Welcome to a high-octane episode of Running it Back, where the lessons of sports leadership meet the chaos of the 2026 NFL postseason. Host Mike Palmer is joined by Tarlin Ray and Isaac Tellechea to break down the systems, the carousels, and the "crocodile tears" defining this year’s quarterback drama.

QUICK CHECK-IN Tarlin gives a brief update on his upcoming hip replacement surgery. He is navigating a five-day prep window—which includes boarding his dog, Chia, to keep the recovery environment germ-free.

QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSIES AND LESSONS LEARNED The episode's namesake harkens back to Terrell Owens’ infamous defense of Tony Romo. The crew uses this lens to examine today’s leadership dynamics:

THE SUNK COST OF TUA: The Dolphins’ season is a "train wreck," leaving Tua Tagovailoa as an emergency third-stringer despite his massive contract.
THE SYSTEM VS. THE TALENT: The crew debates if organizations fail quarterbacks more than the other way around.
BRYCE YOUNG AND DREW BREES: Tarlin draws a parallel between Bryce Young and a young Drew Brees, arguing that elite "closers" need the right offensive coordinator to unlock their potential.
THE CALEB WILLIAMS BLUEPRINT: In Chicago, Ben Johnson is credited with "speeding up" Caleb Williams by forcing faster decision-making.
DURABILITY IS THE TOP ABILITY: Mike emphasizes that while talent is great, durability is the ultimate asset, comparing the "horse" that is Josh Allen to the injury concerns surrounding Jaxon Dart and Tua.

2026 PLAYOFF AND SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS With heavyweights like Mahomes and Burrow out of the mix, the path to the Lombardi is wide open. Who do we got? Listen in to find out...

"Josh Allen is like Jon Snow pulling the sword out for the big battle *Battle of the Bastards),. If you extend that analogy, then, clearly Matthew Stafford is clearly the Night King." — Mike Palmer.

TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro and Tarlin’s medical update. 00:08:00 - The "That’s My Quarterback" origin story. 00:15:00 - The Tua Tagovailoa tragedy in Miami and "Kafkaesque" Giants. 00:27:00 - John Elway, Drew Brees, and the importance of QB development time. 00:33:00 - The "Ben Johnson Effect" in Chicago. 00:39:00 - Super Bowl picks and Josh Allen’s legacy.