Dive into the heated NFC North debates on rookie contract holdouts, veteran extensions like Sauce Gardner’s $120M deal, potential hold-ins, and ESPN’s offseason grades in this episode of ‘Who Will Be King.’ Hosted by Dave from Vikings 1st & SKOL, with Pay from Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, and June and Foster from Bleachers to Speakers, this Fans First Sports Network production delivers unfiltered insights, rival banter, and bold predictions that make it a must-listen for NFL fans craving division drama ahead of training camp.

Why This NFC North Roundup Is Your Pre-Camp Must-Listen

In the dog days of the NFL offseason, when training camps are just kicking off or about to, and fans are starving for real football talk, ‘Who Will Be King’ stands out as the ultimate NFC North battleground. This episode brings together passionate podcasters from rival fanbases—Dave repping the Minnesota Vikings, Pay holding it down for the Chicago Bears, and June and Foster flying the flag for the Detroit Lions—for a no-holds-barred discussion that’s equal parts insightful analysis and playful trash-talk. With the Green Bay Packers notably absent (and relentlessly roasted), the show hooks you with its raw energy: Why care? Because these aren’t just talking heads; they’re die-hard fans dissecting the division’s hottest issues, from rookie holdouts threatening camp readiness to massive contract extensions that could reshape rosters. If you’re an NFC North loyalist or an NFL enthusiast gearing up for the 2025 season, this episode promises laughs, debates, and the kind of insider vibes that make you feel like you’re in the huddle.

Rookie Holdouts: A Domino Effect Sparked by the Texans’ Blunder

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the rookie contract drama gripping the league, particularly the second-round picks who remain unsigned as camps begin. Dave sets the stage, blaming the Houston Texans for “screwing everything up” by giving their second-rounder a fully guaranteed contract, which has led to a standoff involving 30 of 32 second-rounders. “Houston Texans screwed up paying their second rounder, so now everybody else has got to pay for it,” Dave quips, highlighting how this has ripple effects across the NFC North.

Pay, representing the Bears—who have two second-rounders and a third-rounder unsigned—rates his worry at a modest 2.5 on a scale of 1-5. He predicts a “domino effect” once one team caves, likening it to childhood games: “Did you ever used to just get dominoes and just stack ’em up and just like knock ’em all over? That’s what I think is going to happen with this contract situation.” He points to Cleveland Browns’ second-rounder Michael Jenkins as the likely first domino, given his recent domestic violence arrest: “Once you get in trouble, you start looking like, man, how much money am I about to lose? Let me go ahead and sign a contract real fast.”

June and Foster, from the Lions’ perspective, downplay concerns over their second-round pick, Tate Ratledge. “No, not at all. I’m not worried,” June says, emphasizing the competition at guard and center: “I think once one signs, they all will.” Foster agrees, stressing the importance of camp for rookies: “As long as he doesn’t do anything, you know, threaten to opt out… we would love to have him in camp as soon as possible.” He adds a jab at the Packers’ unsigned second-rounder, Anthony Belton: “Hopefully he takes forever to sign.”

Dave ties it back to the broader implications, noting the Texans’ decision to guarantee 100% instead of the typical 92% has created an “embargo.” The group consensus? Solidarity among the rookies could hold, but legal troubles like [Quinshon] Judkins’ might crack it first, resolving the hook of whether these holdouts will derail NFC North preparations.

Big Extensions and Veteran Hold-Ins: Who Deserves the Bag?

Shifting gears, the panel dissects recent high-dollar extensions, starting with New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner’s eye-popping four-year, $120.4 million deal (with $60 million guaranteed) and Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith’s $94 million extension. These were players NFC North teams had eyed in trades or free agency, making the discussion personal.

Dave laments the Vikings’ cap constraints: “Vikings fans wanted to trade for Sauce something terrible… but 120.4 million for four years, that’s a lot of payola.” Foster praises Gardner’s roots but notes his regression: “He had a little bit of a regression in that second year… DJ Reed might’ve even been statistically a little bit better.” Pay questions Gardner’s value after a down year: “He was probably one of the worst starting cornerbacks… opposing quarterbacks and other teams’ wide receivers ate good when he was lined up in front of them.”

