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Sam Robinson
3:02
Hey guys, Super Bowl week! Let's get started
Michael
3:08
Some how I feel the whole Harborough reporting directly to Mara will not end well for Schoen.  Thoughts?
Sam Robinson
3:08
Hi Michael, I agree with you. Schoen is not in any position to call the shots, even as the Giants used the HC-to-GM-to-ownership reporting structure for eons. NYG changing up now gives Harbaugh the hammer, even if he downplayed it in his presser. Harbaugh could absolutely force Schoen out.

While the Giants are believed to like how Schoen has modernized some facets of their organization, his abysmal record led them to give Harbaugh a $20MM-AAV contract and final say. We have seen HCs force GMs out early in the past decade. Sean McDermott (Doug Whaley), Adam Gase (Mike Maccagnan) and Bill O'Brien (Rick Smith and Brian Gaine) won power struggles. The Jags fired Trent Baalke to appeal to Liam Coen, and it worked. Kevin O'Connell is still standing after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's ouster

So, yes, I see Schoen as being on the hot seat this year. GMs can turn things around with high-profile HCs (as George Paton did in Denver), but Schoen does not look long for New York based on what's happened.
Desert Sand
3:15
What are your thoughts on the Cardinals' coaching staff? Arizona was never going to get the top candidates, but LaFleur and Hackett seem very underwhelming.
Sam Robinson
3:15
I have to agree here as well. The Cardinals were at or near the bottom of the barrel in terms of job appeal, and it showed. Klint Kubiak chose the Raiders over the Cards, and Anthony Campanile dropped out. Other dominoes fell, leaving Arizona with mid-tier candidates.

Mike LaFleur was a three-year Sean McVay OC. His other OCs (Matt LaFleur, Kevin O'Connell) are still standing, while ex-Rams QBs coach Zac Taylor is as well. Mike LaFleur also learning from Shanahan is a plus too; he checks key boxes. But his two years as a play-caller (with the Jets) did not go well.

The Cards appear fine absolving him and placing blame on Zach Wilson for that, but then hiring Hackett is highly uninspired. This is Hackett's fifth OC gig. No. 5 (as LaFleur's Jets replacement) and his Broncos HC stint went so poorly it is very surprising he is back on the coordinator tier so soon.

Arizona's DC is to be determined, but it is not looking great post-Jonathan Gannon right now in Arizona.
Johnny G
3:22
Who do you have Sunday? Do the Pats have a chance?
Sam Robinson
3:22
Johnny G, I do believe they have a chance. The Pats have the better QB and a coaching staff with experience on this stage (Vrabel as a player, McDaniels -- by a mile -- as a play-caller). That will matter. Then again, we have seen in the past when a better QB leads an inferior team (2013 Broncos, 2024 Chiefs) into an avalanche.

I don't quite predict a Seahawks rout on the level of what Peyton Manning and then Patrick Mahomes faced in those games, but I do see them winning. The Patriots' offense has not impressed in the playoffs, and gripes about their historically easy schedule appear warranted. Bo Nix being healthy probably would change the Super Bowl matchup. But I think I'd still have picked Seattle over Denver with Nix.

The Seahawks' complete defense has answered more questions compared to the Patriots. Stafford's success in the NFC title game does pry a door open for the Pats, but Nacua/Adams is much better than what the SEA secondary will face Sunday
Guarded Indian
3:29
Like it or not, the Browns have to play Watson if he is healthy right?  If they add another veteran, it will be someone like Huntley I would imagine.
Sam Robinson
3:29
This will be fascinating. This is the closest thing the NFL has seen to a bloated MLB contract. With baseball having no salary cap, this Watson case obviously hurts the team far more. We have seen teams bubble-wrap QB1s before (Carr, Wilson, RG3, Watson in 2021), and we could see it again in this instance.

I don't think the Browns have to play Watson if healthy. He was terrible when last healthy. I see the Browns adding a QB to compete with Shedeur Sanders, but Dillon Gabriel's presence does complicate matters. We have seen four-QB rooms before, but it's very rare. This is not a good QB situation, and Watson's contract will keep the Browns from adding a pricey veteran via FA or trade.

