The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Episode: The Packers' Ceiling, the Contenders' Biggest Flaws, and the Best Play Callers With Ted Nguyen
Date: September 12, 2025
Guests: Ted Nguyen (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

Ryen Russillo welcomes Ted Nguyen from The Athletic for an in-depth dive into the early NFL season. The discussion focuses on the Green Bay Packers’ defensive dominance, the upside of young quarterbacks, breaking down the flaws of major contenders, and NFL play-calling innovation, with insights from defensive coordinators around the league. The episode also features candid life advice and lighthearted banter from the crew.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Packers' Defense: Is It Elite in 2025?

• Russillo launches the episode by highlighting Green Bay’s defensive performances against Detroit and Washington, praising their ability to dominate the run game and get pressure with just four linemen.
• Ted Nguyen attributes much of the Packers’ recent defensive success to DC Jeff Hafley’s college experience handling the read option:
  • “We saw them shut down the Lions’ run ... actually it was one of the worst rushing performances for Lions in the last few years, holding them to, I think, 2.1 yards per carry ... Hafley did see [the read option] a lot [in college], so he does have experience shutting it down.” (02:53)
• Ted spotlights Micah Parsons’ impact on the pass rush and Keyshawn Nixon’s step up at corner, suggesting this unit could finish the year as the league’s best:
  • “This Green Bay defense might be the number one defense in the league by the end of the year.” (03:52)

Jordan Love: Ascending Star or Still Unproven?

• Russillo and Nguyen discuss the promising development of Jordan Love:
  • Ted: “Now that he’s healthy, we’re seeing him a little bit more mobile ... just his skill set fits so well with what LaFleur wants ... I really think he’s going to get to that level this year. So with that type of defense, I think Jordan Love ascending to that top 10 ... this is, I think to me is a, they’re a real Super Bowl contender.” (06:04)
• The duo compares Love to other young QBs like Jalen Hurts and Jaden Daniels:
  • “As far as just being an overall quarterback ... I think Jordan Love has a potential to exceed Hurts. But I cannot put him over Hurts right now.” – Ted Nguyen (07:59)
  • “I just love everything about Jaden Daniels ... I like Jaden Daniels’ overall ceiling probably the best of any of those quarterbacks.” – Ted Nguyen (09:03)

The Super Bowl Rematch: Chiefs vs. Eagles, What's Changed?

• The breakdown of KC’s Super Bowl loss focuses on pass protection failures and the upgrades on the O-line (Josh Simmons’s impact, Taylor shifting to RT, possible role for Jalen Moore).
  • “Simmons protecting the blind side, they’re in much better spot than last year ... But the Eagles’ pass rush isn’t what it was in that Super Bowl run either... Losing Milton Williams inside was a pretty big issue.” (10:07)
• Eagles’ D-Line depth downgrade and the creative use of linebackers:
  • “They have Campbell back there ... now Campbell’s the guy that’s moving to the edge ... and they’re doing more creative things and they kind of unveiled it week one. I think as we move, we’re going to see more and more interesting things from them and Fangio moving forward.” – Ted Nguyen (13:01)

Fourth Down Decisions and Defensive Youth vs. Age

• Russillo and Nguyen dissect key fourth-down decisions (Dak to CeeDee Lamb vs. Eberflus's approach with Hurts):
  • “I like taking that shot when you have man on man ... one on one with your best player.” (15:57)
• Discussion on the bias toward “rounding up” for young defenders and “rounding down” for aging ones:
  • “I think with defenders, like, when you get up ... defense is so much about athleticism ... I agree with you. I think as you get older on defense, it’s just tougher to play the position.” – Ted Nguyen (17:54)

The Contenders: Flaws & Forecasts

• Kansas City:
  • “A ton of coverage busts, mental mistakes from the secondary. I think losing Justin Reid was a huge underrated development ... I think that’s an issue that might need to get fixed as we go along.” (22:01)
  • Despite issues, Ted picks KC in a shootout over Philly: “I want to say KC pulls it off. But I think it’s going to be a high-scoring game.” (23:23)
• Buffalo Bills:
  • Major concern is the secondary and injuries:
    • “Bill’s secondary is pretty bad ... they have a sixth-round rookie starting ... Tredavious White hasn’t been good in three years ... Ed Oliver out for a few weeks ... Josh Allen is going to have to put on a Superman cape.” (24:07)
• Baltimore Ravens:
  • Offensive line (right guard) and cornerback depth exposed:
    • “If Jair Alexander has to come in and start, that’s going to be another Brandon Stevens type issue.” (26:08)
• Green Bay vs. Baltimore:
  • Ted: “I think the Packers are a better team, but I think Lamar Jackson’s on another tier ... if Jordan Love is playing like a top ten QB, then I would give the Packers the edge.” (27:37)

