Go Long Podcast

<p>Right about now, each spring, NFL teams ask themselves the same question:</p><p><em>How soon is too soon to start a rookie quarterback?</em></p><p>There’s proof that patience pays off. (Mahomes, Rodgers, Young, etc.)</p><p>There’s proof that a baptism by fire can work. (Manning, Marino, etc.) </p><p>Matt Hasselbeck played 18 seasons in the NFL and studies the game extremely closely today. His litmus test is the best I’ve heard yet. He believes a young quarterback is ready for live snaps when that QB masters third-down protections. Understand this chaos? You’re ready. </p><p>He is a big believer in the clutch gene, too. </p><p>Here on the Go Long Podcast — our third time catching up — Hasselbeck offers his fresh insight at the sport’s most important position. </p><p>Hope you enjoy this one. </p><p>This episode is available in full to paid subscribers and I’ll transcribe later if words are preferred. </p><p><strong>As a member, you’ll gain access to everything: all features, all pods and </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-6-rb-notre-dames-jeremiyah-love"><strong>Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series running now</strong></a><strong>. </strong></p><p>Topics on the pod with Hasselbeck include…</p><p>* What did Philip Rivers teach the NFL by playing well at 44? He sent one very clear message.</p><p>* What’s going on in Tom Brady’s mind? </p><p>* “News” is manufactured this time of year. It drives Hasselbeck mad. For some, draft season is the ultimate grift.</p><p>* Flag Football. Yay or nay?</p><p>* Why Hasselbeck believes Fernando Mendoza “checks all the boxes” and will excel in the pros with the Las Vegas Raiders. He calls the Indiana QB “amazing.” </p><p>* He saw a completely different Geno Smith in 2025 — on and off the field. </p><p>* Caleb Williams & Ben Johnson. The partnership worked in Year 1, following <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/house-of-dysfunction-part-i-the-curious">a tumultuous rookie season</a> for the No. 1 pick. Why? And will it sustain? Hasselbeck was critical of the Bears QB before. </p><p>* Who ascends in ‘26? There’s one quarterback that Hasselbeck believes we do not discuss nearly enough: Brock Purdy. (Of course, he still loves Drake Maye, too.) </p><p>* Mike Evans may be the 49ers’ missing piece. </p><p></p><p>We’ve had Hasselbeck on the podcast twice before. He always brings the goods.</p><p>Here are those episodes and transcriptions, icymi.</p><p>We’ve gotten into Hasselbeck’s own rise at great length before.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/how-the-nfl-works-s1-e8-quarterback"><strong>Quarterback Bliss with Matt Hasselbeck</strong></a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/q-and-a-matt-hasselbeck-on-jordan">(and words)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/1-on-1-how-matt-hasselbeck-learned"><strong>How Matt Hasselbeck learned to believe</strong></a><strong> </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/q-and-a-matt-hasselbeck-still-wants"><strong>(and words)</strong></a></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.golongtd.com/subscribe</a>

<p>He hates the Chicago Bears.</p><p>He cannot wait to blast into those who play for the Chicago Bears.</p><p>But read closely and you’ll see that Javon Bullard is far more critical of his own team, the Green Bay Packers, than a hated rival. Because firsthand, he saw how his team surrendered a playoff game. </p><p>As he said: “We’re on y’all ass and you’re acting like you motherfuckers don’t even want to play no more. But we need that instinct to kill motherfuckers’ hope. Like, ‘No. Not today. Not tomorrow. Y’all <em>through</em>. We finna beat y’all ass.’ I don’t think we’ve got that as a team yet. But we’ve got another year to prove it.”</p><p>Later he added: “They got two little wins last year. But don’t forget who the big brother is. We’re still big brother. They got a long way to go before they can try to s**t on us. But we got to show them, too. We can’t just talk that s**t. We’ve got to be about it. So it’s going to be hell next year, man. It’s going to be hell.”</p><p>And throughout our latest longform piece, you’ll see why “Bull” is everything the Packers need… will they listen? Players and coaches alike should heed Bullard’s advice. </p><p>That’s the topic of conversation on our latest Substack Live video. We also delve into the Minnesota Vikings signing Kyler Murray and the Miami Dolphins’ unprecedented offseason. </p><p>Video and audio replay is above. Thank you for hanging out and asking questions everyone. </p><p>New here? Be sure to download the Substack app and turn notifications on to join future recordings: </p><p>Also: Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series rages on.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-5-qb-the-fernando-mendoza-question"><strong>You won’t want to miss his piece</strong></a><strong> </strong>on Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson and the quarterbacks today.</p><p>Go Long is powered by you.</p><p>Thank you for supporting independent journalism.</p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.golongtd.com/subscribe</a>

