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Sam Robinson
4:01
Hey everyone, padded practices are a go again. And an actual -- well, sort of -- game has occurred. We are close. Let's get started!
WR deals
4:07
Which receiver extension has surprised you the most this offseason?
Sam Robinson
4:07
I think I'll say Chris Olave's. The Saints saw him bounce back with a nine-touchdown, 1,163-yard season that produced a second-team All-Pro nod. Not only did he come in south of ex-Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson in AAV despite the cap's latest $20MM-plus rise, Wilson's contract structure betters Olave's.

Wilson received early guarantee vesting dates on his deal last summer, having two of his future salaries guarantee a year early. Olave's deal does not feature that increasingly popular component. It seems the concussions from 2024 and maybe the blood clot issue that took him out of one game last year had an effect.

Considering Olave's production with unremarkable QB play for most of his career, I thought he had a decent case to surpass Wilson's numbers (as at least part of those came with Aaron Rodgers targeting him). Olave also has a 1-0 All-Pro edge here. Kind of an interesting bargain for New Orleans
Gonzo
4:14
How much longer do I have to wait for the Patriots to extend me? Will I play out my contract or force a trade if they don;t meet my ask?
Sam Robinson
4:14
Gonzo, I don't think the wait will be long. The Patriots under Eliot Wolf have taken care of their guys, and you have a strong case as the NFL's second-best CB (Madden even disagrees Surtain is No. 1, placing you there; way to go on that). You're kind of essential to the Pats' mission, which will involve a tougher schedule than last year's cozy-ish march.

We now have seen a record seven early extensions for first-rounders from the 2023 class, via the Peter Skoronski payday today. Teams are not delaying as many deals until the fifth-year option offseason like they did in the past.

Are you possibly waiting out the Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon talks? The current NFL is rewarding those who wait (as Thursday's Jahmyr Gibbs deal reminds most recently). You two having the same agent points to both deals coming soon. You've even drawn praise from Vrabel for practicing. I doubt you'll be in a position to play 2026 without a new deal
Mafia Matt
4:24
Is this the year the Bills get over the hump? Are Brady and D.J. Moore enough to shake things up, or will defense still be an issue?
Sam Robinson
4:24
Matt, the AFC looks crowded. Even with the Chiefs having major questions, a host of teams with contender cases are here. The Bills have, in my opinion, the top QB among this lot (or any lot right now). And Moore should add a lot to the equation at 29.

Moore put up big numbers with meh QB play (Fields, Bridgewater, Kyle Allen...the Teddy year involved Brady calling plays). Even though last year was far from his best work, I have to think this goes better than Amari Cooper. This is a perfect trade for him.

Not usually a big fan of promoting the OC, but better Allen play has come out of the Brady years. I also like Jim Leonhard; the Broncos' secondary has impressed. It was even solid when PS2 missed time last year. McDermott's defenses' pattern of underwhelming (albeit with ill-timed injuries) in big spots persisted. It was time. Buffalo will be right in there, but Houston and Denver have better overall rosters. Wondering if more help will come at the deadline
A Donald
4:29
I have the fever to play right now will I actually do it and will it be for more than just this year?
Sam Robinson
4:29
Aaron, if you don't do it at this point, it might be a pretty big letdown. You started all this after the Garrett trade, and you've really milked it since. I think you're coming back. That creates a terrifying situation.

Off the top of my head, you'd have to go back to the Rams' Fearsome Foursome days of the 1960s to find two players with top-10 all-time D-line cases playing together (Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen). I don't think you'll have your old role, but even with maybe two-thirds of your pre-retirement workload, whoa. The Rams have bulked up since, adding Young, Turner and Fiske. This could be a real problem.

I hadn't given much consideration to you staying for 2027. You'll need a new contract. But if Stafford stays healthy (and you do as well), why not?
Vikes Yikes
4:37
What are your early thoughts on the QB competition between Kyler and JJ? Did we waste our 1st round pick on a back up?
Sam Robinson
4:37
It kind of appears that way. The GM firing after the Darnold/McCarthy transition doesn't point to confidence, and the Kyler addition threw gas on that fire. It would be a pretty tough break to see J.J.'s time as a preferred starter end after 10 games, but the Vikings have seen two offseasons from him. I trust KOC with QBs, and Murray being here is different from when the Bears added Nick Foles to push Trubisky.

Sometimes teams know they don't have it. Paxton Lynch made all of four starts in two seasons in Denver. It is still (imo) too early to label McCarthy a bust on that level, but it is heading that way. And missing at 10 is much worse than missing at 26 (Lynch's slot).

I can see McCarthy starting games in 2026. Kyler generally doesn't stay healthy for a full season. That said, it is odd Wentz is back. Would he be cool with third-string duty?

