It's John. They're very good. Yep. Okay, John, Um, I'll just open it up for questions, John, John kind of just take us through the process of, you know, the last several hours and how this tall came to be. Yeah, so Miami, we've we've been you know, they they reached out, uh, probably the first time, I don't know, uh a week ago and uh, you know, just kind of conceptually talked about,
you know, having interest in Jeff. Um, everything kind of went quiet, and uh we really you know, as as Kyle has communicated with you guys, we were really not looking to move him. Um. You know, Jeff had communicated with us, and you know, and you know in a fashion that of course he loved it here, but he also is loving being an integral part of a football team.
And once we did the Christian deal, Um kind of seeing seeing Elijah close to returning that man, he wanted the opportunity to continue to be able to do that, and we assured him how much we valued him, but that if all those things came to fruition and there was a team you know that was willing to give what we deemed the appropriate price, that we try to work with him. But also said, Jeff, You're too important to us. We believe we have the team to do it,
and you're very important to that. And you know, we you know, Miami came hard probably uh you know, yesterday, but then you know, all the way down to this morning, um and uh, you know, fifth is kind of where Kyle and I had it set and they ended up giving it and at that point we felt like, you know, as hard as it was, you know, I when I talked to Jeff to tell him, he was on the plane going back to Texas pilot talking and all of that,
and so you like doing these things in person. But that's that was the flow of the u of the timing, and uh, you know, at first Jeff was excited, you know, he felt like Miami was a great spot obviously, know as Mike and the crew, and then the emotions hit him, and you know, I was able to share with him that, like, bok uh, you're not only one of my favorite players that I've ever had the opportunity to be around, You're one of my favorite people. And you know, I think
Jeff feels the same way. Undrafted free agent who really has been a tremendous story here is perseverance, coming off countless injuries and playing the way he's played and always got a smile on his face. He's a he's a special player. So tough to do. But felt like the value, especially in light of what we gave to get Christian, Um, you know, was something that, uh, that we could have passed up on. So we made the deal. Gone on
on Sunday, neither of your rookies. UM. I had to carry with that part of the equation that it would be hard to develop two young guys in a room that was so full of veterans. Um. You know, ultimately we're going to be about winning, Matt, but I think winning long term, you got to play your young guys. You know. I will tell you Jordan Mason was outstanding on special teams the other day. Um, he really played in in every you know, you look for those four
core guys that are playing all the units. Jordan did a tremendous job really becoming a valuable piece there. Tie as a guy, We're extremely I on. You know, I do think there's a learning curve in this offense to you know, to play. But we think highly of both those young men. We felt like, uh, you're not going to put a timetable on Elijah, but that he's close to returning, and we all know what Elijah has met to this team. And as well as Jeff was playing,
you know we also have Tevin on on Brad the squad. So, um, we felt really good about our our group and you know fifth round value was you know, we felt something that um As I mentioned earlier was good value. It's just as far as like Mitchell is his uh timetable um sex that he could possibly play in the in the next game against the Charters, I think it's certainly
a possibility. Um. You know, Elijah will be around here. Um. You know the old the old adage in football, if you don't play, you stay during a bye week, and you know that's that's the case. All those guys are are are staying around here doing their rehab, and Elijah's one of those guys. He's been tracking really well. But we'll see how he is when we return on on Monday. He's gonna, like I said, be here working hard, just as he has been and the progress has been good.
Where that ends up, I'm not sure a john kind of a history of them that's with with fifth round picks. How excited I you to have another one of those under your belt. Well, they have been good to us, fifth round picks. Um, Yeah, I don't know why, but they have been good to us, and we'll take as many of those as we can. M But we don't do it lightly, you know. I keep saying it. But Jeff um special human being and really was having a great year. So um, that's the decisions like that are
never made lightly. Um, But we do feel great about that that running back room, John, what kind of communication did you have did you or Chyle have with Mike McDaniel obviously in a familiarity among all you guys and Jef familiarity with that system. Um, you know, Mike, Mike was like on one of the last calls I had with Chris Greer, Mike happened to be in the room and h Kyle was downstairs. So I said, you guys are ganging up on me, but uh, Mike was in there.
But I mean one of the things Mike wanted to shirt he knows how special Jeff is to us. He wanted to, you know, to assure us that you know that like he'd take good care of them, that you know, and those things, and uh so, um, you know, Mike's Mike's a great dude, and and uh, you know, we you know, part of this you have to make decisions that are great for your team, but you also you try to take care of guys that have taken care
of you. And I think, not saying that Jeff demanded to be traded or anything, but I think, you know, given the situation, if we could find the right situation for him, um, kind of I don't know, grudgingly is the right word. He wanted that opportunity and we found I think, a really good situation for him and and good for us as well. Give you a list of a team that he would want to go to. Not no, he did it, m he did. You know, I his agent might have behind the scenes, but you know, with Jeff,
communication was direct. Kyle and he spoke a couple of times. Jeff and I spoke a couple of times, and we were kind of clear with him, like, look, you know, it's going to have to be something, you know, significant, because we value you greatly. And m he understood that, and uh, you know, um, yeah, that's that's kind of
the way it worked out. And he didn't always. But how much does it make you feel just a little bit better that he is going to Mike McDaniel and a program, you know, a team there where you feel he will be didn't Garo, Yeah, except when we play Jennifer, I don't feel great. I don't feel great about that. But that was part of the deal. And uh, you know, but I do, Yes, I cared greatly about Jeff Wilson. I mean, I believe me. That kid's smile he lifts me.
How many times, you know, throughout our years here, you know when when he's he's a warrior, and uh, you know, through through some really hard times. You know, Uh, that kid, he's just got a smile. That man makes everyone feel good and he's got a fight to him. So I can't say enough great things about him. I'm proud of him, I'm happy for him, and I'm grateful for everything he brought here. All right, good, We've covered I appreciate your John.
We've covered recently that all trades involved somewhat of a gamble. But as you give you, I don't know any more anxiety. Just given the recent history of running back injuries you've had, mccaffran Mitchell's injury history, and and and just how dependable Jeff has been when when called called him the duty. Yeah, I mean I I you know, I think, um, at that position, that's always part of the equation. I think what we had to do was way you know that
that depth. Even beyond that, we got an extremely deep group. At some point, you can only keep so many just from a roster approach as well. So likely knew when we made the Christian move that somebody was going to have to go. And ultimately Jeff's the one, you know, um that that somebody made a move that we felt was was worth moving on and we did so. UM, that's yeah, that's kind of my thoughts there. All right, thank you guys. Are going to enjoy your bye weekend, Okay,