Overview of 3 & Out
John Middlecoff previews Thursday Night Football and discusses the Vikings’ reunion with Kirk Cousins, Mike Tomlin’s coaching future, and a crowded NFL playoff picture. He also weighs in on Alabama football, quarterback injuries, recent NFL headlines, and listener questions about trades, draft prospects, and football broadcasts.
Thursday Night Football: J.J. McCarthy and the Giants
Middlecoff sees J.J. McCarthy’s start for the Giants as a chance to revive a career that had lost value quickly after he was drafted 10th overall. Strong play could give New York momentum and create an intriguing decision about McCarthy and his contract in the offseason.
He also credits John Harbaugh with quickly taking charge of the Giants’ roster, and says a win could strengthen the team’s position in the NFC East. Middlecoff argues that a coach’s ability to build a team matters more than claims about how hard they work, and pushes back on treating Kevin O’Connell as the only coach capable of developing quarterbacks.
Kirk Cousins Returns to Minnesota
Cousins agreed to move from the Raiders to the Vikings, with Middlecoff describing the trade as a practical solution for Minnesota’s quarterback problems. He thinks the Raiders had strong negotiating leverage, since the Vikings had few viable alternatives, and questions why they settled for a third-round pick instead of holding out for more.
The move also changes the pressure on Cousins. In Minnesota, he’ll be expected to stabilize a team Middlecoff believes could contend if it gets competent quarterback play. He says the Vikings don’t need Cousins to be an elite passer; they need him to play steadily enough to support the rest of the roster.
Middlecoff explains that returning to a familiar offense can help a quarterback, even when the playbook has changed. Offensive systems retain core concepts and familiar routes, runs, and principles, while coaches add new details and variations each season.
Mike Tomlin and Washington’s Coaching Future
Middlecoff doubts Tomlin has fully ruled out coaching next season, despite Tomlin saying he hasn’t thought about it. He suggests that if Washington moves on from Dan Quinn, the franchise could pursue Tomlin, particularly after seeing Harbaugh take a high-profile job with a major contract.
He points to Tomlin’s competitive nature and experience with prominent franchises as reasons the idea might appeal to him. A move would still depend on whether Tomlin wants to leave a role where he has substantial authority for a new team and its ownership structure.
Other NFL Takeaways
- Washington’s late-game struggles: Middlecoff says repeated poor finishes reflect on the team’s leadership and coaching, and could put Quinn’s job at risk.
- Quarterback injuries: He cites a reported count of 49 and 50 quarterbacks starting games before Thanksgiving, arguing that injuries to key quarterbacks can quickly make games less compelling.
- The 49ers and Cowboys: He expects the matchup to be unpredictable and is wary of making a confident pick.
- Other headlines: Middlecoff notes Andy Reid’s continued support for kicker Harrison Butker, Drew Brees’s interest in the Monday Night Football role, and Rex Ryan’s arrest after a late-night incident in Nashville.
Alabama and the Midseason Playoff Picture
Middlecoff defends Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer against comparisons with Nick Saban. He points to DeBoer’s reported 9–2 record against Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning, Steve Sarkisian, and Lane Kiffin, and says Alabama’s return to the playoff picture is a strong result given the challenge of succeeding Saban.
He praises the team’s explosive offense and quarterback play, while criticizing its short-yardage runs from shotgun. Middlecoff also cautions that expectations for future quarterback classes often change as prospects develop and face stronger competition.
Mailbag: Trades, Prospects, and the Super Bowl
Getting a traded player up to speed
A newly acquired player typically gets extra help from position coaches, assistant coaches, and quality-control staff. Teammates can also explain assignments in the huddle. For a player such as Josh Downs, Middlecoff says the quick adjustment is an opportunity to earn a longer-term role.
Preparing to face a former player
Teams may ask a traded player about his former team’s terminology and tendencies, especially if the player has significant experience. But the information has limits: a player may know one offense’s calls, while his former team’s opponent preparation and game plan have since changed.
Evaluating the quarterback draft class
Middlecoff is skeptical of early claims that a particular draft class will be exceptional. He sees Fernando Mendoza as physically gifted, considers CJ Carr a solid prospect, and describes Oklahoma State’s quarterback as intriguing but lightly experienced and facing questions about the level of competition. He says Arch Manning has not yet shown enough consistency to assume he’ll enter the draft.
Playoff contenders and broadcasts
Middlecoff says the NFL has a broad group of teams that could plausibly make a Super Bowl run, though he doesn’t settle on a firm prediction. He also explains why networks might pursue Sean McVay as a broadcaster: his football knowledge, energy, and ability to communicate could attract viewers, though his performance in the role would need to prove itself.