Pete Prisco

The Bears are still a year away from being real contenders

I'm a little more realistic because I look at the schedule and see, you know, that they really have what—they played one team with a winning record and lost to 'em. I'm a little apprehensive... I just don't think this is their year. I think they're a year away.

Sam Darnold will eventually revert to his old, mistake-prone self because 'you are what you are'

Usually this league you are what you are. You're gonna have moments where you're up here... and moments when you're down here... eventually you're in the middle and that's who you are... [Sam Darnold] looked frazzled [last week] and that can't happen. It just can't happen in the big games... there's a Sam Darnold problem at least in my mind.

The Jaguars will make the playoffs because their remaining schedule is extremely easy

Jacksonville [will make the playoffs]. Look at their, look at their schedule. It's a joke... if they beat the Cardinals this week, then they got the Titans and then the Colts at home and they never lose to him and the Jets at home, they should win three or four of those games.

Dan Campbell's fourth-down aggression is 'aggressive stupidity'

Dan Campbell goes for it all the time... I'm okay with aggression. I'm not okay with aggressive stupidity. That's the [difference]... if he had kicked field goals the other night, would he have won the game?

The Bills will win 13 or 14 games and have a very favorable schedule

I think the bills run away with it. And if you look at the Bill's schedule, the bill's schedule is as favorable as any first place team has ever had... I they have to look to me of a 13 win team. I really believe that. Maybe 14.

The Raiders will only win five games because their defense lacks talent

Yeah, they [the Raiders] might win five games... When I look at their defense, there's not a lot of talent on it... I worry about the defense.

Jackson Dart will start for the Giants before Dylan Gabriel starts for the Browns

I think [Jackson] Dart's gonna come in [for the Giants] before Dylan Gabriel comes in in Cleveland. Yes I do.

Travis Kelce is more name than game at this stage of his career

Kelsey, the football player isn't the same as he used to be. Let's be real... he's more name than game than he is been in the past.

The Packers will win the Super Bowl over the Bills

Green Bay over Philly [in the NFC Championship]... and Buffalo over Green Bay [in the Super Bowl]. Wait... Buffalo over Green Bay. There's gonna be a party like they've never felt in Buffalo.

NFL players prioritize money above Hall of Fame status and Super Bowl rings

Of course it's always about the money... I go around and ask players, rank 'em. I think they all rank first money... then Hall of Fame... and then the ring is third. You know what, they don't sell their money on eBay.

Baker Mayfield is a better quarterback option for the next five years than Jalen Hurts

Would I take Baker Mayfield over [Jalen Hurts] for the next five years? Yeah... I would take Baker. It's close. They're the same. They're all, like I said, they're in the same grouping. But I would take Baker.

Kyle McCord has a chance to be an NFL starter if drafted in the middle rounds

A guy I would take in the third or fourth round would be McCord from Syracuse... I think McCord has a chance to be, if he draft him a third or fourth round, he can end up being, you know, a starter down the road.

The Green Bay Packers will win the Super Bowl this season

The Packers gonna win the Super Bowl. Watson's on the field, he's a big, big play receiver. You're gonna open things up with that guy. Then you look at the running game, I think they're more physical... they bring in a defensive coordinator and Jeff Hafley who can get after it. I love what they've done on defense and I love what they're doing on offense. They're the best team in that division.

The Buffalo Bills window is not shut and they will reach the Super Bowl

I got Buffalo going to the Super Bowl. The whole idea of the window shutting on the bills is this stupid dumb talk that people throw out there... As long as Josh Allen is slinging the football in Buffalo, they will have an open window period. End of story.

Will Levis will take a major step forward and have a career arc similar to Josh Allen

Will Levis is gonna take a major step forward. You know who Will Levis is a lot like... Josh Allen. Same type of thing. He's like Josh Allen. He's a fanatic about it... he's gonna have a monster season. And everybody who mocked his game going into the draft is gonna be exactly the way they were with Josh Allen. They're gonna be wrong.

Jaden Daniels is the best quarterback from the 2024 draft class

I love Jaden Daniels. I think he's the best quarterback in the draft. Sorry, Big Cat... having watched him at Arizona State and then watched him play at LSU and now watching him now, he's the most improved quarterback I've ever seen in my life. I think the commanders have their guy for the next 15 years and he's gonna be a star.

Men should never cry after losing a football game

I just don't think you should ever cry after losing a football game. If there was a death in the family or something that week, I apologize, but if there was not, you were crying over the football game... bad luck. There's no way you cry after a loss.

Jayden Daniels will be the best quarterback in the 2024 draft class

My preliminary ranking is, I think Jayden Daniels will be the best of them. He's the most improved player I've ever seen in my entire life. I probably rank him slightly... them and Caleb Williams one and two.

