THE NFL OFFSEASON, BROTHER | EP. 25

The Waterbros are back! Life has been crazy, so even this is coming to you late but we are excited to bring some offseason content and will start the offseason with a double episode drop! 

Get ready for a deep dive into the NFL's offseason moves, draft prospects, and team strategies that are shaping the 2026 season. Zach and Ben unpack trades, signings, and their early predictions for draft picks — all sprinkled with insights on how these changes impact their favorite teams and the league at large.

Main Topics

• NFL offseason highlights and team rebuild strategies
• Draft prospects and positional needs for Patriots and Eagles
• Key free agency moves and trade implications
• Division-specific shifts, especially NFC South and AFC contenders
• Notable player signings, including Travis Kelce’s extension and Raiders' signings

Key Insights

• The Patriots are focusing on interior offensive line, offensive tackle, wide receiver, edge rusher, and safety in the draft
• The Eagles aim to bolster their offensive line with prospects like Spencer Fano and attract defensive talents like Jacob Rodriguez
• Key NFL trades and signings show a trend toward building versatile, high-powered offenses and aggressive defenses
• The NFL draft is expected to feature high-profile offensive tackles like Caleb Lomu, with teams also targeting edge rushers and secondary defenders

Timestamps

00:00 - Episode intro and offseason vibes

02:20 - Olympic highlights and offseason mood

03:07 - Team rebuilding focus and draft outlook

07:42 - Patriots' offseason needs and draft targets

12:17 - Patriots' draft strategy and player predictions

16:00 - Eagles' offseason plans and draft prospects

19:45 - NFL free agency day one review ("season snacks")

26:39 - Notable signings and trade moves across the league

33:15 - Noteworthy quarterback shifts and NFL quarterback landscape

35:58 - Potentially deadly wide receiver duos and QB concerns

38:26 - Defensive signings, including Devin Lloyd and others

40:21 - Day two expectations and ongoing offseason drama

41:30 - Final thoughts and wrap-up, including last minute impressions

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

What's up everybody? Welcome to the Water Bros podcast. It has been a minute, but we are back. It is the first episode of the off season, and we cannot be more excited to chat about all things off season, whether it be NFL, whether it be other sports, whether it be just the stuff that is going on that we love. Benny, how are you doing, dude?

SPEAKER_00 0:25

We're doing great.

SPEAKER_01 0:27

I mean format today.

SPEAKER_00 0:30

Yeah, little shakeup. Now we are in full offseason mode. Obviously, we haven't talked to the people since the Patriots lost the Super Bowl. There's been a lot that's happened.

SPEAKER_01 0:42

We went into a little bit of a cave after the Super Bowl. We just, you know, took our time.

SPEAKER_00 0:49

Especially myself. You know, you know, the end of the of the NFL season was rough. You know, we were all done with football, Patriots losing the Super Bowl. A little bit brutal. But now we're in full offseason mode. We've had Olympic gold medals given out. We've seen golf pick up its its mojo. We've seen basketball start to get back on track. March Madness right around the corner. NFL offseason is in full swing. What could be better than any of that?

SPEAKER_01 1:20

No, it's been it's been a great start to the offseason already. I don't know about you, but I absolutely loved the Winter Olympics, the moments that I could catch that were the gold medal moments. Just a quick shout out to the men and women's uh hockey teams. That that was absolutely electric to watch all that.

SPEAKER_00 1:42

Yes. That I mean, that in and of itself has to be the best high quality H2O out there. From the the entire Winter Olympics, they absolutely crushed it. I don't know if you could get any better than that. Um, but how about you, Zach? How have things been going for you off-season-wise?

SPEAKER_01 2:03

Uh, you know, it's been uh pretty good. I guess why don't we just dive into a little bit? Obviously, just to let the people know, the the format is gonna be different in these offseason episodes. We're gonna be a little shorter, a little sweeter, uh, but still just enough to keep you hydrated through this off-season. Um, the goal is we'll have these quicker episodes that focus in more on uh kind of smaller groups. Instead of reacting to everything that's going on in the NFL, we'll just be talking about some of our favorite stuff, whether again, whether it be NFL related or stuff a little outside or adjacent to. But today we are going to talk about the best of our combine hopes and what we're hoping in the upcoming draft, maybe what our teams will do, along with day one of free agency and what we think about some of those. And I can't wait to just do a little deep dive on on that stuff. Uh, but as always, we're gonna fill the jug, Benny. You asked what I've been doing in the offseason. I've been doing freaking projects. That is just that is just what is it, that is life. We uh did a facelift on the kitchen, and uh, I mean, we celebrated Jay and her birthday. I mean, that's doesn't get better than celebrating her. She's she's a rock star as always, so it's been good. What's filling the jug for you?

