Locked On NFL – Daily Podcast On The National Football League

Josh Jacobs has been put on the Commissioner's exempt list and will not be eligible to participate in practices or games. At this time, we do not have a timeframe of how long Jacobs could miss, but any time is a BIG problem for the Packers who are thin at key spots on the roster like running back. The Atlanta Falcons have been searching for a starting quarterback with Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa as the two competitors, but neither player, for different reasons, has proven to be an easy pick. That means that battle has been a failure and neither player is ready to lead this team in Week 1. The Cleveland Browns went with Deshaun Watson after their battle, but wins wouldn't be at a premium no matter who they selected. Kyler Murray won the Minnesota Vikings' competition early on, but there are no guarantees Murray is the answer for a playoff return. Fernando Mendoza is done for a while in Las Vegas, but the Raiders will have to go to him soon after avoiding a real competition with Kirk Cousins. Two battles that folks expected and never took place came in New York and Arizona where the Jets went with Geno Smith and the Cardinals went with Jacoby Brissett. Neither was an inspired choice, but both veterans do have weapons to have some success. Finally, Aaron Donald has come back to the Los Angeles Rams in a move that could push them over the top.

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Dallas Cowboys face a Super Bowl-or-bust scenario as pressure mounts in 2026. With Micah Parsons long traded and stars like Dak Prescott and George Pickens in the spotlight, the conversation focused on whether Dallas’ revamped defense under Christian Parker and an explosive offense can finally bring home the Lombardi Trophy. Can the Cowboys juggle high-priced contracts and ascending talent to seize their championship window?

Elsewhere, the Seattle Seahawks reward Leonard Williams with a top-tier extension after his Super Bowl run, energizing their defense alongside Byron Murphy. Trouble looms for the Green Bay Packers as Josh Jacobs faces suspension following misdemeanor charges—will Green Bay release their star running back? The Indianapolis Colts see Alec Pierce return from injury, but questions remain if Jonathan Taylor can carry the offense. Don’t miss the latest analysis on team strategies, player controversies, and shifting championship odds around the NFL.

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The Atlanta Falcons were expected to have a quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix, but Penix has been absent so far with injury and STILL may win the job based on how bad Tua has played. At this point, no matter who wins, the Falcons will not have a good season. They'll see the Miami Dolphins this weekend who do not have the talent needed on offense to be a good team. The Seattle Seahawks paid their star defensive lineman Leonard Williams after an offseason of paying their guys, but the Seahawks simply don't have enough this year to repeat. Patrick Mahomes is trying to get the Kansas City Chiefs back to the big game, but they are dealing with uncertainty all around Mahomes. Finally, we have two quarterbacks in the NFC North who need some more reps before Week 1 in Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams. The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears can't afford a slow start.

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Lamar Jackson and Caleb Williams face relentless scrutiny despite their undeniable talent—does draft bias still cloud NFL judgment? Tony Wiggins and Chris Carter call out the double standards surrounding Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears quarterbacks, questioning why athletic stars like Jackson get criticized while others, like Justin Herbert, avoid similar fire. The episode tackles hot topics like Jackson’s supporting cast, evolving quarterback roles, and the demand for instant expectations with young talents like Williams in Chicago.

Detroit Lions’ quest to reclaim their hard-hitting identity meets challenges with offensive line shuffles and a new-look backfield. The discussion covers the Cleveland Browns’ lingering Deshaun Watson controversy and if the franchise can recover from a nightmare trade. Insights on Sonny Styles’ transition in Washington, DJ Turner’s contract market after his breakout, and Joey Porter Jr.’s value for the Pittsburgh Steelers set the stage for debates on talent development, team culture, and fan expectations across the NFL.

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The Buffalo Bills are in a tough situation. After promoting Joe Brady and making risky roster moves, they MUST win more than they did last year or they risk alienating their own fans and their star quarterback, Josh Allen. There is a lot riding on this season for Buffalo. The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Bills in the final week of the preseason and they need to choose between Will Howard and Drew Allar. Deshaun Watson got the nod for the Cleveland Browns this week and now will sit the final preseason game against the New England Patriots. Watson may have been the wrong choice, but he has played enough this preseason while Drake Maye has not and needs to get some reps to warm up. The San Francisco 49ers have dealt with controversy this week, but behind that, their team is actually coming together as certain veterans begin to get closer to full go. They play the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend and it will be our last chance to watch Fernando Mendoza for the time being, even if that is a mistake. Finally, the battle of Los Angeles will happen on the final week of the preseason with the Rams and Chargers facing off. Both teams are in a familiar place as we head towards Week 1. The Rams are favorites and the Chargers are banged up on the offensive line.

