NFL Mailbag: Tua, Pickens, Sanders, HCs
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag covers questions relating to Tua Tagovailoa's future in Miami, the chances of playoff-bound coaches being fired, George Pickens' contract outlook and the Browns' quarterback setup.
Rick asks:
Is this the end of Tua time in Miami? He padded his stats at the end of [Monday] night's game, but that was bizarre to watch. As Aikman said repeatedly, there was zero urgency even though the team was playing for the postseason. Could something else be going on to lead to such an odd performance on the big stage?
This question came amidst the report Tagovailoa would be benched for Week 16, which has since been confirmed. Head coach Mike McDaniel opened the door to such a move in his postgame remarks.
NFL Mailbag: Mayfield, Titans, Patriots, QBs
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag covers questions about the pending extension between the Buccaneers and their franchise quarterback, along with the Titans' and Patriots' respective outlooks and some of the top QB prospects for 2026.
Rick asks:
Baker Mayfield was in the MVP conversation in the first half of the season but has cooled off. The Buccaneers will probably still extend him; what do you think his deal will look like?
Mayfield first arrived in Tampa Bay on a one-year deal in 2023. That $4MM contract came at a time when his future as an NFL starter was in question, to say the least. He has surpassed expectations by a wide margin since then.
The Buccaneers made a three-year, $100MM investment in Mayfield last March. The returns on that deal have been strong as well, so the widespread expectation another pact will be finalized after the season makes plenty of sense. I would agree Mayfield’s value has (if anything) taken a slight dip in recent weeks – a stretch where the Bucs have been decimated by injuries, to be fair – but he should still be in store for a major payday.
NFL Mailbag: Jones, Lions, Carroll, QBs
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks at questions related to the Colts' pending QB investment, the Lions' upcoming extension decisions, Pete Carroll's future in Vegas and more.
Thomas asks:
Are the Colts going to have to franchise tag Daniel Jones? With the Vikings potentially circling and Indy having traded away two first-round picks, this gives him leverage despite an inconsistent career. Do you think a tag will be necessary, and won't the cost of that tag shape his asking price like it did with the Giants in 2023?
A long-term pact certainly can’t be ruled out at this point, especially if Jones can rebound from his recent dip in production (although doing so will be difficult, given his injury situation). But if negotiations on that front stall, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Colts willingly let him test the open market.
Right now, Jones is on track to be by far the top QB available in free agency. Other options will consist of veterans such as Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson (if they continue playing) or upside gambles like Malik Willis or Trey Lance. Someone like Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray could be on the move, but even if so Jones would be a target for several suitors (one of which could be the Vikings, ironic as that would be).
NFL Mailbag: Vikings, Maye, HC Candidates
This week's PFR mailbag explores the Vikings' QB outlook, Drake Maye's MVP case, some of the top 2026 head coaching candidates and more.
Jordan asks:
The Vikings look to have made the wrong bet on J.J. McCarthy. With a few reclamation-project QBs having success in recent years, what options do you think will be there for in-house competition in Minnesota come 2026?
I should probably start this by stating the obvious: it is way too early to fully declare McCarthy a bust this early into his career. He has made just six regular-season starts to date after not seeing the field at all as a rookie.
That will rightfully give McCarthy a bit of leeway overall, but it’s undeniable he hasn’t developed as hoped so far. I had relatively high expectations in his case entering the season based not on his college career but rather head coach Kevin O’Connell’s track record of getting the most out of his quarterbacks. In that sense, there’s plenty of time for things to turn around.
NFL Mailbag: Falcons, Taylor, Chiefs
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag addresses questions about the Falcons' future, the case for a non-quarterback MVP contender, the Chiefs' struggles and the long-term outlook of the AFC's top teams.
Kurt asks:
Arthur Smith received three seasons; the Falcons have technically seen Raheem Morris as head coach for three years if his 2020 interim season is included. Once the Falcons finish under .500 again, will he be retained? Also, Terry Fontenot has been GM for five years now. What exactly does he need to do to be fired?
It’s rare for a head coach to depart a team on good enough terms to end up returning in the same capacity. That’s what happened in the case of Morris and the Falcons, something we should keep in mind when considering how willing owner Arthur Blank will be to make any changes.
With that said, Morris’ overall Atlanta record across his two stints is 15-23. When we add in his Buccaneers tenure (17-31), there’s a growing case for him to be viewed best as a defensive coordinator moving forward. Even so, Atlanta has enjoyed strong showings (at times) on offense since Michael Penix Jr. took over as the team’s starting quarterback.
NFL Mailbag: Giants, Young, Browns
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks into the Giants and Browns as they contemplate major organizational changes this offseason, along with questions on Bryce Young's standing in Carolina, the NFC North race and more.
Aaron asks:
What will it take for the Giants to finally get this turned around? Does it make sense for Joe Schoen to get another year after Brian Daboll's firing?
Health on offense would surely make a difference. The make-or-break campaign for Daboll (and perhaps Schoen) saw Malik Nabers suffer an ACL tear and Cam Skattebo sustain a season-ending ankle injury. Add in quarterback Jaxson Dart’s concussion, and the Giants are currently without three foundational young players on that side of the ball.
Each member of that trio reaching their potential when healthy would be critical; the Dart-Nabers connection could prove to be highly effective if things go according to plan. With that said, it’s hard to imagine Schoen being able to hang his continued employment entirely on the possibility of Dart becoming a franchise passer. Daboll was unable to maximize the talent available to him, but the roster Schoen constructed still has a number of question marks (although ownership’s stance on that front certainly suggests Schoen will be safe for 2026).
NFL Mailbag: Trades, Steelers, Fins, Shaheed
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag answers multiple questions related to the trade deadline while also looking into the Steelers' chances of a Super Bowl run.
Krystal asks:
Which contender do you think will be hurt most by not making a deadline trade? What was your favorite trade outcome at this deadline?
The Chiefs did make a midseason addition by reuniting with Mike Pennel, although that was a free agent signing following his Bengals release. Kansas City was short on cap space but swinging a deal for someone like Breece Hall would have helped a backfield facing questions (and, to be fair, the Chiefs did make an offer on that front).
The Bills were also in the market for at least one addition with nothing taking place. Again, only a low-cost trade (in terms of finances) would have been feasible, but I expected something in their case. The buzz about a receiver addition made tons of sense, and it’s not as if the rentals who were moved came at an exorbitant price with respect to draft capital.