On Smith staying in Kansas City, Pay sees it as propping up Patrick Mahomes: “You don’t want the precipitous fall of Pat Mahomes… give him a chance to still be the shining star.” The talk then pivots to potential veteran hold-ins—players who report to camp but sit out practices to avoid fines while negotiating.

Washington Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin tops the list, demanding a trade after skipping OTAs, with his panic meter at a 9/10. “Get up outta there,” Pay urges, while Foster suggests steering him away from the NFC North: “Depends on where he wants to go… go west.” Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, adamant about not playing without a new deal, draws concern from Pay’s AFC North contacts: “They don’t actually think he’s worth as much as he wants… Trey is already 31 years old.”

Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt, entering his final year at $28 million and skipping OTAs, sparks debate. June opposes a massive extension: “No… Hutch has to sign after that. Don’t set the market so high.” Pay predicts a hold-in: “Come show up to work and don’t do any work… but that’s not a way to get yourself paid.” Finally, Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons looms as a trade candidate, with Dave dubbing them “Cowgirls” until they win: “They’re not the Cowboys until they win something.”

These segments keep the story moving with rival perspectives, building tension around how contracts could fuel or fracture NFC North contenders.

ESPN’s Offseason Grades: Hits, Misses, and Bears GM Drama

The episode’s value peaks with a breakdown of ESPN analyst Seth Walder’s offseason grades, where no NFC North team cracks an A (those go to the Cardinals, Broncos, Rams, and 49ers). The Bears earn a B-, with Pay defending their moves: “They fixed the glaring issue on the squad, the offensive line… what else do you want?” He loves hiring coach Ben Johnson but dislikes extending GM Ryan Poles: “One Pro Bowler since he’s been the GM… don’t reward half measures.”

Detroit gets a B-, with Foster acknowledging reaches in the draft: “There’s a thin line between reaching and… steals, but as of right now, pre-valid to say we reached.” Green Bay’s C+ draws mockery for overpaying guard Aaron Banks: “What it sounds to me like is the Packers bought a mediocre guard,” Dave says. Minnesota’s C+ irks Dave, who questions disliking DT Jonathan Allen’s signing: “Allen is 30 and declining… but part of the reason was because he was injured.”

Headlines like Matt LaFleur’s pivotal season in Green Bay add spice: “We will learn a lot about LaFleur in 2025,” quotes Dave from NFL reporter Mike Tanier, catching the error assuming third place instead of last. The group resolves the hook by agreeing these grades fuel motivation, with Pay summing up: “Cut the crap. No one’s giving you a pass anymore.”

Listen:

Watch:

NFC North on the Brink as Camps Heat Up

As the episode wraps, the payoff arrives: These debates aren’t just offseason filler—they spotlight how holdouts, extensions, and grades could crown the NFC North king in 2025. With Lions already in camp (expanding Jahmyr Gibbs’ role and eyeing Aiden Hutchinson’s extension), Bears rookies reporting soon, and Vikings prepping J.J. McCarthy, the rivals tease a brutal division battle. Dave’s excitement is palpable: “I can’t wait… my big round bellies in action.” The banter resolves the initial hook, leaving listeners primed for camp drama, while promoting their channels for deeper dives.

From rookie solidarity potentially crumbling to veterans demanding their due, ‘Who Will Be King’ delivers the payoff: In a division where every move counts, unity and grit will decide who wears the crown. As Pay puts it, “You raise banners for winning games… finish the job first.”

FAN WITH US!!!

Follow us on Twitter ✖️ for more updates… Pay @TheRealPayday, host of the Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, June @asgjune & M Foster @Mbrfosterchild, hosts of the Bleachers To Speakers [Lions] podcast, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare, from @Vikings1stSKOL. This has been a joint podcast production partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.

Question:

Who do you think will be the NFC North’s breakout star in 2025, and why—could a rookie holdout like Tate Ratledge steal the show, or will a veteran like T.J. Watt dominate despite contract drama?