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Could A-Rod go to the Cardinals?

Will A-Rod go to the Cardinals soon?

By: Jake Rajala

There has been a lot of speculation that the gypsy/quarterback Aaron Rodgers could go to the Arizona Cardinals. It’s not a surprise given they have more hippie festivals than most states. He is a free agent, so he has a chance to look for the best fit.

Rodgers should look closely for the right team. He will want to have more success his second time around with a team (such as the Steelers) other than the Packers. He will want to look for similar success as other, wise, pocket passers like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady had with teams that didn’t draft them. Of course, Manning won a Super Bowl with the Broncos and Brady won a SB with the Bucs.

The Cardinals witnessed former Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner bring them to the Super Bowl. A-Rod can’t let someone come from the grocery store (such as Warner) bring them all the way to a Super Bowl and fail to bring home the Lombardi. Rodgers will clearly have to take the next step with the Cardinals.

Warner isn’t the only Hall of Fame-caliber player to seek out AZ in his remaining days. The first ballot Hall of Famer, J.J. Watt went to the Cardinals. Granted, he went there to die. In 2022 (otherwise known as Watt’s last season with the Cardinals), the Cardinals went 4-13.

So, what would it take for Rodgers to buy in on the Cardinals? After all, he loved the future Hall of Fame head coach, Mike Tomlin, in Pittsburgh. In Arizona, they have a head coach that is younger than Sean McVay.

Jacoby Brissett, also known as my fantasy QB, is the current Cardinals QB. Rodgers threw 24 touchdowns, while Brissett threw 23 TDs. Rodgers had a 65.7 completion percentage and Brissett had a 64.9 completion percentage.

The key difference between the two is A-Rod went 10-6 and Brissett 1-11 last season.

Rodgers has to be happy that the Cards don’t only have Marvin Harrison Jr and Trey McBride, but they also took Jeremiyah Love third overall in 2026. It could be the best RB-WR-TE trio that he has ever had.

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Reflecting on the Top-10 picks of the 2023 NFL Draft

Top-10 picks of the 2023 NFL Draft

By: Jake Rajala

The 2023 NFL Draft was fascinating to say the least. In particular, the Top-10 picks have been intriguing. With that said, I’m going to reflect on each pick in the Top-10.

Bryce Young

The 5’10 QB Bryce Young is slightly more gifted than the 5’10 QB Johnny Manziel. That still hasn’t stopped him from being 14-30 as a starter. It’s blasphemy that the former Bama QB (Young) is a starting QB and fellow Alabama QB Mac Jones is a backup QB!

CJ Stroud

CJ Stroud peaked as a rookie (as he threw a career-high 23 touchdowns in his rookie season). He also unleashed several turnovers in two games in the past playoff gauntlet. He has gone 3-3 in the playoffs. Tom Brady wins a few games each time he makes the playoffs!

Will Anderson Jr.

It’s hard to pick apart the richest non-QB in NFL history, Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Anderson Jr. picked a good time to record 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. Anderson Jr. is everything they expected Jadeveon Clowney to be.

Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson is an athletic freak, but that doesn’t mean it translates to success on the field. Xavier Worthy broke the 40 yard dash record, but he’s not a Pro Bowl WR. Well, Richardson ran a 4.43 40 yard dash and he’s not even worthy of starting. He doesn’t have the same passing ability and football mind as former Colts QBs Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.

Devon Witherspoon

The Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon may not be the next former Hawks CB Richard Sherman, but he is a stud! He has made three straight Pro Bowls. He only played in 12 games last season and that didn’t hold him back from shining. He had a PFF grade of 89.9, which was first among CBs!

Paris Johnson Jr.

The Cardinals Paris Johnson Jr hasn’t played like an All-Pro, but he has progressed each season. He had a PFF grade of 76.6. He couldn’t save his Yoda-like QB from getting injured, however.

Tyree Wilson

Tyree Wilson is from the land of Alaska! The former Raiders edge rusher only had 4 sacks a season ago, which was less than half of Maxx Crosby’s total sack mark (10). Of course, he was traded to the Saints. He will likely replace Cameron Jordan and play alongside Chase Young and Carl Granderson.

