Did ya’ll watch Hard Knocks this year? Excuse me.

This year, the New York Giants have been the subject of relentless ridicule and viral memes all year. For good reason, folks! It seems they made an all-time idiotic move in choosing to pay Daniel Jones instead of Saquon Barkley. They disrespected a franchise legend to save a few dollars, then still couldn’t holler at the playoffs (6-11 season). They conducted poor business, aggravating a good-natured player to the point where he felt justified in saying something like this on camera. He was still a good soldier, putting his faith in the front office and playing nice for his team. Barkley signed the franchise tag and played for New York two years ago.

You see, they bought into the league-wide trend that running backs are mostly replaceable and not great as high-value investments past their rookie contracts. The downfall of the running back position has been well documented. The ironic thing is that the Giants had one of the very few specimens in the league capable of challenging this idea. An additional ironic thing is, they paid a quarterback that not many would’ve said they had blind faith in… he looked to be leaning closer to ‘bust’ status than ‘superstar’ status. Big Blue decision-makers just didn’t have the gumption to get rid of a passer and face Big Apple public criticism… they had to show people he was the problem.

The leadership team for the New York Football Giants convinced ownership that removing Saquon from the equation would finally make a true evaluation on Daniel Jones possible. We honestly saw that dynamic play out in Philly as well… people were criticizing Jalen Hurts all year for not having passing production. You don’t have to if you have the dynamo that is Barkley in your backfield! He powers the offense all by himself, easing the QB’s job tremendously. GM, Joe Schoen even made a comment about how their investment at QB necessitated the reallocation of resources to support the signal caller. This has to be what happened, right? Otherwise, the public embarrassment from such an epically poor business decision would surely get the acting party fired on sight!

I can’t argue with the logic behind the idea, since I would’ve agreed that Daniel Jones did not look like a difference-maker, but you shafted one of your all-time greats. Execution was putrid my guys. And to top it all the way off, you did it while finally getting your 15 minutes of fame on Hard Knocks and ended up looking like fools in front of a national audience. The optics are bad for New York… the owner said he couldn’t sleep at night if S.B. Went to the Eagles, and that’s exactly what happened. Not only that, Philly looked rejuvenated, snagging the #2 seed in the NFC playoff picture and riding a deep playoff run all the way to a Super Bowl title.

I mean, can you think of a worse display of aptitude at the job of general manager of an NFL team? We could all see, plain as day, that Joe Schoen got taken for a ride and looked behind the NFL curve. Saquon tore it up, resetting vibe around the league (along with Derick Henry) of how valuable a bell cow back can be to an offense. Barkley was running roughshod over the league until KC made a concerted effort to shut him down at all costs on the game’s biggest stage. What happened then? Hurts reminded everyone that he is in fact not Daniel Jones, taking the reins of the offense back and delivering a Super Bowl MVP performance.

How embarrassing to see your franchise icon go to a rival, post a video about how his daughter knows he’s going to win now, and then see that come to fruition in the ultimate form of a Lombardi trophy… GM’s have been fired for much, much less (Jon Robinson after he traded away A.J. Brown, anyone?).

Somehow Giants brass did not get fired after this entire mess! But how? HOW SWAY?!

The only way this is really going down, is if they framed the removal of Barkley as a tool and a path to true change of a stagnant offense. It was their way of being able to get rid of Daniel Jones with no backlash. The only way it makes sense now, is if they go and get their franchise QB. John Mara is allowing the string to play out because he believes in Brian Daboll as a coach and believes in the vision (or believes in allowing the vision to play out) the way that Daboll and Schoen laid out. The plan heavily involves young bucks like Malik Nabers, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Wan’Dale Robinson.

(Book)Mark my words: The New York Giants will draft a quarterback! Bet that, even if they sign A-A-Ron. (editors note: I originally said that they’d trade UP to get one… but the return of Myles Garrett to Cleveland, Kirk Cousins visiting Ohio and NY signing two vet QB’s changes things. They still have all of the leverage and motivation to take one somewhere early, though). That was the plan (Plan B, if they could not become a contender around Danny Dimes) two years ago. Will it work? Beats the hell out of me! One thing is for certain: you don’t do everything you did just to play around and rely on maybe Sam Darnold in free agency…

How does it feel when you prove someone wrong who doubted you? How about when some bozo doesn’t take your advice, and you were proved right?! Do you gloat a little when you see an ex has a little misfortune or finds someone who can’t measure up to you…

Are you Mr. Highroad? Please, I know you’ve felt satisfaction in seeing a showboating athlete get dominated. C’mon, swing that leg down from the high horse bud. One of the great poets of our generation once said, “revenge is like the sweetest joy, next to getting cookies!” (or something like that from Mr. Shakur).

Maybe you’re one of those that is cringing at the above level of pettiness… please, spare us all don’t act like you don’t think a little thing called KARMA makes the world a better and more fair place!

We know you like it revel in it for a hot second. Let the tiniest of smirks slowly creep across your lips for three beats. Apparently, some of you agree.

The matchups below are no mere “player faces his former team”… OHHH NO!! We need better than that. MUCH better.

The Harbaugh Bowl doesn’t cut it. That’s going to be a brotherly love fest. Rams against Lions will not make this list. Stafford and Detroit have respect for each other. I can’t say the same for Goff, but it doesn’t scratch that itch quite enough.

Even after some of these players get paid a king’s ransom, a few will be driven by the powerful thirst for revenge.

These games are the ones packed with the most acrimony, and each figure will have malice in their hearts when they get a chance to enact some long-awaited vengeance on gameday.

Remember Baltimore Steve Smith Sr. promising blood and guts, then eviscerating the team that gave up on him, in the Panthers? One of the most dramatic revenge games I’ve ever seen was Seattle and the 12’s vs. Broncos QB, Russell Wilson. The DJ was playing an all-Future playlist before the game all to get in the head of a player that forced his way out, complaining about teammates, head coach, general manager, and trying to get the latter two fired.

There were many candidates for this list… but as I said, only the most toxic will do

10. Bears, D’Andre Swift @ Lions, David Montgomery (Week 13) – This man Swift chose Chicago so he could tear the Lions a NEW ONE for not letting him join the Detroit ascent, after all he sacrificed! Let’s not forget that Montgomery always looks angry, and his successor in Chicago (Khalil Herbert) has not lived up to his contributions. These two are in position to deliver some literal body blows to their former employers.

9. Texans vs. Titans (Week 12) – The Titans sure riled up the division rival Texans last year by wearing the Oilers throwbacks. Controversial because Tennessee owns the rights to the Houston throwbacks due to the move. (That’s terrible. I’m so relieved that Seattle retained the rights to the Sonics’ team colors, logo and history). You think owner, Cal McNair is just itching to use the new baby blue accent jerseys against Amy Adams Strunk’s team?

8. 49ers, K.J. Wright @ Seahawks (Week 6) – Our beloved legend, Kenneth Bernard Wright Jr. accepted a job with the hated Niners when the Seahawks declined to hire him. He said, this isn’t some revenge thing… yes, it is K.J. we can see right through the high-road talk so go on and try to prove what you need to prove big fella. May the Niners do terribly as a team (so Seattle can avenge a season sweep last year), but Wright’s coaching job allow him to get hired in a few years as a coach for SEATTLE (where he belongs).

7. Seahawks, Geno Smith / Leonard Williams / Tariq Woolen vs. Jets, D.J. Reed / Sauce Gardner (Week 13) – Geno and Williams both face former teams that got rid of them, while D.J. Reed is in the very same position on the other side. He absolutely is out to prove something against the Seahawks each and every time out. Meanwhile, the real battle may be centered around the ongoing debate about if Riq the Freak should’ve won DROY over Sauce after the 2022 season. There’s probably also still a little residual hate for the Hawks in the heart of Aaron Rodgers, marinating from his epic battles with the L.O.B. when he was with the Packers.

6. Chiefs, Hollywood Brown vs. Ravens (Week 1) – The very first game of the season is going to hit like processed sugar at an 8-year old’s birthday party. Baltimore was having a magical season, with DC, Mike Macdonald leading the top defense in the league, and Lamar tearing it up on offense to win a 2nd MVP title. The Chiefs knocked them off in an upset in the AFC ‘ship, and Kansas City went on to win the title that matters most: a Lombardi trophy Brown is happy about his escape from Baltimore, but the Ravens now have a Derrick Henry.

5. Chiefs @ 49ers (Week 7) – The team in Santa Clara lost two Super Bowls in four years to the same team… Youch! This includes the first ever Super Bowl to go to OT, just 3 months ago! Talk about heartbreak. This is a new season, and a chance to get up off the mat and exorcise some demons.

4. Lions @ 49ers (Week 17) – The Lions get to face the team that killed the wave of feverish, boundless optimism in Detroit. It was a bitter defeat at the hands of the 49ers after Detroit took a 24-7 lead in an NFC Championship game that had them dreaming of the Super Bowl (a place no Lions has ever been). You should’ve heard the crowd at the draft whenever any Niner stepped to the mic Yeah there’s some scorn in there.

3. Texans, Stefon Diggs @ Vikings (Week 3), vs. Bills (Week 5) – Here’s a 2-for-1 deal for ya’ll! Diggs may have had falling outs with two teams in his career, being traded twice despite his incredible talents. He may still have feelings about Minnesota, but his most recent exit from Buffalo might still be hurting. Look for him to come out with some competitive fire.

