It's that time of year: A deeper look at how each of the divisions are shaping up in the first of our eight division previews. It’s a look at the AFC North.Who was the best veteran addition in the division? The most intriguing rookie? Which coach—head or assistant—are we keeping an eye on in 2021?The Ravens’ work solidifying their roster, the Steelers offensive question marks, the never-overwhelming expectations of the Bengals, and the bona fide (according to one host) Super Bowl aspirations of the Cleveland Browns. Plus, an unveiling of our absolutely unassailable collective projection for the order of finish in the AFC North.But the true highlight of this episode is AFC North mad libs, a wonderful idea from Conor that went swimmingly once Conor understood how Mad Libs work.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jenny, Conor and Gary—again, and surely not for the last time—revisit Aaron Rodgers in light of his holdout from OTAs. A discussion of the possible outcomes if the GM isn't going anywhere, and what the Packers need to do to get this resolved.Then, the new game show that's basically on the verge of sweeping the nation: Four blind items about NFL quarterbacks when they were young, and what people wrote about them. It's Jenny vs. Conor, winner takes all. (All of what? We're not sure yet.)And, finally but most importantly, a discussion on the state of vaccinations around the league, and why it's so disheartening.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jenny, Conor and Gary start things off with every conceivable take on the Julio Jones trade: The positives for the Titans, trying to figure out the Falcons' plan, one coach who is simultaneously thrilled and maybe a little terrified, and much, much more.And before we get into more serious topics, a conversation about the week's two silliest headlines, starting with Tua and the playbook. What does it mean when a second-year quarterback says on a Zoom call that he has a better grasp of the playbook? And how would opening locker rooms to (vaccinated) journalists be a step toward avoiding such silly controversies in the future?Then, the goings-on in Chicago, where apparently a promise made in March to Andy Dalton is being treated as an unbreakable contract in June. Why the Bears will absolutely not be starting Dalton when the season begins if he doesn't outplay Justin Fields this summer.Plus, a deeper look into the mess the league has made for itself when it comes to Toradol usage and race-norming in the concussion settlement. And why it’s taking them far too long to do the right thing.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With summer getting underway, and the "NFL preview" calendar about to kick into gear, Jenny, Conor and Gary take one last chance to have some fun. Some *real* fun. We're going to rescue football before it falls into the kind of rut we see in other sports. We’ll discuss doink points and the Rammstein-soundtracked narrow uprights, make-it-take-it two-point conversions and endless games, the coaches' nightmare that is spot-and-choose, a chance for trolling, and a very Greg Schiano tale of defending victory formation. Then, be there podcasting history as, for the first time ever, the Orracle comes to the Monday Morning Podcast. We discuss where Julio Jones should land and where he will land. (Julio Jones, our phone lines remain open to you.) Plus, the upcoming weekend of board games and why Sorry will forever tear families apart everywhere. Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The first half of this episode is not suitable for younger listeners.Jenny and Gary discuss the investigative piece—months in the making—that we unveiled on Friday, including the trove of new information about the Deshaun Watson cases. Misconceptions around the cases and the story itself, why it's important to gather information from someone aside from the lawyers involved, and why a better grasp of consent is most important to understanding how Watson and 22 women arrived at this point. Plus, putting an end to some of the ridiculous conspiracy theories surrounding the timing of cases and the Texans organization. In the second half of the show, Conor joins Jenny and Gary to discuss the Falcons' strange insistence on trading Julio Jones—specifically, why they’d probably be better off keeping their legendary receiver. Plus, the "seldom punt" coach is getting his shot in Division I, and Conor couldn't be more excited. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We have a 2021 NFL schedule in place, it's 17 games per team, and Jenny, Conor and Gary don't know what to do about it. A discussion on the optimism around more football, mourning the beautiful symmetry of 16 games, and whether or not Week 18 will bring unrivaled drama or bring a slate of games that look like the Sudfeld-fueled Eagles-WFT regular-season finale.Plus, a probably-too-long discussion of Tim Tebow: 90th Man. Does it matter that he's going to spend the summer on the Jaguars roster? Is there a benefit to it? Is there a downside? And a mind-blowing Tebow poll result from the youth of America in 2013.Finally, a conversation about Ja'Wuan James and the consequences of the Broncos' decision to cut ties with the veteran offensive tackle after he was injured during a workout away from the facility. And what’s the future of these minicamp gatherings anyway? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The dust has settled and the smoke has cleared on the 2021 NFL offseason; Jenny, Conor and Gary convene to talk about the teams and storylines that flew a little too under the radar.The Vikings drafted a quarterback in the third round and reportedly had interest in Justin Fields. Are they getting a little more serious about moving on from Kirk Cousins—and, if they are, should they be?Another look at the Rams, who did make a move at quarterback, and the Titans, who have revamped their defense but need to find a way to keep the magic going on offense.The NFC East maybe, kind of, sort of is back... perhaps? And did the Panthers passing on Justin Fields mean they weren't enamored with the prospect, or that they have their eye on some possible big QB names in the trade market?Plus, Conor reveals a Power Rankings Poll scandal—and it's not that the Bucs were knocked from the top spot. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The 2021 NFL Draft is in the books, and Jenny, Conor and Gary talk all things draft weekend, starting with—for a second straight year—Aaron Rodgers's unhappiness with the Packers. Is this the end? Is this another Rodgers power play? And who will he be playing for Week 1 of next season?As far as the draft goes: Why Trey Lance was always the right move for the 49ers—and why he's the perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan—whether the Justin Fields trade up buys Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace more time in Chicago, the Jets' aggressive rebuild around Zach Wilson, and why there's a lot to like about the Patriots' draft.Plus, Eagles awkwardness with Zach Ertz and otherwise, Dave Gettleman is cool, whether the JOK slide was a pushback on positionless football, a moderately needed Nickelodeon feed and a much-needed Adult Swim feed. And that covers literally everything about draft weekend. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Quadrilogy is complete, as Jenny rejoins Conor and Gary for the thrilling finale of the Mock Draft Series, running down the final eight picks of the first round as well as selections for the four teams that don't have picks in Round 1.The suddenly rock-solid Browns shop the defensive options. Will the Ravens go offense twice after trading Orlando Brown Jr. or look to add an edge player? How do the stalled Antonio Brown negotiations affect the Bucs' draft-day strategy? Is there a tight end who fits in Buffalo or is it time to take a chance on a dynamic edge rusher? And do the Packers go receiver to appease Aaron Rodgers, or stick it to him by drafting a third-string quarterback?Plus, what are the Chiefs looking at for receiver options in the late-second round, can the Rams find their answer at the pivot in Round 2, and will the Texans fix all their problems at Pick 67? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The epic Draft Series Quadrilogy reaches the 75% point, as Conor and Gary work through team needs and identify prospects for picks 17 through 25.It begins with the Raiders, who have found few answers on defense despite trying, but who also tore down their offensive line this offseason. Do they take another swing at the defensive side of the ball, or are they looking to take advantage of an unusually strong O-line class?Then, the Dolphins get their second crack at Round 1 and a chance to either get a Brian Flores building block or more help for Tua, the Football Team stares down a chance to make Dave Gettleman *really* jealous, the Bears get to address one of their many, many, many roster holes, and the Colts will take a left tackle... or will they?And would the Steelers really take a running back in Round 1? Conor says he will do something unspecific but definitely gross if they do. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy