Caleb Williams has been the presumptive No. 1 overall pick for months. And months. And few have questioned whether or not that should be the case. Meanwhile, LSU’s Jayden Daniels drew rave reviews from the personnel community in Bob McGinn’s draft series. Scouts would actually take Daniels over 58 percent of the quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall since 2010, including Jared Goff and Kyler Murray. Friend of the show Conor Orr penned a fantastic read on this year’s QB class at Sports Illustrated and joined the podcast today to explain why Daniels is more talented than most think. He believes the Washington Commanders will be in very good hands. We also discuss Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and how his career could take off in the right system and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. The hype befuddles us both. You can listen to this episode above, watch the video below or access the pod at Apple, Spotify or YouTube. Thanks, all.McGinn’s entire draft series is available to Go Long subscribers.ICYMI:* ‘He’s Randall Cunningham:’ Herm Edwards, Daniels’ coach at Arizona State, explains why.* Why Drake Maye and the New York Giants are a perfect fit* ‘Weapon:’ Why Jaylen Wright is the best running back in the draft* Gap between Caleb Williams & Jayden Daniels? Closer than you think... 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

Greetings from Fattey Beer in Hamburg, NY. What a fun time. Thank you to everyone who made it out for our 2024 pre-draft hangout. We’ll definitely do this again very soon. So great to see familiar faces and say hello to new faces. Here on the podcast, WGR 550’s Jeremy White and The Buffalo News’ Jay Skurski both cut away to discuss the state of the Buffalo Bills, which wide receiver makes sense with Josh Allen and what happened with Stefon Diggs. Xavier Worthy — whom the scouts certainly love — could be exactly what this unit needs. Listeners will need earmuffs upon hearing how one scout described the Texas speedster. But do not discount a major move up the draft board for Rome Odunze. GM Brandon Beane knows there is urgency. The “WR Train” should blare loudly, either way. You can listen to these discussions above, watch the video below or access everywhere you get pods, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. As a reminder, Bob McGinn’s 40th annual draft series is accessible to all paid subscribers. New readers can upgrade right here to join our community: 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

A dozen smart football people can watch a full game of Drake Maye and draw a dozen different conclusions. We share different opinions here on the Go Long Show and thought it’d be smart to devote a full episode to this year’s enigma at the position — in addition to all of the best QB fits in Round 1. Should Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll do everything in their power to move from No. 6 overall to three? Could Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell view Maye worthy of a monster haul of draft picks?Of course, the New England Patriots can simply stand pat and take Maye if the draft goes chalk, too.This year’s draft is packed with legitimate hype.As a reminder, Bob McGinn’s 40th annual draft series launches first thing Wednesday morning. A fine time for those on our free list to upgrade. He’ll start with the wide receivers and tight ends. This pod, we stick to the quarterbacks.Audio is above. Video is above. You can also access the Go Long Show everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. If you enjoy, feel free to rate and review wherever you listen.ICYMI: * Anthony Gould is your old-school alternative* 'Built different:' Why David White Jr. is this year's WR steal* Who will the New England Patriots draft at No. 3 overall?* WR Hunting Season is here* A conversation with Joey Mulinaro... America's Cool Uncle* The franchise quarterback handbook 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

There’s a very good chance Joey Mulinaro has organically worked his way into your life online. He’s one of the rare humans making social media a fun place. Maybe it was his Modern Seinfeld sketch on “The Big Game” or “The Accidental Like.” Maybe you caught one of his impressions — Saban & Belichick, Cris Collinsworth, Mel Kiper Jr., Mike McDaniel, Patrick Mahomes, Gus Johnson, Colin Cowherd or, most recently, his 15 impressions on Catlin Clark in 100 seconds. He’s always making people laugh with his pal, Benedict. Here the two are in peak form.Well, Joey does stand-up, too. And there’s a good chance he’ll be performing in a city near you.This coming Wednesday, April 17, he’ll be performing at Helium Comedy Club in Buffalo, N.Y. You can secure a ticket here. He’ll also be at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay, Wisc., on May 16 and a handful of cities in-between. Here on the podcast, we chat about Joey’s meteoric rise — and how he balances it all with two kiddos. We discuss the timeless greatness of Seinfeld, his favorite all-time episode, the art of rattling off obscure NFL names and… he saves his best for last. Joey Mulinaro goes full Mahomes if Mahomes was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2017. In addition to the audio and video above, you can also access the podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. This was a riot. Thanks for listening and sharing, everyone. If you live in WNY, hope to see you on Wednesday. Keep up with everyone Joey Mulinaro’s up to on X or his website.Subscribe to Go Long at GoLongTD.com to access our 2024 NFL Draft coverage in its entirety. Bob McGinn’s 40th annual series begins next week, and we’ve got a profile on David White Jr. live at the site right now. 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

