NFL Awards Predictions With Steven Ruiz

Football is finally back, and Kevin Clark kicks off the episode by officially locking in his 2026 NFL predictions with division winners, wild-card teams and his Super Bowl pick. After declaring his offseason picks non-binding, Kevin makes it official: Eagles over Bengals in the Super Bowl. Then Kevin is joined by Falcons star Bijan Robinson to discuss his evolution as a running back, why identifying the “free hitter” has become such an important part of his game, what he learned studying Adrian Peterson, and why a dominant running game can completely change the way a defense plays. Bijan also talks about the Falcons, Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees, his relationship with Matt Ryan, Atlanta's underrated players and his goals for the upcoming season. Former NFL quarterback Trent Green then joins Kevin to discuss quarterback development in the modern NFL, why young quarterbacks are being pushed onto the field faster than ever, and the difficult-to-measure processing skills that separate successful quarterbacks from everyone else. Green also revisits the 2007 Miami Dolphins, the early days of the Greatest Show on Turf, the famous Chiefs-Colts playoff shootout, and his memories of Priest Holmes. Plus, Trent names his ultimate NFL “bada**” and tells an incredible Brian Waters story from his days in Kansas City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daniel Jeremiah joins Kevin Clark to preview the NFL season and share some of his boldest predictions. DJ picks the Philadelphia Eagles to win the Super Bowl, explains why he expects a bounce-back season from C.J. Stroud, and shares his expectations for Cam Ward. He also picks his quarterback for the next 10 years, discusses how much draft information he really knows before draft night, and names some of the most impressive players he’s ever scouted. Plus, a conversation about roster building, Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ underrated depth, preseason overreactions, and what it takes to play with conviction at the NFL level. Check out the ManningCast Heist here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfXJynWRdtU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jourdan Rodrigue joins Kevin Clark to break down how the Rams went from a roster reset to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They dig into the draft classes and team-building decisions that reshaped the roster, why Los Angeles is once again willing to trade premium draft capital for elite players, and what the additions of Myles Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald mean for the defense. Plus, they look at the Rams’ battle with the Seahawks for control of the NFC West, the small margins that could decide the season, and the biggest threats standing in their way, including an Eagles team that has given Los Angeles plenty of problems in recent years. With the Rams entering the season as one of the NFL’s biggest Super Bowl favorites, what could ultimately keep them from finishing the job? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyle Long joins Kevin Clark for a wide-ranging conversation about life in the NFL, starting with an honest discussion about mental health and his own struggles during his playing career. Long talks about how the culture around mental health has changed in NFL locker rooms, the importance of asking for help, and the experience that ultimately taught him he didn't have to deal with everything on his own. They also get into the football side of things, including which former NFL stars could still play today, what Long has learned from covering the league as a media member, the Bears and Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson's offense, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, the NFL's best offensive linemen, and Kyle's choice for the toughest player he ever played with: Danny Trevathan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Steven Ruiz to make their predictions for the 2026 NFL awards. They pick their MVPs, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Rookies of the Year, and Coach of the Year, including bold calls on Dak Prescott, Justin Jefferson, Kyle Hamilton, Abdul Carter, Fernando Mendoza and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Curt Cignetti joins This Is Football after leading Indiana to a national championship to discuss how he stays hungry, builds his program, evaluates quarterbacks and keeps his team focused on the next season. Cignetti also explains why Fernando Mendoza has what it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback, his approach to efficient practices, his coaching journey and why Julio Jones is the most bada** player he's ever been around. Then, Jordan Reid joins Kevin Clark to break down the next wave of NFL quarterbacks. Who are the potential first-round picks? What does Archie Manning need to prove? Can Dante Moore rise to the top? And which quarterbacks could make the biggest jump this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark and Denny Carter break down the biggest storylines emerging from NFL training camp. They discuss the league-wide shift toward playing quarterbacks under center, what Baltimore’s new offense could mean for Lamar Jackson, why Jalen Hurts’ practice interceptions might actually be a good thing, and whether the Eagles are finally unlocking more of his passing game. Plus: Travis Hunter’s role in Jacksonville, Jonah Coleman’s emergence in Denver, Ashton Jeanty’s weight loss and expanded receiving role, Reuben Bain’s massive chip on his shoulder, and why joint practices may be telling us more than preseason games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who has the most loaded roster in the NFL? Kevin Clark and Sheil Kapadia rank their five favorites heading into the 2026 season, including the Rams, Eagles, Broncos, Lions, and Seahawks. They debate why the Eagles are being underrated, whether Denver is ready to make a Super Bowl run, how much credit Mike McDonald deserves for Seattle's title, and why the Rams stand alone at No. 1. Plus, they debate which team has the best roster without its star quarterback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jayden Daniels, Derrick Henry, Sonny Styles, Dan Quinn and Declan Doyle join the show from Ravens and Commanders training camp. Jayden Daniels breaks down his transition into a new offense, the freedom he has at the line of scrimmage, learning from quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff, and what he took away from a difficult second season. He also reveals which defender gives him the most pause and names the most bada** player on the Commanders. Then, rookie linebacker Sonny Styles talks about his transition from safety to linebacker, the challenge of defending Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota every day, and why Tommy Eichenberg is one of the toughest players he's ever been around. Dan Quinn joins the conversation to discuss Daniels' development, the explosive-play potential of the new offense and what Styles' rare athleticism can bring to Washington's defense. In Baltimore, new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle explains his philosophy of putting pressure on the defense, what he learned from Sean Payton and Ben Johnson, and how he's approaching his first season running the Ravens' offense. Finally, Derrick Henry discusses Baltimore's new offense, the return of value to the running back position, the importance of the run game and why you still have to be able to run the football to win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark sits down with Jordan Love, Matt LaFleur, Jonathan Gannon, Kevin O’Connell and Andrew Van Ginkel to break down the Packers and Vikings ahead of the 2026 season. Love discusses finishing games and his development, LaFleur breaks down his quarterback’s evolution and the rise of 13 personnel, while Gannon explains why trick plays are changing the NFL. O’Connell dives into the Vikings’ QB competition and the league’s defensive evolution, and Van Ginkel breaks down Brian Flores’ unpredictable defense. Plus: Randy Moss stories and plenty of NFC North insight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices