- 4 hours ago
Mike Jones joins the program to discuss the latest headlines around the NFL as training camps get set to begin.
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00:00So, Jonesy, considering you're all over the league like that
00:02and you're flying out to Houston,
00:04you'll probably end up around 10 camps, if I had to guess.
00:07What are kind of the biggest storylines you're looking at
00:09as we get closer and closer to this 2026 season?
00:13Well, I mean, there's a lot of storylines.
00:16It seems like there are a lot of teams that it's wide open.
00:20Obviously, yes, we have the Seattle Seahawks
00:25who are defending champs, but they also have a lot of questions
00:28because they lost their offense coordinator.
00:30They got a new first-year play caller.
00:31They lost six, seven of their core defensive guys they got to replace.
00:35So, it's going to be interesting to see how they do.
00:37When I go down to Houston, they've got a dominant defense,
00:41but D.J. Stroud had the yips and really just, you know,
00:46he's the reason why they did not make it further.
00:48They could have gotten to the Super Bowl, really,
00:52and unfortunately it didn't work.
00:53So, did they do enough to help him?
00:56And obviously, his future is hanging in the balance.
00:58They have not given him a long-term extension.
01:00He might just wind up playing out that 50-year option, you know,
01:03if they don't work out something, you know, at some point this season.
01:07But I think they're going to be in wait-and-see mode
01:09to see what he does in the playoffs.
01:10And so, you know, there's a lot.
01:12You know, there's guys coming back from injuries.
01:14You know, Patrick Mahomes being one of those guys.
01:17There's, you know, a reunion in Pittsburgh with Rodgers and McCarthy.
01:20There's quarterback battles in Minnesota and, you know, Atlanta.
01:25And we'll see what winds up happening with the Raiders.
01:28If Kirk Cousins, you know, seems like he's going to start,
01:31but when does Mendoza work his way in?
01:33So, lots of storylines, lots of monitor.
01:36It's going to be, again, must-see TV across the league all year long.
01:41So, it's crazy because you think about that draft class
01:43where it went Bryce Young and then C.J. Stroud.
01:46And Stroud had the incredible rookie year
01:49and has really kind of gone downhill since.
01:52His playoff run last year was horrible.
01:55Two games.
01:55They lost the second game.
01:56He barely completed 50% of his passes with two touchdowns against five picks.
02:00He was awful.
02:02He was sacked six times in two games.
02:04And then you look at Bryce Young on the flip side,
02:06who was really bad for most of the beginning of his career
02:10and then kind of turned it on the second half of last season.
02:13Like, just those two quarterbacks is a wild rollercoaster.
02:17Yeah, you know, it's a funny league,
02:19but it also, you know, part of the problem with Stroud was
02:23they had an offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowick
02:26who couldn't develop a counterpunch.
02:28So, the next year, when defenses had the playbook
02:32and knew what he would like to do,
02:34they weren't able to really adapt and counteract.
02:38And last year, we could tell he still had a new offensive coordinator.
02:43So, you know, you're thinking you're not playing, you know, fluidly.
02:45And then, it was like he was not confident in his line.
02:49There were times he was, you know, throwing passes,
02:53you know, trying to get rid of the ball like he thought pressure was coming
02:55and it hadn't even gotten there yet.
02:57Like he was seeing ghosts, was not comfortable.
03:00So, you've got to find a way.
03:01This will be his second year with Nick Caley as the offensive coordinator.
03:04They also went out and they signed free agents to their offensive line.
03:08They also drafted a couple offensive linemen as well.
03:11They finally have put resources into protecting him.
03:15And we'll see, you know, they also added, you know,
03:17a stronger run game with David Montgomery coming.
03:20So, all those pieces around him, we'll see if it helps him grow.
03:23And you're exactly right about Bryce Young.
03:25It was awful.
03:26There were questions, you know, he got benched, you know,
03:29very early in that second year.
03:30For Dalton.
03:31And then he wound up working, yeah, for Dalton.
03:33And then finally working his way back.
03:35And we saw, you know, progress being made with Dave Canales.
03:40And we'll see what he can do, you know, in another season with him.
03:44But, you know, the book isn't closed on somebody just because they have one
03:48great year, they have one bad year.
03:49It's a whole journey.