Eliot Wolf is the captain now. The son of Hall of Famer Ron Wolf has final say on draft day. He’s finally in charge of an NFL team. So, how will the New England Patriots boss proceed at No. 3 overall?This was a fun conversation. Go Long welcomes on Phil Perry, the excellent reporter at NBC Sports Boston, to chat all things Patriots’ direction, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and what’s possibly running through Wolf’s mind ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s a new day in New England — Bill Belichick is gone. But this is also the conference of Mahomes and Allen and Burrow and Stroud and Jackson and Herbert.Replenishing this talent-drained roster is a (very) tall task. Perhaps trading down is the wise move, but if you love a quarterback you better select that quarterback. New here? Be sure to upgrade to access Bob McGinn’s 40th annual draft series next week. He has discussed this extremely eclectic quarterback class with scouts across the NFL.Also, be sure to follow all of Perry’s comprehensive work at NBC Sports Boston and listen to his Next Pats Podcast.Thanks, everyone.Audio is above. Video is below. And you can also access the podcast on 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

The calculated gamble in Orchard Park, NY is that this is addition by subtraction.Stefon Diggs wanted out, and the Buffalo Bills were much obliged. There are many layers to the Bills’ decision to trade their star wide receiver to the Houston Texans, a clear Super Bowl contender. In addition to last week’s column, here’s a podcast discussion. I’m joined by co-host Jim Monos, a man who has faced similar personnel decisions before. You can also weigh in with your opinion over at this chat thread inside the Substack app. Audio is above. Video is below. The “Go Long Show” is available 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

Rule changes like this may seem innocent, but they add up. They crawl inside the psyche of defensive players to structurally change the sport.Yes, banning the “hip-drop tackle” is another absurd overreach by the NFL. Players have every right to lose their minds right now. Here on the Go Long Show, with co-host and longtime scout Jim Monos, we discuss what this means for the sport and it harkens back to a conversation with ex-linebacker Chad Brown. (Pod/Words)Also on this episode, the J.J. McCarthy Hype Train is speeding toward maximum velocity. Is it justified? NFL Network reported that the Michigan quarterback is being considered at No. 2 overall.You can listen to the episode above, watch the video below or access the podcast everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.Paid subscribers to Go Long can expect a deep dive into the 2024 quarterback class from Monos this week — he’s been studying everyone — as well as my two-parter exploring one team’s Super Bowl window. Bob McGinn’s 40th annual draft series, a nine-parter with quotes from scouts around the NFL, will drop in mid-April. A fine time to join our community. 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

