Scoop City: A show about the NFL

Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels joins The Athletic's senior NFL insider Dianna Russini on the final day of training camp in Ashburn, VA, to talk about getting ready for the 2025 season.Jayden talks to Dianna about his growing connection with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and why they are only scratching the surface of what their offense can produce.Dianna asks Jayden about the optimism surrounding the team despite their best wide receiver still holding in for a new contract. Jayden explains why he’s confident Terry McLaurin will be back on the field soon.Jayden also opens up about leading a veteran locker room and how he relates to older players.Dianna asks Jayden about building on his Rookie of the Year season in 2024 and his growth heading into Year 2.Dianna and Jayden also have some fun to wrap up training camp and hand out some camp superlatives: Most Improved, Biggest Hustler and Biggest Complainer.Dianna also chats with Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. Quinn discusses building a connected locker room, why he values veteran leaders like Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, and Von Miller and how those voices accelerate the growth of younger players.Russini asks about Quinn's trust in Jayden Daniels as a franchise quarterback, what makes the young QB’s work ethic stand out, and how Daniels has bonded with veteran stars.Quinn also shares his optimism about Terry McLaurin’s return and how the timing of a potential deal matters for the offense.Quinn opens up about lessons learned from Year 1 to Year 2, the importance of culture over stat sheets, and what separates this Commanders team from any other group he’s coached.Finally, the pair lighten things up, handing out some camp superlatives and Quinn shares his biggest pet peeve away from football.Dianna catches up with Commanders Zach Ertz. The veteran tight end opens up about the grind of camp, the importance of offensive line improvements, and how new additions like Deebo Samuel are already elevating the offense. He explains why protecting with fewer blockers changes everything for the passing game — and how Washington’s revamped offensive line will unlock more opportunities this year.Russini asks Ertz about his connection with Daniels, praising his rare ability to lead without ego and hold the locker room to a higher standard. Ertz also shares what it’s like working with Kliff Kingsbury’s evolving playbook, why ball security will be the key to a deep playoff run and his thoughts on the team’s optimism surrounding a potential Terry McLaurin return.Finally, Ertz previews Washington's Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants, gives his candid scouting report and jokes about hosting a podcast himself one day Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Dallas Cowboys kickoff the regular season in 15 days against the Philadelphia Eagles. Will the Cowboys and All-Pro DE Micah Parsons agree to a contract extension before then? The Athletic’s Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini takes you inside the situation in Dallas between Parsons and the Cowboys.Parsons and the Cowboys aren’t the only teams and star players at a stalemate. Trey Hendrickson is still holding in waiting on a better offer from the Cincinnati Bengals. Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is also waiting for a new contract. And the most recent veteran seeking a new deal is Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cam Heyward.Elsewhere around the league, the Indianapolis Colts named a new starting quarterback. Former New York Giants first-round draft pick Daniel Jones won the job over Anthony Richardson. Russini and Scoop City Co-Host James Palmer discuss what’s next for Richardson.Finally, Russini and Palmer go back to school to discuss this year’s crop of rookie running backs. Which rookie has impressed in their first training camp? Plus, what is the latest with Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New York Giants improved to 2-0 in the preseason thanks, in part, to another impressive performance from rookie QB Jaxson Dart. The Ole Miss product completed over 87% of his passes and threw a touchdown against the New York Jets. Former NFL QB Chase Daniel says the Giants need to name Dart the Week 1 starter.Plus, The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini shares an update on Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson. The 2024 NFL sack leader is seeking a contract extension, but so far has not agreed to any offers from the Bengals. Monday, Russini confirmed the report that the Bengals are listening to trade offers for the All-Pro. Cincinnati is reportedly seeking a young defensive player and a 2026 first-round pick for Hendrickson.The Scoop City team continues to monitor the Terry McLaurin contract talks. The Washington Commanders' top wide receiver was recently activated off the PUP list as he continues to seek a new contract. The next step for him is a return to practice. As of the taping of this episode, McLaurin and the Commanders have not agreed to a new deal.Elsewhere around the league, the Cleveland Browns named Joe Flacco their starting quarterback, Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams impressed in preseason action against the Buffalo Bills and the group reacted to conversations Russini had with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini joins New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and 2nd year quarterback Drake Maye to talk about taking the team to the next level. Dianna talks to coach Vrabel about his time away from coaching and when he knew he had to get back to being a head coach again after leaving the Titans. Dianna and coach Vrabel also talk about building a special relationship with the players and why that remains the most important part of being a head coach.Coach Vrabel opens up about returning to New England after playing there and why it is a special place for him and why this job means so much.Dianna asks Coach Vrabel about Drake Maye's development and getting the most out of his young quarterback. Vrabel talks about getting his quarterback to celebrate more and be a leader by example. Dianna surprises coach Vrabel with 50 words in 50 seconds for his 50th birthday. Coach shares everything from what he checks first on his phone in the morning and how he orders his coffee. Dianna also sits down with quarterback Drake Maye and asks him about the new era in New England. Maye shares what Mike Vrabel has brought to the team and the locker room. The Pats QB talks about his relationship with coach Vrabel and what makes him such a great teacher. Maye talks about the expectations for the new offensive scheme and what the team hopes to accomplish this season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic’s Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini sits down for an exclusive conversation with Minnesota Vikings reigning Coach of the Year Kevin O'Connell and Running Back Aaron Jones. O'Connell shares his thoughts on quarterback JJ McCarthy and his development since returning to the field. Russini and O'Connell talk about the expectations for the Vikings and playing in the NFC North. The Vikings coach also shares how he unwinds from the grueling schedule of running a football team. Dianna also chats with Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones. Dianna asks Aaron about how becoming a father has changed how he handles a win or loss. The running back talks about bringing his kids to practice and making sure to have enough energy to play with his kids even after a long day. Dianna and Aaron talk about JJ McCarthy and how playing with Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love help prepare him for working with a young quarterback. Aaron opens up about the team's expectations for this season after all their success in 2024. Dianna tries her hardest to get Aaron to brag about himself, while using some of her own resume to get him thinking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Palmer and Chase Daniel unpack the NFL QB Tiers list with Athletic's Senior NFL Writer Mike Sando.Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and Cincinnatti Bengals Joe Burrow were the only two unanimous Tier 1 quarterbacks on this list. James and Chase ask Mike what goes into a unanimous decision. Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson breaks into the top Tier for the first time in his career. We ask Mike what the voting panel said about Lamar's trajectory into the top. Plus Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford makes his Tier 1 debut as well, find out what took to the veteran QB to the next level in the eyes of the voters. James and Chase ask Mike about a quarterback that the panel may have been waiting for to take the next step, but hasnt reached their potential just yet. Mike breaks down why Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence is a name that keeps coming up in those conversations. Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts remains in the top 10, but James and Chase get answers on why Hurts has not moved into the Top Tier despite being the Super Bowl MVP. Four time MVP Aaron Rodgers took the biggest fall of this year's list. James and Chase ask Mike why the Pittsburgh Steelers QB is now all the way down in Tier 3 after being in Tier 1 in 2024. Ben Johnson takes over as head coach for the Chicago Bears and James and Chase ask what the effect has been for both his new quarterback in Caleb Williams and Detroit Lions Jared Goff Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buffalo Bills RB James Cook ends his hold-in after he agreed to terms on a four-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed. The Athletic's Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini breaks down how the sides came together and what it means for the Bills Super Bowl aspirations.Three star players continue to deal with contract disputes across the NFL. Dianna will share the latest on Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons, Washington Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin and Bengals Defensive End Trey Hendrickson.James Palmer and Chase Daniel preview The Athletic's Senior NFL Writer Mike Sando's QB Tier list for 2025. Find out where Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts lands on the list and how the addition of Ben Johnson in Chicago helped Caleb Williams chances this season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Week one of the preseason is in the books!The Athletic’s Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini and former NFL Quarterback Chase Daniel welcome in new co-host James Palmer to the show. James brings decades of sports reporting and NFL coverage to the show with previous jobs at NFL Network and with the Houston Texans. James gives Dianna and Chase two truths and a lie to kick off a new era in Scoop City. Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut on Friday night against the Carolina Panthers. James, Dianna and Chase break down the rookies first outing and what teams across the league have seen on the tape.Dianna also shares the latest in the contract saga with Buffalo Bills running back James Cook after he suited up, warmed up and then sat out of the Bills preseason opener this weekend. Find out where Cook’s next contract could land and what’s next for the Buffalo in getting closer to a signed deal. Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson leaves his game against the Ravens early after dislocating his pinky, Dianna has the latest on Richardson’s health heading into week 2. Chase breaks down what he saw that led the his injury in the first place and how the Indy QB could’ve avoided it altogether. The New Orleans Saints QB room is searching for their starting quarterback as well. Find out who James, Dianna and Chase think can win the job in New Orleans and why they could head into the season with the QBs they currently have on their roster.Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford missed practice on Monday, hear why Dianna and Chase are not concerned with the veteran missing time ahead of the regular season. Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward and New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart had very different outings in their NFL Debuts. Chase breaks down the tape while Dianna shares what teams have been saying about their young QBs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletics Senior NFL Insider, Dianna Russini and former NFL QB Chase Daniel break down the biggest headlines across the NFL as the first full week of preseason kicks off. Dianna is fresh off a trip to Foxborough, where she watched the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders hold a joint practice and caught up with players and coaches from both sides. All eyes are on Cleveland, where rookie Shedeur Sanders is getting the Week 1 preseason start for the Browns. With Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel sidelined by injury, Sanders is set to get extended time with the starters in a real opportunity to shake up the QB depth chart. Chase explains what coaches look for in these moments that fans might miss—and why this window could be critical for Sanders' future.Meanwhile in Cincinnati, head coach Zac Taylor is going all in on preseason reps, announcing Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals' top starters will play in Thursday’s opener against the Eagles. After back-to-back seasons missing the playoffs, despite record-setting production from Burrow, the Bengals hope a stronger preseason leads to a faster start. Dianna and Chase discuss whether this high-risk strategy is the right move—and what a healthy, aggressive Burrow-led offense could mean for the AFC.Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain gave us his Top 5 QBs during our visit in Denver, now Chase fills out his own Top 10, and the debate begins. Find out who made the list and who was left outside the group. Then it's onto Jacksonville, where Travis Hunter is doing something we haven’t seen in decades—playing both sides of the ball. But can it last over a full season? Not everyone is convinced, including star wideout Davante Adams. Dianna and Chase react to Adams’ comments and weigh in on whether Hunter’s versatility is sustainable in today’s NFL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel kick off our Training Camp tour with a stop in Colorado to visit with the Denver Broncos.Quarterback Bo Nix breaks down what is different heading into his second season in the NFL. Dianna shares the breaking news with Nix about receiver Courtland Sutton's new contract extension LIVE during the conversation. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II joins us to talk about how the Broncos defense plans to improve in 2025. Plus, Chase and Dianna get Surtain to name his top QBs in the NFL at the moment. Head Coach Sean Payton sits down with Dianna and Chase to talk about how being so meticulous with the details leads to success for an NFL Franchise. Payton also shares what former player he has coached in his career that he would love to replicate for his Denver Broncos team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.