The Ryen Russillo Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Another Brutal Tua Pick, Plus Best Rookies and the 2026 QB Class With Daniel Jeremiah
Release Date: September 19, 2025
Featured Guest: Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network analyst, Move the Sticks podcast co-host)

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Ryen Russillo, features a comprehensive conversation with Daniel Jeremiah on NFL quarterback development, rookie standouts across the league (not just QBs), and a peek at the upcoming 2026 QB draft class. The discussion kicks off with a breakdown of Tua Tagovailoa's recent struggles, pivots into broader topics like offensive design, defensive trends, and player development, and unpacks the dynamics of quarterback progress and NFL team building. The end of the episode features non-football banter and life advice.

Key Segments and Insights

Tua Tagovailoa’s Performance, Miami Dolphins’ Offense & QB Development

[05:00 – 21:25]

• Russillo analyzes Miami’s recent loss to Buffalo, spotlighting Tua’s struggles on third down and Miami’s injuries.

• Key insight: Defenses are adjusting to Tua, forcing him to process quicker, attack downfield less, and making Miami’s offense more predictable and limited.

• Russillo’s analogy: Comparing Tua to a baseball prospect that initially breaks out but can't adjust after pitchers figure out his weaknesses.

• Notable Stat: Tua averaged 4.3 yards/attempt in the loss, highlighting the lack of deep shots and offensive dynamism.

  "It feels like Tua is now in the second year of the pitchers adjusting to him. And so I really wanted to look at the third down… it was just a classic, classic NFL game." — Russillo [09:00]

• Daniel Jeremiah’s tape review: He agrees Tua wasn't terrible but the system is designed for the ball to come out fast, with minimal vertical threat.

  “It's designed for everything to be quick. And he's, that's what he is. Like, we talked about him... He's like a card dealer at a Vegas table. Like, just get it, just distribute it real quick underneath.” — Jeremiah [17:00]

• Blame on the Brutal Pick: Jeremiah says the interception wasn’t solely on Tua—"that's 100% on that slot receiver taking a terrible release and not holding that backer." [17:45]

• Both agree that Miami’s play design, possibly influenced by concerns about Tua’s health and protection, is limiting his growth and the offense’s ceiling.

NFL Team Building, “Hang Around” Philosophy, and the Value of Smart Teams

[21:27 – 26:30]

• Russillo and Jeremiah discuss whether teams deliberately build “hang around” squads—strong defense, ball-control offense, stay close and hope for a break late.

• Jeremiah's Baltimore example: "You better have a freaking good kicker because you’re not going to be able to finish drives." [22:30]

  “Every week you’d look up in the fourth quarter and it’s a 16, 13ish type game... You find yourself in those, you get comfortable and know how to navigate the winner's circle.” — Jeremiah [23:00]

• The intelligence factor: Smart teams (across sports) benefit—Jeremiah rattles off examples from the Colts, Patriots, and the Warriors in the NBA: it's about multiple intelligent players, not just the QB or star.

  “In all sports, is that just an underrated aspect, if you think about great teams, of just the overall intelligence?” — Jeremiah [24:39]
  Russillo cites the Warriors—"collective basketball intelligence... the star sets the tone, but there's also this mindset." [27:10]

AFC Power Structure: Are the Chiefs Still on Top?

[30:10 – 32:21]

• Russillo asks if the Chargers have surpassed the Chiefs in the AFC.
• Jeremiah: "They are for me... defensively, the Chargers are playing better right now... I trust their offensive line more." [30:21]
• Chiefs' O-Line issues and receiver questions noted; optimism around the left side’s future but skepticism about the right.

Defensive Trends: Four-Man Rush Philosophy

[32:22 – 35:21]

• Jeremiah champions the four-man rush—modern offenses can shred you if you blitz; only send extra when you must.
• Best four-man rush teams: "Philly is the captain... Green Bay, Chargers, Jets (should be), Detroit (with Hutchinson healthy)." [34:22]
• Observes creative ways teams generate pressure with four, e.g., stunts and simulated pressures.

QB Development, Second-Chance Quarterbacks, and the Role of Adversity

[35:21 – 41:36]

• The "Alex Smith/Baker Mayfield" effect—quarterbacks getting new life later, after earlier struggles.
• On Baker: "You got to have like, not only thick skin, but just like an insane self-belief... that's part of the difference." — Jeremiah [38:00]
• New York effect: “There’s something to being outside that pressure cooker... giving guys a chance to breathe.” [37:30]

Rookie Standouts (Including Defense & Non-QBs)

[46:05 – 51:53]

• Jeremiah highlights rookie defenders and calls Atlanta’s draft class “probably the most impactful" so far (edge rushers, safeties), especially citing their quick disruptive impact.
• Mentioned: Abdul Carter (already commanding doubles), Niners’ Mikel Williams, Seattle’s Gray Zable (“looks like a Pro Bowler”), Carolina’s Tetaro McMillan (“has matched the intensity so far”).
• Notes Atlanta's defensive transformation through youth, speed, and aggression.

2026 QB Class: Early Impressions

[51:53 – 56:24]

• Jeremiah says it's too soon for concrete draft rankings but shares “family” archetypes for next year’s QBs:

  • Nussmeier: "Romo/Dalton/Purdy family... not quite as athletic but gamey and smart."
  • Club Nick: "Mini Ryan Tannehill. Athletic, not top-tier arm talent." (Russillo: "That's actually… bad news for Club Nick." [57:48])
  • Aller: "Kerry Collins/Joe Flacco type."
  • Sellers: "Culpepper/McNabb physicality; pocket strength."

• “I thought [Sellers] was, for me in the summer, head and shoulders above the rest… in terms of somebody you’d want to work with.” — Jeremiah [55:08]

QB Traits and Evolving Evaluation

[59:05 – 63:36]

• Russillo and Jeremiah debate whether mobility is now a “minimum” trait ("If we don’t have a guy who can escape on 3rd and 6, I don’t want to look at it anymore" — Russillo [59:05]), and how even “pocket guys” now must survive with their legs early in careers.
• Nuanced appreciation for stats like depth of target and time to throw—exploring how they're sometimes misleading (e.g., Hurts and Williams extending plays artificially).

The Golden Age of QB Development?

[63:36 – 68:29]

• Russillo wonders if we’re experiencing a “development golden age” for QBs, pointing to project-turned-stars like Allen, Lamar, Mahomes.

• Jeremiah broadens this to other positions—Puka Nacua, Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson—and the value of overcoming adversity:

  “Ozzy Newsom's first question for every prospect: 'Give me an example of adversity in your life, who helped you get through it…' He knows how to read people. That’s the first question he asked." [68:29]

Quick Takes on Non-Football Topics & Life Advice

[74:37 – End]

• Post-football, the crew dives into their recurring “Life Advice” segment, covering neighbor disputes, Chipotle promotion ethics, and various odd dilemmas. Light banter and good humor.
• Notable recurring bit: “Chip & Nick” story about moving furniture and family nicknames.

Memorable Quotes

• On Tua’s development:

  “It feels like Tua is now in the second year of the pitchers adjusting to him…” — Russillo [09:00]

• On Miami’s offense by design:

  “It's designed for everything to be quick... He's like a card dealer at a Vegas table.” — Jeremiah [17:00]

• On adversity and QB development:

  “Not only thick skin, but just like insane self-belief of like anything that's gone wrong is not my fault. It's somebody else's fault.” — Jeremiah (on Baker Mayfield) [38:00]

• On rookie evaluation:

  “All this year is about is trying to figure out who's going to be on that bus next year. So let's evaluate these guys…” — Jeremiah (on rebuilding teams) [45:15]

Notable Timestamps

• Tua Third Downs/Buffalo Recap: [05:00 – 16:51]
• Jeremiah’s Tape Take/Miami Offense: [16:52 – 21:26]
• “Hang Around” Team Building Philosophy: [21:27 – 24:18]
• AFC Hierarchy/Chiefs Discussion: [30:10 – 32:21]
• Four-Man Rush/Defensive Trends: [32:22 – 35:21]
• Rookie Standouts (Defense & ATL): [46:05 – 49:50]
• 2026 QB Class Archetypes: [51:53 – 56:24]
• QB Physical Traits/Evaluation: [59:05 – 63:36]
• QB Development/Adversity: [63:36 – 69:05]
• Life Advice Segment: [74:37 – end]

Tone & Style

True to form, Russillo brings a sharp, analytic, and candid approach—asking direct, insightful football questions and challenging his guest, while Daniel Jeremiah provides deep scouting expertise, stories from team front offices, and honest takes on players, development, and football philosophies. Their conversation is technical but highly accessible, with a natural, conversational style and occasional humor.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in NFL quarterback development, team-building strategies, the prospects pipeline, and broader football philosophies. Russillo and Jeremiah’s relaxed but smart banter, combined with specific player/coach stories and data, make even deep X’s and O’s topics engaging and enjoyable. The Life Advice segment at the end is comic relief and gives the show community flavor.

Note: All timestamps MM:SS approximate. Ads, intros, and outros have been omitted.