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Sam Robinson
4:03
Happy New Year, guys! Let's get our Week 18 chat going
JohnDenver
4:12
The Broncos have been good/great all season, but it stills feels like there’s a piece (or two) missing on offense. Would you have liked to see them go and get a WR at the deadline instead of standing pat? Thanks!
Sam Robinson
4:12
I didn't view it as likely they would add, as Sean Payton has long used committee approach after his WR1s (Colston, Thomas, Sutton), but I agree. I did think they could use the help of a receiver, particularly a slot-type target.

The Broncos did dip their toes into the Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs FA markets, and they were believed to be interested in Emeka Egbuka in Round 1. Their interest in adding a slot next year may depend on how the playoffs go. It does seem like, especially with the Bo Nix-Evan Engram connection never taking off, they could be down a man against a strong defense.

Engram was supposed to be their de facto slot, but he has underwhelmed on the two-year, $23MM deal. It should not be considered a lock he is back in 2026. I'm not sure Sutton-Franklin-Bryant is a strong top three, so either a WR or younger TE will probably be added in the offseason
Ben Winter Coates
4:21
In my opinion, Rivers definitely out-played expectations after a few years away. Which recent retired player would you'd like to see make a shocking comeback like he did? I think it would be neat if Brady unretired in 2026 and QB'd the Raiders. Mendoza learns from the GOAT for a year and then takes the keys in 2027. Michael Jordan and Mario Lemieux played as part owners of their teams, so I can dream.
Sam Robinson
4:21
Hell of a mid-'90s peak you had, Ben. Good question...I think I'll shift to defense with it.

In my view, J.J. Watt is somehow a bit underrated. His peak was as good as any defender's ever. Three of this century's top four TFL seasons are his, and he's the only (official) two-time 20-sack player. But in playing with two lower-profile franchises, I didn't think this dominance was quite appreciated like it should have been.

It looks like Watt's window to return has come and gone, as he volunteered for emergency Texans comebacks in 2023 and '24. (And he's faring pretty well with Ian Eagle now.) In retiring at 33, Watt left a bit early -- and after a strong final season. But it came for a four-win Cards team. I would have been interested in seeing him come back for a surefire Super Bowl threat.

If Watt is unrealistic, how about Aaron Donald reemerging on the reloaded Rams? I think they would certainly benefit from a mid-30s version of one of the all-time greats.
Packers Fan
4:29
I am a part of the, what seems to be growing, section of the fan base that would REALLY like to see Matt Laflure fired. He seems like he is holding the offense back and, outside of say the last month, is no where near aggressive enough for the modern game. I think he can draw up an offense with the best of them, but his lack of aggressiveness held the team back with Rodgers and is now again with Love. I know every fan base wants to fire the coach, but just curious your thoughts on him.
Sam Robinson
4:29
Pack Fan, at first I was with you in this boat. I didn't like the hire much, as his lone play-calling season (with the '18 Titans) did not go well. I also vehemently disagreed with his decision to kick a field goal down eight in the 2020 NFC title game, when the Bucs predictably kept Rodgers off the field after converting the game-sealing first down on the ensuing drive. That said...

He has overseen a smooth Rodgers-to-Jordan Love transition, when big questions loomed about Love. The scrutinized first-rounder showed plenty during the second half of 2023, and he has built on that -- even if he is not confused with a top-tier QB.

Love is quietly second in QBR this season despite Tucker Kraft's breakout year ending early and Jayden Reed and Christian Watson missing much of the season. I had been more skeptical about the Packers' plans, but I think LaFleur would be hired as a second-chance HC this year if the Packers surprisingly fired him.
NFC #1
4:33
Who do you have taking the number 1 seed in the NFC San Fran or Seattle?
Sam Robinson
4:33
Even with the high-profile injuries, I think I'm still leaning San Francisco. I trust Purdy more than Darnold right now, though I've been a bit surprised the 49ers have been able to sustain their offense without so many weapons -- Purdy included -- this season. That 42-point game against the Bears was eye-opening.