SPEAKER_00 3:34

I think, yeah, I mean, obviously, in the kitchen model looks amazing at your house. Hey, thank you. It definitely has it's come together, right? So, and yeah, shout out to Jane and the birthday. She is a rock star. I completely agree. I feel like what's been filling the jug over here, we we did a little project. We we did a little B board for Rudy's room, really upgraded him to uh a big boy room. Um, so really excited about that. Uh more crib and he wanted to no more crib. He's in the big boy bed. He's probably just walking upstairs right now because he knows he can just get in and out of his room, which is not great. But that's just that's just what we're that's toddler football right there.

SPEAKER_01 4:21

Yeah, that is toddler football.

SPEAKER_00 4:24

I don't know if there's any way I can get away from that.

SPEAKER_01 4:28

No, and uh, we feel like we're right around the corner on that with Gwen about needing to kind of upgrade and do her whole thing, and uh uh I mean we just dread it a little bit, like we we just know as soon as we pull that plug, she's just gonna be rampant because she doesn't climb out, she doesn't try. Yeah, thank goodness.

SPEAKER_00 4:48

I know that, but yeah, and that surprises me with Lil Gwen. She's she's a little firecracker.

SPEAKER_01 4:53

No, I agree. I'm amazed that she has not just gone for it. It because she climbs everything else, everything else in our home, she will climb up on, but she has never climbed out of crap. So we're riding that. I mean, and that's been rude no more.

SPEAKER_00 5:09

Yeah, that's literally why we've waited this long because there was really no reason to, but now's the time he was getting too big for his bed, and so being able to upgrade him into the big boy bed is yeah, it's a big deal. So we're excited about that. I would say that's filling the jug, but also we're getting into March, the warm weather.

SPEAKER_01 5:29

Yeah, dude. Uh the weather today was unreal, but you know what else on that front? It didn't go dark until like 7:30. And yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_00 5:47

I completely agree. Like driving home in sunshine and knowing that I have a little bit of sunshine when I get home is a huge win. I will take that every day of the week. Yeah, it just so that's you know.

SPEAKER_01 6:01

Go ahead. Sorry, we're a little bit because of my problem. Yeah, I apologize.

SPEAKER_00 6:08

No, I would say that yeah, that that's really been filling the jug. You know, there's there's not much to complain about. We had an awesome Sadie's uh adult Sadies Hawkins dance on Saturday that you know our sister Shannon and brother-in-law Sheldon put together, which was an absolute riot. Injuries and all, now with our aging bodies, but it was fantastic to get out there and dance and just have a good time. So it's always that's always been feeling the joke.

SPEAKER_01 6:41

Right?

SPEAKER_00 6:41

I'm I'm stinking.

SPEAKER_01 6:42

Yeah, just bust the moves. I'm so stinking delayed for you, and I'm so sorry.

SPEAKER_00 6:49

No, it's not that bad. I'm catching it, I'm catching it.

SPEAKER_01 6:53

It it feels bad on my side. But Benny, this is uh let's just dive in. Let's get into it. If we're talking uh after this combine, you had 200 something players go, they they all did their thing, they did their performances, they got their grades on what they're expected to do in the NFL. Um, if you're the Patriots, if you're in that front office, what are you looking to do based off of your combine results? What are you hoping for?

SPEAKER_00 7:28

Yeah, there's a couple things that that I'm mainly looking for. And and this is why I'm so excited to touch on this conversation of both rookies and the combine, but also free agency and how that kicked off today. Because what I had listed out as the top five needs for the Patriots heading into the offseason is number one, interior offensive line. We traded away our center, Garrett Bradbury, to the Bears because their center retired. And we had uh, you know, our left guard as a rookie, Jared Wilson, and he did okay, but you know, maybe getting a veteran presence, getting someone that can help be um a little bit better on the guard front, opposite Mike Onwenu, or be another standout center would be solid. Um, and I just got the notification that the Patriots signed Elijah Vera Tucker, who was a first round pick of the Jets years ago, and he has been hampered by injuries all of his career. And so if he can stay healthy, I am very hopeful of what he can potentially do in a Patriots uniform. Um, so I'm glad that I listed that out as my number one Patriots attack at day one of free agency. So that's good. Love it. Um to see it. Yeah, so it's like, all right, maybe I know what I'm thinking. But number two, offensive tackle. I think regardless, you know, we have Morgan Moses on the right hand side. He did a good job, but he's aging. And then Will Campbell at left tackle, he's able to set it. He's sticking there. So it's like having someone that can potentially fill the gaps, or you know, if an injury happens, if there's subpar performance, it would be great to have an offensive tackle that can fill the void there if needed. And then also rounding it out wide receiver, edge rusher, and safety. You know, the Patriots, we let go of Stefan Diggs. We're most likely going to lose our safety Jalen Hawkins. We're most likely going to lose uh Calyvon Chase on, who is incredible in the playoffs, incredible in the Super Bowl, um, as an edge rusher. So those are the main positions where, okay, we need to find someone to fill the fill the holes, plug and play, and see how we can rinse and repeat for next season.

SPEAKER_01 9:43

I'm I'm with you, Benny. You keep talking. I just am having a camera shutdown over here. Or did you lose me altogether? Oh, I've got you now. I lost your video. Yeah, it for whatever reason it just kicked my I swear, dude. It kicked my camera off. So you keep you keep going.

SPEAKER_00 10:08

Okay, yeah, I was about to say I lost the video, but so with those. So, but with that being said, of the Are you back?

SPEAKER_01 11:24

Still a little delayed. Keep going. Yep, I'm back. No, I'm back. I'm hearing you perfect. Are you hearing me okay?

SPEAKER_00 11:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:32

Yeah, I've got you okay now. Okay. Well, we'll see. Keep going, Ben. You were on a roll. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 11:41

So now with all five of the positions that I feel like we should be targeting, what came out for me is okay, we have a late first round pick. I guess that's the blessing and curse of doing well in the NFL season, right? So you're picking late. Um, so there are a couple players that I feel like should be top of the list for the Patriots. Number one, maybe this is a bit of a homer thing, but Caleb Lomu, offensive tackle out of Utah. Mainly because you need a tackle. You're going to need to grow and get an additional tackle. He's someone who's raw, doesn't have to start right away. Bring him in the building, see what you can get out of him. A second wish list player that I was envisioning was someone like a TJ Parker into the first round, getting an edge rusher on a rookie deal out of Clemson, see if we can get someone like that. Then I kind of round it out with I don't think Monroe Freeling from UFC is going to land in the late, you know, the late uh part of the first round, but I feel like he has a ton of upside alongside you know a couple wide receivers that we might see there at the end in either Denzel Boston or Jordan Tyson out of Washington and Arizona State. So I think those are a couple of the players that I feel like hey, we can have you know a good chance at getting you know a solid player at the end of the first round.

SPEAKER_01 13:07

Okay, I like it. So that's any of those four you would be happy if they they went that route in that first round.

SPEAKER_00 13:16

Absolutely. Yeah, I feel like those would all be solid picks for the Patriots to you know truly go into the you know into next season with some solid young talent. We've got plenty of picks to work with. We just gotta nail each and every one of them and be deliberate about it.

SPEAKER_01 13:36

Yeah, when after the first round, when's your next next pick?

SPEAKER_00 13:41

That is a good question. Let me double check when exactly what picks we have. So we've got pick 31, and then I think we're picking again late um second round. I think it's like pick 63. Let's see. So we have 11 total picks. Um, but we're pick yes 31, 63, 95, round four, 125, and 131, and we have four six-round picks. Um so yeah, we've got we've got a couple different different options. There are there are a couple players that uh AI is you know on Google is telling me that the Patriots should go after. So instead of like uh Caleb Lomu, they're saying Caden Proctor, tackle from Alabama, or they say like a Blake Miller, Zion Young, edge out of Missouri, or a Keem Mesador out of Miami. I don't think he'll make it to that point, but I think that yeah, there's gonna be some decent options that the Patriots have to really we're gonna need young players to be able to perform and try and get back to where we were this season.

SPEAKER_01 14:53

No, 100%. And I think this will be really interesting too. From I mean, to your point, you're like, I don't think these guys are gonna make it. We don't have a lot of QBs that are gonna go first round, so it is gonna be a skills guy, a O-line, and a tough edge rusher. Like those, those are gonna be your picks in that first round, and it's gonna be interesting to see how that all falls out. Um Benny, I I like I like your thought process there. I think we're in funny enough, I think similar boats um in some regards between the Eagles and and the Patriots in some of the things we need to do to retool. I think yours is definitely more offensive-minded. Um, but I I think we have some similarities. So if if I'm looking at the Eagles, especially after today in free agency, um, and I love that we have a little visitor just kind of popping in and out, in and out.