Best NFL Play Callers: Coaches Ranked by Defenses

• Ted discusses his survey of defensive coordinators on the best offensive play callers:
  • 1. Kyle Shanahan (49ers):
    • “His ability to attack weaknesses, understanding the rules of your defense, the completeness of that run game ... one huge thing is, like, he’s able to make average players look really good.” (30:37)
  • 2. Sean McVay (Rams):
    • “What he got a lot of credit for is just like he has his Rolodex in his head that he could go to ... best in-game adjusters after Andy Reid.” (32:11)
  • 3. Ben Johnson (Bears/Lions):
    • “His ability to just play to the strength of his guys ... create plays to take advantage of those skill sets in a coherent system, which is hard to do.” (35:16)
  • 4. Andy Reid (Chiefs)
  • 5. Kevin O’Connell (Vikings):
    • “O’Connell likes to attack downfield ... gamesmanship knowing what you’re gonna do against his best player and creating all these counters for it is what he does well.” (36:39)
  • 6. Matt LaFleur (Packers)
• “Maybe Kingsbury had a chance, maybe Joe Brady... if Kingsbury continues to do what he does, he might end up being on the list next year.” (37:41)

Breakout Players & Summer Surprises

• Ted’s standout (and surprising) week one performer:
  • “Armand Membu, the right tackle for the Jets ... looked phenomenal against the Steelers and TJ Watt ... came in, zero pressures, zero sacks allowed, was dominant in the run game.” (38:31)
• Aaron Rodgers’s stat line earns scrutiny for being “empty calories”:
  • “If you look at the numbers, four touchdowns, you think Aaron Rodgers is back ... a lot of it was short passes, DK Metcalf creating after the catch ... play action getting guys wide open ... one of his TDs was a tap pass ... that formula isn’t always going to work week after week.” (39:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Green Bay’s Defensive Ceiling:
  • Ted (03:52): “I think this Green Bay defense might be the number one defense in the league by the end of the year.”
• On Jordan Love’s Step Forward:
  • Ted (06:04): “I think now that he’s healthy ... he’s going to get to that [top ten QB] level this year. ... They’re a real Super Bowl contender.”
• On Defensive Age Bias:
  • Russillo (17:01): “I feel like I round up with young players, and then I round down with old players ... is that a mistake or is it—actually the reason we round up is because ... dudes in their mid-20s are just going to stay healthier?”
• On Play Calling Wizards:
  • Ted (30:37): “Kyle Shanahan ... can make average players look really good ... understands the weaknesses of every defensive player on the field.”
  • Ted (32:11): “McVay ... as he’s grown as a coach, he’s gotten so good at adjusting and just coming up with stuff on the fly.”
• On Buffalo’s Defensive Problems:
  • Ted (24:07): “Josh Allen is going to have to put on a Superman cape for a few weeks because this Bills defense is rough.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Packers Defensive Dominance & Film Analysis: (02:11–04:12)
• Jordan Love vs. Other Young QBs: (06:04–09:21)
• Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl Rematch Preview: (10:07–14:54)
• Linebacker Versatility & Fangio’s Creativity: (13:01–14:54)
• Youth vs. Age on Defense Debate: (17:01–19:05)
• Contender Flaws & AFC/NFC Observations: (22:01–29:50)
• Best Offensive Play Callers Discussion: (30:37–37:41)
• Breakout Players & Rodgers Caution: (38:31–41:01)

Life Advice & Bonus Segments

The last third of the episode shifts to Russillo’s trademark “Life Advice” section, with themes including:

• Workplace rivalries and how to deal with an annoying new coworker. (59:01–67:05)
• Columbus biking culture: Is the emailer’s biker hatred justified? (68:57–77:14)
• Scooter proliferation and regulatory backlash in U.S. cities. (73:07–76:32)
• Light, irreverent discussion on awards and podcasting “trophies.” (78:00–80:48)

Memorable jokes and banter lighten the mood, including:

• The “hatfish” solution—take someone to a sporting event for the national anthem (55:50)
• “Department store keyboard beige” as a crayon color (53:59)
• Peer-pressure around workplace enemies: “Really you should only have room for one guy you really hate.” (61:00)

Tone & Highlights

The episode blends sharp football analysis, inside information, and relatable life advice with Russillo's dry humor. Ted Nguyen is clear, insightful, and candid throughout, sharing both schematic details and big-picture insights on NFL developments.

Bottom Line for Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for NFL fans interested in X’s and O’s analysis, the evolution of contenders, coach and QB rankings, and for anyone who enjoys smart, approachable sports-talk with personality. Russillo and Nguyen deliver both film-room expertise and barstool fun.

For further reading, check out Ted Nguyen’s pieces at The Athletic, especially his in-depth film breakdowns cited in this discussion.