Go Long Podcast

The 2-5 Baltimore Ravens just may morph themselves into the AFC's most feared team. Lamar Jackson waited a little longer. His hamstring is healed. And now? This schedule softens up, starting with a game Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins. Here's a quick solo pod taking a look at the quarterback and the team that has a realistic chance at running the table. I also mentioned Jackson's private QB coach at one point. Those previous pods can be heard here and here. Subscribe to Go Long for full longform NFL coverage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This 2025 Minnesota Vikings is now all about one man: quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The pressure's on... especially with how Sam Darnold is playing in Seattle and Daniel Jones is playing in Indianapolis. Both players were in the Vikings' building last season. Not to mention, Bo Nix is lighting it up for the Denver Broncos. He was an option in the 2024 draft. To get answers on everything McCarthy, I'm joined by Matthew Coller of Purple Insider. In theory, the Vikings have the right coaches, the right weaponry and even a pair of solid tackles. Operating on McCarthy's rookie contract, they made a point to pay up for players in free agency, too. Things haven't gone according to plan. The Vikings are now in danger of falling out of the playoff race early. They play at Detroit this week. Above all, they need to figure out if McCarthy is their guy. Nothing matters more. Coller supplies fantastic insight on the inexperienced quarterback who's finally healthy from a high ankle sprain. For complete longform NFL coverage, subscribe to Go Long at GoLongTD.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For all of the talk about Aaron Rodgers into Packers-Steelers on SNF, this was always a Jordan Love moment... and he delivered. Here on the Go Long Podcast, I'm joined by Peter Bukowski of The Leap and Locked On Packers to make sense of Love torching the Steelers. We've been in on this quarterback for a long time. Miss our column at Go Long on the game? Here's my take on Brian Gutekunst, Love and the Packers. On the pod, we drive the conversation forward. Patience paid off. The Super Bowl is officially the bar year-in and year-old for this team. It's time to let Love, the $55 million man, cook in this Matt LaFleur offense. Be sure to rate, review and share if you enjoy. Thanks, everyone. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You've got the football in your hands every play. You absorb all fame, all glory, all blame, all PTSD associated with the position. There's no profession quite like American Quarterback. But what are the roots of the position itself? How did it become so worshiped and mythologized and scrutinized? ESPN Senior Writer Seth Wickersham took on this sprawling project with his book, "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback." Purchase it here. With exceptional access to the best quarterbacks in NFL history, including Steve Young, John Elway and the Mannings, Seth brings the position of Quarterback to life as only he can. Man, I loved this conversation. We get into the book, the profession, the hunt for NFL truth and so much more... capping of course with some Caleb Williams talk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here are our initial takes from the 1 o'clock games in Week 8, from Caleb Williams getting outplayed by Tyler Huntley in Baltimore to Drake Maye's near-perfect day to James Cook running wild in Charlotte and a disheartening Bengals defeat. Miss our series on the Chicago Bears? All three parts to "House of Dysfunction" are right here for subscribers to Go Long. The chasm between Williams and Drake Maye was painful this day. GM Ryan Poles laughed Maye off the screen. A brutal look this day. Part I: The Curious Case of Caleb Williams Part II: Inside the Chicago Bears "rigged trial" at No. 1 overall Part III: Who's the boss? Subscribe to Go Long to access all stories. We aim to take you places others will not. For more on Drake Maye, check out our piece on the New England Patriots attempt at rebuilding an new dynasty. He's looking like a special quarterback. I'll have more from Week 8 after the Packers-Steelers game Sunday night. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new segment for our podcast listeners. Here are our Week 8 picks, straight up. Please be sure to rate, review and share to keep the Go Long Podcast growing! Miss a story at Go Long this week? Links are below. Hunting for answers at One Bills Drive Time is now for Jordan Love to make his move The rise, burden and legacy of Warren Moon Ben Johnson is worth every penny Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Baker Mayfield is squarely in the MVP hunt. Sam Darnold's renaissance rages on in the Pacific Northwest. And raise your hand if you saw the Daniel Jones revival coming. Elsewhere, Carson Wentz's fairy tale story isn't so merry. Aaron Rodgers? It is... complicated. On this episode, we explore quarterback revivals (and a hell of a lot more) with the exceptional Lindsay Rhodes of SumerSports. There's a good chance you remember Lindsay from her days running the show at NFL Network. Now? She's helping fans see a totally different game on Sundays. At SumerSports, she analyzes the sport on a deeper level. Together, we try to solve some of the biggest questions this season... with a blend of analytics and human nature. Over at GoLongTD.com, your home for longform, we've got a feature LIVE on the state of the Buffalo Bills. I spent a day hunting for answers inside the locker room. Also, it's Jordan Love vs. Aaron Rodgers under the Sunday Night Football glow. Here's my column on what this game means for the new face of the Packers franchise. As always, the best way to support our independent journalism is with a paid subscription to Go Long. Thank you for building our community. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NFL wasn't ready for an African-American star quarterback in the late 70s. Warren Moon forced the league's hand. We chat with the legendary Pro Football Hall of Famer all about his unparalleled rise from to the University of Washington to the CFL to nine-time Pro Bowl passer. Moon previously hung out with Go Long subscribers on a Happy Hour. He's now opening up on the burden he carried as a star in college and the pros. Moon never really was able to enjoy all of his success and openly wonders how he would've performed with a clear mind. But today? His impact on the sport is obvious every Sunday. We also get into his mentorship of No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. He's always giving the Titans quarterback advice. Which QBs does Moon like to watch today? Josh Allen is near the top of his list. Be sure to rate, review and share the podcast and subscribe to GoLongTD.com for all feature stories, all columns. We aim to take you places others will not. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Things are heating up. Once again, the NFC North is shaping into the league’s best division. A year ago, Sam Darnold was a major reason why… and the Minnesota Vikings decided to use their money elsewhere in the offseason. J.J. McCarthy’s ankle is still hurting. After Carson Wentz’s struggles vs. Philadelphia on Sunday, we can’t help but look back at the team’s monumental quarterback decision. Elsewhere, the Green Bay Packers’ all-in trade for Micah Parsons continues to look genius. He was a menace in the desert. Chicago’s run game was more of a freight train against the Saints. Ben Johnson’s off to a strong start. And that decimated Lions secondary edged Tampa Bay’s decimated receiving corps. Here’s your weekly two-hour dissection of everything NFC North with Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob McGinn. Paid subscribers to GoLongTD.com can access an ad-free version of this episode. Miss our feature on Lions defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad? It's right here. Also, here's the piece on Ty'Ron Hopper mentioned on the pod. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's the replay of our latest Substack Live at Go Long. Subscribe to GoLongTD.com to join future shows! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buffalo Bills are 4-2. They’ve got the reigning MVP under center. And yet? Code Red panic has swept through Western New York through the team’s bye week. These surely are not 4-2 vibes. Let's welcome back Jay Skurski from The Buffalo News to discuss. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This has been a funky season, hasn’t it? No dominant team. Philadelphia’s fall. Baker Mayfield’s rise. Baltimore’s disappearance. And we’re really just getting started. Loved chatting this week with former pro linebacker Tre Watson. He spent the summer of 2019 in Miami Dolphins training camp before bouncing around the XFL, CFL, UFL and you may recognize Watson as the brother of Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson. Today, he’s coaching high school football, commentating college games for ESPN, raising two kids and co-hosting the Hitman’s Haven Podcast with his father. We hit on an array of topics here on the Go Long Pod. Why high school football is peak sports joy. NFL life. He saw firsthand how ruthless this league can be. Not every coach is merit-based like Mike Vrabel. Christian’s recovery. He’s witnessed his brother’s “freakish” traits and work ethic his entire life. In the 2024 regular-season finale, Christian tore his ACL. Now, he’s on the cusp