January 2, 2026 • 57 mins
The Final Friday Football Feast of the seasons begins with the boys talking about the upcoming boarder battle, as well as the future of Brain Flores. Then Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk calls in to talk about week 18, Brian Flores, and Sam Darnold.
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Speaker 1 (00:10):
I can't.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Do nothing to say everything.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Hits second and six for the eight and seven Detroit
Lions with Jared Goff working out of the shotgun. Two
receivers left and right. Vikings had the ball first, went
three and out. Here's a blitz on cop.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Down girls GoF Harrison Smith got him.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Harrison Smith got him of the sack. Dallas Turner was
in the mix too.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
He Desmont a game.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
No receivers, three tight ends, one to the left, two
to the right, straight eye on third and goal hand off,
Aaron Jones heads to the left, runs through a Lion
cat stop sho he showtime and Aaron Jones has flowed
the Minnesota Vikings to a six zero lead. J eight
(01:54):
from the twenty eight big blitz Van Ginkle smacks Goff,
who gets it.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Off heavy President interception hit Biron Murphy Junior. Yes, ser
Henny runs on the bounds at the forty eight yard line.
The Minnesota Vikings up turned over the Detroit Lions three times.
Speaker 5 (02:15):
It'll be mon listen you Sam of all those sponsors today.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Yeah, well, there's another interception golf over the middle of
Harrison Smith.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Holy cow, hit man, just go ahead and steal the show.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Look at Harrison Smith celebrated with all these kids. He
has the sec he has an interception and the veteran
fuck get that he's dominating the Detroit Lions.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Kfan and the best cub expanding kfan Vikings Audio network.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Oo mass Baunds. He said it and he dropped it.
Pend of Vikings kept turned over the Lions again.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
All right, it's a trick play and here comes turning
Edison steaming to the party.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
To the party, get into the five close to the
end zone.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Horsey signal to.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Say, whately, sneaky play by the Minnesota.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
Vikingsson likes the Greasino process. Cheese for me, please keep
it a get studia mechanics can never be created. To wait,
they use the prease.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Hey, hey, what's going on everybody? It's alrighty now, Hey,
it's the Friday Football.
Speaker 5 (03:42):
Buffalo wild Wings.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Egan gets the money today for the final Friday football
feast for the Minnesota Vikings twenty twenty five regular season.
Good morning, Uh, this is Jared Wells, Engineer extraordinaire to
my lap. We have Nick Madden over here with his
Greek team. Alec Lewis from the Athletic Nordo from nine
to noon and I'm Paul Allen. We good morning, We
(04:08):
were pretty pretty morning. Pretty safe to say it's I
think it's very safe to say, with the way things
are shaking out for this weekend that the Minnesota Vikings
are going to finish nine and eight, given they are hot.
Green Bay has opted for some Clayton Tune related terrorism.
Good morning, gentlemen, And what do you think of the
(04:30):
border battle? One three one to close festivities? But first,
anybody want a T shirt? Makes some noise, just a
little bit of noise. Now come on, now, what.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
Do you think?
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Mister alec lewis the Athletic Theathletic dot com.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
First of all, what a crowd? I mean, I don't know.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
I was telling Nordo, I call you, yeah, I mean
this is a very good crowded Egan I told Nordo
and I were talking right before. I'm like, this is unbelievable. Well,
it is a holiday, right after a holiday. I didn't
really put that together. Clayton Tune versus Brian flores De
kind of like Nordover's Brian Flora's defense a little bit so.
Quite difficult task ahead for mister Clayton Tune will be
(05:10):
curious who he's throwing to because they're not going to
play a lot of their starters.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
And this Flores.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
Defense has been just exceptional and a joy to watch
now for however many weeks it's been.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
I mean, I you cannot say.
Speaker 6 (05:23):
Enough about just the plans they put together and then
the way to the defenders have kind of taken to
those plans at the back half of the season where
they really have no business giving it as much as
they've given it every single week.
Speaker 5 (05:37):
It's been beyond phenomenal to watch and.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
It is a complete testament to the players and coaches.
And I hope, I mean, whether this is it for
Harrison Smith or not, I hope he can duplicate that
performance from Christmas because it was a blast to watch
him and it was awesome to see the emotion from
he and the crowd throughout that entire game.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And it's a Border Battle weekend, so those here at
the promenade and Egan, they need a ton of excuses
post New Year's to show up, have beers with friends
and root for battering on the border rival. And it
is Clayton Tune season, so that's gonna be ugly from
start to finish on Sunday in the Border Battle.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
But you're right, it's the way.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
This team is finished. And it's again silver linings and
consolation as a team that isn't going to the postseason.
But the masterpiece defense combine combined with certain individual stories,
whether it's the hip Man's, it's the Jalen Redmonds, it's
the Eric Wilsons, the things that we can kind of
take into the offseason and nibble on in terms of
what twenty twenty six may or may not look like.
(06:37):
It's been a blast watching this team win four straight.
Let's just make it five and put a cap on
the twenty twenty five season that way, why not.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy with some finger related terrorism.
He went full in practice yesterday, which means he seems
to have a grip on things.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
That's exciting, isn't it, Alex question you say?
Speaker 6 (06:59):
You keep saying, yeah, is it the finger or is
it the hand?
Speaker 5 (07:04):
Well, it could be both. It's hand related terrorism, is
what it is. No, I mean I.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Don't hand to encompass his fingers, That is true.
Speaker 6 (07:12):
Does that finger that should be in the preposterous statement
tournament hopefully. What I would say is it's it's gonna
be great to watch him hopefully play Sunday and get
one more opportunity before this season ends, and just like
prove and show and and further the progress that he
showed from weeks fourteen to sixteen. You saw accuracy and decisiveness,
(07:34):
and you saw him having fun out there playing football
again and looking probably like the kid and and what
like what he fell in love with the game for.
And I know there's a lot of dynamics, professional level contracts,
future pressure, noise, all of that, but just to see
him go out there and play one more time and
and cap off the progress and provide a little bit
(07:55):
of a closing argument into the offseason, yep.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
I think it'll be enjoyable for me to to to
to get to.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
View Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson yesterday won the
uh the coveted media Cory Stringer Good Guy Award. I
got two Jefferson related questions for you. First, what goes
into the media's a good guy Award?
Speaker 6 (08:18):
Yeah, so for people don't know, Corey Stringer passed away
and he was a phenomenal person like you talked to Kevin,
the Kevin Sefferts, the people who have been here and
done it for a long long time at a really
high level, and they will talk about just the type
of guy that Corey Stringer was. And so every year,
the media, the beat writers who were there every single day,
(08:40):
we vote on a player who we feel like handled
everything with such grace, with honesty, with gratitude, and and
just like was very gracious with their time all year,
and we gave it to Justin Jefferson this year because
of every single week he stood up at the podium,
he's answered questions extreme honestly, He's never been snippy at all.
(09:01):
There was the one time after the game where he
didn't talk and that was a departure from the norm,
which for us, like we are grateful for a guy
of that not just a guy of that level, like
Justin's a superstar and the way he handles the media
is impressive, but just for like any he's approached in
the locker room off to the side, just it was
(09:21):
it was awesome to get to see Dame Mizutani present
that award to him.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
You were their PA, but Justin was appreciative of it.
Speaker 6 (09:29):
Which was just funny to see him like all happy
and smiley about it.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
It's kind of funny.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
After the Cory Stringer the media Cory Stringer Good Guy Award,
Justin did his regular weekly press conference, generally on Thursdays,
and and he he had a quote yesterday and I'm
gonna run and buy you just to see if if
you think there's anything into which we.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
Need to dive or if you can read between the lines.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
And it was Justin Jefferson on JJ McCarthy as the
quarterback next year for the Viking Squall. From a decision
making standpoint, that's not my job, but of course I
would love for him to be the quarterback, especially off
this year. I feel like he needs to show everybody
and prove to everybody that he is that top tier
(10:14):
quarterback end quote. Uh when when when he shared that?
Did you did you read between the lines anything? Or
is it just patent did Justin?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (10:23):
I didn't really read much into it. It is Patton
and Justin. I mean, it is true that the decisions
on the quarterback moving forward are going to be made
by people above his pay grade.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
Now, I am sure ain't nobody in that building above
his pay grade.
Speaker 6 (10:36):
That's no, You're right, that's a good point, is no
from a people who are high, that's I mean, that
was exceptional and really poor by me. The people who
are hired to make those decisions are not Justin Jefferson. Now,
next week, when they have exit meetings and Justin Jefferson
walks into Kevin O'Connor quasi's office, I would expect him
to be much more forward than probably he was within
(10:59):
with the media yesterday. But like I do think Justin
Jefferson really likes JJ, loves the energy, loves the passion,
and he really wants it to work.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Like part part of Hey it's the banker, which means
free drinks on Uncle Jim and everybody here gets in
the first resource bank.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Don't leave home without it.
Speaker 6 (11:18):
No, So I would say I didn't read a ton
into it. And the support that Justin showed Tavvy, that's
that's just the leap. That's a great code. It's a
varsity jacket. Yes, it's what you'd expect for the banker.
But the support he showed JJ McCarthy all year, Justin
Jefferson has been beyond impressive and as a teammate and
(11:38):
a captain and a leader. It's I mean, that's why
you pay a guy that much money. Really well, I.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Think in the end he wants to win, so he
genuinely likes JJ McCarthy and you you need that to
work out, and I think there there can even be
a selfishness.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
You think about the grind.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Of production this year and again, a team that's four
and eight now eight and eight. We're loving the four
win streak, but you're not going one of the playoffs.
He knows what this means if it doesn't work out.
He knows what that process might look like, if you're
going back to the well. I mean, just think about
just from a historical standpoint, early on twenty twenty two,
with this regime, you have Kirk Cousins, you have a
good year. Sadly you're losing at home to the Giants
(12:17):
in the postseason. Done it but the yeah, correct, but
I think the Giants converted some third and fifteen.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
I can't anywhay moving on from that. Sorry, no, it's fine.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
There are a lot of scars as a Vikings fan,
but then twenty twenty three is the carousel. Twenty twenty
four with Darnold, Now this year the trials and tribulation.
So I think as much as anything, good dude wants
team to win. There's a selfish nature to his existence
in some respects, but also selfishly he knows what this
means if twenty twenty six is a problem and beyond
and just kind of the ripple effect of what happens
(12:48):
if if JJ McCarthy does not develop into.
Speaker 5 (12:50):
That guy landing the plane on Justin Jefferson.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Related conversation for now Ben Lieber, sideline analyst, Minnesota Vikings
Audio Network. He told Nordo the other day when I
had a vocal maintenance day, that that it's prudent to
sit Justin Jefferson in this game.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
Now Justin's gonna play. What do we feel about that? Yeah,
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
I mean these guys get you get so few opportunities
to do this in your career. Yeah, and to attain
the standard that Justin has for himself, which is that
I mean at least a thousand yards every year. It's
I don't I mean, if you get the opportunity to
play and you're healthy, to go out and help the quarterback,
to us to put the punctuation on the nine and
eight season like, it's hard to believe that you wouldn't
(13:36):
go out there and play. I get Ben's perspective. Any
serious injury, I'm gonna feel like I probably should have
been more on his side here.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
But well, you need to think about the fans too,
specifically the ones paying paying the money underage, if not
thousands of dollars just to come see Order Battle one
three one That Nordo gets his fourth preseason game a
week late with Clayton too, So I mean people are
paying a lot.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
Of money for that man. If Justin can play, he plays.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Justin's a competitor, like that's this is that that guy
wants to win more.
Speaker 5 (14:05):
Than anything, nord I'd be curious your thoughts. Well, I
just say, look at look at the Raiders.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Okay, the Raiders are a disaster and they're gonna be
picking near the top of the fold.
Speaker 5 (14:14):
And what is a two to three win operation.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
In seven oh two, Max Crosby basically wanted to quit
the team after the after his coaching staff told him
that he wasn't gonna play.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
And now he did have a back injury though.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
But but that's the there's a little bit difference here
because of the injury and protecting. He's I mean injury
laiden career really last couple of years for Max. But
in the same set, like certain individuals on teams, leaders
on teams, we get media good guy awards, and we
ask a lot of Justin Jefferson to tell him week eighteen, Nah, man,
you're just gonna We're gonna take your helmet and take
that opportunity away from you. And that's not even about
(14:48):
what is it fifty three yards that he needs for
a thousand yards on the season.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
You're asking your leader.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
You're asking the guy you've already asked so much of
throughout the season. Now just completely gear down and put
this thing.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
In the offseason. He has to play.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
I think it says a lot that goes into being
a captain exactly.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
And it says a lot about him like that he
you know that he would reject the idea of not
playing in this game and competing and helping like that.
That is that it's nothing about Justin Jefferson's nature, this
guy who, like his whole ethos is loving to play
like a kid and competing like a kid. Like removing
(15:27):
him from Week eighteen when it's one more possibility that
would go against.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
Probably everything that he kind of stands for.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Lastly, for this opening segment of Buffalo Wild Wings egan
for the Final Friday Football. Is this the final game
Jalen Naylor will play with the Minnesota Vikings potend that
have to be an unrestricted free agent potentially, and he's
gonna make a lot of money.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
There are a lot of teams around the league that
know his value, that that watch the tape, that have.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
State athletic does not compensate you for potentially, I'm gonna
say jup, yes, or I.
