2025-26 NFL Thread

[Pakuni]

Honestly, the nails concern me more than some of the inaccuracy on the field.

Not because of the nails themselves, cause who gives a crap, let a thousand blossoms bloom.  But when you're still trying to prove yourself, battle allegations of being self absorbed or a diva, answer questions and critics about your play, your attitude, your focus, etc... stop going out of your way to draw attention to yourself for off the field things.  When you win a stretch of games and have good performances, wear pink cleats a Hello Kitty backpack on the podium, and do promos for your favorite nail salon for all I care.  But answer the questions on the field about your job and performance first.  The undying motto for the NFL when it comes to players is the one line from the West Wing I retain..."they'll like us when we win".

He's been doing the nails thing since high school as a tribute to his mom, who worked as a nail technician. He painted his nails Monday to draw attention to World Suicide Prevention Day ... his nails included the number 988, which is the suicide prevention hotline number, and a purple-and-teal ribbon that symbolizes the suicide prevention cause.
That anyone would find that bothersome is, to me at least, absolutely wild.

Though it is fun to see a bunch of dudes who wouldn't last three plays on an NFL field question the manliness of an actual NFL player because of painted nails.
(That last part isn't directed towards you, Wags, but the general meathead/sports talk radio sphere).

[JWags85]

He's been doing the nails thing since high school as a tribute to his mom, who worked as a nail technician. He painted his nails Monday to draw attention to World Suicide Prevention Day ... his nails included the number 988, which is the suicide prevention hotline number, and a purple-and-teal ribbon that symbolizes the suicide prevention cause.
That anyone would find that bothersome is, to me at least, absolutely wild.

Though it is fun to see a bunch of dudes who wouldn't last three plays on an NFL field question the manliness of an actual NFL player because of painted nails.
(That last part isn't directed towards you, Wags, but the general meathead/sports talk radio sphere).

Yea I know the history of it.  And its not the first time its caused drama (pretty sure he did F*** Utah) in one of his last USC games.  Its not bothersome as whole, it certainly doesn't make him less manly or less of a player,and I obviously don't have an issue calling more attention to mental health and suicide prevention.  I just don't want a young embattled QB to make himself even more of a distraction/lightning rod when trying to figure his play out.  It would be the same if he was being attention getting with his cleats or something similar. 

You can make arguments either way, but no matter how well intentioned, I don't think its out of line to say he's making things more difficult for himself as someone who has been sensitive to noise and criticism in the past and clearly isn't one of those "I just tune everything out" sort of players.  Just don't give them extra reasons.  I'm sure the connection to famously non controversial Angel Reese didn't help.

Like I said, if he plays like he did the first half of the game on Monday night, this is a non story and goes away.  If he plays like he did in the second, its just another point for people/critics/fans to latch onto and question.  I just want him to ball out.

[Jockey]

I simultaneously didn't see enough to get excited, or enough to panic about Caleb Williams last night and the sample size vs a top 5 defense in week one isn't enough to think otherwise.

But part of why we love the NFL is sweeping proclamations by dimwits like myself in week one.

Go easy on yourself. We're all idiots here.

[Uncle Rico]

Go easy on yourself. We're all idiots here.

It's a shame Herm got banned because deflected a lot of our idiocy with him being wrong about everything

[MU82]

Yea I know the history of it.  And its not the first time its caused drama (pretty sure he did F*** Utah) in one of his last USC games.  Its not bothersome as whole, it certainly doesn't make him less manly or less of a player,and I obviously don't have an issue calling more attention to mental health and suicide prevention.  I just don't want a young embattled QB to make himself even more of a distraction/lightning rod when trying to figure his play out.  It would be the same if he was being attention getting with his cleats or something similar. 

You can make arguments either way, but no matter how well intentioned, I don't think its out of line to say he's making things more difficult for himself as someone who has been sensitive to noise and criticism in the past and clearly isn't one of those "I just tune everything out" sort of players.  Just don't give them extra reasons.  I'm sure the connection to famously non controversial Angel Reese didn't help.

