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Sam Robinson
12:03
Hi everyone, playoffs! Let's get started
Yinzer Central
12:12
Do you see Rodgers coming back for 2026 even if the Steelers lose this weekend?
Sam Robinson
12:12
Yinzer, I can't rule it out. It is amazing Rodgers has gone from saying he was "90% retired" before his winter 2023 darkness retreat to playing three more seasons. His return would help the Steelers, who (again) do not have a good path to acquiring a young option due to their high-floor routine extending to another wild-card round.

If Tomlin comes back, I can see Rodgers giving it one more try. If Tomlin leaves, it would be highly unlikely Rodgers stays. But I still lean that this is it regardless.

His QBR was nearly identical to his 2024 Jets season, and while the Steelers could help him out by doing better at WR2, Rodgers has said he would not follow in Tom Brady's footsteps by playing into his mid-40s. We are getting close here.

Either way, I expect the decision to last a while into the offseason. That's kind of become his thing, reminiscent of another notable ex-Packers QB
Big Blue Blues
12:20
Obviously the Giants need a Head Coach, but on the player side, what needs to be their top free agent priority, and how much does Wan'Dale Robinson get? TY.
Sam Robinson
12:20
Big Blue Blues, I have to think finding Andrew Thomas supporting-casters up front will be critical to Joe Schoen's latest mission. The Giants imported the right side of the 2023 Raiders' O-line in 2024 and ran it back this year. Although one season is left on John Michael Schmitz's rookie deal, the second-round C has not lived up to his draft slot. It is arguable they need four OL starters.

LG Jon Runyan Jr. is expected to be cut, and both Jermaine Eluemunor and Greg Van Roten are unsigned. The Giants have been at this O-line repair project since the second half of Eli Manning's career, after their OL splintered following Super Bowl XLVI. With Jaxson Dart development paramount, this offseason needs to be about finding real solutions up front.

Robinson's size (5-8, 185) works against him, but a deal north of where Buffalo went for Khalil Shakir (4/53) is a place to start. On the market, Robinson should be able to do better than the Bills' slot -- but probably not too much better.
Cool Dr. Money
12:29
I'm a Bills fan who likes McDermott and Beane. I'm okay with keeping them even if the Bills lose this week (it sucks to say this, but I think they will). But IMO, Beane's seat should be hotter than McDermott's. Thoughts?
Sam Robinson
12:29
Cool Dr. Money, there is a case to be made Beane's seat should be hot as well. After all, the team's failure to supply Josh Allen with even a high-end WR2 could have made them the favorites to win the AFC. They have a clear QB advantage yet no pass catcher that really scares anyone. That is a big indictment of the front office.

Then again, Beane built a strong O-line and nabbed James Cook (before extending him on what became a team-friendly rate before a rushing title). Beane also re-upped Christian Benford (his vital Kaiir Elam makeup call), Terrel Bernard, Khalil Shakir and Greg Rousseau at solid rates in 2025. The two-trade-up Josh Allen journey: also rather key.

McDermott's defenses have underwhelmed in the playoffs, though injury trouble has played a big role there. And more injury trouble is afoot on defense now. I'd lean toward keeping both, and it would be odd seeing the duo split due to their lengthy history together. But Beane's status is worth monitoring -- especially if the Jags win convincingly
ATL_Aaron
12:40
Why does Blank think Matt Ryan will fix the Falcons' issues? Are you confident this reset will work with the right GM and coaching hires?
Sam Robinson
12:40
ATL_Aaron, this does feel a bit odd. But it is rather creative. I do wonder how Ryan will fare without experience. He is set to basically go unchallenged for the top FO job and work above a to-be-determined GM.  That's a lot of faith in a CBS staffer. Then again, John Lynch and John Elway worked out (granted, they were much older). The Falcons also have a history of a CEO-type exec having a key role. Rich McKay was in that spot during Thomas Dimitroff's years and most of Terry Fontenot's.

Fontenot's five sub-.500 seasons probably dragged down Raheem Morris, whose tenure outperformed Arthur Smith's only for him to see less time on the job. Blank (and Ryan) cleaning house will put pressure on the Falcons.

It CAN work, but I don't know if HC candidates will view Penix as an asset just yet. They will see a team with good skill players, good pieces up front and a vastly improved pass rush. The Falcons have good selling points, especially compared to some of the rebuilds out there.
The Good Donald
12:55
What kind of return could the Lions expect from a David Montgomery (nice write-up, btw) or a Jameson Williams trade? Do you think either scenario is likely?
Sam Robinson
12:55
Montgomery has proven highly effective and an important part of the Lions' success -- especially from 2023-24, but he is also entering Year 8. He'll still have some trade value ahead of an age-29 season; his 1,477 carries rank do ninth among active RBs, which is something to monitor.

It took only a seventh for the Texans to add Joe Mixon at 28, though there was more tread on his tires. Montgomery is tied to a manageable 2026 salary ($5.49MM) and it's nonguaranteed. A mid-Day 3 pick wouldn't be unreasonable for a two-time 1,000-yard rusher.

I do think a Montgomery trade is likely. Gibbs has taken on too much of the offense, and a rookie contract would make more sense as the RB2 given the rising costs on this roster. I don't think Williams is a trade chip just yet, as they just paid him. He would certainly bring back much more value if the Lions did decide one high-priced WR was enough
Cool Dr. Money
1:00
Thanks for the response. Beane will look bad if Meyers has a big game. Im still pissed that BB let Jville get him at the deadline.
Sam Robinson
1:00
It was a bit strange for the Bills to stand down on Meyers and Rashid Shaheed. It took a 4/6 combo to land Meyers and a 4/5 for Shaheed. The Bills offered a 3/1 platter in 2026-27 for Waddle but faced a price hike because of the Dolphins' AFC East status.

Trying that hard to make a trade and not grabbing one of the attainable WRs could be costly. If the Bills had even a low-end WR1/high-level 2 in the Courtland Sutton genre, you have to think this would be the AFC favorite or very close. Either way, WR will need to be prioritized in a way it wasn't in 2025 come 2026 regardless of what happens in the playoffs.
Roger
1:08
Sam, regarding the "mutual interest" between the Browns and Harbaugh ... I find that very hard to believe from his standpoint. Why coach that train wreck when you can pretty much pick any available opening?
Sam Robinson
1:08
Hey Roger, yeah, I don't think the Browns will be too close to the front of the line among Harbaugh suitors. I suppose he was born in Toledo and went to college in Ohio (Miami), but why would a coach with options join a Browns team that will drown in Deshaun Watson dead money in 2027 -- after having that albatross deal on the payroll once again this year?

Harbaugh would pair nicely with Cleveland's defense, which is a championship-level unit stuck -- not unlike where the late-2010s Broncos or mid-2000s Bears were -- without much on offense. But at 63 and having not been to a Super Bowl since the 2012 season, Harbaugh taking on this project would be tough to believe -- particularly if there are other offers out there.

But the mutual interest report certainly caught my eye. With the Browns possibly not having a good path to a QB draft choice and having a bad owner, I don't see Harbaugh going to Ohio. Though, that would be one of the great AFC North storylines in the division's history.
Sam Robinson
1:10
I think we will call it there for today. Enjoy this wild-card round, everyone. With four fresh matchups and only two rematches, promises to be intriguing!
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