The offseason is a time for hope — for players, for teams. Everyone envisions a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.That was Chase Edmonds’ state of mind exactly two years ago.Something special was brewing in Miami with new head coach Mike McDaniel, quaterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Edmonds was positioned as the explosive running back central to it all. Go Long traveled to Florida the summer of 2022 to sit down with Edmonds at Dolphins HQ. With emotional detail, he guided readers through a turbulent life, from becoming a father at 18 years old to an extreme state of depression in college when an ankle injury threatened to crush his dreams to the expected takeover in South Florida. But instead of breaking out as an NFL star, Edmonds started to disappear like countless running backs before him. He rushed for only 2.9 yards per carry and dropped four passes on 17 targets, including a third-and-goal ball in the end zone vs. Cincinnati on national TV. The Dolphins traded Edmonds to the Denver Broncos. After experiencing some success on a bad team (4.8 ypc), he was then released. Edmonds signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2023 season, suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain and — finally — his luck began to turn. The 5-foot-9, 207-pounder from Harrisburg, Pa., found a role as a change-of-pace back to starter Rachaad White and a needed leader in the locker room. The Bucs made a surprise run to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs and decided to run it back with a slew of re-signings. Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Antoine Winfield (tag) and Edmonds are all back in 2024. The implication is clear: Tampa Bay expects to compete.We catch up again with Edmonds to learn what happened the last two years.He’s aiming to play a full decade in the NFL. Not bad for a small running back from Fordham University. Audio and video are above. You can access Go Long Podcast episodes everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Here is the written Q&A if you’d prefer to read.Go Long is powered by our readers. Thank you for supporting independent journalism. We aim to cover this game through a longform lens. ICYMI, from 2022: * The Beautiful Mind of Chase Edmonds, Part I: 'I was scared shitless’* The Beautiful Mind of Chase Edmonds, Part II: 'It’s over for me'* The Beautiful Mind of Chase Edmonds, Part III: ‘A match made in heaven’Bucs features:* Murder, cockroaches, belief: How Rachaad White bet on himself* Patrick Laird will make you think (our conversation in podcast form here.)* ‘We’re going to wreck shit:’ Carlton Davis bows to no man* Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe* Cody Mauch makes you laugh, then drives you into the dirt 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

The dust has settled. Big-money deals are completed. Butterbean knocked us all out via nonstop transactions. Who “won” free agency? Who “lost?” On this episode of the Go Long Show, we try to look past the mega-million headlines for answers. The Houston Texans are officially on the cusp. Kirk Cousins shakes up the NFC. And while the Pittsburgh Steelers have been widely praised for finding quarterbacks on the cheap, we’re not so sure this offense closed any gaps in the AFC. As always, co-host Jim Monos brings his knowledge from NFL front offices. He takes Russell Wilson’s career all the way back to N.C. State. (Some things never change.)You can listen to the episode above, watch the video below or access it everywhere you get podcasts, 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

Gerald “Smoke” Dixon brings the goods this episode. There is a 100-percent chance we bring him back on the Go Long Show soon. From 2014 to 2020, Dixon was a pro scout for the Buffalo Bills. As a result, he has many stories — and a ton of insight — to share. Especially at the quarterback position. For nearly two hours, Dixon dishes on everything:* Who pounded the table for Josh Allen inside the Buffalo Bills’ pre-draft meetings? Three individuals specifically made their strong opinions known. * 2018 draft drama. How did the Bills rank this class as a whole? The entire front office was sweating as picks began.* Lamar Jackson slipped through the NFL cracks… how? It pays to trust your eyes. Dixon also recalls a pre-draft conversation with GM Brandon Beane on the Louisville quarterback. * Allen was not living in the film room early in his career. His backyard style was always unique — in every sense. Dixon can still hear Allen’s fastball “whistle” and his mettle in the pocket was rare. * Art of scouting quarterbacks. Everyone can watch the same film of the same player and come away with completely different opinions. One rule of thumb Dixon follows? If a QB gets “a cinder block” thrown in his face, in the pocket, how does he respond?* Why he’s high on Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.* Dixon loves the 2024 class of QB prospects even more than the 2020 group of Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts. * Will Caleb Williams play for the Chicago Bears? Dixon says no. He sees the USC star somehow getting to the Washington Commanders. To him, a century of quarterback butchery in Chicago is to blame. * Larry Fitzgerald or DeAndre Hopkins? * A needed Hall of Fame rant.* One Pepper Johnson story that explains Bill Belichick’s greatness — the Patriots coach was constantly taking notes. (An innocent conversation with Sean McVay isn’t so innocent.)* Dixon’s thoughts on the first 48 hours of free agency. Who reached? * Pre-draft dinners. Dixon and the Bills learned so much about the incoming class of Ohio State Buckeyes at Giancarlo’s Sicilian Steakhouse in 2016. Especially, cornerback Eli Apple. His teammates were ruthless and relentless and Apple didn’t stick up for himself. Having a loose conversation with prospects — as opposed to a strict, formal interview — can tell a team a lot about mental make-up.* Why Dixon is not surprised one bit that DeMeco Ryans, his former ‘Bama teammate, has the Houston Texans on the cusp of contention.* How did college football players get cash in his day? By working certain, uh, “jobs.”* Dixon was around Stefon Diggs at One Bills Drive. He repeats what Isaiah McKenzie once said on our podcast: You’ve got to let the wide receiver get his emotions out. You can listen to the Go Long Show right here at GoLongTD.com or wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.Today, Dixon is an analyst for 24/7 Sports. A four-year starter at cornerback for Alabama (1999- ‘02) — winning the SEC title in ‘99 — Dixon coached at The Citadel (2008- ‘13) before scouting for the Bills. He also served as the director of operations for the XFL’s DC Defenders (2020), Director of Scouting for Vanderbilt (2021- ‘22) and the General Manager for Maryland (2022- ‘23). You can follow “Smoke” on X @CoachGVDixon.Thanks for watching/listening, everyone. Video is above.ICYMI: * Join our next Happy Hour to ask longtime Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster anything you want.* Why the Green Bay Packers, title contenders, got this right (and more free agency musings)* 'Why not three-peat?' Greg Castillo, Trent McDuffie and the inner-workings of a Chiefs dynasty* McGinn's Top 55: Where’s the defense? Scouts weigh in on the top prospects in the 2024 class. 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

