Nick Baumgardner
@nickbaumgardner.bsky.social
Senior writer at The Athletic. NFL Draft analyst. Flint born, Millington Cardinal.🎙️Welcome to Detroit. 📚 The Program: Michigan | Mountaintop
great thread on Taylor Decker, one of the NFL's top-end humans who seems to be on the edge of retirement ... he has a young family now, life's no longer just about him #dadlife
Lions LT Taylor Decker in the locker room:
"You know how like medieval shows. There's like that old warrior and he just wants to die in battle. I feel like that's how I feel. But I can't, I can't do that because it's not just me."
"You know how like medieval shows. There's like that old warrior and he just wants to die in battle. I feel like that's how I feel. But I can't, I can't do that because it's not just me."
January 5, 2026 at 2:34 AM
great thread on Taylor Decker, one of the NFL's top-end humans who seems to be on the edge of retirement ... he has a young family now, life's no longer just about him #dadlife
Raheem Morris seemed doomed on arrival in Atlanta, all beyond his control. Falcons should've fired Terry Fontenot the year they let him hire Morris.
Whole thing was misaligned. I'm not sure if Morris can be a great HC, but this was an uphill battle from the beginning.
Whole thing was misaligned. I'm not sure if Morris can be a great HC, but this was an uphill battle from the beginning.
January 5, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Raheem Morris seemed doomed on arrival in Atlanta, all beyond his control. Falcons should've fired Terry Fontenot the year they let him hire Morris.
Whole thing was misaligned. I'm not sure if Morris can be a great HC, but this was an uphill battle from the beginning.
Whole thing was misaligned. I'm not sure if Morris can be a great HC, but this was an uphill battle from the beginning.
Dan Campbell to Ben Johnson:
"Go give 'em hell"
"Go give 'em hell"
January 5, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Dan Campbell to Ben Johnson:
"Go give 'em hell"
"Go give 'em hell"
St. Brown making his All-Pro case today -- not sure he'll get there this year but that's 200 percent a reason why he's playing hurt today.
11 catches for 139 yards
he'll finish with 117 catches for 1,401 yards on the year (11 TD) barring OT
11 catches for 139 yards
he'll finish with 117 catches for 1,401 yards on the year (11 TD) barring OT
January 5, 2026 at 12:17 AM
St. Brown making his All-Pro case today -- not sure he'll get there this year but that's 200 percent a reason why he's playing hurt today.
11 catches for 139 yards
he'll finish with 117 catches for 1,401 yards on the year (11 TD) barring OT
11 catches for 139 yards
he'll finish with 117 catches for 1,401 yards on the year (11 TD) barring OT
that was some of the worst play calling of Dan Campbell's entire season -- those last 3
January 5, 2026 at 12:06 AM
that was some of the worst play calling of Dan Campbell's entire season -- those last 3
and Colston Loveland was a better one
Kyle Monangai remains one of the 2025 draft's best picks
January 4, 2026 at 11:50 PM
and Colston Loveland was a better one
big fan of Kelvin Sheppard wearing the sunglasses at night -- week 18, let it all hang out
January 4, 2026 at 11:48 PM
big fan of Kelvin Sheppard wearing the sunglasses at night -- week 18, let it all hang out
I was 80 percent sure Caleb was going to hit that throw on the fumbled snap
January 4, 2026 at 11:46 PM
I was 80 percent sure Caleb was going to hit that throw on the fumbled snap
Ben Johnson is going to spend his spring and summer tearing down "Comeback Caleb" posters throughout the Chicagoland area
January 4, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Ben Johnson is going to spend his spring and summer tearing down "Comeback Caleb" posters throughout the Chicagoland area
if one play could define an entire season ... that 3-1 bullshit would define Detroit's
January 4, 2026 at 11:41 PM
if one play could define an entire season ... that 3-1 bullshit would define Detroit's
Kyle Monangai remains one of the 2025 draft's best picks
January 4, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Kyle Monangai remains one of the 2025 draft's best picks
Caleb Williams with one of the most impressive incomplete passes I've seen this year
January 4, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Caleb Williams with one of the most impressive incomplete passes I've seen this year
have held my tongue because Bears fans deserved a fun year but, uh, I dunno about these Bears folks
January 4, 2026 at 11:08 PM
have held my tongue because Bears fans deserved a fun year but, uh, I dunno about these Bears folks
Detroit clinching a last-place schedule for 2026 is the Lions' biggest win in months.
January 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Detroit clinching a last-place schedule for 2026 is the Lions' biggest win in months.
real shame what's happened to the Packers
January 4, 2026 at 7:13 PM
real shame what's happened to the Packers
These things are an abomination
and why should the 49ers deserve to win in these uniforms anyway
January 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM
These things are an abomination
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss is trying to get another year from the NCAA.
If he can't, though, the former DII sensation is going to be a really intriguing draft prospect. If this roll continues, maybe even a day two guy.
More from Dane and me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
If he can't, though, the former DII sensation is going to be a really intriguing draft prospect. If this roll continues, maybe even a day two guy.
