2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Why don't I usually watch ESPN? None of those guys are saying anything I want to hear. I can get plenty of sports news off Twitter and FB. Not to mention from time to time the football fans in my family will tell me.

ESPN Radio > ESPN TV. Sports radio in general is better than anything you'll get on TV.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

ESPN Radio > ESPN TV. Sports radio in general is better than anything you'll get on TV.

ESPN Radio lost me when they put Stephen A. Smith's show on. I don't know how anyone can listen to him, all he does is yell.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Some crazy Patriots rumors out there...

Like what?

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by RageATL

Like what?

Source - https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndica...raded.amp.html

There is seemingly never-ending drama in New England these days, with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski once again at the center of it all.

According to freelance journalist Adam Kurkjian, New England coach Bill Belichick wanted to trade his Pro Bowl tight end earlier this offseason and even approached owner Robert Kraft with offers on the table. However, Brady reportedly threatened to retire if the deal was made, resulting in the owner nixing the trade.

Patriots vice president of media relations Stacey James denied the entire situation, via Kurkjian: "I would say with the utmost confidence that none of that is true. None of it."

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

ESPN Radio lost me when they put Stephen A. Smith's show on. I don't know how anyone can listen to him, all he does is yell.

Cowherd's on at the same time (at least here), so I just listen to Fox Sports. I don't mind Stephen A. in small doses.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Source - https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndica...raded.amp.html

100% Fake news

" There is no news! I have zero sources. I’m just some random bozo on the internet that was able to fool national media outlets (listed below), into taking me seriously.

Why? To prove journalism in 2018 is an absolute joke. I literally guessed on the Edelman news and when it would be reported. As soon as i saw some random beat writer on twitter say “I’ve got bad news about the patriots”, I took a wild guess about Edelman and posted it to Reddit. Anyways I’m sure the patriots fans here will be a mix of happy there’s nothing negative and anger for being lied to. When I first made the post I thought “oh this will just be funny if it ends up being correct”, and that would be the end of it. But then things changed to be more about trolling the media than you guys…

I wake up the next day to the Edelman news breaking, and NBC’s profootballtalk (among others) writing serious articles about me, speculating that I was an ESPN employee. Even local Boston radio stations were talking about me as if I’m some sort of vigilante. After laughing hysterically for awhile, I decided to see how far I could take this. I thought the best move would be to build hype around a new story coming out, and see if people actually would continue to take me seriously. Sure enough, they have. My inbox has blown up, everything from fans to freelance journalists asking me for tips. All when IM JUST A RANDOM DUDE, I SHOULDN’T BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

Anyways the point is…national media, do better. Don’t take some random guys word on the internet. Sorry to the people of this sub, but hopefully you’ll get some enjoyment out of the hysteria that this caused."

[MountainBoy]

Regarding the Patriots, I do think that the whole dynasty is over and that it is a dumpster fire there. Belichick screwed up in the Super Bowl by not playing Butler and if I was a player, I'd have a hard time trusting him going forward. Look at Seattle! They were never the same after Pete Carrol screwed up the Super Bowl by throwing instead of running on the goal line.

Trust is a huge component and I think that there is a "disturbance in the force" with Tom & Belichick - much of which is because of Brady's trainer.

[Samus Aran]

Ryan Gates, a radio producer for WGR 550 in Buffalo, said he’d quit if the Bills took Josh Allen with Baker Mayfield or Josh Rosen still on the board.

So he did.

Meanwhile, Aaron Goldhammer of ESPN Cleveland 850 said he'd eat horse poop if the Browns drafted Baker Mayfield. Still waiting on that one.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by MountainBoy

Regarding the Patriots, I do think that the whole dynasty is over and that it is a dumpster fire there. Belichick screwed up in the Super Bowl by not playing Butler and if I was a player, I'd have a hard time trusting him going forward. Look at Seattle! They were never the same after Pete Carrol screwed up the Super Bowl by throwing instead of running on the goal line.

Trust is a huge component and I think that there is a "disturbance in the force" with Tom & Belichick - much of which is because of Brady's trainer.

I get that benching Butler wasn't a popular decision, but it doesn't totally eradicate all the trust that Belichick has earned with five rings over 15+ years.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

I get that benching Butler wasn't a popular decision, but it doesn't totally eradicate all the trust that Belichick has earned with five rings over 15+ years.

I think the bigger issue at hand is the Brady/Belichick power struggle.

[Batman1980]

LOL@hearing Edelman got suspended for testing for an unknown substance.

[rickah88]

Twice, this year, an athlete named Gronkowski placed runner up in a Championship event.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

I think the bigger issue at hand is the Brady/Belichick power struggle.

Which we cant even prove if thats true, we wont know for sure until we see the body language on the sidelines. I do tend to believe where theres smoke there is fire but with the way the Pats are I doubt anything will get revealed anytime soon.

[Batman1980]

Notre Dame's Zack Martin is now the highest paid OG in the league.

[fatediesel]

Some holdouts from mandatory minicamp:
Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack
Falcons wideout Julio Jones
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas
Steelers running back Le'veon Bell (not technically a holdout since he's unsigned)
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (expected to holdout)

Edit: Add Cardinals running back David Johnson and Titans tackle Taylor Lewan to the list.

[Tony208]

Can't believe I only discovered this gem recently.

Skip Bayless Debates Himself - YouTube

[Batman1980]

If Earl Thomas didn't come with such a hefty price tag, I would want him a lot more.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by Tony208

Can't believe I only discovered this gem recently.

Skip Bayless Debates Himself - YouTube

I'd take two Skips over one Stephen A. any day but the one on the left can go .... himself

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Some holdouts from mandatory minicamp:
Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack
Falcons wideout Julio Jones
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas
Steelers running back Le'veon Bell (not technically a holdout since he's unsigned)
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (expected to holdout)

Edit: Add Cardinals running back David Johnson and Titans tackle Taylor Lewan to the list.

So all these guys are under a current contract right, except Bell?

Just stupid.. being greedy.

[Batman1980]

Julio Jones is even one of the highest paid WRs in the NFL already so yes he's being greedy.

Julio Jones informed the Falcons he will not attend mandatory minicamp.

The Falcons previously told reporters they thought Jones would attend, but he was a no-show as players filed in on Monday. "We have been in contact with Julio and his representation," the Falcons said in a statement. "We will not discuss those conversations publicly except to say we feel they have been productive and constructive. We understand the concerns and thoughts from their perspective. Although not ideal, Julio informed us today he would not be attending mini-camp." This officially makes Julio a holdout. Jones is currently the NFL's eighth-highest-paid wide receiver.

Source - Rotoworld.com