03:51Well, Mike, you know, last year you saw Seattle being the Super Bowl champions
03:54and we saw their quarterback who had two great years in a row,
03:59just played terrible in the playoffs when he was in Minnesota.
04:01Do you feel that they're the favorites this year?
04:03I know you mentioned earlier that they have a new coordinator.
04:05Are they the favorites?
04:07I don't think that they're the favorites just because we don't know
04:11if Brian Fleury is going to be a good play caller.
04:14He is from that Shanahan tree.
04:16He was Kyle Shanahan's tight ends coach, has never called plays before.
04:20We'll see what he does.
04:22Now, he does speak the same language as the Kubiaks,
04:26which is who Sam Darnold resurrected his career with in San Francisco
04:30as a backup and then played under Kubiak last year in Minnesota.
04:35So we'll see.
04:36That should help with the continuity.
04:38But, you know, they also lost Kenneth Walker III,
04:42their workhorse running back.
04:44So they definitely have holes to fill.
04:46I would say the Rams are the favorite right now for me.
04:51They're divisional rivals there because they've got a potent offense.
04:54They've got a monster, you know, a miles gear on defense,
04:57but also got Trent McDuffie in the secondary, you know,
05:02and so I think the Rams are the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
05:06Obviously, you know, it's all on paper.
05:08You got to go out there and do it.
05:10But I wouldn't say that Seattle's up there.
05:12Do you think that Aaron Dowling will be playing with him?
05:16I don't know.
05:18I still would be kind of surprised.
05:20I mean, you've been off for two years.
05:22Can you get back into that mode?
05:25I think it sounds like he's trying to figure it out.
05:28You know, that's the big question if we're going to see, you know,
05:32I guess sometime next week.
05:33And, I mean, I guess they don't need him to be there on day one of training camp,
05:37but it sounds like he's trying to figure it out.
05:39So, you know, and I keep going back and forth on whether or not he's going to be out there
05:44or not.
05:45Talking with Mike Jones here on the Rude Guest Hotline.
05:48You can give Mike a follow at ByMikeJones.
05:51Check out all of his work covering the NFL in The Athletic.
05:55Dude, you wrote a story, I think, this morning.
05:57I saw it posted this morning about some of the teams you think are underrated going into this season
06:03and some of the teams you think are overrated.
06:04I'd like to start with a pair of AFC teams that you think are underrated in the Colts and the
06:10Bengals.
06:12You know, the Bengals have long been incredible offensively when Burrow's healthy.
06:17Why are the Bengals maybe being slept on?
06:21You know, I think that that is just that we've seen them when he's healthy, they're good.
06:26But then the thing is that they have not, you know, when he's not healthy, they, you know,
06:32last year they had some promise with Joe Flacco, but then they always are disappointing.
06:37Their defense hasn't been able to stalk anybody.
06:40But this past year, they really invested on their defense.
06:43Yes, they lost Trey Hendrickson, but they used those resources to add a number of pieces on their defense.
06:48And so I was talking to some people who said that their depth is actually better than what it was
06:53the year that they made it to the Super Bowl where they lost to the Rams,
06:56but that across the board that they feel better about that defense.
06:59So if, you know, there are times that they were putting up points last year,
07:03even with Joe Flacco at quarterback, but they couldn't stop anybody.
07:06And so if you just fix that defense, that's going to be a big thing for them.
07:11You get Joe Burrow the ball back a few more times.
07:15You get him in more favorable situations.
07:17That's shorter fields for them to work with.
07:19And so if their defense is better, like it seems on paper, it seems like it will be.
07:24And if Burrow can stay healthy with the weapons that he's got, I think that they could really make some
07:29noise in the AFC.
07:30And what about the Colts?
07:33You know, the Colts are another one that we saw them.
07:36They looked like they were really, you know, the surprise success story of the year.
07:41And then Daniel Jones got hurt, and then it all fell apart after that.
07:45You know, there's questions.
07:47Okay, what is he going to be when he comes back?
07:49Is he going to pick right up where he left off?
07:52It sounds like he's going to be out on the field to start week one of the season.
07:57And I think that if he is able to just, you know, he didn't, they didn't ask him to do
08:03too much.
08:03He ran the offense, and then he made the key throws when he needed to.
08:06If they can do that again, they're in a division that's wide open.
08:09Obviously, they've got a quality defense.