Speaker 6 (16:01):
Would say the likelihood is very high. The Vikings have
been very like steadfast in Jordan Addison and what they
believe Jordan Adison is and can be still as a
young player, as a young person. And I mean again,
Jalen Naylor is going to probably make somewhere from I
would say like thirteen to eighteen million dollars a year.
(16:23):
It's a sizeable amount of money with what you know,
with what the Vikings have to pay everywhere else. So
that's what I would say. Nordo, I don't.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
Know it's his last game.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
I think he will garner money via free agency, and
I think that he's earned it. Now there is an
aspect of this, like we fall in love with.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Our draft picks. I love what Jalen Naylor has done
for this team, but I love it or like like it.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
I love what he's done for I love what he's
but he's tried to represent in the steads, specifically early
in the season the last two years when we needed
him to show up, you got Addison in the suspension.
A year ago, he had a touchdown a game I
think through the first three when Addison had an ankle,
I think for one of those games, maybe a Niners
game or something.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
And so I love what he's tried to represent the production.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
I like it, yeah, and and but but in terms
of versatility and things moving forward, I just with everything
that we have to do from a roster standpoint in
the offseason as it is to allocate anywhere. If I mean,
if you're throwing thirteen or eighteen million a year, good
for Jalen and best of luck in future endeavors with
with his ex team.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
But but think about Alex's latest report. If you need
to find money for Joe Burrow, well, I mean you can't.
You you have to look at I'm gonna picked you.
That wasn't your report.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
I didn't say that.
Speaker 6 (17:36):
No, But the funny thing is you said I get
I get compensated, not to say potentially like it's I'm
not the funny thing about sports writers. I guess I
could act like I have all I know, like I
don't know.
Speaker 5 (17:47):
I know that Jalen Naylor and.
Speaker 6 (17:48):
The Vikings from someone close to Jalen nailor like, have
not talked about an extension. That's what I know, and
so at that point it would lead me to believe.
But I you know, there's no certainty with anything, just
like you know there's there's moves that can be made,
there's trades that can be made.
Speaker 5 (18:04):
And no, I'm not reporting the Joe Burrow thing because.
Speaker 6 (18:06):
Why would Cincinnati give up their entire franchise?
Speaker 5 (18:09):
I don't really know.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
That's Alex Lewis with the Athletic in the Athletic dot
Com each and every week when he joins the Friday
Football Feast, we thank Steve's Appliances and Steve's Appliances dot
Com for the aid with that. During the twenty twenty
five season, we have a we have a segment coming
up a little later that will tie some teams in
the NFC to Steve's appliances related appliances, So that'll take
(18:34):
place in the second hour. Also by a show of hands,
has anybody been to US Bank Stadium for a Minnesota
Vikings game? Okay, so therefore you recognize the vox of
all voxes ever to vox, Alan Roach, the voice of
US Bank Stadium, Ladies and gentlemen, your Minnesota Vikings That
(18:58):
that's that's about a six out of ten Alan Roach impression.
But you know who he is, thought it was good.
He'll be here today at eleven o'clock. Big voice, Alan
Roach here at eleven He's the voice of US Bank Stadium,
ABS games at Ball Arena, Super Bowls, and just so
much more.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
Nice of the box to stop by today.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
That's part of the timber Tech What's on Deck set list,
which also includes a one phone interview that'll be Mike
Florio from Pro Football Talk dot com. Twenty twenty five
minutes from now, we have a fantasy segment at ten
o'clock called IHOP where charities as of now are benefiting
fifteen thousand dollars thanks in large part of Fantasycares dot Org.
(19:40):
And when we return I have a Brian Flores related theory.
I want to bounce off the other two and see
what they think. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, Happy New
Year from KFAM and the nine to noon radio show.
Alex Lewis, Noordo. I'm Paul Allen. This is the Friday
Football Feast.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
On k A.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Feasting feasting at Buffalo Wild Wings egan for the final
football feast for the twenty twenty five Minnesota Viking season.
It's been great to have Alec, Lewis and Nordo joined
the feast this year for the first time. Those of
you who listen to the Friday Football Feast KF a
M but specifically the Friday Football Feast, stumping around of
(20:55):
applause for my guys Alec and Nordo stepping in this
year for the first time and doing great, great work.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
Thanks for having us, no problem. It smells amazing here
by the way, basically right, I mean the the whatever
wings dry rub. I'm smelling some amazing go on. It's unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
Okay, let me let me hit you with this, all right,
And I'm kind of I'm wrapping myself up a little
bit with this.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
The theory Okay.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Now, so Brian Flores as defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings,
his contract ends at the end of the season, that
would be correct. Okay, reports are and I believe you're
part of it that into the season the Vikings tried
to a B flow, let's get twenty six, twenty seven,
twenty nine whatever together, and then he he may have
(21:46):
been I'm gonna chill first second, Let's do this season
to see what happens.
Speaker 5 (21:50):
Right. You think that's fair in some ways, yeah, yeah,
in some ways. What I would say is.
Speaker 6 (21:57):
I think all parties involved were curious to see how
this season played out.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Okay, at the end of his run with the Miami Dolphins,
it ended quite tumultuously with the owner, Stephen Ross, and
their lawsuits and things like that.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
So all of that is accurate, right, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (22:18):
I mean it's interesting you go back and look at
Brian Flora's records in Miami. Yeah, Like the team was
fairly capable at times. I mean times, it's interesting to
go back and look at it.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
So in twenty twenty one, he had a buffer landing
spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers as Mike Tomlin's basic defensive
right hand man.
Speaker 6 (22:39):
Correct this kind of he was like a linebackers coach,
kind of like creative voice in the room, a little
kit he and tell him I have a great relationship.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
And he starts here in twenty twenty three. So we've
had three seasons with Brian Flores. This one absolutely has
been the best. I mean the way certain players are
being covered up who haven't played as many snaps as
they played.
Speaker 5 (23:01):
I mean Flores.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
He's ballyhooed, super well respected around the league, and his
contracts also up, so he's kind of the would you
say he is the A.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Topic initially into the offseason.
Speaker 6 (23:15):
I mean yes, in terms of like the short term,
the quarterbacks the biggest conversation obviously and what it's going
to look like for twenty twenty six, But.
Speaker 5 (23:23):
The initial A topic is what happens with this man?
Speaker 6 (23:26):
Yes, Brian Flores in the job he's done. I mean
I've said this many times. They have not drafted a
full time defensive starter since twenty twenty one, and he
has done this without a ton of impact via the draft.
It's been a lot of free agent signings that he
has had major influence on, and he took a defense
(23:48):
in twenty twenty two that was poor, to put it
very nicely, Yeah, and really just transformed it from the
get go. And they've been really good. They've evolved, they've adapted,
they've created. I mean, it's gotten better, it's been it's
been really impressive in the major regard. And he's not
just like a Sunday play caller. It's not just scheme.
It's identity, it's personnel, influence, its evaluation, it's it's you're
(24:12):
getting like a really.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Full package with them next layer Alex hit already, Brian
Flores and Mike Tomlin are quite close, and Mike was
there for Brian professionally during let's just say a tricky
time of his career. Uh, they're also finally before the
theory there there was a report I can't remember from home,
but I think it was it was kind of a
(24:33):
heavy hitter that if the Steelers don't make the playoffs,
Mike Tomlin could retire. Mike Tomlin potentially could retire and
get into the TV world where there's a lot of
money to be had. So we're all familiar with that,
right believe I've seen that. Here's the theory. Why would
Mike Tomlin come back? To the Pittsburgh Steelers period, win
(24:56):
or lose against Baltimore, go to the postseason.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
They're not going to the super Bowl. Why would he
come back?
Speaker 1 (25:02):
He doesn't have a quarterback next year unless he wants
to play the Aaron Rodgers game again, and I don't
think that'll happen. So I would not be surprised at
all if Brian floores, if Mike Tomlin retires period, Okay,
win or lose, no matter what Pittsburgh does. Given as
(25:22):
close as Mike and Brian are, and that's fact, and
the level of respect the owners of the Steelers, the
Rooney family have for Mike Tomlin now and everything he's
given over two decades, I fix the race would be
one way to look at it. Mike Tomlin's influence with
(25:43):
the Rooney family is incredibly high. So if he's retiring,
would anybody be surprised if you said to the Rooneys,
look the other way on the lawsuits hired this guy
to replace me?
Speaker 5 (25:56):
And I think the Rooneyes would say yes. So you
think the owner would just listen to whatever Mike Tomlin says, well,
most of it.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
I mean it's not like it's like, hey, this guy
over here is a season tickets for thirty years. Let's
just bring him in, not vet him out. Figure out
it's Mike Tomlin's cachet within that organization, specifically certain members
of the Rooney family who have influence. If he retires,
and I don't understand why he wouldn't, I mean, if
he's thinking about it a little bit, he's going to
(26:25):
be lights out as an analyst on television and he's
going to make a lot of money with a much
more comfortable lifestyle. And he has no quarterback next year.
That's a big part of this equation. No quarterback next year?
Does he want to deal with all the rigamarole with
which he just dealt this offseason. So if Mike Tomlin retires,
(26:46):
period forget losing to Baltimore, just period A, I'm not
going to be surprised at all. B I think he
would get with the Rooney family and say hire that guy.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
Well, what's interesting, because the question with Brian floor is
right now is you look around the league and you're like, Okay,
which head coaching opportunities makes sense for Brian Flores which
would be interested in him, and you have a hard time.
Speaker 5 (27:10):
That all look awful right now.
Speaker 6 (27:12):
Yeah, you have a hard time placing it. They're they're
not great opportunities. And then you're thinking about which type
of owner personality would be willing to mesh with the
Brian Flores personality, and.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
It and hires somebody who has two active lawsuits going
against the NFL.
Speaker 5 (27:26):
No question.
Speaker 6 (27:27):
I said this and the stuff like that, and I
said it, I mean they hired him in the first place.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (27:32):
And I've said, I said this last week that Brian
Flores beyond the lawsuit stuff, he is a like strong personality.
He wants influence, he has major opinions, He's not willing,
he's not afraid to voice them. That's part of what
makes him great is his directness and his honestness, our honesty, honestness.
Speaker 5 (27:51):
But what I would say is, it's not a it's.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Not a crazy theory and it v a lateral move
now am I. It's it's hard somewhere else or defensive
coordinator here feels like a three piece three years and
I mean fat, fat DC money.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
Yeah, you're talking like millions upon millions of dollars to
be the DC. I'm with you in that, I would be.
I cannot imagine he would take a lateral defensive coordinator move.
And I do know that he does want to be
a head coach, And so again it gets you thinking
about what opportunities exist is Las Vegas, his relationship.
Speaker 5 (28:30):
With Tom Brady. Would Tom be willing to do that?
Speaker 6 (28:33):
I mean like that you you you start to go
down the road like the New York Giants.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
He one of the lawsuit.
Speaker 6 (28:39):
One of the lawsuits contains a lot of dynamics with
the New York Giants. It's hard to fathom that if
Arizona fires Jonathan Gannon, is Michael Bidwell their owner gonna
be willing to do Brian Flores another defensive guy, hard
to imagine. So the Pittsburgh one is definitely interesting. And
I would say that Mike Tomlin would deaf be able
(29:01):
to probably pass along some very like specific and important
information of the Rooneyes. But it's also it's hard to
imagine that they would go from the strong minded personality
of Mike Tomlin to the defensive mind and Brian Flores
and and and transition that way, maybe not go younger
and offensive.
Speaker 5 (29:21):
So I don't know, not a bad theory, but.
Speaker 6 (29:23):
I think that's that's the conversation it should be what
head coaching opportunities would exist or do exist for Brian Flores.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Yeah, I just as I've told you, and I talked
a bit about it when on Wednesday when I filled
in for you, I think that Pittsburgh is the spot,
Like that's the one that just makes the most sense
the other opportunities that will exist.
Speaker 5 (29:43):
Right now, only two guys have been fired.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
I believe it's Dayble and then whoever was a Callahan,
maybe that was.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
That was fire and Titans does not happening.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
So then you know, you got Falcons and Raheem Morris,
you you hat speculation, the Dolphins obviously not going to
be an option, and you.
Speaker 5 (29:57):
Mentioned the Giants.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
Was in the Giants the bit where yeah bur Belichick
got the text.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
Yeah, you know, I don't think he's going to the Maras.
So now it's one team and that's it. I think
I think that's it. Anybody would hire him outside of
the room Vegas.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
Well, no, it's I I think how much how important
is is Tom Brady's relationship with Flores. He still has
to operate within the construct of what has typically been
a really disorganized and bad franchise, and the Raiders so, uh,
who's more locked up tight? Who's had three coaches since
nineteen sixty nine? Who's the ownership group that has been
more supportive of head coaches over the course of time.
(30:32):
I mean, you know, you know what are we talking
that the spectrum of support versus like the Wilfs who've
been very supportive and such, but the Ruinees, that's that's
an organization that has shown stability. And he's going to
be asking for a leash. He's going to be asking
for leeway and influence in any organization. And where's the
spot that is most likely to give him that? And
I just going back to twenty twenty two when he
(30:53):
was that special assistant whatever his title was with Tomlin,
that felt like a baton toss at this at that time. Yeah,
and now I think that that only makes more sense
as as Tomlin plays out the string on his on
his career.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
I mean, if that opportunity presented, it was a no
brainer of all no brainers.
Speaker 5 (31:10):
Ever, the no brainer for Brian Flora.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
I just don't know why Tom Loin would come back.
I mean, because if.
Speaker 5 (31:15):
You keep saying this, I I guess I'm.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Following that report that I believe to be accurate that
Mike Tomlin may reach higher and may get into TV,
which means there probably is some TV fat TV deal
that his agent knows is in front of him, and
it then it comes back to, all right, well, who's
my quarterback next year? Do I really want to deal
(31:38):
with this again? Holy cow? Deal with what the Rogers thinking?
Speaker 5 (31:41):
One?
Speaker 6 (31:42):
Okay, sure, if Rogers were to come back, Yes, he's
older and he hasn't been exceptional, but that has been
a yeah, like by all accounts, both publicly and exaculately,
that has been a really good fit between all among
all of those guys.
Speaker 5 (31:55):
So but again, Rogers would be forty three or what
have you.
Speaker 6 (31:58):
It's it's kind of since you're you would be reshuffling
the deck. The thing about Mike Tomlin, you keep you
say retiring TV.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
I don't think that's a long term thing.
Speaker 6 (32:07):
I would say he would go to TV for a
year and then hop right back in kind of like
Vrabel left Tennessee, got fired from Tennessee, spent a year
kind of on the ABYSS.
Speaker 5 (32:17):
Yeah, worked with Cleveland a little bit.
Speaker 6 (32:19):
But like Mike Tomlin, I don't think is done at
all by till early fifties. Yeah, fifty three fifty four
by any means from a like long term career standpoint,
but it definitely makes.
Speaker 5 (32:28):
And I have no steam.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
This is absolutely of my doing, just thinking it out
the last No, it's days and and and I'm thinking
about Tomlin and Pittsburgh in this potential short or long
term retirement being like I mean it it. I think
Rogers is more likely to retire than Tomlin. Yeah, yeah,
I mean Rogers is there you go, So therefore if
(32:50):
that takes place, well then I mean it's like, just
spend the entire offseason looking at this quarterback situation.
Speaker 5 (32:56):
Got to do it again? Kidding man, Yeah, I mean,
but you could.
Speaker 6 (32:59):
You could convince yourself that, you know, if Dante Moore
for Oregon comes out for Dano Mendoza's taken really high.
They're picking in the twenties, and Dante Moore is available,
and we draft a guy like him, You're you're rolling
the dice, obviously.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
But Abs has a thirty million dollar TV deal in
front of.
Speaker 6 (33:16):
Me, no, no doubt, and he's I mean, he's been
there for two decades. It feels like in a lot
of ways, it's kind of run its course. I mean,
he's had an unbelievably successful career and it's I mean,
at least in my opinion, like a really likable guy.
But I don't think long term he has done. That's
that's I'm almost convinced about that.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
Well, on behalf of at least two thirds of the feast,
we really hope Brian Lawes back has not been some
coordinating three thirds.
Speaker 5 (33:41):
I've been. I've enjoyed the heck, got to watch it awesome,
the full cast.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
But see you go to that media room and I
don't so I don't know what happens there when we
even slightly paint you as like, you know, like kind
of a little bit of a band or something.
Speaker 5 (33:54):
You know, right, you got to be objective on hundred percent.
Speaker 6 (33:56):
You're the journalist. Yeah, No, Brian floor has been. It's
been fun to cover him. And when we return.
Speaker 1 (34:02):
Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk dot Com joins the
Friday Football Feast of Buffalo Wild Wings Egan on KFA Hey,
(34:29):
Buffalo Wild Wings Egan Friday Football a very special guest
of ours on the nine to noon radio show, generally
joining on Wednesdays, but it's a Friday this week for
the Friday Football Feast and we're jam packed here at
Buffalo Wild Wings Egan. Can we get a witness and
(34:50):
a raucous round of applause for Mike Florio from Pro
Football Talk dot Com And he's also an author. Ladies
and gentlemen, come on now. Very important to the radio
show and very good at what he does. And he's
also part of NBC's Football Night in America. His newest
book is called Big Shield. You can learn more about
(35:10):
that at pro Footballtalk dot com. And Mike Florio joins us. Now, Michael,
it's Paul Allen, your buddy with Alex Lewis from the
Athletic nor Do, the producer of nine to Now. We're
at the Friday Football Feast. How are things?
Speaker 2 (35:23):
Thanks you great?
Speaker 7 (35:24):
Good morning, gentlemen, Hello everybody there, Happy new year. Let's go.
Let's finish twenty twenty five with a mid straight victory
and hopefully that carries over into the zero and zero
twenty twenty six adventure.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
I'm going to make a proclamation here, not knowing where
your fans come from. I mean, you're based in West Virginia.
Pro Footballtalk dot Com is an international entity because football
is so popular around the world. This young lady off
my right shoulder. Okay, Katie Dempsey, this is Mike Florio's
biggest fan. I mean, and I've known this from the
(35:59):
State Fair for years?
Speaker 5 (36:02):
Is the feast?
Speaker 1 (36:03):
Is Florio coming on? Is Florio coming on? Can you
ask Florio this? Can you ask Florio that? Will he
ever come to the State Fair? Does he really love Mancini's?
Does he really know Johnny Mancini? So, Katie Dempsey, here's
your opportunity say hello to Mike Florio.
Speaker 8 (36:17):
Hi, Mike, how are you?
Speaker 7 (36:19):
Katie? I am great, and thank you so much. It's
good to have fans, especially when I have so few
of them. Paul get her address. I'll send her a
son coffee, a big shield.
Speaker 1 (36:27):
Oh, we got a book out of it. And she
actually and this is a rare opportunity. She has a
question for you. What's your question for Pro Football Talk
dot COM's Mike Florio.
Speaker 8 (36:37):
Okay, first of all, I look at your power rankings
every week. One question, how do you formulate those power rankings?
Speaker 5 (36:45):
And number two?
Speaker 8 (36:47):
Why the Seahawks you have number one? And then one
last one bit, does Christian McCaffrey have any chance at
this year's MVP.
Speaker 5 (36:56):
Oh hey, Katie question.
Speaker 7 (36:58):
It's very good algorithms with many different equations and formulas
that I must have input into the computer. Actually, I
just sit down on Monday night while I'm watching the
Monday night game, I take the prior week's power rankings.
I wipe clean all of the prior comments, I update
the records, I look at where they already are, and
I just go with my gut as to where I
(37:20):
think they currently should be based upon the week that was.
And the Seahawks moved into number one after that thrilling
overtime win against the Rams, and they won their next
game twenty seven ten against the Panthers, so they stayed there.
They moved their way up. It's an homage to the
old APUPI college poll back when they're only twenty teams.
That was the end all be all for figuring out
(37:40):
how the college teams were prioritized. So that's how I
approach it. There is no real magic to it, and
it is something that literally is thrown together at the
end of a weekend of sleep deprivation when I get
home Monday night and I try to get them done
so they're ready to go Tuesday morning, so it is
far less scientific than any other set of power rankings
there as it relates to Christian McCaffrey. I'm stunned that
(38:03):
he's plus fifty thousand to be the MVP because if
the forty nine ers win on Saturday Night and they
capture the number one seed and McCaffrey plays well, now
he needs over one hundred receiving yards to get to
a thousand rushing and one thousand receiving for the second
time in his career. Only two guys have ever done
that once that was Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig. McCaffrey
did it in twenty nineteen. I believe. I don't know
(38:26):
how he's not on the ballots. They go five deep.
I've got one of them. He'll be on my ballot
if they finish with the number one seed, and if
he gets a thousand and a thousand, I don't know
where he's going to land on that ballot, but he
will make an appearance. And that one seed means everything.
That one seed is the bye week, That one seed
is your home until for the forty nine ers the
(38:47):
Super Bowl. If they can keep winning, and he's been
the one constant through all of the injuries and everything
else that's gone on. He's had a great year, and
he takes a pounding each and every week. I see
him laying flat on his back, and I wonder is
he going to be able to get it up. He's
dealing with a back injury.
Speaker 5 (39:01):
Now.
Speaker 7 (39:02):
If they finish the job and get the number one seed,
he deserves more consideration than I think he's gotten. And
we'll see how that plays out.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
All right, as we go with the Friday football Feast
at Buffalo Wild Wings all throughout Minnesota, Mike, these shows
normally have some pepfest to them, but given Sunday is
our final game this season, today, kind of it's kind
of low key a funeral for a friend, given that
it's ending after Sunday, and good morning, what do you
(39:31):
think of the season and what do you think is
coming up next?
Speaker 7 (39:34):
Well, I mean, look, the season was all in all disappointing.
It as a roller coaster. The quarterback situation has complicated
the ability to be competitive. And there's just a few
games here or there, especially that Bears game in mid November.
If that game goes the other way, and who knows
how everything else after that plays out, but the team's
not that far away from being in playoff position. I
(39:56):
have them at number thirteen in the Power rankings, ahead
of at least two two playoff teams, well two playoff teams,
because they're ahead of the Ravens, Steelers, Buccaneers, and Panthers,
and two of those teams are definitely going to go
to the playoffs. The Vikings right now, on that four
game winning streak, and after what they did to the
Lions on Christmas Day, they earn a spot that is
among the best teams in the NFL, or at least
(40:17):
the better teams in the NFL, and back in the
eighties the early nineties, before free agency really changed the
construction of a team year in and year out, finishing
strong like this would really mean a lot. I don't
know what it means for these Vikings because the roster
is always very different from one year to the next,
and that quarterback question still lingers. I know Justin Jefferson
came out yesterday with a very strong support for JJ McCarthy,
(40:41):
which is kind of surprising when you look at Jefferson's
production when McCarthy plays. But who knows what's going to
happen come next year. That's the biggest question that's looming
over this roster. Is it going to be McCarthy unquestioned
with just veteran backup journeyman type number two, number three,
or are they going to bring in somebody who would
be a competitor for JJ McCarthy. Is he going to
(41:02):
have to earn the spot. Is he going to have
to stave off a guy who would be ready to
come in and play at a high level. That's really
the question for twenty twenty six that we'll get a
resolution to, presumably by the middle of March, when the
free agency carousel starts to spin and the Vikings either
do or don't trade for or sign a veteran quarterback
with starting experience.
Speaker 2 (41:23):
Hey, Mike, It'snordo here, and you know whether it's the
McCarthy conversation. One talker that we were mentioned in just
last segment was the future of Brian Flores and the
fact that his contract ends at the conclusion of this season,
and we've heard steam about the idea of potential lateral
moves or the head coaching opportunities, not just the two
that are already there, but maybe others.
Speaker 5 (41:43):
That will pop up in the in the ensuing weeks.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Here, where's your head at in terms of Brian Flores
and what's next between the Purple Flores and maybe another
team in the.
Speaker 5 (41:53):
Mix down the road.
Speaker 7 (41:54):
Well, let me start on the head coaching side, because
that's relevant. Regardless of whether or not the Vikings extend
his contract, He's to leave at any time for a
promotion to another team. I did a deep dive with
a variety of high level types coaches, gms, etc. Just
to get the temperature on what the view is among
his peers. He's widely respected for the scheme. The scheme
(42:15):
is regarded as being good enough to get him interviews.
The question is will those interviews lead to an offer,
and will it be an offer that he'll take. When
you're a head coach who's been fired before, you got
to be even more selective when the window opens the
second time. And I've heard that from coaches who have
had it not work out the first time around. You
don't want to rush into a potentially dysfunctional organization like
(42:38):
the Dolphins have been ever since Stephen Ross bought the
team in two thousand and nine. You'll want to be
careful you'll want to make a good choice, and from
the team's perspective, they're going to want to understand exactly
what happened in Miami. It didn't go well there, it
didn't end well there. There's some of that Belichickian attitude
that can rub people the wrong way. I know they
loved him in Pittsburgh. I don't know that he's universal
(43:00):
loved in the building in Minnesota. Despite the performance of
the defense under his leadership. In Miami, we know how
that went. These are all things the team's going to
have to decide, and one of the realities when a
team hires a new head coach personality wise, they tend
to go for the exact opposite of the guy they
just had. So I would look at the teams that
had kind of a player friendly, nice guy coach and
it didn't work out. Maybe there's a team out there
(43:22):
that thinks we need someone who's going to come in
here and basically give a shock to everyone's system and
get the most out of the talent that we have
on the rosters. So I don't know how that's going
to play out as it relates to his contract. Look,
he's going to be a free agent we rarely see
coaches become free agents. His contract's going to expire, and
the Vikings are either going to work out a deal
to keep him. They tried to do it in the offseason,
(43:43):
he decided to wait. And now we have two different factors.
We have teams that may fire their current defensive coordinators
like the Cowboys and look for someone to bring in
and make their defense better. And then we're going to
have the guys who do become head coaches when they
go in for those interviews. If you can say, all right,
here's my plan, here's I'm going to run the offense
and on defense, I can deliver Brian Flores as my coordinator,
(44:03):
that's going to give that guy a much greater boost
to getting the job more often than not. But that
that is to be determined once we know whether or
not Brian Flores is going to be a serious candidate,
because it puts him in a weird spot to say, hey,
I want to try to get one of these jobs.
