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A huge thank you to everyone who headed out to Wayland Brewing Company in Orchard Park, NY for this spring’s pre-draft bash. Wings, beers, many football stories. It was a hell of a time. I’ll be sure to schedule more in-person hangouts into the future. Before all festivities, Jim Monos and myself dinged the record button for one more pod ahead of the draft. Video and audio of that replay is above. Where will Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love go? I wrote a column on the matter and get Monos’ thoughts as a longtime NFL scout. Also, we discuss the pros ‘n cons of this year’s wide receiver class. One scout was particularly scathing when it came to Jordan Tyson, a prospect who seems to have gained traction late. Monos weighs in. You’ll also want to hear my co-host’s analysis of KC Concepcion. Mostly, we get into organizational structure and how the draft works inside a building. Our audio sadly cut out when I shared an insane Jerry Jones story inside the draft room. Relive the surreal scene here. One major takeaway from our first live show at Wayland? The wings are severely underrated. Thanks to those who hung out on Substack Live remotely and everyone who made the trip locally. Let’s keep the party going inside the chat all three days of the draft. Go Long is powered by you. Thank you for your support. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Hate being Everyone Won This Trade guy, but I do think this year’s pre-draft blockbuster makes perfect sense for both parties. The Cincinnati Bengals need to fix the league’s saddest defense. Dexter Lawrence could be the piece that gets this team back into the Super Bowl, on the heels of strong free-agent signings. For a team trying to win now, he offers more value than a raw prospect in a draft lacking star power. The New York Giants have a chance to create a team in John Harbaugh’s vision. At No. 5 and No. 10 overall, they can infuse a better-than-most-think roster with two promising pieces. Harbaugh was the top candidate on the market. How soon can he work his magic? Exactly one year ago, I chatted with comedian Joe Praino of the excellent Dirty Sports Podcast. Let’s just say Joe’s mood has changed. Significantly. He’s feeling damn good about these Giants. We get into Brian Daboll’s (unfortunate) coaching shift, Joe Schoen’s roster construction, Jaxson Dart’s ceiling and everything else. Video and audio are above, and you can also subscribe to the Go Long channels on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. And be sure to make Joe’s “Dirty Sports” part of the podcast rotation. Both Joe and Andy Ruther bring a perfect flair of insight and entertainment. Loved popping on their show earlier this offseason. New here? As always, we’d love it if you decided to join our community today as a paid subscriber. Keep it plugged into Go Long for full coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft. If you live in Western New York, join us at Wayland Brewing Company in Orchard Park, NY any time after 5 p.m. (EST) for a night of beer and football. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

We can’t help ourselves. To those who aren’t on a #warpath for #BetterDays, I apologize. Inevitably, the Buffalo Sabres dominate the first 15 minutes of this podcast. This team is simply too much fun. Eventually, yes, we get into everything Buffalo Bills and NFL Draft with Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. You can read his work here. Always enjoy lobbing questions back ‘n forth with Jay. This episode, we try to figure out which direction GM Brandon Beane and head coach Joe Brady will go in Round 1 of the draft — Edge? Nose? Linebacker? Wideout? Per usual, the conversation shifts toward the man central to everything in Orchard Park: quarterback Josh Allen. I examined Allen’s relationship with Brady in Part II of our series this week and go a little deeper here as well. There’s plenty of Brady talk and Beane talk as we make sense of a 2026 Bills team facing very real and clear expectations: It’s the Super Bowl. Appreciate everyone who joined this broadcast on Substack Live. You can catch future live recordings by downloading the Substack app and turning notifications on: Be sure to subscribe to get everything in full, including Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series. He talked to scouts around the country to give you the unfiltered look at this year’s prospects. Links here. ICYMI, here’s my two-parter on Joe Brady: Part I: ‘I’ll set my jaw’ Part II: ‘They’ve got to play us’ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

