2025-26 NFL Thread

[JWags85]

I think this is all fair. I never loved Taylor as a coach, but he's been legit snakebit by injuries the past few seasons. Still kind of surprised he survived Black Monday, but maybe Mike Brown doesn't want to pay him not to work.

Oh I 1000% think he's fired if he was anywhere else but the penny pinching Bengals

[MU82]

I was talking to a USC alum buddy of mine about it this morning, and it's one of those facts that seems crazy but then you look at it, and it makes total sense. For as legendary and successful USC was for decades, they never really produced QBs.  Post WW2 until Carson Palmer went #1 in 2003, USC had 2...TWO QBs drafted in the first round in 60 years.  If you go post merger, it was only Todd Marinovich till Palmer, and we know how his career turned out.  Dozens of conference championships and a half dozen national championships in that time, but not with studs at QB.

Then even more crazy, 1st round picks aside, till date, in the history of the NFL, the number of USC QBs that were their teams starting QB for 5 or more seasons, not including Darnold who just finished his 5th,... just 3.  Matt Cassell, Carson Palmer, and the consummate journeyman, Rodney Peete. So that makes it seem a little more reasonable.

All the "Star" QBs at USC, whether Heisman winners/finalists or highly touted recruits, have all come post Pete Carroll.  And with the exception of Palmer and now Darnold and an incomplete on Caleb Williams, they've all been disappointing in the NFL. I mean Matt Cassell is a top 3 USC QB of all time, in NFL performance terms, and he's best known for being the backip when Brady blew his knee.  Mark Sanchez is best known for the butt fumble, and he has a VERY real argument for being a top 5 USC NFL QB.

Some hellaciously good RBs, though!

[Pakuni]

I was talking to a USC alum buddy of mine about it this morning, and it's one of those facts that seems crazy but then you look at it, and it makes total sense. For as legendary and successful USC was for decades, they never really produced QBs.

John David Booty may have not made it to Canton on his field performance, but he has a Hall of Fame name.

Pat Haden almost made a Super Bowl in 1978, and might have the next season if not for injury.

[tower912]

I have no idea how the Lions plan to use Kafka.

[Billy Hoyle]

I have no idea how the Lions plan to use Kafka.

He and Petzing will ensure the Lions land that coveted Hair Club for Men sponsorship?

[MU82]

From The Athletic:

For Darnold, there is always more to prove. Now that the Rams aren't his kryptonite, he will face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Six years ago, his career reached its lowest point against the Patriots on "Monday Night Football" when a microphone caught him saying he was "seeing ghosts" during that game. In Darnold's climb back to respectability, it figures he would have New England and that storyline next.

"I almost forgot about it," Darnold joked. "So thanks."

[CreightonWarrior]

A well-earned Pro Bowl invite for Nixon.

[JWags85]

I have no idea how the Lions plan to use Kafka.

I would have to think it's kind of a dual OC role, Kafka as Passing Game Coordinator and Petzing as Run Game? I can't imagine Campbell will still call plays, though that's how a lot of the RCG/PCG roles work under a playcaller. 

But there has to be something intriguing there for Kafka cause otherwise it's a pretty big demotion after being an OC for 4 seasons and getting buzz as a HC candidate.  I feel like hes been very highly regarded while Petzing not so much

[CreightonWarrior]

I would have to think it's kind of a dual OC role, Kafka as Passing Game Coordinator and Petzing as Run Game? I can't imagine Campbell will still call plays, though that's how a lot of the RCG/PCG roles work under a playcaller. 

But there has to be something intriguing there for Kafka cause otherwise it's a pretty big demotion after being an OC for 4 seasons and getting buzz as a HC candidate.  I feel like hes been very highly regarded while Petzing not so much

very Kafka-esque

[Pakuni]

Bills hiring Joe Brady as HC.

That leaves three: Vegas, Cleveland and Arizona.