Oh and by the way, I've told this candidate that
he can tell prospective teams that are considering him to
(44:24):
be the head coach, I'll be his defensive coordinator.
Speaker 5 (44:27):
Hey, Mike it's Alec Lewis. Believe.
Speaker 6 (44:30):
The other day you wrote kind of a story about
head coaching vacancies, and you had the Vikings in it,
and you wrote, coach Kevin O'Connell is the right leader
for the team. How much leading are they letting him do?
Someone bungled the quarterback decision for twenty twenty five. We've
got a feeling that someone wasn't O'Connell. I'm just curious,
like what you feel like you've heard related to kind
(44:53):
of that subject in its entirety.
Speaker 7 (44:55):
Well, I go back to March when there was a
lot of uncertainty about what was going to happ and
at the quarterback position. I know from the people who
were dealing with the vikings on behalf of the likes
of Sam Darnald and Daniel Jones and JJ McCarthy for
that matter, there was a sense that I picked up
for multiple different people of confusion as to who's making
this call, Who's making this decision as to whether or
(45:16):
not Donald's going to be back, Jones is going to
be back, Aaron Rodgers is going to be the quarterback
for twenty twenty five. JJ McCarthy's going to be the
guy and at the end of the day, it was
resolved to go forward with an unproven commodity on a
playoff caliber team that went fourteen and three a year ago.
Somebody made that decision. And this is the time of
year for ownership of any team that failed to live
(45:37):
up to its potential to do an objective, fair, honest
look at what went wrong the prior year and what
we need to do to make it go right moving forward.
And I think it's as simple and hopefully people went
on the record within the organization and cast their ballot
and raised their hand and said this is what I
think we should do. If I'm the Wilfs, I want
(45:59):
to know who thought this would be a good idea.
Who thought that we should have a veteran quarterback here
as insurance against JJ McCarthy getting injured or to press
JJ McCarthy have somebody ready to go and win games.
I mean, they brought in Carson Wentz right before Labor
Day weekend for crying out loud after the roster's cut.
They brought in Carson Wentz and ended up starting a
bunch of games until he got injured. So my gut
(46:20):
tells me that the quarterback whisperer was advocating. Now, I
don't know this is to be a fact, but my
gut tells me that Kevin O'Connell may have wanted something
different than what he got, And if that's the truth,
I think he needs to emerge from the twenty twenty
five experience with more influence, especially on the quarterback position
for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (46:41):
One thing, Mike, when we talk about it here in
Minnesota is kind of the idea of collaboration and what
that looks like within the construct of an organization. Kwasi
Adolfo Mensa is of course general manager, and then maybe
Brian Flores has certain influence in terms of defensive players
via the draft, via free agency, that diamond in the
the undrafted cat and then offensively, as you mentioned, the
(47:02):
influence of the head coach certainly would have to be
loud in a room that makes a quarterback part of
that conversation. Now, with that said, you know, just again,
based on what you've heard, is there anything unique.
Speaker 5 (47:14):
To that collaboration.
Speaker 2 (47:15):
Does it get too too many cooks in the kitchen,
so to speak, as it retains to the purple. It's
very difficult as an outsider to really gauge that.
Speaker 7 (47:25):
I think collaboration is always important in any organization, a
spirit of collaboration. You don't want somebody walking around saying,
hey I got final say hey, I run the ship.
Hey it's my decision. You want to have input, You
want to take in everyone's opinions, But in the close questions,
in the complicated questions, in the most important decisions that
have many different potential permutations, you need somebody who is
(47:49):
hands on the wheel, steady and has the vision, the
foresight and ultimately makes the right decision. So you need collaboration,
but you ultimately, at the end of the day, need leadership.
In some organizations that comes from ownership. In other organizations
it's the GM. For some it's the head coach. But
I think that it's important to take in everyone's opinion.
It's important that those opinions are fully respected and processed.
(48:12):
Somebody's got to make the decision at the end of
the day. It can't be well, you know we're going
to go two against one or three against five. You
need one person who's making the key decisions. And that's
the balance I think you want to strike between collaboration
and somebody who's fully and completely in charge, with no
one able to question that person's power and influence.
Speaker 1 (48:32):
A couple of nice games tomorrow Carolina and Tampa Bay
for the division title winner in loser out Seattle at
San Francisco. The Niners beat them earlier in the year
at Seattle, and the one seed in the nfcs a's day.
So Sam Darnold Week eighteen road game, one seed at stake,
(48:55):
what possibly could go wrong?
Speaker 5 (48:57):
Mike?
Speaker 7 (48:58):
Well, yeah, I was there last year at ford Field
when what possibly could go wrong did go wrong. It'll
be interesting to see what he's learned from that. I mean,
irony of all ironies. The very next year, with a
new team, he's in the exact same position where he's
on the road against the division rival with the one
seed hanging in the balance. How's he going to perform?
And this time around, he's going against the forty nine
Ers team that he played for for a year before
(49:19):
he signed with the Vikings. So I thought that was
going to be the final game of the season. I
was surprised at first, but once I thought it through,
it made sense that the NFL decided to go raven
Steelers because there's so much drama that will emerge for
the team that loses. You know, whoever loses Tomorrow night
is still in the playoffs. Sunday night, it's go home
and maybe a coaching change and maybe quarterback issues. So
(49:40):
there's a lot of stuff riding on the outcome of
that game. So this is Darnold's opportunity. Hey, and Paul
and that Panthers Bucks game. Common misconception. It's not win
and you're in. If the Bucks win, they got to
sweat out the next day, They got to hope the
Saints beat the Falcons the next day. There's this weird
possibility of a three way tie. So if the Panthers
lose tomorrow to the Buccaneers and the Falcons beat the
(50:04):
Saints on Sunday and the Falcons are favored by three,
you got a three way tie at eight and nine,
and the tiebreaker goes by virtue of round robin head
to head record to the Carolina Panthers. So the Bucks
could lose, could win tomorrow. The Bucks could win tomorrow
and then ultimately lose the division title if the Falcons
beat the Saints on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (50:22):
Yeah, nor to explain that to me Tuesday, I forgot.
Speaker 2 (50:25):
Speaking of the AFC side, who do you have more
faith in, whether it's Vrabel and Drake.
Speaker 5 (50:29):
May and just kind of how that engine's been running.
Speaker 2 (50:32):
And you know, I think as of now Bronco's still
in the one seed or those Broncos and bo Nicks,
both QB's year two, both QBS potentially having the advantage
of playing in front of their home fans throughout the playoffs.
Based on how Sunday shakes out, who do you have
more faith in out of the AFC? Maybe from those
top two with the young QBS.
Speaker 7 (50:50):
Hey, it's going to come down to the one seed.
You know, I don't have the numbers in front of me,
but but when Bill Belichick was with the Patriots and
they had that eighteen year run of just you know,
greatness unparalleled, especially in the salary cap era, they were
oh and three in Denver in the postseason oh and three.
(51:11):
They have not been able to thrive in Denver, whether
it's the altitude, whether it's the crowd, and that crowd
has gotten louder and louder each and every week. So
where that game is played, if and when they cross
paths is going to be critical. And all the Broncos
have to do is beat the Charters and Trey Lance
on Sunday to punch their ticket to the one seed.
But we've seen the Broncos this year just be sluggish.
(51:31):
They were sluggish against the Chiefs with their third string quarterback.
Remember that Thursday night game against the Raiders middle of
the season, when the home fans were booing the performance
that the Broncos had. They I saw a stat the
other day that if you took every one score game
this year and flipped it to the other outcome, the
Broncos would be four and twelve. So it's so I
(51:53):
trust the Broncos that the Broncos are the one seed
and the Patriots have to go there. I trust the
Patriots if they're the one seed in the Bronco have
to go there in the wild card. Over all of this,
Josh Allen gets healthy because I think his foot really
is bothering him. He's doing everything he can to create
the impression it isn't. I think it is. I think
it's one of the reasons he rushed the throw that
he missed the Khalils Shakir to win the game against
the Equals on Sunday. This is a perfect opportunity for
(52:16):
Josh Allen with no Mahomes, no Borrow, maybe no Lamar Jackson,
no excuses. Even if they're the sixth seed. Josh Allen
is good enough to take the Bills into all those
places and get the win. He's got the experience, he's
got the incentive. And that's the guy who I think
is hovering over this whole Bonnick Strake may thing time.
Speaker 5 (52:34):
For two more.
Speaker 1 (52:35):
It's Mike Florio, pro Footballtalk dot Com author most recent
Big Shield Alec.
Speaker 6 (52:41):
That Mike, you mentioned Falcons Saints for Sunday, and I mean,
as someone who covers a team in the league like
the Falcons intrigue me in many ways.
Speaker 5 (52:51):
I just wonder what your.
Speaker 6 (52:53):
Read is on the Kurt situation moving forward, and really
that regime in its entirety, which has had an interesting
year and obviously an interesting run.
Speaker 7 (53:04):
They're in a weird kind of spot, Alec, because they're
not so good that we pay attention to them all
the time, and they're not so bad that they're a
laughing stock where we just assume it's all going to
get blown up. They have shown that they can show
up and play in important spots. They're four and one
at night this year and three and eight in afternoon games.
(53:24):
Think about that, so they can They're capable of having
good performances against good teams in pressure spots, and then
they get you know, they get blown out by the Panthers,
or they lose to the Dolphins in ugly fashion when
the Dolphins were one and six. They got blown out
at home by the Dolphins when they were when the
Dolphins were one and six. So I said this on Tuesday,
the morning after the win over the Rams. They really
(53:47):
need to figure out what exactly is going on in
that organization. Every possible layer and level, every question that
could be asked needs to be answered about how they
can get more out of this team. And the Kirk
situation unbelievable. He's clearly our best option right now, but
they own forty five million next year and he's still upset.
As upset as Kirk is ever going to get about
(54:09):
the fact that forty three days after they gave him
his contract that supposedly had multi year security, they drafted
the guy eighth overall who replaced him at the end
of last season, and now they need him. You think
he's going to give.
Speaker 5 (54:20):
Them a deal.
Speaker 7 (54:20):
Do you think he's going to cut his pay below
forty five million? Nope, So I think he could be
out on the market again. And he's played well enough
down the stretch he's going to get paid again by someone.
It's just a very very strange situation in Atlanta. There
was a report over the weekend from Jay Glazer that
Matt Ryan maybe back in a significant role in the
front office. They got some decisions to make after they
(54:40):
figure out exactly what in the world it is that
has caused this team to be so good at night
and so mediocre or worse by day. And they got
to figure it out because they have They've gone eight
years without a postseason appearance, and they've got some talented players,
and it's time for them to finally get the most
out of the guys they have.
Speaker 1 (55:00):
Lastly, a couple of segments from now, we are going
to identify NFC teams we believe have excellent chances to
get to the Super Bowl.
Speaker 5 (55:09):
Let me let me hit you with this to close.
Speaker 1 (55:12):
How surprised or would you be surprised if the Chicago
Bears went to the Super Bowl.
Speaker 7 (55:19):
I wouldn't be surprised at all, but you know, Sunday
night when they were going toe to toe with the
forty nine ers, and I think that game actually did
more good for them than bad. You take away the
fact that they lost. I think it showed that they
can compete with anyone. When Caleb Williams threw that ball
from midfield that frozen rope to Colston Loveland, there was
(55:43):
just like blink of an eye, like what the hell
just happened? Like there aren't many guys that make that throw.
This guy's got a level of talent and ability that
if it surfaces in the postseason, and you know, I
think about a Joe Burrow. Joe Borrow is a guy
that when he gets to the post season he finds
an extra level of superman that we don't see in
(56:04):
the regular season. We see he's great in the regular season.
In the postseason, he's better than great. I'm gonna be
fascinated to see what Caleb Williams looks like when it's
time to play single elimination football, because he makes some
bad throws from time to time, like the easy throws
will sail it over our guy's head, and then he
makes some of these throws that are just wow, and
(56:25):
it happens so fast you really don't appreciate how impressive
it is. So it would not surprise me if Caleb
Williams when it's say, because everything changes when it goes
single elimination. If he steps up to a higher level
and he's consistent with all the easy stuff, the Bears
very possibly will be playing in Santa Clara again. Possibly well,
not against the forty nine ers again. They may have
to play him again in Santa Clara, but they could
(56:47):
be back in Santa Clara. And wouldn't it be great?
And I know this is a long shot, but wouldn't
it be great if it was Steelers Bears for the
Super Bowl? If Aaron Rodgers got one last shot at
the team he claims to own in the highest possible
both setting with the steakes of all steaks riding on it.
So any Super Bowl combination this year, I think is
going to be fascinating, but that one would be something else.
Speaker 1 (57:10):
Mike, Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks
for the Friday run, Mike Florio, Ladies and gentlemen PF
you know we he all love.
Speaker 5 (57:18):
The website Pro Football Talk dot Com. Thanks Mike, call
you soon, do you guys?
Speaker 7 (57:21):
Have a new Year.
Speaker 1 (57:22):
Happy New Year, Mike Florio, ProFootball Talk dot Com. Second
hour of the nine to noon Friday football Feast of
Buffalo Wild Wings. Egan is in the air and our
fantasy twist to the equation is next
I can't.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Do nothing to say everything.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Hits second and six for the eight and seven Detroit
Lions with Jared Goff working out of the shotgun. Two
receivers left and right. Vikings had the ball first, went
three and out. Here's a blitz on cop.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Down girls GoF Harrison Smith got him.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Harrison Smith got him of the sack. Dallas Turner was
in the mix too.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
He Desmont a game.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
No receivers, three tight ends, one to the left, two
to the right, straight eye on third and goal hand off,
Aaron Jones heads to the left, runs through a Lion
cat stop sho he showtime and Aaron Jones has flowed
the Minnesota Vikings to a six zero lead. J eight
(01:54):
from the twenty eight big blitz Van Ginkle smacks Goff,
who gets it.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Off heavy President interception hit Biron Murphy Junior. Yes, ser
Henny runs on the bounds at the forty eight yard line.
The Minnesota Vikings up turned over the Detroit Lions three times.
Speaker 5 (02:15):
It'll be mon listen you Sam of all those sponsors today.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Yeah, well, there's another interception golf over the middle of
Harrison Smith.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Holy cow, hit man, just go ahead and steal the show.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Look at Harrison Smith celebrated with all these kids. He
has the sec he has an interception and the veteran
fuck get that he's dominating the Detroit Lions.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Kfan and the best cub expanding kfan Vikings Audio network.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Oo mass Baunds. He said it and he dropped it.
Pend of Vikings kept turned over the Lions again.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
All right, it's a trick play and here comes turning
Edison steaming to the party.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
To the party, get into the five close to the
end zone.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Horsey signal to.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Say, whately, sneaky play by the Minnesota.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
Vikingsson likes the Greasino process. Cheese for me, please keep
it a get studia mechanics can never be created. To wait,
they use the prease.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Hey, hey, what's going on everybody? It's alrighty now, Hey,
it's the Friday Football.
Speaker 5 (03:42):
Buffalo wild Wings.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Egan gets the money today for the final Friday football
feast for the Minnesota Vikings twenty twenty five regular season.
Good morning, Uh, this is Jared Wells, Engineer extraordinaire to
my lap. We have Nick Madden over here with his
Greek team. Alec Lewis from the Athletic Nordo from nine
to noon and I'm Paul Allen. We good morning, We
(04:08):
were pretty pretty morning. Pretty safe to say it's I
think it's very safe to say, with the way things
are shaking out for this weekend that the Minnesota Vikings
are going to finish nine and eight, given they are hot.
Green Bay has opted for some Clayton Tune related terrorism.
Good morning, gentlemen, And what do you think of the
(04:30):
border battle? One three one to close festivities? But first,
anybody want a T shirt? Makes some noise, just a
little bit of noise. Now come on, now, what.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
Do you think?
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Mister alec lewis the Athletic Theathletic dot com.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
First of all, what a crowd? I mean, I don't know.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
I was telling Nordo, I call you, yeah, I mean
this is a very good crowded Egan I told Nordo
and I were talking right before. I'm like, this is unbelievable. Well,
it is a holiday, right after a holiday. I didn't
really put that together. Clayton Tune versus Brian flores De
kind of like Nordover's Brian Flora's defense a little bit so.
Quite difficult task ahead for mister Clayton Tune will be
(05:10):
curious who he's throwing to because they're not going to
play a lot of their starters.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
And this Flores.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
Defense has been just exceptional and a joy to watch
now for however many weeks it's been.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
I mean, I you cannot say.
Speaker 6 (05:23):
Enough about just the plans they put together and then
the way to the defenders have kind of taken to
those plans at the back half of the season where
they really have no business giving it as much as
they've given it every single week.
Speaker 5 (05:37):
It's been beyond phenomenal to watch and.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
It is a complete testament to the players and coaches.
And I hope, I mean, whether this is it for
Harrison Smith or not, I hope he can duplicate that
performance from Christmas because it was a blast to watch
him and it was awesome to see the emotion from
he and the crowd throughout that entire game.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And it's a Border Battle weekend, so those here at
the promenade and Egan, they need a ton of excuses
post New Year's to show up, have beers with friends
and root for battering on the border rival. And it
is Clayton Tune season, so that's gonna be ugly from
start to finish on Sunday in the Border Battle.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
But you're right, it's the way.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
This team is finished. And it's again silver linings and
consolation as a team that isn't going to the postseason.
But the masterpiece defense combine combined with certain individual stories,
whether it's the hip Man's, it's the Jalen Redmonds, it's
the Eric Wilsons, the things that we can kind of
take into the offseason and nibble on in terms of
what twenty twenty six may or may not look like.
(06:37):
It's been a blast watching this team win four straight.
Let's just make it five and put a cap on
the twenty twenty five season that way, why not.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy with some finger related terrorism.
He went full in practice yesterday, which means he seems
to have a grip on things.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
That's exciting, isn't it, Alex question you say?
Speaker 6 (06:59):
You keep saying, yeah, is it the finger or is
it the hand?
Speaker 5 (07:04):
Well, it could be both. It's hand related terrorism, is
what it is. No, I mean I.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Don't hand to encompass his fingers, That is true.
Speaker 6 (07:12):
Does that finger that should be in the preposterous statement
tournament hopefully. What I would say is it's it's gonna
be great to watch him hopefully play Sunday and get
one more opportunity before this season ends, and just like
prove and show and and further the progress that he
showed from weeks fourteen to sixteen. You saw accuracy and decisiveness,
(07:34):
and you saw him having fun out there playing football
again and looking probably like the kid and and what
like what he fell in love with the game for.
And I know there's a lot of dynamics, professional level contracts,
future pressure, noise, all of that, but just to see
him go out there and play one more time and
and cap off the progress and provide a little bit
(07:55):
of a closing argument into the offseason, yep.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
I think it'll be enjoyable for me to to to
to get to.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
View Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson yesterday won the
uh the coveted media Cory Stringer Good Guy Award. I
got two Jefferson related questions for you. First, what goes
into the media's a good guy Award?
Speaker 6 (08:18):
Yeah, so for people don't know, Corey Stringer passed away
and he was a phenomenal person like you talked to Kevin,
the Kevin Sefferts, the people who have been here and
done it for a long long time at a really
high level, and they will talk about just the type
of guy that Corey Stringer was. And so every year,
the media, the beat writers who were there every single day,
(08:40):
we vote on a player who we feel like handled
everything with such grace, with honesty, with gratitude, and and
just like was very gracious with their time all year,
and we gave it to Justin Jefferson this year because
of every single week he stood up at the podium,
he's answered questions extreme honestly, He's never been snippy at all.
(09:01):
There was the one time after the game where he
didn't talk and that was a departure from the norm,
which for us, like we are grateful for a guy
of that not just a guy of that level, like
Justin's a superstar and the way he handles the media
is impressive, but just for like any he's approached in
the locker room off to the side, just it was
(09:21):
it was awesome to get to see Dame Mizutani present
that award to him.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
You were their PA, but Justin was appreciative of it.
Speaker 6 (09:29):
Which was just funny to see him like all happy
and smiley about it.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
It's kind of funny.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
After the Cory Stringer the media Cory Stringer Good Guy Award,
Justin did his regular weekly press conference, generally on Thursdays,
and and he he had a quote yesterday and I'm
gonna run and buy you just to see if if
you think there's anything into which we.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
Need to dive or if you can read between the lines.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
And it was Justin Jefferson on JJ McCarthy as the
quarterback next year for the Viking Squall. From a decision
making standpoint, that's not my job, but of course I
would love for him to be the quarterback, especially off
this year. I feel like he needs to show everybody
and prove to everybody that he is that top tier
(10:14):
quarterback end quote. Uh when when when he shared that?
Did you did you read between the lines anything? Or
is it just patent did Justin?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (10:23):
I didn't really read much into it. It is Patton
and Justin. I mean, it is true that the decisions
on the quarterback moving forward are going to be made
by people above his pay grade.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
Now, I am sure ain't nobody in that building above
his pay grade.
Speaker 6 (10:36):
That's no, You're right, that's a good point, is no
from a people who are high, that's I mean, that
was exceptional and really poor by me. The people who
are hired to make those decisions are not Justin Jefferson. Now,
next week, when they have exit meetings and Justin Jefferson
walks into Kevin O'Connor quasi's office, I would expect him
to be much more forward than probably he was within
(10:59):
with the media yesterday. But like I do think Justin
Jefferson really likes JJ, loves the energy, loves the passion,
and he really wants it to work.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Like part part of Hey it's the banker, which means
free drinks on Uncle Jim and everybody here gets in
the first resource bank.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Don't leave home without it.
Speaker 6 (11:18):
No, So I would say I didn't read a ton
into it. And the support that Justin showed Tavvy, that's
that's just the leap. That's a great code. It's a
varsity jacket. Yes, it's what you'd expect for the banker.
But the support he showed JJ McCarthy all year, Justin
Jefferson has been beyond impressive and as a teammate and
(11:38):
a captain and a leader. It's I mean, that's why
you pay a guy that much money. Really well, I.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Think in the end he wants to win, so he
genuinely likes JJ McCarthy and you you need that to
work out, and I think there there can even be
a selfishness.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
You think about the grind.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Of production this year and again, a team that's four
and eight now eight and eight. We're loving the four
win streak, but you're not going one of the playoffs.
He knows what this means if it doesn't work out.
He knows what that process might look like, if you're
going back to the well. I mean, just think about
just from a historical standpoint, early on twenty twenty two,
with this regime, you have Kirk Cousins, you have a
good year. Sadly you're losing at home to the Giants
(12:17):
in the postseason. Done it but the yeah, correct, but
I think the Giants converted some third and fifteen.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
I can't anywhay moving on from that. Sorry, no, it's fine.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
There are a lot of scars as a Vikings fan,
but then twenty twenty three is the carousel. Twenty twenty
four with Darnold, Now this year the trials and tribulation.
So I think as much as anything, good dude wants
team to win. There's a selfish nature to his existence
in some respects, but also selfishly he knows what this
means if twenty twenty six is a problem and beyond
and just kind of the ripple effect of what happens
(12:48):
if if JJ McCarthy does not develop into.
Speaker 5 (12:50):
That guy landing the plane on Justin Jefferson.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Related conversation for now Ben Lieber, sideline analyst, Minnesota Vikings
Audio Network. He told Nordo the other day when I
had a vocal maintenance day, that that it's prudent to
sit Justin Jefferson in this game.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
Now Justin's gonna play. What do we feel about that? Yeah,
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
I mean these guys get you get so few opportunities
to do this in your career. Yeah, and to attain
the standard that Justin has for himself, which is that
I mean at least a thousand yards every year. It's
I don't I mean, if you get the opportunity to
play and you're healthy, to go out and help the quarterback,
to us to put the punctuation on the nine and
eight season like, it's hard to believe that you wouldn't
(13:36):
go out there and play. I get Ben's perspective. Any
serious injury, I'm gonna feel like I probably should have
been more on his side here.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
But well, you need to think about the fans too,
specifically the ones paying paying the money underage, if not
thousands of dollars just to come see Order Battle one
three one That Nordo gets his fourth preseason game a
week late with Clayton too, So I mean people are
paying a lot.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
Of money for that man. If Justin can play, he plays.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Justin's a competitor, like that's this is that that guy
wants to win more.
Speaker 5 (14:05):
Than anything, nord I'd be curious your thoughts. Well, I
just say, look at look at the Raiders.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Okay, the Raiders are a disaster and they're gonna be
picking near the top of the fold.
Speaker 5 (14:14):
And what is a two to three win operation.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
In seven oh two, Max Crosby basically wanted to quit
the team after the after his coaching staff told him
that he wasn't gonna play.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
And now he did have a back injury though.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
But but that's the there's a little bit difference here
because of the injury and protecting. He's I mean injury
laiden career really last couple of years for Max. But
in the same set, like certain individuals on teams, leaders
on teams, we get media good guy awards, and we
ask a lot of Justin Jefferson to tell him week eighteen, Nah, man,
you're just gonna We're gonna take your helmet and take
that opportunity away from you. And that's not even about
(14:48):
what is it fifty three yards that he needs for
a thousand yards on the season.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
You're asking your leader.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
You're asking the guy you've already asked so much of
throughout the season. Now just completely gear down and put
this thing.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
In the offseason. He has to play.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
I think it says a lot that goes into being
a captain exactly.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
And it says a lot about him like that he
you know that he would reject the idea of not
playing in this game and competing and helping like that.
That is that it's nothing about Justin Jefferson's nature, this
guy who, like his whole ethos is loving to play
like a kid and competing like a kid. Like removing
(15:27):
him from Week eighteen when it's one more possibility that
would go against.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
Probably everything that he kind of stands for.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Lastly, for this opening segment of Buffalo Wild Wings egan
for the Final Friday Football. Is this the final game
Jalen Naylor will play with the Minnesota Vikings potend that
have to be an unrestricted free agent potentially, and he's
gonna make a lot of money.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
There are a lot of teams around the league that
know his value, that that watch the tape, that have.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
State athletic does not compensate you for potentially, I'm gonna
say jup, yes, or I.
