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Watching backups in an NFL preseason game is a bit like starting a new TV show. You don’t know most of the characters, you recognize “that one guy from that one thing” and you give it a few episodes to decide if you’re enjoying it.
Today’s NFL newsletter:
- 🗺 Hall of Fame Game takeaways
- 🏆 Next in the HOF?
- 🇺🇸 Team USA flag football
- 🏃 Running back rooms
Hall of Fame Game: A new kick0ff, but not much more
While it wasn’t a primetime battle between Caleb Williams and CJ Stroud, there was still plenty to see in last night’s preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game, which the Bears won 21-17 after the game was called early due to a thunderstorm.
Let’s start with the debut of the new kickoff rules:
Truthfully, I don’t love it yet. Maybe I was expecting more after an offseason of reading about the excitement it will bring to the game. Maybe it was because none of the kicks were noteworthy, or because we didn’t have a returner with the skill of Devin Hester. Maybe teams will break out trick plays once the games matter.
Whatever it was, I was expecting better.
Final stats for the kickoffs: one touchback to the 30, two penalties (plus another missed false start. This setup seems ripe for flags) and five returns between 15 to 28 yards. None were returned past the 32-yard line. Still, the jury remains out. “There are kinks to work out, and the preseason is when that happens,” I keep telling myself. I want to like this change.
We saw Bears No. 3 QB Brett Rypien complete 11 of 15 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns. The 28-year-old former Bronco and Ram impressed after taking over in for No. 2 Tyson Bagent, who went 2 of 3 for 16 yards. Rypien’s favorite target was Collin Johnson, a 26-year-old, former fifth-round pick who posted 56 yards, two touchdowns and this catch. The 6-5, 220 pounder deserves a spot in Chicago’s high-powered WR room.
No impactful fantasy takeaways from last night. But for more on the game, click here for Adam Jahns’ recap.
Hall of Fame: Next Generation
As enshrinement week continues, The Athletic’s Dan Pompei and Mike Sando — two Hall of Fame voters — chose the likeliest next Hall of Famer from each of the NFL’s 32 teams. Only five current players made the list:
DE Myles Garrett, who set the record for most sacks by a player under 28 (83) and is the most dominant defensive player in the game today. But whether he’s Cleveland’s next inductee could depend on how long G Joel Bitonio plays.
QB Matthew Stafford: Another Super Bowl win would certainly help the former Lion’s path to the Hall (Torry Holt or Aaron Donald will be the Rams’ next inductee), as he’s never won MVP and has just one playoff run to his name. That said, he gets points for helping Kenny Golladay make millions. For now, it’s a fun debate.
QB Aaron Rodgers: There’s another former Packer (HC Mike Holmgren) ahead of Rodgers, who is the Jets’ best hope — for the Hall and this season. He’s a lock for first-ballot entry.
RB Derrick Henry is a former Offensive Player of the Year and one of eight running backs with over 2,000 yards rushing in a season. In Baltimore, he isn’t slowing down. I expect him to add another couple solid years to his resume, which will be necessary.
That’s four of those five current players. Can you name the fifth? Hint: He’s an offensive lineman who played in Washington. The answer is at the bottom of this newsletter. Read the full article if you can’t wait.
What Dianna’s Hearing: ‘Turbo Herbo’ is shut down
The Chargers’ social media team is known for creativity, trend-setting clips and all-access fun, so when they released a statement informing the public that starting QB Justin Herbert will be out for the rest of training camp, you understand why I, and many, assumed they were hacked.
But after making a few calls, it was confirmed. The Chargers officially labeled this as an “injury to the plantar fascia” in Herbert’s right foot. Just two days ago, the same account released a video of the 26-year-old scrambling up the sideline (captioned “turbo herbo”). But now the team says he will be in a boot for the next two weeks, followed by a gradual return to play.
On today’s episode of the Scoop City Podcast, my co-host (and former Herbert backup) Chase Daniel described the injury as feeling like “a million pins in the bottom of your heel just poking through… I think this is a much bigger deal than the Chargers’ tweet seemed to (suggest).”
You can listen to the latest episode for Chase’s full explanation as to why he’s worried about the Chargers (or you get that clip here).
