2026-27 NFL Thread

[The Sultan]

So after all the headlines and bluster, Kevin Warren accomplished exactly nothing with the Illinois legislature. So it is either take the deal in Hammond, or do everything in Arlington Heights on their own dime.

Brilliant stuff.

[Jay Bee]

I4 Bears!

[WhiteTrash]

So after all the headlines and bluster, Kevin Warren accomplished exactly nothing with the Illinois legislature. So it is either take the deal in Hammond, or do everything in Arlington Heights on their own dime.

Brilliant stuff.

While I not a big supporter of government funding private businesses, I think there are certain cases that some help can create more benefit for the state/city and justify the investment. I could see some level of support from the state of Illinois making sense, but Illinois had run their financial situation into the ground years ago and probably can't afford it. A lost opportunity for AH and Illinois.

[Pakuni]

Eh ... the Illinois General Assembly can be back in a special session as early as Friday, if they want. I wouldn't say this is over by a long stretch.

The bigger hurdle here may be convincing Arlington Heights that it's in their interests to own a football stadium.

[Pakuni]

https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2061479901677428766?s=20

[Uncle Rico]

The polio vaccine claims another.

Raymond Berry dead at 93

[Pakuni]

Whoa ... Myles Garrett to the Rams.

[Jockey]

https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2061479901677428766?s=20

A blow to all NFL fans.

[Dish]

Taking Ty Simpson seems very odd if the Rams knew they were all in for 2026.

[cheebs09]

Whoa ... Myles Garrett to the Rams.

Now Haslem can focus on trading Giannis.

[GB Warrior]

Now Haslem can focus on trading Giannis.

Trade comp for Garrett looks a lot like Giannis for Chet

[Uncle Rico]

Give the Rams this, they're bold as hell.

[Pakuni]

Taking Ty Simpson seems very odd if the Rams knew they were all in for 2026.

Or, they figured they're going to be very good for the next two years and won't have another chance to draft a potential starting QB by the time Stafford retires after the 2027 season.

[The Sultan]

Eh ... the Illinois General Assembly can be back in a special session as early as Friday, if they want. I wouldn't say this is over by a long stretch.

The bigger hurdle here may be convincing Arlington Heights that it's in their interests to own a football stadium.

It's not "over" sure, but it just looks like there is no leverage. Hammond just isn't viable and everyone knows the McCaskeys don't want to be there - and I doubt the NFL wants them there either. I am sure they will throw a bone at the Bears, but it won't be the deal they wanted.

[Dish]

Or, they figured they're going to be very good for the next two years and won't have another chance to draft a potential starting QB by the time Stafford retires after the 2027 season.

Sure, but the "eff dem draft picks" team to make that decision is odd to say the least.

Why not utilize an inexpensive asset to solidify your 2026 strategy? That doesn't even begin to question whether or not Simpson is even good.

[MU82]

As a Seahawks fan, I'm hoping the Rams get every bit as much of a postseason return in Year 1 of the trade as the Packers got from the Parsons trade.

Seriously, quite a move by the Rams. If their best players stay healthy, they should be the NFL's best team.

[Uncle Rico]

As a Seahawks fan, I'm hoping the Rams get every bit as much of a postseason return in Year 1 of the trade as the Packers got from the Parsons trade.

Seriously, quite a move by the Rams. If their best players stay healthy, they should be the NFL's best team.

Not if they have to play in Bears weather

[Pakuni]

Sure, but the "eff dem draft picks" team to make that decision is odd to say the least.

Why not utilize an inexpensive asset to solidify your 2026 strategy? That doesn't even begin to question whether or not Simpson is even good.

Oh, sure, I get why people question it. And it's a fair question. I'm just tossing out a possible explanation for it. Not terribly different from what the Packers did in 2020. Which, on the one hand, you can say worked out great because they got themselves another legit QB1. On the other hand, maybe they stay put, draft Tee Higgins and L'Jarius Sneed with their picks, and that gets them to another Super Bowl with Rodgers.

