3 & Out - Mahomes Gets Paid Again, Cousins & Mendoza, Brendan Sorsby Update & Mailbag

What’s up, everybody—summer’s flying, July 4th is near, and football will sneak up fast; we’ve got Mahomes’ deal and team-building, Cousins on “mentoring,” Ben Johnson’s growth, a spicy college football situation, and a loaded mailbag, so let’s dive in.

What does Mahomes’ new setup really say about winning and money? He trusts the Chiefs, takes the long view, and shows that legacy, comfort, and constant contention can beat squeezing every last dollar—very Brady-like—and in the NFL, small markets can still become national draws when you win.

Should a veteran QB be a hands-on mentor? I’m with Cousins: the job is to play, lead, and set the standard, and the real education comes from watching how a pro attacks Monday to Friday—think Alex Smith with Mahomes—then asking smart questions and copying the right habits.

Does a better play-caller guarantee more wins? Football laughs at certainty—coaches can improve and still miss because injuries, draft misses, and one off-field headline can flip a season, which is why the Bears intrigue me but nothing’s promised.

How do I see the Brendan Sorsby situation and the mental-health framing? Accountability still matters even if someone needs help, and from what I’ve read I expect the legal piece to get knocked down on appeal, but using that language to dodge consequences rubs me the wrong way.

What now with Brandon Aiyuk? If I’m the Niners, I play hardball—he’s under contract, show up or get fined—and the social media jabs only make the team dig in more.

How do stars keep skating through messy legal stuff like the James Pearce case? I don’t pretend to understand every courtroom twist, but I do know double-digit sacks make teams far more forgiving on Sundays.

Am I watching the UFC card? I’ll check it out, even if my house will binge true-crime before two people actually throwing punches.

Will NIL cash create an Oregon-style superteam dynasty? The haves are already stacking rosters, but players still want snaps, so the real edge is paying well while convincing elite kids to wait their turn.

Thoughts on the Seahawks hiring Brian Fleury as OC? He’s smart, rose fast under Shanahan, has Kittle’s trust, and took the uncommon path from defense to run-game coordinator to play-caller, which I like.

Any teams I hated growing up? Not really, outside of the Lakers, and these days I root for the best stories—which is why a polarizing college QB in the lineup is good for content.

Can Kyler carry a season the way Minnesota needs a QB to do in that offense? He can flash like crazy for stretches, but I still question the week-to-week sustainability, even though he sounds more mature now and O’Connell can scheme.

Why would a rich player risk it all for a small payout? It only makes sense if there’s leverage or blackmail, because in today’s NIL and pro world you can’t really buy stars—if anything, you’d be looking at officials.

Did the Bills truly want Joe Brady, or was it a reflex? The firing felt emotional after that loss, but Brady impressed in interviews and handled the McDermott dynamic with class, and I think he’ll do well with Josh.

What’s a fair expectation for the Giants? Seven to eight wins feels reasonable with a best-case of around ten, but they need Daniel Jones healthy, Malik Nabers to pop, and real answers against the run in a tough division.

Is TPC Scottsdale worth a visit if you can’t play? Swing by for the pro shop and a bite overlooking 18, or hit Kierland for a solid view and a cold one.

Who gets the blame if the Chargers run it back to the same ending? The root issue is ownership spending—this team has scrimped on cash outlays for years—so it starts at the top long before you point at Herbert or Harbaugh.

Do I like a division-winner parlay with Bills, Cowboys, Saints, Bengals, Chargers? I’d swap the Chargers for the Texans because the AFC West is a minefield, and I feel good about Buffalo and Cincinnati.

That’s the show—appreciate you rolling with me; have a great day, and I’ll see you tomorrow for a little quasi Friday.