Welcome in everybody to the P.

We are live from the Xfinity Studio and brought to you by the Good People at Bet365 and Ashley.

I am your host for one more day, E.J. Smith and I am joined by a man with

many titles. I would say that the title I would choose to use for you is one of my most

influential and favorite people I have ever been around in this industry. Somebody who I've been very

fortunate is a career climber because it just feels like every time you leave a job, I get that

call, which I'm very fortunate and grateful for. And yeah, again, one of the best reporters I've

ever been around. So without further ado, Zach Berman, welcome back to the show.

I appreciate that.

Great to be here.

I appreciate that introduction.

I would say that in each of those stops, you far exceed me. So I kind of feel like right now, Mario Cristobo, you know, seeing Dan Lannig and being like, wait, I went home and, you know, you came in and elevated the program to a different level. But now, I appreciate you reaching out for me to come on. That's probably going to be just the first of many college football coach references. The audience is going to be so happy to have you back here. And I know some of you are curious, what is Bo going to think about Zach being back? You know, I know you guys like to. That was good. You know, I know you guys like to stir the pot. So, you know, let's figure out how does Bo feel about Zach in studio? In his seat, nonetheless. Yeah, I'm not worthy of this seat. Double thumbs up over here. You guys see Vacation Bo. So I'm not worthy of this seat right now.

This is awesome.

Is it weird for you being in this in this seat? Like I know I kind of took your side of the desk here. Yeah. It's, it's, it's, you know, I did sit here a few times when I, when, when Bo was out of town, actually. and I would take over the hosting because like the intro I would have to

look at this camera here but for the cold open but it was no I I'm so used to that seat you're in

it's just it's awesome to be back and and I wish I saw more people in studio today but it's awesome

seeing the people I have yeah yeah well as an homage you here, we are going to get right into the news. We are going to talk about the Wawa Big Deal. And that is going to be something that you and I have maybe seen a little bit differently here, which is Jalen Phillips's potential market and free agency. You had a great piece in the

athletic. I should have said, Zach Berman of the athletic. Thank you. I claimed author. You guys need to go check out leap year. If you don't already own a copy, what are we doing? Sold wherever books are sold. You and I... I'm glad you mentioned... I was thinking the back of my head. It's my employer watching I want them to know that I'm yeah yes I apologize no no good you are a man who needs no

introduction of course. But yeah, so the Jalen Phillips conversation. Yeah. I said earlier in the week on this show that I thought that Chase Young's deal was a good benchmark from Julian Phillips. And I do think, you know, the natural inflation of the market should be reflected. And I think it's probably the floor for Jalen Phillips. But I was thinking multi-year deal, $17 million a year for a player with draft pedigree, the injury history that he has. And really, again, like maybe not high-level production going into free agency. I thought that that was a good benchmark. But reading your piece in the athletic this morning, I do think it seems like you think his market starts a little bit higher

than that. I do. And look, I know that like you didn't pick that comp out of left field, right?

So it's it's an educated view. And I think a lot of it depends on how teams view the injury history but in my experience

of covering free agency when you hit the open market and you're one of the top guys yeah you always

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