[GB Warrior]

As a Seahawks fan, I'm hoping the Rams get every bit as much of a postseason return in Year 1 of the trade as the Packers got from the Parsons trade.

Seriously, quite a move by the Rams. If their best players stay healthy, they should be the NFL's best team.

Injury aside, Parsons was a better deal than this. Verse isn't elite but he's no slouch and certainly not on the back nine of his career like Clark was.

Probably accounted for the fact that Garrett is a better player (for at least the next year or two)

[Pakuni]

Injury aside, Parsons was a better deal than this. Verse isn't elite but he's no slouch and certainly not on the back nine of his career like Clark was.

Probably accounted for the fact that Garrett is a better player (for at least the next year or two)

Also, Garrett is locked in on a contract with very reasonable cap hits for the next three seasons ... $8.1 million this year, $16 million in 2028, $21.4 million in 2029. Parsons needed to be paid.

[The Sultan]

Parsons is also three years younger than Garrett.

[MU82]

It was a great trade for the Rams, who despite not getting immediate value out of their 2026 #1 draft pick, have had a superb offseason and now appear to have no offensive or defensive weaknesses.

The Seahawks are still a formidable team, but I'd objectively rate the Rams as division favorites.

[GB Warrior]

Also, Garrett is locked in on a contract with very reasonable cap hits for the next three seasons ... $8.1 million this year, $16 million in 2028, $21.4 million in 2029. Parsons needed to be paid.

Great point here.

[MUBurrow]

Injury aside, Parsons was a better deal than this. Verse isn't elite but he's no slouch and certainly not on the back nine of his career like Clark was.

Yeah, Verse is awesome - he plays every down and the biggest knock is his high missed tackle %, which feels very fluky imo.  I doubt he will be willing to play out his current contract for a crappy Browns team, but he is dirt cheap at the moment too.

[PointWarrior]

hopefully 5 years worth of injuries hit the seahawks this year at key posiitons (and not the QB1 of the teams they are playing).

As a Seahawks fan, I'm hoping the Rams get every bit as much of a postseason return in Year 1 of the trade as the Packers got from the Parsons trade.

Seriously, quite a move by the Rams. If their best players stay healthy, they should be the NFL's best team.

[Uncle Rico]

hopefully 5 years worth of injuries hit the seahawks this year at key posiitons (and not the QB1 of the teams they are playing).

As a Packers fan, I'm jealous of the Seahawks success, too.  It's a disgrace how better run they are than the Packers and are committed to winning titles and not just building sled hills.

Just wish we had some luck like being the 1-seed in the playoffs under LaFleur with a full roster and hall of fame QB.  We'd be unstoppable.

[wadesworld]

As a Packers fan, I'm jealous of the Seahawks success, too.  It's a disgrace how better run they are than the Packers and are committed to winning titles and not just building sled hills.

Just wish we had some luck like being the 1-seed in the playoffs under LaFleur with a full roster and hall of fame QB.  We'd be unstoppable.

And they're run by a guy who came up in Green Bay.

[Shaka Shart]

And they're run by a guy who came up in Green Bay.

It's important to establish the run after all

[MU82]

hopefully 5 years worth of injuries hit the seahawks this year at key posiitons (and not the QB1 of the teams they are playing).

I don't wish injuries on anybody. I know you're a good guy, so I'm surprised that's what you're doing.

[Shaka Shart]

I don't wish injuries on anybody. I know you're a good guy, so I'm surprised that's what you're doing.

I'm guessing it was a reference about how we all have five years of Covid vaccine injuries but for some reason the Seahawks don't have the debilitating tremors yet

[TallTitan34]

Caleb to Madden cover.

[jesmu84]

The nails are going to generate nothing but positive response, I'm sure

[Pakuni]

The nails are going to generate nothing but positive response, I'm sure

I just hope Cole Palmer gets his share of the royalties. He could use some good news these days.

[Uncle Rico]

Caleb to Madden cover.

