Front Office NFL Chat
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Sam Robinson
3:03
Hey everyone, hope it's been a good week. Let's get started!
Roger
3:18
Hi Sam. I've seen some speculation about the Eagles taking back K. Boutte as part of an AJ Brown trade. I'm confused about the fit. Would the Eagles even need another receiver with Smith, Lemon, Wicks, H. Brown, and two good tight ends on the roster?  Thanks.
Sam Robinson
3:18
Hey Roger, I'm not sure they would, but they have taken two high-profile fliers this offseason. A third would not be out of character for one of the NFL's most creative front offices.

Both Brown and Wicks have been auxiliary options -- well, Brown's recent years have put him in that role -- and the Eagles made eight trades for veteran players last year. With the exception of Jaelan Phillips, these moves came for depth pieces. Philly acquired John Metchie, Michael Carter II, Tank Bigsby, Jaire Alexander, Sam Howell, Jakorian Bennett and Fred Johnson last year.

Boutte would essentially replace a late-round pick in a trade, and the Pats will likely move on from either he or Demario Douglas if/when they land A.J. I wouldn't hate the move for PHI, and Boutte would probably be an upgrade on Hollywood Brown (his Chiefs version, that is). Hollywood Brown could become a trade chip before the deadline if the Eagles add Boutte soon
Gotham City Greg
3:26
How many wins do the Jets need in 2026 for Aaron Glenn to be safe? Will Mougey sell off other core players again at the deadline or give Glenn a better roster to work with late in the year?
Sam Robinson
3:26
Greg, I'm monitoring this situation pretty closely. The Jets only adding Geno Smith at QB could set up Glenn to fail. We saw this offseason teams are siding with GMs more than HCs, and while it would be interesting to see Woody Johnson bail on his top honcho (with Mougey effectively a sidekick) so soon, ousting two coordinators by Year 2 is not a good sign.

Woody Johnson did give Robert Saleh three-plus seasons and Todd Bowles four. Adam Gase, however, only received two. Glenn is surely aiming to convince ownership of a long-term plan alongside Mougey. It wouldn't exactly be fair to the HC if he was fired after Mougey gutted the team, but bad breaks like this happen regularly in the NFL.

I'd say 6 or 7 wins will be necessary for Glenn to feel remotely safe. And I would expect more seller's trades ahead of what will be a monumental Jets 2027 draft. Glenn convincing ownership of a long-term plan probably supersedes concerns about seller trades hurting the 2026 roster re: job preservation
TD-Machine
3:38
Have the Commanders done enough on defense to get back to the playoffs this year?
Sam Robinson
3:38
TD-Machine, I liked a couple of their moves on that side of the ball. I had Nick Cross ranked 36th in our top 50 FA rankings and thought Washington's two-year, $13MM deal was a bargain. I'm skeptical of K'Lavon Chaisson, but a "prove it" deal is perfect for his career profile. Both should help, with Chaisson in a good DE2/3 role behind Odafe Oweh and Dorance Armstrong. The edge rush is better positioned than it was in 2025, when I thought they underinvested.

I loved the Sonny Styles pick, and Leo Chenal has been effective under Spagnuolo. Still, losing Bobby Wagner -- even at 35 -- is still noteworthy. The Commanders' CB situation is iffy, and adding Amik Robertson may not cut it for a defense that ranked last in yardage last season. I think another CB move is necessary -- by the deadline at the latest (even if the Lattimore trade backfired).

This looks like a fringe playoff team, with a lot riding on Daniels recapturing 2024 form
TJ Hoshamazode
3:47
Is Zac Taylor still the Bengals coach in 2027 if Burrow stays healthy and they miss the playoffs? This team looks too talented to fall short again.
Sam Robinson
3:47
Even though the Bengals have a history of retaining HCs (namely Marvin Lewis, though David Shula once got five seasons) for too long, I'd have to say yes to this. Regardless of circumstances, the Bengals missing three straight playoff berths -- and seeing their defense crater -- is a bad look in the heart of Joe Burrow's prime. The 2024 season sticks out, and it would have been justified to see Taylor go this year after the 6-11 slate.

I agree with you. The 2026 roster looks talented enough for a playoff run. I didn't love Lawrence for the 10th pick, but he will provide a major impact to the post-Hendrickson pass rush and lift all boats on defense. The two-deep at DT is impressive. Will they add an ILB?

Cincy had Lewis coach out his contract, and two years remain on Taylor's deal. But the stakes are higher with Burrow. Then again, Burrow backed Taylor this year. He obviously wields considerable power. But they can't miss the postseason again and bring Taylor back (as he'd be 2-for-8 in playoff berths)
Vikes GM
3:59
Who do you think the Vikings will hire as their GM?
Sam Robinson
3:59
I think there's enough smoke on the two-pronged setup -- in which Rob Brzezinski stays on as one front office pillar -- to write it off. Similar setups did not dissuade Chiefs execs Mike Borgonzi (TEN) or Brandt Tilis (CAR) from accepting roles.

I'll say Reed Burckhardt, but the John McKay-O'Connell Rams overlap should be a factor.

The Vikings were connected to a potential George Paton reunion, but the Broncos extended their resurgent contract-year GM. Burckhardt, who took over for Darren Mougey as Denver's assistant GM last year, was a 13-year Minnesota staffer during the Paton-Rick Spielman period.

The Broncos turning things around -- with a spree of well-timed extensions -- despite the Russell Wilson dead money disaster reflects well on their front office. But there have not been many breadcrumbs left in this GM race. And teams sure do like to hire Rams staffers during the McVay era.
Sam Robinson
4:00
Will wrap there for today. Thanks for the questions, everyone, and have a good weekend!
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