SPEAKER_00 15:53

I don't the the background there, and and let's just say that this visitor brought me four pieces of gum and had one in his mouth, like a little gremlin.

SPEAKER_01 16:05

He's just he's just watching out, he just wants to make sure your brush is fresh for the pod and just keeping keeping you square. That's it, that's stuff. Um, I guess uh shouted out Caleb Blomu. Um, I I'm gonna be kind of in that same train if I'm on the Eagles side going in. Our first pick's the 23rd pick, so not as far back as you. I think we have a shot at getting a good guy. Um, but I would love to see like a Spencer Fono come in into the Eagles organization. Obviously, we lost our O-line coach, perennial. Like he was the guy, had tons of success in in developing O-line, but I I think that's still gonna be uh a good fit for Spencer Fono just from the standpoint that Utah is tough, hard-nosed football, and I feel like that is Philadelphia football as well. So I think Spencer Fono go there. Um, and shout out Ty's dies. We got the youth ripping the Utes a little bit today. Heck yeah. We don't have sponsors, but uh if we could have one, I wouldn't mind partnering with Ty's Dyes. He does some good stuff. I think you have some of his stuff too, Benny.

SPEAKER_00 17:21

I do, yeah. Ty's dies is legit. I would not mind that at all. Yeah, I'm with you there.

SPEAKER_01 17:26

He's so if you're looking for good college swag, he doesn't do all schools, I don't think, but he he has some good stuff. Um, but yeah, Spencer Fono O-line, we I mean in his uh combine Spencer Fono, I think, did really well. His performance on the testing side did really well. They're saying he measured a little small, so maybe he goes interior, but even that for the Eagles isn't a bad match. Just because you got Lannon Lannon Dickerson that is incredible but had injuries last year was is kind of getting towards the probably the closer to the tail end of his career. So having someone like a Spencer Fono, uh, even if you move him to the interior to help give us some depth, I think Spencer Fono could fit in really well. Um given the fact that we did not bring back Goddard, I think you could see the Eagles go tight end route, trying to get a tough weapon to help re-bolster the offense like a Kenyan Sadiq. I think that would be, and I guess I should know if that's actually how you pronounce that. Did I nail that?

SPEAKER_00 18:37

Yeah, no, I I think you nailed that. Yeah, I that's how I would pronounce it. And to be honest with you, if the Eagles got two seconds here. If the Eagles got him at pick 23, I would lose my mind. After what he did at the combo, I don't think there's any way that he goes that low.

SPEAKER_01 18:56

His stocks way up, and I don't think he'll go that low either. But I'm just saying, if I could get him, and it I mean, how he that Eagles office, he's not opposed to trading up, you know, making some moves potentially. You never know. They just picked up four other picks um today, I believe. So compensatory picks, right? Yeah. And so I I could see him making some moves, making some adjustments. We have a handful of second and third round picks. So maybe maybe they he does some Willing and Dylan to try and get the guy that they absolutely love. I'm curious to see how that unfolds. Um, I also had a TJ Parker on my wish list as far as an edge. Uh, we just traded away. Um Phillip Davis. Or yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:53

Well, Jalen Phillips just signed with Carolina today.

SPEAKER_01 19:57

Jalen Phillips, sorry. Davis we kept. Jalen Phillips, we signed over. Um that is not my strong suit, everybody, so take it was what it is. Um but we were gonna so Jalen Phillips.

SPEAKER_00 20:14

What what was frustrating there is apparently the Eagles, that was like their big plan was keeping him, but him signing four years of 120 million with Carolina, that was a big loss.

SPEAKER_01 20:24

Yeah, huge, huge loss. I mean, he was only brought in towards the end of the season last year anyway, and uh gave us, I think, a good bolster to to that defensive front. And so to lose him is definitely a big loss. Um I mean, one of the main moves, Eagles have kind of been a little quiet, I feel like, generally speaking. But like one of the main things they did do is uh they did make, see, and I'm now I'm just doubting all my name strength here, Benny, but uh they didn't know.

SPEAKER_00 21:03

You can leave you can leave some of that to me too.

SPEAKER_01 21:09

See, uh now I just got to double check myself so I don't say it wrong.

SPEAKER_00 21:15

Uh yeah, what have the Eagles done today?

