Front Office NFL Chat
powered byJotCast
This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.
Sam Robinson
4:02
Hey everyone, hope it's been a good weekend. We've had some key contracts agreed to this week. Let's get started!
Steel City Steve
4:09
Do you think McCarthy can get more out of this Steelers core, is another year with 8-10 wins the best case scenario?
Sam Robinson
4:09
Steve, I thought the McCarthy hire was a bit underrated. Certainly not an exciting add, but he took a bit too much heat in Dallas. Dak Prescott's second-team All-Pro season came with him calling plays, and three straight 12-win Cowboys seasons is impressive (no one has done that since Jimmy Johnson) given the Jones-driven difficulties that setup presents.

I also liked the Michael Pittman Jr. trade/salary dump. He's on a good contract with Pittsburgh. So is Brisker, who I thought would do better in free agency. I'd prefer the O-line have a bit more experience, though it brings youth where a few other position groups are aging. There are things to like here.

I think your 8-10-win assessment is reasonable. This does not look like a vicious schedule, however, with the NFC South present. If Rodgers is protected, I can see a path to 10 or 11 wins. It kind of depends on Burrow and Jackson's health as well. This is an interesting roster
M’s Fan
4:23
Which contender has the worst pass rush? Bears? Patriots? Bengals?
Sam Robinson
4:23
M's fan, loved the aqua unis today. My favorite of theirs. Anyway...the Bears' rush looks to need another piece. I did like Odeyingbo's versatility in Indy, but he's coming off an Achilles. And Jarrett is now 33. Buffalo will be depending on Chubb, whose injury history makes that risky. I like Chubb's upside, but his guarantee ($21.75MM) surprised me a bit.

I did not like Dallas trading Odighizuwa, and they're betting on Gary to reverse a multiyear trend. They're generally right on first-rounders and will need to be this year with Lawrence. I don't hate the Pats' setup with Dre'Mont Jones in front of second-rounder Jacas. The Chiefs may need a vet DE while R Mason Thomas develops opposite Karlaftis.

The Packers are really counting on Van Ness despite limited 3-year production, and both the 49ers' starters off major injuries concerns. A bridge DE (another Bosa comes to mind) could be important there, though Odighizuwa will help inside. I'll say CHI, but a lot of pass-rush questions exist
Vincent Brisby
4:32
What do you think the Patriots do if for some reason they don't acquire AJ Brown? Back to Diggs?
Sam Robinson
4:32
Vincent, enjoyed your Berman nickname FYI...as for the 2026 Pats, Diggs coming back would be odd seeing as the team cut him before a guarantee was due. But it wouldn't be unprecedented to see a reunion.

Diggs and Doubs' skillsets would not complement each other like Brown and Doubs', and even though I've become intrigued by the Rams getting back in on Brown, I'll still trust the purveying view of Brown-to-NE being a go.

The Browns or Titans stumbling out of the blocks would stand to make Jeudy and Ridley trade chips. If Brown does end up with a stealth suitor, the Pats circling back on Ridley would be an option. Jeudy's route-running chops remind of Diggs' (his hands: less good), and he would be coveted at the deadline if CLE is prepared to move on. The Pats would also have FA options (Allen, Samuel).

The gap between Brown and the FAs is wide, but there will be options if this long-rumored trade doesn't happen
Unclemike1526
4:39
I don't understand how all the so called "experts" Can bash the Bears pass rush when you haven't even seen it yet? Haven't even blown up a football. The Team speed has been upgraded immensely and the coverage skills should improve likewise. After Johnson and Gordon went down Allen had to play with bits and pieces. I say lighten up and look at what happens before you trash it. Speed kills and they have it now. Thanks
Sam Robinson
4:39
Hey Unclemike, Sweat reaching 10 sacks in last year's environment -- with Johnson and Gordon missing extensive time and Odeyingbo going down -- was impressive. The top two CBs staying healthy will bolster Allen's rush options opposite Sweat, but I am somewhat concerned with Chicago's complementary options.

Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner coming off injuries makes this an obvious situation to monitor for a veteran addition, and even though Austin Booker is an interesting piece, I would probably feel better if they added someone to help bridge the gap alongside Sweat while his current sidekicks round back into shape
Bibs
4:47
How much do you see the Browns extending DeShaun Watson for?    LOL, why is he still in the QB picture, do they think they can get something for him from someone who suffers a training camp injury?
Sam Robinson
4:47
Bibs, what a bizarrely interesting situation this has become. Watson going from terrible play, two Achilles tears and the owner burying him to reemerging as a starter would make for -- like it or not -- one of the more notable comebacks in NFL history.

I'm not really buying it, though. It has been almost SIX years since he last played well, and he is a progress-stopping presence at this point. Sanders probably isn't the long-term future, but he needs to play this year.

The concept of trading Watson still seems next to impossible, and he is poised to tag the Browns with an $86.2MM dead money sum -- spread over two years -- if/once he is off the 2027 roster. In theory, an extension would delay this dead money blow (Monken's issues with Watson's contract, cap-wise, will somehow top Stefanski's). But it is very difficult to envision the Browns signing up for more of Watson

Even if he shows modest improvement in Monken's offense, this should still be considered the NFL's ultimate sunk cost.
Motor City Mike
4:55
Do you think the Lions can keep each of Gibbs, LaPorta and Branch on top of the Campbell deal?
Sam Robinson
4:55
Mike, the Lions have an interesting opportunity to take advantage of three depressed markets. The ILB ceiling has moved by less than $2MM AAV in the past five years, while RB value has obviously cratered (only two RB contracts have passed McCaffrey's 2020 Panthers extension in AAV). I see Gibbs being extended as well.

LaPorta may need to show he is healthy, like Hutchinson last year, before the Lions commit. Unlike Hutchinson, he plays a devalued (for some reason) position. We still don't have a $20MM-per-year TE despite WR now beyond $42MM. This is a great time to pay a tight end, and receiving options are not plentiful here. I see LaPorta being extended too.

Branch may be the odd man out. The Lions already paid Kerby Joseph, to go with several other Holmes-era draftees, and two big safety deals is pushing it. Though, Joseph's concerning knee injury makes this a situation to monitor. Not ruling out Branch staying, but if one of them were to exit in 2027 (could tag room be carved out?), he's my early pick
Sam Robinson
5:02
We'll wrap there for today. Thanks for the questions, everyone!
Connecting…