PanthersATL

From NFL reporter Matt Lombardo: The Carolina Panthers, at the time of signing, committed the most money in NFL history to a free agent pass rusher, plucking Jaelan Phillips from the Philadelphia Eagles, on a deal that includes $80 million fully guaranteed. Now in Carolina, Phillips is the centerpiece of an ascending defense that produced just 30 sacks while backing into the NFC Playoffs. Only eight edge rushers produced more pressures than Phillips’ 73 last season, which included 57 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, which makes it easy to see why a Panthers organization that is looking to take the next step would pay a major premium at a premium position. In a division as wide open as the NFC South, Phillips and Derrick Brown are as formidable a duo up front as there is, certainly good enough to power a playoff push. https://bsky.app/profile/mattlombardo.bsky.social/post/3mgnnj2hojk27

Per NFL reporter Matt Lombardo, a lot of deals were "made in a steakhouse over the last few weeks" The deals that drop at 12:01 are the ones that were never really in doubt. They’re the marriages that had been quietly arranged for weeks. Meanwhile, the genuinely contested signings, the ones where multiple teams are legitimately competing for the same player, those tend to resolve in the days between tampering and the official start of the new league year on Wednesday. That’s why you see the most coveted players “agreeing to terms” today, and by Wednesday both players and teams are shopping for ideal fits to fill needs and the best opportunities rather than making decisions built largely on securing a market-setting bag. https://bsky.app/profile/mattlombardo.bsky.social/post/3mgn4nawxmc2o

oh look, we get to play Philly on the road this season?

99m is... a lot https://bsky.app/profile/nytimes.com/post/3mgn4673vej2u

Raiders doing Raiders things The Raiders are trading star edge Maxx Crosby to the Ravens (getting two first round picks?!?) https://bsky.app/profile/rapsheet.bsky.social/post/3mggrmqjles2e

Oh, a new edition of Blueprint? Could be fun https://bsky.app/profile/daringantt.bsky.social/post/3mggbblewr22d

Raiders looking to release Geno Smith? Not looking to replace Bryce, but we could use a decent backup vs Andy's recent performances. (Not saying Geno would take a backup role, just thinking out loud) https://bsky.app/profile/rapsheet.bsky.social/post/3mgfp5mdits2e

yes we have played the HoF game before

Analysis/snips from https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2026/03/02/panthers-nflpa-report-card-2026/#google_vignette

based on Cam's recent story on his podcast, it's a free-for-all after the evening room check

Oooof. Falcons fire assistant coach two weeks after hiring him. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/falcons-fire-assistant-dl-coach-latroy-lewis

supposedly, NBC is looking at Tomlin (could be good!) and Rodgers (bleeeech) as replacement

Tony Dungy out at NBC

Supposedly: Panthers "getting calls" about Andy Dalton for a potential trade, per Schefter https://bsky.app/profile/insidenflnews.bsky.social/post/3mfpdiiyibc2f

Zod really needs to add an LOL pie option

Never trust what AI comes back with. This is what AI generated for me on the topic:

a business lesson: nobody ever gets fired for following the plan. That said, if the plan doesn't work, change the plan. Don't go rogue and come up with your own solution. There's a playbook for a reason

Boo for losing Dom in general. But it was time. On the other hand, at what point should one just retire?

Falcons released Kirk Cousins today

Ran across this bit of fun. As seen on https://www.thesportinggent.com/blogs/dispatches/front-porch-musings-field-ethos-journal (a blog for outdoors gear and clothing)

Hellmans gets Carolinas vote for best commercial

Part of the Netflix broadcast offer, im sure

Worst set of referee non-calls ever, considering the season

Feel better about losing to Seattle in the regular season after seeing todays performance