Watson's contract undoubtedly affected the Browns' HC search as well, as his void years will drown the team in 2027 dead money. This disaster will keep teams from fully guaranteeing a contract on this level for a long time.
Coach Hayden Fox
3:38
What do you think a Nacua extension would look like?
Sam Robinson
3:38
Coach Fox, great job with those Screaming Eagles; hope it went well in Orlando (haven't seen that part of the show)...as for your Nacua interest, he is about to cash in big.

Talks should start at Justin Jefferson's $35MM AAV, but they will end closer to Ja'Marr Chase's $40.1MM number. Nacua should be the fourth $100MM guarantee at WR. The Rams' second Cooper Kupp deal showed they are OK guaranteeing most of the contract. The guarantee at signing will be interesting. Chase's $73MM is $15MM south of Jefferson's. That is where I'd expect Nacua's camp to try to bridge the gap.

The Rams have a champagne problem with their 2023 draft producing Steve Avila, Kobie Turner, Byron Young and Warren McClendon. Nacua is the top priority, of course, and with the cap going past $300MM, Nacua will begin next season with a monster deal.
NFL Honors
3:38
Who is your favorite for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year tonight?
Sam Robinson
3:40
I'll go with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Myles Garrett. The latter is a stone-cold lock. JSN mattering that much to a No. 1 seed without a top-10 quarterback (or another receiver topping 600 yards) should give him the edge over CMC and others.
Rooney Rule
3:48
It seems as if the owners are still using the good old boy network when hiring? They bring in a minority candidate or two but they have little to no chance of getting the job. Is there really anything that can change this?
Sam Robinson
3:48
This is not inaccurate, and it's a big problem. But it is bigger, in my opinion, than the Rooney Rule. The NFL is eyeing offense-minded HCs, and that is where the minority pipeline is stalling.

As it stands, we have just two minority offensive play-callers in 2026, and most QBs coaches (the top pipeline job to OC roles) are white. Increasing the draft compensation for teams that lose minority candidates and adding to the number of required HC interviews with external minority candidates would help. I would bump up the coordinator Rooney Rule requirements. Currently, only one external minority interview is required for OC/DC jobs. That should be at two to see what happens.

Until we get more minority coaches in QB/OC roles, this figures to keep happening. Even as DeMeco Ryans has had success in Houston as a defense-minded coach, the McVay/Shanahan/Reid model is understandably preferred.
Maxx Out
3:52
Do you see the Raiders trading Crosby if he wants out and what kind of return could they expect?
Sam Robinson
3:52
Maxx Out, I do. They have too many needs, and Crosby's presence has not equated to wins by itself. The Raiders have been unable to surround him with enough help, and this regime needs to cash out (on  a player who doesn't want to rebuild again) while he's still in his 20s (29 in August).

A first-rounder will come back to Vegas in a trade, and at least another Day 2 pick will be likely. The Packers traded two 1s for Micah Parsons, but he is 26. Crosby's age will hurt the Raiders' chances of two 1s, but his $35.5MM-per-year contract runs through 2029. With no extension being required immediately -- at least, it shouldn't be -- that will help drive interest in a bidding war.

If enough teams are involved, I could see a second 1 being put on the table. But I'll go with a first-rounder, a Day 2 pick and maybe a Day 3 pick as a throw-in.
HOF
4:02
Who do you think will be the inductee(s) announced Saturday night? Will there be more than one from the old timers?
Sam Robinson
4:02
I'll go with Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald as clear locks. Luke Kuechly finished with five first-team All-Pros and was regarded as the NFL's best LB for much of his career. Since he retired early due to concussions, I will move him in as well. With the new criteria raising the baseline for HOF induction, I might stop there for the modern-era candidates. Maybe Vinatieri after a year of waiting? He remains the scoring king.

Roger Craig is likely getting in tonight. Deserving. He was a vital chess piece in a then-cutting-edge offense. I think I'd stop there, since we know Belichick and Kraft are not getting in. The Steel Curtain has five Hall of Famers already, and retroactive sack charting has L.C. Greenwood with just 78. That would not rank outside the top 100.

