Brandon Carney· Feb 24, 2026
Carney predicted AJ Brown would not be back with the Eagles, forecast a wave of free-agent landing spots (Breece Hall to the Chiefs, Alec Pierce to the 49ers, Rico Dowdle to the Saints, George Pickens to the Patriots, Mike Evans to the Bills), and named Week 1 starting quarterbacks for several teams in flux. He also gave fantasy takes on Javonte Williams, Chris Olave and others.
“So let's go with George Pickens to the Patriots.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) · read the original →
21 checkable claims — 11 trade and signing calls and 10 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 36 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
11 of 21 have settled so far, averaging 87.1 out of 100, against 87.1 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Mike Evans
- Buffalo Bills
- Michael Penix Jr.
- Atlanta Falcons
- Aaron Rodgers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kyler Murray
- New York Jets
- Justin Fields
- Miami Dolphins
- Mac Jones
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Joe Flacco
- Indianapolis Colts
- Malik Willis
- Arizona Cardinals
- C.J. Stroud
- Houston Texans
- Kirk Cousins
- Minnesota Vikings
- Tyler Huntley
- Cleveland Browns
- Josh Jacobs
- Green Bay Packers
- Breece Hall
- Kansas City Chiefs
- George Pickens
- Dallas Cowboys
- Rico Dowdle
- New Orleans Saints
- Alec Pierce
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kyle Pitts
- Daniel Jones
- Jauan Jennings
- New England Patriots
21 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Trade and Signing CallsMike EvansBuffalo BillsFeb 24, 2026
Mike Evans to move to Buffalo Bills
“Neither of us have given Mike Evans a home. I'm gonna send him to the most obvious place possible other than Tampa Bay, which is the Buffalo Bills.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Mike Evans
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- BUF
- was with:
- TB
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he stays where he is
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- ended up with:
- SF
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Michael Penix Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“Therefore, I am also gonna just assume they stick with Michael Pinnock.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+8.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- ATL
- skill:
- 8.33
- player:
- Michael Penix Jr.
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Aaron Rodgers to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think I'll probably go the same way with you, Aaron Rodgers here.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Aaron Rodgers
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsKyler MurrayNew York JetsFeb 24, 2026
Kyler Murray to be 1st on the depth chart
“I'm I'm going with Kyler Murray.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 91.67+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- ARI
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Kyler Murray
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 91.67
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsJustin FieldsMiami DolphinsFeb 24, 2026
Justin Fields to be 1st on the depth chart
“Give me Justin Fields. They trade they trade penny they trade some pennies for Justin Fields.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+8.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYJ
- skill:
- 8.33
- player:
- Justin Fields
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsMac JonesLas Vegas RaidersFeb 24, 2026
Mac Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“Mac Jones is my pick for the Raiders starting quarterback next year.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-8.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -8.33
- player:
- Mac Jones
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 91.67
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsJoe FlaccoIndianapolis ColtsFeb 24, 2026
Joe Flacco to be 1st on the depth chart
“I bet the Joe Flacco retirement tour continues and runs it back in Indy for a couple games... So I'm gonna go with Joe Flacco for week one.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+8.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CIN
- skill:
- 8.33
- player:
- Joe Flacco
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WillisArizona CardinalsFeb 24, 2026
Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart
“I have the Cardinals with Malik Willis... So I'm gonna go with Malik Willis to Cardinals.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-8.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- GB
- skill:
- -8.33
- player:
- Malik Willis
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 91.67
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsC.J. StroudHouston TexansFeb 24, 2026
C.J. Stroud to be 1st on the depth chart
“Texans, do you see any change for the Texans? No... I agree.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- HOU
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- C.J. Stroud
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsKirk CousinsMinnesota VikingsFeb 24, 2026
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Vikings, I am gonna say reunion time and I'm going with Kirk Cousins.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 91.67+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- ATL
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Kirk Cousins
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 91.67
- baseline:
- 91.67
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsTyler HuntleyCleveland BrownsFeb 24, 2026
Tyler Huntley to be 1st on the depth chart
“I'm gonna go with Tyler Huntley, Pat... So I'll go with Tyler Huntley here.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-8.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- BAL
- skill:
- -8.33
- player:
- Tyler Huntley
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 91.67
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 2
- actual slot:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Josh Jacobs to move to Green Bay Packers
“Dream Bay Packers, there's rumors they might cut Josh Jacobs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Breece Hall to move to Kansas City Chiefs
“we are going to free my man, Bruce Hall, and we are going to send him to the land of the Kansas City Chiefs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
George Pickens to move to Dallas Cowboys
“George Pickens can't guarantee he's not going to burn the building down because he is going to be franchise tag by the cowboys.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rico Dowdle to move to New Orleans Saints
“I have Rico Daudel to the Saints. So that's what I'm gonna pick here.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Alec Pierce to move to San Francisco 49ers
“I'm going Alec Pierce to the San Francisco forty niners.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsAlec PierceFeb 24, 2026
Alec Pierce to move
“I I think we expect Alec Pierce to probably have a new home.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsKyle PittsAtlanta FalconsFeb 24, 2026
Kyle Pitts to move to Atlanta Falcons
“Kyle motherfucking Pitts is expected to be franchise tagged by the Atlanta Falcons.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Daniel Jones to move to Indianapolis Colts
“quarterback wise, Daniel Jones, we expect him to probably land back with the Colts here”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJauan JenningsFeb 24, 2026
Jauan Jennings to move
“I mean, Jwan Jennings is probably gone.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
George Pickens to move to New England Patriots
“I'm sending George Pickens to the Patriots.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Buffalo BillsHit · 100Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Green Bay PackersMiss · 10Simms picked the Packers to beat the Falcons in the Thursday night game by a low score, expecting a defensive struggle.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- David DroegemeierTrade and Signing Calls · Mekhi BectonHit · 100Drogemeier says the Chargers cutting Mekhi Becton is a foregone conclusion, freeing nearly $9 million in cap space, and only a matter of when.
- Mina KimesTrade and Signing Calls · Mekhi BectonHit · 100Kimes projects Washington receiver Denzel Boston as a second-half-of-the-first-round pick and expects the Chargers to move on from Mekhi Becton.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece on the Giants releasing Darius Slayton predicts he will be signed by another NFL team fairly quickly, and lists possible landing spots without committing to one.
- Noah StrackbeinTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Strackbein says Pittsburgh views Roman Wilson as its No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but argues the Steelers should add released Giants veteran Darius Slayton as insurance, expecting Slayton to sign cheaply on a veteran-minimum deal, and refers to 2026 as Aaron Rodgers' final season.
- Patricia TrainaTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Traina writes that the Giants may make more trades before the roster cutdown and names the players she sees as the most likely candidates to be dealt: kicker Ben Sauls, one of receivers Darius Slayton or Darnell Mooney, offensive lineman Jake Kubas, and linebacker Darius Muasau.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Auman predicts that Will Levis, released by Tennessee, will almost certainly be claimed on waivers by another team.