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The MMQB NFL Podcast

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Mar 21, 2022 • 58min

Watson to Cleveland and Free Agency Review, Part II

Conor and Gary start things off with a discussion of the Browns, from their stunning decision to pursue Deshaun Watson while the quarterback is under the cloud of 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, to their stunning decision to award him an unprecedented contract, to their off-putting decision to build the contract around a likely suspension. Then, the Davante Adams trade to the Raiders, what sense it could make for Vegas, and why it’s an even more significant setback for the Packers than you might realize. Plus, whether Allen Robinson to L.A. signals another evolution for Sean McVay’s Rams offense, Robert Woods’s fit in Tennessee, what’s next for the Bengals after adding La’el Collins, and what might be the weirdest halftime show in Super Bowl history. Again, the Deshaun Watson piece from May that will give you a much more complete understanding of what’s going on in Houston: https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/05/21/new-information-proper-context-for-deshaun-watson-sexual-misconduct-lawsuits-daily-cover 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
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Mar 17, 2022 • 1h 4min

The Baker Breakup and Free Agency Review, Part I

At the time of taping this episode, a Deshaun Watson decision was imminent. While it was unclear who Watson would pick, there was one interested team Conor and Gary knew was already out of the running: Cleveland.The Browns lowered themselves into the sewer that was the Watson sweepstakes surely knowing that, if they missed out, there was no way they could turn back to Baker Mayfield. Assuming they didn’t want to keep Mayfield anyway, was it a wise move now that they’ll have to turn to Plan B? And what’s next for Baker himself, coming off a rocky 2021 but with two years of solid play on his resumé?Then, a look into the signings that did happen this week, starting with the Chargers’ run of moves and the always baffling Trent Baalke’s rebuilding efforts in Jacksonville (like, what’s the plan for Christian Kirk?). The Bills press the right buttons, the Randy Gregory question in Denver, and the Jets and Ravens make the signings we love.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
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Mar 13, 2022 • 1h 23min

Tom Brady Is [Exasperated Sigh] Back: A Free Agency Preview

Conor and Gary planned on a good, ol' fashioned free agency preview show, but Tom Brady was having none of it. Sizing up the 2022 Bucs with Brady under center. But also a discussion of why Brady announced his retirement in the first place, the timing of his return announcement, and what the deal is if he really wasn’t interested in returning to Tampa for another season. Then, a breakdown of three trades that went down late last week: Carson Wentz to the Commanders, Khalil Mack to the Chargers and Amari Cooper to the Browns. And, finally, a trip through free agency, position-by-position. Why you’re in trouble if you still need a quarterback, why you’re in luck if you need a few defensive backs, and why everyone is looking for edge rushers. The Deshaun Watson piece from May that will give you a much more complete understanding of what’s going on in Houston: https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/05/21/new-information-proper-context-for-deshaun-watson-sexual-misconduct-lawsuits-daily-cover 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
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Mar 9, 2022 • 57min

Did You Hear About Russell Wilson & Aaron Rodgers?

Tuesday ended up being all the most interesting news of the NFL offseason crammed into a three-hour span. Conor and Gary got together in the dead of night to discuss Russell Wilson: traded, Aaron Rodgers: staying, and how the moves (or, move and non-move) affect the quarterback landscape. First, a look at the Broncos, who get a franchise QB for the first time since Peyton Manning retired, and where they now sit in a stacked AFC West. Then, the Seahawks’ rebuild, their approach to their next quarterback, and what this means for Pete Carroll’s future. The return of Aaron Rodgers is a whole lot of good news for Green Bay, though they have some challenges coming up after a winter of heavy staff turnover. Plus, what happens to Jordan Love now? Plus, a look at the teams in the QB market who are especially hurting now, and a discussion of Calvin Ridley’s season-long suspension for betting on NFL games. 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
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Mar 7, 2022 • 45min