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New England Patriots risk AFC shakeup by trading Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans. Could Boutte be the missing piece for Houston’s playoff ambitions, or will New England regret strengthening a rival? Tony Wiggins breaks down the surprise move, examining wide receiver depth charts, projected roles for A.J. Brown and Nico Collins, and the Patriots’ strategy after securing Romeo Doubs.

The show also tackles league-wide storylines, including Calvin Austin III’s devastating injury for the New York Giants and the ripple effects on Odell Beckham Jr.’s roster chances. Insights on Howie Roseman’s calculated decisions for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback shakeup with J.J. McCarthy, and the mounting pressure on Bryce Young in Carolina add to a jam-packed episode. Plus, rumors swirl around Stetson Bennett’s preseason heroics for the Los Angeles Rams—will his breakout play alter the Rams’ quarterback strategy?

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have a competitive roster, but with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback there is no way they have a shot to win a Super Bowl this season. While a bit more hopeful, the San Francisco 49ers are in the same boat where they are talented, but it won't get them over the hump. Alec Pierce is still sitting out Indianapolis Colts' practices and at some point, no matter how optimistic they talk, it has to be a concern he has missed so much time. The Minnesota Vikings are in this tier as well. They are a solid team, but Kyler Murray cannot be counted on. Finally, the entire NFC South feels like a division that isn't full of bad teams, but no one, maybe outside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has a real shot to do anything significant even in a good year. The New Orleans Saints are too banged up and young, the Carolina Panthers have Bryce Young and the Atlanta Falcons won't be good enough to even be in the discussion.

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Geno Smith eyes a second career resurgence as he returns to the Big Apple with the New York Jets, facing fresh questions about his ceiling and the revamped offense. Can Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, and a rebuilt offensive line finally reverse the Jets’ fortunes and push them out of the AFC East basement? Meanwhile, Odell Beckham’s uncertain future with the New York Giants and the Browns’ controversial choice to start Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders spark heated debate about leadership and long-term vision in the NFL.

Tony Wiggins and Kevin Oestreicher break down the Tennessee Titans’ struggles with Cam Ward’s turnover woes, the Minnesota Vikings’ growing reliance on Kyler Murray as J.J. McCarthy falters, and the Dallas Cowboys’ concerns with running back depth—with names like Javonte Williams, Jayden Blue, and Phil Mafah in the mix. Which NFL teams are poised for redemption, and who’s running out of time to deliver?

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The Cleveland Browns made it official on Monday and announced Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback. This comes just days after Watson proclaimed his hate for the fan base. The Browns have slapped their fans in the face here and once again operate as a bozo franchise. Shedeur Sanders was the clear choice and when he is starting by Week 4, this will all feel very stupid. In the AFC west we got some big injury news as Ashton Jeanty left practice early and Bo Nix made his return. The Las Vegas Raiders shouldn't be overly concerned though as Jeanty just has a sprained ankle. In Denver, the Broncos should be thrilled with how Nix looked in his first action since his own ankle injury. Finally, the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans played in a primetime preseason matchup on Sunday and sadly for the Hawks, there were some major injuries throughout the week in Nashville. Talent loss plus injury could be enough to stop a repeat. Speaking of repeat, the Titans repeated their poor performance from last week's preseason game giving pause about one of the NFL's young teams.

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Cleveland Browns double down on Deshaun Watson as their 2026 starter, sparking outrage among fans and fresh questions about leadership. Can the Browns recover from the ongoing drama and finally turn the page, or is this just the latest misstep in a series of high-stakes mistakes? Tony Wiggins and Nick Cattles break down Watson’s struggles on and off the field, assess Jimmy Haslam’s influence, and spotlight the franchise’s messaging woes.

Other hot topics include Detroit Lions’ crumbling offensive line, the impact on Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff, and the Bengals defense outshining Joe Burrow’s offense in camp. The episode also covers the Washington Commanders’ interior line woes threatening Jayden Daniels’ rookie campaign, plus surprising news involving the San Francisco 49ers’ front office. Get fresh analysis, sharp NFL insights, and bold takes that challenge the league’s preseason narratives.

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