Free agency is one week away. Deals will be struck soon. The Atlanta Falcons may start the party, too. GM Terry Fontenot made it very clear they’ll be aggressive — the time to find a quarterback is now. For a full state of the franchise, I chatted with good pal Justin Felder from Fox 5 Atlanta this podcast episode. Felder offers his thoughts on the team’s quarterback shuffle, Desmond Ridder, Fontenot’s free-agent decisions (past and future) and the hierarchy of this organization. Who’s in charge on draft day? We both agree, too. Right now, all signs point toward Cousins heading south. If the goal truly is to win in 2024, Fontenot will try to make the veteran quarterback an offer he cannot refuse. Excellent analysis and insight from Felder.You can listen to the audio here and everywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Full video is embedded below.Thank you for listening and sharing.Go Long subscribers can access our exclusive 1 on 1 with Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot. In Year 4, the pressure’s on and Fontenot knows he must nail the quarterback position. New here? We’d love it if you joined our community. Bob McGinn’s initial top 55 will roll out this week with his 40th annual draft series to follow in April. ‘One-thousand percent:’ Terry Fontenot believes the Atlanta Falcons will win in 2024 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

The 2024 season is officially underway with the NFL Combine. General managers and coaches and scouts and agents all convened in Indianapolis to negotiate contracts and study college prospects.As always, the quarterbacks take center stage.This year, nearly a third of the NFL has to make a decision at the most important position in sports. Everything starts with a familiar name: Kirk Cousins. Will the veteran quarterback choose familiarity in Minnesota or earn every dollar he can elsewhere? We discuss on the podcast. He has chosen the business decision before. Dan Wiederer filled us in on the shaky trade market for Justin Fields earlier in the week. Co-host Jim Monos offers his thoughts this episode. We also shift our focus to the draft. You know Caleb Williams is this year’s odds-on No. 1 overall pick. Who’s the next best quarterback? Monos, the former Eagles/Saints/Bills personel man, has been studying the tape and loves the NFL readiness of Oregon’s Bo Nix. Finally, we hit on the wide receiver class and why this is the year the Buffalo Bills should double up at the position. You can listen to the Go Long Show right here at GoLongTD.com, as well as Apple, Spotify, YouTube and everywhere you pod. Go Long is your home for longform journalism in pro football. Our aim is to cover the sport through a longform lens.New here? Join our community today to access everything.ICYMI…Caleb Williams: 'I tend to create history and rewrite history'Time is now for the New York Giants to make their QB moveThe Chicago Bears are at a historic crossroadsBrian Gutekunst, Sean Payton and the intense pursuit of a quarterback 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

