It was an unexpectedly rocky year for last season’s crop of rookie QBs. Now, it’s time to examine: Are better days ahead in 2022? To help answer that question, Conor and Gary welcome Charles McDonald of Underdog Fantasy. What does Doug Pederson do for Trevor Lawrence? What was behind Zach Wilson’s absolutely erratic play out of structure last season? Is this Trey Lance thing going to work out in San Francisco? Some appreciation for the cursed early career of Justin Fields, the lack of speed around Mac Jones in a unique Patriots approach, and the awkward path to consistency for Davis Mills as part of the strangest rebuild the NFL has going. Then, delving into the sad state of the Atlanta Falcons, the future of Matt Ryan in Indianapolis, and Charles takes on More Than Four But Fewer Than Six Questions! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It was centuries ago that the Baker Mayfield trade talks first started up, and last week we finally reached the end of the road with he would-be-Cleveland-Browns franchise QB mercifully shipped off to Carolina for a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick. Conor and Gary discuss a deal that left pretty much everyone unsatisfied, whether it be the draft compensation, the split of his salary, the paycut, or the domino effect on the Panthers’ QB depth chart. What does it mean for Mayfield, for Ben McAdoo, for Sam Darnold, for Christian McCaffrey, for Kevin Stefanski, and for the Browns’ front office? And what are the chances this works out for Mayfield and the Panthers in the short- or long-term? Then, in a very special segment, Conor breaks out his new treasure trove of mid-90s football cards, the inspiration for a Remember Some Guys-style guessing game. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Some not terribly sharp people might dismiss the Ravens for a lack of Super Bowl championships over the past four seasons, but on this show, Conor and Gary cover just how Baltimore is positioning itself for consistent championship contention by exploiting roster-building inefficiencies. The wide receivers grabbed the headlines this offseason, but what does it mean to collect quality tight ends in a league with so few? Plus, why offensive linemen who aren’t tackles can anchor a front five, the importance of flexibility in the defensive backfield, and the advantage of zigging when other people zag regarding organizational philosophy. And, more than anything on this Independence Day in the U.S., the importance of being your own, weird self rather than trying to copycat everyone else. Also, Conor and Gary play Daniel Tiger playing the hits, just for you! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Golden State Warriors won the NBA title, the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl, and each team was accused of “buying” their championship. With that in mind, Conor and Gary welcome SI NBA writer Rohan Nadkarni back to the show to discuss just what it means to “buy” a championship, why it’s an absurd accusation, and why more teams should be doing precisely what those champions did. Then, the trio fires off a number of takes, ranging from Tua to Russell Wilson to Nathaniel Hackett to all kinds of NBA stuff, at which point Rohan describes how the current NBA works and why basketball teams are not on the verge of turning to lineups full of Eddy Currys and Bryant Reeveses to counter the league’s influx of “Spaghetti Men.” Plus, Rohan tries his hand at More Than Four But Fewer Than Six Questions! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In honor of the release of Conor’s annual underrated players list (one player for each of the 32 teams!), Conor and Gary take a trip down the list to review its most interesting names. On this episode, a look at a slot receiver who deserves more of an opportunity, a veteran left tackle who’s getting a little more of his due, a productive young pass rusher emerging in the strangest of places, a first-round defensive back who reinvented himself with a new team, and a defensive tackle who enables a star teammate by making as many offensive linemen try to block him as possible. Plus, a confusing discussion about the Garth Brooks alter ego Chris Gaines, and some kind of school dance radio station album giveaway(?). And here is Conor’s full “Underrated” List for the AFC: https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/06/23/every-afc-team-most-underrated-player And the NFC: https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/06/24/nfc-underrated-players-2022 Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s been a surprisingly busy week in the NFL, with developments in the Deshaun Watson cases, an off-the-rails congressional hearing concerning Daniel Snyder, and the retirement (we think) of an all-time great. So Conor and Gary welcome in SI NFL Insider Albert Breer to break it all down. First, now that all but four of the civil complaints against Deshaun Watson have been settled, what is the NFL timeline regarding league discipline going to be like? And why is this process going to be much different than past personal conduct cases the NFL has handled? Then, the news that Daniel Snyder will be subpoenaed by the congressional oversight committee, and whether Snyder will ever be forced out by fellow owners. Plus, Rob Gronkowski retires again—maybe for real, maybe not. A look back at his career and his unique value as a player. Also, Albert takes on More Than Four But Fewer Than Six Questions. Andy Benoit’s magazine feature on Rob Gronkowski, from 2016, referenced during the show: https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/09/15/rob-gronkowski-patriots-nfls-brainiest-tight-end Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Conor and Gary have—rightfully—spent quite a bit of time discussing Deshaun Watson over the past few weeks. Now, with reports surfacing on Friday that the NFL plans to argue for a “significant” suspension of Watson, it’s a good time for everyone to turn their attention toward Baker Mayfield. If Watson is suspended for the season would Mayfield play out the final year of his rookie contract in Cleveland, knowing he’d be leading a playoff-caliber roster? Or would he try to start establishing himself elsewhere, with another franchise (specifically, one in Carolina)? Then, a discussion of Tyreek Hill’s scorching Patrick Mahomes takes on his latest podcast, sparking a specific discussion of the pressure it puts on Tua Tagovailoa and a meandering discussion of two-hit wonders for reasons you’ll understand if you listen to the show. Plus, coaches fined for OTA violations and Jets receivers talk. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With Conor recording from a secret location somewhere in these great United States, he and Gary link up via satellite phone to talk about three big contracts and one bad tweet. First a look at Aaron Donald’s deal, and what Donald wanted on and off the field (beyond a large sum of money) to return to the Super Bowl champs. Then, the importance of Cooper Kupp in a world that’s gone mad for wide receivers. Then, a discussion of the Hunter Renfrow deal, and what it means that a complementary weapon can get paid like Renfrow did. Is this the new normal, or will the Renfrow deal eventually look like an outlier? Also, a reluctant discussion of Jack Del Rio’s now-non-existent Twitter account, good and bad Simpsons references, and more. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Deshaun Watson continues to be the biggest NFL story in recent memory, and thanks to the continued, exceedingly thorough reporting of Jenny Vrentas, it is not going to go away anytime soon.With that in mind, Conor and Gary welcome Jenny back to the show! A discussion of her latest investigative piece for the New York Times, which covers Watson and the expanding number of women not among the civil complainants who are sharing accounts of his problematic behavior during massage therapy sessions.Jenny also covers the Houston Texans’ role in this mess—what did the team know, what should they have known, and why did their security personnel provide Watson with a non-disclosure agreement to give massage therapists?—as well as more insight into the secretive grand-jury proceedings from last March.Jenny’s latest story: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/07/sports/football/deshaun-watson.htmlHave a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While Conor and Gary eagerly await word on their applications to Tight End University, they take a broader look at the market while addressing the question: Why don’t tight ends get paid more than they do? Breaking down the guys at the top of the market, the lack of depth at the position across the NFL, the tight end’s role in the NFL’s trendiest offense, and who could break through and get that monster contract. Then, a look at the Lamar Jackson contract situation, what the quarterback should be asking for and why the Ravens shouldn’t be hesitating if it’s a four-year commitment. Finally, the latest on the Deshaun Watson cases, as two more civil complaints are filed and Watson’s defense team takes their very aggressive media campaign from behind the scenes to the forefront. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy