Podcast Summary: The McShay Show

Episode: Mendoza vs. Beck Tape Study, a Wild-Card Losers Flash Mock, and Muench’s Minutes 1.0
Date: January 12, 2026
Platform: The Ringer
Hosts: Todd (Mitch) McShay & Steve Mensch

Overview of the Episode

This episode dives into comparative tape study of top college QB prospects Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck, evaluates draft implications for recent NFL wild-card losers, and debuts a new rapid-fire personal/content segment called “Mensch’s Minutes.” McShay and Mensch blend detailed X’s and O’s breakdowns for draft junkies with engaging banter and fresh perspectives on both college and pro football landscapes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. College Quarterback Tape Study: Mendoza vs. Beck

(Mendoza: 07:40–21:25 | Beck: 21:25–30:00)

Fernando Mendoza (Indiana vs. Oregon)

• Offensive Structure:
  • Indiana frequently uses 2x2 receiver sets, sometimes flexing the RB or TE.
  • Pre-snap motion helps Mendoza identify man vs. zone and where his reads should go (08:31).
  • “A lot of times that read is based off of the cornerback, right... You’re gonna get a sense whether a linebacker or safety’s traveling with. If that’s the case, it’s man to man.” (Mitch, 08:31)
• Pre-snap Processing & Execution:
  • Mendoza demonstrates calmness vs. pressure; knows his protections and reads.
  • “I saw a calm in Mendoza that I really like. Evaluating quarterbacks for 25 years, you really come to appreciate that.” (Mitch, 09:32)
  • Excellent at leveraging back-shoulder throws to Surat when 1-on-1 situations are created.
• Schematic Mastery:
  • Indiana’s offensive design manipulates safeties and creates easier reads for Mendoza.
  • The “string theory” for safeties post-snap: the motion of one safety forces the other to become a center-fielder, giving Mendoza clearer targets (12:45–13:36).
• Execution Examples:
  • 14:23, Q3: Mendoza diagnoses a corner blitz (“cat blitz”) and finds his best matchup for a 15-yard comeback to Surat.
  • “There’s a calm about him... The ball’s out on time, Surat goes to come back, it’s right there along the sideline, bam, first down.” (Mitch, 14:44)
• Big Picture:
  • Indiana’s offense isn’t tricking defenses—it’s out-executing them at every level.
  • “They’re just doing it at such a high level of execution.” (Steve, 16:54)
• Critiques:
  • Mendoza still made a few risky throws he got away with, particularly in the red zone.
  • “He is human... there’s some things that jumped out too that I think are worth noting.” (Steve, 19:25)
  • Miami might succeed by pressuring up the middle while keeping contain with a four-man rush.

Carson Beck (Miami vs. Ole Miss)

• Contrast to Mendoza:
  • Beck’s game is less clean, with some downfield misses and uneven conviction.
  • Misses a key “skinny post” late in the game (22:07–22:54); “That ball, you want a pro quarterback to complete nine out of 10 times. And that... was not a good throw.” (Steve, 22:58)
• Positives:
  • Vast experience ("2,881 snaps"); valuable in high-pressure games (23:13).
  • Improved mobility and ability to sense pressure, escape, and make off-structure throws a major development at Miami.
  • "He struck a pretty good balance between when it’s time to roll and let it rip…versus, hey, our defense is great, let’s play smart, efficient ball security football." (Mitch, 26:30)
• NFL Readiness:
  • Beck shown to be comfortable with full-field reads, an area Mendoza relies more on system-driven progressions.
  • “For me, he’s more easily and more comfortably working through full field reads... Beck looks more NFL.” (Mitch, 27:39)
• Key Moment:
  • Late in the game, Beck delivers a critical first-down strike on third and 10—the “throw of his career”—and follows it with a scoring run (28:10–29:25).
  • “Those two throws showed me more than he had... in a long time.” (Steve, 29:49)

2. Early National Championship Preview

(29:49–31:13)

• Miami’s Trick Play Warning:
  • McShay: Miami should avoid cutesy/trick plays vs. disciplined Indiana—just try to win physically.
• Positional Battle to Watch:
  • The matchup between Miami WR Malachi Tony and Indiana CB D‘Angelo Pons will be pivotal.
• Home Field Advantage:
  • The Indiana crowd was a huge factor vs. Oregon and is expected to travel heavily to Miami for the title game (34:28).
  • “Indiana had like this whole... They were in an arena, like gladiator days... they had everything working for them.” (Mitch, 33:30)

