2025-26 NFL Thread

[Uncle Rico]

I think Sunday is going to show a lot. Rodgers is smart enough to pick this defense apart with quick passes, especially to DK. And the Steelers defense isn't getting beat by bubble screens and the like, but by getting the ball downfield.

They'll have to hit Rodgers a lot in this game because the secondary won't hold up if he's getting time to throw. 

[Hards Alumni]

I think Sunday is going to show a lot. Rodgers is smart enough to pick this defense apart with quick passes, especially to DK. And the Steelers defense isn't getting beat by bubble screens and the like, but by getting the ball downfield.

Yeah, famously, Rodgers never held onto the ball to long when he played for the Packers. 

[tower912]

GB v AR.   Thoughts?  Any latent loyalty?  Rooting for Parsons to get a free run?

[Uncle Rico]

GB v AR.   Thoughts?  Any latent loyalty?  Rooting for Parsons to get a free run?

If he stays upright, he'll pick this secondary apart.  But definitely pulling for Parsons to get a free run.

Guessing his welcome is mixed. Didn't leave like the Dongslinger and the fans moved on much quicker than 2008.  Plus, he didn't force his way to a rival like the Dongslinger did. 

I said it when they drafted Love and then he got pouty before the '21 draft and the collective reaction from the fanbase was "eh".  He miscalculated how he thought the fanbase would react, expecting them to rally around him like a large chunk did with the Dongslinger.

[Hards Alumni]

I think much of the fanbase still loves Rodgers.  He was the best QB that the Packers have ever had, and was generally a likeable guy when here.  His 'immunized' stuff left a bad taste, but I think most people have moved on.

I think if the game was in GB he'd get a big cheer from the crowd.

[The Sultan]

Rodgers was never beloved like Favre. That was part of the miscalculation. And it didn't really end well for him, not just the COVID stuff, but he was just insufferable all the time.

Anyway, life goes on.

[JWags85]

I think much of the fanbase still loves Rodgers.  He was the best QB that the Packers have ever had, and was generally a likeable guy when here.  His 'immunized' stuff left a bad taste, but I think most people have moved on.

I think if the game was in GB he'd get a big cheer from the crowd.

Yea, as annoying and smug as he is, I think after the initial Jets fervor and then his quick injury, he's kind of fallen out of the collective consciousness.  ESPN hasn't blasted him all that much to the casual fan the last 12 months (in a big change from the previous 12 months).  Hell, my wife who isn't an NFL diehard, but an informed casual fan who used to play a lot of Fantasy Football and spends enough time on social media, didn't even realize he'd moved from the Jets to the Steelers.

[The Sultan]

Still can't believe the Vikings just let Darnold walk.

[Pakuni]

Still can't believe the Vikings just let Darnold walk.

Not sure they had an option. They weren't going to burn McCarthy's rookie contract. They weren't going to make Darnold the planet's best paid clipboard carrier. They weren't going to trade McCarthy. Were they going to blow up their cap space by franchising Darnold to potentially be a backup?
And the last time we saw Darnold in a Vikings uniform, he wasn't exactly killing it.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Not sure they had an option. They weren't going to burn McCarthy's rookie contract. They weren't going to make Darnold the planet's best paid clipboard carrier. They weren't going to trade McCarthy. Were they going to blow up their cap space by franchising Darnold to potentially be a backup?
And the last time we saw Darnold in a Vikings uniform, he wasn't exactly killing it.

I've never understood why anyone thinks McCarthy will ever be as good as Darnold

[Jockey]

Not sure they had an option. They weren't going to burn McCarthy's rookie contract. They weren't going to make Darnold the planet's best paid clipboard carrier. They weren't going to trade McCarthy. Were they going to blow up their cap space by franchising Darnold to potentially be a backup?
And the last time we saw Darnold in a Vikings uniform, he wasn't exactly killing it.

So you should get rid of any QB who has a bad game? Darnold is light years ahead of where JJ will ever be.

The Queens made one mistake letting Darnold go and then compounded it by refusing to sign ARod.

[Shaka Shart]

So you should get rid of any QB who has a bad game? Darnold is light years ahead of where JJ will ever be.

The Queens made one mistake letting Darnold go and then compounded it by refusing to sign ARod.

I think you meant refusing to sign Anders

[Pakuni]

So you should get rid of any QB who has a bad game? Darnold is light years ahead of where JJ will ever be.

The Queens made one mistake letting Darnold go and then compounded it by refusing to sign ARod.

Yes, Sam Darnold has had one bad game.
Also, the NFL didn't exist before October 2024.
But hey, KOC probably doesn't know much about quarterbacking.

[MU82]

Skol?