One of the league’s perennially tormented franchises sees a glimmer of light. The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 overall pick and can build around any collegiate quarterback their collective hearts desire. USC’s Caleb Williams is widely considered the gem of this 2024 NFL Draft.But as always in the Windy City, this is… complicated. To make sense of this moment in time for the Bears, Go Long sits down with Dan Wiederer. You can read all of Wiederer’s excellent enterprising reporting at the Chicago Tribune. Live from the Indianapolis Convention Center, we discuss all angles:* Why the market for Justin Fields isn’t as hot as you’d think. Ironing out a trade isn’t easy. GM Ryan Poles is doing quite a balancing act in Indy. * Strengths of Fields. He’s got thick skin. He can handle adversity. * Emotional maturity of Caleb Williams. The top prospect will be scrutinized, and for good reason.* The USC QB is special. After passing on special before (see: Mahomes, Patrick), the Bears should probably think big. You can listen to this episode above, watch the video below and always catch Go Long Podcast episodes on Apple, Spotify, YouTube.Go Long is completely supported by you. No ads. No sponsors. Thank you for joining our community. 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

The Chicago Bears have been in this position before. Many times.Another franchise-defining decision awaits at quarterback.With the NFL Combine set to begin next week — coaches, execs and scouts all descending upon Indianapolis — we forecast all QB movement. Will the Bears move Justin Fields to make way for USC’s Caleb Williams? If so, where does Fields land? What are teams getting in the mobile quarterback? Co-host Jim Monos has studied Fields closely since his Ohio State days. Kirk Cousins will undoubtedly have a strong market. The Minnesota Vikings will set their price in Indy.Perhaps the Atlanta Falcons make Cousins an offer he cannot refuse. We discuss. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills need to get creative with contracts. Both of us expect GM Brandon Beane to push money down the road to win now. The state of affairs may be murky with Stefon Diggs right now. He was cryptic on Radio Row. In the end, we agree both sides are still best together. You can listen to the Go Long Show right here at Go Long and everywhere you get podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Video is below.Thanks, all.Our Mailbag series is also ongoing — here is Part I and Part II, icymi. Part III is coming soon. Subscribers can always access everything we have to offer at Go Long. 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

As the country shifts into full-fledged Draft Mode, the name “Chase Griffin” may not ring a bell. You won’t see the UCLA quarterback’s name appear in mock drafts. Griffin still has one year of eligibility and the former Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas hasn’t seen the field a ton.However, his impact off the field has been substantial. The two-time “NIL Athlete of the Year” has shown all college athletes how to navigate this new wild west. Griffin is the first active college athlete to testify in front of Congress on NIL (Name, Image and Likeness), launched The Athlete’s Bureau on Substack and has arguably been the most public voice on the subject. (You can follow Griffin on X and IG.)This is all strange new terrain for college sports with 19- and 20-year-olds jumping in and out of the transfer portral. What does the future hold? Griffin helps us make sense of it all. You can listen to the audio above or inside the Go Long Podcast feeds on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Video is below.Also, for more, check out this piece on Griffin at Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, written by Carter Yates. Thanks, all.Miss Part I of our Mailbag this week? We discuss Brandon Beane’s drafts, the Tom Clements Effect, the 1950 Browns, potential NFL rule changes and what other NFL teams will take from Super Bowl LVIII. Right here for Go Long subscribers. 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

Remember the days of Super Bowl blowouts? Me neither. Nine of the last 10 Super Bowls have been competitive games into the fourth quarter and that’s a win for all. Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco wasn’t always pretty but it’ll be remembered right there with many of the best. Patrick Mahomes asserted himself as an all-timer again. This is his NFL and he’s not close to finished.But the team’s Super Bowl MVP quarterback is not the only storyline. Steve Spagnuolo’s timely pressures. Chris Jones’ dominance. More Super Bowl gaffes from Kyle Shanahan. Travis Kelce nearly hockey-checking his 65-year-old head coach into the turf. There is much to discuss. We wrap up Super Bowl LVIII on the podcast with co-host Jim Monos.You can listen right here or at Apple, Spotify and everywhere you pod. 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