Speaker 6 (16:01):
Would say the likelihood is very high. The Vikings have
been very like steadfast in Jordan Addison and what they
believe Jordan Adison is and can be still as a
young player, as a young person. And I mean again,
Jalen Naylor is going to probably make somewhere from I
would say like thirteen to eighteen million dollars a year.
(16:23):
It's a sizeable amount of money with what you know,
with what the Vikings have to pay everywhere else. So
that's what I would say. Nordo, I don't.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
Know it's his last game.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
I think he will garner money via free agency, and
I think that he's earned it. Now there is an
aspect of this, like we fall in love with.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Our draft picks. I love what Jalen Naylor has done
for this team, but I love it or like like it.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
I love what he's done for I love what he's
but he's tried to represent in the steads, specifically early
in the season the last two years when we needed
him to show up, you got Addison in the suspension.
A year ago, he had a touchdown a game I
think through the first three when Addison had an ankle,
I think for one of those games, maybe a Niners
game or something.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
And so I love what he's tried to represent the production.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
I like it, yeah, and and but but in terms
of versatility and things moving forward, I just with everything
that we have to do from a roster standpoint in
the offseason as it is to allocate anywhere. If I mean,
if you're throwing thirteen or eighteen million a year, good
for Jalen and best of luck in future endeavors with
with his ex team.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
But but think about Alex's latest report. If you need
to find money for Joe Burrow, well, I mean you can't.
You you have to look at I'm gonna picked you.
That wasn't your report.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
I didn't say that.
Speaker 6 (17:36):
No, But the funny thing is you said I get
I get compensated, not to say potentially like it's I'm
not the funny thing about sports writers. I guess I
could act like I have all I know, like I
don't know.
Speaker 5 (17:47):
I know that Jalen Naylor and.
Speaker 6 (17:48):
The Vikings from someone close to Jalen nailor like, have
not talked about an extension. That's what I know, and
so at that point it would lead me to believe.
But I you know, there's no certainty with anything, just
like you know there's there's moves that can be made,
there's trades that can be made.
Speaker 5 (18:04):
And no, I'm not reporting the Joe Burrow thing because.
Speaker 6 (18:06):
Why would Cincinnati give up their entire franchise?
Speaker 5 (18:09):
I don't really know.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
That's Alex Lewis with the Athletic in the Athletic dot
Com each and every week when he joins the Friday
Football Feast, we thank Steve's Appliances and Steve's Appliances dot
Com for the aid with that. During the twenty twenty
five season, we have a we have a segment coming
up a little later that will tie some teams in
the NFC to Steve's appliances related appliances, So that'll take
(18:34):
place in the second hour. Also by a show of hands,
has anybody been to US Bank Stadium for a Minnesota
Vikings game? Okay, so therefore you recognize the vox of
all voxes ever to vox, Alan Roach, the voice of
US Bank Stadium, Ladies and gentlemen, your Minnesota Vikings That
(18:58):
that's that's about a six out of ten Alan Roach impression.
But you know who he is, thought it was good.
He'll be here today at eleven o'clock. Big voice, Alan
Roach here at eleven He's the voice of US Bank Stadium,
ABS games at Ball Arena, Super Bowls, and just so
much more.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
Nice of the box to stop by today.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
That's part of the timber Tech What's on Deck set list,
which also includes a one phone interview that'll be Mike
Florio from Pro Football Talk dot com. Twenty twenty five
minutes from now, we have a fantasy segment at ten
o'clock called IHOP where charities as of now are benefiting
fifteen thousand dollars thanks in large part of Fantasycares dot Org.
(19:40):
And when we return I have a Brian Flores related theory.
I want to bounce off the other two and see
what they think. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, Happy New
Year from KFAM and the nine to noon radio show.
Alex Lewis, Noordo. I'm Paul Allen. This is the Friday
Football Feast.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
On k A.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Feasting feasting at Buffalo Wild Wings egan for the final
football feast for the twenty twenty five Minnesota Viking season.
It's been great to have Alec, Lewis and Nordo joined
the feast this year for the first time. Those of
you who listen to the Friday Football Feast KF a
M but specifically the Friday Football Feast, stumping around of
(20:55):
applause for my guys Alec and Nordo stepping in this
year for the first time and doing great, great work.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
Thanks for having us, no problem. It smells amazing here
by the way, basically right, I mean the the whatever
wings dry rub. I'm smelling some amazing go on. It's unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
Okay, let me let me hit you with this, all right,
And I'm kind of I'm wrapping myself up a little
bit with this.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
The theory Okay.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Now, so Brian Flores as defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings,
his contract ends at the end of the season, that
would be correct. Okay, reports are and I believe you're
part of it that into the season the Vikings tried
to a B flow, let's get twenty six, twenty seven,
twenty nine whatever together, and then he he may have
(21:46):
been I'm gonna chill first second, Let's do this season
to see what happens.
Speaker 5 (21:50):
Right. You think that's fair in some ways, yeah, yeah,
in some ways. What I would say is.
Speaker 6 (21:57):
I think all parties involved were curious to see how
this season played out.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Okay, at the end of his run with the Miami Dolphins,
it ended quite tumultuously with the owner, Stephen Ross, and
their lawsuits and things like that.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
So all of that is accurate, right, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (22:18):
I mean it's interesting you go back and look at
Brian Flora's records in Miami. Yeah, Like the team was
fairly capable at times. I mean times, it's interesting to
go back and look at it.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
So in twenty twenty one, he had a buffer landing
spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers as Mike Tomlin's basic defensive
right hand man.
Speaker 6 (22:39):
Correct this kind of he was like a linebackers coach,
kind of like creative voice in the room, a little
kit he and tell him I have a great relationship.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
And he starts here in twenty twenty three. So we've
had three seasons with Brian Flores. This one absolutely has
been the best. I mean the way certain players are
being covered up who haven't played as many snaps as
they played.
Speaker 5 (23:01):
I mean Flores.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
He's ballyhooed, super well respected around the league, and his
contracts also up, so he's kind of the would you
say he is the A.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Topic initially into the offseason.
Speaker 6 (23:15):
I mean yes, in terms of like the short term,
the quarterbacks the biggest conversation obviously and what it's going
to look like for twenty twenty six, But.
Speaker 5 (23:23):
The initial A topic is what happens with this man?
Speaker 6 (23:26):
Yes, Brian Flores in the job he's done. I mean
I've said this many times. They have not drafted a
full time defensive starter since twenty twenty one, and he
has done this without a ton of impact via the draft.
It's been a lot of free agent signings that he
has had major influence on, and he took a defense
(23:48):
in twenty twenty two that was poor, to put it
very nicely, Yeah, and really just transformed it from the
get go. And they've been really good. They've evolved, they've adapted,
they've created. I mean, it's gotten better, it's been it's
been really impressive in the major regard. And he's not
just like a Sunday play caller. It's not just scheme.
It's identity, it's personnel, influence, its evaluation, it's it's you're
(24:12):
getting like a really.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Full package with them next layer Alex hit already, Brian
Flores and Mike Tomlin are quite close, and Mike was
there for Brian professionally during let's just say a tricky
time of his career. Uh, they're also finally before the
theory there there was a report I can't remember from home,
but I think it was it was kind of a
(24:33):
heavy hitter that if the Steelers don't make the playoffs,
Mike Tomlin could retire. Mike Tomlin potentially could retire and
get into the TV world where there's a lot of
money to be had. So we're all familiar with that,
right believe I've seen that. Here's the theory. Why would
Mike Tomlin come back? To the Pittsburgh Steelers period, win
(24:56):
or lose against Baltimore, go to the postseason.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
They're not going to the super Bowl. Why would he
come back?
Speaker 1 (25:02):
He doesn't have a quarterback next year unless he wants
to play the Aaron Rodgers game again, and I don't
think that'll happen. So I would not be surprised at
all if Brian floores, if Mike Tomlin retires period, Okay,
win or lose, no matter what Pittsburgh does. Given as
(25:22):
close as Mike and Brian are, and that's fact, and
the level of respect the owners of the Steelers, the
Rooney family have for Mike Tomlin now and everything he's
given over two decades, I fix the race would be
one way to look at it. Mike Tomlin's influence with
(25:43):
the Rooney family is incredibly high. So if he's retiring,
would anybody be surprised if you said to the Rooneys,
look the other way on the lawsuits hired this guy
to replace me?
Speaker 5 (25:56):
And I think the Rooneyes would say yes. So you
think the owner would just listen to whatever Mike Tomlin says, well,
most of it.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
I mean it's not like it's like, hey, this guy
over here is a season tickets for thirty years. Let's
just bring him in, not vet him out. Figure out
it's Mike Tomlin's cachet within that organization, specifically certain members
of the Rooney family who have influence. If he retires,
and I don't understand why he wouldn't, I mean, if
he's thinking about it a little bit, he's going to
(26:25):
be lights out as an analyst on television and he's
going to make a lot of money with a much
more comfortable lifestyle. And he has no quarterback next year.
That's a big part of this equation. No quarterback next year?
Does he want to deal with all the rigamarole with
which he just dealt this offseason. So if Mike Tomlin retires,
(26:46):
period forget losing to Baltimore, just period A, I'm not
going to be surprised at all. B I think he
would get with the Rooney family and say hire that guy.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
Well, what's interesting, because the question with Brian floor is
right now is you look around the league and you're like, Okay,
which head coaching opportunities makes sense for Brian Flores which
would be interested in him, and you have a hard time.
Speaker 5 (27:10):
That all look awful right now.
Speaker 6 (27:12):
Yeah, you have a hard time placing it. They're they're
not great opportunities. And then you're thinking about which type
of owner personality would be willing to mesh with the
Brian Flores personality, and.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
It and hires somebody who has two active lawsuits going
against the NFL.
Speaker 5 (27:26):
No question.
Speaker 6 (27:27):
I said this and the stuff like that, and I
said it, I mean they hired him in the first place.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (27:32):
And I've said, I said this last week that Brian
Flores beyond the lawsuit stuff, he is a like strong personality.
He wants influence, he has major opinions, He's not willing,
he's not afraid to voice them. That's part of what
makes him great is his directness and his honestness, our honesty, honestness.
Speaker 5 (27:51):
But what I would say is, it's not a it's.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Not a crazy theory and it v a lateral move
now am I. It's it's hard somewhere else or defensive
coordinator here feels like a three piece three years and
I mean fat, fat DC money.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
Yeah, you're talking like millions upon millions of dollars to
be the DC. I'm with you in that, I would be.
I cannot imagine he would take a lateral defensive coordinator move.
And I do know that he does want to be
a head coach, And so again it gets you thinking
about what opportunities exist is Las Vegas, his relationship.
Speaker 5 (28:30):
With Tom Brady. Would Tom be willing to do that?
Speaker 6 (28:33):
I mean like that you you you start to go
down the road like the New York Giants.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
He one of the lawsuit.
Speaker 6 (28:39):
One of the lawsuits contains a lot of dynamics with
the New York Giants. It's hard to fathom that if
Arizona fires Jonathan Gannon, is Michael Bidwell their owner gonna
be willing to do Brian Flores another defensive guy, hard
to imagine. So the Pittsburgh one is definitely interesting. And
I would say that Mike Tomlin would deaf be able
(29:01):
to probably pass along some very like specific and important
information of the Rooneyes. But it's also it's hard to
imagine that they would go from the strong minded personality
of Mike Tomlin to the defensive mind and Brian Flores
and and and transition that way, maybe not go younger
and offensive.
Speaker 5 (29:21):
So I don't know, not a bad theory, but.
Speaker 6 (29:23):
I think that's that's the conversation it should be what
head coaching opportunities would exist or do exist for Brian Flores.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Yeah, I just as I've told you, and I talked
a bit about it when on Wednesday when I filled
in for you, I think that Pittsburgh is the spot,
Like that's the one that just makes the most sense
the other opportunities that will exist.
Speaker 5 (29:43):
Right now, only two guys have been fired.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
I believe it's Dayble and then whoever was a Callahan,
maybe that was.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
That was fire and Titans does not happening.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
So then you know, you got Falcons and Raheem Morris,
you you hat speculation, the Dolphins obviously not going to
be an option, and you.
Speaker 5 (29:57):
Mentioned the Giants.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
Was in the Giants the bit where yeah bur Belichick
got the text.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
Yeah, you know, I don't think he's going to the Maras.
So now it's one team and that's it. I think
I think that's it. Anybody would hire him outside of
the room Vegas.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
Well, no, it's I I think how much how important
is is Tom Brady's relationship with Flores. He still has
to operate within the construct of what has typically been
a really disorganized and bad franchise, and the Raiders so, uh,
who's more locked up tight? Who's had three coaches since
nineteen sixty nine? Who's the ownership group that has been
more supportive of head coaches over the course of time.
(30:32):
I mean, you know, you know what are we talking
that the spectrum of support versus like the Wilfs who've
been very supportive and such, but the Ruinees, that's that's
an organization that has shown stability. And he's going to
be asking for a leash. He's going to be asking
for leeway and influence in any organization. And where's the
spot that is most likely to give him that? And
I just going back to twenty twenty two when he
(30:53):
was that special assistant whatever his title was with Tomlin,
that felt like a baton toss at this at that time. Yeah,
and now I think that that only makes more sense
as as Tomlin plays out the string on his on
his career.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
I mean, if that opportunity presented, it was a no
brainer of all no brainers.
