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The offseason is a time of high expectations for every franchise and fanbase, with old losing habits and seasonal injuries being purely other teams’ problems. No, this will definitely be our year. Unfortunately, Jason Fitz, Frank Schwab and Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports have come to pour cold water on the summer optimism of some fanbases.
However, the episode kicks off with the trio reacting to news from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that the NFLPA is working on a proposal to end OTAs in the spring and summer in favor of an extended training camp period in July, meaning players will essentially have January would have time away from their teams through July. Jori and crew explain how this is likely the big bargaining chip as the NFL likely prepares to ask players for an 18th regular season game and the pros and cons of losing offseason workouts in May and June.
Later in the show, Frank, Fitz and Jori share which teams should have limited expectations this year, including why the Pittsburgh Steelers should focus on their defense instead of Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields, why the Cleveland Browns should figure out if Deshaun Watson can are actually good, why the Seattle Seahawks should expect an adjustment period with new head coach Mike Macdonald and more.
To end the episode, it’s not all negative: the crew talks about three non-playoff teams from the 2023 season that they predict will make the playoffs next January.
(2:30) NFLPA’s proposal to limit OTAs; bargaining chip for the 18th game?
(15:40) Teams with ‘extraordinary’ expectations: Pittsburgh Steelers
(21:30) Green Bay Packers
(25:00) Buffalo notes
(32:00) Cleveland Browns
(37:15) Houston Texans
(41:10) Seattle Seahawks
(47:50) Three non-playoff teams that could make the 2024 playoffs
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