[The Sultan]

Yes, Sam Darnold has had one bad game.
Also, the NFL didn't exist before October 2024.
But hey, KOC probably doesn't know much about quarterbacking.

Does he?

Regardless, Darnold is having a fine year in Seattle. The Vikings could have easily signed him to a cap friendly deal and not have had to franchise him.

But they turned to an unproven, and apparently injury prone rookie, and have already exceeded their regular season losses from last year.

[tower912]

They also had Daniel Jones.  How is he doing this season?

[Hards Alumni]

Skol?

SkoLLLL

[Billy Hoyle]

Does he?

Regardless, Darnold is having a fine year in Seattle. The Vikings could have easily signed him to a cap friendly deal and not have had to franchise him.

But they turned to an unproven, and apparently injury prone rookie, and have already exceeded their regular season losses from last year.

considering their O line is a provides less resistance than a NYC Subway turnstile, so I don't think it would matter who was playing QB for them.

[Pakuni]

Does he?

Regardless, Darnold is having a fine year in Seattle. The Vikings could have easily signed him to a cap friendly deal and not have had to franchise him.

But they turned to an unproven, and apparently injury prone rookie, and have already exceeded their regular season losses from last year.

Your belief is that Darnold would have turned down $55 million guaranteed and a certain starting job in Seattle for a "cap-friendly" deal in Minnesota where, at best, he has a #11 overall pick looming over his shoulder and a fan base ready to turn on him in an instant?
OK. I mean, I can't prove that he and his agent aren't complete morons, but I'm thinking it's unlikely.

The Vikings' problems this year go far beyond QB play. Both starting tackles have missed significant time. Their center is out for the season. Their RB1 has barely played. Their WR2 was suspended three games. Van Ginkel has essentially been out since week 1. A defense that ranked 4th in points allowed per game last year now sits 18th.
Sam Darnold, as elite as he may be, wasn't overcoming all that.

[The Sultan]

Your belief is that Darnold would have turned down $55 million guaranteed and a certain starting job in Seattle for a "cap-friendly" deal in Minnesota where, at best, he has a #11 overall pick looming over his shoulder and a fan base ready to turn on him in an instant?
OK. I mean, I can't prove that he and his agent aren't complete morons, but I'm thinking it's unlikely.

A more cap friendly deal than simply franchise tagging him. And yes, I do think that rolling it back with those receivers and KOC would have been a preferred option.

The Vikings' problems this year go far beyond QB play. Both starting tackles have missed significant time. Their center is out for the season. Their RB1 has barely played. Their WR2 was suspended three games. Van Ginkel has essentially been out since week 1. A defense that ranked 4th in points allowed per game last year now sits 18th.
Sam Darnold, as elite as he may be, wasn't overcoming all that.

Ah. The inevtitable Pakuni goalpost shift...

[Pakuni]

They also had Daniel Jones.  How is he doing this season?

We've seen Daniel Jones perform in an offensive environment similar to the one now in Minnesota (i.e. no o-line, no running game).
How'd he do?

[Pakuni]

A more cap friendly deal than simply franchise tagging him. And yes, I do think that rolling it back with those receivers and KOC would have been a preferred option.

What's this cap friendly deal look like that convinces Darnold to turn down $55 million, a chance to hit free agency again at 30 years old and a guaranteed starting gig?

Ah. The inevtitable Pakuni goalpost shift...

Ah. The inevitable shifting goalposts accusation from Sultan when he can't dispute the point being made.

You blamed the Vikings' struggles on the QB situation, writing "But they turned to an unproven, and apparently injury prone rookie, and have already exceeded their regular season losses from last year."

No one serious believes the QB situation alone is to blame for the Vikings' struggles.

[Hards Alumni]

[The Sultan]

What's this cap friendly deal look like that convinces Darnold to turn down $55 million, a chance to hit free agency again at 30 years old and a guaranteed starting gig?

The same deal with the Vikings would have worked just fine for both parties.

Ah. The inevitable shifting goalposts accusation from Sultan when he can't dispute the point being made.

Well, I can't bring eyesight to the blind and I can't get you to understand the obvious.

You blamed the Vikings' struggles on the QB situation, writing "But they turned to an unproven, and apparently injury prone rookie, and have already exceeded their regular season losses from last year."

No one serious believes the QB situation alone is to blame for the Vikings' struggles.

Ah. Another goalpost shift. I never stated it was the QB situation alone. It is the primary reason pretty clearly.

[Pakuni]

Ah. Another goalpost shift. I never stated it was the QB situation alone. It is the primary reason pretty clearly.

Got it. You definitely didn't write that thing we all see you wrote.