PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The Insiders Podcast: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels not ruled out for London game + Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to start for Buccaneers
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
44 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Oct 1, 2026
Published
Thu, October 1, 2026
31
Player insights
26
Players mentioned
Topics
Jayden DanielsJaylen WarrenJustin JeffersonLamar JacksonBaker MayfieldBrock BowersC.J. StroudCaleb WilliamsDe'Von AchaneDeshaun WatsonDrake MayeJadarian PriceJalon DanielsJameis Winston
Player analysis
Player insights
Baker Mayfield
NegativeInjury16:35
Baker Mayfield will miss the next couple of weeks due to a thumb injury.
Insight pageBrock Bowers
PositiveBreakout21:47
Brock Bowers returned to the lineup against the Saints with a massive performance of 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Insight pageC.J. Stroud
PositiveProjection25:49
C.J. Stroud's performance metrics, including completion percentage, quarterback rating, and yards per attempt, improve significantly when Nico Collins is on the field.
Insight pageCaleb Williams
NegativeInjury32:16
Caleb Williams remains week-to-week with a hamstring injury, making it unlikely he will start for the Bears this week.
Insight pageDe'Von Achane
Deshaun Watson
PositiveRole30:12
Deshaun Watson has solidified his status as the Browns' starter after winning back-to-back games. Head coach Todd Monken has maintained unwavering belief in him, and the team believes his performance will continue to improve.
Insight pageDrake Maye
NegativeProjection10:34
Drake Maye is struggling with confidence and decision-making, leading to batted passes and interceptions. The Patriots offense has seen a significant drop in production, and Maye is currently missing his top weapons due to injuries and roster turnover.
Insight pageJadarian Price
NegativeUsage23:50
Despite a fumble leading to a brief benching, the Seahawks maintain confidence in Jadarian Price, who remains the lead back while Zach Charbonnet recovers from injury.
Insight pageJalon Daniels
PositiveBreakout35:50
Undrafted rookie Jalen Daniels is set to make his first career start for the Buccaneers; he earned the QB2 role by beating out Jake Browning and is noted for his intelligence and pocket play.
Insight pageJameis Winston
PositiveMatchup42:06
Jameis Winston has a favorable opportunity to improve the Giants' struggling offense against a Cardinals defense that has allowed 30 or more points in each of their last two games and struggles against both the run and the pass.
Insight pageJared Goff
PositiveProjection21:01
Jared Goff is playing high-level football, remaining the only player in the league with two-plus passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in all three games this season.
Insight pageJayden Daniels
NegativeInjury0:23
Jayden Daniels is traveling to London and practicing, but Adam Schefter notes it will be very challenging for him to play Sunday against the Colts; Marcus Mariota is expected to start.
Insight pageNegativeInjury27:07
Jayden Daniels is practicing in a limited capacity but has not been ruled out for the Commanders' London game, though Marcus Mariota is expected to start.
Insight pageNegativeInjury40:24
Jayden Daniels is not ruled out for the upcoming London game; the team is monitoring his progress and wants to ensure he can play at his full explosive capacity before clearing him, though he does not necessarily need to practice to be deemed ready.
Insight pageJaylen Warren
PositiveUsage20:16
Jalen Warren led the Steelers' running attack last week, which helped improve the rhythm of the entire offense and contributed to their first successful offensive performance of the season.
Insight pagePositiveUsage33:36
Jalen Warren led the Steelers' rushing attack last week, helping the offense find a rhythm and score points more consistently.
Insight pageJosh Allen
PositiveInjury8:16
Josh Allen is not on the injury report despite knee soreness from the Chargers game. He participated in a full practice, indicating the Bills have no concerns about his availability for Week 4.
Insight pageJustin Jefferson
NegativeInjury40:16
Justin Jefferson is day-to-day with an ankle injury and did not practice, though the team is optimistic and does not require him to practice to play.
Insight pagePositiveUsage41:28
Justin Jefferson is highlighted as a primary beneficiary of the Vikings' offensive system, with the expectation that there are significant targets available for him as the team looks to improve their offensive rhythm.
Insight pageKirk Cousins
PositiveProjection18:48
Kirk Cousins is tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns and is thriving in the Kubiak scheme. At 38, he feels he has better command of the game than he did at 28.
Insight pageKyler Murray
PositiveProjection41:03
Kyler Murray is expected to see increased offensive production following an uneven performance against the Buccaneers; the team aims to return to the explosive offensive identity they envisioned, aided by a high-quality coaching staff and target opportunities for players like Justin Jefferson.
Insight pageLamar Jackson
NegativeInjury3:43
Lamar Jackson is dealing with a back injury sustained during a celebration after his game-winning drive. He was limited in practice but is expected to play Sunday, with the team expressing little concern.
Insight pageNegativeInjury27:19
Lamar Jackson was limited in practice due to a minor back ailment, but head coach Jesse Minter indicated there is no cause for anxiety regarding his status.
Insight pageMarcus Mariota
PositiveRole1:53
Marcus Mariota is expected to start for the Commanders on Sunday following a successful performance against Seattle. He has benefited from continuity with offensive coordinator David Blau, who he worked with previously.
Insight pageMike Evans
NegativeInjury29:17
Mike Evans is dealing with significant pain and did not practice; his availability for Sunday remains uncertain as he is not progressing quickly.
Insight pageNico Collins
PositiveInjury25:17
Nico Collins is on track to return to the Texans' lineup after practicing following a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury; his presence significantly boosts C.J. Stroud's efficiency metrics.
Insight pagePuka Nacua
PositiveInjury23:51
Puka Nacua returned to practice and is on track to play on Sunday against the Eagles.
Insight pageTrevor Lawrence
PositiveProjection33:43
Trevor Lawrence is off to his best statistical start, showing improved comfort in Liam Cohen's system and high-level decision-making at the line of scrimmage.
Insight pageTyson Bagent
NegativeDepth Chart32:29
Tyson Bagent is the Bears' backup quarterback and could potentially return to the starting role if the team decides to move away from Case Keenum.