2. Eagles, Saquon Barkley @ Giants (Week 7) – Barkley heads back to Pennsylvania by joining a division rival, and everyone (including Tiki Barber) had something to say about it. It all felt a little personal, especially after the Giants repeatedly refused to pay him, choosing instead to pay one Daniel Jones. Saquon’s daughter dealt the most crushing blow, by saying, “Daddy, does this mean we are gonna win now?” HOO BOY, this is gonna get New York fans’ (assuredly the most reasonable fan base… right?) blood boiling.

1. Steelers, Russell Wilson @ Broncos (Week 2) – Now THIS is what we’re talking about people! Denver is deciding to pay Wilson $85M to not play for them, after trading the aforementioned king’s ransom, then subsequently casting him aside like trash. You know Russell will be motivated to show that he isn’t washed, and most of all to save his legacy. Sean Payton embarrassed and wrested control of the organization from RW3. This will be a fascinating game, and possibly one of the most memorable of the season.

Honorable Mention:
Vikings, Dallas Turner & J.J. McCarthy vs. Falcons, Cousins (Week 14) – Look, these are rookies, so they may not have a whole lot of spite in their hearts yet. But how about a chip on the shoulder? Turner was widely being mocked as the pass rusher (and defender, in general) off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft… but he watched as a record, 14 consecutive offensive players were selected. Then a different dude was taken by the Colts at 15. McCarthy may have something to prove for all who doubted him, desiring to get in on the action against a team who surprisingly took Michael Penix Jr. at QB. Of course, Captain Kirk will be motivated to show the Vikings that they should’ve given him a deal that would’ve kept him in purple.

Taking time to examine his new contract: it is for ~$1.2M, which will (barring injury) make him almost automatically one of the best values for a quarterback contract in the league. This is a low-risk gamble by general manager, Omar Khan and head coach, Mike Tomlin. What’s even more interesting is, look at where Wilson chose to go…

Russ could’ve gone to Atlanta, with an offensive coaching staff that comes from McVay’s innovative Rams attack. They’ll throw the ball a bit to ease everyone’s concerns about leveraging Drake London and Kyle Pitts. He could’ve held out for the Minnesota job, where talented names such as Hockenson, Jefferson and Addison reside.

Wilson could’ve even hitched on with the New York Giants who may draft a top WR after taking a WR in the top-3 rounds each of the last two years. They also have an up-and-coming offensive coordinator in Mike Kafka, who added assistant head coach to his title and may look to convert to a more pass-centric attack after losing Saquon Barkley. How about Las Vegas, where he could’ve gotten revenge on the Broncos while throwing to Davante Adams, Tre Tucker and mayyybe B.A.

It’s telling that RW3 chose (in some sense of the word) Pittsburgh. Tough and gritty, blue-collar Pittsburgh (Yes, THAT one Kyle Brandt! I think he fits better in Pittsburgh than in Denver). Those boys stay with a tough defense and a physical run game as their calling cards.

Those descriptions sound eerily similar to Seattle under Pete Carroll?? *except the PNW has whitened its collars with the waves of tech bros*.

Russell Wilson was a game manager early in his career, then reached a point where he came into his own as a downfield passer, captured a celebrity girlfriend who became his wife, was getting yearly MVP hype and was seen as an underappreciated player who he carried the Hawks on his back at times after the Legion of Boom. Did he reach a point where he felt that he outgrew Seattle’s old school, ball control ways under Pete Carroll?

Apparently, he wanted Pete and John fired, and for offensive guru, Sean Payton to be installed in Seattle. Wilson believed Seattle should be more aggressive in throwing the ball more (I can’t find the quote at the moment but leave a comment if you can track it down), and even convinced Greg Olson (who I have mild distain for) of that too.

NOW HE’S GOING BACK to a defensive head coach who likes to run the ball!! His offensive coordinator will be Arthur Smith: he who gained fame off of an offense featuring Derrick Henry as its cornerstone in Tennessee, then drafted Bijan Robinson to join a previous 1K-yard rushing rookie (Tyler Allgeier) in Atlanta.

The Steelers will be running the HELL outta that rock! Looks like Wilson has humbled himself after being cut for possibly the first time in his life? He took the veteran minimum salary (even though he’s still swimming in money like Scrooge McDuck).

It will be fascinating to see if his once perhaps Hall-of-Fame-worthy trajectory can get back on track with a formula that helped him dazzle in the first place. This move gives the vibe that Wilson was (understandably) humbled by his experience in Denver and will do whatever it takes to bounce back.

I don’t like the Steelers as a team, but I do respect Tomlin and the organization. Do you know that Wilson was the most sacked QB in the NFL over the last two years in Denver?!

