Overview of PMS 2.0 1598
Pat McAfee’s show kicks off the 2026 NFL season with a Hall of Fame Game preview from Canton, building around the first live football of the year and a light preseason betting angle. The episode mixes football analysis, camp updates, and wide-ranging guest interviews with Rick Stroud, TJ Lang, David Lombardi, Joe Moorhead, Adam Schefter, Eric Hosmer, and AQ Shipley. The throughline: football is back, preseason chaos is expected, and several teams still have major contract, roster, and camp questions to answer.
Hall of Fame Game Preview: Panthers vs. Cardinals
The show opens with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, featuring the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals, along with the induction weekend honoring legends like Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri, Drew Brees, and Roger Craig.
What to expect
- Preseason football is framed as messy, unpredictable, and often ugly.
- The hosts repeatedly emphasized that backup and fringe roster players will dominate the game.
- They expect mobile quarterbacks to be under pressure, leading to scramble yards and broken-play offense.
- Special teams, especially punting, were highlighted as one of the most dangerous spots in preseason games.
Betting angle
- The team ride was:
- 80 combined quarterback rush yards + total points in the game
- DraftKings line discussed around -165
- The hosts strongly framed this as a low-unit, fun preseason bet rather than something to “get rich” on.
NFL Storylines and Camp Updates
Jonathan Taylor and the Colts
The show spent significant time on Jonathan Taylor becoming the highest-paid running back in the NFL again.
Main points:
- Taylor’s new deal was praised as deserved and long overdue.
- The Colts’ offense now looks heavily invested in:
- Jonathan Taylor
- Daniel Jones
- Alec Pierce
- other key pieces added or retained
- The discussion turned into a bigger question: Is this an all-or-nothing year for Indianapolis?
- The hosts argued the Colts appear to be operating under real pressure:
- no AFC South title in a long time
- expectations are now high
- Shane Steichen is seen as a coach who could easily succeed elsewhere if Indianapolis doesn’t win soon
Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea
Rick Stroud joined to discuss the Bucs’ contract tension.
Key takeaways:
- Baker Mayfield is reportedly unhappy with how negotiations have gone.
- Vita Vea is also a major storyline, with reports of friction despite the team publicly saying they do not intend to trade him.
- Jason Licht’s stance: no trade planned, but dialogue with Vea’s camp continues.
- The overall vibe is that Tampa Bay wants to keep both veterans, but there is real business tension underneath.
Lions: quieter camp, Gibbs extension looming
TJ Lang gave the Detroit perspective.
Main points:
- Dan Campbell has intentionally made camp quieter and more businesslike after last year’s disappointment.
- Detroit has reduced distractions, including joint practices, to focus on fundamentals.
- The offensive line is expected to be better, with younger competition and improved interior play.
- Jahmyr Gibbs’ extension was described as imminent, likely within 24–48 hours.
49ers: injuries and the “substation” discussion
David Lombardi discussed the ongoing injury narrative around San Francisco.
Main points:
- The 49ers’ injury problem is viewed as both long-running and partially overblown by preseason hysteria.
- Lombardi pushed back on some of the more conspiratorial “substation” talk while acknowledging the injury history.
- The hosts discussed whether San Francisco’s training setup contributes to the issue, but Lombardi emphasized the problem has been around for years.
- One practical note: the team is trying to manage player workloads cautiously early in camp.
College Football / Akron Promotion with Joe Moorhead
Joe Moorhead joined to discuss one of the most creative NIL-era promotions:
- Fans who buy season tickets can enter to help call plays for Akron’s home opener.
Why it worked
- Moorhead credited the athletic director and staff for the idea.
- He said the goal was to add fun and fan engagement without disrespecting the game or jeopardizing results.
- The promotion was a major success:
- season tickets sold out
- suites sold out
- the concept generated real buzz
Moorhead’s broader camp philosophy
- He explained the challenges of roster management in the transfer portal era.
- Akron has lost a huge number of scholarship players to the portal in recent years.
- His recruiting model is simple:
- replace a starter with a starter
- replace depth with depth
- don’t enter the portal “hoping” things work out
- His line of the segment: “Hope is not a strategy.”
