A beautiful thing.

On the podcast, I catch up with the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leading rusher: Ahman Green. The episode’s off ‘n running with Green detailing life post-NFL. He’s doing everything in his power to maintain a healthy lifestyle — and for good reason. Green opens up on a new opponent that could prove more daunting than anything he experienced on the field: Parkinson’s. But he’s not scared.

Of course, we also look back to his fondest Packers memories. Green had six 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Green Bay. In 2003, he eclipsed 2K scrimmage yards. What made this possible? Readers of our Dolphins piece last Friday will notice a theme. He points, first, to those relationships with his offensive line.

Green didn’t mince words on Matt LaFleur and his former team when we chatted on radio row at the Super Bowl. Now that the offseason has passed, what does he think of the Packers’ prospects in 2026? There’s one player he particularly loves to watch.

Video and audio is above.

Be sure to check out the Go Long TD YouTube channel, too.

New here? Become a paid subscriber at Go Long to access all of our exclusive longform coverage. Our No. 1 goal is to take you behind the curtain. Have a thought? Email me any time at golongtd@substack.com.

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Love welcoming back one of the most underrated players of the late 1990s/early 2000s.

Brown is always insightful and introspective.

On this episode, we get into plenty:

• Tom Brady’s mid-life crisis. This is getting weird and sad.

• Wide Receiver drama. There were no such divas back on his Steelers teams, but how would Brown navigate this matrix as a GM today?

• John Schneider’s mastery. He wrote the Seahawks GM a letter.

• His love for snakes. Brown didn’t sprint the other direction when a python sank its teeth into his arm. Be sure to catch Shannon Sharpe’s legendary trash talk. He knew Brown loved reptiles and didn’t hold back one Seattle-Denver game.

• Seahawks’ repeat efforts. What impressed Brown most about last year’s run?

• State of the Steelers. What is Omar Khan’s long-term plan?

• Why he loves the L.A. Rams’ title odds. He sees those multi-TE sets ruling again.

Video and audio of this week’s chat is above. Also be sure to hit subscribe, comment rate and review over on our channels over at Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler, played 15 seasons in all with 1,091 career tackles, 79 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, 15 fumble recoveries and six interceptions. He was a key piece on the epic “Blitzburgh” defenses of the 90s, starred for the Seahawks and capped his career off with the 2007 Patriots team that nearly went undefeated.

Today, he’s one of the sharpest analysts going. You can catch him on ESPN Radio and calling college/pro games on the Compass Media Network. His X handle is @chadbrown94.

We’ve previously chatted with Brown for this story on the history/aura of the Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker. And then again, for a (very) deep conversation on the state of football in 2023 — words and pod.

Thanks, all!

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ICYMI:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the hunt for heart

• Our 2026 Quarterback Draft

• Dregs to Domination: The Aaron Brewer Blueprint

• The Wide Receiver Matrix

• Real Football: Brian Westbrook on defying the odds, McNabb-TO, Hurts-AJB & timeless Philadelphia Eagles memories

They’re populating the interwebs everywhere.

A perfect time to reprise the Quarterback Draft on Real Football. Subscribers may recall co-host Jim Monos and myself bringing in our pal Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic to draft QBs a few years back.

Let’s get the band back together.

Full video and audio is available above for paid subscribers.

There’s no perfect way to grade quarterback success, but we’ll use the QBR stat that takes multiple factors into account. Each of us select six quarterbacks via snake draft. At the end of the season, we’ll each take the five best scores of those six for a grand total. Winner gets a free dinner of their choosing from the other two.

Fairburn might’ve taken the crown in 2023. But for what it’s worth, I’m already booking my reservation at West Rose in Ellicottville, NY.

Monos of course scouted for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and served as the director of personnel for the Buffalo Bills. Fairburn has covered both the NFL and NHL for The Athletic. Good chance you’ve read his excellent Sabres coverage this past season right through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He’s still keeping a close eye on the NFL, too.

Let us know who you think assembled the best crew in the comments.

Prefer to listen on Apple or Overcast? Bang it here to sync your subscription. Instructions on syncing on Spotify are also here.

On our free list? Upgrade to a paid membership today for the full episode.