08:11They, you know, have some new faces on offense, but there's some young talent.
08:16They've still got Jonathan Taylor, so if they can remain balanced on offense and lean on that defense,
08:21there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to win the AFC South.
08:24All right, let's talk about some of the teams you think are overrated.
08:28And you've got a pair of NFC East teams on your overrated list in the Cowboys and the Eagles.
08:35Why do you think the Cowboys are overrated?
08:36Well, the Cowboys are always overrated because Jerry Jones, you know, thinks that they are going to win the Super
08:41Bowl every year.
08:43And ESPN always buys the, takes the hook, and they have all these segments dedicated to them.
08:49And it's like, oh, is this the year?
08:50Well, you know what?
08:52They, yes, they have a potent wide receiver tandem in Pickens and Lamb.
08:58And Dak Prescott is, you know, whether you like it or not, he's a really, really talented quarterback and can
09:04sling it around.
09:05But their defense couldn't stop anybody last year.
09:08Now, they've gone out and they've gotten more pieces and everything like that on the front, in the linebacker position,
09:13in their secondary.
09:15But that takes a lot for all of that to come together.
09:17They've got a new defense coordinator as well.
09:19I just think that it's going to take them a little time to be able to get that all to
09:24come together.
09:25I think their defense will be improved, but I don't think that they're going to be championship level.
09:30And so that's why I don't have them being a huge factor when it comes to contention.
09:36Well, the Chicago Bears won a lot of games late last year.
09:39I don't think they were very productive early on.
09:43You got them as an overrated team, I think, as well.
09:45Well, yeah, yeah, overrated.
09:47But why?
09:49Because, like you said, they won a lot of games late.
09:51A lot of those games will come down to one position here or there.
09:55You've got to have a little luck.
09:56And they had all the luck.
09:57They had the rabbit's foot that the commanders had year before last with some of their, you know, dynamic, you
10:05know, heart-stopping, thrilling victories.
10:07Last year, the Bears had all that.
10:09Well, okay, what happens now when the defenses go back to the drawing board?
10:13They know Ben Johnson's offense.
10:15They know what Caleb Williams likes to do in that offense.
10:18Remember, Caleb Williams did not have, like, the greatest completion percentage.
10:22He was able to make some Houdini plays and things like that.
10:25But he's got a lot of growth left to do.
10:27And I think that it's going to be a little harder for him this year in year two of that
10:31offense because the defenses will be prepared for it.
10:33They're not sneaking up on anybody.
10:35And they also have some more pieces on defense, you know, offensively.
10:40They're going to have, you know, some new additions on their offensive line.
10:44Chemistry is a thing that takes a little time.
10:46And so that's why I don't think you can just say, hey, they had a great year last year and
10:52they're going to win their division again this year.
10:55So, Jonesy, I'm looking at the article.
10:58Check it out on The Athletic if you'd like to.
11:00You can give Jonesy a follow-up by Mike Jones.
11:04Neither in the underrated or overrated camp are the Burgundy Eagle.
11:10So what do you think of the commanders?
11:12They're not underrated.
11:13They're not overrated.
11:14Are they properly rated as, like, what does that mean?
11:17Like an 8-9 win team?
11:20I think they could.
11:21Look, they could be a 10-win team.
11:24They could be 8- or 9-win.
11:25I just have real questions.
11:27I think their defense is going to be better.
11:30I like the pieces that they've added on defense.
11:32I like the mix of the veterans and the young talent that they've brought in.
11:36I think their defensive coordinator is going to be a good get.
11:40My real question is about the offense.
11:42And, you know, okay, David Blau has only been coaching in the NFL a couple years.
11:50And I know that they say that he's bright.
11:52I've talked to people that he played under who say that he's got a great mind,
11:56a great feel for the game.
11:57But there's a big difference of being an assistant quarterback coach
12:00and then all of a sudden being a play caller.
12:02Can you help Jaden Daniels get to the next level?
12:05Obviously, can he stay healthy?
12:07I don't think Cliff Kingsbury did a good job of protecting Daniels at times last year.
12:12So, can David Blau do that?
12:14Can he position that offense to take another step forward?
12:17So, that's why I'm kind of, you know,
12:19I'm not going to make a bold prediction that they're going to bounce back right away.
12:23I think their defense being better will help them.
12:26Jaden Daniels being healthy will help them.
