Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: Inside John Harbaugh's frantic start at Giants head coach
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: James Palmer (The Athletic Senior NFL Insider)
Guests: Bruce Feldman (National College Football Insider), Ian O’Connor (The Athletic Columnist)

Episode Overview

This episode explores two major NFL storylines:

1. NFL Draft Preview: Bruce Feldman breaks down quarterback prospects, the combine, and his much-anticipated “Freaks List.”
2. John Harbaugh’s Start with the Giants: Ian O’Connor offers an in-depth look at Harbaugh’s tumultuous first month as the New York Giants’ new head coach, including behind-the-scenes negotiations and the early challenges of assembling a staff.

The show moves briskly between college football analysis and NFL inside reporting, providing fresh perspectives and scoops both on rising talents and how the Harbaugh era is taking shape in New York.

Segment 1: NFL Draft Preview & College QB Analysis

Guest: Bruce Feldman
Starts at [02:41]

Key Discussion Points

Fernando Mendoza: From Two-Star Recruit to Projected Top Pick

• Unusual Rise: Feldman calls Mendoza’s journey "a really neat story" ([03:58]), noting his late emergence and how he led Indiana to a 16-1 season.
• No Entitlement: "There is zero entitlement to him because I think he was so late to the star process." – Bruce Feldman ([03:58])
• Development over NIL: Players increasingly prize development over pure NIL money.

  "If you think the development piece is more important, maybe you’re giving away on the front end...but that is worth the investment to go." – Bruce Feldman ([06:25])

• NFL Ready?: Feldman warns the small sample size could be a wildcard for Mendoza's pro prospects, drawing comparisons to Justin Herbert and Alex Smith.

  "It’s still largely a crapshoot about how many of these first-round [QBs] live up to it." – Bruce Feldman ([09:19])

Other 2026 QB Prospects

• Ty Simpson (Alabama):
  • "He’s...the next most impressive guy...good athlete, can really run and get himself out of some trouble." – Bruce Feldman ([13:56])
  • Could climb draft boards if teams envision a year or two of development behind a veteran. The Rams and other teams are mentioned as logical landing spots.
• Garrett Nussmeier (LSU):
  • Noted for his "gunslinger" mentality and NFL bloodlines.
  • "I will bet Garrett Nussmeier’s on an NFL roster for at least eight years." – Bruce Feldman ([16:17])
  • LSU’s poor 2025 season affected perceptions, but teams value his intangibles and background.

Combine & The “Freaks List” [22:41]

• Feldman teases two Ohio State linebackers (Sonny Stiles and Arvell Reese) as top “freaks” for next week's scouting combine.
• "Both linebackers will light it up in Indy from Ohio State." – Bruce Feldman ([24:40])

Prospects with “Most to Gain” at Combine [25:53]

• Discussion on how character and medical red flags are navigated by teams, referencing examples like James Pierce Jr. and George Pickens.
  • On character: "There’s so much digging...some of the cake has been baked in." – Bruce Feldman ([27:30])
  • Teams’ medical criteria are inconsistent, making the combine a critical moment for some players’ draft stock.

Position Group to Watch [30:51]

• Wide receivers: Deep class, uncertainty about how teams will stack talent and prioritize “flavors.”
• Defensive line: Feldman highlights Florida State DT Daryl Jackson ("giant of a man"), Dominique Orange (Iowa State), and Miami edge rushers as names to watch.
  • "I don’t say boomer-bust, but there are a bunch of boom-bust guys." – Bruce Feldman ([30:51])

Notable Quotes

• "So much is like a wild card in this—the system you go into, how is everything around you...” – Bruce Feldman ([12:43])
• "Guys get talked into the late first round a lot..." – Bruce Feldman on QB draft movement ([13:56])
• "Everybody likes him...there are kind of intangibles. His arm is pretty good. It was just inconsistent." – Bruce Feldman on Nussmeier ([16:17])

Segment 2: Inside John Harbaugh’s First 30 Days with the Giants

Guest: Ian O’Connor
Starts at [36:44]