Our 2026 NFL Season Preview Features are underway. First up, a profile of Dolphins center Aaron Brewer. Much more on tap. We’d love to have you join our community today.

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Eric Wood was the starting center the Buffalo Bills’ starting center for nine years. He helped end the 17-year playoff drought his final season.

Eric Wood has also now covered the team as a radio color commentator/podcaster/analyst the same amount of time. He’s the host of Centered On Buffalo and calls games on the radio broadcast.

This week’s Happy Hour podcast consists of a little bit of everything. Wood looks back to Drought memories and looks ahead to how these 2026 Bills get over the Super Bowl hump with new head coach Joe Brady. A ton of insight on all fronts.

As noted, we’re bringing back virtual Happy Hours this 2026 NFL season to give you the opportunity to ask players (and media members) anything you’d like. Is there someone you want to hang out with this year? Let me know at golongtd@substack.com.

Video and audio of our conversation with Wood is above.

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Topics this episode include…

• Life with Rex Ryan. There was so much hope and hype. Why did things turn south?

• Aaron Kromer. He wishes they had more time together.

• Rex’s defense was all about chaos and confusion. The sort of stuff Bills DC Jim Leonhard desires a decade later. Thing is, players hated Rex’s scheme in 2015 anf 2016. We explore the key differences between then and now, and how the Bills get the 3-4 right this time around.

• Alec Anderson. He’s the new guy starting full time on the line. Is he ready?

• The NFL went heavy in 2025 — the Bills, like the LA Rams, enjoyed 3-TE sets — but what is the next counterpunch for the NFL’s best offenses? More spread?

• WR screens drove locals batty. Wood offers thoughts on this play. Big picture, Wood points out something we did back when Brady was hired. The playcaller was often following orders in crafting conservative, keepaway gameplans vs. elite QBs. We’ll see what changes now.

• Joe Brady’s “they have to play us” mentality. The new coach detailed in full to Go Long.

• Was Wood shocked by Sean McDermott’s firing?

• As a young player, Wood suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula. The injury set a tone for his entire career.

• What was Terrell Owens like as a teammate? They played together Wood’s rookie season.

• Why you’ve always got to be careful who you pay — he witnessed the effect with Marcell Dareus. Motivation matters.

• My “Real Football” co-host Jim Monos often points out that offensive line play is overrated. Let’s get Wood’s take.

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Thanks, all.

Keep an eye out for our first season preview feature this coming Friday.

In the meantime, here are a few recent links to pieces if you missed anything.

Be sure to share Go Long with a friend if you enjoy. We’re fueled 100 percent by you.

The Wide Receiver Matrix

‘I’m back:’ Jamal Lewis gets to the other side

July Mailbag, Part I: DJ Moore Effect, KOC’s future, Lions CB plan, our draft hits/misses, journalism

July Mailbag, Part II: Football’s future, Sam Darnold, Rex Ryan memories, criminal on-field acts, QB scheming, gambling

Real Football: Brian Westbrook on defying the odds, McNabb-TO, Hurts-AJB & timeless Philadelphia Eagles memories

Happy Hour Replay: Isaiah McKenzie, uncensored

‘I choose to be positive:’ Stedman Bailey on the night that could’ve ended his life, NFL what-ifs, finding joy, paying it forward

Related to the pod…

Joe Brady takes charge, Part I: ‘I’ll set my jaw’

Joe Brady takes charge, Part II: ‘They’ve got to play us’

Josh Allen, reborn

‘My chip is deeper:’ Our 1 on 1 with Bills GM Brandon Beane

‘He wants to win the whole damn thing:’ Inside the Buffalo Bills’ decision to hire Joe Brady as HC

Our Happy Hours roll along with another special guest. Eric Wood will join Go Long subscribers this coming Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. (EST) at the link below.

We’ve had Wood on before. Always appreciate his sharp perspective. Wood will relive life in the trenches as a Buffalo Bills nine-year vet. Of course, he’s now the excellent color commentator on the team’s radio broadcast and hosts his own podcast: Centered on Buffalo.

Hope to see you on our Zoom Tuesday.

Our aim is to bring you as close as possible to this sport. (Isaiah McKenzie joined us last week, icymi.) Paid subscribers will have access all season long.

Ask Wood — and all future Happy Hour guests — anything you’d like.

All log-in information is right here:

• When: Tuesday July 14 at 4:30 p.m. (EST)

• Link: CLICK HERE

• Meeting ID: 814 0842 0533

• Passcode: 239709

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Happy Hour Replays:

• Isaiah McKenzie

• Allen Robinson

• Rob Johnson

• Preston Brown

• Alex Green

• Steve Calhoun

• John Hansen

• Andrew Brandt

• Peter King

• Warren Moon

• Isaiah McKenzie

• Bob McGinn

• Rob Johnson

• Jamal Lewis

• T.J. Lang

• Jamaal Williams

• Stevie Johnson

• Richie Incognito

• Wyatt Teller

• Doug Whaley

• Isaiah Likely

• Stevie Johnson

• Eric Wood

• LeRoy Butler

• Bob McGinn & Jim Monos

• Quincy Avery

• Erik Kramer

• Frank Winters

• Olin Kreutz

• Peter King

• Johnathan Franklin

• Steve Calhoun

• Jim Monos

• Jace Sternberger

• Doug Whaley

• Isaiah McKenzie

• Andy Janovich

• Vince Williams

• Ryan Leaf & Steve Tasker

• Joshua Harris

• D’Wayne Eskridge

• Allen Robinson

And the stuff Brian Westbrook was doing at running back? At his peak? Now, all teams seek this breed of playmaker.

This hour and a half was a fun ride.

On “Real Football” this week, we’re joined by an Eagles great.

He wasn’t big. He wasn’t 40-yard-dash fast. None it mattered, as Westbrook served as the engine and spirit of an Eagles offense perpetually in contention. He finished his career with more than 10,000 total yards and 71 touchdowns and came so, so close to hoisting a trophy of his own.

Come for the story of Westbrook’s rise — Villanova obscurity to his epic 2003 punt return vs. the Giants to changing the position. Stay for the stories of Donovan McNabb and T.O. refusing to speak to each other at lunch and the parallels Westbrook sees in Eagles drama today. He has pointed thoughts on Jalen Hurts and the current group into 2026. Westbrook also explains why McNabb is one of the most under-appreciated athletes of his era, what made Jeremiah Trotter and Derrick Burgess so damn mean and way back when he was breaking into the pros, my co-host Jim Monos participated in the running back’s Eagles workout as a young scout.

Andy Reid had a vision.

Westbrook brought that vision to life.

Now, he’s got endless tales to share.

Video and audio are accessible above and everywhere you pod — Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

The 2026 NFL season is closing in. Our season previews will be rolling out soon. Go Long paid subscribers can access all team deep dives, all player profiles and all podcasts all season long.

New here? It’s a perfect time to join our community.

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Hey, is there a former player you’ve always wanted to meet? A question you’re dying to ask yourself?

Let me know and we’ll do everything we can to get that player on a virtual Happy Hour this 2026 season.

The mission here — always — is to bring you as close to the sport as we possibly can. So, paid subscribers can fully expect a steady stream of Zoom hangouts this season. Thrilled to bring ‘em back as this also gives us all a chance to get to know each other and build our community.

First up this season? Isaiah McKenzie.

We did a show together through the ‘21 and ‘22 seasons and, man, the former Buffalo Bills receiver always delivered.

Now that he’s out, you bet McKenzie has a lot to say.

Topics on this Happy Hour Replay include…

• Life today. He’s a Dad. He’s figuring it out one day at a time.

• How “Love Island” makes Baby No. 2 a possibility.

• His thoughts on new Highmark Stadium.

• Hell no, he doesn’t believe in bringing a wedding gift. (Sorry, Devin Singletary.)

• Remember when McKenzie was suspended by the Indianapolis Colts under mysterious circumstances? No, it did not involve a bald eagle. He explains what happened.

• Joe Brady. The two did cross paths when Brady was the QBs coach in Buffalo and McKenzie remains plugged into everything at One Bills Drive. He’s extremely high on the hire.

• McKenzie was a big Sean McDermott fan — and explains why. The two still stay in touch.