The Teams That Will Rule NFL Free Agency

In Part 1 of the two-part free agency epic, Conor and Gary run through which will be the biggest (or, at least most interesting) teams when free agency opens.The Dolphins are the team with the most effective cap space, the most drastic change at head coach and the most glaring holes on the roster. The Bengals’ window is wide-open and, suddenly, they’re a draw coming off a run to the Super Bowl. The Steelers have cap room for the first time in a long time, but that won’t necessarily answer their questions at quarterback. And the Colts have cap room and seemingly little desire to run it back with Carson Wentz, but that doesn’t solve their question mark under center.Plus, the Jets continue their rebuild, and who are the teams that might create cap room to make a splash this offseason?Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Mar 3, 2022 • 38min

Everything Conor Heard at the NFL Combine

Conor has made the mad dash back from the NFL combine in Indianapolis, and he joins Gary to breathlessly recap all the most important things that he heard over the course of the week.First, is the era of QB empowerment already over? A discussion of the Seahawks’ stance with Russell Wilson and whether or not it makes sense for player or team to run it back again. Also, why Aaron Rodgers is very, very, very likely to return to Green Bay after all (and he did get some stuff along the way!).Then, what in the world is going on in Arizona? The bewilderment over the Cardinals making long-term commitments to their head coach and GM after the utter collapse that ended last season.And finally, Conor has found the man who will forever end the feud between football guys and analytics folks.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Feb 28, 2022 • 36min

The NFL Offseason’s Biggest Free-Agent Move Already Happened

The first stunner of the NFL offseason came in the broadcast booth, as Troy Aikman is set to leave FOX for Monday Night Football. Thus, Conor and Gary brought in friend of the show Jimmy Traina, host of the SI Media Podcast, to tell us what it all means.A discussion of some of the forces outside of simply what ESPN wanted that made the deal happen, plus Joe Buck’s contract situation and the chances that the Buck-Aikman team will reunite on MNF. Also, with FOX now staring down a gaping hole on their broadcast roster in a Super Bowl year for the network, a look at who could replace the duo in 2022.Plus, Sean Payton’s broadcast future, the potential of Sean McVay leaving the sidelines for the booth, Jimmy on why FOX should write Tom Brady a blank check and why he’ll be first in line for the upcoming Brady-Sally Field film.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Feb 24, 2022 • 44min

The Offseason Takes Warmup Show

It’s the end of February, which means opening day for NFL Offseason Takes is right around the corner. Conor and Gary spent an afternoon trying out their newest material surrounding the combine, draft season, free agency and more.Then, the first-ever Free Agency Preview… Preview! Gary unveils the preliminary Sports Illustrated free agent rankings to Conor, who gives his reactions in real-time, live (but on a podcast, so recorded).Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Feb 21, 2022 • 46min

The Storylines of Last Season That Will Define Next Season

As the 2021 NFL season and Super Bowl LVI become but a faint memory in our collective consciousness, Conor and Gary take one last trip through the biggest developments of the season past and spin them forward to project how they’ll affect football in 2022.For a second straight year, a veteran quarterback found his way to a new home and immediately won the Super Bowl—was Russell Wilson paying attention? Does the Packers’ success in 2021 all but guarantee Aaron Rodgers is coming back for (at least) one more run? With the Rams punting their draft capital in order to bring in proven veterans, will other teams consider taking a similar route? And will the NFL, always too-late to react on these matters, find a proper way to handle its coaching diversity crisis?Plus, why the new approach to defending superstar quarterbacks will make edge rushers as valuable as ever. And—did you hear?—running backs running the ball is cool again!Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Feb 14, 2022 • 39min

The Rams’ Ugly, Beautiful Super Bowl Win

It was a slog. It was a battle of attrition. There were a half-dozen players on the field who probably shouldn’t be playing in a Super Bowl. But in the end, three superstars carried the night and led the Rams to a Super Bowl title.Conor and Gary break it all down, from the near-impossible Stafford-to-Kupp game-winning drive, to the impact of the Odell Beckham Jr. injury, to Raheem Morris and the L.A. defense figuring things out then shutting the Bengals down. But also, where do the aggressive Rams go from here? What does the future hold for the Burrow Bengals? And what does it mean that the longest season in NFL history ended up with two injury-ravaged teams crawling to the finish line?Plus, a look at the week’s non–Super Bowl news: The Colts’ reported breakup with Carson Wentz, and more fractures in the Kyler Murray-Cardinals relationship.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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