SPEAKER_01 21:22

Jordan Davis nose tackle. They I had Davis, but they resigned him. He's now the highest paid nose tackle in NFL history with his deal. Um 78 million dollar extension, three-year extension, sixty-five mil guaranteed. Um so again, haven't done a ton apart from like trading guys away, which is bumming me out. Uh but yeah, if we could both D line, I also go ahead.

SPEAKER_00 21:58

Well, I was gonna say losing. Uh, Nicobe Dean today as well. Not ideal.

SPEAKER_01 22:04

Yes, not ideal. And that's what I'm saying. We need defensive guys, so I wouldn't mind seeing them go defensive and getting a real real strong presence that can come in and contribute right away. And uh, I mean, I'm gonna say it, I even think Jacob Rodriguez would be a great time to come to the Eagles. Like, I think just his work ethic, especially us being in the Big 12 and getting to see kind of the Jacob Rodriguez show with Texas Tech this last year. Um, I would love to see a guy like him come in and uh join the Eagles defensive side. Uh, we definitely need that help. We also traded today Reed Blankenship, so he's or I guess we we didn't keep him, and uh so that's a huge loss. I I think Blankenship was a huge um contributor on the the defensive end, and so we're gonna need support on the defensive backside as well. Like we whether it be a cornerback like D'Angelo Pons or like hey, go get the kind of Dylan Tyneman from Oregon, go and I probably don't say that one right either, but go get him. He really showed out how to great combine. Uh, I think his stock's definitely up, but we we're gonna need somebody to help bolster the secondary because we we traded away a lot on our defense. So start replacing.

SPEAKER_00 23:35

Right, yeah, because losing blank and chip to the Texans, that's that's a tough loss. You know, the uh the what do they call them? What does Pat McPhee call him? The the wonderful whites and fantastic white, exciting whites. That's it, yeah. Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_01 23:54

Back there. So the exciting white.

SPEAKER_00 23:56

So just Cooper DeGene. I mean, Cooper de Jean might might switch over to safety.

SPEAKER_01 24:03

I mean, you I feel like he's really got uh he could, but I I feel like he's got a good thing going playing playing where he's playing. He he I mean he's a dog.

SPEAKER_00 24:14

He is, yeah, he is incredible.

SPEAKER_01 24:17

You got uh Gwintan Quintanamo Bay, you got Quinyon Mitchell there that probably needs a a complimentary cornerback on the other side, too. Like he'd we'd we kind of need that match to help bolster that as well. So it'll be interesting to see who they they end up pulling, but I hope we we can grab some guys for our defense. It seems to be constant rebuild.

SPEAKER_00 24:39

Yeah, I mean, I think it's interesting when you talk about like, you know, obviously free agency happens first, so we can see a little bit of what teams are trying to get, what they feel most confident in getting from a veteran player versus what they feel like they can get from a rookie in the draft. And the Patriots and the Eagles really quiet. You know, the Eagles only losing players and then re-signing Jordan Davis, and then you've got the Patriots signing Dramont Jones, a defensive end, who you know is stout and like the run run game. So it's like, okay, we lose Kyrus Tonga. He signs with the Cardinals. Or no, he signed uh I'm trying to remember. I think he I believe he signed with the Cardinals. Um and then we don't get uh no, he signed with the Chiefs, excuse me. He signed with the Chiefs, um, which is really good for them. And then we signed Reggie Gilliam, a fullback, and then Elijah Vera Tucker, interior offensive line. So interesting day for the Patriots and Eagles. Very quiet on that front. I I am a little worried.

SPEAKER_01 25:49

Yeah, and on uh I guess on the flip side of that, just kind of since we're talking a lot about this free agency day one, you have some folks making some great moves, Benny. Yes, you want to dive into and we're gonna call this just for the people, we're gonna call these off-season snacks when we start talking about all these moves. This is again, it's just the what keeps you keeps you satiated till football starts again at the end of this summer. Um, but some off-season snacks that I wanted to highlight, like you said, it's a quiet day for Chiefs and Eagles, not a quiet day at all for the Raiders. I mean, holy smokes, the Raiders are throwing around the money bag.