We’re one week away, folks. Soon, mocks become reality. A glorious thing. Here on Real Football — with longtime NFL personnel man Jim Monos — let’s examine prospects we love and hate at the top of the draft, shall we? Be sure to use Bob McGinn’s series as a guide, too. Links are below. His reporting is stellar as always. I’ll take the blue bloods. You cannot go wrong with Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate. Monos is high on Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. As for Miami’s short-armed Rueben Bain… not so much. We explain. We also spend a good amount of time discussing Joe Brady. At Go Long, Part I of “Joe Brady takes charge is live.” I sat down with the new Buffalo Bills head coach for two hours. His rise is fascinating. Top of the pod, we banter on the best sports atmospheres we’ve ever witnessed. End of the pod, we take a stab at what the Bills are looking for in the draft. And GMs must ask themselves a very important question: Does this player truly love football? Video and audio are both above. Thank you for fueling everything here at Go Long. As a reminder, we’ll both be at Wayland Brewing Company in Orchard Park, NY on April 22. Let’s drink some beers on draft eve. Links to Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series for subscribers: * Part 1, WR: Who’s the next star wideout? * Part 2, TE: Kenyon Sadiq and the hunt for matchup nightmares * Part 3, T: Why Francis Mauigoa ‘n co. may define the 2026 NFL Draft * Part 4, G/C: Why this is the year to draft a center * Part 5, QB: The Fernando Mendoza Question * Part 6, RB: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love? ‘The best NFL prospect in this draft * Part 7, DL: Secure your space-eater * Part 8, Edge: Deep 2026 class promises to torment quarterbacks * Part 9, LB: How should an NFL team unleash Arvell Reese? * Part 10, CB: McCoy? Delane? Hood? Inside the debate at the top... * Part 11, S: Why Caleb Downs, a ‘slam dunk,’ is one of the best players in the NFL Draft * Part 12, ST: The kicking revolution is here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

The draft industrial complex is too often riddled with asbestos. Groupthink settles in, marinates and few analysts are willing to think outside the box in fear of social-media condemnation. Then, there’s Chris Simms. He sincerely does not give a damn. I suppose that’s what happens when the sport itself nearly kills you. What a pleasure to welcome a former Bleacher Report colleague back onto the Go Long Podcast. You can catch Simms daily on PFT Live and his Unbuttoned podcast, of course. He combines sharp insight, strong connections and his own eight-year pro career to bring the masses authentic coverage of this sport. Go Long OGs may remember our last conversation with Simms five years ago. We relived that traumatic moment in Tampa Bay: This time, the focus is obviously the 2026 NFL Draft. Topics include: * How Chris Simms studies the draft each year. His takes are always fresh — what does his process look like? * Patrick Mahomes. Once upon time, Simms was a lone ranger in his affection for the Texas Tech quarterback. What did he see that most draftniks missed? Hint: It’s probably the same thing Terry Pegula saw. * Why he is all, all, all-in on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The name “Joe Burrow” is seamlessly worked into his analysis. * Which prospects does Simms LOVE? He’s a big fan of one dimunutive slot receiver. * Psychos. You still need them in today’s game. Which prospect reminds him of Micah Parsons? * His take on the Buffalo Bills’ offseason, specifically the infusion of D.J. Moore into this offense. Video and audio is above. You can also access this episode on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels. Will get to transcribing both this conversation and our pod with Matt Hasselbeck for those who prefer words. Also: Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series is almost wrapped up. Today, he breaks down Caleb Downs and the safety prospects. New here? Upgrade to a paid subscription to read in full. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Right about now, each spring, NFL teams ask themselves the same question: How soon is too soon to start a rookie quarterback? There’s proof that patience pays off. (Mahomes, Rodgers, Young, etc.) There’s proof that a baptism by fire can work. (Manning, Marino, etc.) Matt Hasselbeck played 18 seasons in the NFL and studies the game extremely closely today. His litmus test is the best I’ve heard yet. He believes a young quarterback is ready for live snaps when that QB masters third-down protections. Understand this chaos? You’re ready. He is a big believer in the clutch gene, too. Here on the Go Long Podcast — our third time catching up — Hasselbeck offers his fresh insight at the sport’s most important position. Hope you enjoy this one. This episode is available in full to paid subscribers and I’ll transcribe later if words are preferred. As a member, you’ll gain access to everything: all features, all pods and Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series running now. Topics on the pod with Hasselbeck include… * What did Philip Rivers teach the NFL by playing well at 44? He sent one very clear message. * What’s going on in Tom Brady’s mind? * “News” is manufactured this time of year. It drives Hasselbeck mad. For some, draft season is the ultimate grift. * Flag Football. Yay or nay? * Why Hasselbeck believes Fernando Mendoza “checks all the boxes” and will excel in the pros with the Las Vegas Raiders. He calls the Indiana QB “amazing.” * He saw a completely different Geno Smith in 2025 — on and off the field. * Caleb Williams & Ben Johnson. The partnership worked in Year 1, following a tumultuous rookie season for the No. 1 pick. Why? And will it sustain? Hasselbeck was critical of the Bears QB before. * Who ascends in ‘26? There’s one quarterback that Hasselbeck believes we do not discuss nearly enough: Brock Purdy. (Of course, he still loves Drake Maye, too.) * Mike Evans may be the 49ers’ missing piece. We’ve had Hasselbeck on the podcast twice before. He always brings the goods. Here are those episodes and transcriptions, icymi. We’ve gotten into Hasselbeck’s own rise at great length before. Quarterback Bliss with Matt Hasselbeck (and words) How Matt Hasselbeck learned to believe (and words) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