Insight pageXavier Worthy
PositiveUsage21:58
Xavier Worthy has had a slow start with only 10 catches for 63 yards. While Mahomes defends his reads, Worthy is getting lost in a crowded target hierarchy and is still dealing with the lingering effects of a shoulder injury.
Insight pageZach Charbonnet
PositiveInjury24:27
Zach Charbonnet is showing real progress and promise in his recovery from a knee injury and could return to practice this week or next.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human. We'll get to the back issue in Baltimore here in just a minute.
0:06We welcome you to this Wednesday edition of The Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance.
0:10And here with me today, we've got Mike Garofalo, Judy Battista and Adam Schefter.
0:15I am Rhett Lewis. Friends, let's begin with another quarterback injury in that area of the country, although I guess they are in another country here today.
0:23What is new today? Jayden Daniels back out there making the trip to London with the commanders last night practicing with the
0:30team this week, not yet ruled out for their matchup with the Colts.
0:34From Tottenham to the Hotspur Stadium, which you will see right here on NFL Network 930 AM Eastern Time.
0:40Okay, Adam Schefter, what are the commanders looking for with Jaden Daniels in his recovery here and with the doctor's advice as
0:47they try to see whether he's going to be available this weekend?
0:50Warren, I think they've gotten what they're looking for already.
0:53He's made the trip to London. He's out on the practice field.
0:57He's braced up with a bulkier brace than he wore last year when he dislocated his left elbow and he's trying to get used to that right now.
1:06But it's going to be very challenging for Jayden Daniels to make it back in time for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts.
1:13The chances are Marcus Mariota is the starter for the commanders on Sunday and they continue to get Daniels ready and the
1:20fact that he's not on injured reserve, the fact that he's in London, the fact that he's at practice, these are all
1:26victories for the commanders in a game I still think we're going to wind up seeing Marcus Mariota start a week after
1:33he led them to an upset over Seattle. And it was a good performance by Mariota and part of the reason is
1:40that he hit the ground running with David Blau, the new offensive coordinator.
1:44I say new because he is the new offensive coordinator, but he had been there previously.
1:49And for all the reasons that we talked about it being a good thing for Jayden Daniels, that he had that continuity,
1:56at least despite a new system and a new OC, same reason for Mariota.
2:00And they were able to hit the ground running as well.
2:04So regardless of what quarterbacks in there, they have a good working relationship with the offensive coordinator.
2:09And certainly, as Adam alluded to, if it's going to be Mariota, you've got not only that previous experience, but also the
2:16in-game experience that you've got on tape and in your mind, the confidence that comes with that after the win over the Seahawks.
2:23Okay, now let's get to the anxious moments for Ravens fans and Lamar Jackson fantasy managers.
2:28He was limited in practice today. It's officially a back issue that they put on the injury report.
2:33You heard Jesse Minter, though, at the top of the show, effectively giving an R-E-L-A-X to the city of Baltimore.
2:39Okay, let's get right back to this now. This is not unfamiliar territory for Lamar Jackson to be limited in practice early
2:46on in a week, Adam, but is this something we're going to have to monitor as we get closer to game time?
2:53Well, it'll be monitored because it's Lamar Jackson, but as Jesse Minter said, it is R-E-L-A-X.
2:58They're not overly concerned. They did list him as limited because he was not there for the start of practice due to what they're calling a back injury.
3:07But Lamar eventually did make his way back out onto the field today.
3:11He did practice some, not all of it, but enough that they feel good about his chances of playing on Sunday, assuming
3:17there are no setbacks to this back injury that he suffered on Sunday.
3:21Some point between the game-winning kick in Rio and the celebration where he went running onto the field after what turned out
3:28to be the first come-from-behind minute drive in the final minute of his NFL career.
3:33He'd never done that before. He now has done that, but now he's been with a back injury that doesn't look like
3:40it's going to prevent him from playing. Meanwhile, the guy that's going to be snapping the ball now to these guys, Venga
3:46Ione, who had never snapped to Lamar Jackson before he jumped in the other day.
3:51Now stay with me. The Ravens had Tyler Linderbaum, one of the best centers in the game.
3:56He leaves to go to the Raiders via free agency.
3:59Danny Pinter steps in, season-ending knee injury to his patella.
4:02Ethan Posick, the veteran whom they also signed, he wasn't ready.
4:06Joe Von Gwynn comes in. He starts to play well, gets his first career start there with the Ravens, and then he gets hurt.
4:13Posick gets hurt as well. Ione has to step in on the fly.
4:17Tremendous job by him, by the way. And then the team today signing Andre James, who had previously been a starter for the Raiders.
4:25I mean, that's one, two, three, four, five. They'd be down to their sixth center by the time all is said and done, including Linderbaum last year.
4:33So whatever they're paying Dwayne Ledford, the offensive line coach, it's not enough because what he has done and what the offense
4:40has done with Lamar Jackson, given all the changes at center, which is an incredibly important position, really impressive.
4:46Going to keep watching this and see if they can adjust and whether James slips in there as a starter soon.
4:52Yeah, incredible. We're still talking about that. Heading into week four here.
4:56Meanwhile, for the Bills, they're dealing with some knee soreness for their quarterback, Josh Allen.
5:00And this happened in the win over the Chargers.
5:03Still expected to play week four as the Bills open AFC East division play with the Patriots.
5:08Here's said coach Joe Brady. I'm not concerned with Josh.
5:12Yeah, he embodies competitive stamina. And I mean, think just not even talk about how he responds to a game like that.
5:18Just think about the response in the game and just continuing to keep going.
5:23And the fact that we can we can win that game, you know, with all of those circumstances just kind of shows
5:29that his his mentality, his personality in terms of like, I'm going to still find a way and understanding that we have
5:36to find ways to get better and that this week is just an opportunity for us to respond.
5:42Okay, Adam, again, another not concerned with a quarterback being limited in practice.
