Some not terribly sharp people might dismiss the Ravens for a lack of Super Bowl championships over the past four seasons, but on this show, Conor and Gary cover just how Baltimore is positioning itself for consistent championship contention by exploiting roster-building inefficiencies. The wide receivers grabbed the headlines this offseason, but what does it mean to collect quality tight ends in a league with so few? Plus, why offensive linemen who aren’t tackles can anchor a front five, the im...
Jul 04, 2022•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Golden State Warriors won the NBA title, the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl, and each team was accused of “buying” their championship. With that in mind, Conor and Gary welcome SI NBA writer Rohan Nadkarni back to the show to discuss just what it means to “buy” a championship, why it’s an absurd accusation, and why more teams should be doing precisely what those champions did. Then, the trio fires off a number of takes, ranging from Tua to Russell Wilson to Nathaniel Hackett to all kind...
Jun 30, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast In honor of the release of Conor’s annual underrated players list (one player for each of the 32 teams!), Conor and Gary take a trip down the list to review its most interesting names. On this episode, a look at a slot receiver who deserves more of an opportunity, a veteran left tackle who’s getting a little more of his due, a productive young pass rusher emerging in the strangest of places, a first-round defensive back who reinvented himself with a new team, and a defensive tackle who enables a...
Jun 27, 2022•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s been a surprisingly busy week in the NFL, with developments in the Deshaun Watson cases, an off-the-rails congressional hearing concerning Daniel Snyder, and the retirement (we think) of an all-time great. So Conor and Gary welcome in SI NFL Insider Albert Breer to break it all down. First, now that all but four of the civil complaints against Deshaun Watson have been settled, what is the NFL timeline regarding league discipline going to be like? And why is this process going to be much dif...
Jun 23, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Conor and Gary have—rightfully—spent quite a bit of time discussing Deshaun Watson over the past few weeks. Now, with reports surfacing on Friday that the NFL plans to argue for a “significant” suspension of Watson, it’s a good time for everyone to turn their attention toward Baker Mayfield. If Watson is suspended for the season would Mayfield play out the final year of his rookie contract in Cleveland, knowing he’d be leading a playoff-caliber roster? Or would he try to start establishing himse...
Jun 20, 2022•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast With Conor recording from a secret location somewhere in these great United States, he and Gary link up via satellite phone to talk about three big contracts and one bad tweet. First a look at Aaron Donald’s deal, and what Donald wanted on and off the field (beyond a large sum of money) to return to the Super Bowl champs. Then, the importance of Cooper Kupp in a world that’s gone mad for wide receivers. Then, a discussion of the Hunter Renfrow deal, and what it means that a complementary weapon ...
Jun 13, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Deshaun Watson continues to be the biggest NFL story in recent memory, and thanks to the continued, exceedingly thorough reporting of Jenny Vrentas, it is not going to go away anytime soon. With that in mind, Conor and Gary welcome Jenny back to the show! A discussion of her latest investigative piece for the New York Times, which covers Watson and the expanding number of women not among the civil complainants who are sharing accounts of his problematic behavior during massage therapy sessions. ...
Jun 09, 2022•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast While Conor and Gary eagerly await word on their applications to Tight End University, they take a broader look at the market while addressing the question: Why don’t tight ends get paid more than they do? Breaking down the guys at the top of the market, the lack of depth at the position across the NFL, the tight end’s role in the NFL’s trendiest offense, and who could break through and get that monster contract. Then, a look at the Lamar Jackson contract situation, what the quarterback should b...
Jun 06, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a very special episode, Peter King returns to his old stomping grounds as the godfather (or something) of The MMQB helps Conor and Gary make sense of what you might call “the hot topics” going on around the NFL. It seems that Colin Kaepernick won’t be signing with the Raiders in the short-term, so what do we make of his workout with the team? Who is going to buy the Denver Broncos, and how much money will it cost? How will Roger Goodell handle the potential Deshaun Watson suspension? Is Mike ...
Jun 02, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Tuesday night, two massage therapists alleging sexual misconduct against Deshaun Watson appeared on HBO to put faces and voices behind their accounts, while Watson’s legal team continued to fight back publicly, both on and off the show. Conor and Gary discuss the potential effects of that “Real Sports” segment, the arguments Watson’s lawyers are making on his behalf, and the stubborn misconceptions about the Watson cases that just won’t go away. Then SI senior writer Stephanie Apstein joins t...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast It was just a few short years ago when it seemed that, across the NFL, every team was more or less satisfied with their quarterback situation. But with the 2022 season just a couple months away, somewhere in the neighborhood of one-third of the teams in the NFL are looking at some degree of—officially speaking—a “mess” at the QB spot. With that in mind, Conor and Gary are breaking down the specific degree of “quarterback mess” for 13 teams across the league. That means a discussion of Daniel Jon...
May 23, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast In a very special episode of The MMQB NFL Podcast, Conor and Gary welcome Jenny Vrentas back to the show to cover a number of topics, starting with the investigation into the Raiders by Jenny and the team at the New York Times. Why is that franchise seemingly run like a disorganized mom-and-pop store rather than a billion-dollar enterprise? Why has there been so much turnover among their front-office leadership? And what would you do if Jon Gruden burst into your office to tell you you're do...
May 19, 2022•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Conor and Gary have had a couple of days to chew on the NFL schedule after the league’s overwrought, (seemingly) months-long trickle of a release. Here’s what they settled on: First, the curious case of the Cleveland Browns’ utter lack of primetime appearances. How Deshaun Watson (very likely) affected that beyond just a potential suspension, and who it helps and who it hurts in Cleveland. Then, a look at five teams who got—maybe, perhaps, just a little bit—hosed by the schedule-makers, whether ...
May 16, 2022•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Conor and Gary start off the show with a discussion of just what kind of broadcaster Tom Brady will be one day. (If he ever is a broadcaster, that is.) Then, Richard Johnson, resident college football and Jacksonville Jaguars expert, joins the show for a discussion on a number of topics. Why was the 2022 NFL draft not very good? Will the 2023 QB draft class be a little better or a lot better than this year's? What do we make of the Travon Walker pick, and can an NFL coaching staff really unl...
May 12, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast One thing to keep in mind as we move into the month of May: Just because the draft is over doesn’t mean we’re done with player movement in the NFL. So Conor and Gary took a trip through the best remaining free agents to see what kind of teams we could build. Welcome to the first annual (or, perhaps, last ever) Remaining Free Agents Draft. The exercise isn’t completely meaningless; there are plenty of useful players still out on the market, and they should start moving soon now that the compensat...
May 09, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a couple days to decompress and really let the 2022 NFL Draft sink in, Conor and Gary are ready to talk about draft grades. Specifically, Conor’s draft grades. A look back at the draft classes that earned the highest marks, the draft classes that earned the lowest marks, and why each team falls into its respective category. Then, a look at the continued limbo of Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo and the roles their current teams played in them landing here. Plus, Tyrann Mathieu joins the ...
May 04, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Monday, the NFL said an investigation found "no evidence" to support the allegations of tanking made by former Browns head coach Hue Jackson. The team went 3-36-1 during Jackson's stint with the team and he believes the Browns front office should share some of that blame. Despite the league investigation clearing the Browns, that doesn't mean the team is innocent of the accusations made against the franchise. SI Staffers Conor Orr and Gary Gramling reviewed more than 1000 docu...
May 03, 2022•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sure, it isn’t the greatest draft class, but a couple surprise trades made Thursday night much more interesting than Conor, Gary or anyone else could have expected. A month ago, the Eagles had three picks in the teens of an underwhelming draft, and now they have a top-five veteran receiver, a 340-pound game changer for the middle of their defensive line, and still have two first-round picks in next year’s draft. Is anyone GM'ining better than Howie Roseman right now? Plus, the Cardinals make...
Apr 29, 2022•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Really, it’s more like Pick 22 to 32, and then seven more picks ending at Pick 102, but you get it, right? The point is: Conor and Gary are running down the remaining 16 teams’ draft needs, including the seven teams who don’t have a pick in Thursday’s first round (as of now). That means lots of Packers talk—what are the chances they skip a Round 1 receiver again when they have *two* first-round picks? Also, how about the Chiefs and their back-to-back first-round picks? Will they rethink their se...
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast The NFL draft is upon is. It’s happening this week. And, therefore, Conor and Gary have no choice but to unveil this year’s edition of the people’s podcast: The Mock Draft Show Series. Part I will cover 16 teams and 21 picks, delving into draft needs for each team and weighing the pros and cons of some of the prospects who might fit. Do the Jaguars go offense or defense with the first pick? Will the Texans make a selection with their current coaching staff or their next coaching staff in mind? D...