The Vikings' 14-3 2024 season hurts McCarthy here. If this were a rebuild like the Zach Wilson Jets, I think J.J. would have more time
Eliot Wolf
4:43
Should I really be trying to trade Boutte for whatever I can get or hold on to him as he has great chemistry with Drake? With all the attrition at the position isn't it best to keep a deep bench at the position?
Sam Robinson
4:43
Eliot, I definitely don't think this is a "take what you can get" situation. Boutte has over 1,100 yards and nine TDs over the past two seasons. Maybe hold onto him at least into the season -- unless, of course, some team offers you a third-round pick now. Anything on Day 2, you have to move on due to your WR moves this offseason.

The Pats keeping Boutte would stand to mean he, Douglas, Hollins and Williams join the two hired guns. I like the idea of hanging onto him, as I don't think it'd be worth a fifth-round pick just for the sake of creating more time. Maybe letting this situation play out in-season and reassessing by the deadline?

This is somewhat similar to the Broncos' situation, where Waddle has forced regulars down the depth chart. Denver isn't expected to make a trade despite a crowded depth chart. I don't think you have to, either
Super Bowl LXI
4:47
Okay it's crazy early for predictions but as we sit today who can you see in the Super Bowl?
Sam Robinson
4:47
Never too early. The safer bet is Broncos-Seahawks due to roster strength -- though Denver really needs to get through its first six at 3-3 or 4-2; won't be easy -- but I think I'll take team ceilings this far out. I'll go Texans-Rams.

Houston is deeper at WR now with Dell (fingers crossed there) back, and there are at least more options on their perennially suspect O-line. Stroud will be playing for a megadeal this season. I obviously don't love his post-2023 work, but the Texans' defense has a chance to be one of this century's best. That might just be enough. Their schedule also looks a bit easier than Denver's.
walterj23
4:52
Which Steelers QB will be left out this year ?
Sam Robinson
4:52
Hey Walterj, I can see the team trying to keep Howard and gambling Rodgers will stay healthy. But I'll go with Howard as the odd man out. Rudolph's experience -- behind a 42-year-old QB; we saw how putting only Zach Wilson behind him worked out -- is probably too valuable to take that chance given how the Steelers' roster is constructed to win this year.
Dan's Lions Roar
4:59
With our falling back to earth last year with what we have done this off season will we get back to the playoffs?
Sam Robinson
4:59
I still like the Lions' roster, but I don't love the developments this offseason. The safety injuries are a big concern, Joseph's especially. Any "degenerative knee condition" entering a conversation is unnerving. And even though Arnold wasn't living up to his draft slot just yet, it is tough to lose a starter in similar fashion to the Cam Sutton experience. The secondary appears a major issue.

I liked the Cade Mays signing, but there isn't much else to praise about their free agency. Moreover, Drew Petzing seems an uninspired OC choice. Who goes from calling plays on a 3-14 team to making a lateral move? After the Lions passed on a true OC search in hiring Morton, that move caught me by surprise.

The schedule does offer hope. Drawing the NFC South plus the Jets and Dolphins will help NFC North teams in wild-card pursuits. With the Vikings' QB issue, the Packers' injury situation and Bears' O-line changes, a door is open. But I think a trade for a starting DB will be necessary. Too much uncertainty there
Packers
5:04
We feel very stagnant. Outside of getting Parsons, which don't get me wrong was big, but it feels like we've just run the same team out there for the last 3 years... any reason to expect anything besides we're 9-8 - 11-6 and a wild card at best?
Sam Robinson
5:04
We'll stay in the NFC North here. I share a degree of pessimism here. Talk of it taking Parsons until Week 6 is dicey. I know the Packers are ultra-conservative on the injury-return front, but he is (by far) the team's best player. And it seems like Green Bay (post-Gary) is making a huge bet on Van Ness' potential (as there is not too much else to go on through 3 years).

Love's 2025 season was impressive. That is obviously the main piece a team needs. They do seem more reliant on Christian Watson's health after their WR decisions. Kraft and the newly renamed RT coming back from injuries also injects uncertainty.

There are things to like here, but I do think your record range is reasonable based on the developments since last December.
M’s Fan
5:12
Can the Bears really hope to achieve anything with their pass rush being so mediocre?
Sam Robinson
5:12
Hey M's Fan, big NFC North chat sector here. I did like Odeyingbo in Indianapolis, so I won't write him off completely. But Chicago is going to be highly reliant -- barring another move -- on Sweat again, especially with Shemar Turner also coming off a major injury.

The Bears' roster appears to be begging for a stopgap D-end. And we have a bunch of those available. Von, Van Noy or even a Floyd reunion (did a lot of good work after his Bears stay didn't work out) would make sense. The 49ers took one of those off the market (Okoronkwo). I think the Bears need someone based on the injury situation.

