Go Long

A half-decade of heartbreak has convinced Brandon Beane that major change is needed to this Buffalo Bills roster.

Granted, this was a team $41 million in the red at the start of the new league year.

But as the Bills general manager detailed to Go Long in a 1 on 1 conversation, the team sees immense value in reinventing the roster around quarterback Josh Allen. They’re counting on new leaders emerging. The best-case scenario for Buffalo? An evolving head coach mirrors an evolving roster. We’ll see. There’s risk involved. As Beane admits, you don’t want to waste these Super Bowl opportunities.

Here on the podcast, I chat with recurring guest Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. You can follow Jay on X @JaySkurski. We previously examined the state of the team after the draft.

With minicamp in the rear-view mirror and training camp up next, we try to figure out if all this change is for good. There are psychological benefits.

Ownership is maintaining belief in Sean McDermott.

The pressure to win — now — will always be high with Josh Allen.

Audio and video is above, and you can also access the Go Long Podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

New to Go Long? We’d love to have you join our community today. As a paid subscriber, you can access all of our content, including a two-part series on the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams, the latest wackiness in Jerry’s World and why the hype is real in Houston.

ICYMI:

Brandon Beane details his vision for the Bills for an hour here…

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He’ll become a rich man very soon. Jordan Love played his way into the upper tier of quarterback contracts late last season.

Still, this was a small sample size.

And opposing defensive coordinators are bound to offer a counterpunch.

The same bet these Green Bay Packers placed on Love the night of April 23, 2020 applies in June 2024. This is a player worth the investment. On this episode of the “Go Long Show” — with co-host, longtime NFL personnel man Jim Monos — we shift the quarterback conversation to Love. GM Brian Gutekunst wants a deal done before training camp, but Love probably doesn’t mind the sight of other quarterbacks raising the market price.

In related news, Tua Tagovailoa sounds like a man who wants a deal done ASAP. As discussed in Part I of the mailbag, these two negotiations may be linked on Athletes First’s side.

We know the Miami Dolphins will lean into their identity.

Finally, we wrap the pod with thoughts on a special breed in this sport: NFL offensive line coaches.

You can catch audio and video of this episode above and everywhere you pod including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. (Feel free to rate, review and share!)

Go Long is your home for longform in pro football.

To our members, thank you.

New here? The best way to support our independent journalism is with a subscription.

ICYMI:

* Mailbag, Part I: Mahomes Effect, Love's contract, PEDs, NIL, UFL, Watson, the 2024 playoff sleeper

* What in the hell are the Dallas Cowboys doing?

* The NFL is going global. Here's why.

* 'I'm not done:' Latavius Murray has the NFL Running Back Survival Guide

From the Love archives:

* Love, lost: On Davante Adams' unfortunate miscalculation

* Jordan Love (and his GM) send a message to the NFL

* Bravo, Green Bay

* It's Jordan Love Time

* 'He’s going to prove everybody wrong'

* Let the Jordan Love Era begin in Green Bay

* The Green Bay Packers have a plan (it's genius, too)

Up next:

* A column on the team bound to be hyped more than any other into 2024: the Houston Texans.

* The rest of your mailbag questions.

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 year ago, Super Bowl visions danced in their heads. The Jacksonville Jaguars, fresh off a thrilling run to the playoffs, appeared poised to launch themselves into serious contention once and for all.

We chronicled the 180 from life under Urban Meyer to Doug Pederson.

The Jags started 8-3.

A No. 1 seed was in sight.

Then… disaster. The Jaguars failed to qualify for the dance, losing to the Tennessee Titans in the regular-season finale.

It’s been a busy week on the road for Go Long reporting on features you’ll see over the coming weeks. When in Duval County, it’s always a must to catch up with Mia O’Brien of 1010XL. For this Go Long Podcast episode, O’Brien explains how the Jags got to this point and we both try to figure out if Pederson, quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jags can get their mojo back in 2024. This isn’t the AFC South of old. The stakes are clear with the defensive coaching staff reset this offseason.

Enjoyed this conversation. Be sure to follow O’Brien for all things Jags.

You can listen right here at Go Long, as well as on Apple, Spotify and everywhere you pod.

Thank you for supporting our independent journalism here 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

Now is not the time to hyper-analyze and agonize over OTA reps. While tempting, it’s dangerous to watch a few 7-on-7 throws and make bold proclamations about a quarterback’s “chemistry” with a rookie receiver. However, this is a perfect opportunity to take a deep breath and see where a few teams stand post-draft because not every team got what it wanted on draft day.