Hammond, Indiana doesn't look like that

[JWags85]

Great, just when the Bears get a young QB on the rise, here come the #distractions 

At least the Madden Curse has dissipated a bit.  Pretty sure Josh Allen won MVP the year he was on the cover and CMC had a huge year after being on the cover the next year.

Social media response has been hilarious, naturally.   The photoshopped Hammond covers have been great.  As is the people that are acting like the Madden cover is supposed to be a direct reflection of PFF player rankings or something.  Its pure marketing and buzz, and the young former #1 pick who just had a bunch of playoff heroics is plenty buzzy.  Is Drake Maye a better QB right now?  Sure.  Does Drake Maye on the cover drive conversation and buzz outside of New England?  Not especially.

[The Sultan]

https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2062557004841808328

ESPN sources: Green Bay WR Christian Watson and the Packers reached agreement today on a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension that includes a $31 million signing bonus.

[Pakuni]

https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2062557004841808328

ESPN sources: Green Bay WR Christian Watson and the Packers reached agreement today on a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension that includes a $31 million signing bonus.

Righteous bucks for a guy with 133 catches over four seasons.

[MU82]

Righteous bucks for a guy with 133 catches over four seasons.

My thoughts exactly - talk about resetting the market for oft-injured, not-especially-productive WRs. I guess you're theoretically always paying for future expectations, not past accomplishments, but wow.

[Pakuni]

My thoughts exactly - talk about resetting the market for oft-injured, not-especially-productive WRs. I guess you're theoretically always paying for future expectations, not past accomplishments, but wow.

Yep. I think he's better than his numbers, and could turn this into a surplus deal for the Packers if he stays healthy. But NFL players tend not to become less injury prone as they age.

[cheebs09]

This money would have been better used on Anders.

[Hards Alumni]

Watson stretches the field.  The offense is a lot less dynamic without him out there.

His injuries concern me as do his mediocre hands.

Packers changed their trainer room last year... hopefully that helps him stay healthy.

Makes him a top 20 paid reciever.  I hope part of the contract is that Christian's dad has to shut down his twitter account.

[BM1090]

Watson stretches the field.  The offense is a lot less dynamic without him out there.

His injuries concern me as do his mediocre hands.

Packers changed their trainer room last year... hopefully that helps him stay healthy.

Makes him a top 20 paid reciever.  I hope part of the contract is that Christian's dad has to shut down his twitter account.

I'm definitely worried about his health.

I think his hands have evolved and he's got really good but not great hands now. He had 7 drops his rookie season. He has 6 total drops the last three years (35 games). And he's made some incredible catches in that time period too.

Last year he also transformed into a really good full receiver, averaging 1100 yards and 10 TDs extrapolated out to a full season. If he stays on the field I think this ends up being a huge bargain. If he keeps getting hurt, not so much.

[Uncle Rico]

My thoughts exactly - talk about resetting the market for oft-injured, not-especially-productive WRs. I guess you're theoretically always paying for future expectations, not past accomplishments, but wow.

Maybe the Packers will finally get lucky

[GB Warrior]

I'm definitely worried about his health.

I think his hands have evolved and he's got really good but not great hands now. He had 7 drops his rookie season. He has 6 total drops the last three years (35 games). And he's made some incredible catches in that time period too.

Last year he also transformed into a really good full receiver, averaging 1100 yards and 10 TDs extrapolated out to a full season. If he stays on the field I think this ends up being a huge bargain. If he keeps getting hurt, not so much.

His efficiency stats are near the top of the league. He's a legitimately top 20 WR when healthy. This deal will be defined by health and maybe MLF being willing to give volume to his best players in the passing game

[The Sultan]

Ah.

I see the Bears are trying to pressure Illinois lawmakers with Hammond again...

[GB Warrior]

4-D chess by Kevin Warren. Any more masterful and Trump would pick him to negotiate with Iran

[WhiteTrash]

Ah.

I see the Bears are trying to pressure Illinois lawmakers with Hammond again...

Did they ever stop with the Indiana possibility?

