Caleb Harris
Have a good mid-week everyone! And happy NFL schedule release day! John Breech is busy scouring every corner of the Internet for any Bengals-related leaks and rumors he can find, so you have me, Cody Benjamin, to deliver the latest NFL news.
This is the Pick Six newsletter. Now let’s go. (And please do yourself a favor and make sure you sign up for this newsletter every day! You won’t want to miss our daily deals on everything you need to know about the NFL.)
We’ve got leaks and updates from the 2024 NFL schedule release, the full international roster and more:
1. Today’s Show: Bold Ideas to Improve the NFL
EUATSI
Former NFL player Leger Douzable joined Will Brinson on the latest “Pick Six NFL Podcast” to put on his commissioner hat and imagine what it would be like to run the league. Not only that, but they proposed some bold changes they would consider to spice up the NFL. Some highlights:
- The guys agree that a second week off seems logical, especially in the event of a move to an 18-game regular season schedule. Brinson thinks a second bye could even fit into the current 17-game slate.
- Throwback jerseys have been making a comeback lately, and the two think it makes sense to expand each team’s wardrobe, allowing more alternative, retro uniforms to come to the fore.
- Douzable has some ideas for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, arguing that Lil’ Wayne fits right in with the New Orleans scene, with Drake or Nicki Minaj as special guests. Plan B? None other than Taylor Swift, who has quickly become a major figure in NFL circles.
Watch the full episode (and sign up for all kinds of daily NFL talk) here.
2. Release Schedule: Live Leaks, Week 1 Updates, More
The NFL doesn’t officially cancel its full 2024 schedule until 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but some marquee matchups have already made their way into public view. We have a live blog of all the major leaks and rumors, with whispers about everything from Week 1 games to Thanksgiving and Christmas broadcasts.
One key game that appears to be set: The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rematch with the San Francisco 49ers, which will reportedly take place on October 20, in Week 7, with Tom Brady in the Fox broadcast booth. Brady, remember, is making his debut as an analyst of TV this season, with another notable work in Week 1, when the retired star is expected to close out the Dallas Cowboys’ game against the Cleveland Browns.
3. International games revealed: Jets, Vikings for London
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The NFL released its full list of 2024 international games early Wednesday. Take a look:
- Week 1: Eagles vs. Packers (São Paulo, Brazil), September 6, 8:15 p.m. ET (Peacock)
- Week 5: Jets vs. Vikings (London, England), October 6, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 6: Bears vs. Jaguars (London, England), October 13, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 7: Jaguars vs. Patriots (London, England), October 20, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 10: Giants vs. Panthers (Munich, Germany), November 10, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
The opening matchup in Brazil marks the NFL’s first regular-season foray into South America.
4. A Schedule Wish for Every NFL Team
Prior to the full release, Tyler Sullivan offered an ideal scenario for all 32 clubs when it comes to the reveal of the regular season roster. Here’s a sample:
- Bears: Back-to-back games against the Commanders (Jayden Daniels), Vikings (JJ McCarthy) and Patriots (Drake Maye) so Caleb Williams can show his potential against fellow draft picks.
- Commanders: Cowboys and Eagles games later in the year to allow Daniels to break into the league before fights with division rivals.
- Rams: Face the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving (Matthew Stafford’s revenge game?).
5. Kirk Cousins evasive about Falcons regret
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Atlanta’s brand-new quarterback recently downplayed his supposed frustration with the Falcons’ surprise first-round draft pick of teammate Michael Penix Jr., telling the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast this week that he harbors no ill will toward the franchise. . But cousins avoided a question on whether he regrets signing a four-year contract with the Falcons when asked about it at the team’s organized activities on Tuesday, telling reporters he “doesn’t deal in hypotheticals.” The former Minnesota Vikings veteran was on the field working alongside Penix earlier in the day.
6. Jaguars set to launch $1.4 billion stadium of the future
The Jags will be in London for back-to-back games in 2024, marking another season in which Jacksonville will take over the United Kingdom as its temporary home. But don’t count on the team moving abroad permanently anytime soon. In conjunction with the city of Jacksonville, the Jags have just announced an agreement to pursue a $1.4 billion state-of-the-art stadium renovation this would keep the club in its current location for the next three decades.