5:46But is there any any indication that this might limit the way that Josh Allen, like the full spectrum of his skill
5:53set, having run for two touchdowns in each of the first three Bills wins?
5:57Well, right. The Buffalo Bills did not even list Josh Allen on their injury report today at all.
6:03So he went through a full practice. And by that alone, that tells you that the Buffalo Bills are not concerned about that.
6:10They wouldn't tempt the NFL and put out something where there was any question about him playing, any question about him being
6:16limited if he weren't full go at practice. Now, he did bang that knee at the end of that game.
6:23It looked like he might have been hurt initially, but they're dismissing it so much so that they didn't even list him on the injury report today.
6:31That's an encouraging sign for Josh Allen on the Buffalo Bills.
6:34Okay, so let's get to the New England Patriots who are not dealing with an injury for their quarterback, Drake May, but certainly a lack of production.
6:43As you can see, the drop off for the offense in points per game, averaging 16 points less than they were a
6:49year ago on their Super Bowl run. The red zone touchdown percentage way off and the giveaways are way up.
6:56Not a great recipe for success. And there were some reports that maybe there's a rift between Mike Vrabel, the head coach, and his quarterback.
7:03We're able to dispel that today. Let me just tell you why I'm here.
7:08I'm here because Drake was the quarterback. Believe it or not, I had choices to where I wanted to coach.
7:14I wanted to coach here because Drake was the quarterback.
7:17So, you know, I don't have really much other to add to that about, you know, a comment from an unnamed source.
7:24But I'll just tell you what I've told numerous people if they want to ask me why I'm here.
7:30Mike, is there anything more to this than a talented quarterback that's just going through some struggles here to start this season?
7:36That's what the Patriots are hoping right now. And I say hope because they can't really put their finger on it.
7:43It's not like he's had these bad practices or brain lapses during the week.
7:47He's had good practices. He's putting the good work in.
7:50He's still communicating and seeing it the way that he has before, or at least saying that he's seeing it.
7:56And then they get into the games and all of a sudden he's making some critical mistakes and missing guys.
8:03So, you know, there's a difference between practice where it's controlled, the game where it's live.
8:08Obviously, that's a big part of it. But he's definitely not in the game seemingly sure of what he's putting the ball.
8:14I mean, he seems a little tentative. And that's what's leading to a lot of these batted passes and interceptions that you're seeing right now.
8:22Drake May's got to find his confidence again. They're doing everything they possibly can.
8:26And again, during the week, they feel like they're putting him in the right position, Judy, to be successful.
8:32But we'll see. Well, there are a lot of contributing factors here.
8:36Certainly, Drake May is the most worrisome issue that the Patriots are confronting right now.
8:41But there are a lot of things that are contributing to his struggles.
8:45First of all, obviously, defenses have adjusted to him after he got out to his very hot start in the regular season last year.
8:52They started adjusting in the postseason and they have continued to adjust.
8:56They're taking away the deep pass that he was so adept at last year.
9:00There has been shuffling on the offensive line because of injuries.
9:03Last week, they didn't run the ball particularly well.
9:06And then his wide receiver room, which they rebuilt this offseason, has fallen apart.
9:11A.J. Brown is obviously out with an injury. Romeo Dobbs has not stepped up.
9:15He is really struggling to find his footing right now.
9:18Of course, Kayshawn Booty and Stefan Diggs left during the offseason.
9:21So his most reliable offensive weapon right now is Mac Hollins.
9:25You can see when you watch Drake May, he looks confused.
9:28He certainly looks like he has lost confidence. The Patriots have to build him back up and have to find ways to
9:35just get him in a rhythm and get his confidence back when he is on the field.
9:40Because he is making some decisions that are just confounding to the Patriots and that he didn't do when he was a younger quarterback.
9:48Okay, going to continue to update you here on some injuries around the league.
9:52Obviously, the quarterback position has taken a hard hit.
9:55You can even add Baker Mayfield to that list.
9:58Going to miss the next couple of weeks here with that thumb injury.
10:02Devon Achan out for the year for the Miami Dolphins.
10:05And we'll have some additional updates for you on the wide receiver injuries.
10:09Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, and Mike Evans all on the way.
10:12But also, coming up, two teams looking to bounce back from week three losses meeting up in Philly.
10:18The Rams and the Eagles ahead where Philly head coach Nick Sirianni wants to see improvement from his squad.
10:23On the flip side, two of the league's five remaining undefeated teams meeting up in Las Vegas.
10:29The Chiefs and the Raiders going all in for another win.
10:32How the vet Kirk Cousins is using his experience to guide the silver and black just ahead.
10:37All right, back here with you as we get ready for the Chiefs and Raiders on the insiders.
10:43Patrick Mahomes has certainly had his fair share of success against the Raiders in this rivalry.
10:48Really good on the road against the Raiders. But this is a new era of the silver and black and one Mahomes thinks is for real.
10:56I wouldn't be surprised if it's a very hostile environment.
10:59Trying to take me back to those Oakland Raiders days.
11:02And so, I'm excited just for the challenge, you know.
11:05I mean, they're playing great football. You can see it on tape.
11:09That 3-0 record is real. They've been playing great the entire season.
11:13And so, for us, it's another step, another challenge that we have to go up there and match.
11:18We've got both sides of this matchup covered with Omar Ruiz and Jeffrey Chidiya.
11:22Let's begin, Omar, there in Las Vegas where it would appear that the autumn wind is an experienced Raider.
11:28Talking about Kirk Cousins, who's tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns.
11:32How has his connection with the Kubiak scheme and veteran presence really aided this Raider squad?
11:37Well, we'll get to Kirk Cousins in a minute, but these aren't your same old Raiders, Rhett, in a literal sense.
11:44Linebacker N'Kobe Dean coming over from the Eagles and all his forced fumbles and rookie Hezekiah masses tied for the league lead in interceptions.
11:51Helping fuel the Raiders' NFL best nine takeaways defensively.
