NFL News, Rumors and Musings

Leonardfan said:
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl/ar...6-starters-are-at-a-crossroads-022344917.html

Interesting that McCarthy is somehow the QB in the hottest seat despite the fact he is a 22 year old 2nd year QB. Talk about trying to divert attention from the realities on the rest of the list.
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Yea, he’s a rookie with 3 starts under his belt. I do however agree with the writers premise, that the Vikings have Super Bowl aspirations. That’s why they should have resigned Darnold, as they’d have a few more wins and would be among the NFC elite again.

The Murray part was funny that Gannon and the GM have invested 3 years into him with nothing to show. Yet, they should get the chance to draft their own QB in 2026. Why? These feckless cucks should go down with their diminutive ship.
 
Freethinker said:
Well said. That is what's so frustrating about the Caste System. Zenner and Nall did everything they possibly could to prove they deserved to be on an NFL roster as a top 2 or 3 running back. Didn't matter. Borghi had the perfect size, speed and hands while playing at a major college program. Didn't matter. Its incredible that Skattebo was able to break through all these barricades so easily....
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Hearing the name Zenner saddens me so much. Absolutely criminal waste of talent. Thank you Matt Patricia.
 
Leonardfan said:
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl/ar...6-starters-are-at-a-crossroads-022344917.html

Interesting that McCarthy is somehow the QB in the hottest seat despite the fact he is a 22 year old 2nd year QB. Talk about trying to divert attention from the realities on the rest of the list.
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As I wrote in the Vikings thread, O'Connell is the one that should be on the "hot seat". In every possible way. Vikings last played in the Super Bowl in January of 1977. That's a long drought; way too long. They were 14-3 last season. They should not have handed the "keys" outright to a 22 year old, coming off a serious knee injury! Not even fair to J.J.

O'Connell had zero interest in re-signing Sam long term, as he had moved up in the 2024 draft to select J.J. McCarthy. J.J. was O'Connell's "hand-picked" quarterback, to replace the aging and injured Kirk Cousins. That said, O'Connell and the Vikings should've "franchised" Darnold for one more year, at the very least. But after his 2 poor games to end the 2024 season, O'Connell felt Sam was not worth the 40 million plus it would've taken and the worthless media agreed.

Okay, Darnold has to leave. And Daniel Jones did not, sagely, want to return as a backup, what's next? O'Connell needed the best possible "bridge quarterback". That should've clearly been future Hall Of Fame inductee Aaron Rodgers, who was literally begging to sign with Minnesota -- Vikings have better offensive talent and coaches than Pittsburgh. Plus he wanted to exact revenge on the Packers, who abruptly let him go, despite his "legendary" status.
 
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Truthteller said:
As I wrote in the Vikings thread, O'Connell is the one that should be on the "hot seat". In every possible way. Vikings last played in the Super Bowl in January of 1977. That's a long drought; way too long. They were 14-3 last season. They should not have handed the "keys" outright to a 22 year old, coming off a serious knee injury! Not even fair to J.J.

O'Connell had zero interest in re-signing Sam long term, as he had moved up in the 2024 draft to select J.J. McCarthy. J.J. was O'Connell's "hand-picked" quarterback, to replace the aging and injured Kirk Cousins. That said, O'Connell and the Vikings should've "franchised" Darnold for one more year, at the very least. But after his 2 poor games to end the 2024 season, O'Connell felt Sam was not worth the 40 million plus it would've taken and the worthless media agreed.

Okay, Darnold has to leave. And Daniel Jones did not, sagely, want to return as a backup, what's next? O'Connell needed the best possible "bridge quarterback". That should've clearly been future Hall Of Fame inductee Aaron Rodgers, who was literally begging to sign with Minnesota -- Vikings have better offensive talent and coaches than Pittsburgh. Plus he wanted to exact revenge on the Packers, who abruptly let him go, despite his "legendary" status.
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TT, great post. That’s a perfect summary of the Vikings situation.
 
All to often, we see the huge ego of coaches and general managers control them and lead to their demise… and yet those same coaches get hired at the next stop and do the same thing over again.

Not dissimilar to CEO’s at large organizations.
 
Freethinker said:
TT, great post. That’s a perfect summary of the Vikings situation.
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Thanks, FT. Biggest benefactors regarding the Vikings current QB situation are clearly the Colts, Seahawks and Packers. As all three teams got starting quarterbacks playing at a Pro Bowl level. Especially Colt's and 'Hawks.

But, in addition, the New York Giants have benefited. Why?

Well, prior to having 2 poor games to end the 2024, reports were the Vikings would sign Darnold to a long term contract, then trade McCarthy for a first round pick, plus more. Blackberry tooting ESPN lonsman Adam Schefter claimed the Giants would be the team most likely to trade for J.J. My guess is the Vikings would've asked for the Giants #1 pick (Abdul Carter/3rd pick) straight up ..... Or they probably would ask for, at least, one future #1 pick, plus 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounders from last spring. Would've absolutely meant no Jaxon Dart. And, quite possibly, no Dart and Cam Skattebo! Giants have to be thrilled, right now, they didn't do that.

Great point Warhawk. Vikings have an African GM. But he seems very fair to all players. Actually, he's said from the start he would be a "consensus" builder, not a real "hands-on" GM. In other words, he's leaving things up to the coaches to select the players. Which means this is QB situation is squarely on Kevin O'Connell.

Now this said, I don't intend to give up on J..J. He's young and very talented, but currently in a very tough spot -- going to Detroit next week. It's a very "tough spot" he should not have been put into, this early.
 