SPEAKER_00 26:36

Yes, the the Raiders definitely are throwing away, you know, throwing around some money. One of the best signings of the day uh that everyone can really point to is Tyler Linderbaum leaving the Ravens, the center, signing with the Raiders. Yep. It's a fantastic move. You get a solid quarterback of the offensive line to help support the anticipated rookie quarterback in Fernando Mendoza. So that's a fantastic move. The rookie coming in, they go and get Jalen Naylor, they pick up uh you know defensive players in Quiddy Pay, Nicobe Dean, Quay Walker, they trade for Taryn Johnson, they they sign Eric Stotes or resign him, I should say. They've had an incredible day of like getting players that can come in and make a difference. My personal favorite, they signed the Utah, Utah's former kicker Matt Gay, today. So Raiders are you know, they're picking it up when they come through.

SPEAKER_01 27:35

I love it. And yeah, I mean that's what you want to see. Kickers and punters. Raiders were yeah, you need you need a good kicker and punter. That is crucial stuff. And you'd love to see if I'm a Raiders fan, I'm excited to see how active and how much money they're throwing around to try to bolster that team that was, I mean, in a bad spot at the end of the season. So shout out to you Raiders dad. Pop.

SPEAKER_00 28:02

Shout out to the Raiders.

SPEAKER_01 28:05

Shout him out. Um, another one, Benny, that I'll throw out there that I think is a great move, and maybe one that I'm most excited to see unfold is probably Mike Evans ending his time in Tampa Bay and going to the 49ers. I I think that can be extremely dangerous.

SPEAKER_00 28:27

Yes, I I do agree. I think it can be extremely dangerous. I was a little bit upset, to be honest, because I don't like the 49ers. And it it made me sad because Mike Evans has been a staple on my fantasy team for year after year. He is a you know Hansen uh league fantasy champ um this year. So Mike Evans, you know, going leaving Tampa Bay, I I hope that he you know he does well for himself, but that wasn't you know a move that I was very, very happy about. I I will say though, something that kind of flew under the radar, I feel like, from a lot of the things I was watching today, because it wasn't necessarily a splashy move from one team to another, but guess who's back? Back again for another season.

SPEAKER_01 29:19

Guess who's back?

SPEAKER_00 29:21

Who's back? Mr. Mr. Travis Kelsey re-signing with the Chiefs, running it back again next year. Is that's a big deal that I don't think a lot of people are really talking about, you know?

SPEAKER_01 29:35

Yeah, I mean, I think that's a huge deal. I sent Jane a gift today of uh Anchorman, that scene from Anchorman, where she's like, Hey, hey, we talked about this. It's like, yeah, I thought you were joking. And it's Will Farrell's Taylor Swift and uh Travis Kelsey's the lady anchor, who I should know her name as the character, but I don't, which is like one of the main points of the movie is the misogynistic side. So that's L on my side. But uh he's like, I thought you were joking. I even wrote in my journal, he told me a very funny joke today. But no, he's back, he's coming for what, 15th season.

SPEAKER_00 30:17

I belie yeah, something like that. That which is crazy.

SPEAKER_01 30:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 30:21

I mean, I'm sure that Patrick Mahomes is gonna be happy to have his number one target back. You know, they're they're retooling. I think that was another big signing of the day of you get the Super Bowl MVP running back and Kenneth Walker signing in Kansas City. Yeah. Rich keep getting richer, it seems like.

SPEAKER_01 30:41

I was really surprised by this move, Ben, because it if I were going and looking at, okay, what do the Chiefs need? I don't know that I would have been looking at the backfield running game. You have Pacheco, you have Kareem Hunt that did it, did a good job for him. Uh and so I guess I I was a little surprised to see Kenneth Walker the third going to the Chiefs, but I think they just got better. Like, I think that's a huge get for the Chiefs.

SPEAKER_00 31:08

Absolutely. I think not only is it good from a running perspective, but Kenneth Walker is incredible in the pass game. A great pass catching running back that I feel like was missing from that team. Um so you add a Super Bowl MVP, is it's huge. I mean, that's a huge win for the Chiefs. Um, I was I was shocked to see that he landed there, but then again, Chiefs were gonna chief and they're gonna figure it out.

SPEAKER_01 31:35

Yeah. To give to give Pat a great little check down option that can can produce some some yards. I think I uh wouldn't mind having Kenneth Walker the third on my fantasy team again this next year, which I believe I traded him to you. Didn't I trade him to you?

SPEAKER_00 31:54

No, I I think I traded him vice versa. Yep, yeah, I gave you Kenneth Walker, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:59

That's too funny. That's right, that's right. We tr we switched our Seattle running backs.