11:54Dean, of course, a Super Bowl champion, told me that belief is a superpower.
11:58When you believe in the guy next to you, when the offense believes in the defense and vice versa, it instills confidence
12:05and it builds trust in one another. As for Kirk Cousins, offensively, one of those newcomers, he's tied for the league lead in touchdown passes.
12:13I asked him earlier today about his strong start to the season, especially at 38 years old.
12:18And he said that his belief in his play has never been higher.
12:22You know, I think football as a quarterback, you're only getting better as you get older in terms of knowledge of the
12:29game and understanding of all the intricacies of facing defenses and protections and route adjustments.
12:33And you just keep accumulating knowledge and that makes you a better quarterback.
12:37The key is that your body, you know, can keep up as well.
12:42And I think as long as we can do that, I think I actually kind of like myself more at an older age than a younger age.
12:50I'm much better, much better command at 38 than 28.
12:53And so that's why the physical is so important.
12:56And when you feel like you have that, you start to say, why not, you know, why not the older guys at 38?
13:03Because he kind of checking all those boxes. And it certainly helps, Rhett, when you get a guy like Brock Bowers returning
13:10to the lineup, making his season debut against the Saints.
13:1310 catches, 116 yards and a touchdown, earning the AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
13:18Well, Omar, I can tell you that the Chiefs would love to see Xavier Worthy break out this game against the Raiders
13:24because it's been a tough start for him. They've been waiting a couple of years for him to break out.
13:31Only 10 catches this season, only 63 yards on the season.
13:34And really, Patrick Mahomes has defended him, saying that Worthy has been making the right reads.
13:39He's been getting open, but the ball hasn't been coming his way.
13:43Hey, Coach Andy Reid has been talking about the shoulder injury that Worthy had last year.
13:48Still affecting him. He's trying to get over that.
13:50But one team source told me this really is a numbers game.
13:54This offense is running through Kenneth Walker now, Travis Kelsey, Rasheed Rice, Taequann Thornton.
13:58All these guys are getting a ton of balls coming their way.
14:02So Worthy's getting lost in the shuffle, but he has to start breaking out because of speed.
14:07First round pit from 2024 draft. He's got to start making a play here and becoming a bigger part of this offense.
14:14Okay, guys, way to work there for us. We get set for that matchup between two undefeated teams in the Chiefs and the Raiders.
14:22And now we continue by taking a look at two teams that are looking to bounce back from week three losses.
14:28And some good news for the Rams. They are hoping to get wide out.
14:32Pukanukua back did return to practice. Today is on track to play on Sunday.
14:37Now the Eagles, not exactly playing elite football right now on the other side here on offense.
14:42Had a rough second half. Three, three and outs.
14:45Interception and a turnover on downs on Monday night against the Bears.
14:48And of course, Case Keenum carved them up on the defensive side in his first start in over 1,000 days.
14:55Nick Sirianni with a look at the Eagles' issues.
14:57Are the players, you know, consistently on the same page?
15:00I think that that comes down to us. You know, as I've told you guys in the past, like, regardless of what
15:07happens on the field of who makes a mistake, I'm responsible for all those things.
15:12Because that's how you get better. And that's how you get an entire team to buy into ownership.
15:17Because if I'm not taking ownership, then why would that?
15:21And so what I mean by that is, like, okay, well, we've missed this type of tackle.
15:26Or we haven't got this strip attempt. And you find those common denominators of things that you felt like, have we done
15:33a good enough job coaching this or drilling this and putting them in positions to succeed?
15:38My job is to coach everybody and not just the players.
15:41And so at the end of a game, you go through a process that evaluates both ends of it.
15:47And we're in this together. This can't ever be like, they got to understand that everybody makes mistakes, coaches, players.
15:53And that's why you have to be good at evaluating both of those things.
15:57Okay, let's welcome Tim McManus with us now. We're trying to figure out some of these issues here for the Eagles that
16:04Nick Sirianni is kind of alluding to there. Do they feel like they know who this team is and the way that
16:11they want to approach and attack teams moving forward?
16:14Well, they're trying to use that Bears loss as an opportunity for growth.
16:18And quarterback Jalen Hurts is leading that charge, as he often does.
16:21He said that he asked his teammates after that game, who are we?
16:25It was a way to challenge all of those players to figure out what kind of team they want to be and then go attack that with intentionality.
16:34And also applies to the X's and O's, right?
16:37And Hurts saying that in that Bears game, they came out wanting to establish the run.
16:42It feels like they did that, and I think that that could be a part of their identity going forward.
16:48As far as defensively, Cooper DeGene kept reiterating it in the locker room today.
16:52It's all about improving communication. That was a big problem against Chicago, including on that long 41-yard touchdown.
16:58So that is top of mind. The Eagles know they have a big challenge ahead.
17:02One and two Rams are coming in. They're obviously going to be very motivated.
17:07Head coach Nick Sirianni saying that he knows it's going to take their best game to date in order to get the job done.
17:14But they feel like they are taking some steps in the right direction this week.
17:19And as Jalen Hurts said, I hate losing more than anything, but you have to lose in order to win.
17:25And that's kind of the approach they're taking this week.
17:28Okay, let's see if it pays off as they get set to host the Rams team they've had some success against here in recent history.
17:36Okay, thanks very much, Tim. Still to come here on The Insiders, quite the turnaround for Deshaun Watson and the Browns.
17:42Rattling off back-to-back victories after a disastrous week one result.
17:45So how is the recent success impacting the future as the Browns starting quarterback?
17:50Well, it is game day eve and we're getting you set for the Steelers and Browns on Thursday night.
17:56Here's a look at the injury designations. A couple of guys out.
17:59Joey Porter still out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And then the Browns missing a couple of their offensive linemen.
18:05And both Tevin Jenkins and Elton Jenkins also out.
18:08But the Browns come into this game winning two in a row here, Adam.
18:12And it was thought with Deshaun Watson and the way things went in the preseason that it might be a quick hook for them.