Key Discussion Points

How Close Harbaugh Was to Not Being the Giants’ Coach [37:28]

• Hiring almost fell through over the management structure:

  "Giants fans really had no idea how close it came to not happening on...January 17th...John Mara finally...decided for the first time in the history of the organization they’d allow a head coach to report directly to ownership. And that’s what got the deal done." – Ian O’Connor ([37:28])

Organizational Structure: Why Harbaugh Fought for Power [39:15]

• Harbaugh insisted on reporting directly to ownership, even though he agreed operationally it wouldn’t change much on a daily basis:

  "If it ever came down to a stalemate, he wanted to have the authority to make a decision..." – Ian O’Connor ([39:15])

• Without this concession, Harbaugh would have taken another job.

Building a Star-Studded Offensive Staff [41:40]

• OC search: Todd Monken (Harbaugh's first choice) took the Cleveland job, prompting a pivot to Matt Nagy.
• "He said, ‘I ended up with a guy in Matt Nagy who I believe can be the greatest OC ever. That’s what we’re shooting for.’” – Ian O’Connor, quoting John Harbaugh ([41:40])
• Staff includes Greg Roman, Brian Callahan, Matt Nagy, and adds offensive institutional knowledge encircling Jackson Dart.

Jackson Dart: Setting Up a Franchise QB [44:07]

• Organization appeared to scapegoat Dart for 2025 struggles; Harbaugh focused on protecting and developing him.
• Dart’s confidence: When asked if he’d swap his career for Eli Manning’s, replied "No disrespect to Eli, but I’m going to play it out. I’m always going to bet on myself." ([45:16])
• Harbaugh’s dual-threat experience with Lamar Jackson may shape how the Giants deploy Dart:

  "How do you allow a guy to still be aggressive and take the running yardage when it’s there, but not put himself in harm’s way?" – Ian O’Connor ([45:15])

Lessons from Baltimore, Change in New York [47:40]

• Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson both felt “mutual fatigue”; Harbaugh was ready for new challenges.
• The Giants job topped his "wish list" if let go by Baltimore.
• O’Connor emphasizes Harbaugh must own his role in playoff disappointments and the challenge is:

  "Whether or not John becomes the first coach in NFL history to win Super Bowls with different franchises comes down to how he coaches that quarterback in Jackson Dart..." – Ian O’Connor ([49:31])

Notable Quotes and Moments

• "It almost feels like a demotion...entering the organization as $100 million coach, whose done a lot of winning...to report to a GM who’s...23 games under .500." – Ian O’Connor ([39:15])
• "You’re surrounding Jackson Dart with a think tank of offensive minds..." ([41:40])
• "He wants to have it there just as an insurance policy, if you will." – Ian O’Connor on Harbaugh’s power ([39:15])
• "He hasn’t expressed this to me on-the-record...but he’s got to own a little bit his part in some of the playoff disappointments." ([47:40])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bruce Feldman Segment (Draft/Combine/QBs): [02:41] – [34:10]
  • Fernando Mendoza’s profile: [03:58]–[12:43]
  • Ty Simpson & Nussmeier evaluations: [13:56]–[19:04]
  • Combine & Freaks List preview: [22:41]–[25:23]
  • Red flags, medical, and position groups: [25:53]–[33:46]
• Ian O’Connor Segment (Harbaugh & Giants): [36:44] – [49:48]
  • Harbaugh’s close call, power struggle: [37:28]–[40:46]
  • Staffing and OC pivot: [41:40]–[43:28]
  • Jackson Dart development: [44:07]–[47:40]
  • Lessons from Baltimore, Harbaugh's evolution: [47:40]–[49:31]

Conclusion

This episode delivers premium NFL scoop—on the elite draft prospects about to hit the combine AND the chess moves behind John Harbaugh’s arrival in New York.
Must-listen moments include Feldman’s take on “development over NIL,” the drama of Harbaugh’s hiring, and the inside story about building around Jackson Dart. The pod’s tone balances expert analysis, insider nuance, and conversational accessibility for both casual fans and NFL obsessives.