Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode Summary – January 28, 2026

Episode Title: Did the Bills & Browns hire the right coaches + Why Bill Belichick got snubbed
Hosts: James Palmer (The Athletic), Dianna Russini (The Athletic), plus guests Seth Wickersham (ESPN) and Joe Buscaglia (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the NFL’s most intriguing stories:

• The Buffalo Bills’ and Cleveland Browns’ head coaching hires (Joe Brady and Todd Monken)
• The behind-the-scenes tension and key factors in both organizations’ decisions
• The shocking news that Bill Belichick was not elected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer
  The hosts and guests leverage their insider access to examine what these moves mean for the NFL landscape, what’s next for major franchises, and the fallout around one of football’s most controversial Hall of Fame snubs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cleveland Browns Hire Todd Monken as Head Coach

[02:27–11:25]

• Initial Surprise & Reaction:

  • The Browns’ decision to hire Todd Monken surprised most around the league and the Browns’ fan base, who expected either continuity with DC Jim Schwartz or a completely new offensive mind.
  • Monken is seen as "a mix of both" – an offensively-focused hire with previous head coaching experience, but not as extensive as Schwartz.

• The Jim Schwartz Factor:

  • Schwartz, the highly respected DC, was also a finalist for the job, creating awkward dynamics. His future with the franchise remains uncertain.
  • "Jim Schwartz is the reason why the Cleveland Browns have had any success over the last few seasons. So his future is a little bit up in the air." — Dianna Russini [03:42]
  • The Browns are legally bound to Schwartz for another year unless they let him out or he retires; sources suggest Schwartz might be "leaning toward" leaving after being passed over.

• Organizational Process:

  • The Browns’ search was heavily analytics-driven, with candidates submitting essays and undergoing psychological evaluations.
  • Monken’s plan for the quarterback position was a key part of his interview but not tied to any specific player (Shadur Sanders not a major factor).

• Quote:

  • "There’s always the news and then there’s a little bit of what the league is talking about—the soup. ... You’re telling me Jim Schwartz is going to interview for the head coach job and just be okay with it if he doesn’t get it and stay on staff?" — Dianna Russini [05:45]

2. Buffalo Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach

[11:25–21:30], [37:25–56:16]

• Why Joe Brady?

  • Internal interviews impressed ownership and leadership; Brady’s "attention-grabbing presence" and vision caught them off guard.
  • "[The staff] had never really seen him in that light... Joe Brady blew away the room. It was everybody. So it wasn’t a very hard decision for them to make." — Dianna Russini [12:18]

• Role of Josh Allen:

  • QB Josh Allen's thoughts were part of the process, but not decisive. He supported Brady, but the hire was not specifically Allen-driven.
  • "Apparently Joe Brady blew away the room. It was everybody. So it wasn't a very hard decision for them to make." — Dianna Russini [12:18]

• External Candidates & Search Process:

  • Buffalo considered Brian Daboll, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, and others. Daboll was viewed as a strong candidate due to his previous work with Allen, but the team ultimately prioritized offensive minds and quick transition.
  • The Bills did not wait to interview external candidate Clint Kubiak (Seattle) due to timing issues; continuity was prioritized.

• Organizational Continuity & the “Window” for a Title:

  • There’s a focus on maintaining continuity around Josh Allen as he enters his 30s, seeking to capitalize on Buffalo’s championship window without a learning curve for a new staff.
  • Joe Brady will continue to call plays as head coach—a significant responsibility for a young, first-timer.

• Concerns and Risk:

  • While Brady is highly collaborative and a “player’s coach,” there are open questions about his ability as a CEO-type head coach, especially in high-pressure situations.
  • "Are you actually going to put the iron fist down sometimes? Are you actually going to be this type of leader that can help navigate through conflict, which is such an important piece …?" — Joe Buscalia [48:20]

• Potential Staff Changes:

  • Defensive coordinator hiring is a point of interest, with Jim Leonhard emerging as a top candidate.
  • Most of the offensive staff may return; major identity change is expected defensively.

