OverDrive - Tannenbaum on the NFL cut-down day, Sanders' search for a statement and Parsons' ongoing saga

Episode Date: August 26, 2025

ESPN NFL Front Office Insider Mike Tannenbaum joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NFL cut-downs in the league, Shedeur Sanders' possibility with the Browns, Micah Parsons' future in Dallas, Arch Manning's tenure with Texas, the Bills' expectations in the AFC and more.

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Hi, I'm Nellie Furtado. Made in Canada, the station that champions Canadian music. Loud, crowd, and all yours. No passports required, just press play. Tap into Made in Canada now on iHeartRadio.ca. or the free IHeart Radio app. An executive in the NFL joins us now. Here he is from ESPN, NFL front office insider Mike Tanabom.

What's happening, Mike? Good afternoon, gentlemen. Hey, how you doing? You're getting flashbacks? Like, how difficult was this day as a GM to have to basically just kill dreams and make that decision and cut guys? I mean, it's got to be incredibly emotional to go through that. Yeah, by far the worst day of the year.

You know, it's a privilege to run an NFL team. I was fortunate to do it for a while, but without question, the worst day of the year is today. And, you know, typically you would tell the players, you know, the same thing, which is like, look, you know, we could be wrong. You know, maybe we were making a mistake and, you know, continue to pursue your dream. You never know. And hopefully it works out someplace else. Well, last night, the news came out. Kenny Pickett traded from Cleveland, which means they're going to have Joe Flacco as their starter,

who is the definition of a vet with Dylan Gabriel. and Shadour Sanders as the two and three quarterbacks down there. Do you see Flacco playing every game this year? And if so, or if not, like, how does it work with Gabriel and Sanders? And how loud do you think that story is going to continue to be? Yeah, you know, it's remarkable, guys. Like, if we went back to, you know, the start of training camp in mid-July, you know, the only quarterback to stay healthy was the 40-year-old Joe Flacco.

So what's really remarkable, Kenny Pickett gets hurt. eventually he gets traded to the Raiders and Shador Sanders hurts his oblique and Dylan Gabriel hurt his hamstrings so if you said to me do I think he'll play in all 17 games my answer would be no but if we were on in mid-July guys and you said that

three of the four quarterbacks got hurt I would say oh one of them would have to be Joe Flacco so you know crazier things have happened we were talking in the previous segment about Arch Manning and you know what this year kind of entails for him and maybe he doesn't come out college right away. How do you see this season going for him? And is there maybe an NFL team that's near the bottom of the standings or you predict is going to be near the bottom of

the standings that you think, well, that could be the spot where he goes, where he considers coming out ahead of time? Yeah, you know, first of all, I'd be surprised if he came out just from a standpoint of, by all counts, he's really happy at Texas. You know, in this NIL era guys, like it's, you know, one of these things where, you know, players are getting paid way more than they have in the past. So, you know, I think the one story that everyone's kind of monitoring is, like, well, what happens if it happens with the Saints? You know, so he went to Newman High School in New Orleans.

Obviously, his grandfather was a legend for the Saints. His uncles are from New Orleans. So I don't think he'll come out, but if he did, to me, that would be the scenario. Yeah, that would be something, man, because we were discussing that. Like, do you want to kind of write your own passage and find your own spot? or like they just they're royalty in New Orleans man and I it sure seems like it

Mike that the Saints are going to be in contention for him aren't they like they look like they're going to be terrible this year I think they have pretty good skill players Rashid Chee Heath if he's healthy Chris Olive Alvin Camara Offensive line I think is better than people realize so you know I think it's about

you know the health of their skill players and look they're in a tough division because I think Tampa Bay is really good so we'll see you know there's always a surprise in the NFL as we know. Absolutely. Mike Tannenbaum and VSP. Where do you stand on the Buffalo Bills

and the idea that this could possibly be the year where they break through? If that happens, you know, how does it play out? Why would that happen? Why would this be the year? Could be the year for the bills? Look, they're hard to beat. Coach Belichick, who had the pros of working for,

always talked about in football, oftentimes your opponent will lose the game before you have to win it. And I think, you know, the way the bills play, They don't turn it over. They don't get sacked. They have arguably the best quarterback outside of Patrick Mahomes. So I think it starts with that.

I think they're really well coached by Sean McDermick. And then you look at, you know, is it going to be Dalton King King, is it Keon Coleman that steps up? Khalil Shakir is obviously a very good slot player. So I think there's enough skill there. Maybe not the most explosive group in the world, but I think they're going to be really hard to beat. Now that we're getting closer to the season, are you supposed to be? surprised that Micah Parsons still doesn't have a deal? And is there any, I don't know, is there any take on how this situation could play out, should play out? Do you think he's

back? Like, I don't know. How do you make sense of what's happening in Dallas? Yeah, no, it's a great question. Look, I thought Perry McAarron and Trey Hendrickson were harder to get done given their ages. You know, you look at someone like, Michael Parsons, who's 26, 52 sacks, it's a no-brainer, like, you know, in the system, guys, you hope to hit on somebody like, you know, Michael Parsons. So a little surprise that it hasn't happened, but, you know, there's a little bit more time before opening day. Yeah, well, I mean, not for them compared to the other teams in the league because they're in Philly in nine days or whatever it is. That's right.

You know, it happens quick. They're opening night, man. And, I mean, what is, let's say Parsons signs tonight. what is your projection of what the Cowboys are going to be this year? You know, I think maybe the third best team you know, that McClorin's back in Washington, guys.

I'm very, very bullish on the commanders. I don't know how much Von Miller has left, but maybe it's 15 sacks a game. It snaps a game in terms of, like, helping in the fourth quarter. But I think Trey Amos is a good second-round pick. I think Javon Kinlo is going to help. And, you know, now on the offensive side

with, you know, Jane Daniels getting sacked 47 times last year. They had a tonsil. They drafted Josh Connolly in the first round. I think they're going to be very good. All right, we'll leave it there. Enjoy the opening of the season. Thank you, Mike. All right, thanks so much for having guys.

Really appreciate it. You got it. Mike Tanenbaum of ESPN. Seasoned gamer or just video game curious, this week in gaming is the podcast for you. We break down the latest in the world of video games, from basics to beyond. The hottest gaming news, insight,

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