This would be a big night for Bill Walsh's legacy if Ken Anderson got in too, but the early-West Coast Offense QB had a tough midcareer stretch post-Walsh before his MVP year. I'm on the fence, but his completion % numbers were ahead of their time
Acme
4:04
When are the Packers firing their special teams coach?
Sam Robinson
4:04
Seeing as we're nearly a month past their regular-season endpoint, I'm going to say Rich Bisaccia is staying put. Brian Gutekunst said the same, so I'll take him at his word.
Brandon Aiyuk
4:08
With all the bad feelings in San Fran, where am I playing in 2026 if anywhere?
Sam Robinson
4:08
Hey Brandon, you surely had a good reason for proceeding as you did in 2025 -- even if I can't understand it. I will predict you'll end up a Commander. The connections to Adam Peters and Jayden Daniels, and the team probably losing Deebo Samuel in free agency, point to this being a good fit. After all, you were interested in a Washington destination in a trade before you recommitted to San Fran. A higher-end one-year deal would align with Daniels' rookie contract.
Casey
4:11
Is Maxx Crosby gone or is this just offseason rumor talk, as it has been the last 3 seasons?
Sam Robinson
4:11
Hey Casey, yeah, I do see this as the point of no return for Maxx. I mentioned above what the trade haul could be, but yeah, it has the potential to get ugly if this Raiders regime holds the line and forces him to stick for a rebuild.

There will be too much for Vegas to gain this offseason by moving Crosby before his age-29 season. They can surround Mendoza with more help by moving him before the draft.
walterj23
4:16
Who do you see as the starting QB for the steelers  next year and please tell me there are no rumors of interest in the Cardinals Murray.
Sam Robinson
4:16
Hey Walterj, I'll take the easy answer and say Aaron Rodgers. The McCarthy hire creates enough familiarity to go with a locker room that seemed to embrace sufficiently tolerate him. Giving the Steelers another year to plan for a 2027 strike -- they will need more draft capital if this is the case -- makes sense, and we know Rodgers fits in McCarthy's offense.

McCarthy said he is excited about Will Howard, and Rudolph is under contract for another year. I have not heard any concrete Kyler-to-Pittsburgh rumors yet. I wouldn't close the door on Murray, who needs a fresh start. But I'll still say Rodgers reconsiders and comes back.
HOF Selection
4:22
Do you see the Hall of Fame changing its voting process to avoid the ridiculous Belichick situation in the future?
Sam Robinson
4:22
I do. After this interesting snub, we will need to see coaches and contributors separated from the senior players. With the seniors having one shot, the incentive for voters to look past the coaches to give the senior candidates the best chance of being inducted is clearly there. That contributed to the Belichick failure.

We have a backlog of coaches right now. Mike Shanahan waiting this long is an issue, too, but Belichick will be the coach inducted next year. I get the argument for Spygate, and that remains an underdiscussed component of the Patriots' first three championships. But Belichick winning three more titles -- to go with his two DC championships as Bill Parcells' right-hand man -- are enough to cancel that out. He certainly should be going in tonight.
Draft Process
4:28
With Pittsburgh in need of a franchise QB with their 21st pick this year is there anyone you can see them taking there or in the top three rounds who could give them any hope for a future in the NFl?
Sam Robinson
4:28
There is a real chance only Fernando Mendoza goes in Round 1 this year. That would create some value-play opportunities for teams who like the second-tier options. But I will say the Steelers should wait.

They drafted Will Howard last year and have struck out in finding a quarterback for a bit. Running it back with Rodgers, Rudolph and Howard while preparing for 2027 is better than using a second-round pick on a QB this year. Waiting on that passer to develop could barricade them from a first-round pick in what is expected to be a better 2027 crop.

