PodcastFrom NFL: The Insiders
The Insiders Podcast: Tua Tagovailoa ruled out for Sunday at Steelers + Remembering the victims of 9/11
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
1 hr
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Sep 12, 2026
Published
Sat, September 12, 2026
34
Player insights
33
Players mentioned
Topics
Baker MayfieldA.J. BrownAlec PierceBo NixBraxton BerriosBrock PurdyBryce YoungChris OlaveCooper RushD'Andre SwiftDeebo SamuelDrake LondonJalen HurtsJalen McMillan
Player analysis
Player insights
A.J. Brown
NegativeInjury25:51
The new Patriots receiver sustained an injury in the opener and will be placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least four games.
Insight pageAlec Pierce
PositiveInjury34:48
The Colts expect star receiver Alec Pierce to be available for their season opener against the Ravens.
Insight pageBaker Mayfield
PositiveValue42:10
Mayfield signed a deal worth $110 million in new guarantees, keeping him in Tampa Bay through 2029; he remains motivated to prove himself despite the contract.
Insight pagePositiveProjection44:29
Baker Mayfield showed high efficiency when healthy to start the previous season, recording eight touchdowns and only one interception.
Insight pageBo Nix
NegativeInjury57:16
Bo Nix's health is a primary concern heading into the Monday night opener, as he is returning from multiple surgeries to repair an ankle injury suffered at the end of last season.
Insight pageBraxton Berrios
NegativeDepth Chart18:58
Braxton Berrios is available to be brought up from the practice squad to help the Giants' wide receiver corps for Sunday's game.
Insight pageBrock Purdy
PositiveProjection32:22
Brock Purdy performed well in the 49ers' win, showing poise and effectively finding his receivers, including Deebo Samuel.
Insight pageBryce Young
NegativeProjection25:47
The Panthers are looking for consistency from Young in three areas: improved accuracy (targeting high 60s/low 70s completion percentage), comfort in a new tempo-based scheme, and quicker decision-making.
Insight pageChris Olave
PositiveUsage45:36
Chris Olave benefited significantly from Tyler Shuck's play late last season, achieving a career-high in receiving yards.
Insight pageCooper Rush
NegativeRole2:33
Cooper Rush will start at quarterback for the Falcons in Week 1 due to Tua Tagovailoa's injury. Rush has a 9-7 career record as a starter and is expected to manage the game by getting the ball to playmakers like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London.
Insight pageD'Andre Swift
NegativeValue27:39
Bears running back DeAndre Swift signed a three-year deal worth up to $33.75 million.
Insight pageDeebo Samuel
PositiveUsage32:22
Deebo Samuel was a target for Brock Purdy in the 49ers' convincing win over the Rams.
Insight pageDrake London
PositiveUsage7:21
Drake London is expected to be a primary target for Cooper Rush as the Falcons look to lean on their playmakers while their starting quarterback is sidelined.
Insight pageJalen Hurts
NegativeRole32:23
Hurts is adapting to a new offense that features more under-center work and play-action; he has focused on footwork fundamentals to help unlock his passing game.
Insight pageJalen McMillan
NegativeInjury44:00
Jalen McMillan is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game due to a lingering knee issue that has kept him limited throughout the preseason; the team is cautious about rushing him back given his injury history.
Insight pageJayden Daniels
NegativeRole32:23
Daniels is transitioning to a new offense under Cliff Kingsbury that requires him to operate from under center and relay plays in the huddle, which the team believes will improve his decision-making.
Insight pageJeremiyah Love
NegativeInjury55:40
Jeremiah Love is listed as questionable for the season opener against the Chargers due to an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision.
Insight pageJoe Burrow
NegativeRole41:04
Burrow is emphasizing urgency and pressure within the Bengals' locker room, noting that he and his teammates are playing for their jobs this season.
Insight pageJonah Coleman
PositiveSleeper57:39
Jonah Coleman is a player to watch in the Broncos' backfield; the team likes him, and there is fantasy interest in seeing if he earns a significant role.
Insight pageJosh Jacobs
NegativeUsage30:03
Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list and will miss the upcoming game; the league expects a suspension to follow his legal proceedings.
Insight pageKyle Pitts
PositiveUsage7:21
Kyle Pitts is expected to be a primary target for Cooper Rush as the Falcons look to lean on their playmakers while their starting quarterback is sidelined.
Insight pageKyler Murray
PositiveRole31:18
Now with the Vikings, Murray has the opportunity to reinvent himself as a franchise quarterback in an offense that utilizes his mobility and scrambling ability.
Insight pageLamar Jackson
NegativeProjection35:00
Jackson is playing out the year without an extension and holds significant leverage; he is positioned to potentially become the league's first $70 million-per-year quarterback if he performs well.
Insight pageMalik Nabers
NegativeInjury13:19
Malik Nabers is questionable for the season opener against the Cowboys due to multiple knee surgeries from last season. He has been a full participant in practice, but the team is leaving the final decision to play up to his comfort level.
Insight pageMichael Penix Jr.
NegativeInjury6:50
Michael Penix Jr. is currently not healthy enough to start. He has been progressing through practice but still needs to clear the hurdle of absorbing contact in a game setting before he is fully ready to play.
Insight pageMike Evans
PositiveUsage32:05
Mike Evans had a successful 49ers debut, finishing with six catches for 49 yards and a touchdown grab.
Insight pageOdell Beckham
NegativeRole17:23
Odell Beckham Jr. is expected to play a role for the Giants, but he is currently a fringe roster player who must embrace a supporting role rather than being a star. He will be needed on Sunday due to the team's lack of depth at wide receiver.
Insight pagePatrick Mahomes
NegativeInjury58:04
Patrick Mahomes is returning from a knee injury and has been ahead of schedule in his recovery, though his exact percentage of health for the season opener remains a key question.
Insight pageSam Darnold
NegativeInjury24:54
Darnold is expected to miss the Seahawks' Week 2 game against the Cardinals due to a hip injury, though the team believes he avoided a long-term injury requiring IR.
Insight pageSam LaPorta
Sean Tucker
NegativeInjury40:37
Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker is listed as doubtful for the season opener against the Bengals.
Insight pageTravis Hunter
NegativeRole53:51
Travis Hunter is expected to play primarily on defense this year, with nearly 100% of his reps on that side of the ball; his offensive usage will be limited to specific packages, especially early in the season.
Insight pageTua Tagovailoa
NegativeInjury2:26
Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique strain on Thursday and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers. The injury is considered day-to-day, but oblique strains often linger for quarterbacks due to the torque required for throwing.
Insight pageTucker Kraft
NegativeInjury29:06
Kraft is returning from an injury and is currently in stagnant contract negotiations with the Packers, though talks are expected to continue through the weekend.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. We'll preview and recap every game.
0:04Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:10Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama. And together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
0:15Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
0:18Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
0:25Whether you're a first time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, we give you the advantage and the confidence that you can get.
0:33You need to make every move count. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:41The entire draft room groans because you just took the guy they wanted.
0:46There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
0:49I'm JJ Zacharyson, host of the award-winning Late Round Podcast.
0:52Before your draft, our players to target and players to avoid episodes tell you exactly who to circle and who to crush.
