Doug Farrar

Secret Superstars 2025: Calen Bullock becomes deep-third eraser Texans hoped he’d be The Houston Texans may have the NFL’s best defense, and while the edge-rushers get the headlines, second-year safety Calen Bullock is the main reason it all works from front to back.

New on @sbnation.bsky.social: We already have a Secret Superstar for Week 12, because I couldn't wait. The Houston Texans' defense is an absolute UNIT, and second-year safety Calen Bullock has become the guy any defense would love -- the true deep-third eraser.
www.battleredblog.com/houston-texa...

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social Sports: Last season, the Panthers benched Bryce Young for his own good -- so he could calm down and see the game differently. It worked.

It's time for the Vikings to see if a benching works for J.J. McCarthy. He's lost out there. athlonsports.com/other-sports...

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: The Chiefs saved their season against the Colts as you'd expect — winning ugly, and waiting for their opponent's mistakes (which happened on both sides of the ball). Is it a definitive statement, or a one-week wonder? athlonsports.com/other-sports...

a cartoon of a woman saying i will shank you on netflix ALT: a cartoon of a woman saying i will shank you on netflix

@miketanier.bsky.social when I once expressed my opinion of the Talking Heads:

Secret Superstars 2025: Why Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori could be Mike Macdonald’s next defensive unicorn Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald had a true unicorn in Baltimore with Kyle Hamilton. Could Nick Emmanwori be Macdonald’s next do-it-all defender?

Seattle Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori could be Mike Macdonald’s next defensive unicorn (guest post by @dougfarrar.bsky.social)
www.fieldgulls.com/seattle-seah...

Bluesky doesn’t let me upload videos. :(

The All-22: Klint Kubiak’s Offense Looks Like Early Juggernaut For Seattle Seahawks Klint Kubiak's offenses are famous for torrid starts to seasons. In his first year with the Seattle Seahawks, Kubiak has another group that is loaded for bear. Doug Farrar goes to the tape.

New All-22 on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Early in the 2024 season, Klint Kubiak's Saints offense was the terror of the NFL. That ultimately regressed, but in the 2025 Seahawks, Kubiak could have another tiger by the tail. athlonsports.com/nfl/seattle-...

The Greatest Assistant Coaches in NFL History The NFL's most important assistant coaches are rarely given the historical credit they deserve for their innovations. Doug Farrar looks to remedy this.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Another Hall of Fame class, another group of great assistant coaches throughout history ignored. Assistants never get the credit they deserve for changing the sport for the better, so here's my all-time list of the all-time best. athlonsports.com/nfl/greatest...

NFL Hidden Gems: The Secret Superstars for all 32 teams Who are the underrated players that will help decide the 2025 NFL season? Read about the Secret Superstars for all 32 NFL teams right here!

Whether you're planning ahead for your fantasy draft or you're curious about some of the unfamiliar standouts in training camp this year, @dougfarrar.bsky.social has you covered with the Hidden Gems (one veteran, one FA, and one 2025 draft pick) on each team's roster www.sbnation.com/2025/7/29/24...

Eagles Hidden Gems: 3 Secret Superstars on the 2025 roster Identifying three secret superstars who can help the Philadelphia Eagles repeat as champs.

Philadelphia Eagles Hidden Gems: 3 Secret Superstars on the 2025 roster

by @dougfarrar.bsky.social

www.bleedinggreennation.com/2025/6/5/244...

Eagles Hidden Gems: 3 Secret Superstars on the 2025 roster Identifying three secret superstars who can help the Philadelphia Eagles repeat as champs.

New on @sbnation.bsky.social: The Hidden Gems series continues with the Eagles, and their underrated veteran, free-agent signing, and draft pick. Vic Fangio gets richer with the safety he can trust, a new edge weapon, and Milton Williams' replacement. www.bleedinggreennation.com/2025/6/5/244....

Pittsburgh Steelers' One Big Question: How Can They Get the Most Out Of Aaron Rodgers? The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a high-floor, low-ceiling team for far too long. Doug Farrar analyzes whether Aaron Rodgers could lift the ceiling enough to be worth the drama.