SPEAKER_00 32:07

That's right, yeah. So I ended up getting uh I don't remember who was the other big piece in that trade I got, but it was yeah, definitely worth it to you know to to see you know a trophy at the end of that fantasy season. I'll I'll take that every day of the week. But another another thing that's interesting uh that you know maybe doesn't like didn't really take the shine because there's not very many splashy quarterbacks in free agency, but a ninety-nine million dollar cap hit being taken by the dolphins to get rid of Tua Tungavailoa, which is wild. Wild. Yeah. And then you you pair him as a second lefty in Atlanta with Michael Penix, and then you get Malik Willis down in Miami. I I honestly don't think if you would have asked me two years ago, hey, Tua's not going to be the starting quarterback in Miami, it's gonna be Malik Willis, I wouldn't have believed you at all.

SPEAKER_01 33:06

Yeah, it is that I think is one of the more fascinating moves. I think Tua uh in my opinion, it's it seems like it's going by the he'll be a backup no and no nothing else for a while is is kind of where I feel like he's shifting to. Like I I don't see them pivoting off of Michael Penix as being their guy. So I mean, two is gonna be now that veteran QB who never really I think got his chance in the sun.

SPEAKER_00 33:41

I mean, it it is possible that you know I mean, new coach down in Atlanta, so they don't have any ties to Michael Penix, so it's possible that they bring him in. Maybe it's a competition, maybe they ended up, you know, giving the job to Michael Penix. But if you're Tua, you know, they sign him on a minimum deal, so he signs for like a million something because he's getting paid by Miami.

SPEAKER_01 34:04

So umami, it's a free QB for the Falcons, so it's not like Tua is bad at ball.

SPEAKER_00 34:14

No, no, I think he's an extremely accurate quarterback. They have great weapons when you have and honestly, if the Falcons cannot figure out to get a quarterback to help Bajon Robinson, for heaven's sakes, I will be very frustrated.

SPEAKER_01 34:27

Yeah, because you gotta do something.

SPEAKER_00 34:30

I would love to run it back with Bajon Robinson in fantasy again next year. Um, because I think he's that big of a dog, but it's like you can't ruin these guys' primes with terrible quarterback play. So I'm I'm I'm interested to see what happens in you know, with all these quarterbacks shifting around a little bit this offseason.

SPEAKER_01 34:50

Yeah, and very curious to see if Malik Malik Willis stays the uh answer for Miami. That that is a fascinating situation. Um Benny, I think the the one other move that I wanted to highlight is the creation of potentially one of the more lethal wide receiver combos now in the NFL just sands a clear quarterback, is uh Pittman de Pittsburgh to to be alongside um DK Metcalf. And I mean, I think that makes an extremely tough duo for wide receivers for defenses to to face up with, but they they don't have a QB.

SPEAKER_00 35:41

Yeah, I feel like if they can figure out who's gonna be slinging the pill, they have some weapons. They lost Kenneth Gainwell as he ended up signing with Tampa Bay today. But when you get you know Michael Pittman, who was the number one in indie for a long period of time, but because of Alex Alec Pierce's cert, you know, I guess uh ascension in that offense, you know, you pay him 28 and a half million, yeah, you can't you can't really start to fork out the additional money to Michael Pittman. So that was an interesting move that I did not see happening. You know, the the Steelers in back-to-back seasons trading for wide receivers, um, would not have pegged that, but very, very good move by them because Michael Pittman can play.

SPEAKER_01 36:28

And uh, I guess one question I have, Benny, and maybe I just missed it because it has been crazy. Has Aaron Rodgers given an official retirement decision? I don't think I've seen an official, hey, I'm out of here.

SPEAKER_00 36:41

Yeah, no, he has not been official. He gave um he was on Pat's show and he has not made anything official. He also made it clear that there's been no contract offer by the um Oh, interesting. By the Pittsburgh Steelers. So so there's still a little bit, I guess, out there that is um that still needs to be decided for sure, because they need a QB. But uh we know how how he likes to operate. So we'll we'll see how what uh what decision he ends up coming to.

SPEAKER_01 37:15

Yeah, and I'm hoping that that is not the focal point of the offseason. I I hope it's not a will he or won't he like it has been in years past. Hope it just happens. And if it's happens, great. If not, great. Yeah. I seriously dude Rudy. I would draft Rudy in heartbeat. We got that dog.