• McKenzie also understands why the Bills needed to fire McDermott — and explains why. He points to his experience with the Georgia Bulldogs as an example. For some teams, there’s a special something, a magic element, missing. (The “process” was needed. The “process” worked. But he also wishes the coach would’ve said “F the process” at a few specific moments.)

• And you will definitely need to stick around to the end. McKenzie opens up on his darker days post-NFL. When he suffered an injury with the Giants and his football career evaporated — with a baby on the way — my former co-host admits he slipped into a very dark, depressed state.

On our free list at Go Long? We’d love to welcome you on as a paid subscriber. You’ll be able to join all Happy Hours with players and media members.

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ICYMI this week:

‘I’m back:’ Jamal Lewis gets to the other side

Real Football: Chris Johnson, ALS and reconciling the dark side of football

Stedman Bailey, after the bullets

‘I choose to be positive:’ Stedman Bailey on the night that could’ve ended his life, NFL what-ifs, finding joy, paying it forward

Happy Friday.

Happy July Fourth Weekend.

Let’s ring it all in with some good news.

This 2026 NFL season, we’re bringing back subscriber Happy Hours on Zoom. We connect many ways here at Go Long but these were always a fan favorite. After a hiatus, I’m thrilled to share we’ll be dinging record on Happy Hours throughout this upcoming season.

This is your chance to hang out with past and present NFL player. I’ll also bring on colleagues in the media space so we can all analyze the game together.

First up is a familiar face, the self-appointed “face of the franchise:” Isaiah McKenzie.

Through the 2021 and 2022 seasons, I did a show with McKenzie at Mister’s Bar & Grill in East Aurora, NY. to give folks an inside look on the Bills. You can catch replays of those episodes at the bottom of this post.

Feel free to hang out and ask McKenzie anything you’d like. He’s an open book.

McKenzie’s personal story, straight out of Miami Gardens, is wild enough. He saw dead bodies at his doorstop. He was once grazed by a bullet. And then — as an NFL wide receiver — he was on-hand for the rise of Josh Allen and these Bills from Day 1. McKenzie lived through all heartbreak: 13 Seconds, etc. After Damar Hamlin’s heart stopped on the field, McKenzie gave everyone an inside look. After playing briefly for the Indianapolis Colts and spending a training camp with the New York Giants, “Lil Dirty” hung ‘em up.

Now, he’s raising a family in South Florida.

I can assure you he’s got a lot to say.

Go Long Happy Hours are exclusive to our paid subscribers. New here? We’d love to have you.

All log-in information for tonight is right here below the paywall:

Read more

He was shot in the head twice. His skull shattered. Blood gushed. The grisly play by play remains forever fresh in his mind.

“Like a war zone,” Bailey told me once. “Call of Duty, but you’re really there.”

Miraculously, the NFL wide receiver survived. In 2018, I spent a few days with Bailey out in California for a story and he opened up on everything. At the time, he was hoping to make an NFL comeback. “I have a divine purpose to be here,” Bailey said back then. “You don’t just survive those shots and walk around normal. I feel like we as people all have specific plans on Earth.”

Years later, his purpose is becoming clear.

Bailey is a father of three, trains wide receivers and is determined to help anyone who experienced the same trauma as himself — including Florida State football player Ethan Pritchard. He can relate to everything Pritchard’s going through right now.

Bailey has even chosen to live right back in South Florida. He’s driven past the scene of the crime.

No, he never did find out who tried to kill them that night, though he’s sure people in the neighborhood know. Watching NFL games, he also cannot help but play endless games of “what if.” At West Virginia, he was a Big 12 star. With the St. Louis Rams, his future was bright. Then, poof. Gone.

As he explains here on the Go Long Podcast, life is all about perspective.

His life changed forever that night in Miami Gardens… but at least he’s got a life.

Each morning, he can smile.

Video and audio of our conversation is above. If words are preferable, here’s the transcript. As always, Go Long is powered by you. Thank you for supporting independent journalism.

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It’s been a reunion week of sorts. Miss my conversation with Jamal Lewis?

Here’s that Q&A. After suffering from crippling suicidal thoughts, he’s back.