Speaker 5 (31:10):
Ever, the no brainer for Brian Flora.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
I just don't know why Tom Loin would come back.
I mean, because if.
Speaker 5 (31:15):
You keep saying this, I I guess I'm.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Following that report that I believe to be accurate that
Mike Tomlin may reach higher and may get into TV,
which means there probably is some TV fat TV deal
that his agent knows is in front of him, and
it then it comes back to, all right, well, who's
my quarterback next year? Do I really want to deal
(31:38):
with this again? Holy cow? Deal with what the Rogers thinking?
Speaker 5 (31:41):
One?
Speaker 6 (31:42):
Okay, sure, if Rogers were to come back, Yes, he's
older and he hasn't been exceptional, but that has been
a yeah, like by all accounts, both publicly and exaculately,
that has been a really good fit between all among
all of those guys.
Speaker 5 (31:55):
So but again, Rogers would be forty three or what
have you.
Speaker 6 (31:58):
It's it's kind of since you're you would be reshuffling
the deck. The thing about Mike Tomlin, you keep you
say retiring TV.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
I don't think that's a long term thing.
Speaker 6 (32:07):
I would say he would go to TV for a
year and then hop right back in kind of like
Vrabel left Tennessee, got fired from Tennessee, spent a year
kind of on the ABYSS.
Speaker 5 (32:17):
Yeah, worked with Cleveland a little bit.
Speaker 6 (32:19):
But like Mike Tomlin, I don't think is done at
all by till early fifties. Yeah, fifty three fifty four
by any means from a like long term career standpoint,
but it definitely makes.
Speaker 5 (32:28):
And I have no steam.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
This is absolutely of my doing, just thinking it out
the last No, it's days and and and I'm thinking
about Tomlin and Pittsburgh in this potential short or long
term retirement being like I mean it it. I think
Rogers is more likely to retire than Tomlin. Yeah, yeah,
I mean Rogers is there you go, So therefore if
(32:50):
that takes place, well then I mean it's like, just
spend the entire offseason looking at this quarterback situation.
Speaker 5 (32:56):
Got to do it again? Kidding man, Yeah, I mean,
but you could.
Speaker 6 (32:59):
You could convince yourself that, you know, if Dante Moore
for Oregon comes out for Dano Mendoza's taken really high.
They're picking in the twenties, and Dante Moore is available,
and we draft a guy like him, You're you're rolling
the dice, obviously.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
But Abs has a thirty million dollar TV deal in
front of.
Speaker 6 (33:16):
Me, no, no doubt, and he's I mean, he's been
there for two decades. It feels like in a lot
of ways, it's kind of run its course. I mean,
he's had an unbelievably successful career and it's I mean,
at least in my opinion, like a really likable guy.
But I don't think long term he has done. That's
that's I'm almost convinced about that.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
Well, on behalf of at least two thirds of the feast,
we really hope Brian Lawes back has not been some
coordinating three thirds.
Speaker 5 (33:41):
I've been. I've enjoyed the heck, got to watch it awesome,
the full cast.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
But see you go to that media room and I
don't so I don't know what happens there when we
even slightly paint you as like, you know, like kind
of a little bit of a band or something.
Speaker 5 (33:54):
You know, right, you got to be objective on hundred percent.
Speaker 6 (33:56):
You're the journalist. Yeah, No, Brian floor has been. It's
been fun to cover him. And when we return.
Speaker 1 (34:02):
Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk dot Com joins the
Friday Football Feast of Buffalo Wild Wings Egan on KFA Hey,
(34:29):
Buffalo Wild Wings Egan Friday Football a very special guest
of ours on the nine to noon radio show, generally
joining on Wednesdays, but it's a Friday this week for
the Friday Football Feast and we're jam packed here at
Buffalo Wild Wings Egan. Can we get a witness and
(34:50):
a raucous round of applause for Mike Florio from Pro
Football Talk dot Com And he's also an author. Ladies
and gentlemen, come on now. Very important to the radio
show and very good at what he does. And he's
also part of NBC's Football Night in America. His newest
book is called Big Shield. You can learn more about
(35:10):
that at pro Footballtalk dot com. And Mike Florio joins us. Now, Michael,
it's Paul Allen, your buddy with Alex Lewis from the
Athletic nor Do, the producer of nine to Now. We're
at the Friday Football Feast. How are things?
Speaker 2 (35:23):
Thanks you great?
Speaker 7 (35:24):
Good morning, gentlemen, Hello everybody there, Happy new year. Let's go.
Let's finish twenty twenty five with a mid straight victory
and hopefully that carries over into the zero and zero
twenty twenty six adventure.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
I'm going to make a proclamation here, not knowing where
your fans come from. I mean, you're based in West Virginia.
Pro Footballtalk dot Com is an international entity because football
is so popular around the world. This young lady off
my right shoulder. Okay, Katie Dempsey, this is Mike Florio's
biggest fan. I mean, and I've known this from the
(35:59):
State Fair for years?
Speaker 5 (36:02):
Is the feast?
Speaker 1 (36:03):
Is Florio coming on? Is Florio coming on? Can you
ask Florio this? Can you ask Florio that? Will he
ever come to the State Fair? Does he really love Mancini's?
Does he really know Johnny Mancini? So, Katie Dempsey, here's
your opportunity say hello to Mike Florio.
Speaker 8 (36:17):
Hi, Mike, how are you?
Speaker 7 (36:19):
Katie? I am great, and thank you so much. It's
good to have fans, especially when I have so few
of them. Paul get her address. I'll send her a
son coffee, a big shield.
Speaker 1 (36:27):
Oh, we got a book out of it. And she
actually and this is a rare opportunity. She has a
question for you. What's your question for Pro Football Talk
dot COM's Mike Florio.
Speaker 8 (36:37):
Okay, first of all, I look at your power rankings
every week. One question, how do you formulate those power rankings?
Speaker 5 (36:45):
And number two?
Speaker 8 (36:47):
Why the Seahawks you have number one? And then one
last one bit, does Christian McCaffrey have any chance at
this year's MVP.
Speaker 5 (36:56):
Oh hey, Katie question.
Speaker 7 (36:58):
It's very good algorithms with many different equations and formulas
that I must have input into the computer. Actually, I
just sit down on Monday night while I'm watching the
Monday night game, I take the prior week's power rankings.
I wipe clean all of the prior comments, I update
the records, I look at where they already are, and
I just go with my gut as to where I
(37:20):
think they currently should be based upon the week that was.
And the Seahawks moved into number one after that thrilling
overtime win against the Rams, and they won their next
game twenty seven ten against the Panthers, so they stayed there.
They moved their way up. It's an homage to the
old APUPI college poll back when they're only twenty teams.
That was the end all be all for figuring out
(37:40):
how the college teams were prioritized. So that's how I
approach it. There is no real magic to it, and
it is something that literally is thrown together at the
end of a weekend of sleep deprivation when I get
home Monday night and I try to get them done
so they're ready to go Tuesday morning, so it is
far less scientific than any other set of power rankings
there as it relates to Christian McCaffrey. I'm stunned that
(38:03):
he's plus fifty thousand to be the MVP because if
the forty nine ers win on Saturday Night and they
capture the number one seed and McCaffrey plays well, now
he needs over one hundred receiving yards to get to
a thousand rushing and one thousand receiving for the second
time in his career. Only two guys have ever done
that once that was Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig. McCaffrey
did it in twenty nineteen. I believe. I don't know
(38:26):
how he's not on the ballots. They go five deep.
I've got one of them. He'll be on my ballot
if they finish with the number one seed, and if
he gets a thousand and a thousand, I don't know
where he's going to land on that ballot, but he
will make an appearance. And that one seed means everything.
That one seed is the bye week, That one seed
is your home until for the forty nine ers the
(38:47):
Super Bowl. If they can keep winning, and he's been
the one constant through all of the injuries and everything
else that's gone on. He's had a great year, and
he takes a pounding each and every week. I see
him laying flat on his back, and I wonder is
he going to be able to get it up. He's
dealing with a back injury.
Speaker 5 (39:01):
Now.
Speaker 7 (39:02):
If they finish the job and get the number one seed,
he deserves more consideration than I think he's gotten. And
we'll see how that plays out.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
All right, as we go with the Friday football Feast
at Buffalo Wild Wings all throughout Minnesota, Mike, these shows
normally have some pepfest to them, but given Sunday is
our final game this season, today, kind of it's kind
of low key a funeral for a friend, given that
it's ending after Sunday, and good morning, what do you
(39:31):
think of the season and what do you think is
coming up next?
Speaker 7 (39:34):
Well, I mean, look, the season was all in all disappointing.
It as a roller coaster. The quarterback situation has complicated
the ability to be competitive. And there's just a few
games here or there, especially that Bears game in mid November.
If that game goes the other way, and who knows
how everything else after that plays out, but the team's
not that far away from being in playoff position. I
(39:56):
have them at number thirteen in the Power rankings, ahead
of at least two two playoff teams, well two playoff teams,
because they're ahead of the Ravens, Steelers, Buccaneers, and Panthers,
and two of those teams are definitely going to go
to the playoffs. The Vikings right now, on that four
game winning streak, and after what they did to the
Lions on Christmas Day, they earn a spot that is
among the best teams in the NFL, or at least
(40:17):
the better teams in the NFL, and back in the
eighties the early nineties, before free agency really changed the
construction of a team year in and year out, finishing
strong like this would really mean a lot. I don't
know what it means for these Vikings because the roster
is always very different from one year to the next,
and that quarterback question still lingers. I know Justin Jefferson
came out yesterday with a very strong support for JJ McCarthy,
(40:41):
which is kind of surprising when you look at Jefferson's
production when McCarthy plays. But who knows what's going to
happen come next year. That's the biggest question that's looming
over this roster. Is it going to be McCarthy unquestioned
with just veteran backup journeyman type number two, number three,
or are they going to bring in somebody who would
be a competitor for JJ McCarthy. Is he going to
(41:02):
have to earn the spot. Is he going to have
to stave off a guy who would be ready to
come in and play at a high level. That's really
the question for twenty twenty six that we'll get a
resolution to, presumably by the middle of March, when the
free agency carousel starts to spin and the Vikings either
do or don't trade for or sign a veteran quarterback
with starting experience.
Speaker 2 (41:23):
Hey, Mike, It'snordo here, and you know whether it's the
McCarthy conversation. One talker that we were mentioned in just
last segment was the future of Brian Flores and the
fact that his contract ends at the conclusion of this season,
and we've heard steam about the idea of potential lateral
moves or the head coaching opportunities, not just the two
that are already there, but maybe others.
Speaker 5 (41:43):
That will pop up in the in the ensuing weeks.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Here, where's your head at in terms of Brian Flores
and what's next between the Purple Flores and maybe another
team in the.
Speaker 5 (41:53):
Mix down the road.
Speaker 7 (41:54):
Well, let me start on the head coaching side, because
that's relevant. Regardless of whether or not the Vikings extend
his contract, He's to leave at any time for a
promotion to another team. I did a deep dive with
a variety of high level types coaches, gms, etc. Just
to get the temperature on what the view is among
his peers. He's widely respected for the scheme. The scheme
(42:15):
is regarded as being good enough to get him interviews.
The question is will those interviews lead to an offer,
and will it be an offer that he'll take. When
you're a head coach who's been fired before, you got
to be even more selective when the window opens the
second time. And I've heard that from coaches who have
had it not work out the first time around. You
don't want to rush into a potentially dysfunctional organization like
(42:38):
the Dolphins have been ever since Stephen Ross bought the
team in two thousand and nine. You'll want to be
careful you'll want to make a good choice, and from
the team's perspective, they're going to want to understand exactly
what happened in Miami. It didn't go well there, it
didn't end well there. There's some of that Belichickian attitude
that can rub people the wrong way. I know they
loved him in Pittsburgh. I don't know that he's universal
(43:00):
loved in the building in Minnesota. Despite the performance of
the defense under his leadership. In Miami, we know how
that went. These are all things the team's going to
have to decide, and one of the realities when a
team hires a new head coach personality wise, they tend
to go for the exact opposite of the guy they
just had. So I would look at the teams that
had kind of a player friendly, nice guy coach and
it didn't work out. Maybe there's a team out there
(43:22):
that thinks we need someone who's going to come in
here and basically give a shock to everyone's system and
get the most out of the talent that we have
on the rosters. So I don't know how that's going
to play out as it relates to his contract. Look,
he's going to be a free agent we rarely see
coaches become free agents. His contract's going to expire, and
the Vikings are either going to work out a deal
to keep him. They tried to do it in the offseason,
(43:43):
he decided to wait. And now we have two different factors.
We have teams that may fire their current defensive coordinators
like the Cowboys and look for someone to bring in
and make their defense better. And then we're going to
have the guys who do become head coaches when they
go in for those interviews. If you can say, all right,
here's my plan, here's I'm going to run the offense
and on defense, I can deliver Brian Flores as my coordinator,
(44:03):
that's going to give that guy a much greater boost
to getting the job more often than not. But that
that is to be determined once we know whether or
not Brian Flores is going to be a serious candidate,
because it puts him in a weird spot to say, hey,
I want to try to get one of these jobs.