SPEAKER_00 37:43

I seriously can't with this kid. He's just standing here just staring at me. Just being uh, yeah. But I think the other one, you know, obviously, us as Utah fans, the player that that stole the show from me today, getting a contract in Carolina, is Devin Lloyd. Following a second team all pro season, Pro Bowl, three years,$45 million deal with$25 million fully guaranteed for Devin Lloyd is a fantastic deal. And Carolina's adding some dogs there on the defensive side of the ball.

SPEAKER_01 38:18

And they're they're good teams. Yes, they are. They're making they're making some big moves. Panthers, I feel like we're we're on the up. I think they were stock up as far as uh doing better than people anticipated them to be. I think Bryce Young is kind of finding himself in the league, so uh to to have a complimentary defense that that would be huge for the Panthers coming into this next season. What what a time.

SPEAKER_00 38:44

Absolutely. I mean, it has been a crazy day. Yeah, but it's been a crazy day for the NFC South. I mean, that's been the division that's had the most moves from Carolina New Orleans has been surprisingly active. Um so it's been it's been crazy to me to see, and then Tampa Bay losing Mike Evans, your staple Hall of Fame wide receiver. It's just been a wild day. It I am very intrigued to see what ends up happening come day two tomorrow.

SPEAKER_01 39:17

Yeah, no, it's gonna be way fun to follow. It'll it'll give, I mean, plenty of us to chew on over the next uh, I mean, up until the draft. There's gonna be plenty to plenty of movements, plenty of things to to think about, and uh guess what if, what will this bring, what does this do for this team? And that's gonna that's gonna be Waterboro's podcast football right there. We'll be talking about all of that.

SPEAKER_00 39:43

I know. I mean, you definitely know we love us some what if scenarios, especially me. I love me some what if scenarios. What if the Patriots go and get AJ Brown from the Eagles, you know?

SPEAKER_01 39:57

I mean, what if? What if they did that? Oh, and Ben, we didn't even talk about it. Crosby out of the Raiders, that's a big one too. I was really hoping we'd get Crosby early. I mean, going to the Ravens, that's gonna be huge.

SPEAKER_00 40:16

Yeah, I mean, the Ravens picking him up, that is a big deal. I feel like we need to see. Um Lamar has got to figure it out next season. I feel like he was injured. Something wasn't going right for him last year, but hey, they're going all in and they're bet you're they're betting on you. You've got to go deliver a Super Bowl. You're a two-time MVP, now's the time. It's him and Josh Allen. Him and Josh Allen gotta go figure it out. I hate to say it, but guess what, guys? Drake May's been to a Super Bowl, and neither of you have. So let's uh let's just you know, let's just figure it out up in Baltimore and Buffalo. That's all I gotta say. Yeah. Exactly. We gotta we gotta show the respect where it's at, but there's been moves galore.

SPEAKER_01 41:05

Yeah, and we absolutely love it. Benny, I I don't know about you, but I feel like that might be this might be our our first offseason episode. That might be a good one. Yeah, I feel like this is yeah, this is for the people.

SPEAKER_00 41:22

Last thoughts for the people, I will say, I feel like the one person who maybe was helped out by today's events might have been Jeremiah Love. He might be going now number seven overall to Washington. That's the rumor that I've been seeing. I think Jeremiah Love is now just going earlier in the draft. It's uh it's gonna be wild. That's my last thought.

SPEAKER_01 41:43

Heck of a combine. I like I love that, Ben. It had a heck of a combine. Jeremiah Love is only looking great. Uh, the man is dynamic in the running back class. Both running backs that are leading that pack are from Notre Dame, with Jeremiah Love obviously being at the top uh as far as best grades from the running backs. Um I'm excited to see where he goes, what he does. Because we've seen it time and time again, a good running back can absolutely transform how an offense performs because it just gives you that additional option.

SPEAKER_00 42:19

Absolutely. Yeah, no, I I love yeah, yeah. That's a picture of mama and you when you're in the hospital. That's right. Yeah, we love we love that picture. That's a good one. Yeah. But yeah, no, that's that's my thought too. Off season has started. Obviously, I have a son who doesn't go to bed until 10 30 at night.

SPEAKER_01 42:40

So, yeah, I mean that's that's Rudy football. And uh, I we'll just say this the the offseason's gonna be a little interesting. We're gonna find our groove and what this looks like. We hope that you uh will join the bench for us in the offseason. But as always, Benny, what do we tell the people to end out today?

SPEAKER_00 43:01

Stay hydrated, ladies and gentlemen. We'll see you next week.

SPEAKER_01 43:04

Stay hydrated. Adios.

SPEAKER_00 43:07

See ya.