I would say they stand down on a QB pick on Day 2 this year and add help for their to-be-determined 2027 investment.
Paul
4:33
What are your thoughts on the Tennessee Titans off season
Sam Robinson
4:33
Hey Paul, I was a fan of what Brian Daboll did with Daniel Jones in 2022. That Giants team had no business sniffing the divisional round. Daboll and Mike Kafka coached up Jones well. Jones' 2023 and '24 seasons give me pause, however. And Daboll did not fare well in his OC roles (CLE, MIA, KC) pre-Josh Allen.  I'm iffy on this hire. I like the Saleh hire, and for his sake I hope Amy Adams Strunk steers clear of football ops unlike Woody Johnson. Tennessee's defense should improve significantly.

Tennessee is projected to carry a league-high $104MM in cap space, and the team has two more years (at least) of Cam Ward's rookie contract to build around. They will make multiple splashes this offseason. Being players for edge talent, WR (after the likely Calvin Ridley cut) and CB -- among other spots -- will be expected.

Although it has been dark as of late, this Titans offseason offers optimism. We have seen quick turnarounds -- 2023 HOU, 2024 WAS, 2025 NE -- recently to have hope here.
Top three
4:40
With the Raiders most likely choosing Mendoza with the first pick and New York and Arizona also in need of a QB1 do they reach? or take the best available Athlete and wait to 27?
Sam Robinson
4:40
I think the Jets and Cardinals have to wait and do the best-player-available routine. The Jets have extra incentive to do so in having two first-rounders in 2027. They pulled this off in 2017, using Josh McCown as a stopgap while they eyed the '18 QB class (as it turned out, they just didn't do right by Sam Darnold after drafting him). So the Jets going with a bridge option -- even after Fields failed -- is the likely play.

Aaron Glenn could push for something to happen this year, but the front office and ownership should eye 2027. Will that be a conflict given Glenn's power? An interesting subplot.

Why can't the Cardinals just run it back with Kyler again? He is better than anyone they could acquire in free agency, and it will be far less costly to drop him in 2027 than 2026. Arizona does make more sense for a Day 2 QB pick. I don't love the LaFleur/Hackett duo coaching said QB, but ownership and the front office clearly disagree.
George Pickens
4:46
Am I back with the cowboys on a long term deal? and at what AA? or do they tag me?
Sam Robinson
4:46
Hey George, yes, I think you'll be tagged. It'll be a roughly $29MM guarantee. Seeing as you've made $6.8MM through four years, that's pretty good. The Cowboys have shown they are fine tagging guys, and you fit the profile as a semi-volatile talent. This process worked out for Tee Higgins as well. He got his money after a year on the tag. You may as well.

Your leverage does increase this close to free agency, too, as the Cowboys have one of the NFL's worst cap situations (nearly $30MM over projected). Dak Prescott used this type of situation to his advantage in 2021; you can too!

I would say using the Higgins $$ as the floor would be appropriate given the upcoming cap increase. Tee went 4/115, topping Jaylen Waddle's AAV. You should push for more guaranteed at signing than Higgins, who got only $30MM. The Cowboys are less stingy about this than the Bengals, as CeeDee Lamb is at $67MM fully guaranteed. Push for something between Higgins' guarantee and Lamb's.
Best new old coaches
4:51
Who are your top 3 or 4 new HC hires?
Sam Robinson
4:51
I liked the Stefanski and Minter hires the most, then probably Harbaugh.

The Browns chose an interesting scapegoat for their mess, with Stefanski forced to make a shockingly diminished Watson work. He has a lot of offensive talent and an improved defense to work with in Atlanta -- and in the NFL's worst division.

Minter made a lot happen with modest investments in L.A. The Ravens also know him well. This could be an impact hire based on the coach's trajectory and familiarity with the organization. The Ravens should have an upper-crust defense again soon to pair with Lamar Jackson.

I almost would have rather seen the Giants go for Stefanski over Harbaugh. With Harbaugh not getting his preferred OC hire (Monken), Matt Nagy will play a major role in New York's plan, as he will be developing Jaxson Dart. While Nagy's two Mitch Trubisky-led playoff teams have aged well, this is a risk since he will be calling plays again for the first time since 2021.
JWA
4:56
How do you think Miami's new front office - coaches might affect their draft plans? Previous brain trust seemed to value speed above all else. I'm hoping this brain trust drafts higher floor, more well rounded prospects.
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