of returning to action. How did he recover so fast? What makes his brother a weapon? Christian caught 29 passes for 620 yards (21.4 avg.) and two touchdowns last season but his impact on this Packers offense runs deeper. Tre explains. What’s missing in Green Bay? Something is. Matt LaFleur’s club keeps banging on the title door and can’t get in. The Baker Mayfield Effect. He’s the MVP frontrunner right now. Tre Watson lives in Tampa, Fla., and fills us in on the buzz locally. His greatest memories once the NFL lights dimmed. One moment in St. Louis sticks with him. Thank you for listening and subscribing, everyone. You can follow Watson on X @MDQue_33. Video and audio is available above. You can also access this episode everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don’t look now but after a pair of 25-24 wins, the Chicago Bears are 3-2 with winnable games ahead. Here on the Ty & Bob Pod, we dissect the Monday night game in full. What’s sustainable? What isn’t? It wasn’t pretty. Issues remain. But Ben Johnson is proving he’s worth every nickel as this team’s head coach. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions met their physical match in a hungry Kansas City Chiefs team. Safety Brian Branch — a player who enjoys crossing the line — will now pay the price for a terrible cheap shot, too. It was a rough second half for the Lions offense. Jared Goff may be in the MVP conversation, but something was missing in this game. Finally, we get to the Green Bay Packers fending off a pesky Bengals bunch. Josh Jacobs gives this team an element of physicality it’ll need when the games really count. The full 1-hour, 42-minute show is available to our paid subscribers. Our Bob McGinn, as always, guides you through his film review. Position to position, you’re guaranteed to learn something new. Thank you for supporting our independent journalism. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears take the Monday Night Football stage this week, a matchup featuring the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks from the 2024 draft. We’ve explored both the Commanders and Bears at length here at Go Long. Loved having the opportunity to chat with Ben Standig who launched his new Substack “Last Man Standig” this fall. Ben has covered the Commanders for a long time and does excellent work in always thinking outside the box. Thanks to all who joined. As always, be sure to download the app for all stories, all audio narration and all future Substack Live videos. And for those who missed it, here are the links to our series — “House of Dysfunction” — from a month ago: * Part I: The Curious Case of Caleb Williams * Part II: Inside the Chicago Bears’ “rigged trial” at No. 1 overall * Part III: Who’s the boss? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here’s your weekly dose of NFC North talk with my co-host Bob McGinn. The Lions steamrolled the hapless Cincinnati Bengals, 37-24, back in David Montgomery’s hometown. This one meant something special to the hard-charging back. Be it Jared Goff’s pinpoint precision, Jahmyr Gibbs’ jukes or Amon-Ra St. Brown’s brilliant route running, these Lions have A-level players all over the field. And the best of the bunch just may be the man the Lions sorely missed last season: Aidan Hutchinson. He saves his best for last in games. Elsewhere, the Minnesota Vikings inched past Cleveland across the pond. Justin Jefferson proved he’s QB-proof. McGinn dissects his special game. Finally, McGinn relives Brett Favre’s unforgettable debut at Lambeau Field vs. the Bengals. We appreciate you all listening, watching and sharing with a friend. ICYMI: * PATRIOT REIGN? How Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye can restart a dynasty of their own * Drake Maye changes the AFC calculus * GL Pod: NFL Revolution with Michael Silver * The Jalen Hurts File? All he does is win... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Back in August, I caught up with my pal Michael Silver at Buffalo Bills training camp in Pittsford, NY. It’s always a treat. One of Silver’s stories invariably leads to another. And another. And another. And another. And this day, we were discussing the eccentric main characters of his book, “The Why is Everything: A Story of Football, Rivalry and Revolution.” Silver clearly got the goods. I couldn’t add it to Audible fast enough. Somehow, his book managed to exceed all expectations. Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris drove the sport in a very new direction. Their innovations became commonplace. But to my surprise, Silver’s epic is far, far more than X ‘n Os. The personalities of all the above are fascinating. Thus, I couldn’t wait to welcome Silver onto the Go Long Pod here to discuss in full. Video and audio are above. You can also check this episode out on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, everywhere you pod. (Be sure to rate, review and share on the platform of your choosing!) Of course, we naturally weave the coaches into this 2025 season. McDaniel is feeling the heat in Miami. LaFleur is trying to get Green Bay over the hump. Most of all, do yourself a favor and work “The Why is Everything” into your library. The Amazon link is here. You’ll be left wanting more. Be sure to read all of Silver’s excellent work at The Athletic. He’s also on X @MikeSilver. Thanks, all. ICYMI… The New England Patriots are coming. But how exactly did the Bill Belichick Era turn to rubble? Why did Jerod Mayo fail? We look backward and forward in our latest longform piece at Go Long for paid subscribers. Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel are out to create a dynasty of their own. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What a week it was in the NFC North. Micah Parsons’ grand return to Dallas had no fairy tale ending. Only questions for that Packers defense… and special teams. (Yikes.) The good news? Romeo Doubs, profiled here, took charge. It wasn’t pretty in Las Vegas. Ben Johnson lost his cool, too. But Caleb Williams’ late drive was enough. Are the skies clearing up for injury-riddled Chicago? J.J. McCarthy returns to practice soon. However, Minnesota’s issues run deeper than the quarterback position at the moment. Harrison Smith is still going strong, but for how long? Meanwhile, Detroit rolls along vs. offensively challenged Cleveland. We get into everything with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn. Time stamps are below. And thank you for sharing Go Long with a friend. * Packers-Cowboys: 12:28 * Bears-Raiders: 46:31 * Vikings-Steelers: 1:09:13 * Lions-Browns: 1:29:41 Monday Column, icymi. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leverage. Leverage. Leverage. In sum, that is what matters most for the NFL’s players ahead of the next round of CBA negotiations with owners. And right here at Go Long, former NFL quarterback Matt Schaub announced his candidacy to run as Executive Direction of the NFLPA. In exceptional detail, he lays out his plan for the players. I cannot recommend reading his arguments enough. Here on the Go Long Pod, we continue the conversation. Schaub could bring clear, concise, bold direction to a group that sorely needs leadership. Above all, his master plan for leverage is something NFL players have never attempted before: creating their own league. One thing’s for certain. The NFL itself is piecing together plans as we speak. You can watch/listen to our chat above or anywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Be sure to follow Schaub on X. At the end of our conversation, we also hit on a few current NFL topics. Did Michael Penix Jr. turn the corner? Also, what makes Kyle Shanahan unique? Schaub worked with the 49ers head man back with the Houston Texans. Thanks, all. We appreciate you rating, reviewing, sharing the podcast with a friend. Recent pieces at Go Long, icymi: * Hope in Gotham? Brian Daboll finds his man at quarterback * “Where do we get some Guinness?!” The Full NFL Ireland Experience * License to Kill: Jackson Hawes infusing Buffalo Bills (and the NFL) with a ‘Full Send Mindset’ * TreVeyon Henderson sees the light * Double Doink, Bears memories, QB confidence, Revis Island, Stafford/Goff: Allen Robinson relives it all This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy Valley… to Jacksonville… to Chicago… to several other stops at the tail-end, Allen Robinson experienced a little bit of everything as an NFL wide receiver. Poor QB play. Super Bowl expectations. A torn ACL. 1,000-yard seasons. Contract disputes. Revis Island. Stafford ‘n Goff. There’s a lot to get into and the longtime NFL wide receiver is much obliged. We welcomed Robinson onto our latest Zoom Happy Hour at Go Long this week, and he didn’t disappoint. Thanks to all who joined, and be sure to keep an eye out for future hangouts. Is there an NFL player you’d like to share a virtual beer with? Let me know at golongtd@substack.com. Video and audio is available above. I’ll also post the transcript separately, too. Paid subscribers can always join our Happy Hours. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com So much for the post-Ben Johnson haze. The Detroit Lions are just fine on offense. Dan Campbell’s fourth-down swag was back in a 38-30 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Jared Goff knifed clutch completions. Aidan Hutchinson changed the game late. And most encouraging? This offensive line was back to bullying bodies up front. I discuss in full with Bob McGinn… Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.