JJ McCarthy is not a first-round talent and is being 'forced up' by the media

I don't love JJ McCarthy. I don't see it. I just don't see it. I'd take him in a second round. I think the league is guilty of... the draft cult. One says it, so two says it... All of a sudden they all convinced themselves that he should be a high first round pick. And that's how mistakes get made.

The Falcons will not win 11 games in the 2024 season

I don't think [the Falcons win 11 games]. I don't. It's a lot. 11 games is a lot. There's a lot of games. Even inside a division... the bucks are gonna be good. That's tough to get a lot [of wins].

Calvin Ridley's difficulty learning the Jaguars' offense is why he wants to stay in Jacksonville

Here's why he wants to stay in Jacksonville. Let me tell you. He had trouble learning the offense last year and so he doesn't really wanna go somewhere else and have to learn another one. Serious. I'm not... that's notable.

Green Bay dominating Dallas was the biggest surprise of Wild Card weekend

I think the biggest surprise has to be Green Bay going in and winning the way they did. I thought they would hang around in the game, but to go in there and dominate the way they did, that was a bad look for Dallas.

CJ Stroud reminds me of Dan Marino in his heyday

He makes me think of Dan Marino in his heyday. ... He makes it look so easy with the quick release and the ability to throw out. ... The ability to decipher it and put it right on the numbers and make it makes it look easy. There, there are a few guys that walk into this league and make it look that easy. That's why he reminds me of Marino.

Bill Belichick will be the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons

Belichick's gonna go to Atlanta. ... because all you wanna do, if you're, if you're Arthur Blank, all you wanna do is win.

The Bears will be a playoff team next year no matter who is at quarterback

The Bears will be a playoff team next year, no matter who plays quarterback. ... They got good tackles. ... You have the, the weapons, the runners. ... You have defense have the pieces in place.

Jim Harbaugh will be the next head coach of the Chargers

I think Harbaugh to the Chargers makes all the sense. Yeah, in large part because it's the best job. You get the quarterback, you don't have to worry about the quarterback. And, and so I think that's the best scenario for him. I think he does end up going there.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl

Jacksonville's a slam dunk in their division... But here's why. They're, they're a really good team this year to keep an eye on to go to the Super Bowl, which I think they're going to by the way... If they don't win 13 games it's a disaster by the way. They're gonna score 500 points.

Russell Wilson is unfixable and was never the elite quarterback people thought he was

Is Russell Wilson unfixable? Yeah. To ever be the quarterback that everybody thought he was. Yes. He's never gonna be that. He never was. That he was a good functional quarterback who had the top ranked scoring defense four straight years in the league... Then he had a couple good years and then he was done.

The New England Patriots have one of the worst rosters and offensive lines in the NFL

You look at that roster, ugh. It's bad. The offensive line isn't good. The questions about Mac Jones, the receivers... they're the worst quarterback team in the division... New England's one of [the worst O-lines]. Their line stinks.

The Green Bay Packers will win the NFC North in 2023

Division winners. Eagles Packers. Yes. The Packers are winning that division, the 49ers and the Saints... Jordan Love is gonna surprise everybody... I think sitting for three years has helped him and going there and watching him practice this summer... he's got a different feel to him.

Sam Howell will surprise people and lead the Commanders to a Wild Card spot

I think Sam Howell's gonna surprise everybody. I do... he's gonna have a good year for them. It can't be any worse than they were at quarterback the last couple years... Wild Card. Dallas, Washington.

Trevor Lawrence will win the NFL MVP award

Trevor Lawrence for MVP too... Their offense is what Calvin Ridley will mean to that offense is going to change the way they play.

The 49ers will win the Super Bowl against the Jaguars

Jacksonville beats Buffalo in Jacksonville [in the AFC Championship]... San Francisco beats the Eagles in San Francisco because they have a favorable division. And then the 49ers... Kyle Shanahan finally wins his ring and is anointed best coach in the league.

Tom Brady is more likely than Aaron Rodgers to go on a deep playoff run this year

Out of the old guys in the NFC, who's more likely to go on a run right now? Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady? [Prisco]: Tom Brady. Because he's at home. I think that matters... At some point Tom Brady's gonna look like Tom Brady. Well, last week he finally did. So what's gonna happen in the first round of the playoffs? Who's going there? The Cowboys. And everybody's gonna sit there and say, oh, they're gonna, the Cowboys they're gonna lose to, to Tom Brady because Tom Brady and his team has figured it out.