No idea what Arizona is doing. Vegas looks like Davis Webb, unless they're willing to wait on Klint Kubiak (they should, btw, though it does put them in a bad spot to build a staff).
Cleveland? Scheelhasse or Schwartz?

[Billy Hoyle]

Bills hiring Joe Brady as HC.

That leaves three: Vegas, Cleveland and Arizona.

No idea what Arizona is doing. Vegas looks like Davis Webb, unless they're willing to wait on Klint Kubiak (they should, btw, though it does put them in a bad spot to build a staff).
Cleveland? Scheelhasse or Schwartz?

Maybe it's going to be Prime Time in Cleveland?

[MU82]

Bills hiring Joe Brady as HC.

That leaves three: Vegas, Cleveland and Arizona.

No idea what Arizona is doing. Vegas looks like Davis Webb, unless they're willing to wait on Klint Kubiak (they should, btw, though it does put them in a bad spot to build a staff).
Cleveland? Scheelhasse or Schwartz?

I was thinking that Kubiak would want Buffalo, or that he would stay with the Seahawks rather than take one of those waiting-to-fail jobs. Now that the Bills hired Brady, it'll be interesting to see what he does.

As for Brady, he wasn't very impressive in Charlotte (but that was an impossible situation), and lots of Bills fans complain about him. But he must have a great relationship with Allen or he wouldn't have gotten the gig. And when Allen has had weapons, the offense has really hummed.

[Pakuni]

I was thinking that Kubiak would want Buffalo, or that he would stay with the Seahawks rather than take one of those waiting-to-fail jobs. Now that the Bills hired Brady, it'll be interesting to see what he does.

As for Brady, he wasn't very impressive in Charlotte (but that was an impossible situation), and lots of Bills fans complain about him. But he must have a great relationship with Allen or he wouldn't have gotten the gig. And when Allen has had weapons, the offense has really hummed.

I think Vegas could be a good job for an offensive-minded coach. Bowers, Jeanty and the #1 pick (Mendoza, presumably) gives them a young core to build around. According to Sportrac, they have the second most cap space this offseason, and a state with no income tax as an incentive for free agents.

[JWags85]

Bills hiring Joe Brady as HC.

That leaves three: Vegas, Cleveland and Arizona.

No idea what Arizona is doing. Vegas looks like Davis Webb, unless they're willing to wait on Klint Kubiak (they should, btw, though it does put them in a bad spot to build a staff).
Cleveland? Scheelhasse or Schwartz?

I wonder if Brady was always the guy and they just wanted to kick the tires a bit on outside opinion of him from coaching candidates?  Like "would you keep Joe Brady as OC if you came in"?  No idea.  Its probably the easily the best hire based on who they were interviewing, but just an odd process.

Cleveland is so F'd if the reports about Haslem and Schwartz are true.  I mean, if Scheelhasse is willing to do it just to get that first job way ahead of schedule, then he's probably the guy.  Otherwise they've torpedo'd their prospects for any coach in order to keep Schwartz as DC...so now he's just gonna run the whole show.

[MU82]

I think Vegas could be a good job for an offensive-minded coach. Bowers, Jeanty and the #1 pick (Mendoza, presumably) gives them a young core to build around. According to Sportrac, they have the second most cap space this offseason, and a state with no income tax as an incentive for free agents.

Good points. They would need a defense, too, obviously, but maybe that could be solved with all that cap space. Also, not sure how T.B. looking over one's shoulder would affect the next coach (if it affects him at all), and Davis doesn't seem like the best owner to work for. But you're right that there are some things in place for it to be an attractive job.

Arizona and Cleveland have good defensive pieces, so an offensive "genius" could convince himself that he'd be the difference in getting that side of the ball up to speed so the team could have a quick turnaround. After all, these guys don't get to their current status without tons of confidence.

I probably was projecting what I'd be thinking if I were in his shoes: Buffalo, or bide my time.

[Pakuni]

I have no idea how the Lions plan to use Kafka.

He'll play a big part in developing team philosophy.