Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Castoff to Super Bowl: Sam Darnold's Improbable Redemption Story + Coaching Carousel Updates

Air Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Dianna Russini, James Palmer, Chase Daniel

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the remarkable journey of Sam Darnold, who has gone from overlooked castoff to leading the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl, alongside the New England Patriots. The trio also breaks down the latest updates from the NFL head coaching carousel, with expert insight into Buffalo, Cleveland, Arizona, Vegas, and Philadelphia. Deep analysis, behind-the-scenes scoops, and NFL strategy are the hallmarks of this discussion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sam Darnold’s NFC Championship Redemption (03:27–09:28)

Darnold's Breakout under Pressure

• Chase’s Film Breakdown: Darnold excelled against the Rams, especially under heavy pocket pressure, completing difficult throws like the crucial touchdown to Bobo.
• Chase Daniel (03:49):

  "He's the first quarterback in the Next Gen Stats era in a playoff game to throw for three touchdowns under pressure. Every one of his TDs, tight pocket. That was the story of the game."

• Darnold’s growth attributed to both physical and mental progression, enabled by Seattle's coaching staff (Clint Kubiak and Mike Macdonald).
• Dianna (06:15):

  "They never say to him in the headset ... 'tight window, protect the football.' No, go rip it."

Underappreciated Growth & Support System

• Coaches empowered Darnold to play fearlessly, focusing on strengths rather than mistakes.
• Noted that Darnold led the league in turnovers under pressure, but against the Rams, he overcame that flaw, pointing to real mental progress.

Offensive Scheme & JSN Emergence

• Chase (07:29):

  "When you look at JSN, that gives me 'best receiver in the NFL' vibes ... his shoulder plane is the same accelerating and decelerating. That's impossible to defend."

• Seattle leverages JSN’s versatility, lining him up in multiple positions to exploit favorable matchups, demonstrating scheme creativity and talent depth.

2. Super Bowl Preview: Seattle’s Defensive Identity vs. New England’s Power (09:28–11:47)

• Seattle’s “umbrella” two-safety coverage, run defense, and disciplined play praised—little concern shown by Chase for defensive issues ahead of the Super Bowl.
• Patriots seek to challenge with heavy personnel and big-play action; discussion about the chess match between Patriots’ run game and Seattle’s stout front.

3. Drake May’s Ascent: Patriots’ Surprising Super Bowl Run (11:47–17:55)

• Weather played a pivotal role in the Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship.
• Drake May shown as a composed young QB, making clutch runs (“quarterback draw, excellent play call” (13:00)), adapting to conditions, and benefiting from Josh McDaniels’ creative play-calling.
• Chase (13:00):

  "It's not what he did in this game, but you look at his entire season ... probably going to finish second in the MVP. It's his second year and they're going to the Super Bowl."

• May beat three top-five defenses this playoff run; path compared to John Elway’s legendary postseason gauntlet.
• Dianna credited head coach Mike Vrabel with building culture, maximizing minimal roster talent, and making no offseason missteps.

4. Vrabel’s Masterclass in Coaching & Game Management (17:55–19:33)

• Chase (17:55):

  "There’s a few coaches that are so good at situational game awareness—second nature to them. That’s Vrabel."

• Noted meticulous in-game management: “run, run, run, punt”—handled second-half weather perfectly. Sideline clock-draining noted for its discipline.

5. Postmortem: What’s Next for Denver and LA Rams? (21:15–36:40)

Denver Broncos: Highs, Misses, and Roadblocks

• Aggressive 4th-and-1 decision by Sean Payton (22:57) scrutinized.
• Chase (22:57):

  "Before we break it down, I did not mind the decision. Fourth and one, you’re trying to go up 14-0. I just hated the play call."

• Weather as pivotal factor—receivers said they “couldn't see anything,” making offensive adjustments impossible.
• Offseason needs: More juice in the receiver room, a true No. 2; healthy J.K. Dobbins; maximize RJ Harvey. Noted lack of explosive runs was fatal.
• Excellent special teams nugget: Will Lutz’s missed field goal likely caused by poor sightlines—holder’s responsibility.

LA Rams: The Defense and Special Teams Letdown

• Matthew Stafford’s likely MVP season wasted by defensive and special teams letdowns (35:00).
• Rams’ midseason trade for Roger McCreary noted as addressing, but not solving, defensive back-end issues.
• Chase (34:39):

  "Matthew Stafford’s greatest season ... I think he got let down by the Rams defense and special teams."

6. The Head Coaching Carousel: Buffalo, Cleveland, Philly & More (38:30–61:19)

Buffalo Bills

• Davis Webb (Denver QB coach) a top candidate—youth and readiness debated.
• Philip Rivers withdrew from consideration despite Allen’s support.
• Brian Daboll only interested in HC roles, not OC.
• Diana (43:49):

  "He checks a lot of boxes—leader of men and football acumen ... The sense is, 'if we don’t hire him now, we’ll never get another chance.'"

• Josh Allen is unusually involved in interviews, acting like an executive—rare in NFL circles.

Cleveland Browns

• A data-driven process; considering promoting young OC Nate Scheelhaase or veteran Jim Schwartz.
• Keeping Schwartz is uncertain if passed over; strong league interest in him as DC.
• Chase (52:16):

  "I think the right pick is Scheelhaase. If you’re going data-driven and want a first-time head coach, go offense and QB developer."

Philadelphia Eagles OC Search

• Many candidates rejecting the OC role; Philly “in a really hard spot.”
• Several big names, including Arthur Smith, Declan Doyle, Zach Robinson, and Frank Smith, withdrew or took jobs elsewhere.
• Diana (55:13):

  "I had a player text me, 'what the f---, I don’t get it, we won the Super Bowl last year.'"

• Reluctance due to job instability, possible lack of autonomy, and daunting Philly market (“Nick Sirianni may need to take back the playcalling”).
• Chase (57:15):

  "Look, Philly fans don’t love, don’t like me... The job definitely comes with a lot of layers; I don’t know if I’d have full say in this offense."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Darnold’s breakthrough:
  "It's just sort of like a redemption tour. ... Sam Darnold is a very good quarterback—when he's playing his best ball, that's top 10 in the league."
  — Chase (05:44)

• JSN's route running mystique:
  "It's almost like he's ice skating out there ... the biggest compliment because it just looks like you're gliding."
  — Chase, relaying Tom Brady’s commentary (07:50)

• On Patriots' clutch coaching:
  "There's a few coaches that are so good at situational game awareness ... that's what Vrabel is doing."
  — Chase (17:55)

• On interviewing as a head coach:
  "You can never be overdressed for a head coaching interview... you are the face of a billion-dollar organization."
  — Chase/James/Diana (48:28–49:00)

• On Philly’s OC struggles:
  "Unfortunately, Philly’s hurting Philly right now ... there are concerns about this offense, and I’m not sure there’s enough belief from these candidates that they can come in and immediately win."
  — Diana (55:07)

• On job risk in Philly:
  "There is a perception of this job, Chase, where if it goes wrong, it is on you. It just happened to Kevin Patullo."
  — Diana (59:16)

• On Josh Allen's role in HC interviews:
  "Every single meeting he is sitting there ... It was as if he was an executive."
  — Diana (46:01)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Sam Darnold Film Breakdown/NFC Title Review: 03:27–09:28
• Seahawks vs. Patriots Super Bowl Preview: 09:28–11:47
• Drake May & Patriots' Rise: 11:47–17:55
• Vrabel’s Coaching Impact: 17:55–19:33
• Broncos’ Fourth Down Decision & Offseason Needs: 21:15–30:46
• Rams’ Defensive/Special Teams Collapse: 33:51–36:40
• Coaching Carousel (Bills, Browns, Eagles): 38:30–61:19

Summary

This episode delivers a layered analysis of the NFL landscape heading into Super Bowl week, with a compelling spotlight on Sam Darnold’s unexpected heroics and the behind-the-scenes coaching drama. Hosts provide granular play breakdowns, candid locker-room reporting, and incisive views on leadership and organizational strategy—peppered with memorable humor and insider truths. For any football fan, it’s both an in-depth recap and a roadmap for what the rest of the NFL offseason might hold.