He hates the Chicago Bears. He cannot wait to blast into those who play for the Chicago Bears. But read closely and you’ll see that Javon Bullard is far more critical of his own team, the Green Bay Packers, than a hated rival. Because firsthand, he saw how his team surrendered a playoff game. As he said: “We’re on y’all ass and you’re acting like you m***********s don’t even want to play no more. But we need that instinct to kill m***********s’ hope. Like, ‘No. Not today. Not tomorrow. Y’all through. We finna beat y’all ass.’ I don’t think we’ve got that as a team yet. But we’ve got another year to prove it.” Later he added: “They got two little wins last year. But don’t forget who the big brother is. We’re still big brother. They got a long way to go before they can try to s**t on us. But we got to show them, too. We can’t just talk that s**t. We’ve got to be about it. So it’s going to be hell next year, man. It’s going to be hell.” And throughout our latest longform piece, you’ll see why “Bull” is everything the Packers need… will they listen? Players and coaches alike should heed Bullard’s advice. That’s the topic of conversation on our latest Substack Live video. We also delve into the Minnesota Vikings signing Kyler Murray and the Miami Dolphins’ unprecedented offseason. Video and audio replay is above. Thank you for hanging out and asking questions everyone. New here? Be sure to download the Substack app and turn notifications on to join future recordings: Also: Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series rages on. You won’t want to miss his piece on Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson and the quarterbacks today. Go Long is powered by you. Thank you for supporting independent journalism. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

NFL Draft season is here. For the fourth year, Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn is bringing his draft series to our pages — all of which is available to paid subscribers. Part I on the wide receivers is live. At the very top of this year’s draft, those Las Vegas Raiders sure hope they hit the bull’s eye. (It’s been a while.) As we transition from free agency to the draft, I wanted to catch up with a friend in the biz: Bill Reiter recently took his excellent radio show to the independent media world here on Substack. I highly recommend it. His show — “Reiter Than You” — is bigger ‘n better than ever in podcast form. We first connected back in his CBS Sports Radio days a decade ago when Bill read the Jared Goff story referenced on this ep. Since then, I’ve always loved popping on Bill’s show. This week, he made his debut on the Go Long Pod. For nearly an hour and a half, we discuss quarterbacks. Mostly, C.J. Stroud in Houston, Caleb Williams in Chicago and Tom Brady trying to resurrect those Raiders as a part owner. Brady, 48, admitted this week that he asked the NFL about a potential comeback. What is going on in his mind? (The Raiders had a swell March, too!) Everything is discussed from Stroud’s looming Year 4 moment of truth, Williams responding to hard coaching, the Ben Johnson Effect and the sad, sad collapse of Game of Thrones. My three-part series on those Bears, House of Dysfunction, is also unlocked to read. If you’d like, here’s Part I, Part II and Part III. Hanging out on the free list? It’s a smart time to upgrade. In addition to McGinn’s draft series, I’ll publish another longform piece here soon. Thanks, all. ICYMI, here’s the latest episode of “Real Football” with longtime scout Jim Monos. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Long gone are the days of Super Bowl contenders twiddling their thumbs in March. If you’re not making transactions, you’re not trying. We saw elaborate checks written, blockbuster trades and even one trade reneged at the last second. Nobody can blame GMs for not trying. What does it all mean? Let’s examine on “Real Football” with our resident scout, Jim Monos. DJ Moore to Buffalo. Jaylen Waddle to Denver. Trey Hendrickson to Baltimore. I love what the Washington Commanders did to help their franchise quarterback. This defense needed bodies. And what’s going on in that AFC North? Both us were fans of the moves made in Pittsburgh. Of course, once again, this team is also content waiting on Aaron Rodgers. Cincinnati beefed up its defense, too. Baltimore pulled a fast one. (It’s still all about Lamar in January.) As always, Monos shares stories from the road. This episode, he looks back at his team’s trade for LeSean McCoy ahead of the 2015 season in Buffalo, scouting Hendrickson out of Florida Atlantic and the time Bill Parcells tried to convince teams Jacoby Brissett should be a first-round pick. Inevitably, we debate #gambling at the top of the pod, too. Video and audio of this episode are available above. On our free list? It’s a perfect time to subscribe. Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series begins Friday, and it’s exclusive to paid subscribers. I’ve always been spending this month chipping away at the longform piece referenced on the pod. Thanks, all. Enjoy. Live in Western New York? Keep an eye out. We’re going to throw some beers back together at Wayland Brewing Company in Orchard Park this month for a pre-draft bash. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