Pittsburgh has a shot to take a bookend offensive tackle (Amarius Mims anyone?) on the other side of Broderick Jones in this year’s draft to insulate Russ. George Pickens is also an elite deep threat (league-high 18.1 yards per catch)… DangeRuss’ specialty. The Steelers were a playoff team last year, and they feel this move could help them improve after ranking 28th in scoring offense last year.

Now that Russell Wilson is no longer in Denver, learning that the grass is not always greener, I find myself rooting for him again. Seattle got the bag from the Broncos, now I can stop maniacally cheering on their downfall. That’s how it shakes, right?

Wilson is a Seattle legend who had an acrimonious exit… but I’d like to see him turn the end of his career back around and make us proud. He did finish with the 7th-highest QB Rating in the league through week 17 (I threw out week 18, since handfuls of starters rested for the playoffs), so there is hope of the presence of gas left in his tank.

I’m also all for the levels of pettiness and now want to see Russell Wilson stick one up (figuratively… I guess) in the general direction of Sean Payton. Love that the Broncos will be paying Mr. Unlimited $38M to play for a different team.

To answer your next question: NO, incumbent QB, Kenny Pickett is not winning the starting job over a 9x Pro Bowler. My man couldn’t even beat out Mason Rudolph! K.P. has thrown for multiple TDs in a game ONCE in 2 years.

Of course, you can always harbor a grudge and root against Russ. That’s part of what makes sports so great.

Have playoff hopeful teams seen enough to reach out and make a bold move to improve their fortunes? These 4 need to seriously consider bringing in reinforcements to accomplish their goals (which are slightly different for each).

Philadelphia Eagles – OG. You’re in a putrid division that is the laughing stock of the league, and could incite change to how divisions and playoffs are set up if a team like the Cardinals doesn’t get in because of you. Despite the offensive line being in shambles, Wentz is the best QB in the division. Its not enough to just win the AFC East division though. You have to look to greatly improve before you get there, or that accomplishment will mean nothing. You’d almost rather be the Giants (with a similar record) and get a much higher draft pick if you’re just going to go and get ran in the first round. Trade for a solid guard to help your line. Lane Johnson returned, Jason Peters is coming back, and Jordan Mailata has been a pleasant surprise as a fill-in for all of the injuries. You make a move at guard and all of a sudden the O-line issues could be heavily mitigated in the next few weeks! Brandon Brooks even has a shot to get back in the playoffs, so this could help you really unlock all of those skill position players. Kevin Zeitler may be available for the taking from a lowly Giants roster. If not from a division rival, then you need to find someone who allows Carson to get back to his MVP-caliber ways.

Seattle Seahawks – DE. What a gut-punch of a loss in Arizona. The NFC West always play each other tight, and the Hawks ALWAYS take things down to the wire. You need a marquee pass rusher. The experiments are over. I wanted to trust in Pete Carroll on those. After seeing Kyler drop back 50 times without getting sacked or even hit, its clear that Shaquem Griffin, Benson Mayowa, Bruce Irvin, Alton Robinson, Damontre Moore, Jonathon Bullard, Shaqeem Green, LJ Collier are all solid rotational players, but none of them have put QB’s on notice. See if you can go and get Ryan Kerrigan for cheap. We have legit championship aspirations, and we need to help our entire defense by putting heat on an opponents passing game or we aren’t getting the job done. Period. Don’t waste Russ’ home-cooking.

New England Patriots – WR. The Bills are comfortable and think they have the division within their grasps. Bill… Tom Brady thinks he can make a fool out of you and your system by dominating without you and laughing at the lack of weaponry that Cam Newton has to work with. Go and get Julio Jones or Amari Cooper. Get back on track. The Falcons are looking at a full rebuild, could use assets, and the 31 year old Jones may be expendable with Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage stepping up. With respect to the twilight of Steve Smith’s career, Julio would be far and away the most dominant receiver Cam would have ever played ball with. This all assumes that the Patriots aren’t fulling willing to embrace ‘Tanking for Trey‘.

Tenessee Titans – Slot WR. You need to get space from the Colts, but more importantly, you need to make sure that you can compete with the Steelers, Ravens and Chiefs. You have your deep threats in A.J. Brown and Corey Davis. You have a very good TE in Jonnu Smith. You can get Jamison Crowder to be an upgrade in the slot to keep your offense on schedule when you can’t go deep. He has been shining in the mud for the New York Jets this season. Derrick Henry will also open things up further for Crowder.

*Update* – Three out of these 4 teams did end up making deadline trades… they weren’t my exact reccos, but the Seahawks (Carlos Dunlap), Patriots (Isaiah Ford), and Titans (Desmond King) all made moves to get better down the stretch. When the Eagles get dominated in the wild card round of the playoffs, I’m going to write an article to embarrass them. It’s done.