NFL — Week of 2026-03-24 to 2026-03-26#
Watch First#
If you only watch one video this week, fire up Patrick Mahomes throwing; Simms vs. the NFL | Chris Simms Unbuttoned (FULL Ep. 850). Simms takes a highly entertaining victory lap over a deep Reddit analytics dive proving his quarterback evaluations objectively beat the NFL draft consensus, all while breaking down Patrick Mahomes’ insane rehab pace.
Week in Review#
The pre-draft cycle has officially devolved into a polarized, agent-fueled debate over whether the Raiders should draft Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson at first overall. While the draft dominates the headlines, front offices are scrambling to react to a massive reset of the wide receiver market and a looming referee lockout that threatens to derail the start of the season.
Highlights by Theme#
Draft & Prospects#
The battle for QB1 reached a boiling point as Mel Kiper Jr. and Chase Daniel passionately defended Fernando Mendoza’s 35-start resume in Mel Kiper Jr.: Fernando Mendoza is a better prospect than Ty Simpson | Dan Patrick Show and Chase Daniel compares Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson ahead of draft | Dan Patrick Show | NFL on NBC. Conversely, Dan Orlovsky vigorously championed Ty Simpson’s physical upside, a stance that Mike Florio alleged in Analyzing ‘fascinating’ dynamic with Dan Orlovsky’s Ty Simpson take | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC was heavily influenced by mutual CAA representation. Beyond the quarterbacks, Chris Simms anointed Ohio State’s Arvell Reese as a generational, positionless freak in Chris Simms’ LB Draft Rankings | Chris Simms Unbuttoned (FULL Ep. 849), establishing him as the crown jewel of an incredibly deep linebacker class.
Free Agency & Trades#
The blockbuster Maxx Crosby trade collapsed spectacularly after the Ravens discovered a degenerative knee issue, a bombshell reported in Report: Ravens concerned with ‘degenerative issue’ in Crosby’s knee | Pro Football Talk. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s historic six-year, $168.6 million extension completely reset the market, with Adam Schefter noting in JSN’s Deal, A Market Correction, + an UNPRECEDENTED Undertaking |The Adam Schefter Podcast that it puts immense pressure on teams to pay stars like Puka Nacua and George Pickens. Down in Atlanta, the quarterback room is heating up as analysts debate Tua Tagovailoa’s minimum deal in Falcons’ Tua Tagovailoa: ‘The best football is still ahead of me’ | Pro Football Talk, where he is expected to capitalize on Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL rehab to secure the Week 1 starting job.
Game Analysis & Strategy#
Patrick Mahomes is already pushing the limits of modern medicine by throwing just 101 days post-surgery, though Will Patrick Mahomes be ready for Week 1? | The Insiders smartly points out that Kansas City acquiring Justin Fields was a necessary insurance policy for the early season. On the schematic side, Matthew Berry aggressively hyped up a rookie running back in Ashton Jeanty will thrive in ‘functional’ Raiders offense | Fantasy Football Happy Hour | NFL on NBC, citing his elite volume potential behind Las Vegas’s massive offensive line upgrades under new play-caller Clint Kubiak. Additionally, Dan Orlovsky TOUCHSCREEN 👀 Breaking down Ty Simpson’s best play from last season 🎥 | NFL Live highlighted Ty Simpson’s ability to manipulate the pocket and read defensive leverage on critical fourth downs.
League News & Culture#
Labor tensions are escalating rapidly, with Will NFL ever get full-time officials as CBA talks with NFLRA stall | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC ripping the league for quietly recruiting scab officials as a “fail-safe” against a looming referee strike. Off the field, Puka Nacua faces allegations of biting a woman multiple times | Pro Football Talk detailed serious behavioral red flags for the Rams receiver, which could severely complicate his upcoming mega-extension.
League Pulse#
The NFL media machine is currently exposing its own cynical mechanics, with draft boards being openly manipulated by agent-planted narratives to artificially boost the stock of polarizing prospects like Ty Simpson. Underneath the draft circus, the league is playing a ruthless game of chicken regarding labor relations, risking the on-field product by refusing to fairly compensate full-time referees or address the NFLPA’s mounting concerns over field surfaces and an 18-game schedule.