The NFL Draft is knocking, and in this episode, Nick Ferguson and Alex Hardy break down the whirlwind of moves, mind games, and momentum shifts shaping the league right now. With every team sitting at 0–0 and dreaming big, the guys dive into why this draft feels especially unpredictable—and why some franchises are ditching patience in favor of proven talent.

At the center of it all is the Cincinnati Bengals’ aggressive move to acquire Dexter Lawrence, signaling a clear message: build around Joe Burrow and win now. Nick and Alex unpack what that trade means for the AFC landscape, how draft boards are already being flipped upside down, and why teams like the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns could benefit from the ripple effects. From edge rushers to offensive line rebuilds, this episode maps out the pressure points that could define the first round.

And it wouldn’t be the NFL without some off-field headlines. The conversation also touches on A.J. Brown trade rumors, front office dynamics, and the kind of drama that can quietly reshape franchises before a single snap is played.

🔑 Keywords

NFL Draft 2026, NFL Draft analysis, Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow, Dexter Lawrence trade, Denver Broncos draft, New York Jets rebuild, Cleveland Browns roster, A.J. Brown trade rumors, NFL offseason news, draft strategy, AFC contenders

📌 Episode Highlights

• Bengals go all-in with a major defensive upgrade
• How Joe Burrow is influencing front office decisions
• Why this draft class could shake up expectations
• Teams to watch: Broncos, Jets, Browns, and more
• The ripple effect of trades on the entire draft board
• A.J. Brown rumors and behind-the-scenes NFL drama

NFL Free Agency Chaos, Maxx Crosby Drama & League Power Shifts

NFL free agency opened with absolute chaos, and Those Guys with Nick Ferguson and Alex Hardy are breaking down one of the wildest storylines of the offseason.

The biggest headline: a reported blockbuster deal that would have sent Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks suddenly collapsed before becoming official. What really happened?

Was it a failed medical evaluation? A disagreement over a contract extension? Or did Baltimore pivot to Trey Hendrickson after realizing the price tag for Crosby was too high?

Former 10-year NFL veteran Nick Ferguson and host Alex Hardy unpack the inside-the-league dynamics behind the move and explain how situations like this reveal the business side of the NFL. They also explore how the league’s tampering period, contract negotiations, and medical evaluations could become major talking points in the next NFLPA collective bargaining discussions. TG_031226_TS

The conversation expands into a full NFL free agency analysis, including which teams are making smart moves and which organizations may be gambling on risky decisions.

The guys also dive into major roster changes across the league, including:

• The Buffalo Bills’ aggressive push to stay competitive
• How Kenneth Walker could transform the Kansas City Chiefs offense
• Whether the Indianapolis Colts betting on Daniel Jones will pay off
• Why the Dallas Cowboys’ roster strategy raises questions
• Potential future moves involving AJ Brown and other star players

If you want the real football conversation — the strategy, the locker room perspective, and the league politics — this episode delivers.

📺 Subscribe for more episodes

Subscribe to our channel: YouTube.com/@thoseguyssportspodcast

🎧 Spotify / YouTube Chapter Markers

0:00 — Intro: Welcome to Those Guys 0:40 — NFL Free Agency Opens & League Chaos 2:15 — The Maxx Crosby Trade That Fell Apart 6:30 — Ravens Pivot to Trey Hendrickson 10:00 — How This Impacts Future NFL Negotiations 13:30 — Buffalo Bills’ Aggressive Offseason Moves 18:30 — Kansas City Chiefs Add Kenneth Walker 23:00 — Broncos Free Agency Strategy 27:00 — Indianapolis Colts Betting on Daniel Jones 32:00 — Quarterback Market & Kyler Murray Speculation 36:00 — AJ Brown Trade Rumors 40:00 — San Francisco 49ers Roster Strategy 43:00 — Final Thoughts: What Happens Next in Free Agency

What does it take to play professional football on three different continents? In this episode, Alex Hardy puts former 10-year NFL safety Nick Ferguson to the test with a deep-dive trivia challenge — uncovering one of the rarest clubs in professional football history: players who logged 100+ NFL games while also suiting up in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and NFL Europe.

Nick shares firsthand stories from his time playing in NFL Europe, including performing in front of 50,000 passionate fans in packed German soccer stadiums — atmospheres he says rivaled anything in the NFL. Together, Nick and Alex piece together a five-player "Holy Trinity" list that includes two-time Super Bowl champion kicker Lawrence Tynes, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo, and Saints defensive standouts Paul Spicer and Willie Whitehead.

Along the way, they explore how NFL Europe's allocation system quietly shaped NFL rosters, why so many undrafted players used the CFL and overseas leagues as a proving ground, and what grinding through multiple leagues really says about perseverance, opportunity, and believing in yourself when no one else does.

A must-listen for NFL history fans, CFL followers, and anyone who loves the untold stories behind the game.

🎙️ Subscribe to our channel: YouTube.com/@thoseguyssportspodcast

MENTIONS & RESOURCES

• Nick Ferguson — 10-year NFL safety (Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Houston Texans); CFL (Saskatchewan Rough Riders, Winnipeg); NFL Europe (Rhein Fire)
• Warren Moon — NFL Hall of Famer; extensive CFL career before breaking into the NFL
• Lawrence Tynes — Two-time Super Bowl champion kicker with the NY Giants; Scottish Claymores (NFL Europe); Ottawa Renegades (CFL)
• Brendan Ayanbadejo — 142 NFL games with the Baltimore Ravens; Amsterdam Admirals (NFL Europe); Winnipeg & BC Lions (CFL)
• Paul Spicer — 117 NFL games (Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints); Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe); Saskatchewan Rough Riders (CFL)
• Willie Whitehead — 105 NFL games (New Orleans Saints); Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe); Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)
• Israel Adesanya (Honorable Mention) — College football in Canada; NFL Europe; 100+ NFL games
• Kurt Warner — NFL Hall of Famer; NFL Europe alumnus (Iowa Barnstormers/St. Louis Rams pipeline)
• James Harrison — NFL Europe alumnus; Super Bowl champion with Pittsburgh Steelers
• Pro Football Reference — profoootballreference.com (research tool used in episode)
• Ottawa RedBlacks — Current CFL franchise referenced in Lawrence Tynes discussion

Keywords: NFL history podcast, CFL players, NFL Europe, Nick Ferguson, Those Guys podcast, football trivia, undrafted NFL players, football journeymen, Super Bowl champions, NFL offseason, professional football history, Canadian Football League, developmental leagues, Brandon Ayanbadejo, Lawrence Tynes, Paul Spicer, perseverance in sports