18:20If the struggle for him, if the struggles kind of continue into the regular season.
18:24How have the recent wins maybe solidified his status as the starter here down the road?
18:29Rhett, the one thing that's been obvious here the entire time is that the Browns' new head coach, Todd Monken, has been squarely in Deshaun Watson's corner.
18:38From the time in training camp when very few thought that Deshaun Watson would start to the time when he struggled in
18:44the opener against the Jaguars and the Browns got blown out.
18:48And people thought they might pull the plug on him at that point in time to start Shador Sanders the next week.
18:55Todd Monken never has wavered in his belief in Deshaun Watson.
18:58And he's been rewarded for it with the Browns winning their last two games coming into this Thursday night game.
19:04So yes, maybe that leash is a little longer.
19:07But he does have the belief and confidence of his head coach.
19:11And that counts for something. And it doesn't look like his benching is coming anytime soon with the way he's played the last two weeks.
19:18Adam, we talked about it coming into the season, why he won the job.
19:23And it's because while his last preseason game, which people saw was not great, and people tried to evaluate what they saw
19:29on the field during the preseason, what he was doing day in, day out at training camp, even all through the offseason,
19:36was what Todd Monken was seeing and what he was evaluating.
19:40And there were throws that were reminiscent of the guy that was a big-time starter that netted that long-term guaranteed contract from the Browns.
19:47And there was significant upside to putting him out there.
19:50And now they feel like they're seeing it. Now they feel like it can only get better from here and continue to improve.
19:57This is going to be a tough test against a tough defense here.
20:01But for Deshaun Watson, things are certainly moving in the right direction.
20:05And the seeds for what you're seeing now were planted in the summer, Judy.
20:09Well, if the Cleveland offense is operating better with Deshaun Watson, the Steelers offense operated much better last week with the running game.
20:16They finally got their running attack going. It was Jalen Warren leading the way.
20:21Rico Dowdle was not even playing. They also made changes on the right side of their offensive line, and he was running
20:27to the outside, left, right, up the middle. They finally got it going, and then you could see the rhythm of the entire offense improve.
20:35They had been struggling to score points. Well, no longer.
20:38They were having deep shots down the field. Two of Aaron Rodgers' touchdown passes were over 20 air yards.
20:44They were getting explosive plays. They were getting consistent plays.
20:47You can see just moving the chains over and over again.
20:51It looked like what Mike McCarthy wants his offense to look like.
20:54We will see if they can keep this up.
20:57But certainly that was a promising sign for the Steelers offense.
21:01Okay, Judy, Mike, let's get to the Sunday nighter for the Lions and Panthers, where Jared Goff is playing some good football right now.
21:08Only player in the league with two-plus passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in all three games this season, despite, you know, not
21:15being the most mobile guy, or at least as that was intimated by a certain head coach within the NFC North.
21:21Here's his head coach, Dan Campbell, on the mobile.
21:24Goff's game is cerebral, right? He's prototype. He can see.
21:27You know, he's got a big arm, and he's an accurate passer, and he plays the game here, you know.
21:33So to be able to get us in the right call, turn the protections, alter some of what we're doing in the
21:40pass game, you know, what routes we're calling, what I'm doing, what's the look.
21:44And that's his game, and he's damn good at it.
21:47Whereas Bryce is a different flavor of that. So I don't feel like, no, I don't feel like that's a hindrance.
21:54We run the offense, we run, and we're very good at it because of Jared Goff.
21:59Adam Schifter back here with us. Adam, look, it's going to be a tough one for the Panthers, considering how well Jared
22:06Goff's playing, and the fact that they've got a pair of corners now on injured reserve.
22:11So how are the Panthers dealing with the injuries to J.C.
22:14Horn and Mike Jackson? Well, Rhett, today the Panthers head coach, Dave Canales, said each cornerback is expected to miss at least eight weeks.
22:21And that leaves the Panthers in a major bind, not only Sunday night against the Detroit Lions, but moving forward.
22:28They have a group of cornerbacks, but they're undersized.
22:30They're essentially players that have been counted out before.
22:33There's nobody that you know. They're not about to go out and add some big-name cornerback.
22:38They're going to go with the corners that they have on their roster at this point in time and have to make
22:45do for the next two-plus months without their two starting cornerbacks.
22:48You start off against Amon Ra, St. Brown, and Jamison Williams.
22:52It doesn't get any easier in the weeks after that, and that is going to put more pressure on everybody.
22:58They're going to have to get pressure up front from the pass rush.
23:02They're going to have to have the offense carry them, have the run game stay on the field longer.
23:08There's a lot of ways that they're going to have to make up for the absence of two stellar cornerbacks.
23:14Backs against the wall in the defensive backfield there in Carolina.
23:17Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDonald will stand on opposite sidelines as the Chargers and Seahawks meet up in L.A., but will share
23:24the same feel for the first time since McDonald was Harbaugh's D.C.
23:28at Michigan back in 2021, and the respect between the two remains.
23:32Mike is a winner, you know. Everywhere he goes, everything he's a part of, he elevates it, and tremendous football coach in person.
23:39Great guy and a great coach. But it's a winner, winner all the way.
23:43Hard to argue with that assessment, Mike Garofalo, but for the Seahawks, off to a slow start with their first-round rookie running
23:50back, Jadarian Price, as they await the return of Zach Charbonnet.
23:53What's the latest on that front? Let's start with Jadarian Price, who went to the bench after a fumble the other day,
24:00and I thought, oh, is he about to get the Belichick right here?
24:04We're not going to see him for quite some time.
24:07And that's not how Mike McDonald rolls. He just wanted him to take a step back and take a breath there and reset.
24:14And then he came back into the game, so they still have the utmost confidence in Price, who came out of the gate looking pretty good.
24:22The first play of the NFL season, I believe, was a long run by Price.
24:27As for Charbonnet, you talked about him. He could practice this week, maybe next week, as he works his way back from a knee injury.
24:35You just got to check up. Everything looked good there.
