Scoop City: Inside The NFL

Episode: "What do the Steelers do Now? Inside Mike Tomlin's Uncertain Future"

Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Dianna Russini, James Palmer, Chase Daniel

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the fallout from NFL Week 13, spotlighting seismic playoff shifts, contender struggles, and especially the unraveling situation in Pittsburgh with Mike Tomlin’s uncertain future. The team provides expert analysis and insider context on the NFL’s hottest stories, including the playoff race, emerging teams, and why the Steelers' legendary head coach—and franchise—may be facing a crossroads.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

NFL Week 13: The Playoff Picture & Surprising Leaders

• Unexpected Conference Leaders:
  • Bears top the NFC at 9-3, Broncos lead AFC at 10-2.
  • Both teams are winning despite giving their fans “cardiac arrest” style fourth quarters.
  • Bears destroy Philly; Broncos survive overtime vs. Washington.

Who’s More Believable: Bears or Broncos?

(06:43)

• Chase Daniel: Leans Bears due to their run game and opportunistic defense, even with inconsistent Caleb Williams at QB.
  • “The more you think about it…he [Caleb Williams] wanted it to be like the Detroit Lions run game. And it’s just so smart…The quarterback raises his level of play just 20%...Chicago Bears fans should be excited.” (07:27)
• Diana Russini: Emphasizes momentum and how the Bears have changed perception.
  • “They’re no longer a team you doubt…There’s nothing boring about a run game that works in December.” (08:50)
• James Palmer: Makes the case for the Broncos, citing historical 10-2 records leading to Super Bowls and elite defense/special teams.
  • “Every time the Denver Broncos have been 10 and 2, they've gone to the Super Bowl…I think this is one of the best defenses in football.” (11:20)

Super Bowl Contenders Struggling: Chiefs, Eagles, Ravens

Chiefs: Are They Out or Can Mahomes Fix It?

(13:23)

• Chase Daniel: “The one thing I know about this team is that you have the quarterback I trust the most in the entire NFL…But this year, you finally have to get over these one-score games.”
• Diana Russini: “They’re on life support…They lose the tiebreakers to Buffalo, Jacksonville, Chargers, and the Broncos.” (15:26)

Quarterback Conversation: Who’s Playing the Best?

(16:08)

• Chase Daniel: “Dak [Prescott] …there’s no one better playing the position right now in the NFL other than Matthew Stafford.”
• James Palmer: Praises offensive line adjustments and gives special mention to Dak and Stafford for pre-snap awareness and playmaking.

Cowboys: Turning a Corner?

(17:31)

• Defense turnaround at trade deadline; Dak’s in the MVP conversation but must prove consistency.
  • “If Dak plays well and they win Thursday night, you will start hearing like Dak Prescott MVP stuff.” – Chase Daniel (19:54)
• Diana: “My only problem…they can beat the best teams, but they could also lose to the stinky teams.” (19:54)

Philadelphia Eagles: Locker Room Dismay and Play Calling Issues

(22:12–32:30)

• Diana Russini’s on-site reporting:

  • Fans’ negativity palpable even before the game; lack of answers in the locker room postgame.
  • “It was like nervous energy…if we're just negative, maybe they'll get so mad on the field that they'll start playing better.” (23:46)
  • Key player insight: locker room frustration isn’t aimed at OC Kevin Petullo specifically, but at systemic team malaise.
  • “Saquon says, ‘Forget the blame. Everyone’s gotta ask what they can do better.” (25:41)

• Chase Daniel: Pinpoints play-calling as a core issue.

  • “It’s very boring. It’s very in the gun as a quarterback.” (31:34)
  • Calls for more creativity and perhaps more under-center plays, adapting the scheme to players’ strengths.

• James Palmer: “You can still be creative…you don’t just run what the quarterback can run, you manipulate it as the OC.”

Ravens: Injuries, Run Game Woes, Derrick Henry’s Decline?

(33:00–35:06)

• James Palmer: Raises concern that Derrick Henry may have finally “lost a step” due to historic workload.
  • “Even just the smallest little step can change the way things operate.” (34:08)
• Diana Russini: “The last thing I was going to be worried about…the Ravens was the run game…Now it's a hard conversation to have because of what [Henry’s] done for the game.”
• Consensus: Red zone offense and injuries hamper the Ravens, whose season has taken a worrisome turn versus preseason expectations.

Steelers at a Crossroads: The Mike Tomlin Question

The Steel Curtain is Fraying

(37:06–43:32)

• Bills run for 249 yards; Steelers expensive defense gets “murdered.”
• Chase Daniel:
  • Says the Steelers have stretched this era too long, stuck in “fringy playoff team” territory.
  • “It just starts to show its face a little bit that you’ve extended it further than you thought…You gotta tear that place down. It’s a rebuild.”
  • “Mike Tomlin needs a Sean Payton moment, an Andy Reid moment…at a point where he needs a change.” (37:57)
• Diana Russini:
  • Notes more head coach-search conversations around Tomlin than ever before.
  • “He’d be at the top of every list…but I also wouldn’t be surprised if he stays.”

Mike Tomlin as Free Agent?

• Discusses fit with the Giants, job market realities, and Tomlin’s enduring “love of football”—but also his fatigue.

NFC West: Are the Rams Still Elite After Shocking Panthers Loss?

(43:38–46:35)

• James Palmer: Not panicking about Rams (“They’re fine…still had a chance despite Stafford’s bad day.”)
• Chase Daniel: Praises Panthers’ QB Bryce Young’s big throws and Dave Canales’ coaching.
  • “They’ve hit on their coach…The Panthers are building something.” (46:35)
• Diana Russini: Surprised at how quickly Canales has brought life to Carolina.

AFC South Chaos: Colts, Texans, Jags

(47:12–55:47)

• Colts: Once division favorite, now sliding; upcoming tough schedule may keep them out of playoffs.
• Texans:
  • Momentum, creative playcalling, C.J. Stroud empowered at the line; defense a playoff-caliber unit.
  • “If the offense can get 7 instead of 3, they’re dangerous.” – James Palmer (53:54)
• Jaguars: Quietly stacking wins, looming as a threat.

College Football: The Lane Kiffin/Coaching Carousel Debate

(59:00–68:41)

• Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss for LSU immediately after 11-1 season; not allowed to coach playoffs.
• Chase Daniel: Blames NCAA’s “Wild West” calendar and transfer portal chaos, not Kiffin:
  • “Do not blame Lane Kiffin…blame the NCAA and the structure.” (61:28)
  • “You're having free agency, coaching changes, and the draft all in the middle of the season.”
• James Palmer: “National signing day is in 48 hours, the portal is wild, there’s zero control.”
• Diana Russini: “Aren’t you better off having Lane Kiffin coach the playoffs—who does the NCAA help with this?” (65:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chase Daniel, on the Steelers:
  “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over…and expecting different results. It’s been the same result. Fringy playoff team. That’s just not good enough for Steelers fans anymore.” (38:56)

• Diana Rossini, on the Eagles’ mood:
  “Inside, there was…nervous energy and almost like, if we’re just negative, maybe they'll get so mad on the field they'll start playing better.” (23:46)

• James Palmer, summarizing Tomlin’s crossroads:
  “He still has the love of football in him. But he’s tired.” (42:15)

• Chase Daniel, on college football chaos:
  “You’re having free agency, you’re having a coaching changes, you’re having the draft in the middle of the season…that’s the system in place.” (61:04)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Week 13/Playoff implications: 02:23–06:43
• Bears/Broncos Deep Dive: 06:43–11:20
• Chiefs’ Crisis: 13:23–16:08
• Dak Prescott & Cowboys: 16:08–20:47
• Eagles Frustrations (Dianna’s reporting): 22:12–32:30
• Ravens, Derrick Henry segment: 33:00–35:06
• Steelers’ fate/Tomlin future: 37:06–43:32
• Rams/Panthers upset: 43:38–46:35
• AFC South chaos: 47:12–55:47
• Lane Kiffin/NCAA chaos: 59:00–68:41

Tone & Language

The discussion is sharp, insider-driven, conversational, and at times humorous—especially regarding fan reactions and Dianna’s on-site stories. No punches are pulled regarding controversial issues (Steelers’ stagnation, Eagles’ playcalling, NCAA dysfunction), but respect is maintained for individuals like Tomlin, Kiffin, and struggling teams.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• This episode is a must for fans tracking the playoff race, Pittsburgh’s franchise crossroads, locker room dynamics among contenders, and the college coaching carousel’s fallout.
• You’ll get locker room reporting, schematic analysis, and context on coach/GM decision-making that mainstream coverage overlooks.
• Highly quotable, loaded with player/coach insights, and full of “insider buzz” you won’t hear elsewhere.