Bijan Robinson

Bijan Robinson is arguably the best player on offense drafted up to this point. He has proven to be better than former Falcons RBs Michael Turner and Devonta Freeman. The only issue I have with him is that he used a gay slur. It was similar to Riley Cooper using the n word.

Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter decided to turn it up in the playoffs. I’d like to see him play 100% in each regular season game. He has a similar motor to the legendary NHL player Alexander Ovechkin, who is up and down. Carter was still vital to the Eagles Super Bowl run. I wouldn’t say he’s as polished as former Eagles DT Fletcher Cox just yet.

Darnell Right

It’s hard to criticize this pick. Darnell Right fit in well with the Bears. They were able to beef up their OL and get their franchise QB in Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft. Right had a PFF grade of 84.1 last season.

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The revenge from Tyrod Taylor

The return of Tyrod Taylor

By: Jake Rajala

It’s official: the Green Bay Packers signed free agent Tyrod Taylor. I believe it was a wise decision to bring in TT. Jordan Love missed two games last season and two games in the season before that. Let’s also not ignore the fact that he still threw as many touchdowns as Jacoby Brissett last season. He may benefit from more knowledge.

The Packer are infamous for producing backup QBs that shine for a game then leave to get overpaid elsewhere. Of course, I’m talking about Matt Flynn and Malik Willis. Taylor may looking at following in their foot-steps. You can never say he’s too old to cash out. Joe Flacco is 41 years old and Aaron Rodgers is 42 years old!

The football gods haven’t been kind to TT. If he didn’t have a medical mishap, he would have started for the Los Angeles Chargers. After his stint with the Chargers, he went to the Big Apple and went 2-3 with the GMEN. He then went 1-3 withe NYJ last season. It’s safe to say he’s as popular in NY as President Trump is.

T-Mobile may be a backup in the NFC North, but that doesn’t mean all the starters are above him. I would insert him above J.J. McCarthy.

There aren’t many stout free agent QBs available. I wouldn’t have to go out on a limb to say that Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t return to Green Bay. Jimmy G is contemplating retirement and then I’d say that Taylor is superior to Russell Wilson.

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The story of Andrew Luck

Reflecting on Andrew Luck

By: Jake Rajala

Andrew Luck hung up his cleats in 2019. He played six seasons, which was nearly half the amount of seasons that Peyton Manning played (as he played 13 seasons).

If Luck didn’t retire, then the Colts may not have have blown a first round pick on a QB by the name of Anthony Richardson. Richardson has played as many seasons as the former disastrous Colts QB Curtis Painter in Indy and it appears he’s already on his way out.

It isn’t too late for Luck to make a comeback. After all, he is eight years younger than former Colts QB Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement last season!

It isn’t an excuse for Luck to retire because he had an Ivy league education and we’re supposed to believe he’s smarter than us. Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Harvard and he retired at 39 years old.

“So you’re telling me there’s a chance”

If Rivers, Tom Brady, or Brett Favre could come out of retirement, it’s not far fetched to believe Luck could do the same. I’m not saying he’s going to make the Hall of Fame. We have to remember that Nick Foles won a Lombardi trophy and he’s not in discussion to end up in Canton.

Luck was named the first GM of Stanford football in 2024. Obviously, he played football at Stanford. Let’s just all hope that he makes better personnel decisions than someone in the NFL that has several Super Bowl rings.

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Is Fernando Mendoza doomed?

Is Mendoza doomed?

By: Jake Rajala

Fernando Mendoza was taken first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. There have been 38 quarterbacks taken first overall. So, the question is: Will Mendoza be the next Jameis Winston? Or perhaps he will take more than a decade to show out like Matthew Stafford?

Fernando may really want to close his ears when he hears that the past three QBs that went first overall in 2023, 2024, and 2025, have combined for zero Pro Bowls.

So, we know Fernando is going to Sin City. We know the Las Vegas Strip gives Bourbon Street a run for its money when it comes to partying. The nickname of the Raiders stadium is the “Death Star”. Non Star Wars fans should just be thankful they don’t play on a baseball field anymore.

Fernando should be concerned that Ashton Jeanty played like the opposite of Raiders legend Marcus Allen last season. Let it be known that Jeanty only had 25 more rushing yards than Trent Richardson in their rookie seasons. The worst part is that Richardson had six more rushing touchdowns than Jeanty as a rookie!

It may be wise for Fernando to pull an Eli Manning and try to get traded to a team that’s quality team. If Eli went to the Chargers he may have never reached the Super Bowl and Tom Brady may have two extra Super Bowl rings.

If Fernando struggles early on, he can sit back and witness Kirk Cousins lead the squad. Yes, the same Cousins that threw a league leading 16 interceptions with the Vikings in 2024.

Fernando may be like J.J. McCarthy, but I can’t foresee him being at the Jamarcus Russell level. Fernando should be able to play for more than three seasons.

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The legend of Nick Foles

Nick Foles reflection

By: Jake Rajala

Nick Foles is almost as legendary to Eagles fans as Vince Papale is to the City of Brotherly Love. Foles didn’t only win a Super Bowl, but he did it against Tom Brady. Everybody thought Eli Manning was the only kryptonite to Brady. Let’s not forget that Carson Wentz brought the Eagles to the green. Then Foles putted it in the hole.

Foles once threw 27 touchdowns to 2 ints in his second season. Flash forward a couple of years later and he struggled with the Rams. He threw 7 touchdowns and 10 ints. He went 4-7. Not even former Rams bust Sam Bradford threw more ints than touchdowns in a season.

Foles still has some serious magic on him. He has a 113.2 passer rating in the playoffs, which is the highest of all time. He also has a playoff record of 4-2. This is why he is called big d*ck Nick!

I would have enjoyed to see Foles not leave the NFL after 2022. He was in his mid 30s. He still has a few seasons left in him. If Philip Rivers can return to the league, then Foles sure as hell can return at 37 years old.

Foles deserves to go into the Eagles Hall of Fame in my opinion. He didn’t only win a Super Bowl there, but he has had some prolific moments. He unleashed 7 passing touchdowns in a game. He went 21-11 with Philly. That’s spectacular. He only had one losing season as an Eagle and that came in his rookie season.

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The outlook for Russell Wilson

Outlook for Russell Wilson

By: Jake Rajala

Russell Wilson is currently in the Big Apple. He isn’t the backup to Jaxson Dart. He is the backup to Jameis Winston, who is the backup to Dart. He is living the life of a journeyman QB, after being pardoned from Pittsburgh and Denver. If he wasn’t Mr. Unlimited, perhaps he would have better luck with Hall of Fame head coaches.

It’s a pity that the Steelers chose to ride with Aaron Rodgers, who looks like a statue in the pocket. Yes, that’s right. He had 61 rushing yards on the season. Lamar Jackson had more rushing yards in one game! Lamar unleashed 70 rushing yards against the Buffalo Bills.

I’d like to see Wilson join the Minnesota Vikings and join J.J. McCarthy. I’m not the first person to like the two sides. Austen Bundy of Fansided said, “Wilson would be the QB you bring in as the veteran mentor who can teach McCarthy a thing or two while also reminding him the starter job isn’t locked down entirely.”

Wilson will most likely not make the Hall of Fame. However, he should be cast into the Seahawks Ring of Honor. He only had one Super Bowl ring, like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. Well, Brees threw 5,000+ yards five times! A-Rod has also has the highest passer rating of all time.

If Wilson didn’t throw a gift to New England Patriots CB Malcolm Butler on the one yard line in the Super Bowl, he would have a pair of Super Bowl rings. Then I’d say he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame (at some point). Nonetheless, one play in a game can change everything.

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The outlook for Marcus Mariota

What to expect from Marcus Mariota

By: Jake Rajala

Marcus Mariota went 3-9 in his rookie season. The undisputed NFL bust, JaMarcus Russell, only played one game as a rookie, but he started in his second season, and he had more wins (5) than Mariota.