<p>NFL Draft season is here. For the fourth year, Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn is bringing his draft series to our pages — all of which is available to paid subscribers. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-1-wr-whos-the-next-star-wideout">Part I on the wide receivers is live.</a></p><p>At the very top of this year’s draft, those Las Vegas Raiders sure hope they hit the bull’s eye. (It’s been a while.)</p><p>As we transition from free agency to the draft, I wanted to catch up with a friend in the biz: <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/59599639-bill-reiter">Bill Reiter</a> recently took his excellent radio show to the independent media world here on Substack. I highly recommend it. His show — “Reiter Than You” — is bigger ‘n better than ever in podcast form. We first connected back in his CBS Sports Radio days a decade ago when Bill read the <a target="_blank" href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2726189-jared-goff-rams-interview-2017-nfl-season-preview">Jared Goff story</a> referenced on this ep. Since then, I’ve always loved popping on Bill’s show. </p><p>This week, he made his debut on the Go Long Pod.</p><p>For nearly an hour and a half, we discuss quarterbacks. Mostly, C.J. Stroud in Houston, Caleb Williams in Chicago and Tom Brady trying to resurrect those Raiders as a part owner. Brady, 48, admitted this week that he asked the NFL about a potential comeback. What is going on in his mind? (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/tom-brady-enters-a-new-world">The Raiders had a swell March, too!</a>) Everything is discussed from Stroud’s looming Year 4 moment of truth, Williams responding to hard coaching, the Ben Johnson Effect and the sad, sad collapse of Game of Thrones.</p><p>My three-part series on those Bears, House of Dysfunction, is also unlocked to read. If you’d like, here’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/house-of-dysfunction-part-i-the-curious">Part I</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/house-of-dysfunction-part-ii-inside">Part II</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/house-of-dysfunction-part-iii-whos">Part III</a>.</p><p>Hanging out on the free list? It’s a smart time to upgrade. In addition to McGinn’s draft series, I’ll publish another longform piece here soon.</p><p>Thanks, all.</p><p>ICYMI, here’s the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/real-football-which-contenders-got">latest episode of “Real Football”</a> with longtime scout Jim Monos.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.golongtd.com/subscribe</a>

<p>Long gone are the days of Super Bowl contenders twiddling their thumbs in March. If you’re not making transactions, you’re not trying. </p><p>We saw elaborate checks written, blockbuster trades and even one trade reneged at the last second. Nobody can blame GMs for not trying. </p><p>What does it all mean? Let’s examine on “Real Football” with our resident scout, Jim Monos. DJ Moore to Buffalo. Jaylen Waddle to Denver. Trey Hendrickson to Baltimore. I love what the Washington Commanders did to help their franchise quarterback. This defense needed bodies. And what’s going on in that AFC North? Both us were fans of the moves made in Pittsburgh. Of course, once again, this team is also content waiting on Aaron Rodgers. Cincinnati beefed up its defense, too. Baltimore pulled a fast one. (It’s still all about Lamar in January.)</p><p>As always, Monos shares stories from the road. </p><p>This episode, he looks back at his team’s trade for LeSean McCoy ahead of the 2015 season in Buffalo, scouting Hendrickson out of Florida Atlantic and the time Bill Parcells tried to convince teams Jacoby Brissett should be a first-round pick. </p><p>Inevitably, we debate #gambling at the top of the pod, too. </p><p>Video and audio of this episode are available above.</p><p>On our free list? It’s a perfect time to subscribe. Bob McGinn’s 42nd annual draft series begins Friday, and it’s <strong>exclusive to paid subscribers.</strong> I’ve always been spending this month chipping away at the longform piece referenced on the pod. </p><p>Thanks, all.</p><p>Enjoy.</p><p>Live in Western New York? Keep an eye out. We’re going to throw some beers back together at Wayland Brewing Company in Orchard Park this month for a pre-draft bash. </p><p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.golongtd.com/subscribe</a>

<p>This is a familiar story in Minneapolis. At the quarterback position — regime to regime, coach to coach, QB to QB — the franchise always welcomes in veterans from other teams.</p><p>Can Kyler Murray redirect this team back into the playoffs? </p><p>To get answers, let’s welcome back our friend <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/9601382-matthew-coller">Matthew Coller</a> of <a target="_blank" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/purpleinsider">Purple Insider</a>. </p><p>We revisit the Vikings’ confused 2025 plan — spending more cash than any team in the NFL despite the great J.J. McCarthy unknown. You heard from the vets on this Minnesota defense during Super Bowl Week. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/tough-son-of-a-b***h-the-lessons">They missed Sam Darnold</a>. With Coller, we also look ahead to 2026. This will be Murray’s show in ‘26. </p><p>The fit with Kevin O’Connell’s X’s and O’s. Justin Jefferson’s happiness. Murray’s leadership style. Realistic expectations. </p><p>All of the above is discussed. </p><p>Thank you for watching, listening and sharing. </p><p>Video and audio is above. This episode is also available on our <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/go-long-podcast/id1542095361">Apple</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5p41cteJTP3SVhTWla1xiU?si=10283727868e4711">Spotify</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@GoLongTD">YouTube</a> channels. </p><p><strong>ICYMI:</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/tom-brady-enters-a-new-world">Tom Brady enters a new world</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/bed-bugs-and-belief-why-ashton-grant">Bed Bugs and Belief: Why Ashton Grant is the man to maximize Drake Maye</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/the-patience-and-persistence-of-malik">The Patience & Persistence of Malik Willis</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/fear-the-cincinnati-bengals">Fear… the Cincinnati Bengals?</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/replay-2026-nfl-free-agency-bonanza">Replay: 2026 NFL Free Agency Bonanza!</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/hes-that-guy-nfl-wr-coach-on-dj-moore">‘He’s that guy:’ NFL WR coach on DJ Moore</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/why-the-dj-moore-trade-is-a-win-for">Why the DJ Moore trade is a win for the Buffalo Bills</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golongtd.com/p/no-s**t-taken-the-laws-of-tj-lang">‘No s**t taken:’ The Laws of T.J. Lang</a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.golongtd.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.golongtd.com/subscribe</a>