The disease is progressing rapidly. Johnson communicated during the ABC interview via an eye-tracking, speech-generating device. The entire interview is worth your time.

It’s devastating. It’s courageous. Johnson vows to fight the disease and raise as much awareness as he possibly can.

At one point during the conversation, Johnson notes that he could tell something was wrong when he had weakness in his right hand and didn’t feel as strong. His wife, Brittany, thought he might be dealing with the effects of a 10-year NFL career. She thought initially that it might’ve been a pinched nerve. During the segment, Michael Strahan cites this as a case of “sporadic ALS,” adding that 90 percent of ALS cases are random. The former pro Strahan did not broach the connection between the disease and the sport at all during the interview, but it’s also true that the risk of NFL players getting ALS are nearly four times as high as the general populace. Here’s that study of 19,423 players from the National Library of Medicine.

On this episode of Real Football, we try to make sense of this all. Honesty, as always, sure would be the best policy for a league that has historically done everything in its power to distract from the connection between the sport and brain trauma.

My co-host Jim Monos also dusts off memories of scouting Johnson out of East Carolina when he was with the Saints. Monos even threw Johnson passes at his pro day.

Johnson was a special talent. In Year 1, he led the Titans to a 13-3 record. In Year 2, he amassed 2,509 scrimmage yards — still an NFL record. His electric speed was unmatched.

Later on the pod, we discuss whether individual talents can still single-handedly take over games with defenses so hellbent on eliminating big plays.

We also discuss Jayden Daniels’ next move with the Washington Commanders and Monos gets a few more shots in on Jerry Rice, amongst other topics.

Appreciate all for watching, listening and sharing.

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This wild-card drive had a chance to go down in Packers/NFL lore.

It did not. Chicago hung on. Pressure on all parties involved ratchets up this fall.

It’s looking like Micah Parsons will miss a hearty chunk of this season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Several other starters departed, too. All of which means Love must elevate in Year 4 as this team’s starter. He’s the focus of this Real Football episode with co-host Jim Monos. The former Eagles/Saints/Bills personnel man studied the tape and shares his thoughts.

Then, we zoom out to rank and debate all NFC North quarterbacks.

Who’s No. 1? Monos is a believer in the apple of Ryan Poles’ eyes and I’m sensing a very hungry Lions team in Allen Park.

The pod starts with our thoughts on Brendan Sorsby. There will be no supplemental draft for the QB. The shield’s hypocrisy is hilarious. The pod ends with thoughts on my former Bleacher Report co-worker Matt Miller, who was recently involved in a near-fatal car accident. Our prayers are with you, my friend.

As always, Go Long subscribers can access the full hour of “Real Football.”

New here? We’d love to have you join our community today.

Video and audio is above. If you prefer to listen on Apple or Overcast as a subscriber, bang it here to sync your subscription. Instructions on syncing on Spotify are also here.

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Yet, grace periods last about as long as the taste from a stick of Juicy Fruit gum ‘round here.

You didn’t need to turn the volume up on your television to hear boo birds last season. Lest we forget, these Eagles did win the NFC East, too.

Here at Go Long, we continue to explore this fascinating team with an old friend from my Syracuse days: Zach Berman. Always love touching base with “ZB,” a man who’s incredibly prolific on the beat. You can read his columns, features and analysis at The Athletic. He also wrote a book, “Leap Year,” that’d make for an excellent Father’s Day gift.

On this Go Long Pod episode, we touch on everything…

• Who’s to blame for the problems on offense last season — quarterback Jalen Hurts or offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo?

• Was Hurts going rogue in 2025? (If so, perhaps he had a reason.)

• What can we expect to see from the team’s new OC, Sean Mannion?

• Zach calls Lane Johnson the greatest player he’s ever covered, and explains why.

• Saquon Barkley rushed for 2K just two seasons ago. Running backs also tend to slip off cliffs. Jeff Stoutland, a legend of an O-Line coach, is also gone. How many peak seasons does the team’s engine have left?

• This 2026 defense could be even better than the 2024 crew.

• There is some brain drain on the defensive staff. Christian Parker, who we profiled during Super Bowl Week, headed to the Dallas Cowboys.