Trevor Lawrence will be one of the top 3-5 quarterbacks in the league in a couple years

Trevor Lawrence is gonna be special. He's gonna be a special quarterback. He's gonna be one of the five, six best quarterbacks in this league. Maybe in a couple years he'll be one, two or three. That's how good he can be.

Urban Meyer is the worst coach in the history of the NFL

Doug Peterson... had to exercise the demons of the moron that was in front of him. I mean, that's the worst coach in the history in the National Football League. Urban Meyer with his bullhorn and his sophomore high school ways. Gimme a break. That thing was a disaster last year.

Special teams only account for 14% of a football game

It's not a third of the game either. It's a great myth. It's about 14% of the game. Punt the ball out of bounds. Kick the ball out of the end zone. Don't worry about any of that return crap... Make your damn kicks. It's your only damn job.

Lamar Jackson will not get a fully guaranteed contract like Deshaun Watson's

No, you're not gonna fully guarantee. You can give him a lot of guaranteed money... He wants the Deshaun Watson deal. From what I heard and that they're not gonna fully guarantee. The owners in this league don't want to fully guarantee contract. They were all mad that they did that in the first place.

The Minnesota Vikings are frauds

I've said that word [frauds] before and I heard it got back to him and they weren't real happy about it. Look, I I, I've been... just as critical of Kirk Cousins. I, I think there's a glazed look that comes over his face in moments... there's the Look Rick [Spielman], there it is. You can see it.

The Denver Broncos will be the most disappointing team in the AFC in 2022

The Broncos will be the most disappointing team I'm and, and it's not because of Russell Wilson... I think their offensive line has issues and, and they have a couple other issues on defense.

The Houston Texans will be better than people expect in 2022

I'll give you a team. That's gonna be a little bit better than everybody thinks. They'll be the Texans... I'm a big Davis Mills guy... I think the Texans are gonna, they're not gonna win 10 games, but they're gonna be better than you think they are.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will disappoint and miss out on winning the NFC South

I think the Bucs are gonna be a little disappointing... I don't think they're gonna win the division... Brady when he has interior pressure... he doesn't move that well. And he really doesn't like it... I think Tampa might be the going in the wrong direction team.

The Buffalo Bills will beat the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl with Josh Allen as MVP

It's the Buffalo Bills beating the Green Bay Packers and Josh Allen will win the MVP... he'll win the MVP. I like one thing though. Just make sure that 13 seconds doesn't blow your chances this time around.

Urban Meyer will not finish the season as the Jaguars head coach

Is this going to end Urban Meyer's career in the NFL before the season's over? I think it's more Bobby Petrino than Nick Saban. I really do. I think this is bad, man. And it's not just because of this. There's been so many other things that have gone on... I think it puts Urban Meyer in a position where maybe he would resign. Maybe they work out a little bit of a settlement.

The Buffalo Bills will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LVI

Well, my Super Bowl matchup before the season was Buffalo and Tampa Bay. And I think I'll stick with that for now... I think the Bills are the best team in the AFC. And the Cardinals are playing well, but I think Tampa Bay will get it together and start playing really well on defense.

The Buffalo Bills will beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl

And it's the Buffalo Bills winning it all, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Joe Tryon will be the Defensive Rookie of the Year

I think defensively, I think Joe Tryon is going to be the rookie of the year. That kid's unblockable. ... of all the guys I saw in training camp, he was the most impressive rookie of all of them.

The Lions will have the number one overall pick in the 2022 draft

Which team will be picking first in next year's draft? The Lions.

The Patriots will make the playoffs because their offensive line and coaching are superior to the Dolphins

Dolphins or Patriots, one of those teams makes the playoffs, which one are you picking? Patriots. ... because I think their offensive line is significantly better. ... and Belichick knows defense ... they're going to be a playoff team.

The 49ers will win the NFC West regardless of who plays quarterback

I think the 49ers are going to win the division no matter who plays quarterback, and I think it's going to be Jimmy Garoppolo. It should be Jimmy Garoppolo. I think the 49ers will win that division.

You either have 'it' as a quarterback or you don't; sitting and learning doesn't help

You either have it or you don't. ... Everybody always says, well, Aaron Rodgers got the watch for a couple years before he played, and it really helped make him a better quarterback. No, it didn't. You either have it or you don't.

Justin Jefferson will be the best receiver in the league by the end of the year

Justin Jefferson is going to be the best receiver in the league by the end of the year.

Tim Tebow signing with the Jaguars is a 'big joke' and he can't play tight end

This is an interesting signing, and it's a stupid signing. And I will absolutely say that this is a big joke because he can't play. He couldn't play quarterback. He was a terrible quarterback. He hasn't played since 2012. He's going to be 34 years old, and he has no suddenness to his game. He can't play tight end.