Oh and by the way, I've told this candidate that
he can tell prospective teams that are considering him to
(44:24):
be the head coach, I'll be his defensive coordinator.
Speaker 5 (44:27):
Hey, Mike it's Alec Lewis. Believe.
Speaker 6 (44:30):
The other day you wrote kind of a story about
head coaching vacancies, and you had the Vikings in it,
and you wrote, coach Kevin O'Connell is the right leader
for the team. How much leading are they letting him do?
Someone bungled the quarterback decision for twenty twenty five. We've
got a feeling that someone wasn't O'Connell. I'm just curious,
like what you feel like you've heard related to kind
(44:53):
of that subject in its entirety.
Speaker 7 (44:55):
Well, I go back to March when there was a
lot of uncertainty about what was going to happ and
at the quarterback position. I know from the people who
were dealing with the vikings on behalf of the likes
of Sam Darnald and Daniel Jones and JJ McCarthy for
that matter, there was a sense that I picked up
for multiple different people of confusion as to who's making
this call, Who's making this decision as to whether or
(45:16):
not Donald's going to be back, Jones is going to
be back, Aaron Rodgers is going to be the quarterback
for twenty twenty five. JJ McCarthy's going to be the
guy and at the end of the day, it was
resolved to go forward with an unproven commodity on a
playoff caliber team that went fourteen and three a year ago.
Somebody made that decision. And this is the time of
year for ownership of any team that failed to live
(45:37):
up to its potential to do an objective, fair, honest
look at what went wrong the prior year and what
we need to do to make it go right moving forward.
And I think it's as simple and hopefully people went
on the record within the organization and cast their ballot
and raised their hand and said this is what I
think we should do. If I'm the Wilfs, I want
(45:59):
to know who thought this would be a good idea.
Who thought that we should have a veteran quarterback here
as insurance against JJ McCarthy getting injured or to press
JJ McCarthy have somebody ready to go and win games.
I mean, they brought in Carson Wentz right before Labor
Day weekend for crying out loud after the roster's cut.
They brought in Carson Wentz and ended up starting a
bunch of games until he got injured. So my gut
(46:20):
tells me that the quarterback whisperer was advocating. Now, I
don't know this is to be a fact, but my
gut tells me that Kevin O'Connell may have wanted something
different than what he got, And if that's the truth,
I think he needs to emerge from the twenty twenty
five experience with more influence, especially on the quarterback position
for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (46:41):
One thing, Mike, when we talk about it here in
Minnesota is kind of the idea of collaboration and what
that looks like within the construct of an organization. Kwasi
Adolfo Mensa is of course general manager, and then maybe
Brian Flores has certain influence in terms of defensive players
via the draft, via free agency, that diamond in the
the undrafted cat and then offensively, as you mentioned, the
(47:02):
influence of the head coach certainly would have to be
loud in a room that makes a quarterback part of
that conversation. Now, with that said, you know, just again,
based on what you've heard, is there anything unique.
Speaker 5 (47:14):
To that collaboration.
Speaker 2 (47:15):
Does it get too too many cooks in the kitchen,
so to speak, as it retains to the purple. It's
very difficult as an outsider to really gauge that.
Speaker 7 (47:25):
I think collaboration is always important in any organization, a
spirit of collaboration. You don't want somebody walking around saying,
hey I got final say hey, I run the ship.
Hey it's my decision. You want to have input, You
want to take in everyone's opinions, But in the close questions,
in the complicated questions, in the most important decisions that
have many different potential permutations, you need somebody who is
(47:49):
hands on the wheel, steady and has the vision, the
foresight and ultimately makes the right decision. So you need collaboration,
but you ultimately, at the end of the day, need leadership.
In some organizations that comes from ownership. In other organizations
it's the GM. For some it's the head coach. But
I think that it's important to take in everyone's opinion.
It's important that those opinions are fully respected and processed.
(48:12):
Somebody's got to make the decision at the end of
the day. It can't be well, you know we're going
to go two against one or three against five. You
need one person who's making the key decisions. And that's
the balance I think you want to strike between collaboration
and somebody who's fully and completely in charge, with no
one able to question that person's power and influence.
Speaker 1 (48:32):
A couple of nice games tomorrow Carolina and Tampa Bay
for the division title winner in loser out Seattle at
San Francisco. The Niners beat them earlier in the year
at Seattle, and the one seed in the nfcs a's day.
So Sam Darnold Week eighteen road game, one seed at stake,
(48:55):
what possibly could go wrong?
Speaker 5 (48:57):
Mike?
Speaker 7 (48:58):
Well, yeah, I was there last year at ford Field
when what possibly could go wrong did go wrong. It'll
be interesting to see what he's learned from that. I mean,
irony of all ironies. The very next year, with a
new team, he's in the exact same position where he's
on the road against the division rival with the one
seed hanging in the balance. How's he going to perform?
And this time around, he's going against the forty nine
Ers team that he played for for a year before
(49:19):
he signed with the Vikings. So I thought that was
going to be the final game of the season. I
was surprised at first, but once I thought it through,
it made sense that the NFL decided to go raven
Steelers because there's so much drama that will emerge for
the team that loses. You know, whoever loses Tomorrow night
is still in the playoffs. Sunday night, it's go home
and maybe a coaching change and maybe quarterback issues. So
(49:40):
there's a lot of stuff riding on the outcome of
that game. So this is Darnold's opportunity. Hey, and Paul
and that Panthers Bucks game. Common misconception. It's not win
and you're in. If the Bucks win, they got to
sweat out the next day, They got to hope the
Saints beat the Falcons the next day. There's this weird
possibility of a three way tie. So if the Panthers
lose tomorrow to the Buccaneers and the Falcons beat the
(50:04):
Saints on Sunday and the Falcons are favored by three,
you got a three way tie at eight and nine,
and the tiebreaker goes by virtue of round robin head
to head record to the Carolina Panthers. So the Bucks
could lose, could win tomorrow. The Bucks could win tomorrow
and then ultimately lose the division title if the Falcons
beat the Saints on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (50:22):
Yeah, nor to explain that to me Tuesday, I forgot.
Speaker 2 (50:25):
Speaking of the AFC side, who do you have more
faith in, whether it's Vrabel and Drake.
Speaker 5 (50:29):
May and just kind of how that engine's been running.
Speaker 2 (50:32):
And you know, I think as of now Bronco's still
in the one seed or those Broncos and bo Nicks,
both QB's year two, both QBS potentially having the advantage
of playing in front of their home fans throughout the playoffs.
Based on how Sunday shakes out, who do you have
more faith in out of the AFC? Maybe from those
top two with the young QBS.
Speaker 7 (50:50):
Hey, it's going to come down to the one seed.
You know, I don't have the numbers in front of me,
but but when Bill Belichick was with the Patriots and
they had that eighteen year run of just you know,
greatness unparalleled, especially in the salary cap era, they were
oh and three in Denver in the postseason oh and three.
(51:11):
They have not been able to thrive in Denver, whether
it's the altitude, whether it's the crowd, and that crowd
has gotten louder and louder each and every week. So
where that game is played, if and when they cross
paths is going to be critical. And all the Broncos
have to do is beat the Charters and Trey Lance
on Sunday to punch their ticket to the one seed.
But we've seen the Broncos this year just be sluggish.
(51:31):
They were sluggish against the Chiefs with their third string quarterback.
Remember that Thursday night game against the Raiders middle of
the season, when the home fans were booing the performance
that the Broncos had. They I saw a stat the
other day that if you took every one score game
this year and flipped it to the other outcome, the
Broncos would be four and twelve. So it's so I
(51:53):
trust the Broncos that the Broncos are the one seed
and the Patriots have to go there. I trust the
Patriots if they're the one seed in the Bronco have
to go there in the wild card. Over all of this,
Josh Allen gets healthy because I think his foot really
is bothering him. He's doing everything he can to create
the impression it isn't. I think it is. I think
it's one of the reasons he rushed the throw that
he missed the Khalils Shakir to win the game against
the Equals on Sunday. This is a perfect opportunity for
(52:16):
Josh Allen with no Mahomes, no Borrow, maybe no Lamar Jackson,
no excuses. Even if they're the sixth seed. Josh Allen
is good enough to take the Bills into all those
places and get the win. He's got the experience, he's
got the incentive. And that's the guy who I think
is hovering over this whole Bonnick Strake may thing time.
Speaker 5 (52:34):
For two more.
Speaker 1 (52:35):
It's Mike Florio, pro Footballtalk dot Com author most recent
Big Shield Alec.
Speaker 6 (52:41):
That Mike, you mentioned Falcons Saints for Sunday, and I mean,
as someone who covers a team in the league like
the Falcons intrigue me in many ways.
Speaker 5 (52:51):
I just wonder what your.
Speaker 6 (52:53):
Read is on the Kurt situation moving forward, and really
that regime in its entirety, which has had an interesting
year and obviously an interesting run.
Speaker 7 (53:04):
They're in a weird kind of spot, Alec, because they're
not so good that we pay attention to them all
the time, and they're not so bad that they're a
laughing stock where we just assume it's all going to
get blown up. They have shown that they can show
up and play in important spots. They're four and one
at night this year and three and eight in afternoon games.
(53:24):
Think about that, so they can They're capable of having
good performances against good teams in pressure spots, and then
they get you know, they get blown out by the Panthers,
or they lose to the Dolphins in ugly fashion when
the Dolphins were one and six. They got blown out
at home by the Dolphins when they were when the
Dolphins were one and six. So I said this on Tuesday,
the morning after the win over the Rams. They really
(53:47):
need to figure out what exactly is going on in
that organization. Every possible layer and level, every question that
could be asked needs to be answered about how they
can get more out of this team. And the Kirk
situation unbelievable. He's clearly our best option right now, but
they own forty five million next year and he's still upset.
As upset as Kirk is ever going to get about
(54:09):
the fact that forty three days after they gave him
his contract that supposedly had multi year security, they drafted
the guy eighth overall who replaced him at the end
of last season, and now they need him. You think
he's going to give.
Speaker 5 (54:20):
Them a deal.
Speaker 7 (54:20):
Do you think he's going to cut his pay below
forty five million? Nope, So I think he could be
out on the market again. And he's played well enough
down the stretch he's going to get paid again by someone.
It's just a very very strange situation in Atlanta. There
was a report over the weekend from Jay Glazer that
Matt Ryan maybe back in a significant role in the
front office. They got some decisions to make after they
(54:40):
figure out exactly what in the world it is that
has caused this team to be so good at night
and so mediocre or worse by day. And they got
to figure it out because they have They've gone eight
years without a postseason appearance, and they've got some talented players,
and it's time for them to finally get the most
out of the guys they have.
Speaker 1 (55:00):
Lastly, a couple of segments from now, we are going
to identify NFC teams we believe have excellent chances to
get to the Super Bowl.
Speaker 5 (55:09):
Let me let me hit you with this to close.
Speaker 1 (55:12):
How surprised or would you be surprised if the Chicago
Bears went to the Super Bowl.
Speaker 7 (55:19):
I wouldn't be surprised at all, but you know, Sunday
night when they were going toe to toe with the
forty nine ers, and I think that game actually did
more good for them than bad. You take away the
fact that they lost. I think it showed that they
can compete with anyone. When Caleb Williams threw that ball
from midfield that frozen rope to Colston Loveland, there was
(55:43):
just like blink of an eye, like what the hell
just happened? Like there aren't many guys that make that throw.
This guy's got a level of talent and ability that
if it surfaces in the postseason, and you know, I
think about a Joe Burrow. Joe Borrow is a guy
that when he gets to the post season he finds
an extra level of superman that we don't see in
(56:04):
the regular season. We see he's great in the regular season.
In the postseason, he's better than great. I'm gonna be
fascinated to see what Caleb Williams looks like when it's
time to play single elimination football, because he makes some
bad throws from time to time, like the easy throws
will sail it over our guy's head, and then he
makes some of these throws that are just wow, and
(56:25):
it happens so fast you really don't appreciate how impressive
it is. So it would not surprise me if Caleb
Williams when it's say, because everything changes when it goes
single elimination. If he steps up to a higher level
and he's consistent with all the easy stuff, the Bears
very possibly will be playing in Santa Clara again. Possibly well,
not against the forty nine ers again. They may have
to play him again in Santa Clara, but they could
(56:47):
be back in Santa Clara. And wouldn't it be great?
And I know this is a long shot, but wouldn't
it be great if it was Steelers Bears for the
Super Bowl? If Aaron Rodgers got one last shot at
the team he claims to own in the highest possible
both setting with the steakes of all steaks riding on it.
So any Super Bowl combination this year, I think is
going to be fascinating, but that one would be something else.
Speaker 1 (57:10):
Mike, Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks
for the Friday run, Mike Florio, Ladies and gentlemen PF
you know we he all love.
Speaker 5 (57:18):
The website Pro Football Talk dot Com. Thanks Mike, call
you soon, do you guys?
Speaker 7 (57:21):
Have a new Year.
Speaker 1 (57:22):
Happy New Year, Mike Florio, ProFootball Talk dot Com. Second
hour of the nine to noon Friday football Feast of
Buffalo Wild Wings. Egan is in the air and our
fantasy twist to the equation is next
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