Scoop City: Inside The NFL

NFL free agency season is here, and today’s Scoop City is your roadmap to another wild offseason. Which teams will win the bidding wars for impact talent, where will the quarterback market land, and who’s ready to make the move that changes the 2026 season? Are the Dallas Cowboys about to swing big for a star, can the Miami Dolphins solve their QB problem, what should the Los Angeles Chargers prioritize, and which contender will own the trenches this spring?

James Palmer is joined by The Athletic’s Dan Popper to break down his massive ranking of the NFL’s top 150 free agents and what it tells us about where roster-building is headed. The conversation starts where every offseason starts: quarterback, and why Malik Willis might be the most fascinating name on the market once the contracts and leverage points come into focus.

Then the spotlight shifts to the running back market and why the NFL’s recent Super Bowl blueprint has teams recommitting to the ground game. The guys break down how “weapon backs” are changing the economics of the position, why explosiveness is becoming a premium trait, and how teams will weigh upside, durability, and role versatility when spending in free agency.

Next, it’s all about the trenches and how Seattle and New England reinforced a copycat trend that’s defining modern contenders. James and Dan walk through why quality offensive tackles rarely hit the market, why interior defensive linemen can tilt entire defenses, and how overspending on mid-tier linemen has become the fastest way to derail an offseason plan.

Finally, James is joined by The Athletic’s Cowboys insider John Machota to size up Dallas’ appetite for headline moves, starting with the George Pickens contract question and the reality of playing on a tag. They dig into the Cowboys’ defensive direction under new coordinator Christian Parker, what positions Dallas must target next, and whether a blockbuster like Maxx Crosby in a Cowboys jersey is even remotely possible.

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Get in on the conversation. Tell us which team has to be aggressive this offseason to turn things around in 2026?
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What was John Harbaugh’s start like as head coach of the New York Giants? Why will Fernando Mendoza succeed in the NFL? And which position group is worth watching at the NFL Combine?

Scoop City takes you inside the Giants’ facility as Harbaugh begins his next chapter as the face of the franchise, alongside The Athletic’s Ian O'Connor. We dive into the process of Harbaugh becoming the next head coach. Plus, O’Connor shares why Harbaugh is confident in the staff he has built in New York.

Next week, the Giants will be among the teams scouting prospects at the 2026 NFL Combine. The Athletic’s national college football insider, Bruce Feldman, previews this year’s event. How did Indiana’s Mendoza go from a two-star recruit to the projected top pick in the NFL Draft? Which QB will be taken off the board after Mendoza? And which position groups will be the most interesting to watch at the combine? Feldman shares insights on the top prospects the college game has to offer.

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How many games will Harbaugh win in his first year with the Giants? Leave us a comment!
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The NFL's next QB Era begins to take shape on this can’t-miss episode of Scoop City. Are the Las Vegas Raiders ready to build around Fernando Mendoza? Which teams will win the quarterback shuffle, and who could be on the move via trade or free agency? James Palmer and Chase Daniel dive headfirst into a QB-heavy breakdown with massive stakes for the 2026 season.

We start with a full scouting-room conversation on Fernando Mendoza, the projected No. 1 overall pick, and what separates him as a franchise quarterback. Chase breaks down Mendoza’s toughness, processing, and ceiling, while James explores how his skill set could fit in Las Vegas with Klint Kubiak and a roster still searching for stability. From footwork to football IQ, it’s a true tell-all from a quarterback’s perspective on what Mendoza must master to succeed right away.

Next, the conversation widens to the rest of the draft class, including Ty Simpson and other rising prospects, plus what teams are really evaluating during combine meetings, interviews, and early installs. Chase explains why some quarterbacks climb boards once coaches get them in the room and how traits like playing under center, handling play-action, and learning speed can quietly reshape Round 1 projections.

Then comes the quarterback carousel, with trade and free-agent scenarios flying across the league. The guys break down potential landing spots for Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, Kirk Cousins, and more, while unpacking how contracts, guarantees, and draft capital complicate every move. From Minnesota to New York, this is the real chess match behind the NFL’s offseason quarterback market.

We close with a candid discussion on the NFLPA facility report cards disappearing, why they mattered inside locker rooms, and how they helped improve player conditions across the league.

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Tell us: What is your dream pairing this offseason for a QB on the move via trade or free agency?
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Super Bowl fallout meets offseason urgency on today’s episode of Scoop City. Why is the Seahawks’ championship parade so important to fans in Seattle? How do the Patriots reset after coming up short? Can Baltimore lead the rebound class in 2026? And which non-playoff teams are truly built to bounce back next season?

The Seattle Seahawks kick things off with their Super Bowl victory parade, and we bring you the sights and sounds from Seattle — including Sam Darnold soaking in the moment after delivering the franchise its second Lombardi Trophy. James Palmer sets the stage for what this title means for the Seahawks moving forward and why their window may just be opening.

Then it’s a deep dive on the New England Patriots with The Athletic’s Chad Graff, breaking down the mood inside New England after the Super Bowl loss. We tackle Drake Maye’s growth, Mike Vrabel’s message to the locker room, offensive line priorities, and what realistic expectations look like in 2026 as the Patriots try to build on Year 1 of their new era.

From there, Mike Jones joins the show to walk through his rankings of the teams that missed the postseason and are best positioned to rebound. We hit on the Kansas City Chiefs’ urgency around Patrick Mahomes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ reset under Todd Bowles, the Cincinnati Bengals’ hopes with Joe Burrow returning, the Detroit Lions’ belief that their core players are still playoff-ready, and the Baltimore Ravens turning the page with new head coach Jesse Minter.

Mike Jones then goes deeper on the 2026 coaching cycle and what stood out across the league as teams reposition for another Super Bowl push. What hires made the most sense, and which others left you wanting more?

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Let us know which team you think is best set up to rebound in 2026.
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The Las Vegas Raiders have a new head coach in Klint Kubiak. Did Tom Brady and company land the next great offensive mind? Scoop City host James Palmer and The Athletic’s Vic Tafur discuss why the Raiders may have finally landed the coach who will return the franchise to the playoffs. Plus, will Las Vegas be able to keep the current face of the franchise happy? Or will the Raiders be forced to trade Maxx Crosby? And where could the All-Pro land?

In Minnesota, the Vikings are left with several questions after a disappointing season. Who will be the next general manager of the Vikings? And what is the fate of J.J. McCarthy? Can the young QB kickstart his career under head coach Kevin O’Connell? Or will the Vikings be forced to answer their QB questions in the free agent market? Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis joins the show to answer those questions and more.

The Eagles finally have an offensive coordinator. What does it mean for Jalen Hurts? Can they keep A.J. Brown happy with the hire of Sean Mannion? Or will the offense in Philly look drastically different in 2026? The Athletic senior writer Zach Berman offers his perspective on the recent moves in Philadelphia.

Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you can stay up to date with everything happening across the NFL.

What offseason story are you following most closely? Drop us a comment!
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