• And, oh yeah. A.J. Brown is gone. He’s also one of the best wide receivers in the sport. Philly’s best-case scenario? DeVonta Smith enjoys his own JSN-like ascent. (ZB also wrote a piece on Smith becoming a Girl Dad worth your time.)

Full video and audio is above. Many Go Long Podcast episodes are also available on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels. Subscribers can always access “Real Football” with co-host Jim Monos.

As always, thank you for supporting and/or considering an upgrade.

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Miss our two features on Eagles players this week? I hung out with Drew Mukuba at a diner near The Linc and also reprised a feature on Jonathan Greenard. Both will play massive roles on this year’s team.

Now, he enters Year 12. The tight end is still a wanted man.

He’s got high hopes for these 2026 New York Giants, too.

Loved welcoming Manhertz back on the Go Long Pod for this conversation. He first shared his origin story with us in March 2021 and, well, the Bronx native is still going strong.

This league chews up and spits talented players each summer.

How in the hell has Manhertz been bashing away as a blocking tight end this long? His day-to-day approach is quite instructive.

Topics on the pod include…

• How my Real Football co-host Jim Monos and ex-Bills GM Doug Whaley discovered Manhertz.

• He wasn’t a high-flier on the basketball court. This wasn’t Sean Payton plucking Jimmy Graham off the Miami Hurricanes basketball court. Manhertz was more like Anthony Mason, and that ruggedness proved to be a perfect fit at tight end.

• One block vs. Mario Williams in a 2015 Bills practice planted a seed of confidence.

• Resurgence of the Blocking Tight End. Contenders across the league deploy two- and three-TE sets. Both Jacksonville and Chicago drafted tight ends earlier than expected. Manhertz keeps on getting contracts. Why?

• How does Manhertz keep pumping oxygen into his career? What is his secret sauce? A ton goes into his 5-days-a-week training regiment. (And now, he’s got three kids.)

• He attended the New York Knicks’ wild Game 4 comeback win at MSG and relives all pandemonium.

• John Harbaugh’s vision has Manhertz thinking big. All coaches preach about the significance of “situational football.” It’s different with the ex-Ravens coach.

• Why making the playoffs is a realistic goal this 2026 season.

• His thoughts on quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Full video and audio is above. You can also access this episode on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

I’ll also post a written transcription of our chat for those who prefer words.

On the free list? It’s a swell time to upgrade. We’ve got profiles live on Calvin Austin III, Drew Mukuba and Josh Allen.

Our goal — always — is to deliver real, raw pro football journalism worth your valuable time.

Thank you for growing our community.

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We’ve got a fresh new episode of “Real Football” live for subscribers. I ding record from the excellent Union 32 Craft House in Eagan, Minn.

For those new to Go Long, my co-host — Jim Monos — scouted for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills. These days, he heads up personnel for the UFL. Hell no, he’s not backing off his scalding “Dime a Dozen Joe” take. He doesn’t see Jerry Rice as anything that historic, either.

With that, we’re off ‘n running.

• We dive back into Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy fodder. This 2026 Vikings “battle” brings us back to a quarterback competition Monos oversaw in Buffalo: the 2015 Bills. Is McCarthy already on an EJ Manuel trajectory? There are always red flags to spot.

• Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Browns have a good thing going. And then you take a look at their quarterback competition and cannot help but sigh. It’s been ages since Deshaun Watson hypnotized defenses. His confidence has obviously been shot. How does this all end?

• Masseuse confidential. I recall a story from one former NFL general manager. When he heard those accusations against Watson, his mind raced back to his team’s “massage therapist.”

• Brendan Sorsby Mania. You know we’ve got to talk #gambling in football. The NCAA is toothless. My co-host also reached out to people in the NFL to see how the league views the Texas Tech quarterback.

• With this horrible precedent set, could the NFL have a similar gambling problem?

• The Arizona Cardinals will start someone at quarterback. It doesn’t matter who. But I’ve determined we need Monos to fly to the southwest to see his old pal Nate Hackett.

• High school football memories.

The entire hour-plus episode is exclusive to Go Long paid subscribers.

Video and audio is above.