Apr 25, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of the biggest stories of the 2022 offseason: The bizarre twists and turns of the wide receiver market. After seeing Christian Kirk (among others) get unexpectedly paid, and teams dole out draft capital and big-money contracts for Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill, it’s time for the star wideouts of the 2019 draft to get theirs. That starts with Deebo Samuel, who made a shocking trade demand for reasons that remain a mystery. The questions: Will other, inferior coaching staffs be able to maximiz...
Apr 21, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Every draft season, humans who can block other humans are at a premium. But are there certain teams and certain quarterbacks who need great offensive linemen, while others simply need “good enough” up front? How do you separate the lineman from the QB and the system? And what might we learn from watching Austin Corbett in 2022? Conor and Gary get existential in the offensive line draft preview, but then they get down to business. A look at the top prospects in this draft class, and why the Jagua...
Apr 18, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Derek Carr signed a new contract that is in some ways big, in some ways not so much, in some ways team-friendly, and in some ways a really neat win for the quarterback. Conor and Gary discuss one of the most underappreciated quarterbacks in the NFL. It starts with a discussion of the contract and what it means as far as how the Raiders view Carr, and how Carr is now set up in the event of a divorce. But it’s also a discussion of how Carr is viewed, in a larger sense, as a good but not quite supe...
Apr 14, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s a draft show, but before Conor and Gary get to the prospects themselves, a draft-adjacent discussion surrounding the very strange wide receiver market. It was setting up to be another down market for wideouts, even after the Christian Kirk deal happened. But then, Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill brought it not only big-money deals but were acquired for significant draft capital. Will that trend hold up going forward? Then, a discussion of the five first-round candidates in this class of wideo...
Apr 07, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Due to an absurd second wave of free-agency news, NFL draft season was delayed. It officially starts… now. Conor and Gary dive into the biggest storylines of the draft. That starts with examining the claim that it’s not a particularly good draft, and what effects that could have on the teams (most of them) that wouldn’t mind getting the heck out of Round 1. As always, any first-round shuffling will be quarterback centric—a look at the five potential first-rounders among this class of passers. Sp...
Apr 04, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Conor Orr and special guest co-host John Gonzalez of the Sports Illustrated Weekly Podcast dig into the stunning retirement of Bruce Arians, what kind of legacy he leaves behind in the coaching world, and whether the timing was strange or suspicious. Conor also tries to navigate a long-winded Office analogy involving the show's famous "Pretzel Day" episode. article: Bruce Arians Left the NFL Coaching World Better Than He Found It Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Pr...
Apr 01, 2022•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re doing another Deshaun Watson episode because it’s an incredibly important story that goes beyond football. And, we’re doing it now because, on Friday, Watson was formally introduced as the Browns’ new quarterback, in a press conference that provided few direct answers. That made this show the perfect time to bring New York Times reporter, former MMQB podcaster and all-around wonderful person Jenny Vrentas back for a guest appearance, seeing as she has led the way on Watson reporting throug...
Mar 28, 2022•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast With Terron Armstead signed and Tyreek Hill acquired via trade, all eyes are on the Dolphins. That’s why Conor and Gary welcomed a very special guest to this show: NBA writer, podcaster, esteemed colleague, friend of the show, and expert in all things Miami: Rohan Nadkarni. The three-man booth discusses, among other things: Was the Hill trade worth it? Does it make sense considering the quarterback situation? Who should be the starting quarterback for the Dolphins anyway? And what do we make of ...
Mar 24, 2022•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Conor and Gary start things off with a discussion of the Browns, from their stunning decision to pursue Deshaun Watson while the quarterback is under the cloud of 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, to their stunning decision to award him an unprecedented contract, to their off-putting decision to build the contract around a likely suspension. Then, the Davante Adams trade to the Raiders, what sense it could make for Vegas, and why it’s an even more significant setback for the Packers ...
Mar 21, 2022•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast At the time of taping this episode, a Deshaun Watson decision was imminent. While it was unclear who Watson would pick, there was one interested team Conor and Gary knew was already out of the running: Cleveland. The Browns lowered themselves into the sewer that was the Watson sweepstakes surely knowing that, if they missed out, there was no way they could turn back to Baker Mayfield. Assuming they didn’t want to keep Mayfield anyway, was it a wise move now that they’ll have to turn to Plan B? A...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