1:00Listen to the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:06The Falcons have to rush in a replacement as their starting quarterback in Week 1.
1:11We'll talk about that process as we process a return for Odell Beckham Jr., what his second stint will be like in
1:18New York, and was it bad process for the Rams in Australia?
1:22Those stories and more on this edition of The Insiders.
1:26Hey, everybody, Patrick Claiborne here on this Friday edition of The Insiders with the real-life NFL Network insider Ian Rappaport with me here in Los Angeles.
1:34What? It is good to see you. Welcome. We've also got Judy Batista and Jeremy Fowler.
1:39As all offseason, we've been chronicling the twists and the turns of the quarterback situation in Atlanta for months.
1:46We added another one today. As an injury shifts those circumstances, we see Tua Tonga-Bailoa go down with an oblique injury.
1:53That means Cooper Rush is going to be the starting quarterback.
1:56The head coach, Kevin Stefanski, addressing that earlier today.
1:59There have been great guys over the course of history that do an excellent job of staying ready so they don't have to get ready and step in.
2:08The reason you're able to do that is because you work so hard in the meeting room and on the practice field to stay up to speed.
2:17Now, in an ideal world, would you love to have gotten every rep?
2:21Of course. That's a no-brainer. But I do think there's examples of guys that come in with no reps and sometimes it's
2:29after the first play, sometimes it's on play 59, whatever it is, and you're expected to compete.
2:34And you're expected to hold the standard of the room, in this case, the quarterback room.
2:40So Cooper's been a backup in his career. He's been a starter.
2:44He knows how to prepare. This is football. Welcome to the NFL.
2:47Guys need to step up and we need to rally behind guys and that's just how it operates.
2:53Is there kind of a part of you, though, that's like, I can't believe this.
2:58Like, you have a whole competition, a whole summer, you name a starter on Monday and a few days later he gets hurt.
3:06There's a part of that that just feels unbelievable, no?
3:09Not for me. Kevin Stefanski living through this once again.
3:12They signed Cooper Rush July 29th. Now he starts, Ian, in week one.
3:17And I was actually there at Falcons camp July 29th.
3:20So here's what happened. They needed a backup quarterback, right?
3:23Everyone was injured. It basically is the situation now.
3:26Cooper Rush came in. He did the walkthrough. He essentially learned the offense on the fly, ran practice, impressed them, and had a really good day.
3:35And it was like, oh, okay, this guy's pretty good.
3:38They obviously signed him and were like, you know what?
3:41This is a guy who's going to be part of our future, maybe in the kind of immediate sense.
3:48And then, of course, he's much more of their present than they ever realized.
3:52So, yes, here's what happened. Tua Tagovailoa had an oblique strain on Thursday, went down.
3:57You saw him in pain there. He had an MRI, described his day-to-day.
4:01But if you have an oblique strain, you are simply not going to play that week.
4:07And we'll see if he's even going to play next week.
4:10Michael Penix Jr., who would be the starter if he was healthy, is just not healthy.
4:16We'll see if he is next week. But as of now, he is not.
4:20So, it is Cooper Rush, who we've seen play well for the Cowboys when they absolutely have to have it.
4:27This is a guy who's done it. But, Fowler, I would say this, for the Atlanta Falcons, the realistic expectations probably got down a couple notches.
4:35Yeah, but Cooper Rush, Ian, has done it 9-7 as a career starter in 16 relief appearances.
4:41And they know what they want him to do, get the ball to Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and get out of the way.
4:49So, they do have playmakers that can support him.
4:52So, this is a bit of a curveball. Kevin Stefanski is used to that.
4:57In Cleveland, you had to start several quarterbacks pretty much every year.
5:01So, he's adaptable. He knows what to do here.
5:04You mentioned Michael Penix. It's interesting because he's been playing.
5:07He's been practicing for months doing seven-man work, then graduated to 11-man work the last few weeks.
5:13Still needs to clear that final hurdle of being comfortable to take and absorb contact in a game setting.
5:19Once he does that, like you said, the runway is clear for him to play.
5:24And then, it's Cooper Rush for this week. Maybe next week, depending on how Tua responds.
5:29But, Judy, as we're seeing, the body has gone through a lot with Tua Tagovailoa just in the last few weeks.
5:36Yeah, there's a very real possibility we never see Tua as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback.
5:41Right? Oblique injuries tend to linger. And for quarterbacks, of course, they need that torque ability to not be in pain.
5:48So, for however long the oblique lasts, as long as it's bothering Tua, then you have to wonder when is Penix going to be ready.
5:56He was described as close this week. Maybe 90%.
5:59So, we will see how long it takes for Penix to get back.
6:04But it's very possible we don't see Tua ever get this job.
6:07He had a very narrow window to seize this job.
6:11He wasn't able to do it in the summer.
6:14That was because of his performance. And now, of course, he had an opportunity to start.
6:19And he's injured. Very unfortunate for Tua. I mean, it's possible even that the Falcons could release him.
6:25Would they keep four quarterbacks once everybody is healthy?
6:28I kind of doubt it. So, we will see what Tua's future holds.
6:32Of course, best case scenario for Tua. He feels good next week.
6:36And he's in there. Let's go over to the home team, Jeremy.
6:40Because they have the defense that's going to face off against Cooper Rush.
6:44Some issues of their own. What's the status of Joey Porter's search for a new contract?
6:50Well, the clock is ticking, Patrick, on Joey Porter and the Steelers.
6:54They've got less than 48 hours to try to work out a long-term deal.
6:58The Steelers have that long-standing rule. They don't negotiate in season.
7:02Now, GM Omar Khan has been known to get deals done in these final hours.
7:07But Porter himself said in the locker room today he is not optimistic.
7:11I haven't sensed optimism in this situation throughout, even though the Steelers seem to be trying a little bit this week.
7:18But the player has been frustrated to the point where he's had to entertain his options about a potential trade.
7:24Or does he play? He's gone through all those emotions in recent weeks.
7:29Now, he's been practicing, but it's been slow. It's been sort of a ramp-up situation.
7:34So, they have Asante Samuel Jr., who's in his own contract year, who could be the starter on Sunday, whether Porter is ruled out or not.
7:42Yeah, a lot of changes on that side of the ball for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
7:47Oddly enough, one team that didn't have a lot of contract dispute issues this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys.
7:53They play host to John Harbaugh's Giants coming up on the season opener of Sunday Night Football.
7:59And we are looking at a questionable Malik Nabors, who is coming off of multiple surgeries on his knee after that injury last season.
8:07Looking over at Odell Beckham Jr., who will be back for the Giants this season.
8:11Look at the career for Odell. Just in those 59 games, all-time ranks among Giants fourth in reception, second in receiving yards, fourth in receiving touchdowns.
8:20Here's a part of his conversation with Jordan Renan earlier today.
8:24It's been almost 3,000 days since you last came out in a Giants jersey for a game.
8:29What do you expect the atmosphere to be like and that feeling to be like for you?
8:35My heart flutters a little bit just thinking about it.
8:38This is a special place to me. I think that there's been a lot of love, you know, and I want to
8:45be able to give my all to this organization, this city.
8:49That's kind of why I came back. What are your expectations for a John Harbaugh Giants team?
