Matt Lombardo

And Zaire Franklin isn’t just a substantial upgrade over Quay Walker, he’s a glue personality for that locker room, from a leadership standpoint.

Green Bay is trading DT Colby Wooden for Zaire Franklin.

This has the chance to be a significantly more impactful trade than the Ravens aquiring Maxx Crosby.

Pairing Zaire Franklin and his elite nose for the football next to an ascending star like Edgerrin Cooper is elite work by the Packers.

I partially agree. But, the Bears last year showed there’s a path towards building a dominant, veteran OL via trades and free agency.

I also wanted to use the gif. Lol

Imagine if they aren’t married to Mendoza and could get two more first rounders from the Jets. LOL.

I mean, they have essentially opened up “F-It” Alec Pierce Money™️.

Isaac Seumalo and an edge like Boye Mafe or Odafe Oweh would be clutch additions, as well.

I mean more that they have some extremely young and elite pieces already in place. And about to have their QB to build around

🤣

It’s not quite a full reset, but with the cap space and draft capital in their war chest, Las Vegas is set up to drop elite talent throughout the roster. (2/2)

After trading away Maxx Crosby, the Raiders have some insane assets to build with.

💰 A league-high $120+ Million in cap space in 2026

💰 A league-high $290 Million in cap space in 2027

🏈 No. 1 and No. 14 Pick in 2026
🏈 Two first-round picks in 2027.

Plus, Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. (1/2)

I have a feeling Linderbaum winds up back in Baltimore, because why else would the Bears rush to trade for Garrett Bradbury or the Chargers sign Biadasz this quickly?

But, if that’s the case, why wouldn’t the Ravens and Linderbaum just announce a new deal already?

Oh, absolutely no doubt about it.

This is the correct take.

There’s no telling how much closer the Steelers would be to legitimately contending for more than 9-10 win seasons had they collected assets and embraced a rebuild rather than tried to build a defense around just enough nostalgia to be mediocre forever.

Settle in with your morning coffee, and what I’m hearing from sources inside the league leading up to NFL free agency. ☕️ 🏈

Feels like the kind of move that maximizes Lamar’s Super Bowl window. Health is what destroyed that defense last year.

And, Las Vegas has two top-15 picks this year and two first rounders next year as insane ammunition to build with.

That Ravens trade for Maxx Crosby has the chance to pay colossal dividends for both teams.

Baltimore gets a potentially transformative pass rusher, in Crosby, alongside Nnamdi Madubuike and Mike Green could set the Ravens up to be runaway favorites in the AFC North.

That nickname may stick!

Milkshake night for the LombardoDudes! 🐄

🍻

I’m always inclined to give an added edge to Andy Reid disciples. Nagy’s also really well regarded inside league circles. Feels like as close to an ideal hire to develop Dart as they could have made.

Bold Predictions, Insider Intel, and the Moves That Will Define 2026 | NFL Mailbag How the Bears must replace Drew Dalman, the Vikings' best running back options, and more!

Thanks for this question! Chatted with Brian Baldinger and a league executive on the Lions’ defense.

Hope you enjoy and find it insightful!

mattlombardonfl.substack.com/p/bold-predi...

Bold Predictions, Insider Intel, and the Moves That Will Define 2026 | NFL Mailbag How the Bears must replace Drew Dalman, the Vikings' best running back options, and more!

Appreciate the question!! Tried to dive into best scheme fits and cost effective options with upside!

mattlombardonfl.substack.com/p/bold-predi...

Bold Predictions, Insider Intel, and the Moves That Will Define 2026 | NFL Mailbag How the Bears must replace Drew Dalman, the Vikings' best running back options, and more!

Appreciate the question, got into the situation here!

mattlombardonfl.substack.com/p/bold-predi...

Seemed inevitable once they traded for David Montgomery, no?

Bold Predictions, Insider Intel, and the Moves That Will Define 2026 | NFL Mailbag How the Bears must replace Drew Dalman, the Vikings' best running back options, and more!

“Dawn may actually be an equally important, if not a bigger acquisition than John Harbaugh.”

- Top NFL Agent on why the Giants are suddenly a destination again

The pass rusher market is going to *explode* in free agency

A name I keep hearing from teams, who’s flying a bit under the radar, is Arnold Ebiketie. Several teams expected to be involved, and there’s a strong belief in league circles that he’s an 8-10 sack per year guy who was underused in Atlanta

And folks wonder why the Lions can’t build a defense …

mattlombardonfl.substack.com/p/bold-predi...

Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview Can the Chargers get better by getting healthier? Can Mike McDaniel finally unlock Justin Herbert's full potential? Haven't we been asking questions like these about the Chargers for a decade?

Justin Herbert is the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

The exciting conclusion to the Too Deep Zone 32-team offseason previews!

miketanier.substack.com/p/los-angele...

I for one, could not see that coming.