Hello, New York Giants. A club that tried and failed to trade up for North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

We’ve spent plenty of time vacillating over Daniel Jones’ future here at Go Long. His career appeared all but finished in NY at the end of Dave Gettleman’s tenure, Brian Daboll helped resurrect his career, Joe Schoen believed with a big contract and yet the Giants still felt compelled to explore the possibility of Maye after another injury-marred season.

The Giants can theoretically move on after this 2024 season. Ushering in a rookie made sense.

Instead, Schoen could only go so far with his trade offer.

Instead, Eliot Wolf refused to move off the No. 3 pick and took his QB.

Where does this leave the Giants? And how is the entire NFC East shaping up? It’s hard to make much sense of the Dallas Cowboys’ inaction. We discuss all of this (and “Beach Metal Detector Guy,” Mike McCarthy, Jayden Daniels, Mike Tolbert and Caitlin Clark) on the Go Long Show with longtime NFL personnel man Jim Monos.

Quick programming note: I’m on the road in Florida for stories you’ll see over the coming weeks and months. Cannot wait to share. A lot planned. After the mobile microphone broke in the carry-on bag — and after a rat race for a replacement in Jacksonville — the sound’s not quite as crystal-clear as usual. But it’ll get the job done and the show must go on.

Thank you for listening, everyone.

Audio is above, video is below and you can also access episodes on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Go Long is your home for longform in pro football. We’ll forever pursue stories worth your valuable time that go beyond the press conference. To our subscribers, thank you. New here? The best way to support our independent journalism is with a paid subscription.

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

Alex Green lost football, then he almost lost his life.

The former NFL running back shares his chilling story with Go Long on our latest Happy Hour session. This may be our most compelling yet with Green, the ex-Packer, detailing his descent into a gripping addiction to alcohol, weed and cocaine. In harrowing detail, he relives the night he nearly overdosed.

Thank you to those who joined the Zoom call and brough such excellent questions.

As a reminder, these are always open to our paid subscribers. Is there a former player you’d like to hang out with? Let me know at [email protected].

Green was exceptionally transparent, expanding on everything he initially revealed in January 2022.

Audio and video is above, and available everywhere you access podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

* Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley gunning for his torn ACL in those Packers/Lions games. (Who would’ve thunk it?!)

* After tearing up defenses at Hawaii, Green was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round. He was surprised himself. Football stories are shared sporadically, including the (now hilarious) night Green and DuJuan Harris watched their employer draft Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin. They knew they were toast right then.

* Jets Football wasn’t real NFL football.

* His fall. Once Green finished with the NFL and CFL, he slipped into a cycle of “depression, anxiety, a lot of fear.” He became somebody else, coping with the anguish by filling his body with drugs. He cut people out of his life. He became a total recluse heading down a very dark path. In his mind, drugs became a “best friend.” Specifically, cocaine.

* Hopelessness eventually set in. Staring at a mountain of cocaine, one night, Green was prepared to overdose and end his life. (“It’s right there. You’re that close.”) With one message — I need help — one conversation saved his life, then changed his life. The fact that this text message reached the right person is a miracle itself. He explains.

* Transforming his life was not possible overnight. Eliminating suicidal “ideations” and discovering meaning in his life has been gradual. He’s still working at it. But Green wants to help everyone he possibly can.

* We take the conversation big picture. Green knows many former players deal with the same emotions. The pain can be both physical and mental when the cheering stops.

Similar conversations/features at Go Long, icymi:

* The Fight for Erik Kramer's life

* What happened to Kevin Kolb?

* The Majik Man's Final Comeback

* Ryan Leaf wants to save NFL players' lives 

* The impossible life of LeRoy Butler

Our two-part series on the Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams:

* Part I: All falls apart

* Part II: 'Mini Mahomes'

Go Long is your independent home for longform journalism. No ads, no sponsors, no corporate masters. We’re completely powered by you.

Our goal is to both humanize this sport and lift up the curtain.

Subscribers can access all player profiles, all team deep dives and join these Happy Hour sessions.

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 desperate need of a Big Bang at the quarterback position for, oh, 105 years.

Hello, Caleb Williams.

The Heisman Trophy-winner out of USC is unlike anyone before him, lip gloss included.

Our extended two-part series examines where the Bears have been and where the Bears are going at quarterback. Let’s continue the conversation right here on the podcast with co-host Jim Monos, the longtime personnel who’s spent nearly two decades in NFL front offices himself. Audio and video is available above and everywhere you listen to podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Both stories are available below to our paid subscribers.

Thanks to all who’ve join our community to support independent journalism.

Hope to see you tonight on the Alex Green Happy Hour.

Part I: All falls apart

Part II: 'Mini Mahomes'

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 are quarterbacks locked into mega contracts.

There are quarterbacks on rookie deals.

And then there’s a third category. Detroit, Miami and Jacksonville all are in the midst of difficult conversations with their starting quarterbacks. Publicly, the general managers and head coaches involved speak glowingly about their guy under center. Privately, as always, the conversations are more contentious.

Here on the Go Long Show with co-host and longtime personnel exec Jim Monos, we explore all three situations in-depth.

Jared Goff has a strong case to make in Detroit, and should be asking for north of Joe Burrow’s $55 million per year. (We explain.)

Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards and fits Mike McDaniel’s offense but there are very fair questions about his ability to win in January.

Trevor Lawrence, the last man standing in a disappointing 2021 QB class, has a lot to prove in 2024.

Audio and video is above. You can also access the Go Long Podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

It’s a great time to upgrade at Go Long, too.

Our two-parter on the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams goes live Friday for paid 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

At No. 8 overall, the Atlanta Falcons shocked everyone.

Their fans. The other 31 teams. You at home. Your grandmother who doesn’t care about football. And, without question, Kirk Cousins.

GM Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., fresh off signing Cousins to his monster contract in March. With a week to digest, we examine this decision in its totality on the Go Long Show. Co-host Jim Monos, our longtime NFL scout, weighs in with his personnel perspective.

A few words Fontenot shared in a sitdown with Go Long proved prescient. The Falcons GM did say there were viable options in both free agency and the draft. After three years of living in no man’s land, they chose to be ultra-, ultra-aggressive on both fronts. Football-wise, there’s logic to follow even with Penix’s age. Of course, the two quarterbacks must now share a locker room. Every day.

If Hard Knocks existed in its original form, the 2024 Falcons sure would be a compelling team to follow.

How does it all play out? We discuss.

Also on the podcast: Howie Roseman’s love of mock drafts, clapping for your own picks on TV, Monos’ take on the Bills’ double trade-down and Xavier Legette takes his hog hunting to Charlotte.

Video and audio is above, and the Go Long Show is also accessible on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Be sure to rate and review wherever you listen, and we’d love it if you shared the pod with a friend.

Go Long is your home for longform. Paid subscribers can access all features, all columns, all team deep dives.

Thank you for supporting 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

Brandon Beane played poker on Day 1, found his wide receiver on Day 2 and sure hopes the Buffalo Bills landed a few more long-term starters throughout the 2024 NFL Draft.

It was an eventful weekend at One Bills Drive.

Go Long has been tracking the direction of this team closely since last December’s three-part series, and wanted to take a moment to assess the state of affairs with the draft now in the books. On Sunday, I examined why Beane’s guts are a positive sign. Buffalo has lacked such cojones when it comes to those Kansas City Chiefs.

Here on the podcast, let’s welcome back Bills beat writer Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. We analyze why Coleman was the pick at No. 33, how he’ll fit into the offense and — mainly — why there should be some real optimism with the team despite losing so many starters this offseason. There are questions to answer. Beane now hands the baton to Sean McDermott.

Don’t worry non-Bills fans. We’ll get back to the rest of the NFL on the pod, too. Jim Monos rejoins the program soon to review the draft as a whole.

Audio and video is above, and you can also assess this episode on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Thanks, all.

Brandon Beane's message to KC is clear: Bring it on.

Bob McGinn’s nine-part draft series, icymi:

* Part 1, WR/TE: Hall of Fame talent at the top, then (many) questions

* Part 2, OL: Can this 'long-armed Tyrannosaurus Rex' brawl?

* Part 3, QB: Gap between Caleb Williams & Jayden Daniels? Closer than you think...

* Part 4, RB: Like father, like son?

* Part 5, DL: Tale of two very different Texas big men

* Part 6, Edge: Choose your fighter

* Part 7, LB: Save the Linebackers

* Part 8, DB: Film vs. 40 debate rages

* Part 9, ST: New kickoff rule is a game-changer

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

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