Five (!!) days until the season starts. The biggest number 5? Packers great Paul Hornung, then Hall of Fame kicker Morton Anderson, and then either Donovan McNabb or Joe Flacco?
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What can Bijan do?
My colleague Jeff Howe 20 NFL insiders commented On a variety of questions, including who could win the 2026 MVP — coaches, executives, etc. Quarterbacks received 18 votes. Bijan Robinson got the other two.
The odds are against him. Each of the past 13 MVPs have been passers. No non-QB has won the award since Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,314 total yards), and they rarely finish second.
Todd Gurley’s 2,039-total-yards in 2017 came close.
A running back won’t win the MVP, though Robinson is not your typical running back.. The 24-year-old is in third place The NFL’s top-100 list for 2026Behind Josh Allen and No. 1 Myles Garrett.
Robinson accounted for 40 percent of the Falcons’ yards last season, averaging a league-leading 135.2 yards per penalty. Would he do such things as a 2023 starter?!
And feel like The best man? Our Josh Kendall spoke with several teammates and former employees who worked with Robinson. No one had anything bad to say.
“He’s probably the best guy I’ve ever seen in my life,” Dolphins punter Bradley Pinyon said.
“If there were 100 people who represented humanity, we’d recommend that person be on this short list,” Falcons offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom said. “A human being is his athletic ability, talent and quality.”
“It’s true,” said Donald Nguyen, director of sports medicine at Robinson’s alma mater, Texas. New Orleans (Holy, that would be a serious insult in Atlanta.)
One complaint Josh was able to unearth? Music taste. Based on the story though – a teammate complained about Tame Impala?! – Robinson is again a model for us all.
this is. He should be the kind of person we aspire to be.Although we don’t measure up athletically. Now let’s hear from Teddy.
What is Ted seeing?
Based on my conversations with eight defensive play callers and assistant coaches 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan continues. The NFL’s most respected play caller.
He solidified his position last season, when the 49ers ranked sixth in offense per drive and second in offensive DVOA, FTN’s measure of efficiency, covering strength of schedule, despite dealing with multiple injuries to key players, including quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed eight games.
“He’s the best in the business because he adapts better than anybody. It doesn’t matter who lines up, even if you get Jawan Jennings – he’s a good player, but he doesn’t have to be your best wideout,” the AFC defensive coach said. Shanahan is finding ways to get guys open and win games without (George) Kittle, without Jawan (Jennings), Purdy without Purdy. It does an amazing job.
Shanahan set up multiple 100-yard games for Kendrick Bourne, and journeyman DeMarcus Robinson had 111 yards in the playoffs against the Eagles. Before that, neither had a 100-yard game since 2022.
Defensive coaches believe Shanahan is unique because he also understands defensive players’ techniques and individual weaknesses and knows exactly how to expose them.
He is one spot ahead of McVay and two ahead of Ben Johnson. With all three at the highest level of play callers. After Johnson Levels will be more controversial. Back to Jacob.
Scoreboard drama
Earlier this week, images of older images surfaced. Scoreboard differences In New England. Years ago, the video screen was designed with an extra set of verticals for opponents, and veteran kickers saw a less compelling image.
Many, including myself, thought Bill Belichick was the mastermind. That compliment is a testament to his greatness, not an attack on his character (since that’s perfectly legitimate).
“The whole story is a bit snarky and a lot more provocative,” writes Chad. Check the background. It was probably Stephen Gostkowski who raised the issue, not Belichick. In Chad:
💬 The team showed a video on the giant boards behind the uprights of the field goal try, as they do on all field goal attempts.
“So the Patriots confirmed with the league, that during field goal attempts, the video boards in the stadium must show all 22 camera angles (which the Patriots were doing) or still footage.”
It’s still something. Knowing it was a distraction, the Patriots edited the video of Gostkowski’s hit, but put it on all-22 for opponents. an adult.
In news released this week related to Belichick, the controversial Hall of Famer’s impersonation to A significant change in the voting process. cool. And his GM in North Carolina Just quit. This probably bodes well for the Tar Heels based on how last season went.
More points
🚀 SpaceX to the NFL. A rocket scientist achieves his dream and becomes an employee of the Vikings. It’s an inspiring journey. Following your desire. I enjoyed the Alec Lewis story.
📊 2026 predictions. It’s our annual decision maker survey. Here it is again connected. Insiders expect Josh Allen to win his second MVP, which could be tough. The grass in Buffalo is untrimmed.. Aik
📺 2027 draft prospects. Week 1 of college football offers a lot NFL prospects to watch. Miami QB Darian Mensah, who plays Stanford tonight at 9pm ET, tops Denmark Bruegel’s list.
📓 John Harbaugh at the helm. Readers wrote in questions for the Giants coach, which turned into what I call a short A guide for leaders.
▶️ Multi-click: Zach Kiefer profile on Constant Baker MayfieldHe saw his career “go down to the rafters” before turning back.
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