This and the LT situation sans Trapilo plus the surprising Dalman retirement, there are notable issues here. A less talented starting lineup will put more pressure on the cornerstones, some of whom did not stay healthy last year
Bledsoe2Moulds46
5:15
Over/under: 4.5 starts for Carson Beck this year. We all know the Cardinals aren't going anywhere. Shouldn't they take a good look at Beck midway through the season (or thereabouts) when they are inevitably out of the race?
Sam Robinson
5:15
Hey Drew/Eric46, I'm saying over. There just doesn't seem to be a point to trying Brissett -- his recent raise notwithstanding -- for the full season. I don't think Beck has a great chance of keeping the Cardinals out of the 2027 QB draft, but it obviously would help them to see how he looks in LaFleur's offense soon.

We have seen Brissett play the stopgap role before. I don't expect him to hold down the job the whole season. The Cards did not throw too much of Brissett's new money into base salary. At a $9.7MM base, he could still be traded by the deadline.

With Beck being labeled by some this class' most pro-ready QB, I agree with you. He almost definitely will make some starts.
Jerry's Boys
5:22
Will my Cowboys be able to get back to the playoffs and make a deep run, not just one and done?
Sam Robinson
5:22
As much as I criticize the Cowboys for their preposterous GM plan -- with their Will McClay-fronted draft bunch's ability to nail first-round picks, who knows what could have happened had an actual GM been here to manage everything else? -- I do think the playoffs are realistic.

Dallas did well to carve out room for the Pickens tag, and while their LT spot is shaky, I like just about everything else on offense. They had to throw just about every resource into defense. I didn't love all the moves (the Osa trade was ill-advised, I believe), but they should be much more capable in 2026 there.

This may be a tough year to have made improvements in the NFC, though. If the Rams keep Stafford healthy, stopping them may be beyond the Cowboys' grasp. The Seahawks will again be formidable. The Cowboys probably top out as second-tier contenders in this version of the NFC.
Peachtree Pete
5:30
Who would make sense as a free agent edge rusher for the Falcons? Could they make a trade before Week 1?
Sam Robinson
5:30
Pete, Leonard Floyd would be the obvious call here -- even though he was not great in Jeff Ulbrich's defense last season. I'm not sure Von Miller makes a ton of sense. He doesn't seem interested -- especially after he misjudged the Commanders (who admittedly had health reasons for their 2025 descent) -- in joining a middling team. Ditto Joey Bosa. Kyle Van Noy or Derek Barnett would make sense to help the team cover for Pearce's likely suspension, at least.

Could this be the Kayvon Thibodeaux team? He would help the cause and likely net Atlanta a decent compensatory pick (depending on the team's 2027 FA activity) in 2028 if he leaves after a contract year. If the Falcons are still all-in on Walker and Pearce (the latter's path is much foggier, obviously, after the arrest). If the Raiders are back in on Crosby, would Malcolm Koonce's one-year deal be in play in a trade?

What about a call to the Jets on Joe Douglas-era draftee Will McDonald? He's signed through 2027 and flashed as a pass rusher under Ulbrich
King Josh
5:38
With all the changes we've made this year will I be able to bring a championship to Buffalo?
Sam Robinson
5:38
Hey Josh, it is possible last year was the better opportunity. A beatable Patriots team stood beyond Denver; the five-turnover game cost McDermott his job. I don't know if the Bills were beating the Seahawks, but it certainly would have been a bigger test for the eventual champs.

I love the O-line foundation you have, and Shakir is ultra-dependable. He should benefit from Moore's arrival. Jim Leonhard could be a multiyear coordinator on a head coaching path. I liked that hire for you guys. Can you maybe keep your CBs healthy for once? I'd argue you make Super Bowl LIX had Benford faced the Chiefs in that AFC title game.

I think the Texans and Broncos have better teams, but you are the equalizer; neither of those squads has a QB near your level. Moore needs to be MUCH better than Amari Cooper. If you stay on your MVP level, an AFC title is very much in play. If the Rams stay healthy, though, I don't know if a Super Bowl title is
Packers
5:44
Thanks for the last answer! But for a throw back question...I saw a Drew Bledsoe username and I have to ask, Bledsoe is my favorite player ever. Think he is criminally underrated and it's unfortunate he's only remembered for being thw guy before Brady. Happen to have any thoughts on him?
Sam Robinson
5:44
Thanks! Aside from his oft-discussed lack of mobility and sack-taking penchant, Drew deserves a lot of credit for lifting the Pats out of their deep hole upon arrival. (Their horrific early-'90s play hurt poor Pat Patriot's chances of sticking around; a uniform tragedy.) It seems Parcells gets most of the credit for that, but Bledsoe quarterbacked the Pats to four playoff berths -- including two with Carroll.

Was a gunslinger for a while, and it's not like they were teeming with weapons post-Curtis Martin (Ben Coates' prime was fairly short). His actual career does get overlooked; four Pro Bowls. Also think he deserves to take Wally Pipp's place -- as the go-to example for guy who a legend replaced -- based on what Brady became.
Sam Robinson
5:45
Nice long chat today. Thanks for the questions, everyone! Have a good weekend
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