The Adam Schefter Podcast

Zach Ertz has signed to the Eagles practice squad and will be elevated for Monday night against the Chicago Bears after Dallas Goddard was banged up and will miss time. Ertz needs 11 more catches to break Harold Carmichael's Eagles all-time reception record; the source believes he can reach that milestone during his stint while Goddard recovers, potentially going down in franchise history. Jalen Hurts likes throwing to tight ends, making this a realistic goal.

Darren Waller is serving as a safety blanket for Bryce Young in Carolina; he's part of the Panthers' resurgent offense and represents one of several resurgent tight ends making comebacks this season.

Jalen Coker is getting it done on the outside for the Panthers as part of Bryce Young's impressive offensive weapons; he's contributing to the Panthers' dangerous offensive attack through two weeks.

Jonathan Brooks has a groin injury and will miss some time, opening opportunities for other Panthers running backs in the backfield alongside Truba Hubbard.

Bryce Young has been one of the best quarterbacks in the game through two weeks, with the Panthers offense looking dangerous under new offensive coordinator Brad Idzik's play-calling. Young is making it go with weapons like Truba Hubbard in the backfield and receivers Tett McMillan and Jalen Coker on the outside; the source notes he's been wildly impressive and worthy of compliments after a difficult start to his career marked by constant coaching changes.

The Raiders have been winning without arguably their best player Brock Bowers, who is dealing with an injury; offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak indicated Bowers has a good chance to return this week but the team is being cautious to ensure he's fully healthy. When Bowers returns—whether this week or next—the offense will improve significantly and aid Kirk Cousins, making the Raiders an even more formidable team than they've been through two weeks.

The Raiders' number one overall pick is getting valuable bench time as Kirk Cousins' wins keep him sidelined; this allows Mendoza to develop without being rushed into NFL defenses before the organization feels he's ready, avoiding the fate of other quarterbacks ruined by premature entry into the league.

Kirk Cousins has been more than adequate in Las Vegas after struggling in Atlanta; with time to throw in Clint Kubiak's offense and an improved offensive line anchored by center Tyler Linderbaum, Cousins is a very capable, very good quarterback. Every win he records buys more time on the bench for number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza, allowing the Raiders to develop him without rushing him into NFL defenses before he's ready.

Mendoza, the Raiders' number one overall pick, is getting more time on the bench as Kirk Cousins wins games; this is good for the long run because the Raiders don't have to rush him along or subject him to NFL defenses before they feel he's been prepped properly, avoiding the risk of ruining him early like other quarterbacks have been ruined by entering the league before they were ready.

Cousins wasn't good enough in Atlanta but is more than adequate in Las Vegas; he is playing well and is a veteran quarterback who is a steadying presence; every time he wins, he buys himself more time and buys the Raiders' number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza more time on the bench, which is good for the long run.

Thornton is expected to be able to make plays for the Chiefs, though the wide receivers are not making huge threats overall.

Rice is still loved by the Chiefs organization; while the wide receivers are not making huge threats, the Chiefs still think Rice and guys like Tyquan Thornton can make plays.

Kelce looks like the Travis Kelce from four years ago—faster in the open field and more elusive; marriage appears to agree with him; he is part of the Chiefs' three-headed monster with Mahomes and Kenneth Walker that makes them look like the real deal.

Mahomes is 8-0 in overtime in the regular season and has the best record of any quarterback in history in overtime games; he has clutch through his genes and blood; he looks amazing coming off an ACL-LCL injury nine-plus months later; with a running game, wide receivers, and his clutch gene, the Chiefs look like the real deal and are expected to be back in the postseason and one of the favorites, with the source not being surprised if they are the number one seed or in the AFC Championship or Super Bowl.

Johnson runs hard and is shifty; the Chiefs plan to get him more involved going forward to take some of the load away from Kenneth Walker and ensure long-term production of both running backs over the course of the season.

Pacheco is being used heavily and featured heavily in the first two weeks; the Chiefs want to get Emmitt Johnson more involved to take some of the load away from Pacheco for long-term production of both players over the course of the season.

Walker looks better than anybody could have imagined and is running his way into the offensive player of the year conversation; he has changed the Chiefs offense and is the first elite running back Patrick Mahomes has had in Kansas City; he has broken an approaching NFL record number of tackles over the first two weeks.

McCarthy is on the bench in Minnesota as the number two or three quarterback, depending on the week, representing a significant fall from preseason expectations for the 2024 QB class.

Nix bounced back after an earlier rough stretch, showing improvement and resilience in the 2024 QB class.

Penix is returning from a significant knee injury and will play Thursday night in Green Bay; this is described as his last chance in Atlanta—if he doesn't prove himself this year, he will not be the Falcons' starting quarterback and may be relegated to bouncing between teams as a backup.

Maye has had a bumpy start and hasn't looked right; he hasn't looked like the number two MVP candidate he was last year, though the source notes he had a similar bumpy start last year before finding his groove midway through the season and played two really tough defenses to start this year.

Daniels suffered a hyperextended and dislocated left elbow, the same injury he battled last year; he could wind up on injured reserve, and this injury was a preseason concern given his perceived frailty, raising questions about his durability.

Williams is banged up and week-to-week; he will not practice this week and is unlikely to play Monday, though an improbable comeback is possible; the injury is not an Achilles, and he is not expected to miss the entire season, but the timing is unfortunate for the Bears.

Winston was thrust into action unexpectedly against the Rams and looked terrible; he appeared uncomfortable, not ready, and in shock at having to enter the game early, though the source hopes he will perform better against the Titans.

Nacua did not play in the Rams' Week 2 win over the Giants; there is a possibility he could return for Week 3.

Saquon Barkley is noted as the running back for the Giants during their last road Monday night football victory in 2018.

Eli Manning is referenced as the last Giants quarterback to win a road Monday night football game, dating back to 2018.

The source mentions Kenneth Walker in the context of the Chiefs' offensive identity, suggesting his presence contributes to the team's performance level.

The source questions how long the leash is for Davis Webb as the new play caller for the Broncos, noting it may take several weeks for the offense to find a groove.

Baker Mayfield is a recommended streaming quarterback for fantasy leagues this week due to the personal nature of his revenge game against the Browns, which should motivate him to play better than in Week 1.

Caleb Williams looked great with his arm and showed impressive speed and mobility with his legs in his debut, validating his status as a generational prospect worthy of the number one overall pick.

Carson Wentz is expected to start for the Vikings if Kyler Murray remains out, providing him another opportunity to prove he can be the guy, or return to a backup role if Murray returns.

Kyler Murray has been limited in practice while in concussion protocol, and it is difficult to imagine him clearing in time for the Sunday game against the Chicago Bears.

Despite recent struggles, Jordan Love played phenomenally for three quarters in Week 1, though he often feels forced into 'hero ball' late in games when the team becomes too conservative.

Jordan Love has struggled significantly against the spread as a road favorite, holding an 0-8 record when favored by at least three points and a 4-10 record overall as a road favorite in his career.

Adam Schefter views Jacoby Brissett as a steady veteran presence and a solid quarterback who helps make the Arizona team better than expected.

Adam Schefter describes Michael Wilson as a 'baller' at the wide receiver position for the Arizona Cardinals.

Adam Schefter praises Tucker Kraft, labeling him as an awesome tight end.

Adam Schefter identifies Colston Loveland as a future great tight end.

Adam Schefter acknowledges Brock Bowers as a high-quality tight end, placing him in the conversation among the best at the position.