Like I said, if he plays like he did the first half of the game on Monday night, this is a non story and goes away.  If he plays like he did in the second, its just another point for people/critics/fans to latch onto and question.  I just want him to ball out.

Either he can tune out the noise or he can't. He'll get ripped up and down (or praised up and down) on social media whether or not he paints his nails.

"You choke in the clutch ... you make too many mistakes ... you hold on to the ball too long ... you have a losing record ... and you aren't manly because you paint your nails." So he's supposed to stop painting his nails to support whatever cause he wants because some dopes on social media make fun of him? I really don't get the reasoning.

Either he can take the pounding or he can't.

[Uncle Rico]

Either he can tune out the noise or he can't. He'll get ripped up and down (or praised up and down) on social media whether or not he paints his nails.

"You choke in the clutch ... you make too many mistakes ... you hold on to the ball too long ... you have a losing record ... and you aren't manly because you paint your nails." So he's supposed to stop painting his nails to support whatever cause he wants because some dopes on social media make fun of him? I really don't get the reasoning.

Either he can take the pounding or he can't.

He should learn from Bears legend, Jim McMahon, not to draw attention to himself and solely focus on winning games.

[Jay Bee]

Either he can take the pounding or he can't.

The nails tell me he can.

[The Sultan]

Yea I know the history of it.  And its not the first time its caused drama (pretty sure he did F*** Utah) in one of his last USC games.  Its not bothersome as whole, it certainly doesn't make him less manly or less of a player,and I obviously don't have an issue calling more attention to mental health and suicide prevention.  I just don't want a young embattled QB to make himself even more of a distraction/lightning rod when trying to figure his play out.  It would be the same if he was being attention getting with his cleats or something similar. 

You can make arguments either way, but no matter how well intentioned, I don't think its out of line to say he's making things more difficult for himself as someone who has been sensitive to noise and criticism in the past and clearly isn't one of those "I just tune everything out" sort of players.  Just don't give them extra reasons.  I'm sure the connection to famously non controversial Angel Reese didn't help.

Like I said, if he plays like he did the first half of the game on Monday night, this is a non story and goes away.  If he plays like he did in the second, its just another point for people/critics/fans to latch onto and question.  I just want him to ball out.

Did you have a meatball sandwich in your mouth when typing this?

[Uncle Rico]

The nails tell me he can.

Why?

[Pakuni]

Like I said, if he plays like he did the first half of the game on Monday night, this is a non story and goes away.  If he plays like he did in the second, its just another point for people/critics/fans to latch onto and question.  I just want him to ball out.

It's only a story because meatheads make it a story. It has no actual bearing/relevance on what happens on the field.
He could be the most milquetoast person in human history and fans will find some dumb reason to declare his personality/demeanor lacking (see: Daniel Jones, Derek Carr). If not fingernails, it would be something else.
If he plays well, no one will care. Joe Burrow dresses like this (see below), dumped his longtime girlfriend to date models, hobnobs with celebs at the Met Gala, bought a Batman car, etc. ... all of which would have the meatheads questioning his priorities if he played poorly. But he plays well, so all the off-field stuff that would get a lesser player ripped is OK.

I don't think athletes should alter/squelch their personality to appease the sports talk radio guys who are going to rip them regardless.

[Shaka Shart]

It's only a story because meatheads make it a story. It has no actual bearing/relevance on what happens on the field.
He could be the most milquetoast person in human history and fans will find some dumb reason to declare his personality/demeanor lacking (see: Daniel Jones, Derek Carr). If not fingernails, it would be something else.
If he plays well, no one will care. Joe Burrow dresses like this (see below), dumped his longtime girlfriend to date models, hobnobs with celebs at the Met Gala, bought a Batman car, etc. ... all of which would have the meatheads questioning his priorities if he played poorly. But he plays well, so all the off-field stuff that would get a lesser player ripped is OK.

I don't think athletes should alter/squelch their personality to appease the sports talk radio guys who are going to rip them regardless.

Carr's eyeliner?!?!

[JWags85]

It's only a story because meatheads make it a story. It has no actual bearing/relevance on what happens on the field.
He could be the most milquetoast person in human history and fans will find some dumb reason to declare his personality/demeanor lacking (see: Daniel Jones, Derek Carr). If not fingernails, it would be something else.
If he plays well, no one will care. Joe Burrow dresses like this (see below), dumped his longtime girlfriend to date models, hobnobs with celebs at the Met Gala, bought a Batman car, etc. ... all of which would have the meatheads questioning his priorities if he played poorly. But he plays well, so all the off-field stuff that would get a lesser player ripped is OK.

I don't think athletes should alter/squelch their personality to appease the sports talk radio guys who are going to rip them regardless.

Yeah the more I've thought after rereading what I've posted, it's misguided attribution.  I approached it as him doing something attention getting whereas it's the same stuff he's always done, it's not a change in anything.  He's not really done anything new to draw attention to himself or cause controversy. It's just critique over Caleb Williams as a whole in response to him not playing well.

 I want him to be better, I want him to dial in, that's all the matters.  It's easy to try at point fingers are other things that are inhibiting that, but that's just dumb grasping at straws. Short of him getting into some war of attrition with people over it, it really has zero impact on if he succeeds or not.

In more actual football related content, thought this was interesting

https://x.com/fitzmagic_14/status/1965817107670540764?s=46

And also the PERFECT internet experience with random civilians responding below it saying "well actually you're wrong!" to a discussion of QB mechanics with a 15+ year pro QB

[GB Warrior]

Yeah the more I've thought after rereading what I've posted, it's misguided attribution.  I approached it as him doing something attention getting whereas it's the same stuff he's always done, it's not a change in anything.  He's not really done anything new to draw attention to himself or cause controversy. It's just critique over Caleb Williams as a whole in response to him not playing well.

 I want him to be better, I want him to dial in, that's all the matters.  It's easy to try at point fingers are other things that are inhibiting that, but that's just dumb grasping at straws. Short of him getting into some war of attrition with people over it, it really has zero impact on if he succeeds or not.

In more actual football related content, thought this was interesting

https://x.com/fitzmagic_14/status/1965817107670540764?s=46

And also the PERFECT internet experience with random civilians responding below it saying "well actually you're wrong!" to a discussion of QB mechanics with a 15+ year pro QB

I think it was more of the timing of his progressions. When he saw the defender trigger down, ball needs to come out and EVERY QB should be able to hit that. When he actually released it, it was a very difficult throw. But it didn't have to be.

[MU82]

Williams' performance Monday reminded me some of a young Cam Newton. Could make some spectacular throws and runs, but also prone to spells of inaccuracy and indecision.

If the Bears are lucky, he'll progress the way Newton did. And if they're really lucky, he'll stay healthy for 10+ years (unlike Newton).

Newton also had attention-grabbing stuff going on - the way he dressed, the celebrations, the trash talk, the dopey things he occasionally said, etc. It was "quirky" or "flashy" when he was MVP; it was ripped to shreds when he struggled.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

He's been doing the nails thing since high school as a tribute to his mom,

Forget the nail thing, what baffled me was why (it appeared to me at least) he was wearing purple and yellow earrings while playing the Vikings

[Jay Bee]

Forget the nail thing, what baffled me was why (it appeared to me at least) he was wearing purple and yellow earrings while playing the Vikings

Maybe he's dating a Vikings' cheerleader

[Pakuni]

Maybe he's dating a Vikings' cheerleader

Periodic reminder ...

Homophobes should consider a little self-reflection, suggests a new study finding those individuals who are most hostile toward gays and hold strong anti-gay views may themselves have same-sex desires, albeit undercover ones.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/homophobes-might-be-hidden-homosexuals/

[wadesworld]

Periodic reminder ...

