The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL The TAFS mailbag is back!
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Feb 16, 2026 The team answers offseason mailbag questions about which struggling squads could pull off sudden turnarounds. They debate which clubs are ready for big-nickel packages and which additions matter most. Tactical talk covers how to attack Mike Macdonald’s scheme and mistakes teams copy from the Seahawks. They also explain prep routines, coaching hires that could lift units, and scheme-driven offensive fixes.
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Titans Offer Best One-Year Upside
- The Titans are the most plausible one-year turnaround due to draft capital, cap space, and a young quarterback with upside.
- Robert Mays cautions he still gives them a 0% chance to make the playoffs next year despite the upside.
Big Nickel Is Useful But Not Universal
- The 'big nickel' player narrative is overplayed; a few teams could benefit but the position isn't universally transformative.
- Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen highlight Panthers and Giants as plausible fits for versatile nickel safeties.
Elite QBs Cut Variables, Yet Alternatives Work
- You can win a Super Bowl without an elite QB by assembling elite defense, a star receiver, and a strong OL, but elite QBs still reduce variance.
- Derrik, Dave, and Robert agree elite quarterbacks remain the clearest path to consistent championship contention.