New All-22 on @athlonsports.bsky.social Sports: We continue the "One Big Question" series for every NFL team with the Steelers, which just so happened to be scheduled for today. How can Mike Tomlin's team make the most of Aaron Rodgers at this point in his career? athlonsports.com/nfl/pittsbur...

Cleveland Browns' One Big Question: So, Who's the Quarterback? The Cleveland Browns are trying to find their ultimate starting quarterback... again. Doug Farrar details which of the four QBs in training camp has the best shot.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: The "One Big Question" for every NFL team lands in Cleveland with the Browns, who will have at least their 40th QB start a game since 1999. Can Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, or Shedeur Sanders become the franchise guy? athlonsports.com/nfl/clevelan...

San Francisco 49ers hidden gems: 3 secret superstars on the 2025 roster The 49ers are starting a major rebuild, but these three secret superstars could make that process much more pleasant.

New on @sbnation.bsky.social: Continuing my "Hidden Gems" series for every NFL team with the @49ers, who are in the middle of a major rebuild. Here's one underrated veteran, free-agent signing, and draft pick that could make the process far more pleasant. www.ninersnation.com/2025/6/4/244....

Cincinnati Bengals' One Big Question: Can Al Golden Fix the Defense Without His Best Player? The Bengals spent a king's ransom to keep their offense together for Joe Burrow. But they're low-balling Trey Hendrickson. Doug Farrar details how they'll pay for that.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: We continue the "One Big Question" for every NFL team with the Bengals, who have thrown an unusual amount of money (for them) at their offense. But how do you improve a declining defense when you're low-balling Trey Hendrickson? athlonsports.com/nfl/cincinna...

Can Lamar Jackson Finally Transcend Postseason Demons? Lamar Jackson might be the best quarterback weapon in football. So, why doesn't his [expletive] work in the playoffs? Doug Farrar investigates, and tries to solve the problem.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Continuing the "One Big Question" for every NFL team with the one question everybody in Baltimore is already sick of -- when will Lamar Jackson transcend his postseason demons? Well, it's not ALL on Lamar to change. athlonsports.com/nfl/baltimor...

New York Jets' One Big Question: Can Justin Fields Become the Quarterback They Need? Justin Fields' NFL career has not been what anybody expected. The New York Jets are hoping to change that. Doug Farrar analyzes what Fields has to offer.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Continuing the "One Big Question" for every NFL team with the New York Jets and Justin Fields. It appears that Fields has coaches who believe in him, and a system that could work. Is it time for whatever the next level could be? athlonsports.com/nfl/new-york...

The Chiefs’ hidden gems: 3 secret superstars on the 2025 roster Identifying three secret superstars who can help Kansas City bounce back from its Super Bowl embarrassment.

New on @sbnation.bsky.social: Continuing the "Hidden Gems" with the Chiefs, and one underrated veteran, free-agent signing, and draft pick. Two gifts for Spags, and the guy who could be Patrick Mahomes' next best deep target. www.arrowheadpride.com/2025/5/30/24....

Miami Dolphins' One Big Question: Is Tua Tagovailoa a Franchise Quarterback? The Miami Dolphins have crowned Tua Tagovailoa as their franchise quarterback. But can Tagovailoa keep his play at that level? The answer is complicated, writes Doug Farrar.

New on @AthlonSports: Continuing the "One Big Question" series for every NFL team with the Miami Dolphins, and whether they have a true franchise QB in Tua Tagovailoa.

So far, the answer is... complicated. athlonsports.com/nfl/miami-do...

Buffalo Bills' One Big Question: Can This Franchise Finally Find the Super Bowl? The Buffalo Bills have established themselves as a regular-season powerhouse. But that matters not a bit unless they can kick the door in on a Super Bowl, writes Doug Farrar.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: My "One Big Question" series for every NFL team begins with the Buffalo Bills, and how this franchise can finally get past their prominent AFC opponents, and into their first Super Bowl since January 30, 1994. athlonsports.com/nfl/buffalo-...

Washington Commanders Hidden Gems: 3 Secret Superstars on the 2025 roster The 2024 Commanders enjoyed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history. Can these three secret superstars get Washington into the Super Bowl next season?

New on @sbnation.bsky.social: The "Hidden Gems" series continues with the Washington Commanders' most underrated veteran, free-agent signing, and draft pick. It's Dan Quinn's two-city pass-rusher, a former seventh-overall pick, and Jayden Daniels' new deep threat. www.hogshaven.com/2025/5/23/24....

Detroit Lions RT Penei Sewell Would Have Been 'Protector of the Year' in 2024 The NFL has finally given offensive linemen their own award, with "Protector Of the Year." Here's why Detroit's Penei Sewell would have won it in 2024.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: I'm so happy that the NFL has finally established a "Protector of the Year" award for the best offensive lineman.

Here's why I believe that Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions would (or should) have won it last year. athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-...

Buffalo Bills Hidden Gems: 3 Secret Superstars on the 2025 roster Who are the Bills’ most underrated players heading into the 2025 season?

New on @sbnation.bsky.social: Continuing the "Hidden Gems" series with the Buffalo Bills -- one underrated veteran, free-agent signing, and draft pick. We have the NFL's best 6th man, Josh Allen's new deep threat, and a sixth-round CB who could fit right in. www.buffalorumblings.com/2025/5/22/24....

The One Play That Could Determine the Future Of the Tush Push Now that the NFL has preserved the Tush Push, here's one way for the concept to be even more deadly to opposing defenses, writes Doug Farrar.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Now that the NFL has wisely agreed to preserve the Tush Push, the only thing that can kill it is schematic sameness. One Eagles play against the Packers gave me hope that this could be more than just another Wildcat. athlonsports.com/nfl/eagles-t...

Caleb Williams Isn't the Only No. 1 Quarterback Whose Team Hasn't Set Him Up For Success The Chicago Bears leaving Caleb Williams alone last season to decipher NFL defenses sounds ridiculous, but Williams isn't the first quarterback to be abandoned in the film room.

My latest on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Caleb Williams was abandoned in the film room by his coaches, and he's not the only first-overall pick who has experienced this. @sethwickersham.bsky.social and @danorlovsky7 share stories about Alex Smith and Jared Goff. athlonsports.com/nfl/caleb-wi...

Caleb Williams Isn't the Only No. 1 Quarterback Whose Team Hasn't Set Him Up For Success The Chicago Bears leaving Caleb Williams alone last season to decipher NFL defenses sounds ridiculous, but Williams isn't the first quarterback to be abandoned in the film room.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Caleb Williams was abandoned in the film room by his coaches, and he's not the only first-overall pick who has experienced this. @sethwickersham.bsky.social and Dan Orlovsky share fascinating stories about Alex Smith and Jared Goff. athlonsports.com/nfl/caleb-wi...

The 9 Most Compelling Matchups Of the 2025 NFL Season Now that the 2025 NFL schedule has been released, Athlon's Doug Farrar takes a deep dive into the nine games that could mean the most in the new season.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Every NFL season has those field-tilting games that tell you more than you knew before about how things really are on the competitive landscape.

Here are the nine most potentially revealing matchups for 2025. athlonsports.com/nfl/2025-nfl...

NFL Team Schedule Release Videos, From Best To Worst NFL teams unleashed their schedule release videos as the league unveiled the actual schedule. Doug Farrar ranks and reviews the best and worst.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: Some 2025 schedule release videos were very good. Some were utterly cringe-inducing, and a handful were too generic to even mention. The Titans' 2023 video still stands as the GOAT, but here are my rankings of this year's lot. athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-team...

Ravens Broke All the Rules With Derrick Henry's New Contract — And They Had No Choice The Baltimore Ravens just gave Derrick Henry more money than any running back has ever received when over the age of 30. It was the right thing to do, writes Doug Farrar.

New on @athlonsports.bsky.social: The history of running backs over 30 isn't great. At all. But in giving Derrick Henry more money than any other back has ever made in his golden years, the Baltimore Ravens made the only decision that made any sense. athlonsports.com/nfl/ravens-d...