Greetings! Hey, I know the picture of Chuck Bednarik pumping a fist over a lifeless Frank Gifford gets all the glory, but what about this classic? Cigar in the mouth. Cig in his hand. Happy as a clam. The Eagles legend was dripping with swag after Philadelphia’s title victory in 1960. A different time.
Training camps open up in a month.
Until then, I’m going to keep chipping away at our cover stories to launch our 2026 plans. My favorite time of year at Go Long. Always try to put your investment to good use by traveling the country to sit down with players.
Expect columns ‘n pods over the next few weeks and we’re also due for a monthly mailbag.
What’s on your mind? Email all inquiries to golongtd@substack.com or drop a question right in the comments.
Thanks, all.
Responses available to all paid subscribers.
Here’s the latest episode of “Real Football” with Jim Monos, icymi.
We discussed the quarterbacks of the NFC North.
Real Football: Time is now for Jordan Love to take flight
Football is funny. If Jayden Reed catches that deep crosser on the Green Bay Packers’ final drive vs. Chicago or if Christian Watson goes up with two hands at the goal line to catch a magnificent throw from his quarterback, the conversation around Jordan Love, Matt LaFleur and the 2026 Packers is much different.
Since Brandon Beane won the power struggle and helped get McDermott fired, seems like Mr. Pegula ignored his failures, especially in obtaining a true #1 WR, and difference making EDGE rusher (and the D-line in general) inexplicably gave Beane a promotion.
Beane famously lost his temper before the 2025 season on a radio show when pressed that he was not doing enough to provide Josh Allen with enough at WR. Beane actually said that the complaints about lack of WR talent was “one of the dumbest arguments”
The criticisms were SPOT ON and “one of the dumbest arguments” was the excuses Beane was dishing out.
A meeting late in 2025 season between Pegula, Beane and McDermott, where McD expressed, according to Vic Carucci…
“I’m told that during a meeting held five weeks ago between McDermott, Beane and Pegula, the coach pointed out what the roster lacked to win a Super Bowl. I don’t know the specifics McDermott mentioned, but I’m told neither Beane nor Pegula was pleased with McDermott’s assessment.”
It sure looks like McD had a point.
While a team like the LA Rams has gone “all-in” this year (and in the past) going after the best defensive player in the NFL (and quite possibly the best EDGE rusher in NFL history) in Garrett, and also one of the best CB’s in the NFL in McDuffie, Beane seems to settle on second tier talent like Chubb and DJ Moore.
AJ Brown was gettable. Last year at the trade deadline it’s been reported that Beane had the opportunity to trade for Waddle, but demurred when Miami demanded the Bills 2026 #1 pick, and Beane refused and would only deal the Bills 2027 #1 pick.
Rashid Shaheed went to Seattle (where he helped them win a Super Bowl) while he would have been exactly what the Bills needed for only two day-three picks.
Is Beane more content with maintaining a team good enough to get into the playoffs every year, and not necessarily doing what it takes to win a Super Bowl, and avoid going “all-in” like LA Rams??
What do you think it would take for an NFL player to be charged with a crime for an action on the field? After the Myles Garrett helmet swinging incident, my guess is "let them settle it on the field", but there are so many cheap shots taken every week, it's ridiculous that fines and suspensions never seem to stop it.
I get it, it's a violent game played by violent people, but there comes a point where you have to ask yourself, how do some of these guys not stop themselves from going "too far".