NFL Insider Notes from Adam Schefter
Schefter covered several major league-wide updates.
Aaron Donald and the Rams
- Aaron Donald is still working out and considering a return.
- The decision is not immediate, but the timeline is fluid.
- The Rams’ willingness to let him train at their facility is part of the process, not a guarantee.
Browns quarterback battle
- Deshaun Watson had a strong camp day, and the hosts pushed the idea that the competition may be more nuanced than just “who starts Week 1.”
- Schefter suggested:
- Watson may start early
- Shadour Sanders could still end up playing the most over the season depending on performance and circumstances
Veteran free agents and Stephon Diggs
- Stephon Diggs ultimately landed with Washington.
- Other teams reportedly checked in, including:
- Chiefs
- Dolphins
- Raiders
- Other notable veteran names still available were mentioned:
- Keenan Allen
- Von Miller
- Kyle Van Noy
- Austin Ekeler
- Zach Ertz
Baseball Talk with Eric Hosmer
Hosmer brought a full MLB segment, centered on the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, and broader baseball narratives.
Dodgers slump
- He downplayed the Dodgers’ losing streak, saying they’re built for October and focused on health and rotation management.
- The point: regular-season skids don’t worry elite veteran teams much.
PCA’s MVP case
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakout season was one of the biggest MLB topics.
Why Hosmer likes PCA:
- Huge two-way value
- Elite defense
- Power and speed production
- Strong emotional resilience after early public criticism
Hosmer noted PCA’s rise from being criticized for his throwing to becoming an MVP-level candidate.
Bryce Harper in right field
- Hosmer said the move from first base back to right field is manageable for Harper because of his athleticism.
- He also described first base as one of the more social and conversational spots on the field.
Pitching celebrations and baseball culture
- Hosmer was not a fan of flashy mound celebrations that show up hitters.
- He drew a line between celebrating your own team and directly taunting opponents.
Red Sox surge
- He called Boston one of the hottest teams in baseball.
- He praised the team’s pitching, hitting, and momentum, while also emphasizing that the season is long and dangerous to overread too early.
AQ Shipley on the Cardinals and Hall of Fame Weekend
Shipley closed the guest run with Cardinals camp and Hall of Fame weekend perspective.
Cardinals outlook
- He’s optimistic about Arizona’s offense and overall direction.
- He praised the team’s investment in a new facility and said the organization seems more serious about building the right environment.
- He highlighted young linemen and skill-position growth as reasons for optimism.
Hall of Fame game and preseason football
- Shipley said pass protection is the hardest part for young linemen in live action.
- He expects chaos, mistakes, and scramble yards — which fits the show’s betting angle.
- He also said quarterbacks like Pickett and King can create yardage with their legs.
Hall of Fame weekend schedule
- Shipley said he’ll be in Canton throughout the weekend for the game, dinner, induction ceremonies, and team/individual celebrations.
Recurring Themes and Commentary
NFL social media criticism
One recurring rant in the episode was about NFL team social-media accounts:
- The hosts argued many are run by people who don’t know ball.
- Their complaint: content often prioritizes engagement over football context and makes teams look worse, not better.
- They also criticized aggregators and quote-mining accounts for distorting players’ words.
“Football is back” energy
The episode repeatedly circled back to the same feeling:
- preseason football is imperfect
- it’s still meaningful because it means the season is finally here
- the Hall of Fame Game serves as the unofficial start of the NFL year
Key Takeaways
- The show’s main football angle was the Hall of Fame Game, with a low-stakes preseason bet on combined QB rushing yards and game points.
- The Colts, Bucs, Lions, 49ers, Browns, and Cardinals all had meaningful camp storylines.
- Joe Moorhead’s Akron play-calling promotion was a standout example of creative fan engagement in college football.
- Adam Schefter’s update centered on Aaron Donald, Watson/Sanders, and the current veteran market.
- Eric Hosmer’s MLB segment focused on PCA’s MVP case, the Dodgers’ slump, and baseball’s evolving culture.
- AQ Shipley provided a strong, optimistic Cardinals viewpoint and previewed a full Hall of Fame weekend in Canton.