3. Bill Belichick Snubbed from Hall of Fame—Why?

With Seth Wickersham [21:30–36:23]

• Reporting the News:

  • ESPN’s Seth Wickersham broke the news that Belichick was not a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
  • Even those close to Belichick were "in shock" but not "filled with rage"—the mood was, “this is unbelievable. Can you believe this?”

• Voters & The Process:

  • The consensus: this was a “bad slight.” Multiple coaches and insiders blasted the process for allowing personal vendettas to influence such a monumental vote.
  • “If people were going to put their emotions in their votes, then they shouldn't be voters. You can't do it. The work is what you're voting on, not your personal feelings.” — Dianna Russini [19:15]

• Potential Reasons for the Snub:

  • Deliberations explicitly included discussion of New England’s cheating scandals, particularly Spygate (“really, really Belichick centric”) and Deflategate.
  • Some voters may have assumed Belichick was an obvious lock, so used their votes for other candidates, creating a logjam and splitting the vote.

• Broader Implications & Future Changes:

  • The shock and widespread agreement across football may prompt the Hall to separate the contributor and senior categories, or to reconsider transparency.
  • “So often where we look for conspiracy, we end up finding human beings. And I have a feeling that’s what happened.” — Seth Wickersham [28:21]
  • Likelihood of a more transparent process? Skeptical—due to concern for voter privacy and public backlash.

• Tom Brady Implications:

  • The group does not foresee the Belichick snub impacting Brady’s future Hall of Fame candidacy, but points out the huge backlog for coaches (e.g., Shanahan, Holmgren, Coughlin, with Reed and Tomlin possibly soon).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cleveland’s coaching dynamics:
  • “Hey, I'm here. I'm not good enough to be the CEO, but let me make sure I support and even mentor probably this young guy who has the job I want.” — Dianna Russini [06:55]
• On Buffalo’s hire:
  • "Promoting Joe Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach. It seems like we have a lot of the same to try to find a different result.” — James Palmer [39:32]
• On Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub:
  • “They’re calling it the Belichick 11—the 11 that didn't vote for him. Like who are these people? ... And it's never gonna come out.” — Dianna Russini [20:27]
  • "Even when Don [Van Natta] got the tip, we were wondering, there's a decent chance this can't be true, right? How could it possibly be that Bill Belichick isn't a first ballot Hall of Famer?" — Seth Wickersham [24:03]
• On the backlog for coaching Hall of Fame bids:
  • “All of those guys are gonna get knocked back because ... they're all getting in line behind Belichick first. And then if Reed retires, it'll be behind Reed." — Seth Wickersham [29:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:27] Cleveland Browns hire Todd Monken—process and implications
• [05:45] The awkwardness of Jim Schwartz as finalist and possible exit
• [11:25] Buffalo Bills promote Joe Brady—insider details and why
• [13:47] External candidates for Bills job: Daboll, Anarumo, Kubiak (timing issues)
• [18:31] Bill Belichick snubbed: insider reaction and the politics of Hall of Fame voting
• [24:03] Seth Wickersham explains how the snub story broke and why it happened
• [28:21] Seth Wickersham: “So often where we look for conspiracy, we end up finding human beings”
• [37:25] Joe Buscalia on “Why Joe Brady?”—Bills’ thinking and risk assessment
• [45:44] Brady’s rapid rise—Willy Wonka analogy and thoughts on qualifications
• [50:25] Josh Allen’s role in head coach search and what it means for Buffalo
• [54:04] Major staff changes expected for Bills defense, possible DC candidates

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a rich, nuanced look behind the NFL’s closed doors—from the emotional fallout of surprising coaching decisions to the human (and sometimes political) frailties inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection process. Scoop City’s hosts and guests blend access, candor, and context into an episode that doesn’t just break the news, but explains its significance for fans and teams alike.