I'm not saying the 49ers are my Super Bowl pick yet, but Shanahan has earned the benefit of the doubt. Though, CMC and Kittle will need to have big games -- especially with Trent Williams likely out. That part scares me a bit, but I'll cautiously say the Niners win this.
John D
4:39
Will Myles Garret press for a trade out of Cleveland this off season so he can hopefully finish on a winner?
Sam Robinson
4:39
Hi John, I think we're probably not done with this even though he signed the extension. Garrett going from pressing for a trade -- to the point he memorably said he was not open to an extension -- to signing the 4/160 deal would make him re-requesting a trade look pretty bad. But he is now 30 on a team without a clear contention route. His comments today did not exactly bring great confidence in the Browns.

It may not happen in the offseason, especially after a potential sack record (we are at the end of the line for that now, and the 17/16-game component will be a thing re: the T.J. Watt/Strahan mark). But it could be something that comes up before next year's deadline.

I do think it is more likely Maxx Crosby is elsewhere in 2026 than Garrett, but if the Browns do not have a better plan next season, I lean toward Garrett not being a career-long Clevelander. He would fetch plenty if dealt now
Oiler-90
4:46
Aside from Matt Nagy, what other candidates make sense for Tennessee?
Sam Robinson
4:46
Oiler-90, they will have to look hard at this deep crop of DCs. Nagy being hired after this Chiefs season would be interesting, but the KC tie with Borgonzi is obviously there. Chris Shula and Jesse Minter make sense as candidates. With so many defensive options in this candidate pool, some will need to sign off on some lower-tier HC jobs due to supply and demand.

I'm not sure Robert Saleh would sign off on working under another erratic owner after his Jets experience. Joe Brady also will have the option of being choosey, in all likelihood, as one of the few offense-oriented candidates in this pool of defense gurus.

Mike McCarthy as the Cam Ward whisperer would not be exciting, but he has played this role before and has won in two places. He would at least bring some stability after Brian Callahan appeared overmatched. Callahan's issues could also make the Titans leery of first-time candidates in this cycle.
Bucs Win
4:54
Do you expect the Bucs to win another division title with a losing record? Is it time the NFL allows wild cards to host if divisions winners can't break 500?
Sam Robinson
4:54
Interesting question. I am intrigued by a half-measure prospect here where winning a division guarantees a playoff berth but not a home game. The home game has mattered plenty in these type of matchups, with the Tebow miracle, Beastquake and the Darren Sproles night against the Colts memorable examples.

This change would, however, open the door to an easy schedule deciding home games. Say a team draws an easy in-conference and out-of-conference slate for its non-divisional games. Under the current schedule format, it would open the door to nearly half a team's games being more favorable. This will be a key talking point if/when reseeding comes up at the owners' meetings.

As for the Bucs, I was leaning that way until Monday night. Not that Tampa can be trusted right now, but Carolina has been wildly unpredictable. The Falcons having a shot to belatedly KO the Bucs in a historically rare spoiler scenario -- as the team plays for Raheem Morris' job -- may be one hurdle too many for a team that has collapsed.
Panthers Pounce
5:00
If the Panthers do make the playoffs can they past the wild card round?
Sam Robinson
5:00
Staying on the NFC South, I don't think the Panthers have a Tebow/Marshawn/Sproles performance in them. The Seahawks just stifled the Panthers in their building, and I would like the Rams to avenge their loss if a rematch occurs. They will be healthier than they were in Atlanta.

Carolina ranking 27th in scoring and total offense (26th EPA) just makes them too volatile to trust, even if they have some good wins.
Joe Burrow
5:06
If Cincy were to actually consider trading me would the haul back be better than what Dallas got for Herschel Walker?
Sam Robinson
5:06
Hey Joe, I do think you'll be quite flattered by the trade offers coming in. I do wonder if your injury problems will stop the market short of Herschel's. The Vikings traded three 1s, three 2s, a 3 and 6 for Walker in a much different NFL era.

