In the latest episode of “Who Will Be King👑,” figures from rival teams of the NFC North division come together to discuss the upcoming draft, their offseason strategies, and the state of their teams.

Introducing the Panel
The panel included host June, who welcomed fellow NFC North representatives for another insightful discussion. June, a declared Lions fan, set a friendly tone for the conversation, emphasizing the camaraderie between the rivals.

“We’re one big happy NFC North family minus a Green Bay Packer, but we’ll, we’ll work on that,” June joked during the introductions.

Joining him were Dave from Vikings First and SKOL representing the Minnesota Vikings, Pay from the Bear Claw representing the Chicago Bears, and Foster representing the Detroit Lions from Bleachers to Speakers. Each participant brought insights and updates from their respective teams, adding a unique perspective to the discussion.

Discussing the Draft
The conversation primarily revolved around the highly anticipated draft. Dave provided insights from the Vikings’ perspective, stating that the team was in a “drought” in terms of news.

“Like I said, Flavor of the Week [this week] is Michael Penix Jr,” Dave said, referring to the shifting focus of attention among potential draft picks.

This comment highlighted the unpredictable nature of the draft preparations, with different players gaining and losing attention each week. Dave also expressed exhaustion over the continuous mock drafts, a sentiment echoed by other panelists.

Meanwhile, Pay suggested that the Bears might be considering Jayden Daniels, a popular prospect. However, he cautioned that it’s currently “smoke season,” a period of speculation and rumors leading up to the draft.

“It’s smoke season as we talked about last week,” said Pay, reminding everyone of the uncertain nature of predictions during this period.

Offseason Moves
The panelists also discussed the various offseason moves made by other teams in the league. The consensus among them was that the Houston team had made the most impressive moves.

“Houston would be my number one with a bullet,” Pay said, praising the team’s strategic player acquisitions.

They commended Houston’s proactive approach, noting how the team had already made significant acquisitions during the free agency period. This, combined with their successful draft the previous season, made the team a top contender in the panelists’ eyes.

The Anticipation of the Draft: A Shared Sentiment
One of the main focal points of the conversation was the anticipation for the upcoming draft. Host June seemed particularly eager for the draft to happen, expressing her exhaustion from the anticipation. She believes the draft is key in determining which players will be selected and how the draft will impact the teams’ strategies moving forward.

June stated, “I’m just tired of, the draft needs to happen like tomorrow. This is killing me. I’ve seen a million draft mock drafts, and the players that I want, they’re usually going into my drafts and sometimes, you know, I just hit the repeat button.”

Analyzing Offseason Moves: Who’s Made the Best Impressions?
Further into the discussion, the hosts turned their attention to the teams that have made impressive moves during the offseason. They discussed the strategies of several teams, analyzing their performance and decisions. The Houston Texans, in particular, stood out for their strategic moves.

Pay, one of the hosts, said, “Houston would be my number one with a bullet. That’s because they won the draft last season. And then now they came and followed it behind with a great, great season.”

The Draft Debate: Choosing Between Immediate Needs and Long-Term Potential
The debate heated up as the hosts shifted the discussion towards the strategies for the draft. They highlighted the ever-present dilemma of choosing between drafting for immediate needs versus long-term potential. Foster, one of the hosts, raised a key point about grading a draft in the moment versus a year later.

Foster pointed out, “How do you grade a draft in the moment versus a year later? I would have graded the Lions draft as C at best in the moment. I felt like they took some reaches. Now, they did pay off.”

Potential Draft Picks and Future Strategies
The hosts wrapped up the discussion by deliberating potential draft picks. They particularly focused on the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings. There seemed to be a consensus that the Bears might draft Caleb [Williams] at one, but there was a significant debate about the rest of the picks.

Dave said, “We’re looking for that QB of the future. But we have that segment of our fan base that believes if we trade up beyond 11 to grab anyone, that we have overspent.”

June added her prediction, “I pretty much am banking on the Bears to draft Caleb at one. And then the rest is pretty much unknown going down.”

The episode concluded with the hosts eagerly waiting for the upcoming draft and predicting the potential moves teams might make. Amid all the predictions and debates, one thing is certain: the upcoming draft will significantly shape the future of the NFC North and the rest of the league.

Unpacking the Ownership Model of NFL Stadiums
Dave Stefano from Vikings 1st & SKOL and Pay from Da Bear Claw Podcast offered detailed insights, revealing that most NFL stadiums are actually owned by municipality, county, or similar government agencies. The NFL teams themselves are typically tenants, paying rent to use the facilities.

Dave sparked an interesting discussion when he posed the question, “Can anyone tell me what four teams are owned by their owner or their owner’s company?” The hosts then revealed that it’s only the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots that have this unique arrangement. The other 28 teams do not own their stadiums.

Delving into Team Dynamics and Intricate Personality Tests
The conversation didn’t stop there. Beyond the brick and mortar of the stadiums, the hosts also delved into the very heart of the NFL – the teams and the players themselves. Dave pointed out the significance of team dynamics and how a player’s personality can significantly impact their place within a team.

Dave said, “It’s also a personality test. How are you treating the staff and the…In the cafeteria. Yeah. Things like that. You may run by the sports psychologist’s office and Minnesota has at least one. They tend to help.” This emphasizes the idea that team cohesion isn’t just about skills on the field, but also about how players integrate into the broader team ecosystem.

Pay added more depth to this thought, suggesting that a player’s behavior, even off the field, could impact their standing within the team and the organization. He stated, “If you’re gonna get taxes in, in, on that building in some way, the, the county, the municipality, whatever, they will be fools. To allow that to be privately owned.” This comment underlines the importance of players understanding their roles not just as athletes, but also as representatives of their teams and organizations.

The Intriguing Future of Kansas City Chiefs: A Case Study
The podcast episode also brought to light the interesting case of the Kansas City Chiefs. Dave discussed the team’s current contract with Arrowhead Stadium, which is set to expire in 2032. If the Chiefs fail to secure a new stadium deal, they might be compelled to consider relocating.

“Kansas City may do that in 2032. I don’t see it happening. Yeah, especially if Patrick Mahomes wins more Super Bowls. They’ll build a new stadium just for him,” Dave speculated. This speculation adds a fascinating layer to the future of one of the NFL’s most successful teams in recent years, highlighting the complex interplay between sport, infrastructure, and economics in the world of NFL.

Wrapping Up
As the conversation wound down, the panel reflected on the journey to the draft. Despite the speculation and anticipation, they expressed a readiness to move forward and see how the draft would shape their teams.

“I’m just ready to see who we get so we can go through the whole ups and downs of, I hate this pick, I love this pick, and this is what the team is gonna really look like,” Foster said.

This sentiment summed up the panel’s collective feeling of excitement and suspense as they looked forward to the draft and the subsequent football season. The episode ended on a note of anticipation, leaving listeners eager for the next installment of conversations from the NFC North.

Listen:

This episode of Who Will Be King offered a comprehensive look into the intricacies of NFL stadium ownership and team dynamics, shedding light on the many factors that contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL.

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.

 Catch last week’s episode of Two Old Blogger: