Mike Sando

United States

28th season covering NFL. The Athletic + HOF selector, PFWA board, AP Awards Voter, QB Tiers, Pick Six column. Alum: ESPN, TNT, S-R, Football GM Podcast .

Articles

My favorite offseason move by every NFL team

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

With nearly all major NFL offseason moves complete, save for whatever happens with Aaron Rodgers and possibly Kirk Cousins, it's a good time to single out a favorite move for each team. From Arizona to Washington, we have every team covered. Adding Josh Sweat in free agency addressed Arizona's massive need for proven pass-rush help. Sweat's 43 sacks for Philadelphia since 2019 dwarf the totals for any Cardinal over that span.
Giants, Bears get high marks

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

With the 2025 NFL Draft complete, we engaged team executives for thoughts on NFC teams' classes. (The AFC report published Thursday.)The Chicago Bears, unofficial offseason champs more than once in recent years, could be pushing for another mythical crown. The New York Giants, offseason chumps a year ago after their "Hard Knocks" experience, earned rival execs' praise for their work in this draft. They were not alone.
Execs unfiltered thoughts on NFL Draft for every AFC team: Did the Browns get it right?

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Mike Sando

Now that NFL teams have had a few days to process the 2025 draft, it’s a great time to check in with league executives for perspectives on the most compelling decisions.The Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars were two of the most intriguing teams, so we’ll start with a run through the AFC, hitting every team in the conference here.
Did the Browns get it right?

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

Now that NFL teams have had a few days to process the 2025 draft, it's a great time to check in with league executives for perspectives on the most compelling decisions. The Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars were two of the most intriguing teams, so we'll start with a run through the AFC, hitting every team in the conference here. We'll save the NFC for Friday.
What's the Giants' QB plan? Thoughts on all NFC teams

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

It's time to check in with NFL executives for thoughts on the biggest and most interesting moves NFC teams made - or have not yet made - in free agency. The once-sleepy Chicago Bears might have won the offseason, drawing positive reviews. The Minnesota Vikings remain the most intriguing team as ownership tries to downplay uncertainty over the general manager's future.
Did the Bengals get it right? Thoughts on all AFC teams

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

The Aaron Rodgers saga remains unresolved, but with most of NFL free agency complete, the time is right to check in with team executives for thoughts on all that has (and has not) unfolded. We begin with AFC teams today, followed by NFC teams on Thursday. AFC North teams take center stage, with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers still without clear starting quarterbacks, and the Cincinnati Bengals opening their wallets (but possibly missing an opportunity).
Could the Browns be tanking for Arch Manning? NFL execs debate

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

The Cleveland Browns' new deal for Myles Garrett reset the market for pass rushers while upping the price Cincinnati paid for Ja'Marr Chase after the Bengals promised to make their receiver the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. Giant as that move was, execs around the league remain most interested in what Cleveland has planned at quarterback. "It's such a weak quarterback draft and free-agency class at the position," one exec said.
Sam Darnold is the NFL's latest rags-to-riches QB. Can he sustain it? Who could be next?

Mar 18, 2025 | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold revived their NFL careers against expectations, offering hope for teams seeking quarterback stability. Will Darnold hold his new trajectory? Can Justin Fields and Daniel Jones join Smith, Mayfield and Darnold as recent success stories after signing with new teams this offseason? What about Mac Jones, who suddenly finds himself where Darnold was not long ago, working with Kyle Shanahan as a San Francisco 49ers backup?
Shedeur Sanders' shifting stock, and a mystery third QB

Mar 5, 2025 | nytimes.com | Mike Sando

After the scouting combine one year ago, NFL executives correctly predicted the first three choices in the 2024 draft: Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears, Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders and Drake Maye to the New England Patriots. They got the fifth and ninth picks correct as well: Joe Alt to the Los Angeles Chargers and Rome Odunze to the Bears, respectively. The batting average could be lower in 2025, with the potential for some outright whiffs.
Inside the coaching youth revolution that reshaped the NFL

Feb 26, 2025 | nytimes.com | Mike Sando |Ryan Best