Back to you, Jacob.
Olympic Special: Team USA’s Flag Football Roster
As this summer’s Olympic games hit their midway point, let’s mock up the 20 members of a 2024 Team USA Olympic Flag Football team.
But first, the rules: The teams competing in the 2028 Olympics will have five players on offense and five on defense. On offense, a quarterback and four eligible receivers, including a center, who’s eligible after the snap. On defense, a safety, pass rusher and linebacker, plus two corners. We’ll include backups for each, with the starters listed first.
- Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson
- X receiver: Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb
- Z receiver: Tyreek Hill, DK Metcalf
- Slot receiver: Ja’Marr Chase, Malik Nabers
- Center: Bijan Robinson, De’Von Achane
You get the trend so far, right? I went back and forth at quarterback, but stuck with Mahomes due to his arm talent and underrated elusiveness. We have quickness in the slot, deep threats at Z and shiftiness in the center role for short dump-offs. Out wide, undisputed No. 1 receivers in Jefferson and Lamb. Christian McCaffrey is a player I went back and forth on, and could see arguments for him replacing Achane. Regardless, good luck defending this offense, world.
- Pass rusher: Micah Parsons, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
- Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Fred Warner
- Cornerback one: Sauce Gardner, Devon Witherspoon
- Cornerback two: Patrick Surtain II (despite his wish to play receiver), Jaylon Johnson
- Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Trevon Diggs
The obvious trend continues: speed. We also want players in our secondary who are willing to jump passes (hence moving CB Diggs, a ballhawk, to safety). I trust the NFL’s two best linebackers to patrol the middle, while Parsons was a no-brainer. I shifted Owusu-Koramoah, the Browns’ speedy linebacker, to rush the passer after he was effective as a blitzer in 2023 with a 87.4 pass-rushing grade. I like having the speed to rush with flexibility to drop into coverage.
That said, I think the current team USA will be just fine. For more on flag football in the Olympics: The history, reasoning and expectations ahead of 2028.
Backfield Watch: ‘Christian McCaffrey and a mannequin’
One of my favorite offseason series was Larry Holder’s review of both the pass rush groups and running back rooms for each conference. Today, Larry joins Scoop City to discuss the state of NFL running backs.
There are groups in Washington, Chicago and Carolina that we still don’t know much about. Which do you think is the most uncertain or up for grabs entering 2024?
💬 Larry: I’m high on D’Andre Swift in Chicago. He played well in 2023 for the Eagles. In Washington, the Commanders employ a nice duo with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. I’d point to Swift and Robinson as RB1s, even though capable depth exists behind each.
As for the Panthers, their RB depth chart resembles much of the franchise at this point: messy. Trading up for second-rounder Jonathon Brooks points to the Panthers’ hopes that he will win the job. But when will he be ready after an ACL tear in November? The Panthers likely have buyer’s remorse with Miles Sanders (pointing back to the Eagles letting Sanders go in favor of adding Swift last year). Throw in Chuba Hubbard, and the whole group is uncertain.
The Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery strike me as the best backfield in the NFL. Who is the No. 1 challenger to their throne, or is there a backfield you’d prefer?
💬 Larry: I’d agree that Gibbs and Montgomery are the best duo heading into 2024. Miami’s Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane present the biggest case to challenge the Lions’ 1-2 punch. It could be hard for Mostert to replicate 18 rushing touchdowns, considering he only had 14 total (!!) in the previous eight seasons. And I’ll be curious how much more the Dolphins implement Achane into the offense given his explosive nature.
Still, I’d take McCaffrey and a mannequin as the best pair.
Jacob’s Picks
📕 How to watch the Hall of Fame ceremony. Larry summarizes everything you need to know for Saturday’s event in Canton. (The Athletic)
🎙 Raiders GM Tom Telesco joins Scoop City to talk about roster-building in Vegas, his time with the Chargers and more. You’ll also enjoy the discussion between Chase and Dianna on whether rookie Bo Nix has a chance to win the quarterback competition in Denver. (Scoop City)
Who was the other current player likely to be a franchise’s next rep in the Hall? OT Trent Williams, who spent nine seasons in the nation’s capital until Kyle Shanahan made him a 49er.
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