Tonight's rookie QB showdown, plus news from Detroit, Pittsburgh, New York

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Yesterday we looked at the success rate of season-long receiver trades. This morning, The athleteMike Sando went one step further in his review.

As for today's newsletter, we're starting in New Orleans:

Sean Payton returns as Rattler and Nix take center stage

The Broncos visit the Saints tonight at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

While Drew Brees is inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame, Sean Payton is also returning to the Caesars Superdome. He doesn’t expect “lots of warm cuddles.” As the best coach in Saints history, he deserves a standing ovation. Payton's experience in New Orleans also shaped his approach in Denver.

Once the game begins, all eyes will turn to the first rookie quarterback matchup of the 2024 season – especially with Pat Surtain II, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed all inactive tonight. The biggest questions:

Can Spencer Rattler improve after his shaky debut? Despite playing behind a patchwork line and losing his best receiver, Rattler made many encouraging throws, particularly this third-down pass. But after halftime, the Buccaneers focused on keeping Rattler in the pocket while applying pressure. The rookie imploded, passing for just 103 yards and two interceptions while recording five sacks. If Denver emulates this approach, it could be a long night for the fifth-round pick.

Will Bo Nix begin to achieve his goals? Nick Kosmider's report states that Nix's accuracy in the field is his biggest concern. On passes five or more yards downfield, his overall completion percentage is (41.1). 13.7 percent below expectationsworst among all qualified passers, according to TruMedia. We shouldn't be surprised; Nix rarely threw downfield in college, with his average pass traveling 6.3 air yards, ranking him 119th out of 125 FBS quarterbacks in 2023, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Since the Saints allowed 594 yards and 51 points last week, Nix has fewer excuses than Rattler. Tonight should be revealing. Full preview here.

Changes in Detroit, Pittsburgh

Week 7 has more important questions. Fortunately, The athlete's beat reporters have answers for us:

How do the Lions fill their Aidan Hutchinson-sized void? A broken tibia and fibula will cost their star pass rusher four to six months, meaning he'll return a week after the Super Bowl in a best-case scenario. He's gone. Colton Pouncy shared her options. Externally:

“Maxx Crosby is a Michigan native and has gone on record saying he would want to play for the Lions if he ever left the Raiders. But he is not realistic. One player that makes a ton of sense is Cleveland's Za'Darius Smith, who is on a one-year deal. In New Orleans, Chase Young is fascinating, as is Harold Landry in Tennessee.”

If the Steelers stick with Russell Wilson, what happens to Justin Fields? After HC Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Wilson would be “in the running” to potentially start Sunday night against the Jets, we collectively began writing off Fields. But as Mike DeFabo writes, this is far from the end for Fields:

“Perhaps the competition is just beginning. For the first time since the OTAs, Wilson will receive extended playing time with the first team. Wilson doesn't have the mobility of Fields, and an injured and inexperienced offensive line increases the risk that sacks will set the Steelers back. Even if Wilson's arm keeps him as a starter, Pittsburgh could actually find ways to highlight Fields even more as a runner. By consistently utilizing the Fields package, the Steelers would make game-planning against them more difficult.”

What Dianna Hears: What will the Jets do with Mike Williams?

Davante Adams is in action for the Jets. Now Mike Williams could be on his way out. The Jets are acquiring the experienced wide receiver.

Williams was the subject of criticism from Aaron Rodgers following Monday night's loss to the Buffalo Bills – Rodgers said Williams was in the wrong place during a late-game interception. With Adams now on the roster, Williams should be fourth in the Jets' receiver pecking order, behind Adams, Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.

The Chargers, Steelers and Saints are among a number of teams reaching out to the Jets about WR Mike Williams, according to sources.

🎧 The latest from the “Scoop City Podcast” on YouTube: Mike Silver joins in to discuss the background to the Adams trade (after three minutes).

Back to you, Jacob.

Behind the scenes: Manning, Manning and…Belichick

While watching “ManningCast” on Monday, I couldn't help but laugh as notorious grudge-holder Bill Belichick responded to Peyton Manning's comment that it was too early for the Jets to release Robert Saleh:

“It was similar with the Jets – they have barely won over 30 percent in the last 10 years. The owner is the owner, just ready, shoot, aim,” said Belichick, who later added, “You know what, Peyton, I’m not a big Jets fan.”

Story: Remember, Belichick joined the Bill Parcells-led Jets in 1997 as assistant head coach and defensive line coach. When Parcells resigned in 1999, Belichick was expected to replace him. Instead, he made NFL history when he resigned as the Jets' head coach during his welcoming press conference, citing “various uncertainties… (from) the team's new ownership” (yes, that means the Jets' current owner, Woody Johnson).

Today: The media-savvy Belichick is an invaluable part of the perfect viewing experience. It's Year 4 of the ManningCast, with Eli broadcasting from his basement in New Jersey while Peyton films from a friend's garage in Denver.

For a look behind the scenes, The athlete's Zak Keefer and Dan Duggan spent a week with the “ManningCast” when Belichick came from Philadelphia (“The place of unbrotherly love,” he said. “I mentioned that I was on the 'ManningCast' and got booed.” ). The full story is worth your time, but we have limited space here. Two notes:

• In 2020, Peyton founded Omaha Productions with Jamie Horowitz. After years of turning down analyst jobs, Horowitz asked if Peyton would be interested in calling games from home without traveling, perhaps even with his brother. Peyton was there and easily sold Eli: “It’s like we’re watching a game on our couch.”
• The morning after each broadcast, the Omaha team meets to review its performance. As was the case during their playing days, both quarterbacks are rated with the following grade: “You never want to stop coaching, right?” says Peyton.

The coaching is working: ESPN recently signed Omaha to a nine-year extension through 2034. The backstory is incredible.

Around the NFL

Before Saquon Barkley As Eagle returns to New York, Giants fans shared their thoughts: “I will not forgive the Giants executives for giving (Daniel) Jones a big contract before Barkley.”

The 49ers select WR in the first round Ricky Pearsall recently returned to training after being shot just six and a half weeks ago. Although he was unable to fully raise his right arm earlier this week, Pearsall should return soon. “He’s built different, man,” George Kittle said. Mike Silver has more.

Bears OC Shane Waldron helped boost the Bears' offense. During an interview with The athleteWaldron shared, “The biggest lesson…is just not missing any steps, whether it's a rookie quarterback or a veteran quarterback, it still comes back to great fundamentals.”

The packer signed K Brandon McManus, who was charged with sexual assault this summer. McManus called the lawsuit “settled.”

Most clicked yesterday: The athleteIn the QB Stock Report, Drake Maye debuted at number 23, ahead of Bo Nix, Daniel Jones and Andy Dalton.

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(Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)