3 & Out - Massive Weekend Mailbag

Summary of 3 & Out - Massive Weekend Mailbag

by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

54m•December 6, 2025
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Overview of 3 & Out - Massive Weekend Mailbag

Host John Middlekauff (3 & Out, The Volume / iHeart) runs a long mailbag answering listener questions about coaching, front-office decisions, playoff formats, player evaluation, and team outlooks across the NFL and college football. The episode mixes X‑and‑O context (roles of coordinators, play calling) with personnel commentary (trade/rebuild discussions, coaching candidates) and practical career advice for aspiring coaches/analysts. Frequent asides include takes on recent games, roster moves, and the economics/structure driving college and pro football.

Main topics covered

  • Best coaching staffs in the NFL and the relative impact of head coach vs. coordinators
  • Why offensive coordinators matter even when the head coach calls plays
  • The purpose and future of college conference championship games and playoff expansion
  • Whether teams should rebuild (sell assets) — e.g., Falcons with Bijan Robinson and Drake London
  • Career advice for aspiring graduate assistants / analytics people (in‑person networking)
  • Coaching hires: value of veteran, proven coaches (Mike Tomlin, Mike McCarthy) vs. trendy coordinator hires
  • QB situations: Vikings' struggles, Mac Jones trade rumors, Dak Prescott speculation
  • Evaluations of specific stars: Patrick Mahomes’ recent accuracy, Joe Burrow’s toughness, George Pickens’ maturity issues
  • Franchise relocations and market effects (Chargers, Raiders, Oakland → Vegas)
  • NFC/AFC playoff implications, schedule strength narratives, and betting/handicapping context
  • Quick takes on several specific teams (Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, Chargers, Vikings, Falcons, Patriots, Broncos, Bengals)

Questions answered (concise answers)

  • Who has the best coaching staff in the NFL?

    • Top formula: elite head coach who calls plays + excellent DC. Andy Reid & Spags cited as the most dominant 1–2 combo; Shanahan/Sala, McVay/Shula also high on the list.

  • What does an offensive coordinator do if the head coach calls plays?

    • Heavy involvement in weekly game planning, scripting, situational work (1st/2nd/3rd down, red zone), preparation and practice detail—an essential extension of the play caller.

  • Why do conference championship games still exist?

    • Primarily lucrative (TV/conference revenue). Format will likely evolve with playoff expansion (play‑in games possible in a 16‑team future).

  • How to approach getting a GA/entry job in college football (analytics background)?

    • Go in person. Introduce yourself to recruiting coordinator or director of football operations—personal contact still works and can cut through mass LinkedIn/email noise.

  • Should the Falcons sell Bijan Robinson/Drake London to rebuild?

    • Tradeable assets with value, but decision hinges on new front office/head coach philosophy—modern analytics favors teardown; old-school favors building around top talent. Expect them to probably keep the core unless ownership/GM decide otherwise.

  • Could a veteran coach like Mike Tomlin save a struggling franchise?

    • Yes—experienced, steady coaches provide value and stability. Tomlin/McCarthy type hires are “safe” options for teams that need leadership and culture reset.

  • Is Patrick Mahomes showing decline?

    • Still elite, but some concerning downfield misses—could be a combination of age, fatigue, offensive line/receiver separation issues. Chiefs still rely on him to return to dominant form.

  • Chargers’ Super Bowl chances if healthy?

    • Yes, with Jim Harbaugh and full health they are legitimate contenders; injuries are the key limiter.

  • Did Raiders/Chargers moves to Vegas/LA work out?

    • Moving was economically necessary and beneficial for Raiders; Chargers/Rams dynamics are more complex, but relocations changed regional hierarchies and financial ceilings.

  • Who are great coaches who never won a Super Bowl?

    • Marty Schottenheimer and Marv Levy mentioned as classic examples; Kyle Shanahan noted for recent SB losses (though he’s now widely respected).

Key takeaways / host stances

  • Coordinators matter a great deal; the head coach sets culture but on‑field calls and situational execution come through coordinated staff work.
  • Playoff and championship formats are driven by money, and structure will keep changing (16-team playoffs likely eventual outcome).
  • In‑person networking still works—showing up at a facility can open doors more effectively than mass digital outreach.
  • Proven veteran head coaches (Tomlin, McCarthy) maintain high market value because they bring stability and predictable competence.
  • Talent alone isn’t enough: player effort, accountability, and culture (Amin‑Ra St. Brown vs. George Pickens example) determine how teams and contracts are viewed.
  • Strength of schedule narratives are often overstated—winning is still winning in the NFL; “easy” schedules don’t guarantee results.

Notable quotes / memorable lines

  • “Once the ball’s kicked off… the coordinators are in full control.” — on practical limits of head coach influence during game play.
  • “There are no easy games in this league.” — reminder not to dismiss wins or losses based on opponent reputation.
  • “If you’re going to do something, you gotta try hard.” — on accountability and player effort, used in contrast between reliable pros and underperformers.
  • “Most people are completely overwhelmed… it’s an extremely difficult job.” — on the complexity of NFL head coaching.

Practical advice & action items

  • If you want a foot in college football (GA/analytics): visit the program, introduce yourself to recruiting coordinator/dir. of ops; be direct and bring relevant work (resume/portfolio).
  • For teams considering rebuild vs. hold: evaluate whether your incoming coach/GM will prioritize long-term assets (draft capital) or immediate competency around current stars.
  • For listeners handicapping games: consider quarterback and health status over raw roster talent; home-field and matchup history can flip expectations.

Sponsor notes & episode context

  • Episode contains multiple sponsor reads (Zone Pouches, Hard Rock Bet, Zin After Dark, IBM, Snapdragon PCs, Toyota, CVS, Coca‑Cola, Rexulti, etc.). Host frequently pivots between mailbag answers and sponsor messaging.
  • Tone: conversational, opinionated, wide-ranging—best for listeners who want candid takes rather than deep schematic breakdowns.

If you only have time for one listen: focus on the host’s breakdown of coaching staff composition (head coach + DC model), his practical advice for aspiring football staffers (go in person), and the evaluations of teams in flux (Vikings, Falcons, Chargers) — those are the most actionable segments.