Truthteller said:
Now this said, I don't intend to give up on J..J. He's young and very talented, but currently in a very tough spot -- going to Detroit next week. It's a very "tough spot" he should not have been put into, this early.
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I'm actually scared for him after seeing that OL play the other night. I'd love nothing more than to comfortable beat the Vikings while JJ still has a great personal game and makes it out without much abuse. Maybe Hutch will be nice since he won Michigan a natty....
 
RIP Nick Mangold. He publicly asked on Twitter in the past week or two if someone would donate a kidney to him. Apparently it was more urgent than anyone knew. He died at 41.
 
Nick Mangold passed away, kidney disease. RIP.

A very talented and excellent center for the Jets.
 
Leonardfan said:
Sad news. He was a great player.
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This one hit me hard because of kidney disease which killed my father but he was more than double Mangold's age. He was a warrior and deserved to hoist a Lombardi or at least have a game on the biggest stage.

As much of a caste stooge as Rex Ryan was as a head coach he had much respect for Mangold and his commentary on his passing was genuine...
 
Trade impacts:

Gardner to the Colts: One positive is this helps the Colts who have 8 white offensive starters.

Shaheed to Seahawks: Hurts Kupp and Bobo

Mitchell to Jets: Helps Pierce

Penning to Chargers: Gives him a new chance to establish himself

Meyers to Jags: Helps Bech

Wilson to Cowboys: Gives him another chance to start
 
Snow Plow said:
Trade impacts:

Gardner to the Colts: One positive is this helps the Colts who have 8 white offensive starters.

Shaheed to Seahawks: Hurts Kupp and Bobo

Mitchell to Jets: Helps Pierce

Penning to Chargers: Gives him a new chance to establish himself

Meyers to Jags: Helps Bech

Wilson to Cowboys: Gives him another chance to start
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Thank you. Mostly good. Bobo and Kupp aren’t doing much regardless. It helps Darnold.
 
BSPN had an article on top players in line to get paid. 5 of the top 7 are our guys working on the "White Man Discount". I especially like the optimism of Alec Pierce's FA market.

1763148621228.png1. Trey Hendrickson, Edge​

Current team: Cincinnati Bengals
2025 salary: $29 million
Age entering 2026 season: 31

What he brings: Hendrickson is a relentless defender off the edge with a deep toolbox of counters and a knack for making plays late in the down. Hendrickson has four sacks this season, and his 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures in 2024 were both league highs. He would be an immediate upgrade for just about any team. -- Bowen

What we're hearing: Rarely does an elite pass rusher hit free agency. The Bengals have the option to franchise-tag Hendrickson at around $36 million. That's steep for a team in transition but could be a way to facilitate a sign-and-trade. Seven pass rushers make at least $34 million per year, and Hendrickson could become the next one. -- Fowler

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2. Tyler Linderbaum, C​

Current team: Baltimore Ravens
2025 salary: $2.5 million
Age entering 2026 season: 26

What he brings: Linderbaum has a tone-setting mentality on the interior of the front with the foot speed and body control to match pass rushers and climb to the second level in the run game. Linderbaum's pass block win rate of 95.5% ranks eighth among centers this season, and his 70.0% run block win rate is 16th. -- Bowen

What we're hearing: Linderbaum is considered a top-10 interior offensive lineman in the eyes of execs, coaches and scouts. That makes him an expensive option, poised to become one of the highest-paid centers. The Ravens have discussed an extension with Linderbaum but are not within striking distance on a deal. When the Ravens declined his fifth-year option in the spring, that enhanced his chances for free agency. -- Fowler

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3. Daniel Jones, QB​

Current team: Indianapolis Colts
2025 salary: $14 million
Age entering 2026 season: 29

What he brings: Jones has elevated his level of play and poise under coach Shane Steichen in Indianapolis. Through 10 games, Jones' 66.8 QBR ranks ninth in the league, and he is throwing with a much stronger sense of timing. He fits in an offense that features a good run game, which allows him to operate as a facilitator. -- Bowen

What we're hearing: Jones has a chance to become the biggest earner in the free agency class. The Colts appear all-in on keeping Jones long term, and they have comps for former top-10 picks who thrived when quarterbacking a new team: Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who each earned three-year deals worth around $100 million. Jones would totally be justified asking for that ... with interest. -- Fowler

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5. Braden Smith, OT​

Current team: Indianapolis Colts
2025 salary: $8 million
Age entering 2026 season: 30

What he brings: He is a big-bodied drive blocker at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, and he can match power in pass protection. He has started all 10 games at right tackle for the Colts after sitting out 12 games over the past two years, and his pass block win rate jumped from 83.3% in 2024 to 90.3% this season. -- Bowen

What we're hearing: Smith is following the Ronnie Stanley playbook from last season: Parlay a contract-year restructure into a strong performance to enhance value in March. Average offensive tackles get paid. But Smith is performing at an above-average level in 2025, and he has upside with almost $70 million in career earnings. -- Fowler

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7. Alec Pierce, WR​

Current team: Indianapolis Colts
2025 salary: $3.7 million
Age entering 2026 season: 26

What he brings: A vertical stretch target at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce is averaging a league-best 20.9 yards per catch. He has the straight-line speed to lift the safeties to create open coverage voids underneath. With more volume and an increased role, Pierce could produce somewhere as a multilevel route runner in 2026. -- Bowen

What we're hearing: Teams I've talked to anticipate Pierce will hit a big number in free agency. They think the $20 million per year threshold isn't out of the question for him. Pierce is poised for his first 1,000-yard season and has the size/speed combination teams covet. The Colts have decisions to make on offense. If they pay Daniel Jones -- who has chemistry with Pierce -- do they let Pierce walk? Much of that will depend on how Pierce's market develops. The Colts typically don't do extensions during the season. -- Fowler

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...25-predictions-buzz-hendrickson-jones-pickens
 
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