagles, Bucs, Bears Move & More w/ Rich

Tom Pelissero joined Rich on The Rich Eisen Show with breadcrumbs on the NFL's biggest open questions, from a pass-rush pursuit that nearly looked completely different to a quarterback contract standoff in Tampa and a stadium vote the Chicago Bears mean more seriously than most people realize.

Start with the Myles Garrett trade, because Pelissero's reporting reframes the whole thing. The Rams weren't always focused on Garrett. Los Angeles had eyes on other pass rushers through free agency and trade. The name that came closest: Max Crosby.

"There may have been a scenario somewhere along the line where Max Crosby could have been the player who ended up with the Rams," Pelissero told Rich. The Ravens were reportedly willing to send Crosby to LA for two first-round picks, until they weren't. Crosby then returned to Las Vegas and made his position clear. "I don't want to be traded now," Pelissero said, characterizing Crosby's message. "I'm home. This is the sign from the universe. I want to be a Raider."

With Crosby off the board, the Rams turned to Cleveland and landed Garrett. Pelissero noted the Browns went into those negotiations not expecting to get the value they ultimately received. Once Jared Verse entered the deal, the trade went from significant to stunning. The package came very close in value to the three first-round picks many analysts would have expected for a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

The Baker Mayfield extension in Tampa is a different kind of complicated. Mayfield was candid with the media, saying talks have started but aren't "anywhere close" to where expected. He set a hard deadline: once training camp opens, it's football only, no contract discussions.

Pelissero laid out exactly why the gap is so wide. Mayfield currently sits 16th in average annual value at $33 million and change, right at the bottom of the actual franchise quarterback tier. Below him is a significant drop, with Malik Willis at $22.5 million ranking 17th. The question isn't whether Tampa wants to extend him; the intent appears to be there. The question is the range. Does Mayfield land near Daniel Jones around $44 million? Closer to the low 50s? Or does he push toward Dak Prescott at $60 million as the cap has exploded? "That is a really wide berth," Pelissero told Rich, "and they're going to have to figure out over the next six weeks or so if they can close that gap."

Six weeks is tight. Midnight is coming for Baker.

On the Bears and Indiana, Pelissero was precise about what the board vote means and what it doesn't. The Bears' board of directors voted to advance the Hammond, Indiana stadium project, the first time the board has voted on this at all. A term sheet with Hammond has existed since December. But Pelissero drew on the Vikings' stadium history to explain why nothing is final. Kevin Warren was part of that Minnesota process, and at one point the Vikings were heading to Arden Hills with Bud Grant selling outdoor football in the snow. Then the legislature moved and a downtown stadium got built instead.

"Yes, this is real," Pelissero said. From the Bears' perspective, the due diligence is over and Hammond is the focus. Still, Illinois closed its latest legislative session without resolution and hasn't presented anything yet. There is, as Pelissero put it, still ball game left.

The Bears appear to be driving toward Indiana. Whether they actually get there is still an open question, but the vote makes clear they are not waiting around for someone to talk them out of it.