Mike Sando

Also in Pick Six: #patriots were outlier among outliers this season

What does it mean for future?

Seahawks’ title underscores how to win in the modern NFL. There’s no going back: Pick Six Great QBs have ruled the NFL for decades, but increasingly, even they are living in a league driven by the active, opportunistic GM.

In his Super Bowl “Pick Six”, @sandonfl.bsky.social on John Schneider setting himself apart, HOF voting, Patriots comps, awards season, Sonny Jurgensen and so much more

What do the last two Super Bowl winners have in common?

Final Pick Six column of the season marks #seahawks SB win by tracing evolution of the modern GM

Schneider & Roseman out front

👇👇👇

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

NFL coaches pick the Super Bowl: Seahawks clear favorite, but Patriots have paths to victory Five coaches broke down the matchup, and while all favored the Seahawks, they also see how the Patriots could pull the upset.

My annual pre-Super Bowl column asking #NFL coaches to pick the winner.

Every one picked #seahawks to win, but they also saw paths for #patriots to pull the upset.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Brees, Fitzgerald, Vinatieri lead starry, Belichick-less Hall of Fame class

Story:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Who else besides Craig could:
•Block like a FB
•Excel in short-yardage
•Run like a tailback
•Catch like modern receiving chess piece RB

I think Craig waited because there weren't comps for him--harder to measure

YouTube video by Breaking In With Kevin Fishbain Episode 44: Mike Sando, senior NFL writer at The Athletic

"Breaking In with Kevin Fishbain" episode 44

Guest: @sandonfl.bsky.social

Learn how Sando got his start in sports media, and we go through some of the stories he wrote at his first Super Bowl, 27 years ago.

Sponsor: www.playbyplaycamps.com

How do you find a unique story at an event covered like the Super Bowl? Great advice from @sandonfl.bsky.social

Nice recovery with that 2026 HOF class:

•Brees = #2 all-time pass yds
•Fitzgerald = #2 all-time receiving yds
•Vinatieri = #1 all-time scoring leader
•Kuechly = DPOY, 5x All-Pro
•Craig = one-of-a-kind RB

Yes, Belichick should have gotten in. Short of that, this is good recovery.

Why is it harder than ever to become a Hall of Famer?

Was working on this before we knew Belichick missed

www.nytimes.com/athletic/vid...

Jim Rome Show - Mike Sando - 2/2/26 This is "Jim Rome Show - Mike Sando - 2/2/26" by Sammy Steinlight on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

This conversation picked up momentum as we went

So much #NFL stuff going on from hiring to Super Bowl to HOF and more

vimeo.com/1161289844

@sandonfl.bsky.social is, as usual, thorough and well-spoken. It's a complicated process, and far less personal than many would like to believe.

The Hall asks that we not disclose our ballots, though I'd be happy to provide mine.

Why Bill Belichick might have been snubbed: HOF voting process explained Senior NFL writer Mike Sando, who is on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee, explains why Bill Belichick probably got snubbed.

Lots of opinions on Bill Belichick reportedly missing the HOF on first year of eligibility.

My fears over the new (since 2025) voting mechanics have come to life.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/vid...

Bills fallout, the real officiating issue and more divisional-playoff madness: Pick Six Bills coach Sean McDermott was fired Monday, two days after an officiating controversy involving Buffalo underscored a decades-old issue.

Pick Six column leads with #bills, also contrasts #ravens from other teams looking for coaches. Big gap!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Could been worse I guess lol

Sean McDermott leaned into the officiating angle after the Buffalo Bills' loss in the divisional round.

But when your superstar QB is responsible for four turnovers, officiating makes for a more inviting topic, writes @sandonfl.bsky.social.

McDermott has now been relieved of his duties.

Bills fallout, the real officiating issue and more divisional-playoff madness: Pick Six Bills coach Sean McDermott was fired Monday, two days after an officiating controversy involving Buffalo underscored a decades-old issue.