If you prefer to listen on Apple or Overcast, bang it here to sync your subscription. Instructions on syncing on Spotify are also here.

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Coller takes the lead on our latest pod conversation above.

Kevin O’Connell may be conducting a “quarterback competition” between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy but it doesn’t take too much detective skill to see that starting the vet Murray is optimal. This team spent more cash than anyone in 2025. They’ve got arguably the best non-QB in the sport (Justin Jefferson), the best defensive coordinator in the sport (Brian Flores) and a core eager to win in the present. The Wilfs are not interested in rebuilds.

Can Murray, the former No. 1 pick, find a little magic this season? If he does — and the Vikings contend — he’ll earn a big pay day.

You know, like Sam Darnold.

The quarterback odyssey is different up north.

On the pod, we examine Murray’s upside in this offense, how the Vikings stack up in the NFC North and why this 2026 season could go (very, very) well or (very, very) bad for the Vikings. New GM Nolan Teasley should be able to pivot either direction into this year’s deadline.

Video is above. You can also access this episode at our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

I’ll have more reporting from our trip to the Midwest in the future.

Thanks, all.

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Miss our 1 on 1 with Josh Allen? That feature is available right here for paid subscribers to Go Long.

Also, Ray Davis opens up on his ambitions. He wants a role on offense.

Be on the lookout for our next Friday Feature soon, as well as another episode of “Real Football” with Jim Monos.

That’s why Game of Thrones devolved into steaming garbage the final season. It was not ruthless enough.

After a sloppy, injury-plagued 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t quite as loathed at the moment. Could the Los Angeles Rams fill that void? On this week’s episode of Real Football, we discuss the blockbuster trade heard ‘round the league: Myles Garrett to the Rams.

This roster is loaded. Good luck finding a weakness. But let’s not forget about those defending champs in Seattle.

At the top of the show, it’s all Josh Allen.

I sat down with the Buffalo Bills quarterback for our latest feature, available right here for paid subscribers. At 30, as a new Dad, he’s “extremely rejuvenated.” On the pod, we examine the landscape of this AFC. Getting to the Super Bowl is on Allen’s mind.

As usual, we bounce around to various topics. I’ve got to admit the NBA has been quite entertaining and we get to that A.J. Brown trade. The New England Patriots are loading up around Drake Maye.

But I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that there will be much feedback concerning one of my co-host’s takes. Jim Monos scouted for the Eagles, the Saints and was a personnel exec with the Bills. He harbors a strong, contrarian view on one… Joe Montana.

Appreciate everyone who has found Go Long this week in light of our Allen piece.

As a friendly reminder, we’re powered by you. No ads, no sponsors, no gambling blood money. Thank you for supporting independent journalism.

Video and audio of this episode is available above and over on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

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DJ Moore’s route running has been silky smooth in this setting.

All of those new defensive pieces are starting to piece together in Jim Leonhard’s defense.

OTAs have commenced across the country with minicamps ‘round the bend and training camps closer than you think. I spent some time this week at One Bills Drive for big stuff you’ll see roll out in the future. Until then, here’s a pod. I joined Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News at the Big Tree Inn, a Hail Mary toss from the new stadium, for an episode of the Go Long Pod.

Always enjoy talking shop with Jay, and he recently penned a feature on Davison Igbinosun worth your time.

We hit on a bunch of topics…

• Joe Brady is the man in charge now. X’s and O’s will matter. But it’s clear the new boss bounding drill to drill is trying to infuse the Bills with a new energy.

• Allen’s arm looks spry as ever. Nobody should take this quarterback for granted. (A certain “hospitality tent” throw comes to mind.)

• Brady wants these Bills to ATTACK. “They’ve got to play us” is a theme. How can the Bills drill this theme home in the spring?

• Brady also told Go Long that Pete Carmichael was his most important hire. Why? The new OC met with the media on Tuesday.

• Who’s a player on offense that could surprise in 2026? We each offer a submission. (Hint: One uses blunt language.)

• Why Ed Oliver’s play style could fit Leonhard’s expected chaos.

• Cornerback was always a major need and GM Brandon Beane explained why in our 1 on 1. We discuss the team’s most polarizing draft pick: Ohio State’s “IGB.”