This is a familiar story in Minneapolis. At the quarterback position — regime to regime, coach to coach, QB to QB — the franchise always welcomes in veterans from other teams. Can Kyler Murray redirect this team back into the playoffs? To get answers, let’s welcome back our friend Matthew Coller of Purple Insider. We revisit the Vikings’ confused 2025 plan — spending more cash than any team in the NFL despite the great J.J. McCarthy unknown. You heard from the vets on this Minnesota defense during Super Bowl Week. They missed Sam Darnold. With Coller, we also look ahead to 2026. This will be Murray’s show in ‘26. The fit with Kevin O’Connell’s X’s and O’s. Justin Jefferson’s happiness. Murray’s leadership style. Realistic expectations. All of the above is discussed. Thank you for watching, listening and sharing. Video and audio is above. This episode is also available on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels. ICYMI: * Tom Brady enters a new world * Bed Bugs and Belief: Why Ashton Grant is the man to maximize Drake Maye * The Patience & Persistence of Malik Willis * Fear… the Cincinnati Bengals? * Replay: 2026 NFL Free Agency Bonanza! * ‘He’s that guy:’ NFL WR coach on DJ Moore * Why the DJ Moore trade is a win for the Buffalo Bills * ‘No s**t taken:’ The Laws of T.J. Lang This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

The bonanza continues, too. Expect more stories ‘n pods here at Go Long through the week. Malik Willis is heading to Miami. Tyler Linderbaum is off to Las Vegas. And Carolina paid a premium for Jaelan Phillips. First, here’s a replay of our livestream with “Real Football” co-host, Jim Monos. As the news was flying, we broke it down, shared stories from the road and took your questions. To join future Substack Lives, download the app and turn notifications on. Thanks for hanging, everyone. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