8:55I know who he is as a man and as a coach.
8:59So I expect a very physical team, a very sound team who's a discipline in the details.
9:04And we all want big things here, and that just comes with, you know, a lot of hard work.
9:10So I'm expecting us to have a good season, and I just want to do my best to contribute.
9:17Let me take you back real quick. 12 years ago, this stadium happened to be the first time you played the Cowboys here.
9:24The catch, right? The most memorable play, you know, probably you've mentioned before, changed your life.
9:29How much is this full circle? How much does that mean that you get to come back against the Cowboys in your
9:37first game back in the second time around? It's like words don't even do justice, you know.
9:42It's like this is a crazy situation. And, you know, when I kind of first signed, I was seeing all the things
9:50happening, and then the schedule came out, and it's like September 13th, you know, 13, my number, like, Dallas Cowboys Sunday night.
9:57So it's definitely a full circle moment. And I'll just try and be present and live, you know, in the moment, you
10:04know, not so much the past and all those things, but I'm excited.
10:08Last one. What is it that you're most excited about here for this season, for this comeback?
10:14I definitely think a lot of it is the fans, you know, the people of New York.
10:19I want to give them everything that I got, and let's, you know, bring Giants football back to where I feel like it belongs.
10:27Numerologist Jeremy around the world reacting to all the 13th and the symbolism.
10:32What's the role going to be like for Odell Beckham Jr.?
10:35And what's the deployment like for these wide receivers in New York?
10:39Well, Patrick, Odell Beckham enters a new phase in his career.
10:43Role player. Really fringe roster spot player. He was close to not making the 53-man roster and worked his way on over the last few weeks before cutdowns.
10:52And so I talked to a team source who said if he embraces that and doesn't try to be the star anymore,
10:59he can really help the New York Giants. By all accounts, in recent weeks, he certainly has.
11:05The team has stressed that, that, hey, you can be a part of this.
11:09Certainly Malik neighbors if he plays or other players will be more prominently featured in the offense.
11:15But they feel like Beckham has shown enough where he can at least help, and that's a start.
11:21So he's got the blonde hair, but it's a different output than he's used to with those one-handed catches.
11:27And so Beckham's going to play a role on Sunday, whether they have Malik neighbors or not, because they're really short.
11:34He's going to have to help them. They have four active receivers.
11:38Braxton Berrios they can bring up off the practice squad.
11:41A lot hinges on what Malik neighbors can do and what he decides.
11:46My understanding is he's going into the weekend and has to make a decision.
11:50The team is leaving it up to him and his comfort level with whether he wants to play.
11:56He's looked awesome. He's been a full participant all week.
11:59So the stage is certainly set, but neighbors has to make that call.
12:04Yeah, I think like a lot of people, this decision is really going to be made not just for week one, but for November, December, and into January.
12:13That's part of the long-term decision-making that goes into it.
12:16But man, to listen to you guys talk about Odell, listen to Odell himself, this has suddenly become a feel-good character in
12:23the New York media, and I'm here for all of it.
12:27What I'm also here for is this Dallas Cowboys defense.
12:30And, you know, we've spent the last year or more seeing this Dallas defense as a little bit of a punching bag,
12:38and a lot of it was deserved. Last year, you know, pretty bad.
12:42This year, they bolstered the personnel. They got a young defensive coordinator that is really, really good in Christian Parker, and they
12:49drafted Caleb Downs in a place where he can be an immediate decision-maker.
12:53I cannot wait to see what it is going to look like.
12:57It's been quite a while since I've thought about enjoying watching this Cowboys defense.
13:02That's what I'm here for. I'm excited about it.
13:05Yeah, get the confluence of the future and the past with both franchises coming up on Sunday Night Football.
13:11Speaking of the past, today marking 25 years since September 11, 2001.
13:15NFL players and teams taking to social media today to look back at that day, as well as subsequent ones that have impacted the world ever since.
13:24So we've heard from several coaches on the topic today, including Dan Campbell, who was a tight end on the Giants back in 2001.
13:32He looked back at people risking their lives unknowingly at the time to help others.
13:37It's something you never forget, you know, being up there.
13:40It was a little bit of the, you know, you get the worst of humanity and you get the best all in a matter of minutes, really.
13:49And one of the most inspiring things that you could ever witness be around is in the middle of a tragedy, especially
13:56in New York where people, man, they're in a hurry, right?
14:00And it's about getting to one spot to another and you got places to go, things to do.
14:06And that happens. And, man, everybody just pitches in to help.
14:09They just want to help and do whatever it takes.
14:13And not just the people there, but people in the country that are sacrificing their time, being away from family to just go help.
14:21And anybody that was up there at that time to even want to go help, to get into the city after that,
14:28that took a lot just to even get up there.
14:31So it was – it definitely pulled our country together, and it was one of those things that you just don't ever forget.
14:39So, you know, a lot of people, you know, lost – you know, there was a lot of loss.
14:45And those are – those things you don't forget, and I can't believe it's been 25 years.
14:51The Bills' first performance of the Joe Brady era comes against the defense that landed their worst performance a year ago, Cam Wolf, on the new look Bills.
15:00When we come back, and the 49ers victorious in the first ever NFL game in Australia.
15:05But there's something else you can congratulate one niner on.
15:08We'll tell you what, coming up as the Insiders continues.
15:12I'm Brett Coleman. And I'm Trevor Sikama. Have you ever watched a game and wondered what really made the difference beyond the final score?
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15:32We go beyond the box score to uncover the numbers, the tendencies, and details that help explain what actually happened on the field.
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16:24The new NFL season is here, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 61.
16:31Last year, we had Mike McDonald, Sam Darnold on the field after the game, but that was last year.
16:37If you're a football sicko like me, NFL Daily is your kind of show.
16:42It is in the name. NFL Daily, fresh content in your feed every day, all season long.
16:47Matthew Stafford coming off his MVP season. On a dazzling dart from Matthew Stafford.
16:52Big-time trades that shake up the NFL. A.J. Brown is loose!
16:56And of course, those Seahawks trying to run it back and win another Lombardi trophy.
17:00The Seahawks win Super Bowl 60! They are bringing the Lombardi back to the Northwest.
17:05If it's happening on a football field, NFL Daily will cover it.
17:09Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
17:15You know the feeling. You make a pick in your fantasy draft and the entire room groans because they wanted that player.
17:22Or you grab a small school rookie off waivers and you start him right before he goes off in primetime.
17:28There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
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17:58Listen to the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
18:05Hey everyone, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sykema.
18:08And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
18:11Fantasy season is upon us. Are you ready to dominate your league?
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18:21Every episode, we're going to dive into the biggest fantasy headlines.
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18:33We're talking sleepers, breakout stars, and the guys you cannot afford to bench.
18:37From rookies on the rise to longtime stars still at it, we cover it all.
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19:04Back here on the Insiders, looking back to the first-ever NFL game in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
19:10Miles Garrett coming over from the Browns in the trade.
19:13We get the third and ten in the second quarter.
19:16Matthew Stafford picked off by Bernardo Green at the 13-yard line.
19:20Looking to the third quarter now. Kyle Shanahan dialing up this on third and goal.
19:25Throw it to Mike Evans. That's a successful play.
