Ross Tucker Football Podcast: Daily NFL Podcast Ben Solak reveals his MVP choice, Coach of the Year, & more!
Jan 9, 2026
Ben Solak, an ESPN writer and NFL analyst, shares his insights on the upcoming awards season and playoff landscape. He debates MVP candidates, leaning toward Drake May over Matthew Stafford. Solak highlights rookie sensations like Roman McMillan and Carson Swessinger for Rookie of the Year. His pick for Coach of the Year is Mike McDonald, praising Seattle's defensive prowess. He also discusses the Rams' innovative use of tight ends and expresses concerns about the Eagles' matchup against the 49ers. A lively chat filled with bold predictions!
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MVP Is About Positional Value
- Ben Solak values MVP as 'most valuable' and weighs positional value heavily when choosing winners.
- He finds Matthew Stafford defensible but leans Drake Maye because of Maye's outsized offensive responsibility.
From Fifth Grade H-Back To ESPN Writer
- Ben Solak recounts growing up an Eagles fan and learning football by voraciously consuming online coverage in college.
- He started writing in college as a distraction and parlayed that into a career at ESPN.
Learn Football By Consuming And Noting
- If you want to learn football, seek out existing coaches and analyst resources online and take detailed notes.
- Consume film, columns, and coach breakdowns consistently to develop expertise.