Great day to have functioning eyes and a working brain

With few GM jobs open each year, a pool of really talented and competitive second and third-level executives keeps growing. Here’s a bunch of them (some would say “too many”), each with a one-liner in tribute to the scouting reports they write all year: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

the fallout from John Harbaugh’s firing will spread across the NFL. Michigan ties everywhere! fun reaction pod with @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social: 🎧: landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily 📺: youtu.be/AsTBHWNROPY?...

The Miami Dolphins have requested an interview with Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander, per source (as ESPN initially reported). Alexander spent the majority of his 25-year career so far in various executive and scouting/personnel positions with…the Baltimore Ravens.

Why Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon decided to keep GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen in place for at least one more season…and it is more complicated than (understandably) angry fans think. Written with the great @zkeefer www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

"Don't let our relationship ever impact what's best for the organization," Chris Ballard told the Irsay sisters. In other words: If you wanna move on, I get it. Instead, Ballard gets a 10th season. w/ @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social, why this calculus was different: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

going Live after SNF for a full recap of every game and coaching news on YouTube for the first time. will be fun: @patrickclaybon.bsky.social @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social @thenickshook.bsky.social www.youtube.com/live/0wIbsMG...

Don’t worry, they’ll get it this time. Nothing says “alignment” like hiring separate outside firms to run the HC and GM search.

Head coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard will return in 2026, per the Colts.

On a long list of “favorite things” this NFL season, high among them is watching this Bears run game come to life

[Schneidman] Vikings just called a timeout to honor Harrison Smith in what is likely the final game of his outstanding career. twitter.com/mattschneidm...

ENTIRE POPULATION OF PHILLY BAR: " What's Trevor Lawrence doing still out there?"

Riley Leonard looked solid a few weeks ago too! I am just saying!!!

Circling back here—Seattle didn’t play a single snap in base. All nickel/dime vs SF’s 21 personnel, and they held CMC to under 3 yds a pop. Just a perfectly built defense for modern football.

Hard to find any weakness in Seattle when they can run the ball like this. A wagon. That defense is simply a marvel.

For the first time, league sources believe the Raiders would be open to moving Maxx Crosby this offseason. The relationship between the two sides remains strained after the five-time Pro Bowler was shut down for the season: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

Kyle Shanahan vs Mike Macdonald is a fantastic schematic chess match—loved nerding out about it with @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social 🎧: apple.co/4jS2Nri 📺: youtu.be/V36d6x3v1Mc?...

New year, new pod! Previewing the divisional title games of week 18 with the great @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social! Plus resolutions for the worst teams…. 🎧: apple.co/4jS2Nri 📺: youtu.be/V36d6x3v1Mc?...

This is the story I wanted to read about this season and, lucky me, @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social wrote it

This is a really well done profile.

In early December, before the season fell apart, Carlie Irsay-Gordon wrote on a whiteboard at the Colts facility: "The things which hurt, instruct." What's the Colts' new owner **really** like? A profile from @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Is there a more fascinating figure in the NFL this season than Carlie Irsay-Gordon? @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social brings you inside the Colts building to tell the story

An Indianapolis Colts season that started with deep grief soon crescendoed into joy. It ended in disappointment. Now, the NFL’s most atypical owner faces her first and likely franchise-altering offseason. So who really is Carlie Irsay-Gordon? How does she think and lead?

A lot of reflection happens this time of year. I’m thinking a lot about why I write. It will always challenge you. If you’re lucky, if you’re open, it will also change you. Sometimes it’s the story that does it. Sometimes it’s the process. For me, tomorrow’s feature was both.

Week 17 Recap is stuffed with @patrickclaybon.bsky.social @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social @thenickshook.bsky.social - The Most Mike Tomlin loss - Purdy Peaking - Is the NFC Wide Open too? - The Saints found their QB - A grownup Jags win 🎧: landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily 📺: youtu.be/FzX2vnJassc?...

Watch out, AFC contenders. Here come the Texans. This might hurt. My column from SoFi Stadium: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

Thank you, and it rules so hard (like the Texans defense), and I’m annoyed at myself for mistyping but he said “probably” which makes the quote even better, GDI Jourdan, tighten up girl

During Houston’s seven-game win streak their defense has ranked No. 2 in both success rate and pressure rate, per TruMedia. Offense No. 16 in EPA/play and No. 24 in success rate through that time.

Up next: Saturday football

The decision (I assume was intentional) to amp up the QB and center mics and have Joe and Troy sit back, give it airspace, and translate it for us after is so uniquely awesome for this type of situation with this QB. Hat tip to whoever made that call, no pun intended.

a big Week 16 Recap - The Game and Throw of the Year - The Steelers are really doing this - Maye has a moment - Trevor is playing like a God @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social @patrickclaybon.bsky.social @thenickshook.bsky.social 🎧: landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily 📺: youtu.be/9DgHMHRFzSs?...

Hard to remember a more rightfully crowded COY candidate group. Vrabel, MacDonald, Coen, Payton, Shanahan, Johnson, Ryans, Steichen depending on how this finishes out and Canales has these Panthers on a joyride season. McVay is coaching for a Super Bowl. Jim Harbaugh. So many.

Trevor Lawrence, the playoffs await…but first…Quarterback Island…

The front row giving the stink eye to Blue Wig. Seems telling.

Jaguars have looked like this for several weeks now - but doing it against the Broncos defense (including on the road and 4/4 so far against this red zone D) is another kind of statement.

Nearly 60 yards in the air. In that wind. Walkoff. Holy sh*t. Bears-Packers, we are so back.

What a game. Talking Rams-Seahawks with @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social now! www.youtube.com/live/h-o_RvC...

Ooooooh we got a ball game 👀

That was THE no look pass of no-look passes from Stafford.

Haaaaaa the call Stafford was just getting in the helmet. Made the same hand gestures I do when I’m really stressed out by ongoing small talk but don’t want to interrupt. Of course, he can’t interrupt 💀

Stafford wants to go on fourth down all game. Great shot caught by the broadcast. McVay might not be comfortable enough with the OL change just yet. Would think they get back to aggression as game continues if Dedich settles in.

Statement from the Rams: “There is no place in this world for Antisemitism as well as other forms of prejudice or hostility towards the Jewish people and people of any religion, ethnicity, or race."

From the NFL released shortly after Nacua’s apology: “The NFL strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed towards any group or individual.” (1)

“We’re not interested in style points. We’re trying to build a bully.” Just awesome to chat with #Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander this week on building a clear team identity and how they scout and develop players within that ethos: 🎙️ landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily

Worth a read this morning from Jon Greenberg on why, when things in Chicago are going well… sometimes the smartest move is saying nothing at all: www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Tomorrow!!

🚨 Just finished an incredible conversation w/ @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social She + @jacsonbevens.bsky.social preview what might be the Game of the Year between the Rams and Seahawks; breaking down which team has which advantages and how they expect each side to exploit them. In your ears shortly!

doing a mailbag Tuesday with @colleenwolfe.bsky.social and @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social send any football or holiday themed questions and we'll answer the best ones

Good Vibes All Star

“It’s all about what you actually are.” Loved speaking with Carolina Panthers EVP of football operations Brandt Tilis this week about finding the right people to rebuild a team with, and being honest about luck vs stability in good times and bad:   🎙️ landing.podtrac.com/nfldaily