19:28Mike Evans gets the touchdown grab. He'd finished with six catches and 49 yards in his 49ers debut.
19:34Ensuing Rams drive. Fourth and goal. 38-year-old quarterback sneak.
19:37Unsuccessful. As things would get very sideways after that for the Rams, the 49ers win it convincingly.
19:4227-7. As we see Brock Purdy with time. Finds Debo Samuel.
19:46They would add a field goal. 27-7. Rams fall in the opener.
19:50The Super Bowl favorite starts off 0-1. Ian, we were so excited about this Rams defense.
19:55Ultimately, they couldn't get enough to stop Brock Purdy in the 49ers.
19:59They couldn't. And there was certainly some concerning things about this Los Angeles Rams defense.
20:04I should add that Aaron Donald was not part of it.
20:08One of the biggest signings, one of the biggest moves of the entire offseason was Aaron Donald coming out of retirement and
20:15rejoining the Rams only to not play week one.
20:18So everything we do, every judgment we're going to make in this Rams defense is not going to involve one of the
20:25greatest defensive linemen ever to play who obviously was not playing.
20:29And the Miles Garrett we saw was not the Miles Garrett that the Rams hope they're going to see in weeks, let's say, 5-6-7.
20:37And, you know, we heard one of these sideline reports for our old friend Tom Pelissero saying that Miles Garrett was winded during the game.
20:45That is real. He has barely practiced. He's been dealing with knee soreness.
20:49This is going to get better. And the fact that it wasn't a snap your fingers and suddenly, Judy, this defense is
20:56the best in the NFL, we should have expected it.
21:00It's really on us where the expectations were just crazy, but still not the way the Rams wanted to look week one.
21:07Certainly not. And, of course, everybody's going to extrapolate that it had something to do with everybody's travel arrangements, how this game went.
21:14Who knows if that's true? This game could have gone the same way if they had played it at SoFi.
21:21But one of the reasons that the Rams went in so late, 28 hours before kickoff, and then got out right away
21:28was not just because that was the best way to approach week one, but it was because they thought that was the
21:36best way to recover from week one and then go into weeks two, three, four, etc.
21:41Basically, don't ever adjust to Australia time. Just stay on California time.
21:45So they are winging their way back to Los Angeles.
21:48And they have a game on Monday night at home against the New York Giants.
21:53So they do get the extra day to recover.
21:56So they're not really adjusting to the time zone difference because they never really adjusted.
22:01But certainly flying 15 hours each way takes a toll on the body.
22:05Did that impact the way they played? Who knows?
22:08We will see what they say. As for the 49ers, they do have to adjust, but they have three straight home games now.
22:16So they've got a good long period in their own beds.
22:19A period in their beds where they can have a celebration, albeit this already happened.
22:24But we found out, once again, thanks to our friend Tom Pelissero, that Kyle Shanahan actually signed a multi-year contract extension that
22:31will keep him in Santa Clara where he's been since 2017, amassing two conference championships and an overall record of 83-67.
22:38That tenure has been marred, though, by several injuries to key players during some of those losses.
22:44Added another win yesterday as rookie Dijon Stribling had an ankle injury that took him out of the opener.
22:50He's undergoing some tests, but he is expected to miss game time.
22:54Seahawks getting relatively good news regarding Sam Darnold's hip as he's expected to miss the team's week two game against the Cardinals,
23:01but they feel that he avoided a long-term serious injury that would require IR.
23:06Drew Locke to back up the winner in the opening performance against the Patriots.
23:11An opener that saw an injury, the new Patriots receiver A.J.
23:14Brown, he's going to go on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four weeks where the Patriots have the Steelers,
23:21the Jags, the Raiders, and the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo Bills, one of the, in fact, the only team in NFL history to
23:29win a playoff game in six straight seasons but not make a Super Bowl as we look at their exits since 2020.
23:36And joining us now, it's Cam Wolfe, head of the Bills, the Texans.
23:40Cam, it's still Joe Brady's offense and now his team, but Jim Leonard takes over on the defensive side of the ball.
23:47Yeah, Patrick, a big part of this Bills season is can they get over the hump with these new coaching changes?
23:54So I spent a lot of time this summer figuring out how a Joe Brady-led team will be different.
24:01Deion Dawkins told me he's going to be full of South Florida swagger, full of energy, full of caffeine, and he's going to bring that urgency to us.
24:10That's different than what we had under Sean McDermott.
24:13And I talked to their general manager, Brandon Bean, about the interview process.
24:17He said, we really focused a lot on game management.
24:20This is Brady, who's going to be a play caller and a head coach.
24:25He excelled in that area. He really showed an ability to think on his feet, make quick decisions, really thrive in high-pressure moments.
24:33And really, this Buffalo Bills team is immediately in a high-pressure moment.
24:36They've got to win now. And they face a Houston Texans team that has been their kryptonite.
24:42They think Brady will be a guy that can help them when it comes to those game management situations.
24:48Think 13 seconds. They think he can thrive in those type atmospheres.
24:52As far as Jim Leonard, it may be a little bit of an interesting unknown early, bringing a different style of defense,
24:59but being described him to me as stealth mode.
25:02Whereas Brady is full of emotion, Leonard straight-faced. And Bradley Chubb, their new big-edition pass rush, said that we're going to be attacking.
25:10We're going to do a lot of the things that I did under Vance Joseph my rookie year.
25:16So think about all that pass rush they've had in Denver.
25:20So their hope is they can get C.J. Stroud off with pressure, with confusing elements, and they hope that a different style
25:27of Buffalo Bills team will be enough to get Josh Allen over the top.
25:31Yeah, that was one of the worst performances by the Buffalo Bills last year against this Houston Texans team.
25:38We'll see how it goes this time. What's another game you're looking at this weekend, Cam?
25:43Yeah, I want to see the Carolina Panthers versus Chicago Bears.
25:47Look, let's call it what it is. This is Bryce Young's prove-it year.
25:51He's got a show worthy of being this franchise quarterback, worthy of getting a contract extension.
25:56From what I understand, that's not going to happen at the start of the year.
26:01Most likely, that's a 2027 offseason decision. Their owner, David Tepper, came out and said, I believe in Bryce Young, but I want to see more consistency.
26:10So talking to people there, there's three areas where Bryce has to be a lot better with his consistency.
26:16Number one, Dave Canales told me he thinks that Bryce can be a high 60s, low 70% passer.
26:22He thinks his accuracy is his superpower. The key to that, taking the check down when you can.
26:28Number two, a new play caller and Brad isn't.
26:31He wants to run a lot more tempo and diverse formations within the scheme.
26:36It's up to Bryce to be able to have control, have comfort, to be able to thrive in that.
26:42One example is Ted Rowe and Mellon playing a lot more in the slot.
26:46Can Bryce thrive in a changing atmosphere? And the third, Will Herringer is his quarterback coach, his guy.
26:52He really preaches decisiveness solves all problems. And Herringer is a guy that we should know a lot more because he's going
27:00to be in Bryce's room throughout the way. He's really focused on telling Bryce, trigger, get rid of the ball, whether it's
27:07the check down or the deep pass. Make a quick decision.
27:10We will live with it. We're going to follow those three areas.
27:14If he can improve there, then maybe he has a big paycheck coming at the end of 2027.
27:20Yeah, it's not just the pressure of pursuing a new deal.
27:24He was in the bottom 10 in terms of facing pressures last season.
27:28They have to replace Iki Iquano at tackle as well.
27:31We'll be back with Cam later on. On the other side of that game, we got news on Bears running back DeAndre Swift.
27:39This coming courtesy of ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
27:42A three-year deal could be worth up to $33.75 million for Bears running back DeAndre Swift.
27:47When we come back, it's the first time we'll see Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray against the Packers.
27:53What to expect from their offense and from their opponent injury-wise.
27:57It's coming up next as we continue on The Insiders.
28:00Saturday on ABC at 730 Eastern. Jeremiah Smith leading number one Ohio State into Austin to take on Arch Manning and number four Texas.
28:08And a big early season test for these two national title continuers.
28:12And here on NFL Network, Sunday is game day.
28:15I'll start with game day morning, followed up by game day live, and then game day highlights.
28:20And on game day morning, we'll see our Kurt Warner sit down with Packers quarterback Jordan Lund.
28:26Every team believes they can win the Super Bowl.
28:29Tell me why you believe this Packers team can do that.
28:33Just the guys we got in the locker room.
28:36This is a hungry team we got on both sides, offensively, defensively.
28:40Anytime you get a consistent group like we have on offense, the guys who've been together for a couple years now, I
28:47think it puts you at a good spot. I think we got the right mindset.
28:52We got the right leaders on the team. And it's just about staying consistent and going out there next week.
28:58As we are back with Jeremy Fowler, the Packers, and Jordan Love looking forward to getting Tucker Kraft back on the field.
29:06Also, Tucker Kraft hoping to make sure his next few years are in Green Bay.
29:10What's the latest with his contract search? Well, Tucker Kraft and the Green Bay Packers have been discussing his contract.
29:17They are working to potentially get something done on a new deal before Sunday.
29:22That is not a slam dunk. Talks have been a bit stagnant, but they are continuing to talk and should through the weekend.
29:29At some point, they have to decide, are we going to do this or do we need to break it off?
29:36And the tight end market is interesting because that's the only position, offense or defense, that's below $20 million per year for the highest paid.
29:44So it kind of needs a boost. Perhaps Tucker Kraft is the one to do it.
29:50Detroit's Sam Laporta, also a player to watch in the coming weeks.
29:54He's coming back from an injury just like Kraft is.
29:57But both players could get paid eventually. Kraft would be the one who's nearest to a new deal.
30:03And then, you know, when you're dealing with the Packers offense, you're dealing with Josh Jacobs, who is still out, remains on the commissioner exempt list.
30:11He has pled no contest to misdemeanor charges, was in court.
30:15And now he's in a situation where he needs to make restitution with his ex-girlfriend, which I'm told is a process that's been ongoing.
30:23So he's trying to wrap up his legal matters here as soon as he can.
30:28But he will miss this game. He stays on the exempt list.
30:32At some point, the feeling around the league is that he will receive a suspension.
30:37Maybe it's two games, four games, six games, whatever it is.
30:40But the Packers hope to get him back at some point this season.
30:45Right now, that remains in flux. And then lastly, you have Micah Parsons.
30:49You see his old team there, the Dallas Cowboys.
30:52They play the Cowboys week six. Micah Parsons is out for four games.
30:56We know that. Coming off the ACL reconstructive surgery on a nine-month time frame.
31:01That would put him back by early October if he can make it.
31:05And by all indications, everything's going great. The Packers are notoriously cautious with injuries, so they're not going to rush him back.
31:12But perhaps that mid-October game with Dallas would be the perfect time for Parsons to make his reintroduction.
31:18Yeah, one of the things, if he were playing this week, he'd be chasing around Kyler Murray, the starting quarterback for the
31:25Minnesota Vikings, and really one of the more interesting quarterbacks that we are going to see this year.
31:31Obviously, did not finish his season last year with the Arizona Cardinals.
31:35It was rough. And the fact that he comes here, gets to reinvent himself, gets to reinvent himself as a starting quarterback
31:42in an offense that has succeeded for years without a true QB1, really makes you wonder if he can now become the new Minnesota Vikings franchise quarterback.
31:51And in fact, that would really be best case scenario for each side.
31:56The Vikings would stop searching for the first time in several years.
32:00Kyler could get another franchise quarterback type contract and kind of unlock some of the fun things that this offense can do
32:07considering the way he uses legs, how mobile he is, scrambling to throw, all of the things that make Kyler Murray himself.
32:14This is going to be an interesting watch on Sunday.
32:17Also, one with big implications as they are in the division.
32:21We've got another NFC divisional game as we've got the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles.
32:26Both quarterbacks had some issues down the stretch of their last seven games, including the playoffs.
32:31Two and five for Jaden Daniels, three and four for the Super Bowl champion in Jalen Hurts.
32:37As we can kind of look at these scenarios where they both got new play callers coming in.
32:43A lot of pressure to be successful here in 2026, Jeremy.
32:47Yeah, both quarterbacks, Daniels and Hurts, will be in new offenses that feature more under center work, more play action, which is
32:54foreign to what they were doing in the past.
32:57And Ian knows when he was on that training camp tour, I felt like everywhere you went, because there are so many
33:04new offensive coordinators around the league, they're talking about their quarterback being under center more.
33:09That is the trend and what's in vogue in the league right now.
33:13So both of these quarterbacks will do it. You see Hurts there.
33:17I'm told he really took to the footwork part of it, the fundamentals part of being under center more early in the offseason.
33:25That helped him and OC Sean Mannion get to work on figuring out how they can move the ball.
33:31They know they have to be able to run the ball.
33:35The 2024 Eagles with Saquon Barkley were breaking off 20-yard runs all the time, and that helped Jalen Hurts in the passing game.
33:42It opened things up. They really hope to replicate that.
33:46They feel like Hurts is up to the challenge, and this can unlock him a little bit as a passer.
33:52And then Jaden Daniels, the commanders feel like him being under center is really helpful, because with Cliff Kingsbury in the past
33:59offense, that suited him, but he kind of did everything looking at the sideline, being in shotgun, watching all his receivers and watching the field that way.
34:08Now he's getting in the huddle. He's relaying the plays.
34:12I feel like that's slowing things down for him to be able to be calculated and figure out exactly where the ball
34:19can go, because they know he's such a good decision maker that if he can handle the rest and be protected with
34:26a good running game and coming from under center with his back turn to the defense, that's going to help him be a better quarterback.
34:34One of Jalen Hurts' former play callers in Shane Steichen will hope to have a bounce-back season, at least a better end
34:41of the season for his Indianapolis Colts. Let's look at the injury report for their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
34:48Notable Nandi Matabike out for this game, and the Colts are expecting to have star receiver Alec Pierce available in this matchup.
34:56Jeremy, the Ravens get their two-time MVP with a new play caller.
35:00He won those MVPs when he got new play callers in the past.
35:04If he does it again, he might be in line for some money.
35:08He is in line for some money whenever he chooses to be.
35:12The Baltimore Ravens want to sign him to an extension.
35:15They would do that today if they could, and maybe in the next few days they could make him an offer he can't refuse.
35:23But it seems like right now he's going to play out this year.
35:27He's two years from free agency. He doesn't have a franchise tag clause, so he can be a true free agent in 2028.
35:35He's got a cap hit of like $80 million next year.
35:39So he holds a ton of leverage, which begs the question, can he be the league's first $70 million a year quarterback?
35:46Seems crazy, but now you have Patrick Mahomes at $64 million.
35:50You've got all those star rookies, some we've talked about, Jaden Daniels, Drake May, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, all eligible for extensions next offseason.
35:57If C.J. Stroud bets on himself and has a big year and helps the Houston Texans make him move into the playoffs,
36:05he'll be in that mix as well. So you have some cash kings coming on the quarterback position.
36:11Lamar Jackson would probably be at the top of that list, especially if he balls out with new O.C.
36:17Declan Doyle. So he's in a position to make a ton next year.
36:21And that drive for that new deal starts Sunday, 1 o'clock Eastern in Indianapolis.
36:26We will be back here on the inside to figure out what makes this season different for Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
36:33And now that Baker Mayfield has a contract, what happens to the disrespect that he felt?
36:38We've got more insiders when we come back on NFL Network.
36:42I'm Brett Coleman. And I'm Trevor Sikama. Have you ever watched a game and wondered what really made the difference beyond the final score?
36:50That's exactly why we created NFL Pro. Got a man wide open.
36:54Every week, we use exclusive next-gen stats insights and NFL content to break down the biggest stories, matchups, and moments from around the league.
37:02We go beyond the box score to uncover the numbers, the tendencies, and details that help explain what actually happened on the field.
37:09Fires it out in the flat to Barkley, who beats one man, spins past another, leaps over a third.
37:15And don't worry, this isn't just a show for stats experts.
37:19We use advanced analytics to help tell the story behind the game, turning the numbers into insights that every fan can understand and enjoy.
37:27So whether you're a casual fan learning more about football or a hardcore fan who can't get enough analysis, our goal is
37:34to help you see the game in a whole new way.
37:38If you've ever wanted to know why a play worked, how a matchup was won, or what most fans missed on Sunday,
37:45NFL Pro delivers insights you simply can't get anywhere else.
37:48Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
37:54The new NFL season is here, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 61.
38:01Last year, we had Mike McDonald, Sam Darnold on the field after the game, but that was last year.
38:07If you're a football sicko like me, NFL Daily is your kind of show.
38:12It is in the name. NFL Daily, fresh content in your feed every day, all season long.
38:17Matthew Stafford coming off his MVP season. On a dazzling dart from Matthew Stafford.
38:22Big-time trades that shake up the NFL. A.J. Brown is loose!
38:25And of course, those Seahawks trying to run it back and win another Lombardi trophy.
38:30The Seahawks win Super Bowl 60! They are bringing the Lombardi back to the Northwest.
38:35If it's happening on a football field, NFL Daily will cover it.
38:39Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
38:45You know the feeling. You make a pick in your fantasy draft and the entire room groans because they wanted that player.
38:52Or you grab a small school rookie off waivers and you start him right before he goes off in primetime.
38:58There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
39:02I'm J.J. Zacharisen, host of the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast.
39:05Before your draft, our players to target and players to avoid episodes tell you exactly who to circle and who to cross off.
39:13We've got data-driven analysis, historical trends, and the strategies that separate winners from the rest.
39:18And your dominance doesn't stop with the draft. All season long, we have our 15 transactions, 10 trends, sleepers, and the mailbag.
39:25Data-driven, quick-hitting episodes to help bring home that league trophy.
39:28Listen to the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
39:35Hey everyone, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
39:41Fantasy season is upon us. Are you ready to dominate your league?
39:45Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
39:51Every episode, we're going to dive into the biggest fantasy headlines.
39:55Injury updates that you'll need before kickoff. The best starts and sits across every position.
40:00And matchups you can exploit to destroy your league mates.
40:03We're talking sleepers, breakout stars, and the guys you cannot afford to bench.
40:07From rookies on the rise to longtime stars still at it, we cover it all.
40:12Whether you're a first-time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, we give you the advantage and the confidence you need to make every move count.
40:21Weekly analysis, hot takes, and unique insider knowledge all in one place.
40:25Does fantasy dominance sound appealing to you? Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
40:33Back here on the Insiders, there's your Tampa Bay Buccaneers injury report as they will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in their season opener.
40:41Doubtful for Sean Tucker. And the only one listed on the Bengals injury report is the defensive end Shamar Stewart.
40:48He is doubtful for their season opener. As we look back at the last three seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals and the
40:55linkage of those results to whether or not Joe Burrow was able to be on the field, missed nine games in 2025 as they went 6-11.
41:04The quarterback sat down with Marty Smith to discuss how players and coaches alike are playing for their jobs, including Joe Burrow.
41:11Good to see you. Good to see you. I've read a lot coming into this about you and this team, this organization.
41:18There is at least some narrative out there that it's put up or shut up time.
41:23What would you say to anyone who has that opinion?
41:27Yeah, I'm right there with them. I think, you know, I've tried to instill an urgency in the room that a palpable
41:34pressure because we have guys playing and coaching for their jobs this year.
41:38And that's how, you know, I'm looking at it.
41:41I'm playing for my job this year. I think guys want to go out and be great.
41:47You know, if you don't have urgency on the day-to-day to get better and go and attack every single drill and rep
41:54with the intent to get better, you're not going to get there.
41:58So we have the team to do it this year, and so we have to take advantage of the opportunity.
42:05On the other sideline in week one, it's Baker Mayfield who played for and lobbied for his job this offseason.
42:11He finally got it this week agreeing to a deal that gets him $110 million in new guarantees and has him in
42:18Tampa Bay through 2029 as we say hello and good evening to our friend Sarah Walsh.
42:24The quarterback wasn't shy about it, Sarah. He felt that the offers that came before this were disrespectful, said he had chips on both shoulders.
42:32He was going to prove everybody wrong. So what happens to all that motivation for Baker Mayfield now that they got the deal done?
42:40Well, I think everyone thought when Baker came out and said those things, there is nobody that plays better with a chip than Baker.
42:48I mean, this is how this guy has thrived.
42:51And he brought that up this week when he talked about finally getting the deal.
42:56There was a time when he used a lot of the negative stuff to fuel him, and he says he doesn't need to do that necessarily anymore.
43:04That fire comes from within. And that contract isn't a this is I've made it kind of contract.
43:10He still says he has a lot to prove.
43:13So I asked him specifically, and the obvious answer obviously is a Super Bowl ring, but I said specifically, what do you feel like you have to prove?
43:23And he said that they've had a lot of hot starts, but it's the way that they have not been able to finish the season at times.
43:31They had lulls last year after they got off to the quick start and the really thrilling finishes at the beginning of
43:39the year, and they found ways to make those plays.
43:42And then he said late in the year, they weren't able to find those same plays.
43:47So he said it's really about consistency. And one note for this game on Sunday that's concerning is that you've lost Mike Evans now with the 49ers.
43:56You have Chris Godwin back. You have Emeka Abuka who's going to play.
44:00But Jalen McMillan, you just put up that injury report.
44:04He is now doubtful, probably not expected to play.
44:07He has been limited all week, and we really have not seen him for a while now in this preseason because of a knee issue.
44:15Clearly, this is a guy that had injuries last year, so they don't want to rush him back.
44:21But it is more than likely that Baker Mayfield is going to be without one of those receivers, and it would be Jalen McMillan on Sunday.
44:29Well, the health of Baker Mayfield, a big part because we talk motivation all we want when he was healthy when he started the season.
44:38It was eight touchdowns and one pick for Baker Mayfield.
44:41Sarah, we'll be back with you in a moment as we look elsewhere in the NFC South.
44:46The Saints have the Lions this week as we look at Tyler Shuck and the way that he finished the 2025 season,
44:54weeks 15 through 18, throwing for about 300 yards a game, five touchdowns, one pick, passer rating north of 100.
45:00As we welcome in Stacey Dales, there's belief and excitement back in New Orleans as a lot of it is related to their second-year quarterback.
45:08Yeah, Patrick, I would say this is the most excited the Saints have been at the quarterback position since Drew Brees departed in 2020.
45:16It is Shuck's season in New Orleans. He has captivated the community already heading into his second year, and he has certainly captivated this football team.
45:25You just mentioned the nine games that he finished last season.
45:29He had a 5-4 record, but he went 4-1 in those final five games with a near 70% completion rating, and Chris
45:36Alave was certainly a benefactor with a career-high season in receiving yards.
45:40Doug Nussmeyer, the offensive coordinator, said that he could see everything last year.
45:44His eyes could see things. He just wasn't getting there fast enough.
45:48That has evolved. He has taken a leap, and when I spoke to Chris Alave this week, he said the thing that
45:55separates Shuck, his preparation, mental, physical, and emotional preparation, and they think he is really good in the clutch, and they also
46:02think he's really good in the two-minute drill. So he'll be put to the test, certainly against the Lions, in a very
46:10loud environment at Ford Field on Sunday. The Lions defensively, a Lee McNeil defensive tackle told me up front, they've got to
46:17pester him, they've got to annoy him, and certainly hit him for four quarters.
46:22They are concerned about his legs. They think he breaks the pocket very well, so do not underestimate that, despite just being his second year in the league.
46:31Now, Tyler Shuck will have to deal with Aiden Hutchinson.
46:34You guys see the numbers there at the bottom of the screen.
46:38Tops in the NFL in terms of the QB pressures.
46:41The 14.5 sacks, I believe, ranked fourth in the NFL.
46:45And Alave told me, you know, on the other side of the football, they've got to have heavy hands on him defensively
46:52in terms of what they do offensively and trying to block and contain this guy, but understand his whereabouts at all times.
46:59Aileen McNeil told me that the impact that Aiden Hutchinson has up front, it is really special.
47:05It's just a different mentality, Patrick, when he steps on the field.
47:09As Aileen told me, it doesn't matter who it is, it doesn't matter who he's going against, what day of practice it
47:16is, he is coming out to destroy you. And I think we're going to see an especially good Aiden Hutchinson coming in
47:23here, because he came back from the injury last season and still had 14.5 sacks.
47:28Yeah, he did that. As you mentioned, coming back from the injury, he had the highest fourth quarter pressure rate since 2018 last year.
47:36Looking forward to this game. Both teams, a lot of excitement.
47:39Thank you to Stacey Dales for your work here today on The Insiders.
47:44Deshaun Watson won the starting job in Cleveland. His prize is a road start against one of last season's best defenses.
47:51We preview Browns, Jacks coming up next on NFL Network.
47:54The new NFL season is here, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 61.
48:01Last year, we had Mike McDonald, Sam Darnold on the field after the game, but that was last year.
48:07If you're a football sicko like me, NFL Daily is your kind of show.
48:12It is in the name, NFL Daily, fresh content in your feed every day, all season long.
48:18Matthew Stafford coming off his MVP season. On a dazzling dart from Matthew Stafford.
48:22Big time trades that shake up the NFL. AJ Brown is loose.
48:26And of course, those Seahawks trying to run it back and win another Lombardi trophy.
48:31The Seahawks win Super Bowl 60. They are bringing the Lombardi back to the Northwest.
48:36If it's happening on a football field, NFL Daily will cover it.
48:40Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
48:45I'm Brett Coleman. And I'm Trevor Sikama. Have you ever watched a game and wondered what really made the difference beyond the final score?
48:53That's exactly why we created NFL Pro. Got a man wide open!
48:57Seahawks! Every week, we use exclusive next-gen stats insights and NFL content to break down the biggest stories, matchups, and moments from around the league.
49:05We go beyond the box score to uncover the numbers, the tendencies, and details that help explain what actually happened on the field.
49:13Fires it out in the flat to Barkley, who beats one man, spins past another, leaps over a third.
49:19And don't worry, this isn't just a show for stats experts.
49:23We use advanced analytics to help tell the story behind the game, turning the numbers into insights that every fan can understand and enjoy.
49:31So whether you're a casual fan learning more about football or a hardcore fan who can't get enough analysis, our goal is
49:38to help you see the game in a whole new way.
49:42If you've ever wanted to know why a play worked, how a matchup was won, or what most fans missed on Sunday,
49:49NFL Pro delivers insights you simply can't get anywhere else.
49:52Listen to NFL Pro on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
49:57You know the feeling. You make a pick in your fantasy draft and the entire room groans because they wanted that player.
50:05Or you grab a small school rookie off waivers and you start him right before he goes off in primetime.
50:11There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
50:14I'm JJ Zacharyson, host of the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast.
50:18Before your draft, our players to target and players to avoid episodes tell you exactly who to circle and who to cross off.
50:26We've got data-driven analysis, historical trends, and the strategies that separate winners from the rest.
50:31And your dominance doesn't stop with the draft. All season long, we have our 15 transactions, 10 trends, sleepers, and the mailbag.
50:38Data-driven, quick-hitting episodes to help bring home that league trophy.
50:41Listen to the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
50:48The NFL never stops and neither does its newest podcast.
50:51The NFL Report, hosted by me, Andrew Siciliano. It is your home for everything football.
50:56Williams! We're tapping the biggest news stories, giving you expert analysis, fantasy previews, game picks, and more.
51:01We fly around every single place! Want to hear from the league's top stars ahead of the biggest matchups?
51:08We've got you covered. They're a really good football team.
51:11We've got to have all hands on deck. Join me and an all-star cast of analysts for everything you need to know from around the league.
51:20Get new episodes of the NFL Report Monday through Friday, all season long.
51:24Listen to the NFL Report Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
51:30Back on the Insiders with Tua Togba-Aloa dealing with an oblique injury.
51:34It's Cooper Rush set to start for the Falcons in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
51:38Rookie quarterback Jack Strand will serve as the backup quarterback.
51:41Deshaun Watson will start for the Browns against the Jags Sunday after their quarterback competition in the preseason.
51:47As we welcome back Sarah Walsh. Sarah, how do the Jags plan to approach this Browns offense with Deshaun Watson as the quarterback?
51:55Look, Deshaun's not going to have to contend with a Cleveland crowd, but that Jacksonville defense presents plenty of problems.
52:01This week, Watson specifically pointed out the front four.
52:04He said they're very active. They're very instinctive. They're very smart.
52:08All of those accolades are true. He said we are going to have to find a weakness there, figure out a way
52:15to move the ball and put up points. A weakness would not be stopping the run for the Jaguars.
52:21They're the top-ranked rush defense from a season ago.
52:24And I talked to the leader of that defense, Josh Hines Allen.
52:28He told me they're focused on stopping the run early.
52:32They want him one-dimensional. He said we want to see quarterback Deshaun Watson, not Deshaun Watson handing off the ball, not Deshaun Watson going to screens.
52:40He also faced Watson a ton of times when he was in the division with Houston.
52:45And Hines Allen said he was at his peak and he was something else.
52:50He also told me that they want him to be forced to really need that offensive line.
52:56And can they hold up for four quarters? This is an entirely new, revamped Cleveland offensive line.
53:01Can he trust them? Because Hines Allen tells me, Cam, that they are going to be hunting on every play.
53:08Hey, Sarah, I love that. Hunting, we're in football mode.
53:11And for me, I get excited about this game because it's the Travis Hunter Bowl.
53:16To me, 10 months since knee surgery, must-anticipated return.
53:19And hey, he gets to face the team that traded away the rights to draft him a year ago to the Jags.
53:26GM James Gladstone, the Jags GM, told me 100% he would still make the same trade today.
53:32And he can't wait to see what Hunter could do fully healthy for the Jags.
53:37Now, I've talked about this since February. It'll look different for Travis Hunter.
53:41He'll be primarily defense this year. Expect close to 100% of the reps on defense side of the ball.
53:47He'll still play some offense, more packages. One thing to be clear, week one will look different than week 18.
53:54So I expect him to be limited on offense early on.
53:57But they think eventually they can give him more and more.
54:01And in fact, they think that his ability to handle more is one of his best attributes.
54:07And one thing I've learned about Travis, he donated 500 gown sets to the Wolfson Children's Hospital earlier this week.
54:13And it was important personal calls for him. Listen to this.
54:17He and his wife, Liana, had a son that was born two months premature last year.
54:22So during training camp, during preseason, early in the season, every day he would go to this hospital after practice to see his son, see how he's doing.
54:31And these nurses were there helping him. No one knew about it.
54:35He kept it private. He kept working towards playing two ways as his rookie year.
54:40And so for people who say Travis can't do this, Travis can't do that, he's already handled so much.
54:46And the Jags expect him to handle so much more this year, even if it looks a little different than it did in 2025.
54:54Already a big part of that community there in Duval County, thanks to Sarah Walsh and Camel looking ahead at the Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
55:03We have a status update as we look over at some coaches making their NFL debuts against other coaches making their NFL
55:10debuts, which gives us a chance to put Al Groh on a graphic, which I love, back in 2000, taking on Mike Sherman.
55:18But of course, they're at the top. It is Jeff Halfley and Clint Kubiak going head to head.
55:24And we got an update from that game as Raiders running back Ashton Denty, who had an ankle injury in practice a
55:31couple of weeks ago, will play Sunday in Las Vegas against those Miami Dolphins.
55:36You have another running back update. Number three overall pick Jeremiah Love listed as questionable with an ankle injury for Sunday season
55:43opener here in Los Angeles against the Chargers. Head coach Michael LaFleur, who is also making his head coaching debut, says love will be a game time decision.
55:52Monday Night Football will bring us an AFC West battle.
55:55Both Bo Nix and Patrick Mahomes coming back from late season or postseason injuries.
56:00We'll tell you what we're watching for. Coming up next on The Insiders.
56:04Back on The Insiders, here's our Saturday SEC on ABC College football tripleheader.
56:08Number eight Texas A&M plays host to Arizona State at noon Eastern, followed by number 13 Alabama and Kentucky in Lexington.
56:15Then at 730, number one Ohio State taking on number four Texas in a big early season test for both.
56:22Each game available also on the ESPN app while we push forward and look forward to the Monday Night Football season premiere.
56:29The Broncos taking on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
56:33As we look forward to that, we look forward to a familiar sound at the start of the game.
56:39He's on this one. And this one circled for months.
56:42Weekend, Luda on the mic. It's football season. Broncos, Chiefs, game lock, no ransom.
56:47Put them in the air. New year, new anthem.
56:50Monday night. Oh, and Monday Night Football means good morning football on the road live from Kansas City.
56:56Monday at 8 a.m. Eastern as it is now, Ian, the opportunity for the Chiefs to be the chaser in the AFC
57:03West as they try to catch up to the Denver Broncos who won the division last year.
57:09What are you looking forward to? That's crazy. I'm looking forward to seeing Bo Nix and how actually healthy he is.
57:16He's had kind of a tumultuous offseason. A couple surgeries to fix that ankle that he injured in dramatic fashion at the end of last year.
57:24Rob Duss of seeing essentially a real title game.
57:27And how healthy is he and what are we going to see from Bo Nix?
57:32I would also say, just as we get a little selfish here, I stashed Jonah Coleman on my fantasy roster.
57:39Sure it is. I'm just kind of curious to see what kind of role he has here.
57:44The Broncos really like him, Judy. But I'd like to see him out there in a major way, not just because I
57:51draft him, but just because, you know, I drafted him.
57:55I do not have any of these players on a fantasy team because I don't play fantasy.
58:00You don't? But I am looking forward to seeing – I don't.
58:04I am looking forward to seeing Patrick Mahomes. I think the entire nation is looking forward to seeing Patrick Mahomes.
58:11Remarkable recovery from his knee injury. I want to see just where he is.
58:15He has been ahead of schedule basically since right after he got hurt.
58:20He had the surgery and then we were hearing he was way ahead, way ahead.
58:25I want to see what he's doing in training camp.
58:28He looked great. He was moving. He was rolling to his left.
58:32He was planting. I just want to see where he's at.
58:35Is he 100%? Is he 90%, 90% of Patrick Mahomes is still awesome.
58:40Pretty good. Yeah, and it gives us an opportunity to ask a question and answer a question that we have now is one of the more important questions.
58:49When is Judy Batista going to have a fantasy team?
58:52I can't believe that. And who will she draft?
58:55Why do you not have a – were you just terrible?
58:59I'm terrible. I help my daughter. I help my daughter.
59:02I'm nervous. I'm jacked. Insiders is going to be back on Tuesday.
59:06Enjoy a full Sunday week one. We'll see you coming up on Tuesday.
59:10Have a good week. The new NFL season is here.
59:14Every game, listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
59:20Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sikama. And together, we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show.
59:25Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
59:28Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show, you're already playing from behind.
59:35Whether you're a first-time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, we give you the advantage and the confidence you need to make every move count.
59:44Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
59:50Monday through Friday, all season long. Listen to the NFL Report Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
59:58The entire draft room groans because you just took the guy they wanted.
60:02There's no better feeling than crushing your fantasy football league.
60:05I'm JJ Zacharyson, host of the award-winning Late Round Podcast.
60:09Before your draft, our players to target and players to avoid episodes tell you exactly who to circle and who to cross off.
60:16Listen to the Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
60:23This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