24:38It's a significant injury. They're not rushing it by any stretch, but he's starting to show some real progress and promise here.
24:44He could be back on the field to add to a pretty deep backfield that, again, at the top, is still going to have Jadarian Price, we believe.
24:53730 yards rushing for Charbonnet a year ago for the injury.
24:56All right, Cowboys and Texans meeting up here. And, boy, when you look at the defenses here, it has certainly not been
25:03a pretty picture for the Cowboys since 2025 began.
25:06That struggle has continued into this season. And, Judy, it's not going to get any easier this week, especially if the Texans
25:13are going to welcome their stud receiver, Nico Collins, back to the lineup.
25:17What do you hear in there? It does appear that Nico Collins is on track to return after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.
25:25He practiced today, so certainly that is the first good sign of the week.
25:29And that will be a big boost for C.J.
25:32Stroud and the offense. Stroud has actually played well in the first three weeks of the season.
25:38They just haven't gotten into the end zone as they need to be doing.
25:42That should get a big boost from Nico Collins.
25:45Stroud simply is a much better quarterback when he is on the field.
25:49His completion percentage goes up by almost 5.5%. His quarterback rating goes up.
25:53His yards per pass attempt goes up. His touchdown to interception ratio is much, much better when Nico Collins is on the field with him.
26:00So getting Collins and also guard Ed Ingram could be on track to return as well.
26:05That would be a big boost to the passing attack.
26:08They have leaned on the passing attack more because they've really struggled to get the running game going with David Montgomery.
26:15So they need all hands on deck to avoid an 0-4 start in Houston.
26:19Okay, keeping an eye on the Texans' potential resurgence against the Cowboys this week.
26:24Still to come here on The Insiders. The Broncos need to figure out a way to find their success at opening kick, not just second half kickoff.
26:32We'll go inside their struggles to start games when we come back.
26:36All right, back here with you on The Insiders.
26:38And a reminder to tune in Sunday as the Colts take on the Commanders.
26:43Live from London, 930 a.m. Eastern, right here on NFL Network and streaming on the ESPN app.
26:48Then you can end your football weekend with Monday Night Football as the Atlanta Falcons take on the Saints.
26:54As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the rebirth of the Superdome.
26:58You watch it live Monday, 8 Eastern on ESPN and streaming on the ESPN app.
27:02All right, Jaden Daniels practicing in a limited capacity today for the Commanders as they arrived in London.
27:08Not yet ruled out for the International Series matchup with the Colts.
27:11But Adam Schefter telling us at the top of the show, looks more likely that Marcus Mariota will make a second straight start.
27:19Lamar Jackson limited in practice today for the Ravens as they get set to take on the Titans.
27:24But head coach Jesse Mentor quelling any potential anxiety over the status of his quarterback.
27:29It is a minor issue. A back ailment is what the official designation was on the injury report.
27:34All right, the Broncos and 49ers meeting at 125 local time in Santa Clara this weekend.
27:39And that timing probably an important distinction for the Broncos who have made a habit of not showing up until halftime.
27:46Scoring just 10 points in the first half of each of their first three games.
27:50Leading for just nine minutes. As you can see, the third least time leading.
27:55Everybody else on that board right there still looking for win number one.
27:59Judy, the Broncos obviously recognizing that they have to rectify this situation.
28:02It is not sustainable, but how they do it is the question.
28:06Yeah, I love this quote from Sean Payton this week.
28:09He says, I'm comfortable with the grit of a team that can play well in the fourth quarter, but as the head
28:16coach, you can't possibly be comfortable with the way the first half unfolds.
28:20It's great that Bo Nix already has 11 fourth quarter comebacks in his career.
28:24What is not so great is, as you pointed out, they have only led for a little bit more than nine minutes total this season.
28:32They've only scored 10 points in the first half so far.
28:35Really slow starts. Part of the problem is they are struggling to get the running game going right out of the gate early in the game.
28:43And so they run and they don't run effectively on the early downs.
28:47And then they are in third and long and they can't convert it.
28:51And so they are off the field and then they need 30 point explosions.
28:56It's hard to rely on that week after week.
28:59They play the 49ers this week and they have a top scoring offense and a top scoring defense, not a team you
29:05want to get into a big hole against because they're not going to let you dig out, Mike.
29:11Well, they may be short man, though, and that may affect both sides, Judy, because Mike Evans didn't practice today.
29:17Dre Greenlaw on the other side didn't practice back to the offense.
29:21Trent Williams didn't practice because of a neck issue that knocked him out of the game on Sunday.
29:26Evans is in a lot of pain from my understanding, like a lot of pain.
29:31And there's ways to take care of that. But I just don't know that he'll be anywhere near 100%.
29:37And the question is, does he want to go?
29:40I mean, like right there you see it and it's continued throughout the week.
29:44Doesn't seem to be getting a whole lot better, but we'll see if he can make some progress as we get closer to Sunday.
29:51I'm guessing they're going to keep hope alive for him that he could possibly rally here late.
29:57But right now, as we get to the middle of the week in extreme pain, from my understanding.
30:02That's a tough one there for Mike Evans in the Niners, continuing to be shorthanded at the receiver spot.
30:08Well, the reunion tour continues for Aaron Glenn and the Jets going on the road to face Ben Johnson and the Bears.
30:15Glenn and Johnson spending four seasons together in Detroit, but now face off against each other for the first time as head coaches.
30:22Glenn now with more on the relationship. The communication between me and him was always outstanding.
30:27I remember when he first ended up getting a position and me and him sitting up and talking, he's asking me questions
30:34on, like, how many practices ahead of time do I want to happen?
30:38And then for a defense guy, you always want to be a couple of steps ahead, you know, so you can plan the right way.
30:45And just having those conversations and seeing how he put things together and then just talking offense and defense football was good to have.
30:53But the one thing, and like I said, we were so competitive in move-the-ball situations on how we wanted to beat each other.
31:00But it made both foot better. I will say that.