Homophobes should consider a little self-reflection, suggests a new study finding those individuals who are most hostile toward gays and hold strong anti-gay views may themselves have same-sex desires, albeit undercover ones.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/homophobes-might-be-hidden-homosexuals/

Oh there's NEVER been a doubt about that with this poster.

[GB Warrior]

Some good brand synergies here
https://x.com/depaulathletics/status/1965818901616365681?s=46

[WhiteTrash]

Why in the world is Lamar apologizing for his actions in Buffalo? I'd give him AFC player of the week for it. 

[forgetful]

Williams' performance Monday reminded me some of a young Cam Newton. Could make some spectacular throws and runs, but also prone to spells of inaccuracy and indecision.

If the Bears are lucky, he'll progress the way Newton did. And if they're really lucky, he'll stay healthy for 10+ years (unlike Newton).

Newton also had attention-grabbing stuff going on - the way he dressed, the celebrations, the trash talk, the dopey things he occasionally said, etc. It was "quirky" or "flashy" when he was MVP; it was ripped to shreds when he struggled.

I'm an outlier here, but I saw a lot of potential/good things in Williams' performance. The negatives in his game reminded me of how lucky the Packers have been in being able to have gifted QBs sit behind MVPs (Favre then Rodgers), where the players could work through weaknesses in their game and decision making before being in the spotlight.

To me, Williams has the skill, the questions become:
1. Will he have an offensive line that can protect him.
2. Will he have a coaching staff, and mentors, that can help him work through his weaknesses and decision making.
3. Will Chicago give him time to learn on the job and grow.

[MU82]

I'm an outlier here, but I saw a lot of potential/good things in Williams' performance. The negatives in his game reminded me of how lucky the Packers have been in being able to have gifted QBs sit behind MVPs (Favre then Rodgers), where the players could work through weaknesses in their game and decision making before being in the spotlight.

To me, Williams has the skill, the questions become:
1. Will he have an offensive line that can protect him.
2. Will he have a coaching staff, and mentors, that can help him work through his weaknesses and decision making.
3. Will Chicago give him time to learn on the job and grow.

1. We'll see.
2. Theoretically, that was one of the big reasons for the coaching change. Johnson's track record, albeit not all that long, suggests that he will have a positive impact on Williams. Then it will be up to Williams to do what he is supposed to do.
3. No.

You notably left out any of Williams' own responsibility here. Lots of QBs who have had "skill" fail in the NFL for a variety of reasons. Some external, such as those you mentioned, but some simply haven't been able to maximize their skill to produce personal and team success.

[RJax55]

1. We'll see.
2. Theoretically, that was one of the big reasons for the coaching change. Johnson's track record, albeit not all that long, suggests that he will have a positive impact on Williams. Then it will be up to Williams to do what he is supposed to do.
3. No.

You notably left out any of Williams' own responsibility here. Lots of QBs who have had "skill" fail in the NFL for a variety of reasons. Some external, such as those you mentioned, but some simply haven't been able to maximize their skill to produce personal and team success.

IMO, his height is causing him problems in the NFL when in the pocket. I don't believe this was as much of an issue for him at the collegiate level, which is only adding to his transition to the pros.

He has a steep climb to make.

[forgetful]

1. We'll see.
2. Theoretically, that was one of the big reasons for the coaching change. Johnson's track record, albeit not all that long, suggests that he will have a positive impact on Williams. Then it will be up to Williams to do what he is supposed to do.
3. No.

You notably left out any of Williams' own responsibility here. Lots of QBs who have had "skill" fail in the NFL for a variety of reasons. Some external, such as those you mentioned, but some simply haven't been able to maximize their skill to produce personal and team success.

You are right on the last points. Skill needs to be developed at all levels, and the most important aspect of translating that skill into performance falls on the shoulders of the individual, not those around them.

[The Sultan]

Kevin Warren is entertaining.

And now Pritzker has basically killed the idea of property tax relief for the Bears unless they pay off the $500+ million in bonds owed on the current facility.

Somehow, since Warren joined the organization, their negotiating position has gotten worse.