Segment 1: Draft and Preseason Recap
- Brought in QB Justin Fields ($40M)
- Resigned stars WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner to long-term extensions
- Draft picks include rookie RT to strengthen the offensive line, TE Mason Taylor and intriguing 4th rounders speedster Georgia WR Arian Smith as deep threat and Alabama S Malachi Moore
- Gone are QB Aaron Rodgers (Steelers), CB DJ Reed (Lions, one of the best free agent signings in years), LB CJ Mosley (retired), underperforming DT Javon Kinshaw (Commanders, $45M!)
Segment 2: Season Preview: the Good, Bad and the Ugly (8:35)
Good
- Expect strong running game by committee
- Improved defense expected after last year's porous run D, the return of edge rusher Jermaine Johnson after serious injury
- Traded for much needed run stuffing D linemen Harrison Phillips (Vikings), Jowon Briggs (Browns)
- Good offensive line (injury update below), with the plan of having left and right tackles to play together for the next decade
- Improved special teams through resigning of veteran K Nick Folk after other kickers' missed FGs and PATs cost the team a few wins last season
Bad
- Growing Pains: this is Aaron Glenn's first NFL heading coaching role; ditto new GM Darren Mougey and first time offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand
- Did not replace veteran WR talent after Davante Adams was cut
- Depth at QB?: If Fields gets hurt, backup QB Tyrod Taylor has a long history of injury; untested rookie QB Brady Cook (Missouri) awaits his first NFL snap
Ugly
- Fields is playing for his third team in as many seasons, having to master yet another offensive system, from a rookie OC
- Where are the offensive weapons after the RBs and WR Garrett Wilson for Fields to work with? One dimensional offenses struggle to score points, win games
- RG Alijah Vera-Tucker injured his triceps, potentially ending his season; O line goes to Plan B with free agent Josh Myers (Green Bay, former Fields teammate at Ohio State) to play center and C Joe Tippmann to slide over to RG
Segment 3: Week 1-4 Predictions (18:45)
- Jets face major challenge week 1 vs. the Steelers defense; expect the team to be motivated to play well under new head coach Aaron Glenn; likely Steeler win but there's a chance to steal one this early in the season
- Jets to struggle vs. Buffalo in Week 2, Tampa in Week 3, chance for success Week 4 in Miami
- 1-3 record after September quite possible
Segment 4: AFC East Insights and Observations (32:50)
- Bills the class of the division with MVP QB Josh Allen
- Expect the Patriots to be much improved under new head coach Mike Vrabel and returning OC Josh McDaniels; tough test for rookie LT Will Campbell Week 1 vs. Raiders all-pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby
- Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel under the microscope; potentially explosive offense suffers when QB Tua Tagovailoa misses time with injuries; they are counting on backup Zach Wilson if Tua goes down (thank you!)
- Goal for Jets: split the season series with Bills, Pats, Dolphins
Segment 5: Other NFL Insights (35:50)
- Niners bounce back (coach, talent, scheme, weak schedule), win the division; Rams to be tough, concerns about health of QB Matthew Stafford
- Trade of stud edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay shifts the balance of power in that division and NFC
- Giants to have more talent, better record than the Jets despite tough schedule and having to play in the NFC East? They play Washington tough, Dallas could be vulnerable; will Eagles RB Saquan Barkley stay healthy?
- AFC West should be very competitive with KC, Chargers and Broncos fighting it out for supremacy; expect the Raiders to be improved under Pete Carroll, QB Geno Smith and rookie RB Ashton Jeanty
- Colts have Daniel Jones as starting QB...will Indy be improved?