31:03He's a damn good coach. Communication might have been great then, but Ben Johnson not telling Aaron Glenn or anybody who is
31:10starting quarterback is going to be in this week's four matchup against the Jets.
31:14That despite Case Keenum putting on a show on Monday Night Football and the Bears blowout win over the year.
31:20Yeah, we got three guys and we'll kind of work through the week and see where they're at.
31:26What would be the factors? One direction or another.
31:29Whoever we feel like gives us the best chance to win.
31:32Is it more accurate to say that you don't know who the starter's going to be or you don't want to advertise who the starter's going to be?
31:41I don't know. That's a fair question. Fair question.
31:43Come on. We'll know on Sunday who's playing. We're good.
31:47Figure it out before Sunday. And, you know, I do like the playfulness there with Ben Johnson.
31:52But how are the Bears moving forward here with the way that Case Keenum played and the fact that Tyson Bajan is at least healthy?
32:00Credit, by the way, to the beat reporters who kept trying every angle to box him in to give an answer.
32:06He wouldn't give it up. He's got a good poker face.
32:09Look, Ben Johnson said we've got three quarterbacks. All right.
32:12Caleb Williams has the hamstring and is still week to week.
32:16So we assume it's not going to be him.
32:19Ben Johnson did say, though, that Case Keenum's performance would be taken into consideration when he is deciding.
32:24He has already decided, presumably, on who is going to be the starting quarterback.
32:29Remember, though, Tyson Bajan is the backup. He won the backup job out of training camp.
32:33He's number two. The only reason he didn't play last week is because he wasn't cleared from the concussion protocol in time to get enough practice reps in.
32:42So it certainly would not be a surprise to see them revert to him as the starter.
32:47Wouldn't be a surprise to see if they keep going with the hot hand in Case Keenum.
32:53Whoever it is will face a much improved New York Jets defense.
32:56Aaron Glenn took back play calling this year. They are having much more success.
33:01They still don't have an interception. Maybe it'll come against whoever is starting for the Chicago Bears.
33:06Okay, Judy. Thanks very much. Still to come, the Buccaneers will be without Baker Mayfield for the next couple of weeks.
33:12So turning to the quarterback they got is an undrafted rookie to take the reins in his place.
33:18Get to know Jalen Daniels next on The Insiders.
33:21Every Sunday, the game day lineup has you covered from sunrise to the final whistle.
33:25Catch game day live at 1 p.m. Eastern. Game day highlights follow up at 730 and game day final.
33:31Get you caught up with everything you might have missed at 1130.
33:35Tune in Sunday only on NFL Network, now also streaming on the ESPN app.
33:39Jaguars, Jaguars's Jaguars at the Bengals from Cincinnati where Trevor Lawrence will go in, but playing some really good football.
33:4510 and 1 in his last 11 going back to 2025.
33:49The offensive touchdowns with him at the helm, 31 tops in the league as we welcome Sarah Walsh to the show here.
33:56Sarah, what are the Jags attribute to Trevor Lawrence's upward trajectory in his production lately?
34:00Well, Ryan, I'm glad you asked me that and not about the Jangles because I don't have anything on the Jangles.
34:07The new hotness in this league, but I can tell you about Trevor Lawrence off to his best start statistically.
34:13And if you talk to his teammates, they'll tell you it's his best start as well.
34:18I talked to his center this week, Robert Hainsey.
34:21I said, what is Trevor doing differently or better that maybe fans at home wouldn't see?
34:26And he said, it's the things that he does before the ball leaves his hands.
34:30And by that, he told me that they are operating right now at such a high level at the line of scrimmage.
34:37He said, Trevor's obviously gotten so much more comfortable in Liam Cohen's system, but he said it's the adjustments and the way
34:44he is deciphering the looks that he is seeing from the defenses that he's been allowed to take advantage and be incredibly opportunistic.
34:51And then another thing, Rhett, that's really helping this offense.
34:54How about the Jaguars defense? This is a defense that has not allowed a touchdown in the first half this year.
35:00They haven't allowed a point in the first quarter.
35:03The only thing that they have given up in a first half this year is six points total.
35:09That would be two field goals. And I said, how big is that to you, to Hainsey?
35:14And he told me it's huge because the game plan, he said that they work on all week.
35:20They can use it. They're not having to alter plans.
35:23They're not having to change anything because they're trying to catch up.
35:26You can use what you actually spent your time working on.
35:30The Jags have been on a tear at home for a while, and now they go on the road to Cincinnati.
35:36But Hainsey told me Liam Cohen's motto this year has been, anyone, anytime, Rhett, anywhere.
35:41I love that. We shall hit the road as well.
35:44But just going from Duvall to Hillsborough County, where Baker may feel out due to that thumb injury.
35:50So undrafted rookie Jalen Daniels set to make his first career NFL start as the Bucs owes the Packers.
35:55And he stepped up to the mic for the first time as the starter in a Wednesday press conference.
36:01I mean, yeah, I don't even know if I could put it into words.
36:06I mean, obviously, I continue to say it's a dream come true to even play for an NFL organization.
36:12So to be able to go out there and have my first NFL career start, it means everything.
36:17I think I've progressed a lot in a lot of different ways.
36:21And like I said, postgame, I think leaning on Bacon, leaning on Easton has helped me a lot, especially when we're talking
36:28about being able to know what the defense is doing, different calls that I need to make in different situations.
36:34I mean, even yesterday when we were having our quarterback and O-line meeting, just being able to talk to Bacon, talk to
36:41Easton about every single thing that they've seen and just doing everything that I can to be able to retain that information.
36:47What advice has Baker given you to prepare for this moment?
36:51He simply put it as if, you know, you've been dreaming of this opportunity.
36:55Just stay composed. Play as yourself. Don't try to be anybody else besides you.
36:59And go out there and just go make football plays.
37:02Sarah, you were there as Jalen Daniels stood behind that podium and in front of that mic today.
37:08Look, he's had a lot of experience as a college quarterback at Kansas, but this is a big opportunity.