The better comps are the Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson hauls. Watson is the only QB since 1976 to fetch three future 1s (as opposed to the RG3 and Trey Lance deals that brought two 1s and a trade-up), while Wilson drew two 1s and two 2s. Wilson commanding that before an age-34 season is notable here, as Burrow will be 30 in 2026. But those two trades backfiring spectacularly matters too.

The Burrow market probably starts at two 1s, two 2s and at least one high-end starter. I can see a scenario where a team trades three 1s, as four teams went there for Watson. Maybe just shy of Herschel, but this is moot. The Bengals probably aren't budging here.
Vrabel
5:13
Will I be able to keep the Barmore, Diggs issues from derailing our playoff push?
Sam Robinson
5:13
Well, Mike, your team drew a rather cozy schedule. This could continue, say with the Steelers/Ravens pulling a Round 1 upset and the Bills being seeded lower and thus going to Denver in Round 2. Beyond schedule jabs, the Pats may not need to worry about suspensions until 2026.

The 49ers deployed Charles Omenihu in the 2022 NFC title game, days after he was arrested on a domestic violence charge. The commissioner's exempt list is rarely used, but the Diggs matter involved a strangulation charge. Jabrill Peppers landed on the list after being charged with strangulation last year.

No rumors about Diggs being placed on the exempt list have emerged yet, but it certainly would wound the Pats. Although New England has pummeled lesser competition, not having its WR1 for high-stakes games will be an obvious problem. Vrabel's 2021 COY season did highlight his ability to navigate big injuries, though.
Coach Brown
5:19
If the Browns do move on from Kevin Stefanski who could they target? Where would Kevin end up as a coordinator?
Sam Robinson
5:19
Coach Brown, this is an interesting situation. Would the Browns mandate their next HC retain Jim Schwartz? Normally, teams go in the opposite direction after firing a coach. But Schwartz has been a great DC in Cleveland. A defensive leader scrapping his scheme could disrupt the unit. Then again, it is usually not a good idea when a team insists a new hire keep a coordinator (see Indy and Gus Bradley).

A report this week tabbed Mike McDaniel as being on the Browns' radar. That would be kind of strange, as he also comes from the Shanahan/Kubiak tree like Stefanski.

I don't love the offense-based options for the Browns; hiring Klint Kubiak would be far too similar to Stefanski. Saleh and Vance Joseph have earned second chances, but this might be a better job for a first-timer like Minter or Chris Shula (the latter going to college in Ohio certainly can't hurt his interest).

I think Stefanski would land another HC job, especially with a shallow pool of OC types available. The Giants make clear sense.
Free Agents
5:25
Who are a few of your top upcoming young free agents in 2026?
Sam Robinson
5:25
The franchise tag will affect the crop, as it always does, but George Pickens and Tyler Linderbaum are the class of the field on offense. For AAV, though, Daniel Jones will have leverage despite an injury to command a big contract.

This could be an interesting EDGE class, with three fifth-year option players -- Jaelan Phillips, Kwity Paye and Odafe Oweh -- en route to free agency. The Jags will also have the heat turned up with Devin Lloyd, who will not be tagged due to the option formula grouping all LBs together. Lloyd will do very well come March, putting pressure on Jacksonville to re-sign him before the tampering period.
Exodus
5:32
What can the 49ers expect in a trade for Mac Jones this offseason?
Sam Robinson
5:32
Exodus, how about something like a fourth-/fifth-round combo (in a non-pick-swap trade) or a third-rounder solo?

A third-rounder may not be crazy, as older QBs viewed as middling options (Geno Smith, Matt Ryan) commanded that. Jones playing well in two systems, granted four years apart, should make teams consider a third-rounder. Jones will be 28 next season. A third-rounder in a pick swap may be setting the bar too low based on how Jones has looked, as Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell drew that compensation.

But it will need to be a team that runs a Shanahan-y system (a few of those exist). I would say one that has weaponry intact, but Jones winning games without George Kittle (largely) and Ricky Pearsall was eye-opening.
Sam Robinson
5:32
We'll wrap it there for today. Thanks for the questions, everyone. Enjoy the various seeding battles in Week 18!
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