Let it be known that even Vince Young, who didn’t live up to his draft pick, only had one losing season as a Titan. Meanwhile, Mariota had two losing seasons. Mariota has also only had one season with more than 20 passing touchdowns.

Mariota won the Heisman trophy, but that didn’t mean he was going to be an All-Pro and Super Bowl winner at the pro level. Johnny Manziel won the Heisman, but he was far from an NFL stud. The Browns lived in the moment too much when they drafted Manziel in the first round. He was more glamorous than anything.

Mariota’s college coach, Chip Kelly, did his part in struggling to stand out at the NFL level. He was fired in the middle of the season by the Las Vegas Raiders. Not even Matt Canada (Steelers offensive coordinator) was fired this season, or Pete Carmichael (former Saints offensive coordinator) in the middle of last season.

Flash forward to today, Mariota is the backup on the Washington Commanders to Jayden Daniels. Mariota looked like a journeyman, rather than a wise, dual-threat QB. He has only had a 2-6 record, which is the same number of wins as Joe Flacco. Ouch.

Looking back, Mariota will still be remembered as an Oregon legend. However, he won’t be making it into the Titans or Commanders Hall of Fame. He is still 32 years old, so he has a few years left in him.

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The outlook for CJ Stroud

What to expect from CJ Stroud

By: Jake Rajala

CJ Stroud had a marvelous playoff exit this season. He threw four interceptions against the Patriots. Not even J.J. McCarthy threw four ints in a single game this season. Yet, the Texans are going to extend the young QB on a deal worth $224 million for 4 years.

It looks like Stroud is playing for the Bills or Steelers, who both cannot advance deep into the playoffs. Stroud shouldn’t feel too bad, however. The Texans failed to win a Super Bowl with J.J. Watt or a prime Deshaun Watson.

Stroud is arguably the worst QB in his division this season. That says a lot because Philip Rivers came back from the dead to play for the Colts.

Stroud was taken with the second overall pick. It’s safe to say the second overall pick is cursed, when it comes to drafting quarterbacks. Zach Wilson, Mitchell Trubisky, and Marcus Mariota were all recent second overall picks.

To be somewhat fair, the Texans are treating Stroud in the same way that the Packers once treated Aaron Rodgers. They aren’t giving him a lot of firepower. DeAndre Hopkins and Andre Johnson can’t save him.

I believe Stroud is on the same path that Tua Tagovailoa is on. I expect Stroud to continue on his downward slope and get benched. I’d love to see the Texans bring back Deshaun Watson or trade for someone like Spencer Rattler.

The Texans do have the number one defense in the league. Defenses win championships, too. They still need a QB that’s “at least” a game manager and won’t constantly turn the ball over.

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The tale of Todd Bowles

Todd Bowles outlook

By: Jake Rajala

Todd Bowles was kicked out of the Big Apple, just like Adam Gase and someone by the name of Donald. Bowles took his talent to Tampa Bay as a DC. He was a key reason that Tom Brady got his seventh Super Bowl ring. Bowles’s defense slowed down Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes in the same playoff journey.

After TB12, Gronk, and even Bruce Arians left town, Bowles was promoted to the HC spot. So, what did he do to keep the train rolling? He brought in Baker Mayfield. Yes, the same QB that has had double digit interceptions in each of his past three seasons.

I’m not saying Baker is Josh Freeman, but I don’t believe he is ready to bring his squad to the Super Bowl. He allowed the Carolina Panthers to win the division.

I believe doom is on the horizon for Bowles and the Bucs. I expect him to be on the golf course with Suh, JPP, and Shaq Barrett next January. I believe Mike Evans, who had his first non 1k+ yard season, will retire this offseason or the next.

The Bucs have Lavonte Davis, Vita Vea, and Haason Reddick on defense. Yet, their defense ranked 20th in PPG allowed and 16th in PPG allowed. They look like they are being coached by former Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith!

So, what can save Bowles? I’d like to see the Bucs bring in a stud TE and gifted RB. When they won their recent Super Bowl, they had Gronk at TE and a couple of stud RBs (Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette).

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