Did the Bills & Browns hire the right coaches + Why Bill Belichick got snubbed

9 snips

Jan 28, 2026

Guest

Seth Wickersham

Guest

Joe Biscaglia

Seth Wickersham, ESPN senior writer who broke the Belichick Hall of Fame story, and Joe Biscaglia, The Athletic reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, join to dissect coaching moves and the Hall of Fame snub. They debate Cleveland’s Todd Monken hire, Buffalo promoting Joe Brady, Josh Allen’s influence, and the fallout from Bill Belichick missing first-ballot selection.

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ADVICE

Act Fast To Prevent Coordinator Departures

Monitor Jim Schwartz's reaction and clarify his role quickly to avoid staff disruption.
Address potential exits proactively to preserve defensive continuity.

INSIGHT

Monken Hires Aimed At Preserving Schwartz

The Browns hired Todd Monken partly to preserve Jim Schwartz's influence and keep defensive continuity.
Cleveland valued experience with quarterbacks and a coach who could work alongside Schwartz.

INSIGHT

Browns' Process Was Deeply Analytical

Cleveland used a detailed, analytics-driven process including essays and psychological screens for candidates.
Quarterback planning remains Cleveland's top uncertainty and will shape Monken's success.

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Coaches take the spotlight briefly off of the Super Bowl with two more hires and one major snub. Did the Cleveland Browns get it right by hiring Todd Monken? Why did the Buffalo Bills choose Joe Brady — and how much say did Josh Allen really have in the decision? What does the league-wide fallout look like after Bill Belichick was shockingly passed over as a first-ballot Hall of Famer?

The coaching carousel takes center stage as Todd Monken is hired by the Cleveland Browns, and The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini joins Scoop City to explain how the agreement came together. Russini details what separated Monken from other candidates, what Cleveland valued most in the process, and how this decision fits into a broader league trend. She also delivers updates on the ongoing head coaching searches for the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, including where those processes currently stand.

In Buffalo, Russini breaks down how the Bills landed Joe Brady, why he emerged as the top choice over other candidates, and how involved Josh Allen was throughout the process. With the Bills still chasing their first Super Bowl, the discussion centers on why the organization believes Brady is the right coach to help unlock consistency, adaptability, and greater postseason success.

Bill Belichick was snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame voters in his first year of eligibility, sending shockwaves across the NFL. ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham, who broke the story, joins James Palmer to explain how the decision unfolded, why politics — not accomplishments — played a role, and how the football world reacted to one of the most surprising Hall of Fame moments ever.

Finally, Joe Buscaglia joins the show with reaction from Buffalo following the hiring of Brady and a look ahead to what the rest of the Bills’ offseason could hold. From roster decisions to lingering pressure points, Buscaglia explains what Buffalo must do to finally get over the hump — and whether this coaching move is the one that helps push the Bills to a Super Bowl next season.

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