You love football. I love football. We all love football. Even those select few who do not (I’m talking to you, Gina) cannot deny the sport is central to American life itself. How did we get here? Why is football so primal, so ingrained into the culture? Where is all this heading? I cannot recommend “Football” by Chuck Klosterman enough. The sensational essayist took on this phenomenon as only he can. His masterpiece will make you laugh, cry and — above all — stare deep into your football soul like never before. Here’s the Amazon link for Hardcover, Kindle and Audible options. (He narrates the audiobook himself.) Always a joy to chat with authors on the pod. This was fun. Here’s an hour-plus with Klosterman on the intoxicating appeal of football, why football’s demise may be an inevitability and everything in-between. “Football” is neither a love letter to the sport, nor an extremist doomsday account. Rather, it’s deeply thought-provoking, personal, brilliant. Agree or disagree with his analysis, you won’t be able to put it down. Video and audio of our chat is above. This episode is also available on our Apple and Spotify channels. Past chats with authors: * Michael Silver on “The Why is Everything” * Ian O’Connor on “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers” * Seth Wickersham on “American Kings” * Gary Myers on “Once a Giant” * Gary Myers on “Brady vs. Belichick: The Dynasty Debate” * Erik Kramer on “The Ultimate Comeback” Be sure to join our live free agency show with Real Football co-host Jim Monos Monday, starting a tick before noon (EST) inside the Substack app. This weekend, I wrote on the Buffalo Bills’ trade for DJ Moore. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Fifteen years ago, I met a young Green Bay Packers offensive guard on the far side of the locker room. Almost immediately, we started discussing his wild Green Bay nights and his deep, personal transformation. A couple years later, he opened up on the death of his father. Mining for unfiltered honesty inside a modern NFL locker room isn’t easy. Some players treat interactions with reporters as an obligation in their contract. They’re on autopilot. Then, there’s T.J. Lang. Unapologetic authenticity — on and off the field — endeared Lang to fans his full decade in the NFL. Through eight years with the Packers and two with the Lions, everyone knew precisely what they’d get… right down to a forearm shiver to the chin if you messed with his quarterback. Here on the podcast, Lang spends nearly two hours reliving all highs, all lows from his life in trenches. These days, he’s on the Lions radio broadcast. Of course, he also considers himself a Packer at heart. Video and audio is available here. Prefer words? Here’s the full transcript as well: Topics include: * Moment of truth in 2011. He could’ve partied his way right out of the NFL. * Hockey mentality. Lang grew up on the Detroit Red Wings and viewed himself as a Darren McCarty-like enforcer on Sundays. * Yes, Lang sees the glaring lack of such a specimen on the current Packers, too. That play at Denver bothered him, too. * Up close, Lang sees how NIL and the transfer portal is drastically changing the pool of players entering the NFL. Not for the better. * Are you an O-Line junkie? You’ll absolutely want to hear how Lang, Josh Sitton and the Packers’ front five screwed with opposing linebackers before the snap. * All playoff heartbreak. He tries not to think about the 2014 NFC Championship, but there’s no escape. This chat, Lang relives the most surreal game of his football life in painstaking detail. No, teammates were not pleased with Brandon Bostick. Time helps. * Those two weeks ahead of Green Bay’s 2011 loss to the New York Giants, Lang lost his father to lung cancer and OC Joe Philbin lost his son. Tragedy that rocked this roster more than anyone knows. * The time Green Bay got into Atlanta for the 2016 NFC title game around midnight the night before and Lang gave a pregame speech that, sadly, did not work. * What makes Green Bay, Wisconsin such a special place. * Lang went to Eastern Michigan. Maxx Crosby went to Eastern Michigan. Where does he see the Las Vegas Raider star heading? * Can Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy really coexist? Lang knows both very, very well. His answer may surprise you. Go Long is fueled by you. We appreciate your loyalty. New here? It’s a perfect time to join on the cusp of free agency and the draft. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com Brandon Beane stays. Sean McDermott is out. Joe Brady is in. Everyone at One Bills Drive fully understands the expectation in 2025: a Super Bowl appearance. Brady has hired an impressive first staff — now it’s time for the Bills to be bold, to make a critical move (or two, or three) that deliver a championship. Beane has said he’s aggressive and willing …

What a potpourri of a podcast we have for you this morning. The hilariously insightful Mike Tanier of Mike Tanier's Too Deep Zone is back on the Go Long Podcast. Together, we make sense of this offseason’s scarce quarterback market. Malik Willis is the crème de la crème of available quarterbacks — how good is he? (I’ll also examine in a column soon for subscribers.) Yet again, the Pittsburgh Steelers are groveling to Aaron Rodgers. It makes zero sense. Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy do not need to do this. And while it’s true that many teams are striving for that Sam Darnold-like middle class — one of many lessons to learn from Super Bowl LX — who’s worth $30 million per year? Finding the Next Darnold is a challenge. We also discuss the Steelers’ humiliating NFLPA report card… and those five toilets in the facility. Five! Things naturally go off the rails from there. Tanier records live from Indianapolis where the NFL Combine isn’t what most think. Thank you for listening and sharing, friends. Go Long subscribers, as always, can access everything we have to offer through what promises to be an eventful offseason. Also: Be sure to subscribe to Mike’s Substack for more humor and freshly cooked takes. Miss any of our February Mailbag? Here are all three parts: * Part I: Maxx Crosby Watch, Brandon Beane, Bills WR Plan, Jets reek, trades, Will Campbell’s future * Part II: Matt LaFleur debate, “Indiana” Bears, kickers, NFL straying from its base? * Part III: Which teams nailed their HC hire? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe