The Bill Simmons Podcast – Episode Summary
Title: A 2025 NFL QB Pyramid, and Half-Baked Ideas (Summer Edition) With Sheil Kapadia and Kevin Wildes
Release Date: August 11, 2025
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Sheil Kapadia, Kevin Wildes
Publisher: The Ringer
Introduction
In this episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, host Bill Simmons delves deep into his projected quarterback (QB) rankings for the 2025 NFL season, alongside Sheil Kapadia, a prominent NFL analyst, and Kevin Wildes, a national sports commentator. The discussion intertwines rigorous analysis of top-tier quarterbacks with lighter segments featuring "half-baked ideas," showcasing the show's signature blend of sports insight and casual banter.
1. 2025 NFL QB Pyramid
Bill Simmons introduces his ongoing project: a QB pyramid forecasting the top quarterbacks for the upcoming season. He starts by challenging conventional rankings, placing Josh Allen at the pinnacle of his pyramid—a decision that surprises many listeners given Patrick Mahomes' stellar performance in previous years.
"I just think Josh Allen's the best quarterback in the league, game by game. Regular season durability... physically, he's dominant." [17:06]
Sheil Kapadia supports Simmons' unconventional ranking by emphasizing Allen's consistency and the health of the Philadelphia Eagles' roster.
"Every Eagles team I've watched my entire life... they have A.J. Brown, Saquon, Hertz, Jalen Carter—all pros all over the place." [07:42]
Bill Simmons elaborates on his reasoning, critiquing Mahomes' recent performance and arguing that Josh Allen's all-around gameplay makes him superior in his view.
"I feel like he's the best guy in the league now... I don't think it's fair to put him over Josh Allen." [18:49]
2. Concerns and Debates on Specific QBs
The conversation shifts to discuss potential pitfalls and emerging talents within the quarterback landscape:
-
Matthew Stafford: Simmons expresses concern over Stafford's age and declining performance, questioning his readiness and future impact.
"I've been studying trying to figure out Super Bowl picks... Matthew Stafford... he's not looking like he's going to be ready for week one." [13:57]
-
Justin Herbert: A significant portion is dedicated to debating Herbert's current standing. Simmons criticizes Herbert's underperformance last season, attributing it to poor team dynamics and offensive support, while Kapadia acknowledges Herbert's capabilities but stresses the need for consistent performance against top-tier defenses.
"They're throwing it six yards because they can't come up with anything else." [22:56]
-
Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson: Both are acknowledged as top contenders. Simmons maintains that Burrow's inclusion in the top tier is justified despite not having an MVP award, while Jackson's dual-threat capability keeps him competitive.
"They have a chance to be pretty good, where if they rack up a bunch of wins... they could be a Super Bowl contender." [11:03]
3. Team Analysis: Eagles, Packers, and Other NFC Contenders
Eagles: With a robust offensive line and elite skill players like A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts, the Eagles are positioned as favorites. Kapadia notes the team's defensive adjustments but remains confident in their Super Bowl prospects.
"I still think they’re going to be very good... but if the schedule’s hard and the defense could take us." [06:52]
Packers: Kapadia and Simmons discuss the Packers' potential, highlighting Jordan Love's growth and Matt LaFleur's underrated coaching.
"If some of those guys get better this year, I do think there’s a case for the Packers." [16:00]
Others: The conversation also touches on teams like the 49ers, Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Cleveland Browns, analyzing their strengths and vulnerabilities.
"The Lions have the second-best odds in the NFC right now... and Stafford is a big question mark." [13:57]
4. The Quarterback Pyramid Structure
Simmons and Kapadia collaboratively build the QB pyramid, debating the placement of various quarterbacks based on performance metrics, team support, and potential for growth. They discuss QBs such as Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, and emerging talents like Daniel Jones and Trevor Lawrence.
"If you switch Josh Allen with Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs offense might have been better with that version of Allen last season." [22:56]
Kapadia introduces Sheil Kapadia’s insights, agreeing with many of Simmons' placements while offering alternative viewpoints, especially regarding Dak Prescott and Jordan Love.
"I like the Packers as a zag team. I think if I had to name three teams..., definitely four there." [16:00]
5. Half-Baked Ideas Segment
In a departure from the intense QB analysis, Kevin Wildes leads a light-hearted segment featuring "half-baked ideas." This segment includes humorous takes on restaurant experiences and playful notions about enhancing sports events.
-
Huge Font Restaurant: A satirical concept where restaurant menus use excessively large fonts, making it difficult for patrons to read without squinting.
"Maybe it's called Huge Font Restaurant? Maybe, but I would like to dance around it a little bit more." [83:11]
-
Preseason Enhancements: Wildes and Simmons brainstorm ideas to make preseason games more engaging, such as introducing unique quarterback performances or special guest appearances to boost fan interest.
"Your field goal kicker thing is a really interesting idea. So Bucker's warming up in the place." [92:36]
Their creative brainstorming highlights the show's ability to blend serious sports discourse with entertaining, off-the-cuff ideas.
6. Friendship and Social Dynamics
Interspersed within the main discussions, Simmons and Wildes engage in a candid conversation about maintaining friendships as adults, touching on the challenges of coordinating social gatherings and the shift from active friendships to more distant, yet genuine connections.
"Guys are just bad at it... we just have to make a concerted effort." [70:32]
This segment adds a personal touch to the podcast, resonating with listeners navigating similar social landscapes.
7. Conclusion and Upcoming Content
Bill Simmons wraps up the episode by promoting upcoming content, including a special movie rewatch of the 50th anniversary of Rollerball, and teases future podcasts focusing more on football as the season approaches.
"We're getting dangerously close to 400 movies... Rollerball and then doing a more modern movie." [00:00 - 06:09]
Notable Quotes
-
Bill Simmons on Josh Allen:
"I just think Josh Allen's the best quarterback in the league, game by game. Regular season durability, the fact that he doesn't... he gets to where he runs away." [17:06] -
Sheil Kapadia on Eagles' Roster:
"What's your Hertz Philly relationship right now?... everybody's just behind him and are like, everybody else doesn't get it with this guy. He's our guy, and he's going to go do it again." [09:02] -
Bill Simmons Critiquing Mahomes:
"I don't put, I put pretty much nothing on him... they just have a rocket of an arm." [22:56] -
Kevin Wildes on Preseason and Followers:
"I just look for the peaks and valleys. And that was a definite peak." [89:40]
Final Thoughts
This episode stands out for its in-depth analysis of quarterback performances and projections, coupled with the engaging dynamic between Bill Simmons, Sheil Kapadia, and Kevin Wildes. The blend of serious sports strategy with humorous and relatable segments offers a comprehensive listening experience for both dedicated football fans and casual listeners alike.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on a provided transcript and aims to capture the essence of the podcast episode. For full details and nuanced discussions, listening to the original episode is recommended.