Scoop City: Inside The NFL

The NFL Scouting Combine is officially trade season — and Scoop City is live in Indianapolis where Maxx Crosby rumors, A.J. Brown questions, quarterback chaos, and a new Giants power structure are dominating the league. Will the Raiders actually move Crosby if he wants out? Are the Eagles quietly preparing for life after A.J. Brown? Where does Kirk Cousins land in a weird QB market? And can the Giants’ John Harbaugh era reshape New York fast enough to maximize Jaxson Dart?

James Palmer and Dianna Russini kick things off from Indy, where every elevator ride feels like a Super Bowl reunion and every dinner turns into a front-office summit. They break down why the combine is the league’s negotiation ground zero, how agents float interest without showing their hand, and why next week is when the real movement begins.

One of the biggest storylines: Maxx Crosby. The Las Vegas Raiders publicly insist they want to keep their star pass rusher, but teams are already checking in with his camp to gauge interest and price. James and Dianna unpack what a Micah Parsons–level trade package could look like, why Baltimore and Dallas are fascinating fits.

Then it’s Philadelphia and the future of A.J. Brown. The Eagles say they want him back, but conversations are happening, and the possibility of a clean, drama-free split is very real. The guys debate whether Devonta Smith is ready for a full-blown leap, why Philly trusts its ability to draft another impact receiver.

Quarterback intrigue follows with Kirk Cousins re-entering the offseason spotlight. Minnesota may not be as obvious as it seems with J.J. McCarthy’s development a priority, and teams like Cleveland or others needing veteran stability could emerge.

Charlotte Carroll joins to break down the New York Giants’ new era under John Harbaugh, the power structure with Joe Schoen, and what the No. 5 pick could mean — including buzz around Caleb Downs, Malik Nabers’ recovery, and building the right support system for Jaxson Dart.

James Boyd closes the show with a deep dive on the Colts’ quarterback dilemma: Daniel Jones leverage, franchise tag strategy, Anthony Richardson’s alarming vision injury, Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. contract math, and mounting pressure on Chris Ballard.

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Get on the debate: Which domino falls first — Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, or a surprise quarterback move?
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It’s NFL Scouting Combine week — and Scoop City takes you inside the most important evaluation stretch of the offseason, from quarterback interviews to roster shakeups that could reshape 2026. What do the Chiefs do next around Patrick Mahomes? Can the Ravens unlock another level with Lamar Jackson? Are the Broncos headed for regression after a magical run? And which teams are quietly setting themselves up for a bounce-back year?

James Palmer and Chase Daniel open with a firsthand look at the combine grind, breaking down what quarterbacks really face in Indy — from uncomfortable team interviews to throwing sessions that can change draft stock in a single rep. Chase explains how coaches compare QBs side-by-side, why mental toughness matters as much as arm talent, and how teams evaluate everything from body language to leadership between drills. It’s a rare inside look at how prospects are judged long before draft night.

From there, the conversation turns teams that can bounce back in 2026. Kansas City will head into the offseason with Patrick Mahomes rehabbing an injury. The guys also discuss Travis Kelce’s uncertain future and how the Chiefs may attack the draft to counter deep coverages and rebuild explosive playmaking.

Next up: Baltimore as James makes his case for the Ravens as a major 2026 bounce-back team. With Lamar Jackson facing a massive contract moment and a new offensive staff pushing for near-perfect offseason attendance, the pressure is on to elevate chemistry and consistency.

Then comes the flip side — which contender might take a step back — with Denver landing squarely in the spotlight. James explains why fourth-quarter magic, elite defensive health, and favorable breaks are hard to replicate, especially in a tougher AFC West. They also touch on Bo Nix’s development, roster needs, and what Sean Payton must add to keep the Broncos from sliding backward in 2026.

The show wraps with Chase “breaking the internet” over a backwards hat debate that somehow turned into a full-blown social media moment

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Let us know your thoughts in the comment: Which team do you think is most likely to bounce back in 2026?

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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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