3. Flash Mock Draft for Wild-Card Losers

(37:13–62:15)

Teams and Draft Outlook:

• Carolina (#19):
  • Needs: Pass rush (edge), safety, linebacker, tight end; edge is likeliest. Names discussed: David Bailey, Rueben Bane, Aem Mesidor.
  • “They got to get that pass rush right... someone who fits that 3-4 scheme.” (Steve, 40:40)
• Dallas (#18 & #20 via GB):
  • Needs: Edge, cornerback; might double up on defense in first round, filling holes via GB’s pick from the Parsons trade.
  • “They’ve got defense that they’ve got to address... it’s basically everything but interior.” (Mitch, 45:13)
• Green Bay (No 1st-rounder):
  • Needs: O-line, corner, WR (if the right one falls).
• Chargers (#22):
  • Needs: Interior O-line, IDL, edge, CB, WR.
  • Could look at versatile OL who can play G/T; value may lie in day two—names include Kaden Proctor, Blake Miller.
• Philadelphia (#23):
  • Needs: Edges, CB, possibly TE or WR if A.J. Brown is traded.
  • “I almost feel like… might be an upset if A.J. Brown is back.” (Mitch, 53:12)
• Cleveland (#6, #24 via Jax):
  • Needs: QB (if value is right, but not likely in round 1), WR, OL; analyze Shador Sanders situation for fit/value.
  • "This is about building around a quarterback that I’m probably going to bring in in 2027.” (Steve, 58:48)
  • WRs Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Denzel Boston discussed as possible fits at 24.

Notable Analysis:

• Interior OL class seen as deep—teams may wait until day two for value.
• Edge evaluations remain fluid; combine/pro days will rearrange draft boards.
• Mock draft observations are iterative/evolving as playoffs and declarations affect draft order.

4. Mensch’s Minutes 1.0: Rapid-Fire Segment

(62:15–74:57)

• Personal and Content Q&A for Steve Mensch:
  • Bucket-list trip: Ireland—family roots and connections.
  • Underrated draft prospect: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State—“I think he’s a first-round talent.” (Steve, 66:28)
  • Ideal celebration meal: Cabbage Island (Maine) clambake—“two lobsters... literally pulling the lobster out of the ocean as the boat pulls up” (Steve, 67:57)
  • Day-three QB to watch: Sawyer Robertson (Baylor). Also, Luke Altmeyer (Illinois).
  • Bands for life: Phish, The Lumineers, The National.
  • Undervalued prospect: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)—“really want to see how he tests.”
  • Driving habits: Middle lane, five over the limit.
  • Best 2027 QB futures bet: Arch Manning, but keeps an eye on Len’Noris Sellers (South Carolina).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He’s not Joe Burrow... but it’s hard to find a better example of a quarterback within the structure of their offense since Joe Burrow in 2019.” (Mitch on Mendoza, 18:01)
• “Every time I criticize Mendoza I catch heat... which has been, I mean, ridiculous.” (Steve, 19:25)
• On Beck’s late-game heroics: “Maybe the throw of his career, maybe the biggest throw he’s ever made.” (Steve, 29:25)
• “Home field advantage was a thing, man... Indiana had like this whole... they were in an arena, like gladiator days...” (Mitch, 33:30)
• “If a state trooper sees you going nine miles over the speed limit, they’re probably not going to pull you over. But 10 they will. It’s worth their while.” (Steve, 72:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 07:40 — Mendoza Tape Study
• 21:25 — Beck Tape Study
• 29:49 — Early Natty Title Preview
• 31:13 — Home Field Advantage & Context
• 37:13 — Flash Mock Draft for Wild-Card Losers
• 62:15 — Mensch’s Minutes (rapid-fire Q&A)
• 74:28 — 2027 QB Futures Bets

Episode Tone & Style

Conversational yet intricate—McShay and Mensch blend detailed “inside football” language (route combos, safety manipulations, draft value assessments) with playful personal ribbing and storytelling. The show is rich with actionable NFL draft insight, balanced by approachable humor and genuine rapport, making it suitable for diehards and casual fans alike.

Summary Takeaway

This episode exemplifies why The McShay Show is must-listen for NFL draft obsessives: it offers granular QB tape breakdowns, react-ready mock draft insights, and now a personal segment that deepens fans’ connection to the hosts. Whether you want advanced schematic talk, how playoff outcomes change draft calculus, or just some fun music/gastro travel chat, this episode delivers.