The Super Bowl is now two days away. As the nation gathers around their television sets, there will be many football coaches and scouts who watch Brock Purdy slingshot completions and wonder, “What did I miss?” But not Dave Boller. To get the inside story on Purdy’s rise, the “Go Long Show” welcomes on the longtime football scout who most certainly was a believer from Day 1. Boller knew the Purdy family as an Arizona guy himself and he tried to tell schools that the kid had it. Now, the lightning-fast processor has the San Francisco 49ers on the doorstep of Ring No. 6.Our personnel man, co-host Jim Monos, worked with Boller on the Philadelphia Eagles personnel staff. Boller is a well-traveled man. He spent two decades in the NFL, scouting for the Buccaneers (1995- ‘98), Eagles (1998- ‘04) and Rams (2004- ‘07), before working as the Lions’ assistant pro director (2007- ‘09), consulting NFC teams (2010- ‘12) and joining the Jets as an area scout (2012- ‘14). From there, he headed to the college ranks. Boller spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons in Louisville. First as director of on-campus recruiting, then as director of high school relations. He had a front-row seat to Lamar Jackson’s ascent. Then, it was off to Syracuse where Boller was the director of player personnel 2007- ‘22. Boller is the head of personnel for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL today.He tried to convince Dino Babers to give Purdy a shot, but the Syracuse coach didn’t believe. (Babers wasn’t alone, either.)The revisionist history on Purdy gives Boller a chuckle. We get into everything and I swear that ‘Cuse crew you see on camera was at the top of the pile, a total coincidence. Boller, an open book, details why he had such conviction on Purdy, shares Jackson stories from Louisville — what did colleges miss here, too? — and takes you all the way back to the Philadelphia Eagles’ draft meetings ahead of selecting Donovan McNabb over Ricky Williams in 1999. They knew they’d be crucified by fans, and warned McNabb accordingly. You can access the Go Long Show right here at GoLongTD.com and inside the Apple, Spotify and YouTube feeds.Thank you for listening, sharing and subscribing.ICYMI: * A Super Bowl conversation with Brett Favre* Dallas Clark on the “walk-on mentality”* 'The Wild Side:' How George Kittle and Travis Kelce harness the animal within* Our 2023- ‘24 Awards are in* Go Long Show: First look at Chiefs vs. 49ers* 'The 49er Way:' Revisiting a conversation with GM John Lynch* The playoff dominance of Patrick Mahomes* Don’t ask Dan Campbell to change* Ty & Bob Pod: A special season in Detroit... with a bright future ahead* Go Long Show: Championship Sunday RecapStill to come:* The Magic of Mahomes* Super Bowl Predictions 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

To this day, Dallas Clark struggles to understand how he made it. Out of all tight ends profiled in “Blood and Guts,” his rise is most mystifying from a football sense. The kid from tiny Livermore, Iowa walked onto the Hawkeyes football team fresh off losing Mom in his arms. A traumatic ordeal. He was lost on the depth chart. His appendix nearly burst. He had collarbone surgery. He was a modern “Rudy,” mowing the field at Kinnick Stadium. But that’s the funny thing about the tight end position. In nearly all cases, Tight End chooses you. Not the other way around.The drive inside Clark always made him a natural fit. We published part of his chapter here at Go Long. How Clark rose to two Super Bowls, winning one in ‘06, speaks to the human condition more than anything. We can all take a little something from this rise. This week, we caught up again for a podcast conversation. I have a good feeling he’ll be back, too.Discussed…* Walk-on life at Iowa, from tearing up the siding at Kinnick Stadium on the mower to surviving on Grands! biscuits to equipment guys giving him a strange look for wanting socks with no holes.* Why he was able to hit it off with Peyton Manning. * What made him different than George Kittle (and many tight ends) off the field. * His (very) strong opinion on Taylor Swift.* Tight End U and the evolution of the position. * The similarity between these 2023 Chiefs and his 2006 Colts. Both were smacked in the jaw late in the season, and responded the right way. * Beauty of football. Clark articulates exactly what makes this sport different than anything else — and the secret sauce that builds a winner. Thank you for listening, watching, sharing. Go Long is completely powered by our readers. We aim to cover pro football through a longform lens. 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