[TallTitan34]

It will be Arlington Heights.  Everyone knows this yet Kevin Warren still thinks he has leverage.

[The Sultan]

Did they ever stop with the Indiana possibility?

No but everyone knows they don't want to be there. The NFL doesn't want them there either. There won't be Super Bowls or Final Fours in Hammond.

[The Sultan]

It will be Arlington Heights.  Everyone knows this yet Kevin Warren still thinks he has leverage.

If anything this is just going to get the Illinois politicians more annoyed.

[Pakuni]

No but everyone knows they don't want to be there. The NFL doesn't want them there either. There won't be Super Bowls or Final Fours in Hammond.

Or restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, $750k townhouses,$2,700 a month apartments, etc.
Even if the stadium deal is slightly worse for the Bears, the comparative value of the surrounding development more than makes up for it.

[Jockey]

Maybe Chicago can get an expansion franchise when they add 2 new teams.

[MU82]

Maybe the Packers will finally get lucky

Maybe they'll get to play against 52 backup QBs next season.

[Shaka Shart]

Maybe they'll get to play against 52 backup QBs next season.

If it's the packers backup though it's gonna be the second best qb in the division

[wadesworld]

If it's the packers backup though it's gonna be the second best qb in the division

Bruh. That's been Tyson Bagent for a couple years now.

[PointWarrior]

and injured division rivals down the stretch, and in the playoffs, and a deer in the headlights QB in the Superbowl...

Maybe they'll get to play against 52 backup QBs next season.

[MU82]

and injured division rivals down the stretch, and in the playoffs, and a deer in the headlights QB in the Superbowl...

Exactly. 17 lucky wins.

I guess your pledge to show the champs respect if they beat the Rams has gone by the wayside, but that's OK. I get what it's like to be bitter about another team's championship success when the team I root for chokes and disappoints - again.

[Uncle Rico]

and injured division rivals down the stretch, and in the playoffs, and a deer in the headlights QB in the Superbowl...

Take the banner down, Seattle.  Packer fans have spoken. 

Anyone hear any news on a new sled hill?

[pbiflyer]

If anything this is just going to get the Illinois politicians more annoyed.

They could get Tom Crean to explain why the stadium should be in Hammond.

[MU82]

Businessman Todd Boehly, who owns about 20% of the Dodgers, and (along with business partner Mark Walter) major stakes in Chelsea football and the Lakers, is reportedly interested in buying the Seahawks.

Whoever buys the team is expected to pay more than the record $6.05 billion that the Commanders went for 3 years ago.

[Uncle Rico]

Businessman Todd Boehly, who owns about 20% of the Dodgers, and (along with business partner Mark Walter) major stakes in Chelsea football and the Lakers, is reportedly interested in buying the Seahawks.

Whoever buys the team is expected to pay more than the record $6.05 billion that the Commanders went for 3 years ago.

They have as many Super Bowl victories as the Packers since the merger.  Makes you think.

[WhiteTrash]

Businessman Todd Boehly, who owns about 20% of the Dodgers, and (along with business partner Mark Walter) major stakes in Chelsea football and the Lakers, is reportedly interested in buying the Seahawks.

Whoever buys the team is expected to pay more than the record $6.05 billion that the Commanders went for 3 years ago.

Investing in Seattle? Good businessmen know when to zig when others zag.

[JWags85]

Mahomes signs an extension to add 2 years onto his existing 6 year deal at just over $60MM per year, total deal value now over $500MM.

Obviously he's still an elite top 5 QB, but kind of wild timing given he'll be 5 years past his last MVP and last All Pro nod, 4 years since his last Pro Bowl, and coming over the 2 worst seasons of his career PLUS a major knee injury.

[Hards Alumni]

I think that run will be the last of Pat and Andy, if not sooner. With Kelce retiring next year, their window will be closing.  Even their current team is a shell of the Super Bowl years.  They'll always be good with PM behind center.

In all, I think the additional years are fine, because they're not guaranteed.