Tim Tebow has a 0% chance of making the Jaguars roster

Zero [percent chance]. Zero. I'd go even lower if I could go.

Aaron Rodgers will be on the Packers Week 1

He will be. They're dug in, and they should be dug in. Why would you trade him?

Quarterbacks should not have input on personnel decisions or hiring

Quarterbacks should not be making decisions as it relates to personnel and who should be hired. I said that all along with Deshaun Watson.

Justin Fields was the second-best quarterback in the 2021 draft class

Lawrence is the clear one. Justin Fields, in my mind, is the two... He's accurate. He's smart. He's tough. He's athletic. He's big. He will be a darn good quarterback.

Dwayne Haskins is the clear-cut #1 quarterback in the 2019 draft

Haskins is number one. Better than Kyler Murray. Clear cut, stand in the pocket, read the field quarterback.

Josh Allen will be the best quarterback from the 2018 rookie class

I'm all over Josh Allen. I think he's the best. I think he's going to be the best of the group.

Antonio Brown is a quitter and only worth a third-round pick

What would I give up for him? The third round pick. That's it? No more. I tend to agree with you. He quit. He quit. He's a quitter. Let me say it again. He's a quitter. If I'm on his team and the Steelers players weren't happy about it, he quit on them.

Eli Manning didn't play as poorly in 2018 as the media portrays

Eli didn't play that bad last year. He did not. He did not. Dude, sir. The team stopped. His line was awful. I said he didn't play as poorly as you guys are portraying.

The Patriots will win at Arrowhead and the Rams will win at New Orleans

I think both games will be lower scoring than expected, and I think both road teams are winning. I think the Rams are going to go in there and pound the Saints on the ground... [and] I think [the Patriots are] winning the game. I think they're going in the Arrowhead and winning.

Kyler Murray will be drafted after the 10th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft

[Kyler Murray will be drafted] After [the 10th pick]. 20th, 25, somewhere in there... I think, you know, this kid is in the same situation [as Lamar Jackson].

Blake Bortles will be a backup somewhere next season

[Blake Bortles] is gone. They're cutting him... He'll be a backup somewhere... and then get some chance to start eventually.

The Browns will be a playoff team in 2019

I don't think they're a playoff team this year. I think they'll push for 8-8 season, and then next year they'll be a playoff team. How about that early prediction? I think the Browns will be a playoff team next year.

NFL scoring will go down as defenses catch up to offensive gimmicks

Look what happened today. You know what happens? Everybody catches up with the gimmicks. The gadget plays. Offense is going to rule. Never again will the defense be able to stop them. Look at today. They started to slow them down today... Scoring will go down. It will not stay the same pace.

Using a fullback is donating a down to the defense

Look, fullbacks, if I needed a blocking back, I'd bring one of my linemen in. Other than that, I'm in one back all the time with three receivers. I don't need a fullback. [Using a fullback] is donating a down. Don't ever hand to him. He can lead the blocking or whatever. Don't hand off to him.

The Seattle Seahawks will finish the 2018 season with a 5-11 record.

When I tally it up, I look back at it and I go, how the heck did I get the Seahawks at 5-11? Because I didn't think they would be that bad either. But then I went back and looked at it. Their schedule is brutal. I mean, it is really, really tough. And I think those defensive losses are going to be felt.

Russell Wilson is a very good quarterback, but he is not great.

For years, everybody thinks I'm a Russell Wilson hater. I just think he's very good and he's not great. People want to put him in the Hall of Fame. Well, now we're going to find out. I don't think the defense is going to be nearly as good... it's his team now. He needs to be great.

The Green Bay Packers will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Super Bowl LIII.

I had in my predictions the Super Bowl as Packers versus Jaguars. I think the Patriots are going to be... as long as Belichick and Brady are there, they're going to be fine. It's just that I don't think they're going to the Super Bowl. I think Jacksonville's legit.

Sam Darnold will be the first rookie quarterback to start a game in the 2018 season.

Who's going to be the first rookie quarterback to start a game? Darnold. I think Darnold's going to start sooner rather than later.

Josh Allen is going to be a big-time NFL quarterback despite his college stats.

Josh Allen's going to be a good quarterback, though, but I can't figure out for the life of me why that kid takes as much abuse as he does. Okay, his stats weren't good at Wyoming, but if you watch the tape, he was playing with bouncers and bartenders... he is going—it might take him a little seasoning—but he's going to be a big-time quarterback.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to be a sneaky playoff team in 2018.

Don't sleep on the Bengals either, by the way. You're going to laugh when I tell you that. The Bengals have a chance. Because they've got young talent on defense... Lawson and Willis... and that offensive line... I think it'll be better with getting Cordy Glenn in there.