This final podcast episode with Brett Favre, the Hall of Fame quarterback relives the euphoric highs (Super Bowl XXXI) and crushing lows (Super Bowl XXXII) of the greatest game in sports. He experienced both emotions.Favre details everything that led to this iconic touchdown pass to Andre Rison in Green Bay’s 35-21 title win over New England. Defensive coordinator Bill Belichick rolled the dice, and lost. Of course, the memory of Terrell Davis running wild is fresh, too. Those Packers were so close to going back-to-back.Much of this episode is spent on this year’s big game in Las Vegas. He brings a unique perspective. Favre worked closely with Andy Reid. The Kansas City Chiefs head coach who’s quickly asserting himself as an all-time great was his quarterbacks coach in Green Bay during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Favre has spoken to the Chiefs’ entire team ahead of the Super Bowl before and shares his message. What makes Reid special? There’s beauty to the coach’s schematic simplicity. While he does see a lot of himself in Patrick Mahomes, Favre knows Reid is a major driving force. He doesn’t know where he’d be without Mike Holmgren, and isn’t sure where Mahomes’ career goes without Reid. It’s true we don’t discuss the marriage of coach and quarterback nearly enough. How good is Brock Purdy? “Dr. Purdy,” as he calls him, is more surgical. And a winner. There’s a lot to like in San Francisco’s unassuming quarterback. Audio and video are here at Go Long. You can also check out past episodes linked below.A quick note. The former quarterback’s Mississippi case was back in the news this week obviously. As he has said, there’s much Favre would like to discuss on this all. Due to a gag order, he cannot. When he’s able, we will check back in. Ahead at Go Long, I’ll be posting a conversation with Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark later today. He did not disappoint. Icymi, we’ve got a feature live on George Kittle, Travis Kelce and why the best of the best at the tight end position have a wild side. On Friday AM, be on the lookout for a deep dive on Mahomes. I spent the last two weeks chatting with everyone who knows him best to figure out where all this magic comes from. The Super Bowl’s closing in. We’ll host another Gameday Chat for the festivities.Thanks to all for reading and listening all season long. Past episodes of “FAVRE:”* Ep 1: Reliving an unforgettable moment in NFL history* Ep 2: Bar fights, throat-slashes and the car crash that could've killed him* Ep 3: The unique attrition of football* Ep 4: Time for Jordan Love to make ‘chicken salad’ out of ‘chicken shit’* Ep 5: Football will always need 'Rocky Balboa'* Ep 6: 'They hit a home run:' Brett Favre is all in on Jordan Love 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

Super Bowl Week is here. Chiefs. 49ers. Mahomes. Purdy. The entire country will be dissecting the matchup — nonstop — right into Sunday. We’ll try to bring you a fresh perspective in words and pods here at Go Long with plenty planned. New around here? You can always join our community to access everything. That being said, the only Taylor Swift take to share here is that I wish the world-renowned singer/songwriter was dating Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. That way, we’d get a full album of duets like this. You can listen to the latest Go Long Show episode above with video embedded below. With co-host Jim Monos, much is discussed:* Why is San Francisco favored with so many people betting on the Chiefs?* Inside the 49ers offensive machine, starting with Brock Purdy.* Kyle Shanahan’s “slot-machine” QB odyssey.* The Mahomes Factor. (He’s special.)* Why isn’t Bill Belichick coaching in 2024? Monos believes the coach is being choosy. Episodes are also available within the Apple, Spotify and YouTube feeds.Thanks, 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