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Coming to you from Indianapolis at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the crew brings you for a real behind-the-scenes look at the biggest “job interview” in football.

Aaron takes you back to his own Combine experience, the months of prep, the nerves on the start line, and the moment he lost focus for a split second when a familiar coach talked trash right before his 40. AD shares what he trained for, what teams actually cared about, how the process felt inside an empty stadium, and why the Combine is about far more than one headline time.

Todd breaks down what most fans never see: the tens of thousands of dollars that go into preparing a top prospect, the specialized team behind each player (speed, strength, nutrition, interview prep, position work), and why teams are obsessed with details like the 10-yard split. They also dig into the grueling reality of Combine week — early-morning testing, medical exams, MRIs, late-night work sessions, and how one medical grade can reshape a player’s draft weekend.

Plus, Todd opens the curtain on the business side of Indy: the nonstop meetings with teams, gathering intel on roster plans, extensions, and how clubs are viewing positional value heading into the offseason.

If you’ve ever wondered what the Combine is really like and what teams are actually trying to learn... this episode is for you.

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This week on the Inner Circle Podcast, Aaron Donald, Zach Klein and Todd France sit down with Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta, one of the longest tenured executives in the NFL and a two time Super Bowl champion who has helped shape a modern powerhouse through the draft, development, and relentless standards.

Eric opens with a story that perfectly sums up how long he and Todd have been in the grind together, dating back to the Blue Gray game days when a young Todd was roaming the sidelines trying to get someone to listen. From there, DeCosta takes us inside his rise in Baltimore, from being the third choice for a scouting job in 1996 to earning Ozzie Newsome’s trust, stacking responsibilities, and eventually becoming the GM. Along the way, he shares what it was like learning in a building that included future football leaders like Marvin Lewis, Kirk Ferentz, Jim Schwartz, and Eric Mangini.

DeCosta also walks through a head coach search that felt like a “speed draft” for the most important hire in the organization, including marathon Zoom interviews, the pressure of juggling draft prep at the same time, and what he prioritized most when evaluating coaching candidates. He explains why leadership, teaching, and player development still separate the best from the rest, even in an era where every assistant coach seems to have an agent and a negotiation.

Then the conversation shifts to DeCosta’s specialty: the draft and the hardest position to get right, quarterback. He breaks down what he looks for when projecting NFL passers, why “planet players” matter, and how unique traits show up across positions, including the “computer breakers” who transcend measurements. He also shares what the combine actually does for his process, why workouts can fool you, and how the interview rooms help reveal who can really learn football under pressure.

Aaron brings it home with a masterclass on self scouting, film study, and leadership, including how he watched games immediately, what angles mattered most for his preparation, and why the standard only holds if the best players live it every day. Plus, you will hear plenty of laughs, a few classic Inner Circle jabs, and even a wild idea about Aaron Donald taking Team USA bobsled into the next decade.

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https://open.spotify.com/show/2HYa5USGooRmeXxKKGyT0l?si=4a20e67b0b864b8b

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Brian Burns is built to hunt quarterbacks and this season he proved it on the biggest stage. On this episode of The Inner Circle Podcast, AD, Z and T-France sit down with the New York Giants’ “sack man” after a monster year that saw Burns finish second in the NFL in sacks (16.5), earn All-Pro recognition, and become one of the most talked-about edge rushers in football.

But this isn’t just a “tell us about your stats” conversation.

Burns opens with a behind-the-scenes look at the Pro Bowl week in San Francisco, including a hilariously surreal trip to Alcatraz, made even better by the fact that Burns knows the island like the back of his hand… because it’s literally a map in Call of Duty. From there, the conversation turns real: what it’s like adjusting from Carolina’s small-market “family vibe” to the spotlight and pressure of New York, where every moment gets magnified, clipped, and spun into a narrative. Burns talks about learning to control your own message, giving advice to younger teammates, and why professionalism matters when the cameras never stop.

AD also dives into the craft, getting Burns to break down his favorite pass-rush weapons, including the spin move and the ghost and then both guys explain the chess match casual fans don’t see: slides, chips, doubles, and why “getting locked up” is often just protection doing its job.

You’ll also hear the origin of Burns’ Spider-Man celebration (yes, it started with a Vine), plus a softer side: his lifelong love for dogs — including the chaos of once having seven dogs and later having to play “mama” to a litter of puppies.

Funny, detailed, and honest — Brian Burns shows exactly why New York media honored him with the 2025 PFWA Giants Good Guy Award.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheInnerCirclePod

https://open.spotify.com/show/2HYa5USGooRmeXxKKGyT0l?si=4a20e67b0b864b8b

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inner-circle/id1837695806