12:28But it might be a little bit of a learning process for your young offensive coordinator
12:33and that could mind up limiting their potential.
12:37It's funny.
12:40Listen, man, I know you're on Instagram.
12:41Graham, I follow you.
12:42Have you seen the Brandon IU craziness all summer?
12:45Oh, Lord Jesus.
12:47Do you think Washington has to add a veteran wideout?
12:52I would go, yes.
12:53I think they need to add a veteran wideout.
12:56I would stay far, far away from that fool, man.
12:59Like, if you are doing all this stuff, I mean, like, look at his track record.
13:05Obviously, the guy don't love football.
13:06If you were going to walk away from all that money and all you had to do is just show
13:11up for your rehab and, you know, and report when they wanted you to report and then check off the
13:17box and cash your checks.
13:18And, you know, he doesn't value money and he obviously doesn't value relationships because he's like trying to burn every
13:26single bridge possible.
13:27So, after him going on there and then calling out Jaden Daniels because Jaden Daniels didn't respond the way that
13:33he wanted to to a fan and then, you know, saying stuff about his mom, like, you can't bring him
13:39in there.
13:39Now, even before that, I was like, eh, I don't know if this guy is worth it.
13:44I mean, he was good, but we don't know what kind of state he's in right now.
13:49And also, he looked heavy, you know, he looked like he, you know, wasn't really still in top physical shape
13:56when you're expecting to hopefully get back on the field right now.
13:59You can't just wait until camp to be in good shape.
14:02So, I would say far away, yes, I think there are some other veterans that maybe could go out there
14:07and be out there on the streets that could help you.
14:09But don't mess with the Aiyuk thing.
14:11It just feels too combustible to bring.
14:15Be patient.
14:17You know, maybe some of the young guys will give you something similar there.
14:20It's not like this is, you know, A.J. Brown or somebody, you know, Devontae Adams, somebody of that level.
14:29Brandon Aiyuk is good, but I wouldn't say he's great.
14:32Well, let's just say you have to be released and free.
14:35And right now, as I stated for many weeks now, he is still on the left team list where he
14:42does not affect the 49ers at all.
14:45He doesn't count against their cap.
14:47And he says he's not going to go there and get it off of it.
14:51So, he's a fool because they don't have to do a damn thing.
14:56They can play this whole season and he won't affect their cap at all.
14:59And he'll be sitting at home getting nothing.
15:02Yep, I totally agree with you.
15:04And, again, his professionalism, you want somebody who's not going to be a distraction, put his head down, get the
15:10job done.
15:10And he can't do that for you.
15:12Hell no.
15:13You know, and I think the 49ers are smart.
15:16You're not going to let somebody dictate like that to you.
15:18They gave him a great deal.
15:19And so, they're going to be like, all right, you're going to do the simple things and we're not going
15:22to give you your way.
15:23So, there we go.
15:25Jonesy, last thing for me.
15:26Where do you think Diggs ends up?
15:28I don't know.
15:29I mean, I would kick the tires on him if I was Washington.
15:33You know, he's from here.
15:34And, look, last year he wasn't dominant, but he was very solid and very reliable for Drake May.
15:42And I think that's just what you need here.
15:45You need reliable.
15:45You need solid.
15:47You know, and he was basically their only real threat.
15:52Here you've got more talent.
15:54I would, you know, I would give a call and try to see if that would work.
15:59It'll be interesting, man.
16:01I think KC makes a ton of sense for him, too.
16:03It does.
16:04It does.
16:05But they also, I mean, we've seen them, you know, they pick up the old guys and, you know, plug
16:09them in and make it work.
16:11You know, so that's another possibility right here.
16:14But when people have been asking me, you know, about IU, guys, I was like, man, I would go after
16:18Diggs instead of IU.
16:19But, yeah, KC definitely makes sense.
16:21And if that's for him, being in the league for a while and he wants to win a Super Bowl,
16:25you know, that's the position that would kind of help him get there.
16:30Jonesy, appreciate the time, man.
16:31I'm sure our paths will cross soon.
16:33All right.
16:34Thanks, guys.
16:34I'll see you.
16:35All right, man.
16:35Safe travels to all those camps.
16:37The great Mike Jones.
16:38Give him a follow at by Mike Jones.
16:40Read all of his work in The Athletic.
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