The Falcons announced this week that they’re benching Kirk Cousins in favor of Michael Penix Jr., the quarterback they took in the first round of the draft. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel share what they know about why the team’s doing this so late in the season and where their relationship with Cousins, who they made a big move to get last offseason, goes from here. Dianna and Chase also measure the fallout of The Athletic’s recent piece on Woody Johnson, which reported that he once vetoed a trade over a player’s rating in a video game, and they weigh the choices the Patriots are facing this offseason as they seek to turn around their team. Plus, Bills WR Khalil Shakir stops by to talk about what’s making Buffalo’s offense go this season and dish out some scoops on how Josh Allen has weaponized this unit of pass catchers so effectively. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Jets have had another turbulent season and The Athletic's deeply-reported story on Thursday adds to it, detailing the extent to which Woody Johnson affects his organization. Dianna Russini, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Silver uncovered, among other things, that Johnson once nixed a trade with the Denver Broncos because of a player’s rating on Madden. Dianna, Zack and Mike share what they learned about Johnson and his family and contemplate what it means for where the team goes from here. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Bills and the Eagles posted huge wins this weekend as the playoff picture came into clearer view. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel share what they’re hearing and seeing about the teams in serious contention and ask each other whether they believe in the Eagles, Bills, Lions, Chiefs, Rams, Texans and Broncos. Then, Bengals running back Chase Brown stops by to talk about his role in a late-season surge that has kept his team’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread, what it’s like to play in an offense with Joe Burrow and how he’s responding to the league fining him for a celebration on Monday Night Football last week. Plus, Dianna and Chase dish out their Uncrustables for the best of Week 15 and Dianna gets Chase’s read on her reporting that Bill Belichick’s inner circle quietly reached out to the Jets before he ultimately agreed to be the new coach at North Carolina. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It actually happened: Bill Belichick is going be the next head football coach at UNC, not another NFL team. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel talk with The Athletic’s national college football insider, Bruce Feldman, about what people inside the NFL and college football are saying about why he took the job, whether he’ll be successful and what this means for the next NFL hiring cycle. Dianna also shares with Chase what she learned while reporting at the NFL owners meeting in Texas this week, including scoops on Brock Purdy’s future with the 49ers, the Cowboys’ plans for Mike McCarthy and Micah Parsons, what the Browns might do with GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski and how these past weeks have affected Bryce Young’s standing with the Panthers. And they close the show dishing on the things they’re most excited to watch in this weekend’s slate of games. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Could the coach with the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history be happy working at the college level for the first time? Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel ask legendary coach Bruce Arians, who worked in the pros and in major college programs, what taking a job at a place like UNC would be like for Bill Belichick. They also get insight from Arians on what this year’s class of rookie quarterbacks is bringing to the Bears, Commanders, Patriots and Broncos, on what he sees in Jameis Winston’s recent play and on how the Buccaneers stack up at this point in the season. Plus, Dianna and Chase reflect with each other about which teams made the best and worst bets this year and whether the Falcons bet on Kirk Cousins was a bad one. Finally, they close the show dishing out Uncrustables for the best things they saw in Week 14. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Scoop City has made a list and checked it twice for the NFL’s contenders and bottom dwellers. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel square what the teams trying to make a run need with what they can do, from the Ravens and Chiefs to the Texans and Commanders. They also make wishes for teams trying to bounce back from the bottom like the Browns, Jets, Bears and Bengals. Then, The Athletic’s Zak Keefer, host of the narrative podcast “Luck,” drops by to talk about Andrew Luck taking a job as the GM of Stanford’s football team. And Dianna and Chase close out the show talking about Justin Tucker, when athletes get the yips… and when all of us get the yips in ordinary moments. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus after a disastrous loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel get into what got us here, how the locker room is reacting to the moment and what the organization has to do to fix it. They also go deep on the top teams in the NFC, including the Lions and Eagles, and explore how the Bills managed to wrap up the AFC East on December 1. Then, The Athletic’s Michael Silver joins the show to share what he knows about San Francisco’s season from hell and the reporting he did for a recent feature on Lions QB Jared Goff. Plus, Dianna and Chase wrap the show dishing out Uncrustables for the best things that happened in Week 13. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones kicks off Thanksgiving week by saying he hasn’t ruled out extending Mike McCarthy’s contract. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel share what they’re hearing and seeing from Dallas as the Cowboys sort out some existential issues in the final weeks of the season. They also open the Scoop City Mailbag to answer your questions about the Ravens, Lions, Bucs, Vikings, Raiders… and Dianna’s life as an NFL insider. And they close the episode reflecting on which NFL fan bases have the most to be thankful for this year. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Both of New York’s football teams are in shambles. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel get into where the Giants go from here after releasing Daniel Jones and the bizarre news that the Jets have brought back former GM Mike Tannenbaum to help them find a new GM and head coach. Then, they reconvene “Scoop Court” to rule on whether Chase can still credibly claim the Chiefs are the best team in the league, whether it’s fair to say that the Commanders are trending downward at the time Kliff Kingsbury-coached offenses typically fall off a cliff and whether Dianna needs to take back her prediction that the Texans would win the Super Bowl. And to cap off the show, they dish out their Uncrustables for cool things that happened in Week 12. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the New York Jets fired GM Joe Douglas this week, Dianna Russini and The Athletic published blockbuster reporting about how deep the dysfunction runs in the Jets organization. Here, Dianna and Chase unpack her scoops about Douglas’ exit and how Jets owner Woody Johnson suggested to coaches and team officials that they bench Aaron Rodgers earlier this year. They also rate the sadness levels of a group of teams that have struggled so far this season, including the Cowboys, Giants, Patriots and Titans. And to close out the show, they return to our “In My Mentions” segment to respond to the takes sent to Dianna comparing Woody Johnson to Jerry Jones. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Giants are benching Daniel Jones, the quarterback they’d once seen as a franchise centerpiece. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel break down what got them to this point, and with the help of The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, contemplate whether head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen can survive what’s next. Dianna and Chase also run a heat check on the stories shaping this week’s NFL news cycle and start with whether the Jaguars are about to fire Doug Pederson - and whether Jacksonville could soon be a match for Bill Belichick. Plus, in the latest edition of “Chase is on the Case,” Daniel shares what he’s seeing from Justin Herbert and Bo Nix and why he thinks they’re dark horses for end-of-season awards. And they end the show dishing out Uncrustables for the things they thought were cool in Week 11. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel forecast what the offseason job market could look like and whether as many as 10 or 11 teams could soon be looking for new head coaches. They also contemplate questions about how Aaron Rodgers could affect the Jets’ effort to land a new head coach and whether there’s anything to all the talk about Deion Sanders potentially coaching in the NFL. Plus, The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia joins the pod to share the scoop on how Josh Allen is playing some of the best ball of his career and where the Bills stand going into a huge game this weekend against the Chiefs. And to close out the show, Dianna dishes some life lessons she took out of her recent adventure replacing her phone. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Bears are pondering existential questions after a painful loss at home to the Patriots on Sunday. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel, with the help of The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, unpack why this feels like a new bottom for Chicago and what might come next for the team. Dianna and Chase also share what they’re hearing and what they’re seeing in teams that are soaring, like the Steelers and Lions, and teams that are also hitting rock bottom like the Cowboys and Colts. And to close out the show, they dish out this week’s Uncrustable awards for things they arbitrarily think are cool. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dallas QB Dak Prescott’s injury may be serious. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel share what they’re hearing and thinking about how the Cowboys are handling a nightmare season and why so many people are asking: what the heck are they doing? Plus, at the halfway mark of the season, they ask whether these teams should see their seasons as glass half full or half empty: the Texans, the Jets, the Vikings, the Eagles and the entire NFC West. Then, Pittsburgh’s Cam Heyward joins the show to talk about prepping for rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, why Mike Tomlin is shouting out stats on the practice field, and his QB Russell Wilson’s MOST Pittsburgh move that shocked us! n play forever. And to close out the show, a look back at the WILDEST words said by some of the NFL’s major stars. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heads rolled in New Orleans and in Las Vegas after those teams lost on Sunday. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel take stock of why the Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen and why the Raiders cut loose their offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy - and what the chessboard for coaching vacancies could look like across the league. They also contemplate which big moves could be left in the hours before the trade deadline, and which teams are going into the week as contenders, tweeners or goners. And while they’re at it, they discuss whether Dak Prescott should sit out the rest of what looks like a lost Cowboys season. Then, they dish out arbitrary awards for cool things that happened over the weekend. Congratulations to the first recipients of the Scoop City Uncrustable honor. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s one more game before the trade deadline. Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel examine five teams who should be thinking about making a move, buyers and sellers - including the Houston Texans, who just lost star receiver Stefon Diggs for the season. Then The Athletic’s Dane Brugler joins the pod to talk about why so many quarterbacks from the 2023 draft class are struggling and to share his early thoughts on the impact players in next year’s cohort. Finally, Dianna and Chase end the show by celebrating spooky season and contemplating which things should scare them the most. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After a bonkers weekend of games, Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel break out the vibe meter to measure what teams are feeling a week out from the trade deadline. They share what they’re hearing and seeing from Washington (with an impromptu appearance from Pardon My Take’s PFT Commenter), where the vibes are soaring. And they take stock of the atmospheres in Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco, Dallas, Tennessee and Detroit before Chase provides some brutally honest feedback about how Anthony Richardson took himself out of a critical situation in yesterday’s Colts game against the Texans. Then, The Athletic’s Jets Zack Rosenblatt joins the pod to share what’s going on behind the scenes of that team’s losing streak. And Dianna and Chase end the show pumping up The Athletic’s viral coverage of the NFL’s fascination with Uncrustables snacks and debate which kid foods are okay for adults to eat. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs, an undefeated team sore for pass catchers, just traded for one of the most recognizable receivers in the NFL. Dianna Russini shares with Chase Daniel how their trade for Deandre Hopkins went down and hears from Chase what he’s going to bring to the Kansas City offense. Then they get into what Dianna’s hearing about who could be reaching out to the Rams about Cooper Kupp, what other receivers could move before the deadline, how the Panthers starting Bryce Young again could set off a larger chain of events in the league, and what people should make of recent comments the owners of the Giants and Cowboys made about their organizations. Then, Pardon My Take co-host PFT Commenter joins the show to share the vibes in the Washington Commanders fan base before the team’s match-up with Caleb Williams and the Bears this weekend. And Dianna and Chase close out the show by settling a few football-related, and unrelated, debates in the debut of our new segment, “Scoop Court.” Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As reported by Dianna Russini over the weekend, the Dolphins are moving to get Tua Tagovailoa back on the field as early as next Sunday. Dianna and Chase Daniel explore what risks he and the team are taking by returning to action so quickly after he suffered the third diagnosed concussion of his career in September. They also discuss what went into Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Russell Wilson at quarterback this weekend and how it paid off, what’s next for the Jets after their second primetime loss in a week, and who should be sellers at the trade deadline. Plus, they check in with The Athletic’s Vikings beat reporter, Alec Lewis, about what’s been going on behind the scenes with a team that’s been one of the surprise stories of the 2024 season. And they end the show with a new segment about who in the league has a right to be petty as we kick off the week. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After an embarrassing loss to the Lions and a testy local radio interview that sparked nationwide headlines, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took a moment at the owners meeting to open up to Dianna Russini about where the team goes next and how he deals with media. Dianna and Chase Daniel, along with new Athletic colleague Michael Silver, also dish on how the Davante Adams trade came together for the Jets, what trading for Amari Cooper will mean for the Bills, and why Mike Tomlin is dangling the possibility that Russell Wilson could see time at QB for the Steelers despite their hot start with Justin Fields. Plus, they share what they’re all going to be watching most closely in Week 7. Hosts: Dianna Russini, Chase Daniel Producer: Marissa Dunn Executive Producer: Michael Martinez Follow Scoop City on YouTube Follow Dianna Russini: @DMRussini Follow Chase Daniel: @ChaseDaniel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices