In the latest episode of Who Will Be King👑, a lively discussion unfolded between Pay, host of Da Bear Claw Podcast, June & Foster, hosts of the Bleachers To Speakers [Lions] podcast, and Dave Stefano, from Vikings 1st & SKOL. Together, they dissected the recent happenings in the NFC North, offering insightful commentary on the NFL Combine, emerging prospects, and the Russell Wilson saga.

Together, they discuss the latest news from the NFL Scouting Combine, franchise tags, and Free Agency on the horizon, rumors, and strategies surrounding the NFL’s NFC North teams, providing an entertaining perspective for all fans.

Highlights from the NFL Combine and the Emerging Prospects
The episode kicked off with a comprehensive rundown of the NFL Combine, focusing on the standout performances and potential breakthrough athletes.

Pay initiated the conversation, throwing an engaging question to the panel, “Did anybody come off the page to you? Did anybody blow you away like, you know what? His name. Him right there. I remember his name. He’s going to, he’s going to jump up the draft. His stock just improved just off of what he did today in the underwear.”

Dave was quick to mention quarterback J. J. McCarthy, whose stock, he believed, has seen a significant rise. “the way the ball came off his hands, the way his passes looked, I was just enamored” Dave stated, expressing his admiration for McCarthy’s performance.

June and Foster, on the other hand, had their eyes on different prospects. June was convinced about Mike Sainristil, a player he had been following for some time. “I think he’s going to do somebody, um, he’s going to be somebody’s second or third round pick. I think he moved up the draft boards because, because of his 40 time.” Foster’s attention was captured by Chop [Robinson], whose impressive 40 time left a lasting impression.

Another name that came up in the discussion was Dallas Turner. Pay noted Turner’s impressive performance, stating, “He had a, what, a sub 4.50 40-yard dash. He had a 1.5 second, ten-yard split, 10’ broad jump. The guy, the guy is a specimen.”

The Russell Wilson Departure: A Tectonic Shift in the Denver Broncos
The conversation took an intriguing turn when the panelists started discussing the recent departure of Russell Wilson from the Denver Broncos. The decision, which resulted in Denver taking on a record number of dead cap money, 85 million just to get Russell out of town, sparked an engaging discussion.

June chimed in, highlighting the significance of the move, “They must really buy into the coach [Sean Payton] there, because, uh, that’s a lot of dead money to, to take a hit for.” Pay added his thoughts, remarking, “Fellas, how did this news land with you? Because when I saw it, I’m like, hey, Russell can’t be that bad. Is he going to take 85 million in cash you can’t even use?”

The hosts went on to speculate potential destinations for Russell, with Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and even Minnesota being mentioned as possible options. The Russell Wilson saga has clearly added an exciting twist to the offseason and will undoubtedly continue to generate interest in the coming weeks.

Franchise Tag Week: A Crucial Time in the Offseason
Wrapping up the episode, the hosts turned their attention to the end of Franchise Tag week. They examined the implications of these tags and how they could shape the teams’ rosters in the coming season.

Pay noted that Jaylen Johnson of the Bears was the only player amongst their teams to receive a tag. He commented, “He’s going to play for 20 million this year, so it’s not bad, not bad money.” The hosts ended the discussion by diving deeper into the different types of franchise tags and their implications for the teams and players.

The following day, the Bears agreed to a four-year, $76 million deal with the rising star defender, Ian Rapoport reported.

The Bears and the Wide Receiver Conundrum
Kicking off the next topic of conversation, Pay highlights the Bears’ pressing need for a wide receiver. The Bears’ roster, he notes, could use the kind of talent that a player like Calvin Ridley of Jacksonville could bring to the table. Despite Ridley’s past suspension season, Pay maintains that the wide receiver’s potential is unquestionable. However, he is quick to caution us that Ridley should not be the only focus for the Bears in the long run. “Speaking about the Bears, absolutely not. Should that be the first thing they should be paying attention to? Nope,” Pay asserts, emphasizing that a more holistic approach is needed for team building.

The Importance of Building Around Christian Wilkerson
Switching gears, Pay brings up Christian Wilkerson, a versitile defensive tackle/edge he believes should be prioritized by the Bears. In his view, Wilkerson should be the cornerstone around which the team builds its strategies. Dave, however, throws a curveball into the mix by predicting Wilkerson’s potential move to Minnesota, citing his strong connection with Coach [Brian] Flores. This speculation adds an intriguing layer to the discussion, keeping listeners on their toes.

Danielle Hunter: A Valuable Addition or a Risky Investment?
The hosts then delve into a discussion about Danielle Hunter, a player who Pay suggests could be an interesting addition to the Bears. Although Hunter’s skills are impressive, Pay also raises concerns about the player’s age, suggesting that it might not be the best long-term investment for the team. He states, “My only knock on him is that he’s a little up there in age,” indicating the need for a balance between immediate gains and future sustainability.

Saquon Barkley: The Running Back Conundrum
The conversation takes an interesting turn when the hosts start discussing the prospects of running back Saquon Barkley. Pay acknowledges Barkley’s skill and potential, but also raises questions about his future. He speculates, “Wherever he goes, if he’s healthy, oof, the Ravens are, Ravens are probably gonna answer that bill.” This comment sparks a debate about the strategic importance of securing a strong running back.

The Lions: Addressing the Cornerback Position
When it comes to the Detroit Lions, June makes it clear that she wants to see the cornerback position addressed more vigorously. In her opinion, a veteran corner would offer more value to the team than a rookie. This perspective opens up a discussion about the merits of experience versus fresh talent in building a robust team.

The Age Cliff in the NFL: A Factor to Consider?
Dave brings up an intriguing point about the ‘age cliff’ in the NFL, indicating that each position has a different age at which performance tends to decline. For running backs, he believes the cliff usually arrives around age 28. This insight prompts a deeper exploration into the strategic implications of player age and longevity in the NFL.

The Lions’ Window of Opportunity
Echoing Dave’s sentiments, Foster suggests that the Lions are currently in a ‘win now’ situation. He believes that the team should seize this window of opportunity and secure strong players, even those nearing the age cliff. “The time is now. So you can go and get a guy that’s more in their prime, but on the way out,” Foster advises, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on the present moment.

A Look Ahead: The Bears’ Offseason Strategy
As the podcast winds down, Pay shares his hopes for the Bears’ offseason strategy. He expresses a desire for the Bears to secure at least two of the names they’ve been discussing – Christian Wilkerson, Xavier McKinney, Danielle Hunter or Z’Darius Smith. If they can achieve this, he believes it would constitute an ‘excellent offseason’ for the team.

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Final Thoughts
This episode of “Who Will Be King👑” offers a wealth of insights, analysis and predictions surrounding the NFC North. From the Bears’ need for a solid wide receiver to the Lions’ open window of opportunity, it’s clear that there are exciting times ahead in this division. As the hosts navigate the twists and turns of team strategies, player potentials, and the looming ‘age cliff,’ listeners are left with much to ponder about the future of their favorite teams.

FAN WITH US!!!
Pay @TheRealPayday, host of Da Bear Claw Podcast, June @asgjune & M Foster @Mbrfosterchild, hosts of the Bleachers To Speakers [Lions] podcast, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare, from @Vikings1stSKOL. This has been a joint podcast production partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.