A defensive coach to @sandonfl.bsky.social on Caleb to Cole: "This is like Aaron Rodgers in his prime. Patrick Mahomes. It is really hard to throw that ball 7 yards deep in the end zone over someone's head that is standing 2 yards in front of the guy. Miraculous."

Sando's weekly Pick Six

Matt LaFleur’s culpability for Packers’ collapse, and more from wild-card weekend: Pick Six Another debacle finish in Chicago has put the spotlight on LaFleur's future in Green Bay, with the final year of his contract looming.

How culpable was Matt LaFleur for the #packers blowing a 15-point lead and losing at Chicago?

Pick Six column does not pile on, but does not go easy either--put together a point and counterpoint focusing on a strange 4-minute drive featuring bombs away

www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

When should an NFL team part with its long-time coach?

When is it time to move on from a long-tenured Super Bowl winning head coach?

#ravens asked that question regarding John Harbaugh and decided it was now

Recent video reveals what the data says 👇👇👇

www.nytimes.com/athletic/vid...

Seahawks the Super Bowl favorite? Who wins wide-open AFC playoff race? Pick Six The stage is set for the most unpredictable playoffs in years, especially in the AFC. Coaches and execs helped us break down the field.

“This is a great year for a wild-card team. You win one game in the AFC, you have a chance.”

No offense, Denver or any other team. You’ve all got a shot, especially in the AFC (well, maybe not you, Pittsburgh).

Pick Six column is live

www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

When should an NFL team part with its long-time coach?

When is it time to move on from a long-tenured Super Bowl-winning head coach?

#seahawks made that move a couple years ago.

#steelers & #ravens make for interesting case studies entering their Week 18 loser-out game

More here 👇👇👇

www.nytimes.com/athletic/vid...

What do Luca Doncic and Lamar Jackson have in common?

Pick Six column asks that question and many more

Also: MVP comp between Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford

www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

A Chiefs dynasty on pause, and the inspirational Philip Rivers: Pick Six Patrick Mahomes' injury extinguished the Chiefs' final hope (and raised major questions), while Rivers gave Indy slim hope, even in defeat.

Especially proud to weave Philip Rivers, Steve DeBerg and a Hooters halftime show into one item

www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

#chiefs are one of four true dynasties of Super Bowl era … and are at crossroads with Mahomes hurt. Can high draft choice save them?

Also in Pick Six: Philip Rivers!!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

Who will win NFL MVP? History says Drake Maye, but Matthew Stafford could break the mold Maye has better numbers in most areas, but Stafford's play style could put him over the top for an award that could help shape his legacy.

The "scramble" for #NFL MVP will not include Matthew Stafford. He's the betting favorite anyway. Are his Hall of Fame chances at stake? Lots to consider! #rams

www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

With the Chiefs on the ropes, the AFC is upside down. Who will win it? — Pick Six The Chiefs' odds to win the AFC are down to 1 percent, leaving the conference wide open like it hasn't been in nearly two decades.

Jam-packed Pick Six column runs through a (nearly) post-Chiefs AFC, plus much more!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Also in Pick Six ... #raiders lose by 17 or more for fifth time this season ... have already fired two coordinators

Ben Johnson’s Bears sit atop the NFC. How good are they? How high can they climb? — Pick Six

Pick Six column leads with the 9-3 #bears ... who are on a roll

Some good signs!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Ben Johnson’s Bears sit atop the NFC. How good are they? How high can they climb? — Pick Six Chicago is the current No. 1 seed in the NFC and at 9-3 has surpassed its preseason Vegas win total with five games to play.

A former head coach to @sandonfl.bsky.social on Ben Johnson's post-game celebration: "It’s perfect for them because they are high energy right now, and they are believing.”

Great insight from Sando on the Bears to lead "Pick Six"

Not on the plays where he’s holding the ball a super long time. Which is plenty.