37:14What did you observe and what do you feel like has given the Bucs the confidence, you know, to turn to him in the first place as QB2?
37:23Well, the first thing you observe is when this guy steps to the podium, his enthusiasm is infectious.
37:28And the Bucs have talked about this. And I talked to Jason Light back when they decided to make him the number
37:35two, when they brought in Jake Browning to be the number two.
37:39And Jason Light and Todd Bowles even today reiterated, he earned this because Bowles was asked, was this a risky move?
37:45Because now the thought was that you weren't going to have to use him.
37:49And now you're having to use him in week four.
37:52And they said, no, he simply beat Jake Browning out.
37:56Todd was asked, what do you expect out of this guy this week?
38:00And he said, they expect him to be himself.
38:02He has been playing ball his whole life. You mentioned his college career at Kansas.
38:07He played six years there. Bowles says they're still trying to figure out how to make him comfortable from a game plan standpoint.
38:14But as for his ability to move around outside the pocket, Bowles specifically said it was his intelligence, it was his pocket
38:21play that got him on this team. The fact that he could do things outside of the pocket and unscripted, Bowles calls that a bonus, Rhett.
38:29All right, that's high level insight right there. Sarah Walsh getting it done for us with the Bucs as they try to get it done with Jalen Daniels.
38:38All right, let's keep it moving here. As we talk about the Packers side of things, where they have had an in-season overhaul of their offensive line.
38:46The latest addition, a 36-year-old guard in Kevin Zeitler.
38:49Yeah, I think it just calms down the O-line.
38:51Like there's a, you know, when you have veterans in there that have been through the war, certainly we've got young guys
38:58playing beside them that definitely can settle things down.
39:01So, you know, we're just trying to get these guys integrated, get them up to speed, ramp them up, and, you know, see what they can do.
39:09Okay, Judy Zeitler, one of three new additions to that Packers offensive line.
39:13How does this shake out here for Green Bay?
39:16Well, they are trying to get them up to speed as quickly as possible so they can get in there.
39:22They haven't even ruled out using some of them this week.
39:26Here's why. They have the fewest rushing yards in the league so far, and their pass block win rate is the lowest
39:33ever recorded through three games in history. That's how bad things are.
39:36Desperate times call for desperate measures in Green Bay.
39:39It is taking a toll on Jordan Love. They've had injuries.
39:42They have had ineffective play by the players who are in there.
39:46It's fair to question how three players who were not on active rosters can really make an improvement, but this is where
39:53they are, and they have to try everything to make things better in Green Bay, right?
39:58That has not been a pretty picture thus far to start for Matt LeFleur's offense.
40:02Okay, still to come. Kyler Murray back for the Vikings.
40:06Will he get his top target back this week?
40:08Justin Jefferson dealing with an ankle. We'll have the latest when we return.
40:12All right, back here with you on The Insiders where Vikings win out.
40:16Justin Jefferson left the win over the Bucs with an ankle injury, did not practice today.
40:21Considered day-to-day. Kevin O'Connell with the status of it.
40:24I know we were encouraged about, you know, what it actually is, and now it's just about, you know, working through it.
40:31And he's such an explosive athlete that, you know, we obviously try to get him to a place where maybe he can
40:38go, and we'll see as the week goes on.
40:40He doesn't have to practice, though, for you to feel confident.
40:44He's not necessarily a guy we have to see, you know, go day-to-day.
40:48But at the same time, you know, it's such a long season.
40:52We ask so much out of him. And he's such a competitor that, you know, we'll be smart about it.
40:58And he's got to get to a certain place where we feel like he can go be himself.
41:03And, Mike, obviously the Vikings excited to get Kyler Murray back into the starting lineup.
41:08Production, though, uneven against the Bucs. Where do they want to see that growth moving forward?
41:13You know, they want to see the more explosive offense that they had in mind with Kyler Murray.
41:18Now, they played a tough Bucs defense there. And a tactician in Todd Bowles that knows how to slow some guys down.
41:25But there should be more of that right there.
41:28Because there are targets to be had here. You talked about Justin Jefferson.
41:32There are targets to be had here and a system to be had here and coaches to be had here that are
41:39amongst the best in the league on the offensive side of the ball.
41:43So the production's got to be there. He had that concussion that sort of disrupted the flow early in the season.
41:49The hope is that he gets back into rhythm starting this weekend.
41:53Okay, we'll now get to a former Vikings quarterback.
41:56Now a Giants quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, after that trade.
41:59Now as the Giants get set for the Arizona Cardinals, obviously Jameis Winston making the start for the Giants at quarterback in this one.
42:06But John Harbaugh talking about his new addition at QB.
42:09Yeah, I mean, it's been good to get him here.
42:12I'm excited about it. It's an opportunity. It's really the same answer.
42:16It's an opportunity for us to improve our team, you know, one little way maybe.
42:21And who knows where it goes or where it doesn't go.
42:24But, yeah, I've seen a guy – I mean, he had a really good practice.
42:29Seems like he picked things up. We asked him to pick up really well.
42:33Was in here late, early, studying, learning. Has a really good football foundation, you know, all that kind of stuff.
42:39And that's exciting. It's another good football player at an important position.
42:43Okay, so how do the Giants see this opportunity on offense against this Cardinals team here, Judy?
42:48Well, this is a chance to right the offense, which has been struggling since Jameis Winston had to take over for Jackson Dart.
42:55The Cardinals are struggling to stop the run, struggling to stop the pass.
42:59They allow a lot of points. They have allowed 30 points or more in the last two games.
43:05So this is a real chance for them to get into the end zone, Red.
43:09Okay, yep. We'll see if Jameis Winston can get it rolling for the New York Giants in this one against the Cardinals.
43:16All right, thanks very much, Judy and Mike. Great to have you all with us here for the Insiders.
43:22Enjoy Thursday night football tomorrow. The Insiders returns with you here on NFL Network Friday at 7 o'clock Eastern.
43:28This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.
