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Sam Robinson
12:32
Hi everyone, big Week 11 coming. Let's get going!
Unclemike1526
12:40
The Bears O line has started to come together as the season has gone on. The problem seems to be LT. Why haven't the Bears tried Trapillo there instead of a 5th round draft pick( Jones) or a UDFA ( Benedet) ? I mean he can't be any worse than the other 2 can he? They seem very reluctant to move Wright to the Left and put Trapillo on the right which may or may not work right? Thanks
Sam Robinson
12:40
The Bears' O-line overhaul is working. They rank second in pass block win rate and fourth in run block win rate. This is remarkable given their struggles in recent years. While the Joe Thuney-Drew Dalman-Jonah Jackson import process is benefiting, Darnell Wright is a homegrown player on the extension radar. Unfortunately, Braxton Jones never joined him there.

It does seem like Trapilo should get a shot at LT before too long. He competed with Jones in training camp, and Theo Benedet has received six starts. Pro Football Focus ranks Benedet outside the top 60 at tackle.

With Wright entrenched at RT and Jones on his way out, yes, I would think Trapilo receives a shot soon, as the team had clearly planned on him being there in 2026. Wright hasn't played LT regularly since 2022, representing a slight complication in his acclimation process. The Bears sure have some interesting LT stories recently, though, with Jones a fifth-rounder out of Southern Utah and Benedet at UDFA out of British Columbia
walterj23
12:47
What kind of impact will Asante Samual Jr make on the steelers  defense . Are the third down problems going to end ?
Sam Robinson
12:47
Walterj, I would set expectations a bit low due to his return from neck surgery. But he did start 47 games in L.A. We had him 32nd among 2025 free agents, before learning of the spinal fusion procedure. I had thought he'd be a good alternative to the older CB group in FA this year, but now Samuel is staring at a 2026 "prove it" year.

I would expect him to be elevated and see some time on defense soon, as the Steelers haven't found an answer opposite Porter -- that is, if they want Ramsey at safety a la 2023 Pat Peterson. Six teams scheduled Samuel visits, as 26-year-old CBs with extensive starter run are not typically available in November. He is also mostly a boundary CB, which would fill a need.

Samuel could certainly help against the pass, though given his arrival date, I don't know if he's moving the needle on the Steelers' defense (22nd in EPA/play, 22nd on third downs) considerably.
Roger
12:58
Hi Sam. Factoring in his performance, age and contract, there is not a quarterback I would rather build around than Maye. Who would you take?
Sam Robinson
12:58
Hey Roger, interesting question! Without these qualifiers and if I were eyeing a QB to win now, I'd take Josh Allen. But he is 29 and has absorbed considerable punishment as a volume runner in his prime. If I were trying to find a QB for a 10-plus-year period, I agree on Maye. He'd be my pick.

The Pats have a massive opportunity, as Maye must play 2026 on a rookie deal as well. And they will surely backload his extension, providing smooth cap runways in 2027 and '28 as well. Tom Brady was not this ready this early, either. Must be nice, Pats folk. You waited all of five years to find another franchise QB.

Jayden Daniels' three-injury season, and being two years older than Maye with some run-related injury risk coming into the NFL, makes the Pats QB the safer choice. Another offseason to build weaponry -- in the upper third in cap space -- should only elevate him further.
Sam Robinson
1:54
Sorry, everyone. Had some technical difficulties there for a bit
Jungle_Jim
1:57
Will Zac Taylor survive if (when?) the Bengals miss the playoffs again?
Sam Robinson
1:57
Jungle Jim, I think so. A clear offseason upgrade may not exist, and the Brown family has certainly been resistant to change. Marvin Lewis’ 16-year tenure did not bring the highs the Taylor years have, though Lewis did not have the QB talent Taylor does. Three straight playoff absences in Burrow’s 20s would be borderline inexcusable, especially considering his MVP-caliber 2024 season.

But it is important to recognize the front office’s role here. Burrow lobbied for Tee Higgins’ extension, limiting some defensive upgrade avenues and affecting Trey Hendrickson’s future. Cincy’s defensive issues persisting have impeded Taylor, though he is obviously responsible for the whole operation. But with Joe Flacco stepping in on short notice and reviving the offense, Taylor deserves some credit.

Burrow continuity would be important here, too. What would really be interesting is if the QB – known to throw weight around -- voices more frustration about the state of the franchise
Unqualified Bengals GM
2:05
Let’s say the Bengals end up having the 10th pick in the draft. Both Caleb Downs and Peter Woods are on the board. I would take Woods. Who would you take and why?
Sam Robinson
2:05
Unqualified Bengals GM, I would go Woods. Despite the Bengals having an underperforming first-round Clemson product on their D-line (Myles Murphy), I would go Woods largely due to positional value between top prospects.

Identifying an impact safety beyond Round 1 is harder than landing an imposing DT presence. There just haven't been that many safeties going off the board that high. Since Eric Berry went 5th in 2010, only two -- Jamal Adams and future LB Mark Barron -- were top-10 picks.
DJ Clutch
2:12
I can't recall a time in the NFL where outcomes felt more random and less dependent onA talent and coaching.  There's no Goliaths and way too many Davids.  And it's not just my feelings - historically fewer than 50% of games ended with the score within one game of each other.  Lately we're well over 50% and some weeks 70% of games are ending with both teams within one score of each other.  There's a reason this stat is a barometer for grading unlucky teams - talent/coaching isn't as relevant to this number as other stats.  I can't be the only who finds this makes both winning and losing feel worse and have less meaning can I?
Sam Robinson
2:12
Dj Clutch, I do think the inconsistency we see comes partially from the change two CBAs ago that significantly limited practice time during the offseason and in-season. Padded practices in-season are almost a thing of the past, limiting what can be done in terms of defensive and O-line preparation. Fundamentals, as Adam La Rose alluded to in our most recent mailbag, have seen better days in the NFL.

I would argue, though, coaching has never been more important. With teams regularly relying on rookie-contract talent to supplement high costs elsewhere on rosters, coaching capable of elevating marginal talent and developing Day 2 and Day 3 picks is obviously vital. Coaching continuity is also significant, as the Chiefs have shown during the Andy Reid-Steve Spagnuolo partnership.

The salary cap has done well to increase parity, and the 2011 rookie salary scale did more to even out rosters. But QB-HC strength basically provides a playoff fast-pass, with close-game success a part of those journeys annually
Sam Robinson
2:12
Thank you for the questions today, everyone. Sorry about the mid-chat glitch. It has been resolved. Enjoy Week 11. Will talk to you all next week!
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