More from Dane and me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Trinidad Chambliss states his case, Rueben Bain Jr. dominates again: NFL Draft takeaways
Which other 2026 NFL Draft prospects stood out during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals?
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss is trying to get another year from the NCAA.
If he can't, though, the former DII sensation is going to be a really intriguing draft prospect. If this roll continues, maybe even a day two guy.
More from Dane and me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
If he can't, though, the former DII sensation is going to be a really intriguing draft prospect. If this roll continues, maybe even a day two guy.
More from Dane and me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Keith Jackson is the college football GOAT and there'll be no discussion about that.
HOWEVER, Sean McDonough has long been on my CFB mount rushmore if for no other reason than I promise you A LOT of the college HCs cannot stand him because he's the only guy in a booth that calls out their shit
HOWEVER, Sean McDonough has long been on my CFB mount rushmore if for no other reason than I promise you A LOT of the college HCs cannot stand him because he's the only guy in a booth that calls out their shit
January 2, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Keith Jackson is the college football GOAT and there'll be no discussion about that.
HOWEVER, Sean McDonough has long been on my CFB mount rushmore if for no other reason than I promise you A LOT of the college HCs cannot stand him because he's the only guy in a booth that calls out their shit
HOWEVER, Sean McDonough has long been on my CFB mount rushmore if for no other reason than I promise you A LOT of the college HCs cannot stand him because he's the only guy in a booth that calls out their shit
let's just end this right now:
NORTH
Ohio St
Michigan
Notre Dame
Penn St
Oregon
Wisconsin
Stanford
Michigan St
Indiana
Washington
Illinois
Iowa
Nebraska
Kentucky
Arkansas
SOUTH
Texas
Texas AM
Georgia
Tennessee
Alabama
USC
LSU
Ole Miss
Florida St
Oklahoma
S. Carolina
Auburn
Miami
Florida
Clemson
NORTH
Ohio St
Michigan
Notre Dame
Penn St
Oregon
Wisconsin
Stanford
Michigan St
Indiana
Washington
Illinois
Iowa
Nebraska
Kentucky
Arkansas
SOUTH
Texas
Texas AM
Georgia
Tennessee
Alabama
USC
LSU
Ole Miss
Florida St
Oklahoma
S. Carolina
Auburn
Miami
Florida
Clemson
the first 11 members of my Super League
have 19 seats left
have 19 seats left
The last three College Football Playoffs have produced 11 different semifinal teams out of 12 spots.
Michigan
Washington
Texas (x2)
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Penn State
Miami
Oregon
Indiana
Ole Miss
It's a new world.
Michigan
Washington
Texas (x2)
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Penn State
Miami
Oregon
Indiana
Ole Miss
It's a new world.
January 2, 2026 at 1:14 PM
let's just end this right now:
NORTH
Ohio St
Michigan
Notre Dame
Penn St
Oregon
Wisconsin
Stanford
Michigan St
Indiana
Washington
Illinois
Iowa
Nebraska
Kentucky
Arkansas
SOUTH
Texas
Texas AM
Georgia
Tennessee
Alabama
USC
LSU
Ole Miss
Florida St
Oklahoma
S. Carolina
Auburn
Miami
Florida
Clemson
NORTH
Ohio St
Michigan
Notre Dame
Penn St
Oregon
Wisconsin
Stanford
Michigan St
Indiana
Washington
Illinois
Iowa
Nebraska
Kentucky
Arkansas
SOUTH
Texas
Texas AM
Georgia
Tennessee
Alabama
USC
LSU
Ole Miss
Florida St
Oklahoma
S. Carolina
Auburn
Miami
Florida
Clemson
the first 11 members of my Super League
have 19 seats left
have 19 seats left
The last three College Football Playoffs have produced 11 different semifinal teams out of 12 spots.
Michigan
Washington
Texas (x2)
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Penn State
Miami
Oregon
Indiana
Ole Miss
It's a new world.
Michigan
Washington
Texas (x2)
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Penn State
Miami
Oregon
Indiana
Ole Miss
It's a new world.
January 2, 2026 at 12:56 PM
the first 11 members of my Super League
have 19 seats left
have 19 seats left
if you're too young to remember:
Gunnar Stockton is what Jim Harbaugh used to play like.
Gunnar Stockton is what Jim Harbaugh used to play like.
January 2, 2026 at 2:35 AM
if you're too young to remember:
Gunnar Stockton is what Jim Harbaugh used to play like.
Gunnar Stockton is what Jim Harbaugh used to play like.
Reposted by Nick Baumgardner
that looked like the Indiana OL I thought should've won the Joe Moore Award
January 1, 2026 at 9:58 PM
that looked like the Indiana OL I thought should've won the Joe Moore Award
Reposted by Nick Baumgardner
Some love for the O-line 🌹
Indiana center Pat Coogan is the Rose Bowl offensive MVP.
Indiana center Pat Coogan is the Rose Bowl offensive MVP.
January 2, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Some love for the O-line 🌹
Indiana center Pat Coogan is the Rose Bowl offensive MVP.
Indiana center Pat Coogan is the Rose Bowl offensive MVP.