You can catch the video and audio of our conversation above.

Be on the lookout for more coverage this coming Friday.

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Related:

• ‘My chip is deeper:’ Our 1 on 1 with Bills GM Brandon Beane

• Joe Brady takes charge, Part I: ‘I’ll set my jaw’

• Joe Brady takes charge, Part II: ‘They’ve got to play us’

• ‘He wants to win the whole damn thing:’ Inside the Buffalo Bills’ decision to hire Joe Brady as HC

He doesn’t need to do this. What an opportunity the coach had to develop someone else.

But while one ex-Packer sees squabbling between the two as inevitable, another offers a different prediction.

And my co-host Jim Monos is downright giddy.

This was a fun episode of “Real Football.”

OTAs can offer funky headlines. Our charge this week is simple: Which team has you legitimately excited? Monos explains why he’s in on the Steelers changes and sees hope in Tennessee. Our former NFL scout/exec says Cam Ward is the most talented quarterback in the AFC South.

Meanwhile, I like how Kevin O’Connell pivoted his Vikings. Kyler Murray is set up to succeed. Maybe this is all being sold as a “competition” at quarterback. Murray was brought in to start and contend.

We delve into Monos’ take that O-Line is overvalued by NFL GMs, my take on Jaxson Dart and other topics, too.

Video and audio is above. You can also catch this episode on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

Be sure to rate, review and share if you enjoy.

Paid subscribers can access all future episodes of the show.

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Miss anything in print this past week?

• He’s been patronized, mocked, dismissed by the football world. None of it stopped one of the sport’s smallest players. Now, it’s time to bring life to decrepit MetLife and awaken the Giants. My profile of Calvin Austin III is here.

• A few thoughts on the topic du jour. No, Jaxson Dart did not nuke the locker room.

• Drafting linemen high is a waste of time if you don’t have a quarterback. Monos column here.

Oh, the Miami Dolphins are also eating nearly $200 million in dead money.

This is an organization long overdue for such a complete reset. Jon-Eric Sullivan, Jeff Hafley and Malik Willis all travel from frigid Wisconsin to South Florida in an attempt to build something special from scratch.

I spent time in Florida on our most recent reporting trip for features you’ll see as training camps close in. Enjoyed two very compelling conversations.

In the meantime, I thought it’d be a good time to catch up of here on Substack for a podcast episode. Kyle does an excellent job analyzing everything Dolphins. We look back at where things went wrong for Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa after rocketing to 10,000 feet in Year 1 and why it’s smart for this team to cleanse the locker room.

Out is Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey and other highly compensated vets who weren’t particularly the best leaders. Out is Tua.

In are players, in theory, who are the polar opposite on and off the field.

For too long, this roster’s been a mere collection of talent.

Maybe now the Dolphins can build a true team.

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ICYMI:

Joe Brady takes charge, Part I: ‘I’ll set my jaw’

Joe Brady takes charge, Part II: ‘They’ve got to play us’

‘My chip is deeper:’ Our 1 on 1 with Bills GM Brandon Beane

Offseason hope tends to get choked out by regular-season realities for the New York Giants.

Yet with John Harbaugh, there are tangible reasons for optimism. I chatted with some people inside the building for this recent piece. It sure sounds like Harbaugh and GM Joe Schoen are in lockstep — don’t be surprised if contracts get aligned. The two have worked well together.

To take a closer look at the roster itself, let’s welcome Ed Valentine onto the Go Long Pod. Valentine is the man behind Big Blue View at SB Nation and Valentine’s Views on the Big Blue YouTube channel. He always brings strong institutional knowledge and insight as a man who’s covered everything from Super Bowl triumphs to Joe Judge-orchestrated quarterback sneaks.

We discuss this shift from Brian Daboll to John Harbaugh, what to expect out of Jaxson Dart in Year 2 and all of the moves the Giants made around their young quarterback this offseason. There’s logic to follow.

Video and audio is accessible above.

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We’ve got three recent columns available to paid subscribers live at Go Long here, icymi:

Mike McCarthy doesn’t need to do this

There’s some Azeez Al-Shaair in all of us

Why this feels real for the New York Giants